Author's Note:
Another chapter longer than normal. I have a feeling that Alabasta is going to take a while to get through but we'll see. We have a long way to go after all. As always please review and let me know what you think.
I don't own One Piece.
Addy closed her eyes as she finished slathering herself in sunscreen. Putting on her desert clothing as well. White loose-fitting tunic, airy and breathable with an attached hood. Loose-fitting pants. Sunglasses as well and last but not least a good pair of boots. Addy grumbled as she put it on. It was all still waterproof but because of the loose fit, it would drag in the water. Meaning she would not move as quickly. Still would keep her from dying in the heat which was a bonus.
She left the women's room only to run straight into Zoro.
"You ready?" he asked her looking her over.
She let out a sigh. "As ready as I'll ever be." She noticed the look he was giving her. "I know. Baggy clothing is totally my style."
"You look gorgeous to me." Addy blushed not expecting that. Everything he did now caused butterflies to erupt in her stomach. Zoro blushed in response. Probably realizing that he said that out loud. Probably without entirely meaning to.
"Maybe tonight when it cools down you can help me out of it." She walked up to him and pressed her hands into his shoulders. He reached around a grabbed her ass. Lifting her up slightly. "Would you like that?"
"Always… though…" he seemed to be struggling for words. "I've heard that the stars are gorgeous in the middle of the desert."
Could she fall for this man any more than she already has? She chuckled. "I'll gladly show them to you. Now the others are expecting us." He grumbled but nodded. Letting her go.
They went up to the top deck. Addy seemed to be the only one dressed for the occasion. That would need to be rectified.
After Addy docked Merry they took a moment to look at the Alabasta City. Even from here it seemed to be bustling. Domes and towers. Even Addy had to admit. It was rather pretty.
"So, this is an Alabasta city?" Usopp asked.
"Food!" Luffy exclaimed. Where they knew where Luffy's mind was.
"Listen, guys!" Nami called out hands on her hips. "Use self-control and try not to act on instinct too much!" This speech was going to call on deaf ears. They had Luffy as a Captain.
"Yes, Nami dear," Sanji immediately agreed.
"The guy who needs to hear that the most is already gone," Zoro pointed out.
"Food place!" Luffy shouted running out into the desert. Hopefully, they would see him again. She watched as he charged off. Kicking up dust behind him,
"Get back here!" Nami shouted.
"He's all instinct," Usopp stated.
"What should we do?" Vivi asked grasping her hands together.
"Don't worry," Sanji responded. "Find where the most commotion is, and he'll be there." He wasn't wrong. Chaos followed Luffy. That was a universal constant. He hopped off of Merry and into the sand.
"You got that right," Usopp added on.
"Ugh!," Nami remarked gripping the side of her head. "I wish he'd at least realize he has a bounty on his head! Especially in a big country like this!"
"Forget about him," Zoro reminded her as he climbed down the ladder. Addy quickly followed "Let him do whatever. Let's eat first. We can think after that." Chopper followed them. Jumping off of Merry as well. Landing softly in the sand. Already Addy was miserable and she had been off the ship for all of five seconds. The smell, the heat. She was going to need a blessing. No doubt about it. And she still had to pick up what she needed to ask her father for rain.
"Karoo and I can't go with you," Vivi pointed out.
"Huh?" Usopp remarked turning to look at her. "Are you not feeling good?"
"I'm too recognizable here…"
"That's for sure," Zoro added in. They probably should have thought about that before they made it this far.
"Don't worry!" Sanji said giving her a smile. "I'll go shopping for you too, Vivi precious." That would work. They seemed to have an actual plan until the bird started freaking out.
"What is it?" Vivi asked. Karoo was squawking up a storm pointing out a nearby ship. One that Addy had a bad feeling about. "Mr. 3's ship!"
"That creep didn't kick the bucket after all?!" Usopp asked. They really needed to be better about actually killing their opponents.
"There's no doubt about it! His ship runs on the power of his Doru-Doru fruit!"
"The bastard's here?" Sanji grumbled. Well, one good thing about it. Addy would get a chance to beat him up a second time.
"This is bad," Zoro pointed out. "He's seen our faces."
"It's alright!" Usopp exclaimed. "I have an idea!" Oh, this was either going to be brilliant or terrible. Addy hoped for the former but suspected the latter.
Something else caught her eye, however. A bottle bobbing up and down near Merry. Walking towards it she picked it up and opened it. Pulling out the paper that was tucked inside. Finding that it was written in her native tongue.
Adamaris of Delphi
When you get the chance meet me in the market. Alone. I'll be able to keep you hidden from our enemies. There is more going on than you realize.
May Earth be firm beneath your feet
Well, that was odd. It wasn't even signed. But Addy's curiosity was peaked. This could be a trap but at the same time, Addy got a feeling that she needed to trust the note. She needed to go to the market anyway. There was something she needed not meant for mortal hands. Hopefully, she would be able to find it.
Her attention turned back to her crew. And Usopp crazy idea. His idea was to hide under a blanket while Sanji, Chopper, and Addy walked out in the open. She already had her disguise after all. Chopper in his reindeer form. For some reason, this was the best idea they came up with.
"I'm pretty sure that this isn't helping," Addy grumbled as they walked through town. Earning themselves a bunch of strange looks They continued crouched down like this until Sanji finally led them to a broken-down house. Now nothing more than stone walls. All of them crawled out except Usopp. Who peered out from underneath the blanket and declared that it was safe to come out.
"We've been long out," Zoro stated.
"Looks like nobody noticed us!" Usopp said completely ignoring Zoro.
"If so, it's a miracle," Nami muttered.
Vivi however still seemed downtrodden. Lost in thought. "Vivi precious," Sanji cooed. "We're safe from view for a little while now." She didn't seem to hear a word he said. "Vivi precious?"
That startled her. She was completely lost in thought. "Yes?! Yes? You were saying?" Her eyes were open wide. Something else was going on.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry. I just felt a little relieved, so… At the very least, from what I've seen of this town, things still seem all right…" She lowered her head. "I probably can't rest easy… but I think I'll make it in time." Her entire body started trembling and she looked at Addy with big eyes.
"Yeah," Nami said trying to bring her some comfort. "It does seem like a peaceful town."
"Hey Vivi," Zoro said catching her attention. "You said you had a plan for stopping the rebel army, right?" She nodded. "What will you do now? What should we do?"
"Eh?"
"If you think you're gonna make it in time, it'd be better to act quick."
She nodded turning her big eyes towards Addy. "When can you ask for rain?"
Addy let out a sigh. "It's not that easy. Rain is complicated, a multi-layered blessing. And I assume you are asking for more than a potential foreseeable future drizzle. I assume you need it to rain hard now." She nodded. "It's not like you're asking me to bless a ship after all. I'm going to need to pick up some stuff from the market."
"I can pick it up for you Addy sweet," Sanji interjected twirling next to her.
"No… I need to do this. Alone."
That earned her some skeptical looks. She knew that this would happen. They still didn't entirely trust her and-
"Addy," Zoro stated interrupting her thoughts. "It's not safe. Not only is Mr. 3 out there but your bounty."
"I'll be fine," she countered. Safer than any of you at least. "The stuff I need to get… I won't be able to if I have a regular mortal with me." Her attention switched back to Vivi. "I assume that rain is part of your plan to stop the rebels." Not a great plan since it's not a guarantee. "But that's not all is it."
"Th-that's true, but the agreement was only to bring me to Alabasta-" Nami bonked her in the head.
"Come on, now!" Nami countered. "Are you still saying that?"
"Nami?!" She pressed her hand to the quickly forming bump.
"We traveled this far together. We can't just leave you now."
"Yeah Vivi!" Usopp added in. "Don't act so distant!"
"Plus, I'm interested in this Shichibukai," Zoro stated.
Nami leaned into him. Glaring. "You don't have to mention that!"
Addy let out a huff. "There is more going on here and I intend to figure it out."
"Anyways," Nami switched her attention to Vivi. Getting right up in her face. "Stop thinking that way!"
"Not to mention people are out kill all of us but me," Sanji pointed out. There was that as well.
"Sanji," Vivi murmured glancing at him.
"So there you have it!"
Nami turned Vivi around so that she was looking at her. Her entire demeanor going dark. "And besides, if this country gets destroyed, we won't get our reward for bringing you here." She narrowed her eyes. "Understand?"
'Y-yes!" Vivi answered. Nami was scary when it came to money.
"Very good, then!" Her demeanor suddenly cheerful. Big smile on her face.
"Go to hell," Zoro muttered grimacing.
"Thank you, Zoro! I haven't forgotten about your debt to me, either!"
"Wh-Why, you-!"
"Even if I'm a ghost I'll still come for my money." That would not surprise Addy in the slightest.
"You lousy!"
"You'd better pay the 400,000 Berries you owe!" At this point, their great-great-grandchildren will be in debt to Nami.
"It's gone up!"
"It'll go even higher if you're not quick to repay!"
Zoro looked towards her for help. "Addy!"
Addy shook her head and laughed. "You dug your own grave with this one.
"Nami dear is in the right," Sanji added in.
"Say what?!" Zoro whirled to face him. Those two would soon be bickering. Vivi soon put a stop to it when she started talking.
"Northwest of this city is an oasis called Yuba. That's where the rebel army is based. I'd like to go there first to stop the uprising." There must be a catch to this. "But to get to Yuba, we'll have to cross the desert." And there it was. "For that, we'll need to stock up on the necessary food and water here… but if Mr. 3 is in town…"
"Oh," Sanji remarked. "In that case, it's no problem." He pointed his thumb towards himself. "He hasn't seen my face."
"That's right! You've met almost none of them so far!" Nami said with a smile.
"And one other," Zoro added in.
"Oh, yeah! Chopper, too!" They looked down at their newest member. Holding onto his backpack. Excited for the adventure.
"That'll be perfect," Sanji remarked. "We'll have a lot to carry. I'm counting on you!"
"Right!" Chopper nodded. "Got it!"
"Hey, now," Usopp interjected. "You gonna be okay?"
He turned his head to look at Usopp. "I'll be okay! I wanna do what I can!" Using Usopp's own words. He was a clever little guy. He switched into his reindeer form. "There's no problem like this, right?"
"Alright!" Usopp gave him a thumbs up. "Now that's a human reindeer!"
"Meanwhile I'll search for what I need to summon rain." Along with that meeting. But if she mentioned that then there was no way they would let her go.
"Be safe," Zoro cautioned looking at the three of them. "All of you."
"You can count on us," Sanji replied. They were still giving Sanji instructions as Addy left. Addy splitting off in her own direction as soon as they reached the market. Now that she was here she had no idea who she was looking for. Really wish they wrote their name. So she focused on picking up what she needed. Ground-up lotus and water lily. Coral and a seashell.
Just as she was reaching for one of her last ingredients. A canteen of freshwater a hand grabbed at her wrist.
"I've been looking for you Adamaris," the voice said in their language. Sounding like the shifting of sands. She looked up to see black eyes staring down at her, framed by hair the color of sand. Her skin was red. The color of the high desert. Wearing a robe spun of red and gold Addy knew exactly who she was speaking to. Letting herself smile. Out of all of them, dryad's looked the most human. Particularly Parcheth of Dahvana. Taryn's aunt and currently the only living desert dryad.
"Honestly I wasn't expecting you," Addy stated pulling her hand away. "Though I shouldn't be surprised."
Parcheth snorted. "You should be surprised? Imagine my shock when Earth informed me that you had approached. Do you know how hard I've been trying to keep your family away from here?"
Addy raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"
Parcheth tutted shaking her head. "Don't you know?"
"Know what?"
Her eyes went wide. "Good, good. Then there still might be a chance." She gripped both of Addy's shoulders. "You might hear some things. Some things that you may feel or even be required to report." What in Ocean was she talking about? "All I'm asking you is to promise me to hear both sides of the story before jumping to any conclusions." There was fear and panic in her eyes. Whatever was going on here was bad.
"You're not going to tell me what's happening, are you?" Addy looked around but no one seemed to be bothering them. "And you can't do anything because this is your legacy community."
Parcheth let out a sigh and backed off. Running a hand through her hair. "Look just promise me-"
"All I'm here to do is help Princess Vivi do whatever she needs to do and ask Ocean to allow it to rain." Something changed in Parcheth. Like her entire demeanor changed, like the shifting of sands. She now had hope.
She placed her hand on Addy's head and bowed her own. "I ask Earth to bless Adamaris and her companion's travels. To ease the heat of the desert so that it may not be so harsh." Addy felt it work almost immediately. It was still hot but not overbearing. She still wouldn't want to be out in it but it was tolerable.
She lifted her head up and gave Addy a smile. "Making it rain is going to be easier said than done knowing Ocean." She handed Addy a vial of golden liquid. The hardest ingredient to find. Ambrosia. "But if anyone can you can." She handed Addy a canteen of water as well before heading off in her own direction.
"I'm not going to see you again am I?" Addy asked.
Parcheth looked back and gave her a smile. "Depends on if you succeed or fail in your goal." She disappeared into the crowd. Almost as if she was never there, to begin with. Addy blinked a couple of times. Taryn was right. Her aunt was an odd one.
She returned a little bit after Sanji and Chopper. Usopp and Zoro were dressed for the trip Chowing down on some food Sanji brought while Nami and Vivi were dressed in dance girl outfits. Addy had to blink a couple of times to clear her head. Both of them looked good. Really good.
"Well you two look spectacular," Addy said dropping her bags at her feet. "I'm not sure it's practical though."
"I should have asked you to pick up clothing," Vivi stated turning to look at Addy. "You got everything you need?"
"All that's left is a wide-open space with no chance of being disturbed and I can do it." She sat down next to Chopper who was covering his nose and twitching.
"You okay?" Addy asked looking down at him.
"The smell is killing me…" he complained.
"That reminds me," Sanji said standing over him. "Where did you go?"
"Various places!"
"Is he not feeling good?" Nami asked.
Sanji pointed at him. "Oh, the perfume's gotten to him."
"Perfume?"
"Oh, right! Tony has a sensitive nose!" Vivi mentioned.
Nami sniffed at her arm. "Oh, this…"
"Some of it can be rather strong."
"Like this?" Nami turned and sprayed some over her shoulder. Causing Chopper to sit up and freak out.
"Stop!" he shouted.
"Mellorine love into the abyss!" Sanji twittered. It was so easy with him.
"What are you?" Zoro asked taking a sip out of a bottle. "An idiot?" Sanji growled at him.
"In any case," Usopp interrupted bring everyone back to reality. "We've accomplished our first goal of gathering supplies!"
"Yes," Vivi nodded.
"We're going to a place called Yuba, was it?" Nami asked.
"Yes, but first is a trek through the desert. It will likely be much more difficult than you imagine right now. There's no telling what might happen. One wrong step in this burning land, and there's no guarantee you'll survive. I'm still a little uneasy and unsure about taking you to such a place, but I want to return peace to this kingdom. So I… So I ask you again!" It was like she found some new resolve. "Everyone! Please lend me your help! I beg of you.." She lowered her head and closed her eyes.
"You finally said it," Nami replied. "We've been waiting for it!"
"There's no telling what happens on the sea, either. Right, Vivi precious?" Sanji added in.
Zoro stood up. Ready for the adventure. Taking out his beautiful white sword and sliding it within easy reach. "Yeah! It'll be no different from before!"
"Besides you have more friends then you know," Addy stated standing up. "Parcheth has given us a desert crossing blessing which makes the journey a lot easier."
Vivi blinked a couple of times. "Parcheth? But no one has seen her in a hundred years."
"Doesn't mean that she isn't around."
"I can't wait to see the desert!" Chopper proclaimed. Karoo squawking in response.
"Alright, guys!" Usopp said standing up. Holding his fist up. "Whadya say we get going to Yuba now?!" They all held up their fists or equivalent in the air. Except for Vivi who was shocked by the display.
"Yeah!" They all shouted. Only something wasn't quite right.
"Don't we seem to be missing someone?"
"Luffy!": Everyone exclaimed while Addy said, Captain. Ocean knows where he is at the moment. She should have asked Parcheth to find him.
"That moron!" Nami exclaimed. Well, that was a start to their quest. Finding their wayward captain.