Author's Note:

Boy, this is a long chapter. I did not exactly expect that. It's also been one of my favorites to write and Alabasta is only just getting started. As always please review and let me know what you think.


After their miniature celebration they broke off to their own places. Addy headed to the helm followed by Ace. Sanji following as well to make tea and rice balls in the kitchen. Luffy and Usopp also joining them. Sitting at the kitchen table. Eating and playing with the rice balls.

"Addy," Ace stated softly placing a hand on her shoulder. She knew this was going to happen. It was bound to. And now that they had a moment of quiet there was a chance to talk. Even the rest of the crew seemed to understand. Leaving the two of them alone. "I'm sorry about Riley." Ocean even thinking about it brought tears to her eyes. "We held a funeral once we learned."

"What did they tell you?" Addy could feel her voice constrict.

"Not much. Even Uncle David was tight lipped about it."

Addy closed her eyes and took a deep breath. So they didn't know what really happened then. "Probably for the best. It wasn't great near the end." Downright awful would be more appropriate.

He gave her a sad look. "She will always be missed."

She gave him a small smile. "As will Thatch." She shook her head. "Good people should not die young."

Ace nodded. "I couldn't agree with you more." He squeezed her shoulder. "How are you handling it?"

She scoffed. "As best as you think." She let go of the helm and turned to look at him directly.
"Became an alcoholic for a year. Only became sober a few days ago." She shook her head. Resting her head on his shoulder. He was warm. Always had been. He gently wrapped his arms around her. "Honestly without them, without my nakama I'm not sure I would be here."

"Provide enough of a distraction?"

She looked at her captain who was building a snowman out of rice while Usopp stuck a finger in a riceball pretending it was himself. Sanji slammed a frying pan on their heads with a metal clang. Yelling at them to stop playing with their food.

"Yeah, you can say that." Ace smiled letting go of her and letting her get back to the helm while he sat at the kitchen table drinking tea.

"Wow you two are close," Merry stated. Addy smiled. Merry had no idea. She glanced back at Ace. Now that Riley was gone she supposed Ace could be considered her best friend. Addy was sure if Ace was asked he would name her.

"If you got free time, go wash dishes or something!" Sanji continued to yell at them. "Geez! I need to finish our packed meals before we cross the river!" He headed to the sink rolling up his sleeves.

"Need a hand?" Ace asked.

"No, no. You are a guest on board. Just sit back and relax."

Addy laughed. "Besides I remember the last time you washed dishes."

Ace shot her a dirty look. "You promised that you would never bring it up."

"No, I promised to never talk about it. I can totally bring up the fact that you managed to get the three of us kicked out the kitchens for a month."

Ace smiled. "Like I'm the only one who got us in trouble. I seemingly remember having to break a certain someone out of jail for public indecency."

"Now that's uncalled for." The two of them laughed while Sanji did dishes. Usopp and Luffy doing the same in the corner. Washes the dishes in buckets of water. Which Sanji just noticed.

"Don't wash the dishes in that mop bucket!" he shouted at them. Both of them looking up confused. Sanji continued to yell at them until Nami walked in.

"Addy can you dock the ship here? Vivi wants to stop."

"I can see the perfect place on shore to stop," Merry pointed out giving Addy directions. Which she followed.

"Vivi want me to do the rain ceremony?" Addy asked. She had everything. All she had to do was get dressed.

"No, she has an important task for Karoo. Why? Can you do it now?"

"If we have a spare hour. Honestly would be better till we got to Erumalu. It might take a while."

Nami nodded heading back out with a wave. "I'll let Vivi know." Soon Addy had pulled Merry up close to shore. Most of the other Straw Hats disembarking with Vivi. Only her, Zoro and Ace stayed on board. Addy going down into her and Nami's room. She was going to have to get changed for the ceremony. Might as well do it now.

It was probably the skimpiest thing she owned. A deep blue halter bra studded with seashells collected from the deepest depths of the Ocean with a matching short skirt barely covering what it needed to. but that was part of the point. Needed the flexibility of movement. She also slipped on the shell bracelets and the wrap around earrings before putting back on the baggy clothing. Once they got there all it would require would be a quick change and she was good to go.

She got back up on deck just as Karoo was running off in the distance with whatever message Vivi had for him. Joining Zoro and Ace on deck. Standing next to Zoro. She suppressed a smirk. Zoro would go ballistic if he knew what she was wearing.

"I knew Crocodile was in this country," Ace stated. "But a pirate trying to steal a kingdom?" He turned his back to the shore. Looking over Merry. "That sounds like a bad joke. A pirate dropping anchor in one spot and settling down? Don't tell me he's trying to usurp the throne."

"Alright! Let's set sail!" Luffy shouted once he got back on board. Usopp still on the rope ladder.

"Hold on! I'm not on board yet!" Usopp shouted quickly climbing up.

"There could be another side to this takeover thing," Ace continued walking off.

"Another side?" Zoro asked.

"Some sort of deeper goal…"

Ace was right. Crocodile probably did have bigger plans up his sleeve. Though what they were Addy didn't care. She just wanted to get out of this country as quickly as possible.

An hour later Addy had sailed them to the shores of Erumalu. Unlike the rest of the country, the shore was covered in rocks rather than sand. Something Addy was grateful for. She was going to get sick of sand in the upcoming days.

"We're finally here!" Luffy called out.

"We're finally going into the desert!" Chopper stated sliding down the bannister. "I bet it'll be hot…" That it certainly would be. Burning in the days and freezing at night. Yep. Addy definitely hated the desert.

"It gets over 50 degrees Celsius in the daytime!" Nami explained having also changed. Though unlike Addy she changed into something far more modest.

"Eh?! It does?!"

"Unfortunately," Addy responded walking down the stairs with Nami.

Sanji caught sight of them and his eyes bugged out of his head. "What happened Nami dear?! Where did your dancer outfit go?!" Vivi came out from behind the Crows Nest pole. Also dressed in something more modest. Carrying clothes for Luffy. "Aah! Not you too, Vivi precious! Why are you dressed like that?!"

Vivi turned to him. "In the desert, any exposed skin will wind up terribly sunburned!"

Sanji collapsed on deck in response. Muttering about how terrible it was that they were dressed in reasonable clothing. His mind would probably explode once Addy started the rain ceremony. He started rolling around on the deck in sadness.

"Let's get ready to disembark," Zoro called out.

"You all better be careful." Merry cautioned. "I don't want anything to happen to you"

"I'm more worried about you Merry," Addy responded. "We aren't going to be back for a long time."

"Don't you worry about me. Worse case is I'll sail around the island and find you guys later." A part of Addy didn't doubt that. Merry was becoming more independent each passing day. It was then that Addy sensed splashing in the water. Looking down at the river belonged she saw what looked like seals dressed in turtle shells jump out of the water. Lifting their flippers up as fists.

"Turtles?" Zoro asked finishing pulling up the anchor.

"Aren't those seals?" Luffy questioned. Whatever they were they were adorable.

"Kung Fu Dugongs!" Vivi shouted.

"If you wanna come onshore, you'll have to beat me first!" Chopper stated speaking for the lead dugong. Oh, they were super precious. Maybe there was one good thing about this island after all. "Or else go back to the other shore, cowards!" Chopper turned to face Nami, Addy, and Ace who was looking at the dugongs with befuddlement. Nami sighed looking back at the dugongs.

Usopp stepped up on the railing. "I can't sit quietly by when someone calls me a coward! Let's do it!" He jumped off of Merry. Ready to defeat the dugongs.

"Wait! Usopp!" Vivi yelled but it was too late. He was promptly beaten up by the dugong as soon as he landed. Bruised and bloody. "Kung Fu Dugongs are strong!" Usopp coughed up a bit of blood. Before anyone knew it Luffy jumped up onshore and punched the dugong in the head. Leaving it on the ground with a large bump. He held up his arms in the air. Hands curled up into fists.

"Looks like Luffy beat it," Addy pointed out.

"Winning is bad too!" Apparently, the dugong wasn't too badly injured as it popped back up and bowed to Luffy.

"Huh?" Luffy asked. The dugong looked up with sparkles in its eyes.

"It's a Kung Fu Dugong rule that if someone loses, they become the winner's pupil!"

"That's very marital arts-ish," Zoro pointed out with crossed arms. Soon they were all looking at Luffy with sparkling eyes. Wagging their tails. He was completely surrounded by them.

"The number of pupils just went up!" Vivi shouted.

"Alright, everyone!" Luffy called out. "After me! Stance!" They held up their flippers in all sorts of positions. "No! Like this!" He held up his fists in his usual stance. Soon all the dugongs followed. "Yeah! Now go like this!" Luffy punched in the air and all the dugongs copied. "That's it! Like this!" He switched sides. "Like this! Like this!" It was freaking adorable. The rest of the Straw Hats jumping on land now that Luffy fixed the dugong problem. Eventually, Luffy was doing training with them. "Alright! Let's set out for Yuba!"

Zoro's eyes were twitching. "Hold on, now!" All the dugongs were lined up behind Luffy. Ready to head out with them. "Are you bringing them with us?!"

"You can't, Luffy!" Nami pointed out hands on her hips.

"The dugongs can't cross the desert," Vivi elaborated.

The dugongs were clutching at his legs. Rubbing their faces on him. All three of the ladies were looking at them. Eyes wide. Muttering so cute under their breaths. The three of them leaned their heads together.

"I don't know why, but I feel like we're doing something very sad," Nami whispered.

"Me, too," Vivi agreed. "What should we do?"

"We need to figure out something," Addy pointed out.

"I know!" Chopper exclaimed sniffing around the bags. "Let's see here…"

"What're you doing?" Sanji asked. Chopper ignored him grabbing a piece of meat from one of the bags.

"Here! You can have this!" He held it out for them. "So, stay here, okay?" The dugongs jumped him. All of them piling up on him. Carrying him away. "Help!"

"Chopper!" Usopp shouted.

Eventually, they got Chopper back. Sacrificing two rice balls in the process. The dugongs give them a sad farewell. Tears pouring down the leads face while another banged on a drum. At least Merry would be safe with them around.

"See ya!" Luffy shouted waving goodbye to them as they walked into the desert.

"Hey now, Luffy!" Nami stated. "Do you understand the current situation?!"

"They said they were coming with me, so why couldn't we let them?"

"We couldn't go to any city with that big of a group! You're so dumb! Honestly! We would've been in big trouble had Chopper not persuaded them!"

"Yeah!" Chopper added. "They kept saying 'We'll accompany you!' They really would've come if we hadn't given them food!"

"Sheesh!" Sanji complained. "Thanks to you, our food supply's gotten a lot smaller!"

"He knows how to cause trouble," Ace stated.

"That's for sure."

Addy just shook her head. They had barely started and already they were running into problems.

"Addy," Vivi said walking next to her. "When can you-"

"Do the rain ceremony?" she finished. "Any point now really. I was thinking we would wait till we get to town. I need a rather flat surface."

"It's just over this dune." This dune proved to be a harder climb than Addy thought. Vivi, Zoro, Addy, and Usopp taking the lead while the others followed behind them. She wasn't sure what she expected when they reached the top but a city filled with sand wasn't it. It was like the sand had taken over completely. Buildings buried deep. People had not been in this city for a long time.

Addy walked ahead. Setting up the ritual circle while the others caught up. An intricated pattern of lines, swirls, and waves. Making sense to Addy and Addy alone. So, caught up in her work she barely noticed the others join her. Watching her as she finished drawing the circle in the sand. Once completed she poured water over it. Mixed with the herbs that were purchased along with the other supplies. She heard the others gasp when instead of being soaked up by the ground it floated over the circle. Forming a pool. Finally, was the last step. Screwing the cap off the ambrosia she downed it in one go. Tasting sweeter than nectar. Even the smell was intoxicating.

Immediately she could feel its effects rushing through her blood. A growing connection to the world beyond. The world of her father. Ambrosia wasn't necessarily needed but it made it a whole lot easier.

She shed the outer garments and entered the circle. Closing her eyes and giving herself a moment to breathe. To listen to the rhythm that she needed to follow. She would not be able to start until she knew. It didn't take her a moment. Being a spiritualist had that advantage. Soon she was dancing to the unseen music. Connecting with her father. Once the circle started to glow she could ask for rain. While she did not see it, she sensed it. Feeling the glow in her bones. Her father was here. Happy to be connected to his daughter. While she could not speak to him directly, nor he to her she could send out impressions. Right now, she could tell he was happy if a bit confused. She was in a desert after all.

Using all her energy she asked for rain to fall. For the oases to be filled and the desert to bloom once again. What she was expecting was skepticism. What she got was anger. Powerful enough to cause her to double over in pain. Seeping all the way into her bones. One thing was clear. Her father was pissed that she would even ask for such a thing. There would not be rain coming. Using what energy she had left she asked why. What could they do to make it rain? The anger softened. Knowing now that it was done out of ignorance. As for when the rain would come an image appeared before her. A tall man with a wide chest and broad shoulders. Slicked back black hair and pale skin almost to the point of being grey with a thick dark pelted fur coat. She had her answer. Addy knew what they had to do.

As soon as the connection was cut she spat out blood. Falling to her knees. Some still tricking from her mouth. Her whole body was trembling. Almost instantly Chopper, Ace and Zoro materialized next to her. But she battered away Chopper's hooves as they reached out to examine her.

"It's okay," she chocked out. "Nothing you can do as theirs nothing to treat."

"What?!" Chopper yelled at her. "What do you mean nothing to treat!"

"It will work itself out. Help me into my clothes." Zoro and Ace did just that. Making sure that she had all her outerwear back on before slinging one of her arms over each of their shoulders. She coughed up more blood. Oh, her father was definitely angry.

She looked up and stared directly at Vivi. Addy had only one question for her. "What did Crocodile do?"

"What?" Vivi asked.

Addy rolled her eyes. "My father is to put it lightly pissed off. It's why it hasn't rained in eons. And it's only going to rain again once Crocodile's lays defeated and his blood spilled on the desert sands. So, I'll ask again. What it the realm of the four Great Spirits did Crocodile do?"

"This," Vivi chocked out gesturing all around them. "The sight of this town explains everything. What the Baroque Works organization has done to this country… What the people of Alabasta are going through." If Addy wasn't spitting up blood, she would reply that didn't really answer anything. Vivi started walking through the town. The rest of them following her. Though it would be more appropriate to call it ruins. Falling towers climbing into the sky. Cracked and worn. Plants turned into dried out husks.

Ace and Zoro helped her around until she found her footing again. Though both of them still kept a close eye on her. Not that they really needed to. Her father's wrath had cleared her system. But the fact that it happened at all told her that something was deeply wrong with this country.

"Wow!" Luffy remarked. "There's nothing here at all!"

"Yes," Vivi responded. "It's a ghost town now, but up until just recently, it was a thriving city full of greenery!"

"This place was?" Zoro asked kicking one of the palms trees. The bark cracking and coming apart immediately. He rejoined the group.

"Rain was always scarce, but even so, the city was able to manage by saving every last drop of rainwater it could. But, for three years now, not a single drop of rain has fallen in any part of this country." Explains why she was so desperate for Addy to have it rain. But not why Ocean was so angry.

"For three years?!" Sanji questioned.

"That long?!" Chopper exclaimed.

"But even without rain, what about the river we just crossed?" Zoro pointed out.

"Yeah!" Usopp added in pointing at Zoro. "Couldn't they just pipe water in from that big river?"

"The answer to that is up ahead," Vivi stated. Zoro's and Usopp's eyes went wide. Curious as to what was ahead. She continued to lead them. "Never in the thousands of years of Alabasta's history has the rain stopped completely. But there was one place where the rain fell more than usual… Alubarna, the capital, The city with the king's palace… The people called it the King's Miracle. Until what happened that day, at least… a shipment came into port. Massive canvas bags. However, one of the wheels cracked. Causing the cart to break apart and green powder to spill forth."

"Dance powder," Nami said.

Addy stopped dead in her tracks. Laughing hysterically for a moment. Causing everyone to stop. She kept laughing until she was able to catch her breath. "Oh, that explains everything. And why Parcheth didn't say anything." She looked up at Vivi and glared at her. "You are either a genius or a colossal idiot."

Vivi looked at her astounded. "What?!"

Addy shook her head. "Dance power otherwise known as Rain-Summoning Powder is an uber illegal substance created by a nereid legacy who abused their connection to Ocean because they felt bad for a country with no rain. He created a powder that stole rain from others. Causing conflict, strife, wars and most importantly pissing off Ocean. Therefore, it has been mandated by the World Government that anytime that there is even suspected use of dance powder a nereid to step in. And do what needs to be done to put a stop to it."

"Then why haven't you?" Vivi snapped at her.

Addy didn't blame her. She would probably be the same way. "Because I assume, they blamed your father."

Vivi nodded. "At the same time, a massive amount of dance powder was found inside the palace.

"Which explains why Parcheth kept a lid on it. If anyone of my kind learned about it… By command of our father they would have wiped the royal family, you included and everyone connected to them." The silence was palpable. Only sound caused by Wind shifting the sands. "And there's not a damn thing you could have done about it. The laws regarding dance powder are one of the rulings that supersede all. So Parcheth kept it quiet until she figured the real culprit could be uncovered." Addy chuckled. "If dance powder is involved Ocean won't let it rain until the culprit is brought to justice. Ocean, I wish you told me sooner. Would have saved me from doing a rain ceremony.

Vivi winched. "Sorry I-"

Addy waved her off "I also probably would have not been so-"

"Mean?" Nami asked while Vivi said "Downright awful."

"I was going to say harsh but both of those work. At the very least if you accused Crocodile of using Dance Power." She let out a whistle. "I can't even explain to you the levels of bad if that got out."

"Sarabi would've turned this island into a land of ice," Ace stated.

"Seriously?" Usopp asked. "She can do that?"

"Oh yeah," Addy responded. "Though I would be more worried about Delphi. There wouldn't even be an island if she got involved."

"Your family is scary." The others nodded along.

"You got no idea," both her and Ace said at the same time stopping in front of a road. Nothing more than a dusty track.

"What's this road Vivi precious?" Sanji asked.

"This was a canal that used to bring water in from the Sandora River," Vivi answered. Everyone gasped. It really was astonishing. This town had no chance once the rain stopped. "Someone destroyed this canal, too… With its canal gone, the City of Green could no longer secure water." Chopper broke off from the group to look down a nearby well. Probably finding it bone dry. Like everything else around them. "As if praying, the people continued to wait, but rain never came." They never had a chance. Not when Dance Powder got involved. They continued walking. Seeing more and more of the ruins the town had become. "Ever since the Dance Powder incident, distrust in the king grows daily."

"And it's all how Crocodile planned, huh?" Zoro brought up. Addy had to give him credit. It was a pretty genius plan.

"And then the fighting finally began. To escape the fighting, the exhausted people abandoned the city and left for other oases in search of water." She stopped once again. "And then…" Luffy stopped and turned to look back at her. "The City of Green withered away." Wind started playing up again. Echoing the silence around them. Until Vivi let out a gasp. Looking up at a nearby tree. Wind was becoming stronger. Picking up the sounds of rumbling as it blew past them. Almost like music.

"Huh?" Nami asked. "Is that someone's voice?"

"Is it the rebel army?!" Chopper wondered.

"Don't tell me Baroque Works has been following us!" Usopp exclaimed. The sound grew louder. A hollow, haunting noise that sent chills through Addy. She knew what this was.

Chopper was looking around trying to detect where it was coming from. Zoro had his hands on his swords. Ready for a fight.

"No," Ace stated. "It's just wind."

"It has to be someone's voice!" Luffy responded back.

"It's coming from all directions," Usopp remarked also looking around. "What do we do, Big Brother?!"

"There's no danger," Ace insisted. "It's just wind blowing across the town and echoing off old buildings."

"The music of a dead town," Addy added in closing her eyes and taking in the sound. It was beautiful in a melancholic sort of way.

Wind was getting stronger. Now powerful enough to blow back her hood. Addy's hair blowing freely. The same happening to Vivi

"It's as if… it's as if the city of Erumalu is crying," Vivi chocked out. It did sound a bit like that. However, Wind was only getting stronger by the second and Addy could see why. An approaching sand tornado. It would be upon them in a few moments. Sand and Wind twisting and twirling together in a dangerous combo. "Here it comes!"

It was upon them in a flash. All of them shielding themselves from Wind and sand. Addy closing her eyes to protect them. She couldn't hear anything above the roar of the wind. Just as suddenly as it was upon them it had moved on. Continuing its journey across the desert. As they must do.

"Whoa, what was with that wind?" Usopp asked.

Before anyone could answer Luffy ran off. Spotting something nearby.

"Someone's collapsed!" Nami remarked.

"There are still people in this city?!" Viv questioned. That would be immensely surprising. Addy had no idea how anyone could live here.

Luffy's pace slowed to a walk before finally stopping in front of what he spotted. Letting Vivi and the rest catch up to him. What they found wasn't surprising but still caused a chill in the air. A white skull. Nestled among the sand. Unburied by Wind. Addy looked around. How many others rested here?

Vivi kneeled and touched the skull with her fingertips. "What did my father… What did the citizens of this country ever do? These people have worked so hard to live, being natives of a desert land who are forced to fight with nature." Her body was trembling. "Yet he's destroyed their lives! What gives him the right to do that?! What?"

At that moment Addy connected with Vivi on a level she had never before. Because she had asked a very similar question so long ago. Her memory flashing back on that moment. And just as she did then she wished she had the answer. She glanced over at Sanji, Luffy, and Usopp who had left the group. Leaving their bags in the sand and walking to a white building standing by itself.

"All the while, as one of the Seven Warlords, he pretends to be a hero of the people! No one realizes he's deceiving the entire country! And the ones that did have done nothing about it!" She placed her hand on her face. "I… can't let him get away with this!"

The sound of crashing and rumble breaking broke the speech. Luffy's scream adding to it. They all turned to look at the building. Luffy bringing it down with a single punch. Vivi sat up and looked as well. Biting her lip as she usually did.

"Geez," Zoro muttered. "You're all such kids." Ace had a fond smile on his face as if expecting this. Luffy, Sanji and Usopp were walking back to them. Meanwhile, Ace crouched down and started digging a hole in the sand. A proper place to rest the skull. Vivi placed it gently inside and covered it back up. Ace putting a stick on top. Honoring the resting place.

"Vivi!" Luffy called out. "Let's get moving!" He cracked his shoulder. "I'm itching to do this now!" He started walking back out into the desert. Usopp, and Sanji following him.

"Let's go to Yuba!" Nami said.

"That's where the rebel army is, right?" Zoro asked.

Vivi stood up. "Yes, I'm going to persuade their leader to stop the rebellion." Addy had no idea how she was going to succeed in doing that but damn it if Addy wasn't going to help her try.

Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Persuade?"

"All of Alabrasta's calamities are Crocodile's doing! I'm going to tell him the truth and have him stop the pointless shedding of blood!"

"Got it." Zoro turned to follow the others and everyone else started as well. They had a long way to go and a whole lot of desert to cross before reaching the end.