Chapter 18 – Alabasta

The trip through the desert was an eye-opener.

Even more so than the ruins of lost towns that they passed, it was the spirits that they could never forget. So many. Much, much too many, terribly indiscriminate in age – lingering remnants of the Alabastan people's suffering.

There were those who raged at the royals who they believed had wronged them; those who cried even though their tears had long since run dry; those who prayed for their loved ones still living, those who had no one left but could not let go of their attachment to their homeland.

There were even those who wandered endlessly through the desert, seemingly unaware that they had passed.

All through this Nefertari Titi walked behind her daughter, only pausing from the path to reach a gentle hand wherever she could help, accepting harsh words without complaint where she couldn't. And she – they, both of them – walked on.

"Titi…" Sora caught her friend's hand in hers, hoping to give what little comfort she could.

She of all the others had a mournful understanding of the pressure that weighed on the other queen's shoulders. As royalty, one had a responsibility to the common people – it was one of the values they held and believed in most strongly. Yet here the Alabastan citizens were suffering; had been for a long time, without them being able to do anything. Titi's heart was breaking every day, for her people, for her nation; and as a mother, for her daughter.

Titi shook her head wordlessly, squeezing back for a brief moment in gratitude, but then gently slipped her fingers away. Tears shimmered like a mirage in her eyes, but none of them fell to touch the parched ground.

They walked on.

The shift came after Yuba, heralded with Luffy's startling words that shocked tears out of Vivi for the first time on this journey.

The promise, to defeat Crocodile and return hope to the Alabastan people.

The declaration, that Vivi was no longer alone. That she had friends who were willing to risk their lives for her. For her dreams.

It was a monumental task, bigger than anything the Straw Hats had faced before. But… They weren't alone. They had each other, and those watching their growth with every step they took.

Titi's shoulders shook with the force of her tears, held back for years. The droplets rained down onto the ground, like a prayer that real rain would fall once more on this sorrowful land of hope.

Shall we put our faith in these children, once more?