Coco: Hello, hello, and welcome to the next chapter of Monster Within. In fact, this is a two-chapter update :D And after these two chapters, the Alabasta Arc will have one more chapter before finally coming to an end. I probably won't be doing many of the fillers that come after this arc. I did the Rainbow Mist arc last time, but I'm not sure if I'll do it this time. I might pick the arc with the goats instead XD Or just go straight to the Jaya Arc. Haven't decided yet.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy these two chapters :D

'It looks as if she's taking this serious,' Wren thought as the orbs of blue fire appeared in the mist. 'Good. Though it's painful…it's better this way.'

Wren then dodged to the side as some of those orbs came at her. She whirled around then parried a few away with some fancy swordplay. She twisted on the ball of her right foot then dipped backwards as the dangerous dance continued. She didn't plan to go for direct attack. She'd keep dodging for now as it'd surely upset Lorelei. The girl would try something rash and that's when Wren would end things in one fell swoop. She didn't want to cause the girl anymore pain than she absolutely had to.

One ball of fire nearly caught her but, in the end, up she flipped back and away just in time. She could sense Lorelei's growing frustration. It shouldn't take much longer now. As Wren was distracted by the fire, Lorelei came up behind her and went to slice her ribs. Wren blocked with her sword then kicked out her foot to send Lorelei tumbling backwards. The girl let out a grunt as she hit the ground. She glared up at Wren who didn't even bother to turn and look at her.

"At least look at me when we're fighting, dammit!" Lorelei demanded as she jumped to her feet. "Don't treat me like I'm not worth your time! Not after everything we've been through!"

She slashed at Wren again and the two entered a dangerous exchange of slashing and parrying. Lorelei only growing all the more frustrated the longer the exchange went on.

"You're not using your true potential." Wren said. "Why use the mist if not to hide and ambush? That's its purpose. If you truly want an advantage on this battle, use your flames."

She then shoved Lorelei backwards forcing the girl back several feet. Lorelei landed on her feet while narrowing her eyes at Wren.

"You want my fire?" Lorelei asked then held out one of her sickles. "Then you can have it. Blue Sparrow!"

Bright blue flames appeared at the end of the weapon and flew forward in the shapes of birds. They came in fast at Wren who raised her sword high up in the air. She then brought it down in a strong slash. A wail entered the air and the backlash of it sent the fire birds spiraling away. Lorelei gasped having to shield herself from her own attack as it hit around her.

When she finally dropped her arm, Wren, who had used the distraction to her advantage, was suddenly in front of her. Her eyes widened before she let out a gag when Wren used the hilt of her sword in hit Lorelei in the gut. The attack was so hard Lorelei's stomach lurched and caused her the retch up the contents from inside. She fell to her knees coughing and hacking as she held her stomach. She weakly looked up at Wren as the older woman was giving her a sad look.

'Don't you dare look at me like that,' Lorelei thought angrily. 'You don't have the right…'

She then gave a shout as she quickly forced herself back up. She slashed forward with one of her sickles managing to catch Wren in the arm since the older woman hadn't moved back in time. Instead of continuing the assault, Lorelei slipped back into the mist, which was starting to thin out. Wren was right when she said the mist wouldn't last long. And Lorelei knew she had to calm down. If she kept going like she was, she'd lose for sure.

"Lorelei, please, just give up," Wren said as she gave the small wound on her arm an indifferent glance before looking around the mist for Lorelei. "You know you can't beat me. Turn around now and head back to Dressrosa."

"I can't do that," Lorelei replied with her voice echoing throughout the mist. "I am a loyal member of our family! To just give up and turn away…that's a betrayal to the Young Master. He entrusted this job to me, and I won't fail him!"

Wren frowned though knew Lorelei wouldn't give up. Lorelei was very dedicated to the family. Completely unaware that that same family would have left her to die if Wren hadn't helped her achieve her potential. Diamante wouldn't have hesitated to put Lorelei down himself if things had gone differently.

'But I never did want her to know that,' Wren thought. 'I wanted her safe from the truth and safe from them. I wanted her to grow up happy and free from such dark truths. If she had to have anyone as an enemy, I would rather it be myself than any one of them.'

Wren's gaze then caught the slightest movement to the right, so she stepped backwards to avoid getting her head chopped off. The sickle that had been thrown at her disappeared back into the mist.

"He trusted you too!" Lorelei added. "How could you betray him?! After everything he's done for you?! You said you'd do anything for him! That he was important to you! Was that all a lie?"

Her voice continued to echo through the mist. Wren having a hard time pinpointing her location as the mist created by wisps had an odd ability on one's haki. The magic imbedded within it came directly from the wisp, so it was like her entire presence was spread out around Wren. Making it nearly impossible to tell where she was.

'At one point all those words had been true,' Wren thought. 'He had once been the most important person to me in the world. I would have done anything…anything to make him happy…'

—FLASHBACK—

Wren looked at herself in the mirror with an unsure expression. She reached up to touch the pink ribbon in her hair with one hand and then her other hand tugged at the skirt of her new dress. The grime and blood were off her body and her hair was washed and combed. Her wounds were even treated. Though she was still unhealthily thin and pale, she looked better than she has in months. She even felt like a person again and not an animal trapped in a cage.

"Well, well, looks like there was a little princess underneath all that grime after all."

Wren whirled around to look to the man who had brought her from the slave ship. He leaned against the doorway into the room as the woman, who had helped Wren clean up, was taking away her ratty, old clothes.

"She's a pretty little thing, isn't she, Young Master?" The woman—Giolla—commented with a smile directed at Wren.

Wren just shyly fiddled with her dress as Doflamingo stepped out of the doorway to let Giolla pass.

"I'm sure you must be hungry," Doflamingo said. "I had Gladius and Pink go out and pick up some of the best food this island has to offer. I bet it's been a while since you've had a decent meal."

Wren nodded her head as she was unsure what to say to the man who saved her. Of course, just saying thank you didn't nearly seem enough. Though on the other hand, he was human and considering how she was treated the past couple of months by humans…she wasn't sure if she could trust him or his crew. Wren then looked up and flinched when seeing Doflamingo, who was now crouched in front of her, reaching out to her.

She closed her eyes expecting the worst, but when all she felt was a warm, gentle touch on top her head, her eyes reopened in shock. She looked up at the man with a scared, confused expression.

"No one will hurt you like that again." He assured her. "You're a member of my family now. You're safe."

With those two simple sentences it was like a dam was broken and tears started slipping down Wren's cheeks at a rapid pace.

'His touch is so warm and kind,' Wren thought as she bit her lip to try and hold back the swell of emotions. '…am I finally…finally free now?'

Finally, a sob slipped through and after that there was no stopping her emotions of relief and happiness rushing out. She sobbed and cried as this man stroked her hair with care.

'I will never be able to reply such kindness,' Wren thought. 'Never.'

—END OF FLASHBACK—

He had been her whole world for the longest time. Being near him had once brought her a happiness she could never describe. Which made the learning truth about him and his plans for her all the more heartbreaking. It nearly broke her and her faith in humanity all together. She was still picking up some of those pieces.

"Not all of it was a lie," Wren said to answer Lorelei's question. "I once loved Doffy very much. He was family, but that's a story for another time. Now enough talk. If you're going to do something, do it. You don't have much time left before I call checkmate."

Wren then looked up when a bright light appeared. Lorelei appeared completely covered in blue flames as the mist disappeared.

"I won't lose to you," Lorelei declared. "Even if I have to burn you away from existence, sister. Now, Flaming Blue Spirit!"

She flew down towards Wren with her flaming weapons raised to cut her down. Wren smiled at the sight while feeling a sense of pride when seeing how strong Lorelei has become. It meant she didn't have to worry about her. This battle might end with the younger girl hurt and heartbroken still from Wren's betrayal, but Wren could see Lorelei had the strength to move on.

'Thank you,' Wren thought as Lorelei grew closer. 'For making my years in that hell less painful and for loving someone like me…even if only temporarily.'

She sheathed her sword then moved her arms in a circular motion with a veil of water appearing above her like a shield.

"Aqua velamen," Wren murmured.

Lorelei gasped unable to stop as she hit the watery veil head on. She seemed to slip in and disappear into the water as if the thin veil was much deeper than it first appeared. Wren bended the water between her hands as it boiled and sizzled from being hit by something so hot. Once it calmed and cooled, Wren released the magic. A small figure—about the size of a small child—in a dark, sooty cloak fell from the water and hit the ground with a grunt. The figure sat up and rubbed their hooded head, which took on the appearance of a black sphere with beady blue eyes. Lorelei's true form.

"Since when did you start using magic in battle?" Lorelei demanded with her voice more high-pitched than before. "Just something else you've been hiding from us, traitor?"

She glared up at Wren who sighed as she knelt down in front of the defeated fae.

"This might not mean anything to you, but not everything was a lie," Wren said. "Every moment with you, Dellinger, and many of the others were precious to me. And I cannot apologize enough for everything I've done and will do. You might not believe me, but you are and always will be very important to me, Lorelei."

Lorelei's eyes widened as she felt the complete and utter sincerity in Wren's words. Fae can connect to the hearts of others. Reading their deepest of feelings and thoughts. Though her mind told her Wren had to be lying, her heart knew Wren was being honest with her. Tears begin to enter Lorelei's eyes.

"If I'm really so important to you then at least tell me why," Lorelei begged. "I deserve to know."

Wren gave her a soft look before holding her hand out in front of Lorelei's face.

"You do, but I cannot tell you," Wren said. "Now, I no longer have any sleeping powder, so this might be a bit jarring. However, I can't have you following me…Somnum."

A purple haze hit Lorelei and she fell over like a sack of bricks. Wren gently picked up her tiny form into her arms then walked over to where Bon Clay, whose eyes were closed, still laid. Wren stared down at him for a moment then kicked him in the side causing him to cry out in pain.

"What the heck was that for?!" Bon Clay demanded as he sat up and shook his fist at her. "You trying to pick a fight with me?! Well, bring it on, sister!"

He then blinked in confusion when Wren passed the unconscious wisp into his hold. He cradled her gently as he looked down at his now really tiny partner.

"You care about her, yes?" Wren questioned. "Even now knowing she was a spy? Knowing she isn't human?"

Wren knew the man had to have heard everything. He hadn't been unconscious during that fight despite trying to act as if he was.

"What kind of stupid question is that supposed to be?" Bon Clay demanded as he hugged Lorelei. "Of course, I care about her! She's my friend no matter her past or what she is! She's my precious little sourpuss. The doom and gloom to my radiance and joy."

He poked the girl's cheek as he said this, and if she had been awake, the little wisp surely would have tried to bite off his finger. Wren's lips turned up slightly at his words before she stood back to her feet and turned her back to the man.

"Then make sure she gets out of here," Wren told him then looked at the watch on her wrist. "The fighting is only going to get worse before it gets better. Especially since it's almost time for troublemaker to make his grand entrance."

"ARRRHHHH! I'm ready to get going!" Luffy shouted. "I'm coming for you, Crocodile!"

He went to take off running towards the capital, but he was knocked down by Havel who was in his larger form. He then sat on Luffy who shouted in aggravation. He struggled against the feline, but Havel didn't budge.

"Please, tell me, it's almost time to let this lunatic go?" Havel pleaded as he turned his head to the newcomers to their little party of misfits. "I might not look like it, but I'm injured thanks to Misce being so reckless during her fight with Crocodile."

York, who was giving some final orders to her men, turned to give the feline a grin.

"Oh yeah, it's almost the appointed time to let the little guy loose," York assured Havel. "And while he's keeping Crocodile distracted, we'll move in for our part of the plan. If things went well on the boss's end of things, his officers should be dealt with by now."

Havel hummed while hoping things were going as smoothly as Wren planned for them to go. He knows she's done this kind of thing many, many times, but there's no guarantee of a plan ever going perfectly.

"You ready to go, bird man?" York asked looking to Pell who they had picked up in Rainbase.

Pell nodded to the woman before transforming into his full bird form. York motioned for one of her men to bring the water barrel forward. She took it from him then walked over to Luffy who looked up at her. Havel finally let him go and Luffy quickly jumped to his feet.

"Okay, Champ, it's your turn." York said. "Remember you have a limited supply of this water, so try to make sure you use it wisely, kay?"

"Yeah, yeah," Luffy said as took the barrel from her. "Now, let go! It's time to kick Crocodile's ass!"

He ran over to Pell and jumped on the bird man's back. Pell didn't waste any time in taking to the air to head for Alabarna. Havel and York watched them go with the latter wearing a grin on her face.

"He's sure a lively one," York said. "Not typically the type that Corazon let's hang around her."

'You say that, but you can be just as bad as that kid,' Many of her men thought in unison as they sweat-dropped.

York then let out a laugh as she turned her head and clapped her hands together once.

"Alright, now it's our turn," York said. "Get ready to move in. We have a battle to help maintain. Not to mention that little side mission that the boss mentioned. You've got the supplies for that, right?"

She turned to her righthand man, who gave a thumbs up, as one of the other men gestured to the camel carrying the goods. York's grin grew as she moved over to her camel before climbing on top of it. Havel, who shrunk down to his normal size, hopped up to sit behind her as the others mounted their camels as well.

"Excellent." York said. "Now let's move out, Obispo Regiment!"

The men cheered then followed after York as she led the way towards the waring capital. Wren waiting for their arrival.

Wren stood down below the palace watching as the bird man Pell—that York had mentioned—and Luffy swept in and saved Vivi from Crocodile.

'Grand entrance went off as planned,' Wren thought then looked down at her watch. 'And if everything else went as it was supposed to, the others will be gathering here shortly.'

Wren then looked to the side as Pell landed beside her and switched to his hybrid form after Luffy and Vivi left his back.

"Good to see you're still in one piece, Vivi," Wren greeted the princess as Luffy was gearing up for the fight.

"You as well," Vivi said while looking relieved to see Wren.

Wren looked to Luffy while still not so certain about letting the boy go through with his crazy plan to fight Crocodile on his own. However, she did agree to work with the group for the rest of this mission as working separately hasn't gone so well. Meaning, she was going to put faith in this rookie pirate—as insane as the idea was—and let him deal with the Shichibukai.

"Best of luck, Luffy," Pell said. "Be careful."

"I'll be just fine, bird guy," Luffy said as he was winding up his arms.

He was definitely ready to go, and Wren knew even if she wanted to change her mind, he wouldn't listen to her. There was only one thing she could do now and hope for the best, which is let him go.

"You better do like you promised, Luffy, and beat Crocodile," Wren told Luffy. "I'm putting my faith in you. However, if you fail, I will never trust you with anything again. Though if you really do fail that most likely means death for you, so I suppose you won't be worrying about it much."

Despite morbid her words, Luffy turned to the older pirate with a large grin on his face.

"Don't you worry, Wren," Luffy said as he held up his fist in determination. "I'll handle Crocodile. And while I'm kicking his ass, you take care of things down here, okay?"

Wren shook her head at the boy's confidence while not sure if she should be amused or concerned by it. She then glanced behind her when she sensed serval people making their way towards them. As the others came through the thick covering of sand in the air, Luffy stretched out his arms to the top of the palace where Crocodile waited.

"Luffy, there you are!" Usopp, who was comically wrapped in several layers of bandages from head to toe, said. "Do you mean you actually waited like Wren asked?"

"Vivi and Wren are here too!" Chopper said happily.

Eyelash and Sanji followed behind the pair and the latter didn't look happy as he looked Wren over for any injuries. She surprisingly couldn't meet his gaze. Feeling guilt for causing him worry considering just how kind he's been to her since they all started traveling together.

"You three are alright, thank goodness," Vivi said when seeing them.

"Ah, thank you for your concern, Vivi-chan," Sanji said with a smile. "Are you alright?"

Vivi nodded her head and was a bit surprised when Sanji didn't continue his doting. Though when his gaze turned to Wren, the princess smiled in understanding.

"Hey, Wren, what about you?" Usopp asked. "You okay?"

Wren was about to reply with that he might want to worry more about himself considering his current state, but never got the chance as the poor sniper was attacked from behind by an irate navigator.

"Nami too and Bushido-san," Vivi said looking relieved to see them. "Everyone is alive."

In fact, Nami seemed to be very full of live as she glared down at sniper she had just hit.

"Usopp, who asked you to create some useless prop for parties?!" Nami demanded.

"Oh, come on, you're standing up just fine," Zoro, who Nami forced to carry her, shouted at the navigator in annoyance.

Of course, she completely ignored the green-haired man as he stood there panting and looking as if he's seen better days.

"Well, it did have a powerful attack, right, Nami?" Usopp whimpered.

"Just shut up!" Nami snapped. "I'm going to deal with you later!"

She then turned to Vivi to get an update as the princess stood next to Pell who was now in his human form. As the two women conversed, Sanji turned an irritated glare on Zoro.

"Explain yourself!" Sanji ordered. "How could you let Nami get hurt like that? What happened?"

"She's fine," Zoro retorted. "Let it go."

Wren shook her head at the pair as now hardly seemed the appropriate time to be fighting amongst themselves. Though they weren't the only ones goofing off. She looked down at Usopp as Chopper was fretting over the overdramatic long-nose.

"Gehe, listen, Chopper, do me a favor," Usopp requested of the small doctor. "Bury my body out in the wastelands when I'm dead and gone."

He then gave a dramatic gasp as he 'died', which prompted Chopper to cry and beg him to come back. Wren shook her head before giving one strong clap to get their attention.

"While you baby pirates are amusing to watch, we do have some pressing matters to deal with," Wren reminded them.

She gestured to the battle going on around them, which got the group to focus really quick.

"You are ready to get going, aren't you, Luffy?" Wren asked.

"Yeah, I'm going to put an end to this real quick, so I'll leave the rest to you." Luffy said.

"Yeah!" The others rallied behind Wren as Luffy got ready to launch himself forward.

Vivi teared up as she stared at the dependable group of pirates, she's had the fortunate of befriending. Without them she wasn't sure what would have happened to her country.

"Thank you," she said then wiped at the tears in her eyes. "After all that's happened, all of you are still with me."

The others smiled as Vivi as Luffy sent himself flying at Crocodile with Wren watching him go. After he disappeared over the palace walls, Wren turned towards the Straw Hats and Vivi.

"It's too early for thankyous just yet," Wren said. "There is still plenty of work to do. My men should be confining the battle as we speak and working in units to take down the billions so they can't keep stirring up trouble from both sides. Once confined they work on treating the wounded they can get to. Which leaves us open to handle whatever problem is bothering you, Vivi."

She looked to the princess who indeed had a troubled expression on her face despite things going well for them.

"Well, we do have another problem," Vivi said. "Crocodile…he…he plans to launch a bomb in ten minutes."

Wren frowned because that was a troublesome new development. Crocodile was stubbornly persistence in wanting to cause destruction to this country. At this rate there wouldn't be much of it left for him to rule.

"That does complicate things," Wren said with a sigh. "However, the situation is still manageable if we act swiftly."