This is the 47th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
Showdown at Alubarna!
In three years, not a drop of rain has fallen in the kingdom of Alabasta, the Land of Oasis. Desperate for rain and prodded by outside forces, the kingdoms people have taken up weapons. The land is at the brink of war. With nowhere else to turn, the people are turning on each other. Luffy is separated from Vivi and the others in order to defeat Crocodile. However, the Straw hat Captain could not best the Warlord of the Sea and he sank beneath the sand. With the unexpected help of Ms. All-Sunday, Luffy escape with his life, but he was badly injured and his wounds made a quick recover seem all but hopeless. Meanwhile, Vivi and the others headed for Alubarna, the vastest of the desert presented them with no small challenge, but the unique creatures that had habit the land offered to travel its aid and spend along their journey. Vivi desperately hopes to prevent a battle. Time is not on their side however, as the rebel army of 2 million strong is about to close in a capital city of Alubarna. Moment by moment, the sands of the hourglass of fate rundown towards the final hour.
Alabasta, Rainbase
After Luffy got the unexpected help from Ms. All-Sunday, he escaped with his life, but he's heavily wounded from the fight against Crocodile. Pell kept wonder why Ms. All-Sunday helped him and why did he spare Luffy instead of killing him. He lost his thought when he heard Luffy coughed weakly.
"Kid, are you alright?" Pell asks, turned to him and kneeled down to his knees.
"Need meat...meat!" Luffy weakly groaned, still holding the sleeve.
"Meat?" Pell repeats. "You don't need food now, that's the least of your worries. Hang on, I'll get a doctor for you."
Just as Pell was about to go get some help, it got his attention when Luffy is still holding his sleeve, but gasp with shock, noticed his arm stretched.
"I'm going to make sure that Crocodile pays for this..." Luffy groaned with determination, leaving Pell shocked. "He insulted Vivi and that old man with a shovel...gave me water! He's definitely going to pay...!"
"Who is this person?" Pell questions himself, walk to him and down to his knees next to him.
Pell then carries him around his back and walk towards Rainbase to get him some help.
Somewhere in Alabasta
While at the desert, the rebel army continued to ride towards Alubarna. And as soon as the sun was rising, it's almost daybreak and war is about to begin between the royal army and the rebel army. One of the rebels used a spyglass to look for Alubarna, but noticed the capital city.
"There it is! It's still in the distance, but it's Alubarna! Koza, we're less than 30 minutes away!"
"Yeah." Koza agrees. "We're nearing Alubarna now! The time has come, men!"
The rebel army let out a war cry while riding towards Alubarna.
Alabasta, Alubarna
With all their weapons ready, the cannons loaded, and the sandbags piled on top of the walls, the royal army are ready for an upcoming fight. One of the royal guards have come to inform Chaka.
"Chaka, we've sighted the rebel army! They're about 10 miles to the south! Their forces are bearing down on the southern gate as we speak!"
"East! West! South! Southeast! Southwest! Guard each gate with your life!" Chaka shouts with an order, motions his hand. "Do not let even one of them set foot within our walls!"
And with that, the royal army prepared for a fight and guarding the gates.
Meanwhile on the outside of Alubarna, the Straw Hat pirates ride towards Alubarna with the help of the Supersonic Duck Squadron. Few hours ago after Caroo and the group of ducks arrived, they formulate a plan to get her to Alubaran. Their plan is to keep five Baroque Works officers busy and have Vivi to stop the war, but Ventus told them that the Baroque Works agents are in Alubarna, but the 'Millions' are already there and disguised themselves in between the guards and the rebels because he was able to sniff them out. Vivi was worried and afraid of what the young Dragoon told them, but Anna would be able to either track them down or use her arrows.
And with everything planned, they ride their way to the capital city.
While at the Southwest gate, the Baroque Works are waiting for the upcoming war and keep an eye on the horizon in case the Straw Hat pirates or Vivi to arrive.
"Hey, uh, take a look over there!" Mr. 2 suggests with a smirk, looking at the rebels from afar. "The rebel army is approaching and there are so many of them. The princess is such a little idiot to think she can stop them, but then, is the little idiot even coming? Really? Now will she show up or will she not? Or will she? Or will she not? The outcome is vague."
Mrs. Merry Christmas is getting very annoyed and very impatient, showing a tick mark on her head.
"What, what, what, what, what, what?! Are we sure about this?! Shouldn't we be sure the princess and the pirates are really coming right at this rate?! The rebel armies cannot meet them here! I bet those idiots wanted to stop the fighting!" Mrs. Merry Christmas shouts with shark-like teeth, repeatedly stomping her foot with impatience while rambling. "Shouldn't they at least right up be on time?!"
"I think it's entirely possible that they won't make it soon enough." Ms. Double Finger states with a smirk, but Mr. 4 spoke very slowly. "It might even be likely, really. After all, they did lose precious time when they were at Rainbase."
"What?! They did?!" Mrs. Merry Christmas exclaims.
"Alright then, let's suppose the rebellion does get started first." Mr. 2 said with a frown, turns to Ms. Double Finger with his fingertips on the top of his head and pose like a ballerina. "What are we supposed to do if that does happen?"
"We won't have to do anything, would we?" Ms. Double remarked, turns to him. "Think about it, once the rebellion gets underway, nothing even the princess will be able to stop it."
"All we need to do is eliminate whoever were told to." Mr. 1 adds. "Can't you even manage to figure that much out on your own?"
"It sounds like you'll just die into see in my dance moves!?" Mr. 2 growled.
"Just calm down and let it go, you two." Ms. Double Finger assures, tried to convince them.
"Ugh, my back! It hurts!" Mrs. Merry Christmas yelled. "Get over here and massage it, Mr. 4!"
"Theeeeeyyyyy'rrrrrreeee coooommmmminnnnngggg nooooooowwwwww!" Mr. 4 slowly informed them which it got their attention.
"Really?! Why didn't you tell us that earlier, you idiot?!" Mrs. Merry Christmas shouts, shoves him aside as she looks through the binoculars, noticed the Straw Hat pirates are all in white cloaks and riding their way to Alubarna. "Ducks! They're on ducks!"
"They're on ducks? Are you sure? Do you see anything else?" Ms. Double Finger questions, crossed her arms.
"Seems like their numbers gone up, too, there are 10 of them." Mrs. Merry Christmas answered. "With 'Straw Hat' out of the way, I thought there was only supposed to be 7 left."
"Not quite, Mrs. Merry Christmas. Don't you remember what the boss said? He told us there's that 'Mr. Prince' guy too, and apparently, there's more than one of us. So, the numbers do add up, just do the math." Ms. Double Finger points out.
"It doesn't matter, Vivi is our only target." Mr. 1 adds. "What are you so worried about?"
"Well, Mr. 1? You say Princess Vivi is the only one we need to eliminate?" Mrs. Merry Christmas inquires. "Okay, then how about you take a stab a guess which one she is?!"
"They're all wearing identical outfits!?" Mr. 2 exclaims with shock, causing Mr. 1 to growl.
"Even worse, those birds are the quickest in the whole kingdom." Ms. Double Finger adds with a serious expression. "Supersonic ducks!"
"Those sneaky rats! How are we supposed to tell which one is Vivi like this?!" Mr. 2 growled. "It's just not a fair thing to do, you know?!"
The Straw Hat pirates then continued to ride their way towards Alubarna as the sun rises.
"Let them have it now, Mr. 4!" Mrs. Merry Christmas shouts.
Mr. 4 readied the cannon and fire a baseball at them when it lands on the sand.
"Dodge it!" Zoro shouts.
And when the baseball explodes, the Straw Hat pirates scattered away unscathed with a little help from the ducks.
"Miss them! Those damn birds! They're too fast!" Mr. 2 growled in frustration.
Mrs. Merry Christmas noticed the two headed for the South Gate which it got her attention.
"Two just broke off from the rest! They're splitting up!" Mrs. Merry Christmas informed them. "Looks like they're planning to go for the South Gate!"
'Those two are heading straight toward the rebel army. Which means one of them must be Vivi!' Mrs. Merry Christmas mentally thought, leap off of the rock and chase after them. "We'll go ahead and take care of those two! Move it, Mr. 4!"
Soon as Mr. 4 snapped out of his thoughts, he followed Mrs. Merry Christmas and chased after them.
"Special Attack: Fire Star" Usopp readied his slingshot, aimed at Mr. 1, and fired the pellet at them when Mr. 1 used his hand to block it, but the pellet explodes while the other two head for the West Gate.
"Two more of them are breaking off that way, Mr. 1!" Mr. 2 shouts. "That could be Vivi!"
"Seems they're planning to go in for the West Gate." Ms. Double Finger states.
"Damn brats!" Mr. 1 growled. "Let's go!"
And with that, Mr. 1 and Ms. Double Finger head for the West Gate, chasing after the two.
The rest of the six are heading for the Southwest Gate, ramming Mr. 2 and sent him flying as they head for the gate while he crashed against the ground.
"Okay, let's head for the Southwest Gate." Anna suggests, heading for the gate.
"So, they're going to approach three of Alubarnas five gates from the West. If we're gonna split up and enter that way, then we'll do the same thing. We can wipe them out inside of the city." Ms. Double Finger suggests as she and Mr. 1 chased after them.
"You're not getting away from me!?" Mr. 2 shouts with anger when his nose shoots with blood, chased after them.
At the Southwest Gate, the royal guards are waiting for the rebel army to arrive, but the six ducks heading their way as they let them in. The Baroque Works are still chasing after them from each side of the gates of Alubarna, but they were having a hard time catching up with them because the Supersonic Duck Squadron aren't slowing down and not giving them a breather. Soon as 10 of the Straw Hat pirates were in Alubarna while the rest of the two are at the South Gate, 5 of them went on ahead while 2 remained behind. Mr. 2 stopped when they stopped while the rest kept running.
"Thank you so much for following us all the way here." Usopp thanked him in a raspy voice with a laugh, leaving Mr. 2 confused.
While on the West side of Alubarna, Nami and Zoro were able to split them up at each gate when Ms. Double Finger and Mr. 1 kept chasing after them.
"Now stop!" Nami ordered as she and Zoro pulled the reigns, stopping the ducks. "Wow, you guys are very good, you know? That's right, I'm the real princess Vivi."
"What are you-I mean...What are you talking about? I am the real princess Vivi." Zoro argued, terribly imitating as Vivi which it got Ms. Double Finger and Mr. 1 confused.
While at the South Gate, Chopper and Sanji stopped when Mrs. Merry Christmas and Mr. 4 were able to catch up to them.
"I wonder if this is far enough now?" Sanji questions himself, terribly imitating as Vivi. "I have to say, it's really entertaining how easily you all fell for this. Now, we can go ahead and take these silly cloaks off."
And with that, the Straw Hat pirates, except Ace, Ventus, Anna, Shanise, and Ivan, pulled out of their cloaks and revealed themselves with a smirk on their faces.
"TOO BAD! LOOKS LIKE YOUR GUESS WAS WRONG!"
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" The Baroque Works shouts in disbelief.
While at Alubarna, Ventus, Ace, Shanise, Anna, and Ivan stopped when they heard a shout.
"They bought it. Hook, line, and sinker." Ace states with a chuckle, pulled the cloak out. "I can't believe they fell for it."
"Just because they're strong due to the Devil fruit, doesn't mean they're smart." Ventus points out, pulled the cloak out. "At least it's enough to buy Vivi enough time to stop the fight."
"Yeah, but the problem as you point out, this place is filled with Baroque Works." Ivan agreed. "And it looks like we've got work to do by sniffing them out."
"Anna, you may have a hard time tracking them down, the best option is head for the tall building you can find and be our sniper in case the Baroque Works are planning something." Ventus suggests, earned a nod from her as she head for one of the buildings. "Ivan, Shanise, it's best you two keep the cloaks on and try to find the Baroque Works."
"Right." Shanise nods as she and Ivan ride their way towards the guards.
"Ace, you're with me." Ventus said. "Since Luffy is unable to meet us at Alubarna, we'll have to track down the Baroque Works. And if Crocodile manage to show himself, we'll head to the palace and fight him."
"You got it." Ace confirms with a smirk as he and Ventus then head for the gates to find them.
Outside of Alubarna, Vivi and Karoo revealed themselves as she prayed for them.
'Thank you so much, everyone. I have to hurry now, the rebel army is almost to the city.' Vivi mentally thought. "Let's go, Caroo."
And with that, both Vivi and Caroo head for the rebel army to stop the upcoming fight.
While inside of one of the buildings, Crocodile was hiding inside in case either Vivi or the Straw Hat pirates are meeting the rebel army.
'Whatever the cost, Vivi and her friends must be prevented for making contact with the rebel army.' Crocodile mentally thought.
Outside of Alubarna, Vivi rides her way to the rebel army which Koza and his group heading to the capital city.
At the South side of Alubarna...
"CAMEEEEEEEEELLLLLLL!?" Mr. 2 yelled with his jaw dropped and his eyes budged out. "And I recognize you from the ship too, don't I?"
"Sorry!?" Usopp exclaims with panic when he hugged the camel.
At the West side of Alubarna...
"Yeah, come on, Zoro! Let 'em have it!" Nami cheered.
"Would you keep quiet over there!?" Zoro yelled with annoyance, showing a tick mark, white eyes, and shark-like teeth while turned to Nami and the two ducks, but she kept cheering.
"They fooled us." Mr. 1 states with a glare.
"Quite a first." Ms. Double Finger adds.
At the South side of Alubarna...
"It looks like there won't be any rebellion now." Sanji said with a smirk, chuckled.
"What did you say?!" Mrs. Merry Christmas exclaims with a gasp.
While at the South side of Alubara, Vivi continued to ride towards the rebel army to stop the fight.
'I have to stop them at any cost. If I don't, then all of this struggling has been for nothing.' Vivi mentally thought, remembered of Igaram got killed in the explosion at Whiskey which she didn't realize he manage to survive. She also remembered promising Toto to stop the upcoming war at Yuba.
In Alubarna, they noticed the cannonballs were shaking a bit, meaning the rebel army are heading to the South Gate of the capital city.
"Secure the cannonballs! I don't want them rolling away!"
"You heard him, men! Man, your posts! Keep the artillery under control!"
The royal guards then man their posts while securing the cannonballs and cannons.
"The ground is really moving, huh?"
"The enemy army has made up of 2 million angry men. Even the ground shakes a little before them." Chaka told him. "Stay strong."
The rebel army kept riding towards Alubarna while both Vivi and Karoo stopped in between the rebels from the front and the South Gate from behind, pulling the hood out of her head. Karoo couldn't help but trembled with panic, about to run and not wanting Vivi to get hurt.
"It's okay, Karoo, you don't have to be here." Vivi assures, but the Karoo shook its head. "You could get trampled, so just be careful."
Vivi then turns back to the rebel army, she can see them heading close to Alubarna when the ground tremors and hearing them letting out a war cry.
'Please leader, please listen what I have to say. You must hear it!' Vivi mentally thought, hoping for Koza to listen.
Soon as the rebel army were heading to Alubarna and not even realized that Vivi and Caroo are in front of them, Koza drew out his weapon.
"Everyone, listen! Close your ranks and stay together! We'll knock through the guards at the Southern Gate! The rest will fall from there! Do not lose hope!" Koza shouts as the rebel army let out a war cry.
Vivi then raise her arms, decided to end this fight.
"REBEL ARMY, YOU MUST STOP! THIS FIGHT IS POINTLESS, IT'S ALL A SET UP! PLEASE, SLOW DOWN! YOU HAVE GOT TO LISTEN TO ME!"
Those words fell deaf on their ears and continued to ride towards Alubarna.
One of the royal guards was about to fire the cannon, but little did they know Anna fires the arrow at the guard right in the head, shot the royal guard dead. Anna is hiding from one of the tall buildings while eyeing on the entire city in case if she saw the Baroque Works.
"Hmph, pathetic. The Baroque Works should've been more thorough instead of going around trigger happy with some disguises." Anna muttered with a scowl. "The rest is up to you, Vivi."
Soon as the rebels were heading for Alubarna, Koza gasp with his face pale when he saw both Vivi and Caroo in front of them.
"REBEL ARMY, STOP!"
"Everyone, stop!" Koza ordered with a shout as he and the rebel army stopped.
Koza then got off of his horse and walk towards Vivi with shock. Chaka and the royal guards were confused as to why the rebels stopped, but one of the guards was killed which was one of the Baroque Works agent. Chaka then look at the arm that has the Baroque Works mark, caused him to widen his eyes.
'It's the Baroque Works! Crocodile must've ordered the Baroque Works to disguise themselves as one of the royal guards! Damn him!' Chaka mentally thought, cursed Crocodile.
"Looks like Vivi finally manage to stop those rebels." The voice of Ace states with a smirk which it got their attention. "But it's not going to stop Crocodile since he's persistent."
"'Fire Fist' Ace." Chaka muttered. "What's a 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirate doing here in the capital city of Alabasta?"
"Well, I was heading out to find Blackbeard, but there's been a change of plan." Ace explains, tipped his hat. "You see, a certain partner in crime of mine told me about a certain Warlord of the Sea and the Baroque Works, thought I came to help out."
"And who will be that 'partner in crime' you spoke of?" Chaka questions. "And why?"
"Let's just say that Crocodile have planning on ahead without having you or the rebels knowing that the Baroque Works are disguising themselves and letting the fight started because of the incident years ago. Crocodile has set everything up by deceiving everyone and having the Baroque Works plan out an upcoming fight, it's ingenious really." Ace explains. "I can't tell you who is my partner in crime, and you can leave it at that."
"I see." Chaka said. "And her friends?"
"They're dealing with the other Baroque Works high-rank officers, while the rest are sniffing out the other agents." Ace told him.
Chaka then widen his eyes, realizing that Vivi's friends are dealing with the other Baroque Works agents. Though, Crocodile's plan may have been partially thwarted, but with the king gone missing and the Warlord of the Sea is still hiding somewhere.
"At any rate, we should let them in." Ace suggests. "Look, a friend of mine has a plan, and I don't think you're going to like it."
"Would you care to enlighten me?" Chaka inquires, wanted to know of the plan.
"Alright, but you ask for it." Ace told him as he explains to Chaka.
While at the desert, Vivi was able to give Koza and the rebels an explanation of Crocodile's true goal and the real reason why there wasn't a single rain has fallen years ago. She even told him that she and Igaram has gone undercover to gather information which they were able to get what they're looking for, but Igaram was killing during the explosion at Whiskey Peak. She was able to get back here in Alabasta with a little help from the Straw Hat pirates. After she finished her explanation, Koza then spoke.
"I see, and do you think it'll stop Crocodile after you told us?" Koza inquires seriously.
"No, but I think we can make it work if you hear me out." Vivi answered. "But I'm afraid you won't like it as much as I do."
Koza can tell that Vivi isn't going to like what she's about to tell him, but letting her explain.
After Ace finished his explanation, Chaka spoke.
"I see, and do you think it'll work?" Chaka inquires.
"It might be the only choice we got, might as well give Crocodile what he wants." Ace told him. "But still, the Baroque Works are getting antsy and they don't like to wait."
Chaka then nods with an understanding, not liking where this is going, but he doesn't have a choice.
After Vivi finished of explaining to Koza, he spoke.
"I don't like losing my men, but are you sure it'll work?" Koza asks. "You and I both know that Crocodile will find out along with the Baroque Works?"
"What choice do we have? I don't like it after what Crocodile has done to Alabasta, but he needs to be stopped." Vivi points out. "We'll just give him what he wants and play along. If you see any of the royal guards that doesn't have the Baroque Works mark, just knock them out."
Koza nods with an understanding, though it's easier said than done because the Baroque Works are still disguising themselves which he and the rebel army will have to cover some grounds in order to let Crocodile give what he wants.
"All right, but Vivi, be careful." Koza said, turns to the rebels. "Men, we'll head for Alubarna! Head for the South Gate! Remember, this will be our final battle!"
And with that, the rebel army continued to ride towards Alubarna while both Vivi and Karoo moved out of the way, so they won't get trampled, watching them ride towards to Alubarna.
'Ventus, let's hope your plan works. I don't like it as much as you do, but if Crocodile finds out, then we'll all die.' Vivi mentally thought.
Then, the battle rages on, as soon as Chaka gives the order, the royal guards fired their cannons at the rebels. The rebel army were losing numbers, but most of them breached the Southern Gate. Both the royal guards and the rebel army are now fighting between clashing their blades and firing their guns. Many were able to knock them out and killing the Baroque Works agents, disguising as one of them, but it may or may not be enough to fool Crocodile.
After the battle rages on the South Gate, Vivi and Karoo decided to head for the capital city, but noticed the fake Usopp riding his way towards the two.
"Vivi!" The fake Usopp called her, earned her attention. "At last, I found you!"
"Usopp!" Vivi exclaims.
"We can still make it in time." The fake Usopp told her. "Hurry and hop on!"
"Thanks, but I've got Karoo with me." Vivi thanked her.
"Oh, forget about that bird." The fake Usopp said with a smirk, leaving Vivi widen her eyes. "What's the matter Vivi? Come on! We need to get going, now! Hurry it up!"
'That...bird?' Vivi mentally repeats when her heart is pounding, remembered the real Usopp never said that bird.
"Come on! The rebellion will only get worse!" The fake Usopp told her, getting impatient.
Vivi then turns to him as she spoke.
"Usopp, prove yourself." Vivi told him, leaving him confused.
"Really? You don't believe that it's me?" The fake Usopp asks, pulled his arm and revealed the bandages. "See?"
'No!' Vivi mentally thought with horror.
While inside of Alubarna at the Southwest side, both Sanji and Ventus were able to find Usopp and the camel, but noticed they were beaten and bloodied.
"Hey Usopp! Hey Usopp, Eyelash! Wake up!" Sanji called them.
"Oh it's you guys." Usopp groaned weakly. "Is it morning already?"
"Never mind that, what happen?" Ventus asks. "Where's Mr. 2?"
"So, just as how our fight turned out...the part of the mission where we lured them away went really well, but then, well...you see, then it was over in 2 seconds, 1 second each." Usopp explains when he and the camel gives them a thumbs up.
"You couldn't have held out longer!?" Sanji and Ventus yelled in annoyance.
"What are you two doing here anyway?" Usopp asks.
"What do you think? Those ducks came to us, they came to get some help for you guys." Ventus explains. "But that aside, you just have to let Mr. 2 get away, didn't you?"
"Yeah." Usopp answered.
"Damn it, then that means he'll be going after Vivi!?" Ventus growled in frustration.
"No doubt. Then that could mean, Vivi is in danger." Sanji agrees.
Vivi then remembered Zoro told them that if one of them ever is acting suspicious, ask them to take off this wrapping and it'll reveal the mark. If not, they're an imposter.
"You're lying." Vivi points out. "You're not really Usopp."
"Well, that's too bad." The fake Usopp said with a chuckle, revealing his true face that happened to be Mr. 2. "Now really, you knew? How? I thought my imitation was perfect. We even had help from the report from the boss that you all have the same bandages wrapped up at your arm, like this. So smart of you."
Vivi then realizes that Usopp was beaten by Mr. 2. And with that, Vivi and Karoo then flee to Alubarna while Mr. 2 pursues after them.
That's it for the 47th chapter.