"So, things are going well on your end then?" Wren asked from her perch on top of one of the buildings.

She watched the fighting continue though it seemed to be thinning out. York's group was doing well. They were closing in the fighting and using scouts to pick out the Baroque Work agents. The scouts then sent out dispatchers to take care of the agents discreetly so not to add to the chaos.

"Yes, Boss." York replied. "Soon all the agents that work for Crocodile should be dealt with. Surprisingly enough the marines are even pitching in."

Wren's brow quirked at that since she wasn't expecting that development. Though Smoker might have decided to cut them some slack considering Luffy had Zoro save him back in Rainbase.

"And your task?" Wren inquired.

"It's almost ready to execute." York said. "Aren't you glad I ignored orders and decided to show up out of the blue? I mean, I'm sure you could have handled things in the end, but it's easier with us around, right?"

Wren looked at the mirror showing York's image. The older girl looked way too pleased with herself.

"You shouldn't push your luck," Wren said then stood from her crouched position. "Now, time's running out and there's still a bomb to find. I would hate for all our hard work to go to waste because of some pesky explosion."

"Good luck~" York said chipperly.

Wren thanked the older woman then pocketed the mirror. She stepped off the building and dropped down into the fray of the battle. She wasn't on the ground even for two seconds when she sensed someone coming to attack her. It wasn't one of the billions, so she used the hilt of her sword to knock out the Royal Army solider by hitting his gut.

"My apologies," Wren said to the man as he hit the ground. "However, there's really no time for a gentler solution."

She was then found by a few Baroque Work billions, and they seemed to know who she was since they surrounded her. Or at least knew she wasn't an ally.

"Hey, are you the woman known as Corazon?!" One demanded. "You match the description given to us by the boss!"

"Crocodile moves fast." Wren said with a slightly impressed hum. "To think he was able to pass out my description to all you flunkies after the mess I left him in at Rainbase and still make it here in time to cause all this trouble."

She then glanced up into the sky as red smoke shot up into the air. That had to be Usopp. Perhaps he found the bomb, or maybe figured out where it was, so he was gathering the others.

"Hey, don't look away from us, Wench!" The Baroque Work billions ordered. "Answer the question! Are you Corazon or not?"

Wren let out a small sigh while turning her red eye onto the billion who had his weapon pointed at her threateningly.

"If I match the description given to you by Crocodile, doesn't that already answer your question?" Wren asked with deadpanned expression. "I see Crocodile didn't bother in trying to hire intelligent underlings. Though I suppose a high IQ isn't needed to terrorize the weak."

They blinked in confusion, but after a second, they seemed to realize they had been insulted since they all gave shouts of anger. They went to attack Wren but blinked when seeing she was no longer in front of them.

"Too slow." She said from outside the circle they had made.

Before they could whirl around to face her, a shriek traveled around the group of men with large gashes appearing on their bodies. They all cried out in pain before falling to the ground with their blood being greedily soaked up by the sand.

"I suppose I need to hurry to the others." Wren said.

Wren paused, however, when the sound of a gun going off entered the air. She looked up seeing Pell falling from the sky. She narrowed her eyes then looked towards where the shot had come from.

"The clock tower, hmm," Wren hummed.

She realized it was the ideal place for Crocodile to hide that bomb. If he wanted the most causalities, he'd obviously want the bomb close and up high if it was being fired from a cannon. Her eye then pinpointed a small gun barrel poking out from behind the clock face that was slightly pushed open.

"So, it's guarded by someone with efficient marksman skills," Wren said as she tilted her head to look at the tower at a different angle. "I'm not one for guns. However, I think I can make it from here just fine with my weapon of choice."

She moved back to a higher vantage point, so to have a better shot at her target. Wren held her sword in front of her with the blade pointed upwards. She took a calming breath as she closed her eye and began collecting her fae magic around her sword. It swirled around the blade and picked up in pace at the passing seconds. Whirling around the steel like a small whirlwind. Contained cries growing slightly louder as she condensed her power even more.

"Wailing Specter: Thrust Shot!" Wren called out as she thrusted her sword forward.

The action released her restrained magic in one powerful stream that shot forward over the fighting. It's wailing cries nearly drowned out by the battle below. It hit the clock face causing it to shatter into pieces and crumble away, which revealed those who had been hiding behind. Not wasting anytime, Wren sent another flying slash attack before the two could try anything. As the attack slashed them, the two both gagged on their blood before falling backwards unmoving.

'That's one problem handled,' Wren thought.


"What…what was that?!" Usopp asked as those two agents fell backwards. "Who could have done that to them?"

Zoro narrowed his eyes while already having a good idea. There was only one swordswoman he knew that could pull off a flying slash attack like that.

"Wren!" Nami said in realization. "She's made us an opening!"

Sanji grinned from where he stood leaning out the window on the second floor. Now it should be easier to do Nami's plan. And he was glad to know Wren was alright. He had been worried when she hadn't shown up with any of the others.

"Okay, let's get things taken care of!" Nami ordered. "Wren gave us an opening, and we can't waste it! We don't know if just taking them out will end things, so we have to hurry."

"Right!" The others said.


Wren, who was trying to get to the clocktower, cut down a few more billions while having a feeling as if things still weren't resolved. A few more seconds passed, and suddenly there was a large explosion above the capital. Wren looked up while focusing on the sky. She felt Pell's presence for a fleeting moment before the feeling of the explosion drowned him out. Her expression turned somber as she realized what happened.

"Crocodile really did have another plan in case his cannoneers were taken down," Wren said as she frowned. "I should have hurried to their side more quickly."

There was no changing that now, however. As the aftershock of the bomb hit, some people were knocked backwards from the force. It even stopped the battle for a moment. However, as soon as those men were back on their feet, and they resumed trying to kill each other. Even with their numbers dwindled and the billions nearly wiped out, it was still chaos.

"York, you need to hurry," Wren said. "At this rate, they're going to wipe each other out."

Humans. They let their emotions get in the way and it blinds them. Blinds them to things such as hurting each other and hating each other to the point it takes a miracle to get them to stop. Though the cycle continues even if there are periods of peace in between. Either it's broken by anger or greed or a despair that led them into violent actions. It was always the same with them.

'I honestly feel as if there isn't any hope for such a miserable race,' Wren thought. 'However, to ignore such madness…well, that would make me worse than them, wouldn't it? I just have to be patient until York and Luffy are done with their sides of things. Until then, I keep down the casualties.'

She then dodged backwards when a soldier took a swipe at her. She knocked him out with a hit to the back of the neck. Before pulling her sword from her sheath. She'd use the flat sides to knock out as many people as possible. Though before that, she pulled out her mirror and connected it to all those nearby.

"Listen all, Peones, we can no longer delicately trim away at this battle," Wren said. "Knock them all of if that's what it takes to keep the casualties from growing. At least until Obispo has completed her mission."

"Yes, ma'am!" Came the simultaneous reply from York's soldiers.

She disconnected the call before flying through a large crowd of flighting rebels and soldiers. They all gasped in pain before dropping like rocks after Wren knocked them out. She could hear Vivi's cries from above though it would seem her own people could not. Wren ignored the anguished cries of the princess as she continued knocking out the waring humans. As she knocked out another group, she looked towards the far west side of the capital to see smoke starting to build up.

"Finally," Wren said. "She did it."

Wren looked up towards the sky seeing the clouds starting to form above. It will be very soon. Wren then looked down when feeling a large disturbance underground. Her brow quirked wondering what was causing it for a moment. She jumped onto higher ground for her own safety as some others were starting to notice the shaking. The disturbance became greater underground, and a few seconds later Crocodile came flying out from underneath the earth. As the ground cracked and shook violently from beneath, Wren realized the cause of the shaking was none other than Luffy keeping his promise.

"Hmm, look at that." Wren said. "I have to say that Luffy timed beating Crocodile perfectly. Now the war really is as good as over, which means it's time for the final act."

Wren then had to jump down away from the building as it started tipping over due to Luffy's attack that had sent Crocodile flying out from the ground. Wren landed down in the chaos below but wasn't too worried about it.

"It should only take a second or two more." Wren said as she watched the clouds grow even larger.

True to her word, a rain drop fell a moment later, and after that a few more, which started gaining the others attention. Soon it was a light downpour that brought everyone to a stop. It went completely silent for a moment as everyone looked up to the sky in awe.

"And so, comes forth the rain," Wren said as she sheathed her sword. "Something that seems so trivial to some, is a miracle to others."

Which is all this country needed to finally bring pause to their ever growing and festering anger and despair. And with this pause, the pleading cries of a certain princess could finally be heard.

"Stop fighting!" Wren heard Vivi's voice clear as day as did everyone else. "Please, listen to me!"

Everyone turned towards their princess's voice as Vivi stood tall and straight in the clock tower. Wren then sensed something—or rather someone—falling straight towards her from above. She stepped to the side while allowing Crocodile to hit the ground beside her.

"What an ungraceful landing for someone of your stature, Sir Crocodile of the Shichibukai." Wren said as she looked down at his unconscious form. "Of course, I doubt you will be having that title much longer. I suppose they will need to start searching for your replacement after this fiasco. "

She started walking away as people started to gawk at the fallen Shichibukai since she didn't want any attention falling onto herself. However, she paused at the edge of the crowd to look back at Crocodile.

"I suppose we both have grown a bit arrogant due to our own statuses," Wren said. "I never dreamed the day would come that a rookie from the East Blue would defeat a Shichibukai. Though if someone like him can pull off such a feat, perhaps there's hope for my own dreams as well."

She then melted into the crowd thinking her job and the crew's job were done. Now it was just time to rest and recover. With the battle over it meant everyone good breath easy.


"This is taking things a bit too easy." Wren said with a sigh as she looked down at the resting Straw Hats.

She placed her hands on her hips as she shook her head. She knew they had to be tired but laying out in the middle of the street was just reckless. Wren looked to the gathered peones.

"We need to move them immediately." Wren said. "We don't need them all getting arrested after everything that's happened. Take them to the palace. I'm sure the king won't mind them resting there considering everything they've done for the country. But do so without being seen."

The last thing they needed was the palace guards trying to stop them and causing a scene.

"Yes, Corazon-sama," they replied.

As they went to help the Straw Hats, Jacque—York's second-in-command—stepped forward while holding out one of her masks to her.

"Thank you but there is no need for masks any longer," Wren said. "My face has already been seen by a marine and a recently terminated Shichibukai. Besides, Doffy won't keep it a secret much longer about my betrayal."

That and she was tired of hiding her face even from those who she works with. Though it goes against everything she's been doing these last several years, she'll try to trust her men more. Starting with allowing them to know her true face.

"Of course, milady." Jacque said. "I was contacted earlier by Colt from Caballero-san's regiment. Crocodile's assets in Rainbase are being inventoried and loaded onto their ships as we speak with the marines none the wiser."

"Good," Wren said. "Once its safely out of the country, we'll distribute it as needed amongst the organization. Once the Straw Hats are taken care of, have the Obispo Regiment move out to assist Caballero and his group."

Jacque nodded his head then went with the other men to take the Straw Hats, who they had loaded onto stretchers, off the streets. As they were disappearing from sight, the marines were coming around the corner. But they didn't notice Wren as she stepped back into the shadow of one of the buildings.

"Sergeant Major Tashigi, there's still no sign of the Straw Hats," One of the men said. "They couldn't have gotten far with their injuries. I'm sure we can hunt them down and arrest them if we keep looking."

Wren narrowed her gaze at the marines as her hand went to the hilt of her sword.

"…negative, that's an order…" Tashigi said shocking her men.

Wren's own brow quirked as she lowered her hand because she wasn't expecting that.

"Sergeant Major, with all due respect, why not?" One of the men asked. "With your permission we can pursue the Straw Hats and surely capture them in one fell swoop!"

"Denied!" Tashigi snapped. "I will not allow any of you to hunt them down, is that understood?!"

They went to continue protesting, but one harsh look from the one had them all closing their mouths.

"We're going to return to the ship," Tashigi said. "Our main priority is transporting Crocodile. Now go!"

They didn't move right away, but reluctantly—one by one—they turned around to return from the direction they had come from. As they were leaving, Wren stepped out causing Tashigi to stiffen.

"That must have been a difficult order to give, little marine," Wren commented.

"…you…you're Corazon, aren't you?" Tashigi said. "Captain Smoker mentioned you. Tell me, was Doflamingo working alongside Crocodile? Or was he trying to take down Crocodile for the government? If he knew what Crocodile was doing, why not report him?"

Wren tilted her head at the marine with an unreadable expression before her lips turned up and a dark chuckle left between her lips.

"I don't see how answering those questions will change anything," Wren said as she shook her head. "Though let me get one thing clear, I am no longer associated with the Donquixote Family. So, what I do has nothing to do with them. Meaning the Straw Hats have no connection to him either, understand? Make sure Smoker knows that. He already seems to have an obsession with that rookie Straw Hat. I'd hate to give him another reason to want to bring in Luffy."

If the marines thought the Straw Hats were connected to Doflamingo, that'd make the government come after them even harder to see if Doflamingo was up to something he shouldn't be. Or they'd be brought to Doflamingo's attention, which would be even worse than having the government's attention.

"You're not with them anymore?" Tashigi repeated. "Why? Being part of his crew protected you from being chased by the government. This confession of yours strips you of that protection."

"I'm not too concerned about having the government's protection," Wren said with a shrug. "You lot pardon murderers and slavers—in other words the worst of the worst—just to give yourselves powerful allies. If you all didn't overlook the simple fact that you're working with pirates, things might not have gotten this bad for Alabasta. So, sorry, but I'd rather not be associated with people like you. I mean, I'm no angel but even I have standards."

Tashigi grit her teeth together as she looked down at the ground. She couldn't really argue with Wren's words. She had foolishly thought the Shichibukai were the government's allies. But it's like Wren said, in the end they're still pirates.

"Now, I thank you for sparring the Straw Hats," Wren said. "Have a safe trip, little marine."

Wren turned around to leave Tashigi to her stewing thoughts. Wren would make sure the Straw Hats were settled and then take her leave to meet up with Caballero and his group. After that she'll have to decide where she'll be going from here.

"Wait," Tashigi said getting Wren to pause. "What are you going to do now, Corazon?"

Wren didn't answer at first but soon a small smirk pulled across her face. A smirk that sent a chill down Tashigi's spine.

"You mean now that I'm off my leash?" Wren inquired. "I haven't decided yet. Though I'm sure whatever my next step is, it's going to cause some ripples. Change is coming, Sergeant Major. Maybe I'll see you again when it's all said and done. Maybe I won't. Only time will tell."

She then disappeared from sight before Tashigi could try and get anymore answers from here.


"Ah, I can't believe it's still raining," York commented as she looked out at the light downpour. "Shouldn't that dance powder have worn off by now, Corazon?"

She looked back to Wren as the two were standing on top of one of the semi-destroyed buildings in the capital. It was late and many people hard turned in for the night to rest before they'd all have to wake up and get to repairs tomorrow. Havel, who was resting in Wren's shadow, had also turned in for the night saying he's dealt with enough excitement for the day and wanted rest.

"It has," Wren said. "This is 100% natural rain."

York hummed with a smile pulling across her face as she crouched down on the roof.

"You said the miracle of rain would stop the fighting," York said. "You were right. Though it was just a false miracle."

York did have to burn quite a bit of dance powder to bring enough rain to Alabasta to cover the country.

"Was it really false though?" Wren countered. "As I said, the dance powder wore off. The miracle is real…it just needed a little push."

York chuckled though supposed that was true. Still, she was once again amazed by what they managed to pull thanks to Wren's guidance.

"Speaking of miracles, that rubber boy," York said. "Hard to believe he took down Crocodile. Is he doing okay after all that?"

Wren glanced towards the palace where the Straw Hats were now under the care of Vivi and the palace doctors.

"He will most likely be sleeping the next few days, but he'll recover," Wren said. "That boy really defies all sense of logic."

There was a touch of fondness in her tone that York picked up on. York studied Wren's face for a moment before her lips turned up into a smile.

"You really like those rookies, huh?" York said.

"They have this odd magnetic pull about them," Wren didn't even try to deny. "Especially Luffy. It's almost like magic. I fell into their charm before I even realized it. I feel at ease around them like I do with you and the other commanders."

For a moment a comfortable silence fell between the two women. The only sound to be heard was that of the rain. York looked up at the sky with a thoughtful look before she stood back up and put her hands in her pockets.

"Why not join them then?" York asked.

Wren looked to the older woman in slight surprise as York was looking back at her with a grin.

"You need to lay low for now anyway," York said. "What better way than by traveling with a bunch of rookies that no one cares about? Well, the government might be interested in them now, but you know they aren't about to let the world know a bunch of rookies took down a Shichibukai. They'd lose face."

"Staying with them will only put them in danger," Wren said. "Besides, staying with them is turning me soft. I can't afford that. Not with how many people are depending on me to take down Doflamingo."

York frowned at Wren's words then surprised the girl by lightly whapping her over the head. Wren looked truly taken aback by the abuse as she looked to York in confusion.

"Quit it with that crap already, boss." York said. "You say you can't go soft, but you're already the softest, squishiest person I know, so it's too late for that."

Wren, who was rubbing the sore spot on her head, gave York a look. She wasn't sure if she should be insulted or not.

"Sure, you've made some decisions that led to some bad stuff, but they were decisions that had to be made," York said. "Someone had to make them and to spare the rest of us, you did. But you always set up measures and counter measures to keep the damage made by those decisions down to as small as possible. And though you try to pretend it doesn't bother you, I know it eats you up inside. You worry so much for other people despite everything that's happened to you but worry about yourself for a change. Do something that makes you happy."

Wren frowned. York usually wasn't the type to give advice and be serious like this. In fact, Wren would say it's against her nature. And Wren wasn't sure if she was liking this different side to her.

"Besides, where else are you gonna go?" York asked. "We don't really have a formal HQ. If we did, it would have been Dressrosa, and you can't go back there."

Wren sighed because that was true. She didn't have a lot of options. She could just keep moving.

"Staying with one of us could draw unnecessary attention to our organization," York continued. "And traveling on your own leaves you as a sitting duck and I know you won't go to secret brother of yours since it'd put him in danger. So, you don't really have any other options, Boss."

"Yes, thank you for pointing all of that out," Wren said sarcastically.

York grinned impishly at her in return as Wren looked up at the cloudy, rainy sky.

'Would it really be okay?' Wren wondered. 'If I join them?'


Coco: And that's the end of this two-chapter update. I do hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter will be the end of Alabasta and we'll move on to more exciting them. And some Wren/Crew bonding time. :D

Until next time, stay safe and keeping being your beautiful selves.