Coco: It's finally finished! The Alabasta Arc is over :D It's been a long journey, but it's finally time to move on. First Goat Island then Jaya and then Sky Island :D Wonder how Wren's involvement will change that story? After all, the Priest and Enel will have to deal with someone from the Blue Sea who knows mantra. Meaning Wren will be able to even the playing field a little, won't she?
But it's not quite time for that yet. So, let's dive into this final chapter about the land of sand, kay?
Wren sighed as she sheathed her sword as another body fell unconscious at her feet.
"This wasn't the quiet get away I was hoping for," Wren said as the wood of the ship creaked and splintered around her.
The damage she had caused it taking its toll as it started to sink. Around her the sounds of cannons going off and the shouts of marines rang through the air as they tried to trap her crew and Bon Clay's. She's managed to take down several ships, but it was becoming a tiresome task.
"Havel, that should have created a big enough opening for us," Wren called out to the feline who was dragging around one of the marines. "Let's return to the ship."
Havel, who still had the marine dangling from his mouth, turned to his mage before padding over the edge of the sinking ship to drop the marine down into the water. Wren shook her head at the feline who looked far too pleased with himself. He shrunk down to his normal size before hopping up on her shoulder. He held on tightly as Wren climbed on top of the railing before launching herself up into the air.
She was airborne few several seconds before arriving over the Going Merry where she began to drop down. As the balls of her feet hit the deck, two ships to the south were taken down by Usopp who was manning the cannon. The sniper looked shocked by what happened as he slowly turned to look to his crewmates.
"Usopp, did you do that?" Luffy asked then grinned. "Amazing."
"Yes, good job, Usopp," Wren praised.
Usopp floundered for a minute as if he really couldn't believe what just happened. Though when he finally did snap out of it, he gave a triumphant laugh and struck a pose.
"Yes, just as I calculated!" Usopp said. "It was me. That's what happens to enemy ships when I'm on the job!"
Havel shook his head at the barging long-nose as he jumped down from Wren's shoulder.
"That was amazing, Nose-chan!" Bon Clay complimented. "The ships to the south have all sunk and thanks to Cora-chan they're numbers have dwindled. They won't have time to cut us off, so now nothing can prevent us from breaking through!"
Of course, as soon as he said that Wren looked to the side and noticed more marine ships heading their way. And it wasn't just the underlings anymore. Their captain was joining the party as well.
'Black Cage Hina,' Wren thought as one of Bon Clay's men announced the marine captain's arrival to his captain.
As Bon Clay gasped in worry, Wren tilted her head. She'd rather not have to fight the marine captain. If she didn't already receive a bounty for her work in Alabasta, she most definitely would if she assaulted a marine officer.
"What's going on?" Luffy asked.
"Black Cage Hina!" Bon Clay said. "She's a marine captain. We're in here jurisdiction. She's a real pain. We need to hurry up and fly the coop!"
His men shouted an affirmative while ready to leave as soon as they received the order. Wren just hummed as she watched Hina and the ships she brought with her drawing closer. Soon that opening Wren made will be plugged. Though she didn't move to do anything about it nor did the rest of the Straw Hats, which had Bon Clay turning to look at them with a frown.
"You guys need to wake up!" Bon Clay said. "We have to run. If we pass through that point in the south, we can escape. But if we don't change course immediately, they'll take us down for sure!"
Wren just hummed in response to his words as she sat down on the one of the folding chairs. Her nonchalant behavior only irked the ballerina even more.
"If you wanna go, go," Luffy said. "But we can't go that way."
"And exactly why not?!" Bon Clay demanded.
One of his men shouted that they needed to get going but was ignored by the Straw Hats as they looked up at Bon Clay. The man still waiting for an answer.
"Noon at the eastern harbor." Nami said. "We've got an opponent. There's no time to go around. We'll go straight through. Even if we have to use our resident monster to sink more ships."
She pointed at Wren, who gave her a look, as she didn't appreciate Nami just volunteering her to take down more ships. Though Wren supposed she could do it.
"WHAT?!" Bon Clay snapped. "Suicide! Ludicrous. Is there some treasure you're not telling me about that's worth throwing away your lives?!"
He then huffed in aggravation as he turned away from the Straw Hats with his arms crossed.
"Fine, run off and die!" He said.
"We have to go get one of our friends." Luffy said.
Bon Clay gasped when Luffy told him this with his mouth falling open in shock. The man stared silently at the crew for a moment before opening his mouth.
"So…it's for your pal that you risk it all?" Bon Clay asked then looked to his crew with determination. "Then we will not run either."
The Straw Hats and his men looked at the ballerina in shock as he stood straight and tall.
"Great Bon Clay!" His men called.
"Running now would go against everything Bon Clay stands for!" Bon Clay declared. "If we abandon allies who are risking their lives to pick up a friend, could we live with ourselves tomorrow?!"
His men gasped at his words as tears appeared in their eyes. His words obviously moving them.
"Listen, guys. Straw Hats too." Bon Clay said. "What I must say is of great importance!"
As the Going Merry moved east quickly, Wren watched with Sanji, Usopp, Luffy, and Chopper as Bon Clay, who used his crew and ship as decoys for them, fought Hina and her men. Their ship was being destroyed and they were fighting a battle they could not win but they fought valiantly while damaging ships along the way. Luffy was crying from beside her as were Usopp and Chopper as they listened to their friend give a final battle cry.
'He might be quirky, but he's a good man,' Wren thought. 'Lorelei, I see why you developed a soft spot for him.'
She then rubbed Luffy's back in a soothing manner as the young captain continued crying.
"Bon Clay, I swear we will never forget you!" Luffy cried.
"Bon Clay!" Chopper and Usopp cried as well. "Waah!"
Wren tried to comfort them as well as Sanji couldn't believe Bon Clay did all that for them.
"Hey, quit blubbering!" Zoro shouted at them. "We need to get to the eastern harbor! We're running out of time. Unless you don't want Vivi to join us anymore."
His words got Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper in gear as they hurried to help get the ship to the eastern harbor. Sanji and Wren watched them go before the cook turned to Wren.
"Do you think she'll be there?" Sanji asked Wren.
"My honest opinion?" Wren inquired with Sanji nodding in response. "Maybe. Though I don't think she'll be joining us."
Sanji tilted his head wondering why Wren as she was walking away to join the others.
"Vivi, loves the people of her country very much." Wren said over her shoulder. "They all just went through a lot and while things with Crocodile are over, there's still a lot to do to get the country back to where it needs to be. She wouldn't leave them now."
That made sense to Sanji, and while he was saddened Vivi wouldn't be joining them, he could understand. Though he they had to go to the east harbor all the same. Just to be sure.
'It looks like Wren was right,' Sanji thought as the Straw Hats could hear Vivi's speech being given over the broadcast system. 'She decided to stay.'
He looked over to Wren as she was comforting Chopper and Luffy as they were hunched over the railing.
"Vivi," Chopper whimpered.
"Forget about it," Zoro said. "You heard the speech. That was Vivi's voice without a doubt."
"They're just broadcasting the ceremony that's being held in Alabarna." Sanji added. "Vivi-chan's already made up her mind not to come here."
Luffy's face set in a stubborn frown as he kept looking at the shore as if he was absolutely certain he'd spot the princess.
"No," Luffy said. "I don't buy it. I say she's here."
"Luffy, Vivi has a responsibility to her people," Wren reminded the boy. "Though to her it's more than responsibility. She just went through a lot to save them. Do you really think she'd leave them now?"
Luffy's frown deepened as his hands clenched the railing. He didn't reply to Wren as he kept staring off at the shore. Wren sighed though wasn't surprised. He wanted her to join so badly after all.
"Let's go," Sanji said. "It's past noon."
"There's no way she wouldn't come!" Luffy argued. "She's definitely here. Let's get out and look for her."
Wren was about to tell Luffy they didn't have time for that. However, she never had the chance as Usopp cut in.
"This is bad, guys." Usopp told them. "The marines are after us again."
"Exactly how many ships are out there?" Zoro asked.
"I see at least six," Usopp reported.
Wren sighed because that wasn't good. At this rate, they'd have a whole new fight on their hands. She wasn't too worried about it. She could probably sink all of them with the others help. Though if they keep coming at them like this, they will tire out.
"Dammit, let's move!" Zoro ordered.
Usopp and Chopper went to follow him as ordered, but their dear captain remained firmly in place.
"Give it up, Luffy," Sanji said. "Vivi-chan's on a course far different from ours."
He then went to help the others as they turned the Going Merry away from Alabasta to hurry and get away.
"Come on, Luffy," Wren coaxed. "We need to leave before we're caught. Vivi wouldn't want that for us, you know."
Luffy grumbled though finally did stop leaning over the railing albeit reluctantly. He turned to follow Wren because they really did need to leave before it was too late for them. Though as they were walking away, a voice called out to them.
"Everyone!"
Wren and Luffy turned seeing Vivi standing on the shore, and Karoo was with her.
"Vivi!" Luffy cheered as he jumped on top of the railing.
Usopp and Chopper came running as well after hearing Vivi's call with large grins on their faces.
"Karoo!" Usopp called out.
Nami, Sanji, and Zoro soon joined their group with the navigator looking ecstatic to see the princess. Nami and Sanji called out the princess's name happily as Chopper waved at her and Karoo with both hooves.
"We need to go back," Usopp said as he rushed to go and turn the ship around.
"The marines are right behind us too." Chopper said.
Vivi smiled at them before cupping her hands together, so that she could call out to them.
"I came to say goodbye!" She told them.
The small on Luffy's face dropped at her words as he wondered if he had heard her right. Vivi took the receiver from the den-den mushi on Karoo's back to hold up in front of her mouth.
"Sorry, but I can't go with you," Vivi said with her voice being amplified by the broadcasters. "Thank you so much for everything. I'd like to go on more adventures, but I can't ignore the needs of my country, which I love more than anything! I have to stay. I hope you understand."
Though it wasn't the news they wanted to hear, the Straw Hats did understand. In fact, Luffy even grinned.
"I see." He said.
"Thank you," Vivi said before she started tearing up "I will…"
She trailed off as the tears started falling quickly. Though she tried to wipe as soon as they fell.
"I…I will remain here and fulfill my duty." Vivi said. "If we ever meet again…no matter how much time has passed, will you still call me friend?"
She started crying even harder as she awaited their answer. Luffy grinned even wider. He went to reply but was hit to the deck by Nami.
"You idiot, don't reply!" Nami snapped. "Got it?! The marines now know about Vivi and us. If they can prove she has a connection to us, it's all over. She'll be considered a criminal. Turn away not another word."
Though it was hard to do, Luffy did as he was told without a fuss. He touched his arm silently for a moment before looking at his crewmates.
"Then we reply with this," Luffy said as he pulled down his sleeve to show the 'x' on his arm.
Wren touched her own arm where the mark still was as the others all started gathering in a line at the back of the ship.
"Get over here, stupid." Zoro said to her. "You're a part of this group too, you know."
Wren shook her head at his pushiness as she walked over to stand next to Zoro.
"Yes, yes," Wren said. "No reason for name calling."
He snorted at her before the two of them rolled down their sleeves and raised their arms in the air along with the others. On the shore, Vivi's eyes widened, and more tears slipped down her face. Though these tears were ones of happiness as she and Karoo raised their marks up high as well. The marks on their arms a symbol of their friendship.
"These marines sure are persistent, aren't they?" Wren said as more cannonballs fell around them.
She then jumped up to start slicing down the cannonballs that fell into the water with loud splashes. She landed back onto the railing as Usopp and Chopper were taking care of the damages below, but not fast enough since the marines were getting closer.
"Wren, can't you sink them like you and Havel were before?!" Nami asked as she was hunkered down around the mast.
"I could try." Wren said. "However, the ship is shaking too much. I could miss my mark, and I would rather not try to fly over there."
Havel nodded in agreement as he was hunkered down by Nami to avoid being splashed by the water being sent flying by the cannonballs. Nami groaned in despair as Wren sliced down more cannonballs to send them crashing into the ocean.
"We'll lend you a hand." Zoro said as he, Luffy, and Sanji stepped up to help.
However, they tripped over the large iron spikes that Usopp told them to keep on deck.
"What's this?!" The boys demanded looking pissed.
"Oh that?" Nami asked. "Usopp said to hold onto them in case we needed them for something. Who knows?"
Wren frowned because they didn't have the storage to hold those spikes. Not to mention, the heaviness of them was most definitely slowing them down.
"Come on!" Zoro growled in aggravation.
"They're in our way!" Sanji snapped.
"I'll get rid of them." Luffy said calmly.
And get rid of them he did. Wren watched in amazement at how Luffy just randomly threw the spikes off the ship behind his back yet still managed to hit the three marine ships that were pursuing them. Well, that was one way to deal with the problem, she supposed. Zoro and Sanji stared in shock as well as Luffy dusted off his hands.
"Okay," Luffy said grinning as he turned around. "Now we ready?"
Luffy blinked at the damage he caused as everyone else just kind of stared for a second to. As always Luffy was able to amaze Wren with his talent for doing the things that should be illogically impossible.
"Now's our chance!" Zoro said as he snapped out of it first. "Full speed ahead. Shake them off!"
The others quickly got to work as Wren was looking towards the door to the pantry. She knew sooner or later she would have to deal with the stowaway. However, they were a bit busy at the moment, so they didn't have the time. It didn't matter who was hiding away anyway. Wren would deal with them promptly once everything's calmed down.
"Looks like the marines have stopped following us." Zoro said looking back at the clear water.
"While that is a good thing," Wren, who was stroking Havel's fur, began. "I don't believe our crewmates are in the mood to be happy."
Zoro turned to her in confusion, so she pointed behind her shoulder to where the others were laying on the upper deck with their heads and arms pushed through the gapes in the railing. They all let out upset groans.
"Come on, that's good news." Zoro said to them. "We shook them off!"
They just let out more groans, which was starting to annoy the hell out of Zoro.
"Stop it!" Zoro ordered. "What's with the pathetic groans?"
"I think they are missing a certain princess." Wren said as she sat calmly at the table on the deck with Havel in her lap.
All the others voiced their agreement as tears started to leak from their eyes down their cheeks. Wren knew it shouldn't be funny, but she did find amusement in their behavior, which brought a chuckle from her lips. Havel seemed amused as well as his tail flicked back and forth.
"That's enough whining." Zoro said sternly. "If you wanted her to join that bad then you shouldn't have let her leave."
His words were met with insults from their crewmates to him, but he didn't really seem fazed by them. He turned to Wren as if expecting some kind of help though.
"While I might not had worded it like that, he does have a point," Wren said. "Though Vivi has a country to take care of, everyone. What else did you expect her to do?"
They all just whined in reply, which had Zoro rolling his eyes at all of them in irritation.
"Moving on from that, I think we finally need to deal with the stowaway on our ship." Wren said.
The others looked at her in confusion when suddenly the door to the storage room was opened. Nico Robin walked out looking as calm as ever as she smirked.
"Looks like we finally escaped the firing squad." She said casually as the others stared at her in shock.
However, Zoro quickly grabbed a hold of his Wado Ichimonji as the others jumped to their feet.
"Here to avenge your friends?" Zoro asked. "Just try it."
"What the heck are you doing here?!" Nami demanded.
Beside her, Usopp and Chopper were freaking out as the prior was giving a warning to the ship of the intruder. Though that hardly seemed necessary considering they were well aware of their current guest. As the group—besides Wren—surrounded Nico Robin, some looked ready to fight while others did not.
"Who's she?" Chopper asked as he hung on the stair railing with Sanji beside him.
"I don't know." Sanji said. "But she's so damn beautiful."
Robin just calmly walked to the side while not seeming worried about the weapons pointed at her. She then used her devil fruit to knock Zoro and Nami's weapons from their arms. She turned to smirk at them looking quite pleased with herself.
"Didn't I tell you before?" Robin asked. "Don't point such dangerous objects at me. Are you always so slow?"
"How long have you been on our ship?" Nami demanded.
"Since we joined up with Bon Clay." Wren said.
Her crewmates looked at her in shock as she nonchalantly continued to pet Havel who was purring. He rolled over onto his back to receive belly rubs as Nami frowned.
"And you didn't say anything?!" Nami shouted.
"We've been quite busy." Wren said simply. "I thought mentioning the stowaway would only add more stress than we needed at the time."
Nami grumbled still not happy, but she could understand Wren's reasoning. Robin looked at Wren curiously as the younger woman seemed completely unbothered by her presence on the ship.
"And who are you exactly?" Robin asked. "I don't remember seeing you at all through this battle in Alabasta."
Wren looked up from giving Havel attention, and Robin stiffened when Wren's gaze met her own. That red eye…Robin remembers it.
"You…you're Corazon?" Robin asked.
"That's correct," Wren said. "Though I'd rather you not address me by that. Magier B. Wren will do. Now, I'm willing to let you keep breathing for now. Though I suggest you explain why you're here before I decide to change my mind."
Robin felt a cold dread wash over her at how casually Wren spoke about ending her life. She knew Wren would kill her if she so decided. Robin knew she wouldn't be able to beat her even if she tried.
"Just one second." Luffy said. "I want to know why she's on the ship."
Wren looked to Luffy and Robin was certain the boy be punished in some way for talking to her in such a way. However, when Wren just nodded her head, Robin was surprised. Wren then looked to her.
"Well, you heard him, Nico Robin." Wren said. "Start explaining."
Robin though nodded her head as she took a seat opposite of Wren who moved Havel to rest along her shoulders.
"I want to join your crew," Robin said shocking the other Straw Hats.
After Robin explained what happened, and why she was here, Luffy gave her permission to stay, which hadn't surprised Wren a bit though the others—minus Sanji—seemed very upset.
"There's nothing to worry about," Luffy said. "Trust me, she isn't a bad person."
"Famous last words," Havel said as his whiskers twitched. "If she does kill you in your sleep, may I be captain?"
"Like hell, Cat," Sanji and Zoro said in unison.
"I can't believe it," Caballero said. "Corazon joining a crew of rookies. They must be something else."
York chuckled as she stood next to Caballero on his ship. The two different regiments of the Chessboard traveling together for now.
"I was able to meet the captain briefly," York said. "He's an interesting one."
Caballero grinned while wishing he had had the chance to meet these pirates their leader joined. Though he then gave a sigh.
"You know, I'm not upset she joined them, but she could have come with me," Caballero reminded York. "Even if he figured out where she was, Doflamingo wouldn't have come for her once I returned with her to my crew. After all, he knows better to mess with the captain of our crew. It's one of the reasons why he sent those slavers to Era to kidnap the fae and Wren instead of doing it himself. The island is under her protection. And not many people are stupid enough to mess with her."
"Well, of course," York said. "She's a monster after all. The question is if Corazon would have been safe from your crew if she went with you?"
Caballero frowned though didn't reply. York had a point. They might let her stay for a bit, but without swearing her loyalty to the crew, things would turn sour eventually. And he and York both knew she'd never do such a thing.
"Even you and her sharing blood wouldn't save her, if your captain decided our boss overstayed her welcome." York said. "They might be rookies, but she's safer with them."
Caballero nodded in agreement because he couldn't argue with the points York made.
"They just better take care of her," Caballero said. "Or they'll have to answer to me."
His eyes narrowed as he spoke as his familiar circled around him with a growl leaving between its canines. It was as if the large black, hound was agreeing with his master.
"Not just you, Sorbet," York said using his true name. "All of us would be after them. Now, let's get down to business. I say the money and treasure we collected should go to the Obispo Regiment. After all, we did most of the work during this mission."
"As if, shrimp." Caballero—or rather Sorbet—retorted. "I need to take back some kind of gift to my grandmother as an excuse for being gone for so long, or she'll get suspicious."
"Then give her one of the weapons we took," York said.
"She'd have no interest in those," Sorbet argued.
As the two argued about how to split the loot, Jacque and Colt, the two seconds-in-command of their regiments, watched from the side. Colt looked to Jacque.
"Corazon-sama left a detailed list on how to separate everything, didn't she?" Colt asked.
"Yeah," Jacque replied. "Let's sort it all out before they realize what we're doing. They'll probably be arguing for a while, so we have time."
Colt nodded in agreement before looking back to their arguing superiors. Sometimes he really had to wonder why Wren chose them to be in charge.
Coco: There you have it! The end of the Alabasta Arc. It'll probably be a while before we see York and Sorbet again. But soon it'll be time to get to know more about the third commander of the Chessboard Organization-Rochen the marine. Hope you're looking forward to that.
Now, remember, stay safe out there and keep being your beautiful selves!
