Chapter 20: Goodbye Alabasta
Shay jumped down from the duck and it ran off somewhere. She hoped that she would discover something exciting like a national secret, but it was looked less like by the minute. The pirate girl was walking around when she felt many people riding into the city.
What was happening?
"Oi, girl, get out of the way" a guy with black hair yelled from the distance. Shayla was pretty sure Vivi was supposed to talk them into stopping their attack. So, why were they fighting in the middle of everything?
She just glared at him and for a short time he looked scared, 'I'm glad I can make them react like that with only one look' she thought smirking.
Maybe she did learn a few tricks from old man Garp.
He looked at her for a second before running off in the other direction. As Shayla understood it, the royal palace was the place everyone was heard to. So, she might as well head there.
It wasn't that hard to find, considering that royalty likes to build their castle big enough to overlook the city and there being a lot of soldiers gave her a pretty good clue too.
"Oi, you stand back," a man looking like a gladiator told her, "If you'll excuse me, I have to be up there," Shay said innocently and pointed to the palace. He looked at her like she was crazy but before he could say anything another soldier came running, "Crocodile is holding Cobra-sama captive inside".
Shayla took this chance and ran past them all and up the stairs. She saw 4 warriors already opening the gate and by the time she got up there they were all dead on the ground and a black dog-thing slashed the shichibukai.
"Shayla-san" she turned and saw the princess shocked, "Vivi," a dirty-blond man said with the same reaction, "Do my eyes deceive me? I came here to demand the royal army to surrender, but Chaka and the king are dying at the hands of our country's hero. I can't believe it"
Crocodile and his partner started laughing at the whole situation, especially at the rebel leader's reaction. To Shay, it looked like he just realized that he made a huge mistake.
Vivi wanted to explain but he interrupted her, "Vivi, who took away the country's rain?" and the shichibukai happily told him that it was his doing and everything he thought the king did, it was his doing too.
The pirate girl thought it was obvious considering what kind of devil fruit powers he has.
The king and the black dog started telling him that it wasn't too late to make it right. That there was a bomb somewhere in the city, ready to explode in less than 30 minutes.
Crocodile was about to hit the zoan-type user with his hook, and Shayla thought this would be the perfect time to intervene. She used her wind to fly herself up to him before kicking Mr. 0 in the face. Everyone looked surprised at her like they didn't expect her to that strong.
Shay sighed, why were people always underestimating her?
Suddenly the rebel leader ran towards the stairs and Vivi ran after him to tackle him to the ground. She told him not to make the people panic but instead to end this war before evocating the entire city, "You're the only one who can do this".
Crocodile quickly turned to sand while Shay was watching those two. He came behind them and was about to strike the princess until the black dog blocked his attack, "I am the guardian spirit of Alabasta. The Jackal. The one who destroys the enemies of the royal family. As long as there's life in me, I'll fight"
"And those kinds of people are called idiots," Crocodile said calmy. Shayla jumped down to kick him again but this time he dodged, "I think it sad that you don't have people you want to fight for even if it means death" she said.
"I don't know what you've done with Luffy but until he comes, I guess I have to fight you" Hell Bender took her fighting position. "It's no use, that Straw-hat is dead," he said without emotion. "Oh, please. Luffy's too stubborn to get killed by the likes of you, but if what you said ends up being true, I'll avenge him with your death" Shay's face suddenly grew more menacing.
Vivi and her friend ran out of there. She told the royal soldiers to wave the white flag and Shay would feel Kohza doing the same. That was until he was shot, "I should have known that you would have people inside both sides" she scolded herself.
The battle started once again, Vivi looked even more depressing than before, and it was kind of pathetic.
Crocodile turned around and grabbed the princess the throat. Shay may not like her, but she liked a girl being mistreated even less and was charging over to him, suddenly hands held her by the arms. She looked back to see a black-haired woman standing there with crossed arms.
Shayla sighed yet again and swung her leg back to fire flames at the woman and she was caught off guard and let her go. Shay hurried over to the two, but Crocodile had already dropped her. She tried to figure out a plan, but she sensed a certain someone flying toward them and saved Vivi.
She looked down and saw Luffy reunite with his crew, "I'm sorry guys. I lost to him once, but it won't happen again" he apologized, "Luffy if you don't get up here soon, I'll just have to beat this gator bastard".
He looked shocked for a moment, "Wait, Shay, I'm going to do this" and she smirked at his determination. He rocketed himself up there and punched Crocodile in the face. The young captain continued attacking him with some ridiculous tricks but hey, they worked.
"When you get wet, you can't turn into sand. You're afraid of water, that's why you took away the rain" Luffy splashed some on his hand. Shayla was watching those two fights and she couldn't help but admire the man Luffy has become.
He was no longer the little kid that was afraid of being alone and she almost laughed when he drank the barrel of water and spit it out at Crocodile, before sending him flying into a building.
The woman got tired of watching and pulled out the nails that were holding the king, "Now you are going to take me to where the poneglyph is" she said, "What will seeing that accomplish for you" he asked.
Shay stood there for a minute. Poneglyph, were they the forbidden language the world government banned? She smirked, this got so much more interesting.
"Hurry out of here, Nico Robin. Unless you want to be sucked dry" the shichibukai warned. "I have lost my patient"
A hand appeared on the king's back and she took him away. Shay looked at Luffy before she followed the two. She walked casually a bit behind the two and soon there appeared a group of marines in front of them.
The female marine tried to help the king, but he wanted them to take care of the bomb that would explode at 4.30.
"Sergeant Major, that woman is Nico Robin. I'm positive. Captain Smoker ordered me to dig up her wanted poster. 20 years ago, she had a bounty placed on her worldwide. The incident where 6 battleships were sunk by an 8-year-old girl. The government proclaims her as a first-class threat" some marine explained.
The woman became wanted during the time Shayla was missing. She knew there had to be more to the story than sinking boats, but what?
The marine with glasses told her men to stop the bombing and that she would take care of this. That was until Nico Robin used her own weapon against her.
They arrived at a graveyard and the king opened up a secret stairwell, "I don't blame you. You probably didn't expect anyone still out there to be able to read them" Nico Robin said while they walked downstairs.
See, that's the reason the Government was after her, Shayla smirked.
"If you going to read it, I think you should take a few steps back to get the full picture" the Yonko daughter suggested. The king looked shocked to see her, but Nico Robin didn't, "I knew you would appear soon".
"Well, I wasn't trying to hide," she said and leaned against the wall. Crocodile soon came in and told her to read it for him and his partner started reciting different dates of the country's history.
"Oi, oi, what does it say about Pluton, the ancient weapon?" he asked angrily, "There isn't anything about Pluton," she calmly said. "I see, that's unfortunate. You have been a formidable partner, but I've decided to kill you here" he glared at her.
The woman took a step back shocked while he explained his reason before he struck her with his hook. Shayla had seen enough of this and kicked him in the stomach. He looked angry at her, "Why're you protecting her, Hell Bender" he asked.
"Do I need a reason to help someone in need?" she said and punched fire at him. He turned to sand before appearing behind Nico Robin and she had a small bear with water that she threw at him and ran over to him while holding a knife.
He dodged and tried to hit her again, Shayla blocked his hook with her forearm but his managed to hit her. She sensed the older woman fell to the floor and before she breathed fire at him. She was about to punch him but instead, she stepped aside.
Giving room for Luffy to punch him instead, "Sorry, I'm late Shay. I was tired so I took a small nap" his eyes never left the target. Crocodile looked confused for a moment not understanding how the young pirate could touch him without water.
Shayla sighed before walking over to the wall and leaned against it, "Luffy, don't lose again," she simply stated, "I wouldn't" he said and charged at the older man.
The battle was intents and Shayla was proud to see how much Luffy had grown. He was no longer the little kid searching for people to accept him, instead, he was this strong-willed fierce young pirate captain who was chasing his dream.
Luffy ended the battle by punching Crocodile through the ceiling and out to the sunlight. It was ironic considering he was working on his plan in the shadow and now they were out in the light for everyone to see.
"You have my thanks," the king said gratefully, but Luffy just smiled, "Don't mention it" was the last thing he said before passing out.
The king went over to him in concern and Nico Robin rolled a bottle toward him. She told him that it was the cure for Crocodile's poisonous hook. The king started asking why she lied to the shichibukai and everything about Pluton should have been written there.
Shayla went over to the stone and touched it. It was interesting that special people could read what to her appeared to be nonsense.
Nico Robin said that she never intended to give Crocodile that information and that she had no interest in it anyway. Instead, she was looking for Rio poneglyph that contained the true history the World Government was trying to hide.
She had been looking for them for 20 years and she was finally ready to give up and die here. That was until Luffy suddenly stood up carried the king and Robin out of there. She protested but the straw-hatted boy refused to listen.
"Let's go, Shay," he said before running out and she was right behind him.
Once they were outside, Luffy laid the two people down and passed out again. Shayla went over to carry him, but the king insisted that he would do it for the savior of the country.
The king had just carried Luffy to the rest of the crew. He soon reunited with his daughter and they both went to talk to the people and it wasn't too long after that the crew fell unconscious too.
Shay wasn't hurt at all. She watched over them and let them rest until some marines came and wanted to arrest them.
There was no way she'll allow them to do that, and she kept her eyes on them, ready to fight if they try anything. But the female marine from before came and stopped them.
After a while, Shay used her earth power and took the entire ground that they were sleeping on, and transported them to the castle. Vivi and the guard showed them the room where they would be sleeping.
Most of the crew woke up the next morning except Luffy.
Shay climbed on the city's wall so she could capture the beauty in her art and every detail was perfect. On her way back she stopped by a small shop selling a certain snail phone.
-x-
On the third day, Luffy finally woke up and he was very hungry. He challenged the king's head chef, saying that he would eat 3 days' worth of food, "I'll eat more food than you" Shay challenged him, and he gladly accepted it.
Dinner was chaotic. The pirates were all eating and enjoying themselves, maybe a little too much? Luffy and Shay were having their contest of who could eat the most while the rest of them cheered. The party's laughter could be heard through the halls and the guards even joined the fun.
In the end, Luffy won by one dish and was about to puke, "if you throw up, I win" Shayla said struggling to hold it in herself, but he didn't – making him the winner.
After the meal, the King showed them the bathhouse where they could wash. Men and women were separated but only by a wall, but that didn't stop them from trying to look over.
Vivi was washing Nami's back while Shay tried to get control over her almost afro hair, "Ahh, I give up. Nami, will you wash my back," putting her hair in a bun and took a stool in front of the orange-haired navigator. She loosened the towel around her and covering her front.
"Your hair is beautiful, but wouldn't it be better to take your necklace and bracelet off?" Nami asked, "Thank you, but they're too important to me" Shay smiled before touching them both. "Vivi is there any conditioner here" She needed it, or her hair would frizz, "yeah, here" Vivi gave it to her.
"Thanks, I'll need after the bath" and they suddenly saw the boys looking over the wall and at them. The only one who wasn't there was Zoro and before Shayla could do anything, Nami stood up, "Well, it'll be 100.000 berries for each person" before showed them her naked body and they all fell in a nosebleed.
Even Luffy, which surprised her.
"Nami-san," Vivi said embarrassed, "That's a powerful trick" Shay laughed. All three girls went over to the pool, "We'll probably leave Alabasta tonight" Nami started, "Finally. I got really tired of being here for this long" Shayla relaxed more.
"Yeah, we no longer have a reason to be here" Nami continued and Vivi looked distressed without saying anything. But Shay knew what was bothering her: now that her country is safe, what's next? Will she officially join the crew, or will she stay?
After the bath, they were discussing when to leave but someone named Bon-chan call. When Sanji discovered who it was, hung up. He called again and told them that he stole their ship. Shayla and the others quickly packed their stuff and were about to jump out the window, "Guys, I don't know what to do" Vivi answered.
"Listen, Vivi, we will get to the ship and sail to the eastern harbor of the island. We will be there about noon 12 if you want to officially join us there is your chance, and we will welcome you to the crew" Nami said as they were going.
"Vivi, come at any cost" Luffy encouraged as everybody was jumping out the window. When they landed ducks were waiting to take them and everyone had one each, "You know she won't join" Shay said to them after a while, "What, why" Chopper asked.
"She spent the last 3 years of her life trying to save her kingdom and when the war finally ended, she just going to leave. There's just no way." Shay argued.
Everyone got quiet while processing her word and Nami looked especially sad, "What's wrong Nami." Chopper asked, "Do you want some meat, only a little bite though" Luffy offered, "I know you and Vivi was very close" Sanji defended.
"I… I'll give it up, for Vivi's sake… the billion berries," Nami said in almost regret, "Of course" her crewmates yell at her in a very dramatic way as Usopp fell off his duck. Shay used her wind to pull him towards them and land back on his duck, "Thanks Shay" Usopp smiled.
"What a fun crew" Shayla laughed with them.
-x-
They arrived at the ship, only to see a swan ballerina man with a horrible fashion sense. He laughed when he saw them, "Oh, and who is this beauty" while looking at Shay.
She didn't answer and just walked past him. Shayla could feel he was about to touch her face and she got this weird feeling coming from his hand and quickly dodged, "I don't know what kind of powers you have but don't try to touch me," she said in a menacing voice.
The man took a step back in fear while the other loaded the ship with supplies. For some reason, Shay didn't understand why this Bon Clay fellow was onboard the ship with them while his own was sailing next to them.
The fun trio being, Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper asked why he would protect their ship from the marines. "Because we're friends," the okama said with tears in his eyes and they were all dancing together.
Until Zoro discovered his real intention and since he couldn't pass the blockade of battleships on his own and he decided to use them.
'Cowardly but wise choice' Shayla thought
The marines appeared rather quickly but they managed to sail away from them. The sun rose and everything was going great until the okama panicked about some female soldier named Hina. For Shay, everything was still great and if she wasn't that strong, she might be scared too.
Good thing she wasn't and there was no chance a low-ranked officer as captain was going to beat her.
"If you want to go, then go but we can't," Luffy said, "What? Why?" the former Mr. 2 asked, "Noon at the eastern harbor we have an appointment" Nami continued. "Is there some treasure that's worth your lives" he was still confused.
"We're going there to pick up a friend" Luffy elaborated and as soon as he said that it was like Bon Clay understood everything. "So, this is for you pal? If we run always now it wouldn't be the Bon Clay way. How are we able to enjoy our food tomorrow if we abandon our pals who are risking their lives to pick up their pal".
Shay looked at him, "Why are you making it so complicated".
The Okama didn't listen instead he made a plan that would help them escape while he sacrificed himself with his crew. The marines were coming closer, and Bon Clay decided to distract them while pretending to be the small crew.
It was a tearful goodbye of, "We'll never forget you"
When they arrived at the eastern harbor there was no sign of the princess. The pirates started to worry about if she really would come, "Give it up Luffy, as Shayla-san said, her situation is different from ours" the blond cook said, but the young captain would have none of that, "I'm sure she's coming".
"Guys" they suddenly heard a voice behind them, "Vivi! Quickly turn the ship around," someone said. "I came to say goodbye," the princess said, and Shayla saw the crew froze for a second, "I can't go with you. Thank you so much for everything. I want to continue the adventure, but I love this country."
"I will remain here," Vivi said, "I see", Luffy quickly accepted it. The straw-hat pirates all looked sad in their own ways.
Shay thought it would be inappropriate to cheer on the news out loud, but she could help but smirk.
"If we meet again someday, will you still call me your Nakama?" the princess asked crying, "You'll always be our-" Luffy yelled but Nami slammed her hand over his mouth, "Don't reply! The marines will notice Vivi. If we prove she's connected to us, she'll become a criminal. Let's part without saying anything" Nami said as they turned away from her.
Shayla could feel that their silence was hurting her, that was until she saw they had their left arm up with an X mark on. The whitebeard pirate guessed that the mark meant something to them and she decided to draw this cute little moment.
Soon Vivi and her duck had her arm up too and the friends parted ways.
-x-
The crew just left Alabasta and everybody except Shayla and Zoro cried over it, "what's wrong" Zoro asked. They looked to the side, "we miss her" and the swordsman told them to stop whining. If they really wanted Vivi to join, they should have forced her.
Shay had trouble understanding why they wanted Vivi to join, she wasn't fit to be a pirate. She was too naïve; the world would chew and spit her up. Shayla was sure of it but she did understand the sadness of leaving a friend behind.
They complained while crying a little when the black-haired woman, that worked with Crocodile, came out to the deck. The entire crew was alerted and ready for anything she was going to do. Zoro and Nami hold their weapons up in case she tried something.
She somehow throws them to the deck, "Don't point such dangerous things at me".
Apparently, she was here the whole time and borrowed Nami's clothes. The woman took a chair and sat down by the rail, "Monkey D. Luffy, you remember what you did to me, don't you?" she started.
Sanji was scolding Luffy for hurting a beautiful lady, "Hey, you don't lie. I didn't do anything to you" the captain was confused, "yes, you did. What you did was unbearable. Take responsible" she sat down and leaned back.
This crew was a loud one and Shayla just sat back and observed the crew's affair. "You don't make any sense. What do you want me to do?" Luffy asked, "Let me join your crew" she responded, which shook the crew.
Each of them having a different reaction, there was: shock, joy, fear, anger, and confusion from Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Nami, and Chopper.
In that order.
Then there was Zoro who looked like he was tired of arguing and would just accept whatever happens. After she told them that Luffy had saved her without her permission and didn't have anywhere else to go, the young captain quickly accepted.
It didn't take long for most of the crew to open up to her, which to Shayla was hilarious. Nico Robin had fun with Luffy and Chopper using her devil fruit, she gave Nami treasure, there wasn't have much hope for Sanji, to begin with, Usopp laughed with his two crewmates, and Zoro didn't trust her… yet.
Shayla was curious about this woman. She had heard the name Nico Robin at some point at sea. She walked over and sat down opposite of her, "You won them over rather quickly. I think you'll be a good addition to the mix, " Shay started giggling, "Thanks", Robin smiled.
"I'm Shayla" she greeted, "I know, you're the famous daughter of Whitebeard. I'm Nico Robin" Shay was smiling too, "I know, you're famous for sinking warships at the age of 8. But since I know the government likes to cover up many things up, I guess they after you for another reason. Like the fact that you can read a certain forbidden language,"
The ex-agent chuckled, "You know a lot of things. As expected of Hell Bender" she praised. While the two were talking rest of the crew except Luffy screamed, "What! You're the daughter of Whitebeard!" their eyes were widened and jaws on the floor, "Yes, I am" it was like they were seeing her in a new light.
"Is it true that he's the strongest pirate out there?" Chopper asked, "Yeah, and if you hurt me the entire fleet will come to declare war," she said with an evil grin that made the long nose and reindeer moved back out of fear.
"But don't worry. You are not strong enough to defeat me at all. Don't feel bad, your captain isn't either" she laughed while clapping their backs making everyone laughed too. "Oi!" Luffy protested after finally realizing she meant him.
While everybody relaxed, Shayla decided it was time to use her new Den-Den Mushi. She went over to the head figure, "Oi, Shay. You can't sit there" Usopp started, "Why not?" she asked with an eyebrow raised as she climbed up.
"Because it's Luffy's special sit. He doesn't allow anyone to sit there" he explained, "I don't see him complain. Luffy, can I sit here" she simply asked, "Sure" was his only response before he got back to being silly.
"See? No problem" she smiled at the long nose, "How? Luffy never allow us to ever sit there" he said. "I guess I'm more special to him" she blinked at him smirking.
Shayla used a few seconds to remember the number before dialing it, "Gotha, hello" a familiar voice said. "Is that how you greet you darling crewmate after almost 2 months of silence, Namur?" she asked a little offended or more like that what she trying to make him believe.
"Shay, how are you and Ace," he asked, "I'm good and I think Ace is too?" She said a little hesitant, "What do you mean you think?" and that was a valid question, "Is dad with you? I need to tell him something important" she sighed.
"Hey, treasure. How's the search going" Whitebeard asked, "Hey dad, I kind of separated from Ace" she said carefully. "You did what?" this time it was Marco, "I'm sorry but I made a promise long ago that he pressured me into. That bastard" Shay said pissed off.
"Shayla-" Whitebeard started, "I know dad. I'm going to keep the search for that traitor as I travel with Luffy" she explained, and it got the crew's attention for a moment. The Yonko grinned, "Is he the one you have trouble saying no to?"
"DAD! They can hear you" she whispered the last part, "Gurarararara, of what you told me be careful not to get into too much trouble", she heard the older captain laugh. "I don't know what you are talking about," Shay said smirking.
"Your facial expression tells me otherwise" her father was smirking, too, "Your facial expression is telling me that you're expecting to read about me soon and I'm going to prove you wrong" Whitebeard just laughed confirming her theory.
While the two were talking something fell from the sky and shook the small ship, "Dad, I have to get back to the other. I'll call you soon" she said, "Alright. I love you" he said before hanging up.
Shayla looked at the Den-Den Mushi for a few seconds and she could feel her heart warming up. She doesn't remember her father ever telling her that. Well, it's like he needed to because his actions were more than enough proof.
She looked out to the ocean in front of her, "I love you, too, dad" before she jumped down and helped the others prevent the ship from sinking.