Here I am at LAST with the next chapter dear readers! I apologize for the delay but with life SLOWLY returning to normal outside this website, (but what IS normal anyway?) it's starting to get in the way of my writing and typing up my chapters for you. Hopefully this chapter will make up things for you, enjoy it!

I'd also like to apologize in advance if anyone in this story is out of character…we ALL make mistakes and that's not a crime is it?. Also, I'm going to try and be fair and use the Japanese/English names for things like Devil Fruits etc.

(By the way…all flames and flamers will be ignored thank-you. I'll make an exception for CONSTRUCTIVE reviews on what needs an adjustment or suggestions for other chapters/stories, for they are most welcome. Remember if you don't like my work then don't read or review it! NO-ONE is forcing you to! You have free will…write down your OWN fanfics rather than abuse the poor writers on this site! Let's ALL try to enjoy ourselves here please.)

Disclaimer: I sadly DON'T own anything from One Piece, not the people OR the places (except my OWN characters, places and so on) they all belong to Funimation, Toei Animation, Fuji TV, Shueisha, Shonen Jump Manga and that genius Odo Eiichiro.

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PART NINE:

******Flashback******

Crocodile's Rain Dinner's basement hideout four years ago.

"Welcome PEW," Crocodile said grandly to the hooded information broker that stood before him. "I'm so glad you came in response to my call to you," he indicated to an empty chair in front of his desk. "Be seated," he said getting out a cigar and placing it in his mouth.

"What can I do for you Crocodile?" PEW asked the Warlord as he sat down.

"Well it's like this," Crocodile said lighting up his cigar. "I want to examine the Ancient Poneglyph which I have heard, is located in the Tomb of Kings in Alabasta's capital city Alubama."

PEW's eyes widened in disbelief at this statement. "Are you crazy? You can't do that!"

"Why not?" Crocodile said calmly as he put away his lighter and puffed away on his cigar.

"Because as a Warlord of the Sea," PEW told him. "You must know that the World Government have deemed the Poneglyph's dangerous!"

"Due to the fact they contain information on Ancient Weapons and where they're located," Crocodile nodded in agreement. "That's what I'm interested in PEW, particularly the Ancient Weapon Pluton. But there are two problems I have with what I want," the Warlord went on puffing on his cigar. "The first is…only members of the Royal Family of Alabasta know where the Poneglyph actually is to access it, as I am not a royal of Alabasta you can see my dilemma. My second problem is that even if I did know where the Poneglyph is, I can't read the ancient script on it."

"So you want me to go to the Tomb of Kings on your behalf as I'm the 'Informed One,'" PEW said slowly as understanding dawned on him. "You want me to write out a translated copy to bring back for you as I'm the only other 'unofficial' person who can read it?"

"No I don't," Crocodile corrected him. "If I sent you out on my behalf, even anonymously, questions would be asked about why you want to look at the Tomb of Kings and who hired you to do so."

"I can stay silent Crocodile," PEW told the smoking Warlord. "I'm a man of my absolute word on that, as I keep my word on things."

"That may be true," Crocodile said puffing thoughtfully on his cigar. "However your silence may raise more suspicions despite all your precautions. Also you may end up being followed here regardless where I could be found out anyway. No…I have a better idea."

"What might that be?" PEW asked curiously.

"A plan," Crocodile told PEW producing a sheet of paper. "A rather long and complicated plan which will take four years to complete," he went on handing PEW the paper so he could examine it. "For this plan to work I'm going to need the services of the 'special people' on that list I gave you, who have certain Devil Fruit powers that will prove invaluable to me. You can find these people I take it?"

"Gem of the Border," PEW said reading out part of the list. "'Courier' Mikita, 'Loan Shark' Galdino, Bentham of the Wild, 'Poison Spider' Zala,'The Killer' Daz Bones. Yeah I know these people and where to find them," he said looking up at Crocodile. "But I have to warn you right now some of these people are real weirdos and it could lead to problems for you."

"I can handle that," Crocodile said confidently. "Apart from those listed people I'm going to need lots of extra help, mostly people who have been or are bounty hunters looking for a bit of a challenge or change in their lifestyle."

"Whisky Peak is a good hang-out for those type of people," PEW said thoughtfully. "It'll be easy to get all the extra's you need."

"Good!" Crocodile smiled in satisfaction. "I'm also going to need the assistance of Nico Robin for this plan of mine."

"Why her?" PEW asked with a sudden frown but he had a sneaky suspicion as to why.

"Because of her reputation she'll be able to help me organize my plans," Crocodile told him. "Plus she has the skills I need, official skills unlike yours which are unofficial, for the Poneglyph. You can find her I take it?"

"Of course I can," PEW replied slowly. "But what makes you think she'll want to work with you?"

"In my employment," Crocodile said finishing off his cigar and stubbing it out in a nearby ashtray. "She'll have total immunity from the Marine's reach by publicly being the manager of my casino."

"While privately she'll be your partner for your plan," PEW nodded. "I see…well I'll put it to her, but don't get your hopes up. However the chance to examine the Poneglyph may be a big persuader for her."

"I'm counting on it," Crocodile said confidently. "Now then," he went on producing a wine bottle and a couple of wine glasses from a drawer in his desk. "There's just two more things I need from you PEW before we discuss the price of your services to me."

"What are they?"

"First I need to know where I can get hold of four years' worth of Dance Powder," Crocodile said calmly opening the bottle and pouring himself a glass.

"You are aware," PEW said slowly after hearing this request. "That the use of Dance Powder is deemed illegal by the World Government, meaning that nobody, including a Warlord of the Sea, is allowed to own, buy, sell or use it."

"Of course I do," Crocodile said filling up the other wine glass. "However," he went on putting the bottle down and pushing the glass toward PEW. "Dance Powder is essential to my plan and despite the laws forbidding its use, people still find a way to get Dance Powder and use it…now don't they?"

"Unfortunately that's true," PEW sighed sadly picking up his wine glass. "When something can't be bought legally anymore, people always turn to the Black Market. So yeah, I can point you in the right direction on where you can buy Dance Powder illegally. What's your second thing?" he asked sipping on his wine.

"If my organization, which I'm calling Baroque Works, is infiltrated by spies," Crocodile said sipping his own wine. "You're to let my future 'partner' know at once."

"What makes you so sure that will happen?"

"Experience with the World Government has shown me that despite all efforts at concealment," Crocodile said matter of factly as he continued to sip his wine. "Is that people always manage to find out what others are up to. I know that no matter how hard I keep my plan a secret…someone will eventually notice. It could be the Marines, the World Government…heck it could be anyone in Alabasta."

"I get you," PEW said taking a longer sip on his wine before continuing. "If you get found out you'll have a target on your back regardless of your Warlord status."

"Exactly," Crocodile nodded in confirmation. "So PEW…can you do all that?"

"Of course I can," PEW said finishing off his wine. "But before I settle on a price for my services to you, I have something you should know about."

"What might that be?" Crocodile asked suspiciously as he finished off his own wine.

PEW reached into his robes and produced a notebook with an envelope which he placed on the table, then slid them across the desk to Crocodile.

"Just read the letter and notebook," PEW told the Warlord mysteriously.

Puzzled by obligingly Crocodile opened the envelope and read the letter within it, as he read his eyes widened in astonishment.

"You're not serious are you?!" he exclaimed in disbelief at the Information Broker.

"I knew you'd be doubtful," PEW said casually. "It's why I gave you that notebook, it will confirm what's written in that letter."

Crocodile put down the letter, picked up the notebook and began reading it thoroughly, while PEW sat in patient silence to let the War Lord finish his reading.

"Why am I only finding out about this now?!" Crocodile thundered at PEW as he angrily closed and dropped the notebook back on his desk.

"Don't blame me Crocodile," PEW said raising his hands up in a placating manner. "Even I didn't know until I met the guy and told me his story."

"That doesn't answer my question!" Crocodile growled.

"You read the letter and notebook!" PEW snapped back. "He works for the World Government and you know how some departments are so hell bent on their 'security.' It's not a country club, members can't just leave it without a whole lot of 'red tape' to get around first. He came to me and told me his history, which I put in that notebook for you, as I knew that letter he wrote for you wouldn't be enough to convince you!"

"Well why come to you?" Crocodile demanded to know.

"You know I asked him the exact same question," PEW chuckled. "He told me that he 'couldn't be bothered' with all the 'official red tape shit.' He may work for the World Government, but he prefers the practical things like field work and such as he despises the paperwork. He also hates being told what he can and can't do by a 'bunch of old men' and their 'yes men Navy.' He wanted to do things on 'his own terms' and you are the only one who can help him achieve that."

"But I only found out about him today!" Crocodile protested. "I hardly know the guy despite what you, this letter and that notebook say!"

"Well as this plan of yours will take a bit of time to set up," PEW pointed out to Crocodile. "You can take the time to go meet the guy and get to know him, you may find him useful to your plan…after all he does work for the Government and that can give you an edge. He wrote where to find him in that letter as well as how to contact him…give the guy a chance…he may surprise you."

"I'll…think about it," Crocodile said slowly after having a long think over what PEW had told him and what he had learned. "But in the meantime," he went on waving the issue aside for the time being. "You can tell me how much your services for all of my 'needs' will cost me."

"Your former Bounty of 81,000,000 Berries will do nicely for me," PEW replied without hesitation.

"You can get half of that payment now," Crocodile said after he had paused for a minute or two to think things over. "But you get the other half in four years' time as my plan reaches its conclusion, not before."

"Is this due to your lack of trust in people?" PEW asked as he took off his gloves. "Or is it because of that unexpected information I just gave you?"

"A little of both," Crocodile smiled. "If what you told me borne out and my plan works out too, it will be well worth the four year wait."

"Agreed," PEW nodded offering his hand to Crocodile and wincing when he shook it with his own. "You won't be sorry," he said before reaching into his pocket for some aspirins.

******End Flashback******

"So it's thanks to me," PEW said to the imprisoned Straw Hats, Vivi and Smoker as he finished his explanations along with the rest of his meal. "That Crocodile's plan for Alabasta is happening at all. It's also how he found out about Princess Vivi and Igaram infiltrating Baroque Works too."

"To be fair," Miss All Sunday said suddenly. "PEW didn't say it was Vivi and Igaram at all, he just informed me that Baroque Works had been infiltrated by spies. Crocodile left the job of find out WHO they were to me, the rest as they say…is history. Any questions?"

"Just one," Smoker said curiously. "Who was the 'Government Person' who wrote that letter to Crocodile you had a notebook on PEW?"

"That was Mr Decimal," Miss All Sunday said looking sad all of a sudden.

"Who?"

"Miss All Sunday's and my FORMER bodyguard," Crocodile said dismissively. "An ungrateful person whose real name and past are none of your business as I killed him."

'So you think,' PEW thought to himself while not saying a word.

"So let us now get back to the matter at hand shall we?" Crocodile went on. "My plan for Alabasta…Operation Utopia!"

With that said Crocodile told his captive audience of the plan being set in motion by having Vivi's father, King Cobra of Alabasta, kidnapped in secret by his agents Mr 4 and Miss Merry Christmas.

While that was happening, the Warlord had sent Mr 2/Bon Clay out to the port town of Nanohana disguised as the King, with some of the Billions also disguised as an armed Royal Escort. Once there and met by the people, the Fake King would announce to the people there that is was 'his fault' the rain had stopped falling in Alabasta for the last four years. He would then 'admit' to the crime of the illegal use of Dance Powder for making sure only the capital city of Alubarna had the rain everyone had needed. The Fake King would then point out that 'some sacrifices' would have to be made to 'protect the country.'

This 'confession' would anger the people of Nanohana against the real King. However the icing on the cake was getting Mr 1 and his partner Miss Doublefinger, to deliberately crash a huge sailing ship they had taken over into the port. This action would done to make it look like Cobra was deliberately covering his tracks for smuggling in Dance Powder from Nanohana. It would also make the King look like was an uncaring tyrant who didn't care if his subjects were hurt or killed. This would be 'confirmed' when the Fake King ordered his 'Royal Escort' to attack the people and light fires in order to stir up even more hatred toward the real King Cobra.

"By now," Crocodile said as he finished explaining his plan. "Mr 1, Miss Doublefinger, along with Mr 2/Bon Clay will have completed their missions and will be heading to the capital. The news of what the 'King' did will spread like wildfire though out Alabasta, turning even the most loyal of his subjects against him. They'll rise up in rebellion and march on Alubarna, the Royal Guards will have no choice but to fight back to stop this rebellion. It will be quite a spectacular battle…don't you think?" he laughed to his horrified and appalled audience.

"That's horrifying!" Nami exclaimed disgusted at what she and everyone else had just heard.

"But very effective," PEW said casually sipping some water. "You must admit."

"Indeed," Crocodile smiled. "Well?" he went on to the appalled Vivi. "Do you like it? The operation you once participated in has now blossomed. If you listen carefully enough, I wager you can hear the howls of the kingdom, and they all scream the same thing 'Protect Alabasta, Protect Alabasta, Protect Alabasta.'"

"STOP IIIIIIIIT!" Vivi screamed at the top of her lungs causing PEW to wince in pain at the shrill noise invading his ears. "How can you be so CRUEL?!"

"Isn't that just heartbreaking?" Crocodile went on apparently ignoring Vivi's outburst. "Their love for the kingdom will be what destroys it."

A sudden roar of infuriated rage caused everyone to turn to the cage to see an enraged Luffy grip the bars and try to push his way out. But as the bars were made of sea stone, a mineral that weakened Devil Fruit users like when they fell into the sea, Luffy simply collapsed as soon as he touched the cage bars drained of all his strength.

"Will you please stop with the yelling and screaming?!" PEW groaned out loud as he watched Luffy pick himself up and unsuccessfully try to push his way out through the bars again. "You're giving me a headache and I've run out of aspirins!"

"Is your Captain really that stupid?" Smoker asked the Straw Hats calmly as he watched Luffy's futile attempts to escape. "Didn't he hear what I said about this cage?"

"He's definitely stupid," Zoro admitted to the Marine Captain. "But that's also the reason why he's our Captain," he went on admiringly.

"Crocodile!" Luffy snarled weakly as he tried to unsuccessfully push himself through the bars again. "I'm so gonna kick your ass!"

"You know what?" Crocodile said, deeply unimpressed by Luffy's passionate determination turning his attention back to Vivi. "I've had to make so many moves to be able to get to this point. The sabotage to instigate the citizens," he listed. "Directing the Royal Army, do you have any idea why I'd go to such lengths to destroy this country?"

"As if I'd understand anything inside your foul mind!" Vivi snapped hatefully to the smiling Warlord.

"You've got a pretty sharp tongue for a Princess, don't you?"

Vivi suddenly made a violent jerk to her right causing her to fall off her chair and onto the floor as she was still tied up.

"Vivi!" Luffy and his friends all cried out in concern for the young Princess.

"I was wondering when the 'desperate action' would kick in for her," Miss All Sunday said quietly to PEW.

"Now, now," Crocodile said in mock wonder as he watched Vivi attempt to crawl across the floor. "What are you trying to do Miss Wednesday?"

"Stopping you!" Vivi gasped determinedly. "I'm going to stop you! There's still time! If I can just…get to Alubarna…east of here. If I can get there before the Rebel Army, I may…be able to stop them! I will…NEVER give up…while there's a chance!"

This statement just caused Crocodile to chuckle some more at what he considered to be Vivi's foolish determination.

"Somehow I'm going to stop you!" Vivi snapped defiantly to the chuckling Warlord. "You just watch! You WON'T get away with this!"

"You can quit fooling around," Crocodile said to the still crawling Vivi. "It's a bit of a coincidence really, but we're just about to head to Alubarna too," he said indicating Miss All Sunday and PEW. "If you'd like to come with us Princess, then please do. Or…" he went on indicating the imprisoned Straw Hats and Smoker. "You can try and save all of them," as he spoke Crocodile produced the key to the sea stone cage and held it up for everyone to see.

"The key to this cell?!" Luffy cried in amazement. "Hey! Give it here!"

Turning his attention back to Vivi, Crocodile held up the key in front of her. As this was happening Vivi made a frantic effort to untie the ropes on her wrists. Still smiling Crocodile slowly let go of the key and it fell to the floor in front of the struggling Princess.

"I really wish Crocodile would stop toying with her and get on with it," Miss All Sunday whispered in annoyance to PEW. "We're wasting our time here," she went on crossing her arms.

"Oh, really my dear," PEW said gently to the dark-haired woman. "You know as well as I how people like Crocodile must have their desire to gloat to their enemy. They have to show how clever they've been as the chance may not come again."

Just as the two of them finished speaking Vivi finally managed to free her hands and made a dive for the cell key just as it hit the floor. But at that exact moment Crocodile stomped his foot down, causing a secret trapdoor to open that made the key fall away from Vivi's grasp.

"NO!" Luffy cried out in horror.

"A trapdoor?" Vivi exclaimed as she saw the key fall into another smaller chamber down below the basement. This chamber was completely empty with a large tunnel leading out to Rainbase Lake. The walls of the chamber were made of thick glass like an aquarium, showing the menacing forms of the Bananawani swimming around the depths of the lake. Suddenly out of the tunnel emerged a huge Bananwani that had been attracted by the sound the falling key had made.

"It won't be too long until the Rebels and Royal Forces will begin their battle to the death," Crocodile told Vivi. "Even if you hurry to Alubarna from here, who knows if you'd make it in time? To stop the rebellion," Crocodile went on turning away. "You'd have to leave at once Miss Wednesday. Will you do that? Or try and save your friends instead? It's your choice of course, though it doesn't help that I 'accidently' dropped the key into the Bananawani den down below."

As Crocodile spoke Vivi watched as the Bananawani shuffled forward sniffing the key as it do so. "Oh no not a Bananawani!" she cried out in horror at what she was seeing.

"What are those?" Luffy asked curiously.

"Take a look around you sometime Luffy," PEW said indicating the windows set into the basement walls around them.

"Whoa!" Luffy cried in amazement to his fellow prisoners as he took in the sight of a Bananawani swimming nearby. "Look out the window! There's an alligator growing out of that banana!"

"In case you haven't noticed," Nami yelled angrily at Luffy's stupidity. "That's not the only one!"

"Looks like we're in an aquarium," Usopp said nervously as he watched the Bananawani swim around the room like a shark. "I hope we're not the fish food!"

"Boy what weird Banana's," Luffy said in wonderment as he continued to watch the Bananawani.

As Usopp furiously corrected Luffy on his stupid observation, the Bananawani in the chamber below sniffed the key Crocodile had dropped. Then the giant reptile carefully tilted its head to the side and swallowed the key whole!

"Oh no!" Vivi exclaimed. "A big Bananawani just swallowed the key to the cell!"

"Well go down there and make him spit it out!" Luffy snapped back impatiently.

"Are you kidding?!" Vivi yelled back to Luffy in disbelief. "I can't do that!"

PEW shuddered as Vivi quickly told the Straw Hats and Smoker about the Bananawani and how viciously strong they were. He had seen it for himself the other day when Crocodile had thrown Baroque Works agent Mr 3 to the Bananawani, all because he had failed on a previous mission on the island of Little Garden. But before that had happened, Crocodile had used his Devil Fruit powers to drain all the moisture out of Mr 3's body. The process rendered the poor guy helpless and unable to defend himself as he had then fallen to his doom.

'But Mr 3 was a smart guy,' PEW thought to himself. 'Even weak and helpless his own Devil Fruit powers may have saved him at the last minute.'

Crocodile then snapped his fingers causing a secret door to open up on the far side of the room. The door lead to a transparent tunnel that seemed to run under Rainbase Lake as more Bananawani could be seen swimming around it.

"Oh well," Crocodile said to his prisoners with a careless shrug. "I'm sorry but we must be going as time is of the essence," he waved to Miss All Sunday and PEW indicating them to follow him out. "Oh and speaking of time," Crocodile added as he paused in the doorway. "This room you're all in will automatically be destroyed in an hour's time. It's served me well these last four years," he said glancing around for one last look. "But it's no longer of any use, soon the waters of Rainbase Lake will fill this room. So unless you are a fish or one of my Bananawani anyone in here won't survive. So Princess Vivi," Crocodile said grandly. "It's either one million innocent citizens or a mere four pirates and one Marine Captain with no future. It's time to choose, but to be honest the odds are quite low for both. I hope you like gambling Miss Wednesday because like they do at the casino's tables upstairs…you're going to have to 'roll the dice.'"

'Unfortunately for you Crocodile,' PEW thought quietly to himself as the Warlord continued to mockingly taunt his enemies. 'The Straw Hats still have an ace up their sleeves as you're blissfully unaware that not all of their crew are your prisoners.'

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Talk about a CLIFFHANGER dear readers! PEW knows that Crocodile doesn't have ALL the Straw Hats, so when Sanji calls as 'Mr Prince' WILL the Information Broker TELL Crocodile or not?

Also what WAS it about the mysterious 'Mr Decimal' that surprised Crocodile so much four years ago that he forbids ANYONE knowing about it?

"WHOSE side is PEW on?" I hear you all ask, the answers WILL come as the story progresses people! Trust me! In the meantime don't forget to read and review things like always! Good Health, Clear Body, Strong Mind!

Also please remember once again, if you don't like my work then don't read or review it! NO-ONE, is forcing you to!