Ch. 47- Battle in the Sand
One Piece © Oda
Blizzard, Monkey D. Aika, Kumi, Kovar, and Monkey D. Star © Me
Shade © Gakuto1991
"AAAAAAAARRRGH! AAAAH! AAAAAAAHHHH!"
Kovar sat in front of Luffy...who let out these unearthly screams of agony with his eyes rolled into the back of his skull. The dragon's eyes narrowed as he watched his victim pull at his shackles in an attempt to break free, a dark chuckle rising from his throat as he watched. Soon, Luffy collapsed on his knees, panting heavily...before he glared up at Kovar.
"My, my..." Kovar mused. "I continue to torture you and you still choose to be defiant."
"Why don't you take off these shackles so I can kick your scaly ass, myself?!" Luffy questioned.
"I would," Kovar began, "but I'm currently waiting. Until then...I'll give you a moment to rest...until I torture you again."
"...Damn you...!" Luffy cursed.
"I wonder what your crew is doing, right now," Kovar said. "No doubt, they've reached the memories in Alabasta by this time...I wonder..." He turned to Luffy with a wicked grin. "Just how will they react...to your demise?"
Luffy gasped silently while Kovar chuckled.
XXX
Back with the Straw Hats, they sat in the darkness of the void of Luffy's mind, waiting for the memories to continue.
"Crocodile sure seemed scary," said Aika.
"He WAS scary!" Chopper added. "I almost got caught by him, once!"
"Wait, what?" Blizzard asked. "What are you talking about?"
"Uh...I might have played a part in that," Sanji spoke up. "You see...I kinda used Chopper as bait to lure Crocodile away while I came in to save you guys."
"You what?!" Nami asked. "So that's what he had been doing!"
"So you were this mysterious 'Mr. Prince', eh, Chopper?" Robin inquired as she lightly tapped the little reindeer's nose, causing him to giggle.
"Still, Sanji, did you have to use Chopper as bait?" Blizzard asked.
"Hey, he got out okay," Sanji countered, "and you gotta admit...he was pretty brave."
"Was I?" asked Chopper, smiling brightly. "Well...I only did it because I knew that Luffy and the others were in danger!"
"It was a risk," Usopp began, "but you took it! We're proud of ya, little buddy."
"Quite proud, indeed!" Brook added.
"Sh-shut up!" Chopper shouted as he blushed. "Like saying that will make me happy, you jerks!"
"Guys, the memories are starting back up, again!" Nami called, just as the memories began to start playing. Luffy and his group were still stuck in the cage while Crocodile sat calmly at his table, eating some steak. To pass the time, Luffy decided to do some silly impressions...such as this...
"Hey, look, I'm Sanji," Luffy said, holding his fingers to his lips like he was holding a cigarette. "Okay, which one of you ate all the meat?"
"BAHAHAHAHA!" Past Usopp laughed while clapping his hands.
"Okay, I DON'T sound like that!" Sanji barked.
"Actually, he's not too far off," said Zoro. "He got the stoner-face look on you just right."
"CAN IT, MOSS-HEAD!" Sanji barked.
"That is kind of what you look and sound like, though, Sanji," Chopper pointed out.
"What can I say?" asked Usopp. "We were bored."
"Hey, look, I'm Zoro!" Past Usopp exclaimed. "Oni..."
BONK! Past Nami soon struck him and Luffy on the heads.
"WILL YOU TWO IDIOTS GET SERIOUS, ALREADY?!" she questioned. "Don't you guys realize the danger we're in?!"
"We can't get out," Luffy began, "so we might as well kill some time, right?"
"NO!" Past Nami barked. "YOU SHOULD BE WORKING ON FINDING A WAY OUT OF HERE, NOT KILLING TIME! WE COULD DIE IN HERE!"
Past Zoro snored, sitting in the corner next to Smoker.
"AND YOU! WAKE UP, ALREADY!"
WHAK!
"Ugh..." Past Zoro groaned as he rubbed his eye...with a large bump on his head. "Is it morning, already?"
"IT'S STILL THE SAME DAY, YOU MORON!" Past Nami yelled.
"Did you have to hit me, too?!" Zoro asked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I did," Nami answered.
"Hahahahaha!" laughed Franky. "I see you guys still have that devil-may-care attitude!"
"You all never cease to amuse me," Robin mused.
"Seriously, am I the only one with any sense around here?" asked Nami. "Sometimes, I wonder if anyone understands me."
"I understand you, Big Sis," Aika said as she held Nami's hand.
"Aww, thank you, honey," Nami smiled.
"You're quite the feisty young woman, aren't you?" asked Crocodile, causing Past Nami to glare at him.
"Just you wait, you bastard!" she shouted before she gestured to the men around her. "Enjoy your little sense of control while you can, because when these guys get out, they're gonna kick your ass sky high! Aren't you, Luffy?"
"YOU BET I AM!" Luffy yelled while Past Usopp cowered, Past Zoro snored, and Smoker just sat in the corner.
"Kuhahahaha!" Crocodile laughed. "Your crew seems to have a great deal of trust in you, Straw Hat...but trust is the most overrated thing in the world."
"What did you say?!" Past Nami questioned. "Why don't you come up to me and say that?!"
"No, Nami!" Past Usopp cried. "You'll just make him angry!"
"What's wrong with trusting someone?!" Aika questioned.
"What a blackguard!" Brook exclaimed.
"That's because Crocodile never trusted anybody in his life," Robin said before she sighed. "Of course...I'm one to talk."
"Oh, Robin..." Nami whispered in concern.
"Hey, you're different from Crocodile," Zoro said. "At least you learned to trust people, again, unlike him."
"Yeah, Aunt Robin!" Aika said. "You're a lot better than Crocodile!"
"Don't ever let your past define you," Franky said. "We trust you and that's what counts, right?"
Robin chuckled at that.
"Thank you," she said. "You're all sweet for saying...makes me feel so lucky."
"CROCODILE!"
Everyone looked up to see Vivi, standing on top of the stairs with Past Robin standing behind her...and it looked like the former had run a marathon. She was panting heavily and sweat was dripping off her face. Her legs seemed a bit wobbly, too.
"Vivi?!" Past Usopp asked in shock.
"Vivi, you're here!" Luffy exclaimed.
"What's wrong with Vivi?" Aika asked, worriedly. "She looks exhausted!"
"I...might have put her through the wringer when Crocodile sent me to fetch her," Robin confessed. "Don't worry, though, I didn't hurt her."
"I'm sure you didn't," said Sanji. "Not that I believed you would, mind you!"
"As for her bodyguard, Pell," Robin began, "I did wind up breaking his spine..."
"Ooohh...!" Blizzard shuddered. "Yeah, that...that's just uncomfortable to think about...wait, who's Pell?"
"You'll see later on," said Usopp.
"Well, well," said Crocodile. "If it isn't Princess Vivi of Alabasta! Welcome, my dear...or should I say 'Miss Wednesday'? I must admit, you did quite well to get past my assassins and make it this far."
"Haa...haa...!" Vivi panted as she glared at the Warlord. "I'd go to the ends of the earth to get you! That's how badly I want to see you dead, Mr. 0!"
"Oh, I'm not going to die," said Crocodile with a wicked smirk. "Your kingdom on the other hand...that soon will."
Hearing that caused Vivi to tense up before she growled and charged at him, pulling out her Peacock Slashers as she ran down the stairs.
"ALABASTA WOULD STILL BE AT PEACE IF YOU HADN'T SHOWN YOUR FACE HERE!" she yelled.
"WAIT, VIVI!" Luffy and Past Usopp called. "GET US OUTTA HERE, FIRST!"
"VIVI!" Past Nami cried while Past Zoro just watched, seeming all nonchalant as Vivi swung her Peacock Slasher...and seemed to chop off Crocodile's head while he was in the middle of lighting a cigar!
"AAAAH!" Chopper and Brook screamed.
"SHE CHOPPED OFF HIS HEAD!" Franky yelled.
"Holy crap, did you see that?!" Luffy in the memory asked while Past Usopp and Past Nami gaped. However, Smoker only sighed.
"It's no good," he muttered.
"Wait!" Aika cried. "Something's not right, here...look closer!"
A closer look revealed sand coming out of Crocodile's neck and shoulders.
"It's...it's sand!" Kumi exclaimed.
"Oh, boy...just like with Doflamingo," Blizzard muttered...just as Vivi became surrounded by the sand and Crocodile's body slowly disappeared.
"Are you happy now, Miss Wednesday?" Crocodile asked as he appeared behind Vivi and pulled her close, his hand covering her mouth so she wouldn't be able to scream. "As the princess of this kingdom, you should know about my powers of the Sand-Sand Fruit...so...would you like to become a mummy?"
"Mmmph!" Vivi let out a muffled shriek as she struggled to get away.
"Wait, Vivi knew about his powers?" Franky asked. "She sure didn't act like she did!"
"She acted on impulse," Robin replied. "Crocodile knew how much her kingdom meant to her, so she goaded him into attacking so that he'd get her closer to him."
"What a horrible thing to do!" Aika shouted. "How can someone be so evil?!"
"Because that's just how Crocodile is," Sanji glared. "He hits you where it hurts the most."
"How despicable...!" Brook hissed.
"AAAH! SANDMAN!" Past Usopp screamed.
"HEY!" Luffy yelled. "LEAVE VIVI ALONE, CROC! I'LL KICK YOUR ASS!"
"Here," Crocodile said as he threw Vivi into a chair at the table. "Have a seat."
"...Damn you...!" Vivi cursed as she glared at Crocodile while Past Robin tied her wrists together.
"Oh, don't look at me that way," said Crocodile. "After all...it's time for the party to begin...wouldn't you say, Miss All Sunday?"
"Yes, indeed," Past Robin replied. "It's 7 o'clock, Mr. Zero."
"Right then," Crocodile grinned. "TIme for Operation: Utopia...to begin! Kuhahahahahahaha!"
"What's Operation: Utopia?" asked Aika.
"Operation: Utopia is the codename Crocodile gave for his master plan," Robin explained.
"Doesn't utopia usually mean something like paradise?" Chopper repeated. "He's started a war, you know!"
"That's just it," Robin replied. "He named it that out of irony."
"That only goes to show you how depraved he really is," said Nami.
"Yeah, you're tellin' me," Franky said. "Playing on poor Vivi's feelings like that? He's lower than low!"
"That's just one of his many skills," Robin said. "He's manipulative."
"But...what does he mean by it's started?" asked Aika.
"...She means that the civil war has begun," answered Zoro. "The rebel army was on it way to the capital."
"Wait, what?!" Aika questioned.
"Oh, no! That meant you guys were too late!" Kumi cried as the memory continued. Crocodile was cackling as Luffy and the others stood in the cage and Vivi sat helplessly at the table, all of them realizing that the war was about to begin. The only one who seemed so stoic about it was Smoker, who continued to sit idly by in the corner of the cage.
"So, what do you think, Ms. Wednesday?" Crocodile asked, mockingly referring to Vivi by her codename. "The master plan that you were once part of is finally coming to fruition. Listen carefully and you just might be able to hear the death rattle of Alabasta! And to think...all of them believe that they are the ones who are defending Alabasta! Kuhahahaha!"
"STOP IT!" Vivi screamed. "How could you do this to my people, YOU INHUMAN MONSTER?!"
"Yeah, how could he do this?!" Aika questioned.
"Because he's a monster, plain and simple," Sanji said, glaring at Crocodile, venomously.
"How depraved can a man really be?!" Brook asked in anger. "Stomping all over a lovely princess's heart...why, it's enough to make my blood boil, if I had any blood to boil!"
"Your people really do love this country, princess," Crocodile mused. "However...it's that love that's going to kill them all."
"This guy gives bastards a bad name," Past Zoro scowled.
"Why that slimy Croc...!" Luffy growled as he rolled up his sleeve. "If it weren't for this cage, I'd kick his ass to Kingdom Come!"
"It wouldn't do much good," said Robin. "Seastone is harder than diamond, after all."
"Doesn't Big Brother know what seastone does, anyway?" Aika asked.
"Oh, he knows!" Usopp answered. "It's just that he's so pissed, he doesn't care."
"I've had to overcome many an obstacle to get to this point," said Crocodile. "I had to find the right people...raise enough money to buy the silver need manufacture the Dance Powder...orchestrate acts of sabotage in order to destroy crumbling towns...have my people spread rumors that they had been wronged by the king's army...and finally, I had to undermine the people's trust in their king at every turn until all their frustrations were overflowing." He then turned to Vivi, who struggled to get out of her chair. "Do you know why I want Alabasta so badly, Ms. Wednesday?"
"How in the hell should I know what goes on in that depraved mind of yours?!" Vivi shouted.
"My," said Crocodile. "Such a sharp tongue for a princess."
"That's a good question," said Chopper. "Why did Crocodile want to take over Alabasta so badly?"
"...Because," Robin began, "he was after something."
"After what?" Nami asked.
"He believed that there was a weapon hidden somewhere under the kingdom," said Robin. "The Ancient Weapon: Pluton."
"Wait, Pluton?!" Franky repeated. "Did you say Pluton?!"
"You know about it, Franky?" Brook asked.
"The truth is," Franky began, "my old mentor, Tom, knew about it...in fact, the World Government arrested him because of it."
"What is the Pluton?" asked Aika.
"Well...the Pluton is said to be an ancient battleship," Franky said. "It's capable of destroying an entire island in no time flat!"
"A whole island?!" Blizzard questioned.
"...Sorry I asked," Aika muttered, remembering when her home island was destroyed.
"The ancient shipwrights of Water 7 created the blueprints for a counter-weapon in the event that Pluton should ever awaken," said Franky, "and it was passed down from master to apprentice for generations...but eventually, the World Government tried to take the blueprints...so I had no choice but to destroy them, forever."
"So you had them, Franky?" Usopp inquired.
"Yeah," Franky replied. "That's why they captured me and Robin."
"But...Aunt Robin," Aika began, "does that mean you were looking for the Pluton, too?"
"Actually, I was helping Crocodile find the whereabouts to Pluton," Robin replied. "You'll see later."
As the memory continued to play, Vivi fell over in her chair and attempted to crawl across the porcelain floor on her belly like an inchworm, declaring her intentions to get to Alubarna before the rebels did. Unfortunately, she wasn't going very far, and Crocodile continued to mock her efforts to stop the war, calling Vivi weak and saying that he and Past Robin were on their way to the capital, as well, in order to meet with Vivi's father, King Cobra.
"Haven't you done enough to my Father, already?!" Vivi questioned, angrily.
"Who do you value more?" asked Crocodile. "Your father or your people?" He then held up a key. "However...you're welcome to come along, if you wish."
"A key!" Vivi exclaimed.
"It's the key to the cage!" Luffy shouted. "Give it here, Croc!"
"...Oops," Crocodile smirked as he tossed the key down a chute in the floor, to the horror of Luffy and the others.
"NO!" Luffy cried. "NOT THE KEY!"
"The choice is yours, Ms. Wednesday," said Crocodile. "You have at least 8 hours until the slaughter begins...but I doubt you'll make it in time. It would take you much longer than that in order for you to reach Alubarna. If you want to stop the rebellion, you'll have to leave right now, Ms. Wednesday...otherwise, hundreds of thousands will perish! Kuhahahaha!"
"...Damn you...!" Vivi cursed.
"Sadly, I seemed to have dropped the key to their cage in the Banana-Gators' den," Crocodile smirked.
"A banana-what?" Aika questioned.
"Banana-Gator," Usopp repeated. "It's a giant alligator with a banana growing out of its head...and they're fierce as hell...!"
"Hey, look!" Luffy exclaimed as he pointed out the window, where he saw said beasts. "There are alligators growing out of those giant bananas!"
"Holy crap, they're huge!" Past Usopp cried.
"We were in an underwater chamber, all along?!" Past Nami questioned.
"What weird-looking bananas," said Luffy.
"Look again, you idiot!" Past Usopp yelled. "The bananas are growing out of the alligators!"
"...Are you sure?" Luffy asked as he squinted.
"Oh, for god's sake," Past Zoro grumbled.
"Can't Luffy ever understand the severity of the situations he gets himself into?!" Blizzard questioned.
"Not really, no," Sanji replied.
"Remind me...why did I fall for such an idiot?" Nami asked, rubbing her temple.
"Oh, no!" Vivi cried as she looked down the hole where the key fell in.
"What's wrong, Vivi?!" Luffy asked.
"The Banana-Gator just ate the key!" Vivi answered.
"WHAT?!" Luffy questioned. "W-w-well, don't just stand there! Go make him spit it back out!"
"Are you insane?!" Vivi questioned. "Banana-Gators are ferocious monsters! They've been to known eat anything, even Sea Kings! If I get near one, I'll be swallowed up in one gulp!"
"That idiot, putting Vivi in danger like that!" Sanji yelled.
"Psh!" Zoro scoffed. "Please, those lizards weren't that tough."
"I thought I told you to stop comparing the rest of us to you and the other superhuman freaks!" Usopp barked.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," said Crocodile, mockingly. "If only I hadn't accidentally dropped the key. I haven't fed them in a while, so they'll eat just about anything...and besides, how would you know which one ate the key, anyway?"
"He's not sorry!" Aika yelled.
"Yeah, he dropped it in there on purpose!" Kumi added, angrily.
"You son of a bitch!" Past Nami snapped at Crocodile.
"If only we could get this cage open," Past Zoro began, "then I'd turn those gators into a nice leather bag!"
"Man, you're stupid, Zoro," said Luffy. "How're we supposed to get out without the key?"
"You don't think I know that, dumbass?!" Past Zoro questioned.
"Well, there's no point in me staying around here," Crocodile said. "Ms. All Sunday will be taking our leave, now...oh, and by the way...in just an hour, this whole room will be flooded with water. I used this secret room as president of Baroque Works...but I won't be needing it anymore. Soon, the water will come pouring as it sinks into the lake around Rainbase." He then held out his arms. "A multitude of citizens...or four no-account pirates...make your choice, but you'll be lucky to save anyone...you have to decide who's more important, Ms. Wednesday."
Vivi gasped silently as she glared at Crocodile, who chuckled sinisterly.
"That scoundrel!" Brook yelled.
"Rubbing it in all in her face, like that!" Franky shouted. "Why, I ought to rip him a new one!"
"Ooh, he makes me so mad!" Aika spat. "I'd bite him if I could!"
"In a situation such as this," Crocodile continued, "even a princess is powerless...this country of yours made my work easy since it's populated by idiots...like those young rebels and that scrawny old man in Yuba!"
"Wait! Dried-Up Pops?!" Luffy questioned.
"Oh, so you know him," Crocodile mused. "That oasis died a long time ago, and yet that old mule continues to stubbornly dig away at that dried up old watering hole. Kuhahahaha! It is to laugh...on and on he digs, heedless of the continuous sandstorms..."
"Damn you!" Luffy cursed.
"Tell me, Straw Hat," Crocodile said. "Don't you think it's rather unnatural for sandstorms to continue hitting that wasteland of a town?"
Luffy gasped, realizing immediately what he meant, and the looks on the others' faces meant that they caught on, as well.
"...You didn't..." Vivi whispered.
"He couldn't have...!" Past Nami muttered.
"I did," Crocodile smirked as he conjured a small whirlwind of sand in his hand.
"It was YOU!" Luffy yelled. "YOU'RE MAKING THE SANDSTORMS!"
"...You...I'll...I'll kill you for this, Crocodile...!" Vivi shouted, sounding very close to tears.
"...He really is depraved," Brook hissed.
"He's torturing Vivi by messing with her people!" Chopper shouted. "She doesn't deserve any of that!"
"You think someone like him cares?" Nami glared. "For people like Crocodile...they take great pleasure out of messing with a girl's feelings. I know that all too well."
Soon, the water started to come in, splashing through the trap door where Crocodile threw the key. Past Usopp shouted at Vivi, begging her to save them...but the princess just sat there on her knees, tears falling from her eyes. She tried her hardest to choke back her sobs, but the more she tried, the harder they came back. She soon sniffled and wept, knowing she was too weak to take on Crocodile on her own, especially with his Devil Fruit powers. She knew that even if she made it Alubarna, she'd be dead the moment she got there, but she also couldn't leave Luffy and the others to die.
"Oh, Vivi..." Nami whispered, sadly.
"...I just feel terrible," Robin whispered in shame.
"Robin, don't start that again," Zoro said. "Crocodile was doing this to her, not you."
"That's right!" Chopper added. "No one blames you!"
"But I'm no better," Robin argued. "I played a part in tormenting that poor child..." She sighed as she closed her eyes. "If I had the chance...I would apologize to her."
"Maybe you will, one day," Sanji began, "and I'm sure that Vivi will forgive you...if not right away, then someday. Who knows? Maybe she forgives you, already."
"...Thank you, Sanji," Robin smiled. "I appreciate that...really."
"VIVI!" Luffy shouted, getting everyone's attention, both in the past and the present. "DON'T JUST SIT THERE, CRYING! HURRY AND GET US OUTTA HERE!"
"Luffy...?" Vivi whispered.
"Luffy, what are you saying?!" Past Usopp questioned.
"Kuhahahahaha!" laughed Crocodile. "Finally begging for your life, eh, Straw Hat? But of course, you are...everyone fears death."
"VIVI!" Luffy yelled. "IF WE DIE HERE, THEN WHO'S GONNA KICK CROCODILE'S ASS?!"
Vivi gasped silently while the others blinked.
"...Why would Big Brother say that?" Aika asked.
"Because your brother knows that there's no point in sitting around and crying your eyes," said Zoro. "If you have time to cry, you have time to do something about it."
"It might sound harsh," Nami began, "but sometimes, taking action is the best way...no matter how slim chances might be."
"...Action...is the best way," Aika whispered.
"Hmph," Crocodile scoffed while glaring at Luffy. "I wouldn't get too comfortable...fish bait."
"Oh, yeah?!" Luffy glared back in defiance. "Well, you're the one who's gonna be fish bait when I get outta here!"
Meanwhile, Past Nami and Past Usopp looked absolutely horrified while Crocodile snapped his fingers, causing another trap door to open, and soon, a Banana-Gator jumped out. Vivi gasped in horror, intimidated by its sheer size.
"Come on, Vivi!" Luffy called. "You can take that overgrown lizard!"
"Are you insane, Luffy?!" Past Usopp questioned. "That thing's way too big for her!" He then turned to Vivi. "Vivi! Forget fighting that thing! Run away! ...But also, get us outta here!"
"Now who's asking for the impossible?!" Past Nami questioned.
"She's right!" Blizzard cried. "There's no way Vivi could take on something that huge!"
"And there are even more waiting, outside!" Aika shouted as she pointed at the memory and saw more Banana-Gators lining up. Vivi swallowed the lump in her throat as the gator in front of her sized her up, but she put on a determined expression and swung around her Peacock Slasher, nonetheless. Soon, the beast charged before Vivi could even have a chance to attack and she was forced to jump out of the way as it crushed a part of the stairs in a single bite like it was a piece of freshly-baked bread!
"And I thought I had a strong bite!" Blizzard said.
"Oh, I can't look!" Sanji cried as he covered his eye, but then uncovered it, again. "But I have to...!"
Soon, Vivi was lying on the floor, seething in pain from a bloody wound, just as the Banana-Gator advanced toward her.
"VIVI!" Past Nami shouted. "RUN! YOU DON'T STAND A CHANCE!"
"GET OUTTA THERE!" Past Usopp yelled.
Just then, the group heard the familiar ringing sound of a Transponder Snail echoing through the room, and as they looked up, they saw Crocodile and Past Robin walking through a tunnel, the former holding a Mini Transponder Snail in his hand.
"Hello?" Crocodile asked. "Who is this?"
"Hey, there...this is the Crap Cafe."
"Hey! That's Sanji's voice!" Aika exclaimed in excitement.
"Mr. Prince has arrived," Sanji grinned.
"Yeah," Zoro quipped. "Prince of Lame Ass Land."
"WHY YOU!" Sanji yelled as he soon engaged the swordsman in another scuffle while Nami groaned and shook her head.
"Quite clever of you, Sanji!" Brook praised. "Even if I do say so, myself! Yohohohoho!"
"Yeah, Sanji!" Aika added. "You really had 'em fooled!"
"I didn't, didn't I?" Sanji asked, his cheek being pulled by Zoro while he had his foot against the swordsman's face.
"Hey! San-MMPH!" Luffy shouted, only for Past Usopp to cover his mouth.
"Hold it, stupid!" he whispered. "Don't call out to him, or they'll figure out who he is!"
"Oh! Right!" Luffy realized, his voice muffled.
"Who the hell is this?!" Crocodile questioned.
"Who, me? My name is...Mr. Prince."
"Is that so?" Crocodile sneered. "And just where are you, Mr. Prince?"
"Can't tell you that...because if I did, you'd come and kill me, wouldn't you? I mean...I'm sure you couldn't kill me if you tried, but I'm no fool to actually give away my location for free...unlike you, Mr. 0."
Crocodile sneered at this.
"HEY, PRINCE!" Luffy yelled. "GET US OUTTA HERE!"
"WE'RE LOCKED IN THIS CAGE! GET US OUT!" Past Usopp cried.
"Well...if I didn't know better, I'd say those voices sound like my crewmates are with you. Well...I think I'll just...hey, what the-?!"
Soon, the sound of gunfire came from the snail, followed by screams of pain.
"There...that'll teach you. Hey, Mr. Zero...we got him. What should we do?"
"Oh, no!" Past Nami cried.
"Sanji...!" Vivi whispered in horror.
"AAAAAH!" Aika shrieked. "SANJI'S BEEN SHOT!"
"THE HORROR!" Kumi screamed.
"Not exactly," Sanji replied with a smirk. "I was only pretending to be shot while Chopper lured Crocodile out for me."
"...Oh~!" Aika realized. "You sly boots!"
"Heheheh...yeah, I-I knew that!" Kumi added, chuckling sheepishly.
"Where are you, right now?" asked Crocodile.
"In front of Rain Dinners."
"That idiot!" Past Zoro yelled. "I can't believe he got himself caught!"
"NO! SANJI!" Luffy screamed.
"AAAAAAAH! WE'RE DOOMED!" Past Usopp wailed.
"He was our last hope...!" Past Nami wept while Smoker continued to sit quietly.
"...Smokey hasn't really said much, has he?" asked Aika.
"Yeah, why doesn't he do anything?" Franky asked.
"Because he knew there was no point," Zoro answered.
"Kuhahahahahaha!" laughed Crocodile. "Perfect...let's head out to the front."
"Are you sure about that?" asked Past Robin. "The Millions still don't know who you are."
"Who says I'm going there as the boss?" asked Crocodile. "Only the numbered agents know our faces. I'll arouse no suspicion if I show up as Crocodile, the hero of this country, to investigate a commotion in front of my own casino."
"NO!" Vivi cried as she attempted to climb up the stairs, but the Banana-Gator gave chase and ended up biting a good chunk of them off.
"VIVI!" Luffy, Past Nami, and Past Usopp cried, but to their relief, she was dangling off the edge with one hand.
"Vivi, what are you doing?!" Past Nami questioned.
"There's still time before the water floods this room!" Vivi answered. "I'm going to go get help!"
"I get it!" Past Usopp exclaimed. "There's a chance that Sanji's still alive! So if Vivi can find him..."
"That's right!" Past Nami added. "And Chopper's still out there, too! Maybe there's still hope!"
Before Vivi could climb up the stairs, though, Crocodile used his powers to propel his hook, which grabbed Vivi by the neck and then threw her down to the floor, knocking her out cold...right in front of the Banana-Gator.
"VIVI!" Luffy cried. "GET UP!"
"THE GATOR'S COMING!" Past Usopp yelled.
"Where do you think you're going?" Crocodile asked. "If you care about your friends so much...then you should die here with them. Soon, this whole room will be flooded...and I'll even bring back that smartass Mr. Prince...that is if you don't mind a corpse! Kuhahahahaha!"
Luffy seethed angrily as he clenched his fists, causing the memory to turn a deep red.
"DAMN YOOOOOOOOOOU~!" he roared.
"AAAAH!" Aika, Kumi, and Chopper yelped before they hid behind Nami, Blizzard, and Zoro, respectively.
"Well, I think it's safe to say that Luffy's downright pissed," said Blizzard.
"Big Brother gets really scary when he's mad...!" Aika whimpered.
"You can say that, again...!" Kumi squeaked.
"VIVI!" Past Nami shouted. "WAKE UP! GET OUT OF THERE!"
"RUN, VIVI!" Luffy yelled. "GET UP!"
"WAKE UP, VIVI!" Past Usopp hollered.
Vivi groaned as she forced herself to stand, just as the Banana-Gator lunged for her.
"Oh, good heavens!" Brook cried as he covered his eye sockets. "I can't look!"
"Neither can I!" Chopper agreed as he also covered his eyes.
The Banana-Gator chomped its jaws...only to spit out nothing but rubble while Vivi used the beast as an extra foothold and jumped up to the stairs.
"She made it!" Past Nami exclaimed, which prompted Chopper and Brook to sigh in relief.
"Thank the stars," Brook said, but then shrieked as the gator made a jump at Vivi again, only to miss and end up breaking a wall, causing the water to come in, even faster, and also caused Luffy, Past Usopp, and Past Nami to panic.
"You guys!" Vivi called out. "Don't worry! Just hang on a little longer! I promise I'll be back with help!"
"We know you will!" Luffy called back. "Now hurry!"
"We're counting on you, Vivi!" Past Usopp shouted while Vivi ran. At that moment, the memory shifted, showing that the group was still trapped in the cage, but the water level had gotten higher in Vivi's absence, and they were panicking even more, now. The only ones who seemed to be keeping their cool were Past Zoro and Smoker.
"Oh, no!" Aika cried. "The water's gotten higher, now!"
"Oh, man, oh, man!" Kumi shouted.
"That ain't good!" Franky exclaimed. "How did you guys get outta there?!"
"HEY, YOU STUPID GATOR!" Past Nami yelled as she stuck her arm out of the cage. "IF YOU'RE HUNGRY, COME AND GET ME!"
"ARE YOU NUTS, NAMI?!" Past Usopp questioned. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
The Banana-Gator lunged at the cage, nearly biting off Past Nami's hand had she not pulled away, in time. Still, she almost fainted from the shock of nearly getting her arm bitten clean off, but managed to regain her composure.
"I'm trying to lure that gator closer so he'll bite this cage apart!"
"Hey!" Past Usopp exclaimed. "That's not a bad idea!"
"YEAH, COME AND GET US, YA STUPID BANANA!" Luffy yelled. "YA ROTTEN BANANA!"
"Look, I told ya!" Past Usopp said as he stuck his nose against Luffy's cheek. "That thing's not a banana! It's an alligator with a banana growing out of its head!"
"But it's called a Banana-Gator," Luffy argued.
"Look, you've heard of the Monkey Dance, right?" Past Usopp asked. "Even though it's got the word 'monkey' in it, it isn't an actual monkey!" He then snapped at Luffy for touching the seastone bars.
"How do you know they're not bananas if you haven't eaten one?!" Luffy questioned.
"Seriously, why does he think they're bananas?" Sanji asked.
"I don't know," Usopp answered with a shrug. "I gave up trying to explain it to him."
"Wait a minute, I'm confused," Aika said. "How did the conversation go from bananas to monkeys?"
"That's not the point, Aika!" Usopp said in exasperation. "Come on, don't make me explain it to you, too!"
"WATCH OUT!" Past Nami yelled as the Banana Gator roared and attempted to bite open the cage, but to no avail, for its teeth ended up shattering when it bit down against the bars.
"IT DIDN'T WORK!" Past Usopp cried.
"The banana didn't even dent it!" Luffy shouted.
"VIVI, PLEASE HURRY~!" Past Usopp wailed.
"Of course it wouldn't work," Zoro quipped. "Seastone is harder than diamond, after all."
"If I were there," Blizzard began, "I would've bitten the cage open for you guys! I mean...that is, if I could bite through seastone, back then, but I couldn't...and again, I wasn't there."
"Hey, you guys," Smoker finally spoke up, startling the others.
"AAH!" Luffy yelped. "Oh, Smokey...I forgot you were there. Wait, why are you so calm, anyway?!"
"Yeah!" Past Usopp added. "Why don't you help us think of a way out?!"
"Yeah, why didn't he help?!" asked Nami.
"Maybe because he was a Marine and you guys are pirates?" Aika suggested.
"That kinda would make sense," said Kumi.
"How much do you guys know," Smoker began, "about what Crocodile is up to?"
"Huh?" Luffy muttered.
"That woman with Crocodile," Smoker continued. "She's had a bounty on her head for 20 years, now...a bounty of 79 million Berries."
"Wait, what?!" Past Usopp questioned. "79 million?! You're kidding!"
"That's the same as Crocodile's!" Past Nami exclaimed.
"Wow, Aunt Robin!" Aika exclaimed. "That's a lot more than Big Brother's bounty when he started!"
"...Yes," Robin muttered as she hugged her arms. "I did have a rather big bounty."
"...What's the matter, Aunt Robin?" Aika asked in concern.
"Uh...squirt?" Zoro asked. "Maybe you shouldn't bother Robin, too much. She'll tell you when she feels like it, okay?"
"...I guess so," Aika muttered.
"The very moment those two joined forces," Smoker began, "there's been more at stake than just the fate of this country. If they aren't stopped, the whole world could be at stake, here."
"Wait...the world?!" Past Nami repeated in shock.
"Th-that's pretty big...!" Past Usopp gulped.
"Huh!" Luffy scoffed. "What are you guys talkin' about? I don't need any other reason to kick Crocodile's ass!"
"Ha!" Franky laughed. "You tell him, Luffy!"
"...Is that so?" Smoker asked. "Then tell me...how do you plan on getting out of here?"
"Eh?" Luffy muttered before he looked down, only to shriek upon seeing that the water had risen even more, now. "HOLY CRAP, THE WATER'S UP TO MY THIGHS, NOW!"
"WE'RE GONNA DROOOOOOWN!" Past Usopp screamed as he splashed about.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Past Nami cried.
"What a bunch of babies," Past Zoro said as he rolled his eyes.
"Zoro, how could you be so calm?!" asked Chopper. "You were going to drown with the others!"
"Yeah, Zoro!" Aika said. "You were really cool under pressure!"
"Trust me," Zoro answered. "On the inside, I was actually cursing myself for not being able to cut through those bars. I didn't know what the hell was gonna happen."
"So you're saying you're glad I showed up, Moss-head?" Sanji smirked.
"Don't you even start," Zoro glared.
"Ugh...I don't feel so good..." Luffy slurred as he wobbled left and right, only for Past Usopp to catch him.
"Oh, no!" Past Usopp cried. "Hang in there, Luffy! Vivi's coming back with help! She promised, remember?!"
"Vivi...I know this is hard," Past Nami whispered, "but you have to hurry...!"
Just then...a familiar voice spoke.
"Don't you guys know it's not polite to yell at the dinner table?"
The group gasped as they looked up...and saw Past Sanji, kicking a Banana-Gator in the stomach!
"ANTI-MANNERS KICK COURSE!" he shouted while the others gaped in surprise and disbelief.
"My word!" Brook exclaimed.
"Right on time," Robin smiled. "That was quite an entrance, 'Mr. Prince'."
"What, that?" Sanji asked with a smirk. "Psh...that was nothin'."
"Hey, there," said the cook's past self. "You guys been waitin' long?"
"MR. PRINCE!" Luffy and Past Usopp cheered.
"Sanji, you're here!" Past Nami exclaimed.
"Will you quit wasting time and get the damn key, already?!" Past Zoro questioned.
"Nami~!" Past Sanji called. "Do you love me!"
"Yes, yes, I love you," Past Nami answered, "now hurry and get us outta here!"
"Vivi!" Luffy called before he gave her a thumbs up. "Great job!"
Vivi smiled as she returned the gesture. "You bet!"
"You really came through, Sanji," Nami smiled. "You and Vivi both."
"Ahem!" Chopper cleared his throat. "Don't forget about me. I had to be live bait!"
"And of course, you too, Chopper," said Nami.
"Yeah," Zoro began, "but next time, Dartboard, stop bullshitting around and be quicker about things, all right?"
"Excuse me?" Sanji asked as he glared. "I didn't see you doing anything except lying around, Moss-head!"
"Shut your trap!" Zoro barked as he got in the cook's face. "I'm right and you know it!"
"Why don't you shut your trap?!" Sanji questioned.
"Why don't both of you shut your traps?!" Nami yelled as she pushed them apart. "Seriously, can't you two ever go five minutes without being at each other's throats?!"
"Seriously, you two are such kids, half the time," Blizzard muttered.
"Big Sis, you didn't really mean it when you said that you loved Sanji, right?" asked Aika.
"Oh, Aika, of course not," Nami replied. "I only said that to get him to hurry...and besides...I wasn't really sure how to tell Luffy how I felt about him, yet, or if I was ready."
"Oh," Aika said. "I guess I can understand that, then."
"Right now, let's focus on watching the memories," Sanji spoke up as he watched his past self being sized-up by more Banana-Gators.
"Jeez, these things just keep on coming," Past Sanji said in annoyance.
"Oh, no!" cried Past Nami. "Here come more of them!"
"Sanji can take 'em!" Luffy said. "Go on, Sanji! Kick their asses!"
"Come at me, you crappy bananas," Past Sanji said as he raised his left leg. "I'll kick some table manners into all of you. After all...it's not polite to attack a lady."
"Sanji, quit wasting time!" Past Usopp yelled. "Just get rid of all of them!"
"Kill the third one that came in," Smoker said.
"Huh?" Luffy asked. "Smokey?"
"Don't you recognize the sound of its growl?" asked Smoker. "That one was the one that ate the key."
"He figured it out just by hearing its growl?" asked Chopper.
"Talk about perception!" Brook added.
"They all kinda sounded the same to me," Blizzard said.
"That one, eh?" Past Sanji smirked before he lunged for it and kicked it right in the gut, causing it to cough up...some sort of white ball, to everyone's shock.
"Huh?" Aika asked. "That doesn't look like a key."
"An egg, maybe?" asked Franky.
"Alligators don't keep their eggs in their stomachs," Zoro replied.
"You're close, though," Robin replied.
"Wax-Wax Ball...OPEN!"
The ball opened up, revealing the one inside to be none other than Mr. 3, who, for some reason looked like a dried-up husk of a man.
"I'M ALIVE!" he shouted before he looked around. "Huh? W...water?! I'm in water! It's a miracle!"
"Isn't that...?!" Past Zoro questioned.
"Yeah! It's 3!" Luffy shouted.
"Mr. 3?!" Vivi asked in surprise. "What were you doing inside that Banana-Gator?!"
"Yeah, what was he doing in there?" Chopper inquired.
"Crocodile fed him to the gators after he failed to kill Luffy and the others on Little Garden," said Robin.
"He got eaten?" Aika asked. "Then...why was he in that ball?"
"Mr. 3's wax is as hard as steel," said Robin. "He more than likely used to it to shield himself from the gastric juices in the gator's stomach."
"Gross," Kumi said in disgust.
"AAAAH!" Mr. 3 sighed in relief. "I thought I was a goner for sure!" He grinned as he turned his hand into wax. "That stupid Crocodile...he thinks he got rid of me, but the moment that gator swallowed me, I used the last bit of strength that I had to form a Wax-Wax Ball! Sealing myself inside, I managed to survive getting digested! A brilliant move, even if I do say so myself." He then looked at the broken Wax-Wax Ball and found the key stuck to it. "Hmm? But what's this here? A key?!"
"THE KEY!" Luffy yelled.
"GIVE IT HERE!" Past Usopp shouted.
"AAAAAAAH! YOU GUYS!" Mr. 3 shrieked. It didn't take him too long to realize the situation, and before Past Sanji could get him to hand it over, he chucked it back into the water.
"Ha!" Mr. 3 laughed. "If you want the key, then go find it yourself! Just try not to get eaten!"
"That's cold," Franky said.
"After Sanji went through all that trouble, too," Brook added.
"Jeez, what a bastard..." Past Zoro cursed.
"He catches on fast," said Luffy.
"Sanji!" Past Nami called. "Quick! We're running out of time!"
"Don't you make a fool outta me, you wax freak!" Past Sanji growled.
"Sanji, hold up!" Past Usopp called. "I just thought of something! Maybe we can make him use his powers to form a new key!"
"Ooh, good thinking, Usopp!" Luffy said while Past Sanji smirked, causing Mr. 3 to gulp nervously.
WHAK! BAM! THWAK! POW! WHAM! BONK!
"Ooh...!" Brook winced. "That wasn't pretty..."
"Serves him right," Nami said while she crossed his arms.
"Jerkass, trying to mess with me," Sanji added.
Soon, a beaten and battered Mr. 3 used his powers to make a new key and unlocked the cage, thus allowing Luffy and the others to get out.
"Not bad there, Candle Head," said Past Sanji as he put his hand on Mr. 3's shoulder...then promptly kicked him in the face, knocking him out cold.
"Ooh, that's gotta hurt!" Franky cried.
"I felt that," Chopper began, "and I'm not even him!"
"Yeah, can you say 'ouch'?" Blizzard asked with a shudder. "Can't imagine being on the other end of that."
"Come on, hurry!" Past Sanji urged as he ushered everybody. "There's not much time left! Vivi, which way do we go?!"
"The passageway that Crocodile and Miss All Sunday took must lead in the direction of Alubarna," Vivi answered, "but the way is crawling with Banana-Gators and-"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGH!" Luffy roared...while he and Past Zoro stood on top of all the defeated Banana-Gators. "COME ON! WHO ELSE WANTS SOME?!"
"...Well, that's one way to handle them," said Past Nami.
"I couldn't even handle one of them...!" Vivi whimpered in embarrassed tears.
"Hey, it's not your fault!" Past Usopp reassured. "Those guys just happened to have some crazy abnormal strength!"
"Yeah?!" Luffy questioned. "I'd be even stronger if I wasn't soaked, right now!"
"I still wonder, to this day, how you guys are so crazy strong," said Usopp.
"Training, duh," Zoro answered.
"You're pretty strong, too, though, Usopp!" Chopper said.
"Ahh...shucks," Usopp grinned, but then, there was a loud crack, and soon, even more water started coming into the room!
"AAAAH!" Past Usopp screamed. "THE WALL BROKE!"
"YOU IDIOTS!" Past Nami barked at the Monster Trio. "YOU OVERDID IT!"
"The passageway is destroyed!" Past Sanji shouted. "We'll have to swim for it!"
"WAAAAAGH!" Luffy screamed as he was soon hit by a wave of water, but as he thrashed about, trying to keep afloat, he noticed the familiar hand of Smoker, sinking beneath the depths.
'Oh, no...Smokey can't swim, either!'
"Zoro!" Luffy called out to Zoro, who looked up at him. "Quick! You gotta save Smokey!"
"What?!" Past Zoro questioned. "He's our enemy! He can take care of himself!"
"No, he can't!" Luffy replied. "He's got Devil Fruit powers! He'll drown if you don't help him!"
"Come on, Luffy, do I really have to do this?!" Past Zoro questioned, but before Luffy could answer him, he was swept underwater, causing the memory to turn black.
"Luffy asked you to save Smoker?!" Chopper asked.
"I thought he was crazy, but not that crazy!" Usopp added. "I mean, yeah, I was there, but I didn't know he told you to save him!"
"Look, I didn't wanna save that guy, all right?" asked Zoro. "It's just...Luffy ordered me to."
"But why would he even think about saving Smokey, anyway?" Aika asked.
"Yeah, as far as I know," Blizzard began, "all Smoker ever did was give you guys grief."
"...Because that's just the kind of man Luffy is," Zoro replied. "He just doesn't have it in him to let even his greatest enemy die."
"I guess so," said Nami. "I mean...I'm not saying we should've let him die, but it would have saved us a lot of headaches."
"I'll say," Sanji agreed, "but in a way...I'm kinda glad Luffy didn't let him drown. That would just make him like every other asshole pirate out there...and drowning doesn't really sound a good way to go for Devil Fruit users."
"...Not letting your enemies die..." Aika whispered. "Hmm..."
"What's up, Aika?" Kumi asked.
"Uh...nothing," Aika answered.
Soon, the memory returned, revealing that the group had managed to make it outside of Rain Dinners, soaking wet but alive.
"ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE!" Past Usopp shouted. "LET'S HEAD FOR ALUBARNA AS FAST AS WE CAN!"
"RAAAAAARRGH!" Luffy roared, once again. "WHERE IS THAT DAMN CROCODILE?!"
"Oh, they're awake," Past Nami mused.
"They almost drown, and still, Luffy's rarin' for a fight," Franky said. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Yohohohohoho!" Brook laughed. "Such vigor! Reminds me of myself in my youth!"
That's when Luffy noticed Smoker standing nearby.
"Huh?!" he questioned before he took a fighting stance. "You want some of this?! Bring it on?!"
"AAAAAAAH!" Past Usopp shrieked. "IT'S SMOKER! Forget him, Luffy! Let's hurry and get the hell outta here!"
"...Go," Smoker said.
"Huh?" Luffy muttered.
"Just this once, I'll let you escape," said Smoker. "But next time, Straw Hat, if I ever see you again...you won't be so lucky...got it?"
Luffy blinked at Smoker, just as a troop of Marine soldiers appeared.
"There they are!" one of them yelled. "It's the Straw Hat Pirates!"
"Oh, jeez!" cried Past Sanji.
"We gotta get outta here, now!" Past Nami shouted.
"Right behind you!" Past Usopp agreed.
"Hahahahahaha!" Past Zoro laughed.
"I don't get it," said Aika. "Why did Smokey decide not to arrest you guys?"
"I think that was his way of showing thanks," said Nami.
"I suppose seeing just honorable our captain really is got him thinking," Robin smiled.
As Vivi led the others away, Luffy stayed behind, staring at Smoker.
"Luffy, what are you doing, standing there?!" Past Zoro asked. "We gotta get moving!"
"Uh...right!" Luffy answered. "I'm coming!" He then looked toward Smoker, who stared back at him.
"What?" Smoker asked. "Got something else to say?"
A pause...but then gave Luffy his signature impish grin.
"Hey," he said. "You're not such a bad guy, after all, Smokey!"
Smokey gasped silently while Luffy laughed...but the Marine Captain growled as he swung his Seastone jutte at him.
"WILL GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE, STRAW HAT?!" he yelled.
"WAAAAAH!" Luffy shrieked as he jumped out of the way and ran down the street.
"Shishishi!" Aika giggled. "Silly Big Brother...but he is kinda right about Smokey! He's not really such a bad guy!"
"...No...I guess he isn't," Zoro grinned while ruffling Aika's hair, causing her to look up at him.
"By the way," Brook began, "how were you all going to get to Alubarna?"
"Oh! That's where I come in!" Chopper spoke up.
"HEY, YOU GUYS~!"
The Past Straw Hats all looked up to see Past Chopper and Eyelash...riding on the back of a giant crab with a rather peculiar grin on his face. According to Vivi, it was a sand-dwelling crab called a Mover Crab. The Straw Hats all gaped at how big it was...but Luffy was more interested in how tasty it looked. Turns out the Mover Crab, whose name was Scissors, was a friend of Eyelash, who actually lived in Rainbase.
"That explains why they're both perverts," said Sanji.
"Like you've got any room to talk," Usopp glared.
"Come on, everybody!" Past Chopper called. "Next stop, Alubarna!"
Soon, everyone climbed up onto Scissors' back, and the crab soon scuttled along sideways, heading toward the capital.
"WHOO-HOO!" Luffy cheered. "Alubarna, here we come!"
"Nothing can stop us, now!" Past Nami exclaimed.
But then, the group heard a shrill scream coming from Vivi, causing them to turn around and see her get snatched away by a familiar golden hook!
"OH, NO!" Aika cried.
"What happened?!" Kumi questioned.
"It was Crocodile!" Usopp answered.
"He found out we escaped and tried to stop us!" Sanji added.
"VIVI!" Luffy yelled.
"SHIT!" Past Zoro cursed. "CHOPPER, STOP THE CRAB!"
"HANG ON, VIVI!" Luffy shouted as he grabbed the princess, threw her back to the others, and then hooked his elbow around Crocodile's hook as he was being pulled away.
"GO ON WITHOUT ME, YOU GUYS!" Luffy called. "I'LL HANDLE THIS!"
"NO, LUFFY!" Past Nami cried.
"JUST TAKE CARE OF VIVI!" Luffy called out. "MAKE SURE SHE GETS HOME SAFELY, OKAY?!" He then gave the others a grin...causing Past Zoro to smirk back.
"That idiot..." he whispered. "LET'S GO, GUYS! TO ALUBARNA!"
"Right!" Past Chopper answered.
"WAIT! LUFFY!" Vivi cried.
"You guys were just gonna leave him?!" Aika asked.
"Look, we didn't like having to leave him behind!" Zoro argued. "But we had our orders!"
"Well, couldn't you just not listen to his orders, just this once?!" Aika questioned.
"Aika!" Sanji shouted, causing her to wince. "Look...we didn't want to leave Luffy behind, but we had to get Vivi back to Alubarna, no matter the cost!"
"But," Aika began, "but...he was fighting alone!"
"Even though he was, we had faith in Luffy!" Nami answered. "Before that, we thought that no one could ever beat him!"
"...But..." Aika whimpered as tears formed in her eyes.
"Aika, what was more important?" Usopp asked. "Making sure we had Luffy's back or getting Vivi to the capital so she could stop the war?! Even Luffy knew what was important, as dense as he is, sometimes!"
"Look, Aika...we don't really know what will happen here," said Nami. "The only thing we can do is watch...even though we're very worried."
Aika sniffled and wiped her eyes of her tears while Kumi nuzzled her face against her side, causing her to pet the puppy.
At that moment, Luffy fell on the sand, headfirst with his butt in the air...and behind him were Crocodile and Past Robin.
"So," Past Robin mused, "it seems that Princess Vivi got away."
"No matter," said Crocodile. "Our agents are gathering at Alubarna. Get word to them, immediately." He then glowered down at Luffy. "As for you, Straw Hat Luffy...your time is up."
Luffy didn't answer him, at first. Instead, he simply set himself right-side up again while he pulled his turban off his head.
"...Vivi's strength," he said. "It isn't in her muscles...it's in her heart. She's always trying to help others."
"Eh?" Crocodile muttered.
"She feels compassion and love for everyone," said Luffy. "That's why she never stops fighting...she doesn't want anybody to get killed in this war."
"Bah!" Crocodile scoffed. "No casualties? What a bunch of total nonsense...the world is full of peace-loving fools like that girl. Easy for someone who's never been in a real fight...wouldn't you say, Straw Hat?"
"...Yup," Luffy agreed as he stood up and dusted off his clothes. "But...as long as you're still around...she's going to try and stop until she breathes her last breath...so I'm gonna stop you, right here and now."
"Big Brother...!" Aika whispered.
"Kuhahahaha!" laughed Crocodile. "But you're an incorrigible fool, boy...you'd give up your life for some stranger you just met. I've abandoned hundreds that were just like you!"
"...In that case," Luffy began as he cracked his knuckles, "you're the stupid one, here."
Crocodile growled at that while the Straw Hats chuckled.
"Luffy sure can strike a nerve," said Sanji.
"Tell me about it," Nami agreed.
Past Robin chuckled, but tried to stifle it by covering her mouth.
"What the hell are you laughing at?!" Crocodile questioned, clearly losing his patience. "Do you have a death wish, too...Nico Robin?"
"...If that's what you wish," Past Robin began while still keeping that smile, "then so be it...although you did promise you'd never speak my real name."
"How come you didn't want him calling you by your real name, Aunt Robin?" asked Aika.
"...Brought back too many bad memories," Robin answered as she put a hand to her forehead. "That...and I just didn't want him saying my name."
"I don't blame ya," Franky replied.
"He was so lucky I wasn't there," Zoro said. "Of course, I wasn't really in love with you, yet."
Soon, Past Robin turned and walked away.
"Where are you going?" asked Crocodile.
"Alubarna," Past Robin answered as she kept walking.
"...Hmph," Crocodile scoffed. "That woman is a mystery, even to me." He then threw into the sand at Luffy's feet, causing him to look down and see that it was a tiny hourglass.
"...I give you 3 minutes, Straw Hat," Crocodile said. "After that...I'm through playing with you...any objections?"
"Nope," Luffy replied as he got into a fighting stance. "Fine by me." He then reeled his arm back in a pitching stance. "Gum-Gum...PISTOL!"
With the stretch of his fist, the battle in the sand had begun. However, as the Straw Hats watched...they didn't see three pair of red eyes belonging to a certain hellhound, glaring at them as their owner let out a dark chuckle.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Next time on One Piece: The Fire Within!
Luffy: Crap! I just can't hit this guy!
Crocodile: I'm in a whole other league than you, Straw Hat.
Aika: *whimpers as she covers her eyes*
Usopp: Come on, Luffy! You got this!
Luffy: *his arm is dried up* AAAAAH, MY ARM!
*Later, Luffy is impaled on Crocodile's hook*
Nami: ...Oh...my god...!
Zoro: Luffy...he's...he's...!
Shade: Dead...just like you will be, soon enough! *lunges at them*
Next time: Luffy vs. Crocodile
I decided that here was a good stopping point for this chapter. I'm glad I finally got the motivation to get this chapter done.
Review, please!