At the Royal Palace

"Ok, so this is how it's gonna go down. We'll create a distraction to draw all the guards our way. I think we can get you 5 minutes, so make it quick," Natto said

"Hmm, make it at least 6 and we got a deal," Lucky answered.

"Hmpf, you're so arrogant, fine, we can aim for 6 but don't blame us if you get caught," Natto responded."

"We won't get caught," answered Sabo and Ace

"Alright, let's get this done, you're up," Lucky told Natto

"Tch, whatever, let's go everyone," Natto rolled his eyes at Lucky and turned to look at his friends.

Natto and other kids began throwing small paintballs from their pockets, aiming at the guards and walls, culminating in an epic chase with Natto receiving some unlikely help to escape.

Meanwhile, Lucky, Ace, and Sabo slipped by unnoticed behind the ruckus in the opposite direction. They turned the corner and entered the room with the den den mushi.

Lucky quickly dialed the number from memory, annoying the snail who was taking a nap. It rang for several seconds and a melodic voice answered, "Charlotte Pudding, who dares interrupt my baking?"

"Shishishi, my apologies Pudding," Lucky responded. Ace turned to Sabo and mock whispered, 'my apologies'' and pulled a face, laughing silently with Sabo.

Lucky stuck his tongue out at the two and continued his conversation, "I'm calling because I'd like to visit, I've made new friends who want to explore the New World and we can cause some mischief which I know you love Pudding despite your outward appearance," he finished.

"Haha, interesting, Lucky, you have excellent timing, Mama left a week ago on an expedition, and she isn't due until the end of the month. My sister can pick you up, where are you?" Pudding asked.

"I'm in the Alabasta Royal Palace, we snuck in, only place with a transponder snail at the moment, can you believe my luck, shishishi," Lucky told her.

"Hahaha, amazing Lucky, that's the perfect location! Go to the Hall of Mirrors, the windows face the gardens in the back. Oh, it's gorgeous Lucky, it's literally a hall filled with mirrors, golden sculptures, incredible paintings, I'll send Brûlée . See you! Clank." Pudding said, ending the call.

"Hmm, so now we gotta find this Hall of Mirrors, that's actually really convenient," Lucky told Ace and Sabo.

"Ehh, how are mirrors convenient and who and how is Brûlée gonna help us?" Ace asked.

"Oh, of course, I almost forgot. Brulee is Pudding's older sister, she ate the Mira Mira no Mi, she can create and manipulate mirrors. So, one of her powers happens to be the ability to turn any mirror into a portal. We're gonna travel by mirror, boys, shishishi!" answered Lucky.

"Whatt that's amazing, are you sure, she can actually do that," asked Sabo

"Yeah that sounds like a load of bull Lucky," Ace grumbled.

"Hey! She really does have the ability, I've traveled through her Mirror World before. I'd never risk your lives, if I thought it was dangerous I'd tell you. But Brûlée is really nice and her abilities are incredible. So let's go find this Hall of Mirrors quickly. I'm pretty sure it's been more than 6 minutes" Lucky concluded.

"Sorry Lu, we do trust you, you're our friend," Sabo said "Yeah Lucky, we know you have our back," Ace added.

"Heh, uh, thanks guys," Lucky said blushing, scratching his head.

"Let's head to the back of the Palace, maybe there will be directions, shishi?" Lucky chuckled.

"Yeah right, hopefully the guards are still busy," Sabo responded.

Traveling through the Palace

"Shit, why are there so many halls, jeez do they need these many rooms?" panted Ace.

"Though I wonder where everyone is, I thought we'd run into more people but it's practically deserted?" asked Sabo

"Hmm, well there was the disturbance in the city and whatever Natto and the boys did, they must be undermanned," responded Lucky.

"But, the strangest part was seeing the Okama, did you see him switching faces? That was so weird!" Ace exclaimed

"Ugh, don't remind me, can you imagine what he could do pretending to be us?" asked Lucky

"Good thing, one of us had our haki active, it's better to conserve our strength especially since we can't hold it for long," Sabo said.

"I wonder if Perona and Marco will be ok? By the looks of it, they made quite the spectacle," pondered Lucky.

"Eh, " Ace shrugged his shoulders. "They'll be ok. And if they need help, Pops and Mihawk are here, but we'll call them later to check in," he finished.

"Check-in!? You want to tell them where we are?" Sabo exclaimed

"Not exactly, but we should at least call them so we don't inadvertently start a war," Ace calmly said.

"Oh my Enel, look at you using big words and being rational for once, I didn't even think that far," Sabo exclaimed.

"Oi, shut up!" Ace replied blushing and pushed Sabo.

"Hahaha, ugh but where the hell is the Hall of Mirrors, it feels like we've been searching for hours," Sabo said.

"Pudding said the windows faced a garden. Maybe we should go outside and look for it?" asked Lucky.

"No, there are a lot of guards outside, better to stay inside, I'm pretty sure we entered from the front of the palace so we should be going in the right direction. We had to change directions a couple times to avoid the guards and servants but I'm certain we've been going towards the back" Ace said.

"It is a really big palace, we should come back one day and really explore it," Lucky added

"Hahaha, sure," Sabo responded

"Hahaha sounds good, Lucky," Ace laughed.

"Where the heck is Lucky? He should've been here ages ago. Pudding, no, go back, I'll let you know when he gets here," said a voice coming from down the hall.

"Shush, sh,shh, did you hear that? Who was that?" Ace whispered.

"Oi,Brûlée,I'm here" Lucky shouted. Ace jumped on Lucky and covered his mouth, "Oi, what's your problem, Lucky, you just gave us away, dumbass," Ace shouted.

"You both are dumbasses! Ace you just shouted- just like Lucky! And Lucky clearly mentioned her name before, Ace! But Lucky you should be quieter, we're not out of the woods yet," Sabo furiously whispered.

Brûlée came out into the hall and ran towards Lucky, scaring both Ace and Sabo.

"Lucky, look at you, you've grown a few inches," she exclaimed.

"Ahhh, it's a witch," Ace shouted. "Ahhh, where?" Brûlée shouted looking around her.

Ace pointed towards her and Brûlée turned behind her and back towards Ace again. "Oi, you mangy mutt, I'm no witch you horrid little boy," she shouted raising her fists towards him.

"Oi, Ace, don't be mean," Lucky said, punching him in the shoulders.

"Ouchh, that hurt Lu, how was I supposed to know she wasn't one?" asked Ace

Lucky and Sabo just stared at Ace for a few seconds and turned back to talk to Brûlée.

"Hey Brûlée, sorry about Ace, he's a little rough around the edges but he's a great friend to have," Lucky said, extending his hand towards her to shake.

"Hmpf. I'll let it slide this time Lucky, but next time I won't be as merciful," Brûlée sneered.

"Hmpf, whatever," Ace said, snapping his fingers, creating wisps of fire.

"Apologies, madam, I'm afraid you caught us off guard," Sabo said smoothly, bending in a bow.

"Oh come on!" Ace exclaimed

"Shishishi, never a dull moment with you and Sabo," Lucky laughed.

"Brûlée, we should proceed to your Mirror World and make introductions there, we don't want to get caught here," Lucky said.

"Pudding is so excited to see you! It's been a couple years since you've last visited us," Brûlée said smiling brightly.

"Woah, it's really a hall full of mirrors!" exclaimed Ace

"Wow, I think they're made of gold, woah, imagine how many belis we'd get with just one of the small ones," Sabo said in awe turning to look at Ace.

"Hah. If we weren't in such a hurry, I'd definitely pocket one," Ace smirked.

"Oi, let's go guys," Lucky said

"Holy shit, did she just disappear into the mirror?" Ace shouted pointing towards said mirror.

"Shishishi, I told you she ate the Mira Mira no Mi, you'll understand more once you're inside," Lucky said.

"Hurry up," yelled Brûlée in the distance.

"Incredible, I wonder what other powers we'll see in the New World," Sabo said.

"Hey! Who are you? I don't recognize any of you boys. What are your names? I demand you answer me, I'm Princess Nefertari Vivi, " a voice yelled shrilly, interrupting the trio as she ran into the entryway.

"Heh. A princess? I always knew royals were a pain. Don't worry, we'll be outta your way soon," Ace said, winking at her.

"Why, I–I , so rude!" Princess Vivi bursted out, turning red in the face.

"See ya later!" yelled Ace as he followed Lucky and grabbed Sabo along into one of the huge mirrors in the hall.

"Oh my Enel! What just happened?" the Princess yelled, running towards the mirror. She padded it down, and it was solid! But she also saw three young boys around her age disappear into it, had she imagined the whole interaction she pondered.

"No, I definitely heard the shouts which drew me towards the Hall, I'm sure they were real. But then where and how did they disappear," she said out loud to herself.

"Oh Princess, there you are! We've been looking all over for you, there's ruffians everywhere, we must get you to safety. Thank Enel for Sir Crocodile, he went out to handle the disturbance in the city but then the Palace was besieged by street kids! I keep telling the King, but oh, he won't listen to me, he is being too lenient, there's no respect for the royal family anymore," the Captain of the Royal Guard said tearfully at the end.

"Oh Igaram, Father just wants what is best for the citizens. He wants to help the poor not make their situation worse," she answered distractedly, still confused as to what happened these last five minutes.

"Igaram, could you, perhaps, take a look at this mirror—right here," she pointed, "Does anything seem odd to you–see, touch here, it's solid, correct?" the Princess asked him.

The Captain looked at the Princess perplexed at her questioning but nevertheless followed orders. "Haha-Princess, of course it's solid, are you trying to make me feel better by making me laugh. You are always so thoughtful, Princess Vivi," he responded hesitantly.

She of course was not joking but since the question was odd she allowed the lie to rest. "Oh, yes, you caught me! Hahaha," she laughed nervously. " Let us go find Father and see what new decor the Suna Suna Clan graced us with today. There are a few wonderful artists in the group, even you have to admit it–Igaram," the Princess said amusedly.

"Oh Princess, hush, you shouldn't say such things," Igaram said as the Princess continued laughing, pushing the mirror mystery to the back of her mind.

A/N: Hey! This is a shorter chapter but I wanted to post something sooner. I am so humbled and amazed as the follower count and favorites continue to rise :) I really appreciate the love, it makes my day :) Please continue to comment and share your thoughts with me. Have an amazing April! I'm thinking of updating some other stories this weekend but we'll see. This story is def the priority for me though. Thank you!