Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece. I only own my OC, Aurora and Kai.

Well, the Alabasta arc is coming to a close. You all know what that means! Skypiea is just around the corner! Who's excited?


Chapter 35

"Crap!" Sanji cursed. "You've gotta be kiddin' me! We stopped the cannon, but the bomb is…"

"On a timer?!" Chopper finished.

"With a blast diameter of 5km… the bomb's still gonna destroy most of the city even from all the way up there!" Zoro realized.

"What the hell!" Usopp cried. "Does that mean stopping the explosion was impossible from the very beginning?"

Vivi pounded her fists on the ground in frustration. "After making us go through the trouble of finding the cannon… after even telling us when and where it was planned to fire…! Just how far do you have to go to make a fool out of others…! Just how many people must you make a mockery of until you're satisfied?! CROCODILE!"


Despite being battered and bruised, and with poison running throughout his system, Luffy managed to stand. The action further angered Crocodile and shocked the other occupants in the room.

"Someone like you… huff… can't beat me…! Huff…"

"So after all that trouble, those words are the only things you can manage to string up?" Crocodile was amused. "How fitting for a pathetic mutt like you already on the verge of death. All bark and no bite!"

"I am… the man who will become the pirate king!"

The Shichibukai drew back his hook, ready to charge. "Listen to me, brat! The more one comes to know of this sea, the less likely one will carelessly spout such boasts! As I said before, there's plenty of small-tie rookies like you in this world! And the better you know about the level in this sea, the hazier such dreams will become!"

Luffy saw the attack coming and moved, slamming the hook to the ground with his bare foot. It snapped off cleanly. He looked Crocodile straight in the eyes. "I am… the man who will surpass you…!"


"Did you see that just now…"

"It's that bird-guy…"

"Pell…" came the broken whisper.

Zoro glanced down at the girl in his arms. "So… finally awake."

"Just in time for help to arrive."

Up above, Pell stood perched just inside the clock tower, gazing upon Vivi. "This place brings back many memories, doesn't it? This secret base for your Sand Sand Gang…"

"Pell! Pell, listen!"

"…Your wild reckless behaviors back then had me throwing my hands up in frustration more times than I could count…"

"The bomb is on a timer!" Vivi tried to explain. "It's set to go off any moment now!"

Tic… Toc…

"Princess Vivi, to protect the royal Nefertari household is a duty… that I sincerely consider to by my proudest honor." The royal guard shifted forms, grabbing hold of the cannon with his talons and began to lift.

Tic… Toc…

The others could only watch in horror as Pell flew off with the bomb, each realizing just exactly what he was risking. He was willing to put his life on the line, to save the country and its people.

Tic… Toc… Tic… Toc… Tic…

BOOM!

An explosion rocked throughout the area, lighting up the skies above. Vivi was horrified, hands clamped tightly over her mouth in shock. The aftermath swept through the streets, knocking down guards, rebels, marines, and Baroque Works agents alike. And then… all was still.

Sanji couldn't believe what he just saw. "That son of a gun…"

"He… protected the country…" Nami breathed.

From next to Zoro, who'd helped her to stand, Aurora bowed her head in sadness. "Pell…"

"…Look."

The others turned at the sound of Usopp's voice, taking in the sight before them.

"You've gotta be kiddin' me…"

Despite the explosion that had just occurred, the various groups seemed ready to start fighting once more. They stood at the ready, weapons drawn.

"RAHHHH!"

The battle cry set them off once more, the fighting renewed.

Aurora frowned. "Why? Why are they still fighting?"

"-se!"

Nami turned, hearing the chopped cried coming from above.

"-op…ting!"

The navigator paused, listening more closely.

"Please! Stop fighting!" the princess shouted as loud as she could, trying to get the people's attention. "PLEASE! STOP FIGHTING!"

"Vivi…"

"PLEASE STOP FIGHTING! PLEASE STOP FIGHTING!"

Nami began to cry. "You dummy." She whirled on her crewmates. "What're you all just standing around for?! I don't care if we have to punch or kick them, we've gotta stop the rebellion! Come on then!" She grabbed Usopp by the shoulders. "We've gotta reduce even just one less casualty if we can!"

"PLEASE STOP FIGHTING!" Vivi continued to shout. "PLEASE! STOP FIGHTING! PLEASE! STOP FIGHTING!"


"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Luffy punched Crocodile in the gut, the man grunting in pain as blood spilled from between clenched teeth. The Straw Hat captain followed up with a kick. "OOHHH!"

Luffy's assault was relentless, the kick landing solidly against Crocodile's jaw. He flung his arm back, fist smashing into the other man's face. Crocodile collided with stone, blood dripping from his body.

'The scorpion venom should definitely have affected his body!' the man thought. 'Just where is this brat still drawing his strength from?!' He whipped his arm out to the side, a blade protruding from the spot where his hook had resided. "You're just a damn brat from god-knows-where! Just who the hell do you think I am?!"

Luffy ducked. "I don't care who the hell you are or where the hell you're from! I WILL SURPASS YOU!" He kicked Crocodile once more, the man launched straight into the air from the sheer power behind the attack.

"Just who the hell is this kid…?" Kai wondered, watching in awe.

"Turn into rubble along with this temple!" Crocodile held his hand out, sand swirling in his palm. "Sables… PESADO!"

"Shit!" Kai cursed, throwing up a shield around him and Robin.

Luffy braced himself, taking the brunt of the attack. He breathed in deeply, his body inflating to large proportions. He then began to twist himself before releasing the air he'd taken in. He was launched upward in a spiral. "Gomu Gomu…"

"Desert…"

"STORM!"

"LA SPADA!"

The two attacks looked set to collide… but Luffy punched straight through the sand blade. His fists fired rapidly, pounding against every inch of Crocodile's body. The boy screamed in rage, never relenting. "AAAGGHHH!"


The Straw Hats set to work, doing everything they could to stop the fighting. They took down anyone who came into their path, no matter who they were.

"Hey guys!" Sanji called. "Up there! Isn't that…"

The others paused, looking up at where Sanji had pointed.

"Crocodile?!"

Up in the clock tower, Vivi ceased her shouting upon the sight of the Shichibukai's body. Luffy's words rang throughout her mind.

"Ohhhh! I get it! So all I gotta do is kick Crocodile's ass, right?!"

'Luffy…' she thought.

"I don't have a clue why he suddenly popped up from there, but…"

"T-That must mean…!" Usopp realized what Sanji was saying.

"HE WOOONN!"

Vivi fell to her knees, unable to believe what she just saw. "There aren't any enemies left now… so please don't shed any more needless blood…!" She clawed at the ground. "PLEASE! STOP FIGHTING!"

Aurora froze, feeling a shift in the atmosphere. Up in the sky, clouds had begun to form. The angel held out a hand, a tiny drop of water landing upon it. She smiled.

"Kohza!" one of the rebels cried, his leader crawling towards him, hand outstretched.

"Can you feel it…?"

"Huh?"

"The war… is over."

The madness stopped… the sound of weapons clashing is no more…!

It was then that Crocodile landed in the midst of it all.


"Hey! Hey, you!" Cobra moved towards a fallen Luffy, worry evident in his gaze.

Kai glanced at them from where he sat next to Robin. The fallen angel breathed a heavy sigh. "Damn… the kid really did it. He beat the croc."

He suddenly twitched, pain radiating throughout his body. With the chaos dwindling, it would take longer for his powers to heal his injuries. The black-haired man flopped onto his back and closed his eyes. He reached out, laying a hand atop Robin's.

"Wish I could help you Nico… but we both know my powers can only heal me. Just… try to hang on, okay?"


"PLEASE STOP… FIGHTING!" Vivi screamed, her voice becoming hoarse.

"The rain's clearing away the dust and smoke!" Chopper realized, their view of the palace square becoming more clear.

"Vivi's voice… finally reached them…" Nami breathed, the various groups having stopped to gaze upon the princess.

Aurora smiled softly.

"It's the princess."

"Princess Vivi?"

"Vivi…!"

"Wasn't the princess supposed to be missing…?"

"Ahh! W-Why is… Sir Crocodile lying here unconscious?!"

"Sir Crocodile?!" Usopp began to stomp over. "Let me tell you what this bastard did to this countr-"

Sanji grabbed the sniper. "Shut your trap and sit still!"

"The rain falling now… will fall again as in times past." Vivi's voice rang loud and clear. "Now that the nightmare is finally over…!"

"…Hold it!" a voice cried. "Nightmares don't end just because you or anybody declared it over!"

"We saw what the king did at Nanohana with our own eyes!"

"That's right! Our leader Kohza was shot too!"

"It's the same with every act of violence the royalists have carried out up until now! Do you think any of our fallen comrades can just accept this conclusion?!"

"THROW DOWN YOUR ARMS! ROYALISTS!"

The royal guards turned, amazed by the sight before them "Commander Chaka!"

"Chaka…" Vivi breathed.

"You d- Ahem! Maa Maa… YOU TOO, REBELS!"

"C… Captain?!"

"Captain Igaram!"

"Igaram?!" Vivi couldn't believe her eyes.

"Igaram!" Chaka cried. "You're alive!"

Zoro gaped. "It's that perverted old man from Whiskey Peak!"

"He's still alive?!"

"But… that explosion… how…?" Aurora wasn't sure what to think.

"Boy… can you talk?!" Igaram asked the child he cradled in his arms.

"Yes." He sniffled.

"Hey, isn't that…"

"It's the kid shot by the Royalists at Nanohana."

"…You've got it all wrong! It wasn't the Royalists who shot me!" the boy began to explain. "Everyone, listen to me! I saw them…! The "royal guards" who attacked Nanohana… were all fake! Even the king was a fake! It was all a trap set by someone!"

"…He's right. This whole conflict… was set up from the very beginning."

"Kohza!"

"Leader!"

"I will now explain everything that has occurred in this country…" Igaram stated. "But first, throw down your arms, all of you!"

Slowly but surely, the rebels and royalists did just that.

Meanwhile, Vivi raced down the stairs of the clock tower, emerging outside in the rain. The princess panted, searching the streets. "Everyone! Where are you?!"


"Hey! Walk properly!"

"Ughh… listen… I've been afflicted… with "walking-any-more-will-kill-me-itis"."

"Liar." Aurora piped up. "Besides, if anyone were to be afflicted with that, it would be me."

"Don't worry, my angel~! I'll carry you for as long as you need~!"

"…Thanks, Sanji."

Zoro glanced back at the moaning sniper. "Fine, you can stay behind."

"Hey, wait!"

The pirate crew continued their trek through the streets, Usopp now being dragged by Zoro and Aurora draped over Sanji's back. The group suddenly paused, two figures steadily making their way towards them. It was King Cobra, with an unconscious Luffy draped over his back.

"Ah… that's where you are."

"…Who are you people…?"

"…Umm, that guy on your back." Sanji pointed at Luffy. "Thanks for carrying him over here, but we'll take him from here. He's kind of our crew's whatchamacallit."

"…Does that mean you're the pirates who escorted Vivi back to this country?"

"Huh?"

"We are." Aurora answered slowly. "And who might you be?"

"Everyone!"

"It's Vivi!" Chopper chirped.

Her gaze flitted to the other man. "Papa?!"

Sanji's mouth dropped open, eyes bulging from his head. "P-Papa?! Y-Y-You're… Vivi's father?!"


"I had already resigned myself to death, but he saved my life." Cobra told his story. "Even after fighting Crocodile and in that body, he carried three people back up to the surface. His strength is incredible…"

"Zzz…"

"…Then that "poison" should no longer be a problem." Usopp mused.

"Yes, it should be neutralized by now…"

"But he still needs to be treated for his other wounds… the same for all of you as well."

"More importantly, you should get back, Vivi." Zoro told the princess, propping himself up against a nearby wall.

"Back?"

"Get back out to the square."

"That's right." Usopp agreed. "The rebellion was finally stopped, but it's gonna feel pretty anticlimactic without a word or two from the king and the princess."

"Then all of you should also-"

"Viv, you understand, don't you?" Sanji cut her off. "That we're outlaws…"

"We have no business getting involved with the affairs of a country." Aurora chimed in, slowly lowering herself to the ground to sit.

"I'm hungry." Chopper added.

"We're gonna head to the palace on our own." Nami informed the princess. "We're all dead-tired."

Vivi nodded in understanding, she and her father taking off not long after. Once out of sight, the Straw Hats dropped the act. Each crew member fell to the ground in a heap, recent events having finally caught up with them. It was time for a nice, long rest.

The battle that would go down in history… and the battle never to be told in history… both drew to a close.


"Wha?"

"That's an order!"

"But Sgt. Major! This is a golden opportunity! At our current strength, we won't be able to handle them once they regain cons-"

Tashigi stood her ground. "I will not allow anybody… to lay a hand on them right now!"

"B-But why?! They're all here in one spot right now!" the marines gestured to the Straw Hat pirates. "They're sitting ducks!"

Tashigi still didn't move.

No longer forced to fall by any force, the rain poured down on Alabasta. On and on, without end.


Night fell, and the rain continued to pour. In the palace, the entirety of the Straw Hat crew lay, sleeping off their fatigue and injuries, each member heavily bandaged. The door opening and closing drew Vivi's attention, the princess sitting by the window and watching the rain.

"Princess Vivi, you're still awake?" Igaram moved to stand beside the girl. "Having trouble falling asleep?"

"No… I just don't want to sleep, that's all." Vivi gazed back out the window. "I simply wish to keep on watching this rain fall down."

Nearby, the pirates snored away.

"About Pell…" Igaram started, covering the boys with the sheets they'd kicked off. "He was the noblest and strongest warrior I had the pleasure of knowing."

"Yes… I just wish… I could have said, "Thank you"."

"…There could surely be no greater honor to him."


"Oho… what a marvelous compound…" the palace doctor watched Chopper work. "Quite an unusual formula, but perfectly sound… marvelous, indeed."

The reindeer paused in his work, gaping at the old man.

"Where did you learn such medicinal skills?"

"Fufu… Tony's a doctor from Drum." Vivi informed him.

"Well, I'll be! The very Drum Kingdom once famed for its medical knowledge?! Oho… I see much advances have been made… I've been a doctor for 40 years, but I never knew such a compound was even possible."

"Ngh-" Chopper made a noise in the back of his throat, before happily wiggling in his chair from the praise. "Shut up and stop staring, you idiot! Go away! You dumbass!"

"Can I interpret that as "Feel free to have some tea and watch?"."

Vivi nodded, smile on her face. "Yes, I believe you can."

"Incredible…" the man mused, sipping on his cup of tea.
"Shut yer trap!" Chopper cheerily retorted.

Vivi let the two be, ringing a cloth in a nearby bowl of water. She did the same with a second not long after, heading towards the row of beds laid out in the room. A window was open just above them, letting a refreshing breeze in. Carue lounged on one of the empty beds, preening his feathers. Vivi walked along the gap between two of the beds, laying the cloths across the two occupants left in the room. Luffy and Aurora were both out cold. Neither had woken, likely due to the severity of their injuries. The Straw Hat captain just needed to sleep it off for a bit longer and then eat, as was his practice in the past. The angel next to him glowed a faint yellow, her powers slowly healing the damage her body had sustained.

Vivi smiled fondly. She would forever be grateful for everything they did. The least she could do was keep them comfortable until they woke.


"MAAAAAAN, DID I EVER SLEEP WELL!" Luffy crowed, the boy having finally woken. "Ahh! My hat! Where's my hat?! And I'm hungry! Where's my hat and breakfast?!"

"God, you're noisy as hell from the moment you wake up." Sanji grumbled. "And it's not time for breakfast. It's evening right now."

"Your hat's right over there." Usopp indicated. "One of the soldiers found it outside the palace."

Luffy grabbed his prized possession, plopping it back atop his head. "Oh, that's good!"

"I'm glad to see you're fine, Luffy…"

He turned towards the princess. "Fine? Ain't I always fine?"

"You idiot!" Nami chided. "Do you have any idea how high your fever was?! Vivi and Chopper have been nursing you all this time, you know!"

"Really?! Thanks!"

"Could you not be so loud?" a voice moaned.

"Aurora! You're awake!" Vivi cried, practically launching herself at the angel, helping the girl to sit up in bed. Aurora appreciated the gesture, smiling in return.

The door abruptly opened, Zoro walking in. "…Oh, you awake, Luffy? Aurora?"

"Oh hey, Zoro." Luffy waved. "Long time no see!" The pirate captain paused, tilting his head as he mulled over his words. "Long time no see?"

"Ahhh!" Chopper cried out in distress. "You went out training again, didn't you?!"

"What, it's my body."

"No means no! I'm the doctor here!" The reindeer fretted. "Don't take your bandages off!"

"But it's hard to move around in 'em."

"You're not supposed to move!"

Aurora began to lift a hand. "Chopper, if it bothers you so much, I could speed up his healing process."

"No way! You're not allowed to move either!" he rounded on the berry-haired girl.

Nami popped up next to the angel, bashing her over the head, despite Chopper's protests. "Would you stop worrying about others and take care of yourself for once?! Next to Luffy, you were the worst off!"

Aurora shrunk in on herself and didn't say another word, not wishing to incur the navigator's or doctor's wrath any further.

"Long time no see?" Luffy questioned, head tilted to the side.

"Yeah, I guess it has been a while." Usopp mused. "Three days, at least."

"Three days? I was asleep for three whole days?!"

"Me as well?" Aurora asked, unable to believe it. She'd never been out for such a long period of time.

Luffy's jaw hung open, the gears in his head working overtime. "I missed 15 meals!"

Nami sweatdropped. "Why're you so fast at calculating only those kinds of things?"

"And he calculated 5 meals per day." Usopp added.

Aurora shook her head. "In his case… that sounds about right."

"Hahaha…" Vivi chuckled softly. "Don't worry. I've told the cooks to prepare food for you to eat anytime you want."

"Is the captain awake?" a figure burst into the room, a cart of food trailing behind them. "Can you not wait 30 minutes more for dinner? After all, food tastes better when you're eating with others than eating alone."

"Wha-"

"It's the Chikuwa-dude!" Luffy cried. "You're still alive?!"

"Y…You really ARE into that kinda fetish, aren't you…!" Zoro stuttered.

Vivi waved them off. "You're all mistaken. This is Terracotta. She's Igaram's wife and the head of servants at the palace here."

"Thank you for helping Vivi and my husband."

Zoro twitched. "There should be a limit to how similar couples can look alike…"

"I hear you eat a lot so why don't you help yourself to some fruit while you wait for dinner?"

"Okay." Luffy acquiesced, having already eaten said cart of fruit.

Zoro and Sanji gaped. "What're you, a magician?!"

"Hey, lady! I'm gonna eat 3 days worth of food, got it?!"

"Luffy, don't be so rude!" Aurora gently scolded the boy, but her words fell on deaf ears.

"Fine by me! This head-maid with 30 years of experience under her belt won't lose to some young man's appetite so eat as much as you want!"


"Mnnf! Mnn! Mnn Mn Mnnnnf! Mnn!" Various grunts and moans emerged from Luffy's mouth as he ate, the boys stuffing his cheeks full in a grotesque manner. The sight was rather unsettling.

"Not even a shred of dignity!" the guards gaped. "A banquet here in the great dining hall should be much quieter…"

A line of servants bustled by. "Move it, move it! You're in the way!"

"Whoa!"

"You sure do live up to your words." Terracotta admitted. "But I won't lose just yet!"

"Eat as fast as you can before the food disappears!" Zoro snapped, Chopper taking his words to heart.

Usopp planted a foot atop the table, glaring at Luffy and pointing accusingly. "Hey, Luffy! You took that from my plate!"

"Mnnf!"

"We've got more servings here!"

"Quack!"

"Don't stretch!" Nami hit Luffy upside the head.

Sanji ate at a more subdued pace, currently cutting his food. He glanced at the reindeer next to him. "Hey now, if you eat that quickly, you'll-"

Aurora slapped a hand against the reindeer's back as he began to choke. "Honestly…"

Vivi sweatdropped. "Don't worry, there's still plenty left!"

"Just you wait, Luffy. Have a taste of my Tabasco star." Usopp grinned evilly, dumping the Tabasco atop the food on his plate.

Not a moment later, a hand reached out and took it, Luffy depositing the food in his mouth. The reaction was instantaneous. Fire shot out of the boy's mouth. "Bwahh! That's playin' dirty!"

Usopp and Eyelashes just laughed. The sniper then realized just who was next to him. "Whoa, since when were you here?!"

"…What's this dish called?" Sanji asked the cook.

"Konafa. It's made by putting the noodles in an oven and-"

"Delicious!" Nami chirped, Aurora nodding her head in agreement.

Luffy turned to King Cobra. "Mnnf Fbah Fmpah Tah? Rahh Mnff Fbah Hranch Beemf. Rmnf?" So you were the king, mister? I guess that makes you Vivi's dad then. Right?

Cobra merely blinked, not understanding a word the boy had just said. "W-why don't we save the talk for later…"

"Mnnf!" Sure!

"Can I get some more booze?!" Zoro called.

"Some water over here!" Sanji was next, Chopper slapping a hoof on the table in response as he choked.

"What a noisy meal…" a guard griped.

"I can barely watch."

"It's beyond vulgar."

"I'm surprised the princess can still smile in spite of this sight…"

The guards then realized just what exactly Vivi was smiling at and began to laugh along. Luffy, Usopp and Chopper had taken to dancing atop the table. The other occupants of the room cheered them on, relishing in the carefree atmosphere.


Aurora ran the soapy cloth slowly over her skin, making sure to clean all the grime and blood off her body. The others had all gone to use the palace baths, but Aurora had opted out. Part of it was because she was shy and self-conscious about her body, the girl not used to bathing around others. The other reason was because Chopper had worried about her bandages falling off in the process of bathing. So Aurora had kindly asked for a bucket filled with water, soap and a washcloth. The angel then returned to the sanctity of the hospital room in the palace and began giving herself a sponge bath.

Propped on a chair, Aurora looked up, gazing at her reflection in a nearby mirror. Bandages adorned various parts of her body, an indicator of just many injuries she had gathered. The angel slowly peeled the gauze taped to her right cheek off, prodding the skin there. The slash marks were a faint pink and Aurora had no doubt her powers would heal the remainder away in just a couple of hours. She rubbed the cloth gently over her neck, the bruises having already faded into nonexistence. The patches of skin that had been burned or blistered were pink as well, having mostly healed. The skin that had been rubbed off had regrown.

Aurora hesitated at the bandage wrapped around her abdomen. The wound had already been cleaned and Chopper told her not to remove the dressings, but…

The memory of being stabbed came back unbidden, her stomach roiling as she remembered the smell of her burning flesh. Gritting her teeth, the angel ripped the bandages away, inspecting the damage. According to Chopper, her powers had done a good job at healing the wound, but he'd put a salve atop it just to be safe. A faint scar, several inches long, dotted the area above her bellybutton. Aurora had no doubt it would stay. Kai's dark powers had burned her and at the level she was now, her holy powers wouldn't be able to completely undo the damage.

'Just another to add to the collection…' she thought somberly.

The angel shifted her gaze from the stab wound to her wings. She didn't remember it happening, but Chopper had told her they'd had to re-break her wing in order to set it back in its proper place. She must have really been out of it not to feel that type of pain again. The reindeer had then proceeded to scold her for trying to reset it herself and then improperly fusing the bones with her holy powers. Thankfully, the large appendage was on the mend, a splint locking it in place.

Aurora turned, her back now facing the mirror. She slowly let her wings drop to the point that she could see over her shoulder, the splint making the act slightly difficult. A patch of scar tissue was the first thing her eyes were drawn to. That was always the case when she gazed upon her back. The white markings were situated just between her wings, a newer, redder scar now added among them. It was the spot where Kai's energy sword had exited her body. Aurora knew that scar was permanent as well.

The angel grabbed a brush that had been provided to her as well, the long handle allowing her to reach the parts of her back her arms couldn't. She gently scrubbed the center of her back, what appeared to be a type of salve coming off in the process. Aurora stilled. She hadn't applied anything to her back. Someone else had to have done it.

'But… then that means…'

Aurora thought back, remembering how she and Luffy had been told that Chopper and Vivi had nursed them while they were out. The angel certainly didn't recall Chopper mentioning the scar when he went over her injuries with her earlier. In fact, he'd never even hinted at it. That left only one other person to have seen it.

"Vivi…" Aurora breathed, the brush falling from her hand.

The angel had tried so hard to hide the reminder of her past. She never wanted anyone seeing it and asking questions. It was only a matter of time until the princess brought it up. In that moment, Aurora did something she rarely ever did.

She cursed.

"Shit."


Nami and Vivi were the first to arrive back from the bath. Aurora smiled at the two girls, closing the book she'd been reading. "Enjoy your bath?"

"Yes…" Vivi answered. "Despite the… incident."

Aurora frowned. "Incident?"

"Just the boys being perverts. Nothing new." Nami waved it off, heading over to read one of the books Cobra had let her take from the palace library.

Aurora sweatdropped. "Okay then…"

Vivi took a seat next to the angel. "How are you feeling?"

"Better." She answered, turning and grabbing a nearby roll of bandages. "Would you mind helping me with these? I know Chopper told me not to remove the bandages, but I couldn't help myself. I wanted to see the damage with my own eyes."

Vivi nodded. "Sure. Do we need to apply any ointment to it?"

"I already took care of that a few minutes ago. I just need new bandages applied. I'd rather not stress Chopper out any further by being a bad patient. Zoro's caused him enough grief already."

Vivi giggled in response.

The two women sat there quietly, Vivi wrapping new bandages around Aurora's abdomen and said angel staring into the distance.

"Hey, Aurora?"

"Hmm?"

"There's something I wanted to ask you…"

The angel forced herself to relax. She had a pretty good idea what was coming next, and she wasn't looking forward to it.

"When I was bandaging your wounds earlier… I saw something that… unsettled me." Vivi had lowered her voice as she said this, not wanting to tip off Nami to their conversation.

Aurora appreciated the discretion. "Oh? I'm not sure what you're talking about…"

Vivi didn't buy the act. "I think you do. On your back… there were so many of them… scars…" The princess bit her lip. "They were old and faded, so I know they couldn't have been from your fight with Kai. T… That person that you said took advantage of you… did they do this?"

Aurora didn't say a word, abruptly yanking her shirt down when Vivi finished applying the new bandages. She took a deep breath to try and calm herself. Only then did she spare the princess a glance, her voice low. "It doesn't matter. That's all in the past, and I'd rather not dwell on it. Best to just keep moving forward."

"But-"

The angel cut her off. "End of discussion. Just drop it… please."

The brief silence in the room was broken by the arrival of the boys. They all filed into the room, acting like their usual raucous selves. Nami snapped her book shut, rallying the boys and making sure she had everyone's attention before she spoke.

"It's time to leave."

"Tonight?!"

"Yes."

"So we're leaving, are we…"

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea." Zoro agreed with the plan. "There's no reason to stay here for a long time, after all."

"That's right. And I'm getting worried about what the marines are up to." Sanji expressed his concern.

"Luffy!" Usopp turned to their captain. "It's up to you to give the final decision."

"Alright! We'll go after eating Alabastan cooking one more time!"

"No, we have to leave right away, you idiot!"

"Gahh!"


"Quack. Quack. Quack."

"Hmm…" Zoro hummed. "This is nice."

"So it's time to say farewell to the country of sand…" Usopp sniffled. "You put me through quite the battle. Hey, Luffy. How long are ya gonna keep eating?"

"Alabastan food is the best! Sanji, try cooking some next time."

"Yeah, I'm quite interested in trying my hand at 'em. I got the recipes from Terracotta, along with some spices."

"Nami…? Aurora…?" Chopper piped up. "Are you sick?"

The boys glanced over at the navigator, who'd been quiet since departure. Aurora, who was sharing a duck with her due to not being able to fly yet, had been the same way.

"I'll give you some meat if you want!" Luffy offered. "Only one though."

"You're thinking about Vivi, aren't you…" Sanji deduced. "I understand how you feel but… it's not something we can do anything about. We had a lot of good times together but… that's just how it is. Come on, cheer up now."

"I… guess I should give it up." Nami finally spoke. "For Vivi's sake at least… on the 1 billion belis."

Aurora almost fell over in shock at the proclamation, not expecting the navigator to say that. Guess their train of thought hadn't been the same at all.

"YOU DAMN WELL BETTER!" the boys roared.

"It was money you were sad about?!"

"Aghhh! Usopp fell off!"

"Stop being so damn misleading, Nami!"

The navigator appeared confused. "What're you all worked up over? Are you upset about Vivi? That can't be helped, you know."

"Aghh! Usopp fell off again!"

"Oh, just leave him be…"

"IT'S YOUR FAULT!"


"Carue! Carue, are you there?!"

"Quack?"

"It's pointless, Igaram." Vivi said.

"Why? We should at least make them aware of their new situation…!"

"I sent them off on the Spot-Billed Duck Squad, so even Carue can't catch up with them." Vivi explained. "In any case, it'd be the same whether or not they knew."

"What do you mean?!"

Vivi smiled. "They'd only be happy if they found out about that. So nothing would change."

"But…!"

"They'll be fine so get out now." The princess pushed him out the door. "I need to sleep. We've got to wake up early tomorrow, after all!"

"W-well… yes, you're right. You have to deliver a speech to the country tomorrow."

"I know." Vivi beckoned her companion over. "Carue, come here. Let's sleep together."

"Quack."

It was only later on, when all the other palace residents were fast asleep, did Vivi remain awake.

"It's quiet, isn't it, Carue…"

"Quack."

"How long has it been since a night as quiet as this…" the princess reminisced. "There's no fridge-raider duking it out with the cook here, no swordsman doing his usual night training… nor a sleepy navigator who then throws pillows out at everyone… there's nobody here…"


"A den-den mushi call?"

"From who?"

"Some person calling himself Bon-chan…"

"Who's Bon-chan?"

"We don't know anybody by that name." Usopp replied.

"He insists that he's one of your friends…" the guard that had delivered the den-den mushi said.

"Well… why don't we try talking to him?" Luffy suggested.

"It could be a trap." Zoro warned. "I'd advise against it."

Sanji picked up the call. A familiar voice rang out loud and clear. "HELLO?! HELLO?! GAAAAAHAHAHA! IT'S MEEEEE! IT! IS! MOI!"

The cook abruptly hung up.

Ring Ring Rrrrriiinnnng!

"Oh what is it?!"

Luffy answered this time. "You the okama? What d'ya want from us?"

"Oh?! Isn't this Straw Hat's voice?! Aren't you a strong one! Color me surprised!" the okama responded. "Now don't go calling me Mr. 2! Or I'll be in big trouble if the marines tap into this call!"

Chopper gaped. "You said it yourself just now."

Zoro grunted. "Just state your business."

"Oh, right, right. I've taken possession of your ship!"

"WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOU BASTARD?!"

"THIS AIN'T NO JOKE!" Sanji raged. "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU RIGHT NOW?!"

"I'm on your ship riiiight now!"

"You're pushing your limit…!"

"Oh noooo, noooo, noooo!" the okama wailed. "Aren't weeeeee… frieeends?"


"He's along the upper reaches of the Sandora River."

"Can we trust him?" Sanji asked.

"Well, we were friendly with him once before." Luffy mused.

"You were friendly with him." Aurora grumbled.

Zoro sweatdropped. "And knowing you, I'm worried you'll get friendly with him again."

"… But we've got no other choice." Chopper said.

"You're right." Sanji agreed. "He has our ship after all. If he's setting a trap for us… then we'll just kick his ass when the time comes."

"If it's settled then we better start getting ready…"

"Everyone." Vivi finally spoke.

"Vivi?!"

"Everyone… what… should I do…?"

Nami answered her. "Listen, Vivi. We'll give you 12 hours to decide. Once we take back our ship at Sandora River, we'll approach the Eastern Port JUST ONCE, exactly at noon tomorrow! We probably won't be able to drop anchor though… so if you want to continue traveling with us, that'll be your one and only chance to get onboard! This time, though… we'll welcome you as a pirate!"

"Just keep in mind that you're the princess of this country." Aurora gently reminded the girl. "As much as we'd like to have you join us, we know you have other duties as well. We won't push you."

"Come with us, Vivi! You better come!" Luffy demanded as they began to climb out the window. "No, just come right now!"

"Quit it, Luffy!"

"We're off then."

"What, don't you guys want her to come?!" Luffy whined.

"This isn't about that! Vivi has to decide for herself!"


'Tomorrow at noon… at the Eastern Port…' Vivi thought about the offer. 'It'll take 4 hours to get there by Carue's speed… so I can make it as long as I leave by 8… but I've never even once thought about becoming a pirate before… a chance like this… is something I won't ever get again if I let it go this time.'

Vivi reached out, running a hand over a sleeping Carue.

'I've never disliked or thought it boring to be a princess. And even though the rebellion's over, the country's still in a critical period…' Vivi broke out of her thoughts, speaking softly to the sleeping duck. "…If I go, you'd come too, wouldn't you, Carue… but what do you want to do?"


"I've been waaaaiiitiiiinng for youuuuu all! Nice to see you all again!"

The greeting was ultimately ignored.

"We're here."

"You can drop our stuff now. Thanks for the ride."

"Quack!"

"I guess it's time for us to say good-bye…"

"Run back safely now!"

"Take care of the king and the chikuwa-dude!"

"QUAAACCCK!"

"See ya all!"

"Let's… let's meet again some day for sure!" came the sob, before the okama became enraged. "WAIT A SECOND!"

"What's your problem?!" the cook was pissed.

"Don't gimme that cold, "Oh what's your problem?" What's with your attitude?! Is that any way to greet a friend?!"

"What do you mean, "friend?" We were enemies all along. You tricked us."

"I did not trick you!" the okama responded to Luffy's claim. "I hadn't the faintest idea either!"

"Hey, move it." Zoro growled, having made his way up the ladder.

"Oh, sorry. But… oh phooey, who gives a hoot about any of that now. Baroque Works is gone and we're no longer enemies."

"If we're no longer enemies, then why'd ya take our ship?" Luffy retorted.

"Sigh… oh, you silly little goose."

"What was that?!"

"Listen up! Do you have any idea… ANY IDEA AT ALL, what would've happened to your ship if I hadn't taken it?"

Aurora shared a look with Nami. "Marines?"

"Yeah. The marines probably would've taken it."

"Not probably! They'd have taken it abso-positively-lutely! Do you have any idea what kind of state this island is in right now?!"

"The marines probably called for backup and blockaded our way out." Aurora answered.

"Exactly! Not even one little swan could fly its way out right now."

"So you… protected the Going Merry from the marines…?" Luffy seemed to realize what the man was saying.

"Why?"

"Yeah, why?!" Chopper mimicked Usopp.

"Because my dear, we're friends."

"I knew you were a good guy all along!" Luffy cheered, the foursome having started to dance. "Stoooop joooking aroouund!"

"Stoooop joooking aroouund!"

"Do we still have more stuff down there?" Nami asked Sanji.

"Nope, this is the last one." The cook had a bag hefted over his shoulder, depositing their cargo onto the deck.

"So in other words, Mr. 2… since you couldn't get out of the island either due to the blockade…"

"You were looking for allies to aid you." Aurora finished Zoro's thought.

"Ack!" the okama jerked back, realizing he'd been caught.

"Bon-chan!"

"That's right!" he cried. "It's times like these…! It's eras like these we live in… when we the people must band under the name of friendship and fight together!"

"Hell yeaaaahhh!" Luffy, Usopp and Chopper crowed.

Nami sweatdropped. "…Oh jeez."

"Welp, we're countin' on y'all then."

"SINCE WHEN THE HELL WERE YOU ALL HERE?!" Zoro screeched at the okama's crew.

Aurora heaved a sigh, knowing it was going to be a long night.


"Fire! Open fire! Fire some cannonballs, dammit!" Luffy screamed at the surrounding marine ships. "Then I could at least bounce 'em back!"

"This is noooo joooke!"

"If we continue taking these iron spears to our hull, then it's only a matter of time until we sink!"

"Here comes more!" Nami cried. "Aurora! Can't you do something?!"

"I can only make shields big enough to protect people, not ships!"

"Dammit!" Luffy cursed.

"…Hmph!" Zoro unsheathed a sword.

"Oraaaa!"

"Can't we do something about this?"

The iron spears struck, furthering damaging the Merry's hull.

"Do something, guys!" Nami ordered.

"Hey!" Chopper popped up from below deck. "I can't seal off any more holes!"

"We can just barely hold off one barrage from one side!"

"8 ships is just too many to handle!"

"We'd have the upper hand if this were hand-to-hand combat… but whether we try to escape or chase after them, they won't break their formation at all!"

"The Black Cage Force's Specialty: Black Spear Formation!" rang a familiar voice.

"It ain't a formation you little pirates can break out of! Haha!" another familiar voice laughed. "Take that, dumbasses!"

"What the…?" Aurora couldn't believe her eyes.

Luffy recognized one of the men. "Ahh! It's that hypnotist! Aren't you a pirate?!"

"Who's that guy on the left again…?" Sanji wondered, vaguely recognizing him.

"At last, we've crossed paths again!" Fullbody spoke. "This time, I'll send that violent cook and the rest of his crew to the bottom of the sea! I've powered up plenty!"

"Now look closely at this ring!" Jango was up to his old tricks. "I'll prove it to you today that I'm no weirdo! One…"

Suddenly, there was an explosion. One of the marine ships caved and crumbled, taking out the one just next to it.

Luffy gaped at their sniper, who stood next to a smoking cannon. "That was you, Usopp?! You're amazing!"

"Whoa…" he breathed. "Y-yes! It all went according to my calculations! That's what happens when you go up against me!"

"You're amazing, long-nose!"

Aurora peered into the distance. "There's an opening on the southern side of their formation, but…!"

"Mr. Bon Kurei, we've got trouble!" two of his crew members ran up. "It's the Black Cage!"

"WHAT?! GAH!"

"What's that?" Luffy was clueless.

"Black Cage Hina!" Mr. 2 cried. "She's the Marine HQ captain who patrols this area! This is reaaaal bad! Let's get outta here at once!"

"Yes, sir, Mr. 2 Bon Kurei!"

When the Straw Hats made no move, Mr. 2 began to fret. "What're you all doing?! We've gotta escaaaaaaape! If we aim for that opening to the South, we can get outta here with minimal casualties! Continue to sail like this and we'll be done in for sure!"

"Go if you want, but we're staying." Luffy told the okama.

"You're WHAAAT?!"

"Mr. Bon Kurei! Please hurry onboard! Let's escape by ourselves!"

"We have a promise to be at the Eastern port at noon!" Nami told him. "We've got no time to change directions."

"And we've never been ones to break a promise." Aurora said.

"This is ridiculous! Is there some treasure worth risking your lives over at that port?!" Mr. 2 turned his back on them. "Fine, go ahead and die if you want!"

"We're going… to pick up a friend."

The okama froze at Luffy's words. 'They're doing it… for the sake of a friend?!'

"Mr. Bon Kurei…?!" his crew became worried.

"…Running away here… is unbefitting of an okama!" he declared. "Could any of you find your meals palatable on the day after abandoning friends who risked their lives to see another friend?!"

The former Baroque Works member's crew gaped.

"Listen up you scallywags and the Straw Hat crew, and listen well!"


"Miss Hina! The enemies are heading in two different directions! The duck ship is sailing South!"

"The duck's the decoy, obviously."

"Ahh… NO!" the marines peered through their binoculars. "Straw Hat Crew spotted on the duck ship!"

"Ms. Hina! The decoy is the sheep!"

The marine captain looked through a pair of binoculars as well. Luffy's face came clearly into view upon the okama's ship. "After them at once! Set up the formation again!"

The ships sailed after the ship, leaving the Going Merry behind. Little did they know… they'd been tricked.

"3 minutes…!" Nami pulled out a pocket watch. "It's time to move! Full speed ahead!"

As the Merry was put into motion, the Straw Hat crew could only watch as the okama's ship was destroyed. He and his crew were willing to risk their lives… all because they saw the pirates as their friends.

"Bon-chan! We… we will never, ever, forget about you!"

And then there were flames.


"What're you all doing?! Our enemy's only one ship!"

"But ensign! They're too strong!"

"The cannons won't work either!"

"GET OUTTA OUR WAY!" Luffy yelled.

The Straw Hat pirates fought on, taking down marines as they went. Nothing was going to stop them from getting to the meeting point. Nothing was going to stop them from getting to Vivi. Amidst all the chaos, one voice rang out loud and clear.

"I went on a little adventure. It was a trip in search for despair across the dark gloomy seas… having left my home country, the sea I then saw before me was vast… it was hard to believe just how many strong islands there were out there. Plants and animals I had never seen… sights I'd never imagined in even my dreams. The music of the waves were quiet at times, gently washing away my trifling concerns. At other times, they were fierce, laughing to tear apart my timid feelings."

There was a pause.

"…And in the midst of a dark storm, I came across a single small ship. The ship pressed me onwards from behind and said, "Can't you see that light ahead?" The mysterious little ship that never lost its way in the darkness crossed over monstrous waves as if dancing. Never defying the sea, and yet the ship's bow always heading straight ahead… even through headwinds. And then it points a finger out. "Look. The light is right there." History may call this a myth, but to me it is the truth. And so-"


Eastern Port of Tamarisque…

"You heard the speech, didn't you? That was definitely Vivi's voice." Zoro remarked.

"It's broadcasted from the coming of age ceremony at Alubarna. It means she decided not to come…!"

"No, it only sounded like her voice!" Luffy didn't want to accept it.

"Let's go. It's past noon…"

"There's no way she won't come!" Luffy refused. "Let's get off the ship and look! She'll be there for sure!"

Aurora sighed. "Luffy, we don't have ti-"

"Guys, we've got trouble!" Usopp cut the angel off. "The marines are heading this way!"

"How many ships do they have?!"

"Let's go! Turn starboard!"

Sanji glanced at their captain. "Give it up, Luffy. Her case is different from the rest of us when we joined."

"She's the princess, the only heir and next ruler of this country. She can't just drop everything." Aurora gently reminded the boy. "I want her back as much as you do… but it's just not possible."

"EVERYONE!"

They all dropped what they were doing, the familiar voice a welcome surprise.

"VIVI?!"

"CARUE!"

The two were easily spotted on the shoreline. They waved enthusiastically at the crew.

"See! She DID come!" Luffy cheered.

"Vivi!" Nami breathed.

"Turn the ship around! Quick!"

"Vivi~!"

"The marines are already almost here!"

Vivi ceased her waving, forlorn smile adorning her features. "I've come… to say good-bye!"

"What…?!"

Aurora smiled sadly, realizing what choice the blue-haired girl had made.

The princess took the receiver from the den-den mushi perched atop Carue. "I… can't come with you! But I want to thank you for everything until now! I'd love to go on another adventure, but I can't…! Because you see… I LOVE MY COUNTRY TOO MUCH! THAT'S WHY I CAN'T COME!"

There was a brief pause before Luffy smiled, nodding in understanding. "Sure!"

"I… Although I'll remain here now… IF WE MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY… WILL YOU CALL ME YOUR FRIEND ONE MORE TIME?!"

"WE'LL ALWA-"

Nami slapped a hand over the boy's mouth. "Quiet! You can't reply!"

"She's right." Aurora agreed. "The marines are watching. If they find out about her connections to us, she'll be branded a criminal."

Realizing the severity of the situation, the crew turned their backs on the princess. Vivi sniffled and sobbed, thinking she'd just lost her friends. But what came next made the princess extremely happy. Everyone raised their left arm, X prominently on display for her to see. Vivi and Carue raised their left arms in response.

"From now on, no matter what happens, this mark on our arm… will be the mark of our friendship!"

"LET'S SET SAIL!"