Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. Stupid school! Well, this chapter has a little OOC in it. There really was no way to write it. It's interesting who it's about though.
Chapter 5
"Surprised?" the man asked Luffy.
Luffy's reply was his mouth falling to the ground. "Crocodile. What are you doing here?" he finally managed to ask.
Crocodile grinned but it was a cruel and sickening grin. "I came to get what I wanted. This country and one of the ancient weapons." he replied calmly.
"But...but how?" Luffy sputtered.
"Simple. I am a master of my devil fruit. It was easy to escape those stupid marines. It just took me awhile to find the right partner." he explained. That cruel grin had never left his face as they talked.
"You won't get this country or the weapon. I won't let you!" Luffy growled.
The grin on Crocodile's face disappeared. "Oh, trust me. I will get what I want this time. I know all about you and your devils fruit. I could kill you here and now. Think about it. The Pirate King, found dead in the streets of Alubarna." he said coldly.
"Look, I didn't come to Alabasta looking for trouble. I came here to find somebody." Luffy said, trying to avoid fighting in the middle of the streets. This was Vivi's home. She had worked hard to help rebuild it after the war and Luffy wouldn't be the one to destroy it.
"Hmm...so he's not here because of me." Crocodile thought.
"Okay, I won't cause you any problems, but you better leave Alabasta and never come back. I kicked your butt one time and I don't care to do it again." Luffy threatened. He turned to walk off.
"You underestimate me Strawhat. Or is it that you are unwilling to fight?" Crocodile said to Luffy's turned back.
Luffy froze and slowly turned around. "I'm not underestimating you. And I'm avoiding a fight because it is unnecessary. You should leave because there is nothing here. The weapon plans you are looking for were burned up at Enies Lobby by a friend of mine. There's nothing here so just go! I am the Pirate King and I order you to get out!!!" Luffy yelled.
Crocodile smirked. "Pirate King. That means nothing to me. I am neither a pirate nor a marine. I am a revolutionary. Much like your father." Crocodile said.
"What?!! How did you know about my father?!!!" Luffy cried.
"Monkey D. Dragon. He's quite popular with the marines. I ran into him once. A long time ago. But that's not the point. The point is that me and him aren't so different." Crocodile said.
"Shut up!!!! My father is nothing like you!!!!!" Luffy yelled as he ran at Crocodile with his fist raised. Luffy had met his father once and he was nothing like the monster standing in front of him.
"You'll never learn." Crocodile muttered as he turned to sand and appeared behind Luffy. He didn't attempt to strike him though. He sensed that there was something different about Luffy. He seemed older, like something had happened that had shown him life wasn't all fun and games.
Luffy turned to face Crocodile. His breathing was heavy and his hat shadowed his eyes in the moonlight.
"Somethings different about you." Crocodile said. He was now more curious then anything. Perhaps the boy could serve some purpose.
"I am different. I'm different because I'll never let someone like you beat me ever again!" Luffy cried.
Suddenly, Crocodile disappeared and appeared in front of Luffy. He grabbed him by the throat and lifted him up until he looked him eye to eye. There was no mistaking it now. Something had happened that had taught this boy a hard lesson. Those eyes weren't so shiny and full of life as they had been. Now they reflected loss and sadness.
"Why are you here alone?" Crocodile asked.
Luffy sighed. "I didn't have anyone to come with me. My crew left me a long time ago." Luffy said quietly. The hurt was all to apparent in his voice. He couldn't hide it. He refused to look Crocodile in the eye when he said this.
Crocodile dropped him on the ground where he sank to his knees without looking up. "Life has been hard on you." Crocodile said quietly, almost to himself. There was almost a trace of sympathy in his voice. But of course, that was expected. After all, Crocodile knew what loss and hurt could do to you. He himself had once had a dream that he had lost. Now all he wanted was power. Maybe this boy could be useful.
Luffy didn't speak.
"I'll make you an offer Strawhat. Come work for me." Crocodile said. "Get back at those who have done you wrong."
Luffy looked up. "Cobra." he thought to himself. Then he stood up and gazed steadily at Crocodile. A man who he had once hated but now, strangely, he considered his offer. But he had to be cautious. "Why would you think anyone has done me wrong?" Luffy asked cautiously.
"I know these things so you might as well explain." Crocodile said.
Luffy gave a deep sigh. "Nefertari Cobra." he muttered.
"Ah, the king." Crocodile said. "Hmm...if have the kid kill the king, then my job will be easier." Crocodile thought. Then to Luffy, "I'll give you until tomorrow to think about my offer. Meet me at the western side of the palace at noon." With that, he turned to sand and was gone.
Luffy stared at the spot where Crocodile had been standing and thought of the converstion. Should he team up with him? It could be his opportunity to do something about Vivi or it could be his downfall. Was it worth it? That was the question.
Meanwhile at the Palace
Vivi pulled on one of her old cloaks. It was the purple one she had worn when she had traveled with the strawhats. She took one last look around her room and then picked up her bag. She opened the window and threw down a rope. She pulled the hood dow over her face and then slipped out the window. Karoo was waiting for her in the courtyard.
"Something is up in this country and I'm going to find out what it is. The guard was murdered because he saw something he wasn't supposed to. I'm sure of it." she thought as she rode through the courtyard, out the palace gate, and then out into the streets of Alubarna.
So, as you know by now, the OOC was Crocodile. It was intersting to explore another side of him and I kind of had fun doing it. It came from the idea that Crocodile's dream used to be that he wanted to be the Pirate King and then the Grand Line changed him. So he sort of knows what Luffy is going through even if he doesn't know the whole story. I was exploring a more human side and it was kind of fun to write and that's sort of creepy. Oh well!
