I would like to start off by saying, sorry if this chapter's confusing. It switches view points alot. Other then that, well, all I can say is please R&R! Thanks!
Chapter 10
That afternoon, Cobra was sitting in his bedroom, thinking about all the events that had happened. Vivi was still gone. Luffy had disappeared. Something was up but he didn't know exactly what.
He let out a deep sigh. It bothered him not knowing what was going on.
There was a small noise outside his window at that time. He looked over in that direction but all he saw was the wind blowing the curtains. The doctor had said he needed fresh air and had opened them. Guards had been posted so he had nothing to worry about. Right?
Suddenly, he knew he was wrong. A little sand blew in through the window and then more and more. As it blew in, it began to take the form of a human.
"It...it can't be!!!" Cobra thought in alarm.
The sand finally stopped pouring in and it finally solidified. "Cobra, it's been awhile." Crocodile said.
"Crocodile!" Cobra said in shock.
"You remember me then." Crocodile said with a smirk that clearly stated who was in charge.
"How could I forget?" Cobra said dryly. "What do you want?"
"I just need your help with something. Come with me." Crocodile said.
"No! I don't know what you're trying to do but I won't help you! Kill me if you like but I'll never help a man like you!" Cobra cried defiently.
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure." Crocodile said. He walked over and pulled the curtain back.
Cobra gasped. Outside on the balcony stood a man, but that was't what made him gasped. The man was holding Vivi up over the courtyard. One of his hands covered her mouth so she couldn't scream but her fear was all to apparent in her eyes. They had taken her peacock strings so she had no way to protect herself.
"Vivi!" Cobra cried.
"Now, what is your answer?" Crocodile asked.
Cobra ground his teeth in frustration as he looked down at his bed. "If I don't go with him, he'll kill her. But, if I do go, it's untelling what he'll have me do." Cobra thought. He finally made up his mind. "I'll go." he said in a defeated tone.
"I thought you would see things my way. You wouldn't want your precious daughter dropped just like the two guards." Crocodile said. At this, Cobra's eyes widened but he didn't speak. Crocodile turned toward the balcony. "Bring her in Mr.1. We have work to finish."
Mr.1 nodded and brought Vivi inside and dropped her next to her father's bed. She gasped for air.
"Come." Crocodile said.
Cobra stood up on shaky legs and walked after Crocodile. Vivi stood up and followed, helping to support her father. Mr.1 walked close behind them and as they exited the room. When the guards tried to stop the small procession, Mr.1 threatened to kill the king and princess.
As they continued walking, Vivi and Cobra talked in hushed tones. "Father, what are we going to do?" Vivi whispered.
"I don't know Vivi. I'm in no shape to fight and I refuse to let you. Right now, let's just go along with them so no one gets hurt." Cobra replied.
Vivi nodded but her fear had only increased. If her father didn't know what to do, then who would?
As they passed Kelvin's room, a guard cried out and Crocodile grabbed his throat.
"You will keep quiet and know one will know of this." Crocodile said.
The guard fearfully nodded and Crocodile set him down. Unfortunately, Kelvin had heard the cry. He ran out into the hallway, sword drawn. That's when he noticed Vivi with Mr.1 holding his finger, which was a blade, to her neck.
"Let her go!" Kelvin cried. Despite his previous injury, he charged at Crocodile and Mr.1, intending to take them head on.
"Kelvin!!! Stop!!!" Vivi screamed.
Reluctantly, he did so. "But Vivi, why?" Kelvin asked, hurt.
"I don't want anyone else to get hurt!" she cried. "Like Luffy." she thought to herself and immediately felt hot tears. She pushed the thought away quickly. "Please, please. I don't want anyone else to die!"
"You heard her. Just go back in the room." Crocodile said.
Kelvin looked painfully at Vivi but then reluctantly did as she asked.
They continued their journy until they reached a flight of stairs. Crocodile turned to face them. "There are many people crowding the streets of Alubarna, ready for the princess's wedding. I am going to announce that I am holding the both of you hostage. Cobra, you will command them to obey my wishes. Once the marines know I am here, they will come after me. That's when you will command the Royal Guard to fight them. Got that?"
Cobra nodded and Vivi timidly agreed. They made their way up the steps and arrived in the upper courtyard. They walked over to the wall surronding it and Mr.1 produced a Den Den Mushi from his pants pocket and handed it to Crocodile. Meanwhile, he still held Vivi tight while Crocodile took the King and stepped forward.
"Citizens of Alalbasta, your King has returned." Crocodile said. The many people flooding the streets turned their heads toward Crocodile in curiosity.
As some of the people recognized him, there were gasps and cries of, "Sir Crocodile?!" and, "I thought he had been captured!"
Crocodile smirked as he saw the panic begin to spread. "I have Cobra and the princess so do not try and stop me." He looked at Cobra as if to say, "Now."
"All of you, listen to what he has to say! I don't want anyone getting hurt!!!" Cobra cried into the Den Den Mushi.
"You heard him. You must do as I say. If not...well..." Crocodile said as he motioned to Mr.1 to bring Vivi forward. Crocodile forced her onto the wall before him. "She will be the first to go."
The crowd gasped in alarm. Vivi was afraid they would try to storm the palace and be killed. "PLEASE!!!! LISTEN TO MY FATHER!!!!! NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO GET HURT!!!!!! WE'LL BE FINE!!!!!!!" she called out to them. This seemed to comfort them a slightly.
"For now, you may go on your way. I'll send you further instructions later." Crocodile said and then disappeared with Vivi and Cobra back inside the palace, leaving behind a crowd full of questions.
At the Nanohana Harbor
A smaller ship was currently being moored at the docks. It was around 3:00 p.m. A woman jumped down beside the man who was tying it up.
"Are you done yet?" she asked impatiently.
"Almost my sweet!" the man replied with a heart in his eye.
Flashback
Two days after Luffy's departure from Baratie, Nami had received the daily paper. The headline had been about Vivi's wedding with a man named Kelvin. Concerned, she had discussed it with Sanji that night and they had decided to travel to Alabasta to see what was up, and to see Vivi.
They had left Nathan in the care of the other chefs and set off.
Present
Now, here they were in Nanohana after 8 years. Sanji finally finished tying up the ship and they left.
"Wow, this place sure has grown." Nami remarked as they strolled through the town.
"It has." Sanji agreed as he glanced around.
Suddenly, a man ran smack into Sanji. Nami gasped as they fell to the ground.
Sanji stood up and dusted himself off. "Watch where you're going crap jerk." he said as he glared at the man on the ground.
"It's good to see you two Ero Cook." the man said as he stood to his feet and smirked at Sanji's bewildered expression.
"Marimo?!" Sanji gasped.
"Zoro? Why are you here?" Nami asked. She was just as surprised as Sanji.
"The same reason you are." Zoro said with a shrug.
"To see Vivi?" Nami asked, confused.
"If you mean to see her wedding, then yeah. She sent me the invitation by that bird guy Pell. But the thing is, when I run into the city, I always end up back at the docks." he replied.
Nami shook her head at his last remark. Then she adressed the first part. "You got an invitation? We came here because...well, it's complicated. Let's just say that someone else besides that Kelvin guy wants to marry Vivi." Nami said. "And another thing, didn't you see what other ship was docked in the harbor? It was Thousand Sunny. That means that Luffy's already here." The last part she said to Sanji.
"We better find him. It's untelling what he's done." Sanji said.
"Follow us Zoro. We'll explain everything on the way. I have a feeling we need to go to Alubarna." Nami said. Zoro and Sanji nodded in agreement. It was probably the only thing they had ever agreed on.
The small group rented three horses for quick travel and set off. With Nami navigating, they would be there by nightfall.
To all you Zoro fans out there, I finally added him in. And if you are a fan of someone not in this story, never fear! I'm going to try and work the rest of the crew into this story. But for now...see ya!
