I'm updating! It's amazing! Actually, it's sooner than I thought. Anyway, because I'm updating for all you peoples, that means that you cough Zinfer cough have to update for your readers too. Just kidding! Thanks for all the great reviews! Now, on with the story!!!

Chapter 14

"What happened?" Crocodile asked in annoyance.

"T-T-That man that was with you...he was defeated by Roronoa Zoro!" the guard cried. He was shaking out of fear of Crocodile, not the fact that Mr.1 had been beaten. He was actually happy about that.

"And the princess and her father?" Crocodile asked.

"The...the princess...she got away sir. Cobra is still locked up." the guard replied, his knees beginning to buckle.

"And weren't you one of the guards that was supposed to be watching her?" Crocodile said calmly.

"Y-Y-Yes sir." the guard stuttered.

"Hmm..." Crocodile said thoughfully. He slowly stood up and walked towards the guard, whi immediately stepped back in fear. "Do you want to know what happens to those who dare fail me?" With that, Crocodile grabbed the man's throat and lifted him up until they were eye to eye. He then began to dry the guard out.

"Ahh!" the man screamed as he tried in vain to pull away.

Crocodile finally dropped the man, who by then was shriveled up. He walked out of the room leaving the shriveled up corpse behind him. "Looks like I have to do everything myself." Crocodile muttered as he left.

In Kelvin's Bedroom

Kelvin sat on his bed with his head in his hands. Ever since he had figured out what was going on, he was determined to save Vivi from the man that he had seen holding her captive earlier.

He had pumped enough information from the guards outside his door to figure out that the man's name was Crocodile and that he was currently holding Vivi and her father hostage.

"Darn it!" Kelvin thought angrily as he fiddled with his sword. "I need to get out of here! My wound is fine and Vivi is in trouble! I'll be fine. I'm going to escape!"

Kelvin stood up and grabbed his sword, his mind made up. He walked toward the doors and pushed them open.

"Good afternoon sir." one of the guards said cheerfully and Kelvin almost felt guilty for what he was about to do. The guard frowned as he saw Kelvin's sword. "I must appologize sir but-" The guard never got a chance to finish.

Kelvin held his sword up to the guards neck. The other guard drew his sword and attempted to disarm Kelvin. Instead, Kelvin leaped over the guards head and he hit his partner, who, then knocked out cold, slumped against the wall. Kelvin twirled around and held his sword up as the guard tried once again to attack.

"I'm sorry Kelvin." the guard said as he slashed with his sword.

Kelvin blocked it and then kicked the guard in the stomach. He went flying back into his uncoscious friend and they both fell to the floor, out cold.

"Idiots. I'm the only member of the royal guard who has not sworn my loyalties to the monster trying to overthrow our country. When this whole thing blows over, we're going to have some serious training sessions so you can protect Alabasta from monsters like this." Kelvin said to the two unconscious soldiers and then walked away without looking back. "Now, to find Vivi." he thought.

In the Palace's Guest Room

Vivi looked around the room and the group of people smiling up at her. "They're really going to risk their lives to save my country again." Vivi thought. She rubbed the spot on her left arm where the X used to be. "Nakama." she thought.

"So, Vivi-chan, when do we begin?" Sanji asked.

Vivi took a deep breath. This part was crucial. "All these events will have to happen with the right timing. Right now, I figure that the soldiers will be approaching Nanohana. If we want to prevent Alalbasta from becoming enemies with the World Government, we have to stop them. The only way to do that is to get my father to call the troops back. Sanji, you know what to do." Vivi said.

"Anything for you Vivi-chan!!!" Sanji cried excitedly with a heart in his eye. Whack. He hit the floor courtesy of Nami's fist.

Vivi suddenly wondered if this was such a good idea. "Umm...moving on..." Vivi said uncertainly.

"Nonsense!" Sanji cried, jumping to his feet. "I will carry out my mission! Only death will stand in my way!" Here, he layed his hand over his heart. Bonk. He hit the floor again.

"Idiot." Nami muttered.

"Like I said...moving on. Where's Karoo?" Vivi asked. In all the craziness of the last few days, she had forgotten about her faitful companion. "Sanji can't complete his job without him!"

"Don't worry Vivi. I'll find him once I'm done." Sanji said from the floor.

Vivi nodded. After all, Crocodile had most likely brought him to the palace. "Next up is Chopper and Usopp." Vivi said.

"Right!" the reindeer cried.

"We've got your back! After all, I'm a brave warrior." Usopp bragged.

"So cool!" Chopper said. You could practically see the stars dazelling in his eyes.

"Once your job is complete, our final step will be set in motion. That's when we all move out to take out the main target. Everyone ready?" Vivi asked.

They all nodded. Sanji stood up from the floor and headed toward the door. As he put his hand on the nob, they burst open, flinging Sanji backward. "What the...? Watch it crap jerk!" Sanji cried.

"Who are you?" asked the confused man infront of Sanji.

"I should be asking you the same question. You better not be here to hurt my Vivi-chan!" Sanji cried.

The last part seemed to anger the man. "Your Vivi-chan?!" he said angrily. "Who are you?!!"

"Shut up! We don't have time for this!" Nami said as she conked them on the head. Sanji once again fell to the floor along with the other, very surprised, man. "Go!" she screamed at Sanji.

He scrambled up and left the room.

Nami turned to the man who winced as his hand found the large knot her fist had created. "Now, who are you?!" she demanded.

"Calm down Nami-san." Vivi said. "This is Kelvin."

"Oh...oops." Nami said as she stepped back and sat down on her bed.

"So that's Kelvin." Zoro muttered as he noticed the sheathed sword at the man's side. He instinctively reached for Wado.

"Vivi-chan, what's going on? Who are these people and more importantly, that man that was flirting with you?" Kelvin asked uncertainly, watching Nami warily the whole time.

"These are...these are my nakama. They were the ones I was telling you about. The one's that defeated Crocodile before. They're here as guests to our wedding but...well, you know how that went." Vivi explained.

Kelvin nodded solemly.

"And that man was my husband. He's a bit of a...ladies man." Nami said.

"She's right. Just ignore him." Vivi added.

That's when Kelvin notice Luffy. His hand found it's way to the hilt of his sword.

Vivi saw what was happening and quickly decided to end it before it ever started. "It's okay." she said quietly. "Don't bother him. I know what he did but he's a good person. Honestly. It was my fault."

Kelvin still didn't seem very reasured, but he let go of his sword and didn't push the matter. Zoro did the same, although he was still warry of the new comer.

Vivi turned to face her friends. "Everyone, this is Kelvin. He's a member of the royal guard." she said.

Nami studied the man standing beside Vivi. "How could she choose this guy over Luffy?" Nami thought. She didn't say anything though.

The rest of the group studied him carefully. Now that they knew the truth about Luffy, they weren't sure what to make of the guy in front of them.

Vivi shifted uncomfortably in the awkward silence.

Nami noticed her discomfort and decided to suck it up and move things along. "Well, you already know my husband. I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Nami and I'm the best navigator in the whole Grand Line!" she said with a smile.

Vivi seemed to relax as the rest of the group politely introduced themselves.

Finally, they came to Chopper. The small reindeer slowly walked up to Kelvin and looked up at him. "My name's Chopper." he said.

Kelvin took a step back. His eyes were wide as he said, "Did that..."

"He." Vivi corrected. "Yes he talked."

"You think I'm a monster, don't you?" Chopper asked with a hurt expression. He sulked back to his spot on one of the beds and sat down next to Usopp.

"N-No." Kelvin studdered. "I...I didn't mean that! It just surprised me, that's all. It's nice to meet you."

Chopper smiled. "Nice to meet you too!" he said excitedly.

Kelvin nodded, not sure what else to say.

Vivi sat down and motioned for him to sit beside her. Then, she adressed the group, "Now, I guess the only thing we can do is wait for Sanji to be done."

Everyone sat in silence, waiting for the signal that would set their plan in motion.

Meanwhile

Sanji exited the room, rubbing the most recent knot Nami had given him. He wondered what he had done to deserve it and he wondered who that strange man was. Oh well. Vivi seemed to be okay with him and if she was okay, so was he.

He picked up his speed, knowing that time was not on his side. The Royal Guard was drawing closer to Nanohana with every second.

"Crap! Where's the King? How am I ever supposed to find him in this place?" Sanji thought angrily. He skidded to a halt when the corridor suddenly split.

"Crap!" Sanji muttered under his breath. Knowing that time was running out, he turned left, hoping it was the right choice.

He ran past what seemed like endless doors and smaller corridors. He came to a halt infront of two large, important looking doors.

"It's worth a try." he thought and walked in.

When his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he discovered that he was in some sort of bedroom. "Umm...hello?" he called to no one in particular.

"Over here!" he heard a voice call.

Sanji immediately relaxed. He knew that voice. "Your majesty, I've been looking for you." Sanji said. He walked over toward where he had heard the voice.

As he came around the bed, someone stepped out from behind it.

"And I've been looking for you too." they said.

A cold chill ran down Sanji's spine as he slowly turned around. He had heard that voice before. It could only be one person.

As he made the full turn, he realized his worst fear had come true. "Crocodile." he said.

Crocodile grinned in an evil and sickening way. He had Cobra beside him and had his hook to the King's throat. "Don't be fooled into thinking I didn't know about your little plan." he said.

"Stay calm!" Sanji thought. Then to Crocodile, "I thought we got rid of you."

"I'm not that easy to get rid of...Mr.Prince." Crocodile said confidently.

"How did he...?!!" Sanji thought in a panic.

As if he had read his thoughts, Crocodile replied, "I know all about the fromer Strawhat Crew. I know your bounties and the fights you have been in since we last met. I also know that this is where your little plan comes to an end." He let go of Cobra, who slumped to the floor, defeated, and then held his hook up to Sanji's throat. "You will come with me and you will make no noise. You will not alert the others and you will not stop the troops. If you even try and defy me, I will kill Cobra. Think about how the princess would feel about that. knowing you caused her fathers death." Crocodile hissed in Sanji's ear.

Sanji gulped. He couldn't help it. His situation had suddenly turned desperate.

"Go." Crocodile ordered. And with Crocodile in front with Cobra and Sanji behind him, the trio made their way out of the room and to who knew where. Only time would tell who would live, who would die, and what would become of Alabasta.

Well, that was longer then I thought it would be. And honestly, the last part of this chapter was an idea I came up with at the last minute but it made more sense then my original idea. So...I used it instead! Thanks for reading.