Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece.
Vivi gave a loud, defeated sigh as she collapsed onto the couch. Nothing. It'd been over a month of searching and investigating, but still there was nothing. She and Igaram had gone through every file, every record, every old newspaper without finding even the slightest mention of Crocodile's background motives, and they somehow came up entirely empty handed. Crocodile was frustratingly well-versed in covering his tracks. There was no evidence she could use against him. To the world, he was the courageous, kind-hearted savior of Alabasta. She hated to give up—didn't want to fail her country—but she didn't have much of a choice.
There was nothing she could do.
She groaned and rubbed the palms of her hands into her eyes. She was exhausted. They'd stayed up into ungodly hours of the morning, every day, doing research since they began their project, and it was finally beginning to catch up with her.
Nami's concerned voice caught her attention. "Vivi, are you okay?" The woman's eyebrows were furrowed.
Vivi gave a weak smile. "I'm fine, Nami." No, she wasn't. "Just a little tired is all." She'd failed. "Nothing to worry about, but thank you."
Her friend looked doubtful and turned to the others for help. Luffy, Usopp, and Sanji were playing cards at the small coffee table nearby. Zoro laid on his back, resting, while Chopper sat on his chest to watch the card game, having already lost. They all looked up at the sound of Nami clearing her throat, Zoro peeking at her through one lazily open eye.
Usopp turned to Vivi and questioned, "Are you sure? You don't look too good."
Predictably, Chopper went over to her and frantically checked over her face. "Are you sick? Doctor! We need—!"
"Chopper, I'm okay. I don't—"
Immediately looking worried, Sanji interjected, "Do you need anything? Water? A snack? Medicine?" He stood. "I'll go ge—"
"No, Sanji," Vivi quickly assured. Really, her friends were too kind. "I'm fine, really."
They looked at her dubiously, but ultimately decided not to press the matter. Luffy, meanwhile, stared at her from under his hat. Vivi was a terrible liar, even he could see that. He scowled. Stupid Croc. It was all his fault. He was the one who made Vivi upset like that. Luffy wanted to send the bastard flying, but what could he—
His eyes widened, and he grinned.
He had some work to do.
"Pleaaaase, Robin?"
Luffy hung off of the woman's arm, looking at her pleadingly. His lips were formed into a childish pout, and Robin had to cover her mouth not to laugh at the sight.
A few minutes before, Luffy had come barging into her room while she was reading. He'd wasted no time, and immediately launched into telling her his plan and attempted to convince her to cooperate. She didn't think it was all too bad of an idea, actually. She was tired of working for Crocodile, and this would be an easy way out. However, there was still that niggling hesitation…
She had no doubt that the man would sell her out at the first chance, if only as a desperate bid to lessen his own charges. The people here wouldn't defend her; she had no delusions that they would. Robin noticed the looks they sent her—accusing, suspicious, and at best, completely disregarding. Luffy might put in a word in her favor, but she had difficulty believing it. Admittedly, the boy was kind and brutally honest, not seeming the type to betray her, but he could prove her wrong. He could turn his back on her. He could—
She took a deep breath. Luffy wouldn't forsake her. She had to believe that. She had to get past this disorder; she had to be stronger.
"Okay, Luffy."
A bright smile was sent her way, and she relaxed against her will. That grin was too open, too honest. He'd stay by her side. It'd be alright.
Crocodile leaned back in his chair with a satisfied grin. The large window in front of him overlooked Alubarna's central plaza—his central plaza, he reminded himself. It was all his. After years of plotting and preparing, the country of Alabasta had fallen into his hands. He observed the people bustling about below him. Fools, all of them. So disloyal. At the slightest hint that their king—who had never failed them before, never let them fall, always protecting—might not be as great as they'd thought, they turned their backs. They'd turned to Crocodile, never even considering that the rumors might be false. And when Crocodile's speeches added fuel to the flame…well, it all just went downhill from there. In his favor, of course.
He swirled the wine in his glass and toasted to an imaginary audience. "To King Crocodile!" He shouted gleefully. He had just taken a drink, when a quick timid knock came upon his door. He scowled. Idiots interrupting his celebration.
"Come in," he grumbled.
The city's postman stood in the door frame, looking at him nervously. Crocodile smirked. Despite their misplaced respect and awe for him, they were still afraid. Just as it should be.
"S-sir Crocodile. You have a letter."
This caught his attention. Crocodile, despite being in a third-world country, had more modern, technological ways of keeping in contact. No one sent him letters. No one expect Nico Robin.
"Give it to me," he quickly demanded.
After the fool had left, Crocodile opened the letter, expecting just another quick update on the princesses' movements, but was surprised to see something completely different. His eyes furrowed in confusion. What—
There was a sudden, loud pounding at his door. The wood cracked, and soon enough, the door had fallen. His office was swarmed with officers. He glowered at them, concealing any hint of surprise. "What do you think you're doing?" He asked calmly, although inside his thoughts were churning. There was no way he'd been discovered. It just wasn't possible. But the letter…
"Crocodile," one of them began. "You are under arrest for the murder of fourteen various citizens in your attempt to rise in power."
Shit. "You must be mistaken," he insisted. The soldiers all had their guns steadily trained on him. There was no escape.
The officer from before continued, glaring, "Don't play coy, Crocodile. We have the evidence right here." The man held up a clear bag containing his letters. The ones he'd given his subordinates. His eyes narrowed. He'd been betrayed. Nico Robin… The soldier continued, "You spread false rumors of King Cobra to plant doubt in the minds of the citizens. Despite the flaring skepticism, some still trusted the king, even going so far as to dig up some evidence against you. You couldn't have that, so you murdered them in cold blood." The man glowered at him. "We can't just let that slide by. In the name of justice, you are now stripped of your title as king, and will be put into custody."
Crocodile grinned sinisterly. He slid his hand to the drawer of his desk. "Well, you see officer…" He opened it silently. "I can't just come quietly." He pulled out a pistol and expertly pointed it at the man. Everyone instantly tensed, their grips tightening on their guns.
Before anyone could react, Crocodile pulled the trigger. The man fell. Chaos reigned.
The former king was soon riddled with bullets. He laid on the floor, blood pooling around him. He gave a strained, bloody chuckle, which soon turned into a full-blown laugh. The other occupants of the room looked at each other uneasily. Crocodile ignored them. Ironic, really, that the person he'd least expected to turn him in was his downfall in the end. It was actually rather funny.
The letter from before lay innocently upon his desk, almost mocking him. He snickered. I curse you, Nico Robin. He thought. And you, Monkey. Monkey D. Luffy…how unexpected. If anything, I thought it'd be your grandfather. Fucking crazy bloodline.
He gave one last shuddering breath…and was gone.
While the others went about picking up Crocodile, one soldier caught sight of the paper on the criminal's desk.
Hey, Crocy! The letter read. I've heard about the things you've been up to lately. They're not very nice. You made Vivi upset, too. I don't like that, so I did something about it! Once you're gone, she'll be happy again! Isn't that cool? Robin helped a lot. She's so smart! I don't know why you don't appreciate her more…I know you don't. Asshole. Anyway, hope you have a fun time in prison! I've heard it's fun. I met this guy on the street once who went to prison, and we talked a whole bunch. He was really interesting and cool! I wanted to try to go to jail and meet more of those cool people, but my brothers wouldn't let me! Can you believe that? So stingy.
-Monkey D. Luffy :D
Luffy held onto Vivi's sleeve, whining. "Do you have to leave?" He complained.
She laughed. "Yes, Luffy. My country needs me. Now that Crocodile's gone, I'm the princess again…soon-to-be queen." The teen huffed and she laughed again. Vivi ruffled his hair. She couldn't help it; he was just so much like a kid. The others snickered at Luffy's discomfort.
"Thank you, Luffy."
The boy looked at her. "For what?"
She smiled. "For everything." She turned to look at everyone as a whole. The group was all there. Zoro and Sanji arguing, Nami and Usopp grinning at her, Chopper trying to hold in tears at her departure—it all made her want to stay. But she couldn't. "Thank you all for being so kind to me. It's been a hard time…but you were all there for me." She bowed. "Thank you so much." Vivi straightened up, then whispered in Luffy's ear. "And tell Nico Robin thank you for helping as well."
Luffy's eyes widened. "Yes," Vivi confirmed. "I know what you two did. I heard you both talking over the newspaper a few days ago, when Crocodile's death was on the headlines. I can't really say this enough, but…thank you."
She turned and walked to the car waiting for her. Igaram sat in the driver's seat, waving cheerfully out the window. She stopped just before the vehicle, then spun to face the facility one more time. She grinned widely, and waved.
"Bye, Vivi!" Chopper shouted.
"You better come visit!" demanded Nami.
"Good-bye, everyone!" Vivi yelled back, smiling.
She got into the car, and as it started up and began to roll down the street, she looked happily at the institution that had been her home for the past few months. The sheep's head seemed to be smiling at her.
"Good-bye, Merry," she whispered.
Mmm…sorry this took so long. Last week was just so insane. And then I kind of hit a wall as to what to do with Crocodile. I don't plan ahead, people. I'm walking into this fic blind. Anyway, ta da! Crocodile's dead! Not really what Robin and Luffy planned, but hey, it works.
Like I mentioned last chapter, I'll be doing a 200 review special, so again, if you have any ideas, let me know. I've gotten some pretty good ones already. :)
To my guest reviewer, Bell, thank you! Don't worry about it, I'm just happy if you review at all. Good suggestion. I'll see what I can do. :)
Thank you all so much for the support! I love you guys, seriously.
-Spoons
P.S. Crocodile was an absolute bitch for me to write, don't know why. Can you tell? -_-