Girl Falls into One Piece

Chapter 28

The horribleness that is me, I didn't update this story for 5 months! The wait won't be that long, school, plus writers block for this equals disaster. Also I got into Fairy Tail again and Kill la Kill again. No reason for excuses, but thank you for waiting.

I walked out of the girl's cabin with a yawn. I blinked at Ace sitting at the Galley kitchen and then I remembered that he was here. I gave him a tired smile and he waved back with a grin of his own. I saw Nami and Vivi crowded around a map when I passed the kitchen on the deck. I said. "So, we're almost there?"

Name jumped slightly and Vivi jumped more than she did. Nami rolled her eyes; she was used to me appearing like that now. Vivi said. "Yes, by following the Sandora River, we should be at Erumalu soon." Vivi looked very relieved at this.

I stretched my arms. "That's good."

I walked off and stood near the figurehead and hung my arms on the railing. "Mace-darling?"

I turned around to see Sanji waving at me. "Food's ready."

I patted my stomach and nodded following him into the kitchen. Ace was still there along with Luffy and Usopp. I smirked at Usopp when I heard. "This is Riceball Captain Usopp!"

I sat down with a grin and grabbed a couple of rice balls for myself that were wrapped in seaweed. Pouring myself a little grog from a pitcher, I sat down next to Ace.

Luffy said with a rice ball man. "Hello! I'm Ricey! The Riceman!"

I snickered as I started eating. Sanji smashed them over the head with frying pans. I watched in amusement. Sanji snapped. "Stop playing with our food, you numbskulls! If you have free time, wash dishes!"

Ace nudged me. "I'm surprised you let him get hit, you mellowed out or something?"

I gave him a dull stare. "Sometimes he does deserve it. I realized that from when it was the two of us and you should talk about mellowing out. Since when are you polite?"

Sanji walked off a bit and forced them to do the dishes. I took a drink to wash down everything and finished my food.

Ace said. "Let me know if I can help."

Sanji smiled. "No, you're our guest. Sit back and relax. Thank you though."

I blinked at Ace and he smirked at me. I stood up and put my plate with the dirty ones and Luffy gave me a glare. I laughed and he splashed water at me. Annoyed, I grabbed the back of his head and shoved his head in the water with a cackle. I let go and grinned at his sputtering. I waved and walked out of the Galley.

I walked over to the middle of the deck and started training with my sword. I breathed deeply as I went through the exercise. It was almost therapeutic if you think about it, I do this so my fight style with be in grated in memory. I finished; my heart beating steady in my chest and around my ears.

Vivi wanted to stop and said they had to get off. I nodded and told them I would be in the girl's cabin. I walked inside and grabbed my log book. Grabbing the red ink, I opened to a new and crisp page, I grabbed a quill and dipped it in the ink, writing the date in the corner and starting from where I left off all the way to meeting Ace, our brother again.

'As the crew reached Nanohana (City in Alabasta), Luffy and I split up from the rest of the crew. I went to eat at a restaurant and when we met again with the crew, Luffy had marines on his tail and Smoker (a high ranking marine) chasing him. Portgas D. Ace showed up (who is our brother) and stalled him.'

Well, it was something like that. I closed the ink pot and cleaned off the quill till it was dry. I closed the book and opened the desk, sliding the book inside and closing the drawer. I stretched my back and after tapping the draw with my fingers once, I walked out of the girl's cabin and looked around, they were still down below.

I shrugged and leaned on the railing seeing the others below, but her duck Carue gone. I looked over on the other railing across from me and Ace and Zoro talking. I heard Ace say with a smirk. "Him trying to steal a kingom? That sounds like a joke. Cause why would a pirate drop anchor and settle down? Crocodile trying to usurp the throne of Alabasta doesn't make any sense."

I nodded my head in agreement, no pirate wants to stay stationary, well, except Arlong, but he was not really a pirate, just a really angry greedy tyrant. I was broken out of the throats by Luffy yelling. "Let's set sail!"

I looked up in surprise to see everyone here. Ace smirked at me, showing he knew I spaced out. I gave him a sneer; does he have to point it out? Usopp ran up from the latter and then pulled it up.

I walked over to Ace and Zoro. Zoro glanced at me, but then we looked at Ace when he walked a little bit and started talking. "They could be another side to this take over thing."

I raised an eyebrow. "Like an ulterior motive or something?"

Ace nodded, pointing at me and Zoro gave me a look, Ace said. "Like some sort of deeper goal or something."

He walked off and I shrugged. "Whatever motive he has, we still has to defeat him one way or another."

Zoro grunted, leaning on his arms. "Yeah, I agree."

Luffy was all over the place excited and I was getting a antsy myself. I thought to myself about Crocodile, even if a pirate would stay somewhere for a while, they wouldn't be able to settle down for the rest of their lives. Shanks is a good example, he liked hanging out with us and prolonged his stay, but he even knew it was time to go and I think he had information on when Grandpa was getting there.

Even if he was strong, I didn't know anyone that would want to deal with Grandpa that had a choice. I looked up to see Chopper and Luffy more excited than before and saw we were closing in on the shore. I grinned to myself and moved away from Zoro and crouched on the railing with a grin. "Finally we're here."

Ace chuckled from behind me. "Calm down, Mace. It's not like you could swim there."

I smirked at him over my shoulder. "Unlike you and Luffy, I'm not an anchor, I can swim if I want."

I grinned and he rolled his eyes and then narrowed them. "Ha ha, you're so funny."

I laughed, well until Nami snapped. "Mace! You're not swimming there. You'll wait like everyone else!"

I rolled my eyes at her. "Obviously, I was kidding."

Usopp shook his head. "Sure you were."

I rolled my eyes again and huffed, but said nothing else as we got closer. I looked back at the ocean and the land coming closer. Chopper asked. 'Wow, the desert! Do you know how hot it's supposed to get?"

"A hundred degrees in the daytime."

My eyes widened at Nami's answer. Me and Chopper yelled. "What?!"

I hated the heat, it wasn't that hot in my time or on Dawn Island, the hottest it got maybe the 80's or low 90's. So hearing 100 degrees as normal was rattling to me and Chopper had all that fur.

Chopper whined and I jumped slightly when I heard Sanji scream. "Ah! Nami!" He wailed about she was covering herself and I looked to see her in a white ankle length cloak. He wailed when he saw Vivi wearing a blue ankle length one, I chuckled. I was getting more used to his weird quirks by the days. I just not used to perverts. My brothers weren't going to perve or should I just say Ace and none of the bandits either, no matter I could easily kick all their asses without my sword.

Vivi told him. "Any exposed skin will get sunburned. You have to cover up in the desert." I blinked as a cloth was covering my vision. I flailed a bit and yelped when I fell on my rear. I ignored the chuckling from Zoro and laughter from Ace, Usopp and Luffy. I did go red in embarrassment as I took off what was covering me. It was a dark purple cloak with a hood, orange lining the sides.

I rolled my eyes at that. "I don't want it."

Nami said. "You'll wear it, I don't want to hear you complain when you burn up."

I scowled at her. "I won't complain!"

Ace sighed. "Mace; just put it on."

I frowned and touched the hilt of my sword. "But my sword-"

Zoro snorted. "I'm wearing one too, just put it on."

I let out a sigh of my own, but slipped it on over my shoulders, zipping it all the way up. Sanji moped on the floor and Vivi Luffy his own set. I fixed my hat firmer on my head and Zoro went to drop the anchor. I jumped back to my feet and brushed myself off. I walked back to the railing as we stopped and jumped down, stumbling a little as I landed in some sand, I never really walked on sand before, only at beaches.

I heard Nami and Usopp call after me, but everyone else left me alone, used to what I do by now. I heard screams of shock and I spun on my heels to see some kind of seal looking creatures.

Vivi yelled out. "Kung Fu Dugongs!"

I tilted my head to the side as the seals started moving and Chopper said. "If you want to come to shore first, you have to beat me first, you bunch of cowards!"

I raised a hand. 'I already made it to shore though."

They made some more sounds and Chopper. "That's because you cheater, you dirty trickster."

I glared. "Hey! Who the hell are you talkin' too?"

Usopp said he would handle it and jumped down and I grimaced as he was beat up. Vivi called. "They are still very strong!"

I snorted and marched forward, using my strength with my fists and feet along to take down 10 of them and saw that Luffy came down, beating some up too. Luffy grinned. "See, they're not so tough!"

I nodded, smirking. "Yeah, they're not as tough as they sound."

Vivi yelled. "But that's bad too!"

The ones I beat up suddenly jumped up and bowed to me with sparkling eyes. I blinked and backed up a step at the weird behavior. Vivi said. "It's one of their rules, if they lose a Kung Fu match; they become the winner's pupil."

I grinned at that and stood in front of my 'pupils'. "Cool, my own disciples."

Vivi yelled. "That is not cool at all! And Luffy! Don't defeat more of them!"

I laughed as Luffy has a bunch of them surrounding him; well also my 10 were facing me in a line. I got myself into a stance and decided to play along. "Alright! After me, right, left pivot and slashed down!"

I grinned widely as they all did as I ordered. "Come on, faster than that, like you done it all your life, come on down punch-no a little high, spin on your right foot and slash to your left with your right hand!"

Soon I stopped as did Luffy and I moved away, enough with the fun I had, we had to help Vivi now. I moved next to Luffy and laughed. "You still have people following you, Luffy."

Zoro's eyes widened at me. "So do you, Mace!"

I turned around and yes they were there, still as soldiers. I noticed the others came down from the ship.

Nami said. "You're not bringing them with us, you can't!"

"They're water creatures, they won't make it."

They snuggled up to Luffy and I laughed at him. Then they rubbing against me and I stopped. I looked one in the face and softened. Aw, they're so cute. I asked. "How about just one."

"Absolutely not, Mace!" I groaned at Nami's answer. She's such a kill joy sometimes. Nami and Vivi broke looking at them and started whispering away from us. I snorted and shook one off. Chopper went rummaging through ours bags and I stared at him curiously as he pulled out a stick of meat saying. "You can have this only if you stay here."

I chuckled as they left me and Luffy's sides to plow into Chopper. Huh, am I sure they are not related to Luffy, attacking someone for meat seems Luffy's style. We walked off and Luffy and Nami starting walking. I sighed and made sure my water skin was tied tightly enough. I knew what it was like to go thirsty in the heat and I didn't want to experience that again. I put my hands behind my head as I walked with Ace in the hot sun, watching Nami and Luffy in amusement.

Sanji snapped at Luffy and Ace said. "He's a handful."

I snorted, like he's any better. I grunted a little at Ace's elbow to my ribs, so he heard me then. We stopped and I looked to see what the problem was. It was an area in front of us covered by high sand with building overflowed over with more sand, to put it simple this place looked like a dead wasteland.

Sanji asked. "What's this?"

Luffy walked forward. "Are we in Yuba already?"

I shook my head. "No way is it that close."

Vivi then spoke, voice solemn. "No this place is Eramulu. It was known far and wide as the city of green."

I scratched the back of my neck. "It certainly ain't green no more."

Luffy asked, disbelievingly. "This city was green?"

"Take a good look around everyone; this is what Baroque Works has been doing to my country. The people of Alabasta, this is what they had to go through!"

I scowled as I looked around and muttered. "So, that's the situation here."

I rubbed a hand over my forehead, where swear was already collecting, under the brim of my hat. I didn't really think about Baroque Works was doing, only that whatever the Civil War was in Alabasta, it was hurting her and her country. As we walked through, the theory was right, I had no idea. This place was turning to a big wasteland the further we went.

The market we went to wasn't even close to what it was out here. The others were shocked as we went forwards, I could see in in their eyes and faces. Luffy said. "Wow! They're nothing here at all anymore."

I huffed as the sun beat down on my back. "Nope, not anymore at least."

Vivi nodded. "No, it's nothing but a ghost town now. But up to a few short years ago, it was a thriving city full of gardens, palm trees, lush greenery."

Some trees were standing, but mostly everything else was covered or demolished. I watched as Zoro kicked some wall and it cracked. He caught up, I was checking to make sure everyone was with us. Vivi said. "Water is always scarce here, but by using every last drop of water wisely, the city was able to flourish. Unfortunately, that stopped when the rain did. Not a single drop of water has fallen in any part of this country in over 3 years now."

My eyes widened in surprise. "That's a long drought." In the future there are some longer droughts like the ones in Africa and California, but still, Alabasta does not have the resources from where I come from. Sanji and Chopper were also in shock.

Zoro called as we stopped again. "But wait, even 3 years without rain still has the river as another water source."

I nodded in agreement as Usopp said. "Yeah and its close too, why couldn't they pipe the water from over there?"

Lake Okeechobee in Florida is the same way. Vivi said grimly. "The answer to that is just up ahead."

We followed her again as she gave a determined face and walked forward. Feeling the need to support my hurting friend, I just quietly offered my support, I moved until I was beside her, not saying anything. The others followed behind us.

Vivi looked at me and then continued speaking. "Even if it's a desert kingdom, 1,000's of years of Alabasta history rain has never stopped completely, never. There was one place in the country where the rain fell more than usual, much more in fact. Alabarba, the capital, the city where the King's palace is located. The people of the land call it the King's miracle. Well they did until one particular day."

Vivi explained what happened to Alabasta, that some sand called Dance Powder. I frowned as Nami asked. "Dance Powder?"

Luffy looked at her. "Huh? So you heard of it?"

I looked at her, not know what it was. "What is it?"

Nami said, looking ahead of us. "Yes, I sure have. It summons rain."

I raised an eyebrow. I knew I wasn't the best at Science from what I remember, but I do know what any kind of powder can't summon rain, only the clouds can do that. Chopper was confused too. "A powder can?"

Nami continued. "I only heard stories about it, but apparently Dance Powder was created by a researcher in a country where it never rained. Burning it creates a misty smoke which rises into the sky. Once it reaches the clouds, it starts to rain. It gives you the ability to create rain on the spot."

That's possible? Maybe this place is stranger that were I'm from after all, seriously a powder that causes rain, droughts would never be a problem. Luffy then said. "Oh, I know what you're talking about! I seen that stuff before, I ate some a while back, it tasted pretty gross though, yuck!"

My eyes widened. "Oh, so that's what you're talking about then." I remembered when he told Ace and me what he was doing while I ate at a restaurant.

Name rolled her eyes. "You ate Dance Powder?"

She walked past him and Zoro said. "That's not even food, it's for making rain."

I grinned as Luffy flailed, saying he wasn't lying. I smirked at that and started walking again, catching up with Vivi. I'm not good a dealing with crying and weeping emotions, but seeing this had to be a bit emotional for her; I wanted to help with what I could. Usopp and Nami were talking about the Dance Powder, but I looked at Vivi, she was being more quiet than usual.

I shoved my hands in my pockets, feeling my back twitch as the what bared down on us. God, it's hot!

I listened as Nami explained Dance Powder. "Listen, the mist from the Dance Powder targets small clouds that isn't ready to rain yet. Artificially matures them into full rain clouds. Those clouds would have naturally grown into rain clouds, but when they were further down wind."

So basically it takes all the rain, leaving the other area going try, causing a drought. Tough luck for that other country. I'm happy the U.S hasn't discovered Dance Power, wouldn't that cause a war. Nami then explained that because a war broke out (I so predicted that); The World Governemt banned it completely. One of their best decisions ever.

Vivi, after being forever silent spoke up. "The country when it happened has been experiencing strange weather. There had been no rain, not a single drop has fallen anywhere except one place. And that was the capital."

She explained that the Powder went to capital, stopping people from getting rain anywhere else. I frowned at that and looked at her. I really don't want to think that her dad did this, but with my experience with nobles…

Luffy shouted. "Vivi! Your dad is the bad guy here!"

I snorted as Sanji kicked him in the head. I turned to stare a Vivi and asked her. "So, what is it? What did your dad have to do with the Dance Powder?"

Nami snapped. "Don't be so judgmental!"

I ignored her and I knew Vivi could feel my gaze on her. I then blinked when Sanji explained (kicked) to Luffy that he was framed. I tilted my head to the side. "Really?"

Vivi allowed her hood to shade her face. "Of course, my father didn't have anything to do with it, he was innocent. Unfortantly, a large amount of Dance Powder was found inside his palace shortly there after."

I nodded my head, it certainly sounded like he was framed then or she didn't know about her father. I'm going for the first one; Vivi didn't seem like the stupid type. Zoro hummed. "They even had people working inside the palace."

I shifted from where we were walking, hating the sand that got in my boots. I whipped my face again, grimacing and rubbing my sweaty hand on my cloak. Sanji said. "So, what it this? A road?"

Vivi said. "No, this used to be a largw canal, that piped it water from the Sandora River, until someone destroyed it. Now do you see what happened?"

I took my hand off my head and ran hand through my disgustingly wet hair. I shook my head slightly as I watched with a big of horror as I looked at the large road like area that was something that was supposed to be water, yes definitely worse than I thought. I put my hat back on my head; let the brim shade my face.

"With the canal gone, the City of Green lost its only source of fresh water. The people here waited and prayed, but sadly rain never came."

I wetted my lips at the thought and took a small swig of water before closing the lid tightly and tying it back to my side.

Vivi said. "With no more water, fighting began to break out in Erumalu. To escape the violence the villagers did the only thing they could do, they left the city and left for other oasis in search of water. And then…" Vivi stopped moving which made all of us stop walking. "…the City of Green withered away."

That's tough, a lot of stuff happened here. The wind picked up and I pushed the brim of my hand closer to my eyes as sand flew around, this is another reason why I hate the desert. I snapped. "What the hell is going on?"

More sand hit us and Chopper asked. "Is it the rebels!?"

I shook my head. "No, it's not." People can't cause this.

Usopp thought it was Baroque Works. I put a hand on the hilt of my sword and looked around, ready for whatever was coming. Ace said. "No, it's just wind."

I looked back at him and Luffy said. "It sounds like a voice, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I hear it too." I did, it was almost like someone was moaning or something like that. Usopp was freaking out like usual.

Ace said. "It's just the wind, it's echoing around the town and old buildings."

Vivi cried out. "it's like the City of Erumalu is wailing over what happened to it!"

I'm sure that's not it! Nami cried out. "Watch out!"

My eyes widened at the tornado of sand coming toward us. "Shit!" I crouched a bit and covered my face; I shut my eyes to keep sand out of them. I opened them when the wind stopped and I stood up. I emptied my hat of sand and put it back on my head.

Usopp asked. "What's up with that freaky wind?!"

What was that, some kind of storm? Luffy then ran off and I sighed, running after him, the others behind me, talking about someone still here. I scowled at the skeleton skull buried in the sand. Vivi crouched and I sighed again, pulling my hat tighter on my head, scowling deeper.

Vivi said tearfully. "What did my father and these good people ever do… they don't deserve this. It's hard enough to live in the desert every day, it's a struggle just to survive, and somehow the people of Alabasta found a way to do it and led happy lives. But Crocodile destroyed those lives! What gives him the right to do that, what?! All the while, as One of the Seven Warlords he passes himself off as a hero of the people. Nobody knows what he's really doing! No one's realizes he's actually deceiving the entire country! Even as they cheer him on! I can't, I can't let him get away with this!"

I grimaced she started crying, this is what I was talking about before. Luffy got pissed and punched a temple in front of us and came back.

I crouched until I was level with Vivi. I smiled at her or at least tried too, if I wasn't so mad right now, it would have looked better. "Listen, I know we can't fix what was already done, but we're here to stop him okay? So you don't have to cry or anything like that." I looked her in the eyes seriously. "Because we will bring Crocodile down, no matter what it takes."

Ace smiled softly as he buried the skull and put a stick in it, straight up, making a make shift grave. He really did soften over the years. He only wore that expression on rare occasions, like worry or pride. Sanji, Usopp and Luffy came back to us, looking mad. Luffy said. "Vivi, let's get moving, K? I'm itching to do this."

Luffy turned away and I stood up. Nami said. "He's right, let's get to Yuba."

"That's where the Rebel Army is, right?"

Vivi nodded and I held out my hand, she grabbed it, allowing me to pull her back to her feet with ease. She told us she could persuade the Rebel leader. Zoro raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"I'll tell the Rebel Leader the truth, that all of this is Crocodile's doing and have him stop all this pointless bloodshed."

I nodded and the asked. "How do we know this leader will listen, you are the King's kid after all."

Her face was determined as she said. "He will, trust me on that."

I shrugged and walked with the others as we all started walking again. I was walking by Ace this time.

I lifted the brim of my hat as I looked up at the burning sky, we had to defeat Crocodile, and it wasn't even an option now.

We would do everything we could, if only because of Vivi.