Mario and Luigi's Multiversal Adventure Pirate Saga

by The Crimson Yinglet

Mario and Luigi are on a multiversal adventure to find the missing power stars. Will their actions have dramatic changes to these worlds and will it have unforeseen consequences. Only time will tell.

22. Chapter 22

Disclaimer I do not own the rights to Mario characters or One Piece characters

Chapter 22: Battle For Alabasta Part 1

Team Edge

The battle against the Lava Queen and her minions begins with Edge taking on the Lava Queen herself. The Lava Queen was evading Edge's attacks until she leaped into the air. Once above Edge, she dove down with her fist. Edge rolled out of the way as the Lava Queen landed and left a giant crater.

"Not bad, but dodge this!"

The Lava Queen's breastplate opened up, revealing two small miniguns. She fired a stream of bullets at Edge, but Edge was able to block the attack with her sword.

"Is that it? Then this will be easy."

When the Lava Queen stopped to reload, Edge threw the blade at her. The large sword spun like a buzzsaw toward the Lava Queen. But the Lava Queen just smiled as she jumped over and kicked off the blade. Edge scowled as she caught her returning blade and the Lava Queen landed smugly.

"Easy? As if. I've learned a few new tricks since I fought Mario and his friends. Observe."

The Lava Queen cupped her hands together and an orb of lava formed in her hands. She then chucked it at Edge. Edge was able to avoid the lava orb, but it exploded when it hit a wall behind her. Edge was launched forward by the force of the attack and had to stick her sword into the ground to stop herself.

"Nice trick, but it won't be enough to beat me."

"We'll see, spark hunter."

Edge and the Lava Queen began to clash with each other again. Meanwhile, Smoker was dealing with Bwario and Bwaluigi. He would usually rely on his devil fruit's natural ability to avoid damage, but their Darkmess-infused weapons ignored its passive intangibility. He was using his ability to fly to avoid their close-quarter attacks, but if he got too far away they would switch to ranged attacks. Bwaluigi's giant pipe would turn into a Gatling gun and Bwario's smaller pipe was a missile launcher. Bwaluigi would chase Smoker down with a stream of bullets while Bwario would aim where he was going. Smoker was caught by one of the missiles explosions and was forced onto the ground.

"Ha! If you're one the best the Marines have to offer, then Cursa has nothing to worry about. Once Mario and his friends are out of the way, this world is doomed."

Bwario mocked.

"Don't underestimate the marines you mutated rabbit freak! There are others stronger than me that you have no chance of beating, but that doesn't matter because I'm taking you down!"

Smoker rebutted. Bwario and Bwaluigi just laughed at him. Smoker gritted his teeth in anger when his spark, Ethering, spoke up.

"Hey, use my power."

Smoker nodded and focused on the spark. He began to glow and rushed at the Rabbids.

"What an idiot."

Bwario said as he and Bwaluigi aimed at Smoker. They fired and Smoker was engulfed in a fiery explosion. Bwario and Bwaluigi were laughing in triumph when Smoker appeared from the smoke and grabbed the two by their faces. He then slammed their heads together. While they were disoriented, he pulled out his jitte. The tip of it was made of sea-stone making it a great weapon against devil fruit users, but even when up against non-devil fruit users it proved an effective blunt weapon. He began to strike Bwario and Bwaluigi with his weapon, causing them great pain.

"Why you, eat this!"

Bwario said as he swung his pipe at Smoker's head. But it went through him as if he was a ghost.

"What the?"

Bwario said when Smoker slammed the jitte on top of his head. Bwario held the top of his head in pain while Bwaluigi swung his large pipe at Smoker, but it also went through Smoker. Smoker then hit Bwaluigi across his face with the jitte. That's when Smoker began to flicker and he felt the spark power begin to leave him. He flew back to put distance between him and the two rabbids. His glow disappeared and Ethering flew out exhausted.

"Okay... that's all... I... got... for now. Just... give me... a few... minutes... of rest."

Ethering said between breaths.

"Right, thanks for the help, I should be able to handle it from here."

Smoker said as Ethering flew into his coat to rest. Bwario and Bwaluigi just glared at him while they rubbed the sore parts of their bodies.

"Why you, when we're done with ya, they'll be able to bury you inside a thimble! Let's get him, bro!"

Bwario yelled, receiving a grunt of agreement from Bwaluigi. Bwaluigi rushed forward to crush Smoker while Bwario aimed his pipe to shoot when he could. Smoker saw this and prepared to face off with the huge rabbid. Bwaluigi was swinging around his giant pipe, trying to hit Smoker, but Smoker was using his improved mobility to evade the attacks. As he did this, he noticed that Bwario was aiming at him, waiting for him to stop moving. That's when Smoker got an idea.

"Is that it, you oversized buffoon? I guess you are as dumb as you are ugly."

Smoker taunted, it worked as Bwaluigi rushed forward in a fit of rage. Smoker stood still, waiting for Bwaluigi and the perfect moment to dodge. And that moment presented itself when Bwario fired a rocket from his pipe. Smoker waited until Bwaluigi was about to hit him, and then dodged, causing the rocket to hit Bwaluigi.

"Oh no! You alright bro?"

"You wide open!"

Smoker shouted as he grabbed Bwario's head and slammed him into the ground. Bwario was struggling to escape when Bwaluigi rushed forward to free his brother. Smoker saw this and threw Bwario at him. Bwario hits Bwaluigi and both are knocked down. Bwario got up, frustrated that he and his brother were being beaten by Smoker.

"Grrrr... That's it! You're going down for making fools out of us!"

Bwario yelled, but Smoker was unamused by his ranting.

"Don't get angry at me that you two are idiots. Don't need to make you look like fools when you do that yourself."

"Why you... Hey bro, let's end his game already."

Bwaluigi got up and rushed toward Smoker while Bwario got his weapon ready again. Smoker groaned in frustration. They were idiots, but they were tough idiots.

"This is going to take a while."

Smoker said to himself in annoyance.

With Zoro, he unsheathed two of his swords and began clashing blades with the now Darkmess-corrupted Tashigi.

"What the hell!?"

Zoro said to himself in surprise as he was on the defensive. Tashigi was now stronger than before and was showing more skill and focus. She was more aggressive and was fighting with the intent to kill.

"That Darkmess has changed her into a more dangerous foe. Then I should start getting serious."

Zoro said with a smirk. He pushed Tashigi back and pulled out his third sword.

"Let's take this fight up a notch."

"Should I help?"

Exosphere said as he flew up to Zoro.

"Not yet. Let me see how she fares when I get serious first."

Zoro answered. He then charged Tashigi and the two clashed blades once again. As the two were fighting, Zoro couldn't help but notice how strong Tashigi was now. Even when he was trying, she was still keeping up with him. But still, nothing he couldn't handle. Zoro parried one of her attacks and knocked her down. He pressed his advantage, hoping to cut her and free her of the Darkmess with his spark blades. But as she turned, her breastplate opened jp, revealing two small mini-guns. Zoro was stunned by this and was forced to evade the stream of bullets sent his way. He took cover behind a wall and turned to Edge.

"What the hell was that!?"

"What?"

Edge asked in confusion, the Lava Queen also stopping wondering what he was talking about.

"Her armor, why does her breastplate have two guns in it?"

"Oh, it's the standard for my valkyries. Pretty neat huh?"

The Lava Queen answered with pride.

"It's not neat! It's weird! Why would you make a weapon like that!?"

Zoro exclaimed. The Lava Queen just looked at him with annoyance.

"It worked, right? It forced you to back off."

"Yeah, but still, it's just weird."

"Really? Or are you just jealous that you can't pull off something like that?"

"I'm not jealous!"

"Sure, whatever you say."

The Lava Queen just waved him off, making Zoro even angrier.

"Gah! I can't believe this crap. Stupid bra guns, so friggin' weird."

Zoro grumbled to himself. That's when the Lava Queen smirked.

"By the way, that's not the only new attack she has. Show them what I taught you, my dear."

Tashigi nodded at the Lava Queen and raised her fist. It was coated with flaming Darkmess and she punched the ground. A column of lava spikes rushed to Zoro, forcing him to evade.

"What the hell?"

"Ha! One of my techniques, they don't call me the Lava Queen for nothing. Now then, where were we?"

The Lava Queen then turned back to Edge.

"I was just about to kick your butt."

"You wish!"

The two then resumed their fight while Zoro faced off with Tashigi.

"Damn, stronger swordsmanship, weird weapons, and new techniques. She's become a real threat, but it doesn't matter, I will still win. I have to if I want to reach my goal."

Zoro remembered his fight with Mihawk and the promise he made to Luffy that day. He then took off the bandana on his arm and wrapped it on his head.

"So bring it on! You're just another stepping stone on my path to achieving my dream."

Tashigi scowled at this and prepared to end Zoro. Zoro just smirked as he got ready to continue their fight.

Team Vivi

Vivi, Rabbid Mario, and Rabbid Luigi began their fight with King Cobra and his two guards who were all corrupted by Darkmess. Rabbid Mario engaged with Chaka who was in his hybrid zoan form. Chaka tried to use his larger size to overpower Rabbid Mario, but Rabbid Mario proved to be too strong. He was beating Chaka with a combo of punches before sending him flying with an uppercut. Chaka skidded on the ground before he stopped himself with his sword and got up, glaring at Rabbid Mario.

"Come on, is that all you got?"

Rabbid Mario taunted.

"Please don't hurt him. He's being forced to do this."

Vivi pleaded with Rabbid Mario.

"Don't-a worry, princess. Once he's freed of Darkmess he won't even remember the beating I gave him."

"Still, be careful."

Vivi said before turning back to her opponent, her father. Cobra rushed forward and swung his sword at Vivi. Vivi was evading each swing while backing up. She was soon backed into a wall and Cobra performed a downward swing. Vivi moved to the side to evade the attack and Cobra's sword got stuck into the wall. Vivi began to spin her bworbs and swung them at Cobra. Cobra was knocked down and appeared to be hurt.

"Vivi, how could you? My daughter."

Cobra groaned.

"Father? Are you free? I didn't mean to..."

Vivi went to check on him, but when she was close enough, Cobra turned and tried to decapitate her while her guard was down. Vivi was barely able to evade the attack.

"Don't be fooled, princess."

Rabbid Luigi said while dodging Pell's aerial attacks.

"While under Cursa's control, they will try anything to get an advantage. Even using your morals or emotional bonds against you."

Vivi was angered by this and prepped her Bworbs for battle.

"I'm sorry, Father, but I will free you and Alabasta no matter what!"

Vivi rushed forward, ready to free her father from Cursa's control. Meanwhile, Rabbid Luigi was evading Pell's aerial assault with his dance moves. He sent his discruptor at Pell, but Pell evaded the attack and swooped down with his blade. However, the discruptor came back and struck Pell on the back of his head, causing him to crash while Rabbid Luigi caught his weapon.

"Ha! How'd you like that birdman?"

Pell got up and glared at Rabbid Luigi. He then rushed forward and tried to cut down Rabbid Luigi, but Rabbid Luigi kept on dodging with his dance moves. When he evaded one of Pell's attacks, he threw his discruptor at Pell. Pell ducked under the attack, but the discruptor bounced off a wall and back into Pell. The discruptor bounced off Pell and off another wall back into Pell. Pell tried to guard as the discruptor continuously struck him while bouncing off the wall before returning Rabbid Luigi.

"Had enough, or are you ready for round two?"

Rabbid Luigi asked as Pell just glared at him.

Team Luigi

Luigi, Chopper, and Usopp were staring down the Darkmess-infused Mister Four and Miss Merry Christmas. Miss Merry Christmas dug into the ground causing the three heroes to raise their guard. That's when Mister Four's dog shot three Darkmess-covered baseballs at them.

"Huh? Did that dog just cough up baseballs?"

"It-a doesn't matter. They're Darkmess infused, so don't-a get hit by them."

Luigi said to Usopp. That's when Chopper smelled something off about those baseballs.

"No wait, there's something else. I smell gunpowder in them."

Before Luigi and Usopp could inquire about what Chopper meant the three baseballs exploded in front of them. The blast was powerful, but they were too far for it to hit them.

"What was that for? A warning shot?"

Usopp asked, but as the dust cleared he noticed something. The three were now surrounded by Darkmess.

"What the hell!? When did this happen?"

"It was from those bombs. When they exploded they spread the Darkmess all around us."

Luigi explained.

"Gah! Does that mean we're trapped?"

"No, Usopp, the sparks will protect us from the corrupting effects of the Darkmess."

"Oh, thank goodness."

Usopp and Chopper breathed a sigh of relief when Luigi said that, but Mister Four just started laughing, very slowly.

"Ha... ha... ha... ha..."

"Um, what's he doing?"

"I think he's laughing."

"Does he do everything slowly?"

While Luigi, Usopp, and Chopper were confused by Mister Four's actions, something was approaching them. Luckily Luigi noticed this.

"Huh, guys, look out!"

Luigi warned as something came from the ground and leaped at them. Usopp and Chopper were able to dodge thanks to Luigi's warning. But they discovered that landing and standing were difficult thanks to the Darkmess.

"Damn it, walking in this stuff is like walking in oil and gum at the same time."

Usopp said as he tried to stand. The Darkmess was making him slip but also getting his feet stuck in it.

"Now I got you, you long-nosed brat!"

Miss Merry Christmas charged toward Usopp. Usopp desperately tried to run, but he was stuck.

"Usopp!"

Chopper tried to go and help, but he too was stuck. Luigi aimed for Miss Merry Christmas to save Usopp, but had to shoot down a Darkmess bomb sent by Mister Four. Usopp's situation seemed to be hopeless, but that's when he got a determined look in his eye.

"Fine then, let's go mole lady!"

Usopp pulled out his spark weapon, a giant slingshot, and aimed at Miss Merry Christmas. He fired his shot, but it lobbed and was above her.

"What the heck was that? Can't you even aim properly you stupid boy?"

Miss Merry Christmas mocked, but Usopp just smirked.

*BOOM!*

"What the?"

Usopp's bullet exploded, sending out smaller bullets scattering around Miss Merry Christmas. She dove back into the ground to avoid the attack. Each bullet caused a small explosion and destroyed the Darkmess surrounding the three heroes.

"How was that?"

Usopp asked as Miss Merry Christmas surfaced next to Mister Four.

"You damn brat! What was that?"

"My new technique, Spark Scatter Shot."

Usopp answered. Back on the ship, when Beep-o was explaining that the weapon used the energy harness from the sparks as bullets, Usopp came up with this attack. He would charge the energy within the slingshot and the giant bullet would explode into smaller bullets when it was far enough away. The drawback was that he would have to wait for the slingshot to charge up enough energy for him to do that again.

"Damn brats, we can't underestimate them anymore. Let's go with our standard attack strategy."

"Oooookaaaaaayyyy..."

Mister Four answered. Miss Merry Christmas dug into the ground while he and his dog sent a volley of bombs at our heroes. Usopp and Luigi started to shoot them down while Chopper stood behind them. The two snipers managed to shoot down all the bombs without a single one getting close to them.

"Ha! How'd you like that you Darkmess creeps?"

Usopp said in triumph, but when the smoke cleared, Mister Four and his dog were gone.

"Huh? Um, where'd they go?"

Usopp asked in fear. Luigi and Chopper were also wondering where they went. That's when Mister Four's dog popped out of a hole in the ground.

"There! It's his dog!"

Usopp said pointing at the dog. The dog then coughed up a bomb at the trio. Luigi and Usopp prepared to shoot it down, but.

"Oh no you don't!"

Miss Merry Christmas shot out of the ground and at them with her claws out. Luigi and Usopp managed to dodge her attack, but they also had to dodge the bomb. The trio managed to avoid the bomb, but then Mister Four came out and batted the bomb at Usopp.

"Usopp!"

Usopp saw the bomb flying towards him, but all he could do was watch as he was still in the air from jumping out of the way the first time. That's when his spark, Screech, flew in front of him and let loose a powerful yell. The force of which blew away the bomb and any remaining Darkmess around him.

"Whoa, thanks, little guy."

"No... problem..."

"What's wrong?"

"The sparks' abilities require a lot of energy, Usopp. They need to rest after using it."

Luigi explained.

"Right, now, how are we going to fight these guys?"

Usopp asked as the Baroque agents had already dove back into the ground.

"Yeah, they can attack us while retreating into the ground. How do we fight that?"

Chopper asked. Luigi pondered on this, as it was quite the predicament they were in.

"Okie dokie, we simply wait for them to attack."

"What!?"

Usopp and Chopper said in shock at Luigi's plan.

"Yep, they have to come out to attack and that will be our chance. So, Usopp, as the two snipers of the team we will have to wait for the right time to shoot them. Think you can manage that?"

"Who do you think you're talking to? I, the Great Usopp, was able to shoot down two hundred marines who had their guns aimed at me before they managed to fire off a single shot."

Usopp boasted. Luigi just smiled at his confidence while Chopper was awestruck.

"Really? Can you tell me more about it?"

Chopper asked.

"Sure, after we get out of this situation."

"Good, now Chopper, you'll have to protect us from that mole woman so we can focus on our aim. Can you do that?"

Luigi asked. Chopper grew to his muscle form and roared.

"Yeah! You can count on me, Luigi!"

"Good, now let's-a go."

Team Mario

Mario, Peach, Rabbid Peach, and Sanji were facing off against Mister Two and the mind-controlled Mister Three and Miss Golden Week. Mario and his friends watched the Darkmess-infused agents with caution. Not knowing how the Darkmess enhanced their abilities. That's when Mister Two started laughing.

"Oh dear, don't tell me the fearsome "Red-Cap Mario" is afraid of me. I haven't even shown my abilities yet."

"Yeah, and you're not going to you ballerina freak!"

Sanji said as he charged toward Mister Two.

"Sanji, wait!"

Mario shouted, but it was too late. Sanji and Mister Two began to engage in a battle of kicks.

"What the hell?"

"Not bad pretty boy, but no match for my Okama Kenpo."

Mister Two began to attack Sanji with a series of kicks while moving like a ballet dancer. Sanji avoided his attacks and tried to counter-attack, but Mister Two was able to leap over his attacks.

"It won't be that easy. My meticulous training in Okama Kenpo has granted me increased physical strength and agility. And with the boost from the Darkmess, I'm afraid you're hopelessly outmatched, pretty boy."

"Yeah, we'll see you okama freak."

Mario and the others tried to go help Sanji, but they were stopped by a wall of wax. Mario looked up to see Mister Three and Miss Golden Week approaching them.

"I'm sorry, this is a private performance. No extra performers. Please allow Mister Three and Miss Golden Week to entertain you while I deal with your friend. Oh, but first."

Mister Two snapped his fingers and Mister Three and Miss Golden Week landed next to him.

"Allow me to show you something amazing."

Mister Two said as the wax wall disappeared. He then brought his right hand to his face and suddenly his face transformed into Mario's.

"What the?"

Mario and the others were all shocked at this.

"Surprising isn't it? I ate the Clone-Clone fruit and became an imitating human. Now I can copy the face, voice, and body of anyone I touch."

"So that's why you grabbed our faces earlier you freak!"

Sanji yelled in anger. Mister Two just gave a sinister smile at his outburst.

"Correct. Now, while I would normally just be able to copy your appearance, the Darkmess has upgraded my abilities."

Mister Two was swallowed by Darkmess and now his whole body was Mario's, and then he produced two fireballs from his hands.

"Now, not only do I copy your appearance, but your abilities as well. Anything you can do, I can do better."

Peach and Rabbid Peach were shocked by this while Mario and Sanji glared at Mister Two in anger. They were about to rush in.

"Ah, ah, ah, there's still more."

Mister Two wagged his finger, stopping them. Then Mister Three produced dark wax from his body that covered Mister Two. The wax then fell to the ground and became a puddle and the process repeated three more times with Mister Two taking on the appearance of Peach, Rabbid Peach, and Sanji. Now there were four dark wax puddles on the floor, and Miss Golden Week threw some dark paint into them. Mario and his friends were confused by this until something came out of the puddles. To their horror, clones of Mario, Peach, Rabbid Peach, and Sanji came out of the puddles.

"What the hell? That's not right."

"You're telling me."

Sanji and Mario said. Mister Two just laughed maniacally, now in his normal form.

"As you can see, with our new Darkmess abilities combined we can make an infinite amount of your clones to fight for us."

"Only if the puddles are still around."

Rabbid Peach said as she aimed her weapon at the puddles. She fired a set of missiles at them, but the clones blocked the attack. While she was angered at the fact they stopped her attack, she was happy that the clones were destroyed. But then more clones came out of the puddles.

"It won't be that easy little rabbit girl. Mister Three, if you would."

Mister Three followed Mister Two's command and placed his hands on the ground. Soon a wave of wax surged forward and pushed Mario, Peach, and Rabbid Peach away from the stage. The wax then formed into a maze where Mister Three, Miss Golden Week, and the dark wax puddles went in to kill Mario and the others. Mister Two turned to Sanji with a grin.

"Now, while your friends are dealing with Mister Three's wax maze, you and I will continue the performance. Be happy that you will perform your requiem before Mario's."

"Yeah, as if you'll even get that far. I'm taking you out now freak. Mario won't even get the chance to fight you."

"Oh, feeling inadequate compared to him?"

"As if, but if I take you out, then maybe,"

The spotlights then focused on Sanji as he struck a dramatic pose.

"Then maybe the ladies will like me as much as they like Mario."

Sanji said as the flashbacks of Mario's luck with women and how Peach held him showed up in his mind. Mister Two had a large sweat drop form on his forehead at hearing this.

"You're weird, you know that?"

Sanji just glared at him.

"Grrr, I do not want to hear that from some okama freak!"

"Why you, that's it! Let's start your final performance, pretty boy."

"Bring it on."

Sanji said as he and Mister Two prepped for battle. Meanwhile, Mario was getting up after being pushed away by Mister Three's attack. Looking around, he saw that he was separated from the others and trapped in a maze.

"Mamamia, I hope the others are okay. Now let's-a get out of here."

Mario began to traverse the maze and came upon Peach.

"Peach!"

Mario called out as he ran towards her. But she just stood there, staring at him.

"Are you okay?"

Mario asked, but Peach didn't respond.

"Peach?"

Mario was confused by her actions, but then she looked at something behind him. Mario turned and saw nothing there.

"Um, what are you looking at?"

Mario asked as he turned, only to see Peach aiming her weapon at Mario.

"What, Peach!"

Mario dodged the attack but Peach kept firing her Boom-Brella at him. Mario was shocked and confused at first, but then he remembered.

"Right, she's a clone."

Mario took out his Dual-Slingers and aimed at Peach while he was in the air. He fired off two shots that hit Peach in the face. She shattered, revealing that she was a wax clone. Mario examined the remains of the clone for a bit.

"They can even copy our weapons, but it doesn't look like they're as durable as us. I hope Peach and the others won't be fooled by these clones. I gotta find them soon."

Mario took off deeper into the maze determined to find his friends.

Back outside

Luffy, Ace, and Nami had just arrived at the resistance base. When they arrived, Koza was the first to approach them.

"There you are. Did you manage to get Luffy's body back?"

"Yep, but that stupid bedsheet got away."

Luffy answered.

"What!? Then he's still loose. We need to warn the others."

"No, don't worry about it. He won't come back."

Nami said.

"Huh, but why? I doubt an agent of Baroque Works would give up like that?"

"He wasn't an agent of Baroque Works, he's an enemy from Mario's wor-, I mean land. He just came here for revenge against Mario."

"Then, wouldn't he try again?"

"Not any time soon, and not with anyone from here. Peach explained to me that his original plan was to hurt Mario by targeting his loved ones first and then trapping him in a Darkmess tentacle. But now that Luffy beat him, he knows that we're not easy targets."

"I see, then I will trust your judgment. Now, Mario and your friends entered the Darkmess puddles a few minutes ago. The army is standing by, waiting for Mario's signal."

"Great, then we need to get you a spark Luffy."

Nami said. That's when Beep-o appeared.

"Right over here, Luffy. We need to get you ready for battle post haste!"

Luffy just grinned as he followed Beep-o. Ace, meanwhile, was staring out the entrance and at the capital.

"Ace?"

Nami said as she approached him.

"Is something wrong?"

"Yeah, the person I'm chasing, I doubt he would let a chance like this pass him by."

"What do you mean?"

"You see, the man I'm chasing is called Teach and he was a member of the Whitebeard Pirates until he killed one of his crewmates."

Nami was shocked to hear this.

"What!? But why would he do that?"

"For power. The person he killed managed to get a devil fruit, one Teach wanted. Now, the rule on Whitebeard's crew is that the person who found the devil fruit gets to eat it unless they give it to someone else. So to get this devil fruit, Teach killed his own crewmate to get it."

Nami wanted to say something but remembered that this was how most pirates were. You killed and backstabbed to climb your way to the top. Crews like her friends were rare oddities in the world. Ace noticed this and spoke up.

"I see that you aren't surprised by this."

"Oh, well, you see, it's just that, I mean, I'm not saying that your crew is like that, but pirates are known for treachery."

"It's fine. I know most pirates kill to get what they want. But still, your crew is like your family. To kill one of your own is an unforgivable crime. And since I was his commander, it's my job to make him pay."

"Do you know what devil fruit it was?"

"No clue, but it doesn't matter. I won't let that stop me from avenging my crewmate and making him pay."

Ace then turned back to the capital.

In Crocodiles office

Cursa and Crocodile are watching the fights through a window she created from her cloak.

"It has begun."

Crocodile said as he rose from his chair.

"You don't sound concerned, Crocodile."

Cursa said as she closed her cloak.

"Why should I? Even if they manage to defeat my agents, our contingency plan will guarantee our victory."

"I see, then I will place my faith in your plans."

"Good, then I will be off to the main chambers. Once Alabasta is ours, we'll find the ancient weapon and begin our conquest of the rest of the world, and then the universe!"

Crocodile said as he flared his Darkmess power.

"I'm glad to see your ambitions expand, Crocodile."

"Why wouldn't they? You've shown me how much more is out there. Why settle for king of the pirates, when I can be king of the cosmos? And Darkmess will pave the way, once Mario and his friends are dealt with."

"Good, now I have some things to take care of. My powers are still weakened and Robin is still fighting me. Once I get her settled down, I will join you."

Crocodile nodded and left. Cursa then turned towards a corner of the room that was shrouded in darkness.

"He has his contingency plans, and I have mine. Now, I am glad you are interested in my power, but why should I join you?"

Cursa asked the mystery person.

"Because, Crocodile is still a short-sighted fool, even with the things you have shown him. I have spent my life planning my ascension, and I believe our powers are much more compatible. Don't you agree, Cursa?"

"I must admit, you're devil fruit intrigues me much more than Crocodile's. Very well, if Crocodile's plans fail, then we shall partner up, mister?"

"Marshall D. Teach, but please, call me Blackbeard."

The man was now revealed to be Teach, also known as Blackbeard. A large, round man, with a scraggly black beard and missing teeth.

And that's the end of the chapter. Thank you all so much for reading and I would like to thank all the people who are still following this story. I know it has been a while, I have been working on some other stories.

Now, I would like to explain something, the schedule I will be trying to keep is that I will upload sets of chapters per story, between five and ten, and then continue to the next one. Hopefully, this will be better as you don't have to wait weeks between chapters. As for the chapters, I will try to release them weekly. Thank you all so much again, please feel free to leave a review, and have a nice day.