( Alubarna, Capital of Alabasta)


The heart and face of the Sand Land, once filled with people, was now empty. Having all evacuated or stay behind doors by the King's order to avoid innocent lives once the rebels reach the castle.

Protecting the sand castle were soldiers, all who stood at the King's side, despite the rumors. However, despite all this, they now stood ready to fight, having lost sight of King Cobra. Which forces Chaka and Pell, the Jackal and the Falcon Guardians of Alubarna to prepare to fight the rebels, in hope of stopping them.

"Kuahahahaha…Such a wonderful display, don't you think, King Cobra?"

"..."

Right above the castle, in the entrance of the main throne, was Nefertari Cobra, King of Alabasta, badly beaten and bloody, and staring at his precious kingdom with a heavy heart. Now having been captured, he could only feel hate.

Hate at himself for not seeing the truth of what was happening to his kingdom. The truth of who is the real enemy.

"...What do you gain from this, Crocodile?" He asked, spiteness coming out his voice at the man next to him.

He had smooth black hair, a scar over his nose but under his eyes, wearing a black suit under a brown coat. His right hand was a golden hook, wherever it was to replace or compensate for something, and he was smoking a cigar way too big for him.

"Hmph, what more than power and control." Crocodile said. "That's the law of this world, Cobra. Nothing personal, I assured you…Your kingdom just has something that I need."

"..."

"I'll take your silence and say you know what I want."

Cobra suddenly felt his body being lifted, he didn't feel anyone behind him, but he did know that Crocodile has a partner; the exotic woman who can sprout limbs of her body.

"I have taken the time to investigate, and I believe I might know where it is." Her voice was all the confirmation he needed. "But I need the bloodline of the Nefertari to enter."

"Hmph…Too bad I killed your daughter already." Crocodile 'casually' said, "She would have been better than you, but beggars can't be choosers."

Cobra didn't hear that part as his heart clenched. His daughter? Dead?

Sure, he was against her going undercover in that organization, but her stubbornness is part of their family trait. Her mother's side…

That doesn't mean he would believe the words of this pirate-

"Ah, the rebels are here."

The king looked up and saw an upcoming sand smoke with multiple figures heading to the entrance of the kingdom's city. Once they enter, they will straight go to the entrance and face the Chaka, Pell and the Royal soldiers.

It will take a miracle to stop this madness.

"Now, the war can finally-"

"Uhm, Mr. Zero." His partner suddenly spoke up, looking up into the sky.

"What?"

"Are you still controlling the clouds so they don't rain?"

"Of course I am. It would be stupid to let a cloud in sight."

"Then…why is there one above us?"

"...What?" Crocodile blinked as he and Cobra looked up, and sure enough, there was a big cloud floating in the air. "What?! Impossible!" Hearing his baffled tone was something Cobra was not expecting, but he happily welcomed it.

"CROCODILE!!!!!"

A shout was released as the cloud puffed out of existence and figures began to fall from the sky. Four figures head to the castle while others separate, landing with a loud thud.

"Come on out! We are here to kick your ass!"

For the first time in his life, Crocodile was utterly baffled, so much that his cigar fell from his mouth.

"Oh my~" Miss All-Sunday was also surprised, sporting an impressed expression.

"Daddy!"

Cobra felt tears fall out his eyes. "Vivi…!" Well now, it seems that there's still hope for Alabasta.


( Earlier, twenty minutes before reaching Alubarna)


The crew prepared themselves as much as they could. The upcoming battle against Crocodile and whoever is with him, while preventing the war between the rebels and the royal army was not going to be easy.

"Alright!" Usopp shouted as he slammed on a board. "So! Since we have so little time, this is the plan!" Said plan had everyone's face in it with multiple places in importance and names of the Agents. "We know that all Baroque Works agents and members are in Alubarna right now! Crocodile won't let anything get in the way of his goal! Luckily, we have the element of surprise, thanks to Mario! So our objectives are to stop the rebels and kick Crocodile's ass!"

"Yeah!" Luffy and Chopper shouted.

"That's why I suggest separating the team into four teams! Team One; Luffy, Mario and DK will go and flex their godly strength on Crocodile! Team Two; the crew will go and fight the Agents! Team Three; Vivi and Carue will go and stop the rebels! Team Four; I will have a high advantage and cover everyone from high ground!"

"...Why would you want to be alone? You would make yourself vulnerable to the enemy if they surround you."

"...Change of plans!"

*Bonk!*

"Why would we waste time separating when we can just drop right where Crocodile is." Zoro asked.

"Uhm…to stop Baroque Works from coming to help their boss?"

"A'ight. Fair enough."

"So, how exactly are we doing this?" Luffy suddenly asked, "I mean, I'm up to go and kick Crocodile, but wouldn't we have a backup plan at least."

"...The fact that Luffy of all people is saying something smart for once is scary enough." Sanji replied what everyone was thinking. "And correct…Say, Mario? Can we use the same copy trick again?"

Before Mario could reply, Stuffwell came out, "While a good idea, I'm afraid I'm currently out of Double Cherry. It will take me fifteen minutes to recharge." With that said, he returned back into Mario's overalls.

"And we are reaching Alubarna." Vivi sighs, "We won't have time to wait if the rebels are nearby."

"Not exactly." Mario said as he brought out four Double Cherry, "I still have-a these ones."

"Okay! Vivi can take it!" Nami said, "Given that Crocodile will want her dead once he sees her, I'm sure he will try to catch her."

"And we can confuse him and the agents, along with one to try and stop the rebels!"

("Hey! We're here!") DK said as he pointed at the city, making everyone look.

"Yosh!" Luffy stood up, everyone preparing. "Let's do this!"

Mario handed Vivi the Power-Ups. The moment her hand touched them, four more Vivi's appeared.

"Aw~ This is a dream come true!" Sanji began to act his 'pervert' self again. "To see my sweet Vivi become more beautiful by having more of her is a blessing!"

All Vivi awkwardly smiled before three of them decided to use DK as shield meat, and the last two did the same with Mario, making Sanji have a heart attack, dropping down and banging the cloud while muttering how unfair life was.

"Alright, everyone! Focus!"


( Back to the show)


The crew, except the four from before, quickly landed on the streets safely, although they separated into three teams.

"Oh wow! These upgraded clothes that Mario gave us are so handy!" Usopp said as he looked at his boot, "I didn't even feel pain!"

"I still can't believe he has clothes with magic properties!" Chopper said, holding his treasure hat even more, "He even made my hat fireproof!"

"Quick, you two! We need to find the agents and bring them to an undisclosed place!" Vivi said, making the duo and her start to run.


Meanwhile, Sanji and Vivi were running through the city already, "Don't worry, Vivi! I, your charming prince, will protect you with his life!"

"Sanji, I truly appreciate the commitment, but could you please not sound like a pervert?" Vivi said, feeling creepy on him right now.

"Ah! Your hurtful words just make me happy!"

"Again! Creepy-"

"P-Princess!?" A sudden voice spoke up, making the duo look forward as they saw a royal soldier coming at them. "Y-You're back! I'm so relieved!"

"Yeah! Please tell me what-"

"Vivi! Watch out!" Sanji shouted as he swung his leg forward, blocking a leg strike that was heading at Vivi's face.

The royal soldier 'tsk' his tongue as his attack as Sanji pushes him away, the soldier spinning in the air as the royal clothes are removed as a familiar enemy appears. "You bastard~" He spun like a ballerina and spoke like okama. "I almost got her~!"

"Mr. 2!"

"Yes! It is me!" Mr. 2 reveals himself. "I am shocked~! When the boss revealed that you guys were the pirates he was having trouble with!~ I almost lost my makeup by the shock!" He then stops before looking at Sanji, "And who are you, mon bel homme?" Add wink motion.

The blonde felt a shudder of horror. "None of your goddamn business!" He stomps the ground, a small quake comic out. "But you just make things easier for me. Now I can take care of you."

"Take care of me?!" Mr. 2 gasps…before looking away with a blush. "You savage! I didn't expect you to be such a wild man! At least take me out to dinner first!~"

Sanji was minutes away from barfing.

Vivi blinked at the view…before nodding peacefully as she brought a needle and pricked her arm, vanishing in smoke.

"Eh?!~" Both men(?) gaps in shock at her act.

Sanji drops to his knees, horror in his eyes. "Vivi-chan!!!!!!!!~" He dramatically stretched his hand where she was once.

"Huh~!? The princess just vanished into smoke?!~" Mr. 2 shouted, "I didn't knew about this~"

*Boom!*

Flames combust around Sanji.

"You…!" Sanji stood up, his body shaking and his eyes being shadowed. His teeth clenched before he looked at the okama with utter hate. "You made my sweet dear Vivi kill herself…! You better be ready, cause I'm making sure you will lose your balls!"

"What?!~ You dare try to attack my manhood?!" Mr. 2 glared as he positioned himself to fight, his right leg up like a swan. "You will die by my beautiful Okama-Way!"

"Shut up!!!!" Sanji began to spin around as his feet began to heat up, to the point that it was glowing and steaming like lava. "Diable Jambe!"


Another place, the sound of metal clashing echoed in the area.

Zoro found himself clashing with a dark skinned man with gray shave hair and some sort of black tunic Arabic outfit. The man was using his arms as blades, which had actual blades coming.

"You…are Roronoa Zoro." The man said as he clashed against the former pirate hunter. "I remember we sent an agent to recruit you."

"Yeah, I also remember." Zoro replied as he proceeded to use his two swords to clash with the arm-blade fellow a few more times. "He didn't like my rejection letter, so he tried to force me to join. I did what I had to do. You're not here to get revenge, eh Mr. 1?"

Mr. 1 forces Zoro and himself to jump back. "Hmph…If he had survived, I would have killed him myself for failing."

"Ouch. Cold hearted much?"

"That's the consequences of a secret organization."

"Fair enough." Zoro proceeded to rush forward with a twin side cut that was blocked by elbow swords from Mr. 1. "You ate a Devil Fruit, didn't you?"

"That's correct." Mr. 1 switches to small finger knives as he slash forward, forcing Zoro to parry. "I ate the Dice-Dice Devil Fruit, and became a dice man. My body is unbreakable."

"Unbreakable?" Zoro, instead of sweating, grinned. "Finally. I get to have an actual challenge besides Mario and DK. Let's see how their training turned out."

As that fight happens, another is going on, with Nami and Vivi running away, the navigator holding a blue staff, an upgraded one from Usopp and Mario's thinkering.

"Do you see her?" Nami asked, as she and Vivi hid in a corner, the princess peeking out.

"No…Either we move to a more open area or we get a drop on her-" Vivi was saying before tensing. "...The one with Sanji has vanished…Ugh!?" She shivers, "And it was because Mr. 2 was flirting with Sanji!"

"Ugh! I pity him!" Nami cringes.

"So do I."

"You think it's karma?" Vivi asked.

"Probably. No offense to Sanji, but he needs to reel it back."

"Don't worry, Mr. 2 will probably put him into shape."

"I hope it won't be bad." Vivi pondered.

"DODGE!" Nami and Vivi realized that they weren't alone as they threw themselves away as the wall where they were was suddenly punctured by needles.

"Ah~ But we were having such a good time, all three of us girls." Spoke a tall woman with curly dark-blue hair, thick lips and pale skin with a curvaceous figure and over exaggerated hips. She was wearing a short long-sleeved jacket with beige colored fur brims, a bikini top describing an unusual spider web-like pattern across her abdominal area, low-riding leather pants, and platform sandals.

"Well, the attempt of murder should have made it clear that you didn't come for one." Nami said as she and Vivi got ready.

"Hmm, that's true." The woman said as she raised her arm, her wrist suddenly made spikes coming. "Still, I do believe the princess was supposed to be dead by now. How exactly did you escape?"

"Tell you what, you tell me your Devil Fruit power and I'll tell you how, Miss Doublefingers." Vivi growled.

"Hmph. Fair enough." Miss Doublefingers said…before shooting her finger spike at them, which they dodged. "Let's move to the part where I kill you both."

"Ready?" Nami asked.

"As much as I can be." Vivi replied.


"Holy shit! Is a mole woman!"

"You bastard! I haven't even used my devil fruit! How do you know?!"

Usopp, Chopper and Vivi looked at the old woman in shock. They had found her and a big man with big lips and green jacket and had led them to the outer side of the city, in a desert ruin.

"Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu toooooooooooooooollllllllllllddddd theeeeeeeeeeeeemmmmmm." The man said…very slowly.

"Ack! Why didn't you tell me sooner, you big dolt!? Speak faster next time!" The old woman began to rant while hitting the man.

"That's Mr. 4 and Ms. Merry Christmas." Vivi whispers to the duo. "I heard that she ate a Devil Fruit that allows her to be a mole, but I didn't think she was actually one."

"I heard that!"

"And Mr. 4 might be slow, but he is seriously strong. And I had heard rumors of him having a dog that sneezed baseballs that exploded."

"...Huh?" Usopp looked at her. "A dog that sneezed baseball bombs?"

"Achoo!"

Something sneezed before the trio looked in panic and dodge at the last second a ball that zoomed past them, exploding when in contact with a ruin. "Holy shit! What was that?!"

"I just told you! It's a dog that sneezed baseballs that exploded!"

"But that doesn't make any sense!"

"You are actually questioning that when you heard from Mario's mouth that he could pick an entire castle and kick it away!?"

"Hey! He's awesome!"

"Valid point, but still Not the point!"

"Ah!" Chopper gasp. "They are gone!" The other two looked at him, following his pointing hoof, and seeing the agents gone, a large hole where they once were.

And so began the whack-a-mole fight!

"You fucker! Stop spoiling-"


Back at the castle, the group who had landed to face Crocodile was Luffy, Mario, DK, and Vivi.

"...Impressive." The Warlord recovered his cool. "I was sure you all were trapped and dead back in Rain Base."

"Yeah! Well, when you have an awesome crewmate like Mario and DK, anything can happen!" Luffy said as he punched his fists together.

"...Wait." Crocodile looked at Mario, "That's Red Cap?"

"...What?"

"...I thought you would be taller-"

*Bonk!*

A hammer hit Crocodile's face, which caused him to disintegrate into sand particles.

"...Well now," Robin found herself chuckling at what happened, at different of the full blown laughter that pirates were having as they stared at a fuming Mario. ('So he can be emotional.')

Sand began to circle around the body of the Warlord as his face formed back, "...Get moving to the Poneglyph, Nico Robin."

"...I have told you to not call me that." Robin said as she used her powers to raise Cobra. "Come along, your highness." The man had not much to say as the duo began to leave.

Vivi tried to go after her, only for a massive Sand attack to stop her, having made a clean cut in front of her. Followed by a massive sandstorm that forces the four to cover their eyes for a moment. When it died down, they opened their eyes and saw that they were in an open area, with lots of sand around.

"I was truly hoping you all would die in Rainbase." The voice of Crocodile echoed in the air as everyone got ready. "But won't deny that killing you all myself will be satisfying. You have caused my organization and plans a lot of trouble."

"Yeah?! How about you stop hiding and start to fight us!?" Luffy shouted.

"Kuahahahaha. And why would I fight you straight up?" Suddenly, a sand clock was formed. "But let's make things interesting, for you see, I have been eager to test my new powers."

Mario narrowed his eyes at the clock sand and gasped when he saw a familiar glow in it. "The Power Star!"

Sure enough, the star was in it. Glowing bright as the sand protects it.

"Ah, yes. Power Star. Fitting name." Crocodile finally materialized in front of them. "That brother of yours did call it that."

Mario glared at him. "Where is he?"

"You haven't noticed?"

That tone didn't help Mario as he looked back at the sand clock more carefully. It wasn't until he saw the end of the sand, where he saw green. His eyes widened in horror as the sand finally moved and revealed his brother, unconscious and being held in a cross.

However, he wasn't the only one there. Making two pairs of eyes to windened.

To his right was a boy with black hair, and freckles on his face. He was wearing only black short trousers and boots. An orange cowboy hat dangling down. He also was unconscious and put on a cross.

To his left was a monkey, wearing a red cap and shirt with yellow star logos. Unconscious as well.

"Luigi!!!"

"Ace?!"

("Diddy!")

Mario, Luffy and DK shouted when they noticed who they were.

"These three tried to stop me. I was concerned I would get in trouble with Whitebear's second-in-command, but he was easy to dealt with-"

"Gum-Gum Pistol!"

The Warlord's body had a hole on his chest, looking down at the arm that had pierced it. Unsurprise, he simply laughed as the arm stretched back to his owner. "Kuahahaha. You lack temper, eh Straw Hat-" He looked up.

And for the second time in his life, his Haki screamed at him to dodge.

Crocodiles barely dodge the massive fist, the attack hitting the ground and making a massive blast that pushed the sand away, made a big crater and sent the Warlord rolling back on the ground. Adjusting himself back to his feet, any mocking or teasing plan he had vanished as he growled at where he once was.

Now, Crocodile is a veteran pirate. He was there in the era that Gold Roger, the King of the Pirates Himself, lived in. He saw so many individuals strong enough to shake the world and weather. Such powerful individuals like him and Whitebeard are hard to fight. And let's not talk about Kaido.

That's a different can of worm he does NOT want to open.

The point is, he knows when he's outmatched.

"Hoooooooooooooo~!"

Seeing the anger burning through that animal's eye, his spirit and his Devil Fruit, realized that there was a miscalculation in his plan.

"Gun-Gum Stamp!"

To make his humiliation worse, he was so enthralled by the anger of the Gorilla, he didn't have time to react as the flat part of a sandal smashed his face hard. This time, his head snapped back as blood came out his nose, and his hair was messed up.

"You bastard!" Luffy retracted his leg as he glared at the pirate. "Now I'm really kicking your ass so hard, I'll send you to the moon!"

Crocodile healed his face. How embarrassing of him to lose his cool twice to an animal and a dumb rookie. The blood on his nose vanished as began to float. "I like to see you try!" Sand forms on his palm before throwing it, "Sables!" A storm formed, consuming the trio inside of it.

Meanwhile, Mario had quickly grabbed Vivi, activated his Cape Feather power up and flew to the sand clock.

"Mario! I need to go after my father!"

"Do you know where they are headed?" Mario asked.

"Yes!"

Nodding, Mario took out a feather and gave it to her. Once she touched it, it vanished and a cape appeared around, surprising her. "It's-a real easy! Grab the cape, catch air and fly!"

"What?!" Vivi looked at him in disbelief, before she was forced to float with Mario, making her do as instructed and moments later, she was flying with him. "Wow!!! T-This is amazing! Is this how Pell feels every time he flies!?"

"It's-a wonderful!" Mario said as he then let go of Vivi, who panicked a little before readjusting. "Go and help your father! We'll catch up later!"

"Okay! Be safe!" Vivi shit through the air, heading to Alubarna.

Mario watches her leave for a moment before turning to the sand-made clock, noticing that it's been moving away. "Hang on, Luigi! Diddy! I'm coming!" With a burst of power, Mario flew after it.


This is the day.

The day he has been preparing for the past three years.

Kozah rode his horse at the front. Behind, everyone of his rebels followed, all for the intent purposes to claim back the freedom.

They will defeat King Cobra and bring back to Alabasta the rain. The fake king will fall…No matter what.

('I'm sorry, Vivi. But you need to open your eyes!') Kozah thought as the stairs were in reach. "Men! Prepare yourself!"

"Kozah!" A rebel spoke up to him, who was pointing forward. "There's someone on the stairs!"

He looked at the direction pointed and surely enough, someone was standing in the stairs. He didn't know who it was at first, perhaps Cobra had hired a mercenary to stop them, but then he saw the duck.

The Leader of the Super Spot-Billed Duck Troops.

That duck belongs to one person!

"Kozah!!!!" The voice of Vivi echoed in the air. Making his eyes widened as he pulled his horse to a stop, his army followed his action.

"...Vivi…" He muttered. Where the Hell has she been all these years?

"Kozah! I know you are there! Please, listen to me!"

"Kozah! What do we do!?"

"...Hold down." He said as he walked forward. "Keep an eye up. There's no way she's alone." This was probably to stop them from attacking her father.

Stubborn woman.

It was long before he reached her, having noticed that she was holding a baby gorilla in her arms, confusing him a lot. He dismounted the horse and walked a bit close to the princess. "Vivi-"

"Kozah. You need to stop this. You have been fooled." She began to say.

"Fool? By what?"

"This war! My father didn't take the water from Alabasta! He didn't use the Powder Dance!"

"...Again with this?!" Kozah scoff. "The evidence has already been proven to the land! Our water is gone and the king does nothing! Stop defending him and open your eyes-"

"How about you open your eyes!?"

Kozah was suddenly face to face with a yellow being, surprising him enough as his horse moved back. "What the?! What is that?!"

"Hello there! I'm Starlow!" Starlow introduces herself. "I'm a Star Sprite. Not a fairy; don't call me that. I'm friends with Vivi and I'm here to beat the living life out of you until you realize how DUMB you people are being!"

"What…Huh?" Kozah was confused.

"I mean, seriously!" Starlow began to spin around while blowing steam. "How in the world could any of you never even consider Crocodile the one responsible for this?! It's so obvious!"

"...Huh?!" Kozah was not getting angry. "What the hell is this thing talking about?! Crocodile?! Our hero?!"

"Thing?!"

"The truth." Vivi replied. "Crocodile is the boss of Baroque Works. He is the one who has stopped the rain from falling all over Alabasta!"

"Bullshit! Why would our Hero-"

"Use your brain, you moron!" Starlow shouted. "He ate the Sand-Sand Devil Fruit! He can control sand and stop the weather from raining!"

"But he has been helping us-"

"He's a bad pirate! You are trusting yourself with a criminal! One who has a reputation of being a tactical genius! He would try to get your favor!"

"But the Powder Dance-"

"Have you taken into account the possibility that it was fabricated evidence to incriminate the King?!"

"I mean…We had at first-"

"Starlow." Vivi spoke to the sprite, Kiddy having moved to Carue and riding him. "Show him." The sprite huffs as she floats above Vivi, her screen vision popping out, surprising Kozah and the rebels.

Images of Vivi infiltration Baroque Works, rising to position before following Miss All-Sunday, to where she had a lone conversation with a Transponder Snail. Crocodile spoke up from the other line, informing of how the rebels were months away to finally attack the castle and kill Cobra. How he plans to take advantage of the civil war and take control of Alabasta.

The rebel leader could only let his mouth open in horror. Is this true? Has he been fooled? The one who was destroying his home was their Hero? The Warlord of the Sea? The one working for the Navy?

The screen turns off. Starlow stood next to Vivi. "...Crocodile use all of us. He used our love for our country to turn everyone against each other. He used the Sand-Sand Devil Fruit; our sacred treasure, against its homeland!" The princess walked up to Kozah, "He's been fooling every single one of us with his 'heroic' persona! But he doesn't care about us! He just wants my father out of the way and ruled Alabasta! He's looking for control!"

Kozah felt his knees going weak. Is this the truth? Was his father right in not losing fate? Was he going to bring wasted death on this land? To kill an innocent man?

"B-But! Your father was in Nanohana! Apologizing for everything-"

"They have the user of the Clone-Clone Devil Fruit!" The blonde man felt guilt grabbed his heart. "That's who you met! Do you really think that Chaka and Pell wouldn't be with my father at all times?! Especially in this crisis!?"

…She was right.

How he didn't see it?

Why did the two strongest soldiers of the kingdom not accompany the most critical individual in the land?

"Please, Kozah! I know your pain! I love this kingdom and its people! Just like you! But you need to see that my father isn't the enemy! It's-"

*Bang!*

"...Fweeh! So glad I made the barrier!" Starlow sighs in relief as the bullet that was going to hit Vivi in the face flops in the sand.

Snapping their heads at the direction it came, both of them saw a rebel aiming his gun at Vivi, shocked at the failed attack.

"Hey! Who said you could fire?!" Kozah asked, the man panicked as he was tackled off his horse by the group.

"I-It's not what it looks like!" The rebel said but he was pinned down hard. "I-I-"

("Here I come!") Kiddy suddenly leapt from Carue, scaring the poor duck, and began to fall down.

"Quick! Get out of the way!" Vivi shouted in panic, causing the rebels to stop pinning the shooter and move away.

Kiddy landed on the man's back, a sickening crack was heard, and the man rolled his eyes to the back of his head. Doing so causes part of his cloth to flip down, revealing his arm…along with a tattoo that Vivi recognized immediately.

"T-That's Baroque Works mark!" She said as she looked at Kozah, who made the connection as well. "You have traitors in your army!"

"...MEN! SEARCH YOURSELF!" Kozah snapped hard on the thousands of soldiers, some who started to act while others began to panic. "LOOK FOR THIS TATTOO! CAPTURED THEM!"

"Allow me!" Starlow said as she flew up into the sky and her star antenna began to glow, sending a powerful beam to the army.

In seconds, over a hundred rebels fell down, all paralyzed.

"What the Hell?!"

"Starlow! What did you do?" Vivi asked.

"Just a little 'paralyzed beam' to anyone who had the mark." Starlow chirp. "No need to thank me! I'm awesome just the way I am."

"...You have an ego, you know that?"

"Yes I do! Someone needs to brag about Mario's feats since he's too humble and kind!"

"...But this has nothing to do with him."

"Ha! Everything I do is to help the Star Childrens!"

Kozah was at lost of words, seeing his childhood friend having a conversation with a…fairy is weird-

"I SAID TO NOT CALL ME A FAIRY!"

"Kozah!" The blonde man turned to a soldier, coming at him with a note. "We have a problem! We found this note on one of the traitors!" He handed the note to him.

Kozah read it quickly and paled. "...Goddammit!" he cursed as he turned to Vivi. "I have so much to apologize to you, Vivi! But that can wait!" He gave her the note, which she took and read it.

" To all Millions and Billions. Once the rebels reach Alubarna, a bomb will be deployed to destroy everything. Follow the instructions given and you all may escape with your life. You have an hour."

Vivi gasped. "Oh no…" She quickly ran to Carue, jumping on the saddle, Kiddy getting himself on her lap. "If this is true, we only have half an hour already!" She told Kozah.

"Go! Tell the guards!" Kozah jumped back on his horse, "I'll get my men to look around!"

"Wait!" Starlow said as she flew over Kozah, and showered him in light. The man flinches as images of strangers flood his mind. "These are your allies now! Help them if you can! And keep an eye on Baroque Works!"

"O-On it!" Was all he said before Vivi and the rest left. "...Wait, was that a Gorilla wearing a red tie- That makes no sense!" Too much information!

A war has technically stopped, but a problem has risen. A bomb to destroy the city is at loose.

Now, the factor of this upcoming arc…is time.