Disclaimer I do not own the rights to Mario characters or One Piece characters.
A.N. Possible spoilers ahead. You have been warned.
Chapter 25: The Voice Within
Inside the Royal Palace
Mario, Luigi, Peach, Luffy, and Ace were running down the stairs to the deepest parts of the palace. According to Cobra and Vivi, this is where the poneglyph was held. This was most likely where Crocodile and Cursa were at. As they descended, Starlow and Starlee came out of Mario and Luigi's caps.
"Hmm, what's-a wrong you two?"
Mario asked.
"We can feel it."
Starlow answered.
"A massive amount of power below us."
"Could it be Cursa?"
Luigi asked.
"No, it doesn't feel like her. It has traces of her Darkmess, but it's something else. It feels like something is smothering out the light down there."
Starlee answered.
"Could it be Crocodile? Does it feel like they've used the power star?"
"Yes, Mario. It does feel like the power star has been used."
Stalow answered.
"Mamamia, what did Cursa do to him?"
Mario asked in concern.
"Hey!"
Luffy yelled getting everyone's attention.
"Why does it matter what they did? We still need to kick both Crocodile's and Cursa's butts, right?"
Everyone nodded.
"So there's no point in worrying about it. Let's go down there and fight!"
Everyone was stunned by his words.
"Um, it's not that simple Luffy."
Peach said, but then Mario started to laugh.
"Mario? Why are you laughing?"
Luigi asked in concern.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just, Luffy is right."
"He is?"
"Yeah, it's simple really."
"I don't think it is Mario."
Peach said.
"Isn't it? I mean, has our goal changed?"
"Well, no, but we can't just rush in and expect to win with guts alone."
"If anyone has a plan, then I'm all ears."
Mario looked around, but everyone was silent.
"Then that leaves us with two options: We either turn tail and run, or we continue forward and face our problems head-on."
Mario's friends were concerned about this, but then they slowly began to smile. It was always like this. During their adventures, no matter what traps crafty foes like Dimentio, Cackletta, Antasma, or even Bowser set, they always moved forward showing no fear. Facing their challenges with courage, determination, and a smile.
"You make a good point Mario. But let's not throw thinking out the window. We also have a power star, we could use that to even the odds."
"Yes, but let's see what Cursa did to Crocodile first."
Everyone nodded at this and continued their descent. Soon they came across a doorway that appeared to be blocked off by black sand.
"I think we found the chamber with the poneglyph."
Ace said.
"Yeah, but how do we get in?"
Luigi asked. Mario picked up a rock and threw it at the sand. It passed through effortlessly.
"It doesn't look like it's stopping anything from getting in. If anything, it's to keep anything from getting out."
Mario said.
"So they're expecting us then? Well, let's not keep them waiting."
Ace said as he and Luffy jumped in.
"Wait! Mamamia, we could've discussed a plan of action first."
"Sorry Peach, but that isn't Luffy's style. And from what I've seen from Ace, it isn't his either."
Mario explained. Peach huffed while she pulled out her Boom-Brella.
"Well, let's go help them before they get hurt."
Mario and Luigi nodded and jumped in with Peach. When they entered they saw Luffy and Ace just looking around.
"Oh hey, there you are. What took you so long?"
"Yeah, you're too slow!"
Ace and Luffy said before Peach hit the top of their heads.
"Oh I'm sorry, but we like to think before jumping into danger!"
Peach said in annoyance. While Ace and Luffy were rubbing the bumps forming on their heads, Mario was calming Peach.
"It's-a fine Peach. We had no idea what to expect so it's-a not like we could form a plan anyways."
"That's still no excuse for charging in recklessly! For all we know there could've been a trap on the other side of the black sand!"
"Well, there wasn't. So it's fine."
Luffy said with a smile. But this just made Peach even angrier.
"What, how are you the captain?"
"Now calm down Peach. We can discuss this later after we've dealt with our guests."
Mario said as he pulled out his Dual-Slingers. Everyone turned to where he was looking and saw Cursa floating there. She gave a sinister chuckle as she stared our heroes down.
"Congratulations on making it here. But that was expected of you all since you have the Sparks. It doesn't matter though, your efforts were all for naught."
"Is that so? Maybe you haven't been paying attention, but we beat your top agents, our friends have stopped your bomb by now, and the resistance army is taking down your minions while marching here. Time to face facts, you lost."
Ace confidently said, but Cursa just laughed even more at this.
"Oh, you sweet, ignorant, fool. I've been watching everything and know what has become of our army. Well done on defeating them. I was expecting Mario and his friends to defeat my Darkmess agents, but to see you fools succeed as well, I am truly impressed. But I have a contingency plan for this situation. Tell me Mario, both you and Luigi have traveled with devil fruit users, what have you learned about devil fruits?"
Mario and Luigi looked at each other in confusion and concern.
"Just that the fruits give powers and take away the user's ability to swim."
Mario answered.
"That's it? I thought the fact they could use the power of the Sparks without a medium would be enough to catch your interest."
"It's-a curious, but there was no need to look further into it."
"Oh Mario, I thought you were smart. Since you're so clueless, allow me to explain. There is more to devil fruit powers than most users know about. I can tell you that Ace and Luffy haven't even scratched the surface of what their devil fruits are capable of."
"What do you mean by that!?"
Ace asked in anger.
"There's a great power within all devil fruits. An "awakening" that unleashes their true potential. Now normally it would take the user years of intense training to unlock these awakenings. But thanks to this."
Cursa pulled out a drained power star.
"I can force that awakening!"
The black sand covering the room began to swirl and form into a large twister. Everyone covered their faces as the sand flew around violently. Mario forced himself to look at the large twister as it began to form a shape. Mario recognized who it was.
"Crocodile!?"
Mario shouted. Everyone looked as the storm died down, and Crocodile was floating beside Cursa. But he was different, his hair was floating as though being blown by a constant breeze. There were black clouds draped around his neck that dropped down to his legs. And finally, the yellow glow in his eyes was much more prominent now. Sand seemed to orbit around him now, as though waiting for his commands.
"Before, he was a sandman, but now he is a sand elemental! Once he reaches his full potential, I will use his new power to spread Darkmess all over the country, then the world, the universe, and finally, I will return to Rosalina to reclaim her once again. And this time you will not stop me!"
Mario and the others got ready for battle. Mario then turned to Crocodile.
"Are you okay with that?"
Mario asked.
"You're nothing more than a pawn to her Crocodile. Are you going to just lie down and obey her like a whipped dog?"
Mario was hoping to sow discourse between the two and turn them against each other. But Crocodile did not respond and Cursa began to laugh.
"Oh Mario, are you trying to turn Crocodile against me? An interesting plan, but it won't work. Crocodile truly believed he could turn my power against me. HA! He had no idea that my Darkmess was slowly taking control. This final push with the power star has made him my obedient slave."
Mario and his friends were horrified by this revelation.
"What about the others? Would they have ended up like him?"
Peach asked.
"If they turned on me, then yes. But I believe they would have sided with me. Power speaks for itself after all."
Cursa answered in an arrogant tone. With the conversation over, she pointed at our heroes.
"Now destroy them my pet!"
Crocodile rushed forward and thrust his arm out towards Mario and the others. They evaded the attack and Crocodile's arm smashed into the wall behind them. That's when they noticed the wall and part of the floor turning into sand.
"I see that you are surprised by his new ability. I've discovered that awakened devil fruit users can alter the state of almost anything they touch. Crocodile can turn the entire battlefield into a desert. Behold!"
At Cursa's command, Crocodile placed his hand on the ground and the floors and walls became sand. Soon the room had become a sand tomb. The perfect battleground for Crocodile to use his new powers. Everyone was on edge and waiting for Crocodile to show himself. That is when he began to emerge next to Luffy. Luffy heard the sand shifting and threw a punch where Crocodile was forming. But his fist went through the sand body as it collapsed. He was confused until he felt a hand grab his ankle. He looked down and saw Crocodile right before he felt the moisture being sucked out of his leg. He let out a scream of pain as he grabbed it.
"Luffy!"
Ace shouted as he shot off a fire fist where Crocodile was. Crocodile let go and merged into the sand before the attack hit him. Luffy fell while holding onto his dehydrated leg.
"Luffy, drink this!"
Mario shouted as he handed Luffy a bottle of water. Luffy drank it desperately and his leg returned to normal.
"Thanks, Mario."
Luffy said as he moved his leg around.
"Why do you have those? Did you know about Crocodile's attack beforehand?"
Ace asked, but Mario shook his head at this.
"No, they're for this."
Mario pulled out a piece of equipment from his pocket space.
"Hello, I am FLUDD. It is a pleasure to meet you."
FLUDD introduced himself to Luffy and Ace. Luffy had stars in his eyes at seeing FLUDD until Ace smacked him out of his daze.
"Okay, and what is it exactly?"
"Just-a watch Ace."
Mario said as he turned to where Peach and Luigi were. Crocodile reached out of the sand to grab Luigi, but he saw this and jumped up to avoid the attack. He fired a shot at Crocodile, but Crocodile smiled as he began to melt back into the sand. But that is when Mario fired a stream of water from FLUDD at the ground where Crocodile was. Now that it was wet, Crocodile couldn't melt back into the ground. Unable to turn into sand, Crocodile jumped into the air to avoid Luigi's bullet.
He glared at Mario when Luffy sent a punch at him. He evaded the punch, but he was hit by Ace's fire attack. He reeled back and tried to dive back into the sand But Mario was spraying water over the area he tried to dive into, preventing Crocodile from escaping. Crocodile stopped himself from hitting the ground, only to be hit by a shot from Peach's Boom-Brella.
"Despite his awakening, Spark-powered attacks still hurt him. And with FLUDD I can prevent him from doing that disappearing act. I think we got this- ARGH!"
Mario was interrupted as he was hit by a purple beam. Everyone turned to see smoke coming from Cursa's hand.
"Did you forget about me?"
Cursa raised her other hand and fired off purple beams at our heroes. They all evaded the attacks, giving Crocodile the chance to dive back into the sand.
"Damn it! Crocodile escaped back into the sand!"
Ace shouted.
"Then focus on Cursa. She's the bigger threat, and if we beat her Crocodile should lose the power of Darkmess."
Peach said.
"Do you think it will be that easy?"
Cursa floated to the top of the room and crossed her arms. Mario's eyes widened as he recognized that stance. Soon multiple shadow hands came out from the sand surrounding our heroes.
"That's-a new. When could she do that?"
Luigi asked in fear.
"It's the power of her host. Robin! If you can hear me, please fight her! We need your help!"
Mario called out. While his friends gave him a confused look Cursa began to laugh.
"It won't work Mario. She's mine!"
"Mario, some explaining, please. Who's Robin?"
Peach asked while dodging attacks from Cursa and Crocodile.
"Someone who we came across back at Whiskey Peaks."
"We did?"
Luffy asked with a head tilt.
"She's the lady who took our hats."
"Oh, that lady!"
Luffy shouted in revelation before he looked back at Cursa in anger.
"So Cursa took control of her. You bastard!"
Cursa was confused by Luffy's outburst.
"Why do you care? She's your enemy."
"That doesn't mean you can steal her freedom!"
"Freedom? What a foolish notion. Freedom is meaningless in the face of absolute power. Observe."
Cursa and Crocodile unleashed a barrage of attacks at the heroes. With the onslaught of sand and Darkmess, they didn't have the chance to counterattack.
"Robin! Fight back! You're stronger than you know!"
Mario shouted, hoping his words would reach her. Cursa just laughed at his futile attempts, or so she believed.
Robin's mindscape
Robin was curled up, surrounded by Darkmess. She was crying, cursing her fate when she began to hear something. It was faint at first, but it was growing louder.
"Robin!"
The voice called out.
"Robin!"
Hearing the voice shouting her name, she curled back into a ball. The shouting reminded her of when she was constantly being chased. Being betrayed by those she thought she could trust.
"Robin!"
She covered her ears, trying to shut out the voice.
"Robin, please! We need your help!"
"Mario?"
Robin whispered. She uncovered her ears recognizing his voice.
"You need to fight her!"
"How? What can I do?"
Robin was about to lie her head down in defeat.
"You're stronger than you know. Robin!"
Mario's words began to echo in her head. And then another voice came to her.
"There is nothing more ridiculous than being born to be alone. Someday you will meet brave friends who will protect you."
The final words of Saul also echoed in her head. Then she remembered Mario's offer of friendship earlier. The kindness in his eyes, the sincerity of his words. It filled her with something she hadn't felt in a long time, hope. She felt an inner strength grow within her. Where it came from, she didn't know and she didn't care. She used this strength to force herself up and fight against Cursa.
"This... is... my... body!"
She shouted as she fought against Cursa's control.
Back outside
Cursa was keeping up the attack with Crocodile. She was cackling in glee until she felt a sharp pain inside of her. She clutched her chest, causing the shadow arms to fade away.
"No, how? Why? Why are you fighting me now!?"
Cursa yelled before she gazed at Mario.
"You! How dare you!? Gah!"
Cursa continued to clutch her chest as she tried to regain control. Taking advantage of the chance Robin gave them, Mario grabbed Luffy before turning back to the others.
"Hold off Crocodile for a minute. I think I have an idea to even the odds."
Luigi, Peach, and Ace nodded and engaged Crocodile while Cursa was still fighting with Robin. Mario then pulled Luffy to the side and began ruffling through his pockets.
"So what's the plan, Mario?"
"This, Luffy."
Mario pulled out the power star.
"If Cursa could use this to awaken Crocodile's devil fruit, then I should be able to do the same for you."
"Alright! Let's do this then!"
Luffy shouted excitedly, but Mario was hesitant.
"What's wrong Mario?"
"Luffy, this amount of power is dangerous. It could have serious side effects that are deadly."
"It'll be fine. No matter how bad I get hurt, I know you and Chopper will fix me."
"It's not your body that I'm worried about Luffy, I can fix that no problem. It's your mind and spirit. Being filled with this much power could overload your senses. You could be put into a comatose state. You could-"
Luffy placed his hand on Mario's shoulder, stopping his frantic explanation.
"Mario, it'll be fine. Trust me."
Mario just stood there, stunned by the calm confidence Luffy exuded. Mario relaxed and decided to believe in his friend and captain.
"Alright then, let's do this."
Mario held up the power star to Luffy.
"Now focus on the star Luffy and think about unlocking the power within your devil fruit."
Luffy did as Mario asked and the star began to shine brightly. Cursa noticed this and wanted to stop them, but Robin was still fighting her from within. Cursa could just glare at them while she fought to gain control again. The star shone brighter and brighter, and as it did Luffy began to change. His hair became white and wavy, his clothes became white as well, his eyebrows became white and swirly, the beat of a drum began to ring out, and a string of white clouds formed around Luffy's neck. Finally, once the transformation was done, Luffy began to laugh.
"Luffy?"
Mario called out, concerned for his well-being. That is when he heard a voice.
"I... wish... to bring... joy!"
Mario was confused by this. It sounded like Luffy, but the way it spoke was different. The light died down as Mario held the drained power star. He looked and saw Luffy's new form and heard the beat of a drum. It was weird, the beat was filling Mario with joy and driving out despair. Luffy then looked at Mario with his eyes now a pink color.
"Thank you, hero of light."
"Wait, what did you just call me!?"
Mario asked, but Luffy didn't answer and shot off to fight Crocodile. Mario would make sure to bring this up later as he put away the power star. Back with the others, Luigi and Ace were trying to hit Crocodile while Peach used the power of her Boom-Brella to protect them. But they weren't having any luck as Crocodile was able to dive into the sand to avoid their attacks.
"Damn it! Where's Mario? We could use that water gun of his again."
Ace asked in frustration. That's when Luffy landed next to them, but he looked different.
"Luffy!? What happened to you?"
"Mario must have awakened his devil fruit with the power star."
Luigi answered. Everyone just looked at Luffy's new form before Luffy jumped up and grabbed the floor. Then he pulled up the floor like a rug and whipped it. This formed a wave that continued traveling until Crocodile was sent flying out of the sand. Luffy then shot at Crocodile. Crocodile saw this and sent sand blades to try and stop Luffy. But Luffy stretched and contorted his body in weird and silly ways to avoid the attacks.
"Um, I know Luffy was able to stretch himself, but when was he able to do stuff like that?"
"I don't know. It's like he's in a cartoon."
Ace and Luigi said in wonder. That's when they noticed Mario walking up to the group.
"Hey Mario, what did you do to Luffy?"
Ace asked.
"I used the power star to awaken his devil fruit as Cursa did to Crocodile. But I didn't think it would change him this much."
"He'll turn back, right?"
"Don't-a worry Ace. Once the energy from the power star runs out he'll revert to his normal self. I just hope his mind will be fine after this."
Ace turned to Mario, about to ask what he meant by that, but that's when they heard screaming from behind them. They turned to see Cursa, Darkmess flaring up around her.
"We need to take her down while Luffy handles Crocodile."
"Alright, but we're going to talk about this later."
Mario nodded to Ace while he and the others got ready. The Darkmess finally settled down as she seemed to have regained control.
"Finally, now to...!"
Cursa ducked to avoid a shot from Mario. She saw herself surrounded and turned to Crocodile to ask for help. But he was being dealt with by the powered-up Luffy. She just glared at Mario and his friends with a hateful stare.
In Alubarna
The resistance was fighting off the army of stooges that was occupying the capital city. With the puddles all destroyed and Spark users on their side, the resistance army led by Koza and Cobra was beating back the Darkmess army to take back Alabasta. Pell and Chaka had separated from Cobra to save some citizens who were freed from Cursa's control. While Cobra was alone fighting off some stooges he was attacked from behind. He rolled forward to avoid the attack but he dropped his sword doing so.
"Kill the king! If we do then Cursa will give us more power!"
"You fools! Can't you see what she has done to you? She has stripped you of your humanity and turned you into her slaves!"
"Humanity is overrated you old fart!"
One of the Baroque Works stooges yelled as he and his cohorts rushed forward. Pell and Chaka saw this and sped to their king in the hybrid forms.
"King Cobra!"
They yelled as they stretched out their arms. But they wouldn't make it in time. Cobra closed his eyes as the stooges brought down their blades, but nothing happened. He opened his eyes to see that Koza had defeated all the stooges.
"Koza, but how?"
"Thank Mario."
Koza said as he showed the stopwatch that disintegrated to dust.
"Fifteen seconds of stopped time."
"I see. Still, you deserve thanks for saving me."
As Koza was helping Cobra up, more stooges came to attack them. But they were shot down before they could bring down their weapons. Koza and Cobra turned to see Geno land and continue fighting off stooges. They were about to ask about him when,
"Father!"
Vivi called out as she ran towards them.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, me dear. Thanks to Koza."
Koza just waved it off.
"It was more Mario than me. I wouldn't have been able to make it in time if it wasn't for that watch he gave me."
"Still, thank you for saving my father Koza."
Vivi bowed to Koza. He was shocked by her actions.
"It's alright Vivi! Please, raise your head. You're the symbol of the resistance, remember?"
Vivi giggled as she picked herself up.
"Now, who is that?"
Koza pointed over to Geno, who was dispatching stooges effortlessly.
"His name is Geno, and he's a friend of Mario."
"Really now? Well, we'll take more help."
"Yes, now let us continue. There is still more Darkmess infesting our kingdom."
Cobra said as he picked up his sword. The others nodded and continued to fight off the stooges. Vivi looked at the castle, hoping that Mario, Luffy, and the others were okay.
In the bottom chamber of the palace
Cursa was fighting off Mario and his friends but was having a hard time doing so. Despite regaining control Robin was still fighting her from within. Because of this, she couldn't use her full power. And this wasn't the only problem, Mario had used his power star to replicate what she did to Crocodile on Luffy. Now Luffy was fighting Crocodile on equal footing.
"This shouldn't be possible."
Cursa whispered to herself. Despite Mario increasing Luffy's power, Crocodile had more experience and should have been stronger than Luffy originally. So how was Luffy holding his own against Crocodile? While she was pondering this she noticed something. Every attack Crocodile launched was a basic attack. He created sand blades, claws, and fists to try and hit Luffy. Luffy on the other hand was showing amazing creativity. He was pushing the limits of his devil fruit by inflating different parts of his body and even turning some parts of the room rubbery and using it as a weapon against Crocodile.
"How!? How are they so different!? Crocodile is a warlord of the sea! He should be able to fight more effectively!"
Cursa continued to try and defend herself from Mario and his allies. That's when she heard it, a voice. It was coming from Luffy. It wasn't his voice, it was coming from within him. She could also sense that this voice was connected to Luffy's powers. She listened to Crocodile, he was silent. There was nothing. He was silent and she could sense nothing within him. Just the Darkmess she used to control him.
"Is that the voice of his devil fruit? Did I silence Crocodile's when I took control of him?"
Cursa pondered on this. Did she make Crocodile weaker by stealing his will? This made her question what devil fruits were and their true nature. She was broken out of these thoughts when she was hit by two Spark shots.
"Keep it up! She can't hold out much longer!"
Mario shouted. Everyone began to focus their shots on Cursa. She erected a wall of Darkmess to block them. Meanwhile, Luffy and Crocodile were still fighting. Luffy gathered his remaining star power into his fists.
"Gum-Gum..." Luffy started as his fists glowed. "Shooting Stars!"
Luffy sent a barrage of punches towards Crocodile. The light emanating from them made his attack resemble a shower of stars. Crocodile tried to block or evade them, but the punches were too strong and fast. He was mercilessly hammered into the ground by Luffy's attack. As Luffy continued his assault his hair and clothes began to return to normal. Luffy pulled his fists together and sent a double-handed hammer attack, knocking out Crocodile. Luffy lost his glow and fell to the ground.
"Luffy!"
Ace shouted as he saw his brother fall. He rushed towards Luffy to catch him.
"Go help him Peach. We can handle Cursa."
Mario said. Peach nodded and went to help Ace. Mario turned back to Cursa as he and Luigi got ready to finish her off. Cursa was angered that her plan had failed and prepared to do something desperate.
"Think fast!"
Cursa threw the power star away. Luigi leaped to catch it. Mario was about to finish Cursa off, but she did something unexpected. She dropped Robin and flew away. Mario jumped towards her.
"I gotcha!"
Mario caught Robin and landed safely. He checked her pulse and breathing. Fortunately, she was fine, just exhausted from being possessed. While he was doing this, Ace and Peach were checking on Luffy.
"Hey, Luffy. Luffy? Are okay?"
Ace was shaking Luffy and was growing worried when he wasn't responding. He was about to ask for help from the others when Luffy began to groan.
"Luffy!"
"Uh... Hmm? What happened? Did we win?"
"Yeah, you beat Crocodile yourself."
"I did?"
"Yeah, you don't remember?"
"No. The last thing I remember was Mario using the power star on me, and then I woke up with you standing over me."
"Well don't worry about it. Crocodile is out cold and Cursa should be-"
Ace didn't finish as he saw Cursa fly over him to the other end of the room. Ace was confused since Mario and Luigi were supposed to have finished her off. He turned back and saw Luigi holding a power star and Mario carrying a woman in his arms. He figured that was a victim of Cursa and she ditched her and the power star to make a quick escape.
"Hang on Luffy. I'll take care of this."
Ace went to finish Cursa off. As she landed, he sent a fire fist to end it. But a hand shot out from behind Cursa and caught the attack. Then it seemed to be absorbed by the hand, shocking Ace.
"Thank you, Blackbeard."
"Blackbeard?"
Ace said in confusion. That's when a laugh began to echo around the room. A laugh that Ace recognized.
"Zehahahahaha. You're welcome Cursa. I can't have my newest partner taken out now can I?"
"That laugh, it couldn't be."
Ace said in shock as the owner of the hand stepped out of the shadows. It was revealed to be Teach, Ace's former crew mate.
"I'm assuming you'll be accepting my offer since Crocodile is finished."
"Of course, Blackbeard. Did you bring what I requested?"
Blackbeard snapped his fingers and his crew came out with an unconscious person.
"We found her with some fellows out in the dunes. It was easy to nab her since they were dealing with your minions."
A large man who looked like a masked wrestler dropped a woman with short black hair. Cursa examined her new host.
"Hmm, a downgrade from Nico Robin, but she'll do."
Cursa began to possess the body when.
"TEACH!"
Ace shouted as he charged towards Blackbeard.
"Ace, good to see you again."
Blackbeard commented as Ace sent another fire fist at him. But just like before, Blackbeard stretched out his hand to catch the attack. That's when Ace saw it, a black portal opened up in Teach's hand and absorbed his attack.
"What the?"
"You seem surprised Ace. This is the power of my devil fruit. The power of darkness, the power to swallow everything!"
"Tch! Figures why you would want to team up with Cursa then. But I'm taking you out now!"
Ace flared up and Blackbeard prepared to face him.
"Enough!"
Cursa shouted as she rose with her new body.
"We don't have time for this. We need to escape."
"Very well, then lend me your power Cursa."
Cursa placed a hand on Blackbeard's shoulder and gave him some Darkmess. Blackbeard began to glow a dark purple.
"Amazing, it appears you have a natural resonance with Darkmess."
"Indeed it does. Now, let Darkmess consume you!"
Blackbeard shouted as he thrust his hand into the ground. A dark vortex appeared beneath him and began to expand. Soon the entire floor was covered, and it began to swallow everything. The rubble, the sand, even Ace felt it begin to pull him in. He tried to fly away, but the force was too strong.
"Ace!"
Ace turned to see Luigi, in his kitsune suit, fly towards him.
"Grab on!"
Ace took Luigi's hand and pulled him behind a barrier Starlow and Starlee created.
"That should give us enough time."
Blackbeard said as he pulled his hand out of the ground.
"Good, now everyone, get in!"
Cursa unfurled her cloak and Blackbeard and his crew went inside.
"Teach!"
Ace shouted, trying to get out. But Luigi held him back.
"Ace, that attack he used is still active. If you leave the barrier you'll be swallowed up."
"Damn it!"
Ace shouted as he watched Teach escape. Once Blackbeard and his crew were inside Cursa's cloak, she closed it and began to swirl into herself. Soon she vanished, and the vortex vanished with her. Once it was gone, Starlow and Starlee dropped the barrier.
"That was exhausting."
"It sure was sis."
They dropped down, but Mario and Luigi caught them before they hit the ground.
"You two did great."
"Yeah, take a nap now. You've earned it."
Mario and Luigi said as they placed the two star sprites into their caps.
*BAM!"
A loud punch echoed throughout the room. Everyone turned to see Ace, hunched over and slamming his fist into the ground.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it! He was right there, and I let him get away! Next time he won't escape, I swear it. I will avenge you, Thatch."
Ace said to himself. That's when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Luigi giving him a sympathetic look.
"I'm sorry Ace, but it was-a too dangerous to let you go after them. We have no idea what that attack would do."
"You don't have to apologize Luigi. He may have escaped, but now I have some idea of what his devil fruit could do."
Ace got up and dusted himself off.
"Besides," Ace turned to Luigi with a smile. "It seems Cursa and Teach have teamed up, so we're going to be working together to take them down."
"Right!"
Luigi said with a nod.
"That's a problem for tomorrow. For now, we need to take Crocodile to the proper authorities and then get some rest. Man, I'm-a tired after that fight."
Mario said. Everyone nodded in agreement, thankful that the fight was finally over and they had reclaimed another power star.
Back outside
The resistance continued to fight against the Darkmess army. But suddenly all of the stooges began to scream in pain.
"What's happening?"
"I have no idea."
Vivi answered Koza. Everyone watched, cautious of what the stooges were doing. That's when all the human stooges fell to their knees and the Darkmess powering them began to dissipate. All the Baroque Works agents fell unconscious while all the rabbid stooges vanished.
"Uh, what happened? Did we win?"
Rabbid Mario asked. Everyone was wondering the same thing when Jeanie and Beep-o flew next to Vivi.
"Good news everyone! Recent scans show that Cursa has been defeated! She is no longer in Alabasta."
Everyone turned to Beep-o. Cobra then walked up to him.
"Is this true?"
Cobra asked.
"Yes, and my scans show that all remaining Darkmess in the country is rapidly disintegrating. Mario and the others have done it, we have won."
Upon hearing this everyone began to cheer. Their terrible nightmare was now over.
"Quickly, we need medics. The battle may be over but there are still many injured. The job isn't over yet."
Chaka ordered.
"I can help with that."
Mallow said as he walked up to the group.
"Who are you?"
"It's okay Chaka. This is Mallow, another of Mario's friends. He helped us disable the bomb Crocodile and Cursa had prepared."
Vivi explained.
"I see. Well, if you can help then we would greatly appreciate it."
"Okay!"
Mallow began to charge up magic power within himself. Then, to everyone's surprise, his upper body began to levitate as he glowed green. Everyone was wondering what he did, and that's when they noticed it was getting darker. Everyone looked up to see grey clouds covering the sky. That's when they felt it, rain. It started to rain. Everyone cheered at this and brought out barrels to try and catch the rain. Pell raised his hand to feel the rain in, but he noticed something. All his cuts and bruises were being healed.
"What the?"
"What's wrong Pell?"
Chaka asked his friend.
"My wounds, they are healing."
Chaka looked and was pleasantly surprised by this. That's when he noticed everyone was being healed by the rains.
"You're getting better Mallow."
Geno said as he walked up to Mallow.
"Yep, I've been practicing. It takes a lot of magic power, but I can make healing rain clouds that can cover a kingdom!"
Mallow said with pride.
"Wait, this rain can heal wounds?"
Vivi asked.
"Yep! It's one of my special skills."
"Amazing!"
Chopper said in awe.
"Can it do anything else? Like, heal sickness? How about serious injuries? Can it restore lost limbs?"
Mallow was starting to feel overwhelmed by Chopper's relentless questioning.
"Hold up there Chopper."
Sanji said as he pulled Chopper to him.
"You're overwhelming him. You can ask the cloud person about his special rain later. Right now we need to see if our friends are okay."
Chopper stopped upon hearing this.
"Ah! You're right. We need to see if the others are okay!"
"You mean Mario and Peach?"
Mallow asked.
"Them, his brother Luigi, and our captain and his brother. They went off to fight Crocodile."
Nami answered.
"Then we need to check on them immediately!"
"Right, they went to the palace. That would be the best place to find them."
Nami pointed to the palace.
"Then let's go!"
"Yeah!"
Mallow and Chopper rushed off to find Mario's team. The rest of the Straw Hats and Geno did the same and followed them.
And that's the end of the chapter. Thank you all so much for reading my story. Please feel free to leave a review and have a nice day.