It's exactly four hours since the defeat of the Warlord, Sir Crocodile. His unconscious body in a water barrel, rendering him into a stasis coma, and sent into a dungeon until further notice.
As such, all agents had been captured, with the exception of Mr. 2. The Okama Guy had somehow found the willpower to recover and run away, and Miss All-Sunday had vanished without notice.
As that happened, the Royal and Rebel army stationed themselves in the garden below the castle. The atmosphere was tense as both sides were not only about to kill each other, there were spies in their ranks, leading their leaders in a meaningless war.
Thankfully, it has been mellow by their newest heroes, who have begun to relax them with their shenanigans.
Sanji had taken the chance to make a banquet for everyone, with the help of the Royal Chef Terracotta, who happens to be Igaram's wife.
"Alright! Everyone who wants seconds, form a line!" Sanji declared.
A line was formed under a second.
"Well, look at that." Terracotta said. "Didn't think we would all be this calm after everything that happened. The food must be good."
"And I take great pride in it." Sanji replied as he handed the man a refill plate to a soldier. "Food is always a good source to calm everyone down. Without it, we would just be mindless animals that work better with violence as our answer."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...I feel like I have insulted a few people." Sanji blankly spoke.
"Ufufufu!" Terracotta giggles at Sanji, feeling Chaka, Pell, Chopper, the Kongs, Luffy and Ace look at him with narrow eyes.
Speaking of.
As the food was served, most of the crew managed to either entertain themselves and the soldiers or simply talk.
The Kongs were putting on a small show, Diddy holding Kiddy with his feet while the toddler was spinning DK on his four limbs, the big gorilla simply rolling. This was a shock to the people as they couldn't believe the level of power shown.
"How is that tiny one even doing it?!" Someone asked. "The Gorilla must weigh at least 400 pounds!"
"Dude! Forget the baby, look at the monkey! He's literally the smallest one and he's holding twice the weight with his feet only!"
Moving on, we see Zoro going arm wrestling with a few guys who wanted to test themselves, while using his other hand to drink a mug of sake. And given the depressing cloud that was above them says that he's breaking a few spirits.
"Holy shit! This guy has already taken down half of the men on both sides!"
"Step right up! Step right up!" Nami shouted as she was banging a table with a board having bets. "Who here has the guts to defeat our drunken swordsman in arm wrestling! Only 10 bellies for one try!"
"Are you kidding me?! You think anyone is going to pay that much?!"
"Well, if you don't want to, it's fine. Nobody will hold it against you for knowing you can't beat him." Nami 'casually' commented.
"What?! Why you! Fine! Here!"
"Thank you for doing business with you~"
As the thief began to squeeze money 'legally', we moved to Usopp, who had a small crowd and was telling stories of their journey to get here, telling tales of giants, corruption, kings, fishmen, Marines and many more.
Usually, this could be considered one of the lies he tells, but not this time. As everything that happened was hard to not believe.
"And just as Crocodile would think he had victory, we all came in and gave him a lesson so hard he was left in a coma! Hahahaha!" Usopp laughed, "It's funny! He was all-talk, big shot, hero wanna-be, tactical genius! Yet, he failed in the most basic thing ever! Never underestimate your opponent!" That made the viewers laugh with him. "I swear, if I had a Transponder Snail with a recording program, I would watch his arrogant face morph into horror over and over again!"
"I'll drink to that!"
"Here, here!"
"Hey, kid! Is it true that Crocodile lost to a plumber!?"
Usopp grinned evilly. "But of course he did! And that's both amazing and humiliating! Imagine being one of the strongest and dangerous pirates in the Grand Line, being untouchable for years, only to get destroyed by a Rookie Pirate and a Fucking Plumber…and NOT even being able to hurt them! That's kind of embarrassing!
Burst of laughter.
Moving to another part, Chopper was prepping some medicine. Having been taught a few tricks by Mario, the young reindeer was eager to improve his medicine technique, even more as he is the first doctor(second to his Master) to be using ingredients from another world!
So cool~
"Amazing! This kind of technique is incredible!" One of the doctors who was there said in amazement at seeing Chopper working, the poor doctor/pirate flinched. "I have spent years in medicine but this is the first time seeing something so advanced!"
"That's because Chopper comes from the Drum Kingdom, or rather, former." Vivi, who was close by, said with a smile.
"Oh! So that explains it! To be able to have the knowledge of that kingdom's medicine is a stroke of luck! Keep it up, young man. You have a bright future!"
"Shut up!" Chopper snapped his head to the side and yelled at the man…while smiling in embarrassment, holding a cup of tea and offering to him. "Keep your mouth shut, you damn bastard!"
The old man turned his head to the princess, "Is he saying that for real or is that how he offers me to sit down and talk more?"
"I believe it's the latter. He still has problems showing his true emotions." Vivi said.
Meanwhile, we move to the King and the Rebel leader, having begun to discuss the upcoming meeting, their most trusted men at their sides. "So we both agree to inform the entire kingdom of this."
"Agreed." Kozah nodded. "The people need to know the truth. Their hero was nothing but a sham that had been hurting us for too long." He looked at the horizon, seeing the yellowish sunset, "But my worries are with the World Government."
Cobra nodded. "That's true. It's because of the Warlord System this has happened…it makes me wonder if what happened here is probably what happened in Dressrosa." He said, remembering a certain kingdom that is ruled by one of the Warlords. "This will put us in a bad predicament regarding the Government, they don't take things like this very lightly. Especially if they find out we were saved by pirates."
"Ah! Then I have a solution for that!" Starlow flew above them, making the men look at her. "We simply let the Marines take the recognition!" The answer shocked them.
"What?! But-"
"Listen. Whenever this happens because of the Navy or Government, it doesn't change the fact that they are the law. A law to maintain peace and tranquility for the people." Starlow explained. "Like Mario said, we didn't help for recognition, we did it because Vivi is our friend and she asked for our help. Nothing more, nothing less. So the government can do whatever they want."
"But you know, they will try to blame you all-"
"Ha! They can do it! But they will fail!" Starlow scoff. "Because their words are just that, and Mario and Luigi are good at changing people's view on them! Besides," She grinned evilly. "At the end of the day, we all know the truth, and the Government will forever remember this embarrassment. Now that's a punishment for their laziness!"
Cobra was about to say, before turning to the side as he saw everyone. Both Royal and Rebels were now talking with each other, laughing like old friends.
…
…
…
"...Very well." The King said, surprising the others. "We'll take care of how to inform everyone without mentioning any of you."
"Perfect!"
As that conversation comes to an end, we move to the last key members of the party, Luffy and Ace, who are eating a lot and talking with each other.
"Man! It's been a long time! What have you being doing, Ace?!" Luffy asked.
"Eh! A lot of things!" Ace replied while drinking a barrel of water, "Got myself with a huge crew, had a few fights here and there, rejected the Government at becoming a Warlord, and got to meet cool individuals!" He then pointed at his back, showing his little brother the skull mark of a pirate. "I'm now second-in-command of the Whitebeard's Pirates."
"Eh? You?! Taking orders from someone?!" Luffy looked at him in shock. "Bullshit! You're too prideful for that!"
"Hey! Watch it!" Ace snapped at him, "I'll have you know that I'm still your Brother and I can still kick your ass!"
"Oh yeah!? Well I can kick your ass ten times harder!"
"Oh yeah!? Well I can kick your ass twenty times harder!"
"OH YEAH?!"
"OH YEAH!"
What followed next was them picking all the food in front of them and eating it all in one bite, their cheeks expanding a lot before swallowing everything in their stomach, making them bigger and round. They took a deep breath and in seconds, digested the food and returned their stomach back to its original figure.
"HOW THE FUCK DOES THAT WORK?!" Yelled the majority of the people there shouted in disbelief as they saw that.
"You know what, it's been a long time since I raised my score against you. How much was it? 66 out of 0 in my favor?" Ace 'dumbly' asked.
"69 to 0 and you keep pounding me every time!" Luffy corrected.
"That's what she said!"
You can hear millions of mouths spitting water out.
"But not this time!" Luffy smashed his fists together, grinning madly, "I've been training a lot thanks to Mario's training! You won't be able to beat me so easily now!"
"Heh. You think so?" Ace grinned as he cracked his knuckles. "Well, let's see if you manage to improve a bit these last three years."
Suddenly, both brothers were in a ring that appeared out of nowhere, having everyone surrounded the ring, and Nami already started to make a betting pool.
"How in the world-"
"Alright! We are about to start! Where's the referee!?"
"Get Mario to do it! He said he was once one!"
"Okay…but where is he?"
At the question, everyone stopped and looked around, having realized that the red plumber was nowhere in sight, he and his brother.
"Ah, right!" Starlow perked up, "What I was coming here for." She coughed as she flew above, "Everyone, may I have your attention please?" Everyone looked at her. "I, Starlow, would like to inform you all…Your city is finished!"
…
…
…
"...Huh?"
Starlow's antenna flew and a small beam shot into the sky and exploded like a small firework…followed by lights turning on in the town below the castle. Everyone quickly went to the side and…simply gasped.
"It…It can't be." Cobra was the first to speak, shock in his eyes.
The town…was back to its original state. All broken buildings were fixed. The disfigured ground was back to normal. The empty streets were full of people, all who were cheering and waving at them. It helps that the sunset on the horizon was bringing a dazzling light that was making everything look bright and new.
"H-How?" A befuddled Kozah asked, "T-The city is back in place?! This would have taken at least two weeks! And the people returning would take at least three days!"
"Not with us."
Everyone looks at the stairs to see Mario and Luigi in construction outfits, helmets and all.
"We-a thought that it would be prudent to fix the houses of the civilians." Luigi spoke up, taking a towel and cleaning his forehead. "You know, so that they won't come back to see their homes destroyed."
"B-B-B-But we've only been here for four hours!"
"Ehem~ And they work fast~ Mimimimi~!"
The Royal Army gasped as someone familiar came up the stairs and reached the top.
"Igaram!!!" Vivi yelled as she rushed to her bodyguard and hugged him, to which the old man happily returned.
"Princess. I have no words to describe how glad I am to see you alive and well." Igaram said, before letting her go and turning to the King and his companions. "As well to see everyone alive. Especially you, my King."
"Igaram." Cobra welcomed back his Royal Guard with open arms. "You have also returned to us alive. When Vivi told me what happened, I feared that I had lost you completely, my friend."
"Hahaha! Of course," Igaram laughed, standing next to Mario, "I would have been in a bad predicament if this mustache fellow hadn't saved my life." He looked at Mario and smiled. "I thank you once again, Mister Mario."
"It's-a not a problem." Mario replied.
"Oy! Mario!" Luffy called out to him. "Me and Ace are going to fight! We need a ref!"
"Oh, I'm coming." Mario said as he grabbed his clothes and ripped them off, revealing a referee outfit underneath it before running to the ring and jumping over the ropes of the ring, making brains spark static at the broken logic. "Okie-dokie! I want a fair anything-goes fight! It will end when one of you is sent over the top rope or cannot continue! Sounds-a fair?"
"Yes!"
"Alright!" Mario motions to both Luffy and Ace to get close. "Please shake hands as a sign of respect." Both did as said. "Now separate," Both of them move back. "…And…BEGIN!"
The fight began with flames going up and the crowd began to be wild, all while in the back the important people stared in shock.
"...And…he says…he's a plumber."
"And everything else is just a hobby."
Luigi patted Kozah's back. "That's my brother for ya."
"Don't sympathize with the Mortals, Luigi." Starlow appeared above the green plumber with a grin. "You are no better, Mr. Death, Destroyer of Worlds~"
"...Eh?!" Practically, everyone stopped to look at him in horror.
The Green Plumber simply deadpanned at the sprite.
A different can of worms was open that day.
Night came instantly. Everything was already starting to mellow down. The city was still in party-mode but it is clear that they will finish soon.
"Wow! It's so big!"
The majority of the male crew said as they entered the Royal Boathouse, half-naked, accompanied by Igaram and King Cobra. Kozah chose to stay behind with his rebels while Chaka and Pell continue supervising the still-going party
The baths were shaped like a fountain. With statues of mythical creatures spewing hot water out their mouths and a top tub spilling water into the larger lower tub. "We usually do this on special occasions. So feel free to enjoy it."
"Woohoo!" Luffy and Usopp yelled as they ran forward to the bath…only to comically slip and slide through the floor like ping pong.
"Morons!" Zoro yelled at the whole rising Chopper's back. DK, who was cleaning Diddy's back, who was washing Kiddy, laughed at that display.
"Hey, Ace?" Mario looked at the Ace, who was already submerging himself in the tub. "Is it wise for you and Luffy to bathe in there?"
"Yeah. Don't worry about it." Ace waved at him without concern, "As long as we are waist-level deep in water, we should be fine." He said as Mario nodded as he and everyone jumped inside for a smooth and warm relaxing moment.
("Man! This is good!") DK said, having fully relaxed so much, with Diddy and Kiddy doing the same.
"I don't-a remember the last time I had this much relaxation." Luigi said, small, imaginary flowers floating above his head.
"Tell me about-a it." Mario agreed with his brother. "Every-a time we try to have a break-a, we are roped into an adventure."
"By the way, your highness." Sanji slid close by to the King, a perverted smile on his face. "Where's the lady's bath?"
"You utter buffoon!" Igaram glared at him. "Why should he tell you that?! You are going to peep on them?!"
"Duh! Why do you think I'm asking?"
"There over that wall." Cobra 'casually' ' pointed at the wall.
"YOUR HIGHNESS!?"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall, Nami, Vivi and Starlow were washing each other, or rather the two former were.
"Ah~ I can't remember the last time I had a nice warm bath." Starlow mellow as she floats in the water.
"Ehehe. It must be tough for you, having gone on a lot of adventures." Vivi said.
"You have no idea.~"
"I can believe it." Nami said, "I literally had to deal with those five morons back in the East Blue before meeting Mario. I was the only one with a brain back then."
"Must be tough…Have to say, Nami. You have a smooth back." Vivi complemented.
"Why thank you. And I have to say, you looked gorgeous with your hair falling down, which makes me jealous." Nami complemented back.
But before they could take more, they both felt a presence, or rather, a few presences. Vivi looked up at the wall, and saw…the majority of the crew peeking over, along with Ace and DK. "Eeeek! You guys!?" Vivi yelled as she used her arms to cover her towel-covered body.
"Damn! Those are some honkers!"
"Tell me about it! Some fine set of badonkers!"
"Damn, Luffy! Your crew members are packing' some big dobonhonkeros!"
"What the heck are those? And why are you guys looking over the wall?" Luffy asked as he stretched his head and suddenly popped next to the rest and looked down, looking around. "Hey, Nami. Vivi. Where are these…dohoonkabhankoloos that Ace was talking about?"
"Oh no! His innocence!" Vivi screamed in horror.
"Eh? What are you guys talking about?" Chopper joins Luffy's head, or rather his body did. "Why are you all saying those weird names? What even is…tonhongerekoogers?"
"Nooooooo! Not Chopper! Anyone but him!"
"Princess! I'm sorry!" Igaram yelled from the other side of the wall, "I tried to stop them but your father helped them!"
"Daddy! Why?!"
Cobra coughs with a blush. "...Sorry, daughter. I can't resist a good pair of bonkhonagahoogs this close."
"The fuck!?"
"Now, if only there was some hungolomghononoloughongous, it would be perfect."
"Indeed!"
"Where the fuck are you people finding these words?! What dictionary is it and who's the author!? I'm going to kill them!"
Nami sighs as she stands up. "Bunch of perverts." She turned to them while holding her towel and smirking. "Just so you guys know, I don't mind the peeking, but it will be one hundred thousand bellies each….Happiness Punch!" She shouted while opening her towel, revealing everything.
All the males, even DK and Chopper, comically snapback as blood shot out of their nose and fell.
"NAMI?!" Vivi blushed madly at her daring.
"Hot damn!" Starlow whistles. "Daring woman on campus! Shame Rabbid Peach ain't here!"
Nami simply stuck her tongue out, teasingly, before noticing that Mario, Luigi, Zoro, or Diddy didn't peek at her. Sure, Diddy was probably taking care of Kiddy, and Zoro is probably sword-sex only, but the duo? "Hey, God Brother Duo!" She yelled with a pout.
"...God Brother Duo?" Luigi asked.
"Surely-a she can't mean us, right?" Mario deadpanned.
"Yes, I mean the two of you! What's the matter? Not wanting to peek at us?! Are we not worthy of God?" Vivi blushed at that implication.
Mario and Luigi looked at the wall in embarrassment and horror. "Mama Mia! What is wrong with you, Nami!? You girls are our friends! Why would we want to do that to you and Vivi!?"
"Ech! Chivalry to the end, eh?"
"Yep. They are the prime example of Gentlemen when it comes to ladies' privacy." Starlow said, "So good luck trying to break them, especially when they are spoken for."
Nami and Vivi snapped their faces at the Star Sprite while the males, aside from DK, snapped at the brothers. "WHAAAAAAT?!"
"I mean…I know Luigi is already spoken for, and Mario has the eye on the princess." Starlow clarified, a 'innocent' smile on her face. "But that hasn't stop a few ladies to try and get them~"
"...Damn." Nami and Vivi said, having known that Mario was charming and has gotten a Princess after him, but more than one? And his brother too?
"No wonder he was unfazed by my teasing." That's a hit to Nami's pride as a woman.
Every man's dream and curse!
Meanwhile, Sanji had recovered and had grabbed Mario and Luigi while glaring at them with extreme jealousy, "You bastards! You have more ladies after you!? And green shit here even has a girlfriend?!"
Luigi gulped while blushing. "Uhm…f-fiancée, actually-"
"SO. FUCKING. UNFAIR!" Sanji yelled to the heavens as he began to shake the duo.
*Wapow!*
Having enough, both brothers simply punch together the blonde cook and send the poor guy flying into the bath, where his 'lifeless' body floats up with two bumps.
"Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Zoro was left laughing like a madman. "Serves the Dartbrow right!"
"Ah shoot! H-He's not dead, right?" Luigi asked, concerned.
"Dead!? Ah!" Chopper shouted as he ran around in panic. "Quick! Someone call a doctor!"
"You are the doctor!"
"...Oh yeah!"
"Pffffhahahahahaha!" Ace burst out laughing, grabbing Luffy and bringing him to a nudge. "Damn Luffy! Your crew is something else alright!"
"Shishishishi! I know right!?"
"Ehem!" Suddenly, the cough of King Cobra made everyone look at him, who was standing up and cleaning his nose. "Leaving jokes aside, there's something I wish to say to you all." In an instant, the King of Alabasta…kneels and bow to them.
"YOU'RE HIGHNESS!?" A shocking move that surprised everyone.
"Words alone cannot express how much I feel. But I'll try. For saving the Kingdom, the millions of hard-working men and women, the innocents, and bringing my daughter back alive and well…I, as King and as a Father, thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"...Holy shit." Ace was the first to reply. "This is literally the first time I see a naked king thanking pirates."
"Shishishishi!" Luffy simply laughed. "Don't worry, Vivi's dad! Besides, Mario is the one who took the job escorting Vivi here! We just came because she's our friend!"
"And I did. Unfortunately, my offer to give him my daughter's hand is out the window since he's labeled as a pirate right now."
"…"
"…"
"…"
"...I did not just-a hear that." Mario facepalm.
"D-Daddy!?"
"Vivi! You cannot blame me! He's literally a hero that saved our country! Without asking for anything! My pride as a King, and my Father's instinct to get you a man will not allow me to miss this chance!"
"Damn you, Mario! Why you?! Why?!"
Laughter broke out.
…
…
….
A while passed and the crew were brought to the castle's guest room, where everyone had decided to sleep in and catch up properly this time.
"And that's why I came here." Ace, having removed his hat and put on a decent shirt to sleep, told the crew about his quest to find a traitor who killed his brother/friend. "Last I heard, the bastard was seen here in Alabasta by some bounty hunter."
"What a bastard!" Luffy growled while punching his fists. "How dare he kill his friend! If he wanted the Devil Fruit so much, why didn't he ask for it!?"
"It's our sacred rule. Anyone who finds something valuable has the right to have it, no question." Ace said, "I cannot forgive him for this…and he was in my division, which makes this even harder for me."
"Hey, don't eat yourself up for this." Luigi said, patting the Flame user's back.
"Yeah…Anyways, as I headed to the town I heard about, I ran into Luigi here." Ace said. "He was surrounded by some Baroque Workers. Asking some questions while pointing their guns at him…"
(Flashback)
We see Ace, looking from above from a building, witnessing a group of bad people that will later be identified as Baroque Works grunts, cornering a young man in a green plumbing outfit, sporting a big green hat with an L on the center and a fancy mustache, while a weird place dog stood next to him while growling.
"Yeah…Anyways, as I headed to the town I heard about, I ran into Luigi here." Ace said. "He was surrounded by some shmucks..."
"Yeah, you can." The first man, the leader, who was a big, burly man, said. "You see, one of my boys saw you in the streets buying stuff with gold." You could see the greed in his eyes as he took his sword out, "And you see, we kind of need some of that valuable stuff. So how about you hand it over."
Luigi gulped, but instead of cowering like usual, he narrowed his eyes. "I-I'm-a sorry, but…I cannot give you any."
"Hih? You don't seem to understand." What followed next was the rest of the bag guys to take out their guns and aim at him. "You don't have a choice in the matter."
('Man. What a predicament.') Ace whistles. ('What are you going to do now, green man?')
Luigi…simply took out his Poltergust G-00
…
…
…
"...Did…Did he just pull out a vacuum cleaner?" Ace blinked at the random thing that just happened.
"Pfft! Really?!" The leader asked between laughter, his friends also doing the same. "What is that supposed to be? Are you going to suck my hair with it?"
"N-Not your hair. Just your weapons." Luigi said.
"Hah! Yeah, like if that's possible-"
Luigi simply pressed the button on his hoister and a massive vortex began to appear, and in seconds, weapons-
"Aaaaah!"
"Nooooooo!"
"Save meeeeee!"
…And a few of the people were swallowed inside.
Now, nobody was laughing, especially the leader as his smug expression turned into blue horror.
Even Ace was with his jaw open.
"...Ehem! I don't like hurting others, but continue like this and I will fight back." Luigi said with awkward glare, Polterpup started to throttle around him. "So leave…and don't do this again."
"...G-Get him!" Out of panic? Fear? Who knows, but the Leader had shouted and his friends didn't hesitate, nor question, to follow through.
Luigi gulped and sighed as he put away his Poltergust and raised his arms. "Let's-a Go."
(Insert Never Let Up! Mario and Luigi: Dream Team Music)
The first man to reach Luigi took out a small knife to compensate for his missing weapon and slashed forward, only for Luigi to dodge it and hit him with a punch to the stomach. The man gagged out before falling, holding his stomach.
Two men had reached him and tried to cut him together with their swords, but Luigi reacted quickly and pulled out his Ultra Hammer and blocked/smashed the swords into pieces before sending the mallet into the two men and sending the flying back.
A few gunners got the high ground and began to shoot Luigi, who noticed and quickly began to dodge by maneuvering like an athlete for a minute before crouching and leaping thirty feet into the air and heading to a surprise shooter, who only got time to gasp as Luigi drops on him with a karate chop, sending the poor guy into the concrete hard.
The gunners in there gasped in horror, enough time for Luigi to take out his Poltergust and fire his plunger at a wide-open man, who didn't have time to react as it plunged into his chest, followed by Luigi pulling him and began to spin him around, hitting his friends in the process.
"Ah!!!!" A man shouted as he was getting bitten by Polterpup, "Get it off me!" He tried to grab the mutt, but his hands couldn't hold him as they got through it. "Why can't I get it off me?!"
"Wait! I got him-" A friend of his tried to help, but Polterpup had let go purposely and let both men crash with each other.
Meanwhile, the leader of the thugs gritted his teeth and sweat in fear as he watched how his team began to drop down like flies. How did this get out of control!? It was supposed to be a simple and easy mugging!
Looking back momentarily, he saw a few of them staggering in fear and worried.
He couldn't let that happen!
"Gah! Die!" He yelled out as he charged forward with his two swords high.
Luigi perks up and yelps at seeing the big man reaching him and swinging at him. He quickly parries the attack, but the delusional man continues to throw slashes around, with Luigi parrying each and every single one of them.
All this and Ace could only whistle, impressed. "Damn, little guy has some fighting in him, not to forget its dog."
But then, came the surprise as Luigi had caught both swords effortlessly. From his hands, arcs of electricity began to come out. "Thunder!" Luigi yelled out as light-blue lighting hit the swords and began electrocuting the burly man.
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!"
His scream was all that was needed for everyone to stop and start to back away. Realizing, and mistaking, they were trying to attack a dangerous threat.
Once the attack finished, the leader's body was twitching as its body was covered in black. The grip on his swords loosen up as the weapons fell. "Y-Y-Y-You…a-a-are…D-Dev-vil-"
*BANG!*
"Oh ho!" Luigi cheers as he has the man's chin with his Super Jump Punch, connecting at the perfect spot and sending the enemy high into the air, vanishing into the blue sky in seconds.
…
…
…
Everyone was looking up for a second before moving their places heads back to Luigi, who had his back to them. The Green Plumber simply bops his head forward before spinning to their direction with gun fingers.
"Bang! Bang!"
…
…
…
"RUUUUUUUUUUUUN!"
That was all the fat lady sang as the rest of the thugs ran away in fear.
Back to the top of the building, Ace was, once again, impressed and surprised. ('Good with fighting, excellent athleticism, strange but powerful weapons, and electrical power. This guy is brave and gusty!') He looked back at Luigi.
"Waaaaaah! That was so scary!"
Only to be surprised at seeing him cowering while crouching, his eyes almost ready to cry as his dog comforted him.
('...And I retract my statement.') Ace sweat drops, but couldn't help smiling at seeing this action, remembering about his crybaby little brother.
Leaping down from building and landing with *thud* sound that made Luigi yelp before he and Polterpup turned to Ace, the plumber panicking as he raised his hands in karate position, his dog growling again.
"Easy there, buddy!" Ace greeted with a sincere smile and open hand in surrender. "I want no trouble."
Luigi moved his eyes around for a second…before breathing in relief and removing some sweat off his forehead. "Fweeh…Finally, someone-a who doesn't come to-a mug or hurt me."
"Not the first time?"
"Third time this day." Luigi sighs. "I've only been here for one day and I had at least two hundred guys come to me."
"Man. That's rough. But you handle it like a Pro back there." Ace said before introducing himself. "By the way, I'm Portgas D. Ace. Nice to meet you." He bowed.
"Oh. I'm-a Luigi. Nice to meet you too." Luigi did the same.
"Bark!" Polterpup barked, tail wagging and tongue dangling.
"Oh! And this is Polterpup." He introduced his pet/pal.
"Greetings, doggy. Must say, never seeing a dog this white before. He almost looks like a ghost."
"Oh! That's because he is a ghost."
…
…
…
…
"Eh?"
(Flashback End)
"Yeah. Imagine my shock when I heard it was an actual ghost and not a Devil Fruit." Ace said as he looked at Polterpup, being caressed by Luigi. "And the mind blowing part is that I can't touch him but Luigi can, as if it's normal."
"Well, he has fought ghosts before, it's usually what my bro does when we aren't plumbing." Mario said as he patted his brother's back. "Scary cat he might be, I never doubt his bravery to face fear."
"Aw, shucks." The Green Brother chuckled sheepishly. "It was nothing." That made Polterpup jump on him and began to kick his face in affection. "Ahahaha! Stop it!"
That causes everyone to chuckle, although, if one could see a certain blonde smiling sadly while looking at Mario and Luigi, a hurtful memory and the emotion of jealousy at how close the two of them were.
('...No use in remembering those three.') Sanji thought while holding his head.
"Anyway, after introducing ourselves, we both found that we were going to the same place so we teamed up. On the way through the desert, we found Diddy." Ace pointed at Diddy, who was caressing a sleeping Kiddy on the bed. "He was fighting a giant Sandora Lizard."
"Sandora Lizard?"
"A purple lizard that lives in the desert. Very big, and their meat is good!"
"Mmmm~ Meat~"
"Yeah, and that guy was giving us a show, I tell ya!"
(Flashback...Again)
Ace, Luigi (having put on new clothes for the desert voyage) and Polterpup stood back as they witnessed the monkey with a red hat and shirt flying around in a barrel jet pack.
"Is that Diddy?!" Luigi gasped.
"You know him?" Ace asked.
"I do! B-But he isn't supposed to be here!"
"Oh, right. Otherworld beings." Ace nodded, still trying to process that Luigi was someone from another world. "You want to help him?"
"Uh…I don't think we need to." Luigi sweatdrop as he pointed forward.
Ace looked, and his eyes popped out at seeing the Sandora Lizard already defeated, with Diddy beating his chest while standing above the animal. "What the fuck?! But I only looked away for like 2 seconds!"
"Well, he's-a that good." Luigi said before rushing forward, "Diddy!!!"
Diddy perks up at his name as turned around to see Luigi running at him, another human and the ghost puppy on his trail. "Oook?!" He said as he jumped down. "Hiiiiiih!"
Luigi reached and made his hand shake with Diddy, allowing Ace to catch up. "What happened? Why are you here?! Are you alone?"
Diddy made multiple noises, staring with shock, then sadness, before ending with happiness. Luigi nodded through the entire explanation, while Ace had blank owlish eyes blinking at it all. ('I…don't understand anything that he's saying.')
(Flashback End...Again)
"After a while, Diddy told us how he was separated from his family and we brought him with us to Rain Base. But before we could reach the town, we had the misfortune to run into Crocodile." Ace growled at that. "At first, I thought he came to ask me why I was here, but instead, he attacked Luigi without reason."
"Just like that?"
"Yeah. No warning. No threat. Just straight up attack us, no idea why."
"...The Power Star." Mario said, catching everyone's attention. "It's-a possible that the power of the Star got into his desires and went after Luigi for powering up."
"Yeah, I thought as well." Luigi nodded. "He always went after me during the fight, guess he felt that I was a Star Child and presumed that I could boost him up."
("Well, that was dumb of him…yet, we can't say anything as we got captured by him.") Diddy said, looking down in sadness.
"...You know," Zoro spoke up, "Now that you bring it back. Mario, you have mentioned that thing about Star Children." That made the crew perk in realization, and Ace in confusion. "What the heck is that?"
"Ah, that's right. I haven't mentioned it." Mario fist bumps. "I must have forgotten to tell you all." He coughed for a bit as Starlow came out and began to project images. "Okie-dokie! So, this is something me, my brother and the rest of my friends found a few years back. There was a foretold story; in a specific era, seven children will be born under the stars, destined for greatness and sporting extraordinary power." Images of seven children appeared, making the rest gasp at seeing three familiar faces. "Out of those seven, me, Luigi and DK are one of them."
"Wow!" Luffy, Chopper and Usopp gaps in amazement.
"Well, that explains why these guys are ridiculously strong. They were literally born with extraordinary power." Sanji said.
"So that means that Luigi can pick a castle and kick it away without effort?! And! And punch the moon out of orbit with one punch!?" Luffy asked, making Ace widened his eyes at that implication.
"Excuse me?!"
"W-Well…I think?" Luigi awkwardly said. "I'm…not as strong as Mario or DK, that's there turf-"
"Please forgive him." Starlow said as the projector vanished, "Because of his childhood, Luigi has a high self-loathing stem and doesn't see the greatness he has done. I mean, he discovered and explored a New Dimension on his own! In Space!" The Straw Hat and Ace gasped, making Luigi blush.
"He has saved my butt countless times." Mario continued, feeling proud of little brother. "And not only that, but I trust nobody but him to face the Army of Ghosts, which is his biggest fear, and Undead beings capable of overturning an entire land in one night, and creating dimensions with nothing but a vacuum cleaner…three times…in a single night."
…
…
…
"Holy shit." Nami couldn't even bother to contain herself.
"Well! Now I understand why he is called Death!" Vivi chuckled, "He literally has fought the dead! With a vacuum cleaner!"
"Uhm…is actually a ghost hunting device that looks like one." Luigi meekly said.
"...Sniff!..." Usopp was shedding manly tears as he saluted Luigi. "You truly are a brave warrior! Is an honor to have met you, Luigi! As someone who wants to be a Brave Warrior of the Sea, I now idolize and respect you!"
"Yeah! You are awesome, Luigi! Why aren't you confident in yourself?!" Luffy proclaimed as he grabbed the green plumber and pulled him, causing Polterpup to be sent spiraling in the air before recovering. "You did awesome things! Be proud!"
"I-I am! I-I swear, I am!"
"Then said it! Declare how proud you are of yourself!"
"I…I…I am…proud of myself!" Luigi declared loudly.
"Not good enough! Louder!"
"I…Am proud of myself!"
"LOUDER!"
"I Am Proud of Myself!!"
"LOUDEEEEEEEER!"
"I AM PROUD OF MYSELF!!!!!"
*Crash!*
Everyone yelped when a window broke.
…
…
…
"...YEAH!" Luffy pumps his fist up as Luigi blushes heavily, even more when everyone begins to clap for him.
"Alright. I got what I wanted to hear." Zoro said before yawing, "How about we go to sleep? We got some serious shit to do tomorrow."
"You-a guys go ahead." Mario said, "Me and my friends need to quickly talk about something."
"Alright, but don't take too long." Nami said as she yawned.
"Polterpup." Luigi turned to the ghost dog, who was watching the sleeping Kiddy now. "Keep an eye on everyone." The dog simply saluted.
Mario, Luigi, DK, and Diddy went outside of the room to have their talk. "Alright guys. Let's make this quick…" They all nodded…before Luigi launched himself at Mario in tears, and Diddy was hugged tight by DK.
"There. There." Mario patted Luigi's back, "You-a did well to handle this much, bro."
"I-I…I was so scared!" Luigi whimpered. "I didn't know where I landed and everyone I met tried to rob me. And. And you weren't around and I thought that I might had landed in different dimension from you-"
"Shhh. It's alright, Lu." Mario said, "I'm here now. You know I would search the universe for you."
Luigi sniffed through his nose.
Then, they both felt DK's arms and brought them into the hug tight along with Diddy. The hug became stronger, but the affection was welcomed.
After a second, DK let go and they all quickly began to discuss.
"So…A bounty?" Luigi said as he brought out Mario's Wanted Poster.
"Yeah. A greedy and corrupt-a Marine that makes Wario a saint." Mario sighs, making the three cringe at the implications. "He let the village I landed-a near suffer for eight years in-a tyranny for money. When I defeated Arlong, he-a tried to collect the pirates' money-a, and when I refused, he tried to kill the villager. So I acted in self-defense."
"Oh, I knew-a that." Luigi put away the poster, "I just want to know what you are going to do when Peach finds out."
"...Pray."
"Understandable. Speaking of, any news from them?"
"Rosalina made-a contact. It-a seems that E.Gadd is-a making something to help the others come. Also, time runs differently here. I talked to-a her two weeks ago, but I have been back home for two days."
"Man, so that means we-a have been here longer than I expected."
"We can only now wait until she calls back. Now, let's-a quickly figure out what to do now, alright?" All three nodded.
*Ping!*Ping!*
Just as a familiar ringing echoed the room, making the four perk up. "And speaking of plan."
(The Next Day)
"...What the heck." This was not a question. It was a statement.
"Captain Smoker?" Smoker hummed to Tashigi, "Are…Are you sure this place was supposed to be attacked?"
"...I'm not sure anymore."
It had taken some time for Smoker to get help to this 'so-called' warning that Red Cap had told him. Having gotten another Marine Officer to help him, Smoker lead with a few Marines to Alabasta, only to be welcome by a glowing and lively city with joy.
"Smoker." Smoker's friend, a tall and pink haired woman in a magenta work-clothing and marine officer cape around her, blowing smoke out after inhaling a bit from her special cigar. "Hina is having doubts of this attack from Crocodile."
"Are you doubting me?"
"I know you, Smoker. A liar, you are not one. But perhaps you were trick."
"I was there. The damn Warlord confess everything. I'm sure he didn't even know I was there." Smoker replied.
"I meant about Red Cap." Hina clarified. "Hina believes that the Straw Hats lie to you in order to escape and prepare better since their last attempt fail."
"...No."
"No?"
Smoker huffed. "I can't tell why…but Red Cap wasn't lying to me."
Before they could continue talking, "Excuse me, Marines?" A voice spoke up from behind the Marines, who turned around and saw Chaka with a few soldiers. "We spotted you entering heavily armed. Is there a problem?" Chaka asked.
"...That depends." Smoker said, "You see…I was on Rain Base following the trail of some pirates. In this chase, I ran into a trap and discovered something regarding Sir Crocodile-"
"Are you, perhaps, Captain Smoker?"
"...Yeah?"
"Ah! We have been expecting you." Chaka said, making the marine blink. "Please, come with me. And do not speak about Sir Crocodile just yet." The sudden action made all three Marines confused.
Nonetheless, they all follow the Royal Guard.
Minutes later, they reached the castle, where they saw the Royal Army training with…a few of the rebels?!
"W-What?! Why are the rebels here?!" Tashigi asked, shocked at this.
"All will be explained inside." Chaka said as he turned to them, "However, I ask that your men stay here and Captain Smoker follow me."
Suspicious, yet reluctant, Smoker complied. "Fine. But I must ask to bring two more as witness and protection."
"Acceptable."
With that said, Smoker, Hina and Tashigi followed the Jackal to inside the castle. Moments later, all four reach the throne room, where King Cobra was, seated on his throne, alongside the royal Captain, the Falcon Guardian, and the Leader of the Rebels.
"Greetings, Captain Smoker and his fellow friends." King Cobra greeted the Marines. "I had been expecting you."
"...Greetings, your highness." Smoker greeted with respect. "I must apologize for this sudden arrival, and forgive my bluntness right now, but what the shit is happening?"
"Yes. You have every right to ask that question." Cobra stood up from his throne. "I believe you came because of the information given to you by the pirate Red Cap? About Sir Crocodile being the Boss of Baroque Works and the mastermind behind Alabasta Civil War in order to take control of it?"
"So it's true?"
"That would be correct." Cobra said as he began to explain everything. From Crocodile's goal to destroy Alabasta and gain control of one of the kingdom's sacred texts.
"...Hina…can't believe it." Hina said, shocked at hearing everything.
"And this is why I'm against the Warlord System. Pirates will take advantage and cause mayhem to the people." Smoker scoffed out, making clear his stand on the system the Government made.
"W-Wait a second!" Tashigi spoke up. "Forgive my rudeness, King Cobra but…the attack happened yesterday?"
"That would be correct, lieutenant."
"But…But that's impossible! If what you say is true, why is the city acting normal?! Shouldn't it be destroyed?! And the people, how did they return here so quickly!? Didn't they evacuate?! And the rebels?! Why are they here?!"
"Ohohohoho!" Cobra laughs heartily, his trusted men and Kozah chuckling. "That they did. But the answer to that will make things even harder to believe." Cobra smiles fondly at them. "For you see…we were blessed."
"Blessed?"
"Yes. Blessed….by the arrival of a God."
Somewhere in the Castle, the Red Plumber felt the unnecessary need to whack someone with his hammer.
(Hours later, Navy Ship)
It was 1 PM when they reached the ship. Smoker watched as the Marines began to load the special cage in which Sir Crocodile was in.
After explaining, and having zero resistance, Smoker took the soon-to-be Ex Warlord and arrest him for attempted murder and terrorism of the Royal Family of Alabasta and the citizens. With evidence of Transponder Snail recording.
Along with him, Mr. 1, revealed to be Daz Bones, freelance Bounty Hunter and famous, 'undefeated' swordsman, was also taken in.
Unfortunately, it seems that the rest of the captured Agents found a way to escape custody during the explanation.
As for the main problems? King Cobra's upcoming Transmitting talk and the unknown location of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Smoker had no reason nor choice to stop the King for informing the country of the real nature of the Civil War and their Hero. The Government, however, won't be happy about this.
The King's reply?
"Let them get mad. We may have been tricked by Crocodiles' facade, but it is their system that allowed this to happen. That is a punishment they can't hide."
Smoker couldn't help but actually smile. While he is Marine, even he knew when the Navy fucks up bad.
Still, that sure does leave the final problem in his mind.
He knew, deep inside of him, that those pirates had been hidden by the King, considering that the Princess was with them.
But their location pales in comparison to what the town has said about Red Cap. His men had run around the city and even they were uncomfortable in what they were told.
"All of them…not a single one had anything bad to say about him…In fact, they all said that he was more of a Hero that wasn't recognized well and had no choice but to be a pirate." Smoker muttered.
"Well, Hina can already feel the heached she will receive." Hina join her friend to smoke. "And let's not forget that the Government will probably tried to name you the real hero."
"And I will gladly refuse it."
"King Cobra said he can let you have the recognition if it means you won't get in trouble."
"Because Red Cap told him I was one of the good ones."
"So?"
"I cannot take credit for something I couldn't even phantom to achieve."
"...Would it make you feel better if I captured them?"
"...I don't know."
"Come on. You know I'm a master tactician and have my devil fruit to capture pirates before-"
"Hina." Smoker spoke up to her in a tone she…felt wrong. "You weren't there in Loguetown, nor in Rain Base…You didn't feel what I felt." He placed his hands on the railing, gripping it hard. "Straw Hat. Red Cap. And that Gorilla that blocked my path…I felt something powerful that shook my Devil Fruit."
"Smoker-"
"Not my body. Not my soul. Not my heart. My Goddamn Devil Fruit warned me to be careful with them."
"...What are you insinuating?"
Smoker turned around to look at Alabasta, where he saw a big projector materialize in the sky, the face of King Cobra, Kozah and Princess Vivi appearing in it.
"...That things are about to change in this world. For the better, or worse."