beenjammin0421: Thanks, I don't know how I messed up like that.
Rider126: Oh, thanks. To answer your question...well, to be honest, giving Miguel a lightning sword just slipped my mind.
anzafay21: Thanks a lot!
Zoro's eyes narrowed as their ride kept moving forward. They might be approaching their destination but he did not like the way they had do it. He was sure the others would agree.
After Miguel fended off the man who tried to ambush them, the group wound up running into Crocodile. Luffy took matters into his hands, deciding to face the Warlord alone. They didn't like it one bit but the crab had already been hurrying when the rubber teen made that call. Knowing him, Zoro would not be surprised if Luffy had done it on purpose to leave them with little room to act.
He grimaced as he thought to both the captain and quartermaster's promises to catch up to them. They had better fulfill said promises or he would make sure to kick their asses.
Miguel found that his opponent was not only skilled but also fast, very fast. It was this speed that allowed him to set traps throughout a wide margin. He could only hope that his friends hadn't run into any of them.
How was doing it though? He'd heard of magic that gave a speed boost but it was pretty different from this. So maybe, a devil fruit?
His opponent picked up a clump of sand and hurled it at him, the sand's speed multiplied as it was launched, making it almost seem like a hail. Miguel dispersed it with his wind sword and attacked, his blade colliding with the attacker's scythe.
''You're not half-bad.'' The man smirked. ''According to Miss All Sunday's info, you're the Arcadia boy, right? I can definitely see a resemblance...'' Miguel blinked. ''...when you've been in the mercenary buisness for as long as I have you find it's best to collect info. Your parents sure made a name for themselves after all, no surprise people would've heard of them if you just know where to look.''
Miguel figured it wasn't too surprising, seeing how far his parents had traveled ''...I don't get it. We've come to know a bunch about the agents but nothing about you. You're definitely a lot better than the grunts we had to deal with before.''
''Oh, those guys? Yeah, I almost forgot that princess has been spying on Baroque Works.'' The man nodded. ''The name's Zeke, and you're right in thinking that I'm nothing like those morons. I'm more of a new addition to the organization. I met the Boss by chance and he liked my skills enough to make a contract at first but he wound up recruiting me. I don't really care about ranks so I don't know where I stand, I just do what I have to.''
He brandished his scythe before adding ''You guys sure were idiots to get into this, you don't stand a chance against Baroque Works.''
''I hate to break it to you, but judging by our track record, we're doing pretty good so far.'' Miguel retorted.
''Fair enough.'' Zeke conceded. ''But your lucky streak ends today!''
Luffy grit his teeth, he knew Crocodile was tough but this was ridiculous!
It was just like dealing with Smoker, nothing he did was any help. Luffy was really glad for Vivi's warning about the Warlord as it had helped him adapt. But still, this was so annoying...
The real problem was that going by what Sanji told them, even using water wouldn't help much in the end. Crocodile had been fooled in their earlier clash when Sanji used his own lacrima but he had some way of getting rid of water with his powers. Luffy remembered the water lacrima he had been given but knew he had better be creative with their use.
''You really are wasting my time, Straw Hat. You're a fool if you think you can win.'' Crocodile sneered. ''Perhaps another demonstration of my power would prove my point. Let's say over...Yuba?''
Luffy froze, immediately thinking of Toto. What was the bastard going to do?!
The remaining Frontier agents had gathered at Alubarna's entrance, intending on heading the Straw Hats off. They had been using binoculars to keep track of the group as they came closer. Just as the agents braced themselves to intercept the crew, their vision was partially blocked by a dust cloud, though they could barely see the Straw Hats head off in different directions while a winged figure headed to the city.
It was in fact, Pell, who had decided to intervene upon seeing how the agents gathered here. Since Vivi's letter to Cobra came with descriptions of the agents and her own plan to return, it wasn't hard to guess what they were up to. His eyes narrowed as he watched them disperse after the crew, hoping his attempt at a distraction had helped.
Shortly afterwards, a glimpse of familiar light blue hair told him that it had.
''Pell!'' Vivi exclaimed in surprise when he landed before her.
Alabasta's strongest warrior smiled warmly ''Hello, Princess. It's been too long, we knew you'd come home.''
She couldn't help but smile back ''Thank you. I have so much I want to tell you all but this isn't the time. Pell, two of my friends stayed behind to face Crocodile and another of the members. I'll go to the Palace and stop the rebellion.''
''On your own? Princess, that's...''
''I know, I know it's dangerous but my friends are putting themselves at even worse danger for this. I can handle it!'' Vivi said firmly. ''I trust that Luffy and Miguel will be fine but can you please help them?''
Pell relented, knowing from her tone that she wouldn't back down. Though, he was admittedly alarmed to learn that one of her friends was on his own against Crocodile. No wonder she was worried. They owed this group who had ensured their princess' return, so Pell believed that this was the least he could do.
''Very well, leave it to me.''
Usopp had wound up getting seperated from Sanji and Chopper in all the chaos of the battlefield and he could only wonder where the cook and doctor were.
He cringed upon taking in the sights around them. Alubarna must have been a lovely place but look at what things had come to. Did the rebels truly believe that they were in the right to take things so far? This was so messed up. He couldn't imagine how Vivi must feel at seeing the capital in such a deplorable state.
The sound of an explosion not too far away made him start before he looked over, leveling his goggles before he gasped at the sight of Chopper on the ground before seeing two figures closing in on the little doctor. Without giving it much thought, an alarmed Usopp hurried over.
Crocodile made to launch a sandstorm on Yuba. His tone making it clear that it was far from the first time left Luffy incensed and more than willing to attack for this. Now he knew just why places like Yuba and Erumalu were so ravaged, the bastard was just getting a kick of unleashing those damn sandstorms on them!
''You lousy little...stop!'' He snapped. ''That dried up old man didn't do anything to you, leave him alone!''
Crocodile sneered ''I would say to try and make me but you can't. You're just wasting my time, Straw Hat!''
''Oh yeah?!'' Luffy spluttered when the man released a big wave of sand that began to surround him.
Wait, Crocodile couldn't see him in this, so maybe...
The Warlord was about to unleash more sand to grab his enemy when suddenly, a burst of water washed all the sand away. He grimaced as some of the water reached him, suddenly reminded him of the short battle earlier at Rainbase and somehow, that blond Straw Hat also used water out of the blue.
Luffy jumped up ''Gum Gum Gatling!''
Shortly after being seperated from his friends due to all the chaos in Alubarna, Chopper had been cornered by Mr. 4 and his partner Miss Merry Christmas. To say it was going badly would be an understatement, both had some strange abilities that threw the little doctor for a loop.
Mr. 4's odd dog somehow spat exploding baseballs which the man could bat with relative ease. Chopper could see the damage that bat caused on its own, which proved how heavy it was. While he tried to avoid the man's blows, there was still his partner.
Miss Merry Christmas was some kind of zoan like him, but he couldn't be sure just what she transformed into. She could dig around and move underground a lot and it made things real confusing. Fortunately, things began to better when Usopp arrived to help him. The battle was still rough but Chopper felt that they had more of a chance together.
Usopp pelted their enemies with some well-placed shots before asking ''...Okay, just wondering-I get that the old lady's a zoan but what kind of an animal is that supposed to be? A penguin?''
''No idea.'' Chopper shrugged helplessly, eyeing Miss Merry Christmas again. ''...It doesn't really look like a penguin though.''
''That's because I'm not, you morons!'' She snapped shrilly. ''Isn't it obvious? I'm a Mole Woman!''
''Mole?'' The duo exchanged baffled looks.
''...I can't see it.'' Chopper said after a moment.
''I...guess I can...I mean if you look at it from a certain angle.'' Usopp yelped when Mr. 4's bat almost hit him and immediately ducked to avoid it.
Chopper stiffened upon seeing one of the exploding baseballs nearby. Thinking fast, the reindeer used his Arm Point to try and pick them up so he could throw them back at the agents. He immediately found that he couldn't, he could hardly lift the things in the first place!
Usopp noticed the timer, which prompted him to cry out ''Chopper, turn small!'' The reindeer blinked. ''Trust me!''
Once he turned back to his Brain Point, Usopp quickly picked his friend up and hurried away just as the bomb went off. The explosion sent them flying back and crashing into the ground.
Chopper pulled himself, cringing. He knew that could've done much, much worse which prompted him to say ''Thanks, Usopp!''
''No problem. What happened back there?'' The sniper demanded.
''Those balls are a lot heavier than they looked, I could hardly lift them!''
Usopp blinked, but before Miss Merry Christmas spoke up before he could respond ''Aren't you fools relaxed? You never stood a chance against us. Is this denial?''
''You wish, lady! Don't count us out just yet!'' Usopp retorted.
''Yeah!'' Chopper agreed.
''Hah, fools. Try this, Mogura Banana!''
She moved fast, striking both pirates in rapid succession. Upon seeing her coming back for another attack, Chopper turned back to Arm Point before pulling Usopp out of her path.
She grinned ''We're just getting started, brats.''
As Mr. 4 gave a slow laugh, the two pirates prepared to continue the battle.
In the midst of it all, Vivi ran into another familiar face...
''Carue!''
Her duck's eyes curved as he ran to her, kneeling so she could get on his back. The princess quickly did just that ''How...did Pell tell you I was here?''
Carue nodded before pointing at the bandage that hid the X mark they shared with the Straw Hat pirates on his wing. The duck then gestured with said wing to another area of the city. Vivi could easily guess what he wanted to say, especially since they had been together for this long.
''Yes...our friends are out there, doing all they can...We can't fail here. Come on! To the palace!''
Needing no further prompting, Carue sped off deeper into the streets of the city. It was hard to get through with all the battle between the royal army and the rebels but they were managing to a point. Carue had even shifted so that he would take a blow for Vivi when one of the rebels almost hurt her in the chaos, but he kept going. His species, the Super Sonic Duck were the fastest in all of Alabasta, so he would do his absolute best to ensure Vivi's safe arrival. The princess was the one with the best chance to stop the rebellion. As always, no matter how hard or how scary he found the situation, Carue would stand by her.
''Thank you...'' Vivi trailed off, she knew Carue had to be in pain but he was still pushing himself to keep going. She vowed to make it up to him somehow later.
Her thoughts were cut off when her partner suddenly stopped shortly as they neared the palace. She blinked, noticing that Carue was staring ahead, his eyes wide. ''...what's wrong?''
Following the duck's line of sight, she suddenly understood why he froze up.
For there, running ahead through the battlefield and also heading towards the palace, was Kohza.
Zeke increased his speed fiftyfold before charging in to attack Miguel. The latter cast Meteor before the two clashed, exchanging and fending off attacks. Miguel was forced on the defensive due to his opponent's superior speed despite the boost he himself gained from Meteor. But he managed to get some strikes in before Zeke was able to launch a powerful kick that threw him to the ground.
The latter quickly leveled a rifle while his opponent was down and poised to shoot, only for Miguel to roll to the side to dodge.
''Gotta admit, you're a pretty resilient kid.'' Zeke smirked, enjoying himself. ''What, not going to ask about my powers?''
''Would it make a difference if I did?'' Miguel returned. ''I would've been able to sense it if that was magic so for all I it could be a devil fruit that lets you boost speed.''
''Heh, got it in one.'' The man admitted. ''Plenty faster than a whole lot of the people I fought too. Yeah, I ate the More More no mi. And just like you figured, it allows me to control either my own speed or of things around me. Here's another demonstration!''
He hurled the scythe at Miguel, keeping a handle on the chain it was bound to. When Miguel quickly dodged, Zeke pulled the weapon back and boosted its speed further before throwing it again. As he expected, the wizard was caught off guard by the increase and the scythe slashed his side as a result.
Zeke rushed forward, only to be surprised when Miguel gathered himself and cast Gravity magic around his opponent, the force of which propelled the sand around him upwards. The man cringed as some of it was launched into his face, immediately trying to shield it. It was far from easy though as Miguel proceeded to cast Gale Maw. The strong winds pushed Zeke back while raising sand that almost blinded him. Wasting no time, Miguel kept up the offense by unleashing a Tempest Arc that knocked Zeke down.
''I'm not done yet.'' He stated, leveling his sword at the mercenary, who cracked a smirk once again as he replied.
''Looks that way.''
Miss Merry Christmas gave a shrill laugh as another of her and her partner's attacks sent Usopp and Chopper down ''Weaklings! You really thought you could defeat Baroque Works? How sad...''
''Shut up, you jerks!'' The latter retorted. ''We're not going to lose!''
Usopp wished he could have the little reindeer's confidence. Those agents looked ridiculous in his opinion but they were certainly strong. They even had some nasty combination attacks and it was only by chance that they avoided the worst of their Molehill Intersection 4 attack. It looked like the battle was just getting harder.
A big part of him was really too scared to continue but he knew they couldn't leave things like this. If it were up to him, he'd take Chopper and leave but their opponents certainly wouldn't let that happen. What could they do to win though? Did they have a chance?
Miss Merry Christmas' next words served to drive any of the sniper's negative thoughts far out of his mind.
''Oh, please.'' She scoffed. ''This is pathetic. You're so weak you don't even know. Same goes for that captain of yours. Thinking he had a chance against the boss? As if!'' A mocking grin settled on her face. ''It's this ridiculous attitude that's gotten him killed after all.''
Both Straw Hats stilled at this. What did she just say...? Luffy...
''Liars!'' Chopper snapped. ''No way, Luffy can't be dead!''
''So you think.'' She retorted. ''It's the truth, you never had a chance against us. I guess it's bound for a naive fool to gather others like him. He thinks he can be the King of All Pirates? Him? Please, like that would happen. The fact that he even believed that just proves me right! It's just as well that pathetic boy died right now!'' The woman proceeded to laugh along with her partner.
And that was what did it for Usopp...
Everyone watched as he leveled his slingshot and fired at Miss Merry Christmas, who tried to dodge. Eventually, she realized that Usopp had cornered her against a wall and from that point on, he didn't miss once.
''You little brat! I'll show you!'' She growled, brandishing her claws.
''Listen, Chopper...!'' He cried out.
The reindeer made to hurry over as Mr. 4 closed in on his friend ''Look out!''
But it was too late, Mr. 4 slammed his heavy bat on the sniper, sending him flying. Miss Merry Christmas grinned ''Good job, Mr. 4! We've as good as won...''
Usopp surprised them all by getting up moments later, glowering at the agents. ''...For a man...there comes a time when he has to fight...''
''Ha! Coming from someone who was so close to running away before, that's rich, you coward!'' Miss Merry Christmas taunted.
''Shut up! Usopp isn't...Usopp isn't a coward!'' Chopper snapped.
The sniper's body shook from the pain but he pressed on, his determination remaining firm even as the agents were on the offense again. ''...e-even if he's about to die...faced...by fierce enemies...''
''It's time for you to die, Long Nose!'' Miss Merry Christmas declared.
''That time is...when a friend's dreams are being laughed at!'' Usopp finished.
''Mogurazaka Molehill Highway!''
Chopper was confused when Usopp merely held up a blackboard and quietly told him to cover his ears. Trusting his friend, the reindeer quickly did so.
''Usopp Noise!'' He cried out, then scratching his nails against the item. Mr. 4 recoiled slowly while Lassoo flinched at the sharp sound.
However, the little doctor realized Usopp's true aim when he noticed how Miss Merry Christmas cried out in pain.
So that was why...
The reindeer thought back to the talk they had to learn about their enemies before coming here. Vivi didn't know much about this form but she had been certain that a zoan's weaknesses applied to her. Thus, Miss Merry Christmas' senses were enhanced, so that had to be causing her a whole lot of pain.
Did Usopp really think of something like that even when he was battered? That was impressive.
And clearly the sniper wasn't done.
''Smoke Star!''
Usopp unleashed a couple of small pellets that covered the area with thick smoke. He gestured to Chopper, hitting his fist on the palm of his open hand. Chopper nodded back in understanding and assumed his Arm Point before slamming her with Koutei Roseo.
This left her stunned so Usopp hefted her up and did her best to imitate her shrill voice before calling out ''Mr. 4, they tried to trick me but I saw through them! Come on, I'm holding the Long Nose! Get him!''
Mr. 4 fell for it, immediately preparing his weapon to strike. Miss Merry Christmas began to recover as the bat loomed closer, blanching. She tried to tell her partner to stop but it was no good. The bat hit hard, sending her flying. Mr. 4's eyes widened as he slowly recoiled once realizing his mistake.
''Chopper, follow my lead!''
''Right!''
The man started at the pirates' voices, seeing Usopp aiming a rubber band that held a hammer. Using Chopper's horns as a slingshot, Usopp fired the hammer. It hit Mr. 4 in the gut, the item's sheer speed launched him into his partners. As a result, they crashed into a pile of rubble.
The area where they landed was near a few of Lassoo's remaining explosives, which blew up moments later. The resulting explosion raised a big dust cloud. It soon cleared, revealing the agents and their partner all down and out cold.
''W-We...we won!'' Chopper cheered. ''We did it! You were awesome, Usopp!''
Normally the sniper would've preened like a peacock at the praise but as it were. He could only laugh weakly as all the adrenaline from the fight wear off and the pain of his injuries overwhelmed him, leaving him fall back.
''Ahh!'' Chopper hurried over to him, panicking. ''Hold on, I'll get you a doctor!''
Usopp responded by pointing a finger at him, making the reindeer blink.
''...Oh, right. What am I thinking, that's me.'' Chopper shook himself. ''I'll fix you up, it'll be okay!''
Kohza stopped and stared as he saw who else had arrived at the palace as he made his way through. He hadn't seen her in years but it had to be...''V-Vivi?''
The princess' fists clenched ''I didn't want to believe when it turned out you were the leader of the rebellion...'' All the frustration, sadness and helplesness she felt over the situation in her country almost overwhelmed her at that moment. ''...Kohza, why would you do all this?! Do you really think this is the way to go about for the sake of Alabasta?''
He bristled ''What's that supposed to mean? I want to save our country!''
''Save it?! What you're doing could help destroy it!'' She fired back. ''You know me and my father, do you really think we'd sink so low as to leave everyone to suffer while only looking out for ourselves? Do you have any idea how much we hated that there is so little we could do to end the people's suffering?''
Kohza tried to argue but Vivi wasn't about to let up now. ''Sera's message should have reached you, I told her everything! You're all being tricked. Why...?''
The words died in her mouth when she noticed a guard sneaking up on Kohza with a sword at the ready. She had noticed that most of the royal army was facing the rebels while the remnants were defending the palace. Which meant this person had to be...
Her eyes narrowed as she noticed the beginning of a familiar tattoo on the same area as the ones who had tried to ambush her and her friends in the desert.
Vivi swiftly prepared her chakrams and attacked, disarming him with ease before knocking him out. She glanced back at Kohza, who was clearly taken aback at all this. Frankly, a part of her really wanted to keep telling him off but she knew it wouldn't help now.
She moved a part of the attacker's arm guard, revealing the mark of Baroque Works. ''I left to find out the truth behind the instigator of all the trouble in our country. I don't know how much you learned but an organization has been stirring up the war to destroy Alabasta. This is their mark. We believe there have been infiltrators in both armies to keep this plan going. My friends and I want to stop them.''
''W-wait, Sera did say something about that...'' Kohza recalled. He hadn't been sure what to think of that message. Half of him was convinced it was a hoax in an attempt to stop the rebellion and Sera was tricked but...
''...I'll tell you the truth.'' Vivi stated. ''Or have you lost any semblance of trust in me as well?''
''...No.'' Kohza returned, much to her relief. Perhaps he had been looking at this all wrong. Vivi had always loved Alabasta for as long as he'd known her. Hell, she had saved him now when she had little reason to. The least he could do was listen. ''I'll hear you out.''
Well, let's stop here.
I thought à lot about what to do at this point. Then I remembered that 3d2y movie and I figured since I wasn't going to use it anyway, I might as well apply the devil fruit that was introduced there. The next chapter carries on from here where I'll be finishing more of the fights. I just didn't add much about Luffy's first fight with Crocodile because it isn't too far from canon. But you'll see what happens with him soon. I hope Vivi isn't too Ooc or anything. I just added the last part because frankly, I felt that she was perfectly with in her rights to be upset with Kohza.
Anywho, thanks for reading and I hope you keep it up. Till next time!