Tashigi and Kuina started panicking, left in the desert with a dying boy anyone would panic.
"L-Let's calm down, we need to think this through" Kuina commanded, as she started removing her Marine coat, wrapping it on the wound that Luffy received.
They started to walk, not long before a small sand sled arrived.
"You!" Tashigi yelled, drawing her blade.
"Looks like you two need some help" the woman replied, chuckling as she looks at the dying Luffy.
The two were not stupid enough to fight the woman, not when one of them is almost dying, no... they will save him, no matter what it takes.
"What do you want?" Kuina said, cold as ice in the hot desert.
"Nothing. I just wish to save this boy" she replied, relaxing at her seat while reading a book.
The rest of Luffy's crew rushed towards Alubarna, where the rebels are also rushing, while the royal army had made the citizens evacuated while they prepare the city on the incoming attack by the rebels. Baroque Works were clearly hiding some of their agents in each side, not wanting their plan to be spoiled by anything or anyone.
"Alright, we are gonna wear this cloaks, hide your face and everything else, also act like Vivi here" Usopp said, creating a plan.
"Are you joking with that many people why do we need this, plus what if we got into someone with the same... clothing" Zoro said, clearly his guts telling him this will be a bad idea, not that he doesn't trust his friend it was just that... there's a freaking war right in front of them.
"First, Baroque Works will probably have some agents there, they wouldn't want their long awaited plan to be destroyed. Second, I got a password" he said smirking.
Everyone agreed to Usopp's plan, he might not be the bravest of them all but he's good when this time comes. Franky, Valentine, Chopper, Kaya, and Nojiko, were all left at the ship to guard it. Sure they wanted to see the cyborg to fight especially Luffy, but they needed some to guard it and who better yet than the one who created it.
Franky and Chopper were playing with each other, and by playing means Franky showing off his cool cyborg stuffs while Chopper watches in amazement.
Valentine, who's good at making chocolates, spend her time in the kitchen saying "It's too hot outside". While Kaya on the other hand worries about her friends, preparing some medical supplies in her clinic. She too wanted to come, yet she'd still be a burden in her current state.
Back at Alubarna, the soldiers prepares to fend off the rebellions who were in front of them, led by a man named Kohza.
As both leaders step out on the field, trying to settle this in peace rather than shedding unnecessary blood. Kohza and two Royal soldiers approached him. One of them was the current captain of this army, though that man can't be known for sure, he just fired his pistol as the soldiers cried to the fallen man in front of them.
"WHO DID THAT!?" Kohza screamed, as he can not pinpoint the man who fired. There was too many of them, though the smoke from the gun told the place of the shooter he was long gone or hidden once more. Before Kohza could command his soldiers, it was too late. The emotions among the royal soldiers got the better of them, as they've charged at the rebellion with revenge in their eyes, Kohza could no longer do anything else, except to fight them.
Metals clashed here and there, sounds of gunfires and cannons were all around. Soldiers screamed, shrieked, and cried for help. This is not a place for the sane, limbs scattered everywhere, as bright red blood painted the ground.
"Usopp, get Vivi into her father, her return will surely somehow settle this war." Nami said, as they make their way towards the soldiers and rebellion.
"Knock them out if you can" Zoro said, they don't want unnecessary blood in their hands.
"Right! Let's go!" Usopp said, as he prepares his newly modified sniper rifle.
"Are you okay? How are you feeling?" Kuina and Tashigi said, barraging the now awakened Luffy.
"What... that bastard.." He said, remembering what happened piece by piece, he was defeated. Though Crocodile was in his element, literally, the area was surrounded by sand, plus even if the two if them would fight there he would still be at a huge disadvantage.
Groaning, he tried to stand only to feel the stinging pain on his body, though he's been at a more worst situation that this.
"Luffy, don't... " Tashigi said, it was their fault, they were too weak to noticed the Shichibukai behind them, worst... Luffy had to save them, and it almost killed him. How could she... they live with that? That what he died as a hero? The worst feeling you'll ever get is having a hero die for you.
She has to get stronger than this, she have to... if not for herself, then do it for him. So that one day, she too can protect him.
"That woman whom we met at Whiskey Peak saved you. The one who's wearing that purple clothing" Tashigi said, helping Luffy walk towards Alubarna.
"I see... then I owe her a debt." he smiled, thankful that he's still here, living and breathing, he could still eat some more meat, maybe give her some.
"Zoro and the others are already there." Kuina said, as she goes into Luffy's other side, which Luffy's hands are now at each of their shoulders.
"Well then... Let's go"
The crew were now separated, as they each will try to stop a huge group of neither soldiers or rebellion. Then say the words "Princess Vivi is here" as they will also lead them to the location while telling other people as well.. so far it's not working out for them.
"Hellooooooooo" an annoying voice echoed throughout the empty street where Sanji was running into.
"Uh..." was all he could say, seeing a very,very,very,very odd man right of front of him.
He was singing and dancing, though you could clearly say he's a 'dude', her... I mean his outfit tells the other way.
"I can't let you pass, Sanji" she... no he said, in a singing tone, making the blonde cook almost puke after the odd man winked at him.
"Oh God! Do you hate me this much!" Sanji knelt down, looking at the clear skies above him. He started to question whether someone upstairs hated him, if he was about to face an enemy it'd be normal if he's normal, though lucky if it's a woman besides his issue of not hitting one.
Sneaking pass Sanji, Mr.2, kissed him in the cheek. Not that he's interested in guys but seeing as how overly dramatic this blondie was, figured he might have some fun as well.
"What the heck!" his feet suddenly igniting, wrapped by a bright fire, he kicked the man's face sending him thirty feet away from him.
One last look, he shivered. It was crystal clear that he won't be sleeping well for the next few days... or months... please not years.
"Sorry... I can't let you pass" a tall tanned man said, he had a shaved head. His arms started growing steel, wow steel, as if fate had chosen him to fight this enemy. Yes, Zoro has a lingering problem of being unable to cut steel, but maybe it's for the better, he might as well confront it and get it over with.
He felt it, he was waaaay stronger than he used to be before joining the Marines. He was faster, much stronger, and though his three style swordsmanship didn't got better like his physical abilities was it still helped him a lot. 'Note to self: Practice some three sword style' he thought.
He could have finish the fight a lot easier, but no he has to confront his problems with steel...
"Three Swords Style: Onigiri!" he yelled, dashing towards Mr. 1
Steel shattered, as Zoro hits his mark. Mr. 1 falls down, now fully unconscious from Zoro's attacks.
Panting, Zoro knew he was so far from being strong... like the captain. Zoro received a few cuts which weren't so serious but still needed some attention.
Well, he was now tired, and what better way to relax than to sleep. He got into a hotel down the street and spend his time there, taking a hot bath, eating some delicious food, while drinking a few beers, then sleep in that king size bed.
Nami got the worst day, ever. She had to take on an enemy who calls herself "Miss Double Finger" who's powers was to turn any part of her body into spikes, though her close ranged combat gave Nami a bit of an advantage with her Clima-tact she still had a hard time fighting with her, what only made her win was she was relying too much in her devilfruit abilities.
Her clothes were torn, her hair messed up not that she's too conscious of it but come on a girl has got to have her style no matter where or who's she's fighting. She then walked back towards the center where Vivi was supposed to be shown with Usopp., but not before stealing some very good clothes on the way.
LUFFY P.O.V
I made my way into the Graveyard of Kings, thanks to that few Baroque Work agents that we had found. I ordered Tashigi and Kuina to assist our nakamas if they see them, I had no idea what they're doing or if they are even fine but I trust them, plus... I've trained them.
Slowly I made may way towards the dark and creepy hallway of the Graveyard, no one was there and only the torches were my source of light. Little by little I hear voices... they are near, I'm so ready to kick that guy's ass. I just hoped that Tashigi and Kuina wouldn't think that they're a hindrance if I'm gonna fight Crocodile.
"Smoke dude would surely wants to hear this: Shichibukai 'Crocodile' working underground, hiding his organization from the Marines" I said, chuckling at how ill tempered that guy is, he is a good guy, but he's temper is kinda annoying.
"I don't need you anymore" I heard, that voice, it's Crocodile. I walked in the room, they didn't notice me seems like there's just three of them. One was Crocodile, the other was that purple woman, and the third was probably the King.
He swings his hook to her, same place were I got the wound.
"Sorry. I can't let you do that" I said, blocking his hook with my blade.
"...!" I nearly chuckled at the sight of his face.
"What? Looks like you've seen a ghost" I said, Pushing him with my sword he jumps back.
Then I hear a loud Thud on the floor, looking back I saw that the woman whom saved me from my near death experience, received a cut from his poisonous hook. I instantly blamed myself, here I am unable to save the woman who had saved me. Pathetic.
"I'm sure you'll want this." he grabbed something inside his jacket, pulling it out I saw a small flask, the color of the liquid was purple.
"In exchange for my freedom, I'll give this to you" he said, threatening me by gripping the flask harder, causing some cracks on the fragile glass.
"Fine" I said, as there was a shocked look she gave at me. Crocodile gave me the flask and I let him walked out, maybe he knew he couldn't take me but whatever his reasons are I could care less.
"Please, I want to die" she pleaded, stopping my hand as I reach her the antidote. She screamed, pleaded, and begged. She did it all, but how could I let her die, I don't know her but nobody wants to truly die. She must be alone, scared, desperate, as if her only dream, her only light has been crushed and decimated into a million pieces. No, I won't let her die, not on my watch.
"Live" I exclaimed "You have too, if you lost your purpose then find another one" giving her a huge grin, she was hesitant but she took the antidote.
"Now, let's get out of here" I carried her, and the supposedly King of Alabasta outside, I was welcomed by no one, there was absolutely no one in that graveyard. Though I could hear loud cheers, it only meant one thing... and it made me smile.
By the time I arrived at the coast, the woman was half awake.
"Here" I hand her a bag of money "At least find a new life" I smiled as I left her there, she wasn't that far from the docks where out ship was also docked.
Luffy invited Franky and the rest of his crew, who's guarding the ship to attend the party where the King has announced that he has some important matters to discuss.
"My people, let us thank the Marines, they who saved us from our doom." King Cobra exclaimed, he sure was a king after that speech, how can one person handle such a crowd. Different people from their kingdom arrived just because the king has announced a party. That was truly one of the skills no person will want to learn; listening and talking to people about boring matters.
After that the party began, of course Luffy and his crew got a private room where he and his crew can party, anyway they want.
Alcohol and meat are everywhere, Luffy's eyes sparkled as he took a big piece and started eating it, though he wasn't that much into alcohol he made an exception this time. After all that near death experiences that he had, alcohol is sometimes the answer to forget all of that.
The night was fun, especially for Tashigi, after Luffy drank too much alcohol his visions and everything started to blur and everything was... fun.
He was hugging Tashigi, like she was a piece of meat that he'll never share with anyone. Though other members did glare and started to get jealous, well what can they do? Luffy is drunk.
Morning came and everyone started to groan, receiving massive headaches from all that alcohol last night.
"Take my head off!" Luffy whined, it was the first time he experienced something so severe of a hang over.
"Luffy, I know I've been nothing but a burden but... can I join you guys?" Vivi said, her eyes full of hope.
"Yeah sure, I mean if you're okay with it!" Luffy replied, grinning at the princess.
"So... you're father allowed you to come with us?" Nami asked suspiciously, anyone would. Princess of Alabasta and heir to the throne and here she was joining the Marines.
"Yes, Yes, so let's go" her voice was somewhat panicking, or rather afraid of something or someone.
As the ship sailed towards their next adventure, they've gained another friend aboard their ship.
Vivi, Princess of Alabasta, and now unofficially recruited by the Marines.
The sign up to the Marines for special Captains like Luffy, was different. So long as the commander of the ship (That's Luffy for his crew) recruited you or accepts your application then you're partly official, after that they've got to head into a Marine base and sign some paperwork, after all they're not pirates.
"So, we finally sailed" A familiar voice was heard as the door to the library opens. "I'm excited" she was a female, that was sure. Yet her voice was somewhat devoid of any kind of emotion, and so does her face.
"EH!?" Tashigi and Kuina yelled.
Well that's it for Alabasta. Rate and Review :)