FicWad

'Here we are.' Vivi turns around on the crest of the hill. 'Inhabitants of the blue seas, welcome to Alubarna.'
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The entire crew looks at the monolithic fortress ahead. Not a single one of them is blind to the capital's splendor.
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A massive sandstone butte rises from the heart of the sandy plain, crowned by a formidable mountain fortress hewn from white marble. Nestled behind battlements and a network of broad stairways, the city appears well maintained and vibrant, with buildings painted in pleasing hues and every window open to the morning air. At its center stands the domed royal palace, a structure that has endured for millennia.
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The only detriment to the capital's beauty is the massive, sprawling slums outside, dug into the sands.
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Contrasting with the strong stone walls and white stone architecture is a collection of brown, tattered tents and scrap shanties. The sounds of human misery, droning voices, and the occasional scream for mercy drift across the winds. The stench traveling downwind is unbearable, resembling a cross between drying feces and rotting corpses. A microcosm of the plague itself, it clings to the city like a festering boil; the surrounding plains are filled with desperate infected people struggling to survive against the harsh desert sun.
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'I wish you could have seen it... in better days.' Vivi turns back to the city. Her sorrowful eyes look ready to weep at the sight of it. The princess’ relief at returning home wages war against the pain of seeing how far her country has fallen. 'It has changed so much over the past two years.'
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Her legs are shaking. Her body feels as if it were buried alive. Her eyes stare far off into the distance. The wonderful kingdom she grew up with, that she loved with all her heart has become tainted and diseased by a man masquerading as a savior.
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She barely feels a nudge from behind her.
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Vivi turns to find Nojiko in her bull form behind her. 'On get. You ride now.'
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Vivi waves her hands. 'Oh no. I couldn't! Besides, we need to save room for Sanji.'
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Sanji scoots back on the saddle. 'Plenty of room here, princess.'
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Vivi instinctively rolls her eyes. 'Of course you'd say that, Sanji.'
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Nami slides off. 'Here Vivi. My spot is yours. I need to walk anyways.'
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'I'm fine, guys!' Vivi smiles. 'You don't need...'
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'Vivi. You're shaking.' Luffy says firmly.
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The princess feels the weakness in her body caused by the sight of her defiled kingdom. The reality of her people's suffering and the state of her kingdom shakes the foundations of who she is. Her nerves feel shot. Her mind feels like it is close to snapping. Even her mechanical arm is assailed by tremors that seem to underlie her own mental turmoil.
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'Get on Nojiko's back.' The captain says, letting her know it is not a request. 'Besides, isn't it pro-tee-call or something for a princess to enter places on the back of a cool animal?'
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Chopper nods. 'I can't believe I'm saying this, but Luffy is right. Not only will this relieve stress on your nerves, but it is the standard procedure for royalty to enter cities mounted.'
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Vivi tries to object, only to find it dying in her throat. She clamps her hand over her mouth to stifle a cry of anguish.
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She finds herself lifted by a pair of strong hands and, before she can respond, is dropped on the saddle.
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'There.' Zoro dusts off his hands. 'You rest there, princess. You got us through the desert; we'll get you the rest of the way.'
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'Yeah.' Usopp says. 'We're just a few minutes from meeting your father and coming up with a plan to kick Crocodile's rear end.'
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'E-Everyone...'
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Ace slides down the dune. 'Hurry up, you slowpokes. Last one there's a rotten sea king!'
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'Hey!' Luffy follows his brother. 'Hurry up, guys! We have to show Ace we aren't a rotten sea king! Captain's orders!'
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The crew follows rapidly. With their destination ahead of them, they burst out into a merry jog, cheerfully shouting encouragement. They keep their moods high as they drive back the gloom with force of will.
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'T-Thank you...' Vivi whispers, clutching the saddle. She fights back her fears with the support of her friends. 'Thank you... everyone.'
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........
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The happy mood fades like dust in the wind the moment they reach the slums around the capital.
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The very act of breathing the air seems to be a hostile experience, as if the stench itself were trying to kill them. A miasma of decay fills the dry air around them that seems to have a life of its own. A warm morning breeze blows through the overcrowded huts, filling their lungs with a smell like spoiled milk.
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Everywhere they look, the Straw Hats encounter stark manifestations of hopelessness and mortality. Children forage and play beside open sewage pits, where waste poured from cracked porcelain pots accumulates in stagnant lakes. Masked missionaries traverse the crowds, distributing dry hardtack and meager cups of water to the desperate. Down the muddy thoroughfares, carts laden with bodies make their slow way toward the distant mass graves that now border the city.
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All around them, countless infected mill about waiting for the specter of death to claim them. Some do so wimpering and praying; others dance about in delirious ecstasy; many more just lie about, having utterly surrendered to the plague.
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'Get back!' Nami pushes away a shambling man with her staff. Dressed in her full plague suit, she isn't taking a single chance of contamination. 'Vivi!? Are you sure there isn't a better way in!?'
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'...'
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'Vivi!?' Nami backpedals from a boneless cripple flopping about on the ground. 'Damn it! Even on the outskirts there's way too many infected here!'
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The princess pulls her eyes away from a corpse pile. 'N-No Nami. Al... Alubarna has no secret passages this far out. The sand makes tunnels like that impossible.'
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Nami curses, pushing away a brain-dead man whose head is a mass of stone-like protrusions. 'So we have to walk through these freaks!?'
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'Those freaks are my...' Vivi stops herself. 'They are Cobra's people.'
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The princess drives her heels into Nojiko's side. 'Let's get to the main gate. The sooner we get to the capital, the better.'
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'Eeeep!' Nami pushes a clingy thing away from her and wipes down her touched plague suit with a wet rag.
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'And don't waste water.' Vivi pulls a purple hood over her head. 'Everyone is watching us.'
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Nami looks around at the hordes of mutant humans with fear in her eyes. 'Of course they are. You're sure we have to go through that?'
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'No better way to get where you're going than straight ahead.' Ace takes a deep breath. 'Besides, this is a bed of roses compared to the aftermath of Big Mom's rampages.'
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Nami gestures at their surroundings. Hideous shapes of twisted humanity that defy all logic. A stench worse than the most vile cesspits. And worst of all, an all-consuming aura of despair and death that nearly shatters any will to go on. 'Really?! This is better?!'
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Ace levels a cold glare at her. Eyes that have seen the horror of war gaze back at her. 'Really.'
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'Relax, Nami.' Zoro places a firm hand on her shoulder, dragging her along. 'I'll make sure you don't get grabbed by the big, scary infected.'
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Nami throws off Zoro's arm, wiping down her suit. 'You have the plague too, Zoro! I don't want you touching me!'
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'Then I'll look after you, Nami!' Luffy wraps his arm around her shoulder. 'You can count on me to keep you safe!'
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'...Can I have Zoro back?'
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'Relax, Nami!' Usopp walks through the crowd, receiving warm smiles and waves from the people. 'These guys aren't looking to hurt anyone. They seem pretty friendly to me!'
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Nami shoots him a deadpan glare. 'Usopp, your lower half is a mess of mutated arms that makes you look like a diseased centaur. Anyone who isn't trying to shoot you on sight seems friendly to you.'
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Chopper zaps a woman with feet sprouting from her head. His gauntlets crackle with arcing electricity. 'I hate it too, Nami, but we must hurry and make it through these surroundings.' Another thing surrounded by scraggly hair tries to pet him, only to be shocked senseless. 'There will be plenty of time to dissect these samples later.'
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'That's not what I meant, and you know it!'
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'Hurry up, Nami!' Luffy shouts from the front of their convoy. 'Last one to Alubarna is a rotten sea king, remember?'
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Nami looks around her, finding only walking corpses and beady eyes. All her friends are already pushing through the crowd ahead of them.
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'H-Hey! Wait for me!' Nami runs after them. 'Damn it, running through a plague horde, can things get any worse?'

.......
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The Straw Hats push through the hordes surrounding the capital that grow denser with every step they take.
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They feel their desperation with every step.
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With every step taken, the pirates are bombarded with more disturbing stimuli.
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Ears made of bone.
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Ribs ripping their way out of torsos.
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Flesh with the consistency of paper that tears with every movement.
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And everywhere they look, they see a maddened thirst that feels unnatural. Several times they see a group of infected huddled around individuals with wet boils, sucking their pus like milk from a mother's teat.
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The crew suppresses their disgust and moves along as fast as they can.
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The infected people’s fear and pain become an almost physical force bearing down on the crew. Every person the pirates have to push away and every person they smell rotting to death makes the feeling more intense.
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Traveling through miles of barren desert while being attacked by monsters was far easier than this.
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'...thirst...'
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'Why... are... here...'
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'I am cold and dark...'
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'Savior... Crocodile...'
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Then there are the whispers. The droning voices from the dying blend like the buzzing of insects. Every few seconds, a few snippets of words would slip through the haze that they could recognize with conscious minds.
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'...bones... pain...'
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'I don't belong here...'
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'...Bali... please...'
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'Why? Why... is this...'
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The Straw Hats push through the throngs, doing their best to ignore the voices. Ignore the smell. Ignore the sight of the plague-struck individuals begging the gods for mercy, for the slightest relief from their pain.
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The crew pushes through; staff, covered hands, and occasionally the flat of a sword move the lingering infected away so they can push ahead. But there are always more.
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And the crowds grow denser with every step they take towards the capital.
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'...water... water...'
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'I don't exist. I don't exist. I don't exist. I don't exist. I don't exist...'
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'Eat the plague... just eat your plague, and it will go away...'
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'...Vivi?'
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'...gods? Have you... forsaken...'
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They push ever onward. The main gates in front of the steps are-
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'Vivi!'
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A wretched-looking thing throws itself at Nojiko. It clings to the beast with hands consisting of hundreds of fingers.
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'Oy!' Sanji tries to kick the creature away with the stump of his leg. 'Back off!'
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'Vivi... we.' It hacks up a clump of green, moss-like substance. 'We were... waiting on you...'
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Vivi looks down at the naked creature grasping the side of their baggage. It is thin, gaunt, and covered in sores. It wears (?) A beige turban on its head, a small barrel around its neck, and its soiled underpants. Crusty tumors on its body have fused to the torn brown cloth; the rest of its body is completely nude. Its aged face is swollen with dripping boils and eyes tinged with madness.
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'Vivi...you recognize me!?'
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The princess sees nothing distinguishing about the man(?) Before her. 'Good sir, please let-'
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'You remember Koza?'
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She freezes on the spot. An icy cold feeling travels through her veins.

'Don't you... Vivi?'
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The man stops her from shaking him off with five words.
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'Let go, old man!' Sanji brandishes a fork and pokes him in the eye.
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He doesn't even blink. He pushes forward, pushing his socket deeper into the cutlery.
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'You remember... my son?' The man stares at the princess with one good eye.
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'...n-no.'
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'Vivi!' Nami tries to pull the old man off. 'We can't stop here; they're surrounding us.'
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Vivi ignores her friend. She ignores the crowd around them, all turning towards them. She ignores the fact that her home is mere meters away from her.
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She is lost in the past, before everything went wrong. She remembers days of friendship, a simple childhood, and happiness.
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'T-Toto...?' No. It couldn't be.
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The man's eyes light up. 'Yes, Princess Vivi... It's me! It's Koza's father.' He chuckles, wet bile leaking out of his mouth. 'Koza will be... so happy to see you again!'
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Vivi's heart drops at the sight of her best friend's father. The rotund, cheery trader is a broken wreck blighted by time and sickness. He doesn't even remember Koza is...
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'Nojiko!' Sanji says. 'Move forward, they're getting...'
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'Vivi?'
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A name ripples through the crowd.
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'...Vivi...'
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Followed by another.
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'Vivi...'
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The blighted citizens march mindlessly towards the cloaked figure on a beast's back.
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'Vivi...'
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'Vivi...'
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'Vivi...'
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'Vivi...'
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The crowd grows denser. The bodies press towards them.
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Toto rips the fork out of his eye as though it were a splinter. 'Vivi... you've come to help. Please... stay with us.' He grips Vivi's leg. 'You belong... with your people. Stay...'
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Vivi bites her lip. She glances to the gates of her city a few hundred feet away. 'You... you are mistaken, sir.'
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She removes the man's hands from her leg and spurs Nojiko onward. 'Keep moving; we need to get to the capital.'
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'No!' The old man grabs her leg again. 'You know me! You... you have to stay!' His grip is like an iron vice. 'Stay... stay and rot with your family.'
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'Vivi...'
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'Vivi...'
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'Vivi...'
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'Vivi...'
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The crowd reaches towards the woman with filth-covered hands. They push against the Straw Hats, pressing their broken bodies closer towards the princess.
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'G-Get back!' Usopp tries to push them away.
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'Luffy! Zoro! Do something!' Nami says, beginning to panic.
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'Ugh! These guys won't quit!' Luffy says, trying to push them away with his prodigious strength.
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'They're in stage four. They've lost nearly all reason!' Chopper flicks his wrist, summoning his saw. 'We have to use force.'
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'Fine by me.' Zoro smoothly draws his sword Oni despite the press of bodies.
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'N-No!' Vivi shouts. 'Don't hurt them!'
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'Ugh! Bad touch!' Nojiko shirks away from the fingers of the infected.
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'Let go of Vivi-chan, old man!' Sanji struggles to rip his friend free of the despair-filled man. 'I said let go!'
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The crowd presses further inwards.
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'Vivi...'
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'Vivi...'
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'Vivi...'
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'Vivi...'
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'Oh, I know.' Toto reaches around his neck, ripping the filthy container from his skin along with half of his infected throat. Blood and bile drip over Nojiko’s fur. 'Here... try some Yuba water...' he pops off the top. 'It's delicious. Drink... and remember! Then you can marry Koza like... you always wanted!'
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Vivi looks at the contents of the jug and nearly throws up on the spot. The fluid inside could never be mistaken for water. It is a stinking brown bile, a sludge filled with clumps of foul flesh.
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Vivi bites her lip, the blood on her tongue overriding her urge to vomit. 'I don't know you! Let me go!' She shouts.
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'You are the princess!' The man moves the sloshing brown water near her face, threatening to spill all over her. 'You are our princess! The princess of the infected! Princess of the bli-'
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A wave of imperceptible power envelopes the crowd. A force of pure will presses against the mob's head like a physical assault. A psychic wave hits the rattled minds. A second later, the mob of hundreds falls to their knees, one by one.
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'W-What?' Sanji looks around in confusion.
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'Ugh.' Zoro grips his head.
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'That was...' Chopper looks around at the unconscious forms.
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'S-Strong...' Nojiko says, shivering in fear.
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Vivi takes deep breaths; her vision spins, black spots in the corners of her eyes.
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Usopp has joined the crowd in slumber.
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As has Nami, who now rests in Luffy's arms. 'Wow, Ace! You can use Conqueror's Haki?!'
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The woman smirks. 'Course I can.' She looks at the two crewmates affected by her power. 'Sorry about your friends. I didn't want to hold back too much.'
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'Nah, it's fine.' Luffy smiles, making a fist. 'I'll just do a Nami.'
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He readies his fists. 'Wake up, idiots!' He punches Nami and Usopp in the head.
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'...huh. They're still asleep.' Luffy says, missing the giant lumps forming on their heads. 'Maybe if I hit them harder...'
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Ace rolls her eyes. 'Doctor?'
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Chopper sighs and walks over to the two unconscious Straw Hats.
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'What was that?' Vivi says, finally able to breathe normally.
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Chopper waves the smelling salts under his patient's nose. 'I believe that was the phenomenon known as Haki. It's a mysterious force which can give individuals extra perception powers, strengthen their bodies, or use their will to overpower the wills of others.'
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'Wait.' Sanji looks around. 'Psychic powers are real!? Damn, now I owe Patti thirty Belli.'
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'Whatever it was...' Vivi turns to Ace, steadies her nerves, and offers a bow on bison-back. 'T-Thank you Ace.'
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The girl smirks, adjusting her hat. 'Don't thank me just yet. We still have to take out a Warlord of the sea. I'll expect a letter praising my heroics then.'
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Vivi raises her head, looking around at the unconscious forms of her subjects. That had been agony.
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The pain in their eyes. The desperate cries for someone to save them. The madness.
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She hadn't expected it to be this bad. The plague had transformed bright, happy, kind citizens into little more than rabid animals.
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Nico Robin dared to call this "a blessing"!?
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This was hell.
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She clenches her fists in rage.
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'Just a little further.' She whispers to herself, looking at the capital. 'Just a little further and we can end this nightmare.'
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'Ugggh.' Nami wakes up rubbing the lump on her head.
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'Nami Swan!? Are you okay!?'
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She groans again. 'Just peachy, Sanji. What happe...'
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'Merry!' Usopp shoots to his feet. 'Where is she!?'
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'Still tied up in the harbor, Usopp.' Zoro sheathes his blade and walks over a pile of unconscious bodies. 'Let's keep moving before the smell rubs off on us.'
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'Okay then! Lets...Agh!'
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A twisted hand grips the rubber boy's ankle.
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'Y-Yuba... water!' Toto spits out. His crazed eye stares into Luffy's soul. 'You... need Yuba water!'
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He raises the jug of foul up. 'Take... take the wat-'
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A staff smashes the man's head, sending him into the abyss of dreams, the barrel of foul liquid still frozen in his blighted hand.
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Nami folds up her staff. 'Ugh! No more touching! No more trying to infect us!' She runs across the pile of people. 'Nojiko! Hurry up! The sooner we're at the gates, the less likely we are to get the plague!'
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The group, seeing the logic in her words, follows along. Save one person.
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'Oy! Luffy! Hurry up!' Sanji shouts behind him as the rest of the crew dash to the gate. 'You don't want to be a rotten sea king, do you!?'
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'Hurry, Luffy.' Usopp says angrily. 'Let's get to the gate before they wake up! I knew these guys were bad news!'
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'O-Okay.' Luffy says. He takes one last look at the old man and the barrel in his hand.
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Compelled by some unknown force, he reaches down and takes the barrel of foulness from Toto's grasp. 'Thanks for the water, old guy.'
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Capping the container, he quickly shoves it in his robe pocket before following behind his Nakama.
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.......
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With most of the horde seeing the price for standing in the way of the group of champions, the rest of their journey was uneventful.
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It wasn’t long before the group stood before the gates of the most fortified city in all of Alabasta. White walls tall as the Merry's mast blend seamlessly into the stairs leading upwards. A massive gate depicting soldiers from the country's ancient past blocks off one of the three ways into the capital. The Straw Hats stand before the first line of defense for the most populous city in the country.
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And find the guards aiming guns at them.
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'Some things never change, huh?'
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'Don't say that, Captain. For all we know, the guns could be loaded with confetti to welcome the brave pirates!'
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'Can it with the sarcasm, Zoro. Usopp?'
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'Uh, there are at least fifty. And a really scary bowman.'
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'Don't these guys know that they're pointing guns at my Nami swan!?'
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'Nojiko not want be shot!'
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'I am equipped to treat bullet wounds. Just not that many.'
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'Wow, these guys are well trained. The guys at Fishman Island will love them.'
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Ignoring the colorful commentary, Vivi calmly dismounts and walks towards the wall.
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An arrow buries itself inches from her foot. She stops.
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'Halt, pirates!!' A stern guard in a royal black turban draws another arrow. The dark paint around his eyes and chin makes him appear like a fierce war god from legend. His golden scale mail and bright red skirt obscure rippling muscles skilled in the art of death. 'You are not welcome here in this kingdom. Leave, or I shall add your ashes to Alabasta's sand.'
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Without missing a beat, Vivi removes her hood. For the first time today, she smiles. 'Arrow. How are the rest of the Kicking Claw force? Is Barrel still tying rope around his shoulders to make his arms look bigger?'
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While the guards pointing firearms at her do not respond to the woman’s words, the man's reaction is instant and dumbfounded. 'P-Princess!?' He relaxes the arrow, but keeps his eyes on the woman standing before him.
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Vivi closes her eyes, taking in a deep breath. 'Karoo, Stomp, Ivan X, Cowboy, Bourbon Jr., Kentauros and Hikoichi.' She looks back to the man on the wall. 'It is me, Arrow.'
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'Princess!' The man turns to the others. 'Open the gates immediately! Contact the palace.'
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The guards snap to attention, shouldering their rifles. 'Yes, sir. Man the crank!'
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No sooner had he shouted down the other side than the embellished stone doors slid open. Slowly but surely, a passage opened in the meter-thick gate of stone.
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Ace smirks. 'That was fast, princess. Didn't even have time for a nap.'
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Vivi moves towards the gate, once again ignoring the commentary. She walks through the opening, coming face to face with the guard from before. The crew follows behind the princess, arriving on a long stairway wide enough for a hundred people. The hardened guards watch them cautiously as if daring them to make a move.
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'Arrow.' Vivi addresses the man in front of her. 'Thank you for-'
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The man steps aside, and a person falls from the heavens. In a flurry of feathers, he lands on the stairs, immediately breaking into a bow. The tall man is attired in white robes highlighted with brown four-pointed stars and golden beads. His white bandana, dancing in the wind, fails to obscure his brown hair or his fierce-looking purple eyeliner. A golden sword, hilt modeled after a bird of prey, rests on his right hip.
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'Princess.' The man raises his head, his eyes on the verge of tears. 'Welcome back to Alubarna.'
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'P-Pell!' A wave of pure relief hits Vivi, nearly bowling her over. Only the presence of the guards and the urgency of her task prevent her from wrapping his arms around the man in front of her in a tearful embrace. Instead, she gestures at him to rise.
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Pell stands; at the same time, the fierce man by his side bows before him.
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'Commander Pell.' He takes a knee and bows; the guards behind him join him in the display of respect. 'I did not expect you to come here so quickly.'
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The royal-looking guard smiles. 'The wings of the falcon are ever swift. I was done scouting the surroundings anyway.' He looks to Vivi, eyes full of pride. 'I wished to greet the princess myself. Especially considering we have received no news from her.'
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Vivi looks shocked. 'You didn't receive my letter?'
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The man looks up, his eyes filled with sorrow. 'We have not received news from you in almost six months, Vivi!' The guard composes himself before looking into her eyes. 'Your father has been beside himself with worry.'
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Vivi fights back tears. 'Then we had best see him now. Please lead the way to the royal palace. I have news of crucial import.'
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Arrow nods. 'Certainly, my princess, only...' he looks to Usopp and Zoro, noticing the red sores under the swordsman's arm and Usopp's... everything. 'But your friends suffering from the plague must stay here.'
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'They are-'
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'A risk to everyone in Alubarna.' Arrow says firmly. His tone makes it very clear that this is not up for discussion. 'The capital has quarantined itself to prevent any possibility of infection. I cannot endanger the two million subjects residing here, even for you, my princess.'
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Vivi is uncertain. She looks behind her.
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Zoro is already lounging against the wall. 'Just go on ahead, Vivi. I've got shade and quiet. That’s all I really need now.' He yawns, already halfway to dreamland.
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Usopp sits next to him, examining a supply of gunpowder. 'We're used to this, Vivi. You go on ahead.' His mouth waters. 'I'll keep an eye on the tast-'
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He notices the guards glaring at his hand touching the ammo pile. 'I mean, I'll nap too!' He lies down, playing like he is sleeping.
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'Uh? What bout me?'
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The group turns to the bison.
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'Did that animal just talk, or am I dehydrated?' Arrow asks.
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'Oh!' Nojiko transforms back to her human form, much to the surprise of the guards. She points to herself. 'Good, Nojiko?'
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Pell looks to her, seeing nothing out of the ordinary aside from extensive scarring and stitches. No sores can be seen, and he smells no stench of rot under the balm of medical disinfectant. 'Oh! A fellow Zoan user. Pleased to meet you, "Good Nojiko". Welcome to Alubarna.'
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'But-'
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Chopper elbows her. 'Thank you. Now please lead us away from this blasted heat.'
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Nami walks over to her sister, taking advantage of Chopper's rudeness. 'Nojiko, play along for now.' She points to her sister's rear. 'In case you forgot, one of us needs a chaperone.'
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Nojiko looks behind her, finding Sanji's head embedded in the stone stairs behind her. The quick transformation had slung the man tied to her saddle into the ground. '...oops! Sorry, Sanji.'
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The dazzled chef weakly raises his thumb.

Pell the falcon, amused by the group's antics, extends an open hand towards the princess. 'Come Vivi. Your kingdom has been waiting for your return.'
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......
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What strikes the Straw Hats most about the capital Alubarna is how normal the streets are. People walk about performing errands. Dirty clothes are sprayed with perfumes and sanitized in the desert sun. Carts full of squash are pulled by a sturdy-looking pair of guards.
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The pirates gape openly at the city's splendor. It is as if they were looking at something impossible, a picture of the world before the plague defiled everything. It is a city filled with happy people, high on the simple pleasures of life.
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'H-How is this possible!?' Nami asks anyone who could answer as they walk through the streets.
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Pell chuckles. 'It is all thanks to the hydroponics facilities the king has constructed.' The commander states as he escorts them to the palace. 'I do not understand the mechanics of growing food underground, but it supposedly uses reflective mirrors, some chemicals, and latent moisture from the reservoir.'
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'The Vegapunk E.D.E.N. kit.' Chopper says as he notices a small medical tent staffed by guards. 'I had a smaller one at my lab for growing in tundra environments. He may not be able to cure the plague; however, there is no denying the genius of his other inventions.'
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'Then you would know more about it than I would.' Pell admits. 'I only regret doubting the king’s initiatives. It was thanks to his oversight and wisdom that we were able to construct it before the plague grew worse.' He watches a group of children playing ball in the street. 'Now Alubarna is not only self-sufficient, but it produces enough to provide for those subjects outside our walls.'
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Ace marvels at the scenery. 'Your country is very strong. It's not just your soldiers; even the people have a powerful resolve to stand up and fight.'

The commander of the Alabasta guards acknowledges the genuine compliment. 'The country may have changed, but we children of the sands are resilient. If we can survive the desert, then we can survive this wave of illness that has overtaken our people.'
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Nojiko stretches, having returned to her human form after so long. 'Is nice city. People stress but happy.'
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Sanii, riding on Nojiko's back, sniffs the air, savoring the wonderful scents. 'Beautiful perfumes for beautiful ladies! Oooagh! Alabasta is so wonderful!' As well as enjoying the sights of the "lovely flowers" of the city.
​
'It's really impressive.' Zoro notices the guard posts. 'Not only is it placed on top of a mountain of rock, but even its streets are fortified with gates and cutoffs.'
​
Nami sniffs a beautiful flower she was given by one of the guards. 'I can see why you love it so much, Vivi. It's a wonderful city.'
​
Vivi laughs as a scrawny young man falls over trying to give a girl a flower. 'Yes, this is everything I ever wanted. It's what I was fighting for all those years.'
​
The crew walks through the populated streets and immediately begins to smile. The only disturbance the pirates have to face is the occasional point and whisper of a nosy housewife with nothing better to do. The sight of a convoy of strange guests led by their captain of the guard is the most troubling news they have heard in ages.
​
'We can't take all the credit, of course.' Pell says, slightly depressed. 'The supplies Sir Crocodile's men delivered to us were essential in treating individuals for the plague. Were it not for him, many in the capital would have been infected.'
​
Vivi fights back a sudden wave of panic, and suddenly all the Straw Hats are on edge.
​
Something Pell immediately picks up on. 'Princess? Is something the matter?'
​
Then the worst possible thing that could happen happens.
​
Luffy opens his mouth.
​
'CROCODILE IS-'
​
Ace clamps her hand over her brother's mouth. 'Really, really great! He ha ha ha.'
​
Vivi takes the initiative. 'We'll tell you in the palace.' She addresses Pell. 'We wouldn't want to cause a panic here now, would we, Luffy?'
​
Vivi's ferocious glare causes Luffy to look around at the hundreds of people watching the scene. He nods meekly. The last thing any of them want is to scare the citizens going about their business.
​
Before the man who couldn't tell a lie to save his life can be grilled by Pell, Vivi masterfully deflects. 'Now let's go. I haven't shown my friends the royal palace yet!'
​
...........
​
The palace of Alubarna. The home of the Nefitari family for thousands of years. It has endured wars, famine, and disasters which would break a lesser nation. It stands as a testament to the illustrious past of their nation as well as the country's perseverance.
​
Golden domed roofs topped with beautiful spires. Blue stonework depicting the rain is inlaid into the walls. A lush garden filled with exotic fruit rests in the courtyard, providing shade and comfort for the royal family. Sitting on top of a plateau of light green and pink stone, the palace dominates the view of the city. Every inch has its own beauty to it.
​
Standing in the courtyard, the group stops to marvel at their surroundings.
​
Vivi herself stops to take a look at her home for the first time in more than two years. 'Some things never change.' She remarks wistfully. 'Alubarna's Royal Palace has stood strong for over four thousand years.'
​
'And gods willing, it shall endure for another four thousand.' Pell says defiantly. He looks to Vivi. 'So long as we have something to say about it.'
​
The princess offers the guard a nod and a smile. 'How eloquent, Pell. Have you learned to sharpen that dull tongue of yours while I was away?'
​
Pell chuckles at the princess' good-natured ribbing. 'Coming from the master of cutting words, that means a great deal. I only wonder if you have sharpened your blade skills as much as you spent sharpening your tongue.'
​
Vivi grips her sword with her artificial hand. 'I have kept your lessons close to my heart and honed them through various fights.'
​
Pell looks over the princess' metal arm with a sad look. 'So long as you have not forgotten the difference between fighting and protecting.' He walks towards the main gate, gesturing for the group to follow. 'Come. The king awaits.'
​
The guards manning the door salute and open the way inside. The group walks through to the inner palace, marveling at the art and architecture that adorns the interior. Vases embroidered with golden script. Fragrant woods carved into idols of desert creatures. Blooming flowers in glass pitchers of water. The Straw Hats drink in the sights like a parched beggar drinks water.
​
They barely notice time has passed until they come to a large set of double doors guarded by two powerfully built men with cybernetic arms.
​
Pell nods, and the two open the doors to the throne room of Alubarna. If what the crew saw before was impressive, what they see now is inconceivable.
​
The room is lavish but open to the mid-morning air through a long balcony overseeing the gardens. Pillars of white line the walls, holding up pink curtains that complement the light green walls. Armies of soldiers, diplomats, and engineers stand around a large circular model of the entire area. They debate calmly, moving models and pointing to encampments around the capital with reed sticks. A group of scribes with mechanical quills for hands record hundreds of words every few seconds as plans are made and orders issued.
​
And standing at the head of the table, eyes fixed on the model, is the king of Alabasta himself, Nefitari Cobra.
​
Curly black hair and a short beard frame a pair of sad but determined eyes. His wrinkled green robes with yellow edgings are hidden under a long purple robe that marks him as Alabasta's royalty. A simple silver necklace and yellow sash tied across his waist are the only embellishments he has allowed himself as proof of his office.
​
The king cuts off the loud bodyguard by his side with a calm word before he turns to address the new arrivals. His eyes lock with his daughter's.
​
Vivi's eyes gaze into her father's.

For a moment, time seems to stop.

They simply stare at each other as the people around them continue to move about.
​
'My king Cobra.' Pell bows politely, his words breaking them from their reprieve. 'May I introd-'
​
The king is already halfway around the table before his guards can stop him.
​
'Father, I...'
​
Cobra wraps his arms around Vivi and sobs openly in the presence of his royal court.
​
'Vivi.' Cobra holds her tight. 'Oh gods, thank you.'
​
The princess' hard mask, the resolve she has held onto since the day she left, melts away like a candle before the sun. The urgency of her mission, the danger her country is in, for a single moment of time, those things mean so little to her when in the arms of her father. She wraps her arms around her father and weeps in joy.
​
No one, not pirate or subject, moves to break up the reunion. In fact, a few of the people in the room even tear up as well at the happy sight of family reuniting.
​
Almost everyone.
​
Chopper grunts cynically at the emotional display. 'As touching as this little reunion is, I think-'
​
Ace punches the doctor in the gut, sending him to the floor. 'Sorry about the doctor.' Ace says, bowing her head. 'Bedside manners aren't really his strong suit.'
​
'B-Bedside man-ners are a wast-'
​
Nami's staff gives the gasping doctor a lump on the head. 'Ignore him, Vivi! You and your father obviously have things to talk about.'
​
Despite every ounce of her heart urging her to return to the embrace, Vivi somehow pushes her father away. 'No, no. Chopper is right. Time is of the essence.'
​
Cobra looks to his daughter; his happiness at their reunion is dulled by the grim face she is making. 'My daughter, is it that bad?'
​
Vivi nods. 'I uncovered our foe and his designs for our kingdom. We need to strike as soon as possible. Every minute we waste is another person whose life is destroyed by his machinations.'
​
Cobra analyzes his daughter's words and wipes the tears from his eyes. 'Very well. Let us discuss this now. Fortunately, we were just finishing up the intelligence report for the day.' He suddenly notices the presence of the other guests. 'And who are these fine people?'
​
Luffy steps forward. 'We're Vivi's friends. And we're here to kick but and save Alabasta!'
​
The absolute conviction in his voice stuns the king of Alabasta for a moment. The young man's determination fills him with the nearly foreign sensation of hope.
​
'I'm also going to be king of the pirates, so there's that too!'
​
'Pirates!?'
​
A current of fear travels through the room. Guards prepare weapons, and before the king can respond, a man dashes between the two, hand on his blade.
​
An imposing dark-skinned, black-haired man bares his teeth in anger at the imminent threats to his lord. His broad nose snorts in anger, reminiscent of an angry guard dog as he grips the handle of the massive blue sword. A half-open light green tunic exposes his muscular, scarred chest that bears an ancient-looking scar. His red and crimson overcoat hangs loosely over his broad shoulders. 'You criminals dare to intrude on the royal palace!?'
​
Zoro half-draws his sword with a bloodthirsty smirk.
​
The guard glares at the swordsman. 'Leave now or...'
​
'Chaka. No.'
​
'My king!? They...'
​
'Are friends of my daughter.' Cobra says in a voice of royal authority. 'Stand down.'
​
Chaka looks to Pell, who gives him a nod, confirming their trustworthiness.
​
Reluctantly, the king's right hand relaxes, while still maintaining his glare at the three sword user. The rest of his soldiers join him in slowly lowering their weapons.
​
Zoro pouts as he fully sheathes his blade.
​
The king looks to the pirates, surprised at the fact that they seem unbothered by the threats of execution. 'I apologize for my bodyguard's hasty reaction.'
​
Luffy brushes it off. 'It's no biggie. It comes with being pirates. Happens all the time.'
​
Cobra actually laughs. 'Even so.' He extends his hand towards the young man. 'Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me.'
​
Luffy smiles and gives the man a firm handshake. 'Don't sweat it, pops. Vivi's our friend and my crewmate, so of course I'd help her out!'
​
'Well, I thank you for being so understanding.' Cobra takes another look at the group. 'And where is Ingram? Is he still undercover in Baroque Works?'
​
Vivi's body lets out a restrained shiver.
​
To anyone else, it would have seemed to be an unconscious twitch. To her father and friends, she might as well have screamed like a banshee and broken down sobbing on the floor. Her distress, pain, and disgust are clear on her face.
​
'I-Ingram... he... guard captain Ingram...'
​
Cobra waves his hand, cutting off his daughter’s stumbling words. 'I understand, Vivi. You don't need to say more.'
​
Vivi nods, before her eye catches something. 'You are right, Father. Now... is not the time for reminiscing on the past.' She walks calmly towards the crowd. 'Now is the time for action.'
​
She comes to a stop in front of an older-looking gentleman with white spiky hair. He sweats through his black suit and purple tie, looking very uncomfortable. 'Um? Can I hel-'
​
In a flash, Vivi's blade cleaves through his skinny neck. His head falls backwards onto the floor, and his lifeless body crumples to the ground, spurting blood.
​
Everyone in the room, save a few of the Straw Hats, is overcome with horror.
​
Pell's mouth opens in shock.
​
Chaka's eyes bulge.
​
Cobra's face turns white as a sheet. 'V-VIVI!? WHAT GOTTEN...'

'Crocodile is the leader of Baroque Works.' Vivi wipes the blood on her blade away with a casual ease. 'He's been undermining your rule and intentionally setting himself up as this country's savior.'
​
The impact of the princess' words hit with the force of a rainstorm.
​
'Preposterous!'
​
'Impossible!'
​
'It can't be!'
​
'Sir Crocodile's a traitor to the throne!?'
​
Cobra is the first to recover, looking at the body of Rainbase's ambassador cooling on the floor. 'Vivi... is this true?'
​
She sheathes her blade. 'I confirmed it several times and traced shipments of infected bioweapons to Rainbase, where they were distributed across the country. Igaram died to obtain the truth.' She looks to her father with a similar look of resolve to her captain. 'If we want to save Alabasta, we need to kill Crocodile as quickly as possible, before he launches his coup.'
​
The room grows silent as the implication of Vivi's words hits home. For almost three years, the Warlord of the Sea had been their lifeline and savior. Without the food he smuggled through the blockade, many would have starved. Without the medical expertise that he provided, countless infected would be in an even worse state. He had nearly unmatched support in the kingdom, even more so than the king.
​
And now they discovered the glue they thought was holding their kingdom together was a rotten root that had wormed its way into the bedrock of Alabasta.
​
Pell takes a deep breath, calming his body as he begins to think logically. 'It makes sense. Too much sense.' He looks at the model of Capital's surroundings on the table in front of him. 'He has recently moved all of his medical clinics and the bread lines he set up to the Alubarna ghetto. That act alone has drawn half the Infected in the country right to us.'
​
Chaka joins him at the table, understanding what his friend is getting at. 'Now he has an army of infected who worship him like a god on our doorstep. And they outnumber our guards ten to one.'
​
Pell nods, the mood growing more tense by the minute. 'Add that to whatever resources he has as the leader of Baroque Works. In addition, the fact he's the only one who can move past the blockade. He could pull reinforcements from anywhere.'
​
Cobra rubs his face. 'The blockade. Due to Alabasta's infected status, even if we wanted to, we couldn't request support from other nations or the Marines. Crocodile cut us off from the world, forced us to become dependent on him.'

Vivi nods. 'And he has an army of cutthroats ready to take the country. He just needs an excuse, and he'll claim Alabasta with the support of the very people he infected with the plague.'
​
Cobra looks around him at the room of his subjects; a fire of determination, the envy of any man, burns in his eyes. '...then let's give him one.'
​
The royal guards look to him in shock. 'My king?'
​
Cobra turns to the falcon of Alabasta. 'Pell, gather the Kicking Claw force and whatever elite soldiers we've checked for links to Baroque Works. You'll lead the vanguard in our assault on Rainbase. Chaka and the rest of our troops will follow behind you'
​
Chatter fills the room from the assorted council.
​
'M-My king!' A man with robotic eyes and a purple robe interjects. 'Forgive this doctor's humble opinion, but opening the gates would expose our soldiers to the infected outside our walls.'
​
'Ho is right, my king.' Chaka says with concern across his broad face. 'An outright attack would only play into Crocodile's hands. Even our armies can clear the ghettos...'
​
Cobra slams his fist into the table.
​
The room immediately grows quiet.
​
'Millions of our people are sickened by an incurable disease caused by a madman pretending to be a saint.' The king states. 'And every day we allow him freedom is another day our subjects are infected, brainwashed, and turned into a weapon against their fellow countrymen.'
​
He looks to everyone in the room. 'This root of evil must be ripped out at the source before it can destroy more of our people.'
​
'Father.' Vivi says. 'Crocodile still believes me to be loyal. I can get close and...'
​
'No, Vivi.' Cobra puts his hand on his daughter's shoulder. 'You have already given so much. I won't have you throw away your life in an assassination attempt that is likely to fail.'
​
Luffy puts his hand on her other shoulder. 'Especially since you've got us to help you assassa.... asasa... kick Crocodile's but!'
​
Vivi turns. 'Luffy, you can't...'
​
'I CAN Vivi.' The Strawhat's captain shuts down his crewmate's protests. 'Croc guy isn't going to get away with hurting your people. Believe that.'
​
Nami smiles. 'You should know by now Luffy's too stubborn to quit. Plus, in case you forgot...' she points her thumb towards Ace. 'We have Luffy's... uh sibling who is a division commander in Whitebeard's crew.'
​
Ace smashes her fists together, conjuring a small gout of flame. 'No way I'm gonna let Sand-dile lay one finger on my baby bro. Leave him to me.'
​
'Hey!' Luffy objects. 'I was gonna beat Crocodile first! Wait your turn Ace.'
​
'Well, you didn't call dibs. So I'm first.'
​
'Nut uh! I so called dibs!'
​
'Did not.'
​
'Did too!'
​
The group watches the two adults argue like overgrown children.
​
Cobra stares. 'She's a member of Whitebeard's crew?!'
​
'Yes.' Vivi states, watching the argument. 'She came to ask for volunteers for the Whitebeard Alliance.'
​
'Did so times infinity!'
​
Luffy grumbles at having lost while Ace makes a "V" for victory.
​
'Ahem.' Cobra clears his throat. 'Ace was it? Should you help with stopping Crocodile, I would be honored to contribute some of my troops to help protect Paradise from the Emperors.'
​
Ace reacts with surprise. 'Wow, that's really nice of you, Your Majesty.' She offers a sly grin. 'Especially since I would have helped anyway, since Luffy was going to fight a Warlord.'
​
Cobra nods. 'Yes, well, consider that an incentive to fight him seriously.' The king gives the commander a knowing smile. 'And also because it's the right thing to do.'
​
The commander offers an earnest expression of gratitude. 'I heard you were a good king, Cobra. Glad to see the rumors overstated Alabasta's generosity.'
​
'Want to protect Vivi city too!' Nojiko raises her hand.
​
'I'll protect you, Vivi Chaaaaaan!' Sanji says with his trademark enthusiasm.
​
'My main priority is still finding Doctorine.' The group glares at Chopper. 'Don't give me that look. Of course I'm still going to help my patients! It would be poor service if I didn’t!'
​
Cobra looks at the group of misfits. 'It seems you've found some good friends, Vivi.'
​
'Yes.' Vivi watches them argue with Chopper about his behavior. 'They are.'
​
Pell walks over to the head of the table. 'All right men! You heard the king! Prepare the armies for departure.'
​
'...um? Commander Pell?' A blonde, bearded soldier says, sweat dripping through his turban. 'The army is already fully deployed.'
​
Pell smiles. 'Efficient work, soldier. I will lead our new friends and the Kicking Claw force; Chaka will...'
​
'Hold it!' The dark-skinned bodyguard of the king steps forward. 'Soldier, what do you mean the army is fully deployed!? I gave no such orders!'
​
The man looks uncertain. 'F-Forgive me, Lord Chaka, but you did!'
​
The room turns towards the man as a feeling of dread begins to slowly seep in.
​
'And King Cobra seconded the orders!'
​
The king walks towards the man. 'What is your name, soldier?'
​
The man salutes. 'K-Kochi, Your Majesty.'
​
'Thank you for your honesty, Kochi.' The king says diplomatically. 'Now, could you please tell us what orders "I" and Chaka gave to you?'
​
The man salutes. 'Sir! You commanded us to arm the cannons on the walls and man them for imminent combat! You even told us to pull soldiers from the city center to make sure they were fully staffed and ready to fire.'
​
The atmosphere grows tense.
​
'B-But it was the second half of your orders that confused us, sir! Which is why my division volunteered me to ask why you would ask us to do that!'
​
'And what did I ask your division to do?'
​
'Sir! You told us to leave enough ammo for the cannons to fire only three times and move the rest to just behind the three gates into the city!' The man says frantically. 'We were worried since that was a safety hazard, but Chaka came to us and said not to question your orders!'
​
'Kochi.' Cobra addresses his soldier by name. 'I need you to leave immediately and rescind those orders. Do you understand?'
​
BBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPP
​
An audible sound fills the entire city of Alubarna. The sound is shrill and surreal, shattering the peace of the city. In the throne room of Alubarna, the group hears the whining drone of the alarm as the Den Mushi let out a shrill call.
​
'What?'
​
'It's the emergency alarm!'
​
'Who triggered it?'
​
'My king?'
​
'Lord Cobra?'
​
Before anyone in the group can reply, one of the larger communication mollusks fastened to the roof opens its mouth, and a projected image appears on the adjacent wall. Curly black hair and a short beard frame a pair of giddy and boisterous eyes. His wrinkled green robes with yellow edgings are hidden under a long purple robe that marks him as Alabasta's royalty. A simple silver necklace and yellow sash tied across his waist are the only embellishments he is currently wearing. He stands with a massive flight of stairs behind him, surrounded by soldiers in ill-fitting guard uniforms.
​
'F-Father!?' Vivi looks in confusion between her parent by her side and the figure on screen.
​
The group turns to the screen, and a perfect facsimile of King Cobra begins to speak.
​
'My subjects. My name is Nefitari Cobra, and I am your king.'
​
The real Cobra looks at his imposter with a look of horror. 'The audio-visual Den Mushi. Crocodile installed them in every city. He said it was to make royal announcements to the population.'
​
'I am speaking to all of my subjects, live from the capital of Alubarna with important news that will be sure to interest you all.'
​
'Shut down the broadcast.' The room turns towards Ace. 'Are you all deaf!? Shut it down now! Before whoever that is gets a chance to start a war!'
​
King Cobra nods, turning to his swiftest soldier. 'Pell!'
​
The group watches as Pell transforms before their eyes into a large falcon. With two flaps of his wings, he propels himself off the balcony and into the air.
​
'And the announcement is this. I'm the one who spread the plague to you all.'
​
The room freezes, mouths open, gaping wide as they stare at the smug-looking copy on screen.
​
'Being the leader of a desert kingdom is soooo hard. There's hardly any natural resources, other than sand. So I thought I'd cut down on the population so there's more wealth for me.'
​
Vivi nearly retches at the sight of her father disavowing his people like this. 'S-Shut up! Stop mocking my father like this!'
​
'You two!' Chaka points to a duo of guards by the door. 'The Broadcast room is on the other side of the palace! Make your way there and assist Commander Pell!'
​
'I, King Cobra Nefitari, invited a bunch of infected mercenaries into the country, tainted your food, and allowed the plague to spread because I hate you all that much.'
​
Vivi takes charge, pointing to the scenery on screen. 'That fishstick is on top of the main stairs of the front gate! If we leave now...'
​
'They'll be gone long before we get there, princess.' Chaka bites his lip. He watches with a simmering rage as the doppelganger makes a monster out of his king.
​
'We can't, but Arrow is still there!' She picks up a Den Mushi on the table. 'If we call him now...'
​
No sound comes from the receiver.
​
The line is dead.
​
'T-They cut the lines outside the palace!'
​
'To be honest, I probably would have done this even if I didn't have anything to gain from releasing the plague. I always hated how pathetic and needy you peasants are.'
​
Cobra's disgusted response is interrupted by the ringing of a Den Mushi in her hands. The king quickly takes it from his daughter. 'Pell!? Pell! Is that you!?'
​
'It is my king.' The voice of Pell comes through the line. 'I'm at the communications room but...'
​
'Shut off the broadcast.' Cobra pleads. His eyes are glued to the sickening caricature on screen. 'Hurry! Do whatever you have to!'
​
'My king! Forgive me, but I cannot!'
​
'Pell, this isn't the time for jo-'
​
'The Den Mushi network enabling the broadcast is hooked up to a bomb!'
​
'WHAT!?' True panic fills the room.
​
'Wah! King Cobra! The sun's too hot! Wah! King Cobra! There's not enough water! Wah! King Cobra! Where is the rain? Ruling you ungrateful brats has been such a pain!'
​
'Pell.' Cobra's shaking hands hold the receiver. 'How big of a blast will the bomb make if you cut the broadcast?'
​
Rustling and the sound of moved wires can be heard. 'It's a Dyna Dust, Little Man Mark 4, my King! Its capable of destroying everything within a two and a half mile blast radius!'
​
'But you can disarm it!' Vivi hopes. 'Right, Pell!?'
​
Grunting and rustling can be heard over the line. 'I am trying, Vivi, but you and your father need to evacuate the palace NOW!'
​
Pell's undisguised concern and rage stun his charges.
​
'Pell, why-'
​
'The bomb is also hooked up to a timer. And it's counting down now!'
​
'I've had to put up with your worthless problems for years! Slaving away to help a bunch of smelly peasants who act like I'm some perfect king who loves you. How stupid can you get! You don't see a lion crying when it eats its lesser! You all exist for my benefit after all!'
​
The hairs of everyone in the room stand on end. Their hearts beat. A surge of adrenaline shoots through the systems of everyone in the room.
​
'Pell, how-'
​
'Three minutes, Your Majesty!' Pell shouts over the line.
​
Cobra turns on a dime. 'Evacuate everyone!' He orders the guards. 'Have the servants make their way to the main steps!'
​
The remaining council obeys their king without hesitation, running out the door and past the bewildered pirates.
​
Nami looks terrified. 'Luffy, we need...'
​
'No!' Before the Straw Hats can dash out, Vivi's exclamation stops them. 'We have a secret passage that leads to the reservoir!'
​
'Of course!' Chaka dashes over to a mural on the wall. His hands instinctively seek out a hidden switch. 'The Princess is correct, my King; we can take-'
​
He pushes a hidden button on the wall and shoves.
​
It doesn't budge.
​
He pushes harder on the secret door.
​
Nothing.
​
'What!? T-The reservoir route! It's blocked off!'
​
'But despite all my attempts to kill you all, you aren't dying fast enough. It's like you're cockroaches. Pathetically clinging to life. So once again, I, King Cobra Nefritari, have to take care of this dung heap's overpopulation problem myself!'
​
'Ace!' Luffy turns to his brother. 'Can't you just burn the bomb or something!'
​
Nami doesn't waste time responding to Luffy's foolishness. She simply grabs him by the neck and drags him out the door.
​
Vivi watches as Chaka tries to smash the hidden door down. 'W-We're...'
​
Ace picks up the princess in a bridal carry. 'Chaka! Grab the king!' She says before dashing out the door.
​
'Nojiko, transform and run!' Chopper says, transforming into his more limber deer form.
​
'U-Uh!' Nojiko obliges, bolting outside with Sanji still on her back.
​
'My king!' Chaka activates his Devil Fruit power and transforms into a large jackal. 'Hop on!'
​
The Imposter Cobra's voice echoes through the halls.
​
'And what better place to start than with the dregs outside my beautiful capital?'
​
All of a sudden, the panicked pirates hear salvos of cannons from the broadcast echoing through the city. Hundreds of cannons pointing outwards sound off, filling the clamor of the palace with more noise. The once peaceful city is now filled with the sounds of violence followed by the distant screams of the dying.
​
'Ha Ha Ha! Yes! This is the only thing the infected are good for! Target practice!'
​
Vivi bites her lip at the sounds of death echoing through the building. The servants around her are running desperately towards the palace's exit.
​
'We...' Nami pants, running as fast as her legs can manage. 'We're not going to make it!'
​
'Nami!' Sanji reaches down from his saddle, pulling the navigator onto Nojiko's back.
​
'We are so going to make it!' Luffy shouts, his eyes burning with rage. 'We've still gotta beat Crocodile!'
​
'As your King, I, Cobra Nefertari, make this decree!
​
'Run, my people!' Cobra shouts from atop Chaka's back. He shouts through the Den Mushi in his lap to the dumbfounded servants not yet roused to danger. 'There is a bomb in the palace! Flee!'
​
'My King!' The dog barks, leaping over an overturned vase. 'Hold on! We have to move faster!'
​
'I decree that being afflicted by the plague is a crime worthy of death!'
​
'Ace, let me go!' Vivi shouts, punching her savior's chest. 'I can run on my...'
​
Her words die in her mouth as her eyes glance upwards.
​
'...no.'
​
'Any person sick with the plague is to be killed on sight! I, Cobra Nefritari, your king, declare that any subject not actively killing the infected is to be guilty of high treason and shot dead! I declare this royal decree to the entire country of Alabasta!'
​
'PELLLL!' Vivi screams as she looks upwards; up through the open-air garden she finds herself in.
​
She sees a mass of tangled wires and Den Mushi tied around a large metal ball the size of a giant's pupil.
​
A ball that Pell is carrying into the sky.
​
'PELL! NO! DON'T!'
​
Cobra, seeing his daughter's distress, looks to the heavens. The sight he sees chills his bones. 'Pell!'
​
Chaka looks upwards. He sees his best friend, his falcon legs tied to a weapon of mass destruction. 'P-Pell!'
​
The group notices a handful of their party have stopped and turn to look at the commotion.
​
'Hey. Is that Vivi's friend!?' Luffy points to the soaring figure.
​
'And anyone found supporting the infected in any way is to be shot for giving aid to the enemy!'
​
'Pell!' Cobra adjusts his audio set. 'Pell!? What are you doing!?'
​
A grim laugh comes through the other end of the line. 'F-Forgive me... my king...' The exertion and gasping breaths come through the line. 'But disarming... bombs was never... my strong suit...'
​
'Pell!' Vivi shouts through the line. 'Get down here! We'll disarm it! Just don't do something reckless!'
​
'There isn't... enough time...' Pell states. The royals can feel him beaming with pride from the other end of the line. 'I was... proud to serve... this is... the only way...'
​
'P-Pell.' Chaka bites back his grief. 'Y-You... you are...' he struggles to find the words.
​
What could you possibly say to a man about to die?
​
'Today I, Cobra Nefitari, declare the start of the great Alabasta purge! Kill the infected to your heart's content, or I'll kill you myself!'
​
The borders of the Den Mushi's mouth curve upwards as Pell offers one last smile.
​
'Chaka... Lord Cobra... Princess Vivi...' Pell says wistfully as he soars higher and higher. 'Thank you for a life-'
​
A light brighter than the sun forms over their heads.

It is blinding.

Incandescent.

Impossibly white and pure.
​
The group instinctively shields their eyes, ripping their heads away from the light shining above them.
​
A second later, a sound louder than a million cannons throws them to the ground. The stonework of the palace cracks. Banners are shredded. Broken glass explodes out of every window in Alabasta.
​
The force of the all-powerful sound throws the group and everyone else in the palace to the ground. Blood drips from their eardrums and out of the corners of their eyes as microscopic capillaries burst from the sudden change in pressure.
​
Then nothing.
​
Ringing ears fail to hear.
​
Dazzled eyeballs fail to see.
​
Heat-soaked bodies fail to feel.
​
For a few moments, the crew worries that they have finally died.
​
Then their systems reboot.
​
And their ears are filled with the sounds of distress and pain.
​
The first few of the Straw Hats rise to their feet and open their eyes to find the city of Alabasta.

On fire.
​
Fireballs fall from above into populated buildings. Several less structurally sound buildings have already collapsed. And everywhere they look, people are in a mad panic.
​
All the pirates and their allies can do is look out from the small garden balcony and marvel at the sudden change. The image of the peaceful city from before is utterly dashed. Now there is only chaos.
​
Vivi looks outwards in a daze. Her beloved capital is in flames. For a few moments, her mouth hangs open.
​
'What...' She struggles with words. 'What do we-'
​
KAABBBBBOOOOMMM
​
Another shockwave hits the city from the west.
​
The group turns to see a large cloud of smoke spilling over the western edge of the city.
​
'The west gate!' Chaka exclaims, leaning over the edge. 'It's... it's been breached! We ne-'
​
KAABBBBBOOOOMMM
​
Another blast. This time from the east.
​
The crew turns, finding an equally large pillar of smoke rising from the opposite direction.
​
'Now the east...' Cobra says, gripping his hands. A realization hits him. 'The gates! The imposter had them pile explosives there! Which means...'
​
The group looks towards the South Gate leading into the city.
​
Yet, no coordinated explosion hits it.
​
'Well. Looks like it hasn't blown up yet.' Luffy turns to the group. 'Nojiko, you're with me; we're going east.'
​
'L-Luffy?' A broken Vivi looks to her captain.
​
'Chopper, Nami? You go to the west.' He looks at his brother. 'Ace, Croc guy has gotta be here. Find him and kick his but.'
​
Ace smirks, offering her brother a playful grin. 'Giving me orders already? What happened to the Luffy who wanted first crack at Crocodile?'
​
'You're stronger than me, Ace.' Luffy's blunt honesty and the completely serious look on his face shut down any arguments. 'So you have the best chance of taking him down.'
​
Ace wears an equally serious expression. 'Okay then, Luffy, consider Crocodile cooked.'
​
'What about me, Captain?' Sanji asks.
​
Luffy turns to his chef. His chef, who is missing his lower legs thanks to his negligance as a captain. He can’t put him in danger again, but he also can’t make him feel useless. 'Protect Vivi and get that Snail thing up and running.'
​
'You mean the city communications?'
​
The captain nods. 'Yeah, that. Usopp and Zoro are probably watching that South Gate place, but we need to contact them and everyone else in the city. You're like the third smartest guy here behind Chopper and Nami, can you figure something out?'
​
Sanji gives him a thumbs up. 'Can do, Captain!'
​
'L-Luffy?'
​
'And Vivi?' Luffy places his hand on his head and turns towards the princess of Alabasta.
​
She looks horrible. Her eyes are empty and hollow, bloody tears adorn her cheeks. Her hair is windswept, and her purple cloak is torn and tattered. Her face is filled with utter pain that comes from a person's entire world being upended.
​
Luffy gingerly reaches over and places his hat on her head. 'Watch my hat.'
​
'L-Luffy?'
​
'I mean it, Vivi!' Luffy points at her with mock anger. 'Not. A. Scratch! It's a treasure more valuable than my life, so I'm counting on you to keep an eye on it! Okay!?'
​
'Luffy?'
​
'Okay?' He says a bit more gently than before.
​
Vivi shudders for a moment. She closes her eyes and counts to three before opening them. 'O-Okay, Captain.'
​
Luffy smiles, showing off a set of pearly white teeth. 'Good!' He pats her on the shoulder and turns to the rest. 'All right, guys! Operation "Save Alabasta, kick Crocodile's but and get a huge feast" is a go!'
​
'Ooooy!' The crew raises their fists in the air. Despair is replaced with determination. Fear is replaced with hope.
​
And as one, the Straw Hats run off to stop a city-wide war.
​
'...Vivi.' The princess finds her father's hand on her shoulder. 'You certainly found some amazing friends.'
​
'... Yes, Father.' Somehow, some way, Vivi manages a small smile. 'I really did.'