"So it's begun..." Zoro muttered.
"This filthy lizard..." Faythe gritted her teeth.
"He planned all of it..." Nami started to sweat nervously.
"Baroque Works' grand plan win which even you participated in has now reached it's finale... If you listen carefully, you can almost hear Alabasta's death throes!" Crocodile chuckled amused at the crew's reactions, "And the masterstroke is how those tearing Alabasta apart, are sincerely thinking of protecting Alabasta!"
Vivi's face paled dramatically as she must've thought of her father and people killing and slaughtering each other with the thought of protecting their country, "NOOO! STOP THIS MADNESS!"
"HAHAHA! Doesn't that bring a tear to your eye? Their love for their country, is what will bring it to it's destruction!"
"...Depraved is the perfect word to describe this lunatic." Zoro furrowed his brows, glaring at said man.
"Heartless is another." Faythe hissed.
"DAMN IT! IF IT WEREN'T FOR THIS CAGE, I'D..." Luffy was fuming with anger as he started to roll up his robe's sleeves.
"Haha... Looking back, I've had to do so many things to get where I am today... I had to recruit hundreds of members and have them hunt bounties so that I could raise enough money to buy silver, the key ingredient in manufacturing Dance Powder..." Crocodile chuckled, looking a little dazed, as he started naming a list of his chores, "Secretly sabotage irrigation canals, Teach men how to act the part of a Royal Guard, and slowly build up the citizens' trust in me as their faith in their King whittled away..."
"This man is sick." Faythe crossed her arms.
"Do you know why I've put myself through all this trouble and try to take over your country, Ms. Wednesday..?" Crocodile turned his smirk towards the Princess.
"HOW WOULD I KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN THAT WARPED HEAD OF YOURS!?" Vivi sputtered out.
"What an ill-mannered princess you are..." Crocodile dragged out a smoke.
Faythe glanced back at Lung Cancer and saw him looking at someone. She followed his gaze until it landed on that Ms. All-Sunday lady, who warned them of Little Garden. But what made Faythe confused is that the woman unmistakably warned them of the Baroque Works that were on the island. So that left multiple questions running through her head as the woman only stood back and smiled at the whole thing.
What was her role in this whole grand plan anyway?
Clank!
Vivi had toppled over on her side as she tried to get up and run. The rope that restricted her on her wrists kept her bound to her chair, "Ngh...!"
"Hm? What do you think you're doing, Ms. Wednesday?" Of course it had to catch Crocodile's attention.
"I'LL STOP YOUR PLANS! I CAN STILL MAKE IT! IF I HEAD EAST RIGHT NOW... I MIGHT JUST BE ABLE TO REACH ALUBARNA BEFEORE THE REBELS DO! THERE'S STILL A SMALL CHANCE THAT I CAN STOP THE REBELS!"
Faythe wanted to face-palm herself as she just heard Vivi yell out her entire plan to Crocodile, "Vivi... I love you, but this is just plain stupid.."
"Oh, What a coincidence! My associate and I, are also going to be on our way to Alubarna, to ask you father a question...!" Crocodile's smirk only widened at that.
"Wha... WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO WITH MY FATHER!?" Vivi shouted out worriedly.
"Concerned? I wonder what's more important to you... Your father or your people?" Crocodile dug in his coat for an inner pocket and pulled out a golden key with three loops on the end, "In any case, whether you come along or not is your choice..."
"A key!? Is that the..." Vivi leaned forward a bit.
"Don't tell me..." Faythe narrowed her eyes.
"THAT'S THE KEY TO THIS CAGE, ISN'T IT!? HAND IT OVER YOU BASTARD!" Luffy screamed.
But instead of giving it over he dropped it right in front of the group.
"AHHH!?"
Right where the key fell, a trapdoor opened, with the key disappearing from the crew's sight.
"WHA!? A trap door!?" Vivi started panicking.
"You're free to choose, Miss Wednesday..." Crocodile could only chuckle at the mortified expression Vivi wore.
This man was trying to force Vivi to stay giving him time to get there first and initiate his plan before she could do anything about. What a cruel man...
Certainly as you say, the impending violent clash between the royal guards and the rebels might be averted." Crocodile shrugged, " I'd give or take about 8 hours before the final clash begins... I daresay you're running short on time... It'll most likely take longer than 8 hours from here to Alunbarna even if you hurry... So if you intend on stopping the rebellion, you better leave right away, lest you wish for tens of thousands to die in vain...!
But at the same time, you can also stay behind and try to save your friends here. As you saw, I've carelessly dropped the key to this cage in the room below. Down to the Bananadile lair... The choice is yours, Ms. Wednesday..." He repeated with a mocking smirk.
"Bananadile?" Luffy questioned confused, while Faythe tilted her head confused for a bit before Luffy pointed to the window, "Whoa! Look, look! Those bananas have crocodiles growing out of 'em!"
"W-WHY'RE THOSE CROCODILES SO BIG!? AND WE'RE UNDERWATER RIGHT NOW!"
"What a weird banana."
"The crocodile looks a bit green so I think the banana isn't ready to eat yet.."
"Don't be stupid, it's the other way around. The bananas are growing from the crocodiles. It's those crocodiles that're weird."
"Really?"
Suddenly Vivi let out a panicked gasp, alerting the crew, gaining their attention, "AHH! THE CROCODILE IS...!"
"What's wrong Vivi!?"
"Did something happen to the key?"
"One of the crocodiles swallowed it just now!" She stated worriedly.
"WHAAAT! WELL GET DOWN THERE AND MAKE IT COUGH IT UP!"
"I CAN'T! Bananadiles are ferocious creatures which can even prey on Sea Kings! I'll be eaten as soon as I get near one of them!" She fretted even thinking about going down there.
"Oh, Isn't that a pity... These buggers have the tendency to think of anything dropped down in that room as food. Not only that, you can't even tell which Bananadile swallowed the key just now can you..." Crocodile barked out a laugh.
"WHAT!?"
"I HATE THIS GUY!" Nami flared.
"Vivi just choke all of them, that way it won't matter if you can identify them or not!" Faythe stated seriously.
"Oh good idea..!" Luffy shouted.
"IDIOTS!" Nami smacked both of them, "SHE JUST SAID SHE CAN'T OR SHE'LL BE EATEN!"
"Damn it.. If I could just get out there, I'd butcher those crocodiles..!" Zoro cursed himself.
"Don't be stupid, Zoro. We can't get out because the crocodile ate the key!" Luffy sternly lectured the swordsmen.
"Ya, I thought you were smarter than this, Zoro." Faythe huffed.
"I KNOW THAT! ALSO I DON'T WANNA HEAR THAT FROM YOU!" Zoro barked at the red head.
"Well then, it's time we excuse ourselves and go on ahead first." Crocodile and his partner turned swiftly towards the large and grand double doors, "Oh, by the way, this room is set to self destruct itself in 1 hour from now. It's served me well during my time as the leader of B.W. but I have no more need for it. Water will soon flood through, laying this secret room at the bottom of Rainbase Lake for eternity." he then opened his arms dramatically, "The lives of a million innocent citizens, or that of a 5 small-time with no future... Your chances of saving either are low, and you'll be wagering with your own heartfelt emotions. So I hope you're getting in the betting mood! KUHAHAHAHAHA!"
The crew stayed silent as they listened, waiting for Vivi's reaction to all this.
"In such circumstances, I suppose even a princess is powerless to do anything..." Ms. All-Sunday commented.
"It was a pleasure plotting in your kingdom thanks to all the clueless idiots, ranging from the hot-headed young rebels to the stubborn old digger in Yuba!"
'Old digger in Yuba..?' Faythe perked up at this, remembering the old man digging in his pit and gave the crew a jug of water for their journey.
"Huh? Are you talking about that shriveled up grandpa!?" Luffy called out.
"Oh? Do you know him?" Crocodile rubbed his chin in amusement, "Even though his oasis has dried up long since, he stubbornly continues to dig, day after day... Hahahaha... Doesn't it just make you laugh? The fool won't give up no matter how many sandstorms come his way..."
"WHAT WAS THAT!?"
"I don't like where this is going..." Faythe muttered to herself.
"Let me ask you one thing, Straw-Hat Luffy... How likely do you think sandstorms continue to hit the same spot over and over again...?" He raised a brow, almost laying out a funny joke.
Faythe paused for a moment then remembered he turned to sand when Vivi attacked him once, her shocked face then morphed into one pure of anger, "YOU! YOU FILTHY LUMP OF DIRT!"
"H-huh..? Faythe..? W-what does he mean by that!?" Vivi glanced at the furious girl.
"Don't tell me he.." Nami barely got out before Crocodile held out his hand and a large sum of sand swirled around his palm, showcasing his Devil Fruit powers.
Vivi's face seem to go blank, Faythe knew she didn't hear it but the thought of the bluenette's heart shattering could be heard clearly.
"It was you...!?" Luffy sheethed.
Crocodile's only reply to this was turning around with a grin plastering his face.
Vivi was visibly shaking now, her bottom lip trembling as she recalled what Toto said to her when he recognized her.
'It's me! Can't you recognize me!? Well I guess I can't blame you since I lost a few.'
"You'll pay for this..." Vivi whimpered out.
Crocodile only laughed when he heard her. As they left out the room, little trapdoor opened up on the flooring, water came pouring in at high pressure.
"OH CRAP! THE ROOM'S STARTING TO FLOOD!"
"THIS ENTIRE ROOM'S BE FLOODED AT THIS RATE! VIVI! YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING! I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE IN AN HOUR!"
"Calm down will ya..."
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? THIS IS A TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE OF WHEN TO PANIC! WE'RE GOING TO DIE AT THIS RATE! D-I-E! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS!?"
"I wasn't talking about you..!" Zoro huffed out and pointed at the still bristling red head.
"Oh..." Usopp calmed down as he took at the state of the girl.
Faythe was still glaring at the doorway, completely ignoring the water that threatened to drown them. She fist were clenched as her teeth were gritted together in a frustrating manner. Her eyes were sharp and dilated, it was like she was on the verge to pounce somebody and tear them limb from limb.
"O-Oi...! Faythe.. I think you should calm down a bit.." Nami stepped forward a bit towards the female, but she didn't budge.
A hand was then placed Faythe's shoulder and caught her off guard. This action made her alert as she whipped her head around to glare at whoever touched her. It ended up being Luffy who had a serious look in his eye. He then placed his other hand on the other shoulder and made her face directly at him. Yet she still had a pissed expression.
The others looked on curiously about what he was about to do. He did the unexpected.
He rammed his head into her, resulting in a loud smack. Usopp and Nami flinched at the hard impact. Faythe let out a small hiss at the pounding and sizzling pain on her forehead.
"OWWEY! What was that for Cap!" Faythe snarled out, already knowing a huge headache is gonna appear later.
With their foreheads still touching from the painful impact, He let out a small laugh.
"I know your pissed! And I know you wanna kick Crocodile's ass too! But Imma do it first! So I need you to wait your turn!"
Faythe's fury shimmered down a bit, her hackles falling as her face went blank for a second. She let out a small giggle and then headbutted her Captain as well, resulting in Luffy reeling in pain as he crouched down rubbing his forehead, "HEY! That hurt!"
"I got it, Cap! But just in case, give him a good punch for me if you finish him off first!" Faythe smiled. The crewmates let out a sigh of relief seeing the girl go back to her cheerful self.
They turned back to Vivi as she was lost in thought, her face looking more broken by the second. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. She slowly picked up her Peacock string weapon and started swinging it over her head. But last second she stopped and dropped her string, looking defeated.
It was heartbreaking to watch the scene.
"VIVI! YOU CAN'T GIVE UP! YOU HAVE TO GET US OUT OF HERE!"
"Luffy.." Vivi muttered, the light slowly going back to her eyes.
"Luffy.." Usopp looked cautiously at his friend.
"Kuhahaha! Have you started to beg for your life, Straw-Hat Luffy? It's to be expected, of course. Anyone would be afraid to die..." Crocodile cackled as he walked further down the hall.
"IF WE DIE HERE, THEN WHO THE HELL'S GONNA GIVE HIM THE BEATING HIS ASS NEEDS!?"
Everyone went silent, especially Crocodile. He turned around slowly and locked eyes with Luffy, giving him a look only Faythe could read. It was a Predator's look.
"Don't be conceited, small fry..."
"Speak for yourself, Lizard!"
Luffy replied with the same murderous intent.
"T-t-that's one of the Shichibukai you're talkin' to there, Luffy...!" Nami was panicking all over again while Usopp was foaming at the mouth, ready to pass out.
"Come!" Crocodile ordered, and then a large trapdoor opened in the hallway. Swimming out of the trapdoor and fairly large Bananadile appeared and turned it's attention to the destruct room, "If you're going to abandon your friends, you better do it now, Ms. Wednesday. Don't you wish to stop the rebellion...?"
Vivi was now rethinking her life choices up to now, her legs looked like jelly from where Faythe stood, "It's.. huge.."
"ALRIGHT KICK IT'S ASS, VIVI!" Luffy cheered.
"CHOKE IT!" Faythe yelled out as well.
"Are you both crazy!? That thing's huuuuuge!" Usopp shrieked.
"Vivi, run! That thing's impossible for you! B-but save us too somehow!"
"NOW LOOK WHO'S TALKING CRAZY!"
"AHH! LOOK OUTSIDE THE WINDOW!" Usopp screamed.
Faythe glanced out the window by the cage and saw a neat line with about a dozen Bananadile, "Oh.. Shit.."
"THEY'RE ALL LINING UP TO GET INSIDE!"
"Looks like they all see us as their meal..."
Crocodile cocked his head down a bit snorting at how naïve the princess was, "So you intend on fighting to the very end... Do what you wish. I'm sure if you kill all of them, the key can be found inside one of their stomachs."
The Bananadile let out a defining roar and charged at the girl.
"Peacock String..." Vivi barely had any time to leap out of the way, because the Bananadile missed her and chopped down on half the staircase, destroying Vivi's only escape route.
"HOLY MOLY!"
"THAT THING'S FAST!"
"IT BIT OFF A HUGE CHUNK OF THE STAIRCASE IN ONE BITE!"
"WHAT THE HELL ARE IT'S JAWS AND TEETH MADE OUT OF!!?"
Vivi had no time to regain her breathe because then she was smacked with the Bananadile's tail, sending her flying into a rumble of staircase pieces.
"VIVI!"
"AGHHH!"
"OH CRAP! NOTHING'S GONNA WORK AGAINST THIS MONSTER!"
The Bananadile closed in on Vivi, looming over her threatening. Vivi was struggling to get up, but her body protested with all it's injuries from the fall.
"RUN AWAY, VIVI!"
"STAND UP!"
"IT'S GONNA SWALLOW YOU WHOLE!"
Just as it was going to open it's large jaws, a ringing sound echoed through out the room and hallways.
'Pururu'
The Bananadile paused distracted and glanced back towards the hallway.
'Purururu'
"...A call?" Ms All-Sunday questioned and pulled out a Mini Denden-Mushi, and clicking the shell, answering the call, "Hello?"
'Hello?'
Wait.. That voice sounds familiar..
'Hello? Can you hear me?'
"Yes, I can hear you just fine. You must be one of the millions." The woman answered.
'Is.. Is this thing on? I've never used a Mini Denden Mushi before... Hello?'
"Is there something wrong?" She asked calmly.
'Hm? Oh, nothing wrong! I can talk just fine.'
"Your on the Denden Mushi! Spit it out quickly!" Crocodile ordered, already losing his patience with the fella, "What're you calling to report!?"
'Ahh.. I recognize your voice...'
"Huh?" Faythe was now confused, but it instantly cleared up as she heard what the man said next.
'Hello again. This is the shitty restaurant.'