~Third~

The bomb went off creating a huge shock wave but there was no damage to Alubarna thanks to the sacrifice of one man "He's gone"Sanji said, Nicole had switched to leaning on Zoro as he got up "He saved us all"Nami said however the fighting wasn't stopping the royal and rebel armies kept fighting as if they were possessed.

Vivi yelled for them to stop but only the Strawhats were able to hear her, "You dolts get your rears in gear it doesn't matter how just stop the rebellion!"Nami said pushing the others into action and grabbing Usopp by the bandages "We gotta keep the casualties as low as we possibly can"she cried.

~skip~

"Hey you guys look there!"Sanji called "It's Crocodile!"Nicole said "I don't know how he got there in the first place but i'm sure it can only mean one thing"Sanji said "I knew it, i knew it! I never doubted it for a second it can only mean"Usopp trailed off "Luffy did it he won!"the Strawhats cheered, however the fighting was still going on but just as things seemed to get worse a few drops started to fall, then a drizzle and ultimately a downpour of rain.

"STOP FIGHTING!!! LISTEN TO ME!!!"Vivi yelled her voice echoing from the clock tower loud and clear "They've heard Vivi's voice finally"Nami said, Nicole sighed in relief leaning on Zoro "It's over"she said as the solders dropped their weapons just as Crocodile came falling back down just like the rain.

"Sir Crocodile"one of the solders said "Oh so they're still calling him sir, we'll see if they call him sir Crocodile after i tell them what's what"Usopp said walking over only to be stopped by Sanji "Hold on, just stay here"he said "The rain has returned and will fall again as it used to, our nightmare is over, finally over"Vivi said.

~skip~

"Come on Usopp i know you're hurt but keep up"Sanji said "I wish i could but i'm afraid i'm coming down with if i walk anymore i'll die disease"Usopp said "I'll drag you then"Zoro said even though he was already carrying Nicole on his back again, just then they came across Vivi's father Cobra with Luffy on his back "Who are you?"he asked.

"Uh just travellers passing through, the guy on your back is one of us as well, we'll take him now thanks old man"Sanji said "Hold on if you're with this young man then you must be those pirates that brought Vivi back to this country"Cobra said "Wait how would you know all of that?"Sanji asked when Vivi came running over "Daddy! Everyone!"she called as she ran.

"Hey, Vivi"Chopper said "Daddy? What this guy is Vivi's dad?!"Sanji asked turning to Cobra "Not much of a resemblance is there"Nicole muttered, Zoro chuckled a bit having heard her "You're one to talk, you're practically a carbon copy of your father"he said, Nicole growled a bit and smacked his head "Guess that makes you the king"he said turning to Cobra.

"Yes and i'd be a dead king if it wasn't for the efforts of your brave friend here, even though he had come into contact with Crocodile's poison hook he still managed to carry myself and another to safety, what unbelievable strength he has"Cobra said.

"Should we worry about the poison i mean is he gonna be alright?"Usopp asked looking down at Luffy as the rubber boy had been laid down on the ground for Chopper to do a quick check over "It's okay it should be neutralized by now, however his injuries need to be treated so do yours as well"Cobra said, Zoro laid Nicole leaning on the wall as he sat next to her "We'll wait you need to be somewhere else"he said "Huh?"Vivi asked "Go back to the square Vivi"he said.

"Besides we'll be fine Chopper can at least do some first aid while we wait"Nicole said "Yeah, they're both right, now that the war's over it's only fitting for the king and princess to say a few words don't you think? You know tell them what really happened"Usopp said "Right and i can tell them all about you guys too"Vivi said "Vivi dear please don't, we're a band of notorious pirates the last thing we need is our faces and names known"Sanji said.

"But what we do need is food"Chopper said "And rest, we'd like to crash at the palace if that's okay?"Nami asked with a shrug, Vivi nodded and left with her father before all the Strawhats collapsed in exhaustion.

~skip~

The Strawhats were currently resting in Alubarna Palace after having their injuries treated, Nicole and Zoro were cuddling together practically impossible to separate because one, Zoro, would get restless if separated from the other, Nicole, the swordsman was quite clingy when asleep.

~skip~

Three days had passed and the Strawhats were up well all except Luffy, Chopper was making some medicine, Usopp and Sanji were out shopping, Nami was collecting more books for her collection, Zoro was training just outside the city and Nicole was watching him as usual "It's not about just getting stronger, sure that helps but Haki is more then that, you have to feel it"she said trying to coach Zoro as he was trying to grasp at the feel of Haki once more "Easy for you to say"Zoro said a little bit strained "Yes it is because i was trained by my father from a very early age, now focus, try to remember what you felt at that moment"she said.

~skip~

As the sun was setting Zoro and Nicole went back to the palace, well Nicole was using Zoro as a crutch keeping her foot off the ground since her ankle had been broken and it was still healing "Oh Luffy you woke up"Zoro said walking into the room the crew had been staying in followed by Nicole "Hey Zoro, Nicole long time no see, wait a minute"Luffy said.

"How dare you? You were out training weren't you?!"Chopper asked running over to Zoro, Nicole smacked his head before he could say anything "It's fine Chopper i was keeping an eye on him" she said "Well fine but you shouldn't be moving around too much either!"Chopper said "But it's boring sitting in one place"Nicole whined.

"Long time no see? Why'd i say that?"Luffy asked tilting his head back and forth "Probably because it had been a long, you've been asleep for three entire days"Usopp told him "Three days?! Three whole days? I've missed fifteen meals"Luffy said "You sure can calculate quickly when it comes to food"Nami said "By his count that's like five meals a day"Usopp said.

"I heard the captain's awake, dinner will be served shortly i hope you're all hungry"someone said entering the room as a cart of fruits was delivered in "What?"Zoro asked shocked to see the person "Old tube hair guy so you're still alive?"Luffy asked "So that cross dressing thing wasn't just an act"Zoro said with Nicole still leaning on him.

"No everyone you're mistaken, this is Terracotta, she's Igaram's wife and head of the palace servers"Vivi said "Thank you for helping Vivi and my husband"Terracotta said "I've heard of wife's resembling their husbands but this is too weird"Zoro muttered "Imagine what their kids would look like"Nicole muttered back and the two shivered from the mental image, way too weird.

"I heard the captain eats a lot so i had my staff put together some snacks to tide you and your friends over until dinner is ready"Terracotta said "Thank you"Luffy said before eating the whole cart of fruits "Greedy pig!"Sanji and Zoro yelled at him "I'm gonna eat three whole days worth of food lady"Luffy said "Oh a challenge, good i'm looking forward to it, i've never lost to anyone's stomach so eat to your hearts content"Terracotta said.

At dinner the Strawhats were eating like there was no tomorrow and with no matters, Nicole stabbed Luffy's hand as he tried stealing food from her "OWIE!!!"the captain yelled "I dare you to try again! I can cut you with a spoon!"she yelled at him but went ignored as Luffy went to stealing food from others, Nicole went back to eating her food like a starved wolf while keeping her eyes on Luffy in case the rubber boy tried to steal food again.

The dinner quickly turned to a party as everyone started laughing, after dinner of course came bath  time, as Vivi was washing Nami's back Nicole was relaxing in the tub, she rolled her eyes as the boys came to peep, Nami gave them a show knocking them back with bloody noses and she giggled "Can't make up your mind?"Nami asked once she and Vivi joined Nicole in the tub.

"Better think quick i was thinking we'd actually leave here tonight"Nami said "No one is forcing you though, we'll understand if you'd rather stay here"Nicole said "You two"Vivi whispered "She is right you know, as much as we'd love to have you on board and i'm sure you'd like to explore the seas, at least Nicole and i will understand if you want to stay"Nami said, Nicole nodded in agreement.

After that as the Strawhats gathered in their room Nami announced they were leaving tonight "Tonight?"Usopp asked "Yup"Nami said "We have to leave?"Chopper asked as he was checking on Nicole's ankle either because she has super fast healing or because author-chan is lazy and decided it to be so her ankle was totally fine now, "The marines know we're here, more will come and the palace guards can't keep lying forever, besides that the ship might come under attack"Nicole said rolling her now healed left foot.

"Yeah i agree with Nicole and Nami"Zoro said "Me too and not just cause their beautiful ladies" Sanji said "Do you think we should leave Luffy?"Usopp asked their captain "Yeah but only after we've had some more yummy food"Luffy said, the others bonked him on the head for the food part.

~skip~

The Strawhats were riding on ducks again as they raced across the desert to their ship, Nicole was also again sharing a duck with Zoro "Not bad"the swordsman said impressed by the speed they were moving at "So a final farewell oh kingdom of the sand"Usopp cried before turning to Luffy "Luffy aren't you full yet?"he asked "These Alabasta dishes are great aren't they Sanji? You should make them some time"the rubber boy said his mouth full with a piece of meat.

"Yeah i liked them too so i got some recipes from Terracotta i also got some of their local spices"Sanji said "Uhm what's wrong Nami are you sick?"Chopper asked noticing the crestfallen look on her face "Nami if you're thinking about Vivi again i understand, listen moping about it won't help, i know it must be really hard for you, you two got close just keep your chin up okay?"Sanji asked her but Nicole noticed a tone in his voice, a tone of genuine concern, one she was familiar with.

"It's not that, i'm just sad we didn't take the reward, the one billion berry"Nami said, Nicole sweatdropped as everyone else was shocked, Usopp was so shocked he fell off.

~skip~

"Finally long time no see my friends! Did you guys miss little old me?"Mr.2 asked as the Strawhats arrived at their ship the Going Merry which the ballerina had taken "Not a bit!"Zoro called to Mr.2 "Let's unload later ducks thanks for the trip"Sanji said "Yeah you ducks take care of yourselves"Usopp said "I'll miss you cute duckies!"Nicole wailed hugging one of them "Have a save trip"Zoro said pulling Nicole off the duck.

"Say bye to the king the old tube hair guy and the others for us!"Luffy said waving off the ducks "So long fellas!"Usopp said "Wait hold on"Mr.2 said jumping down from the crows nest "Yeah what?"Sanji asked "Don't yeah what me, that's just rude, you should learn some manners pretty boy, friends aren't supposed to talk to their friends that way"Mr.2 said.

"Quit saying that you weirdo we're not friends we're enemies you lied to us"Luffy said "No i didn't i just didn't mention i was a member of Baroque Works, besides none of that really matters now does it Baroque Works is done for now and that means we're no longer enemies" Mr.2 said sitting down on the railing as Zoro was coming up with supplies.

"Hey move it!"Zoro said "Oh my bad"Mr.2 said moving spots "Well if we're not enemies ballerina guy then why the heck did you steal our ship?"Luffy asked "Oh how dumb are you?"Mr.2 asked "Watch it!"Luffy said "Listen if i hadn't taken your little ship from where it was moored what do you think would have happened to it?"Mr.2 asked.

"The marines would have found it, ceased it and sunk her to the bottom of the ocean, no doubt"Nicole said going past Mr.2 as she carried supplies up to the ship "Exactly, the marines have been looking all over for you and your ship, every port in the country has been blockaded, lock down!"Mr.2 said "Hey hold on are you saying you took the Going Merry so the marines wouldn't?"Luffy asked "Really?"Usopp asked "How come?"Chopper asked.

"Cause you guys are my friends"Mr.2 said with tears in his eyes and a thumbs up and just like that all was forgiven as Luffy, Chopper and Usopp danced with the ballerina, Nicole sweatdropped at them.

"Friends yeah right, tell the truth twinkle toes you and your crew don't have a chance of getting through that blockade but you might if you had us as allies"Zoro said exposing the ballerina "That's right you've caught me but in trying times such as these we have to bad together under the flag of friendship, if you believe in true friendships say aye!"Mr.2 said lifting his hand.

"Aye!"the ballerina, Usopp, Luffy and Chopper cheered together, while the others just sighed at them "Aye!"Mr.2 crew echoed the cheer appearing out of nowhere.