You keep your eyes to the sky frowning lightly. "Did you see anyone else fall from the sky?" You ask the sand pirate.

"Sorry ma'am, I haven't seen any others. But this is a big planet." He responds.

"Damn..." You murmur, rubbing your cheek.

"___! Come up here!" Ace calls, waving from the crow's nest. You look up and quickly climb up to his side, looking around and pausing, the sea of dunes surrounded the ship, but ahead you could make out a large patch of green and buildings. "See? We'll get your wings back in no time, then we'll go find Luffy." He rumbles.

"Right." You smile back at him. He tilts his head thoughtfully, watching you for a moment before looking back to the sky.

"Don't sneak away this time okay?" He hums before peering at you.

"I'll try not to." You smile in return. He smiles and hugs you.

"So warm..." He admires.

"That's because we're in a desert Ace. And aren't you a fire elementee?" You murmur in confusion.

"Yeah. But most beings are kinda cold blooded." He points out. "A warm body is much cozier to cuddle."

"Cuddle.." You blush lightly.

Before long the sand pirates reach the town and you hurry to find someone to fix your wings. Ace stays with you, looking around as well. "Over this way." He grabs your hand, taking you to a workshop. The lynx bation looks up as you enter the shop. You remove the wings.

"Can you fix these please?" You request. He looks them over as he takes them.

"Sure. They just need ta be cleaned out. Come back in a bit for em." He tells you.

"How long?" You ask carefully.

"About an hour." He answers. You frown lightly but nod.

"Okay thank you." You give a slight bow before heading outside and looking up at the sky again.

"... Wanna get something to eat?" He asks.

"That might help." You sigh. He takes your hand and guides you to a place to get some food.

"Gotta keep up your strength." He breathes as you both order some food. You couldn't focus though, you were worried. Was Vivi safe? Did the crew get away from Crocodile?

You pause as the food is set before you and you start to eat. Even if the answers to your questions were bad, what could you do? "I could go to the king first... If I alert him then his forces can help me find them afterwards..." You mutter. "But if the King doesn't believe me..." You frown more, becoming anxious as you suddenly stop eating, paying for you and Ace. You pause, glancing at the quiet elementee to find him asleep again. The scene makes you smile a bit and lean over, kissing his temple.

"Sorry Ace. I gotta go." You breathe before going out quickly.

'Then pick a side, you're weakest when you're indecisive.' Crocodile's words ring in your head again and you close your eyes.

'From the moment I fell, I was only worried about the crew... I'll protect them.' You look back up at the sky.

The hour was the longest you've had to endure, but you were able to gather information as you search the small town for your crew.

"Here you are. Good as new." The bation presents your wings to you.

"Thank you sir. Please charge me a bit more. I am very grateful." You tell him putting them on immediately.

"You're really in a hurry." He scans the black cube before handing it to you.

"Yes. Thank you sir! Have a good day!" You exclaim running out and bursting off into the air. You search around quickly, the main city was north west... but... which way was that with three suns? Didn't think this through. You frown and land, making some one run into.

"Oh dear. Terribly sorry." The gold speckled man tips his top hat to you, offering a smile.

"No it's my fault, didnt see where I was landing." You wave apologetically. "Oh. Could you point me to the main city?" You add.

"Certainly, I'm heading there myself." He says.

"Are you in a hurry by any chance?" You ask.

"I really am." He says sheepishly.

"Then we're flying." You pull him in by the waist and burst back up. "Now, which way?" You look to him, finding him completely red- like fire truck red. ".... Are you okay sir?"

"I-I'm fine madam... That way." He manages carefully with a point, looking away.

"Alright." You hum following his point. "You sure you're okay? You're... Not really gold anymore." You peer at his face in concern. He hides his face behind the rim of his hat.

"Please don't mind me." He manages peeking at you with sky blue eyes and a shy pout. You almost drop him at that, such a cute expression.

"I... Uh... Right." You swiftly look away with red cheeks. He turns his head to scan the sand dune.

"So. What's your hurry?" He asks awkwardly.

"Looking for friends and trying to stop a spacelord... You?" You inquire.

"Trying to stop illegal weapons and rain powder being shipped here... Could be related now that I think about it." He comments. You frown becoming even more worried.

"Possibly, we really need to hurry." You breathe looking ahead and spotting the main city.

"Sandstorm!" He suddenly alerts you. And you look to the side at the large cloud of sand coming at you.

"No. That's Crocodile." You breathe as a portion of the sand joins together making the spacelord appear. Your eyes meet his and you drop the gentleman, unsheathing your sword and deflecting his gold arm. "Sorry sir!" You call down to the alien as he lands.

"Focus!" He calls back as Crocodile sweeps his leg at you. You dodge it, eyes locking with Crocodile's. You swiftly push him back, watching him warily.

"Seems you made up your mind." He comments.

"Yeah." You breathe, readying your sword.

"You're too late though. Your crews dead. And I've already sent units to palace." He hums. Your eyes widen, tightening your grip on your sword. Their images flash through your mind and red seeps into your vision. "Hm? That's a new look-" He brings up his gold arm to stop your sword but it cleaves through easily. His eyes widen and he moves back, sending a sand column at you.

You dodge it, bursting forward and slashing for his neck. A slender hand catches your arm and you glare wildly at it just before you're tossed toward a dune. The gentleman catches you quickly, frowning at the she-alien. You struggle in his grasp, glaring at Crocodile with a feral look in your eyes.

"I'll take care of her sir. Please continue." She tells the elementee.

"Alright. Hurry." Crocodile flies off for the capital. You pull away from the gentleman, moving to go after Crocodile but arms sprout off your body and wrap around you tight. You growl as you fall forward into the sand.

"You sure are a scary one." She comments calmly with a smile. You struggle glaring into her crystal blue eyes and her purple pupils. "Thats an enticing look." She smirks.

"Ma'am. May I request that you let my new friend go? We're in a hurry. And I dont want to have to fight you. But I will." The gentleman moves between you two, lowering his voice at the last bit, sounding dangerous.

"I'll release her. But I must inform you miss. Your crew is alive." She informs you. You blink a few times and relax, tears coming to your eyes.

"Thanks." You manage as the arms release you.

"You okay?" The gentleman kneels in front of you in concern.

"Yeah. I'm calm now." You breathe, looking past him at the female alien. "I'm still planning to stop him." You tell her straightening up.

"You can try." She hums turning away as a creature bursts from a dune and moves beside her, back opening up so she can get in. "Don't die." She winks before the back closes and the creature disappears. You frown after her, before looking back at the gentleman.

"Sorry. I never blacked out before..." You rub your cheek, looking down.

"No need. I believe I would've reacted the same." He touches your shoulder, offering a small smile. "I'm glad your crew is okay.v

"Thanks.... We never introduced ourselves." You realize.

"Let's do that as we fly. We're almost there." He reminds you. With a nod you bring him into you again. He pauses, face turning a bit red again. You offer a smile and burst off with him.

"I'm ___." You hum.

"That's a beautiful name. I'm Sabo." He gives a fanged smile.

"You're not like any I've met. What being are you?" You ask him.

"I'm a hybrid. I've never met such a ferocious being before you." He adds. Ferocious? You frown slightly at that.

"I'm an Earthling. Was it that bad?" You ask.

"For Crocodile it was. I however was silently cheering you on." He adjusts his hat and smiles at you as you land just inside the capitol. "Thanks for the lift. I hope you find your friends."

"And I hope we meet again." Your words make him pause, turning red briefly before he grins.

"Me too. Good luck!" He says before running off into the chaos you weren't aware of until now.

"... What the hell..." You frown, debating on flying overheard until a beautiful blue catches your eye amongst the warring crowds. "Vivi..." You rush forward, weaving through fighters and spinning around her as some men try to attack her and slashing their arms. "I'm not sure what's going on... but if you try that again, I'm going to have to kill you." You breathe glaring at them.

"___!" She gasps as the men retreat. You look over at her and offer a smile.

"I am so glad to see you." You breathe nuzzling her hair as she hugs you. "Are you hurt?"

"No. I'm just glad you're okay!" She sniffles. You hug her close for a moment.

"Where are the others? And what's the plan?" You ask her.

"We separated to fight Crocodile's agents. I'm trying to get to the palace." She tells you. You look toward the building and frown.

"Then lets go." You nod to her, taking her hand. She nods and you both run for it. You both reach the steps but a figure charging you both makes you grab her and fly up the steps, landing at the palace doors. She stops, looking at the dead guards.

"___..." She manages.

"Don't stop now. Or it'll be in vain." You breathe. She gives a shaky nod and rushes in swiftly.

"Father!" She calls out as you spot some figures ahead. The sound of sand rushes you and you grab Vivi, rolling out of the way.

"How many times do you plan to crawl out of the ground ___?" He growls.

"As many times as I feel like it Crocodile." You let go of Vivi and get up, drawing your blade.

"You got here fast. Nico Robin, you said you'd take care of her." He sends a glare at her.

"Her comrade escaped with her. And you told me to hurry." The She-alien from earlier says simply.

"Either way you're too late ___. Soon I'll have what I came for. And the universe won't be safe." He suddenly bursts into sand and reforms in front of you, eyes burning into yours. "Can't say it was a pleasure seeing you once more." He breathes.

"___!" Vivi's cry confuses you and you carefully look down feeling a pain in your stomach to find that he had plunged his damaged gold arm through it.

Damn. You meet his gaze finding him frowning softly. "Same. But.... You won't.... Win..." You smile, blood leaving your lips as you spin your sword, severing the golden arm. He grunts in pain before hitting you through a column. You go tumbling and as your body stops and your eyes land on Vivi's grief stricken face, everything fades to black and the only thing that comes to mind.

If I wake again. Please let it be here and not on Earth...