Days flew by since Marco's departure, followed by a few weeks, and the Thousand Sunny couldn't have been busier.

Zoro and Brandon not only proceeded very well in their training, but Troy and Brandon trained every morning as well now. When the sun started to rise, both Troy and Brandon would run through a few drills in attacking and defending, hand-to-hand combat. Sanji was the first one to get up usually, and he was surprised every morning to see the two practicing combat skills. Back to Zoro and Brandon, Zoro was proud of Brandon's progress, and eventually said that he had taught everything he knew to Brandon. Brandon was now as deadly with a sword as he was without.

Even the bond between the crew and the two boys grew. Luffy and Troy got along really well. Brandon talked to Sanji a lot more now, and the two became fast friends. Robin and Brandon studied archeology together, Brandon learned a taste of history because Robin thought he "lacked taste in history", whatever that meant, which sounded pretty dumb to Brandon, but he didn't complain. He learned a lot of interesting stuff. Usopp and Troy pulled a few pranks on Luffy from time to time, not a day going by without Luffy screaming in terror because someone either put a jar of snakes in his hammock or put a firecracker in the shower when it was his turn. As for Nami and Brandon, the two got along well, Nami showed Brandon a few tricks in navigating, because Brandon mentioned to her he used to plot courses and navigate some ships on a few cadet trips. Nami was better at it, obviously. But she was still interested in what Brandon knew from the start.

But of course, the weeks never went by without a little fun. One day, Luffy made Brandon turn into his Phoenix form while the ship was anchored at sea and fly the crew around the sky for a while. Brandon enjoyed it, and so did everyone else. Then another day Luffy and Troy had hunting contest at sea to see who's rubber powers were better, by the amount of birds and fish and stuff they caught.

....needless to say, Luffy won, because let's face it: the kid's world is fight, eat, fight, and eat. With a dash of sleep.

Then something strange happened with Brandon. It was 7 in the morning, and Brandon slept in. He was having the most glorious dream.

Brandon (in his dream) was on the Merry Go, the crew's older ship. Zoro, Nami, Luffy, Chopper, Sanji and Usopp were there. Only this time. Karoo and Vivi were there too, and along with some HANDSOME man.

He looked a lot like Brandon...but not quite the same. This guy had a better looking face, was a bit more muscular, and had better looking hair. Brandon couldn't quite put his finger on who the guy was, but he felt like he knew him.

The guy was talking to Vivi...and really hitting it off. Vivi was laughing a lot, and Vivi seemed like she was really interested in this guy. The two were sitting on the railing,

"Wait a second..." Brandon started to piece this together. He knew exactly what this was!!!

That guy talking to Vivi WAS Brandon! Brandon remembered it clearly like it was just yesterday...he had this dream when he was 12! He dreamt about dating Vivi, cause when he was little, he had a huge fan crush on Vivi. He really liked her hair, as well as her personality. He still had that crush...but it faded like his dream. But...for some reason, something came back to him about it.

"Ah, what the heck, might as well watch." Brandon chuckled. He stood over fantasy Brandon and watched his dream unfold. He could practically act this out without a script, he knew it that well.

The thing about fantasy Brandon, he was picked up by Luffy where Vivi was picked up (he forgot the town name) and he lived at that town for most of his life. Fantasy Brandon was a bit of a farmer, but wanted to join the navy, but changed his mind when he met Luffy. Ever since then, fantasy Brandon tried to impress Vivi by talking with her more and more. And it seemed to be working. Brandon knew exactly what was gonna happen next.

"...So the cow was running all across town, tearing up Mr. Jalen's fruit stand. So I ran after it, and took a huge leap to catch the cow, and caught it by the tail, then it dragged me all around town! It took me 10 minutes to actually stop it! I was covered with hay and crushed vegetables and fruit!" Fantasy Brandon said.

Vivi started to giggle, and then laugh. Brandon smiled. He'd laugh at the same joke, provided he heard the whole joke.

"So...we've been on the ship for a long time, yet I don't know what your "job" is. What is it?" Vivi asked, doing up her hair in a ponytail.

Brandon sighed with hearts floating around him as he looked at Vivi's hair. Wow...his heart felt weird.

"I'm a tactician. I'm good for battle. I plan out moves, plan where we should go, what's the safest place I stay, stuff like that."

Vivi smiled. "Sounds like a pretty nice job."

"Believe it or not..." Usopp piped up. "...it can be a pretty stressful job. You've got the whole safety of the crew riding on your shoulders. Personally, I'd kill everyone."

Fantasy Brandon laughed. "I don't mind it. I can handle it, I mean, I studied terrain, battle strategies, and history for a while."

"Wow. History and battle strategies. This guy is a lady killer." Brandon said to himself. "I almost forgot how awesome I was in my dream."

"Anywho, Usopp, I need you to give me and Vivi a minute. I got something personal to tell her." Fantasy Brandon said.

"Righty-o!" Usopp left to help Nami and Luffy with something.

Righty-o?! Wow...this dream was old...

Brandon looked at his fantasy self and Vivi. He loved this part.

"Um, Vivi, I have something to ask you. It's okay if you say no, but I feel like I should ask you." Fantasy Brandon said.

Vivi nodded. "You have my full attention."

Luffy walked by, secretly handing Fantasy Brandon a yellow flower. Brandon laughed. He thought that was pure genius. What a classy man...

"Well...I mean...we've been on the ship a long time, and I've really gotten attached to you. So I...was wondering...if you..." Brandon pulled out the yellow flower. "...wanna...be my girlfriend?"

Vivi cupped her hands with her mouth, and the whole crew just happened to look at that moment. Sanji started to cry. Usopp was amazed. Chopper was cheering. Zoro didn't really care. Nami was shocked. Luffy was smiling like a Cheshire Cat.

Vivi started to have tears come from her eyes, and she took the flower. "That's the sweetest thing anyone has done for me...YES!!! Yes, I'll be your girlfriend!!" She hugged Fantasy Brandon tightly. She then ran over to Nami and told her what just happened. Both girls squealed with delight. Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, and Zoro congratulated Fantasy Brandon.

Brandon smiled. He loved that dream. It was such a nice thought to have SOMEBODY care for him, even if the person technically wasn't real. That dream made Brandon feel happier on the inside.

Then, everything started to fade and turn black. Brandon looked around frantically. The whole crew and the ship was getting eaten up by black. Eventually, Brandon bolted up and opened his eyes.

Nami was standing over him, watching him.

"Uh...." Brandon was speechless.

"I've been calling out to you for 5 minutes now! What were you doing?!"

Brandon looked at his watch. It was 9:45. He slept in. MAJORLY.

"Sorry...I had a really nice dream. Didn't mean to worry you." Brandon apologized.

"The post arrived. We need you to see it. Get dressed and get your butt out here, now!" Nami seemed angry about something. She left Brandon alone.

Brandon shoved his clothes on and bolted outside. Troy was holding the morning paper. And he only realized it when he went outside, but the ship was moving fastly in the OPPOSITE direction.

"Brandon! You need to see this paper..." Troy tossed the paper to Brandon.

He only looked at it for a second, and he instantly fell into shock.

The new pirate Vladimar, told to be a notorious killer, has been sighted heading toward Alubarna. His reasons for heading there are unknown, though he hasn't gone unnoticed. He and his crew have crushed multiple towns, and pirates, in their path to Alubarna. Many Villagers have died in conflicts with this man. Not only that, but his crew, Former "God" Eneru, Former Warlord Crocodile, and CP9 Member Rob Lucci have left heaps of destruction and deaths around the whole world. The navy has declared this a state of emergency, as the ship is moving fast and destroying everything in sight. For more information, flip to Danger 9.

Brandon couldn't read anymore. "That guy is a piece of shit! Evil, maniacal, and just plain sick! And why are we headed in the opposite direction?!"

Sanji came out and slapped Brandon on the side of the head. "You moron! Did you see where he was headed?!"

Brandon looked at the paper. "This is..."

"That's right. He's heading for Vivi." Sanji said, taking a puff from his cigarette. "He's targeting her for an attack."

Brandon threw the paper on the ground, clutching his head, swearing and cursing his head off.

"Brandon...calm down!" Nami said to him. "We're heading there now! We should arrive there within a few hours!"

Brandon looked Nami straight in the face. "You won't make it in time. By then, he'll have the whole kingdom under his control."

Brandon glowed with a yellow light, and transformed into a bright yellow Phoenix, and flew away from the ship like a bolt of lightning.

"Shoot!" Troy muttered. "That moron! He's gonna get himself killed!"

Zoro went to Franky. "Make the ship go faster! We need to catch up to Brandon before he does something stupid!"

Franky nodded. "Hitting it to top gear. Everybody hold on."

Robin looked around. "Where's the captain?"

Sanji groaned. "Great...I know exactly where he is...how else could he resist.."

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Brandon (in his Phoenix form), flew as fast as he could through the sky. The navy ships below didn't know what he was, so they didn't shoot, but instead, looked dumbfounded.

Brandon felt something on his back, and Luffy appeared in his right eye.

"Hey, Brandon!"

Brandon was shocked. His eye grew wide in disbelief. What the heck was Luffy doing on his back?! And how did he even get there?

"I know...you're surprised that I'm here...but I can't let you take on Vladimar alone...the rest of the crew can catch up, we need to prevent Vladimar from killing or hurting Vivi!"

Brandon nodded. He roared, a Phoenix roar bellowing the sky.

"That's it! Let's save Vivi before its too late! And destroy your evil guy that's hunting you! Onward...to Alabasta!"