"I'll kick his ass!"

The phrase echoed through the crews mind as they sat atop the racing crab. To say the straw hats were worried about their captain would be an understatement. Everyone did their best to hide it but if one got to know them, they would notice the little quirks that each of them had when under pressure or highly concerned.

Zoro was using Usopp and Tani as weights for training, with one of them in each hand. Usopp was fidgeting with a pen as he drew little sketches in a notepad he had, while Tani was blasting music on her Walkman because nothing says calm like 90s rock music. Nami was twirling her hair and messing with her robe. Sanji was flicking his lighter on and off again, one of his legs did that little bounce thing that happened when you sit on a chair for too long. Chopper was walking in circles with his hooves clasped around the rim of his top hat. Vivi was by far the worst of the bunch though, she looked like she was going to cry, her hands clawing through her smooth blue hair as she sat with her legs pulled to her chest, eyes wide with worry as every limb of hers shook.

"He'll be ok... Right?" Vivi said just above a whisper. Zoro scoffed at the thought of his captain failing, yet a trace of doubt lingered in his mind.

"You dare scoff at our beloved Vivi? While she's sharing her concern for our captain?" Sanji snarled. The tension in his tone making it clear he wanted to fight. The bounce of his leg getting more erratic. Zoro glared.

"You wanna start something prince of the swirly brows?" Zoro snarked. Sanji stood up with a growl, Zoro jumped to his feet. Tossing Usopp and Tani aside as he readied his swords.

Tani rolled on the crabs smooth shell, her hands getting tangled in the cord of her headphones. Usopp was sliding beside her, his notebook laid open for the world to see. On the exposed page was a messy sketch of what looked like plans for a round weapon, with small notes and a list in the corner for materials.

They looked like-

Usopp slapped the book closed and dragged it towards his chest to hide the contents. A nervous sweat on his forehead as he felt himself ramble aloud about the sketches being incomplete and yadda yadda. Tani couldn't focus, her nerves were too high.

She didn't want to admit that she was doubtful of Luffy's chances at victory.

He's strong in both a physical and battle-minded way, but Crocodile being like Smoker or Ace proved a concern for her. Tani turned the sound up on her Walkman.

Nami shut the Sanji/Zoro fight down fast, her own anxieties of the conflict to come was all that fueled her.

"We need to save our strengths if we want any chance of surviving this!" Nami scolded, her voice shivered with her fear laced words. Sanji obediently did as he was told, sitting on the other end of the crab while Zoro picked Tani and Usopp up again and continued training.

"Uh guys... Hey guys," Chopper said with panic, he was dancing around on his hooves and pointing at the large river up ahead.

"What's the problem Chops?" Tani questioned, removing one of the ears of her headphones to listen. It was hard to keep her eyes on the little reindeer when she kept being bobbed up and down.

"The crab can't swim! He doesn't like water," Chopper squeaked. Everyone tensed up and jumped to their feet. Vivi gasped dramatically.

"But the Sandora river is too wide for us to swim it!" Vivi squirmed on the spot teary eyed. "And it's invested with massive Seakings," she added for good measure.

"What if we just make him run faster? Like what mudskippers do?" Tani thought aloud, honestly she was just thinking about all those movies that had people run so fast that they just zoomed across the water. Since this world seemed to run on that logic. "Chopper, ask the crab what he needs us to do to motivate him to run faster," Tani commanded. Chopper nodded and asked right away, his fur stood up and his body language was shy.

"He... He uh said that uh... Pretty women in dancer clothes will make him run faster," Chopper pulled his hat over his eyes shyly. Tani all of a sudden felt like she needed to take a dip in the river to wash off the sudden body shyness she had. Nami being the absolute unit she is though, dropped the robe without a moment's hesitation and put her hands on her hips.

"Like this?" she said with a sweet smile that made the crab run a mile. Like the crab just bolted! Vivi stood up next, her robe dropping too, she linked arms with Nami and gave a smile that was pure sunshine despite her internal fears. Tani let out a sigh and dropped her robe too, the trio of women stood with arms linked. The crab ran and ran so fast that it skipped like a stone across the river. Sanji was red in the face as he looked at the girls with admiration, Zoro was covering Choppers eyes and Usopp pulled out Tani's camera and took a photo because this was priceless in his eyes.

"Usopp I'm going to kill you after this!" Tani shrieked with red cheeks. The sniper held his gut and laughed.

"It's working!" Vivi cheered.

Shit!

Tani let go of Nami's arm and almost yelled at Vivi. She just broke on of the biggest movie rules of all!

"Vivi! You can't celebrate something like this until we've made it over! Otherwise we-" Tani didn't get the chance to finish before the entire crab with crew attached sank into the water. The darkening blue submerged the group in its cold embrace. Tani swam up and resurfaced, spitting out water and grumbling "Other wise we fail..."

Everyone resurfaced one by one, Chopper plastered himself onto Zoro's head since the water was not only super deep, but he couldn't swim. Man devil fruits must suck sometimes. Tani looked towards the other side of the river and sighed.

They'd barely made it half way.

"Well... Guess we're swimming," Sanji said, his powerful legs pushing him forward with everyone following in suit.

Everyone swam as fast as they could, but the deep water and distance from the shore made it really difficult to stay afloat. Luckily Luffy wasn't there, Tani was almost certain he would latch onto her for the journey. It was an odd thing now that the girl thought about it. Zoro and Sanji were much stronger than she was, so Luffy should naturally wanna use them to swim him around. Yet he picked her when they escaped Crocodile last time. In fact he always found an opportunity to spring himself onto her back. Why? The thought made the girls cheeks heat up.

"Look out!" Usopp called bravely as he tugged Tani out of the way. A giant fish skimmed past her. She really needed to stop her brain from spacing out! Stupid Luffy being all cute and making her fluster... Hold the phone!

"Tani pay attention!" Zoro scolded. He grabbed Tani by the arm and swam as fast as he could, Sanji grabbed the other arm and pulled her along too. She was stuck in day dream mode, probably a mix of stressed and tired.

"It's coming back!" Usopp cried, pointing up at the large yellow fish with its maws wide open, ready to swallow the crew whole. What a way to go, eaten by a fish.

The fish never got to eat the crew however, since a whole army of blobby looking creatures rose from the depths and beat the ever loving daylights out of the fish! A swarm of them all punched, slapped and body slammed that fish into oblivion.

Tani finally snapped out of her daze, looking up with focused eyes she discovered that the crew had been saved by the kung-fu dugongs they met at the beginning of their journey in Alabasta. Even without Luffy there, his influence continues.

"They asked if we need a lift," Chopper translated.

"Yes please!" Nami shouted back thankfully. So here the crew was, sitting atop the very beat up fish that was now cautiously swimming them to the other side of the river. The ride was quiet, everyone doing their nervous ticks once again.

"Hey?" Vivi said with surprise, pointing towards the shore line that fast approached. There was a trail of dust clouds being kicked up by blurs of sunshine yellow. Vivi felt her heart swell with joy. "It's Carue! And the super spot-billed duck troops," she cheered.

"Super who now what?" Usopp blinked. Vivi smiled brightly.

"The super spot-billed duck troops. They're a trained group of ducks that carry out deliveries and other important tasks. Carue is the leader," the princess said with pride.

The fish docked on the shore and swam away as fast as it could, the turtle dugongs waved and returned to the depths from which they came.

"Carue!" the blue haired woman of the group cheered at seeing the bird and its paddling of ducks, she ran up and hugged Carue with her whole body. A wholesome reunion.

"Alright alright," Zoro interrupted the reunion with a wave of his hand. Attention was diverted to him. He crossed his arms and let out a serious sigh. "What's the plan? Without Luffy around things could get messier," he admitted. Nami nodded in agreement.

"The main objective is to get Vivi to the rebel army before they enter the city boarders, but we can be almost certain that baroque works will be ready to strike." Nami layed out the information they already had. "So all we need to do is figure out what to do from here," she said with her knuckle resting under her chin in thought. Usopp was tapping his foot in thought, the cogs spinning in his mind.

Click! With the snap of his fingers he presents his brilliant plan. Grabbing a stick to draw it out.

...

"We ready Usopp?" Tani asked as she mounted her duck. Heavy brown cloak dropped around her form, Usopp gave her a thumbs up while doing the same.

The group had decided to draw straws to decide who would pair with who. The plan was to divert attention from Vivi, so they all wore heavy cloaks to remove any identity from themselves to allow Vivi the opportunity to stop the rebel forces, without all the baroque workers raining on her parade.

"Team A, you're to take the front entrance," Vivi instructed, pointing at the small model map she'd drawn in the sand. "Team B is taking the south west entrance, and team C will be taking the west entrance," she finalised. The crew nodded in agreement and set up their ducks for take off.

"So we're team C, right?" Tani confirmed with the long nosed sniper. He gave a gulp and nodded. Tani could already feel the pit in her stomach.

"On my mark!" Nami shouted, her hand held in the air. Everyone faced forward, hands gripping down right in the reins of their ducks. Determination and nervousness present on their faces.

"GO!"

With the command came a cloud of kicked up sand, leaving Vivi with Carue behind as the rest of the crew made a run for their designated locations. They ran together in a row of six, heading right for the massive battle ground that was Alubarna. Once the big city was in sight, teams B and C diverted from team A.

Tani and Usopp ran side by side with Sanji and Chopper. Sanji turned to face the very nervous duo that made up team C. He gave them a bright smile full of reassurance.

"If you need help, don't be afraid to find me alright!" he shouted over the loud sounds of conflict and duck feet padding across the sandy ground. Usopp and Tani gave nervous nods before Sanji and Chopper split from them to enter the south west entrance. The west entrance came into view, with a crack to the reins the ducks ran faster to arrive at their destination.

...

"Well that went well!" Tani groaned as she laid atop a downed Usopp. The two of them having just been ambushed by Mr 2 of all people! The flamboyant swam ballerina came in like a flash and with swift kick from his slipper clad feet, managed to kick team C's ass before the duo had the chance to blink.

"Ugh, I feel like I just got kicked so hard that my 'I can't stay in this city anymore' illness just started showing symptoms," Usopp muttered breathlessly. Tani stood up with a wobble, holding out her hand for Usopp to take. The snipers knees shook but he managed to stay up straight, the pair using each other as support.

"We need to warn the others that Mr 2 is running around right now," Tani commented with a wince as she put too much pressure on her ankle. She better not have sprained that or else she'll be out of the fight and she can't have that right now. Usopp gave a frown.

"Hey, put on your skates real quick," he requested randomly. Tani blinked at him curiously but moved to do as she was told. Lowering down, pulling on her skates and tying them up securely around her feet. What was Usopp planning? She really hoped it didn't involve using her as a horse...

Tani stood up and turned to look at the sniper with questioning eyes. The man gave her a smile and put his hands on her shoulders and started pushing her forward like a trolley. Tani had to hold her arms out awkwardly, like a scarecrow.

"Can't having you injuring your foot now can we?" Usopp said cheekily. Tani rolled her eyes but was happy with the thoughtfulness of Usopp. Of course he noticed her small wince of pain.

Tani's ears perked up as she heard the rapid jingling of a bell. Which meant someone was missing from the team up ahead. Tani tilted her head back to look at Usopp. The man had nervous sweat dripping down his forehead.

"What's wrong? You have that look on your face," he asked nervously. His arms shaking on her shoulders.

"Someone's up ahead, but only one," Tani whispered. Usopp's eyes widened, Tani had to shush him with a finger to the lips before he made an outcry. "I can go ahead, my ankles not feeling that bad right now," she suggested. Usopp gave her a look of disapproval. Keeping his hands firmly in her shoulders as he pushed forward with her, at a much much slower pace.

A blur of bright blonde and blue rounded the corner quickly, skidding across the unstable ground and almost knocking over Tani and Usopp like the bowling pins they are. Sanji stared at them with his one visible blue eye. Relief breathed out of his lungs at the sight of them.

"Sanji!" Tani and Usopp cried happily together, the both of them holding onto the man's blue cloak like a life line.

"We got attacked by Mr 2-"

"He got away-"

"And and he beat us up-"

"We didn't stand a chance and-"

"Where's Chopper?-"

"What if Mr 2 finds Vivi?-"

"Woah woah calm down," Sanji said nonchalantly. His face made him seem calm but his eye just screamed 'thank the stars they're both alright'. He pulled out a cigarette, lit it and blew swirls of smoke into the dry desert air. "I heard a womanly scream and decided to investigate," Sanji explained. Tani pointed at Usopp, who scoffed and thwacked her upside the head.

"We were ambushed by Mr 2, we didn't see it coming so we got our asses handed to us on a silver platter," Tani explained. Sanji let out a heavy sigh, more smoke danced from his lips. "... Wait where's Chopper?" she said with a hint of concern.

Sanji's eye widened at the observation. The man cursed under his breath before turning back towards his injured nakama.

"He's all the way back towards the south west gate, you two should go meet up with him," Sanji suggested but it was more like a demand. Usopp nodded and turned to take his leave. Tani however refused.

"You'll be alone, I know you're a tough guy but you'll need a partner. That's why we paired up in teams isn't it," she grinned. Her arm already looping around the cooks own. He looked down at her with reluctant eyes. She stared back with unwavering resolve.
"What if we come across an enemy that's a woman, you wouldn't stand a chance mister white knight," Tani teased. The blonde rolled his eyes and huffed. Walking away from Usopp with Tani in tow.

Tani gave a thumbs up to Usopp, who nervously returned the gesture. Now that's no face for a brave warrior, now is it?

"Keep Chopper safe Mr Brave warrior of the sea!" Tani cheered from Sanji's side. Usopp perked up at the name, turning on his heel and calling back to her.

"You keep our Mr Prince from getting his ass handed to him Miss Bell!"

Miss Bell? It fits. She laughed aloud and continued skating beside the blonde chef. Usopp disappearing from sight.

...

"Nyoo~" Mr 2's voice echoed through the empty streets. Tani picked it up before her blonde partner did, her face scrunched up as recent memories of his pointed feet slamming into her stomach and chest replayed.

"He's here, just ahead," Tani whispered. Sanji nodded, pulling them over to a corner.

"You stay here, keep a look out for anyone suspicious alright?" he asked. Tani nodded, the blonde gave her a soft smile before turning away to face the flamboyant man.

Tani watched as they fought silently, both men utilising their powerful legs to attack. Though Mr 2 seemed to have the upper hand thanks to these really dumb looking swam shoes that would shoot out when he thrust his foot forward. Though thanks to Sanji's much smaller size, he was much quicker to dodge (only barely) the attacks. Tani found Sanji so mesmerising to watch, he managed to gain the upper hand at some point in the battle. Knocking Mr 2 to the ground and winning the battle... Or so they thought.

"The straw hats will always come out in top," Sanji declared coolly, his ragged form looking badass as he let out a puff of smoke, when did he light that?

"Nyooo~ you aren't going to kill me are you?" Mr 2 wept, his make up smudging with the fat tears. Sanji rolled his eyes.

"Why would I do that? The captain called you a friend, that would just be shitty for me to do," Sanji sounded so cool! Tani felt her eyes sparkle at the sight of him, he was that cool older brother she'd always wanted. Mr 2 wept louder, holding his face with both hands and wiggling around like a crushing school girl.

"Oh you're so kind! I could never imagine such a wonderful man to exist on this sea," Mr 2 said, he'd slapped his cheek and shifted to Nami's face unintentionally. Sanji instantly tensed, it was really noticeable. "You don't judge by looks or alignment, but by-"

"St-stop using my darling Nami's face!" Sanji said red faced with embarrassment. "Stop it or I'll kick your ass to the moon and back!" he growled. The shaking in his voice showing he wouldn't do such a thing, not when Nami was the face plastered on the man.

Shit!

Mr 2 stopped his crying, Nami's face looked cunning and devious. Tani didn't like where this was going.

The man, using their navigators face managed to dish out blow after blow to the cook, who refused to fight back because he's a chivalrous idiot! So Tani did the first thing she could think of.

"Oi!" she called out, the pair turned to face her. She twirled her yo-yo's around and flicked forward, one of them smacked into one of Mr 2's cheeks. But it was the wrong one because it changed his face to Tani's. Which was unnerving as hell!

"Sanji! That's not me, just hit the other cheek!" Tani assured. Sanji looked at Mr 2's perfect copy of the girl and felt his heart drop. He didn't want to hit her, even if it wasn't the real Tani.

Fed up with Sanji's hesitation, Tani bolts to his side and with one open hand, slaps as hard as she can into the correct cheek. Switching Mr 2 back, as well as knocking the wind out of him. Sanji snapped back to his senses and proceeded to beat up the stunned baroque works agent.

By the time the fight had ended, Mr 2 was covered in red splotches and purple marks. His face was as puffed as his pants, it was an ugly sight. Tani felt kinda bad, sure he did beat them up... But it was his job, and she'd already seen that they could be friends. Luffy already considered him a friend anyway. So with a warm smile, Tani knelt down with her hand in her pocket. She pulled out her very last bell and handed it to the barely conscious man.

"Though we're on opposite teams, the crew will still consider you a friend," she beamed. Bon Clay's swollen face did the best it could to smile. His tears ran like taps again.

"Nyoo~ you're kindness knows no bounds!" Mr 2 cried, "I'll always be your friend. Forever and always," he declared. Tani could help but smile. She held out a hand for Bon to hold.

"Let's find you somewhere more comfortable to rest," she said. Sanji gave her a sigh but smiled at her kindness. Kneeling down to loop an arm under the injured ballerina's arms. The pair proceeded to haul him over to a comfortable spot that hadn't been touched by the ongoing civil war that now ravaged the city. "Till we meet again," Tani bid farewell and grabbed Sanji by the hand. The man's cheeks burst into flames, Tani let out a chuckle.

"Where to now?" she asked. The chef shook his head to regain his composure.

"Vivi said to meet with her at the palace should she be unsuccessful in stopping the rebels," Sanji stated coolly. Pushing up the yellow sunglasses he was still wearing from his Mr Prince look. They made him look really cool in the girls opinion.

"I remember that, but shouldn't we check up on Usopp and Chopper?" she inquired. Sanji shook his head.

"Those two should be fine... I think," Tani wasn't impressed with that answer. "Look we have to check on Vivi first. The palace is the meeting place for everyone, so Usopp and Chopper will arrive there in no time." he argued. Tani felt worried for her friends, but Sanji squeezed the hand he was holding and gave her a confident look.

"They're too strong to die, believe in them a little will you?" he teased. Tani puffed her cheeks and glared childishly. Sanji laughed sweetly.

"Fine let's head to the palace then," she declared.

Tani and Sanji managed to avoid conflict with the rebels army and royal guard. The tracker keeping her ears open for the sound of bells. Sanji kept his hold on Tani's hand firm, not risking losing her to the mindless slaughter of war.

The palace drew nearer, the large gates that would open to an even larger set of stairs came into view, the pair picked up their pace. A dull pain in Tani's ankle being ignored.

She still couldn't hear any bells.

"There's guards at the gate," Sanji called to Tani. She turned and saw two emotionless faces that guarded the front gate with spears in hand. Sanji stood before them, letting go of Tani's hand and speaking to the guards.

"Please, has princess Vivi passed through here?" Sanji asked the stoic and unloving guards. The stubborn bastards wouldn't say a word.

"Look! We're here to stop the war, we need to speak with Vivi before its too late to do so!" Tani whined. The guards didn't stir.

A bell rang out. Tani whipped her head upwards. Seeing nothing but blue skies and the palace walls... Oh and vivid dangling body-

"VIVI!" Tani shrieked, pointing towards the woman's dangling body. Her waist was looped around a golden hook...

Oh... No... Oh no no no!

Crocodile held Vivi over the ledge of the massive castle wall. Her body dangled limply over the huge drop that would surely result in all of her bones becoming jelly on the stone pavement bellow, should she be dropped.

Sanji and Tani ran towards where she would be falling should Crocodile drop her. Tani felt her heart sink, exchanging a solemn look with Sanji at the results of Croc v Luffy fight.

"You'll never win!" Vivi shouted, her voice reaching the people on the bottom level of the city. Yet nobody seemed to notice their precious princess being an inch away from her demise. "The people will listen! The people will prevail!" she declared, her determination roaring from her core like a tiger.

Crocodile justed laugh that ridiculously stupid laugh. Vivi looked him dead in the eye and spat at him. Crocodile looked bored, his eyes lazily dropping as he gave her one final chuckle.

"Sanji he's about to-"

The hook that held her up was released. Her body dropped like a lead balloon, her screams couldn't be heard over the sound of conflict as her people fought among themselves, violently slaughtering one another in a war built on lies.

"CROCODILE!"

Tani felt her heart skip a beat.

The girl turned towards the sky, a silhouette of giant wings and a straw hat masked the sun. The bird dived towards Vivi at full speed, Luffy standing atop the creature with conviction.

Luffy took no time pausing, he jumped right into action. This arm looping around the descending Vivi and pulling her towards himself. He caught her, holding her with both his arms close. He's entered 'ass kicking' mode and Crocodile is on the top of the hit list.

He jumped off the bird, who took off back towards the war going on. Vivi was dropped into Sanji's arms, Luffy's back was turned from the three present. Tani's heart beat wouldn't slow down, she couldn't help but feel excitement, happiness and pride when she saw her captain standing bravely. Ready to take on the villain again.

"Luffy," she found herself saying without control. The straw hat man turned to look at her, she noticed the stained bandages under his vest. He also had a barrel of water with a hose attached to it on his back. "Good luck, don't die on us," she encouraged.

Luffy gave her a nod, his smile being that of confidence before turning away and slinging himself into the fray once more.

...

"There's a WHAT!?" The crew all shrieked as they gathered around Vivi who stood outside the palace gates with panic in her eyes. Everyone had just gathered back after taking down the many formidable baroque works agents, and now they had to locate and deactivate a bomb? This really was a Bond movie!

"Somewhere in the city yes! We need to find it before it blows up!" Vivi said frantically.

"Where would they hide a bomb?!" Chopper squeaked. Zoro pat the nervous deer's shoulder (he was heavy point) which didn't do much to calm his nerves.

"Well if it's a ticking time bomb than just keep your ears peeled for a ticking sound," Tani suggested. Her brain running at a million miles a second going through every bomb scene from every movie she'd seen. Pin pointing every single trope from the 'deactivates at the last second' to the 'always located where you'd most expect it' cliches... That's it!

"Vivi, where is the highest point in the city?" Tani asked right away. The blue haired princess combed her fingers through her hair in thought.

"Well there's um... There's the palace, the clock tower in the main square, the-"

"Boom! We've got the location, everyone let's go to the clock tower!" Tani took command and started running towards the main stage of the battle field. Guards and rebels dropped like flies as they fought the useless fight. The colourful straw hat crew run through them without a second glance. Eyes set on the clock tower up ahead.

"I SEE IT! The clock part is slightly off centre!" Usopp cheered nervously, his goggles pulled over his eyes as he stared up at the approaching tower. "There's one... Two people up there, one has a sniper rifle and the other seems to be the one controlling the bomb," Usopp updated.

"Wait!" Vivi gasped breathlessly. Heads turned to face her. "You can't get to the top of the tower, the stairs only go so far," she wheezed.

"How the hell do we get up there then?" Zoro groaned. The group looked critically at the tower, it was far too high for any of them to jump up from the top accessible window. You'd need a double jump for that to work... A double jump!

"Guys guys! Double jumping like Mario!" Tani said excitedly. Everyone gave her a dumbfounded look. "Mama Mia you guys don't know Mario, I forgot. OK OK so basically, we need to propel one of us all the way to the tippy top of the tower. Using throwing power," Tani explained.

"The best way to to that is to determine who would be the best to launch, it can't be Zoro or Sanji because you guys are gonna be the launchers," Tani planned aloud. The two men looked at each other with confusion. "Usopp you should stay on the ground floor and take out the sniper and bomb guy, you can do that right?" she asked before turning to see the man in full casts... Oh right.

"I... I can but it'll need to be one shot," he explained from the backside of Eyelash the camel. "I'll need someone to help me pull back the string," he explained.

"I can do that," Nami volunteered. Already by the snipers side, ready to help.

"Alright now all we need is someone to be launched, and the person that will be holding them for the final jump, the double jump part I mean," Tani rambled. Everyone just looked confused with this whole plan.

"You should do it, since you know what you're doing," Chopper suggested. "I can hold you through the final jump," he said with confidence. Tani nodded at that and began relaying the instructions.

"Sanji I need you to position yourself in the second window from the ground floor, Zoro you go to the top window. It's important that you guys are ready to push Chopper and I higher into the air. If we make one mistake it could mean the destruction of the city," Tani said with a serious tone.

The men nodded and proceeded to position themselves in the locations Tani had instructed them to be in. Nami and Usopp were taking out the sniper and bomb guy with ease. Chopper shifted to walking point and with that she sat awkwardly on his back.

"On my mark!" Tani shouted. The men readied themselves. Sanji's leg already held up, while Zoro unsheathed his swords. Tani nervously gripped at Choppers horns, only now did she realize that she was going to be flying through the air, what if she fell off? Or failed the jump! Chopper gave her a nervous look, seeing the lack of confidence in her face.

"On-n my... My. On my mark!" she parroted with a stutter. She shook her head and slapped at her cheeks. She had to do this! What would Luffy do? He'd laugh in the face of danger. So Tani would too! So with a nervously forced laugh she grabbed tightly at Choppers antlers and screamed.

"GO!"

Chopper ran as fast as he could, his reindeer form gave him an extra spring in his step, so when he jumped they managed to make it to the window where Sanji was positioned with ease. Sanji gave them a confident smirk. His leg whipping out under neath them, Chopper landed on the branched out limb. The combined force of the pair propelled Chopper and Tani higher, the duo making it to Zoro at a rapid rate. The swordsman jumped from the window, his swords formed and X shaped platform for Chopper to once again propels himself off of.

Chopper had made it to the base of the clock part, now was for the double jump. Tani closed her eyes, time froze for a moment as she built up the courage to jump.

3...

"I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die," Tani chanted softly to herself.

2...

An explosion sounded from the clock tower, as a woman in a frog hat fell backwards into the clockroom. Her sniper rifle dropping to the ground below. Usopp must have made the hit!

1...

JUMP!

She kicked off of Choppers back, flying through the air. Her stomach dropped, and she wasn't ashamed to say that she screamed like a banshee as she flew through the air. Her body landed with a roll on the stone flooring of the clock room. Her voice laughed hysterically as she felt her face tear up from the adrenaline induced action.

"I'M ALIVE!" She cheered loud enough for the whole country to hear. Now why was she here? Oh right the bomb. She turned to find the massive cannon that would launch the bomb like a big cannonball. There was a live fuse burning at the back of the cannon, that needed to be cut before it was too late. Tani needed something sharp! Or wet, anything really to defuse the fuse.

Her sweaty forehead made it hard to think, she swiped at the liquid coating her skin... Liquid! Was sweat flammable? Guess there's one way to find out. The girl ran to the fuse and with her sweat coated fingers, clamped her fingers around the burning part. A satisfying sizzle sound escaped, music to her ears. She let out a squeal of joy at the victory.

Tick

Tick

Tick

"Hehee, you idiot," a man's voice mocked the cheering girl. She looked at him with question. He mocked her again, "The bombs got the timer, I made it myself hehehee,"

"Well how do you deactivate it?" she asked innocently, already moving to the opening of the cannon. This was just how the movies worked, she just needed to trick him into telling her the secret and she'll be victorious. "After all you are the genius that made such a destructive bomb," she batted her eyelashes with 'admiration' the man blushed.

"Well it's rather simple really, the bomb is voice activated but I'm the only one who can do it," he gloated proudly. Tani let out an awed gasp, clapping together her hands.

"Well it must be a very super secret phrase now shouldn't it?" she gushed. Come on just slip up, slip up.

"It is indeed, a very good code after all,"

"What could it possibly be?"

"Well it's genius if I do say so myself,"

"Oh do tell, do tell!"

"It's ravioli ravioli give me the formioli,"

"Voice command accepted, bomb successfully deactivated,"

"What?!"

"YES!" Tani laughed, before turning to the short man and clocking (hehee pun) him in the face with her fist. Knocking him out. Now to tie these guys up and get... Down... "How am I gonna get down from here?" she squeaked to herself.

She moved to the edge of the clock tower and looked down at the ground, her vision spun around as she looked down from the terrifying height. Her stomach bubbled bile up her throat, which she had to swallow back down... Gross.

Tani paced the small space, her hand to her chin as she wondered deep in thought how she would get out of this one. There was no way in hell she was jumping out of the building. That was just a death wish waiting to happen. So what to do, what to do.

"Need assistance getting down, miss?"

"Why yes I do indeed, random voice that just spoke out to me-ahh that was a real voice! who are you?" Tani turned to face a man dressed in pure white, with purple paint on his rather creepy face.

"Fear not, I'm one of princess Vivi's allies," he waved his hands calmly to settle the nerved girl down. "My name is Pell and I've been requested to come to your aid," he said with a bow. Tani looked back and forth between Pell and the open clock tower.

"How did you get up here? Did you double jump too?" she asked curiously.

"Double what? No I flew up here. I ate the bird bird fruit, model hawk," Pell explained. Oh devil fruit shenanigans.

"Well whatever I just really need to get down right now or so help me I'm going to have a breakdown and cry," Tani rambled with a forced smile. Pell nodded and shifted his form before Tani's very eyes. It was so weird but cool. Like a super hero! His arms grew larger with feathers, his legs shrank into these sharp talons, and his face grew a beak. Only his eyes remained the same, still that piercing purple colour.

"Oh you're the one Luffy was flying on," she said aloud. He gave a nod.

"Hop on miss," he ordered. Tani did just that, her hands clamped tightly around the birds neck. His face tensed as he realised just what he'd need to go through in the next 20 seconds...

Tani's blood curdling screams could have been heard from the high heavens, you'd think she was dying? Well she certainly thought she was. Dive bombing to the ground was not how she wanted to be drawn back to the precious earth. Yet here she was being rocketed from the clock tower to said ground. Pell's ears were ringing for the next couple hours thanks to that.

"Remind me to never ever never never ever EVER! Do a double jump again... Ever!" the frazzled girl slurred. Leaning against Sanji, who scooped the jelly legged girl into his arms the moment she landed. Everyone was here... Well almost everyone.

"Has Luffy come back yet?" Tani asked. Nami shook her head, explaining that the palace was currently empty. Meaning the fight had moved places, but where?

As if the heavens had heard her question, the earth beneath them shook violently. Nami fell over, knocking Usopp down with her. Zoro stood like a brick, Chopper sat on his shoulders. Tani was still in Sanji's arms, using himself as a cushion should they topple over.

"I bet that's Luffy's doing," Tani laughed. Zoro shook his head with a grin, the crew seemed to burst into laughter.

Of course Luffy was causing tremors in the very earth they walked on.

He was the future king of the pirates after all!