In the royal mausoleum in Alubarna, a chilling rain lashed against the ancient stone, blurring the line between the mortal world and the realm of the dead. A small, desolate procession, led by Igaram, Pell, and Chaka, and comprised only of those with the closest ties to the Alabasta royalty, carried Cobra's coffin towards the entrance. The rain seemed to mourn with them, each drop a tear for a king betrayed by the people he loves.
Vivi followed behind, her head bowed low, her face hidden beneath a dark veil that could not conceal the tremor in her shoulders. It was a lonely procession, devoid of the people of Alabasta, without the comforting presence of soldiers, a stark testament to the chasm that had grown between the king and his kingdom.
Rain streaked down her cheeks, mingling with her tears, mirroring the turmoil within her heart. Her eyes were red and swollen, burning with unshed tears, but her jaw was set with a fierce determination, a promise to honor her father's memory.
As the coffin was lowered into the cold, unforgiving earth of the tomb, Vivi stepped forward, her voice trembling slightly as she began to speak, each word an echo of her profound sorrow.
Vivi said softly, her voice echoing in the cavernous space, barely audible above the drumming rain. "Father... My King... It is impossible to put into words the grief that fills my heart today, the emptiness that has taken root in my soul. With you gone, the weight of the world feels impossibly heavy, the path ahead shrouded in uncertainty. I am now truly alone, adrift in a sea of sorrow, with only your memory to guide me."
She pauses, takes a deep breath, and continues, her voice gaining strength with each word, her grief transforming into a steely resolve.
"You were a kind and just ruler, a loving father, and a true champion of Alabasta. You always put the needs of your people first, even when it meant sacrificing your own happiness, your own well-being. You carried the weight of the kingdom on your shoulders, never faltering, never wavering in your commitment to your people."
Her gaze falls upon the small group of ministers, their faces etched with worry and uncertainty, their eyes reflecting the turmoil raging both outside and within.
"The circumstances of your death... they are a tragedy, a cruel and senseless act that has left a gaping hole in our hearts. But I promise you, Father, that I will not let your memory be tarnished, that I will not allow the truth of your reign to be twisted by those who seek to rewrite history. I will not let your sacrifice be in vain."
She turns her gaze towards the empty space beyond the mourners, her voice filled with unwavering determination, her words resonating with the power of her conviction.
"I will honor your legacy by protecting the people of Alabasta from those who seek to exploit and manipulate them. I will be the shield that guards them from the storm, the sword that strikes down injustice. This, I swear to you, Father. This, I promise to Alabasta."
Her voice breaks, cracking under the weight of her grief, and she struggles to contain the torrent of tears that threaten to overwhelm her.
"Goodbye, Father," she whispers, her voice choked with emotion. "I love you. I will never forget you. Your memory will be my guiding star, my constant inspiration."
She steps back, allowing Pell to approach the edge of the tomb, his face etched with grief and unwavering loyalty. He speaks in a low, respectful tone, his voice rough with emotion.
Pell, his voice thick with a mixture of sadness and determination, "King Cobra, you were a true leader and a good man, a beacon of hope for Alabasta. I swear to you, on my life, that I will protect Princess Vivi with every fiber of my being. I will not rest until justice is served, until the truth is revealed, and until Alabasta is safe once more from those who seek to harm it."
Chaka nods in agreement, his eyes filled with a fierce determination, his silent vow echoing Pell's unwavering commitment.
One of the ministers steps forward, his face etched with uncertainties and worries. "Your Highness, what... what will we do now? The kingdom is in turmoil, the people are divided, and the world is watching. How can we possibly hope to restore order, to rebuild what has been lost?"
Vivi turns to face the minister, her eyes blazing with a newfound strength, her voice ringing with unwavering resolve.
"We will not despair. We will not give up hope. Instead we will expose those who deceived my father, and made Alabasta a laughing stock to the world! We will reopen the investigation, uncover the truth, and bring those responsible for this tragedy to justice!"
Her gaze sweeps over the small group of mourners, her voice resonating with conviction, binding them together in a shared purpose.
"But first, we must honor my father's memory by standing together, united in our grief and unwavering in our resolve, even in this darkest hour. We must be the light that pierces the darkness, the hope that defies despair, the strength that endures against all odds."
The rain intensifies, washing over the mourners, as if the heavens themselves were weeping for the fallen king. Vivi's small body looked very lonely amidst the vastness of the mausoleum and the weight of her responsibilities, yet her spirit burned bright, a beacon of hope for Alabasta.
Once the funeral procession ended, Vivi buried herself in the towering stacks of books in the royal study, immersing herself in the knowledge she would need to guide her kingdom. She devoured texts on history, economics, and diplomacy, absorbing every detail with a fierce determination. She was done mourning; it was time to move forward by becoming the queen Alabasta deserved.
In the corner, stood Igaram, his heart aching with grief, unable to bear the sight of the young princess carrying such an immense burden. He covered his eyes with his hand, his tears flowing freely, unable to stop the overwhelming sadness that washed over him as he watched Vivi, barely ten years old, trying to shoulder the weight of an entire kingdom.
With a voice hoarse with emotion, and for the first time since the funeral procession, Igaram spoke, his words filled with concern and unwavering loyalty. "Please, Your Royal Highness, you must take a rest. You cannot carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone. Allow yourself some respite, so that you may gather the strength you need to face the challenges that lie ahead."
Vivi lifted her head, her face smudged with ink, her eyes sparkling with determination as she looked at Igaram and offered him a small, tired smile. She looked strong, or at least tried to, masking her sadness with a brave façade.
"This is my duty as the future queen, Igaram-san," she said, her voice firm despite the deep sadness evident in her eyes. "Don't worry, I won't let Alabasta down." She paused, then held out her empty mug, a hint of mischief flickering in her expression. "By the way, could I get this coffee milk refilled? I need the energy boost." Vivi had even changed what she usually drank, forcing herself to acquire a taste for the bitter brew, despite her aversion to coffee.
But just as she finished talking, and before Igaram could move to reach for the mug, Terracotta, the no-nonsense royal chef and Vivi's fiercely protective wet nurse, burst through the door, her face set with determination. She came in along with Maidy, the head maid, followed by a few other concerned maids.
Terracotta strode towards Vivi and, without a word, grabbed the scruff of Vivi's fur-lined mantle, hoisting her up with surprising strength. She began dragging her towards Maidy, her voice brooking no argument. "Bathe her and force her to sleep," she commanded. "She needs rest, whether she wants it or not."
"No! I still need to study! I have so much to learn!" Vivi tried to protest, her small voice filled with mock indignation, but Terracotta just ignored her protests.
Terracotta, with a sharp glare that could cut through steel, turned her attention towards Igaram, her voice laced with a playful exasperation. "And you, my useless husband! Do your job as a man, for once! Seal this study room, and don't just stand there crying in the corner! Your tears won't solve anything!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Igaram saluted with a renewed sense of purpose, his grief momentarily forgotten as he scrambled to obey his wife's command. But before he could vanish completely, Terracotta stopped him.
"Wait," she said, her voice becoming more serious. "Once you're done sealing the study, Dan, one of your subordinates, has something to report regarding the investigation. He claims to have uncovered a new lead, something that could shed light on the events leading up to Cobra's death." Her words made Igaram's demeanor change completely, his grief replaced by a steely resolve.
He nodded at Terracotta with a serious face, his eyes filled with determination. "I'll see to it immediately," he said, his voice firm and unwavering. He then vanished from the study room, his steps purposeful and swift, leaving Terracotta and the maids to deal with the protesting princess.
With the study secured, and having commanded the soldiers guarding the door to not, under any circumstances, assist Princess Vivi in reopening the room, with the nail that was still nestled in his mouth, grabbed the hammer firmly in his hand, and, with a plank of wood still clutched beneath his arm, set off towards where Dan was supposed to be waiting.
But on the way, as he passed through the royal garden, Igaram encountered Vice Admiral Tsuru and Lieutenant Commander Gion, loitering amongst the meticulously manicured flowerbeds, their presence radiating an unsettling calm. He spat the nail that had been nestled in his mouth onto the paving stones, a gesture of disdain, then strode towards them, his expression unreadable.
"I believe our port is not in this direction," Igaram said, his voice dripping with sarcastic remarks, his body language radiating distrust. "Unless, of course, you've developed a sudden interest in Alabasta's flora."
Tsuru merely smiled, a serene expression that belied the tension in the air, bowed her head slightly, and spoke calmly, her voice as smooth as silk. "We still have something to investigate, and I wanted to ask for permission to extend our stay. Is Princess Vivi available? We have a few questions we would like to ask her."
"It's Queen Vivi," Igaram corrected, his voice sharp, emphasizing her newfound authority. "And I'm sorry to disappoint you, but our royal palace is currently not open to unwanted visitors. But our port, however, is always open, should you wish to depart. If you know what I mean." Igaram then excused himself, his eyes narrowed with suspicion, leaving Tsuru and Gion standing in the garden.
When Igaram finally arrived at the barracks, he found Dan waiting for him, alone, his body bearing the signs of a brutal encounter. His injuries had already been tended to, but the bandages that covered his wounds were stained with fresh blood, a grim testament to the recent violence.
"What happened, Dan? And where is Reben?" Igaram asked, his voice tight with concern, his eyes scanning the barrack for any sign of his missing subordinate.
Hearing the name of his partner, Dan could only lower his head, his shoulders slumping with grief. "I'm sorry, Commander," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "She is no longer with us."
Igaram closed his eyes, his heart clenching with pain and a sense of foreboding. His hand tightened around the hammer, the knuckles turning white as he struggled to contain his anger and sorrow.
"Here, Captain..." Dan said, his voice barely audible, as he reached into his pocket and gave Igaram a bloodied letter, its surface marred by stains of crimson and dirt.
Igaram took the letter with his free hand, his fingers brushing against the dried blood. He handed Dan the hammer he held and the plank he clutched. Dan's sorrowful face was replaced by confusion, his brow furrowed as he tried to understand why his superior had been carrying a hammer and a wooden plank with him.
As Igaram carefully unfolded the bloodied letter, his eyes scanned the contents, and he froze, his blood turning to ice in his veins. His hand began to shake uncontrollably, the letter trembling in his grip. The letter contained a series of instructions, seemingly directed towards members of Baroque Works from Mr. 0, detailing plans to gather hundreds of soldiers and a specific order to disguise themselves as Marines in order to assist Sakazuki.
But what truly made Igaram's blood run cold, what caused his hand to tremble so violently, was not the explicit content of the letter, but something far more subtle, something that hinted at a deeper conspiracy. He then reached into his pocket and took out another letter, the letter he was supposed to deliver later today. It was a formal request from Crocodile to be appointed as Regent, a request that had already been approved by her royal highness Vivi herself.
Igaram compared both letters, his eyes darting back and forth between the two documents, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the puzzle. The chilling truth began to dawn on him: the handwriting on both letters was identical.
Igaram's eyes narrowed, nearly blinded by a surge of anger, his face contorted with fury. He bit his lip so hard that a thin trickle of blood escaped, staining his chin crimson. "Don't worry, Dan," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "I assure you, they will pay. He will pay! For now, prepare a funeral for Reben..."
Dan looked at Igaram, his face etched with confusion. "Why, Commander?" he asked hesitantly.
Igaram furrowed his brow at his subordinate's question, his anger momentarily eclipsing his shock. "What do you mean, 'Why'?" he exclaimed, his voice rising in incredulity. "Reben is a hero who sacrificed herself for Alabasta, uncovering this conspiracy at the cost of her own safety! Of course, we must arrange a funeral to honor her bravery!"
Dan's face twisted into an even more perplexed expression. "But she's not dead, Commander," he stammered, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Igaram became even more confused, his anger momentarily deflating like a punctured balloon. "Didn't you say that Reben was 'no longer with us'?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.
Dan's face turned somber, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and shame. "Yes, but that's because she resigned, Commander," he explained, his voice barely audible. "She's pregnant, Commander."
Igaram's face became fierce, his eyes burning with a mixture of shock and exasperation. "Then why is your face so sad?!" he roared, his voice echoing through the barracks. "Aren't you supposed to be happy?! Celebrating the upcoming arrival of your child?!"
Dan looked at his superior with eyes brimming with tears, his voice cracking with emotion. "Because it's not my child, Commander! It hurts so much!"
Igaram stared at Dan for a moment, his face a mask of disbelief and exasperation, then threw his hands up in the air in a gesture of utter frustration. "Screw you and your family drama, Dan!?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the barracks, startling the few remaining soldiers. "I have a kingdom to save, a conspiracy to unravel, and a potential traitor to expose! I don't have time for this nonsense!" He then turned on his heel and stormed out of the barracks, leaving Dan alone, drowned in sadness.