Two days passed in a flash. That morning, every citizen of Sky Country gathered beneath the Giant Vine. Today was the day of their visit to Alabasta. Rubick had sent Vivi and her party back the day before.
With Conis on his arm, Rubick opened a Portal from the Shrine and came down.
"My people!"
Standing on a cloud platform, Rubick called out, "In a moment, I'll open a Portal to the All Blue. Follow us down to the Alabasta Kingdom!"
Everyone cheered. None of them had ever left Sky Island, and everything they knew about the outside world had come from Pirates.
Now they could finally see that world for themselves. How could they not be excited? They were grateful to Rubick from the bottom of their hearts. Without him, they would still be living under Enel's oppressive rule.
Rubick called, "Foer! Kapa!"
The two came forward to receive their orders. Rubick said, "Go through first with some people and keep order. Don't let anyone wander off. We don't want the locals thinking we're uncivilized."
Both nodded. Rubick then called, "Wyper."
Wyper came over with his men. Rubick told him, "The four of you will stay with me as my guards for now. A king needs a little ceremony. The Sky Corps will protect our people. Foer, make sure that's arranged."
Foer nodded solemnly.
Once Rubick had finished making arrangements, he used his power to open an enormous Portal beneath the Vine. On the other side stretched an endless desert.
Rubick put an arm around Conis and jumped down from the cloud platform. Then he waved. "Let's go!"
Rubick and Conis entered the Portal first with their guards. The Dragon Kingdom Warriors followed, with the Dragon Kingdom's trucks and supplies behind them.
On the Alabasta side, Vivi's welcoming party