(All right, thanks to Draco-Oblivion, Dthehalfdragon, L-R-D, and dArK tIdEs for your reviews! This chapter will mostly be setting up a future arc, well, read on!
"I am so glad this ship runs practically on itself." Diego said as thunder rumbled overhead. "A while back Jenny explained that it uses something called 'hydro-electricity.' Rollers under the ship pick up the water and convert it into electricity." Diego explained. "Some crazy contraption of hers, apparently."
Diego waited for a response, but got now. He rapped his knuckles against the window in the ship, causing Attacura to look through the window to Diego.
"These windows aren't sound proof. I know you can hear me. So talk to me."
Attacura didn't reply, merely stayed where he was in the water.
"Look, if you didn't want to talk, you wouldn't be staying there." Diego sighed. "Look, Tromso is safe, I keep telling you."
"It's not him. Not at the moment." Attacura said, looking downcast.
"In that case, don't worry attacking me. I would've done the same if Hermy –"
"It's not that, either. It's that fishman." Attacura growled. "I thought I was of the oldest race. I thought I was the biggest. My father told me that the Leedsichthys species were gone! Eradicated by my own species!" Attacura made eye contact through the window at Diego. "How could it be possible there was a survivor? That fishman was old. It wasn't as if some child survived, no, that fishman is likely over 100 years old. So why, Diego, why is he alive?" Attacura sighed, shaking his head. "You wouldn't know."
"Why does it bother you, then?" Diego asked, pulling his chair closer to the window.
"Not only did he best me in physical combat, but he was so confident. He knew he couldn't be beaten. It's just like a famed fishman back in our home. By 'our', I don't mean the typical Fishman Island. You see, ancient species like me had a different home, the original home. It was located on the Red Line, far under the depths, further even than Sea Kings would want to reach. Magnificent pillars of white, statues reaching out, domed temples... the beautiful architecture was unrivalled throughout the seas. It was founded by a fishman named Kikkutan. Kikkutan was amazing. A role model, hero, king and husband all rolled into one. The thing was, Kikkutan lived a long time. He outlasted many, including his wife and his own son. Even now, he is hundreds of years old. Only... he disappeared around the same time I left my home as a teenager. The royal guards swarmed around, questioning everyone about the disappearance of our King and Hero. There were all sorts of opinions. Assassination, kidnapping. Never did anyone think that he left by his own free will."
"However, my father found the truth, by the smallest scrap of paper. It was a message from the marines about recruitment. Kikkutan had joined the marines." Attacura's face twisted in fury. "He betrayed everyone. He joined the humans. But... he remained our hero and our king. I was a royal guardsmen at the time, like my father before me. I was assigned with a squad to go out to marine bases and find our hero, if only to get an explanation. We came upon a marine base two years later. The marines had been slaughtered. It showed the battle signs of Kikkutan. The only surviving marine and grown mad out of pain. He was talking about corrupt marines, about people who could talk to souls, who could make his own universe... more importantly about the new fishman recruit.
"But... the corrupt marines hadn't gone. They were still on the ship." Attacura closed his eyes in the pain of the memories. "T-they killed my squad... they were too powerful... they were... unbelievable. I would have died, except Kikkutan prevented them from doing so. I thought he had spared me, I thought I was saved. Instead he sold me off to the slave traders." Attacura's eyes snapped open in fury. "My king... no... My hero completely betrayed me. He... he did the worst thing any fishman could do. He actually had dealings with the Archipelago, he actually sold a living being for the sake of money... I swore to myself that the day I would be freed, I'd hunt Kikkutan down personally and find out why. I was ready to break out of the Archipelago, but then I met Tromso... I couldn't leave him. After going through numerous slave drivers I was freed by your crew. You made me happy, you made Tromso happy. You made me able to follow my dream of hunting that traitor down...
"That fishman which attacked me back at Alcatraz... I didn't realize it then, but I believe now... I believe that was Kikkutan. The same species, and this is what bothers me. I had a chance to fight, and I was cast away like a guppy."
Attacura went silent, causing Diego to sigh. "Attacura... I understand. I understand why you are sad. I understand your desire for revenge. So go ahead, go do what you need to."
Attacura looked at Diego, confused. "What?"
Diego stood up, and placed a hand on the window. "I am acting captain of Dragon Claw. At least this half, anyway. I can see you are planning on going somewhere. I don't know where, but I give you permission. All I want to know is, where my navigator is going?"
"You need a navigator though, for the Grand Line!"
"It's fine. Just give us the log pose, and then we'll just follow it. We'll manage. What you need to do is so much more important." Diego smiled. "Just tell me where you are going."
"I'm... I'm going to a nest located here in the Grand Line. The nest is where the most powerful fishmen are. In that they are Sea Kings hybrids. They are renowned for their powerful ways. They are a journey for all who want to advance. Even humans, the Sea King's are not that bothered. I wish to go there and I wish to train under them."
Diego nodded. "Good. I'm glad. I know what it feels like to want to train, and it succeeded for me. One thing though."
Attacura cocked his head.
"I want you to take Hermy."
"What!" Attacura exclaimed.
"What I'm about to tell you is very important, Attacura." Diego placed his forehead on the glass so he made eye contact with Attacura. "This strain of the Grand Line... I've actually been here before, hence why I'm so confident traversing it, why I'm allowing you to go. I also know of an inventor on these seas, going by the name of Regal Lawson. Regal is a danger to Hermy, so much so you couldn't imagine. Please, take Hermy with you. I cannot risk him even seeing Regal from a distance. It's hard for me... he's my brother. However it is very important. Even over the life of this crew, Hermy cannot meet Regal Lawson."
Attacura stared at Diego for a few long minutes, before he nodded. "I see. We all have secrets, after all. I will take Hermy, assuming he wants to go."
"He has no choice in the matter." Diego said somewhat harshly. "This is important for me. Hermy is not to make contact with Regal Lawson, and the only way I can make sure he doesn't is by sending him down to the bottom of the sea, or wherever these Sea King Fishmen are."
"Okay. When should I leave?"
"You will leave in three hours. Keep him safe, but also keep him with you. Go on." Diego turned and walked out of the room, looking troubled. He walked straight to the captain quarters and stared at his reflection in the window at front.
'Regal... I made a mistake, and I know it. I cannot keep my deal, though. I'll kill myself before I let you have Hermy.'
'Oh oh oh? A change of heart, hm? Well that is bad news. I will come for you, Diego Faulkner.'
In the reflection of the window, a red light appeared under Diego's eye patch, before there was a flash of flame before the eye patch fell off, revealing a metallic orb with a red dot in the middle.
'Regal, what I did was a mistake. You made your offer, and I decided not to go with it. You will not get Hermy!'
"While I understand, you must remember that all my works are invalid if the contract is breached. So I would advise you to prepare, Diego Faulkner. I will get my payment, even if that payment is your life. Oh, and as for your eye-"
'I don't need it.' Diego thought, grabbing the orb and pulling it hard. There was a flash of sparks as wires snapped. The eye let off a slight hiss, before Diego threw it to the ground, and stomped on it hard. Now bleeding from the eye, Diego looked in fury at the metallic eye. "And I certainly don't need contact with you anymore." He said out loud. "Losing an eye is nothing like losing a brother. I'd rather be blind than alone."
At that, Diego turned tail and exited the room in search of Hermy. What he didn't realise was the orb on the floor turning and pulsing red, before four wires shot out like legs. The orb scuttled into the darkness, unknown to the inhabitants of Raven.
(Regal Lawson gets a mention again! He belongs to Yajuu-Kikushi, by the way. So, Attacura will be going off to these Sea King Fishman. Will Hermy accept? Well, as Diego said, he doesn't have a choice.
Next time on OPNN – New Trust: Attacura and Hermy (Grudgingly) depart from Raven for the long journey to the Sea King Fishmen. The now three members of Dragon Claw and the three companions dock on Cactus Island in search of supplies, and perhaps a new crewmate.
See you then, and see you then!
