Chapter 18: Dangerous Game 3

"I made sure to request for my best tracker," Longtooth said as he leads the Swordblade brothers outside. "Boys, this is Jewel."

Tarlong and Garth were very surprised as their tracker joined them. The dolphin Fish-woman was extremely attractive. Like all Protectors, she wore a hooded vest that was maroon in color and knee-length orange pants on a halter top of the same color. She smiled at the two surprised saw sharks and with a giggle asked, "I take it you've never seen one of my kind?"

Regaining some of his composure, Tarlong shook his head. "We haven't seen many of our kind, to be honest."

"Jewel, have you heard or seen Blade yet?"

The dolphin looked troubled when asked, but she answered no less. "He hasn't returned yet but his patrol came in a few hours ago. Is he in trouble sir?"

The shortfin mako sighed. "Knowing him I wouldn't be surprised. I'll check with his patrol later." He motioned for Jewel, Tarlong, and Garth to follow him as they returned to the marketplace.

Once there Jewel began to look for signs that would lead to wherever Blade had taken Riptide. It didn't help that Captain Ronald had posted some of his marines there and they found one way or another to interfere with Jewel's tracking. Tarlong himself grew very irritated and threatened to shoot them if they got in the way again. They were smart enough then to keep clear. Longtooth himself keep an eye on them to make sure they did.

"Find anything," Tarlong asked.

Jewel shook her head. "No," gesturing around the place. "Those nitwits really messed up everything. Can you recall anything else something you might have heard?"

Tarlong thought hard, trying to remember something. "No sorry. How about it, Garth? You remember anything?"

Garth scratched his head before he hand-signed the word, 'poison'.

"You sure, Garth?" his brother asked.

Garth gave his brother a slight glare. How could Tarlong honesty question him like that? 'How can you ask me that? You never doubted me before." He said rapidly signing to him.

"Sorry, little brother. I'm just worried about our family."

Garth smiled giving him a brotherly punch to the chest. 'It's okay.'

"I didn't know your brother was a mute," Longtooth said as he joined them.

"He may have been born that way but we get along as most brothers do." the older Swordblade said. "Garth did recall hearing the word poison."

Jewel brighten up. "Masta," she said. "Blade no doubt went there."

"Who's Masta?" Tarlong inquired.

"One of the four Elders and a master of ancient medicines," Longtooth answered. "If your young companion was poisoned, Masta is the one to go to. Jewel, you may return to the base."

Jewel looked at her commander. "Sir, I wish to remain and see this through."

"Granted then," Longtooth said. "Come I will take you to Masta."

The Protector leader led them through a maze of streets till they came upon a deserted section of town. Tarlong stopped as he caught the clear smell of blood and he motioned Garth to take the lead point. The two bounty hunters weapons drawn approached with caution and blinked when they saw the blood and carnage Riptide had wrought.

"Holy," Tarlong said as he and Garth stared at the dead. "Well, looks like our friends met a very tragic end."

"Indeed," Longtooth said as he stared. "What happened here was a massacre."

Jewel gasped quickly turning away, nauseated by the sight. Garth put a comforting arm around her. "Who could do such a thing?"

Tarlong knelt down by one of the bodies. "One very pissed saw tooth that's what." He rose and called out, "Nami, you here?"

The orange-haired navigator stepped outside and blinked when she saw the two brothers. "Tarlong? Garth?" she sounded unsure.

"Uncle Tarlong!" Destiny flung herself at her uncle nearly knocking him down the moment he stepped inside Masta's home.

"Hey now," Tarlong said holding his niece close. "It's alright now. Garth and I are here now, little one."

Garth managed to grab Long before the young saw tooth could tackle him. Long seemed so relieved to see more of their family. "Riptide went crazy," he said, his voice shaky. "Sofu and Mother calm him."

"Wait," Tarlong looked at Nami. "Sofu? Does that mean...our father is here?"

Yes," Nami said.

Longtooth entered, looking around concerned. "Blade," he called out. "Blade, are you here?"

The sawtooth heard and with Masta and Shen, he joined the group. "What ye doing here mate?"

"What do you think?" the mako said. "I get wind of what happened at the market and learn that you and Marcus have rushed this young sawtooth here." Longtooth looked around. "Speaking of Marcus. Where is he?"

"Right now he is with Riptide," Nami said as she nodded to a room that farther down the hall. "How did you find us?"

"Not very easily, but Jewel here helped as did Longtooth," The bearded saw tooth gestured to the two Protectors. Jewel was sitting down on the steps outside looking none too well. "We found the mess outside. What happened exactly?"

"They just appeared suddenly and they wanted Riptide, but for what I don't know," Blade said. "They were lead by Ryder."

"Ryder!" Longtooth exclaimed. "Where is he?"

"Gone when we came back here," Blade said.

"Things will get worse now," Longtooth said with a shake of his head. "Stryker will not take Strider's death well once he learns of it."

Blade was shocked. "Dead! How?"

Longtooth nodded to Tarlong. "He killed him."

"Hey he threatened me and Chizz's lives and so I shot him," Tarlong replied. "So you think this Stryker is the brains behind the Order of the True Bloods?

"I wouldn't put it past him," Blade said angrily.

"Well, it looks like we're in one hell of a big mess now," Tarlong said taking out a cigar. "Any chance we can go and see Riptide?"

Garth signed to his brother. 'What will you do if our father wishes to talk with us?'

Tarlong didn't answer as he moved down the hall. Garth had a feeling that the meeting with their father was not going to be a good one.

~~.~~.~~

Riptide felt like he had gone twenty some odd rounds with his Uncle Sanji, Uncle Chopper and Uncle Zoro as he struggled to sit up in bed. He had noticed that his skin was once more white and he tried to remember what had happened after learning that not only he but also his grandfather had this Hidden Fury. He couldn't recall anything.

"Are you feeling better?"

The hybrid looked up as Marcus entered. "I feel like a went twenty plus rounds with my uncles," he said.

Marcus gave a slight chuckle. "So you're feeling a little better." He placed a pile of clothes on the edge of the bed. "Fraid my clothes are a little big for you but they're better than nothing."

"How did I get back?" Riptide inquired as he picked up a maroon-colored vest that had golden color trim along all the edges.

"I carried you all the way back," Marcus said. "And your mother looked after you from there."

'Not surprised if she gave me a bath.' The white sawtooth thought. He looked at Marcus remembering what he had promised. "Sofu Marcus?"

Marcus looked at him still trying to get used to being called grandfather. "Yes?"

"You promised that we would talk later," Riptide said. "Is it possible that we could talk now?"

He had a guess what the boy would want to talk about. "If you want," the mako took a seat a the bed's edge. "No doubt you have plenty of questions."

Riptide thought what he wanted to discuss with the man who was his grandfather the biggest one was what he was told. "You said, you and I were both the same because of this Hidden Fury. What is Hidden Fury?"

Marcus stared at the floor trying to figure out how to explain Hidden Fury. "How familiar are you with the strength of our race?"

"Not very much and I'm only a hybrid," Riptide answered.

"True but that doesn't stop you strength-wise." Marcus looked at him, orange eyes reflecting some pride. "Our race is physically ten times as strong as normal humans from birth. The difference is magnified underwater, where a human's power is cut in half, ours are not. The strength we possess is strengthened and it is also unhindered. Now there are some of our race that can enter something that would be called a berserker mode and this happens when angered."

"Berserker mode?" Riptide looked at him with eyes wide.

Marcus nodded as he continued, "I have seen it and it is a sight that is in my opinion impressive. The main change is the eyes. A Fishman that enters this state, their eyes take on an appearance that is similar to those of a Sea King not only that but both strength and speed grow."

"Berserk sounds more dangerous."

"It is at times," Marcus looked Riptide his expression suddenly serious. "Hidden Fury is far stronger and very deadly."

"Deadly?" Riptide felt a little sick to his stomach recalling the death of the eel Fishman whose life he took when he was twelve.

His reaction did not go unnoticed and Marcus had a feeling something bad had happened already. "Talk to me," he said.

"I killed a Fishman when I was young," Riptide said. He started shaking uncontrollably as he fought back the tears that wanted to fall as he remembered the eel Fishman and how he tore his throat open. "I killed him by tearing his throat open."

"Your mother mention what happened, but she didn't go into the details," the mako muttered. He saw how his grandson was shaking uncontrollably as he struggled not to cry and just seeing that was bringing new feelings to Marcus. He moved closer to the white sawtooth and pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. "Do not blame yourself for what happened in the past nor for what happened on this day."

"But I took more lives! I'm no better than my own father!"

Marcus looked down at the boy who was close to losing it. "Now you listen to me," he said firmly. "You did nothing. Those were people who were bad and wouldn't have given a damn about killing you or your siblings. Would you have allowed people like to hurt the ones you love?"

"No," Riptide said.

"Good." Marcus gave a small sigh as he gave the young sawtooth a quick embrace. "Now as I was telling you, Hidden Fury is stronger and yes, it can be deadly to those who are untrained. They end up becoming rogue users of Hidden Fury and sadly some end up dead because they became killers."

Riptide couldn't help but look at Marcus in alarm. He had almost become a rogue and such a thought scared him. "I can learn how to control this?"

"Yes and I can teach you how to use it."

"Really? Can we start soon?" Riptide couldn't help but feel somewhat excited.

Marcus nearly burst out laughing. He had to admit that the boy had plenty of spirits. "We'll start once you're fully recovered."

"Sofu Marcus, that's not fair!"

"Sorry but that's the rule."

Riptide pouted. "So unfair," he grumbled.

That time Marcus did laugh.

~~.~~.~~

Tarlong and Garth heard Marcus' laughter as they got closer to the room. Tarlong paused a growl rumbling from his throat. Garth looked at him watching and waiting. What was going through his brother's mind? He placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"What?" Tarlong growled.

'You're angry,' he signed. 'Why?'

"Why should I not?" Tarlong gestured to the laughter they heard coming down the hall. "Do you hear that? He hasn't been a part of anyone's life and now he's with our nephew like he's done nothing wrong."

'We haven't been in their lives for very long either.' Garth signed to him. 'So we should not be judging anyone.'

Tarlong said nothing as he continued down the hall, but Garth knew his brother all too well. His brother was in one of his unpredictable moods which never ended well. All Garth could do was hope their visit with Riptide remained peaceful especially with their estranged father being there as well.

"Are you up for a couple of visitors?" Tarlong asked as he remained just outside the doorway.

"Uncle Tarlong!"

Riptide was actually happy to see him which eased his mood some and he managed a small grin as he stood at the foot of the bed. "How are you feeling, kid?"

Still remembering the events that had happened earlier, Riptide avoided looking at his uncle. Tarlong shook his head as he sat down on the bed and putting his malformed hand under his chin, turning his nephew's head. "Hey, don't be so hard on yourself," he said. "That bunch out there threatened this family and you did what you had to do."

"What type of advice is that for the boy?"

Tarlong shifted his attention to Marcus who had gotten up and taken a few steps back. He gave the older Fishman a cold hateful look. "This is a family matter so if you don't mind-,"

"Uncle please," Riptide had already sensed that there was no doubt going to be a fight. "Please don't fight with him."

"Uncle," Marcus was really staring at Tarlong as his eyes widened as the realization that he was looking at another son. One who shared a slight resemblance to Arlong. "How? I only knew of Arlong, but I have another son." Garth decided at that moment to join his brother. The mute Fishman pointed to himself then Tarlong and then to Marcus. It was clear to all of them that Marcus was in shock, a very bad case of it. "Three sons," he muttered, hand clutching at his forehead. "I had two more sons that she said nothing about. Why? Why did she lie to me? What reason did she-," Marcus saw the answer then as his eyes fell upon Tarlong's malformed hand. "Your hand..."

"Don't," Tarlong growled. "Don't you even dare give us your pity cause we don't need it nor do we need it!"

"You're my son-,"

"Son?!" Tarlong's temper blew. "Son? What right do you have to call us your sons?"

Garth was quick to move to Riptide and wrap his arms around the hybrid who became frightened. His actions did not go unnoticed. "You're scaring the boy," Marcus said. "Let us go elsewhere so we can talk."

"You know what, Old Man?" Tarlong rose to his feet, teeth clenching his cigar tighter. "You can go to hell!" Having said that, the older Swordblade stormed out of the room.

Garth was still holding Riptide, comforting him. He looked at Marcus with such sadness that it made his estranged father look away.

"Uncle Garth?" The mute sawtooth looked at his nephew. "What's wrong with him? Why is Uncle Tarlong angry?"

Garth reached into his pants pocket pulling out a small notebook and a pencil. He nearly got killed earlier. he wrote on the pad showing it to Riptide.

"What!" Riptide pulled away, looking at his uncle. "Somebody tried to kill Uncle Tarlong? WHY?"

I don't know. Garth wrote.

"Well whoever they are, they just messed with the wrong shark," Marcus spoke up looking extremely pissed. "And somebody is going to get their ass kicked. You boys with me?"

Both Riptide and Garth nodded. They knew one thing, Marcus was not a guy to piss off.

~~.~~.~~

The temple was no more than ruins, old and long ago forgotten which made it perfect for the black tiger shark Fishman, Stryker, and his brothers. Stryker, like his brothers, stood 7'5" with eyes red and hair that was a deep violet that was a long-haired mohawk. He wore dark brown corsair pants. He wore no shirt of any type since his upper torso was covered with burn scars that he received when he was long ago tortured by the marines.

The ancient temple was home for Stryker and his followers of the Order of the True Bloods. The lower levels of the temple were made into prison cells and from there was a chiseled tunnel that was an underwater entrance. Stryker's followers were all well trained, all of them bloodthirsty and eager to cleanse the island of all who would not follow the order.

At that moment, howls of rage and grief echoed through the temple, echoing down to cells where prisoners and their guards cringe with fear. They had reason for the cries of rage and grief belonged to Stryker.

Stryker was on a rampage as he threw goblets, plates whatever he could get his hands on. The body of his brother, Stryder had been found and brought back. Ryder was kneeling keeping his head bowed just outside his brother's chamber, listening to his wild curses and fits of rage and grief. Ruby was lying on her side by him, her hands and feet bound in chains glaring at him.

"I swear I will kill you," she hissed at him.

"We both may be dead by the end of this day," Ryder said to her.

Stryker emerged from his chamber, a razor chain whip in his right hand his mood was very foul indeed. "Where is the white one?!"

"I failed to bring him to you," Ryder said not daring to meet his brother's gaze.

"Failed," Stryker cracked the whip the razors sliced Ryder's back open causing him to cry out. "How did you fail at something that was so simple to do."

"He was dangerous, brother! He and he alone slew all the ninja save one that I had brought with me."

"Impossible," Stryker said. "There is no possible way-,"

"It's true!" Ryder raised his head eyes meeting his brother's. "What I witnessed is hard to believe but I speak the truth."

Stryker said nothing and it seemed like an eternity before he spoke. "Tell me what you saw."

Ryder told his brother all that had happened. "Never have I seen anything like him and his eyes-,"

"What of them?" Stryker said.

Ryder felt a shiver of fear run down his spine. "There was no change except for the fire I saw within them," the tiger shark swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. "It was like he could see into my very soul."

Ruby started laughing enjoying the sight of Ryder being afraid. "Look at you! You actually afraid of a hybrid," she said.

"What's that?" Stryker grabbed her by her hair painfully yanked her head back. "How do you know that this white sawtooth is a hybrid?"

"He was born from a human mother," she spat in Stryker's face. "I can guess who his father is." The tiger Fishman said nothing. "He is no doubt the son of Arlong."

"Don't you lie to me!" Stryker smashed Ruby's face on the stone floor with such force that not only did he break her nose but some of her teeth.

"Stop this," Ryder seized his brother's hand breaking the grip he had on the mermaid's hair before he pulled the bleeding female to him. "Ruby has no reason to lie either. Have you already forgotten that I saw him as well?"

"So this little whore speaks true then?"

"She does," Ryder said glaring at his brother. "This white sawtooth is the son or Arlong. He looks like his father that he is a mirror image of him."

Stryker turned with a snarl. 'Arlong has a son and a very powerful one.' He pondered some before speaking. "Ryder, gather the Order."

"All of them?" Ryder asked.

"Not all," Stryker said. "Have our spies remain where they are. Also, summon Zanfar and Nanee as well, I will have a use for their...abilities."

"Is that all, brother?"

"No, send word to Ruby's worthless lot that they are also to gather here as well."

"And what of Ruby?" Ryder looked down at the bleeding mermaid.

Stryker peered over his shoulder giving a slight snort of disgust. "Do as you want with her," he said. "I have no use for a useless female such as her."

Ryder felt anger swelling in his heart but was careful not to betray such emotions in front of his brother. "As you wish, brother," he said, keeping his voice in check. He carefully gathered the mermaid up into his arms and rose to his feet. "I shall see that our wounds are tended to."

Stryker ignored him. Ryder left the room and as he walked down the hall to their healer, the black tiger made a vow that his brother would pay for his growing madness.

Stryker is one very dangerous shark. Man, he makes Arlong look like a saint. What is he planning? Well, whatever it is, you know it can't be good. Read and Review.