Chapter 30: Night of Blood, Part 1
I do not own One Piece! That will always belong to Eiichiro Oda! I only own my OCs. This chapter takes place during the time of Riptide's imprisonment.
The events that began to take place on Unity would be later be known as the "Night of Blood". It would be retold countless of times by the survivors and the countless generations that would follow.
~In the bay of Port Town~
Captain Ronald had been joined by his friend, Captain Williams on Ronald's battleship, Justice. Williams was a veteran marine captain who could have easily been promoted several times over but refused to. He enjoyed his life and the company of his marines who looked up to the man a great hero. Like Ronald and his marines, the captain had become a quiet ally to those of Unity and he, like several other marines had brought their families here where they were safe. At the moment, Williams was going over some very disturbing news.
"You best read these reports," he said handing Ronald an almost thick folder of reports.
Ronald opened the folder and leafed through each one, giving a quick read and stopped at two that cause him great worry before he looked at his lifelong friend. "Base 16," he said. "Isn't that Nezumi's base?"
Williams nodded. "I can't believe that he finally got loose after all these years," he said.
"Very strange that he would, but you don't believe what is in these reports do you?"
"No, I don't," Williams pulled out another folder handing it over. "Pictures don't lie either."
Ronald looked at the pictures. "Wait, that is young Sata," he exclaimed. "How did he escape from my base's prison?"
"That is what I would love to know. All I know is this man here," Williams pointed to the picture of Skarn who was smiling and saluting the camera. "Is behind every one of those damn prison breaks. He was reported to be seen at every one of them along with these two."
"That's Dream Bringer Nyx and she has a 78,000,000 bounty on her," Ronald said as he stared at the heavily scared short nose sawtooth shark Fishman who was with her. "Any idea who her Fishman companion is?"
"I heard Nyx calls him Darkness," Williams answered. "We have no other information on him."
"What do you think we should do?" Ronald asked.
"First, I am going to find the Swordblade brothers and hire them to track down and damn kill Arlong," Williams said. "I rather two of the very best to do this job."
"They are here," Ronald said. "I brought them along with that young trio of young pirates."
"They're here! Where are they at do you know?"
Ronald shook his head. "I haven't seen them for over a month since we arrived, but things have been happening and the last thing I was told was that we were to remain here."
"Who gave that order?"
"Longtooth's son, Overbite, and I haven't seen him since then."
~Off the coast of Unity~
The ships a total of twenty in all lay anchored off the fog bank that surrounded Unity Island. One ship, a massive galleon was anchored farther from the rest, and their rowboats secured to each other with the ones closest to the galleon that was tied off. It was here that the captains all gathered in the captain's quarters.
"So where is our friend?" asked one captain.
"Aye," said another. "We be freed from those damn marine prisons and we be told to gather our ships here. So, what are we be gathered here for?"
"To help out your benefactor since it was, he who asked me to free all of you," Skarn said as he entered the cabin.
Skarn was not alone either as two other figures followed him. Off to his left was a slight hunch back zombie whose skin was a sick grayish and he looked like he had been mummified. He was dressed in very ragged and tattered western clothes with fingerless gloves and black cowboy boots with silver spurs that jangled with each step. His long mustache was a light grey as was his thin shoulder-length hair. The left side of his face from below his eye was nothing except bare bone and teeth. His right hand rested on the six-shot revolver that lay in it holster on his hip.
While on his right stood a ten-foot-tall Minotaur with spotted grey fur with one long curved horn since the right was broken right where the horn curved. His mane was long and black braided with different colored beads. He wore patched loose-fitting golden-colored pants with a maroon-colored sash, spiked wrist cuffs, and surprising a long green headband.
The captains swallowed nervously at the sight of the other two while Skarn merely grinned. "Norise and Taros won't hurt you unless you give them reason to," he said with a laugh.
"So, who is this benefactor and what does he want us for?"
Skarn gave a smile. "I take you all saw that fog bank that lies beyond your ships?"
"Of course, we did," snapped one the captains from earlier. "Why do ye think we be? Blind?"
"Behind that fog bank is an island," Skarn said.
The captains all looked at him in disbelief before it turned to talk of riches. "An island?! That means riches for the plundering!"
Skarn tried to talk over their excited talk to no avail and seeing that the pirate captains were blinded by their greed, Taros gave a snort of anger as he brought down his fist on the very center of the table, turning into nothing more than kindling. The minotaur's actions were effective either way as the pirates fell back their eyes wide with terror and fear.
"Now that I have your attention," Skarn said. "You are to take your ships and sail into the bay, and you are instructed not to fly your colors which includes your mainsail."
"What do you mean by that?" demanded one of the captains.
"There are ships from the navy anchored in the bay and Stryker's orders are for you to sail under a plain sail right into the bay," Skarn said.
"Stryker?" asked one captain, a Fishman. "I knew of a black tiger shark by that name."
"The same," Skarn said.
"That bastard has the devil's luck! It was he who broke us out with our crew?!"
"Of course," Skarn said with a smile.
The Fishman, a narrow nose sawfish named Gunn, narrowed his eyes in hate. "That backstabbing son of bitch is the reason I was captured all those years ago and he decides to help us," he said before he spat off to the side. "What is that piece of shit up to or did he not mention that?"
"I told you what you are to do," Skarn said. "Gunn was it not?"
"It is," Gunn said with a slight growl.
"You are to pick some of the best from your crew and have them join the others already in the Protectors base," Skarn said. "They are to aid in the attack against the navy with you."
"What others?" Gunn asked.
"We have in place a mix group of thieves, pirates, and whatever low life scum who felt like joining the bandwagon," Norise said with a cackle. "You be surprised what you bring with just a few bits of gold."
"After that?" asked another captain.
"Just focus on what you ordered to do," Skarn said before he turned and left with his companions.
~~.~~.~~
Gunn returned to his ship and before he entered his cabin, he barked an order, "Tell Bangfar to get his ugly ass in here!"
I cannot believe that backstabbing tiger shark is still damn alive after all these years, Gunn thought as he grabbed two bottles of rum as there was a knock on the door. "Enter."
"You be wantin to see me, Capn?"
"Aye that I did," Gunn said. "Get yer worthless ass in here, Bangfar."
Bangfar was the ugliest and nastiest Fishman among Gunn's crew. The electric catfish Fishman was strong and very deadly when it came to fighting especially with his electrified bards that delivered over 100 volts that rarely paralyzed his opponent but killed them. He wore red pants with tattered legs, a yellow sash and a ragged stained purple vest. A tie-dye headband was tied around his head.
"What you be needin, Capn?" Bangfar said.
Gunn nodded to the chair and the other Fishman sat down. "Here," the sawfish tossed the other rum bottle to his first mate. "Do you recall an old shipmate of mine, Stryker?"
Bangfar took a long swig of rum. "He was the one that sold you all out to the marines?" he said scratching at the long scar on his chest.
"Aye, that is him." Gun said with an angry snarl. "It seems it was he who we owe our freedom."
Bangfar almost chocked on the rum. "He was the one who broke us and all the others out?"
Gunn nodded. "I'm not be liking this plan of his."
"What's he wantin' us to do?" the first mate asked.
"We are attacking the navy that is in the bay while you and few others enter this Protectors base," Gunn said. "The base has cannons that you and your group will use against the naval ships."
"After that?"
Gunn drank half of his rum bottle before he stared at it. "Then we are going to find me old shipmate."
Bangfar leaned forward eagerly. "When we do?"
"Then I am going to skin that stinking shark alive before I hang him from the yardarm."
Bangfar roared with laughter, "You're a cruel one, Capn."
~One hour later~
Bangfar with a few handpicked crewmates rowed a longboat from their ship and through the fog that surrounded Unity. "Bangfar," said one of crewmates. "Does the captain trust this Stryker?"
The catfish Fishman glanced back a human male, "Rigs, what do you think?"
Rigs frowned. "Knowing the captain, I would say he doesn't."
Gunn allowed humans among his Fishmen pirate crew and he did not care if they were of a different species. They were loyal to him and that was all that mattered. The rowboat emerged from the fog continuing slowly and carefully so as not to draw any unwanted attention. The Protectors' base had three separate docks and Bangfar pointed to one that was occupied. It was a group of Protectors and they seemed to be waiting.
"Who are you?" asked the group's leader.
Bangfar narrowed his eyes as he jumped from the rowboat landing on the dock with ease. "I'm Bangfar, the first mate of the Gunn Pirates," he said. "Who are you, Protector?"
The leader laughed and was joined by the rest of his group. "We are not who you think we are," he said. "We serve Lord Stryker and we are his elite."
So, this Stryker has some of his dogs already here, eh? The electric catfish thought. How many of his followers are here? What are we even here if they are here?
The group's leader gestured for Bangfar and his crew to follow them. "Move your lazy assess sea dogs," he said. "You need to get on your uniforms before we let out of your cages."
The remark angered Bangfar and he mentally marked the leader for an awfully slow and painful death.
~~.~~.~~
While Bangfar and his crew followed Stryker's elite, Gunn and the rest of the captains had changed their main sails, so they were plain white, and their colors were lowered as instructed. Now the pirate ships were being rowed through the fog by the long oars manned by their crews. Gunn stood by his helmsman; a human male named Grave. The pair said nothing but watched as their shipmates rowed their ship with skill gained over the years.
"Grave, hold her steady," Gunn said.
"Do not be worrying, Capn," Grave said. "You know I have never allowed the Blood Queen to drift off her course. Not that other lot have the skilled crew that we do."
The sawfish grinned as he rested a webbed hand on Grave's shoulder. "Nor do they have a skilled helmsman as I do."
"Why thank you Capn. You are the greatest captain that I have the honor to sail with," Grave said as he gave his captain grin that showed some of his golden teeth.
Soon the Blood Queen emerged from the fog and was shortly joined by the rest of the pirate fleet. Ahead of them lay four naval ships or so they thought, Grave had been looking through the spyglass and gave a gasp. "Capn, that fourth ship," he said. "Tis a man-o-war."
"What?' Gunn took the spyglass and took a look himself. "By thunder, that is one old Dave Jones's warships!"
"Beggin' your pardon Capn," Grave said. "Who is this Dave Jones?"
Gunn looked at Grave. "He was a famous merman pirate during ancient times, and he was said to have four of those ships and rumor has it that the Goshou Musubi was found and belongs to some mercenary group. Children grew up on the tales of him and his crew."
"What became of him?"
"He died at the hands of a man named Sparrow."
Gunn watched as the ancient warship was towed farther along the bay to what to appeared to a dry dock. "Grave, gather the rest of our crew so I can address them."
~ten minutes later~
Gunn's remaining crew had gathered all eager to hear the words of their captain. It was a mixture of Fishmen, mermen and humans, neither more nor less of either race but a equal of number. There were a few female humans among them but that did not bother Gunn nor his crew since they had proven they were as deadly as their male companions.
"You all have seen the naval ships that before?" Gunn said to which there were nods and murmurs of agreement. "Not all of them are ships of the navy. One ship belonged to the legendary merman captain Dave Jones!"
This caused excitement and surprise among his mermen and Fishmen crew. "One of Dave Jones' battleships are here?! Captain, we can not allow the enemy to keep it!"
"I hear you, my bloodthirsty crew and we will not allow such a prize," Gunn said. "That ship belongs to us and I vow we will retake that ship and make it ours!"
Roars of approval rose from the crew. Gunn looked to the rest of the ships that were behind the Blood Queen and his eyes narrowed. "Send word to the rest of that damn lot that the ship in the dry dock is not to be harmed and the fist bastard that even fires a stray shot, I will personally rip them apart."
Word was sent to the remaining pirate ships those that were Fishman pirates like Gunn were quick to give their promise even aiding him on those that dared to disobey his orders.
~~.~~.~~
Ronald had taken notice to the large gathering of ships that had just entered, and he felt the hairs on his neck stand on end something that always told him of incoming danger. Williams too had taken notice of the ships and studied each one carefully before one in particular caught his attention recognizing it.
"Damn it to hell," the marine captain said. "That's the Blood Queen!"
Ronald looked toward the galleon and saw that his friend spoke true. "Damn! Gunn must be leading those ships behind him."
"It does not matter if he is or isn't," Williams said. "All that matters is that we give those fucking pirates a proper welcome!"
Ronald had reached for the den den mushi that was close by. "This is Ronald. The ships that just entered are pirate ships! I repeat, they are not merchant ships but pirates!"
Captain Williams' ship the Freedom having towed the ancient Fishman warship was the first to turn toward the pirate fleet and was soon joined by Seawave under the command of a newly promoted captain named Wolfe. Ronald had Justice join their sister ships and he knew this was a fight they could not win, but he be damned if he allowed pirates to set a foot on the island, he called home.
Suddenly a geyser of water exploded on the port side of a galleon as Momoo gave a roar before he came smashing down on top on them. Gunn was taken by actual surprise as again and again the former battle beast of the Arlong pirates attacked their fleet. He could not believe it when he saw the twenty-two foot all Megalodon Fishman joining the sea king. The sound of cannons drew his attention back to the naval ships as Justice, Seawave, and Freedom open fired upon the other pirate ships.
"This can be happening," he muttered still in a state of shock. "Skarn made us believe that we could take out three naval battleships with our number, but we are losing."
"That's Momoo! What is he doing here?! Momoo, stop!"
"Momoo," Gunn turned his head in the direction of the three former Arlong Pirates who looked up in disbelief just as a shadow fell across the Blood Queen and the sawfish saw the former battle beast coming straight down on them.
Momoo hid the galleon with incredible force on her midship breaking the galleon in half. Panic was among the Gunn's crew as they jumped from their sinking ship swimming to the nearest ships and climbing aboard them. The survivors watched as Poseidon took out another three pirate ships.
Captain Ronald shook his head as his ship sank another pirate ship. He could not believe their luck that Poseidon and that sea king had been close by. With their aid, they were taking one pirate ship after another. He turned to see Momoo attack and sink Gunn's ship which gave him relief. The Blood Queen had been the most dangerous of all the pirate ship here and now she lay sunk in the bay.
The den den mushi rang and the captain answered, "Yes, what is it?"
"Ronald, this Williams, said the voice of the den den mushi. "I swore I just saw a megalodon shark man and if I'm not mistaken it was Poseidon."
Captain Ronald was surprised. He made no mention to his friend about shark man. How did he know that was Poseidon? "It was, he said. "Make sure you don't hit him."
"Of course, I won't!" barked Williams. "Just make sure-,"
Suddenly the Freedom exploded it a massive ball of flame as she was struck by incoming cannon fire. Ronald and his men were horrified as were the marines on the Seawave. Where did the attack come from? Suddenly the Seawave exploded and her crew were screaming as they jumped from the burning inferno that once been a naval battleship.
"What happened?!" Ronald screamed.
"Sir!" a marine said rushing onto the bridge. "The Protectors attacked us!"
Ronald was stunned for words. The Protectors attacked them. Why? Why would their own allies attack them?
"Incoming!"
Captain Ronald and his crew thought it the end when Poseidon's dorsal fin was suddenly there, taking the hit. The marines were drenched in blood as the top half of his fin was blown off. The giant shark man surfaced with a roar that was a mixture of pain and furious rage. His good eye had changed becoming a fiery red.
"That isn't the Fish man's fury mode," cried a female marine.
Poseidon had gone beyond fury mode, to one that had been called the berserker mode. It was the most dangerous mode any fishman/woman could be in turning them into uncontrollable savages. To see a 22 ft tall shark, go straight into that was a frightening and awesome sight. With a snarl, Poseidon dove, heading toward the Protectors base leaving a great bloody wake.
Ronald and his marines were starting to help the survivors aboard. The marine captain shook his head, "Dear god," he said. "He's gone mad."
"Sir should we-,"
"No, we best tend to the injured first," Ronald said. "Those fools brought this onto their selves."
~~.~~.~~
Destiny, Shen, and Mars ran down one corridor after another, unchallenged and strangely enough they soon ended up lost. Destiny growled in anger as she turned and kicked a heavy door right off its hinges.
"Where are those fucking fakers", she said growing more agitated by the moment.
Mars went into the room and signaled the girls to come in. They did as asked as the mime did a nice slow turn and they saw why. A strange look filled Destiny's eyes as she grinned. The room they were in just happened to be filled with all sorts of weaponry as Destiny and Shen looked over the various weapons Mars decided to keep watch. Suddenly there was a booming of cannons and they rushed to a tall open window. They saw what happened to the Freedom and then to Poseidon.
"Poseidon", Destiny screamed in horror.
Mars was even shocked, and he had seen a lot over his years, but nothing compared to this. They saw the enraged the megalodon swimming toward them.
"What are you three doing?"
Destiny, Shen, and Mars turned to see a tall ragged-looking thief. "Shit," Des hissed.
The thief looked from them to the door then back again. "Didja ya have to go and do that," he said as he walked up to them. "The boss is gonna be…wait, I know you! You're that guy who has that 220,000,000 beri bounty and you're also-,"
Mars did let the man finish as he killed right then and there. He looked at Destiny who was looking at him with huge eyes. The mime sighed. Wonderful, he just had to go and open his mouth.
"220,000,000," the silver hybrid said. "What kind of mime are you?"
Mars gave her an intriguing look, the dangerous kind. He motioned that they should go.
"Okay but let me get something first," Destiny said.
Mars acted like he was looking at a watch even tapping with his finger. Destiny looked at him, rolling her eyes while Shen stood next to him giggling. Not like it would take her that long and she soon found what she is looking for. Having been studying under her Aunt Robin, Destiny learned of a nightmarish weapon that was used by ninja in close combat the Tekko-kagi or hand claws.
They were a fearsome weapon with the strength and power of that of a bear or even a tiger. The claws were shaped from iron nails like the claws of a bear and attached to a metal ring. There were two types of the Tekko-kagi, one was where the edges came on the back of the hand and the second was where the edges came on the palm making the weapon for both offense and defense. Destiny found the palm ones and Mars gave her a questioning look as she slipped the Tekko-kagi on.
Destiny grinned, "You'll see now let's go!"
~~.~~.~~
Bangfar and his group were led to ramparts of the base and from there they saw to their horror the Blood Queen broken and sunk in the bay.
"No! Captain Gunn! How could this happen?!" they all cried out.
Bangfar turned to Stryker's elite and glared at them all in pure hate. "This is your fucking leader's fault," he said. "He betrayed all us like he did before to my captain and his old shipmates."
"How dare you accuse Lord Stryker," came the cold reply of the leader of Stryker's elite group. "No one dares insult him not his glorious dream."
Bangfar snarled as he lunged only to have his opponent dodge him. "Kill 'em!" he roared to his shipmates.
The pirates yelled as they charged their so-called allies who meet them head, both sides with their weapons drawn. Stryker's elite may have been skilled ninja but against the pirates who followed Bangfar they were nothing. The leader could not believe it as his last fellow ninja fell dead before him. He glared daggers at Bangfar who stood before him still and like he, unharmed. The two circled each other studying and waiting for the proper opening.
"DIE YOU BASTARD FISH!"
Bangfar rolled to the side and was on his feet faster than his opponent expected. With a bloodthirsty grin, he seized his opponent by the throat holding high off the ground slowly tightening his grip. "Your fucking so-called lord is responsible for the loss of not only out ship, but also the lives of our crewmates," the catfish said. "Because of this, I'm going to keep my captain's promise, and not only will I see this Stryker hang from a yardarm, but I will enjoy skinning him alive, nice and slow."
"You traitorous-," the leader managed to say before the Fishman tightened his grip more.
"Unfortunately, you won't be around to see it," Bangfar said with an evil grin as he placed a hand over the man's heart before he delivered of 100 volts into the man's heart.
Bangfar grinned evilly as he removed the vest from the leader putting it on. He looked out to the sunken remains of their ship before he stepped up to the cannons. "Let's give the navy a proper hello."
He watched with satisfaction as Seawave exploded from the careful aim of the cannons with Freedom soon following. Rigs had set for a shot on Justice and would have destroyed the battleship if it had not been for Poseidon. The pirates could not believe the other Fishman had taken the hit and seeing the wounded and enraged megalodon surface was enough for them to know they were in danger.
"Haul your asses," Bangfar ordered. "Get those vests on incase we run into trouble on the way out."
~~.~~.~~
Destiny came to a stop as she heard voices that were growing louder as they got closer. Soon Bangfar and his group rounded the corner running right into them. Needless to say, Bangfar and his group were a little surprised.
"I don't trust these guys," Destiny said in a low voice to Mars to which he agreed.
"Are you lost, friends?" Bangfar said in a friendly voice. "Perhaps my men and I can help?"
"We're looking for Longtooth," Shen said looking all sweet and innocent. "We just arrived and were told to see him."
"Why his office is just down this way", Bangfar said gesturing to another corridor to the right. "We'll take you-,"
"Do you need all your men for a simple job as that or are you too stupid to do it yourself?" asked Destiny.
Bangfar was furious, but he did not show it. He eyed the silver-skinned female and was quite taken by her beauty. Rarely would any male of the fish man find a female who had curves, but this one here had plenty of them. She was extremely attractive. He simply smiled as he boldly strolled up to her. "Perhaps you and I can continue on?" he asked, tracing a finger along her jaw.
Destiny looked at him in a seductive manner before she struck him right across the right eye blood spewing forth. Bangfar howled in pain as the strike sent him into the wall, his hand covering his bleeding face.
"You little bitch," he said. "Who the fuck do you think you are?"
"I'm the one who's going to kick your ass that's who", Destiny said going right into a fighting stance.
"Really," sneered the other fish man. "We'll see about that. Get her!"
Mars stepped in front of Destiny and with a single kick took out half of Bangfar's men. The others were shocked at the sight of their slaughtered comrades. They looked at Mars who had one serious look on his face and beckoned them to bring it.
"What are waiting for", Bangfar growled as he stood up. "He's nothing but a human, a weird looking human!"
Shen laughed, "He's a mime who ate a cursed fruit so go right ahead, he'll just kill every last one of you."
Rigs and the others looked before one of them finally recognized Mars. "Oh shit! That's him!"
"Who?" Rigs asked.
"That's Mars the Mime," said one of their crew as he pointed a trembling finger at Mars. "He's with Death Root!"
Mars saw no reason not to give a polite bow to them. Nice to be recognized, he thought. Usually it is Siamon or Endo who gets noticed.
"Death Root?" another said fear clearly in his voice. "Bangfar, how do we know that the rest of Death Root isn't around? If those two girls are with the mime, then the odds are good they are friends with them. I do not want to die."
"Same here." Said another shipmate.
Rigs looked at Bangfar. "Forget them," he said. "Let's just leave and find this Stryker."
Bangfar snarled, "I will not. I will not let this female get away with this."
"I have a name," Destiny shot back at him.
"Just who are you?" asked the wounded catfish.
"I am known as Destiny, the daughter of Arlong the Saw."
"Arlong's daughter?!" came the cry from the Fishmen who were at one time part of the Arlong Pirates.
The catfish lunged, slamming Destiny into the wall hard and proceeded to shock her. The voltage coursed through her; her screams echoed throughout the corridor. Bangfar would have doubtlessly electrocuted her if Mars had not used his abilities severing his bards. The catfish cried out in pain and turned to face the assassin with a look of rage on his face.
"Don't you ever turn your back on a shark."
Bangfar turned halfway when Destiny plowed straight into him. Mars, Shen and the others that were with Bangfar saw that Destiny's eyes had changed as she had gone into fury mode, but she was not the only one. Bangfar too had gone into his fury mode and the two stared each other down. With a roar they slammed into each other, each trying to pin the other against the wall. Bangfar was bigger and stronger, but Destiny like her father was driven by her instinct, her shark instinct.
"Crimson Slash," Destiny used her Tekko-kagi as she twisted around and slashed Bangfar's torso.
Bangfar screamed in pain as blood gushed from the wounds and he staggered before he dropped to his knees. He turned to see Destiny raise her left hand up. "Wait! I have information regarding Arlong!"
Destiny stopped looking at him. "What?"
Bangfar nodded as he sat back against the wall of the corridor before he nodded to a barbel Fishman and a Sturgeon Fishman. "Those two were part of the Arlong pirates," he said. "They can confirm what I am about to tell you. If you are his daughter, then you should know that Arlong is no longer a prisoner."
"What do you mean?" Destiny asked.
"We were prisoners at a marine base since Straw Hat beat Arlong," said the barbel Fishman. "Arlong was hurt pretty bad from the fight, but we don't know if that was true because he was kept in a cell away from the rest of us."
"He said my father is no longer a prisoner," Destiny said as she pointed to a wounded Bangfar. "So, what happened?"
The sturgeon answered her. "About a week or so ago, there was an attack on the marine base we at," he said. "There were three of them, a female woman, a black heavily sawtooth Fishman and human male that was a hybrid."
"Did you get the name of the third one?" Destiny had a feeling she knew who it was, but she hoped she was wrong.
"Skarn was the name."
"Son of bitch! It just had to be that damn bastard," Destiny said. "God Rip is going to lose it when I tell him."
"Over your dad or Skarn?" Shen asked.
Destiny sighed. "I would say both, but I think he will be more pissed over Skarn," she said. "We still have no idea what his real plan is."
Mars frowned at the news of Arlong having escaped a marine base prison. Boy, Si is going to be really pissed when he learns this.
Bangfar was looking the silver quietly and the thought of losing to a female who may or may not be the daughter of Arlong the Saw was something he could not let go. He had never lost a fight and though wounded, he refused to lose now. Slowly he rose up and placed a hand on the hilt of the sword he had with him. "Die you little bitch!" he snarled as he lunged.
Destiny dodged his wild attacked and turned to sink her hand claws into his neck, piercing his gills, and once she got her foot against his body, kicked him off. Bangfar screamed as he felt his gills being shredded. Destiny was on the move as she continued her attack. There was no mercy in her eyes and Bangfar was soon a bloody mess as he fell to the floor, dead. Destiny stood there drenched in sweat and blood, breathing heavily as she started to calm. Mars approached his friend cautiously and she looked over at him.
"I'm okay", she said, slowly. "He just pissed me off that's all."
Mars looked back at Bangfar's men who stared at the silver in fear and they shrank back as she looked at them. The silver hybrid took a few steps forward them before stopping. "You have two choices," she said with eyes narrowing dangerously. "You're either with us or you are against us. So, which one is going to be?"
Seeing what had happened to Bangfar the answer was an easy one. "We're with you!"
Shen giggled. "You sure know how to be a persuasive one."
~~.~~.~~
Poseidon was mad from the pain he was in as he stepped on the docks. His hair was stained with blood as was his back and shoulders. The Protectors had attacked their own allies instead of focusing on the pirate fleet that entered the bay. Momoo had somehow sensed that the ships were not friends and had gone on the attack. Aiding the sea king it did not take long for the two of them to take down the fleet of pirate ships. What he did not expect were the Protectors to attack the three navy battleships. It made no sense and seeing the only ship left was Ronald's Justice he had to protect it. His dorsal fin now a bloody was throbbing, but all the megalodon Fishman wanted to do now was to make the Protectors pay for their foolishness.
He heard a worried mooing sound and he glanced back to see that Momoo had hauled himself out of the water. "No," he said pointing back to the water. "Go back and guard the Justice. If there any more of our nasty friends left, then you need to deal with them."
Momoo rumbled and it was clear that he was arguing the matter with Poseidon. The sea king was shaking his head as well. He did not have time for this shit! "Damn you are a stubborn bull-headed shit," Poseidon said angrily. "Just do as I asked you to damn it!"
After a few more annoying moments, Momoo did as asked staying close, but not too close to the Justice which was still doing rescues of the survivors from the Freedom and the Seawave. Poseidon looked toward the wreck of the Freedom and hoped that Williams had failed to survive the attack. He hated that man with a deep passion as remember what he had done to him and his clan.
~~Flashback ~~
"GET HIM TIED DOWN DAMN IT!"
Poseidon struggled as he roared in pained as the marines threw more grappling hooks at him, tearing into his flesh. He could not believe this was happening as he looked wildly around for his pregnant mate, Pearl, but amid the chaos, he could not find her. He began screaming for her as he continued to fight, ignoring the pain as the grappling hooks bite deeper into his flesh.
"Poseidon!"
He heard her voice and looked toward the direction where his three older brothers were trying to protect Pearl. They were wounded, blood flowing from horrible wounds that had been inflicted upon them as they continued to fight, but it was impossible to win against the odds they were facing. He watched in horror as the navy brought in heavily armed battleships and opened fire upon his brothers and Pearl as well as others from his clan. His brothers along with a few others fell dead. What was this happening? What had they done to be hunted down like wild animals?
"Stop this!" he screamed. "Stop this senseless killing!"
"Convince them to surrender," said a young Williams who looked at him with a smirk. "They surrender and the killing will stop."
Poseidon looked at the man and he felt a sudden hatred for him. This man dared to attack them for no explained reason. A scream pierced the air and he felt his blood cold as he looked back toward his mate. Pearl fell her hands hugging the bulge that was their baby as the blood-soaked the front of her dress. Tears flowed down Pearl's face as she reached out for her mate.
"YOU BASTARDS!"
Poseidon roared as he quickly rose the grappling hooks tearing free from his flesh. The enraged megalodon Fishman knocked any marine in his path away as he rushed to his mate's side. The rest of his clan had seen and were driven into berserk mode, attacking with unforgiving fury.
"Pearl!" Poseidon dropped to his knees taking her into his arms and cradling her close to his body. "I'm here, love. I'm right here Pearl."
She opened her eyes as she reached up to caress his bleeding cheek that was mixed with tears that spilled down his face. "My strong…mate," she said her voice so weak.
"Pearl," he said. "Please don't speak. You need to save your strength."
The light in her eyes began to dim as her hand fell to the ground and Poseidon felt her drawn her last breath before she became still. "Pearl…?" he said his voice cracking. "Pearl…my love?" It was then he knew she was gone. Murdered as was their unborn child. "PEARL!"
~~End of Flashback~~
Poseidon had joined the rest of his clan in their attack against the marines and sadly he was the only survivor. He spent the next twenty years, being Williams battle beast suffering the cruelty at the hands of the navy. He was not the only one who was captured as later on he learned that Williams aided in the capture of two giants, named Oimo and Kashii who were sent to Enis Lobby. He had been fortunate enough to somehow escape the navy's clutches and wandered the different blues until he found Slashback and then later on, Gaff. He took them in and later on, loved them as if they were his own sons. His mind drifted to his adopted sons. He had not seen them nor the rest of their friends. He grew worried. Are they okay? The last time I saw them they were taken into this damn fucking base. What of our young captain? He was poisoned and I have yet to even hear a word of him. Is he among the living or did he die from that poison? I stayed away with Momoo for too long and now I know nothing of what may have happened.
Poseidon shook his head dismissing those dark and worrying thoughts. He needed to know what was going on with the Protectors in the base and why they attacked the naval battleships. He moved along the wall until he reached the main gate. Heard voices, many voices, and some he recognized.
"SHEN!"
He heard and recognized Destiny's voice and it was filled with fear. It was enough for him to act and with strength equally not only to his race but that of the giant race Poseidon slammed into the giant wooden gates with incredible force. The gates along with much of the front walls fell. In the middle of the compounded surrounded by Protectors was Destiny, Shen, and was that a mime? Also, with them were other Protectors. Just what the hell was going on?
Seeing him, Destiny shouted as she pointed to the Protectors that had them surrounded. "Poseidon! They're fake Protectors!"
~~.~~.~~
Destiny, Shen, Mars, and the rest of Bangfar's group moved down the corridor just as there was a lot of shouting. The group stopped as the silver hybrid cocked her head listening. The shouting became yelling and then a ton of swearing.
"They don't sound happy about something," Shen said.
"They must have found the bodies of their friends," Rigs said.
"Bodies of their friends?" Destiny grabbed Rigs by his throat. "What the fuck did you idiots do?"
"It was Bangfar's fault," Rigs said. "I swear it was!"
"Those bastards killed our captain and shipmates," said another of Bangfar's group. "We saw our ship sunk. We had a right to kill them bastards."
Mars could only shake his head. What else is going to happen before this night is over?
"Let's move before they find us," Destiny snapped at them.
They moved down the corridor and reached one of the main halls when the main force of the enemy went running by, shouting and yelling about being attacked. One stopped of them stopped and Destiny recognized the man with the red hair and beard as the one she had bit earlier.
He looked at them with wide-eyed, "What happened to Zen and the others? Do you know who-," It was then he spotted Destiny. "What?! How the fuck did you escape!?"
He started toward her when he dropped where he was. Embedded in his back was a metal throwing ax and Destiny turned to see the other freed Protectors coming toward them, armed to the teeth. The woman with the Mohawk looked at her before she smiled. Destiny smiled in returned.
"What do want us to do?" The woman asked her.
"We need to regain control again", she said. "Are you willing to do this?"
The woman nodded. "Of course," she said. "We know Longtooth is alive and he would want HIS Protectors to not only regain this base but to protect our people! Our Home!"
Her fellow Protectors roared their agreement.
~~.~~.~~
With the Protectors as their side, Destiny, Shen, and Mars rushed out to the courtyard and they came to a halt. "This is not good is it?" Shen asked.
"No, it is not," Destiny said with a sigh.
Standing in front of them were at least by Destiny's rough guess was at least two hundred to maybe three hundred Protectors. They all were staring at them before they yelled and charged. Mars stepped in front of his friend and with his Devil Fruit abilities took wave after and wave of the enemy down before he dropped to a knew.
"Mars!" Shen rushed to her uncle's side.
Shen rested a hand on his shoulder and Mars who shook his head. He looked tired, but he managed to give Shen a reassuring grin. Though he wanted to help, he had to rest since he used too much of his devil fruit ability. Destiny and the true Protectors had not yet moved when one of the false Protectors decided to try and take Shen by throwing a knife at the girl.
"SHEN!" Destiny screamed just as Mars pushed the girl away just before the knife reached her.
Destiny and their group huddled closer to Shen and Mars as their enemies surrounded them. That had no sooner happened when the giant wooden gates along with a good part of the walls crumbled falling down. The dust cleared and Destiny saw a very welcome sight.
"Poseidon!" Destiny yelled pointing at the Protectors who had them surrounded. "They're fake Protectors!"
Poseidon's good eye narrowed as he threw his head back and let out a roar before he charged. The false Protectors turned and like crazy stupid fools charged at him themselves only to be knocked away with a powerful swipe of the back of his hand.
"Attack my brothers and sisters!" yelled the mohawk woman. "Show no mercy to these bastards who dare wear out marks!"
Longtooth's Protectors yelled an oath of some kind before they along with Rigs and his shipmates charged at the enemy.
~~At Fishman Island~~
Madam Shyarly, the half-sister of Arlong gave a gasp as she suddenly clutched at the sides of her head in pain.
"Madam Shyarly!" Camie cried seeing her employer in pain. "What is it?! What is wrong?!"
"I had a vision," Shyarly said clearly shaken.
Camie looked at her in surprise. That was possible. Shyarly had broken her crystal ball telling Camie she no did not want to predict the future again. The mermaid stayed at the mako mermaid's side. "B-b-but you broke your crystal ball," she said. "How can you see the future?"
"I do not know," Shyarly said as slowly calmed. "But I must speak to King Neptune."
"King Neptune?! Is it about Luffy?!" Camie was panicking.
Shyarly shook her head. "No," she said. "Camie, please forgive me, but I must go."
Camie nodded as she watched Madam Shyarly leave. If the prediction did not deal with her friends, then what could it have been? Was Fishman Island in danger?
~~At the Ryugu Palace~~
King Neptune along with the Minister of the Left and the Minister of the Right were surprised when the Ammo Knights lead Madam Shyarly into the throne room. "Welcome Madam Shyarly," King Neptune said. "I have been told that it was urgent for you to see me."
"It is your Highness," Shyarly said. "I had a vision and it is important for you to know."
"A vision?" King Neptune said genuinely surprised. "I thought you no longer could predict the future?"
"So, did I, but it appears I still can," Shyarly said.
Neptune tried not to show any worry, but it was hard to do. "What did you see, Shyarly?"
The mako mermaid looked at him. "I saw a white sawtooth Fishman who I swear looked like my older brother," she said.
"A white saw shark that you said looks like Arlong?" The Minister of the Right said.
Shyarly nodded. "I wish I could tell you more, but all I know is that he will shape a future that will affect all of Fishman Island."
Shyarly has had a vision? What could it mean for Fishman Island and Riptide? Remember to Read and Review as always.