Chapter 32: Final Clash

I do not own One Piece! That will always belong to Eiichiro Oda! I only own my OCs.

Ronald had ordered whatever available marines there were to join the Protectors that were going to head for the temple. Sonja, the mohawk woman had announced they were going despite what had happened.

"It will take you almost a week traveling the roads to get to the temple," Ronald said.

"Bah," Sonja said. "Who said we were taking the roads. We have other means of travel."

Ronald looked at her. "What do you mean by that?"

Sonja only smiled as she patted his cheek lightly. "Don't you worry your silly little head over it," she said. "You just handle the mess here and we'll handle the temple."

While the marines and the Protectors readied themselves, they failed to notice the man dressed entirely in black with black ear and nose piercing and though he looked to be in his thirties, his hair was white as snow. It was clear that he was blind for he leaned on a metal staff. He stood off to the side and the moment the marines and Protectors started heading out he followed. Down an ancient set of wide stone steps, they went, two abreast single file which led to an underground waterway where there were six longboats. Above the boats was an old rope that ran the length of the carved tunnel which had a series of pulleys that were attached to each boat.

"Step lively and get aboard," Sonja ordered. "The faster we do that the quicker we'll be off."

The blind man board the lead boat with ease taking a spot in the back among the marines and Protectors and still no one questioned him. In truth, they paid him little attention. Soon the group was underway the swift-moving current taking the boats along guided on the line.

~~.~~.~~

It had happened so fast that no one expected it. No one expected someone to shoot Lady Shella with an arrow. Riptide caught her before she hit the ground the arrow buried deep within her heart. He knew the truth even before Skie had looked and confirmed the horrible truth. Lady Shella was dead.

"Lady Shella," Granler said.

"Dead. Dead before I even caught her," Riptide said.

"NO! SHE CAN'T BE!" the moray eel cried out in a voice so loud that was heard by all. "SHE CAN'T BE DEAD!"

Cries and screams filled the air as those of the temple fell to their knees. The death of their temple elder clearly affected them all.

NO! Not my daughter! Not my Shella!

Riptide heard and felt the raging grief of the ancient chieftain, Arlong the Black. How was this even possible? How could he be so connected to the spirit of the old chieftain?

Chief, I am sorry, Riptide said unsure if he could even speak to the ancient sawtooth.

"To kill Lady Shella…" Granler said his voice so choked with emotional grief. "Who would do such a thing?!"

Ryder knew and he looked in the direction the arrow had come searching. "He's out there, Cap'n," he said both of his karambit knives drawn.

Riptide did not need to ask. He knew that as well that Stryker was out there and that he was responsible for the death of Lady Shella. "STRYKER!" he shouted. "COME OUT AND FACE ME, YOU MISERABLE COWARD!"

Silence followed and some of the temple guards, followers, and Protectors looked at the white sawtooth hybrid as if he were mad. Moments passed and slowly the Saw crew moved to take their place with their captain. Blade, Longtooth, Ryder, and Neeta made sure they were the closest to Riptide. Soon Nami, Jimbei, and Mars joined them. Their wait was not long after that.

Slowly emerging from the tree line that lay across from the temple came Stryker and his army. The black tiger shark Fishman walked farther ahead of his men a twisted grin upon his face while his eyes reflected his madness.

That is definitely not good, Mars thought as he watched the approaching army. Reminds me of our fight with the World Government when we helped Luffy and Axe in getting back their Nakama.

Nami stared at Stryker and his army as her mind drifted back to the battle at Enies Lobby with CP9. Seeing the reptile men made her recall what happened to poor Herman and the awful wounds he got after fighting Wanisuke. She shuddered at that memory alone; those wounds seemed to make the ones he received from their fight with Ms. Double finger look like nothing. Now we are facing another bunch of Wanisuke's race, she thought.

Riptide was silent as he watched the enemy approach before, he shifted his attention to his mother. "Mother, what would Uncle Luffy do in a moment like this?" he asked.

Nami did not hesitate with the answer. "You know what he would do," she said with an amused smile on her face. "He would knock Stryker's block right off upon seeing this."

The hybrid nodded. "Thought so," he replied with a small humored chuckle. "Well, then how about we fight with some style?"

Destiny gave her brother a questioning look, "Style? What style?"

Riptide grinned as he looked over his shoulder at her. "Grand Line style."

Both sides had not moved when Stryker spoke. "You outnumbered and still injured," he said. "Yet you dare to face me with that pathetic little rabble of yours?"

Riptide took a few steps forward. "Stryker", he said. "I have only one thing to say to you."

"Oh, and what's that?"

"Kiss my fucking ass, you crazy fucking bastard!"

Nami was not to say stunned at her son's words, but the rest of the crew whooped, giving their captain encouragements. "Ye tell 'im", Blade shouted. "Why don't ye surrender Stryker before we kick yer ass?"

Stryker went off in a rage. "You'll pay for that insult", he screamed. "I'll skin every last one of you alive!" He turned to a heavily scarred saltwater crocodile, "Kill him!"

The croc-man grinned as he charged only to have Tarlong shoulder tackle. The giant of a saw shark delivered a powerful hit that sent him crashing tight into the ground.

"Uncle Tarl!"

Tarlong looked at Riptide giving his nephew a stern warning look. "You let me handle the suitcase here," he snapped.

"You'll pay for that", the croc man said as he rose looking way pissed. "How dare you strike me."

Tarlong looked at him before he removed his duster and hat tossing them to Garth. "Tarlong Sword blade is my name."

His opponent stared his tail swishing slowly back and forth. "I am called Ripjaw."

Marcus pulled his grandson back to the safety of the crew. Riptide looked at his sofu a look of worry on his face. "He isn't serious, isn't he?" he asked. "Uncle Tarlong isn't really going to fight that...thing?"

Chizzara placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder giving him a reassuring smile. "Don't you worry about Tarlong", she said. "He's the toughest shark I know when it comes to fighting."

Nami shook her head. "I don't care how tough he is, he's facing a damn croc", she said. "Herman faced one that was part of CP9, and he almost lost his life. So, what difference will Tarlong have that Herman didn't?"

The former marine looked at her, "Tarlong is fighting for his family and when you threaten anyone he cares about, he isn't the guy you ever want to piss off."

Tarlong and Ripjaw slow circled each other each eyeing the other up. Tarlong definitely knew his opponent was no slouch, especially with all those scars. Looks like this guy is no wuss judging by those scars he has. I should not have interfered but there is no fucking way I was going to stand by and watch this suitcase chomp down on my nephew. Man, if ole' Breaker was still around he'd kick my ass for this. Those lessons he gave me and Garth growing up…man, they hurt like hell. I learned how to fight though how to use my strength when push came to shove.

Tarlong cracked his neck as he loosened up his shoulders. "You ready ugly?"

Ripjaw glared at him, "What'd you call me?"

"You heard me," the bearded sawtooth shark said.

Ripjaw roared snapping his jaws trying to sever Tarlong's head from his shoulders, but the giant of a saw shark proved to be much faster as he brought his both his fists down on the back of the croc's skull driving him snout first into the ground. Tarlong had been in control the moment the fight started and had given the croc a good pounding. Riptide was impressed with his uncle's strength and yet he could not help but feel as if Ripjaw had been letting Tarlong have control. It did not feel right and then he saw it and before he could warn his uncle, another croc-man joined the fight clamping his jaws firm down on Tarlong's shoulder. Tarlong screamed in pain as the other croc pulled him straight into the middle of the rest of his brethren.

"TARL!" Chizzara screamed with horror as Garth rushed to help his brother.

Riptide beat him first as he separated his kiribachi into two slashing through the tough scaly hide. They fell back as the enraged hybrid went at them until he reached his uncle.

"You shall not deny us our hunt," Ripjaw said with a savage snarl.

"Go to hell damn you!" Riptide roared as he took the croc's head off his shoulders.

The remaining lot quickly backed away allowing the white hybrid to reach Tarlong whose entire right arm was bleeding and hung at his side.

"Damn croc," Tarlong muttered as Riptide helped him to his feet. "I should've seen that coming."

"Uncle, take it easy," Riptide said as he led his uncle back to where Garth helped his injured brother.

Riptide watched as his uncles made it back safely to their crew. He had barely taken a step when he yanked onto his back and there was snapping jaws in his face as he fought trying to free himself.

"No! Riptide!" Skie screamed when she saw her beloved was pulled into the mob of reptile men.

~~.~~.~~

Sonja's group was working the pulley lines double time all of them knew they were racing against the clock. They were oblivious to their passenger who remained so silent until he spoke.

"We must hurry," he said as he felt the tattoo on his back tingled.

Sonja looked back surprised as was everyone in the boat. "What the fuck are you?" she demanded.

"Who I mean little since there are many lives that are now in danger," the man said. "One to which happens to be a friend of mine."

"Your friend? Who would that be?"

The man looked at Sonja and though he was clearly blind, the woman felt the intensity of his stare. "He happens to be a mime."

A Protector, a sturgeon Fishman gulped nervously. "You mean that mime is with you?" he asked with a squeak.

"He is. Now we must hurry before we are too late!"

"Can I ask you why?" Sonja asked. "Why is this mime so important."

The man looked at her, "Besides being my friend he tends to overdo it."

Sonja looked at the pullers. "What the fuck are you all looking at? You heard the man! Put your backs and hearts into it. PULL YOU BASTARDS! PULL TILL YOUR BACKS BREAKS AND YOUR HEARTS BLEED!"

~~.~~.~~

The second Riptide was grabbed the Saw crew reacted. Blade was the first to react followed by Longtooth and Ryder. The three charged only to find Stryker's army coming at them determined to keep them from reaching their captain. Ryder still haunted by what happened to his previous captain unleashed a roar and weaved in and out through the mob leaving a bloody spree in his wake. Blade and Longtooth were behind causing more death and chaos.

Granler swore an oath as the Protectors and temple guards rushed to meet the enemy head-on followed by the crew. Mars immediately used his ability taking one after another of the enemy down as Jones tore into them with madden fury. Their thoughts on one thing; save Riptide!

Tarlong though wounded was equally determined to go and help. He struggled to free himself from both his father and brother's grip.

"Let me go!" he said.

"Tarl stop," Chizzara yelled at him. "You're hurt!"

"I don't care!" Tarlong screamed. "I'll gladly get torn to bits to get him away from those fucking bastards!

"The hell you are!" Marcus yelled at him.

Tarlong looked at his father as tears flowing. "Don't you care?! That is our nephew! Your son's son out there?! He's going to damn die if we don't do something!"

"Worry about yourselves!" laughed one of the low life bandits as he cracked a 12-foot-long bullwhip at them.

What no expected was for Marcus to catch the whip by its thong and yank the man right off his feet. The mako held the man by the throat his grip tightening as his orange eyes blazed with his Hidden fury. "Seems you like using a whip on your victims," he growled getting the whip from the man's hand. "Let's see how you like it."

Marcus had earned the nickname 'the whip' for good reason as he turned around and used the whip on the man. The man scream as the popper's end slashed the man's face open blood spilling. Hearing the screams, the man's friends rushed to his aid, but they were quick to learn how deadly as well as skilled Marcus was with a whip. Tarlong and Garth stared at their father as he stood breathing hard sweat running down his face. They now understood how their father earned such a nickname.

"Dad, are you okay?" Tarlong asked.

Marcus closed his eyes calming the fiery rage as he quietly coiled the whip up keeping a tight grip on it. "I'm fine," he said. "We need to get to Riptide."

For the Saws and their friends, the battle had become a nightmare as they were slowly being forced back by the overwhelming forces they faced. Nami became hysterical the moment at the sight of her firstborn being mauled by the teeth and claws of the monsters that had him and were fighting with more determination to reach him.

"RIPTIDE!" Nami screamed tears flowing as she saw her son being dragged further into the mob of reptilian men.

~~.~~.~~

Riptide was dying. He had lost too much blood. I do not want to die…I can't die. They…need me. My nakama…Skie, Mother, Sofu…need…me…

'You won't die pup. I promise you; you will not die this day.'

Riptide felt Arlong the Black's presence and he weakly saw the towering form of the ancient shark clan chieftain. "Chief…help me…" he said weakly. "Help me…please."

'Rest pup and let me handle these scaly bastards,' The old chieftain said. 'Time to remind these bastards what happens when you mess with the shark clan.'

Riptide felt a sudden renew of strength coursing through his beaten body and he felt as if he had been given a new life. His wounds slowly closed as they healed. 'Chief…I still can't-," he said.

"Don't worry pup," Arlong the Black said. "I will handle this miserable lot first and then you will face the murder of my daughter. You are weak, yes but I will give you my strength for the final fight.'

A Gila Monster man had raised his claws to finish off the hybrid when Riptide's hand reached up catching his wrist. Reptilian eyes widened as the hybrid sawtooth stood up his grip tightening before he snapped the wrist as if it were nothing. The reptilian men fell back as they stared at the sawtooth before them. Riptide was still white but now he had stripes of black going from his neck down over to the upper part of his chest and down his arms.

"What is this?!" a black caiman croc man said. "His wounds are healed. That is impossible!"

His comrades all backed away clearly alarmed and frightened. They knew they wounded their prey mortally but yet he stood before them unharmed.

"Your wretched clan tried long ago to attack the shark clans when they were induvial and separate clans. You succeeded until I reached the proper age and strength that I could face your clan leaders." Riptide said. It was Riptide's voice, but it was in truth Arlong the Black who spoke.

~~.~~.~~

Bruton looked back at Choro. "Do you not hear Chöro?" he said pointing to Riptide. "Do you not hear the words? The words of the chieftain. He is the chieftain we seek!"

Chöro like all elders of the shark clan knew of Arlong the Black and how he became the chieftain. Hearing those words and seeing the changes to the white hybrid, he knew what he was seeing. Bruton somehow knew the white sawtooth was the one and it amazed the elder.

"Chöro," Bruton said. "Do we dare stand here looking like frighten children when our chief needs us? Even if he is not part of the clan, he speaks and shows that he is our chieftain! Doesn't our chieftain deserve to know that members of the sawtooth clan support him?!"

Chöro was silent as he struggled with Bruton's words and what he grew knowing of their ancient chieftain. He heard the grieving wails of those of the temple and heard the name of the elder who had been murdered. "Lady Shella," he muttered. "Shella was the name of the daughter of the chief…" He looked back at the body of Lady Shella before he made his decision. "Bruton! Protect the chief!"

Bruton flashed a grin to his elder. "Sawtooth clan," he called out to his clan brothers. 'You heard Chöro the elder! We protect our chief!"

The sawtooth clan members roared their approval and with Bruton, they charged fearlessly at the reptilian men who served Stryker.

~~.~~.~~

'Chief we're outnumbered,' Riptide said.

"This I know this pup. I've faced far greater a number of any enemy in the past.'

"What are you waiting for?!" Stryker screamed at the reptilian men. "Kill that fucking hybrid! He is but one and you are many! KILL HIM!"

The black caiman croc looked back his brethren before he stepped forward just as Bruton slammed into him. Riptide blinked in surprise as the rest of members of the sawtooth clan met the enemy of their chief.

"Do you think we'll let you ugly fucking bastards near our chief!" Bruton said with a snarl.

"Bruton," Riptide said recalling the tropical sawtooth easily.

"Don't worry chief," Bruton said. "We will handle them."

'Chief? What did he mean by that?' Riptide asked the ancient clan chieftain

'It seems you have been chosen as the chief to the shark clan,' Arlong the Black said.

'Me? How can I be a leader to a clan I know nothing of or about?'

'We can worry about that later pup. We need to focus on the task that is required of us.'

Riptide could not argue with that. Stryker's regain of terror had to come to an end and he vowed that he would stop it. The problem was there were too many of Stryker's forces guarding him keeping him from reaching the lousy bastard.

"I think it's time that I put all my hard-learned training to damn use," Riptide muttered as he retrieved his kiribachi. "Might as well make Uncle Zoro and Uncle Sanji proud."

Riptide closed his eyes letting it all come back to him, every painful lesson he endured and learned. What his sofu had said about his Hidden Fury how to tap into it. He needed to go farther now, and he needed the other part of him, the part of him that he hated, but now he needed it. He needed the strength, the bloodline his father came from. Riptide counted on one other strength and that was the memory of what Fisher Tiger had done and what he faced almost the same as the legendary hero of the slaves.

"STRYKER!"

Riptide's voice rang out loudly as a ringing of a bell and hearing him brought the Saw crew right back into the fight. Destiny and Long heard their brother and looked toward the direction of his voice. Both were taken back at the sight of him.

"Riptide looks like tiger," Long said. "How that happen?"

"I-I don't know," Destiny said eyes wide.

All the Saws were shocked, but they knew what they were seeing. Riptide was not only still alive, but he was fully healed. Nami was as shocked as her children to see her oldest healed but more than ready to fight.

"Riptide," she said. "How did this happen?"

Mars wished he could answer but could not since he was a mime after all. The assassin looked around as all fighting ceased. Everyone was staring at the hybrid who now was marked like a tiger shark. Everyone was looking like they were trying to make sense of what had happened.

Talk about shell shock. You could probably hear a pin drop if given a chance. Mars thought.

The one who had the biggest shock was Stryker. The black tiger shark was freaking out at the sight of the hybrid. His eyes were wide in disbelief. It cannot be! There is no way in the seven bells of hell that bastard hybrid can be alive! He shook his head as he snarled in anger. "I don't know how you're still among the living," he yelled. "But I assure you that you won't not only be standing but you will be very dead! To me, my elite warriors!"

Mars blinked as twenty ninjas dressed in white appeared at Stryker's side. What is with this guy's obsession with the freaking ninja?

"Mars, Jimbei! We have to help!" Nami shouted as she rushed to help her son.

The moment Nami ran to help the rest of the crew with their allies followed. Butch and Sunflash were ahead of the others. They hit the enemy with frightening force with snapping jaws and slashing claws causing chaos among Stryker's great forces.

Even as his friends and family rushed to his aid, Riptide found himself facing the ninja who was all coming at him with incredible agility and speed. Shit! Even if I tap into the speed part of my Hidden Fury, they will be on me faster than anything!

Before they even reached him one of the ninjas was knocked down and Riptide was shocked at the sudden appearance of a staff-wielding man dressed in black who stood in front of him. "Now, now," the stranger said. "That is just plain rude and not very fair."

"W-who are you?" Riptide asked shocked.

"For now, call me Prophet," he said just as Sonja and her forces came charging more than eager to get a few licks in themselves.

At the sight of Prophet Mars was overjoyed. Thank goodness Meku appeared! Riptide would have been dead before any of us reached him.

Meku sensed Mars as he approached him with Nami. "You couldn't do a simple message delivery, could you? We had a mission to go do, but I end up coming to get you."

Mars shrugged before he started tapping with his foot. Hey, what was I supposed to do? Just and abandon our friends when they needed help?

"You do have a point," Meku said nodding.

Riptide eyed Stryker and his forces, those not fighting with Bruton and the rest of the sawtooth clan, still were good size in number. The insane tiger shark Fishman had indeed recruited enough low lives to serve him and that worried the sawtooth hybrid.

Ryder eyed his brother's ninja as he raised his bloody karambit more than ready and eager to take them out. "Say the word Capn'," he said with a snarl. "Say the word and I'll gladly end my brother's life."

"Stand down Ryder," Riptide said. "Stryker is mine and mine alone."

Ryder stepped back respectfully. "As you wish Capn'."

Upon seeing that Stryker roared with laughter. "Look at you!" he snarled. "So, fucking weak brother! Then again you always were, nothing like Strider or me. Pity you weren't there to save her…"

Ryder's eyes grew wide. "Her? What have you done to Ruby?!"

"Your pathetic little bitch died and believe me her death was a slow one. I enjoyed watching her die."

Stryker's words caused Ryder to go over the edge with grief and rage. Blade and Longtooth managed to get a hold of him and they both struggled to keep their hold on him. It was clear to Riptide that Stryker was clearly enjoying this sick twisted game of him and all they were doing at the moment was standing damn still. They needed a plan of some kind.

There are so many of the enemy and we are so few in number, Riptide thought bitterly.

'Pup, what is that odd weapon the orange hair woman has?' Arlong the Black asked.

'Weapon?' Riptide shifted his attention to his mother's Sorcery Clima-tact. Wait! That was it! The answer to the problem they faced. "Mother, you're the best for this." Nami eyed him but clearly listening. "Your Clima-tact is what we need to clear some if not all of that damn ramble away."

"What can she do?" Thor asked.

"Don't doubt you dare doubt a woman like her," Marcus said. "She's full of surprises."

Nami gave the old mako a smile. Good ole Marcus, he certainly knew how to compliment a woman. She eyed the mass force before them and knew just what she needed besides, she really wanted to hurt those ruffians for what they did to her son.

"We'll both clear the way for you," Jimbei said stepping past Nami. "I think a well-deserved demonstration of Fishman Karate is in order."

Fishman karate! Riptide had only heard of it from what Uncle Sanji had told him of the battle with Kuroobi and now he was actually going to see it. Stryker also heard but he did not seem so concerned over it.

"What can your so-called Fishman karate do against my massive force?" he said with a sneer before he started laughing. "As well as a woman carrying a stupid little staff?"

'Oh shit! Stryker just really asked for it!' Riptide backed up seeing the dark expression on his mother's face.

"You need some manners taught to you!" Nami was twirling her Clima-tact forming an exceptionally large thundercloud before she swung down. "Thunderbolt Tempo!"

A powerful bolt of lightning struck down taking a part of Stryker's forces out. Of course, there was no time for recovery because Jimbei followed up with his attack.

"Karakusagawara Seiken!"

Now to Stryker and the others, it did not look so impressive since all Jimbei did was punch at a fair distance. Well, that was until they were hit by the shock wave that followed. Those two attacks caused enough chaos that the Saws and their allies took quick advantage of it.

~~.~~.~~

Stryker stood watching as his army actually fell before their enemies. His carefully detailed plans were falling apart before his own eyes. How was this happening? After all his calculations, all his years of studying the failures of other defeated conquers and still his beautiful plans were actually falling apart. This could not be...no, it should not be happening! The tiger shark was dumbstruck as he tried to figure out where he had gone wrong, where exactly the weak link had been. His dreams of ruling it all were turning into ash as his forces fell.

"STRYKER!"

He blinked just as Riptide came charging, his path to him clear. Fear crept into his cold harden heart filling him as their eyes meet. The black tiger shark saw it as the true power of Hidden Fury and beyond that something else. He blinked just as Riptide leaped up, his kiribachi high above his head, and was quick to dodge the hybrid's sword attack. The tiger shark was on his feet sword drawn and faced his hated rival.

"I don't know how you're still alive, but you will not destroy my dreams," Stryker said. "I won't let you destroy any of them!"

Riptide glared at him. "Look around Stryker! Your dreams are already destroyed!"

Stryker shook his head wildly refusing to accept that. "No," he said madly. "They are not! I will still win, hybrid and there is nothing you do to stop me. I will have my empire, my dreams will still..."

"You're out of your mind!" Riptide said. "You think you'll still win? You should like my father back when Arlong Park still stood and just like Uncle Luffy, I'll destroy your dreams of an empire."

Stryker saw the last of his fighters fall and seeing that was enough to make him snap. He would make them pay for this and his eyes fell on Nami. She had taken most of his forces out and Stryker guessed she was important to the hybrid. He narrowed his eyes before he went right after Nami.

Riptide saw where and who Stryker was after. "No! Mother!"

~~.~~.~~

The last of Stryker's men fell as Nami panted for breath. It had been such a long time since she had been involved in a fight.

"MOTHER!"

Nami heard Riptide's yell and turned to see the crazy processed black tiger shark coming at her with his sword raised.

"DIE YOU BITCH!" Stryker roared bringing down the blade.

Before Nami knew it Marcus got between her and Stryker and instead of her being injured it was Marcus. Nami screamed as the old mako fell blood starting to pool around him.

"Sofu! Dad!"

Stryker snorted. "Stupid old shark," he said. "A foolish heroic act and such a stupid one."

He raised his sword again just a loud a bang rang out causing the black tiger shark to scream out in pain as part of his dorsal was blown off. It was enough for Riptide to shoulder tackle Stryker away from his mother and his severely injured grandfather. The two went rolling their weapons both dropped, but they were fighting each other as they exchanged punches. Riptide got a foot on Stryker's chest and pushed him off of him which sent the tiger shark onto his back.

Stryker snarled as he got to his feet, "You're a stupid hybrid! Caring for others is such a weakness!"

"Weakness?!" Riptide said. "How is it a weakness? How is caring about the ones I love a weakness?"

"Love is so stupid and weak," he said. "Just like that stupid old female sawtooth. She was always caring and worrying about these stupid worthless fools of this island."

"She cared because she was a leader to the people here," Riptide said.

"That is what made her so weak," Stryker said. "So easy to kill with the arrow I shot at her."

Riptide felt the rage of the old shark clan chieftain. The rage of a grieving father and Stryker's grinning face was not helping. 'Chief!'

'This traitorous shark gloats about killing my only child! How can we ignore the fact that he murdered her?!'

'We will chief, but we must work together, or we will lose this fight.'

"What's the matter?" Stryker sneered. "Finally realizing that you are no match for me. That I will kill and destroy all you hold dear? That I will take that rare beauty of yours and make her mine?"

'Skie? That bastard would dare to hurt my beloved Skie?!' Riptide felt not only the rage but the hate he had for Stryker rising. "The hell I will let you touch her!"

He lunged for Stryker catching the tiger shark by surprise as he seized him by the throat and lifting him up. The hybrid's grip tightened more and more, and he close to crushing the throat of his enemy then suddenly he hurled the other Fishman right into a nearby rock. The tiger shark rose to his feet unfazed and to Riptide and the chief's actual surprise rushed him. The hybrid barely managed to dodge the snapping sharp teeth that were aimed for his throat. Stryker was truly crazy as he continued the pursuit of the hybrid and all the time Riptide dodged him. The two fighters continued their deadly game of cat and mouse as the hybrid tried to think up some kind of strategy. Stryker rushed him again and once more Riptide avoided him, but without warning, the mad tiger shark actually turned with him and catching the hybrid by surprise as he sank his teeth in his neck. Riptide's screams filled the air as he was pushed back by Stryker till he was pinned against the rock outcrop. He felt his blood flowing as he struggled, trying to free himself. Stryker grabbed his wrists as he tightened his death grip on him.

"Stupid little fool to even challenge me," Stryker said. "I'm more superior than you, hybrid."

I need to get him off of me! Riptide thought wildly. 'Chief please help me.'

'I…can't break… this bastard's hold!' Arlong the Black said. He sounded suddenly weak.

'Chief! What is it? What is wrong?!' Riptide said sensing the bond he shared with the ancient shark clan chieftain weaken.

'I…don't understand it…pup, but I feel…weak. Like all…my strength…is being drained.'

'That's impossible,' Riptide said. 'There's no way for that to happen unless…'

Ignoring the pain, he pushed back against Stryker twisting his opponent around and drove Stryker into the rock. The impact managed to stun the black tiger shark loosening his hold. Freed Riptide staggered back resting a hand on his bleeding wound.

"You feel better Chief?"

'A little bit still feeling weak,' replied the shark clan chieftain.

'How long can you hold with me?'

'Three maybe five minutes top. I take that you have a plan in mind pup?'

'I do, but after this fucking fight we need to have a nice long chat.'

'Indeed and no doubt you have plenty of questions to ask.'

'That I do Chief. That I do. Now let us give it our all and end this fucking nightmare and avenge the murder of your daughter.'

Riptide felt an odd tingling flowing through his body and it made him remember the last horrible and painful experiment that Drake did to him. It caused him to hiss like he had been shocked. He looked up and realized that Stryker was nowhere in sight. "Shit! Where did that crazy fuck go?"

'Pup behind you!"

Riptide had turned halfway when Stryker came at him with his now retrieved blade and he avoided the surprise attack.

Stryker glared at him with maddening eyes. "How did you know I was coming?!"

No way Riptide would reveal his unique and strange connection to Arlong the Black. He made a face. "I smelled you coming," he said. "When was the last time you took a bath? A year, sixteen years ago or was it longer?"

'Pup is it wise to taunt an enemy like him?'

'Trust me Chief I have a plan.'

Stryker growled in anger as he narrowed his eyes. Riptide has constantly harassed him nonstop ever since the day he took the hybrid prisoner. He had grown to hate the hybrid with a passion. "You enjoy insulting me, don't you? You've done that as well harassed and caused me endless trouble."

"And you've murdered, raped countless females and hurt innocent lives," Riptide shot back. "You're a monster, Stryker! A heartless cold feeling monster."

"And still all you do is talk!" Stryker said. "That's all you've done! Talk! What became of that savage fighter who slew so many of my followers?" He gave Riptide a twisted sick grin. "I'm beginning to think you don't know how to fight. I think what I saw that day was a frightened little hybrid who admired Roronoa Zoro so much that he learned one of his attacks."

He wants to see how I fight. Fine by me. "You want to see if I can?" Riptide said. "Fine, I'll be glad to show you. Wanizame Tounyuu!"

Stryker had witnessed Riptide's attack when he used it on Nanee and smirked as the hybrid came at him. Stupid fool! I will not fall for such an attack.

Riptide knew Stryker would recognize his attack but at the very last second, he changed it taking his enemy by surprise. "Wanizame Sentou!"

The hybrid delivered a hard punch right into Stryker's chest that sent the tiger shark flying. Tapping into the speed part of his Hidden Fury, Riptide followed up with a series of relentless attacks. "Sājikikku!"

Riptide delivered rapid kicks to Stryker's torso and to those that were witnessing the fight it looked like it was one powerful kick. He was far from done and recalling his Uncle Sanji's Black Leg fighting attacks gave Stryker the very ones that the Straw Hat cook had used on Kuroobi. "Côtelette!"

Just like Sanji, Riptide dropped into the one-handed handstand position kicking Stryker hard in the ribs but using the strength of his Hidden Fury the power of the attack was three times more powerful and Stryker screamed in pain as he felt his ribs breaking even shattering. Riptide followed up with Selle spinning around in the opposite direction delivering a kick that almost crippled the other Fishman. Riptide showed no mercy, no compassion as he literally beat the living hell out his foe.

"What's the matter?" Riptide asked Stryker who was on the ground in horrible pain. "I thought you said you were superior to me, huh?"

Stryker coughed up blood as he tried to figure what had just happened. He knew he was badly hurt, and his lungs were on fire no doubt had been pierced from his now broken ribs. He had won he was so sure, but now the situation was the other way around. "Please," he said with a wheeze. "Mercy! I beg you!"

"Mercy?!" Riptide seized him slamming him right into a nearby boulder. "Mercy!? You dare ask that of me?!" He drove a fist into Stryker's stomach which caused more blood to spew up. "What mercy have you ever shown? How many of your victims begged for that only for you to show them none?! How many?!"

Stryker was truly scared as he looked into the hybrid's face, into eyes that he swore at that moment were the eyes of someone else. The eyes he looked into showed fury, relentless fury. He whimpered as he squirmed wanting to just getaway. "Please," he begged, struggling to keep the fear from creeping into his voice. "Please spare me! I-I'll do whatever you ask. I swear."

With a growl, Riptide threw him off to the side before glaring at him. "Leave," he said in a commanding tone. "Leave not only this island but all of the East Blue."

The tiger shark looked up at him and nodded. Riptide turned walking to where he had dropped his kiribachi as Stryker reached for his kunai which he kept hidden. This was his chance to end this.

'Behind you!'

"DIE!" Stryker screamed as he lunged aiming for Riptide's heart.

Riptide twisted around bringing his kiribachi into play. There was a spray of blood and Stryker's head rolled to a stop a look of surprise on his face. Silence hung in the air before there was a cry of celebration from those of the temple. It was over! Their beloved Lady Shella had been avenged.

Ryder looked at Riptide as he quietly walked toward them still covered with the blood of his brother. Their eyes meet and the black tiger shark bowed his head in respect to the younger. Ryder knew he was looking at Riptide, but he sensed there was something different to him as if there was another personality to him. "Capn' let me carry your weapon for you," he said in low voice. "I know of the task that you will no doubt do."

'Chief do you have enough strength left for one more task?' Riptide asked as he handed his kiribachi to Ryder.

'Pup would it be wrong if I ask for you to let me…?'

'No. She was your only child and you have the right as her father.'

Bruton, Chöro, and the rest of the clan calmy stood waiting near the body of Lady Shella. Chöro bowed his head as Bruton and the others dropped to a knee their heads bowed in respect. None looked up as Riptide knelt scooping Lady Shella's body up. Being the elder of the clan Chöro took his place by the hybrid's side and it was then he looked up taking back some by the change in Riptide's eyes. The hybrid's eyes were not brown but a darker color.

"Chief Arlong," he said keeping his voice low. "My chief…you still live."

"Not in the way you think my loyal elder," came the reply. "We will talk later this I promise, but first-,"

Chöro nodded. "Of course, chief," he said. "Clan, we escort the fallen."

Bruton and the others rose Chöro took his place a few steps ahead of their chief. Bruton surprised his brethren when he took a place at Riptide's right side a position meant only for the chief's advisors. The tropical sawtooth blinked when Ryder took the position at Riptide's left. The remaining members of the clan took their places behind Riptide, Ryder, and Bruton while Chöro led the way back to the temple. Granler and the rest of the temple guard followed. The Saw crew, their allies, and those remaining followed. The sad procession entered the temple where others of the temple lined the halls. The other elders of the temple gathered before including Kit and Grune. The two made sure to be ahead of their fellow elders.

"So, she is finally dead," the electric catfish Fishman, Grune said.

"Indeed, she is," added Kit, the horned shark Fishwoman said with a sneer.

Granler cursed wildly under his breath as left his spot and moved up to where Chöro was. "Have you no respect blast you," he said pain reflecting in his eyes. "Stand aside!"

Kit and Grune had no desire to do so and to them, Lady Shella's death was their chance to seize the power of the temple. "We will not," Grune said. "Since Kit and I are now the oldest among the elders here, we now lead the temple."

"Is that so?" Riptide said. "Chöro, tell me, are you not older than these two arrogant fools?"

Chöro looked at the pair before them studying them before he answered his chief. "I am indeed by a good two hundred and fifty years, my chief."

Seeing the reaction of both Kit and Grune confirmed such a fact and sealed their fate. "Then you, my loyal elder will become the new temple leader," spoke the hybrid.

Kit and Grune almost choked upon such words while Granler though shocked was pleased to hear it. Chöro was taken back as he looked back at the hybrid and saw that it was Arlong the Black who spoke, and the words of the chief were as always law. He felt the spiritual presence of the ancient shark clan chieftain as did many others for they dropped to knees with their heads touching the floor. The other temple elders moved aside bowing their heads in respect. Only Kit and Grune dared not to move.

Chöro looked to Granler. "Will you please remove them not only from here but from the temple grounds?" said the newly appointed temple leader.

"With great pleasure," Granler said motioning for a few of his guard. "I shall see to it personally."

Grune and Kit were escorted out under many protests and if there any others who sided with them now fell silent.

~~.~~.~~

A day later Lady Shella's funeral pyre was held away from the temple grounds and though many of the people Unity Island could not attend they still mourned the loss of the wise temple leader. Riptide with his crew minus Marcus who was recovering from his injury and his family stood with the Bruton and other members of the Sawtooth clan. Chöro spoke the ancient words for the passing of a member of the Clan as Riptide felt Arlong the Black's painful loss and he understood that pain. It was the same feeling he had the day he, Destiny, and Long were left in Cocoyashi village. He squeezed his eyes shut as he felt the lump in his throat becoming worse. He refused to cry, he had to be strong now. He became aware of someone taking his hand giving it a squeeze and he opened his eyes to see his mother looking up at him.

"It's okay to cry," she said as tears rimmed her eyes.

The moment Chöro took the torch to the pyre and lit it, a painful and sad memory came flooding back to Nami and the tears once more flowed.

~~Flashback~~

To watch their beloved, Go Merry being consumed by the flames as the snow fell tore at every heart of the Straw Hat crew and those present to see the end of the caravel. They hated it but there was no choice. Merry could no longer carry them and they had to say their goodbyes to their faithful ship as they gave her a much deserved Viking setoff.

"I'm sorry…"

They all heard the voice, Merry's voice.

"I wanted to bring everyone just a little farther."

Tears were flowing uncontrollably as they listened to Merry.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to always go on adventures together."

"Merry!" Chopper wailed out tears soaking his fur.

"But I…"

"If someone's gotta apologize, it's us, Merry!" Luffy shouted. "I'm bad at steering, so I ran you into icebergs! I ruined you sail too. Zoro and Sanji are idiots, so they broke lots of things!" Luffy's face was soaked with tears as he continued to apologize. "And Usopp tried to fix them, but he wasn't any good at it! If someone's gotta apologize…"

"But I was happy," Merry told them. "You always treated me well… Thank you. I…was always so happy! All because of you!"

Luffy's painful cry echoed up into the sky. "MERRY!"

~~End Flashback~~

Tears flowed as mourners cried their hearts. Riptide the tears streaming down his face threw his head back roaring out, "SSSHHHAAA!"

His voice was joined by the cry of the clan as they thew their heads back all roaring out. The shark clan had said goodbye to a lost member of their clan.

The battle for Unity is finally over. Remembering the sad and tearful farewell we had when we saw the Go Merry's send-off it was only fitting that I added that a flashback. Soon the final chapter will come for CoTS and then we will start the next adventure for Riptide and his crew. So remember to Read and Review.