I stumbled slowly up to the villagers, Jonny and Yosaku. They were all watching something intently through the broken wall. I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach so I tried to hurry up.

"Am… I... Dreaming?" I heard Yosaku stutter in shock. "What did that shark guy do?"

"I don't know…" Johnny muttered in reply. "I thought he only threw some water, but it knocked those two down and had them coughing up blood!"

Fuck! That didn't sound good at all! I had no time to be limping pathetically like a kicked dog, my pain could be nothing compared to theirs if they were coughing up blood!

I moved from my limping pace to full out sprint in a few second, dashing in between to the villagers as I went. I heard a few of them exclaim in shock as I ran past Yosaku and Johnny and bolted straight towards my friends.

"MAMORI!" I heard the two men cry as I ran past them but I ignored it; now was not the time!

I kept running, fury boiling in my veins as I saw Zoro bleeding and spread eagle on the ground. Next to him was Sanji on his hands and knees coughing; fuck Arlong! Sanji began to stand up and I heard calls from behind us.

"Brother cook! Don't stand up!"

"What happened to Luffy! Don't tell me he is dead!"

Sanji ignored them though as he coughed up a bit more blood before standing up.

"I don't even need to touch you pathetic humans," Alrong sighed. "Just a little water is more than enough for you…This is the difference in power between our races."

"Shut the hell up!" Sanji snapped and swung his leg at Arlong with a cry of, "POITRINE SHOT!"*

Arlong dodged it easily and flung some water at Sanji that managed to knock him over. I darted past Sanji as he slammed into the ground; my fury directed at the damn shark. Somehow when I saw my friends in trouble my pain no longer seemed important and I had more energy than I did before. Cliché, no?

I flung myself towards him at an insane speed, slamming into his chest with a grunt on my part. He seemed to stumble back one step and I lashed out with my teeth. My fangs clamped around his left bicep but I didn't even pierce his skin with my teeth! What the fuck! I was just left hanging off his arms and my teeth clung uselessly onto his skin.

I saw him look down at me with a sneer on his face and he brought up his knee to slam me in the chest. The small amount of air I had managed to keep in my chest before seemed to be smacked it in a rush. I saw black spots in my vision as I dropped my grip and fell to the ground uselessly.

"Shaha! Even this dog did better than you," He taunted Sanji and Zoro; what a dick!

I quickly scrambled up to my feet, my body feeling numb and far away in pain. I felt like I was no longer in control of my body, it just acted on its own as natural instincts took over. I didn't even bother to get my knife out as I jumped at him again, my teeth flashing wildly. I didn't close to him this time though as some of those water bullet looking things came slamming into my chest in the same spot he had kneed me earlier. I was knocked back against the ground again, skidding past Zoro and Sanji. I hacked up a dry doggish cough and felt something come out of my mouth and it was closely follow by the taste of my own blood. Fuck, I was coughing up blood too now? Now I see why Zoro and Sanji were coughing up blood… That attack hurt like a mother fucker.

"Hurry up and die already," I heard Arlong sneer down at us. "It's not as if your lives are worth anything…"

The fuck they weren't! I tried to scrambled back to my feet, yet again I felt I was floating in my body and the only thing I could feel was the damn pain. Where is the damn aspirin when you need it?

"ARLONG!" Nami screamed as she arrived on the scene. I looked at her with wide eyes as I stumbled up to my paws once again.

"Nami!" I heard Sanji coo from the sitting position he had managed to pull himself into.

"Nami…" Arlong said with a vicious look on his face. "Great timing, I was just about to kill these pirates… What brings you here?"

"I came here…" She snarled in anger. "To kill you!"

"To kill me!" Alrong exclaimed before he bursting out in mocking laughter. "Shahaha! In the eight years you've been with me, how many times have you tried to kill me? Either by assassination, poison or surprise attacks… BUT DID YOU EVER SUCCEED? Shouldn't you know by now that it's impossible for inferior humans to kill me!"

"Listen well," He continued as his face turned into a serious glare. "I'm not going to kill you, and I won't let you escape either. I'll have you be my cartographer forever! But as you know I'm an understanding guy, I don't want to chain down a young woman if possible. That's why I'd rather have my cartographer out of your own will. Other than you, I plan killing everyone here right now. But, if you join the Arlong pirates again and continue drawing maps for my crew officers, I'll specially allow for the lives of those Cocoyashi villagers to be spared! I can't say the same for these guys and that mutt however; they've pissed me off too much. So, which side will you choose to side with…?"

I watched as he kicked Sanji in the side again and I stumbled forward in a blind charge again, but this time I didn't even have the energy to jump off the ground. Arlong merely kicked me away from him and I yelped as I thrown back yet again. Evil fucker! If I had wanted to listen to an asshole like him I would have farted!

"Will you choose to side with me and save your fellow villagers?" Arlong questioned Nami. "Or will you side with these weaklings and attempt to fight me? But of course, seeing as your most dependable fighters have been reduced to this sad state, your inevitable tragedy is only too easy to see! So, tell me Nami. Are you with me? Or them?"

I cracked my eyes open and glared at Arlong as best I could from my position on the ground. I wish Luffy would hurry up already!

I flicked my eyes to the side and saw Nami turned around to address her fellow villagers, "I'm sorry everyone! But would you please die with me?"

"ALRIGHT!" I heard them all roar and a shadow of a smile crossed my face. They were all brave souls, but I doubt any of them will be dying anytime soon if we could help it. I don't think a huge massacre was part of the story line; I'd need major counseling if it was though.

I decided if they were going to risk their lives that I might as well drag my ass off the pavement one more time. I stumbled to my feet and then staggered a few steps sidewards as I tried to get my balance.

"I see… So you all choose to die…" Alrong hissed at us.

"BFFFFF!" A loud sound came from the other side of the wall and was followed by a spout of water. Please tell me that was Luffy!

"What!" Arlong snapped in anger.

"It worked! Now all I have to do if free his legs!" Sanji declared. Idiot, now Arlong knew your plan!

"Oh, so that's how it was," Zoro groaned as he rolled over in an attempt to push himself up.

I saw Zoro push himself to his knees before extending his arm and making a thumbs down sign at Nami. What the hell did that mean?

"Zoro…" I heard Nami whisper in relief.

Zoro then placed his sword in his mouth and hissed at Sanji, "30 seconds, I won't last any longer than that."

I stepped up besides the swords man and pulled back my gums to snarl at the shark. My tongue flicked in and out of my teeth as my tail stood on end. I saw Zoro glance at me from the corner of his eye and he smirked at me.

"That's more than enough time!" Sanji remarked as he dived into the water to go help Luffy.

"There shouldn't be a fountain over there…" Arlong muttered in suspicion. "Which means that rubber brat is…!"

Arlong turned his body to face the way of the water spout, his face flashing hard due to his anger. Zoro quickly slipped in his way to block his path though.

"Don't pay any heed to that," He said, his three swords now in position. "It's nothing at all you half-fish mutant!"

"Didn't I already tell you not to call me that Roronoa Zoro…" Arlong purred as he ran his tongue along his teeth.

I quickly dove around the back of Alrong as he raised his hands and I was interrupted by a cry of "Tamago Boshi!**" and something splattered all over Alrong's hand.

"I'll back you up Zoro!" A voice I recognized as Usopp's cried out. "So fight without any worries!"

"Brother Usopp, is that you? You are so brave!" Cried Yosaku.

"Are you alright! Where are you! What a bold entrance your making!" Johnny joined in. Idiots! I think the three of them are all a lost cause.

I spotted Usopp hiding in the hole in the wall that Sanji had created when he went flying through it. He was using the wall as a shield and only his head was sticking out.

"So that's where you are!" Cried the two partners.

"Usopp!" Nami yelled happily as she spotted him.

"Nami! I, all alone, took down one of their officers! All by myself!" He boasted proudly and I couldn't help but smirk.

"Nyu! I won't let you do as you please!" Cried the octopus as he pushed himself back up his feet. That guy was still alive! This was just getting beyond ridiculous!

I heard some of the guys cheering for Zoro in the background as Arlong hissed unhappily, "It's said that the sea robs the Devil Fruit users of not only their abilities, but their energy as well. The fact that rubber brat isn't dead by now means that some has been unfairly interfering in our game!"

"Unfairly interfering?" Zoro questioned him. "I personally never considered this game fair from the start." I let out a loud bark to echo his thoughts.

"Even so, I still need to see who has been doing the interfering," Arlong stated blandly.

"HEY ARLONG! OVER HERE!" Usopp cried out, what does that idiot think he is doing! "USOPP WAGOMU!**" And with that said he pulled back a rubber band and his thumb and did… Nothing?

"You standing before me means that you want me to kill you first Roronoa Zoro?" Arlong continued, ignoring Usopp.

"Now, Zoro attack!" I heard Usopp crying from the background. What the hell was he doing?

"I'll break that nose you're so proud of!" Yelled Zoro as he dove towards Arlong, swinging one of his swords against Arlong's nose. The blade only stopped when it hit his nose though, not even cutting through it!

"Fool! It's because my nose won't break that I'm so proud of it!" Alrong hissed. "Perhaps if you were in better health you might have left a little scar on it!"

"Look over there!" Johnny cried suddenly.

"Ahh! That octopus is back up!" Yosaku yelped. They only just noticed! Oh, right. Dog hearing.

"DAMN I THOUGHT THAT RUBBER BAND MIGHT HAVE HIT ME!" He cried as he pulled out a flinching position.

"WHAT!" A bunch of people cried in disbelief.

"Hah! That's exactly what I was aiming for!" Usopp said even after he had been on the people yelping in shock before.

"But you shouted Arlong…" Someone else muttered. My motto is if it works, then don't question it.

"Octopus…" I heard Zoro hiss unhappily.

"I won't let you bastards have you way Roronoa Zoro!" He cried.

I figured that since Zoro was occupied with Arlong I could see what I could do about the octopus. I dashed past Zoro and Arlong, my paws flying over the broken cement as I bounded erratically.

I almost reached the octopus at the same time he yelled, "I'll kill that friend of yours that just went into the sea!"

Like hell he will! At the same time Hachi dove into the water I jumped and latched onto his left ankle, my teeth sinking into his flesh like hooks to hold me there. Unfortunately I was too late to keep us on dry land and I went diving into the water and was dragged down by my grip on the fishman's ankle.

I felt the water rushing around us as the octopus continued to dive at an insane speed, I don't even think he noticed that I was attached to his ankle!

"DIE, DIE, DIE!" I heard him cry under the water as we got closer to Sanji and Nojiko who was down in the water too. I watch in horror as Nojiko placed herself in front of Sanji, her arms spread out at the same time Hachi attacked.

"TAKOYAKI PUNCH*!" He cried as he began to let his fists fly.

'NO!' I screamed mentally in horror and dug my teeth in even further to the point I could feel them grinding against his bones.

"NYU!" He suddenly cried, his fists stopping as his wounds seemed to spurt blood everywhere in the water. Taking it as my opportunity I dropped my grip on his leg and propelled myself straight up in the water. I came straight up and smacked the top of my skull as hard as I could against the back of Hachi's skull.

I watched victoriously through my fading vision as Hachi gave another cry but his eyes rolled into the back of his head as he passed out and began to sink. My victory was short lived as I felt the last of my breath escaping my lungs, my mouth filling with water. Everything started to turn black at that point, the pain my body was already in and the harsh punishment I was putting it through had finally taken its toll. My body began to sink slowly as the last strand of my consciousness snapped.

I felt something pushing against my chest and every time I felt it my pain would increase. It was damn annoying, I wish it would just stop! I tried to open my eyes to tell who ever it was to fuck off, but I felt something rushing into my mouth. I gagged and opened my mouth as I felt myself coughing up liquid.

'That was fucking gross,' I decided once I had finished coughing up what I can only presume was water.

I then cracked my eyes open only to find myself on solid ground with Nojiko and Sanji looming over me. I blinked owlishly a few times as I rolled over to lay on my stomach trying to regain my wits. My body was still being wracked with pain thanks to the Lionfish toxin, and it was even worse them before. My chest still felt like a lead weight was laid on it and I don't think nearly drowning helped at all.

"Ah, good. You're alive," I heard Sanji muttered as both he and Nojiko backed off and settled themselves down against the wall.

"If he dies you'll all be killed," Sanji said lazily. What the hell was he talking about?

"And it will also be the end for East Blue," Nojiko sighed, although she didn't seem that worried.

"Yes…" Muttered Mr. Stiches.

I lazily lifted up my head, stuffing a whimper back down my throat. I need to stop being so pathetic. I looked around I saw Luffy was now facing off with Arlong. Oh… About time.

My body felt like it had been run over by a truck and my fur was so wet it felt like I had blanket laid on me. I slowly began to drag myself over to Sanji and he looked down at me curiously. I dropped my head in his lap with a sigh as I squeezed my eyes closed. I then reached out blindly, licking his hand in thanks for saving me and then before he could kick me off him, I let my consciousness slip again.

I was jolted roughly awake by a loud crashing sound and I found myself being shoved back in the water. I sunk under the surface a bit but a hand that clutched the back of my neck pulled me back up the surface. I snapped open my eyes, looking around in shock as I spluttered. That was a hell of a wake up call.

"LUFFFFFFFFFFYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!" I heard someone scream and I saw that Arlong's tower had collapsed! Where we had been sitting just before was covered in rubble, so that's why we were in the water. Sanji was kind enough to drag me along with him when they jumped in the water to escape the falling rubble. Fuck, and I bet I was almost dry before too.

"Which one of them won!" Sanji cried as he finally let go of me.

"After that destruction I can't possibly imagine…" Nojiko whispered in shock. Well, I guess it wasn't every day you saw two people destroying a building.

My eyes widened happily as I saw Luffy push the rubble off himself as he stood at the top of the pile.

"NAMI!" He cried out loudly for all to hear. "YOU'RE MY NAKAMA, GOT IT!"

"He did it Nojiko!" Sanji cried as he lunged at Nojiko to hug her. Too bad for him she jumped at Mr. Stitches and clung onto him stead, causing Sanji to grab air.

"Gen!" She exclaimed happily with a bright smile on her face.

"I feel like I'm dreaming…" Mr. Stitches muttered. "I never believed such a day would come…"

"ARLONG PARK HAS FALLEN!" I heard the villagers crying out as the celebrated.

Thank God it was finally over! Luffy kicks ass! And now I want to go back to the boat and have a nice long nap, is that too much to ask for? After I dry off first of course.

"THAT'S ENOUGH CELEBRATING!" I heard an annoying voice call as I swam over to the ledge and climbed out of the water. I quickly shook out my coat and trotted towards where everyone else was. "Chi, chi, chi!"

"What a lucky day it is for me today. I'd like to thank you all for showing me a most exhilarating battle," The voice continued as I got closer to place they were. I couldn't see anyone yet but I had a fair idea who was saying that. It was the bloody mouse. "Whether by sheer luck or not, I'd have never guessed that the fishmen could be defeated by a bunch of no-name pirates."

I turned the corner in time to see the mouse marine raise his arm towards the villagers and my friends. He had several dozen other marines behind him, all with their weapons out. Mother fucker! Did this day ever end?

"But thanks to you, the money that I had to hand over to Arlong, as well as all the riches of Arlong Park now belongs to me!" He continued to say in his cocky voice. Like fuck it was though, it was the villagers money! "So throw down your arms! I, Captain Nezumi of the 16th branch of marines shall hereby take credit for your victory!"

'Hell no!' I hissed as I stumbled up beside Johnny and Yosaku, at least those two were in pretty good health, all things considered.

"AGHHHHHH!" The captain suddenly screamed as Zoro appeared behind him and grabbed him by his shoulder. The rest of the marines that were backing him up scattered as well with cries of fear.

"Zoro!" Usopp yelped.

"It ain't nice to be such a wet blanket when people are busy celebrating," He growled at the marine.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Figuring that the other guys could handle the dumb-asses I sat backwards on my haunches. I whimpered a bit as my swollen limbs had to bend into uncomfortable positions. Fucking Lionfish.

Several minutes later found all the marines in a pile, each of them covered in a set of impressive bruises. Sanji, Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp stood before them, each thankfully looking alive at least.

"Go ahead! Lay eben one binger on me; Ib yu dare! I swear yu won't ged away widdit!" The captain mumbled in pain.

"Is his mouth still alive?" Sanji muttered as he scratched his head.

I watched silently, still sitting beside Johnny and Yosaku as Nami walked up to Luffy and popped his straw hat back on his head. She then walked past him and up to the marine captain. She bent down in front of him, patting his cheek.

"This is for you shooting Nojiko and defiling Bellemere's tangerine fields..." She said sweetly before standing back up.

"Huh?" He grunted in confusion.

CRACK

She smacked him straight across the face with her pole and he went flying back across the ground. Serves the fucker right.

"Thanks Nami!" Nojiko said with a smirk. "I feel better already."

"He still needs about 100 more beatings!" Mr. Stitches huffed as he gritted his teeth. I was inclined to agree.

At that pointed I started to feel faint again and I squeezed my eyes closed in pain. My body seemed to sway and I fell against someone's legs, not even bothering to open my eyes.

"Oi! Mamori! You okay?" I heard Yosaku asked me in worry. I just made a grunting noise and let my tail thump against the ground a few times in a wag. I would be fine, I just need some pain meds and some rest. Some counseling would be nice too.

*Chest Shot

** Egg Star

** Usopp Rubber Band

* Literally means "Flaming Octopus Punch" or in Viz Media and Funimation, "Octopus Fritter Frenzy"