A.n I own Nothing.

Sorry for the late update, it is a busy time of year with Christmas just around the corner. i hope to have this Arc finished before Christmas, please note I will not be posting anything from the 25th of December until the 7th of January as I will be away on holiday and spending Christmas with my family.

After the kids and the Dragon had disappeared Zoro woke very confused that the Merry was not in the same spot where it had anchored earlier that day. After a quick Explanation from Usopp and an introduction to Henzo Zoro was brought up to speed on what had happened.

"So let me see if I've got this, we're stuck in some mist that leads to a fabled never land filled with Treasure," Zoro stared.

"Right," Usopp agreed.

"And this old man stole our ship so he could look for his friends who went missing in this mist 50yrs ago,"

"That's correct,"

"And now we're stuck in it and there is a Giant Black Dragon flying around,"

"Yep I'm going to make it a member of my crew," Luffy claimed.

Zoro looked at the rest of them like they were crazy.

"Well this is certainly the weirdest dream I've ever had," Zoro said.

"Unfortunately it's not a dream," Robin said.

"I don't know Curly-brows not here so that makes it a dream to me," Zoro claimed.

"Zoro this is serious, not only are we stuck here but there is a Dragon flying around," Usopp urged.

"So, we had Ruji with us for a while. Let's just tell this dragon where the Warship Island is and be done with it," Zoro suggested.

"No, I want him on my crew," Luffy said.

"Luffy you can't have a dragon as a crew mate," Usopp reasoned.

"Why not?" Luffy asked.

"Because it would eat us all, not to mention it would not fit on the ship," Usopp said.

"But I want a dragon," Luffy whined.

While Luffy and Usopp argued over the benefits and danger of having a dragon on the crew Connor realised something and went up to Henzo.

"Hey if your friends went missing in the mist fifty years ago then why aren't they old like you?" Connor asked.

"Connor that's rude," Robin scolded.

"No he's right, they are exactly how I remember them," Henzo agreed.

"Perhaps there is some truth to the eternal youth part of the legend after all," Robin suggested.

"Hmmm…I think it's more likely that time is distorted," Hezo claimed.

"What's that mean?" Connor asked.

"It means that time flows differently here, one day in the mist might be one week or even a year outside…maybe even longer," Henzo explained.

Luffy and Usopp chose that moment to pay attention.

"Are you serious?" Usopp panicked.

"It would explain why Lappuni and the others have not aged," Henzo said.

"But…but how do we tell how much time has passed?" Usopp asked.

"We can't, several years may have already past. There is no way for us to tell," Henzo said.

"Oh well that doesn't sound too bad," Luffy said.

"Luffy don't you get it? While we stay here Nami and the others turn into old folks while we remain young," Usopp said.

"WHAT!WE HAVE TO GET OUT IF HERE!" Luffy panicked loudly.

"Right lets set sail," Usopp agreed "I'll get the sails Luffy you pull in the anchor,"

Luffy and Uospp quickly unfurled the sails and pulled in the anchor, the Merry started to move. Robin did not think that it was a good idea to move because they knew next to nothing about navigating inside the mist; but she kept her opinions to herself.

Luffy sat up on the Merrys figurehead and watched eagerly, he wanted to get out of the mist. The Merry sailed on for a while and Luffy kept a look out, Zoro started doing some maintenance on his swords, Usopp was steering the ship so as not to crash into anything, Robin and Henzo looked through the Rainbow Mist books for answered and Connor looked over the railing.

'I wonder if those kids will be back,' Connor thought, it had been a long time since he had been around kids his age.

Connor was brought out of his thoughts when Zoro walked up behind him. Connor looked up at the swordsmen and saw that Zoro was staring at something. Connor followed the swordsman's gaze and saw a half sunk boat with a goddess figure head sticking out of the Water.

"Oi Luffy…Are we going straight?" Zoro called out.

"Yep, I've been keeping watch," Luffy confirmed.

"You sure? It's just that this boat with the figurehead looks familiar," Zoro claimed.

"Don't worry about it, there are plenty of those around," Luffy assured.

"I wonder…" Robin said "Cen fler,"

Luffy Zoro and Usopp looked around but didn't see any arms sprout, suddenly the cannon fired and the ball flew off into the mist. They waited a few seconds and a large splash of water sprayed onto the deck where the cannon ball had landed right next to the ship.

"What was that?" Zoro panicked gripping his swords "Who's attacking us?"

"No one, that cannon ball was the same one we fired," Usopp claimed.

"How, it was fired into the sky? How did it get behind us?" Connor asked, with slight fear in his voice.

"It appears we are lost," Robin claimed.

"You mean we've been sailing in circles?" Usopp asked annoyed.

"I believe so, it is highly likely that no matter what direction we go in we will always end up at the same starting point," Robin theorised.

Suddenly Luffy stood up, he grabbed the hed of the ship and launched himself out into the mist where he vanished.

"WHAT THE HELL DID HE DO THAT FOR?!" Zoro yelled.

Before anyone could answer something hit the backside of the sails and Luffy fell on the deck laughing.

"That was fun," he laughed "This mystery mist is great,"

"Mystery mist?" Henzo asked.

"It's as good as Name for it as any," Usopp sighed.

"I hate mazes, how do we get out?" Zoro asked.

"We can't, the books ay the mist us a very intricate maze," Robin said.

"S…So there's no way out?" Connor asked worriedly.

"I wouldn't say that, after all whoever the author of these books is, they must have been trapped in here and escaped," Robin reasoned.

"How do you know?" Luffy asked.

"Because Apes concert is exactly how it's described in the books, it's too accurate to be a made up," Robin reasoned.

"Oh I know just read the last book," Luffy suggested.

"I would but I don't have it, I only have 13 out of the 14 volumes," Robin answered.

"So…how do we find the exit?" Usopp asked.

"Maybe those kids would know," Connor suggested.

"And maybe they'll lead us to that Dragon," Luffy said excitedly.

"Luffy this is serious," Usopp said.

"I know getting that Dragon on our crew is definitely a serious matter," Luffy agreed.

Usopp sighed, there was really no arguing with Luffy.

"Even if we did know where Lappuni and his friends are it would be next to impossible to find them," Henzo pointed out.

"True but what if we had directions?" Robin asked.

"And where would we get those?" Zoro responded.

"Let's ask," Robin said and walked over to the railing "Un Fler,"

The others looked over in the direction that Robin was facing and a tall black man was pushed out into the open, he stared at Robin in surprise. He was shocked that the woman had seen him hiding.

"Do you mind taking us to your boss?" Robin asked polity.

"Never," Adéwalé growled.

Suddenly he crouched down and jumped several feet into the air, the straw hats followed him with their heads and in mid-air the man suddenly started to change shape. Wins grew out of his back as did a tail from his behind; scales began to cover his body and his right hand turned into a claw. Adéwalé continued to grow in size and change until in his place was a large black dragon.

The Dragon roared loudly and beat its massive wings to stay in the air.

"SSSOOOOO CCCOOOOOLLLLLLL!" Luffy shouted with stars in his eyes.

"T…T…T…THAT'S A DRAGON!" Zoro yelled.

"ROBIN WHY DID YOU HAVE TO ATTACK A DRAGON?!" Usopp yelled.

"So…was the dragon a man to begin with or did the dragon disguise himself as a human?" Connor asked calmly with a hint of curiosity.

"There are legends that state dragons could change their shape at will and even turn into humans," Robin answered.

"CAN WE PLAESE FOCUS ON THE GIANT LIZARD OF DEATH?!" Usopp screamed in panic.

The Dragon swooped down and flew over the ship only to ascend into the air, a strong gust of wind followed it as it flew. The straw hats had to hang on and shield their eyes they wold have been knocked down if they hadn't. Adéwalé circled around for another pass.

"It's coming back!" Henzo shouted.

"Let it come," Zoro challenged and drew his swords; he stood on the railing ready to strike.

The Dragon swooped down again about this time Zoro slashed his swords into the hard scales as it flew by. The swordsman could feel his swords struggling against the massive beast as sparks flew form the blades as the skimmed across the dragon's side. Adéwalé ascended again.

"You got him," Usopp cheered.

"No…I didn't. I did not cut him," Zoro cursed "Damn those are some tough scales,"

"It's coming back!" Luffy shouted.

Adéwalé was indeed coming back only this time he had his two front claws out stretched like an owl swooping down going in for the kill. Zoro got ready again and Connor also joined him drawing his own sword; he did not know if he could help or not but he would not let Zoro be ripped to shreds by those claws.

Adéwalé dived down again and he crashed into Zoro and Connor with his outstretched claws, the two defending straw hats were pushed back on the deck; but then the Dragon suddenly changed back into a human and fell limply on the deck. His claws reverted to hands and were holding Connors and Zoro's blades; a small amount of blood trickled down them.

"Hey uhh… are you okay?" Zoro asked concerned.

Adéwalés struggled to lift his head and glared at Zoro. He was confused as to why he suddenly lost all his strength, returned to his human form and felt incredibly weak. Luffy, Robin and Henzo circled around him with Usopp hiding behind Luffy as carefully peaking over the Captains shoulder.

"How did you do that?" Henzo asked.

"No clue," Zoro answered and sheathed his swords. Adéwalés arm fell limply to the deck.

"Perhaps he ate a Devils Fruit," Usopp suggested coming out from behind Luffy.

"There's a fruit that tunes you into a dragon? That's so cool, I wish I ate that one," Luffy said.

"I doubt that's the case," Zoro said.

"I've never heard of a fruit that turns someone into a dragon," Robin said.

"Yeah but he has to have eaten a fruit, otherwise he would not be in this state," Usopp reasoned.

"Why is that?" Henzo asked.

"The Kids, sword is made out of Seastone," Zoro claimed.

Robin's eyes wet wide and stared at the short sword that Connor was holding in surprise, she knew how rare Seastone was and wondered where he got it from. Robin bent down and lightly touched the back of the blade testing it, she quickly pulled away when she felt her strength start to drain.

Adéwalé had the same reaction as Robin and in his mind he began to panic, he could not fight against sea stone and know that he had made contact with it he would be unable to move or use his powers.

'Damn it, I need to escape…tell Edward and warn the others,' Adéwalé thought, though he had no clue how he was going to do that. As long as he was in contact with this sword he was at these pirates mercy.

"I see is the whole blade made out of Seastone?" Robin asked.

"No, the handle is made out of normal martials. We think whoever made it wanted to make sure that Fruit users could wield it," Usopp explained.

"I see…Connor may I borrow your sword for a bit," Robin asked.

"Don't we need it to keep him from changing back into a dragon?" Connor asked.

"Don't worry, I have a plan for that," Robin smiled.

Connor looked at robin for a second before pulling his sword out of Adéwalé grip and handing it to Robin. Adéwalé began to feel his energy come back but before he could move arms and hands sprouted from the deck and lifted his weak body.

"What the?" Adéwalé asked as he was carried over to the mast; he tried to resist but he was still not strong enough.

Once at the mast arms sprouted from it grabbing Adéwalé holding him in place, Robin walked over and an am sprouted above she handed Connors sword to it and the arm pressed the blade against Adéwalé's throat.

Adéwalé began to feel weak again and he glared at Robin.

"That's, better, now let's have a little chat," Robin said smiling sweetly.

"She is really creepy," Zoro claimed.

"Wait Robin," Luffy said running over.

Robin looked up at Luffy wondering what her new Captain wanted.

"Luffy we need to find a way out of the mist," Robin reminded him.

"I know but before you ask him about that, I have to ask him something," Luffy said.

Robin looked at Luffy in surprise wondering what the captain would want; Luffy approached Adéwalé and looked at him.

"Hey you, join my crew," Luffy said with a big smile.

Zoro, Connor and Usopp sighed and shook their heads; Henzo Robin and Adéwalé blinked in confusion at Luffys question.

"E…Excuse me?" Adéwalé asked.

"You're a Dragon that's so cool; you should join my crew,"

"No," Adéwalé said.

"Pleeeesssseeeeee," Luffy begged.

"No,"

Luffy thought for a second and then came up with an idea.

"If you join I'll give you lots of meat," Luffy offered.

Adéwalé did not know if Luffy was being serious or not, who bargains with meat?

"I don't care what you offer me the answer is still no," Adéwalé declared.

"I don't care, your joining my crew," Luffy said.

"YOU CAN'T JUST DECIDE THAT!" Adéwalé yelled angrily.

"Buddy word of advice, don't bother," Zoro warned coming over.

"Yeah Luffy doesn't take no for an answer," Usopp agreed.

Connor nodded in confirmation. Adéwalé stared at the other pirates, wondering how they had survived this long. Robin decided to begin her questioning despite Luffy still trying to convince the man to join them.

"What's your name?" Robin asked.

"None of your business," Adéwalé answered.

"Alright Mr None of Your Business, where are those children we saw earlier?" Robin asked.

"Safe and away from you," Adéwalé growled.

"I see…so there is a base around here somewhere," Robin said "Where is it?"

"I'd never tell you that,"

"Do you know how to get out of the mist?"

Adéwalé hesitated for a second before answering.

"No," he claimed.

"Oh that's a shame," Robin said.

"You can do whatever you want to me but Edward will come for me," Adéwalé said bravely.

"Who's Edward?" Henzo asked.

"My Captain, and once he's here he will kill you all," Adéwalé warned.

"Sounds like a challenge," Zoro grinned.

"Is that why you won't join me? Because your part of a different crew?" Luffy asked.

"Yes, and even if I wasn't I would never join you," Adéwalé declared.

"So if I beat him up…then you'll join me," Luffy reasoned.

"What NO!" Adéwalé yelled.

"Then it's decided, let's find this Edward and kick his ass," Luffy declared.

"Edward is the only man I would ever follow…HEY ARE YOU LISTING TO ME!" Adéwalé yelled angrily.

But Luffy was not listing; he ran back up to the Merry's figure head and took a deep breath.

"OI EDWARD I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS…SO HURRY UP AND GET OVER HERE!" Luffy called out into the mist at the top of his lungs.

"Luffy be careful not to fall," Usopp warned.

"Is…Is he drunk?" Adéwalé asked.

"No, I don't let him near the alcohol, that would spell doom for us all," Zoro answered.

Adéwalé did not think it was possible but Luffy was way worse than Edward.