A/N: Sorry it's been a while guys! But we're back! Back and better than ever!

I really loved writing this and the next chapter, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

WARNING: Major Death Incoming

Chapter 10 - Dawn Island Pt IV: The Wrath of the Storm

Akainu wiped his hands as he made his way down from the mountain, the sounds and impact of the bombardment could be heard all across the island, though they had been ordered to avoid this section for a time.

Sadly, the woman had been obstinate to the end, and even after losing limbs and slow hot skewers going through her body, she didn't reveal the location of the hellspawn. Akainu admired her loyalty, even if it was born through the poison of an upstart rebel. It honestly didn't matter though. He would destroy the little devils eventually.

A marine officer ran up to him, shouting to be heard over the artillery, "Sir! Still no sign of the escaped targets! There was a nearby fishing village, but they refused to talk and started to attack our soldiers, sir."

Typical. They were probably complicit in the whole affair considering they were the only readily populated area within reach. Also, it wasn't like it mattered. The entire island had been sentenced to its fate, their lives were forfeit either way.

"I'm returning to the ship. Tell all the men to pull back out of the mountain. Once that contingent is out of range, begin bombardment on that region alone. Burn the village to the ground, if the little devils feel any kind of remorse, this will force them out. If not, let them die in their hidey-holes."

The red glare of a burning horizon seared into the evening sky, casting an ominous reflection on the waters. Dragon stood motionless as the far away Dawn Island, burning up in a crackling inferno, reflected in his dark eyes.

It was clear what was happening now. The smell of charred wood and acrid smoke was starting to be carried on the wind across the sea, a grim messenger of the chaos and despair that was occurring before him. A Buster Call—the World Government's declaration of final judgment had been passed on his home island. He'd never seen one in progress before, but he had seen the catastrophic results came after in the tragedy of Ohara. It had been Ohara that had pushed him to change gears from simply being a freedom fighter, to creating an actual army that could span the entire globe.

He had fought so that something like this would never happen again! So why? Why now?! Why Dawn?!

Was it a punishment against him? Had he brought this destruction home?

But it made no sense! He'd made sure any and all connections to his home island had been kept as far under wraps as he could make it, hiding his past even from his own men!

And even more than that, his father's reputation and status should have been enough to protect it from military retribution. Did the old man know about this? Had he let something like this happen?! Even with Luf—

He swallowed thickly as the cold feeling he had been trying to avoid began to close in on his heart, like a snake coiled to strike, just waiting for his acknowledgment.

Dragon's jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck tensing like wound-up ropes. His mind churned with the knowledge that this was the World Government's doing, their ruthless grasp tightening around the throat of freedom. Yet, amidst the political machinations and the burning anger, there was a singular, consuming fear—Luffy. His son , possibly caught in the very heart of that fiery maelstrom.

"How could Garp..." The words were a whisper lost to the wind, a question without answer. He grappled with the notion of his father's complicity or powerlessness in preventing this tragedy. It was an enigma wrapped in familial betrayal.

He nearly flinched as he felt Kuma's hand touch his shoulder, his large and imposing presence automatically attempting to calm him as he shifted beside him. Ivankov's face was etched with a grimace of concern. "Ay vay, are they doing what I think they're doing?"

The Sorbetian pastor turned revolutionary commander nodded, his usually kind face now transformed into a visage of fear and anger. "Indeed, it is. A Buster Call. They're destroying the entire island. Dragon, we have to go and save those people."

Ivankov wanted nothing more, but he knew it wasn't that easy. There weren't that many of them, and the Marine presence necessary to carry out such an operation would be more than their small outfit could take on alone. However, he would follow his friend's lead, "Dragon,what do we do?"

They looked to their leader, awaiting a command, any sign of what was to be done in the face of such devastation.

Dragon turned back to the scene, the flames licking higher as if taunting him. His mind was already sorting through the options. To return would mean placing his men in peril, and the refugees they had just brought here to get care, would also be put into danger. He also didn't have anymore room for a whole new second set of who-knew-how-many-more Dawn refugees.

And yet…he couldn't abandon those people…

He couldn't abandon his son…

Each second that passed weighed upon him like chains, the responsibility of leadership a shackle he had always borne with pride, until now.

Now, when the primal call of blood surged stronger than the tides, urging him to tear through space and time to shield his child from the fiery jaws of death. It was selfish—a word foreign to his nature. Yet, it beckoned him with a siren's call.

"Dragon?" Kuma's voice rumbled low, a gentle nudge toward reality. His soothing presence reminded him that he wasn't alone in this. He did have one person who knew and understood the full depths of the situation.

But it was Shimotsuki Koushirou's voice that ended up cutting through the haze of Dragon's focus, the dark-haired swordmaster came up to the ship's edge.

"Go," the leader urged, his aged eyes reflecting the fire across the water. "I will safeguard the refugees here. We can take care of them and send them on. I can contact a friend in Conomi Island to help you with resupplying there. It'll be more expensive, but she's fair."

"Thank you, Koushirou." Dragon replied with a curt nod, though the relief surged through him. He was about to make a very selfish decision and the man had made what would have been the consequences of such a choice a whole lot easier to bear.

Without having to wait for the refugees and supplies, they would be able to make the speedy escape that would be necessary in making this gambit. His men would be taking on extra risk, but it wouldn't equate to a suicide run. And everyone who signed up for this life knew the risks. Risk was their very business.

"Prepare yourselves," Dragon finally commanded aloud to his soldiers, "We cannot leave those people undefended."

The RA soldiers shouted out in acknowledgement, "Yes, Sir!"

Kuma grinned and nodded, ready and willing.

To be honest, he'd probably have gone on his own if Dragon hadn't finally said something. He'd been through enough disasters in his life and he wouldn't have been able to stand idly by on the sidelines while he could be saving lives.

"Kuma, I need you to go to the westernmost tip of the eastern cliff-side, be careful to avoid the bombardments and Navy presence. You'll find a small cove on that side, stay there and wait, I will send everyone I can find your way."

The raven-haired man then turned to Iva, whose extravagant demeanor had wilted under the grim shadow of the crisis, had now pepped up a bit in expectation of their new mission. "Move the injured into the village as quickly as you can, then follow with the ship on a northeastern heading to the eastern waters of the island. Use secure transponder snails to communicate to Kuma and myself and keep out of the Navy's visual range. I'll try to help keep you hidden as much as possible." he said, voice low and resolute.

"Kuma and I must move swiftly, our objective is not to fight but to rescue as many as we can. Move the Granma at top speed."

Ivankov nodded, "We will be there to meet you. I assume Kuma is going to be delivering the "packages" to the ship?"

"Indeed" Kuma nodded as he removed a glove, "Set up some cushions around the deck, Iva, I don't want people getting even more hurt when they land."

Iva rolled his eyes, "Anyone ever told you you're way too kind Kuma? A little crash landing should be the least of their problems."

The Buccaneer male allowed a small smile, "Yeah, my wife tells me that all the time. But I can't help it, you know that."

Normally, Dragon would have indulged in their banter, but the immediacy of the situation had severely narrowed his focus. Now that he had made the choice, he could stand still no longer.

The revolutionaries were a family born by choice, bound by shared ideals and dreams of liberation. But blood called to blood, and even the most steadfast of hearts could not deny the cries of their own flesh and blood.

The Wind Granma could not cleave the waters fast enough to satisfy the urgency clawing at his chest. Instead, a pale blue light electrified his gaze and tumultuous dark clouds gathered in the skies. Dragon summoned the gales, the tempest responding to his call as he took the sky. Lightning and thunder surrounded him in a crescendoing cacophony as he soared above the tumultuous sea, flying with the power of the five winds at his beck and call.

"You have to give it to him, whenever he takes the field he's never one to shirk on the flare." Iva commented, watching the mythical zoan take off like a flash in the direction of the island they had just left yesterday.

"I'm pretty sure that's the last thing on his mind." Kuma commented as he searched for the area that Dragon had told him to aim for.

Ivankov narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "You know something you're not telling me. Something about Dragon."

His best friend shrugged, "It's not something I can tell. What I can tell you, is to go as fast as you can Iva. We have to save those people…and…this place is more important to Dragon than you realize."

Before the Kamabakka ruler could ask more, the large man vanished in a paw-swipe, his power bending space to his will.

The wind currents carried Dragon along through the air at supersonic speeds. He generally didn't bother flying in this way as it was exhausting, but time was of the essence and he would do what he had to do.

The shore came into focus and he could already see the pier of Windmill Village. He grimaced. The harbor was aflame, and the boats weren't doing any better. Even from as high up as he was, he could hear gunshots and screams ring out simultaneously amidst the cannon fire that battered the island from all sides. He grit his teeth at the confirmation of all his greatest fears.

Knowing it wouldn't do to be shot down before he could even make it to his destination, Dragon pulled moisture from all directions using the currents, creating densely packed, blackened storm clouds that could hide him from view. Rain began to pour and drench the surrounding areas. He hoped that it would be enough to at least limit the fire for the time being.

Dragon descended upon Dawn Island, his homeland now a hurricane of destruction. The stench of smoke clawed at his throat, while the crackle of flames sang a dirge for the fallen. Even with the sudden downpour, it seemed that the Navy's finest didn't let that deter them from their grizzly duty. Gunshots continued to ring out, accompanied by a cacophony of screams and people fleeing in terror and panic.

He could see the white of their uniforms as they walked through the streets of Windmill Village mowing down any and everyone that came within shooting range. Marines, their uniforms stained with the blood of the innocent, marched with the impunity of oppressors, their guns heralds of death.

His heart thundered against his ribcage as he watched them fall, but Dragon's fury rose up in response, colder than the winter seas. His mouth curled into a sneer and with a sweep of his arm, he pulled a freezing wind down from the stratosphere, allowing it to collide with the raging rain. Ice quickly began to form into long jagged projectiles, icicles materialized from the ether, sharp and unforgiving as the truth.

With pinpoint accuracy, he let them fly true.

They didn't even see what was coming as the icy spikes skewered them through, killing them instantly where they stood. They rained down upon the soldiers, leaving only silence in their wake.

Even as they fell down dead, Dragon hit the ground running. He wasn't noticed by many over the panic of the fleeing villagers, but his eyes quickly scanned the crowd in order to find the two people he needed.

Noticing the mayor of Windmill near a burning house, frantically trying to help a family escape, he hurried over while using his powers to control the wind and subdue the flames. As the fire retreated, the old man looked around for the source of the strange and sudden saving grace. His expression morphed into one of shock and recognition as he saw the figure approaching him.

"Dragon? Is it…really you?"

Dragon couldn't help but let a small smile spread across his face, even in the midst of the dire situation upon seeing his old childhood neighbor.

"Slap."

The man's eyes widened in shock, his expression quickly transforming into one of deep concern. He turned to the family who stood watching the building, their tear-stained faces reflecting the flames devouring their home. Urgently, he instructed them to gather whatever belongings they could and check on their children. With a determined stride, Woop Slap rushed over to the cloaked figure coming near them, someone he hadn't seen since he was a youth but recognized without hesitation.

The man stood tall, his youthful features now weathered, and a sternness to his features that spoke of years of struggle and hardship. His eyes were careworn, and had seen way more than he could have ever hoped to see. Despite this, his gaze still held that telltale spark they always held even when they were children so long ago, a glimmer of determination and hope that refused to be extinguished.

He had disappeared so many years ago, leaving behind rumors and accusations from the World Government, spewing filth that Slap had never believed. But now the man coming before him was older and stronger than before, and with a passing thought, he felt a spark of pride at what he had ultimately become.

However, with their peaceful home being torn apart by bloodshed coinciding with Dragon's sudden appearance, he was beginning to wonder what had come to their doorstep.

"Dragon, what's going on? What are you doing here?"

The cloaked man sent another gust of wind ahead of him pushing more advancing soldiers into a nearby building. He then turned to the man hurriedly, "We've got no time! The government has ordered a Buster Call on this island. They mean to make an example of this place."

Woop Slap's eyes widened in alarm, "But why?! Garp—"

"My father probably doesn't know about it yet, but even if he did there is nothing he can do about it. We need to get the people of the village to safety. Goa Kingdom is doomed."

He already knew on approach that there was no way to get to the kingdom city. It seemed to have been the main target for the artillery and had already been turned into a blazing inferno. And Dragon had learned long ago, to take his wins where he could.

The impact of his words was overwhelming. The idea of leaving their lives, their homes…of everything disappearing in a single night was horrifying to consider, let alone experience. However, Slap had never been one to sit in indecisiveness for long. Particulars could be ironed out later. Right now, people were injured and dying. He had a responsibility to the people of Windmill and he wasn't going to shirk it now. It was obvious that the government wasn't going to help them, so he would turn to the alternative.

Steeling himself, he looked up at the other unfalteringly, "What do you need me to do?"

Dragon quickly gave instructions, "The Navy has destroyed the harbor, there's no way out that way. You need to gather everyone and head to Fool's Cove. One of my associates will be there. Our ship is headed back, but it can't get too close for risk of being discovered and destroyed by the Marines. My associate will use his power to send the survivors off the island and to the ship. His name is Kuma. He will know I have sent you."

Fool's Cove was a place on the eastern side of the island only known to locals. Sometime in the distant past, foolish smugglers and pirates had tried to use it for a way to sneak onto the island unnoticed, but the waters surrounding it hid many jagged rocks that would scuttle their ships. Only those with know-how and experience could sail their ships there, and so it was not widely known or used.

But that also meant that the World Government wouldn't think to go there.

Woop Slap often had many things to say about dangerous men like Dragon, but right now he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. The man had come through for his homeland in their time of need and he wouldn't ask anymore questions. "Okay, I'll get everyone there! What about you?"

Dark eyes were already scanning the chaos, "Where's Makino?"

Woop's eyes widened in realization. Of course, how absent-minded of him! "Last I saw of her, she was helping people near the general store!"

The raven-haired man nodded, his face glowing from the fire, etched hard as nails. "Get going! Don't wait for me. I'll send Makino after you."

And with that he was gone, his movements too fast for the mayor to even follow.

He could have slapped himself for not realizing the biggest reason for why Dragon had come. He had thought to call out to tell him the boy was no longer living with Makino, but by that time the man had disappeared.

Makino wiped the soot and sweat from her face as she passed the miller's child to her mother. They thanked her tearfully before the woman suddenly screamed and her husband moved to step in front of his family.

The young barmaid whirled around to see more Navy soldiers coming towards them, guns raised.

She gulped as fear ran its course through her. They had nowhere to go. If they ran, they'd just be picked off from the back and charging them would be suicide.

So the young woman decided that if she had to die, she would do it standing her ground.

She already knew begging and pleading would do nothing to deter these monsters who were steadfast in their duty. So instead Makino reached for the dagger sheathed in her boot and got into a fighting stance, ready to defend herself and the family behind her. Sure, a blade against guns was not a great match-up, and she bet Shanks would get quite a laugh at the figure she presented…but she refused to just roll over and die.

The soldiers advanced, their boots grinding the broken dreams beneath them into the scorched earth. The air was thick with the stench of charred memories, and Makino's resolve flickered like the flames that consumed everything she knew. She was ready to face the end, her grip on the knife tightening—a futile gesture against the inevitable.

"Leave us alone, cowards! Men of justice? Murderers, all of you!" She spit out with venom.

There was just the barest hint of hesitation in a few of the men, but it was gone as quickly as it came and without a word, they raised their rifles aiming at them all.

Makino felt her insides clench, knowing that this was it. Even if she rushed them now, she'd fall dead before even making it two feet.

Her heart wept at the thought of never seeing her loved ones again, and of what her death would do to them. Young Ace and little Luffy…she could only hope they could somehow escape the massacre, being way up in the mountains (though every bit of cannon fire that hit Mt. Corvo made her sick with dread).

The people of the village, her family, her home were all gone. Her beloved bar was consumed by flames. And then there was Shanks, her insufferable ginger idiot. What would he say when he heard about her death? How would he feel? What would he do?

There was so much she wanted to live for!

Damn these men for taking it away from her!

But she refused to cower even as the soldiers went to pull the trigger, russet eyes never closing but choosing to stare each one of them down to the last. Amid the embers and the screams, Makino stood defiant, her blade a mere whisper against the cacophony of gunfire. The Sawyer family huddled behind her, their eyes wide with terror, their hope dwindling to nothing in the face of encroaching steel.

A black shadow rushed in from the north, blitzing the group of men without warning. A flurry of movement, quick swipes, and spurts of blood came next and before Makino could even wonder what had happened, all of the soldiers were on the ground dead; the "shadow" standing among them, the rain and wind surrounding him like a shroud.

The cloaked man didn't stand around admiring his win, instead he turned towards her, coming her way with hurried determined steps. She raised her weapon higher, not quite sure if the newcomer was friend or foe. He had saved them, yes, but that didn't mean he wasn't a threat.

However, to her surprise, the cloaked stranger stopped a few feet from her and pulled off his hood showing his face.

Her eyes widened at the familiar features—if a little older—as he entered into the firelight. Dropping the blade, her hands went to her mouth in a gasp as relief surged through her veins. Running forward, Makino grabbed the man twice her height, into a fierce embrace.

His own hands were a bit more hesitant, but he too eventually hugged her close.

"Oh my God, Drag. It's you…you're here!" A few tears came as Makino clasped her much older cousin close to her.

Dragon took a few moments to allow an affectionate smile to form as he ran a comforting hand along the younger woman's back. "Hey, Kino…I wish we could have met under better circumstances."

She shook her head at that. The man had arrived just on time. Dragon had left his home and family behind in order to follow a call that she understood but wasn't up to the task to follow. That didn't make her care any less about her cousin, or be any less proud. Uncle Garp still grumbled and complained about his son not following in his footsteps, but Makino was rather glad he didn't. All the men of the Monkey family danced to the tune of their own drum, and while he was a lot more subtle about it, Dragon was no different. Luffy, even as young as he was, took after—

She suddenly gasped and pulled back, looking up at him with trepidation. The arrival of the father of course pulled her back to her concern for the son.

"Drag, you have to go find Luffy!" She had had no way of finding him herself, but now that her cousin was here, there was a chance.

He looked at her with instant concern painting his face. "Isn't he with you?"

She shook her head, "Garp took him to live up in the mountain a year or so ago! He lives in a treehouse up there with two other boys and a group of bandits."

"What?!"

Dragon couldn't believe his father sometimes. But then again, it was his fault for entrusting his son to the man in the first place. He had agreed with the man to place Luffy in Kino's care, but of course, his father had his own ideas and idiotic ways of parenting. He knew that firsthand.

And it wasn't like he could say anything considering the circumstances and the fact that had given up his parental rights more than half a decade ago…

Letting out a quick breath of annoyance, he looked back down at Makino. "I have a pretty good idea of where he could be. I'll go find him. I need you to go gather all the survivors you can and meet Woop Slap. I've already given him instructions on where to go."

"I'll give you directions to their cabin. You don't have any time to lose!" She then explained the path she used to get up to Dadan's place as well as what she knew of where the boys often hung out. She told him how many bandits made up Dadan's crew, and also about Luffy and his brothers.

"Their names are Ace and Sabo, I haven't seen either of them in a bit, but Luffy is attached at the hip to them and considers them his brothers. They are slightly older than he is, one has black hair and freckles, the other's blond."

Dragon accepted the information and while his priority was still Luffy, he would do his best to find all three children. "Thank you, Kino. But we don't have any more time. Hurry! We'll talk when it's safe."

She nodded before turning to the miller's family who had been hanging back waiting a little ways away, happy to now have a direction and job to do. However, she turned once again, "Drag, make sure you—"

But the man was gone and she could only hope he remembered his way around the forests of his youth. The animals probably weren't a problem, but the boys had set up many traps in their hunting efforts. She didn't worry about someone like Dragon getting hurt, but the fewer impediments he had, the faster he could move.

Trusting that he would do whatever he needed to do, Makino turned back to her task, ushering the villagers to where she could see a gathering of people at the square, but she prayed for fortune and Godspeed to her cousin.

"Be careful, Dragon. Come back alive; I'm counting on you. Please bring them back safe and sound."

She needn't have worried. Dragon had no problem finding his way. The bombardment from the cannons was deafening and that along with the other artillery weapons was causing the entire forest to tremble violently. Animals fled everywhere around him, and it pained his heart to know that only those with the ability to fly, burrow deep into the bedrock, or brave the ocean's waters to a new island, would survive.

Despite the fact that it had been many years since he had called Goa Kingdom home, his heart was still tied to this land of his childhood. He had cut many ties over the decades, and yet his heart still felt heavy as he watched the land of his birth get wiped off the map.

And yet like every other loss he had experienced, he sorted it, compartmentalized it, and locked it away deep inside to only be dealt with at a later date that may never come.

He knew it wasn't healthy, but he was used to it and it was a habit he could no longer break.

However, right now his emotional and mental health wasn't important.

Goa kingdom wasn't important.

Not even the people of Windmill Village were important to him right now.

Despite the heavy storm he was maintaining over this region of the island, the World Government dogs hadn't slowed down their assault. The ground shook as the concussive blasts rocketed throughout the forest. He pushed himself off the ground into the air to avoid a cannonball that had careened his way. The cannon fire punched its way through several great trees ahead of him and he pushed himself, lacing his legs with haki as he jumped from one collapsing trunk to the next. He continued unimpeded up Mt. Corvo.

Gritting his teeth, he increased his speed and used sweeping wind gusts to clear his path. The uncomfortable pounding of his heart against his chest was an odd feeling for him, one he hadn't experienced in a long time. It hadn't stopped since the moment he had seen the glow of the destruction's inferno bathing the night sky from the ship, and knew without a shadow of a doubt where it had originated from and what its presence could mean.

And so, he pushed on.

He had to get there in time. There was no other option.

He had one goal and one goal alone, and nothing was getting in his way.

When the entrance to the vault had caved in, it plunged them into darkness sealing them in.

Ace scrambled to stand, coughing on the dust that now filled the air. He stretched out his arms, feeling blindly along the cave walls.

"Sabo! Luffy!"

Terror and blind panic filled him as he called out for the two, trying his best to find them in the dark. Behind him, he could hear his younger brothers coughing as they too tried to find their bearings. He used the noise to guide him to their side.

"I'm here," Sabo called out hoarsely, his voice muffled in the pitch blackness, his hand connected with Ace's and the older boy held on tight, pulling him closer.

Relief washed over him for a second as he was reassured of his sibling's presence, before his attention immediately turned to looking for the other one.

"Luffy! Luffy, answer me! Where are you?!" Ace kept one hand attached to the blond while feeling around for the other brunet.

Sabo however answered instead. "He's right here, Ace….on my…other side." He pulled the sniffling, distraught Lu up from where he had fallen by his side and closer to the rest.

The eldest immediately searched and found the younger boy, latching on and pulling him close. "Are you alright, Luffy?"

Luffy on his end, tried his best to answer, but every time he tried, another muffled blast of cannon fire would strike and practically petrify him, sending him into only small whimpers.

That was enough for him. Ace was too relieved to have his brothers alive and conscious by his side, that he couldn't even think to call the kid a crybaby this time. Not when this day had gone so wrong and they were all in such a state.

It also was able to distract him from his own fear and panic at their situation. He took a breath and tried his best to push back the alarm. His brothers were counting on him, he had to keep them all together and okay somehow.

There was a scraping sound, then a small flame burst to life in Sabo's hand as he lit a match. The flickering light pushed back the darkness just enough for them to make out each other's shadowed forms. Sabo's face was streaked with dirt, a bruise already purpling along his cheekbone. Luffy peered out from behind him with wide, frightened eyes.

"Is everyone…okay?" Sabo asked. At their confirming nods, he let out a shaky breath. "Alright…l-let's stay calm and…think this through…there has to be…a…ah…a lamp around here…somewhere."

Another barrage of cannonade rocked the mountain above them. Dust and pebbles rained down on them, causing them all to flinch and Luffy to attach himself even closer to Sabo.

Ace took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down and ignore all the extra sound around him. He didn't have time to be afraid. By the light of Sabo's small flame, he quickly glanced around the hideout entrance.

There had to be a lamp or torch or something here somewhere! The bandits would've had to be able to see in here too, even with the door closed.

The light had nearly extinguished before he finally spotted a lamp hanging on the wall. "Got it!"

Jumping up, he scrambled to grab it just as Sabo's match went out. He cursed as they were surrounded by darkness again.

"Uh, you don't happened to have another match do ya, Bo?" He didn't have any on him and he had no clue as to where to get flint and wood in here.

Sabo coughed from the dust, trying to limit his breathing from aggravating his wounds. "You…you don't need one. I-It's a…carbide lamp."

He used to use those back when he was living in caves on his own, before he'd met Ace. The other boy stumbled around a bit in the dark before returning back to his side. Sabo took the lamp from him and with a few clicks and a snap, he got the acetylene flame to ignite, creating a much brighter light to finally surround them.

As he handed it back to Ace, he could see that while the door and entrance had been completely cut off, the surrounding area was mostly untouched. There were some supplies on the shelves, clothes, blankets, and some extra lamps. The hideout interior seemed to be reinforced with wood beams which was reassuring, but with the way everything creaked from each and every impact, gave him concern.

He looked around at the three of them. Ace was still the most unharmed, thank goodness. He seemed to have a bit of a limp as he went around examining the cave. He looked down at Luffy, who had yet to really say a word since they'd been here. That in and of itself was worrying.

It was hard to see his face, as he kept himself hidden against his side (though always careful of his injuries), but he could see that the bleeding had slowed from the gunshot to his arm. He had a gash against his head now too that was worrying, sending blood down the side of his face. He was pretty pale and still lethargic, whatever they had shot him with, still heavily affecting him.

As for himself, he had no preconceived notions that he was in any way alright. His abdomen was on fire, and he was pretty sure all his stitches from before had torn. He was still bleeding out, though thankfully it too had slowed.

Ace quickly turned around and went back to them, "Come on, we need to get away from the door."

He carefully helped to pull Sabo further in. Luffy scrambled to follow, never leaving the blond's side. He then went to pull some of the clothes and blankets down and tossed them to where the younger boys had now settled.

"Use these to keep warm. I couldn't find much food, just some moldy crackers, but its better than nothing. And light these too, we can each have one." He took two more lamps and handed them to Sabo to light up.

However, as he was about to, a much larger explosion went off over their head, causing them all to shout out in terror. The eldest boy quickly came to their side, as the three huddled together, their chests heaving. The thunderous booms from the naval onslaught shook the cavern walls, dislodging debris that rained down around them. Sabo winced as a falling rock glanced off his wounded shoulder.

"We're gonna die in here!" Luffy wailed, speaking for the first time, clutching at Ace. The older boy wrapped his arms protectively around his little brother.

"No we're not," Ace said through gritted teeth. "We're gonna get out of this. We just have to stay calm."

But Sabo could hear it as his voice wavered with uncertainty. He placed a steadying hand on Ace's shoulder.

"Ace is right," he said, forcing himself to sound confident. "Help will come. We just need to stay put and wait it out."

Another blast rocked the cavern, stronger than before. Luffy yelped as the walls trembled, dust and pebbles cascading around them. Ace's arms tightened around him.

"B-But what if no one comes?" Lu asked in a small voice. "What if they can't find us?"

Sabo felt Ace tense. He knew they were both thinking the same thing—they needed to have a backup plan. The only people who could possibly help them was either Monkey D. Garp or the people of Windmill Village.

They could hope for Makino and the mayor to maybe do something, or maybe if some of the bandits made it out, but with the deafening barrage happening outside, that hope was very slim.

As the Navy attacked the island, it was impossible for them to ignore the fact that their supposed grandfather, a top member of the Marines, was nowhere to be found. They were left to fend for themselves against his comrades—who happened to be targeting them for some reason. Let's just say there was more than a little doubt and feelings of betrayal circling the air and they weren't so sure about pinning their hopes of rescue on the man.

Ace jumped up from the ground, his fists balling up in frustration. "I'm going to see if I can go and dig us out."

"What?" Sabo blinked in confusion, "How are you gonna—"

"It's better than just standing here doing nothing, waiting to get crushed! Stay here and keep still, you both are bleeding way too much."

Before he could even respond to that, the freckled boy stalked off towards the entrance to what Sabo knew would be a futile endeavor.

Thunder roared as the commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Army used wind gusts and torrents of rain to clear his path through the burning trees. It was difficult to maintain his footing as the ground quaked from both the impact of the artillery and the landslides that resulted. But still Dragon kept on, he searched desperately through the burning jungle for any sign of Luffy and the missing boys. The Marine fusillade had turned the once verdant island into a hellscape, trees shattered and smoldering.

Calling out as he went, Dragon strained to hear a response over the crackle of flames.

"LUFFY!" He called out,combining his voice with his observation haki to see if he could spot any signs of life in that chaos.

What were the names of the other two? Oh yes, "ACE! SABO!"

Rounding a bend, Dragon was about to leap over a fallen log when he stopped himself before literally stumbling across a body lying crumpled on the ground!

With a shock, he saw that is was a large muscular woman about his age. He knelt by her side, "Hello, can you hear me? Hold on!"

He grimaced as he looked over her destroyed form, his heart sinking as he observed the telltale signs of torture and mutilation throughout her entire form. Much of her lower and upper limbs were crushed and mangled, bone and sinew exposed. Blood streamed from multiple lacerations across her body. Parts of her body had been burned horribly or melted completely off. By magma. He could recognize Akainu's handiwork anywhere.

Damn it! It had to be that bastard who was in charge of this operation. No wonder the response was so vicious.

But why had he tortured this poor woman? What did he have to gain by all of this cruelty?

Seeing the extent of her injuries, he knew with one look that she would not survive.

Hearing the roar of flames getting closer, Dragon glanced up and saw that the inferno had swept through the area behind him and if left as she was, the woman would be burned alive!

With a sweep of his hand, he snuffed as much of the fire as he could with gale force winds, conducting them so that they avoided both him and the prone figure.

As he worked, the woman coughed, blood bubbling on her lips. "Dragon...you came..." Her voice was weak and ragged.

Once he had pushed the blaze back enough, he went again to her side. "You know me."

It wasn't the most surprising thing in the world for him to be recognized, but this woman said it in a way that said it was more than that.

Her face was badly burned from dripping magma, and what was left of her orange hair was singed. With her one remaining good eye, she glanced over at him through haggard pain-filled breaths. "I…I'm not…a-as…pretty as I once was…cough…when we…cough, cough…were kids…"

Looking closer, Dragon was both surprised and dismayed to recognize the bloodied and battered adult form of the tomboy who had terrorized the neighborhood with her antics when he was a boy.

"Curly?"

Curly Dadan cried out hoarsely in pain, "See? Y-You remember…e-even had…a crush…on you when…I…w-was five…"

Kino had spoken of a "Dadan" and her group of bandits who Luffy and the other children had been staying with, but he had never made the connection. He very carefully tried to pull her into a position where she could breath a little easier, but it proved to be too agonizing for her.

"I'm going to get you out of here," he said mechanically trying to give some comfort, though they both knew it was a lie.

"F-Forget me…" She coughed, "Y…you have…to find them…"

"Curly," he said gently. "What happened here? Where are Luffy and the other boys?"

Dadan's remaining eye filled with tears. "The boys...the Marines….t-they found out…somehow…"

She coughed violently, blood staining her lips. Dragon gently lifted her head, while feeling despair constrict around his heart as his worst fears were confirmed.

He had hoped to hide Luffy's existence from the world until the boy was old enough to defend himself and could have his own life. However, it seemed that that would no longer be possible. Even after this atrocity, Luffy's life would forever be marked by his own...forever a target through no fault of his own…

Then another thought sprang up out of that one and alarm shot through him, freezing his heart with fear. "Akainu was here, did he—did they find Luffy? Did they take him away somewhere?! Tell me!"

Dadan gasped wetly, "Dragon...a cave...in the jungle west of here…used it as a hideout…should be..."

"A cave?" his brow creased as he attempted to make sense of her words. Then it dawned on him. "You mean the old miners' cave?"

She gave a small nod. "Find…them…save them. Bastard…thinks all three…are yours…"

His eyes widened at that…how in the world?…but the world thinking he was the father of three rather than only one, was something he could think about at a later time. Right now, he had a viable target and he needed to find the children and make sure they were safe and secure at all costs. Nothing else matters except protecting them.

However a weak hand touching his, brought him back to the here and now. Dragon looked down at Dadan's bloodied face, conflicted. The advancing inferno behind them cast flickering shadows across her battered features. She was dying, nothing could stop that now. However, he could tell from the way that she had been tortured, it would still take her a while to die.

She would continue to suffer in agonizing torment, and he couldn't move her or take her with him. And the fire would still advance on its path and most likely eat her alive. And while he wanted nothing more than to find Luffy, Sabo, and Ace, he couldn't leave her like this either.

He was left with only one choice, though it made his heart heavy.

Dragon met her eye and looked at her for a long moment, she knew what he was thinking and silently gave her permission. The air was heavy with understanding between them.

Her gaze caught his, pleading and unflinching in its resolve as she gave him a small nod. "Do it…it's the kindest thing you can do…"

He closed his eyes at the weight of the inevitable, "Curly…"

"You...you can't...leave me here." She coughed, the sound wet and rattling. "Can't...die like this."

Dragon took a deep breath, then said, "I promise I will find the boys and keep them safe."

Dadan gave a small laugh, "You'd…better."

She yelped as he tilted her up, pulling her closer into his arms. Gritting her teeth before hissed out, "Tell…your…old man…all debts…have been paid… In fact…he owes me now…"

He managed a faint smile as he used one hand to unsheathe the stiletto dagger from his boot. "I will…anything else?"

"G-Gotta…smoke?"

He shook his head in amusement, "Sorry."

"Figures…" Her eyes grew somber with sorrow, "Don't…tell them…about…me. Brats…will just…blame themselves…"

"Thank you," he said solemnly, his voice heavy with regret, "for taking care of my son."

Then with one fluid motion, he plunged the blade upward underneath her rib cage and drove it straight into her heart.

Dadan's body convulsed once before going completely still, her life extinguished in an instant. The air was thick with the scent of blood and death, adding to the stench of innocent blood that had already been spilled tonight.

Silently and swiftly, he removed the stiletto, wiping it on the grass and sheathing it. Moving her body, he placed her quietly within the hollow of a nearby redwood tree, giving her shelter beneath its branches.

Using her hand to close her eyes, he whispered gravely, "Goodbye, Curly."

And then he was gone, quickly moving on his way up the mountain, the urgency doubling along with his purpose.

He has a direction now. I'm coming, Sunbeam. Just hold on a little longer.

A/N: And off Dragon goes in search to rescue his son!

Well, things are taking an interesting turn. I have made some obvious changes in canon of course. For one, Makino is now Dragon's cousin and she is a bit older as well. She and Dragon are now about 15 years apart.

I was actually surprised that Dadan and Dragon are the same age in the series, and so I made Dadan a young troublemaker who knew of Dragon as a child, though they were never close.

Kuma's life has changed as well, though I'll probably reveal that later on. He does indeed now have a wife and child this time around.

Comment and question, I definitely will answer as soon as I can!