Chapter 9: Rage of the Shark, Part 1
I do not own One Piece! That will always belong to Eiichiro Oda! I only own my Ocs.
AN: So I received a guest review as I will sometimes get. This one, I hate to say, was in a way rude. I am not calling this person out, but if they or anyone else don't like the way I do things, don't be a jerk over it. You can PM me if you have a suggestion or even a question about something. I know not everyone will like what other people write, and I've read a few fics written by other FF authors that I did not like.
To quote my friend/ fellow FF author, Thomas Drovin, "Remember if you don't like my work, then don't read or review it. No one is forcing you to."
Kuroobi and Chew hadn't left the island, and they weren't planning to, not yet. Instead, they had found the others who had been Arlong, but their crewmates were not pleased to see them.
"Looks whose back," Lucious sneered.
"The backstabbers," Salmo said.
Kuroobi glared at them. "What was that?"
"You heard us," the pike Fishman said. "Sided with the enemy back there."
The others nodded and murmured in agreement.
"We had no real choice," Kuroobi said, making Chew look at him. "You all saw the white sawtooth who was leading them, right?" There were a few nods. "Who did he remind you of?"
Take, a carp Fishman blinked. "Arlong-san!"
"How is that possible?" Shioyaki said.
"He's Arlong's son, chu."
"WHAT?!"
Stun silence followed only to be broken by Piscaro, who dropped his maracas. Arlong had a son?!
"Kuroobi, how is that possible?" Kaneshiro, the shipwright, said. "Arlong-san had no wife."
Chew looked at the goldfish Fishman. "Nami was always around him, chu."
The looks that followed were more of a shock than horror. Arlong hated humans, and to even think that he would have an intimate relationship of that level with Nami boggled their minds. Yet they knew that Arlong had always acted differently with Nami defending her when Kuroobi questioned Nami's loyalty. Still, there was more to Arlong's relationship with the girl that was now brought to light.
"If what you say is true," Lucious said. "Then why isn't he, our captain?" Kuroobi and the others looked at the pike. "Wouldn't Arlong-san want his son to lead us?"
Take, and the others knew what he said made sense. So why shouldn't the son of Arlong be their captain? He was the son of Arlong, and he should lead them all. Hearing the others talking about how the boy should be their captain angered the ray. Kuroobi didn't like the idea, especially knowing that Nami was the boy's mother, still wanting revenge.
"Kuroobi?"
The ray Fishman blinked and saw the remaining members of the Arlong Pirates looking at him. "What?" he asked.
"We asked if you knew where we could find our soon-to-be captain," Take said.
'Are these fools that damn serious?!' Kuroobi thought. 'They want that….fucking hybrid to take Arlong-san's place as captain?! If Arlong-san were here, he would put them in their place for such an outrageous thought!'
"He's probably on his ship, chu," Chew said. "We should take the ship as well, chu."
"Why?" Salmo asked. "What makes his ship so special?"
"It's an ancient warship, chu," Chew said. "With it, we could easily rule any sea we chose to go to."
Upon hearing this excited the others. Now they had to convince the son of Arlong to be their new captain, especially if he had such a mighty ship under his command. Kuroobi saw this outrageous idea of theirs as a way to exact his much long-awaited revenge on not only that hybrid but on that traitorous Nami as well.
"Let's go and get our new captain," he said.
Salmo and the others cheered loudly unknowingly that Kuroobi had plans for the hybrid sawtooth.
~~.~~.~~
"I am Nanaue, son Kamohoali'i, king of the sharks," the shark man said.
"I heard Leilani say Kamohoali'i was a god, and if that is true, then that would make you a demi-god," Riptide said.
"At one time, that was true, but no longer," Nanaue said.
"What do you mean?"
"My father has a fondness for humans and decreed that no shark shall eat the flesh of humans," Nanaue said. "A sin that I committed."
"Why?" Riptide asked. "Why did you commit such a horrible crime?"
Nanaue hung his head in shame. "I….sadly do not remember nor do I remember how I died." Riptide looked very confused, and the shark man continued. "When and how I died, I do not recall. However, I oddly remember that my spirit was not allowed to rest, and I was brought back to the living world, as were six different shark species. Two from the thresher shark, two from the leopard shark, two from the great white shark, two from the saw shark, two from the hammerhead shark, and two from an ancient shark line."
Riptide knew what he was hearing. "The Guardians," he said. "Six born of light and six born of darkness."
Nanaue now it was Nanaue's turn to look confused. "I don't understand."
"The Guardians sharks, the ones born of light, are protectors against the dark Guardians," Riptide said. "All of the dark Guardians except for the saw shark are dead. Where that one is, we do not know."
"You sounded worried," Nanaue said.
"I am," Riptide said, looking out at sea. "The saw shark somehow wasn't with their brethren when they were freed, and I have no idea where that Dark Guardian is. So who knows what evil that one is causing."
~~.~~.~~
In a run-down inn, a woman's screams of pleasure echoed from a locked room on the second floor, drawing the attention of the male patrons who sat gambling and drinking away.
"Damn it to hell," one of them muttered, trying to focus on the card game. "The guy with her is damn lucky."
"She came alone," responded another card player.
"Say what?!" the other card players looked up from their game, their eyes straining to the dimly lighting of the upper floor. Then, another scream louder than the first came from the locked room. "Then who the hell is with her?!"
At that moment, three figures varying in height dressed in dark hooded cloaks entered the inn just as another scream filled the air. The lead figure chuckled. "They're here alright."
"Ya'll gud say that," said the shorter, hunched figure. "Dat filly is a loud one."
The tallest figure gave a deep snort of disgust. "A disgusting female. She has no shame."
"I would be careful with your words," The first one said. "This woman's companion is very protective of her, and he isn't the one that you wish to anger."
The trio moved toward the stairs that led to the upper floor. They did not go unnoticed.
"Hey! Where do you all think you're going?!"
The first hooded figure had gone up five steps then paused. "Norise, Taros take care of these….fools."
"Yehaw! Now we're talking my language!"
Every man in the bar area had gotten up and was advancing towards the stairs when the ones called Norise and Taros pulled their cloaks off. The sight of the pair froze the men in their tracks.
The zombie judge gave a wild, insane laugh, his right fingerless glove resting on the six-shot revolver strapped to his right hip. "What's wrong, boys?! Are you all yeller from the sight of us?!"
A few card players and drinkers stared hard at Norise before someone recognized him. "Sweet merciful heaven! It's old Judge Norise!"
The old former judge gave another wild laugh, taking off his tattered and torn western hat. "Howdy, boys! I'm back!"
Taros snorted as he shook his head, his hooved foot pawing the floorboards as those that recognized the judge did a mad scramble for the french doors.
"Taros, be an excellent old deputy and fetch those fellas," Norise said.
The minotaur narrowed his eyes at the zombie judge. "Why should I?"
Norise being 5' 7" tall, had to stand on the tip of his boots to reach up to pat the minotaur between his horns. "I promised ya I give ya a gud old hanging day, didn't I?" Taros nodded. "Well, how can we have that when all them wanted criminals are a gittin away? So ya go and git fer me!"
Taros bellowed as he charged after those who ran. Norise laughed as he followed, spurs jingling with each step. "Court will be in session soon!"
~~inside the rented room~~
"What is with all that yelling?" grumbled a deep voice from underneath the bedcovers.
The woman in the bed giggled. "Dark, ignore them. Stay focused on your task."
Darkness gave a low lustful growl. "You're a naughty one, my dream."
There was a loud pounding on the locked door. Nyx and Darkness tried to ignore it, but it was becoming more annoying with each pound that followed. Finally, Darkness threw back the bed covers and sheets, getting out of bed, and once the door was unlocked, the dark Guardian yanked the door open.
The hooded cloak figure looked away. "My dear, could you tell your pet to either put on a pair of pants, underwear, something."
"Dark, please put your pants on," Nyx said.
'You first,' Darkness said. 'This man has no right to see your body.'
"Such the jealous type," Nyx cooed.
'Nyx!'
Nyx pouted. "Fine!" she said.
Darkness watched as his dream leaned over to pick her dress from the floor and put it on. She then tossed his pants to him so he could put them on. Only then did the dark Guardian move away from the door allowing their unannounced visitor entry. The figure closed the door before he pulled his hood back.
"Skarn!" Nyx said with disdain. "What the hell do you want now?"
Skarn grinned, revealing his shark teeth. "Beautiful as always, Nyx," he said, to which Darkness gave a low, threatening growl. "Just complimenting her. You need to put your Guardian on a leash."
"Let me kill him,' Darkness said.
"Dark behave," Nyx said. "So what business brings you here, shark face?"
Skarn ignored the remark, though he was angry from it deep down. "I have some information that you might find useful."
"Like what?" Nyx said with a slight yawn.
"You have heard of the kingdom of Alabasta?" Skarn said as he pulled out a rolled newspaper of the WENP (World Economy News Paper).
"Of course we have!" Nyx said. "What is the point to this annoying conversation?" Skarn tossed the paper to the woman and watched as Nyx unrolled it, glancing at the headline there. "So what's so damn great about some dumb priceless scroll?"
"Well, such a thing would attract all types of thieves, would it not?"
"Probably," Nyx said, placing the paper on the bed. "Still, you're not getting to the point."
"Such an item would draw the attention of one particular cat burglar, correct?" Skarn said.
Hearing this certainly drew the attention of Nyx and Darkness. "It certainly would get that bitch's attention," Nyx hissed as she angrily tore the newspaper in half. "She's managed to keep ahead of us for far too long!"
'She will undoubtedly go after this scroll,' Darkness said to Nyx. 'We finally have the chance to capture this little thieving whore and get back what was stolen from us!'
"We certainly do," Nyx said, looking up at the dark Guardian who stayed protectively near her. "I take that you want something in return, Skarn?"
"I will be journeying to Alabasta myself with my companions, and I thought that perhaps you would like to join us," the human/ Fishman hybrid said.
"No, thank you," Nyx said, giving him a look of disgust. "I only journey with Darkness and no one else. So now, remove yourself from my presence. Darkness and I were in the middle of something when you interrupted us."
Skarn had a disgusted look upon his face as he took his leave. 'That woman is so disgusting having a intermate relationship with that….beast.'
The moment Skarn was gone, Darkness locked the door and turned to Nyx, who already was dropping her dress to the floor once more. The dark Guardian has a lustful look of hunger on his face as his seductive dream beckoned him with a finger.
~~back on the island~~
Kuroobi and the remaining members of the Arlong Pirates had taken cover within the forest that lay not far from where Wavecutter lay anchored. They all saw Riptide and that he was not alone either.
"Shit," Take said. "That shark man from the battle is with the captain. How do we get him to leave?"
Just the mere mentioning of Riptide being the new captain of the Arlong Pirates made Kuroobi's stomach hurt. How could these fools want him as their captain?!
"Hey, isn't that, that fucking coward Itachi?" Lucious said.
"It is, chu."
"Keep your voices down, or you'll draw attention to us," Kuroobi hissed.
The members of the Arlong Pirates quickly fell silent.
~~.~~.~~
Itachi approached Riptide. "Please forgive me for interrupting," the draconian said.
"You're not interrupting," Riptide said, turning his attention from Nanaue to him. "Is there something you need, Itachi?"
"Not really," Itachi said, wringing his hands as the end of his tail twitch nervously. "Leilani and I are grateful that you stood up for us and that you gave her a safe place for the birth of our twins."
"There is no need to thank me," Riptide said, placing a hand on Itachi's shoulder. "You both are Nakama to me."
Itachi looked at Riptide in surprise, "Nakama?"
"Family," Riptide said. "That's what you and Leilani are now with us."
"Family? You want us to stay?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Riptide said. "You helped rescue my sister from Genghis, something I am grateful for, and besides, your children will need protective uncles and aunts in their lives as they grow up, do they not?"
Itachi couldn't believe it. Riptide was making them part of his family. Tears rimmed his eyes then spilled down his scaly cheeks. "Thank you," he sobbed.
"Is there anything you and Leilani need before we set sail tomorrow morning?" Riptide asked.
"The cave," Itachi said. "We left other belongs at the waterfall cave."
"Is it far?" Nanaue asked.
"No," Itachi said. "There is an old hunting trail from the fortress to the waterfall."
"I will help you move your belongings from there," Nanaue said.
"I will see that you have more help bringing everything they need aboard," Riptide said.
"Leilani will want to gather more plants for medicines before leaving," Itachi said.
Riptide nodded. "Long will want to find ingredients and any spices before we do set sail. So we might as well get what we can before tomorrow."
~~.~~.~~
Knowing that they would be leaving in the morning, Riptide gathered the tools he needed to survey the island to make a map later. Skie entered their room as he closed his leather backpack and looked at him with concern.
"Rip, should you be going out adventuring?" she asked. "You're still healing."
"Skie, I'm just surveying the island so I can make a map of it later," Riptide said, going to her.
Skie still looked troubled, "At least do not go alone."
He cupped her face. "I've gone alone before," he said. "Surveying and adventuring are two different things."
"You were not recovering from an injury before, were you?" Skie said.
"Well, no."
"Then why can't you have someone go with you? At least someone who knows this island well, and you can trust them."
Riptide knew Skie would not let the matter rest unless he did as she asked. "Alright," the hybrid said with a sigh. "I will do as you ask."
Skie hugged him, relieved that he was going to do as asked. "I love you, Riptide," she whispered, kissing his cheek.
Riptide nuzzled her, "I love you too, my heart."
~~.~~.~~
Gaff stood outside Destiny's room, staring at the beautiful tropical flower he had found not far from the ship. The silver hybrid's mental breakdown had been terrible, and it was more challenging knowing that she was being kept sedated for the time being. The Kuda hybrid hated that they all had been tricked by someone they all thought was a friend/ brother.
Poor Poseidon was more heartbroken since he had considered the treacherous sawtooth a son. Nevertheless, the Megladon Fishman was grateful that Gaff had returned alive, and when the Kuda hybrid approached the old shark man, Poseidon pulled him into a tight hug, crying that his only son was still alive.
'His son,' Gaff thought as he rolled the flower between his thumb and forefinger. 'Poseidon called me his son. It feels strange that he looks at me as his son, but we were both betrayed by that lying bastard. How can someone even do that to other people and act like they're your friend?'
"Gaff?"
He gave a small startled yelp as he felt a hand touch his shoulder, jumping nearly a foot into the air. Then, pressing a hand on his chest, he looked to his right to see Itachi looking at him, concerned. "Itachi, you scared me," he said, trying to calm his pounding heart.
"You know I never meant to scare you, little brother," Itachi said. The draconian looked at the flower in Gaff's hand. "You shouldn't rush things with her."
"What do you mean?"
Itachi cocked his head as he raised an eye ridge at Gaff. "I'm not that blind despite these injuries I received," he said, tail swishing slowly to and fro. "You can't rush her, no matter how you feel. Not only was she betrayed, but her heart was broken."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Gaff said, looking wide-eyed.
Itachi gave a small snort as he gave Gaff a little flick on the forehead, making him yelp slightly in pain. "Don't play dumb with me. The silver we rescued from Genghis, the one you called your beloved silver."
"D-destiny….?"
"So that's her name?" Itacho said.
"How do you even know what happened to her?" Gaff asked.
"I told him," Neeta said as she joined them. "Gaff, I know you mean well, but if you rush this, you will ruin any future you might have."
"I'm not going to ruin this," Gaff said. "I love her too much to do that."
"Then what's wrong with taking it slow?" Neeta asked.
Gaff opened his mouth to respond, then closed it. Neeta would have to make sense, and besides, he had messed it up with Neeta. Well, not really if he thought about it. Slatafang had initially attacked him, and being the firstborn of the Matriarch, Slatafang was the most prominent and most vigorous son. He was also a damn bully to any male Kuda, but Gaff being a hybrid made him an easier target.
Itachi looked at Neeta. "The last I saw of you, Neeta, you were to be Slatafang's mate. So may I ask why you are here?"
Neeta snapped her sharp needle teeth in aggravation. "That fucking bastard and my brother planned to have me killed," she said. "I learned of their plot and turned on them, swearing loyalty to Riptide. It was he who slew Slatafang in combat."
Itachi's eyes widened at the news. "Slatafang is dead! The Matriarch will not handle this well once she learns of this if she hasn't already."
"What of you?" Gaff said. "You and your hunters were under Garu's command. Why are you here? Where is Garu?"
Itachi shuddered. "Probably dead unless he has made it back home," he said. "If he has, then crazy bitch of a Matriarch will go on a warpath over him losing his hunting party to the likes of Genghis."
~~Deep within the New World, on a forgotten island~~
"My Matriarch!"
The captain of the queen's royal guard burst into the personal chambers of his Matriarch. But unfortunately, the room was barely lit, and the only other light that filled the room was that of the moon, which came from a tall glass window; and the captain heard an angry hissing snarl that seemed to echo throughout the room.
"You dare to enter without permission?!"
The captain dropped to all fours, his head pressed against the floor. "Forgive me, my queen," he said. "I would not enter without your permission, but your son, Garu, has been brought home, and he is gravely wounded."
"Garu wounded?!" the Matriarch said, remaining within the shadows. "Do not lie to me, captain!"
"I do not lie," the captain said. "Garu lays in the main hall surrounded by your other children minus Slatafang, and we've yet to hear a word of him."
"Slatafang has sent no word yet since he had entered the East Blue?" the Matriarch said.
A creaking of a bed filled the room as the queen of the Kudas moved. The captain caught a faint scent of mating mixed with blood, and he shut his eyes. He could smell the scent of other Kuda males, many males.
'They dare enter this chamber beneath our very noses?!' the captain thought with bitter anger.
"Leave me, captain," the Matriarch said.
"As you wish, my queen," the Kuda captain said.
The moment the captain left, the Matriarch of the Kuda clan slowly stepped into the moonlight. She stood close to 12 feet in height. Her skin was a blue-gray above a chalky-white underside, as one of the Great Barracuda the Matriarch's lower jaw jutted out beyond her upper mouth, her head was large and pointed nearly like a pike. In addition, she had two dorsal fins that were widely separated, the first dorsal had five spines, and the second had one spine with nine soft rays. Her hair was pearl-white and was a faux hawk mohawk type. Scars covered the back of her neck, shoulders, and almost all her back.
A few moments had passed when she was joined by a male Kuda who was a half shorter than the Matriarch. He was the same appearance but blue on his upper skin with yellowish dorsal fins. His eyes were an odd reddish-brown, and he was missing a few of his lower teeth. He nibbled on her neck, trying to get her in a mating mood again. His reward was a snapping of teeth that barely missed his face.
"Get away from me!" the Matriarch snarled. "I have no desire to mate with you again!"
"Reject me, and you know what will happen to every female on the island," he said, eyes narrowing.
The Matriarch snarled, lashing out with her sharp claws catching the male across his chest. The male howled in pain as he fell to the floor; before he could move, the enraged Kuda queen stomped her foot down on his neck, pinning him down. The male Kuda stared up at her with eyes wide and full of fear.
"Do not dare to think of threatening me," she hissed, pressing her foot down more, the claws on her feet piercing his skin slightly.
"I didn't mean—forgive me!" he rasped out, feeling the pressure increasing on his neck. "Please! Forgive me!"
The Matriarch crouched down, and without even blinking, she took a sharp claw slicing the male's throat open. His eyes grew more prominent as his blood flowed, pooling around his body and the feet of the Matriarch. She watched the light in his eyes go out, then rose as she walked calmly to the bath.
~~The Great Hall~~
The remaining three sons and the daughter of the Matriarch had gathered. Laying on a crude-made stretcher was the fifth son, Garu. Healers were doing what they could to help him, but those that saw his horrible injuries knew he was dying.
"His time will end," the second son hissed in eagerness.
"So it will," the fourth brother said, eyes glued on Garu.
"So eager to claim your place as the next one in line," the third brother said. "You forget, Hellsing, that our brother, Slatafang is the next to rule."
Hellsing, the second son snarled. "If he still lives," he said. "It has been many moons since mother last heard from him. Perhaps he is finally dead."
"Hold your tongue, brother!" their sister said. "If mother hears you, you will be dead."
"Bah!" Hellsing said. "Mother is growing old and weak. Soon her time will end, and mine will begin."
"Who says it will be you that will become ruler?" the third brother said, eyes narrowing.
Hellsing laughed. "I am the second born, so it is my right!"
"None of you will ever take my place as ruler!"
Hellsing and his siblings whirled around as their mother entered the hall, all of them snarling, hissing, and baring their teeth. The Matriarch dressed in a dark robe growled at them all, eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Mother….!"
The Matriarch turned her attention to Garu, who struggled to breathe. "Garu, my son, my great hunter," she said, going to his side.
"I'm sorry….I failed you," Garu said. "I failed to beat him…."
"Who, brother?" his sister said, daring to join her mother.
"A Fishman….a mako shark Fishman…."
The Matriarch hissed angrily. "Those shark clan bastards dare to attack us," she said. "They will pay for their defiance against me!"
"He wasn't of the clan…." Garu rasped out before he had a severe coughing spell.
"Not of the clan," Hellsing said. "What the hell does that mean?"
"Dressed differently….more savage than any of those of the clan…." Garu said, his voice growing weaker.
"Save your strength," his sister said. "You need to rest."
"I couldn't beat him…." Garu said, his eyes on his mother. "I tried, mother…. I couldn't beat him…."
Garu's eyes rolled back into his head as he shuttered once more, then stilled. Finally, the Matriarch threw her back, screaming out a horrible mournful cry. Hellsing and his brothers were silent, but Hellsing was grinning madly. Another challenge for the throne is gone. Their sister cried, hugging Garu's body.
"I will end that cursed clan of Arlong the Black," The Matriarch vowed. "I will kill every last one of them, and then I will end him."
~~On the island~~
Riptide has disembarked from Wavecutter and saw Long waiting with Leilani and Neeta. His brother handed him a small shoulder bag. "I made sure you had food and water," Long said.
"Little brother, I will be back before nightfall," Riptide said as he shook his head. "You act like I'm going away for a whole day."
"You still might get hungry," Long pointed out.
Riptide decided not to push the matter. "I thought you would have gone with Itachi, Leilani," he said.
"Mo'o had some of the others go with him," Leilani said. "I am going to gather more medical herbs and help your brother pick herbs and spices."
"I'm not surprised there," Riptide chuckled. "Uncle Sanji would enjoy that himself."
"I'm planning to set some aside for him when we ever see him," Long said.
Riptide nodded. "I will see you before nightfall."
"You better," Long said. "I'm planning a big feast before we leave in the morning."
Riptide laughed. "I'm looking forward to that."
Though Riptide promised Skie that he would not go alone, the saw shark hybrid decided that it would be unnecessary to have someone go with him. So as Riptide moved on down one of the island trails, little did he know he was being followed.
"This is a good spot to do it," Riptide said as he stood on a small hilltop which gave him an excellent view of the island.
~~.~~.~~
Kuroobi and the others watched Riptide remove his survey instruments along with a notebook and pencil. The ray's fists itched with the desire to beat the living hell out of the young saw shark hybrid.
"Doesn't that equipment look familiar?" Take asked.
"What does?" Shioyaki said, looking at his friend.
Take pointed to the survey instruments Riptide was using. "Isn't that the same items that Arlong gave Nami when she was his cartographer?"
"It looks like it," Salmo said.
The remaining members of the Arlong Pirates started talking among themselves, and sadly they grew a little loud. So loud that it drew Riptide's attention.
"Whose there?" the hybrid called. "Come out now! I know you are there!"
Though Kuroobi was skilled with a sword, the ray pulled out a flintlock pistol from the inside of his Gi, and before his comrades realized it, he aimed and fired.
~~.~~.~~
Satisfied with some of his surveys, Riptide decided to eat what his brother had packed for him. He sat on the ground, enjoying the warmth of the sun as he ate, and soon, he became aware of voices that grew louder.
"Whose there?" he said, getting to his feet. "Come out now! I know you are there!"
Suddenly he saw a flash from the trees and then searing hot pain as blood erupted from his still-healing right shoulder. Screaming in unbelievable agony, Riptide clutched his bleeding shoulder, staggering some before he dropped to a knee. He looked up as Kuroobi emerged from hiding, grinning wickedly at him. Following Kuroobi were Chew and a few other Fishmen he remembered from the battle with Genghis' forces.
'Chief, I need help!' Riptide cried out mentally for the ancient shark clan chieftain. But, to his horror, he didn't feel the presence of Arlong the Black. 'Chief?! Chief, where are you?! I need you! CHIEF, HELP ME! PLEASE!'
Still, there was no presence of his spiritual partner. Riptide was not only alarmed but afraid. What had happened to Arlong the Black? Why couldn't he feel him? The hybrid gritted his teeth in pain as he looked around for a way to escape. The easy way was to get past Kuroobi and the others, but there was no way in hell his father's old crew would let him get by them. He got to his feet, glancing behind him and the dangerous jump from the hilltop to the forest below. Either choice would be a suicide choice.
"Not so tough when you're all alone," Kuroobi sneered.
Riptide looked up at them and knew he had no choice. 'Forgive me, Skie. I guess I will see you on the other side, Chief.'
To the shock and surprise of the crew of the Arlong Pirates, Riptide turned, running to the very edge, and then he jumped. As the treetops rushed up to him, Riptide closed his eyes and prayed that his crew would one day forgive him.
~~.~~.~~
"He jumped!" Take yelled as he and the others ran to the edge.
Chew looked at Kuroobi. "What the hell is wrong with you, chu?! We agreed to make him our new captain, chu!"
"I didn't agree to the ridiculous idea," Kuroobi said. The ray looked toward the others. "Let's go! That stupid fool made his choice."
"What choice?" Licious said. "You fucking shot him! You decided to attack him!"
"I had good reasons for it," Kuroobi snapped.
"HE'S ALIVE! THE CAPTAIN IS STILL ALIVE!" Piscaro shouted.
"Impossible!" Kuroobi said as he and Chew rushed to join the others.
Riptide was far below, staggering into a clearing among the surrounding trees. There was a loud cheer from Take and the others as Kuroobi fumed with silent rage.
"Hurry," Salmo said. "The captain is hurt, and he'll need his wounds taken care of."
Kuroobi cursed as Chew, and the others hurried to get to Riptide. No way in hell he was going to let that boy take Arlong's place as their captain.
~~.~~.~~
Riptide cried out in pain as he stood up. His body felt like hell, and he knew he either had bruised or broken a few ribs. His head throbbed, and his vision was blurry. He forced himself to walk, and the moment he stepped into a clearing, he heard yelling up from above. Looking up, he saw his father's crew peering down.
"I got to….get away from here," he muttered. "I can't let them….can't let them get me."
Fighting pain, Riptide forced himself to continue through the forest. He didn't know where he was going, but he continued. After some time, the hybrid started smelling the faint whiff of smoke and burnt flesh. The fortress! He knew he had to be close by, and soon he saw its smoldering ruins off to his left. Recalling what Itachi had said, he soon found the hunting trail and continued down the path to see the waterfall.
"Please be there….," he said. "Please let someone….still be there…."
Weakened from the loss of blood, Riptide collapsed by the pool, and with what remaining strength he had called out for help.
"Help! Please help me!"
~~.~~.~~
"Damn, you certainly stocked up," Trapper said to Itachi as the draconian carefully finished packing the pots and jars into a wooden box.
"Leilani and I made this cave our home," he said. "It was the only safe place we had while Genghis lived."
"Ah don't dink ah can take yer bed apart," Blade said as he stepped from the sleeping chamber.
"We can leave it," Itachi said.
"But yer little ones will be needin' a bed fer sleeping in," the shipwright said. "Don't ye want dem to have a bed?"
"Blade makes a good point," the orca Fishman said.
"Are you willing to carry it, metal nose?"
"Metal nose?!" Blade looked towards Van as he entered the main cave chamber. "Ye be watchin' dat tongue of yers!"
"Van," Grinder said, coming just behind the lycanthrope. "Please don't start a fight with our new friends."
"Grinder, there are times that you be such joy kill, do you know that?" Van said, running a hand through his hair.
The Helicoprion Fishman looked at him, taking a small sniff before making a face. "Yeesh! When did you last bathe? Last spring?"
"What?!" Van said. "Are you saying I god damn stink?!"
"Stink? No," Grinder said. "You just plain reek."
"You damn ass!" Van yelled.
"If you ladies are done goofing around," Longtooth said as he stepped into the main chamber. "We need to get our asses back to the ship, and things not only loaded but see that they are put away."
"Ye need ta lighten up, Longtooth," Blade said. "Ah fail ta see why we need ta be in a hurry."
Before the old snag tooth mako could respond, a cry for help came from outside of the waterfall. Longtooth turned quickly, straining to hear the voice. It almost sounded like their captain.
"You all heard that right?" he said.
Blade had joined him listening. "Capn! That be da Capn!"
"No…." Longtooth rushed back outside, where he saw Riptide lying near the pool bleeding. "No! Captain!"
Blade and the others rushed outside, where Longtooth cradled his injured captain, crying. For Blade, it was reliving a nightmare once more. He joined his friend and saw how badly hurt their young captain was.
"We need ta git da Capn back ta da ship," the shipwright said. "He be in bad shape!"
Trapper had gone back into the cave, returning with a blanket. "We can use this to carry him," the young orca Fishman said.
Blade took it and looked at Longtooth as he held Riptide close to him. "Longtooth, we need ta put da Capn on da blanket so we can carry 'im."
"Longtooth, if we don't, Rip is gonna die," Trapper said.
Trapper's words brought Longtooth around and took charge of the situation. "You," he said to Nanaue. "Carry the captain; make sure that blanket is carefully wrapped around him."
Nanaue nodded as Trapper laid the blanket out, and Longtooth carefully placed Riptide on it before wrapping the hybrid up. Then, the shark man took his friend into his arms.
Longtooth looked at Itachi. "Can you run to the ship and alert everyone?"
"If I was fully healed, yes," Itachi said.
"You can't damn run?!" Longtooth snapped. "What good are you?!"
"Longtooth, dere be no need ta be yellin' at 'im," Blade said. "It not be his fault. He be lucky ta have survived wat he had gone through."
"A fast runner, huh?" Van said. "I can do it."
"Ye?" Blade said. "Ah don't know a human dat be fast enough fer what we be needin'."
"Then you better pay attention, metal nose," Van said with a smirk. "You might learn something for use."
Van transformed into his werewolf form and, dropping to all four, took off like a shot. He ran with a faster speed than the fastest cheetah, teeth-gritting as his mind racing as his heart pounded. It wasn't long before he saw the warship, and with a mighty leap, he landed right on the deck where he unleashed a strong howl. Startled and alarmed, the remaining members of the Saw crew rushed onto the deck.
"The captain has been injured!" Van said.
"What?!" Skie shouted. "How did that happen?!"
"We don't know," the lycanthrope said. "I know that he made his way to the waterfall and called out for help. So the others are bringing him here."
"Leilani, we have to get the sickbay ready," Skie said.
"Of course," Leilani said.
The two females hurried off to the sick bay while the others tried to understand what had happened.
"All Riptide was going to do was survey the island," Long said. "He was looking forward to making a map."
"CLEAR THE WAY!"
Van turned to see Nanaue and the others approaching the gangway. "They're coming," he said.
The crew made way as Nanaue came carrying Riptide in his arms, and as the shark man passed, they all saw how badly Riptide looked. Nami's eyes filled with tears. Her sweet boy looked like he was near death. Long was equally shocked. What happened to his brother?
~~.~~.~~
"Place him here," Skie ordered the moment Nanaue entered the sickbay.
He nodded, carefully placing Riptide down on an operating table. He stepped back as Skie and Leilani unwrapped the banket. Skie gasped at the bloodied shoulder, the shoulder that had been healing. Leilani tenderly pressed on Riptide's sides, and the hybrid made a small gasp of pain.
"This is not good," Leilani said. She looked at Nanaue. "Please, Kamohoali'I, we need your help."
Nanaue blinked, realizing the poor woman believed him to be the great shark king. "I can not heal him if you're asking that of me," he said.
"Then I ask you to go to my village and ask for the great healers there," Leilani said. "Surely, they will not deny the request of the great shark king."
Nanaue hoped they wouldn't. "I will fail you," he said before taking his leave.
"What can your healers do?" Skie asked.
"They can mend broken bones," Leilani said. "Which I'm afraid Riptide has. His ribs appear to be broken, but I can't honestly say. We can do what we can until Kamohoali'i returns."
"You promised me," Skie said, cleaning Riptide's shoulder. "You promised me, and you damn lied to me." Then, feeling so hurt, she put a little more pressure on the wound than she should have, causing Riptide to cry out in pain.
"Step away," Leilani said, pushing Skie's hands away. "You'll cause him more pain."
Skie realized what she had done, and she started shaking. But, of course, she didn't mean it. She loved Riptide with all her heart, but right now, her emotional state got the better of her. She hurt the one she loved so dearly. Leilani guided her to a nearby chair.
"Masta would be ashamed of me," Skie sobbed. "I….can't do this. I can't!"
"The healers will come, and we'll help them as best as we can," Leilani said.
~~.~~.~~
Longtooth was filled with so much anger. He wanted to know what happened to his captain and who was responsible. The mako was pacing the deck worse than a caged animal.
"Ah don't need ye wearin' da deck boards out."
"I'm in no mood for jokes, Blade," Longtooth said.
"Ah wasn't tryin' ta be funny," the saw shark said. "Ah know yer worried about da Capn."
"I want to find the bastards responsible for this," Longtooth said.
"I can help you with that."
Longtooth and Blade looked to see Van still in his werewolf form. "Wat do ye mean?" Blade asked.
"I heard mention of surveying to make a map," Van said.
"Dere was no surveying instruments wit da Capn' when ye found 'im," Blade said to Longtooth.
"Which means he was attacked somewhere's else," Longtooth said.
"Then let's find it so we can make those bastards pay," Ryder said, stepping onto the deck. He carried Blade and Longtooth's weapons.
"Why the hell should I let you come with us?" Longtooth asked.
"I refuse to relive a mistake again," the black tiger shark said. "I should have stopped Stryker before he killed Marco, but I didn't. I've been haunted by that day since then, and I refuse to repeat it."
Longtooth studied his old crewmate for the longest time. "Can you track these bastards once we find where the captain was?" he asked Van.
Van grinned, showing off his sharp teeth. "I'll track them to the very ends of the earth if I have to."
"Good," Longtooth said. "Let's find these bastards and show them the true rage of a shark."
It looks Like Kuroobi's idea of revenge will bring trouble for him and the rest of the Arlong Pirates. So to update everyone, I went and had surgery on my right shoulder to repair a torn rotary cuff. I will be starting my physical therapy soon, and after that, it's back to work. Remember to Read and Review.