Chapter 11: Visions and Warnings

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

Riptide's recovery from the injuries he received from his escape from his father's old crew held off the Saw Pirates' departure. Skie had been worrying over him and did what she could to improve his recovery, as did the healers from Leilani's village. However, the young captain had his right arm in a sling, and when he walked about the ship, he did so with a slight limp to see him like that, which caused concern among his crew, especially his family.

One morning, with Skie helping him, he entered the kitchen/dining room for breakfast and found Gaff with Destiny. Riptide, through Skie, was aware that Gaff had been looking after his sister, something he was grateful for. However, at the moment, the Kuda hybrid looked more worried than Long. Destiny sat at the table, staring at the tabletop.

"Please, try and eat," Gaff pleaded as he sat by Destiny.

"I don't want anything," Destiny said.

"You need to eat," Long argued. "You can't keep doing this."

Skie helped Riptide to a chair, ensuring he was comfortable before turning to Destiny. "You seriously need to eat," she said. "Are you trying to starve yourself to death?"

"What if I am?!" Destiny said, looking up. "What reasons do I to keep living?!"

"What about us?" Long said. "What about mother? Or our uncles, aunts, and sofu? Are those not good enough reasons to keep living?"

"No! Nothing is a good enough reason to live! None of you are trying to find Slashback's killer!" Destiny yelled before she got up, rushing out the room.

"Dammit," Gaff said, hitting the table with a fist. "She refuses to accept the truth that we were all tricked by this Slavetooth. She believes in her heart that lying bastard is still Slashback, and I can't get her to change her mind."

"I didn't think her mental breakdown had become that serious," Skie said.

It was then that Nami, Jimbei, and Marcus entered as Riptide groaned, "Serious enough that she refuses to accept the truth."

"Destiny?" Marcus asked.

"Yes," Riptide said. "I can't take this…. problem of hers anymore."

"What's happened?" Jimbei said.

"Her mental breakdown was more serious than we thought," Skie said.

"She believes that traitorous Slavetooth is still Slashback," Gaff said. "I've tried talking to her, but she refuses to listen and blames us for not finding his killers."

"What will you do?" Marcus asked, taking a seat.

"I have no choice but to dismiss Destiny as Vice-captain," Riptide said. "I need someone who can do the damn job." He looked at Jimbei. "How about it, Uncle?"

Jimbei was surprised. "Me?"

"Riptide, Jimbei is the helmsman for the Sunny," Nami said. "You need to pick someone from your crew."

"Besides you three good candidates," Marcus said. "Blade, Longtooth, despite him being a damn ass at times, and Ryder. All three are experienced pirates."

It did make sense as Riptide thought about it. Long wasn't happy about their sister being demoted. "What about Des?" he said. "What about her? You asked her to be your vice-captain."

"Long, do you trust our sister at the moment?" Riptide said. "Do you trust her to make a sound decision if we ran into serious trouble?"

As much as it pained him, Long hung his head in shame. "No," he said sadly.

"What about Destiny, though? She needs help, and we need to find it before she loses it completely," Gaff said.

"Would this friend, Princess Vivi, perhaps have the answer?" Jimbei asked Nami.

"Princess Vivi?" Riptide looked at his mother in confusion.

"Someone didn't tell you, did they?" Nami looked at Long.

"I'm sorry, mother," Long said. "I forgot to tell Riptide and Destiny."

"Please, can someone clue me in?" Riptide said. "I'm starting to feel like I'm unwanted."

"Husband, it's okay," Skie whispered, rubbing his back, keeping him calm. She was, at the moment, the only one who knew how Riptide's state of mind had been since he regained consciousness.

"Nami suggested a vacation in the Kingdom of Arabasta," Marcus said. "I believe she is right, especially after the nightmare we've all had. Not only do you need time to recover, but so do Itachi and Destiny. Hell, we all do."

"I'm surprised that you didn't have my ship set sail," Riptide said as he looked at his mother.

"I wanted to, but Van seemed insistent that we hold off until fully loaded," Nami said.

Riptide gave a small sigh as he rose from his seat. Skie looked at him with worry. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"I'm going to get some air," Riptide said. "I swear I'm not leaving the ship."

"I'll come with you," Skie said. Riptide looked at her. "I need to change those bandages and ensure the wound is healing properly."

Not wanting to upset Skie again, Riptide merely nodded. After they left, Gaff looked at the others. "Is it me, or does Riptide seem not himself?"

"What do you mean?" Long asked as Neeta came out of the bedroom, located in the rear of the kitchen.

"He seems depressed after that mess with those assholes," Gaff said.

Nami also had taken notice of her oldest child's change. He showed no interest in the mention of Arabasta and having heard the tale of the fight for Arabasta growing up on the Thousand Sunny, she became worried. Had the ambush by Kuroobi and the remaining members of Arlong's old crew affected Riptide more than he was letting on?

~~in the cargo hold~~

"Wat be dis?" Blade asked as he looked at the Mermaidiam ore.

"This is what Genghis had the islanders mine for him," Van said. "This is a rare ore called Mermaidiam, and it is said that it can cut even through the hardest of diamonds."

"Dat be impossible," Blade said. "Dere be no metal dat can be doin' dat."

"Well, guess what, Metal Nose?" Van said. "This can, once it is melted down and turned into what it needs to be."

"Ah told ye not ta call Metal Nose," Blade growled.

"Hate to say it, but you got a metal nose."

"Ah know Ah have dat," the short metal nose saw shark said. "Ah suffered a lousy injury durin' a sea battle when Ah was a pirate in me younger days. So ah don't need ta be reminded of wat ah lost."

"We could forge a new nose for you," Van said, feeling bad.

"Why would ye want ta do dat?" Blade said. "It won't be changing da fact dat ah lost me real nose. Nothin can ever change dat."

"With the Mermaidam, you'll have not only a newer metal nose, but it will be stronger," the lycanthrope said. "You'll be a whole new saw shark."

Blade looked at him, not trusting his words.

"You want proof?" Van said. "Let's look at those weapons we took from the fortress before it was set afire."

Blade followed Van to where they were currently storing the weapons Gaff had found. Van drew a traditional pirate sword from its leather sheath, holding it out to the shipwright. "Look at that blade."

Blade studied it, seeing nothing fancy about it. "It be looking like a normal blade if ye ask me."

"Wrong," Van said. "This blade is made from Mermaidam, and it's indestructible."

"Ye be a liar," Blade said. "Dere be no such weapon dat be dat. If dere were da World Government would be getting' dere hand on it."

"That is true if they knew of its existence," Van pointed out. "But they don't, so we have the advantage."

"Ah still not be believin' ye."

Van wrapped an arm around Blade's shoulders. "Then let's test this blade, and you will see I speak the truth."

"Test it against what?"

Van and Blade looked to see Grinder approaching them. The Helicoprion shark looked at Van and then at the weapon.

"What are you planning this time, Van?" Grinder asked.

"He be wantin' ta prove dis Mermaidam be indestructible," Blade said.

"I can assure that it is," Grinder said. "You never told me why we had to come here, to an island unknown to anyone, even those bastards in the WG."

"I told you it was secret," Van said as he put the sword back where he had found it. "And looks who is talking? What about this secret mission of yours? This crazy idea that you'll find this legendary chief of yours?"

"Arlong the Black was more than a legend; he was the one who united the different shark clans," Grinder said. "And I found him in the young captain."

"What? The kid?" Van said. "Grinder, that kid is not your chieftain! He's not the one, and we know it."

"Ye watch yer mouth when it comes ta da Capn," Blade said. "Ah won't be havin' 'im insulted."

"Insulted?" Van said. "Hate to say this, but he's still a kid. I don't understand how you can call him a captain. He's inexperienced and doesn't know how to fight because if he did, he wouldn't haven't gotten hurt the way he did."

A strangled sob filled the air, and Blade looked toward the source to see Riptide and Skie standing on the steps. Shaking his head, the Riptide turned and hurried up the stairs.

"Capn!" Blade shouted after him.

"Some loyal friends you all are," Skie said. "You're all awful!"

"Skie, ah can explain," Blade said.

"Explain what?" Skie said. "You know what Riptide has been through, yet you doubt him!"

"Ah have never thought dat," Blade said. "Wat he went through when Stryker had 'im as his prisoner…. ah can't even imagine dat."

"He went through more than that," Skie said, visibly shaking. "Stryker allowed a human, a scientist, to do experiments on Riptide."

"Wat?!" Blade exclaimed. "Stryker allowed dat?!"

"What kind of experiments?" Van said.

Skie told of the experiments Drake had done on her beloved. Blade was horrified while Grinder looked sick. Van growled in anger at Drake's name.

"So that's where Drake has been hiding," Van said. "Now I can finally—"

"Drake is dead," Skie said. "Stryker killed him, and I know this because Riptide witnessed that man's death."

"Why ye be huntin' dis man anyway?" Blade asked.

"It doesn't matter now," Van said. 'Damn it! He was the only one who knew where the cure was hidden!'

~~.~~.~~

Riptide was upset, blinded by the tears that were flowing. They doubted him! His crew had their doubts about him being their captain. Had Arlong the Black had his doubts about him? What other reason could he not feel the ancient chieftain's presence? How long before Skie suddenly had concerns about being his wife? His mind was a jumble of confusion and self-doubt about being the captain his crew needed. He was so absorbed that he didn't notice anyone ahead of him until he ran straight into them, which caused him to fall on his rear.

"Captain! Are you alright?"

Riptide stared at Longtooth's concerned face through blurry vision as the older pirate knelt. Then, instead of words, his throat tightened, and the hybrid let out a heart-wrenching sob as he threw his arms around the old snag tooth mako, crying uncontrollably. Longtooth was surprised, but fatherly instinct kicked in, and he held his captain tightly to him, comforting him as if he was his child. He said nothing as he let Riptide cry, but he knew something had happened, and whatever it was, they would be dealing with him.

"It's okay, lad," Longtooth whispered. "It's okay. I'm here now."

"No one believes in me," Riptide sobbed before coughing some.

"What do you mean they don't believe in you?" Longtooth asked.

Riptide repeated everything that had been said. "They're right," he said. "I'm nothing but a weakling, a fucking coward."

"The hell you are," the snag tooth mako said. "You are no damn coward. Van is talking shit out his ass, and he doesn't know shit about you."

"I ran away from a fight," Riptide said.

"No, you knew you were outnumbered, and on top of that, you were hurt," Longtooth said. "If you tried fighting those fucking cowards, you would have killed yourself. So don't you ever call yourself a coward because you ran from a fight."

"I can't help but wonder what he would have thought of me," Riptide said.

"He? Who are you referring to?" Longtooth asked.

"My…. Father," he whispered.

Longtooth was surprised that Riptide even mentioned his father. What had that coward Kuroobi said to make Riptide even think of the man who fathered him and his siblings? Marcus barely spoke of the son he had abandoned, but he claimed he did it so Arlong could have a better life. That certainly didn't happen from what he had learned from Nami and Jimbei.

"Does it matter what someone like him would think?" Longtooth said. "He was never part of your life, so it shouldn't matter what he would think. But, if you want an honest answer, I'll give you one. I would not be ashamed of your decision if you were my son, for it was wise. I would never say that I was ashamed of you."

Riptide looked at the old mako, who smiled sadly. "You wouldn't be ashamed of me?" he asked.

Longtooth smiled at his captain as a father would his son. "I've never been ashamed of you," he said. "I'm ashamed of myself for saying this, but I wish you were my son."

Hearing Longtooth having said this surprised Riptide. "Overbite was your son," he said. "I understand it's hard for you because he betrayed you, but he was your son."

Longtooth sighed. "I know it's ill to speak of the dead, but Overbite was hard to believe born evil."

"That can't be right," Riptide said. "How can you say that?"

The old shortfin mako gave a heavy sigh. "I've never told anyone this, not even Blade. When Overbite was born- he was born in blood." Longtooth closed his eyes as he remembered the death of his beloved wife. "Eva, my sweet, beloved wife, had died during the birth of our son. To lose her nearly killed me, but I had to be strong for our son. What the doctor told me later that day was hard to believe. He told me that Eva's blood spilled out of her like water poured from a jug and that our son was bathed in it. The medical staff was horrified that Overbite had licked the blood from his mouth, even as a newborn. He looked like a predator satisfied from a hunt. So my son murdered his mother the moment of his birth."

Riptide felt sick to his stomach. Was that even possible? For a child to be born so evil that he took his mother's life? Riptide saw the pain in Longtooth's eyes at the memory. He couldn't imagine going through something like that.

"I'm sorry that it happened," Riptide said, feeling guilty.

"Do not blame yourself," Longtooth said. "We can't change the past as you can't change the fact of who your father is, and for what Van said, he doesn't know you as I and the others do. You are no coward no matter what that wolf says."

"Then why can't I feel Chief's presence?" Riptide said.

Longtooth looked rattled. "Are you saying you can't feel Arlong the Black's presence?"

"No."

"How can that be? He was present when we returned to the ship after the battle," Longtooth said. "Did you recall who treated your injuries?"

Riptide thought for a moment. "Leilani and the healers from her village," he said. "Skie told me they tended to me because she had been too distraught. Are you saying Leilani or the healers did something?"

"Not intentionally," Longtooth said. "Come, we need to speak with Leilani."

~~.~~.~~

Leilani tended to the twins as Itachi looked on like any proud father would. "Look at them," Itachi said, marveling over his offspring. "How small they are."

"They'll grow," Leilani said. "Mo'o, we need to have the naming ceremony soon."

Itachi looked at her. "Do you not think you should call me by my name?"

Leilani was surprised. "You don't like the name I gave you?"

"Ohno, I do like it, but I feel it is no longer needed," the draconian said. "Besides, I wish that to be our son's name."

Leilani was delighted with this idea, and she hugged Itachi, careful of his healing injuries. "Since you named our son, you will not object if I name our daughter?"

A grin crossed Itachi's features as his rudder-looking tail swished in happiness, scales scraping the wooden floor lightly. "Why should I object? You're my mate, the mother of my children," he said. "Tell me, my heart, what will our daughter's name be?"

"Wailele," Leilani said, smiling as she stroked Itachi's cheek. "It means waterfall."

"Wailele, Mo'o," Itachi said, looking at his children. "My special little ones."

They heard knocking on the door of their room, and Leilani answered it. "Oh," she said, seeing Riptide and Longtooth. "Please come in." She stepped aside to let the two inside. "Are you feeling unwell, captain?"

Riptide looked around the room and realized that this had once been Slashback/ Slavetooth's quarters. "I didn't even realize that you two had picked this as your room," he said.

The room reflected the spartan lifestyle Itachi and Leilani had lived. The bed was in a corner next to a—Wait, was that a nest of some type? It reminded Riptide of a bird's nest, but this was made from the ruined mattress and was lined with a pillow cushion. He was fascinated by it and went to study it.

"The twins' bed," Itachi said proudly. "Leilani and the women from the village helped make it."

"Do the little ones like it?" Riptide asked.

"They love it," Leilani said, immediately placing Mo'o and his sister on their bed; the twin dragon-human hybrids were soon sound asleep.

Riptide was amazed. "I know many parents that would love this."

"Captain, do not forget why we are here," Longtooth politely reminded him.

"Yes, sorry," Riptide said, lowering his head, an action that concerned Longtooth.

This isn't like the captain, the shortfin mako thought. What did those damn bastards do to him?! He's not confident, full of doubt suddenly. I best handle this. "Leilani, I long ago read about specific plants that would be used to ward off evil spirits or even lock them away. So you or the healers would not have used anything like that?"

"No, never," Leilani said. "We only used plants for healing, never for something like that. So why do you ask about this?"

"My spirit partner—" Riptide said. "I can no longer sense him; we need to know why."

"A spirit partner?" Leilani said, confused.

Riptide explained his bond with Arlong the Black and that he no longer felt the ancient shark clan chieftain's presence when he was attacked. Nevertheless, Leilani was concerned, and for a good reason.

"Do you recall the cliff you were at?" she asked.

"I do."

"Do you remember seeing any charms or even a marker?"

Riptide shook his head.

Leilani knew only one place, and she had to ask: "Was it near the waterfall, past the forest?"

"Yes, the hilltop I went to was that," Riptide said. "It was the highest spot on the island."

"That's what happened," Leilani said. "You unknowingly went to a place where according to an ancient legend, a Kahuna sorcerer created a prison to seal spirits, good and evil alike."

"Are you saying that Chief was taken from me?" Riptide said.

"Yes," Leilani said.

"How do I get him back?" the hybrid sawtooth asked. "Is there a way to bring him back, save him?"

"I…. don't know," Leilani said.

"Leilani, surely someone in the village would know the answer," Itachi said. "Can we not ask for help?"

"There is no one who knows what the sorcerer used for this dark magic," his wife said before looking at Riptide. "I'm sorry; I wish I could do something to help."

Riptide clutched at his chest, feeling an emptiness within his very soul. Arlong the Black had not abandoned him, but now the shark clan chieftain was sealed in a spiritual prison, and there was nothing he could do to save him. 'What have I done? I cursed Chief to jail that he can never escape!'

Unknown to Riptide, Arlong the Black was not imprisoned at all. The ancient shark clan chieftain was, at that moment, trying to find a way back to the young hybrid, and he found help in an unlikely place.

~~In the Kingdom of Arabasta~~

In the busy marketplace of Alubarna, in a tailor shop, a 7-foot tall skinny man with skin mid-brown color, a long bony face, and a thin mustache. He had long bony fingers as thin arms and legs admired the suit the old tailor had created for him. It was a black tuxedo that was fashionable and a formal zoot suit. The jacket was longer with four sewn buttons, vent pockets, breast pockets, interior pockets, a single breast enclosure with regular notch lapels lined for the perfect finish, and padded shoulders. The entire jacket was lined so it could effortlessly be draped over a shoulder. The sleeves had four sewn working cuff links and tags. A red vest that didn't cover his midriff and a red cummerbund was under the jacket.

The pants were a flat front design without pleats with an adjustable encloser with a regular hook-and-tab as well as a zipper fly. The slanted pockets and back pockets were buttoned for safety purposes.

On his head, angled to the right side, was a black cloth hat with tall pinch-front crowns and a center crease curved to the back. The brim was turned up at the back, flat around the front and sides. A thin band with a narrow bow was added to the hat's body.

The man had a pair of black and white tuxedos, slightly square-toed shoes for a finisher.

"My friend, you're a man who knows how to please his customers. Mhm, yes, you do."

"I'm happy that you like it, though this is the first time I have ever made such a suit," the old tailor said.

"I'm amazed by your skills," the man said, smiling, revealing the slight gap in his front teeth. "I never would have believed a Fishman, especially a shark—"

"I'm not a shark!" the tailor growled.

The man defensively raised his hands. "Whoah, whoah," he said. "I didn't mean to insult you, my friend. On the contrary, I assure you it was a mistake of your - species."

The tailor was a sawfish Fishman, who was 9 feet tall with a slender, muscular build, and like a sawtooth, he had a short, narrow saw-shaped nose, but his grey dorsal fin was between his shoulder blades. His skin was chocolate-brown with specks of grey. The sawfish had an undercut hairstyle with the sides and back of his greenish-blue hair that was turning white with age, as was his full goatee-inspired beard. He wore a white A-shirt with 1-1/2 black solid straight clip suspenders with a heavy-duty x-back design connected to dark navy work pants, and he wore a pair of black/grey Fisherman casual hiking sandals. A tailor's measuring tape was wrapped around his neck, a chestnut brown braided leather cord 27 inches long with brass ends, and brown slider eyeglass holder grips that head his glasses.

"Gunny? Is everything alright?"

Both tailor and customer turned their heads as a 6'1" tall woman entered the room. She had smooth, youthful peach-colored skin, eyes the color of emeralds, and curly shoulder-length hair that was a fiery red with a slight touch of grey. She wore a button-up cotton shirt with sleeves rolled up to her elbows, an ankle-length green skirt with a tan front pockets apron, and powder open-toed low-heel shoes.

At the sight of her, the customer bowed, removing his hat, which revealed his tan-colored cornrows hairstyle. "Madam, forgive this humble man, for I accidentally insulted the talented tailor."

"Gunny, you can't expect everyone to understand the difference between a sawfish and a saw shark," the woman said as she approached the sawfish.

"Izzy, you know how I feel about it," the sawfish said.

"I know," Izzy said, placing a hand on his. "Still a grumpy old fish after these years over it, Gunner."

Gunner looked at her as she smiled, cradling his face lovingly before he took her hand and pressed his mouth against the palm. "Still a beauty even at your age," he said.

Izzy's cheeks flushed some. "Gunny, you old charmer," she said. "You still know how to sweet talk a woman."

Their customer politely turned his head, noting the appearance of what one would assume to be a very bright firefly, but it would be hard to say, for it glowed so brightly. But, seeing it, the man snatched it quickly and quietly placed it into the inside pocket of his jacket. "Pardon the interruption, but what do I owe you for such high-quality work?"

"Let me write up for you," Izzy said before stepping into the shop's back room.

"Quite a remarkable woman you have there," the man said. "How long has she worked with you?"

Gunner thought. "Let's see," he said. "We just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary a month ago."

"40th wedding anniversary?!" the poor man stared at Gunner, slack-jawed. He couldn't believe they were married, and Izzy didn't look a day over 30!

"Gunny, don't frighten the poor man to death," Izzy said, returning with the bill and a wrapped item. "Here you go."

The man was curious about the item, and he unwrapped it. Royal purple-colored eyes widened as he stared at the 37" long walking cane that was ebony in color with a metal ferrule covering the end of the shaft. Mounted perfectly on a solid black granite stone ball was magnificent handcrafted sterling silver with gold trim was an elephant with ruby eyes. As if in a trance, the man reached out with a finger to trace down the elephant's face. "Old Tusker, King of the great tuskers," he whispered as his eyes moistened.

"The elephant was known as an ancient symbol of power and wisdom," Izzy said. "I knew it would be a perfect fit for you."

"I can't afford such a thing of beauty," the man said as he handed it back to Izzy.

"It's a gift," the woman said. "It once belonged to my great grandfather, but no one my family cared for like I did. So I knew it would be perfect for your attire."

"Still, I can't accept something that meant so much to you."

"You can," Gunner said. "Izzy's right. It fits you."

Their customer knew it would be pointless to argue further. "I accept your gift with dignity and honor."

Once he had paid his bill and left, Gunner turned to his wife. "Was it me, or did he seem emotional at seeing that elephant?"

"You saw right," Izzy said. "I can't help but wonder why?"

"Who knows," Gunner said as he placed the closed sign on the window and locked the door. "Time for a nice quiet evening."

~~.~~.~~

Like their store on Unity Island, Gunner and Izzy made the back part their home, and it wasn't as big either since it was just them. Family photos of Skie when she was a little girl hung on one wall up to the time they had left. Gunner always stood staring as he remembered how Skie came into their lives.

~~Flashback~~

Gunner walked swiftly through the crowded streets of Port Town as he headed back to the shop with the medicine for Izzy. She had been sick for nearly two months and Gunner, worried over his wife's health and well-being, closed the shop for the time being. Unfortunately, he was so focused on his wife's health that the sawfish failed to see the little sawtooth girl until she crashed into his leg, falling back on her butt.

"Oh dear," Gunner said when he saw her. "Are you hurt, little one?"

Before the fish girl could answer, there was an angry voice, and she was roughly yanked to her feet. "Don't you run off when I call to you, you worthless girl," snapped the older male sawtooth as he struck her repeatedly.

"I'm sorry, daddy!" the poor girl cried.

"That's enough!" Gunner said.

The girl's father glared at him. "You stay out of this!"

"Kizu, did you find her?!"

Gunner looked to see a female sawtooth come running up, and to his shock, the female started hitting the poor child with a switch. He glanced at those nearby, but everyone seemed to ignore what was happening. The poor girl was crying as she was beaten.

Gunner could no longer stand it, and he caught the female sawtooth's arm. "That's enough!" he growled. "What kind of mother are you to beat your daughter like this?!"

"Keep out of this, old fool!" the male sawtooth, Kizu said. "We can treat this little freak any way we want!"

"Indeed we can," his wife said, shoving their child to the ground. "Now get back home! You have a ton of chores that need to be done."

"Mommy, I'm hungry," the little girl said, only to be kicked.

"You'll get food when we decide to feed you, you little wretch," Kizu said.

Gunner could not stand and do nothing! With an angry snarl, he grabbed Kizu, punching him. The punch's force sent him into his wife, and the pair fell to the ground.

"Time to go, my little one," Gunner said as he scooped the girl into his arms and hurried off.

~~.~~.~~

"Izzy!" Gunner called out the moment he was home. "Izzy! Come quick!"

"Gunny, what's wrong?" Izzy drew the curtain aside that separated the store and their home. She saw the frightened little filthy-looking sawtooth girl whose clothing was no more than in her husband's arms. "Oh, my merciful heavens! You poor thing. Gunny, where did you find her?"

"Found? Try rescued," Gunner said. "Her parents beat her, treating her like she was a slave."

"Are you going to hurt me?"

Gunner and Izzy looked at the poor girl in shock. Did she believe that they would hurt her?

"Sweetie, never," Izzy said. "We would never do such an evil thing."

"Promise?"

Gunner made a cross over his heart with his free hand. "Cross my heart," he said. "Are you hungry?"

"You mean I can eat?" the little girl looked at Gunner with wide eyes.

"As much as you want," Gunner said.

"Really?"

"Really."

The little girl hugged him as she started to cry. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"While I go and make dinner, how about you go with momma and have a nice warm bath?" Gunner said.

"We can make it a bubble bath if you want," Izzy said.

The girl looked at Izzy with eyes bright and shiny. "Yes!"

Izzy smiled as she took the girl from Gunner. "Gunny picked out a nice warm nightgown for our little girl," she said.

"I'll be more than happy to," he said.

While Izzy drew the bath, Gunner went to their store's children's clothing section and looked among the girls' clothing. The sawfish picked a pretty golden lace-trimmed long-sleeve gown with a binding neck and U-shaped yoke with a lace ruffle trim with a center front beading and accent bow with a ruffle bottom hem. The back had a keyhole-style neck opening. He smiled with satisfaction and headed for the bathroom, knocking lightly on the door.

"Permitted to come in?" Gunner said.

"You may," Izzy said.

"I hope you like this little one—oh my goodness," the sawfish said when he saw the little shark girl. Now that she was all cleaned up, Gunner saw that she had pink white-colored skin, red hair, and deep-sea blue eyes.

"She'll grow up to be pretty," Izzy said with a smile.

"Pretty? I'm willing to say beautiful," Gunner said. "We still don't know your name, my pretty one."

"Worthless," the sawtooth girl said.

"Worthless?" Izzy said.

"That's all they called me, so it must be my name."

"Well, no longer," Gunner said. "Your name shall be Skie."

"Skie?" the girl asked him.

"Yes," the sawfish nodded. "Your coloring made me think of the sky."

The little girl sat thinking before she smiled happily. "I like it, daddy!"

"Daddy," Gunner said, stunned. He never dreamed he would hear that word ever.

"You're my new daddy, aren't you?" Skie said. "And my new mommy?"

"We are," Izzy said. "And you're our sweet little Skie."

Skie smiled as she hugged her new mommy.

~~End of Flashback~~

"Maybe we shouldn't have left," Gunner said. "Maybe we should have stayed instead of wanting to travel again like we used to."

Izzy was surprised that her husband was talking like this, so full of regret. Was he missing home more than he was letting on? "Gunny, are you feeling okay?"

"I miss her so much, Iz," Gunner said, tears welling up. "We were wrong to do what we did. But, Skie—she must think that we don't truly love her for what we did. She's our little girl, and we just closed the shop and took off, leaving her behind. What kind of parents are we to do that?"

"She wasn't little anymore, and she was learning from Masta about being a doctor," Izzy said. "I'm sure she understood."

Deep down in his heart, Gunner wasn't sure.

~~elsewhere~~

The navy warship sailed slowly up the river to Alubarna, where the Alubarna Palace was home to the 12th king of the Arabasta Kingdom. Though a naval ship, its sails bore no markings of the marines and were pitch black with dark red trim. Those who saw the ship pass had a dreadful feeling and did not know why.

The marines aboard were dressed in the standard uniforms of the navy. They went about their duties, trying not to glance at the giant covered canvas secured in the middle of the deck that happened to be guarded by a squadron who sat nearby.

"Hell Squad, attention!"

The squad came to attention as the marine captain in charge stepped onto the deck, and at the sight of him, the marines visibly trembled. Captain "Steel Jaw" Jag was a nightmare to behold. Standing at an impressive height of 12 ½, the long nose lancetfish Fishman had a slender build with a very high dark blue rounded outlined dorsal fin that ran the length of his back. His skin was a darker blue, becoming a light silver along his sides, his eyes a nightmarish red color, and his blue-white hair was trimmed militarily. Like the species he was from, he had a large mouth with two fangs. He was dressed in the standard marine captain's uniform with the usual markings and medals he earned from his years of service. Jag was called "Steel Jaw" because the steel brace fastened onto the outside of his jaw.

Jag moved to the squad who stood at attention. "Gry, front and center," he barked.

An attractive woman with absolutely stunning beauty stepped forward. Her skin was a golden tan, her long, slightly curly dark brown hair hung loosely around her face, and her eyes were a beautiful sapphire blue color. Standing an inch over six feet tall, Gry wore heather gray relaxed fit yoga pants and a camo grey/ white racerback tank top which showed off her perfectly curved body that could drive men crazy with desire.

"Sir," Gry said, staring at the towering Fishman.

"I have a mission for you," Jag said. "You are to disembark right away."

"With all due respect, sir," Gry said. "We're still a few hours from Alubarna, so I don't understand the need for me to disembark."

Jag glared at her. "Are you questioning my orders, female?!"

"Female?!" Gry snapped. "How darrre you call me that! Who do you think you arrre?!"

"Someone's upset," said the other woman in the squad. "Gry's rolling her sibilants."

Hearing the comment, Gry turned to face the other woman. "You have sssomething to sssay, Rrrita?!"

Rita was grinning as she grew in size, her body transforming. "Yeah, I do! I'm going to kick your ass!"

As they rushed out of the way, Marines yelled as roars and shrieks filled the air. Where Gry and Rita once were now two mythical creatures; a Gryphon and Hippogriff.

Gry's gryphon form was the body of a lion with the head and wings of a silver-colored Gyrfalcon. The body was 8 feet long with a wingspan nearly equal to her body's length with a mixture of grey and white with black-covered wingtips. Her sapphire-colored eyes blazed with fury as she stared at Rita.

Rita's hippogriff form was not as long, and she looked more horse than the traditional look with a horse's head but with an eagle's beak and a thick muscular neck. On top of the head were the antlers of a deer. The form arms had claws, but the rest of her body was that of a horse. Small black feathers ran the length of her neck, giving a bristle mane appearance. The rest of her body was a mixture of red-white.

"You darrre challenge me?" Gry snapped, her nails digging into the wood of the deck.

Rita clicked her beak in irritation as her left hind hoof stomped repeatedly. "You bet I'm challenging you, you fucking bitch!"

Rita shrieked, lunging for Gry, who leaped into the sky, taking wing above the ship. Rita's yellow eyes narrowed as she followed in pursuit of her prey. One of the other members of Hell Squad growled as he stepped forward, his form starting to shift because Jag stopped him.

"No," the marine captain said. "I want to see the outcome of this fight."

"But captain—" the man started to protest.

"Quiet!" Jag snapped, looking at the man. "Unless you have some desire to challenge me, Travar!"

Travar, the squad leader, stepped back. "No, sir."

Jag turned his attention to the ariel combat above with a blood-thirsty look. 'Can you beat her, Rita?'

Above the ship, Gry and Rita did ariel combat. Rita tried fruitlessly to claw Gry in the face, but the older zoan user kept a distance from her strike range. Again and again, they tried injuring each other. Suddenly Gry was struck from above, temporarily stunning her.

"Now, Rita!"

Instead of taking advantage, the other zoan user turned to the other flying creature who attacked Gry. "You Son of Bitch, Bazeng! I don't need your help!" she snapped.

Gry shook her head and glared at the intruder, also part of Hell Squad. Bazeng's zoan form was the strangest ever. A body was similar to a primate with a dog-like muzzle, bird-like feet, and bat-like wings 50 feet in length. His body was 9 feet in height, covered in blue fur, and his eyes were a startling yellow.

Bazeng snarled, revealing his sharp canine teeth. "You take too long, Rita," he said. "Too much talk, less fighting."

Forgetting about Gry, Rita turned her attention to her fellow squad member. "How about I kick the shit out of you, you Grifter freak?!"

"Don't you call me that!" Bazeng roared.

It was known to the members of Hell Squad that Bazeng and his brother, Bentall, had eaten Artificial Devil Fruits that Dr. Vegapunk had created. As the two members of Hell Squad continued to argue, Gry took advantage of it. She flew higher up until she was right above the arguing pair.

'Stupid bakas,' She thought. "They will never learn nor work together. Jag is a damn fool to keep these worthless fools!' "Gryphon Blitz!"

Gry dove straight at Bazeng and Rita and opened her wings at the last second, gliding towards them, her claws up. Too late for Bazeng and Rita, who realize Gry's attack too late. They turned just as Gry swiped at them with enough force to knock them into each other. She watched as the pair fell from the air, screaming and crashing onto the marine ship below.

~~.~~.~~

Rita lay stunned, trying to figure out what happened, when she felt the sharpness of claws on her neck as they pinned her down. Gry's gryphon face filled her vision as the other zoan user stared down at her.

"Stupid Rita," Gry said. "You never learn, and you never will."

"That's enough, Gry!"

Gry growled as she lifted her head to look at Jag. The marine captain glared at her, tossing a battered backpack onto the deck not far from her and the downed pair.

"You have your orders," Jag said. "Go!"

"Fucking bassstarrrd," Gry said, taking the backpack and retaking flight.

Jag watched her go. "Bazeng, Rita, go to the infirmary and have any injuries looked after," he ordered.

"Yes, sir," the two said.

~~.~~.~~

Gry arrived in Alubarna and found a safe place where she opened the backpack. She pulled out was an outfit that meant for a bellydancer. Gry was at first shocked and then angry. "You sssexiessst bassstarrrd," she hissed.

Gry swore she would make Jag pay for such a humiliation.

~~.~~.~~

Gunner and Izzy's customer entered the place he called home. The room didn't have much except a bed and traveler's trunk. Reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket, he removed the bright ball of light.

"Maurice, you nearly got seen," the man said. "Those decent folk would mistake you for a bug or something if I didn't get a hold of you. You know you are supposed to stay here, yet you left. Why?"

Maurice gave bright flicks rapidly.

"Oh no," the man said. "I am not getting involved with one of "your little friends" problems."

Maurice zipped wildly around like an angry bee making the man protectively raise his arms.

"Okay, okay!" he said. "I'll listen to them, but it doesn't mean I'll be willing to help them."

Maurice zipped to a corner flashing brightly. From the shadows stepped the spirit of Arlong the Black. Maurice hovered by his friend's face as the man studied the ancient chieftain.

"Maurice, this isn't one of your little friends," he said, looking at the bright little energy ball and pointing a finger right at Arlong the Black.

"Hani—" Arlong the Black started.

"Whoah," the man quickly said. "Do not call me by that name, first off."

"What name do you go by?" the ancient saw shark asked.

"Zou."

"Very well if that is what you want," Arlong the Black said. "Your friend told me that you may be able to help me."

Zou looked at Maurice. "Of course, he would," he said. "I may come from a line of ancient spirit talkers, but that doesn't mean I'm skilled with the ability. So what can I do to help you?"

"I need to find a way back to the pup," Arlong the Black said.

"The pup? Like a dog or something?" Zou said.

Arlong the Black glared at the man only to have Maurice zoom up, giving bright flashes. "Tell him to stop insulting my partner then," he said.

"Look, I'm sorry," Zou said. "But You're not being very clear about the whole thing."

Arlong the Black told Zou that he had become separated from Riptide, but he didn't know how. He went on to speak of the attack of the young captain. "The pup escaped by jumping from a cliff, but he was severely hurt," the old chieftain said. "I need to find a way that we can bond again."

Zou nearly asked why when he saw the spirit of Arlong the Black almost fade. "That's not good. Time is running out faster than sands in an hourglass." Maurice started flashing wildly, drawing Zou's attention. "What gotten into you?" Zou joined Maurice at the room's window, which faced the river. "What's wrong—" He stopped when he saw the Navy ship with its black sails and dark red trim. "It can't be him." He turned to Arlong the Black. "I'll help you, but I need you to do something for me."

"Which is?" Arlong the Black asked.

"Tell your friend that this kingdom is in danger, and he better come quick," Zou said.

~~On Wavecutter~~

Riptide was resting, but as he slept, he had a dream. A dream that made him restless, his head moved from side to side, and he was drenched in sweat.

"Pup! Pup, listen to me!"

"Chief?! Chief, where are you?!"

Riptide found himself in the ruins of the desert kingdom and recognized it from the stories he heard growing up. It was the Kingdom of Arabasta, or it had been! What had happened?!

"Pup!"

Riptide turned to see Arlong the Black. "Chief! You're okay!"

"I may not be for the long, young one," the old chieftain said. "Pup, listen to me. You must come to Arabasta before the disaster occurs to the Kingdom and its people."

"Chief, what are you talking about? We are coming to Arabasta, but what are you speaking about?"

"Him," The ancient clan chieftain pointed to the naval ship with its black sails. "The Fishman who captains that ship will destroy all of Arabasta if you don't stop him. He already brought one small kingdom to its end."

The landscape around them changed to one that was ablaze as the grassland of the kingdom burned. Riptide looked around just as screams filled the air, and he saw the people, who were mere silhouettes being slaughtered. Then, there was an angry bellow as a gigantic four-tusked male elephant came charging past, heading towards the slaughter.

"The kingdom as small as it was," Arlong the Black said. "It was destroyed."

Riptide looked at his partner. "Are you saying that Arabasta will suffer this same fate?"

"It will unless you can stop this from happening," Arlong the Black grunted in pain, dropping to a knee.

"Chief!" Riptide was at his side. "Chief, what wrong!?"

"Time is running out for me, pup," he said. "The longer we are apart, the weaker I become."

"No! I'm not going to lose you!" Riptide hugged the chieftain tightly. "I swear I won't!"

Riptide heard a voice chanting in some strange and perhaps ancient language. "Once two now become one as it was before!"

Riptide sat up, clutching at his chest, gasping for breath.

'Pup, are you alright?'

"Chief, are you….?"

'Yes, we're one again,' Arlong the Black said tiredly. "Forgive me, but I'm-"

"It's okay, Chief," Riptide whispered. "It's okay. You rest, get your strength back."

~~In Arabasta~~

Zou sat up slowly from where he lay on his bed. He was exhausted and drained as Maurice hovered close to him, giving small flashes. Zou held an open hand out for his little spirit friend to nestle on.

"I'll be okay," Zou said. "I'm surprised I recalled my great grandfather's spell." Maurice gave a quick flash. "Your friend and his partner are whole."

Zou got to his feet and, though he felt unsteady, walked to the window staring upriver. The naval ship was nowhere in sight, but it didn't matter as Zou picked up the cane that Izzy had gifted him, staring at the elephant.

"Your day is coming, Jag," he said. "You're going to answer for the crimes you brought upon my father, our people, and Tusker."

What does Zou mean by that? What connection does he have to Captain Jag? Remember to Read and Review.