Chapter 16: Troubled Waves

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

~~Deep within the Grand Line~~

Bruton and his brethren approached the ancient wrecked pirate and naval fleets that were so long ago lost that we were forgotten, lost to time. The males of the shark clan had swum from the East Blue into the Grand Line, following the ancient bond of their clan. They boarded an old pirate warship, greeted by Treyal, the silvertip shark, and one of the Elders of the shark Clan. Seeing their clan elder, the males bowed their heads in respect. Treyal looked among them, troubled by their missing elder.

"Where is Chöro, my brothers?" he asked.

"Elder Chöro is no longer with us," Bruton said, lifting his head.

"Chöro is dead?" Treyal said, startled.

"No, elder," answered the other tropical sawtooth.

"If he is not dead, then where is he?"

Bruton stood up. "The leader of a temple that the daughter of our ancient chieftain once led," he said.

"Daughter of our ancient chieftain….?" Treyal looked puzzled for a moment. "Are you saying that Shella, Arlong the Black's daughter, lives?!"

"No, she was murdered, but our new chieftain avenged her death," Bruton said.

"New chieftain? Young one, you speak in riddles," Treyal said.

"I speak not in riddles, but much has happened since we—were forced to flee, leaving our loved ones behind," Bruton said.

Treyal nodded, motioning for Bruton and his group to follow. "The others will want to hear your tale."

~~.~~.~~

"Must I be here?" Arlong hissed.

Drusk, the sharp tooth lemon shark, looked at him. "We must, brother," he said, keeping his voice low. "Elder Treyal and the other elders said all clan members must be here. If you're still not feeling well, I will ask that we be excused."

Arlong's recovery was going slow, too slow to his liking. He finally had the strength to leave his bed and move about, but not far since he suffered bouts of shortened breaths and dizziness. He was still getting used to his new brethren, who accepted him without question. Arlong still had no memory of how he had arrived in the Grand Line again or been rescued by this shark clan. Had he been so ill that it had affected his memory? He barely remembered much, only that he suffered from being tortured as a prisoner by humans for nearly 15 years.

"I am not comfortable being here," Arlong admitted.

Drusk nodded. "Let us speak to the Elders," he said. "I am sure they will allow you to go and rest."

The sharp tooth lemon shark rose from his seat and offered a hand out to Arlong, who was hesitant to take it but finally did. The moment Arlong stood, the eyes of the other members of the clan focused on him, and he heard them talking.

"Our poor clan brother is still ill after all these months. He needs better care. Does anyone know more about him besides the name he bears?"

Arlong hated hearing their pitiful talk, hated how they looked at him with pity in their eyes. He didn't need their pity! If he were well and strong again, he would show them what he thought of their damn pity for him! With Drusk, he approached Treyal and the other Elders of the shark clan.

"Drusk, Arlong, is something wrong?" Treyal asked.

"Forgive us, Elders," Drusk said, bowing his head slightly. "Our clan brother is still not well and has requested to be excused from this clan gathering."

Treyal looked at Arlong, who still refused to bow his head. "It is a shame that you must miss this, but I will see you are informed of what has happened."

The other Elders stared at Arlong before they questioned Treyal. "Elder Treyal, who is this one who refuses to show respect to his Elders?" one said.

Treyal looked at the female angel shark. "This is Arlong, Elder Golda," he said.

Golda studied Arlong long and hard. "So he bears the name of the clan's ancient chieftain, but he shows no respect to his clan elders," she said.

"I'm no member of this clan of yours," Arlong growled, eyes narrowing.

"What?!" another elder, a kitefin shark, exclaimed. "He's an outsider?!"

"Elder Treyal, you best explain yourself for this disgrace," snapped another elder, a sharpnose sevengill shark.

Treyal looked at his fellow elders. "Please understand," he said. "When we found him, he was not only alone but very ill."

Golda and the other elders frowned at this as they stared at Arlong more. "Not doubt abandoned by his clan," said another elder, a blue shark.

"I'm not from any stupid clan!" Arlong snapped, his voice drawing the attention of the gathered clan members.

"How dare you speak to us like that," the blue shark elder said. "You should be taken outside and taught a lesson in respect and manners."

Drusk moved between Arlong and the gathered elders. "Please forgive him," he pleaded. "Arlong come from an island different from ours, and their ways are far different."

"How different?" Golda asked, her eyes narrowing.

"My shark brother says different species of merfolk and Fishmen share the island and are ruled by a king."

"A king?" this startled another elder, a brown shy shark, before he looked at his fellow elders. "My brothers and sister, we should discuss this more. It seems there is much that we do not know."

Treyal nodded. "Yes, but we shall save it for another time. Young Bruton and his brethren have finally joined us, and they have much to tell."

Golda and her fellow elders looked at each other before nodding in agreement. Treyal looked at Drusk and Arlong. "You two are free to leave the gathering."

Drusk bowed his head. "Thank you, Elder Treyal. Come brother," he said.

Arlong looked at Treyal and the other elders before he gave a slight head bow. He was following Drusk when Bruton and his companions entered, and they had just started past each other when the tropical sawtooth stopped. His attention was on Arlong.

"You have the same scent as our chieftain!" he exclaimed.

"Bruton, he looks like him too," said a fivegill sawtooth.

"Hell, if he doesn't, but his color is wrong, and our chieftain was a lot younger!" a short nose sawtooth added.

"Bruton, what is this commotion?!" Golda demanded as she, Treyal, and the other elders approached. "Where is Elder Chöro?"

Bruton looked at her. "Elder Chöro is no longer with us—"

"Chöro is dead?!" Golda said.

"No, he has a new duty appointed to him by our new chieftain," Bruton said.

"New chieftain? We have no new chieftain!" the blue shark said. "What madness is this?"

"We do have a new chieftain!" Bruton snapped, standing tall and proud. "We have fought alongside him. He is the greatest since the days of Arlong the Black but fiercer and more potent."

"I do not believe you," Golda said. "If what you say is true, then where is he? Why is he not here?"

"Our chieftain promised to join us when the time is right," snapped the shortnose sawtooth.

"Lies! They are lying," snorted the sharpnose.

"We're not lying!" the other tropical sawtooth said. "If our chieftain were here, you would see his strength and the power of the Guardian Sharks!"

Treyal looked at Bruton and his companions. "The Guardian Sharks? You have seen the legendary guardians?"

"We have," Bruton said. "Our chieftain commands them, and they destroy the Dark Guardians."

"The Dark Guardians are no more?" Golda said.

Arlong had been listening and was damn confused as hell. What were these newcomers talking about, and who was this chieftain supposed to be? A younger version of him? "Who and what are you talking about?" he said. "You refer to another who looks like me but mentioned no name."

Bruton looked at him. "He is called Riptide, son of Nami and brother to his sister, Destiny, and brother, Long."

"Nami?! You said Nami?!" Arlong said, eyes suddenly wide.

"Yes," Bruton said. "Our chieftain is a hybrid with a human mother."

Arlong's world spun as voices became distorted. Nami, children who were hybrids, his cartographer—Nami had children! Not any children, but his! His heirs! His legacy! Nami bore him offspring—and denied him his rights as their father!

"Brother, are you well?" Drusk asked. "You're looking pale."

Arlong's vision became blurry, and the last thing he heard was "BROTHER!"

~~.~~.~~

Arlong had no idea what time it was when he awoke, but he found himself back in the room that he had been given since the day he was—rescued. Yes, that was the best way to put it, in his opinion.

"Brother, you're awake."

Arlong shifted his attention to the doorway where Drusk stood, looking so relieved to see him awake. "How long was I…. ?"

"Two days," Drusk said. "Elder Treyal was very concerned."

"He shouldn't be," Arlong muttered. "Drusk, that one from earlier, the one that said that name of the new chief—who was he?"

"Bruton," Drusk said. "Yes, the elders still question him, though I don't think he is lying. Bruton is young but strong and loyal to the clan as hell. What is there to know of him?"

"I want to speak with him," Arlong said. "I need to know more about—my children."

Drusk looked at him in surprise. "Children?! Are you saying—"

"Yes, they're my children," Arlong felt so tired suddenly. "Whenever that bunch of old fools are done, bring this Bruton to me."

Drusk frowned, not used to Arlong's attitude, but gave a quiet nod. He didn't hold anything against Arlong, and the lemon shark understood that Arlong was an outsider, so what he knew was far different for the recovering saw shark. Drusk did hope that Arlong would slowly accept life within the clan.

"Is there anything else I can get you, brother?" he asked.

"No."

Drusk nodded before he left Arlong to his thoughts. The former captain of the Arlong Pirates rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling of his cabin as his thoughts swirled like a tornado. He thought of the offspring his navigator had given him. She had kept the knowledge of being pregnant from him! What bothered him was the fact that she did. Why didn't she tell him? He would have protected her and their baby. What reason did she have for keeping this from him? Did she plan to raise their child at the time to seek and take him out? If that had been her plan, where would she have hidden, let alone raised a child without him knowing?

That didn't happen because Straw Hat dared to challenge him. Arlong sat quickly, too quickly, and felt a wave of nausea hit. He groaned, fighting the urge to vomit. His thoughts were on the rubber boy. He had beaten him and taken Nami away, which meant that humans had raised his offspring! Realizing that fact had upset Arlong more than anything. His children, though hybrids, would have no pride in being part of the mighty Fishman race. He had to find, save, and teach them what they should honestly know! That they were masters over all of the human race! As for Nami—well, he and her would have a nice little chat, but he wouldn't kill her. No, he never would, even though she had tried countless times to kill him. She gave him children, so he saw no reason to make her his mate.

~~.~~.~~

"BROGGY! DORRY!"

The remaining Saw Pirates members had gathered up on deck at the booming voice. Nami stood, eyes wide as memories came flooding back of meeting Broggy and Dorry, being trapped by Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek, then fighting the agents of the Baroque Works. Her hands rested on her stomach as she remembered being bitten by the Kestia and the Five-Day disease. The forgotten fear filled her as she learned later on that she had been pregnant, and she looked at her sons. Her children would have died with her if it hadn't been for Chopper and Dr. Kureha.

"Broggy, Dorry—those names sound familiar," Riptide said. "Where have I heard those names?"

Riptide wasn't the only one trying to remember. Long was also struggling to remember where he had heard those names.

"Gababababababa! Gegyagyagyagyag!"

Long was so wide-eyed at the imitations his Uncle Usopp did of the giants, Broggy and Dorry. "Laugh like that?" he said.

"Yep, and one day, I'm going to Elbaf," Usopp said with a grin.

"Uncle Usopp told us about them," Long said. "He even imitated their laugh."

"You're right," Riptide said. "But whoever that is—they don't sound friendly."

"How can ye tell, Capn?" Blade asked.

"Call it a feeling," Riptide said. "We need to find a safe place to anchor."

Nami looked at her oldest. "A safe place? There is no place here! Everything here wants to eat you! This place is full of monsters!"

"And Destiny and the others are here," Riptide argued.

'As well as the Black Hunter Pirates," Tarlong said, eyes narrowing. "They have to be somewhere close."

"I'm sure Arch can guide us once she's fed," Riptide said, glancing at Long.

The cook sighed. "I'll go prepare something," he said. "She best not be a picky eater."

We have Sofu to help you," Riptide said, following his brother.

"We might as well get some food ourselves and discuss what we should do next," Marcus said.

The others nodded in silent agreement and headed for the kitchen. All but two followed. Tarlong placed an arm across Garth's chest as he waited. The mute Swordblade stared at his older sibling.

"Come on," Tarl said.

"Tarl, what are you planning?" Garth signed.

"We're going to do a little scouting," Tarl said as he headed for Garth's quarters.

"You won't tell anyone that we're doing this?!" Garth wasn't happy.

"Little brother, we've been bounty hunting for how many years?" Tarl said, handing Garth his waterproof ammo bag. "All we're going to do is see if we can find the Black Hat's camp, then return to the ship. Trust me."

Garth knew he would regret this later as he followed his brother.

~~.~~.~~

The two dinosaurs were staying close together, both watchful after hearing the roar of the beast that had been rampaging their home for some time.

The first one had a small head with a beaked mouth atop a long neck. For a bipedal beast with a heavy, deep body, it stood over 16 ft tall with a length of 35 ft and weighed nearly 7 tons with 9ft long arms and legs that ended in 4 toes that had short, curved claws. The creature's most unique feature was the three gigantic claws on its front limbs, which were 4 feet long. It paused to sniff the air as it blinked and gave a worried chirp before it felt the gentle headbutt on its ankle.

Its companion was 7 feet long, weighed almost 900 pounds, and stood 5 feet. It looked comical with a giant, armored shell with squat legs; the front feet had five clawed toes, while its rear feet were more hoof-like, with a short snout and powerful jaws since it had no teeth in the front of its mouth but in the back of the jaws were teeth meant for grinding and a head with helmet-like armor and a neck. The short tail had rings of bony armor but lacked a club or spike at the end. Though it could not defend itself, it relied on its companion for protection if needed.

The first beast raised her head just as the breeze shifted direction. She sniffed and blinked at the scent that was faint but familiar. She gave a throaty rumble as her companion caught the smell as well. They became excited as they caught the scent of very familiar tobacco smoke. Both gave cries of joy as they headed toward the smell.

~~.~~.~~

"You know this is a stupid idea!" Garth signed as he paused in front of his brother. "Stupid."

"Garth, give it a rest," Tarl said as he paused momentarily to look around. "Damn place would have to look the same no matter where I look."

Garth gave a mental groan of frustration. They were lost!

~~.~~.~~

"THEY'VE WHAT?!" Marcus yelled.

"Dey be gone, Marcus," Blade said. "Yer boys must've left da ship."

Riptide was shocked that his uncles would have done something that foolish. His grandfather was furious as he paced, ranting over the stupidity of his sons.

"What the hell are they thinking?!" he ranted. "Wait until I get my hands on those two. I'll give them a lesson they'll never forget."

"It was probably Tarl's idea," Chizzara sighed. "That big lug sometimes acts without thinking."

"I don't give a damn whose idea it was!" Marcus said. "They left, never telling anyone, and now we have them to worry about!"

"I'm sure they meant well, Sofu," Long said.

"We'll see how well those two will be after my boot meets their damn asses!"

"Ye need ta calm yerself," Blade said.

"Calm?!" Marcus said. "How can you suggest that? Those two might have just screwed this whole thing up! Just reckless can those two be?!"

Chizzara rubbed her arm. "Garth never, but that big lug of mine—very reckless. He acts before he thinks."

Marcus groaned in frustration. "Why me…?"

"So, do you want to handle this now, captain?" Grinder said as he looked at Riptide.

"I—honestly don't know," Riptide admitted. "We hardly know anything about these other pirates, their strengths, weaknesses, or how dangerous they are. We can only assume that their captain is perhaps dead."

"I bet a over a million Beri that he is," Marcus said. "Draco is no weakling, far from it."

"A pain da ass he be dat at times," Blade said with a nod.

"More for Longtooth he was," Marcus said.

"Can we please remain focused," Nami said.

"Sorry," both Marcus and Blade muttered.

Riptide was thinking about what to do, but his thoughts were on Skie. Was she okay? They had a bitter exchange of words, words that hurt deeply. They hurt each other, and now he feared for her safety more than anything. "Sofu," he said. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Depends on what you're asking," Marcus said.

"You said you knew this, Gunner and Izzy."

"I did. Why are you asking?"

"Why would Skie not tell me about them?" Riptide said, looking at his grandfather. "Why would she keep them a secret?"

"Ye be askin' da wrong person," Blade said. "Ah be da one who can tell ye wat ye need ta know."

"Do we have time for this?!" Nami snapped.

"Nami, if the boy needs to know something, then it's fair for him to ask," Jimbei said.

"Another time he should," Nami said. "We should be focusing on a rescue plan, or has he forgotten about his sister?!"

"I can oversee that," Grinder said. "If you're fine with that, captain?"

Riptide nodded as he now stared at the table.

Marcus got up as Grinder indicated for the others to go. "I'll leave this to you," he told Blade.

Blade nodded as Marcus closed the door behind him. "Where would ye like me ta start?" he asked Riptide.

"I don't know—" Riptide was struggling, trying to figure out where the old shipwright should start.

"Perhaps it be better if Ah start on da day dat Gunner rescued Skie," Blade said.

"Rescued?" Riptide looked at him.

"Wat Ah am 'bout ta tell ye—it won't be easy ta hear, but dis be wat Gunner told me," Blade said. "Gunner be returnin' 'ome after getting' medicine fer Izzy. She had been ill and weren't doin' gud. Ah be sayin' he be headin' 'ome when dis poor little dirty, dressed in rags little Fishgirl run into 'im. Gunner be worried bout 'er when 'er parents showed up, and dey was upset."

"Upset? Why?"

"Dis not be easy fer ye ta 'ear, and it be harder fer me ta say it," Blade said, looking troubled. "Skie's parents—dey weren't lovin' ones, and dey treated 'er like she a slave."

"What?! How could they do that to their daughter?!"

"Ah don't know, but let me continue."

"Sorry."

Blade nodded. "Gunner be shocked as dey beat 'er in front of 'im yellin' at 'er. Dat poor girl begged dem nut ta hit 'er, dat be she be gud, dat she was hungry and be wantin somethin' ta eat."

Riptide was struggling with the rage he felt. Skie had been beaten and starved by those who were supposed to love her and protect her, but she wasn't! His fists itched, for he wanted to hurt them!

"Gunner, he saw dis, and dat everyone else around dem be ignorin' the whole ding," Blade continued. "He couldn't stand dere and watched dis anymore. He attacked dem two, grabbed Skie, and ran back 'ome wit 'er. Longtooth and Ah, we gut told dat Gunner had taken Skie, but dey referred ta 'im as a shark."

"He's not?" Riptide said.

"He be no saw shark but a sawfish," Blade said. "It be weird ta see 'im, and nut be thinkin' dat. We went ta the clothin' shop that Gunner and Izzy owned and ran. When Ah saw Skie and heard wat Gunner said, dere be no way dat Ah would take 'er away from a place dat she be safer at."

"What did Longtooth think?" Riptide asked.

"He didn't say nothin'," Blade said. "Ah dink it was because Gunner be lookin ta hurt 'im if he tried ta take Skie."

"So Gunner and Izzy became her new parents," Riptide said.

"Dey did," Blade said. "Izzy said Skie had nightmares fer da next few months."

"Nightmares?"

"Ah 'ave no idea wat 'er birth parents did ta 'er, but Skie, she suffered some' awful. Ah still can see da bruises, whip marks dat had been don ta 'er."

"Blade, we need to hurry," Riptide said as he rose quickly. "I need to get Skie away before any more harm is done to her!"

"Capn', wat if-?"

"If those bastards harm her in any way, I'll kill every last one of them," Riptide growled.

Blade knew his captain meant it.

~~At the camp of Black Hunter Pirates~~

"You fucking bastards leave her alone!" Longtooth snarled as he struggled to break the chains that held him bound to the tree.

Mbenga glared at him before returning to Skie, whom he threw into a cramped cage. Skie was very close to having a mental breakdown, one that Longtooth feared would permanently break her. He, like Blade, knew of the abuse Skie had suffered at the hands of her birth parents, and watching this was driving him mad. His captain would never forgive him or this if Skie were mentally scarred for life. The old mako struggled, trying to break free.

"Behave!"

Longtooth was clobbered by Mbenga, his head smacking the tree. He spat blood as he glared at the goliath tigerfish, who snarled back at him. "Fucking brave motherfucker, aren't you?" he said. "As long as you have someone tied up, you aren't afraid of attacking them."

Mbenga snarled. "I fear nothing!"

"Well, you better learn to fear someone because he'll kill you without hesitation," Longtooth said.

"Your so-called captain? Arlong's first-born son? Am I supposed to fear him?" Mbenga said. "Why should I fear the offspring of a weakling?"

"Like you were told before, those foolish enough to think that died," Longtooth said before he spat a gob of blood in the face of the other Fishman.

Mbenga snarled as he beat Longtooth mercilessly.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE, YOU FUCKING COWARD!"

Mbenga paused to glare at Trapper. "You have a dying wish, fool?"

The young orca snarled. "I won't be the one dying, asshole!"

Without warning, Trapper was free and tackled the bigger Fishman. Mbenga was surprised as Willy's son delivered a fury of punches to his face and body before he caught both of Trapper's fists.

"Who do you fucking think you are?!" Mbenga roared as he delivered a vicious kick to Trapper's stomach. "I'm above weaklings such as you! There is no one stronger or superior to me!"

"I wouldn't hold my breath or put a bet on that," Trapper wheezed. "There are pirates out there that would own your fucking ass."

Mbenga was seeing red as he trembled with fury. "Like who?! Who would be able to beat me?!"

Then, an arrow struck the dirt near Mbenga's left foot, and the Fishman growled as he shifted his attention to the direction the arrow came from. Sitting on a massive rock was an older man wearing tan pants with a matching long-sleeve shirt under a dark green vest. He had shoulder-length grey hair, a green cap, a green neckerchief, and a snake-skinned belt. He had an arrow quiver strapped on his back, and sheathed around his outer thighs were two repeating crossbows known as the Chu Ko Nu. The tan bracelets he wore held extra bolts for the crossbows. His bow rested across his lap.

"Now, now. Let's all settle down before things get messy," an older man said as he held up an arrow.

"Stay out of this, Pockle!" Mbenga snarled.

"That I cannot do," Pockle said. "That temper of yours is getting out of control." He notched the arrow, aiming and firing it where it landed among Longtooth and his companions. "Now, you lot, take a nice nap."

The carefully designed arrowhead released the sleeping gas, and it didn't take long before they were rendered helpless. Mbenga snarled as he faced Pockle, who had another arrow notched, ready, and aimed directly at him.

"You know I will not miss," Pockle said. "Now, take that poor female out of that cage before I have to deal with the mess again."

"If I don't want to do it?"

"Mbenga, don't be a stupid fish because you know very well what I will do, and I won't bat an eye to your death," Pockle said. "Now do as I said."

Mbenga growled as he opened Skie's cage, reached in, and dragged her out by her red hair before he tossed her aside as if she were nothing.

"That was rude and unnecessary," Pockle said.

Mbenga gave him the finger, and the archer was more than tempted to put an arrow between his eyes. Perhaps he would have if not for the arrival of Ankilar.

Ankilar stood 72" feet tall; unlike the other giants of Elbaf, he wasn't muscular but had a lean, wiry build with fiery hair that was long and wild looking and his pointy beard reached to his knees, unkept and filthy, with arms that were a little longer than his body. The helmet he wore was the skull of a triceratops, and he wore ragged dark blue pants with a belt made from an anchor and chain and was barefoot. He had once been part of the Giant Warrior Pirates until he killed a fellow giant for no reason. His captains of that time, Boggy and Dorry, questioned him if there had been a dispute or argument between him and the giant he had slain. According to the beliefs of the giants of Elbaf, if there was anything between any giants, they were to battle to the death with the belief that the gods of Elbaf would determine the victor. Sadly, there was nothing that prompted Ankilar to slay his comrade. He killed because he wanted to kill and thus was banished from the pirate crew.

"What's going on here?" he rumbled with a deep, grating voice that boomed even at average.

"Nothing you need to worry about," Pockle said, remaining calm before the dangerous giant.

Ankilar shifted his gaze to the unconscious Saw pirates before he reached down, picking up Skie. He twisted her about in his hand, studying her, then narrowed his dark, piercing eyes to Mbenga, Pockle, and Peele. "Her, I like," he said. "I will keep this one as my pet."

Mbenga cursed mentally. Damn fucking bastard! He wanted to torture that one more.

"Just to let you know," Peele said, pointing at the Fishman. "Mbenga was torturing her earlier!"

Mbenga glared at her before he was assaulted by hot breath that was so foul that it made him gag. He glanced over to find Ankilar had shifted to his ancient zoan form: a stegosaurus. The giant had eaten the Ryu Ryu no Mi, model: Stegosaurus. His appearance was alarming because the triceratops' skull fitted strangely well to his head. Skie lay near him as Ankilar growled dangerously, his spiked tail swishing back and forth.

"Touch her again—" the zoan user said before he lifted his right foreleg and stomped the earth. "I will crush you!"

Mbenga said nothing but dared to glare back at the zoan user. Pockle and Peele knew he was making a foolish challenge that would get him killed. Ankilar's eyes narrowed as a deep throaty growl rumbled. The zoan user and Fishman stared one another down until Mbenga turned away and stormed off. Ankilar smirked as he watched him go.

~~.~~.~~

The two dinosaurs had picked up their pace, nostrils flaring. They were close! The pair paused near an opening that led to a stream, both hearing the cursing. Hearing the voice, they charged out!

~~.~~.~~

"We are—definitely lost!"

"What was your first clue?!" Garth signed as he rested against a fallen tree.

"Shut the fuck up!" Tarlong snapped. "Everything would have to look the fu—"

Tarlong never finished as he was knocked off his feet, and his vision was blurred among excitable grunts and snorts as he felt an immense weight on his body as his face was licked with sloppy kisses.

"GARTH! HELP ME!"

Garth would have laughed if he wasn't mute, but he did find the sight comical. After a few moments, he dug into his bag, pulled out a homemade whistle, and blew it. The dinosaur pair heard and were off Tarl, drenched in dino slobber. The Fishman sat up, disgusted as hell, before he looked, stunned at the sight before him.

"Dozer…? Slash….?" Tarl said, unsure if he was dreaming.

He looked at Garth, who nodded as he walked up and knelt to scratch Dozer under his chin. Slash leaned forward to nuzzle Tarl, making throaty sounds, purrs, and even chirps. Tarl still thought he was dreaming until that moment, and then he hugged Slash, silent tears running down his face. Even Garth was crying and had removed his glasses, which was a good idea as Dozer raised his head, licking his face. Slasher and Dozer were unique to the brothers, for these two had been their pets when they were young before the dinosaur pair were sent away by their human parents.

~~.~~.~~

Wavecutter dropped her anchors at the mouth of the river that Arch was circling. The Archeopteryx circled back to the warship, landing on the railing close to Riptide, who stroked her feathered head.

"I know this place is dangerous, and I have no idea what we face," Riptide said, looking at his nakama, mother, and uncle. "Before, I would pick those going with me, but this time—"

"Capn, ye know dat ye will go wit ye," Blade said. "Dere be no need ta ask."

"This ship needs a small skeleton crew to stay and have the ship ready to sail immediately," Jimbei said. "I will remain as part of the crew."

"Den ah will stay 'ere as well," Blade said.

"We will remain as well," Leilani said, resting a hand on Itachi.

"I can't stay here!" Itachi said. "Our children—"

"We will get them," Rumbled Butch. "I have to save my brother and make that woman pay for turning me against my family."

"What of Poseidon?" Grinder said. "He should go."

"He's not doing well," Leilani said. "This gas they used has made him very sick."

Riptide was alarmed by the news. "How bad is he?" he said.

"Bad enough," Leilani said. "I fear it affected him more due to his age."

"I don't know how old he is," Gaff said, looking troubled. "Will—he won't die, will he?"

"Don't ye be dinkin' dat," Blade said. "Ye need ta remain focused on savin da others."

Gaff nodded as he swallowed. Blade spoke the truth, and his beloved Destiny needed him.

"I'm going with you as well," Ryder said. "My son is a prisoner, and I refuse to abandon him no matter how he feels towards me."

"So am I," Marcus said. "I have two damn stubborn sons who need their damn asses kicked."

"Grinder, you're in charge," Riptide said.

Grinder nodded.

"Mother, I take you. Are you coming with us?" Riptide asked, looking at Nami.

"You know she is," Long said, joining his brother. "Mother is no coward; she knows this place and the giants who live here."

"We don't know if they're here," Nami said. "And we don't know who that was yelling for them."

"Mother—you're not afraid of going with us, are you?" Long said, looking at her.

Riptide even wondered if their mother was. She seemed hesitant in going along. "Mother….?"

"No."

"What?!" Riptide and Long said. "How can you say that?!"

"I don't want to go in that hell again," Nami said. "I will not go!"

Riptide closed his eyes, sighing." "Fine," he said, turning to go. "Van, join us. I need a tracker."

Long held back as his brother and their group disembarked. "I can't believe you won't come, especially knowing Des is out there," he said before turning to go. "Uncle Luffy wouldn't have said no and would have been the first one off the ship."

Nami looked away as Long disembarked before she hurried off to her cabin.

Nami refusing to go and help? That is not good. Has her bad memories of Little Garden affected her? Remember to Read and Review.