Chapter 17: Calling Forth the Dragon, Part 1

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

Riptide had fallen behind the others, knowing that Long was slow in coming, and he knew why. Soon, his brother came looking upset, and Riptide looked at him.

"She refuses to come and help!" Long growled. "How can she turn her back on Destiny?! If Uncle Luffy was here-"

"And he's not," Riptide said. "Long, Mother must have her reasons."

"Reasons?! What would those be?!" the copper hybrid said. "We're going to save our sister and our loved ones while she rather remain behind where it's safe!"

Riptide sighed. He couldn't argue with his brother, and it was upsetting that their mother refused to come. How could she do this when her only daughter was in danger?

"Come, we need to quicken our pace to catch up with Sofu and the others," he said.

~~.~~.~~

Nami was sitting on the bed, hating herself. Her children needed her, but she couldn't return to that island after everything she had gone through there. The fight with the Baroque Works, then getting bitten by that damn bug which nearly killed her! It was just too much to relive!

"Ye goin' ta hid while yer sons, Marcus, and dey others risk dere 'ives to save da others?"

Nami glanced over her shoulder as Blade stood in the open doorway. "You didn't knock or ask for permission to enter."

"Maybe ah should 'ave," Blade said before his eyes narrowed some. "But right now ah don't be given a damn. We all be knowin' dat ye were 'ere before wit ye crewmates, and dat dings happen 'ere. How would yer captain feel if he be knowin' dat ye refused ta 'elp yer sons? Ah be thinkin' dat he be disappointed and shamed by yer actions."

"Don't you dare bring Luffy into this!" Nami yelled, standing up and turning to face the metal nose shipwright. "Who do you think you are sticking your nose into personal affairs?!"

"Ah be da one who be given a damn nut only fer da captain, but fer da life of me best friend," Blade said. "Ah know Longtooth will risk 'is life ta protect da others, and ah be afraid dat it may be 'is last. Ah don't be wantin' fer dat ta happen nut after everythin' we had gone through."

"What does that mean?" Nami said.

Blade looked at her before he turned to go. "It be meanin' no matter wat we faced even wit da odds against us, we always faced dose dangers together, neva alone."

Nami was left to ponder the old saw shark's words.

~~The Black Hat Pirates' camp~~

"How is she?" Trapper said as Destiny checked over Skie.

"Not good," Destiny said, resting a hand on Skie's forehead. "I fear she has a fever, but I see no signs of a bug bite."

"She was always sick ever since she was little," Longtooth said. "I remember Masta almost being at the shop nearly every day when it came to her. That poor girl suffered hell before Gunner and Izzy took her in."

"You know something, don't you?" Trapper said.

Longtooth sighed, eyes closed. "Yes—"

"What is it?" Kaiuleale said.

"Skie suffered abuse at the hands of her birth parents."

"What?!" Destiny said. "Her birth parents abused her?!"

"Yes," the old mako said. "Skie's birth parents starved and beat her. They didn't even name her; Gunner and Izzy did that."

"How the hell could they do that?" Trapper said. "I know my pop hated humans but man, he got pissed if someone even laid a hand on me, and he didn't care if it was his crew that did it."

Kaiuleale was silent. He barely remembered his mother, and she had not spoken about his father once. He always believed his father had abandoned them, but now he wasn't sure. Every time Ryder tried to talk to him, he refused to listen. The young tiger shark looked around, suddenly afraid.

"I want my dad," he whispered.

~~.~~.~~

Neeta and Jason were on the move, Razorwing flying above, their eyes in the sky. The Phoenix hawk's eyes were as sharp as a dragon's, and as he drew closer to the stream, spotting movement. He hovered, taking in the scene before him, before heading back to Jason.

"Jason!" Razorwing said, hovering a few feet above Jason and Neeta. "There's a stream not far ahead, and I believe there might be trouble."

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?" Jason said.

"There's two more of those fish folk, and they appear to be being attacked," Razorwing said.

"Two more…?" Neeta looked at the Phoenix hawk. "What did they look like?"

Razorwing described the two he saw.

"That's Garth and Tarlong!" Neeta said. "That means Riptide and the others are here! Those jerks are in serious trouble now."

"How?" Jason asked.

"Riptide is not the one to mess with or seriously piss off," Neeta said. "I've seen what he can do when he gets furious."

"Then we should go and join them," Jason suggested. "Razor, show me where you saw those other two."

"What about the two dinos I saw attacking them?" the Phoenix hawk said.

"Are you sure that those dinos were attacking?" Neeta said. "Did you see them attacking Tarlong and Garth?"

"Well, not really," Razorwing said.

"Either way, we should hurry," Jason said.

~~.~~.~~

"I can't believe we would find you guys here," Tarl said, still stunned.

Garth nodded as he stroked Slash's head before he noticed her eyes. "Tarl, Slash's eyes –she's blind!"

"What?!" Tarl said, getting to his feet and coming over to his brother. "Easy, girl. Let me have a look at you. Sonofabitch, she is blind! Who's the bastard that did this to her?!"

"Like they could tell us," Garth signed. "Slash is lucky that Dozer is with her. He's probably been her eyes going by how close he is staying to her."

Tarl looked at Dozer, who was watching them, before he sighed. "Pity he can't tell us who did this."

~~.~~.~~

'Wait until I get my hands on those two," Marcus said. "I'll give them a lesson they won't forget."

"I'm sure they had a good reason to do what they did," Gaff said.

"I don't care," Marcus said. "What they did was reckless and stupid!"

Van was not far ahead when he paused, kneeling, fingers lightly brushing the ground. He raised his head, eyes closed, nostrils flaring as he inhaled the scents.

Riptide and Long hurried up to him. "Van, what is it?" Riptide said.

"I got Tarl and Garth's scents," the Lycan said. "They're not far head, but they're also not alone,"

"They're in trouble?" Marcus said as he quickened his steps.

"I'm not sure, but I know I heard Tarl cursing," Van said.

"They could be in trouble," Chizz said. "Tarl only curses if there's trouble or, well, when is he never in trouble?"

Marcus glanced at his daughter-in-law. "I take that you're are very familiar with that?"

Chizzara rolled her eyes, "Don't get me started."

"Either way, we need to hurry," Riptide said. "Van, lead the way."

~~.~~.~~

"I still can't believe that they ended here," Tarl said as he shook his head. "And that they remembered us."

"Probably remembered the smell of your cigars," Garth pointed out.

Before Tarl could respond, he heard someone shouting, and he turned as Chizz was running towards only to skid to a halt as Slash got between Tarl and Chizz, claws raised as she gave a threatening sound.

"Slash, down girl!" Tarl said, getting between Slash and Chizz. "Down girl. Chizz is not a threat."

"Oh, my word! That's a Therizinosaurus!"

Tarl swallowed nervously as Marcus stepped out, followed by Riptide and the others. "Hey, Dad," he said nervously.

Marcus, for the moment, had forgotten about being angry with his two sons as he approached Slash, slowly holding out his hand. "It's okay," he said gently. "No one is going to hurt you, you beautiful creature."

Slash blinked as Marcus' hand brushed her beak, staying still as she allowed the Fishman to stroke her neck. Marcus soon saw Dozer, who had moved closer.

"A Glyptodon," Marcus knelt in front of Dozer. "I shouldn't be surprised that they should be here."

"Dad, you know what Slash and Dozer are?" Tarl said.

"Of course I do," Marcus said. "Did you think I was wasting my life when I was traveling? I was looking at the history of our people, but it doesn't mean I wasn't learning other things. Hold on, they have names?" Marcus looked at his sons. "How do they have names already?"

They were our pets when we were young," Garth signed.

"Pets? Are you telling me you, two, had these two as your pets?!" Marcus stood looking stunned.

"Well, yeah," Tarl said. "They were babies when we got them. They grew, but dad—" Tarl stopped. "-our human father sent them away after Dozer got into the flower garden."

Marcus sighed, looking away. "I don't expect you two to forget your human parents; they raised you as their sons."

Tarl and Garth looked uncomfortable, but it wasn't Marcus' fault. He didn't know that their mother had given birth to triplets, and when it came to Arlong, Marcus thought he was giving their troublesome brother a better life by doing what he did. Slash and Dozer, having grown up around the brothers, sensed the uneasiness and sadness between them and Marcus. Slash nuzzled Marcus, chirping as Dozer headbutted Tarl and Garth.

Riptide was silent as he and the others watched, lost in his thoughts. Deep down, he knew that Arlong was alive but also that something was wrong. He somehow knew that his father was sick and no doubt needed medical help. He started to wonder if he should help Arlong if they should cross paths with him.

"Rip?"

He blinked as he found Long staring at him. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"You had that look," Long said. "The one you always have when you're thinking about something."

"I was -," Riptide said. "Long, he is alive but also very sick."

Long looked at him, eyes wide. "He's sick! How do you know that Father is sick?!"

"Long, Riptide, is something wrong?"

Riptide looked up as Marcus approached them, concern clearly in his orange-colored eyes. "I don't know how to explain this, Sofu, but I know that our father is not only alive, but he's very sick."

"Arlong is sick?" Marcus said. "How do you know?"

"I can't explain it, but I know he is," Riptide said. "I only know that he's very ill and no doubt will need medical attention."

"Uncle Chopper can help him," Long said. "He'll make Father better."

"First, we have to find him, and we don't know where he could be," Marcus said.

"And right now, we must rescue Destiny and the others."

"LONG!"

Long had barely looked toward the yell when tackled to the ground; his eyes widened when he saw— "NEETA!" He was hugging and kissing her, tears starting to flow. "Neeta, my sweet Neeta."

Riptide looked as Jason approached, Razorwing following. "Who are you?"

"I'm a friend, and I can help you get your friends back," Jason said.

"You know where the Black Hunter Pirates are?" Tarl said.

"We will, with Razorwing being our eyes," Jason said.

"What are we waiting for?" Riptide said. "Let's go."

~~On the Wavecutter~~

Nami paced her mind in turmoil. Blade's words had been eating away at her conscience, as had Long's and the memories of what had happened here. Finally, she could no longer stand it as she snatched up her Sorcery Clima-tact and hurried onto the deck.

"Nami, is something wrong?" Jimbei said, seeing her.

"I'm going after them!" Nami said.

"Ye dink ye goin' ta be able ta find dem?"

Nami looked at the shipwright as he approached her. "You think I won't?!" Her eyes were full of anger, and they were challenged as well.

"Ah nut be sayin' dat," Blade said. "Ye shouldn't be goin alone."

"She won't be," Butch said as he stepped forward. "I'm going with her."

"Dat be wise?" Blade said. "Ye mind gut controlled da last time."

Butch growled, "I'm not letting that witch get me again."

Nami smiled gratefully at the Spinosaurus as Itachi joined them, followed by Zanfar. "We're goin as well," Itachi said.

"Ye have no reason ta—" Blade said.

"Reason?!" Itachi snarled. "Those bastards stole my children! I have more reasons to go than stay here, going mad!"

"Your wounds are still healing," Nami pointed out. "And what about Leilani?"

"She will forgive me," Itachi said. "Especially when I return with our children."

"And wat are ye goin fer?" Blade said, looking at Zanfar.

Zanfar snorted. "I have a score to settle with a few of those pirates when they did that sneak attack." He shifted to his complete zoan form, his demon horse form looking more fiery than ever before. "Besides, I know that Nami might need my speed if it comes to that."

Blade didn't like the idea.

"Let them go."

Blade looked over as Grinder stepped out from below decks. The Helicoprion Fishman looked at Blade. "Trust me on this," the ancient saw shark said."

Blade heaved a sigh. "Fine. Ye, four be careful and don't be doin' any ding crazy."

Nami gave Blade a smile that rattled him as Butch crouched down. "Of course."

Blade and Grinder watched as Butch, with Nami, Itachi, and Zanfar nestled on his neck, leaped from the ancient warship, hitting the ground running.

"Ah nut be likin dis," Blade said.

"You might not, but I know those four going is the best choice," Grinder said. "Now come, we must ensure the ship is ready to sail."

The two Saw Pirates had barely turned when a nearby volcano started rumbling, growing louder and louder before erupting forth fire. The remaining Saws who had stayed behind were rushing onto the deck, eyes glued to the volcano continued to belch forth flame but no lava. Soon, a great roar echoed, and a dragon that was 58 feet tall rose.

"Draco?!" Blade said before he rubbed his eyes. "No, dat nut be Draco!"

The dragon was a ten-horned, golden humanoid dragon. The prominent horns on the head were longer, more decorative, and curved, with the left horn chipped; the dragon's face was a rectangular facial structure with crocodilian-looking jaws and flaring nostrils. His eyes were slightly further apart, and his brows had a furrowed appearance, giving him an evil look. The dragon was dressed like a samurai warrior carrying a dragon-sized Naginata.

Wavecutter was rolling back and forth despite being anchored, and the ship's rolling drew the attention of the dragon, who turned and leaped from the mouth of the volcano to the shore as if it were nothing. Placing the Naginata on the ground, the dragon warrior easily got a hold of Wavecutter, steadying the ship.

"Sorry," the beast said the moment the ship was safe. "I hope I didn't scare or hurt anyone."

Blade was about as floored as anyone could be. "We be 'fine," he said, surprised he managed to find his voice.

For a dragon who looked evil, his manners were the opposite. "Thank goodness," he said before his head went up, and he looked towards the inner dwellings of Little Garden. "Jason—" he looked suddenly concerned. "Sorry, I must go. My friend needs me."

Snatching up his weapon, the dragon moved with speed equal to a cheetah. Blade blinked, resting against his chest, his heart still pounding as Grinder looked rattled more than him. Leilani was still staring in the direction the dragon had gone, wondering where Itachi had gone.

"Have you seen Itachi?" she asked, looking at Blade and Grinder.

"About dat."

~~The Black Hunter's Camp~~

Destiny looked up as Ankilar reached for Skie. "Don't you touch her!" she shouted, pulling the female sawtooth closer.

"Who will tell me what to do?" the giant said. "I can easily squash you."

Destiny refused to show any fear as she glared at Ankilar. "You're a bully," she said. "A bully who leads a bunch of cowardly bullies."

Ankilar looked more amused than insulted as he chuckled. "You're a fierce-spirited little Fishwoman, aren't you?"

"And you're a stupid fool!" Destiny snapped.

"What did you just say?!" Ankilar thundered.

"You heard me unless that skull makes it impossible for you to hear right!"

Ankilar growled. He wasn't finding this one very amusing anymore. He raised his arm—only to get hit by a burst of fire that slammed into his left eye. Ankilar roared with pain, clutching the scorched side of the triceratops skull as he stumbled, falling, the ground shaking from the impact.

Razorwing hovered near Destiny and Skie, looking beyond pissed. "Jason, I think we better call in the big guy!"

"Destiny!"

Destiny blinked as Gaff was suddenly at her side. "Gaff…?" She was taken by surprise as Gaff kissed her.

Within seconds, chaos and confusion reigned in the camp as Riptide led the charge. Ryder and Van were by their Nakama, and the Lycan broke chains as if they were nothing. Longtooth snatched up the nearest weapon despite being hurt and joined the fight.

"Come on, you cowardly lot!" The mako roared. "Let's see how you do against someone like me!" The cracking of a whip made him look as Marcus yanked one of the enemy pirates, who was planning a sneak attack away from Longtooth. "I can't believe I'm glad to see your ugly face!"

Marcus snorted as he cracked his whip, "Oddly, I feel the same, you pain in the ass!"

Longtooth laughed before he grabbed a pirate, headbutting the poor fool. "Doesn't mean we're friends!"

"Good, I'm glad you still feel that way!" Marcus said.

~~.~~.~~

Kaiuleale, the moment he was freed, was hugging Ryder. "I'm sorry!"

Ryder hugged him. "As much as I'm glad to hear that, we must help free the others."

Kaiuleale saw Riptide, who was like a force of nature before he glanced back at Destiny, Gaff, and Skie. "We need to get Skie out here! She's in bad shape!"

"Pup! Skie is hurt from what I've heard!"

Chief's words fueled the anger Riptide had felt, but when he heard that, he looked over and saw his beloved Skie just as Ankilar had gotten to his feet. With a roar, he charged, using all of his Hidden Fury's speed to reach Ankilar. "GET AWAY FROM NAKAMA AND MY WIFE!"

Ankilar snarled as he turned to face Riptide, but what he faced was Guardian! The Guardian sharks emerged from the blades of the kiribachi, merging into Guardian, who slammed into the giant, toppling him.

"Alright, Guardian, let's show who this guy is who we are!" Riptide said.

Guardian roared as Ankilar stood up. "You're not who I've been looking for, but you'll do," Ankilar said, shifting into his hybrid form.

"What the hell?! He's a zoan user?!" Riptide said.

~~..~~.~~

"Jason, I do hope you're going to call him!" Razorwing said, driving back any attackers.

Seeing Guardian's appearance and the giant shifting into his hybrid zoan form, Jason knew Razorwing spoke the truth. "I hope you're nearby, buddy." He placed the mouthpiece of the dagger to his lips, playing a tune that was haunting in sound, trumpeting call.

"He better be," Razorwing said.

What felt like an eternity came a roar that echoed, growing louder and closer. Jason looked up as a golden dragon humanoid charged forth. "Thatta boy, Kevin!"

~~.~~.~~

Guardian was fighting, trying to push his opponent back, but the giant zoan user picked him up, throwing him aside. Ankilar laughed when he heard a roar, and he turned as Kevin's tail knocked him off his feet.

Riptide was surprised at the appearance of the warrior dragon when he felt someone gripping him by the shoulder. He looked to see Jason, whose eyes held a deep determination, and he understood. "Together."

"Kevin, help the other one!" Jason shouted. "He's a friend!"

"Guardian, the dragon is on our side!" Riptide shouted.

Ankilar rose as Guardian and Kevin stood together, ready to fight.

Looks like there's about to be a royal rumble. Remember to Read and Review.