Chapter 22: Dragonite

After many moments, the shaking stops and we take in Lost Island in all its glory. It's almost like a giant clearing on a mountain, only on the ocean! There are all kinds of rock formations everywhere and lots of coral from being under the sea for one thousand years. The dragons all perch on the rocks, nestling back into their long lost homes.

I can't help but feel a pang of envy as I watch them get settled. Even though they only come here every millennia, this is still their home. It almost makes me homesick for my home. Is my home this cozy? Are there other creatures like me as far as the eye can see? Do my kind stay in one place, or do we migrate like the dragons? So many questions...and I still have no answers to them.

We disembark the ship (ours was the only one to come out unscathed when the island rose up; thanks karma) and Apis suddenly gasps. She takes off and we follow. We arrive at the middle of the island where a giant body of water is sitting, and right in the middle, is Grandpa Ryu, completely motionless.

"Grandpa Ryu!" Apis wades into the water as far as she can go. "Grandpa! Please get up!" she yells, her voice cracking. "Grandpa Ryu!"

"What are the chances he would land right on top of the Dragon's Nest." Nami says softly. "I hope that at least brought him some peace."

"I think so." Luffy says with a nod. "He said his wish had come true when he was sinking." I really hope that's true…

"What's with all these weird rock formations?" Usopp asks. He's right; a lot of these rocks look like dragons.

"They're probably all made of Dragonite." Sanji says.

Nami nods, "They're all skeletons; fossilized Dragonite that's been sitting on the ocean floor." She gazes at all the Dragonite structures. "Sometimes animals go to a pre-determined spot before they die...maybe this is like that, and it's a graveyard." Well, that's morbid…

"That can't be!" Apis suddenly shouts. "Grandpa Ryu said that coming back here would make him better! It's not a graveyard!"

Luffy's hat hides his eyes, "Listen, Grandpa Ryu was sad and lonely," he says. "He didn't have any friends until he met you; he wanted me to tell you that this last year with you was the happiest of his life."

Tears come to Apis' eyes and I slide off Sanji's shoulder gently. "You're lying…" Apis says softly. She turns back to Grandpa Ryu, "If this is really the Dragon's Nest it should make you strong again like you promised me!" Her tiny fists clench tightly and I make my way over to her slowly. "Talk to me! You have to get better! You have-"

I cut her off by tugging on her dress. 'Apis...' She looks down at me and give her an apologetic gaze. 'I'm sorry...he's gone.'

Apis bites her lip and a sob escapes her. She falls to her knees allowing me to climb up and let her hug me. Her arms wrap around me tightly but careful not to irritate my wounds as her shoulders shake with her sobs. I close my eyes and let her cry into me. It's the least I can do as her friend. I let a few of my own tears gather at the corners of my eyes as well; I was really gonna miss Grandpa Ryu.

"Ryu was telling the truth Apis." We both look up at Luffy. "He told me that Millennial Dragons come here every one thousand years to be reborn again."

Apis slowly stands, still holding me. "He said all that?" she asks. Luffy points and we all turn to see a large white round egg sitting near the shore. The shell cracks and a tiny head covered in little feathers pops out with a weak cry.

'It's a baby...' I say in shock. We watch as multiple grown dragons surround the baby and nudge it lovingly. The baby opens its eyes and lets out a yawn before gazing at Apis. Its eyes are big and loving...just like Grandpa Ryu's. I feel more tears drip onto my head as Apis stares at the baby. Grandpa Ryu was telling the truth after all; he would never truly be gone as long as this island is around.

Apis wipes her eyes after a few more minutes and starts climbing back up towards the pirates. "I was wrong Apis." Nami says gently. "This isn't a graveyard at all; it's a place of renewal to bring old and new life together."

I look up at Apis and she slowly smiles. "Thank you all so much, for everything; especially you Luffy." she says before grinning. "Now how about we go home?" she asks. "Everyone's probably worried!"

I grin, 'There's the Apis I know!'

Everyone smiles and Luffy punches the air, "Alright, let's get Apis home!"

Apis puts me down and we begin walking when one of the dragon statues catches my eye. The dragon is standing upright, it's wings spread proudly and facing the sky. It probably had some proud final moments. I can't help but keep staring at the statue.

My vision suddenly runs together and the statue seems to change. It becomes black like those figures in my mind, its snout becomes rounded and arms become apparent on its body. I even see a few antennae sprout on its head. I stare at the new image as it stays unmoving before me.

'Dragonite...'

"Hey Pika-chan!" Sanji's voice snaps me out of my daze and making the statue revert to its regular state. "Let's go."

I turn to him and nod, giving the statue one last glance before hurrying after the others. I have no idea what that was, but I think I finally have a figure to go with the name Dragonite. So that word does have something to do with my memory...but what?

Just as I catch up with everyone we feel a very familiar gust of wind nearby. We all turn to see Sicko staring down at us, soaking wet and very angry. Apis starts shaking and I step in front of her growling viciously while everyone else glares at him. I can already tell that this guy is going down.

"You just don't know when to quit." Luffy remarks.

"Quiet!" Sicko barks, "You may have stopped me temporarily but you'll never defeat me!" He eyes the whole island hungrily, like its one big gold mine. This man has officially made it onto my 'attack to kill' list. He's gonna pay for hurting me and threatening Apis and Grandpa Ryu!

"There's Dragonite everywhere! It's beautiful!" Sicko exclaims.

"So what? Break open all the skeletons you like, you won't find your elixer!" Nami yells.

Sicko shrugs, "Fine, then I'll just improvise." He gazes at the dragons. "Perhaps I'll just use some of the fresh supply right in front of me." Okay, this man is dead. No is going to find his body and no one will even care that he's gone. It has been decided. "And you can all bear witness...as I rip them all apart." Sicko raises his arm and Apis runs towards him.

"No! Don't!"

My eyes widen, 'Apis, no!'

Sicko sends a blast of razor wind right at her but Usopp tackles her out of the way just in time. "Calm down! You'll be cut into ribbons!" Usopp says.

Apis glares at Sicko, "I don't care, I have to protect the Dragon's Nest even if it costs me my life!" she says bravely. "I can't let men like him destroy it! I won't you hurt these beautiful creatures!" Atta girl! You tell him Apis!

Sicko growls, "Well if you still insist on defying me...all of you can die!"

Hardcore logic...asshole.

Sicko raises his hand, "Sickle Sickle...Whirlwind!" A giant x-shaped wind gust blows towards Usopp and Apis, but Luffy steps in at the last second to take the blow.

"Luffy!"

Luffy falls to his knees and Zoro steps up, but he backs down once Luffy stands up again, as if the attack did nothing. You never fail to impress me Luffy. "Don't worry, I'll deal with him." Luffy says in a low voice. "I made a promise." My ears perk up; is he talking about Grandpa Ryu?

Luffy runs towards Sicko, his fist reeling. "Gum Gum...Pistol!" Luffy's fist flies towards him as Sicko unleashes another air strike. I cringe as multiple cuts appear all over Luffy's body, throwing his punch off course and Sicko jumps to the top of a rock.

"You'll have to do better than that, rubber boy!" Sicko taunts.

Oh that is it! I've had it with this punk! I have to find a way to help somehow, without charging directly in there. I quickly begin to run around until I'm behind the battle; I should be safe from any crossfires here.

Sicko holds up his hand again, "You're no match for me, bouncy boy so you might as well accept death now!" I sneak closer and lock eyes with Luffy for a split second. I gives me a subtle smile and I get into position as Sicko raises his hand.

"Sickle Sickle…"

I walk up behind him sparks flying from my cheeks. I launch an electric attack at full power before he can even brace himself for it, stopping his attack. Sicko wobbles unsteadily on his feet and Luffy runs towards him. "Quit hopping around and let's finish this!" he yells. He stretches up and grabs Sicko's shoulders.

"Now Gum Gum…" His head stretches back. Oh boy, this is gonna hurt… "Bell!" Their heads collide and Sicko falls backwards making me clear the way.

Luffy lands and stretches his arms back. "Now Gum Gum...Bazooka!" His hands collide right into Sicko's back, probably damaging his spine quite badly, and he flies into the air, out of sight. Luffy grins, "You lose!" he taunts.

"Pika pikachu!" I say triumphantly. That guy wouldn't be bothering us again! My revenge has been successfully attained! I look down at Apis, and Luffy and I give her a thumbs up.

We head back to Warship Island and fill the villagers in about Lost Island and the dragons. They're a bit shocked at first, but they're pretty accepting about it. Maybe next time they'll actually remember this and warn the next generation about it so they can be ready.

Grandpa Bokuden offers to celebrate by making more Pork Buns but we quickly decline, having learned our lesson from last time. We just settle with getting the recipe. We'll just have to remember to start these early so we can kill four to five hours easier. Bokuden tries to get into his ramble session again, but unfortunately we have to get going. We have to get the Grand Line after all.

Saying goodbye to Apis is definitely not easy. It would've been great for her to come with us, but her place is here. Someone has to take care of these dragons and pass on their story to the next generations so they can take care of them too.

'I'm really gonna miss you Apis.' I say sadly.

Apis kneels in front of me. "I'll miss you too." She scoops me up and gives me a big hug. "Thank you for everything."

I smile, 'It's what friends do.' I respond.

"You'll come back and visit someday, won't you?" She asks once we pull away.

I nod, 'Of course; and when I do, we'll cook more food together!'

"Yeah!" She exclaims happily. "Good luck in finding your home; be careful okay?"

I nod, 'I will; I'll tell you all about it when we meet again!' She gives me one last hug and I scamper onto the Merry just as Zoro raises the anchor. We all wave goodbye as the island shrinks out of sight. I really hope we'll get to meet that girl again; she was one in a million, and not because she had Devil Fruit powers.

"Do you think she'll be able to look after that place by herself?" Usopp asks.

Nami nods, "She may be small but she's determined to protect the dragons; she'll be fine, won't she Pika-chan?"

"Pikachu!" I exclaim happily.

"She was like a full blooded member of this crew." Luffy comments.

"She sure was." Zoro agrees.

"Pika pika." I say, still watching the shrinking island.

A hand suddenly appears on my head and I turn to see Sanji behind me. "So, get any memories back?"

I start at his words. "Pika?"

Sanji smirks, "I'm not blind Pika-chan; I know you talked to Apis about it, and I noticed how you got whenever Dragonite was brought up."

I stare at him in shock; he really noticed all of that? Wow...I never thought he would give it much thought…I give a sad smile and shake my head.

Sanji nods, "Nothing, huh?" He sighs, "Well don't worry; you'll get it back eventually."

"Of course you will!" Luffy exclaims, looking at me. "Your dream is to find your home, so we're gonna find your home. Simple as that."

"Let's just hope finding it doesn't involve going through a mirage barrier with a giant storm." Usopp comments, making me laugh.

'Same here, Usopp.'

Nami gives me a pat, "You know, after seeing a place as amazing as Lost Island, it makes me wonder what other strange island's we'll find on the Grand Line."

Zoro shrugs, "If an island outside the Grand Line can rise out of the ocean, I'd say anything's possible once we get there."

"Yep." Luffy says with a nod. "And we're gonna see it all!"

"Pika!" I agree happily. With a crew like this, my memories are as good as found. We'll find them eventually, and my home too! Even though my memories are still pretty wonky, at least I got some clues to getting the rest of them back. It would just have to be baby steps.

It may take a while, but eventually, I'll find what I seek, along with everyone else! Together, the Grand Line doesn't stand a chance!

Alright, three arcs down, one million to go! XD

While re-watching this arc, I forgot how much I despise Erik. That dude is such an asshole and he pisses me off more than any other One Piece villain! Not even Arlong made me that mad and Pika-chan pretty much embodies my hatred in this chapter! Maybe it's because he looks like a douchebag just as much as he acts...or it's because he was trying to slice up an adorable little girl and commit first-degree poaching...or maybe both...I STILL HATE HIM!

Look forward to the next chapter 'cause the time has finally arrived! MOVIE TIME!