There was something in the air and Tai could sense the cause. From Reinaka’s body language he could read that her spirit was broken after her actions. He wanted to relate, but he didn’t really feel bad for what he’d done. It was going to be either them or the Marine’s lives and the Fishman wasn’t going to give up his life just yet, not until Fishman Island was on the horizon.

Suddenly knocks could be heard and the aquatic humanoid’s heart began to sink. Right away he knew that they were screwed and that meant that they needed to fight their way out of the hole they’d dug. Thankfully before he could actually do anything, his partner did all the work. A man busted in and then quickly left after seeing the woman’s rage.

And they say I’m the vicious one…

Tai’s first instruction was given and he couldn’t be happier because he hated to feel useless. Quickly, the Fishman grabbed a few pots and proceeded to the sink so that he could fill it up. As the water pounded the metal, the aquatic humanoid heard what Reinaka wanted to say. His body completely froze after he heard the word Skypiea and he wasn’t exactly sure why. Had he heard that name before?

It, however, finally came to him, he remembered his father mentioning a place that resided in the sky. That’s when he laughed because he found it funny that he was from a place that dwelled underground while the woman was from the direct opposite part. It also made him wonder if the sea played a part in fate or something, but maybe he was just over thinking things.

“If it’s your homeland, there’s no reason to be afraid,” Tai started to say; “You think everything will be all fun and games when I return to mine? There are probably worse creatures that live there and I’m willing to bet that they could rip a seaking apart without even trying. Should I be afraid of that, probably, will I allow myself to, nope.”

Once the Fishman’s words left him, he turned off the water and brought it to a counter that was close to the stove. As soon as his hands left it, strange poundings could be heard from a large container across the room. Tai then thought that it was odd that he never noticed the large box before because it was at least three times his size. While he wanted to get close to it, he decided to stop himself, fearing that it was a trap or something set for them.

L… Lobster?

More poundings came from the crate and located right at the top corner was a sticker that said ‘Special Order: Lobster’. The Fishman was confused because he was told that he needed to prepare a crustacean for the marines, but he expected one that’d be average sized. Did the box mean that he actually had to put some work in his preparation? Regardless, Tai was ready for whatever was inside the object.

“I hope you’re ready for me,” he muttered out as he cracked his knuckles and then pressed his hands on the top of the crate.

Once he found a grip, the aquatic humanoid then pulled as hard as he could and brought what could be called the door to the lobster’s cage. Right away, the Fishman readied himself for a fight and waited patiently for the creature to come out. After a couple seconds passed by, nothing happened, it was so silent one could hear a pin drop.

“WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? COME ON OUT,” the aquatic humanoid yelled out, and then watched as a large orange claw shot out from the box.

It closed shut around Tai’s body and then pulled him into the darkness as if it was a demon from the shadow realm. While the Fishman was at a disadvantage, he wasn’t about to be defeated by something that he’d call dinner. Quickly, he inhaled a stream of air and then threw his arm around towards anything that moved, exhaling as a punch was launched.

The blow collided with the crustacean and then sent it flying through the top part of the box that they were fighting in. With light finally around for Tai to see the creature, he was shocked to see that the lobster was about the same size of its cage. Did that mean that his attack would have landed regardless?

Before he had a chance to get his answer, the monster clamped its claw around the Fishman’s feet to hold its target down. Afterwards, it swung its other claw over and over again; striking the aquatic humanoid’s face as it swung. Over and over again, Tai’s head spun backwards and then a trickle of blood flew off.

“YOU THINK THAT’LL BE ENOUGH TO DEFEAT SOMEONE LIKE ME?” he bellowed out and slammed his fist against what could be called the lobster’s wrist to release its grip.

After he was free, the Fishman then planted one of his legs firmly onto the ground. Once he was ready, he would then spin around like a spinning top with his free leg held out to attempt a kick. Tai didn’t think he needed to use his Karate on the Marine ship, but was wrong.

“Fishman Karate,” he said, “100 Tile Round Kick!”

The kick sailed across the air and then landed right in the middle of the monster’s face. Afterwards, he cut the distance between the two with haste and delivered around ten jabs like a machine gun for the lobster’s body. Each strike caused the beast to yell out in pain, but Tai felt no remorse whatsoever. When it came to creatures of the sea, one of them would be served as a meal.

“Now stand down and accept your fate,” the aquatic humanoid shouted loudly and sent one more punch to the crustacean's head, finishing it off.

The kitchen was a mess with pots and pans scattered across the place after the fight. Tai then wondered if they should tidy up because if the Marines cleaned up, they’d know about their fallen brethren. Right as he was about to pick up a broom, pain struck his back and he realized he’d tired himself out. His fatigue made him laugh a little; he didn’t think he would be doing much work in the kitchen.

Since he had a moment of peace, the Fishman finally sat down with his back against a counter. He looked at the crustacean that he’d just defeated and wondered if there were scarier creatures than that in his homeland. While he wanted to worry about it, sounds from the dining hall distracted him from his thoughts. It sounded like the marines were upset, but did that meant that Reinaka was found out?

Tai then received his answer after he heard someone say that she wasn’t Ramirez. That’s when he jumped to his legs and tried to think of a way for them to escape. In the middle of his thoughts, he noticed lights out the window in front of him and realized that they were close to an island.

And now a way to swim to it…

The aquatic humanoid knew that he’d be fine for a journey such as that, but he wasn’t going to leave his partner behind. Suddenly while he thought of a way, the lobster jumped back to life and stood up. The Fishman growled, but then saw the answer that he was searching for. Without even fighting the monster, he kicked out the wall that surrounded the window. After that, he jumped onto the crustacean’s back.

“Do you want to stay here and be dinner or escape with us,” Tai said.

Even after his proposition, the creature wanted to kill the Fishman and tried to buck him off. Unfortunately for it, the aquatic humanoid wasn’t going anywhere and punched the beast’s head to shut it up. The lobster then stopped dead in its tracks, ready for whatever Tai had planned for it.

“WOMAN,” he said, hoping that Reinaka heard him, “HURRY SO WE CAN ESCAPE!”