Dreams drive many in this ocean.
Island-bound, most never see beyond their shores. Though the great pirate era hasn't begun, countless sail yearly, chasing hope.
Not all are pirates, but the World Government brands any private vessel as such.
Wealth and fame fuel desires, birthing unconventional dreams—like Kate's ambition to be the "worst" villain.
It was her first time voicing her heart.
As a Fur Tribe slave, she had no friends due to her race. Zou's doctors had deemed her condition fatal.
In Zou's insular world, doctors held sway, like Mayan priests declaring a patient's fate sealed.
Captured soon after leaving Zou, Kate lacked worldly knowledge and doubted anyone could alter her destiny.
She spoke now to avoid fading into obscurity. To her, Oran remained a "good person."
"Eat first. A starving person can't chase dreams, especially one as tough as yours."
Good and evil hinge on societal morals and personal views. Kate's goal—eradicating evil for absolute justice—was daunting, especially with the sea's exaggerated personal strength.
After assessing Kate's mindset, the group split. Young laborers hauled supplies, others dug earthworks, and Oran took Shaq, Xiong, and Kate to his ship.
Its sci-fi design stunned them. Oran, however, felt bittersweet returning.
"Is this yours, Oran? Incredible! I've never seen a ship like this on Fishman Island. Is it iron?"
"Partly. It's nothing special. On Fishman Island, I'll show you a better one. Shame about this old friend."
Oran touched the railing, reluctant but resolute.
A nostalgic man, Oran kept broken things. This ship, his first built in Piltover, had joined many voyages.
"Can't you teleport it?"
"You've seen my escape plan. It's possible, but it takes time and makes noise. Moving it delays saving people. Lives matter more.
Let this ship deliver a gift to the Celestial Dragons. I'll settle that debt later.
Xiong, Shaq, help move the contents. Kate, follow me."
Oran resolved to abandon the ship, knowing he could rebuild. Only irreplaceable materials needed retrieval.
In the engine room, housing the core and holographic projection, Oran turned to Kate.
"If I recall, the Fur Tribe can generate electricity."
"Yes, our fur creates special static through friction. All Fur Tribe can do it."
"Perfect. Discharge here to hold the arrow in place."
Oran's plan involved modifying the Hextech Flying Gate's core, requiring a stable electric field for the Hextech crystal. Damaged equipment relied on backup power, but Kate's ability offered stability.
"Like this?"
Kate's fur sparked, transmitting current as instructed. Current barriers formed, and the equipment ran smoothly.
"Yes, that's it. How long can you sustain it?"
"With enough strength, indefinitely."
"Don't overdo it. Keep it stable for safety."
Boom!
A distant explosion echoed. Black smoke rose from God's Valley's center—the Celestial Dragons' hunt had begun.
Oran understood the cannon's meaning.
"Time's tight. Test it, Kate. If you tire, say so."
Oran worked in the cabin. Outside, Ivankov and Ginny heard the artillery.
"Hurry! The massacre starts in an hour. This is our last safe moment!"
Ivankov, face wrapped in cloth, waved a gun, urging craftsmen forward like a bandit. Their families slowed them down.
Order emerged faintly. The Celestial Dragons' announcement turned the island lawless.
The king's death sparked fear, fracturing God's Valley. People scattered, directionless.
Oran's group, though rough, coalesced around him.
Holographic devices formed screens at the canyon's ends and top, hiding them from distant eyes.
A nearby mountain outpost monitored for approaching threats.
Oran explained blueprints to craftsmen, launching a large-scale assembly. With Kate's help, he refined the Hextech core.
Silent, oppressed, and facing death, they clung to this lifeline.
As days passed, the machine took shape, but despair grew—especially when blood seeped into the cave's water source.
"Can that guy really save us? He explained the blueprints days ago and vanished."
Two men carried a beam toward the forming flying gate frame.
Seafolk, stronger than average humans, lifted heavy loads barehanded, speeding construction.
Yet, doubts lingered.
"Think he'll escape alone?"
"Shut up! Oran hasn't slept in days while you take shifts. He gave up his ship for strangers like you!"
Silence followed, but anger flared nearby.
The group, hastily united, lacked trust. Latecomers, not seeing Oran, grew suspicious.
Those he saved—like Shaq—trusted him fiercely, maintaining order.
Shaq couldn't forget the first human to praise him and protected Oran loyally.
"Stop arguing. Move the supplies. The project's nearly done."
A teammate nudged the skeptic, halting the dispute. Shaq sensed dissatisfaction but was stopped by Xiong.
"Shaq, no fighting now. Oran said unity is key."
Crash.
A tree fell on a nearby mountain—an early warning. Celestial Dragons were nearing the gathering point.
"I'll distract them. My points make me a target."
"Xiong, you—"
"I won't watch anyone die again. Tell Oran and Ivankov."
Xiong dropped his load, ready to act as bait, but Ginny arrived.
"Xiong! Good news! Pirates landed! Once they stir trouble, we execute Plan Two—steal the prizes!
Where's Ivankov? Oran's worked long enough; it's our turn!"
Ginny, monitoring Den Den Mushi, rushed with news but missed Ivankov. Then, Oran and Ivankov appeared.
"Hehe! Good news! Oran finished the core. Once the frame's done, we leave this cursed place!"
Celestial Dragons neared, pirates arrived, and the Hexgate core was ready. Amid looming chaos, Oran acted.
"Haven't decided where to catch a Celestial Dragon, and now one's coming. Perfect.
Let's go, everyone. Our stage begins.
If you've got the courage."