AUTHOR'S ESSAY:

Yoooooo you guys what's up? I was just reading all the Ace pics and realized for some darn reason there's not one like this. So I thought ayeeee lemme give it a shot, prob turn out trash and I won't feel like typing it. Atlas I'll enjoy rereading it! :D

BTW I am NOT giving up on "ASL:Home" nor am I giving up on, "Lami's Story" I just wanted to try something new. Matter of fact I might just update them soon :P

Alright enjoy my chap it may not be popular but any review is greater than no reviews, so thanks in advance you amazing peeps. BOOOOOONK GANGGGGGGG

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece and could only hope or dream of owning it. Thank you.

"Come back." Gasp. "Please don't take him." Gasp. "Don't go!"

Don't go.

Those were the only words Ace could remember as he saw thousands of flames devour and multiply across his . . . his home.

There were desperate and multiple screams, with each one puncturing his ear drum.

Luffy.

The adolescent began frolicking, turning even biting and scratching what was holding him back. Wait, holding him back? He felt the strings that gripped onto his lips and tickled his nose. His eyes traveled to the bottom of his sockets; alluring and sweet strawberry blonde colored hair that seem to bounce and dance in the wind.

"Please calm down, Sweetie. Being aggressive will only create more problems."

The person talked. They're a girl, a girl with blonde hair, maybe around average height. None of those characteristic seemed close to any girl or woman he's met before. So his struggling intensified as his throat began to heat from the emotions that were feeding off of his thoughts.

"Who, Wh-, Wher- What?" The seven year old started to scratch and bite for meat now to show his captor, or whoever this was, that he wasn't one to be trifled with.

The imprisoner chastened his defiance and maneuvered the small boy, so that he was placed in front of her. "I'm trying to save you." Freckles? Weirdo.

"Save me from whom?"

"Your demons."

My what? The raven haired kid was obviously baffled, by such a response. The only feedback he manage to think of was, "Huh?" But the harmonious moment soon dissipated as he was thrown harshly onto a boat.

"Wait. Luffy! Where's my brother?" He analysed the conversation in his head over again and was 1. Appalled that this was the most he's spoken to someone besides Luffy or Sabo and 2. As outlandish as this conversation was, he still hasn't gotten any information about his brother and none of his questions were answered.

Her response was as cool as the night time air before it had become tainted with the smoke being born from the fire. "He's alright. Although I don't know when's the next time you'll see him again."

Wait what? The behaviour of his captor incited the same script from him repeatedly. She would say something and it would require a, "what?"

"Now listen to me. Please don't say anything until afterwards, ok?" A silent nod was enough to encourage the lady to continue. "You are escaping this place. You will not look back nor will you come back. You will ride this boat, which is heavily supplied with food and water, to another land. There you will start a new life and find yourself someone else to take care of you or if you want, you can take care of yourself."

She searched for a sense of understanding in the boy's eyes, that seemed to be widening by the second. "You won't be able to see your brother for some time. You must learn how to live your life and how to become free."

Her impetuous pant drew the unbreaking attention of the child's. "Now look at this." It was a box, with intricate designs of black and prosperous gold. It clicked. Instead of the midnight glare the box was giving off, he was amused by the blazing colors that was produced by the substance. After staring at the fruit for a moment it seemed to dance and contrast with the colors of the box. "This is a devil fruit. I am not one to assume what the power is, but I am betting on it to keep you safe."

Ace hadn't realized that his hand began to approach the enigmatic fruit, until the box was forcefully slammed shut. "Although with a sense of light there's always a shadow. You will be wanted more as a slave and it will take awhile to get used to power. Although it's your best bet of protection since you will have no one to protect you."

Flames grew wilder like a plant surrounded only by water, light and fertilizer. "You're not coming?" Wait huh? Why would I ask her? What about gramps? Luffy? Hell, even the bandits?

A smile crept on the female's face, "Alright, now you have to trust me. Put that in your mouth and swallow. Don't think just swallow."

Nope. Sounded suspicious already. That was the last straw. Their eyes made contact and the younger contradicted his thoughts and sighed before reaching for the fruit. "I don't understand what this has to do with any-" WHAT THE HELL IS THIS OWBFOFBOFIFRFR?!

His gag reflexes kicked in, only to be intercepted with hands boarding his mouth shut. "Swallow." The woman's voice became stern and unsympathetic. Ace squeezed his eyes shut and prayed to whatever god was out there.

He checked his hands, his hair, his knees. Everything was the same, he felt warmer, but he chalked that up to the fire that was growing ever impatient. Wait there's a fire going on and i'm having a chat with this random lady. Where's Luffy?

A fork went flying into his shoulder and he flinched, embracing the pain to come afterwards, but instead was met with a sense of warmth flickering on his arm. His eye crept to the corner of his eye only to be bewildered by the sight of fire creeping on his shoulder. "Im . . . I'm being burned! Put it out!." He immediately started patted the flame, until the 6th pat he realized that the flames weren't harming him.

"Well then now that you know. I must go." The woman, who he still hadn't learned the name of, backed away after giving a little nudge to Ace's boat. "Remember what I said. Trust no one. Be strong enough to look after yourself." She waved.

Wait, what's happening?! There world seemed to spiral in the young boy's head. He was first asleep and now he was on his way to start a new life without seeing his brother or the old man. His bottom lip quivered as he squinted to the island in an attempt to not cry. The air began to sting his eyes though and the smoke was only becoming an additive. He stared at the only figure he could spot.

A hand shot up as it started to move side to side. Had it been daytime or even a slight lighter, the young boy would have caught the tear rolling down the woman's face. "I love you." The words faded into the night with the fire that rampaged.

How'd you like them devil Fruits?