Prolog:
It's strange. How did it end up becoming this way in this exact situation? What did she do wrong for someone so precious to feel like he didn't have any right to live?
'Tell me… what can I do to make you understand? Ace..'
"Gum-Gum… GATLING!"
Bandaged punches fly and Marines fall as quickly as the hits land. Labored breath puffed out of dainty lips, short black hair flying in the wind as dirty bare feet run on thin aching legs. Fatigue… pain… they were nothing. Nothing compared to seeing the most precious person in her life kneeling on a platform, watching with horror and disbelief with all who had shown up to fight for him. Watching as his face then turned to defeat and resignation as two blades crossed in front of him in preparation to execute him. In response, wide chocolate brown eyes went wider – angry that he was giving up without a fight.
"ACE! I'll be there soon! I promise! Just hang in there a little longer, please don't give up on me yet!" came a desperate, horse and yet still sweet sounding of a voice.
A leg stretched and whipped yet another group of Marines out of the way before retracting to start running again. Short blue jean shorts that cut off in the middle of a slim, yet bandaged thighs. Arms pumping more punches, unconcerned for anything in the way. Tight yellow, curve hugging shirt slowly being covered in blood from wounds sustained or beatings given, breasts heaving with the need to rest. Tears falling down thin cheeks, one having a scar beneath an eye. Straw-hat flying in the wind against the owners curved back held in place by a cord.
Stop.
The blades crossed again before being raised once more.
Don't do it!
His head bowed, eyes hidden yet his shoulders drooped, lips trembling as for the final time the blades touched behind him.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE! AAACCCCEEEEE!" Everything stopped for a moment, still as statues, save for the teen pirate rookie breathing heavily while a wave went across the entire battlefield. Then, one by one, Marines and pirates alike began to fall. Those still standing where stunned by what just happened and that such a thin and dainty girl could do what she just did. The executioners were also knocked out thankfully, but none of what was happening deterred the girl from running at full speed once more towards the shocked man – Portgas D. Ace.
Her chest hurt, her heart was beating fast yet constricting so tightly that she felt like she couldn't breathe anymore. Yet breaths still came and she reached out her hand as she ran, unhindered now for at least a few moments. "Ace! I won't let you die! You promised me, remember?" she yelled for him again, desperate for him to understand as a few more drops of tears escaped in her exertion to reach him.
Ace watched her, the shock fading as despair took its place as she hopped over fallen and unconscious bodies. Then, his eyes changed. They became urgent, afraid… but not afraid for himself. "LUFFY! Behind you!" he called… his voice sounding like music to her ears despite the situation.
But Luffy didn't listen, she kept running – reaching for her beloved older brother. She didn't care or even want to notice the shadow approaching her from behind.
"LUFFY!"
His words, and the meaning finally clicked in her mind as she placed trust in him, trust that he would still be there when she turned to look for him again, as she looked over her shoulder to see just what he was afraid of. There, she saw deep, dark red and she could feel the heat start crawling over her skin and more sweat forming.
"Ace!"
Hello everyone and thanks for checking out this new story of mine. I read stories and I can't help but think 'what if' to so many of them. Therefore, welcome to my story and how I think the battle of Marineford should have ended and my own personal twist to what happens next. I will tell you now that I plan for this to be a long, multi-chapter story. The prolog is just to tease you all and make you all yearn for more.
*Evil Laugh*
No but seriously, please review, follow and favorite this/me if you want, but don't forget to leave that review. I would appreciate any opinions you give me for the teaser I've given you and I hope to successfully take you guys through the adventures and that is embodied by One Piece.
Thanks,
AceAyane