Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.
Theme: Haunt Me: a drabble about one character watching over another [as a ghost, watching from a distance, or otherwise, feel free to specify.]
Character: Ace
Requested by: An anonymous
Although he didn't have a physical body to touch or a voice to speak, he could hover around his closest one to see what was happening. The moment he died in Luffy's arms, his soul slipped out and watched in worry. He watched as his younger brother's face contorted from shock, to pain, and then to utter despair. He knew this was going to happen, but his fiery temper caused him to forget. This was an error he couldn't redo because, of course, he was now dead. He could only watch and hope that someone could heal Luffy's heart. He knew who that someone was, it was only a matter of time and place for Luffy to realize.
Luffy, Ace whispered in a voice that could never be heard.
Luffy, he said as he knelt beside Luffy who was screaming until his voice went dry.
Luffy, don't cry, Ace smiled as he ran his hands over Luffy's hair, the fingertips sliding through the coarse, black hair.
It was a miracle that Luffy escaped Marinefold. Ace silently thanked the mysterious pirate in the yellow submarine, and promised he would return back to Luffy .For now, he watched with indignation as Blackbeard appeared from nowhere and gave the almost final blow to Pops. He couldn't cry, but he imagined tears falling from his eyes as Pops remained strong to his death. Ace stood near his body as he witnessed Blackbeard's special ability, and how it stole Pops devil fruit power. His hands tightened into fists and he clenched his jaw when Blackbeard demonstrated his newest power with delight. Ace abhorred it, made him want to puke, but this was Teach's ambition.
He felt a presence beside him, and he turned to see Pops. He was just like how he saw him for the first time. He chose a younger version of himself, so Ace couldn't help but chuckle at that.
"I fear for the New World..." Whitebeard mumbled quietly.
"Me too...but-" Ace lowered his head.
"Hm?"
"I'm worried of Luffy."
Pops smirked, "It's not his time, yet." He glanced up, "I'll be up there...are you going to stick around?"
Ace nodded, "I'll head over to Luffy."
Pops let out a hmph, "Don't except a pretty funeral. I bet the marines are going to leave our bodies out for the public to see."
"I know." Ace wanted to answer with a lighter tone, but he couldn't smile. "I'll see you soon." Whitebeard grinned and walked in an ascending manner.
Ace quickly learned that if he imagined himself being near Luffy, he was magically transported to the right destination. Ah, if only this power was used in real life.
His brother, as expected, wasn't doing any good. The mysterious man in the yellow submarine-through eavesdropping Ace found out the man's name was Trafalgar Law-was also a doctor. He knew Luffy had luck, but this was almost a miracle. But, Luffy needed another miracle to prevent him from losing his life.
Ace appeared right in the middle of Luffy fighting with Jimbe. He folded his arms and stared at the Warlord. He watched as Jimbe told Luffy that his brother wasn't alone and he had people nearby who cared for him. Relief finally came to Ace when Luffy's aura didn't emit with regret but with love and hope to live again.
He had promised Whitebeard, but Ace decided to stick with Luffy a bit longer. He didn't admit that he felt uncomfortable not being around Luffy because he knew that Whitebeard would laugh at him. But, he wanted to be with him to see Luffy grow, and see how his younger brother could change the future.