So this originally was in my Portgas D. Ace - Story Collection as a Tangled AU but then I started to actually gather a proper storyline for it and decided to try making up a proper book and here we are! I'm having lots of fun playing about with it and I hope you guys all enjoy it :3 Updates might be slow, I'm struggling with writers block right now and trying to kick myself back into action but hopefully I'll be feeling better soon :)
Anyway it's a sort of MarcoxAce story but it's not entirely the main focus. We'll be seeing a lot of Ace's and Teach's relationship covered throughout the story with this one, and yeah you might know why depending on if you've read some of the Tangled AU on the story collection or not :P
Anyway warnings, murder, kidnapping, lying, manipulating, stress, loneliness. So please be cautious if any of these upsets you when reading!
Chapter 1
There are four Kingdoms in the Grandline. There is the Earth Kingdom, ruled over by Edward Newgate who is said to be one of the 'Children of Stone'. There is the Water Kingdom who are ruled by King Neptune, rumour has it his daughter, the 'Mermaid Princess' is one of the 'Callers of the Sea'. Then there is the Darkness Kingdom, everything about them is unknown, it is a land ravaged by beasts and terrors so no one dares gets close to it's borders in fear of death. The last Kingdom is the Fire Kingdom, ruled by Gol D. Roger. His wife is one of the 'Fire-Born', along with a man called Marco, one of King Edward Newgate's adopted sons.
These children who are born of an element are gifts in the world. The Children of Stone are the strongest beings in the world, their skin being made of diamonds or stone, even if it looks of just human skin. They can create earthquakes and some are even gifted to be able to make forests grow out of nothing, to create life from their very palms. They are rather common in the Earth Kingdom to see.
The Callers of the Sea are said to be able to summon the Sea Kings and can heal a man with just a glance, some are even meant to be able bend water completely to their will. They are extremely rare.
The Fire-Born are said to hold the 'flame of life'. They can offer pieces of a flame to people to grant them eternal youth, as long as the Fire-Born continues to 'feed' them their flames. It is said that they live a very long time because of their flames. They are very rare to see.
However right now the Fire Kingdom was in celebration, for their Queen, Portgas D. Rouge had recently just given birth to their Prince. Prince Gol D. Ace. Many people came to welcome the newest life to the world, Lords and ladies and Kings, Queens, Princes and Princess, though one King was allowed the special privilege of seeing the newborn first.
"Guararara, he's adorable. Looks nothing like that scruff King of yours Rouge." Whitebeard grinned, earning a squawk from said King.
"Ace looks exactly like me! See!" Roger protested, pointing down at the little one currently in his crib, who was currently dozing quietly. "He's got my hair!"
Whitebeard snorted at that, glancing down at Marco who was looking inside the cot, his eyes a bit unfocused much to his own surprise. "Marco and I have the same hair colour remember? It's not like we're blood related."
Roger stuck his tongue out. "Nah, I always remember you being old and grey."
He was about to reply when suddenly Marco cooed and transformed into his Phoenix form, settling into the cot much to their surprise. Rouge immediately stumbled out of bed, having been resting for the big day ahead.
"Marco he's just a newborn your fire might scare-" She cut herself off though, letting out a startled noise.
"What's wrong love- OH MY GOD!" Roger suddenly squealed, looking delighted and amazed while Whitebeard approached, glancing in to see a little fire flickering from Ace's fist.
"He's a Fire-Born." Whitebeard chuckled, amused as Roger simply went nuts.
"OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD HE'S SO PRECIOUS AND OH MY GOD HE'S DOING IT-"
Whitebeard nearly flinched when suddenly Rouge's fist knocked down his fellow King in one blow, her eyes alight with fire.
"You're going to startle Ace with all that screaming." Rouge scolded. "And you're giving me a headache."
Whitebeard smiled, seeing Ace's little fist weakly hit Marco who cooed and snuggled in even more, looking so content with himself.
"So how about Ace the Fire Fist as his title?" Roger chortled, earning a bemused look from Rouge. "But he's hitting his little fist off of the birdy! You're Rouge the Wildfire because you just explode with flames whenever someone pisses you off, one of them being me, and the birdy is Marco the Phoenix, because well, he turns into a bird."
"I hope he gets your personality Rouge." Whitebeard winked, earning a chuckle.
"I already have my hands full with just one of Roger. Nevermind two." Rouge agreed.
"Hey! I'm awesome!"
.::.
Rouge growled quietly, seated on their throne. "If I have to hear one more insincere 'congratulations' I will light someone on fire."
Roger chuckled at that, reaching over for her hand and gently squeezing it, taking the chance to admire their son who babbled in her arms, thankfully alright with all the attention he was receiving. It would calm down tomorrow but it was a tradition to let all the high end folk see and admire a newborn royal child. So for now he, Rouge and Ace had to sit on their thrones in the main hall, Ace of course in Rouge's arms, and receive congratulations from all the lords, ladies and Kings and Queens who were here to visit.
Roger would have preferred holding himself, Rouge and their darling son hostage in their bedroom and snuggle into them both all day, especially after how much work Rouge had went through during the morning to bring their son into the world but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be.
Ace, their precious little Ace.
Thankfully no one else had to hold their child otherwise both Roger and Rouge would have murdered someone. Close friends like Newgate were fine but like hell anyone else was getting to hold Ace on his first day in the world.
Unless it was Crocus demanding an examination of Ace. Which he did. In the middle of the main hall. So Rouge smirked smugly at him as she left with Ace and Roger was forced to face everybody packed into the hall all by himself, with only Rayleigh as back up-
WAIT WHERE DID RAYLEIGH GO?!
.::.
"Getting a bit overwhelmed in there Rouge?" Crocus asked once they were back in her and Roger's suite, the doctor sitting on a chair and looking over Ace who was starting to get fussy it seemed.
"I would have preferred staying in here with Ace and Roger. I only gave birth to him a few hours ago after all." Rouge sighed, gently running a hand over Ace's little tuf of hair, earning a whimper. "Is he alright?"
"He's probably getting hungry. If the little tyke is anything like you both he'll need plenty of food." Crocus said as he gently handed Ace back to her.
Rouge smiled as she cradled Ace close, positioning him correctly so he could feed comfortably, it felt strange but thankfully didn't hurt. "This will take a bit to get used to huh?"
"Having a baby altogether will take you both a lot of time to get used to." Crocus snorted. "You're also going to lose a lot of sleep."
"All the joys." She chuckled but smiled down at Ace. "Totally worth it though."
She couldn't believe Ace was here. He was so small yet so warm in her arms. Her baby, her son. She couldn't wait to get to know him, to teach him and watch him grow. Hopefully not too quickly of course.
Rouge grinned brightly. "I'm so happy."
.::.
Rayleigh glanced over the guards that he had gathered up. Rouge was currently with Crocus in her room while Roger was in the hall with all the guests. He had a small moment to inform their most trusted and loyal guards about their new Princes' gifts. Most of them were shocked but eager and knew not to tell anyone, Shanks and Buggy looked delighted, their young squires already going on about how they could teach Ace this and that and oh jeez they were going to get into so much trouble if Roger ever found out about those plans...
Ace's Fire-Born status needed to be kept a secret until he grew a bit more, when they could tell him about the power he had and how strong it was. When he could understand what a 'Fire-Born' was and what gift they held.
The gift of life, the gift of eternal youth.
People would kill to get that in their hands.
"So how is our little Prince then?" Scopper asked, grinning brightly.
"Probably hungry considering his parent's appetites." Rayleigh joked.
"Zehahaha, so who will get first watch over the young one tonight then Commander?" Teach asked, tilting his head and instantly that earned the attention of everyone crammed into their tiny room.
Thankfully Rayleigh didn't call for too many of their guards. It was only the most highly trusted here that would know of Ace's gift, the ones who would die to protect Roger and his family.
"Me and Buggy can!" Shanks beamed.
"I'm afraid you two squires are on cleaning duty tonight." Rayleigh teased, grinning at the complaints. "I already resorted the rotation. Seagull is going to be guarding Ace's room tonight."
He rolled his eyes at the groan of disappointment that echoed across the room.
"Oh stop your whining. He's a day old. There are plenty of nights for you all to guard him." Rayleigh snorted.
"Boo!" Shanks huffed. "You've already hugged Ace twice!"
"Yeah! Stingy Rayleigh!"
"Learn some patience you idiots." Rayleigh shook his head, bemused.
There was plenty of time to see Ace. They were all going to be there to watch their Prince grow up after all. You would think the royal guard would have more patience.
.::.
"You've been staring out to Ace's balcony for a bit now." Whitebeard couldn't help but comment, noticing Marco staring out the window again.
His son probably didn't even realise he was doing it considering he shook his head, eyes wide with surprise. Whitebeard couldn't help but laugh at that and ruffle his son's hair, trying to ease the teen, nearly going on to young man.
"I keep feeling drawn yoi." Marco admitted. "His fire keeps calling to me. It's like we have a connection... I think?"
"Must be very strong to gain your attention." Whitebeard noted.
"Yeah. It's kinda frustrating yoi." Marco said, eyes drawing away again before he scowled, looking back at him, grumpy. "I want to go snuggle in again."
Whitebeard laughed hard the moment his son's cheeks flushed. Marco groaning and banging his head off the table, looking so embarrassed.
"I couldn't stop myself! I was looking at him and then suddenly my phoenix just appeared and jumped into his crib!" Marco complained. "He was so warm!"
Whitebeard sniggered. "Well I'm sorry to tell you that you can't go lie down in the little Prince's crib considering his father might get jealous."
"This sucks yoi..." Marco groaned.
"Guararara. I don't know, I'm finding it very amusing right now."
"Glad to know my suffering pleases you Pops."
"Just a little bit son."
.::.
Roger approached the small cot, his wife was fast asleep in their room while their baby slept in the nursery. Roger didn't want to leave him in there but Rouge was firm stuck in the belief that Ace should get to stay in his bright, warm nursery where all his toys were and his hand painted ceiling and walls were, the ceiling was clouds while the walls were the sea with a sun rising in the background. Roger had great fun painting it but had been chased out because he was apparently 'too messy'.
Roger beamed down at little Ace who was snoozing, fast asleep after his tiring day. Ace had been meeting their trusted friends all day long and thankfully his son wasn't the shy type. In fact Ace seemingly basked in all the attention, especially Marco's.
Carefully he lifted Ace up and out of the cot, cradling his tiny, precious form close and cooing at his son who thankfully remained asleep. Rouge would kill him slowly if he woke up their son after all.
"Hello Ace." Roger grinned, kissing his sleeping boy's forehead. "I can't believe you're here already. Nine months went by so quickly, I really thought I was going to have more time to be prepared to meet you. I can't believe you saw me crying the first time I held you, that must have been embarrassing for you huh?"
He nuzzled Ace's little face with his cheek, grinning again. "I'm going to be the best dad ever. You'll see. I'll spoil you rotten and when your Mum is boring and tells you 'no' I'll sneak behind her back and we'll do the crazy fun stuff together right? She might strangle me but there's no way she could give such a cute face like you into trouble. Oh I can't wait, I'm going to read to you at bedtime, I'll take you hunting, show you how to use a sword and how to aim a gun properly, teach you how to read and write, though your Mum might be better at that than me but I'll try anyway. I'll even teach you how to sail your own boat and we can go sailing together one day-"
"Zehahaha, I think he might be a bit too young for all that your Grace." A very familiar voice laughed, completely amused, behind him.
Roger grinned over at the knight, one of his sworn King's guards and old friend. "He'll be a fast learner like his Mum."
"He might need to learn to walk first." Teach grinned, leaning against the doorway.
Roger turned away, gently laying his son back into the crib and stroked his hair tenderly. "I still can't believe it. He's here. He's actually here."
"Zehahaha, I wonder how long you're going to marvel over him for."
"Don't think I'll ever stop." Roger said, feeling like such a big sap even as he stroked Ace's face again, earning a sleepy coo from his son. "He's so tiny."
"I doubt he'll stay that way for long." He heard Teach say as his guard approached.
"From what Whitebeard says they never do." Roger grumbled, a bit disappointed with that.
He knew that he would be so amazed and proud as Ace grew up but he also loved the idea of his son being this tiny and adorable forever.
Roger did pause though, a bit confused now that he thought about it. Teach was meant to be on duty in the throne room. It was Seagull who was meant to be guarding Ace's room-
Roger gasped, choking as something sharp pierced him through his back, making him cough up blood on Ace's crib. He could see the sword right in front of him, covered in blood.
"T-Teach-"
"Sorry my King." Teach crooned into his ear and Roger tried to raised his hands, tried to go for his own sword but realised he foolishly left it behind in his room. "But I need that 'flame of life'. I know my Queen will never gift it to me and nor will that stubborn bird but a baby? Oh I think a baby will."
Roger couldn't speak, he tried to but he coughed up more blood instead as the sword was slowly dragged out of him and the bastard left him to go over to the crib.
No. No not the crib. Not Ace.
.::.
"Hey little one." Teach called out, gently easing the baby into his arm who was still thankfully asleep, obviously too tired out to wake up just yet. "Fate seems to have destined us to be together Ace."
He ignored Roger choking on more of his blood and merely dismissed his dying body. He instead went over the the wardrobe and pulled out a little cloak made for Ace and tucked it around the newborn baby, making sure Ace wouldn't get cold as he headed out the room.
Teach knew all the escape routes for the royal family. He had spent years befriending them all after all. They were the closest to the 'flame of life' that could grant eternal youth and he knew that being close to them would get him to it one day.
And so it did.
.::.
That next morning the criers had declared their King dead and the Prince missing. They said Marshall D. Teach was a Kingslayer, a traitor to his people, a murderer and a kidnapper. Crowds went out to search for their missing Prince and everyone in the Kingdom mourned their good King's death.
A certain Phoenix had bowed before Queen Rouge that day, the distraught and exhausted woman looking so determined but so hurt on that throne. Marco had bowed and said he would find and return Ace but until that day he would never return to the castle.
After that he left, only speaking to his Father before disappearing off into the sky as a fire bird.
Nobody had seen Marco since that day.