Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it.
Marco growled, sending a rush of blue flames back at the horde following him while clutching the small bag of food he'd found. He took a deep breath, forcing back the tears that wanted to fall as he recognized the warped forms of Thatch, Rakuyo, and Kingdew among the attacking mass. "I'm sorry." He whispered, sending out a stronger blaze. The attackers roared angrily but backed away from the fire, giving Marco the time he needed to rush out the door and transform, bag of food secured in his talons as he flew around the ship to the porthole in Whitebeard's room, pecking at the glass until Ace opened the window and let him in. "We've got a problem. The kitchen's empty and the route to the storerooms is full of those things. I got a couple scraps but it won't last long."
"You did your best." Ace said, taking the bag and looking inside. He frowned, doing some quick math in his head. "I can wait a bit longer so long as I don't use my powers."
"Ace, no. You've already skipped three meals. Even not using your power, that's to much." Marco said. "I'm your big brother, it's my job to provide for you."
"You won't provide anything if you don't have the energy to move." Ace countered, emptying the bag out onto the small table beside Whitebeard's bed. Four oranges and a single bottle of water rolled out. He looked up at Whitebeard, frowning at the stained bandages around his throat and arms. The man spent most of his time asleep now, conserving his strength and letting his injuries heal. " You and Pop's need this more. If Pop's asked I already ate my share." Marco sighed, dropping his gaze but nodding. Shame filled his chest, he hated lying to their father but both knew Whitebeard wouldn't hesitate to give Ace his share. He needed all the food and rest he could get.
"I'll going out again later, see if the path to the storerooms clears up a bit. At least take the water." Ace nodded, grabbing the bottle before climbing onto Whitebeard's bed and curling against the older man to get some sleep. Marco sighed again, peeling one of the orange with a pocket knife. One would be enough, Whitebeard needed the rest.
LINEBREAK
Ace looked around, dazed. He could feel fresh air on his skin and something soft under him, looking down he saw Marco in his phoenix form carrying him. "Marco? What's going on?" He asked weakly, fingers curling around the blue feathers. Marco looked back at him over his shoulder, tears flowing down his cheeks.
"I'm sorry Ace, They followed me back. I thought I'd lost Them." Marco said, turning back to the ocean. "I don't know how long I can stay airborne. I'll have to find a place to land soon."
"What about Pops?" Ace asked, sitting up and looking around again. He yelped when he heard what sounded like an explosion behind him, turning to see the Moby Dick tearing apart as a quiet sob escaped Marco.
"He ordered me to get you to safety."
"No! No, go back! We have to save him. Marco!" Ace yelled, adrenaline feeling his veins. Marco just lowered his head shamefully and kept flying away from the ship that had been his home for so many years. "Marco, turn back! We can't leave Pops! He'll die!"
"I'm sorry." Marco said weakly. "I have my orders. Pops told me to get you away. Then…."
"Then what, Marco?" Ace asked, voice cracking as tears gathered in his eyes.
"I've been infected. I'll fight it as long as I can, but once you're safe I have to die." Ace gasped, shaking his head.
"No, Marco, please." Ace whispered, burying his face in Marco's feathers. "Don't leave me alone."
"I'm sorry." Marco said, shuddering. He could feel his strength waning as he flew and knew he wouldn't make it to land. Sighing, he glided down to a bit of flotsam that had been blown from the ship when Whitebeard sank it, stumbling when he landed. "That's as far as I can go. I'm sorry Ace, you're on you own from here." With that Marco shifted back to his human form and stepped off the wreckage.
"No! Marco!" Ace yelled, plunging his arm into the water to grab Marco. He was to late, Marco slipping out of reach beneath the wave while Ace could only watch. "Marco." Shifting away from the edge, Ace lay down, crying openly for his father and all his brothers and sisters. He didn't see the clawed hand grip the side of his raft, only noticing when the creature that was once Namur grabbing his ankle. Ace could only scream as he was pulled into the water.
LINEBREAK
Ace jerked up and a scream, looking around desperately. He was sitting in his bed, safe in his bedroom aboard the Moby Dick. "A dream?" He whispered, laughing as relief coursed through him. "Only a bad dream." A knock on the door drew his attention and the door slowly opened, Marco standing there looking concerned.
"You okay?" He asked, looking around the room. "Nightmare?" Ace nodded, still panting slightly. Marco chuckled at that, walking into the room and closing the door behind him. "Must've been a bad one. I heard you clear from my room. Your lucky Jozu's such a deep sleeper."
"Yea. Probably to much candy yesterday." Ace said, flopping back on his bed. "Sorry to wake you."
"It's no problem, though I do reserve rights to tease you about this for at least three months." Marco said, sitting down next to Ace. "You wanna talk about it?" Ace just shrugged, rolling onto his side.
"It was nothing special, really. Just your typical zombie nightmare." He said, wrapping an arm around Marco's waist and hiding his face against the older man's leg. Marco 'hm'd and ran his fingers through Ace's hair. He could feel the younger trembling.
"You want me to stay?" Ace nodded but didn't say anything. Marco chuckled and stood up, climbing into the bed in front of Ace and wrapping an arm around him. "Get some sleep. I'll make sure no zombies get in. Promise." Ace nodded again, snuggling close and closing his eyes as Marco placed a soft kiss on his forehead. Marco waited until he was sure Ace was asleep before pushing himself up slightly and smirking down at him. "No zombies are getting my baby brother." Moonlight filtering in through the porthole showed red eyes as Marco lowered his head and slipped his fangs into Ace's neck, drawing a soft grunt from the sleeping boy.
END
Finally got the ending I wanted. Watch out for vampires and have a Happy Halloween.
