(Hey guys! Holy crap 51 follows! Damn I didn't even think this would get over twenty! xD Thanks to all those who favorited, followed, and even greater thanks to those who took the time to review! Enjoy the chapter! Bye for now!

-Axx)

~Review Responses:

Mutteringsandramblingd: Well here you are! :)

AnyMoreBrightIdeasGenius: Thanks! Ps. I love your name xD.

Poemado: Thanks for reviewing! Naw. I don't have any plans to stop any of my fics. I've just been really busy with both school and working. But now that things are more chill, and I've got my life sorted a little better, I'm gonna make more of an effort to work on these fics. This one and Mark's Of One's Fate are probably my top priority, but I wanted to rewrite Of Phoenix and Flames past one of these days, and fix up Mercenary.

XxAceLawxX: *Takes a moment to party with you.* HELL YEAH MY BRETHREN, ACE IS MY FAVE TOO! *Clears throat awkwardly*. Heh.. Anyways thanks so much for your review, it was really motivating! There will be much WB/ASL bonding I assure you... But first I HAVE TO MAKE THEM SUFFER! MUHAHAHA! *Clears throat again* Yeah… I may or may not need a therapist… So, I actually had first written this chapter with a lot of Sabo Pov's in it, but there were too many time skips so I had to fix it to make it less confusing. The first chapter was about it for Aokiji centered things. Now it's going to the trio. And I actually don't mind Sengoku that much, which was why I made him sort of a goodish character. I feel like he's kinda similar to Issho. He has his own sense of Justice, but the majority of the time he has to do what his higher ups say.

StarliteOracle: Why thank you!

J-swan: Well here you are! xD Welcome to the ASL/Whitebeard obsession club! We have cookies and tears. Thanks for the review.


The Choices We Make….Chapter 2….


"So… You must be Roger's son. Huh?"

Ace quickly turned away from Dadan. Horror struck on his face. Within seconds he was in a fighting position, teeth clenched as he forced away the pan. He glared at the marine.

"Who are you?! What do you want?!"

"Hmm…"

Aokiji looked at the disheveled child with interest, eyes scanning him over. Ace felt extreme discomfort being under the other's stare, his eyes hardened as he became angrier.

"WHAT!? ANSWER ME!"

If the admiral was phazed by the kid he didn't show it.

"I want to make you a deal."

Before Ace could say anything, Dadan started moving. Ace turned around, the anger in his eyes flashed away by worry. He tried to stop her from moving, fearing she was making her injuries worse.

"DADAN!"

But Dadan ignored him, instead pushing the freckled raven out of the way as she glared at Aokiji. She was panting at the overexertion, but that didn't stop her voice from being terrifying.

"You! If you want this brat you're going to have to go through me first!"

"DADAN! STOP!"

"SHUT UP ACE!"

Ace flinched, taken aback by Dadan's harsh words. He clenched his teeth as he watched the silent standoff, ready to jump and defend the orangette if needed. His eyes widened when instead of attacking, the admiral just sat down across from them. He completely disregarded Dadan as he made himself comfy.

"Anyways, back to the deal."

"OI! DON'T JUST IGNORE ME! ITE!"

Dadan yelled, yelping when her pain spiked at her sudden movements. In pain, she complied as Ace pushed her back down and tended to the disturbed wounds, still keeping a watchful eye on the marine. The ice user waited patiently for the raven to speak first, which he did after fixing Dadan's injuries. Ace glared at him.

"What do you want? How did you find out about me?!"

Aokiji scratched his head.

"Well, to be honest I wasn't completely sure, but considering your reaction, that pretty much answers it."

Ace felt like someone had just punched him in the gut. He had just, albeit unintentionally, screwed himself over. He growled, looking at the other with what could only be described as a feral look, then snapped.

"Now what? Are you going to take me back to the marines?! Have me tortured?! Have me executed!? Hell! Maybe bring my head back as a trophy!? After all the son of Roger is a-"

"Devil child." Aokiji finished for him, once again unfazed by the hateful glares sent his way. Ignoring the furious boy, he continued.

"All those having or had connections to the late pirate king, Gold Roger are criminals in the eyes of the law. That's why as the son, and presumed only son, of this captain, I'm taking you, and only you, as you have no connections to anyone else on this island, making you the only recipient of guilt, to be imprisoned for your crimes of affiliation."

Tension filled the air as Ace's eyes met with the blank, almost questioning stare of the admiral. Neither of them moved, but the message was clear to Ace. He was being given an option. Ace clenched his fists as his eyes went overcast.

"Tch…" He snapped up, staring at the admiral with a strong, hard glare.

"And if I refuse to cooperate?"

Aokiji shrugged, clearing displaying his lack of care for which Ace choose.

"Then I'll drag you back by force, and there's no telling what'll happen to the women and the strawhat brat."

Ace flinched as his little brother's smiling face flashed through his mind. 'Luffy…' He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists till they started to turn pale and shake. As much as he loved his freedom… he loved Luffy more. He wouldn't let Luffy suffer for being with a devil like him. He nodded his head, no hesitations as he knew his answer.

"Fine."

"Wait a minute brat!"

He ignored Dadan as his stare stayed fixated on the marine. He crossed his arms.

"And nothing will happen to the people of this island?"

"If you comply there's no reason to."

Ace nodded.

"Dadan gets back to the bandits safely before we go," Ace stated, no sign of a questioning tone in his voice. Aokiji shrugged.

"Sure."


~End of FlashBack~


The bandits crowded around her as she spoke, eyes wide at the revelation.

"W-What happened after Boss? Did you stop him?"

Dadan sighed, clenching her fists.

"I tried." She paused, gritting her teeth as the words hesitated to come out. "I don't know what that bastard did, but one moment I was screaming my head off, and the next I wake up outside the house."

Dadan continued talking, regret and guilt laced in her voice, but Luffy wasn't listening anymore. The raven stood in the hall, hidden from their view. He started shaking, eyes wide as he processed what he just heard. 'Ace is gone?' He felt numb. '...Ace is gone..?' He repeated in his head, as if he didn't believe it. 'Ace is….gone?' Suddenly his world began to collapse. 'ACE!' Forgetting about the bandits, only one thing clogged his mind. Ace. No hesitation anywhere, he ran to the door, flinging it open and disappearing into the woods in a flash. He ran as fast as he could, ignoring the burning in his lungs and legs. It didn't matter to him. Luffy knew only one thing, he wasn't about to lose Ace too. He couldn't… and he wouldn't. Not if he could help it.


~...~


He could taste it. Freedom. Staring up into the vast clear blue sky, a smile erupted onto his face. This was it. He was finally free. Snapping out of his daze, his attention turned to the giant flashy vessel in front of him. 'Damn! Sure as hell don't want to get crushed by that. I better move.' Firmly grasping the wheel, he spun the controls, successfully sending the small boat out of the way. 'I hope Ace and Luffy will understand... Ace, take care of him for me. I'll be sure to write.' His face solemn as he thought about what he left behind, he sighed. Shaking his head he quickly remembered that this was the only way. 'Ace, Luffy, I'm sorry. But It seems I'll be setting out before you guys.' Again a toothy grin found its way onto his face. The sound of cheers filled his ears. He looked back, seeing all the nobles and townspeople cheering. He scoffed, glaring at his former life. 'Never again.

This time Sabo, you're finally fr-'

"SABO!"

He jumped in surprise, spinning around at the sound of the familiar voice.

"Lu-"

"FIRE!"

His attention once again switched as fire filled his vision. Somehow missing him, he looked around in horror as his ship was engulfed in flames. Pulling off his coat he tried snuffing the flames. He turned his head to the culprits. 'Damnit! What the hell?' His eyes widened as he saw the larger ship already prepared to send another canon. He didn't have much time. Sabo had to make a choice. Eyes darting around at the damage to his boat, and back to the culprits. His eyes then turned to the shore, where he could barely make out the little blur that was his beloved younger brother. He clenched his teeth before making a decision. 'DAMNIT!'

"DIE TRASH!"

Sabo jumped. Fire engulfing where he once stood, till all that remained of his ship was ashes, floating meaninglessly.

"SABO!"


(And that is that folks. Let me know what you think, as always reviews are oh so greatly appreciated, as well as follows and favorites! Next chapter should have some Whitebeard's in it, though I wont tell who… and do you guys think I need a beta reader. Btw I don't know how that works. And would anyone be interested in being said beta reader if I decide to have one? Well that's about it, so till next time! Bye for now!

-Axx)