The yelling that had attracted Ace and the kid were Royal Guards. "Hey stop right there you thieves." The captain shouted out with his sword raised.
"So it's Captain Smoker it's been awhile." Ace smirked for he always was close to being busted by him and always torments that said captain by telling him he was real bad at his job.
"I think we should get out of here I don't have the need to go to prison and I'm sure you don't either." The kid grabbed his arm dragging him into the dark ally where no one dares to go unless you were desperate for anything could happen.
"Get back here kids you are under arrest for stealing and disturbing the peace." Ace just laughed for the same speech was already memorized in his brain and the captain will never change.
Once they were safe inside of an old building and the Royal Guards were not on their trail anymore Ace glanced down to see the fruit in one piece. He took his dagger split it and gave the other half to him "So what is your name?"
"Thank you and my name is Sabo I am a runaway." He stopped and didn't give anymore information which Ace didn't like that he didn't reveal more information but would this kid really believe he was the lost Crown Prince if he told him? He didn't want a would be spy to give the so called 'king' that information.
"My name is Kasai." Ace told him but Sabo's reaction told him that he didn't believe that was his true name.
"It's nice to meet you so are you always in trouble with the guards?" Sabo asked with a small smirk knowing that this kid seemed to always attract trouble.
"It's an off day but no matter at least we gave them the slip." Ace felt tired and maybe it was the heat. All of the sudden he felt faint and he was to kneel over when Sabo caught him.
"You are dehydrated here lay down." Sabo helped him lay down and he pulled out his water skin. He lifted his head and Ace took some water.
Once Ace finished he turned to Sabo "Why would you help me? You don't know me and I don't really know you."
Sabo's face fell a little like he wasn't sure on how much he should tell him without causing Ace to distrust him completely but after thinking about it for a minute he decided he wasn't going to lie to his would be ally "I am part of the Revolutionary Army I just joined and I am under the command of Dragon."
Ace's eyes widened at the reveal "Dragon? Wait you mean the former captain of the Royal guards?" He had been told by Vivi of all who had served his father 18 years ago and hearing his name again was unexpected.
He nodded slowly "He defected 18 years ago and he believes that the true heir is alive and he won't return to help the royal family until that said so called heir retakes the throne."
Ace felt shock overcome him and he wasn't sure on if he should tell him. Sabo could tell that he was struggling to talk about what was bothering him.
"I know you want to tell me and you might not trust me but as a Revolutionary and with my life I will safe guard your secret. I will protect you and be by your side if so wish it for I will see the country saved. I will rather die than betray what is left of King Roger's dream especially if his heir is alive." Sabo tried reassure him.
Ace knew that feeling he had earlier wasn't wrong "Alright I am him and I will make sure you keep that oath Sabo."
Sabo bowed his head slightly "It's an honor and I will keep the promise as a brother to a brother."
"Brother to brother huh...I see well you are now my brother." Ace told him with a small smile for he was happy to have a friend now.
"I will keep your identity a secret out in public." Sabo would safe guard the future no matter what and he had to pass the information off to Dragon for hope had been rekindled once more.
"Thank you." Ace sat up and turned back to his friend.
Unbeknownst to them that someone else had heard the conversation "Oh so it's true." Ace and Sabo tensed up with Sabo stepping in front of him.
"Who are you? I demand you to show yourself." Ace yelled with dagger in hand and Sabo also felt something else was it possible that it could be magic?
The shadow landed in front of them and Sabo tackled him to the ground holding his sword to his throat. "If you come to kill him I will have to kill you first."
The kid laughed "Why would I do that? I am not an enemy." Ace looked to Sabo secretly asking him to make the right decision for he had to learn to trust other people's decisions outside of his own.
"You are wearing a Royal Guard outfit and had spied on us. What have you heard? What is your name?" Sabo made sure his tone was threatening for he wasn't going to buy any lies.
"No mind manipulation either we know how Sengoku works." Ace told him which the kid just smiled.
"I am Monkey D Luffy and my father is Dragon I heard his name from your conversation I swear that is all." Luffy put his hands up in surrender and Ace didn't trust this kid at all.
Sabo saw the truth in his eyes and let him up that was when the information registered "You are Dragon's son?"
"Yes I am and I was left with my grandpa Garp to be raised by him. Do you know him?" Luffy wanted no trouble just information.
"Yes I work for him he's the leader of the Revolutionaries." Sabo could see the tension leave him and Luffy sighed for he had hoped he would meet his dad someday.
"That's good I'm glad he's alive. Who are you two?" Luffy realized they haven't introduced themselves.
"I am Sabo and this is Kasai." Sabo used his nickname but it seemed Luffy wasn't going to buy into the fake identity either.
"No it's not I can tell that is a lie I am very good at picking out liars." Luffy glared at them which Ace sighed the kid looked smarter than he thought.
"If I tell you this information I want you to swear your loyalty to me and to only to me. To protect me and to never betray me even under torture. Do you understand?" Ace asked.
This was the test and he only got one chance to rather to take it or be killed before the Royal Guards and the tyrant learn the truth.
"I swear it for I will never harm my nakama." Luffy put out his hand which Sabo took it and than they both turned to Ace.
"Do you swear to never betray each other no matter what happens in the future?" Ace asked them both which they nodded.
"We promise for the Phoenix is our witness we are brothers no matter what happens." Ace smiled and repeated the pact.
They felt a surge of power run through them and there was a bright light that followed it seemed the Phoenix approved of this.
"I am Crown Prince Gol D Ace." He whispered which Luffy smiled and nodded. He understood the hidden message in his expression for he will protect Ace forever.
Sabo sighed "Well I think we had a busy day and we need to rest."
"I'm hungry." Luffy yelled for the other two just laughed and Ace motioned them to follow him for it was time to go retrieve their dinner.
Sabo shook his head "No you still need to rest and Luffy you need to return to the Royal Guard HQ to spy for us."
"Why?" Luffy asked which Ace should of known that the kid wouldn't understand the importance of gathering information.
"We must know the whereabouts and the plans especially those of the fake king. If word gets out about him than we must be ready." Sabo told him and Luffy understood that this was the only way he could help protect Ace.
"Alright I will see you two later." Luffy left the hideout and Ace turned to Sabo wondering why he had assigned such a responsibility to him.
"Why Sabo?" Ace hoped that Sabo had a plan and from the look of it he did.
"Relax and let me handle everything Kasai and I'll be back with our meal." Sabo also had a message to deliver and the one person could do that for him was waiting nearby.
Ace watched Sabo disappear back into the shadow and thoughts of what had happend today overcame him. "So two brothers well I guess Vivi was right that I'm not alone."
The thought of his friend made him feel sad a for he still doesn't know what had happened to her and he was determined to find out the truth.
Soon he felt tired and he shut his eyes to rest for awhile it wasn't long until he found himself into a dream of sorts. There was a fire but it didn't burn him as he approached it.
"Who's there?" He asked and only one word returned to him in his mind.
"Help!" Than the fire came at him but he awoke with a start trying to catch his breath.
Ace checked for injuries but he was fine and soon Sabo returned with food. He noticed that Ace seemed more defensive for he had his dagger in hand.
"Did something happen?" Sabo asked as he searched for an intruder which there had been no sign of one. Ace didn't answer for he didn't want Sabo to worry more or thought he was crazy.
"I'm fine so what did you get for us to eat?" Ace asked and Sabo threw him some fruit and a piece of meat.
Shocked he looked up at Sabo who was smiling "Luffy sent the meat he stole it from the HQ under his grandfather's nose which I guess is normal."
He laughed a little and Sabo smiled "Listen I need to go for awhile but if you need me just send a message and the same goes for Luffy. We will always be here for you brother."
"I understand and if you meet Captain Smoker again than give him a beating for me." Ace told him which Sabo laughed for no matter what had happened to their prince growing up he could tell that he was going to make a great king one day.
"Understood and you be careful too." Sabo warned before taking his leave for good.
Meanwhile at Royal HQ Garp was giving Luffy his discipline for skipping out on his duties today but Luffy just laughed it off. "So I take it that old Sengoku is mad at me?"
"This is not a joke Luffy you know better. Fist of Love." Garp hit him hard on the head.
"Ouch that hurt you crazy old man!" Luffy yelled which Garp hit him again.
"Respect your elders brat!" Luffy knew his grandpa was crazy and this only proved it.
"Let the kid go Garp he had enough he will do double cleaning of the offices tomorrow." Sengoku ordered and motioned for Luffy to take his leave.
"Thanks Sengoku." Luffy smiled as he left for he must tell his crew about what he had learned today and to be ready for a revolution was about to happen.
Once Luffy had left the room Garp turned to Sengoku "Any news?"
Sengoku's expression changed "The Black Crusaders had been on the move you know of the legend of the 4 mystical items don't you?"
Garp nodded "So that is what Blackbeard is after?"
"According to what I had picked up yes and the bloodline of magic as well is in grave danger. The 4 mystical items could grant him immortality and unnatural power if someone doesn't stop him." Sengoku sighed as he pulled out the old scroll that had been savaged from the invasion of the palace thanks to Cobra before he was killed by one of the Black Crusaders.
"I'm sure there will be a sign Sengoku that our future will be brighter." Garp told him for he hoped deep down that the one person destined to save them was still alive.
At the same time Blackbeard had sent out his top commanders in search of news of the whereabouts of the four mystical items including his top priority the one that will grant him immortality.
"My liege we have a clue on one of the items you seek." The commander known as Burgess came forward.
He grinned for he could feel his destiny within reach. "Tell me everything."