Character Three: Portgas D. Ace

Fruit Name: Mera Mera no mi

Ability: The ability to create, control and turn into fire at will


Deep within the capital of Risky Red Island, the many inhabitants of the island went about their day casually, the entire city bustling with enthusiastic energy. The island, despite being located on the second half of the grand line, was relatively peaceful compared to the hells faced by all who visit the other islands after visiting Fishman Island. Raijin island and Mystoria island were precarious positions for pirates to stop at.

Today, however, all passer-bys who walked past a certain restaurant deep within the heart of the city slowed down their hasty paces and looked through the glass window at the customer sitting at the bar. The barkeep, looking slightly fearful, tried his best to ignore the greedy customer, who had devoured two entire main courses and was now getting started on his third.

"Oi, this tastes very good."

The barkeep turned around at the customer's sentence and nodded.

"Thank you, I'll inform the chef of your compliment."

Portgas D. Ace nodded back before voraciously tearing into the cooked chicken sitting in front of him. Within two minutes the cooked bird had been stripped of all it's flesh, with the plate it was sitting on tossed to the side. Rubbing his stomach, Ace let out a satisfied burp.

"That was awesome. I haven't had such a nice meal in a long time."

Finally he's full. Smiling, the barkeep sat down the glass he was wiping on the table and walked towards his customer.

"Would you like the bill?"

"Oh, no, not yet." Ace's words caused the barkeep's eyes to widen further in disbelief. "I need something sweet. Do you serve desserts here?"

There was a thundering explosion of sound as the door to the restaurant flew open. A large group of marines stood at its entrance, guns cocked and swords extended at the man who's back was currently facing them. At the front stood one of the Marines' Elite, a man who had, through strength, leadership and perseverance, worked his way up the ranks of the World Government's military sea force.

"Portgas D. Ace. Bounty: 550,000,000 beli."

Upon hearing his name, Ace gently placed the fork he was twirling between his fingers back to the bartop. What he didn't do, however, was to turn his head around to look at the group of men who intended to apprehend him.

"Vice Admiral Doberman. I'd recognize that voice anywhere." Ace grinned at he remained facing away from the Vice Admiral. "How's life going for you? Killed anybody to maintain Absolute Justice?"

"That's a nice way to put it. I recently cleared out a few pirate ships from around the island of their scum. And unfortunately for you, we've entirely surrounded this restaurant. You're coming back with us."

"Thanks for your invitation, though I think you should learn how to be more polite when you speak to other people." Ace straightened his orange hat. "Unfortunately, apprehending me won't be so easy. Personally, I'm slightly surprised that the Marines decided to send you here to capture me. I would have expected someone with a higher rank."

Doberman's face grew red as he seethed at Ace's mockery.

"I wasn't sent by the Marines. I was about to leave under orders for another island before I heard that you had been spotted on Risky Red." Doberman placed one hand on his sword's hilt as he withdrew the weapon from it sheath. "My superiors will be more than satisfied if I successfully capture you."

"Really."

Ace then turned around on the swivel stool, the rim of his hat casting an ominous shadow over his eyes.

"You should really listen to your higher-ups."

Sticking his hands outwards, Ace started moving his fingers around. Small balls of fire stared to emerge from the devil fruit user, as though they were tiny insects that lit up in the darkness of the night.

"Hotarubi."

Firefly light.

Upon seeing the ominously glowing balls of yellow, Doberman narrowed his eyes.

"What is that?"

The balls of fire slowly drifted towards the group of marines at the entrance of the restaurant. Grinning widely, Ace snapped his fingers.

"HIdaruma."

Fiery doll.

At the snap, the balls of fire exploded in mid-air. Startled, the marines behind Doberman let out a simultaneous gasp as they leapt back. The fiery spheres hit some unfortunate souls, falling to the ground as they attempted to rid themselves of the flames on their clothes.

Doberman managed to skillfully avoid all of Ace's attack. However, before he could turn back to the Fire Logia user, Ace had already disappeared from his seat, leaving behind three plates that were licked clean, and a startled barkeep standing behind the bar. Looking upwards, Doberman frowned as he realized there was a hole in the ceiling, the ends of the wood charred black.

"He escaped! Go after him!"

"Yes Sir!"

The marines then ran out of the restaurant. The barkeep remained in one spot for a few minutes, stunned. It was only after that that he realized that Ace had not paid his bill.


Ace chuckled merrily as he race along the narrow twisting streets and alleys of Risky Red. Behind him was a group of marines in hot pursuit, clamoring for his arrest. It was not the first time where Ace had to escape from the marines, he had in fact done it so many times that the adrenaline rush he had obtained from his first escape now seemed nothing more than a little wave of excitement.

Too easy.

"Get back here, Fire-Fist!"

"You'll have to catch me first, dickwad!"

Skidding into a dark alleyway, Ace continued running, with Doberman and his group of marines chasing after him. Just as he was about to leave the alley from the opposite side, an additional group of marines sprung out and blocked the exit.

"We've got you now, Fire-Fist!"

Ace smirked.

"Nope. Guess again."

As he continued running towards the human barricade, Ace drew his fist backwards, summoning flames with his inner body heat. His fist began to emit steam, the intensity of the heat so violent that heat waves could be seen coming off Ace's body. Without a warning, his fist was then thrust forward, the multitude of flames exploding forward in a giant fist-shaped ball of flame.

"Hiken!"

Fire-Fist.

The entire group of marines was blown away by Ace's signature attack, yelling as they hit a wall, the physical impact alone causing them to break through the plaster as they fell straight into a private apartment, it's occupant shrieking in fright at the disturbance. Some of the men continued lying on the ground, comatose, while those still conscious were desperately trying to tear off their uniforms to rid themselves of the fire that painfully blistered their skin.

As they were attempting to stop the fire, none of the marines were paying attention to their target, who had now slipped out of the alley and into another narrow street.

At the sight of his ambush thwarted, Doberman swore under his breath.

"Don't falter!" Doberman turned around and shouted at the men behind him. "We'll catch him no matter what, in the name of Absolute Justice!"

"Yes Sir!"

Just as the marines had left the alley, a wall of flame that blocked their path immediately greeted them, it's flames licking so high and intensely that even the Vice-Admiral didn't dare to cross its threshold. Ace stood on the opposite side of the wall, grinning widely.

"Enjomo."

Flaming Net.

"It was nice seeing you guys, but I'm not really in the mood for a fight."

"It's not your choice, Fire-Fist!" Doberman yelled furiously.

"Like I said earlier, you'll have to catch me first."

Ace turned away from the marines on the opposite of the wall of fire, and sped towards the harbor, where his raft was anchored. Doberman turned around to the marines that were standing behind him, waiting for his command.

"We'll take a shortcut." Doberman wiped his sweaty brow. "He's headed towards the harbor, that's where we last saw his raft. Capture that man at all costs. Use Kairoseki bullets if you have to!"


Ace stood at the harbor, staring at the spot where his raft used to be. In its place lay a few pieces of driftwood, floating on the surface of the sea. He clenched his teeth angrily as he realized who the culprits were, unconsciously allowing almost comical steam lines emit from his hair as his blood boiled.

The raft was a gift from Whitebeard.

"Stop right there!"

Ace spun around, his glare so severe that the lower ranking marines in the group stopped straight in their tracks, hesitant. In a dangerously low voice, Ace focused his death glare at the highest-ranking officer.

"You wrecked my raft, Doberman."

Doberman smiled wickedly.

"You won't need it where you're going, Fire-Fist."

Ace continued glaring at the Vice Admiral, before his face melted into a smile, a testament to his characteristic ability to expound on all the colors of emotion in a split second.

"You destroyed my raft, Doberman. Shouldn't I even out the playing field?"

Raising his hand, Ace pointed his fist towards the long row of marine battleships that had stationed themselves at Risky Red's harbor. Doberman's eyes widened as he realized that Ace was about to do.

We don't have another way out of here…

"Wait! Don't-"

A spear-shaped jet of flame erupted from the Fire-user's hand. Like a giant marksman's arrow, the fire rammed its way through the haul of five identical battleships, damaging them beyond repair.

"Shinka: Shiranui."

Sacred Fire: Mysterious Light at Sea

A livid Doberman raced towards Ace with his sword, it's blade glistening in the noonday sun.

"You bastard!"

Ace bent himself down, his hands touching the ground. Almost instantly, a pool of flame extended itself along the ground, Ace right in its epicenter.

"Enkai."

Flame Commandment.

Drawing the circular pool of fire towards him, Ace stomped on the ground as he made a sudden leap upwards, with one hand blowing out a constant flame onto the ground, suspending him in the air as though he were a rocket. A fist was stretched out, connected to a thin stream fire onto the ground. Facing Doberman, who was racing towards him, Ace unleashed his attack.

"Hibashira!"

Fire Pillar.

The yells from the group of pursuing marines echoed for miles around.


As Ace sat on the sixth Marine battleship, the only one that had not been destroyed by his attack, there was a plethora of emotions in his head. Excitement, appeasement, serenity, and rage. Risky Red had merely been another pit stop in his pursuit for his target, and there was no way he would return to Whitebeard until he had found it.

It was the only way Thatch could rest in peace.

As he played with his artificial fire-made fireflies that hovered around his fingers, Ace lay down on the deck of the ship as he tried to rest. It took him only two seconds to fall into slumber.


Author's Note – There we go! Just as promised, Portgas D. Ace. I'm developing new ideas as we speak, so I'm thinking along the lines of another supernova besides Law, or perhaps a Shichibukai. We'll see.

Reviews appreciated.

~SUITELIFEFAN