Ace stared at the body in front of him. The man's breathing was short and ragged but the doctor worked fast to stop his bleeding.

Ace wanted to gag at the sight of his wounds but held himself together. Something about gouging blood from a wound always irked. The last thing he wanted was to distract the doctor though.

Quick practiced hands hurriedly stitched up the wounds. Ace made note that the knife was clearly intended to kill with the way the blood curved along the mans body, outlining the cuts angle. As the doctor began to clean away the blood and ravaged skin, Ace could see due to the other man's struggles, his killer had just barely missed the Pompadours vital organs.

But there was more. It was the second stab wound right near his shoulder that Ace predicated would leave lasting damage in his arms. A surprising mugger would have gotten away with one good slash. The man back in the alley had clearly preempted his kill by bringing a second knife to compliment his first attack. Even though Pompadour looked to live a new day, he was gonna have to find a new weapon; he might never hold a sword again.

The doctor finally sat back and wiped the thick layer of sweat from his brow. Ace handed him some water and sat away from the surgery table, careful not to interfere.

"Thank god you brought him to me just in time. Any more blood loss would have given him minutes before death," he breathed, handing Ace back the water and finishing up the patient's stitches.

Ace studied Pompadours pained yet sleeping face.

"Thank you for taking him on such short notice. You're the only medical clinic I could find. When do you suppose he'll wake up?"

The doctor shrugged, looking both unsure and bewildered.

"Hard to say. I wasn't there to see the possible mental traumas. It could be hours or days depending. The body takes time to heal but so does the mind if its not used to this sort of violence."

Ace grimaced, memories of his own men, stuck in comatose states after fierce battles frayed his nerves.

"But-don't forget this is the New World too, boy. Certain people here, people you clearly haven't met yet, don't always heal the same way people like us do."

Ace looked at the doctor, unsure what to say. A part of his hoped this man was stronger than he looked right now, but he worried what that kind of wish might bring.

Ace stayed for a few more minutes as the Doctor began to clean up. At one point, the injured Pompadour groaned in his sleep. Ace tensed as the exhausted eyes of the brunette man opened painfully and tried to adjust to the room. The lights were barely on despite the doctor's deft hands working diligently to stitch up the man's wounds. Both Ace and the doctor paused in shock, waiting for the man to do something.

They waited. Pompadours eyes, struggled to stay open, he gurgled a hard moan and passed out again. Ace and the doctor relaxed again.

"My god, this man must be a beast waking up like that," the doctor grumbled, Ace nodding, unable to process his own thoughts.

After that, Pompadour did not reawaken for the rest of the morning.

Just as the afternoon began to roll in, Ace jerked out of his sleeping stupor to examine the doctor's job. Pompadour was stitched up and seemingly stable, his wound cleaned and body wrapped in a blanket to preserve warmth. Ace glanced at the clock in the office and cringed, he needed to get back to his crew.

He stood up from his seat, the doctor peering over at him.

"Thank you for helping me, but I have to get back to my crew. I'll try to stop by tomorrow if I'm here an extra day."

"No need to worry. I'll keep your friend safe here while he heals. Good of you to watch out for him like this. Don't forget to come back for the bill and your friend though, you hear?"

Ace shifted uncomfortably. He had no idea who this man was or what the entire debacle with him in the alleyway was about and he knew even less about the apparent bill.

"He's not a part of my crew actually. Just some poor guy I found getting mugged or something. I will try to find a way to get my bill paid, sir." Lie. But what could he do. The Marines certainly wouldn't pay for someone not enlisted in their ranks.

As he gathered his stuff, he took one last look at Pompadour, the brunette still passed out and pale from injury. Just as he was about to leave, the elder medic cleared his throat, having one last request.

"Say, this is a New World island, young man. I should warn you since you mention your crew, be careful about this mugging incident. Crimes on the islands in this area don't go unpunished if they involve new crews. Do you want to leave me with a location I can send this guy to when he wakes up? Just in case he wants to get his story straight?"

Ace scratched his head in wonder, the idea of rumors spreading about this whole incident now occurring to him as the most obvious thing. The broken fountain back in the town's square, the shabby mans severed arm still somewhere in the alleyway... all these pieces needed to be picked up and organized before someone can take good notice at Ace if the townspeople weren't already fussing over them.

Thanking the doctor politely, Ace simply gave permission to the doctor to describe him when the man wakes up, unwilling to give away his ships doc number to a complete stranger but also somewhat eager to meet the man in case he ever woke up while Ace was around. But right now, He needed to check up on his men and if he was fortunate, actually get that food he promised himself earlier.


After Ace had woken the crew and assigned Brady and Will to watch duty, he and his leftover men perused the town undercover as they finally ate Ace's desired lunch and eavesdropped in bars.

Ace, while Perrin and Orin were distracted with their conversations, snuck back to the town's square. The fountain he had pummeled the man into last night was still broken and the remnants of blood splatters had gathered a crowd of nervous people around it.

Ace cringed, if he tried to explain what happened last night without a conscious witness or proper evidence, he would blow his cover. Ultimately deciding to lay low, Ace kept his ear to the ground and listened for any news about his actions from last tonight while gathering intel on pirates coming through the island.

The day went by fast and all six marines retired for the evening at one of the islands famous hot springs. Ace sat next to Will as the team recounted their day and discoveries in hushed tones as to not gain the attention of other occupants in another spring nearby. After gathering their intel, it was time to share and discuss.

"There are not a lot of women in this town if that means anything. One of the travelers I was talking to told me a lot of the families try to locate more inland to avoid new rookies coming through which is why there aren't a lot of kids here either," Hal reported.

"In more pressing news, Captain," Orin began as he moved closer to Ace, "apparently just last night as we got in, one of Whitebeards scout ships set sail an hour or two right after we came in under the cloak of darkness. It has a few of the townspeople spooked since they apparently left in what was a hurry. We might want to communicate this back to the main vessel."

That detail shocked Ace. Amongst all the chaos from last night, to top it off, an Yonko had apparently just barely grazed past him and his men Was it mercy? a coincidence?

To his fault, he didn't know as much about the Whitebeard Pirates and their crew dynamic as much as he would like to. All he knew for the longest time was that Whitebeard was the only man ever to match his father and that he was considered the strongest man in the world right now. That's all that ever seemed to be important but now hearing about one of his factions and their behavior, he made a mental note to look into their inner crew workings more once he got back to the main fleets information archives.

"Well if they're not here now, we should be fine. Let's keep an ear out for some of the smaller crews that sail these waters and get a report back to the main fleet as soon as possible about the Whitebeards being on the island at all."

The men nodded. For the next few minutes, Ace and his team soaked in the spring. Nothing seemed to bother Ace too much, the waters heat overly pleasant for the fire logia's body. Next to Ace, however, Will's skin began to turn a bright red from the added heat his Captain's body gave to the water. When Ace opened his eyes again, the sight of all five of his men bright red and slightly disgruntled sitting at the water's edge met his eye.

Putting two and two together, Ace blushed and apologized. He didn't mean to boil the water, much less his own crew. Laughing nervously, Ace eventually hopped out after a few more minutes so that his crew could reenter and enjoy the rest of the spring. Drying off and redressing in his civilian attire, orange hat and sand colored shirt included, Ace decided to head out and enjoy a drink before putting in his reports and heading to bed.


Ace walked into one of the Towns smaller bars called 'The Silver Glass,' a building with old wooden panels lining the walls and a dim light illuminating the entire space, just the kind of place for him to kick back and relax without being around too many people.

Looking back on his journey so far, today's mission with his small team was a welcome return to routine despite their entrance into enemy territory. However, Ace couldn't help shake the feeling that something big was going on. Maybe it was the observation haki acting up, or the feeling in the air, but the but ever since he became stationed on Akainu's ship, a feeling of unrest had bloomed inside of him. Now being on the island, saving the man last night and coming closer to the big names he once dreamed of taking on, he felt a tide in the air shift powerfully every day. He just couldn't place if it would help him in the long run.

Ace pulled up a seat and made eye contact with an old speckled bartender.

"Any sake in this place you might have for me?"

The bartender raised his eyebrows. Ace had a pretty good guess on what the amused older man would say to him now that he was out of the formal marine uniform.

"Are you old enough to drink, lad? You don't look much older than my second son. He's a teen..."

Ace smiled nervously. Without his navy uniform on, he had been told he lost about five years off his actual age. He didn't have an ID on him that wouldn't give him away either, all the inconvenience of trying to stay hidden on an island in pirate territory. Ace thought for excuses, maybe just order something else that won't make people like this man question his identity…

"Don't worry about it old timer, he's with me. Right kid?" a casual male voice said behind him.

The feeling of change in the air from earlier nagged him. Ace felt a presence sink into the bar stool next to his. Whipping his head to the person, Ace was at a loss for words.

It was Pompadour from last night, alive and apparently buying him a drink after only one day of recovery from a stab wound.

The bartender huffed and nodded, uninterested in the matter with this new man now in the mix. As he went off to go fetch him and the stranger something to drink, Ace was left alone with the man.

Ace could only stare. Pompadour had a soft but strained smile on his face. His skin was still a sickly pale but his light blue clothes and yellow neck scarf where washed and fresh from the blood stains. Unreal and inhuman where the only words Ace could think of to describe such a thing. The doctor had been right. No other human, maybe not even Ace himself would be up and be running after those wounds much less hitting up a bar in that state.

"You! F-from last night. You're awake?" Ace spluttered, trying to reign in his shock at the brunette man's functioning form.

A bit of gleeful light came into Pompadours tired looking eyes. "So I did find the right guy. Your the one who saved me last night. The doctor I met this afternoon said a black haired kid with freckles saved my sorry butt just in time for me to see another day."

Kid. There that word was again.

Ace wanted to snarl,but the humility lessons Garp had yelled into him and the manners from Makino coming back full force. He simply nodded tensely, unsure how to reaffirm this guy's words.

"I-it was nothing. I'm happy to see you've recovered so fast too. But really, I would do it for anyone in trouble like that."

Pompadour smiled, his face friendly despite the scarring on his left eye scrunching up. "Well I'm glad it was me this time. Thank you. Really. I thought for sure I was dead and now I can least live to see my brothers again. Not a lot of sailors out there would do something like that. Not here anyway"

So this man had a family. One with brothers…

The deep hole Ace had carved in his heart solely for Luffy and Sabo throbbed. All of a sudden, saving Pompadour seemed less like a random act of kindness and more like a fated decision. Ace, the protector of brothers. Somehow being able to ensure this man's return to his family made Ace feel better about not being able to return to Luffy, even if for a second.

"I'm glad then that I stepped in. I don't know what happened to the guy who attacked you, but I'm happy to hear you at least have a family to return to. One brother to another, it sucks to leave family wondering what happened. I'd like to think someone will save my own brother when he's in trouble."

Pompadours face went through a variety of emotions that seemed to so suddenly clash with each other. Ace could see the glimpses of fury mixed with sorrow strength across his demeanor before he settled back into a practiced smile. Ease on the outside, no doubt a storm underneath.

"A brother is a very sacred thing. Wise words for a kid-er sorry," he laughed, catching Ace's soured look again. Kid. He was not a kid anymore.

But Pompadour seemed unfazed by his attitude, just amused. "That man who attacked me was once part of my family too. I hate to think he might be going back to them right knowing what he actually thinks of a family after last night, but at least I still have a chance to warn them."

Ace felt himself tense. He didn't think this man and the other looked related by blood, not that he could judge, but apparently this thing could possibly escalate.

The brunette man sat, spaced out as he seemed to gather what to say next to Ace.

Ace sat as the bartender came back and placed two sake bottles in front of them. Pompadour seemed oblivious to it, lost in his own mind, but Ace could feel the quiet in the bar stretch out. How did he end up sitting with the stranger he saved waiting for the still injured man to fill him in on his seemingly intense family drama? He still wasn't sure, but his Makino manners held strong, it's important to give people consideration and patience to find their words. The sheer betrayal and emotional vulnerability was something Ace was not experienced handling in a person.

"He was always a good guy, or at least I thought," he said, now full on lamenting his murder to Ace much to the Marine's discomfort. "Always helpful, wise to an extent…never craved the spotlight. The family, the crew I come from, we're very close. We love each other and support ourselves. Then I found this devil fruit a few days ago. A really good one apparently and the next thing I know, Teach tries to kill me."

Ace gulped. So Teach was the mugger's name. Something about it rang a far away bell in his head he couldn't place. What if Sabo had ever tried to kill him over the Mera Mera no mi? It was unthinkable. And Luffy? Luffy would never in a million years kill him in the interest of power, but this man probably thought the same of his own brother.

"We fought side by side. We ate side by side. It's the one thing that could tear us apart as a family, killing each other and he did it the minute I had the fruit," Pompadour whispered, his eyes shadowed in a grim light. "The worst part is I probably would have given it to him had he just asked. Now I have to go home and tell everyone what happened, even if he's still there."

Ace felt his hand itch to reach out.

"I'm sorry that happened. People do crazy things and end up ruining the ones they love," Ace consoled, hesitantly patting the man on the shoulder. He slid his share of sake over to the man, clearly needing it more than him. "But at least you're alive to protect the brothers you have left and stop this from going further."

He hoped. Inner family issues on what appeared to be a family owned ship sounded suspiciously like a complicated nightmare to Ace. At least when him, Sabo and Luffy fought, they had their own tree houses. At least when him and Garp hated each other, it was just for a few days a year. Then Gramps would disappear for another year.

Pompadour gave him a soft smile in return. "They sure do. But at least I'm still alive. You're right. He won't get that fruit and I can make sure my family knows I'm alive. So thank you…um?"

Ace blushed, embarrassed over not introducing himself more properly. "Ace! Portgas Ace. I'm a-er a merchant ship trader as well but for the marines. I got a bit off course this last round."

Something about Pompadours sad and tired demeanor changed as he sat upright and gave Ace a wry smile. While it wasn't the noblest, cool or expected a job for someone who looked like Ace, it spaced him apart enough to not gain the ire of this man if he was a marine but also didn't tie him into the classification of a pirate. Merchants were usually a good neutral party and he didn't know too much about this man.

"A merchant? For the marines. Shouldn't a kid your age be out making a name for yourself and having fun on the seas?"

That feeling of changing tides was back. "It runs in my family. I gotta support my own family you know. You sound like you have a big enough family that can mass support itself, mine is very small."

Pompadour shook his head still smiling. "True. It is pretty big. Well, you tell your ship to find a different island to dock on. I'll do you a favor and keep it quiet for now, but if any of these towns' people find out your work for the marines, you might not be so lucky the next time you come back."

Ace laughed nervously. He wanted to stay and ask about the man's life some more and possibly uncover more about his twisted brother's murder plot, but his crew was definitely heading back to the ship now. Plus, this man no doubt knew that big gun called in to put Ace's fantasy merchant ship into place would have a Whitebeard jolly roger on their flag. The last thing Ace wanted was to confront the world's strongest pirate crew without a plan of escape picked out. He personally wasn't afraid to die fighting, but he owed his crew a chance to live.

"Well thank you for that-um what was your name. I'm sorry I never asked."

Pompadour stretched out his hand to Ace, "Thatch. Just Thatch."

Ace took it. "Well nice to meet you, Thatch. I'll be in town for a couple of days in case you want company while you recover."

The newly minted Thatch considered this before nodding. "I think I'll take you up on that. I should be fine in a few days, but I need to start finding a way to contact my family."

With that Ace departed. He had numerous problems to address including a medical bill, secret marine mission, and apparent 'fantasy' merchant' channel to handle before sleeping for the night.

As Ace strolled back to the ship, back at the 'The Silver Glass,' the cranky bartender approached Thatch with the bill. The speckled man, however, paused as he spied the Whitebeard Jolly Roger printed on the back of the brunette man's hand now in full view despite being covered up around the younger freckled man earlier. Ripping the bill to pieces and nodding at his customer, the bartender left the man. Being in Whitebeard's territory didn't necessarily mean being forced to give free drinks away, but the bartender was grateful for the protection the crew gave his luxurious island.

Thatch, who had not even looked up from his lap since the younger fellow left, pulled a small baby snail with a tiny white beard on its face from his suite. The snail looked a bit injured after Teach had attempted to crush it last night, but the stranger's intervention had sparred the Den Den Mushi's life enough for Thatch to retrieve it earlier from the alley. The pompadour man heard about his crew leaving him on the island, which meant Teach had probably assumed he died and went to evacuate the men from the island.

Carefully dialing on the Den Den Mushi, trying not to harm it further, Thatch waited in silence for a pickup. The empty silence in the bar was eventually disrupted by the grief-stricken growl of a much older and more powerful force.

"Who dares interrupt my grieving over the death of my beloved son?"


Note:

I am back. I am sorry for being away for so long. I've been out of One Piece for over two years and only recently, have caught up and rejoined the fandom. I have missed fanfiction and I have missed writing this disaster more than anything. First off, THANK YOU to all my reviewers and readers for supporting this fic despite me leaving a dangling piece of bread in front of your faces for so long. I am back (again) and committed to finishing this thing, no matter how afraid I am of it not being perfect.

I love One Piece and I especially love the Whitebeard pirates and Ace. I found out recently Ace is getting his own origin novel out in English (JP is already out) and the next arc after Reverie in OP will have my main man MARCO in the mix again. I can't describe how excited I am for that, but nevertheless, I want to finish this fic before the story fumbles my plans again.

I can say, one minor pro waiting this long had yielded me from leaving this fic untouched has been my commitment to include Big Mom in this fic at a later chapter. I'm sure most of you know as well, but Big Mom's arc is insane and crazy in a lot of good ways BUT almost not fics out there have her meet WB or his crew. I'm oddly intrigued by the dynamic they would have face to face since both crews are families yet so wildly different in nature.

Anyway, a few of you so kindly asked me in the reviews what my plans were and since I know you all have waited so long, I will prelude three things I have planned for this fic: starting with that confrontation between Big Mom and WB, since I think the two of them arguing and fighting against one another would be amazing to write, not to mention the dynamic all the crews commanders ould have with each other. Two, I'm committed to somehow having Ace and the WB crew go against each other in a Davy Back fight since the comedy potential is endless and I think it would be a fun thing to do. Third, Marco is incoming next two chapters at the latest. Stay tuned. I put some editor notes below so that you peeps know what I changed from my old chapters. My old writing makes me cringe hard, to say the least, and some old plot points had no direction or purpose, but now things are rolling.

Things removed from fic: (if your a new reader, disregard this. If you're a returner, pls read)

-Blondie character has been scrapped. I honestly had zero plans for her.

-Luffy detail at Enies Lobby also scrapped since I want to make Ace younger and Luffy's entrance to the New world less immedtiate. For now, we can say he just beat Crocodile. (details about his confrontation with Smoker will be addressed in later chapters)

If there's any inconsistencies or plot holes you guys detect, pls pm or review it! I love writing this fic but I also want to keep improving so you enjoy it more.