A/N: Well shit guys im sorry for how short this chapter is, but right now we're going through testing and I have States and Regionals coming up for Track and field. So I'm just a tiny bit busy, but I do plan to post everyday. Only problem is the length.

TO MAKE UP FOR IT: I'm posting two stories tomorrow after my track meet. :D


The boys watched as the massive figure crumpled down to the floor. Their eyes reading concern and confusion as they rushed to flip the man over.

"What happened!?" Law's voice tripped over its words as he pleadingly looked at the younger boy..

Ace heart raced as he timidly shook his head, "I - I don't know. I didn't see any of these wounds earlier." His hands beginning to twitch as he bit down on his lips.

"You didn't see?!" Law's eyes were murked with fury as this was the first time he'd lashed out at the little one. "What do you mean you didn't s-"

"Law!" Corazon hitched from below the boys. "I'm not dead yet!" His pupils locked with Law and then trailed to Ace.

The man dug into his pocket anxiously and pulled out a capsule, "Give this to the marines . . . It'll help save a country named . . . Dressrosa."

Law and Ace exchanged a glance, before the older boy reached forward. "I hate marines, you know that . . . Who do I give it to?" The guilt in his eyes devoured his hatred.

Corazon managed to crack a grin, "A-Any marine will do."

Both boys nodded intently, before stumbling off after one another.


"Do you think he'll survive?" Ace was one step behind Law, he wasn't aware that the older boy was able to run as fast as he was.

Law huffed and twitched his head in the kid's direction, "What? Why would you ask that?"

Ace's pupils drifted down as he began to focus on the ground. The recent months spent with Corazon and Law had really made him soft and an outer shell compared to his old self.

Law glanced back and paused. "Of course he'll survive." He stated, his eyes sharpened with passion and focus as he ran straight forward.

"Mm." Ace nodded his head.

As they neared the marine boat, Ace began to slow up. "Go on ahead of me. I'll wait here and be on lookout." He sheepishly reached a hand behind his head and scratched it.

Law skidded to a stop, leaving tracks in the snow, "Lookout? Bu- . . . ok. I'll be back quickly."

Ace nodded gratefully. He hadn't told anyone about his heritage and he wasn't going to risk them finding anything out about it today. "Good luck." He flashed a smile.

Law returned the expression by gesturing two thumbs up. Instead of Ace waiting he decided to head back to Corazon, keeping the man company.

Ace's throat clamped as his own skin crawled on top itself.

"V-Vergo?" Corazon croaked, "Don't tell me this is your se-secret mission." Corazon's eyes fluttered loosely before being covered by his hand. "Man."

Ace attempted to swallow the dryness away but it stayed stubborn. "Sp-Spoonman-san." His eyes becoming more wide by the second.

"I found someone!" Law poked his head from out behind the massive man. "Look!" He grinned making his eyes hug his cheeks.

"B-Boy?" Vergo eyed Ace before looking at the capsule in his hand, slowly gazing over the contents of the message. "Mm."

Law hopped down from Corazon's back as his feet touched the ground he was tackled by Ace. "Move!" Law felt a sharp breeze cross his face as he witnessed a black figure rocket towards Corazon.

The superior man proceeded to beat Corazon mercilessly and cruelly, before kicking him away into the wooden items behind him.

Law shivered as the man's fierce and predatory gaze met his. He moved his fingers as they dampened by the minute and his ear overheated with them. "Wh-What?"

Vergo leaped towards Law punching him in the face and joining Corazon in the state of unconsciousness.

Ace's eyes followed the older boy's route towards the ground, "La-" His voice was cut off short as his head snapped towards the aura that was emitting off of the older man. "Give me a break." Ace scoffed, "You're not mad, are you?"

Vergo slowly walked towards the freckled boy, his expression not softening.

"Why would you hit him?" Ace's voice came out weaker than he had planned, as his limbs became number from the snow. "Why?!"

Vergo stopped before crouching down to Ace's level, "I should be asking why."

At Ace's confused expression, he inhaled slowly, "Why were you with him?" His shoulders heaved as he exhaled, "Why was he looking for a marine?" Ace's eyes widened by every word, "Why was he going to betray Doffy?!"

Ace fell to the ground, staring up shocked. Ouch. His head was throbbing with mixed consciences speaking at the same time in his head, today had taken a toll on him and it's only becoming worse.

"W-What?" He stared at Corazon, "So are you going to kill him?" His question flowed out staticy.

"Kill him?" Vergo pointed to himself, "Me? No, no that's Doffy's problem. Not mine." He then turned towards Ace, "But now you get to go home." He attempted to manage a wry smile as he dialed on the transponder snail.

While the older man was distracted by the voice that came through the phone, Ace notice the other two figures on the ground began to move. He wanted to help, talk, or do anything, but his mind told him otherwise and his heart seconded it.

"Corazon." Ace bit his lip, tears on the verge of spilling out. "Law. I'm sorry."


Ace was speechless and at the moment confused and lost within the situation. One would say he was near a vegetable like state, however, he came to once he looked in the sky and noticed familiar steaks of light.

As he stood there, his mind drifted over the thousands of memories he accumulated throughout his years and stumbled across one. Birdcage.


Sorry that's it my friends. You don't have to review, but please remember to favorite and follow . . . heheh :P