? Months later.
Ace got up from his bed, groaning as he did since he had to get to work. He was never an early person and that definitely showed through when Gramps would always wake Lu, Sabo, and him for 'morning training' it was ridiculous! He went through his morning routine before making himself some breakfast then proceeding to walk out the door. It had been a few months since he escaped Impel Down and started his new life away from everyone he knew about a good 200 miles from where his brothers and the Whitebeard family lived, right back to the Grandline.
Since he had started his new life, Ace of course had to change his look. He dyed his hair blonde with red strikes in it, leaving his hair long as it did grow why he was being tortured and being held in Impel Down even putting it in a ponytail. He wore dress shirts more instead of t shirts or no shirt at all, ripped jeans from shorts, still wearing boots, and started wearing fingerless gloves.
Before he even thought of starting anew, Ace decided that he didn't want to be a bother to his family, and a tool for his enemy to use him. As soon as he left that hell of a prison he cut his shoulder open to get the chip inside him (he patted himself down even to see if the bastards left anymore in him), threw it pretty far into the ocean (hopefully they would think he drowned or something) before making his move for a new life and so here he was.
He got on his Harley driving to his workplace, a small coffee shop that his employer owned, the wind going through his hair. As he arrived he turned his motorcycle off, put down the kickstand while getting off, then entering the coffee shop.
"Oh good! You're here Lance, that means you can get the order by the window! Table 8!"
You had heard right, He had changed his name. If he didn't want to be found, he would have to change almost everything about who he used to be. His name was now Lance Spades, born in June, 29, a blonde haired and blue eyed man. His new life, his new identity….
"Right on it Amy!"
Ace went through the day taking orders, handing them out and being hit on as usual by some of the customers both female and male alike but in the end he always told them the same thing.
"Sorry but I'm not looking for a relationship now, but I'm flattered!"
That by itself could interpret into almost any situation he could think of especially the sad one like someone breaking up with him. Good thing for Ace this is what most people thought when he said this so they usually backed off.
It was now the end of the day, Ace about to clock out when the bell rang again. Ace was in the back, Amy being in the front as they were the only ones who stayed behind a little after 5 pm. Ace walked to the front freezing for only a second when he saw Marco, Sabo and Thatch standing at the counter ordering.
"Lance can you help me make these fine gentlemen some coffee? Marco to the left will have a black coffee, Sabo in the middle will have a latte, and Thatch to the right will have a mocha!"
He smiled as he tried to hide his distress.
"Right away Ma'am!"
"And what have I told you about calling me Ma'am?!"
"Not to but I'm still going to do it! Heheheh!"
"Smartass, just make the coffees! Oh I'm since it's hot out i'm going to turn on the ac but it might take a moment to kick in yeah?"
Ace simply nodded before starting to make each coffee from simplest to hardest, black being first, then mocha, and last the latte. He made them trying not to make it apparent that he knew how they liked it since they didn't say anything about it. This made Ace very nervous but he kept his cool, finishing the drinks before passing them out as he then laid his elbows on the counter.
"Well? How do you like them?"
"Mmhhh! This is really good! I'm glad you brought us here Sabo!"
"Yeah, Luffy, Ace, and I visited here before when we lived in the Grandline!"
"Yeah yoi. What was your name again?"
"Oh, it's Lance! Nice to meet ya!"
Ace gave a genuine smile, glad to see that some of his brothers were okay.
"Lance can you check the temp on the thermo to make sure the ac is starting to kick in? It's one of those hot days dammit."
"Yeah, I'll check it now!"
Ace used his shirt to fan himself a bit, letting up not realizing that the top half of his shirt started sticking to him showing the tattoo on his back as he went to check the ac.
"Yeah it's working Amy! Since my shift is over, after these guys I'm going to head home ok?"
"Got ya! See you tomorrow!"
Ace began to take off his apron, the shirt completely sticking to his back.
"You're a part of Blackbeard's family?"
Ace froze at that one sentence, slowly turning around his eyes widening as he saw the cold glares of all three of his brothers. Nothing but distrust in those eyes, questioning, but all promising a slow and painful death for just being apart of that vile man's group.
"I don't know what you're talking about, now if you'll please leave since you have your coffee. I don't want any trouble for Amy…."
"Then come with us scum, if you're apart of that family then you must know we're looking for, someone your boss stole from us."
They were talking about him.
"I've been left that man, who ever you're looking for is either long been dead or has been sold to Doflamingo. I hear him and Blackbeard are very close when it comes to human trafficking."
"If you have left Blackbeard then you wouldn't mind giving us any information we might need."
"I'm not ratting him out, if you know that man then you know he wouldn't even remotely think about keeping me alive. I know from the moment you found out I was in Blackbeard's gang you resent me, I saw it in your eyes. How do I know that I or the people who I've come to know won't be harmed, like Amy?"
"Now boy you know i can take care of myself."
"Amy! I….I'm sorry for lying to you…."
"Now when did you lie to me? I don't recall asking anything about your past Lance, if that is your real name. I hired you because I saw you trying to turn over a new leaf. I've seen men like you, the look in their eyes as if they have lost everything or is trying to protect the people they love. I saw both in you so that's why I decided that I wasn't going to be the next bad thing that happened in your life. These people just want to find someone precious to them, now coming from me, will you help them darling?"
Amy, even though he hadn't known the other long, Amy had been one of the people he hadn't wanted to disappoint.
"Yeah, for you Amy…."
"Thanks Darling. Now hear me now you three, If I find out anything, and I mean anything has happened to Lance, I will come after y'all, I'll go straight to the Whitebeard Mansion if I don't hear from him in a week or so got it?"
Ace looked to them as they nodded.
"Alright then, Come in when you can Lance but other than that I'm giving you off, ya hear. So no coming in when you feel obligated, only 1-2 a week, got it?"
"I got it Amy."
Ace walked around, taking his apron off setting it on a hook before he walked passed the three not bothering to turn around because of the footsteps he heard following him. He got to his Harley, getting on it as he turned to Marco, Thatch, and Sabo.
"You have a car that you can follow behind in?"
"Yes?"
"Good because I'm taking you to my place. So hop in the car and wave when you're ready to follow me."
They did as he said, watching as they got in the car with Marco in the driver seat. Marco was one of the best drivers Whitebeard had to offer, they obviously thought he was going to try and ditch them. Ace saw the wave, rolling his eyes as he put his motorcycle into drive before taking off seeing Marco do the same. He drove through the streets pretty fast, there wasn't any traffic to be worried about in those terms. Ace started to slow down as he came to his apartment, eyes widening as he remembered all the stuff that he still kept of his old life out in the open like his belt, his hat, or the beaded necklace that Marco gave him as a gift for becoming a part of the family.
As soon as he put it in park, Ace took his keys, and as fast as he could, ran into the apartment complex (realizing that it seemed like he was running away….), up the stairs as he heard the hurried slamming of the other's car doors, then to his apartment hearing as steps followed his as he unlocked his door, went into his apartment and then locked it.
There was banging on his door a second later.
"I knew you would try to run! Get out here right now!"
"I will let you in as soon as I put some things away that I don't want anyone to see! So sit tight outside."
"You….!"
"Stop Thatch, he's letting us into his house so let him do what he wants yoi."
"Thank you Marco…."
"How do you know Marco's and Thatch's name Lance? I think Amy was on to something when she said if that was your real name, but question is who are you really?'
Ace didn't say anything as he walked through his living room looking to see if he needed to put anything away but nothing so far except his hat and beaded necklace. He guessed he had all his stuff in his bedroom, he wouldn't ever take them in his bed room but it couldn't hurt to be saf-
Ace turned as he heard the lock shifted, seeing the door open a few moments later with them standing there. He saw their eyes shift before landing on his things or in their eyes, Ace's things. He was about to tell them everything since he didn't see how he could fool them any longer but before Ace could do that a pair of hands were wrapped around his neck choking him, crushing his throat.
"Thatch! Stop! We need him alive!"
But it was too late for Ace since as soon as the hands pulled away darkness was already seeping into his sight.
? Hours later.
When Ace woke up he expected to hear the family talking ( more like arguing from what he was hearing) but didn't expect the muzzle made specifically for humans to be put on him. Guess they were afraid he might contact Blackbeard. Let him explain a bit, they had captured a high ranking Blackbeard official once but it was fooled when the man had somehow contacted and told of one of their warehouse locations.
So here he was.
Just a few moments later the door opened to show Thatch he which had Ace relieved since he wasn't terrible to prisoners but was very worried about the dark expression across the other's face. He didn't interpret the pain until a moment after the powerful gut punch he received from the other, coughing up blood as his vision went back and forth between clear and black. Next his hair was grabbed, Thatch making Ace look him in the eyes.
"I don't know where Ace is but you will tell us or we'll give you a very painful wake up call that we can be just as worst as Blackbeard if not worse."
His head was then let go as he tried to get all the breath he needed from his nose since he had the mouth guard on. He watched as Thatch left, not knowing how he felt before he felt the tears hit his knees. No one came in for a while prompting him to fall asleep.
? Days later.
Ace had been in this room for a while only getting the occasional meal which was about 3 times a day, but really got him was that not one had come to questioned him. The only interaction he got was getting beaten by some of the family since everyone saw him being herded into the house and was told that they have a lead to him. If only he probably someone else could get this mouth guard off then he could tell them he was right here!
It wasn't too long before they brought another in, Ace being surprised since it was Laffite they caught the other was one not to be caught unless….Laffite knew there was no Lance so it had one other explanation.
They were here to take him back still disguised as 'Lance'.
"Well look who it is! Oh it's nice to see you! Although I never expected to see you in this position with the Whitebeards, guess they haven't figured it out yet hm?"
"Enough talking!"
Lafitte just smiled at him knowing it made him uncomfortable and it was working. It made Ace very aware of the fact that he was either going to be taken again by Blackbeard or suffer more by the hands of his family….
It had been only a day or so before word of a commander coming back from a mission. Ace didn't know what to think of this since a number of his brothers were level headed but weren't above torturing someone of necessary.
"Have you all seen the prisoner? Has he said anything?"
Izo? He must have been away for the first few days when he was brought in.
"No, we have a muzzle on him until Pops comes back to talk with him."
"Wait so how have you been feeding him?"
"We haven't. Thatch has forbade us from doing so. Says it will make him more cooperative when talking to Pops."
"That idiot….let me see the new prisoner so I know what he looks like in case of an escape."
Ace looked away as the door opened letting light flood in before he turned back, deeming it safe to look, not expecting to be staring as Izo head on. The other seemed to be looking over him and Lafitte to his right as he made his way over to them. As he got closer, Izo stopped then seemed to squint as he was looking at Ace.
"Oh? It seems your friend here is starting to get the idea Lance."
"What do you mean scum?"
"Your guys are looking for Ace am I wrong?"
"Yes and as soon as we find him we'll-"
"But my dear you have already found him, because let me tell you we have never had a Lance in our gang."
Ace hung his head down before that was halted when Izo grabbed his chin looking in the eye. Izo's eyes widen as he began to tear through the restraints on him prompting Lafitte to start laughing.
"Someone get Whitey Bay! Where are the keys to Ace's cuffs!?"
"Commander what are you-"
"Just do what I say!"
Ace watched as Izo desperately tore at his restraints as tears started to form in his eyes from watching as the different color bruises came to light done by a numerous people from the family. Ace closed his eyes putting his head, closing his eyes smiling finally being able to relax.
"Ace? You need to keep your eyes open! Ace? Ace!"
It will be ok Izo….He just wanted to sleep for a bit….
Ace opened his eyes after what felt like a second, sitting up as he looked around. His eyes widened as he saw a good number of the commanders sleeping around him along with Pops sitting in a bigger chair in the corner. Marco, Thatch, Haruta, Jozu and Izo(?) didn't seemed present….Ace also saw a mirror as well, no one had touched him except for the bandages on his body which his hand went to.
It's as if his mind didn't comprehend that this was happening….
Ace saw the different things hooked up to him and around looking at them before he started to take them off except the IV of course. Once he had done all of that he got out of the bed with no one even stirring, guess they must have been tired, as he moved to the bathroom. He did his business, hand going to the door before he stalled a bit shaking his head as he opened the door. He got back into bed laying down on his uninjured right arm not thinking it was a bad idea to get more sleep before the calm of this storm passed.
Pov change
Izo was pacing back and forth as he couldn't believe the turn of events that lead up to this moment. To think the person Marco, Thatch, and Ace's brother Sabo caught was not only Ace himself disguised (the idiots! He would definitely give them a piece of his mind later for not noticing!) but Thatch beat Ace with others of the family. Izo knew family didn't take kind to Blackbeard and his gang but to beat someone is unthinkable. Anyway Izo had called the missing commanders that were out them all being not too far from the house so that was goo-
"Izo! We got the message, what's going on love?"
Izo loved this man but right now he was about to beat him for ever touching Ace whether he knew it or not.
"Ace is in the medical wing right now with Pops and all the other commanders along with some division members sleeping with him."
Before Izo could explain anymore, Marco took off with a serious look in his eye. Before anyone else could do the same he was about to start talking to explained what happened only to be cut off by Thatch again.
"So did that Lance guy talk? I knew he was hiding something! So?"
"He was hiding something….He-"
"Alright Thatch we-"
"The fact that he was Ace."
Both Haruta and Thatch looked like they had been kicked in the stomach, both as pale as a sheet.
"We caught Lafitte while you guys we out and he told us that a Lance never exist in their Gang, as soon as Lafitte saw Ace he knew immediately that it was him….yet we couldn't even do tha-"
Izo's eyes widened as Thatch ran past him into a room which Izo recognized as a bathroom when he heard Thatch throwing up while Haruta began to cry. Izo knew his brothers were undoubtedly blaming themselves for Ace's condition and wouldn't forgive themselves even after Ace gives his forgiveness, if he does….
This was just one big mess and misunderstanding.
After Thatch was done Izo started to drag the two to Ace because Izo just knew that the two were going to avoid the other until someone pulled them together anyway. As soon as Izo got to the room he made sure to knock, hearing Pops' "Come in." opening the door to see everyone up watching Ace getting his bandages changed as he was eating.
"Come in Sons! Gruhahahahaha! Ace just woke up!"
"Thanks Pops, I brought Thatch and Haruta who just arrived back at the house. Guys-Wbat do you think you're doing?! Get from behind the curtain!"
Pov change
As soon as he saw his two brothers hiding from him, he didn't know why but he started to laugh. He couldn't help himself and that's when a angry voice cut through his laughter.
"How can you be laughing Ace! Thatch and I hurt you! We don't!"
"I'm going to stop you right there Haruta. I didn't come back, much less anything to Marco, Sabo and Thatch about it being me. Actually I was going to keep it a secret but they happened to see the hat Lu gave me along with the beads that Marco got me as well. Plus you did what probably what I would have done in your place, and it's in the past. I'm ok right? So can I have a hug? I'm a little short on those!"
Haruta and Thatch both practically jumped in his arms hugging him, but not too tightly, with him smiling.
He was finally home and safe for the time being.
