The author note will be at the end! Enjoy!

Blackout

Blenheim is stable and finally got to talk the other day, sleeping for at least three days, and was explaining from his point of view. Of course he is bedridden now and his men have been very helpful on catering to him. The home seemed to fizzle down a little more as current events have still been looking up for us, but it still got me worried. Whenever Marco was leaving this morning I got a bad feeling, like the time before this one, but thought maybe my body was trying to get used to it again since our nice Thanksgiving break we all had.

Though, this is different now.

Fear strained through me right now as Marco hadn't gotten back yet and hasn't checked in like he was supposed to like an hour ago. Izo had comforted me as much as he could, but even he was worried to the point that he went to Pops. I was alone in my room staring to my phone with fingers trying not to grip onto it too hard. It was unlike the man to be late on a check in and no one in his division was responding either.

It worries me.

Ba-ding~!

This relieved sigh found me as I saw the name pop up before opening it and felt my throat constrict. Oh gods…

'I have you now, Ace.' Reading the message made me breath out in disbelief and then another came in. 'Won't you come retrieve your lover?' A curse left me as I brought a hand to my face to rub aggressively. I would save any of my brothers for any given reasons, but the fact that he knows about Marco and me had made me worry and wonder if he really did or guessing.

Ba-ding~!

'Every hour is a man from his division to be killed, and then him last.' A strain went through me as I stared to the screen, knowing he wanted me to respond and I soon stood to pace lightly before moving my phone in both hands with a shaky breath.

'Where?'

Ba-ding~!

'Where we fought together for the first time.' Hands about moved to put the phone away as I thought about telling Izo or Pops, but he replied again and I looked to it. 'If I see anyone else with you, I will just kill him first.'

This curse left me as I soon closed out my phone and began moving to my drawer. My flask lay untouched, almost collecting dust from how long it has been sitting there and I grabbed it. My lighter was found in the night stand and my dagger still lingered along my hip since it has stayed a habit. I began moving through the home, our bedroom being on the second floor, without a shirt on so I did not raise suspicion. Most viewed me as if I was just feeling anxious on Marco not making contact. Thatch had told me to come by the kitchen in a little bit for some food and I merely nodded to him. I gave my best smile and he took it as I continued towards the garage. No one was around, thankfully, since Jozu and his division usually was, but he was still patrolling, most likely looking for Marco and his division now. I grasped a helmet off the rack and went over to my motorcycle that I rode mostly when I wanted to be by myself. I let the garage door open with a head tilted down, shoving the helmet on, and I stared to the key I had pressed in.

As it was wide enough, I roared my bike to life and soon squealed out of the garage. I knew hearing it would draw attention and I needed to go by myself. As expected when I glanced driving by the front of the home, Vista and Izo were at the front porch with mouths open in a shout. I tore out of the driveway down the road on my sports bike, leaning along it and letting my body sway. Feeling the air prickle my bare skin brought a thrill through me. It was dangerous to ride like this, but I didn't want to draw attention in the home since I didn't wear a shirt unless going somewhere. Hopefully people around the town wouldn't pay mind at my bare back showing off the tattoo, though I have on occasion and people just seem used to it.

The ride took me along through town as I tried to avoid anyone I knew and made my way to the familiar place. My first fight I had with Teach teaming up with me was at the harbor, a short time after I accepted them as family. We were very hardy as we challenged one another to see who could beat up the most people. We ended up tying as the last guy was punched by both of us and we just kept it at that. Teach and I were close in those aspects, we loved the thrill of the fight and enjoyed each other's company for drinks to compare stories. He had always been fascinated by my ability to almost control fire in different means, some of them dangerous if I ever actually used them without water there to put it out. It was hard to believe that we were close for almost six years and he just ruined it all with his greed for power.

Seeing my destination as the place was mostly abandoned now, a familiar man stood out with a cane swinging to his side when finding a spot between two buildings. This smirk was on him as I pulled up before him while turning my bike off and soon tugged my helmet off with a scowl. A look of approval was on him as I parked my bike and got off with the helmet falling to the ground, not really caring about if it gets damaged. Eyes viewed me as I approached Lafitte with arms crossed and gritted teeth with a snarl.

"Where's Teach?" The cane moved to point in a diagonal towards a warehouse I was familiar with as the place we fought together. Feet shifted before I was stopped by the cane and a hand held out towards me.

"Flask, lighter, dagger, and phone." My body tensed before stiffly shifting to grasp all items and handing them over before he patted the cane against my pockets. "Go ahead, Portgas." The growl left me as I moved to the warehouse, the sun beginning to reach its sunset stages, an orange mixing lowly on the sky. I found the door to the warehouse and shifted it open with it groaning at the movement to soon step in and viewed to see the fourteen men within the first division.

"A-Ace!" A couple stuttered out as I stood with a tense body, checking them over to make sure they were not critically hurt.

"Perfect! Zehahahaha!" Looking up to the second floor on a balcony showed Teach with arms out as he laughed. Next to him was a slouched body, ragged breaths seeming to leave him and I peered to the man again. "Welcome, Ace! Shall we play a game of chance?" My jaw stayed tight as I glowered to him with breaths trying to stay calm. Shoulders shifted as I stretched my neck and soon peered to him with a scowl.

"Don't use my words."

"Oh? But you always used to ask me that." A grin was on him as I noticed the body next to him shift and then a foot pressed him into the ground. My eyebrow twitched as I tried not to snap and he seemed to like my reaction.

"What game?"

"Simple rules, you know… A building I want you to burn down within a certain amount of time." Confusion left me as I stared to him and this smirk had me almost shiver. "That cute home you share with your baby brother." Eyes widened at hearing those words, not aware he knew about the home's whereabouts as only a few knew where it was, especially since I have been at the main home for a while. "Within two hours."

"Wh-what?!" I asked out in disbelief as our personal belongings still lay there with memories; our lives.

"Make a decision."

"I have stuff there!" I complained out in shock before he pressed his foot down and I gritted teeth to stop my mouth from making matters worse.

"If you don't then this building will be gone." Whispers swirled through my brothers of first division and I held fists before scowling.

"Fine! But you can't lay a single touch on any of the first division!" The foot moved off of Marco as he took a step to the side before raising an arm and tapping his wrist.

"Tik-tok." Feet quickly shifted as I left out through the warehouse doors and to where Lafitte was holding out my flask and lighter. I gripped them quickly whilst shoving them in a pocket before shoving my helmet on and kick starting the bike. The pale man merely smirked as I pulled quickly out of the small alley area and stormed through the streets. My heart raced as I made my way to the small home I shared so many moments with my baby brother.

The home was empty, but I could tell someone had broken in at some point and I quickly dashed in. A hand grasped a bag as I began shoving pictures, shattering glass and frames before shoving them in. Tears threatened to stain my face and a cry was stuck in my throat at having to throw away part of my life, but I would never let someone hurt any of my brothers. Hands were cut up a little as I hurriedly moved around to grab pictures and any disks that held videos of us and everyone else. Seeing Luffy's room, I had to rub away tears that slipped as I couldn't contain myself. My baby brother is going to lose everything he worked hard for and I couldn't do anything.

I'm sorry, Luffy…

The bag was full as I soon rushed to place it by the front door and soon went to my liquor cabinet. Grasping bottles I began spreading it all over the home as I had to wipe more tears away. Once I had finished my way to the door, I threw the bottle and grabbed the bag before I grabbed my lighter out of my pocket. I flicked it on, letting the flame burn as it was a nice lighter to lose, but it didn't matter right now. It was my only one that stay lit if I throw it and was more along the lines as an at-the-moment buy. I tossed it in and watched as flames caught before spreading quickly as if water rippled along the floor. Turning away, I walked with my hand gripping the bag securely and found my helmet again before jumping on my bike. Whilst driving down the road to make my way back, I stopped at Sabo's home and merely chucked the bag towards his porch. Knowing very well the man has not left the area yet and knew he would take care of it.

Hang onto these for me, Sabo…

The ride back had me hearing sirens in the distance as I soon found my tires bumping up the pavement that changed to concrete to see Lafitte still standing there whilst skimming through my phone. Getting off my bike again, I made my way over as he lazily lifted a leg and I took my flask out. The hand was out as he watched me with a smirk and I growled to him.

"Get out of my phone."

"They are so worried about you…" A growl left me before cringing as I soon moved forward, not wanting to waste time and he chuckled out. "Wise choice, Portgas." I moved along the concrete that had grass trying to take it over through cracks. A hand pulled open the door again, making it screech at the rust it had formed over time by the water, and my body shifted in whilst slamming it shut behind me. Eyes from the first division found me as I stood with a straight face.

"It's done." Shock was shared through my brothers as Teach grinned widely with a glance to his phone.

"So it seems and only forty-five minutes to spare." Marco still hadn't moved from his spot and I wondered if he was alright, but none of his men spoke up, so he wasn't that bad at least. "Last thing for you and I will release them all."

"What?" A grin was on him as he viewed me before arms were out.

"One of these boys was working under me, kill the traitor." Surprise found me as all the men in first division started making a fuss about a ridiculous statement. "How else do you think I found out? Though I am a bit surprised… You and Thatch were the biggest skirt chasers I knew." A laugh left him as I stared with a glare.

"And if I refuse?"

"I'll just kill Marco." I chewed on my bottom lip as I viewed the men before me, not imagining how one of them could be the traitor. Arms crossed over my chest as I glared up and huffed out.

"You want me to soak my hand in blood for your amusement?" A smirk was on him as he waved hands out as if listening to a symphony play.

"It shouldn't be hard if you are bent on killing me."

"You tried to kill Thatch and have killed some of my brothers, of course I want to fucking kill you!" The anger seethed out of me as I gripped biceps and he hummed out with a laugh following after.

"What if I said he did as well?"

"I don't believe in liars."

"I never lied about anything, Ace. I did want to make another group, I never clarified that I would positively be off of Whitebeard's group. I also never tell a secret once given to me, like a certain December day." Hands moved to my sides as I pierced him with a glare and growled out.

"You shut up about that!"

"Oh? It was quite beautiful if you ask me."

"Sh-shut up! It was a mistake!" I shouted out as I felt eyes on me and this fear flourished through me. That day was a time of me being very risky on a cabin like boat, setting it ablaze with me on it still. Sadly, I was very unaware of one of my brothers on there being held captive. The boat had blown up, Teach had pulled me out of the water when I tried to escape and was unable to swim correctly from disorientation caused by the explosion. I remember hearing about it later as it was a big thing going through the home, no one knew I had blown the boat up expect one other person. I had Teach promise to never speak of the mistake I had made and just forget about it entirely. "Don't make me pick between my brothers!"

"Then, Ace, won't you join me?" My heart thundered against my ribcage as I stared with a light tremble when he revealed his true intention.

"Don't you fucking dare accept that!" The voice startled me as I noticed shifting from Marco as he moved himself up, arms tied behind his back. People from his division spoke out his name in hushed whispers as I saw the blood along his face. His body rested sideways to let blue eyes pierce to me through the bars and he smiled out. "Pops and I already know about what happened in December. It was an accident, Ace." Lips trembled before he cried out in pain as Teach kicked him harshly into his side and I growled before choking. A gun was pointed down to the head as a finger was pointed to me as he glared harshly.

"Choose what you want to do!" Silence followed as I couldn't get my mind to think straight and this had worried my brothers.

"He burned his own house down."

"I don't want to die by mistake."

"Oh gods, we are going to die."

"Marco's going to die!"

Hands shifted to rub at my temples as I tried to think and I screeched out. "Shut up!" The quiet room had me hear my panting breaths as I tried to think correctly and viewed to my brothers before Marco with a cringe. "Fine! I've made up my mind!" All eyes were on me as I let lips tremble out before eyes squeezed shut. "Spare my brothers!"

"A-Ace…" My name came out from some of the men before I heard a soft curse from Marco as the gun pulled away.

"Are you accepting my invite, Ace?" My jaw tightened as I stared to dark grey eyes before letting out a shuddered breath, but was cut off.

"Don't accept the offer! That is an order!" The shout startled me as well as the others and Teach looked amused before waiting on me. I swallowed hard with a breath shaking out of me as I tried to steady myself.

I'm sorry, Marco…

"Only if you and your group spare all of my brothers." A laugh left him as he soon put his weapon away to clap out with his victory and I could see the blonde commander curse out.

"Very well!"

"F-fucking idiot!" The tone made me cringe as I turned my head away with eyes squeezed shut.

"Burgess, Lafitte!" The two men stepped from the sides as I noticed peering back with smirks to me and Teach waved hands out. "Escort these men out, won't you?" The first division began to stand as they were told and led out next to me as I didn't face any of them, keeping my eyes up top. Teach had picked up Marco and leaned him over the railing before grinning with his other hand out. "Five minutes." The body pushed over made me run before sliding to catch him, grunting when he found me.

"Y-you dumbass!" The insult made me wince as I helped him shift to look at me, blood coming from one of his temples and a bit from the corner of his mouth, other than that he was mainly scuffed up from my eyes, but he could also be bruised along the ribs. Blue eyes glared to me with a scolding look and he soon shifted to head-butt my shoulder. "F-fucking idiot!" The head shifted into my neck as I sighed out with hands finding his neck. I held him to me as he cursed at me some more.

"Don't break your promise, okay?" I whispered out as I nuzzled against him and the body stiffened before trembling.

"I should throttle you." A breathless laugh left me as he soon pulled back with a look to me. "You damn brat."

"I know… tell Pops I'm sorry…" The pause was showing this worried look and I smiled to him. "I guess tell everyone I am sorry, especially Luffy…" I whispered out as I viewed him as he shifted on his knees before pressing lips against mine. It was short as he soon moved to rest his head against my shoulder and the next thing to leave him made me hurt even more.

"I love you, Ace." Hands gripped his neck as I laughed lightly before rubbing my head against his.

"Ah, I love you too, Marco…" Eyes closed as I smiled sadly and then I heard feet shifting.

"Times up." I noticed a hand grasped the collar of him as Burgess pulled him up to begin walking him out, blue eyes shifting away as he was filled with worry. Teach held out his hand towards me and this scowl left me as I shifted with feet only needing to bring me up. A chuckle left him as he looked to me and then I moved to watch Burgess press Marco out of the warehouse. "And so it begins." Feet had moved as Teach went to the side of the warehouse with a hand out. "Come on, Ace." I reluctantly followed behind the other as we found a side door and soon a cabin-like boat was parked by the dock we were near. It was really fancy looking and he stood to the side with a hand flicking out. "Get on the boat and I promise to be back for you." This cringe went through me as I soon began to move my way to the boat since my brothers were still technically in harms way. Once reaching it and stepping on, I noticed the cabin door open and moved towards it before a man was before me through the doorway with a sinister smirk.

"Oh, you must be Acey."

Oh gods, Marco…

This is worse than we thought…

PLEASE READ

A/N: There will also be a proper warning for next chapter, but I am forewarning everyone that it does get a bit more trauma related in emotional and sexual means. I do ask if you don't care for something like that then step carefully from here on. If need be I will put a warning on where the trigger parts happen, but I also mention it later on and I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable without a fair warning. So please heed my warning and tread carefully if you enter those waters. A warning will be on the next chapter as well.

Thank you!