A/N:: So this will have a scheduled release since I have finished typing it! There will be 18 chapters and a short bonus chappie~! I will try to update either everyday or every other day, depending on my schedule! Reviews make me upload faster, just saying~! Nihihihihi!

I hope you all are liking how I am portraying Marco, since we aren't given much on him (yet, hopefully). Any questions or thoughts are always appreciated, it helps make sure I include what I can for the story!

Enjoy~!

The Maiden's Light

'Entry 703

Year 1028

Finally, I have done it! The Morelli family didn't know what hit them and I even acquired the powerful fruit from Regan! The only problem was that somehow the other families got wind of such matters and just moments ago, four large ships appeared on the horizon. The sails each resembled the insignia for the families and I couldn't help but be furious!

Gol, Monkey, Trafalgar, and even the damned Jaguar families were sailing to my lands. Everyone was on standby, just so I could try to play it off, but I knew how they were. They already mistrusted me and I wasn't about to let them have the upper hand-

The boy! Looking out my window just now, I see that traitorous Cole! He has been helping the others! For how long?! This could not happen, the damn bird! I should have caged him and forced him to learn the full extent of his healing abilities!'

I paused in reading, taking a moment to gather what I just read as the journal had already been leading up to this as Tiberius would go on and on about how he was preparing his men. Tiberius knew they would eventually come, but didn't mean he would be at all pleased when they did. Though, the part about a bird and healing? Only one devil fruit did that…

And that was my zoan.

Cole must have had the mythical zoan fruit and if reading this all shed any light then we had a loophole. I could somehow overcome the power of darkness and I hoped that maybe he would spill more. A soft mumble was heard and I shifted the journal to check on my sleeping companion who was nestled against me. Ace didn't look to be waking up, but I made sure to calm myself as I knew my heart was racing lightly from this new discovery.

'…of his healing abilities! The damn bird! I should rip his feathers out once I get a hold of him!

It would make sense on everything, even when with the sudden change of direction of ships was reported. The only thing I could ask is when he had turned on me. Was it before that? Or did someone change his mind more recently? I can't fathom on why he would suddenly change sides and against me nonetheless! The ungrateful phoenix of a bird! If it wasn't for the fact that he could heal or prevent my power, then I would have stretched out for him immediately.

Besides the annoyances stabbing a new thorn in my side, I needed to tread carefully. Cole had been working on some type of new ability and was having difficulty, so hopefully he doesn't achieve it. For him, he is absolutely an exception and must be alive for I need his abilities and force him to figure out how to heal others. It is said a phoenixes tears heals those injured, it may not have any effect on aging, but if I go to war and serious injured come back, maybe he would be a great asset to heal them. Though, maybe not necessarily his tears, I assume, but you never know. Cole being a rare beast brings a new light on everything, only little information is available about his fruits abilities.

That damn bird will be chained down once I get my hands on him and he will obey me.'

The entry ended there as I flipped the page to see hurried writing for the next, but decided to rest the journal down. I stared to the ceiling in thought of everything I had just read. Cole is a phoenix, well was a phoenix and had the same fruit as I do now. If there was a possibility to heal others, I would want to know of this and what extent there is to it. No doubt there had to be a consequence to such an ability and I needed to be careful on how everything is.

Reading about everything brought a stir within my body and I noticed it seemed to ruffle my phoenix up a little. Maybe… I could tap into my phoenix? I don't know if it would be possible to look upon what happened with past lives, but maybe I could try? Not at this moment, of course… I will probably try either before bed or when Ace has watch just to be safe.

We had left the island almost a week ago, the two of us feeling more pleased than anything from the outcome. It was hard for us to find a moment of peace where we wouldn't be interrupted or he needed to sleep. I didn't necessarily need sleep, especially since I haven't used my powers for anything, but I still did to keep refreshed in my mind. It mostly helps, but I think I sleep more now because of Ace coming in to drag me into the sheets or at least looking inviting enough.

Anyways, I need to tell Oyaji what I have read about along with check on a few things. I carefully began trying to slide out of the bed, but my body was moved and soon I was laying on my back below him. A freckled face showed a grin, eyes showing just a smidge of sleep there. I chuckled at the sight of him being playful and he began kissing at my chest.

Ah, well if he wants to do something.

"Huh?" The confusion was there as I began moving him up and soon got him pushed into the pillow pile I had previously been resting against. A look was there before he moaned lowly as I had my mouth over the bulge in underwear. Hips rocked as I sucked lightly before shifting my hands to tug the cloth down. "M-Marco, no fair…" The low whine left him as I licked along the underside and he trembled.

"Sh-ooo~, we don't get moments…" I cursed inwardly at my coo during my shushing, but he didn't comment since he just nodded in understanding. My hand found the base as I began to suck at the tip and legs shifted as I was bowed before him to suck appropriately. Labored breaths were heard as I began picking up on my bobbing, not wanting to waste time. Fingers gripped into my hair as I heard him gasping for air with restrained moans.

"M-Marco, mmnn~!" The body shifted as he began arching more and I adjusted to the shifting. If my mouth wasn't full, I would be smirking from his eagerness and I merely began to suck harshly with my hand holding to the base firmly. "A-Aahh, haa…"

Trembles were there with his voice straining more and I heard a muffled moan as I continued to bob whilst hollowing cheeks on my way up. Fingers gripped hard and the body jerked a little before a muffled moan had brought him coming along with it. Not being able to move from the death grip, I took it and squeezed eyes as I prevented myself from gagging. When his body relaxed, I pulled back to completely swallow whilst catching my breath as he wilted on the bed with heavy pants. Seeing his body seeming to be completely lax made me smirk before shifting to kiss along his chest. Hands cupped my face as he soon dragged me up so lips could kiss at mine and I hummed in approval of him not minding that I tasted of him.

The ship roughly rocked as my fingers gripped to the headboard quickly and we both came to immediate alert as he pulled up underwear. Shouts of merchant ships being undercover reached our ears and we quickly moved. Ace was out before I was, but I had hastily followed as my shirt was being tugged on. My lover was already asking for more information and Rakuyou was there reporting as soon as he saw me moving their way. Most did that on occasion if I was on my way so I could be brought up to speed without being fully there to ask.

"Rebels of sorts!" Rakuyou mentioned loudly as another cannonball landed near the ship and rocked us. It wasn't entirely alarming as our men began to fire back under Curiel's command—his division were practically made to fire the cannons. It was understandable with his weapon choice being a type of handheld cannon and he was always accurate in aim.

"Curiel!" I shouted whilst moving to him as he was standing near the hatch of the deck to speak to one of his men for commands down below.

"FIRE!" He had shouted shortly after, his other man repeating out with a few others doing the same below, before snapping his head in my direction as the ship rocked with the firepower. "Yes, Commander?!" The voice was still raised as he held his weapon to be resting one end to the ground.

"Think you can sink them before reaching the Moby?!" I questioned whilst stopping near him and this proud stance was there.

"Of course! Their hull is weak! Not a sturdy vessel at all!"

"READY, COMMANDER CURIEL!" A voice shouted from below and Curiel eyed the horizon as he began yelling out coordinates to aim the cannons carefully and labelling out which ones to use. Some took different angles depending on where they are placed on the Moby. The ship rocked roughly, my feet spread out enough to keep me stable and, unlike most others who stumbled, Curiel stood strong with me as he focused his attention on the other ship.

"FIRE!" The word was repeated as all cannons that had been labeled were fired, rocking the ship lightly.

"I leave it to you, Curiel!" I raised my voice with a look of pride for my brother and he grinned out before I moved to where Oyaji was.

"Cater the sails!" Ace's voice rang out as his division and Atmos's—noticing some specifically though other divisions were in the fray—were manning the sails to not mess with Curiel's aim.

Izo had his precision long-shots on standby, nestled up top, and gave a watchful eye to Curiel knowing he would mention if he needed them to take on anyone. Others helped where they could whilst some stood in wait as I soon found Oyaji with his tubing gone and watching the enemy ship being rocked violently from being hit a couple times.

"He's doing grand, guarara!" Our captain grinned proudly as another shot fired out and I knew it would only take a couple more shots. I noticed this strain on Oyaji and kept a watchful eye as I came to stand by his legs.

"Curiel will be through with them shortly, yoi!" I told him, slightly raised voice as people were still shouting about in perfect order.

A chuckle was there as our captain relaxed with his eyes never leaving the enemy ship, wanting to see that final blow. After another round of shots, the crew of the enemy ship being stupid enough to keep sailing our way, the hull had finally given under a cannonball whilst they had fired a last one and Vista slashed at it before it could even reach the ship. It exploded, causing a massive rock, but no one was hurt. The merchant ship was on fire as the enemy was running frantically and my brothers cheered out. I noticed the strain again on Oyaji and moved to gaze over at Jozu who gave a glance to me.

"Good work!" I shouted out, most glancing my direction as I gave a smile. "Go enjoy an ale, yoi!" They cheered whilst shifting to begin ushering, informing the others, and I flickered eyes to Jozu as he called the other commanders away. Vista gave a worried glance as I stayed in spot, showing nothing on my face and heard Maybelle moving around near the chair. Once everyone was out of sight, I moved to jump up whilst grabbing the cloth Maybelle had out and was on a leg. "Here, Oyaji." I comment whilst his hand took the sheet to ball it somewhat and roughly cough into it, muffled sounding.

Maybelle had tubing ready to hook back up for everything and I stood there, the shaking of his coughs shifting my body. I tried to hide all my worries and concerns, never liking when he started to cough like this. It was a rare occurrence, but the head nurse told me once reaching closer to the set time it would only get worse and more frequent. If so, there is no way I would be able to hide it and the last thing Oyaji wanted was to worry everyone. Jozu and Vista seemed to have noticed and Blenheim, along with Rakuyou, seemed to be curious. It was known by everyone that Whitebeard is aging, it would inevitably happen, but we were trying not to interrupt that peace of mind.

No one wants to think about their father dying.

"Marco," my thoughts snapped out of it as I noticed grey eyes looking to me and still held that glimmer in them. "I'm alright, son." Eyebrows shifted from him as I frowned deeper and soon let out a breath with a hand rubbing to my neck.

"I had some things to discuss of the journal anyways, important matters." I started out, not wanting to delve down a path that would make me choke up.

"Very well, guararara…" He smiled, understanding completely on why I would want to change subjects.

It was rare for us to mention of anything to each other, except like the time Maybelle needed me to put more force. Though the head nurse was just as heart wrenched at the thought of losing Oyaji, she knew we had been together longer and that we had the bond of father and first born son. I am the first son, everyone knew that and respected that along with my title as main navigator and first commander. Though our commanding system is not showing rank of strength, I was still the strongest of them all and held greater responsibilities. Maybelle also knew how it felt on losing family and she tried to help me as we have done for her about Lavi, but she knew I didn't want to speak of it.

"So, I found out what Cole's power was." I start whilst shifting to sit down next to his arm on the support and he gave a curious hum to continue. "It's mine, yoi."

"The mythical zoan?"

"Yes, it seems so. Tiberius was furious when jotting down about him since Cole had turned to help the other families. It appears to tell of Gol, Monkey, Jaguar, and Trafalgar are allied together to take on the Marshalls. At where I left off they were sailing their way to the island and I expect for Tiberius to boast more. I'm not sure what to exactly expect since I noticed it goes on for at least five more entries, maybe more." I comment in thought as I viewed my father and he nodded in understanding.

"And what about this Cole?"

"Yes, well it seems that Tiberius is going to try and capture him. Cole seems to be valuable, yoi. The man had been working on a way to work his abilities to heal people from wounds." I mention with a serious look and Oyaji was surprised. "It's going to be hard to understand anything with Cole as I hope he isn't captured, but it would also help to know if he ever figured it out." The words left me seriously and he stared with a thought, humming lightly. "I am also considering that some consequence is involved so nothing of this is leaving me. I will try to research more of my phoenix at a later date, but this means I am the advantage against Teach, yoi."

"It seems so, but please do be careful, my boy. We are not sure if it takes something to prevent him from pulling you in." A nod left me, knowing I could potentially not have something unlocked to avoid the darkness.

"I will not rush in, Oyaji, unless absolutely necessary." The reassurance came out as he gave a look of acceptance on my words before he stared to the side for a moment in thought.

"Though this puts more in perspective." I hummed lightly in questioning and he glanced along the ship, probably checking to see if anyone was there before continuing. "If Teach were to find out about Ace being of Gol and know of the bad family history…" That was true since I have yet to read anything of the Portgas family, though their medallion was in the group of the sheltered lockbox.

"Then we need to make sure to keep quiet and I will talk to Ace about this so he knows." A nod left Whitebeard as I rubbed a hand to my head before closing eyes to breath calmly. "Blamenco should be bringing you some food, yoi."

"That's my boy!" A rumble was there, making me enjoy the familiar sound and I was smiling as I began walking along his leg.

I noticed Atmos peering from around a corner and I waved him over. Without looking when I jumped down, I knew Blamenco already grabbed Oyaji food and was proven as the taller men who couldn't fit in the galley, Jozu just barely, were grinning to come eat. Blamenco holding a platter for our father and I was showing a look of appreciation, getting a grin in return. I noticed some other brothers wanting to join them with grins and mentioned a simple greeting towards me as I returned it with a smile and nod. Food now and then I would talk to Ace.