I'm back! With another chapter that is mostly set up but hopefully you enjoy. Warnings at the bottom
Ace was barely aware of where he was, was barely even aware he was awake at all. He couldn't feel anything but bone crushing exhaustion and soul shattering cold. He was always so cold now. He just didn't have the energy to even try to heal or heat himself, he was so mind numbingly tired. They were taking so much from him, and he could have lived with that. He could have accepted that this was how it was going to end for him, that the road that had been his life had come to an abrupt stop and it was time get off. He'd been so ready to go for so long, he'd been so lonely it hadn't seemed like a big deal to just leave.
But now he had Luffy, and Sabo, and that alone gave him the tiniest spark of strength he needed to hold on tightly, to clutch the frayed end of rope that was life and shout "Not yet, Bitch!"
Not only did he want to see them both again so badly, so, so badly it made his heart twinge in an old familiar pain, but he could also tell they were hurting Luffy.
They were hurting Luffy through him.
It had taken too many brief moments of lucidity for him to realize that by draining his energy they were not only draining him, but through their bond Luffy as well.
It was hurting the young boy, making him sick trying to support Ace against the insatiable greed of the monsters holding him prisoner. It was taking far more than Luffy had ever given to help him, and if they weren't careful it would kill him too. Ace would never forgive himself, ever, if that came to pass. He was Luffy's protector, god he'd promised, he'd sworn, he wouldn't leave the boy alone, that he'd never let harm befall him but he'd left him. Indirectly he was harming him, he was failing.
The obvious solution was to call off the deal.
Oh he'd tried. He'd reached out to that thin wisp of power between him and Luffy and he'd offered, then begged, then eventually tried to force Luffy into releasing Ace and saving himself.
But all the while Luffy held true, and while he may have just been a little boy he was still one of the most powerful demon controllers to ever exist. If Luffy didn't want to end the contract, Ace had no way of forcing him into doing so even if it would mean saving the poor child.
But Ace knew Luffy wouldn't do it, because he felt his own strength waning and thinning, felt the way his innards seemed intent to collapse in on themselves. He knew if Luffy stopped supporting him it would be an immediate and abrupt end for him. No Game Over, do not pass Go, do not return to the Other Side, do not collect 200 dollars. He would simply instantly cease to exist, just like all his predecessors before him had done.
Hold on Luffy whispered to him, when he could Only a little longer, help is coming
I don't have long he whispered back, allowing the oblivion of lethargy and freezing water to claim his mindset for the time being, floating out of lucidity for however long he could manage. He didn't have long at all.
Sabo sat in the back of his inconspicuous truck, one of many the revolutionary army had donated for the battle, surrounded by his mish mash unit of supernatural and hunters that would have to listen to his every command once the plan got underway.
It was a huge risk, pretending to be an unscheduled delivery of supplies with outdated passcodes from Dragon's time at the facility (and Sabo still didn't know the whole story to that, only that it had been a very long time ago and had something to do with Luffy's conception, which he wanted to know literally nothing about) and hope the guards at the gate didn't notice anything amiss. If all went according to Plan A they'd get in no problem and his unit would be inside the buildings before the Kaigun even knew an attack was happening, and they'd have no resistance in their search once Whitebeard and Marco's distraction commenced.
However if Plan A went to shit (and the more he heard of Plan A the more he began to go over Plan B) they'd have to resort to Plan B, which involved he and Koala's units working together to force themselves into the facility and Whitebeard launching his distraction with their attack. They'd have to get themselves, and their teams, through the front lines of battle and into the buildings with minimal casualties. This plan posed several problems, mostly having pretty much every guard knowing they were in there meant any chance of stealth and surprise inside the building would be lost, which made the already dangerous plan much more dangerous.
He and Koala had each been paired with a cultist to aid them in their decisions, Sabo had gotten Inazuma who was apparently Ivankov's long time friend (and certainly looked the part) while Koala got Bon Clay, Ivankov's protégée. They were there to advise with their voodoo powers and alert them to danger should they be able to.
Sabo wouldn't say he was skeptical, but he was certainly... nervous. Inazuma would be accompanying them into the building, but once they were inside they'd be parting ways. Sabo would be searching the isolation cells, Inazuma would be joining Ivankov in the crtical battle against the holy trio. Sabo could appreciate Inazuma putting himself where he was most needed, but Sabo was still responsible for over a dozen lives. The stakes were high with great risk and little reward.
Just Ace's life is all.
He clenched his fists, closing his eyes to focus on his breathing and reeling it in to a more regular pace. Saving Ace was going to be a side effect of their ultimate goal, taking down the government's hold in the supernatural world. Both the Whitebeards and the Revolutionary army had agreed if they were getting cocky enough to summon demons as dangerous as Teach and the holy trio then they could no longer afford to leave the Kaigun to their own devices. Sabo just wished they had more time to plan and gather allies, he wished he had more backup plans than just B, he wished he knew where in the facility Ace was, he wished they'd never been forced into this battle so unprepared but every second counted. Every second wasted was a second more Ace could be dying alone in unfamiliar territory.
The trucks turned, the ride getting bumpier and everyone tensed. They were off the main roads now, going down the one road that led to the Kaigun headquarters. The sun had set awhile ago, they had the cover of darkness on their side for now.
He tensed at a small whine came from under his seat, from a very familiar voice.
He quickly unbuckled himself from the bench, ignoring the looks he got from those around him as he kneeled and shot a hand under the bench, sure enough coming into contact with a small feverish shivering boy.
He turned an accusing glare at Inazuma, who stared him down without an ounce of regret "You knew" he insisted.
Inazuma softly sighed "Yes, but he was very persistent. He was getting on this mission one way or another" he defended, shrugging "I figured his safest place would be with you"
Sabo cursed himself, pulling Luffy from under the bench and onto his lap. He was now sweating and flushed, a bright red spread across his cheeks as his body tried to fight off whatever was ailing him. He was supposed to be getting medical attention at the grove, he was supposed to be safe and far away from this battle.
If Sabo survived the battle, Ivankov was going to kill him.
He pulled his arbutus beads out from under shirt, clutching them and begging the higher powers above for as much as they were willing to give. They'd need every ounce of it.
Their truck came to a slow stop, the lights off and everyone inside dead quiet. They stayed silent as they listened to the other trucks drive by them, their lights on conspicuously to appear less suspicious. It would do no good for those who needed to appear like they were supposed to be there to instead give the impression of a robber trying to sneak in, even if there end goal would be much more severe than just sneaking in.
Once all the other trucks had passed and the road finally quieted, Marco stood up from his spot near the front of the bench to face his unit. Over a dozen expectant eyes turned his way, faces full of apprehension and adrenaline, ready to get started.
"I know you're all antsy" several near the back barked out sharp laughs at that before silencing at his glare "But we need to approach this with utmost caution, and speed. Koala and Sabo are going to be relying on us being there if they're forced to resort Plan B, but also not giving them away and ruining plan A." a hand near the front rose up "Yes?"
"Won't Whitebeard give us away?" it was one of the revolutionaries, a particularly nervous looking recruit "A mountain giant isn't exactly stealthy, or subtle"
"He'll be behind us" Marco explained "About a couple miles back to be precise. No matter-" he rose a hand to cut off their frightened protests "No matter how this battle goes, no matter which plan we choose, we'll be starting without him. As you said, there is no stealthy or subtle way for him to approach"
He looked around, waiting for questions or more protests, and continued when he found none "We're still about a mile out from the facility ourselves, so we need to get moving if we're gonna have a snowball's chance in hell in helping out the infiltration teams should they need it. Our priority is stealth and then speed. I do not want to hear a single word out of any of you unless you're gonna die, then you may quietly whisper your final words. I catch any of you talking otherwise, and they will be your final words. Am I clear?"
A resounding "Sir, yes sir!" poured through the cabin. He nodded, eyeing each of them individually before shutting off all the lights inside the cabin and opening the doors. He jumped onto the soft dirt floor, watching and counting as two by two his unit disembarked and began the hike through the forest.
Behind him Haruta's and Namur's units continued doing the same, their respective commanders standing near the doors and watching their soldiers disappear into the blackness of the woods before them. Simultaneously their trucks emptied, and they began following their units.
Haruta gave him a look, a silent question of worry and fear. They had proven themselves capable again and again, but they doubted themselves. It was hard to ignore and yet so easy to forget sometimes that Haruta was by far the youngest among them, hardly older than Ace. With a group as varied in aging rates as their own it was sometimes easy to forget a young face actually indicated youth.
He responded with what he hoped was reassurance, and confidence. They at least appeared to be reassured by his silent pep talk, continuing through the forest by his side.
Marco was nervous, and petrified. He knew this was a big job, he knew this was a big deal, and he knew he would probably lose some of his siblings in this fight. None of them were delusional, they were all going into this with the knowledge they may die. Those that weren't prepared to die in the name of their father, in the name of aiding one of their own, had stayed behind. Marco couldn't fault them for that, he knew better than most that life was a precious thing not to be easily thrown away.
He only hoped everyone with him in the forest tonight knew that as well.
Everyone in the truck was holding their collective breaths. Five trucks, one with her unit, one with Sabo's, one with Dragon and Ivankov, one with Thatch and one with Izo, plus their respective units. All trying to get through some of the highest security the government had to offer, on a flimsy reason and outdated (potentially expired) codes.
Should they fail, they had to force their way through, with no guarantee Marco or the units with him would be there in time to help. There was the very real possibility they were about launch themselves headfirst into a massacre.
Everyone in the truck released a short gasp when the truck jerked forward before progressing steadily. Koala immediately shot a glare at everyone, shutting them up immediately.
They'd managed to get through the gates, but that little collective noise could have given them away and ruined the chance they'd just been given. Luck was on their side, for now.
She rubbed her face, desperately trying to control her racing heart. She was ready for this, she knew she was, but that didn't stop her trembling hands. She was responsible for everyone in this truck, she was responsible for her unit, their lives and their duties. They had a goal to accomplish.
She looked up and down the truck, at the rows of men, women, and others all putting their lives on the line for a common goal, a common purpose. Some of these people, most of them actually, had never met everyone here. They came from all parts of the world, different walks of life, different organizations entirely in some cases. A mix of revolutionary and whitebeard coming together.
She barely knew Ace, she'd spent maybe a couple hours with him at most, but Sabo trusted him. Sabo probably loved him if she had to guess, but she'd only had a few tense interactions with the demon. But Sabo was her friend and partner, they'd been training together since day 1 and they'd been fighting together for years. She trusted his instincts in battle, so she had to trust him now. If he wanted to save Ace, she wouldn't question it, especially if their leaders were on board.
And to think, so many who had never met him before in their lives were contributing as well.
Ace you will never understand how loved you are
This time the truck was dead silent as they came to a stop.
Koala stood first, moving to the front of the truck. They began moving again, reversing in and out of the spot near the loading docks where they'd be able to disembark with the smallest chance of being spotted. They'd only have to get past whatever security they had there that didn't run at the first sign of Marco's attack.
She met the eyes of each and every person in that truck entrusting her with their lives. Every single creature, human and other, met hers back with confidence.
She didn't say anything, she didn't need to. They knew the plan, they knew the route they were taking and the areas they were searching. They just had to hope Marco's distraction worked, and Dragon's twelve year old plans were still valid.
If his codes worked then hopefully his blueprints would too.
She crouched, placing her hand on the handle that would pop open the doors for them and unleash them into enemy territory. All they had to wait for was Marco's attack.
"Now!" He shouted , pushing open the doors and leaping from the truck bed onto the gravel, his silks and sleeves flowing with him. Behind him his people poured out and into the building, their movements quick and efficient to maximize their stealth and speed into the building. He stayed by the truck, his eyes darting around the loading docks in anticipation of attack.
Izo trusted Marco, but he didn't trust the instincts of humans. If they saw the attack coming the logical thing would be to run for the hills, and the courageous thing would be to charge into battle. He was counting on one of these two scenarios coming to pass and not the absolutely stupid unlucky third scenario, that would be they choose to ignore the battle sounds to continue guarding the loading docks of all places.
He was nervous, but he was also excited. He was here, fighting for his pops and brothers, in his element. The middle of a forest lush with nature and life, saturated in supernatural energy from decades of these foolish scientists playing with things they didn't understand. His heart positively thrummed at the prospect of fighting with real magik, in a real battle, against real enemies.
He felt a gentle tug in his chest, a small drain of energy before releasing the tightness and allowing the bond to grow slack again. He dropped his head, internally cursing himself. He couldn't get carried away, not when he was so far from his tree.
As the last of unit disappeared safely inside the facility he peeled himself from the truck entrance, ready to follow suit when people came sprinting around the corner, brandishing weapons and running after his unit.
It was a lucky thing they weren't a moment faster. Had they been just a bit quicker getting inside Izo may not have hesitated in his defensive attack, as it was it was a lucky thing he recognized them as members of Thatch's unit.
"Our entrance is blocked" one of them panted "A group of guards going to Marco's battle caught us on the way in"
"It was brutal" the other explained, clutching a bleeding leg "We've lost a lot of men already, they caught us by surprise"
"And Thatch?" Izo demanded "Is your commander alive?"
"Yeah" They chuckled "He's as alive as poltergeist can get. Messed 'em up real bad he did, throwing them around and into each other, into the paths of their weapons. But they barricaded the door, we need another way in"
"And an attack from behind" Izo grinned "Attack from within, I think we can help with that"
Warnings: Ace gets tortured, Luffy is still sick, and the epic battle music i hope you imagine while reading this chapter.
I don't have much to say because I just survived the weekend from Hell, but Strays updated TWICE while I was absent so I finally pulled my carcass around enough to get this out. Probably riddled with mistakes but whatever, enjoy!