So if you don't read my other story, then you won't have gotten to read about why this is so late. So here it is.

I have not only been busy, I also had no internet for over a month and no way to update it (except over my iPhone, but that would never happen). School has also restarted, Christmas was hellish as always, work was busy, and I have been sick twice. In addition to all that my mother the wonderful dumb ass she is (and I say that with love), got so drunk she fell, cracked her skull and ended up in the hospital for five days, and guess who had to take her to the doctor, then the er, check her wounds, and dispense her med all while picking up her slack. Yeah you get the point. Anyway with my mother off to rehab (guess who gets to take her) and me in charge of taking care of the house. So I have no idea when I will post next. However it will drive me nuts until I manage to finish this and my other story, so it will happen.

Please Enjoy.

Chapter 14

Ace had been flying for nearly thirty minutes since leaving Marineford. Marco was offering advice the entire time in order to make the trip as easy as possible for his young mate, who didn't have the years of flying experience that he did. However even with Marco's advice, Ace was finding out the hard way how much work it was to stay aloft. And those he was carrying were taking notice.

"Commander Ace you need to drop us. We're too heavy to keep carrying."

If anything in response to his crewmates pleas, Ace tightened his hold.

"Commander at least put us down in the water, we can swim."

Still no response.

The men were about to ask again when a new voice chimed in, "You all may as well drop it yoi. He isn't going to let you all down. We all know that it would just mean death to put you down now, we're above nothing but water for miles."

"But Commander Marco he's injured. We should have found the Moby Dick by now."

"Quiet yoi. The Moby Dick had a good head start ahead of us, and Ace isn't a speedy flyer. However he saved your butts cause he's a strong flyer and can lift plenty. We'll catch up to them soon enough. Ace can hold out just that long. So stop asking him to kill you all."

The half dozen men clutched in Ace's other claw quieted as they let what Marco had said sink in.

However while they had quieted they missed the worried look Marco sent his mate. Marco knew they could tell that Ace was having difficulty, but the others hadn't realized how long Ace had been having those difficulties. Flying was hard work, and Ace's dragon form couldn't glide and simply stay aloft for hours by riding currents like his Phoenix form could, he was simply too heavy. Adding in that Ace wasn't in top shape when he took off didn't help, but the extra weight Marco and the injured men created made this journey a sort of ticking time bomb.

Ace would hold out.

But for how much longer was a mystery.

They got their answer only maybe 15 minutes later when one of Ace's wings cramped, nearly making the same wing collapse when Ace tried to continue flying.

Not wanting the group to plummet if his wings did completely give out Ace started gliding towards the waters surface, silently panicking over what to do.

However the sight of a small group of ships to the side gave him hope.

The small group of supernova's had gathered to watch the war Whitebeards men were fighting against the navy. However as they claimed their men back the younger captains watched in amazement as the strongest man on the seas turned and simply walked away once his captured 'son' was free. Disappointed at not being given a better show, Eustass the Kid was the first to turn, then followed by the others who had also thought they might get a good show out of the war. However all showed a mild interest when they noted that Trafalgar Law was not joining them and was still staring towards Marineford.

"Trafalgar lets get out of here, there's nothing left to see!" Eustass the Kid barked at the other captain.

"I believe I already warned you to stop telling me what to do back on Sabaody Eustass-ya."

"Well what the hell are you going to do if I don't stop?" Both were preparing to start fighting when they heard Bonney speak.

"What the hell is that thing?"

All of the gathered Supernova's looking to where the female captain was pointing. Most of their eyes growing in horror as they took note of what it was.

"Is that a dragon?" Bonney asked.

Eustass the Kid's eyes widened, "Holy fucking shit!"

Trafalgar Law just grinned, then "Interesting"

The others seemed too amazed to add anything.

However as the creature drew nearer most of the men on the ships were starting to panic, the thought of being eaten not appealing to most of them. The captains noted the people grasped in the creatures claw instead, and not knowing what to do continued to stare.

Upon seeing the injured men grasped in the creatures' claws Law was the first to react, quickly ordering his men to grab stretchers and prepare to take care of the wounded. Then he turned to the oncoming creature and started waving his arms to motion it over.

Kid was not impressed.

"What the hell are you doing Trafalgar, what are you going to do if that thing works for the marines?"

"Again I already told you to stop telling me what to do Eustass-ya. And I doubt that very much. Look the beast is wounded. If anything it is probably a fruit user from either Whitebeards crew or one of his allies."

Eustass still didn't seem impressed.

"And Whitebeard is notorious for caring for his men. I doubt he would be impressed if we let them die out here."

Eustass pulled away looking towards the coming figure. "And how the hell would he know. You going to tell him?"

"Things like that don't always stay hidden Eustass-ya. Are you willing to chance it?"

Kid didn't get a chance to respond before he heard Drake and Bonney both shouting for the injured dragon to land on their ships.

Sighing in exasperation, he turned away. Let them do what they wanted, he'd watch. No point in getting killed.

Ace had been more than a little surprised when he noted the rookies waving him over, but as he felt his wings grow stiffer and heaver with fatigue he knew he didn't have the luxury of rethinking his decision to land.

He also started to worry as he heard Marco's breath become more labored and noticed the slight tinge of blood on the blondes lips. Picking up his pace as much as possible, he drew nearer to the stopped ships. Praying to whomever was listening that this wouldn't get him put back into a terrible situation like the one he had just escaped from.

Landing would have been difficult on the small submarine, so Ace picked the large ship of the masked rookie in the blue outfit. Wary and not sure of the people who had invited him over, Ace kept them all in his line of sight to the best of his ability.

He growled menacingly as the masked man came over to look at the men, however when Marco started coughing up blood his attention was diverted and the growling ceased.

"Holy Shit is that Marco the Phoenix," Ace looked up again. Now there was a pink haired woman.

So they had identified Marco. They still didn't know who he was, that was good.

"Get out of the way." He looked over to see a pale skinny man making his way through the crowd that had formed. Then he was walking towards them. Ace growled and pulled Marco and his crewmates closer.

"Don't worry dragon-ya, I'm a doctor. I'm here to help."

Ace growled.

"Your friend there is coughing up his own lungs by the look of things. He needs help. Unless of course you'd like to see him die instead."

Ace stopped. Looking at his mate he noted how bad the older man looked. Looking at the others he had saved, he noted that they were also not looking well. Sighing to himself he pulled back, allowing the so-called doctor to come closer, he'd be watching of course.

Stepping closer Law quickly assessed the men whom were in front of him. The phoenix definitely looked bad, but a couple of the other men he could tell needed more immediate help. Calling his men over he was quick to issue out orders.

Ace watched worriedly as a bunch of men in jumpsuits and a large talking polar bear took his crewmates away on stretchers. Then watched as the pale man lowered himself to look at Marco's wounds.

"I'm Trafalgar Law Phoenix-ya I'm just going to look at those holes, then we can get you into surgery."

Marco laughed dryly, "I know who you are kid, I pay attention to the new wanted posters that are always coming out. I don't need surgery, just get this damn cuff off me and I'll be fine yoi."

"While I am happy that you have heard of my Phoenix-ya, but I must disagree. The placement of your wounds and your coughing up blood suggest that you have a pierced lung, and I would be surprised if it hasn't already collapsed. That is a wound that calls for surgery."

Marco knew his wounds were bad, but he also knew that once the cuff came off of his wrist that they would heal. He didn't need this kid telling him what to do, and worrying his mate who was now staring at him.

"I'm fine yoi." He said looking at his mate. Ace didn't seem convinced. "Look if the cuffs come of and I'm not better, I'll let him cut me open." He coughed again, spewing more blood, and he could feel Ace's worry growing. However he smiled at him and could feel the dragon settle for the moment.

"Hear that kid, get the cuff off and then you might get to cut me open."

Law could only shake his head at the stupidity of it all, but he nodded. Calling one of his crewmates over to start working on the cuff, he left ready to start working on the men that were now on his ship.

Shachi was not happy with his current job. The fact that he was working on getting a seastone cuff was hard enough, assign to the fact that the cuff was on none other than Marco the Phoenix First Commander and First mate to Whitebeard didn't help. But the real cincher was the dragon practically breathing down his neck trying while he did it.

Then he came to the conclusion that the whole world must be against him, when he realized that the marine's must have changed the locks on the seastone cuffs. It had been years since he'd had to pick the lock on one.

"Shit."

"What's wrong yoi."

Shachi gulped, "The marine's have changed the locks. It's been a long time since I've had to do this."

"Yeah they change them every few years yoi."

"I'm sorry it's going to take me a while longer. I have to remap the inside of the lock and find the mechanism before it'll open."

"I can wait yoi."

Then, what Shachi heard made him retract that early statement about the world, "I might be able to save you the trouble."

Both Shachi and Marco looked to who had just spoken. It was X Drake. And he was holding a key.

Shachi took it and then looked at Drake. "How the hell did you get a key to the Marine's seastone cuffs?"

Unabashed the zoan user answered, "You have forgotten that I was once a Rear Admiral. I didn't simply leave without preparing for the worst. I am a Devil Fruit user."

"Well whatever, you just saved me a lot of trouble. Thanks." Putting the key in the lock Shachi was happy when it opened without trouble. "Well there you go Mr. Phoenix."

Marco smiled as he felt the cuffs come off. "Thanks." Then grinned a little evilly as he heard them cry out as blue flames engulfed his person, before leaving him whole and uninjured.

Most of those who had gathered to watch the heart pirate work on removing the cuff from Marco's wrist were now staring wide eyed at the phoenix as if he'd just grown a second head. Marco was used to it though. Uninjured and now sure that he could care for his mate again, instead of the opposite, he turned to Ace.

"You can change back now." Ace just looked at him. Marco sighed, "I know you're injured. So change back and let me take a look." Ace growled a bit. "None of that now, I can protect us just fine."

Ace seemed to contemplate that for a minute, before he closed his eyes and started to shrink. However now once fully transformed back, Ace's body seemed to realize the reality of his injuries, and he felt himself collapsing into strong arms.

"I'm sorry yoi. You have to be tired. I'll get you bandaged up and then you can rest."

Ace didn't even bother to reply. He simply watched as Marco accepted some medical supplies from the masked guy and started a conversation while bandaging everything from the few large gashes to the smallest cuts. He laughed a bit internally thinking that he must look like a mummy.

"Marco." His dry mouth had him pausing a bit, "what about Pop's and the crew?"

"They'll be fine yoi. They got away."

"What about…?" He left the question hanging knowing Marco would understand what he was talking about.

"They're fine. I left them with Thatch."

"With Thatch?"

"Well I had to come get you didn't I."

"Marco." Ace looked at him.

"I had to come get you." Marco stared back.

"I assume you two are mates then." The sound of someone else speaking broke their eye contact. Both looked at the masked man speaking to them.

Marco was the first to ask what they were both thinking. "Excuse me yoi?"

Drake spoke again, "I'm sorry. Let me introduce myself. I'm X Drake Captain of the Drake Pirates. I assumed by the way you two were speaking to one another that you all were mates."

Ace spoke next, "How did you know?"

Drake smiled, "Most Zoans know the risk, whether it's theirs or not."

"Then you're a…"

Drake didn't let Ace finish, "A Zoan? Yes. Ancient Zoan. Only second in rarity to yours I believe." He finished looking at Marco, who nodded.

Marco finished with Ace's bandages, patting his mate lightly on the shoulder to let him know. Then pulled the younger man onto his lap.

"So what were you rookies doing in this part of the sea yoi?"

"I will not lie, we came to see Whitebeard face down the Navy. It is always interesting to see those you've heard of before in stories. It was an impressive battle."

Marco nodded his head. Most were impressed with Oyaji after watching him fight. He could feel Ace tense in his arms and knew his young mate was angry that these rookies would watch their war like some sort of street show.

Placing a calming arm on Ace's shoulder Marco pulled his mate in closer. "Ace, calm down."

Ace didn't respond, but Marco could feel the younger pirate's shoulders slump as he relaxed.

"I mean no harm by that, Portgas-san."

Ace looked over at the man that was talking to him. A nudge from Marco had him speaking, "Whatever. I accept, but you all had better have been impressed."

Drake smiled, nodding lightly. "I truly apologize. Maybe as a show of forgiveness you will allow my crew to take you back to your ship."

Marco and Ace shared a look, but before they could respond another voice interrupted. "You can take them Drake-ya, but some of their crewmates will not be leaving my ship anytime soon." Both Commanders looked at the returning Law. "Their injuries are too great for them to be moved further. Their wounds need monitoring."

Marco let out a sigh, "I see."

"However I am also more than willing to take the Commander's-ya back to their ship."

Drake glared towards Law, a look that Law returned with a smirk.

Deciding to leave the two Supernova's to their fight, Marco turned lifting Ace into his arms and walked towards the bow in order to get some quiet time.

Thatch was in a panic. The call had just come in that Marco and Ace had not made it out of Marineford with the Moby Dick, and while Pop's was sure they had escaped, no one knew where they were.

So he had quickly organized 'his' ship and made it to the area where Ace was last seen flying towards.

However he was starting to fear that his two best friends may have fallen' into the water and perished.

"I'm not ready to be a parent guys, come on give me a break and just be safe."

"Commander Thatch," one of his men said running up to him. "There are what appear to be pirate ships about two leagues off the port side. What are your orders?"

Thatch stopped thinking about that, pirate ships, giant dragon in the area. Oh yeah they'd have seen that if it had come anywhere near them.

"Alright lets get over to them, be prepared for a fight, but hopefully they won't attack once they've seen our flag. This is paradise after all. We just want to ask if they've seen Ace or Marco, or any of our other missing men."

"Yes Sir." Then he was off to spread the word.

Law's POV

Law had been having a rather entertaining argument over who would get to accompany the two commanders back to their crew when he heard Bonney's surprised cry.

Drake had been the first to turn and look for the female pirates cry of distress. A true gentleman even as a pirate, and Bonney was hardly the princess in distress type.

"Holy shit, is that the Moby Dick?" Ah yes thank you Apoo-ya for asking the obvious

"It's one of Whitebeards paddle ships. I do not see the shadow of death on that ship. I see a ten-percent chance of a fight breaking out." Well that's good to know Hawkins-ya.

"They have probably come looking for their two missing commanders." Still have that damned smile even now Urouge-ya.

Well lets see and pray that all the Whitebeards want is their men back.

Thatch's POV

"You all I'm not here to fight. I'm just looking to see if you have seen any of my missing Nakama. One may have taken the form of a dragon. He was seen flying in this direction by one of our other ships."

None of the younger pirates answered.

Well that's annoying. Does that mean they haven't seen them? Or are they just not going to say they've seen them? Man thinking about it made his head hurt, this was the stuff Marco was good at.

He looked at the younger pirates again; trying to read them like Marco had described doing to him once. Well they weren't meeting his eyes, that meant they knew something; but what?

He let out an aggravated sigh.

"Look brats I don't have time to spend arguing or I suppose in this case staring at you guys all day. So if you know something tell me, if not then let me know so I can leave."

"Or you'll do what?" Oh so the red headed kid wanted a fight, did he? God was that black lipstick, man would he love to introduce the kid to Izo. That would teach him to respect, or at least fear, your elders.

"Thatch stop thinking so hard I think you're going to hurt yourself yoi."

Yoi? Did one of the kids come from the same place as Marco, oh he had to see this. Wait it said his name, and he knew that voice.

Turning his head he saw a very familiar head of hair moving towards him.

"Marco!"

And he was pulling with him a very familiar sleeping looking freckled face.

"Ace!"

"Jumping down to meet them, he greeted his oldest friend with a hug. "You all are all right!" Then he pulled back looking Marco in the face, "Never do that again! Do you know how worried I was!"

"Sorry yoi, but you knew why I had to go. And Ace and I are alright, and we managed to escape with a couple other men."

Thatch nodded, "I'm glad to hear that."

"Hey Thatch." Thatch turned to look at Ace, "What about…well you know?"

Then it struck him what the younger commander was talking about. "Oh shit, that's right you have to go see." He dropped his voice to a whisper, "They started moving."

That was all it took, the two Zoan's were gone in a flash.

Well that was fun. Bit short and quick, but what needed to happen. I'm a little torn since Sabo has appeared in the manga, about having him make an appearance in this story. Let me know what you think.

Please review.