(So this is when Ace is seventeen, so we're back in time a little bit. I'm really not going off a proper timeline or anything here, just kinda writing what I want at the moment. I'll let you know what plotline we're on though up in this author comment bit xD)

(CP-0 AU)

Ace strolled out into the clearing, spotting Apple leaning against a tree, smoking his cigarette. Apple had been his trainer, and still technically was because Ace was one of the youngest CP agents in their records.

Apple had been one of the ones who had appeared on Dawn Island to collect Ace, along with Gramps and Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral. They had even brought five other CP agents with them, but none as high ranked as Apple. It had been a stressful day, Luffy had cried the entire time, even as Ace left with them.

There had been no way to fight back, not with all those powerful people there, and not with them knowing Ace's biggest secret. Not with his Grandpa looking so guilty and heart broken, and asking him to come along peacefully for his own good.

Apple had been the one to train him, that mind numbing, emotional and physical torture. Of course it all grew easier, even when they ended up retraining him because he had gotten a Devil Fruit a few months back.

"Hey kiddo," Apple greeted, lazily waving.

Ace nodded in response, still looking through the CP agent files as he approached the cliff edge where the lone tree stood.

"Hey old man, how you doing?" Ace asked, eyeing the CP-9 listing.

They had a cat. A leopard to be more specific. Still though, they had a kitty cat. The thought made him chuckle, earning an odd look from Apple, Ace didn't elaborate though and Apple didn't ask.

"Same as always. I live," Apple grunted, holding up a file. "You got a mission."

"What are we doing?"

"Not me, just you."

Apple tossed him the file and Ace opened it up, frowning. Red Hair Shanks's photo grinned up at him, and Ace's heart proceeded to skip a beat.

"They want me to go after him? For information?" Ace grimaced. "I'm good at gathering it, but this is the wandering Yonko."

"You're going under the pretence of thanking him for saving your younger brother's life," Apple said. "Monkey D. Garp was overheard complaining about him corrupting his grandson. He's thankful you go by the law."

"As by the law as we go," Ace chuckled.

Apple threw him an amused smile. "True."

"So, after thanking Shanks, possibly being dragged into a party for being Monkey D. Luffy's brother, I'm to find out what he's up to next. Won't he have questions? Like why I'm wandering about in dangerous territory?" Ace frowned, staring at the almost blank mission briefing.

Sure, he was an information gatherer, and an powerful fighter, but not enough to take on a damn Yonko. Not yet anyway.

"You've been travelling as a lone wanderer, taking in the sights and following the open waters to wherever they lead you," Apple said. "You will of course change the topic back on to Monkey D. Luffy, and wait as Red Hair drinks himself into a stupor. We only want to know what he's planning, just in case it's anything that will harm the current state of things."

"Fair enough," Ace grimaced. "This is certainly going to be a difficult mission."

"Take your Striker that you and that doctor friend of yours made-"

"CP-0 agents have friends?" Ace joked.

Deuce was a nice guy, he had met him when Ace had gotten himself stranded on Sixis during a storm, his boat had been wrecked. Together though they had gotten off it, with Ace accidentally eating a certain flame fruit and them building the Striker.

He had dropped Deuce off on a nice island with known friendly folk, before racing off again to report the incident to Apple.

"As friendly as we get," Apple smirked. "Also, Ace, don't get caught. I doubt Red Hair will be merciful to a spy."

"Yeah, well, most people aren't."

Thankfully Ace had been rarely caught, and when he had been Apple had gotten him out. He always had to go through some more training after that, but they had all been worth it, considering Ace hadn't been caught by anyone in a very long time.

WhiteyWolf26 (chapter 6), Yes, that is pretty much the mantra of every single Marco colour there is xD He loves Ace so much and it's adorable :3

Yuki Suou (chapter 6), Yeah, Whitebeard is just that terrified of Angry Marco xD He won't even protect his other children from his wrath anymore! o.o