(Celestial Dragon AU)

Pops had spoke to Teach personally. Marco had watched, watched as Teach became confused, baffled, then gasped shakily. Tears burning his eyes.

"I... I left him behind?" Teach choked out, shaking his head. "By the seas, Pops, I'm- I'm so sorry! Commander Darian was taken because of me and-"

"It wasn't sure fault, son." Pops laid a hand on Teach's shoulder, squeezing it gently. Teach clamped a hand over his eyes, shaking.

"I should have searched harder! I should have stayed behind and kept looking for him," Teach cursed. "I left him!"

"We couldn't feel his presence," Pops said softly. "The slavers must have taken him just after he fell down the cliff side."

"Dammit." Teach shook his head, clenching his fists. "He was my Commander. I never thought... We all thought he got washed away into the ocean when we could never find him on the island. That river led to it!" Teach breathed in heavily, sighing. "If we ever find out which slavers took him..."

"We'll make them pay," Pops promised.

"Good," Teach choked out, brushing the tears out of his eyes. "Should I... Should I tell the others?"

"I'll tell them, Teach."

"Th-Thanks, Pops. I think... I think I'll go lie down for a bit, try to calm down. Is that alright?" Teach asked shakily.

"Of course, son," Pops said, rubbing his back. "Go try relax."

They waited until Teach was gone before speaking. Pops leaning heavier into his seat.

"I don't see what Shanks does, at all yoi," Marco said, frowning. "Teach was so upset. I even used my haki and he was devastated."

"Agreed. I don't understand what Shanks sees either. Teach has always been a good member of the family."

"Guess we'll need to talk to Shanks then yoi," Marco huffed.

.::.

Shanks nearly groaned. They were being tricked again. Whitebeard and Marco told him about the entire meeting, how 'devastated' Teach was. He automatically began handing Whitebeard over some alcohol, ready to press in for a long discussion, or probably argument.

Only Sam descended from the depths of Hell the moment Whitebeard reached for the offering of alcohol.

"Shanks," Sam growled lowly. "You're not about to try and give my father alcohol are you?"

He would never admit that he jumped. His haki hadn't even picked her up. Almost as quiet as Buggy's haki in fact.

Shanks laughed nervously, yanking the drink back from Whitebeard, who huffed. "Sam! I didn't see you there. You look as amazing as ever. I love the hair. Don't worry, I wouldn't give your old man any alcohol."

"Good to hear," Sam said. "You wouldn't want me to start spreading word about your little crush on Ba-"

"Nope!" Shanks yelped. "Not at all!"

Whitebeard blinked. "Crush?"

Sam smirked. "Oh yes. It was so cute. Shanks was such a tiny thing, and the first time he laid eyes on her-"

"Sam, I'm sorry," Shanks cried. "I swear, I won't give your Pops any alcohol! I'll bring healing water next time. Something nice, yeah? Just don't tell anyone."

"Better," Sam chuckled, but sat down next to him, her eyes hard. "What happened during the meeting, Pops?"

"Teach was devastated," Whitebeard said softly. "I don't think he's done anything wrong, daughter."

"You're being soft," Sam scolded, startling Shanks.

"Sam-" Whitebeard warned.

"Don't 'Sam' me. You're soft on all your children," Sam huffed. "Haruta puts on crocodile tears all the time and you fall for it."

"But I don't yoi," Marco said.

"Agreed," Sam said, eyes narrowing. "But at the same time you're our first mate. Have you ever imagined anyone in our family betraying one another?"

"No, I trust Pops' judgement-"

"That's why I don't like this," Sam said sharply.

"I feel like I should be offended," Whitebeard grumbled.

Sam ignored him. "Shanks, what lead you to this in the first place? Why Teach, out of everyone here?"

Shanks' brow furrowed. It was Buggy who had realised something was very wrong with Teach, but he'd never share his ties with Buggy to anyone outside of his crew. Only a few close allies knew of him and Buggy still being in contact. It was safer that way.

"Because when I ran into him, he wasn't doing a task for your crew. He was following his own agenda. I tried to keep an eye out, but got attacked in return, despite being an ally of yours," Shanks said, staring at Whitebeard. "He was meeting up with a man named Laffitte."

"Then I need to find out who Laffitte is," Sam said. "And find out if Teach was the one who hurt Darian."

"And if he was?" Shanks asked, hesitantly.

Her eyes burned with fury. "I don't care if he could hurt you. He could kill me for all I care. But I will tear him limb from limb before I die."

.::.

"I'm glad you're free," Ace said, leaning against the railings.

Luffy grinned. "Shishishishi, we're both finally free. It's great being down here, right Ace?"

Ace's shoulders slumped, and he smiled. "Yeah, it is. I love all this open sea and sky, then the forests. There's so much out there, and I can finally see it all."

"So you said the pineapple guy and bread hair guy found you?"

"Yeah, kidnapped me and brought me to the Moby Dick. The jerks," Ace huffed. "I thought they were going to ransom me off."

"I'm glad they didn't," Luffy growled lowly, hugging tightly to his arm. "If they did..."

"They didn't." Ace ruffled his hair. "And you! I can't believe the Shanks you told me about rescued you for a second time."

"One day I'll be stronger than Shanks and I'll start helping him out," Luffy said, grinning brightly. "Then my fists will be as fast as pistols!"

Ace grinned, but glanced away, back out to the sea. "I know they won't stop searching for me."

"Ace..."

"Don't worry," Ace soothed, nudging Luffy's arm. "I'll get older, and stronger. You will too, and then nobody will be able to capture us."

Luffy grinned, and clutched his hand tightly.

"Yeah! We'll show them. Shishishishi!"

Luffy stayed by his side for the next few days. Unfortunately Shanks had to go at some point though, and sadly Luffy went with them. Ace remained close by Marco's side the day Luffy left. It was upsetting, but Marco knew how to keep him distracted and calm. Thankfully Ace and Luffy kept in contact by den den mushi, both having little baby snails that slept in their bracelets, and throughout the years, they used them to talk.

Okay, I've finally decided to make an announcement on this because it's getting a bit too much. I appreciate that people have their favourite AUs, I love that in fact. But when I get demanded to write certain ones, it makes me want to write nothing. I feel like I'm doing a bad job (and I know I'm not, I've seen so many lovely messages from all of you), so I retreat from my fanfics. I don't mind people asking me if an AU will be getting updated, there have been AUs that I've unfortunately neglected, due to not having any ideas where I'm going with them. The Marine AU and the Tiny One AU are the biggest examples. So I understand that. What I'm fed up of hearing is 'Updated this and fast'. This isn't my job. This is what I do to have fun.

I have many projects going on. My own fantasy book 'The Wardens of Strar' will hopefully be out this year, and I'm doing my best to finish off all the editing. It's been through 6 rounds, so I'm hoping it's close to completion. Then there are the three story collections, the two Ace ones, and Rouge's. Then there are the fanfic stories: The Blue Masked Bird, Born of Flames, The Chosen Few and Calling For Home (with more projects in the works). Not to mention my actual job (which I really dislike but need for money).

So everything will take time. That's one of the reasons my updates are a bit slower right now. That and because I've been demanded to do things, and I don't like that. It makes me upset and unmotivated to write. So instead of all that, we could talk about the AUs I've not been writing. You could tell me your favourite parts, things you might like to see in the future, and that might jump start the juices and get me writing those AUs again.

I love writing for all of you. It's such a fun, supportive community, and I've had so many great laughs and chats with a lot of you. I just feel like lately I've been getting too many demanding messages, and I want to nip it in the bud now.

Sorry for the big message, but I need to clear this up. Otherwise I could disappear for a few months like I have before in this AU to take a break.

Thanks for reading,
Legacy xx