(Toy AU)

A murder of crows were flying his way. Marco could feel that their haki belonged to one person however, and that person felt determined to get to him. Marco slowed his flight down, allowing the crows to meet him. The crows landed on the tree top, transforming back into a human man with some kind of gas mask. Marco lowered himself down, transforming into his hybrid form.

"Who are you?" Marco frowned.

"I'm Karasu."

"And what do you want with me yoi?" Marco scowled. "If it's a fight or for information gathering, I have very little patience at the moment to entertain you-"

Karasu held up his hands. "I do not seek either of those. I hope to reassure you instead."

Marco raised a brow. His Phoenix screeched from within him, furious that someone was in there way, and that they were listening to them. It demanded Marco to go straight through the bastard and continue on to Dressrosa.

"The Revolutionary Army fought alongside the Straw Hat pirates and their companions in Dressrosa," Karasu explained. "There, our Chief of Staff and Monkey D. Luffy came across Portgas D. Ace-"

Marco recoiled. "You found Ace? What did you do-"

Sabo's name rang a bell, but Ace had said he was dead. Died a long time ago as a child, when he was murdered by a Celestial Dragon.

"He's safe. He's with his brothers onboard an ally of Straw Hat Luffy's ship."

"Brothers yoi?" Marco mused. "So Sabo faked his death?"

If he had, Marco was going to strangle him. Ace was always so distant on the anniversary of Sabo's death, and rarely sought out comfort. Pops or Marco tried to help, but Ace usually wanted time alone that day.

"No." Karasu shook his head. "Sabo suffered a head injury and it damaged it memories. He suffered amnesia for years, until the day he saw one the newspaper that Straw Hat Luffy had punched a Celestial Dragon."

Marco almost sniggered. That had been the best article Marco had seen in years. But sadly it had been put to the back of his mind by the announcement of Thatch's execution.

"And now he remembers everything yoi?"

"Ever since Ace was transformed back into a human. Yes."

"Into a human?" Marco's gaze sharpened into a glare. "Tell me everything."

Karasu thankfully obeyed. Marco wasn't above kicking his ass, but he highly doubted Ace's brother would like having his subordinate's ass kicked. Marco's heart grew heavy when he learned of Sugar's Devil Fruit. He had thought Teach's fruit had been truly evil, but it couldn't make the world forget a person and erase their existence. Not like hers could.

Pops hadn't know his youngest son was imprisoned when he died. If he had known, Marco knew he wouldn't have allowed Marineford to be his death bed.

No. He would have gone in for Doflamingo, and torn the little shit to pieces. Marco was highly tempted to himself, dig his claws in and tear-

That was the Phoenix talking though. Sort of. Marco would love to do that too. But firstly, they needed to find the last piece of their missing home. They needed to find Ace.

His Phoenix crooned in agreement.

"Where is Ace yoi?" Marco said.

Karasu nodded. "Follow me. I shall lead you there."

Marco didn't hesitate. If it turned out this was a trap he'd simply break free and kill everyone in his way. He'd show no mercy for the ones who used Ace against him. But if Karasu was telling the truth, then Marco would owe Sabo and Luffy a great debt.

A greater debt than the one he already owed Monkey D. Luffy.