Walk To Marineford
Summary: Luffy doesn't ask questions. Not when he wants something. He demands it. When Ace is facing execution, he demands one thing of Ace. He wants Ace to admit the one thing he has longed for. The will to live.
Or
Luffy basically forces Ace to be like Nico Robin at Enies Lobby featuring the Strawhats, Shanks, the Whitebeard Pirates, and Sabo.
Author's Note: So, I was watching Enies Lobby… and you guessed it, when I watched Marineford and Ace said he wanted to live… this happened. With extra. My headcanon of Shanks being Rouge's brother is here. I really debated on making them biological brothers, but for an idea, I decided to just go with my headcanon. Also lowkey Shanks trolling the world government. The Strawhats were sent to the Moby Dick by Kuma for plot purposes. Thatch is alive cause ummm FUCK THAT. We are just gonna pretend that Kaido was taken care of beforehand. Sabo, well, he's making an appearance. He also kinda broke into Impel Down instead of Luffy so the others were there was well.
Additional Notes: So, I keep going back over the promise between Luffy and Shanks and realized at Marineford, Shanks says he'll break the promise if he sees Luffy. However, all versions of the promise NEVER say they can't see each other. Only to return the hat when Luffy becomes a great pirate. Or does that just mean I won't see you until that moment. IT WAS NEVER SAID AND IT BUGS ME. So, for this (and any other fic), they can still see each other but the promise isn't broken. If I'm missing something about it, someone please tell me. It's bugging the hell outta me.
Warnings: Canon Divergence, Crack Fic all the way
Pairings: Marco the Phoenix/Portgas D. Ace, Red-Haired Shanks/Benn Beckman, Roronoa Zoro/Sanji, Monkey D. Luffy/Trafaglar D. Water Law, Izou/Thatch
Luffy was stunned. The sickening twist in the pit of his stomach as one by one he watched his nakama disappear right before his eyes. One swipe from the Warlord Kuma and they were gone. With each one, Luffy screamed their names, his voice getting hoarse from the loud scream ripping from his throat. His eyes filling with tears at the thought that they were dead. It only made the pain worse not knowing.
First it was Zoro. Sanji's devastated screams that followed. Usopp frozen in front of him. The rest of them questioning what had just happened as Kuma loomed over them.
Brook was next. Brook placing himself between Kuma and Usopp and Sanji. Usopp helping a beaten Sanji off of the ground. The screech of Brook's name from Usopp.
Usopp followed next. Usopp managing to get Sanji out of the way. Luffy begging him to run as Sanji called out his name. Disappearing right before their eyes.
Luffy had gone into second gear, but still wasn't fast enough as Kuma appeared before Franky and Nami.
Franky was the next one. Fighting back until Kuma swiped his hand once more and he too was gone.
Luffy could hear Nami's horrified screams. The fear on her face with the Warlord approaching her. Nami looking at Luffy, begging him to help her. Luffy trying to get to her before it was too late. Except it was.
Nami disappeared next.
Chopper went into his beast transformation, preparing to strike Kuma. Kuma's attack landed first. All Luffy could do was scream their names.
Chopper also vanished.
Luffy begged for Kuma to stop. The Warlord not answering him as he went for his next victim.
Robin.
Luffy screamed out her name as she called for him. Hand reached out. Only for him to be too late.
She was also gone.
This couldn't be.
He had absolutely no idea what the hell was happening. What was happening to his nakama? The one thing he promised himself long ago in the forest of Mount Colubo that he would not let harm come to his loved ones again.
He begged to know what happened to his friends. His family. Kuma only said this was the last time they would ever meet and just moved his hand again.
Luffy was the last one.
Tears were streaming down his face as the sorrow filled him. He landed with a thump. Wood underneath his palms as he screamed. His cries echoing out in the air.
"LUFFY!" The chorus of eight voices. Eight very familiar voices screamed out.
Luffy's head snapped up. Disbelief on his face as he looked at them. All eight of his nakama right before him. Safe and unharmed. "Guys!" He exclaimed as he pushed himself up, launching himself towards his nakama. His arms stretching to wrap around them multiple times in a large group hug. They were crying just as hard as he was.
They were safe and that's what mattered.
"Guys, we aren't alone." Robin stated, forcing them to break up the reunion despite it only being a few minutes. Luffy looked around and sure enough, they were surrounded by people. People he didn't recognize. He clutched his hands into fists, standing back to his full height. Prepared to fight.
"Wait!" Zoro called out before he could launch an attack. "Those tattoos."
Luffy did pause.
The blonde man not far from them was staring them down. His purple jacket open and a tattoo vaguely similar to Ace's tattoo on his chest. The different it had no skull, the bones were a cross, but it did have the crescent mustache. He was blinking at them with an unreadable expression. He was not alone. Fifteen more stood there. All surrounding the Strawhats. "It's you." The blonde stated. The others seemed to follow in suit. Their eyes were directly on Luffy.
"Where are we?!" Luffy demanded, still prepared to fight if he needed too.
The blonde smiled at him, hand on his hip. What is with this guy? Luffy thought. The blonde didn't say anything after that. Instead loud footsteps echoed and each Strawhat turned on their heel.
Standing behind them was the man Ace called Oyaji. Luffy's eyes widened. "Whitebeard!" Robin exclaimed.
"You're on the Moby Dick, Strawhat Luffy." Whitebeard stated.
"Why aren't you attacking us?!" Brook screeched to which immediately Usopp shushed him. A hand clamping over the skeleton's jaw.
Luffy grinned, a laugh erupting from him. "You're Ace's crew!" He shouted, the happiness flowing through his voice. "Is he back here yet?! He said he went to kick Blackbeard's ass! I want to see him!"
Silence fell over the other crew, faces turning grim as Luffy's words rang through the air. "He doesn't know…" The man in the kimono muttered, tears springing to his eyes.
The blonde standing before Luffy winced, fists clenching at his sides. "You're his kid brother, right?" The blonde questioned.
Luffy beamed. "Yeah!"
The blonde gulped. "Ace… he… um…" The man paused.
"Marco—" Another man with bread-shaped hair muttered.
Marco sighed, straightening his back. "Ace was defeated. That bastard turned him over to the Marines to become a Warlord."
The smile on Luffy's face dropped, his ears starting to ring. Ace was… defeated? "He… what?"
"I'm sorry to tell you this, but Ace… he's in Impel Down." The bread-hair man said. "He's… his execution is scheduled in Marineford at three pm, six days from now."
Luffy's eyes widened. "Ace is going to die?!" His voice dropping to barely a whisper, almost inaudible if the entire deck hadn't been silent. The panic sat in. The feeling that he felt just moments ago returning as he collapsed to his knees, hands on the deck. "I have to go get him! I need to get back to the Sunny!" Luffy exclaimed, pushing himself up and starting towards the side of the ship. Cursing as he noticed only open ocean. He turned and looked back at the Whitebeard Pirates. "Do you have a boat or something I can borrow?! I need to go break him out!"
The rest of the Strawhats were completely frozen. Eyes wide as the news got to them. Whitebeard sighed. "Why don't you just stick with us?"
Luffy growled. "I can't!" He pulled his hat off, reaching into the red band and pulling out Ace's burning vivre card. "See this!" He screamed, holding it up for all to see. With one look, they all had guilt on their faces. "He's dying! I have to go save him!"
"We know that!" Marco snapped; his eyes dark.
"Then why aren't you doing anything?!" Luffy fought back.
"We are." Whitebeard stated almost immediately, causing Luffy to look over to him. Whitebeard was grinning.
"Currently we are on our way to get our ships coated. We are attacking Marineford directly." Marco added.
Nami's face lit up. "I see! You're gonna strike from underwater!" She exclaimed. To which all of the Whitebeard pirates nodded.
"Hey, old man, is it alright if we temporary form an alliance? I'm going to go save Ace rather you say yes or not." Luffy said.
Whitebeard smiled again. "Of course, brat. We can use all the help we can get. We've already got all of our allies coming too." The kimono wearing man stated, identified as Izou, the Sixteenth Division Commander.
"We are going to infiltrate Marineford completely." Another man said, who Robin stated was Diamond Jozu, the Third Division Commander. "We are going straight for their plaza."
Luffy's eyes widened as a grin broke out. Seeing just how much all of these men cared for his big brother. Something that Ace had been wanting his entire life.
"Alright, tell me your plan. So, we can help you." Luffy stated.
X
Sabo had an odd feeling in his gut. Something he hasn't been able to place in the slightest. For the last ten years, it was always the same. Just a mere knowing of knowledge he shouldn't know. Memories locked away. He sighed as he walked the conference room, the newspapers placed on the table. He paused as he caught a glimpse of the first page.
Fire Fist Ace Scheduled For Public Execution
Portgas D. Ace, also known as Fire Fist Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates is currently being held in Impel Down, awaiting his execution at Marineford. Time of execution will be at three pm a week from now.
Two pictures were underneath the article's title. One of Fire Fist Ace's Wanted Poster and the other post-capture. His bruised and worn down body clear in the picture.
A sharp pain ripped through Sabo's head as he braced himself on the table. Portgas D. Ace. Why did that name sound familiar? The image of a small child standing before him came to mind. His face dark but his black, curly hair blowing in the wind. Sabo grimaced, hissing in pain as he squeezed his eyes shut. Breathing heavily.
Ace… wait… His eyes snapped open as he looked at the picture once more. The image of the boy slowly starting to come into full view. Dark, stormy eyes with a red tint to them. The same black, curly hair. The same grin. Brother… He's not just some unknown pirate… he's my… brother… and he's about to die.
Everything started to come back in a rush. Him and Ace running through the woods. Gathering their treasure that was stolen in Gray Terminal. Meeting Luffy. All of it. He could barely hear Koala and Hack behind him, asking him if he was okay. His breathing was heavy and labored as he leaned over the picture of the soon to be executed pirate.
"He's my… my brother!" He exclaimed as the pain became too much. With a scream ripping through his throat, he threw his head backwards and the world went dark.
X
When he came too, he was told that three days had past. Koala cried, clinging onto him. Scared for him. For his life. He just smiled, giving her a quick hug for comfort before the previous events came back to mind.
Ace. Ace was going to be executed.
"I need to speak to Dragon-san immediately!" Sabo exclaimed, climbing out of the bed, and running out of the room before anyone could protest him. Rushing through the halls, he went to the room that he knew Dragon would be in. Knocking on the door before opening it, Dragon sat at his desk and looked up. "Dragon-san, I need to leave the base. I need to get to Marineford."
Dragon nodded, a small hum leaving him. "I heard what you said. Commander Ace is your brother?"
Sabo nodded. "Yes! He's mine and Luffy's brother! We made a vow on Dawn Island! I have to go save him!" He quickly exclaimed.
The Revolutionary Leader's eyes widened for just a split second at the mention of Luffy before he was nodding. "From what I can tell, Whitebeard is coating his ships currently. If you leave immediately, you can reach him before they are done." He paused, "There is something you need to know." He went into further detail as Sabo felt his blood go cold. Are the Marines really that heartless?
"Thank you so much, Dragon-san."
He turned to walk from the room, only to stop as he heard Dragon add in, "Save your brother."
Sabo had a new sense of determination going through him. "I will."
X
Whitebeard and his allies had met at Fishman Island, avoiding Sabaody Archipelago for the time being since the island was covered in Marines preparing for the broadcast. When they reached Paradise, Whitebeard's ships would remain underwater as the allies would be above them to encircle the Bay Head of Marineford while the Moby Dick and the other Mobys would be infiltrating the base from underneath the water. Luffy and the Strawhats stayed on the main ship with Whitebeard and the Commanders. They were still waiting for the final people to arrive before they would be heading for Marineford. They had one day left before Ace's scheduled execution date.
Luffy's determination only grew as he stared at Ace's vivre card. It was nothing but a small square now, still burning on the edges. It made the anger course through Luffy's veins. What had Ace gone through since they had seen each other in Arabasta?
"We'll save him, Luffy." Zoro stated.
Luffy plastered a grin on his face. "Of course, we will. Nothing will stop me from saving Ace. Even if it kills me."
"Don't let Ace hear you say that." The new voice made Luffy jump. He didn't recognize it. Turning to face the newcomer, he paused. It felt almost familiar. The person before him looked to be the same height as Ace, maybe a little taller with a top hat on his head. Blonde, curly hair and stormy eyes. A scar over his left eye. His clothes and hat reminded him a lot of someone. Not just anyone. Sabo. He looked a lot like him too. Luffy shook the thought out of his head. That's the last thing he needed to think about.
Zoro already had his sword ready to strike but the man paid him no mind. Robin gasped as she muttered, "The Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army? What is the second in command doing here?"
Once again, the man let it go over his head, his eyes clued to Luffy. "What do you want?"
"Say, Luffy, didn't you have another brother?"
The confusion all around them followed a dead silence. "You have another brother, Captain?" Sanji questioned, eyeing the newcomer while also being prepared to attack.
"He's… he's dead. Died ten years ago… he got shot by a Celestial Dragon." Luffy said, eyes narrowing on the person in front of him.
The man reached up, Sanji and Zoro started to attack but paused once they realized he was only taking off his hat. "Sabo was his name." The man stated, looking back up and staring Luffy straight in the eye.
Luffy growled, anger flooding through him. Seriously, someone was going to come in and taunt him about his other brother. The one they couldn't save before his untimely death.
"Don't you dare talk about him." Luffy hissed.
"I'm Sabo." The man stated with the stunned silence that followed.
Luffy could only growl again as he reached forward and grabbed the man by his coat. "Don't you even try to act like you're him. That's impossible. Sabo died. Keep his name out of your mouth."
"Ace stole a bottle of sake from Dadan, and we made a vow of brotherhood at the tree stump in the forest." The man stated.
Luffy completely froze, his eyes widening. Only Ace and Sabo would have known that, and Ace wasn't here. "Oh my God…"
"Hey, Luffy." Sabo said, a smile on his face.
Tears sprang to Luffy's eyes as he jumped, engulfing Sabo in a hug as he cried buckets of tears. Clinging to his newfound brother. Crying out his name and gaining the attention of the others. "Ace is going to be so happy to see you. After he kicks your ass for disappearing for ten years!" Luffy managed to say through his tears.
"We have to save him first." Sabo stated, pulling away from Luffy to give him a smile.
Luffy jumped down, tears still going down his face as he looked up at his brother. "What happened to you?" Finally taking a good look at Sabo. The more he looked, the more he could see it. It really was Sabo.
Sabo gave a sad smile. "When my boat was shot down… I was found by Dragon-san. All I knew was I didn't want to be on the island. I had no recollection of any of my memories. I had forgotten everything." He explained, eyeing the others as they started to approach.
Marco eyed him, eyes narrowing on him, almost trying to calculate if he was telling the truth. "Ace never mentioned two brothers."
Sabo sighed, placing his top hat back on his head. "I don't believe he would. Considering he thought I was dead. I'm sure it was painful for him and for Luffy. Ace… we were five when we met. I had ran away from home and was living in Gray Terminal in a cave. He was an angry kid. A kid who had heard so much shit in his life about how he was undeserving of life and shouldn't have been born. I know just about everything about him." Sabo paused. "His tattoo… the S with the X over it… was my jolly roger. I have no doubt he got that as a tribute. Ace will love unconditionally even if he feels like he doesn't deserve it in return. It's always how he was."
Luffy smiled. "It is." He confirmed.
Sabo grinned. Marco seemed to drop it for the time being as Sabo turned slightly, motioning towards his own coated ship. "I brought some back up."
Sure enough, on the boat were prisoners from Impel Down. Including the likes of Crocodile, Jinbei, and Buggy. "Why did you have to bring Crocodile?!" Luffy groaned.
"Cause, he makes a good ally." Sabo stated. "Plus, he won't do anything. Iva-san has that taken care of."
"Iva?"
Sabo pointed to the man with a purple afro, who was grinning. "I needed to go break out my men from Impel Down. Unfortunately, I couldn't get to Ace. They transferred him to Marineford early once they found out I broke in." He explained.
"Well, that's unfortunate." Zoro muttered.
Sabo turned to look at Luffy once more. "I also ran into someone. Someone you made a promise too."
Luffy's face lit up. "Are you serious?!"
Sabo nodded, motioning behind Luffy.
Luffy turned and sure enough standing directly behind him with his crew was Red-Haired Shanks. "Hey, Luffy."
"SHANKS!" Luffy screamed, jumping and wrapping around Shanks. The Red-Haired Captain laughed as he patted at Luffy's back. "What are you doing here?" He questioned jumping down and bouncing on his feet.
Shanks smiled, adjusting the straw hat on Luffy's head. "I took care of Kaido for Whitebeard-san. Kaido was trying to take advantage of this and intercept him before he could get to Marineford." Shanks explained. "Now, since that is taken care of, I have a family member to save."
"Family member?" This caught the attention of everyone around them. Shanks didn't comment, but instead nodded. "The more the merrier!"
"This is an all star team! Marineford doesn't know what is gonna hit them!" Thatch yelled out.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, YOU RED-HAIRED BASTARD?!" Buggy screeched.
A fond smile came to Shanks face as Buggy stomped over to him. Shanks didn't say anything, rather letting Buggy rant.
"Wait, is this the same Shanks that you told me about?" Zoro questioned, watching as Buggy all but yelled at Shanks for no apparent reason.
Luffy hummed and nodded. "Yeah. He's the one who saved my life! Without him, I wouldn't be here! I would be Sea King food." He stated. "Man, without a lot of people, I would have died a long time ago. Now, it's my turn to help him."
"We'll save your brother, Luffy." Sanji stated.
Luffy side-eyed his crew. "That is, if he doesn't give up on himself and wants to die like Robin had at first." Stunned silence followed, even Buggy had quieted down.
"What?" Marco questioned, his eyes widening.
"Why would Ace give up?" Jozu asked next.
"Like I said, Ace believes he's undeserving of his life. He had been called everything from a demon to a monster. Just because of who is father is. His father is so cool! Like seriously! Who wouldn't want to have Gold Roger as their father! The King of the Pirates! My big brother, pirate royalty." Luffy explained, pausing as everyone was staring at him. The only ones not in shock were Sabo, Whitebeard, and Shanks.
"WHAT?!" A collective scream rang out.
"Yeah, Ace's old man is Gold Roger! Didn't he tell you?" Luffy questioned.
"Luffy! You know Ace hates talking about him!" Sabo gasped.
"Oh right. That's supposed to be a secret." Luffy added, followed by a snicker.
"You're just as bad as Garp." Nami muttered.
"You mean to tell me, Ace is the son of the Pirate King?! How is that possible? Gold Roger died over a year before Ace was even born?!" Izou exclaimed.
"Simple. His mother was an amazing woman. That's why Ace took her name. Her name was Portgas D. Rouge. She was dead set on saving his life that she hid him in her womb for twenty months. His mother is just as cool! Man, I really wish I could have met them both. I bet they were amazing people." Luffy explained again.
"They were." Shanks confirmed, the fond smile returning to his face.
"Luffy, for the love of God, don't let Ace know you blabbed again." Sabo stated. "You know what mentioning Roger is like for him."
Luffy waved him off. "Ace really should know that we all love him and want him to live. He's asked me before. Remember, after you guys saved me from those pirates?" Sabo nodded. "I really wish Ace would learn to love himself, despite having Roger's blood. Hearing everything, he had growing up sure fucked up his head. It's amazing that he even learned how to love. I just want him to believe he deserves his life just as much as the rest of us. I've never heard him say he wants to live. At least for himself. To me, he's just wanting to live for our sakes." Luffy paused completely as his eyes settled on Robin. To think about it, Ace and Robin were a lot alike. It wouldn't do much good if Ace didn't have the will to live. Rescuing him would be a lot harder. He would demand they go away and be stubborn about their clear signs of love to him. "There's something we need to do before we save him."
"And that would be?" Marco questioned.
Luffy smiled. "We need to make him realize he deserves to live."
X
Twelve PM came and the ships were underwater, directly within Marineford's bay. The allied ships should already be seen at that point. The Red Force was with them but would stay hidden underwater with Whitebeard's additional Moby. Shanks and his crew were on the Moby Dick, going along with Luffy's idea. This is what they needed to do. Ace needed this more than anything.
Luffy took a deep breath as the Moby started to ascend from the water. Almost time.
The Moby Dick broke the water, the coating breaking as it leveled out. The other three followed closely behind. Luffy could hear the cries from the Marines.
Whitebeard was the first to walk forward, standing on the mast of the Moby.
Luffy took another breath as Shanks stepped forward, joining Whitebeard before finally him and Sabo moved. This was it.
The war was about to begin. All for Ace.
X
Ace watched in utter disbelief as the Mobys started to break through the water. Finally settling on the water. His eyes wide as he muttered, "They actually came?!" All of the allies of the Whitebeard Pirates. All of the Mobys. They were all here.
He could hear the loud clanks as Whitebeard walked up onto the mast, speaking directly to Sengoku. "It's been a long time Sengoku. We have plenty to talk about. Like you not killing my son." Whitebeard's eyes moved to Ace. "Sit tight for a second, Ace."
"FATHER!"
A second later, Whitebeard had activated his Devil Fruit, causing tremors to erupt in the ground, the ocean warping around the base as he set off a seaquake. Once it settled, more footsteps rang out.
Ace's face warped into more shock as another person joined Whitebeard on the mast. In the form of Red-Haired Shanks. Shanks smiling directly at him as the Marines started to panic at the sight of the other yonko.
"SHANKS!" Ace screamed. Shanks even showed up?!
"Hold on, Ace. We're coming for you." Shanks said.
"What is Red-Haired Shanks doing here?!" The chorus of voices rang out.
Confused noises rang out as Mihawk turned from where he was with the Warlords and started walking away. Ace barely managed to hear him reply to the Marines with, "I agreed to face Whitebeard and his allies, true, but Red-Hair is another story entirely. You should quit as well." Mihawk warned as he simply walked away.
A moment later, they were joined by two more people. A Straw hat on one and a top hat on the other. Ace felt tears come to his eyes. "LUFFY!" He screamed again. He didn't recognize the person with him.
"It's Strawhat Luffy and his crew!" More Marines exclaimed.
"Wait! That's the Second in Command of the Revolutionary Army! The Chief of Staff!" Another screamed. Ace guessed they could only be talking about the other man. Why would the Revolutionary Army be here?
"WE ARE COMING FOR YOU!" Luffy screamed.
Ace watched as the Commanders and Marco lined up with Whitebeard. Shanks' crew walking up behind him. Standing in front of all of them was Luffy and the mystery man. Walking in a straight line, Luffy was joined by the Strawhats. His crew lining up on either side of him.
All of them were here?
"Look at that line up." Aokiji stated from somewhere underneath Ace.
"Garp! You're family is messing things up again!" Sengoku screamed towards the Vice Admiral.
For someone with his blood? Didn't they know by now? Why would they be here?
"PLEASE! JUST TURN AROUND! DON'T DO THIS FOR ME! I DESERVE THIS! I IGNORED ALL OF YOU!" Ace screamed, the sting in his eyes at the thought of what he was about to watch. "I IGNORED YOUR ADVICE AND LEFT OUT ON MY OWN! DON'T GET YOURSELVES KILLED FOR ME!"
"No. I sent you after Blackbeard. You were only following my orders." Whitebeard stated. "Right, Marco?"
Marco smiled and nodded. "Yeah, heard it all myself." Marco confirmed. Ace knew it was wrong. Whitebeard was taking blame for his own actions. "The world knows what happens when they mess with the Whitebeard Pirates, and that includes you, Ace!"
His father was here. His nakama. Shanks. His brother. His friends.
"Please! Don't die for the blood that runs in my veins! I'm not worth it!" Ace screamed back.
Not one of them looked surprised. Did they know?
"We share the same blood, Ace! You want to say that again?" Shanks questioned, a smile still playing on his face. Surprised noises left the Marines at the revelation that Shanks just shared.
"Wait?! Red-Haired Shanks is also the Pirate King's son?! And we never knew?!"
Even Sengoku acted surprised. Eyes wide as he almost dropped the snail in his hand.
"SHANKS! DON'T DO THIS!" Ace screamed.
"That monster sired another demon!" One Marine screeched.
Shanks snickered. "Hey now! Don't talk about my father like that!"
"I don't deserve this! Please, just leave! You can't die here with me! Any of you!" Ace exclaimed.
"IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOUR FATHER IS, ACE! YOU ARE YOU!" Luffy yelled back. "YOU'RE STILL MY BROTHER!" Ace choked on the air in his throat. "YOU THINK YOU ARE SO UNDESERVING OF LIFE THAT YOU DON'T EVEN WANT TO ACCEPT THE HELP OF THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU?! YOU HAD ONE QUESTION RIGHT? IF YOU DESERVED TO BE BORN? IF IT WAS GOOD? HERE'S YOUR ANSWER!" Luffy screamed at the top of his lungs.
Ace felt the well of tears in his eyes as he watched the agreement go through all of them. All collectively yelling out for him. Saying it didn't matter who his father was. That they still loved and cared for him.
"I WANT TO HEAR YOU SAY IT, ACE!" Luffy continued. "TELL ME, YOU WANT TO LIVE!"
The tears split over the brim of Ace's eyes. All of their eyes were on him. Smiles on their lips as they nodded. All unspoken words as they waited for his answer. He leaned forward, touching his forehead to the wood of the scaffold. They wanted him to live? All of them? Despite knowing who his father was? The bad blood on his veins. Yet, they were all here for him? Willing to do anything to get him back.
Could he be this selfish? To wait it more than anything? He always wanted to know his entire life if it had been good that he was born. That his life meant something.
Now they were all standing there.
His family. His nakama. Whitebeard. Marco. His friends. Luffy.
Could he actually express his most wanted desire?
He leaned back up, throwing his head back with a scream of, "I WANT TO LIVE!" The relief in his chest as the words finally left him. The one thing he always wanted to say truthfully.
This time it was.
His most desperate desire.
If it was good that he was born. If he deserved to live. If he wanted to live.
"TAKE ME AWAY FROM HERE!"
Determined looks came to the faces of the pirates. "You heard him, sons! Bring Ace to safety and destroy the navy!" Whitebeard yelled.
Before anyone could move forward, Shanks raised his hand to stop them. "Let's make this easy."
Time seemed to freeze for a second as the Marines standing in the plaza all collapsed. Leaving only the Admirals standing, and two of the Warlords. Even then, the Admirals didn't look well off. Hancock simply stated she wasn't helping, and Doflamingo decided to stay. Shanks smirked as Ace's eyes widened, staring at the now almost completely cleared battlefield.
"Now, let's go."
"BRING IT ON!" Luffy screamed.
Ace could only sit there dumbfounded as Sengoku scrambled to figure out another plan.
X
They had done it. They had won.
Ace was back on the safety of the Moby Dick, having been pulled off of the scaffold by Luffy. With Shanks' haki, it only left the top of the Marines to defend against the entirety of the Whitebeard Pirates, their allies, the Red-Hair Pirates, and the prisoners from Impel Down. They had won with no causalities at all on either side.
Luffy had gotten onto the scaffold. Using a key given to him by the Warlord Hancock to unlock his cuffs. Sengoku collapsing the scaffold trying to stop him.
Admiral Akainu tried to get under Ace's skin by insulting Whitebeard, going after his pride, but Marco all but swooped him up and flew away before Ace even had time to blink.
Now on the deck of the Moby Dick, sailing away from Marineford and back towards the New World. They took their chance to cheer in victory. Their allied ships behind them as they started back for Sabaody.
Ace cried as they left Marineford, kneeling before his nakama. Begging for their forgiveness. He could only hear laughter which brought his attention back up to see them all smiling at him.
Marco was in front of him, getting down on his knees in front of him and wrapping his arms around his waist, whispering, "We are just so glad you are alive." He whispered. Ace buried his nose in Marco's neck, wrapping his arms around him as the tears continued to flow. Ace finding himself unable to stop. Marco shushed him quietly, whispering sweet nothing into his ear as he ran his fingers through Ace's hair.
Once Ace managed to calm down enough, Marco pulled away from him with a smile. "There's someone who wants to see you."
Ace looked away from Marco, eyes falling on the unknown man he had seen before. He hadn't seen his face the entire time during the very one-sided battle. His eyes widened as the man approached him. He didn't say anything. Just stood there and smiled. Ace's mind flashed back to Dawn Island for a split second. His fingers ghosting over his tattoo.
Staring straight at him was nonother than Sabo.
"Is this for real?"
Luffy grinned and nodded from where he was behind Sabo.
Ace would never admit he squealed as he pushed himself up, rushed forward, jumping, and wrapping his legs around Sabo's torso and arms around his neck. Sabo laughed as he patted his back. Letting Ace hang onto him for a moment before Ace was jumping down.
Ace was sure he was grinning like a mad man when Luffy brought both of them into his stretched-out arms. He couldn't even say how long they were like that before Luffy finally let Ace free.
"So, I really hate to break up the family reunion… but… Red-hair? Ace? What is going on with you two?" Marco questioned.
"Are you really Roger's son, Shanks?" Thatch added.
Ace grinned as he looked over to where Shanks was standing, leaning into Benn. Shanks had the same shit-eating grin on his face from before. "Theoretically yes." He replied.
Eyes turned to Ace as he shrugged. "It's his story to tell."
"Ace's mother is my sister. Captain Roger… well, he saved my life when I was a baby and ended up raising me from an infant." Shanks finally stated. "He's the only man I knew as a father."
Ace was still smiling as he wrapped his arms around Marco. Marco's arm thrown over his shoulders. They were waiting on news about Whitebeard, who was currently undergoing treatment from Trafalgar D. Water Law, who had shown up almost immediately after the alliance had shown up. Offering his services to Whitebeard. He also helped getting Luffy onto the platform.
Law came out, silencing the deck as Ace walked forward. Law smiled. "Your Oyaji is perfectly fine. Just needs some rest. I've also helped that sickness he had going on."
"Are you serious?" Ace questioned.
Law nodded. "Whitebeard is a legend, and also someone who keeps peace. Anything for him. Which is also a big fuck you to the World Government and they can shove it up their asses."
The Commanders and Whitebeard Pirates cheered at Law's words.
Ace watched through the corner of his eye as Luffy walked over to Law, all but sweeping the man off of his feet and planting a kiss directly to his lips. Law's face reddened immediately as Luffy let him go. Fingers coming to his lips with wide eyes.
"Thanks for saving the old man, Traffy!" Luffy exclaimed, hands behind his head as he grinned. Completely ignoring the fact that he just kissed Law.
Law stammered over his words as he looked away, much to the amusement of Ace.
Ace turned to look at Marco, a smile on his face. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you guys." He muttered.
Marco shook his head. "Don't worry about it. You're home." Marco replied.
"I love you, Marco." Ace said.
Marco smiled, putting his hand under Ace's jaw. His thumb tracing his lower lip before he leaned down and connected their lips. Ace melted into him, wrapping his arms around Marco's shoulders, standing on his tip toes to account for the height difference.
"You know, this calls for a banquet!" Shanks announced. Ace laughed as him and Marco parted, leaning his head back into Marco's chest.
His eyes scanning the pirates. Izou and Thatch were wrapped up in each other's arms. Sanji and Zoro were leaning against each other. Zoro's head in Sanji's lap as the blonde ran his fingers through the swordsman's green hair. Luffy was still speaking to Law, who was still red in the face. Shanks was wrapped up in Benn's arms. Yasopp and Usopp were talking together. Sabo was standing not far from him, a smile on his face and arms crossed over his chest. Whitebeard had reemerged from his room, covered in bandages but a large grin on his face. Speaking to Shanks.
He looked back to Marco.
Thinking only one thing. He loved his life.
It was perfect.
Author's Note: Can you tell where I just said fuck it when I was half asleep and just started spewing bull shit xD I hope you enjoyed. This was something else xD