They Don't Know About Us
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to They Don't Know About Us! Sooooo I maybe going overboard with the backstories BUT OH WELL. I keep adding shit, and it's expanding more and more. I'm still doing a side story of just moments in the lives of our favorite pirates. Basically, what I'm doing is tracking moments from around their birth, to their own journeys on the seas, to the start of Marineford. I'm trying to keep most of their journeys as close to canon as possible while also manipulating it to fit the storyline. Anyway, on with the fic! I hope you enjoy!
Additional Notes: So, I know that in a flashback, it's seen that Ace shows Luffy's bounty poster to Whitebeard, but for this cause I set up in Shanks' chapter about Ace already leaving the Moby. So, Teach attacking Thatch happened before Luffy left the Red Force unlike after.
Chapter Warnings: Canon Violence, Sexual Harassment and Rape/Non-Con Elements (Teach is a fucking creeper in this, sorry guys), plus more.
Chapter Six: Wretched and Divine (by Black Veil Brides)
Chapter Summary: After the attempted murder of Thatch, Ace departs from the Moby Dick to hunt down Blackbeard. In Arabasta, he meets back up with his brother for the first time in years. Finding out it was a false lead, he leaves Luffy and his crew. Finally finding Teach on Barano Island, the two engage in a fight. When he loses, Blackbeard turns him over to the Marines. Locked in Impel Down, he discovers Luffy and his crew broke into the prison. Running out of time, he is taken to his execution platform at Marineford.
A few weeks after he left the Moby, Luffy was leaving the Red Force to start his own crew. He called on his den den to give his brother a sendoff despite being unable to make it to see him personally. He still had business to take care of. He didn't have the time to travel from the Grand Line to the East Blue. He had to follow any lead on Teach as he could. He did find out that Teach was going by Blackbeard now and was trying to form his own crew known as the Blackbeard Pirates. Which only pissed off Ace more. He was even going to steal Whitebeard's name.
It hadn't taken long for Luffy's first bounty poster to come out. Monkey D. Luffy. So that had been what Luffy decided to go with, or even Garp had something to say about it. Ace was honestly thinking he was going to go by Portgas as well. Oh well, Monkey was perfect for Luffy. He acted like a monkey a lot when they were growing up. His bounty? Thirty million berries. That was the bounty he received before he even left the East Blue. The highest bounty currently on that sea. His little brother grinning in his picture. A large smile plastered on his face. Ace could only laugh at seeing it. It was such a Luffy thing to do. There was a reason their parents called him sunshine.
Ace was back in Paradise, hearing that Blackbeard was in the area. He stopped at Drum Island, leaving a message behind for Luffy whenever his brother came across the place. A message that he would be in Arabasta. Last he saw, Luffy had been in Loguetown recently and should be close to arriving at Drum Island. In Arabasta, he had heard a rumor a pirate hunter had defeated Teach on the island and Ace needed to look into that himself.
Sure enough, he ran into Luffy in Arabasta. More like, Luffy sent the Marine Captain Smoker flying into him and sending him through probably six walls. Smoker taking off after Luffy before Ace had a chance to catch his attention. Running after them a few moments later.
The happiness that came to his Alpha brother's face when they first laid eyes on each other again had Ace grinning. Ace fought Smoker in his place, giving his brother a chance to get away with his crew. Which apparently didn't work. Same old Luffy. Who just happened to get separated from his crew again and ended up away from his ship. Luffy couldn't even remember where his ship was when Ace was questioning him. His brother only focused on food. Some things never change. Luffy went on to talk about his nakama. Listing off a swordsman who used three swords, a cook, a navigator, a reindeer who is also a doctor. Also stating that he had found Usopp, Yasopp's son and he had joined the crew. They also had the Princess of Arabasta and her duck on board. They had ended up being surrounded by rival pirates, much to Ace's annoyance. Which were quickly dealt with. Or so he thought, until they caught up to them again. Luffy was already gone before Ace could tell him to go ahead of him.
It wasn't hard for Ace to find Luffy's ship once he got back to Striker. Luffy's jolly roger was a skull and cross bones with a straw hat. Fitting for his brother. Ace could only smirk as he tied his boat to Luffy's ship, hearing the conversation between Luffy and his crew. "Ace used to beat me up all the time when we were kids. I bet now I could kick his big butt." A laugh following as Ace decided to make his move.
"I would like to see you try and back that claim up." Ace stated. "So, exactly whose butt is getting kicked?!" He finished, jumping from Striker, and landing on the railing of Luffy's ship, knocking his brother over and onto the deck. The Omega kneeled on the rail, grinning down at Luffy.
Luffy was still grinning. The large, contiguous grin plastered to his features. "Oh, hey, Ace! This is my crew I was telling you about!"
Ace bowed his head at the six people standing before him. "Nice to meet you and thanks for taking care of my kid brother. I know he's a handful."
"Oh, not at all!" They all replied at the same time, also bowing to him as Ace lifted his head back up.
"Oh, come on! Be honest! This is Luffy we're talking about! Isn't he a bit much for you to handle at times?" Ace said.
"Not at all." Followed immediately after. Ace grinned. Luffy sure did find himself a good crew. One that could put up with Luffy's antics.
"You're good people." Ace said, his grin turning into a fond smile.
The blonde – Omega from what Ace could tell – standing not far from him, a cigarette in hand, said, "Well, sit down and relax. I'm sure you two have some catching up to do. I'll make some tea."
Ace chuckled. "No, that's thoughtful but I don't want to impose." He replied, bowing his head again. Lifting his finger to light the cigarette in the other man's hand. Watching the shock come to his face for a second before it was gone.
"He's not exactly what I expected." The blonde added.
"I'll say." The green haired man that Ace was able to quickly identify as an Alpha.
"He's polite, helpful, and gracious. The polar opposite of Luffy!" The man with the long nose said. Ace eyed him for a second, remembering Luffy saying something about having Yasopp's son as his sniper. He was positive this was Usopp. He looked exactly like the Beta sniper, the only difference was his nose.
"One of them only cares about stuffing his face! There is no way these two can be brothers!" The orange haired girl – Alpha female – stated, the disbelief on her face.
"While the other one only cares about his brother." The green haired Alpha added.
"I wish I had a wonderful brother like that." The reindeer – Luffy's doctor from how Luffy explained him – also added.
"Brother? I wish I had a wonderful Captain like that." The blonde retorted.
"Sanji!" The blue haired female exclaimed. "He's kidding!"
"See! I told you they were interesting!" Luffy cheered, finally getting off of the deck.
Ace couldn't help the grin on his face. He paused as he felt his Observation haki go off the charts. The blue haired girl yelling out, "Baroque works! Those are the Billions ships!"
"Those guys again?!" Luffy muttered.
Ace's eyes narrowed on the ships. These pirates were really starting to piss him off. "Luffy, leave it to me. I'll handle it." Without waiting for a reply, he jumped down, untying Striker. Activating his flames in his feet, he started towards the ships.
"Is he insane?!" He smirked as he heard some of the rival pirates yelled out, "Fire Fist is heading right towards us!"
"Let him! Our ships are going to make match sticks out of his!" Another shouted.
Ace jumped, pushing Striker into the ocean. Activating his fire on his legs as he flipped through the air. Listening to the shouts of surprise below him. Extinguishing the flames as Striker popped out of the water on the other side of the five ships. He landed perfectly onto the boat, pulling his fist back with a yell of, "FIRE FIST!" Releasing the large fire blast, aimed directly at the ships. The fire breaking through the middle of all the ships and in an instant they sank. As the fire started to go out on his hand, he left his finger lit as he tilted his hat back into place with a proud smile on his face.
Luffy's ship came back up next to him. Ace retied Striker back to it and climbed back on board. Laughing as Luffy wrapped him up in his arms.
Finding out they were heading to the same place, Ace traveled with the Strawhats. Though their journey together didn't last long before Ace ran into the bounty hunter that had spread the rumor about Blackbeard. It became clear to him that the man had lied about facing Teach. Which had promptly ended his journey with his brother.
Smiling as he gave his goodbye, Luffy handed him a piece of his vivre card. Ace making sure that Luffy still had his before departing. Disappearing before Luffy could notice he had left. His brother had good nakama. He would be alright.
X
It had taken a long time, but Ace had finally managed to track down Teach. Finally finding him on Barano Island. Ace sat up on his perch, watching Teach walk by him without even realizing he was there. "Hey! Hold on, Teach! I've been looking for you!" Ace called out, watching Teach stop in his place. Turning to face where Ace was kneeling on the top of a building.
Teach smiled, exclaiming, "Oh, what d'ya know! It's Commander Ace!"
Ace growled softly, folding his fingers in front of him as he replied with, "You have no right to call me that anymore! You use that title with respect or don't use it at all. I won't have you mocking me."
One of the men behind Teach approached, a cane in his hand as he looked up to where Ace was. "So, this is the famous Fire Fist Ace?"
"Yup, that's me. You guessed it." The Omega paused, looking back over to his former crewmate. "So, this is your crew. Looks like you've become a Captain now, huh? Captain Marshal D. Teach of the Blackbeard Pirates."
Teach laughed. "C'mon, Ace! Lighten up! It's good to see you again! What brings you here?" Ace's eyes narrowed. Did he seriously just ask that? "You weren't looking for me, were yuh?"
"Let's stop beating around the bush now. Shall we? Even if you play dumb, I know that you're a crafty bastard. There is only one reason for me to be here, and you know what it is. So, spare me the chit chat." The Omega said, the venom behind his words.
"Fine, have it your way, but there is one question I would like to ask first." The bastard responded. "Instead of fighting, why don't you become a member of my crew? I have the perfect plan to rise to the top! You stick with me and I swear we could rule the world! Whitebeard's days are numbered, and you know it! I'm going to be King of the Pirates! First, I'm heading off to Water Seven to kill Strawhat Luffy for a special gift for the World Government." Ace's eyes widened for a split second at the mention of Luffy, his mouth dropping open slightly at Teach's words. He was going after Luffy? There was absolutely no way he could let Teach leave Barano. The Omega quickly masked his face, anger flaring through him as Teach continued, "It wouldn't hurt to have you along for the fun!" The Alpha finished.
"Luffy, huh? You're outta your mind." Ace answered.
"Oh, you know him?"
Ace growled softly, raising his voice, "Of course, I know him! You sack of crap! I'm not going to let you kill my little brother!" The shock came to Teach's face a second later. Ace had to force himself to breathe through his nose in an attempt to keep himself calm. He had to stay levelheaded. It wasn't surprising that Teach didn't know his little brother's name. He had only ever talked about Luffy without saying his name. "And, I'm not joining your crew. You can take your little offer and shove it up your—" Before he could finish, guns shots rang out. Hitting him in the chest and forehead. Ace instinctively grabbed his hat to make sure it stayed on his head. Sighing as he tilted the brim back up. "Well, you get it." Ace smirked as his wounds filled back in with his fire, lifting his head to look at Teach. A smirk playing on his lips. "Heh, it looks like you need to teach your crew some manners, Captain."
With that, Ace stood up to his full height, his fingers positioned for his fire gun. Setting off the shots aimed at the man who shot him. He felt the familiar tingle from his Observation haki, notifying him that someone was behind him. Turning his head to see the large man that he had seen earlier with Teach, holding an entire building in his hands. The man threw it at him as Ace twisted his hand around him, creating a column of fire around him, raising his arms to send it upwards. "Flame Commandment! Fire Pillar!" The building was destroyed in seconds.
"Augur! Burgess! Stay out of this fight! Until you get stronger, this guy is out of your league! Do you hear me!" Teach yelled at his crew. Ace smirked. At least Teach was smart about something. Though, he left his guard down.
"FIRE FIST!" Ace yelled, sending the wave of flames directly at Teach and his men. Sending Teach flying through a building. The Alpha screaming in pain as he was lit on fire.
The Omega jumped down from he was standing, walking forward and the flames around him moving to follow him at his command. He kept the fire swirling around him as he glared down at Teach, the Alpha still trying to put out the fire on him. After a moment, Teach no longer had flames on him after shooing his crewmates away. Ace let his wall of flames fall as he stood on the rumble of the building he had destroyed. A hand on his hip as he continued to stare the man down.
Teach cackled as he pushed himself off the ground, looking up at Ace with a sadistic smirk on his face. "And yes! I killed Fourth Division Commander Thatch with my own hands! I memorized the shapes and colors of all the Devil Fruits that they discovered. So, that I knew that was the one I needed!"
Ace hummed. "And you attempted to murder him in cold blood and stole it without a second thought."
Teach's grin only got bigger as he cackled harder. "Bad luck for him." Ace growled as Teach continued to laugh. He wasn't sure if Teach had noticed what he had said. The Alpha believed he had killed Thatch. Ace just admitted he didn't. If Teach noticed, he didn't comment on it. "Watch! Even among the Logia fruits! There is nothing quite like it!" He exclaimed, his hands during black as black smoke covered his palms. A large pillar of black appeared behind Teach as he continued to cackle. "My body is darkness."
"Darkness?" Ace questioned. He needed more information on this fruit and its powers. Teach might just be stupid enough to tell him.
"It was the Yami Yami no Mi. In other words, I've become a darkness man."
Ace made a tsking sound. "Stop yapping and do it."
Teach obliged. The darkness moving away from Teach and spreading throughout the town around them. All except for where Ace stood, watching on. The village slowly starting to get sucked up into the black smoke. "Darkness is gravity! It swallows everything around it!"
"That's nice but it's nowhere near me. You sure you got the hang of this?" Ace questioned, puzzled on why everything but him was being affected.
Teach lowered his hand. The buildings breaking and disappearing within the darkness around them. Disappearing from sight. As the darkness moved back towards Teach, it left nothing behind. Just an open area where they stood. A moment later, the black smoke appeared again and spit out the busted-up wood of the town. "So, do you get it now, Ace?"
Ace frowned, hands in front of him, glowing green as he watched his small little fireballs, which he called fireflies, surrounded Teach. The fireflies exploding around Teach, catching him on fire. The Omega was confused for a moment watching Teach. His skin on fire. He was supposed to be made of darkness. He shouldn't be getting hurt. "Guess not so much. I wonder what's going on here. You're a logia type. That shouldn't hurt you."
The darkness came out of Teach, extinguishing the flames as Teach pushed himself off of the ground. "I already told you, my darkness swallows everything around it." Teach huffed, holding his hand out. The skin of his hand turning black with the yell of, "Black vortex! First I use the power of my darkness to pull a devil fruit holder into my grasp."
Ace grunted as he felt the pull in his chest. The pain erupting through his body as he pulled off of his feet and towards Teach. His hat flying off of his head and landing somewhere behind Teach. "And when I touch them." Ace groaned as he felt the sharp pain in his shoulder. His eyes landed on Teach's hand, his eyes widening. This couldn't be. He couldn't use his flames. No matter how much he willed them forward. It was just like before he ate his Devil Fruit.
"It can't be!" Ace muttered.
Teach was cackling again as he pulled his arm back. Swinging and connecting his fist with Ace's stomach. Ace grunted as the hit made contact, sending him flying backwards into the rumble. He coughed, feeling blood come up his throat and out of his mouth. Ace groaned as he pushed himself out of the rumble, slumping on the ground. Barely managing to push himself back to his feet.
"It's been so long since you've been hit, that you forgot how much it hurts. Not only can my darkness pull you in! It can also absorb your devil fruit powers! Zoan… paramecia… all those with devil fruit powers who have become dependent on them are in for a surprise. It's nice to see you try." Teach explained. He lifted his hand again to do the same move that had pulled Ace towards him.
Again Ace felt his feet getting lifted off the ground once more. Before Teach could touch him, he managed to get him with two fire spears. Only for Teach to knife chop his throat, sending him backwards again into more rumble. Ace's neck cracking uncomfortably. "That bastard almost broke my neck." He growled, getting back to his feet. Crossing his fingers and yelling out, "Cross fire!"
The move never hit, instead getting sucked into the darkness swirling around Teach. Ace fell down to his knees. Bracing his arms on the ground to keep himself from hitting his face to the ground.
"Everything falls before darkness. Don't fight it, Ace!" Teach drawled as Ace fought to push himself up. Stumbling as he started to get back to his feet. Blood pouring down his face. "Join me!"
Ace smirked as he managed to get back to his feet. He won't run. He won't join that bastard. He was going to defeat him and head home. "If I surrender to you, I can never call myself a man again."
Teach snickered. "You're an Omega. Not exactly a man."
Ace glared at him. That was the first time he had ever heard Teach disregard a secondary gender. Even if it was such a small statement. A rather insulting one. Teach was trying to get him to join him but making him submit to him. Insults sure as hell wouldn't make Ace agree. Like hell, Ace would ever let that happen. He belonged back on the Moby with Marco and his nakama. With Oyaji. Not with Teach.
Using the last of his strength, Ace conjured his Flame Emperor, an extremely large fire ball, in his hand as he lifted it over his head. Teach surrounded himself in his darkness. This was now or never. The final move that would call this fight. With a shout, Ace threw his fire. As the powers collided, Ace's eyes widened as he watched the darkness slowly swallowing up his fire. The darkness surrounding him.
His eyes slowly started to slip shut as his body fell. The world turning dark around him.
He had lost.
X
When Ace finally came to, he was within the brig of Teach's ship. He groaned, turning his head to the side as he looked around. His wrists were bound by sea stone, leaving him completely weak and powerless. He could barely move from the way that his body was pinned against the wall with his arms chained above his head.
"You're finally awake. You've been out for three days." Ace growled as he recognized the voice that belonged to Teach. "I would like you to reconsider my offer." The Alpha stated as he walked forward, bending over so he could look Ace in the eye. His fingertips grazing Ace's chin. Ace's eyes widened as he threw his head to the side. Teach's fingers never left. His thumb moving over the Omega's lip. The Alpha used his other hand to push back some of Ace's curls out of his face. Ace squeezed his eyes shut, trying to turn his head further away as Teach chuckled. "You've always been such a beautiful little Omega." Teach muttered, his thumb moving from Ace's lip to his cheek. Swiping over the freckled skin. The hand that had been in his hair, moving slowly down his neck. Tracing the curve of his collar bone, venturing down over his chest. "How about this, Commander Ace. Join me and I will leave Strawhat alone. I will capture someone else to use as my pawn."
Ace opened his eyes, turning his head to glare at Teach. "Fuck you! I will never join you."
Teach cackled, pulling his hands away from Ace as he stood up. "Have it your way, Commander Ace." He stated, turning to walk out of the room. "We are just about to the Marine base. You will do just fine in getting what I need." Without another word, Teach was gone and Ace slumped against the wall.
Biting his lip as he looked over to the wall. He had failed, but at least he knew Luffy was safe.
X
Teach was true to his words with passing him over to the Marines. The Marines staring in shock at his battered body, before securing new sea stone cuffs on him to transfer him into the cells at the base. Everything he had, had been confiscated. His sword. Knife. His shoes. His log pose. Everything. The only things they didn't take were his necklaces and bracelet he always wore.
I'm so sorry, everyone. I should have listened.
He wasn't at the base long before he was being taken to Impel Down. Going to the Hells Hot Tub as soon as he arrived. Getting tossed in with a care. The boiling water having no effect on him despite the extreme heat. Thankfully, with his devil fruit he had grown accustomed to violently hot heat. He was then taken straight to Level Six of the prison, the level known as Eternal Hell, reserved for the strongest and most dangerous prisoners, all either waiting for execution or serving a life sentence. The floor that no one outside of the prison knew existed with the exception of the Warlords. The Warlords were only told about the floor, so they knew what would happen if they defied their positions as Warlords. Mihawk was the only reason he even knew about the floor. Torture didn't happen on this floor, since usually most of the prisoners here were unaffected by torture. At least, unless the guards got any funny ideas they wanted to do to the prisoners. He was chained up against the wall. His arms bound out next to his body and shackles on his angles.
So, this was it. He had been captured. He had failed.
X
They didn't really give him much food or water. Just enough to keep him alive while his body started to wear down from the constant fatigue. He could slightly see the other prisoners around him. Crocodile was in the cell next to his. Seemed like his brother beat the former Warlord.
That's when Hannyabal, Magellan, and Sengoku visited him. The Fleet Admiral, Chief Warden, and Vice Warden of Impel Down staring down at him. All with a flaming hatred in their eyes. "Portgas D. Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, you have been scheduled for execution at Marineford set in two weeks." Sengoku stated.
Ace felt his stomach twist. His eyes widening. He had only been here a week by this point. Already so soon to schedule his execution? He had known plenty of pirates who were imprisoned a lot longer before they were executed.
"The obstetrics specialist will be coming down to run the blood test on you due to mandates by the Marines." Hannyabal added. Oh, that's right, all male Omegas and females who were scheduled for execution were given the blood test before they could be executed. If it was discovered they were pregnant, their execution was put on hold until after they gave birth. Forced to go through pregnancy alone in solitary confinement of the prison with little medical assistance. Their children were then taken in by the Marines and raised to be Marine soldiers. It disgusted him. He had heard about it from Mihawk when he was younger. "Though, in your case, it doesn't really matter. You will be executed on schedule." Ace's eyes widened for a moment, thankfully the darkness shielding the look that had came to his face. They would really do that?
Ace let his eyes scan over the Marine and the Wardens. There was something else. If the World ever found out he was executed pregnant, there would be an uproar. Thankfully, Ace knew for a fact that he wasn't. There was another reason behind his quick execution. They just weren't saying it.
"The world doesn't mess with the Whitebeard Pirates, because they know what happens when they do." Thatch's words rang through his head. Words he heard not long after he and his crew joined the Whitebeard Pirates.
Ace's heart skipped a beat. That had to be it. They were expecting Whitebeard to come for him. Why would he? He had blatantly ignored his Captain's advice about not going after Teach, and this is where it landed him. He didn't deserve for them to come and get him.
It didn't matter, his execution was scheduled to take place at Marineford. The Headquarters and stronghold of the Marines. All eyes would be on the place.
The three didn't say anything else to him as they turned and walked away. Leaving Ace alone with his thoughts. He looked down at the concrete below him. He was going to die. His mind ventured off to Shanks, Mihawk, and Luffy. The pain his death would cause them. Tears came to his eyes. Whitebeard, Marco, Thatch, Izou, and the others. Deuce, Saber, Mihar, Skull. He had failed so many people and they wouldn't have a clue where he was.
He was going to be executed and there was nothing they could do about it.
"They must really have some dirt on you if they are willing to ignore the law themselves." Crocodile drawled. "This is about to get really interesting. They know what happens when someone fucks with a Whitebeard Pirate. Let alone one of their Division Commanders."
Ace turned his head, craning it so he could see Crocodile chained in his ceil. The Alpha's eyes trained on him. Ace was still just a rookie in Paradise when he met Crocodile. It had been him who told him where to find Jinbei. A little bit of alcohol and senseless flirting sure went a long way. He hadn't heard about Crocodile again until Luffy and Vivi told him about what was happening in Arabasta.
"Appears so." Ace muttered, leaning back against the wall, and turning his gaze to stare at the ceiling.
This wasn't going to turn out good.
Soon enough, the doctor did come down for him. Entering his cell and kneeling down next to him. The woman worked in silence as she put the needle into his skin and withdrew what blood she needed. Ace was surprised when she did a quick check up on him before taking her supplies and leaving the cell.
All Ace could do was sit and wait. Wait to be saved. Wait to die. Whatever came first.
X
Footsteps echoed in front of him, causing him to look up again to see Garp standing there. His eyes surveying over Ace's body. He could see the flare of anger that came to his grandfather's eyes before the man opened the ceil, walking in and sitting directly in front of Ace. A bag of rice crackers in hand. "Ace, you fool." Garp muttered. Ace could see the conflict on his grandfather's face. His grandfather was a Marine through and through. Loyal to his title and job. Garp never held sympathy for criminals. So, why was his grandfather here? The Alpha man grabbed a rice cracker, eating it before grabbing another and holding it out in front of Ace's mouth. "Eat."
Ace's stomach grumbled as he opened his mouth and let Garp place the cracker in his mouth. The action continued on. Garp eating one before giving one to Ace until the bag was completely gone. It wasn't much, but it soothed the hunger in the pit of Ace's stomach slightly. "What are you doing here, Gramps?"
Garp grumbled, arms crossed as he stared at his Omega grandson. "Why did every single one of my family have to turn into criminals. Why couldn't any of you just listen to me and become strong Marines?"
Ace growled. This again. "You know I didn't want to become a Marine!"
The Alpha just laughed for a moment, dropping his voice to where only Ace could hear him. "The Marine are preparing for all out war against the Whitebeard Pirates. Calling over a hundred thousand soldiers back. The three Admirals will be there. All of the Vice Admirals." Ace's eyes widened as Garp continued. His heartbeat reaching his ears. The World Government was that worried that Whitebeard and his nakama were going to show up? The look that came to Garp's face said there was more to it. Though, Garp masked it only seconds later. "They aren't going to expect your old crew. I'm sure you don't know about this, but your mother visited Eddie."
The shock filled the Omega at his grandfather's words. Shanks met with Whitebeard? They always referred to Shanks as mother and Mihawk as father so only they knew who they were talking about if someone was in earshot. Instead of saying their names or their secondary genders. It was easier to mask their relation to each other. He had known Shanks hadn't seen Whitebeard in years. The last time being when he went to see Rouge on the Moby Dick.
"The only reason I know this is because your grandmother told me. Your mother has created an alliance with Eddie." Garp paused as Ace's eyes widened again and his jaw dropped open. Shanks actually created an alliance? Shanks had never done that before. He didn't even have a fleet despite many crews pledging their loyalty to him. Shanks didn't make alliances. He preferred to stay out of conflict and keep peace. "Brat, if they all have anything to say about it, you aren't going to die."
There was something Garp was still withholding from him. What was it? If the Marines were so worried, they were going to exhaust every advantage they had. He was sure of it.
X
His suspicions were only confirmed when Jinbei was dragged into the same cell as him, getting chained up against the wall diagonal from him. The Fishman waiting until the guards were gone before looking over to Ace.
"Jinbei! What are you doing here?!" The Omega exclaimed.
Jinbei gave him a soft look. "They are gathering the Warlords in the fight against Whitebeard-san. I opposed. I refuse to fight against the old man." The Warlord stated.
"So, they just locked you up?" Jinbei nodded. Ace bit his lip. The Warlords, huh? That would mean his Alpha father was in that group. "Hey, Jinbei…" Jinbei looked back over to him, making a noise to confirm he was still listening. "Do you know if Mihawk is going to be there?"
Jinbei made a small noise, leaning his head back against the wall. "I don't know. He showed no interest in fighting Whitebeard-san. He had no reaction until it was mentioned you were the one being executed. Hawkeyes was just kind of standing there. It was odd. He was completely frozen. It was unlike him." The Warlord explained. "I don't know what he said to them. I made such a ruckus that they took me away before I heard it. Knowing Hawkeyes, he'll be there just to kill some time and see if anything spikes his interest."
Ace nodded, looking down at his lap. "I see."
Would Mihawk really side with the Warlords and the World Government for this? His own son's execution? Ace felt the tears come into his eyes. He might not have the best relationship with the Alpha, but he would assume that Mihawk wouldn't be involved against the people trying to save him.
X
He had been in Impel Down for three weeks when he got yet another visitor. Just less than thirty hours until his execution. This time in the form of the Snake Empress, and Warlord, Boa Hancock. The Alpha woman standing in front of him on the other side of the cell with her wrists cuffed in sea stone. Her blue eyes staring down at him with an unknown glint her eye.
The noise around them started to pick up as the other prisoners started to make a fuss over her. Cat calling at her as she stepped forward. Ace narrowed his gaze on her. "What is it? What do you want from me?"
Hancock smiled at him, putting a sense of confusion through the Omega as he looked up to her. "Nothing really. I just wanted to get a good look at you. To see the cause of the war that I will participating firsthand in. That's all."
Ace growled, looking down and away from the woman. "Am I everything you hoped for?"
The cat calls and yells of the other prisoners started to get louder. Warden Magellan stepping in and using his poison against them. Ace watched Hancock look back for a moment before turning her gaze back to him, starting to speak.
Ace felt his blood run cold at the words she was telling him. His eyes getting impossibly wide as the fear coursed through him. His mouth hanging open in shock, unable to find any words to say as she continued to speak to him. Was she serious?! This couldn't be?! Luffy and his crew had infiltrated Impel Down and were somewhere within the prison?! At least according to her. She had to be lying. What reason would she have to tell him about Luffy?
As Magellan spoke to the prisoners, the silence fell, and Hancock had finished speaking. Ace couldn't believe what the Alpha woman had told him. It absolutely couldn't be true. Luffy couldn't be here in Impel Down. Magellan walked over, apologizing to Hancock for the disruption. She only stated she was finished speaking to him and turned to leave.
"Wait! Is what you just told me the truth?!" Ace exclaimed, the fear clear in his voice. He wasn't even attempting to mask it. His little brother breaking into Impel Down for him?
"What reason would I have to lie." Hancock stated. "By the way…" She paused, looking back to Ace with a smile. "He was afraid you might be angry, but he still had to do it." Ace choked on the air in his throat. Even knowing what Ace would think or feel, Luffy still went through with this plan? It was suicide. He would get himself killed before he ever reached Ace on this floor.
He could only watch on as she walked away. After the guards left, Jinbei looked over to the Omega. "So, Ace… will you tell me what she said to you?"
Ace still was in utter disbelief as he looked down at his bound ankles. "She said my brother is here."
Jinbei gasped in shock. "You mean Luffy? The one with the Strawhat that you're always talking about?! That fool!"
Ace could only agree. "My brother would do something like that! He does stupid things! Since we were kids, he always made me worry, that fool!" Ace cried, the tears falling out of his eyes that he never realized were there. Why the hell did Luffy think it was a good idea to break into a prison. Especially Impel Down of all places? There was then thirty hours left until his execution. The clock was ticking and now he had his little brother to worry about.
X
The time had finally arrived. He was due to be handed over to the Marines at nine am on the dot. Magellan approached his cell, his footsteps radiating through the block. "Alright, Portgas D. Ace. We will take you to Marineford where the execution ground is!" He stated. The cell doors were opened, and Ace was uncuffed one at a time from the wall, a portable set of sea stone cuffs being clasped around his wrists just seconds later. The Omega got to his feet, his bare feet touching the cold floor of the prison floor.
Ace took a deep breath as he walked out, turning to look at his cell and Jinbei once more. Giving his friend a smile before he was guided away by the guards. Heading start for the elevator. Ace closed his eyes as he was guided into the elevator. Once the door closed, it started to go up. Leading him towards the ship that would be taking him to his death.
As the elevator stopped, they stepped out, walking into the next room. Magellan stopped as a guard approached him with a den den mushi. Ace didn't listen in as surveyed the area around him. He had to get out of here and get to his foolish little brother. Luffy was in danger. He couldn't let his idiot kid brother die here for him. "What unfortunate timing. Straw Hat and his crew made it to Level Six just after we left!"
Ace felt like it was a punch in the gut. Luffy had made it to his cell, only to discover he wasn't even there. Who knows what the Alpha had gone through the entire time he was trying to get to Ace. "L-Luffy."
"The emergency sleeping gas has just been released. It's only a matter of time before they catch the Straw Hats!" Magellan stated. Ace felt like he couldn't breathe as the Warden spoke to him.
No, this can't be happening.
Luffy…
"The Freezing Hell wasn't enough for him. Since the cell that you were in is open now, this time he'll be held on Level Six and will suffer greatly!"
Ace turned on his feet, looking back at the elevator they just exited out of him. A newfound sense of determination going through him. He had to get to Luffy. He couldn't let him go through what he had. Though they were different. Luffy was an Alpha and Ace was an Omega. The two secondary genders being treated completely different. Luffy would face physical torture compared to the torture that Ace had faced the entire time he was here. Ace took a deep breath, pushing away the flashes of what the guards had done and threatened to do. Luffy would have it worse. Just because he was an Alpha.
It was a long shot, but he had to get to him.
"Luffy…" He muttered.
A guard stepped forward; weapon ready to attack. "Don't stop! Keep walking!" The guard barked.
Ace complied, turning to walk a few steps. Putting enough distance between him and the guards that he could lift his leg up. Kicking both of the guards behind him in the head, before twisting and doing the same to the ones blocking his path.
He had to do everything he could to get to Luffy. His brother and his crew were on Level Six. Zoro was an Alpha, who would face the same as Luffy. Usopp fell into that category for just being a man. Chopper was so innocent, but they would treat him like a monster. Sanji was an Omega, who would be subjected to what Ace was. Nami, despite being an Alpha, would fall in with Sanji and Ace just for being a woman. He had heard that Luffy found more nakama but didn't know what their genders or secondary genders were to know what would happen to them. Just that they were going to get captured and locked up within the prison. They were all good people. They didn't deserve any of this.
Running forward, one guard tried to stab him with the trident in their hand. Ace caught it with his teeth, turning and throwing the guard off to the side as he continued his desperate mission to get to his brother. Grabbing the weapon, he still had in his mouth, he grabbed it and started attacking the other guards around him. Taking out as many as possible. Moving between hits with the trident and kicking away others.
Magellan grabbed the tip of the weapon as Ace strained against his hold. Breaking the weapon and tossing it to the side. Ace jumped back, glaring up at the Warden before turning on his heel and starting towards the elevator. If he could only get to there, he could put the wall between him and the guards.
He didn't make it far before Magellan's large hand landed on his hand and back, pushing him to the ground. "You better not resist, because it's useless!"
Ace growled as the elevator door closed. He couldn't get to Luffy now. His path was completely blocked. "Luffy!" He screamed.
"Your brother is also a pirate. There's no way that he'll walk out of here alive." Magnella said, keeping the pressure against Ace to keep the Omega pinned to the cold floor.
I wished that she was lying! Why did you come, Luffy?!
He was hulled back to his feet. Guards surrounding him and grabbing him by his arms to pull him towards the exit. Ace looked back at the elevator. Hoping with everything in him that Luffy somehow pulls out a miracle and gets out of this.
Walking out of the prison, Ace kept his head down as he was guided towards the Marines. The convoy that would be sending him straight to Marineford. "You're right on time." Vice Admiral Oniguma stated.
"We transfer custody of the criminal Portgas D. Ace to the Marines!" Magellan announced, moving out of the way.
Ace walked forward until he was standing by the Marines. He paused, looking back at the entrance of Impel Down. "Luffy." He whispered. His thoughts still on his brother and his crew.
The Marine grabbed him by the back of his neck, forcing him to turn and head towards the ship and up the gangplank. This was it for him. He was headed to Marineford.
X
He was chained to a chair on the deck. Shackles around his ankles and his arms bound behind him. Chains wrapped around his midsection to keep him from moving. Ace forced himself to keep his breathing level as the wind blew through his hair. The sun glaring into his eyes.
This could be the last time he ever saw the open blue sky again. Felt the familiar rocking of a ship on the ocean waves. Marines stood guard around him. Not that there was much Ace could do. He was still chained with sea stone around his wrists.
"We've had word of an unprecedented riot going on in Impel Down. The ringleader is Monkey D. Luffy." Oniguma stated as he walked by Ace. Staring straight ahead and away from the bound Omega. "This is your last chance to see the sky. Once you've been shackled on the scaffold, you will never again… see the sky."
Ace stared straight up. The feeling of numbness going through him as he looked at it. The clouds. The blue. The sunlight. The wind. It was trying to warm him, but all Ace could feel was numb. Even has the sunlight hit his skin. The wind tussled his hair. A feeling he used to love. Right now it was bittersweet. His mind venturing off to all the times he was on the Red Force, the Piece of Spadille, the Moby Dick. Just looking up at the vast open sky. Wind in his hair.
He would never get this feeling again.
"This is Onigumo. Prepare to open the gate of Marineford!"
Just five hours left.
Five hours until he was executed.
X
Upon arriving at Marineford, he was taken straight to a cell located in the main building of the headquarters. A shackle around his ankle and chains once again around his torso to keep him in place. He kept his head down the entire time. Not speaking a word.
When they finally came for him, it was three hours until his execution. Two guards coming into the room to unlock him from his bindings. One standing guard outside of the cell in case he decided he wanted to fight back. They started with the one on his ankle before moving to the ones around him. Each guard having one chain in their hand.
"Stand up." One of the guards commanded.
That was the moment Ace finally decided to look up. Hearing the cell door that the other guard was standing at open. He stood up, walking forward a few steps, and stopping just short of the plain, black slip on shoes. The Omega forced himself to take a deep breath. His family flashing in his mind. Him and Luffy sitting on the railing of the Red Force and his parents just a few feet from them. He squeezed his eyes shut for a second before reopening them. Slipping his feet into the shoes. The shoes were oddly comfortable for something provided to him for his impending demise.
Walking forward, he looked at the guards lining the hall. All of them armed with rifles as Ace walked towards his death. Head hung low as he stepped forward. Each step someone he loved and cared about came to mind. Shanks. Mihawk. Luffy. Rouge. Dragon. Garp. Marco. Whitebeard. Thatch. Izou. Otama. Deuce. The Red-Hair Pirates. The Spade Pirates. The Whitebeard Pirates. The Strawhats. All their faces appearing before his eyes. The hurt that this is going to cause them.
The Omega stopped as he heard doors open, pausing to look up. A large staircase ahead of him. He couldn't even see the top from where he was standing. The guard to his right lifted the chain in his hand with the simple instruction of, "Climb."
Just like in the hall, people continued to come to the forefront of his mind. Leaving him completely numb. This was all he could do. There was absolutely nothing he could do. His body was still weak and would remain so with the sea stone around his wrists. The cuffs biting into his skin with each movement. His body screamed at him from the lack of food and hydration.
He wanted nothing more than to be with his family again. With his nakama. With his parents. With his brother. This was his fate. At the end of the day, he was still a criminal.
He had lived his life with no regrets. Just like he told Luffy he would when Sabo died. All he could do was sit and wait. Wait for life. Wait for death.
He was powerless.
Ace wasn't even sure how long it had taken to get to the top before finally he was standing in front of a door. The door that would lead him to the scaffold. The guards pushed open the door. The light flooding through. Still, he kept his eyes locked to the ground. He couldn't bare to look up.
I'm so sorry.
In the end, he forced himself to look up. Letting the sun hit his face. He could hear the yelling of the Marines. The battle cries as they waited for what was to come. The cheers because he was a Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. They were waiting for the Whitebeard Pirates. At least, that's what Garp had told him. They believed war was right around the corner.
Ace had brought this on himself.
He had ignored direct orders from his Captain, and it got him captured.
He didn't deserve for them to come after him.
The wind was blowing through his hair and against his exposed skin as he walked out of the building. Seeing the path that lead him straight to the scaffold. He could see it from where he stood.
This really would be the end.
He didn't have to be told to walk forward this time. The Omega forced himself to clear his mind. Keep from thinking about what was about to happen. His family. The thought of what they would go through once he was executed.
So instead, he thought about the wind going through his hair. The feel of the sun on his skin. The smell of the ocean. Anything to keep his mind from venturing once more.
Climbing up the scaffold, he walked until he was directly in between his executioners. Falling to his knees as the guards locked his shackles into place. He inhaled deeply, finally looking up to see the ocean in front of him.
Seconds later, the swords the executioners wielded were crossed with a clank in front of him. In the form of an X.
Just three hours left, and he would be dead.
He allowed himself to look away from the ocean. Letting his gaze roam the Marines blow. The air in his throat caught as his eyes froze on the wall of the bay. Standing there were five of the Seven Warlords. They were hard to see from where he was, but it was clear as day in his mind. Though, only one had his attention. Standing directly between Doflamingo and Hancock was nonother than his own Alpha father. Dracule Mihawk. His Alpha father standing there with his arms crossed over his chest. His shoulders tense.
His Alpha father was here.
But he was with the Warlords. With the Marines. On the side fighting to keep anyone from rescuing him.
Mihawk sided with the same people about to kill his own son.
The anger flared through Ace.
The Omega bit his lip as he forced himself to look away. He paused as he felt a familiar wave of comforting and protective pheromones washing over him. He allowed himself to look back to Mihawk to see that he had his head turned slightly. Looking directly at him. Ace felt his body relax. The tension leaving his own as Mihawk's gaze stayed on him. He was so far away that it would be hard to tell it was even happening. How Mihawk's pheromones reached him, he would never know. He was too far away for it to work. It soothed him either way.
Footsteps echoed behind him. He could pick up the scent of the person. One that he didn't know, but his pheromones gave a clear indication that he was an Alpha.
"Step aside for a second." The man stated. The executioners pulled away, stepping back away from Ace as the Omega looked through the corner of his eye.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood there.
And Ace hated the look that was on his face. It looked all too smug.
This was the Sengoku that was over the entire Marine forces. Over his own grandfather. Of course, he would be here. Ace was the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. If they feared a war, they would have their strongest here. Everything that Garp warned him about.
"Pass me a snail." Sengoku ordered. Ace listened to his footsteps until the Fleet Admiral was standing directly next to him with the snail raised up to his mouth. "I have some information that you all need to hear. This man is Portgas D. Ace and the significance of his impending demise is more profound than you may realize. Ace, I would like you to tell them the name of your father."
Ace's eyes widened for a split second, looking over to Sengoku. What? What does his parents have anything to do with this. "Which one?" Ace found himself saying without even thinking about it.
Sengoku eyed him for a second. "Your father."
Well, that helps.
Ace tsked. Well if they were going to play this game, so be it, "The name of my father is Whitebeard."
"Not true!" Sengoku retorted.
Well of course not. He has three of them. Whitebeard, Mihawk, and Shanks. Though Shanks technically fell into the category of his mother. He sure as hell wasn't going to say anything about Shanks or Mihawk. Whitebeard was already known on the seas as Oyaji to his nakama. Every single one of his nakama and allied forces called him as much.
It was perfectly fitting to use in this moment.
"Yes, it is! Whitebeard is my father! My only father!" The Omega screamed.
"We launched a painstakingly and exhausting search for you around the time of your birth. When we heard rumors that your father had a child, we took them very seriously." Sengoku exclaimed.
The confusion started to fill Ace. He had absolutely no idea what the Fleet Admiral was talking about. Neither Shanks nor Mihawk ever talked about a search done by the Marines for him when Shanks was pregnant. Shanks stayed on Baterilla with the Red-Hair Pirates, Rouge, and Mihawk for the course of his pregnancy. Peaceful and without conflict. This couldn't be right. Even so, why would a search for either of their child matter.
His mind went to Shanks for a moment. Shanks was the son of Gol D. Roger. The King of the Pirates. That alone would be dangerous, let alone finding out the man had a grandchild. Ace didn't know anything about Mihawk's parents, but Mihawk was already a Warlord before he was born.
This was making no sense to him. What the hell was Sengoku talking about?
He had only ever heard of one search being done and it had been over a year before he was born. Shanks told him about it when he was younger, explaining why they had to keep their family name a secret. Keep their heritage a secret. A search for Shanks happened when Shanks was fourteen, though the Marines were looking for a baby. Not a teenager.
"A small but reliable piece of information was sent to us. It was based on this that we checked all newborns, as well as all preborn children. We spoke to many mothers, and no matter how far or wide we searched. We couldn't find you. No surprise though, especially when you think of the lengths that your mother went through to hide you. She—"
"Huh?" Ace could hear his own voice reach the snail as it echoed out to the people below. Sengoku ignored him as he continued.
She?
His mother was a he. Also didn't feel the need to hide him. Just took time off of the ocean for their own safety during the course of his pregnancy. Shanks had a rough pregnancy. One that almost resulted in fatal blood loss according to Mihawk.
Ace was sure the confusion was clear on his face at this point. Each passing word only working to confuse Ace even more.
Did they have the right person?
"Performed a miracle that could only come from the love of a mother."
"I'm so confused." Ace said. Once again, his voice was picked up by the snail. He could have sworn he heard Garp cackling from wherever his grandfather was.
What miracle? A miracle that Shanks survived? That Ace was born healthy?
So much information that Sengoku was saying was completely wrong.
Ace wasn't sure if he should laugh or wait a moment.
"As a result, she misled the Navy. No, she managed to mislead the world."
Um, no Shanks didn't.
Seriously, what was going on?
Were they executing the right person?
"What are you even talking about? Are you sure you have the right person?" Ace questioned. Once again he was ignored.
"You come from an island in the South Blue called Baterilla."
Well, at least they got one thing correct.
"At least you have one thing right." Ace said.
One again, he was ignored.
"And your mother's name…" Sengoku's voice trailed as he looked at Ace. Ace looking right back at him with the same face of confusion. Did they actually know about Shanks? If they knew his birthplace, they might actually know Shanks' name. He took a deep breath, putting on a poker face as he prepared himself to hear Shanks' name.
Shanks did everything he could to hide him and Luffy when the Marines were around. The only Marine who saw him on the Red Force was Garp. So, his connection to the ship wouldn't be there.
"Portgas D. Rouge." Sengoku finished.
Ace's jaw dropped as the confused look came back. He didn't even try to hide the fact that he had absolutely no idea what Sengoku was talking about. They really thought his grandmother… was his mother? They definitely had the wrong person.
"What? No!" Ace said, shaking his head. Showing clear signs of denial in his voice.
If they had said West Blue, he would think they were talking about Shanks, but Shanks is sixteen years older than him. A completely wrong timeframe.
"She pulled off a feat that completely defied the laws of nature. All to protect her unborn child."
And another thing that didn't happen. Rouge gave birth in the West Blue after an easy pregnancy.
"I seriously have no idea what you are talking about." Ace mumbled, hearing his own voice pick up once more on the snail.
"She kept her baby inside her womb insider her womb for an entire twenty months." Sengoku stated, eyes on Ace.
Ace looked over to where Mihawk was standing to see the man also looking back at him. He couldn't see his Alpha father's face, but Ace wondered if Mihawk was thinking the same as him. Hell, he could hear Garp trying to conceal his laughter.
"Um, no, she didn't." Ace interjected.
Only to be ignored, again.
"And once she finally gave birth to you, she lost all of her strength and passed away right then and there."
Was he missing something? Or was the Portgas D. Rouge on Dawn Island, not Portgas D. Rouge? Were they even talking about the same Rouge and Ace?
"Huh? Who told you that?" Ace questioned. He actually wanted to know what led Sengoku to believe Rouge had died. Sure, she had left the Whitebeard Pirates when Shanks was pregnant and didn't return but her bounty poster was still in rotation last Ace knew. They would have taken her bounty poster out if they had proof that she was dead. Ace knew for a fact that Rouge was still alive cause her vivre card was still completely intact the last time he had seen it. He would think if anything happened to her while he was imprisoned that Garp would have told him. "And, thus, a year and three months after the death of his father—"
"My father is alive, you dumbass." Ace stated, completely giving up on Sengoku even listening to him. The confusion was still there. Why did they think Rouge was his mother? Shanks very clearly gave birth to him.
They also thought his father was dead? Neither of them were.
He paused. A year and three months?
His eyes widened as even more confusion filled him. He knew that time frame.
"—a child was born with the blood of the most odious villain in his veins. That child was you! Surely, you must know the truth!"
"What truth?" Ace decided on. It wasn't like Sengoku was actually listening to him. He could say anyone was his parents at this point and still be ignored. He knew who his parents were. They raised him. Well, at least one of them did.
"Your true father is Gold Roger! The King of the Pirates!" Sengoku announced.
Ace let the dumbfounded look come to his face.
They seriously thought his grandparents were his parents?
Where the hell did they get that idea?
He had to admit. The timeframe of Roger's death matched up. His grandmother leaving the world of piracy. His birthplace. It was all circumstantial. But wrong.
"No, he isn't!" Ace immediately said, almost begging for Sengoku to believe him.
The last thing he needed people to know was the fact that Roger was his grandfather and they did share the same blood. The man, however, is not his father at all. He never even met him.
"Don't lie! There is no need to anymore! The blood of the King of the Pirates ends today!"
Well, if they kill Shanks and Luffy, maybe. Though, that would never happen.
This must have been what Garp was withholding from him. They knew he was connected to Rouge and Roger. Just didn't have it correct.
"You're birth name is Gold Ace! You took your mother's name to hide the fact you were his son." Sengoku added.
Well, at least that was somewhat correct. Though, it was Gol D. Ace and he did take his grandmother's name.
Ace was beyond confused.
How could the Marines be so far off about this?
"My name is not Gold Ace!"
Suddenly, Ace found himself in an argument with Sengoku. The two fighting back and forth between what Ace's name was and his parentage. Their mixed voices carrying over with the snail. Echoing across Marineford. Ace was still completely confused onto the fact that they really though that Roger and Rouge were his parents.
Honestly, he wished Shanks was here just to see the look on his face. He could hear Garp still struggling not to laugh. He could see the shake in Mihawk's shoulders despite not being able to see his face.
What the absolute hell was going on here?
Well, he had to admit. This whole thing just got really interesting.
The Omega sighed as he looked back out to the ocean. The lingering confusion still on his face. He was going to get executed either way.
Now the world thought he was Roger's son. It gave them even more reason to kill him.
They were left in stunned silence.
All Ace could do was wait for three pm.
The moment that they would execute him.