They Don't Know About Us
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to They Don't Know About Us! I hope you are enjoying the fic! Thank you so much for all your comments/kudos/etc! They mean so much to me! I'm so incredibly happy you are loving this fic!
Additional Notes: A lot of Marineford is being told from Luffy's POV since well… umm yeah xD gotta keep my other peoples a secret while they are doing things in the background! I hope you are enjoying!
My fingers hurt xD
Chapter Warnings: Canon turned into Crack xD, Attempted Execution
Chapter Twelve: Fight Together (One Piece Opening 14)
Chapter Summary: Another execution attempt is tried as Luffy awakens his haki for the first time. A familiar face from the past comes to Luffy's aid. Chaos ensues as a path is cleared for Luffy to get to Ace. Getting to the scaffold, Luffy manages to set Ace free, only to come face to face with the Admirals. When Luffy collapses due to his poisoning in Impel Down, Akainu makes his move.
The entire plaza was in shock between looking between the Revolutionary Dragon and the newly strengthen Straw Hat Luffy. Dragon stood with a smirk on his face, his haki picking up around them as more soldiers started to faint. Fear spreading faster as Dragon and Akainu stared each other down. Neither of them moving next.
Rouge was huffing as she struggled to take in much needed air. "Dragon, I've never been happier to see you!" She beamed, peering over her shoulder to Garp. Garp just sitting there with a knowing look on his face. Sengoku was completely stunned, unable to move. Ace was staring with wide eyes. His head flicking from looking at Dragon over to Luffy.
"Spread out men. Check over any of the Whitebeard Pirates that might need assistance and jump into the fight." Dragon ordered. His men immediately giving their approval before they were off.
Rouge's eyes widened as her eyes landed on an approaching figure that came up behind Dragon. A tall blonde wearing a top hat. His face was something she had wished to see again.
Sabo.
"Oh, seas." She whispered, tears coming to her eyes. "Sabo."
All of her boys were here.
Sabo smiled at her. "Hey, Lady Rouge."
Rouge snorted. "I told you not to call me that." A fond smile coming to her face anyway as she pushed herself off of the ground and ran over to him. Throwing her arms around him. He chuckled in her ear, returning the hug for just a moment. "Oh, you beautiful boy. What happened?!" Pulling back and taking his face into her hands. Her thumb running over the scar.
"Dragon-san found me. When my boat got shot down… I guess I hit my head or something or the explosion impact my brain. I couldn't remember anything except my want to leave the island." Sabo explained. "It was Ace's execution announcement… it made me remember everything. I'm so sorry for everything, Rouge-san."
Rouge shook her head. "No apologies necessary. I'm just glad your alive."
Sabo smiled. "Speaking of being alive. We have my brother to rescue."
"Go." Rouge urged him, pushing his shoulders until he was taking off in a run. Rouge could only shake her head in disbelief.
She couldn't believe it.
A newfound determination filled her as she turned to stand with Dragon side by side. "Ready, brother."
"Let's do this, Rouge." Dragon confirmed.
X
Ace felt nothing but relief as he watched Luffy stand up, screaming his name at the top of his lungs. Luffy was alright. He was alive. The Omega let the tears of happiness fall down his face as he let out a small cry. A smile slipping on his face as he looked at the strongminded face of his brother.
Looking back to his nakama, Whitebeard was okay. Back to his feet with Dragon standing in front of him. The air catching in his throat as his eyes landed on his uncle. Ace had been so small the last time he had seen Dragon. Dragon had saved Whitebeard from a strike from Akainu. Keeping the admiral at bay. Rouge was standing side by side with him now. Both facing Akainu and Aokiji
Rayleigh was fighting off Kizaru as the Admiral continued to try and make his way over to where Marco and them where. Marco was on his knees. Holding at his chest. The momentary fear coursing through Ace as he looked at the Alpha.
Please… just live. Don't get yourselves killed. All of you.
Looking amongst the crowd of marines and pirates, Mihawk was slowly but surely breaking through the swarms surrounding him. The Strawhats had finally broken free of the groups surrounding them. Trafalgar Law had been by Oars but was now also making his way through the Marines. The blue sphere showing up around a large group as they tried to attack Ace's nakama.
Ace paused, his eyes falling on a figure running. A top hat on his head and curly blonde hair. The Omega couldn't see his face from here, but he had an odd sense of familiarity.
The only person missing from this war was Shanks.
Ace could only hope that he was alive by the time Shanks arrived. He had absolutely no doubt that his Omega father was on his way. Nothing would ever stop Shanks from protecting his pups. Even if it meant going to war, which was completely against the nature that Shanks had.
X
"Remember, Straw-boy, energy hormone may get you pumped for now, but if you fall again… that's it! You are a dead boy, got it!" Ivankov stated. Luffy was heaving, taking in deep breaths as he felt the adrenaline pumping through his body. "Energy hormone only tricks your body into thinking your okay. It's not actually healing your injuries at all!"
"That's alright. In that case… I just won't fall again!" Luffy proclaimed.
"Just don't kill yourself too badly." Ivankov muttered.
Luffy gasped, his eyes widening as he saw two more executioners coming up behind Ace. "Oh crap! It's happening!" The Alpha exclaimed. Luffy kicked off of the ground, pushing haki into his legs as he took off.
"Hold on a second!" Ivankov hollered.
"Luffy! I'm so glad you're okay!" Nami said as the Strawhats were back at Luffy's side.
"Don't scare us like that, Captain!" Sanji huffed.
"You need to be careful, Luffy! Your injuries are bad!" Chopper added.
The Alpha admittedly ignored them. The anger flooding through him once more as he rushed forward. "You're not executing Ace while I'm around!" He shouted.
"Hold on, Straw-boy! Iva's coming for you!" Ivankov called out, falling in behind them.
"He's over there!" A Marine shouted.
"Straw Hat is still alive!"
"Not for long, he's not!"
Luffy picked up his speed, kicking the Marine directly in front of him before he was back to running again. Behind him Zoro was once again cutting down any Marine in sight. Sanji on his hands as he kicked around him. He could hear Robin call out one of her moves as Marines began to drop. The others continued to attack as Luffy kept making headway towards the scaffold.
His nakama were safe. All that mattered was Ace right now.
"Out of my way! I got him!" A Marine with a whip came out of the fray, managing to get the whip wrapped around Luffy's throat.
The desperation filled Luffy as a marine was looming over him with a knife. The Alpha promptly kicked him away. Turning his body and stretching his arm to grab the one who had a whip around his neck. Tossing him carelessly into the one who was trying to stab him before.
"We've got you surrounded!"
Luffy growled as they were surrounded again. Looking up to see the executioners and Ace. Ivankov jumped up, yelling out, "Death wink!" To blow back the Marines that had been in his way. The others back behind him.
Luffy was running once more. Through the dust that was kicked up by Ivankov, his eyes widened as his gaze settled on the pink-haired Marine standing there. "Coby!" He muttered.
"I'm sorry, Luffy! But, I'm going to have to kill you!" Coby called out.
Luffy launched himself off of the ground, throwing his arm back with a yell of, "Gomu Gomu—"
Coby jumped as well, saying, "Now… shade!"
As the two ended up in front of each other, Luffy's fist collided with Coby's face. Sorry, Coby but I have to get to Ace. "BULLET!" Coby crashed to the ground as Luffy continued forward. His feet hitting the ground as he forced himself to run faster. Looking back up to Ace to see the executioners crossing their swords in front of his Omega brother. "Damnit!"
"Luffy! We've got trouble again!" Zoro hissed.
Robin added in with a gasp of, "The Pacifistas!"
Usopp cried out, sending a flaming star at them. "I have no laser beam disease! You can't touch me!"
They jumped back as the laser beams hit the ground in front of them. "Not you again!" Luffy screamed.
"Those dirty frauds! Impersonating my friend!" Ivankov hissed.
Luffy growled as he started to push himself up. "Monkey D. Luffy…" One of them said.
"Why can't they just move!"
"Son of Warlord Dracule Mihawk… ceasing attack." The Pacifista finished. The laser beam stopping on the one that was narrowed in on Luffy. Luffy blinked as he mouth dropped open.
"What the hell?" He questioned out loud.
"Roronoa Zoro." Another stated, zeroed in on the Alpha Swordsman.
"Nico Robin."
"Sanji."
"Nami."
"Tony Tony Chopper."
"Sogeking."
"Franky."
"Humming Brook."
The Pacifistas listed off the Strawhats, the laser beams continuing. Luffy winced at the brightening light before a figure jumped in front of them, holding her arms out. "What are you doing?!" Luffy exclaimed.
Hancock didn't say anything as she continued to stand there, using herself to shield everyone from the Pacifista. "Boa Hancock. One of the seven Warlords. Navy ally detected… ceasing attack." The Pacifista stated, the beams of light slowly starting to fade as he watched in astonishment.
"Woah…" Luffy muttered.
"It said the same thing with you, Luffy!" Nami stated.
"Yeah, I have no idea." The Alpha replied.
Hancock turned her head, still standing in the same position. "I know understand why Mihawk knew that Ace wasn't the son of Roger or Rouge." She stated.
"What's going on? Why didn't it try to attack Luffy-san?" Brook questioned.
Hancock smiled. "Because he is the son of a Warlord. Which grants him protection from the World Government. All subordinates of a Warlord are protected and pardoned. When the Warlords were established, a rule was added in that immediate family members of a Warlord cannot be attacked as long as if that person remains a Warlord. Their bounties are supposed to be frozen and their crimes pardoned." The Pirate Empress explained. "That doesn't count for their crews though. They still have bounties and are still wanted. That is unless you are a part of the Warlord's crew."
Luffy's eyes widened. "Wait… I technically don't have a bounty. Why have the Marines been attacking me then?"
Hancock sighed. "Probably because you have been kept a secret for all these years. Going under different names. I'm not sure how the Pacifistas know if the Government didn't."
Luffy looked back over to the scaffold, eyes falling on Garp. His eyes widening. "Gramps…" He turned back to face Hancock. "Doesn't that mean… Ace technically can't be executed."
Hancock nodded. "Though, I believe at this point, Sengoku will still go through with it just because of this war. He won't let the Whitebeard Pirates have a taste of victory over a technicality." She paused. "Now, go!"
"Yeah, thanks!" Luffy exclaimed, getting back up and running. Looking back up to the scaffold to look at Ace. "We have to hurry!"
X
Ace's face quickly turned to horror as the Marines started to crowd around Whitebeard. Rouge was still busy with Aokiji. Dragon taking on Akainu and keeping him away from Whitebeard. Rayleigh fighting off Kizaru. The three Admirals completely locked into place as the three fought on.
Gun fire came his way, five different Marines jumping at him in an attempt to stab him. With a swing of Bisento, he knocked them away. The bullets hitting his weapon as he all but swiped them away. His eyes widened as another Marine jumped up, a cannon in hand that sent an explosion straight to his face. The Alpha Captain stumbled on his feet as he heard Ace gasp and yell out for him.
"Oyaji!" His sons collectively called out for him. "We'll save him!"
The Alpha stumbled on his feet, disoriented by the blast to the face. Catching himself at last second and getting back to his feet. "No, stay back!" He ordered his sons. He growled as he got back to his full height. "You punks really think that is all it takes to defeat me?! Just a few toy swords and some guns! I can tear you all apart singlehandedly! But, you know that! Don't you?! Because you quake when you hear the name… WHITEBEARD!" He exclaimed.
Whitebeard had pulled up his Bisento, slashing it across the ground and causing the Marines to blow all over the place. Marines landing on top of others, raining down through the air as Whitebeard's attack moved throughout the area.
Whitebeard stumbled over the fog in his brain. His muscles weak from exhaustion. Whitebeard growled as he forced himself to stay standing. Despite how healthy he felt, his entire body was completely exhausted. He could only assume it was a side effect of whatever Law had done for him.
"That's insane!"
"This power is completely intense!" A Marine huffed.
"Do we have to keep attacking him! There's no end to this!"
"This is our chance! Quickly! Before he recovers!" Sengoku shouted.
"Everybody follow me!"
Whitebeard heaved. "What did he say?" Whitebeard smirked. "That's a good one. I don't need to recover from a scratch like that! You think this will stop me?! That I will lay down and give up! You are such a fool. I know what will happen if I falter. Even for a moment. What will happen if I die! And knowing that cold truth… I can't allow myself to submit! Not until the bitter end! So, I will wait until I've taken care of the future for my sons!" He stated, lifting his head to look at Ace despite all the guns leveled on him. "Got it, Ace?"
Ace's body trembled from what Whitebeard could tell, his face softening and eyes glistening. "Oh, Oyaji…" The Omega whispered. Despite their distance, Whitebeard could hear them clearly.
"The old fool has lost his mind." A Marine shouted.
Whitebeard only looked away from Ace as he heard the commotion behind him, turning his head slightly to see the Commanders… his sons… and Jinbei standing behind him. All guarding his back.
"Damn… and we were so close too!" The same Marine exclaimed. "The bastards have formed a barrier around Whitebeard's back! YOU WANT US TO BURY YOU WITH THE OLD MAN?!"
"Your mockery does not sway my honor!" Jinbei shouted, breaking the chains that had been across his body.
"It is our pride and our joy to stand beside him!" Vista called out.
"You bunch of fools… get away!" Whitebeard said.
"Concerned about the future? I'll be more than happy to show it to you!" Sengoku yelled out. "EXECUTE HIM!"
Whitebeard's eyes widened as he turned back to see the blades being lifted back up. "ACE, NO!" The pirates screamed out.
"Don't make me laugh! You don't think I can't stop those runts from doing it?!" Whitebeard exclaimed, taking a few steps forward and swaying on his feet. The world around him still spinning from the mixture of disorientation and fatigue.
"FROM THE START THIS WAS THE ONLY WAY!" Sengoku screamed.
"ACE!" Rouge screamed in horror, still deadlocked with Aokiji.
"Damnit it all!" Dragon hissed, pushing back Akainu again. His path blocked by the Admiral.
Kizaru and Rayleigh were at a stalemate as Rayleigh growled. "Get out of my way."
X
Mihawk's heart was pounding as he turned his head to look up on the scaffold. He was still completely surrounded and in the direction he was now, there was no way he could get an attack to the executioners again.
"Don't you lay a finger on my son!" Mihawk growled, slashing Yoru and knocking back the Marines and taking off running once more.
I'll never make it in time.
X
Luffy was huffing as he continued to run, forcing his way through the waves of Marines. "I'm... too... slow…" He muttered as he stared up at Ace. His brother's eyes were closed as the blades were being lifted.
Luffy pushed himself off of a few Marines, pushing others to the side as he continued to push his way through.
"Damnit! We're never going to make it!" Zoro shouted, slicing through more Marines as he went.
"Hancock was right! They are just ignoring the fact he's Mihawk's son!" Sanji added, kicking a Marine that had gotten to close to Luffy.
The Alpha Captain growled as more Marines crowded him. His eyes still on his brother. "Ace!" He growled as he was knocked backwards. Throwing his head forward and bashing it against one Marine and kicking another just seconds later. "Don't do it!" He screamed. A punch landing on his cheek. Luffy growled as he balled his fists, the power surging through him. He watched as the swords started to come down towards his brother's neck. "DON'T YOU DARE!"
It felt like time around him stopped as he continued to scream out. Slowly Marines around him started to drop to the ground before he was rushing forwards again. The executioners falling as well.
"IT'S NOT OVER YET!" Luffy yelled out as he continued.
"Do you know what you just did?" Ivankov questioned.
"Luffy, what kind of power was that?!" Usopp asked.
"It has to be that Conqueror's haki that Ace talked about before." Sanji replied, running alongside his nakama. They were in the clear for now. Marines collapsed all around them.
"It's the Conqueror's spirit."
"Well, this is a mess." Aokiji stated.
"There's a surprise for you." Kizaru added.
Luffy just let out another shout as he pushed forward, uncaring of what everyone was saying around him. He only had one thing on his mind, and it was Ace.
"That is the Conqueror's spirit! Just like what Oyaji and Shanks use!" Fossa stated.
"That's my grandson for you." Rouge beamed, striking at Aokiji once more.
"That kid is just full of surprises." Marco muttered.
"If you have a weak will stand back! He's not just another rookie! We can't forget he's the son of Dragon! That's what we get for underestimating him!" A Marine exclaimed.
Luffy flared in anger. "FOR THE LAST TIME DRAGON IS NOT MY DAD! MY FATHER IS DRACULE MIHAWK! LEARN IT!" He screamed, sending out his fist to punch the man in the face.
The Marines paused around him. "Wait… he's the son of a Warlord? I thought he was Dragon's son?" One questioned.
"Vice Admiral, what do you do?! We aren't allowed to attack the kids of Warlords!" Another soldier stated.
"It could also just be a lie! Keep advancing!" With the instruction, the Marines circled in on the approaching Strawhats.
"Why the hell would I lie about my own Alpha father?!" Luffy hissed.
Before they could get to them, they were all blown away. Luffy's eyes widening as he looked over to Whitebeard in shock. "Scared of a boy and an old man! You were so cocky before, but where is your fire now?! I thought you wanted to kill me!" Whitebeard punched the air again, blowing more Marines away.
"Focus on Whitebeard first and get the kid next!"
Whitebeard cackled. "Just try it!"
"Don't let a single marine lay a hand on him!" Izou shouted. The chorus following closely of approval from the other Commanders.
"We can't let them touch him!" Thatch screamed.
Luffy watched in amazement for a moment. "They are focused on Whitebeard. Let's go." Ivankov said.
The group of Marines on the other side of them yelled out, "Get Straw Hat!" Luffy kicked the first one that got to him, rushing forward into the group of Marines.
"STOP AND LISTEN TO ME!" Whitebeard suddenly shouted, even catching Luffy's attention. "THERE'S A NEW PLAN! I'M EITHER GOING TO LIVE, OR I'M GOING TO DIE! SO, GO BACK UP STRAW HAT WITH EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT!"
Luffy was stunned as he stared over at Whitebeard, his eyes wide despite how he kept fighting. "They are coming straight at you! Watch out!" Ivankov exclaimed.
Luffy turned back just in time to see Momonga. His hit never connected with Luffy as a man jumped between the two. "I know you… you're Doma! The Bohemian Knight, correct?"
"Vice Admiral Momonga, pleasure to meet you." Doma replied.
The Alpha could only stare around shocked as they were quickly surrounded by more pirates. "We've got some friends." Ivankov muttered.
"If Whitebeard says to give you a hand than we are on it in a flash!"
"Ace is right there, Straw Hat! No way they are going to stop all of us!"
"Now this is more like it!" Sanji exclaimed.
"This is music to my ears!" Brook squealed.
"Whitebeard's allies are backing up Straw Hat! This does not look good!" A marine said in a panic.
The Alpha continued to rush forward, the allies taking out any Marines that tried to get him as he started towards the scaffold once more. Each of them telling him to find his opening to slip past the Admirals.
A Vice Admiral jumped in front of Luffy, going to strike at him. Before the hit could land, a figure jumped in front of him. The man in front of him holding a pipe that blocked a sword from hitting him. "Long time no see, Luffy. It's been a long time."
Luffy paused as the Vice Admiral was hit in the face with a haki covered hand, the man crashing away. Shocking Mr. 1 and Crocodile had joined the mix. Protecting the Strawhats from more Marines that came up at them.
The Alpha blinked as the Beta pheromones filled his nose, followed by the scent of lavender and sandalwood. Luffy's eyes widened as the man turned his head. "That's impossible." He muttered, taking a good look at the man before him. "Sabo?"
Sabo nodded and smiled at him. "Hey, Luffy."
"The Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army?!" Robin exclaimed.
"Sabo-boy!" Ivankov grinned before looking between Luffy and Sabo.
"Luffy, do you know him?" Chopper questioned, eyeing the man standing before their Captain.
"He's my… he's our… brother." Luffy muttered, the disbelief in his voice. His scent was the dead giveaway. It was indeed Sabo standing before him.
"Brother?!" The ones around him exclaimed.
"Since when did you have another brother?!" Zoro yelled.
"We created a bond ten years ago… but you died." Luffy said, tears forming in his eyes.
"I'll explain later, just get going! Ace still needs us!" Sabo ordered, pushing Luffy towards the scaffold as he took off with them.
Luffy grinned. "I'm not going to question it now, but let's go!"
Sabo returned the grin. "No one is going to stop us!" The blonde also looked up to the scaffold at the same time Luffy returned his own gaze. "I WON'T LET YOU KILL OUR BROTHER!"
X
Luffy and his nakama pushed on, Sabo running right next to him as the Alpha looked around, noticing quickly that the Whitebeard Pirates had blocked the Marines off, opening the path in front of the scaffold completely.
"They actually did it! They cleared a path!" Luffy yelled.
"They did their part! Now you do yours! Keep on running and don't look back!" Ivankov screamed.
"C'mon, Luffy almost there!" Sabo yelled.
Just as they kept running, Luffy looked in shock as he heard the cutting sound. Looking over to Inazuma cutting a path. It landing directly on the scaffold. "Inazuma!" Sabo yelled out happily.
"Luffy, you keep running! We'll protect the path so the Marines can't climb it if they slip past the others!" Zoro stated.
Luffy nodded. "Be careful, guys!"
"Same goes for you!" Nami called out.
"Sabo." Luffy said, looking through the corner of his eye.
"I'm with you, Luffy. Let's go get our hot head back!" Sabo stated.
Cannon fire rang out but before it could get to Luffy and Sabo, it was blocked by the Commanders. Them landing right around where the two brothers were. Ivankov also jumped into the fray again to push back the Marines. Sabo jumping ahead of Luffy to take out a group of Marines that managed to break through. Luffy kicking at another group as the Marines started to break away from the other pirates.
"Take this all the way to the top!" Inazuma stated.
"Thanks!" Luffy shouted back, starting up the freshly made path.
They could actually do this. There was no stopping him now.
"He made it! We actually got this!"
"Straw Hat save Ace!"
Luffy was grinning as he ran up the concrete path. Just a little closer. He was almost there. Ace was right there. He was actually going to save him.
X
Ace froze as he stared at Luffy. Running next to him was the same man that he had seen before. He still couldn't see his face no matter how hard he tried to focus in on him. "I WON'T LET YOU KILL OUR BROTHER!" The voice sent a chill down Ace's spine. His wrist burning where his bond gland was.
Who was that guy?
He couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity. What was going on?
The Omega watched on as the allied pirates helped Luffy and the Strawhats get through. The Commanders joining in to protect him as the Marines attempted to swarm them.
His eyes widened and the air caught in his throat as concrete landed in front of him. A path connecting the scaffold directly to the plaza right in front of Luffy.
His heart was pounding. His pulse racing.
They might actually save him.
He might actually get to live.
"Luffy…" The Omega muttered.
"I actually did it. I'M HERE!" Luffy screamed out in happiness.
Ace finally got a good look at the blonde behind Luffy. His eyes widening as he realized why he was so familiar. Running directly behind Luffy was Sabo.
His dead brother.
No. Alive brother.
"LUFFY! SABO!"
He was shaking as stray cannon fire struck the platform that Luffy and Sabo rushed up the platform. The concrete starting to crumble under them. Luffy was quick to enter his Second Gear as Ace just sat there wide eyed.
The concrete broke out from underneath his brother as Ace gave a terrified shout. He could only watch on as Luffy hopped around the broken pieces of concrete until finally, his feet fell right on the metal directly in front of Ace. Sabo landing directly next to him, adjusting his top hat.
Luffy was breathing heavily. "Finally, I'm here." The Alpha huffed, lifting his head up with a smile on his face. "I told you I'd do it!"
"Luffy…" Ace whispered in utter disbelief before a smile slipped onto his face. "You really are crazy."
"Yeah, well." It was quickly followed by a laugh erupting from Luffy.
The Omega was filled with shock again as Luffy reached into his pocket. Sabo was standing directly between Luffy and Sengoku. The Alpha seemly forgetting the Fleet Admiral was there. "I got the key right here!" Luffy stated.
"That's great… but how?" Ace questioned as Luffy moved around him, kneeling behind him to unlock his cuffs.
"LUFFY! HURRY!" Sabo screamed. Sabo guarded his brothers as Luffy worked to get Ace out of his cuffs. Ace staring up at Sengoku with a mask of fear slipping onto him. "DON'T YOU DARE LAY A HAND ON MY BROTHERS!" He shouted.
For a moment, shock came to Sengoku. "Brothers?! THERE'S THREE OF YOU!"
"Damn straight!" Sabo stated, holding his pipe in front of him.
Sengoku started to morph into his Devil Fruit powers. The light coming off of the Alpha Fleet Admiral blinding Ace as he stared up at him. "You are trapped in the palm of my hand!" Sengoku shouted.
"This is insane!" The Omega exclaimed, staring up at the changed form of Sengoku. A literal golden statue.
A spark of light went in between Luffy and Ace before suddenly the Alpha was panicking. "The key! Oh crap! I lost it!"
"You've dug your own grave, Straw Hat! I will execute the three of you with my own bare hands!" Sengoku yelled, lifting his arm up. Preparing to punch at them.
The executioner beside Ace slowly started to sit up, rubbing at his head as he mumbled. "I must have passed out there."
"Wait, Mr. 3?!" Luffy exclaimed, the shock in his voice. "Why are you here?!"
Ace could do nothing as he stared over his shoulder with wide eyes at Sengoku. Luffy biting his thumb as the so called Mr. 3 exclaimed, "What is that thing?!"
"Quick! Protect Ace with a wall!" Luffy ordered. "Sabo, move! I'm not losing now!"
Sabo dunked down, wrapping his arms around Ace's head. Bringing his nose to the Beta's chest.
"Gomu Gomu Giant Balloon!" Luffy screamed out, expanding and taking the brunt of Sengoku's punch. The wall of wax coming over them just as their attacks hit each other.
The Omega gasped as he felt the scaffold break from underneath him and they were starting to fall underneath the pressure of Sengoku and Luffy. Ace felt his heart skip a beat as they started to free fall. His hands still bound behind his back despite the chains no longer being connected to the scaffold. Sabo held onto him tighter as they started to free fall. There was no way that Ace would survive this fall.
"I'll make a key! Get those cuffs off of Ace and hurry!" Mr. 3 shouted.
"You got it!" Luffy called back in his small form.
Ace stared with wide eyes down at the ground around Sabo's bicep as the ground started to get closer and closer.
"Frankly, I could care less about your brother, but I am here out of respect for my late comrade! Laugh at me if you like, but here is your key!" Mr. 3 exclaimed.
"Why would I laugh at that?!"
"Just hurry up! They're pointing cannons at us!" Sabo hissed.
"FIRE! GIVE IT TO THEM BEFORE THEY HIT THE GROUND!"
"Here, good luck!" Mr. 3 shouted.
"Thanks, Three!" Luffy replied just as he grabbed the key, placing it within the lock of Ace's shackles just as the cannon fire surrounded them.
X
The entire battlefield held baited breaths as they stared up at where the scaffold was falling. "Ace! Luffy! Sabo!" Rouge screamed, pleading that they would be okay. Mihawk was now next to her and Rayleigh, deathly still as his wide eyes stared up at where his sons were.
"That doesn't look good!" Ivankov exclaimed.
"Luffy!" Jinbei shouted. "Ace!"
"LUFFY!" The Strawhats all collectively screamed.
"ACE, NO!" Came the Whitebeard Pirates.
Her eyes were wide as she mentally continued to plea. Gripping tighter on her sword as she hoped with everything her boys would get out of this.
"Brother Three!"
"That is an ugly way to go." Buggy said.
"Those handcuffs are sea prism stone. Fire Fist's powers won't be able to save him." A Marine stated.
"I'm pretty sure we got Straw Hat in there too." Another added.
Shock rang out as a pair of handcuffs fell from the smoke and landed on the ground in front of the Marines.
Rouge's eyes widened as she watched flames starting to appear in the sky in the form of the jolly roger of Whitebeard. She released the breath she had been holding as a smile slipped on her face. The mark quickly turned into a tunnel of flames directly in the middle of where the smoke had been.
"Of course. They're my sons after all." Mihawk stated, a smirk coming to his face. Rouge through the corner of her eye could see the relief that was written on his face.
"They're alive!" Jinbei shouted.
"It's a true miracle!" Ivankov gushed.
"Oh, Luffy!" Hancock stated.
"ACE!"
The shared cheers broke out among the pirates as they celebrated seeing Ace and Luffy alive.
X
Within the flames, Ace felt rejuvenated as he twisted within his own flames. Letting the fire dance across his skin. "Ever since you were little, you've never listened to a word I said. Have you?" Ace stated, turning to face his brother. Luffy grinned, a laugh leaving him as Ace grabbed the front of his shirt. "Then you run off and do something crazy! Like old times! Huh, Luffy!"
"LET'S GO!" Luffy screamed.
"I don't know how you are alive, Sabo! But once we're out of here, I'm kicking your ass!" Ace exclaimed, looking over to where Sabo had been grabbed by Luffy. Sabo holding onto Mr. 3.
"Who cares about that right now! Let's just get you out of here!" Sabo grinned.
The Omega rocketed them all forward using his flames before they were free falling once more. "This isn't over yet! Once they land open fire!" A Marine shouted. Cannons and guns were now trained on them.
"Let's split up for now! Don't let your guard down yet!" Ace called out.
"Okay!" Luffy replied, letting go of Sabo.
The Omega let go of his younger brother, smiling at the feeling of the fire on his hands once more as he twisted his body with a yell of, "Flame Commandment!" The tunnel of fire swirling around him as he thrust his hands down towards the ground where the Marines were with another shout of, "FIRE PILLAR!" Releasing the stream of fire onto the Marines below.
A smile on his face as he landed on the ground, engulfed completely in his flames. Luffy landing on his right and Sabo to his left. Ace kept himself on fire as he looked over to Luffy, the concern washing over him. "Can you still fight, Luffy?"
"Of course, I can!" Came almost instantly.
"Luffy! Ace!" Jinbei called out, the happiness in the Fishman's voice at the sight of him.
Ace was smiling as he looked at the Marines for a moment, the Marines commenting on how he was a Logia user before he was looking back to Luffy. "I never thought I would need my little brother to save me. I guess I can swallow my pride this time. I owe you one, Luffy."
The Alpha laughed next to him, grinning widely. "Thanks, but I definitely couldn't have done it if Whitebeard hadn't shown up."
"YOU THINK WE WILL LET YOU GET AWAY?!" A marine shouted as guns were leveled on them. "Consider this your execution ground, pirates!"
"Hey, I'm a Revolutionary! Get it right!" Sabo called out, pipe in hand as he prepared to attack.
The Marines fired, the bullets getting sucked into Luffy's body, going right through Ace, and being deflected by Sabo's pipe. The men gasping in shock before Luffy released the ones who hit him right back at the soldiers. Sabo had ran forward, knocking out a batch of Marines with his haki covered pipe.
"Charge! I'll cut him to pieces!"
Ace flipped his body backwards, his hand landing on top of Luffy's head to force the Alpha to bend down. The swords cutting right through Ace's stomach and arm respectively. Having no effect on him as fire appeared from the wounds. "That is my little brother you are trying to murder! I'm going to have to ask you to stop!" The Omega exclaimed as Luffy pushed his body up, sending Ace flying into the air. Ace pulled his arm back coating it with fire. Shouting, "FIRE FIST!" before sending the fire out towards his opponents.
Luffy under him activated his Second Gear, jumping away from the three Marines who went after him. Ace landed back on the ground, standing in position to do his fire gun and releasing the fire bullets onto the Marines in front of him.
A shout came from behind him as another Marine aimed a club at his head, only to be kicked away by Luffy before it could connect. Sabo jumped in just as a Marine started for the Alpha. The three now guarding each other's backs.
"Their teamwork is flawless."
"This is fun and all, but the sooner we leave this dump, the better. Right?" The Omega stated.
Luffy made a noise of agreement as Sabo chuckled.
"What a fine team." Vista stated.
"We're pulling out! Clear a path!" Haruta ordered.
The Marines started to advance on the brothers. As they reached them, they jumped, Ace smirking down at them, "Firefly…" The green pieces of fire floating until it exploded right on the Marines. "Fiery doll!"
"Gomu Gomu Jet Gatling!"
The three continued to fight together as they started to break through the Marines. As they ran, Ace looked over to the Alpha with a smile on his face. "I gotta admit… you've gotten pretty tough, Luffy."
"One of these days, I'll be even stronger than you!" Luffy replied as his face broke out into a grin.
They came to a stop as Aokiji stepped in front of them. The Omega holding his arm out to stop Luffy from continuing. "Alright, I'll handle things in the meantime." Ace hissed as he looked over at Aokiji.
"One of these days? Sorry, kid. You aren't going to survive to see tomorrow." Aokiji stated.
"What a pain." Luffy huffed.
Ace smirked as Aokiji held his hand out, his hand freezing over. "Stand back, Luffy… Sabo."
His two brothers quickly getting out of the way.
Ace lit his entire body on fire, moving it into his arm as Aokiji called out, "Ice Block: Pheasant Beak!"
The Omega gave his own shout of, "Flame Mirror!" His fire shooting out just as the ice shaped bird started coming for him. The fire and ice colliding in between them. The Omega let out a shout as the ice started to melt, leaving only Ace's fire left.
The Omega immediately took off running, grabbing Luffy's wrist in his hand before he went. "Hey, Ace, Luffy! I gotta find Dragon and report back! I'll be right back!" Sabo shouted.
"I better see you again!" Ace screamed back.
"Oh! You will!" Sabo called back as he started off into a different direction.
Almost as soon as Sabo was gone, the ground started to shake, and Ace picked up on the Marines panicking. He couldn't hear what was being said, but he did see the Moby that Oars had pulled through the hole in the wall.
"Shiranui!" Ace shouted as two marines approached them, hitting them with the attack before his eyes widened, staring ahead of him at the moving Moby. "Squard?" He whispered.
The Omega watched as the ship was stopped by Whitebeard, causing the Marines to start to panic as they looked at Whitebeard. He sent out his Cross Fire attack before turning to face Whitebeard. "Oyaji! Let's go!"
"Go, my sons! I'm staying here, so I don't have to bury any more of my sons! Get Ace to safety!" Whitebeard called back, punching in front of him as the air broke and started a seaquake that was cracking the ground around him. "Get out of here and return to the New World!"
"You old fool! Just go with them!" Rayleigh yelled out. "Don't be like Roger!"
"I swear to God, Eddie! You aren't going to get yourself killed!" Rouge screamed.
"You old man! I didn't cure you just so you can get yourself killed!" Law exclaimed.
"If you're staying! I am too!" Rouge shouted, red in the face. "I'm not a member of the Whitebeard Pirates so you can't tell me what to do!"
"Rouge! Leave here!" Whitebeard fought back.
"NO! Not without you!" Rouge yelled.
"Rouge!" Whitebeard hissed.
"Don't Rouge me! Get your ass to that damn ship!" Rouge growled. "Don't make me take you there by force!"
"Oyaji, please! We can go home together!" Ace shouted.
"I'm making it so you can get out of here! Now, go!" The Alpha exclaimed.
Ace balled his fists as he looked over to Whitebeard. Standing in a line between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates, the Strawhats, and the prisoners were Whitebeard, Rouge, Dragon, Mihawk, and Rayleigh.
Whitebeard set off another quake, the Marines panicking as Marineford started to crumble. "We came here as a family, we're leaving as one!" Haruta fought back.
"We did it! We have Ace! We can go home!" Thatch exclaimed.
"You mean do defy your Captain's order?! I told you fools to get away!" Whitebeard shouted back.
"Oyaji, no!"
An argument quickly broke out among the Whitebeard Pirates as they fought if they should stay or go. Ace was frozen as he stared at Whitebeard as the others started to run towards the ships.
"Luffy, we need to go!" Sanji yelled out.
"Come on, Ace, let's go! The old guy made up his mind!"
The Omega growled. "I know…" He lit his hand on fire as Marines started to jump at Whitebeard. The fighting had broke out again among Rouge, Dragon, Rayleigh, and Mihawk. "Back off, you bastards!" Ace screamed as the fire connected with the Marines going after his Captain. He encircled himself and Whitebeard in flames.
Bowing to the ground, he was breathing heavily from how exhausted his body was. "The time for words has passed, my son." Whitebeard stated. "But, tell me… one last thing. Are you happy to have this old fool as a father?"
Ace looked up, tears coming to his eyes. Whitebeard was only here cause he had gotten captured. "Of course, dad!" He screamed.
Whitebeard's chuckling had rang into his ears. The Omega wiped at the tears in his eyes as he stood up, turning on his heel and running after Luffy. The two running side by side towards the ships. "Ace! Luffy! You two stay in front!" The brothers looked up to Jinbei. "They are specifically targeting you two! We can not let the old man waste his life! He will not fall in vain!" Ace was heaving, his lungs burning from his injuries, fatigue, and starvation from the past month. He winced as he heard screams behind him. "Never mind that! Just keep running until you get to the ship!"
"Look at that, they saved Fire Fist Ace and now they are running. What a cowardly crew, just like their washed up Captain." Akainu stated.
"What?!"
"Ignore him! He's trying to rile you up!" Kingdew stated.
"Some Captain he is. It's not your fault. That's just Whitebeard. A washed-up failure." Akainu continued.
Ace paused, the air catching in his throat. The anger flaring in him. "Ace!" Luffy exclaimed as him and Jinbei turned around. The Strawhats were ahead of them, stopping as Luffy called out his brother's name.
"A failure?!" Ace hissed, his hands flickering with fire as he turned to glare at Akainu. "Take it back or else."
"Ace! No, don't! Just keep moving!"
Hands were on his biceps trying to pull him away, but Ace was only seeing red as the Omega glared at the Marine Admiral. "He can say whatever he wants! Let's go!" One of his nakama pleaded.
The Omega pushed his nakama away, flames erupting from his body. Flickering in and out as Ace hissed, "No one gets away with mocking, Oyaji."
"STOP!" Luffy screamed.
Akainu smirked. "Take it back, it's the truth. Let me tell you a story." The Admiral paused as Ace clutched his fists. "After your father conquered the Grand Line—"
"ROGER IS NOT MY FATHER! SHUT UP WITH THAT!" Ace screamed. He was getting real sick of people calling Roger his father. Especially after he accidentally revealed that Mihawk was his Alpha father.
Akainu chose to ignore him, going on with his story. "After that, he opened the door to the Great Pirate era by sacrificing his own life. I hate to say it being a Navy Admiral, but he was King of the Pirates. No question. Keeping all of that in mind, Whitebeard has failed. His lack of ambition meant he never would be King of anything but you simple minded cronies." The Omega glared at the Admiral as the flames continued to flicker due to his emotions going through the roof. His anger only getting worse that it was bubbling inside of him. "Once he brainwashed enough of you into doing his dirty work, he got lazy. Every now and then you will find someone who needs him as a peacekeeper. Start trouble here and Whitebeard will come running, they say." Ace was seething, his entire body shaking as he allowed his flames to be released. Unable to contain them any longer. "Empty posts to keep idiots you fearful, who call him hero when he's nothing but a coward." Akainu turned to fully face Ace, the Omega still shaking as he felt his nails cutting into the palms of his hands. "When Gold Roger was around, Whitebeard always came in second. Even after Roger's death, he couldn't become King. So, there it is, the tale of your father's winning and the great big failure of Whitebeard. Soon enough, he will be dead, and no one will remember him." Ace started to walk forward, his eyes burning. "I can't help but feel sorry for the man and all of you punks call him Oyaji. Did you make this family to humor him or are you just as delusional?"
The Omega growled. "Shut it…" He whispered, the flames now completely ignited on his shoulders, arms, and legs as he walked away from his nakama and towards Akainu.
"He sailed the seas for years and couldn't amount to anything. Alas, an army of losers and in the end he was even almost stabbed by one of his own sons. Trusting my word over his own. And still… he'll die to protect that man. Have you ever heard of a more pathetic life?" Akainu continued.
"That's enough!" Ace exclaimed, the flames flaring alongside his anger.
"Leave him! Run!" Izou called after him.
"Ace, turn around!" Thatch screamed out.
"ACE!" The rest of his nakama called out.
"You're wrong! There is nothing fake about the family he gave us! I would expect a heartless bastard like you to appreciate that!" Ace exclaimed, the Omega lighting the shape of a crescent on his back momentarily.
"Like I said, he convinced you punks that you meant something to the world, but your kind doesn't deserve a home! They deserve the Gallows!" Akainu said.
"CAN IT!" Ace fought back.
Akainu held just the same angry mask on his face as he shouted back with, "You know it's true! You will all die as failures, and Whitebeard is nothing but a lowly old fool!"
"Whitebeard is the greatest pirate who ever lived! You hear me! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE MAN WHO SAVED MY LIFE!" Ace screamed, igniting himself into flames and surrounding himself within a wall of his own fire.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM, ACE!"
"THIS IS HIS ERA! DON'T YOU FORGET!" Ace screamed out as his arm was lit up in flames, with a shout, sending the flames directly for Akainu.
The Admiral was shouting right back at him, the magma connecting with Ace's fire. The power of the two attacks causing the ground to break and crumble around them. The Omega gave another determined shout as he put more power into his flames. Trying to overpower the magma through his anger.
"Your Oyaji will end up the same as you, boy! Dead! And by my hand!" Akainu shouted.
Ace let out a cry of pain as the magma broke through his fire, connecting with his arm that he had ignited in flames previously. The force behind the attack sending him flying backwards before he landed hard on the ground, his body rolling until he was face down on the ground.
"How did he burn him?!" Izou shouted, gasping in shock.
"ACE! GET OUT OF THERE!" Marco screamed.
The Omega gripped his burnt arm as he curled in on himself, cradling the injured forearm. "Thanks to your logia type fruit, you're not used to getting hurt. It's made you too cocky. You maybe made of fire, but my magma burns even hotter than that." Akainu stated. Ace grimaced in pain as he touched his fingers to his skin. The mark was barely there but he could sure feel it. His body his entire body shaking from the pain that he was in. "Just like Whitebeard, second rate until the bitter end!"
"Ace!" Luffy muttered.
"Luffy! Stay out of harms way! You are in no condition to be in this fight!" Jinbei shouted.
Ace could feel the heat radiating off of Akainu. The power even stronger than his own. "Gold Roger and Dragon the Revolutionary to think that you were adopted brothers all these years! What a victory it would be to end both bloodlines. Everyone else can escape. The two of you are the only targets I'm after. Say, goodbye."
Ace gasped as he looked up, noticing the change from Akainu. His gaze moving from where Ace was to Luffy. "WAIT!" The Omega screamed as Akainu jumped past him, a magma fist ready and headed straight for his brother. Luffy looked up just in time. The fear flashing in his eyes. "LUFFY!" Ace covered himself in his fire and jumped. Bracing himself for the hit.
It never came.
He could feel the heat on his back. Luffy was staring at him with wide eyes, leaning back on his elbows. The Omega took a shaky breath as he turned his head, only to see someone standing between him and Akainu. A sword blocking the magma from hitting him. His eyes widened.
"Mom!" He gasped.
The wave of haki that followed had Ace crashing to the ground next to Luffy as he turned to look up.
"Huh?" Akainu mumbled, looking up.
Shanks was standing there with Gryphon pulled out. The sword blocking Akainu's fist. "Mom…" Ace whispered again.
"Not my son, you bastard!" Shanks yelled, putting more power into his sword that had Akainu stumbling backwards.
Shockwaves went out through the pirates and the Marines as everything came to a stand still. "IT'S RED-HAIRED SHANKS!"
"He was just facing off against Kaido yesterday! How did he get here so fast?!"
Akainu jumped away, pulling his fist back as he leveled a glare on Shanks. Shanks returning the favor as he sheathed Gryphon. Ace could feel his anger bubbling from where he was. "What's Red-Haired Shanks doing here?!" A Marine questioned.
"Did Fire Fist… just call him, mom?" Another asked.
"Oh God, we have to fight another yonko too?!"
Shanks turned away from Akainu, dropping down by his sons. His arms wrapping around the two of them and pulling them close. "Oh, thank the seas… I made it just in time." The Omega Captain said.
Ace felt the tears pull in his eyes as he reached around Shanks, clinging onto him. He had been that close to death. So close to sacrificing himself for Luffy. If Shanks hadn't shown up just in that moment, Ace would be dead.
And all of their work would have been for nothing.
Shanks' fingers curled in Ace's hair as Shanks held on. His grip getting tighter. "You boys are going to kill me before I turn forty."
Ace looked up from where he had his face buried in Shanks' cloak to see Akainu approaching. A raised magma fist ready to strike. "MOM! WATCH OUT!" Ace screamed.
Shanks pulled away, hand going for his sword just as Akainu was bringing his hand down. The scream erupted from Ace as his eyes widened. The clash of magma hitting metal rang out once more as Mihawk was now standing between Akainu and Shanks.
"Hawkeyes?! What is the meaning of this!" Akainu growled.
"Have you not learned that I will not let you kill my family?" Mihawk said, twisting his hand, forcing Akainu to back up. "You will not lay a hand on my mate or pups. If you want to survive this war, you will back off."
"Luffy! Oh god, are you okay?!" Nami said as the Strawhats were rushing back over, circling behind them.
"Shanks… is Ace's mom?" A Whitebeard pirate questioned.
"I'm so sorry! I saw what happened, but I couldn't get over here! I never should have left your side!" Sabo stated, placing himself next to Mihawk.
Ace watched as instead of being up against the Marines; Rouge, Dragon, and Rayleigh were now lined up by Mihawk. Shanks was back on his feet, pulling off his cloak and throwing it over Ace's shoulders.
The red-haired Omega standing tall as he walked up into the middle of the lineup. "Every drop of blood you spill… you spill upon yourselves. If you still hunger for battle…" Shanks stated, pulling Gryphon out once more. "Come. We'll be glad to take you on." Joining Shanks, crowding around in a protective circle around Ace and Luffy were the Red-Hair Pirates. The crew stepping through the Whitebeard Pirates before they stopped in place.
Ace hugged Shanks' cloak to him, wincing as he hit his arm.
"Room"
The blue sphere surrounded the pirates, Law walking over until he kneeling next to Ace. Not saying a word to him as he slashed his sword. Ace could only blink as the pain left his arm. The skin now completely unburnt. Law standing back up and turning to face Akainu.
Shanks started to walk forward. "I watched the entire thing on my way here. The actions I saw… disgusted me." The red-haired Captain hissed. "I'm out for blood. Yours specifically, Admiral Akainu." Shanks stopped once more. "You will not lay another hand on either of my sons again."