They Don't Know About Us
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to They Don't Know About Us! I do hope that you are enjoying this fic! Thank you all for all the comments and kudos! I really do appreciate them all! So, I'm trying to update everything before April 1st, we will see how that works out honestly. I will be having knee surgery and I don't know when the next chance to write I will have. Anyway, enough of me, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
On with the fic!
Chapter Thirty-Six: Someday (by Nickelback)
Chapter Summary: As Luffy finds Ace, he assumes the worst. More of the others begin to group as the Blackbeard Pirates get defeated by the alliance. Shanks realizes something is wrong as Marines surround the island.
Luffy felt like he couldn't breathe. Marineford flashing into his mind. The moment that Ace stood between him and Akainu. Flames dancing on his shoulders. Each time that blades tried to come down on his neck and take his head. Ace had survived all of that, like hell he wasn't going to be able to get out of this.
"C'mon." Law whispered, jumping down, and pulling Luffy's hand with him. The Alpha let his body move on its own. Rushing towards where Ace was in the dirt. Luffy dropped down onto his knees as Law moved to place Ace onto his back rather than his side.
"Ace? Ace, can you hear me?" Luffy questioned, tapping at the side of Ace's cheek.
"He's breathing." Law stated. The Omega lifted his hand, muttering out, "Room." The familiar sphere showing up around them. With just those words from Law, Luffy was able to feel like he could breathe properly again. At least Ace was breathing. That meant he was alive.
"What happened to him?" Luffy said, turning his gaze away from Ace and over to Law.
"Probably a severe narcolepsy attack. I can't be sure with just from looking but would be my best guess." Law replied. The Omega started moving, checking Ace over as Luffy let his eyes scan over Ace.
"Is any of this blood his?" The Alpha questioned.
Law hummed, "He has an injury to his head that's bleeding, but the rest looks like it belongs to Blackbeard." The Omega continued looking over the other on the ground as Luffy used his shirt to try and wipe away from of the blood off of Ace's arms and hand. "There's nothing major. He'll be fine."
"What about the baby?" Luffy inquired, the fear in his voice at the thought that Ace might wake up and his baby wouldn't be here. Ace seemed actually happy about it. Always having a hand on his stomach ever since he found out. He would hate this if Ace didn't get something good from all of this.
Law smiled, peeking up for just a moment. "They are okay."
Luffy sighed in relief. "Good." The Alpha paused, looking over Law's shoulder to where the unmoving Teach laid. The man that caused all of this. Ace departing from the Moby Dick. Marineford. Kidnapping Shanks. How much power did he truly have to be able to do all of this?
There was a hole in his chest, the blood covering the entirety of his torso. His eyes were closed, but Luffy still had an unsettling feeling in the pit of his chest. For the time being, he put Teach in the back of his mind as he looked back down at Ace. "Freckles-ya will be fine. We just need to get him back to the ship."
Luffy nodded, "We need to figure out what happened to Dad. Maybe Ace fought Blackbeard because he couldn't get to him."
Law looked at him for a moment. "You don't smell it?" The Alpha gave him a puzzled look, shaking his head. All he could smell was Ace's scent and blood. "He was here. Someone else was too. The other scent is very light, but Shanks-ya's is strong. It's all over your brother's clothes too."
Luffy leaned down, picking up the addition of strawberries on Ace's shirt with heat pheromones. He hadn't even noticed it before. Though, he would guess that was because his mind was on finding them rather than their scents. "How did you notice that so quickly?"
Law smirked, tapping his nose. "Omega advantage. Our instincts will usually automatically pick up on someone in danger if we get close enough."
"That is so cool!" Luffy exclaimed.
Law smiled, looking back down at Ace as he moved his shirt away from his abdomen, hands working over the lower part of his stomach. "His baby sure is stubborn." The Omega muttered, "Freckles-ya should be a reminder not to fuck with an Omega."
Luffy grinned, reaching back over and moving some of Ace's hair from his face. He still hadn't moved, but there was the rise and fall of his chest that he could see now. "Ace has always been like that."
The Omega snorted, shaking his head, "You don't know much about Omegas, do you?"
Luffy frowned, grumbling, "Benn taught us."
"Did you listen?" Law questioned, the amusement in his voice.
"Possibly." Luffy shot back.
Law laughed again, moving his hands from Ace's abdomen, and continuing to search over his body. He stood up, rounding around Ace, and falling to his knees by his head. "Some people don't want to see the truth, but Omegas are perfect equals and counterparts to Alphas. Everything an Alpha can do; an Omega can also do. Really the only difference is reproductive organs. Freckles-ya's reaction to what happened to Commander Thatch and also Shanks-ya is completely justified by instincts alone. Nothing would have stopped him from doing it. He would have known it was a stupid thing to do, but Omegas can get so lost in their instincts that it just… happens. An Alpha would do the exact same. Omegas are a vital part of a pack. Just like an Alpha or Beta. I would rather face down an Alpha in a rage over an Omega who has gone into a frenzy."
Luffy sighed, sitting back on his legs as he looked over his shoulder at the carnage that was formerly the town. Very few buildings were actually still standing within the area. Scorch marks and debris alike littered the ground and buildings.
Ace put up a hell of a fight.
"Luffy!" The Alpha's head snapped in the direction of the voice, seeing Sabo coming from over one of the buildings.
"Sabo!" Luffy shouted back.
"Is he okay?!" Sabo questioned as he jumped down, running forward with his pipe still in hand. Luffy smiled and nodded. "Good." The Revolutionary looked around, mumbling slightly under his breath as he surveyed the scene around them. "Any sign of Shanks-san?"
Luffy shook his head. "No. He wasn't here when we arrived."
Sabo frowned, walking over to Luffy's other side, and kneeling down and taking a look at Ace. "He was here though. Someone else was too, but I don't think it was a Blackbeard Pirate." Law stated. "Just where he went is a different story."
The blonde Beta hummed, looking away from Ace again. "All the damage is closer over here; the scorch marks show that Ace put up a wall between us and that forest over there. My best guess, that's where Shanks-san is. Ace probably separated the two, and if someone else was here, they took him away as the fighting started."
"That is some good observation skills." Law hummed.
Sabo smiled, looking over to the Omega, "Kind of needed to learn with the Revolutionary Army. Observation and stealth are something we're good at."
"Alright, we better get out of here." Law stated, "Sabo-ya, can you carry him on your back?"
Sabo nodded, moving as Law and Luffy grabbed Ace by his arms and moved him to the Beta's back. With him secured him place, the Revolutionary stood up, adjusting the Omega on his back. "Let's go."
X
Shanks winced as he pushed himself on. His body screaming at him from each movement that he gave. He wouldn't give up. He had to get to Ace. Hell, he needed to find Luffy and Sabo. Buggy and Marco were here, which meant they were too. He had to make sure they were okay.
The Omega stumbled on his feet, his legs shaking as he felt his weight giving out. An arm looped around his waist, another hand on his chest to keep him from falling forward. "Take it easy, Red-Hair. I know I can't stop you, but you need to at least let us help you." Marco stated.
"He's my son!" Shanks snapped. "I will never forgive myself if he got hurt and I wasn't there!"
"Ace can take care of himself." Marco replied. Shanks could hear the smile on his face just from the tone in his voice.
"He's pregnant." Shanks hissed, "If he loses that baby because I got hurt and he had to protect me. I would rather die. He will not go through that."
"I have to put my trust into him." Marco said, "He was raised by you. Hold the same faith in him."
"I'm supposed to protect him. I'm his—"
"He's also grown up now. He can protect himself. He'll always be your child, but with what you taught him and what he's learned, I know he'll be just fine." Marco continued, cutting Shanks off.
The Omega gritted his teeth, continuing forward. "I know he is. You'll understand soon enough, Marco. Nothing will stop me."
"I know." Marco hummed. "I'm not going to try and stop you, but you do need to try and take it easy."
Shanks snorted, shaking his head as he grimaced from the pain that shot through his abdomen again. With a sharp inhale, his knees completely buckled. The only thing keeping him up was the fact that Marco had his arm securing him into place. "It's my fault." Shanks whispered.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Buggy questioned.
Shanks gritted his teeth as he clawed at Marco's shirt, trying to use it to pull himself all the way back up. "I understand what Ace feels." He muttered, "This wouldn't be happening if I just kept my guard up like normal."
Buggy growled, marching up to Shanks' other side and coming into his line of sight. "We don't need your pity party."
Shanks shook his head. "I'm not looking for pity. This was caused because I let my guard down at Sabaody. I felt safe. I haven't let my guard down in years. The one time I do… I got fucking kidnapped. My bond got broken. That bastard could have done anything to me. I played into it. Everything that is happening now is because of that. I should have just…"
Buggy reached forward, grabbing Shanks by his shirt and forcing him completely back to his feet. "Don't talk like that now, bastard. You've made it this far. Your kids are pains in the ass, but they can handle themselves. So can you. I've known that for years. Shit happens and now we are here. Didn't you say everything happens for a reason? That there was a reason that this happened to you?!"
"Buggy—"
"Then listen to your own damn words!" Buggy shouted before he was letting go of his shirt and stomping forward, "Let's go get your brats back before you fucking lose your damn mind."
Marco started chuckling, pulling Shanks along with him. "Well, he's actually right about something."
X
It felt like no matter which direction that he looked, he kept coming across a Blackbeard Pirate. He knew there was a total of ten of them including Teach, but it felt endless. Despite how many of them were fighting, it felt like they were making no progress.
Something was off about all of this.
Mihawk growled, avoiding rather than fighting as he made his way through the chaos. His children and his husband were on this island. Ace was here. Shanks was here.
They were his only goal in coming here.
Shanks was going to come home. Ace was going to be okay. Like hell he was going to let his family continue to go through shit. He was letting his anger get the best of him as he fought his way towards the middle of the island. If he were Teach, he would stash Shanks within a stronghold and surround it with his men.
Everything in him was screaming to get to Shanks and Ace. He had to remain calm. He had to keep everything on his shoulders now.
He paused as he felt the inflation of power. Feeling it down to his bones as he looked up to see the clash. The clash of light versus dark. Fire fighting against the black mist.
Ace was fighting.
Ace had found Shanks.
Ace found Teach.
Despite his belief in Ace's abilities, that squeeze of his heart was there. His son was once again versing the man that had handed him over to the Marines. This time, he just hoped that either Ace had back up – rather it was Shanks or not – or he somehow came out victorious.
It made his movements quicker as he gave a frustrated growl. Cutting down the closest Blackbeard Pirate. He wasn't even sure who. Just that they were the enemy. Nothing was going to stop him from getting to his goal. Rather he had to fight or just run past them. He didn't have time to entertain such vile creatures such as these men who called themselves pirates.
He wasn't even thinking anymore. He knew it. That was a dangerous way to go about things, but nothing would get in his way now.
X
"For fuck's sake, Red-Hair, take it easy!" Marco growled. The blonde Commander huffed as it seemed like was doing everything completely out of spite at this point. No. freaking. Wonder. This is exactly where Ace got it from. He didn't remember Shanks ever being known for this behavior, but at the same time, it was fitting.
"Nothing short of killing me will stop me." Shanks stated, turning his head, and flashing a smirk at Marco, "But I don't think that would be a good idea for you."
Marco grumbled. Just another reason to add to to the ever-growing lists of what pissed him off about Red-Haired Shanks. Shanks wasn't wrong in the slightest. He did anything, Ace would have his head. At this point, he didn't know if he wanted to face off against Shanks or Ace. Both didn't sound very appealing. "I might just take my chances with Ace if that means, you will freaking quit your bullshit!" Ace couldn't exactly hurt him. Shanks, on the other hand, probably could.
"Arguing with a stubborn Omega? Thought you said that was a bad idea." Buggy mused, the amusement in his voice as he walked behind them.
"Shut up, Big Nose!" Marco exclaimed.
"What the fuck did you just say about my nose?!" Buggy immediately shot back.
The blonde Alpha grumbled as he turned back to focus on what he was doing. They were close from what he could tell. Just a bit further than Shanks was done being a pain in his ass. He could put him on anyone else. The things that he did for Ace. Sure, Shanks wasn't a bad guy by any means. He just drove him crazy at times. "Is this where you came from?" Marco questioned.
Buggy hummed, "Yeah, it was. Just right through those trees."
"Alright, c'mon." Marco murmured, pulling Shanks along this time. The quicker they got there, the less amount of time that he had to deal with the stubbornness.
"It's so quiet." Buggy whispered as they broke through the tree line. "Is it over?"
Marco could hear Shanks' breathing picking up as they got through the tree line. Marco now understood everything that Shanks was feeling. Luffy, Sabo, and Law were making their way towards them. Ace was secured on the Beta's back. His arms laying almost limp over his shoulders and head tucked on one of them. "Ace!" Shanks immediately shouted, "Luffy! Sabo!"
He never got the chance to keep him in place before Shanks ripped away from him and rushed forward. Luffy looked up at the yell of his name, a bright smile gracing his face as the red-haired Omega made it over to them. "Dad!" Luffy shouted right back. "You're okay!"
"Yeah, I am." Shanks muttered, his arms wrapping around the boys almost immediately.
"You're covered in blood." Luffy stated, eyes surveying the blood-stained shirt and the hole that was in it. "What happened?"
"Um…" Shanks' voice trailed for a second. Marco could practically see the gears going through his head and trying to come up with a reason that he had a hole in his shirt. "I walked into a knife."
The collective sounds of disbelief and utter dismay came next as Buggy grumbled about Shanks being an even bigger idiot than Luffy.
Marco walked forward, going next to Sabo's side. Just so he could see Ace's face. His eyes were closed, but he actually looked peaceful despite the severity of the situation that they were in. It was like a weight was lifted off of his chest. Ace was back with them, and he was safe. "What happened to him?" He questioned.
That had caught the rest of their attention and Law motioned behind them. "He defeated Blackbeard."
Marco's gaze followed, landing on the unmoving form of Teach. The smile creeped next as he smiled and nodded. "Good." He whispered.
"Let's go." Shanks immediately said, "Let's not waste anymore time and just get the hell out of here."
"Please." Law grumbled. "If you idiots get any more injuries, I'm gonna die from exhaustion."
"Welcome to the family, Law." Sabo teased.
Without a second thought, they all started back in the direction that they had just came from. Marco transformed his arms again, getting into his half phoenix point and taking to the skies to keep a look out.
He had only looked down long enough to see Shanks continuing to stumble before Buggy reached out, giving the red head something to balance on. Their job here was done. Now it was time to pull out. Ace was still out, so it wasn't like he could turn back around at any moment.
Their entire purpose of being here was finally fulfilled. They could go home. They could be happy. Nothing was going to ruin that now. They just had to get off this island, and they could deal with anything else later.
X
Sengoku's eyes were locked the the island as he lifted up the snail in his hand. "Is everyone in place?" He gained the confirmations a few seconds later. The soldiers were moving quickly, rushing around as quickly as possible to get in place. "This is our once chance to put down those Blackbeard Pirates once and for all!"
"Fleet Admiral sir, what about the others? The crews of Red-Haired Shanks, the Whitebeard Pirates, the Revolutionaries, and the Strawhats?" The question came through the den den mushi as Sengoku nodded, looking over his shoulder at Garp. Garp was staying quiet, but the look on his face was one between his normal work mask and a look of concern.
"If they are as smart as they've showed, they will get the hell out of there. The only ones that are not to be harmed in any way are Shanks, Portgas D. Ace, Monkey D. Luffy, and Dracule Mihawk. All the others are fair game." Sengoku replied.
Once again, more confirmations came.
"While all those pirates are threats. The only concern is making sure every Blackbeard Pirate stays on that island." Sengoku continued, "We will not wage a war against the pirate alliance. Even if this is the perfect chance to take out the leader of the Revolutionary Army. We will come across that soon enough."
Garp cleared his throat, taking a few steps forward to come side by side with Sengoku. "I hope you know what you're doing."
Sengoku hummed, placing down the den den mushi. "The Marines need to make a statement to show that we are still serious. That we are still a force to reckon with. Marineford is not going to show that the Marines have lost their power and their purpose."
Garp nodded, grabbing the rail in front of him. "You know Trafalgar Law is on that island."
Sengoku looked over to his old friend, a smile on his face, "He's Rosinante's son. He said himself that he refuses to die until he avenges my son's death. He'll make it."
"Now we have a full understanding, Sengoku." Garp mused, a genuine smile coming to his face. "That's what is so great about them all. Nothing will stop them."
Sengoku smiled, pressing the button of the top of the den den mushi.
The plan was put into place.
This would be the end for whoever stayed on the island. It had to be done.
X
The chill was going down his spine as they were rushing through the forest. Buggy's arm was still looped around his torso, giving him something to lean on as they pushed forward. His stamina was slowly starting to deplete again, but that was a safe guess. There could be a number of things causing it, but he knew they had to get off this island.
There was a feeling pooling in the pit of his gut. Screaming at him that something was wrong. It wasn't Ace. It wasn't Luffy. It wasn't the others. He couldn't even be sure what the hell was going on, other than the fact that he just had his instincts screaming at him. This feeling was worse than when he was at the hands of Teach.
Shanks froze as he felt his Observation haki going haywire, the imminent danger getting closer and closer by the second. The issue was where it was coming from, and it wasn't from the island. It was the sea.
"We have to get out of here." Shanks whispered.
His words had everyone stopping after a second, all eyes on him as Shanks felt that split second of being unable to breathe. "What's going on, Dad?" Luffy questioned.
Shanks shook his head, "I don't know yet." He said, "Just… something's happening."
Marco was still flying above them, sweeping down next to them, and landing on his feet. "The Marines are here!"
Shanks and Buggy shared a look. What were the Marines doing here? Let alone finding them so quickly. This wasn't good at all. "They are here?" Buggy questioned, his voice dropping low. "What the hell?"
"They are surrounding the island from all sides. I'm going to go warn everyone I can find." Marco stated.
Shanks nodded. The chill was continuing to go down his spine as Marco's words completely hit him. The Marines were surrounding the island. He looked over to Luffy, seeing the same look plastered on his face. Shanks had never experienced this personally, but he knew of a few instances where the Marines didn't get onto an island, but rather stayed off of it and stayed just around it.
Why would they be doing this so close to the scene that happened at Marine Headquarters?
"They are… surrounding?" Luffy questioned, the realization also dawning on him.
"No way." Sabo whispered. "They wouldn't."
Shanks gritted his teeth, his claws digging into Buggy's shirt. "Yes, they would. They have to show they are still strong despite what happened. Sengoku has to show that he still has control."
"Enies Lobby…" Luffy muttered, "It happened then, and what Robin said… they can't!"
"They absolutely can and will." Shanks growled. "Get off of this island! Now!"
"There's no ships over here!" Buggy exclaimed, "We would have to cut back over the entire island. We don't have that kind of time."
Shanks looked over at the others. They had more Devil Fruit users with them than not. The only ones that didn't were Shanks and Sabo. All the rest had one. This wasn't looking good. Marco could stay flying, taking at least two, maybe three of them with him. That would leave one in the water, but even then, that was a lot to ask of him. Plus, he was their only way of notifying the rest of the men and women on the island that they needed to evacuate immediately. Shanks couldn't be sure this was Sengoku's plan, but just based off of the facts, it was the only plausible one.
"I have to go warn my crew!" Luffy exclaimed. "They can't go through this again!"
"I've got this Straw Hat!" Marco shouted, "Just get your ass off the island! I'll make sure your friends get there too!"
Luffy looked torn. Like he wanted to rush back towards the inner part of the island, but also listen to what Shanks was saying. Shanks understood that feeling completely. He wanted to go and find Mihawk. Find Benn, Yasopp, and Lucky. Find the men who had vowed to follow him across the seas. What outweighed it was his children. Getting these boys off of the island now. He had to put his faith into Marco. No matter what he felt, he could still make up for it all now.
"Listen to me, Luffy." Shanks stated, letting Buggy go and reaching out for his youngest. Placing his hands on either one of his shoulders. "I understand, trust me. I want to run back too, but right now, you need to go. Let Marco take care of this. He can move a lot faster, and with your injuries, we need to get you out of here. We have to get Ace out of here. Trust him, okay?"
The Alpha still looked unsure, but he did look over to Marco, "Please, make sure they get to a ship. They are my friends. We've been through everything together."
Marco smiled and nodded, "I will, I promise, Straw Hat."
Within seconds, Marco was back in the skies and heading off. "Better keep that promise." Luffy muttered.
They were quiet just for a moment before the hairs on the back of Shanks' neck were standing erect. The impending danger coming his way again. "Get down!" Law shouted. The red head was jerked down, falling face first into the ground as he pulled Luffy down alongside with him. He was able to peek out from underneath Buggy's arm just enough to see all of them on the ground. Sabo had moved enough to cover Ace and Law. Buggy was covering both him and Luffy.
He looked up in horror as he saw the trees around them now completely engulfed in fire.
Well, this was bad.
Part of him would rather be at the hands of Teach again.
"We… we have to go." Shanks whispered.
Buggy moved first, pulling Shanks up along with him. The red-haired Omega reached out for his children, helping Luffy off of the ground as Sabo and Law maneuvered Ace back onto Sabo's back. "Go, now!" Buggy shouted, "You guys go ahead of us!"
Ace started to stir on Sabo's back, his eyes fluttering open, "What…?"
"It's okay, Ace." Sabo immediately said, "We are getting off of this island."
Ace lifted his head, the exhaustion clear on his face before his eyes were widening. "Did I do that?"
Shanks shook his head, "No. The Marines."
"The Marines?" Ace questioned in shock. "What? Why?"
"A buster call."
Author's Note: a href=" /zbaUczAYwb" The Moby Hangout /a