Chapter 17: Betrayal

Shayla was sitting on the rail drawing when Ace came over to her with a thoughtful look, "what's wrong" she asked a little concerned, "I've been asked to become the second division commander" he answered without looking at her.

"That's great so why do you look like it's a bad thing" Shay was confused, "I've only been here for a little over 1 year. You deserve the position more than me" he was finally looking at her.

"No, you would be a perfect choice and I'm not really the leader type. If I wanted the position, I would have taken it a long ago", she smiled, but Ace still didn't look better. "There's another reason for not becoming a commander" she guessed, and his facial expression confirmed it.

"I can guess what it's about and I know dad won't care," she said and leaned a little back, "How can you be so sure" Ace desperately asked, "Look around you he doesn't care about who your parents were. And even if he did why would dad kick out the son of a man he respected" Shay observed him before she left him there to think.

Later after dinner, Shay went out to the deck and she found Ace still by the rail with Marco and Thatch watching him. Shay walked up to them, "He still hasn't made a decision, yet?" but at that moment he sighed and went over to the cabin. "It looks like he just did" Thatch answered, and Shayla smiled, "Finally".

The girl was sitting on the deck when her friend came out with a smile on his face, "How did it go" she had a pretty good idea, "I'm going to be the commander of the second division" Ace said with a very bright smile.

She hadn't seen that smile in years and she was happy that he accepted, "That's great, how about we celebrate" she pulled his arm, "Pops said that will celebrate with everyone tomorrow" Ace said confused, "Yeah, but let's do something, just the two of us," Shay smiled, "Alright" he accepted.

Moby Dick has anchored a bit away from an island. Even though it was late Shay and Ace took his striker over to it to have fun and they saw that the island's streets were mostly empty and only a few places.

The two didn't think about that much and just went over to a bar to buy drinks and snacks. After they went over to the beach with some blanket they stole and sat around a fire. "I'm thinking about learning how to use a weapon" the pirate girl started.

"Why you have amazing powers already," Ace asked, "I don't know, but I want to have some sort of weaponry skill. I tried to learn swords, but I completely failed at it. Maybe archery or the same weapon as dad," she said the last part to herself.

"Or maybe a staff" he knew that she wanted to fight on the front line and not behind everyone protecting them. "I feel like those breaks quickly," Shay complained. "I really don't think you'll use them even if you learn" he answered honestly.

It really got her thinking, and she wasn't sure what to do yet.

-x-

Six months later

Shayla was calmly eating breakfast when Ace came running over to her, "Shay, look at this" he showed her a bounty of someone with a familiar smile that always would warm her heart, "Luffy has finally set out to be a pirate" she almost spat out her food and took the wanted poster from him.

He had grown up, yet he still looked like himself. It had been years since she last saw him, and she didn't realize how much she was missing him. What kind of pirate would he be and who would follow him and his crazy ideas.

How much stronger did he get and did his personality change? God, she hoped not – he was perfect just the way he was. According to the newspaper he had defeated some lowly pirate in East Blue.

One of them was Buggy the Clown, she may have heard that name before but where? Anyways, Shay was looking forward to Luffy coming to the New World. It might take a while. Still, she couldn't help, but feel like she would meet him soon.

Why was that she wondered.

"Oi, give it back. I'm going to show it to pops" Ace's voice suddenly reached her, "Not if I show it to him first" Shayla smirked before shooting wind at him which made him fly back and through the wall.

Everyone was surprised and looked at her.

The pirate girl quickly gulped down the last of her food before running toward the captain who was out on the deck, "Dad, I'm going to show you something" she smiled, "Oh and what is that" Whitebeard asked, "It's a wanted poster of-" but Ace had tackled her and the two was about to hit the deck with her beneath him.

Shay was about to hit face-first on the deck when he suddenly turned them both around and she landed on him.

His grip loosened around her waist and Shayla flipped herself back to stand before the big boss. She looked at Ace while smile and biting her tongue before turning, "Dad, this is his-" "our little brother" the black-haired man interrupted. His words surprised her, but it made her happy, "Yeah, our little brother".

Shay hasn't seen him in almost 6 years and now he was finally out to fulfill his dream, to become the Pirate King. That would mean that he one day would come after their crew to get to the throne. She was already looking forward to it.

While deep in her thoughts, Ace snatched the poster from her and ran to show the crew how proud of a big brother he was. He had a brother complex and was bring up Luffy at any chance he got.

Shay sat by her father and started telling him about the new pirate captain.

-x-

A couple of weeks later

Ace made a straw hat for Oars which he was so happy to receive. "I've learned to make that in The Land of Wano," he said with a smile. When he was done talking to the little pirates he walked back to the ship with Shayla.

"You've been in Wano," Shay asked surprised, and he looked at her too, "Yeah, I was after Kaido" he smirked, and Shayla fell to the ground, "WHAT!? H-how are you still alive!".

She never met the Yonko but hearing stories about a pirate that was called the king of the beasts and was in equal status with her father didn't sit well with her.

"Do I look weak to you?" Ace suddenly asked, "Compared to Kaido, yes! Without a doubt" she saw his shocked expression, "Well, he wasn't there when I arrived and instead destroyed his dragon statue as a warning" he admitted maybe a little embarrassed.

"I also made a promise with a little girl that I would make Wano a place that she can eat herself full every day" he with determination, "What are you talking about? Wano has one of the most beautiful farms and is enough to feed the entire country. Don't tell me Kaido is starving them"

"No, but the Shogun is keeping all the good food and clean water to himself" and it made her angry, not only did he take the throne from Oden, but he was destroying the country too.

The two went back to the ship and Shay showed him her old drawings, "Last time I was there it was one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Are you telling me it doesn't look like that anymore" it was so hard to believe.

"The farms aren't there anymore. Expect the flower capital everything else is a wasteland and weapon factories are poisoning the waters" Ace looked furious and went over to the captain,

"Please pops, let's go to Wano" the young commander started, "No, your idiot. How many times have I told you, Ace" Whitebeard said.

"You know who used to be the second division commander before you and why the position was unfilled for so long" the captain stated, "We only learned of Oden-sama's death years after it happened" Izo informed.

Shay never realized how hard it was on them all especially Izo. He had served Oden for years and to learn that he died must have been the worst.

"We considered moving onto Wano many times but never did in the end. Could you imagine what would have happened and how many people would lose their lives" Marco said while eating a pineapple.

Well, it made sense to her.

"Then let me go on my own. I made a promise" Ace continued, and it made their father mad. He stood up before swinging his blade at the stubborn commander, "You think you can vanquish the man Kozuki Oden couldn't?! Don't be conceited Ace" Whitebeard replied but Ace jumped over it.

The two argued for a little while and soon Ace was on the floor with a few bumps on his head. "Zehahahah, Oden was plenty strong, but I get wanting to take out a big shot, commander Ace" Teach laughed, "Shut up, Teach. Ace is doing this to take down a big shot" the samurai commander replied.

Fire fist was still laying on the deck when Shay kneeled down and poke him a little, "Damn it, if I don't get stronger, I can't keep my promise" he said out loud, "That's just how heavy the promise you made weight on your shoulders. Ace, if pops ever give you the go-ahead. Make sure you invite me" Izo smiled with his pistol close to his face.

"I'd be interested too" Marco smirked, "Yeah, me too, Ace. Don't forget me" Shay grinned with fire inside her. "In that case, I bet we could win already," the second division commander said optimistically.

The three that offered him help looked at him with sweat drops and Shay shook her head. Ace was mostly a smart guy but more than a few times he could be really dumb or rather reckless.

Suddenly there were people telling them that a ship was getting closer. Shay went over to the rail and realized that it was Thatch, he had been sent to one of their islands to defend it from pirates. He had been gone for a week and the ship just didn't feel the same without him.

The girl took a deep breath before moving her arms and pushing the ship towards them. As soon as she saw the commander cook, Shay beamed and jumped him to the floor, "I certainly get a warm welcome" Thatch grinned, "Only the best for you. Now that you're here I'm hungry" she said, and her stomach growled as evidence.

"Just let me get these things on board first," he said, "let me do it while you cook for me" she stood up and jumped to the much smaller ship. Shay gathered all the boxes and summed a wind around each of them and shot them unto the Moby.

Shayla got curious and started looking through the boxes and it was filled with sake and swords. The pirate girl got disappointed but at eyes on a smaller treasure chest. She opened it and inside was a big purple fruit. Shay picked it up and got this ominous feeling from it.

She inspected it close to her eyes when someone came and closed it in front of her, "Don't eat it" the cook said as he gave her a plate of food.

"Ace look at this" Thatch called and showed him the fruit, "oh, that's a devil's fruit" the youngest realized, "I don't know what fruit it is and I don't know if I'll even eat it".

While the two were talking, Shayla stopped eating her food when she got this chill down her spine. She looked around to see who could cause this but there was no one looking suspicious to her. Everyone was smiling and enjoying each other's company.

Shay had troubles calming down as she went over to her room without worrying the others

Later that night, Shay couldn't sleep which was so unlike her, but she couldn't help it. She had a bad feeling that something was going to happen soon, and it worried her. Since Thatch found that fruit, she felt something very dark coming from it.

It's been hours or just 30 minutes it's hard to tell in the dark. Shay was thirsty and decided to drink some water from the kitchen, at least the commander won't complain about that. When she went out to the deck, the girl saw a storm was about to hit and since her accident, Shay had been nervous to go through deck especially at night.

She hasn't told anyone because it was embarrassing to admit to anyone that she was scared.

Maybe she should just ask Thatch to do it for her. He would certainly tease her but he would understand her reason and do it for her, right? She knocked on his door a couple of times but no answer, then she slowly opened it only to notice he wasn't in there.

Shay sighed, maybe he was already in the kitchen for some reason. The pirate girl took a deep breath and went out. She was walking in the direction of the gallery when lightning suddenly lit everything up and Shay noticed someone laying down in the middle of the deck.

Who was that and why was he out there at this hour? Shayla started calling people out but there was no reply and she just went over to the person forgetting her fear in the process. She almost there when she recognized this weird hairstyle. She went over to shook him awake but felt something wet on his back it felt thicker than water.

Then lightning struck yet again, Shay saw his form much clearer. Thatch had been stabbed in the back and she started to hold his wound and stop the blood. Shayla tried to scream for help but because of the storm, no one could hear her.

Then she quickly let go of the cook and used her powers to violently rock the ship from side to side.

The girl hoped that it was enough to wake someone up and get them out here. She shook him from side to side to get some kind of confirmation that he still was alive, "Please, Thatch be alive".

Tears were starting to gather in her eyes, and she heard a low voice beneath her, "Thatch? Don't talk someone will come soon" the commander was laying on his stomach, but Shay had moved him to the side, and she laid his head on her forearm while clinging to his shirt with her right hand and she used her left to hold the bloody wound.

Where were the ones who were supposed to keep look-out tonight?

"Shay-chan we've been betrayed" he started, "I told you not to call me that," she said in a broken voice. "Even though I'm dying, you won't even let me call you that" he laughed a little, "You're not dying" she screamed which made a spring of water lift up the ship quite a bit before they landed in the ocean hard.

Someone had to have felt that and she could feel footsteps coming and she sighed in relief, "You hear that Thatch? Someone is coming now you're safe," but he didn't look convinced, "Shay, the one who did this was –" but before he could say anything else, "Thatch!" Marco came up beside her and lifted his friend from her.

The cook whispered something, but it wasn't clear what he said, "You hurt little one?" the first mate asked

She hasn't heard that name in what felt in years. The first division commander lifted Thatch over his shoulders and was about to lift her too, "Take him I'm okay. It's not my blood" she said, and Marco nodding before went into the infirmary.

Shayla tried to stand up, but her legs suddenly felt like jelly and she was about to fall if not for someone catching her. The girl looked up and saw her father's worried face, "Dad, Thatch is…" she started crying and hugged him, "It's alright, Treasure. I know, are you hurt". And the girl shook her head.

The crew started gathering on the deck, "I want to see if Thatch is okay" she suddenly asked, "We need to let them help him first. In the meantime we need to get you clean up and in dry clothes, you're shaking from the cold" the captain said surprised.

Her, shaking from the cold? That couldn't be right. Even with the lowest of cold, she would have a chill feeling at most. But when she looked down at herself, she was certainly shaking with this uncomfortable cold. Was this how it felt to freeze? It was awful and she already hated it.

She had her arms around herself and walk to her room with her father by her side.

Shay was about to open her closet when Izo stopped her, "Don't worry, I'll find something. Just take the shower" he smiled at her. Shayla looked at Whitebeard with desperate eyes, "I'll be here when you get out", nodded gratefully at them both.

Shayla went into the bathroom, behind the curtains, and started the shower. There was blood in a lot on her leg, her hands, and some even managed to get in her hair. She cleaned her body.

But somehow, she couldn't stop herself from scrubbing her hands even more because every time she looked at her hands, she only saw Thatch. She thought back to her friend's cold body laying out in the rain like a dead animal.

Who was the coward that stabbed him in the back? Well, they would find out soon and the culprit will die a slow and painful death.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, "Shay, I'm coming in with warm clothes" it was Izo, "Alright, come on in" she managed to say normally. He came in with the clothes and soon left again.

The clothes were on the counter and Shay took the towel to dry her body. The girl got dressed before looking in the mirror, she had red puffy eyes and it was obvious that she had been crying. Shayla put a little oil in her hair and dried it with her wind powers.

When she got to her room, she found her father sitting on her bed with a thoughtful look. "How are you, Shayla," he asked, "I'm clean but still, filthy," she said. Shay went over to the captain and hugged him around his neck. The girl didn't say anything else and neither did Whitebeard.

She only needed him to be there for her right now.

-x-

Shay got up rather early and found herself alone on the bed. She saw her father was sitting next to her on the desk. It had been years since this last happened, "Good morning, treasure are you hungry" he smiled at her, "Dad, I think I'm sick" she said half asleep. That worried Whitebeard and he touched her forehead, "I'll call Marco, I think you might have a fever" he gently put a string of hair behind her ear before leaving.

Shayla turned around and was laying on her stomach. She held herself up by the elbows while both hands were touching her forehead. Great now her head was aching too, and it was very cold.

Without her knowledge, someone clearing their throat next to her.

She turned her head around and saw Ace sitting on the bedside, "You really must be sick to not even notice I came in" before he felt her forehead too, "You're burning up" the new commander said concerned, "Funny considering I'm freezing" she wrapped the blanket around herself more.

Ace walked over to her, "What are you doing" she asked confused, "Move over" he said before laying down next to her and wrapped the blanket around them both, "I'm literally made of fire so my body will warm you up" before wrapping his arm around her.

When Shay felt his hotness, she snuggled closer to him and laid her arm on his six-pack. "Thank you, Ace" she smiled and soon after drifted into sleep.

-x-

Shayla felt someone shaking her, but she slapped the hand away, "Shay, you need to get up and eat something" and she looked up and saw Ace next to her and Marco on a chair next to them. The first mate did a checkup of her and Whitebeard was right, she had a fever.

Marco advised her to stay in bed before bringing her some Chicken soup, but she didn't have the appetite to eat it. "How's Thatch", was her only concern, Ace sat up and was ready to feed her, but she refused, "Let's make a deal," the first commander said, which got her attention.

"If you eat this, I'll take you to see him" he offered, "Oi, Marco is that really a good id-" but before he could finish, "Deal!" she said without hesitation. Shay sat up and took the bowl from Ace before taking a bit. It was cold and Shay warmed it up by breathing fire. She was struggling but finished it nonetheless and quickly jumped over Ace to stand up.

When she stood on her feet, she felt really heavy and fell forward, but the first commander caught her. Why was he always there to catch her when she fell? Marco took one of her arms around his neck while holding her around the waist, "Are you sure you up for it? I can always take you later" he suggested.

"I want to see him now" Shay sighed, "Alright" he replied before lifting her up princess style. Shay knew without looking in the mirror that her face was red from blushing.

As the two left she hid her face in Marco's chest preventing others from seeing her embarrassment. She didn't react like that to Ace sleeping next to her, so why Marco?

Shayla didn't notice that they arrived at their destination until she heard this beeping sound. The girl looked to see Thatch looking lifeless and she gasped, "He lost a lot of blood and only time will tell when he's going to wake up" the first mate explained with a regret.

Marco let her down and she was struggling to reach the chair next to the bed but was determined to make it. Shay hesitated before touching Thatch's hand and it was very cold, "Please, don't die on me" she whispered before putting her forehead on the bed.

Who could have done this? Who would betray them all? The girl thought back, 'did Thatch who did this to him' she thought. Then again, he might not have seen anything considering he was stabbed in the back. It made her furious, the cook was friends with everybody and one of the best people she knew.

Shay got a bad feeling ever since he found that devil fruit.

Did someone do it because they wanted that?

Who would kill someone for a fruit?

Shay was trying to think really hard of someone who could do this, 'if you want his devil fruit, you'll just have to kill him'.

Wait, could it really be who she thought it was…?

-x-

Ace was angry.

He couldn't believe that one of his men did this and not just any men – Teach. That traitor had been with the crew for over 27 years and now he was hurting their dear friend.

It's been 3 days since the attack and Thatch died last night. Shayla's fever was gone and was feeling better... at least physically. The second division commander wanted to go after him and get the revenge they all longed for.

"Stop it, Ace. Calm down" Marco stated, "Pops, said it's an exception. You don't need to go after Teach," someone continued while holding the angry commander. "Let go of me. He was one of my men and if I don't do anything about it, Thatch soul can't rest" he yelled.

"Ace," Whitebeard said, and he calmed down a bit, "it's okay. This is an exception. I have a bad feeling about this" the captain continued. "He killed his nakama and ran any. He had been on this crew for decades and then he threw dirt in your face!" Ace said before turning around, "And above all, he disgraced my father's name, and I can't allow that! I'll take care of this" he said while putting on his hat.

The great pirate's facial expression turned very serious and Shayla saw it. She wasn't a commander, so she had no right to stop him but as his friend, she couldn't let him leave alone like that.

At least not without her. "Dad, I'm sorry but I can't let him-" Shay started, but Whitebeard interrupted her, "I know, but since we can't change his mind. Keep an eye out for him," he sighed. Ace took his black and green-back while the rest of the crew were yelling at Ace not to go as he jumped on board his striker.

Rain who was sitting on her father's lap stood up to go with her but Shayla stopped her, "Sorry, partner you have to stay here. This mission is dangerous and I need you to stay here to take care of dad for me" the fox looked sad at her and the girl was about to break if not for her father clearing his throat.

"Stay here" was the last thing Shay said before hugged the captain and jumped to land on the water next to Ace. "Don't worry, I'll take care of him" she smiled at her crewmate.

Ace looked shocked for a moment, "What are you doing" he asked, "What're you talking about, I'm going with you" she replied, she went on board his small ship and held on to the small sail.

"It's my responsibility as the commander to go after him… alone," the famous fire fist said. "Can't let you do that. Pops have a bad feeling about this so I'm going with you" and it looked like he was about to say something, "You are wasting precious time arguing with me. Either we both stay or we both go. Your choice" she said stubbornly.

The two glared at each other for about 20 seconds before Ace sighed and started his ship as he moved forward.

The pirate girl looked back for a moment and saw the captain with an upset expression. This was the first time Shay had to separate from her father intentionally. She never did even after returning six years ago.

It felt weird leaving, but she was sure to return when everything was over.

But why was there something inside her saying next time would be under different circumstances?