Title: Of Dreams and Desires
Pairings: Smoker x Ace, Sanji x Zoro, and other side pairings
Ratings: T - NC-17
Chapter: 18 of ?
Summary: Mistaken Identity…
Disclaimer: I do not make any profit from this story; all props go to Eiichiro Oda.
Author Note: Hi again! I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving! I know some of you are a little concerned about not seeing enough of a certain pairing but trust me every couple will get their fair share of air time in this story lol.
Shout Outs: Thanks to charlebois for putting my story on your alert and favorite list. I want to give a huge shout out to Jo! Jo, baby, you made my day! I'm grateful that you like how I'm developing the characters. Glad you like Hina. I agree with you, there aren't enough stories with my favorite pairings, so I figured, why not put them in the same story? Lol. Your English sounds good to me :D Thank you again, love.
Beta Reader: descriptionsalive21, thank you so much!

Portgas D. Ace

Ace had been traveling for weeks on the open sea and was more than happy to finally see the island he'd been searching for come up in the distance. He'd done a bit more digging through the information that he'd gotten from Scorpion and discovered the location of the island where Blackbeard was supposed to be. He stood on his single man boat to look at Crestshire Island with glee and anticipation, using his devil to push the boat to travel faster towards his destination.

Finally, he rubbed his hands together slowly, I can kill Blackbeard and go home.

Coming to the docks, Ace called off Mera and let the water work her magic, pushing him closer to the bay. As soon as he was able to, Ace jumped out of the boat and tied it down and, with purpose, he marched towards the city. Crest Town was an alluring city, and her beauty captivated Ace as he paused in his search to admire her. Considering Blackbeard was a thief and a murderer, it was quite curious as to why he would choose this city to reside in–to be somewhere this peaceful was quirky and it put Ace on edge.

His stomach growled and he threw his head back in frustration. Just once he wished his stomach would be on his side.

Groaning, Ace looked around for the nearest restaurant he could grab a bite in. He traveled through the town for a while until he came across a stone bridge that overlooked the town. Ace leaned on the wall and watched the civilians of Crest Town go about their daily lives, sighing dreamily. He loved the fast pace of a pirate's life, but sometimes he wondered what life would be like living as an ordinary person.

He chuckled as he felt his devil writhing in him. Calm down. I'm not going anywhere… just doing some thinking.

The smell of bread pulled Ace from his thoughts and he immediately followed it. His nose led him to a beautiful restaurant that had a perfect view of the river that ran through the city. It was really too fancy for his pockets but his stomach wouldn't allow him to turn away, instead he pushed the doors open and was instantly greeted by a short male.

"Welcome to Papa's Pasta, do you have a reservation?"

Not used to the formalities of a high-end restaurant, but quick on his feet, Ace replied, "Uh, no."

He glanced at a seating sheet before he questioned, "How many?"

"One."

The man pulled a menu, gesturing for Ace to follow him. They walked to a booth and the shorter of the two placed the menu on the table. "Your waiter will be with you shortly."

He bowed and walked off, leaving Ace to look over the menu. His waiter came and took his order then left him to slowly sip out of the fancy cup his drink had been put in. He wasn't at the booth by himself long, for a familiar face slid in opposite of him.

"Funny seeing you here, Ace."

Ace looked up and let out a chuckle. "Vista! I could say the same thing. Aren't you supposed to be at the meeting now?"

Vista stroked his long mustache in thought. "I might be a few days late." He shrugged his shoulders. "I was visiting someone."

Ace leaned forward and wiggled his eyebrows. "Oh? Is this someone, by any chance, Katona?"

Vista blushed and threw a napkin at Ace's face. "Shut up."

Ace laughed over the ringing of Vista's den mushi and the curly haired man waved for Ace to be quiet as he answered the call. "Vista speaking."

"Where are you? You're late."

Before Vista could respond, Ace snatched the mushi from his hand. "Marco? Is that you?"

It was quiet for a moment before Marco's tired but slightly upbeat voice came over the speaker. "Ace? How are you? Where are you? What have you found out?"

"Woah, woah, one question at a time," Ace laughed and took off his hat to run his fingers through his hair. "I'm ok, currently on Crestshire Island. So far, I've discovered that there's a great possibility that Blackbeard is on this island, but I won't know until I do some more digging."

Marco sighed. "Good, the closer you get to him the sooner you can come home. Besides that though, is everything going smoothly? You haven't been in trouble have you?"

Vista twisted a finger through his mustache. "Knowing our good friend here, Ace has been in his fair share of run-ins with the Marines."

Ace chuckled. "Well, there is this one guy. This Marine I've been running into recently."

"You haven't fucked a Marine, have you?" Marco's statement pulled the attention of Ace's waiter who put his food in front of him then walked away quickly.

"Marco, lower your voice. No, I have not fucked a Marine…" he trailed off throwing a dirty grin at Vista, "but the moment I catch him off guard I'm tappin' that ass."

Vista barked a laughter and Marco's hushed chuckling could be heard from the small snail. "Sure, sure, or do you mean he'll be tappin' your ass?"

Ace waved a hand. "Doesn't matter either way."

A deep voice could be heard in the background before Marco replied, "Alright, well I have to go. Stay safe Ace. Vista, make it here as soon as possible."

"Hey, Marco, one more thing."

The snail raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Tell the Old Man I'll be home soon, and I'm bringing him the best sake back."

"Will do."

The line went dead and Vista looked at his friend. "So, this Marine."

Ace laughed and stuffed some food in his mouth. "I knew you'd ask about him."

"A 'he' you say."

The commanders shared a look before they laughed. "Yeah, he. Don't ask me anything else about him because I couldn't tell you anything besides the fact that he's a captain."

The fifth division commander eyed the second. "Shit Ace, it's no joke to fuck around with a Marine that high up, be careful. What about Blackbeard?"

Tossing Vista a piece of bread, Ace swallowed the food in his mouth before responding, "I know, man, but it's something about this one I can't ignore; but about Blackbeard, Whitey gave me a lead that he would be in Alabasta. Come to find out he wasn't there, but a bounty hunter told me there's a great possibility he would be on this island."

Vista bit into the hot bread and hummed, asking, "What will you do, Ace, when you find him?"

Ace stopped eating and stared hard at his friend. "I plan on watching his skin bubble and his veins burst as he screams for his life."

"You know Whitebeard's gonna want proof, no matter how much he trusts you."

"Then I'll cut a part of his body off before I burn him."

Vista barked laughter and stole some food from Ace's plates. "I knew there was a reason I liked you."

It was a while that the pair spoke, catching up on the gossip on the ship, when Ace noticed something familiar out of the corner of his eye. He stopped eating and turned around so he could fully see the individual that was sitting at the table next to him.

Noticing Ace's silence, Vista pulled on his earring and raised an eyebrow. "Everything alright, Ace?"

"That's him."

Vista turned to look at the man–his back was turned to the pair, but they could recognize that ugly bulky frame from anywhere. Vista looked at Ace then back at the man they believed to be Blackbeard. "Ace, watch yourself. Don't draw too much attention."

They observed Blackbeard as he packed up his belongings, set some beli down on the table and departed from the restaurant. Not wasting a minute, Ace dashed out of the booth, leaving Vista and his unpaid meal behind. He pushed past his waiter and out the front door, ignoring the, "Hey, you didn't pay!" coming from him.

Ace lost sight of his target and skidded to a stop in the center of the town. He vaguely heard the chef of the restaurant demanding him to come back and pay for his food, but he tuned him out and franticly began to search around. Finally finding the greasy black head of Blackbeard, Ace screamed, "Hey asshole!" and ran towards his prey he'd been hunting for months now.

Before Blackbeard could fully turn around, he was met with a boot to the face and with a grunt he fell back, sliding a ways before coming to a stop. He lay there for a while, then rose to his feet, addressing his assailant. "Who in the hell do you think you are?!"

The surrounding civilians began to crowd around the pair watching the scene and the restaurant chef broke through the crowd, pointing an accusing spoon in Ace's direction. "First, you eat and run, then you have the nerve to go and kick the town's doctor?!"

Ace felt sweat gather on his upper lip as he took a moment to fully look at the man. Sure enough, around the man's neck was a black stethoscope and on his white coat the words 'Dr. Blackbeard' was stitched in bold letters.

Ace let out a nervous chuckle. "Uh… sorry?"

With a growl, the doctor, the chef, and the citizens of Crest Town grabbed Ace by the arms and flung him into the river. He let out a yelp when he hit the water, fighting to stay above surface but it was no use–he felt the weight of his devil pulling him to the bottom of the river and he blacked out.

P.D.A

"Wake up."

Ace felt pressure on his chest.

"Please, wake up."

His nose was pinched and soft lips pressed against his, blowing air into him before they retracted and again that pressure on his chest happened. It took him a moment but Ace spat up the water embedded in his lungs and he was rolled over to help it come out easier. While he was hacking up the rest of the water, he felt a small hand rub slow circles on his back and heard a soft voice cooing, "There, there, you're all better now."

Ace pushed his soaked hair from his eyes and reached for his hat that was lying next to him. He shook the water out his orange cowboy hat and turned to the girl beside him. "You saved me."

She smiled and stood, holding out her hand to help him up. "I came out to feed the cows and you were floating in the water. No way I could've left you there."

Ace took the girl's hand and stood but instantly his legs folded beneath him. She caught him and they slowly made their way towards her hut. Once inside, she placed him on a bed of hay and gave him a wool blanket. "It's probably not the most comfy, but it should do. Please rest."

Before she could walk away from him, Ace's hand shot out and gripped hers. "What's your name?"

She easily twisted out of his weak grasp and placed his hand on his chest. "My name is Moda. We can talk more when you awake."

For an hour or two, Ace lay on the makeshift bed, resting. It wasn't until the sun was about to go down that Ace rose from the haystack and walked out the door. He yawned and stretched, looking around the farm, until he spotted Moda crouching by some calves feeding them milk.

Noticing he wasn't in his normal clothing, he walked over to her and cleared his throat. "Moda, was it?"

The girl smiled up at Ace. "You're awake! Did you rest well?"

Ace fiddled with the beads around his neck. "Yeah…" he glared at the calf that was licking his shin and pushed it away, asking, "Where are my clothes?"

"Oh, they were wet so I put them on the laundry line to dry. They should be done now." Moda stood and brushed the grass off her dress, walking to the line of drying clothes. She plucked his pants and shirt off the line then handed them to him.

Ace took them with a nod and tucked them under his arm. "You wouldn't happen to have anything to drink would you?"

Moda looked around at the cows then to Ace. "I have milk."

He chuckled, nodding his head in approval. "That'll do."

She ran to the house but not before giving the command for him to watch the calves. He grunted and looked down to the same calf that was licking his shin before, raising an eyebrow. "Better turn away if you don't wanna be blinded."

The calf let out a questionable moo and when Ace dropped his pants, it let out an indignant shriek and turned around. Ace laughed and got dressed just as Moda came back out with a cup of milk and his personal effects. She handed him both and led him to a stone wall where they sat in silence.

Ace put his belongings on the wall next to Moda and took a sip of milk. "I don't know if I said it, but thank you for saving me."

She smiled. "No problem."

"You mind telling me what a young girl like you is doing out here by yourself?"

Her happy expression turned sour and she held her head down. "My parents are at work."

Ace hummed, hearing what she'd said but his mind taking his attention elsewhere. I really need to go apologize to that doctor.

"Sir?"

Ace looked at Moda. "Call me Ace."

"Ace… will you do something for me? You seem like a strong guy."

He put his cup down and crossed his arms. "Depends on what it is."

Moda's eyes lit up and she jumped up from her seat and ran to the hut, yelling "One moment!" over her shoulder.

Ace chuckled as he put on his hat, belt, and other items, then he opened his bag, making sure everything was still the way he left it before closing it as Moda ran back to him. He grinned as she barely stopped in enough time before she flipped over the edge of the wall.

"Can you deliver this message please?"

He took the letter and flipped it over examining it. "You did save my life… where does it need to be taken to?"

"The G-2 Naval Base."

Ace chuckled, handing her back the letter. "Sorry, but as a pirate, I try to stay away from all navy bases."

Instead of taking the envelope, Moda looked at Ace with tears in her eyes. "Please… please I'll do anything."

They stared at each other for a while before Ace sighed and stuffed the letter in his pocket. "Fine, I'll do it, just don't cry."

Instantly the would-be tears dried up and Moda smiled. "Thank you!"

She duped me.

Ace rolled his eyes. "Hey, so, I need to get back into the town. Gotta pay some dues, can you tell me which way to go?"

She pointed to her left. "Go east and follow the road; you'll be back in the town in no time."

Tilting his hat in thanks, Ace left Moda on the stone wall, waving her hand in goodbye.

P.D.A

It was nightfall by the time Ace arrived at the town and he asked a few citizens directions to Dr. Blackbeard's home. It took Ace an hour more before his footsteps ended on the front porch of the doctor's home. He took in a breaths and knocked on the door, waiting for it to be answered.

There was a shuffle from the other side before the door swung open and Dr. Blackbeard stood with an irritated expression plastered on his face. "Boy, what is it that you want?"

Ace bowed at the waist. "Sir, I would like to give you my deepest apologies. I mistook you for another."

Dr. Blackbeard studied the man in front of him and huffed. "Apology accepted, now if you'll excuse me."

Ace straightened as the doctor was about to close the door, but a picture on the wall grabbed his attention and he held a hand out to hinder the door from closing all the way. "The woman in that picture, is that Natalya?"

Shocked crossed Dr. Blackbeard's features and he looked back at the picture then to Ace. "How do you know her?"

"I… was on Nocturne Island and passed out in the jungle. She was kind enough to take me in from the wilderness and give me shelter until I woke up."

Dr. Blackbeard looked around before opening his door wider. "Come in."

Ace entered the doctor's home and he was directed to the chair in the living room where he took a seat. The doctor picked up the picture and sat across from Ace, handing it to him. "I use to work with Natalya."

"Before she and her husband moved to the island?"

He nodded his head. "That's correct. Dr. Vegapunk, Dr. Nocturne, Dr. Natalya, and I all worked together for years. We often collaborated our studies and were rewarded well by the government."

"What studies did you do?"

Dr. Blackbeard looked at Ace. "Did Natalya not tell you?"

"Well…" Ace trailed off and looked at the picture with the scientist in it, recalling his time in the uncanny study. "She was very vague."

"Hmm, it's not my place to speak on other's studies but I can tell you about mine. Do you know what Devil Fruits are?"

Ace nodded. "I've eaten one."

"Interesting," Dr. Blackbeard scratched his chin. "Which devil have you eaten?"

"His name is Mera Mera no Mi," Ace sat back in his chair as he felt his devil shift at hearing his name.

"You familiarize with it as a he, which means you feel his presence, don't you?"

Ace nodded.

"There is an old legend that says if one were to eat a Devil Fruit, they are eating the Sea Devil's incarnations. The devils grant you with a special ability but they also take away your ability to swim…"

Ace narrowed his eyes at the man.

"In my defense, boy, I didn't know you were a devil user and you kicked me in the face."

The freckled pirate laughed. "This is true, please continue."

"For my research, I dedicated my life studying the Devil Fruits. There are three types of devils: Zoan, which gives the ability to transform into another species; I've classed this under the animal system. Then there are the Paramecia, which can affect the body, manipulate the environment, or produce substances; this I've classed as the superhuman system. Lastly, there is the Logia, which can grant the user to become a natural element or force of nature; this has been classified as the nature element system. Each type has their own weakness and strength as well as their own sub-classes, which is too in-depth to get into right now."

Dr. Blackbeard went to his bookcase and pulled a book off the shelf before returning to his seat. "You said you've eaten the Mera Mera no Mi. That's a Logia type, can I see it?"

Ace lifted his hand and called upon Mera, letting his hand turn to fire. The doctor laughed as Ace called his devil off.

"Amazing! I'm happy you've already identified with your devil. Many don't know that the presence they feel at all times is their devil's spirit." Dr. Blackbeard leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees. "Tell me, has your devil ever reacted to another's? Whether good or bad?"

Mera spiked when Ace thought of a certain white haired male and Ace smiled. "Yeah, it's almost like I can't get enough of… anything… when I'm in his presence."

"And your devil, how does he react?"

Ace closed his eyes for a moment before slowly opening them. "He pulls me towards him. It's not something that I can resist."

Dr. Blackbeard nodded. "Exactly, the devils communicate with each other. Sometimes the reaction is intense, giving off hate or lust. Other times it could not react at all to another devil; it truly just depends on the other person. Tell me, this man he's a devil user as well, yes?"

"Yeah."

"Do you happen to know what kind?"

Ace repositioned himself in the chair. "Smoke."

The scientist flipped a couple of pages in the book. "Aha! Moku Moku no Mi, gives the user the ability of smoke. I see why you feel a pull towards him."

Ace waved his hand. "Wait, so you're telling me that had this of been some random person on the side of the road I would've fallen for 'em?"

Dr. Blackbeard chuckled. "No, not at all. As the host, you choose how to react to your devil's attractions, but if there's already some form of lust or hatred, then your devil intensifies it. A devil's reaction to another is unpredictable, but I think to understand the spirits better, there is this theory that needs to be tested: The Devil chooses their User."

Confusion crossed Ace's features and it pulled a laugh from Dr. Blackbeard. "It's confusing, I know. Here, let me try to explain it a little better."

He put the book down and stood to pace the room. "When a person eats a Devil Fruit they gain the ability of that fruit. However, when a person dies, the fruit gets reproduced; almost like a virus and a healthy cell. The virus latches on to the healthy cell, slowly infecting it. The virus will hang on to that cell until it can no long feed off of it, then it kills the cell before moving on to its next host. That's what studies have shown devils to do to their users, but I feel like that's not the case." The doctor chuckled. "I feel the only reason a devil would do that is to find their true owner. When the true owner of the devil has obtained its abilities then they can awaken and grow with the devil, reaching powers that any other person prior wouldn't have achieved."

"And what happens when that true owner dies?"

Dr. Blackbeard sat on the couch and rubbed his chin in thought. "That's where my studies ended. I'm… waiting on Dr. Nocturne to complete his studies before I can advance further, but I do believe that if another were to eat the devil that's already chosen its user then the devil wouldn't cooperate well with that individual. In the end, the other person would be able to call on the devil's bare minimum abilities, at best."

"What does that have to do with devils attractions to others?" Ace asked.

"With a stronger devil, the draw of it to another increases but I haven't tested this theory. I need to collaborate with Nocturne and the results of his study."

Ace eyed the man. "What outcome are you expecting from Dr. Nocturne's studies?"

The doctor laughed quietly. "I'm not sure, son."

Noticing the time by the clock on the wall, Ace stood from his seat and said, "Thank you for explaining things to me. It's good to learn a little bit more about this guy," he put a hand to his chest and grinned at the doctor.

Dr. Blackbeard walked Ace to the front door. "Of course. If you ever have time, stop by again. My studies might be complete by then."

"Will do so; thanks for your hospitality even after the misunderstanding."

The dark skinned man laughed. "Certainly."

Ace walked out of the doctor's house and was almost out of hearing distance when he heard Dr. Blackbeard's voice. "By the way!" Having had caught his attention, Ace turned around and the doctor said, "Trust your devil. He'll lead you to some of the best things and through some of the worst."

Ace waved his hand in response and continued his walk towards the docks.

P.D.A

It took him until daybreak to finally come across the G-2 Marine Base. Ace reeled in Mera and steered the boat to the shore, making sure it was out of sight before he took off his hat and put it in his bag; he then continued on foot to the base. The patrol was light on that day, which gave Ace an easy path to the front entrance. He was almost to his destination when he heard the voices of a few Marines.

Ace ducked behind a rock wall and waited for the men to pass. The coast was almost clear until one of the Marines stopped and looked down. "Guys, go on ahead. Damn shoelace came undone."

His fellow Marines bid their farewell to him as the solider bent down to tie his shoe. Taking this opportunity, Ace rushed the man, punching him square in the face, rendering the unsuspected Marine unconscious. He pulled the body behind the rock he was previously hiding behind, stripping him of his shirt and hat. Once the clothes was on his body, Ace walked to through the front gates of the Marine Base.

He pulled his hat down as he walked past a few Marines in the halls. He passed a pair of double doors and the smell coming from the room made his stomach growl. A passing Marine clasped his shoulder and said, "You should go in, sounds like you're hungry and breakfast is about to be served."

Ace shrugged off the hand with a smile. "Thanks will do."

True to his word, Ace went to the cafeteria and seeing the buffet of food caused his mouth to water. He grabbed three trays and began to fill them with food; and with one balanced on his head and the others in his hands, Ace made his way to the tables, winking at the middle-aged cook who was laughing at his antics. He sat down at an empty table and placed his trays down before he dug in. It would have been a peaceful meal, had he not of overheard some Marine punks talking nonsense.

"My captain says we'll be headed out soon to track down Whitebeard and his crew. It's about time someone brought that old piece of dirt in. He's already on his last leg and the world would be a better place if he were just to die off."

A vein popped out of Ace's clenched fist and Mera stirred at the promise of a fight. He tried to ignore it, remembering his true purpose for infiltrating the Marine Base, but the dumbass kept talking.

"Once we hang him and his entire crew from the gallows we'll get a good bonus and even a promotion I bet," the man laughed along with some of his fellow Marines.

The laughter didn't last long because it was interrupted with screeching coming from one of the man whose face Ace just bashed in. "Talk shit about my old man and I'll kill you, then you'll be the one hanging from the gallows."

It was silent in the cafeteria as the surrounding men processed what just happened. Once they connected the dots they cried in outrage, "Get him!"

"Shit!"

Ace fled from the cafeteria with a group of Marines carrying weapons hot on his tail. He weaved through a few hallways before he spotted a door that was cracked open. Taking his chances, Ace dipped into the room and closed the door behind him, quietly listening for his pursers to pass him. Not hearing anything, Ace sighed and turned around, back against the door. He shouldn't have lost his cool that way, but he'd be damned if he let anyone talk shit about his family.

A high-pitched voice alerted Ace of another presence in the room. "And who might you be?"

Ace rolled his eyes and turned to the source of the voice as the man droned on about how he was a captain and he should be treated with more respect than some subordinate bursting into his room, but Ace couldn't concentrate on the rest of his words. He squinted his eyes at the man, causing him to falter in his charade. "What is it?! Are you not paying attention?"

Ace laughed so hard his belly ached. "You look like a rat."

The captain stood up from his chair and slammed his hands on the desk. "How dare you speak to me that way!"

Hearing footsteps, Ace tensed and shot a look at the man. The captain took a hesitant step back. "Why are you looking at me that way?"

Ace grinned. "I think I can fit your clothes."

Before the unknown captain could respond, Ace closed in on the man and head-butted him, knocking him back into his chair out cold. Mentally patting himself on the back, Ace undressed the man and put his clothes on over the ones he was already wearing. He hid out until he was sure there was no one in the hall before he made his exit from the room and proceeded down the corridor to the debriefing room. He slipped into the room without being noticed and grabbed a cup of coffee before sitting on the windowsill. He didn't understand everything in the meeting, but his interest did peak when the commanding officer spoke of a secret scouting ship that will be returning to base shortly.

Commanding Officer Comil took one sip of his coffee before spitting it back out into the cup, "This coffee is bitter as hell! Bring me better coffee."

Apparently the entire meeting was on hold until he got more coffee and Ace took a sip of his before he blanched at the taste. This was something he could agree with the Marines on, the coffee was horrible. A solider came in with a fresh pot and served Comil another cup of the caffeinated drink. Just as he was about to take a sip, another subordinate burst through the doors. "Sir! The scouting ship has arrived but it's caught on fire!"

The commanding officer stood, knocking over his fresh cup of coffee. "Get someone to put out that fire or all the top secret information will be burned!"

The occupants of the room dashed out to the balcony where they could see the burning ship getting closer to the base. "Is there no one who's working on putting out that fire?!"

"Sir, by all means, fuck the fire, there are soldiers on that ship!" A captain spoke up, sending his fellow Marines in an uproar.

Ace rolled his eyes. Fucking Marines… just useless.

He jumped off the balcony and onto the burning ship. He could hear the Marines telling him to come back but he ignored them.

Worthless, they can't even save their own men.

Ace smelled the burning of the captain's uniform he'd stolen and he summoned his devil to make sure he wasn't injured by the fire. He looked around the ship for any living people. Becoming one with the fire, Ace swept through the ship until he found a Marine passed out holding a suitcase that had 'Top Secret' written on it. He clicked his tongue as he hefted the man onto his shoulder and grabbed the case before making it off the ship as it started to sink.

He jumped into the air and, using his devil, soared for a while before he made it back on the balcony in front of Comil.

"That man's still on fire…"

The awed voices humored Ace as he dropped the man and the suitcase on the ground. Forgetting the presence he was in, Ace commented, "Marines are worthless, at least as pirates in a crew we won't leave each other to burn to death."

The silence was deafening as the Marines looked at Ace in scrutiny. "You! You're Fire Fist Ace! Capture him!"

"Ah shit." Ace jumped off the balcony and down the side of the building, dodging bullets the whole time.

The Marines stopped firing and looked over the balcony to see if they hit their target. A solider turned around and yelled in surprised. On the head of their commanding officer was Portgas D. Ace, crouched with a hand scratching at the back of his head.

The Marines unloaded their guns, scaring the shit out of the commander. "Stop, you idiots, before you shoot me!"

The firing stopped and jaws dropped as they saw the many bullet holes in Ace's body fill with flames. Ace leaned forward handing the letter to Comil. "Almost forgot about the delivery…"

When Comil snatched the letter from Ace, he leapt off the balcony again, not waiting to see if the man read the letter or not and ran back to his single man boat, untied it and casted off into sea. Ace settled himself against the mast and put his hat back on his head to block the sun, chuckling as he pulled piece of paper he'd stolen from the top secret case.

He knew where Blackbeard was, the real Blackbeard, and there was nothing that could stop him now.

I hope the personification of the devils has been explained and understood easily. As always if there are any question or whatnot just poke me and I'll clarify. Review if you can and stay in tune for next chapter: Marco - Huredhiel