Chapter 3 - Sacrifice & Danger

A/N: Thank you all for your reviews! I love them so much and they make me happy!

Now time for the chapter!

Relax and enjoy~

(Hopefully)

With a polite smile Ace departed from the Yonko and made his way towards his ship. He could hear his crewmates moving about and sighed.

When he first told them that they were heading to meet the Red-Haired pirates, they all nearly had a heart attack.

So now the question was, how were they going to react being given the offer to sail with them?

"Cap!" Ace flickered his gaze up and was greeted with the sight of Jil, the last person to join his crew, waving at him enthusiastically.

Ace calmly waved back with a smile, amused. "You're finally back! We've missed you!" he cried dramatically. Grema, the shipwright, walked passed and without looking at them he said, "No just him."

With a roll of his eyes Ace hopped onboard and clapped his hands. "Listen up! Head over to plot room, time for a meeting." Everyone raised an eyebrow but complied without question.

Ace swiftly fell in step with Deuce and whispered under his breath, "Tonight come meet me in my quarters." His First Mate glanced at him but didn't say anything, and gave a curt nod.

After entering the plot room, it didn't take long for everyone to get situated. Their attention was on their Captain and their voices fell silent. But what surprised them was the apologetic look he was giving them.

"Tomorrow, after we left, I was going to plan on taking Whitebeard's head," he admitted as if it was a confession.

As expected everyones' jaws dropped and eyes widened. But before they could say anything Ace quickly continued speaking.

"But now I don't want to, because it's selfish of me to ask that of you and I'm sorry. Shanks talked me out of it and I'm honestly thankful he did because it was stupid of me to even think I could do it and to endanger you like that. Again, I'm sorry."

No one spoke. They were all too shocked and surprised at what they just witnessed and heard.

But it was Deuce who broke out of the trance first and smiled. "It's all good Cap, I ain't holding it against you. Though I am relieved," he joked and it earned him a slight smile from his Captain.

Then one by one, everyone started shouting that they weren't angry and that they would be behind him no matter what. It was beautiful and it warmed Ace more than his fire could.

"So whaddya want to do now?" Tiny asked brightly. Everyone looked back to Ace and patiently waited while their Captain was nervously preparing himself to announce Shanks's offer.

"Well, now I want to go on an adventure and I told Shanks this, because he asked me the same question. And uh, he offered us to sail along with him," he announced, a tad hopeful they would want to accept.

But before anyone could say anything, Nora shot up from where she sat and ran over to Ace. She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and shook him as she frantically asked, "What did you say? What did you say Cap?!"

Ace yelped and stuttered out, "T-That I would like to but I needed to ask you guys first! If you don't want to then we won't go!"

Nora thankfully stopped shaking him but still kept one hand fisted into his shirt. "Captain I am all in! That is the coolest offer I have ever been...offered!" she shouted. Ace gave mocked offence and gasped.

"Cooler than my offer to become a Spade?" he asked as he placed a hand over his heart. Without any hesitation she said, "Yes."

Everyone snickered at that including Ace. Though he stopped and become serious, causing his crewmates to also.

"But seriously guys, would you want to sail with the Red-Hairs? Don't know for how long, but they get a lot of adventure and explore islands practically every week so we wouldn't be bored," he said. Now it was up to his crewmembers and he hoped they would want to.

The Spades all looked at each other and then nodded.

Deuce stood up and grinned. "Why the heck not?"

Shanks waited till his crew all settled down and then cleared his throat. "Alright boys, I'm going to cut to the chase. I've offered Ace and his crew to sail with us," he dropped the bomb.

No one said anything but he could see they were all surprised. Benn was the only one who wasn't of course, and in fact was intrigued.

It was Lucky Roo who spoke first. "While I don't mind and I actually hope the kids do, but why?" he asked curiously. He wasn't questioning his Captain, well he was, but not like that. He was genuinely curious as to what made his Captain want to have the Spades sail with them.

"Well Ace was originally planning on trying to take Whitebeard's head," at that everyone was jaw dropped, "but I managed to convince him not to. But the reason why I offered him to sail with us, is because I think he can learn. He's bright and if we help him out, he'll get really strong and he won't be as reckless hopefully."

Many nodded their assessment and chuckled. "Sounds good to me!" Yasopp laughed which made everyone else chuckle and agree to that.

Shanks smirked and said, "Good to know because, I also hope to have Ace, and his crew if they want, to join us."

Now that stopped everyone.

"Seriously? Why? I mean, I like the kid he's great and I have nothing against that, but why?" Rockstar asked confused. Once again everyone nodded to that and looked at their Captain.

They like Ace, good. His crew wasn't objecting to him wanting Ace to join. In fact, it seemed like they wanted him also. He could see the excitement in their eyes and felt his smirk turn into a smile.

"Because as I said earlier, he's a bright kid. I want to make sure has some guidance and," now Shanks hesitated before finishing what he was going to say, debating if he should continue.

But this was his crew and they did need to know his reasoning so it didn't stir up a mess. Besides, it was his crew. He had to be honest with them.

"And I'm not going to explain this right now but, Ace would have been my little brother or nephew," he admitted. Now that made everyone drop their jaws in shock and surprise.

"You're serious?" Lucky Roo choked out. Shanks just nodded and waited until his crew gathered themselves together. Yasopp dropped his head into his palm and sighed.

"Now that's something you don't hear everyday," he muttered. Benn snorted, which caused Rockstar to start chuckling, and soon enough everyone was laughing.

"Shanks?" a voice called out from outside. Said man stood up, and walked out of the meeting room towards the person.

He walked out on deck and saw Ace. He smiled brightly and lifted his arm up in greeting. "Hey kid!" he called. Ace couldn't help but smile at the older man's cheerfulness.

"Hey, uh, I'm not interrupting anything am I?" he asked nervously, and then cursing himself for that. Shanks either noticed it and didn't comment or didn't notice, which he doubted.

"Nah course not. Did you and your crew decide?" he asked, feeling somewhat anxious. But that was gone when he saw Ace smile, bright and sunny.

"Yep. And we would love to sail along with the Red-Haired pirates," he picked his hat up and gave a mocking bow. Shanks snorted and ruffled his hair.

"Brat," he said but fondly. Ace swatted his hand away and plopped his hat down on his head. While it was childish Ace stuck his tongue out.

But instantly he yelped as Shanks got him into a headlock. "Aww you're so adorable!" he teased. Like a charm Ace blushed.

"Shanks! Lemme go!" he whined. The red head simply laughed and tightened his grip. "What? Don't let go?" he wondered.

"No!" Ace cried. "I said let go! Agh! Benn! Help!" he yelled. Shanks laughed loudly but yelped himself as Ace tackled him. Both males began to wrestle each other and while Shanks could've easily gained the upper hand, he let himself fall into the childish game.

But after Ace shoved him he found himself flat on his belly and his head back into a headlock from Shanks.

"No fair!" he whined. Shanks cackled loudly in his ear and managed to ruffle his hair without breaking his hold.

"Aw are you pouty?" he teased. "No I'm not! Benn help me!" he cried loudly again making Shanks nearly collapse from laughter.

But then they heard a loud sigh and looked up to see Benn standing there, arms crossed.

He simply grabbed Shanks by the collar of his shirt and dumped him away from Ace. He extended a hand to Ace and smiled.

"Sorry kid, Captain can be a child sometimes." Ace rolled his eyes and accepted the hand. "Oh yeah, how do you deal with him?" he wondered.

"I'm right here you know," Shanks said from his place on the ground. "We know," they both said nonchalantly. "Jee, you two are the most kindest people ever," he sarcastically said as he got up.

"I know I am," Ace grinned cheekily. Both older men just gave a shake of their heads and a silent chuckle under their breath.

Later that night, Ace was in his quarters slowly pacing up and down. Something was bugging him, and sadly he had a feeling he knew why.

"Cap?" Deuce asked as he knocked. "Come in," quietly Ace murmured. His First Mate entered and made sure no one was around before shutting the door. It was late, so everyone should be asleep but it didn't hurt to make sure.

As Deuce faced his Captain, he couldn't help but note how tense and thoughtful he looked. Something was obviously bothering and it didn't look like it would be resolved so easily.

"What's wrong?" he asked. Ace looked up at him and stopped his pacing. "What do you think of Shanks and the others?" he questioned suddenly. Deuce frowned, not expecting that.

"Well, I think they're great. Nice people and kind...what do you think?" he asked right back. Ace looked away and didn't say anything.

Shanks was great. Benn was great. The Red-Haired pirates were great.

But what was this nagging feeling he felt? Ever since his talk with Shanks he felt as if the Yonko knew something he didn't. Now he knew Shanks wouldn't hurt him...right?

Ace immediately shut down that thought. Shanks could be trusted, he saved Luffy's life. He also called him a friend. He said he cared about him, even liked him.

So what was this feeling he had?

"I think they're great," he started slowly, "incredibly kind also. But there's something there that I can't put my finger on. It's like he knows something and he's not telling me," he answered honestly.

Deuce's frown deepened. "Should we not sail with them anymore?" he asked, concerned. If Shanks was hiding something maybe they shouldn't travel with them. Who knows what the powerful pirate was hiding, if he was really hiding something though.

Confliction raised through the raven-haired pirate. He wanted to travel with Shanks and the others badly. But he couldn't help but feel there was something the man wasn't saying. Yet this man cared for him, and he wouldn't want to hurt him. So he needed to trust him.

"No, we'll continue to sail with them. I don't think he has some personal plan or secret to harm us. Besides, there's something there about him that makes me feel...almost connected to him. I don't know, but after being together for a bit I'll ask him and hopefully he'll tell me...whatever."

It was the only thing he could think of at the current moment. Deuce and him just silently looked at each other until the masked man inclined his head.

"Alright then. Good night, Captain."

"Night Deuce."

Two Weeks Later...

"Ace...what on earth did we get into this time?" Deuce whispered nervously, fearing for his life. The D carrier looked at him and helplessly shrugged.

"I have no idea...how did I just become the Fire God of a native tribe?" he whispered back. Deuce looked at him gave a helpless shrug. "I got no frickin clue...also I have no idea how I became your slave."

Once again Ace helplessly shrugged.

This was something out of an insane horror story.

So to explain this properly and quickly, after going on two crazy adventures with the Red-Haired pirates, Shanks suggested a nice exploring trip to an island nearby that they haven't seen before.

Which turned out to be a huge frickin mistake!

The island, apparently, was a home to some wacky native tribe who had an obsession with fire. So after they saw Ace wield his fire, they kidnapped him and made him their Fire God.

It was crazy. They placed some weird head set on Ace and gave him an animal skin robe painted with red and orange. Then painted some weird zigzag lines on him and decided he needed a slave.

So they made Deuce his slave. Because apparently he looked like the perfect person to be the Fire God's slave.

Oh, and did he forget to mention that his crew was going to be sacrificed to him in about ten minutes?

"Just where the heck is Shanks and the others?" Ace hissed quietly. Deuce looked at him helplessly and rescanned the area around them. There was no sight of the one armed man or his crew. So it was up to them to save each other while trying not to be killed by a maniac tribe.

Great. While Ace could wipe the floor with these idiots, they were was just so many. Like probably over hundred and that was the ones they could see. He didn't want to put his crew in danger so patience was something that was needed.

Now this was going to be a story to tell Luffy.

"Alright, I'm going to go sneak off to the weapons. I think I can get a knife to Nora and once she cuts herself out she can pass the knife to the next person." That sounded good. Ace nodded and patted him on the shoulder in good luck while watching the natives.

They didn't notice Deuce, which was good. Ace looked over to where his crew was tied up. They were almost clustered together in a bunch, so Nora could most likely pass the knife down without it being seen.

Ace looked down from where he sat on his throne -yeah the natives gave him a throne- and watched as those crazy wackjobs piled up firewood for the sacrificing of his crew.

C'mon Deuce hurry... Where is Shanks? There was still no sight of him nor Benn or anyone. Ace really didn't want his crew to be burned alive, they could really use some darn help right now.

But a hand clamped down on his shoulder from behind his throne and before he could do anything a rough but quiet voice spoke saying, "Shh. It's me kid."

Shanks.

Ace nearly collapsed in relief. Without turning around, he whispered harshly, "Where have you been?" But apparently one of the natives close to him heard and faced him, so Ace swiftly crossed one arm across his chest and lifted his other hand to cover Shanks so it looked like he was making a diva pose.

Thankfully the native thought nothing of it and turned away which Ace exhaled a breath of relief. "Sorry for the wait kiddo. We had to make sure we had an escape route, there's a lot of these crazies everywhere and it took a while to reach you. They got a ton of guards watching over you from above, so we had to wait for Benn and Yasopp to take those guys out," he explained quietly.

Ace nodded but to everyone else it looked like he was nodding in pleasure at the preparations. "Deuce is trying to get a knife to Nora so she can cut herself out and then the others," Ace whispered.

Shanks gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze but then slowly retreated his hand. "I'm gonna go now, but once you see the fight start, get ready." With that the man left and Ace tensed.

Deuce was so close to reaching Nora. The female Spade seemed to understand what he was doing and craned her body uncomfortably to reach her hands towards him.

Ace could feel a part of him calm down as he saw the knife pass to her.

But it seemed luck wasn't on their side for a native saw and yelled, "MATH TA LA!"

Ace's face dropped. They raised their spears and were going to kill them. He ripped the stupid robe off him and flared his body up in flames. The natives screeched and actually raised their spears at him.

"HEY UGLY!"

Everyone turned to the side to see Benn and Yasopp standing there with their weapons ready. "FIRE!" Benn yelled. Out of nowhere a bunch of guns fired and shot down a ton of the natives.

"Kid, get to your crew and go help them. We'll distract these guys," Shanks said as he popped up out of nowhere. With a short nod Ace raced over to his crew, trusting the Red-Hairs to not shoot him even though he could turn into fire but only consciously. So he trusted them.

He dropped down on one knee as a native swung a spear at him. Ace simply whipped around and stood up, grabbed the spear and whacked him away.

"Ace!" Deuce shouted from where he was fighting natives off as Nora was cutting the ropes that held the rest of the Spades. The fire-user resumed running and skidded to a stop as he approached them.

"Hey guys, how're we doing?" he asked as if there wasn't psycho natives trying to kill them. "Oh good. You know, just trying not to be sacrificed!" Fin growled.

Ace rolled his eyes and carefully burned the ropes. As soon as they dropped, the Spades picked up a spear or a blade near them and helped fight off their enemies.

"So Fire God, can you torch up that hut with the firewood?" Benn asked humorously from beside him. Ace smirked and lifted his palm up, a ball of flames blossoming.

"Mortal, it'd be my pleasure." Nora snorted but continued swinging her spear around. Ace shot his hand forward and released his ball of fire.

It exploded beautifully.

"That's my boy!" Shanks yelled cheerfully from where he was taking down natives left and right. Ace cackled madly as he started to beat them up with flaming fists.

It was looking good, no one was killed -besides the natives- so Shanks started to make their grand escape.

To run down a steep hill while having Ace blow everything up from behind.

Wasn't too bad really. Actually sounded fun.

But while they were escaping, Ace noticed Deuce was being held up by some of the natives. "Deuce!" he yelled, fear started to lace in his voice.

Immediately Ace started running towards him. His heart began to pound, his blood racing. Deuce was strong, really strong. But these natives kept coming and they didn't fight like normal people. It was fast and quick, like they were deranged and they most likely were.

But Ace's whole world stopped as one of them managed to stab Deuce in the stomach.

Then one by one, everyone dropped all around them except for Shanks, Benn, Lucky Roo, and Yasopp. Their jaws dropped, completely shocked and surprised.

"Boys, get everyone out of here. Benn, with me," Shanks ordered. The others quickly picked up the Spades and helped them get out while Shanks and Benn ran over to Ace, who was clutching onto Deuce.

"D-Deuce, c'mon, stay with me. Stay with me," Ace stuttered. Shanks and Benn dropped down onto a knee next to him. "Sh-Shanks, we need to get him out of here." Ace was beginning to tremble as blood pooled all around him and trickled down his First Mate's mouth.

"Benn, grab Deuce and run like a maniac back to the ship and get him to the infirmary." Benn wasted no time and as if in a blink of an eye, the man was gone with Deuce.

Ace looked down at his bloody hands. Deuce's blood… His breath got caught in his throat. It felt like he was suffocating. Am I going to lose Deuce, just like I lost Sabo?

Something inside his chest snapped and Ace began to gasp for air. Shanks grabbed his coat and started wiping the blood off gently.

"Ace. Ace listen to me, I need you to listen. Deuce is getting help right now, but he needs you to be calm, ok? He needs you to calm yourself because you're going to hurt yourself at this rate. Alright? Ace?" Shanks hooked a finger underneath the raven-haired teen's chin and what he saw made his chest tighten.

Tears were beginning to spill down his cheeks. Ace looked at him, fear filled in his eyes, and looking like the young boy he was.

"Is he going to be ok?" Ace asked in a small whisper. Shanks slid his hand down to his shoulder and squeezed softly. "I think so, but we need to get back to the ship alright? Can you stand up?" Ace went to try but crumbled down, luckily Shanks catching him.

"I...I don't think so. I feel...shaky…" the teen looked spaced out. Shanks nodded and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

"That's fine. You're fine, you're doing fine. Grab onto me, and I'm going to help you stand up, ok? Ready, now." Shanks gripped Ace tightly towards him and thankfully the boy didn't drop.

"Now let's walk... Good, very good. You're doing great kiddo, you're doing great," he reassured. Ace grasped at his shirt and held onto him, listening to the older man's heartbeat as his head was pressed against his chest. It was steady. He wanted to be steady.

Together both of them walked.

...

"Steady."

He was getting steady.

A/N: So how'd I do? Please give reviews, it makes my depression go and my heart beats happy!