So while I was writing this scene, I got a bit emotional. Just a bit. I was reading the story of TheRoseThatKnowsPain and I wouldn't stop crying. Damn, you should try reading that awesome author's story! They are so gooood! If you want to have a crying moment, go and visit that person! You will not regret it!

Beta'd by MerryAnchor16

disclaimer: ONE PIECE IS NOT MINE!

Chapter 10

Impel Down

Stellar stood on the shore, looking out. In front of her lay the wide expanse of the ocean, running on and on forever, and behind her was Sabaody. Something gnawed at her insides as she watched the rise and fall of the waves; she didn't want to leave here, to abandon her home and friends. The minute she returns to the ocean, she steps into that old world again of pirates and Marines and adventure-but this time her nakama wouldn't be with her like they had been all those twenty years ago. She would be alone again like those hundred years before Roger. She closed her eyes, feeling the soft wind pass by her, smelling the salty water of the ocean and, most of all, memorizing how the heat of the sun touches her pale skin.

Once she steps a foot into the brewing war she might never see the sun again.

She smiled to herself bitterly. The sun. Always reminds her of Ace. She would save him; there was no second option and, frankly, she didn't want to consider any other outcome. She would rescue him. He would live. He deserved it. His life by far was more important than her own, she didn't care if Ace was a human. He was a wonderful human with as much right to live as she did herself, she would sacrifice everything and, if it came to it, herself to just make sure he would carry on living and breathing even if it was only for one more day.

"Hey, Stellar…"

"Hm?"

"Was it good that I was born?"

It was a simple question yet it was so genuine and so heartbreaking at the same time.

"Yes," she said.

Her answer was short. Direct. But it put a smile on his face as if that one word was enough. So enough.

She could feel her heart silently broke into pieces at the sight of his smile that could brighten even the darkest of the night. She felt so powerless, and helpless, because this man never deserves to feel this way. She felt like crying.

At that moment, she knew that no matter what happens, she would do everything with her power to protect this man.

She huffed a laugh, quick and short. If Roger could see her now... She narrowed her eyes at the memory of her stupid captain- always had to be right, didn't he? She never thought that his guess would be right. He even teased her about it. She remembered clearly his arrogant face, laughing and grinning at her whilst she huffed, cheeks red with embarrassment yelling at him to shut up. He was probably rolling over in his grave laughing at her right now.

"My son will surely beat the frozen heart of yours, Stellar!"

Stellar crossed her arms and sighed, "You don't even have a son, Roger."

"I can always make one!" Roger laughed, always so loud and boisterous.

"I miss you all so much it hurts," she whispered, before readying herself. Time was running out and reminiscing on a time long gone would not change the future. She looked at the ocean laying out before her with determined eyes. All those years telling herself to never interfere with other people's businesses, especially Whitebeard's, here she was, ready and willing to fight. She couldn't help herself- it was in her blood and once it's in the blood it never leaves. War, blood and death would always be a part of her life because that was how she grew up and that's all she truly knew.

Slowly, she closed her eyes, focusing all of her power on her upper back, feeling the crystals forming. Fragments twisted and turned, layering over one another to build up the structure. Pain ebbed in her stomach and ribs but she gritted her teeth and bared it, willing them to form faster. Shards of all sizes jutted out of her shoulders in a dip and an arch each to form a pair of large purple wings. She smiled as she moved them experimentally, the crystals making a sound of crushed glass with each movement. They were all various shades, each one different in the sun's light.

She willed them to move faster, building up strength in each wing beat until it was enough to catch an air current and she was thrown up into the air where she twisted onto her stomach and gilded briefly before launching herself into a higher flight. Her long white hair was tossed out behind her and the cool air ran smoothly over her skin.

Her body ached and protested but she ignored it, she had no time to spare if she was to have any chance at saving Ace. She pushed on, wings flapping out either side of her and she looked down at her reflection in the water's surface with a soft smile.

The Violet Demon has returned.

Ace stared blankly at the wall. His arms were chained up either side of him, strung up high, and they ached from the mixture of effort and seastone. He ran his tongue over the split in his lip briefly, wincing at the slight pain- damn, he hadn't been beaten up in years; he wasn't used to this. The cell wall against his back was cold and moist with God knows what and it slicked his skin, causing goosebumps to rise.

'So this is it, huh?' he thought, 'Impel Down?'

He had replayed the events that had led up to this over and over in his mind but it didn't seem to sink in. It just didn't fit. No one could keep him, Portgas D. Ace, under lock and key. Heck, no one could catch him- they weren't supposed to. He was feared, respected- nobody dared to raise a hand to him in war.

A sudden flash, a memory of a person, flashed through his mind.

Long snow white hair, a stunning pair of eyes like two large pearls looking down at him with a stern but loving gaze, 'You're such an idiot- why can't you stop from doing something stupid for at least a minute?' He smiled sadly.

"Stellar..." He muttered. He wondered where she was right now. Was she still at the Archipelago or had she ran to another island? He'd never know. They'd taken his bag, her letters, everything. It was all gone. He'd die not knowing where she was and unable to read even a single comforting word from her. That, he had concluded, was worse than death itself.

He hoped Luffy would find her, his troublesome little brother would no doubt take her in as his nakama- he wouldn't be surprised if the young Captain had already done so. But it's what Stellar needed. She'd already lost so many people she loved. She needed a home, a family that would stand by her forever. Luffy was perfect for that. Despite his first impressions, his little brother was more intelligent than most people gave him credit for. Stellar would be safe with him for sure.

But it still didn't change the fact that he didn't even get to say goodbye to Stellar. Sure, he'd not said his goodbyes to a lot of people- Luffy, Pops and Marco- but she'd told him to stay safe for her and he didn't and now he was suffering the price for that.

'Keep yourself safe and don't do anything stupid even though I know you will anyway.'

"I'm sorry," Ace whispered, shifting slightly, the slight movement causing the seastone chains to rattle angrily, "I let you down... again."

'I miss you.'

The pirate felt his eyes burn as they began to smart with tears, "Forgive me..."

'Love, Stellar.'

"Please," He huffed breathlessly, a few stray tears escaping, "Please forgive me."

Short? No worries! There will be more!

Go, Stellar! Sorry but you have to go back and expose yourself! It's for the sake of the plot! Live! Save Ace!

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