Hey everyone I'm back with another chapter! Not wanting to waste anytime let's head right on into it!

I do not own A Hat In Time nor the franchise it all belongs to it's rightful Gears For Breakfast and nothing else, with that in mind I hope you enjoy. ;)

"I'm lost.." Cayde said as he walked through the walkways of the town moving passed the debris and destruction within it.

Cayde had been trying has been trying his best to keep his sight on Hat kid in hopes of not only to help her but not to get lost up in all this mess of place. But it proved otherwise when he lost her the second he landed and was stuck somewhere on the small island. He had been traveling for quite a few mins now, and the voice he been hearing had not stopped shouting once giving him an clear path on where he needed to go himself.

"Ya know, if you think they were to capture somebody they would at least tie her up and put a cloth on her mouth so no one would them." He said to himself as he jumped onto a box onto another floor of what seemed to be a building.

He looked around in hopes of seeing a familiar face but turned up with nothing. Cayde slouched dramatically as he stared off into the distance.

"Yep, it's official. I'm lost. And now i'm stuck on a deserted island where these Mafia looking goons control the place and everything around them. At this point this it might as well not even be a game anymore, watch me get hit with that reality check in the near future."

But then Cayde noticed the yelling had stopped. Growing confused he then started to look around. Did he get so distracted in being lost that he canceled out the voices and went his own path? Great. Now he really WAS lost. And for all he knew Hat Kid could probably be on the space ship by now.

"Wait if that's true then...I"M SO SCREWED!" Cayde said putting his hands to his head as then walked to a wall and began beating his against it in a funny like manner repeating the words "This isn't a game!" over and over.

However, his little moment was interrupted when he heard the voice again. Looking up from what he was doing, Cayde stopped to listen where the voice was coming from and thankfully the voice called out again letting him now know that the voice seemed to be on the other side of the rocks were he was currently located.

"Well ain't my lucky day?" He said proudly.

Not wasting anymore time, Cayde then jumped onto a box and saw a platform across from this one only thing was..it was connected with wireline above.

'Oh, you've gotta be kidding.." He looked in disbelief but his thoughts were cut off buy the voice, however, instead one voice he heard..two?

That couldn't be right. He only heard one voice this entire time so why was he now hearing two? Then clicked.

"Hat Kid!" Cayde exclaimed as he remembered why he was heading towards the voice. "Damn, I gotta hurry!"

Pushing his slight fear behind Cayde climbed the small pole and onto the wireline, but instead of doing a clown act he was scooting across it like you would do with a rope in gym class. He successfully made it across as he then felt a sense of relief in his system as he climbed up another roof top passing over the rock looking wall and onto the other side. He followed the direction of Hat Kid and the other kid's shouting as it wasn't hard due to them constantly shouting.

The shouting only became louder as Cayde neared his destination. He hopped off from the roof top landing back down onto the ground and headed forwards and turned a corner. Cayde stopped at hat he saw. A large pyramid of TNT barrels (might have over thought it from such tall height although wouldn't look smaller?). On them were a group Blue suited men to which remembered and assumed too be the Mafia, One of them held both Hat Kid and the girl in the red cape in each hand by their capes on top of the barrels, chuckling to himself as he watched the two struggle for freedom.

The red caped girl was thrashing around kicking and screaming as she tried to loosen the hold on the Mafia grip while Hat Kid tried to reach but couldn't due to her small hands but let out a small grunt due to cape almost wrapped around her neck. Seeing enough for himself, Cayde grew angry as he came close. One of the Mafioso spotted him.

"Hey! Child! Shoo! Mafia can't have child witness when Mafia teaching lesson."

""I'm not about to stand here while you hurt a bunch innocent little girls!" Cayde said as he took another step forward.

The small Mafia stared at him for a solid minute and he stared back. He then caught Hat Kid staring at him with shock, probably surprised to see him here. Cayde then looked over to the red cape girl as heard faint taunting from her taking the chance to not only help Hat Kid but her as well Cayde then put his fingers in a "L" shape on his forehead and stuck his tongue out in insult. The one Mafia was a little surprised and offended all at once.

"This is awkward for Mafia. Mafia not sure what to do."

The second Mafia who was standing on same row of barrels as the first glanced up towards the one who was Hat Kid and the other girl. He then asked, "Boss, what do we do with eyewitness?"

The Mafia on top of the barrels who seemed to be in charge glanced down at Cayde and replied, "Teach him lesson, boys!" The two other Mafia nodded in response and hopped down from the pyramid of barrels and started towards him.

"Come to papa Mafia!" One said as he charged up to Cayde pulling his fist back. Cayde's eyes widened as he saw the incoming attack, but he ducked and somehow rolled underneath and between the guys legs and hen jump onto his back putting him in a choke hold.

"Gah! L-Let go of Mafia child!" He yelled as he squirmed around reaching his hands behind his back trying to grab Cayde.

"Not until you let them go!" Cayde yelled back as the Mafia turned his back letting the second Mafia get a view of Cayde's back as it was unprotected. Taking this chance the second Mafia walked up and pulled his fist back and threw the punch, however, Cayde seemed to be ready for it as he then let go of the Mafia and fell onto the ground just as the Mafia he was holding turned only to be greeted with a strong punch to the face knocking him out cold.

"Other Mafia!" The second Mafia exclaimed in shock as he stared at what he did, but failed to see Cayde standing next to him with a almost surprised looked look on his face.

"Man you really did him in. You have have grudge or something?" Cayde asked as he stood looking at the unconscious Mafia.

The second Mafia was startled by the boys sudden presence next to him. But that shock was turned to anger as he loomed over him. "Why you little..."

"Guess that's my cue to go!" Cayde said as he zipped from under the Mafia as he tried to grab him, but he then turned and punched the Mafia hard in the face making stumble back a bit only for him glare right back at the boy.

"That hurt Mafia! Mafia now make brat hurt more!" The Mafia then charged at him as Cayde was ready pulled his arms back into a batter like position and swung as hard as he can with Hat Kid's umbrella right into the second Mafia's head. It did the trick as the Mafia then collapsed onto the ground unconscious.

'Wow, whoever thought one little umbrella could be so deadly?"

Cayde's little fun moment was then interrupted when he heard the other Mafia jump off from the barrels and tried to catch the teenager. Cayde then started repeated the same process he did with the first two, but unlike them, they learned how to block his attack. He couldn't use the same one knowing now that it was to predictable.

"What will puny child do now?" One of the Mafia said.

"Puny child is now going to face extreme punishment!" The other said.

Cayde looked back forth as he was then surrounded by the two men but he then gained an idea as he simply went to his left where an outside like restaurant had table's and chairs with parasols above them as Cayde then dove behind a table hiding himself from sight.

The two Mafia men chuckled evilly to themselves as they made their way over to the table Cayde was hiding at.

"Mafia has child cornered! Time for extreme lesson.." The Mafia grabbed the table threw it out of the way. "To begin!"

However, what surprised the two was shocking. He was gone. The two Mafia like men then grew extremely confused as they scratched their heads.

"Where puny child go?" One them asked.

"Mafia has no clue."

"Great job, you dolt! Now Mafia has lost eye witness!" The Mafia angrily.

The other Mafia then looked offended before he grew angry himself. "Don't put blame on Mafia! It was other Mafia faut for not grabbing puny child when given chance!"

"Mafia tells lies!"

"Mafia tells truth!"

"Lies"!"

"Truth!"

"Lies!"

"Truth!"

"LIES!"

"TRUTH!"

Out of anger the two Mafia men the clashed head on with each other as dust cloud of smoke was then created with loud grunts of pain and anger where heard from within it. However unknown to the two, they didn't see the other table where Cayde then peeked his head over from behind and smiled at his little plan.

"That actually worked? Man they really are dumb as they look." He said to himself in accomplishment as he headed back over to the pyramid of barrels while watching the two Mafia men duke it out and confronted the last Mafia goon holding the two girls. However, he wasn't really paying attention as the leader then yelled out.

"ENOUGH!" Cayde jumped from the sudden yell and looked up, seeing the leading Mafioso glaring down at him. "Mafia, won't bow to little boy!" Prepare to feel Mafia's wrath!"

"Wait did..did he just call me little?" Cayde said looking towards the viewers. "He did didn't he?! Well guess what?! Looks like this LITTLE boy is gonna show a grown man his rightful place!" Cayde yelled as comical like veins appeared on his head.

The leading Mafia then threw the red caped girl to the ledge of the opening they were in and then threw Hat Kid over Cayde's head. Taking notice of the first flying figure go over him once, his eyes widened as he looked back to see Hat Kid going over him too. Cayde then turned a good hundred eighty degrees as then started running as fast as his legs could carry him. He then noticed Hat Kid was seemingly falling a little less faster than he thought and took the opportunity and ran faster until he was directly under her as he stuck his arms out.

Hat Kid realized that she was growing closer the ground as the scenery next to her came into her vision. Not wanting to look when she hit's the ground, she closed her eyes and waited for impact as the ground grew closer...but felt nothing. Instead, she felt something warm wrap around her as she felt herself roll along the ground before stopping. Curios but also nervous Hat Kid slowly opened her eyes and gasped.

Hat Kid not only did she come out unharmed by the fall but was also rescued by the one person she thought she couldn't trust..It was Cayde. He saved her. Even after what she put him through, he still decided to save her. Her thought's were interrupted when she felt him stand making her yelp in surprise. She looked up at him to see him already looking at her with concern.

"Hey, you okay? I heard you screaming?" Cayde asked concern in voice.

Hat Kid stared at him for what seemed like eternity until she heard speak again.

"Uh you okay? Your just staring at me?"

Realizing what she was doing Hat Kid blushed as she then jumped out of his arms and shook her head trying to stay on the task at hand.

"Oh, guess you were. Oh by the way.." Cayde then reached behind as Hat Kid turned towards him. "I think you dropped this." He said pulling out her umbrella.

Hat Kid's eyes seemed bulged out of her head. So THAT"S where her weapon went! She then went up to him swiped it out of his hands as she then hugged like a lost baby. Cayde watched as he started laughing to himself but not loud enough for her to hear. Then, Cayde saw her turn around towards him as he looked back at her.

"Is something wrong?"

Hat Kid shook her head. But then she smiled at him as she looked back towards the Mafia leader who was looking around for them although they were in front of him not even that far from the barrels.

"Oh, I get it. You wanna return the favor?" Cayde asked as he smirked at toddler below him.

Hat Kid then looked back at him with the same smirk. They both nodded and hurried back towards the Mafia leader as they skid to halt stopping in front of him. But before Cayde could say anything Hat Kid gasped. Turning towards her in confusion, he saw her looking over at something that surprised her. Taking a look himself Cayde also gasped. Clinging onto dear life on the ledge was the red caped girl, she seemed to be having a little trouble getting back up and she looked like she wouldn't last.

Not wanting to wanting to stick around to find out, Cayde and Hat Kid quickly went to her side as Cayde grabbed both her arms and hoisted her up with small yelp coming from the girl. The girl was obviously surprised by the assistance as Cayde put her back down to the ground getting a full view of what she looked like. She looked about Hat Kid's age, with blonde hair wrapped with purple bands and a...blonde mustache? She wore the familiar red cape with a hood and a star medallion with a light rose dress.

Cayde then fully recognized her as Mustache Girl, who smiled up at him

"Thanks, man." Her smile then disappeared when she noticed something behind the two. "Look out!"

Cayde noticing Mustache Girls glance behind him, turned and yelped. In one swift motion Cayde's instinct's kicked in as he grabbed both girls jumping out of the way of the spiked barrel thrown in their direction. Cayde then looked back towards the leading Mafia to see him continuing to throw barrels at the trio, trying to demand him to stay still.

"What kind of person would stand still and get by a spiked barrel?!" Cayde exclaimed as he jumped out of the way of another barrel, some even rolling his path on the verge of exploding. However, while he was distracted one of the barrels managed to cut through his pant leg as he jumped over it. He winced in pain at realizing how deadly the barrels really were.

Still in the arms of their hero Hat Kid and Mustache Girl watched and held onto him as he dodged barrels even through the bad cut he got on his leg. The two especially Mustache Girl was shocked that he was able to keep going even though injured. She admired the boys capability to keep fighting to whatever was thrown at him.

"This guy has more potential than I thought.." She thought.

After a few more barrels were thrown the leading Mafia realized that he was getting nowhere at this point and was started to look stupid. He stopped throwing and shouted, "This leads nowhere! Mafia need to take care of this Mafia style! Prepare to feel what Mafia do to old ladies!"

Cayde stopped and looked at him with stupid look on his face. "Hold up, did he just say old lady?"

In his wrapped arms Hat Kid was getting tired of third person speaking, but to make matter's worse did he just say old lady?! She was nine years old for peat sake! And not only that she was unarmed when she first ran into them! Finding it to be an insult, she then squirmed around in Cayde's arm before she jumped out of it and readied herself, stepping in front of Cayde.

"Kid?"

Hat Kid ignored him as she showed no hesitation in backing down. She ran up to the leading Mafia and started whacking him hard with her umbrella. After a few good hit's she then jumped into the air and came soaring down onto the Mafia's head. Growing angry the Mafia quickly turned around behind and punched her in the chest making her wheeze for air as she skid back a bit.

Cayde watched as his he felt anger within start to grow, but before he could move he felt a tug at his leg. He looked down to Mustache Girl staring at him as she shook her head. Confused to way, he got his answer when she pointed in front of her. He looked back to see Hat Kid get up and stand he ground as she continued fighting.

"Huh, she really is one tough cookie."

"Tell me, about it. The first time I saw something like that I knew she had potential."

After a few more jumps to and whack to the head, she took a few steps back as she readied her umbrella as the leading Mafia grew closer. Summoning all her strength, she took a hard swing at him shouting, "Batter up!"

With a solid powerful swing, the Mafia leader was knocked off his feet, over the ledge and off into the distance as twinkle was seen off in the distance. Panting from exhaustion and pain, Hat Kid smiled as she then shook it off and smiled in victory.

"Kid!" Hearing her name being called, she turned and saw Cayde and Mustache Girl running over towards her.

"High five!" Cayde said squatting down and raising his hand in the air, she smiled as she went up to him and jumped slapping her hand against his as Cayde stood back onto his two feet. But then, a small white glow then caught the corner of their eye as the two looked up at the top of pyramid of explosives.

"Hey, does that glowing hourglass belong to you? Cayde asked pointing towards the Time Piece.

Hat Kid then nodded in excitement knowing good and well what it was.

"It is? Well if so, it looks like the Mafia had dropped it when he came down. Go on, hurry up and get it." Cayde said.

Not wasting any time Hat Kid then climbed up to the top of pyramid of explosives carefully and grabbed the Time Piece. Feeling the familiar warm and soft glow in her hands, Hat Kid smiled as she placed it into her pocket as she climbed down the pyramid.

"Ha! Can you believe them? What a bunch of losers." Cayde turned towards the voice to see Mustache Girl walking over to Hat Kid who just made her way of the last barrel.

Mustache Girl had an amused smile on her face as placed both hands on her hips. "Y'know, you're alright, new kid. What's your name?"

Cayde then walked up from behind Mustache with both hands in his hoodie pocket as he looked down at the small girl. Hat Kid opened her mouth to answer only to then look to the side, rubbing the back of her head. She almost seemed a bit shy about telling her new friend her name. Now thinking about it, Cayde then started to understand the little situation the small girl was in. Not really having a name like an actual name or person to most people she was probably afraid of being judged for it.

Cayde was going to step in but Mustache Girl beat her to the punch. "No? You shy? Well, that's cool. I see you're a 'less talk, more fighting kind of girl, I'll take it."

Hat Kid smiled a little, happy Mustache girl didn't press her about her name and understood her shyness towards the question. Mustache Girl smiled back, then looked at the Time Piece sticking out off her pocket with curiosity.

"That thing you grabbed there...are you collecting them? Because I know where there's more of them. They've been raining from the sky ever since you arrived. I've seen goons bring them to their headquarters waaay up there." Telling the last statement, she pointed up the Mafia base that sat atop what seemed to be a geyser.

Just then MG (tired of writing her full name new nickname GO!) gasped and excitement filled her eyes. "We should go up there go up there and get your junk back! It'll be fun! I'll take any opportunity that involves messing up the Mafia!" Wadda say, you with, buddy?" She raised her hand up for a high five.

Hat Kid seemed to be shocked by the offer of help by someone who she seemed to have just met not to long ago was willing to help her collect all her Time Pieces back. Hat Kid remembered when she usually meet new people she would rarely have enough time to keep them around for a conversation due to her constant traveling. After fighting together and stopping goons around the town, she smiled and gave er new ound friend a high five.

Cayde watched the moment as it brought back memories from when first played the game. It was touching that he didn't want to interrupt but was when he noticed something form above the their heads. It looked like meter of some kind that was half-way full with the words *Friends* with little stars on each end.

"Hey! How come we aren't friends?!" Cayde said as he looked at top hatted girl.

Hat Kid then pulled back and look towards him. He genuinely seemed hurt by the fact that she made friends with someone other than her savior. She was about to go over and do the same but an idea popped into her head. Hat Kid then grew a smug look on her face with her eyelids half closed as she raised her arm and wrapped it around MG who watched in confusion to what was going on. Cayde's mouth dropped at the scene before as Hat Kid taunted him with her new friend. Angry Cayde turned away and crossed his arms.

" You know what? Fine! I don't care about your stupid friendship anyway.." Cayde said although when he turned he grew comical tears with an upset look on his face.

Hat Kid realizing she went to far, slowly walked up to her "hero" and tugged at his pant leg. Cayde just simply ignored her as he turned away. Hat Kid then went around to his side and started jumping up and down trying to get his attention, but he simply looked away. She then moved directly in front of him as she waved and gestured for a high five like he did for her earlier, but once again he simply looked away.

Taking this as an challenge, Hat Kid then proceeded to due all types of things to get his attention, trying to get a high five, playing the little toys she had brought with her just in case she got board, and even tried asking for upsies on his back. All proved to be pointless as Cayde just simply looked away and sat down back towards her. Hat Kid was starting to see the flaw of her joke as she was starting to run out of idea's until one came in mind.

Cayde on the other hand was having a ball. He noticed how bad Hat Kid felt about not being his fried and decided to punish her for her crimes by pulling the oldest trick in the book. Ignore. And it was working too as he heard and notice Hat Kid trying all types of things to get his attention trying to say she was sorry. It was a cute sight to behold as Cayde savored every moment of it. But then when finally sat down about to end his little prank he heard her stop trying to get his attention as he then started to grow curios.

Opening his eyes Cayde jumped a little as he saw Hat Kid standing in front of him with her hat shadowing over her eyes. Confused Cayde tilted his head about to ask what was wrong until Hat Kid lunged at him catching him in a hug as he stumbled back due to the force, but thankfully caught himself as he slowly sat back up and looked at the girl who had her head resting on his shoulder.

"Uh Kid?"

However, his response was when he felt a snuggle in his shoulder as her arms tightened the hug. Knowing his answer Cayde simply returning the hug the toddler was giving him.

"Your welcome, bud."

Just then Cayde heard something appear above his head, but he decided to ignore as he enjoyed the moment with his favorite little character. Unknown to him though the same meter that appeared above her and MG was now above the both as the meter filled up half-way with the word "Friends" with little stars on the meter bar.

"Whoa..so this your ship?" MG asked as looked around the main lobby.

"Yep." Cayde said as he watched the small hooded girl admire the place in awe. He could tell this was her first time in a space ship and probably anything out of this world. But that moment was stopped when he felt flick on the head. Feeling that flick, Cayde turned towards the owner of that flick who just happened to be Hat Kid who was sitting innocently behind his neck with a smile.

After agreeing to let MG onto the ship and help them get the time pieces back, she then decided to patch up her cape to which was slightly torn due to the Mafia's pulling. She quickly but carefully repaired her cape and put it back on. Afterwards she then made a cap that could make her go faster after the yarn she found while on the island and put away the new cap...somewhere in her pockets?

Hat Kid then patched up Cayde's wound as she placed a little band-aid with cartoon looking turtles on the wound and sewed up Cayde's pant leg as she enjoyed the moment of watching the boy wince as the needle went in and out of the pant leg. Why? Because, she decided to stitch it back up with it still on him. When done she let him go as she put her sewing kit away for a later date.

Repaired and cleaned up, Hat Kid exited her room and into main lobby to find MG staring out the window and Cayde laying in his bed. She walked over towards Cayde as he seemed to be sleeping but knowing him already she assumed he had to faking, so she pulled out her umbrella and then began poking him in the cheek. No response. She did it again. No response. This kept going as Hat Kid continued to poke him over and over again.

While she was so distracted in poking in her new found friend, she didn't notice MG watching the both of them.

"Is this a daily thing with these two?" MG asked as comical sweatdrop appeared on her as she watched the sight before her.

Deciding to get back on track, MG coughed getting Hat Kid and the now "awake" Cayde's attention. "Are you ready to take down some Mafia?" MG asked with an eager smile. The two nodded. "Alright, let's do it! I'm psyched!"

MG then walked over and grabbed what seemed to be a desk and plopped right down in front of the two when she magically grabbed a board and began scribbling on it. While she did so Cayde had got up and sat in the seat leaving hat Kid without as she looked around for another seat. However, she didn't get the chance to when she felt herself being lift into the air making her hat slightly tilt from being raised and was seated right onto Cayde's lap as he rearranged her hat to it's proper position.

Hat Kid turned and gave him thumbs while he did the same before MG called out to them.

"So. Let's go over the plan. All assaults need to a good plan, or it'll be a flop!" She pointed towards the image she drew...which looked like her strangling a Mafia with one of his ties with a noticeable "X's" for eyes.

The image perturbed the two a little as MG continued. "First, we strangle them! Choke 'em and watch 'em beg for mercy as we strangle the life out of their very being. That'll show them!"

"Uhhh..." Cayde raised a finger to voice his opinion on the matter but before he could MG interrupted. "No, wait...strangling is too kind."

Hat Kid was then sighed as she saw MG erase the board but Cayde other was lost in thought when she said "Strangling was too kind." MG erased the board and then began redrawing. But the image was far worse than the two expected. She then shouted, "We smash them together into mush, and put all their remains in jar! THEN, we sell the jar for pocket money! That'll be the ultimate salt in the wound!"

Hat Kid started to feel uncomfortable as she stared at the drawing, she turned towards Cayde to get his opinion but only saw him with the same expression mouthing words that he seemed he only understood. And thankfully he did because what he was saying right now was not child appropriate as he inwardly thought, "WHAT THE F******CK!"

Once again, just as Hat Kid was going to voice the opinion for the two she interrupted by MG when she flipped the chalkboard to other side. A new image showed a crude drawing of a Mafioso, but this one seemed to be dressed differently. He seemed to have wore a chef outfit instead of a blue suit like the rest. Descriptions were written around him as they pointed to what MG described him to be, "Bad, dumb, and probably smells."

"But first.." She pointed out towards the chef man. "We have to make it through their Mafia HQ. Once we find and dethrone the Mafia Boss, the rest will suit. Then our mush and jar party will be no problem!"

This time Cayde was the one who was going to voice their complaint. "Uhhh...Exactly how are you going to do that?"

MG was about respond full hearted when she realized what he meant. "Oh..."

"Yeah that's I what thought, we're not making Mafia juice. Let's just knock 'em unconscious and set them off to sail across the world. Y'know let them be some else's problem."

Hat Kid then nodded at this idea as she would rather have them leave then see a gore fest go on in front of her. MG thought about this before looking back at him. "Hmm..we'll see but until then we're sticking with plan A!"

"Oh dear god..." Cayde covered his face with his hand.

Hat Kid decided to do the same knowing that this probably wasn't going to well.

"Now you're both a killing machine! Let's go get them!"

Cayde and Hat Kid nodded with confident smiles before Cayde noticed something. "Later."

"Huh?" MG said in deadpan tone.

" Yep. It's passed the kid's nap time and she becomes VERY cranky when she doesn't have her story read to her on time. Even when it's bedtime." Cayde said in playful kiddy tone as he looked down at Hat Kid who was jumping up and down in anger at him.

"See it's already started."

Hat Kid was about to object when MG started talking.

"Wait...you mean still get read to at night? Oh maybe you we're more young than I thought..." MG said starting to reconsider her options with the plan.

Hat Kid watched in disbelief as she looked up towards Cayde who struggling to hold in his laugh. Cayde looked at her as she stared up at him jaw dropped and everything until he couldn't take it and bursted out laughing.

"HAHAHAHA! Y-YOU...! HAHAHA!"

"Huh?" MG turned towards the laughing boy as she then saw Hat Kid punching him with her small hands in anger as comical tears we're falling from her eyes.

"So it isn't true?"

"NO!" Hat Kid finally yelled out like her life depended on it.

And this wraps another chapter! Writing this was too funny as I let the scene play out through my head. Seriously I was laughing good bunch just thinking if I were actually in the game. Well, anywho I hope you enjoyed and I'll see y'all next time Peace!