Man it's been a while since I could get on here. Sorry for the wait all.

Chapter 17

With as pregnant as Ace was, Whitebeard and his men had decided they could not wait for the marines to move him to Marineford. So the fleet of ships associated with Whitebeard and Shanks slowly closed in on Impel Down.

Marco was not taking their cautious movements well. However, despite his constant pacing, nagging, and bouts of anger, all of those who watched him knew he would not go against the Captains orders, because despite his obvious dislike of their plan. He agreed with it.

Sadly as far as everyone was concerned, the ships could not get to the prison any sooner.

Already at the outside of the prison, submerged and hidden near the bottom of the wall was a bright yellow submarine. Inside the Captain of the vessel was not in the best of moods.

"I don't like this plan Sabo-ya." Law said crossing his arms to show his disapproval.

"We've already talked about this Law, it'll be fine I trust you." Sabo said pulling his boots on and getting ready, nimbly avoiding looking his lover in the eye.

"And what if something goes wrong. There are plenty things we don't know about. What if I can't get you out?"

Sighing Sabo stood. Looking at the older pirate whom he'd been seeing for over a year. "Law look, you've done it plenty of times. Hell you made me practice with you on that last island for over a week to make sure you could do it. If anything I should be the one worried. Sending me into the prison you have to replace me with someone else. Level six is full of lots of scary evil people that we can't even name because of being stuck in Impel Down so long."

"I can take care of myself."

Sitting down now next to the smaller man he replied, "As can I. And if you want I'll take a Den Den Mushi so that if I can't have you bring me back, then I can at least let you know."

Sabo could tell Law wanted to argue more, but the doctors logical side was obviously having difficulty coming up with a reasonable excuse. Sabo knew he had won when Law finally sighed. He nodded, and Sabo could only pull the smaller male into his arms tighter.

"And hey if all goes well you'll get to meet one of my brothers by the end of the day."

"I've already meet Luffy-ya, and he's an idiot. Based on what you've told me Portgas can only be just as bad."

Sabo just laughed. However before he could reply they were interrupted by a knock at the cabin door.

"Captain, it's Sachi. Penguin wanted me to let you know that we are as close to the wall as we can get. He also told me to let you know that he is positive that he has positioned the ship so that Sabo-san will be able to safely make it into the prison."

Sabo only grinned as his lovers face heated a bit. Obviously the crew knew about their captains indecision about sending him into Impel Down.

Clearing his throat and then elbowing Sabo in the side, Law replied, "Tell Penguin that we will be ready shortly. Also prepare the crew to be able to contain whoever gets brought on board with the exchange."

"Hai, Captain."

A short time later found Law and Sabo at the sidewall of the submarine that was adjacent to the prison wall. The assembled crew surrounded them prepared to bring down whoever was brought over.

Law didn't even try to dissuade his lover from doing this again. He knew it wouldn't do anything other than embarrass him in front of his crew. So he activated his ability.

Locating a room full of people within suitable range to make a switch he called his lover into the sphere of his powers.

"Be careful Sabo-ya."

Sabo grinned one more time and pecked him on the cheek, then straightened. Then he was gone. A man of similar height and wearing a khaki uniform stood confused in his place.

Law let some of his worry go as he realized he had switched Sabo with a prison guard. And the switch had been successful. Then he grinned evilly, "Well men it seems we got lucky today. Shall we see how much Mr. Prison Guard is willing to tell us about this establishment."

Inside the prison four more prison guards had fallen before they could fully comprehend that one of their own had been 'mysteriously' replaced with a man in a blue coat and top hat.

Sabo had been more than pleased to find himself in what was obviously the guards watch-room. After knocking out the men in the room, he had quickly tied them up and gagged them, taking a ring of keys off one of their belts. Then he had made a sweep of the room and had managed to find a map of the sixth floor with all of the prisoner's names on it. Pocketing the map, he moved over to the screens that displayed what the Den Den Mushi's on the floor were seeing, and then finding the appropriate switch he turned them off.

Then after looking around to see if he had missed anything, and nodding to himself when he noted that he had done all he could to make this escape as easy as possible. Then pulling out the map again he was out the door and down the hall and soon was running by numerous cells. The shouting coming from the cells only increased as those in them realized he wasn't a guard. However Sabo could care less of the promises those shouting made of joining him or of killing those he hated, his task was Ace everyone else could rot.

Coming to a halt to catch his breath Sabo noted that he was only a couple cells away from where Ace and his crewmate were, and so after quickly composing himself he started walking towards the cell where his older brother was being kept.

Reaching the cell was easy, however when he looked inside he found himself unable to speak. Those in the cell however obviously had no such reservations.

"Who the heck are you?"

Lucci was having a much more difficult time getting to level six than Sabo had had. However no one knew he was in the prison, and he had finally located the elevator that would take him down into the prison. So he sat down to wait.

He had been waiting nearly two days when he noted the group of guards gathering outside the elevator. They were going down, and he was done waiting. Hiding his presence as Rayleigh had taught him, he was quick to jump into the elevator and dig his claws into the stone on the roof so that he was crouching upside down and holding himself up. Then he began to listen to the men's conversation.

"Why do we have to go down to level six? The men down there are trained to deal with those monsters."

The one obviously in charge replied, "Those men aren't replying. We are going down to check to see if they need help or if their equipment has simply failed. It is more than likely the later however, none of the prisoners down there would be able to get out of their cells let alone at the guards."

All of the men listening nodded. They seemed to believe their leader, and Lucci wasn't sure if the men were stupid or just too well trained to listen to their commander, that they couldn't see the truth.

As a former CP9 agent Lucci knew of the kinds of people held in Impel Down's level 6. He didn't want to deal with any of them; he would get Ace and his friend out and then book it out of that level and away from the monsters down there.

Lucci's thoughts came to a halt as the elevators movement ceased and the men began to move out. He waited just long enough for the guards to leave the elevator and then he followed. Now to find Ace.

Thatch was not a happy person as of that day. Ace had been sleeping near constantly for the last day or so, and Jinbe and he had had so much difficulty waking him to eat that the Fourth Division Commander knew something was wrong. Ace may have been tired the last couple months, but his appetite had not wavered at all in all of that time. Something was very wrong, his instincts were screaming that he needed to get Ace back to the Moby Dick soon. Thatch had never doubted his instincts, they had gotten him to where he was and had kept him alive on many missions.

Then the blue brat had shown up in front of their cell and without a word had looked at Ace, and started staring. Moving to cover Ace with his own form in front, Thatch let the kid know he wasn't pleased to see him.

"Who the heck are you?"

That seemed to bring the kid out of his trance, cause he stopped staring and looked Thatch in the eyes.

"Who did that to him?"

Thatch growled, "Answer my question first kid."

The two glared at each other. Neither wishing to waver. Then they heard a yawn and the body behind Thatch started to lift itself up. Thatch stopped glaring long enough to help Ace sit up.

"Thatch what's going on? Who were you yelling at?"

Had he been yelling, Thatch managed to look a little sheepish, he hadn't noticed. However before he could reply the blue brat was talking, "Ace. Hey Ace. Are you ok? Did he do this to you?"

Ace looked at the stranger, and then seemed to contemplate his appearance. Then, "Sabo?! Is that you?"

The brat named Sabo grinned, "Yeah. It's been a long time. I'm sorry I haven't contacted you."

Now Ace was grinning too, "You better be. I had to raise Luffy all by myself. You owe both of us an explanation."

"Ah. After we get you out of here, but first answer my questions. Did he do this to you?" Sabo said pointing at Thatch.

"Thatch? And me? No why would you think that."

Thatch grit his teeth, "That's what I would like to know. Damn prison guards, stupid marines and now you. Why does everybody think I'm the dad."

Sabo sheepishly scratched the back of his head and diverted his eyes, "Well he was just so protective of you. And he seems sorta sweet on you the way he helped you up and check to make sure you were comfortable."

Ace stopped and thought about what Sabo had said, then grinned looking at Thatch. "Awe Thatch are you sweet on me?"

"What? No!" Thatch looked terrified, "Marco would kill me if I ever tried anything, and I like women you know that."

Ace just laughed. Yeah he knew how much Thatch liked women.

Sabo grinned. It was good to see Ace so at ease with his crew, it made him feel a little better knowing that Ace had found a place to belong and with people he obviously trusted.

"Well you can tell me more about this Marco later. I'm going to have to have a talk with him. But first let me get you guys out of those chains and then we can get out of here." Then he unlocked the door to the cell and moved inside to unchain them. He was pleased to note that they hadn't chained his obviously pregnant brother, the guards could show at least that much sympathy. So he started to work on Thatch's cuffs.

"Halt. Turn around slowly and throw the keys this way." Sabo halted and stood slowly turning around to face the new men that had appeared outside the cell. He was just contemplating the safest way to attack them when a fast moving object hit one of the guards, killing him instantly. The skirmish that started turned the guards attention from the cell long enough for his to drop the keys in Thatch's lap and run out to join the fray. The object that had hit the now dead man, was none other than a gigantic leopard, who was moving through the group of men with quick ease as he took them out before most of them could even see what was killing them. Then it was over. And Sabo readied himself to fight it, when, "Lucci? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Luffy?"

Sabo watched as the beast transformed itself into a tall lean man with sharp eyes and thick black hair before replying, "I'm afraid the second he heard of your imprisonment there was nothing Rayleigh or I could do to stop him from coming here. He should be above us now and making his way here."

Sabo and Ace both stopped at hearing that. Then, "He's WHAT?!"

Luffy was making his way as quickly as possible through the prison, and not nearly as quietly as he had promised Hancock and the others he would. But he had gained Buggy, Mr. 3, and Bon-chan as allies and after his near death experience he had gained the Okama clan lead by Iva-chan. Grinning as he entered level six with his new friends he was pleased to see Lucci up ahead talking with someone in blue.

Hmmm, he looked familiar. Oh well he'd figure it out.

Outside of the prison four gigantic ships had just risen out of the blue to surround the imposing stone structure. Whitebeard stepped out on the bow and looked out at the place where his sons were being kept. Then he gave the command, "Attack!"

The resounding crash that echoed throughout the prison, nearly toppled Luffy and those following him as he ran. Lucci was quickly at his side and catching him, and he could practically feel the blue guys killing intent as Lucci helped him.

"Shishishishi, thanks Lucci. Oh did you get Ace?"

Lucci smiled. "We were just about to let them free."

"Don't worry Lu, were out."

Those present turned to see Thatch and Jinbe exiting the cell, the later carrying the Second Division Commander.

"Ace." And that was all he said as he ran to see his brother. "Are you ok? Is the baby alright? Man you got fat." Luffy just continued to rattle off questions, and while Ace felt slight irritation at being called fat he couldn't help but dismiss it as he read the worry coming off of his brother.

"Man Luffy, you never change do you?"

Luffy turned to look at the one who was talking to him. However he was confused, he didn't know this person, even though they seemed familiar.

"Who are you?"

Ace could see the pained expression run across Sabo's face, but opted to stay quiet and let his newly returned brother do the talking.

"I suppose I deserved that. You don't remember me after I disappeared for ten years, and Ace tells me that you all thought I was dead. However to not remember the nicer of your two older brothers is a little mean Luffy."

Ace watched as Luffy's face changed from confusion to understanding, and then an outright grin as he charged Sabo.

"SABO!" Then the tears began, "We thought you were dead."

Patting Luffy on the back Sabo tried to comfort him, "Yeah, yeah I know. I'm sorry I couldn't come see you all. After we're out of here I'll tell you two all about what happened."

Luffy just nodded his head. Then one of the people Luffy had brought with him stepped up.

"It's veen a long time Sabo-boyo. Did Dragon send you?"

Sabo looked a little surprised, "Iva it has been a long time. No Dragon didn't send me, but I was in the area and couldn't leave my only older brother to rot in Jail. And I didn't even know about the baby when I decided that."

"You would have know if I'd know you were alive bastard."

"Yeah, yeah. I know Ace. We'll talk about it…"

Sabo didn't get to finish before another explosion rocked the prison. This one larger and very different feeling than the first.

Everyone was looking up now, questioning looks on their faces as they tried to figure out what was happening above them.

"Pop's." Everyone looked at Thatch who was now grinning. "That's definitely Pop's devil fruit, I'd know one of his earthquakes anywhere. We better be on the move then, if Pop's is there that means Marco is not far behind. Wouldn't want to make him wait." Then he looked at Ace, "Would we?"

Ace grinned back, "No we wouldn't."

As they were preparing to leave Crocodile started talking to them. He had been riling up Luffy, whom had been the reason for his imprisonment, when Ivankov had pointed out how helpful the sand-man might be. Ace was a little curious as to what history Crocodile had with the Sand Logia user, but he supposed unless the man betrayed them he'd never find out.

So now they were one more strong, and on the move Jinbe, Luffy and Crocodile leading the group towards freedom. Now Ace wondered just how long he'd be able to hide the growing pain in his belly as they escaped.

Sorta long chapter (at least for me it is). Again sorry for the long wait, my computer was in the shop and I only had computer access via my phone, and I didn't even want to try and type this chapter out on my iPhone. I'll try and get the next chapter out soon, I lost a lot of stuff when my computer stopped working so I may have to retype everything. I hoped you all enjoyed. Please Review.