Title: What are the Odds?
Summary: For denizens of the Territories, life is generally pretty good. Provided of course that one is able and willing to conform to the rules imposed by whomever is in the charge of the area. However when the World Collective, a group of allied territories, declares that they are resuming hunts for people who seem to have the Devils own abilities, life becomes very complicated very quickly.
Pairings: Marco/Ace.
Warnings: AU, Language, canon-typical violence, possible Out of Character moments, too many characters, OC's galore, implied sexual content, slow burn
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their respective owners. I simply play with them for my, and your amusement.
Authors Note: Hey all! I hope life is good for you all and I hope that youve all managed to survive your exams and the start of summer. Unfortunately things are heating up everywhere and oh man Ive made a bad pun because this story is no exception. But then Ace and Marco are involved so Im sure no one is surprised. Anyways I just wanted to thank yall for the lovely reveiws. It makes me so happy.
Again, thank you to the magnificent Ktwontwo for betaing this for me. If yall like James Bond & Sherlock go check out their stuff. Its all phenomenal.
Just wanted to remind you all that this story was created for the OP 2016 Big Bang and as such amazing art that I was graciously allowed to use for a cover was created the utterly amazing Idaida on tumblr! You can find a much larger and better version of the picture here! post/143364258999/one-piece-big-bang-2016-what-are-the-odds
Chapter 6: No Such Thing as a Free Lunch (NSTFL)
"So what really happened?" Ace said from the table as he once again stuffed his face full of food while Sabo puttered around the small apartment kitchen assembling the things to make tea.
They were just the two of them in the living quarters above the bar because Marie had wandered in not more than five minutes after Marco had departed. She said David was being a right wanker, which Ace had mentally translated as David kicked her out because she was being too much of a mother hen.
"I told you." Sabo said frowning at his brother, who simply rolled his eyes in return.
"And I know you." Ace said. "There is no way you would have been gone that long or come back that injured if you only went to Hitofumei. Something else happened. Not sure why you didn't want Marco to know, but spill."
"Marco doesn't know about who you are right?"
"No. As far as I know he has no idea."
"And you did pass on the packet of information right?"
"Yeah. Days ago, why?"
"Because until today, Marco only knew me as Royal Blue and not as your brother."
"And?"
"And the last thing he asked me about was for some information on Blackbeard and the Card Deck. It makes things complicated. I can't pass on any detailed information because he'll realize that Royal Blue already had the information about the Card Deck despite not being in the area for months or that I'm already investigating Blackbeard. To make matters worse I can't give him a half-assed job because he knows me too well and knows I wouldn't tarnish my reputation that way. Determining exactly what I give him is going to be tricky especially since we don't want him figure out who you are. From what little he said, the Enforcers still don't know if they should be calling us friend or foe. If I can manage to keep from blowing your cover he won't have to worry about how we're connected to this whole mess. If he finds out, well then you are going to have a lot of questions to answer older brother."
"Why would he," Ace interrupted as he brushed by Sabo to place his dirty dishes in the sink, "have questions that is?"
Sabo blinked at him. Was his brother serious? Was Marco correct and Ace was really not aware of Marco's identity? Well, there was only one way to find out. "You do know who he is right?"
"Who?"
"Marco."
Ace snorted. "Of course I do. Living this close to Agvitatmaa , it's kinda hard not to. And besides." An involuntary grin spread across his face. "Have you heard his 'cover'? It's ridiculous."
Sabo snorted in amusement and agreement, "Merchant Scout? Who does he think he's kidding?"
"I don't know. It seems to work well enough for him not to abandon it and get a new one. Anyway what can't Marco know that you've discovered?" Ace asked as he returned to the table stealing Sabo's cup of tea on the way past.
"Blackbeard approached the Collective and actually managed to enter negotiations with them. A week ago when I sent you that information, it was a rumor. Blackbeard hadn't managed to actually get a meeting with them but it was pretty clear that he was trying desperately to. Now it's a fact. The negotiations are going on as we speak. I don't know what he's trying to get from the Collective exactly but whatever it is, it's big and if he succeeds no one is going to like the results."
Ace grimaced. "How much does the Coalition dislike Whitebeard that they are willing to cozy up to that monster?"
"Apparently more that we realized." Sabo said stealing back his tea then sitting opposite to Ace.
Silence returned to the room and Ace grabbed a deck of cards from his pocket and set about shuffling them. Sabo snuck a glance at his brother over the rim of his reclaimed teacup. Apparently satisfied with that Ace had moved on from shuffling the deck and it now lay next to him on the table. As Sabo watched, he grabbed the top four cards and was balancing them against each other to make a small square.
"Sooo" Sabo began.
Ace glanced over at him from where he was placing another two cards against the square creating another square. Two more cards followed creating another and then another. Slowly the card construction under his brother's careful fingers started to expand.
"You and Marco, huh?"
Ace groaned and refocused his efforts on the card construction in front of him. Maybe if he just ignored Sabo's teasing his brother would give up and leave it alone. Yeah…right.
Several days later Ace was jolted out of what should have been the first decent stretch of sleep he'd had in over 72 hours by an overly cheerful voice, "Ace! Ace! Wake up!"
Ace groaned and rolled away. He didn't know what time it was but it was clearly way to early for this nonsense especially as he hadn't gone to sleep until approximately four in the morning. He had been on bartender duty last night as well as the night before not to mention the plotting, planning and other little details that went part and parcel with the potentially volatile situation that his family and his crew found themselves in.
"Ace!" The voice just wouldn't go away. "If you don't get up, I'm going to have to let Luffy in here!"
That would be a disaster some part of Ace's mind noted. His younger brother had returned three days after Sabo had shown up, bringing with him another four people and telling of his adventures, which translated to large swathes of destruction and general mayhem. That had been three long and busy days ago and Ace had spent his time since then running his bar, getting acquainted with the new members of Luffy's crew and introducing them to his own, hanging out with Marco when he came by and helping Sabo figure out where these newcomers could live.
"'m sleepin." He finally grumbled.
"Right," said the voice. "I can see that and unfortunately…" the voice moved away and he heard the door close to his room. Good. Now maybe he could get back to sleep.
Ace had just managed to doze off again when something warm, heavy and screaming his name bounced on top of him. It certainly had the intended effect. Ace was jolted into wakefulness, something he was not terribly fond of, and he lashed out instinctively kicking his brother clean off of the bed and into the wall on the other side of the room.
"It's too damn early." Ace grumbled glaring to cover the fact that he was taking the time to make sure he hadn't injured his brother. His control wasn't the best when he first woke up, something that was rather well known at this point yet it didn't seem to deter Luffy from waking him violently or Sabo sending him to do so.
"Shishishishi" Luffy laughed, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"What do you want Lu?"
"Fight me!" Luffy proclaimed cheerfully then frowned. "No wait, Sabo wanted something. I think something's happened because Sabo is being rather serious. Oh, and breakfast should be done…"
Luffy was cut off by someone yelling "FOOD!" from downstairs. Of course the moment that Luffy heard the call he was racing out the door and down the hallway. Ace swore and hopped out of bed, searching frantically for his shorts. If he didn't hurry, there wouldn't be any breakfast because his brothers would eat it all. With them both present, every minute counted if he wanted to get fed. He clattered down the stairs and into the bar.
"Here."
Ace blinked as a plate heaping with food was thrust his way as he exited the staircase. Balancing his plate with one hand he found a seat at the table. Breakfast was chaotic, as was any meal with both Luffy and Sabo present, and the general ruckus prevented any real conversation from occurring. Shoveling food into his mouth, Ace hummed in appreciation. Sanji was a culinary genius. Reaching for seconds, Ace suddenly realized he was sitting between Sabo and Robin Nico, both of whom appeared to have finished their meal. He paused mid reach when he got a good look at his brother. Sabo was far too awake for whatever time it was. He loaded his plate and started eating again, this time a bit more slowly.
"Wa' time is it?" He asked Robin between mouthfuls.
"Are you sure you want to know?" She inquired, sipping at her cup of coffee.
"No, but that won't change anything including the fact that its way to early." Ace said.
Robin laughed. "Indeed. Well then Mr. Portgas, the time is 8:17"
"I was right. It is too early and I thought I told you the name is Ace." Ace grumbled turning to glare at his brother again. He really hadn't had that much sleep. From the look of things neither had Sabo. Sabo was the worst morning person he had ever known because it took him so long to wake up. Ace was willing to bet that Sabo had forgone sleep entirely. "How much sleep did you get?" he demanded turning towards his brother
"Enough." Sabo said waiving his concern off.
"Seriously Sabo."
"Two maybe three hours? It's no big deal. I've had some coffee, I'll be fine."
"Right." Ace said disbelievingly as he finished the last of the food on his plate. If Sabo had really had three hours of sleep Ace would cheerfully eat his brother's signature straw hat. It wasn't like it would be that hard. There was a sandwich recipe for it and everything. The Duke of Stormvault's? Stormvaulthen? Some bigwig somewhere's Big Bet if he was remembering correctly.
"Really!" Sabo protested
"What happened this time? Didja get so caught up in work that you forgot to sleep again?" Ace peered at his brother hoping to be able to discern the reasoning behind Sabo's sleepless night. The lack of tenseness in Sabo's posture was relieving as it meant that he hadn't been kept up by one of the screaming nightmares that they both occasionally suffered from. Work was the most likely culprit, but there was a distinct lack of the ink smudges on Sabo's hands, which meant that it was something else. Except Ace, for the life of him couldn't think of what else would have kept him up.
"No." Sabo huffed, "Well, not really. Madiline called early this morning."
"Okay?" Ace questioned not really processing the problem with that statement.
"Ace, Madiline called." Sabo repeated and watched as Ace began to register the potential problems associated with that sentence.
Ace grimaced as his mind went through various scenarios trying in vain not to imagine the worst. Madiline Bower was another member of the Card Deck. As their best infiltration agent and disguise specialist she had been positioned undercover with the Brass where she could collect information. Normally in order to prevent people from discovering her secret Madiline passed her information along onto her twin who then was able to use a SNAIL or a Transfract and pass on the information either to Sabo or Ace himself. The fact that Madiline had risked everything to call Sabo directly meant something big was happening.
"What happened? Is she ok? Do we need to do anything?" He finally asked only to be ignored.
"You need to go into Agvitatmaa today." Sabo said. Fortunately he seemed to realize that Ace would need a bit more information than that and continued. "Madiline is fine as is her brother. She didn't blow her cover or anything so don't worry about needing to stage a rescue. She managed to overhear something that was time sensitive and couldn't afford to go through the normal channels."
Ace opened his mouth to demand that Sabo get to the point.
"Ace, Madiline overheard the closest faction of the Hunt reporting in."
Oh, Ace thought, that was definitely worth risking a break in cover. Somehow the World Collective had managed to keep the location of their activities fairly under wraps for these past few weeks. Only folks with insiders had any clue that the Hunt had actually started. Everyone else still thought it was just rumors and bluffing.
"They managed to capture Galdino the Candle maker, Buggy the Clown, and Daz Bones the killer before they reported in. Madiline says they're heading this way and at the speed they are going they'll be here around lunch," Sabo's face was serious, "you can't be here when that happens. You know better than I do what will happen. You and everyone else with a shred of talent need to go to Agvitatmaa. The Brass won't dare venture that far and risk Whitebeard's wrath."
Ace threw up his arms in protest. "And do what exactly? I have no reason to be in Agvitatmaa at all Sabo."
"Yes you do." Sabo countered pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket. "We're running out of a few things. I had been planning to make a run myself when it was more critical but you can do it now. It's as good of a reason as any to explain your absence. Besides, you can mail a few things for me when you're there."
"Joy. Errands" Ace muttered as he leaned back in his chair and studied his brother. "What about you? Are you going to be ok?"
Sabo just shrugged "What about me? I'm just a humble bartender and sandwich maker who lives in Outskirts." He grinned, and his voice dropped an octave and lost all of the polished speech that was a part of Sabo's natural tone and diction "I don't want no trouble sirs, so I don't ask. I'm rather fond of my skin, y'see? But there was this one fellow, acting all shifty like he was runnin' from sommat, in here a couple of days ago. He asked for directions, cause he was trying to get to The Bit o' Green. And I gave him directions as best I could sirs. I never been there an' I told 'im so, but he insisted. And I don't want no troubles sir, rather fond of my skin I am, and he was trouble, I could tell. Especially if youse are lookin' for 'im, he musta done sommat bad. What'd he do?"
Ace laughed at Sabo's mini performance of the harmless but helpfully curious bartender. "Ok, Ok I'm convinced. You're finally learning how to mutate that thing that makes people in power want to protect you into making them leave you alone instead. I'll take off at nine. What about Lu?"
"What about me?" Luffy asked curiously from across the table as he finished stuffing the last bite of biscuit in his mouth.
Sabo and Ace exchanged a look but it was Robin who answered. "The Brass will be here this afternoon Captain. They are heading to Outskirts for the next phase of their Hunt."
A silence fell over the room as all of the rest of the Straw Hats stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to the conversation. The various reactions among the crew to Robin's simple statement were intriguing. Again, as they had when they first had learned of the Hunts starting up Nami and Usopp both looked rather worried. On the other hand Sanji and Franky appeared to be annoyed. The expression on Chopper's face was undecipherable, Brook's curious, and Zoro's grin had settled somewhere between manic and deranged while one hand shifted so that he would be able to unsheathe any of his swords and cut down any enemy that would come at them. Robin herself sported no expression of any sort while Luffy… Ace blinked to make sure he wasn't seeing things, and then turned to Sabo in bewilderment. Sabo looked just as shocked. They turned back together towards their brother who sported a small angry frown. Luffy in the meantime was studying each of his crewmembers in turn, staring at Robin the longest of them all. Finally he turned to meet Ace and Sabo's curious gaze.
Eyes serious Luffy proclaimed, "I want to fight them."
Ace exchanged a look of despair with Sabo. He knew that tone all too well. It was the one that Luffy always got when he was going to be particularly stubborn about something. It would be a challenge to figure out how to change his mind and there was no telling if Luffy would actually keep his mind changed for any longer than it took to get out of sight.
"Why?" Sabo asked after a moment.
"Because they hurt Robin!" Luffy proclaimed rather angrily.
Ace sighed in realization and resignation. They were all protective of their friends and crew and upsetting one of the people they considered precious was generally enough of a reason to take up arms. Unfortunately it was more than that. Sabo's information implied that it had been a sighting of Robin, after all, that had incited the World Collective to start the Hunts again. They were after her and wouldn't stop until they found her or had bagged enough talent to pacify their current insecurity.
"Luffy," Ace asked as he suddenly remembered the state that his brother and his crew had been in when they had stumbled into the Bar six days ago, "What exactly did you do?"
Either Luffy didn't hear the question or simply ignored it because he continued "They hurt Robin and want her to go with them but she doesn't want to. Now they're coming here cause they didn't learn that they can't mess with my crew or my family so I'm going to fight them!"
Ace spared another glance at Sabo to see if he was going to say anything, but Sabo just looked as if he was going to have a coronary, probably due to something that he had just realized. Ace realized that it was going to be up to him to stop Luffy from doing something stupid and getting himself captured or killed. Before he could say anything though, another voice spoke up.
"NO! Luffy you can't!" Looking for the source of voice Ace was shocked to realize that it had come from the youngest person in the room, Tony Tony Chopper, one of the newer Straw Hats and currently their doctor/surgeon.
"Why not?" Luffy asked rather petulantly, the traces of his anger starting to dissipate much quicker than it would have had Ace and Sabo said anything.
Ace's worry turned to slight amusement as he watched the scene unfold. The fact that Luffy had backed down was good. It said a lot about his crew that they were willing to at least attempt to stop him from doing particularly suicidal things. It spoke of the love, respect and trust that the group had for each other that they were able to handle Luffy when he was being particularly…well Luffy… let alone the dangerous vandal leader that they all knew he was.
"Because you're still too injured!" Came the shrill cry from the small humanoid ungulate.
"I'm fine Chopper!" Luffy complained.
"No you're not!" Chopper protested. "You really shouldn't even be out of bed yet!"
The rest of the crew muttered in agreement. Ace could tell that Luffy was actually listening to the grumbles. Oh yes, that respect clearly went both ways. They were his and he was theirs and he trusted their judgement. Unfortunately, knowing Luffy and his previous statement, someone was going to have to give him a logical reason other than weakness and maybe some sort of distraction to get him to back down. Ace was sure that he wouldn't go headlong into an all out fight but he wouldn't put it past Luffy to attempt a set of hit-and-run raids to harass the Brass which wouldn't be good for anyone in Outskirts and could just entice the Collective to attempt to wipe the town off the map entirely. Ace tried to think of a suitable alternative and came up blank. Luckily Sabo who'd apparently recovered from whatever the hell had just happened seemed to have no such problem.
"Luffy," Sabo said catching his brother's attention after a sidelong glance at the young doctor. "I really need you do me a favor that will most likely also help you out with your ultimate objective."
"What is it?" Luffy asked confused.
Ace hoped that whatever Sabo was planning would be good because he could see Luffy's attention returning towards the prospect of fighting the Brass one way or another.
"We need more meat."
"Meat?" Luffy asked and Ace smiled. That would definitely do it. Meat was a perfect plan to distract Luffy from any thoughts of a fight.
"Yeah. I took a look at the cindicones yesterday and they're almost ripe so the Flashflame will be starting soon. We don't have enough meat to last the entire season. So, whadda say? Want to go hunt some Vlamhauss for me?"
"Hmm" Luffy said tilting his head as he always did when thinking. "Why can't you do it? Or Ace? Besides how's hunting gonna help me fight the Brass?" he asked after a moment.
"Ace is going to run into Agvitatmaa to get some other supplies; things we won't be able to make ourselves. That means I've got to tend the bar today and we really need someone to go hunting" Sabo said with a smile.
Luffy fell silent again looking a little confused.
It was quiet enough so that everyone heard Chopper ask quietly, "What's a Cindicone?"
"It's a type of plant," Usopp responded just as quietly "It's a rather special and is key to the weather and life in general in this area."
Sabo beamed at the whispering crew members while Luffy furrowed his brow at them.
Ace decided he'd better intervene otherwise Luffy would most likely get frustrated before Sabo bothered to explain. "Your crew doesn't know the area. If you are going to fight the Brass, someone needs to explain the climate, the plant life and how things work around here. Hunting's a good enough way to do so." Ace looked around at the gathered crew. "None of you are from similar areas to this right?" Chopper, Robin and Franky all shook their heads, though it was only Brook who spoke.
"Indeed no." Brook said, chuckling slightly. "This is entirely new for myself and a rather exciting one at that judging from the terminology you are throwing around. I gather that cindicones and Flashflame have something to do with the non-flammable nature of the construction methods used around here?"
"You might say that. Its certainly one of the reasons." Ace replied then turned his attention back to Luffy. "Besides you need to show them the Canyon and the badlands around it. That's the perfect place to lure someone into an ambush then run them ragged trying to find you. It also doesn't hurt that you will find everything that this area can throw at you there. It will hone all your skills and would be quite the adventure."
Luffy had perked up at the mention of heading towards the Canyon. Ace held his breath hoping this would be enough of an excuse to postpone going after the Brass.
There was a moment of silence then Luffy finally asked, "Guys?" while looking at the rest of his crew.
Damn, Ace thought, it looked like Sabo's plan and his explanation hadn't completely derailed their brother's homicidal impulses.
The crew, however, was a different matter. They were looking rather intrigued. Some seemed excited at the prospect of learning a new area while others appeared interested in hunting and still others seemed to be contemplating the strategic value of using the uniqueness of the terrain to their advantage.
Finally Zoro spoke for the group with a simple, "Lead on, Captain."
Luffy looked thoughtful then suddenly grinned, "Woohoo! Adventure! Everyone ready?"
This time the answer was a series of general nods of agreement with no outburst from the young doctor. Luffy's grin became impossibly wide. "Then lets GO!" he cried hopping up and racing for the door.
It didn't take long for the rest of the group to rush out behind him.
"Well that takes care of that problem" Sabo said smiling wryly.
Ace waited for an additional comment but nothing was forthcoming. Instead Sabo just sat there still slightly pale and looking very worried.
Ace frowned but leaned over slightly and rapped his knuckles on his brother's forehead. "You all right in there?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"What happened?"
"Luffy"
Ace rolled his eyes. "I figured as much but details please."
"Well, he indirectly confirmed something that I had been desperately wishing was a rumor."
Ace watched as Sabo seemed to lapse into silent brooding again.
"Sabo?"
"Yeah, yeah. Well Luffy and his crew was apparently responsible for the mess on the Mountain of the Midnight Sun. It was destroyed about a week ago, by a yet unnamed group of Vandals. Four days ago, the World Collective released a statement proclaiming that Robin Nico had been arrested after having instigating an attack on Midnight Sun to free a very dangerous weapons inventor by the name of Cutty Flam."
"Who the hell is Cutty Flam and how did you determine Luffy was responsible for that?"
"I didn't. The Revolutionaries had people there but even they don't have the whole story or know who Cutty Flam is. All they knew was that a group of Brass had managed to capture a high value target, which was somehow instrumental to some plan of theirs. They took the target to the complex on the mountain. Soon after that an organized group attacked the mountain. The details are very limited, but somehow the attacking group triggered and then escaped a volcanic eruption that destroyed the top half of the mountain. Now Luffy arrives here injured with his crew all battered and scorched and tells us that Robin was kidnapped by the Brass and that he raised hell to get her back. Not to mention that all of his other stories of where they've been all take place in the same general vicinity of that mountain. You know our younger brother so you tell me that his presence in the area was simply a coincidence."
Ace knew he was staring. "Shit. No way in hell. You're sure Luffy did all that?"
"Yep. I'd bet my hat on it." Sabo sighed, "I've got feelers out with my sources ever since he trailed in. I should have more details in a few days and we'll know if the Collective has an inkling of the who the culprits are or not."
"Is he aware that he has effectively just declared war on the Cesspool and its allies?" Ace inquired in slight despair.
Sabo didn't appear to have an answer. He simply shrugged his shoulders.
"When he gets back," Ace growled. "I'm going to kill him."
Sabo chuckled at that before standing and starting to clean up the mess from breakfast. "Good luck with that. You do know it's going to be a week at the minimum before they'll make it back, right?"
"I know, I know. I was the one who suggested that he take the gang to the Canyon after all."
"Speaking of going places…" Sabo said trailing off
"Right. I should be off soon." Ace said pushing away from the table. "If I'm going to be purchasing things in the Territory I'm going to need coin. Do we have enough so that I can take some or did you want me to sell the Vlamhauss pelts as well?" Ace paused for a moment then added, "And you have messages I'm collecting right? Other than dropping off and collecting the mail, I mean."
"We have enough coin but can you take some of the pelts while you are going? If you don't mind getting those messages for me, I'd seriously appreciate it." Sabo said.
"'S not a problem. The Bookstore in 7th and the Apothecary in 10th right?" Ace said as he grabbed a couple of bags and moved behind the counter and through the kitchen, Sabo trailing behind with a load of dirty dishes. "Still using the same codes?"
"Right, and the codes are three down the list from the last time you went" Sabo confirmed. "By the way, can you take one of those TransSNAILs that Franky made? I want to test it before we send it out to the rest of the Deck. I'll call or send a message once the Brass are gone."
"Sure." Ace nodded and continued through the kitchen to a storeroom in the back that held nonperishable foods and various other things.
Opening one chest, Ace fished out a small pile of Vlamhauss pelts, which he promptly stuffed into one of his bags. Heading back into the kitchen he took a good look at his brother. It was clear that Sabo was not quite ready to face the rest of day.
"Marie should be in around ten or so to help." Ace commented, watching the very faint relief bloom on his brother's face at the idea that he wouldn't have to run the shop alone. "You might want to let her know what's up otherwise she's liable to punch someone." He warned.
"I know." Sabo said rolling his eyes at the memory of what had happened the last time someone had forgotten to warn Marie about the presence of the Brass in the Bar. "Not the first time I've done this."
Ace laughed recalling the same thing that Sabo had. That had been a good day. His laughter was cut short by Sabo asking "Shouldn't you be gone yet?"
Ace chortled and studied his brother once more. Sabo had been slightly distracted as he asked that question, a tell-tale sign that he was about to become lost in the labyrinth of his own thoughts as he tried to puzzle out new angles to any number of problems or tease the bigger picture from the scraps of information that he assembled. Sabo would be fine, Ace concluded but he wouldn't if he didn't hurry. It wouldn't do to run into the Brass on the road before he even reached the safety of Agvitatmaa after all.
Ace readjusted his bags before responding to Sabo's question. "I'm going, I'm going." He said as he made his way to the door. Just before exiting, Ace called back "See ya' later." The only response he got in return was a noncommittal hum. Ace grinned. No doubt about it, Sabo would be fine.
It was late in the evening when Ace made it back into Outskirts and the S'andwich Bar. He avoided the bar proper and pounded up the outside stairs into the apartment.
"Hey Sabo!" Ace yelled as he barreled into the shared living room area between their bedrooms looking for his brother. He didn't have to look far as the other man was reclining on the couch intently focused on something in his hands.
"What?" Sabo asked absently, not really looking up.
Ace huffed then flopped down next to him, listing over till he was leaning on his brother. "You're never going to guess who I ran into today." He continued, his enthusiasm undiminished.
"Marco?" Sabo asked dryly still not changing the focus of his attention.
Ace colored slightly but attempted to brush it off. "Well, yes, but what does that have to do with anything?" he sputtered then something occurred to him "And why, out of all the people that we know, is he your first guess?"
"Because you like him." Sabo mentioned.
"I might." Ace glared at his brother when he looked over. Of course it was the vocal acknowledgement that he might like Marco as more than a friend that caught his brother's attention. He crossed his arms and pouted. "But again, what does that have to do with the price of peas in Persepolis?"
"Nothing apparently." Sabo grinned as he finally sat down his papers and Ace nodded. Exactly. It didn't have anything to do with anything at all. "So, if running into Marco wasn't what you wanted to tell me about, who did you run into that made you so happy?"
"I ran into Rockstar!" Ace proclaimed as he shifted on the couch making himself more comfortable as he rested his head on Sabo's leg.
"Rockstar?" Sabo raised an eyebrow at his brother. "As in Rockstar from…?"
Ace nodded. "Yep."
"Huh." Sabo said, leaning back one hand absently carding through Ace's hair. "What's he doing here? This is a bit out of his way isn't it?"
Ace chuckled. "That's why he's here. Apparently his just passing through and stopped to say hi. Oh and also to pass some information to Whitebeard."
"Cool. So we'll see him in what, a couple of days then?"
"Yeah. That's what I would guess." Ace said, closing his eyes and just relaxing in the moment. "So, how did it go with the Brass? Didj'a have to prevent Marie from throwing anyone out?"
Sabo laughed but it wasn't a pleasant sound. "That would have been better than what did happen."
"What actually happened?" Ace demanded. "You didn't sound like yourself when you called to test the TransSNAIL."
"Somehow the Marines have figured out some of the secrets behind the Devils abilities."
Ace blinked. "What" he said flatly, disbelief coloring his tone.
"No joke." Sabo said "The Marines have developed a new weapon. It works on anyone but somehow is able to allow a norm fight on par with an Ability User. It's the reason that the Brass is able to move so freaking fast this time around."
"A weapon that allows people to fight Users evenly? How the fuck does that work?" Ace demanded
"I'm not entirely sure. It's some sort of synthetic coating that they've started applying to weapons. Contact is enough to drain a User of their energy and prevent them from using their Ability. To be able to use the ability again, you've got to remove the coating, whatever it is. Just pulling out the weapon that's coated with the shit won't cut it. The stuff rubs off and things short out until you remove it. They've been going around and testing people by handing them the stupid stuff. It gave me an allergy attack, which they did not like at all. Apparently if that happens, it means you have the potential to become a User."
Sabo sighed, "I suppose now I'm on their watch list. We'll have to deal with them sniffing around whenever they execute someone to see if I get the power. Luckily they only know me as S, a part time bar tender.
"How the hell did they manage to figure that out?" Ace wondered "Hell, how were they able to confirm that is what that stuff did?"
"Who knows." Sabo said though from his tone it was clear that he had an idea. "Unfortunately I think it lends credit to the rumor that the World's Cesspool has somewhere that they conduct human experimentation on Users."
"Great." Ace grumbled. "Another thing to worry about. Hey, how'd you manage to find that out? Your act is good but there is no way they'd tell you that much, especially if they cared about your potential to be a user."
"I know." Sabo said. "The Brass didn't tell me anything at all. In fact, they refused to talk to me at all once I'd recovered from my allergy attack. Marie figured it out."
"Marie?"
"Yeah. She was being herself.
"And no one died?"
"Apparently not. One of the members of the Brass found her attitude 'Charming' and thought they could impress her by bragging about the impressive knowledge he's holding. She went with it until he started repeating information and switched to hitting on her. She's still pissed at me for having to do that in the first place. Not sure why. She chose to flirt."
Ace snickered. "I can only imagine. So, what are we doing with this information?"
Sabo shrugged. "At the moment? Nothing. I'm sure I'll figure something out though. Just be careful when dealing with Brass from now on yeah?"
"Sure." Ace said but Sabo didn't look convinced. Thankfully he didn't press the issue, instead choosing to ask
"So, you ran into Marco today?"
Ace's grin grew. "I did indeed. Kinda a funny story actually. Want to hear it?"
Sabo nodded. "Sure."
"Right!" Ace said "So I was in the spice markets looking for that spice you wanted when…"
AN: So, yeah chapter six. There yall go. I think we're maybe 1/3 of the way through the story now? Not entirely sure. Anyways I hope you all are enjoying this and Im glad youve stuck with me. Please let me know what you like and dislike about the story. It always makes my day to hear what yall think even if you cant articulate it anymore than simply telling me that you liked it.