So this chapter is also pretty short, and heads up it looks like these little snipped scenes are probably going to be the norm for this story.
Also i apologize for anything warped and or disturbing in this chapter. i give no excuse except that Marshall D. Teach is one messed up Bastard and being inside his head is kind of scary.
And as always, if there's anything you like, dislike or would like to see happen in this world, let me know. =]
Place: The Blackbeard's Pirate Ship
Time: A Few Hours After The Fight
Marshal D. Teach stared at the prone figure lying in the bed, what an interesting development this was turning out to be. Oh the perfect opportunity that had been presented, to think that Commander Ace would come to him. Of course he had prepared for such an occasion, planed for is actually, but even with all this planning he couldn't have anticipated this outcome. Teach had gotten close to Ace because he was had been a powerful wild card. An unknown element that needed to be know and accounted for. Then when Ace had become a Commander, His Commander, a problem to be overcome. And Knowledge was the way to overcome all problems.
Unfortunately, Teach hadn't taken into account the boy's…. the man's sheer character. It was a dangerous web, a perfect poison, one that Ace didn't even know he wielded. Teach had found himself…. Entranced by Ace. He stopped befriending Ace for information and started seeking the younger man out out of some strange, strong growing need. When he had truly become Ace's confidant, the thrill that had run though him, nothing had compared. Well, finally eating the Yami Yami no Mi but still.
Teach had worked very hard to make sure that Commander Ace wouldn't confide, wouldn't even get close, to the rest of That Man's crew. The Spade's were fine because they were already Ace's and no threat to Teach. The problem had always been the deceased Cook and the thrice dammed Phoenix. Teach took several deep breaths to calm himself, no use getting worked up about something that no longer mattered. Those particular threats had been dealt with. The Cook was dead and the Phoenix's own rage and temper had reputedly been more than enough to shatter the bonds he had managed to forge with Fire Fist.
Oh yes, Teach grinned to himself, the reports he had received about the fall out over His Commander's decision to come after him had been most enjoyable. And those and future reports would prove most useful as well. Knowledge was power and Blackbeard would have been a fool to abandon all sources of information on 'the most powerful crew in the world'. Teach would admit he was many things, but a fool would never be one of them. He still had eyes on the Moby Dick, ones the old geyser would never think to look for. After all, Teach had played the old man like a fool for decades, as disgusting as it had been. But no use dwelling on the past, Teach shook his head as if to dislodge such unpleasant thoughts, The future is what mattered. The future, his destiny, and the now.
And now? Now Commander Ace was here, with him, on his ship, in one of his beds. Truthfully, Teach had been a touch worried about how this confrontation would go. It had been a huge risk, an extremely dangerous calculation, to declare one Monkey D. Luffy as his target. Teach had needed to force Ace's hand, he knew that the only reason he had beaten his commander was the element of surprise his devil fruit gave him. If Teach had given Ace time to study him, to learn about his power, if Ace had had any real measure of time to prepare for the confrontation with him, Teach knew he would have been soundly defeated.
Sometime ago Teach had enquired about Ace's fighting style before the Mera Mera no Mi. the response had been a shrug and a "We used pipes". At the time Teach had assumed 'We' to be Ace and Strawhat, but oh what a can of worms that really was. To have all that pain bared to him, it was such an addictive thrill. Teach had held Ace's exposed soul in his hands, he could easily have shattered the young man into pieces. Not that he would have, it would be an unforgivable crime to damage such a masterpiece.
Still, Teach shook his head, One must never forget that art could also be dangerous. Sometime after that first wonderful addictive experience, Ace had come up to him on an island stop, an old pipe slung accost his shoulders, and inquired if Teach still wanted to see his old combat style. Obviously Teach had agreed and they'd gone off, alone, into the jungle. He had then been given the privilege of witnessing a display of skillfully devastating destruction that was unparalleled. Without his devil fruit Ace didn't have the range for the en mass destruction Fire Fist was known for, but his raw talent and deadly precision more than made up for it. In Teach's opinion, Ace was a far more dangerous fighter without his devil fruit and he was almost certain that if Ace had first gone after the old has been with a pipe or a staff, and without that idiotic fishman getting in the way, Whitebeard would have fallen.
Which was why Teach had needed to force Ace's hand. Make a big show of hunting down Fire Fist's Baby Brother. Get enough frustration and panic going that his commander would have no choice but to strike preemptively. Teach's calculations had paid off, as always, but only just. Even with all his power, Teach had nearly been the one unconscious in the dirt. But as they say, one can't truly gain without risk, and the greatest risks bring the greatest rewards. And this little escapade? Well Teach had risked his destiny, his ambition, everything he had worked for. He had put his very existence at stake, a single miscalculation on his part would have meant death. But oh the rewards that come from such a risk. Ace was HIS. No Whitebeard, no Thatch, no Spades, no Marco, no interference at all. It was really just a question of how long Ace would hold onto his pride.
Teach wasn't worried though, now that Ace knew his power, had tasted the fear and helplessness it brought. Well as of right now there target was still Strawhat Luffy. Teach knew Ace would gladly die for his baby brother, and he was positive that His Commander would also bow, if it meant that his precious 'light' was safe. After all, he had done it before. Had even gone so far as to brand That Man's ownership across his entire back. It made Teach sick, defacing something so exquisite. Still it would make his offer all the sweeter.
Truth be told, Teach had felt a spark of fear that he had pushed a little too hard. A little too far. That he'd unleashed some of that deliciously destructive Wrath he'd seen buried in the younger man. Teach had seen in His Commander glimmers of a dark rage. The kind that would sacrifice anything, and anyone, to achieve its purpose. Harnessed it would become something beautiful, but unchecked, and turned against him…. Well, there had been a few moments toward the end of their battle that had put Teach on edge. Perhaps, possibly, even a touch afraid, which was understandable, in dealing with someone like Ace. But then, that beautiful moment when all his fears were allayed. That delightfully perfect moment when Fire Fist LIED.
And the look in Ace's eyes as he said it. Teach new it was a lie; Fire Fist had told him more times than the older man could count that his baby brother would be king. And then, at such a decisive moment, Ace lied. And he knew that Teach new it was a lie. With that lie, His Commander admitted his defeat, acknowledged it. Now all that was left was for Ace to accept his place with Teach.
Not right now f course, Ace was still wounded. Teach had instructed Doc Q to keep His Commander sedated until he was fully healed. After all, it wouldn't do to have him distracted by pain when Teach presented his offer. It would also show how much better Teach would be for him than That Man. And if His Commander couldn't understand that well, there was always Laffitte's… extra skill set, as unsavory as the thought of tainting Fire Fist's psyche was. But if it would keep the younger man from unnecessarily damaging himself any further well then, it would only be a temporary measure in the end. After all Teach took care of what was his. Oh yes, Teach thought as he gazed at Ace's prone figure, He was going to take very good care of what was his.