Even though I've accepted it, I have vicious plotbunnies running rampant, who insist there was another way. Here it is, yet another 'What if Ace survived fics', but not quite as normal as the ones we're all used to.

By the way, a title for this would be nice.

In one universe, actually, in several universes, Blackbeard immediately reported his capture of Whitebeard's Second Division Commander, Portgas D. Ace.

However, in one or two, he still tried going after Luffy as well.

Needless to say, it didn't work out for Blackbeard.

Ace was not impressed with Blackbeard's ship, well, more like a leaky raft, or the seastone chains the bastard had put on him.

There was a long list of things he didn't like, actually, and occasionally, he mentioned them to Blackbeard. He especially didn't like the fact the fat bastard had not only beaten him, but was now going after his brother.

On the upside, their battle had forced Blackbeard to delay leaving Banaro, so hopefully Luffy was already gone from Water 7, and Blackbeard and his lackeys wouldn't find anything. They'd left him alone on the ship, and if it wasn't for the seastone and a chain holding him close to the wall opposite the one with the key, Ace would have been gone by now.

Ace's 'cell' had an opening out onto the deck. Blackbeard should have known better.

"Damnit!" Ace lifted his head in shock, he recognized that voice. He ignored the part of him that was sinking, because if Zoro was here, Luffy was too.

"Zoro!"

"What the- who are you?"

"It's me, Ace! Get me out of here! Luffy's in danger!"

"Don't have to tell me that!" Zoro frowned as he hopped onto the deck and studied Ace. "The Marines are here, but what happened to you?"

"Long story." Ace was grateful when Zoro just nodded, and grabbed the key. "Where's Luffy?"

"We're staying with the Galley La Company. Just follow me."

Of course it didn't work out that way, Ace lost Zoro (or, as it later turned out, Zoro lost Ace) and crashed into a man coming out of a bike shop muttering about frozen tires.

"What's the rush?" The man blinked, and Ace really didn't care about manners or what the guy probably thought of him right then. He was a bit frantic and about ready to set fire to something.

"I've got to get to my brother Luffy before Blackbeard does."

"Luffy, oh, you mean Strawhat? He's at the Galley La complex, I can write you the directions." The man pulled out a small pad of paper. "But why do you need to get to him first? Shouldn't you go after this Blackbeard?"

"I already lost." The man's pen briefly paused, before continuing, Ace didn't notice. "He can nullify devil fruit powers if you get too close. I knew we should have gone after him as soon as he betrayed us."

"Hmm, well, here you go. I'll check on Blackbeard."

"Thanks!" Ace took the paper, then the rest of what the man said caught up to him. "Wait, you'll-" Ace glanced around. The man had gone, and when he glanced down, the directions had been signed 'Aokoji'. "Luffy first, Marines later."

Aokoji watched Ace rush off from a side street. He should have taken Ace in, but the way the Whitebeard Division Commander had been behaving (he couldn't say acting, Akainu would think he meant a show) had told him that Firefist was terrified.

"Now, let's see what this Blackbeard is up too."

Ace finally found where Luffy was, only to see a bunch of flustered and confused marines, and hear a very familiar laugh.

"Firefist! What?!" A marine gaped as Ace marched through the yard, and jumped through the hole in the wall without looking at them.

And almost got hit by a Fist of Love. Luffy was already on the ground with a bump on his head.

"Well, if it isn't my other grandson- You're hurt?" Garp frowned at him. Ace shot him an annoyed look, before giving the others in the room a quick bow (and ignoring the small tanuki freaking out over his injuries).

"Sorry to barge in like this, but, Luffy's in trouble."

"That's what I was trying to say, your brother's also in town." Zoro said, and Ace felt his eye twitch.

"What sort of trouble?"

"If it's the Marines, I'm the one they sent to deal with it." Garp was studying him.

"Not the marines, remember how I said I was hunting a man named Blackbeard?"

Luffy nodded, head tilting.

"Apparently, he wants to catch you and turn you into the government to get in their favor." Ace kept it simple, and ignored the yells from everyone. He was focused on his brother. "Luffy, if you see him, run. He's too strong for you."

Luffy's crew all stiffened in outrage. Ace ignored them.

"So I just have to hit harder." Luffy shrugged, and Ace heard a growl- it took a second to realize it came from himself- before he grabbed Luffy so they were eye to eye.

"Luffy, I lost to this guy. You see him, you run. Do not fight him."

Luffy gave him a look that was partly terrified, partly concerned. Ace felt a little bit like he'd let Luffy down in that moment, but that's when his body decided to remind him he was still recovering from wounds and seastone exposure, and he should sleep.

He passed out, and didn't hear the panic or the rage that followed.

"How hard is it to find one pirate?" Blackbeard scowled. The people of Water 7 had been giving them conflicting addresses, to the point Blackbeard was planning on just destroying the city and scaring out the Strawhat crew.

"It depends on who you're looking for, I suppose." Aokoji stepped out in front of them. "You're the one trying out for the open position in the War Lords?"

"Admiral Aokoji! Don't tell me the marines already have Strawhat in custody!"

"That's classified." The Admiral shifted on his feet. "I'd have advised you to take down a different rookie, a hotheaded Rookie named Eustass Kidd. But I'm not here about that- I wanted to learn about your ability. We've gotten interesting reports about Banaro Island."

"If it wasn't fire damage, it was me." Blackbeard grinned.

"I had a feeling." Aokoji sighed. And that's when everything froze, literally.

That's it, boys and girls.

If some people want more, I'll consider writing more. Otherwise, goodnight and good luck!