~A~

I stared up at the blue sky. I suppose I should enjoy it while I had the chance. I've been locked up in the dark for so long, it should be kind of nice to see some light. That small amount of joy never came though. Not with the knowledge that my little brother was still inside Impel Down. I didn't want anyone to come rescue me. Especially not all alone. Luffy...He's a fool. He didn't have to come. He shouldn't have put his dream on the line. Not for someone like me...

I tried to save him. Right before I left the prison. I put in one attempt to escape in order to save my brother. It didn't work out. Particularly because of the sea stone chains I wore. It felt like all my energy was being drained out of me.

I ignored the marines that surrounded me on the ship. Most of them ignored me, except for the few jerks that pointed out the fact that this was my last day on earth. I focused on the sky, the seagulls. I thought about the day Gramps found me sitting near the sea. I had asked him if I really deserved to have been born.

"That's something you'll figure out as you live." was what Garp told me.

The thing is, I think he's wrong. I've lived for twenty years, and I still haven't found the answer to my eternal question.

Time seemed to go by too quick. Once the ship arrived at the marines' headquarters I was taken to a temporary holding cell to await my inevitable doom. It was deathly quiet. The only sound was the ticking clock.

~G~

The clock is ticking. It was only a matter of time before we formally began the execution. Fire Fist was being kept in a cell here at Headquarters. In a few hours, he'll be brought to the execution platform. My colleagues were preparing for his captain's arrival. I was looking forward to seeing Whitebeard. It's been years since the last time I clashed with him.

However, I find myself in a bit of a fix. Back when Rory first came to me, I looked at her and saw that she had something truly worth fighting for. She had a reason to improve herself. It got me thinking. For the past year, I've been thinking.

What was I fighting for? I became a marine because I saw how corrupt and heartless pirates were. But that's not entirely true, is it? It's true there are evil pirates around that should be dealt with, but ever since I first joined the force, I've seen evidence of compassionate pirates. I've experienced it myself. The fact that my daughter was born is proof of that...

Also, it's because of a pirate that she found something worthwhile to do other than travel aimlessly with the wind. I know she had a reason to stick with him too. She's smart. She has good judgement. That Fire Fist Ace...I've seen him myself. There's not an ounce of malice in the boy. I saw anger. Guilt. Regret. Longing. No evil.

Some marines I know aren't as honest as he is. They aren't as loyal. Some are corrupt. They had twisted beliefs. Fleet Admiral Suzuki is a perfect example. That man has no loyalty. His sense of justice doesn't make sense to me. I've seen him kill his own subordinates for being weak. For showing fear. I may not be the most warmhearted person around, but I'd never take someone's life just for being afraid.

I smiled joylessly. Perhaps Rory has the right idea. Running with Edward Newgate and his crew...They took care of their own. That much I could see. She found herself a family among those lawbreaking sea dwellers. Don't misunderstand. I still hate pirates. However I do appreciate and respect a couple of them. Including Portgas D. Ace. Part of me is glad he was around to take care of my daughter.

I looked up as he was brought to the execution platform. He obediently knelt as the executioners chained him to the platform. He looked like a defeated man. It was pitiful.

I watched Fleet Admiral Sengoku make his way onto the platform in order to make an announcement. At first I wasn't all that interested. But when Sengoku mentioned the boy's father, I grew curious. Ace was Garp's grand-kid, wasn't he? Dragon was his father right? That's what I thought. But apparently is was not so. I looked at Garp. He defintely did not look happy at the moment.

"...Portgas D. Rouge. She kept him in her womb for twenty whole months. When you were finally born, she died. ." Sengoku spoke directly to Ace, and then addressed the troops who listened intently from below. "One year and three months after the father's death...a child with evil blood in his veins was born. That child is you. You must know about it already. You're father is none other than the Pirate King, Gold Roger!"

The news stunned everyone.

That man's blood still existed in this world. I looked up at Fire Fist. I saw it. I saw him. I could see Roger in him now.

I didn't despise him. Everyone else (minus Garp) saw evil. They no doubt felt hatred simply because of his lineage. I didn't.

I felt sympathy.

~M~

As we expected, we caught the marines off guard when we finally showed up. Coating the ships and traveling underwater was a great plan. The marines never would have expected it. The look on there faces as the old man's main ship burst into the bay was priceless. It was almost amusing. But we had more important things to worry about right now.

I could see the execution platform. I could see Ace. He was as shocked to see us as the marines were. Did he really think we wouldn't come?

Pops laughed and put his power to use. He slammed his fists into the air and caused an earthquake big enough to move a massive amount of water.

"Whoa..." I heard Rory murmur. That's right, she's never seen the old man fight, has she?

"You guys...You guys shouldn't have come! It's my own fault I ended up here!" Ace shouted.

"No...I'm the one who told you to go after him, son." Pops said.

"You're lying!"

"I told him to go. Isn't that right, Marco?" The old man asked.

"Yep. I heard it myself. Sorry we put you through so much trouble, Ace!" I said. "I think the whole ocean ought to know...just what happens to any damn fool who lays a hand on our crew! None of those bastards who hurt you will be left alive, Ace! Just wait! We're coming to get you!"

A few moments passed and then the world around us began to tremble. The ocean began to rise, the after effects of the earthquake the old man made.

"We may have a greater force, but do not take this man lightly! It may very well be us who meets their end today...For that man has the power to destroy the world!" Sengoku announced as a gigantic tsunami formed around the Marine Headquarters.