Chapter 14

"Luffy you have to stop crying." Sabo urged him, completely bewildered. "I can't understand you."

There was a shuffle over the mobile before finally someone else picked up. "This is Marco-yoi."

"Marco? What's Luffy doing with you? I heard you guys got attacked." Sabo frowned, not liking this.

Something was wrong and he hadn't heard from Ace yet. Did they drug him again to stop him from going anywhere? His big brother had probably gotten pissed off that Blackbeard attacked the Whitebeard manor after all.

"We did but it was just a lure to bring Ace out and capture him. Teach murdered our father and took his Devil Fruit as well as Ace who had been ambushed trying to reach us." Marco explained. "Have you heard anything?"

The table under Sabo's hand cracked, earning a startled noise from Hack but he ignored it. "Blackbeard kidnapped Ace? He has him right now?"

"Unfortunately yes. We need to get him back."

"We're in complete agreement on that one." Sabo smirked darkly. "I'll track them down with my connections. Luffy, bring your strongest friends along. This is going to be an all out war for Ace."

"Y-Yeah!" Luffy sobbed over the line.

Teach would pay dearly for this. Firstly, he stressed Ace out by killing one of the Whitebeard Commanders, then he murdered Kureha, who Ace admired and respected as a fellow Vault Keeper, then he destroyed his brothers' home and now he's murdered Ace's father figure and kidnapped Ace. Then lastly, he made Luffy so distressed that their poor baby brother was crying.

Marshall D. Teach was dead. He just didn't know it yet.

.::.

"Hey Ace. You feelin' better?" He heard Teach call out, much to his frustration.

The bastard was still treating him like a kid.

He forced himself to sit up, his arms trembling against the bench as he finally managed to push himself up. Teach slipped inside the cell, making him instantly weary but the bastard only tossed him a bottle of alcohol, rum, something they used to share often enough whenever they hung out. It had been one of the first few drinks Teach introduced him too. Thatch did the rest while Marco had tried to get Thatch to stop getting him drunk.

He missed them so much, and it was all this prick's fault.

"What do you want?" Ace growled, leaning heavily against the wall since he knew he wouldn't be able to keep himself sitting up all by his lonesome.

The darkness kept him too weak and so did the seastone. He hated it.

"Just checking up on you Commander-"

He scowled. "Don't call me that. I know you don't mean it."

"I do respect you Ace. You're strong. Heck together we could rule the world." Teach said before taking a swig of his own bottle of rum. "I want you to join me Ace. Join my family. Stop this futile resistance and give in."

"I won't be one of your pawns, besides, considering what I am it's not like I can properly anyway." Ace seethed. "So stop asking."

"Come now Ace, you used to fight Whitebeard tooth and nail after he had kidnapped you. What happened?"

"I became one of his sons."

"You surrendered to him and became one of his pawns. It was such a shame too but it did get you to chill out and relax with the rest of us I guess. I was glad to find one of the legendary rare Vault Keepers so close to me. A precious thing I had been looking for, for a very long time."

"How great for me." Ace huffed.

"Sticking with Whitebeard gave me plenty of things Ace. My devil fruit, the one I have been looking forward to for years. I've had it before y'know, in a few past lives. I knew what to look for. Then you came along too, everything just literally fell right into my palms. It was brilliant. Now here we are, back on the sea again. This time I won't be giving you up to some government though-"

"The government?" Ace frowned, he couldn't think that far back.

Had Teach captured him before?

"Don't think too hard on it. My memory's a lot clearer because of my being a 'Lord'. Good thing we 'Lords' don't remember each other, we only recall once we 'awaken' but I've found out how to hide that after all these years. Whitebeard didn't even notice I was back with him. I was just another one of his 'sons'. Zehahahaha, I wonder if he realised I'd known about his Lordship all this time too!"

The fucker laughed at that, completely amused.

"You can hide yourself? How? And Lords don't remember each other! How could you do that too?!"

"Ah, ah, can't give that away. It's better that way." Teach chuckled. "You know you've always been a very special bargaining piece Ace. Anyone who manages to claim you always starts something big. I guess it's always because of your father though. Every single time he returns he always does something. He's no Lord, his little runt, Shanks is, but Roger? No. That guy always confuses me. Your family always confuses me."

"My family?"

"You always come back. Not because you're pawns. No you don't get revived as someone's pawn because you never remember it. You always start anew, nothing returning even after your twelfth birthday and only your closest few remember you even if you have no clue who they are. That always confused me and I don't think Whitebeard's figured it out either. The closest reason I could think of is that maybe it is just being apart of a Vault Keeper? It's hard to tell considering how rare your kind is to find and talk to." Teach mused.

He still looked a bit unclear though, much to Ace's confusion.

"Zehahaha, I've always remembered you but not for the same reasons that your precious few do, Marco, Thatch, Whitebeard, I know of those three and I bet your brothers always remember you too because of how much love they have for you. Heh, I've always been sentimental around you though because of those precious memories we've shared together. You probably don't even remember that once we were on the same side before that damned Phoenix and Cook kidnapped you."

"Like hell we'd ever be on the same side!" He jerked against the chains at that, but Teach stayed well out of his reach, still smirking smugly.

"I managed to get to you first that time." Teach admitted, much to Ace's amusement who sat back, forcing himself to try and calm down instead of fighting the chains.

He was only tiring himself out more.

"I bet you probably lied and manipulated me then."

"Don't get cheeky now." Teach laughed, ruffling his hair which made Ace grimace. "Like I said, I have plenty of fond memories of you. You're always the cheeky brat that has such a charming character. It lures people in."

Ace scowled, curling his knees up, uncomfortable with the conversation. Teach sounded creepy talking about him like that, with such admiration in his voice. He hated it.

"And here I am. Chained to a bench." Ace tugged weakly at the shackles to empathises his point.

"I gave you a pillow didn't I? And made sure your wounds were treated." Teach scoffed, though sounded mostly amused by it.

Ace huffed. "Oh I guess that changes everything then. I'm sorry I didn't see what a wonderful guy you are sooner. Maybe take these off so I can give you a hug?"

"Zehahaha! More like choke me with said hug." Teach laughed. "You're angry with me now but I'm taking you home, to your One Piece. You should be happy."

"Overjoyed." He said dryly.

.::.

Law watched quietly as Tashigi and Smoker reunited in the corner of Franky's workshop while Luffy, Marco, Kid and Sabo all spoke to one another on some old couches that must have been thrown into one of the side rooms.

"We need to go after Ace!" Luffy demanded.

"You Straw Hats can deal with that yourselves. I'm running out of guys." Kid grunted.

"But I want Traffy to come with me!"

"Like fuck he's going anywhere! You've been fucking over using him and exhausting him!"

"They could be torturing Ace for information he doesn't have!" Sabo snapped. "Chopper is a good doctor but these are very strong people and Law is more likely to be able to fight back against them."

"I said fucking no-"

Law scowled at that. "I think I can speak for myself Eustass-ya."

"Law yesterday our base was attacked! You were shot and nearly kidnapped by your Uncle!" Kid snapped. "And then after healing me and tiring yourself out with your Spirit Healer abilities you invaded a hospital, operated on yourself and removed your own heart and then it got stolen and crushed several times by Doflamingo's fucking Cultist who tried to kidnap you. You even got betrayed by one of your workmates, the green haired bitch you told me about! Oh and then you had to regrow that Banshee's tongue, and heal the cop girl's soul! Ain't you still meant to be recovering from the whole destroying two souls thing?!"

"Thankfully I'm fine now. The corruption is gone." Law mused, showing his fingers which were in fact, completely cleared of it, he still felt tired but his limbs were responsive again. "And yes, I'm tired but I've rested and I have enough strength to fight for a short while. My abilities can cause quite a bit of destruction in a few moments and if the others watch my back I'll be completely covered."

"Law you can't fucking go!"

"I am going. One of us needs to be there with our allies and you're recovering from having your arm cut off yesterday." Law pointed out.

"I'm going with you as well Trafalgar." Smoker called out as he approached, Tashigi following at his side as she bowed to him, startling him.

"Thank you for healing me Trafalgar-san. I am ashamed that I couldn't resist, what you did was most kind."

"If you feel wrong at all do contact me. I have never done such a thing before so it was a complicated process and would prefer a few check ups on you." Law advised, uncomfortable with how earnest she looked.

"So you're coming too Smokey?" Luffy chirped.

"Ace is my boyfriend. Of course I'm coming." Smoker glowered. "Tashigi will be remaining behind to search the underground labs with the warrant that is in the process of being finalised. Reluctantly, I would like some of your men to accompany her as witnesses Straw Hat."

"Sure!" Luffy grinned.

"Alright, so it's me, Luffy, Marco, Law, Smoker, Nami, Zoro, Sanji and Brook who are all going." Sabo noted aloud. "Sanji are you sure you're recovered enough?"

"I'm good. That shitty clown drained me of all my blood but I've drank plenty to refill my blood levels back up." Sanji nodded as he stretched his legs. "The bastard was experimenting on me, who knows why though."

"He said your blood was special. He didn't get far into the discussion though when Straw Hat attacked him." Tashigi explained.

"TASHIGI-CHAN ARE YOU COMING TOO?!" Sanji beamed in delight.

"No she ain't Pervy Cook."

"What was that Shitty Swordsman?!"

Law glanced over at Kid, ignoring the lover's spat and sighed. "You're going to have to deal with Doflamingo then."

"Yeah, I'll probably follow them to the hospital, check out what the fuck's going on." Kid grumbled. "You better be careful, ya hear me?"

"I know Eustass-ya." Law nodded, pausing when Kid's arms wrapped around his waist, tugging him closer.

"We have a lot to talk about you and I. So stay safe." Kid growled lowly, much to Law's amusement.

"Don't order me around Eustass-ya."

He was silenced though when the redhead kissed him before pulling away. "It's a direct order. Got it?"

"Yeah, yeah. Remind me to take your leg and give it to Luffy-ya later would you?" Law drawled out.

"Hell no."

.::.

"Who exactly are we meeting up with?" Ace asked as Laffitte pushed him into sitting down before cuffing him to the pipes above his head, making his arms ache.

They had gotten off the boat about a couple of hours ago and moved into an old town, apparently to meet up with some of Teach's allies. Now they were in an underground bunker of some sorts, to wait for said allies. It troubled Ace to know that the bastard had friends but then again, he already had a whole set of pawns at his disposal.

He couldn't believe that Teach had been hiding his 'Lord' status all this time. The Demon Lord, how messed up even was that?

"An old friend." Teach chuckled, interrupting his thoughts. "Ever heard of the 'Vinsmokes'?"

Ace paused at that, trying to recall the name. "They're a Vampire family, isn't their head a Lord?"

"Yeah, he's quite the powerful ally to have! Though he makes a terrible Lord! Zehahahaha! He's not exactly that strong, it's his scientific ability that is more impressive." Teach mused.

"Why bother allying with him then?"

"He's easy to manipulate." Teach offered, Ace grimacing as he ruffled his hair as the strode past, going to the table in the centre of the abandoned room and sitting down, earning a creak in protest. "He's so desperate to control all of North Blue and believes that if he obtains One Piece he will be able to gain the power to take it over. It's all so small sighted. You would think he'd become King of the World! Zehahaha!"

"And that's your ambition I take it?" Ace asked dryly.

"Yep. I don't wish to destroy One Piece. I remember telling you that ages ago right? Sorry about that little lie but I didn't like the idea that you might get suspicious." The Demon explained.

Ace shifted, trying to get more comfortable. "And you're planning on betraying the Vinsmoke family then?"

"Of course. He's only useful for now. You see Vinsmoke Judge used to be a partner to Vegapunk-"

"Vegapunk?! Seriously?!" Ace gaped, stunned at that.

Teach nodded at that. "Yeah, was a surprise to me too when I first heard about it but it's true. Judge was the one who came up with the theory of where One Piece currently is but he didn't have a Vault Keeper to use to open it. He had no idea who was one but I told him I did."

"You knew about both Kureha and I. How?"

"I told you Ace. I remember everything. You, your parents, Kureha, that Buggy the Clown-"

"Buggy's a Vault Keeper?!" Ace yelled, stunned.

"Zehahahaha! You never knew did you?! Yeah Ace, he's one of you legendary Vault Keepers!" Teach laughed before shaking his head. "I would have killed him like I did Kureha but I ain't messing with Shanks this early. Too risky."

They paused at the sound of the door opening in the stairwell, making Ace tense while Laffitte leaned against the wall, looking quite relaxed. Ace did notice the gun in his hand though, leaving Ace weary as he eyed the door again, Van Augur leading a tall blonde in with three younger men and one woman who looked identical to the older man.

They all looked very familiar, especially with the swirly eyebrows-

Swirly eyebrows?

Sanji?!

"Ah, there you are Judge. You took a while there!" Teach greeted, sounding fond as he gestured to the seats, telling them to sit.

They remained standing though. Judge's face curling in disgust.

"I cannot believe you would choose to meet here."

"I can't exactly go anywhere fancy. The Whitebeard family would get notified in seconds depending who was about." Teach scowled. "Now stop with the upset look. I've brought the kid."

Ace glowered when Judge looked at him, he hated those disgusting eyes on him, it made him tense and bristle in place even as Laffitte gripped his shoulder warningly. Teach laughed lightly at that, seemingly amused by his reaction while Judge scowled.

"He's just a boy."

"This is Portgas D. Ace, one of the only few rare Vault Keepers to be born into the world and not created. He's the youngest." Teach introduced him fondly, much to Ace's anger.

He didn't want this pig to know his name. He hated him, he didn't know why but he felt disgusted just by feeling the man's lingering willpower. It was disgusting, cold and cruel and it made his skin rise up in goosebumps.

"He seems like a disrespectful brat. My sons could take care of that."

"Like they did for your third son?" Teach remarked and apparently that was a sore topic because Judge bristled. "Zehahaha, don't be so sour. Ace can't do anyone any harm right now, even if his glares are a bit spiteful. That's more my fault than anything, considering I had to kidnap him."

"Then you should teach him some fear and respect."

Teach shook his head. "I'm not getting on One Piece's bad side. It always somehow avenges any Vault Keeper that comes into harm from those that search for it. So you don't touch the kid, otherwise this might just blow up completely in our faces. Got it?"

Judge glowered for a moment before grunting and turning away from him, Ace thankful for the eyes to be off him as he curled his legs up. He was relieved that Teach was paranoid about One Piece, it also made Ace feel kinda better that the treasure seemed to have his back.

"So, I've brought my end of the bargain Judge. Now, it's time for yours." Teach chuckled. "Where is One Piece?"

"It's just to the North of here, into the forest. There is a clearing with what is meant to be a hidden door within it that can only be opened by a Vault Keeper." Judge stated, eyeing Ace distastefully who glared back. "If this child can even do it that is. What age even is he?"

"Twenty-two." Teach told him.

"A twenty-two year old Vault Keeper? He's hardly even a child yet!"

Teach snorted. "He's a child who can beat you and your boys up if he wasn't chained up right now. Luckily his bloodline allows him to only heal people he cherishes, otherwise we might have been in a bit of trouble. That old doctor I killed had the ability to freeze blood after all."

Ace was relieved that the bastard didn't know about his mother's trait. Kureha had been the one to tell him that she could burn blood, boil it in her enemies veins. He couldn't risk using it right now though, Laffitte was still guarding him and he knew the Fallen Angel would knock him straight out if he tried anything now.

"This is one of the one's that were born into the world. Does he not have a second trait?" Judge asked, much to his bemusement.

"I never actually found out. Well Ace, you know anything?"

"If I did don't you think I'd be using it right now?" Ace grumbled, scowling when Laffitte gripped his shoulder tightly.

"Watch your tone."

"It's fine Laffitte, he's still just a kid after all." Teach laughed, completely amused as he stood up. "Right then, so we'll head to this forest clearing then before this one's rescue party comes after him."

"You're sure someone would even try?" Judge raised an eyebrow, clearly not impressed.

"Zehahaha! I'd be more surprised if there was less than ten people chasing after us right now! This kid just keeps making friends after all." Teach said, Ace grimacing when his hair was ruffled again. "Though we're lucky it won't be everyone considering the damage done to the Whitebeard manor and that the Boggart clan are distracted with the Dragon Lords."

Ace hoped that they didn't come after him. He wasn't worth getting hurt for. He needed to handle this himself, trick these bastards into thinking it was either the right or wrong door to One Piece depending on what they'd find. He needed to handle this himself.

Ace didn't want the others to get hurt for his sake. If he was lucky, they wouldn't be able to find him, but then again they probably already told Sabo that he was kidnapped.

Sabo would always find him. No matter what.

.::.

Smoker gazed out into the ocean, glaring as the sky began to brighten up, the sun rising for the start of a new day. Ace had been held hostage by those bastards for three days now but finally they were catching up. Sabo's informants keeping them on track.

He gritted his teeth, struggling not to see red. Ace had better not been harmed by those bastards. If he found his boyfriend had been tortured-

He shook his head, trying to clear the image that had been his nightmares for the past few days now. Ace had no idea where One Piece was but people didn't always believe Vault Keepers when they said that. Ace's mum had suffered that fate, tortured for information she hadn't known about.

Her husband had apparently never told her where he found One Piece, either that or she hadn't wanted anyone else to find it and refused to tell, even at the price of her life.

"Smoker-yoi." He heard Marco, the bloody criminal, call out. "You should be sleeping."

"All I dream about is them torturing Ace." Smoker growled. "I don't think I can rest until he's back home with me. Safe."

"Teach has always been paranoid about legends and stuff, if the stories of One Piece protecting its Vault Keepers is true then he shouldn't cause Ace any harm." Marco pointed out.

"It's not a guarantee though!" He snapped back.

"Smoker. We're going to get him back-yoi." The criminal stated firmly. "I won't let them keep Ace."

Smoker frowned as he glanced over the Phoenix. "Then if things begin to go wrong during our fight against Blackbeard you should grab Ace and fly out of there."

"And leave you all behind?"

"Yes. Ace's safety is more important."

Marco shrugged. "He's not going to exactly like that."

"I can't lose him."

"He can't lose you either. If any of us die he'll blame himself and he'll become depressed. I won't let one of my brothers go through that." Marco replied back, looking so calm and at ease which confused Smoker.

How? How could he be so damn calm?!

"How can you be so calm? You just lost your manor, some of your men and even Whitebeard."

Marco gave a tired smirk at that. "I'm used to losing people Smoker. There are only a few people in the world that are older than me. That have lived through several games."

"How did you not see all this coming? If you've been through several games?"

"Because not all the Lords awaken during a game. I've been alive for just over a thousand years but the games all have different players. Pops has always been there, so has Ace's little brother. Ace, well Ace is always there. He's always been that funny kid who tries to take on Whitebeard and every single time Pops wins him over." Marco sighed. "There's a game usually about every hundred years and this is the first time I've ever met Marshall D. Teach, the Demon Lord. This is also my second time hearing from the Human Lord, the Dragon one did a fair bit of damage to him last time."

"Wait, so not all the Lords are around right now?"

"I know for sure that the Sea Devil ain't here nor is the Grim Reaper right now." Marco offered. "They two have a whole rivalry thing going on so they never appear without the other."

Smoker gaped at that. "They're rivals?"

"Yeah, I think the Sea Devil tried to date the Angel Lord but the Grim Reaper Lord went into a 'big brother' complex and tried to cut him in half." Marco said, just like it was an everyday gossip session. "Grim is way too serious at times."

"Do you know every Lord there is?"

"There's so many. Like I said this is the first time I've ever met the Demon Lord and I really hate him. I might have known him in another life but even a Phoenix can die. So I pretty much lost all my past life because of that. I...I can't remember how I died last time... I was protecting someone important... He was going to die and I got in the way? I needed to protect him..." Marco's brow furrowed at that, his eyes distant for a moment before he shook his head. "But no, to answer your question. I don't think I've met all the Lords yet. There's so many creatures in the world and without the records from the Void Century that apparently had all the Lord's names and their pawns recorded there's no way to tell. Unless I managed to somehow live forever this time instead of just a few thousand years."

"You're making me feel young." Smoker couldn't help but snort out.

"Glad to be of help." Marco shrugged.

.::.

"HOW THE FUCK?! YOU CAN'T ARREST US!" Kid howled, about to charge at the smug looking tall guy.

"The Police can considering you went and kidnapped innocent people." Diamante sniggered. "Bet you're regretting that now huh?"

They were getting accused of kidnapping, all because the stupid police force couldn't find anything incriminating on the pink bastard. They had raided the underground labs, only to find everything had been removed and filled with storage item instead.

That bastard had covered it up! Doflamingo had set them up and made them all look like idiots!

"Innocent?! They kidnapped my men!" The redhead roared, lunging but before he could get anywhere he was slammed to the ground.

"Ah! Luffy's grandpa!" Chopper yelped.

"Aha! It's you! The boy with a chip on his shoulder!" Garp exclaimed, sounding excited while Kid struggled against his crushing grasp.

"What the hell?! Let me go you bastard!"

Garp grunted. "No can do squirt. You're under arrest for breaking and entering, including kidnapping."

"These bastards are the one's you should be arresting you old fucker!"

That last thing he heard was Chopper's scream of terror before the world went dark with one last brief moment of pain.

.:End of Chapter:.