Sabo jerked awake, nearly tipping back on the stool he was sitting on. He didn't know when he had fallen asleep at Shakky's bar, but now orange sunlight was streaming in through the windows, signifying the break of dawn. It took him a moment, but soon he realized what had woken him up so violently. His body moved before his brain caught up with the motion, too focused on his baby brother's terrified shrieking. The pounding of feet on wood sounded close by and he realized Ace was running next to him, a wild look of panic on his face, one Sabo was sure was reflected in his own features. They burst through the door to the outside, eyes scanning wildly as they followed their ears to their baby brother. Another voice was heard soon, and Sabo furrowed his brows when he recognized it belonged to the red-haired emperor.
"Damnit Luffy! Get wet!" The emperor sounded out of breath and Sabo slowly came to a stop along with Ace as they rounded along a large tree. Shanks had half his body hunched over an extremely large, wooden tub. His black cloak was lost somewhere, and his white shirt was sticking to his skin. His red hair was dripping water and his mouth was twisted into a snarl. In the tub was a very naked Luffy, his rubbery limbs extending impossibly wide to grip the opposing sides of the tub, trying to avoid the bubbles that seemed to overflow everywhere else. Also, Luffy was perfectly dry despite the fact that Sabo saw a few of his limbs splash in the water. Sabo sighed heavily and Ace cackled next to him, happy he no longer had to be the one to wrestle with their baby brother about taking baths. Shanks and Luffy both paused, faces snapping over to them and widening in surprise.
"Aceee! Help me!" Luffy shouted and wiggled but Shanks leaned further onto him, gripping Luffy by the shoulders and slowly dunking him in.
"No!" Shanks snarled out and cursed. "Anchor! Get! Wet!"
A wicked smile stretched across Ace's face and his eyes darkened in mischief. Before Sabo could get a word out, to tell Ace that whatever he was planning was stupid, Ace lurched forward. He kicked his boots off halfway to his destination and Sabo dragged a hand along his face as he watched Ace jump on top of their baby brother, dunking them both into the water. Ace immediately sunk towards the bottom of the gigantic tub and Luffy was so surprised that when he went to grab for his older brother, he came back up with damp skin and drenched hair. Shanks on the other hand was spluttering, face and body covered in soap and tongue sticking out as he grimaced at the taste. The wave the splash made had thoroughly soaked him, and he squinted as bubbles began to leak into his eyes. Sabo moved forward and gestured for Luffy to hand over their drowsy brother. He was too tired for this much excitement in the morning and he didn't spare Ace from his annoyance, grabbing him by the hair and tugging him out.
"Owow! Damnit Sabo that fucking hurts!" Ace's energy came back instantly and he turned to glare up at him, his expression faltering when their gazes met. Sabo wasn't sure what look he had on his face, but he thanked the gods it gave Ace the warning he couldn't say. Luffy's annoyed cry grabbed their attention and Sabo snorted when he saw Luffy sitting with a pout, his hair being dutifully scrubbed by the emperor who sat at the edge of the tub. With how soaked the man was, he may as well have taken a bath too.
"Hah Lu! Looks like someone will finally be able to put you in your place during bath time!" Ace pointed and laughed despite now being absolutely filthy, covered in grass and mud as he sat up on the floor.
Shanks hummed as he looked them over, hands still kneading through Luffy's hair despite their baby brother's protests. "Why don't you boys clean yourselves up also? We will be heading out soon."
Sabo blinked in surprise and shared a glance with Ace. Shanks saw their confusion and a grin stretched across his face, he nodded towards the direction of the docks and continued. "We are heading into the New World, there's less marines there and the chances are lower for Luffy to be caught."
Sabo gripped his chin and thought it over. Rayleigh had mentioned the new world last night when he was explaining haki, but he said that it was incredibly dangerous for anyone who was unfamiliar with haki to go. As far as he and Ace knew, Luffy didn't know about haki either, so all three of them would be sitting ducks.
"Rayleigh mentioned the new world, but isn't it even more dangerous than the first part of the grand line?" Sabo ignored Luffy's cheers for adventure in favor of focusing on the emperor. The grin on Shanks' face grew wider, straining at the edges and dark delight lighting up his eyes.
"Oh, it's more dangerous alright. But that's just because it's where the emperors and their territories reside. So, you boys will be perfectly safe with me." Shanks voice was smooth, without a care in the world, and it would have seemed more dangerous were he not wrestling with Luffy to get him into a fluffy towel.
"It's only dawn" Shanks continued, now standing with a swathed Luffy in his arms. "We don't leave until noon, so we will have more time to rest. I just couldn't put Anchor in my bed with all that seaking smell on him."
Ace bristled next to him immediately and Sabo knew what was coming before his brother even opened his mouth. "What do you mean your bed? Lu always sleeps with us!"
For once, Sabo could agree with Ace's quick temper. They had always slept together, from the cramped confines of their treehouse to the fishing ship they had stollen.
"Oh it'll be extra warm with Ace and Sabo!" Luffy grinned at them, clearly not seeing the problem with the situation. The smile on Shanks' face finally fell away and he furrowed his brows in thought before letting out a hefty sigh.
"Fine. Benn said I needed to share better anyways." The last part was grumbled, and Sabo could see Shanks clearly didn't agree.
"My bed is big enough for all of us, just don't kick me off you runts." Shanks turned away and headed towards the direction of the ship, leaving Sabo to deal with his stuttering brother.
"Did he- What!?" Ace bellowed out and Sabo grabbed his arm before he could trudge after them.
"C'mon Ace, the sooner we clean up the sooner we can steal Lu back." He tugged at his brother's arm and once Ace calmed down enough, he began stripping off his clothes.
"I don't like it," Ace muttered as he placed his hat gently on a nearby rock, moving slowly to splash himself with water. His temper wilted instantly, and Sabo wondered if he should keep a bottle of water around just for whenever Ace got too heated.
"But," Ace hesitated and Sabo raised a brow, watching as his brother struggled to get the words out of his mouth. "If what Ray said was true last night, then maybe-" Ace cut himself off and let out a heavy sigh, running a hand along his damp hair and scowling fiercely. "If Shanks was that worried about Lu, then I'm willing to try I guess."
Sabo blinked, surprised, but ultimately smiled as he went through the motions of cleaning the grime and dirt off of himself. Last night when he and Ace had followed Rayleigh into the bar and sat under the dim lights, the older man had informed them of just what had been happening while they were out sailing the seas and being kidnapped. Shanks was one of the first to know of Luffy's bounty and had set sail as soon as his men made it onto his ship. He remembered the look in Rayleigh's eyes, how the scar across his right eye caught the light as he asked them what they would do for their little brother.
They had responded as expected, and Rayleigh simply smiled and nodded, stating that they should understand Shanks' position if that were the case. Ace was more hesitant to believe that, but when gestured to look out the window, his brother had wilted. When Sabo had looked, he understood why. Because under the moonlight, surrounded by calm waters that should have been crashing and rolling, was Shanks, cradling Luffy and helping him rock in the waves as their baby brother tired himself out from his excitement. Even with he and Ace, the sea didn't tread around them differently nor cease executing her wild will. And Sabo had felt the sea rear her vicious maw before, presence suffocating and oppressive if anyone approached Luffy with ill intent. So, it was with those thought in mind that they had relented in their immediate opposition, however, they were not going to act differently around their baby brother just because another now claimed some of his time.
"You're quiet," Ace muttered, staring at him with one eye closed as he rubbed the soap out of his hair. Sabo paused in his scrubbing and stared at the water, watching as his reflection came into view. The burn scar across his eye and down his chest drew his attention, and he wondered where he would be had it not been for Luffy. Just like Ace, Sabo owed Luffy a lot, but that had never been the reason why Sabo loved his baby brother. Luffy learned to make them love themselves, and it was a gift he couldn't ever repay. Because by learning to love themselves, they had learned to love others.
"I'm just thinking, about how Lu changed so much." Sabo met Ace's gaze and his brother frowned, glancing down at the still water to take in the face of his father. And for once in Ace's life, he didn't look at himself with the overbearing self-loathing that had haunted him since he was younger. Sabo thought back to those moments, when Ace hated the blood in his veins with more passion than anyone ought to. How there were days that if Sabo wasn't looking, he was sure Ace would have clawed at his skin and ripped his arms open just to get it out. He knew what it was like to hate his blood, but the extent to which Ace had scared him, made him feel that he had to watch his brother more carefully on certain days or reassure him that he wasn't a monster. Then they met Luffy, Luffy who told them he loved them from the bottom of his heart. He loved them just how they were and nothing could ever change that.
Ace was more terrified then, held Luffy closer and sometimes cried in his sleep from nightmares, ones were Luffy would leave him because their baby brother realized they were monsters. It never happened of course, and Sabo managed to convince Ace to tell Luffy, to trust in his heart and uncanny instincts.
Sabo remembered the bright smile that Luffy wore, remembered how he lunged towards Ace and hugged his stunned brother twice over. All his limbs wrapping around him and hanging on tight. Ace had told Luffy who his father was and all their baby brother did was grin.
"Of course you are! I already knew! Mom loved Roger the most!" And that had been a smack in the face to them both, each gaping at Luffy in surprise and bafflement. Because by then they knew who Luffy called mother and knew better than to challenge her words. So, to hear that she loved the king of the pirates, a man who was deemed a devil, was beyond astonishing. Ace had gotten mad like he always did when he didn't know how to react, but Luffy just smiled and pulled him along, telling him how happy he was to be told his secret. From then on, Luffy would tell Ace about who his father really was, slowly chipping away at the self-hatred and curing him with all the love their baby brother had to offer, which was a near infinite supply.
The change in Ace was wonderful to see, Sabo felt he could breathe more easily, and he was sure he would never be able to express to Luffy just how grateful he was. Ace wasn't all better, but it was a giant step in the right direction.
"Of course he did." Ace's quiet voice cut through his thoughts and Sabo jerked in surprise, having lost himself in his mind. He glanced up at Ace and saw his brother was already dressed, waiting for him by the edge of the tub. "Now stop thinking about the obvious, we gotta go get a good spot in before that red bastard hogs Lu." Ace gave him a grin, hand reaching up to tilt his hat up with one finger. The rays of the dawn ignited his eyes and Sabo gave him a grin in return.
"Right!"
xxx
He let out a breath, staring at the ship in silent contemplation. The branch he stood on towered above many trees and brought him towards furthest edge of the dome of leaves. Resin bubbles popped more consistently here, but the closer he was to the louder background noise the better. It hid any mistakes he made in his movements and covered the snapping of images. The capture snail in his hand had a good view of the Red Force, its sails were curled and a shiny coat of resin made it glow in the afternoon sun. There was activity on the deck, its members rushing to get things done in order to descend into the sea. His observation haki prickled and a presence made itself known next to him, causing him stiffen in alarm. Very few could sneak up on him. Aokiji cast his gaze over to the branch opposing him from behind and set his eyes on Dark King Rayleigh. The man was seated with his back against the trunk and arm resting across his drawn up leg, his silver hair framing his face as he nodded in greeting.
"Kind of bright for spying no?" Rayleigh tilted his head and his round glasses reflected the rays of light peeking from above. Aokiji sighed and shrugged, turning away from the older man and looking back down at the ship getting ready to descend.
"I'd rather be asleep, but orders are orders I guess." And his were to observe, and if possible, take the child that was deemed a threat to the world government. That was easier said than done though, since there wasn't a single instant in which Red Haired Shanks wasn't watching the boy. He frowned, remembering a young girl with scared blue eyes and an old friend who was set in his convictions. His lips twitched downward and Aokiji forcefully smoothed his features.
"You don't seem so sure." Rayleigh leaned forward from his spot and crossed his legs under him, resting his cheek against his hand. "Or is it that you don't want to face two emperors at once?"
Aokiji rubbed at the back of his neck, his frown deepening. "Yeah, I don't get paid enough for that. And you're here too." Aokiji wouldn't let Rayleigh discount himself as just an old man, that would be a deadly trap to fall into and a dumb way to die.
Rayleigh's answering grin was sharp as he adjusted his glasses, letting him see his dark eyes. "I can guess why you're here, now the question is," he sat up straight and his lips thinned into a thin line. "How did you know he was here."
Rayleigh studied him, taking in the snail he had in his hand and the notepad that stuck out his pocket. He wasn't wrong, but Aokiji wasn't told who their informant was, just that he needed to be here as fast as possible and stall them from heading underwater.
"Yeah, we knew. But to be honest with you I'm not even sure how. Last we heard they got taken off Whitebeard's ship, then he ended up here." That's what he had been told, but Aokiji wasn't dumb. He knew the name Monkey D., and he would bet his life that it was Garp who had taken him away. However any speculation was worthless, Sengoku was tight lipped and for good reason. Akainu was already frothing at the mouth, because to him, anyone who was in the same vicinity as pirates was guilty by association. And from what they heard; an emperor had claimed Luffy as son. It was a death sentence if Aokiji ever saw one, and a part of him hoped that Red Haired Shanks was as strong as he was feared.
"Oh, I see." There was a glint to Rayleigh's eye and underneath that, Aokiji saw the fringes of anger unraveling. The elder man stood, clapping his hands to get rid of the dirt on his palms, legs shifting ever so slightly. Aokiji stiffened abruptly and leaped back, chancing a glance down to the Red Force and considering his options. He opted to stall, knowing he would have to be in a better position to properly carry out his task.
"You know who it is?" He spoke as he took a step back, glancing down at the nearby branch and wondering if he could stretch his power that far out.
"I do. But that's enough of that, you're decades too young to fool me kiddo, let's get this started." Rayleigh moved before he even finished speaking, pushing himself off the branch and leaving a wake of air behind him. Electric blue haki flashed and Aokiji managed to bring an arm up just in time to block the kick headed for his head. Instead of fighting back he shifted, letting himself slide down the side of the resin tree, reaching his palm out and willing his power to the surface. Ice grew over his feet, and he surfed his way down, the air around him chilling and causing dew to form on nearby branches before freezing over. Nearby resin bubbles met the frost of his power and dropped from the air before shattering like glass below. He glanced up, gritting his teeth when he saw Rayleigh rapidly approaching, jumping from branch to branch, each thick limb breaking and splintering from the force of his kicks.
The sound of rushing water finally met his ears and he figured he was close enough to the sea now. Aokiji twisted his feet, using the ice under him like a ramp as he launched himself out from the cover of the leaves. Shouts of surprise met his descent and before anyone could get a word in, he extended both hands out, fingers splayed wide apart as his muscles strained under the power of his devil fruit. A large crack was heard and the water around the Red Force solidified into ice, the ship ceasing any movement as he forced his power as deep as it would go. Ice stretched past the sea and went inland, coating the green grass white and solidifying it mid-breeze. He knew this would not hold them long, and he wasn't strong enough to face off everyone here, but for whatever reason, the Gorosei were desperate to end this boy's life, and he had a job to do. It was too bad that he just happened to be the closest, however, he knew Akainu was hot on his trail and would arrive shortly. All he had to do was stall and survive.
xxx
Sengoku gripped the wood of his desk, teeth clenched as he squeezed his eyes shut. Of all the times Garp chose to disappear, this one was the worst. He let out a heavy breath, unmuting his den den and kept his voice even as he spoke. The Gorosei have orders for you, Akainu. They'll be sent over to your ship's communication team. Keep me updated."
He hung up and leaned back into his chair, staring up blankly at the ceiling. He blindly reached for his desk, snatching up the picture that Aokiji sent him last night and let his head fall into his hands. The bounties hadn't done Garp's grandson justice. Because all Sengoku saw in the photo was a happy little boy swimming in dark waters, a carefree smile on his face as he splashed about. His chest tightened and he remembered amber eyes looking up at him, wide and round with hope for the future and a determination to help change it. He clenched his fist, remembering the dried blood that had stuck to them and marked him for life. The heavy weight of his son's limp body now a constant feel in his limbs. He let his eyes fall back onto the photo, past the child and the waters and onto Red Haired Shanks. The man had his arms out, holding Luffy and letting him play, but his crimson eyes were fixed to look right at the camera, smile sharp and warning. Sengoku hadn't been able to do anything for Rosinante, and he hoped the same fate wouldn't befall the pirate who called Luffy son.
"Damnit Garp," he covered his eyes with his palm, leaning heavily against his desk. "Where are you!?"
xxx
Wood groaned around him and Shanks narrowed his eyes, sitting up from the bed and placing Gryphon at his side in a smooth, practiced motion. He had known Aokiji had been watching them, and had been willing to let the man linger if he didn't impose himself on them. However, that no longer seemed to be the case. Even from under the deck and away from the inner ring of trees, Shanks had been able to feel Rayleigh's haki flare. He rose to his feet, the boys behind him tripping and stumbling over themselves as the ship was jostled, but Shanks let himself sway with the motion easily. The candles in the room flickered out and a deep and sudden chill wafted through the room. His breath came out hot from his nose and he felt his face twist into a sharp frown. He glanced back, watching as Ace and Sabo gripped Luffy between them and looked around with wide eyes. This was the work of Aokiji no doubt, and while Shanks was reluctant to have the boys anywhere near an admiral, Ace's fire would help to free the ship much faster than conventional means.
"An admiral is here. Aokiji. His devil fruit is ice, Ace, are you up to help free the ship?" Shanks wouldn't blame him if he said no, even if he was fairly confident in his ability to defend him while he worked. Ace glanced between Luffy and Sabo, biting his lip as his eyes hardened in determination. He nodded and Shanks gestured him forward, ready to head out.
"No wait! I'll watch his back!" Sabo stood from the bed, unfurling Luffy and tucking him back in the sheets despite his son's protests. Shanks made to argue but Sabo glared at him, blue eyes blazing in determination. "We always fight together; we're used to each other's moves. It'll be better this way."
A sharp tingle of haki dashed across his skin and Shanks sighed in frustration. "Fine, but Anchor you stay here." He gave his son a warning look, forcing himself to harden his heart against Luffy's desperate eyes.
"But-!"
"No Lu, this is our adventure. Remember that." Ace cut his baby brother off and Shanks watched as Luffy instantly deflated, head bowing and straw hat covering his eyes. He was surprised, knowing Luffy was one to put up more of a fight, and wondered why he wasn't doing so.
"Beat them up good, Ace." Luffy didn't raise his head but Ace smiled at him anyways.
"Of course Lu, who do you think I am?" When Ace stood still a little too long, Sabo grabbed him by the arm and forced him away.
"You're not fighting," Shanks reminded them as he passed through the threshold of the door, his footsteps heavy on the wood that now lay still under him. Shanks chanced a glance back into the room before closing the door and forced himself to keep going, hating the way Luffy was desperately clinging to his hat.
"Yeah, yeah, we won't." Ace waved him off and Shanks sighed, quickly leading them towards the upper deck and taking in the situation. The air was colder outside, and his men were out on the ice, chipping away at it with tools or their haki. Just like Shanks thought though, this ice was extra thick. There were already deep cuts along the sheet and still, no ice broke away. In the distance towards the grove of trees, Rayleigh was fighting with Aokiji, fists of haki easily breaking though ice walls and strong kicks breaking any ice that tried to hold him down. The power of their clashes made the wood of the old trees around them groan as they swayed, leaves and branches parting and twisting back from blows. Shanks glanced back at the boys taking in their raised arms and squinted eyes as they stared on with disbelief.
"Benn is taking care of the ship, find him and ask how he wants you to help." He turned, faintly hearing their shouts of agreement as he sprinted forward. The grass under his feet began to blur into a sea of green and his haki flared around him, feet creating craters in the dirt as he dashed forward. He blew past Rayleigh, eyes focused on Aokiji as he drew Gryphon and struck upwards, a crest of unnamed energy licking off his sword and out into the air. Aokiji shifted, eyes widening as he bent backwards to dodge, ice rapidly forming under his feet to get away from his next downward strike.
Gryphon slashed into the grass and stone easily, the ground rumbling before the wave of power caused it to heave out from under him. Shanks removed his sword, slowly turning to glare up at the admiral from within the crater he made. Aokiji glanced between them, eyes shifting further to his ship and frown marring his face.
"Man, this is a pain." The admiral rubbed the back of his neck and let out a heaving sigh.
"Might be best to leave then." Shanks gestured away from his ship with a nod of his head and let a smirk tug at the corner of his lips.
"I agree with you, unfortunately others don't. Maybe when reinforcements get here I can relax more, but for now I gotta keep you all here." Aokiji shifted his stance and Shanks narrowed his eyes, gaze roving over the destroyed field.
"Do you think you can?" Rayleigh's tone was light and full of humor as he leaned forward, hands in his pockets and glasses shining. Aokiji didn't answer and Shanks let a grin stretch across his face as he tilted his head back and laughed.
"In that case!" He shifted his sword to his left hand, tip facing down as he pumped his haki into his arms, allowing it to flow into Gryphon. "Why don't you go find the other pests then, Ray? I'm sure they'll be happy to see a living legend!"
Rayleigh joined him in his laughter, humor dancing across his face and silver hair whipping from his straining power. "Don't have too much fun without me." In the next instant he was gone, leaving only him and Aokiji in the grove of ancient resin trees. Shanks bent his knees, grin stretching further across his face and eyes widening in wild vigor. Aokiji stood in front of the trunk of a particularly thick resin tree, and if Shanks held back enough, not much would be destroyed further on.
The dark-skinned admiral shifted, arms coming up in anticipation and haki lining his body at the critical points. Even Aokiji knew his devil fruit wouldn't protect him from this. Shanks let his power free as he swung up, red haki dancing around him and striking at the ground, ripping it up and sending rocks into the air.
"Divine departure!"
xxx
They found Benn easily enough, and the man was quick to give them orders. Directing them to the larger cracks they managed to make in the ice and instructing Ace to concentrate his flames down them, to hopefully soften the ice up around the weak points and free the ship faster. The sharp points were already threatening to tear open the resin coating, so they were encouraged to be extra careful around those and to smoothen out any points that were too close. Ace was fast to get to work, fire igniting his arm as he sent blasts of heat down towards the holes made in the ice. Echoing cracks soon followed and the surrounding ice shifted under their feet. A large chunk twisted and groaned before being completely cut away, floating off into the distance as a massive glacier. Ace grinned at the resulting cheers and upped his fire, sending a punch out towards the glacier that was now freely floating nearby.
"Fire first!" The wave of heat blasted Sabo's hair back and he shielded his eyes as the fire made contact, spreading out and up into a wall of flames. Ace laughed and spun, running towards the next crack that was deemed ready. They kept up that pattern, occasionally ducking from the stray blast of power that blasted off from the inner part of the island, though the other members of the crew were helpful enough to give them a heads up when to duck. With he and Ace out on the ice, it was decided that a watchman would stay behind and give them warnings while the others prepared the ship to sail rather than descend. The ship was harder to steer underwater, and if they ran into and sharp corners of ice it would spell disaster for the crew.
After dodging a particularly harsh shockwave, he and Ace hopped over to the side of the ship that faced the shore, being careful to only hop on pieces of ice that seemed stable and only after Sabo deemed them safe for Ace. This time Ace had to crawl on his belly, cursing about the cold and setting his body on fire to fight against it. He stuck his whole arm down a narrow crack, blasting his fire inside and melting away the ice. The watchman behind them shouted and Sabo looked up abruptly, eyes widening when he saw Luffy hanging off the rails to watch them work.
"Luffy!" He shouted, brows furrowing in anger. Ace jerked and twisted onto his back, fire dying abruptly from surprise.
"Get back inside Luffy!" Sabo shouted up at his brother and the watchman, Lucky Roo, jumped in surprise when Luffy shimmied up his body and placed himself on his shoulders.
"I'm still on the ship! I'll be fine!" His baby brother smiled down at him and Lucky heaved out a sigh, fishing into his pocket and pulling out a stick of meat. Luffy immediately took the bait and gobbled it down, sucking on the bone and asking for more.
"Don't worry, I got him." Lucky called down to him, wide grin on his face as he offered Luffy more meat. If Sabo ever needed more evidence that Luffy grew up with these pirates, he wouldn't need to look any further. Hesitantly he nodded, trusting in the man's strength and turned back to Ace, motioning for his brother to return to work. The ship was almost free, and soon they would be able to leave. Ace had a harsh frown on his lips but nodded, blasting out a jet of fire from his palms. Just as the ice began to crack, signifying the end of their task, Lucky cursed loudly and shouted a warning.
"Duck!"
Sabo hit the floor as fast as he could, gripping onto Ace's ankle and tugging him near him. A shockwave slammed into him and Sabo felt the air escape his lungs, his eyes widening as spit flew out his mouth. He slammed into the side of the ship, the piece of ice he was on toppling over dangerously. He opened his palms, splaying his fingers apart to try to get a grip despite the burning cold. Sabo heaved in a breath, vision clearing in time to see Ace's panicked eyes as his grip slipped off the glacier he landed on.
"Ace!" Sabo shifted, ready to dive in after his brother but he tripped, feet unable to move and arms tingling with a sharp chill. He glanced down, alarmed to find ice crawling up his arms and holding down his legs. He snapped his head to the sky, watching Lucky deflect an attack from a tall man dressed in white. Dark eyes looked at him over Lucky's shoulder and Sabo felt his blood freeze in his veins at the feel of an overwhelmingly strong enemy.
"I know you can't beat captain, Aokiji! What happened!?" Lucky shouted as he slammed his fist into the man's face, sending him flying into the ground. Aokiji slowed his fall and landed on his feet, rubbing at his chin as he took them all in. "Akainu is here." Sabo didn't know who that was, but with how Lucky clenched his fists and growled in anger, it was no one good.
"Accee!" Luffy's panicked voice gripped his attention and Sabo watched, helpless as Luffy flung himself off the ship and straight to where their brother had fallen into the water. Luffy came up, hands wrapped around their brother, but something was wrong. Electricity filled the air and Sabo reeled back from it as far as he could, catching Lucky Roo push Aokiji away from his brother and redirecting the ice that came out of his palms. Sabo's heart hammered in his chest, realizing that the water was the most dangerous place for them to be right now. Aokiji was targeting Luffy, and Sabo didn't know how his brother would fare against ice.
He shifted his attention back, ready to warn them, before his breath caught in his throat. Sabo watched, horrified as Luffy tugged at Ace's arms, trying desperately to keep him afloat. The waves were harsh, sloshing and curling, trying to drag them down further and further, away from the Red Force and away from where he was frozen to. He struggled harder, trying desperately to break the ice that held him as Luffy's pleas pierced his ears. His arms were wrapped around Ace's shoulders, feet desperately kicking, but Ace was too big for him to hold, too heavy with the sea demanding his life. And worst of all, Luffy didn't know how to swim. His movements were sloppy and barely held them afloat, but Sabo figured his mother was perfectly fine dragging Luffy down as well, knowing he wouldn't be able to drown. But, if Sabo looked closely, concentrated with his head and ignored his heart, he could see that the sea wasn't really twisting around in deliberate manipulation. No, it acted as normal water should, but for once in Luffy's life, the sea ignored his call.
"Mom, mom please don't!" His baby brother's voice was distorted from where his mouth dipped underwater, but Sabo could hear the despair as clear as day. Tears were streaming down Luffy's face as Ace continued to sink, Luffy's hands were unable to keep him up because try as he might, his baby brother was just too small. Luffy cried harder, face twisted in pain, his struggles never ceasing even as his breath hitched and his voice broke from sobs. The water was splashing fiercely from his desperate, jerky movements and Sabo's heart pounded harder in his chest when they were both lost with the next wave, finally being dragged down. The last thing he heard was Luffy's heartbroken voice, cracking and screaming of betrayal, and now only bubbles of lost air were visible on the surface, and eventually even those ceased to exist.
"Luffy! Accee!" Sabo jerked harder, trying to break away from the ice, trying to draw up that strange power that Rayleigh had told them about the night before. Nothing came to him, not even a hint of power that suggested that he was doing anything right. Sabo felt his eyes water and he screamed through his clenched teeth, he was going to watch his brother die in front of him.
Footsteps came pounding from behind and Sabo turned just as Benn blew past him. A flash of red covered his vision and Sabo suddenly found himself free, the ice around his legs and wrists cracking under the force of Benn's precise strike. He didn't waste a second, jumping to his feet and following behind, hopping across the ice when it began to thin out and break. Benn dove in without hesitation and Sabo followed, ignoring how the cold water tried to take his breath away even as he kicked hard and fast. The streams of light that managed to break through the surface quickly faded, only leaving a murky view of the sea floor. And there on the bottom was Ace, eyes closed and mouth open, clearly unable to move. Ace was staring at Luffy, and Sabo saw a world of regret in his brother's eyes as their baby brother continued to sob, kicking off the floor with Ace in his arms only to fall back down onto the seabed and repeat the process.
Benn reached them, grabbing at Ace's arm and urging Luffy to let go. He did so without hesitation and Sabo watched as the dark-haired man kicked up from the floor and practically fly to the surface. Luffy was left at the bottom, staring up at them as distorted light danced across his face. Sabo grabbed his brother, unwilling to leave him in the darkness of the sea just because he could breathe. He expected to be grabbed onto immediately, but Luffy only let himself be carried around limply, not denying the help, but he didn't latch onto Sabo like how he normally would either.
Sabo breached the surface, coughing and taking in a large breath as he paddled his way over to the shore, avoiding the ice as much as possible. In the distance the sky turned red and a second later a shockwave of air blew into him, making him stumble as he crawled onto the grass and over to where Ace was coughing up water. Their brother was gasping for breath, black hair clinging to his face and eyes wide, desperately searching until they landed on him and Luffy. Ace's eyes focused and he gave them a weak smile, but Sabo couldn't unsee the fear he saw in his eyes.
xxx
Luffy had told them before, that they would be safe in the sea. And when they were little Luffy always made them get in the water, get familiar with the flow of waves and how to crest over them. To let their bodies feel the cooling touch of the underwater currents and their power. He and Sabo knew how to swim, and when Ace was young, he thought that he floated a little easier than the rest. When he ate that devil fruit, it was out of desperation, a sharp need to make sure he could defend his brothers. He was barely able to help them even then, and afterwards he had been too distracted to think about the sea and what it entailed for him. A part of him didn't want to think about it, didn't want to consider the possibility that he would no longer be able to swim, that he would be hated for what he had done regardless of the reason.
The unknown scared him, and being the focus of something beyond his senses was terrifying. So, when he had felt himself fall into the water, he let out a gasp, fear ripping its way up his throat as he clenched his eyes tight, trying to pretend that the cold water that enveloped him was just that. Ace couldn't lie to himself, he couldn't even breathe, and it wasn't because his head had been underwater. The reason why his breath was still tangled in his throat was because he felt it, felt the eyes of the being taking notice of him and dragging him down. It still watched him even as he lay on the crisp grass, coughing and spluttering and just trying to get his senses back. It was a pressure in his chest, like the water that was still in him refused to leave and tried to drag his essence out of him, to rip away what was never his.
He should have known. No, he had known, but he had been foolishly hopeful. Ace hoped that by growing up in her waves, being the brother of her son, that he would be spared from her cruelty. But when his back had hit the ocean floor and his chest felt crushed under the pressure, he realized his mistake. All he could see then was Luffy, half transparent yet still managing to hold him, still trying to drag him back up towards the sunlight that broke through the waves.
Someone pounded on his chest and he wheezed, water gushing out of his mouth and trickling a warm line down his chin. His vision focused and Benn's frown was the first thing he saw.
"That was a close one there kid." Benn's voice sounded distorted but soon everything came into crisp clarity. He heard the cracking of the air as power split the sky above and the quiet sniffles of his baby brother along with Sabo's reprimanding voice. He shifted and he caught sight of Luffy's straw hat, the sunlight lighting it up and setting his figure ablaze.
"Thanks guys," he gestured for help to sit up and Sabo gave him a watery smile before hoisting him up. Luffy bit his lip, eyes cast in darkness as he tilted his head down. The light caught a tear streaming down his chubby cheek and Ace felt his heart clench. He had known that if this were to ever happen, that Luffy would blame himself, and of all things, that was what made Ace the angriest at the goddess of the sea.
"Luffy," he began, reaching out and placing his hand firmly on the straw hat. It was rough under his palm, frayed and loose threads stabbing into his skin. "I made a promise."
Luffy looked up at him, shadows retreating from his face and his teary eyes coming into view. Orange light hugged the curves of his cheeks and shone off the tip of his nose, reminding Ace just how young Luffy still was.
He set his shoulders and gave his brother a smile, grip slackening so he could grab Luffy by the back of his neck, bringing their foreheads together. Dark eyes widened as they stared up at him, the wet sheen on them making Ace's heart clench. "I won't die!"
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R&R!
