"How long until the log pose sets?" Ace asked his crew member, Saber who answered with 'a day'. He nodded, eyeing the plan of their next island on the table. It was another underground trading island, which Ace was again going on to inspect. While he does that, the rest will look out in their ship. This time Deuce was going with him, which is new.

"Okay. Me and Deuce will go, inspect the place, snap a few pics, and if needed we will burn down the place. You'll take that as a warning and immediately sail away leaving the Striker behind. We'll find you with Striker. Any questions?" Ducky Bree raised his hand.

"What are we- well, you, exactly looking for?" The man asked. Ace bit his lower lip, not knowing what to tell them. Surely he couldn't tell the truth? But, he could hide the 'coming from another timeline' part and tell them he owes to the Whitebeard crew.

"I'm searching for someone that must die. I'll tell everyone about him once I have enough clues of his betrayal on a pirate crew that I owe to." Ace answered. Well, what he said was true. He did owe it to Whitebeard. And no matter what, he'll repay. When there was no more questions asked, Ace got up and so did Deuce. They both nodded to each other and left the ship to go towards the town. It was a nice, cozy town, where no one would assume this place was actually an underground trading island.

"Captain really is strange." Ducky Bree said, and everyone agreed. Ace was acting strange. And Deuce was supporting him. Stupid captain and first mate, hiding secrets from the crew. They did not pout once the two left. No. They are strong pirates and they don't pout like children.

"Here, Deuce. Come." Ace whispered, and Deuce followed him through a narrow entrance. It lead them to an open room with many doors. An old table was put inside and a man was standing behind it. He eyed Ace suspiciously and pointed for him to come. Ace went, while Deuce stood behind watching from where he was hiding. It was their plan, Ace would go inside and Deuce would look around the place. While Ace searched the inside place, Deuce would search the outside. Ace had already told him what Blackbeard looked like. He asked him to call if he saw the betrayer.

"Whatcha here for?" The man asked. Ace didn't talk, just gave him a card. A card that worked and was known well for those who were working underground. They got this card from Shanks. The Yonkō pirate was a big help to them and gave every information that could be helpful for them. The man nodded to himself when he saw the card, and gave Ace another card that had the number '97' on it. He then pointed to one of the doors. Ace went inside the door, looking back at Deuce and giving him an eye-nod. Deuce left to go around the buildings once Ace was out of sight.

Going inside the room, Ace looked around and saw many seats, mostly equipped. It looked like an auction house. But the place was surprisingly silent and Ace could see that mostly pirates were around other than nobles. He went and sat down on one of the back seats, just searching around the place. Maybe Blackbeard would be here. This island was closer to Sabaody, after all. A nice place to come to if nothing was found on Sabaody. Blackbeard would eventually come here. Ace doubted that anyone had the fruit still, as Thatch found it from the ocean. In the New World. He watched for a while, seeing the items come and go, every one of them being sold. He was about to leave, before another announcement was made by the host which had him interested in what was next.

"Alright, everyone! Now, for today's special item, we have a wonderful devil fruit in our hands!" The auction host said, gaining Ace's attention. Just as he was saying that he doubted the auctions having that devil fruit, this place has one. Now, the real question is, which devil fruit is it? He waited impatiently for the devil fruit to be shown, while also looking around the attendants to see if Blackbeard is present. The devil fruit was wheeled inside by the workers, a red cloth on it to hide it's appearance. The host went behind it and put his hand on the red cloth.

"Now! Wonder what devil fruit is below this? Watch and see!" The man yelled, grabbing and yanking the cloth away to reveal the devil fruit. A large, light purple fruit, teardrop shaped components with swirls on it. Ace's eyes widened. This was it! That's the Yami Yami! Oh hell yes, he fucking found it! Now, to gain the fruit.. It didn't matter if he had to kill for that fruit. He would get it no matter what. And it didn't really matter to him if someone in this auction house died. They were all scumbags.

"Now, look closer to this beautiful devil fruit! The problem is, we still don't know what fruit it is because we don't have any encyclopedias. But! You can still buy it and use it for your own likes! What do you know? It may be the best fruit in the world! The prices start from.. 100,000 Berris!" The host said enthusiastically, but there was a lot of doubting around the room. Ace wasted no time standing up and raising his card up.

"200,000 Berris!" He shouted, and host looked at him happily. To Ace's luckiness, there was no one else that wanted the fruit and in no time it was sold to him for 200,000. He thought it would cost more, but it didn't. They had more than 200,000 and it wouldn't be a problem.

"Sir 97, you can have your item once you want to leave. Give the money and get the fruit." The host said. Ace nodded and sat back. He didn't want to seem suspicious. After three more items, he left the room and called Deuce to tell him to get 200,000 Berris. Deuce didn't ask questions and after a while came back with the money. Ace took it and went to the entrance. He gave his card and money also, and got the fruit. The fruit was put in a box, which he was grateful of. He thanked the man and left with Deuce following behind. They hurriedly left the building and went back to their ship. Ace was feeling so many things right now. Anger, happiness, victory, sadness.. This fruit was the reason everything started. Everything went down because of it. Because Teach wanted it. He felt tears gather in his eyes and blinked away them.

"What happened?" Saber asked after Ace hurriedly commander they leave the island right now. Other crew members were readying to sail away.

"Well.. I'll explain everything once we're away from here and safe. Please wait until that." Ace said, a little unsure. But he would still tell them. Saber nodded and went with the crew to set sail. Once they have sailed away and were deemed safe by Ace, the captain called for a meeting. They gathered in the galley, where they ate and talked about things. Ace took a deep breath and started.

"Okay, so.. Everything started long, long ago. To make it short, this is my uh.. second life? Or at least, a new chance given to me to make every wrongs right. I died at 20 years old. But came back to life, in my 17 year old self." Ace said. The crew looked at him in shock, eyes wide. Ace let what he said sink in, before continuing.

"My goal in this life is to kill a man called Marshall D Teach, or also known as Blackbeard. He is currently in Whitebeard's crew, hiding as one of his sons. We have to inform them and disarm Blackbeard. Or he'll kill one of them. Betray them. I know this because in my last life.. before I died, we were in Whitebeard's crew. Sons of Edward Newgate.." Ace finished with a sad smile. He missed them so much, and was so impatient to meet them again.

A few days have gone by, and the Spades have docked on Sabaody Archipelago island. Ace told his crew to go and have fun, but not to cause any problems. Ace himself went to someone he wasn't happy to be meeting. The first mate of pirate king, his father- 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh. He hated to see that man but he had to, if he was going to aim on big name pirates. Like Whitebeard. But, it's not like 'get his head' aim. It's more like help aim, but Whitebeard might get this as a bad intention or it might touch his pride. That wouldn't end well. So Ace needed to make himself look like a trustworthy person. He had already got another Yonko's trust, somewhat. But that won't help much to be seen as trustworthy by Whitebeard. He needed someone that Whitebeard himself trusted in. And that person was Rayleigh. Being in his old rival's crew. He got on his way to Grove 13, where Shakky's Rip-off Bar was in. From what he'd heard, Rayleigh has been staying there for a long time now.

After going for a while, he reached the Grove 13 and searched for that bar. He didn't exactly know where the bar was, just that it was in Grove 13 in Sabaody. But not long after, he found it and went inside. Entering, he was met with a short, black haired woman who smiled at him. With a quick look over the place and expanding his observation haki, Ace noticed Rayleigh wasn't around. But he didn't make anything obvious, just went and sat down at the corner.

"Welcome, young man. What would you like?" The woman asked him. Probably she is Shakky.

"Something light." Ace said. He didn't like the taste of alcohol much. But even if he drunk much, it wouldn't affect him. His fire would burn the alcohol in his body. The woman, Shakky gave him a drink and he took it, drinking slowly. He was contemplating on going back or waiting for Rayleigh.

"You don't look like you're from around here." Shakky asked him. He looked up ans saw her smiling fondly. What's up with her?

"I'm a pirate." Ace said. "Don't worry. We won't cause any problems." He then added. Shakky smiled at him and said they would get their punishment if they caused problems. Ace didn't really question. After waiting for a while and a second drink, Ace sensed Rayleigh coming. He mentally got ready for the talk. Rayleigh came in the next minute.

"Oh, welcome back, love." Shakky welcomed him. The man didn't mind anyone in the bar, though it was only Ace, and went up to give Shaky a kiss. Ace ignored that.. He adjusted his seat and looked up at Rayleigh, seeing him looking at Ace with an unreadable look.

"You're Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh, right?" Ace asked once Rayleigh sat down. He knew the man, of course, but just to be sure. Rayleigh nodded and took the drink Shakky gave him.

"The first mate of Gol D Roger?" Ace asked again. He made sure to call the Pirate King by his real name. Gol D. It's not Gold. Rayleigh raised his eyebrow and eyed him up and down.

"What do you need?" Rayleigh asked in a dangerous tone, glaring at him. Ace didn't go down in the other end of that glare, but glared back.

"My name is Portgas D Ace." Ace said. After a moment of surprise, Rayleigh actually laughed.

"I see, Ace. I see." He said, a nostalgic look on his face. "You actually survived? What about Rouge?" The man asked. Ace shook his head,

"Mom couldn't make it. Died giving birth to me." Ace spat out in hate. To no one but himself. Not even Roger anymore. Rayleigh nodded sadly.

"I'm sorry, Ace. I couldn't be with you while you grew up. How old are you?" Rayleigh said sadly. Ace shook his head again.

"No, I don't mind. It's not your job. I'm seventeen right now." Ace answered. Rayleigh nodded to himself. But he still felt guilty.

"Where did you grow up? Who looked after you?" Rayleigh asked again. Ace didn't mind Rayleigh's questions much. They were harmless questions out of curiosity and guilt of not being able to be by your captain's son's side and help him grow up. He did hate Roger, and hated Rayleigh for siding with the pirate king, but he did respect the man. He respected the man's love towards his captain, how much he respected Roger even if he was in danger for it. Even if Ace said he didn't mind, he did think that it would have been a big help if Rayleigh was by his side. At least maybe then he wouldn't hate the old man.. But maybe he will understand some things about Roger from what Rayleigh will tell him. So, to answer Rayleigh's question, Ace started telling him his past. About Dawn island, Dadan, Garp, Sabo, Luffy and their goal of becoming a pirate. He decided to cut out the 'I hate that old man' part, but Rayleigh already seemed to notice.

"I can understand and see why you hate him, Ace, but captain was really a nice man. He loved you even before you were born. Even before Rouge and Roger talked about having a baby. He always smiled, too. Never stopped smiling, even when he was executed. He.. got really sick a year before his death. He would have already died even if he wasn't executed. I've met Rouge only a few times, but she was a strong woman. She was never disappointed in Roger, never felt bad for loving him. Even when it got her and her son in danger. Fate is really a bitch sometimes." Rayleigh finished with a sad look. Shakky had went out a while before now, to give privacy to the two. Ace nodded, even though he didn't need the part that included Roger.

"I really wonder how things would have turned out if I was with you instead of that crazy geezer." Ace wondered. Rayleigh chuckled, and said Roger was an asshole for not telling him where Rouge was. He could at least protect Rouge. Take her to a nice place. Make sure they are both alive. Ace laughed before looking a little uneasy. He seemed to be wanting to tell something else, but had secondary thoughts. Rayleigh encouraged him to go on and talk.

"Okay.. Where do I start? So, I died when I turned 20. But then, I came back to life in my 17 year old body, which I'm in now." Ace explained. Or, well, tried to. The former pirate looked at him dumbfoundedly and then his face palmed.

"That explanation was worse than Oden's explanations. I can't believe you really reminded me of him." He said with a chuckle. Ace hummed. He'd heard of Oden when he went to Wano in his old life. But didn't know much. Well, whatever, he didn't really need to know.

"So, I was given a second chance. To make wrongs right. I need help to do so. That's what I'm originally here for." Ace finished. Rayleigh nodded and then looked at Ace for a moment before asking,

"What happened in your old life? You died. How? Why?" Rayleigh asked cautiously. So Ace explained everything. Starting from accepting to be Whitebeard's son, then the betrayal, searching for Blackbeard, getting beaten up and put in Impel Down, and then Marineford war. He told Rayleigh everything that happened there. How Whitebeard sacrificed himself for everyone. How his family came to save him, even if he wasn't worth it. How Luffy came. And how he saved his sweet, little brother from death's depressing arms. How he faced the magma fist of Akainu's.

"...A lot has happened. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm guessing you want to eliminate Blackbeard. I can help you with that, it's no problem at all. I'll be more than happy to help. Here, take this den den mushi with you if you ever need to call me. I'll call you also if I find anything helpful." Rayleigh said, giving Ace a den den mushi.

"Thanks, Rayleigh. I appreciate your help." Ace said, grinning widely. They talked a little more before Ace's personal den den mushi rang. He took it out of his pocket and answered.

"Captain, I think we should leave early. Someone that could cause problem is here." Ace heard Deuce say. He hummed, but didn't ask who it was. He had some people in mind, but he'll ask once he meets with Deuce later on.

"We need to get our ship coated first to leave Sabaody. And the log pose isn't set yet." Ace said. Deuce cursed, but before he was able to say something, Rayleigh joined their conversation.

"I can help with coating." The former first mate said, and Ace beamed. He thanked Rayleigh and told Deuce he'll be coming to the ship, then hung up. Rayleigh and Ace stood up to leave. After Rayleigh said goodbye to Shakky and got his tools, they left the bar and went towards the PoS, Spade pirates' ship. When they reached the ship, the Spades were all on the deck waiting for their captain.

"Captain Ace! Are we leaving?" The only woman in their crew, Banshee asked. Ace looked at Rayleigh for an answer, and Rayleigh replied for him, getting the hint.

"You will be able to set sail tomorrow if I start this instant. I'll start now, then." Rayleigh then said when he got no reaction. The crew members that knew of him looked at him slightly fearful, and full of shock. But, he didn't mind them and just got to work. Ace went on the deck as well and sat with his back against the sailings. The crew slowly gathered around him and some sat down. He sighed loudly, getting some eyes on him.

"Was it Jesus Burgess?" He asked, and Deuce nodded, his face showing annoyance. Ace hummed, and looked up at the sky. He didn't need to worry about Rayleigh. He already explained everything.

"Then, we need to act faster. I have another plan to take Burgess down. He will be easy to take down, not someone we are to worry about. I'm more worried about Teach himself. I don't think he would be able to get his other crew members as of now. That happened only because Luffy created havoc in the Impel Down. But that won't happen. I won't let it happen. And as a matter of fact I'm worried about Lu.. Teach will go after him if he's successful." The young captain sighed and put his head in his hands, rubbing his temples in an act of maybe stop the pain that had already started growing. The crew looked at him in worry, but he paid no mind, he knew they wouldn't have much time after they entered New World. Today was the final day that they finish this plan already. He had to make everything right. He couldn't fail the second chance he was given by.. whoever was up there. He thanked them, so many times that he didn't even count. The plan, though.. It had some blank places. Tonight, he thought, would fill all the blanks.

...

Hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading~