Chapter 18

A blonde haired man stood beside Jonathan while he was knelt saying his prayers. The temple was quiet, everyone at ease in their prayers, but it seemed someone needed assistance. He glanced back, and paused. A burn scar was on the blonde man's face.

Sabo.

Ace's Guardian.

"Hello, Jonathan," Sabo greeted quietly.

"Hello, Sabo."

"I tracked Portgas D. Ace here," Sabo mused. "So I suppose you've held him back for me?"

"Why would I do such a thing?" Jonathan frowned. "I'm a mere priest these days-"

"Don't act like a fool and I won't treat you like one," Sabo warned. "You got the notice that Akainu sent out."

Jonathan frowned. "I did."

"So where is Ace?"

Jonathan breathed in deeply, and forced himself to relax. It was over. He didn't want his life to be, but it was. He had failed the Hunter's Guild.

"I let him go."

Sabo stared, eyes blank, face devoid of any emotion, like he had just cut all of it off. Jonathan braced himself, because this would be it, the Guardian would kill him and butcher his entire temple-

"It's a shame." Sabo turned on his heel and began to walk away. "I remember you fondly, but you have betrayed the Lady. You should have protected Ace who is a child of light."

Jonathan grimaced. "Sabo-"

"He does not need to remember anything. Not when it always get him killed." Sabo didn't even glance back at him. "I will inform Akainu and he shall burn your temple and all of its trash to the ground. I just hope the Lady shows you some mercy as you burn."

The door shut quietly behind Sabo. Jonathan shook, collapsing on to his hands, and trying to breathe in. He was alive. Somehow he was alive. But Akainu would come for them. He would kill them all. He needed to warn everyone and get them out.

Now.

.::.

Pops was waiting. Marco had no idea how long he had sat there for, but the moment Marco teleported into their gardens Pops had been sat on the steps to the teleportation runes that their witch- Ace, it was Ace- had painstakingly carved into the stone. Marco choked on a breath, and Pops softened instantly.

"Hello, son."

"Hello, Pops," Marco greeted warmly, but he couldn't hold back the slump of his shoulders. He felt guilty, he hadn't returned in ages, and now that he had he was acting like a sad sack. He should be happy, he was home. But Ace... He had messed up so badly with Ace...

"What's wrong, Marco?" Pops' hand landed on his shoulder as Marco climbed down the steps to join him.

"I found him yoi..." Marco said shakily. "I-I really found him..."

Pops sighed softly. "But he has no memories of you, nor do you of him. It was a powerful spell, Marco."

Marco's brow furrowed. "You know about it?"

"Yes, and I'll explain soon, but not now." Pops gestured to the runes. "But for now we have more company."

In a flash Sanji and Zoro appeared, arguing amongst themselves as usual. Luffy and Ace stumbled in behind them, Luffy dragging Ace who was scowling. Marco saw Pops soften when he spotted Ace, and frowned. He really did remember Ace then. But how? Why can't Marco remember? Nami and Tama appeared after, but Law and Vivi didn't.

"I think Law and Vivi are having a chat," Nami said, a furrow in her brow. "They should be here in a moment."

"Not exactly the best timing yoi," Marco admitted. "They could get ambushed."

Nami paled the moment she saw Pops and quickly retreated to Ace's side with Tama in tow. She dragged them both behind Ace, whispering hurriedly to him. Ace grimaced, shook his head, and whispered back to her just as quickly.

"Guararara, there is no need to be afraid of me, children!" Pops laughed. "You're all too scrawny to eat."

Nami squeaked while Ace cursed.

"Stop terrorising them, Pops," Izo huffed. He approached from the maze across from them, plants in his basket, Thatch carrying another set in hand.

"Yeah, you'll only chase the Chosen away!" Thatch laughed. "Hey, I'm Thatch, nice to meet you guys!"

Marco froze. Thatch had dark bags under his eyes, and he looked thin and wary. His hair unkept and clothes rumpled. Thatch threw him a tired smile and a wink. He then gestured to Izo.

"And this beautiful, utterly gorgeous creature, who is magnificent-" Thatch choked when Izo punched him in the stomach.

"I'm Izo," Izo cut in cheerfully, and smiled warmly at Tama and Sanji. "Hello, little sister, little brother."

"Hello, brother," Tama greeted shyly.

Sanji nodded. "Hello, brother."

"Eh?" Luffy blinked. "You're siblings? None of you look alike."

"It's because they are head witches, Luffy," Nami said. "The clans often look onto one another as siblings as their magic is gifted by their bloodlines, while mine is by nature."

"Yes, we are more like cousins." Izo winked at Nami.

Luffy winced. "That's confusing."

"You call yourself Ace's brother," Nami pointed out.

"Shishishishi, yeah, I feel a connection!"

"We're not brothers." Ace crossed his arms.

"It's because of your parents," Pops said. "You have a Guardian, don't you, Ace?"

Ace smiled. "Yeah, Sabo."

Marco couldn't help but soften at his smile.

"Well, before you Rouge had a Guardian of her own. That Guardian was Monkey D. Dragon-"

"WHAT?!" Ace and Luffy both screeched.

Another burst of light interrupted them, and finally Law and Vivi came through. Marco let out a relieved sigh. They had been away for a bit too long there to be comfortable.

.::.

Vivi smiled warmly. "Hello, everyone! It's lovely to see you all again."

"Vivi!" Izo greeted cheerfully, rushing to her side. "I swear you've gotten taller since I last saw you."

Vivi laughed. "I doubt it. I've not been growing for quite a few hundred years now."

Izo frowned at her neck. "What is this?" Izo's face grew dark, carefully touching the collar to examine it. "Vivi, who the hell sealed off your demon?"

Thatch gasped. "Her demon? Can that even happen?"

"It was the Paladins," Vivi said, her fists clenched tight. "Can you help me, Izo? I've not felt right ever since my demonic part was locked away."

"I think the collar was meant for me," Zoro cut in. "But they got Vivi instead."

"No." Izo's brow furrowed, pulling away from the collar. "No, this collar was definitely for Vivi."

Vivi flinched. "What? Why would the Paladins collar me?"

"Yeah why?" Nami asked, approaching her side, linking their hands carefully together. Vivi tightened her grasp, her hand shaking in Nami's hold.

"That I don't know, but this is for a demon older than you, Roronoa Zoro," Izo shook his head. "No, this was made for a demon Vivi's age."

Zoro cursed. "Bloody hell. I thought they were after my old man again, but they're really after Vivi?"

"It seems like it." Vivi deflated.

"Then we'll kick their asses!" Luffy yelled.

Izo nodded. "I'll get this off of you, Vivi, but I'll need time."

"While you work on the collar I think all of you need to see something." Whitebeard eyed Ace. "Especially you, Portgas D. Ace. All of this is tied to you."

Ace frowned. "You know me?"

"Guararara! Yes, I do. Tell me, do you believe in reincarnation, Ace?" Whitebeard asked.

Ace shrugged. "I've not really thought much on it."

"I doubt Akainu would want you to think too much about it to be fair," Whitebeard said. "But I do. There are a lot of things you are all missing, and Ace, you are in the middle of it all."

Ace groaned. "Is this Marco's doing?"

Marco grimaced. "I'm just as confused as you right now, Ace. Pops, what is going on exactly yoi?"

"I've been tasked to protect something for the past several thousand years." Whitebeard crossed his arms. "I even build my manor around it to keep it safe."

"So what is it?" Zoro scowled.

"The Old Goddess of Light's temple."

Vivi flinched. She saw a woman's figure, bright as the sun, standing before a ballroom, but when Vivi blinked again the vision was gone. Nami threw her a concerned look, tilting her head, but Vivi ignored her. Whitebeard had locked eyes with her, a knowing smile on his face.

"I think you all need to learn a bit more about your history."

.::.

Thatch watched as the Chosen, the witches, and Pops head off for their manor. Ace looked stressed out, but that was only natural. None of them had any idea what was going on after all, and it didn't seem like the other Chosen were having visions like Ace did.

"Vivi saw something," Izo said, startling him.

"She did?" Thatch blinked.

"Yes." Izo looked at his hand, eyes narrowed. "And she's encountered something dangerous lately too. I can feel the residue magic lingering over her. It makes me feel dread and caged, but warm and happy at the same time."

Thatch frowned. "Ace, witch Ace, told us about the past a long time ago. You don't think our big bad guy is back, right?"

Izo grimaced. "The Paladins are out in force, Ace is seeing visions of a life he doesn't remember, and Teach is up to his old tricks. I wouldn't underestimate anything here."

Thatch's fists clenched. "I won't let him take you or Ace, Izo. Not any of you."

Izo's gaze darkened. "I don't know if you have much of a choice, Thatch. We were all bound to him, all the head witches were, and when Pops shows Ace what he used to be..."

"He'll become a witch again, right?"

Izo nodded. "He was always a head witch. It's just that Akainu's hidden that bloodline from him. Trapped it like Vivi's demon is trapped. When Ace remembers his bloodline will unlock."

"I wonder what will come first, ending that bastard Teach or killing the Old King."

"As if we could kill the Old King," Izo huffed. "I certainly couldn't. None of the head witches can after he bound our bloodline to his."

"It doesn't matter. I'm not letting him enslave any of you again," Thatch growled, but paused as Izo softened, cupping his face with his hands.

"We don't have a choice, Thatch. If the Old King calls, if I hear that call, I fear I will have no choice but to answer it, no matter how far down the family tree I am from when our binding originally took place."

Thatch gripped Izo's hands and gently squeezed them between his own. "Pops will find a way."

"He couldn't last time. The Old Goddess of Light couldn't."

"She had to deal with Teach, and she banished the Old King for centuries, just as our Ace sealed Teach away," Thatch said. "We've had time, and we're stronger. We can handle this."

"But if we can't, then you know I love you, right?"

"I love you too, Izo."

.::.

They had travelled down deep into the manor and even past its basement. Ace felt something stirring inside him the further down they went. It was warm, gentle, light, and he couldn't help but think of the Old Goddess of Light. It took a bit of time, but soon they emerged in a clearing where a forest stood, and a waterfall- that Ace knew held a cave- crashed down from the cliff side.

The little girl kept going however, now wandering deep into the dark cavern, soaking wet. She shook her head, sending droplets of water flying, before grinning wildly.

"I'm entering the dragon's den," she whispered, pressing in close to the walls, holding her wooden sword up high. "Ready to challenge it for all its jewels."

She crept further into the carven, letting a flicker of fire light her free hand. She played inside for a while, battling her own shadow before a shiny glint caught the corner of her eye. The little girl turned, and saw some kind of rock sat upon a boulder near the back of the cavern.

It was a tiny thing, about the size of her palm. A bird looked as it was carved into it, and the elfling couldn't help but squeal in glee and run out the waterfall.

Ace ached. It was the same ache the last time he had been lost in his dreams, watching a little girl and her family, and he had no idea why this kept happening. Who was this kid and why this waterfall?

"I recognise this place yoi," Marco said, frowning. "But I don't remember you showing it to me before, Pops."

"Because I haven't. This is the place you were found though after Joy Boy was executed by his brother," Whitebeard said, staring sadly at the waterfall.

"Joy Boy?" Nami frowned.

Luffy titled his head. "We're looking for a joyful boy?"

"I doubt it," Law sighed.

"Once there was two brothers, Joy Boy and Imu, who both fought for the crown," Whitebeard began. "Imu won the war, and many of Joy Boy's supporters were captured and killed. Joy Boy's witches however were bound to Imu's will instead of being executed."

Nami breathed in sharply. "The head witches."

"Yes," Whitebeard said grimly. "When they hear his call his witches will return to him, bound to his side by their blood. However about two hundred and eighty years into Imu's reign things began to change. A child was born, the girl who would grow to become the Old Goddess of Light."

Ace swore his heart stopped beating. He swore nobody moved or breathed.

"She found a fossil here which contained an old ally of Joy Boy's, and he ran into a... Let's say someone who follows Joy Boy's will," Whitebeard mused. "Their alliance caused a lot of issues, which led to the creation of the Goddess of Light, Old King Imu's murder, and the Goddess creating her Champions and banishing Teach away. I don't blame their alliance though. The witches were enslaved. The people ruled unfairly. Joy Boy would have been a just king had he been crowned, while Imu had been a cold, ruthless one who was not shy about causing bloodshed."

Whitebeard turned to Law. "He is the reason why you're ill, Law."

Law flinched. "What?"

"Imu created Amber Lead as a punishment to your ancestor when he sided with Joy Boy."

"Okay, okay, just wait a second," Nami cut in. "What does Imu have to do with any of this?"

"He created the current Gods and Goddess." Whitebeard eyed Law, then Zoro. "Well, apart from the New Gods. That was Buggy. I found out recently the reason why he did that too. It was to hide from Teach."

Marco bristled. "Teach?"

"It turned out Teach was the one to murder Imu to make the Old Goddess of Light his bride." Whitebeard smirked. "Thankfully that ended badly for him."

"I don't blame her for banishing him and getting her Chosen to deal with him for being a creep," Vivi grumbled.

"Me neither," Sanji said.

"Most of you or your ancestors were involved in these events that took place during her rise to her Godhood," Whitebeard explained. "And I think you should all get to see it first hand, you especially, Ace. You need your memories back. All of you who took part in that time do, and those who didn't need to understand why Teach is so dangerous."

"This is all a bit too weird, even for me," Nami said, backing away, taking Tama with her.

"I kinda agree with Nami-chan on this one," Sanji admitted.

"Guararara, I didn't say you had a choice!" Whitebeard laughed. "My lady?"

A glowing figure appeared right in front of them and before Ace could even blink or say a word, a bright flash blinded them all.

.::.

All the kids hit the grass, fast asleep, and Whitebeard couldn't help but pat both Marco's and Ace's heads.

"I hope this helps," Whitebeard said softly. "I really hope it does."

Hello everyone, I have made a return! It might be a brief one, but hopefully not. So I'm trying my best to get more of my fanfics done, but right now my main priority is my own fantasy series that I am publishing. The first book The Wardens of Strar is already out (and has sold over 200 copies :D), and I'm planning to release its companion book (book 2) The Thieves of Brait, this year, so sadly it is leaving me less time to work on my fanfics. Thankfully one of them is now complete 'Calling For Home' so now I'm just gonna try nudge out some more chapters of other stories while I can.