Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece
Meeting Ace
Approximately 11 years ago,
In the darkness of the cells of marine ford, Garp was now walking heading toward one cell in particular. He was honestly quite shocked when its occupant demanded to speak to him the entire time he was there.
Finally reaching his destination, he put a small lantern in front of the cell, and then looked directly into the eyes of its prisoner. Said prisoner wore a large captain's coat, sported a very large moustache, and undeniably held one of the biggest smiles any man can hold. The prisoner was none other than Gold Roger, the pirate king, who was finally captured after all his crew was killed off in a fight with the marines.
Putting an arm over another, he talked in a stern matter, "Alright Roger, you've been nagging all week that you wanted to talk with me, so here I am, start talking."
The pirate king looked at Garp and smiled, "So what, no greetings to your old friend"
This caused a vein on Garp's forehead to appear. Seeing this Roger laughed a little before regaining his senses. He then took a very serious expression and started speaking in a somewhat shocked yet happy tone, "Can you believe this Garp?"
The heroes of the marines merely looked at him confused waiting for what angle the man was playing at, "Can go on with it quickly? I don't have all day you know." Garp stated in an irritated tone.
The pirate took no notice of Garp's foul mood, or chose not to, he carried on, "Can you believe that a child is about to be born?" he said. Still Garp didn't catch on; many children were born every day of the week. The next remark made everything clear for Garp, "…My child" the man then took a very large smile while Garp frowned deeply checking his surroundings to make sure no one was listening to them.
"Unfortunately, I am left with little time on this earth to be with him." Roger said.
Garp looked at him with confusion though he didn't show it, "You do know that I'm a marine, right?" he asked him waiting to have an answer, although he already subconsciously knew why told him this.
"Roger!" Garp spoke in stern matter. "That mother of your child, and any woman on earth that had any type of relationship with you, will be surely be executed. So why did you tell me this?"
Roger for a moment didn't talk; he only looked at the burning fire of the lantern that was filling the room with light. The pirate king then put his gaze into that of Garp's and spoke with certainty as if he knew something Garp didn't, "That's why I told you."
Garp was shocked by that; he didn't get it. Did the man go mad? Was he offering his woman and wife possibly only offspring to the slaughter?
Roger then stood and started to walk slowly to the bars that separated him from Garp, while speaking, "I know that the government will eventually find out about my whereabouts last year."
As he came closer to the bars, he was still carrying on, "For sure, the moment they find her; she'll be doomed for sure."
The light of the lantern seemed to fizzle for a moment before Roger said something that struck Garp deeply, said man keeping that for himself and not showing it, "But a child does bare any sin."
Putting his face into that of Garp's, he shouted, "Garp! We tried to kill each other countless times that we've must have lost count at some point or another." The man then took a calmer tone, "but even with that, I still trusted you like any of my crew members."
Garp merely scoffed turning his gaze away from Roger not being flattered at all by this compliment even if he respected the man.
The light of the lantern then turned off for a couple of seconds, before it came back again revealing a smiling Roger who simply told Garp the following, "Please, take care of my child."
Garp then went to the bars and started to shake them shouting the entire time, "What? Don't be selfish. Don't try to pin this down on me."
Roger merely glanced at Garp before declaring with absolute confidence, "No. I know it now that you will take care of him."
Garp then slowly stepped away from the cell with Roger's last words from that conservation playing in his head, "Take care of my child."
Weeks later, a woman could be seen standing on an edge of a cliff holding a newspaper. Strong wind then came blowing the paper out of her hand revealing that the pirate king Gold Roger was executed at his hometown "Louge Town"
Days later, a marine ship came up against the shore a little island, and one man came from it and started screaming, "Look for every pregnant woman on this island. We can't allow the bloodline of the pirate king to continue."
On the far end of the island out of anyone's reach, a woman with strawberry like hair with freckles on her face stood near a house watching the horizon.
She walked inside her home and sat down on a rocking chair. She started rubbing her stomach and said to it, "Not yet"
As the days went on, the marines' never ending search for any possible bloodline of the previous pirate king continued. They would take women from their homes, whether they were married or not, take them to the hospitals, and then kill the baby once it was born justifying their actions as a necessary precaution to prevent a catastrophe in case his offspring was born, no matter how inhuman the thing that they were doing was.
During that time, the strawberry haired woman waited patiently biding her time till the marines left, not wanting her own offspring to suffer the same fate as the rest of the babies are suffering.
After 10 months of what can be only called inhumanity, the marines finally gave up their pursuit of their so called 'justice' coming to the conclusion that the bloodline of the pirate king must have been eradicated.
It was only few days after that the woman from earlier finally went to the hospital, and gave in sensing that the baby she was preventing from seeing this world was finally coming out.
As she was in the hospital, a lone marines' ship sailed up to the island in the night using the dark as its cover. From inside it, Garp exits the ship and begins walking towards the hospital.
When he reached the hospital, he asked the receptionist if there was a woman giving birth today, she reluctantly told him afraid of what might happen to her if she lied to him.
As he reached the door to her the room, a brave doctor stood in front of him remembering the atrocities the marines have committed for the last 10 months. Sadly to all his efforts, Garp merely threw him aside like a ragdoll.
When he entered the room, he saw two women inside; one was clearly pregnant while the other was there to take care of her. He asked the pregnant lady the following, "Portgus D Rouge"
The woman looked at him and nodded, and then she spoke with pain evident in her voice, "vice admiral Garp"
Garp was shocked that Roger actually told his lover about him; then again he did say he trusted like his crew. He then spoke, "You seem oddly relaxed for someone who's carrying the bloodline of Roger."
The woman clearly not in a state of talking due to the type of pains she was experiencing right now looked at Garp and said, "Roger… told me… all… about you"
For the rest of the night Rouge began giving birth to the pirate king offspring.
Come morning, the sound of a small child could be heard ringing through the entire hospital. Garp merely stood aside leaving the new mother have her moment with her newborn. It was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen in his entire life if you asked him.
However there was one thing he won't forget, the look in Rouge's eyes when she gave birth to her son was that of a woman who did the impossible, doing everything she can to guarantee her son a chance in life, so that he would be happy.
After giving her new born a name, Rouge finally died as her body gave out from the stress of prolonged pregnancy and the huge amount of blood she lost during birth giving.
When Garp exited the hospital, he looked at the baby boy and said, "Well, it looks like it's just me and you buddy." Then he looked at the baby's tag name and scoffed, "Of course he'll you name after his sword. Talk about obvious. Come on now let's go to Dawn Island, Ace."
11 days ago…
When the rope slipped from Luffy's hand on that fateful day, Ace's heart sank to the bottom of the ocean from worry and fear for his brother. He knew his brother couldn't swim if the storm managed to fling him too from the boat due to him consuming a devil fruit, so he began to desperately thrush against the waves hoping to reach the boat so he can be united with his brother to protect him. But even with all the effort he put into reaching the boat, the waves was somehow pushing him even further away from his brother. The last thing he felt before he was pushed under the waves was failure, and then he passed out.
The next day on a shore of an island, a small body could be seen laying across the sand. It was clear it was human; it was none other than Ace, who by some miracle managed to survive long enough to be washed up on the island. For a while he just layed there unconscious, a half an hour have passed before he finally woke up coughing water and breathing for air. He tried to move but his body was still too sour from the less than pleasant ride he took to reach this island. He suddenly felt the waves picking him slowly dragging him back into the sea. When all the might he can muster, he slowly crawled away dragging himself away from the shore. When he finally was far enough he tried to stand, but his body ached telling he wasn't moving anytime soon; at least till he felt better. So he just layed there for about 3 hours; the longest time he spent sitting still while being awake.
When he finally felt that his body was better he stood up, and began to walk slowly to find someplace to rest some more while mumbling the whole time, "Damn, storm. I almost died back there. It's a miracle I'm still breathing." But suddenly he came to a halt when he remembered something, "No, Luffy…" he breathed out.
Luffy can't swim. Luffy can't swim. His mind kept screaming at him trying to give him a message. His younger brother was by no doubt dead. He tried to fool himself that his brother was alive and was washed up on island just like him, and mostly probably running around asking people if they wanted t be his friends or if they can poop. But even he have to come to reality at some point, wishful thinking won't do him good anymore.
Through all Ace's life, he felt that he was nothing than a mistake; a smear of failure that was thrown into this world and abandoned by everyone. That was until he met Sabo, a young blond who ran away from his family, and then they became best friends. He made him feel that he was someone different; he wasn't any longer tied by the shadow of his father that was always looming over him. Then Luffy as subtle as ever bounced his way into his Luffy when Garp literally threw at Dadan's feet. At first, he didn't want anything to do with him, but eventually after some certain events regarding all of them almost dying, they became inseparable.
But now he felt like an absolute failure. After Sabo's demise, Ace swore to Luffy that he will protect him till the bitter end, and he won't die. But now due to his rash behavior, his young brother is probably under the waves dead as they can get.
He sat there remembering all the people who mocked him when he asked them one simple question, "What do you think if the pirate had a son?" They'd always laugh at him telling him that whatever kid is he should be dead, he shouldn't be alive at all, or he should be killed to rid the world from his evil. Ace would always lash out at them beating them black and blue never backing away from the fight. But now maybe they were right he thought. Maybe he was just a mistake that his father just made before he left. Maybe he didn't deserve to be alive.
He was starting to sink in his own self pity, till the realization hit him that his brothers wouldn't want him to be like that. They didn't care who his father was; they wanted him to live. Was this how he was going to repay them? Sitting here and swimming in self pity. No way is that happening he told himself. He was going to become a pirate for himself and his brothers'. He was going to prove to the world like his brothers would've wanted that he wasn't only the son of Gold Roger. He was also going to carry out their dreams since they couldn't do it anymore; it was the least he can do for them.
He stood up filled with determination as he ran along the beach side trying to look for any sign of civilization. Finally he found something, a forest.
He walked in it. He was very careful not to be taken by surprise by any of the local wildlife; he wasn't going to become anything's meal. He continued wondering, until something in his peripheral vision started to move. At first he pretended not to see it; so that he can have the element of surprise.
Not a moment passed, a giant snake jumped to the kill. Reacting quickly, Ace moved out of its way causing it to slam its head on a tree. Recoiling from pain, the snake turned its head and looked at Ace hissing angrily.
The boy replied by waving his hand ushering for the snake to come at him. The snake then bounced again only for Ace to jump above giving it a powerful kick for a boy his age to the base of its neck. The snake after receiving such a blow screaming in anguish as its tail to what can be only called 'instinct' threw itself to its offender hitting him square on. The blow threw Ace a good distance away managing to draw some blood. But luckily for him, he found a stick; it wasn't something special, but it would do the job.
He then turned around to face the snake that came back for round 2. He looked at it in the eyes fear foreign for him trying to emphasis to it who was the top dog here. The 2 combatants then went for each other, the snake went to try to bite Ace only for him dodge and then stab it in the abdomen. The snake using the moment he was distracted trying to remove the stick from it, bit him in the leg. That was its undoing, as Ace despite all the pain, stumped on its head with his other foot slamming the stick into its skull with all his might finally ending this fight.
He sat down and said with a smile wiping some blood away, "Well, that takes care of dinner." He carried the snake and continuing walking for a distance till he found a cave with a running river in front of it. Today was surely his day he told himself; he sure hoped he was his brother though.
Shaking his head, he now had another objective. He needed to find a town. He needed to replace his clothes; sure he didn't care much but even he had some limits.
He climbed a tree near him, and started scanning the area. "Bingo" he declared with a smile. Not too far away from him was a small town. He walked toward it; he sure wasn't going to buy clothes, he was going to 'borrow' some. As he reached it, he spotted a house with laundry put outside; he stealthily moved taking a couple of clothes his size and a towel to remove the rest of the blood and ran to the forest he came from.
When he finished cleaning up, wearing new clothes, and removing blood; he decided to explore the town. If was going to live here till he became 17; he might as well get used to it. And unlike Dawn Island, his grandpa isn't here to stop him from going there.
When he reached the town, he started walking down a nicely made cobble road. He looked around and let out a whistle; for such a small place they sure had a lot of things going for them. Looking around, on either sides of the road there was plenty of stores ranging from clothes to something called candy; he might have to raid it later on.
He then began to notice the weird looks he was receiving. He was new there and the people were interested in this boy that just suddenly appeared out of nowhere, but Ace didn't take too well with that. Those types of looks he was receiving his entire life from thugs to crooks to criminals. He ran as quickly as possible to try to find a place to hide in away from those eyes. He found a garbage pin in an alleyway then proceeded to hide behind.
He sat down trying to calm down his temper which has risen seriously. He tried to remember why he was here to get stronger to face the world, prove to the world that he isn't his father, and fulfill along with his dreams his brothers' dreams.
He then noticed something shining in the garbage pin. It was a pipe; he then lamented on the good days when he and his brothers would go hunting in the forest using pipes taking down all types of animals. He took it and started to swing it a little trying to get used to it.
When he finally came out of the alleyway, he ignored for the most of the time the looks he was receiving, but on occasion he would reply back with a glare.
As he continued walking, he saw something that caused him to gallivant toward it. He didn't know why; maybe a force of habit, maybe some kind of self relief, maybe an addiction… whatever it was he needed to do this.
He now stood in front of a bar which he knew would hold more than a few thugs and crooks to beat up.
As he entered the bar, all the eyes were on him. Ace didn't mind though this wasn't his first 'adventure' of this kind. From the time he could speak, he was in and out of bars that held all types of shady figures. He didn't care too much what the thugs were thinking; what the hell is a ten- year doing here?
He scanned the bar. Nothing too special, he came to a conclusion. The bar was small about 6 tables with 4 chairs each. There weren't any type of decoration inside. There was also the stand that held about 8 chairs for any thug that wanted to have a drink. He had to admit he expected more given from the fancy sign out there. He expected it to be a lot fancier, even the worst dawn island had to offer was better than this dump.
A creepy looking thug then approached him and asked clearly drunk as hell, "Are you lost, boy? If I were you, I'd book it before things get ugly." He said laughing at the end like a lunatic.
Ace acknowledged him by sitting on the bar, and telling him "Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself."
The man replied back by laughing some more and saying, "Look at this, fellows, we have a tough guy over here."
Ace didn't reply only looking at the barmaid and asking for some sake, giving him extra money to get the drink. This was his routine normally, so he wasn't going to change it.
As he finished drinking his sake, another creep wrapped his arm around him. His breath reeked of alcohol as he breathed down on Ace's neck. He then asked, "What a little thing like you doing here. Shouldn't you be in your mommy's lap telling you stories about heroes or what not?"
Ace didn't like that thug talking about his late mom in this manner but swallowed it because it will be over soon enough. He then turned toward the creep and said, "Like I said to your friend don't worry about me. I only need to ask one question then I'll be on my way."
The thug wanted to laugh but held it, and said "Well ask away, though I doubt this is the right place I would go to find answers."
Ace then looked him dead in the eyes and asked, "What if I told, the pirate king had a son?"
The effect was almost immediate as the bar bursted into laughter at such a ridiculous premise. The man then said, "If that was true, he would be begging like this 'Please kill me, I don't want to live.'"
Another said, "A monstrosity like that shouldn't be allowed to live in the first place."
"He should've been killed while his mother was pregnant with him."
"He should be sent to the depths of hell to burn along his father."
"His mom should've been killed for even carrying him."
As this went on, Ace's temper was flaring fast like a barrel of powder close to explosion.
The man then leaned over and said, "Is that all little man?"
"Yeah, it will be over now. Just remember, you only have yourself to blame." The thug didn't have time to ask what he meant as a metal pole kissed him across the face defiantly breaking a few teeth as he was thrown aside.
The visitors of the bar looked wide eyed, before attacking. One tried to jump on Ace before the latter dashed causing him to slam his head on the counter getting knocked out. Another reached for him only to get poked in the knee by the pole then hit in the stomach. Finally one managed to hold him saying, "Got you, brat." This didn't last for long, as Ace promptly kicked him in the groin earning from him a high-pitched scream, before Ace slammed the pole into his chest throwing him into 3 others. One tried to kick the kid, only for the boy to reply by jumping on his leg, running up, and punching in the nose, making him retreat back falling over a chair.
As this went on, people outside began to gather wondering what was happening. Some have even called the marines who told them that they will be there in a few minutes.
Inside the bar, the atmosphere was still tense as Ace was now surrounded by 4 thugs, one jumped at him trying to punch him, but he missed when Ace moved aside sticking his leg out causing the man to be sent hurdling into another thug. One then taking advantage of the distraction tried to hit him with a chair; this didn't work out too well as Ace pulled out the man's belt causing his pants to fall, kicking his legs the man fell with the chair hitting his face. Finally a man pulled a knife and slashed Ace managing to get some blood, and then kicked him sending him flying to the corner of the bar.
As he and the others cornered Ace, he asked the boy, "Any last words tough guy?"
Ace simply replied by saying, "Yeah, I going to end this." Then he ran towards them clutching his pipe, readying himself to finish this brawl like so many others he had done before.
Sometime later, the marines arrived only to find a bar full of beaten thugs all moaning about a demon brat.
Back in his cave, Ace finished tending to his wounds, and was eating the snake that he hunted earlier complaining, "Damn, weak thugs, can't even put up a proper fight. The snake fought better. What a waste of time."
It has been one week since the departure from Ohara, and the atmosphere on Garp's ship was quite…
"We're bored." Two young voices spoke in perfect union to their older siblings only receiving a sigh of defeat and a slap to the forehead from Olivia and Garp respectively.
During the long search for Ace, the children were forced to spend time on the ship never allowed to go to any village Garp would dock on. Luffy was prevented from leaving the ship to avoid any Luffy related damages that might happen, while Robin was kept in the ship by her mom who told her to stay put. Needless to say, they got bored real quick. By the 3rd day, both were whining.
"Oh man; stop whining. My head hurts." Garp complained.
"Come on, can't you two go and play a little?" Olivia tried to offer to ease her growing headache.
If this went on, she and Garp were going to jump overboard.
"But mom, it's been a week, and I already read all the books on the ship twice. I want to have fun." Robin replied back.
"Yeah, grandpa please let me go with you next time…" his request was denied by Garp with punch to the head. Seeing this Robin frowned at Garp, but she remembered something she wanted to ask him.
"Mr. Garp, can I ask you something?" she asked politely.
Garp looked at her and nodded, secretly hoping that this might stop the whining.
"How do your punches hurt Luffy?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Garp answered her question by a question.
"I mean Luffy's rubber so blunt force can't hurt him, even jumping from high heights can't harm him, yet your punches can how? Oh and something else, when you protected us from that mean guy back on Ohara, why did your hand turn black?" She asked him leaving Garp blinking in disbelief.
"Before I answer you, how can you be so smart?" He asked not believing a young girl can be this attentive to such small details. She must be the smartest kid he ever met in his life.
"Well, I am a certified scholar." She declared while pulling a badge Clover gave her when she passed the archeology test making her mother truly proud.
' .' just shut down completely. This twerp is a scholar. Wow that was his only thought. Shaking his head, he needed to find a way to distract from her questions. Oh there was a reason for both those questions and he didn't want to answer it, because if Luffy knew it would be a disaster.
"So…" Robin said waiting for his answers. Garp replied by "Look, a sea king." This grabbed Luffy's attention whom took Robin's hand and ran to find the sea king with her.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Olivia asked him, "So any reason you're lying."
He looked and said, "Yeah, to avoid a disaster."
He then felt a sharp pain in his shin courtesy of Luffy, who kicked him and whined, "You lied. There's nothing but water."
Garp looked at him darkly; before he can receive his punishment, a marine came out and announced, "Breakfast is ready." In a flash, both Ds were already in the dining room.
Even though it was the 100th time they saw it, both women couldn't get over how Luffy and Garp ate look a hungry horde of lions.
Now, they were both in a battle for a piece of beacon, each biting on a different end with the marines betting their money on who will have it. Robin wanting to have some fun began to cheer Luffy on.
As the 2 were deep in their battle, a marine came in and announced something grabbing everyone's attention.
"Sir, there has been reports from a nearby island that some disturbances has been occurring with it."
"So what?" Garp asked as he finally released the beacon causing Luffy to win it.
"The main perpetrator according to the primary reports and eyewitnesses is what seem to be a 10-year boy with freckles and dark hair." The marine explained.
At that moment no force in the universe could even remotely imagine how Garp was angry, he then flipped his top off yelling for the world to hear him, "ACE, YOU IDIOT!"
Calming down he looked to the marine, without even asking the marine spoke quickly, "I-It would t-take us 2 hours to a-arrive there, s-sir." He said as he was shaking like a leaf in the storm.
"Good, then make it snappy." Garp barked at his men who all went to their positions to go to the island leaving Garp to mumble to himself around a bewildered Olivia and Robin, and a happy Luffy, "Found you, you damn twerp."
On the island, Ace suddenly had an ominous feeling like death itself was coming for him so he shivered a lot before readying himself for another day of havoc creating.
Right now, Ace was eyeing his prize, a small chest; in the hands of 2 men in cloaks he saw scan the area in front of an alley way earlier before entering it so he decided to take it.
It was now being examined by what looked to be a mafia looking crook. He knew this could be dangerous, but this was his specialty; he wasn't known for doing things safely.
During the 11 days that Ace spent on this island, he ran wild creating all types of havoc from beating nearly every thug and crook the island can offer, to stealing from stores especially that candy shop since it was so delicious. Damn old geezer he thought preventing the good stuff from him and Luffy.
He was currently now on a top of a building waiting carefully to find the perfect moment to steal the chest, but it seemed the man is waiting for someone. He surmised that he might be only waiting for his comrades. He stopped to think a little, should he steal it now or not? Maybe at first he should know what the contents of the box are. It would be much better if at least he had an idea about what the box contained
He sat there waiting for the man's comrades. "What is taking them so long?" Ace complained as layed on the roof away from sight.
Suddenly he heard the 3 men move around and take position as he saw a bunch of people approach from far.
"Finally, they came. Took them long enough." Ace said as a man who was standing between the coming men moved forward. Ace presumed he was the leader of this group.
The man looked at the 3 men and asked them, "Did you get it?"
The cloaked figure holding the box answered him, "Yes, it right here."
Ushering for him to open the box, Ace peeked his head from the roof to get a better view of the box's contents. What he saw confused him, it was nothing then a weird looking fruit. Seriously, was this it that he was waiting for? A damn fruit
"What a waste of time" he mumbled before standing up to leave planning to hit the candy shop again. He stopped dead in his tracks; he remembered that the devil fruits had weird shapes from what Luffy told him.
He was standing in front of different question, should he take it? The question was rough and hard; in essence he would be basically turning himself into an anchor in exchange for having a power. The problem was what if the power was lame as Luffy's or even worse than his brother's. Then it hit him, he doesn't need to eat it; he only need to have it, he can sell it later on when he's a pirate. He was sure that it would a couple of million of berris.
He then looked over the edge, seeing the leader holding the fruit for a moment before putting it in the box. The man then said, "Do you know what type of fruit this is?"
"Sorry. But our sources didn't tell us." This answer was met by a gunshot to the man holding the box. The other cloaked man made a run for it to save his life.
"Boys, throw him in the sea." He said to the two men who were with him. He looked to the others and said, "You better find what type of fruit this is, and better make it quick so we can leave this dump. And deliver this fruit to the boss."
"No need to. I'll take it from here." He heard a voice call out. He only had a few seconds before a metal pole slammed on his head causing him to groan out in pain.
"What the heck?" he screamed as he clutched his head.
His men all looked gaping like fish as a small boy appeared out of nowhere and hit their boss. Was he mad or insane?
The boy then jumped sliding along the ground, grabbing the box and trying to make a run for it.
"Stop him .get the devil fruit back." The injured man screamed.
Three men closed the alley way's exit, only for Ace to jump to the side off the wall, using it as base flinging himself off to one of the men on the corner hitting him with his pole throwing into the other two clearing his way. They then ran after him wanting to get back the box.
The boy ran through the town with countless men hot on his tail. He looked and saw about ten men, he needed to get rid of them.
He managed to get rid of two by throwing some pieces of candy he had causing them to slip on them and fall over. The next 3 were met with a more painful fate, as Ace she a cart carrying a bunch of logs. He ran toward it jumping on the head of the man holding causing to release the handles on the cart making the logs roll him taking out three.
The rest weren't so easy, but he figured if he managed to get to the forest, his natural playground, he'll lose them in a moment.
So he began to run through alleyways, across roofs, inside bars using the backdoors actually managing to lose one of the pursuers by slamming a door shut in his face knocking him out on the spot.
Finally the forest was in his sight, he doubled his effort into reaching it.
The men seeing this pulled out their guns, and started to shot at him not wanting to lose the box with the devil fruit.
Ace heard the gun shots and began to run for cover barely avoiding the bullets with a few inches between them and him.
He finally after this adventure made it into the forest, blinding in with the foliage staying out of the men's sight, as their leader and the men from earlier arrived, "He ran into the forest. What do we do?"
"Go after him." he stated the obvious. With that the men began their trek through the forest searching for the boy with the prize. Unknown to both parties, the marines were also in the town asking for the boy.
It has been an hour since Garp ship's arrived to said island.
"Sir, we searched the island, and asked the inhabitants if they saw him, but they said he appear then disappears suddenly." A marine gave his report.
"Did you search in the forest?" Garp asked him.
"No, sir. I highly doubt a kid would stay in a forest." the marine replied not knowing that Ace was actually raised in the forest.
"Move aside, I'll search from him. Won't be in the forest. My grandson was raised in the forest." Garp told his men getting more than a shocked reaction.
Olivia just stood there thinking on she have might gone overboard with Roji; shaking her head and telling herself not to think like that, she asked Garp, "So he must be hiding in the forest? And why was he raised in the forest to begin with?"
Garp began to move away heading into the forest, but answered her nonetheless, "Yes, and he's going to be a marine so I made him strong."
In the cave, Ace was currently wounded and on his last knee, for the crooks he stole from caught on to him, and had him surrounded.
The leader moved forward and said, "You are brave little guy, so hear me out. Become my boss's subordinate, and I will forget this ever happened."
Ace looked at him, and spat out, "Yeah, I think that isn't happening."
The man frowned, and snapped his fingers; all his men pulled their guns pointing them at the boy which made the latter gulp.
Ace's mind went blank for a moment as fear hit him. He wasn't afraid of death per say; he was afraid of dying like this. He doesn't want to die here cornered in a cave like a wounded animal. He will die a failure not able to fulfill his dreams or his bothers'.
He closed his eyes taking a breath readying himself to what might be his final fight in life.
The leader of the group asked him, "Any last word?"
Ace opened his eyes and noticed a new presence that made him dying being least of his concerns. His face turned blue at this point and he tried to breath out something.
"What was that?" he was asked by one of the goons.
"Grand…" Ace stuttered.
"Speak up."
"Grandpa…"
The men looked at each other confused till something brought their attention.
"Ahem…" Garp cleared his throat.
Looking around, they saw a very upset Garp. They each gasped, and begin to run the sides of the cave trying to move out of his way, coming to the realization that they were trying to kill vice admiral Garp's grandson.
"Vice admiral Garp" they all yelled in fear.
Not caring for them, he stepped forward to a fearful Ace, "Ace. I finally found you." He spoke calmly before flipping over 180, "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?"
Garp went to the punch only for Ace to duck under his hand, and run outside.
Garp then promptly ran after him, screaming about how hard he was going to punch him.
The mafia men were left confused and relieved at the same time.
"What do we do now?"
The man looked around; his eye spotted something and went for it. He picked up the chest that Ace has hid under a pile of bones from the animals he hunted and ate. He then opened it and shoved the fruit in his coat saying, "Come on let's go away from this dump."
"But …"
"Shut it. Better safe than sorry, we'll find a way to know what's its power is." He said that knowing that this time he managed to have the fruit back, the next he won't be able to. If he loses it for good, their boss is going to have their heads mounted on his wall.
On Garp's ship, Luffy and Robin stood on the railings waiting for Garp to return with his brother.
Deciding to break the ice, Robin asked him, "So, do you think he will find him?"
"Hmm. Yeah, gramps really good at finding us. Once we hid in a cave in the opposite side of the island to avoid him training us by throwing boulders at us, but he managed to find us." Olivia, who was keeping an eye on them, slumped down getting really tired of hearing such horrible stories. Maybe the boys ran away for more than one reason.
"So Luffy how is Ace like?" Robin asked inwardly happy for the potential of a new friend to play with.
"Ace's really cool. He's my big brother. He's really strong too." Luffy gave the best description he can of his older brother that loved dearly.
The children then returned to watching the forest, and waiting for Garp to come back with Ace.
"Mommy, can you please let us go down and play? We're really bored." Robin asked her mom using her best puppy eyes to seal the deal.
Olivia's resolve began to crumble, but she steeled herself; if she was going to give to her daughter's ever demand, she won't be a good mother. "No Robin, I already told you once we go to our new home, you can play as much as you want." Her daughter pouted, so she carried on, "Besides, I don't want to see you get hurt here." As she grabbed her daughter and began to tickle her.
Suddenly, every occupant of the ship heard a loud scream like someone running for his life from a crazed serial killer. Luffy's remark cleared everything, "Seems grandpa found him."
When Robin and Olivia looked over the side, they saw a small boy running from the forest as fast as he can jumping to ground flying after him was a tree that went over the ship and landed in the ocean. Yup, Garp found him alright.
When the boy stood up, they got a clearly look. The boy was 10 years old with jet black hair, had freckles on his face, and was looking around like a crazy person.
"Ace" Luffy shouted happily from the ship, beyond ecstatic to see his older brother.
"Shut up, Luffy…" Ace initially shouted back, only for his brain to truly process what he said. "Luffy" Ace said happily, glad his younger brother wasn't swimming with the fish of the ocean.
He didn't have enough time on to express his happiness as Garp landed in front of him, close to foaming from angry.
"Ace, I finally found you." He spoke. "WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?" Garp shouted at him demanding for him to explain himself.
"Well, you threaten to take us to jail. We had no choice, you damn old geezer." Ace replied back furiously earning himself a punch to the head.
"I don't get how you managed to escape in the first place. I mean there should be no way out of the island, expect my ship." Garp explained.
"Well, it was Luffy's idea to escape trying to run away." Ace tried to pin the blame on his brother.
"Stuff it, Ace. Luffy already told me it was your idea and he just went along with it." Ace grew pale knowing that his punishment will be astronomically painful.
He then looked at his brother throwing a dirty stare for selling him out, even if he did try to do the same thing a moment ago. "Well, it was Luffy's idea to hitch a ride on that merchant ship that was docked on the island."
"Ace, you traitor. Why did you say that?" Luffy cried out from the ship
Ace retorted saying, "If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me."
Upon receiving this new information, Garp looked at the ship. He thought Luffy just went along; he didn't know he was one of the planners. This demanded extra punishment. He said to his marines, "Boys, throw me the other one." And so they did.
Now both boys were in front a steaming Garp who lifted two boulders and said, "Here is the most important lesson of all: DON'T MAKE GRANDPA ANGRY."
The boys looked at him as he said, "Class in session"
With that both boys ran into the forest screaming with Garp chasing after them.
"Luffy's grandpa is really mean." Robin simply stated earning bunch of nodding heads from Garp's own men.
Her mother came and said, "Dear, what they did was wrong and reckless. It's natural for them to get punished." She then saw a bunch of trees topple over. "But on second thought, you might be right."
It was late in the afternoon when Garp returned from his 'scolding' of the boys. He carried them each one moaning from the extra pain that they were in, and unceremoniously dumped them on the deck of the ship. He then went to tell his men to set sail to Dawn Island.
Robin came over and gasped at the state both boys were in, one more than the other, so she approached them and said, "Are you guys alright?"
Luffy spoke first, "Yeah, I think so. Still, it wasn't bad as the other times." He then lifted himself up and stood beside her.
"Speak for yourself. He went easy on you because he already beat you up." Ace grumbled from the ground face down before his mind told him that someone else then Luffy was here.
He lifted his head a little to acknowledge the presence, and a saw a small raven-haired little girl about his brother's age standing in front of him. He then stood and took a better look just to make sure he wasn't hallucinating from the beat down he took. What is a girl doing on gramps' ship of all places?
"Ahh, Luffy, I'm not imagining things, am I?" he asked still skeptical if he was seeing things.
"What do you mean?" the boy replied back.
"I mean do you also see a young girl on the ship?" Ace explained
"Oh, no this is my friend." Luffy answered as he finally understood what he meant, pointing at Robin.
Robin taking this as her cue, she stepped forward sticking her hand out and introduced herself, "My name is Robin. Luffy told me all about you." She spoke trying not to sound too giddy so she can't scare away a new friend.
Ace, the ever suspicious person, looked at the hand and said, "Yeah, just give a moment with my brother, and I'll be back. Ok"
Although disappointed this didn't go the way she wanted, Robin nodded her head, as Ace dragged Luffy away.
"Luffy, who's this?" he asked in a quiet voice scared that his brother somehow kidnapped this girl because his grief on Sabo.
"Huh. She already told you. She's Robin. She's my friend." Luffy replied back clearly not getting the actual meaning of the question.
"Ok. What is she doing here?" Ace clarified his question more.
"Ok. She's coming with us to Dawn Island."
"What? So it's true. You kidnapped her." Ace proclaimed shocked that his brother can even do such a thing.
"What? What does that mean?" the boy asked confused.
"It means to take someone by force." Ace explained.
"What? No, she's coming with her mom. Grandpa is the one taking them to start a new life in Dawn Island." The boy said clarifying the situation as he pointed to Robin's mom who just came out of the haul of the ship. Though this didn't help ease Ace's worry, on the contrary it made higher. Hs grandpa doesn't do anything just for the heck of it. It must be a new plot to make them into marines he concluded. For now, he would keep an eye on them to know what his gramps' latest stunt is.
He then moved to Robin and shook her hand, "Sorry Robin, right. I just had to make sure my brother didn't kidnap you. My name's Ace and nice to meet you." He said remembering the few lessons Sabo gave them about manners.
Robin smiled at the prospect of a new friend, but she remembered something. "Luffy" she called out for her friend, "I met Ace, so when I am going to meet Sabo?" she asked innocently.
At the mention of the name, both boys' faces contracted in pain. Olivia noticing this came near her daughter and said, "Dear, I think you won't be able to meet him."
"Why not?"
"Because he's dead." Ace replied emotionlessly in a way no boy his age should speak.
At this new information, Robin understood Luffy's reaction from when they first met. He wasn't mad at her; he was afraid of losing his other brother. She then apologizing, "Sorry, I didn't know."
"No problem" the boys replied.
Luffy then noticed something sticking from Ace's pocket so he took it. It looked like a small piece of food. When he ate it, he was beyond the moon and above. "Ace, what is this? It's so delicious."
"Hey, don't take away my candy. I had to steal them. Go steal your own."
"But Ace…"
"No buts. You know the rules."
"Luffy, ask him nicely, maybe he'll give us some." Robin advised her friend.
"Please…"
Ace began to laugh his head off, as he suddenly slugged Luffy on the head.
"Ouch! What was that for?" The boy complained.
"For letting go of the rope."
"But it was wet. It slipped"
"You should've grabbed it with your teeth."
Ace said that as Luffy attacked him starting a skirmish, shocking Robin who told her mom, "Look mommy they're fighting."
Olivia laughed and said warmly, "Dear, they're brothers. They're just playing around."
Suddenly Garp came and announced that they'll make to Dawn Island in one week tops.
Ace looked at him as he pinned Luffy and said, "Oi crazy gramps "Punch", why didn't you tell us about candy before." He finished as he moaned from the new bump he just acquired.
"Because they make you weak. Now, hand over whatever candy you have." Garp justified himself.
"Okay. Then what about that stash you have under your bed?"
"What? When did you find it?" Garp exclaimed.
"Huh. So you eat candy. Damn old man." Ace complained at his gramps' double standards.
They then all went for dinner getting to know each other more, especially the kids.
Later that night, after dinner both Robin and the boys were tired so they decided to sleep early.
However, Luffy was now hounding Ace about giving him some candy.
"Come on Ace" Luffy begged his older brother.
"No…" the boy replied.
"You know the rules, Luffy. If you can take some from me, then you can have it." Ace said as he put his stash of candy behind telling Luffy he had to fight him to get some.
Luffy then had an idea, and went to Robin. He whispered something to her; at first she seemed against it, and then agreed.
She looked at the stash, and crossed her arms.
Ace, who didn't know about her devil fruit powers, was confused at what she was doing. A hand formed behind him, took a handful of candy and threw into the air, as Luffy caught them.
Ace could only blink, not understanding what just happened.
"I guess we get some after all. Shishishi." He said as he shared candy with Robin.
"What just happened?"
"Sorry Ace, can't tell you. Shishishi." He said respecting Robin's wishes.
Ace merely thought Luffy just stretched his arms when he was distracting him, so he didn't push too much, as he was too tired to argue. He was getting ready to sleep when Luffy layed down beside him.
He promptly kicked him off saying, "Go find your own bed."
"But Ace, there is only two here."
"Then sleep on the floor. I was sleeping on rocks for the last 11 days. I deserve a peaceful night's sleep without you snoring 'meat' into my ear."
Robin then spoke up, "If you want, we can share the bed tonight." She told Luffy who blushed a little, but he agreed nonetheless.
As the both children, now in bed, slept away; Ace couldn't help but stare at them. He was feeling right now a very weird feeling. He didn't know how to even describe at it.
He looked at Robin, and he couldn't help but feel angry at how she jumped at the opportunity to help Luffy. Then it hit him, it made sense now.
His grandpa brought this girl and her mom to help him make Luffy and him into marines. It was clearly he was working on his gullible brother first through this girl. He knew his plan now, first she will replace Sabo, then he'll use her to separate them, and then have her convince Luffy to become a marine. After that, he will somehow convince him to become a marine.
Well that wasn't happening any time soon, if he had something to say about it. For now he will keep an eye on her, and starting tomorrow Luffy will sleep beside him to keep him safe from her.
He already failed twice; he wasn't planning on a 3rd time.
Author's notes:
Hi guys, and welcome back, as you can see in this chapter we dove a little into Ace's back story, saw what he did during the Ohara events, and even saw his initial ideas on Robin. The next chapter will revolve around their arrival at Dawn Island, and Olivia and Robin getting to know people.
Now there is something I want to say regarding my story, that I may be unable to update for a while because my country is kinda going through rough times, and there are some serious warnings about the wifi getting cut from the entire country. So in case that happens, I reassure everyone that I will continue working on the story, and when the grid come back I will upload all the chapters that I missed to update on their original date.
As for now please take care of yourselves, leave a comment telling me your opinion about the current chapter, and put a review about which Arc your most excited for.
Finally, I hope you like my work and see you next week with a brand new chapter.