A cold shiver wracked his body, goosebumps crawling down his spine, and Thatch cursed quietly to himself. It wasn't so noticeable earlier in the day, surrounded by his celebrating family as he returned back to the ship. Yet, now, in his cabin alone, the ominous feeling seeped into every pore of his body. The night air seemed a little bit colder, the wind a bit stronger, and the shadows darker. Muttering to himself, he turned to look at the cause of his current concern. A fruit, laying ominously upon his bed. It looked like a large bundle of purple grapes, with swirls upon the surface. A Devil Fruit. Usually, Thatch loved Devil Fruits, the mystery of them were one of the great stories of life. He always wanted to know everything he could about who had them, and what they done. Even though he, himself, had never had one, he had secretly imagined himself with great powers, just like his Pops. This fruit though, it didn't bring to life his wonder, and imagination. No, it made him think for the first time ever that these fruits really were made by the Devil.
With one last shudder, he hesitantly picked up the fruit, and placed it in a small chest. Sliding the chest under his bunk. Out of sight, out of mind. Gradually, the gloomy feelings left, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he fully started to relax, a loud knock on the door startled him. Jumping into the air, Thatch clutched at his sword handle.
'It's just another crew member. This is Pop's ship, there is no danger.' He admonished himself in his mind. Another knock reminded him that he had still yet to answer the door. Quickly, he rushed over and answered it. To his surprise, it was Marshall D. Teach. His large form blocking the entry way, and his characteristic smile across his face. His hairy torso covered in a slight sheen of sweat, and the man reeked of Sake. Thatch couldn't think of a reason for the man to visit him. Ace was Teach's commander. Also, whilst they were friendly, they weren't exactly best friends.
"Zehahaha, mind if I come in Commander?" Teach laughed, spit flying from his mouth.
The foreboding feeling from earlier encompassed Thatch, but once more he pushed it to the side, thinking it was about the fruit once again.
"Okay." He responded, still confused, but moved aside so the larger pirate could come in. An awkward silence permeated the air as they stood in his small cabin.
"I was wondering what your plans were for that Devil Fruit, Commander." Teach stated, his eyes a lot sharper than Thatch remembered ever seeing them. The statement concerned the Fourth Division Commander, as far as he was aware the fellow pirate had never shown much interest in the fruits.
"I don't know. Haven't had too much of a chance to think about it." He answered, unconsciously flickering his eyes to where he had hidden the fruit away.
"Zehahaha, I was hoping you would sell it to me. I could give you a large amount of my stash for it."
Thatch frowned as he thought it over. In all honesty, he knew he would never eat the fruit itself. The feeling he got from it was enough to dissuade him from that course of action. The money he would get from selling it could be used for better things too. A better sword for one, some top-class cooking ingredients for the crew another, and maybe even a gift for Ace. He still hadn't properly celebrated his friend's promotion as a Commander. Just as he was about to accept, another shiver went down his spine.
"I'm sorry Teach, can't do it. There's something cursed about that fruit. I'm going to talk to Pops about it tomorrow. I don't think anyone in this crew should have it." Thatch explained, now sure in his answer. The larger pirate's face darkened, and with it the whole cabin seemed to get colder.
"Are you sure, Commander?" Teach prodded once more, "I really want that fruit."
Thatch frowned, "Yes. Now go back to your cabin, Teach."
"I've waited too long to give up now, I will have that fruit." Teach stated, stepping forward and looming over him.
"Is that a threat?!" Thatch demanded, the hairs standing up on the back of his neck. "Leave! I will be telling Ace, and Pops, about this tomorrow."
"Zehahaha, by then it will be too late." Teach chuckled, his hot breath washing over Thatch's face. Before he could react properly, he saw a flash, as the large man moved quicker than his size suggested. Thatch tried to throw himself to the side, grasping for his sword hilt, but he didn't move in time. A slim blade sliced through his side. The flare of pain was sudden, and blinding in its intensity. Hissing through his teeth, Thatch stumbled. One hand grasped at his wound, the other scrambling to unsheathe his sword.
"You would attack a Commander? Your crew member?" He questioned in shock. Never would he have imagined that a Whitebeard Pirate would commit such an unspeakable act.
"You should've just sold it to me." Teach boomed, holding his dagger aloft, the blade shining black with Haki. With another quick movement, the blade swung down towards Thatch.
Slowed with pain, and blood lost, Thatch lofted his own blade to intercept. Desperately, he tried to coat it with his own Haki, but it wouldn't come. His own confidence shattered from the pain of betrayal, and his focus shaky with the ache in his side. A glint of black glittered on and off on his blade, but it wasn't enough as Teach's dagger shattered right through his sword. The force numbing Thatch's arm as he crumpled to the ground. Already his vision was getting blurry, and blood continued to leak from his side.
Teach then stepped forward, and kicked Thatch across the face, his heavy black boot instantly breaking his nose, and sending Thatch rolling backwards. Thatch groaned in pain, his vision darkening, and his body aching from all over. He could tell he was dying, the blood still flowed heavily from his side, and without immediate medical help, he would be doomed.
"It didn't have to be like this, Commander." He could hear Teach talk, "I just wanted the fruit. It is my destiny, my fate. With this fruit, I announce the rise of Blackbeard."
The loud banging, and rushed footsteps, woke him from his sleep. Grumbling to himself, Ace blindly searched for his hat in the dark, quickly planting the orange cowboy hat atop his head. He lit up one finger with his fire so he could see more clearly as he grasped for his boots. The yelling, and thundering footsteps, hadn't ceased. He wondered what the problem was. Probably some rookie pirate crew, or upstart marines, wanting to test their mettle against Pops. If only they had the decency to do it during daytime, not the middle of the night.
Shaking his head, Ace made his way out his cabin. A small feeling of anticipation making its way through his chest now he was more awake. He was always up for a fight, and for the wake-up call he would make them suffer. Much to his confusion though, the crew weren't preparing for battle. Instead, they were all racing towards the other side of the ship, all in various states of dress, and some even with tears streaming down their faces. A cold feeling overtook him, one he wasn't used too since eating his Devil Fruit.
Ace lurched out and grasped a fellow pirate by the shoulder, swinging him back towards him.
"What's happening?!" Ace demanded, briefly annoyed when the man paled in fright.
"I..i..it's Commander Thatch, sir." The man stuttered out, and Ace felt his own blood drain from his face.
Pushing the man aside, Ace raced towards Thatch's cabin.
'No, no, no." He thought, 'Not again. Please not Thatch.'
A crowd had gathered around the fourth division Commander's cabin, a sombre murmuring echoing through the ship. Ace saw the twelfth division commander, Haruta, walk over to him. The brown-haired man's eyes were bloodshot, with tears covering his face.
"Ace." He muttered with a hoarse voice, but Ace ignored him. Easily, he pushed past the petite man, and through the crowd. Within moments he was at the door, and his heart stopped for a moment as he saw the sight within. A few of the other division commanders were crowded around a body on the floor, their faces all grim. Instantly, Ace recognised the body on the floor by the pompadour hair. It was Thatch. A pool of blood surrounded him, and his face looked mishappen as if beaten. Pain, anger, sadness, and so many other emotions whirled around in his head.
"Who done this?" He yelled, letting the rage take the driver's seat. Already he could feel his flames starting to lick at the bottom of his fists.
Marco the Phoenix hesitantly looked up. The first mate of the Whitebeard Pirates blue hair seemed to have lost some of its shine.
"Ace, it was Teach."
Ace's world shattered. It was one of his men. A person from his division had done this to his best friend, no his brother. It was true, his cursed blood had done this. No matter where he went, who he met, in the end his blood would always ruin it. This he was sure of.
"Where?" He asked softly, eyes still staring blankly at his dead brother.
"Ace…" Marco trailed off, exchanging glances with the other commanders.
"Where is the bastard?" Ace roared.
"He got away." Izou answered after a moment. The cross-dressers kimono askew.
Fury raged through Ace, his flames starting to creep along his skin. With one last look at Thatch, Ace spun to leave. Teach was his responsibility, it was his fault. He would track down the man, and kill him. Already he could feel the judging stares from the crew, the whispered murmurs blaming him for this. This would be his redemption, and his revenge. He would kill Teach, and he would leave the ship to do it, hopefully sparing the rest of the crew his cursed blood.
"Ace, stop!" Marco ordered, reaching forward to grasp his arm. Instantly Ace let his fire burst forward, the flames creating a ring around him, but Marco's hand still grasped tightly on, his own blue flames protecting him. Meanwhile, the surrounding pirates quickly scattered, trying to get away from the oppressive heat.
"Please, Ace, we will work this out together." Marco stated, his lazy voice taking a tone of pleading.
For a moment, Ace calmed, taking his words into consideration, but then he noticed the look on the crews faces. Their faces were filled with fear, and nervousness, their frantic eyes darting to his fire. Ace felt his face harden. They were scared of him, and they deserved to be. It was his fault. They were better off without him.
"No!" He coldly stated, jerking his arm from Marco's grip. A stunned expression crossed the Phoenix's face, as a few crew members toppled to the ground unconscious for seemingly no reason.
With a racing heart, Ace rushed to grab his bag, and then quickly he untied his striker from the side of The Moby Dick. It took only moments to launch out into the dark ocean, his flames roaring to life behind him as he streaked across the water. Carrying on the wind he could still hear someone calling his name, but he ignored it. His heart filled with regret, pain, and fury.
The search for Teach was long and lonely. Every day it seemed like Ace had to travel further down the Grand Line than he wished. At least it was easy to trace the traitorous bastard, the man leaving a trail of destruction that was unique in its monstrous nature. Each town left with nothing but rubble and shattered bodies. The few survivors only able to mutter about all consuming darkness. It made Ace wonder if Teach was always this disturbed, and if so, how he had managed to hide it for so long. How blind was Ace to the evilness within? Did Ace notice but just not care because he was a demon himself? Or was he such a poor commander, a poor brother, that he didn't even know the truth about the people he was charged to lead and protect?
Ace could feel his own mood worsening. Blame and anger his only companions as he continued onwards. Unable to look in the faces of the survivors because it was his fault that they had faced the wrath of Teach. His fault that the man continued on his rampage. He could barely get any sleep, his dreams plagued by the images of the dead. Thatch featured prominently as he accused Ace of allowing the treason to happen. He got more sleep purely from his narcolepsy acting up than anything else, and each time he awoke more tired than before, tears streaming down his face, and apologies dying in his throat.
Sometimes on the quiet boat rides he liked to imagine what the rest of Whitebeards crew would be up too. He could picture Pops cheerfully drinking as the nurses fretted, or Marco chastising crew members for slacking off, and Haruta telling others their latest conspiracy theory. After a while though, the images brought more pain to his heart than anything. He longed to return, but knew he couldn't, not until Teach was dealt with. Even then, would they welcome him back? He could still picture the look on Marco's face as he left, and the fear his flames had caused.
Strengthening his resolve, he continued onwards. All that mattered at the moment was Teach. Once he killed the traitor, he could work anything else out. If he was a bit harsher with any pirates or marines that crossed his path, then that was no one's business but his own. Even if it meant his bounty increasing and the news reporting on the odd actions of a Whitebeard Commander travelling alone in Paradise.
Ace was going to kill the bastard. Here he was, having a nice chat with that weird smoking marine, and someone had flung him through several houses. It was the last thing he needed. He could feel his arms tremble a little from exhaustion as he strode back to the restaurant, apologising briefly to one of the families his flight had disturbed. He still hadn't found Teach, though he thought he was close, and now he couldn't even find his brother whom he knew should be around this part of the Grand Line. Grumbling slightly, he finally reached the restaurant, and paused in shocked surprise. He should have known.
There, sitting at the bar, eating his food, was his adorable baby brother, Monkey D. Luffy. Unbidden, laughter erupted from Ace's lips. Already he could feel his heart lighten just at the sight of Luffy.
"Luffy!" He called out, almost racing over to give his brother a hug. Luffy turned to face him, but his brown eyes bulged comically as he looked over Ace's shoulder.
"Smokey!" Luffy choked out around a chicken bone, before grasping the remaining food in his long reach, and turning tail to run out the restaurant doors. Ace glanced around to see the earlier marine looking just as perplexed as himself.
"How do you know Straw Hat Luffy?" The marine growled, obviously trying to look very threatening.
"Wahaha, he's my baby brother." Ace cheerfully replied, before gleefully running after Luffy, ignoring the spluttering marine behind him.
It didn't take long at all for him to catch up, and they had a brief conversation. Ace couldn't keep the grin from his face. For the first time in weeks he actually felt happy, like life was going to be alright. He couldn't help but stare at Luffy's bright grin, the smile was like sunshine personified, and Ace could feel it thawing away at his dark mood. Unfortunately, the marine had to interrupt their moment.
"I've got this." Ace let Luffy know, turning around to face the man.
"Ace." Luffy pouted, "I'm strong, I can beat him." The younger teen dramatically flexed his muscles as if to prove his point, though it was unnecessary. Ace might not be a master of Haki, but he could feel Luffy's presence. It was very strong, much stronger than he even thought it would be at this stage, with the potential to become even stronger. A miasma of power, and hidden layers of strength.
Ace smiled at him, "I know, but just let your big brother have some fun too."
With reluctance he agreed, and Ace allowed his flames to light up his arms. Their casual warmth always managing to offer him strength. His flames hit the Marine Captain's smoke, and both billowed out through the square. Ace wasn't really concerned about the threat the other man posed. Sure, he had a logia as well, but he could also tell the man didn't even know Haki, and that if Ace tried, he could beat him with ease.
Instead, he took it as an opportunity to play around a little and show off in front of his brother a bit. Allowing his flames to have free reign around the courtyard they were in. Roaring high in the air and forming shapes that playfully circled the Marine's smoke. Luffy always managed to bring out the child in him. Still, he was careful to make sure both his fire, and the captain's smoke, were avoiding the innocent civilians. The last thing he wanted was to accidentally hurt someone because he was messing around. His flames danced in the air, some he even allowed to form shapes like a phoenix. After a little while of fun, he felt a slight waver in his flames, and knew it was time to finish it. His body wasn't in peak condition anymore after the weeks of minimal sleep, lack of food, and long travels.
A quick burst of power dispersed the smoke, and pushed the marine outside the square. Before he turned to race of with Luffy once more, presumably to his ship.
Meeting the crew of the Straw Hat Pirates was a riot. They were so interesting, and Ace could only smile at the people that only Luffy could assemble. He was especially impressed by the talking tanuki, and the princess. It quickly became a party Ace could meet them all properly, and even become impressed by the drinking capabilities of the swordsman and the navigator.
Hours later it was just Luffy and him lying on the deck, looking up at the stars together. It reminded Ace of simpler times. Of a time when all they had were each other, and the thrill of hunting for more food.
"Ace is tired." Luffy stated simply next to him. He sighed at his younger brother's words, knowing the larger message contained within. A moment passed, a cold wind breezed past them, and Ace wondered what he should say.
"A member of my crew killed another. He killed my..." He was unsure how to say what exactly Thatch meant to him. How to explain that Thatch was the one that had finally helped break down the barrier between him and the Whitebeard Pirates. That Thatch was always there for him with a quick smile, and a witty one-liner. That the other man had always known what to say to get him out of his funk. That of all the Whitebeard Pirates, it was Thatch that Ace considered a brother the most. How could he tell Luffy that he was going to tell Thatch his secret soon, confident in the knowledge that the man would still accept him.
Luffy shuffled closer to him, and Ace welcomed the warmth of the rubbery arm that wrapped around his shoulders. "Nakama."
Ace nodded, though he knew Luffy couldn't see it. He supposed that was the word, he knew better than anyone what the word Nakama meant to Luffy, and that Thatch was his.
"The person... Teach!" He spat, unable to keep the venom out of his voice, "was in my division. My division Luffy!"
He didn't need to say anymore, he knew Luffy would understand all his feelings through that alone. Luffy may be a bit simple, but he knew him better than anyone, and would know all the unspoken words. The self-loathing, the hatred, the fear, and the judgement. A comfortable silence followed his statement as they cuddled together on the deck.
"Ace sleeps here tonight." Luffy asserted strongly.
Immediately Ace shook his head, and got to his feet, watching as Luffy did the same. He warily eyed his brother but was adamant in his plan. It had been nice reconnecting, but Ace wouldn't abandon his goal. He couldn't waste any more time when he still hadn't caught the traitor, no matter how much he longed to stay on the ship in the comforting warmth of his brother.
"I can't." He whispered. "It's my duty to get the bastard."
Before Ace knew it, his rubbery brother stretched out and stole his orange cowboy hat. The very same hat that Luffy had bought him years ago. Another quick movement, and he was startled to find a familiar straw hat upon his head instead. He gawked at his grinning brother looking goofy wearing Ace's own hat, the cowboy hat much larger than his own straw hat one.
"Shishishi. If you want to go, you have to fight me for your hat back." Luffy laughed loudly.
Sometimes Ace really didn't know what was going through Luffy's brain. "Do you really think you could beat me?"
His younger brother nodded with confidence, grin not dimming at all. "If I have too."
Finally, it hit Ace what Luffy was trying to do. The rubber-brained, lovable idiot. "Wahaha, I guess I'm spending the night, but I have to leave tomorrow."
The next day he set off on his journey once more, cowboy hat firmly atop his head. His fire roared through his striker as he raced towards the sunrise feeling healthier than he had since leaving the Moby, and with renewed optimism fuelling his quest.
Another week passed, and Ace could feel he was close. One village he landed at claimed that Teach had only passed through hours earlier. A vicious grin crossed his face at the thought of what he would do to the man once he finally caught up. Teach would be lucky if his body only ended up as ashes, if Ace had his way the traitor would become a legend passed down through the ages of what happens to whomever betrays the Whitebeard Pirates.
At the current moment, Ace was walking through a small port city, nodding calmly to passing civilians. He ignored the fact they were warily eying his back tattoo. The people this early on in the Grand Line don't know just how much Pops does for the people under his protection. Couldn't possibly understand that the Whitebeard Pirates would never harm peaceful folk like them. A scent of some delicious roasted pork crossed his nose, and he followed it to a small stall on the outskirts of the market. Quickly he passed over some beri's to the nervous looking seller for the juicy looking meal.
"Say, can you help me out for a moment?" He questioned the man, deciding he might as well use his hunger to his benefit.
The man's large grey moustache quivered for a moment, and he dabbed at the sweat beading upon his bald head. "I don't want any trouble sir."
Ace nodded politely, "No trouble here. I'm just looking for some information. A few questions, I'll even pay you for your time."
As he knew it would, the man's eyes lit up eagerly at the thought of more money.
"I'm looking for someone. Fairly tall, wears his shirt open, hairy chest, long black beard. Always has three pistols. Loud, annoying, and smells like he's been dipped in sake and left to rot in a pig pen. He goes by the name Marshall D. Teach."
The man frowned for a moment before answering. "There was someone matching that description, but he said his name was Blackbeard."
Ace couldn't help but growl at the name. It was a mockery of everything the Whitebeard pirates stood for. The sheer nerve to make fun of Pops with that name. He knew the man had been using it, but he would never refer to the man as anything other than Teach.
The stall owner stumbled slightly backwards away from him, trembling slightly. "Um... yes.. well. He was here this um.. Black... Teach I mean. Teach was here asking us about another pirate."
Ace appreciated the man calling Teach by his real name, but scratched his hand idly as he wondered who Teach could possibly be asking for. Maybe a pirate he wished to recruit?
"Which pirate?" He demanded, perhaps if he found the pirate first that could lead Teach to Ace.
The man's eyes brightened, "The new Super Rookie. Monkey D. Luffy. Teach was asking if we all knew where he was, and if we had any information. Sadly, the straw hat pirates haven't come through here. I heard they throw the best part..."
Ace zoned him out, all his thoughts on his sweet, innocent little brother. Fear rushed through him as he frantically thought about whether he had ever mentioned his connection with Luffy in front of Teach. Was the man after Luffy because of Ace? He knew he had told the other commanders, unable to help bragging about his brother's first bounty but he hadn't told anyone else. It was a pirate ship though, rumours could have spread. Images rushed through his mind of Teach gleefully laughing over Luffy's broken body. He couldn't allow it, not Luffy. Never Luffy.
Unbidden an old memory came to him. One of his last conversations with his late brother, Sabo.
Ace's hands shook slightly as he tried to wipe the blood from them, it had soaked through though. The crimson colour filling his eyesight no matter where he looked. There was so much, he couldn't focus on anything else.
"Ace! Ace! ACE!" A voice shouted from next to him, and he finally looked at his brother. Sabo's top hat was askew, and his face was smudged with dirt, a little bit of dried blood covered a slightly torn coat sleeve.
"Luffy's going to be alright, the cuts were shallow. Dadan said he'll be fine by the morning." Sabo informed him, but Ace shook his head wildly.
"It's my fault. If only I hadn't let the tiger knock me aside it wouldn't have been able to scratch Luffy."
Sabo bonked Ace over the head lightly with his pipe, and pain bloomed from where it struck.
Rubbing the sore spot, he pushed Sabo in the chest, "What was that for?!" He demanded.
"For being an idiot." Ace really hated Sabo's posh accent sometimes. "If you're to blame, I am equally to blame. I just stood back and watched it happen."
Ace snorted, trust the stupid jerk to try and take the blame when it was clearly Ace's fault. "I told you to leave it to me. It's my fault."
"No, it's mine."
"Nuh uh. Mine."
"Mine!"
"Mine!"
"Shut up!" Dadan's voice roared from within the cabin, "Luffy is trying to sleep."
They exchanged glances before guiltily trotting a little further away into the forest together. Ace scuffing his feet in the dirt as they went. He couldn't do anything right as a brother it seemed.
"It's both our faults. We failed as brothers." Sabo finally spoke up, and Ace opened his mouth to argue the point, but his blonde brother cut across him. "We need to do better. He's our crybaby brother, it's our job to protect him. He's too young to protect himself, and as older brothers we have to do it for him. Let's swear, right here, right now, that we will always be there for him. We will do whatever it takes to protect him."
Resolve filled Ace as he nodded eagerly along. "Deal. I will beat up anything that tries to harm him."
Only weeks later Sabo was gone, and Ace was left to protect Luffy alone. There were so many times he had already failed in his self-appointed job. Times where he had felt like the greatest failure in the world, and times where he wanted to curse Sabo for leaving him alone. Then Luffy would smile at him, and call him big brother, and it was all worth it. He wouldn't fail this time. He would kill Marshall D. Teach before Luffy ever knew the danger he was in.
"Don't worry, Sabo, I will protect him."
The day had finally arrived, he had caught up to Teach. His flames curled eagerly around his wrists, ready to be unleashed upon the traitor. He was going to kill the man, for Thatch, for Luffy.
"Fire Fist Ace. The Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. How's it going, Commander?"
The man was cocky, too cocky. Ace couldn't wait to rub the smug smirk of the bastard's face, though he couldn't help but smirk himself at the nervous looks the man's crew gave behind his back.
"You don't have the right to call me that anymore, Teach." Ace responded, using the opportunity to slowly build up his flames within him. He could feel the pressure deepening, ready for them to burst free with all his fury.
"Zehahaha, I go by Blackbeard now." Teach laughed loudly, and Ace could smell the alcohol on his breath even from meters away. Hatred filled Ace, fuelling his flames even more.
"I would renounce piracy before ever referring to you by that name."
Glee filled him when he saw Teach's laughter die into a heavy scowl.
"Leave us." Teach commanded his crew. "He is an enemy that is beyond you all, you would only die."
A moment later it was only the two of them, as Ace knew it would come down too. It was almost like the whole world had stilled for the two of them. There were no sounds, no movement, just them staring at each other, waiting for the other to make the first move.
"Aren't you going to ask me why?" Teach questioned.
Ace scoffed in return. "Why would I care to know the reasons for a traitorous bastard. No, I'm going to kill you here and now. That is all that matters."
His flames surged, finally allowed to run free as he performed his signature move. "Hiken." He roared, his fist of fire roaring towards the other man. He was satisfied to see the larger man unable to dodge in time, flames scorching across the man's side, and causing him to yelp in pain. Quickly, he followed up with one of his newer techniques.
"Hotarubi." Small flecks of fire floated through the square, quickly covering the area like a swarm of fireflies it was named after. He was sure Teach would have never seen this technique before. Meanwhile Teach had gotten back to his feet, one arm curled protectively around his new burn marks, and was warily eyeing the small specks of light.
"Hidaruma." Ace commanded, and all the flames homed into the traitor, bursting across his body with force of small bombs. Ace gleefully watched as Teach was blasted into the floor, screeching in pain, small fires lighting up several parts of his body. It was nothing less than the traitor deserved but a long painful death. After a couple minutes where Ace done nothing but watch the fat man roll on the floor, Teach finally managed to put out the flames, and push himself to his feet cursing in pain.
"Y..y..you've definitely earnt your position as Commander." Teach muttered.
"Wahaha." Ace laughed cheerfully. "Can't handle the heat?" He mocked the man.
Teach panted in place for a moment, clearly wounded from Ace's attacks. "Zehahaha, quite the contrary. Burakku Hōru."
Ace had heard stories and recollections of Teach's Devil Fruit, but it was another thing entirely to see it in action. He watched with slight awe as a sea of black shadows formed under their feet. The shadows spreading out further than the eye could see. Quickly, Ace used his flames to propel himself in the air, a constant stream under his feet keeping him aloft. He wasn't sure what exactly the shadows would do, but it couldn't be anything good. Briefly, he considered attacking Teach before this attack could finish, but discarded the thought, he wanted to see what the man could do. Plus, after all he's done, Ace didn't want to finish the fight with a cheap shot whilst Teach was distracted. No, he wanted to look him in the eyes as he burned to death.
Slowly, the town started to disappear, sinking into the shadows as if it never existed in the first place. Ace silently thanked whatever higher beings were out there that the town had already been evacuated. Before he knew it, the whole village was gone, sucked into shadows that were now receding into a solitary ball within Teach's hand.
"Zehahaha, Ribereishon!"
Stonework flew out like cannon fire from the black ball. The whole village now nothing but rubble as it came racing at Ace. A whole village worth of destruction soaring through the air. It was devastation on a level that Ace had never seen before. He cursed quietly as he allowed his Armament Haki to coat his body, tanking the first few hits. He knew his Haki wasn't the strongest, that he was overly reliant on his Logia and wouldn't be able to keep it up long, but also wasn't sure if his Logia form could handle the sheer amount of rubble being thrown through it.
A plan formed in his mind. "Enkai!" A swirl of flames formed around him, burning half the rubble before it could even hit him. "Hibashira!" He roared. The swirl turned into a column, that smashed into the rubble. In moments rubble stopped coming through. His flames clashing with the released destruction, exploding in the middle. Ash, dust, and smoke floated through the air, raining down upon the floor. Teach's mad laughter still continuing above the rush of the flames.
Finally, it stopped, and Ace allowed himself to drop to a clear part of the ground. Both pirates panting from the effort. There was nothing left of the village. No matter what the result of their fight, this village had suffered for it. None would be able to return to their peaceful lives. Ace felt his fist tighten at the thought. Teach had done nothing but take and destroy. It had to stop. He had to stop him.
"Do you want to know the true power of the Yami Yami no Mi?" Teach asked, coughing a glob of blood out his mouth. Without giving time for Ace to answer, the bastard raised his hand and shouted, "Kurouzu."
Ace felt a huge force upon himself, trying to drag him towards the enemy. His newly activated Haki held him still for a moment, but then he allowed himself to be yanked forward, a plan forming as he flew closer. "Shinka: Shiranui." He threw lances of flames at his opponent as he neared, hearing the satisfying sizzling of flesh as the burnt into the traitor's body, but yet he continued to be pulled closer and closer, until he felt a sweaty palm grip tightly around his throat. Instantly he felt weakened, as if he had touched seastone. He gasped as he struggled with the grip trying to pull himself free. How was the other pirate nullifying his flames.
"Zehahaha." Teach laughed, a loud bang, and Ace felt a bullet tear through his side. Blinding pain like he hadn't felt in years erupted from the point. Focusing all his pain and rage into a kick, he lashed out with a Haki coated boot into Teach's face. A sickening crunch as he felt the man's nose crush under his heel. The grip released from his throat, and Ace was quick to scramble backwards, one hand held protectively over his bleeding wound.
How was he meant to beat an opponent that could nullify his devil fruit so easily? He should've killed Teach the moment he had him on the ground earlier, but no, he had to draw it out. Play with his kill. He could hear Marco lecturing him now. Hardening his resolve, he decided he would just have to try to keep the fight at a distance. Wear out the other man, and wait for a mistake to be made.
"Dai Enkai: Entei." A grin overtook his face as he formed his most powerful attack. A small ball formed within his palm, growing larger and hotter by the second. Until he was holding a miniature sun above his head of flames eager for flesh.
The no longer laughing Teach copied him. "Yami ni Shine." A ball of darkness, equal in size formed above his head. With a roar they threw their attacks at each other. They clashed with pure destructive force. Ace could feel the whole island being torn asunder by their attacks. The sky was covered in darkness, as if it had already become night, but still his fire roared with fury, lighting the ground with unbelievable heat.
They continued their fight, elements clashing against each other, equal in most ways. Ace tried desperately to keep his distance, allowing his flames to reach out and act for him as they slammed into the traitor with concussive force. At the same time, the shadows continued to drag at him, pulling him in with unnerving strength, and allowing Teach to attack him with power that Ace didn't know the man had in him.
Their fight seemed to stretch for hours, Ace's unreliable Haki barely allowing him to break even in their fight. Every muscle of his body trembled with fatigue. He had abused it for so long in his hunt for Teach that it just simply didn't have the energy to spare for such a prolonged fight. He cursed himself for his stubbornness, for his rush to confront Teach. Yet, he would do it all again. This was the bastard that had killed Thatch. That was hunting Luffy. So, he pushed his tiredness to the side, and continued to fight. Ratcheting up the heat with every moment. If he died doing it, so be it, but he was bringing Teach with him.
Sadly, it wasn't to last. He found himself laying on a desolated landscape, his body refusing to move anymore. His blood leaked from his wounds, creating a pool around him. Ace had never felt so cold before, like his flames had left him entirely. He could only stare at his bright orange cowboy hat lying on the floor in front of him as Teach limped closer.
"Zehahaha. Well fought, Commander." Teach laughed, his boot crunching down onto Ace's hat and crushing it into the dirt.
'I'm sorry.' Ace thought, as the darkness slowly overtook him, unsure who exactly he was apologizing for. Was it to Thatch for being unable to avenge him? Luffy for failing to protect him? To Marco, whose shocked face as Ace brushed him aside still haunted him? Pops for letting him down? Or just the world in general for being a failure.
Much to his surprise, he actually woke up. Ace fully expected Teach to kill him, and dump his body in the ocean somewhere. Maybe later use his death to taunt the other Whitebeard Pirates. Instead, it appeared that the Yami Yami no Mi user had turned Ace into the Marines. Unsurprisingly, Impel Down, the inescapable prison, was as dark, dismal, and terrible as the rumours all stated.
Days turned into weeks of nothing but the boredom of level 6. At least if he was dumped in one of the other levels he would have torture to break up the monotony. Instead, all Ace got was the whinging of the other level 6 inmates, and occasionally a taunt from the warden, Magellan that his execution would come soon. Privately, Ace prayed that his execution wouldn't occur at Loguetown. He wanted nothing in common with that man. Unfortunately, as a famous East Blue pirate, there was a slim chance of that happening.
One day, it was announced he was receiving a visitor, which absolutely shocked him. He didn't even know inmates were allowed visitors. A snort escaped him as an image of Pops calmly strolling through the halls came to him. Instead, it was another old man who had come to visit. With a deep sigh, looking older than Ace had ever seen him, Monkey D. Garp sat upon the floor outside of his cell. A box of crackers in one hand, and deep frown marks across his face.
They shared a moment of silence, neither quite able to talk with the situation they had found themselves in.
"Why?" Garp's voice was oddly strangled, "Why couldn't you just have become a marine?"
Ace wanted to answer him. To point out that his cursed blood would never have been forgiven, even if he fought for justice. Or that he wanted to be able to sail the seas wherever the wind took him. Even that any hope of him following in Garp's footsteps died at the bottom of the sea with Sabo. A boy who had been killed by the very nobles the Marines kept in power. A boy that had only wanted freedom that had his life viciously cut short for simply being in the way. Looking at Garp though, Ace couldn't force the words to come. He couldn't do that to the man that already looked so beaten down. Ace decided to change the subject instead.
"Where will it be done?" He questioned, still silently hopeful that it wouldn't be that place.
A cracker was crushed within Garp's fist, "Marineford in a weeks' time."
Ace let loose a breath of air. Relief at the location, but fear at the thought. "So soon?"
Garp shook his head sadly, allowing the crumbs to drop from his hand. "They don't want to give Whitebeard time to rally his forces."
"Wahaha." Ace laughed, "They won't come for me."
The elderly marine's face screwed up in pain, "Ace..."
"No." Ace cut him off, shaking his head, "I'm not worth it. I caused them nothing but trouble. I got myself into this mess. They won't come." He forcefully informed him. They better not come. He didn't want any more deaths on his account. Awkward silence followed his statement. What else was there really to say? What could be said in the time they had left? Ace didn't know. He had to many thoughts, and feelings, too much he wanted to talk about, but at the same time, nothing at all.
"I didn't want this. I never wanted any of this." Garp muttered, before hauling himself to his feet. "I have to go. Senny will get suspicious if I stay any longer."
Ace watched him walk off, and couldn't help but call out. "Gramps."
Garp turned quickly, eyes zooming straight to his own. Ace wanted to beg him to look after Luffy. Wanted to ask him to pass on a message to Pops. He couldn't though. He would never ask family to promise something that opposed their own lifestyle.
"Will you be there?" He whispered, feeling like a small child once more asking his grandfather for comfort.
Relief filled him when Garp's face softened. "Of course. Every moment."
Ace allowed a smile to appear on his own face. "Don't worry Gramps, I will die free."
He meant it too. He will die knowing the love of a family, and without the spectre of Roger haunting him. He will die as Fire Fist Ace, son of Whitebeard, and that was enough for him.
Ace looked upon the thousands of marines arrayed in front of him with awe. To think that he warranted all this for his execution. He would become a household name. The legend of Fire Fist Ace, one of the greatest pirates to sail the seas. He offered a brief smile to his gramps, grateful the man had kept his word and was sitting upon the platform with him.
His pride quickly turned to confusion, before becoming horror, when the Fleet Admiral Sengoku stepped forward.
"Who is your father?" The old man asked. Fury, and fear, coursed through Ace's body. They couldn't do this to him. Not now. They were already killing him, did they need to take his identity too?
"My father is Whitebeard." He proclaimed, conviction in his voice. He would not let them have this.
"Wrong. Who is your father?" Ace could hear all the other marines muttering, clearly wondering what this was all about. He was acutely aware of all the den-den mushi's recording every moment of this.
"My father is Whitebeard. I have no other father than him." He almost pleaded, begging the Fleet Admiral to stop.
Instead, he had to listen as the whole tale of his birth was revealed to the world. The sad details of Baterilla, and the sacrifice his mother made.
"Portgas D. Ace is the son of Gold Roger." There it was, his deepest and darkest secret revealed to the world. A sob almost escaped him. There went everything. His whole life, and it still only amounted to being the son of that man. He zoned out of all the other shit the man was talking, it didn't matter now, but something caught his attention.
"Whitebeard discovered his identity and recruited him before he could be brought to justice. He planned to make Ace the next Pirate King." Sengoku announced.
Frantically Ace shook his head. Pops would never do that. They were family, his background meant nothing. Pops loved him for him. "It isn't true. I will make Pops the Pirate King."
Sengoku dramatically shook his head in return. "No, Whitebeard would make you Pirate King. If left alone, you would have risen in power and influence above all others. That is why this execution must happen, even if we bring war with the Whitebeard Pirates. The blood in you must not be allowed to continue."
Events really sped up then, and Ace could watch only in shock as all the allied crews of Whitebeard appeared in the bay.
"No, no, no." He muttered to himself, he couldn't believe they would show up for him. Why would they come here to save him? He didn't want them to die. He didn't deserve for others to die for him. At least the Moby Dick wasn't here. Hopefully he had hurt Marco enough with his abrupt departure that they wouldn't come. Those hopes were dashed when the ship of Whitebeard rose from under the waves, the captain and first mate standing upon the bow.
"Guararara." Whitebeard boomed, "It was stupid of you to try and harm one of my sons, Sengoku."
"Pops!" Ace shouted with a desperation laced voice, he couldn't allow his father to die here today for him.
"My son, bear with me for a moment, we will save you shortly."
Ace shook his head. "Please!" He pled, "Please leave! All of you! I disobeyed your orders! My own cockiness led to my capture. Leave me alone to face the consequences!"
Tears streamed down his face, but he didn't care about maintaining his image any longer. The Whitebeards were his family, he had to do everything he could to get them out of this alive. No one else should die for his cursed blood.
"Funny. I thought I ordered you to chase Teach, yoi!" Marco lazily spoke from his spot, scratching at his chin as in thought. Ace couldn't believe the blatant lie, that his brother would lie to protect him from his own foolishness.
"Liar!" He screamed in return.
"Guararara! I remember us ordering Ace to go."
"Me too."
"Yes, I remember quite clearly telling Ace to chase Teach."
"So do I!"
All the commanders agreed with easy smiles, and nodding heads. Ace finally allowed himself to bow his head in acceptance. "Thank you." He whispered.
The battle was the quickest, but also the slowest moments of his life as Ace watched his family fight to save him. Each moment filling him with grief, fear, awe, pride, and love. Seeing the power of his fellow pirates was amazing, and he itched to join them, but he knew he was undeserving of this effort. Worse still was the arrival of his baby brother Luffy. It was easily the worst moment of his life when his little brother arrived to a war that was beyond him. As strong as Luffy had become, he wasn't the equal of the greatest fighters in the world yet. His baby brother would die, after all his efforts to keep him safe, and it would all be his fault. He begged and cried for Luffy to leave. Threatened him, insulted him. Whatever it took to get the rubber-brained boy to save himself. It was all for naught though, and Ace had to wait in agonising fear as Luffy was beat down repeatedly by foes even he would hesitate to fight. There was pride there too though, pride in the recognition Luffy was getting, as well as his ability to persevere through any opponent.
Finally, the moment he thought would never happen, he was freed. Joy filled him, as his flames burst in a ring around him, playfully dancing into the shape of Whitebeard's symbol. They were roaring with happiness, and eagerness, ready to leap at his slightest command after so long of being contained, but with a hidden vengeance for all the suffering he had witnessed. It almost felt like old times fighting with Luffy, even with his devil fruit, and Luffy's mastery of his own. They covered each other's backs perfectly, shifting from offence to defence between them as they crushed any opposition in their way.
A cheerful laugh escaped him as another wave of Marines were swept back from them, their opponents letting loose cries of dismay. Though he felt a momentary pain at the few times he hesitated slightly, even after all these years they subconsciously left a hole for a little blonde boy to join in, only for none to appear.
"Don't worry, I'll protect him." He whispered the pact he had made with his other brother.
Time lost meaning as they fought their way back to the ships. Ace could tell his little brother was faltering, but that was okay, they were so very nearly there. If only Pops hadn't chosen that moment to give his final Captain's Orders.
"I am a remnant of an era gone by.!" The old captain stated, and Ace felt his heart break once more, denying the words. Pops was everything, he was his father. Ace couldn't move forward without him. He couldn't imagine a life without him anymore. He still needed him.
"Please!" He begged his Pops, not quite sure what exactly he wanted his captain to do, but knowing that he wished to sail on with him.
"Was I a good father?" Pops boomed, knocking a few enemies aside so he could face him.
A lump formed in Ace's throat, his mouth dry, and tears formed in his eyes once more. How could Whitebeard ask such a question to him? Had he failed so much as a son that his Pops was unsure of his love? He needed to let him know, but the words struggled to form in his lips. There was just so much to say, and so much to explain. That Whitebeard had saved him, not only now, but in every other way, past and present. That Whitebeard had made life worth living. That he had given him a home, and a family. For once in his live he was sure that someone wanted him as their child, and that more than anything meant the world to him. Pops was his saviour.
He could only manage to croak out, "Of course." Hoping that all his emotions would somehow come through the completely inadequate words.
"Guararara." Pops laughed boisterously, and Ace could tell that somehow the man had understood. The heartiness somehow bolstering his own spirits, like a warm hug that told him everything was going to be alright.
Then that mad dog, Akainu, had to ruin it all. The Admirals words all he could hear. How dare that man call his father a failure, and his family cowards. After all Whitebeard had done for him, he would not allow such words to stand. Vaguely he heard others call out to him, but he ignored them all, focused on making the admiral pay for his disrespect.
Unfortunately, magma is hotter than fire, and he fell clutching his burning arm. It was almost comical, he had never though he would get burned again after eating his fruit, but here he was failing to defend Pops name because of a burn of all things. His dark humour quickly changed to terror though when he saw the magma fist change paths to attack Luffy instead.
'We will do whatever it takes to protect him.'
Almost unconsciously Ace found himself standing above Luffy, staring down at the horror-filled face, and the magma fist protruding from his own body. Strangely enough, it didn't hurt, nor was it hot. It was cold, like his whole body had been dunked in an ice-filled lake. The fist retreated, and he slumped to the ground, almost squashing his younger brother. Already he could feel darkness encroaching on his vision, but that didn't matter. What mattered was the wide smile that appeared on his own face. He had done it, he had saved his little brother. There were some important things he had to impart though, so he determinedly pushed the darkness away to focus on the teen before him,
"I'm sorry I didn't let you save me properly." He informed Luffy over the top of his begging. It was important that Luffy didn't blame himself for Ace's own rashness. "If it weren't for you, and Sabo, I never would have wanted to live."
An image of Sabo appeared in his head, top hat askew, and wide smile with missing teeth. He would be seeing him soon. "Dadan too I suppose. If you ever see that idiot again, tell them goodbye for me." Shaking his head slightly, he focused back on the crying Luffy, and the straw hat upon his head.
"My only regret is that I won't be around to see your dream come true." After all he had witnessed in the fight today, he couldn't see it not happening. His brother was strong, strong enough that he didn't need Ace's protection anymore. Strong enough to truly become the next Pirate King.
"I have no regrets on my own path though. All I really wanted to know was the answer to one question. Whether or not I should have been born."
The darkness was coming back, and the cold had been replaced with numbness. It was taking all his will to remain talking, to get his final message across. Today had answered that question for him. It had more than answered that for him. With almost desperation he raised his voice, hoping that his whole family would hear him.
"Thank you for loving me."
Sabo appeared before him once again, everything else fading to black.
'I saved him, just like we said we would.' He mentally whispered, a smile crossing his face once more, and then it all disappeared. His fire gone.
A/N: Please read and review. If you liked this, please also check out some of my other One Piece one shots, like Soulmates, a fun story on a LuNa concept. Also let me know in the reviews your thoughts on the One Piece Live Action trailer.