WinterRose61 - Shanks doing his own best to help lol. And he's a child on the inside so he gets Ace somewhat hahahha
Marco's money glitch been outed! Would be very convenient if he forgot his money somewhere. Just poop out ringlet to pay.
The book for Ace101 would need an endless amount of pages hahaha! Marco's life goal is to make one. Just flip through the situations and look up how to handle it. I hope with my whole being you will enjoy this last part!
Zoysite - Thank you really! I had been a little down after some mean comment, but I'll happy I got this completed, All thanks to support like this! Thank you very much! I too have my favorite stories that I would love to see updated first, so i get that, but I'm happy there's still people like you that understand and give time to write them.
Ah! you are so sweet! I find it neat reading that 'like your style', I can't even tell you my style of writing! I have no idea! Yet I love to see that! Thank you so much! May you enjoy this very last chapter of You're not Whitebeard! Lots of Shanks and Ace! Have a great day!
This last chapter got so much longer than I expected! Please enjoy the last, and longest, chapter of this story!
"Marco! I am so sorry!"
SCREEEEEEE- Talons that were literally trough Ace's flamey stomach stopped in confusion. Sorry?
Even if his confusion was in birdform, Ace somehow got it? Or just kept talking.
"I'm sorry for calling you an inheritance thief all this time!"
Marco was flabbergasted. So flabbergasted he pushed the-the k-kiss to the back of his mind because... because Ace just... Has he come to the realisation of everything?
Slowly he reverted back to human form, keeping blue flames sprouted on his shoulders to give them a bit more light under the cloak. "You... You know the truth now-yoi?"
Ace nodded, "Yea, I just talked to Shanks, he explained everything. He-"
o-oh Ace knew the truth... the whole truth! He doesn't know how Shanks knew what was going on, he hadn't told him anything yet besides needing help, he expects Ace maybe blamed him as an accomplice or something like he did with Garp and unlike Garp, Shanks explained everything.
A few laughs escaped him. He didn't expect Shanks to fix everything, especially not without trying to ask him to join them... maybe the kiss swayed him... DON'T THINK OF THAT! But most important, ACE KNEW THE TRUTH! He now knew Pops was the actual real freaking Whitebeard!
A smile on his lips he focused back on Ace. Placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm so glad you understood-yoi. I-"
"Yea. I'm sorry man. I should have known you were never evil cause of you tick and laugh. They're stupid. Not evil."
"Haha ye- what?"
"Hmm? I just said, Shanks explained it all to me. You can't be evil because your tick doesn't sound evil and your Laugh isn't evil either like ZEHAHHAA! God that still freaks me out. That laugh sounds like someone that would send me to jail for no reason besides just being alive, you know! God, so scary, makes me choke on my own breath" Ace said as a tremble went through him, rubbing over the centre of his chest for a moment. "Anyway, yea, so we're good now Marco!"
Marco slowly nodded. Okay... so he wasn't suspected anymore for being a thief... that was something but... "What about Pops? You know... his travels over the sea... What ehm, what do oyu think of that...yoi...?"
"You can join!" the raven smiled brightly before cocking his head, "well I guess you've been here since the beginning... But I won't be in your way anymore! Shanks also said you take his sake for his health's sake... haha sake for health's sake. Amazing." he chuckled. "Now we can work together to make the old man's dreams come true!"
"Because... Because he's the real Whitebeard."
"Yeap!" Ace rolled his eyes, nudging Marco's shoulders, "because he's the rrrrrreeeaaaaaall Whitebeard! Making his dreams come true haha! I'm very glad we could work this out Marco, don't you?"
"Yea... yea... me too... me too..."
"Then, I'll see you later Marco!
"See you..."
Marco watched the youth jump out, jumping around people and heading inside. He was either going to eat or either going to take his usual afternoon nap, or both. He really didn't care.
When not long later a big hand reached over to pull the cloak aside and pick him up, he didn't resist.
"Not pecking anymore, son?"
"No... no Pops..." Marco looked up after a minute. "You are the real Whitebeard right? I'm not the one getting fooled right?"
"Gurara, Marco, of course I'm whitebeard. Proud to be your very own Pops!"
Nodding he got comfortable on the shoulder he was placed on. "... I think I'm friends with Ace now."
"Hmm? I thought you were already friends?"
Marco pondered for a little, "Maybe-yoi. I don't think he's really hated me at least lately. But he figured it out that I'm not a thief."
"Ooooh You're not after my inheritance anymore?"
Chuckling he nudged his old man, "I was never after you inheritance old man!"
"Gurarara only after my sake!"
"Only after your sake-yoi" he agreed with a smile. He doesn't know why, but even if Ace didn't yet know his Pops was the real deal. Just knowing that Ace now doesn't suspect him anymore of any bad thing, it kind of already eased some pressure he had on him. He hadn't even realised it had been weighing on him, but he's happy that part is gone. The mistrust is gone.
"How did he realise?"
"Yoi?"
"How did he figure it out? I mean, he's been twisting every single action you've done these past months as plans to steal from me. Even when you deposited new money into the treasury it was somehow so you could steal more... More from what you put in yourself."
"He had a difficult defence on that one."
"Gurarar he did! All red trying to defend his weird logic to you."
"Shanks apparently told him I can't be evil."
"... aren't we evil by definition? … We're pirates."
Marco snorted, "I guess for civilians we are. But not me, never me-yoi. Because of that!" he laughed. Explaining more as Pops looked confused. "The Yoi, my speech tick. It's not evil-sounding enough for me to be a villain. And my laugh isn't good either to be a thief apparently."
Pops laughed loudly, the whole ship trembling, "That boy sure is something! Guarrararararra! But I'm glad that's all solved. Tell Jozu to close that hole he made in your room. Now everything is good, I'm sure Ace won't re-make it again."
"Thank god for that. Will be a little weird sleeping without being watched, but I am glad!"
A small chuckle later and pops picked Marco up gently, putting him on the floor. "Go take a little nap son."
"But shanks-"
"Will still be here when you wake up."
"okay... okay.. Thank you Pops." he smiled and turned around, looking back a moment, "please don't overreact with the sake."
"I won't. I promise. I'll show Shanks the miracle of Prune-juice."
Snorting he nodded, "yea, you do that. I'll be back layer-yoi."
"Sleep well, son"
Marco simple waved in the air as he too walked inside. Slowly walking to his room and crawling into his bed. His eyes automatically went to the hole in his ceiling only to blink, something was off. The metal lining Jozu had put in to make a proper hole and door... They were soldered together. Messy. But the metal was melted together. A very faint glow still visible showing that it was still slightly hot.
With a smile on his lips he turned on his side, pulling up the blankets over him. Ace had come over to his room to close off the hole immediately after they cleared things up. While the teen had been annoying... so damn annoying... the raven had his heart in the right place.
Some hours later when Marco woke up, after months finally feeling well rested now that he was able to sleep without the feeling of being watched and being on alert. He got up and stretched his old bones until they all gave a satisfying snap which he groaned to.
Once more he automatically looked to his ceiling, but was happy to find it was still sealed shut, even if the seam wasn't pretty, maybe he would keep it, as a little reminder. He may even be able to bully Ace with it when he realised everything, he thought this as a grin appeared. An Evil grin. Yes. It would be Ace's turn to get bullied by him after all of this was over!
He hadn't realised he was cackling until he actually heard himself. …. Maybe Thatch is right... He lost it a little. He wouldn't have lost it if Phoenix would just heal him! But he was out of delicious seeds to trade the bird for some refreshed sanity. And the bird was enjoying this too much. That Ace would preen the bird while he was on fire also didn't help with having the Phoenix on his side. Stupid phoenix.
Okay, anyway! He had to find Shanks again and get him to now convince Ace that Whitebeard was real. No matter if it was by some silly reasoning like... 'His laugh is obviously that of the real whitebeard!'...
Marching out he made his way straight to the deck. 100% sure he would be able to find Shanks there. And why? Because the sound of a big party was coming from the deck and Shanks was definitely the one to start that. He's very surprised he didn't wake up from the sound.
Reaching the deck he used a skill that he had been honing for years to get to the other side of the deck …. dodge the drunk people, their hands, their more than overflowing drinks and their puke.
He quickly found a vibrant red next to his captain and... they both looked sober?
"Ooooooooooooooooooooooh Good evening Marco!" Shanks smiled brightly seeing him, jumping down from the armrest, not spilling a single drop from what was in his mug. "How are you doing birdy-boy? Slept okay? The old man here said you were making a nest hahahahha"
Raising an eyebrow to his pops he just got raised hands in defence and he sighed, "I did not make a nest-yoi, but I did sleep well. Thank you. What are you drinking Pops?" He asked looking up, for a second he was a little worried when the elder grinned but it was all unnecessary.
"Weeeee" he pointed between him and Shanks, "Are drinking the absolute best drink there is! PRUNE JUICE! GURARARARARARA!" Laughing out he raised his mug, half of it sloshing out making Namur needs to safe people from drowning ON the ship.
This did give Marco a chance to inspect the liquid and one simple sniff really confirmed it was simple prune juice. "Huh, even you Shanks? Nothing added in?"
"Nope! This is surprisingly good! And apparently good for bowel movements!"
"Do you... Have trouble going to the Toilet, Shanks-yoi?"
"... I did not say that!"
"..."
"Don't look at me like that! I am young and healthy and have good regular poops! …. At least I don't poop coins!"
"Huh? What kind of- Nevermind, I need you Shanks. Can you-"
"You need me?! Oh Marco!" Shanks laughed brightly, tossing his drink aside in favor of hugging the blond. "I knew you would eventually see the good in me! Realise what you've been missing out from." A grin was there, "You liked these lips?" He puckered his lips, making some kissy sounds until he was silenced by a wing to his face.
With a pout Shanks held his cheek under Marco's stare. The stare only stopping when he apologized and the blond sighed.
"Don't ever mention that again... but anyway... Thank you for making it clear to Ace that I am not a thief."
"Haha yea! I did amazing didn't I!" pout was long forgotten in favor of looking proud, patting his own chest.
Marco nodded to it, "you did. But that wasn't actually why I called you over."
"Huh? It wasn't? Then why?"
"I want you to clear up the misunderstanding that Pops is not Pops-yoi."
"Marco... Are you sure you didn't have some alcohol... Thatch also mentioned you were going a bit insane... do you want to talk to Ben? He's practically a therapist for me, maybe he can help you too."
"I did not drink and I will not comment on needing therapy."
"So you-"
"I'm sure you must have noticed Ace never calls Pops by any of his titles. And that h-"
"Wait wait! I remember! Ace made some weird comments that after everything was solved here, he would go look for Whitebeard. Even if Whitebeard is well, right here." he pointed up as if the man wasn't even sitting there.
"Correct. Even if Ace has been onboard for a long time, he still doesn't believe that Pops is the real deal."
"... Why not? Just show him his wanted poster-"
"Done-yoi."
"Your own commander posters-"
"Done."
"... It's the actual boat."
"He thinks were lending it."
"... Surely you must have been attacked by marines."
"And he just thinks we hired them or they got the wrong boat."
"... Let Edward show his devilfruit, no one can have the same fruit twi-"
"He thought Pops was having an attack of something when we tried and put him to bed... Don't laugh Shanks-yoi."
The red haired captain was trying very hard to stop, hand before his mouth, "b-but Marco! That- That's so amazing! Hahahahhahaahahahh And you let yourself be put to bed!?" He was wheezing as the elder just crossed his arms, coming with some lame defence.
"W-why- why does he e-even think he's not the real deal? Not like there's 20 half-giants running around with a moustache like that!"
"And that's exactly the reason."
"haha-huh? That there's 20 half giants with moustaches like that? EDWARD! You didn't tell me you have siblings!"
"No Shanks-"
"Have you been fooling me!? Have you been switching between siblings when I visit?!" The red haired man gasped, "YOU'RE NOT THE REAL WH-"
SLAP
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Okay... I deserved that. I'm sorry."
"As long as you understand-yoi. I'm really not in the mood to have you yelling this nonsense too."
"Sorry."
"I forgive you. If you convince Ace that Whitebeard is the real deal."
Shanks nodded and sat down, thinking for a while as he looked over the old man. "Have you tried... ehm..."
"Here's a list of what we tried." Out of nowhere Marco pulled out a whole stack of papers with notes. Shanks looking over them in shock.
"None of these worked? How?!"
"Ace is really good at twisting things around in his favor... or well to his own story."
"I can see that! Holy shit! That kid is batshit crazy!"
Snorting the blond sat down too, "Ain't need to tell me that"
Dumbfounded nods Shanks looked to the papers, many idea's scratching out of his head.
"Can't you just convince him like you did with me? That his laugh is Whitebeard's laugh or something."
"Nah, won't work."
"How do you know-yoi? It worked for m-"
"No no, we just figured you don't sound evil, you thic and laugh don't sound like a Marco, so that would have failed too, just didn't sound evil."
"Not... sound like a Marco?"
"Yea" Shanks explained without even looking up from the papers. "So same with Whitebeard. His laugh isn't evil, which is good, but it doesn't sound like a Whitebeard's laugh. If he had a laugh like himself he would like laugh while saying his own name."
"Laugh while saying his own name?"
"Yea, like those weird little creatures walking around, their whole speech is just their own names in squeaky voices. They're obviously themselves because they always say their own name. But that's too late since the old man has been speaking normally."
"..."
"By the way, why doesn't he believe he's Whitebeard again? Because there's 20 others with a moustache?"
"Oh my fucki-no!" he barely stopped himself from slapping his own forehead, he was sure his skull would permanently deform if he did. "Because he doesn't have a beard and his name is WhiteBEARD!"
"... That's all?"
"What?"
"He doesn't believe that He-" Shanks pointed up with his thumb, "Is the real deal because he doesn't have a beard?"
"Yes."
"Hmmmm?" The Redhead hummed for a while, in deep thought before looking Marco in the eye, "Have you tried putting a beard on him?"
"Excuse me?"
Putting down the stack of papers he nodded, "The problem is that Ace thinks he's not Whitebeard because he had no beard. Correct?"
"Yoi."
"So, the obvious solution is to give him a beard. And once he had a beard, voila! He's officially Whitebeard!"
"Thats... That's not going to work..."
"Is it noooot? Or are you just jealous you didn't think of it huuhh?"
Marco frowned pushing Shanks off him as he had gotten far to close to his liking. This couldn't work... c'mon! "Ace isn't stupid... not fully... He'll question why Pops hasn't been wearing a beard these past months."
Jumping up Shanks put his hands on his waist, "you just leave that to me! Don't worry Marco! Now that I am here, all you problems will be solved in exchange that you join m-"
"No."
"In exchange for a Phoenix ri-"
"No."
"Then I guess I'll leave since Ace is right about the whole t-"
"ONE Trip around the ship."
"Three."
"One."
"Five."
"Two".
"Seven."
"... Three rounds and a double loop."
"DEAL!" Shanks laughed brightly as he shook Marco's hand. "Now let me get some things ready and find that fire-cracker and the plan shall start!"
The next day
"Ace."
"wgw-ah?"
"... Finish your food first, I'll wait."
And thus Shanks waited until Ace devoured far too many plates to count and was used as a living trashcan by others who had taking just a tad more than they could eat. Ace though didn't seem to mind in the slightest.
After the desserts were eaten equally as fast Ace turned to him.
"What is it?"
"I wanted to talk to you about the old man."
"About the old man?"
While Ace looked a bit confused, Marco behind him was making very obvious motions with a wing and crosses that there would be no fun flight if he didn't convince Ace.
"Yes. About his connection to Whitebeard."
"Oooh are they friends?!"
Ace smiled brightly but the smile faltered a bit as Shanks didn't smile with him.
"Are they... not friends? Does he want his boat back? Is … Is whitebeard going to hurt the old man?"
Shaking his head he spoke, "nothing like that. He doesn't need his boat back, because while this is his boat, it's also the old man's boat. He's not going to hurt the old man, because that would mean hurting himself. And they're not friend, not really, because you can't be friends with yourself."
"... What... What do you mean."
"Ace. The old man is Whitebeard. And Whitebeard is the old man."
"..."
Everyone was silent at Ace's silence. All trying to act as if they weren't hella interested in knowing if it would work. And if this would work, a normal peaceful talk of reason... Marco was going to lose it on Ace.
The chance of people thinking that it worked however disappeared when Ace snorted and crossed his arms. "I almost fell for that speech. I won't be fooled even if it's you. I saw that blue hue behind me." Ace took a moment to grin at Marco, "You're playing a joke together on me haha! I didn't know you were such good friends! Well, I should have known that after the kiss from yesterday, but still! Haha, good one!"
When Shanks didn't even spare him a single laugh, Ace's laughter died down a little again, going to a nervous stuttered laugh before stopping.
"Let me tell you a story Ace." And Shanks got up, putting a hand on Ace's shoulder, "but let's do it elsewhere, I don't want to put Newgate through any more past memories."
"What?" Even while getting up he looked back confused, gasping softly as he saw some tears in the old man's eyes. "O-old man? Are you okay?"
"Let's go Ace." Shanks pushed him towards outside.
"B-but the old man!"
"He's fine. He just knows what I'm about to tell you and it always stirs something in him when it's unexpected."
"o-oh he's not... he's not dying right?"
"No no, nothing like that." Shanks was however very impressed with Edward's acting. Those tears, trying to hold them back but failing, distant look, those fingers on his chin. PERFECT! Maybe they should have an award for best acting pirates!
"T-then what!"
"Patience Ace. Patience." Only when the door to the messhall closed did Shanks stop the panicked teen, who was on the verge of tears himself, from walking and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "I promise that he's not dying. But he's sick."
"S-sick?"
Shanks nodded solemnly "Yes. He suffers from..."
"F-f-from?"
"Hair loss."
Ace was practically on the verge of bursting into tears when he comprehended what Shanks said. "huh? Hair loss?"
"Yes." moving his hand to Ace's back he made him walk with him, slowly towards his own ship. "He has been suffering for years. Already long before he became a pirate." He gently pushed the raven to walk over their gangplank to the other ship. Guiding him inside.
"He always wanted to be a pirate. Wanted to make a huge crew, a huge family, sail the waters, conquer the seas. But mostly, be free."
"Free..."
Shanked nodded hearing the teen whisper, he knew it was a reason why Ace set out. "But, As a Pirate you want a cool moniker, right? Do you like your moniker, your pirate name, Ace?"
"Yea. Firefist." he nodded lighting his fist on fire, "It tells who I am, it sounds strong."
"It does. And just like you, the old man also wanted a cool name. He wanted a name like all the cool pirates he saw in the newspapers, like all the pirates he heard of in stories. Do you know something they all have in common? Or most have in common?"
"... They're pirates?"
He snorted a little, "Yes, yes they are. But what I was looking for was facial hair. Think about it Ace. Many pirates have beard or moustaches, small and big."
"Even big mom."
"Even b-" choking on air he needed a moment to not start laughing like a maniac and break character. THIS KID! He hadn't even asked for an example! "Yes. Even big mom has facial hair." Did she though? Like... recognizable facial hair ... he guessed she maybe seemed to have more hair than others because she's big? ... He's not going to deny anything now if it makes Ace believe him!
"And the old man. He became impressed by them. Was in awe with those strong pirates and their big beards and moustaches and decided he wanted to be just like them when he grew up. So, he started training, and training and training."
By now they had sat down at a little table inside and Shanks had grabbed a photo album, leafing through pictures of Whitebeard training on his home island. Practicing swords on rocks. Swimming. Fighting. Haggling. Everything.
"Why are we watching pictures of this person?"
Shanks blinked at Ace's questions, "because this is the old man."
"Huh. But this one has shiny and wavy long blond hair."
"Yea, when he was younger, he was like this. But remember. I did say he suffered from-"
"Hair loss. Oh, the poor old man."
Nodding he leafed further, telling of Edward's hair-filled childhood. "And then, when he was becoming an adult, it came!"
He flipped a page and Ace gasped instantly, pointing to the old man's... no young man's upper lip. "HAIR!"
"Yes. Edward's proudest days." he kept flipping to new pictures where the moustache could be seen growing and growing.
"o-ooh his beard is starting too!" Ace's eyes were shining as the pictures with Edward's beard started to appear.
"It's getting so full! Haha! He's going to have an amazing beard!"
Shanks nodded as now Ace was flipping through the album happily, "Yea, and he used all the best lotions and soaps, everything to make his hair as great as possible. It had to be impressive if he wanted it to become his moniker as pirate."
The redhair swallowed as the teen looked amazed at the growth on Edward's chin... the growth Shanks had been drawing on with a marker the whole night. He hoped Ben was somehow done with that last picture and the special room or he was doomed.
"OH MY GOD! IT'S WHITEBEARD!"
His attention was pulled back to the youngster who now had a wanted poster in his hands, beard still drawn on.
"That's the old man. Edward Newgate. Since that day known as Whitebeard. His dream had come true. He had been named after his impressive beard that he cared for every single day."
Shanks hated he had to ruin the kid's excitement, he looked so happy! Marco better give him 3 loops in the air for this!
"Yes... but then..." Shanks gently took the poster and put it aside before flipping another few pages, letting the pictures sink in.
"He's... starting to wear a headband? Many pirates wear a bandana. It's cool."
"It is, but that's not why he started to wear it. Watch his hair that flows through it."
Focusing on the pictures Ace took lead again to flip pages, at a few points flipping back a few times between a few before he was suddenly flying to the first picture of a headband and to the last.
"Where's the hair?"
Shanks simply closed his eyes, letting it be all the answer Ace got for now.
"Shanks!? WHERE IS HIS HAIR!? Why is it not poking out under it!? Why is the fabric so close to his skin?! It should be bulging because of the hair under it!"
"You know why Ace."
"N-no."
"And his long blond, shiny waving hair on his head was just a start. "N-noooo no Shanks- This-this can't be-"
"Yet it is. Yet it already happened." He slowly got up, looking down at the teen sadly. "Follow me. There is one last place I have to show you."
With tears in his eyes Ace got up, stumbling almost to follow the red head.
"His beard was following soon."
"N-no"
Damn, the kid sounded broken. And all of that for a beard. "Sadly yes. Patches started to fall out. In the beginning he could hide it. Comb other hair over the bald stops. But... at some point it becomes impossible."
He made sure to make pauses of silence in his story, let it all sink through to Ace.
"He kept every piece Ace."
"O-of his beard?"
"Yes. He couldn't part with it. He couldn't accept it. But... at some point it became too hard for him to see those strands of hair on his nightstand, not attached to his face. So, he gave them to me. Asked if I would keep them safe in his stead because he still couldn't bear the thought of them being thrown out."
They stopped in front of a door, a plain wooden door, there was only a simple dried flower secured in the middle of it.
"I have kept it in here for years. Taken care of it to keep it to its original glory, should the old man ever want to see his beard again."
"Y-yo-you'r-'re s-s-so n-I-I-cc-c—ee"
Pulling out a handkerchief he gave it to the hiccupping teen, letting the kid blow his nose.
"What we're about to enter, you can see it as a form of a burial ground. Please be respectful."
"I-I will- I will."
He gave the other a moment to compose himself before he pushed open the door. Holding in his own breath of disbelief because damnnnnnnnn his crew did a fucking good job on this!
"c'mon kid." He gently tapped the raven's back, making hum stumble forward and to the pedestal in the middle.
Ace stared wide eyed into the room, only moving because Shanks pushed him. The room was softly illuminated by candles, no furniture or decoration. No windows. Which he got if this room was well... a preservation room. He did know the sun damaged things.
But was got his attention the most was the pedestal right in the middle of the room. A simple black rectangular stand with on top a glass dome. On the pedestal was Whitebeard's flag, only... it had a beard... a beard that looked exactly like the item safely behind the glass dome.
And the small plaque under it also didn't leave any questions for what it was.
"H-he o-only lived f-for 5-5years?" Ace's voice cracked as he looked at the dates on the plaque before he was staring at the item... at the beard in front of him.
"Yes. He had to leave this world far too young. And those five years are even counting from the very first hairs until the very last. This state of glory-"
"I-it's beautiful."
"I know. It was the most beautiful beard out there. Yet Edward barely got a full year with it in this shape before he had to start covering parts."
"n-noo. W-why! The old man- the old man is so nice! He didn't deserve this!"
"No one deserves this, Ace."
Very carefully he pushed at the pedestal, a hidden drawer popping out. He took a step aside when Ace looked in and picked up the item. Gray eyes filling with tears. "H-he looked so happy!"
"He was."
"H-he looks good!"
"He does. It was his pride."
Ace was nodding, barely able to let his snot and tears drip next to the picture he held. A simple picture of the old young man staring at the camera. Head full of blond long hair, a huge moustache and the beard. The most impressive beard he had ever seen.
"Be careful with it, it's the only copy that exists."
With trembling nods, he put the picture back in the drawer, but didn't stop looking at it.
In support Shanks put a hand on Ace's shoulder, rubbing across it.
"... Do you want to burn incense stick for the beard?"
"I-I can?"
Nodding Shanks moved over to the tiniest cabinet next to the door, grabbing a stick and giving it to Ace.
"T-thank you" Ace whispered before he lit the stick with his own fire.
Together they watched the stick burn down. Shanks should have put the stick in something... the ashes now just falling on Ace's hands... but well... He couldn't think of everything in one night! And Ace didn't seem to mind.
When the stick burned and Ace's tears slowed down, the teen only sniffling now, Shanks gently took out a tissue to clean Ace's hands and face. "Let's go back Ace."
It took a minute before the teen reacted, still looking at the two items. Gently the raven pushed the drawer shut and turned around. "Y-yea."
Once more Shanks lead the Raven, stopping before the door to the deck. "I promise the old man is fine now. He has come to terms with it. He just has a difficult time to talk about it, so he never brought it up to you."
"I should have believed him... Everyone told me he was the real deal."
"It's okay Ace. It's good to trust your heart. And Whitebeard isn't mad about it either."
"No?"
"No. He likes it when the youth is so passionate about things. And he told me you've been taking great care of him. Been helping him sail around."
"He never needed my help..."
"Who said that? I heard you've been drawing them plenty of maps that have helped them greatly. Even optimized their routes that they have been taking for years! Plus, he's been telling all about how he likes you and wishes you would join him whenever you found out he was real."
"W-what? He wants me to join?"
"Yea, even wants you to be a commander."
"A- A commander? But I'm- I'm like a baby compared to Marco."
Shanks chuckled, ruffling Ace's hair. Glad he wasn't crying anymore. "I promise you would be a great commander!" and have been in that position for a while already is he had to believe the others, "And Marco is just old! Never mind him! He needs some young blood!" he laughed and clapped Ace's back. "You don't need to decide anything now. He won't mind if you just continue traveling on his ship either, like I said, he likes you!"
"... I … I like it too there... Everyone is nice... even Marco."
"Then no reason not to join now, is there?"
"No... But..."
"But?"
"I need to apologize to the old man... to Whitebeard.. For not believing him."
A gentle smile was on his lips, "That's very noble to admit your mistakes Ace. Go ahead, I'm sure he's already waiting for you." and he pushed the doors open, indeed showing Whitebeard sitting on his throne on deck.
Ace practically stumbled to the deck. Holding his own hands as he walked to before the elder. Tears already in his eyes as he saw the naked chin. Because it shouldn't be naked. It should be filled with that stunning beard!
Pops saw the look, knowing Shanks idiotic plan had somehow worked and he opened his arms, a gently smile on his lips. "Come here boy."
And that was it, all dams broke as Ace started weeping, shooting himself into the older man's chest.
"I-I-'m sooorrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!"
"It's okay."
"Noooo, I-it's noooooooooooy! Y-your beard! It w-was soo cooool!"
"Thank you, Boy."
"You w-worked so hard for it!" Ace sobbed, clutching to the huge jacket. "Y-you should- you sh-should h-have it- y-you shouldn't- h-have lost it- You-you deserve it!"
While one hand held the tiny being up, with one finger Pops gently stroked over Ace's back, a little in disbelief the kid was crying this much for a fake beard. "And I still have my moniker to brag for it."
"T-that's n-not- e-enough!"
"But it is." He pulled Ace off him, letting him sit on his hand as he turned him to see the whole deck, the deck full of his kids. "Look around you, Ace. I may not have my beard anymore. But I still have my family. I'm still sailing the seas. I'm free. Even if that's without beard."
Sniffing he took in everything. Everything the elder said. He saw all those people he called kids, now knowing it was his dream and it's how he regards his crew, they're not his real kids... or they are. They're real. Just like Luffy and Sabo are his real brother.
Emotions however soon overtook him again and he was crying into the elder. Spouting some nonsense of finding a magic beard potion for him or what not. And Pops just let him be. Just gently rubbing his back.
None of his kids interfered, they knew better than that. Plus, Marco was throwing anyone in the sea who's lips even remotely looked like they were about to let out a laugh at the situation.
A/N: Anyone remember chapter 8 where Ace was braiding something? Yea, it will appear here.
After what felt like hours Ace's cries stopped and Pops took his chance to raise his free arm, showing hist wrist, specifically the bracelet around his wrist. "I guess you want this back now... Now that you know that I am Whitebeard and... you're going to go after my head."
Wiping his face clean Ace glanced over at the bracelet. The bracelet he braided for the old man himself already over a month ago. Holding up his own wrists next to it, it showed they had the same bracelet, only different colours. Both having three very clear letter on it, both of their flags on it, Whitebeard's flag before and Ace's Spade after. Both keeping the letters safe between them.
BFF
Best Friends Forever.
Friendship bracelets Ace had made for them.
He was quiet as he looked at them, stopping Whitebeard from taking it off. "No..." he voiced even quiet to himself before standing up, putting both his hands on the bracelet, "No! I meant this! I said- I said neither of us can ever take this off. Because it connects us. It shows we love each other, Through thick and thin! Sickness and health!"
(Current sounds on deck: -Is this a marriage proposal?- -SPLASH-)
"It shows we're best friends and that- and that no matter what we'll be there for each other. No matter what... No matter what." he repeated his last words, looking up with big eyes, yet his voice was small. "Are we... are we still best friends?"
Pops couldn't hold in his own tears and smile, pulling Ace to his chest. "WE ARE! WE'RE BEST FRIENDS FOREVER! WE PROMISED LIKE YOU SAAAAAIIIIDDD!"
On deck
"Don't cry with them-yoi" Marco slapped Thatch over the head before he could start weeping.
"But look at them!"
"I see them Thatch. They're pretty hard to miss."
"How did we not even think of this!"
"Shut it."
"Like this was such an upfront solution."
"Shut it-yoi."
"I mean, Ace didn't believe us because Pops never had a beard, so giving him a beard would have been the first thing we should have tried! Man! We're even more stupid than Ace-AAAAAHHHHH"
…
A little ahead a small group of crewmembers had focused more on the conversation between their commanders then the water display Ace and Pops were putting on.
"Do you think Commander Thatch likes swimming? He obviously taunts Commander Marco on purpose..."
"... Maybe he does like it... I mean, he has the best track-record, always getting thrown overboard at least once a day."
"He did have a point though, why didn't we try to put a fake beard o-"
A menacing presence towering over the member shut him up immediately and the onlooking once were close to peeing their pants.
"What. Where you saying-yoi?"
"N-noth-"
"Look at me."
Gulping the member turned around, needing to look up to meet his commander eye to eye with how close he was standing. Oh-oh there was blue fire on his shoulders. He gulped again, wetting his lips to speak, "I-I was j-just." he swallowed again, someone please safe him! "S-saying h-how s-smart a-and d-difficult t-to think up t-this pl-an was."
"Hmmmmmmmm? Where you now? I thought I heard something else?"
"N-no no! I sssswearrr. R-right guys!?"
Curses and eeps were heard, even a thud of someone fainting when Marco's eyes turned to them. But he simply raised an eyebrow, tempting them to continue.
"y-yea! Like he said!"
"In-de-ed commander! W-we're a-all flabber-flabbergasted! T-thank g-god we got help!"
"Y-yes, now- now t-that st-stupid firefist k-know the truth!"
Marco regarded the group for a while before nodding. Everyone heaving a sigh of relieve before the last speaker was picked up and also chucked overboard.
"W-why!"
"Only I can call Ace stupid-yoi."
The other gaped like... what?!
"Now get back to work... now!"
Scrambling away, running into each other they all tried to leave the area as quick as possible, finding the most random pieces of work, furthest away from deck, that still needed to be done.
Huffing Marco looked back at his Pops now just hugging the teen, both having their friendship bracelets on display. Atleast that cleared up his mental image of Ace braiding Pop's arm hair. Still... why did they get friendship bracelets. And did Pops Make Ace's? Because usually you made one for the other.
Absentmindedly he looked to his own empty wrist. He had to figure out how to get one too from a- NO he didn't one. He. Did. Not. Need. One.
Shaking his shoulders to clear his thought he turned, making his way to the kitchen for a relaxing cup of coffee. Thinking back to that one time he had been planning to put a fake beard on Pops, but Ace had seen him make the beard from... from the freaking gap in his ceiling... he stupidly thought the teen would be asleep by 2.30 at night since he had gone to bed at 9 in the evening. Wrong thoughts. Anyway... even if he hadn't been caught. For sure if he had told Ace to go see Pops with a fake beard, he would have just put it on him again that he did something and it was a fake. It wouldn't have worked... it wouldn't have worked how Shanks made it work.
He sat down in his spot, steaming cup of coffee already done and in his hands. Maybe Shanks was a good guy when it came down to it and wasn't so ba-
"PHOENIX RI-AAAAAAAAH WHY DID YOU THROW YOUR COFFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!?
"Sorry, reflex-yoi." And held out a flaming hand for Shanks to push his face into to heal.
The man pouting after only a little red spot from heat was left. "That was mean even for you Marco." he said sitting down. "I just came for my Phoenix ride."
"I know, I know, I'm a little on edge."
"Because Ace?"
"Because Ace yes. But now" he sighed a little happy, "It's all over. No more conspiracy theories. No more inheritance thief things. No more not believing Pops isn't real."
"No more people in your ceiling."
"Don't remind me, but yes. No more Pops acting like an old man."
"Ah- don't say that yet."
"Huh? Why? Also, one moment." Getting up he went to make himself a new cup of coffee, also bringing some prune juice for Shanks. He did help in the end. "Here you go. So why can't I say that?"
"Thanks" Shanks smiled taking the mug, before snorting after a drink. "Those two outside yea? They're talking now and well, deciding on some things. Like Edward's title. Ace likes calling him Old man and saying Pops or Edward sounds just weird to him apparently."
"so... Pops said he can name him whatever and he's now going to be called old man forever?"
"Yeap. Essentially. Were crying over it again too."
Rolling his eyes Marco groaned, "Of course they were-yoi."
"And, they'll still take afternoon naps togheter."
"..."
"That's 100% on your Pops. He's the one who said that he would miss their naps and prune juice. Oh but you should have seen! Ace blushed! Aww it was so cute! He blushed while admitting he always liked those naps! So yea, they're staying."
"... So I'll be serving prune juice after their naps forever." he wiped over his face, "great"
"Admit it, Marco, you're happy you old man is having fun. And Ace makes him take it easy and take care of himself." Shanks moved spots to next to the blond, poking into his side, "c'mon Marco, c'mon."
He ignored it for as long as he good before he let out a breath and even a small smile, making Shanks already cheer in victory. "I guess you're right-yoi. Pops health has gotten a bit better even since Ace has been here. Made him take it easier, take those naps. And his alcohol intake has decreased so drastically we're practically rich now that we don't need to buy as much."
"Huuuh, that's quiet impressive actually... but never mind that!" Shanks suddenly got up all smiles. "Phoenix Ride Marco! You promised! You promised!"
"Let me finish my coffee."
As Shanks cheered, he didn't see the fond smile on Marco's lips while the blond watched him jump around. A whisper of a "thank you." on those lips.
On the top deck, a few minutes later
Shanks was jumping from foot to foot, making the weirdest arm motions as if he wanted to clap, but he obviously couldn't with only one hand.
"Phoenix ride! Phoenix ride! Aaaaaah this is so exciting!"
"yea yea, nothing special-yoi." Marco said as he as stretching a bit, readying himself to carry another human. He may heal from everything, but that didn't mean the extra weight wasn't uncomfortable without prep."
"Says you!" Shanks snorted, "you can always fly through the skyyyyy!" he waved with his arm in the air as he turned around, "always free like a little turkey. Flying over the sea, catching fish to eat, little fruits, going over-"
"You done?"
Looking back he saw Marco already in hybrid form an nodded eagerly, "yes!"
"Alright, I'm going to switch, I can't speak then so I'll already tell you now. Do not pull at my feathers."
"But I need to hold on."
"Hold on around my neck and when you grab on, don't hold on to just one feather, you'll pull it out. Just make a wide grasp, like you would hold onto a flatter surface without proper hold ons."
"okay okay, got it!"
"Also, don't try to steer me."
"Boooooooo but Marco! You'll be my mighty steed a-"
"Call me that one more time and I'm breaking this promise."
"You can't! You promised me!"
An unimpressed eyebrow was raised "First of all-yoi." he pointed to him. "Pirate. Why would I care for promises. Second of all, No pinky promise."
Shanks stuttered, "Wha- No! I.. I always ask for a pinky promise- I oh m god, I forgot in my excitement!" Falling to his knees the red hair waddled in self-pity on his mistake and Marco took his time to enjoy the moment before he let out a chuckle and transformed.
Seeing a huge burst of blue Shanks looked up and was on his feet immediately, giggling like a little schoolgirl as he saw the big bird. "Birdy!" he smiled running all around the bird before ending before his face. Crouching down to pet the bird's head. "You're so cute! So adorable! Phoeniiiiiiiiix!"
With a lot of self-control, and a little bit of Phoenix's happiness of basking in the compliments, he let shanks pet him for a while before he pecked lightly and showed his back. A clear message for Shanks to get on.
A few moments later, after the adult was settled on his back and Phoenix nudged the hand into a proper hold and they were off, soaring through the skies.
While Marco had made a deal about the amount of loops and circles around the ship, Phoenix hadn't. And Shank's wooping and cheers in amazement spurted the bird on to make more and more twirled in the sky. Glowing at the sounds of excitement from his back.
They had already been flying for a bit, Marco even following some of Shank's requests to go different directions. But not because he liked the redhead! Only because he was thankful for his help and because while he had asked for different directions, he hadn't tried to pull on his feathers.
The both enjoyed their time until Shanks yelled something after another swoop over the ship.
"You got that Ben? That was so awesome!"
Got that? Glancing over the deck until he found the spoken to person, Marco squinted his eyes to check him over... Oh that fucker. Shank's first mate was holding a fucking camera den den mushi!
Oh hell no! Flapping his wings he started to raise into the air. Smirking at Shanks excitement rising. Yea. Laugh. Laugh while you still can!
As quickly as he was in the clouds, he was also back diving down. Wings glued to his body as he did.
His charge was laughing all the way, just like he planned, until those laughs started to grow more nervous as he kept speeding up.
"Ee-hm Marco haha- ehm The sea is getting closer."
He knows.
"Maybe you know, we can do another loop... go up?"
Oh don't worry, they'll do another loop.
He felt the hand tighten on his chest, now actively pulling at his feathers.
"Marco! Marco! C'monn! Phoenix? Phoenix! Raise up! Raise up!"
Screams filled the air as water came closer and closer, just above the surface Marco stretched his wings, one even snapping for a moment by the cheer force of wind he caught.
To make sure his charge befell the faith he wanted him to have, he didn't just pull up, but he swerved to the side, barrel rolling in the air until he heard a splash and a yell of his name.
With his victory he made his way back to the ship, giving Shanks current location to Namur before going to Ben.
"I will delete the footage."
"No-yoi. It's fine. But make sure it doesn't get out. He deserves that for helping us... but don't tell him I said that! Tell him you had a copy or back up or something!"
With a chuckle Ben nodded, putting the snail away now they weren't flying anymore.
This now in order and promise fulfilled, he walked to before his captain. "Oi Pops! I'm going on a vacation! I'll be back in like 5 weeks!"
Commanders were stunned. Marco deserved a vacation yes. But... didn't they need a meeting? The had to divide Marco's tasks and-
"See you all-yoi!"
The combined looks on the ship where people gaping at the blue flaming bird taking off from the ship into seemingly a random direction. Was the bird smiling? Was that a tear?!
"Huh? Old man, where Marco going?"
Looking down at his hand Pops saw Ace wiping the remainder of some tear tracks away as he followed Marco's blue form in the sky.
"He's going on a vacation."
"Without me? He can't do that! I wanne join him!"
"Huh?"
"Marcooooooo! Wait for meeeeeeee!"
Before anyone could do something, Deuce had already thrown a backpack up that was caught in the middle of the air before Ace launched himself off the ship. Giving everyone the view of Marco flying off into the distance, disappearing behind the horizon with a smile on his lips... beak. While not far behind, an orange ball of fire was taking the same path.
This chapter took a lot of turns I didn't expect it to. I had planned to have a lot more Spades in the beginning. At the end them congratulating their captain and things. More Ace and Marco together. But I felt that didn't fit anymore... Yet I'm happy with how this turned out. Thus, with this...
THE END HAS BEEN REACHED! I can't thank everyone enough for supporting this story so much. It really was supposed to be just a little two chapter story of Ace poking fun at whitebeard's name, and look where we all got! Would have never gotten here without the constant love for this story and excitement for more events to happen and all the suggestions I've gotten. So once more, THANK YOU!
With this, even if Whitebeard still does not have a beard, this story has been completed! (Now Marco can start to slowly recover his sanity)