Mihawk was not entirely thrilled to be back in this situation. Not only was it terribly inconvenient for him to be thrown back to being fourteen years old, it was very much a hassle to remember exactly how to get out of this situation. He also missed having the familiar weight of his Black Blade at a perfect parallel to his spine.

"Well, well, well," the voice of a man long dead spoke, "You're actually still alive?"

He had to sift through his memories, but he eventually came up with an answer on how he got out of this the first time. All he had to do was keep quiet and not do anything that would get himself killed.

"Still not talking?" the man clicked his tongue in annoyance. He didn't say anything more as he left the dark hallway, the metal door clanking as it shut.

It was silent for a few minutes, the other people in the hallway not making sounds just in case that man was still within listening range. After about twenty minutes, he heard something shift from the cell next to where he sat. "I'm amazed you survived after the beating he just gave you."

Mihawk scoffed, "If I were to die by the hands of that man, I would be a failure to everyone I've met or ever will meet." Funny, the sense of deja vu one gets while repeating their entire life over.

"Strong words from a tiny kid." the voice said, "Listen, I've got a plan to get everyone out of here. You want in?"

The former and future swordsman thought about it for a second before repeating what he had said so long ago, "What's your name?"

The fishman smirked as he leaned forward slightly, "Fisher Tiger."

*

Shanks was more than ecstatic to be back in the past. He got to see his old captain again! Then, he was reminded exactly of when he had been sent back and that happiness faded quicker than a flash of lightning. Captain Roger, as he remembered, was executed in the East Blue two months ago. Now that he knows when he is, he needs to know what was happening.

He took inventory of everything around him. The area was dark but smelled of dirt, so he was either in a cell or in a cave at night. Judging by the sounds of water in the near distance, Shanks figured he was in a cave at night. Now all he had to do was remember what to do.

Moving was a struggle, but he eventually managed to sit up and lean against the stone of the cave wall. A sticky substance covered the left side of his body and his right hand, his right eye was swollen shut, his right ankle flared with white hot pain whenever he tried to move, and his left shoulder was out of its socket. Overall, he was in shit shape.

"This must be just after everyone scattered." he thought aloud. While Captain Roger had disbanded the Roger Pirates a few months ago, the crew had decided to split up and stay in small groups. Buggy had gone with the group that went back to Paradise to hide out with Crocus for a while, while Shanks had stayed in the New World with Oden for a while. Though, no one knew where Reightley disappeared to. Well, Shanks knew, but he wasn't supposed to yet.

Shortly after Roger was killed, the redhead remembered, the crew was hunted down and had to separate further than they already had. He didn't know what happened to anyone until much later, but he had ended up on an island somewhere in the North Blue. He could recall feeling hate towards the world for sending him somewhere completely opposite of where he wanted to be and away from the crazy people he called family for longer than he could hold a sword. Though he understood the reason he was kept from there much later on, it didn't stop the small bout of disdain towards the crew that had seemingly abandoned their captain.

"Hey!" he heard the distinctly low voice of his first mate and vice captain, "Are you okay?" Shanks didn't look at the boy. He didn't think he'd be able to keep his voice steady yet. So, he kept quiet and composed himself.

When he didn't answer, boy-Benn came to him and started to inspect his wounds. "I saw you come in here at about three in the morning." he said and only then did Shanks realize the sun was up. "When you didn't come back out, I thought for sure you died!" Shanks flinched at the carelessness of that voiced thought and Benn apologized. "Sorry, didn't mean it like that. So I assume you don't have anywhere to go. You want to stay with me? I got room."

Shanks smiled and finally looked at his former and future best friend and first mate, "Sure!"

*

Law most definitely did not want to be here again. He couldn't move, he was both too hot and too cold at the same time, and it hurt to even breathe at this point. However, he would get to see Corazon again if he was lucky. That alone made going through this pain again worth it. He was snapped out of his thoughts by the rustling of some bushes on the opposite end of the clearing he was in.

"Hey, Law!" The sight of the blond was almost enough to make him cry. He didn't, though, no matter what anyone thought they saw. "I got some fruit for dinner, are ya hungry?"

He didn't trust his voice enough to speak, so he nodded. He not only gets to see Corazon again, he gets to spend time with him! That was way more than he could ever ask for.

While cutting the fruit into bite sized pieces, the tall blond spoke again, "Doflamingo's men are headed towards this island, so we won't be able to stay here longer than tonight. Do you think you'll be well enough to move tomorrow?" He worded it like that because they both knew that Law wasn't going to be 'well enough' to move. "Oh! I found the Devil Fruit we've been after!" he smiled, "I'm going to go get it later tonight so the animals will be asleep. But, I'll be back by the time you wake up."

Law knew that was only a half truth, but he wasn't going to say anything. He was going to relish in this impossible opportunity and allow himself to bask in the never forgotten presence of his father figure. He wanted to save the man, but he knew his current condition prevented him from doing so. Maybe once he'd eaten the fruit?

Bonney grimaced at the sight before her. She'd been living in a world of 'Survival of the Fittest' for two years, but she had completely blocked out these particular memories. She didn't like the loud cheers of people in the seats of the large colosseum, nor did she like the fact that her apparent opponent was trying to stand and fight again.

"Don't you understand?" she whispered to the face of a boy long forgotten in the mass of people she'd had to fight, "If you don't stay down, they'll kill us both!"

The boy scoffed as he struggled to keep himself from falling back to his knees, "But if I don't stand and fight, then they'll kill me!"

Bonney didn't like it, but what he said was true. If he didn't fight her and win, then the guards would take him and kill him. The same could be said on her end, though. Neither of them wanted to fight, but neither of them wanted to die, so they fought.

No one knew where the losers were taken. All anyone knew was that if the loser was still breathing by the time the guards had taken both - or all of the fighters on some occasions - out of the ring, then they were never seen again. No one wanted to find out what happened when they went through the door that seemed to stare them down and taunt them, so they never asked. Everyone had come to a silent agreement to prevent that door from opening whenever they could, though it wasn't a permanent thing as the children were scared to take their first life.

Weak punches were exchanged between the two children, neither wanting to continue or stop. The crowd of disgusting adults and nobles only cheered louder at the fight. The faceless guards stood every few feet inside the ring, ready to take care of any trouble or carcasses.

It was about ten minutes after she woke up that Bonney remembered what was supposed to happen during this fight. She let a smile slip as she reviewed the plan from so long ago and the boy she was fighting took it as her mocking him. He ran to her as fast as he could on wobbly legs with his fist aimed to hit her face. Boney let the punch hit her and she fell to the ground. As much as every instinct was telling her to, she didn't stand back up.

The boy was declared the winner and she heard a guard come up and kneel beside her. They did a quick evaluation of her before they waved the other guards over. "She's still breathing," they said and all of the guards seemed to get smirks on their faces.

Bonney felt herself get picked up and she opened her eyes ever so slightly and looked at the sky. A smile graced her lips. After all, she would be the only fighter ever to get to see what's outside that door twice.

Kidd didn't like being dirty and he was suddenly reminded of why. After he became a pirate captain with a bounty, he made it appoint to never get dirty. And if he did get filth on himself, he never let it stay on him too long. Growing up on the streets, he mused, will do that to you.

When he moved, he felt the world spin and turn on end. When his sight sorted itself out, he turned and started to dry heave on the ground beside him. Nothing came up, of course, but that didn't stop the disgusting taste from appearing in his throat and mouth.

He sat there for several long minutes, trying to gather himself into some semblance of healthy enough to move. It didn't work too well. It was nearly a miracle when someone spotted him and gave him food and water. Now, Kidd was never one to take pity from anyone, but he would forever be grateful to this woman for taking pity on him on this day.

"You poor thing," she said as she watched him eat the bread and drink the water, "Careful now, we can't have you choking on us, okay?" She had a peculiar way of speaking, always referring to herself as 'we' and 'us' and 'our', but it only added to her charm.

"Who are you?" Kidd managed to say after a few false starts. He never really used his voice much at this age because no one ever listened to him. 'Why speak if no one listens?' was his daily mantra as well as one of the things that compelled him to become a captain. If no one was going to willingly listen, he'd make them listen.

"Us?" she pointed to herself before answering, "We have many names. Though, you can call us Opie." Kidd hadn't realized until much later in life, but this woman had asked him to call her 'Other Parent'. Though, with the way she spoke and the way she had him address her, it would be safer to call her 'them' and 'they' instead of 'she' and 'her'.

"Why are you taking pity on me?" he glared at them, though it was filled with no malice.

"No pity, dear," Opie smiled and stood, "Just an act of kindness the world seems to have forgotten." They held out their hand for Kidd to take. He didn't stand and only looked at the offered appendage. Seeing his hesitance, they explained their action, "It gets cold out here at night, do you want to come home with me?" A hint of a smile flashed across Kidd's face as he slowly stood and took Opie's hand. Together, the two walked through the streets and towards wherever Opie lived.

Marco could hear the telling sounds of a heart monitor when he woke up. He didn't open his eyes, though. A series of relieved sighs overtook the room he was in, followed by murky words of what were probably orders. He waited for the anesthetic mask to be removed from his face before he relaxed.

He didn't notice he'd fallen back into unconsciousness until he was awoken later by the dinner bell from the kitchen. The sound was broadcast via den-den throughout the entire ship to make sure everyone knew it was time for whatever meal had been prepared. There was one outside of the infirmary that he heard, but the doctors and nurses refused to let a bell that loud sound directly into the room where people were recovering.

"So," he heard from somewhere next to him on his left side, "You finally decided to wake up."

Marco groggily turned his head after letting his eyes adjust to the light in the room. A small smile showed in place of an answer.

"You made everyone worry, you know." Izo smirked back at the blond, "Care to share what happened on your supposedly easy mission?" He sighed when Marco shook his head. "Pops nearly committed a genocide to get you back, I'll have you know. And to find you in this state? Makes me wonder."

Marco only shook his head again. He hadn't ever had his heart stop, nor was he ever put that close to death, during a mission before. It wasn't something he ever wanted to remember, so he had locked the memory of what happened away in the far recesses of his mind. He would dig it up to tell Pops and only Pops. Along with that information, he would share his time travel ordeal with him.

"You want me to get you something to eat?" Izo pulled Marco from his thoughts, "You've been out for a few days, so I can only imagine how hungry you must be." He waited for Marco to answer. When the blonde nodded, the crossdresser stood up and left the room.

Now alone, Marco slowly started to force his basic motor functions to start working. He went from the bottom of his body and started to move his joints, starting with his toes and ankles before moving his knees and fingers, then his wrists and elbows and shoulders. After loosening his stiff joints, he flexed his muscles in lieu of stretching. Then, he slowly started to push himself into a sitting position. It took a lot longer than he would've liked, but he finally got himself sitting and leaning against the headboard.

It didn't take long for Izo to return with his food. Though, the other fourteen Division Commanders and Whitebeard following after him was a welcome surprise. The following hour was spent with the sixteen Commanders and their Captain spending time together in the infirmary. No one brought up the mission and he was grateful for that. Though, Marco had the feeling that Whitebeard knew something was up with him.

Marco had come to terms with the death of his crew - his family - a year before meeting up with the second Pirate King he'd seen in his time, but seeing them in the flesh was a surreal experience that he hadn't completely prepared himself for. Although, he didn't think anyone could ever be ready to meet their dead friends and family.

About ten-thirty that night, the Division Commanders - aside from the two who had look out duty with a few other crewmates - decided to turn in for the night. While everyone else left, Whitebeard remained where he was. Marco knew that his father and captain was going to want to talk to him, but he didn't expect it to be the exact day he woke up.

"Do you want to share what's on your mind?" the old man asked. He had the feeling since Marco got out of surgery a few days ago that something was off.

The blond sighed, "Nothing ever gets past you, does it?" he ignored his father's raised eyebrow as he adjusted himself to sit in a more comfortable - but also completely stiff looking and respectful - position to talk with his captain, "I wasn't planning on telling you until I was able to move, but I might not ever get the right words to tell you if not now. First, I don't remember what happened to end me up in the infirmary." When Whitebeard didn't speak, he continued, "I don't know how to say this…I'm from the future. Before you laugh or ask questions, you have to know that I'm serious about this. If you want proof, I can provide it."

Whitebeard took a few seconds to digest this information. His first son doesn't remember how he ended up in the hospital bed, and he claims to be from the future. Not only does he claim it, but he says he can prove it? He shook his head, "That is quite hard to believe," he said, "But I will hear you out." The look of relief on Marco's face spoke volumes for the situation at hand.

"I can't tell you everything right now," the blond started, "This is also gonna sound really out there. Myself, as well as six others, had to travel back through time to try and stop or rewrite a series of events. The people who came with me are either already known or will be known as Hawkeye Mihawk, the Warlord; Red Hair Shanks, Captain of the Red Haired Pirates; the Surgeon of Death, Law, the captain of the Heart Pirates; the Big Eater, Jewelry Bonney, captain of the Bonney Pirates; the Captain, Eustass Kidd, captain of the Kidd Pirates; and Straw Hat Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates." he took a second for his captain to go through to information before he spoke again, "In order of who arrived first; Mihawk, Shanks, Law, Bonney, Kidd, Luffy, and myself. If everything went according to plan, then we all arrived at the first point in time we either died for a short period of time or were close enough to death to be considered dead."

To say Whitebeard was surprised was an understatement. What Marco was telling him was a load and a half of information and he was having a hard time following. When he looked to his oldest to question him, he found the man mumbling to himself, probably trying to sort out his thoughts. He himself took a few minutes to sort through everything before calling for his son to come out of his mind, "Marco? Would you mind telling me what you have to stop from happening?" It was a hard story to follow, but that just made it all the more believable. Time travel is not something that can be made up right on the spot with a semi stable story to back it up. Besides, he gave six names of people who could back it up. Whitebeard had never doubted Marco before, and he wasn't going to start now.

A one sided practical genocide." Marco answered. He didn't like that string of words, but it was the truth and he couldn't deny it. "It went on for two years before we found out how to come back to try and stop it."

"I assume that the war was started by a series of events?" Marco nodded and Whitebeard continued, "When does this string of events start?"

The blond thought for a second before he gave his guess, "I can't be sure, but I assume it starts with Teach's betrayal."

The older man's face was one of surprise, "Betrayal is a serious accusation, my son. I have never doubted you before, but I must ask for you to provide proof against Teach."

Marco cringed, "What day is it?"

"June seventh, fifteen-twenty, why?"

"Okay." the Zoan user sighed in relief, "In two years, Thatch is going to come back from a trip to help one of our islands with a Devil Fruit." he continued when the old man nodded, "If I'm right, then the night Thatch comes back is when he'll strike. He wants the Devil Fruit that Thatch will find. If he gets his hands on it, everything will only go downhill."

Whitebeard hummed. There was little proof there, but he didn't want to risk anything. The logical thing to do, he figured, was to have someone start a small investigation. If that gives a hint of what they're looking for then more people will join the investigation. It wasn't yet a solid plan, but he was going to brief the Commanders really quickly about the - unfortunate, but he didn't ever doubt Marco. The day he doubts his first mate is the day he dies - potential future betrayal. He wouldn't share who accused the pie loving man, but he would tell them Marco already knows.

"Pops?"

"Yes?"

"Are you okay?"

Whitebeard sighed, "Yes, I'm fine. But, we will need to have a meeting with the others about this matter." He then stood, "Rest well, my son, I will see you in the morning with the others to discuss an investigation."

Marco nodded and bid his captain a good night before he laid back down to try and get some more sleep. "Worrying will do you no good, Marco." he told himself. It did little to ease his mind. Regardless of his thoughts, he fell into a light and restless slumber. If all went according to plan, then he should be able to meet up with the others in a few years time in Sabaody.