Chapter 5: Lives on the Line
News of Ace's capture and the impending execution had spread like wildfire across the world, and it wasn't long before Shanaree received the heart-wrenching news. She clutched the newspaper in her hands, her heart sinking as she read the words repeatedly, hoping that the information would somehow change. Tears welled up in her eyes as the reality of Ace's dire situation washed over her.
In the early morning light, Marco had sensed that something was amiss. He found Shanaree on the deck of the Moby Dick, her knees giving way beneath her, her eyes filled with tears. She was frantically mumbling, "They got Ace," and "Please save him."
Gently, Marco took the newspaper from her trembling hands and read the grim headlines. He helped Shanaree to her feet and, with a determined look in his eyes, assured her, "We'll save Ace, Shana. We won't let anything happen to him."
An emergency meeting was called among the Whitebeard commanders and their allies, the tension in the room palpable. The war was fast approaching, and they needed a plan.
As they set sail for Marineford, Shanaree's Den Den Mushi rang. She answered, hearing Sabo's disoriented voice on the other end.
"Shana, it's me, Sabo. I read the news. They got Ace. I'm sorry I didn't remember earlier. I should've looked for him," Sabo mumbled.
Shanaree could hear the guilt and regret in Sabo's voice, but she reassured him. "It's okay, Sabo. We're on our way to Marineford now. We'll save Ace together."
When they arrived at Marineford, Shanaree's heart clenched at the sight of Ace, beaten and bruised, tied to the scaffold. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, and she could see the turmoil in Ace's gaze. He felt unworthy of their rescue, but Shanaree knew they would fight to save him, regardless of his doubts.
The war erupted, and the battlefield became a chaotic battleground. Allies and enemies clashed, and Shanaree's heart grew heavy as she watched the casualties mount. The Marines held the upper hand, and despair threatened to consume her.
Then, in a moment that defied belief, Luffy literally fell from the sky, crashing into Marineford. His arrival turned the tide of the battle in favor of the pirates. Shanaree yearned to approach him, but she understood that drawing attention to herself would only become a liability. Her capture had become one of the Marines' top priorities, following Saint Jalmack's orders. The crew needed to focus on saving Ace, and safeguarding her would not contribute to that goal.
Squard's unexpected betrayal, which led to the stabbing of Whitebeard, left Shanaree in tears. She fired a warning shot at Squard, her loyalty unwavering even in the face of betrayal. Pops, refusing to be deterred by the injury, joined the fray, bolstering the spirits of the pirates.
Luffy, with his immense determination and help from allies, reached the scaffold and freed Ace. Whitebeard issued his final command, ordering the pirates to flee. Shanaree's heart ached as she cried, realizing that she might lose the family she had found.
As they made their escape, Shanaree's Observation Haki alerted her to a grave danger. Admiral Akainu was closing in on Ace and Luffy, his intent to kill unmistakable.
She silently closed the distance between them, ready to intervene. She knew Ace would react, and she couldn't bear to lose him again.
Akainu's taunts and mockery of Whitebeard finally pushed Ace to the brink. He lunged at the admiral, only to be met with searing magma. Shanaree watched in horror as Ace was burned, the irony of it not lost on her. Ace, the wielder of fire, had fallen victim to the very element he commanded.
But the most terrifying moment came when Akainu aimed his deadly attack at Luffy, who was on his knees, seemed to reach his limit.
Without hesitation, Shanaree cocked a Celestial Dragon's gun, a symbol of absolute justice, the very power that had controlled her life.
She aimed it at in front of Akainu, her determination unwavering. Shanaree's voice was resolute. "You won't harm them. Not on my watch."
The mere sight of the weapon rendered the admiral powerless and withdrawn the magma in his fist. He mocked her, declaring her another "tramp" to be delivered to Mariejois.
But even the most unyielding resolve couldn't prepare her for what came next. Akainu moved to capture her, his intentions clear. Shanaree knew that if she were captured, she'd be delivered back to Mariejois, a fate she couldn't accept.
In the midst of the chaos, Sabo appeared, dragging Ace, Luffy and Shanaree away from the clutches of the admiral.
Shanaree's heart swelled with relief and gratitude as she saw Sabo, her voice filled with emotion. "Thank you, Sabo."
"Sorry for being late."
Luffy had lost consciousness, and Jinbei volunteered to carry him. Shanaree watched as Akainu raged, unable to pursue them further. They escaped on Trafalgar Law's yellow submarine, leaving behind a battlefield filled with chaos and uncertainty.
As the group boarded Trafalgar Law's ship, tensions ran high. Ace and Sabo eyed the mysterious surgeon with suspicion, unsure of his intentions. They weren't sure if they could trust him with their precious brother's life.
Shanaree, however, had different priorities. She saw the dire condition of Luffy and Jinbei and knew that they needed immediate attention. Turning to Ace and Sabo, she said with a determined tone, "I'll keep an eye on Law inside the operating room. You two stay out here and catch up."
Ace was about to voice his concerns, but Shanaree silenced him with a stern glare. She knew that time was of the essence. Sabo, observant as ever, caught onto the unspoken dynamic and couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't worry, Ace. Shana's got this under control."
In the dimly lit hallway outside the operating room, Ace and Sabo began catching up on their lives. Ace couldn't help but ask, "Are you a pirate now, Sabo?"
Sabo smirked playfully. "You'll have to wait for Shana and Luffy to know what happened after Saint Jalmack shot me ten years ago."
Ace couldn't contain his frustration and threw a playful punch at Sabo. "You jerk! Keeping secrets from us!"
Their laughter filled the air as they began to spar, their punches landing with a hint of nostalgia. The bond between the brothers was evident, and their smiles spoke of a shared history that couldn't be erased.
Once they had cooled down, Sabo couldn't resist teasing Ace. He playfully asked, "So, Ace, what's the status of your relationship with Shana now?"
Just as the conversation took a lighthearted turn, Shanaree emerged from the operating room, her expression grave. She wasted no time in updating the two older brothers about Luffy's condition. "Luffy's injuries are grave," she began, her voice steady. "He's stable for now, but he's not out of danger yet."
Concern etched across their faces, Ace and Sabo asked if they could enter the operating room to be with Luffy. Shanaree hesitated momentarily before shaking her head. "Law is currently operating on Jinbei. It's best if we wait here for now."
Shanaree noticed new bruises and wounds on Ace and Sabo, her eyebrows knitted making the two nervous. As she tended to the wounds on their bodies, both Ace and Sabo couldn't help but flinch at her touch. It became apparent that she was not to be trifled with as she deliberately applied alcohol with a bit too much pressure.
As they winced in pain, the message was clear—don't mess with Shanaree.
The three of them settled into an uneasy but much-needed silence.
Sabo, ever observant, noticed that Ace was avoiding Shanaree's gaze. Law then emerged from the operating room, saying that Luffy will be moved to another room. Excusing himself with a sly grin, Sabo left the two to talk alone, leaving the two alone to face the inevitable.
The awkwardness in the air was palpable at first. Ace was ashamed to face Shanaree, unsure of how to break the silence that had settled between them. Finally, he muttered a hesitant, "Sorry, Shana."
Shanaree's response was unexpected. Without a word, she threw herself at Ace and kissed him passionately on the lips. Ace reciprocated, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer. He was afraid that this was all a dream, a mirage that would vanish with the dawn.
As their lips reluctantly parted after that heartfelt kiss, Ace couldn't help but notice the glistening tear in the corner of Shanaree's eye. It was a stark contrast to the joyful moments they had just shared, and it tugged at his heartstrings.
This was the first time he had seen Shanaree cry, and the realization that he was the cause of her tears weighed heavily on him.
Shanaree's voice trembled as she spoke, her emotions raw and unfiltered. "I was terrified, Ace," she confessed, her words choked with emotion. "When I saw you tied to that scaffolding during the war, I thought I'd never see you again." Tears welled up in her eyes as she buried her face in Ace's chest, her sobs muffled by his embrace.
Ace, overwhelmed by guilt for making Shanaree cry, held her tightly, his voice gentle and soothing. "Shana, I'm so sorry. I'm safe now, I promise." But his own eyes betrayed the guilt he felt.
"Thank you for being alive," she whispered.
Eventually, Shanaree's tears gave way to exhaustion, and she drifted into a deep slumber in Ace's arms. Ace carefully carried her to the room where Luffy was transferred.
Gently, he laid her down on the bed beside Luffy, but Shanaree refused to release her hold on him, clinging to his warmth and comfort as if afraid to let go.
"You need to rest too, Ace," Sabo insisted, observing the exhaustion etched on Ace's face as he sat beside Luffy's unconscious form.
Ace hesitated, concern for his brother evident in his eyes. "But what if Luffy wakes up?" His protective instincts were at odds with his fatigue.
Sabo offered a reassuring smile. "I promise, I'll wake you if anything happens. You need sleep, Ace. You've done enough for today, Ace. Get some rest." He nodded towards the empty space beside Shanaree, silently encouraging Ace to take the much-needed rest he deserved.
Reluctantly, Ace gave in to Sabo's insistence. He settled down beside Shanaree, who clung to him even in her sleep. He closed his eyes, finding solace in her warmth, finally allowing himself to rest. As he closed his eyes, he couldn't help but feel a sense of peace knowing that, for now, they were all safe and together.