Chapter 12 - Awakening Part II
On board the Renata, the seas of Paradise
It was another several hours of surgery for Lily, Marco, and Hongo, as they worked together repairing the damage Ace had caused to himself, as well as tending to the burns that a few of them had sustained. Shanks stood guard nearby just in case the pyromaniac had decided to begin to flare up again, but thankful that hadn't happened.
While he stayed in the sickbay, he oversaw the repairs that Snake and now Juice were making. One of the twins was now on lookout duty, while the other stayed and helped out the doctors. He wasn't quite sure where Rayleigh had slipped off to, the man had disappeared not long after they had finally pushed the kid into a more inactive state, to get him to cease being a fiery haki torch.
It was now the wee hours of the morning and Hongo had dragged himself back to his cabin. Marco and Lily were now both collapsed in sleep on the nearby cots. The lady doctor had pulled out all the stops and had not only regrown all the cell damage that Ace's flame logia state had caused, but had finished mending all the remaining damage from the war as well!
They had bandaged all the tender new skin growth, allowing his body to heal the rest on its own. They continued to have him on the machines and monitors just in case, several IVs were connected to his veins feeding him liquids, nutrients, and medicines. Lily had gotten rid of any pathogens or infections, but she still placed him on antibiotics and of course painkillers just in case. But despite all of that, her job was effectively done.
Portgas D. Ace, after a week of intensive, practically miraculous, medical procedures and the effort of three doctors and some hardworking pirates, was whole again.
It was actually rather amazing to see someone who had once looked as dead as one could possibly be, now appear as if he was only sleeping quietly.
His chest and back were now covered in unbroken, unblemished skin, muscle, and bone, with barely any trace of the wound remaining. The only tell was a difference in the skin tones, from the new skin, which was paler than that of the old, as well as the minuscule traces of the Whitebeard tattoo on the boy's back that hadn't been obliterated by Akainu's fist.
Marco had stared so long that Shanks had been sure the man would start crying again. Though he surprised him and only smiled tenderly before thanking Lily, Hongo, the twins, and even Schaden for all they had done. He would have laughed and teased the birdbrain for not thanking him as well if the man had not fixed him with a very ardent and intense stare that showed without words how truly thankful and happy he was. It made him a bit uncomfortable so he just decided not to mention it.
Everyone had dropped off to sleep at that point. All of the doctors out of exhaustion and all his other crewmates from the long day. Even Schaden had fallen to sleep, which he had learned, that for his kind basically looked like a little purring black ball.
Leaving only him, up and about in the dark of the night. So the red-haired man is therefore not at all surprised that he was soon joined by an old friend.
Rayleigh came to stand by his side on the deck, the two facing the roving sea under the lightening moonlit sky. He had a bottle in hand as he leaned over the railing, and the two stood there in comfortable silence for several moments.
It was so comfortable in fact, that by the time Shanks saw and tracked the movement, a burst of pain sprang from the back of his head and he was sent sprawling on his backside!
"Hey! what was that, old man?!" Shanks cried out, rubbing the back of his head, watching the man still standing there, not looking as if he had moved at all.
Rayleigh smirked before taking a drink, "That was for being a brat, brat. I did warn you earlier."
The redhead cursed before pushing himself up, nursing his throbbing skull. How even after all these years, the man's hand could still smart was beyond him.
"Ya know, just once I wish I could take you down. Just once." He grumbled as he leaned against the rail.
Ray gave a laugh before taking a sip from his drink, not bothering to even look his way. "Hmph, you've been able to beat me for quite some time, Scarlet."
He groaned loudly in exasperation, "Aw, come on, not you too! First, Marco, and now you."
"Are you and Phoenix still at it?"
"Oh you know, same old, same old."
Shanks tried to use their conversation as a distraction to strike back at the silver-haired man, only to once again end up on his back.
"Aghhh…" he moaned at the pain in his back and calves, "You say that I can beat you and all, but how come my body doesn't seem to believe that?"
Rayleigh looked down at him from over the rim of his glasses with a raised eyebrow. "That's because—"
A sharp wind cut down over his face, causing the redhead to involuntarily flinch only to have a finger pointing at his forehead.
"You don't believe it, here." The man smirked before hitting him with a light flick in the center of his head.
Shanks sighed before shaking his head and accepting the hand up. Rayleigh was probably right. Because no matter how strong he got, or how the years went by, he just mentally never doubted that the man who taught him the sword, who raised him from boy to man, and helped to frame his outlook on the world….could still beat the tar out of him if it came down to it.
The two sat in companionable peace for a few more moments, before the elder asked softly, "So Portgas D. Ace is alive, is he?"
While the tone was quiet and indifferent, Shanks wasn't fooled. They were finally going to acknowledge the elephant in the room.
"Yeah, we found out after the war ended. " He responded quietly.
The silence was heavy with so many unspoken words and questions that were waiting (some for years) to be addressed, and it was only after another wave had crashed against the hull of the ship, that the Dark King asked, "Can I see him?"
It was his turn to raise a brow in question, "It's not like there was anything stopping you before."
He shrugged back in return, "Your ship, your rules."
Hearing the Captain's words from Ray only caused Shanks to shake his head in fond exasperation, before wordlessly indicating for the other to follow him.
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He pushed the door open and entered the sick bay. Quickly scanning over the patient in the spare bed, nothing had really changed since he had been in last. Lily and Marco were dead to the world, still sleeping in the nearby cots. Ace was lying on the medical bed, an oxygen mask over his face, supported by the many medical machines that whirred and beeped in their steady reassuring way.
He watched as Rayleigh slowly approached the bed, before looking down at the boy within. He was sure the man who he considered as an uncle or even as a second father to him, could see now the similarities that existed there. The curl of the hair and the dusting of freckles that had been all hers. The wide smile and the hidden sparkling eyes that had been all his. An indomitable, stubborn free spirit that was both of them.
The two of them stood over the treasure of the man who was so important to them both, a treasure that Roger would have traded every bit of the One Piece for in a second.
Rayleigh was the first to speak, and even though some might not have noticed, Shanks could hear the heaviness in his voice. "Ya know, he never told me."
The redhead's eyes went wide with surprise. "If there had been anybody he would have told, I would have thought it would be you."
He gave a slight shake of his head, "I knew that he and Rouge had a thing going on, but I guess I never thought about there being a kid."
Shanks lifted an incredulous eyebrow at that. What did he think would happen between a man and a woman who "loved each other very much"?
Rayleigh's mouth twisted into a snarky smirk, "It wasn't that, you brat."
The older man looked down at the boy once again, going back into his thoughts, "As the disease continued to take him, Crocus had basically concluded that Roger could no longer have kids. That it had taken that ability from him."
Shanks widened his eyes at the idea of the Captain having become virtually sterile in those last days, that Ace must have been a complete surprise to the old man…a literal miracle child.
"I had assumed that whole rumor about Roger having a child and that horrific massacre in Baterilla, had all been part of the Government's scheme to paint Roger as some kind of demonic god of piracy whose legacy needed to be stamped out."
Ray's world-weary eyes seemed to shimmer with the pain and anger that all of the Roger pirates had felt in those days. The redhead knew that his own probably reflected those same complicated feelings of frustration, tiredness, and just being completely and utterly pissed off at it all.
He continued, "Goodness knows how hard it felt to hear the truth from Sengoku of all people. To hear it blasted across the news with so much vitriol and contempt, a badge of utter shame. And then to see that same revulsion and shame on the kid's face. I can't even imagine what he's gone through if he's had only that perspective of his heritage thrown in his face his entire life."
The young pirate drifted over Ace's resting face, his still features had relaxed even as he breathed in and out in a steady cycle. "I had a suspicion when he sought me out years ago. Something about the way he stood, the look on his face, and the twinkle in his eyes just stuck with me. I couldn't quite figure out what, but there was something there that piqued my curiosity. From the bits and pieces I've gathered, I can get a moderate idea as to what happened, though I still don't understand why the Captain didn't say anything to any of us, least of all you ."
A hand that both showed the wrath of time, but still held strong and steady reached out and ran a slight finger tenderly through Ace's wavy black hair. "I think…he knew, that if he told me, I would have done all I could to find him and take him in."
"Would that have been so bad?"
The hand stopped its ministrations only to ball up into a tight fist, "I think Roger knew what was going to happen to us once he surrendered and was executed. You remember those days, kid? We were chased all over the world, anyone we knew, anyone related to us was fair game for those butchers. I had to go deep underground for years…I couldn't even be there in his last moments. I had to cut all ties with Shakky, which was hard on both of us. None of us, least of all me, would have been in any position to raise a baby."
Rayleigh smiled regretfully as he finally laid a gentle hand on the young boy's head. The son of the man who had been his captain, his partner, and his best friend. "I would have tried though…it would have probably gotten us both killed, but I would have tried."
Shanks watched his old teacher and mentor, also continuing to think of how tragic things had turned out. "Perhaps he thought that Ace had a better chance of survival with Rouge under Garp's care. At least then he would have a modicum of protection from the rest of the Navy. He probably didn't count on Rouge dying too."
"I'm glad he had Newgate in the end. He couldn't have asked for a better father figure."
He straightened up and looked at the redhead in a way that made him feel as if a parent's questioning gaze was bearing down on him, waiting for an answer. "I'm surprised to see him alive at all. Delighted, but surprised. What happened?"
The emperor sighed before glancing over to the two doctors spread out on the cots in the corner. "It wouldn't have been possible without Lily over there."
The bearded man followed his line of sight to the young girl asleep in the corner. He seemed to watch her for a moment before frowning and then walking over silently. He seemed to observe her with concern. "This girl? She saved Ace's life?"
"Yes, her devil fruit allows her to control living cells. She used it to not only sense that Ace hadn't died out there on the battlefield, but she's been using it to basically keep him alive and repair him all at the same time."
"And can she use that power on herself?"
The emperor was thrown by the question, "I…don't think so? I think she mentioned it doesn't work on the wielder themselves. Why do you ask?"
He looked over at him with a questioning eyebrow. "Because I'm wondering how she herself is still alive with such an advance case of White Lead Poisoning?"
"Oh! Ahhh...yeah, she explained a few days ago that she's more than likely from Flevance. Her Devil Fruit keeps the effects of the poison at bay. She's a revolutionary."
Ray hummed at the information, "One of Dragon's kids?"
"Yeah. Though I'm hoping to figure out a way of stealing her away."
The other man laughed at that, "Good luck with that. Though it amazes me that that man seems to adopt kids from all over the place to his side. Everyone except his own that is."
"Umm, I'm pretty sure that's on purpose. Besides," the pirate smiled warmly, "If it wasn't for Dragon, I would have never met Anchor, the world would be a lot drearier, and the hope for the future and the next generation would be in much shakier hands. So, I, for one, am thankful for his sacrifice."
Rayleigh grabbed a chair and sat it next to the bed, Shanks having already taken a seat tiredly himself, both of them closing their eyes while at ease.
"Speaking of your 'Anchor', I had the chance to meet him myself."
"Hmm, I knew you would. He's met Crocus too."
"So I've heard. I have to say that I'm impressed by him. Did you send him my way?"
"Not purposefully, though I knew he would find his way to you eventually. Sooo…you up for taking on another student, old man?"
Rayleigh smirked, "Well, that's the idea. Though, with this newest development, I think we might need to change up the plan."
"You mean, in regards to Wildfire?" the younger of the two prompted.
"'Wildfire'?"
"Ace, of course."
"For a guy who keeps complaining about other people touting his own nickname, you constantly keep giving them to others without their assent."
"Hey, I got it from you guys in the first place. Leave me alone."
Ray just shook his head in bemusement. "We'll wait until Wildfire awakens, but I'd rather not have to lie through omission to my new student, and the kid's not going to believe me unless I come with proof."
"Hmm, of course." Shanks wholeheartedly agreed. He would not wish to cause undo sorrow to either of the boys he cared so much about. And he doubted that Ace would rest easy with his brother mentally suffering from unneeded grief, in the dark on the truth.
"And besides…" Rayleigh grinned knowingly, "I think it's about time that you got a student of your own."
On another Plane of Existence
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So many emotions bombarded him at once. Grief, loss, outrage, bewilderment, anger. He didn't quite know what to do with it all.
Everything seemed to come out at once, everything crashing together in one huge cacophony.
Pops was dead.
How was he supposed to come to grips with that?
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.
And it was his fault.
It was always his fault.
Everything was his fault.
.
.
.
.
If only he had never been so weak, so stupid.
If only he had never been so presumptuous for wanting something more.
If only he had never been born in this world….
So many suffered on his account. Sabo was dead because he hadn't been strong enough to keep his family together.
Luffy had to suffer the loss of both of his brothers because he wasn't strong enough to keep his promise.
His crew had suffered and lost so much in an attempt to get him back.
And now to find out that he had inadvertently caused the death of the man who had been the closest thing to a father in his life, even if it was only for a few short years.
.
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His body burned.
It was like he was leaking anguish and heartbreak and self-hatred and he was just so, so, so, so lost. It was almost as if, for once, he was being consumed by his own conflagration. Like he was burning away, piece by piece.
What was he to do?
What could he do?
He was already dead…
So lost…
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Ace then begin to wince as he felt a tingle come over him. It had started in small, but had now begun to grow.
Little by little…the flaking ashes of him were surrounded and wrapped up, embraced and enclosed. Tying themselves back to him, piecing him back together into one whole.
He then felt the presence of a warm hand on his heart and another on his head. From them, he experienced a cooling sensation dusting across his entire being, like a light drizzle that soothed and chilled. It slowly alleviated the pain bit by bit, and while light, it was potent.
Even as he wasn't sure he wanted to give up his old familiar companions of self-loathing and anger, the power that seemed to exist both within and surrounding him, as one walking in a garden in the coolness of the day, brushed those feelings away with frightful ease.
He began to calm and relax within the embrace of the mix of these sensations. His heart still felt heavy with sorrow, but no longer did it feel like it would completely overtake him. His burdens had become lighter and what had seemed unsurmountable before, no longer felt impossible.
Taking steady deep breaths, he rested in this way for quite a while, tears coming from time to time, but never again overwhelming him.
Time, which never seemed to really matter that much in this place, passed in some form or fashion.
Within that space, he began to feel that tethering feeling once again, even stronger than it ever had been before.
The hand on his heart shifted and began to lovingly caress his arms, face, and hair once again.
His mother…
The hand on his forehead moved to the top of his head, clasping it close in a grasp that was both loving and protective.
Ro…his father…
The strong arms that were enclosing him, keep him together, making sure no part of him was lost.
Pops…
His mother was the first to speak. 'There he is…you've come back to us, my son.'
'Just in time too. It's time.' his father replied.
Time? Time for what?
'Why don't you open your eyes son, and see for yourself?' Pops chided him.
Wait, he could do that?
For the first time since he had been in this place, he felt the sensation of eyelids and so with no small effort, he struggled to open them. Even as he tried, his mother began to sing once again, that lullaby that he somehow recognized. Had she sung it to him while he was still within her? He wanted to treasure those words, write them upon his heart, and find someplace to tattoo them on his skin. Whatever it took to make sure her words never left him.
'Look to the stars,
And gaze up at the moon.
Even as these days pass,
I'm always thinking of you.
Face each new day,
And keep your hope alive.
For tomorrow's coming soon!
Always know that I love you.'
She then spoke to him in a voice both strong and tender, 'I don't know if you will remember any of this. Once you return to where you belong. But one thing that you must remember Ace, is that: You. Are. Loved.'
Each word struck his heart like an arrow. Piercing and lodging there in stubborn succession.
But his mother wasn't done.
'You were always loved. You were born out of love. And never let anyone tell you otherwise.'
Even as he continued to struggle to open his eyes, could feel the wetness of tears spilling from them and he wished he could say something to his mother, to apologize to her in some way, but he still was unable to find his sense of speech.
His mom seemed to know what he wanted to say because she instead embraced him and quietly whispered in his ear.
'I'm overjoyed you were born my son. And if I ever hear you disagreeing with me by saying otherwise, know that the next time I see you, I will kick your butt from here to the Red Line and back. Do you understand me?'
He could now only voicelessly keen, hearing words he never thought he'd hear from the one person he had always loved but had never understood. Nearly doubling over with the emotional gut punch. He was sobbing now, practically choking on tears, trying his best to nod vigorously at her words.
The rough voice of his father took over as he laughed warmly, 'You'd better listen to your mother, kid. Her threats are in no way idle.'
There was no warning before he was folded into an embrace that was as strong as iron, but somehow still comfortable and cozy. Roger spoke to him, and for the first time, he could feel and hear that air of command that was worthy of one who was known as a king.
'I don't care if you love me or you hate me, it's up to you to make that choice. It doesn't matter, because I will always love you, no matter how you may feel about me.'
What? But...
His voice then held something that he never expected to hear from the man—regret.
'I truly wish that you didn't have to suffer because of me. I would have given anything if it could take away all the hurt and suffering that you endured. I'm sorry for that. But also know that I wouldn't change a thing if it meant that you would have never've been born. No matter what you might hear about me from now on, know this: I love you. I loved you when you were still small in your momma's womb. I never stopped loving you. You must believe that.'
He didn't even know what to do with his emotions anymore. Up was down, left was right, inside was outside, and everything was topsy-turvy.
'You heard them brat, don't let your new heart be grieved.'
Pops' gruff voice laughed happily, ruffling his hair. 'I love ya, Ace. Know that you have so many who love you, and you have so much more to live for my son. Let those other children of mine know that I'll be watching 'em. Your big brother has been fighting day and night for you. And the little ones need you. Don't you dare disappoint 'em.'
He was taken into a bear hug by the giant of a man, who whispered his own personal message to him. '" No regrets", remember? I've lived my life, Ace. I achieved and did everything I wanted to do. Now it's time for you to live yours. There's a pretty little miss out there who's been working her butt off putting you back together. Why not go and talk to her? Take her out to dinner or something? Live, Ace. You don't belong here. Not yet anyway.'
When Pops released him, he could barely breathe from it all. He didn't understand so much, and yet every word from his three parents had embedded themselves in him to the point that he didn't think he could ever get them untangled, even if he wanted to.
Finally—Finally!—able to find the strength, Ace pushed his eyes open allowing him to finally see for the first time.
It was bright. Too bright.
He wanted to shut his eyes again, but he was determined to see, and so squinted as best he could.
Before him, among the blinding light, were three figures...
His eyes found the woman first. She wore a flowing gown, light and beautiful that twinkled as if the stars in the sky had been sewn into the fabric itself. Her smile was as bright as the sun, her warm, coppery brown eyes were dazzling as she looked upon him with adoration. Her fair skin held a dusting of freckles on her cheeks, so reminiscent of his own. A halo of lovely pink-blonde hair framed her face, jeweled red flowers decorated the long glossy locks.
Mother!
Standing next to her, with an arm around her shoulders, was a taller man, his body regaled in scarlet and gold. His face was quite familiar to him, but it had never looked as untroubled and content in his many bounty posters, as it did right now. His build was muscular but wiry, every bit of his strength on display through his clothes. A visage that he had always cast as that of a dark, demonic monster, now looked much younger, light, daring, and carefree. Hair glossy ebony, in unruly waves all over his head, eyes of darkened silver that flashed like metal in the sun, tanned golden skin, and a slightly smaller mustache than he was used to, but it gave him a more distinguished look. His wide 'D' smile was on full display.
Father!
On the other side of him, standing with his hand on his hip, was a man he instantly recognized. Not much had changed about Edward Newgate, except that he too looked younger and more carefree than he ever remembered. He also looked stronger too. Not a bit of age or weakness remained. Dressed in a crisp wardrobe of red, gold, and white, the big man's long blond hair gleamed with a luster, and his signature mustache was sharp and slick. His hazel eyes were full of laughter and joy as he smiled brightly.
Pops!
Oh, how he wanted to go to them! He wanted to embrace all 3 of them again so badly! But this time, something stopped him. Pulling him back and keeping him in place. The light was getting too bright, and his eyes automatically shut closed no matter how much he wished to fight them!
No! He wanted to see them! He wanted to be with them!
His mother's voice returned to him, soothing him once again, though it was much fainter than before.
'Don't worry my darling. We'll be here when you return. Just not too soon, okay? Trust we're always there, watching as you grow. We love you so much, Ace!'
And all of sudden, all the air was robbed from his chest, and he knew no more.
The Next Morning, the Renata, seas of Paradise
Lily hummed to herself as she worked alone in the sickbay organizing the supplies and materials, keeping an external and internal eye on her patient, and making a checklist of all the things they needed to restock on. The rest of the crew was either off doing other tasks, working on the repairs of the ship, or planning their new path. Marco, Shanks, and Rayleigh–the Dark King himself!–were talking about some new dangers and options and such for their current navigational path. She'd probably find out more about that later, she had Schaden attend to make sure to look after their interests.
The song was another mystery product from her past, one that her subconscious remembered but not quite any of the particulars or details. She only had the melody, though she didn't even know if it had any words sadly enough.
A sudden beeping from one of the machines interrupted her thoughts. Heading to the bed. She looked at the monitor and then at the patient, then back to the machine, and then back to the bed.
Releasing her sight, Lily moved to the machines, flicking switches and pressing buttons, watching the data readings carefully. Portgas' breathing began to shift ever so, his heartbeat picking up. His body temperature also was on the rise.
She quickly grabbed a nearby bucket of water and a cloth. "Oh no, you don't. I've already been burned twice by you, thank you very much. And they only just repaired the walls. I will dump this entire bucket on your head if necessary!"
Soaking the cloth, she began to carefully run it over the man's chest and shoulders, and neck in an attempt to cool him down.
She was then vastly concerned when suddenly tears began to flow from Ace's closed eyes and down his cheeks. First one, then two, then eventually an entire stream!
"Hey, heyyy…what's the matter?" She asked in concern.
Lifting the cloth to his face, she caressed his cheek in an attempt to wipe the tears away. New ones took their place, and for the first time, Lily found herself in a strange comforting position. She rarely had to comfort anyone (much less someone unconscious) other than Schaden from time to time.
Not knowing what else to do, she continued to stroke his face, humming the melody from her memory of before. It had long been a comfort to her when she had been alone in the dark depths of the facility, perhaps it would be a comfort to him?
The first thing he was aware of was the sound of music.
A voice…
A woman's voice…
Mother?
…no, this was different. No less beautiful, but in a different kind of way.
His mother's had been like the meadowlarks he had heard sing as a child in the forest.
This was more like a siren's call. Lovely and haunting and strange, but enticing all the same.
Deciding it couldn't hurt to follow it, he pursued it forwards…
.
.
.
It was getting brighter here. The voice continued and it was becoming clearer the further he went, but annoyingly enough he still couldn't see where it was coming from. He was beginning to get frustrated. How far away was he?!
Why don't you open your eyes son, and see for yourself?
He could hear the advice Pops had given him before, whispering in his ear. Were his eyes really closed?
Trying it out, he attempted to open his eyes and could indeed feel resistance. Once again it was a struggle, his eyelids felt like they were made of lead! Oh come on, he wasn't having this again. Gathering all the strength he had (which was a lot less than he had expected) he heaved and pulled and struggled. Little by little, more and more light flooded in until it was nearly blinding.
He was almost there, he could feel it! Taking a deep breath, he pushed again, just a little bit more!
Suddenly there was a give and without warning, his eyes opened allowing a flood of brilliant illumination into them that very nearly burned!
At first, he couldn't see anything, it being much too bright for him to handle. But gradually from out of the blaze of light came the visage of a woman.
She was leaning over him, watching him with a dazzling wide smile. It reminded him of his mother's, and in the back of his head, he had to wonder if the woman was perhaps a 'D'?
The halo of light surrounded her, gleaming off soft tresses of ivory hair. Her skin was as white as alabaster and her eyes sparkled like snow in the sunlight. He could feel her hand on his face and it felt soft and warm and real.
"Welcome back, sleepyhead." The woman said, vivacity and elation entwined in her voice. He knew the moment she spoke, that the siren's melody had come from her.
"You don't know how many people have been waiting for you."
His tongue felt thick and his throat parched from disuse. His voice was as rough as sandpaper. But considering where he had been and what he had seen, Ace could only think of one question to ask her.
"A…Are you an angel?"
A/N:
And there you have it!
HE'S AWAKE! 🎉 🎉
So yeah, this has been a long time coming. I originally organized the chapter to have the narrative move between all 3 brothers waking up at different times, but then I thought, how about we just have each one wake up according to age?
So Luffy came first, then Sabo, and now Ace.
Also, weirdly enough the parallel between what was happening in the physical world and how it was mirrored in the spiritual world actually developed by happenstance as I wrote it. In the physical you had Marco surrounding Ace's flames, with Rayleigh's hand on his head and Shanks' on his heart, trying to restrain his haki.
On the other side, you had Whitebeard surrounding Ace in an embrace to keep him from crumbling, Roger's hand on his head, and Rouge's on his heart.
You've gotta love how everything ends up rhyming like poetry!😆
Thanks for reading, see you next time!