Hi guys, Sorry this chapter is late. This is kind of like finals week at my school so I am beyond swamped. So more on this later but Teach actually had Luffy before he kidnapped Thatch. So the time range should match up. I know a lot of you were confused about that.
"Ace!" Marco yelled landing on the docks with a thud. He earned many looks from the citizens but he ignored them, pushing through the crowed.
He had searched the entire area and this was the nearest island in sight. Ace must have stopped here to restock. At least Marco hoped so, otherwise the trail would be cold.
This was a relatively small fishing island but it did see it fair share of pirates and sailors. In turn there was a constant crowed gathered around the fish markets. Picking one hot headed kid out from the rest was going to prove itself a challenge. Still he couldn't give up. Ace needed him whether he knew it or not.
"ACCCE!" Marco screamed once again earning him a strange look from the crowed. He certainly wasn't blending in. But then again that was kind of the point. If he lost Ace here he might not find him again until it was too late.
He frowned as he once again took off through the crowed, weaving neatly in and out of the people. But after another hour of searching Marco was starting to give up hope. This place really wasn't that big after all. There was no sign of him here, just fish. lots and lots of fish. He wrinkled his nose as he swore never to look at a fish the same way again.
"Marco?" A surprised voice asked. "What are you doing here?"
Marco's eyes widened as he shot up, nearly crashing into his friend.
"Ace!"
Ace frowned as he shifted his weight awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with Marco's surprise.
"Yea…it's me. What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you idiot." Marco chided, too relieved to actually be angry. "Seriously where the hell were you hiding? I looked everywhere."
Still surprised by his magical appearance Ace crossed his arms, slightly defensive. "I fell asleep below the docks."
Marco nodded, that sounded about right. He probably should have checked there as well. He noted his friends tone. It looked like Ace was less then stoked to see him. Which was a little surprising considering the young man was most likely in over his head here.
"Why were you looking for me?"
"Is that it! No thanks for coming Marco, you're the greatest human who ever lived…or something like that." He sighed as he got no response from Ace. Something was seriously wrong with his friend. He was acting really serious. Was this still about Thatch or something else?
"You disappeared idiot. Of course I went looking for you. We got worried."
Ace's eyes widened in surprise for a second before returning back to the determined cold grey. The very same look he wore when Marco had first met him. It was the look he wore around strangers. Well that certainly didn't hurt Marco's feelings or anything.
"Well you found me." Ace said. "And I'm fine I promise." There were a few seconds of awkward silence between the two of them before Ace's gaze softened a bit. "I really am sorry about making you worry."
Marco smiled at the look on his friends face. He looked like a kicked puppy. That was the kid Marco knew. The very same kid who got uncomfortable when people showed attachment to him. Like he was allergic to people caring about him.
"Ace you are many things but okay is not one of them. Now tell me what's wrong."
Ace sighed as he looked up at the sky, conflict written across his face.
"It's not your problem it's mine. I can handle it myself." He finally said looking Marco square in the eyes. "Thanks and I mean it but please don't worry about me."
Marco watched in silence as Ace hefted his bag over his shoulder, turning to leave. The most surprising part was this was clearly Ace's attempt at caring. He was trying to protect Marco by keeping him out of it. While there was no doubt in his mind that Ace could take care of himself that wasn't the point.
"Like hell," he said grabbing Ace's arm. "We are a team so if you have a problem then we all have a problem."
He quickly let go realizing aggressive may not be the way to go this time. Then again the only way you could get something into that hot head of his was by pounding it in. And if there was one thing Ace needed to understand it was that he wasn't alone in this.
He looked up to meet two very confused grey eyes. They looked almost pained which confused Marco. He didn't think he could have said anything to hurt Ace.
"He has him." Ace whispered shocking Marco out of his thoughts.
"Who? Thatch."
Ace shook his head making Marco's blood turn cold. So this really wasn't about Thatch. There was something even worse going on.
"Luffy." Marco had to strain to hear.
"Luffy?" He repeated unsurely.
Ace nodded clenching his fists, "My little brother."
Well shit, Ace had a brother? He could maybe see an awesome warrior type older brother but not a younger one. Ace was a big brother? That was pretty ironic considering he was one of the youngest on the ship. When they had first met Ace if you were to tell anyone on the crew Ace had a little brother they would have laughed it off as a bad joke. But now, after all the time they spent together Marco believed he did have someone he would go to any length to protect. And if Marco had learned one thing on these seas it was the more you cared the more opportunity for heartbreak. Ace must have known this as well, thus why he hadn't so much at hinted at his family.
"Are you sure?" He asked weakly.
Ace mutely handed him a crumpled note. He read it over twice, instantly recognizing the messy handwriting. A sinking feeling of dread pooled in his stomach. Teach was insane. He had kidnapped an innocent kid to get back at another slightly older kid. And for what? Why single out Ace of all people. He was still so new. Sure he was Teach's squad leader but there had to be more right? Popular or not Ace was a new pirate. If Teach had wanted fame he should have gone after an older legend on Whitebeards crew.
Ace had been keeping this a secret? No wonder he was acting strangely. Marco groaned as he handed the note back to Ace. This was SO messed up. And also kind of out of his range of expertise. He had never been in a hostage blackmail situation before… Well that wasn't true but he had never been on the victim side before. And honestly he wasn't enjoying it.
"Alright," he said rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Let's go."
Ace blinked in surprise. "What?"
"I'm going with you."
"No you're not." Ace insisted firmly. "I already told you that it's my problem not yours. Besides I don't think Teach wanted me telling you this."
"Screw him," Marco seethed. "He is going to get what's coming to him. That man is certifiably insane. Besides he messed with the Whitebeards, we can't just sit back and twiddle our thumbs while you risk your life. He put his hand comfortingly on the young man's shoulder. "You're not alone in this Ace, I'm here for you whether you want me to be or not. So for the love of god let me help before I punch you."
There was an awkward silence as Ace considered. "You sure about this? We might die."
"Not before taking that stupid prick with us."
Ace smirked at that, for the first time in days. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Although as much as I hate to say it we probably can't do this on our own. I'm going to go with your lead on this one but I think it would really help if you let me call Oyaji. He won't tell anyone else I swear but keeping him in the dark cannot be a plus for us."
Ace nodded biting his lip. He clearly wanted to say something, the nature of which Marco had no idea. But for whatever reason Ace just turned away once more swinging the bag over his shoulder.
.
"Luffy you have to stop." Thatch said as he watched the boy yet again rocket himself at the door unsuccessfully. Luffy ignored him as he flung his body against the wood as hard as he could. He had been at this for days. Whenever anyone untethered him from the wall he went right back to trying to break the door down. Whatever beating Teach gave them paled in comparison to what Luffy was doing to himself. His body was a patch work of bruises from continuously colliding with the door. Due to the sea stone cuffs on his wrist Thatch highly suspected Luffy had a devils fruit. But for the life of him he couldn't figure out what it was.
"Luffy please." Thatch tried a different tactic. "Talk to me here, what's the matter."
"He took my hat!"
Thatch nodded, he got that part. Hard not to with Luffy screaming it every five minutes. He was beginning to think that this 'quest' for the straw hat was simply a manifestation of Luffy's concealed fears due to their imprisonment. Either that or this kid was crazy. Who fought that hard for such a battered old hat? He could just buy a new one. Surprisingly enough straw hats were not a rarity here. Although there was something hauntingly familiar about that one.
"Would you just shut up already?" Teach demanded as the prison door flew open.
Sure enough Luffy attacked him with the same ferocity from before. Unfortunately he wasn't able to land a single hit, especially with his hands being bound like they were. The sea stone made his movements slow and sluggish. It was over before it really began. Teach had Luffy pinned to the floor beneath his hulking feet in a matter of seconds.
"Give it back." Luffy demanded.
"What the hell is so important to you about that damn hat? You should be worrying about yourself instead."
Thatch was just about to yell for him to leave Luffy alone when a glint in Luffy's eyes stopped him in his tracks.
"I don't care what you do to me." Luffy's voice was cold and absolute, it left no room for argument. Thatch had never heard him so serious before. It honestly scared him.
"But if you hurt my hat I will kill you." The look he was giving Teach would have made a lesser man flee in terror. It looked so out of place on someone so happy and carefree.
So maybe there were no manifestations in the form of a metaphorical hat… Luffy was just really attached to that thing. As for the reason why it was anyone's guess.
Teach on the other hand smirked, removing his foot from Luffy so the kid could get up. "You know kid, I might have misjudged you. I thought you were just a stupid idiot. But you might be more like him then I thought." He brought up his hand to silence Luffy from demanded his hat back yet again.
"It's safe," he promised. "I gave it to a friend of yours to watch over."
Luffy blinked, his eyes returning to their usual curious state. "Really?" He questioned, his voice once again reflecting a normal fifteen year old instead of that horrifying hollow tone.
Teach nodded causing a wide grin to break out across the boy's face.
"Thank you!"
"Oi!" Thatch cried outraged. What was up with that sudden mood shift? And why the hell was Luffy thanking their captor, the very same man whose life he had threatened just moments ago.
"He's bad remember."
"Oh yea," Luffy said thoughtfully. He turned back to the man anger in his face. "You there! Chess teeth. You get a free pass for today because you kept my hat safe but tomorrow I'm totally going to kick your ass."
"It's Black Beard you little twerp. How is that hard to remember?"
Luffy just shrugged, uncaring as Blackbeard left, slamming the door angrily behind him. Thatch watched on in amazement. Luffy had managed to annoy him, something Thatch had been trying to do for years.
He turned his head as Luffy once again sunk down beside him. He was completely different from that fearless boy who had just threatened a man's life while pinned under said man and completely at his mercy. He was now back to being the happy-go-lucky kid Thatch had grown used to.
"Kid?"
"Uhmm?"
"Seriously, what the hell is your deal?"
Just when he thought he was beginning to understand Luffy he gets thrown for a loop. One thing was for sure, no one could claim Luffy to be predictable… at all.
Luffy just laughed as he checked Thatch's injuries.
It was clear that was the only answer he was going to get. Thatch leaned back and closed his eyes, the events of today leaving him drained. Sure Luffy was unpredictable and eccentric at the best of times but in their short time together Thatch had grown to depend on him. If there was one thing Thatch hated it was being alone. And no matter how wrong or messed up it was part of him was glad Luffy was here, to fend off the prisons darkness for Thatch. Of course the other part of him wanted Luffy to be home with his family right now. But since neither of them got their wish he might as well enjoy the company. His family would come for him. He was sure. And when they did he would personally see to it that Luffy was returned to his.
.
"Marco is that you?" Vistas voice came clearly across the Den Den Mushi.
"Yea, it's me." He replied tiredly. "I need to speak to pops right away."
"Is Ace okay! Did you find him? Please tell me he's okay."
Marco sighed not in the mood to deal with this. But he knew his siblings were just worried about their youngest member. He could definitely relate.
"Yea, he's here with me. He's okay for now. Things are going to work out so don't worry."
"What on earth is wrong? Is he in trouble? Does he need our help?"
Marco paused for a second unsure of how to answer the barrage of questions. Yea, he would say Ace was in trouble. But he couldn't tell Vista that without betraying his friend. He had promised Ace to only tell pops. Although slightly unfair, after Teach he could understand where Ace was coming from. He could also sympathize with his reluctance to tell them about his brother before.
When they saved his brother and got this whole mess sorted out maybe Ace would tell the crew a bit more about himself. If nothing else this little venture highlighted just how much Ace trusted and distrusted them at the same time.
"Don't worry Vista, I've got his back on this one. It's all going to work out in the end. Sorry to do this but I really need to talk to pops… kind of life and death here."
He could hear the grumble from the other end as Vista shuffled to comply. He hoped his brother would pass on his words to the rest of the crew.
"Marco?" The comfortingly gruff voice said.
Marco instantly relaxed upon hearing it. Pops would fix things. He knew how to make this right.
"You were right, Teach was after Ace. That's why he sent us the hat. He somehow managed to get a note to Ace in it. He took his little brother and he's using him to blackmail Ace. I think he knows more about Ace then he's letting on."
There were a few minutes of silence as Oyaji processed it. "This is bad." He finally said.
Marco nodded, even though he knew pops couldn't see. He had figured that much on his own. What they needed now was a plan, but how could they plan when they had no clue what was really going on here.
"So what does Teach want Ace to do?"
"Meet him on Sabaody Archipelago in two days… Alone. He made it pretty clear Ace wasn't supposed to involve us." There was a long pause before Marco spoke again. "If I may Pops I think me and Ace should go. I'll keep out of sight and act as his back up. We don't really have many options but to do as they say. They have Thatch and Ace's brother and we have no idea where they could possibly be."
"You think that best?"
"I do sir."
"Well then, you better get going. You have an appointment to keep. Be safe, and report to me if anything happens. We will stay here and continue to track and track them down."
Marco agreed a grimace on his face. This was not going to be pleasant. But he swore to pops and Ace they would find Thatch and Luffy and make Teach pay. No one messed with their family and got away with it.
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Lostdog200: Hope you liked it!
Guest #1: Thank you! Hope you liked it!
Guest#2: Here you go! Hope you liked it.
Guest #3: It's okay! Maro caught hima dn they will go together with WB supporting them. I promise I will get into that later
Guest #4: Haha aww, I'm really glad you liked it.
Guest #5: Tadaaah! Update. Sorry it was late I try to do every other week.
KamiinBlack: I love big brother Ace as well! Hopefully they will learn a lot they didn't know about Ace! It sort of started in this chapter when he told Marco and they had a bro bonding moment. But hopefully more on that later on. I hope you liked it!
Saraku: Me too! I love brotherly fics as well. Poor Ace, lol thank you. The situation is definitely going to get worse before it gets better. As awesome as your prediction was Marco did catch up to Ace and they had a heart to heart moment. But that is an awesome idea! Lol I wish I had thought of it. The plan was definitely for the WBP to all see how awesome Ace is and how much he loves his family. Hopefully it will be scattered throughout the fic but especially at the end. I am really glad you like it! Thank you so much for the awesome review and for the grammar assurance I was kind of worried there lol. Long reviews always make my day I really hope you liked the chapter!