Warning for mentions of torture
XXX
Luffy hated the dark and the cold and the basement where it was always dark and cold. But one of the worst things about it was the smell, it smelt like pain.
He had first smelt it months ago when he had met the interrogator. The man had hurt him so bad he thought he was going to die, and then he wished to die and then he actually died. And the entire time all he felt was pain, all he saw was darkness, all he heard was the man's voice and his own screams, and all he could smell was blood and the cold dampness. And he hated it. And then, they had locked him all alone in the dark basement cell. Where he wasn't allowed to talk to anybody or see anything and all he could smell was dankness, blood and fear.
And the entire time he knew that that man was down there, somewhere in the basement.
Luffy knew this because he could feel him. He thought it was his imagination at first. But the longer he spent in that dark room the stronger the feeling got. That feeling of fear and terror, the man who smelt like blood, he could tell when he was near just by the shivers that went up his arm.
It mostly happened when he concentrated. Losing his sight and his hearing had snapped something in him and he just knew stuff sometimes. Stuff he shouldn't be able to know.
…
There was this odd sort of tugging at the back of his brain. He ignored it at first, too sleepy to pay any attention. But then it got stronger Like something was growing nearer. Something bad?
Luffy shot up from his place, and it took him a second to remember where he was again. It was dark and the dank smell was over whelming. For a moment he thought he was back in his cell. But that wasn't right. Sabo lay besides him, his arms hugging him tight against his chest.
Luffy moved onto his side to look at his brother. He was still here. He had said he was going to go save Ace. How long ago had that been. Luffy had fallen asleep again. He was starting to hate when that happened. He was losing time too. But he hadn't told anybody that yet. Especially not Sabo. He knew the other was worried enough about him already.
He risked peaking over Sabo's shoulder to look at the others. They were mostly asleep, only Marco was still up. Keeping watch over the others. But he wasn't paying attention to them right now. Luffy lay back down. Listening to Sabo breathe out and in. He was still alive. Everyone was.
Sabo's hand was laying a few inches from his face. Luffy grabbed it, locking his bandaged fingers clumsily around his brothers. Sabo made a nose as he tried to pull back but he didn't wake up.
Luffy tightened his grip. Sabo was smart, he knew what he was doing. He always knew what to do. He didn't get scared or hurt or sad. He wasn't weak or pathetic. Not like Luffy. He hated being so- so, whatever he was, with so many strangers around him. Strangers who could use anything they could against him. Whether they would or not was still to be determined. But the thought stressed Luffy out and he wasn't someone who usually got stressed. Probably because whenever he felt this, he would just go do something about it. It was like he was restless, but he was too tired to be restless. So stress was the result. With so much at stake Luffy was useless to stop any of it. And that made him feel so… so something.
So lost.
"I don't know what to do" He told his sleeping brother, keeping his voice to a whisper.
"Help me."
But Sabo neither heard him nor woke up. Luffy moved a bit, resting his cheek on the other's shoulder as he settled back down. He heard the occasional footsteps of Marco as he paced. Everyone else was sleeping. He wanted to go back to bed too. But there was that tugging feeling that stopped him. What was it that woke him up? He decided he didn't care as he closed his eyes, feeling himself start to slip off again.
And right when he was about to fall asleep, he felt it, like an alarm at the back of his mind. Telling him that someone was coming. His breath caught in his throat at the thought. Him?
Run- Run- Run
His instincts told him as his muscles tensed on reflex. Run and hide. Do it now! No, Luffy shook his head trying to rid himself of the impulse. Stop it stupid brain. He couldn't keep running away every time something scared him. That wasn't who he was. Besides he didn't think it was like that this time. Something felt different.
He closed his eyes again, trying to hold the feeling in his head until he could feel it stronger. It wasn't a warning kind of feeling at all, not like it usually was. But it felt familiar. Like warm and safe, and nice. Something good. Something….
Luffy shot up suddenly, ripping himself out of Sabo's arms. Before either his brother or Marco could register it Luffy had sprinted across the room, stumbling mid-way across when his legs refused to work. But he pushed up again taking off into the hallway like a bullet.
Marco came back around the corner just in time to see Luffy disappear into the hallway.
"Luffy!" He called in alarm. He scanned the room trying to see what could have set him off. There was nothing in either direction. Just a whole lot of darkness, three sleeping pirates and a no-longer- asleep revolutionary.
Sabo had been roughly awakened from a dead sleep when Luffy practically trampled him on his way to the hallway. At first he was confused, not remembering the situation enough to understand why ninety pounds of something just stepped on his rib cage. Then he heard Marco shout and the pieces fell into place.
"Marco!" He called, the noise beginning to wake up the others.
"He went down there. I'll go get him."
"No," Sabo said already on his feet. "I'll get him." He didn't think Luffy wanted to be chased by Marco down a dark hallway.
"Sabo, people are coming," Marco warned him. "Their far but not for long."
"Damnit Luffy, your timing still sucks." Sabo cussed under his breath as he followed his younger brother's path. Luffy was injured which slowed him down. But he was surprisingly fast when he wanted to be. In the darkness before him Sabo reached the main hallway just in time to watch Luffy barrel around the next corner. Who knew where he intended to go.
"Luffy stop!" Sabo called to him as he raced after him. Marco had said the marine's had finally begun to check the tunnels. The last thing they needed was Luffy running right into him. How close were they really? He could find out.
Sabo finally clued in to what Luffy was doing right before he caught up to him. It took a long time for someone who was usually pretty perceptive of his surroundings. But he had been disoriented from sleep. The better question was how Luffy knew.
"So," he said rounding the final corner. "You're not dead then?"
Ace looked worse then when Sabo had last seen him. His arms were locked around Luffy, holding him close.
"Guess not," Ace muttered into Luffy's hair.
"I didn't ask you to do that." Sabo had been worried half to death about him. But he had also worried that his interjection would only make things worse.
"I know."
Sabo sighed as he leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. There was no point at being mad at his brother's recklessness. Especially when he got like this, already beating himself up over everything he thought he messed up on.
"It's okay," He told him. "I understand."
Ace nodded slowly, looking down to Luffy. "Are you okay Lu?"
Seemingly remembering himself Luffy pushed himself out of Ace's grip, shoving his arms away.
"You left me!" He growled.
"I'm sorry." Ace told him gently.
Still angry Luffy shoved him with bound arms. Ace had to use the wall to stabilize himself as the sea stone came into contact with his skin.
"With doctors!" Luffy said again as he shoved harder. Although the force was so weak Ace barely felt it.
Frustrated Luffy shoved him again. "Stupid JERK FACE!" He hissed. "-Told you not to!"
"Oooh you're in trouble now," Sabo said and Ace rolled his eyes at him.
"Luffy I am really sorry. We were surrounded, I needed to make sure you guys got out of there, plus I was worried about that one." He gestured at Sabo. "Did that scare you?"
"I'm not a little kid Ace!" Luffy snapped. "I'm not Scared!"
"I know," Ace told him softly. When he had left Luffy had still been one. But he didn't know what he was now. At least he seemed better then when Ace had first found him. He was talking a bit more now. He was even getting angry again. He looked less… less like he was about to die. Thanks to Sabo and Marco no doubt. His skin had been cleaned and his bandages had been replaced with fresh ones.
When he didn't try to shove him Ace risked wrapping his arms around him once more. Luffy didn't push back but he huffed in anger, turning his head away.
"What did I miss?" Ace asked looking to Sabo.
"We need to talk," Sabo told him. "And I'm still his best."
"Best what?" Ace asked looking from Luffy to Sabo who just shrugged innocently. "I sort of wanted to see him punch you." He admitted. God knows he had when they first reunited.
Sabo had been expecting that a bit as well. But Luffy had always been the sweet one.
"Talk about what?" Ace asked
But Sabo just shook his head. "Later," Ace nodded, hugging Luffy tighter to him at the sound of footsteps as the others arrived.
"Oh," Marco said as their eyes locked and he understood. "Your back."
"Yea," Ace said not knowing what else to say as he looked beyond Marco at the other three pirates. He didn't want to do this right now. He didn't even know what to say other then, "I think the marines are starting to look in the tunnels. I tried to throw them off my tail…"
"It was only a matter of time," Marco said. "We'll move."
"You guys are all acting so serious," Thatch told them rolling his eyes. "Ace I'm glad you are okay. We were starting to get worried about you. Especially Sabo."
Ace caught the blonde's eye and he turned away. "Ok," He managed to say. "I'm sorry I…" He trailed off.
"It's okay," Marco said. "You helped us get away. Thank you. We needed to leave anyways."
"Where?"
"It's long past time we find Jozu."
XXX
The sleet rain fell from the sky outside. It was bloody cold on this miserable outpost. And if it was this cold up here one could only imagine how cold it was in the frozen tunnels underground. You would think people would freeze down there, or at least starve. But no, no one had frozen yet, not as far as Teach could tell.
"Uh sir," One of the lackies knocked on his door.
"What!" He snapped turning around. "Did you find them?"
"Uhh, not yet," The man looked scared.
"Then why are you wasting my time?"
"Urr, the Admiral wants to focus efforts on the underground. He says if we don't find them…"
"I know!" Teach seethed, sending the man scurrying away.
"Is it too much to ask that they die down there?" He muttered, hesitating a second before storming off as well. He continued down the corridors, marines and outlaws alike scattering at the sight of him. He was not someone to be messed with today. He barged into one of the rooms in a huff.
"Find them!"
The man looked up at him, interest gleaming in his eyes. He had, up until that point, been sitting in the dark polishing his knives. Both of which were personal choices. "I'm sure my bosses will not be happy with you." He smiled. "After all that you've lost them."
"Nobody's lost!" Teach snapped. "Their right damn here. And if any of these men were half competent, we would have found them by now. But this is what you do! Go down there and find the kid!"
The man shifted in his seat, putting the knife down to give Teach his full attention. "Interesting, but what is in this for me."
"Things will look a lot better for your boss."
"I supposed so, but the Admiral Akainu didn't lose them, that was you."
"He is over seeing this mission on behalf of the marines. Besides I thought you enjoyed tormenting the brat."
"Oh, I do." The man said. "I really do. He screams in such a fun way. He is so terrified of me… it's heartwarming really."
"How scared can he be? Teach asked. "You failed to get a single thing out of him."
The man's face turned in an instant as he slammed the knife down, the blade sinking into the table. "He didn't know anything worthwhile!" He snapped.
"Everyone knows that. But you failed to get anything at all from him. Not so much as his name or his age… you know the things we already knew. Which is weird. They told me you were the best of the best, that your success was guaranteed. I mean you've never failed before, right?"
The knife lodged itself strait into the doorframe inches from Teach's head. Teach looked between the handle and the man before cursing him out.
"Why you!" He snarled pulling the knife out. "I ought to… It's the truth no? You failed, against a child."
"The mission was an interrogation tactic." The interrogator replied. "The information was irrelevant."
"Sounds like an excuse to me."
"If I failed!" The man said rising to his feet. "It was due to you. There is only so much I can do to a half dead prisoner. It's not my fault that his heart gave out before I could complete my objective."
"Those were your bosses orders not mine."
"I thought I felt you skulking about," A cold voice interrupted the argument. Teach rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Oh, and where have you been? We are dealing with a crisis."
"Admiral," The man stood to attention.
"So, you think you can command my men without my knowledge." Akainu asked Teach.
"Well someone had to do something. Why haven't your marines found them."
"I wasn't the one who chose to inhabit a base that was made for people to disappear in. And wiggle all you want rat, the blame for this falls on your shoulders. It was your plan that let them escape, if I had been there, they wouldn't have managed it."
"Oh right," Teach said. "It was just your men that were there, and they failed to capture a single one. Besides you were being played by…by that other one! Just like they wanted." Teach finished, glaring at Akainu who looked downright murderous.
The Admiral took a step closer, the heat practically poring off of him. "Don't tempt me pirate scum. For now my superiors will find use for you. But the second that ends I'll see you hanged. Don't fail again."
"We will see who ends up hanged after all of this won't we." Teach said. "Besides we will find them, it is only a matter of time. After all there are hundreds of us and only seven of them. They can run and hide but for how long."
"Long enough for Whitebeard to arrive to their rescue," Akainu snapped. "Without the captives he can't be controlled."
"We will get them back then," Teach turned to the man before them. "With your permission that is." The words physically hurt him to say.
"Fine," Akainu snapped. "Find them. Bring me Dragon's spawn and one of the Whitebeards. I don't care which one."
"And the others."
"I suppose the world government would like to make an example out of Portgas. Recover him alive if possible, along with the blond-haired criminal."
"One of Whitebeard's allies?" Teach asked.
"Unlikely, I have reason to believe he is with the revolutionaries. I need to question him further. Kill the rest."
"I understand," The man said nodding to the admiral. "I will bring them back."
"Don't fail again." The admiral said as he left.
XXX
"You!" The pirate snarled.
Ace froze. He had really hoped he wasn't going to be the first to run into yet another of his old crew mates.
The plan was to find their way further into the tunnels. At least that way their chances of hiding were better. But before they did that, they had to find Jozu. Haruta and Izo had left him behind a few days ago. Jozu had served as the final line of defense in case the other two were captured and ransomed, which they had been. But now it was time to regroup and move on.
So the group split up, each taking a different tunnel. They would rejoin once they found him or in another hour, whichever came first.
But of course Ace was the one to find him. Fate was having it's last laugh.
Ace held up his arms slowly, "I'm sorry." He told him.
"Not nearly sorry enough!" Jozu snarled. "Do you have any idea what you did!"
"I know what I did," Ace told him. He would forever have to live with the knowledge of what he had done to the people he owed his life too. "I know you'll never forgive me but-."
"But what?" The man's eyes narrowed. He was seriously pissed. "You tried to kill our captain, you- you…. MARCO!"
"No, I know what you think. But Marco's not dead!" Ace said.
"STOP LYING!" Jozu snapped reaching out to strike the wall with a diamond encrusted fist as the entire tunnel shuttered. Ace had never seen him this angry. "Everyone thinks your dead! And yet I find you here, following Teach's orders! What a loyal crew mate you are."
"Jozu please stop." Ace told him. "I know your mad at me. You have every right to be. But I swear to you-"
"SHUT UP!" The man screamed. "I Told You STOP Lying. From the moment all of this started, no before, every word out of your mouth has been a lie. I thought- we all thought you were too loyal, too kindhearted to do any of this. But your as bad as he is!"
"I know," Ace told him. "I might be." Hell he might be worse. Unlike Teach he knew the difference between right and wrong and chose to do them anyways.
"What could he give you that is worth all of the hurt you caused?"
"Nothing," Ace whispered.
Juzo yelled, angered by the answer as he slammed his fist into the wall again, this time sending a network of cracks into the stone.
"Where Are Izo and Haruta?" He was almost yelling now.
"Their HERE!"
"What have you done with them?"
"Please! I don't want to fight you!"
"Then you Will Die For What You Have Done!"
"LISTEN TO ME!" Ace yelled, trying to be heard. "I haven't done what you think. Your friends are looking for you right now in these tunnels. I can take you to them if you just let me!"
"Lead me Strait into a Trap!" You aren't to be trusted. You have burnt us twice already.
"Let me try to make this right!"
"YOU CAN'T!"
"I… Luffy," Ace breathed as his eyes locked with his brothers from across the room. He was staring at the two of them. He wasn't supposed to be here. They had left him in one of the rooms while they searched, so he wouldn't get himself into a situation like this. But apparently, he had followed Ace with… Well it seemed like conquers haki wasn't the only thing Luffy had picked up. But that was no where near the top of the list of things Ace needed to deal with right now.
"Luffy Get Out Of Here!" He called to him. "Get the others."
Juzo turned, his eyes fixing on Luffy. "You won't get the chance to bring reinforcements."
Luffy looked the man over, very tall hulking and intimidating. With an obvious devil fruit if the diamond fist wasn't a giveaway. And he himself, someone who was gravely injured and very small and skinny in comparison. And somehow Luffy's brain calculated those odds as reasonable because he charged at the man with an angry cry.
"What the …kid stop?"
"Get away from him!" Ace snarled as he too charged his old crew mate, reaching him first. Jozu was distracted by Luffy and didn't see Ace coming. He stumbled back a step before recovering. He ripped Ace away, sending him crashing into the wall.
Something seemed to snap in Luffy and he attacked Jozu with everything he had. He grabbed a rock from the ground smashing it into the man's head. Violently enough to severely injure a normal person but Juzo crystalized before the rock could touch him. He moved quickly, grabbing Luffy's wrist, lifting him off the ground. The rock fell from his hands. Luffy kicked his legs weakly as his tried to free himself.
"Leave Ace ALONE!"
"Kid stop!"
"LET HIM GO!" Ace screamed and without meaning too, without even realizing it, the hallway lit up with his fire as his anger manifested itself.
Luffy cried out in surprise as the fire overwhelmed them.
Juzo acted quickly dropping Luffy, his skin crystalizing to protect him. "ACE! Stop this!"
Ace ignored him, barely even hearing the warning as he ran to Luffy. He crashed to his knee's pulling his brother to sit up. "Lu?"
Luffy gasped, his eyes widening when he saw Ace. He looked… scared.
"Ace?" He whispered.
"It's okay I've got you."
"Your- ON FIRE!"
Oh right. Luffy screamed again as he scampered back. "HELP! HELP!" He looked around frantically as if a bucket of water was going to materialize. This would be funny in any other situation, but Ace so did not have time to explain this.
He hauled Luffy up, practically carrying him as he pushed back against the wall. All the while keeping Juzo in his sights. The man was glaring at him from across the barrier of flames he had made.
"Ace?" Luffy breathed in shocked surprise.
"What now Ace?" Jozu asked.
XXX
I am really sorry about the cliff hanger. I know how much you guys hate them. But finals are almost over so hopefully I can update again really soon. If not then definitely over break (hopefully a few times).
I really hope finals go well for you guys, if applicable. I am just grateful there almost over! And I wish everyone a happy holiday season. Even if we can't all be with our families this year. Stay strong! And stay nice and healthy! Hang in there.
XXX
Catspirit: Yes, Teach doesn't know what's coming for him. And yes, Luffy will feel a bit better without the sea stone once they manage to get it off him.
sakura240: I will go into Shank's part in a bit. It wasn't really his fault Teach was being shady (sorry about the cliffhanger). Don't worry Ace is safe again. And thank you, that is really nice! And everything will turn out okay for them! Eventually and Teach will get what's coming to him. Just not for a little bit. Luffy will be okay in the long run, he is feeling better bit by bit.
Same to you! Stay Safe and Happy!
Shandar1: I was on the fence about adding Garp (extra work) so I think I will probably leave him out. And thank you! That is so nice to hear. Luffy will be back, bit by bit. Thank you for the nice review!
xellos-sore-wa-himitsu-desu: Aw shucks.
xXxWolvesInTheNightxXx: I'm really glad you liked it. I was a little worried people would get bored with these chapter without the action! Don't worry the intro to last chapter was a flashback to Marco calling Whitebeard to tell him Ace stayed behind when Sabo was in his coma. Luffy will feel better, especially now that he know's Ace is okay. Thank you for the review! Hopefully you liked this chapter as well.
abuseiyulia juuzou: Yea, pretty much haha. I think Luffy can probably grow them back. Weird One Piece stuff.
TheDancingMelon: ALL the Cuddles! Of course! Thank you're the review!
vcelinka123: Aw, Sorry to make you sad.
BlueHeartNina: Yes! Shanks will be involved in a few chapters.
Sophia Mendes-Coruja: Aww, thank you. I'm doing my best not to mess up Luffy's character. And also thanks haha. I love Sabo and Luffy fluff. I'm glad other people like it. Thank you for always leaving such nice reviews! Stay safe to you as well!
Watching the rain fall: That's so nice to say! Poor Shanks indeed. I will go into it soon! Thank you for the review!
abuseiyulia juuzou: Aw sorry to make you sad. I know sometimes the chapters get a bit rough. But Luffy is doing better now. And he will be so much better after they win!
ScarletRoofs: Yes! Shanks at least will be more involved in the story and try to help out. But more on that in a few chapters! Thank you for the review!
JulieAnnaMai: Yes of course! And Luffy is going to get better all the time, especially now that Ace is back. Marco and Luffy will get a lot closer a bit later. And Luffy will get all the cuddles. I'm glad you're not bored yet. I'm glad to all you guys for taking the time to read the story! Writing is always more fun if you get the chance to share it : ) Thank you for being amazing!
Guest#1: Thank you!
Tysvm 4 d awesome chapter
Shadow54321: Thank you!
AnimeChic01: Aw thanks!
Wandering-Mind 95: Sorry, don't be sad. Luffy will get better. Especially once things calm down a bit. I'm glad you like it though! That is so nice to hear, thank you! And thank you for the support! I would be lost without you guys!
Aquarica: Yes! Sabo will help Luffy and no one needs to worry about Ace anymore! They will give Luffy all the hugs. More on Shanks later! And Thank you! That is really nice.
Rose Narcissus: I will get into that in just a little bit! And No, I promise no ASL brother will get killed. They will all get their happy ending just in a bit.
DemonKittyAngel: Yea, I figured the kleenex thing haha. But Luffy was just making sounds as a goof. Thank you! Luffy always makes me smile by being silly. Yes! He still has the sea stone on, they are working on it. He will feel a bit better when they get it off but he is still going to be sick-ish.
And Thank you! That is so nice to say! The Whitebeards are about to have a long talk with Ace and Sabo so more things will make sense to them.
I will go into Shank's part a little bit later. But it wasn't his fault as much as Teach being nosey. And Luffy will get all the hugs! Don't worry the Ace reunion came this chapter! It looks like Garp won't be in the war. Thanks for the review!
HadEv: Uh... thanks?
Noramsorli: Aww, thank you. More cuddles on the way for the three of them. I'm not sure Garp is going to be in the war. (Extra work haha). But thank you for the faith in me! Hopefully you will like the new chapters.
Mel72000: Aww, sorry to make you sad. Luffy is doing much better now! But he will get over everything bit by bit.
Pause143:
As always an update from you just absolutely makes my day! I've probably said this before but I am in awe at the massive improvements you've made! You're writing has always shown an innate talent but over the course of this fic you've made strides in the refinement of your technique and prose! It's so evident to see from the gradually lengthening and minor stylistic flairs in each chapter! ItS especially inspiring when considering the length of time. You've been writing Defenders with out fear for almost 5 years and I hope to one day have that amount of determination and dedication! I especially love your grasp over the characters and their motivations! I've said it before and I'll say it again but the way you portray the trauma Luffy has gone through without taking away from his innate personality is masterful! I especially liked the minor details of his torture as it adds a bit of depth to the reality of the horrors in this world as well as hinting towards future (mental and physical) issues that Luffy will have to work through (hopefully with the support of his brothers :3). I can't wait to see more of your work! Do you happen to write professionally now? Do you have any original works? ( I'm always keeping an eye out for your other fanfics!) Do you write poetry by any chance? Sorry if the questions are invasive I just really enjoy the way you portray emotions so subtly yet distinctive!
chichichi97: I love the enthusiasm. I don't know if he will make it into the war. But! He will be in the rest of the story.,
Urutiyori: Yes! Luffy will get more stable with everyone's support! But he can handle it! And the three of them are back together. Luffy will be smiling again soon! Thank you for such a nice review!
NekoUsagi1234: Ace is back! And we will get cute ASL hugs later. Escape is going to come in a little bit. But Luffy and Thatch are tough. And that's true, I guess a little bit of good did come out of it. Thank you for such a nice review! I always love hearing people still enjoy the story even after fourty chapters.
Wishfull-star: Thank you! Sorry the chapter was a little bit late. Ace is okay!