Welcome to the war guys!
I don't even know what to tag this.
So just a general Violence warning, explosives, and even more non-consensual drugging (by someone he trusted).
XXX
Ace was sitting on the arm of their father's massive chair. One knee was tucked loosely to his chest and the other hung off the edge. He was listing something off with his fingers, recounting the second division's latest assignment. He had been gone for hardly a week. But the ship had been a lot quieter. Marco hadn't realized it until right this moment.
Their father hadn't seen him yet, his head thrown back in a laugh at something Ace must have told him. That wasn't surprising. Ace had always amused him. He had been amusing when he was trying to kill Whitebeard, he had even been amusing as he sulked like a scolded teenager. But now, when he was finally acting like himself, or a self they had yet to see, he was the most amusing of all. Ace wasn't shy. Not in the slightest. He was friendly, personable and if you got him going, he would just laugh and laugh.
It was odd. How someone so young could seem like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. And then there were moments like these- where Ace laughed so freely. Like he had never experienced anything resembling hardship. Like he could laugh with ease because all he had ever known was kindness.
Sensing his presence first Ace turned. His smile grew at the sight of Marco. Like just seeing him made him happier than he had been.
"Welcome back," Marco said, covering all his surprise at the greeting. A month ago, the kid had hated him. -Then again, maybe he had just been pretending to hate them this entire time.
Ace greeted him like it was the most natural thing in the world. And Marco found that it just was. More than the manufactured tension, it was comfortable.
"Thanks," Ace said hopping off of his chosen seat. He went to go help the rest of the second division who were currently unloading one of the smaller boats. Hopping over the rail with a seamless effort Ace landed heavily on the dock attracting the attention of everyone.
"Hey guys!" he greeted cheerfully, grabbing one of the barrels from the floor. "Oyaji said we took out the right base after all!" There was a round of applause, apparently some inside joke between them. "I know we were worried," he pressed the smiling group. "But you did a great job!"
His statement was met with clapping, and whoops. Some were sarcastic but even so, their brothers and sisters looked genuinely happy. After spending so long without a commander, it seemed like Ace had been good for them. Marco hadn't seen them this cheerful in a while now.
After their last commander… left- what felt like lifetimes ago the role had seemed too big to be filled by anyone else. Then Ace came along, and Whitebeard had called it, he was perfect. Ace was unlike anyone they had considered for the role before. He was young, and with that, he was energetic and optimistic to the point of naivety. He was new to being a leader and reluctant to take a position of power. Which was why Whitebeard knew he had to have it.
There are those that fed off power and titles like parasites. And then there was someone like Ace. His inexperience and age guaranteed that he made every decision with the full support of his division behind him. Ace didn't order people around so much as ask them to help him with whatever task Whitebeard assigned his unit. And he took the hardest tasks upon himself. His words to Marco were still fresh in the man's mind. Ace acted as if he was just going to be there temporarily, and as such he was just helping the group out, like a stand-in-commander-for-hire until their real one showed up. While that wasn't necessarily what anyone had meant or wanted, there was no denying the effect.
The second division would never have settled for a leader who was less than Oden. But they took to Ace almost instantly.
Marco turned away from the railing, a smirk on his face. Sometimes it was annoying how often Pop's was right.
"So, Ace's unit is back," he said. Whitebeard was still smiling at whatever Ace had told him.
"What did he say?"
"That the division did a great job taking out the base and there were no hitches."
Marco laughed. He knew as well as his father that there were quite a few problems. The first one being, trembling-hand-Thomas dropping the charges too soon. But he had heard from Thomas himself that Ace managed to take out the entire wind himself, covering up Thomas's blunder. Yet the entire team looked happy, despite the mess it had almost become.
"Ace is covering for him," Marco said. He wondered what exactly the kid thought they did to pirates who messed up?
"I don't think Ace sees it that way," Whitebeard told him. "He's just happy they're proud of themselves." The old man smirked, taking a swig of his ale that he most certainly was not supposed to have right now.
"Yeah," Marco mused to himself, looking over the rail again. "They might like him a little too much."
"Whatever do you mean by that my ever-worried son?"
Marco shrugged. He had a bad habit of talking out loud when his father was around. "It's just the young ones," he said. "Ace makes me nervous sometimes. I've seen his type. They burn bright and they burn fast." Leaving nothing but charred cinders in their wake.
Whitebeard laughed again. Somehow amused by Marco's fears. "I thought that was why he had you?"
"It is!" Marco said squaring his shoulders. "I mean he's going to be fine." Marco worried about all his brothers and sisters. Especially when they were still kids themselves. "It's just, I get this feeling sometimes." Like the one he had just gotten when Ace smiled at him. Marco sighed, running his hands through his hair tiredly. "I don't know if he wants to be saved. How do you help someone like that?"
Whitebeard didn't laugh this time and Marco suspected he knew exactly what he was talking about. "Well, I suppose you have to show them that they're wrong."
"And if you can't?"
"Give him some credit," Whitebeard advised. "People only smile like Ace if they think they have something to smile about. With his personality, he is no stranger to danger. I'm certain of it. But I doubt he would have gotten this far if he really thought he had nothing to live for.
"Yeah," Marco said. "Your probably right."
XXX
There were so many ways this could have happened. So many outcomes. It didn't have to be this way. But that didn't matter anymore. From what Marco understood about the future, the other paths were quickly filing down to a singular one. And it ended one way.
Blood, on both sides.
People were going to die. But Everyone had made their choice, and it was time to live with that.
When Marco woke up Thatch was waiting for him. The man's face split into a broad smile when he saw him awake.
"Took you long enough," he teased.
Marco sat up, bracing his back against the wall. They were still in the tunnels. He was getting so sick of this place. Then again, he thought of Luffy and his own complaints seemed pale. Speaking of-
"Where's Luffy?"
Thatch looked back at the small, partially caved-in hallway they were currently hiding in. "Uh," Thatch's smile faltered, and Marco's concern grew.
"He's okay… Right?"
"Yeah," Thatch said. "Thanks to you… I eh- I owe you. I know it took a lot out of you."
More than Thatch knew. Luffy had been tilting over the edge of even Marco's reach. But he didn't say that. "You don't have to thank me," he said. "I didn't do it for you." Not just for Thatch at least. "But I tried to warn you."
"-Oh my god," Thatch rolled his eyes surprisingly good-natured. "Marco, my brother, you are a repeating proverb."
"What?"
"You keep warning all of us about getting too close to the human bombs, you know the people who you think are going to set themselves off. Because you don't want us to get hurt. But you can never follow your own advice, not once."
"I'm careful," he said. He was careful right?
"Mm-hm," Thatch agreed. "So careful you almost killed yourself to save a kid you've known for three days?"
"It's not- I…" he didn't really have a reply for that other than, "Shut up."
Thatch snickered, rising to his feet. He offered Marco his hand. "Thanks anyway. Seriously." Marco clasped his hand standing up a bit unsteadily. "Of course," he said. "But honestly- where is everybody."
"Uh, Izou is looking for a way out of here, Jozu is trying to lead the marines away, and Haruta went after Luffy, who went after Ace, who went after Sabo.
"Oh," Marco said. "So, they could be anywhere."
Thatch sighed, "Yeah. Things are kind of bad Marco. After you passed out Luffy figured out that the- uh, that creep was tracking us again. So Sabo stayed behind to stop him. Not that he told us until it was too late," Thatch said. "The marines are everywhere. I think they've got us cornered; they just don't know it yet."
"And we are scattered to hell," Marco finished for him. Thatch nodded. "And just between us, we're running on fumes- all of us."
"We will be fine now," Marco told him. "Oyaji is here. We just need to get out of here."
Thatch laughed darkly. "Easier said than done."
"First things first, we need to-"
Whatever he was about to say was cut off by a deafening boom as the entire base seemed to shake. The halls threatening to cave.
"Was that a bomb"
Thatch looked around in worry. "That can't be good."
XXX
"It's you," the man said as he entered the room. "I should have known it would be you. Crafty one, aren't you?"
Sabo watched him, walking the perimeter of the room like a cat, assessing a mouse's escape route.
"Bold of you to wait for me, cut off from the others little revolutionary," he said. "Eager to die?"
Sabo frowned. This monster would hardly be the first to say that to him.
"What do you want? To get information? A truce for your little criminal boss? Or perhaps you're sticking with your desertion story."
"Want?" Sabo repeated. How was it that everyone kept saying that to him? Things like wanting hardly had a place down here, in this lawless island stuck right the fork of the perversion of the law and the honor of criminals.
The man laughed, gesturing to his shaking right hand. "Are you scared, brat? Is that it? Is the great revolutionary trembling with fear. Well, man up, this is the world and you've already picked wrong.
Sabo tightened his right hand into a fist. It was indeed trembling, and it had been for the last few hours. So much so, that it was hard to hold his staff.
"Is it rage I wonder," the agent teased. "You're so angry at the world government your kind hates so much, you can't contain yourself."
Sabo closed his left hand around it, drawing a slow breath, to calm his nerves. "No," he told the man. "It's fear." But it wasn't for himself.
He had held Luffy's hand in his own. In some vain attempt to tether his brother to this world when he started to slip away from it. And- it was stupid- but Sabo could have sworn it sort of worked.
"Pathetic," the man smirked. "Even that kid had more courage than you. When he wasn't screaming his head off or crying about something idiotic."
Sabo's fist tightened. "I know you," he said, watching the man's smile grow.
"Oh, got me in your little revolutionary files, do you?"
Sabo shook his head. "No," he said. "I don't know your name… and I don't care. I know you. You hide behind the law, but no one wants your justice. You're the same kind of killer I've been fighting my whole life. The only difference is that you have a lot more lies to hide behind."
The man wasn't smiling now. He seemed annoyed. "You know me huh? Got me all figured out! What are you some snot-nosed teenager giving me a lecture? Well, I know you little revolutionary. So devoted to a cause, so devoted to your false justice. You are the plague you see in the world. The infection you hate. It's in you. It's in those pirates. It's in that little boy you are trying to save. And most of all it's in that devil's offspring."
Sabo looked down to the floor. His answer had deserted him. He felt it when he came in here but now- it was just as well. He may as well leave the anger to Ace.
"And do you still want to save them?" The man asked, spurred on by his silence.
There was that word again. Want? Sabo didn't want to save them. He Needed to save them. There were only so many times you were allowed to fail your family.
"What I want?" he said, reaching his right hand into his pocket. "Is to be like you."
Whatever the man had been expecting, it was most certainly not that. "Oh," his expression turned with interest. Perhaps searching for some way to twist the situation to his favor. "You want to be strong? Powerful?"
His eyes flickered to the wall above the doorway, gently pulling his fist from his pocket. He held out his hand and the man tensed, only to realize it was simply a small rock resting on his palm. Sabo had found it on Luffy when they were changing his clothes, swapping them out with dry ones. He must have picked it up from the water somehow with how smooth it was. Sabo had meant to ask him about it, but then he heard something about a giant sea-lizard and suddenly he didn't want to know.
"I want to be ruthless," Sabo told him. "Like you."
"Oh," the man was smiling again as if he was being praised. "Don't count yourself out. Your plenty ruthless. Why else would you be there and me be here? You stayed to fight me but your hesitating," he laughed. "You can't fool me. You don't want to kill me. You want something from me. To plead for your life maybe. Has the great Dragon abandoned you?"
"I'm not," Sabo told him. "Not usually anyway." He tried to show mercy, as much as possible. But there were times when some people just needed to lie in the bed they had made for themselves. "But I can be." People hurt people who hurt them. And right now, the hurts just wouldn't stop. "I'm waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
Sabo nodded his head to the doorway behind the man, at the persistent running footsteps he heard from that direction. Ones the CP agent was doing his best to conceal with his talking. It was fine though. Sabo was willing to play innocent if he was. The Marines were much slower to arrive. But they were numerous, worryingly so. "They're coming to kill me," Sabo said. "You called them."
The man just shrugged. "They're my backup, where's yours?"
Hopefully far away from here.
"Your trapped Revolutionary. They'll be here any second. Enjoy the last of your freedom. Trust me, what we've got in store for you is worse than death."
"Is that what you did to Luffy?" Sabo asked.
The man said nothing.
Sabo knew it was. After all, it was what this man- this monster did best.
"I think your right," Sabo said as the footsteps pounded by the hallway. "I'm plenty ruthless already."
He raised his hand clenched around the rock, pointing to the corner of the room. The agent turned slowly; confusion clear on his face. At first, he didn't see it. Then something close to recognition crossed his face.
When they were looking for Luffy- and then Ace, Sabo had stumbled across a marine. Young, weak, and alone. It had been an easy knockout. But he had been carrying something interesting. He had barely had time to set it, placing it above the lip of the doorway, nearly out of sight.
Some emotion crossed the CP agent's face. Finally, a good look for him. It wasn't fear but it was as close as he was going to get, so Sabo had to content himself with that.
"Wait!" The man said, taking a step back.
"You asked what I wanted," Sabo said.
"Hold on!"
"I want to hurt you. like you hurt him."
"STOP!" He screamed, but it was too late. There was nothing he could do but watch that little rock, worn smooth but the ocean, sail through the air- shattering against the bomb, on top of the door.
-Just as the marines reached them.
XXX
"You!"
Luffy froze, halfway down the hallway.
When the Marine took a step towards him, he backed up, hitting the wall of the corridor.
"You're that kid we're all looking for!" He huffed. "Maybe now we can get out of this depressing place."
When he tried to grab Luffy's arm, he lashed out, sinking his teeth into the man's skin. The marine shrieked like a child, stepping back. Then the anger set in.
"You Little BRAT!"
Luffy kneed him in the stomach, trying to run away but his legs gave out under him, and he crashed to the floor onto his hands. The man grabbed his foot, dragging him along the floor.
"Damnit kid! What the hell's your damage?"
Luffy twisted in his grip, trying to claw and kick at the hands that pulled him. Slowing the man to a crawling pace.
"You are so freaking annoying!" The marine said. "I'm saving you. They're going to bomb these tunnels to hell soon. Better with us than stay here."
Luffy didn't think that way. He latched onto the man's hands with his, twisting it in a way that would have broken his hand if he were still strong. All he managed to do was weaken his hold.
The man let go, stepping back and Luffy scrambled up. He barely made it a few steps when there was a huge explosion, and the entire room shook. Losing his balance, he crashed once more to the floor.
"Shit," the man swore. "They're setting them off too early." He strode up, grabbing Luffy's elbow this time to try and pull him up. When Luffy tried to bite him again, the marine slapped his hand over his mouth, squeezing his jaw in a warning.
"I've heard about you, you know. There are rumors. They say you are more demon than kid. Usually, I'm not one for tall tales, but I got to say, I heard you scream once, and I have to admit- scariest sound I've ever heard." He looked down at the bite mark on his arm with a frown. Then to the stains of blood where Luffy had brushed up against him.
Luffy closed his eyes in anger. Despite what Sabo had told him, he was useless now. As useless as he had been as a kid. Getting into trouble every single time he tried to help. Just an obstacle to be saved over and over. A bag of flour to be passed from person to person. Being powerless- he hated it!
The man let go of him as if his touch burned. He stepped back, and swore, watching Luffy with huge eyes. "What was that?" He looked around like someone was in the cave with them.
Luffy had no idea what he was talking about. He watched the man's trembling hand go to his sword. "You really are a demon, aren't you? What else would the military want with a kid."
Luffy didn't care what they called him. But he was tired of being forced to do things. He took a step back, watching the sword come closer to him.
"What was that!" He asked again.
Luffy didn't know. Ace did.
"That was his way of telling you to back the hell up," his brother's voice growled.
Both of them turned to look at the end of the hallway. If the man thought Luffy was a demon then he very nearly died at the sight of Luffy's brother.
Ace was glowing. Literally covered in fire. His eyes were like embers in the darkness.
The man took a deep breath, stumbling back. "I-I- It's not. Oh God!"
Ace's eyes flickered if at all possible, becoming more intense. But it was only a moment. With a final whimper, the man crumpled to the floor.
Ace and Sabo had always been badass, at least to Luffy. But they were just freaking awesome now. If Luffy was feeling better that would have been so cool!"
Ace met his gaze and sighed. "You came after me again- huh."
Luffy thought this was all Ace's fault. Luffy had made it clear he didn't want to be ditched right now. Yet somehow Ace kept being surprised when he tried to follow him. Ace seemed to realize that too as something crossed his face. It wasn't realization though more like- resolution. At having to do something unpleasant.
He held out his hand and Luffy pushed away from the corner, coming to him easily. "You just want to stick with me, don't you?" Ace said, pressing his fingers against Luffy's bruised cheek. "Just like when we were kids."
Luffy looked up at him, his eyes clearly saying, 'no duh.' He thought that had been obvious. When they were little, he hadn't wanted to be alone or left with the bandits. It was no different now.
Ace smiled softly. "I know," he said in apology. "I want the same too. I just want you to be safe, but that's never going to happen, is it?"
Ace looked really tired. Like seriously tired.
"I'm safe with you," Luffy said, shaking his head to get Ace's hand off his cheek. As far as Luffy could tell, the safest place in the world had always been right here. No one had ever protected him like Ace had, nor stayed with him.
The entire time Luffy had been taken, he knew Ace would be back for him. And once he was, Luffy would be safe again. He was getting kind of annoyed Ace wasn't getting that.
His brother sighed, tightening his grip on his hand. "Sticking with me right now is going to get you killed."
"You told me you would stay with me you liar!" Actually, both of them had. They were both liars now! But Luffy had to be mad about it later.
"I said after we get out of here," Ace said. He caved a bit under Luffy's stare. "At least the second time. The first time we were totally lying."
Luffy shook his head in disapproval. "Rat-faced two-timing bastard."
Ace actually laughed, the surprise on his face morphing to amusement. "Oh my God. Lu! Where the hell did you learn that?"
"Here," he said. "Teach's lame-ass friends said it a lot."
"I'm too late. They've corrupted you."
Luffy huffed. Shifting from foot to foot. Ace glanced at the marine, deciding he was going to be out for a while. He moved to sit against the wall, pulling Luffy down with him before his legs could give out underneath him.
Luffy leaned heavily against his side, moving their hands onto his lap. He looked over at the marine. "Is he dead?"
Ace shook his head. "No." He thought for a moment. "Do you know what that was?"
Luffy shook his head.
"Well, you were trying to do it too Lu."
Luffy looked at the man with a frown. "I don't think I'm magic… are you?"
"It's not magic." Ace said. "The only difference is when I do it, it's," he tried to show with his hand. "It's like a bullet. And yours is like an explosion. There's no way the others didn't feel that. So, they should be coming to find us."
Luffy made a face at that, and Ace smiled. I thought you liked Thatch."
"Thatch is super cool." Luffy nodded. "I guess the doctors okay- for a doctor."
"Why do you keep saying that? What does that even mean?"
"And maybe the one with the pretty hair."
"Izou."
"Hm," Luffy nodded. "The rest of your friends are lame though."
"They're not lame," Ace defended. "Their- their amazing." He saw Luffy's unimpressed look. "You just don't know them," he said. "And the last thing I need is you trying to fight them for me okay."
"They started it," Luffy said. "Are you guys fighting right now?"
Ace sighed, flipping Luffy's hand over with his. His eyes searched the bandages covering his brother's skin until Luffy got tired of that too- pointedly putting their hands back on his lap.
"Does it hurt?" Ace asked.
"Why are you fighting?" Luffy insisted. When Ace didn't say anything, he nodded. "Teach."
"Yeah," Ace said. There was that look again. Ace was tired.
"It's okay," Luffy tried to comfort him. "Aside from Thatch, they're not that cool." When Ace didn't cheer up with that Luffy moved to more drastic measures. "I guess- Thatch…" he made a face like the words tasted sour, "-Thatch isn't that- cool …either. So don't worry about it okay."
Luffy was happy to see Ace smiling again. "Did that physically hurt you to say?"
Luffy nodded. He didn't like to diss his friends when they didn't deserve it. But he wanted Ace to cheer up, and Thatch was- So cool- he was pretty sure the man would understand.
"Plus your captain bossy."
"Whitebeard?"
Luffy nodded.
"Oh yeah, I forgot you met him right?"
"Yeah," Luffy said like it was obvious. "He's bossy.
Ace was still smiling like he did when he thought Luffy was being stupid. He leaned against him with a groan of embarrassment at Luffy's boldness. "Thatch was right- you are definitely my brother." A moment passed before he added. "I really missed you."
Luffy tilted his head to look at him. "Because all of your other friends are lame?"
"No!" Ace laughed. "God, stop it." Leave it to Luffy to make a tragedy somehow funny. He had missed him, so much. If something were ever to happen to him- and Ace somehow survived it. Then he doubted anything in the world would ever be funny to him again. But this was apparently survivable. Betraying his crew, becoming an outcast, a traitor, a murderer, the cause of so much suffering, the root of evil in Luffy's life, apparently, it was all survivable. He hadn't thought so at first. He didn't know how he was going to live with himself. Even when he saw the marine messing with his brother there was something dark and ugly in him that was screaming for blood.
But then Luffy had started talking, almost like he used to. Like he wasn't falling to pieces, breaking to bits, or between episodes of heart-stopping injuries. -Things just didn't seem that serious.
Ace squeezed his hand. "You know, if I weren't currently exiled, I'd have to kick your ass for shit-talking Whitebeard. It's kind of in my duties."
"How did you end up getting a bossy captain?" Luffy asked him. "I thought you didn't listen to anyone." Luffy had certainly never seen Ace bow down to anyone. Like literally never in their entire lives.
"It's a long story," Ace told him. It wasn't so much giving over control as it was giving over his trust. Trusting in Whitebeard's judgment. "There is so much I want to tell you! But later okay. When I get back."
That was enough to bring back Luffy's frown. "NO!"
"It is just for a little while. There are some things I need to take care of."
"I'll come," he insisted.
"I told you it's too dangerous. I can't fight these guys and protect you."
"I'm useless," Luffy concluded. "So you're abandoning me?"
"No! and NO!" Ace told him. "I'm ever going to abandon you. You know that. And you're not useless. It's not exactly a fair fight. These people that are coming Lu, they're not like anything you've seen before."
"So, like Grandpa?"
He sighed. "Yeah, like that stupid old man."
"You can't beat him either," Luffy said. "Why do you get to go but not me?"
"There's stuff I have to take care of," Ace repeated. He ran the finger of his free hand over one a thick bandage taped to Luffy's forehead. "I'll pay Teach back for you," he promised.
Luffy shook his head. "I don't need it," he said.
Luffy would Love that asshole to get his butt kicked. But not over a couple of scrapes, and not if it meant Ace…
"What do you think is going to happen?" Ace asked dropping his hand. "If Sabo and I go fight? We're already outlaws Lu. This stuff isn't new to us. We made it this far- don't you believe in us anymore?"
"I don't think you're going to come back," Luffy said without a pause, so Ace took it for him,unsure of how to answer that.
"We're always going to come back for you," Ace told him one more time. "I thought you understood that?" One of their unspoken rules. "I'm not going to leave you all alone here."
"You're not the ones I don't trust," Luffy said. "These guys are… not good. They might not let you beat them."
"Nobody has ever let me beat them."
"They'll cheat," Luffy said.
"There's no such thing as cheating in a pirate fight," Ace told him. "I've dealt with cheaters and liars before. I can handle myself."
Luffy huffed, a clear sign he was getting annoyed that Ace didn't understand. "Not normal cheat. They'll do things like- like, make you do everything they say otherwise they'll kill me, but then kill me anyway, and then you, and then do the same to your not-friends," he finished before adding. "Sometimes your kind of stupid in a fight and you seem like you would be stupid right now."
Ace couldn't argue with that. Not at all. He was feeling pretty stupid right now. And sometimes in a fight, all the blood would just rush to his head and all his good intentions would just fly out the window.
He tightened his hand on Luffy's. "I got to go find Sabo," he said. "And them do some other stuff. But when this is over and I come back do you still want me to take you home?"
"Home? To Dawn?"
Ace nodded.
Luffy thought about it. He kind of missed everyone. But then again… "I want to stay with you."
"I'll stay with you even if you go back," he promised.
Luffy shook his head. "I wasn't supposed to leave the island for like- two years. So I sorta cheated. But it already happened now so I can't do anything about it. And I thought it was so lame that I was on a pirate boat and it passed by all these different places but I didn't get to see anything cool."
"You want cool places?" Ace asked and he nodded. "Okay- we can do that."
Luffy's eyes seemed to light up, a smile quickly forming.
Ace smiled back at him. Luffy looked really happy. Something he hadn't seen in a long time. He had missed his smile so much. Which was kind of embarrassing to admit but screw it. They were way past that now.
For the first time in a long time, Ace's future didn't seem so bad. Sure he would be a scum-of-the-earth, backstabbing, traitor, and the low of the low for the rest of his life. Burdened with the knowledge that his friends were now curing his name and possibly hunting him down, depending on how much outrage he had sparked. But showing Luffy amazing things, maybe Sabo too. That didn't sound so bad.
"There's so much I want to show you. There's this place," Ace started feeling Luffy lean into his side. "It's all sand."
"Like a beach?"
Ace nodded. "Exactly, but there's no water."
"It sounds cool."
"It's not, it's hot," he teased. "So freaking hot! You'd love it.'
XXX
Luffy was scared. That meant somebody was messing with him again. Jozu had met up with Haruta in the tunnels. Haruta was the one who felt Luffy's haki. Not that it was ever subtle. They were lucky the marines were incompetent, otherwise, they would have been discovered a long time ago.
It took them a while to navigate the hallways and the two of them were expecting a fight. But instead, they could hear laughter from the tunnel. Not exactly a war scene.
The marine that Jozu assumed caused the conflict was unconscious and tied up at the other end. Thatch had beat them here, alongside -to his relief- Marco. Who appeared to be well enough if not a little pale?
They sat, backs against the wall across from the two brothers. The laughter had been Thatch's. Marco was busy going through his medical kit, although Jozu could see his smirk.
"Luffy No!" Thatch said. "Have you just been slamming us behind our backs this whole time?"
"No!" Luffy tried to argue. "Only some of you!"
"It gets worse," Ace told them gravely.
Luffy turned to look at his brother. "Stop!"
"Worse than that!" Thatch said. "I don't know if my heart can take hearing, you guys being called lame again."
"He said that you weren't that cool," Ace told him.
"Ace!" Luffy whined.
"Ouch!" Thatch's hand leaped to his heart like he was in physical pain. "I thought we were friends Luffy! Suddenly I'm, not that cool!"
"We Are!" Luffy insisted. He shook his head in disapproval at Ace. "That one was a secret!"
"I guess you're his only true friend Ace," Marco said dryly as he rewrapped the bandages.
Ace shook his head. "No one is safe from Lu."
"Did you say you were less than awesome?" Thatch teased.
"No, I'm a rat faced… uh-."
"Two-timing bastard," Luffy finished for him grumpily.
There was a moment of silence before Thatch died. Even Marco snorted, nearly spilling the contents of the bottle.
"Oh my god, Luffy," Thatch wheezed quietly. "Don't bully your poor brother. And do us all a favor and don't repeat everything those guys said. You're way too sweet for that kind of stuff to be coming out of your mouth.
Jozu shifted, the noise drawing everyone's attention, their good humor immediately forgotten.
Everyone relaxed when they realized it wasn't the marines – or almost everyone. Luffy looked tense. Long gone was his sullen annoyance at being teased.
"Ack, guys you scared me," Thatch said.
"Sorry, Haruta said," as they joined them. "No Izou?"
Marco shook his head. "Not yet." Haruta slid down the wall beside them. Jozu moved to do the same on the other wall but apparently, he was still actively scaring the kid as Luffy backed up a little bit, pushing closer to his brother in the progress.
"Are you okay?" Jozu asked him, gesturing to the knocked-out Marine at the other end of the hall.
"He's fine," Ace said when Luffy obviously wasn't going to answer. At least Ace was sort of talking to them. Although Jozu doubted the teenager was going to joke around with them like he used. He wondered what had changed with the other two pirates that made Ace trust them again. At least a little bit.
The situation was too complicated, and it gave him a headache. The literal last thing he should be worried about right now was never hearing Ace's corny jokes again. But having the laughter turn to tension when you entered a room was kind of hard to ignore. It was more annoying than anything else.
Luffy was staring up at him, his eyes big. When he turned to give him a questioning look the kid didn't turn away. But his hand did tighten in a warning. Jozu didn't realize it at first but Luffy still was holding Ace's hand. The older boy's fingers were nearly white with how hard he was gripping it. He definitely was scared then.
Being one of Luffy's villains was almost as annoying. It wasn't a part he played well. Jozu had nothing against him. Not even the fact that Luffy must have had plenty against him. As far as kids went Luffy was kind of cute. This was surprising because Jozu had never met a teenager whose behavior could be classified as cute. It was basically a synonym. But he also hadn't met a kid who was so unconcerned with what anybody thought, who literally lit up when his brothers hugged him instead of pushing them off.
"Okay," Jozu said, no longer able to take the thousand-yard stare. "I'll go get Izou, see if he's made any progress."
"Be careful," Marco warned. "We should go, before that guy wakes up."
"Hey," Ace said, almost shyly. "If you two," he meant Marco and Thatch, "-have a moment can I talk to you?"
"The two pirates shared a look."
"Sure?"
XXX
The marine ships were closing in on them from all sides. But then again, so where are Whitebeards allies. Who the underdog was here had yet to be determined.
With the island insight, and the players lining up Whitebeard had one final thing to say to his children.
He had waited, until they were all on deck beside him, facing down the opposers with the kind of bravery he had always admired in them. This wasn't just another fight. This was personal.
He gave the miserable base of sleet rock one last look, turning instead to face his children. They were watching him, waiting for a battle cry or perhaps an epic legend. He had none of that today. Whitebeard just had the truth. One he kept from them far too long.
"My sons," he said. "I know how badly you want to save your brother -and your brothers who I sent straight into the monster's mouth. We will, I assure you that. If I have anything to say about it. We will see them all returned to us. And I will get justice against those that did this." He didn't need to say Teach's name- everyone knew. "I want to make this clear. This isn't a war of pride or any agenda. We are here for our family, which was unfairly stolen from us."
His children were seething. He couldn't recall a time where they were this angry. They had loved Thatch, and they had trusted Teach.
"There's one more thing," Whitebeard told them. "And I need each of you to heed my words here because I have been lying to you for some time now."
Whatever they had expected it wasn't that. The group's anger seemed to rile down a little as they looked at each other confused.
"I had my reasons, ones that I believed would save the life of your brothers. But accept my apology for what it is and listen to me now. There is time for talk, when this war is done. For now, you need to know that Ace is not the enemy."
That was met with even more silence until multiple voices spoke up. "Of course, he is! He sided with Teach! He killed Marco! He tried to do the same to you!"
One look from Oyaji quieted them down.
"Teach was blackmailing him," Oyaji told them. "With a number of reasons that will no doubt about to be made painfully clear by the military."
"But Marco-,"
The large man turned towards the base before them. "Marco, I pray is still alive, as well as the rest of them. But not if we don't help them."
XXX
Thatch made a face. "I don't like it."
"I know," Ace said. "I'm sorry. I don't like it either."
"To be fair," Marco said. "I was going to make you stay behind either way. You're not exactly in fighting shape right now."
"I'm fine," Thatch told him pointedly. "Or I would be but," his eyes softened. "Ace it's fine. I'll do it."
Ace nodded. "Thank you, guys. I owe-,"
"You don't owe us anything," Marco cut him off, loading his syringe. "Like it or not you can't do everything yourself."
"And I don't like it," Ace sighed as he got up. "I really hate doing this."
"You and me both," Thatch muttered as they moved to rejoin the group. They had found Izou, who thought he might have an escape route for them.
Haruta looked up as the three came back over. "Should we go? The quicker we get out of here the less chance of getting caught by marines. Plus we need to check in with pops as soon as possible."
Marco shook his head. "We'll go," he promised. "I think we could all use a couple of minutes break first."
Jozu huffed, but no one challenged him. They were all exhausted at this point.
Ace caught Marco's look as he passed, moving to sit back down beside Luffy. He smiled as his little brother looked up at him.
"I have to give you something."
Luffy tilted his head as Ace pulled off his backpack. Careful as he pulled out a familiar straw hat. "Sorry." Ace told him watching Luffy's eyes grow huge. "I meant to give it to you ages ago- but with everything, I sort of forgot." It was entirely too disturbing that Luffy hadn't asked about it, not once. But Ace didn't want to even speculate about why not. He watched Luffy reached out to touch it but he drew his hand back. Like he thought he would dirty it. Another deeply disturbing thing.
Luffy looked up at Ace in awe. "You saved it."
"Of course," Ace told him, offering it to him. "I always save your hat."
Luffy smiled up at him, delight clear on his face. But he shook his head. "Can you hold onto it a little longer?"
Strike three. Something was wrong with him. Ace frowned. "You sure?"
Luffy nodded.
"Okay, I'll keep it safe during the fight."
"Can I come-," he started but Ace cut him off. Wrapping his arms around him. "Later okay," he said, his voice soft. "We'll talk about it later."
Luffy nodded, settling gently against Ace. Like his new normal, Luffy was always prepared to fall asleep now.
Ace frowned, running his fingers through Luffy's bangs. He leaned closer, so only his brother would hear him.
"Lu, can I tell you something?"
"Mm," Luffy agreed, turning sleepily.
"I think everything good in me - I probably learned it from you."
Luffy smiled, half asleep. "No," he told him. "You're awesome. All on your own. If you were bad- I wouldn't have wanted to be friends."
Ace sighed, hugging him closer. "Whatever you say."
When Luffy was almost asleep he felt the sleeve of his shirt being tugged up. He shifted a little in annoyance. The hands immediately disappeared.
"It's fine," Ace told him, hugging him. "You're fine."
The weight on his arm was back and something sharp poked into his skin. He whined but Ace still didn't let go.
"I'm sorry Lu." He felt his brother's hands in his hair. "I'll come back for you. We both will."
Luffy wanted to ask to come with him. But he was too tired. With his entire body getting heavier and heavier Luffy had no choice but to trust Ace's words.
"When he was finally asleep," Ace stood up, picking Luffy up to hand him over to Thatch.
The man was frowning. Disturbed from seeing his friends drug his other friend. Ace guessed this was not the first time someone had done something like that to Luffy.
"I'm sorry," he said again. It was not something Ace had ever wanted to do or wished to do again.
"It's okay," Thatch said. "He wasn't going to quit. I know. I'll take care of him until you get back. I promise."
Ace nodded. He knew he would. "Thank you Thatch- seriously."
"Don't thank me," Thatch said. "I want to do this. I'm not going to let anything happen to Luffy again!"
Ace smiled at his friend, running his fingers through his little brother's hair one last time before he turned away. Marco nodded at him. "Ready?"
"I'm ready," Ace said. "Let's go."
XXX
Welcome to the war guys!
I wrote this thing in one night and dan! I hope you like it.
I wonder if Luffy is going to stay safe and away from the action, so as not to mess up everyone's plan? (You guys don't need to call me on my unsubtle plot bunnies. I know what I am and am the appropriate amount of ashamed.)
So, a little quick note on Ace. The entire story he's been playing both teams of "I want to save Luffy and take care of him," and also "I don't really expect to make it out of this war." I'm not trying to be sloppy. I kind of thought of it as sort of cannon-like for Ace's character. He makes Luffy an impossible promise and then continues to be self-sacrificing. I think, at least in this story, Ace is stuck between two ideals. He knows it's his job as Luffy's brother to protect him, and make sure he doesn't end up alone in the world and hurting. And also Ace feels (on a more subconscious level) that there is no coming back from this. He doesn't deserve to live, the world would be better without him, and Luffy would be better without him. Like he said in this chapter he has good intentions until he gets hot-headed in a fight and then all bets are off. This is why Sabo/ Marco/ and Luffy are all concerned (That's why Ace needs a babysitter).
Plus. Regarding Luffy's smile. His lil grin in 52 marked the first time in 20 chapters that he smile. This one was his first true smile. Which was hella annoying for me to remember. But hopefully paid off.
So anyways! This is going to get rough! But nothing but cuddles afterward. And plenty more Ace tattling on Luffy.
XXX
On an unrelated note. If anyone reading is someone that was unable to save their pets in time. (You know what I mean and I am SO sorry.) My heart goes out to you in every way. Hearing our friend's/neighbors' stories is the reason I wrote this- too disturbed to sleep. I will go look again tomorrow for any strays and get them to the shelter.
XXX
I'm really sleep-deprived. So forgive me if some of these review answers become nonsensical gibberish hallway though- it's not dism that he hover the aifnsjgpnpiseadjadsc
Catspirit: Thank you! And same to you! The sea king will return in 2022. As well as the dads. Boo TEach! And thank you again. (Ace knows Luffy too well.)
Wishfull-star: Yeah, I felt bad but this is the last split up! Unfortunately, it's going to be a long -ish seperation. Merry Christmas to you too!
Crazykittylover: Aww, that is so nice. What a lovely review. And sorry about making them sad haha. This story is my emotional frustration output. (Poor Luffy). Don't worry! I ill never kill babe. (Secretly hm, you might just find out in a few chapters what it would look like). I will do my best for an epic showdown! Luffy's friend will return. And thank you again! So nice.
AzraelMairsile: Me too! ASL fan. I think by the end of the fic WB would love to adopt them. But unfortunately, they have other plans. I don't think he knows Sabo and Luffy well enough yet to want the whole collection. Soon tho.
xXxWolvesInTheNightxXx: Thank you! SAbo will be fine! He's tough. Although yes Ace will be mad!
Kitsune Foxfire: Sabo's plan 'blew' his expectations away. In an 'explosive' way. And thank you! (my subtlest puns ever.)
samantha. 4: Luffy is going to be an angry kitten times two now, with both brothers breaking their promise. And thank you! The holidays were wonderful. The eve of new year's eve had far to much hellfire. But I'm grateful my town didn't get wiped out. I hope your holidays went better than mine.
Shainat: Thank you! So nice.
Aquarica: Unfortunately. But this time it's going to stick for a little while. At least for Luffy. Thank you!
Lifeisadream: Thank you! And here!
qiaraz97: Wow, you need sleep more than I do. And Yes :. ( me too. Luffy is a strong little guy though.
Haha, (No one wants their brand of justice). I like that. Well said.
Soon they will have their happy ending. Yes, shanks will, but it will be tragically canon-like. Luffy's friend will also be there. In a less than cannon capacity. Of course, and thank you for the nice reply.
Guest: Thanks! I'm glad to hear you liked it. Of course! Luffy will always liv. He is the best boi. Dragon si near, Shanks is in the wind. Teach will participate but he knows everyone is gunning for him. Of course and happy new Year as well.
Sakihinata: Same bro.
Shandrabowlby: Shanks is a little MIA right now. But Whitebeard is a yes. People told me not to include Garp IDK. I opened it up and the consensus was no. So he's being grounded by Sengoku.
Urutiyori: Three! The joys of being unemployed.
Of course! Thanks for the review. And Luffy is going to get so spoiled soon. By everyone. Ace and Sabo already make sure he's always in reach for a cuddle. But the cuddles will amp up when they can!
Irene Sharda: I'm glad you like it. And of course Marco had to save him and Sab needed revenge. Best boi's. I promise that everyone will get all the cuddles once this is over.
Kailyme: Thanks! Of course. And thanks for writing me. That's so nice to hear. Sabo does one better and blows that guy up. I love Marco Luffy too! I will try to put more in once they are free.
Have also a happy New Year as well!
Mel72000: of course!
ThePansexualFish: Aw, That is so nice to hear. You are so sweet!
And haha, same. I love the whump.
I think the unpredictableness is thanks to my horrifying ADHD, but I am glad to hear its somewhat being pulled off! I hope you have a wonderful year.
Masofi: Don't worry! I am never going to kill Luffy. He is too sweet. I adore the three brothers too. I am glad to hear you liked it. Yes! I am up to date with both. Spoil it away.