Ace of Spades

by himmelblu

Ace of Spades, the most feared name across the ocean, he was the most feared and notorious assassin and informant there ever was. No one knew who or what he was, some say he is the spawn of the devil. And now, the Whitebeards needed his help. And maybe they even get a new son in the process. (Up to chap 52 'The Plight' is main story, the rest are just loose ends and ideas)

69. AoS Chapter 68 The Ordinary

Hello everyone, here is the next chapter to this story

I know this is really late up, but it's at least up now. This will just be a mix of everything and stuff for later

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

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Whitebeard looked at Ace when the kid stood up, heading a few feet away before he stretched out a hand with an apple in it, standing still with a calm look. Whitebeard could see his children frowning and wondering what Ace was doing too. But, as the captain was about to ask what, Trevor made a small motion, making him keep quiet. He wondered what Ace was doing, and after a couple seconds, he heard some sounds from the forest, looking to the forest edge and seeing a deep brown horse coming out of it reluctantly, its mane long. The captain blinked as the horse was looking at Ace and the red apple in his hands. The horse took a step forward, before shaking its head and trampling, neighing as it seemed scared and reluctant. Ace kept standing still with his hand out, not moving and letting the horse go at it's own pace, slowly and carefully walking up, stopping a few times as he stomped and neighed, obviously scared but Ace's calm posture helping.

"This is how Ace does it." The captain sent a look at Trevor, who watched Ace with a calm look. "He creates a bond. It's a gift Ace has. Azuruko was the same. It's amazing to watch." Whitebeard turned back to Ace, watching how the horse was just a couple feet away from Ace, neighing as it stomped and reared, before shaking its head as it took the apple Ace held. The horse ate the apple carefully and Ace moved a hand to the horse's neck, stroking it. "Hi. You're a beauty, aren't you? Where did you come from? There aren't horses here." Ace spoke in a calm voice, moving his hand to take another apple from a pouch, letting the horse eat it too as Ace moved a bit to the side, moving a hand towards the horse's shoulder as he stroked it, the other hand being in front of the horse's mouth. "What's this. You belonged to a noble, did you?" Whitebeard saw a faded mark on the horse's shoulder, most likely a brand, looking like something that could be letters of a kind, most likely something nobles used. "Why are you here? There isn't anyone here." That was true, it was a small uninhabited island.

Ace moved his hand to grab another apple, obviously being prepared. Ace then moved a hand to the horse's neck and moving some hair away as Ace scratched and petted the horse. "What's this? You've been cut." Ace moved the mane away from the neck, the captain blinking as half a foot from where the mane started, there was a long hole straight through it's neck. Ace moved his hand to the hole, the horse stomping a bit as it neighed, Ace petting the horse as he moved his hand to pet the horse's nose, taking a fourth apple out. "It's okay. I just want to look." The horse calmed down and Ace moved a hand to the wound again. "It's healed, surprisingly well. Did your owner try and kill you? He barely missed the main artery. You're a strong one, aren't you? Are you alone here? I don't think there are more of you here."

Ace then crouched down and placed the remains of the apple on the ground, making the horse move its head down as it ate the apple, Ace moving to pet the horse's back. "You're a bit skinny, but seem well. Were you a racing horse? Your legs are strong." "Bunny." Ace moved a hand and waved at Trevor. "Yeah yeah. Just one." As Ace had said it, he moved the hand back to the horse's back, before moving to jump on the horse's back. Ace barely managed to get himself seated on the horse's back before it reared,Ace holding on, before the horse took off running, Ace holding on with a smile and a laugh. As they were gone into the forest, Trevor sighed as he shook his head. "Bunny always like to take a ride when he finds stray horses. Or heards. Just horses. Bunny likes horses." Whitebeard could understand that. Ace always enjoyed being around horses, and even had a few special ones he cared for. "I wonder," Started Izou, looking at the silver-haired assassin. "Why don't you like horses? is it just because they're large?" Trevor snorted. "No, II don't since they shouldn't be alive. No animal with that many flaws shouldn't exist." It had all of them frown, Izou responding first. "What do you mean with flaws?" Trevor shrugged. "Look away from the few health issues from human breeding. When they run at a certain speed, their lungs bleed. A flaw which humans have tried to remove without luck, their lungs are like if their diet is to rich or low in selenium- which is found in roots, beans, seed, and such- their hooves fall off. Their legs are actually hyper-specialized fingers, and as human fingers, they have little muscle support and when they break, even an uncomplicated break, their legs can usually not be used again and needs to be put down, or they die slowly and painfully. And yet! They are so common! Even in the wild! I don't get it, so I hate it, and sure there is something with the horses, something bad or ominous that's just waiting to show itself."

Izou blinked. "They what?" Trevor snorted. "Horses suck in how they're made. I know they're evil!" Mika chuckled. "Ignore Trevor. He's just paranoid of horses for some reason." Whitebeard could understand that was many flaws, especially for a species like horses that have existed for many centuries. Izou gave a nod as he seemed shocked himself. "I didn't know that. But they seem so strong." Trevor moved a hand up. "Exactly! That's what they want you to belvie!" Mika clapped her hands. "Okay, Trevor! Don't bring your whole paranoid beliefs in to this. You're just weird." Mika then looked at them. "Just relax. Trevor is just weird." Trevor gave a small huff, but it quickly changed to an amused look, not able to keep the pout up as Mika gave him a look. They then moved around as they checked the area more out, but not heading fast as they wanted to have time to drop by more islands the next weeks too.

It was just casual chatter and moving around before the captain heard some sort of trampling coming from the forest, and had a feeling it was Ace and the horse. It wasn't a trained horse, so it might have made Ace fall off, but he had a feeling Ace had some control on the horse's back. As the horse came trampling at full speed out of the dense woods, Ace still holding on and having a smile, the horse didn't manage to see Jozu before it was just a few feet away, obviously startling the horse, it halting its leg as it came to a complete stop, before quickly turning around and going to head the other way. But Ace, who didn't really have much to hold on to at all, didn't get enough time to react and got thrown off the horse's back, being knocked into Jozu, who got knocked down to the ground, it sounding to have hurt. After a second, Ace sat up, a hand on his head as he had gotten a wound on it that seemed bad and bleeding, as well as a couple bruises.

Before they could react to that, Ace looked at Jozu. "Why are you so hard? A human is supposed to be soft! That was like hitting a rock!" Ace stood up with a hand on his head, trying to stop the bleeding. "Or you know what, a rock would have been softer. Damn that hurt." Trevor chuckled, handing a cloth to Ace. "And that's why he's called 'diamond' Jozu." Ace chuckled, using the cloth to dry the blood away. "Probably. Should have picked another guy to crash into." Ace moved the cloth away and looked at it, Whitebeard feeling worried when he could see how bad the wound really was. He could see the white of the skull visible in the midst of the still bleeding wound. Ace moved the cloth back again as a drop of blood fell. "Ace," Started Thatch, also looking worried. "You should probably head to Bay." Ace and Trevor turned to the chef, Ace blinking as he took the cloth down from the wound again. "Why?" Asked Ace, and he could see Thatch on his way to answer, but all words died on his tongue as the head wound just disappeared, the skin slowly remodeling itself as it healed instantaneously, the captain also seeing bruises just fading away.

When none of them reacted, just shocked at how the wound just disappeared, Ace shrugged. "Well then. Is it gone?" Ace moved to look up, and Trevor gave a look to Ace. "Are you really trying to look at your own forehead?" Ace chuckled, handing the cloth back to Trevor. "Maybe. Wouldn't it be cool if I could?" Trevor snorted. "Yeah. Just imagine your eyes pop out of your skull and turn back to look at you." Ace blinked, turning to look at Trevor. "I was thinking more along the lines of being able to look through myself. Not have my eyes pop out. What's wrong with you? Who the hell thinks that?" Trevor blinked. "Excuse me. It would be more plausible to have your eyes pop out, than to be able to look though your own body!" Ace shook his head. "Next time I'll crash into you." Trevor snorted. "Feel free to. It will be softer though, not like diamond boy over there." Trevor looked at Jozu, who stood up and dusted himself off. "Are you okay? Ace's skull didn't crack your skin?" Ace snorted before Jozu could answer. "I'm not the one made of diamonds." Jozu gave a nod to Trevor. "I'm fine. I think Ace got more injured." Ace shrugged. "I'm fine."

Before any of them could say or do anything else, Thatch waved his arms. "Whoa! Back up! Are we not going to address how the wound just disappeared?!" Both Ace and Trevor blinked, the silver-haired man speaking first. "I know we have told you Ace heals fast." That was true, they did know that. But to actually see it like that was amazing. Thatch blinked. "Fast! That wasn't fast! That was instant! It was like seeing Marco!" Trevor shook his head. "No, Marco regenerates. Ace can't regenerate…" Trevor looked at Ace. "Can you?" Ace chuckled. "I know I can regenerate fingers, toes, teeth, and tongue, although with some buffer time. Don't know about an entire limb. And frankly, I don't want to try." That was extraordinary to hear. Trevor blinked. "Tongue? When did you lose that?" Ace thought for a second. "6 years ago, with that madman… Chrone… Prong…" Trevor clapped. "Ah! Brong! He took your tongue? Why?" Ace chuckled. "I bit of his. Pissed him off." Trevor shook his head. "People usually get mad when you bite off their tongues." Ace chuckled. "You should have seen him when I bit off his nose. I was sure his head would explode or get an aneurysm." Trevor shook his head. "What is it with you and biting off body parts?" Ace snorted. "I don't anymore. I was 14-15, my teeth ached." Trevor blinked. "Huh. That's right. You got your teeth late." Ace nodded. "Yeah. The back ones came in late, the front ones got knocked out by my 9th birthday. Biting people's tongues, fingers, noses, or ears off helped the aching." Trevor lifted an eyebrow at Ace. "You know what? You weird!" Ace shook his head. "It was a win win situation; I got to piss people off and make them be in pain, and soften the aching in my teeth." The captain knew biting on things could help aching teeth, but to hear Ace had bitten off others body parts still gave him a small chill, especially as Ace had lost multiple himself. They also spoke so calmly about it, which made it feel worse in the captain opinion. He could also see it unsettling most of his children too. It was just how the assassins were, calm and open about things, and Whitebeard was sure they would get used to it sometime, weather that was in a week or years, he didn't know, but they would get there.

Things continued calmly after that, everyone enjoying being on land as usual, and they would only stay here for some more hours, before they set off again, another island visible not too far away, which was larger than this and seemed to maybe have some inhabitants. It didn't seem like it was any visible sign of it belonging to some other pirate or marine, meaning it might be an independent island and had their own protection. The captain knew many islands away from the main part of the New World often needed their own protection, but was kind to visitors if they didn't seem like a threat. Whitebeard liked to know which island had inhabitants and what kind they were, in case anything happened or someone needed help, always good with many allies around, just places they knew they didn't need to be on alert at all times.

But they would enjoy a few more hours here, and as they ventured to look more around, not far away, close to the shore, Trevor had approached Thatch with a small hum. "Yo, chef! You like honey?" The chef blinked, before he nodded. "Sure, always nice as we need little of it to help sweeten things. But the good kind is hard to come by." The assassin nodded. "But you would like honey? I've heard the honey from the lethalis bees is the sweetest." Thatch nodded. "Yeah, those have the sweetest, but the hardest to get, honey. Costs a fortune and few places have it,even rarer than regular honey. The bees are the most deadly ones, even poisonous to devil fruits. Not even Marco could go close to them. They kill thousands each year." Trevor nodded. "I know. But still, we can get you a few containers of it." Thatch blinked. "H-how? How much would that cost!" Trevor shrugged. "Cost nothing. Bunny can get it, I think he wants some too and took a few extra containers." Thatch blinked. "What do you mean? Ace knows a harvester?" Trevor shook his head, turning to look at something. "No, but he found a nest." Thatch frowned, turning to look where Trevor looked, the captain too, seeing Ace walking towards a large tree with a hole in it. Before he could think more of it, Thatch sputtered. "W-what! No! The wild ones are the most poisonous! One sting can kill someone Pops' size! Even Marco! They have seastone stingers!"

That did sound bad, but before he could react, even before Thatch could move or say anything else, Trevor waved his hand at Thatch. "Relax, breathe. Ace has control. They won't sting unless provoked." Thatch blinked. "If he's gonna take honey, that would provoke them!" Trevor shook his head. "Nope. They won't sting because of that. Not swatting at them just walk calmly and let them do what they do and they won't sting." Thatch nodded reluctantly, seeming worried as he looked at Ace. Whitebeard hoped it would go fine, not really knowing much about bees. What he knew was that if one moved to sting someone, everyone around would too, to protect themselves. And he knew those bees were the worst and most deadly ones. He looked at Ace too, seeing him walking slowly and carefully to the tree, seeing small black dots flying around Ace, obviously the bees. Ace moved his hand and carefully moved it over his face, probably moving some bees away carefully, before taking a container out and moving it into the hole in the tree, carefully taking honey in the containers, and moving it out and taking a lid on carefully, carefully moving some bees away from it. Trevor chuckled. "Ace is amazing at keeping calm which makes this possible. Most flail their arms and scream, and that's when they sting. But not even I could keep calm in a fucking swarm of them, the buzzing freaks me out and they land on you and just no. Only Ace, Hanzo, and Azuruko are the ones I know can do that. It takes a whole new level of calmness to not freak. One wrong move and you're dead."

It was amazing, and he had to agree with Trevor; it would take more than just being calm to do that. He could keep calm around a couple bees, but a whole nest? That would be over hundreds, if not thousands, of bees at once, all buzzing around you, probably even landing on you. To keep your calm would be amazing. He watched as Ace filled 5 containers with honey, before turning around and walking back, seeming as relaxed as usual. When Ace was close to them, Trevor spoke. "The chef would like a couple jars if possible." Ace chuckled, moving to open the pouch and taking 4 of the jar containers out. "I guessed. Moira want just one, the four others are for you." Thatch stood shocked as he took the containers, the chef blinking as he held the containers and looked at them. "Do you know how dangerous that was?! And this is a lot! We have honey for months!" Ace shrugged. "It's just bees. And the wild ones usually have large amounts of honey in their nests. Just act calm and they won't care that you take some." Thatch blinked. "But, aren't the lethalis bees the most aggressive?" Ace shook his head. "No, that's a myth. People are usually more on edge around the world's most dangerous bees and act irrational. I've been stung many times by the regular kind bees; they are more on alert than the lethalis bees." Thatch gave a stunned nod. "Y-yeah, that makes sense. Thanks; for the honey." Ace chuckled. "Don't mention it. I'll be back soon, I'm just going to drop the honey by Moira." The chef nodded, and Ace headed towards the ship, most likely to grab a few other things too.

The rest of the stay on the island went by uneventful, same with the start of setting sail. They could see the island they might drop by, but it was still about a couple days travel as the wind wasn't in their favor. But it would give them time to see if the inhabitants on the island would allow them to approach or not. It felt nice to be in new waters again, something they hadn't been in a long while, at least not like this, when they didn't know anything about these waters, not just the oocational new island every now and then. Everyone of his children seemed to enjoy themselves too.

It was calm for the first few hours as they set off, before the captain got word of a boat closing in on them, not looking too friendly, making them be on alert. There weren't any flag or anything to say if they were friendly or not, but the boat had some markings none of them had seen. Whitebeard would have asked Ace or the other two assassins if they knew, but all three of them had left for something, telling it was a small assignment, a bit ago. But they would be on alert. It was good they were, as when the boat got closer, it was clear they were looking for a fight, which they already was ready for. What had them shocked, was that the tiny boat had a lot of people on it, many who managed to sneak on board during the fight and had tried to loot what they could, heading into the first room they saw, which was the galley, were the fight just continued. It was an easy fight, but since it also got into the galley, there were now lots of blood that needed to be washed away from the galley. It was easy when it was out on deck, as they could easily scrub and wash it away with water, as it would just flow off the deck. It was harder in the galley as they couldn't just flood it. Fossa was put in charge of the cleaning and ordered people around, trying to figure the best solution on how to do it, before deciding on using some chemicals and just scrub the best they could without too much water. It did seem to go well, it would just take some time.

It was about an hour later that the captain looked over to the railing when he heard a sound, seeing Trevor, Mika, and Ace appearing, done with their assignment work for now. They looked in good moods, so he was sure it had gone fine, but it wouldn't stop him from asking. "How did it go?" Ace gave a nod. "It went…" Ace trailed off, getting a frown, seeing Mika and Trevor looking the same. When he was on his way to ask what was wrong, Ace held a hand up, stopping him, heading towards the galley where many were still cleaning. Maybe someone was still in there hiding? He knew Ace had the most amazing Haki he had even seen or heard about, sensing every person on the ship, even animals in the sea and sky. He could see the others thinking the same, a few inching towards their weapon. The ones to fight them had tried to sneak and hide, so it could be plausible.

When Ace got to the door and opened it, the black haired kid stood still for a second, seeming shocked, before he clapped his hands loud, getting everyone's attention. "Okay! Everyone out of the galley, now." The captain blinked, not sure why he said that. They were still cleaning away the mess in there. He decided to see what Ace would do with them, noticing a few rubbing their eyes, most likely from cleaning for so long. When they were out, Ace looked at them."Everyone who has been in there for over an hour, infirmary, now. The rest, go take a warm shower, then infirmary."

Whitebeard blinked, seeing everyone doing the same, aside from Trevor and Mika. When no one moved, Ace pointed towards the infirmary. "Now. And someone tell Bay what you have been doing." That had everyone move, everyone confused. He was just on his way to ask why he sent everyone to the infirmary, when Ace moved a hand and grabbed a bucket from the galley, holding it up and looking at them out on deck. "Okay, now whose idea was it to mix ammonia and chlorine?" The captain gave a frown, not sure why that was a big deal, looking over at Fossawho had a frown, looking confused. "I did. Why? We needed something strong to rid of the blood." He heard a sound and looked to see Trevor having face-palmed, Mika shaking her head.

Ace gave a sigh. "One would think this to be general knowledge, and I am sure Bay will be furious." The kid looked at Fossa. "Ammonia is a really strong substance, which is why it's used to clean tough stuff, and one always waters it out. Same with chlorine. Now, did not one think that two chemicals who one never use pure alone, is not a good idea to mix pure? And why that is, is because those two together, creates something called chloramine, which is a very lethal gas."Fossa blinked, before looking guilty. "I didn't know… I know they are strong, but not that it makes a lethal gas…" The captain didn't know either, and had agreed on the idea, so it was partially his fault too. Ace shook his head, looking stunned. "You mixed ammonia and chlorine. You should be thankful they were only in the galley with open windows. This mistake kills people regularly." Trevor nodded, looking at them. "It does. I have been called to island claiming a deadly epidemic was out, or a murderer that killed with strangling people in their homes or poisoning them. Was it that? No, it was stupid people who cleaned with this! For heaven's sake! Even we use it in our work now and then!" Both Mika and Ace nodded to that, making the captain realize this was a seriously deadly gas and this could have turned horrible.

Before anyone could say anything else, a clipboard came flying and hitting Fossa in the head, before a furious and vicious voice spoke up. "What in heaven's world is wrong with you?! You mix ammonia and chlorine?! Do you realise how many you could have killed?!" Not a second later Bay was in front of Fossa, picking up the clipboard to hit Fossa over the head again, Fossa trying to get out an apology. Whitebeard started a syllable to tell Bay he was somewhat to blame too, to not let Fossa take the wrath alone, but Ace gave a deadly glare to him. "Shut up! I will get to you!" Whitebeard have never seen Bay this furious before. Bay turned back to Fossa, moving finger to point at him. "And worse! Do you know what would have happened if you had walked in with that smoke of yours?! NO, you don't! You would have made this entire ship explode! Not only did you put your entire division in danger, but the entire family! How you call yourself a commander is beyond me!" It was clear Fossa felt bad and Bay took a small breathing pause, obviously not done yet, but before Fossa could form a sentence or Bay start again, Trevor spoke. "Bay!" The doctor turned around while somewhat panting, barking out a "What!?" As Bay turned to Trevor, the captain saw the silver-haired man had taken the bucket from Ace and had covered the top. And as Bay was facing him, Trevor moved his hand away from the top of the bucket and moving it to be in the doctor's face. As soon as the bucket was in Bay's face, the doctor fell down to the deck with a bang, not moving.

Whitebeard felt himself shocked and before he could react, or anyone for that matter, Trevor waved at them. "Relax. She's fine. A whiff from a closed container makes you pass out, worse if you stay in it. Takes a bit of time and exposure to cause harm and fatality. Also, to show and teach you this is a really bad mix." Trevor then looked at Fossa. "Yes, you made a huge mistake, but no one got terribly injured. Now you have learned. You don't need Bay to chew you out and berate you. But, don't go near the galley for an hour with a cigar, and that means everyone with cigars or smokes." All of them nodded, Whitebeard still a bit worried for Bay, but Trevor waved at him. "She's up and ranting again in an hour." That was good to know. Trevor then looked at Ace. "Room washed in an ammonia and chlorine mix?" Ace nodded. "Yup. I'll go and call Moira. She can fix it in a minute. Either that or to scrub the place down again, making more exposure." Trevor gave a nod and Ace was gone in smoke.

As Ace was gone, Trevor looked at Fossa again, who still looked guilty. "Don't feel to bad. Yes, you made a huge mistake, but as we said, so many does it. Just remember chlorine and ammonia should never be mixed with anything other than water. The same goes with bleach." Mika nodded. "Yeah. And a heads up; bleach and pee makes a more lethal gas, so don't wash the toilets with it." That was new information for him too. Trevor chuckled. "It does. Also, when you need something strong to wash away stuff, ask us. For example; to wash away blood, first use baking soda, then use a brush with vinegar, and then just wash off with a cloth. Works every time, no scrubbing needing. Easy work." Fossa nodded. "I will remember that. Thank you for stopping Bay's rant; not many dares to cross her." That was true, and the doctor would be furious when she woke up. Trevor however, just gave a laugh. "Nah. Bay ain't scary. Her mentor, that is a scary person. Bay's an angel compared." Whitebeard couldn't really see that. Mika nodded. "Yeah. He once did a surgery on me, needed to remove a rib from my lung. Got barely any pain relief, got no sleep medication, got no anesthesia, and was awake for the damn ordeal and forced to keep a conversation with him up. If I didn't, he would use a needle and poke stuff inside me, which hurt like hell. Bay is so nice compared." That sounded horrible. Bay was stern, but she always made sure you didn't feel unnecessary pain and was sure you were asleep during the whole procedure.

Before any of them could speak, Dust cawed from the mast he was perched on, Ace appearing with Moira. As they were on the deck, Moira looked at MIka and Trevor. "Did they really wash with ammonia and chlorine?" Trevor nodded, moving the bucket to her. "Oh yeah. Here, completely pure too." Moira shook her head. "I was sure Ace joked. Who doesn't know that those creates a lethal gas?" Trevor motioned towards them. "The pirates doesn't! They know now." Moira shook her head, following Ace to the galley, giving s sigh as Ace opened the door. "One would think when the fumes started to sting your eyes, nose, and mouth, that they would have realised. This could have been bad." All of the assassins nodded, and Whitebeard was glad Ace and the others had showed up and made them stop, before anything bad happened.

Moira looked at Ace. "Just this room?" Ace nodded. "Yes." Moira looked inside. "Anything that can get water damaged easy?" Ace hummed as he looked inside the room himself. "No, don't think so." Moira nodded and moved her hands up and made some motions, and not a second later, heavy rain started to fall, the sun still shining, but clouds starting to somewhat from. Was this the woman's doing? As the rain started to fall, Moira moved her right hand a bit out, and Whitebeard felt as if the rain moved with it. Then, with a small breath and a look of concentration, Moira moved her right hand to the left, her hand also moving from open to closed. And as she did, Whitebeard sat stunned as the rain stopped mid air, before moving through the open door and windows and out on the other side, him seeing through the door the rain droplets moving over every surface, before vaporising into the rain had vapourized inside the galley, it stopped completely and the sun shined brightly again, Moira giving a breath as she looked at Ace. "There, that should do it. Try not to let them do it again; stupid mistakes can cause lives." Ace nodded. "Don't worry, we will make sure it won't. Thank you for the help, Moira." Moira shook her head. "Don't mention it. I have some work I can do on the island nearby anyway. See you next week." Ace gave a nod, and Moira gave a small goodbye wave to the other two assassins, before he body just slowly disappeared, as if her body was made of sand the wind just blew it away.

Whitebeard sat in shock, trying to comprehend what had just happened. Moira could control the rain to do that? He knew she somewhat controlled it and felt what the rain hit, but not that she could control it like that. It didn't even seem to be tough for the woman to do, just like moving her hand and it was done. It was clear the woman had full control of her powers, or at least most of it, and wondered what Ace would be able to do after doing his training. "Wait, Woah! Stop! She can teleport to?!" That was a thing that didn't really surprise the captain; these legendaries were extraordinary. Ace hummed. "No, she can't." All of them blinked. "Eh, no, Ace. She just did. She went like poof! Gone!" Trevor chuckled, looking at Ace. "Ain't they cute. They think Moira can teleport!" Ace chuckled. "Now, Trevor. Don't be mean. It's perfectly reasonable to think she can teleport." Trevor hummed. "Yeah, guess you're right." Thatch blinked. "Okay. What did she do then? If she didn't teleport?" Trevor chuckled. "That's for an another time, chef. Not my thing to tell." Ace snorted. "Yeah. You out me without a second thought. But not Moira." Trevor shrugged. "I know you better than Moira." Ace sighed as he shook his head. It was clear they wouldn't be told what Moira did, and the captain was interested in what that was. These powers were amazing and extraordinary, not like a normal, or for that matter, unnormal and strong devil fruit. It was stunning to see, and he was interested in what Ace could do. He had spoken with Marco about letting Trevor and Mika step up, which he agreed to, and Whitebeard had told that to Trevor, who said he would bring it up again when it fit. For all he knew, the assignment they had just had, might have been a meeting or something, especially as Moira had said she would see Ace next week. He would let Trevor take the charge of that for now.

The rest of the day went by uneventful, Bay being in a small huff when she woke, but didn't seem as mad anymore and just left with a glare to both Fossa and Trevor, the latter just waving it off with a chuckle, which only seemed to annoy the doctor more. Whitebeard was also curious about her mentor, but he had never heard anything about Bay's past. Everyone who had been cleaning soon got back, just a few saying their eyes hurt and probably would for a while, Bay having said it was normal and no one had any lasting damage. Fossa still looked guilty, but it had all gone fine, no one got injured, and that was the important part. Whitebeard would still keep that information in mind, that certain chemicals cause lethal gasses, which made sense, but he never thought about.

-x-

Marco panted as he relaxed against his pillow, taking some deep breaths to get his breath back, looking to his side to see Ace moving to lie down on his side next to him, giving a small chuckle at him as they both came down from the high of their activities. Ace moved a hand to his chest, before moving it to move some of his hair away from his forehead. "You're all sweaty." Maroc chuckled. "Well, I must say that's common after having fun, yoi." Ace laughed, moving to lie on his stomach, a hand under his chin as he looked at him. "I guess you're right. we can open a window, you know." Marco hummed. "Nah, it will just get cold, yoi. The evenings here are chilly, even though the day is warm." Ace laughed. "Ever been in the desert? Searing hot in the day, and minus degrees during the night." Marco binked. "Really?" Ace nodded. "Yes. Many who dies in the desert die of hypothermia during the night. Many doesn't know that." Marco hummed as he thought that over. "I knew it was chilly, but not that cold, yoi." Ace chuckled as he closed his eyes, seeming to relax. "Many don't, the reason many die." That was something he would remember, in case they got close to a desert island. It might not be like that by the shore, but probably more on the island itself.

Marco moved his hand on Ace's back, the other opening his eyes with a smile, Marco giving a breath. "You know, you don't really sweat, yoi." Ace chuckled. "You haven't noticed before now? My body's naturally cold, one of the reasons I like warm places." Marco hummed. "I've never paid much mind to it, yoi. You do pant and seem out of breath at times." Ace nodded. "Yeah. I can get tired or exhausted, but it's rare I sweat. I really hate it when I'm sick; it's yucky." Marco chuckled. "Yucky, yoi?" Ace shrugged. "Not sure what else to call it. Your clothes and hair is sticky and it's like you have a layer of sticky substance on you. It sucks." Marco chuckled. "I know. One of the perks of being a phoenix; I can just burn it away, yoi." Ace gave a curious look. "Burn it away? You know your fire isn't warm? I think it's more like blowing it off in a way." Marco hummed. "Why does it sound like you know my powers more than me, yoi?" Ace chuckled. "Who knowns. I often know people better than they know themselves. Comes with the job." Marco wasn't really surprised by that. Ace knew a lot about many things.

Marco gave a breath, moving his hand to be between Ace's shoulder blades. "Can I ask a question, yoi?" Ace gave a look to him. "Of course. You know that. It's the answer part that's a bit uncertain." Marco gave a gentle look. "Why don't you want to top, yoi? It seems you repulse the idea." Marco had asked Ace earlier, and he had made a grimace at it, before brushing it off, seeming to not like the idea at all. Ace gave a sigh, closing his eyes, getting an indecisive look. Marco moved his thumb on Ace's back. "It's fine if you don't want to tell, yoi." Ace shook his head. "No, it's not that. I just need to find out how to explain it." Marco gave a nod and continued to move his thumb comfortably on Ace's back, before Ace sighed. "I feel it gives one a certain amount of power over the other person, a sort of dominance. I feel it gives a sort of control over another human being in a way I'm scared to have. I know it can be used as a weapon, and it causes so much pain and destruction, and I'm scared to have that power and authority over another person."

Marco gave a comforting look. "I understand, yoi. I never thought of it like that." Marco moved his hand to Ace's cheek. "And I know you would never be one of those, you would never use it as a bad thing, yoi." Ace gave a breath as he nodded. "I try and say that to myself, but the idea is just… to harrowing for me. Everytime I try and imagine it, I always see… myself, on how horrible it can be." Marco gave a nod and understanding look, stroking Ace's cheek. "I get it, it makes sense, yoi. I'm glad you told me." Marco was, he never thought that was the reason, that Ace was scared to bring the same pain he had felt on others, always thinking it was just a choice. Ace had a lot of trauma and ti was hard to see, but Marco was glad Ace was opening up. "Have you tried, yoi?" Ace gave a slow nod with a sigh. "Half heartedly tried twice, just to… I don't know, see how it would be. I just couldn't, I couldn't imagine myself doing it, I always felt… sick, when trying, the person just changed to… me." Marco nodded, bringing his head closer and resting his forehead against Ace's. "It's okay, you don't need to do it, yoi. I just wondered." Ace gave a small nod, giving a breath as he seemed to relax, eyes closing.

Marco let out a breath. "I feel a bit bad, though. I never thought of it like that, yoi. It is true you have a sort of power." Ace shook his head, giving a smile. "No, don't be. I trust you. I enjoy how we are." Marco nodded, glad Ace did, and he knew that, but still glad Ace said it. Ace is opening up and Marco was glad he was, so Marco knew what was going on in Ace's mind so he could help Ace through things, as well as understand Ace more; he viewed the world differently. Marco hummed as he moved his hand on Ace's back. "Back to the cold thing, yoi. What's too cold?" Ace chuckled. "I don't like it when the air is colder than myself. So anything below 93 fahrenheit is something I don't like. But below zero is worst." Marco blinked. "Wait, below 93? Your body temperature is 93? 97 is normal low, 93 is close to hypothermia, yoi." Ace chuckled. "Like I said, I'm naturally cold. If I have 97 in body temperature, that's a real bad fever for me." Marco nodded, noting that information. It was good to know for later. Marco then gave a breath as he closed his eyes, relaxing as he kept his hand on Ace's back slowly moving it as Ace relaxed too, just enjoying the moment until they needed to head out again and prepare for the docking on the island they were close to.

-x-

Whitebeard looked over at Trevor, who gave a loud hum, the meeting they had just finished and they were about to head out to do the last things before they docked. "Also, before people leave. Just to inform everyone, including you, Mika, and we can speak more about it and plan." The captain had a feeling he knew what this was about and felt it was good Trevor mentioned it now so they all could settle to it. Everyone was present, aside from Ace, who had needed to leave a bit ago to deal with something outside, sounding like a small fight or something. "We're gonna help as commanders, but j-" Trevor didn't get to finish as Mika gasped. "Yes! We're gonna be pirates?! Commander pirates?! I need a new wardrobe!" The captain could see Trevor trying to speak, but Mika was already running out the door. "Ace! I want to go clothes shopping! Now!" Trevor sighed as the door closed. "I should have realised Mika would be excited." Excited was an understatement, Mika looked and sounded ecstatic. Thatch spoke before they could, looking shocked. "Woah! Woah! What!? You're going to become commanders?! You're awesome and I don't mind, but why haven't we been told this?! What division?! When was we going to be told?!" Trevor sighed, waving his hands. "Before anyone runs out like Mika, let me at least finish my sentence." Thatch and the others nodded. "We're not going to be commanders commanders, but helping Marco out with the first and second division, since Ace is going to be laid off. And!" Trevor quickly continued as Whitebeard could see many on their way to speak, probably thinking Ace was being demoted. "Ace is still a commander, no one is being demoted or let go. But, Ace are going to do some tough training, and being an assassin, commander, and training, will not work. He's already laid off assassin work and have a few to step in as Ace won't work in the field. He's just going to be more on the side, still a commander, recognized as a commander, but everyone should try and go to Marco as he will sort of take over both with Ace as reserve. Which will be way too much work for Marco alone, the reason Mika and I will step in. Everybody got that? No one is being demoted, Mika and I aren't going to take over or make a new division, just help out until Ace isn't exhausted from training. Nothing really changes!" Everyone nodded, and it was a good explanation. Nothing much would change, just that Mika and Trevor would step up a bit, while Ace stepped down, all just temporary.

Before any of them could respond to Trevor, the door opened and Ace walked in, looking at Trevor with a raised eyebrow. "So, why is Mika running around and yelling about needing a new wardrobe for her, and I quote; 'my new commander pirate persona self', Trevor?" Trevor shrugged. "Why do you think it's me?" Ace snorted. "Yeah right, like anyone else makes things like this happen. Why is Mika thinking she will become a commander?" Trevor chuckled. "Because she is." Ace just blinked at Trevor, who did a small motion. "Surprise! You've been let a bit go as Marco will step up to be first and second commander and Mika and I will help Marco as you are a bit of a commander on the side… Sounds fun, right?!" Ace sighed, moving a hand to his face. "Please tell me this is unrelated to the fact I'm going to do some training?" Trevor shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe? I mean, come on! You know how Moira was! It's tough, and that's a fact. Better to have more free time than not?" Ace sighed. "Why can't things like this be run by me first? Seeing as it is about me?"

Trevor snorted. "Yeah. Your response would be 'no'. So we took the decision and you just need to deal with it. If you feel fine to be a full commander, go ahead. If not, Mika and I are here." Ace shook his head. "Fine, do whatever you want to do." Trevor calpped as he lifted his arms, obviously glad Ace went with it, before the silver-haired man looked at Ace. "Also, I want to join shopping! Might get some new clothes myself." Ace chuckled. "Well then. I'm apparently taking people out for shopping, who wanna join?" Trevor hummed. "You or Ann?" Ace hummed. "Maybe Ann. She could use a new wardrobe too, for just random work."

Trevor blinked. "Oh. Is Ann becoming an assassin?" Ace hummed. "No, I'm thinking more of an informant; keep up the no fighting. One that just appears on islands and gets information, maybe small work now and then that doesn't involve fighting." Trevor hummed. "Should I prepare Soul for the 'Ann seen at Whitebeard locations' news?" Ace chuckled. "I'm thinking more along the lines of 'Miss Jackson a Whitebeard pirate?', or maybe they bring up the 'secret lover to first whitebeard commander' news." Trevor laughed. "Oh, I hope the last. Imagine everyone thinking Marco is cheating on you with Miss Jackson, and they are like imagining a huge battle between you and Ann, or Marco trying to murder you off to be with Ann, or the other way." Ace chuckled. "That sounds interesting." Marco hummed. "Why do I have a feeling I will look bad in either one, yoi?" Trevor laughed. "Oh no! Imagine the headlines and news, 'Marco the Phoenix managed to date both Portgas D 'Death' Ace, and Miss Jackson!' You will make people scared of you! This will show you're not scared by either one!" Ace chuckled. "Sounds right. People are so paranoid." Trevor gasped. "You know what this means! Marco can join you on sting operations! As your lover or something!" Ace gave a look to Trevor. "You think I should bring Marco to balls that are arranged by nobles or marines? I wonder how the marine captains or admirals will like that? Or the nobles? Or do you mean around the slave drivers and dying people? Pick one." Trevor made a motion. "I might have rushed that." Ace shook his head, looking at them. "Now, who want to join shopping?" Izou gave a small shrug. "I would like to join if I can. Just give a few minutes." Ace chuckled. "I need to change, which takes about 30-40 minutes. So no rush. Those who want to join, wait out on deck in half an hour, and we'll leave for some shopping." Everyone nodded to that, and Ace left to start changing. As the door closed, Trevor chuckled. "Well, that went fine." Thatch blinked. "I still feel left out." Trevor shrugged. "Only ones who knew was Whitebeard, Marco, and I. So don't feel bad." All of them nodded, seeming fine with it.

Trevor then left, probably heading to Mika, just to explain it more. As he had left, the others started asking a bit more on it, if it really was because of Ace training, not a cover. And both he and Marco said it was, that it would be some hard training and it would benefit everyone, nothing really changed, as Trevor had said. Everyone did seem excited to it, many aso glad since it meant Trevor and Mika would stay and do more; everyone did like the two assassins too. Whitebeard would also see if he could bring up officially joining them to Mika and Trevor, but would wait a bit until this calmed down. When Ace came out on deck again, or Ann rather, it was a handful of people that joined in on the shipping trip. They were just gone for a couple hours, back just before they docked. All of them looked excited and happy, and Izou looked to have gotten lots of new fabric, which often meant they would see many new outfits and such for many as Izou got into a clothing inspiration with new fabrics and made a lot of new things for everyone. It always made them happy and Izou was amazing with making things.

When they did dock, a few of the inhabitants met them on the dock, and seemed friendly, letting them stay and just making sure they weren't there to pillage, as a few were. They had probably met one of them earlier with the fight. Whitebeard did say they weren't there topillage, but to just look around and they were just checking places around as they had ventured away from their regular route. The inhabitants did say they don't mind who they were, just as long as they would act nice, not really having take any sides, which was fine for the captain. He knew his children would act accordingly and make a good impression and not make a ruckus. It was a sizable island, and it was clear it had had many visitors as he saw many of the same signs other islands had, a sort of neutral island, which excited here and there. It was still early, the clock just shy of noon. So most just went around and checked what kind of shops and buildings that excited, many also scouting for a bar they could visit when the evening and night came. Seeing as it was a neutral island, even one that seemed to have many visitors, had buildings, shops, and bars in Whitebeard's size, even a few a bit taller, but not too much. The captain had a feeling it would be a good stay here.

When Ace came out again, he gave a small notice to Trevor he would check out a brothel, and Trevor just to be ready in back up, before Ace left. When Whitebeard had asked what it was about, Trevor said that at times, when they were at island they didn't visit often and it had brothels, especially those on neutral islands like this, they sometimes checked if everything was fine there, if anyone was there against their will or anything, and if anyone was underage. Brothels could be a wary of things, all from run fine and good, in a manner of the ones working there wanting to work there, or being run by people who used others against their will. Trevor did say he should ask Ace about it, he did it more often and could say more on it. Trevor didn't do much of the checks, he usually did other things, which he didn't expand on.

Ace was gone for some time, but seemed in good mood when he returned when it was closing in on evening. Thatch had also said he found this large and nice bar close to the dock, and said they should all head there and just take some drinks together. Something many agreed on, and as Trevor said he would join, the silver-haired man tried to get Ace into joining them too. Ace hadn't really joined them in bars on islands, preferring to stay on the boat or just other places, even when they had asked him to join, so the captain wasn't to shocked when Ace decined, but with some pestering from Trevor, agreed to join after a bit, making Trevor happy, same with all of them. Ace never joined them out, so it would be nice, even Trevor saying it wasn't usual Ace joined random bars like this.

The bar was also seeming to be a nice one, the ones working there being in good moods and worked fast in getting them their drinks and some food for a few. All of them were a bit scattered around, but most of them sat at some sets of table put together, Whitebeard glad he could join too, and many of the commanders coming out as well, adding to the different divisions. It was always nice to see his commanders out and enjoying themselves. They also wouldn't stay here too long, going to try and head on around 10-11pm, wanting to move on and maybe come back and stay longer later. People also let them be, which was good as they wanted to enjoy themselves without any issues. But as time went by, the clock maybe closing in on 7pm, a bulky guy came and started pestering them, for some reason choosing Ace to pester on. Ace did handle it calmly and just said no as he moved to get a couple more drinks for himself, the barmaids happily bringing it to the table, giving stink eyes to the man that was pestering them, but didn't say anything.

The man didn't let up with that, and continued to try and get Ace to join him and his buddies for a drink, obviously past buzzed as he sometimes slurred. "Aw, come on! Just one drink!" Ace shook his head, moving his arm over the table to grab one of the beers placed. "Still no. I am happy at this table." Trevor leaned back in his chair to send a look at the man. "Yeah! Give it up; he's taken." The man shook his head. "Oh no, not like that. I've heard about your reputation! I would love to have the famous Portgas D 'Death' Ace for a drink!" Ace had a calm look as he shook his head again, lifting a glass of beer, this one without a handle as it was filled with a darker beer than the others. "No, I am perfectly fine here. Maybe another time." The man gave a groan. "Aw! Come on, pretty bo-" The man cut off as Ace's hand clenched, shattering the glass he held and making the beer and glass fall on the table, as well as blood from the shards that got imbedded in Ace's hand. The captain could see Ace really clenching his hand as his knuckles was turning pale, hand shaking, the captain seeing he had locked his eyes on just something or nothing, seeming to try and keep together, jaw clenched too. Whitebeard got Ace might react to the word, but this was horrible.

The man lifted his hands, getting an apologetic look as he walked backwards. "I'm sorry. I obviously did something I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry." Trevor had a solemn look as he moved a hand to Ace's arm, moving it towards Ace. "Relax, Ace. It's fine." Ace slowly retracted his arm, before he sighed, opening it letting shards fall to the ground with blood, the captain seeing more shards protruding from his hand, looking painful. Ace then moved his other hand to it as it shook some, most likely from pain, having a listless look as he turned around. "I'm going back to the boat." Trevor had a lamentable look as he tried to stop Ace with a hand. "Ace." Ace didn't care and just walked away, heading out of the bar with blood drops falling to the ground. As the door closed, Trevor moved a hand to his face, elbow resting on the table, giving an exhale as he had a poignant look. "Ace finally comes out, and of course this would happen." Mika shook her head too, having a somber look too. Whitebeard felt the same way, hoping Ace was fine. He could see Marco on his way to stand up, but Trevor made him sit down with a wave of the hand that wasn't on his head. "No, don't. I will go after him in a minute. I will just give him a bit to calm down." Marco nodded and sat down, looking worried.

Trevor then gave another sigh as he moved his hand away from his face as he moved things on the table to the side, before using a cloth to gather the pieces of glass in a pile, ready to be picked up when the barworkers came. As he did, some of them also helping, Izou gave a worried look to the man. "Why don't you head after him right away? Wouldn't that be better?" Whitebeard did wonder that too, but also trusted Trevor. The silver-haired man shook his head. "No, he needs a minute. I know what's going through his mind." That had them blink, Izou speaking again. "What's that?" Both Mika and Trevor shook their heads, speaking in unison. "Am I too broken to fit in?" The captain blinked, Izou giving a frown. "How do you know that? Why would he think that?" Trevor sighed. "Because we all think it at times, especially when things like that happen. It's just a word, and yet it just causes such a big reaction for you. It makes you doubt yourself and if you will ever be able to fit in and act normal. What if this work you've done have done so you can never tackle going to a bar, or tavern, or restaurant, or just out in general." Whitebeard could understand that, and hoped this wouldn't happen again. He also had a feeling his children would be more on the alert for people like that, who could throw out words.

Trevor sighed as he looked at Mika. "Can you handle mister pushy guy?" The woman nodded, and Trevor gave a small wave to them before he headed out, obviously going after Ace. As Trevor left, Izou looked at Mika and looked to be on his way to say something, when the woman stood up, heading to where the man sat with his friends. "What's she going to do?" Whitebeard had no answer. "I don't know." Maybe the woman would say that it wasn't okay for him to do that or maybe apologize. The table the man sat on wasn't far away, meaning they heard the whe guys on it sounded a bit shocked when Mika just sat down next to the guy that had said the no no word, giving a kind look to the man. "So, got anything to say to me?" Mika looked really friendly, more so than usual. The captain would have guessed she would be mad, but that apparently wasn't the case. The guy held a hand up. "Listen, I said I was sorry, okay? So why don't you just go back to your table, missy, an-!" The man didn't get to finish as Mika moved a hand to the back of his head and smashed it into the table, the man giving out a pained gasp as he moved his head back when he could, nose obviously broken as it was bleeding bad, same with his lip and eyebrow, that was quickly bruising, the man's eyes tearing up as he was obviously in pain, his friends all scattering away from the table.

Mika then gave a deadly glare to the man with a finger out, speaking in a serious and hostile tone. "Now you listen here! You are not to use any form for nicknames! Get it? It is degrading and despicable! Especially something as degrading as 'pretty boy' or 'missy'! You have no idea if that's okay or not! Do you get it?" The man nodded, a hand on his bleeding nose and panic looking face as he nodded, which wasn't what Mika was after as she quickly moved to smash his head down again, this time making the man almost scream out, giving a choked sound, almost like a sob as he sat up, face looking more bruised and bleeding, his left eye already swelled shut, and a couple teeth on the table. Mika moved closer with a deadly glare. "I want a response! Do you get it?" The man nodded, using a few seconds to find his voice through the pain and blood. "Y-yes! I get it! Please stop! I will never do it again! Oh God! Please stop!" Mika gave a nod, face going to friendly again. "Good. Now, clean up this mess. You've already left so much more work for the barmaid at our table. Have a good day, sir." The man nodded, hand shaking on his face. "I- I will. Good day, ma'am." Mika gave a nod of approval, before she stood up and headed back to their table, sitting down with a smile.

Whitebeard saw the man using a couple seconds to gather himself the best way, before using his sleeve to clean the blood away from the table, and taking his teeth in hand and walking out hurriedly. As the man was out, the bar was silent, no one speaking. And before they could react, Mika moved a hand towards the bar. "Ah, I'm sorry, could I get another beer? Dark if possible. I'm sorry for this mess at my table." The barmaid looked shocked, before she nodded, grabbing a glass and pouring beer in it. "Yes, of course. It's no trouble at all." The glass was quickly in Mika's hand, the barmaid giving an amazed look, starting to clean the glass, blood, and beer away. "And this is on the house; no one has managed to get Troy to shut up." Mika gave a chuckle. "Oh no, it's no problem; we will pay for the damages and our drinks. And I've been told I'm good at getting my point forward. I don't like nicknames, especially ones just thrown out like that." The barmaid nodded, before she went to throw the glass shards away. There was a few in the bar who gave a small clap, obviously impressed and glad she had stood up to that guy.

Izou blinked at Mika as she took a sip of her beer. "Remind me to never piss you off." Mika gave a hum. "I wasn't 'pissed off', just a bit miffed. If I get mad, body parts usually roll around." Izou blinked, before he nodded. "Noted." Mika chuckled, looking down at her beer. "And this is good beer. I should go out more often; I feel refreshed." The captain had a feeling it wasn't the beer that made the woman feel refreshed. Mika was a terrifying person if she wanted to be, and got how she was feared as an assassin. All the assassins had different personalities and characters, which probably made their work more easy.

They just sat and chatted for a while, and it was almost 30 minutes later that Marco stood up and headed towards the exit, most likely going to check if Ace was fine. As the first commander was a few steps away from the table, Mika had lifted her glass towards him. "Trevor's!" Whitebeard had frowned, as well as the rest, not sure what the woman meant. Marco did seem confused for a few seconds, before seeming to get it and headed out. Whitebeard hoped Ace was fine too, that this wouldn't get to him. They would try and keep people away in the future. "Do you think Ace is fine?" Asked Izou, looking at Mika, who nodded. "Yeah, he will be. It's just hard at times, but he will be fine." That was good to know. Thatch gave a thoughtful look. "Should we try and keep people away in the future? I mean, maybe check the bar out first, or be sure someone won't say that?" Whitebeard wasn't really sure, but wanted to try and make sure this didn't happen again. "No, you won't." Started Mika. "Just go on with your day, don't change because of what you saw. I don't mean ignore it; at least you know how Ace reacts, but don't change what you usually do." Thatch blinked. "Why not? Wouldn't it be better if we tried to keep people like that away?" Mika sighed. "Commander Thatch, you're scared of spiders, right?" When Thatch nodded, Mika continued. "How would you feel, if everytime we got on an island, we would say 'oh, wait a few hours, let us check for spiders.' Or by every door we make sure you wait out for a minute while we check for a spider, or keep you from being alone, all in case of a stray spider. Would you feel good? Would you feel dignified?" Thatch swallowed. "I wouldn't. I would feel weak, humiliated, and mocked." Mika nodded. "So, why do you think Ace would feel any different from you? Ace is just another human being, just another person with his own past. Don't change or coddle him, don't take away that dignity. What happened, happened. You learn from it, try and spot the person as he approaches, not search for him all the time. Be ready, be vigilant. This doesn't change anything." All of them gave a nod, Whitebeard understood that and agreed with Mika. They would make Ace feel bad if they tried and keep this from happening all the time or scout for places that were safe. Ace didn't need that. They would be more on the alert when out, but not before it could turn into a bad situation, only acting when they were sure it would turn bad, not try and avoid it all.

-x-

Trevor gave a sigh as he opened the door to his room, seeing Ace lying down in his bed with the pillow over his head, Trevor closing the door behind him. "How'd you know I was here?" He heard muffled by the pillow, making him smile a bit as he sat down on the bed, by Ace's middle. "Because I know you don't want the pirates to see you like this. And the first place they would search are your or Marco's room." He heard a sigh from the pillow, making him move a hand to Ace's back. "Ace, it's okay. It happens." He saw Ace shaking his head under the pillow. "No! It's not! It's just a word. I should be able to handle it!" Trevor sighed. "No, Ace. It's not just a word. It's a nickname, a degrading one. No one should use it." He heard Ace give a sigh. "And yet, a normal person can handle it." Trevor moved his hand on Ace's back. "Not everyone. Many have issues with words or sentences, there is a reason there's a term called 'emotional abuse'. Words can be more than words. It can for all of us."

He heard Ace sigh again, before Ace moved to lie on his side, moving the pillow away from his face, eyes puffy. Trevor moved so sit a bit further down, using a hand to clap Ace on his hip. "Scoot." Ace moved his legs up, making so Trevor could sit with his back at the wall, before Ace moved his legs to be over his lap, or more like this thighs, Ace moving to lie halfway on his back and side, head lying on the pillow as Ace sighed. "Why does it bother me so much, that I react?" Trevor let a breath out. "Because some words holds meanings to itself, like how many feel warm inside when someone say 'I love you', 'you're my best friend', 'you did great.' But instead of feeling happy, you feel stressed, angry, unsure, and terrified. Terrified you will go through that again that you will be at the hands of some madman that manages to get to you. You're scared this will end and change, that you once again will be captured or betrayed." Ace sighed, closing his eyes. "Why am I so worried about that? Especially around them, I trust them." Trevor gave a breath. "And no matter how much you trust them, you will always have that doubt in your head; that it's all just fake and lies. Some you'll trust more than others, some you will never trust as much. All of us are like that." Even Trevor was nervous the pirates would turn their backs suddenly. The only ones he really trusted on the ship were Ace and Mika, but that was because they had been to hell and back together.

Ace sighed, moving his arms over his eyes. "Why must this be so hard? Why can't I just accept it? I want to be able to handle it." Trevor let out a breath, moving a hand to Ace's hip. "It's fine, Ace. Some things are like this. You know how Mika react at times too. Things will get easier, when you get more used to things." Ace gave half chuckle and snort. "I've been here for almost a year, Trevor. A year." Trevor nodded. "I know. And I'm proud on how close you are to them, how much progress you made. Things take time for you, especially to get close to others. You are engaged to an amazing man that loves you so much, and who trust you. I know you trust him too, and you love him too. It's okay and you need time to open up, they all get it. You, even Mika and I, have trust issues. That's just how it is. And there's nothing wrong with that. We all need time to adapt." Ace sighed. "Then how are you so jolly all the time? I feel you're more connected to them than me." Trevor sighed. "You know how the saying goes; fake it 'til you make it. I barely know them, I just act as free as I can, hoping it will help. It really doesn't, but seem to fool them. I think it's good you act like you, and not like me. You trust them more than me, obviously. I still play fool." The last thing Trevor wanted now, was for Ace to think he was failing in bonding with the pirates, and Trevor did say the truth. Half the overexcited play he did was just play. "I distance myself more than you do, the reason I overplay. You don't, and that's good. And even though you think otherwise right now, this might have been a good thing. They need to see the real you; you have issues, and that's fine." Ace sighed, arms still over his face. "Maybe you're right. I just feel so weak and… I don't know, scared." Trevor sighed. "And that's fine. You're allowed to be scared." Ace gave a nod, and sighed, sounding tired.

Trevor clapped Ace on his hip. "Come now, Bunny; give a smile. Or just scream. I don't really care, just react on it." Ace gave a breath, moving his arms to be above his head, Trevor feeling himself sigh mentally as Ace has blank and puffy eyes. Trevor moved his arms out to Ace. "Come here, Bunny." Ace slowly moved his hands to Trevor's as he had a small smile as Trevor dragged him up to sitting somewhat in his lap, giving him a hug. "No matter what, things will be fine. You can be scared, angry, happy, sad, or anything. Don't hold the emotions inside." He felt Ace nod somewhat. "I'll try, Trevor." Ace gave a small smiffle at the end, his teary eyes probably somewhat making his nose runny. He held his arms around Ace for a bit more, and after a minute, he saw the door opening and Marco coming inside carefully, giving a small smile as he looked worried for Ace. The blond man didn't say anything as he sat down on the bed, moving to have his back resting against the wall as Trevor did. Trevor gave a pat on Ace's back. "It will be fine, Bunny. Now, down you go." Trevor moved his hands to Ace's arms again and helped him lay down as he had, but this time, having his head and shoulders in Marco's lap.

As Ace was down, he gave a sigh, looking up at Marco. "How did the others take it?" Marco gave a small chuckle. "They are more afraid of Mika at the moment; she bashed his face on the table, twice, yoi." Trevor snorted. "Yeah, that sounds about right. She does that at times." Marco nodded. "Apparently, yoi. She's good at getting her point out. And, the rest just feel a bit shocked; they didn't expect such a reaction." Ace gave a sigh, moving his hands to his eyes again. Trevor gave a breath as he moved his hand on Ace's hip. "Relax, it will be fine." Marco nodded, moving a hand to Ace's head. "No one will think any less of you, yoi. It just shocked us a bit. I hope you will come out with us again." Ace exhaled with a puff, moving his hands away from his face and to rest beside him. "Maybe, probably. Just not right away, I think." Trevor hummed. "Maybe some more familiar bars, or taverns; they're better in my opinion." Ace chuckled. "Yeah, they are. It was nice to go out; everyone is so happy." Marco snorted. "If there's booze, they are happy, yoi." Ace chuckled. "Yeah, I've seen that." Marco moved his hand through Ace's hair. "This doesn't change anything, yoi. We just know how you react. That, and if it happens again, we will do the bashing, not Mika." Ace chuckled at that, which had Trevor smile. "How about a deal, Marco," Started Trevor. "A combined effort. Believe me, Mika loves to bash people's face in, especially if they deserve it." Marco nodded. "Fine by me, yoi. You want to join in too?" Trevor hummed. "Nah, not always at least. Maybe every now and then just to keep people afraid of me." Marco hummed with that. "You should, yoi. Always nice to have people fear you, especially those you want to fear you." Trevor hummed. "I have a feeling we're going to become a great team, Marco. Imagine putting us 3, Mika, and the rest of the commanders together." Ace snorted. "Trevor, give them some chance to not die horribly." Trevor chuckled. "I don't mean kill! Just, I don't know, maim." Ace hummed. "Yeah, I can work with that." Trevor nodded. "Yes. And, Mika and I need to make a reputation as pirates too." That had Marco hum, looking at him. "I think you already have a reputation, yoi. I think Klaus mentioned it once. You've made an impression in the media, as you've been with us." That was kind of true, Trevor had heard about that. "Well yes, but more that really say 'fuck you, I'm a pirate!'" That had both Marco and Ace chuckle, Trevor glad Ace felt better. He already knew it would be some time before Ace joined them out again, but he would try and get Ace to join them.

The three of them say and enjoyed themselves for a small bit, before Ace mentioned heading back to his room, feeling somewhat tired. Trevor knew events like this always tore a bit on his mind and made him tired, so it was no wonder. An early night sounded good for Acce, to try and make this day be over. It was just 9pm, and they might set sail soon, the captain having seemed to want to head on fast. As he was left alone in his room, he let a breath leave him, thinking over what just had happened. Damn, he really did play fool around the pirates. Trevor really should try and open more up himself. Sometimes, Trevor hated his own advice; he was just too good at times. He would hear what Mika had to say, and take it from there.

-x-

Whitebeard walked towards the railing, the clock just passed 1am and he couldn't sleep, and decided to enjoy a bit of time out on deck, it was a clear night. And, since they had just left the island earlier today, most used the first day as a buffer and actually sleep or stay in and relax. It was one of the most quietest nights they had. As he had headed towards his chair, he saw a familiar shape at the railing, and decided to head over, not having seen Ace since the whole mishap earlier. When he got to the railing and offered a smile to Ace, he saw the kid had a sort of solemn look, looking tired, and a smoke in hand. "Good evening, son. You're up late, or early." Ace shook his head a bit, taking a drag of the smoke. "Early." Whitebeard had a feeling Ace hadn't had the best night up until now. "How are you feeling? It's still rare you smoke." Ace gave a nod giving a sigh. "It takes the edge away. Figured it was better than drinking." Whitebeard gave a breath. "It sort of is. Is that the only reason?" Ace gave a weak snort. "I'm also out of booze, since I decided to make 2 liters of some drug drink that make you insane. And the seller is apparently on vacation for a week." Whitebeard hummed. "And no one else that sells it? Someone has to." Ace shook his head with a sigh. "Only three people do. One hates me- which is mutual- the second has a vendetta against me, and the third is on vacation." The captain wasn't too surprised it was just this few that sold that concentrated vodka.

"Aside from that, how are you?" Ace sighed, taking a drag of the smoke and blowing the smoke out in the wind. "Been better, but okay. I'll survive with my smoke. It helps." Whitebeard nodded, that was good to know. "Had a bad night?" Ace gave a bitter chuckle as he shook his head. "Horrible." Whitebeard had a feeling about that. "The events today probably didn't make it easier." Ace gave a breath as he nodded. "Yeah, it didn't. ...I'm just glad I didn't wake Marco when I snuck out." Whitebeard hadn't expected Ace to elaborate, but was still glad he did. "Marco isn't. He wants to be there for you, Ace." Ace shook his head a bit. "I know. But, one of us should get some sleep." Whitebeard knew well Marco had his own sleeping issues, but nowhere near as bad as Ace's, and it was clear Ace was good at hiding and sneaking out after bad nights, most likely nightmares or something along those lines. "Marco wants to be there for you in hard times, he would rather you wake him than sneak outside. You're not alone in having nightmares or terrors, memories that haunt you and make it hard to go to sleep. Speaking about it can help." Ace sighed as he looked out at the horizon. "Many doesn't wish to go to sleep in fear of nightmares, and there are just as many who don't wish to wake for the same fear."

Whitebeard sent a look at Ace. "Which one do you fit in?" Ace sighed as he shook his head. "I'm not sure anymore. I still remember when it was just the nightmares, when I was young. Now, I don't know; I haven't for a long while." Whitebeard gave a weak chuckle. "When you were young; you're still young. Maybe working more with papers will be a good thing, a break from the worst. And know you can always speak with us, me, about anything." Ace shook his head. "I can't. I know you mean well, but I can't. Everyone think it's just rare incidents that are on our minds, the few things the media mentions, not the actual hell life is. No person want to learn about it, even less be reminded about it." Whitebeard gave a breath. He could understand that. "I can only imagine what it can be like, and the worst must not only have seen it or know about it, but to have lived it, and then be reminded of it later. I know I think I know how the world is, but that is still only barely a quarter of it. I know my words can never help or ease past traumas. But, what I can do, is be here now and help you through what's going on now, help you through the day or night. Even if that is by you sharing a nightmare or a fear, no matter how horrific it is, I will always support you and be here. Sometimes, one just need someone to speak to, someone who listens and tell you it will be alright, and I have no issue with being that one, both for you or Trevor and Mika. I care about you." Ace had leaned his head on his arm that was resting on the railing, giving a nod. "Thank you, that means a lot."

Whitebeard gave a smile to Ace. "I know opening up must be hard, the ones you've spoken to out of the work probably leaving the moment you mention anything bad; I will never do that. I don't know what in detail, but I know the world is hell, especially for some people, the ones you are around. Your regular day is hell for most, your bad days can't be explained by a simple word or phrase, only by telling how it was, or have someone who can relate. I want to be someone you trust and able to speak to, someone who won't flinch or move away from the madness and horror life is." Ace gave breath. "How do you know you won't regret those words?" Whitebeard hummed. "I don't. What I know, is that I will always support you." Ace nodded, moving to look out at the view again. "I will keep it in mind." That was all that the captain could hope for, hoping Ace would take up on the offer.

Whitebeard turned to look at the view himself. "I wonder, the thing you did this morning, checking that place, how did it go?" Ace chuckled. "Brothel. It went fine; it was a good place, a legit one." Whitebeard hummed. "How do you find out it is a legit one? I have heard about the dark room." Ace chuckled, taking a drag of his smoke. "Let's see. I can tell how this one went." Ace then explained how he first poses as a customer looking for a good time, before checking a book of the workers out, checking for children or otherwise hurt or scared ones, before going to the most experienced, usually someone called a madame. And then how the place had been a nice and legit one, the madame being an honest person and explained how things were fine, before Ace paid for him and left.

It had Whitebeard smile. "That was good. I've never given brothels much thought." Ace chuckled. "Many don't, especially those who don't go to them. I usually like to check if I have time and are close by. I always enjoy it when it's a good and legit place like that, that there exist good people around still." Whitebeard nodded. "It is. Not everyone are bad or corrupted." Ace nodded. "Yeah. And madams are usually honest people; they take pride in the name, so many doesn't work at shady places. If they don't have one, it usually mean it's a bad place." That was interesting. "That's good to know. What does it take to be a madame?" Ace hummed. "It's mostly the way they hold themselves; with pride and power, not afraid to speak up. Not all madames offer themselves, many just watch over the place, a person who think just as highly as the cleaner and manager, the most important ones are her charges, the ones she's the madame too, she cares for the workers of the night." Whitebeard nodded. "I can understand that. And in that business, people like that must be tough." Ace nodded. "Yeah. Actually, Ann is known as a madame many places." Whitebeard blinked. "Jackson Ann?" Ace nodded. "Yeah. She sometimes checks places up, get people that are in to deep out, or buy workers and let them go or makes the shady managers suddenly disappear, and a good one appears, and how human traffickers disappears or other kind of people that use other people against their will." Whitebeard didn't know that. "She sounds like a good woman." Ace chuckled. "Yeah. She strived to get the trust she has among the workers and madams, everyone wants to be like her, many she's saved have turned into madams that run things right. It's a good way to get intel too." Whitebeard could imagine that. "How do she still manage to get close to those? If she has a reputation like that." Ace hummed. "Easy. One who has always managed to use his power, fame, or money to get what they want, think she will give with the right thing, sell out information or people. Or how everyone wants to be the one to tame and take her power away. Some just think she's a pretty face, a pretty woman, and want to use that. And, many believes she's just a rumor." Whitebeard could see that. The few times he had seen Ace as Ann, it was clear she held herself high and was a calm person, a confident one.

"I wonder," Started the captain. "Did you know Bay's mentor too?" Ace nodded. "Yeah. That man, he was a special kind of man." Whitebeard hummed. "Was he a good doctor? He sounded to not be the kindest." Ace snorted. "He didn't have any kindness in himself. But, he was the best doctor there was, also one of our doctors. I think it got to him, the horrors we kept placing on his table, and he just shut off his emotions, he just gave up humanity and tried to keep his mind. He sounds like a bad person who does surgery while you're awake, but only since he didn't want to waste the good drugs, and he got lonely, he couldn't tell anyone about what he saw, expect to us." Whitebeard nodded. "So when he got you in for surgery, he wouldn't let that opportunity to talk go." Ace nodded. "Yeah. I heard when he took Bay in as a charge, she was often thrown out when we appeared, trying to shield her from the horrors. He didn't want her to be like him. She still saw way too much, which confused her, but I also think it made her. She's a good doctor, and I think her biggest fear is turning into her mentor, which I get. An emotionless person who seem like a uncaring person, even during surgery, who never cared if people died on him, never showed emotions. If you think Bay is mean, you haven't seen the half of what she went through." Whitebeard gave a frown. "Like what? Was he mean to her too?" Ace sighed as he nodded. "He knew many things, he had photographic memory, so everything he saw and heard stuck with him. He knew exactly what to say to make you hate yourself, he knows how to get under your skin, even I've met him, and I have heard stories."

Whitebeard had never heard about Bay's mentor, the doctor never wanting to talk about her past. "Any stories about Bay? If you can tell." Ace sighed. "One of the things that made her leave. She got overwhelmed when she was handed a small child when he got another patient, but the child was much more sick that first thought, and what Bay believed was wrong with her, was wrong and made the child more sick with the treatment she gave, the child's fever going way up. So, she rushed to the shower and put it on freezing and did her best to save the child, not caring about the freezing water she herself sat in. And he got wift of the accident, did a quick check and went to the shower, lashing his tongue on how easy that case was, that she was stupid for not realising it, and, that it's good she will never have any children; she will just kill them. I'm not sure if you know, but she can't have kids. That sentence got to her, and she started to resent him, not long after, she left." Whitebeard felt a breath leave him, not knowing any of this. "I can understand that." Ace nodded. "Yeah. He never apologized, and after she left, I think a couple years later, she learned that that day, her mentor had lost an old friend on the table, and he took it out on her. I think it was then she realised he hid his feelings behind the harsh demeanor. They have spoken later, her seeing him for himself, not the angry front. But, she never could forgive him for that, or all the other abusive things. But, she's the only one who stuck with him for so long, he really cares for her, in his own way. He is a good man, he has just seen too much and never dealt with that. He regrets a lot of things, but doesn't know how to fix it or be nice, he doesn't know how to be normal anymore, and I can't blame him." Whitebeard could understand that would change someone. "Is he still alive?" Ace nodded. "Yeah. He doesn't work as much; he's 60 and took a step back. He still help us, but not as much as he used to, wanting to try and live life." It must be hard to be a doctor like that, for the assassins, seeing way too much horrors anyone should have in their life.

They stood and enjoyed the view for a bit, just having small talk now and then, and when the clock was nearing 2, Whitebeard turned his head when he heard someone speak behind the, seeing Marco walking to them. "So, it's here you are, yoi." Ace gave a chuckle as Marco moved to lean on the raining beside him. "Yeah. Where else would I be?" Marco shrugged. "I don't know. The ship is big, yoi. Couldn't sleep?" Ace shook his head. "No, so I decided to take a trip out." Marco hummed, looking at the view. "I still wonder how you manage to sneak out so silent, yoi." Whitebeard gave a laugh. "Marco! Did you just ask one of the best assassin's on how he manages to be stealthy?!" Marco chuckled. "I didn't think that one through, yoi." Ace chuckled, having a smile. "Stealth isn't that hard, just don't overthink it." Marco gave a breath. "I can imagine that, yoi. I still wished you'd wake me though." Ace gave a small smile. "Just because I can't sleep, doesn't mean you can't." Marco sighed. "I disagree, yoi. You would have stayed up with me." Ace gave a weak chuckle. "I believe you are up with me now." Marco gave a small sigh, looking at the view. "You know what I mean, yoi." Ace gave a nod, having a small smile as he looked at the horizon. "I do. I'm sorry." Marco gave a breath, moving a hand to be over Ace's on the railing. "It's fine. I just want you to know I'm here, yoi." Ace gave a nod. "I know." Marco moved his hand to hold around Ace's hand, Ace giving a smile to the blond man.

Whitebeard gave a hum. "When do you think Ann will show up? I still remember having heard she'll be more around." Ace gave a thoughtful look. "I think maybe the next island. Things are usually calm around her, so I look forward to it." Whitebeard could understand that. Ace was already getting less work and able to relax and take a break from the work, and being Ann sort of gave Ace a break from himself. It might be something Ace needed for a bit, just a sort of escape without leaving. The last weeks, if not months, must have been tough for Ace, and he wouldn't interfere with it unless he felt it was turning into a bad habit. He had heard about people escaping reality completely by pretending to be someone else. He had a feeling Ace wouldn't do that, but would still keep an eye out in case. Marco gave a breath. "I still feel I get the short end, yoi. The entire world will think I'm playing two people at the same time." Ace chuckled. "It will go fine. All the important ones know the truth, and the rest you don't care about what thinks." Marco hummed. "You're right, yoi. But I still feel like I will be portrayed like a philanderer." Ace hummed. "Probably because some will say that, especially the newspapers I think. But, the marines won't like it, half still think Miss Jackson is a rumor, they will be terrified when they realise she's real." Marco gave a thoughtful look. "That does sound nice, yoi. Always nice to have them on the edge of their seats." Whitebeard gave a small laugh. "That does sound fun. The marines are easy to fool." Ace nodded. "Yeah. I think it will be more fun when she just appears and disappear, and none of us caring. It will drive them mad." Whitebeard could see that. Miss Jackson had her own reputation.

The three of them stood and talked as they enjoyed the view and good weather, the captain not sure if it would stay good or not, so he would enjoy this beautiful night. After a bit, Ace suddenly moved his hand in a sort of motion, holding two fingers up. Ace hadn't really moved his hands much and it seemed deliberate, and as he was on his way to ask about it, he was cut off when a voice gave an annoyed breath behind him. "I swear I heard Pops speaking. That damn man keep sneaking out." Whitebeard blinked before he frowned, turning to see Bay heading towards them, not sure what the doctor meant, and before he could say anything Ace did, having turned to look at the woman. "I'm sorry, Bay. It's just Marco and I out." Bay sighed. "It's fine. It's good he's not out, I was just certain I heard him." Ace chuckled. "Maybe your mind play tricks on you, Bay. You should relax for a night, too." The doctor snorted. "Have you met the crew? Half of them are idiots. Oh don't give that look Commander Marco! You know they are! I just had two in because one cut his hand open while he cut a bagel! And the other punched himself in the face reading a book and chipped a tooth! He was reading a book and chipped a tooth!" Ace laughed. "They're just having fun. I once broke my arm when I was 13. Got a cast, and a week later I got dared to climb the tree again. I got a branch higher, and broke my other arm and a rib. The adults weren't especially proud of me." Bay gave small chuckle. "They are still acting like kids, and it annoys me." Ace gave a nod. "Trevor once had a drink with a straw, half an hour later, the straw was through his eye. It's a miracle his sight is still good." Bay frowned. "How in the hell did he do that?" Ace shrugged. "He didn't want to share, so he tried to move it up and miscalculated it and stabbed himself in the eye." Bay chuckled, shaking her head. "People do stupid things." Ace nodded. "They do. But, they don't need to worry as much since they have you; you're a good doctor. Have a good night, Bay." The doctor nodded, giving a small wave to them. "Yeah. Good night. If you see Pops sneaking out, tell him to go to his room." Ace chuckled. "I will." Then Bay left, leaving them alone by the railing again.

Whitebeard gave a hum as he looked at Ace. "That was interesting." Marco chuckled. "I think the proper response is 'Thank you, Ace. I owe you one', yoi." The captain gave a chuckle. "You're right. Thank you, Ace. I do owe you one for that. Are you going to keep that promise up?" Ace hummed. "I will. If I see you sneaking out, I will tell you to go back." Whitebeard laughed. "That is a good evasion. Still keeping the promise as we stay out." Ace nodded. "Yeah. Be specific, just loosely specific, and that makes loopholes." Marco hummed. "I've never thought about that, yoi. But it's true." Ace chuckled. "Small things one picks up during work." Whitebeard chuckled. It was a smart trick. But, what Ace had done was amazing, it was just like he didn't exist. No wonder Ace was good at stealth and an amazing assassin if he could just wave his hand make someone be invisible. Ace's power was extraordinary and he would like to know more about what Ace could do if he was willing to share or show. For now, he would just enjoy the calm night outside.

---

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed

This was a mix of everything and half rushed to just get things moving. I still really apologize for the long delay on everything and I hope things will go better now and I actually get to work on things. The amnesia chapter is soon finished, and when it's done being looked over, it will be up as well

If you have any ideas, don't be afraid to tell them, I love hearing others ideas

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