Hello everyone! Here is the next chapter!
This is the start of this and it isn't too long
Hope you enjoy
Read and relax
Ace gave a breath, watching as Marco fell asleep beside him, before Ace closed his eyes and reappeared beside the bed, before he moved to write a goodbye on a note, but found out he didn't know what to say, so he just settled for an 'I'm sorry' and placing it next to Marco, before he leaned in and kissed Marco on his head. "I'm sorry. I need to do this alone. I can't have you there. I love you." Then Ace moved to stand straight, and took a deep breath, before he disappeared in black smoke.
-x-
Whitebeard sat in the meeting room with his commanders and Trevor and Mika, a Den Den in front of them, which Daisuke spoke on. "What is it, Trevor?" Trevor sighed. "Ace ran off." The Den Den frowned. "What? Why did you let him run off?" Trevor sighed. "Ace has now learned how to lie. He lied to us and ran off in the middle of the night." The Den Den sighed. "Not good. They want many for a reason." They all knew that. Trevor looked at the Den Den. "What now?" The Den Den sighed. "It will take me and those with me a month and half to get there, at the fastest, it will take you a month and 2 days I think." That was maybe right. Trevor nodded. "So, we go there, and then we can call you and ask how far away you are." The Den Den frowned a bit, before it sighed. "You've never been there before, have you?" That had them frowning, especially Trevor. "No. Why wouldn't that work?" The Den Den gave a breath. "When devil fruits stop working, the Den Den's malfunction as well. The only way to speak is face to face." Trevor moved a hand to his face. "You gotta be kidding me!" That really wasn't good.
The Den Den sighed. "Sorry, no one knows why. But we need to get to Ace fast. Do you feel like you can handle yourself? Not die without me, until I can get there?" Trevor blinked. "Wait, you want us to go there without you?" The Den Den gave a breath. "Ace can't be there alone, he can't. You'll be there at a minimum of 2 weeks before me, you shouldn't wait. I will try and catch up once we get there." Trevor thought for a few seconds, before he sighed. "Okay, with Whitebeard's help, I think I'll be able to. I've never been a leader for many people." The Den Den nodded. "Which is why I am asking. What about you, Newgate? You can handle your crew, right? Trevor and Mika will help." Whitebeard nodded. "I think we'll be able to, we need to find Ace." They really did. Trevor gave a sound. "When we find him, I will punch him." The Den Den sighed. "I knew he might be opposed to the fact I asked the pirates to help, but not so badly that he would head on alone." Trevor shook his head. "And yet, he did." It was clear Trevor was mad, and he got it, he was a bit mad himself.
The Den Den hummed. "We will use our fastest boats, but we're so far away. If you change your mind on heading on without me, call, or wait by the docks." Trevor nodded. "Will do. We'll try on our own first. Please be fast." The Den Den nodded. "Will do our best. Talk to you later." Then the Den Den went back to sleep and Trevor moved a hand to his face, before he banged it on the table. "I still can't believe he went on without us!" Whitebeard had to agree. This really wasn't good. Haruta gave a breath. "Why did he actually run like this?" Trevor sighed. "As Daisuke said, he didn't like the idea you were asked, so he headed alone so we couldn't join. Probably hoping to finish before we show." That was something he could maybe get, but still, they should have discussed it, Ace shouldn't have just left like this.
They then tried to get ready for what was to come. Trevor had told everyone to train as much as they could, as they were really heading into dangerous territory now. And everyone took it seriously. Not everyone would join, as some needed to watch the boat, which they all knew and some asked to be the ones to watch the boat, not feeling like facing a bunch of monsters. The ride was uneventful, which was good. They didn't need more issues. While they rode, it was also like something was missing, which was Ace. He might not seem to make much of himself at times, but he was easily missable. His presence was just… gone now, and they felt they got to the line where the devil fruits stopped working, and the Den Den's malfunctioned. They were on their own now. Trevor wasn't a hundred percent sure where to head, which exact direction, but he had gotten directions from Daisuke they would follow.
Then, a month and a day after Ace left, they got to the island, which was much larger than what he had believed. He couldn't even see the entire island. It just went on and on and had mountains and everything. There were also weather phenomena here, so in some places it was searing hot, while in others it was snowing. He just hoped this would go fine.
They then docked and went on the island to hopefully find Ace, or to at least hear if he had been here. When they got some feet on the island, a man approached them. "Unless you're here to face machines, you should leave." Trevor frowned. "Machines? I thought it was monsters?" The man shrugged. "Monster machines." Trevor frowned, more. "Who's making them?" The man shook his head. "We have no idea, been trying to figure it out for years. They just... appear." That didn't sound good. And it also sounded weird. Someone had to make these machines.
Trevor looked at the man. "But they are dangerous?" The man nodded. "Very. They have increased in size and armor. They're wiping us out. That's why we need help." That made sense. Trevor nodded. "Okay, we're here to help. I forgot to ask, what's your name?" The man nodded. "I am Erend. You're also here to help?" Trevor blinked. "Ace has been here?"Erend nodded and gave a breath. "Was surprised when he came alone. We asked for many, not just one." Trevor nodded. "We know, he didn't wait and left without us in the middle of the night." Erend frowned. "But that would have made you, at max, half a day behind, not a month." Trevor sighed. "He has a devil fruit which helps him move around." Erend nodded. "Ah, yes. I've heard about these… devil fruits. Never seen one in action though. Still wonder why they don't work here." Trevor nodded. "Yeah, same with Den Dens." Erend frowned. "Den Dens?" Trevor nodded. "Snails that speak… that sounds weird, but yeah. Doesn't work here. A way to speak to someone far away." Erend hummed. "Would have been useful. Here we need to speak face to face." They knew, which would make this harder as they couldn't call and check where Ace had been or where he was.
Whitebeard looked at Erend. "But, Ace has been here?" Erend nodded. "Yes, a month ago. Was a huge help, then we won with his help, started a celebration. And oh, by the way, your friend, does he have a habit of running off during the night?" Trevor sighed. "Not usually, but lately, yes. Did he run off from you?" Erend nodded. "Yes. Said we would go together when the sun rose after the celebration. When I woke up, he was gone." Trevor sighed. "Yeah, sounds right. He did it to us too." Erend nodded. "Yeah. Is that why you are here? To search for him?" Whitebeard nodded. "Yes." Erend nodded. "If you want to find him, good luck. But head that way," Erend pointed to the west. "He left that way, and one of my people is also searching for him. Her name is Linnea, she could help you." Trevor nodded. "Thank you." Erend shook his head. "No, it is nothing. Your friend, Ace, helped a lot here. Made it livable again. I can't thank him enough." Trevor nodded. "We'll bring him back and you can thank him then." Erend nodded. "I would like that."
Trvor then took a breath. "How hard are the machines to fight?" Erend nodded. "There are some to the east of here, let's head to them and you can try." That sounded good. So, they headed there, and yes, there were machines. They looked like… well, a sort of bull. It had long horns and the shape of one, just as a machine. And to be honest, they didn't look too hard, but he could only wait and see.
Erend then told of some weak points, which were the face, where the blue lights were, as if they were eyes, same with what he called canisters on its back. Aside from that, it was the underside and legs, to try and mangle it. These weren't the most hostile ones, so they shouldn't be too hard to fight. And if they couldn't handle this, they really shouldn't head on. It would be a good thing, to see how hard it would be. There were also 3 of the machines, not too many.
Then they started to fight them. They were a decent group, so it went fine. Izou was the sharpshooter and actually managed to take a horn down, so it wasn't as dangerous as it used their horns to fight. Then Curiel managed to mangle a leg and one of the machines went down and they killed it, being told that when it stopped glowing, they had won. And they managed to do that. It wasn't the easiest battle they had had, but it went fine. But these were also the easiest to fight. When they had fallen all the machines, Erend clapped his hands. "Good good. You're good fighters, but not as good as Ace." Whitebeard nodede, he knew that. "Ace has many skills." Erend nodded. "And he's a fast learner. Took down so many machines for us. Still can't thank him enough." He got that, even he owed Ace a lot. Ace was an amazing kid.
They then spoke a bit with Erend and got a half drawn map so they knew about where things were, where the big places to be were, and where Ace most likely would have headed. Then they headed on, and they did find some machines that were harder to fight, but they managed. Some got some scrapes, but they were fine. And that was how the next week went. They headed on and got to some places, a few where Ace had been before them and helped out and everyone said the same, Ace had either run off during the night or straight after, never staying. But the times he had been there were getting closer and closer. They were closing in. When they got to a place, they pointed them further west and said that Ace would need to head there if he hadn't already, as he was also needed further west. So they headed there. They still hadn't found anyone who fits the description of this Linnea.
But when they got to the place the people had pointed to, there was a valley with a huge fort in it, making so no one could go through without opening a huge door. But a bit to the side, sat a woman who looked like Linnea, so Marco walked up to the woman. "Hey, are you Linnea, yoi?" The woman hummed. "Depends, who's asking?" Marco took a breath. "We're searching for Ace." Linnea nodded. "Ah, yes, Ace." Whitebeard frowned, the woman didn't sound pleased. "You sound as if he ran off from you, also." Linnea shook her head. "No. Or yes, originally. Then I actually found him, and then there was an ambush and I got hurt, but as you can see, better now. Going back to hunt him down tomorrow." Trevor shook his head. "We don't have until tomorrow." Linnea nodded. "I see. We can leave today, let's head to the chief, we need his approval, or else everyone here will fight us. Take 10 minutes max." That sounds good. But it had Marco frowning. "Did Ace have his blessing, yoi?" Linnea gave a breath. "I have a feeling he is used to not having it, as no, he did not. Went bargaining through the gate with some threats, somehow got the approval of the outlanders, which is near impossible." They all frowned, Marco speaking. "Does that count as well?" Linnea hummed. "Actually, it is better. Very few do, must have said something to get his approval." That did sound like Ace.
Linnea sighed. "But hopefully he won't be as hard to find now. He really is hard to track." That was no surprise. seeing Ace's profession. Trevor nodded. "Yeah, he is. But this is new territory for all of us, including him, so he can't be that hard to find for someone who knows their way around I guess, and hope." Linnea sighed. "He is still hard to find. But I have a few places I would like to search first." That sounded good. They then got the blessing of the chief before they headed on through the gate and onwards. Linnea did join them, and she was an extremely good fighter. At least when it came to the machines. But then again, she was born and raised here.
But as they had been walking for about half a week, Linnea being the one to lead them, they walked through a sort of field, when a set of machines came at them, and they all got ready. These ones looked harder and looked like a hippo of some kind, and yes, it was really hard, even Linnea said so, as they had good armor. Linnea did point out weak points, which were few and hard to hit. And the machines were fast. They needed to do their best. If they failed, they could do nothing anyhow. These also looked larger than the ones they had fought before, with the help of Linnea. They manage to fell one pretty easily, but the two others seemed to be stronger. And just as they were about to charge at them, he was sure there would be injuries, but hopefully no casualties, but then an arrow came flying and hit the closest one in the eye, making it turn around to the new fighter, and it had him blink as there was another machine. But it didn't seem battle ready, which was weird. And then it turned to the side and another arrow came flying from it's back, and that made him blink when he saw the back of the machine. Ace was sitting on top of it. How? It was a machine, one that looked like a bull.
Ace then readied a bow and another arrow came flying, hitting the other machine. It was enough to make them follow Ace and Ace took off on the machine, the other two following, probably realizing Ace was the bigger threat. They were quickly out of view as these machines were fast. As they were gone, Marco blinked. "He was… riding it, yoi?" Trevor took a breath. "Seems so. I have no idea how." Linnea hummed. "I saw it before, he can.. tame them. I don't know how, but he can." That was amazing. He knew Ace had a talent with animals, but with machines too?
Before he could point that out, Linnea spoke. "He was headed that way, meaning he is most likely heading to the camp there. We should head there next, which is a 2 day trip on foot." That made sense and they headed on. They did meet some more machines, but they managed to fight them. Then they got to the camp, where they said that yes, Ace had been there not long ago. Which was good. They weren't entirely sure on which way he left.
Linea took a breath. "I think I should head south, more dangerous territory and harder to search and orient, but you can head north, there is another tribe there and Ace might have gone through. You should all stay together, just in case." Whitebeard nodded, that sounded good. They then headed on again and hoped to find Ace. They got to the tribe, which was shocked to see someone his size, which was normal, before they said that no, Ace hadn't been here. That meant this was the wrong way. They did decide to spend a night here, to get their strength back. It had been a half a day's travel here. But as evening approached, a man came towards them, seeing to be from the camp they had been at. When he was close, he spoke. "Linnea found Ace." Whitebeard blinked. "She did?" The man nodded. "Yes. A bit to the south. He is a bit banged up and unconscious, but okay. They're back at the camp." That was good. They had finally found Ace.
They then started the trek back to the camp, which took half a day and they reached it. When they got there and asked for Ace, they were pointed to a hut, where two guards stood in front of the entrance. And through it, he could see Ace, lying unconscious on his side. They headed over to check on Ace, to be sure he was fine, but when they were a bit away, one of the guards held his hand out. "No one is allowed close to the champion while he rests." Well, he got that in a way. The ones here also called Ace a champion as he was such a good fighter and good help. He did try and say they knew him, but they were having none of it. Linnea did come after a bit and sighed. "Let them do their job. He'll hopefully wake soon." He hoped for the same.
Ace had already been here and unconscious for a day, and nothing happened for the next day, and they tried to stick close to the hut Ace was in, when the next day, one of the guards spoke. "Linnea!" The woman was with them, and she walked towards the hut, where Ace slowly came limping out of, which was really good. He was up.
But Ace moved a hand to his side as he groaned and moved a bit down, almost to his knees as his eyes closed, it had Linnea move a hand out as she was close. "You're injured, Ace. Go back to-" "I will crawl if I have to!" Yelled Ace, cutting the woman off. Whatever Ace was doing was important if he wanted to crawl to get to it. Linnea nodded. "Okay. But speak to Zoie first, she can help get safe passage through the mountains. She could help." Ace sighed, but nodded. "Okay." Linnea then moved her hand up and got Zoie over. Ace had moved a couple steps out of the hut, limping badly as his hand was still on his side. Zoie was then by them and Ace did his best to stand up straight, but it was obvious he had issues. Zoie then said how she could grant them safe passage when the elders were meeting. Ace nodded. "And when is this?" Zoie hummed. "Usually, in 5 weeks. But I can get them ready in 2 days." Ace nodded. "Good." That was good.
He was about to speak, when Linnea did. "While we wait, you relax." Ace gave a breath. "Fine! Fine. I get it, bed rest. 2 days." Ace then moved towards the hut he had been in, walking past the guards and moved to slowly lie down carefully on his side, he really must be in pain. They tried to approach him, but one of the guards held his hand out. "No one is allowed close to the champion." Whitebeard was on his way to argue, when Ace spoke loudly. "I am not a child! Let them in!" The other guard blinked. "But champion-" "Stop calling me champion!" Said Ace. One of the guards was on his way to speak when Zoie spoke. "He is right, he is not a child. Let them in if he says so." The guards nodded and moved away, which was good.
They then walked up to Ace, Trevor walking first. "How are you?" Ace gave a breath. "I am in horrible, horrible pain, Trevor." Trevor nodded. "Well, seeing how you have been unconscious for like 2 days, not surprised." Ace gave a breath and moved to sit up. "I can't be here if it's already been 2 days." But as Ace was halfway up his hand moved to his side as he fell back down and breathed through his teeth as his eyes closed. Trevor shook his head. "No, you're not going anywhere in this shape." Ace groaned. "I hate not having my fruit." Trevor nodded. "Same. And I know I said I would punch you when we found you, but you're too injured." Ace gave another groan. "Gee, thanks." Trevor shook his head. "But I am still mad! You left in the middle of the night after lying about staying!" Ace gave a breath. "Yeah, cuz it is not like I know what I did. I don't want you here!" Trevor rolled his eyes. "Well, you don't get to choose!" Ace gave a breath. "Hoped I would be finished before you got here." Trevor rolled his eyes again, but didn't say anything.
Marco moved a hand to Ace's shoulder, Ace still on his side. "You okay, yoi?" Ace shook his head. "No! I am not! My entire body hurts!" Trevor gave a 'tsk' "Serve you right for leaving." He got that Trevor was still mad, but they had found Ace. Whitebeard moved his hand. "You should relax and get better, son." Ace shook his head. "I don't care if I can't walk, I am leaving in 2 days." Trevor shook his head. "Well, I am not carrying you." Ace gave a huff. "I will then crawl!" Whitebeard moved his hand: "No one is crawling, you'll get better and we'll take it from there." That was the best solution in his mind, but it was clear Ace was determined. But they could only wait and see, and he hoped Ace would recover fast, as this place still needed help. But for now, they would relax and hope Ace would get better.
And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed
This was the first one in this event, the next will be up in a bit
Come check out Ace of Spades One Shot Series, which contains one shots and different events from this story!
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