Chapter 24

The throne was high up in the main hall. There were swords plunged through the rugs and into the stonework beneath. Ace frowned at the sight, trailing his hands over the pommels. Most of them were old, rusting over, they weren't even sharp enough to cut anymore. Ace could see the throne above, more swords surrounded it, and felt happy at the sight of it. Happy? Why was he happy? Where the hell was he?

Wherever he was, Ace felt content, and oddly safe. How that worked, Ace didn't know, but he didn't want to leave.

He could see thirteen figures standing in a circle, their grimoires floating in their hands. Their chants filled his ears, but he had no idea what they were saying. He had no idea what spell they were casting. It tasted strangely in his mouth. Like something was fading, but at the same time unending. Ace didn't understand it.

There was a tall dark figure standing in the middle of the circle. Ace stepped closer, trying to get a look at the person, but that was when everything went dark.

Ace startled awake with a gasp.

The snowstorm was still going on outside of the cave. The Red Hair pirates and the Spades were all still spilled on the ground, snoring away, either slumped on one another or on make shift beds. Ace could see his mum standing in the cave doorway, right besides Shanks, the pair staring out into the storm.

"I don't like any of this, Shanks." Mum crossed her arms. "The world is getting more and more chaotic since my time."

"I'm surprised that worries you," Shanks teased softly. "You used to love chaos."

"I loved treasure and gold," Mum scoffed. "Roger was the one who brought about chaos with his antics. By the Seas, you and Buggy were the ones I loved most in that crew. My favourite kids."

Shanks grinned. "Aww, I missed you too, Rouge." But then he softened, and his single arm wrapped around her. "I really did miss you, Rouge. The day you died... I couldn't believe it... But I always knew you would go out fighting for something you loved more than anything else."

Mum leaned against him. "You got tall, you little shit."

Shanks snorted. "Nice way to deflect the conversation, Rouge."

"I didn't come here to be mushy with you, you ass," Mum sighed. "I came here because Ace wanted to thank you for saving Luffy all those years ago."

"Luffy is so much like Captain Roger back in the day," Shanks said longingly.

"Almost a mini clone of him," Mum said. "Terrifying thought really. So you gonna chat to Buggy about Ace and I after this, or have you already talked?"

Shanks tilted his head. "You think we're still in contact after all this time?"

"Pfft, if you aren't I'll eat Eddy's hat."

"Wherever that thing went too. He doesn't wear it anymore," Shanks said.

"Ah shit, yeah, I stole it last time I saw him," Mum cursed. "I think I buried it too. I was gonna make this whole treasure hunt too, before I retired, add some baby scans or something in there too to give Eddy a heart attack, then Roger announced his execution and it all went to shit. That asshole."

Shanks sighed. "I wish he hadn't done that."

"You and Buggy didn't watch, right?" Mum's voice darkened.

Shanks remained silent.

"Seriously? You two were fucking there? Why didn't Rayleigh stop you?" Mum hissed.

"The crew was splint up by that point-"

"Fucker! I have half a mind to go back there and kick his wrinkly old ass." Mum bristled.

"It's fine, Rouge."

"That's bullshit and you know it." Mum shook her head. "You would never have let Luffy watch an execution when you met him."

"He was younger-"

"Not by much. Don't bullshit me."

"It's in the past, Rouge," Shanks said softly. "There's nothing that can be done about it. Hurting Rayleigh won't do anything to change that."

"It might make me feel better," Mum grumbled.

Shanks chuckled. "You're supposed to be the adult out of us both."

"When have I ever acted like an adult, Shanks?" Mum scoffed. "I'm petty, possessive, and greedy."

"You're one of the oldest ones here," Shanks laughed.

"Urgh, doesn't feel like it." Mum glanced back and met Ace's eyes. "You can join us y'know, kiddo."

"Sorry," Ace apologised, pushing himself up to his feet to wander to their side. "I had that dream again..."

"Dream?" Shanks frowned.

Mum grimaced. "Ever since we left Sabaody Ace has had this dream about a throne room with swords plunged into the floor. It's high up, towering above everything else in the room."

"There are thirteen figures with their grimoires surrounding another person," Ace continued. "And whenever I try and get close, I wake up. I've never been able to see who they are or what they are doing. I don't understand the magic. It tastes strange."

"Tastes?" Shanks asked.

"Witches can taste the magic in the air," Mum explained. "It's how we can work out spells that have been used by other witches."

Shanks looked troubled. "That is strange, and it's ever since you were at Sabaody? Isn't that where you used to fall into deeper trances, Rouge?"

Mum nodded. "Yeah, I ended up started to get one of my friends to start travelling with me through it, so either Whitebeard's or you lot. Shakky too at times."

"Speaking of Whitebeard," Shanks began. "You know he's been on the move. He would have seen the news about Ace."

Mum tilted her head. "Has he been in contact with you?"

"No. Do you want to be in contact with him?"

"I'm not sure yet..." Mum looked awkward.

Shanks grinned. "You're nervous."

"Shut it..."

"I have never seen you nervous before!" Shanks laughed. "Aw, Rouge, I can help y'know."

"You little shit-"

"You're shorter than me now," Shanks teased.

"It's so weird seeing you getting bullied, Mum," Ace admitted.

"I hate it." Mum shook her head. "Urgh, fine, give me his number and I'll try get into contact with him at some point. I just... I am hesitant, Shanks."

Shanks softened. "Worried he's going to try kidnap Ace?"

"Eh?" Ace blinked. "Wait, why would he kidnap me?"

"Because he once asked me to become his daughter," Mum said weakly. "We were good friends, Ace, and I died, without any warning. I know what that man will do for his family, and if he had known I was in so much danger back in Baterilla he would have came for us. I wish I could have told him. I wish he had been there to save me and my people from the Marines, and I know how bad he gets when he feels like he can't protect his loved ones. He sinks so low in to despair that it's agony."

Shanks sighed. "He found out all the names of the Marines that had been in Baterilla, Rouge."

Mum smiled sharply, but it was a shaky, strained smile. "What did he do?"

Shanks eyed her. "He's still hunting them all down, Rouge. He's killed so many of them over the years."

"What did he do?"

"All I will say is that they were never seen again, the ones he caught," Shanks said.

"Either way, I'm worried about seeing him again, I don't know if I will bring back an old wound that never quite healed, and I'm worried that if he sees Ace, he will bring kidnap him aboard his ship and never let go, because he let me go, and I died, with no word or newspaper telling him what happened to me. And not knowing sometimes is more terrifying than having known about it."

Shanks nodded. "I suppose that makes sense... But, Rouge, you know he'd never blame you for dying, right?"

"Yeah, that was the fucking Marines," Mum said.

Ace remained silent.

Mum stared him down knowingly. "And nothing to do with you, Portgas D. Ace."

"But if-" Ace began.

"But nothing," Mum hissed. "If I had lost you to them, I would have died. That would have killed me. Nothing more, nothing less. You are what I live for, Ace. You are the person in this world that makes me feel alive. What I hold for you is a mother's love. It is unconditional. You can do anything in this world, and I would always love you."

"Yeah, I think the disappointment is more terrifying than you hating me," Ace admitted, squirming.

Shanks winced. "Yeah." He shook his head. "I don't know what those dreams mean exactly, but I'll look into it. Rayleigh knows Hancock, so he might be able to ask her for me."

"No good," Mum sighed. "I already asked Shakky. If she doesn't know..."

"Then Boa won't either." Shanks grimaced. "I don't like it, Rouge. Whatever calls to you clan witches, it's can't be any good if it's up in Mariejois."

"Sabo is worried too," Ace said softly.

"I don't blame him." Mum frowned. "It's troubling. Which is why we've got to find a quiet island soon, Ace."

"So you can torture my crew?" Ace winced.

Mum grinned. "I call it training."

"The only reason you were so nice to us was because we were kids and teenagers. Everyone else is a fully grown adult," Ace complained.

"Exactly," Mum cackled. "And that will teach Finamore to try eat people to get rid of me."

Shanks spluttered. "Wait. What?"

Ace groaned. "Okay, so we stopped at an island with a cannibalistic tribe on it that taught Finamore their way of getting rid of ghosts. Apparently if we sacrifice an enemy and cook them, we'd get rid of mum." Ace explained. "Ever since then he's been trying to get us to eat people."

"Although he did stop after he learned I was your ghost," Mum admitted.

"Yeah, it would have helped if you didn't haunt the ship," Ace sighed.

"Haunt the ship?" Shanks rubbed his forehead. "Dare I ask?"

.::.

"Why is their blood on the floor?" Deuce screeched. "AND WHY IS IT A EDIT OF MY STORY?!"

"Oh, the corrections are rather well detailed," Mihar mused. "They even left notes on why these changes should be made."

Before Ace could reply, he saw his mum kneel down and begin to write again, biting her thumb once more. She wore a wolfish grin.

'I hope the edit helps.'

Everyone began screaming.

"THIS SHIP IS HAUNTED!" Banshee cried.

Saber sobbed. "AND WHY IS THE GHOST CORRECTING YOUR SENTENCE STRUCTURE?!"

Ace didn't even have a chance to calm anyone down. They ran, yelling about how to get rid of a ghost. Deuce was the only one who buried his head into his hands, groaning. Okay, so he was the only one who knew about Ace being a Portgas, and that his mother was lingering around in this world to be by his side as a ghost. It made Ace wondered if he should tell the others about his heritage and his mum.

Said mum who was cackling.

Ace threw his head back and laughed. He loved this madhouse.

"CAPTAIN, STOP LAUGHING!"

.::.

"WHY ARE MY PLATES UPSIDE DOWN?!" Banshee screeched.

Ace blinked. Huh, they were all upside down. So were the cups.

.::.

"WHY IS THERE BLOOD ON MY WALL? I CAN'T THINK WHEN IT'S DRIPPING!" Skull yelled.

.::.

"NOT MY FRYING PAN, YOU FUCKING GHOST!" Banshee screamed as the pan went sailing through the air, whacking Finamore upside the head. "USE SOMETHING ELSE!"

.::.

"My books are all in the wrong order," Mihar sighed. "They are by colours now. I wanted them alphabetical."

.::.

"WHY IS MY HAIRBRUSH IN A BARREL?" Cornelia yelled.

.::.

"Y'know, that sounds just about right for her!" Shanks laughed.

"I still don't get why you kept putting Cornelia's hairbrush in barrels..." Ace admitted.

"She would always pick the wrong barrel so it was kinda amusing listening to her curse." Mum grinned.

"I can see why they were trying to exorcise you," Shanks teased.

"I do that to people a lot," Mum mused. "Dadan and her bandits hated me because of it, but I was just bored. I needed entertainment. Besides, tormenting them used to make Ace laugh when he was a baby."

"He really is your son," Shanks snorted.

"Yep." Ace grinned.