I regret nothing

by Cioup

Everyone stared shocked at the scene in front of them. Ace, their newest brother, standing with a bloody dagger in his hand, on top of a dead Teach. Ace had suddenly jumped him and slit his throat, killing him in an instant. ... And he would be punished for it.

I'm sorry! I cried writing this, but it's good! So if you're reading this, go get yourself some tissues and don't listen to sad music! I'm sorry Ace, you're my favorite character, but I hurt you so much.. Whoops. Also, this is all about death, therefore beware

Everyone stared shocked at the scene in front of them. Ace, their newest brother, standing with a bloody dagger in his hand, on top of a dead Teach. Ace had suddenly jumped him and slit his throat, killing him in an instant.

They were too shocked to move, but then the spell they were all under snapped and they finally were able to get into action, dragging Ace off of their now dead brother. Many screamed for the nurses, trying to help Teach, maybe save him. Even if they knew he was dead. Ace had cut him with so much force he had nearly beheaded Teach. Teach was dead. He had been with them for decades and now got killed in front of their eyes. By someone they had wished to become their brother.

They all had thought about Ace as a brother, had hoped he would finally join when he stopped with his attempts to kill Whitebeard. But apparently, they were wrong. Oh, how wrong they were. Ace wasn't their brother, but a traitor. A murderer. Someone who forcefully ended the life of their brother, their family member.

The commanders had to step in as the shocked crew started to beat up Ace, they would not allow him to get killed without knowing why he did what he did. What surprised them was how Ace didn't try to defend himself. He did not turn into fire to avoid the punches and kicks thrown at him, letting himself being dragged to the ground.

Jozu stopped one from stabbing Ace as well, trying to hold back his own anger when he picked him up and held him in such a strong grip while Haki coated his hands that Ace's bones had no way but to bend to his will, almost breaking by it. They all were fuming with anger, not sure how to react. There has to be a reason why Ace would do this.

Jozu exchanged looks with Marco, the only other commander present who seemed to be still

functioning. Together, they freed Ace from their Crewmates and brothers and dragged him to Pops's chair. Ace didn't fight it, didn't try to get away. He wasn't behaving like they got to know him, but they couldn't be sure if they had known him at all, not having expected him to just kill someone he saw for the first time. A crewmate nonetheless.

The other commanders, having collected themselves as much as they could, tried to calm the crew down, which only worked when Ace was forced to his knees, kneeling in front of Whitebeard, head down, not even reacting to the furious stare he got from Whitebeard, the man who already had thought of him being worthy becoming his son. In Whitebeard's heart, he had already been part of his family.

"Ace. Why." was the only thing Whitebeard said, trying to stay calm. The air cracked slightly, when Ace didn't bother to give an answer. The teen just stared down at the deck beneath him, ignoring how his arms were painfully twisted in the Commander's grip, and how the crew screamed bloody murder at him, how they glared and threatened his life.

Marco, who had felt sympathy for the kid when he had first arrived, only motioned for Jozu to tighten his grip, feeling a sick type of satisfaction at seeing how Ace flinched, probably because his joints arced in protest by the sheer force.

But besides that, Ace didn't react. His face tilted and hidden in Shadows. Marco grabbed him by his hair, yanking his head back up, forcing him to look at their father. "Answer-yoi!" his voice demanding and harsh, leaving no room for denying how straight up furious he was.

Ace let everything happen, shooting just a quick glance towards Whitebeard, the man who had tried to become the father Ace never had but always wished for. Ace's eyes held various emotions, them burning deep down inside his very soul, but nothing came out his mouth. Not a single syllable fell from his lips. He chooses to stay quiet, what only acted as gasoline towards the crew's burning anger, threatening to take control and act against captains orders, just to get revenge.

Ace felt like being stabbed by the looks everyone gave him. But he just carefully licked over his bottom lip, subconsciously tasting the blood that had splashed on it when he had killed Teach. It tasted as disgusting as Ace had imagined it. Rotten. He wanted to gag at the taste, and the thought about it, the more he felt bile rising up. But he stayed quiet, knowing he deserved everything they would do to him. He had murdered their brother in front of them. Of course he would be punished and sentenced to death. He had expected that.

.

They had bought Ace to the brig where they had chained him with seastone to the wall after he hadn't said a single thing to defend himself.

Teach was dead, they were still in shock and couldn't really believe Ace had actually done that. They had thought he had liked it here, with them. Liked them. Had it all been a lie? Him slowly settling in and starting to get to know them? A game? They all had hoped for the best, when his recent attacks against Pops had become less aggressive. But this? They never would have thought...

.

Marco stared at the Teen in front of him, not really wanting to be the first commander right now, hating this part of his duty. But he was furious, and that would be a great way to let off some steam. And with that, he rolled up his sleeves and started interrogating Ace. Trying to coax a reason out of him, not holding back by breaking his bones when he said nothing. Even torturing him, slowly, wanting to get a little revenge for his murdered brother as well, while he was on it.

Much to his utter frustration, Ace said nothing. Nothing what could make Marco stop, that would allow Marco to stop. Nothing that would explain his actions, he didn't even try. No sound left the Teen, not even caused by the pain he must feel. Forcing Marco to continue. And the first Mate slowly lost even the last bit of empathy for Ace. He had to distract himself from Ace. Ace was no longer his little brother. Ace was a murderer. An enemy. Someone he failed to protect his family from. And Ace let it happen, biting back his screams and forcefully blinking back tears that had formed in his eyes. His clenched teeth and labored breathing the only sign he was even feeling all of this.

Ace silently pleaded for his narcolepsy to take him out so he would not have to live through all of this and would not have to witness how Marco hurt, even tortured him. Would not need to hear and watch him, and the hatred he had in his eyes. Not only for Ace, but for himself. Ace knew Marco would never hurt a child or his family. So Ace was ashamed that he forced Marco to do this. To hurt someone he had probably considered family, someone as young as Ace too. But his luck had left him years ago and so he stayed awake.

.

.

.

3 Days had passed. Ace hadn't said a word, hadn't got anything to eat or drink and was completely isolated besides being 'questioned' by various commanders, who all tried to get an answer, an explanation, something... out of him. Whitebeard himself showed up, repeating his question and asking Ace why he had done it. Ace continued to stay silent. He knew, would he open his mouth, he would tell them everything. And that was something he had to avoid at all costs. So he stayed silent and just let them do whatever they wanted to do to him, welcoming the pain, a friend he hadn't seen in a while.

Today was the day Marco had warned him about. The day they would judge about his fate, more likely about his way of dying. When Marco had told him they would execute him, he gave a slight nod, the first reaction he had given in days. But indicating that he was very well aware of his situation.

Ace still didn't fight when he was dragged back on deck and again found himself back on his knees, in front of Whitebeard and the whole crew. He had lost his shirt, you could see the bruises covering his upper body, small cuts, a slightly deformed chest -they had broken some of his ribs- Ace felt the hatred. He was dirty and smelled, had blood all over him, his hair was a mess, some strands were, more accidentally than on purpose, pulled out by being slammed against things or just being pulled around by it and he had lost some teeth.. His nose was broken too. His red necklace had been ripped off, his hat had been cut into shreds. Ace hadn't reacted more than clenching his jaw, looking at their doing while inwardly fighting his tears at being forced to watch his most precious items being destroyed. And that, only he kept quiet, because they got desperate, Haruta had even resulted in pleading for him to say something, anything. He had only grunted, more in pain than in response, but that earned him his broken nose...

This right now was his last chance to come clear to them, try to save his life, and he did nothing. The commanders had already figured out that Ace had wanted to die. They were no longer angry, they were hurt and just couldn't understand him and his antics. They all had started to like him over the months... And none of them could understand what had happened that he just killed someone. But now it was too late.

Whitebeard stood tall and strong in front of him.

"Ace."

And to that, Ace reacted. All those restraints he had built threatened to shatter by just hearing his name from that man, and how defeated he sounded. Ace took a deep breath and lifted his head. Taking in the sight. Looking at every single one of them, at the Crew, relieved when he couldn't see his Spades, then he slowly continued, looking at the Commanders, the Vice and lastly Whitebeard himself. He bit back a smile. Hiding his emotions like he had trained and forced himself to do. He was so selfish. But it felt so good.

Whitebeard watched him looking around. He was about to kill him, to punish him for his crime. "You killed one of my sons. And now you will face the consequences. Do you have any last words." it wasn't a real question. Ace hadn't said a single thing for days and he wouldn't say anything now.

They were surprised when his lips parted, slowly opening his mouth. "I'm aware of what I did and I don't regret it. I don't regret anything.. My crew is innocent, they had nothing to do with all of this, I dragged them into this and I'm thankful that you didn't harm them, knowing that I'm the only one responsible for my actions. It was a pleasure." and with that, blood scattered across the deck. Whitebeard, not wanting to hear him anymore, had ended it. He was hurt. He had lost a son. Two, if he was being honest with himself. Ace had been a part of his family, even when he hadn't said yes yet. Which hurts even more now. If Ace had joined them, Whitebeard had planned to make him his third in command. Promote him to become the second Divisions commander even. A horrible decision it seemed.

Whitebeard was a strong man, but he couldn't stand it anymore. Ace had been quiet and now had said everything he needed to say. He regretted nothing. That's what he said. Ace did it on purpose. Whitebeard sat down, he felt exhausted. He dismissed his children and motioned for Ace's dead body to be removed, tossed into the sea. Marco was on his way to just do it, when a dark shape appeared next to the body. A hooded figure, standing there like it had done so millions of times already. It had just appeared out of thin air it seemed. No indications on where it came from.

They drew their weapons. Ready to attack. Who.. What was that?! And what was it doing?

Whitebeard was on his way to speak, asking who or what would dare to interrupt him and his doing like that, when the figure leaned down and gave a soft nudge to Ace's shoulder. And with that, the dead Teen moved. His shackles disappeared while he lifted his head from the ground and even used his arms to push himself off the ground.

They were speechless, no-one dared to move. The kid was dead. What was going on? How was this possible?

"Get up. It's time, Ace." it spoke, sounding like a whisper, the voice raw and quiet, but just like a gust of wind in the sail, still powerful. They all watched, as Ace sat up and crossed his legs, giving a tired smile. "hello" his voice sounded raw, thick with emotions. He looked at it, as it held it's hand out to Ace "as it really worth it? Do you regret it?", the voice asked.

Ace took the hand. The second he touched it, his appearance changed just like suddenly a veil was lifted. His previous wounds disappeared and he looked older. He got pale and his clothes changed as well, he now was wearing black shorts... Just then, they noticed that they couldn't move, no-one knew what was going on, they felt like being frozen, rooted in their stance, only left to be watching them, unable to do so much as even blink. "Can you stand? " Ace nodded, now on his feet. "this time, yes. And it was worth it. I had to do it, I promised to live my life without regrets. I regret nothing. They are my family. Pops, Marco, Thatch, Haruta, Izou, Deuce, Bay... Just everyone. I love them as much as I love Lu and Sabo. It was my responsibility." Ace's body changed even more when he turned around, now looking at the figure, his back now facing them. A tattoo appeared on his back. It was Whitebeard's mark.

"I knew you would say that." the figure was still holding Ace's Hand, having a visibly firm grip on it. "You know you changed a lot by running away from me and traveling to the past? And you know you'd still have to live through it?" Ace nodded "I knew. And this time, I'm ready."

It was like time itself froze.

The sky darkened. Everything was drained of its color and even the sun looked like a ball of burned coal, gray and ashy.

The figure let go of Ace's hand and slowly pushed its own through Ace's body. With that, a wound appeared. Big and burnt, right through his chest. It was a big injury, but it didn't bleed... But also Ace's general appearance again as well. Ace lost weight as now his ribs could be seen, new wounds appeared.. and at the end of it, it looked like Ace had been starved before being obviously impaled, something destroying his tattoo, his mark.

The pirates, who still couldn't move, were confused. How dared that kid talking like that about them? He betrayed them. Killed their brother!

But then something else happened. As the figure withdrew its hand, smoke started to appear and surround them all, before it gathered just in front of Ace, almost looking like a big display... And they could see something in it. They had to see it, because they couldn't look away after catching sight of that smoke. They still couldn't move a muscle too. Some noticed they weren't even breathing. They were just.. There. And so they kept looking.

They saw themselves, how they laughed with Ace. Celebrating together. That had never happened.

They saw how Ace accepted their mark. They heard how Ace told Whitebeard who he was, Roger's child, using his mother's name. It all was in some kind of haste, they saw how they had fun with Ace, Thatch and Haruta pranking Marco together with him.

They saw a lot of happy scenes, but scenes that never happened. They saw how Ace became a Commander, how he trained with Marco... How they fell in love. The screen showed a different life. Ace's life as it seemed. "You caused a lot of problems for me, Ace," the creature sighed, looking at his memories.

They were forced to keep looking at the screen. Seeing and hearing everything too, witnessing a whole life in what felt like minutes. They saw how a child lived in the jungle and fend for itself. They heard the child laugh and cry, scream even. They saw how said kid dragged another one, a blonde one, to shore, they heard heard and saw a lot. They watched how Ace admitted to Marco, on a date, how he had never felt that loved before, having thought he wasn't worth being alive because he was who he was, before he proposed to him. The later one crying and happily accepting, promising him he would love him forever.

They then saw something that made their blood run cold. Thatch who had been stabbed by Teach. They looked on how Ace went after him, wanting to restore Whitebeard's honor, being furious that someone from his own division had been able to do such a thing.

They saw everything. The fight, how Ace lost, being captured and dragged to Impel Down, his stay there, how the war happened. Many could see themselves dying in it. How they fought for Ace, their brother, ignoring his pleas to just let him die and escape... They felt sick seeing it.

"You done now? Death?" Ace had grabbed the creature's hand. He was holding hands with Death itself. "Almost. It really amazed me how you died. Haven't seen that in a while, someone dying because he saved his brother. You know.. you just broke your promise again?"

The screen flared back up and Ace's childhood was shown again, different this time, that blonde boy disappeared in a fire it seemed... Ace didn't care. He knew what he'd see. "I know. And I hate it. But I made sure everything would go fine. And he still has Sabo. I made sure of that.. You said Pops died only minutes after me. I can't let him die. Not if it's my fault. I will see him again. Later. Now, he and my family need to live. It was my fault they all died in this war. I just couldn't come with you, just accepting it. Not then. But now, I eliminated the traitor. They had their revenge and I could even see them again. They will have some more years together. I won't ruin everything again." Ace smiled, it was a pained expression. "They already loved me in one life. They can hate me in this one. My life, in exchange for what, 600 lives of people that mean a lot to me? Over 3.000 in total? It was worth it. I can go now."

Death chuckled. "You're special. Come. We're late." Ace turned a bit, but hesitated when Death tried to walk him away. "Technically we're 4 years too early." and with that, he let go of Death, and ran back to the pirates, hugging every single one close, whispering thank-yous and small compliments. How glad he was that Thatch was alive, how he had missed him. Telling Pops, how he never felt so loved and welcomed before and how sorry he felt for forcing him to kill one of his sons and losing Teach, without ever knowing how bad he was.. Ace didn't seem to know that they could see and hear him, though they were frozen, just like last time, when he had died in the war, he wasn't able to say goodbye that time, having been too weak for it.

He hugged them closely and thanked them, saying what he wasn't able to say the last time. And when it was Marco's turn, he gave Marco, his Marco, a kiss. Ace caressed his cheek and tried to hold back his tears. "I'm so sorry, Baby. You pretty, pretty Bird. I love you so much.. You know.. I never thought I'd be worthy enough to have you.. And then you said yes.. I.." Ace cried out and choked on a sob, as soon as he made eye contact with him, looking at those beautiful blue eyes that had always looked at him with nothing but love. "Please find someone-else, be happy. And protect our family. They need you. You did great." another sob shook him, as he gently traced his lover's face with his fingertips, trying to memorize it for a last time. "I'm sorry for acting so selfish.. But I couldn't leave you. Not like that.. It's better this way." and with that, Ace placed a last, gentle kiss on Marco's lips, closing his eyes, remembering how it felt. It had been an entire lifetime without it. "I'd have loved to marry you. And waited for you in heaven.. Maybe I could have haunted the ship? You'd have loved that.." Ace knew it was better this way.

Now, Marco never loved him so he couldn't miss him. The others were able to express their anger and hatred for the traitor that had killed their brother. And Ace had happily accepted that role, finally being able to repay them for everything they had done for him. He regretted nothing. He would do it again, if necessary. He was a bit sad he wasn't able to say goodbye to his Spades, but he was asking for too much. He was being ungrateful again. Death had allowed him to save Sabo, who was now a strong Revolutionary, able to keep an eye on their stupid little brother.. And his family lived. How could he even think of asking for more.. "Thank you" Ace carefully grabbed Death's hand again. "I couldn't leave them like that. Marco shot and shackled, Pops, dead. Thatch is dead. Blackbeard alive.. Lu was.." A hand gesture silenced him "You agreed to pay the price for it. Your soul for their lives. Your pain for their health, I will take good care of you." Ace nodded, just feeling glad his family hated him, instead of mourning his loss, they now could grow on his betrayal instead of shattering in the aftermath of the war. He looked around and smiled. "I would so do that again."

Death moved, looking around and taking note of how every soul around him screamed in agony. It looked at the screen, as it showed Ace's death for the last time. Him standing in front of his brother, taking the blow, protecting him with everything he had.. Death thrived on the pain. Marco, who was still trying to process what he had seen and what was happening felt something inside him. Hurt. Ace had looked at him, touched him, even after what he did to him, had looked at him with love.. And Marco understood. This kid had loved him. Him and his family. Had lived an entire life without them being there, when he always knew where he could find them. But he didn't and forced himself to stay away.. Marco felt a shudder going down his spine, when he felt the creatures stare.

And with that, everything was... Over. The Sky was back to its blue self, the deck was clean and normal... Nothing remembered at Ace being executed only seconds before. There was not a drop of blood. Nothing.

The pirates could move again... But none dared to.

They all stared at the place Ace had just died on.

Slowly, tears started to fall.

And the Crew started to mourn for their fallen Commander. Portgas D Ace. A man they weren't worthy to even know about.