Chapter 33
Ace strolled the corridors, glancing into rooms with a thoughtful frown. Kotatsu purred next to him, rubbing against his leg when he peered into Teach's room. Empty. Where was he? Ace had already searched the kitchens, all the lounges and the library. He thought Thatch might have been in the library too, researching more about that devil fruit, but so far nope. None of them was around. The patrols had already started too, without Teach showing up.
"Maybe the medical bay?" Ace mused, petting Kotatsu. "Maybe he's ill? Or maybe Marco caught him first and brought him to Pops?"
Mum emerged next to him a few minutes earlier, looking around puzzled.
"Did you send Teach and Thatch to Eddy yet, Ace?" Mum asked.
"I can't find them, never mind send them anywhere," Ace huffed.
Mum snorted. "It is a big ship. Oh yeah, I saw you put Luffy's bounty up in your room next to Law's and Sabo's."
"Yeah, Marco managed to get a copy for the kitchen wall of fame too," Ace said cheerfully. "Lu's is right next to Law's and Sabo's in there."
Kotatsu obviously heard the word 'kitchen', because immediately he went off towards it. Ace laughed fondly. He probably thought he could sneak in some treats.
"Nice. I always thought it was weird Sabo's was so low though in comparison to some of yours," Mum sighed. "But he's all secretive Revolutionary."
"Yeah I doubt the World Government have figured out half the trouble he's gotten himself into," Ace laughed as they made their way out back on deck.
They walked along the railings, following it all the way to the front. Mum paused though, staring up at the sky.
"Who was up top tonight?" she asked.
"I sent Barry up there," Ace said, his brow furrowing.
"His haki is out back. Who was going there tonight?" Mum frowned.
"That was Teach's spot." Ace frowned. "I was going to go there once I found him and take over. Right now there should be no one."
They both hurried towards the front, and heard a sharp inhale. Mum's swords were instantly in her hands, and Ace formed a throwing dagger made of ice into both his hands. They turned the corner and froze.
.::.
"Don't scream for help, Commander Ace," Teach ordered, his knife pressing up tighter against Thatch's neck. Thatch gritted his teeth, clutching his side tightly, his breathing growing heavier. "Otherwise I'll slit his throat."
Thatch had been staring out into the ocean, his devil fruit in hand, before he heard Teach approach him. Teach had been as friendly as ever, starting up a conversation about the night and what Thatch was thinking about the devil fruit, but before he could say a word something had swiftly pierced his side, right at the back of it. Now he was trying to stop the bleeding while Teach held him tight, pressing that same dagger Teach had stabbed him with against his throat.
Ace and Rouge were standing right across from him, both their faces grave. The ice daggers in Ace's hands melted away, dripping on to the floor, while Rouge lowered her swords, her gaze murderous.
Thatch must be having a nightmare. There was no way any of this was actually happening right now. Why would Teach stab him? Why was he now holding Thatch hostage against Ace? Their little brother? This couldn't be real. None of this could be real. But his side was throbbing painfully, the wound deep, and he could feel warm blood staining his hands fast. He was starting to feel woozy.
"He's bleeding out, damn you," Rouge hissed.
"If he dies, Teach-" Ace bristled.
"He'll be fine as long as you do everything I say," Teach reassured.
"Don't-" Thatch breathed out, but stilled when Teach dug the knife in, drawing blood.
Asshole, Thatch had already lost enough blood, thank you very much.
"Wait-" Ace cried, his eyes wide.
"I'll hand Thatch back over to you alive, Commander Ace, for one thing in return," Teach said.
"If it's a punch in the throat, I'll happily give you one," Ace growled. "Thatch, you better stay awake-"
"No need to worry, Commander. Just do what I say."
"Fine." Ace grimaced. "What do you want?"
"Give me your grimoire."
.::.
Ace's blood ran cold. "Excuse me?"
Thatch went pale, even paler than before. He tried to shake his head, but Teach dug his dagger in deeper, earning a whimper.
"You heard me, Ace. Give me your grimoire."
Thatch was dying. He would die if Ace didn't do something. He had to play along for now. Ace reluctantly summoned the Portgas grimoire to his hands, his shaking hands.
"I'm not throwing it," Ace said, his voice wobbling.
Fuck, he was scared. His heart was racing. Why was he so scared? It would be quick. He'd hand it over to Teach, feel disgusting for a bit, and get Thatch back. Mum could heal Thatch and Ace could kick this traitorous bastard's skull in. But he felt so much dread. Something bad was going to happen the moment he handed his grimoire over. The problem was that Ace didn't know what was going to happen.
"There's no need to be scared, Ace. I'm not going to harm you or your grimoire. As for not throwing it? That's fine. It's too valuable to toss around so carelessly. Just pass it here," Teach ordered, holding out his free hand. "And don't make any sudden moves."
Ace approached slowly and carefully handed his grimoire over. A wave of nausea hit him, making him almost crumble, but he managed to catch Thatch who was shoved at him. Ace stumbled back, hitting the floor with Thatch on top of him.
"Mum, heal him-" Ace began, but he saw mum pale, her eyes growing wide.
"NO!" she screamed, reaching out for Teach.
He had never heard her sound so scared before. Ace caught the sight of Teach's hand, cut open, dripping with blood, and the blood was about to land on Ace's grimoire.
Ace shoved out a wave of healing energy into Thatch-
Then a wave of magical energy burst out from the book, blinding them all.
.::.
Thatch felt Ace still against him. He saw Rouge disappear, gone the moment the blinding flash of light disappeared. He felt Marco's haki begin to flutter urgently. Pops was the same. Everyone was either already making their way here or waking up. Nobody could have missed that flash of light, nor that wave of energy that crackled from the book. What the hell had Teach done to Ace? Thatch was going to skin the bastard. He swore to the seas-
"Ace?" Thatch breathed out shakily, wincing as he shifted, trying to sit up. His side was throbbing, he felt like he was in agony, but he wasn't bleeding anymore at least.
"C'mere, Ace." Teach held out his hand, Ace's grimoire cradled in the crook of his arm.
Ace lowered Thatch off of him and back on to the floor. He winced, tried to grab for Ace, but the kid shoved his hands away and went to Teach's side, his face oddly blank. Devoid of all emotion. Ace took Teach's hand, and Teach grinned, pulling Ace to his side.
"Finally I've got a witch on my side."
"What did you do to him?" Thatch groaned out, shaking as he tried to stand.
"Long ago there was a person who took control of all the head witches by adding a drop of their blood to all their grimoires," Teach began, eyeing him with a smug smirk. "I've now done the same to Ace. The Portgas bloodline is mine."
"TEACH!" Pops bellowed, storming on to the deck.
Thatch breathed out a sigh in relief. Thank the seas Pops was here. He'd sort this out. He'd save Ace. Marco flew out and landed beside Thatch, his flames already pouring into his wounds. Thatch winced, flashing Marco a grateful smile. There, he'd be healed and they'd all kick Teach's ass together. Deuce and Cornelia came running out from a corridor, their patrol now cut short, and they both immediately aimed their weapons at Teach.
"I don't know what is going on, but get the hell away from Ace!" Cornelia hissed.
"Ace, are you okay?" Deuce asked.
"Wait." Cornelia paled. "Where the hell is Rouge?" she breathed out.
"Gone," Ace whispered mournfully, staring at the deck. "She's gone..."
"Teach, what have you done?" Pops growled.
"We're going, Ace," Teach said, smirking. "Now is not the time for a fight with the old goat. Teleport us out. Now."
"Ace, no!" Marco yelled, lunging.
Pops moved at the same time, striking down hard with his bisento.
Ace grabbed Teach's arm and the pair were gone in a flash of lightning.
Thatch stared blankly at the spot he had been in just seconds ago. Ace was gone. Ace was gone. He was actually gone. Pops let out a snarl and whipped round to face them.
"Deuce, wake up all the Commanders now if they aren't up already!" he barked. "Cornelia, get Haruta and search Teach's room. Discover whatever plots he had in mind. Marco, get Thatch to the medical bay."
"Right!"
Cornelia and Deuce were off in an instant. Marco hoisted Thatch's arm over his shoulder and began to help him up, and despite the stabbing pain shooting up through his side, nothing hurt more than knowing Ace was gone. That he hadn't protected his little brother.
Ace had protected him, and Thatch had done nothing to save him from Teach.
"We'll get Ace back," Pops said sharply. "But first we need to find out that traitor's plans."
"He took the devil fruit..." Thatch whispered hoarsely, eyes still locked on to where Ace had stood seconds ago.
Marco paled. "This really was over that devil fruit?"
"Not just that devil fruit. He took Ace too," Pops said. "He wanted a witch heir."
"And we don't know where Ace took them yoi..." Marco said shakily, then shook his head. "Let's go get you healed, Thatch, then we can join in on the meeting."
.::.
"Argh," Teach groaned, clutching his arm. "That old goat got my arm."
"He's still fast," Ace said, jumping up to sit on the wall to watch Teach hiss painfully, trying to top the blood flow. "He managed to avoid hitting me with his bisento, but he still got you despite being wrapped in my lightning."
They were in the middle of nowhere, with only ruined buildings around them. Ace knew the place, but right now he was in no mood to care where they were. Everything felt distant, as if there was no life, no colour to the world. It was disorientating.
"And you already healed Thatch," Teach hissed painfully. "You don't have another round of healing in you."
"Nope." Ace shook his head. "I was never good at it either. I healed his wound in a panic."
"Zehahahaha, it was a good thing we didn't stay behind and fight Whitebeard then." Teach grinned. "Despite how old he's gotten, he's still powerful, but not as much as he used to be."
Teach lifted the devil fruit in his hands and his grin sharpened, growing hungrier. It reminded Ace of a starved wolf finding its meal for the first time in weeks.
"You betrayed Pops for a devil fruit?" Ace tilted his head curiously. He felt no rage despite the fact that he knew that he loved Pops. He felt no fear or sadness. He felt empty. Everything felt distant and cold. How odd for him.
"For this, and for you," Teach said, his grin softening at their eyes met. "You have no idea how important head witches are, Ace, especially when they are by the side of a D."
"Care to fill me in?" Ace asked.
Although he honestly didn't really care why.
Teach paused, then surprisingly sighed softly. "You'll be fine after a few days. I learned it takes a while for the blood to settle into the grimoire, and at first it is usually a shock for the witch it affects."
"So I'll feel again after a few days?" Ace asked.
"Yeah, you'll feel like your old self again, just loyal to me," Teach explained. "And then we'll begin our journey."
"So what is this journey of yours?" Ace frowned.
Teach grinned. "I'm going to become the Pirate King."
Luffy instantly came to mind, and Ace wished the anger would burn through him. He wished that he could attack Teach and yell how that would be Luffy's, or at the very least Pops', because if it couldn't be Luffy, then Pops was the only other man in this world worthy of claiming it for himself. Law too, but Ace knew Law had no interest in it.
Law wanted to be free from Doflamingo.
But right now Ace couldn't grasp that anger. He couldn't hold on to the rage and hurt at Teach's betrayal. Everything was just so quiet and lost.
.::.
"I hate to say it, but whatever Teach's plans are we won't find them in his room," Haruta sighed heavily, sitting down in her chair. "We tore it apart and there wasn't a single incriminating thing there. I can't believe this..." Her face fell. "I can't find a single reason as to why he betrayed us..."
Her lower lip wobbled, but she bit it and looked away, her face growing flush. "That bastard..."
Marco shared a despairing look with Pops, who looked just as concerned for her. Before either of them could speak though Fossa bet them to it.
Fossa patted her back gruffly. "This ain't on you, nor is it on any of us. We've known him for before you were even born, Haruta, yet none of us figured it out."
"I'm supposed to be the spymaster of the Whitebeards," Haruta protested. "This was supposed to be my job, and yet he sneaked past me so easily. I never knew we had a rat on our ship so close to us all. He could have done anything to sabotage us. He almost killed Thatch and now he's taken Ace!"
"You are not to blame, my daughter," Pops hushed, reaching over the brush her hair back out of her face, wiping away her tears. "Thatch is alive and well." He eyed Thatch, and he nodded. "And we will get Ace back home and deal with that traitorous Teach."
"If he hurts Ace..." Haruta trailed off, shaking her head.
Marco noticed Thatch's fists clenching tightly, so tightly they were growing white as they shook. Marco leaned over and patted his hands, trying to loosen them up a bit, but Thatch ignored him. Marco didn't like that look in Thatch's eyes. It was hard to guess for most people, but Thatch's temper was actually really bad once his anger was ignited. He'd give even Ace a run for his money.
They needed to make sure Thatch didn't do anything reckless.
"I want all of our allies called and put on high alert, along with the islands under our protection," Pops said. "If any of them see Ace, he is to be captured unharmed. Teach however is allowed to be brought back dead or alive. We will also get into contact with Dragon."
"Yeah, 'Portgas D.' Sabo should be informed too," Haruta snorted, it sounded watery, but at least she seemed more amused.
There was a rumour going around that he was also a Portgas. Apparently they had told a marine girl that years ago and now it was only just beginning to spread after all this time. The marines hadn't officially tried to change his bounty just yet, but maybe it would throw them a bit more off of Ace's trail with Sabo pretending to be a Portgas too.
"We should also talk to Trafalgar Law," Vista said. "Otherwise we might get an angry doctor calling us again."
Marco grimaced. "That fact that he makes Rouge wince is a nightmare."
"Which brings up another point," Izo murmured. "What exactly happened to Rouge? You said she disappeared instantly, right, Thatch?"
Thatch's frown deepened. "Yeah. She screamed and lunged at Teach." He gritted his teeth. "It had been the most scared I had ever heard her. Rouge had sounded absolutely terrified. Then Teach's blood hit Ace's grimoire and we were all blinded, and Rouge was gone."
"Ace said so too yoi..." Marco sighed, then stood up. "We all have our orders. Haruta, get your division calling up our allies immediately. We need to prepare the islands under our protection too. This will take a bit of time, but we have to ensure they are all safe before he hunt down Teach and rescue Ace-"
"That's going to take too long," Thatch said, pushing away from his seat.
"Thatch-" Pops frowned.
"I know. Our islands need to be kept safe too." Thatch headed for the doors of the meeting room. He grimaced and clutched his side again, breathing in sharply, but pressed on.
"Thatch?" Izo called out, brow furrowing.
"I need some air."
He walked out, and Marco felt a horrible sense of dread hit him. Thatch wouldn't be able to do anything reckless though. They were all out at sea, and nobody would leave with Thatch without orders. There was no way Thatch could leave without help, only Marco, Namur and Ace rightly could by themselves, and Ace was now kidnapped...
Their little brother was gone.
Marco gritted his teeth at the thought, but forced himself to settle with a deep breath.
"Let's give him some space yoi," Marco said softly, eyeing his siblings. "We need to make sure we're secure. We don't know if Teach has bullied anyone into spying for him, or turned any of the others against us, so we need to go through our divisions as well. We have a lot of work to do, and a lot of news to break. So we best get started."