"What!?"

"It's exactly what I said young man, the communications of all transponder snails were taken by the Marines so they control the communication.."

Ace couldn't believe his ears, they were now on the next island over from where they had snagged the fire-fire fruit and now had another problem to deal with in the form of the Marines as per usual.

It seems that the next few island's communication systems were all in the hands of Marines, since this was a group of central controlled areas by those clowns. Ace was gritting his teeth at this point as he felt the need to burn down the fort but since Ace didn't know how to really use his powers so he would be at a disadvantage especially if some big shot happened to be visiting.

He didn't want to risk Marco or Duece in the process so they had to go about this carefully, so here he and his "crew" were talking to the older man who used to be in charge of the transponder snails.

"Oh come on! You can't be serious! Why would they be in the hands of the Marines?! I've been to how many islands and the Marines have never-"

"Ace, if the snails are gone then they are gone yoi. We can't help that so-"

"It seems that the Marines are hell bent on not letting you deliver that man to his rightful crew."

"Wha….wait you mean Marco right? So he does belong to the Whitebeard Pirates?!"

"Well unless the man you call Marco and the Marco from the Whitebeard Pirates just coincidentally have the same name, clothing style and power then yes he does belong to the Whitebeards. It's no secret that Whitebeard's first commander has been missing for years now and that he still hasn't given up his search."

"I didn't know old people were so sarcastic….oh wait I forgot Marco was on my cre-ow! Marco!"

"I saw that coming from a mile away captain, shouldn't have provoked our resident bir-ah! Why am I getting the same treatment as the captain!"

"I think we wasted enough of this nice man's time, Ace, and Deuce. We should get going after all."

Ace and Deuce were struggling to pull away as Marco dragged both men away from the kind older man they were talking to in the communication shack.

"Marco! Stop pulling my ear and dragging m-oooowwwwww! Please, I'll apologize! Just stop tugging me!"

"Alright mate, you made your point! I'm sorry!"

No more than a few moments later were people laughing at the two grown men following a less than pleased First Commander to a restaurant where they were treated since Whitebeard had helped the owner crazy enough and the people happen to know Marco personally since he was one of the few commanders to check this island for ruffians and thugs before the Marines came in when they realized the Whitebeard pirates were now focused on finding Marco.

They also apologized about the amnesia, hoping the three had a good journey after they offered a nights stay at the local inn. They took the offer up since they really hadn't gotten a moment's rest with the Marines almost constantly on their asses since him and Marco since the island incident, and now they had Deuce along with them.

It was Ace's idea to hit up the bar and pay for the drinks because he would feel bad if they (him especially) ate everything without paying. Now though Ace was regretting the fact since Marco was dragged off to another table with plenty of gorgeous women surrounding him.

"Looks like Marco is as popular as ever captain! Just look at the man with all those women, it makes any man jealous! Hahahahaha! Heh, Captain?"

Ace registered the words that came from Deuce but didn't turn to the other as he noticed that Deuce was right. Marco was popular and had all kinds of women falling for him. It made Ace feel small, that he could never possibly compare to the softness of a woman, a smile from them, or what they could give Marco….

"I'm going to take a walk, Deuce, don't wait up."

Ace got up putting Beli down for the drink and some for a tip to the waitress before stalking out the inn feeling miserable for himself. He knew why he felt like this, it was because he harbored feelings for Marco that he had no business feeling, and it was a simple fact that the man was not his. Not now or even when he was a child as the man looked over him before he met Sabo and Luffy.

It's not like he knew if the other man felt the same way or even saw him as something more than just a kid so there was no reason to mope about the situation.

What did Marco even think about hi….Ace failed to realize someone had been following him, his vision turning black as the alcohol helped his narcolepsy. Collapsing without really thinking as his brain told him to go to sleep but not before seeing a pair of boots stepping in front of him.

Pov change (Marco and Deuce)

"Uh girls it's nice to see you but I have to get back to my friends yoi."

He unwrapped himself from the women that had gathered around him when he got up to go get more drinks. But to his surprise, only Deuce was still there with some Beli next to him on the side of where Ace used to sit.

"Deuce, where did Ace run off to?"

"Not sure First but he looked kind of sick! Said he was going back to the inn, must be a bit of a lightweight! You should go check on the poor lad."

Marco nodded before he started to make his way to the island's inn to look for the fiery kid. Deuce watched as the first mate to his captain walked off with a look of confusion which made him come out with his next thought.

Did the first commander know anything about how the captain felt toward him? It was going to be a very hard journey if the two didn't recognize what they wanted from each other but no doubt it was going to be entertaining for him as he gave a soft laugh as he enjoyed the rest of his drink.

Pov change (Ace)

When Ace woke up he expected to be still laying down in the street due to the consuming blackness which came from his narcolepsy but instead found himself in a room with a marine in front of him standing in front of a door.

Goddammit.

Seriously? He was caught by the Marines when he passed out? He had to give it to them waiting to get him alone and in such a position-….No Ace! Bad! No time for jokes or compliments. Then a light lit up in Ace's head hoping he could get out of this without using his already made plan.

"Please help! I don't know what's happening! You have to let me out of here!"

"Sure kid. You were seen with a wanted pirate."

"That man tricked me into coming with him I swear, I was sailing to get to my family when he attacked me! If you let me talk I'll tell you where he is, you don't even have to take me!"

"Hmm…. I'll talk with the Commodore then, don't even try anything!"

As soon as the man was gone Ace looked around as he pulled at his cuffs before realizing he was literally a devil fruit user now before he melted the simple stone cuffs. "Wow." He thought as he couldn't believed that actually worked, now all Ace had to do now was find a way out.

After all, even though he had Marco, Ace couldn't let his two crewmates stand up for him all the time. As soon as that was done he made a break for it through the conveniently placed vent in the room. Now he had to retrieve his knife and valuables he had with him when he was caught. Ace went through the vent, marine crawling through it before arriving at another opening looking at the chaos he had created.

"Find that Pirate! I want him and his comrades captured!"

Somehow just from that, Ace got a feeling that they wouldn't want to talk peacefully after that scene. Ace crawled through the vent some more before coming to a vent that went to a room that held his stuff (and other confiscated valuables as well, lucky him) so he was going to take his chances since he didn't see anyone. Once he dropped in he looked for the unique bag he was given by Dadan, when he left Dawn Island, with the pattern of a desert watermelon, seeing it he snatched it up(with some other goodies he found) as he went back into….wait a sec.

He walked up to the door, pressing against it to hear some people rushing by in a few seconds but when he heard a lone pair of footsteps he gave a devilish smile proceeding to knock on the door with his knuckles. He heard them stop then walked toward the door, Ace of course hiding behind, then opening it.

Ace allowed the other to come in a bit before Ace promptly knocked him out taking his clothes for himself. Then walking out the door with the Marine's weapon in his hand for better effect he started running around to find the entrance. After he finally found it he smiled before walking out to see a crowd of armed Marines pointing guns at him with the wide ocean behind them.

Dammit….Ace looked around, seeing the vast yard and dock of ships there was. Was he even on the same island as he tried to look farther? Something told him he wasn't but they wouldn't have taken him far. That's the only solace Ace had, not to mention what he had to believe.

"Portgas D Ace, one charges on the crimes of piracy and traveling with one you are hereby arrested by the Marines!"

Ace held his hands up before speaking.

"Alright, Alright! But can I have one request?"

"Depends on what Pirate it is."

"I just need you all to duck."

"What?!"

Ace jumped so his body was above them, heating himself up to the point where he knew he had to be giving off some serious heat. After he landed behind them, he made a break for it, running as fast as he could as he heard the guns going off.

He went to dodge the bullets but realized the few that did hit him just went through and he didn't feel them? Looking down at his chest he for sure saw the bullet holes but flames licked at each wound. Ace should have expected something like this considering what the fruit he ate was but didn't really register how the fruit might have been so good to have.

Running he realized that he was indeed going in the direction of the docks but he would need to get rid of the Marines on him first so as he pivoted he tried to visualize what he wanted to do with his fruit. Sending forward a blazing heat with his fist but nothing.

Fuck.

Ace went to put more distance between him and the Marines, trying to gauge what boat he wanted to use. He knew piloting a bigger one by himself would be difficult so when he hit the docks he ran past those. He ran further down seeing a dingy with a functional sail that looked so much like his first one so it was that then.

He jumped onto the boat, realizing what he needed to do before just doing it. He pulled his fist back, lighting it aflame before extending it with his intent.

"FIRE FIST!"

His fire launched itself into the group of Marines heading his way, knocking them down as well as propelling him into the sea from the gust of wind his fire made for him as a bonus. The island quickly moved from his sight until he came to a slower moving pace with the wind as his back.

So all Ace had to do was find out exactly where he was before getting back to Marco and Deuce, simple enough….

Ace banged his head on the side of the ship, groaning.

Yeah right….