The Portgas Clan

by Heroes-Legacy

Magic belonged to either nature itself or the twelve witch clans. Rouge and Ace belonged to the Portgas Clan, who held their magic over the Elements. The World Government wanted the twelve alive, but Rouge had never been caught. And she refused to let them have her son, Ace, who would never stop fighting for his freedom. Dead or alive, Rouge would forever fight by Ace's side.

2. The Start of Something Special

Chapter 1

Monkey D. Garp had a few regrets in life. Actually, he had many. He had messed up so many times, between his duty as a Marine, and his duty to his family. To his wife, to his son, to Rouge, and to Ace, and here he was yet again. Screwing up with Ace. The biggest fuck up recently was how he had handled explaining Roger to Ace.

He had lied, about so many things. He had told Ace stories about Roger, the ones the Marines fed to the public, and of course they were all horrible, cruel lies. But Garp needed Ace to hate Roger, because it would keep him safe. Ace would want to become the opposite of Roger, and that obviously meant becoming a Marine. Ace would rise up in the ranks quickly, and show the world how good he was.

But no, he hadn't expected Ace to go into town and ask people what they thought of Roger having a child. Dadan had told him about all the nightmares Ace had now, how he barely slept or ate, and that was when his grandson would even return to the hut.

Ace hadn't smiled in months, and god did Garp miss his happy grandson. The one who lit up rooms with his grin and bright eyes. Garp realised that he shouldn't have left so quickly after dropping the news on Ace. He should have stayed, and properly explained to him about the Portgas side of his family. That could have cheered Ace up.

So with a big, thick heavy book in hand, he headed deep into the woods. His haki instantly locked on to his grandson. The five year old was sitting on a boulder, staring out into the sea by the top of a cliff.

This was his chance to try make things right with his grandson again.

.::.

Ace treated the cuts and bruises automatically. He didn't really see the point in doing so, nobody wanted a demon child like him around, but his hands had already started moving. Ace stared out at the ocean once he was finished, wishing he could just run away, run away from his cursed blood.

But the only way to get rid of it was to bleed to death.

"Ace."

He glanced back, seeing Garp approach from the trees. His grandpa had a large, heavy looking book beneath his arm, much to Ace's confusion.

"What do you want?" Ace asked, waiting for the punch.

He was supposed to greet his grandpa, but what was the point? He was only going to hit him for one of his training sessions. Ace shouldn't even be alive right now. Everybody said so. He should be dead, and apologise for having breathed even a gasp of air in the first place. What was the point in training if nobody wanted him to live?

"Remember how I told you about the Portgas family?" Gramps asked, as he walked over, sitting down on the boulder beside him.

"When you told me whose blood I share," Ace grunted. "Yeah."

The Portgas Clan. They were one of the most powerful witch families, one of the Twelve Head Clans, that lead the rest of the witches of the world. The Portgas family controlled the elements, but still used basic spells as well. It all seemed amazing, and Ace felt both blessed and disgusted to be apart of it.

Blessed for his mother, and disgusted because his blood now polluted the Portgas Clan's legacy.

If his mother, Portgas D. Rouge had been with someone else. Someone who hadn't abandoned her. She might have lived. But no. The bastard who had gotten himself caught and executed. He should have saved her, then maybe Ace wouldn't have killed her.

He had murdered someone the first day he was born.

He and his father were well too alike.

Gramps held out the book. "This is your family grimoire. Your mother told me to give it to you when I thought you were old enough."

Ace hesitated.

This was a book from his mother? His mother wanted him to have it? Him of all people? Ace couldn't touch it. He didn't want to ruin it, but his grandpa didn't give him a choice. The grimoire was shoved into his hands, and Ace held it tightly to avoid dropping it into the mud.

A rush of energy crackled through him. A thousand voices called his name. He shivered, shocked, and then felt a gentle warmth embrace him softly. A hand, slender but strong, ruffled his hair. That was when the rush of energy and the voices left him. It made his ears buzz for a moment, before the waves of the sea and the wind blowing through the trees cut through the buzzing.

Ace hugged the book to his chest. Something within him called it a precious thing. That it needed him as much as he needed it.

That it would forever call him home.

Ace swore he heard a woman's voice complain that 'five was not old enough'. He looked up, spotting a figure sitting at his back, glaring at gramps. The hand remained soft in his hair, but her glare was nasty.

The woman flickered away. The hand leaving his hair.

"Ace?" Gramps called, surprisingly soft.

Ace couldn't help but smile. He finally felt happier again. He didn't feel alone, he felt warm and safe. Finally whole.

"Thanks, Grandpa. I love it." Ace grinned.

His grandfather rushed him, wrapping him up into such a strong hug that it made Ace squeak. He settled slowly into it, hugging the book close to his chest with one hand. The other, he hugged his grandfather with as best as he could.

"I'm glad you like it," Grandpa said shakily, petting his head. "You haven't smiled in so long... Thank you..."

"It feels nice," Ace mumbled, blinking up at his grandpa. "So, I can keep it?"

"Of course," Grandpa laughed, ruffling his hair. "Use it to become a strong Marine!"

"I doubt I could ever be a Marine. Not with his blood in my veins."

"If you prove yourself strong and compassionate. You'll be worthy of being a Marine. You could soar up the ranks, and join me one day," Grandpa said, grinning as he leaned away. "They'd have no reason to hurt you once you reach my rank."

Ace didn't know, or really care about that. The book in his arms called to him, and he hugged it tighter to his chest.

"One thing though, Ace." Gramps frowned. "Don't tell people you're a Portgas. You can tell them you're a witch. People will just assume you're an average one that was gifted magic by nature itself. But a Portgas is one of the heads of the witch community. There are people who will want to use you for our power, despite how young you are."

"I don't understand."

"Witches who inherit their powers, rather than being chosen by nature, are much more powerful. There are... Or were, only twelve groups of you. The 'head clans' as it were," Garp tried to explain, scratching his head. "It's something about your families inheriting the magic, rather than being given it. Not sure, Rouge tried to explain it, but half of it went out my head. The girl was a loner, but when she wanted to talk, damn she could talk-"

Gramps yelped when a thick tree branch hit him. Ace blinked, darting his head about. He saw the shadowy figure out of the corner of his eye standing next to an old, fallen tree. The figure quickly faded once more.

"Damn forests," Gramps complained, rubbing his head. "Anyway, make sure you don't start blurting out that you're a Portgas to everyone. Just pretend you don't have a second name, okay?"

Ace tilted his head, but since his grandfather looked serious, he nodded. Gramps grinned brightly at him, patting his shoulder as he got up.

"Good boy! I'll go hunt us some dinner then. You can stay here and read, if you like?"

Ace nodded eagerly, flipping open the book. He blanked, and his grandpa made a confused noise as Ace stared at the pages.

"Ace?" Gramps called.

"It's blank," Ace said, almost numb.

Did that meant he wasn't worthy of the book? His heart raced at the thoughts, and tears burned at the back of his eyes. He had thought... But no, a stupid thought. Of course he wasn't worthy of being a Portgas witch. He had Gold Roger's blood.

"Is it?" Garp frowned, peeking over his shoulder. "Huh, so it is. Bwahahahaha! That's probably why your mother said I was to give it to you when I thought you were old enough."

"T-That means I'm old enough now, right?" Ace asked, desperate. "Since you gave it to me?"

He clutched the book tighter. He didn't want his grandpa to take it away. Not so soon. He'd try be more grown up if he had to. Ace would beg if he had to. He wanted to keep the book so badly. He'd try to be worthy. Ace would do whatever it took to be worthy.

He wanted to be a Portgas, not a Gold.

"Yeah, I think you'll be fine." Gramps grinned, ruffling his hair. "Try keep staring at it. It might end up giving up some of it's secrets to you."

Ace sighed in relief as his grandpa left. He wouldn't take the book away then. His heart racing heart slowly eased. Ace took a few deep breaths, before finally studying the book before him. He gently trailed a finger over the cover. It was heavy and thick, engraved with jewels and delicate little details that were carved neatly across the book. Ace traced his finger over the engravings, humming.

All the while a presence sat at his side. One he couldn't hear or see, but felt deep within himself. The presence felt mildly annoyed, but also fond. It was a foreign feeling to him, but a welcome one.

.::.

The shadow lady missed alcohol. Every time Ace went to a tavern she headed straight for the bar, stealing other people's drinks. He was thankful people were too drunk to notice half the time.

So while she was here for the drinks, Ace asked his question.

"What would you think if Roger had a child?"

As always there was a moment of silence before they laughed. The barkeep shook his head, snorting.

"Should be strangled in their sleep."

"Shot to death."

"Burned alive!"

"Yeah, put them out of their misery! The little shit, as if anyone wanted someone like that born." A man spat on the floor.

The shadow lady had been sitting next to the spitting man somewhat peacefully. But before Ace could do anything, she punched him.

The man crashed into the wall, going straight through it.

"What the hell?!" The bartender screeched.

Ace bashed his pipe off the woman who had said to burn him alive just as the shadow lady jumped over the bar, booting the bartender into the glass cabinet behind him.

It was twenty-four vs two. But the shadow lady was taking them out by the second. Ace only got two people down by the time she finished moping up the rest. She tossed him some food from the counter, just as Ace heard his name being called.

Sabo appeared in the doorway, eyes wide, before he sighed. He had met his friend last year, and at first Ace had tried to get rid of him, but the shadow lady had stopped him. Insisted on making friends or some nonsense like that.

Ace was thankful for that now of course.

Sabo glanced at the shadow lady before approaching him. "You have got to stop doing this to yourself," he sighed, taking his wrist and tugging him along.

Ace scoffed. "It's not that bad."

"You're hurting yourself."

Shadow lady nodded, handing Sabo some crisps as she followed them. She had a few bottles in hand, and Ace swore that despite the lack of facial features, she was frowning.

"I-I know! It's just that I..." Ace hesitated.

He didn't know what he was hoping for. A different answer maybe? To be reminded that he was a devil who didn't deserve to live? That he deserved whatever abuses people wanted to hand to him? That he didn't deserve the shadow lady and Sabo?

He wanted to ask what people would think of a Portgas child. If people would look highly upon that. But the question scared him.

"It's suspicious and all you do is start fights and hurt yourself. I don't get why you care about their opinions anyway. You and the shadow lady!"

Sabo scowled up at her, and Ace felt her grin. A cracking sound echoed as she palmed her knuckles.

"Okay." Sabo sighed. "She just wants to hit people. But Ace, you need to stop this, or at least let me come along with you so I can watch your back."

Shadow lady tapped Sabo's head.

Sabo huffed. "Yes, I know that's why you're here. But still."

The shadow lady held a very special place in Ace's heart. The same way Sabo did. Neither of them cared that he was Roger's son. In fact the shadow lady embraced him when he had said it, when he had been terrified that she would leave him. Ace had been frozen stiff. Unsure what to do. All he knew was that he didn't want to lose her.

The woman who taught him how to read and write. How to listen out for things in the forest, and how to tell which plants were safe to eat. They even read his grimoire together. If she needed to tell him something, she'd bite her finger, and write on the ground if there wasn't paint or a pencil nearby.

She never spoke to him, but Ace felt like she couldn't yet. But that one day she would.

He was looking forward to that day.

He never wanted to lose her or Sabo. It felt like he had something special with them.

A family, maybe?

A silly thought, but it made him feel warm and happy.

.::.

Sabo scowled. "Why are you looking at my shelter like you want to punch it?"

Ace snorted. "She doesn't even have a proper face."

"I can feel it. She wants to punch it."

They turned as one to the shadow lady, who was staring at Sabo's shelter with what Sabo could feel was disdain. Sabo thought he did a good job. He had put together the large crates and strips of metal against the old rubble to keep out the wind and rain. Now he was starting to regret bringing Ace here.

But he was trying to convince Ace to live with him. That way Ace didn't need to keep going through the forest. Sure, Ace liked to use it for training, but one day someone was going to follow him and that would just mess everything up.

Sabo yelped when the shadow lady grabbed him and Ace like shopping backs and hiked back into the forest.

"What is she doing?" Sabo wriggled. "Shadow lady, put me down!"

"I guess she really doesn't like your cave. That's a shame, I thought it looked pretty good." Ace was somehow relaxed, not wriggling even at all.

Was he used to being carried around like a shopping back or something?

Ace really was a feral child.

Sabo hadn't been to Dadan's hut before. It was surprisingly huge, with a guard tower and everything. He didn't expect it to be so well maintained either. Well, compared to anything anyone made in the Grey Terminal at least. If he compared it to where his 'parents' lived however.

Urgh, not that he wanted to think about those bastards.

"What the hell, woman?" A ginger haired woman complained as the shadow lady lowered Sabo and Ace to their feet once they were inside. "Why are there two kids now?"

Shadow lady bit her finger and wrote on the wall. 'He is not living in the Grey Terminal. Ace's friend can live with us.'

"STOP WRITING IN YOUR OWN BLOOD! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU? WE'RE THE ONES WHO ALWAYS HAVE TO CLEAN IT UP!" Dadan, because this had to be the Dadan that Ace spoke of, screeched. "AND LIVING HERE? WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS IS, A DAYCARE CENTRE?"

The shadow lady tilted her head. Dadan blanched, stepping away as she threw her hands up. "F-Fine! As long as he takes care of himself!"

.::.

Sabo jerked awake when he heard whimpering. Ace tossed and turned, face scrunched up, as if he was in agony. Sabo hurried to his side, shaking his shoulder.

"Ace! Ace, wake up!"

Ace didn't. He whimpered and curled up into a ball beneath his blanket, shivering. Sabo nearly screamed for help, but a hand landed on his head. He blinked up at the shadow lady.

She shook her head, then disappeared.

Five minutes later Dadan was climbing up the ladders, face grim. Dadan tucked Ace into her lap, holding him tightly.

"You said someone was dying?" Dadan stared at the shadow lady who reformed. "Who?"

The shadow lady tilted her head.

"Just do what you did before. Write it down!"

The shadow lady raised her hand to her lips, biting on her finger. Sabo blanched when she begun to write on the wooden floorboards with her blood. Dadan screeched.

"I MEAN'T USE A PENCIL! YOU DAMN GHOST!"

Sabo had no idea why Dadan's bandits were being haunted by a ghost, or why said ghost was always around Ace. But he liked her. The shadow lady was a confusing creature. Sabo had never seen an adult care about them so much. She always stepped in if he or Ace were about to get hurt.

And he only ever saw her by Ace's side. No one else's.

'A witch clan is dying. My brothers and sisters are being murdered.'

Sabo frowned. A witch clan? Dadan went pale.

"This has happened before, but not this badly-" Dadan said.

'Lots of witches. Not just one or two. This time it's too many. When I find out who did this, I'll make them pay.'

"You're a ghost of the Portgas family, how could you possibly make anyone pay-"

Sabo froze. Portgas?

The Head Witch Portgas family? They were the elemental witches. He tried to speak, but only let out a strangled croak. Dadan's head whipped round so fast that Sabo thought she might have broken her neck, her eyes wide open.

"Shit!" she cursed. "I forgot about you!"

"Ace is a Portgas witch," Sabo whispered, staring down at his friend, who curled up against Dadan, still whimpering, tears building up in the corner of his eyes. "That's why he has a ghost following him. She's a Portgas ghost."

The shadow lady put her thumb up.

"DON'T JUST CONFIRM IT!" Dadan screeched. "He could go around telling people! They would hunt Ace down, capture him and take him away-"

Head Witches belonged in Mariejois (with some exceptions to the rule). That was what Sabo had always been taught. They belonged with the Celestial Dragons, to live in the sky. The World Government would take Ace's freedom away. Trap him in a room, fill his head with all these expectations and rules-

His best friend, his wild, angry, passionate, best friend.

The nobles would tear all that away from him. Everything that made Ace, Ace.

"No!" Sabo snapped. "I wouldn't do that. I would never take Ace's freedom away, he's my friend!"

He swore he saw the shadow lady smile, despite her lack of proper facial features.

"The World Government doesn't know about him," Dadan said, eyes sharp. "But if they learn of him, he'll be worth a lot of money-"

The shadow lady patted her back, oddly gentle. Sabo really didn't understand their relationship half of the time. But that wasn't what mattered at the moment.

"I don't care about any of that! Ace is my friend, the only one I have, and I would never let anyone take his freedom away. I would fight them and kick their asses if they tried to lay a hand on him!"

"Aww," a voice croaked, and Sabo froze, because that was a teasing sound if he ever heard one, and the idea that Ace had heard all that made him flush. "Sabo cares," Ace teased, eyes barely open, but he was grinning weakly despite that.

But there was a flush to Ace's cheeks, and Sabo grinned sharply. He could easily turn this back around on Ace.

"Of course I care," Sabo cooed. "You're my precious friend, someone who always tries his hardest. After all, you're always getting us plenty of treasures for our stockpile. You're the best."

The tears were gone from Ace's eyes, and his shaking had eased off a bit. But now he was bright red, and shaking his head.

"Shut up!" Ace complained. "You're being annoying."

Score one to Sabo, zero to Ace.

Just how Sabo liked it.

"How are you feeling, brat?" Dadan asked. "You're still shaky."

"F-Fine-"

The shadow lady clicked her fingers.

Ace slumped, shaking his head. "Okay... Not fine... It's just... There was so much panicking and hurt and I don't understand what was going on-"

'When a traumatic incident happens to one of our head witch siblings we can feel it.' The shadow lady wrote. "And I feel like it was the Healers... They always stay in Flevance. That I know for sure."

"I'll talk to Garp next time he's around," Dadan said. "Maybe he knows what's going on."

When Garp arrived a week later Sabo made sure to listen into his and Dadan's conversation. It had been late at night, when he and Ace had supposed to be asleep. Ace had been, but Sabo had crept downstairs.

The shadow lady had been waiting for him and stayed at his side.

Sabo learned all about Flevance, and it's massacre. How horrified Garp was that the disease wasn't even contagious, yet the World Government allowed everyone to be murdered. The shadow lady snarled quietly, just as thunder boomed outside.

The Portgas Clan were elemental witches, and if Sabo remembered reading correctly, they could make one hell of a storm.

The storm that night raged through all of East Blue.

The next day Sabo learned that Ace, who had been exhausted and moody all day, and his magic were connected to the shadow lady's. She was tied to his magic. When she used it, Ace grew tired.

That was something he needed to get Ace to work on.

He didn't want anyone to take Ace away.