Siren and Marco:
The days after Ace's departure stretched longer than anyone had anticipated. On the surface, life aboard the Moby Dick returned to its steady rhythm, but Marco, Siren, and Thatch all carried the weight of his absence differently.
Thatch, though on the mend, was slower than usual, his movements still strained from his injuries. Siren visited him often, her presence soothing even as she grappled with her own turmoil. Marco remained a constant, watching over both of them, his quiet strength keeping them anchored.
But something had shifted in Siren.
Marco noticed it first. One evening, as they sat together in their quarters, Siren's presence seemed to shimmer faintly in the dim light. At first, he thought it was a trick of his eyes, but then she turned, and the faint glow around her seemed undeniable. Her green eyes held a brilliance he couldn't place, and her movements were laced with a new kind of energy-stronger, faster, almost otherworldly.
"You're glowing," Marco said suddenly, his voice soft but laced with awe.
Siren blinked at him, her brows furrowing. "Glowing?" She looked down at her hands as if expecting to see the glow he spoke of, but to her, they seemed normal. "I'm not... am I?"
Marco leaned closer, his fingers brushing against her cheek. "It's subtle, but it's there. It's... beautiful."
A faint blush crept up her neck, and she pulled back, dismissing it with a shake of her head. "You're imagining things. I'm fine."
But Marco wasn't convinced. The glow was subtle, yes, but it was there. And it wasn't just her appearance-there was a strength in her presence that hadn't been there before. Something about her felt... untouchable, as though the very essence of her power had deepened in a way neither of them fully understood.
"Maybe it's because I'm recovering," she said finally, trying to rationalize it. "After everything with the Yami Yami no Mi, maybe my body's just... adapting."
Marco didn't press the issue, but the unease in his chest lingered. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than simple recovery.
...
A week passed before Siren made her way to the deck late one evening, finding Marco staring out at the horizon. The sky was painted in hues of deep purple and gold as the sun dipped below the waves, and for a moment, she simply watched him.
"Marco," she said softly, drawing his attention.
He turned to her, his blue eyes meeting hers with quiet concern.
"I think we need to go after Ace," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Marco's gaze didn't waver. "You've been saying that for days. What's changed?"
Siren hesitated, searching for the words. "I feel unsettled. Like something's wrong. I can't explain it, but I know Ace needs us."
Marco nodded slowly, his jaw tightening. He had felt it too-the unease that came from knowing Ace was out there alone, chasing something that could consume him.
"Thatch is recovering well," Marco said after a moment. "He'll be back on his feet soon. The crew can manage without us for a while."
Siren stepped closer, her hand finding his. "Then we should go. The rumors say Ace's in Alabasta, and that he's with... his brother."
"Luffy," Marco murmured, remembering the name Ace had spoken of so fondly.
Siren nodded. "If that's true, then at least he's not completely alone. But we need to be there, Marco. For him."
...
The next morning, they stood before Whitebeard in his chambers. The towering man regarded them with his usual calm, though there was a shadow of concern in his expression.
"You're certain about this?" Whitebeard rumbled, his voice low.
Marco stepped forward. "Ace is family, Pops. We can't just sit here and do nothing."
Whitebeard's gaze shifted to Siren, who met his eyes steadily. "And you? What do you feel, girl?"
Siren hesitated, then spoke with quiet resolve. "I feel like something's coming. Something big. I don't know what it is, but it's tied to Ace. And... to us." She swallowed, her voice softening. "You should be prepared for anything Father. I don't trust the quiet that comes before a storm."
Whitebeard studied her for a long moment before nodding. "You've always had good instincts. We'll keep an eye out. You go. Find Ace. And bring him home. In the mean time I'll assemble the fleet and move closer to you."
Marco and Siren both bowed their heads, their hearts heavy with the weight of the journey ahead.
...
As they stepped onto the deck, the crew gathered to see them off. Thatch, still recovering but upright, gave them a tired smile.
"Don't let Ace do anything stupid," he said with a wink, though his voice carried a hint of worry.
"We'll do our best," Marco replied with a small smile.
With a burst of blue flames, Marco transformed into his phoenix form, the shimmering feathers catching the morning light. Siren climbed onto his back with practiced ease, her arms wrapping securely around him.
"Take care of each other," Whitebeard called after them, his voice carrying over the waves.
"We will!" Siren called back, her voice steady even as her heart raced.
As Marco lifted into the sky, the wind rushing past them, Siren glanced back at the ship below, the crew growing smaller with each passing second.
"We're coming, Ace," she murmured, her grip on Marco tightening.
And as they soared toward the horizon, the bond between them felt unbreakable, their resolve stronger than ever.
...
Ace:
Ace stood at the helm of his boat, the wind tugging at his hair as he gazed out at the endless stretch of sea before him. The sand of Alabasta still clung to his boots, and the weight of his recent conversations with Luffy lingered in his heart. He had parted ways with his brother not long ago, the reunion bittersweet.
He should have felt accomplished. The rumors had been wrong-Teach wasn't here, but Alabasta was safe. But he didn't feel any closer to his goal, and the nagging sense of failure burned hotter with every passing wave.
And then there was the ache. The hollow, gnawing ache of missing Marco and Siren.
...
As he adjusted the sail to catch the wind, his thoughts drifted to their faces. Marco, with his steady, reassuring strength, and Siren, with her fiery green eyes that always seemed to see right through him. They weren't just comrades to him anymore-they were home.
He clenched his fists against the wheel, the tension in his body refusing to ease. "What am I doing?" he muttered to himself. He had left them behind because he thought it was the right thing to do, but now he couldn't shake the guilt.
He could still feel the weight of Siren's kiss on his lips, the lingering warmth of Marco's forehead against his. The memory of their shared vulnerability in those final moments before he left played over and over in his mind.
"They're stronger than me," he admitted quietly. "And I still walked away. Damn it, why did I think this was a good idea?"
...
His thoughts turned to the brief time he'd spent with Luffy in Alabasta. His little brother had grown so much, yet he was still the same reckless, wide-eyed dreamer Ace remembered.
The memory of their conversation came rushing back.
They had been sitting by a campfire, the stars above them blazing bright in the desert sky. Luffy had been stuffing his face with meat, as usual, but he'd paused when he noticed Ace staring into the flames.
"What's wrong, Ace?" Luffy had asked around a mouthful of food.
Ace had sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Nothing. Just... thinking."
Luffy tilted his head, curious. "About what?"
"About family," Ace admitted. "About Marco and Siren."
Luffy grinned. "Oh, yeah! You told me about them. They sound cool."
"They are," Ace said, his voice softening. "They're... everything to me. I didn't expect to find a family like this, especially not after everything with... with my own father." He paused, his jaw tightening.
Luffy listened quietly, an unusual seriousness in his expression.
"I thought I'd always be on my own," Ace continued. "But then I joined Whitebeard's crew, and things changed. And then Marco and Siren..." He shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "They're different. They make me feel like I don't have to carry everything alone."
Luffy's grin widened. "That's good, Ace. Everyone needs people like that. I've got my crew, and they're like my family too. You should hold on to them."
"I am," Ace had said firmly. "That's why I'm doing this. To keep them safe."
...
Now, as Ace sailed alone, those words rang hollow. The distance between him and his family felt unbearable, and he couldn't shake the fear that he'd made a mistake in leaving them behind.
He missed Siren's laugh, the way she teased him when he got too serious. He missed the way Marco always seemed to know what to say, even when Ace couldn't find the words himself.
"I'll come back to you," he whispered, gripping the wheel tighter. "I promise."
But even as he made the vow, the uncertainty gnawed at him. Would he find Teach? Would he succeed in avenging Thatch and protecting Siren from the danger that devil fruit represented? Or was he just chasing shadows?
...
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ace spotted a faint flicker of light on the water-a distant ship. His heart leapt at the possibility. Could it be Teach? Or was it just another dead end?
He adjusted his course, the fire within him burning brighter. Whatever lay ahead, he wouldn't stop until he saw this through.
But in the quiet moments between each wave, his thoughts remained anchored to the family he'd left behind.
"I'll protect you," he whispered, the words carried away by the wind. "No matter what it takes."
...
Ace stood at the edge of the empty port, his arms crossed as he stared out at the quiet sea. The faint light of dawn reflected off the water, a cold, unfeeling contrast to the storm raging inside him.
The ship he'd tracked was a bust-just a merchant vessel with no connection to Teach. No signs, no whispers, no hints of the man who had turned his world upside down. The disappointment was bitter, a weight pressing down on his chest as he boarded his boat once again.
...
But the chase wasn't over. He'd overheard sailors in the tavern the night before whispering of a man matching Teach's description spotted on another island not far from here. Ace latched onto that lead like a lifeline, refusing to let the trail go cold.
Still, something gnawed at him.
...
He'd heard the news in passing, just a fleeting mention from the barkeep. Whitebeard was calling his fleet together.
Ace frowned, adjusting the sail as the breeze caught it. "Why would Pops do that?" he muttered to himself. Whitebeard rarely called on the full might of his fleet unless it was serious.
The thought sent a shiver down Ace's spine. Something was wrong. Siren's warnings echoed in his mind, her voice steady and sure as she spoke of her unease.
"They can handle it," Ace told himself, though the words felt hollow. Marco was there, and Siren too-they'd keep things under control. But the nagging worry refused to leave him.
...
As Ace sailed toward the next island, his thoughts drifted back to his time with Luffy. The desert heat of Alabasta was a distant memory now, but the conversation they'd shared lingered in his mind.
They'd been sitting under the stars, the night still and quiet save for the crackling of the campfire.
"So," Luffy had said, his mouth full of meat as usual, "what's Marco like? And Siren? You talk about them a lot."
Ace chuckled, poking at the fire with a stick. "They're... incredible. I've never met anyone like them." He hesitated, the words caught in his throat.
Luffy tilted his head, curious. "You love them, huh?"
Ace's cheeks flushed, and he laughed nervously. "Yeah. I do."
Luffy grinned. "That's good! You deserve that. So, are they like... your partners?"
Ace's expression softened. "Yeah. They are. Marco's like... He's steady, you know? Strong, reliable. He's been through so much, and he still stands tall. And Siren..." He trailed off, a wistful smile tugging at his lips. "She's... magic. There's no other way to describe her. She's strong and kind and fierce all at once. I've never felt this way about anyone."
Luffy nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "Do you want a family with them?"
The question caught Ace off guard. He stared at Luffy, his heart pounding. "I... Yeah. I do. I want a family with them. I want to build something that lasts. I want to protect them, to give them the life they deserve."
Luffy's grin widened. "Then you should do it! Don't let anything stop you, Ace."
...
Now, as Ace sailed alone, the memory of Luffy's words brought a small smile to his lips. "Don't let anything stop you," he repeated quietly.
But the loneliness was suffocating. He missed the sound of Siren's laugh, the way she challenged him and kept him on his toes. He missed Marco's steady presence, the way his calm strength made everything feel manageable.
Ace clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "I'll come back to you," he whispered, the words a promise as much to himself as to them.
But first, he had to find Teach.
...
The next island was bustling with activity, its marketplace alive with the chatter of sailors and merchants. Ace moved through the crowd, his ears straining for any mention of Teach.
He caught snippets of conversation-talk of Whitebeard's fleet, of strange happenings on the seas. But nothing solid, nothing concrete.
Frustration bubbled beneath his skin, the fire within him threatening to erupt. He couldn't let this trail go cold. He had to keep moving, to keep searching.
But as he stood at the edge of the market, staring out at the horizon, a thought crept into his mind: What if I'm too late?
...
Siren and Marco:
The open sky stretched endlessly above them, its deep blue canvas dotted with scattered clouds. Marco soared through the air, his phoenix wings shimmering in the sunlight, and Siren rode on his back, her arms wrapped tightly around his torso. The wind whipped past them, but the cold bite of the high altitude didn't touch her. Marco's flames surrounded her in a protective cocoon, their warmth steady and reassuring.
"Comfortable back there?" Marco called over the rushing wind, his voice tinged with humor.
Siren leaned closer, resting her cheek against his shoulder. "Always. You're my very own flying furnace."
He chuckled, his laughter rippling through her body. "Glad I can be useful."
The bond they shared was unspoken yet profound. Marco trusted her completely, and she trusted him just as deeply. There was no fear, no hesitation. Not even the vast sky could come between them.
...
When night fell, they landed in a small coastal village, its streets quiet and lined with warm, glowing lanterns. The tavern was modest but welcoming, its wooden interior filled with the scent of hearty stew and the faint hum of conversation.
Inside, they found a corner table and shared a meal. Marco watched as Siren ate with an enthusiasm he hadn't seen before.
"You're eating like Ace," he teased, leaning back in his chair with a smirk.
Siren paused, a piece of bread halfway to her mouth, and narrowed her eyes at him. "I can't help it. I'mstarvingall the time lately. It's like my body can't keep up with itself."
Marco's gaze softened, and he reached across the table to take her hand. The faint glow emanating from her skin was impossible to miss, a soft radiance that made her seem otherworldly. "You're glowing again," he murmured, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "It's beautiful."
Siren looked away, her cheeks flushing. "It feels... strange. Like something inside me is changing."
Marco gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out. Together."
Later that night, as they lay in the small room they rented, Siren curled into Marco's side, her head resting on his chest. His arm draped over her protectively, and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulled her toward sleep.
"Do you think Ace is okay?" she whispered, her voice heavy with worry.
Marco's hand traced slow, soothing circles on her back. "He's tougher than he looks. But I miss him too."
Siren closed her eyes, finding comfort in his warmth. "We'll find him."
"We will," Marco promised, his voice steady and sure.
...
When they traveled under the stars, Marco would find quiet clearings where they could rest. Siren would spread her cloak on the grass, and Marco would sit beside her, his flames glowing softly to keep her warm.
On one such night, Siren looked up at the stars, her green eyes reflecting their light. "Do you ever think about what's out there?" she asked.
Marco glanced at her, his lips quirking in a small smile. "Not much. I'm more concerned with what's right here."
She turned to him, her glow softly illuminating his face. "You always know what to say, don't you?"
He shrugged, his smile growing. "Only with you."
She reached out, brushing her fingers against his cheek. "Thank you, Marco. For everything. For always being here."
He leaned into her touch, his eyes never leaving hers. "You've always been here for me too. That's how it works."
...
When Marco flew, Siren used her abilities to shield him from the elements. Her power extended outward like an invisible barrier, keeping the wind and rain at bay.
"You don't have to do that," Marco said one day, his voice carrying over the rush of air.
"And let you get soaked? I don't think so," Siren replied, tightening her hold on him.
He laughed. "Fair enough."
They worked seamlessly, a team in perfect sync. Marco's strength and endurance carried them far, but it was Siren's unwavering presence that kept him going.
...
In the villages and towns they visited, Marco and Siren asked carefully for news. They found scattered mentions of a man matching Teach's description, but nothing concrete.
It was in a bustling port town that they finally heard something that made them pause.
"Alabasta," the bartender said, pouring a drink. "Your guy might've been there, but I heard a different story-someone saw Fire Fist Ace there with another pirate. Some kid with a straw hat."
Marco's eyes narrowed. "Did they say where they were headed?"
The bartender shrugged. "Not sure, but the kid's name is Luffy. Maybe someone else around here knows."
Siren and Marco exchanged a look.
"Luffy," Siren said softly. "Ace's brother."
Marco nodded, his expression grim. "We're getting closer."
...
Despite their progress, Siren couldn't shake the strange sensation growing within her. Her constant hunger, the glow, the way her strength seemed to increase day by day-it was unlike anything she'd experienced before.
But she dismissed it, focusing instead on their journey and their mission.
Marco, however, noticed. He watched her closely, his concern growing with every passing day. She seemed untouchable, almost ethereal, and while he found it beautiful, it also unsettled him.
"You're different," he said one evening as they rested under the stars.
Siren tilted her head. "Different how?"
Marco hesitated, searching for the right words. "Stronger. Brighter. It's like... you're becoming something more."
Siren laughed softly. "That's poetic coming from a phoenix."
Marco smiled, but his eyes remained serious. "Just promise me you'll tell me if something feels wrong."
She placed a hand over his. "I promise."
As they prepared to leave for the next island, Siren turned to Marco. "We're close. I can feel it."
Marco nodded, his wings unfurling. "Then let's not waste any time."
Together, they took to the skies once more, their bond stronger than ever, their determination unwavering. They desperatelly wanted to reunite with their missing love.
...