The sun was dipping low on the horizon as the trio sailed into Jaya's harbor. The air was thick with the scent of salt and smoke, the unmistakable mark of a pirate haven. Crumbling buildings lined the shore, and rowdy laughter echoed from the taverns that dotted the coastline. Jaya was alive with chaos, an untamed corner of the Grand Line that pulsed with danger.
Ace leapt off the ship first, fire flickering at his fingertips as he turned to Marco and Siren with a roguish grin. "We won't find a more lawless place to get Vivre Cards made. Let's stick together and get this done."
Siren adjusted the sash around her waist, her green eyes scanning the bustling streets. "Let's make it quick. Places like this... trouble has a way of finding us."
Marco chuckled, his wings briefly unfurling as he stretched. "Trouble or not, we've got each other. And Ace's reckless charm to guide us, right?"
Ace shot him a mock glare but couldn't help grinning. "Reckless charm always works."
They ventured into the heart of Jaya, navigating the chaos of pirates trading, boasting, and brawling in the open streets. It didn't take long to find a small, shadowy shop tucked between two raucous taverns. Inside, a wizened old man hunched over a strange contraption, paper and firelight casting eerie shadows on his face.
"You want Vivre Cards?" the man rasped, his eyes narrowing as he looked them over. "Ain't cheap."
"We're willing to pay," Siren said firmly, sliding a small pouch of gold coins onto the counter.
The man's eyes lit up greedily, and he began the intricate process. One by one, he took small pieces of their nails, muttering under his breath as he worked. When he was finished, three small pieces of paper fluttered in his gnarled hands.
Marco held up his newly made Vivre Card, watching it hover slightly in the air, a tangible connection to himself. "This... is worth every beli."
Ace passed Siren her card, his dark eyes soft. "Now, wherever you are, we'll find you. Always."
Siren's heart swelled as she clutched the small paper. "And we'll find you, Ace. No matter what."
The exchange was a quiet, profound moment amidst the chaos of Jaya. But as they stepped out into the bustling street, reality crashed back in.
...
Rumors of Teach, now named Blackbeard had already begun circulating in the taverns. Snippets of drunken conversations hinted at a man gathering a crew, boasting about power and ambition that could shake the seas.
It wasn't long before the trio stumbled upon a confrontation in one of the dimly lit alleys. A group of rowdy men, clearly part of a pirate crew, loomed over a trembling merchant. The merchant clutched his wares, desperate to protect them as the pirates laughed and shoved him.
Siren's sharp eyes caught the mark of Blackbeard on their sleeves-a crude black flag with an ominous three-headed skull the patrons of Jaya' taverns kept whispering about.
"Teach's crew," Marco murmured, his tone low and dangerous.
Ace's fists clenched, flames flickering faintly around his knuckles. "This is our chance."
Without hesitation, they stepped forward. The largest of the pirates turned, his grin fading when he saw the trio approaching.
"You've got guts, showing your faces here," the pirate sneered, drawing his weapon.
Ace smirked, flames erupting fully in his hands. "You don't know who you're messing with."
The alley erupted into chaos. Ace's fire blazed through the narrow space, forcing the pirates back. Marco moved with practiced precision, his phoenix flames cutting through their defenses. Siren was a blur, her strikes swift and lethal, her green eyes glowing faintly as she summoned bursts of energy to aid her movements.
Despite their strength, the pirates fought with desperation, buying time for one of their own to flee.
"He's running," Siren hissed, spotting the man disappearing around a corner.
"I'll handle him," Marco said, his wings unfurling as he took to the sky.
...
The chase led them to a ramshackle hideout on the edge of town. Marco returned to report the location, and the trio wasted no time storming the hideout. Inside, they found Teach himself, lounging in a large chair with a sinister grin. Around him stood his newly gathered crew, their presence imposing but chaotic.
"Well, well," Teach drawled, his dark eyes gleaming. "If it ain't Ace and his little entourage. What brings you to my humble abode?"
"You know damn well why we're here," Ace growled, stepping forward. "This ends now, Teach."
Teach laughed, the sound echoing through the room like a rumble of distant thunder. "Oh, Ace. You've always been so hot-headed. But this isn't your fight anymore. I've got my own destiny to follow, and you can't stop me."
The tension in the room was suffocating. Marco and Siren flanked Ace, their expressions grim and determined.
"You're a danger to everyone," Siren said, her voice steady despite the fear Teach's power inspired. "We won't let you keep spreading your chaos."
Teach's grin widened, and the room seemed to darken. "Then let's see if you've got what it takes to stop me."
The ensuing fight was a clash of fire and shadows, light and darkness. Teach's newfound power from the Yami Yami no Mi was overwhelming, his attacks consuming everything they touched. Marco and Siren fought with everything they had, their teamwork seamless as they supported Ace's relentless assault.
But Teach was cunning. His control over the Yami Yami no Mi was brutal and relentless, turning the battlefield into a chaotic warzone. Every attack they landed seemed futile as his void absorbed and countered with devastating force.
Ace lunged forward, fire blazing in his fists. His movements were sharp, enhanced by his Armament Haki, the black sheen of his fists cutting through the dark void. "Stop hiding, Teach! Let's see what you've got!"
Teach's laughter was cruel. "Haki, huh? Impressive, but it won't be enough." He deflected Ace's flaming strike with a surge of darkness, the collision sparking an explosive shockwave that shook the ground.
Marco swooped in from above, his talons also coated in Haki, aiming to pierce through Teach's defense. "Enough games, Teach. You can't run from this." His strikes were swift, deadly, and precise, each one pushing Teach back.
Yet the void fought back, lashing out with tendrils of dark energy that swirled around them, forcing Marco to maneuver skillfully in mid-air to avoid being caught. The oppressive pull of the Yami Yami no Mi slowed him, dragging at his wings with every flap.
On the ground, Siren planted her feet firmly, her hands glowing faintly as she manipulated the terrain beneath them. She summoned jagged earth spikes that erupted toward Teach, forcing him to dodge or absorb the attack into his swirling darkness. "You can't escape forever!" she shouted, her voice filled with determination.
But the strain of manipulating the earth, combined with the distant roar of the sea calling to her, was taking its toll. Her Life Life Fruit flickered with resistance, as though the surrounding void sought to smother its energy. She reached out, drawing on the faintest trace of saltwater from deep underground, weaving it into her attacks. Streams of water shot forward, sizzling as they met the dark energy head-on.
"Water? Clever," Teach sneered, sidestepping the attack and slamming the ground with a wave of darkness that disrupted the terrain Siren had shifted. "But you're too far from the ocean, little girl. That power of yours won't save you."
Siren grit her teeth, her body trembling from the effort. Marco glanced down from the sky, worry flashing across his face. "Siren, don't push yourself too far!"
"I'm fine!" she snapped, though her knees buckled slightly. "He's too dangerous-we can't let him win!"
Ace joined her, flames erupting around him, his Haki flaring for a brief moment as his anger surged. "I'm not letting you hurt her again, Teach!" He launched a fire-coated punch, the force of his Haki propelling it faster and stronger than before.
Teach absorbed the attack, laughing darkly as the flames disappeared into the void. "So much power. Such a waste." With a flick of his wrist, he sent a concentrated pulse of darkness hurtling toward Ace, who barely dodged in time, rolling to his feet with a snarl.
Siren used the distraction to gather her remaining strength. Her hands trembled as she pulled the last dregs of saltwater from beneath the earth, weaving it into a swirling sphere that glowed faintly with her life energy. "Marco, Ace-get clear!"
Marco, recognizing the danger, dove low, scooping Ace into the air and away from the blast zone. Siren hurled the sphere with all her might, her power colliding with Teach's void in a catastrophic explosion that sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.
The dust cleared, revealing Teach battered but still standing. His grin was manic, his body radiating an ominous energy. "You've got fight, I'll give you that. But this power..." He spread his arms, the void swirling more violently than ever. "This power makes me invincible."
Ace, Marco, and Siren regrouped, their breaths ragged, their bodies aching. Marco's golden feathers were dulled, his phoenix flames flickering weakly. Ace's shirt was torn, his fists bleeding from overusing his Haki. Siren could barely stand, her vision swimming.
"We're wearing him down," Marco said, though his voice was strained. "But so are we."
Teach, sensing their exhaustion, grinned wider. "And that's my cue." With a surge of dark energy, he unleashed a massive wave that engulfed the ground in shadow, forcing them to shield themselves.
By the time the darkness receded, Teach was gone, his mocking laughter echoing in the distance.
Ace slammed his fist into the ground, flames sputtering weakly from his hand. "Damn it! He's gone!"
Marco, his face grim, turned to Siren, who was leaning heavily against a jagged rock for support. "Siren, you're drained. You need rest."
"We can't let him escape," she whispered, though her voice was faint. Her hands still glowed faintly with the remnants of her power, but the effort had taken its toll.
Ace crouched beside her, his arm wrapping protectively around her shoulders. "We'll catch him, but not like this. You're more important than chasing him down."
Marco nodded, though frustration lingered in his gaze. "He's wounded. That gives us an opening. We'll regroup, recover, and strike again."
Siren hesitated, her heart aching with the weight of the battle, but she finally relented. "Okay," she murmured, leaning against Ace as her body trembled from exhaustion.
The fight wasn't over-not yet. Teach had slipped through their fingers, but this wasn't the end. They would find him again, and when they did, they would be ready.
...
Teach:
Teach, sitting in his dimly lit hideout, stews over his failure to capture Ace, Marco, and Siren. His frustration is palpable, his crew keeping their distance as he broods.
The hideout is a ramshackle building on Jaya's outskirts. Maps and notes are scattered across a table, marking potential targets and plans.
A scrappy subordinate interrupts, carrying vital intelligence. A pirate bursts into the room, clutching a folded parchment. "Captain! News from the Grand Line!"
Teach takes the parchment, his fingers curling around it like claws. As he reads, his eyes widen. The paper bears a Marine Intelligence report: Portgas D. Ace is the son of Gol D. Roger.
A sinister smile creeps across his face. He chuckles, the sound low and menacing. "The Pirate King's brat... sailing with Whitebeard." He leans back, tapping the paper against his knee. "Now, that's leverage. With Ace in my grasp, Whitebeard's empire would crumble... and the Navy would be begging for scraps."
Teach's gaze darkens. "But I can't take them all alone. Not yet. I need someone just as desperate for a prize of their own."
...
Teach, a master manipulator, decides to contact Smoothie. He knows she's been hunting Siren for the Life Life Fruit and uses this as bait. Without revealing Ace's true identity, he offers Smoothie a temporary alliance to capture the trio.
Smoothie's ship, a floating fortress of decadence, cuts through the waves. She lounges in her grand chamber, sipping from a goblet, when her Den Den Mushi rings. The snail's face morphs into Teach's grinning visage.
Teach: "Charlotte Smoothie. A pleasure to speak with one of Big Mom's finest."
Smoothie (leaning forward, unimpressed): "Blackbeard. What do you want? I'm busy."
Teach: "I've got something you'll want to hear. It's about the girl you've been chasing-Siren, isn't it?"
Smoothie narrows her eyes but doesn't interrupt.
Teach: "She's here, in Jaya. And I can help you catch her."
Smoothie: "You're offering me the Life Life Fruit user? Why?"
Teach (grinning): "Because she's not alone. She's traveling with Marco the Phoenix and Fire Fist Portgas D. Ace."
Smoothie raises an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "Marco and Ace... Together? That's a bold trio to target, even for you."
Teach: "True enough. That's why I'm calling you. We join forces, take them down together, and split the spoils. You get the girl, and I keep the others. Sound fair?"
Smoothie takes a sip from her goblet, considering. "And what's stopping me from taking all of them for myself?"
Teach laughs, dark and booming. "You could try. But even you can't take them on alone. With my crew and your power, they won't stand a chance. Think of it as... a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Smoothie's lips curl into a faint smile. "Fine. But don't expect me to play nice if you double-cross me."
Teach: "Wouldn't dream of it, my dear. Let's meet in Jaya and plan our trap."
...
The secluded cove on Jaya was cloaked in shadows, the moonlight casting an eerie glow on the jagged cliffs that loomed overhead. The rhythmic crash of waves against the rocks provided the only sound, save for the distant murmur of restless crews stationed just out of sight.
Teach stood in the center of the clearing, his hulking form illuminated by the faint glow of a torch in his hand. His grin was as wide and unsettling as ever, his dark eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of a man holding all the cards. Across from him, Charlotte Smoothie stepped into view, her imposing figure cutting through the moonlit haze like a blade. She moved with the confidence of a predator, her long legs striding purposefully over the uneven ground, the jeweled hilt of her sword gleaming at her hip.
For a moment, they regarded each other in silence, the weight of their mutual mistrust heavy in the salty air. Smoothie's gaze swept over Teach with cool disdain, her lips curling into the faintest smirk.
"I'll admit, Blackbeard," she said, her voice smooth as silk, "you've piqued my interest. But don't mistake that for trust. You've been known to turn on your allies."
Teach let out a deep, rumbling laugh that echoed off the cliffs. "Allies? Oh no, Smoothie, don't get it twisted. This ain't an alliance. It's a transaction. You want the girl; I want the rest. Simple as that."
Smoothie stepped closer, her towering height putting her nearly eye-to-eye with the larger man. The torchlight flickered between them, casting jagged shadows across her sharp features. "And what makes you think I won't just take all three of them for myself?"
Teach's grin widened, his teeth glinting in the dim light. "Because you're smarter than that. Sure, you're strong, Smoothie, but even you can't handle Whitebeard's fleet commander and the fire-wielding brat at the same time. You'd win... eventually. But at what cost? No, no, you need me. And I need you. So let's play nice, yeah?"
Smoothie's smirk faded, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. She crossed her arms, the weight of her sword shifting slightly at her side. "Fine. But I don't plan on waiting around while you bumble your way through this. What's your plan?"
Teach chuckled again, more softly this time, and turned to the crude map laid out on a nearby crate. The flickering torchlight cast a wavering glow over the parchment, which was marked with the key locations of Jaya's harbor and surrounding streets.
"They've been keeping a low profile," he began, tapping a thick finger against a marked area near the docks. "But sooner or later, they'll need supplies. When they do, my men will make their move. We'll stage a little chaos to draw Marco and Ace out into the open. The firefly's always the first to jump into the flames, and the phoenix won't let him fight alone."
Smoothie leaned over the map, her sharp eyes scanning the details. "And the girl?"
Teach's grin turned feral. "She'll stick close to Marco. That's where you come in. While my boys keep the other two busy, you swoop in and snatch her. Quick and clean."
Smoothie's gaze flicked up to meet Teach's, her expression unreadable. "And if your 'boys' can't handle them?"
Teach's grin didn't falter. He reached into his coat and pulled out a small glass vial filled with a viscous, shimmering liquid. "I've got insurance." He held it up between his fingers, letting the torchlight catch the contents. "Sea prism extract. Strong enough to weaken even the mightiest Devil Fruit user. A little dose of this, and they'll drop like flies."
Smoothie arched a brow, her interest piqued despite herself. "Impressive. But I'll remind you: I don't tolerate failure. If this goes wrong, I'll make sure you regret it."
Teach chuckled, tucking the vial back into his coat. "I'd expect nothing less. But don't you worry, Smoothie. This plan's airtight. By the time the sun sets tomorrow, the girl will be yours, and I'll have what I need."
Smoothie straightened, her smirk returning. "You'd better be right." She turned and began walking back toward the shadows, her long coat billowing behind her like a cape. "I'll have my crew in position by dawn. Don't screw this up, Teach."
Teach watched her go, his grin never wavering. As her figure disappeared into the darkness, he turned back to the map, his fingers drumming against the crate.
"Oh, I won't screw it up," he muttered to himself, his voice low and dripping with malice. "I never do."
...
With Siren, Marco and Ace:
The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long, shadowed fingers across the ragged streets of Jaya. The bustling chaos of the pirate haven continued around them, but within the trio's small, secluded corner, there was a deep sense of unease.
Siren sat back, rubbing her temples as she tried to sort through the constant storm of thoughts swirling in her mind. Despite feeling herself recover, there was a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach, one that refused to let her rest. She glanced over at Ace and Marco, who were focused intently on a map laid out before them. They were plotting their next move, trying to strategize how to get out of Jaya before Blackbeard's crew closed in on them.
"We need to get ahead of them, figure out where they're heading," Marco was saying, his fingers tracing potential escape routes on the map. His brow furrowed, clearly deep in thought.
"I don't like the idea of just running," Ace added, crossing his arms. "But we don't have much of a choice if we're going to stay ahead of them." His eyes flicked over to Siren, then back to the map. "We'll get ahead of Teach and his crew, but we can't afford to make any mistakes."
Siren nodded absently, though her thoughts were far away. The voice of all things had grown more insistent over the last few days, whispering warnings that she couldn't fully understand. She hadn't mentioned it to Ace or Marco yet-partly because she didn't fully comprehend it herself, but also because they had more pressing matters at hand. But something inside her was screaming,Don't stay here. Don't stay anywhere near the chaos that's coming.
She closed her eyes, trying to block out the nagging voice. It's too much. There's something... bigger than just Blackbeard, she thought. But what was it? The voice was vague, but urgent, pushing her to move.
"Maybe we should head toward the next island," Marco suggested, looking up from the map. "If we move now, we could be well ahead of them by the time they realize we're gone."
Ace gave a nod. "Sounds like our best option. The farther we get from Jaya, the better."
Siren shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her eyes distant. Her hand subconsciously went to her stomach, a feeling of unease pressing against her chest. It's not just about getting away from Blackbeard... something else is coming, she thought. The voice was almost frantic now, warning her about more than just the looming threat of Teach.
But as much as the voice called for action, she couldn't explain why it felt so pressing.They'll be after you. You're all in danger.
"I think we need to regroup. Not just get away from Teach, but... figure out what's next," Siren finally spoke, her voice hesitant. She looked at Ace and Marco, her green eyes dark with concern. "We can't just run. Whatever's coming, it's bigger than just Teach's crew. We need to be ready."
Marco's expression softened, but he couldn't fully mask the tension in his gaze. "I know. But right now, Teach is the one we need to worry about. Once we get ahead of him, we'll have the time we need to think."
Ace, ever the optimist despite the dire situation, flashed a grin. "We've dealt with worse. And besides, we've got each other, right?" His fiery presence gave the words weight, and for a moment, Siren felt the comfort of his unshakable confidence.
She smiled weakly, but the nagging sense of doom didn't let up. She couldn't shake the feeling that something far worse was on the horizon.You need to leave. Now. The voice spoke again, clearer now, almost frantic. But there was no time to dwell on it.
"Okay, then. We get ahead of him," Siren said, taking a steadying breath. "But we don't just run. We need to have a plan in place. We need to be smart about this."
Marco nodded, already moving to gather their things. "We've got the upper hand for now. We'll keep moving, stay under the radar."
But as they prepared to leave, Siren couldn't help but glance back at the shadows stretching across the street, her heart pounding with an ominous sense of urgency. She didn't know why, but something told her they didn't have much time.
...
Teach:
Not far from Jaya, in the isolated depths of the Grand Line, Teach stood over a den den mushi, his grin wide and ominous. His eyes glinted with dark amusement as he spoke to the figure on the other side of the line.
"I've got them where I want them," Teach said with a low chuckle. "But I think it's time to move." His voice was cold, calculating. "We'll give them a little more time, but soon enough, they won't be able to run anymore."
The voice on the other end was just as menacing. "You know what to do. The crew's ready. Take them when you can. The storm is coming for them, and they won't escape."
Teach's grin widened. "I'm counting on it."
...
Siren, Marco and Ace:
The island they had taken refuge on was quiet, almost unnervingly so. Marco, Siren, and Ace had been there for days, recovering from their last encounter with Teach's crew. While Ace and Marco spent their time strategizing, Siren felt a subtle shift within her body. She couldn't quite explain it-there was a feeling of something stirring deep inside her, yet it wasn't something she could place. The Voice of All Things, which had been a constant presence in her life, was muted now, as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to unfold.
Siren stood on the shore, gazing at the setting sun, her red hair glowing faintly in the soft light. The necklace Marco had given her-the shell that had once seemed like a token of affection-now felt like a weight against her chest. She hadn't thought much of it at first, but now, it seemed to pulse with something unknown, something deeper than just a reminder of Marco's love.
"Hey, you okay?" Marco's voice broke through her thoughts, warm and familiar.
She turned to face him. Marco was hovering near her, his fiery wings giving off a faint glow in the twilight. Ace stood beside him, his usual grin stretched across his face, though there was a trace of concern in his eyes.
"I'm fine," Siren said, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn't quite know what she was feeling, but it wasn't the fatigue from their journey. Something more profound, more unsettling. "Just thinking."
Marco raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. "About what?"
She glanced at Ace, then back at Marco. "About everything. The past... and this strange feeling I have." She placed a hand on her stomach, though it wasn't a conscious action. It just felt natural.
Ace raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What do you mean, strange feeling?" He stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "If you need to talk-"
"I don't even know what it is, Ace," Siren interrupted softly. "But something's different. I can't hear the Voice of All Things like I used to. And... I don't know. I feel like there's something more happening with my body."
Marco and Ace exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them. Ace gave her a soft smile, trying to mask the concern that was creeping into his expression. "Hey, you're still perfect," he teased, placing a hand lightly on her growing belly. "Even if you're eating like a pig." He grinned mischievously, though his tone was light.
Siren rolled her eyes, her lips curving into a reluctant smile. "I'm not that bad," she said, though her cheeks flushed a bit.
"But you are getting a little puffy around the middle," Marco teased, a playful edge to his voice. He joined Ace by her side, both of them surrounding her in their own comforting ways. "Perfectly beautiful as always, though."
Siren's gaze softened as she looked between them, her heart swelling with love for the two men. She could feel their affection, their worry. But there was still something she couldn't quite grasp. The calm before the storm... it lingered like a heavy weight.
She took a deep breath, trying to push aside her unease for the moment. "Thanks, you two," she said quietly, her voice filled with gratitude. "But there's still something off."
Marco's eyes softened, his voice filled with concern. "What do you mean?"
Siren didn't answer right away, instead lowering her gaze to the shell around her neck. It was warm against her skin, almost as if it were alive. A soft pulse seemed to echo through her body in time with her heartbeat. "I don't know... something's coming," she whispered. "Something big."
Ace's expression hardened, his protective instincts flaring. "We're here for you, Siren. Whatever it is, we'll face it together. Don't try to carry it alone."
Marco nodded in agreement, his wings flaring slightly as he moved closer to her. "You're not alone, not ever," he said softly. "We'll handle whatever comes next, together."
Siren felt the weight of their words, but still, that feeling lingered. A storm was coming, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
She closed her eyes for a moment, listening to the distant crashing of the waves, trying to ground herself in the present. It was the calm before the storm... but she didn't know when the storm would hit.
...