Marco:
The sky above Marineford was heavy with the promise of war. The vast expanse of the ocean seemed to swell in response to the chaos unfolding on its shores. Whitebeard's fleet loomed on the horizon, a tidal wave of power and resolve that was coming for one thing only-the life of Portgas D. Ace.
Marco stood at the bow of Cricket's ship, his eyes locked on the sight of Marineford in the distance, his heart racing despite the calm expression on his face.
I'm not too late.
That was all he could think as the fleet advanced. It had been a long, hard journey, but the moment he saw Marineford, the weight in his chest seemed to lift, if only slightly. He knew that Ace was alive-he could finally feel an echo of it. And Siren-he could feel her too. Their bond a balm on his soul. When he realized it, his legs almost folded underneath him.
He closed his eyes, the faint pulse of their lives still reaching out to him, like an echo in the dark. But the pain was overwhelming. Ace's time was running out. Siren's terror and despair, too, was heavy in his heart. He could feel it in the depths of his being, and it made his heart ache even more.
"Marco," Old Man Cricket said, his voice steady, though the worry in his eyes was clear. "We'll do what we can. But it's not going to be easy."
Marco nodded, his gaze hardening. "We don't have the luxury of ease anymore. We're going to save them. We're going to save Ace, and we're going to make sure nothing happens to Siren."
The crew around them murmured in agreement. They were ready for this battle. But Marco knew that this fight would be unlike any they had faced before. Marineford was a fortress, and Whitebeard's fleet, though vast, was still up against the might of the Marines and the Warlords of the Sea.
"Old man," Marco began, his voice low, "Get the fleet ready. We're heading straight into the heart of hell."
The veteran's gaze softened, and he gave a solemn nod. "We've got your back, Marco."
...
As they approached the gates of Marineford, the atmosphere seemed to change. The air itself was charged with anticipation, a deadly calm before the storm. Marco could feel the tension building, the fear of the Marines mounting as the massive fleet closed in.
And then, the first shot rang out.
A cannonball, aimed directly at their ship, exploded in a burst of flame. It was the signal. The battle had begun.
Marco's heart skipped a beat, but he was ready.
"Get to the shore! Don't let them hold us back!" Marco shouted, and his crew surged forward with his command.
The chaos that followed was overwhelming. Cannonfire rang out from the Marines, while the sea around them churned with the impact of weapons. Marco leapt into action, his wings spreading wide as he soared above the battlefield. He could see it all-Whitebeard's crew engaging the Marines, the clash of steel, the screams of warriors clashing with warriors.
But it wasn't just the Marines he had to worry about. The Warlords were here, too. And even among them, there were formidable threats.
Marco's eyes narrowed as he spotted a familiar silhouette standing at the far end of the battlefield:Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral, and with him,Garp-the legendary Marine hero. They were leading the charge, their eyes locked on Whitebeard's crew.
This is it.Marco's jaw clenched.Ace's life depends on this battle. I can't fail him now.
He dove into the fray, flames bursting from his body as he clashed with the Marines. But his heart was with Ace, with Siren, with his crew.
He soared through the air, looking for any sign of them, his eyes scanning the chaos.
He shouted Siren's name but he didn't spot her anywhere. His voice was drowned out by the sound of battle. He needed to get to her, but he needed to make sure Ace was safe first.
"Don't worry, Ace," Marco muttered under his breath. "I'm coming for you."
But as Marco fought his way through the battlefield, a feeling of dread began to settle in the pit of his stomach.
Where is Ace?
He couldn't see him anywhere. Not on the battlefield, not in the chaos. The Marines had taken him deeper into Marineford.
And Marco knew-time was running out.
...
The battle for Ace's life began long before the first weapon was drawn at Marineford. It was in the resolve of those who rallied against the impossible, those who heard the call and answered despite the odds.
Whitebeard's allies had gathered, as had scattered remnants of Luffy's journey-men and women who believed in him, or in Ace, or simply in freedom itself.
Marco clenched his fists as he flew. He couldn't fight with half a heart. That much was clear now. His strength, his will to survive, wasn't just for himself-it was for Ace, for Siren, for Whitebeard and the family they'd built together. "You don't have the luxury of breaking. Fight." he muttered to himself.
...
The scene at Marineford was chaos. Ships converged, banners flew, and the Marine forces stood in their grim formation, ready to crush the rebellion before it began. But the allies came in waves, undeterred by the overwhelming odds.
Marco's phoenix form flew over the battlefield, his flames blazing as he led the charge. Beside him, Whitebeard swung his bisento, a force of nature in his own right. For a moment, the old man's stern eyes softened as they met Marco's.
"You made it back," Whitebeard rumbled.
"Wouldn't miss it." Marco replied, his voice steady despite the storm in his chest.
They fought like a well-oiled machine, their bond evident in every coordinated strike. Marco's flames shielded the crew from cannon fire, while Whitebeard's tremor powers devastated the Marine ranks.
...
Meanwhile, on the far side of the battlefield, a submarine surfaced, its sleek design cutting through the chaos. Trafalgar Law stood at the helm, his sharp eyes assessing the situation. Siren was beside him, a steady presence despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
"Quite the mess," Law remarked dryly.
Siren's gaze was fixed on the distant figures, who was fighting their way toward Ace. "We're running out of time."
Law nodded. "Stay close. I didn't come all this way to lose my best leverage-or my crew."
Siren smirked faintly, but her mind was elsewhere. Marco was here. She could feel him now, his flames like a beacon in the darkness. But Ace... Ace was so close, and yet so far. He felt so anguished. Her heart ached for him.
As they stepped onto the battlefield, the world seemed to pause. Marco's flames flared brighter as his eyes locked on Siren, disbelief and relief warring in his expression.
...
Marco:
Amidst the roaring chaos of Marineford, Marco finally spotted her. At first, he thought it was a trick of the light, a desperate hope conjured by his battered mind. But the unmistakable cascade of red hair, like fire in motion, burned against the backdrop of battle.
"Siren..." he whispered, his voice cracking.
She turned, her forest-green eyes locking onto his, and for a moment, everything else faded away. Marco's heart stuttered in his chest. She was alive. Yet, there was something different about her-something fragile in the way she moved, as if carrying a burden too great for even her unyielding spirit. And she glowed, faintly, like a star on the verge of breaking apart.
Siren rushed to him, cutting through the battlefield with precise strikes, her knives flashing as if they were extensions of her very soul. When she reached him, her hands were trembling, and her voice wavered. "Marco... I thought I lost you."
His flames dimmed as he reverted to his human form. He barely had time to respond before her hands were on his face, her touch firm but gentle, searching him as if trying to piece him back together.
"You look..." Her voice caught, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "You look like you've been to hell and back."
Marco closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. "You're one to talk," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "You're different, too. What happened to you?"
She hesitated, a shadow passing over her face, but her grip on him tightened. "Later," she said. "Right now, we fight."
Marco studied her, noting the faint glow that seemed to emanate from her very being. It wasn't just the light-it was the way her presence felt, like a beacon in the storm, pulling him from the edge of despair. Despite everything, despite the battle raging around them, he felt something close to peace.
"You're glowing," he said softly, his voice tinged with awe and love.
Siren blinked, startled, and for a moment, she looked almost self-conscious. "Am I?"
Marco nodded, his lips curving into the faintest of smiles. "You are. It's beautiful."
She couldn't bring herself to respond, not when his words struck something deep within her-a truth she wasn't ready to face. Instead, she took a shaky breath, grounding herself in the warmth of his presence.
"We'll get through this," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "We have to."
...
Siren:
It wasn't long after reuniting with Marco that Siren saw him. In the midst of the chaos, a blur of movement caught her eye-an explosion of energy, determination, and raw willpower.
At first, she thought it was just another fighter, but then the deep, resonant drums began to echo in her soul. The sound was faint at first, like a distant memory, but it grew louder with every beat, reverberating through her very being.
She froze, her knives slack in her hands, as her eyes found him. Luffy.
He was a whirlwind of motion, his rubber limbs stretching and snapping as he carved a path through the battlefield. His face was set with grim determination, his eyes blazing with an unrelenting fire.
Her heart seized. It wasn't just the drums-those primal, ancient rhythms that seemed to pulse in time with her heartbeat. It was the feeling, the undeniable connection that pierced through her soul like lightning. She knew him, not in the way one knows a stranger, but in the way one knows the stars or the sea.
He is Nika. The thought wasn't hers, not entirely. It came from somewhere deeper, somewhere older.
"Siren!" Marco's voice snapped her out of the trance.
She turned to him, her chest heaving as if she'd run a marathon. "Marco," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "that boy..."
Marco followed her gaze, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the Straw Hat pirate. "Luffy," he said, a note of surprise in his voice. "That's Ace's brother."
The words hit her like a tidal wave. Of course. Of course, he was.
Destiny surged through her veins, a fire that burned hotter than anything she'd ever known. It wasn't just about Ace anymore. It wasn't just about Marco or herself or even the child she carried. It was about him-this boy, this force of nature, this soul that was somehow intertwined with hers.
"I have to protect him," she said, her voice trembling but resolute.
Marco looked at her, his own determination mirrored in her eyes. "We all do."
As the battle raged on, Siren couldn't take her eyes off Luffy. Every step he took, every punch he threw, felt like a heartbeat of the world itself. She didn't know how or why, but she knew one thing for certain: he was the key.
...
The roar of the battlefield swelled like a violent ocean, chaos and destruction crashing against the wills of those who dared to stand against the Marines. Despite the looming shadow of despair, one voice cut through the storm-a voice filled with unyielding authority and fire.
"Men! Rally to me!" Whitebeard's booming command resonated through the battlefield. The earth trembled beneath his feet as his bisento cleaved through Marine ranks like a blade through water. "We are not here to fall! We are here to fight!"
Marco felt the words reverberate in his chest, a spark reigniting in his battered soul. He turned to Siren, who was beside him, her knives gleaming and her face set in a fierce expression that belied the storm of emotions beneath.
"Stay close to me," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil around them.
She nodded, her grip tightening on her weapons. "I'm not leaving your side."
Around them, their allies surged forward. Trafalgar Law and his crew cut through the chaos with surgical precision, their attacks weaving between allies to hit their mark. Luffy, wild and untamed, charged ahead, his voice a battle cry as he called for Ace. The Straw Hat's sheer willpower was like a beacon, drawing everyone into his momentum.
The people that came with luffy on a marine ship helped with the marine rif-raf. The mass of people parted as Jimbei and Crocodile attacked. Buggy and Ivankov fought together, trying to clear the path for the cavalry.
...
But then, the Admirals moved.
Aokiji's freezing chill spread across the battlefield, turning the ground to ice and halting advancing troops in their tracks. Akainu's molten fury followed, melting ice into scalding steam that burned through everything it touched. And then there was Kizaru, his light-speed attacks scattering allies like leaves in a storm.
Marco shot into the air, his phoenix flames cutting a blazing path toward Akainu. "I'll hold him off!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the cacophony.
"No!" Siren called after him, but he was already gone, his flames colliding with Akainu's magma in an explosive clash. She cursed under her breath, her instincts screaming to follow him, to protect him. But she knew she couldn't afford to be distracted-not now. She must trust Marco to handle himself. Ace needed them more.
Whitebeard himself advanced, his bisento cracking the air as he clashed with Aokiji, the impact sending shockwaves that rattled the battlefield. Around him, his commanders rallied their forces, their voices calling for unity and strength.
Siren found herself flanked by Law and Luffy, the three of them forming a deadly triad as they pushed through Marine ranks.
"Keep moving!" Law barked, his sword flashing as he sliced through an advancing wave of soldiers.
Luffy didn't respond, his focus singular: reaching Ace. Siren matched his pace, her knives flashing as she struck down those who dared to block their path.
The drums in her soul beat louder with every step she took, her connection to Luffy growing stronger with every shared moment of battle. She could feel his pain, his desperation, his unyielding will to save his brother. It mirrored her own.
At one point, they found themselves face-to-face with Kizaru, his golden light blinding as he prepared to strike.
"Well, well," the Admiral drawled, his voice as lazy as his movements were precise. "A phoenix, a Straw Hat, and... what are you, exactly?" His gaze settled on Siren, curious and amused.
"I'm the one who's going to take you down," she said, her voice cold as ice.
He chuckled, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Bold. Let's see if you can back that up."
The fight was fast and brutal, Kizaru's light-speed attacks forcing them to work in perfect tandem. Siren's intuition and connection to life allowed her to anticipate his movements, her knives striking where his light solidified into form. Luffy's raw power and Law's strategic precision filled the gaps, creating a rhythm that kept the Admiral on his toes.
But it wasn't enough.
The battle was slipping. The Admirals were too strong, their power overwhelming even the combined might of the assembled forces. It was then that Whitebeard raised his bisento high, his voice a thunderclap that demanded attention.
"Do not falter!" he roared, his eyes blazing with an intensity that defied his injuries and age. "This is our moment! We fight for Ace, for our family, for our freedom!Push forward!"
His words reignited the fire in their hearts. Marco, struggling against Akainu's relentless assault, felt a surge of strength course through him. He unleashed a burst of phoenix flames, forcing the Admiral to retreat momentarily.
Siren, bloodied but unbroken, felt the same fire and deep pride for her Father. She turned to Luffy, who was breathing heavily but still standing strong. "Let's go," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.
Luffy nodded, his eyes blazing. "For Ace."
Together, they charged forward, their allies rallying behind them. Whitebeard led the charge, his presence a force of nature that inspired even the most battered of fighters. In the charge Whitebeard's and asiren's eyes met in a quiet acknowledgement, in silent support. Whitebeard's face clearly showed relief at least Siren was free from shackles that binded her.
But even as they fought with renewed vigor, the execution platform loomed in the distance, a grim reminder of what was at stake. The battle was far from over.
...
Ace:
The wind atop the platform was cold, biting at his skin like the cruel hands of fate. Ace sat shackled in sea prism stone cuffs, his strength sapped, his will battered. Around him, the chaos of Marineford raged-flames, ice, and the crashing shockwaves of titanic powers colliding.
But none of that mattered.
All he could see was them.
Luffy, reckless and wild, charging headfirst into impossible odds. Marco, his once-pristine phoenix flames flickering, battered and bruised but still standing, still fighting. And Siren... glowing. Not just from her power, but from something deeper, something that reached out to him even across the cacophony of battle.
His throat tightened as he watched her, her knives flashing, her movements precise and deadly. She looked fierce, unstoppable, yet there was something fragile about her now-something he couldn't place. His heart clenched painfully. He had failed them all, yet here they were, risking everything for him.
The memory of Marco lying bloodied on the beach haunted him. The anguish in Siren's eyes as she whispered, "I'm sorry," replayed in his mind over and over. They should have left him. They shouldn't be here.
"Why..." he whispered, his voice lost in the wind.
...
Garp:
From his position near the platform, Garp stood like a stone sentinel, his face an unreadable mask. But inside, he was crumbling.
This wasn't just a battlefield. This was a family tragedy unfolding before his eyes.
He saw Ace, his grandson, chained and broken, yet still burning with defiance. He saw Luffy, the boy he had trained, another grandson he had tried to keep out of trouble, now leading a desperate charge.
And then he saw her. Siren.
Even in the heat of battle, she stood out. The glow around her wasn't just from her power-it was life itself. Garp's sharp eyes, honed by decades of experience, saw what others might miss. The slight swell of her form, the protective way she moved, the aura that seemed to radiate from her very being.
She's pregnant.
The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. Marco's,or Ace's. The image twisted his heart. He had heard the rumors, the stories of their bond, their love. And now, here she was, carrying the next generation of that legacy.
Garp's fists clenched. He couldn't intervene, not openly. His duty to the Marines was clear. But he would not let them touch her. Not her. Not the child.
He glanced at Akainu, whose molten fury was tearing through the battlefield with merciless precision. Garp's jaw tightened. If the Admiral so much as turned his wrath toward her, there would be no duty strong enough to hold him back.
...
Ace:
Ace tore his gaze from Siren and Marco, his chest heaving with emotion he couldn't contain. His brothers, his family, everyone was here. Fighting. Bleeding.Dying.
For him.
It was unbearable.
His head dropped, his bangs casting shadows over his eyes. He thought of his childhood, of growing up with Luffy and Sabo, of the questions that had haunted him for so long.
Was I ever worth it?
And now, here they were, risking everything to save him.
A flash of blonde caught his eye, and his head shot up. For a moment, he thought he was hallucinating again. He blinked, and the figure came into focus.
Sabo.
Tears welled in his eyes before he could stop them.Sabo. His brother.Alive. Fighting with the Revolutionary Army, their forces turning the tide of the battle.
"Why... Why now?" Ace whispered to himself, his voice trembling.
But even as the tears fell, something in his heart eased. His family-his brothers-they were here. Luffy. Sabo. Marco. Siren. Pops. Everyone.
They were fighting for him. And as much as it tore him apart to see them suffer, to see them bleed for him, he couldn't deny the warmth that filled his chest.
...
Below the platform, the battle reached a fever pitch. Whitebeard's voice thundered over the chaos, rallying his forces. "Push forward! We willnotlet them tear our family apart!"
Siren, Luffy, and Trafalgar Law fought side by side, their combined might forcing back Marine forces. Sabo's arrival with the Revolutionary Army created a new ripple of confusion and fear among the Marines, their lines faltering under the onslaught.
For a moment, Ace could almost believe they would succeed. That they could reach him in time.
But then Akainu stepped forward, his molten fists glowing with deadly intent.
"This ends now," the Admiral growled, his eyes locked on Luffy and Siren.
Ace's heart stopped.
"No!" he shouted, his voice raw and desperate. "Stay away from them!"
But his cry was lost in the chaos.
From his position, Garp's fists trembled at his sides. He could feel the tension building, the inevitable clash drawing nearer. And he made a silent vow.
If Akainu dared to harm Siren or the child she carried, Garp would not stand by. No matter the cost.
...
Amidst the chaos of Marineford, the battlefield seemed to still for a moment as Ace locked eyes with Sabo. It was impossible, unreal-his brother, alive and standing before him.
Sabo, clad in his Revolutionary uniform, his iron pipe in hand, leapt onto the platform with effortless grace. He was close enough now for Ace to see his face clearly-determined, fierce, but brimming with unspoken emotion. It wasn't a dream.
"Sabo," Ace whispered, his voice cracking as tears welled in his eyes.
"Ace," Sabo replied, his voice firm, but the softness in his tone betrayed the depth of his feelings.
For a moment, neither spoke, the world around them fading into nothing but their shared existence. Finally, Ace broke the silence.
"Is it really you?" he asked, his voice trembling. "I... I thought you were dead."
Sabo's lips pressed into a thin line before he nodded. "I should have come sooner. I didn't remember, Ace. Not until recently. I saw your bounty poster-the announcement that they were going to execute you-and everything came back. Everything. I couldn't let them do this to you. I couldn't lose you."
The words hit Ace like a punch to the gut. He struggled to respond, overwhelmed by the sudden flood of emotions. "You... You're alive. I am so happy."
"And I'm here," Sabo said firmly, stepping closer. "I love you, Ace. I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world. You are my brother. You mean everything to me."
Luffy, fighting nearby, caught the exchange as he darted toward the platform. His rubber body stretched as he flung himself upward, landing on the edge of the platform with a thud.
"Sabo?" Luffy's voice was filled with shock, disbelief, and hope.
Sabo turned, his blue eyes softening as they landed on his younger brother. "Luffy."
The youngest of the three brothers burst into tears, his usual loud sobs mingling with his laughter. "You're alive! Sabo! You're alive!"
Sabo extended a hand, ruffling Luffy's straw hat with a fond smile. "Yeah, I am. And now that I'm here, I'm not letting either of you out of my sight."
The brothers embraced briefly, the reunion a small beacon of hope amidst the devastation.
As the quick moment passed, Ace's gaze grew somber, his chains clinking as he shifted. He looked between Sabo and Luffy, his eyes lingering on Sabo.
"You have to protect Siren and Marco," he said, his voice low but insistent.
Sabo frowned. "What are you talking about? Marco's one of the strongest men alive, and Siren-she's incredible. Have you seen her out there? She's-"
"Different," Ace interrupted, his voice tight. His brow furrowed as his eyes flickered to where Siren was fighting below, her movements deliberate, her focus constantly drawn to her abdomen. "She's fighting differently. She always shields her stomach. I don't know why, but something's changed."
Sabo's frown deepened, but he nodded. "If you're telling me to protect her, I will."
"Promise me," Ace said, his voice cracking. His eyes burned with an unspoken fear, one he couldn't quite name. "Whatever happens to me, you have to keep her safe. Her and Marco."
Luffy, who had been listening quietly for once, nodded fiercely. "We'll protect her, Ace. Don't worry, I promise!"
Sabo placed a hand on Ace's shoulder, his grip firm. "You have my word. I won't let anything happen to her."
Ace exhaled shakily, his gaze drifting back to the battlefield below. Siren's knives flashed as she cut through enemies with precision, her movements calculated and protective. There was a strange glow about her, one that tugged at something deep in Ace's soul.
He didn't understand it. Not fully. But he trusted his instincts, and they screamed that Siren was more vulnerable than she let on.
"Thank you," Ace said softly, his voice barely audible over the din of battle.
For the first time in what felt like forever, he allowed himself a flicker of hope.
...
Sabo:
Sabo fought on the execution platform, iron pipe gripped tightly in his hand, parrying attacks. His heart was a maelstrom of emotions, his sharp mind struggling to focus as the battlefield raged around them. Seeing Ace-chained, vulnerable, and yet defiant-stirred something deep inside him, a primal urge to protect the brother he had just found again.
And then there was Luffy, their youngest brother, standing before him with a mix of joy and desperation in his wide eyes. He'd grown so much since they were kids, but his raw emotion was the same, unfiltered and unshakable.
Sabo's gaze shifted to the battlefield below. Siren's movements caught his attention. She fought with precision and ferocity, a commanding presence that demanded respect even in the chaos. But there was something more-a hesitation he couldn't quite place. Her strikes, though deadly, seemed calculated not just for efficiency but for protection, shielding her stomach in a way that raised questions in his mind.
Why?
The thought gnawed at him, but before he could dwell on it, his attention snapped back to Ace's voice.
"You have to protect Siren and Marco," Ace had said, and his tone carried an urgency that struck a chord deep in Sabo's chest.
Sabo hadn't missed the way Ace's eyes lingered on Siren, filled with a strange mixture of worry and something unspoken. He couldn't shake the sense that there was more to her than he understood-more than anyone understood.
She's fighting differently, Ace had said.
Sabo's grip on his pipe tightened. What's really going on here?
But there wasn't time to press for answers. Not now. He had promised Ace he would protect her, and he intended to keep that promise, no matter what.
The ground beneath the execution platform shook violently, pulling Sabo from his thoughts and into sharp focus. The heat was the first warning. It seared through the air, oppressive and suffocating.
"MAGMA HOUND!" Akainu's voice roared, a molten fist surging toward the platform like a volcanic eruption.
Sabo reacted instantly, stepping between the incoming attack and his brothers. His iron pipe coated in haki spun in his hands, clashing with the magma and sending molten droplets flying. The heat burned his skin, but he held firm, gritting his teeth against the force.
"You Revolutionaries are like cockroaches," Akainu growled, his imposing figure looming as he advanced toward the platform. His gaze flickered briefly to Ace, then to Luffy, before finally landing on Sabo. "You're such a nuisance."
Sabo didn't flinch. "Funny. I'd say the same about you, Admiral."
Akainu snarled and launched another attack, his molten fists blazing as they hurtled toward the trio. Sabo moved with precision, his pipe clashing with the magma once more. Luffy stretched his arms, grabbing Ace and pulling him away from the impact zone.
The momentary reprieve allowed Sabo to glance at Ace, who was breathing heavily, his hands still bound in sea prism stone cuffs. Despite his exhaustion, there was fire in Ace's eyes-a determination that mirrored Sabo's own.
"We're not leaving without you," Sabo said, his voice low but firm. "You hear me, Ace? You're not dying here."
Ace's expression softened, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "You've always been stubborn."
"And you've always been reckless," Sabo shot back. "Looks like not much has changed."
Their banter was cut short by another explosion of magma. Sabo cursed under his breath, his focus snapping back to Akainu. The Admiral was relentless, his attacks unyielding as he advanced.
From the corner of his eye, Sabo caught sight of Siren below. She was moving toward the platform, her expression fierce but... different. She was glowing-subtly, but unmistakably. It wasn't just the reflection of the fire and magma around her; it was something intrinsic, something radiant and alive.
What are you hiding, Siren?
Sabo shook the thought away. He didn't have time to unravel the mystery now. All that mattered was keeping his brothers safe and finding a way to turn the tide of this battle.
"Luffy," Sabo called, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Get Ace out of here. I'll handle Akainu."
"No way!" Luffy shouted back, his voice filled with defiance. "We're not leaving you alone!"
Sabo's heart swelled with pride and exasperation. "Then stay close, but don't get in my way!"
Akainu's molten form loomed closer, his voice a menacing growl. "Do you really think you can protect them, Revolutionary? You're all just children playing at war."
Sabo's jaw clenched, his grip on his pipe tightening. "Maybe we are," he said evenly, "but even children can topple giants."
The battle raged on, the fate of the brothers hanging by a thread. But Sabo's resolve was unshakable. No matter the cost, he would protect his family.
...
Ace:
The chaos of the battlefield roared like a storm, but atop the execution platform, the world seemed frozen. Ace's breath hitched as he stared down at his bound hands, his mind racing. Every blow struck by his crew, his brothers, and their allies echoed in his chest, a chorus of devotion and pain.
And then, like a beacon in the chaos, Siren appeared.
Her steps were steady despite the carnage surrounding her, her eyes blazing with determination. She moved like she belonged to the battlefield, like every soul present owed her their attention. Her glowing presence struck Ace like lightning, the realization of how much he'd missed her crashing into him all at once.
Marco was there too, soaring through the air with wings ablaze, fighting off the relentless Akainu. Sabo and Luffy were holding their ground, but Akainu was like a tidal wave, pushing them all to their limits.
"Siren..." Ace breathed, his voice barely a whisper.
...
Garp stood near the platform, his expression a storm of conflict. He didn't lift a hand to stop her as Siren ascended the steps, but his eyes bore into her, heavy with unspoken words. And then they flickered downward-to her stomach.
He knew.
Siren paused for a moment, feeling his gaze, but she didn't falter. Her body moved on instinct, driven by something far greater than fear or duty.
"Don't hurt her," Garp murmured, so low only Sengoku could hear.
Sengoku turned to him, incredulous. "Garp, she's part of this madness! She's-"
"She's pregnant."
The words hung in the air, unheard by the others but heavy with meaning. Sengoku's expression shifted, but Garp turned away, refusing to meet his friend's gaze.
...
When Siren reached Ace, time seemed to slow. Her trembling hands brushed his face, tracing the lines of exhaustion and pain etched into his features.
"You're real," he whispered, his voice cracking.
"I'm real," she answered, her voice steady even as tears welled in her eyes.
Marco's flames surged through the air, holding off Akainu and creating an opening. Sabo's pipe clashed with the magma, buying them precious seconds. Luffy stretched his arms, snagging the key to Ace's cuffs from one of the Marines.
"I've got it!" Luffy shouted, tossing the key to Siren.
Her fingers fumbled briefly before she steadied herself. With a swift, deliberate motion, she unlocked the sea prism stone cuffs and tossed them aside.
The instant the cuffs fell, Ace's power surged back into him like a tidal wave. Flames ignited around him, licking at the air with newfound intensity. But his first instinct wasn't to attack.
It was to pull Siren into his arms.
...
Their embrace was fierce, desperate, and fleeting. Siren pulled back, her hands gripping his wrists. Her eyes locked with his, her expression unreadable yet profoundly intense.
"Ace," she whispered, her voice trembling. She grabbed his hand and pressed it against her stomach.
Ace froze, his eyes wide as the realization hit him like a thunderbolt. His flames faltered, the fire dimming as he stared at her in stunned silence.
"You're..."
"Yes," she said, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I didn't know. Not until... not until it was almost too late. Ace, you're going to be a father."
For a moment, the battlefield seemed to vanish. All Ace could feel was the warmth beneath his palm, the fragile but undeniable life she carried.
His knees nearly buckled as the weight of it all crushed him. "Siren... I..."
Her hand cupped his face, grounding him. "I'm sorry I didn't realize. I'm sorry for everything. But you have to live-for all of us."
The words shattered him. His chest tightened, tears burning in his eyes as he pulled her close again, his voice a broken whisper. "I'll protect you both. I swear it. I'll-"
A roar interrupted them. Akainu's molten fist smashed into the platform, sending chunks of wood and debris flying.
Ace shielded Siren instinctively, flames roaring to life around them. Marco swooped down, his blazing wings shielding them from the molten spray. Sabo was there too, standing between them and Akainu, his iron pipe glowing with heat as he deflected the Admiral's attacks.
"You think you've won because you broke the chains?" Akainu sneered, his molten form towering over them. "You're all fools! This ends here!"
"Not while I'm breathing," Marco growled, his voice raw with defiance.
Luffy charged in with a furious cry, his fists coated in Haki as he launched himself at Akainu. "You're not touching my brother!"
The battle descended into chaos once more, but now there was a spark of hope. Ace stood tall, flames blazing, his determination renewed. Siren stayed close, her presence a steadying force that anchored him.
...
As the fight raged on, Ace's mind churned with emotion. Seeing Siren, feeling the life growing inside her-it was almost too much to bear.
I'm going to be a father.
The thought filled him with a strange mix of joy and terror. How could he protect them when he'd barely been able to protect himself?
But then he looked at Siren-her fierce determination, her unyielding strength-and something shifted inside him.
She believes in me. Marco believes in me. Luffy, Sabo, Pops... They're all here for me.
His flames burned brighter, his resolve unshakable. For Siren, for their child, for the family fighting beside him, he would give everything he had.
...
The battlefield was a storm of chaos, the very air scorched by the intensity of Ace's flames as they surged around him like a furious inferno. The heat was unbearable, but it was nothing compared to the burning fury inside him. His heart, once weighed down with doubt, now beat with a fire that could not be extinguished. His flames were no longer just a weapon; they were a testament to everything he had fought for. To the people who loved him, to the ones who had stood by him, and to the life he was about to bring into the world.
The realization hit him again, like the thunderous roar of his own flames: he was going to be a father. And that meant everything.
Beside him, Siren moved with fluid precision, her movements graceful even as she cut through the Marines, her knives flashing with deadly accuracy. But when her hand brushed his, it was like the world slowed for a moment.
"Siren," Ace breathed, eyes locking with hers. "You've already told me, but... I just-"
"I know," she interrupted softly, her voice barely audible above the chaos. She reached for Marco, who had just joined the fray, his wings soaring through the sky as the flames of his Phoenix powers intertwined with Ace's inferno. Marco landed beside them, his presence like an anchor, the strength of his fire mixing seamlessly with Ace's.
Siren stepped between them, her eyes full of emotion as she looked at Marco. "Marco..." Her voice was full of warmth, but there was an undeniable ache beneath it. "You're going to be a father. Both of you are."
Marco, still in the heat of battle, froze. His eyes widened as he processed her words. He could see it in her face, the intensity of her emotion. Then, slowly, his heart caught up. He looked down at Siren's stomach, his mind working through the whirlwind of shock and joy. A father.
His voice was hoarse as he whispered, "Siren... Ace... we're really... we're really going to be parents?"
Siren nodded, her hands shaking slightly as she reached for his, pulling it gently to her stomach. Ace stood beside her, his fire pulsing with an almost unstoppable force. He looked lovingly over Marco and Siren, their hands clasped over her stomach. He added his palm over theirs. "Yes," she said, her voice steady. "You two are going to be fathers. You're going to protect this child with all your strength, just as you protect each other." Marco shuddered under her palm and he gently squeezed her soft belly. Ace stepped closer as Marco swayed in shock.
Sabo, who had been standing behind them, finally spoke, his voice thick with emotion. "So... we're going to be uncles, huh?" He looked at Luffy, who grinned at him as if the whole world was just one big joke.
Luffy, always the lighter presence in the darkest of moments, blurted out with his usual cheer, "Hey, that means I'll spoil the kid with all kinds of meat!"
A laugh escaped from Sabo, breaking through the tension in the air. Even Ace, who had been on the edge of a breakdown, couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.
"Luffy..." Sabo started, shaking his head but with a smile on his face, "You're gonna spoil that kid rotten."
Ace chuckled too, his fire flickering and dancing brighter, fueled by the overwhelming emotions coursing through him. It was as if the weight of everything was finally being lifted. His flames didn't just burn with rage-they burned with love. With pride. And with a deep, unwavering resolve to protect his family.
Marco stepped closer to Siren and Ace, his wings folding around them both in a protective embrace. "We'll fight together," he said, his voice filled with a strength that Ace could feel in his very bones. "For the people we love, and for the family we're going to build."
Ace nodded, his fire and heart now burning in sync with Marco's, their flames blending together in a brilliant display of power. They stood side by side, a united front, ready to face whatever the Marines would throw at them. The inferno that had once been Ace's alone was now a flame shared with his brother-and with Siren, their protector, their future.
Sabo and Luffy took their place beside them, standing shoulder to shoulder with their family, and they all faced the coming storm together. Their bond was unbreakable. And as they charged toward Akainu and Sengoku, ready to defend their family, it was clear that nothing-not even the full weight of the Marines-could stand in their way.
Ace's heart swelled with pride. He had once doubted his place in the world, but now, surrounded by his family, he knew who he was. And he was ready to face whatever came next. His flames would burn as brightly as his love for them. And nothing, nothing at all, could extinguish that fire.
...
The battlefield was chaos incarnate, but amidst the roaring flames and crashing tides of power, a chilling silence descended as Sengoku, Akainu, and Kizaru stood together, their combined presence radiating overwhelming authority. Marines and pirates alike paused for the briefest moment, sensing the storm to come.
Ace, Marco, and Siren stood firm, flanked by Luffy and Sabo, their fires and resolve burning brighter than ever. But even they could feel the oppressive weight of the Admirals bearing down on them.
Sengoku's voice boomed across the battlefield, resonating with authority. "This ends here. The world cannot endure this chaos. You will all fall, and Portgas D. Ace will be the example."
"You won't touch us!" Ace roared, his flames erupting like a blazing sun. He charged forward, his fire colliding with Akainu's magma in a deafening explosion. The battlefield shook, the sheer force sending Marines and pirates flying.
Marco took to the sky, his phoenix flames a counterbalance to Kizaru's blinding light as the Admiral targeted him with devastating speed. Beams of light shot through the air, but Marco's wings of flame deflected them, his movements a blur of precision and grace.
Siren, knives in hand, stood her ground as Sengoku advanced. Her body glowed faintly, the life force within her bolstering her strength even as exhaustion threatened to take hold. Her every step was deliberate, her aura commanding, but she could feel the toll of the battle-and something deeper.
Akainu's rage burned brighter as he pressed against Ace, but his molten gaze flicked toward Siren. "You," he snarled, stepping away from Ace momentarily. "The woman who dares to carry their bloodline. I'll end you here and now!"
Siren's heart pounded, but she didn't back down. She raised her knives, her stance unwavering as Akainu lunged toward her, his magma-coated fist roaring with lethal intent.
Time seemed to slow. Marco screamed her name, his wings blazing as he tried to reach her. Ace's flames surged with fury as he attempted to intercept. But they were both just seconds too far and growing every second more terrified for her fate.
Siren braced herself, ready to fight to the last breath for the life she carried. Just as Akainu's fist was about to strike, a thunderous voice echoed:
"Enough!"
Garp moved like a hurricane, his immense frame blocking Akainu's blow. The force of the collision sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield, but the old man stood firm, his fist meeting the magma and holding it back.
"Garp!" Sengoku's voice was filled with warning. "Do you know what you're doing?!"
Garp turned, his eyes blazing with conviction. "I know exactly what I'm doing, Sengoku. I've been silent long enough." He looked at Siren, his gaze softening for a moment as he added, "I won't let you kill an unborn child."
Akainu sneered, his magma bubbling with rage. "You're throwing away everything for this? Your honor, your duty-"
"I'd rather be a deserter than an killer of innocents!" Garp thundered, his voice shaking the very air.
The battlefield froze in stunned silence. Marines stared at him in disbelief, while pirates looked on with newfound respect. Sengoku's expression darkened as he stepped forward.
"Garp," he said coldly, "if you continue down this path, you will no longer be a Marine. You will be branded a traitor."
"I don't care!" Garp bellowed, his fists clenching. "I'll fight anyone who threatens my family, no matter who they are!"
Ace's eyes widened, his throat tightening with emotion. "Gramps..." he whispered.
Luffy, ever direct, shouted, "Gramps! You are the best!"
Sabo grinned, his voice steady and proud. "You've got guts, old man."
Even Siren, her breath catching in her chest, managed a soft, heartfelt, "Thank you."
Akainu's fury boiled over, and he lunged again, only for Garp to meet him blow for blow, the old man's strength still awe-inspiring. But as the clash escalated, another figure stepped forward, his cold presence chilling the air around him.
Aokiji.
The Ice Admiral regarded the scene with a calculating gaze before turning to Garp. "You're really going through with this?"
Garp didn't falter, his voice resolute. "You're damn right I am."
Aokiji sighed, the air around him freezing. "Then I guess I have no choice." He raised his hand, ice forming at his fingertips, and engaged Garp in a flurry of frost and fists. The clash of ice and magma created a stunning display of elemental chaos, but the tension was palpable.
Siren, still reeling from Garp's intervention, found herself beside Ace and Marco again. Ace's hands trembled as he touched her shoulder, his voice raw. "He did that for you... for us."
Siren nodded, her voice breaking. "We're family. And family fights for each other."
Ace's fire burned brighter, fueled by a love that surpassed even his deepest fears. Together with Marco, their flames merged into a radiant inferno, a beacon of hope against the overwhelming darkness.
As the battle raged on, the tides began to shift. Allies from every corner of the world rallied to their side, their determination unshakable. Akainu's rage only grew, but even he could feel the weight of their unity.
And through it all, the bond between them burned stronger than ever, a flame that no Admiral could extinguish.
...
The battlefield was chaos incarnate, a whirlpool of fire, magma, ice, and blood. The tide had turned in their favor more than once, but exhaustion was beginning to seep into their bones. Each strike carried the weight of desperation, the sharp edge of determination dulled by fatigue.
Luffy, his fists trembling, leaned heavily on Sabo after landing yet another devastating blow. His body was battered, bruised, but still moving. Siren noticed how his steps faltered, and she knew it wasn't just from exhaustion.Injections... they're taking their toll.
Marco wasn't faring much better. His flames flickered as he hovered, his breath shallow, a hand pressed tightly to his chest. The wound from his earlier fight had never fully healed, despite his phoenix regeneration. A blow to the heart wasn't something even his power could dismiss so easily. Every movement felt like it tore him apart from the inside.
"Marco, take it easy!" Siren called, her voice hoarse.
But he shook his head, forcing a weak grin. "Not... happening."
They had no time to recover. Sengoku, crafty and calculating, watched the battlefield with sharp eyes. He could see where their formation wavered, where their strength was starting to falter.
"They're tiring," he muttered to Akainu, who stood beside him like an ominous storm cloud.
Akainu grunted, his magma bubbling angrily. "Then let's finish this. No more games."
With a subtle signal, Sengoku launched his plan. Kizaru's beams of light rained down in rapid succession, forcing Marco to take to the skies to defend them.
Akainu surged forward, his magma fist colliding with Ace's fire in a brutal clash. Sengoku himself moved in a calculated arc, targeting Luffy, whose movements had slowed enough to leave him vulnerable.
"Luffy, look out!" Sabo shouted, rushing to his brother's side.
The attack came faster than anyone expected. Akainu's magma burned through Ace's defenses, a searing wave of heat forcing him back. Kizaru's beams pinned Marco down, his already faltering flames weakening further. And Sengoku, with the precision of a predator, lunged toward Luffy.
It all happened too fast.
Siren's heart lurched as the world seemed to slow. The Voice of All Things surged through her, a deafening roar of warning. Her eyes snapped to Luffy, and she felt it in her very soul:He's in danger.
"No!" she screamed, pushing through the chaos.
Her feet carried her faster than she thought possible, weaving through the battle with a single-minded purpose. She reached Luffy just as Sengoku's massive form loomed over him, her knives raised in defiance.
But she hadn't seen Kizaru's light or Akainu's molten fist until it was too late.
Two attacks converged on her at once, their combined force poised to strike her down.
And then he was there.
"Ace!"
His body moved instinctively, driven by love and a desperation that eclipsed even his pain. He threw himself between her and the incoming attacks, his flames roaring to life in one final, magnificent inferno.
The attacks collided with him, the force shaking the very ground beneath them. Siren's scream cut through the chaos as Ace crumpled before her, his body collapsing into her arms.
His chest and back was a mangled mess of blood and flesh. Anguish and pain was etched into his face as he looked at Siren. Blood soaked the both of them and it didn't look it will stop anytime soon.
Ace's breaths were growing shallower, each one a struggle as he lay cradled in Siren's arms. His skin felt colder and his once-brilliant fire was dimming with each passing second. The pain in their bonds-the intangible connection between them-was unbearable. Siren, Marco, Sabo, and Luffy all felt it: Ace was slipping away. The world stood still.
Siren's hands trembled as she pressed them to his chest, her energy pouring into him, trying to keep him tethered. "No," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "No, Ace. Stay. Please."
Ace's lips moved, but his voice was barely audible. "S-Siren..." His fingers twitched weakly, searching for hers. She grabbed his hand, clutching it tightly, her tears falling onto his skin.
"I'm here," she said desperately. "I'm here. Don't leave me. Don't leave us."
Marco knelt beside her, his flames flickering faintly as he pressed his hands over Ace's wounds. Their injuries made every movement agonizing, but he didn't care. "You're not going anywhere, Ace," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "We're here. We've got you. Don't let go."
Ace's eyes shifted weakly toward him, and his lips twitched in the faintest hint of a smile. "M-Marco..." His voice cracked, and his chest heaved with effort. "Pops... everyone... tell them..."
"They know," Marco interrupted, his voice breaking. "They know you love them. You've done enough, Ace. Just hold on."
Ace's body trembled, his strength fading. His gaze flickered to Luffy, who knelt a few feet away, his fists clenched so tightly that blood seeped from his palms.
"Ace!" Luffy's voice was raw, his eyes wide with panic and despair. "Don't die! Please, don't die!"
Ace's lips moved, forming the shape of Luffy's name, but no sound came out.
"Don't you dare, Ace!" Sabo's voice was a roar, filled with desperation. He grabbed Ace's other hand, his grip firm despite the tremor in his fingers. "We just found each other again! You can't go! You can't leave us!"
Ace's dimming eyes locked onto Sabo's, and for a moment, a flicker of peace crossed his face. "S-Sabo... glad... you're alive..."
Sabo's breath hitched, and his tears spilled freely. "I am, Ace. And I'm not letting you go. Do you hear me? You're my brother, and I love you. I'm not letting you go!"
The pain in their bonds became unbearable, like threads snapping one by one. Siren gasped, clutching her chest as Ace's presence within her began to fade. "No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, no, no. I can't lose you. I won't lose you."
Siren's hands glowed with the soft, life-infused energy of her fruit as she poured everything she had into Ace's wounds. "I can save you," she whispered, her voice frantic. "I can do this. I can fix this."
But the energy faltered, slipping through her fingers like water. Her body refused to give more, an invisible barrier holding her back. The baby. Deep down, she knew. Her instincts screamed at her to stop, to protect the tiny life within her.
"No!" she sobbed, clutching Ace tighter. "Please! Don't do this! Marco, help me! Please!"
Marco placed his hands over hers, his flames merging with her energy as they tried together to save him. But Marco's flames sputtered, the damage to his chest and his many cuts making it impossible to sustain his power.
"I'm trying," Marco said, his voice trembling, desperation bleeding into every word. He pressed his forehead to Ace's again, his tears spilling freely. "Don't leave us, Ace. Please. Don't leave me."
Ace's weak hand lifted, brushing Marco's cheek, streaking it with blood. "Don't cry, Marco. You're stronger than this."
"I'm not," Marco whispered, his tears falling onto Ace's face. "Not without you."
Siren sobbed, clutching Ace's face in her hands. "I need you, Ace. I need you to see the baby. I need you to-" Her voice broke, and she buried her face against his. "Don't go. Please don't go."
Ace's hand shook as he lifted it to her cheek, his thumb brushing away her tears. His gaze softened, filled with love and heartbreak. "I'll always be with you... both of you."
"No!" Her scream was raw, piercing. "That's not enough! I need you here, alive! I need you-"
And then, a sound. A faint whisper that wasn't a sound at all. The Voice of All Things stirred within her, a deep, resonant hum that reverberated through her soul. It wasn't words, but it carried meaning, a truth that struck her like lightning. She froze, her tears falling silently as the message became clear.
"Siren?" Marco's voice was hesitant, worried.
She looked at him, her face streaked with anguish and a strange, quiet determination. "I can save him," she whispered.
Marco's eyes widened. "How?"
Her trembling hands cupped Ace's face gently, and she leaned down until their foreheads touched. Her voice was soft but firm, filled with love and desperation. "Ace. I can keep you with us. But it's... different. Your body..." Her voice cracked, but she forced herself to continue. "Your body won't make it. But your soul-your soul can stay. I can hold you... keep you safe with me. With us."
Ace's eyes fluttered open slightly, his gaze meeting hers. For a moment, a flicker of understanding passed between them. His lips parted, his voice barely a whisper. "Y-you... would do that?"
"For you? Always," she said, her voice breaking. "But you have to trust me."
Marco's hands trembled as he gripped Ace's tightly. "Do it, Ace. Please. Let her save you. We can't lose you..."
Ace's lips twitched into a faint smile, his gaze softening as he looked at them all: Siren, Marco, Sabo, and Luffy. His family. "I... trust and love you. Always..."
Siren leaned down, her lips brushing his in a gentle, heart-wrenching kiss and Ace responded as best he could. And then, it was like something deep within her surged-a powerful instinct, one she hadn't known existed. Her life force, her very essence, seemed to intertwine with Ace's. She could feel his soul slipping, the thread of his life unraveling... and in that moment, Siren understood.
She wouldn't let him go.
Her powers, already so tightly bound to the life around her, reached out. She closed her eyes and let her instincts take over. The kiss was bittersweet, her tears mingling with the blood on his lips. Her life force touched his. She pulled Ace's soul to her, feeling it slide into her very being, slipping past the barrier of life and death.
Time seemed to stretch as she pulled him close, her arms wrapping around him tightly. She wasn't sure if she could save him, but she wasn't about to let him go without a fight. Her body pulsed, her energy swirling around them both. The power that surged from her was unrecognizable-her will bending and reshaping fate itself.
Ace's flames burned brighter for the last time, his body arching as the energy surrounded him. And then, slowly, the light faded. His body stilled, his breathing stopped.
Siren sobbed, clutching his lifeless body to her chest. But beneath her grief, she felt it: a faint, flickering warmth.
Ace's soul.
She could feel him, alive and safe, cradled within her. Softly pressed against her beating anguished heart.
Marco pulled her into his arms, his tears falling freely as he held them both. "He's still with us," he whispered, his voice filled with awe and heartbreak as he felt Ace in their bond.
Siren nodded, her tears soaking into Marco's shirt. "He is. And he always will be."
Sabo's voice cracked as he knelt beside them, his tears falling silently. "We'll protect him," he said, his hand trembling as he rested it on Siren's shoulder. "We'll protect all of you."
...
Siren knelt on the bloodstained ground, her heart shattered into pieces. The world around her felt like it was crumbling, each breath a desperate attempt to hold herself together. Ace was gone-his soul craddled by her, forever sealed within the depths of her being. The weight of his absence was unbearable, an ache so deep it threatened to pull her under.
Her body trembled with exhaustion, the fight having drained every ounce of strength from her. She had given all she could. Marco was barely clinging to life beside her, half-dead from the battle's toll. Luffy, equally broken, stood on shaky legs, his exhaustion written across his face, his body battered and bruised. Butthe most horrifying thing of all, his face reavealed his broken heart.
Yet, there was still more to fight-more enemies to face. The fight wasn't over.
But Siren couldn't go on. She could feel the grief rising within her like a tidal wave, drowning her in its force. She could feel her very soul breaking, each shard of pain ripping through her until she could no longer breathe without it.
"I can't do this..." she whispered, her voice hoarse. "I can't lose him..." Marco beside her cried in anguish, holding her tight.
Her heart twisted as the realization hit her-she was left behind. She felt like a vital part of her was missing. She was left behind, felt so alone in this. Ace went where she couldn't follow him.But I am not alone, she thought. The voice of all things, the power of nature, still echoed within her. She needed to reach it, to call upon it, to make it right.
...
Siren's hands, trembling, reached to the heavens. Her voice, raw with grief and anger, filled the air as she called out to the ancient power she had always known. "Answer me! Please, help me! I cannot bear this loss. I cannot... I need him back..."
She felt it-an echo, a stirring, but it wasn't enough. The response was cold, distant, and it only deepened the ache in her chest. Siren closed her eyes and bowed her head, her breath shaking. The pain of Ace's death was too much, and the world was pressing in on her from every side.
"I... I don't care what it takes," she whispered, voice cracking. "Please... I need this to end."
Her plea was desperate, a prayer to the forces of nature itself. But what she did not know was that nature had heard her cry. What she did not know was that the wrath she had summoned would not simply return her a solution-it would return her the wrath of the world, shaped by her heart's grief.
...
Nika, the male sun god, warrior of light, felt it within Luffy. He had been dormant within him, but Siren's cry called him to action. Nika had always watched, a silent guardian, but now-now the grief in Siren's voice stirred him. He could feel her pain, and with it, he felt the surging tide of destruction that followed.
Siren...Nika thought, reaching out through the depths of Luffy's will.I feel her loss. The wrath of the ocean rises. I must protect them, protect all that they love.
Luffy stumbled, barely able to stand as exhaustion pulled at him. His body was on the edge of collapse in his pain and grief, but even as he faltered, Nika rose within him, a sun god awakening. Siren's pain had summoned him, and now he would direct the force of nature she had called.
He reached into the heavens with the power of the sun, his presence warm even through the storm that was brewing. The water was pulling back, the sea retreating as if in fear of the coming fury.
...
The sea recoiled as though struck, the waters pulling away from the shore in a retreat that sent chills down the spines of all who saw it. Marco, Luffy, and the others-they felt it. The water was vanishing, leaving the ground exposed, a dark omen of the destruction that was to come.
Then, Siren stood.
Her form began to glow-pale and eerie at first, then growing brighter, as if the very essence of the earth and sky was surging through her. The air around her crackled with energy, a palpable force of nature. Her body-no longer just a woman-was a goddess among them, a being of pure, untamed power. The essence of the earth, the sea, the sky-Siren had become the incarnation of nature's wrath, and the very world bent around her.
Her eyes glowed with the light of the storm, and the energy around her surged like a living thing, bending with her will. "The tsunami... it comes," Siren's voice was cold, commanding, filled with a sorrow so deep that it turned her heart to stone. "It is my answer. It is not for you... not for those I love. The ones who helped... you will be spared. But the ones who sought to take from me, from us-will feel the wrath of the sea."
The wave, a towering force of nature, grew higher and higher, impossibly large, eclipsing the sun, and as though the sea itself was being drawn into Siren's fury. It would not stop. It could not stop.
...
The crew and the few remaining fighters could only watch in horror as the massive wave loomed on the horizon. They knew it was coming. They knew it would be a force like nothing they had ever seen. Fear surged through them-no one was prepared for this.
Siren, her glowing form casting a terrifying light, stood at the center of it all. She had called forth the tsunami, and it was her grief, her wrath, that had awakened it. But even as the waters surged, Nika's male presence stirred within Luffy's mind.
I will guide it,Nika thought, his voice clear and steady despite the chaos.I will protect them. I will protect Ace's body. I will not let them be lost.
...
As the massive wave surged forward, a deafening roar filled the air. It was coming-nothing could stop it. Siren had unknowingly summoned the wrath of the ocean. But in that moment, even as nature's fury took form, it was Nika's influence that bent the tide, guiding the destruction toward the enemies and away from the ones they loved.
Siren's loss would be felt across the land, across the seas. She would make them feel it. And with the rise of the wave, the world would know that nature itself had been broken-and that wrath had no mercy.
...
As the enormous wave surged forward, Nika's power began to take shape, his divine essence surging through Luffy's body like the bright sun lighting up the dark storm. From within Luffy, Nika's presence radiated outward, guiding the ships of the allies away from the impending catastrophe.
Nika's voice, a steady and commanding force within Luffy's mind, reached the crews. "Steer them away, now. Follow my lead, or you'll be swallowed whole."
The ships, those with the ghostly spirits and klabautermans still aboard, were steered safely by Nika's celestial guidance. His connection to the divine and the spirits that inhabited the waters around them kept the ships from being consumed by the roaring tide. Those that remained loyal to the cause, the brave souls who fought for freedom and justice, were protected-by Nika's grace, and by the sun god's influence over the waters.
But for the Marines, the fate was far darker. The chaos among them was unparalleled. The tsunami, the very manifestation of nature's wrath, bore down on them with the fury of an entire world reborn from grief. The commanders, the admirals, and even the warlords of the sea-all with their powerful Devil Fruits-felt the impending death. It was as if the world had turned against them.
...
The Marines were gripped by a sudden, overwhelming panic. The high-ranking officers and the warlords, whose powers could have once turned the tide in their favor, were now reduced to desperate, trembling figures. Some tried to retreat to higher ground, to find safety in the unlikeliest of places, but it was clear there was nowhere to run. The ground itself was breaking apart under the force of the sea's pull.
"Retreat!" an admiral screamed, but his words were drowned out by the deafening roar of the wave.
Others fought, attempted to strike Siren down, but their attacks seemed futile. They aimed their Devil Fruit powers at her, hoping to stop the goddess of wrath, but the power that surged within her was beyond their comprehension. She stood there, glowing with the force of the storm, her grief entwining with the wrath of the oceans. Each strike they made was repelled by an invisible force-Nika's protection, his divine influence over Siren.
As the chaos spread, the Marines scrambled to find shelter, but those who had corrupted the very essence of the sea and the land were doomed. No matter their rank or title, the corrupt, the evil-hearted, were swept away without mercy.
...
Nika's presence in Luffy's mind remained unwavering, a light against the dark, guiding him with certainty. His power, though hidden within Luffy, was unmistakable. He stretched his influence across the seas and skies, bending the destructive wave away from his allies. "Stay close. I will protect you, and the ones you love."
It was in this moment that Luffy understood something deeply-there was something between Siren and Nika, something that transcended not only lives but entire worlds. The connection they shared was not of mere mortals. Siren had called out to nature itself, and Nika, the sun god, had answered her call.
It was as if fate had entwined their spirits long before this moment. The sorrow in Siren's heart was something ancient, something familiar to Nika's essence, and they shared that grief, that rage.
...
Marco, even in his weakened state, was not about to allow any harm to come to Siren or Ace's body. His body was broken, his wings battered, but his spirit remained strong. He hovered near Siren, his broken form acting as a shield, both to protect her and the body of Ace, who had died in their arms.
"I won't let you die," Marco said with a strained voice, blood dripping from his wounds. "I'll protect you... you and Ace."
Marco's sacrifice was more than just physical-it was his loyalty, his love, and his unwavering resolve that kept him going, even when all hope seemed lost. He didn't know how long he could last, but he would not falter. He would protect them.
...
Sabo stood off to the side, trembling with fear, the same fear that gripped the Marines. The enormity of the wave was beyond comprehension. But despite his terror, despite the overwhelming force of nature bearing down upon them, Sabo refused to leave.
"I'm staying..." he whispered to himself, watching as his comrades prepared to face the inevitable.
Sabo's fear was evident, but so was his resolve. He would not let Siren, Marco, or Luffy face this alone. The pain of losing Ace had already taken so much from him. He would not let it take them as well. He took Luffy's hand in his but instead of him comforting Luffy it seemed Luffy was the one to comfort him.
...
Whitebeard, his massive figure unshaken by the events unfolding around him, rallied his remaining forces. His voice rang out, the call of a leader who had seen the world bend and break under the forces of nature.
"Brace yourselves!" Whitebeard's voice boomed, louder than the crashing tide. "We have weathered storms far worse than this. Stand strong, my sons and daughters! We stand together, or we fall together!"
With his words, the remaining crew members of the Whitebeard Pirates gathered, their resolve hardening. They would face the tsunami together, as one. It was the end of an era, but it was not the end of their fight.
...
Garp, the legendary Marine, looked on as the tsunami approached. His expression remained stoic, his mind focused on the men and women who had fought by his side over the years.
"Stay with me!" Garp called to his loyal soldiers. "We hold this line! We don't retreat."
The loyal Marines, the ones who upheld justice with true integrity, remained untouched by the wrath of the wave. The corrupt, the greedy, the heartless-those who had exploited the power of the seas-were swallowed whole by the waters, swept away without mercy.
...
The colossal wave roared forward, a living, breathing force of nature that devoured the land in its path. It swept over the enemies, the corrupted Marines, and the pirates who had crossed paths with Siren and Ace. The destruction was cataclysmic, a reminder to the world of nature's power, of the grief that Siren had called forth in her wrath.
And still, Nika guided the allies' ships away from the worst of it. He led them to safety, his light shining in the distance like the sun breaking through the storm.
As the sea began to reclaim the land, the echoes of Siren's sorrow and Nika's protection lingered in the air. The gods had spoken, and the world would know their answer.
...
The wave, a towering wall of water, was sweeping over the island with an unimaginable fury. The sound was deafening-a monstrous roar of nature's vengeance. Trees, buildings, and every trace of civilization were obliterated. The earth shook, splitting open in some places, while others were swallowed entirely by the advancing water.
The destructive wave consumed the land, leaving only barren earth and devastation in its wake.
Where once there had been thriving streets, lush forests, and the sounds of life, there was now nothing but dirt and destruction. The towering buildings were reduced to rubble, and the once-pristine beaches were now littered with debris-wood, metal, and pieces of shattered ships. The very earth has been scarred, as though the island itself was punished for the sins it had housed.
What once was a thriving island of diverse people, pirates, and Marines alike was now a lifeless expanse. Smoke still rose from the wreckage, mingling with the salty mist of the sea as it retreated, leaving a once-beautiful land unrecognizable.
The evil among them-those who had been corrupted by power, greed, or malice-were nowhere to be found. There were no bodies left behind, no trace of their existence. The wave had swept them away as if they had never been.
But those who had stood for justice, who had fought for a cause greater than themselves, remained. The good, the ones whose hearts were true, had survived the wrath of nature's fury.
...
The remaining survivors stood together in the silence that followed the chaos, their eyes still wide with disbelief. Those who had faced the wave head-on were untouched. They had stood firm where they were, and as the water passed over them, it left them unscathed, as though the very ocean itself had parted to allow their survival.
Among them was Garp, standing tall with his arms crossed. The legendary Marine vice-admiral was unharmed, his expression resolute as always, his gaze fixed on the destruction around him. He had not flinched as the wave rolled over, his loyalty to his comrades and to hisnsense of justice, ensuring that the ocean had no claim over him.
Garp's Marines, those who had served under him with true honor and integrity, were spared as well. They had followed their leader's example and stood firm, refusing to flee, refusing to abandon their beliefs. Among them was Tashigi, her sword still drawn, her face set in a determined expression. Though young, she had always been loyal to her sense of justice, and the sea had acknowledged that, sparing her life.
The corrupted Marines, the ones who had sided with evil and cruelty, were gone-swept away without mercy. No trace of them remained, not even a shadow in the wreckage. It was as though the world had purged them completely, erasing their existence from the island's history.
Among the warlords, Dracule Mihawk, the greatest swordsman in the world, stood alone on a rocky outcrop, his gaze piercing the horizon as the water flowed past him. His expression was unreadable, though there was a strange calmness about him, as if he understood the magnitude of what had just occurred. Though he was a former warlord, Mihawk had always walked a path of his own, one not swayed by the whims of the World Government or the forces of corruption. The ocean had spared him, a man who had never truly been part of the world's political machinations.
Boa Hancock, the pirate empress, had also survived, though she was not unscathed. Her eyes were wide with shock, but her pride remained unbroken. The wave had spared her, perhaps because of her strength, perhaps because her heart, despite her pride, was not wholly given to darkness. She looked around, her thoughts torn between her pride and the reality of the devastation.
Jinbei stood, his clothes soaked but unharmed. His stoic face was a mask of both relief and sorrow as he looked out over the devastation. The sea had recognized his worth-his steadfast loyalty to justice and the protection of others. He had survived.
The other warlords, the ones who had allied themselves with the corrupt forces of the World Government, had vanished, their fates sealed by the wrath of the ocean. Doflamingo, and the rest-they were no more, lost to the depths of the sea.
Crocodile lay deeply injured but alive alongside the unscated Ookama Ivankov, pleading him with his eyes for help. In the shock they all felt by the devastating force Ivankov helped stabilize him.
Buggy crawled over the edge of a cliff, part by part. The devastation ruffled him up, muted his powers but he was alive and humbled by it.
Trafalgar D. Water Law found himself soaked to the bone, his sword the only thing that saved him from being swept away. He understood the warning of the sea for what it was and felt grateful for the lesson.
In the wake of the wave, Aokiji was battered, his body bruised, his expression weary. The sea had spared him, but it had not done so lightly. He had been hit hard, a symbol of the warning from nature that his journey had been a complex one. His steps were shaky, but he was alive. Beside him he found Kizaru, deeply hurt but still alive. The wave had punished them for their past actions, but they still stood, a reminder that there is always time to change.
...
As the waters began to recede, the survivors looked around them at the island-once filled with life, now reduced to rubble. The ground was churned and uneven, littered with debris and the broken remnants of ships. The water that had flooded the island was now dotted with debris-broken wood, torn sails, and the occasional body. Among them, there were familiar faces. Pirates and Marines alike, their lives claimed by the wave.
In the water, Ace's body floated, his lifeless form still held within the arms of Siren. The water had not claimed him fully. He remained unscathed, untouched by the destruction that had claimed so many others. His body was preserved by Nika's divine influence, and Siren's unyielding love.
Marco stood beside Siren, his wings barely functional, but he had stayed by her side despite his wounds. He too, like the others, had survived the wave, having shielded Ace's body from the water. His gaze fell to the horizon, the weight of loss heavy on his heart, but his resolve never faltered.
Luffy, despite his exhaustion, was with them. His connection to Nika, the spirit of the sun god, had allowed him to stand against the wrath of the wave. His heart was torn, both from the loss of Ace and the toll the battle had taken on his body. But he stood tall, even in the face of unimaginable destruction, because he understood now more than ever that they had to keep fighting. They had to keep moving forward-for Ace, for all of them.
Whitebeard's crew, those who had remained loyal, were also untouched. Ace's spirit lived on through them, and they knew they will carry on in his name.
The survivors, though weary and battered, remained resolute. They had faced the wave, and they had survived. As the sun broke through the lingering clouds, the first light of dawn touched the shattered island, casting a golden glow on the ruins. The survivors looked to the horizon, ready to face whatever came next.
They had lost much, but they had gained something more-an understanding of the true power of nature, of the gods, and the bond between them. It was a new beginning, and the world would never be the same.
And Siren, glowing faintly in the aftermath, watches the sea as if it was still calling to her, a silent promise lingering in the air-the wrath of nature had spoken. But she didn't care for the whispers and words if the Voice. Ace was gone.
...