Chapter 13: Betrayal

For nearly two decades the name Blackbeard had been floating around Paradise and the nearby islands. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on who you talked to, nobody could describe the man to you. His wanted poster had no image. This was because the man never left a witness to his atrocities. Slavery wasn't beyond him. Rape, murder, deception and destruction weren't far from what he had done either. He left no man, woman or child to report his likeness. Some believed him to be something that the World Government had created to scare New World pirates, others believed him to be vengeful spirit that destroyed towns and ports; but there were those who knew the truth and the truth was Blackbeard was only an alias for the monster. His true identity was hidden, but not for much longer.

The sea knew the truth. The goddess within the depths had seen him do his atrocities, the killings, the murders and had heard the cries of the youngest of souls as he tore away their dreams. She couldn't do anything to help them. This, human was being protected by darkness itself. She knew, however, that someone would soon appear upon her waters who would destroy this monstrous creature. She had already felt him, the joyful spirit in two places at once. Impossible as it seemed. Once she had realized what was happening, that the second was in fact from a near future, she had felt some hope rise within her. Having ensured years ago that her red warrior would gain that fruit in order for the true barer to have it. Now she only had to wait. The chains that held her back cracked. Soon the drums would beat and the world would once more know the truth and not even Blackbeard would be able to hide from her mighty fury.

Sabo watched with mild amusement as his companions jaws dropped as they watched his little brother stuff his mouth full of meat. Makino just smiled gently like the guardian he remembered her being. With his memories once again fully intact he had been comparing them to the real thing when it came to the people who were important to him. His memories didn't do any of them justice.

"Luffy." The youth turned his head towards him. He still had a mouthful of food, so much so that he held a hand in front of his lips to stop anything from escaping. "Is Dadan still around?"

Swallowing everything he had in his mouth in one big gulp, both Koala and Lindbergh gasped in shock at this feat. "Yep!" He said with enthusiasm. "She's actually considered Queen of the bandits now that she brought the four mountain bandit gangs under her control." He smiled proudly. "She's stronger than she ever lets on."

Sabo chuckled. "I always assumed she was." He admitted as he finished his lunch by stuffing the sandwich into his mouth.

"Sabo don't try to imitate your brother!" Lindbergh panicked as his friend's cheeks puffed out at being filled with food.

Koala hit him. "Idiot! Luffy might be made of rubber but you're not!" Sabo sputtered a bit causing food bits to come out of his mouth. She suddenly grasped his cheeks and pulled them. "Sabo! Stop trying to impress your brother by being stupid!"

"Sorry Koala." He whined as she released his face.

Luffy was laughing his ass off. "Shishishi." He slowly calmed his laughter. "Sabo has always been like that! He use to challenge Ace and I to eating contests! I always won though!" He grinned happily at the last sentence. He loved having his brother back. It made his insides feel good. It was like being doused in cool water after a difficult fight. He couldn't wait for what would happen next.

Ace grinned up at the giant in front of him. The big guy was a friend of the Whitebeard pirates. Little Oars Jr was looking at the giant hat that Ace had made him. "So?" Ace questioned him. "Do you like it?"

Oars gave the tiny human a toothy grin before placing the had on his head. The Little Pirate crew cheered as their captain seemed to thoroughly enjoy his new gift from Ace. "I also have a request from you big guy."

Little Oars looked at him with annoyance. "What?" His voice was gravely, likely from misuse. It sounded like he gargled with rocks in his throat.

Ace scratched the back of his neck. "Well, you see I'm a big brother and I was hoping that a big guy like you wouldn't mind being my little brother's friend once he comes out onto the sea."

Oars burst out laughing. Of all the requests, this was one that would be the easiest. "Ace is my friend." Oars stated. "So will his little brother."

Relief flooded Ace's features. "THANK-YOU!" Ace yelled happily at the giant a big smile on his spreading across his face. It was then that his denden mushi began to ring on his hip.

"Yeah?" He answered it.

"ACE!" The denden yelled at him as it took on the callers face.

"Oh! Thatch!" He happily answered. The 4th division commander was one of his closest friends. The guy made the best foods that were just loaded with the best ingredients. "You need something?"

"Dude, you'll never guess what I found yesterday." The grin on the denden was huge.

"What did you find?" Ace was thing it was an exotic fruit or food that his friend wanted him to try.

"A damn devil fruit!"Ace's eyes widened at the revelation. "I looked it up. It's something called Yami Yami no Mi. The only thing that the devil fruit encyclopedia stated was that it had unknown powers and that it was unknown what type of devil fruit class it was. Only thing known was it possibly controlled darkness itself."

"Sounds dangerous." Ace muttered not want to make his friend feel bad about the devil fruit he had found. "Are you going to use it?"

Thatch sighed. "I don't know man. I've always wanted to be helpful to Pops other than making him and everyone food, but this thing could give me chance to be stronger for Pops; however I kind of think it's cursed."

Ace frowned at this. "Why?"

"I may have slept with it hidden under my bunk last night and couldn't sleep a wink." Thatch admitted. "Also it kind of feels…evil. I'm thinking of just selling it."

Ace chuckled. "I don't think a devil fruit can be cursed or inherently evil." He stated. "It's yours to do with. That's the rule. If you need help to make a decision go to Pops or Marco. They'll be happy to give you advice."Thatch was a bit hesitant to respond. Ace groaned as he realized why. "You haven't told them, have you?"

"No." was the quick reply.

"Why me?" Ace whined.

"You know more about these things." Thatch responded even quicker.

"Liar!" Ace accused him. There was a noise from the denden. "What was that?" Ace asked.

"The door." Thatch answered. "I heard voices. I didn't want them to hear this."

"Look, talk to Pops. He'll help you." Ace assured his friend and brother. "I've got to go."

"Hey Ace, where are you anyway?" Thatch inquired.

"I'm with Little Oars Jr." he answered with a grin. "Why?"

"Could I come out there and help you? I'm bored." Ace rolled his eyes at this.

"Maybe." Ace teased. "If you talk to Pops."

"Damn it Ace!" Thatch heard laughter from his young friend. "Fine." He groaned, garnering another chuckle.

"Call me afterwards and I'll come home to pick you up." Ace promised, his grin wider than it had been in a long time. He ended the call and looked up at Little Oars Jr. "What do you say to a bit of celebrating my friend?"

Oars smiled a truly happy smile. "We'll drink all night then."

"Name me a pirate who doesn't!" Ace laughed heartily.

Sighing as he rubbed the bridge of his nose, Thatch supposed the youngest of their group was right. He should've told Pops and Marco sooner. He didn't know why he had hoarded the fruit anyway. Lifting a bag from the box he was keeping close to himself, Thatch pulled the offending fruit out to inspect it. The dark purplish fruit was soft to the touch, even had a slight pleasant oder to it; almost smelt like a strawberry.

Thatch couldn't shake the feeling that the fruit was evil though. It felt like he was starring at a monstrous demon that was readying itself to devour him, both metaphorically and literally. He felt a shiver run down his spine. He never should've taken it from that stormy island that was shrouded in darkness. Standing, Thatch quickly made his way down the halls within the Moby Dick. He knew the twists and turns to and from his Pop's room and library.

This time of night the old man would be buried in another adventure as Marco read the books to him. It wasn't a well known thing, only a few commanders knew that their ole Pops hated reading but had demanded that each and every child of his knew how to read, write and spell anything and everything between A and Z. He personally had hated those lessons but had enjoyed the one on one time with Pops. So much so that he and Marco used to race each other to be the one to read to the old man.

Thatch hummed softly as he made the last turned towards the library almost bumping into someone at the same time. "Whoa! Sorry there-" he paused when he saw that it was Teach. "Damn sorry Teach. I didn't see you there."

"Hahaha." Teacher laughed. "I'm surprised you can! What's in the box?" Intently trying to figure out what was in it.

"Nothing for you." Thatch stated as he moved the box from his front to his side. "It's something for Pop to see."

"Oh? A new treat?" Teach asked grinning.

Teach's missing teeth causing Thatch to frown. When had Teach lost another tooth? He didn't know he'd been in any fights lately. "It's something." He stated having a feeling that he needed to keep the fruit a secret, at least from Teach. He then walked passed the other man. "However if you hurry there might still be boiled frosted cookies left in the galley." Another spine tingle laugh left the other man before the two parted ways.

Sighing, Thatch quickly rushed towards his Pop. He didn't even notice the dark eyes that were on him. He opened the door to the library to find Pop on the large couch listening to Marco reading the newest medical book he has come across. Both looked up as he entered the room.

"Thatch, what do you need yoi?" Marco inquired as he placed the book to his side.

"I found something and wanted to show Pop." He stated as he held up the box with both hands trying to look excited about it.

Marco was unimpressed. "Oi." He sounded annoyed. "Congratulations. You found a box."

"Oh? Did the birdie say a joke?" Thatch tease.

"…." Marco gave him a deadpan look of being most unimpressed by the annoying nickname.

"Gurarararaaa." Newgate laughed at his sons. The two had always teased each other mercilessly through the ages. He always found it hilarious how his two strong sons would challenge each other. Calming his laughter, he continued to grin. "Son, what's in the box?"

Thatch quickly opened to box and pulled the fruit out of both bag and box. The purple fruit with its spikes and swirls made all who looked upon it know what exactly it was.

Marco stood quickly, crossed the room and examined the fruit. "Where did you find that, yoi?" He was excited for his brother. It had been years since someone had come across a devil fruit.

Thatch grinned. "Storm Island." He answered. "Last week I heard people at that small port talking about some strange fruits from there. So I went to the island thinking I'd find an exotic fruit to add to our diets." He placed the fruit back in the bag. "However, now that I have it, I don't want it."

"Huh?" Marco looked at his brother with a confused look. "Why?"

"Don't laugh at me." Thatch made them promise, gaining a nod from both he continued. "It feels.." He rubbed the back of his neck once more. "well, evil."

Neither man spoke for a moment. "Son, what do you want to do with it then?"

"Sell it." Thatch then shrugged. "Bury it? Burn it? I don't know Pop." He paced in front of the doorway. "I just want it far from me."

Suddenly blood exploded from Thatch's arm as the right appendage was cut from his body. A hand from the dark hallway behind him suddenly snatched the falling sack that held the fruit in it before it even touched the ground. Blood splashed and sprayed onto the ground, carpeting, books and pictures on the wall as Thatcher screamed and fell to his left side onto the ground.

"Zehahaha!" The deep rumble laughter that all three men knew and it caused their hearts to squeeze at. "Then I'll take it dear brother!"

"Teach!" Marco yelled as his flames lit up on his body.

Teach began hightailing it down the halls. Marco almost followed, almost. Whitebeard grasped his son by his shoulder. "Tend to your brother." He looked off down the dark hall. "I'll deal with the traitor." With those words Whitebeard tore after Teach, not caring that as he rushed after the traitor that he was destroying doorways in order to catch the offender.

M-Angel: And with that there won't be another update until Monday. I hope everyone enjoys their weekend. I know I will be, as I have my family reunion this weekend.

Guest - I'm sorry that you found the last chapter unimportant or not very interesting to the plot of the story. I find it interesting that you only now are finding my story dumb. Is this because I'm not taking your ideas and putting them in my story? As for your concern that I'm not updating regularly. I post a new chapter almost every 2-3 days. I take the weekend off. I work 9-10 hr shifts doing the week. So I try my best. If you do not like the rate at which I am updating, I'm sorry. It cannot be helped.

Sloopsmcgee - Thank-you

David - I am thinking of turning it off, however that would mean my other wonderful non-members cannot leave a review. So, for now, it will remain on. Thanks for liking my story! 3

efyyyy - Er….you do know what really happens, right?