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Marco sat in the psychiatrist office, having just shown the drawing he had taken copies off for the psychiatrist from his phone. The psychiatrist hummed as he looked at the pictures of the drawings and text over, before he nodded. "It is clear he keeps a lot inside. He is probably thinking if he does open up, he will be punished. He has most likely been taught that if he says he is anything but fine, says how he actually feels or tells the truth, he will be punished harshly. He is very good at drawing. And drawing, even putting words down to the drawing is a good way to handle things and get his feelings out and maybe get to understand and process them. It is a form of therapy. A form of therapy he can do anywhere and hide, no one needs to see it or know about it, probably the reasons he hides it. This is what he feels, and he was not allowed to tell it, so he gets it out this way. Although it is concerning that he feels this way, this can be a healthy outlet for him."

Marco nodded, he hadn't thought about it that way. "Should I tell him I know about them, yoi?" The psychiatrist shook his head. "No, I don't think so. Let him keep this to himself, get what he feels down. Get him maybe a private book to draw and write in. Just his. Buy a set of colors for him to use. This can be good for him. And when he gets better and understands his feelings more and manages to put things behind him and move on, he can look back at the drawings and words and see how far he has gotten." Marco nodded, that sounded smart.

Marco then moved to show the image of the text that as long as Ace and Akainu were alive, he was never safe. "About this, should we tell Ace Akainu is dead, yoi?" The psychiatrist gave a small hum. "I had a small thought as well. I am not sure, and while it might help, he might also think we are lying." That was true, he didn't think of that. The psychiatrist then seemed to get an idea. "You've mentioned a detective that's called Shanks. He helped Ace through this, and maybe Ace trusts him. Maybe have him here tomorrow if he has the time and he can help tell Ace that Akainu is dead, even bring something to back it up." Marco nodded, that sounded smart. "I have his number, I will call him when I am outside, yoi. I will call and tell you if he can come." The psychiatrist hummed. "Actually, have him call me if he can come. I want to do this right." Marco nodded, he would.

The psychiatrist looked at him. "I will take notes of these drawings and words, don't tell Ace you know about them, but should you see it once, support him. Tell him he can draw whatever he wants." Marco nodded, he would do that. Marco then remembered something. "Also, he broke his wrist yesterday, yoi. It was hard for him as he broke it in the morning and I didn't find out until dinner since he hid it from me, sure I would be mad at him. He also broke down when we got to the hospital since he has been fed lies that if he went to the hospital with an injury, they would hurt him more and mock him, yoi. But we got an amazing doctor to help us. She was everything Ace needed I feel." The psychiatrist nodded. "Do you remember her name by chance?" Marco nodded. "She said her name was Bay, yoi."

The psychiatrist smiled. "I know her. She is the best and she is so understanding and calm. She doesn't hurry, she doesn't think fears are stupid. I know everyone that gets her loves her. Or almost everyone. Parents or guardians that don't agree that fears aren't to be shamed off, like being scared of needles is a stupid fear, thinks she is too kind and coddles too much. But I feel she is the best at handling every situation. I won't tell you what or more than this, but she had a tough childhood as well, same with a very abusive mentor years ago." Marco nodded, that made sense. They then shared a few more words, before he left.

When he got outside, he called Shanks, who picked up after a few rings. "Detective Shanks." Marco hummed. "I'm not sure if you remember me, but I am the guardian to Ace D Portgas, yoi." Shanks spoke. "Of course I remember you, Marco. Is everything okay? Is Ace okay?" Marco gave a breath. "He is as good as he can be I think. But after finding out some things about how Ace feels, we think Ace might benefit from knowing Akainu is dead, yoi. I know it is short notice, but Ace has an appointment with his psychiatrist tomorrow, would you happen to have the time to join and tell Ace that Akainu is dead? Ace's appointment is at 9am." Shanks hummed. "I have the time, if not, I will make time. I got nothing that important. Where is his psychiatrist located?"

Marco gave a relieved breath, glad about that. "I can give you his number, he wants to speak with you first, yoi. Probably about what to tell and how, and if you could bring something to help prove Akainu is dead and that this is not a trap." Shanks spoke. "I will do that. Send me his number as a text if you can. I will see you tomorrow." Marco nodded and said he would, before he gave a goodbye. When he hung up, he sent the number to the psychiatrist to Shanks as a text, and he got back a text he got it and would call now. That was good.

When it was time for Ace's appointment, and they were in the waiting room, they were soon allowed to go into the psychiatrist's office, Ace by his side. He hadn't seen Shanks yet, but when they got into the room, he saw Shanks standing by the desk and offered a smile to them. When Ace saw him, Marco felt Ace hold onto his hand more, so Marco gave a squeeze for reassurance. Marco and Ace then sat down in the chairs they used, and Shanks looked at Ace. "Hi, Ace. Do you remember me?" Ace nodded a bit. "Yes. You helped me get away from Akainu." Shanks nodded. "That is right. I am here since I have some… news about him." Ace looked worried and grasped Marco's hand tightly, and Marco squeezed it again. Ace swallowed. "A- am I going… back?" Ace tried to look normal, but Marco saw the fear in his eyes.

Shanks shook his head. "No. Akainu was sent to prison for life, but some other people in prison didn't like what he had done to you and others and got mad at him. Akainu is dead. He was killed in prison." Ace blinked and looked unsure and doubtful. "He… was?" Shanks nodded and took out a parchment he had and gave it to Ace. Marco looked at it as well and it was a report that Akainu was dead and no one claimed the body and he would therefore not be buried or get a funeral. He would be cremated and tossed away. As Ace had read it and taken it in, he looked up at Shanks. "He is… He is really dead?" Shanks nodded. "He is."

Ace nodded and seemed to think, before he carefully said. "Does that mean… things he said and lied about are fixed?" Shanks blinked. "Are you thinking of something special?" Ace seemed to feel unsure and sent a look at him, and Marco gave a comforting look. "Is there something you're worried about that he lied about, you should tell Shanks, yoi. He is a detective." Ace looked at Shanks as well who had a supportive look as he nodded, and Ace took a breath, before he spoke fast in one breath as he closed his eyes. "He made a friend I like go to prison since he tired to help me and it made Akainu mad so he framed him and they didn't even check his alibi that was waterproof since Akainu was a reliable witness and I really liked him as he was so kind and he didn't do anything wrong and he shouldn't be in jail." Ace said it all in one breath and was out of breath and took a breath as he was done, eyes still closed, most likely scared.

Shanks blinked. "Who is this, Ace? I will do my best to help. He had an alibi? Are you sure?" Ace nodded, eyes still closed as he now looked sad, before he looked up at Shanks with tears in his eyes. "Yes. He even said where he was and they had cameras but Akainu made them not able to be used in the trial as Akainu was more reliable than the cameras." The tears Ace held back started to fall. "I miss him. He was the only one who tried to help me, who believed me. But when he was thinking of taking me away, Akainu got him jailed based on lies." Shanks nodded and looked concerned. "Do you remember his name?" Ace nodded as he sniffled and tried to wipe his tears. "Trevor Cage." Shanks nodded. "I will be back, I need to make a call. I will do my best, Ace." Ace nodded, seeming sad and a bit hopeful, but also doubtful.

Ace looked very sad and the psychiatrist switched the topic for now, which seemed to help Ace to feel better. They then spoke about the normal things, and after a small bit, there was a knock on the door and Shanks opened and came in again and looked at Ace. "I spoke with my boss, who also spoke with more people, and Trevor will get a new trial now that Akainu can't testify and he is now discredited. We will put a haste on it, and this time, Akainu can't be a witness." Ace blinked and looked hopeful. "Really?" Shanks nodded. "Yes. If he has been sent to prison based on lies and been framed, we need to fix it. But the court isn't known to move fast, we will do all we can do to make this happen fast." Ace looked hopeful. "Really?" Shanks nodded and smiled. "Yes, really. I will personally be in this case and keep you updated." Ace nodded and looked emotional. "Thank you." Shanks shook his head with a smile. "No issue. Now, I need to go back to work. Marco has my number if you need anything else, okay?" Ace nodded, which had Shanks nod as well, before Shanks left. Ace seemed more hopeful now.

They then wrapped the appointment up, before they got a new one next week, and they left and Marco drove Ace to school as there still was a bit left of the school day. Later that day, Marco was preparing dinner and the kids were at the table, either drawing or doing homework. Ace was drawing and he managed to still draw well, just more carefully with his right hand and used more large motions as he couldn't use his wrist. And at times, Ace even used his left arm, he guessed Ace was good with both hands. That was good, as he liked that Ace could still draw.

As he was almost done with dinner and it just needed to make itself, he went and looked at the table. Thatch was doing homework as he had been lazy with it, while Namur, Haruta, and Ace drew. Namu drew an underwater scene, Haruta drew a house with the sun, and Ace had drawn an apple tree with a swing and someone swinging on it. He then told them to clean and prepare the table for dinner, and told Thatch that if he had a lot, he could continue after dinner and Marco would help him, which Thatch said he wanted. Then they had dinner and all went okay. He hadn't heard anything from Shanks yet, and hoped for the best.

Things then went fine, and when Wednesday came and Marco was at work, he moved to look at his phone when it rang and blinked when he saw it was the school. That was odd, the school day hadn't started that long ago and was soon just halfway done.

Marco answered the phone and put it to his ear. "Marco Fishback." He heard a woman's voice. "Hi, Mr Fishback. I am sorry to call. This is Alvida, the school counselor. We just found something concerning Ace made and ask that if you have the time, if you could come so we can talk about it." Marco nodded, feeling concerned. "Of course, Miss Alvida, I will come right away, yoi." He heard a thank you, before he hung up and sent a message to Whitebeard that he was leaving because of something at school and Marco would call when he knew more. He got a quick text back that he hoped things were fine, and Marco hoped as well.

When he got to the school he walked to the counselor office, and walked in to see Ace there as well, sitting with his head downcast and looking scared, hands in his lap, his left hand clenched. Alvida motioned for him to sit and Marco looked at Ace. "Are you okay, Ace?" Ace gave a very small nod, not speaking or lifting his gaze. He felt worried for Ace, and looked at Alvida. "What has happened, yoi?" Alvida gave a breath. "He was outside during recess by the west wall and was drawing, and when a teacher asked to see it, Ace tried to hide it. But the teacher managed to make Ace show it and was horrified by what he had drawn." Marco blinked, feeling shocked. Someone had forced Ace to show what he drew?

Marco would try and keep composed for now. "What did he draw if I may ask? What was wrong with it, yoi?" Alvida moved and showed a drawing she had, and Marco took it and looked at it. It was a drawing of a boy, a well made one and detailed. But down the face was a sort of line that divided the face into two, on the right side the boy looked happy and had many good and positive words, like hope, loved, enough, free, selfless and many more. On the left side the eye was crying and the mouth didn't look as happy and had lines over it like it was sewn shut. It had negative words on it, like broken, crazy, dramatic, worthless, coward, and more. He felt this showed Ace felt torn, he didn't know what to feel and felt both things.

Marco nodded and looked at the counselor. He had been worried Ace had drawn something inappropriate or sexual, maybe something he had been through, but this was not that. "Who was the teacher who took this drawing from my son?" Alvida nodded. "It was Mr Arlong. I hope you can see why I called you here. We don't endorse or support negative behavior like this. We like to focus on positive things and not negative things. We feel it is a bad influence on the children to focus on the negative things, and I hope you see the seriousness in this. I have talked with Ace about this, and that this is not okay."

Marco nodded and looked at Alvida seriously as he spoke with force. "I do take this very seriously." He said as he moved his hand to Ace's back and he could see Ace trying to make himself small, probably sure Marco was mad at him, but he was not, and looked more sternly at the counselor who had a smile, probably thinking Marco took this the way he said, when Marco continued. "I take it very seriously that a teacher forced my son to show something that is not related to school, a personal drawing he made and did not want to show, yoi. I find it very seriously that the teacher forced my son to show something he didn't want to show, something Ace did not show around to influence other children. I find it serious that you want to downplay and minimize my son's feelings. The world isn't all smiles and flowers. My son is allowed to express himself how he wants to as long as it is not hurting anyone. And drawing what he feels hurts no one, yoi. I take it seriously that a teacher forced my son to show something personal, and even more that you took him in here, spoke to him that this is not okay and what he feels is wrong, when the one in the wrong is you." Alvida looked shocked and Marco gave the drawing to Ace, who looked a bit shocked but also hopeful. Marco gave a comforting smile to Ace.

Before he looked back at Alvida sternly. "We will take our leave now, and I will take this up with the board of education as I do not agree with the way you handled this, yoi. If my son feels sad, he is allowed to feel sad and say or show it, even draw it. And you have no right to demand to see his private drawing he makes, even more so when it was in recess. Ace did not force his feelings on anyone. The one who did force their feelings on someone was you and the teacher who demanded to see the drawing, Mr Arlong. He had no right to demand my son to show him something private. Ace does not need to show you a drawing he made on how he feels when he doesn't want to. It is personal and his, it is his feelings, and those he can keep private until he himself wants to share them. Now, goodbye, yoi."

Marco stood up and moved to hold Ace's left hand and he stood up as well as they started to walk out, and he heard Alvida start to talk, sounding panicked. "Mr Fishback, there is no need to take this up with the board of education! I can let this go!" Marco turned to look at her with a stern look. "I will not, yoi. I find it despicable how not only Mr Arlong forced Ace to show a private drawing he made during recess, but that you told him this is not appropriate behavior, when it is. You handled this extremely badly and disciplined my son for something he should not be disciplined for, yoi. My son can feel how he wants to feel, and he can draw what he wants to draw, and not show it to others if he wishes, and never should he be shamed for what he draws. Now, goodbye." They were now out of the office and he made sure to close the door with a bit of force.

As he was out, he moved and crouched a bit down and looked at Ace. "Are you okay, yoi?" Ace nodded. "I am." Marco nodded. "Have you spoken with the principal?" Marco knew the principal, he was a good and rational man, he felt he wouldn't condone this behavior." Ace shook his head a bit. "No… Miss Alvida said she could handle it and we shouldn't bother him." Marco nodded, that made sense. Marco gave a smile to Ace. "Know that she did wrong, yoi. You are allowed to feel what you feel, and never should you need to hide your emotions." Ace gave a small nod, and Marco stood up and they headed to the principal's office.

When they got to the receptionist, he said he had a serious matter he needed to speak with the principal about, and Marco knew the receptionist and principal knew how much influence Marco had in the town and on the school, so they got into the principal's office right away. When they did, the principal, Jimbei, looked at him. "What may I do for you, Me Fishback? The school day is only half over." Marco nodded. "I know. But this matter needs to be handled now. The counselor Miss Alvida called me and said I needed to come right away for a serious matter on something Ace made during recess, yoi." Jimbei blinked. "I don't know of any situations that have occurred. What was this?" Marco then filled him in on what had happened. What Alvida had said, and how that teacher, Arlong had forced Ace to show a personal drawing Ace made during recess, and that apparently Arlong and Alvida didn't approve of what Ace drew since it wasn't all happy and lovey dovey.

When Marco had spoken, Jimbei looked at him with a serious look. "What was this drawing?" Marco gave a comforting look to Ace. "You do not need to show the drawing if you do not wish to, yoi. But would it be okay if Jimbei could see it?" Ace gave a small nod and handed the drawing to him, and he gave it to the principal, who looked at it, before he looked at Ace. "You are very skilled at drawing, Ace. I am very sorry you were forced to show this to Mr Arlong, and he and Miss Alvida said this was not okay. You can feel what you want to, and you made it during recess, where you can do things not related to school, Mr Arlong had no right to force you to show it to him. I will call him and Miss Alvida to my office when you have left. I will excuse Ace for the rest of the day." He said as he handed the drawing back to Ace. Marco nodded. "Thank you for taking this the right way and handling it appropriately. I will still go to the board of education with this, as this is not right, yoi. But I will mention that you handled it right." Jimbei nodded. "I understand that, and I approve of it. I will put them on suspension, as if I let them go, the board of education can't do anything." Marco nodded, glad he took it seriously as well.

They then said goodbye, before he and Ace went to the car and got in, and Marco looked at Ace. "Would you like to go for ice cream, yoi?" Ace looked at him unsure. "We… can?" Marco nodded. "Yes, yoi. You are excused the rest of the day, and that was the least the principal could do." Ace blinked. "They… did wrong?" Marco nodded and looked at Ace with a supportive look. "You are allowed to feel what you want, and draw what you want, yoi. And if you don't want anyone to see what you draw, as it is personal and how you feel, no one should see it. It is yours, and yours only. If you don't want to show your drawing or how you feel, no one has the right to demand you tell or show. There is one person who can decide when to tell or show, and that is you, yoi. And no one is allowed to force you to tell or show." Ace nodded, looking unsure.

They then drove to get ice cream and spoke a bit about normal things. Ace did at times hint at drawing things he felt and he didn't know where to put them, scared people would shame him, which made Marco get an idea. So, after they had eaten the ice cream, Marco took them to the local art store, and Ace looked a bit around while Marco spoke with the one by the counter for something he wasn't sure existed or not, and the woman behind the counter smiled and said she had some in the back and would get one, and if he had a preferred color, and Marco said purple, which the woman nodded to and said she was pretty sure they had one.

As she left to get it, Marco went over to Ace, who was looking at some coloring pens, that had their own small case to keep them safe and ordered, and even had space for other pens or pencils you could add. "They look nice, yoi." Ace nodded. "I like the case it has to keep them organized." Marco nodded, and that did look smart, and Marco saw one that was purple and moved to take it down. It wasn't too large, but still had a lot of space, and the case was sort of hard so they didn't bend. Marco looked at Ace. "Would you want one, yoi?" Ace blinked and looked a thim shocked. "But we have pencils at home." Marco nodded. "I know. But everyone has something they like and therefore can get their own personal things, yoi. Haruta has plushies and blankets, Thatch has a kitchen set to make his own bakery items, Namur has a subscription to a sea creature channel, and everyone has their own things. This can be yours, and it fits something else I want to give you, yoi." Ace blinked and asked what that was, but Marco just smiled and said he would see, and Marco also grabbed a set of the pens which consisted mostly of gray and dark colors.

They then walked to the counter and the woman was back and had a smile, and when they were by the counter, the woman moved to look at him with a smile. "Your dad wanted to get you something you could draw and write in that is private, and that you like the color purple, and we have something just perfect." Ace blinked, seeming unsure. "...What is it?" The woman got out a small book that had a cover that was purple and one side of the case was longer and went over and had a sort of wavy and vintage look, and it also had a lock that came with two keys. It was in plastic and unopened, but the woman grabbed one that was open, but this one was black.

She then opened it and showed the pages. "It has a bit of thick paper, thicker than normal pages so it can take more force, color, lines, and doesn't rip easily. The page to the right is blank, while the one to the left has lines so you can write an input to each drawing with the lines." She then closed it and showed the lock. "It comes with this lock that has two keys, but you can change out the lock if you want to, if you want a more secure one, or a code one, or not have one. And, the color matches the pen case you dad also has perfectly. I can also throw in an engraving for each by my engraver machine. It uses a laser to burn it in, so it won't go away, as both cases are leather. I just need a name or nickname." Marco smiled at her. "We would like that, yoi. His name is Ace."

The woman nodded and took off the plastic on the book, took off the lock and keys, and handed them to Ace. "You keep this safe until I am finished, okay? And compared to many other things like this, it does not have a universal lock. Each lock is special." Ace blinked and took the lock and key, looking unsure. And when the woman went to have the book and case engraved, Ace turned and handed the lock and keys out to him, and Marco moved a hand and closed Ace's so he held them. "No, this is yours, not mine, yoi. This is your personal property, not mine. You can keep it wherever you want, and no one has any right to see what you write or draw without you wanting to show it, yoi. No one." Ace blinked, but nodded and gave a smile.

The woman then came back and handed the book and pen case to Ace, who looked at it and his name was written in a sort of vintage style with large letters, and Ace seemed to like it. She then put it in and Marco paid, before Ace put it in his backpack, and he hoped Ace would use this. He understood it might take time, but he hoped Ace would get more confident that this was his and no one could look at it without Ace's approval. He had a feeling Ace had never been allowed to have something that was truly just his, or have small secrets, so this would be new for Ace, and he hoped for the best.

It was the next day that Shanks called, and he said that in 3 weeks, the new trial for Trevor would be, and they were allowed to be there if they wanted, even Ace. Marco said he he would ask Ace about it, and to send a message of what Ace wanted, which Shanks said was good and gave the date and time, as well as he had gone over the evidence of the case, and he felt Trevor would be released.

When the school day was over and the kids were home and dinner was over, Marco asked to speak with Ace, Whitebeard also with them as Marco had updated him as well. As they got to Ace's room, Ace looked scared and worried as he sat down in his best, looking at his lap. As they also sat down and before they could speak, Ace spoke. "Have I done anything wrong?" He asked with a small voice, which Whitebeard shook his head to. "No, you haven't. Shanks called earlier today, yoi." Ace blinked. "He… did? What did he… say?" He got Ace was worried, and Marco smiled. "Trevor will have a new trial in 3 weeks. If you want to, we, you and I, can go to it, yoi." Ace blinked and nodded. "I want that. I really miss Trevor. He is so kind and nice, and I miss him." Whitebeard nodded. "And he will most likely be released as well. Shanks looked at the evidence." Ace blinked. "He… will?" Marco nodded and smiled. "Yes, yoi."

Ace looked happy, then emotional as he started to cry, and Ace looked shocked by that and used his hand to dry his tears. "I don't know why I am crying." He said with an upset voice. Whitebeard moved a hand to Ace's back. "Sometimes, when you're happy or relieved, you cry. It is very normal. It is clear you like Trevor." Ace nodded. "I do. He has always been so kind to me." Marco really hoped Trevor would get set free then. Marco smiled. "And since this is in 3 weeks, you might get your cast off the week before. yoi." Ace nodded. "I hope so. It is often in the way." Marco chuckled. "I get that. But it seems to heal well, yoi." Ace nodded, now having stopped crying, but sniffling still.

Whitebeard moved and stroked Ace's back. "If you want to, you can come watch Tv, or if you don't want to be alone, one or both can stay a bit with you." Ace seemed to think a bit, before he looked at them carefully. "I want… would like to be a bit alone…" Marco nodded. "And you are allowed to be that. You know where to find us, yoi. And we are always here for you." Ace nodded. "I know." Marco smiled, and then he and Whitebeard left. He felt things were going the right way. And he knew it would be things that set them back, but for now, things were going well.

And that's the chapter! Hope you enjoyed

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