Chapter Text
Marco moved to open his door when he heard a knock, blinking when he saw it was Ace. Ace was making good improvements, but it had just been a couple months since they parted from Azuruko, but things were going fine. Ace didn't regret staying, at least not yet. He sent a look at Ace. "Ace, what brings you here so late, yoi?" Ace looked unsure as he motioned for him to come inside. "I just, I could use some company..." Marco nodded and let Ace inside, who sat down on bed, giving a sigh. "I-I had a bad dream. I feel childish saying that." Marco shook his head. "Don't feel like that. Everyone has nightmares, and you're allowed to be upset about it. What was it about, yoi?" Ace sighed. "There was this thing... It was a sort of plier, with a serrated edge for cutting." Marco nodded. "Nail puller, or pliers, yoi?" Ace nodded slowly, legs moving to be up against his chest. "They used it on my foot, and took it apart bit by bit… It hurt really bad, and he kept yelling at me. He wanted me to tell him something about you guys. I don't know… I didn't like the dream." Marco blinked. That might be a memory. "Why- how does it make you feel?" Ace let out a breath. "Bad. I feel like my foot is hurting, the part missing. How- how did I lose it?" Marco blinked. "Why do you think I would know, yoi?" Ace blinked back at him. "Azuruko said it wasn't a new injury, so it must have happened with you guys or before you." That was true, Azuruko had said that. What should Marco do now? Should he tell the truth?
Marco let out a sigh, a hand moving to Ace's knee. "Listen, Ace. Your foot, you lost it while you were captured. When you were here, before they took you, you had your entire foot. I am completely sure about that, yoi." Ace blinked, before he frowned. "W-what? But, Azuruko said...'' Marco nodded. "Do you remember what a Devil Fruit is?" Ace nodded, making Marco continue. "You have one. You have the Mera Mera no Mi, you're made of fire. It healed your wound in a way You cauterized it and it healed faster as a result. It's why the wound looks older than it is." Ace blinked. "I- what?" Ace lifted his hands and looked at them. "I feel nothing…" Marco held his hand out "Trust me, and I will show you, yoi. Put your hand on top of mine." Ace nodded slowly, moving to have a hand on top of his, and Marco changed his hand to fire, enveloping Ace's hand. As a result, Ace's fire came to the surface, so Marco moved his hand away. Ace stared at his hand in shock, the other moving towards it in disbelief. As his hand caressed the edges, it too caught fire. Ace looked completely mesmerized.
But when it began to move up his arm, he shook his hands to put it out, before looking at them again. "Oh my God, that was scary. I'm… I'm made of fire? Is that why I'm never cold?" Marco nodded. "It is." Ace nodded slowly, a hand moving to his foot. "My dream… It wasn't a dream, was it?" Marco moved his hand comfortingly on Ace's knee. "Maybe, yoi. I don't know. But, it might be a memory." Ace looked lost as he shook his head, hand grasping at his foot. "But- why- I don't- it hurts." Marco nodded. "I get that, Ace. They did horrendous things, but you are safe now, yoi." Ace nodded slowly, eyes going blank. "Will I- will I forget this?" Marco let out a breath. "Do you want to?" Ace looked unsure. "I- I think so. I want it to be a dream, a nightmare." Marco understood that completely. "Why don't you stay here for tonight, yoi. Maybe it will help you feel better and safer." Ace nodded slowly. "Okay. I would like that."
Marco then started up some chatter, hoping to get Ace onto better thoughts, which seemed to work. They spoke about the family in general and escapades they had done, before Ace fell asleep. When morning came and Ace woke up, he seemed to be more himself again, and Marco asked gently if he remembered last night, making Ace frown. "No… Why am I in your room?" Marco let out a breath, not sure if he was glad Ace had forgotten or not. It was Ace's wish, but he also wished Ace would start remembering things again. "You had a bad dream and wanted some company, yoi." It had Ace nod. "Oh, okay. Thanks, Marco." Marco nodded and said it was nothing, before they started their day. When evening came, Marco was with Pops and told him about last night, making the man sigh. "Ace might remember more in dreams, apparently that REM allows people to re-process memories in a safer, calmer environment. I remember some of what Azuruko said. I get why he doesn't want to remember. It must be horrible." Marco could only agree to that.
Ace was somewhat remembering things, but he didn't want to remember everything, and Marco wasn't sure of how that would impact his recovery. But Ace was doing great, he remembered them almost always, just at times quickly forgetting the name, but not who they were, and sometimes he mixed up names. But things were going well.
-x-
Marco stood up when someone knocked on his door, opening it to see Ace. "Ace, hi. What brings you here?" Ace gave an unsure sound. "I… I had a bad dream again." Marco nodded, moving away from the opening so Ace could come through, Ace moving to sit down on his bed with a sigh. Marco went back to his chair, moving so he could look at Ace. "What was it about, yoi?" Ace gave another unsure sound. "... Just a bad dream." Marco nodded, Ace probably didn't want to speak about it. It was silent for a minute after that, Marco having gone back to his paperwork, before Ace spoke, "Marco?" Marco hummed, making Ace continue. "I was a part of you guys before I disappeared, right?" Marco nodded. "You were. Have you remembered more of it, yoi?" Ace shook his head a bit. "I mean, not really. But you seem to care for each other. Why… Why didn't you search for me? Why was it Azuruko who found me? And you never found me. I was gone for months."
Marco sighed, moving his pen down. He didn't know what to say now. If he should say the truth or not. He decided to not tell the truth right now, and speak it over with Pops. "We didn't know where to look, yoi. The world is big." Ace nodded slowly. "Why… Why were you so mad at me when you first saw me at home?" Marco sighed, so Ace remembered that now. He moved so he could look at Ace. "Listen, we thought something that wasn't true. We believed you had betrayed us, so we didn't search for you. We regret that horribly now." Ace blinked. "W-what? You thought I… betrayed you? Why would I do that?" Yes, why would Ace have done that? "Honesty, I don't know. I don't know why we believed it, why we were so quick to decide that was the reason. Listen, I think you should speak with Pops about this, yoi." Both since Marco needed a buffer to come up with something and he needed to speak with Pops about this. Ace nodded slowly. "O-okay…" Marco nodded. "Wait until morning, and then we can go speak with Pops, both of us, yoi." Ace nodded. "Okay." Ace then moved to lie down, still looking troubled, which he got. He didn't know what to say.
When Ace fell asleep some minutes later, he headed to Pops, needing to speak with him. When he knocked on his door and got a come in, he was glad to see no one was there aside from Pops. "Marco," Started Pops. "What brings you by?" Marco sighed, moving to sit down on a chair. "It's Ace. He just came to me, he wondered why we never searched for him, why Azuruko was the one to find him and not us. Why I and the others were so mad at him when we first found him, yoi. I didn't know what to say. So I asked him to come here tomorrow, with me. But I need a good response." Pops nodded. "I see. It was a thing coming, he would ask eventually. I don't think we should lie, I think we should tell him the truth." Marco nodded. "I do too, I just don't know how. I told him a bit, how we thought he had betrayed us, and he asked why he would do that, and I don't know. I don't know how we could turn so quickly. If we hadn't, maybe we could have saved him." Marco thought that, if they knew, they could have saved Ace from a lot of pain and saved his memory. Pops sighed. "It's a tough situation. But we need to be honest, we can't lie to him." Marco nodded. "I know. I don't want to lie myself, but I need a good response, know what to say to calm him." Pops nodded. "I agree. Why don't we try and figure something out.
He sat and spoke with Pops for about 4 hours, before he left back to his room, waiting for Ace to wake up. When Ace woke up hours later, Marco gave a kind look to the other. "Do you remember what you asked me last night, yoi?" Ace frowned, seeming to think for a few seconds, before he nodded. "I think so. I asked why… you never searched for me. I can't remember your response." Marco nodded. "That's fine. I said we should head to Pops and speak with him together, yoi. Because I'm not sure what to say." Ace nodded. "That's fine. When can we speak with him?" Marco nodded. "We can go do it now. He is prepared for us, yoi." Ace nodded. "Yeah, I would like that." Marco nodded, and they headed to Pops room, the man awake, which was good. And when they got there and sat down in each of their chairs, Pops took a breath. "Marco mentioned you wonder why we never searched for you." Ace nodded. "Yeah. I mean, didn't you care to search?" Pops sighed. "We would have, but no one saw you being taken, so for us, it looked like you just left, that you didn't fight and left with the enemy. It was wrong of us to think that, but it is what we did." Ace nodded slowly. "So you thought I betrayed you." Pops nodded. "We did. And we apologize for that. When we found out the truth, we felt horrible, we felt bad for believing it, we felt horrible, all of us." Ace nodded, arms moving to hold around himself. "Had I done anything to make you believe I would betray you? I mean, did I act bad?" Pops shook his head. "No, the opposite. We wanted to make you our second commander. You were doing so great. You fit perfectly, you were such a good family member." Ace nodded, before he sighed. "I just don't get it." Pops nodded. "I get that, but know we care for you. we felt so bad when we found out the truth. We care for you, you are my son, our family member."
Ace nodded, before he sighed. "How do I know it's true?" Pops hummed. "You just need to believe your memories and experience. I know you're still getting your memories back, but you remember some. You remember us being kind to you, which is the truth. We care for you, a lot. Never doubt that." Ace nodded. "I mean, you seem kind, you do. And I do like it here. It's just… a lot." Pops nodded. "And I get that, but know we will always care for you, you are our family member." Ace nodded. "I mean, you have been kind to me, and Azuruko always says I should look at actions." Pops nodded. "And he knew what we believed, but saw we regretted it." Ace blinked. "He knew? And he still let me stay? He is a good character reader." Marco nodded this time. "I can see that. But know we care for you, we care for you a lot, yoi." Ace nodded. "I just needed to know why you never searched and why Marco looked mad." Pops nodded. "Now you know. How do you feel?" Ace sighed. "I don't know. I need to think about this." Both him and Pops nodded, he got it. This was a lot to take in for Ace, which was understandable. Marco moved a hand to Ace's leg. "Go think about this, figure out what you feel, and know you can come to either of us." Ace nodded. "I know, I just need… time to think." Marco nodded. "I get it. Try and go and think, and come back when you have." Ace nodded, before he left, most likely heading to his room to think. As he was gone, Marco sighed, hand moving to his face. He removed it when he felt a large hand moving to his shoulder, looking up at Pops, who spoke. "We just need to wait now. Hopefully, he will realise we mean well." Marco nodded. "What if he doesn't, yoi?" Whitebeard sighed. "Then we take it as it comes." Marco nodded, that sounded to be a good idea.
The rest of the day, he barely saw the back of Ace's head during meals, and when the others asked why Ace was avoiding them, he told them what had happened, and how they had told the truth to Ace. Everyone seemed to get it, although not everyone agreed on it, that they shouldn't have told the truth, saying 'what if he leaves now?', and Marco had to agree, he was scared of that. But he just needed to wait. The rest of the day went by calmly, Ace barely with them. And as evening came, the clock turning close to 11, there was a knock at his door, and when he opened it, he was met with Ace. "Ace, hello. Are you doing okay, yoi?" Ace nodded. "Okay… Can I come in?" Marco nodded, making space so Ace could come inside, which he did and sat down on his bed with a sigh. Marco moved to his chair, looking at Ace. "Have you been able to think?" Ace nodded. "I have. I read through my diary a few times, and it says the same throughout it; you're nice to me. It mentions times where you guys treat me kindly and seem to care for me. I get you, or I think I get, why you thought I may have done what I did… or didn't, that I betrayed you, but you seem to be genuinely kind." Marco nodded. "And the reason is that we feel that. We care about you, a lot. We felt so horrible when we found out the truth, that we had been wrong, yoi." Ace nodded. "I think I see it. I just needed to think this over." Marco nodded. "We all get that, but never doubt we care." Ace nodded. "I get it more. It still hurts a bit you thought that, but I think I'll be fine." Marco nodded. "That's good. Do you want to stay for a bit, yoi?" Ace nodded. "Yeah, I would like that."
Marco nodded, and started to chat with Ace as he did his paperwork, before Ace fell asleep two hours later, and as Ace was asleep, he headed to Pops, to see if he was awake, which he was, and told what Ace had said, which had the man glad, that Ace understood it some, and that he wouldn't leave based on what he had said, but stay. As he had spoken with Pops, he headed back to his room, Ace still asleep in his bed. He was glad Ace had come to a solution ,and it seemed he got it and would stay with them. He would get it if Ace was a bit unsure forward, but he would see they meant well, which they did. When Ace woke up, he seemed to be fine, and he seemed to remember what had happened, and how he had come to a solution on what he felt. Everyone seemed to be glad Ace would stay, and Ace seemed to like how everyone was glad to hear he would stay.
Things were going fine.
-x-
Marco walked into a shop, them having docked at a neutral island and he and some others were doing some shopping, and they needed something here. They quickly found two workers, and asked for what they needed, and one man, who introduced himself as Trevor, looked at the other worker. "Why don't you go do the registry?" The other, who was Mathias, blinked, before he seemed to think, and ultimately shook his head as he looked at Trevor. "I can't remember how." Trevor gave a smile. "It is fine. Why don't you head out and have some fun? I have some business here." Mathias nodded and headed out, and when he had, Trevor gave a breath as he looked at him. "He's a bit off, his mind is broken." Marco blinked. "He seemed fine, how do you know that, yoi?" The man hummed. "When you can't do simple math, your mind is permanently broken. You can never recover from that." Marco blinked. "Wait, so if one can't do math, you're basically insane, yoi?" The doctor nodded. "Yes." Marco didn't like that. Ace had issues with math. But… Ace could do math, right? He had counted. Wait, maybe not. "Is counting and math the same?" Trevor shook his head. "No, it is not. Math is when you ask for multiplication." Marco nodded, and could see the others looking worried as well.
Trevor frowned. "Why do you all look so upset by this?" Marco sighed. "We have a family member with some… issues as well, yoi." Trevor nodded. "If you want, I can speak to him. I know my way around this." Marco shook his head. "It won't be necessary, we have spoken with someone called Azuruko, who helped, yoi." Trevor chuckled. "I know him. He is the best. He didn't say this? This thing about math?" Marco shook his head. "No, he didn't." Trevor nodded. "Maybe your family member isn't so bad off." Marco hoped so, and he spoke a bit with the other, before they did their business, then they left.
When they got to the boat again, Marco moved over to Ace, and he hoped for the best right now, as he knew Ace had a good day. "Ace, can you do me a favor?" Ace tilted his head. "What?" Marco took a breath. "What is 5 times 4, yoi?" Ace blinked, before he frowned. "Eh… 5 times 4…." Ace seemed to be thinking, and did for a minute, before he shook his head. "I don't know. Can I get an easier one?" Marco closed his eyes for a second, before he gave a smile to Ace. "No, it's fine." Ace gave a small nod. "Why did you wonder?" Marco shook his head. "No reason, yoi." Ace nodded, before he went off. Marco then brought a hand to his head. Ace couldn't do math. "But…" Started Thatch. "Has he counted when we play card games?" He had, then Marco remembered something. "No, he hasn't. He just remembers numbers with how many we are at the start since we say it, yoi. If it changes during the game, he needs help, yoi. I always say the number to him." He had always said how many cards there were in the first round to Ace, when he handed the cards over, and Ace was never the first one to deal. Marco wasn't sure what to do with this information.
So, he headed to the communication room and got Azuruko on a Den Den, the Den Den looking worried when he said it was him. "Is something wrong with Ace?" Marco half shook his head. "Nothing new I think. But… we met this guy that said if one couldn't do math, you're insane. Ace can't do math, yoi." The Den Den sighed. "I hoped you wouldn't find that out. I didn't want to worry you more." Marco blinked. "So you knew?" The Den Den nodded. "Yes, I did. Math is one of the first things I try. I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Marco moved a hand to his head. Ace was insane. The Den Den sighed. "This doesn't change anything, yes, he can't do math, his mind is broken, but he is making progress, right?" Marco nodded. "Yes, yoi." The Den Den nodded. "And that's what's most important. Focus on that. He can get a lot better, just not do math. A permanent damage." Marco nodded, before he hung up and used a second to gather himself, before he went out again. He then updated Pops first, that yes, Azuruko knew, and this would never recover. Ace could never do math. Pops also wished Azuruko had said this, but got it too. They then updated every commander the next day, that yes, Ace would never be able to do math. They found it bad, but they would help him along. He was making improvements.
-x-
Whitebeard let out a breath. Today was when they would dock at the island Azuruko was at, and Ace was very excited. They had told him last week that they would dock here, and he was so happy. The last weeks had gone fine, after they figured out Ace's mind was permanently broken since he couldn't do math. It was a hard to swallow pill. But, things were going well.
Ace looked excited as they docked, and when they were close enough, they could see the pink-haired man waiting for them. When the gangplank was lowered, Ace quickly got off the ship and practically jumped on Azuruko, hugging the man. "Hi!" Azuruko chuckled. "Hello, Ace. How are you doing?" Ace gave a laugh. "I'm okay! How are you?!" Azuruko nodded. "I am fine. I have a new charge." The man then motioned to a black-haired kid beside him. "This is Soul." Ace waved at the other. "Hi, Soul!" The other gave a small wave back. "H-hello." Ace then held his hand out and introduced himself. Soul looked like a person possibly in his mid twenties. He wondered why the person was with Azuruko, but didn't want to ask so openly. Ace did at least seem to get along with Soul, which seemed to make Azuruko glad. Soul then said hi to everyone, shaking hands with a few, including Whitebeard, and he seemed fine. Maybe he was just a charge. Azuruko then said he needed to grab something back at home, Soul and Ace joining him. He guessed Ace was excited to be around Azuruko again, so he got why he wanted to follow.
They didn't see either three for a while, and after 3 hours, Ace and Azuruko came back, Azuruko telling how things had been mostly calm. There had been a steady pace of patients, but nothing bad and Soul helped a lot. A couple hours later, Soul and an unknown person came up to the ship. Azuruko stood up and met them both halfway, Soul continued onto the ship. When he was onboard, Soul seemed unsure. "H-hello everyone." Everyone said hi and Ace went up to him. "Hi! How are you?" Soul blinked, before he looked at Azuruko, who nodded, before Soul looked back. "Hello, I'm fine." Soul then held his hand out. "I'm Soul." Ace blinked, his smile faltering for a second, before he smiled again, taking Soul's hand. "Hi, I'm Ace." So, Soul was a patient too. Like Ace had been. Soul then stayed with them for a bit, before he said he was tired and headed back home. When he was away, Azuruko sighed. "He's having some memory issues himself. But he has improved greatly." The captain nodded. He got it, Ace had had huge issues at first, but he had made improvements himself. Ace gave a look to Azuruko. "What happened to him?" Azuruko hummed. "Accident 2 years back. He fell and hit his head, severely." Ace nodded, and before he could ask something else, Azuruko held a hand out to Ace. "But, how are you? How are you at remembering things?" Ace smiled. "I feel like it's going good. I still have issues, but I feel great!" Azuruko nodded. "That's good, and I see you have taken their mark again." Ace was shirtless now, having taken his shirt off earlier. Ace frowned a bit at that. "Again?" Azuruko nodded. "Again." Ace gave an 'oh', before he shook his head, his smile coming back. "How is everyone here?" Azuruko had a smile as he answered, telling how everyone was fine. He really was amazing at handling these kinds of things.
Then, another person came on the docks, drawing Ace's attention away. After briefly speaking with him, they left, walking further into the island. Azuruko mentioned that he was an old friend of Ace's that he met back when he was living on the island. Since Ace was gone, Azuruko looked at Whitebeard. "How is he? Really?" The captain sighed. "He is doing well, but he has bad days and good days. Some days are fine, others he can't remember names or do simple math. He sometimes forgets us, our names, sometimes our status. He has been searching for you at times, forgetting that you left. But, overall, he seems to be doing well." Azuruko nodded. "I see. It is common for people to have good and bad days, but as long as he seems calm, that is good. As in, as long as he isn't scared, too erratic or becoming depressed." The captain sighed. "Actually, I would like to speak to you about that." Azuruko nodded. "Do you want to do it in private?" The captain nodded, which had Azuruko nod back. "Okay, let's head to a private room."
They then headed to the meeting room, Marco joining them. When they were seated, Azuruko moved his hand, gesturing for him to continue. "Now, what did you want to say?" Whitebeard took a breath. "At times, Ace gets scared when he tries to remember back to the traumatic period. For instance, when he remembers he had a tattoo before, he often reacts badly and has panic attacks and is just distressed. He speaks of a 'him', and how he doesn't want to remember him. But, Ace never seems to remember having these breakdowns." Marco nodded. "That, and he has dreamt about his capture, yoi. He sometimes comes to me in the dead of the night, feeling scared and unsure of his dreams and nightmares. He has dreamt about losing his foot at times, but he never remembers it, and he always says that he wants to forget." Azuruko sighed. "I see. This is common and his mind is trying to slowly open up for him, but he is scared, which is normal, and therefore forgets it. I can try and help him a bit, see if I can push forward a memory of this man and make it easier to handle in a more controlled environment."
Whitebeard let out a breath. "That sounds great. I would like him to not be as distressed." Azuruko nodded. "I will try my best. How long will you be staying here for?" Whitebeard hummed. "Maybe 2 days." Azuruko nodded. "I will do my best to help, but Soul also needs me, so I will help him as well. He doesn't have any distressing memories, just has issues remembering new things, and I am doing cognitive therapy. But, he has been doing better with the right help." Whitebeard and Marco nodded, they got that. "It's fine," started Marco, "We just want the best for Ace, yoi." Azuruko nodded. "I can see that, and I will do my best. Has he remembered having a Devil Fruit?" Marco sighed. "At times, yoi. But it never sticks." Azuruko nodded. "I see. I will delve into his mind, maybe I can find a reason." The captain let out a breath; that was good to hear. He wanted the best for his son.
They then headed out of the meeting room, Azuruko being out with everyone and asked some about Ace, to hear the most he could, before he returned. When evening came, many of his children were on the island partying. Whitebeard sat in his chair, relaxing as some was on the deck, celebrating just being ashore. But as he was relaxing with some sake, Ace came up to him. "Hey, Whitebeard, I have a question." The captain nodded. "Of course, child. What is it?" Ace sighed. "Earlier, when I spoke with Soul and he didn't remember me, it hurt a bit… But… is it how you feel when I forget?" Ace was fiddling with his fingers, seeming scared of the answer, and the captain wanted to be honest. "At times, most times, it hurts us. But, you always remember with some help, and that's all that matters." Ace nodded. "I feel… bad for him. Do you feel the same about me?" Whitebeard took a breath. "We feel with you. We are always by your side. But yes, at times, we feel bad, but it is not since we pity you, but we feel with you." Ace nodded. "Okay. I've never been on this side before."
Of course this would be new to Ace, and he was curious on how this affected them, how Ace's state affected them. Ace sighed. "I want to help, but I don't know how." Whitebeard smiled. "Just be yourself. If he forgets you, just introduce yourself, he seems to like you. If he remembers you, don't make a deal of it, same if he forgets. Just be yourself and be there for him." Ace got a sheepish smile. "You sound as if you know this. But I guess it is because of me." Whitebeard smiled. "We have learned a lot. But we do it since we care for you. We want you to be happy." Ace nodded. "I get it, and I get that I forget things at times. Sometimes I can't count, at times I can. It can't be easy to watch." Whitebeard smiled. "But nonetheless, we are here for you, no matter what." Ace smiled. "Yeah. Thanks for that." Whitebeard shook his head. "Nonsense, child. We enjoy being around you, you're a joy." Ace nodded slowly. "Even though I forget things?" Whitebeard nodded. "Even though. We love you for you." Ace nodded. "Azuruko wanted to speak with me tomorrow, so I should probably head to bed. It sounded serious." Whitebeard nodded. He knew what Azuruko wanted to do, and Ace should be his best. "If you want, Marco or I can join you." Ace nodded slowly. "Maybe… Let me sleep on it." Whitebeard nodded, and Ace spoke a bit more with him, before he left. Ace wasn't fond of partying, something they had gotten used to, and tried to include him in other ways.
When the next day started, and Ace came out, he was excited to see where they were, having forgotten they got to the island Azuruko was at, and the reunion was like the day before. Soul was also with Azuruko, and Ace introduced himself to the man, who did the same. Ace had forgotten Soul, and Soul had forgotten Ace. He had a feeling Ace and Soul would be friends, both having issues. Azuruko then was with them for an hour, before he sent Soul away, saying he wanted to speak with Ace alone. Ace nodded with a frown, seeming to understand it was something serious. Before they left, Marco asked if he wanted him to join, and when Ace looked at Azuruko, who nodded, Ace nodded at Marco, who smiled as he followed them. Whitebeard would get an update from either Azuruko or Marco later.
-x-
Marco walked with Azuruko and Ace, heading into Ace's room, Ace sitting down in his bed, Marco taking a seat in Ace's chair, Azuruko also sitting down on the bed. Azuruko then took a breath. "I heard from both Newgate and Marco, that you have some memories that are tough. I know you don't remember them, but I want to help and try and lessen it." Ace nodded with a frown, obviously not remembering having issues with bad memories. Azuruko then brought a hand up to Ace's head, and Ace closed his eyes, obviously having done this before. Azuruko then closed his eyes. "Let's start with something new. Your tattoo. You have the same mark as you've had before." Ace frowned. "What?" Azuruko held a hand out to him, making him speak up. "You had our mark before, yoi. But it was taken from you in a horrid way. You took the same mark again." Ace looked to be on his way to speak, when his mouth just trembled, and Azuruko's hand started to glow a faint white. "No," started Azuruko, "stay in the memory, I'm here. Marco's here."
Marco nodded, moving his hand to Ace's slowly, grasping it, wanting to be here for Ace. Ace then closed his mouth, swallowing. Azuruko's hand started to glow more, and said some reassuring words. As he did, Ace started to get tears down his cheeks, making Marco worried. But Azuruko was still calm. It was about 5 minutes later Azuruko moved his hand away from Ace's head, who blinked, moving his hands to his face to dry his tears. Azuruko smiled. "That went well, you did great. How do you feel?" Ace nodded, giving a sniffle. "Bad." Ace's voice was raspy, most likely from the crying. Azuruko nodded. "I understand it, it was tough. But you handled it fine. And remember, Marco and I are here." Ace nodded. "I know. It helps."
Azuruko nodded, before he brought his hand to Ace's head again. "Let's try another one. Do you remember nights with Marco? Nights after nightmares?" Ace shook his head, frowning. Azuruko sighed. "Think. Close your eyes, and look for memories of being with Marco in his room alone. Why were you there?" Ace nodded and closed his eyes, Azuruko still having his hand on Ace's head, not glowing. And it took a few minutes, before Ace gave a small whimper, Azuruko's hand starting to glow again. "Just relax, Ace. It's just a memory. Stay in it with us." Marco clenched Ace's hand, to show he was still here. Ave gave a small nod with a small whimper, and Marco felt worried for Ace. He knew this was needed, Ace needed help with these memories.
Azuruko held his hand on Ace's head for a bit more, before he moved it away, Ace opening his eyes and using his hand to dry a tear. "Good, Ace. You did good. How do you feel?" Ace nodded. "Better." Ace's voice was better too, which was good. Azuruko nodded. "Do you want to continue now, or wait a bit?" Ace thought for a second, before he nodded. "I want to continue. I feel I can." Azuruko nodded. "Good. And remember, Marco and I are here." Ace nodded. "What should I think of now?" Azuruko hummed. "Do you remember what a Devil Fruit is?" Ace nodded and Azuruko continued. "You have one. You have one called Mera Mera no Mi, you're made of fire. Marco can show you." Ace had frowned, and Marco moved his hand up, still holding Ace's. Marco then brought his fire to his hand, and it transferred to Ace's, who looked shocked at it, especially when Marco moved his hand away. When the fire started to move up his arm, Ace extinguished it. "How- why don't I remember?" Azuruko sighed. "I don't know, but I want to try and see if I can find a reason, okay?" Ace nodded and Azuruko brought his hand to Ace's head, Ace closing his eyes. Azuruko then asked some questions about the devil fruit, Ace answering some as he had a general knowledge of devil fruits.
After 5 minutes, Azuruko moved his hand away with a sigh. "I can't find anything on why you forget, not at this time." Ace frowned. "Do you know why?" Azuruko hummed. "I think it is since it is locked in your subconscious. There is a reason you won't remember, but I can't find it at this time." Ace nodded. "Okay. Have I remembered it a lot?" Azuruko moved a hand to him, making Marco speak up. "Not often, but at times, yoi. Maybe 15 times I know of, but you always forget it." Ace nodded slowly. "I want to remember it. I want to learn how to use it." Azuruko nodded. "I get that, but you can only do so if you remember it." Ace nodded. "Should I- should I write this in my diary?" Azuruko hummed. "If you want to. But know you will read it in the morning and I don't want you to try using it alone." Ace nodded. "How about, I write I should ask Marco about it?" Azuruko nodded. "That can work."
Ace smiled at that. "Then I will do that. I want to remember. It sounds so cool." Azuruko chuckled. "I get that. Do you want to try a bit more? Let me check your memories a bit more?" Ace nodded, and Azuruko moved a hand to Ace's head, Ace closing his eyes. Azuruko then asked some general questions, a few times his hands started to glow, at times it didn't. Ace gave a few whimpers now and then, and some tears going down his cheeks. Marco had moved his hand to Ace's leg, wanting to support the other. This time, it lasted for about 10 minutes, before Azuruko moved his hand away, giving a smile to Ace who opened his eyes. "You did great, Ace. We managed a lot. You probably feel tired." Ace nodded slowly. "I do…" Azuruko chuckled. "Relax for a bit, and come out when you feel better." Ace nodded. "Yeah." Azuruko and Marco then headed out of the room, leaving Ace alone to relax. Ace did stand up with them and seemed to grab his diary, to write this down. If Ace fell asleep, he might forget a lot.
When they were outside of Ace's room, in the hallway, Azuruko looked at him. "Why don't you grab Newgate and we can have a chat? Maybe in the same room as yesterday?" Marco nodded and Azuruko headed to the meeting room while Marco grabbed Pops. When they sat down in the meeting room, Azuruko gave a hum. "Well, it went fine. He remembered a lot, and there is one man who was seen a lot in bad ones. He might forget it, but if the memories I handled come back, they will be easier to handle. But, there are still a lot of memories I didn't see. But, I would like to teach you two a technique on how to try and help him through hard memories. He seems to trust you two the most."
Both he and Pops nodded, and Azuruko continued. "Be sure it is in a lit environment, as many memories are from badly lit rooms. When he goes into a memory, have him have his eyes closed, and be sure to take breaks where he opens them and sees he is safe. He might have a breakdown and be a bit distressed, but it should pass." Azuruko then sighed. "But, I can't guarantee this will be easy to do, and there is still a chance Ace can have setbacks if it's too bad. But if you do it slowly, it should go fine. But I can't guarantee it. If his head hurts, you stop immediately." Marco and Pops nodded, the latter speaking. "He has remembered some and had breakdowns and been distressed, but he has never had a setback, at least not yet, and his head hasn't hurt in a while." Azuruko nodded. "The thing that can cause it, is if he remembers things when he is alone. I am glad he has come to you, Marco, during hard nights. Be sure he continues it." Marco nodded. He would continue to tell Ace his room was always open.
Azuruko then gave a breath. "The session also proves Ace wants to remember, even though it is hard. I want him to continue to remember things. For the matter of his Devil Fruit, there is something that is keeping him from remembering, and I couldn't see what it was, but it is something severe. How severe, I don't know. But I don't want him to practice with his fruit alone." Marco nodded, he would do his best to keep Ace well. Azuruko then clapped his hand. "Well, I think this is it. I should get back to Soul too, and I hoped this was something that would help, both now and later." Both he and Pops nodded, Pops speaking. "We will do our best and try the tips you said." Azuruko nodded. "Good." They then headed out of the meeting room, Azuruko heading off the boat, most likely to get to Soul. Nothing happened for the next hour, and it was after an hour and half Ace came out again, seeming fine. When Marco asked how he was, Ace said he was fine. He hadn't slept, but relaxed, going through his diary and practicing drawing more. Marco did nod to it and had a feeling Ace had written about the session with Azuruko and maybe added a drawing to it. He hoped Ace would remember the session the best he could.
They didn't see Azuruko for a while, and when evening came, he came on the boat with Soul, who once again introduced himself, even to Ace, who seemed to take it better this time. Marco had a feeling he knew Soul had issues remembering, maybe even putting it in his diary. Ace seemed to really get along, and it looked like Azuruko liked it. As evening moved by, the weather took a turn for the worse, while many were still on the island, in different bars and taverns, so those on the boat headed into the galley. As they were in the galley they spoke about starting a card game and Ace wanted to join and invited Soul, who came and sat down next to Ace. Before Marco could grab the deck of cards, Ace did and started to shuffle it. When he was done, he counted them over, using some seconds, before he looked at him. "I'm not really sure on how many cards." Marco nodded. "63." They were 7 players this time, with Soul. When Ace started dealing the cards, he did fine, no pauses after the 9.
As the game started, Ace helped Soul, giving tips and looking his card over and helped him play. When it was over, Curiel winning, Soul said he was tired and headed back to the island with Azuruko, Ace giving a goodbye. When the two were gone, the people at the table wanted another round, and it had Ace speak up. "I know we usually hand the deck to the next person to deal, but can I go again?" Marco nodded. "You can, yoi." It had Ace glad and he tried counting them up and then figuring out how many, but ultimately looked at him for guidance, and he said the number, before Ace dealt, which went fine, Ace having a small pause between 39 and 40, but it went fine. The game then went by fine, Marco winning this time, Ace coming in second. They then sat and chatted for a while, before many headed in for the evening, including Ace.
When the next day came and Azuruko came, Ace was with the man, Soul also joining them, and this time, he remembered Ace somewhat, which had Ace ecstatic. Ace seemed to remember the man himself, which was good. They then stayed until dinner, and Ace and Azuruko gave a goodbye to each other, Ace holding around the man for a minute, before he left. Ace seemed to still be in a good mood, which was good. Marco had been scared Ace would be sad, but he didn't seem to be sad, at least not what they could see. Ace was out with them and seemed jolly. As long as Ace seemed happy, it was all that mattered.
When the island was barely visible, Ace looked at it and sighed, which had him speak up. "I hope you don't feel too bad, yoi." Ace shook his head a bit. "No, it's just, I wish I had more time there." Marco nodded, he got that. "I am glad you came though. You could have stayed, yoi." Ace nodded, before he shook his head. "Yeah, but I also like it here." That had him smile, glad Ace enjoyed it here. He would have felt something was missing if Ace stayed behind. He was really glad Ace was in his family.
-x-
Whitebeard sat in his room, the clock just past midnight, when there was a knock at his door, which had him give a "come in," glad to see it was Ace. Ace rarely was around him alone, and he thought that might be since he was his size, that it still intimidated Ace a bit. "Ace! What brings you by tonight?" Ace gave a small sigh, sitting down on a chair. "I didn't want to be alone… Marco didn't answer his door." Ah, so he had tried to go to Marco first, he usually went to Marco, but he had the morning shift, so he probably was asleep. Whitebeard gave a supporting look to Ace. "Did you have a nightmare?" Ace sat still for a bit, before he gave a tiny nod. He gave a comforting look. "It is no shame in having bad dreams, Ace." He called Ace by his name, having noticed he didn't like to be called 'son', which he got. ace wasn't used to that, but he hoped he would one day be okay with it.
Ace sighed. "It feels… childish." Whitebeard shook his head a bit. "But it is not. What did Azuruko say to them?" Ace thought for a second. "Uh, he said 'Many don't wish to sleep for the fear of nightmares, sadly, just as many don't want to wake for the same fear'. I never really got it." The captain nodded. It was probably hinted to what Ace had been through, that when he was captured, he didn't want to be awake. "Many are in places they don't want to be. Many live a nightmare. What did you dream about? If you want to tell me. Maybe it can help." He had just been reading before Ace came, so there was light in the room. Ace sighed. "I am not completely sure. Something about a… nail remover." Whitebeard nodded. "A nail plier?" Ace shook his head. "Oh, no, not for nail nails, but fingernails." Whitebeard nodded, he had heard about that, an instrument, you placed under the fingernail, and then forcefully removed them. He had never been the victim of that, but remembers from years ago, when he accidentally removed half a nail, and how much that actually had hurt. He could only imagine how that must have felt, removing the whole nail in that forceful manner.
He gave a look to Ace. "Did you hear anything?" Ace opened his mouth, before he closed it and sighed, and tried again. "Someone was asking questions… about… you." Whitebeard nodded. "I see. Do you remember what?" Ace shook his head a bti, before he moved a hand to it, which had him a bit worried. "Does you head hurt?" Ace nodded. "A bit…" Whitebeard nodded. "Maybe we should change the topic." Ace nodded, before he sighed. "You don't think it was a dream, do you?" Whitebeard gave a breath. "I don't know, but it might not be a dream." He wanted to be honest to Ace. Ace nodded. "I guessed, since you asked about it. Marco often does the same thing when I have bad dreams that might not be a dream." Whitebeard nodded. "It was Azuruko who said we should try asking about it, see if we can find out why you had the dream, or memory, and make it stick." Ace nodded. "I wish I remembered more. But on the same side… it hurts." Whitebeard nodded. "I know, and no one is pushing you to remember the bad things." Ace nodded. "I know, and I feel like things are going well. I feel like I remember a lot." Whitebeard nodded. "And you do. You remember us, remember you are safe and that we care for you, and that you are happy. That is the most important to us."
Ace smiled. "I know, and it makes me glad. I feel… comfortable here, although it is a bit much at times. There are so many." Whitebeard nodded. "I know, but we all care for each other, I wanted a big family, and I got it." Ace nodded. "I noticed you call others sons or daughters… but you don't do that to me." Whitebeard gave a comforting look. "It isn't since I don't care for you, but you seemed uncomfortable when I do it." Ace nodded. "It just… feels a bit weird. But I think I could get used to it." Whitebeard nodded. "Want me to try using it? As I do for the others?" Ace seemed to be thinking a bit, before he nodded. "Yeah, why not. I think it would make me feel a bit more… included. But I'm scared I will forget about this, and when you do, I will feel weird." Whitebeard gave a supporting look. "I am sure it will go fine, son." Ace smiled. "Yeah, I hope so." Whitebeard hoped so himself, but was sure it would go fine. They then spoke a bit more, before they went to bed, Ace finding himself comfortable on a big chair. When morning came, Ace seemed a bit confused as to where he was, but quickly remembered he had had a bad dream, although he didn't remember what about. When he did speak and called Ace for 'son', he blinked, before he seemed to remember the conversation from yesterday, which was good.
The day went by fine, and so did the next few weeks. Ace did come to him now and then, when Marco was either busy or asleep, and it was nice, he wanted to get closer to Ace.
-x-
Marco went over to his door when someone knocked on it, opening it to see Ace there. "Ace, hello." Ace seemed to be in a bad state, eyes blank and hands fidgeting. "Is anything wrong, yoi?" Ace gave a fidget. "I- I had a really bad dream." Marco nodded, inviting Ace inside, Ace moving to sit on his bed, legs moving up with him. Marco moved to sit on his chair, bringing it close to the bed. "How are you doing now? What did you dream about, yoi?" Ace sniffled. "I- I dreamt someone was… hurting me, bad. My back, and it really hurt badly and he kept yelling at me, and-" Marco moved a hand out to Ace when Ace moved a hand to his head. "Is your head hurting?" Ace nodded. "Y-yeah, like really bad." Marco nodded. "How about you rest, yoi? I don't want you to push yourself." Ace nodded. "I tried to write in my diary, but my head just started hurting." Marco nodded. He didn't want Ace to try and remember something painful that might cause a setback, and if Ace said his head was hurting, something it hadn't in a while, he took it as a bad sign. Ace might have tried to think through the dream, which was obviously a bad dream, or maybe a memory. Ace then took a breath. "My dream… was it a dream? Or a memory?" Marco took a breath. "I don't know, I can't answer that, yoi. But it might be a memory."
Ace nodded, seeming to think for a bit, before a hand moved to his head, eyes closing. Marco moved his hand to Ace's leg. "Just relax, yoi. You're fine. You are. I don't want you to think of anything distressing that hurts you." Ace nodded a bit. "But, I want to remember things, even though it hurts." Marco sighed. "I know, and I get it, but you might have a setback." Ace nodded slowly. "I don't want that." Marco smiled. "Neither do we. Why don't you relax. How long has your head been hurting, yoi?" Ace hummed unsure. "Maybe an hour? I tried to fix it myself, think about it as you've done a few times with me, go through the dream… I had a minor breakdown, but it passed." Okay, that wasn't good. Marco didn't know how bad it was then, how bad the breakdown had been. But if his head hurt really bad, it might have been really bad, Ace just didn't want to say so. "Just relax here for tonight, and we can take things tomorrow, when you're better, yoi." Ace nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I'd like that." Ace then moved to lay down, and within a minute, Ace was asleep. Ace usually didn't fall asleep that fast, so Marco felt worried. Last time Ace had fallen asleep this fast, Ace forgot things. Hopefully, Ace would just forget this dream, or memory, not more. Marco stood up and moved his chair back to his desk, continuing his paperwork. He went to bed after an hour, sleeping for a bit, before he woke up, continuing the paperwork he didn't finish during the night.
As he was sitting and looking his paperwork over, he heard some shuffle to his right, looking over to the bed and saw Ace awake, him having sat up and looked at him with big eyes, seeming scared. "Ace, yoi?" Ace swallowed. "How- how do you know my name? Where- where am I?" Marco closed his eyes for a second, this was what he had been scared of. Of Ace having a setback. "It's fine, you're on the Moby Dick, Ace, you're safe here, yoi." Ace swallowed again, moving more backwards, just a bit as he was already up against the wall. "Moby what? Where am I!? Where is Azuruko!?" Marco held a hand out, hoping to calm Ace down. "He left, but you're safe here. You've been here for 9 months." Ace looked more terrified at that, trying to back more up, but he couldn't. "I have what! I- I don't remember that!" Marco sighed internally. "You're safe, I promise. Do you remember any pirates? Any captains, yoi?" Ace shook his head, and Marco saw his eyes looking towards the door, and Marco was scared Ace would try and run. "Don't run, there are a ton of people here, it would be bad for you." Ace shook his head, tears starting to move down his cheeks. "I'm scared. I don't like this!" Marco got it, this was bad, really bad. "Please try and think, do you remember a Whitebeard, Newgate, Marco, Thatch, Rakuyo, Vista, Kent, Izou-" Marco stopped as Ace's eyes blinked at the name, head moving a bit down, before he mumbled. "Izou…" Marco nodded. "Izou is here. He is here, I can go get him." Ace nodded slowly, still having tears going down his cheeks, looking beyond terrified. Which was understandable. Ace was scared since he was in a place he had no idea where he was, with a person he didn't know who was.
Marco held a hand towards his door. "I will stand up and go to my door, and tell someone to get Izou, and he will come here. Izou will come, yoi." Ace nodded, seeming to agree with it. If he remembered Izou, he got why he wanted him here. Marco then stood up carefully, heading to his door, opening it and thankfully seeing someone out, Paul if he remembered, and asked him to get Izou now, telling Ace was in a bad place, but remembered Izou, and Marco really needed him here, now. Paul nodded and went to do just that, heading to find Izou, Marco closing the door and sitting back on his chair, looking at Ace, who was still tense and crying, moved up against the wall, trying to get as far away as he could. "Izou will come soon, just give him a minute, yoi." Ace nodded, a hand moving to try and dry his tears, but it didn't do much as he was still crying.
It took a couple minutes, but there was soon a knock on his door, Marco feeling relieved when he heard Izou speak up from the outside. "Marco? Ace?" Marco looked at Ace. "I will get up and open the door and Izou will come inside, yoi." Ace nodded and Marco moved to the door, opening it, seeing a worried Izou. "Ace remembers your name, he doesn't remember me, yoi." Izou nodded, and Marco moved so Izou could some inside the room, doing a small wave to Ace. "Hi, Ace. Do you remember me?" Ace nodded slowly. "Y-yeah. You're Izou. You liked to be called him, but didn't mind being called she. You're kind and helped me fix my hat and through a thunderstorm." Izou nodded. "Right. Can I come over? You seem distressed." Ace nodded. "I don't- I don't know who he is." Ace said, making a small motion to him. It had Izou hum, moving closer to Ace. "He is Marco, he is kind too. He cares for you." Ace nodded, and when Izou was closer, Ace seemed to relax some, but was still crying. "Where am I? Where is Azuruko?" Izou took a breath, now being close to the bed and sat down on it. "You're on the Moby Dick, a boat. Azuruko was here with you, but left." Ace swallowed. "When?" Izou sighed. "7 months ago." Ace blinked, eyes looking around as if searching for something. "W-what?" Izou nodded, patting the space beside him. "Come sit, try and relax. I am sure Marco can go and get your diary, a diary you've been using for 8 months." Ace nodded, slowly moving to sit down next to Izou. Marco took it as his cue to leave and headed for Ace's room to get his diary, meeting a few who had heard Ace had a bad day, and Marco didn't say much on it, just that Ace had a really bad day thus far, and told everyone to stay away. Which everyone got.
When he got back to his room, Ace seemed calmer, Izou explaining how he had been here with Azuruko, before Azuruko left, Ace still having memory issues. Ace had been doing so great and he hadn't forgotten this much after Azuruko had left. But the man had said a setback could happen, and this was that. Marco then carefully headed over and handed the book to Ace. "This is yours, yoi. You write in it each day. It's your diary." Ace nodded, moving to take it, opening it and mumbling. "It's my handwriting…" Izou nodded, a hand moving to Ace's leg. "It is yours, you like it and trust it. Trust it now." Ace nodded, looking through it. He stopped at times and read inputs, hand moving over drawing he had made, when he came to the drawing of him, he stopped, looking at the drawing, before at him, then reading the input, about how Marco sometimes wore another vest, and Ace didn't like it, but Marco was still himself and kind, even though it seemed like something was missing. Marco remembers that input well. When he shuffled more through the diary and came to the drawing of every one of the commanders and a few more, he moved his hand over Izou, before he looked at the man, who had a smile, before Ace read the input, about how everyone was kind to him, even when he forgot things. As Ace was reading, Izou moved a hand to his leg. "Does it help?" Ace nodded, a hand moving to dry some tears. "I- I think so." Izou nodded. "Good good. If you want, Marco can go and get Azuruko on a Den Den." Ace nodded. "I would like that." Marco nodded and went to get that.
He met a few as he walked, a few from before and a few new ones, Marco telling them to let Izou be alone with Ace for now. When he got to their communication room, he got the Den Den to Azuruko, glad the man answered after a few rings. "Azuruko speaking." Marco sighed. "It's Marco. Ace had a setback." The Den Den sighed. "How bad?" Marco shook his head. "Bad. He only remembers Izou and you, nothing else, yoi. Izou is with him." The Den Den nodded. "Can he listen to reason?" Marco nodded. "It seems so. He calmed down eventually as we explained things, yoi." The Den Den nodded. "That's good. If he can listen to reason, it could have been a lot worse. Try and calm him down and have him relax as much as he can. Have him stay in the infirmary the next few nights." Marco nodded, they could do that. "Could you speak a bit with him, yoi?" The Den Den nodded. "I can." That was good and Marco headed back to his room, letting Azuruko speak with Ace while he went and spoke with Bay, who agreed to have Ace in the infirmary for a few days, until he was better. She also said Azuruko had taught her a few things to help Ace the best. He then headed back to his room, glad to see Ace was calmer, having a smile as he was looking through his diary, Izou speaking a bit with the inputs, telling more around them and how Ace had been here for a long while, Azuruko even piping in now and then, telling how things had been when he was with them.
He then decided to let Ace be with Izou and Azuruko, heading out and informing everyone Ace was having a real tough day, especially to Pops when he woke up, and he seemed worried. But Marco said things were going better, Ace was calming down. He let Ace and Izou be for a few hours, before he headed to his room, finding Ace asleep and Izou just speaking with Azuruko over the Den Den. When he got into the room, Izou looked at him. "Marco's here again. Why don't you repeat yourself?" The Den Den chuckled. "I already told him I would like to have Ace in the infirmary for a few days, just to calm him. Being around a doctor might help. He has remembered Bay before, and I told him how she is a good doctor and I trust her. It seemed to help." Marco nodded. "Should we put Ace in the infirmary now, yoi?" The Den Den nodded. "Yes. He will be asleep for an hour or two, and might need one more nap today, maybe 2 more, and the same tomorrow. He should hopefully recover fast. He has been making great progress. Keep me updated on how he is, if he still forgets everything the next 3 days, Bay might need to do a small surgery to check for swelling or bleeding." Marco hoped it wouldn't come to that. That Ace would recover again.
Marco then moved Ace to the infirmary, hoping he would still remember Izou when he woke up. Bay did ask him and Izou to not be far away, just in case. And Marco stayed in the infirmary, hoping Ace would wake up and be fine. Ace was asleep for almost 2 hours, before he woke, and when he did, he looked around shocked, before his gaze landed on him. "Where am I? A hospital?" Marco shook his head. "Close. You're in an infirmary. Do you know who I am, yoi?" Ace seemed to think for a few seconds, before he sighed. "No, but… You seem familiar. The yoi…" Marco nodded. "Do you remember Izou? Or Bay?" Ace nodded slowly. "Azuruko spoke of a Bay… I think. Where is he?" Marco hummed. "Home, he left us a while ago. You are having a bad day." Ace nodded. "Okay… I've had those before." Marco nodded. "I know. But you're having a really bad one. You've been here for almost 10 months." Ace looked shocked at that. "Wha- so long?" Marco nodded. "You at least seem calm, yoi. You didn't before." Ace blinked, before he got a sheepish smile. "I had a breakdown? I do that at times." Marco nodded. "I know. But you're calm now. That's all that matters, yoi." Ace nodded. "Azuruko said now is all that matters. I should concentrate on that."
Marco nodded, and moved to grab Ace's diary from the desk, having placed it there earlier, he then handed it to Ace. "This is yours. You write in it each day, yoi." Ace nodded, taking it, and started to read in it. "It is my handwriting. How long have I been doing this?" Marco hummed. "8 months." Ace nodded, shuffling a bit through it, reading a few inputs and looking at the drawings. It was when there was a drawing of the Moby Ace blinked. "I'm on a boat?" Marco nodded. "You are, yoi." Ace nodded. "Can I see it?" Marco hummed. "Let me ask Bay, the doctor." He then yelled out for Bay, who came and introduced herself to Ace, and when he mentioned Ace wanted to see the boat, Bay clicked her tongue. "Not today, you might have some swelling in your brain, and I don't want to cause further damage." Ace nodded. "I get it. Azuruko said the same at times and I was confined to a bed for a bit." Bay nodded. "Yes, but maybe tomorrow, we'll see how you feel." Ace nodded. "I hope I can see the boat tomorrow, I want to see it." Ace had always wanted to see the boat when he forgot about it, so it was a good sign Ace was still himself. Izou then came by a bit later, and Ace seemed to somewhat remember the man, which was good. No one else came to see Ace, which was good. Ace didn't need more people today. Ace was doing well the rest of the day, taking one more nap and when he woke, he still remembered him, which was something. When the next day came, Marco stayed in the infirmary for the night, and when Ace woke up, he remembered Bay, but not him. But he did ask for Izou again, which was a good thing, as well as he remembered the boat and wanted to see it. Bay did say to wait a bit more, maybe during dinner, when most was gone in the galley, which had Ace glad. So after one nap and dinner came around, Ace was let out to see the boat, Ace being excited. He got why Bay wanted to wait, excitement could cause swelling.
As they were heading back to the infirmary, they met Thatch, who was bringing them food, and After introductions, they headed together to the infirmary. As Ace was eating and Izuo was with Ace, Marco went and updated Azuruko that Ace was doing better and was much calmer today, which was a good sign. Azuruko said he should be kept in the infirmary still to be sure he was getting better, and that tomorrow he should remember more. And Marco hoped for that. So when the next day started, Ace remembered more, remembering him and Bay, and Izou, same with the Moby. That day, he was allowed to see Pops, and Ace was prepared for his size from this diary, but was still shocked he was so large. But the meeting went well. While Pops was there, Ace started to feel tired and had a nap, and Pops left while Ace slept.
When Ace woke up, he remembered having met Pops, which was good. He also still remembered him and Izou, same with Bay. Ace was making good improvements. So the next day, Ace was let out of bed and was allowed to eat in the kitchen. Ace seemed glad and was interested in everyone. A few he recognized from his diary and knew their name from there, a few he didn't remember. But it all went by fine. Ace still spent the night in the infirmary, same when he had his naps, just in case, but Ace made good improvements, and he kept Azuruko informed, who said things would go fine. And after 3 days, Ace being let out of the infirmary, he started to remember things again, things he had forgotten that he had remembered before, so things were going fine. Ace had healed and it had gone fine, Bay didn't need to do surgery. Ace had healed well, he just had a setback, but was back on track now. And that was all that mattered.