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Chapter Text

Beautiful Cover Art by Aquarica. (Literally obsessed with it). From chapter 48. 

Unfinished illustration of Lizard and Luffy (I will finish coloring I promise). Taken from chapter 52.

Weird Illustration I did in high school that my brother hated. Taken from chapter 43 of Luffy and Sabo sleeping away in the tunnels. 

A quick sketch I did of Luffy escaping the medical ward, fed up with having to deal with doctors (wearing Ace's old shirt), (the chapter is TBD, probably around chapter 85ish).

This awesome picture is from SucreBB6, and I believe it is taken from chapter 75 when Marco meets a new friend. It's called 'Like a Demon'.

Image of Ace, Luffy, and Sabo cuddling by the wonderful SucreBB6 (@ sucreboy-blog if you want to go check them out on tumblr!) This one is called 'Sleppy' I'm guessing because they are some sleppy boi's. 

Thatch opened his eyes blearily. All he could see was darkness around him. His entire body felt like a giant bruise. He closed his eyes as he exhaled a throaty breath, content to just lie there forever. As long as it meant that he didn't have to move, he would do it.

Blurry images flashed through his mind.

'A strange island.'

'A missing kitchen knife.'

'Blood.'

'So much blood.'

He groaned, squeezing his eyes shut and trying to block out the memories. While most of them were blurry, they definitely were ominous signs! He was in serious trouble this time. What good would remembering do if he was still stuck here, dying in this godforsaken cell?

"Forgive me, Oyaji," he rasped once again before becoming still.

"One, two, three," a cheerful voice above him called before he felt an immense pain on his back.

His eyes flew open as he screamed, the pain far too great for any obscenities. The person above him was talking, trying to tell him something, but his vision and senses were leaving him. He passed out yet again.

How long he stayed asleep was anyone's guess. There were times he rose to the surface of his pain, only to be pulled back under again. During that time, he thought he heard a voice overhead, but it could just be some fever dream. The voice sounded far too pleased to be real unless of course, the person was sent here to torture him. Considering the rough treatment from earlier, it very well might be within possibility.

When he finally was coherent enough to open his eyes, he had the sneaking suspicion a few days had passed.

For the first time, he could take note of his surroundings. He was lying in a cell, constructed of cold grey stone from floor to ceiling. The only light source was from the cell door itself. Light streamed in through the small barred gap near the top of the door. But for the most part, he was surrounded by inky darkness.

He was about to close his eyes and go back to sleep when a chipper voice rang out from across the room.

"You're not dead!"

It was the same voice from before. He looked up in surprise to see a face hovering inches from his. To his vast surprise, it was the face of a kid. An actual kid, as in he looked between his early mid-teens. He had tan skin, black hair and huge dark eyes with a matching grin. He was covered in scrapes and bruises, some of them were sloppily bandaged.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice sounding hoarse even to him.

The teen shrugged, coming to sit by him, the smile never leaving his face.

"I was looking for some food so I went to go hunt for some, but then I got jumped by this huge animal and it started chasing me. So I tried to fight back, but it tried to eat me! Can you believe that?"

Thatch continued to stare at him perplexed. No, he actually couldn't. But that was beside the point. What the heck was the kid talking about?

"So just when I thought it was going to get me, I ran into a tree! It was so surprised that it ran into a different tree." The teen began to laugh as he remembered it. "You should've seen the look on its face."

"Kid? What are you talking about?" Thatch asked, bringing a hand to his aching head.

The teen paused for a moment to give him a blank look. "It's Luffy, not kid."

"Alright…Luffy, how did you get here?" He tried to sit up but instantly regretted it.

For a second he thought Luffy wasn't going to answer, but then he jumped right back into his story.

"So I was going to see if I could eat it, y'know… now that it was all tired from hitting the tree. But it tried to attack me again."

Thatch sighed and closed his eyes. All this chatter was making his head pound. To his surprise, there was a loud and bone-chilling laugh.

He shot up, his injured body protesting as he searched for the source.

There, on the other side of the prison door, stood Teach. His grisly face appearing in the small barred window. His breath caught in his throat as the memories threatened to break through his mental wall.

"I see you met Luffy," the man said a cruel grin on his lips. "Play nice you two. You will be spending a lot of time together."

Thatch shot him a repulsed glare as his arms gave out and he once again flopped to his back.

"Why?" he grit out as his voice threatened to give out. "Why did you betray pops?"

Black Beard let out another strangled laugh in reply. "It's not betrayal if I was never loyal in the first place. I was with you for one reason, and one reason alone. To get power and search for the fruit. Which you so kindly found for me."

"So why kidnap me? Why take the kid?"

The man nodded as if pleased he had asked. "Well, you see, that alone isn't enough. I need recognition and fame. I figured that by kidnapping you, Whitebeard will be drawn to me. When your precious Oyaji comes to save you, I will do away with him and gain his status."

Thatch saw red after the traitor's confession. He would kill this man. Rip him apart.

"YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO BEAT OYAJI!," he screamed with a ferocity that surprised even himself. "He is the strongest man on the seas! He will never lose to scum like you."

"Only time will tell. But I must say, I've always found your unwavering faith in that man sickening." Teach shrugged, not amused by his outburst.

"Not as sickening as your face!" the boy beside Thatch shouted.

The man looked startled at the poor insult. He bared his teeth in disapproval. "I've got to say kid, I'm a little surprised, I honestly thought you would be a little smarter."

"Well, I thought you would be smarter," the kid parroted back, crossing his arms angrily. "And your teeth look like a chessboard."

Who the hell was the kid? He didn't show an ounce of fear, only anger. But his insults left much to be desired. He didn't seem to hate the man with the same ferocity Thatch did either.

"You're nothing like him," Teach told him, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

"You're nothing like him!" Luffy said, apparently not done with his barrage of repeated insults.

Teach overlooked his lame comeback and turned to Thatch, "Luffy here will make sure you don't die, so hang tight."

"I'll make sure your face doesn't die…. with my fist!" Luffy screamed as the man walked away, leaving their limited range of sight.

To his vast surprise, Thatch felt laughter bubble up in his chest. The insults were very poor, but the kid's face was so serious. He clutched his aching ribs as he chuckled.

When he calmed down a little, he once again turned to the kid. "So it was you who was treating my wound. Thank you."

The seriousness quickly left his face as Luffy once again sat by Thatch. The dopey grin was back as he hugged his knees to his chest.

"How Old Are You?"

"Fifteen," he said, his eyes wide with confusion.

Thatch nodded. "Don't worry kid. We will get you back to your family, I won't let anything happen to you."

Luffy gave him a weird look but remained silent, something Thatch took as a blessing as he once again let the pain obscure his vision.

It had started off as a normal day, or at least as normal as things get on the ship. The one difference being Ace's presence. He had stopped his last attack on Oyaji weeks ago. In the absence of daily spars, they had offered him a position as second division commander just a few days earlier. Although the transition of events might seem odd to some, it made perfect sense to the crew. They had seen Ace go from a bloodthirsty monster to the laid-back, friendly young man he really was. Oyaji liked him, a feeling he shared with all the crew. Even while Ace was attacking them, it was clear what kind of man he really was. Loyal to a fault, tough, trustworthy, and someone who never gave up. He was strong in both body and heart, and brave enough to attack Pops without faltering. He was the kind of person who would make a great second division commander, so that's what he became.

Ace was the type of person who drew people towards him. Whether or not he knew it, he made friends easily, and people rooted for him. In the few short months, he had been with them, he had managed to win over nearly the entire crew, Thatch included, without even trying.

But as easily as people trusted him, Thatch had seen a different side. A more fragile and broken side. Ace accepted their trust with open arms and would never do anything to betray it, but at the same time, he was hesitant to extend the same trust to them. That did not stop him from getting into all sorts of trouble with his new-found friends.

And that is exactly how the day started. Ace and Thatch were on deck, fishing around for the latest 'treasure' to put in Marco's bed. Of course, that's not what they found. After a few minutes of fishing around Thatch pulled out a strangely shaped fruit from the sea. After asking Pops it turned out to be a devil fruit. Unfortunately, Teach had heard the entire exchange. He had been standing right there on deck when they discovered it. Thatch had been so preoccupied with the new discovery, he completely missed the evil gleam in the man's eyes.

The rest of the day had passed without incident. The entire crew was amused by what he found, but by nightfall, it was more or less forgotten by everyone but one man.

Thatch was just returning to his room. Most of his brothers and sisters were in bed by now. He had spent the majority of the time in the kitchen preparing for tomorrow's meals. By this point, even the other chefs had left. He had noticed at that point that a kitchen knife was missing. But of course, on a ship like this, it wasn't exactly uncommon, things disappeared all the time. It was likely to reappear the next day in some elaborate prank. So Thatch ignored it.

But when he got to his room, something felt wrong. The door was open ajar, and light shone brightly through the crack. Frowning, he moved to investigate and was startled to find his entire room ransacked. At first, he thought it was just a prank, but his pillow looked like it had been gutted with a knife. Whoever this was, wasn't messing around.

Then he remembered the devil fruit. He had hidden it between two loose floorboards. Not that he didn't trust his siblings, but some of them were greedier than what was healthy for them. What he didn't know at the time that it was Tech who had ransacked his room. The man hadn't left. He was hiding in the closet, waiting for Thatch's return. He had watched him pull up the floorboards and reveal his treasure. From there it was a simple matter of letting the knife do the work. The same knife he had stolen from the kitchen earlier that day.

He had stabbed Thatch in the back, thankfully missing his vital organs but doing enough damage to seriously wound the man. So as he lay bleeding out on the carpet, Teach stole the devil fruit and then stole Thatch. Without anyone on the ship ever waking up.

Thatch groaned once he regained consciousness, resurfacing from his memories.

"Luffy?"

"Yep?" The boy's face came into view, his ever-present smile as radiant as ever.

"How did he catch you?"

Luffy opened his mouth to launch back into his not so amusing animal tangent when Thatch weakly put up a hand to stop him.

"Skip to the part where you met him," he insisted firmly.

"Well AFTER I missed out on dinner, I was heading home SUUUUPER hungry and I ran into him on the path. He asked me if I was Monkey D. Luffy. When I told him I was, he started attacking me."

Thatch shook his head in pity. "That must have been awful."

Luffy shrugged. "Actually, it was kind of fun, until I lost." He said the last part with a frown like he still couldn't believe it.

"Is that what happened to your face?"

The kid frowned and reached up, feeling the many bandages and scrapes. He shrugged noncommittally. "Some of them…I always look like this."

"You're always covered in bandages?" Thatch asked with disbelief.

He nodded, tugging experimentally on the bandage plastered on the bridge of his nose.

Deciding to burn that bridge when they got there, Thatch continued on. Being the oldest, he felt somewhat responsible for the kid. Even though he seemed less concerned about the situation than Thatch was. Still, it was his duty as a grownup to assure the kid that things would be all right.

"Either way, I'm sure everyone's worried sick about you."

Luffy laughed in earnest. "I doubt anyone's noticed I'm gone yet."

"Don't say that," Thatch scolded. "I know your family's worried about you, just like mine's worried about me."

Luffy looked up at him with interest. "What are they like?"

Thatch thought for a second. "Well, they're really loud, and obnoxious. But I guess I love those idiots."

Luffy laughed at that, and Thatch couldn't help but like the kid. He was one of the happiest teenagers he had ever met. He was completely carefree despite the situation.

A loud bang interrupted the two of them as someone kicked the door. Thatch's head shot up despite his body's protest. Teach himself was unlocking the prison door.

Luffy wasted no time in jumping to his feet. He stood between Thatch and Blackbeard, creating a human barrier. If the man didn't know any better, it almost seemed like Luffy was trying to protect him.

The man's lips curled into a cruel smile. "What? You're going to fight me? After what happened last time?"

"Bring it on!" Luffy yelled as he threw himself at the man. To everyone's astonishment, he managed to get a hit in. His enthusiasm had taken the man by surprise, and in turn, he landed a solid blow to his face. Unfortunately, it was the first and last he would get.

Moving with a remarkable speed, given his rather large frame, Teach grabbed the kid's wrist, throwing him to the floor. Thatch's hoarse screams for him to stop fell on deaf ears as he stomped him into the pavement.

"That won't work!" Luffy told the man as he panted with exertion.

To Thach's horror, Teach smiled, "I know." He pulled a thick pair of handcuffs from his belt and slapped it on the teen's wrists.

He watched as Luffy's face twisted with confusion as he fell limp. Thatch did his best to help, trying to crawl to his new friend, but all it did was agitate his injuries. Ignoring him for now, Blackbeard pulled the free cuff, effectively dragging Luffy along with it across the dirty cell floor. He snapped the second cuff to Luffy's free wrist, forcing his arms over his head as he attached the cuffs to a clasp in the wall.

"Scared now?" he jeered at the teen.

"No," Luffy answered back instantly, and from the look in his eyes, it really was true. He didn't fear this man.

Thatch couldn't help but smile a little at his resolve. But that smile quickly faded as Teach tethered Thatch to the wall with a chain on his ankle, ensuring he didn't go anywhere. Undoubtedly, if Thatch wasn't so injured, he would have received the same rough treatment as Luffy.

"Maybe now you will behave," Blackbeard told them coldly, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

Thatch looked at him in disbelief. In all the years he had known this man, he had never thought him capable of this level of cruelty. Sure, the two of them might not have been as close as he was to some of his other siblings, but he still considered this man a friend.

But as it turns out, he hadn't known him at all. No one had. He easily betrayed his crew, his family, and for what? A devil fruit. One that he could've had if he just asked for it. But he didn't, and look at him now, about to go to war with Whitebeard.

He watched, holding his breath as Teach stomped back to Luffy, giving him a long stare.

"Don't, he's just a kid, leave him alone!" he yelled desperately.

Teach glanced over at him before turning back to Luffy. For a second it seemed like he would hit the kid again when instead, his hand shot out, grabbing the straw hat on top of his head.

The effect was immediate. Luffy acted like he had just been shot. His mouth fell open as he gaped before his surprise gave way to pure, unrestrained fury.

"Give that back, you bastard!" he shouted, his face full of rage, catching Thatch off guard.

In all the time Thatch had known Luffy, the boy had yet to get riled up. Despite being imprisoned, Luffy acted like it was a mild inconvenience. Even as he got beat around like a rag doll, he hardly seemed to care. But the second Blackbeard touched his hat, all bets were off.

"Give that back or I'll kill you!" Luffy continued to scream, even after Blackbeard had left, leaving the cell dark.

"Luffy, you need to calm down," Thatch said after a few minutes of desperate screaming.

"GIVE ME MY HAT!" Luffy yelled, ignoring Thatch completely.

Thatch sighed and rested his head back on the cold stone floor. He hoped his family would hurry and come save him already. If not for him, then for this kid who may or may not be going crazy. For whatever reason, it reminded him of Ace.

Chapter Text

The Moby Dick was in an uproar. Thatch was missing. He had been betrayed by his brother. They had all been betrayed by Teach. He had stabbed Thatch and stolen the fruit. It was unknown if Thatch was even still alive or not. Yet they still harbored hope. But after everything was said and done. Each search team coming back with disappointed faces and drooping shoulders the mood began to change. The anger slowly began to fade giving way to heartbreak. It had been nearly a week since Thatch disappeared. The odds of finding Teach were shrinking every day. But there was nothing anyone seemed able to do about it. They had no clues, no leads, no nothing. How would they ever find their lost brother at this rate?

Ace sat by himself on the ship's railing. His knees were hugged loosely to his chest as he stared out at the ocean. To say he felt responsible would be an understatement. He had just been made the second division commander. How had he screwed it up so fast? Teach was in his division, he was his responsibility. Yet he had done nothing to prevent it. Some commander he was.

He hugged his knees tighter. Anybody who knew anything about him could clearly say that Portgas D. Ace loved a challenge. He wasn't one to shy away from anything. That being said he felt lost right now. He wasn't use to failing. His go-get-it attitude coupled with his inability to accept defeat assured his success at most things. Apparently, that wasn't going to be enough anymore. If this wasn't what losing felt like then he really didn't know what was. And now because of his mistakes Thatch was …

"Stop it!" Marco's voice rang out.

Surprised Ace turned around to face the first division commander.

"What?" He asked baffled.

"Stop thinking like that! Of course, it wasn't your fault."

Ace pouted as he turned to face his friend. "How could you possibly know what I was thinking?"

Marco just shrugged as he leaned against the ship's railing. "You're far too predictable my friend. Honestly, nobody blames you. We're all a team. That means that we don't just hand out blame. When we fail we all accept the loss together and work to make it right again. You're no more responsible than the rest of us. Besides, you're still the newest member. If anyone could have realized what he was planning it would have been us."

Ace nodded as he slowly rose to his feet. He wasn't entirely convinced yet but Marco had made some good points. They were a team.

"Come on," Marco said taking his shoulder. "There's something you are going to want to see."

Ace frowned at his serious expression. This couldn't be good. He followed Marco across the deck to the front end of the ship. Most of the crew had gathered there, including Oyaji. They were gathered in a semi-circle of sorts. Marco pushed his way through the crowd Ace following closely.

"What's going on?"

Marco's face was once again tense as he looked over at Ace. He gestured to a small brown package in the middle of the circle. "It's from him." There was no need to clarify who they were talking about.

Ace clenched his fists as he watched Pop carefully pick up the package. What on earth could Teach possibly send them?

He watched, holding his breath as the package was opened. He couldn't remember a time when the ship's atmosphere was as tense as this.

Oyaji grit his teeth as he looked inside. He glanced up at his crew and then back at the package. Confusion blossomed over his face as he withdrew a hauntingly familiar straw hat.

Upon seeing it Ace's eyes widened as his chest constricted painfully. That couldn't be…. But even as his mind desperately pleaded for it not to be true he already knew it was. He would recognize that straw hat anywhere. Did that mean that that creep had his brother? Teach had kidnapped Luffy as well. And this time it WAS his fault. Not all the Marco logic in the world could convince him otherwise. A special type of fear crept into his heart, the likes of which he hadn't felt in years. All logical thought was pushed out and replaced with frantic worry. Luffy was being held by a mad man, a psychopath.

The message was intended for Ace and Ace alone. This left the rest of the crew confused and frustrated.

"Isn't that Red Haired Shank's hat?" Marco questioned? Whatever answer he was about to receive was cut short by a loud thud.

"Ace!"

Marco surged through the crowd to get to his friend. Ace had fallen to his hands and knees and was looking quite sick. He barely responded to Marco's efforts to pull him up.

"What's the matter with him?" Haruta asked in concern.

"M' fine." Ace insisted, his words slurred and distant. With help from Marco, he pushed himself to his feet.

"Are you sure my son?" White Beards voice boomed over the crowd.

Ace nodded as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes never leaving the package.

White Beard nodded satisfied as he turned to address the crew. "I know all of you are worried about Thatch but we can't afford to act rashly. A man's life lies in the balance if we do. For the sake of your brother I need all of you to stay calm and rational."

The crew nodded, their eyes downcast as they agreed. No one was happy about it but pops did have a point. They trusted him to make the right decisions especially when the situation got rough.

"I need all of the commanders to meet me in an hour for a meeting to discuss our next actions. The rest of you get some rest."

Ace was barely listening, his gaze fixed firmly on the deck. He could feel Marco by his side but he refused to look up. The crew moved all around him complying to Oyaji's request.

"Can I see the hat?" Ace asked, his voice sounding hoarse even to his own ears.

If White Beard was surprised he didn't show it. He clapped his huge hands on Ace's shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. His free hand handed the hat over to Ace.

"Ace." His calm and commanding voice made Ace look up at him. Meeting his eyes square on. "Is there something wrong?"

Ace clutched the brim of the hat tightly. Wetting his lips before he spoke. "No sir."

White Beard glanced over at Marco who stood beside his friend. Marco's arms were crossed and it was clear as he looked up at pops that he didn't believe him. Still, until Ace was ready to talk there was no use in forcing him.

"Alright, my son. But I want you to know that if there is something on your mind you can always come to us."

Ace just nodded again, "Yes sir." He said in the same toneless voice.

Whitebeard sighed as he leaned back, watching Ace walk away. Whatever was bothering Ace he knew he would eventually work it out.

"Keep an eye on him would you?" He asked Marco. Ace, like all his children, had his utmost trust. But he did fear Ace didn't take the 'don't act rashly' message to heart.

"Already on it," Marco promised him.

Carefully choosing a hidden corner of the ship Ace sunk down to the ground. His trembling hands still clutched desperately at the hat. He fingered the red ribbon, slipping a finger along the place he knew was a rip. It separated a section of the ribbon from the straw creating a sort of helpful pocket. When they were younger Luffy used to store important things in there.

Sure enough, his trembling fingers hit the folded edge of the paper. A note. He pulled it out and unfolded it, recognizing the messy handwriting at once as Teach's.

Hiya Captain,

Long time no see. You never told me you were a big brother.

Isn't that adorable. I can't tell you how hard it was to track

him down. After all, it's not like you have a lot of family to

spare. So I'm willing to bet you would do a lot to save him

right? Well if that's so then I need you to follow my

instructions very carefully. We don't need to drag the crew

into this do we? After all, this is just between you me and your

brother. A matter of family. As such I want you to meet me in

Sabaody Archipelago in three days' time. I'll keep good care of

him until then.

Love Marshal D. Teach

Ace crumpled the note in his fist. How dare Teach drag Luffy into this? After all, it was between the two of them. Luffy wasn't even a pirate yet, which meant he was still an innocent civilian. After he had been so careful not to let anything slip to the new crew about his brother. It wasn't like he didn't trust them. But at the same time, he could never quite get himself to start talking about his personal life. It felt wrong in some way. Especially when it involved Luffy.

Of course, he had a million stories about his trouble-making little brother that would be perfect to tell during an all-night drinking binge. But that protective instinct he had been developing since he was ten had stopped him. After all for every White Beard member, he knew there were two more he didn't. His worst fear was that Luffy would somehow suffer for his mistakes. Only now it was actually happening. Up until this point, he just thought he was being paranoid. But now he was glad he hadn't shared. Still despite this Black Beard had managed to find Luffy. How he had done it was a mystery to Ace.

Anyway, Teach had been right about one thing. They didn't need to get the crew involved. He had attacked Ace directly by taking Luffy. So Ace was going to go after him himself. This was a matter of family.

"He's gone!"

Marco nodded looking in concern at his father. "Yea Oyaji! I took my eyes off him for one minute and the next thing I know he just took off."

White Beard nodded thoughtfully, turning away from Marco to look out the window.

"There is something more going on here than we seem to understand."

Marco nodded in agreement. "Why do you think Ace left?"

The enormous man frowned, stroking his chin thoughtfully. 'Why' indeed? Ace was fiercely loyal. What he wasn't was secretive. He was the type of man who brazenly spoke his mind. Vanishing like this without a word was most certainly out of character. It was possible that he should not have given Ace the hat. It didn't mean anything to them, meaning it wasn't meant for them. Ace had been the target all along. Like all of his children, Ace had been saddened by the loss of Thatch. But he hadn't decided to up and leave until he had the hat, which was the single possession, aside from the favored watermelon bag that he had taken with him.

"What would you like to do my son?" He questioned Marco.

"If I may Oyaji, I would like to go after him. Ace is my friend and I am worried he is playing right into Teach's hands."

White Beard nodded turning back to face Marco. "Very well. Bring Ace back to his family where he belongs."

Marco nodded, unable to hide the relieved smile on his face. "Yes sir!"

He bowed curtly to his father turning back to scan the bow of the ship. The sun had yet to set leaving a streak of colors across the ocean in its wake. Still, the horizon was void of any movement except the soft lolling of the ocean. Ace couldn't have gotten far.

Feeling for the phoenix power trapped deep inside him he stepped up onto the ship's railing, precariously balancing there. He felt a familiar warmth spread over his body as he became engulfed in the blue fire. With a final lurch, he fell over the side the air immediately intermixing with his fire. His ungraceful fall quickly turned into a smooth glide as he coasted over the ocean surface, close enough to touch it with a winged arm.

"Hang on Ace, I'm coming."

Chapter Text

"Ace!" Marco yelled landing on the docks with a thud. He earned many looks from the citizens but he ignored them, pushing through the crowd.

He had searched the entire area and this was the nearest island in sight. Ace must have stopped here to restock. At least Marco hoped so, otherwise, the trail would be cold.

This was a relatively small fishing island but it did see its fair share of pirates and sailors. In turn, there was a constant crowd gathered around the fish markets. Picking one hot-headed kid out from the rest was going to prove itself a challenge. Still, he couldn't give up. Ace needed him whether he knew it or not.

"ACCCE!" Marco screamed once again earning him a strange look from the crowd. He certainly wasn't blending in. But then again that was kind of the point. If he lost Ace here he might not find him again until it was too late.

He frowned as he once again took off through the crowd, weaving neatly in and out of the people. But after another hour of searching Marco was starting to give up hope. This place really wasn't that big after all. There was no sign of him here, just fish. lots and lots of fish. He wrinkled his nose as he swore never to look at a fish the same way again.

"Marco?" A surprised voice asked. "What are you doing here?"

Marco's eyes widened as he shot up, nearly crashing into his friend.

"Ace!"

Ace frowned as he shifted his weight awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with Marco's surprise.

"Yea…it's me. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you idiot." Marco chided, too relieved to actually be angry. "Seriously where the hell were you hiding? I looked everywhere."

Still surprised by his magical appearance Ace crossed his arms, slightly defensive. "I fell asleep below the docks."

Marco nodded, that sounded about right. He probably should have checked there as well. He noted his friend's tone. It looked like Ace was less than stoked to see him. Which was a little surprising considering the young man was most likely in over his head here.

"Why were you looking for me?"

"Is that it! No thanks for coming Marco, you're the greatest human who ever lived…or something like that." He sighed as he got no response from Ace. Something was seriously wrong with his friend. He was acting really serious. Was this still about Thatch or something else?

"You disappeared idiot. Of course, I went looking for you. We got worried."

Ace's eyes widened in surprise for a second before returning back to the determined cold grey. The very same look he wore when Marco had first met him. It was the look he wore around strangers. Well, that certainly didn't hurt Marco's feelings or anything.

"Well, you found me." Ace said. "And I'm fine I promise." There were a few seconds of awkward silence between the two of them before Ace's gaze softened a bit. "I really am sorry about making you worry."

Marco smiled at the look on his friend's face. He looked like a kicked puppy. That was the kid Marco knew. The very same kid who got uncomfortable when people showed attachment to him. Like he was allergic to people caring about him.

"Ace you are many things but okay is not one of them. Now tell me what's wrong."

Ace sighed as he looked up at the sky, conflict written across his face.

"It's not your problem it's mine. I can handle it myself." He finally said looking Marco square in the eyes. "Thanks and I mean it but please don't worry about me."

Marco watched in silence as Ace hefted his bag over his shoulder, turning to leave. The most surprising part was this was clearly Ace's attempt at caring. He was trying to protect Marco by keeping him out of it. While there was no doubt in his mind that Ace could take care of himself that wasn't the point.

"Like hell," he said grabbing Ace's arm. "We are a team so if you have a problem then we all have a problem."

He quickly let go realizing aggressive may not be the way to go this time. Then again the only way you could get something into that hot head of his was by pounding it in. And if there was one thing Ace needed to understand it was that he wasn't alone in this.

He looked up to meet two very confused grey eyes. They looked almost pained which confused Marco. He didn't think he could have said anything to hurt Ace.

"He has him." Ace whispered shocking Marco out of his thoughts.

"Who? Thatch."

Ace shook his head making Marco's blood turn cold. So this really wasn't about Thatch. There was something even worse going on.

"Luffy." Marco had to strain to hear.

"Luffy?" He repeated unsurely.

Ace nodded clenching his fists, "My little brother."

Well shit, Ace had a brother? He could maybe see an awesome warrior-type older brother but not a younger one. Ace was a big brother? That was pretty ironic considering he was one of the youngest on the ship. When they had first met Ace if you were to tell anyone on the crew Ace had a little brother they would have laughed it off as a bad joke. But now, after all the time they spent together, Marco believed he did have someone he would go to any length to protect. And if Marco had learned one thing on these seas it was the more you cared the more opportunity for heartbreak. Ace must have known this as well, thus why he hadn't so much at hinted at his family.

"Are you sure?" He asked weakly.

Ace mutely handed him a crumpled note. He read it over twice, instantly recognizing the messy handwriting. A sinking feeling of dread pooled in his stomach. Teach was insane. He had kidnapped an innocent kid to get back at another slightly older kid. And for what? Why single out Ace of all people. He was still so new. Sure he was Teach's squad leader but there had to be more right? Popular or not Ace was a new pirate. If Teach had wanted fame he should have gone after an older legend on Whitebeards crew.

Ace had been keeping this a secret? No wonder he was acting strangely. Marco groaned as he handed the note back to Ace. This was SO messed up. And also kind of out of his range of expertise. He had never been in a hostage blackmail situation before… Well, that wasn't true but he had never been on the victim's side before. And honestly, he wasn't enjoying it.

"Alright," he said rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Let's go."

Ace blinked in surprise. "What?"

"I'm going with you."

"No, you're not." Ace insisted firmly. "I already told you that it's my problem, not yours. Besides I don't think Teach wanted me telling you this."

"Screw him," Marco seethed. "He is going to get what's coming to him. That man is certifiably insane. Besides he messed with the Whitebeards, we can't just sit back and twiddle our thumbs while you risk your life. He put his hand comfortingly on the young man's shoulder. "You're not alone in this Ace, I'm here for you whether you want me to be or not. So for the love of God let me help before I punch you."

There was an awkward silence as Ace considered. "You sure about this? We might die."

"Not before taking that stupid prick with us."

Ace smirked at that, for the first time in days. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Although as much as I hate to say it we probably can't do this on our own. I'm going to go with your lead on this one but I think it would really help if you let me call Oyaji. He won't tell anyone else I swear but keeping him in the dark cannot be a plus for us."

Ace nodded biting his lip. He clearly wanted to say something, the nature of which Marco had no idea. But for whatever reason Ace just turned away once more swinging the bag over his shoulder.

"Luffy you have to stop." Thatch said as he watched the boy yet again rocket himself at the door unsuccessfully. Luffy ignored him as he flung his body against the wood as hard as he could. He had been at this for days. Whenever anyone untethered him from the wall he went right back to trying to break the door down. Whatever beating Teach gave them paled in comparison to what Luffy was doing to himself. His body was a patchwork of bruises from continuously colliding with the door. Due to the sea stone cuffs on his wrist Thatch highly suspected Luffy had a devil's fruit. But for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what it was.

"Luffy please." Thatch tried a different tactic. "Talk to me here, what's the matter."

"He took my hat!"

Thatch nodded, he got that part. Hard not to with Luffy screaming it every five minutes. He was beginning to think that this 'quest' for the straw hat was simply a manifestation of Luffy's concealed fears due to their imprisonment. Either that or this kid was crazy. Who fought that hard for such a battered old hat? He could just buy a new one. Surprisingly enough straw hats were not a rarity here. Although there was something hauntingly familiar about that one.

"Would you just shut up already?" Teach demanded as the prison door flew open.

Sure enough, Luffy attacked him with the same ferocity from before. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to land a single hit, especially with his hands being bound like they were. The sea stone made his movements slow and sluggish. It was over before it really began. Teach had Luffy pinned to the floor beneath his hulking feet in a matter of seconds.

"Give it back," Luffy demanded.

"What the hell is so important to you about that damn hat? You should be worrying about yourself instead."

Thatch was just about to yell for him to leave Luffy alone when a glint in Luffy's eyes stopped him in his tracks.

"I don't care what you do to me." Luffy's voice was cold and absolute, it left no room for argument. Thatch had never heard him so serious before. It honestly scared him.

"But if you hurt my hat I will kill you." The look he was giving Teach would have made a lesser man flee in terror. It looked so out of place on someone so happy and carefree.

So maybe there were no manifestations in the form of a metaphorical hat… Luffy was just really attached to that thing. As for the reason why it was anyone's guess.

Teach on the other hand smirked, removing his foot from Luffy so the kid could get up. "You know kid, I might have misjudged you. I thought you were just a stupid idiot. But you might be more like him than I thought." He brought up his hand to silence Luffy from demanded his hat back yet again.

"It's safe," he promised. "I gave it to a friend of yours to watch over."

Luffy blinked, his eyes returning to their usual curious state. "Really?" He questioned, his voice once again reflecting a normal fifteen-year-old instead of that horrifying hollow tone.

Teach nodded causing a wide grin to break out across the boy's face.

"Thank you!"

"Oi!" Thatch cried outraged. What was up with that sudden mood shift? And why the hell was Luffy thanking their captor, the very same man whose life he had threatened just moments ago.

"He's bad remember."

"Oh yea," Luffy said thoughtfully. He turned back to the man anger in his face. "You there! Chess teeth. You get a free pass for today because you kept my hat safe but tomorrow I'm totally going to kick your ass."

"It's Black Beard, you little twerp. How is that hard to remember?"

Luffy just shrugged, uncaring as Blackbeard left, slamming the door angrily behind him. Thatch watched on in amazement. Luffy had managed to annoy him, something Thatch had been trying to do for years.

He turned his head as Luffy once again sunk down beside him. He was completely different from that fearless boy who had just threatened a man's life while pinned under said man and completely at his mercy. He was now back to being the happy-go-lucky kid Thatch had grown used to.

"Kid?"

"Uhmm?"

"Seriously, what the hell is your deal?"

Just when he thought he was beginning to understand Luffy he gets thrown for a loop. One thing was for sure, no one could claim Luffy to be predictable… at all.

Luffy just laughed as he checked Thatch's injuries.

It was clear that was the only answer he was going to get. Thatch leaned back and closed his eyes, the events of today leaving him drained. Sure Luffy was unpredictable and eccentric at the best of times but in their short time together Thatch had grown to depend on him. If there was one thing Thatch hated it was being alone. And no matter how wrong or messed up it was part of him was glad Luffy was here, to fend off the darkness of the prison for Thatch. Of course, the other part of him wanted Luffy to be home with his family right now. But since neither of them got their wish he might as well enjoy the company. His family would come for him. He was sure. And when they did he would personally see to it that Luffy was returned to his.

"Marco is that you?" Vistas voice came clearly across the Den Den Mushi.

"Yea, it's me." He replied tiredly. "I need to speak to pops right away."

"Is Ace okay! Did you find him? Please tell me he's okay."

Marco sighed not in the mood to deal with this. But he knew his siblings were just worried about their youngest member. He could definitely relate.

"Yea, he's here with me. He's okay for now. Things are going to work out so don't worry."

"What on earth is wrong? Is he in trouble? Does he need our help?"

Marco paused for a second unsure of how to answer the barrage of questions. Yea, he would say Ace was in trouble. But he couldn't tell Vista that without betraying his friend. He had promised Ace to only tell pops. Although slightly unfair, after Teach he could understand where Ace was coming from. He could also sympathize with his reluctance to tell them about his brother before.

When they saved his brother and got this whole mess sorted out maybe Ace would tell the crew a bit more about himself. If nothing else this little venture highlighted just how much Ace trusted and distrusted them at the same time.

"Don't worry Vista, I've got his back on this one. It's all going to work out in the end. Sorry to do this but I really need to talk to pops… kind of life and death here."

He could hear the grumble from the other end as Vista shuffled to comply. He hoped his brother would pass on his words to the rest of the crew.

"Marco?" The comfortingly gruff voice said.

Marco instantly relaxed upon hearing it. Pops would fix things. He knew how to make this right.

"You were right, Teach was after Ace. That's why he sent us the hat. He somehow managed to get a note to Ace in it. He took his little brother and he's using him to blackmail Ace. I think he knows more about Ace than he's letting on."

There were a few minutes of silence as Oyaji processed it. "This is bad." He finally said.

Marco nodded, even though he knew pops couldn't see. He had figured that much on his own. What they needed now was a plan, but how could they plan when they had no clue what was really going on here.

"So what does Teach want Ace to do?"

"Meet him on Sabaody Archipelago in two days… Alone. He made it pretty clear Ace wasn't supposed to involve us." There was a long pause before Marco spoke again. "If I may Pops I think me and Ace should go. I'll keep out of sight and act as his backup. We don't really have many options but to do as they say. They have Thatch and Ace's brother and we have no idea where they could possibly be."

"You think that best?"

"I do sir."

"Well then, you better get going. You have an appointment to keep. Be safe, and report to me if anything happens. We will stay here and continue to track and track them down."

Marco agreed a grimace on his face. This was not going to be pleasant. But he swore to pops and Ace they would find Thatch and Luffy and make Teach pay. No one messed with their family and got away with it.

Chapter Text

Thatch sighed as he pulled himself into a sitting position. His stomach ached menacingly but he ignored it. He met the concerned dark eyes from across the room.

"I'm fine." He promised the teenager, his voice quivering a bit.

"Are you sure?" Luffy asked as he pulled against his restraints. "Because you look like you're going to die."

Thatch's eyes grew wide at that. WHAT! He didn't want to die. Not yet at least. He was too young to die! ...except the more, he thought about it he probably wasn't. But he still didn't want to. If he did his family would be crushed. He would never again annoy his brothers, cook for his family or talk to Oyaji.

"Your bedside manner is terrible."

Luffy just shrugged as he once again began to pull on the cuffs that tethered him to the wall. At one point it looked like he tried to bite the metal, either that or gnaw his hand off.

"You don't know when to give up do you kid?"

The teenager paused temporarily tilted his head to the side. "Give up?"

Thatch nodded, "You know… stop trying. Especially when there's nothing you can do.

He was met with a laugh. "Why would I give up? Then I would be bored."

"So this is making you feel better then?"

Luffy nodded not so much as looking at Thatch as he continued to claw at the cuffs.

"Then have at it." Thatch said as he watched skeptically. As futile as it was he had to admire the kid's spirit. Especially considering they were both screwed. But he had made a promise to return this kid and dying or not he was going to keep that promise.

"Hey, Luffy."

"Yea?"

"Tell me a story would you?"

He watched as two dark brown eyes shifted over towards him. They looked confused. "Will that make you better?"

Thatch shrugged thoughtfully. Probably not, no. But it would help keep his nerves at bay. Plus it might stop Luffy from further mutilating himself.

"Yea, sure." Thatch lied as he rested his back against the cold stone wall.

Luffy's innocent smile brightened at the concept of helping out. He settled back down temporarily seizing his fidgeting. "Alright!" He agreed readily. "I don't know many stories though."

"That's okay, tell me, anything you remember."

Luffy thought for a second creating an odd silence in the room. "My brother did tell me one I remember."

"Oh?" Thatch said surprised the kid had siblings. From his headstrong attitude, he had suspected only child.

"Have you heard about Noland the Liar?"

He shook his head, "Can't say have."

Luffy's smile grew at that. The kind of smile that could light up a room. It certainly didn't belong in a place like this. But either way, it was nice.

So Thatch settled back as the teenager began to tell the story of Noland the Liar. It turns out that Luffy was even worse at storytelling than he was at coming up with insults. He somehow managed to spoil the ending in the first sentence and left out any and all details. Also for whatever reason, he seemed convinced Noland was some form of an aquatic animal when from the context Thatch was sure he was supposed to be a human. Honestly? Why would people understand/ believe/execute a whale? It made no sense.

But he pointedly kept his mouth shut. If Luffy wanted the protagonist to be a fish then it was his call. Who was he to tell the kid that they couldn't survive out of water?

"Are you sure he was executed for eating everyone else's food?" Thatch tried gingerly. "And not for… you know lying about the gold?"

Luffy just shrugged. "Dunno, that's how my brother told it to me."

"You didn't by chance eat his food did you?"

"I did!" Luffy said proudly. "He was so surprised."

Surprised probably wasn't the right word but Thatch decided to let it go.

"So you have a brother? Older I'm guessing."

Luffy nodded a fond yet nostalgic smile on his face.

"What's his name?"

"The one who told me the story?"

Thatch nodded confused by Luffy's apparent need to clarify. Who else would he be talking about after all?

"Sabo!" Luffy said happily.

The man smiled at Luffy's enthusiasm. Even from the short time they spent together, it was apparent that Luffy was a high-energy being. Still, there was a particular spark in his eyes when he talked about his brother. It seemed to calm him down, an impossible feat by any other means. Determined to keep the other occupied he asked what this 'Sabo' was like.

Luffy's face once again lit up at the question. "He is the best!" He answered simply.

"Why?" Thatch probed.

Luffy tilted his head slightly as he thought it over. After a few seconds, he just shrugged, unsure of how to answer. "Because he is."

From his tone, it almost sounded like Luffy was explaining common knowledge to Thatch. As if he was an idiot for not knowing this already. It made Thatch nearly crack up.

"Oh is that so?"

Luffy nodded enthusiastically. This conversation was honestly making Thatch a little homesick.

He was about to ask a follow-up question when thudding footsteps sounded from outside. The two of them fell instantly silent as the door shuttered open. But it wasn't Teach like they had been expecting. Instead, a sickly thin man stood in the doorway.

"Who are you?" Luffy asked with his usual non-existent tact.

The man's eyes darted over to him before returning to Thatch. He leaned against the door heavily. It looked like he was about to fall over.

"Doc Q," He greeted with a wheeze as he tipped his hat forwards. "I'm a friend of Black Beard."

"That psycho had friends?" Thatch questioned cynically.

The sickly man ignored him as he began to stumble across the jail cell to where Thatch was tied.

"I'm a doctor." He told him swaying drunkenly from side to side. "I'm here to make sure you don't die. You're no good to us dead."

"There's an us now?" He questioned trying to scoot back against the wall. "What exactly are you guys planning?"

The man just shrugged throwing another glance at Luffy. "Don't worry about it." He said too quickly.

"Now hold still so I can fix you."

"Ace calm down! It's going to be okay."

Marco watched the young man pace with a heavy heart. He understood what he was going through right now. He felt the same way about Thatch. Thinking of his brother hurt and confused in some psychopath's grasp made him want to puke. Undoubtedly Ace was battling with the very same notion.

The two of them were currently in Sabaody Archipelago. The meeting was in a few hours and Ace looked a little worse for wear.

He looked up at Marco quickly before returning to his pacing. "I'm fine." He insisted leaving no room for argument.

Marco frowned but remained silent. It was just like his friend to be stubborn when he really needed help. At the very least that hadn't changed. One thing that was kind of disconcerting was Ace was starting to revert back to how he was before befriending them. It wasn't like he was going to attack pops or anything. It was more the little things. He was starting to close off again. Just when he was beginning to really truly trust the crew this had to happen. The thought hurt Marco more than he cared to admit. He felt newfound hatred flare up at Blackbeard for causing yet another calamity.

The next time Ace passed Marco pulled him down to a sitting position, insisted the continuous pacing was making him nervous.

"Tell me about him."

"What?" Ace asked confusion on his face.

"Tell me about your little brother. What's he like?"

Ace studied his friend hesitantly, unsure whether or not to answer. He looked almost conflicted.

Cursing Blackbeard for the n'teenth time that day Marco made sure to keep his face passive. A secret plea to remind his friend who he could still trust.

Ace sighed tiredly running his hand through his hair.

"He is a mess." Ace admitted finally giving in.

"What?" Marco asked confused. He had been expecting something… more positive.

Ace smiled a bit, the thought clearly cheering him up.

"He is all over the place. He is constantly losing all his stuff, he likes to take on enemies he can't possibly beat, he has no manners whatsoever, he forgets he's cold until he has freaking frostbite, and to top it all off he is always hungry."

Ace finished contently with a lazy smile on his face. At the very least he seemed calmer now. Talking about his brother seemed to do the trick.

Marco smiled slightly, glad to have gotten through to his friend. "Sounds like a handful."

"You don't know the half of it," He said with a small laugh. "I swear that kid is going to be the death of me."

"So do you guys get along?" Marco probed. From the context, it sounded like this Luffy kid drove Ace crazy. But somehow it sounded as if the older teen didn't mind. Still for whatever reason Ace never mentioned his brother.

Ace simply batted his worries away with a laugh. "We still have our fights, just like every other sibling. Especially when we were younger, but not so much anymore I guess. We only ever really get into it when he does something stupid and worries me."

"Sounds rough," Marco said with a knowing smile. He could relate. All his siblings were idiots as well, Thatch included.

"Wouldn't someone realize he was missing by now?"

Ace shook his head, staring out towards the sea. "There's no one to notice but me." He said after a few moments of silence.

"That can't be true," Marco argued, feeling dread creep into his stomach at the thought.

"I'm sure they would notice eventually." Ace corrected himself. "But it would take them a while." Preciouses time they didn't have.

Who knows when Garp's next visit would be? At the rate, he usually popped up it could be anytime in the next two years. Sure Makino might notice as well but once again who knew when she would be able to make it up there. And it wasn't like not being able to find Luffy was cause for alarm. Ace was just about the only one who could predict the sporadic child's movements. Which came in handy when Luffy needed saving. Dadan was honestly the one he had the most hope for. But it would probably take her too long to realize something was actually wrong. Despite the progress they had made with her they did everything in their power not to rely on her. Ace knew the woman did not appreciate or like kids and their very presence already put her out more than she liked. That being said she already proved she would help them out in a pinch.

"So you two are close then?" Marco asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.

Ace smiled at the question, abandoning the dark thoughts that had started to creep into his mind. "He is the most important person in the world to me."

Chapter Text

"Portgas D. Ace I presume, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Piss off."

"Don't be like that." The man smiled, showing his yellow teeth. "Black Beard couldn't make it today but he sends his love."

"Go to hell," Ace retorted angrily refusing the offered seat across from the man. "Just tell me what you did with my brother?"

"He's fine," He said. "Such a spitfire if I do say so myself. I see where he gets it from."

"Who are you?" Ace demanded trying his best to keep his fire in check.

"Jesus Burgess, Black Beards first mate. How do you do?"

"So what? That crazy psycho is starting his own crew?"

"Started," Burgess corrected. "And we are currently recruiting, you interested?"

"Go to hell," Ace repeated once more. "Just tell me where my brother is and you can get back to recruiting for your little cult."

Burgess sighed as he sunk lower into his seat. "Boss said that if you rejected things would get complicated. Of course, that's exactly what he said you would do. Thinks you're predictable or something. You see we didn't go out of our way to kidnap your brother just to give him back because you asked nicely. One way or another you're going to help us."

Ace frowned crossing his arms. "You're wasting your time with me. I've got nothing to give you."

The man once again grinned, his eyes twinkling cruelly. "That's not true Portgas…or should I say Gol D. Ace."

Ace froze at that, staring at Burgess as if he had suddenly sprouted horns. "What are you talking about?" He finally managed to spit out.

The pirate just laughed at his pitiful attempt, clearly aware he had found Ace's soft spot. "Don't play dumb, we both know very well what I am talking about. Although if it makes you feel better you can keep pretending you're not that man's son."

They stood in silence for a moment as Ace desperately tried to calm his racing heartbeat. His biggest secret, the one that single-handedly assured his destruction rested in the hands of monsters. As did Luffy. One thing was for sure, he was screwed. He pushed those thoughts out of his head. That didn't matter right now, he came here for one reason and one reason only. He would save Luffy even if it were the last thing he did.

"So you know," he finally said. "Why not just go tell the government? I am sure they would be very interested."

Burgess simply shrugged at the suggestion, uninterested. "And let them kill you? How would that help us? Like it or not we have bigger plans for you. And all things considered, it would be in your best interest to listen to us. Wouldn't it be a shame if something were to happen to your little brother? It's my understanding you don't have a lot of family to spare."

How long were they going to keep throwing that back in his face? Generally speaking, when your family dies you don't have a lot leftover. But he was oh so sorry it narrowed down their blackmail choices. Not for the first time, Ace wondered if Luffy would have been better off if they had never met. But perhaps now wasn't the best time to contemplate this. He could worry about it more when Luffy was safe.

"So what, I do your dirty work and in turn, you return my brother? Fine, what do you want?"

"For starters, we want crew members. At the moment it's just three of us and it's getting a little lonely."

"Well, that must be tough." Ace mocked not in the mood for jokes.

"They told me you were a tough kid." Burgess said, "You should have no problem finding the kind of recruits we need."

"Is that all? I get you recruits that's your big request?"

"For now at least, you get our recruits then we will talk again." Until then you better get a move on it, your little friend Thatch is also in our care and from the looks of it he isn't doing so well. It would be a real shame if he died don't you think?"

Ace perked up at this, instantly standing up straighter. "Thatch is still alive? Is he okay, what are you doing to him."

Burgess put up a hand to stop him, "As I said get us some crewmates then we will talk. For now, all I'm going to say is that both of them are still alive."

Relief crashed through Ace like a tidal wave. Thank god Thatch was still alive, at least that was one death he didn't have on his conscience. At least not yet. If there was any physical way for him to save Thatch, he would certainly try. He just hoped the man could hang on a little while longer.

"We want seven new members. They better be strong and none of that conscience crap they need to be tough, rob a prison if you need to. You have two weeks before we meet back here. And you better have all of them or someone is going to die." Burgess rose to leave but Ace called him back.

"What?"

He bit his lip unsure of how to broach the topic. As much as he wanted to let it go he knew he had to ask. If not for himself then for Luffy who cared more about Ace's life than Ace did.

"When this is all said and done are you going to kill me?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"Just answer it." Ace snapped not willing to play word games with his life.

"Fine," Burgess sighed. "I'm not going to lie it's not looking good for you."

Ace sucked in his breath doing his best to keep his face neutral. This definitely would not be the first time he got a death threat, not by a long shot. But this was the first time someone held so much power over him. Hell, the military presence was strong on this island, all it would take was a few carefully chosen words from Burgess and they would send a buster call for Ace's death. And that was the best-case scenario. At least right now he had a fighting chance. But the way he gathered it the same could not be said about the future. Especially considering they held both Luffy and Thatch's lives in their hands.

He fought through the rising emotions, struggling to keep his voice the same. "What about Luffy and Thatch? Do you plan to kill them too?"

"Whitebeard pirate aside we don't have a reason to kill the brat unless he gives us one. You better pray it stays that way. What I can tell you is if you listen like a good boy your brother's chances will be better."

Ace almost groaned at that. Clearly, this man had not spent enough time with his brother. He was sure Luffy would give them a reason. Hell, he had probably given them some today alone. But at least they needed him alive to control Ace. So for now they couldn't do anything too serious.

Burgess stood up to leave but Ace hardly noticed. He sat there mulling over what he had said. The single thought that kept repeating over and over in his mind was that he didn't want to die, not yet. When he was little he didn't even want his life. It used to be too full of pain and misery for it to be worth it. But somewhere along the way that had changed. He managed to get a family, even someone so useless like him had found some people who loved and supported him no matter what. Of course, Sabo was gone now (it still hurt to think about it)…and thanks to him Luffy was in trouble. He knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself if anything happened to that kid. It should be a no-brainer, his life for Luffy's. And while he knew he was going to get Luffy back no matter what he just couldn't accept his fate so easily. A small selfish part of his brain kept wishing he could somehow get both, begging him to find another way, a way he didn't have to die. But why should it even matter? He should be happy as long as he saved Luffy right? So why was he suddenly so devastated?

But there was his mother and his brother to think of. If he were to die that would waste her sacrifice and break the promise he had made to Luffy. That was the last thing he wanted.

Sighing he stood up. He couldn't procrastinate any longer on his other fear of Marco overheard or not. On unsteady legs, he walked over to his friend's hiding place. In theory, it was far enough away that nothing could be heard but He learned never to underestimate the firebird's hearing.

He tried his best to change his serious face but quickly gave up. He wasn't really in the mood to smile right now… or ever again.

"How did it go?"

"We have two weeks to find seven crew members."

Marco grimaced but didn't object. "Well, we should be able to manage it."

"Thatch is alive." Ace said watching a huge smile bloom over his friend's face. It certainly made him feel better as well. At least this way Marco would only have to lose one friend, not two. Ae chided himself for thinking that way.

Picking up on his distress Marco's face darkened. "Did he say anything else?"

"Nope!" Ace said innocently, "That was it."

He could tell his friend believed that lie as much as he had believed the first. The only difference was this time Ace wasn't going to tell him, no amount of friendship speeches would change that.

"We should get moving." Ace said swinging his bag over his shoulder. "We have to find this crazy group cult members and we only have two weeks."

Marco said something else but it fell on deaf ears. Ace felt the familiar disconnectedness that accompanied his narcoleptic fits. He always got them when his mind became too full. Usually, it was an annoyance but for the first time in his life, he welcomed it. His problems were finally too big for him to deal with alone.

He was asleep before he even hit the ground.

"Yea, now we have to help Black Beard gather a crew." Marco sighed leaning against a wall.

Ace had passed out leaving nothing for Marco to do but call pops and update him. To say he was worried about his friend was an understatement. Although the news about Thatch had been just about the best thing he had heard in his life.

"I'm really worried about him Oyaji. I think it's worse than he's telling me. Why won't that stubborn idiot just let me help him?" He kicked the ground in an unusual display of irritation.

"He wouldn't be Ace if he did things the easy way." Whitebeard reminded him patiently. "You have to remember who you're dealing with here. For whatever reason Ace isn't used to relying on others. He tries to do everything himself no matter how bad things get."

"I know," Marco said slowly letting go of his pent-up aggression. "Hopefully he will tell me what's really going on before he dies of stress or something like that."

Whitebeard laughed at that, "You give yourself too little credit. Imagine what would have happened if you hadn't noticed something was wrong with him. He would have to do all of this on his own. We would still have no clue why he left or what was wrong."

That was true at least. It's not like Marco was useless. Right now it looked like his job was finding sketchy crewmates with questionable morals. Lame as it sounded it was all he could do to help Ace at the moment. So he was sure as hell going to do it.

"Well Pops, I guess I have to let you go." They weren't going to find themselves after all.

He just preyed Thatch could hold on a little longer.

Chapter Text

"Are you done yet?" Black beard asked as he kicked the teen across the floor. "For heaven's sake you're making this tougher on yourself than you need to."

"SCREW YOU BASTARD!" Luffy screamed as he struggled to sit up. His hands were tied behind his back with sea stone cuffs ensuring and damage he took hurt.

"Are you going to give up yet?"

"NEVER!" Luffy screamed as he threw himself at Blackbeard head-butting his shins viciously. The man howled in pain as he once again kicked the teen across the room.

"If you hurt my brother I will kill you."

His newfound anger honestly surprised Teach as the teen was usually even-tempered and optimistic. Not even the hat incident could compare to his new rage. Teach had let the news slip that they were planning to kill Ace and Luffy exploded. He had expected a reaction, crying, begging whatever but this was a little excessive. And he was only making things harder on himself, not that Teach needed an excuse to beat him up.

He had foolishly thought Luffy could be coerced into being helpful. Alas, he was sadly mistaken. He knew the basics of Ace's life story but it was fuzzy at best. His information was fleeting and scattered which from personal experience was no way to blackmail someone. No, he needed a little more than what he had…more leverage was the word for it. Or at the very least more motivation when he finally took this to the world government. Not only that but he was sure that with a family tree such as this one there were secrets to go around. Some of which Luffy must be privy to. But he was just not cooperating. Blasted kid, reminded him way too much of his older brother. Now if only he could get something to blackmail Luffy with.

"Just tell me what I want to know and I'll ease up."

"Go to HELL!"

Okay, so logic didn't sway the kid. Apparently, neither did pain but that never stopped him before. He brought his foot down hard hearing a satisfying thud. Since the kid was made of rubber normal attacks don't do much to him but Teach easily found a way around this. His new devil fruit saw to that. He could hurt anybody as much as he wanted now regardless of any opposing devil fruits.

Luffy twisted around wrapping his legs around the man's leg in order to viciously bite it, drawing both blood and skin.

Teach cussed in pain as he flung the kid off. "You just don't know when to give up do you?"

"You can't kill Ace!" Luffy said spitting out Teach blood. "He won't let a loser like you beat him."

"We will see about that." He said coyly. "But honestly I'm not expecting much of a fight from him."

Luffy paused for a second staring at the man coldly. "What."

"Well, I have to admit he is pretty strong. So much so that I had my associate offer him a chance to join us. Of course, he predictably declined." He sighed regrettably. "That being said he has one weakness and that's you. As long as I have you he can't oppose me"

Luffy's eyes winded a fraction before narrowing dangerously. "Leave him alone!" His voice was dangerously low.

Teach frowned clicking his tongue at the teenager. "Don't be like that. You two are making this too easy for me. Honestly, I was all worried he wouldn't care I captured you. You know I asked him once if he had any family and he told me no. So I was half expecting you two to hate each other or something like that. Certainty, not this annoyingly sentimental crap."

"You talk too much," Luffy told him rolling over on the floor to look up at the man. "You should learn when to shut up."

"Is that right brat? Well, I'll be doing the teaching from now on." He sent a vicious stream of attacks at the teenager each one harder than the last. Only succeeding to cover his pants and shoes in the kid's blood.

"Ready to talk now?" He asked grinding his head into the floor with his boot.

"You s-hmgs ty'arder."

"What?" He lifted his boot to allow the kid to turn his head to the side spitting out blood as he did.

"I said you should try harder. Is that all you got?"

"What the hell." Teach scratched his head. "Act like a normal kid would you? Cry or something."

"I don't have anything to cry about." Luffy challenged.

"I can give you something." Teach said cracking his knuckles.

Thatch was not having a good day. For starters, he was pretty sure his wound was infected and it hurt like a bitch. Secondly, he had no idea where Luffy was. Considering they shared a prison cell he did not take this as a good sign. No doubt Black Beard had a hand in this. Still what he could possibly want with the teenager was beyond him. As far as Thatch could see Luffy was just an ordinary teenager. But that was aside the point right now as his worry was growing every minute Luffy didn't come back.

Luffy had been helping treat his injury especially when it started showing signs of infection. However, their combined limited medical knowledge made it difficult. Yet when he woke up this morning there was no sign of the teen. As far as he could tell there was nothing he could do to help his new friend, being that he was still stuck in this cursed cell and all. He had never felt so useless before and honestly he didn't like it.

He had no clue how long he waited in the cold cell before a loud banging distracted him. He scrambled to sit up, wincing when he moved too quickly. He backed against the wall as he heard the jangling keys click into the rusty lock.

"I see you're still alive as well," Blackbeard said unenthusiastically as he swung open the door.

Thatch ignored him and instead focused on the kid he was dragging behind him.

"What did you do to him!" He demanded trying to rise to his feet unsuccessfully.

"It's his own fault," Teach said roughly as he flung the unconscious body down to the floor. "He's stubborn as hell. I guess it runs in the family."

Thatch ignored him in order to crawl to the kid, leaning over him protectively.

"Feel better now that you beat up a teenager." He replied snarkily.

"I would feel better if he wasn't so damn determined." Teach responded angrily slamming the door leaving the two of them alone in the tiny cell.

Thatch frowned and turned back to the kid gingerly wiping blood off his cheek. Was this how they would die? Hurting and cold in this god-forsaken cell. Their families never knowing what happened to them. No! No way. He had made a promise and god damn it, he intended to keep it.

Once again pulling himself to his knees he tore off a section of his shirt soaking it in the dampest parts of their cell. He used it to clean off most of the blood and did all he could for the still bleeding cuts.

"Luffy wake up!" He insisted on shaking the teen's shoulder gently first and then rougher as he began to get worried. The kid just moaned and rolled away, muttering something about five more minutes. He smiled in relief and sat back on his heels. Thank goodness.

"Don't your go dying on me you hear!"

" m'not gonna die" Luffy mumbled barely coherent.

Thatch nodded, satisfied for the moment as he leaned back against the wall. He was a little concerned about how good it felt against his flushed skin. The infection had probably spread, he had a fever.

'Dear family, hurry your asses up.' He thought desperately. They had never let him down before so why would they start now?

"Oi Luffy can you hear me?"

The kid groaned encouragingly.

"My turn. I'll tell you a story about the time I learned not to mess with Izo's hair. So make sure to pay attention okay."

When he was met only with silence he began talking. He wasn't sure if Luffy was listening or not but at the very least it was making him feel better. Filling the cell with happier times.

Chapter Text

"Ace wake up."

Ace moaned as he rolled over yet again. He felt a hand on his shoulder shaking him insistently.

"Ace wake up!" The voice repeated.

"What is it, Lu?" He yawned not even bothering to open his eyes. "Can't it wait for the mourning?"

"Scoot over,"

"Huh?"

His eyes shot open as he felt himself being shoved over on the thin mattress. "What are you doing?"

Luffy yawned as he settled down beside Ace. "I'm sleeping here." He told him obviously.

"I see that! What I mean is why?" Never the less Ace scooted over slightly.

"You were having a bad dream," Luffy told him simply.

"No, I wasn't!" Ace insisted feeling his cheeks heating up. That sounded weak. "You were having a bad dream!"

"Nope!" Luffy told him honestly settling down at his side.

Ace frowned and looked away. He knew Luffy never had nightmares. Which was ironic considering he had every other problem known to man. Always hungry, abandonment issues, bad form, a weak left hook, tendency to fall off bridges, and always in some form of life-threatening trouble but somehow he never got nightmares. Comforting to know his mind wasn't trying to subtly drive him crazy like Ace's was.

He also knew he was having a nightmare. He couldn't remember it very well but he knew enough to know it was some pretty dark stuff. Still, he would never admit it.

"I don't need you to sleep with me." He fumed.

"Mm-kay," Luffy mumbled already half asleep.

Ace sighed as he settled back down. Whatever. He knew Luffy wasn't the type to tell anyone…not like he had anyone to tell of course.

He would like to say this was the first time this had happened but it really wasn't. What he hated to admit even more was that this always helped him sleep soundly. Sure enough, sharing his bed like a five-year-old kept the nightmares away. How pathetic was that?

He tried so hard to look tough yet he never actually felt tough. The real surprise was how everyone else fell for it so completely. Apparently, if you beat enough people up they forget that if he were actually strong he wouldn't have started a fight with them in the first place.

He glanced beside him at his sleeping brother. Luffy wasn't tough, he was a scared crybaby. But at least he wasn't a faker like Ace was. Ace had long since decided he could be tough enough for both of them as long as Luffy remained strong enough for both of them.

"Thanks," He grumbled. Only after he was sure his brother was asleep

"Ace?"

Ace opened his eyes to see Marco standing a few feet away, concern clearly written on his face.

"What happened?" He asked rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he stood up.

"Someone was tired," Marco told him dryly making his cheeks heat up.

"I was thinking about too much stuff," He defended embarrassed. He knew his friend was laughing at him internally.

"Too much indeed," Marco mused. "You fell asleep over a day ago."

"WHAT!" That was a new record. That was more of a shutdown than anything else. He hadn't had an attack that bad since Sabo died. Apparently, things were that bad again. He gritted his teeth as he remembered why. Luffy was gone because of him, Thatch was in the same boat, although this was less his fault. They might kill his little brother, the last of his family and there was not much he could do to stop them. He was going to die regardless. Marco who he had dragged into this might also bite one. That was a hell of a way to pay back the Whitebeards. 'Hey, guys I can't thank you enough for all your friends and help…by the way I got your second in command killed sorry.' But of course, he would already be dead so there would be no apologizing.

"What are you giving me that look for?" Marco frowned.

"Sorry," Ace said as he dusted himself off, forcing his muscles to relax a little bit. He hadn't even realized he was giving his friend the death glare. The situation had him way too tense.

That wasn't even the worst part. There was something Teach didn't know about Luffy. Something that if he found out would guarantee his brother's death. Thankfully enough Luffy didn't know it. He was horrible at keeping secrets which was precisely why Garp decided to instead entrust Ace with this. But Teach had already proved resourceful enough to discover Ace's roots. Who was to say he couldn't do it again for Luffy.

Ace gave a low moan as he ran his fingers through his hair. In his life, he had been in some pretty tight scrapes. There were even times where he was sure it was it for him. But this one was shaping up to be the worst.

"What are you thinking about?" Marco asked after the moments of silence.

Ace frowned as he searched his brain for a safe topic that wouldn't technically be a lie.

"How things used to be simpler when I was younger." He finally decided.

Not like he was ever carefree like most children. Even when he was ten he had to worry about things like where the next meal was coming from, gang wars, if he really should have been born…his dead brother. But he fixed all those problems with punching things. The only real thing he was good at. And when that wasn't enough and the problems plagued his mind he had his little brother who would always find a way to cheer him up.

But since he had become a pirate he found more and more often his problems couldn't always be solved with violence. And there was no Luffy to drag him back from the edge of his mind like before. This particular example was no exception. Right now it looked like he only had one option, to play as that man's errand boy in hopes Luffy and Thatch could make it out of this alive.

"So what's the plan? Where could we go to find strong and greedy people with questionable morals?"

"Probably here," Marco said looking around them. Sure this place looked good on the outside but when you looked closer you could see how cracked its foundation was. Where ever evil like tenryuubito resided lawlessness was bound to follow.

"Well, I guess we can start with the bars?" Ace sighed as he started back towards the shadier parts of town.

Marco caught his elbow awkwardly stopping him mid-step. "Ace…" he began only to be cut off.

"Yea yea, I know." Ace relented. "I'll tell you if something is wrong, we are a team, it's not my fault, we will save Luffy, the general spiel right?" He said forcing a relaxed smile on his face even as he tugged his arm free.

"I was going to say you were going the wrong way."

"Ah," Ace lamented as he set off in the opposite direction.

"Memorizing is not the same as learning," Marco said as he fell into step beside his friend.

"You're saying actions speak louder than words?" Ace guessed.

"I'm saying stop being an idiot." Marco corrected. "It leads to an early grave."

The irony was not lost on him yet he chooses to ignore the advice. He felt the corners of his mouth twitch in a real smile. "That's like ninety percent of my personality. If you take that away you are just left with anger and a cowboy hat."

Marco sighed at his offered advice was ignored. Still, he was glad Ace seemed to be feeling a little bit better. "An angry idiot in a cowboy hat then?"

"It's worked so far." Ace pointed out as he scanned the nearly deserted streets. "Rip Off," He read out loud. Might as well start here.

"How are you feeling?" Thatch asked carefully as he watched Luffy stand up, pouting.

"I'm soooooo bored." The teen complained restlessly.

"I meant your injuries."

Luffy looked down at his bloody and bruised body with a shrug. "It's fine." He insisted.

"You don't look fine," Thatch frowned. He looked like he should be in the hospital. Then again so did Thatch.

He didn't want to admit it out loud but it looked like his stab wound was getting worse. It felt impossibly itchy and it was giving off an alarming amount of heat. Thatch was no doctor but he was sure that wasn't a good sign.

He turned back to Luffy watching the teen run a hand through his messy black hair obviously thinking about his missing hat. He huffed unhappily as he settled beside his friend.

"Luffy you have devil fruit powers right?" Thatch asked after a few seconds of silence.

The teen nodded distractedly. His hands were still tied behind his back with the sea stone cuffs. Being the bastard he was Blackbeard had left them on when he dragged the injured Luffy back to the cell earlier.

Although he hadn't said anything Thatch could tell he was struggling with them being on so long. His breathing had grown increasingly heavy as well as his decreasing energy levels.

"Yep!" Luffy said as he leaned against the wall. "I ate the gum gum fruit!"

Thatch blinked stupidly. "…and what is that!"

"It means I am made out of rubber!"

"Ah…" Thatch finished at a loss for words. "Seriously? Who would want that?"

"I Do!" Luffy said defiantly.

"Right sorry." Thatch shook his head hoping he hadn't offended the kid. "So what kind of stuff can you do?"

"Stretch!"

"…neat," Thatch lied easily. He failed to see how that would come in handy but what did he know. It wasn't like you could pick which power you got.

The two sat in silence for a second until Luffy enthusiastically broke it.

"Hey! You're a pirate right?"

"Yea?" Thatch said a little surprised.

"That's so cool! The boy gushed. "I am going to be a pirate too..."

"Aren't you a little young?"

"When I turn seventeen!"

"That's not much better," Thatch sighed as he realized the boy was now ignoring him in favor of ranting about pirates."

"Look Luffy why don't you wait until your much older… twenty-something at least.

Luffy made a face, "No way! That's way too long." Seeing Thatch's doubt he assured him with a simple, "it will be fine."

"What if you die?"

"It will be fine," Luffy repeated confidently making Thatch worry even more.

Even if Luffy survived the lunatic who had captured him his greatest danger was the idiotic things he was going to do in two years.

"Why do you want to be a pirate so bad?"

"I not just going to be a pirate." Luffy corrected him.

"Oh?"

"I'm going to be Pirate King!"

"No." Thatch moaned slapping a hand over his face.

"What was that?" Luffy asked curiously.

"Nothing," The man promised him not wanting to appear unsupportive.

"You might have to fight the old man for it though."

Luffy tilted his head suddenly interested. "Who?"

"Whitebeard, my captain."

Luffy continued to give him the same blank stare. "Eh?"

"Don't tell me you have never heard of him!"

"He's some old guy then?"

Thatch frowned rubbing his temple. How was this kid going to be a pirate when he didn't even know the most basics of things?"

"Oyaji," He corrected. "Is known as the strongest man in the world. He is currently the closest to becoming Pirate King. He is also my captain."

Whatever reaction he was hoping for he was not disappointed. Luffy shot up at the word strong and was suddenly hanging on Thatches every word.

"Fight?" His grin became impossibly wide. "That sounds fun."

This was not the intended message Thatch was trying to get across. Although there didn't seem to be a possibility of changing the kid's mind. Besides, it's not like Oyaji would hurt him like other pirates would. Maybe just share a little life wisdom.

"Well, then Luffy when you become a famous pirate I guess we will meet on the sea huh?"

"Of course we will." Luffy flashed another one of his brilliant smiles. "We're friends after all."

Not for the first time Thatch had to marvel at Luffy's ability to smile so often and so brightly even when the situation seemed so dark. To talk about the future with such optimistic hope like they weren't trapped in a mad man's prison slowly dying on the cold floor. He would make a good pirate king. Thatch decided. Not as good as Pops of course but Thatch would like to see it happen one day.

"Alright then," He said returning the grin let's do it!"

Chapter Text

"So," Ace said wearily sitting down beside a rough-looking man. "Are you down on your luck and looking for a high-paying job with flexible morals?" The man threw him a look before sliding over to the next seat, only to be ambushed by Marco who wedged himself in the seats between them.

"So is that a yes or a no?" His friend questioned lazily resting his cheek on his hand.

"Leave me alone!" The man said angrily as he slammed his drink on the table and rose. The two watched him angrily storm out of the bar.

"Oops," Ace said sarcastically. Marco sent him an unreadable expression. "Maybe a bit more subtle next time my friend."

Ace smirked as he buried his head in his arms. He definitely did not want to do this. He wanted Blackbeard to fail miserably, he wanted him to taste defeat in every way. The last thing he wanted was to be helping the rat tail bastard. But Luffy and Thatch needed him. So he had to get his act together.

"Alright!" He said sitting up. "The next one will join for sure."

Marco jumped at the sudden mood shift in his friend. "If you say so," He too was having trouble with this. Doing Teach's job for him seemed counterproductive. The two of them were currently in a bar called 'Rip-Off,' which sounded like poor branding to him but then again who was he to judge. They had been at this all mourning with no luck.

"I'm going to go see if we might have better luck across the street," Marco told him rising to his feet. Ace nodded waving halfheartedly as he scanned the nearly empty bar. Probably a good idea. He was just about to get up as well as someone sat down heavily beside him.

"Huh?" Ace lifted his head in surprise to see a tall thin old man with long grey hair. 'This must be the owner,' he thought to himself.

"Sorry sir," Ace said fetching his cowboy hat from the table. He could guess the owner was probably less than thrilled about the shady recruitment Ace was so obviously advertising for.

The man however waved his hand in denial striking up an easy conversation. "Don't leave on my account. I'm just taking a little break from work.

"Ah," Ace said turning away once more to scan the room one last time for any strong-looking criminals.

"Portgas D. Ace right?"

"Huh?" Ace turned around once more to face the man. This just took an interesting turn. Most people who knew his name weren't fans of his. Still, he had never been once to back down from a fight.

"Yep, that's me." He clenched his fist under the table watching for any hostility on the other's part.

"Oh good, I thought it was you." The man nodded appreciatively. "I've been meaning to introduce myself for some time now. "Silvers Rayleigh, It's a pleasure to finally meet you." He held out his hand which Ace reluctantly took.

"Nice to meet you too sir," Ace said with practiced politeness despite the confusion he felt inside.

After a few minutes of silence, he followed it up with a; "Sorry but do I know you?"

"I'm afraid not. I'm a bit of a family friend from long ago."

"The Whitebeards?" Ace guessed now thoroughly confused.

"Nope, although we do go way back as well. I don't know if I would necessarily consider us friends."

"Garp?" Ace guessed halfheartedly.

Now it was Rayleigh's turn to give him a weird look. "Heavens no, although I hear he is a good man."

"I guess?"

"No, I was referring to your father of course."

Ace's mind went blank for a second as he searched his mind for any possibly alternate family affiliations.

He felt the blood rush to his cheeks as he once again tensed. Worse! Much worse than he originally thought.

Rayleigh frowned when he didn't respond for a couple of minutes. "Ace?"

Ace stood stiffly, his hands still clenched into fists but they remained at his side. He didn't want to talk about this, not here not or ever for that matter. Still, this was sort of a big deal, the thought of yet another stranger knowing his secret was not comforting.

"Family friend?" He asked softly.

Rayleigh nodded watching him thoughtfully. "I was your old man's right-hand man back in the day." A fond smile flitted across his face.

Ace sunk back down into his seat wearily. "Are you going to tell anybody?"

To his surprise, Rayleigh let out a quiet laugh. "Who would I tell? Besides I'm sure I would be in just as much trouble as you, probably more so."

He nodded, that made sense to him. One less thing he had to worry about in this already chaotic day. Still the thought of someone knowing made his skin crawl.

"I've always wanted to meet you! I was getting worried that I would never have the chance."

"How did you know it was me?" There was a reason why he changed his last name after all.

"I knew your mother, of course, a bit of a spitfire." He glanced at Ace curiously. "You would have liked her. You look just like her actually."

"Really?" He asked in disbelief. He had seen a picture once and he had to disagree.

"No, not quite. You look much more like Rodger when he was younger but you have her freckles."

"Ah," Ace finished lamely. He had no idea how to respond. This whole situation made him extremely uncomfortable.

"Now I've got a question for you." He continued when Ace didn't respond. "Why are Whitebeards top commanders doing Teach's dirty work?"

Ace looked up at him in surprise. He was more observant than he gave him credit for. "We, um, you know how it goes…pirates, betrayal, alliances." He swallowed thickly thinking how betrayal had suddenly taken on a new meaning to him.

Rayleigh nodded with a concerning amount of comprehension in his old eyes. "You know," he began thoughtfully. "This is only the second time I've seen that hat, not on someone's head."

Ace blinked in confusion for a second before his gaze fell to the floor. His watermelon bag lay at his feet, the drawstrings had come untied showing just a patch of a worn-out straw. Feeling protective of the tattered old thing he picked up his bag redoing the drawstrings before slinging it over his shoulder.

The old man watched with his ever-constant veiled smile.

Ace opened his mouth to say something but before he could get a word out he was interrupted.

"Hey Ace, any luck?" Ace jumped as his friend thumped his back.

"I found a guy who might be interested if you want to come meet him."

Ace glanced up at Marco in surprise. He was acting casual but his usually calm demeanor had broken. He could sense a slight edge of apprehension. Apparently, the two of them had already met.

"At least that's one down," Ace said standing up glad to be leaving. "It was nice to meet you, sir."

Rayleigh just waved at the two of them as they left. "Come back for a visit any time boys."

Ace decided he liked that man, even if he was a friend of his father.

Blackbeard sighed as he looked down at the messy table. Nothing… all the hours of research just to come up empty, what a waste of time. Scandals, deceit, blackmail, this was his sport and the ball was in his court. So why couldn't he seem to put the pieces together? He knew he was missing something, the final piece of the puzzle. He was so close he could feel. He closed the book with a slam casting an annoyed glance to the corner of the room. This would be so much easier if a certain someone would just chip in. If there was one thing Teach hated it was hard work. With another loud sigh, he walked across the room to where the kid's body lay, still and unmoving. He kicked him over with the toe of his boot looking for the gentle rise and fall of his chest. It would be no good if he died now, then what would he use to blackmail Ace with? He doubted the young man had many more exploitable relationships… Speaking of which the elder prisoner had caught himself a fever. He hadn't so much as stirred when they dragged the noisy kid from their cell this morning. He had been meaning to ask the doc to take another look at him but it had slipped his mind. He preferred the pirate alive, at least for now. All he needed now was for the two of them to just stop dying for like five minutes and obey him but apparently, that was asking too much. Especially from Luffy. He rubbed his chin bitterly giving the unconscious teen a vicious kick to the ribs in return for the head-butt this morning.

He never considered himself a particularly vicious man. Unpathetic maybe but not downright evil. But unlike some of his acquaintances, he didn't necessarily find joy in other's pain. It wasn't uninteresting but it failed to light a spark in his eyes. But then again Blackbeard did get bored sometimes. He leaned down to grab the kid's bruised ankle tugging it upwards.

"Oi, get up!"

When he didn't so much as stir Teach narrowed his eyes. Apparently, he had to do everything around here. Dragging Luffy by the ankle he made his way out of the stuffy blood-stained room and down the long corridor.

For the last few weeks, they had been using an abandoned military fortress as a hideout but now it was time to move on. He made a mental note to grab Thatch right after this, he would have Doc take a look at him and Luffy too while he was at it. It would appear that he had seriously messed him up this time. But he was still breathing so that was something.

"Seriously kid," he sighed aggravated. The problem was he was too much like his brother. The more time he spent with the teen the clearer the similarities were. It was in the way they both smiled, denied help when they were hurting and it was in those blood-curling glares when they got angry. Idiots like this, the self-sacrificing good Samaritan type, were no surprise to Teach. He had seen their kind before. They lived brightly and burned out fast. No doubt this was where Luffy was headed. He had expected more from Ace but the way things were going that may have been misguided trust. From time to time he would see a familiar shadow behind his grey eyes. The eyes of a killer so angry and mistreated by the world. But that rare glimmer would quickly be swallowed up by mirth and cheer.

His eyes lazily scanned the grey horizon. The sun would be rising in a few hours. They would be long gone by then. He wasn't exactly thrilled about their ship as it was too small and battered in his opinion. Nothing like the ship that the future pirate king would sail on should look like but for now, he would make due. He could always get Ace to get him a better one later. He smiled at the thought as he continued to drag the teen across the crumbling courtyard.

He dropped Luffy's leg when he felt the slight stir of tired muscles. He once again tried to wake him with a non-too gentle nudge to the ribs. Luffy moaned lightly in response.

"You alive?"

His already spent temper sparked when Luffy didn't respond.

"You're an idiot you know that right?" He couldn't wait to get a crew so he wouldn't have to do grunt work like this himself. Soon, he reassured himself, he would be able to order people to deal with the kid and all his idiotic idealisms. At the very least it would save him a headache and sore knuckles.

He glanced down at the teen, surprised that he had remained silent for so long. To his surprise, Luffy wasn't even looking at him. Instead, his head was turned to the side, his gaze transfixed at the docks a little ways from their make-shift fortress. Or more specifically the ocean beyond that.

"Listen to me brat! I'm giving you some advice here! Smarten up a little would you? Maybe if you were a little more helpful we wouldn't have to rough you up so much."

Luffy turned away from the ocean for a moment to give the man a thoughtful look, rarely seen on his face.

"Shhh,"

"Huh?" Teach sent him a confused look. "What is it?"

"I don't like the sound of your voice," Luffy told him with his usually subtly and tact.

"Always the hard way with you huh?" Teach considered for a moment. He didn't seem to be responding to violence and pain, maybe it was time to try something else. He squatted down closer to Luffy's level, balancing his enormous weight on the balls of his feet.

"You know what kid?"

Luffy didn't respond, his attention was already back on the ocean. He seemed too tired even for his usual lame comebacks.

"Your brother is really worried about you."

Luffy's gaze flickered over to him. "Thatch as well," Teach continued.

"They're actually coming to get you," He turned away in hope Luffy didn't see the wide grin on his face. He could tell he had the teen's full attention now. "I can't comprehend how but they found out about our base…we were thinking about giving you back. I mean after we got some compensation of course. But you know I got to thinking. You really are the worst kind of a brat and I would hate to see you get away so easily, especially without learning your lesson first." He turned back to Luffy a huge smile plastered on his face.

"So I think we are going to keep you instead." His grin grew wider when he saw the teen's eyes grow wide. He once again grabbed his ankle dragging him along roughly towards the dock. Luffy yelled in response trying weakly to kick Teach with his free foot while his bound arms scrambled in the dirt desperate for some kind of handhold.

Teach smiled to himself. He didn't know if Luffy completely believed him or not but the reaction was nice. Why hadn't he tried this sooner?

When they reached the docks he once again dropped his bruised leg in order to roughly lift him up by his shoulders. "We have a long trip and we don't need a brat like you running his mouth so shut up and for once in your life behave."

When Luffy tried to unsuccessfully bite him he dropped him in a wooden cargo crate, thoroughly unimpressed.

"Stay," he ordered, much like one orders a dog around.

Whatever Luffy's response was it was muffled as he slammed the lid shut once more, fastening it in place with a few dozen nails for good measure. He could hear the teenager continuing to shout and kick the sides frantically with his feet. Teach kicked the box over watching in satisfaction as it tumbled a few times. He turned away content, feeling like he had won that exchange. They wouldn't be leaving for a couple of hours, plenty of time for him to get some much-deserved rest. He frowned as he remembered Thatch but quickly brushed the thought aside. He would be fine for tonight…probably.

Content things were going according to plan he headed off. Leaving one of his underlings to deal with the rowdy cargo box. Somewhere at the bottom of the ship would do, where the air was stale and the floor was already flooded. He was curious to see how well Luffy would hold up with no food or water in a very special kind of solitary.

"Stupid brat," he muttered pushing the annoying kid out of his mind. Time to go mess with the older one as well.

Chapter Text

Luffy groaned in frustration as he slumped to the bottom of the crate. He was soaked to the core with seawater and it felt like he couldn't breathe. He could hear the ocean outside knocking against the sides of the boat. A particularly harsh one sent him crashing into the side of the box. They hadn't taken the sea stone cuffs off although it hardly made a difference considering he was practically drowning as it was. He brought his knees to his chest resting his chin on the soaked fabric of his denim jeans. The crate was pitch black except for a few small holes where air and light could stream through. However, he realized with mild panic that the water level had risen to the point that they were now just filtering seawater into the box.

Luffy wanted out of the box, he wanted fresh air and to be dry and warm instead of soaked and freezing. He also wanted to punch Blackbeard in his stupid face and take boshi back. But as hard as he tried he couldn't seem to do it on his own. What he really wanted was for Ace to come save him, make everything okay like he always did whenever Luffy got into trouble. He shook his head. He wasn't a little kid, he couldn't wait for Ace to come save him. Ace probably had his own friends, his own adventure, and his own stuff to do. No! Luffy would get himself out of this one, Thatch too. No matter how miserable things were he learned long ago that the sadness never stayed forever.

He had no clue how long he had been in the box, it felt like a long time though. Judging by how hungry he was it was quite a few days. He couldn't help but wonder if they had forgotten about him. At the very least it meant they weren't picking on him anymore. Contrary to popular belief Luffy did not enjoy pain. Pain hurt him just like anyone else. The rubber skin helped to dull it but he still felt it every time. Now more than ever considering the sea stone cuffs and numerous injuries already cluttering his skin. But he recognized it as a necessary evil. It didn't hurt nearly as much as being alone did. If he was getting a beating then it usually meant someone he cared about wasn't which was reason enough for him. Now wasn't any different. At least when they hurt him it meant they weren't kicking Thatch around like they would when they got bored. Speaking of the man where was he? Luffy hadn't heard anything about him since he was put in this infernal box. In fact, he hadn't heard anything at all since being put in the box. But it was ok, he reminded himself quickly. Although he was alone right now it wasn't like before. He wasn't alone, just lonely…and wet. He would get out somehow. Then maybe he would get to meet Thatches' family as the man promised. According to Thatch, he had many many brothers and sisters. Luffy thought that sounded like a lot of fun, like a hundred Ace's and Sabo's running around. He smiled at the thought as he rested his back against the wooden wall of the crate. He passed most of his ample free time by imagining everything he was going to do when he got out. The first of which, after reclaiming Boshi and beating chess teeth silly, was eat as much food as his stomach would take. Or scratch that he felt like he should probably take Thatch to a hospital first as the man was not doing so hot. Luffy felt worry curl unpleasantly in his stomach as he thought of the older man. His condition started to worsen a few days before they departed the abandoned island. Thatch had begun to share some very personal stuff with Luffy for no apparent reason. Luffy had ignored this at the beginning, brushing it off as part of the man's sentimental personality. However soon the words turned from strange to nonsensical and Luffy realized something was seriously wrong with the man. It was later that Thatch stopped talking altogether and retreated into himself. Luffy tried to get someone's attention so they could send the Doc but Tech couldn't be bothered. The only time they had been paid any attention was when Blackbeard came to collect Luffy for one of his little 'learning experiences'. Teach had then proceeded to ask Luffy about secret family stuff? Whatever that meant. He doubted even Teach knew what he wanted Luffy to tell him. Further blackmail material as he called it. Luffy stubbornly refused to tell him anything, not that he knew anything, to begin with. Apparently, it was his family's policy to leave him out of that kind of secrets. Either way, it had almost been worth it just seeing how worked up Teach got over Luffy's continued refusal to divulged information, or even ask for mercy. Luffy's dislike of the man had grown considerably during his imprisonment. What had started off as a strong mutual dislike soon turned to rage as boshi was taken and Thatch was mistreated. The rage however developed into something much deeper when Teach told him how he was planning to use Luffy to kill his brother. Few things pissed Luffy off as much as being used for someone else's benefit did. But what was he to do about it? Loud voices pulled Luffy from his thoughts.

"Well, how do you expect to pay for supplies when you spent all of our money on sake?" A shaky voice rasped.

Luffy stiffened at the sound. It was the closest he had come to human contact in days.

"Just trade in some of the useless crates." A deep voice bellowed back. Luffy gritted his teeth, it was Teach. Luffy had to cover his mouth to keep from grunting as a foot roughly kicked his container knocking him into the water.

"The flooding is so bad in here the stuff is probably wrecked anyways."

Luffy frowned, what were they talking about? Did they really not remember he was down here? They were probably pretty drunk he reasoned. Considering that's how they spent the majority of their days it wasn't a huge stretch. That would also explain the slurred speech. He heard the Doc mutter a grunted okay as he began sloshing through the water pulling ruined crates of waterlogged food back up the ship's stairs. Luffy bit his tongue as he felt his box being lifted. He heard their heavy boots creak the stairs as they carried him above deck and once more into the sunlight. He hadn't realized how much he had missed fresh air until now. He filled his lungs greedily with a huge smile on his face, the first one in many days. He could hear the busy bustle of port and the chirping of the seagulls overhead. However, he didn't have very long to be happy about it before the crate was literally thrown overboard. Luffy yelped in surprise as the wooden box collided with the weathered wood of the dock. Thankfully his yell was masked by the smashing of wood against wood as both the dock and the box splintered.

He shook his pounding head trying to clear it as he pushed his feet against the cracked side of the shipping crate. He could hear the wood moan and splinter under the pressure as the side began to cave.

"Say, boss?" The Doc questioned lazily.

'just a little more!' Luffy thought, his face red with effort.

"Wasn't the kid in one of those crates?"

Luffy yelled triumphantly as the broken side finally caved under the weight, separating from the rest of the box with a reluctant crack. This did not fail to catch the attention of the two kidnapping pirates who turned their hawk-like attention to him dumbfounded.

Luffy however was unaware of this as he was immediately blinded by the immense sunlight pouring into what used to be pitch black. Knowing he didn't have time to linger with the pain he scrambled to his hands and knees crawling out of the box, tear streaming from his light-sensitive eyes making it hard to see anything besides blurry shapes. Still, he forced his aching body to get up and make a break for it. He could hear the furious yelling behind him as they gave chase.

"You imbecile! How could you forget which box I put him in! After him."

Luffy could hear the Doc and Teach lumbering after him. He was definitely faster than them but his muscles were crying out from misuse. He ducked around the corner only for him to crash into someone. He swallowed a groan as the impact sent him sprawling to the ground with an oddly rattling thud. Although he wouldn't admit it the rough treatment of the last few weeks was taking a toll on him, a tiny spill like that would usually be nothing but now he found himself struggling to rise again. His body was shaking so hard he was having trouble sitting up.

He vaguely heard the man offer him an apology which he ignored.

Instead, he sat up scanning behind him for his captors. Not that it did much good, his still blurry vision could only make out dull shapes.

Suddenly the man was right beside him, loudly trying to get through to him. Luffy looked up at him startled. Not that it mattered, he was just a dark blob, although he did sound concerned. The blob said something else, asking if he needed a doctor to which Luffy opened his mouth to decline when a loud shout cut him off.

"GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE."

'Oh right, them." Luffy thought as he pushed himself to his feet, forcing his trembling leg to carry him away from his captors. He tore his way through the harbor trying to avoid further collisions. He heard a crash behind him but he refused to look back. This was his chance! He had a shot to help Thatch and his brother but he didn't stand a chance without food…not to mention the sea stone cuffs. 'Don't worry Thatch! I'm coming.' Just after a snack and when he felt a little less lightheaded.

Luffy refused to stop running even after he meandered his way out of the crowded area and worked his way to the deserted outskirts of town. The angry cries of Teach and Doc Q had faded out long ago but he knew they would continue to search the town for him.

He frowned at the thought as he came to a reluctant stop, his legs shaking so badly they threatened to cave under him. Apparently, if you spend a few days in freezing water without food in a tiny cargo box your legs don't work so well afterward. You really do learn new things every day.

He scanned the area thinking with a heavy heart that there was no sign of food. He may have run too far. His stomach growled loudly in protest. He would have to risk going back if he wanted to eat. He turned back down the alleyway only to trip on his own fatigue. He fell ungracefully onto his stomach feeling very sleepy. Apparently, food could wait until after a nap. The last thing he registered was the rumbling of thunder far in the distance.

He didn't even notice as it began to rain, slowly at first and then intensely as he was once again soaked to the bone. Lighting crackled overhead but he managed to sleep through it, still as the dead. He didn't wake up even at the rousing of the concerned bystander who was growing quite worried.

It was well into the evening when Luffy finally awoke. He dimly realized that he was finally out of the cold, in an abandoned warehouse by the looks of it. But at least he was no longer shivering. He sat up curiously and looked down at his chest. His shirt had been removed and all his wounds tightly bandaged. His shorts were still wet but they too were slowly drying. Someone had put their coat around him, it was a little big but it was keeping him warm. Unfortunately, his hands were still tied together with the cuffs. He felt the pockets weighed down by something and reached in, surprised to find an array of items. The first was a note hastily scrawled in fancy handwriting.

'Don't go anywhere that man is still after you. I have to go do something real quick but stay here and I will be back to help you.'

-S

Luffy frowned as he put the note down and fished around more in the pockets. He also found some food, which he quickly polished off, and some pain pills which he ignored. He shrugged off the coat and located his still-damp shirt, which by this point was so damaged it was barely a shirt anymore as whoever helped him had cut it off to get to his injuries so he decided not to bother with it. He wanted to go back to sleep, just for a little bit as his head was pounding so much he couldn't think straight. But he didn't have time to be sleeping, not when Thatch needed him. If he was going to do this he needed to be smart about it. He couldn't do this his way. Even at his best, he couldn't take these guys down. He had already repeatedly tried and failed. Despite the fact he was itching for a rematch he couldn't do that to Thatch. So he would have to think like someone else.

Luffy slipped out of the abandoned building and back onto the street. The sun had set a while ago creating an optimal sneaking around atmosphere. Luffy glanced both ways confused where he had ended up, was the port that way or back up the road? Was he even in the same town?

What would Ace do? Ace wouldn't have gotten caught in the first place. Luffy thought annoyed. But he would go right back and save Thatch, letting him escape while he battled Teach. Right! Luffy started down the road, hopefully towards the ocean. But wait? He wasn't strong like Ace yet, if he tried that he would probably lose again. He pouted as he came to a stop. Ace didn't believe in running away, he thought it was a sign of weakness but it seemed like Luffy's best bet so maybe he should think of something else. What would Sabo do? He was always the smartest. He did run away sometimes but only when it was smarter to do so than to stay and fight. But Luffy couldn't run away, not when those bastards had Thatch. So he had to think like Sabo. What he needed was help. Except experience had taught him that there were few people in the world who would help him and he had no clue where any of them were. So it looked like he was on his own. Sabo would probably do something like wait for them to fall asleep and break Thatch out. Luffy thought for a moment. Yea… that would do it.

He started running back down the open road hopefully heading straight for the sea, ready to go rescue Thatch. Completely oblivious to the added weight to his forehead.

Sabo frowned as he read over the mission instructions. Honestly, he couldn't read Hack's handwriting. Did this say save the duke or slay the duke? Who was the idiot that put him in charge of writing the assignment dossier? Considering the chief of staff was responsible for doling out jobs then he was that idiot. But then again Koala didn't immediately correct him and redo it herself so he figured this was partially her fault. He ought to save the duke just in case, that way he could slay him later.

He was so intent in deciphering Hack's handwriting he didn't look where he was going, not until he ran smack into someone. He yelped in surprise as the impact sent him sprawling to the ground. Rubbing his back in annoyance he dusted himself off offering a polite apology. To his surprise, the person he had bumped into hardly seemed to register him. He was just a kid. A kid who was having a rougher day than Sabo by the looks of it. For starters, he was very thin and he was soaking wet and shaking like a leaf.

"Hey, kid are you okay."

The teen looked up at him, startled. His face, like the rest of him, was bruised and bloody. His lip was split and bleeding sluggishly as well as a huge gash above his eye. Not to mention the handcuffs around his wrists.

In an instant, Sabo felt flooded by an inordinate amount of rage. The likes of which he couldn't remember feeling before. But just as quickly as it came it was gone.

"Do you need a doctor?"

The teen opened his mouth to respond but before he could there was an angry yell behind him.

"GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!"

Sabo looked back surprised to see a burly man racing full speed down the street towards them. Startled the teenager tried to pull himself to his feet only for his wobbly arms to collapse under him. Sabo grabbed his arm and hauled him to his feet, standing in front of the kid and the approaching man. A gesture the teenager apparently did not recognize as protective as he took off down the crowded street. Sabo watched him go startled.

"Don't just stand there!" The man cried angrily as he lumbered by them, grab him."

None of the passersby paid any attention to the request. In fact, they went out of their way to purposely ignore the suffering boy and his attacker. 'You can always count on civilians to do the right thing,' Sabo thought sarcastically as he crossed his arms, purposely stepping in front of the burly man blocking his path.

"You have a problem punk?"

"No," Sabo admitted honestly, stalling as he shifted his weight.

"Then get out of my way!" The man moved to step around Sabo only to be once again blocked.

"Last warning before things get ugly." He said pulling his pistol out from his belt.

"Fine," Sabo said stepping aside. He didn't want to draw any attention to himself by starting a street brawl right before a covert mission. He was a professional after all. The kid was out of sight, which should have been enough of a head start for him to get away. Still, as the man brushed passed Sabo couldn't help but trip him. He watched as the man adamantly cussed him out, promising a slow death should they meet later. He watched him disappear down the street after the kid before slowly collecting his scattered possessions and walking back down the street. He did all he could it was time to get back to the mission. 'The kid would be fine,' he told himself once again before stowing the map back in his pocket.

"Screw it!" He cried in annoyance as he took out his pipe once again changing directions and began running after the two of them. 'screw it screw it SCREW IT!"

He had to give it to the kid, he sure could run. It took Sabo longer than he anticipated to finally catch up. The teenager was more hurt than Sabo realized. He had managed to allude the big scary man but for how long was anyone's guess. He had found him passed out in an alleyway. By this time the rain had picked up a lot completely soaking Sabo as well as the kid. Although there was an impressive lightning show overhead.

"Come on kid," Sabo said as he knelt down trying to wake him up. "That man can find you out here."

His only response was a groan of annoyance as Sabo once again tried to wake him.

"Well, I'm not just leaving you here. Come on let's try to find someplace safer, then you can sleep." The teen didn't respond so Sabo pulled off his coat pulling it around the shivering boy as he grabbed his arm pulling it around his shoulder.

"Ta-daah!" Marco said unenthusiastically showing Ace their two new recruits, a fat man with an equally fat nose named Vasco Shot and a horsed-faced sharpshooter who went by Van Augur. The two of them looked Ace up and down seemingly unimpressed.

"Is this that Teach guy? He doesn't look so scary to me."

Ace ignore them In order to address Marco, "them plus that wolf giant you found last week makes three then?"

Marco nodded as the two of them internally groaned. Their two weeks were more the half gone and they still needed more than four people. Plus even if they found seven people they were no closer to saving Luffy and Thatch.

"Ace, I know you don't want the others to get involved but we need help. We might need to ask Oyaji."

"If he finds out I had help…" Ace trialed off not needed to say the implied threat.

"But if we fail to find four more people he will definitely take it out on them." Marco reminded him.

Ace nodded running his hand through his hair stressed. This was not his idea of a fun time. Not to mention everything he did led him closer to his inevitable death and possibly Luffy's as well if Teach found out his final secret. Which would mean breaking both his promises to his brothers and being a total failure in both life and death all the while simultaneously hurting the Whitebeard pirates and failing to save Thatch. Best big brother ever!

"What do you have in mind?"

"Well, hopefully, Pops will have some better contacts. Don't worry."

Ace threw his friend as big of a smile as he could manage, which was weaker than his typical trademark grin. Still, he couldn't help but feel a warm surge of gratitude towards his friends. 'Wish you could see this Lu,' he thought with a smirk. He had a feeling his brother would fit in rather well with his friends.

Chapter Text

"Find that damn kid or you will regret it."

Teach's voice seemed to carry across the ship and permeate into every crevice. Which made Luffy both angry and a little worried at the same time. He couldn't be found out so soon. Not until he found Thatch. By some miracle, he had found the ship once more and boarded while everyone was out searching the streets for him. Apparently, they did not expect him to come back here, who was the dumb one now? Unfortunately, while he was partway through searching below deck they had returned, angry, disgruntled, and ready to start a fight. Luffy had no choice but to duck into the nearest room. Which was Teach's office. Luckily enough that was where the prison keys were kept. Unfortunately, the sea stone keys weren't with them.

As footsteps approached Luffy crouched down near the desk, resting his chin on his knees as he watched the shadows move under the closed door. Furious voices drifted through thin wood to reach his ears.

"He mustn't get far! We can't let him get away."

To his vast relief, the footsteps didn't stop and instead continued past the door and down the hallway.

Luffy let out a breath of air he hadn't realized that he was holding as he pushed himself back onto his hands and knees, continuing his crawl towards the door. He had no way of telling where they were on the ship if they even were on the ship but it would have to be okay.

Luffy was halfway to the door when a familiar ringing sound caught his attention.

'Peda peda peda peda.'

"Boss, did you hear something?" A faraway voice asked.

Luffy froze, glancing back at chess teeth's desk.

'Peda peda peda peda peda.'

Without waiting any longer he stood up making a dash for the snail that rested innocently on the corner of the desk, snatching it up just as he heard heavy footsteps approaching the cabin. Ducking back under the desk he answered the snail if nothing else but to quiet its calling.

"Was that your den den boss?" A voice just outside the door asked.

"I could have sworn it was." The voice replied to a question too far away for Luffy to hear.

"You're hearing things you dumb baffoon." Luffy heard Teach's response that time.

He waited once more as the footsteps slowly began to recede, hopefully for good this time.

"SPEAK! I have little time for your games today." Boomed a deep voice.

Luffy jumped in surprise nearly dropping to den den. He had forgotten someone was on the other line. He felt annoyance well up in his chest at them for inconsiderately trying to get him caught.

"SHHHHHH!" He hissed back way louder than he intended.

There was a few moments pause before the person on the other line came back angrier than before.

"HOW DARE YOU SHUSH ME, YOU CALLED ME YOU BRAT!"

"You were being too loud!" He insisted firmly, defending his initial stance of annoyance. All thoughts of stealth were forgotten.

Instead of a fiery retort like he had been expecting, he instead got a pause. When the man spoke again his voice was much quieter and more patient.

"You're not Marshal I take it?"

"You mean Chess teeth?" Luffy asked wondering how a man that evil could have a name like Marshal.

He heard a series of gruff noises that could only be laughter. He had managed to amuse the man on the other end. What he had said was any bodies guess though. Still, Luffy decided he was forgiven for nearly ruining his hiding spot.

"So not one of his lackeys then?"

"Huh? What kind of idiot would do that?" He asked honestly earning himself another laugh from the man, although he still didn't think he said anything particularly funny.

"So what's your name then? What are you doing with Teach's communicator?"

Luffy was about to respond when he heard the sound of an argument somewhere above deck. He should probably be paying more attention to when Teach would return to his office. He scanned the room looking for something to use as a weapon to surprise the man should he come knocking again.

"Are you still there?"

Luffy's dark eyes saw something he had missed before, a mirror. Except this one was the cabinet type that you could open. The mayor used to have one in his office. Luffy liked to go through it when he wasn't looking.

"Hey, are you still with me?"

"Hmm?" Luffy questioned bringing the forgotten Den Den back up to his face.

"Tell me what's going on?" The man on the other line said, his voice much kinder than when he first answered the call.

Luffy had once been told he had a habit of oversharing on Den Dens but personally he didn't see it.

"I'm looking for a key." He said opening the mirror.

"Why do you have Marshals Den Den Mushi?"

"Because it was ringing and I needed it to be quiet," Luffy told him absentmindedly, rummaging through the cabinet. As far as he could tell it was full of medicine just like the mayors had been. But maybe this was a good thing. There was still no key but wasn't Thatch sick? And didn't medicine make people feel better? Luffy could give the medicine to Thatch so he would feel better and then they could run away together…once he found his key.

There was silence from the other end of the line followed by an audible sigh. Past experience had taught Luffy that meant he was irritating someone, historically through a combination of misread social cues and his own unique blend of personality.' Luffy thought his frustration was unfounded, he had called him after all.

"I got that," The man's voice was fighting to stay patient. "Why do you need to be quiet?"

"Cause I'm hiding from him." Luffy mused reading a label on one of the bottles. Were these even real words? Oxy-co-done? What was that, like a pill form of meat or something? Maybe this dude would know, not like he had been that helpful up till now.

"Hey, you sound old," Luffy told him. Old people tended to know more things after all. "What's Oxycodone?"

"It's a painkiller." The irritation was gone, replaced now by worry. "Are you alright, are you hurt?"

Luffy glanced down at himself. He had been bandaged up pretty well and whatever he had been given seemed to do the trick as he was feeling better. The food had certainly helped as well. But his legs still trembled with every step and moving his chest too much made black spots invade his vision and make his head all light dizzy.

"M'fine." He decided. He had had worse. "But my friend is sick, he needs medicine. What should I give him?"

"What's he sick with?"

"I don't know he's just started crazy talking. And he's really hot."

"Infection." The man told him. "That's given way to a nasty fever. Erythromycin and Paracetamol are your best bets if you've got them."

Luffy pursed his lip wondering if the man helped him or sneezed. Maybe he was messing with him. Usually, he loved a good pranking but right now wasn't the time. He was about to hang up on the no-good hooligan when a blue bottle caught his eye.

"Ery-throw-my-seen?" He sounded out carefully. Surely that wasn't a word. He tucked the bottle in his pocket with the oxycodone.

"Are you in trouble? Do you need help? Is he threatening you too?"

Luffy was only half listening as he looked for the last bottle. He wished there was food in here.

"What's your name kid?"

"Luffy," Luffy told him putting the snail on his shoulder so he could have both of his hands-free.

There was a long pause from the other end, so much so Luffy thought he had hung up. He was about to count his losses when the snail snapped back to life, more urgently this time.

"Luffy listen to me you have to get out of there right now. Even if you have to swim for it. You cannot stay there with that man."

He rolled his eyes as he shut the medicine cabinet, convinced that they didn't have the one that started with P. As far as he could tell pills were supposed to fix you, so the more you had to more fixed you became right? Maybe he should grab all of them and see what happened?

"I told you, I can't leave my friend."

"You can't fight him." His voice was commanding and intense. Even over the Den Den Luffy could feel the authoritative aura that seemed to radiate from his voice.

"Leave now child, there is nothing you can do for your friend."

A lesser man would have cowered, a lesser man would have caved. But there was nothing 'lesser' about Luffy and if there was one thing he hated it was people who told him to abandon his friends.

"NO!" He stamped his foot, somewhat childishly. But he couldn't bring himself to care right now. This man needed to know that friends can't abandon each other.

"Put aside your foolish thoughts boy. The best thing you can do for you friend right now is escape. You stand no chance against Teach. When he finds you he will not spare you simply because you are a child. He will torture you, he will torture your friend and he will use you to hurt your loved ones."

"I know that!" Luffy snapped. He wanted to leave so badly. He wanted to take a long nap, he wanted real food, he wanted to be dry, he wanted to be out of the crate, the dark, and the cold. The thought of having to go back to that hellish box made him shutter. How could that stupid man sit there in, what were most likely, dry clothes and lecture him about consequences.

And then there was Ace. Black Beard had told him straight out that he was only here so he could get Ace to obey him. And then once they were done with him he would either join them or Teach would kill him. Luffy hate hate HATED the thought that he was being used to hurt Ace. That he could lose his big brother. The only one he had left… But as much as he despised it the facts were simple. Luffy never, and I mean never, abandoned his friends to save himself. Not now and not ever. People who did stuff like that were the ones he hated most of all.

"You," He said, mimicking the man's absolute tone to the best of his ability, "Cannot tell me what to do. I am going to go help Thatch, then we both will escape or we both will get caught trying."

No response to that one huh? Satisfied he had won the argument Luffy put the Den Den back in its original spot. He was about to hang up when the man responded once more.

"Wait," His voice had lost all of its authoritative quality and now he just sounded tired and very old.

Luffy really didn't have time for this crap, still he would feel bad about hanging up on someone when they sounded like that. That would be rude as Makino said.

"Is he alright…"

"Nope, I think he's dying." Tact was not one of Luffy's strong suits.

"…"

"That's why I'm giving him medicine."

"I see." A few awkward beats passed between them and Luffy was starting to get impatient. He didn't have much time and he still needed to find the key to the sea stone cuffs or else apparently he would be stuck like this forever.

"Tell me, son. Do you have any clue of where you are?"

"Yea we're in some town called Jaya, it's in the Grandline."

"How do you know this?" The man asked surprised.

"I saw it on a sign."

"You got to shore?"

"Umm," Luffy confirmed. "Really far. It took me forever to find the ship again."

Another awkward pause passed and Luffy half expected to receive another lecture. But instead, he got a quiet laugh.

"I understand. We are still far away but we are on our way as fast as we can."

Wait what? "You're coming here? Why?"

"I forgot to tell you," The voice boomed. "My name is Edward Newgate, but my children just call me Oyaji I am Thatch's captain. It is nice to meet you Luffy…"

"Monkey D. Luffy." Luffy supplied him with a grin. "Thatch told me about you guys."

"D huh? That figures…" Whitebeard mused to himself. Marshal and Luffy were probably tearing each other apart.

"Go swiftly Monkey D. Luffy, and you have my thanks for helping my son."

"Don't worry about it." And he knew he meant it.

And just like that Luffy was gone, no doubt determined to carry out his impossible task without a moment of hesitation or fear.

He rose from his desk to go give the order for departure to his children.

"They really are brothers." He thought aloud. They were two of a kind.

Little did he know.

It was night outside. He could tell that much. He could see the stars in the sky and feel the humid summer air brush against his face. The sound of the nighttime cicadas drifted through the trees creating a soft rhythm. He was still half asleep. He vaguely registered two bodies on either side of him. He groaned, it was too hot for this extra insulation. He pushed a stray arm off of his chest and rolled over onto his side where the mat beneath him was cooler.

His peace was disturbed a few moments later when a foot smacked him in the face. Oddly enough he was used to it. He yawned, kicking back in the general direction for good measures and receiving a sleepy mumble of 'sorry'. And all was right with the world.

"Sabo," A lighter voice asked.

"Mhm," He mumbled back sleepily.

"S'rry about your goggles."

Sabo nuzzled his face into the mat beneath him.

"Z'okay." He told the mattress. He would rather go back to sleep. They were just goggles he had fished out of the trash after all. He was as sentimental about them as one could get about someone's throwaways. Besides, it was nothing he couldn't fix.

"Kay."

And they lapsed back into silence once more.

Sabo woke up with a yawn, stretching his tired limbs. Weird dream he thought as he stood up.

The Duke was successfully slain. Mr. Duke turned out to be so incredibly annoying and stuck up there was no way anyone would actually write 'save' before his name. So he had made an executive decision. One that greatly improved his headache. If he got in trouble he would blame it on Hack's handwriting.

He had hurried back as fast as he could but as it turned out it didn't make the difference. The kid was gone. Apparently, the kind of trouble that boy was in was of the 'disappear in the night variety.' There was nothing he could do, it was out of his hands. So why did he feel like this then?

He grabbed his hat from beside him as he left the warehouse. He was meant to check in yesterday but things had gotten in the way. No use doing it now, he would receive the lecture from Koala either way. It was time to head back to base and take his lumps from her in person. Maybe then he could finally get some sleep aside from the hour catnaps he managed to grab here and there. Koala called him a workaholic. That was probably a fair observation.

His boots clicked across the floor, taking him back to the outskirts. He had summoned the ravens a few hours ago so they must be close by now.

'You're making a mistake.' His mind chided him.

"It's out of my hands." Sabo reminded himself and that annoying part of his brain called the conscience. The kid truly was gone. Sabo would know he had looked after all. It was anyone's guess why he was so invested in this.

Although he did feel a twinge of remorse as he remembered the kid's face, He was hurt, he was scared and now he was alone again. He felt the same spark of rage as before but he pushed it down. What the hell was he doing?

"Let it go Sabo." He told himself sternly. When he got back to base, IF his conscience was still bugging him then he would take a look at some bounty posters and try to match the ugly mug with an equally ugly name. But that was a long shot.

He looked up to see the familiar dark shadows circling above him. The ravens were here. He reached up instinctually for his goggles only to remember halfway through the gesture. Oh that was right, he had given them away.

He climbed on the leader's back, sitting crossed-legged as the flock took flight. Soaring above the forest which gave way to the town and eventually the sea. The fresh air stung his eyes making him remember their one good use.

'Maybe it wasn't a dream after all.'

He had always wondered how the strap had broken, and then subsequently been sewed back together. 'One mystery solved,' he thought sarcastically.

So was that like… a real memory? That was new. Maybe he would get them all back one day.

Sabo had never made an effort to recover them. As far as he could tell there was nothing worth salvaging. Dragon told him he had been a miserable noble child who had tried to run away. And was unfortunate enough to run into a tenryuubito and his fancy golden gun.

Overall it didn't sound like anything very memorable there. Probably just a lot of boring political lessons and the mastery of skills no one would possibly ever need. Like the mastering of the mandolin, which had come as an unwelcome surprise a few years back. Not to mention the faint scars on his back. Sounded like noble parenting at its finest.

He shook his head. What did it matter to him now? Just like those goggles he had fished out of the trash and kept all these years? Just sentimental B.S. that he thought was beneath him. Although if he was being honest he rather liked the way the broken strap made the lenses wobble. It was very…flawed.

Chapter Text

Sabo flipped aimlessly through the pile of papers bored out of his mind. Koala had been angry with him for missing his check-in and making her worry but today he brushed it off in favor of heading straight to the library to search through stacks of paper. To his extreme annoyance that nagging voice at the back of his mind hadn't gone away if anything, it was stronger. Telling him he had betrayed that kid. He shook his head, tired of this.

"That's it!" he decided. "I'm calling it."

"I'm really leaving!" he told the empty library.

He slammed the book beside him shut-in was this an issue? The kid probably just ran away right? He was safe at home while Sabo freaked out. So that's it right! Just leave it there.

Except no. What if he had been jumped while escaping. What if he never even managed to escape in the first place and they found him when he was knocked out. He had been in really bad shape, what if his injuries had done him in first? What if he hit his head and fell into the ocean.

Sabo banged his own head against the table. Since when was he an overbearing mother hen? He was supposed to be a badass, an eighteen-year-old wonder kid in terms of tactical skill and fighting power.

' but I never even got to say goodbye.' The small thought popped inexplicably into his head.

So? He reasoned. Not like he even knew the kid's name. Still, he opened the book once more with an angry grumble. The universe had called his bluff.

Stupid Duke. He thought for the millionth time.

He was halfway through his fifth archive book, each of which had over a thousand pages comprised of all the recorded wanted posters the military had released dating back over fifty years. Needless to say, he was bored out of his mind and he still had nearly twenty books to go.

"Is this another one of your obsessive fits?" A new voice spoke up, shattering his concentration.

"I don't have obsessed fits," he shot back not bothering to look up. He knew who it was.

Koala rolled her eyes as she made her way across the room to perch on the edge of the table. "Right," She said unconvinced, "That's why 'you've been here for nearly twelve hours."

"Really?" Sabo asked tilting his head up. He hadn't realized it had been that long.

Koala sighed as she put the stack of papers in her arms down in order to reach into her pocket. "Girls don't like obsessed guys Sabo." She told him sternly. "How will you find a girlfriend if you spend all of your time locked away in the library?

Now it was his turn to roll his eyes as he rested his cheek on the book. Being a year older than him Koala had taken it upon herself to try and mother hen him on occasion. Lately, she had decided, with all her maternal wisdom, that Sabo's lack of a girlfriend reflected poorly on her parenting skills so she gave him incessant pointers whenever she could.

"Guys don't like girls who micromanage." Sabo shot back.

He knew he was literally the only person who could get away with saying something like that to her. Anyone else would get a mouthful of her fist. There were some benefits of being best friends after all.

"So I guess you don't want this sandwich I grabbed for you then? You did miss like two meals."

Sabo shot up, suddenly very interested. He had completely forgotten how hungry he was. "I take that back," He said as she handed him the neatly wrapped handkerchief. "Any guy would be lucky to have you." So long as they didn't anger her, but he kept that part to himself.

She just smiled, "You're always nice to me when I bring you food." She pointed out.

"Which you do often which is why you're so great." He said between mouthfuls.

"Well, unfortunately, that's not just a friendship sandwich."

"What do you want?" He asked distractedly. She had learned long ago that if she fed him he would do almost anything for her in return. This is why all her acts of food came with strings attached.

"Can you sort these?" She gestured to the stack.

"What are they?" Sabo asked finishing off the last of his sandwich.

"Just some updated bounty posters."

"Sure," Sabo said rubbing his tired eyes. Even without the food offering, he had a hard time saying no to her.

He rummaged through the stack absentmindedly. There was a lot here, it would probably take him all night….Wait for what?

Sabo slammed the papers down and shot up startling Koala.

"What is it?" She cried alarmed as he read and re-read one of the bounty posters. He ignored her for the moment too surprised to respond.

Marshal D. Teach with a new bounty of 85 million Berries.

"Who is he!" He demanded turning to face Koala's surprised face.

"Sabo, what's wrong?"

"Who is HE!" Sabo repeated pushing the picture closer to her face.

"I don't know! Some Whitebeard lackey, calm down Sabo."

At the name, Whitebeard Sabo felt his heart drop painfully out of his chest. That boy was involved with the Whitebeards. He was in more trouble than Sabo had imagined. What on earth would such a notorious pirate group want with a nameless teenager? A kidnapping perhaps for ransom? That was most likely. Even if the kid had escaped he could evade them for only so long. A group like that had a reach as far as the entire ocean. Whatever they wanted eventually they got.

Although they had a reputation of being merciful they would resort to darker things if the need called for it. Sabo was not foolish enough to think that they would go easy on the boy just because of his age.

"Tell me everything you know about him!" Sabo said as calmly as he could.

"Not much," Koala said looking worried but she kept it to herself. He's not one of the higher-ups though, just a low-level crew member."

There was a possibility he was acting on orders then. He had mentioned something about being in trouble if that boy escaped. In trouble with Whitebeard? Sabo hoped not. That was a fight he knew he could not win. Better start a few notches lower on the chain of command.

His bounty said he was currently in the second division, which made Sabo groan. Of course, it had to be the second and not something a little lower. Still, thankfully enough it wasn't the first.

"Who's the second division commander?"

Koala bit her lip as she thought, "I think it would be Fire Fist Ace."

"Who?"

"He's a relatively new pirate but he already has a large bounty. Rumor has it he was offered a warlord status but he turned it down, the first person ever to do that."

Sabo had heard about that. And the name did sound familiar. He had heard about him briefly in passing. He held the Mera-Mera fruit and controlled flames. He was also one of the youngest Whitebeard members ever.

"Alright!" Sabo said, grabbing his hat from the table and putting his gloves back on. He had a starting place.

"Where are you going?" Koala cried in alarm.

"There's something I need to do," Sabo said as he set off across the library determined. He didn't have any more time to waste. The boy could be dead by now for all he knew.

"Wait up idiot!" Koala had to run to catch up to him. "Please tell me what going on."

"There's just something I need to look into," Sabo said vaguely as he set off down the hall. He didn't really want Koala getting involved in this, especially considering it involved the Whitebeards. In fact, he couldn't let anyone get caught up in this, lest his actions are considered a declaration of war from the revolutionaries. That was the last thing they needed right now. No, if he was going to do this then he was going to have to be a free agent. He worked better alone after all.

"Am I supposed to be content with just that?" She asked annoyed, struggling to keep up with his fast pace.

"If I mess this up it could cause a war," Sabo told her truthfully. "Trust me the further you are from this the better." He flung open his bedroom door hastily searching for his combat clothes. He didn't even bother calling out a warning as he unbuttoned his shirt, the squeak from Koala told him she was less than amused as she ducked out of his room, leaning against the wall outside until he was done.

"So you're not even going to tell Dragon!"

"Nope." He said pulling his heavy boots on.

"You're just going to vanish.'

"I'll be back." He told her abstractly, it was hard to focus on anything with the blood pounding in his ears, hopefully with the kid, alive and safe.

He pulled on his coat tearing off the revolutionary armband. Lastly, he searched around for his hat, dismayed to find it missing. He turned to the door to see Koala standing in the doorframe clutching the old thing tightly, blocking his exit.

"Slow the hell down!" She said clearly annoyed now. "Tell me what's going on and we can talk about this rationally, like adults. I'm sick of you taking on everything yourself and rushing off.

Sabo appreciated where she was coming from, he also understood he didn't have time for this. His nerves were shot as it was.

"I'll explain the entire thing to Dragon when I get back." He would understand… probably. Either way, it didn't matter right now.

"Look it's… a personal thing." The words felt foreign on his tongue.

"Since when do you have a personal life?" Koala asked.

"I'm not sure." He admitted his hand tightening on his pipe. "Hopefully I'll find out."

Because deep down, it felt like he knew that kid from another life. His other life. Before the revolutionaries, before waking up in Dragons medical ward.

"So it's worth risking your job?"

"Yes!" Sabo said with such resolution Koala sighed, leaning back against the door frame.

Sabo approached wearily, unsure if she was going to hit him or not. Instead, she grabbed his collar pulling him down to her level so she could put his hat on top of his head.

"I'll try to cover for you. Just be careful idiot."

"You really are the best." He said giving her a smile.

"You say that now but if you don't check in with me I will tell on you!"

"Thanks, mom," Sabo said with a smirk as he slid past her into the hallway.

"You better come back!" She threatened.

"Sure." He called back to her as he slipped down the darkened hallways.

"What's up?" Marco asked automatically as soon as he picked up the Den-Den Mushi.

"I'm afraid it's not good."

"When is it ever?" His son sighed.

"I talked to…Luffy was it?"

"Wait!" Marco was suddenly very interested. "Where? When? Did you get him back?

"Hardly," Whitebeard sighed. "He intercepted a call I made to Marshal."

"How is he? Alive I hope."

"I'm not sure for how much longer," Whitebeard said wearily.

"What do you mean by that?" He was suddenly very alert.

"Is Ace with you?"

"No?" He's watching the new recruitees. What's up?"

"I'm not sure if I want Ace knowing this but Luffy escaped."

"What!" Marco breathed, "Why shouldn't we tell Ace? This is great." He hated the way his friend was being controlled by that black-hearted man.

"It's not that simple. He did escape but he came back. As of now Teach does not know of his whereabouts but…" He didn't need to say that it could change at any moment.

Marco was silent for a minute before finally managing to spit out "Why the hell would he do that?"

"For Thatch."

…"Oh." Marco said softly.

"Do you know how he's doing?"

"Not good. His wound is infected and he is delirious. Luffy's bringing him some medication. He will do what he can for him but…" He didn't need to finish.

Marco sent a silent prayer to the boy, who he was liking more and more by the minute. He felt a stab of guilt at how willing he was to sell out a kid if it was to save his brother. No doubt this was the inner turmoil Oyaji was currently working through. Luffy wasn't going to leave Thatch even if it would save his own life. The odds of him being able to sneak out with Thatch were so small it wasn't even worth contemplating. But yet the idiot was still going to try. Marco only knew one other person who was that selfless and brave. That was definitely an Ace move right there.

"I don't want to think about what he is going to do to Luffy when he finds out."

Marco silently agreed. "It's probably best not to tell Ace." He agreed. The last thing the boy needed was more stress.

"One good thing came out of it though."

"Oh?" Marco asked desperate for some good news.

"Luffy told me where they were. It's still quite a ways, we won't be able to get there anytime soon." And there was no guarantee the two would last long enough for that. Not to mention before they could get close Teach might be already gone. Still though.

"It's something," Marco said as Oyaji hummed in agreement.

Ace's glare was like molten fire and it pierced into Burgess like a knife.

"You're early" He snapped. The meet-up wasn't until tomorrow.

"Yet you still have all of them." The man said surveying the rag-tag group who stood a few meters away glaring at the two of them. "Tell me how did you manage that?"

Ace's gaze flickered to the floor making the older man sneer. "With help of course. Am I right?"

Ace's glare was back as he fixed the man with an intimidating look. "

"Did you really think we wouldn't notice? Oh, Ace I thought you were smarter than that."

"Go to hell."

"Hold that thought. The boss wants to talk to you." He said reaching into his pocket for a Den-Den.

Ace stared offended by the thing as he finally picked it up, making a dissatisfied face.

"Ace," The man's sickening voice greeted. "Good job gathering my new crew. But I do believe I asked for you to do this alone. Honestly, I'm a little surprised, I didn't peg you for the type who goes crawling to others with your problems. I expected more from you."

"Spare me the lecture vermin." Ace snapped his frayed nerves fueling his temper. "He followed me and why would I listen to a traitor like you?"

"There's the Fire Fist I know, let's see how long you can keep up that fire before we burn you out." The snail grinned sadistically. "I can't let you off the hook for this, you have to pay."

"I have nothing." Ace shot out. Teach had already taken the only thing Ace had left.

"Nots not what I mean. I want you to do something else for me."

"What?"

"Kill Marco."

Ace's blood runs cold as he froze…"What?" He managed to croak out.

"You heard me, kill the Phoenix."

"Never!" Ace shot back automatically.

"Oh Ace," The voice was chock-full of fake pity. "Do you really think I was asking? Let me put it this way, kill Marco or you've outlived your usefulness and I'll kill Luffy.

"NO!" Ace said instinctively finding his voice. "You leave him the fuck alone."

"Then you know what you have to do." Teach's voice was cool and calculated. It sent a shiver down Ace's spine.

"I could never do that to him." Ace shot back. He was his friend, something Ace was still getting used to. Any reservations Ace carried about Marco had all but vanished when he saw the way Marco had torn after him, with the sole purpose of helping him. He had even convinced himself that after all of this craziness was over and Lu was back safe with him, that he would try to open up a bit more to the man. That was on the slim chance he survived. But now the odds of that had gone from slim to none. There would be no character development, no bond to develop, nothing but a lot of death and regret.

"Then your brothers are dead. And I'll promise you this kid it won't be quick. We'll make him regret ever meeting you. By the time we're done with him, he'll be asking us to end it."

Ace brought his hands frantically up to his head fighting the urge to cover his ears. "Stop it!"

The Den Den's grin only grew at Ace's distress. "But we will simply explain to him that his big brother chose a stranger over him. He should understand, kids are awfully good at adjusting to difficult situations.

Ace's hands clenched into fists at his side. Just when he thought things couldn't possibly get worse for him.

"Please don't make me do this."

"We're not making you do anything," Burgess barked out. "Hence the choice."

"Then you can't possibly make me choose." Ace grit out.

"Oh, Ace." The man's voice tutted in fake disdain. "Is there really a choice?"

"I hate you so damn much." Ace hissed. If he ever got his hands on the man again he was fucking dead.

"Is that a yes then?"

"Go to hell."

"Say it Ace, or we'll send Luffy back to you in pieces."

Ace squeezed his eyes shut. "Fine," He hissed out through clenched teeth. "Just leave Luffy alone."

"Great," The man said tonelessly. "You have forty-eight hours."

"Wait! what?" Ace said frantically his head pounding. That wasn't enough time, physically or mentally.

"And none of this faking his death shit. You are going to do it in front of Burgess then you are going to leave the rest to us. We have something special planned for the Whitebeards.

Ace felt his stomach turn violently. Was Teach always this depraved? How had he not noticed before? The thought of doing anything of the sort to the old man, who had only ever shown kindness to Ace made him want to cry.

"Once you do that you are to return to base with Burgess immediately."

Ace wanted to question the strange orders but something was more urgent. He looked up sharply. "Will you let me see Luffy then?"

"We'll see." The voice said harshly, apparently irritated now. The Den Den clicked off leaving Ace and the insensitive brute alone. At least he didn't have to hear Teach's sickening voice anymore.

Burgess turned to grin down at him. "So Portages, or should I say Gol, how's this going down?"

"Shut up you stupid ogre." Ace muttered as he turned away, hoping the man would take the hint and leave him the hell alone for now."

As soon as Teach hung up the phone his grin dropped from his face. He was able to bluff his way through that but for how long? To think this entire scheme, years upon years of careful planning could all be undone by one simple insignificant boy and his ability to run fast. How he had managed to elude them in his condition was a mystery. Clearly, it meant they were being too soft on him. That was a mistake he wouldn't make twice.

Thanks to that moronic gutter trash he had been forced to move this plan forward a whole month. He would have Ace take out the Phoenix as quickly as possible and return to his clutches. By then they would either have Luffy or he would be in the wind and thus lose his control over Ace. Worst comes to worst he would simply kill him and claim the credit for being to one to take the head of the mighty Portgas Ace who was also the last of the Gol dynasty.

He stood up from his seat so abruptly he could have sworn he heard a squeak from under the desk. It was these damn old hinges. He needed a new freaking desk.

"Soon," He told himself as he left the office, in his haste the half-open medicine cabinet went unnoticed.

Chapter Text

"What?" Garp snapped as he picked up the phone He did not have time for this, there was an uprising he had gotten roped into taking care of in the west.

"Garp!" Came a concerned voice that took him a moment to recognize.

"Makino?" He asked surprised. He was friendly enough with the woman but she had never called him before. This could only mean one thing. And it wasn't good.

"What's Luffy gotten caught up in this time?"

"That's just it, no one's seen him in nearly two months."

Garp sighed rubbing his temples. "So? It's Luffy we are talking about here. He probably just got lost or made a new friend, or both, he'll turn up eventually." He always did.

"That's what we thought so Dadan sent out a guy to go find him."

"And they didn't find him," Garp guessed.

"No, but we found his shoes."

"His shoes?"

"Yes, but it looked like a bomb went off around the area. Some of the trees were broken and the ground was torn up… and there was some blood. A lot actually."

Garp was alert immediately running a hand through his beard. Makino was right to worry.

"Makino listens to me, keep looking alright. I can't leave right now but I'll do what I can on this end." With any luck, Luffy was still on the island.

"Call me if you find anything," Makino ordered and Garp agreed absentmindedly as he bid the woman goodbye.

"This was probably just another one of Luffy's dumb stunts. He would crawl back in a week or two with a busted face and a huge grin asking for food. The idiot.

Although… even Luffy wouldn't stay away from this long. Especially if he had truly gotten hurt.

Garps heart tightened painfully at the thought. How old was Luffy by now? Thirteen? No that wasn't right, Garp visited him last year and he had said he was fourteen then. That meant Luffy was already fifteen. Good lord the time sure passed. Sooner than he realized as his grandchildren were going to be all grownups… and be marines before he knew it.

He eyed the resting Den-Den thoughtfully. He felt like he should let someone know what was going on just in case that horrible feeling curling in his gut turned out to be correct.

Dragon perhaps? He was the boy's father. Although as far as Garp was concerned Dragon had given up all claim of Luffy the day he handed Garp that squirming giggling bundle all those years ago. Best for everyone, especially Luffy if Dragon stayed far away from him.

That just left Ace. Who was the natural choice to call? After all, there was no one in the world who Luffy was closer to, nor who cared about him more. In fact when Ace was just eleven years old, shortly after his brother's death Ace told Garp in no uncertain terms that he was going to look after Luffy from then on.

At first, Garp had been thrilled. After an initial rough patch, the boys took to each other like glue. You couldn't separate them with a crowbar, Garp would know after all he had tried. Their friendship had cured both Luffy's childhood loneliness and the darkness that had, up until that point, been festering in Ace's heart.

It was only when Garp heard Ace and Luffy swear to form a pirate alliance against the navy when they grew up that made Garp realize he had just made a huge mistake. The boys were formidable enough on their own. He shuttered to think of what they could accomplish together.

It was already too late for Ace, far too late. While Garp's back was turned (which was always) he escaped the island and became a notorious pirate. No doubt if he wasn't careful Luffy would do the same thing.

Garp nodded his mind made up. He would tell Ace of his brother's disappearance. It was the least he could do. That might prove a little tricky seeing as Garp didn't actually have any way of contacting the hooligan pirate other than chasing after him in person. Which was risky as it meant Garp would then be duty-bound to try and capture Ace. He would have to figure something else out.

And then once they got Luffy back safe and sound he would kidnap the kid… again. Purely for Luffy's own good though. And take him to the marine base where when he turned seventeen Garp would enroll him in the marines.

Garp nodded satisfied with his plans. First things first, he needed to find Luffy.

XXX

"Hey," Sabo greeted the black-haired man who was shifting through various vegetables at the island's open market.

The dark eyes looked up quickly assessing Sabo quickly before putting the vegetables down.

"What do you want?"

"Some information."

"Fat chance." Izo grabbed his bag and began to walk away only to be followed by the blond man.

"You didn't even let me finish." Sabo protested.

"I don't need to cutie. Why on earth would I simply give you information? You have nothing for me."

"I wouldn't necessarily say that."

"Oh?" Izo looked up interested. "What would you possibly have to give me?"

Sabo ruffled around in his bag pulling out a stack of papers holding them up for Izo to see.

"What's this?"

"Nothing much, just copies of all the information the government has on the yonko, including Whitebeard."

Izo's eyes grew wide at that. "Are you serious?"

Sabo nodded.

"How did a kid like you get this?"

"Well for starters being a full-grown adult, not a kid helped. Secondly, I'd rather not say. Let's just say no one knows I have them and leave it at that."

"What do you want for them?"

"Tell me where Fire Fist is."

The two stared at each other for a second before Izo continued walking. "Ya right, scram kid."

"I'll take that as a no then," Sabo said as he once again followed the man.

"I would never sell out my own crewmate." He looked longingly at the files, "Not even for something as good as that."

Sabo had heard the Whitebeard pirates were a tight-knit bunch. Still, he was accustomed to getting what he wanted through any means necessary. He didn't work as an intelligence gatherer for nothing.

"You misunderstand me. I just want to talk to him nothing more."

"I think Ace is a little busy right now to deal with whatever the revolutionary's want with him."

Sabo froze, "What?"

"I know who you are. And any other day I would love to play with you but right now's not a good time so why don't you scurry back to your boss and tell him that if he has anything to say he should do it to our faces and not send his messenger, secondly if you guys want to mess with Ace you will have to go through us first.

Clearly, he had just stepped on a minefield here. One he didn't particularly want to unravel. The worst thing was he could not afford to drag the revolutionaries into this. It could cause a war. No, he had to handle this himself, and quickly. It was time for Sabo's least favorite technique, telling the truth… at least most of the truth.

"Listen," He leaned back against the wall. "The revolutionaries don't know I'm here. This is more of a personal thing."

"So personal as in you stole their files and then just… walked out? How are they okay with that?"

Sabo hummed in amusement, "Well for starters I didn't steal their files."

"Let me guess, you're just borrowing them then?" Izo rolled his eyes. "Nice try kid, I would have thought the chief of staff would be a bit better of a liar."

"No, I definitely stole them, just not from the revolutionaries. Let's just say one of the Navy captains is a little too liberal with the bottle."

Izo looked fully immersed now, "are you serious?"

Sabo nodded, "It took twenty minutes tops. I also stole his lunch but I feel like that was the lesser of the two evils. Anyway listen to me, this is personal I know about the kidnapping I just need to talk to Ace." He looked into the man's eyes, "Please help me if you don't someone is going to die."

Izo cussed loudly. "Fine but only because I have a soft spot for cute boys like you… and Ace could kick your ass without even breaking a sweat if he wants to."

"Noted," Sabo agreed.

"Last I heard he was on Sabaody Archipelago, but you had better hurry. I think he's leaving soon." Izo looked down at the files in Sabo's hand. "As much as it pains me to say keep them, the location wasn't worth all that. Just promise me one thing In return."

Sabo nodded.

"When you find Ace you two have to talk it out instead of immediately fighting."

Sabo nodded, he could agree to that. Going in swinging wasn't really his style anyway. Although if it turns out Fire Fist had hurt the kid in any way then all bets were off. Sabo would send his butt to the bottom of the ocean. He had done it before for a lot less.

"Deal?"

"Deal." He agreed as he tucked the files back into his bag.

"Oh and kid? If you mess with Ace you will have the entire wrath of the whitebeards come down on our head."

Sabo smiled as he walked away. He wouldn't admit it out loud but that sounded like it could be exciting. At the very least it would get his blood pumping. He couldn't make any promises that he wouldn't hurt Ace, regardless of the consequences. He had learned long ago that people who lived their lives based on what they thought the future would bring were doomed to fail. He was most definitely not one of those people.

XXX

Luffy lay below Teach's desk trembling. His hands covered his mouth to stop him from yelling out. He had heard that sick fuck talking on the phone. Talking to his big brother. He had wanted to scream to Ace so bad. To tell him that he was fine and there was nothing this fat freak could do to him that would actually hurt him. Nothing except hurt Ace that is. He had almost done it as well.

In the few hours…days..., honestly, Luffy couldn't tell at this point, since he had hung up with Thatch's dad he had searched practically the entire ship. Except for one locked room near the belly. Luffy wasn't very smart but he was smart enough to figure out that that's where Thatch must be kept. He was also smart enough to realize he needed a key. Tragically enough as it turns out the keys were held by Teach at his hip.

As such Luffy had been following him all day trying to steal the keys. It was harder than it sounded. Especially without his stretching powers considering the sea stone cuffs kept his arms linked together in front of him and kept him in normal human form. Luffy had tried hanging from the ceiling, hiding behind the open door, and dropping heavy things down from the crow's nest all to no avail. That's exactly what led him back to this room hiding once again under Teach's desk. He was halfway through unlatching the keyring from the man's belt loop when Teach made a call…to Ace.

It was bad, to say the least. Luffy was so close to forgoing all thoughts of escape to in turn kick the prick in his family's jewels. But he couldn't do that, Thatch was counting on him. Then only after he saved his friend he would do everything in his power to escape and run back to Ace.

'Please don't hurt your friend.' Luffy thought sadly as he uncurled his fists to finish freeing the key ring.

When this was all over he was going to punch chess teeth so hard his dumb face will break. Luffy's unsteady fingers finally managed to unlatch the ring as he held his breath seeing if Teach would notice the loss of weight. It was a good thing the man was perpetually drunk. Holding the keys tightly together so they wouldn't jingle Luffy pressed himself against the back of the desk doing his best to avoid Tech's short legs that stretched just inches from his ribcage.

He wanted to cover his ears for the rest of the conversation but with the cuffs, it was near impossible. So instead he was forced to listen to the torturous conversation. At least the one good thing that came from it was he got to hear Ace again. He listened to the comforting sound of Ace cussing out both Teach and his dumb lackey.

Then things took a turn for the worse when they started bartering with Luffy's life for some guy called Marco who was also a bird? And for what must have been the first time in his life Luffy heard what Ace sounds like when he was scared. It was more terrifying the anything Teach could ever do to him. Ace was the bravest person Luffy knew. He hadn't realized how much he had relied on his strength until now when everything felt like it was crumbling. He tucked his legs tighter to his chest and pressed his face into his knobby knees trying in vain to comfort himself.

He vaguely heard Teach tell Ace what he was going to do to Luffy if Ace didn't comply. As threatening as those words were they were nothing compared to Ace's response. Unless Luffy was a misunderstanding then Ace was actually… begging. If there was one thing Ace liked to remind Luffy of it was that men don't bow their heads to people like Teach.

Luffy was still okay. Sure he was hurting and if he was being honest maybe a little scared. But he was going to be alright. Ace had to know that right? He had to somehow feel that Luffy was still fine, still ready to fight, and unwilling to bend. So why was he so scared?

Before he could stop himself a sniff leaked out just as Teach stood up from the chair. Thankfully the pressure from standing up canceled out whatever noise Luff couldn't suppress.

He waited with his hands over his mouth until Teach left, shutting the office door behind him and leaving Luffy alone once more in the darkness with his uncontrollable shaking and the occasional sniff.

Chapter Text

"Fire fist?" Sabo called out.

The teen took his head out of his hands to glance over at Sabo before sighing. He pushed himself to his feet glaring at him.

"What do you want?"

"Answers! Where is Marshal D. Teach!"

"What?" Ace looked confused as he regarded the other boy carefully. "I don't have time for whatever crap you came here for. Get lost."

Sabo took a step forward refusing to back down. "You better make time. Tell me where Marshal D. Teach is right now, and what you did with that boy."

Sabo watched surprise blossom on Ace's face as he stared at him. "You mean Luffy? How do you know about that?"

Sabo ignored him and took another step forwards driving Ace against the wall. "Since when did Whitebeard start kidnapping children? Or was this your doing? His parents owe you money so you grab the kid for what…Collateral? And I thought Whitebeard's were supposed to be an honorable bunch."

Not liking his tone Ace shoved him away anger mixing with the confusion now as he regarded the teen wearily. "What the hell are you talking about? How do you know about Luffy? You better tell me now because trust me you do not want to be on my bad side today of all days."

"Luffy?" Sabo repeated. So the mystery boy had a name. It felt oddly fitting. "I don't care what side of yours I'm on so long as you call off your goddamn men. I guess kidnapping and torturing kids was too hard for you so you sent your cronies. You do make a good pirate."

To be fair that wasn't entirely called for. But he had a bad few days and if anyone deserved Sabo's wrath it was this kidnapping pirate. He couldn't stand people who abused their power to make other lives miserable.

He had apparently pushed him too far with that last one. Ace lunged forward his hands grabbing Sabo's shoulders with a cry of rage.

Sabo briefly remembered promising Izo to talk things out with Ace instead of fighting. Although to be fair he felt like for the time being they were beyond talking. Maybe they could pick up the conversation when Ace was a bloody pulp.

He reached behind his back to grab his pipe as Ace took a swing at him, his fist morphing into fire. Apparently, they didn't just call him fire fist for fun.

Sabo was forced to lean backward to avoid yet another painful scar across his face. In the process, his hat was knocked off his head and into the muddy grass.

"Thanks for that," Sabo said sarcastically as he ran his gloved hand through his hair. He felt oddly naked without his hat. It did wonders for hiding his scar, something which both attracted a lot of attention and made him stand out. Two terrible traits for revolutionaries to possess.

He braced himself for the next attack…only it never came. Ace was staring dumbfounded at him. Not the heartwarmingly furious way he had come to enjoy so much but rather in a way that was making him rather uncomfortable.

"Are you alright?" Sabo asked as Ace's arm reached out to touch his scar. Sabo instinctively turned away with a sharp intake of breath and Ace's fingers paused.

When Ace spoke his voice was so soft Sabo had to lean in to hear him.

"Why do you have his face?"

"What?" He was starting to suspect this pirate was quite mad.

"Sabo?" Ace asked his voice strained. "Why do you look like him? I don't understand."

Blue eyes met grey ones and for the first time, Sabo realized how tired Ace looked. He looked like he was about to cry. What's more, even though this was their first time meeting he looked so familiar. Much like with that boy…Luffy. A feeling that he couldn't quite place bubbled up in his chest. Sabo lowered his guard, letting the pipe fall to the ground.

As it turns out this was a big mistake as the next second the fire teen snapped out of it and clocked him as hard as he could across the face.

'And this is why we don't let our guard down,' Sabo thought to himself viciously as he was knocked to the ground.

"What the hell?" Sabo asked sitting up. He thought they were having a moment. Albeit a very weird moment with face touching.

Whatever anger Sabo felt quickly diminished as Ace towered above him, so angry fire licked at his skin.

"WHAT THE FUCK SABO!"

Sabo rolled away narrowly avoiding another fist aimed at his face. He lashed out with his feet catching the teen in the knees and sending him sprawling onto the ground.

"You're insane!" Sabo yelled as Ace lunged at him.

"And you're an asshole!" He responded as he pinned the boy beneath him. Sabo reached out for his pipe which lay a few feet away in the dirt.

"I'm not the asshole that randomly attacks people." His fingers closed around the metal and he brought it above his head to stop the fist currently heading for his nose. He was pleased to see the teen was no longer on fire. He caught Ace firmly in the ribs with the end sending him flying back a few feet.

"And I'm not the one who kidnaps kids."

Ace snarled at that as he threw himself at the blonde.

"CUT THE CRAP!" He screamed as he blocked the pipe with his hand. "I would never hurt Luffy. You know that!"

"Excuse me if I don't believe you." Sabo twirled the staff expertly, ripping it out of Ace's hand. "With you being so stable and all."

"What happened to you, Sabo?" Ace said as Sabo leaned in for another attack. Ace blocked it yet again as he leaned forwards. Sabo closed his eyes expecting pain.

Instead of hitting him Ace's arms circled around his shoulders hugging him tightly, desperately. Sabo was too shocked to do much more than let out a surprised grunt.

"How did you do that?" Nobody could break through his guard.

"You always pull to your right, Ace muttered into his shoulder pulling him closer. "You idiot."

His throat felt dry. "You know me?"

"Of course I do moron. Do you think I wouldn't recognize my own brother? Although I can't say the same about you."

Sabo didn't say anything. He was too caught up in what Ace had said.

"You're my brother?" Ace nodded again and Sabo felt a growing wet spot on his shoulder as the other teen began to shake.

"Yea but… just shut up for a second okay?"

Unable to think of anything else intelligent to say Sabo kept his mouth closed. He had no idea what to do. They had never covered this in his training. In fact, he wasn't very good with the whole touchy-feely-emotions thing. Up until now, it hadn't really been a problem.

After a few increasingly awkward minuets, Ace finally pulled away wiping his eyes hastily with the back of his hand. Although it was pointless as the tears weren't stopping.

"Go ahead and laugh," He said bitterly as his shoulders shook.

"Why would I laugh?" Sabo was very confused and laughing was the last thing he felt like doing.

Ace regarded him carefully. "You really don't know me?"

Sabo shook his head covering his scar with one hand. "I don't remember much of anything about my old life. Until recently he thought it had been a blessing. But right now looking at the crying teenager he would give almost anything to understand.

He looked at him up and down before making a face. "Are you sure we're related? Because I'm pretty blond and you're kinda not?"

Ace laughed through his tears. "No idiot we're not related but you hate your parents. We both do. You and Lu are the closest thing I have to family."

Sabo frowned, "Lu?"

"Luffy." Ace reminded him. "Our little brother."

"Wait there's another one!" This was the strangest conversation Sabo had ever had. Ace was telling him about his own family like it was a polite conversation.

"Why should I trust you?" If there's one thing Sabo had learned after all these years it was that people always lied.

Ace leaned against the wall beside him, laying his head back. He let out a small twisted laugh as he looked up at the sky.

"God help me, Lu," he muttered. "I am having a really weird day."

"You and me both."

"You have a scar on your right ankle from where a fox bit you."

Sabo pulled his pants up with a small huh. He had wondered where he got that.

"Your favorite color is… or at least used to be blue. People tend to annoy you but you always put up with them because you're a nice person. You're super smart but you claim it's more because you work hard than natural talent. You hate nobles and injustice and your favorite food is stew although you're not really picky. You don't care much for sweet things but you will eat almost anything. And like I said before you favor your right side leaving your left open for attacks."

They were silent for a moment before Sabo sighed. "This is so weird." He had never told that stuff to anyone. And here was a complete stranger who apparently knew everything about him despite Sabo hardly knowing his name.

"And it just keeps on getting weirder." Ace sighed as he slid down the wall.

"How do you know all that?"

"I told you Sab, I'm your brother. What don't I know about you guys?"

Ace buried his face in his knees with a groan. "Fuck Sabo I really messed up. I broke my promise."

Sabo sat down beside him wordlessly. He didn't quite know what to say. He had never been in a situation like this before. He was still trying to wrap his head around the whole family thing. Although the reason he had left in the first place was because he had felt a kinship with that kid, Luffy or something. He hadn't been expecting to actually find something let alone a mystery family who knew all his secrets before he did. This was what he wanted right? Maybe. But then why didn't he feel happy? Instead, he felt weirded out, like he was having a very odd dream and it was time to wake up now. Instead of being happy, he felt really sad.

"What promise?" He asked finally.

"I told you I would look after Luffy while you were gone."

"Oh, Sabo said feeling stupid. That was a promise he didn't remember making.

"And if you haven't noticed I didn't. A lying maniacal psychopath has him."

"Marshal D. Teach," Sabo said as the pieces came together. "He took your brother!"

"Our brother." Ace reminded him with a small grin which the blonde returned.

"He took our brother." The word felt alien on his tongue. "Why though? Because you were his superior?"

Ace sighed as he looked at Sabo honestly. "This is so strange."

"Tell me about it." Sabo said, "I mean why target you specifically?"

Ace shook his head. "No, it's weird that my best friend in the whole world doesn't know me."

"I thought you were my brother?"

"See!" he groaned, I can't believe I have to explain this to you of all people."

Sabo huffed, "Well sorry you're having a hard time with this. I have no idea what that feels like." He said sarcastically.

"I see you kept your sarcasm," Ace said.

"And I see you kept your freckles. Bet you thought you were going to outgrow them huh?"

"Leave my freckles alone, they were a gift from my mother."

"One that keeps on giving."

"Watch it Outlook. If you could remember what your parents looked like you wouldn't be giving me such a hard time. Talk about potato heads."

Sabo smiled at that, a real smile this time. "Thank god for amnesia I guess."

"I guess," Ace echoed softer.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

Sabo blinked taken back. "What are we- kids?"

"No if we were kids you would already know and I wouldn't have had to tell you but since you so conveniently forgot I need to retell you. But only like five people know so you have to keep it a secret."

"Alright," Sabo loved a good secret.

"You asked me why Teach went after me specifically. Well Gol D. Rodger is my dad. I think he wanted to use that to leverage his ego."

Well, that escalated quickly. Sabo had been hoping for something very different.

"Why would you tell me that?" He asked. That seemed very reckless. "So many people would love to use that against you."

"I'm in this mess because someone is using it against me." Ace reminded him. "And you were one of the five who knew anyways."

"How do you know you can trust me?" Sabo challenged. "What if I changed since we were kids?"

"Don't be stupid," Ace told him as he stared at his boots. "Memories or not you'll always be my brother."

After a second he looked back up at the blonde a smile on his face. "God I missed you. More than you could possibly imagine."

Sabo looked down at his scarred wrist, peeking out from his glove. "Even without my memories?"

Ace nodded.

"Evening without my charming good looks?"

Ace nodded again, "Even with your sarcasm intact of course Sabo."

Sabo remembered his dream of the three of them sleeping on that warm summer night. He could feel the hot breeze and see the stars above the leaves and he had felt very full. He always thought it was weird that he scarfed down his food so protectively even though no one had ever dreamed about taking it. When he was little he hadn't liked sleeping in the beds. They had felt so big and empty to him. Maybe in his own way, he had missed Ace as well.

"Sabo I need your help," Ace said carefully. "You're the only one who can help me. You're the only one I will ever ask to help me. Without you my friends will die."

Sabo looked up at him, "we're going to get Luffy back right?"

"Of course."

"Then I'm in."

XXX

Luffy's legs gave another shake as he fell once again onto his knees. He saw black spots dance across his vision but he pushed them aside in order to stand back up. He was not a quitter. Especially when Thatch was relying on him.

He had snagged the keys from chess teeth so those nasty armbands were finally gone. That had helped a great deal but he still felt lightheaded and weak. At least he could finally use his powers now.

He pressed his knuckles to the floor using shaky arms as leverage to stand back up. He used the walls to steady himself as he once again took off toward the prison cells.

He had forgotten how stale the air was and how cold and dark it was at the bottom of the ship. The floors were always flooded making him nearly double over the second he stepped in it. He leaned heavily against the railing as his fingers fumbled with the keys.

"Thatch!" Luffy called as loudly as he dared. He received no answer. He swung the door open met with darkness.

"Thatch?"

"Who?"

Luffy let out a sigh of relief as he made his way into the room letting his eyes adjust. He had been seriously worried Thatch hadn't made it through the voyage. His shaking hands felt along the wall like a blind man.

The man was leaning against a pillar in the center of the room. His foot was shackled to the wall but aside from that he was free. Apparently, he hadn't pissed Blackbeard off as much as Luffy had.

"Are you okay?" Luffy asked crouching down beside him. He felt his forehead only to find Thatch was still running hot.

"Marco?" Thatch asked as he brought a hand up to feel Luffy's face. Luffy pushed it away in annoyance as he pulled out his medicine.

"I think you're sick." He pushed the medicine to the man's lips but he pushed Luffy away with a grunt.

"Marine then?"

Luffy frowned. He had no clue what he was talking about. What was a Marco? It sounded tasty. His stomach growled loudly.

"I'm not a dumb marine." He huffed, "Drink this and you'll feel better."

Thatch ignored him as his fingers trailed over Luffy's face.

"Ace?"

Luffy froze at that. He wished he could say yea, he was his fearless and strong older brother who would get them out of here. But no, he was just Luffy. Still too weak and young to take on Blackbeard. Instead, he had to run and hide like a coward.

"It's Luffy." He told him. "We're friends remember."

Thatch smiled at that as he let his arms fall to the floor, trusting. "Luffy!"

Luffy leaned forwards and helped him drink the medicine. He hoped it would make Thatch feel better because the way he was right now Luffy doubted he could walk much less run if he had to. Usually, Luffy would be able to help him but at the moment his trembling legs could barely carry his own weight much less anyone else's.

He sat down frustrated, throwing the now empty medicine bottle to the floor. What now? Sit here and cry like the little kid Blackbeard seemed to think he was. No way.

If he couldn't bring Thatch to a doctor he would bring one to the man. Even if it cost him his freedom.

'Sorry Ace.' He thought as he stood up. He may not make it out of this after all. But Luffy didn't like to think about those things. The universe was funny and unlike countless others he didn't claim to know what was going on ever. But if there was one thing he did believe in it was his older brother. When Ace set his mind to something not even the universe could protest. He was stubborn like that.

Chapter Text

"Look kid just come down." Teach said without an ounce of worry in his voice. Not now that he had finally found Luffy.

'Good god', he thought to himself. Someone must have dropped this boy on his head as a baby. How was he possibly this stupid? By some fluke, he had been able to escape. He may not be smart but he sure was fast. By some different fluke, the kid had been able to dodge capture for an entire day, pretty much ensuring him enough time to get away. But does he even try it? No. The second Teach turns around the kid is right back here halfway up the mast during a thunderstorm and talking like a crazy person.

Was it the fever? Teach mused as he studied the boy. These last few weeks of captivity had taken a toll on him. Maybe his brain had fried in his skull leaving him dumber than he was before. It mattered little to the pirate. As long as Luffy's heart was still beating then he still owned Ace. Something told him that his old commander would continue to fight for Luffy even if by the end of this he was little more coherent than a vegetable. It was all sentimental crap to him.

"How about this," Teach said quickly losing patience with Luffy's ranting. "If you come down right now like a good boy I won't cut off all your fingers and toes and shove them down your throat."

Luffy made a face at that. It wasn't fear that painted his features so much as distaste. No doubt as he imaged how that would work.

"No!" Luffy said firmly. "You are going to listen to me."

The pirate captain snorted at that and beside him, his crew laughed.

"You must be sick indeed to think that we would take orders from a captive."

Ignoring their taunts Luffy continued. "If you don't listen to me I am going to jump into the ocean. I'm not bluffing."

Luffy was defiantly bluffing. He had enough problems as it was without dying. He had no intention of throwing himself into the sea. Although that being said if they tested him he really would jump. Hopefully, they would be able to save him.

He watched as the fat man's eyes gleamed in a warning. He was not to be messed with.

"What makes you think we give a shit what happens to you?" The Doc said from beside Teach.

"You're using me to get to my brother," Luffy told them adjusting his grip on the wood. The rain was making it slippery. He had almost slipped off a dozen times by now.

"You can't use me if I'm dead."

Teach stared up at him thoughtfully, like he was seeing Luffy in a new light. No doubt thinking that maybe Luffy wasn't as stupid as he gave him credit for. If he only knew.

As it turns out he was just copying the move from his brother. When they were younger Sabo and Luffy had gotten kidnapped by some bandits running amuck in the Grey Terminal. They were trying to get Ace to surrender so they could kill the three of them and finally be rid of the nuisances. However, they needed Sabo and Luffy as bargaining chips to get Ace to turn himself over. Luffy had been scared. Sabo had been pissed. He had held a knife to Luffy's throat in front of them telling them that if they didn't give him some food he would slit Luffy's throat. According to the lies Sabo fed them Luffy and Ace were brothers. That was apparently obvious because of the hair. Ace would turn himself in for his brother but not for his friend so they needed Luffy alive. Or something like that. It was much more elegant when Sabo said it. Either way, the men had reluctantly agreed when Sabo was able to convince them he was disposable to Ace but Luffy wasn't. So they gave in to his demands. While they were gone Sabo lashed out at the two remaining men, taking them out before they could so much as call for help. He had wisely decided to keep his plan to himself so Luffy wouldn't spoil it with his poor reactions and big mouth. What Sabo hadn't been counted on was how much his little foster brother had grown to trust him. Even when the blond trapped Luffy against his chest and held a knife to his throat his reaction had been completely unsatisfactory and nowhere near the panic of someone minutes away from death. But Sabo was nothing if not smart. While the surrounding men began to question why the apparent hostage was complaining that he was tired and hungry while there was a knife at his throat Sabo had pinched him hard. He had started yelling then and trying to wiggle free of the pain. That had been enough to convince the men that Sabo would really go through with it. Unaware of the deception they sent three of their men away to go find some spare scraps and chains to keep the two boys separated.

They had fled back into the forest, where they had the upper hand and could easily lose the men. When they finally managed to make it back home Ace was there waiting for them. There was a huge smile on his face that widened at the sight of them.

"Finally! There you guys are. I was starting to think you couldn't even handle a few grunts."

Sabo snorted at the thought of needing to be saved. "Please, don't flatter yourself. We had it handled right Lu?"

Luffy was younger then and not nearly as tough as he was now. He didn't remember everything as clearly anymore but he remembered the feeling of awe at how cool the older boys were. Now it was his turn. Long gone were the days were he could rely on his brothers to keep him safe. Even if he really wanted to.

"Like you would actually do that? Cute try kid but you don't fool me.

Trying his best to imitate the cold indifference on Sabo's face Luffy addressed the pirates.

"Try me," He responded loosening his grip on the rigging.

"Even if you do jump we will just pull you out. Not like you could go very far."

Luffy looked down into the stormy waters. The waves pushed against the side of the boat like they were trying to shove the ship aside. They looked strong. Although not nearly as strong as they would have been outside of the harbor. He was pretty much banking on the fact that they would be able to pull him out.

He wracked his brain trying to remember what Sabo did. They had doubted him as well. Telling him that they would stop him before he could do more than injure Luffy. Sabo had shrugged like this didn't bother him.

"Maybe," He had said. "But if you do manage to stop me then I will try again. And again until I get my way." He had smiled up at them. The same smile he used on everyone who wasn't Ace and Luffy. It was a rather cold smile and it seemed to do the trick when threats wouldn't work.

"It would be easier for everyone, and trust me when I say less work for both of us if you would just do what I ask."

Or something like that at least. Luffy's hands were slipping and this was hard to do in the rain. Not to mention he had to practically shout for them to hear them. It was freezing out here and he was naked from the waist up. His torn shorts were thoroughly soaked through. And despite the goosebumps on his skin Luffy felt like his insides were made of molten lava. He was so hot and cold at the same time and his head swam when he breathed too deeply.

"Or you will do less work!" He called fighting off a dizzy spell.

Teach looked at the doc confused. "What?"

"I mean if you do pull me out I have to work hard."

"Jesus kid what did we do to you?" The Doc muttered.

Luffy tried one last time, pushing through the lightheadedness. "Even if you do pull me out I won't stop. I'll bite off my tongue, I'll bash my head against a wall until it explodes, and I'll drown myself in an inch of water. I won't stop until you help Thatch. If he dies then I die and you have no captives.

"Ah," the Doc Q said to himself. "I knew there was something I was forgetting to do."

Blackbeard ignored him as he continued to stare at Luffy caught off guard.

"You really are just crazy aren't you?" Despite having known him for a little while, and saying it often, he hadn't fully believed it until now. Luffy was completely unhinged. No wonder Ace was so protective of him. Not to mention why he had never talked about Luffy before. Probably ashamed to have a batshit family member. Needless to say, he was rapidly losing faith that Luffy wasn't going to go through with it.

"Fine," He waved his hand dismissively. "Come down and we will treat the damn Whitebeard lackey."

Luffy shook his head. "Do it now then I will come down."

Teach narrowed his eye warningly. "Don't push it, kid. You're lucky we are even negotiating with you." He held wanted to let Thatch die just so Luffy wouldn't get his way. Although to be fair they had never intended to get rid of the man before he proved at least a bit useful. The fact that he had deteriorated so far was no doubt negligence on the drunken doctor's part. He would need to have a word with the man afterward. A strong and possibly painful word.

"Go," he told the drunkard beside him. Sensing the anger boiling under Teach's skin Doc Q nodded frantically as he took off.

Luffy watched them carefully as Teach turned his attention back to him. "Now, little boy, why don't you come down from there."

Luffy thought he should stay up here. He trusted these men very little and his instincts told him that he could not believe any of their words. Besides he knew when he came down they would hurt him- bad. And there wasn't much more he could take. He wanted to stay up here and savor his freedom. Each moment was like a breath of fresh non-soggy air. But his fingers were beginning to slip and the dark spots in his vision were getting worse. Very soon he would fall down to the deck.

With shaking hands Luffy began to climb down. Inch by inch. It was all he could do to keep from slipping all the way down and landing on his butt in front of Teach.

When he was about halfway Luffy felt a wave of sudden nausea hit and he had to swallow back the food the nice stranger had given him. He reached up to cover his mouth with one hand trying his hardest to resist the second wave of sick that threatened to come up his throat.

Trembling with the effort Luffy dropped himself from his precarious place on the side of the mast and onto yard, for the lower mast sail, or as Luffy called it the piece of wood that you tied the bottom of the sail to when it was unfurled.

By this point, Teach had grown impatient waiting for Luffy to get down on his own and decided to take matters into his own hands. Cursing loudly he had begun to climb the handholds of the main mast intent to push Luffy to the deck himself.

Luffy watched with half-lidded eyes as the man made his way up to him. Not that anyone cared but Luffy really wasn't feeling good. As he was now a fall, even from this minimal height, would make him lose his stomach contents.

As Teach made his way shakily onto the beam that Luffy occupied he scooted backward. Teach cursed him louder and inched forwards, clearly not as at home up here as Luffy was.

"If I fall…" He began to threaten.

"Your fat ass will protect you," Luffy muttered as he crawled backward on his hands and knees. He failed to notice how far he had gone. It was no longer the wooden deck beneath him but rather the dark waters.

Teach was saying something, enraged at his last comment. But Luffy was no longer listening. The movement had pushed him over the edge and he lost the battle with his stomach. He let go of the beam instead of using both hands to cover his mouth as he threw up. On reflex, his legs hooked around the wood leaving him suspended upside down swaying with the wind like a bizarre punching bag. One that had been beaten too many times to keep its stuffing on the inside.

"That was close," Teach muttered to himself.

Luffy had to agree as he tried to still his head but his vision was spinning far too fast. He raised his hands letting the sick fall into the ocean below him. But there was more. On his hands, dribbling down his chin and now dissolving into the water below was dark crimson blood.

Teach let out a scream of rage as Luffy's eyes rolled back in his head and his legs slipped from their hold. He hardly felt it as his body hit the water below him.

XXX

Sabo stared down at the knife in his hands, his thoughts a million miles away. There was something about a knife and Luffy. He flipped the blade in his hands thoughtfully. Ace wasn't lying there was something here between him and the two boys he had just met. Something strong and unlike anything he had ever felt before. But like all his other early memories whatever it was seemed trapped, locked behind the thick floodgates in his mind.

He continued to coat the blade with learned precision. The door opened and Sabo looked up to see Ace enter, a very large bundle in his arms.

"Did you get it?" Ace nodded.

"Will it do?"

Ace shrugged, "It will have to do. It was the closest I could find."

"I don't want to even ask where you got it," Sabo said although he wasn't as bothered as one should be.

When Ace didn't answer Sabo sighed putting down the knife he had been working on to face the young man.

"Are you still mad at me?"

Once the initial shock of seeing Sabo had worn off Ace started to ask some pretty practical questions. Like what the hell Sabo was doing stalking him in the middle of nowhere. So Sabo had been forced to tell him about his encounter with Luffy and how he let their little brother slip away.

While he didn't get outright hostel Ace had gotten very quiet after that. Even more, quit when Sabo told him what kind of shape Luffy was in. But both boys knew there was little time for personal issues when the clock was ticking on this whole murdering Marco thing.

"I should have never left him alone," Sabo admitted feeling his own bitterness at himself seep out through his words. He had left a note asking the boy to stay there. He had come right back only a few hours later. But it had been too late then. There was a chance Luffy had gotten away but neither boy thought it was very likely.

"It's not your fault," Ace said quietly. "How were you supposed to know?"

Sabo had known this boy for only a few hours but somehow the whole stoic quiet thing didn't seem to suit him.

"It is exactly my fault. We wouldn't be in this mess if I had just listened to my instincts and stayed with him."

"I was the one who got him involved in this. This is all happening because of me, not you."

Sabo thought about that for a moment. He was perfectly willing to accept his half of the blame in this. But not if it made Ace even more worried.

"Your right," He said suddenly. "This is all your fault. Luffy, Blackbeard, the Whitebeards, the bruise I now have on my cheek, World hunger that one is on you as well. Not to mention war, disease… I can go on."

"Are you telling me in your own special way to stop moping?"

Sabo shook his head as he once again looked down at the blade. His own blue eyes were reflected back at him.

"We were little," He began hypnotized by the glint of the metal. "I held a knife to his throat." For what purpose he didn't know. Sabo ran his finger gingerly over the knife edge. "I think it was one of my schemes. I think I wanted him to look scared." Sabo trailed off struggling to focus on the memory.

"He wasn't was he?" Ace asked softly and Sabo shook his head.

Luffy hadn't struggled or screamed. Instead, he had looked up at Sabo even as he said all these awful things. Scary things no kid should hear. Instead of fear the look Luffy gave Sabo was the same one Ace had when he told him his deepest darkest secret.

"You guys both trust me so much." He admitted finally putting the knife down to look at Ace. "I wish I understood more. I wish I could remember this person you two thought so highly of. I'm not telling you to stop moping I'm telling you that I'm moping alongside you."

Ace made a face, "Uhh god now I have to cheer you up too." He said with a hint of sarcasm. He continued on softer. "You are the person we trust Sabo. You don't have to do anything or be anyone else. It's just you. You don't even have to remember, although I would appreciate it if you did. Now stop being sorry. If one of us is moping it's cool but if we both do it we are just depressing to be around."

"What- so you get like three hours of self-pity and I try it for half a second and it's all 'come off it Sabo."

Ace nodded, "That about sums it up."

"So you feeling better now?"

Ace shrugged, "You know same old. Little brothers in trouble and suffering, it's all our fault. Who cares anyway? We can just get another one. There are like a million out there. What's so special about Luffy anyways? Personally, I always thought years of childhood memories were overrated. Maybe the next one will actually listen to us."

Ace was babbling now, working out his nerves. Sabo watched with a mix of amusement and interest. What a liar. He wasn't feeling better in the least. Judging by the pale look on his face he was probably feeling worse the more he talked. Repression. Sabo decided. That's how Ace got through any bad emotion he didn't want to deal with. The chosen tactic of pretty much any pirate still in their teens. Sabo should know after all. And there was no harm in it. Not like shoving particularly nasty thoughts away had any lasting consequences…..

Like an invisible string had been cut Ace's legs gave and he crashed to the floor like dead weight.

Sabo's eyes widened an impossible amount as he looked around trying to work out what happened. Were they under attack? Was Ace dead?

"What the actual FUCK!"

XXX

Luffy opened his eyes watching blurry shapes move above him. They were being loud. Far too loud.

"What do you mean!"

"Exactly what it sounds like, internal bleeding. It was dangerous to leave it untreated this long."

Luffy tried to open his eyes further only to find the brightness of the room too much for him.

"Well how in blazes did he get that?"

There was a long pause, "You're…kidding, right? It happened because you were beating him."

One of Luffy's eyes was pried open and a light was shined on it as he let out a loud moan.

"He seems like he's still alive."

"For now at least, we will see if he continues to deteriorate. If I can't get the damage under control we are going to lose him."

Loose who? His sluggish mind struggled to keep up with the conversation. He didn't know where he was. How did he get here? Who was talking? He remembered the feeling of falling, then being cold and wet and unable to breathe. The next thing he knew he was being carried and then nothing.

There was a hand on his forehead and he turned to it. "Titchh?" He slurred quietly.

"We are not going to lose him. Not after I just climbed up the damned mast after the brat. Fix him or you're going to regret it."

"Aye aye, captain." The voice responded sarcastically.

"And the other one?"

"It looks like this brat has been busy. He gave him antibiotics. We have to wait and see how he reacts to it. I gave him a fever suppressant."

Luffy moaned again in protest as one of his deeper injuries was prodded at. He wanted them to stop. Just to leave him alone. He still was sick and every prod was felt by his shriveled stomach.

"Why does it feel like all our prisoners are knocking on death's door."

"Maybe because of you captain."

"What was that!"

"Nothing sir! I'll see to it."

"Yes, you will." There was a loud slam and then silence.

"Oy, can you hear me?" The Doc asked after a moment.

Luffy groaned in response.

"Boss wouldn't hurt you so bad if you would just do as we say. You know you brought this on yourself don't you?"

Luffy opened his eyes a hair more to look at the doctor. "I know." He said his voice hoarse and wispy even to his own ears.

The Doc was hardly the first person to point this out to him. All his life he always made things harder on himself. Everyone who had ever raised a hand against him, he knew it was at least in small part his fault. Be it; bad guy lackeys, bullies, pirates, bandits, crooks, criminals, his own grandfather, and even on occasion Ace. If Luffy was smarter he would eventually concede a little bit. Give in if only for the sake of self-preservation. But no, Luffy wasn't smart. He didn't have the same survival instincts others seemed to be naturally gifted with. All he had was raw unaltered stubborn pigheadedness and a sense of how things should be. And when things weren't right he couldn't stand by and do nothing. If he did give in even a little bit on something he knew was wrong then he thought it would be like a tiny piece of him would die.

He met the man's eyes evenly with his own. "If you fix me," He promised. "I am going to kick your ass into next week."

The man looked startled and then he laughed. He grabbed Luffy's wrist injecting something under the skin that made his head swim.

"You know it's a shame we are going to kill you when we're done. Because I am interested in the kind of man you would have become."

As Luffy began to pass out he felt the man take something from around his neck that he hadn't been aware of before. The Doc inspected it with subdued interest.

"Where on earth did you get this?"

As the drugs took over and Luffy felt himself slipping under once again he caught sight of something blue being thrown into the trash.

Chapter Text

Luffy moaned when he felt his arm being shaken. He wished Teach and the crazy doctor would just leave him alone. There wasn't much left they could do to him that they hadn't already done.

"Luffy, wake up." A weight shifted near his feet and the bed dipped. He felt someone run fingers through his hair much too gently to be one of the Blackbeards.

"You're such an idiot Luffy."

Fighting the pull of the drugs Luffy opened his eyes trying to sit up only to be gently pushed back down.

"Thatch?"

The man gave him a small smile as he felt his forehead.

"Are you feeling better?" Luffy asked his voice coming off a little hoarse. Probably from swallowing a few mouthfuls of seawater.

Thatch nodded, "my fever broke a few hours ago. I'm no longer crazy. And I'm told I had you to thank for that."

Luffy did his best to keep up with the conversation. "What did I do?"

Thatch looked at him in concern. "You broke free remember? And you little idiot you, you came back for me."

It was hard to concentrate on what Thatch was saying when it felt like he was going to be sick with every other word.

"You shouldn't have done that," Thatch told him softly.

"You're my friend," Luffy told him simply as he sat up slowly, this time the man didn't stop him. "Friends don't turn their backs on each other." If he did that he would be no better than Teach… well he would still be a bit better but not by much.

"You were so close to being free," Thatch argued.

"And you were so close to death," Luffy growled through gritted teeth as his stomach rolled. "What's wrong with me?"

"How do you feel?"

"Kinda sick." Which almost never happened unless he got hit in the tummy too hard.

Thatch nodded understandingly. "I think some of the blood is draining into your stomach. Try to bear with it buddy. It will pass."

Luffy flopped back onto the bed looking around. The two of them seemed to be finally free of the torturous dark rooms. Now it looked like they were in one of the cabins, which were big enough for a bed and not much else. There was no window and the door looked to be triple-bolted but anything was better than the flooded crate. And on the bright side, they hadn't put the sea stone cuffs back on. But Luffy still felt the bone-aching weariness that came with them. He looked down at his feet noticing the shiny metal cuff on his ankle chaining him to the wall. He groaned loudly.

Luffy was quickly coming to realize he didn't like the feeling of being tied up. He had realized this in childhood as well but the point had never really been nailed in as much as it was now as what used to be a rare occurrence had quickly become a constant presence hanging over him. There were three things he hated in this world; losing his freedom, people trying to hurt his brother and, assholes who would stoop so low as to betray their own nakama. And so far Teach had done all of those things. Screw that guy.

A steady hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality.

"Seriously bud I don't know how to thank you. You deserve so much better than this."

Luffy had been thinking the same of Thatch. He wished he could help the man get back to his family. He could tell he really missed them. For now, he was just happy he seemed to be doing better. He gave Thatch a big smile unaware that his teeth were blood-stained and not in the least bit reassuring.

"It's nothing," He promised. "Besides you should thank your dad. He told me what to give you."

Thatch straitened instantly at that.

"What did you say?"

"The guy with the big voice," Luffy explained "I talked to him on the phone. He said he was your dad then he told me which bottles would help you."

Thatch grabbed Luffy's shoulders forcing him to meet his gaze, "Luffy when did you talk to Oyaji?"

Luffy shrugged unsure of why Thatch seemed so serious all of a sudden. "I dunno right before I came and saw you I guess." He had no clue how long he had been asleep.

"Did he say anything else to you?"

He thought back, "I don't think so. He sounded really worried about you. He got kind of mad at me but now I think he's okay."

Thatch sighed as he leaned back running his hands through his hair, "He didn't mention tracking us?"

"I don't think so?" Not that he recalled at least.

"But he doesn't need to track us, I told him where we were."

Thatch shot up again like a pop-up toy. Luffy would have laughed if he thought he could manage it without throwing up.

"YOU DID!"

Luffy nodded.

"Where are we?"

"Some place called Jaya I guess."

"And you told pops?"

Luffy nodded.

"And Teach doesn't know you told him?"

Luffy shook his head wishing Thatch would stop making him move. "I don't think so." What was this, twenty questions?

"Luffy that's amazing! If Oyaji can catch up with us then we will be free and all of this can be over. You can go back with your brother and we can get out of this hell!"

"Catch up?" Luffy cocked his head. "Did we leave?"

Thatch nodded, "I don't know how long ago. When my fever broke we were already moving. But if there's a way Oyaji will find it!"

Luffy personally didn't feel as enthusiastic as Thatch. If Ace couldn't find him then what was some dad going to do that he couldn't?"

"Besides I don't live with my brother?" When this was over Thatch was going back to his family and Luffy was going back to being alone.

Thatch looked surprised at that. "You don't! Then who do you live with?"

"I live alone."

Well sort of. If Garp asked then he still lived with the bandits. He certainly had dinner with them a few times a month, especially when Makino visited him. But officially Dadan had 'gotten tired of their shit' when Ace turned fifteen and got into a massive fight with her. She had kicked him out and Luffy too while she was at it even though he had been sleeping through a great chunk of the fight. He had woken up to the feeling of being dragged across the floor and the yelling scream of- "And take the obnoxious one with you while you're at it." While that had been one of their worst fights it wasn't like she had never kicked them out before. But something about Ace being fifteen made him decide that he, and by association Luffy no longer needed her help. And even though he was only still eleven and super sleepy Luffy agreed. It wasn't like them to live in one place for so long. Both of them were far too adventurous to allow that without getting bored. And nothing about Dadan's dusty storage attic screamed forever home. So they had fixed up an abandoned hunting cabin in the mountains and lived there for a little while. At least until the forest fires had destroyed it, then it was six weeks back on Dadan's floor before they found a cool cave under a waterfall which was epic. Until the heavy rains came that is. The cycle continued like that until Ace left. Without his big brother around Luffy spent more time with the bandits than either he or Dadan liked. Sure they had become better friends over the years but that didn't mean she liked seeing too much of him. And she was very vocal about what constituted as too much. Before he disappeared Luffy was living with some traveling artists in the tiny camp they had set up at the edge of the forest. They were very friendly and got on well with Luffy. At least until a snake had eaten one of them

"Don't you get lonely?"

"Huh?"

"Living alone?"

Well, he did now that Gerald was being digested. He was the funny one in the group. Although to be fair they had probably moved on by now.

"I guess." Nothing near as bad as when he was a little kid. Before he had met Ace and Sabo. But some nights his stomach felt empty no matter how much food he filled it with. But he liked knowing that Ace was out there. Kicking people's asses and living freely. It made the loneliness worth it.

"Do you have friends or something you can visit?"

Luffy gave Thatch a weird look. The man seemed over-invested in Luffy's life. Way more so than anyone else, except maybe Makino. He even got the same eyebrow crease when Luffy said an answer he didn't like.

Did the bandits count as friends? Luffy thought they did. But at the same time, they would be mad if they overheard him telling people that.

"Kind of? Not."

"What does that mean?"

"Why are you asking me so many questions?" It was hurting his stomach and his head.

"I wouldn't if you didn't make me worry about you. Everything you say makes me want to call someone for you."

Worrying about Luffy's home life seemed kind of silly when his stomach was currently filling up with blood. But he was starting to understand. Thatch was like a Makino type. They weren't nosey just concerned.

"I'm fine," Luffy promised. "I'm pretty sure Dadan was kidding when she said she was going to sell me and I think I'm getting pretty good at eating the non-toxic mushrooms. Plus the giant tigers usually try to stay away from me so I think I'm winning."

That didn't have the effect he was hoping for to calm Thatch down.

"Please tell me your kidding?"

That was exactly what Luffy had asked Dadan after the selling thing.

"Stop making me talk," Luffy moaned putting his hands over his mouth and trying to mentally will whatever was in his stomach to stay there.

Thatch winced. "Okay, but we are putting a pin in that and coming back to it later." He rose to get Luffy the trash can from the corner of the room.

He accepted it gratefully pushing his back against the headboard to keep himself upright. It felt like he had swallowed glass. And the sharp stinging didn't lessen even as he puked. He rested his head against the side of the bin trying to control his breathing.

A flash of blue caught his attention temporarily making him forget about being sick. He pulled a pair of goggles from the trash and his brow furrowed in confusion.

He turned them around carefully as his stomach rolled warningly.

"Luffy?"

The strap had been broken and sloppily repaired.

"Kid, what's wrong?" He felt Thatch's warm hands close over his.

"Where did these come from?"

Thatch looked concerned but decided not to say anything. "I think that was your stuff. They threw away your clothes after they fished you out."

Sure enough, Luffy found his shorts under a layer of grimy bandages. They were still soaking wet from the ocean and little more than scraps.

He looked down at his body surprised to see himself dressed in a stained white shirt he hadn't noticed before.

"It's my shirt," Thatch explained. "The gorillas were just going to leave you naked." Thankfully Thatch was much bigger than him

Makino would have been appalled but Luffy didn't even thank the man. He was far too wrapped up in the goggles in his hand.

How was this possible? Stuff from his dead brother didn't just show up in the trash of an evil pirate's ship. They were on him? How? With shaky hands, he reached into the trash to his shorts feeling the soggy paper in his back pocket where he had thoughtlessly tucked it.

The stranger who helped him? But No! That was impossible. Sabo was dead. Dead like he couldn't ever hug Luffy again. Or break up a fight between him and Ace.

He heard Thatch trying to call to him distantly but ignored him for the stinging in his eyes. When he tried to pull the paper out of his pocket it ripped then again as his hands shook.

He laid the pieces out gently on his palm. The ink had gotten blurred in the water, it was nearly illegible now. He remembered that the note had told him to stay put. That the person would be back to help him. And below all of that was a fancy drawn S with a dot in the middle of the curve. It had smeared now under his finger but he could see clearly how neat the writing was. It was an S he would recognize anywhere. After all, he had been forced to copy page upon page of them when he was younger in an attempt to teach him how to write.

Luffy had protested at first. He was made to swing from trees not to sit still and learn reading and writing. But Sabo had insisted on telling him that he couldn't be pirate king if he didn't know how to read. So Luffy had put up with it. He spent a few nights a week sprawled out on the floor to copy Sabo's letter sheets where the alphabet was written out for him with frustrating skill. He had tried marginally hard to get his letters to look like his brothers but he always fell short.

His stomach rolled warningly and he barely had to time to grab the basket before he throw up again. He distantly felt Thatch rubbing his back comfortingly and he rolled his shoulders as blood bubbled up from his throat.

When his stomach was empty again he put the basket down and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"God Luffy are you okay?" Thatch sounded worried.

Sabo was still alive! Dogra had been wrong. Sabo was okay. And he was here. He had saved Luffy. Even more then that he had tried to help him. And Luffy had run away from his brother who he hadn't seen in eight years. What the hell was wrong with him?

He felt the goggles being slowly pried from his grip and looked up in surprise to see Thatch.

"No," Luffy said tightening his hands.

"It's okay buddy just let go and tell me what's wrong."

Luffy didn't understand Thatch's worry until he felt a wetness on his cheeks and reached up to touch his eye. He was crying. Something no one on this ship had seen him do since he got here. Much to Teach's disappointment he could never get Luffy to do anything other than scream in anger. A fact Thatch was well aware of.

"Does it hurt anywhere?"

Luffy shook his head as yanked the goggles back and tried to catch his breath. He needed to calm down but he couldn't seem to concentrate on anything besides the overwhelming heartache.

Thatch jumped like a startled stout as Luffy started to cry for real. Not stoic manly tears but rather like a child throwing a fit. Big fat tears rolled down his cheeks which he didn't bother trying to wipe away.

"What is it!" Thatch cried equal parts distressed and confused.

"I th-thought he was d-dead." Luffy wailed between hiccups. "I really thought he died then."

Unsure of how to help and upset by Luffy's tears Thatch pulled him to his chest hugging him tightly as he felt Luffy's body shake violently with the force of his sobs.

"I don't u-understand," Luffy stammered as he clutched the goggles hard enough to shatter them.

"Me neither," Thatch told him grimly resting his cheek on Luffy's hair, listening to the younger boy wail like his world had been shattered.

"He was right there! And I left anyway. How could I do that?"

"It's going to be okay," Thatch promised him. He was desperate to know what in the world had happened.

"You're really strong Luffy." And braver than any kid Thatch had met before. Whatever it was he would get through it.

Luffy only shook his head, "I'm not… I'm not strong at all." He couldn't even protect the two people he cared about the most. They did everything for him and he just kept failing them. He couldn't save Sabo and now he was being used to destroy Ace. What was wrong with him?

Thatch just quietly shushed him running his fingers through his hair sympathetically. On some level, Luffy was surprised by him. At this point, he doubted even Sabo would have put up with this much wailing. But Thatch showed no sign of hitting him. Luffy knew he needed to stop being a crybaby. Stay strong and get back to working out a plan to get back to his brothers and free his friend. But for the life of him, he couldn't stop crying because Sabo was Alive! And he wasn't as alone anymore.

XXX

When he heard the door knob rattle Thatch had tensed. Knowing this was not going to be pleasant.

Luffy had fallen asleep hours ago completely exhausted. He had cried so hard he puked yet again and it was only quick reflexes on Thatch's part that saved them both.

After that, he couldn't seem to catch his breath and passed out again in Thatch's arms. Which under different circumstances would have been adorable.

Thatch had been trying for years to convince his brothers and sisters that he was good with kids. No one really believed him since all the village children they encountered only hung around him because he would feed them. Aside from that it was all, 'let's go play with Ace.' And 'What a surprise Ace is good with kids.'

Thatch squeezed Luffy closer to him. For his part, Luffy didn't so much as mumble in his sleep as he was opt to do. His cheeks were still stained and his eyelashes were thick with tears. As Teach dark chuckle filled the room Thatch curled his arm around Luffy's head, which was resting on his shoulder, in a protective sort of way.

"What do you want?" He spat at the man. Hadn't he hurt them enough for one day?

As Teach stepped forward towards them Thatch leaned back against the wall. He reached out with one hand and Thatch flinched back expecting pain. But Teach merely lifted one of his large thumbs and wiped at Luffy's cheek.

"What upset the little kitten?"

Thatch slapped his hand away viciously. "What's it to you?"

"Don't be like that. I just want to know so I can do it again."

"It was nothing you did!" Thatch hissed. "Apparently you are incapable as a villain even to make kids cry."

He got hit for that. He tried his best to hold onto the kid but he was in no shape to do much more than mildly irritate Teach. He ripped them apart easily and in doing so noticed the goggles clutched in Luffy's grip. Luffy had refused to let go of them even after he passed out.

Thatch was helpless as he watched the bad man roughly take them from Luffy like taking candy from a baby. He inspected them curiously and Thatch felt his heart fall as he uselessly tried to retrieve them for Luffy. He received a kick in the ribs for his efforts.

"Tell the kid that if he wants them back then he had better start showing me some goddamn respect."

And with that, he slammed the door and Thatch could hear the locks click behind him. He was hating the man more and more each day, a feat he didn't think was possible.

He had let him take the goggles shit! He glanced back at Luffy who was still dead to the world and unaware he had lost his treasure once again.

"Shit!" Thatch said as he gathered the kid into his arms once more.

Chapter Text

"Can I show you something?"

Marco looked surprised at the sudden reappearance of Ace.

"God Ace, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere." The young man had been gone for over a day without a word. Marco had begun to think the worst. He would have been even more worried if this wasn't a common occurrence for Ace. He had the tendency to get wrapped up in things pretty quickly.

"I got lost," Ace said and there was something hollow in his tone that set Marco on edge. Something happened that was for sure.

"Where in a sinkhole? What's going on Ace?"

"We don't have a lot of time," Ace told him. "Just come on…please."

And for a second he sounded so scared that Marco had no choice but to give in. Sometimes he forgot just how young the commander was.

He followed Ace through the town and back into the outskirts. He didn't know where Ace was leading him and he refused to tell Marco anything else. It looked like they were going back to the harbor but at the last second Ace took a turn that led them through the forest. Marco had no clue what could possibly be so important way out here.

After nearly half an hour of running they broke through the trees into a field. It was hardly used by the looks of it. There were a few overgrown paths that zigzagged through the grass. Marco knew they were on the edge of the island. Past the field was a cliff overlooking the sea. The sun had set hours ago turning what was usually a beautiful sight into an endless black pool. The moon was partially obscured by clouds making it dark enough so that it was impossible to tell where the sea ended and the sky began. 

"Please help me!"

Marco turned sharply, "Someone needs help."

Ace said nothing, and Marco was already running toward the distressed cries. Ace had no choice but to follow behind.

"Help me!"

"Hold on!" Marco called to them although it was doubtful his voice carried.

The distress call sounded like it was coming from the docks. Or more specifically an old boathouse. The screaming rose in intensity as he got nearer. He could hear Ace calling him to wait up but he was too concerned about whomever was in trouble. The voice sounded young and scared.

The doors had rotted off long ago. One lay at the entrance as a welcoming matt of sorts while the other was nowhere to be seen.

As he reached the entrance he slowed down glancing around.

"Where are you?" Marco called out looking around the room. What used to hold boats was now full of trash and scrap metal. No doubt it had been out of use for many years.

"I'm here! Please it hurts."

Not wasting any more time Marco made his way to the back, dodging the empty crates. Ace was close behind him. His Haki sensed the presence of not one person but in fact two. One was in front of them and the other…

"Ace," he murmured and Ace seemed to understand. "Yeah, I'm on it."

Satisfied Marco turned his attention back to the task. Stepping around rusted metal on the ground he made his way to the back corner. There was a boy there, it looked like he had somehow managed to get his foot caught between a crate and some rusted metal. As Marco knelt before him he looked up.

"Please can you help me?" He hissed through gritted teeth as he tried once more to fruitlessly pull his foot free.

Marco gingerly inspected the foot. It wasn't bleeding so that was good. He might have to move the entire box to free the foot.

"Stay still." He told the boy who was doing his best to keep his breathing level.

"Easier said than done." He panted as Marco picked up the huge crate. He lifted it up and a few feet to the side.

"Thank you," The boy said as he reached down to touch his ankle and grimaced.

"Do you need a doctor?"

"I think I might." He hissed as Marco helped him up. He leaned heavily on the man's shoulder as he led him towards the door.

"Ace?" Marco called out. He began to worry when the young man didn't respond. Ace was still here. Marco could feel it. But whatever he was doing he was unable to answer back. A feeling of urgency prickled his neck and Marco turned, setting the boy down against one of the boxes.

"Where are you going?" His eyes were wide with fear.

"I will be right back. I need to find my friend. Stay here." When Marco tried to turn away the boy grabbed for his arm, tripping on his bad foot as he did so

"Wait don't leave me here alone."

Marco tried to push him off, not in the mood to deal with this boy's fear. "Look kid, I will be back just stay here."

"I'll come with you." He said, his face pleading, "Please." Their eyes met and Marco had to hold in a sigh. He always had a bit of a soft spot for kids and younglings, especially when they were scared or hurting. He didn't use to be like this. Dumb Thatch was rubbing off on him.

"Fine, but we need to be quick."

He slipped his arm around the boy's shoulder and helped him stand. But when he started forward the boy remained still, refusing to move.

"Listen we …" Marco began again but he never got to finish.

In an instant, the young man's aura changed from scared and in need to bloodlust. The change happened so fast that Marco only had a split second to pull away. His instincts took over as he pushed the boy away, just in time to deflect what would have been a fatal blow to the heart to a graze on his arm.

Marco's eyes gazed from the knife to the young man's face, raising his eyebrow.

The boy... young man, stood strong on both og his legs, apparently, there was nothing wrong with his ankle at all. It had been a trap. One Marco had walked right into.

"Dammit!" The man hissed inspecting the blade of the knife. There was a small smear of blood on the edge where it had nicked his skin. But it was hardly deeper than a paper clip.

"Nice try kid." Marco meant it too. The way the kid had managed to hide his intent was pretty masterful. No doubt he was fairly competent as an assassin. But Marco didn't have time for this right now. He needed to find Ace and get to the bottom of this. "But I don't have time to play with you right now." He growled as some of his irritation crept out in his voice. He turned to leave hoping the boy would take the hint and count his blessings. Once more the killing intent had flared up so suddenly Marco only had a split second to move aside as the knife embedded itself into the wall, right where his head had been.

Marco frowned as he reached up and pulled it out of the wall. While annoyed part of him was impressed. The kid had managed to plunge it nearly four centimeters into the cement. That took some serious muscle and precision. Clearly, he wasn't dealing with an amateur despite his young age.

"I see you're pretty set on doing this," he said tossing the knife back to him. Blade first.

The kid didn't look surprised that he dodged, nor taken back by his laid-back attitude. Rather a wild smile spread across his face as he caught the dagger between two gloved fingers.

"I am," He agreed and for a moment all Marco could think of was Ace. Rather than the blonde-haired boy it was Ace standing in his place, with the same untamed smile as he stared down an opponent who hopelessly outclassed him. A brave idiot. Oyaji's favorite kind.

"Fine." He agreed motioning for him to attack.

To his surprise, the young man tucked the knife back into his belt, instead pulling a pipe from his back. He charged without warning as Marco brought up his hand, blocking him easily. But the boy didn't let it distract him as he jumped, surprisingly nimbly, over Marco to attack from the back. The older man easily blocked that one as well as he forced the blond back.

"Do you really know what you're getting into kid?" Marco asked as he attacked with his own blow. The young man grunted as he ducked just in time to avoid what would have been an incapacitating blow. He rolled away as a well-aimed kick from Marco grazed his legs. "You are still a little young to become an assassin and die for an unjust cause."

Marco had seen this before. Far too many times. Boys on the cusp of manhood were drafted into battles that weren't theirs to fight and die for the benefit of others. He had also met many young would-be assassins in his life. Many of them misguided and brainwashed. Although he always tried to dissuade them most were too far gone.

To his surprise, the young man smiled at that as he switched to the offensive charging Marco once more in a flurry of attacks much too fast for the normal eye to keep up with.

"First off no one is too young to die," He said as he ducked another blow. "If I haven't learned that yet then I am in trouble." The way he said it had an edge of joking but in that second as his next attack brought them face to face Marco could see his face clearly for the first time. A large scar covered most of his left cheek that, up until that point, had been concealed by his hair. It looked like a burn. A very serious burn. He was lucky he still had use of the eye. The kid understood the finality of death all right. Most likely better than men three times his age.

"Secondly it's a little presumptuous of you to assume my motives isn't it? You don't know anything about me."

"That's a two-way street," Marco told him as he avoided a swing of the pipe. "Yet it didn't stop you from trying to kill me."

"Third…!" The blond said ignoring him as he slammed his staff into the ground pausing in his attack. Marco stopped as well confused. "Stop pulling punches. I'm not going to stop until one of us is dead and if I'm not a big enough threat then you are going to have to prove it to me. He held out the pipe as darkness began to engulf his hand spreading up his arm and onto the metal. Busoshoku Haki, it looked like he had pretty good control of it as well. Despite himself, Marco was starting to like this kid.

"Fine," he agrees as his phoenix flames sprouted up over his body and two large wings extended from his back. He really couldn't afford to waste time. He was still worried why Ace hadn't reappeared. He knew Ace could take care of himself the same way he knew something was wrong here.

Haki-coated steel meant the brunt of his phoenix flames and the other man growled under the intensity of his power. He was forced to pull away as Marco came at him again and again. One of his dodges was a second too slow and in an instant, the flames engulfed his arm. But the next second his entire arm was coated in Haki and the fire was out. Still, it had undoubtedly hurt. Marco could tell from the way he kept that arm close to his chest.

"Ouch," He told Marco understating the pain of having your skin on fire. Even if it was only a split second.

"You're not a fan of fire I take it?" Marco asked as the staff came down on him again. He was referring to the scar tissue on his face.

The boy raised a hand instinctively to push his bangs over his face once more. Although his answer surprised Marco.

"Fire is an element, just like everything else. Being afraid of it is like fearing water because you are scared of drowning. It's irrational."

"Fearing death is irrational now?"

The boy transferred his grip to both hands as he stood strong in front of Marco.

"Yes," he said simply before he charged.

This time it was Marco who uncharacteristically reacted a second too late as the metal caught him just above the knee with enough force to shatter bone, had he been someone else. He didn't know if the other was getting faster or if he was simply slowing down. Either way, it mattered not as the bruise was already healing thanks to his phoenix flame.

As Marco came at the boy again he noticed Ace's force was growing stronger. He was coming back from whatever he had been doing. But so was the other person. The feeling that something was wrong grew stronger as he turned his attention back to the fight. Just in time to notice the next attack. The young man faked a right swing before turning left at the last second catching Marco off guard. He turned to move but something odd happened. His arm didn't obey him fast enough. It was a delayed response unusual for his highly trained reflexes. Once again the mistake cost him as the staff hit his arm leaving another vicious bruise. He backed away looking Sabo over. Devil fruit? It certainly didn't look like it. But what else? He needed to end this now.

Rolling his shoulders behind him the wings reached out from their folded position to an impressive ten-foot wing span. The blond grit his teeth as he looked between the flaming appendages and then back to Marco.

He had already made up his mind, he wasn't going to kill the boy. Not if he could help it. As a general rule, Marco tried never to kill younglings even if they were technically adults. Even though he was a pirate in a world so full of injustice he didn't like to add to the tragedies. Somewhere somebody probably cared about this kid and would mourn his death. They would turn that hatred onto Marco and a never-ending cycle would start.

Although He was less merciful of adults and even less of those who were cruel and didn't understand the toll of taking a life. Besides he was starting to like the kid. He was gutsy that was for sure. Self-confident with the skills to back it up. And in an odd way, he felt familiar. But not so much so that Marco thought he had met him before. In a more abstract way that confused him. Still, though, this was a fight between pirates and someone was going to get hurt.

In the blink of an eye and a single flap of his wings, he threw himself forward toward the unprepared blond. His foot struck his side and he heard the crack as his flames erupted around them.

The boy gasped as he pushed away, caught up in the blaze of the flames as they engulfed him. For a moment Marco worried he had overestimated the teen, that the attack would do him in.

But the next second he watched impressed as he used his staff as a spring to hurdle himself over the flames as he crashed to the floor into a double roll to shake off the heat. He had pulled off his coat as well which had taken the brunt of the flames but he had still gotten some burns. Marco could see the black spots on his shirt where the fire had burned through to his skin. Nothing permanent but it no doubt hurt. He coughed the smoke out of his lungs holding the broken ones as he did so, all the while watching Marco through eyes squinted in pain. He straightened immediately when the man moved, ready to fight on a second's notice.

"Ouch?" Marco guessed mirroring his previous complaint.

Blue eyes searched his face and a hint of a smile graced his lips. "Ouch," He agreed.

It was odd but Marco couldn't sense any ill will coming from the blond. At every attack, there was an element of concentrated violence, like he was ready to kill Marco or be killed at that same moment. But that was more to do with his fighting style than anything else. Aside from that, he didn't seem like he wanted to hurt Marco any more than Marco wanted to hurt him. Which begged the question of why were two people who didn't want to fight, fighting? He needed to get to the bottom of this before …

"Ace," He said as the young man returned. He looked very pale but other than that unharmed. The blond also looked up at the arrival of Ace.

"What happened?" Marco asked as he turned his attention back to the fighting teen. He had proved too dangerous to be ignored.

"I'll tell you about it later," Ace said as he too turned his attention to the blond. He sounded uncharacteristically hollow. Very unlike the expressive young man Marco knew. Although he had become a lot more serious and closed off since his little brother was taken.

Marco knew how heavily it weighed on him at all times.

"Do you need help?"

"No," Marco said seriously as the blond charged, apparently losing patience with their talking.

As the two traded blows Marco once again felt the odd sensation of his body being disconnected from his brain. On two of the attacks, Marco was too slow and was hit with the pipe. A solid hit to his chest and another that scraped his cheek drawing blood. He retaliated strongly as his flames leaped forward. The blond was forced to break away as the flames covered his hand. He pulled off his left glove with a gasp as he cradled his hand to his chest.

Marco's eyes widened a fraction as he saw the burns that covered his hand as well, spreading up his wrist. No doubt about it, the young man knew the risks of playing with fire. But as he turned his eyes to Marco, more determined than ever, Marco knew he didn't care.

He came again, faster than before as his blows seemed to come out of nowhere. Marco negated them the best he could but one after the other found its mark on him. Hitting him faster than his flames could heal him. His fire surged up to his anger and the boy was forced back, springing back onto his unburned hand before landing on his feet a few meters away, already in a defensive stance waiting for more.

"What did you do?" Marco said eyes narrowing. Something was wrong with him all right. But he didn't know how the other was doing it.

The boy remained silent glancing from him to Ace. Marco felt his temper boil over as he attacked once more. This time though he wasn't going to give the boy an out. He would finish it now.

He felt the staff dig into his side in an explosion of pain. It was worth it for the chance to sweep the man's legs out from under him sending him crashing to the floor. Marco could see the fire reflected in his eyes as he stared up at the man. Marco opened his mouth to ask one last time what the hell he had done. But he never got the chance.

The second the boy hit the ground Ace had moved. So distracted by the fight Marco hadn't noticed until it was too late. Something snapped around his wrists as a familiar feeling of cold rushed through him. His fire disappeared in a snap and a rough kick shoved him backward. It happened in an instant, too fast for Marco to realize until it was too late.

He had been an idiot. He had forgotten about the other presence. The one Ace had gotten tied up with. Although it wasn't exactly a familiar aura Marco should have figured it out. When Ace returned they had moved as well. Marco was so distracted with the kid he hadn't paid enough attention. It was going to cost him.

"Burgess."

Ace stared impassively back at him. He was standing over the blond boy in a protective stance. He didn't confirm it but then again Marco didn't need him to.

Ace had planned the entire thing. His disappearance, his odd behavior. He was working with that boy. One of Teach's maybe? To take him down. And Burgess was watching the whole thing smug as a bug and safe from the fighting. It was an elaborate trap and he had fallen right into it.

"Ace don't do this." He said as he watched his friend pull the blond boy to his feet.

"You're better than this."

"I'm not," Ace said turning to Marco once more. The pain was evident on his face.

Marco pulled on the cuffs experimentally, knowing that without the key he wouldn't get them off. And without his powers, he would have a hard time taking on three of them. But that was the plan all along. They never expected the blondie to win on a one-on-one with him.

"Ace," He kept his voice calm, fixing his intense gaze on the boy. "I know why you are doing this." His gaze flickered up to the ceiling with a glare before turning back to his friend's face. "You have to trust us. We can help you, not these guys."

Although Ace hadn't been with them long it was long enough to know exactly what kind of person he was. From the first day they had met him, even while trying to take Oyaji's head, they had known everything they needed to about Ace. Despite being constantly surrounded by friends he was alone. He was a hothead and didn't always think things through. But he was brave and strong and from the bottom of his heart couldn't stand by and let injustice happen. He was also loyal to those who were special to him and he would do anything for them. That was the trait that Oyaji had admired the most about him. It made Marco sick to think how it was being used against him. He wished he could make Ace understand that loyalty worked both ways. All of his sisters and brothers would gladly protect Ace as he did for them. If only he would let them. But in all the months they had been together Marco had failed to get Ace to understand that.

His voice dropped lower as he tried to keep the sound from carrying. He didn't want the monsters getting anything else to use against Ace. "You're our little brother." He said giving him a soft smile. "There isn't anything we wouldn't do for you."

"And he's my little brother," Ace said his voice hardly louder than a whisper as it shook. His eyes were begging Marco to understand. "And there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him."

Ace had never looked more frightened than he did now. In fact, Marco couldn't remember him ever looking frightened. It reminded him of that first few weeks while he was a prisoner on their boat, constantly trying to kill Oyaji. When Marco looked into his eyes he saw so much pain and betrayal. He had looked lost. As he did right now.

"I can't…I can't lose him." Ace said trying to somehow make Marco understand. "If anything happened to him…" He took a shaky breath and from beside him, the blond squeezed his arm. "I don't think I could live with myself."

Marco didn't like where Ace was going with this. All this time they had believed he was alone in the world except for his friends. Apparently, they had been very wrong.

"It's okay." He said looking into tormented grey eyes. "I understand." And he did. Marco never wanted to be forced to choose between his family. Or god forbid his brothers and sisters and Oyaji.

"It's going to be okay." He promised.

The blond boy squeezed his hand tighter and Ace turned his attention from Marco to look at him as they shared a silent conversation.

Marco furrowed his brow in surprise wondering what he was missing. Maybe the newcomer wasn't part of the Blackbeard's? Ace sure as hell didn't act like it. But if not that then what? And why did it seem like the two knew each other? Whatever the answer was it would have to wait as Ace seemingly won the unspoken argument and the blond nodded stepping back. Ace turned to face Marco once more as he tried uselessly to pull on the cuffs.

"This plan," Marco said looking between Ace to the other boy. "It doesn't seem like something you would come up with." He glared at the blond who stood strong under his gaze. Ace stepped between them once more."

"Just tell me what you did to me." Marco's body seemed like it was getting slower by the minute. Something was really wrong.

Ace remained silent but the blond drew the knife from his sleeve. "It's a poison." He told him with no hint of emotion in his voice. Marco looked down at his arm seeing the small spot of blood. "It's jellyfish poison. Fast acting and is incredibly powerful. Even a drop is enough." He tucked the knife into his belt perhaps for later use. "It's strong enough that even you won't be able to heal fast enough." He looked between Ace and Marco for a moment before continuing. "Even if you beat us and get free it will be too late ….I'm sorry," he added a minute later.

Marco gritted his teeth. One thing was for sure, they had thought this through. "We won't know until we find out."

"Right," Ace growled. And that's when he attacked. Fire burst from his body in tendrils of heat burning so bright he was blinding. Marco barely deflected the first attack, as he kicked Ace aside feeling the intense heat burn his shoe. Taking on a fully charged Ace without his powers wasn't going to be easy. And the poison didn't help either.

He jumped into the air avoiding another blow that would have shattered his jaw. He twisted in the air to avoid another attack, landing on shaky legs and panting heavily.

Ace glanced at him and his expression was heartbreaking.

"I'm so sorry," He whispered.

"None of this is your fault." Marco hissed as his gaze once again looked up at the ceiling where no doubt Burgess was watching the entire exchange.

Ace shook his head, "You should have just fucking killed me when we met. At least then I wouldn't have to hurt you. To betray you guys and Lu would still be safe."

"Ace…" Marco tried again but he was cut off as Ace's temper snapped.

"Stop saying it's okay! None of this is okay." He gestured around them. "You, Thatch, Pops, all of you guys deserved better…"

Marco realized that Ace's gaze had shifted to over his shoulder the same second his haki flared in a warning. But it was too late. He felt the cold sensation of steel plunge into his skin. Slipping in just under his shoulder blade. Ace had been distracting him.

As black spots danced in his vision he looked up at his friend's face one last time. He looked like the world was ending.

Marco was overwhelmed by the horrible feeling of failure He had failed his father who had always trusted him unconditionally, his brother Thatch who he couldn't save, all of his brothers and sisters who relied on him, Ace's little brother who had given up his life and by extension Ace's to save the life of Thatch and finally he had failed Ace, who had been desperate for help that Marco couldn't give.

A burst of dark laughter filled the room from a point he couldn't see. He felt his knees buckle and the ground rushed up as everything around him erupted into blazing fire.

'Sorry, everyone.'

Chapter Text

XXX

The fire was hot as hell. The blond boy had to roll away to avoid the intense blaze that was burning out of control. The heat was overwhelming from where Burgess stood nearly ten feet away. He watched the destruction unfold with glee in his eyes. No wonder the boss wanted Ace, the kid was amazing.

When it finally did start to spark out Burgess could make out the dejected figure of Ace. Standing at the epicenter of the blaze looking like a bomb had gone off around him. The section of warehouse that had been in the fires path was black as ash. The flames had gotten hot enough to melt metal and cement alike. The only thing that was untouched was Ace. Although he was so pale amidst the blackness that he could be mistaken for an apparition.

And a few feet behind him was the body. Burned black like the rest of the room. So much so it almost blended into the floor, if not for the half melted skull. Burgess went to inspect it but Ace refused to turn around or acknowledge either of them. Instead his eyes, filled with pain and regret, met the Blond boys gaze head on. The two stared at each other as if having a silent conversation.

Finally Ace said, "It's done."

"It's done." Burgess agreed crouching down next to the body. He was supposed to bring back the head. But the way it was now he was worried it would crumble to dust if he picked it up. Not like anybody would be able to tell anyway. Orders were orders and he wrapped up the thing in a rag storing it away.

"Boss will be pleased."

Ace still did not turn around. He was acting childishly, like if he couldn't see the body then it meant he hadn't done it.

"I don't care what that pig thinks." He hissed out his tone full or anger. "Just give me Luffy back. Haven't I done enough?"

"Oh definitely." Burgess agreed as he straightened turning to face the outsider. Ace had done more than enough. But that didn't mean they were going to let him go.

"Although I prefer not to discuss matters in front of strangers."

Ace scowled at the man. "I already told you he is a mercenary. I needed his help to take down the Phoenix. Deal with it."

"And I told you it wasn't the deal. You were to do this alone."

"You told me not to tell the Whitebeards." Ace gestured around "Does it look like any of the Whitebeards are here?" His voice cracked as he said so but his gaze remained strongly fixed on Burgess.

"Fine." The man agreed. "We will let Teach settle this one. But until then Blondie stays with me." As he said this he reached into his back pocket for his knife.

The Blond boy looked decidedly unimpressed at that. He crossed his arms in a stance that was more 'are you serious,' then the look of terrified fear Burgess was going for.

"You're going to kill me?" He guessed. He sounded like someone had just spoiled the ending of a cliché novel.

'They don't freaking make kids like they used too'. The pirate thought angrily. In his day younglings responded to death threats appropriately not with extreme sass.

The only one actually rattled by the threat was Ace. He took a step between the two of them.

"No one else dies today."

"What do you care Fire fist?"

"I'm not like you guys." Ace spat. "I don't kill innocent people."

The man snorted at that. "You think he's innocent? Think again. Besides you a lot more like us then you know." Ace's eyes briefly flashed to the body. He looked like he was going to be sick.

"Get going." He said, although he was talking to the other boy this time.

"I want the rest of my money." The kid reminded him.

Ace took a pouch from his hip and tossed it to the other boy without breaking eye contact with Burgess.

"Now go."

The kid didn't need to be told twice. In a split second he was gone, without so much as a second glance. Typical mercenaries. Burgess tried to go after him but he was once again blocked by Ace. The boy looked about ready to have another fight to the death. Tempted as he was Burgess didn't know if he had it in him to beat Fire Fist. He was curious to find out but Teach had warned him against it. Apparently the boss didn't have as much faith in his abilities as he did. The only thing keeping Ace from trying to rip the man limb from limb was the threat of what Teach would do to Luffy in retaliation.

Burgess snarled at Ace, recognizing that the boy was gone. Probably for good.

"Teach will hear about this." He hissed the fury clear on his face.

Ace glared right back up at him despite the significant height difference Burgess felt the full weight of the young man's gaze. A small smile graced his lips but his eyes held no mirth.

For perhaps the first time Burgess questioned the intelligence of making an enemy out of Ace.

"You tell him. Tell him everything."

XXX

Earlier:

"I can't do this," Ace hissed wringing his hands through his hair as he paced in an endless circle.

"He trusted me!"

Sabo watched him spiral with a sigh. He understood how this was hard for Ace. From what little he knew of the young man he could tell he was loyal to a fault and honest. This double crossing thing didn't sit well with him. Sabo had experience with things like this. It had been his idea after all. He had grown up in a world of betrayal and lies. And that was just the revolutionary missions. He didn't doubt that his forgotten life as a noble had prepared him for such activities. He was used to this. Ace wasn't.

With a sigh he pushed himself off the wall putting a hand on Ace's shoulder to stop his frantic pacing. If this kept up Ace would pass out again and that was the last thing they needed right now. Not only had it scared the crap out of him but Ace had been asleep for over three hours. Strait into the time they had needed for planning.

"Ace it's going to be okay. I promise. Your braver then this." Sabo said gently meeting his gaze.

"We'll do it together alright?"

"Alright."

XXX

"How did it go?"

There was a pause as the snail considered before answering.

"Alright I guess. They got it done."

Blackbeard's grip on the Den Den tightened at that. "They?"

"Yea there was another boy with him. Hired mercenary or something."

"Or something?" Teach repeated his tone hinging on dangerous.

Burgess sensed the doubt in his bosses tone and hastened to try to soothe the man's temper. "He and the kid took down the phoenix together. Got it done without any intervention from me."

"You killed the mercenary afterwards right?" Teach said cutting the man off.

The silence from the other end told him differently.

"Useless," Teach muttered loudly.

"Boss?"

"Kill the mercenary. I don't care if you have to torch a town to get it done just do it!"

"Sure boss." Burgess agreed distractedly. "But…"

"But what?" Teach was not in the mood to be questioned by his subordinates.

Did you really think…I mean sure Fire Fist is strong but the Phoenix is out of his league? How was he supposed to take down the right hand of Whitebeard?"

The question was a valid one. Although it wasn't something Teach wanted to talk about at the moment. He told the man to get it done before slamming the Den Den down so hard the creature gave a cry. Blackbeard ignored it as he leaned back on the weathered couch in his office.

Obviously he hadn't expected Ace to be able to defeat Marco the Phoenix in a one on one. The same way he hadn't expected Ace to be able to get ten new recruits by himself. Killing Marco had been a bit of a panic move when they lost Luffy. One he hadn't corrected when the boy was recovered. What he did expect was for the teen to go to any length to ensure his baby brothers safely. So far he hadn't been disappointed. Surely Ace had to know Luffy was worthless though? All this work for a brat that 'wasn't quite right in the head'. Honestly people were so dumb. Somedays it felt like he was the only one on the ocean with a brain. Although that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

He ran stubby fingers through his unkempt hair. Speaking of brainless creatures.

Teach turned his attention back down to the squirming boy in his lap. At the gaze Luffy glared up at him. Despite how weak he had become during his captivity the defiance in the boys eyes never wavered. It both annoyed and amused Teach.

"Hear that little one? Your brother just killed his first crew mate." Teach continued to run his fingers through Luffy's hair in a methodic motion. Like he was petting a cat, or comforting a small child.

"For you of course."

Luffy squirmed in the man's grip but didn't break his glare. So far he hadn't been able to break the ropes holding his arms and legs together. But not for lack of trying. If he still had that much energy in him after all this time then Teach had clearly been doing something wrong.

"Mnn."

"What was that?" Teach asked amused as his hand temporarily stopped before resuming again.

Luffy made the noise again and this time Teach stopped to listen. He grinned as he realized Luffy was saying 'no' but the dirty rag stuffed into his mouth muffled the noise.

At first he didn't think they needed it, after all the point was to get the kid to talk, to tell him what he needed to know. Like who the googles belonged too for starters. But rather than answers all Luffy seemed to have were choice words to describe Teach and his small crew. Blackbeard honestly hadn't thought a child as naïve as Luffy could swear like that. He was suprisingly creative. After ten minutes of non-stop screaming and biting Teach had quickly decided that it would be better for everyone's health if Luffy shut up. Although it hadn't done as much as he hoped. What words Luffy couldn't say were clearly written on his face.

He caught himself wondering, not for the first time, if Luffy was part feral or something. When Teach had found him he had been in the middle of a forest fighting a giant bear or something. He looked down at his thumb where Luffy had bit him over an hour ago. A clear set of teeth marks were still visible in the skin even now. He wondered if he had to get shots for that the same way someone bitten by a rabid animal needed too.

"No what?" Teach said turning his attention back to the kid. "No your brother didn't kill that guy?"

Luffy's silence made him laugh.

"You think the world of Ace don't you?" He didn't need a response. Which was all very well as Luffy didn't give one. No that much was already pretty clear. It was so sweet it made Teach want to vomit.

"Well guess what little boy. Your brothers not perfect. He is the reason you are here. He couldn't protect you from me, he couldn't save you and apparently he couldn't save his friend either. So maybe you should direct some of that anger his way."

Luffy continued to glare up at him like he hadn't heard a single word Teach said. The man sighed as he gave up. He might as well save his breath. What use was explaining it to an idiot like this?

When Luffy woke to discover the glasses were missing he went crazy. Or 'snapped' as one of the crew remarked in response to the shuttering as Luffy tried to break the wall. At first Teach was content to ignore his temper tantrum. After all he figured he would wear himself out considering how he had cheated death just a few days ago. But it turns out he had been wrong. Luffy hadn't stopped. What Teach was quickly coming to learn about the boy was that he never stopped. He was all the most annoying things about Ace multiplied by ten.

After five hours Teach had warned Thatch, who was apparently the sensible one between the two of them, that if he couldn't get Luffy to shut it up then they would both regret it. Honestly it was the straw hat all over again. To the man's credit he had tried. To the point where he had held Luffy down and covered his mouth. But all he had gotten in return was a nasty kick to his side. Amusing as that was Teach could no longer deal with the noise and had taken it into his own hands to do something about it.

"What am I going to do with you?" The man sighed as he shifted Luffy on his lap to hold him closer. Luffy groaned in response as his body went ridged like he had been burned by the contact. Teach stroked his bruised cheek with his free hand.

"Careful or you're going to start crying again." He teased rather meanly. He had made sure to bring that up every chance he got, never willing to let the kid forget his break down.

He didn't think the boy was capable of it but lying here, cradled in Teaches arms like a misbehaving show pet, it was clear that the kid absolutely loathed him with every fiber of his being. It was like the very act of being touched by Teach was causing him physical pain. Luffy looked like he would rather face down an army of monsters then be held by the man who was blackmailing his brother. Which was kind of the point.

So far Luffy had no reaction to physical punishment. In fact it seemed to further cement his determination to be as un-helpful and all round annoying as he possibly could. So it was nice to watch his face twist with disgust and rage. It was a look that was wholly unnatural on the face of a boy so scrawny and young.

'It's a good thing I am going to kill him when this is over,' Teach mused to himself as he continued to pet the fluffy black hair. He watched Luffy's face twitch briefly in pain as his thick fingers roughly drove through a section of dried blood on the back of his head before the pointed anger returned. If this was what Luffy was like as a kid then he would hate to see what kind of man he grew up to be. It would probably be someone Teach didn't want as an enemy.

"Did someone used to do this for you when you were upset?" Teach asked delighted when he felt Luffy stiffen even further in his grip.

"I'll take that as a yes."

"Your parents?"

Luffy ignored him. Choosing to instead stare at the ceiling just right of Teach's head. He looked disinterested again.

That wasn't it.

"That's right, you guys are orphans right?" There were no emotions to be manipulated there. He tried a new angle.

"Ace perhaps?"

Once again Luffy continued to ignore him further annoying the man. He grabbed Luffy's chin between his fingers forcing the boy to look at him and only him. Dark eyes met his own.

"Who then?"

Luffy broke the gaze for a fraction of a second to gaze over at the googles on the desk involuntarily.

"Oh, I see how it is then." An emotional attachment, his favorite kind. And by far the most lucrative.

"But you're not going to tell me whose those are?" Luffy shook his head again daring the man to try and force it out of him.

Teach sighed, "No, I suppose not." He gave Luffy's cheek a soft pat before standing suddenly. The motion sent the boy tumbling from his lap onto the ground. His bound limbs doing nothing to protect him. He landed on the floor with a soft moan as Teach strode over to the desk retrieving the googles. He saw Luffy's gaze turn to him as he turned the little things over in his hands a few more times. All the fuss over these?

"When this is over Ace will either join us or I will take his head."

He turned back to Luffy who was laying on his stomach, his attention solely on Teach. The man grinned back at him as he pulled the letter opener from his desk and stalked back to the kid.

"And you…" He said cutting the cloth away from his mouth so he could speak again.

"Are going to be in pieces at the bottom of the ocean. Or?" Teach ran the knife over Luffy's cheek thoughtfully. He traced the crescent scar with the tip of the blade impressed that the boy didn't so much as flinch. If nothing else he was a brave brat.

"Maybe I will sell you." Make some cash. "I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who would love to take a piece out of a Vice Admirals grandson." He looked Luffy over once more. "Or do whatever else with. Honestly I don't really care. So long as you don't get the chance to live out the rest of your teen years."

Teach straightened once more showing Luffy the goggles in his hands. "Last chance little one. Give me a name or these go out the window."

Dark eyes looked between Teach to the window and back to his hand.

"No," he whispered. His voice quiet and hoarse from all the screaming he had done.

"Your loss." Teach headed to the porthole unlatching it as he felt the eyes glaring daggers into his back.

"Wait!"

And there it was. Teach paused turning around slowly a grin on his face. "Give me a name. Whose do these belong too and how do you know them?"

"Dragons."

The smile fell off Teach's face as he blinked confused. "Er- what?"

"Dragons." Luffy repeated his eyes completely serious. His face betrayed nothing but the honest truth.

"That's it." Teach growled as he turned once more to toss them into the sea.

"No!" Luffy cried his voice cracking under the strain of his emotions. "I told you what you wanted."

Teach's grip tightened as his temper flared once more.

"In what world do you think the answer I was looking for was dragons? Do these look like fucking dragon eyewear to you stupid boy?"

Luffy only shook his head equally angry. "Not that! I already told you that I'm Not going to tell you whose those are. But you wanted to know a secret Ace told me right? That's it."

Like a flip had been switched off then back on and off once more Teach felt his temper dissolve into more confusion. Like it always seemed to do when he had to interact with Luffy.

"Ace's secret was dragons?"

"He said it was my secret." Luffy corrected him.

Teach ignored him further confused now. If it was Luffy's secret then why did Ace have to tell him? And what kind of secret was that.

"Do you…" Teach began feeling silly. "Have dragons?"

Luffy gave him a look that plainly said 'idiot,' which meant a lot coming from him.

"Of course not."

"Okay new plan. You have exactly five seconds to convince me how that's possibly a secret or these go out the window."

"I don't know anything else!" Luffy cut him off annoyed. "I told you your dumb thing so just give them back!"

"Five."

"Ace said it was important."

"Four."

"He made me swear never to tell anyone."

"Three."

"That gramps had told him when he got too drunk once."

"Two."

"It doesn't mean anything to me." Luffy said as he desperately looked between the goggles and the open window. He continued to try and struggle against the ropes but they refused to move.

"One."

"But Ace said it's where I came from! That it was my heritage and if I told anyone I would be in danger. When I asked Gramps if I was a dragon he told me to stop being ridiculous so I don't know what Ace was talking about!"

Luffy finished the ramble and for once in his life he was quite. Waiting to see if that was enough to save his treasure.

Teach rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Now that was interesting. If Ace made a big deal out of it then there must be something there. Not to mention he had finally gotten Luffy to obey him. That was a step in the right direction.

"Very well." He said and the boy looked relieved as he closed the port window.

"You can have the damn things." But Teach never said what condition he would give them back in. He dropped them to the floor bringing his heavy boot down upon them the same time Luffy cried out in anguish. He tried to inch his way over to save them but it was too late.

Teach brushed off the shards of glass from the now twisted frame. It hung limply from the strap looking warped and defeated.

"No!" Luffy cried out looking more distressed then Teach remembered seeing him before. It was a good look for him. Teach bent down beside him as he pulled Luffy off the floor back onto the couch. He was delighted to see the beginning of tears in those dark eyes.

'Emotional attachments,' Teach thought to himself with a crocodile smile. 'So lucrative.' He tied the goggles around Luffy's neck, satisfied he had won this round.

'You know what?" He said as his eyes fell on the camera on his shelf. "Why stop there. Ace has been a good little solider hasn't he?"

Luffy looked up at him as anticipation clouded his sorrow. Teach patted his cheek distractedly.

"Let's give Ace something for his troubles."

Chapter Text

Thatch was pacing. He would walk in a circle before sitting down for a minute only to spring up again and continue the cycle. Teach had dragged Luffy away hours ago. Thatch knew he wouldn't be able to calm down until the kid was returned. In whatever shape he would be in. Thatch didn't care so long as he came back. It had scarcely been a few days since he cheated death thanks to Luffy's intervention. He was not up to his usual fighting shape. Still that thought didn't help lessen the guilt in the least, the acknowledgment that despite his best tries he hadn't been able to do anything for Luffy. So far he hadn't done a damn thing to protect the kid nor his treasures from the bloodsucking parasite that he once called his nakama. Instead Luffy had been mostly left to fend for himself. He couldn't shake the constant feeling that at any second the thin thread that held up Teach's sanity would snap. And when that happened Luffy would be unprotected and alone.

Thatch once again sat on the bed trying to push the particularly gruesome thoughts away. Teach wasn't going to kill Luffy. Not now. He still needed him. That was not going to be the last time he saw his friend alive. Luffy would be fine. He always was. This time wouldn't be any different.

He didn't know how long he waited. It felt like a very long time. Luffy was in bad shape. Thatch had seen him when they pulled him out of the water. Beaten half to hell and puking up blood-stained water from his lungs. Teach had to know that much more of that and Luffy would really die. Despite how thick-headed the kid was. Then again he had been willing to let Thatch die only a few days ago. Accidental or not Teach's temper, which Luffy seemed to exacerbate, was nothing to take lightly.

He slid from the bed to sit on the floor, too tired to keep pacing. So he rested on the floor with his back against the bed and his forehead resting on his bent knee. He spent the better part of the day drifting in and out of sleep. Each time he woke up he had to face the disappointment of being trapped in that little room alone. His family miles away and god knows what Teach was doing to his only friend.

At the grating sound of the lock he shot up to his feet, hands clenched into fists. Thatch wished he had a weapon, anything to defend them but there was nothing here.

Teach's dark laugh filled the room as the door swung open.

"Relax," He told Thatch as he took a step towards the door.

"I brought you your little friend back."

His meaty hand clutched Luffy's small matchstick arm, practically holding him up.

Thatch started towards them but Teach was quick to draw a knife, pointing it at him first before turning it on Luffy. The message was clear. Thatch swallowed back the obscenities on his tongue as he stayed rooted to the spot.

Thankfully the evil man did not hurt Luffy further but rather used it to cut the ropes that held him before throwing him roughly to the ground.

Once the knife was tucked safely back into his belt Thatch ran to Luffy pulling him to his feet.

"Are you okay kid?"

Thatch checked Luffy's face over carefully finding it more bruised then when he had last seen him. Although aside from that he looked more or less the same.

"I'm okay," Luffy said pushing aside his hands as he turned to glare at Teach.

Thatch let out a sigh of relief before joining Luffy in glaring at the fat man grinning in the doorway like the cat who caught the canary.

"What the hell are you so smug about chess teeth?" Thatch asked using Luffy's insult and watching the smile flicker to frustration before Teach remembered they weren't worth getting angry over.

"Why don't you ask him?" He pointed an accusing finger at Luffy who stiffened with anger. Thatch took a step forward on reflex putting himself between the two.

Luffy turned his head away angrily. Not in the mood to play Teach's games.

"I guess it's a family matter huh kid?"

"What are you talking about?" Thatch asked confused.

Teach raised his eye brows in amusement as he snorted. "You mean you don't know?"

"Know what?" Thatch asked confused only to be cut off by Teach's horrible laughter filling the room.

Luffy growled at him and Thatch had to grab his arm to keep him in place.

"What does Luffy have to do with your war against Whitebeard?"

Teach only laughed louder at that. "And I thought you were the smarter one." He wiped his eyes still grinning. "I guess the kid didn't tell you."

"Tell me what?"

Teach stalked forward towards them the same second Thatch pushed Luffy behind his back as he glared at the man.

The teen made a noise of protest as he tried to slip between Thatch's arms for another confrontation but he stood his ground firmly. He put one of his arms out to stop Teach and used the other to keep Luffy behind him.

"Tell me," He snapped. "Why is he here?"

Despite the fact that both of them knew Thatch was still too sick to stop Teach from getting to Luffy the man paused mid-step.

"I don't usually take orders from my prisoners," He said. "But I'm feeling generous today so I will tell you." The grin was back on his face as he looked between the two in front of him. Thatch had managed to stop Luffy from walking over and slugging the man as it looked like he wanted to do. Instead, the teen had stopped short behind the pirate's protective arm that was silently asking him to stay back. Although that did nothing to quell the fury in the teen's dark eyes as he looked at Teach.

"Doesn't little Luffy remind you of someone?" Teach continued oblivious to the look the teen was giving him.

Thatch turned to Luffy perplexed. "No?"

"Oh for the love of…" Teach used Thatch's distraction to his advantage as he strode up to him shoving the man aside to grab the teens jaw.

Luffy snarled again, although this one sounding more feral. He tried to pull back but Teach just dug his black finger nails deeper into his skin and forced his head to the side so his eyes met Thatch's own confused pair.

Despite himself the pirate was quick to respond. Thatch slapped Teach's hands off Luffy so hard the resulting sound rung out through the tiny room.

"Don't touch him." He snapped his patience and worry from the day threatening to boil over every time Teach got too close to his new friend.

Both Luffy and Teach looked surprised at the fire in his usually friendly voice. Teach recovered first rubbing his bruised hand angrily.

"I was trying to get the point across." He told Thatch. "But you're so thick I have to spell it out for you don't I?"

"I would appreciate it." Thatch snapped back sarcastically.

"I took you to get leverage over the old man."

Thatch growled at that but Teach continued on like he hadn't heard. "I figured as long as I have you he has to watch himself around me least he loses one of his favorites."

"Whitebeard will never lose to a man like you!" Thatch snapped.

Teach just waved him off annoyed at the interruption.

"The Kid's here for the same reason."

"Oyaji has never even met Luffy? Why would you try to get to him through someone he doesn't know?" True Oyaji wasn't the kind of guy who would let an innocent child die at the hands of his ex-crew member but it still made no sense. Thatch wondered for a brief moment if Teach really was as crazy as he had accused him of being.

"Ahh but you see I'm not trying to get to Whitebeard." The air of bragging was back and it made Thatch's skin crawl. Although not nearly as much as the next sentence.

"I'm trying to get to Ace."

Of all the things he expected Teach to say that was at the bottom of the list. Immediately Thatch felt his protective instincts flare up again at the thought of the man going after his youngest brother.

"What's Ace got to do with anything?"

Teach looked over at Luffy with a crocodile smile. "Should I tell him or do you want to?"

"Go to hell!"

"Well for starters he is a prodigy. The youngest ever to be offered warlord stats and he turned it down. His name is known far and wide across the seas."

"So?"

"So how grateful will the world government be when I deliver his head to them. Do you think they will give me money? Status? Power. Or even better how strong would my forces grow if he joined me. All that untapped potential under my control. With my help he could become unstoppable. Together we could become great."

Teach had more to say but Thatch was done listening.

"ACE WOLD NEVER JOIN FORCES WITH SOMEONE LIKE YOU." Thatch roared. "You're an obsessed lunatic who betrayed his own family and now resorts to blackmailing and torturing teenagers. Ace is twice the man you will ever be. There is Nothing! You could offer him that would make him follow you."

From the corner of his eye Thatch noticed Luffy staring at him in surprise but he was too angry to pay attention to anything other than the pounding in his ears.

He expected Teach to be angered at the outburst. He had already proved himself to be someone who did not tolerate disrespect. Only the man didn't look angry at all. Rather he looked smug and pleased with himself.

"That's where your wrong my old friend." His dark eyes turned to Luffy with a predatory look.

"Allow me to be the first to properly introduce you two. Thatch meet Ace's little brother."

A feeling like cold clammy hands settled on Thatch's spine as he stared at Luffy as if seeing him for the first time. "What?" He asked.

"I kidnapped him to blackmail Ace, try to keep up."

"But I thought Ace was an orphan." Thatch said dumbly trying to do just that.

"Who told you that?"

"He said…" He began before trailing off. While it was true it was implied Ace had never specifically said he didn't have any siblings. Ace never really talked about his past or anybody for that matter. When they had first met in the early days when he was still trying to kill pops Thatch would bring him food and try to get a conversation out of the reluctant teen. Thatch had asked Ace if he had a sweetheart somewhere. Ace had snorted at that. Thatch had then asked if he had any folks or family waiting for him to come back and he had said no again.

"Well I guess that's true." The man admitted. "Our own little spitfire has no family. He was born into this world alone. Isn't that right Luffy?"

"Shut up!" The teen snapped.

"All he has is his younger foster brother."

"Shut the HELL UP!"

"Monkey D. Luffy the grandson of a vice-admiral and apparently the offspring of some kind of dragon."

Thatch once again turned to Luffy despite himself. Why was this the first he was hearing about this? But rather then helpfully filling in some holes Luffy was glaring at Teach, his eyes promising bloodshed.

"It gets better. Why don't you tell him the best part kid, about Ace's fa…" Whatever he was going to say was cut off as Luffy tore himself free from Thatch's grip with a scream as he tackled the man.

They both went down, Teach caught off guard in surprise by the sudden violence. Luffy wasn't done by far. He clawed at the man's face with his small and bloody fingernails.

"You will never OWN Ace!" He screamed.

But Teach had recovered this time and threw Luffy off of him to the floor. He would have retaliated further with a bone shattering kick to his ribs but Thatch caught his foot and toppled his balance. It was just enough of a distraction to allow the man to pull Luffy up and behind his back once more.

Teach looked positively murderous as he stared down the two of them. But when he spoke it was to Luffy only.

"You on the other hand are good for nothing. If it wasn't your value in blackmail you would be at the bottom of the ocean right now," He spat. "But mark my words boy. That won't protect you forever. You're going to die a very painful death and I'm going to be the one to do it."

Thatch's hands tightened around Luffy at the threat. He would like to see Teach try to get past him.

Luffy let out a low growl at the man as he tried once more to break free from Thatch's hold. But god knows what the man would do to him if he tried another attack like That. Teach's temper was not to be tested right now.

"If I die then I die," Luffy spat back at him. "But you will Never Get ACE!"

Both men turned to look at Luffy in surprise, and concern in Thatch's case. It was clear that the threat of death didn't scare him. Even after all this time at the mercy of a madman. Maybe Teach really was right. But not about Luffy. Maybe Thatch was the slow one. How hadn't he seen the connection between the two of them. Blood relation or not Thatch had seen that look before. Dozens of times. It was the look Ace wore when someone had pissed him off. It was the look that meant shit was about to go down.

Teach scoffed to himself throwing both of them another furious look. "You're out of your depth little boy." He turned to the door as Thatch forced himself to turn away from Luffy.

As Teach's chubby fingers closed around the door handle Thatch spoke up.

"You think you're threatening them?"

Teach paused for a moment but did not turn around.

"Well I'll tell you something. If you hurt either of them you are going to regret it."

"You think you scare me?" Teach sneered.

"I'm not talking about me."

Thatch couldn't speak for Oyaji. But he had the feeling the old man would feel the same about what Teach was doing to this little family.

Teach just let out a low laugh as he turned, slamming the door behind him as he left.

The two prisoners were left in silence with the overwhelming grating of the three locks sliding back into place.

XXX

Sabo sat high above the town on the roof of one of the taller buildings. He thought the height would clear his head but so far it hadn't done much except remind him how small everything really was. It had been a long night since the confrontation at the warehouse. A lot of cleanup was required. Ace had left with the pirate and Sabo had been left to sort out the odds and end. He should have followed them when they split up. He didn't trust the shifty henchman nor Ace's mental state at the moment. The combination of the two scared him. He ought to go find them, make sure Ace was alright. Or at least check back in with the revolutionaries. He fingered the Den Den in his hands. He knew it was well past time to call Koala. If he waited much longer she would make him regret it. But he didn't want to do that either and he wasn't entirely sure why.

Betrayal, drama, plans, covert missions, double crossing, roles and parts and lines he was use to all of this. This was his life ever since waking up with the revolutionaries. But this time it was different. This time it was his life. Something he didn't think he had until a few days ago. Sabo had never been very good at this part of the job. Comforting people, telling them that it was going to be alright in the end. Or at least one day. He would always try to pass it off to someone else. Or when he couldn't he would fake it. Pretend to know what he was talking about. Pretend to be confident in what he was saying. He had learned that if you spoke with enough reassurance to someone who had just lost everything they would take the words to heart.

It wasn't like he didn't feel for the people. He truly did. It was a horrible thing to lose your home, your family. He had seen what true devastation looked like and it wasn't a good look. But he had never been able to relate before. He had never had anything to loose. No memories or family or even a place to call home. That wasn't to say he hated his life. He loved it. It was like he was built for this kind of life. The job was his calling. Fighting for those who couldn't fight for themselves was his motivation. And his friends were his support. They would pick him back up when he got knocked down and make it so he wanted, no needed to try again and again until he succeeded. He cared more about his comrades the he did about himself. He would have never survived this long without them.

He was a little bit like a tool or a weapon. He choose what he wanted to be used for and he served that cause with his life. But this was different, personal. There was a little boy out there who was relying on Sabo to save him.

Sabo had seen kidnapping situations before. He always hated them for how nasty they could get. He always did the best he could but it was unpredictable at best. Sometimes the victim couldn't take the starvation. Sometimes they didn't make it in time. And even when they managed to get the victims back they were changed.

Sabo didn't want that to happen here. If this went bad, if he messed this up then it wouldn't be at someone else's expense. He had a ghoulish vision of him having to explain to Ace how they weren't in time to save Luffy. That this sometimes happened and there was nothing anyone could do to change that. But Luffy would want him to get over this if not for himself then for those who loved him. He had the whole sickening speech memorized for how many times he needed it in the past.

He put down the Den Den with a sigh. He couldn't call back. He had no clue what he would even tell them. He had wanted this after all. At least he thought he had.

He hugged his knee to his chest looking out at the city and the ocean beyond that.

A soft knocking startled him. His fingers were reaching for the pipe beside him before he realized it was Ace.

Sabo was relieved to see him unharmed. But then again he had never doubted he wouldn't be. Ace could clearly take care of himself.

"Want some company?" The freckled teen asked, his voice much softer than usual.

Sabo nodded despite himself. He wasn't sure what he truly wanted right now. But he recognized the emotions on Ace's face as the ones he was currently struggling with.

He turned his attention back to the ocean as Ace crossed the roof lightly to sit beside him. He dangled his feet over the edge leaning back on his palms.

They sat in silence for a moment before Sabo broke it.

"How did you find me?"

"I always find you. When you're upset you go high."

"I'm not upset," Sabo responded automatically.

Clearly Ace didn't believe him but he was nice enough not to say anything. They sat in silence for a few more minutes before curiosity got the best of him.

"Alright if I was… upset by something, not saying I am. Why do I go to high places?"

"Because your parents are lunatics." Ace answered for him.

"What?"

"They taught you that emotions, any at all even being happy, were unsightly. So whenever you feel something you always try to get away from other people. Climb a tree or something so no one would see that you actually do care sometimes."

Sabo thought about that for a second before he groaned.

"What?"

"Nothing?" He sighed leaning back. "It's just weird that you know more about me then I do."

"You don't remember me at all do you?" Sabo felt bad at the tone of his voice. Like he was letting him down.

"It's weird." He finally answered. "When I try it's a great big nothing. But sometimes I have these feelings. Like blueprints of another life. Somebodies else's life!" It made him feel weird. Like he was a stranger in his own head.

"What did Burgess want?" He asked changing the topic.

Ace just shrugged. "Made me wait while he called his boss. Mostly wanted to drink. Is it done?"

Sabo nodded as he let out a large yawn. It had been a long day. And it was far from over. He reminded Ace to be careful. They were watching him like a hawk. One little misstep and their partnership might be discovered. Then Ace would lose his only ally against the Blackbeards. Sabo's involvement had to stay a secret. And in order to do that Ace had to leave all the sneaking around and planning to him while he played the hopeless fool.

"Are you…okay?" Sabo asked awkwardly after a few moments.

Ace gave him a weird look.

"Like emotionally?"

The look was replaced with a quite laugh that seemed to echo off the darkened rooftop.

"Save your couples therapy speech Outlook. We don't really talk about our feelings."

"I thought we were friends or something in the past."

"We were," Ace said with a shrug. "It just wasn't our thing.

Sabo dropped his shoulders in relief. "Oh thank god."

Ace snorted again as he patted his back reassuringly. "Out of your element there huh?"

He never did know what to tell people when they came to him with their emotional problems. It was nice to know he didn't have to pretend with the teen. Even if he wasn't who he was supposed to be. Whatever he was at the moment, spy, weapon, a long-dead memory. It was enough.

Chapter Text

"I don't understand," He said dumbfounded for what felt like the hundredth time that hour.

"What's there to understand?" Luffy asked distractedly from his spot on the bed. He was leaning against the wall heavily, obviously tired. Thatch knew how sick he was. He really ought to let him rest but there were too many questions flying around his brain.

"Ace is your brother?"

Luffy nodded annoyed, "I keep telling you YES!"

"Why on earth didn't you tell me?"

"Because You Didn't ASK!"

"Well I would have asked if I knew that I should ask because it might be a possibility…" He trailed off with a sigh as his head started hurting. Luffy looked confused.

"What?"

"Didn't you know I was on a pirate crew with your brother?" He tried again from a different angle.

Luffy shook his head as he shifted on the end once again resting his back against the wall.

"You are?"

Thatch nodded. "Teach didn't tell you?"

Luffy shook his head again. "He didn't tell me anything other than I was here so he could blackmail Ace. I thought you were here so he could blackmail your captain dad?"

Thatch nodded. That was more or less correct. Only with the missing link that Thatch's captain was Ace's as well.

Luffy looked at him for a second before frowning. "I don't believe you."

"What? Why."

"You might be Ace's friend but he isn't on your crew."

"Why not?"

Luffy just shook his head, "Ace is bossy."

"Is he?"

He nodded. "He is, he wouldn't join someone else's crew. He doesn't like listening to people."

Thatch could see that. But Oyaji wasn't just a regular person. He was debatably the strongest and most powerful pirate on the sea. His powers were that of a god and beneath all that strength was an incredibly kind man who cared for his crew as if they were his own.

"Our captain is really special," He explained to Luffy. "He doesn't think of us like a crew but rather a family. He and Ace get along really well. We all do."

Luffy was staring at him with an unreadable expression. Thatch sighed as he probed a little further.

"Do you believe me?"

Luffy thought for a second before answering. "You wouldn't lie about something like this right?"

Thatch nodded. "I wouldn't lie to you."

"Then I believe you." Luffy said a smile breaking out on his face. As always his smile was infectious. Thatch couldn't help himself but to smile along.

"So Ace was happy then."

"Yea," Thatch agreed softly. He really was. He missed that idiot as well as the rest of his family. He felt a pang in his chest suddenly. It was accompanied by the overwhelming desire to be back home rather than here. He pushed those thoughts away annoyed with his weakness.

Instead he joined Luffy on the bed. More questions bubbled to his mind but Luffy beat him too it.

"So are you and Ace friends?"

"We are." He didn't tell Luffy that he had been one of the first ones to befriend the teen when he was first trapped on their boat. Nor about what came before that. He didn't think it was important. He gathered Luffy agreed. He didn't seem like someone who got caught up in the details.

"So the reason you don't live with your brother…is because he left to be a pirate."

Luffy nodded. He yawned widely reminding Thatch how exhausted the injured kid must be. But one question was still left unanswered.

"I thought you said your brother was some other name…Sam or something."

Luffy's eyes widened slightly as he sat up, suddenly more awake.

"Sabo," He said softly more to himself than anyone else.

"He's your brother."

"Me and Ace's yea." His tone was flat. Once again hard to read. Thatch didn't know if he should continue or not. He regretted asking a second later when Luffy continued.

"He died."

"I'm so sorry." Thatch said not knowing what else to say.

"What happened?"

Luffy shook his head sliding down the wall until his eyes were level with his knees. "When we were little he was taken away by bad people. We never saw him again."

Luffy's voice had become so quite Thatch had to lean forward to hear him. "When he tried to escape the island he was shot." The last part was barley a whisper as Luffy slid down further. His hand came up to grab the googles around his neck. Thatch realized with a heavy heart that they had been destroyed.

"Luffy…" Thatch began quietly. He didn't know what to say to make that all right. Any of this alright. Instead he reached over and put his hand on the fluffy black hair. Luffy looked up at him.

"They're going to kill Ace. We can't let that happen."

"We won't," Thatch told him seriously moving his hand to the small shoulder. Dark eyes held his gaze for a moment, evaluating Thatch's face, before he gave him a soft smile.

"Okay," He agreed rolling over to his side as he lay his head down on the mattress.

The single blanket had fallen to the floor and Thatch stooped down to pick it up. But by the time he sat back down on the bed Luffy was fast asleep. Thatch was unsure if he had simply fallen asleep from exhaustion or if he had fainted again. God knows what Teach did to him and the still healing internal wounds.

He rolled the kid back onto his back and lifted his shirt. What had started as an angry red color was now darkening into a deep purple. A sickly yellow was scattered throughout the bruising sites at irregular intervals from below the navel all the way to his collar bone. It was extensive across his whole body but Thatch identified the bruises on the right ribcage to be the worst. He prodded the area gently with his fingers unsure if he should be relieved or not when Luffy didn't respond.

The Doc had dressed the serious cuts and scrapes but left the bruises to heal in the open air. The doctor had looked at him only a few days ago. He had supposedly tried to fix him after he fell into the ocean, or at the very least try to keep him alive. But he hadn't been back since. Thatch didn't know if that meant Luffy was fine to heal on his own or just that he was too drunk to bother. Thatch strongly suspected the latter which did not bode well for them. His limited medical knowledge aside he had no supplies.

He fixed Luffy's shirt hoping the darkening color meant they were healing. Being careful he readjusted the kid against the wall in the corner of the bed and covered him with the blanket. Thatch was well aware of how little he could do to help.

He settled himself down on the other side, closer to the door. He may not be able to get them out of this mess but the least he could do was interceded should the pirates try anything further.

He leaned back against the headboard clenching his fist to test out his slowly returning strength. It wasn't where he needed it to be. Too little time had passed since his near death experience for his body to be normal again. Plus the constant beatings and near starvation wasn't helping either.

"He's smarter then we gave him credit for that's for sure." Thatch murmured to no one in particular as he bent his leg so he could rest his arm on it, all the while curling and uncurling his hand. He felt the ship rocking beneath them as it braved each wave. None too gently either. There must be a storm outside. Not like they would know. What he wouldn't give for the feeling of sun again, soft wind, or anything really. This sensory deprivation was starting to take its toll. Although it wasn't like he had never been in worse situations before in his extensive years of sailing. If he had gotten himself out of that he should be able to handle this as well right?

"Piece of cake right?" He told the darkened room.

XXX

"And where the hell have you been?"

Sabo held the phone away from his ear at the outburst.

"Things got kind of complicated," he said once he thought she calmed down.

"Well simplify it for me then."

"I don't know if I can," he admitted.

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It's just kind of… complicated." The last thing he wanted to do was get into it over the phone. What he wanted was Koala to relay to their boss that he wouldn't be back for a while. Possibly forever if this went south and they all died. Fingers crossed for not that option.

Koala sighed, "Sabo I'm going to need better than that."

"We can't really afford any better," He told her honestly. Maybe he was tired, maybe it was the stress but he only realized his mistake too late.

"We?" She asked her tone part amusement and part disbelief. "Who is we?" She was just surprised he was working with someone. Traditionally Sabo did the heavy work by himself. He preferred it that way. He didn't want any of his friends or allies to get hurt and he figured he could take the danger off of them by directing it at himself.

"It's a really long story I can't risk it right now." He knew she would understand. At least enough not to push the issue.

"So you're really not going to tell me anything?"

"Sorry," He told her again too distracted to remember to sound sorry.

"So if you called me that means you want something."

"I need you to buy more time with Dragon."

Koala sighed deeply. "How much time?"

"I'm not sure yet." He had no clue how long this would go.

There was a long pause on the other end before she spoke up again. "You're coming back though right?"

"Of course." He told her smiling at the concern. "Just give me some time."

"I'll see what I can do." She said to his relief. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

That seemed to be the real question.

"Not yet," he told her. "But we are going to."

XXX

Ace looked up as the blonde boy climbed through the roof window. The two of them were staying in an abandoned building near the forest. Not many people came out of the way like this leaving the two of them free to come and go as they pleased. At least until now.

"You have a tail." He told him as Ace nodded, "I figured." He leaned against the window with a heavy sigh.

"The worst part about it is that I recruited him."

Sabo joined him in staring at the man outside, who thought he was being inconspicuous. "Seriously?"

Ace nodded, "I had too." Neither felt the need to clarify. Ace turned his attention to the blonde.

"How did it go? Is everything okay?" Sabo cold see the worry in his face even though he was trying to hide it.

He nodded putting his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Everything's alright." He promised him. "Get some sleep, you look like you need it."

Ace just shook his head turning his attention back out the window. "I Can't." He said distractedly.

"At least eat something," Sabo insisted going over to the watermelon bag. He opened it intent on finding food. But instead of supplies what spilt out was a straw hat, the color of gold. He paused for a moment, his fingers hovering inches above the material. He wanted to reach down and touch it. Feel how coarse the material was but deceptively strong. From the corner of his eyes he realized Ace was watching him.

"Sorry," he apologized feeling foolish as he pulled out an oat square from the bottom of the bag and tossed it to his friend. He stuffed the hat back into the bag.

"It's fine." Ace told him as he turned his attention to the food with disinterest. He took a bite out of the corner before putting it down.

"It's Luffy's," He reminded Sabo. "He doesn't go anywhere without it."

Sabo felt his cheeks grow hot in embarrassment as he shut the bag. He felt a bit like he had when he forgot the name of the first lieutenant at the board meeting last week, despite having known the man for years.

"S'not your fault," Ace said with a yawn as he took the bag from Sabo.

Sabo watched in concern as he stumbled as bit. He brought up his arms to steady the teen.

"I don't think it's my fault." He told him much more worried by how pale he was. Was Ace having another attack? God he hoped not.

"Good, because it's not." Ace told him putting his hand to his face like he was trying to rub the sleep away. "It's mine."

"You mean what happened to me? Or Luffy being kidnapped." Sabo let go of Ace as he regained his balance, seemingly having fought off the attack.

"Everything."

Letting go was a mistake. Sabo saw that a second too late as for the second time that week Ace tumbled to the ground. He would have landed hard on the floor if Sabo hadn't stepped in and caught him.

"That can't be true," Sabo reasoned as he swung the boy's arms around his shoulder.

"Don't do this now! Not again."

But he suspected it was a losing battle. Ace was as good as asleep. His words equated to little more than sleep talking. Sabo doubted he would be saying this if he was fully awake.

"There's a question I used to wonder about?" Ace said sleepily as Sabo tried to pull him over to the bedroll in the corner.

"What's that?" He asked distracted by the task of keeping them both upright. But Ace didn't answer he only let out a small laugh. It sounded lonely to Sabo's ears and he knew a thing or two about what loneliness felt like.

"d'snt matter now. I know the answer."

Sabo grunted as the other boy went completely limp, having lost the battle and passed out.

And when Ace leaned on him the weight was too much and Sabo felt him sliding out of his grasp.

Chapter Text

Things are progressing well. In sector three there's been another uprising but we think the citizens can handle it. If not we have operatives stationed there that will bring in reinforcements. Nobody's heard from area five yet so we have to assume it's lost…sir?" Koala trailed off as she realized her boss was no longer paying attention to her.

"And where is my Chief of staff again?"

"Following a lead." Koala said continuing on with the story she had chosen.

"Pertaining to what?"

"I don't know yet." She said slowly. "I'm sure you can ask him all about it when he gets back." Koala added after a second. Let him pay for making her lie to Dragon.

"So one of the top commanders took off, in the middle of a war, to follow a lead that may or may not have anything to do with what we are doing. And he doesn't tell anyone what it's about or where he's going?"

"Sounds about right to me." Koala said without batting an eye. "Now if you look at the territory expansion here…."

"What's really going on?"

She hated how one stare from the man made her feel like he could see right through her words and strait into her conflicted thoughts.

"Where is he really?"

She sighed sending a silent apology to her friend before continuing. "I don't know." She told him.

"But whatever it is I think it's really important." Of course it was. Otherwise he never would have left. "Something to do with his life before this."

Dragon raised an eyebrow at that. "Did he remember anything?"

She just shook her head. "I don't know. I don't think so. He was just acting really strange ever since he came back. But he didn't decide to go until he saw this." She showed him the bounty of Teach which he took, studying it carefully.

"He's looking for this guy?"

"I think so." Koala said. She honestly wasn't sure what he was doing. Only that it was important enough to risk everything for.

"Do you know something?"

Dragon rubbed his chin thoughtfully staring at the picture. After a moment he said, "I know that it is unwise to get mixed up with the Whitebeards right now."

"Whys that?"

"The rantings of a drunk man." He told her. "One of our lookouts works at a port frequented by the crew. A particularly talkative member of the forth divisions told him that this man Teach betrayed the crew, captured their commander and stole something before taking off. He said that currently the first and second division commanders are tracking him down but they haven't found him yet or rescued the man."

Koala actually laughed at that. Quickly recovering when Dragon gave her a look.

"Sorry, it's just why you are concerned about it then. This guy's time is limited right. I mean he angered one of the strongest people on the seas." Koala had heard that Whitebeard was fiercely protective of his crew. He would not stand for this. "By the time Sabo catches up there won't be anything left."

Dragon however wasn't so confident. "It's unwise to underestimate an enemy," He told her. "Especially if this enemy is shrew."

"He doesn't look very smart." She said staring at the bounty poster.

"Looks can be deceiving. It is impossible to know what truly lies in a man's heart until he begins to act upon it. Powerful as he is even a man such as Whitebeard is not invincible. Nothing lasts forever. Eventually he and his empire will fall it's just a matter of time."

"You think now is that time?"

"Like I said it's impossible to know. It could be tomorrow or a hundred years from now. Regardless I prefer Sabo to be far away from that power struggle. He has a tendency to jump aboard sinking ships when everyone else is jumping off."

"It's why we like him." Koala said folding up the poster too hold onto for later. Reckless idiot.

Dragon grunted as he turned back to the papers he was reading.

"He will come back right." She said after a moment.

"I mean if he finds what he was looking for he will come? It's not like he will just leave us forever."

"You'll have to ask him that." Dragon told her without looking up.

XXX

Sabo sat with his back against a wall playing with a knife absentmindedly. He was waiting for Ace to wake up. The latter had been asleep or nearly twelve hours. And now he was growing increasingly impatient.

The last few days he had been having the strangest feelings. It felt like there was a giant clock right over him that continued to tick down the time. Once it reached the end he would lose any chance at making things right again. But the problem was he had no clue how much time he had nor what 'right,' would be like.

What's more was it wasn't even his damn clock. It was someone else's from another lifetime. Like a ghost who had selfishly pushed all their unfilled promises on him tearing him away from his regular life to finish this one first.

"Screw you Sabo Outlook." He cursed his past self viciously putting every ounce of hatred he held for that naïve child into those words. "Was this your legacy?" If he had only been smarter, braver or stronger maybe things would have gone differently. But he hadn't been and they didn't. Whomever had called him an 'ungrateful useless waste of noble blood' sometimes in his past had been mistaken. He couldn't think of a more fitting use for noble blood.

He rested his chin on his knees looking down at the splintered floor below him. Ace had told him a bit. But not nearly enough to fill in the huge gaps. Either way it was no good. He needed to remember on his own or it was a waste of breath. Besides he wanted to know the things Ace couldn't tell him. How it felt to disobey his family for the first time. To be raised with people telling you that you were better than everyone else. He wanted to know if at any point he ever believed it, or if he could have ever lived up to their expectation. How would it feel to experience love for the first time. Or to be relied on by someone. Was he a good older brother to Luffy? A good friend to Ace. Did he make them happier just by being around? Or was he always just rotten like a noble. These were the things he had to learn for himself.

He remembered Ace's words, telling him that it was okay that he wasn't the same person. They needed him regardless of who his past self had been. That had been nice. Like a weight was lifted off his chest.

'It's useless to get tied up in the details.' He reminded himself. Especially if there was nothing he could do to change them now. They would save Luffy or kill themselves trying. No matter what happened after that he needed the boy to be safe. That was all he cared about right now and he contented himself with those thoughts.

It was another few hours before the dark haired boy woke up and in that time Sabo kept a careful watch on the tail outside. Sometime near dawn he left, seemingly on orders. He had yet to return.

Nearing six in the mourning Ace groaned loudly before he sat up. He looked around and cussed colorfully.

"Nononon, not again!"

"Fraid so."

"This can't keep happening!"

"Doesn't this usually happen to you?" Sabo questioned once again trying to give the other boy some food.

"Yea but not like this." It was too frequently and too long. Ace took the food distractedly. He was more appreciative of how 'Sabo like' his brother was acting even without him realizing it. But he gathered it was best to keep that to himself to avoid making the other boy uncomfortable. If he was in the others place he would prefer not to have his actions constantly compared to someone he didn't even remember. Instead he took a bite feeling the tastelessness of it on his tongue.

"What were you thinking about?" Ace asked distractedly as he polished off the bar standing up to stretch his sore limbs.

"Hm?"

"You look serious. It's freaking me out. Did something happen?" He lowered his voice a bit as if expecting the enemy to be crouched just out of sight. "Is everything at the mill still…"

"Everything's fine," Sabo cut in quickly. "I was just thinking."

"Well there's your problem right there," He teased stripping off his shirt to change it for a fresh one.

"…about how loud you snored."

"Ha," He laughed. "Yea right."

"I was worried the town would mistake it for an earthquake."

"Should we be so lucky."

He moved to the window while the other repacked his bag. Sabo had actually been thinking that the more stressed Ace became the more likely he was to pass out, especially for longer periods of time. So relieving stress on the teen would decrease his chances of such a long black out. But how was he supposed to do that?

He noticed moment outside and immediately ducked down in response.

"Heads up sleeping beauty." He called over to Ace who instantly looked up.

"Their here."

XXX

When the food was delivered Thatch was ready for it. The last few times he was too slow and it toppled onto the floor. But since then he had learned to listen to the approaching footsteps. As the lock was quickly unlatched and the bowls were flung inside by a faceless henchman he dove down, catching them in time before they smashed into the ground. He was tired of eating splinters. Along with them went a bottle of water that he let hit the floor picking it up later. Unlike the other two it wouldn't break.

He brought them both dutifully back to Luffy who hadn't moved in hours.

"Oye kid wake up. It's food."

Usually that worked like magic. But today he suspected Luffy was suffering from poor health rather than tiredness. All the more reason he needed to be looked at by a real non-intoxicated doctor. He set the bowls down taking the bottle over and let a drop or two of their precious water drip out onto his face.

"Luffy wake up and eat something." If it wasn't for the steady rise and fall of his chest Thatch would think he was dead. He let a bit more water fall onto his face before changing tactics.

"Alright guess I'll eat your food."

"s'minnnne." Luffy slurred still half asleep.

"Welcome back to the land of the living." Thatch told him as he retrieved the bowls from the floor, resting the bottle against them. "We have cold tasteless slop again."

Luffy cheered as he pushed himself up against the wall, completely misunderstanding Thatch's tone.

"How the hell are you always so happy?" He asked as he sat beside Luffy with his own bowl. He was much less excited about the food and despite how hungry he was he didn't enjoy putting this stuff in his mouth. Which was saying something as a pirate who had to eat a number of disgusting things.

Luffy tilted the bowl back eating it greedily. "Things aren't so bad." He said between mouthfuls.

"They're not great." Thatch said feeling like even that was understating it.

"We could be dead."

"I think is dying is what Teach has in mind for us." Thatch reminded him lightly. He didn't mean to be a downer but he wanted Luffy to keep that in mind when dealing with the man.

Luffy finished his bowl waving the thought away. "He won't get the chance."

"Whys that?" Thatch asked willing to play along."

"Ace will save us." He told him like Thatch was the idiot.

"Ace will?"

"Of course he will."

"You told Teach that you would die before he got Ace," Thatch reminded him.

"And I meant that." Luffy said with anger in his voice for the first time in the conversation. Even the food was temporarily forgotten as he stared down Thatch, reminding him of their promise to protect the teen.

He nodded in return. He had not forgotten. After all it was hard to forget something like that.

Satisfied Luffy went back to the food, licking the bottom of the bowl in the absence of a spoon.

"But it won't come to that," He told the man.

"Oh?"

"Ace is going to come. He won't let us die. We just need to hold on long enough."

"You sound pretty sure of yourself."

"He hasn't ever let me down... Yayy!" Luffy cut himself off to cheer as Thatch leaned over to pour some of his food into Luffy's now empty bowl.

"I like your optimism." Thatch said as he passed the water. However naïve it may be. "Sure you don't want to join us instead?"

"But I'm going…"

"Be the pirate king yea I got that." Hard not to with how often he said it.

"Aren't you a bit young to be a king? Why not wait a bit and learn more about sailing." That way he could get some experience without staking his life on extremely limited sailing knowledge.

"Besides then you could stay with your brother and meet all my family." Plus that way Thatch could keep an eye on him. Over the last few months Thatch had gotten really attached, so much so that he didn't like the thought of Luffy going off on his own where he would undoubtedly be in constant danger. Although to be fair Thatch sensed he was going to be in danger no matter what.

"Your captain, I would have to listen to him then." Luffy asked, his words muffled by a particularly wide yawn.

"That is how it works."

"No thanks."

That answer didn't surprise Thatch. Although he hoped Luffy would consider it.

"You can join my crew though."

"Thanks." Thatch laughed feeling somewhat flattered.

"Did you already ask Ace?"

"He said no?" Luffy said like he still couldn't believe it.

"I'll keep my options open." Thatch told him as Luffy settled against his side, squirming a bit to get comfortable.

"Kay," he agreed sleepily.

"You really need a real doctor to take a look at you," Thatch told him feeling his forehead. He had been with Luffy long enough to know that this amount of sleep wasn't normal for him.

"Kay," he agreed again and Thatch knew he wasn't really listening anymore.

"Tell you what kid," Thatch said after a moment of silence. "If the Whitebeard pirates dissolve or get eaten by a giant Shark I will join your crew instead.

"Cool!" Luffy half asleep again. He shifted trying to keep up with the conversation.

"Bet you could get Ace to join as well at that point."

"I think Ace would rather get eaten by the shark then have to take order from me," Luffy mumbled sleepily catching Thatch off guard. That was a lot more astute then Luffy's regular observations.

"Not many people want to get bossed around by their younger brothers," Thatch agreed but Luffy was already asleep once again.

XXX

Oblivious to the conversation a floor above Teach continued his work. He had snapped at anyone who disturbed him as he became more engrossed in what he was doing. Scattered all around him were reports and news stories. He had an underling go fetch them for him when the ship passed one of the tiny island ports. Since then he had spent the last day trying to decipher what the child had told him about his parentage. He had gone through every possible explanation he could think of from having a secret last name of Dragon, or possibly a hidden family crest all the way to researching if it was possible for someone to be part Dragon. Turns out it was not. He was now looking up Celestial Dragons to see if there was anyway Luffy was the offspring from one of those monsters, however much he doubted it. And he seriously doubted it. In an interesting turn of events one of them had visited Luffy's back water island when he was little. Surprising considering how far out of the way it was for them.

"What am I even doing?" Teach snapped annoyed as he threw the report up into the air in rage. "Like hell that boy had even a drop of noble blood in him." The only thing abnormal about his blood was how much he could lose without his heart giving out. He was wasting his time. The lead was probably just a misunderstanding. Hell Ace may have just been messing with him and Luffy was too dumb to realize it. Teach had half a mind to go over there right now and beat him within an inch of his life right in front of Thatch. Put them both in their place. The thought made him feel better utile he remembered that if he did that Luffy would die. Fine then, he would just take something non-lethal. Teeth or fingernails perhaps. Send them to Ace as a warning if he was thinking about over stepping.

His mood lifted as he set about retrieving the paper. It had landed on the other side and he paused to read the headline: Revolutionary ship spotted off the coast of Dawn island conflicts with World Nobles arrival

It was dated back eight years or so. He read the first line absentmindedly before continuing much more intently. All thoughts of permanently mutilating the kid were pushed out of his mind. He swiped the useless papers off his desk making his way to the book of compiled bounties flipping through until he found the one he was looking for. If he was right about this and that was a huge if, then Luffy just became a lot more valuable then he knew. He rolled the paper up storming into the hallway, catching two of his crew members off guard.

"You two with me!" He snapped stomping past them and down the hallway. Leaving them no choice but the jog after him confused.

"Boss?"

"Shut up!" He snapped grabbing the keys from his belt. He was not in the mood for their brainless questions today.

"I need to have a talk with the kid. You two need to hold off the Whitebeard so I can do that understood?" They both nodded. Easier said then done. He was getting stronger and stronger each day. There was a careful line between half-starved and beaten versus dead and Teach worried he had let Thatch get too far over to the healthy side while Luffy on the other hand was tilting sharply towards the other end. At least there would be no more escape attempts in his future.

He unlocked the door quickly giving the prisoners no warning at all before he barged in, the lackeys flanking him.

Thatch narrowed his eyes at the sight of them as he shook Luffy awake who had fallen asleep against his side. He was pleased to see that the two were becoming rather attached. That would serve his proposes very well in the future. But right now it was little more than a nuisance. He nodded towards Thatch, telling the two to grab him.

He stood up so quickly Luffy fell from his side onto the bed, still slow to respond. Teach strode over to him while Thatch was distracted with the others.

"We need to talk little one." He told the kid as he pushed himself back up, trying to focus on Teach.

"You're not looking so good these days are you?"

"Screw you!" Luffy told him angrily getting up to go help Thatch. Teach stopped him by grabbing his arm and throwing him back down.

This angered Thatch to no end as he bashed one of the men's head against the wall. He knocked the second one aside with the strength of a bear as he stormed over to Teach ready for a real fight.

"Let him go!" He snapped raising his fist to Teach.

"You forget your place!" Teach snarled back signaling to the other two who were mostly limping but back on their feet to hold him back. They both lunged at Thatch's arms, preventing him from hitting Teach. They were not so lucky as to save themselves the same fate.

Teach did let go of Luffy then, only so he could send his fist strait into Thatch's stomach. Right on the still healing skin of his stab wound. The reaction was instant. The man cried out in pain slumping over as his hands pressed over the old wound. He struggles stopped for the moment making it easy for the two lackeys to once again hold him back

Luffy however was not as cooperative as Thatch. He yelled in protest when his friend stopped moving and rushed to go help him. Teach caught him easily around the waist as he hauled him back from interfering.

"Tie him to the pipe." He instructed the men who were currently detaining the elder prisoner.

"You're hurting him!" Luffy screamed once more and tempted as he was to cover his mouth Teach had been bitten too many times to think that was a good idea.

Teach ignored his screams and instead signaled to one of the men once they had finished securing the pirate.

"You, come hold him." He snapped watching the man reluctantly try to secure the struggling teenager.

He told the other one to put sea stone cuffs back on and watched the color drain from the mans face. Teach vaguely remembered Luffy breaking someone's nose the last time they tried to restrain him, judging from the tilted angle of his bridge bone he suspected it was this very man. Still he had no patience for weak crew mates today.

He watched them struggle for a good five minutes before finally succeeding in locking them around his wrists. When they did it was like all the fight rushed out of Luffy. The man nearly dropped him, having to adjust his hold to keep them both upright.

"Was that so hard?" Teach teased as he unrolled the bounty.

"I hate you," Luffy told him.

"As you should." He told him holding the posters up to his face. "Now answer me honestly and so help me if you even think about lying your good friend over there is going to get a bullet in between the eyes." Luffy's eyes turned to Thatch fearfully but Teach grabbed his jaw and forced him to look back at the picture.

"Do you recognize this man?"

Dark eyes scanned the picture carefully before he shook his head.

"No."

"I'm not playing here KID!"

"I DON'T Know Him!" Luffy yelled back. "I'm not Lying!"

"Fine." Teach snapped once again grabbing Luffy's fringe and pulling his head up, holding the bounty poster side by side.

He studied Luffy's face carefully. Comparing it to each crease and line of the bounty picture looking for the similarities. It was the eyes in particular that stood out at him. The same intense glare Luffy was giving him right now that mirrored the papers.

"Who is that?" Luffy questioned.

"Congratulations kid," Teach praised as he rolled up the picture. "I found that Dragon you were talking about. And if I'm right then you just got a hell of a lot more valuable to me."

He gestured for the men to take him with them as they dragged him into the hallway kicking and screaming. It was time the two of them had a long chat.

Chapter Text

"It's not that hard idiot."

"Then why can't I do it?"

"Because you're bad at everything."

"I am not!"

"Here give it to me," Ace said his voice on the edge of annoyance as he pushed Luffy aside none too gently.

The two of them were kneeling around a metal basin filled with cold mountain water.

Undiscouraged Luffy handed over the wet shirt to his brother. Ace began to work the shirt over the washboard emphatically with much more purpose then Luffy had used.

"See it's easy… pay attention." Ace flicked some of the cold water onto Luffy who had sat back in the grass, content to let Ace do his work.

"It's your shirt idiot. Do it yourself."

"But your better at it." Luffy argued.

The sun had set a little while ago and the sky was beginning to bleed pretty colors as it changed. Ace had wanted to finish up before it got dark. Dadan had told them that they weren't allowed to enter the house smelling like they did, she had likened it to a wild boar. The two had washed off in the stream nearby and put on some of the bandits hand-me-downs. The clothes were ridiculously baggy and it would be another several years before either boy grew into them. But it was better than nothing. They were just until their clothes finished drying. Which would hopefully be before nighttime came and they would be stuck like this all night.

"I'm better at everything then you." Ace told him dropping the wet shirt on top of his younger brother's head to get the point across. "Doesn't mean I am going to do it for you."

Luffy stood up to finish up with the shirt while Ace took the basket of newly washed clothes to the clothesline.

Once Luffy decided the shirt looked good enough he followed Ace, hanging it up besides his shorts so it could catch the last of the light.

The bandits were off raiding some rival group so their base was abandoned for the time being. An unusual silence hung in the air at their absence. With summer just around the corner the weather was warm and peaceful with the feint hum of the crickets and bullfrogs.

It was warm and nice and the grass tickled his bare feet when he walked. He leaned up against the worn wood of their base feeling the heat through the baggy cloth. Ace finished with the clothes before sinking down beside him. Both of them waiting out the rest of the daylight.

Life in the jungle was fast and dangerous, Life in the grey terminal was cut throat and chaotic, and in the town there was the over boding feeling that they didn't belong. Two dirty smudges on a white tapestry. But here life was more or less peaceful. Tucked away from most things, with a seemingly endless list of chores to flee from. It didn't suit either of them all that much. But the air was one of the sweetest things Luffy had tasted before. It didn't smell of garbage nor was it thick with salt and fish. It smelt like trees and wildflowers.

The two of them watched in silence as the blue of the sky paled into a light grey before darkening to black.

"Our clothes still aren't dry yet," Ace informed him and he hummed in dismissal.

Tomorrow would have to do. Until then at least Dadan would let them go inside.

Ace stared at him for a moment longer before the older boy stood up stretching. He reached into the back pocket of the baggy shorts pulling out what looked to be an elongated match stick. Luffy stood up curiously as Ace handed it to him.

"What's it?" He asked.

"It's a sparkler. Haven't you seen one before?"

Luffy nodded slowly. He had seen kids light them off from time to time. Usually for special dates. In town the richer children would set them off for children's day. In the village kids would sometimes get them for their birthdays. But never Luffy. He was neither rich nor did he have a family. But Ace was just the same. More often would they get a vicious kick rather than a kind word. So where did Ace get that.

"Makino," Ace said responding to Luffy's questioning look. "She gave it to me last week. She said it was for my birthday."

"Makino is the best." Luffy said happily as Ace grunted noncommittally.

He moved to hand it back to his brother but Ace stopped him. "You can have it."

"Really?"

"It's for dumb little kids anyways," He teased as he pulled out a box of stolen matches lighting the end for him.

Luffy watched transfixed as the end seemed to come to life with a sputter of fire. The flames came off as golden sparks, flying every which direction. It seemed to light up the darkness. It was so beautiful. So much more so then Luffy remembered from watching other kids. He laughed in amusement as some of the embers drifted down lazily into the grass where they burned themselves out quickly.

In the darkness the sparkler seemed to shine brighter than the moon. Like a tiny star in his hands. The only thing he could see were the beautiful sparks and the illumination of the golden light falling on their faces as he held the little firecracker up. To his surprise his brother's smile matched his own. Brimming with happiness and contentment. Only Ace wasn't even paying attention to the sparkler. He was watching Luffy's face as his little brother stared at the light. To Ace Luffy burned much brighter than any stupid toy could.

He laughed again at the sputtering of the blaze as the sparker began to burn itself out, leaving the two of them in darkness. Little more than a heated matchstick in his slightly blackened fingers.

Luffy surprised Ace by wrapping his arms around his waist, his head coming up to Ace's chest. Instead of thanking him Luffy simply grinned. Ace felt his face burn red at the open display of affection. He shove his brother away playfully as Luffy let go of the sparkler.

"Want to go raid the kitchen while their gone."

"Yea!"

"Last one there doesn't get any food. "Ace called as he broke off running towards the entrance.

"What! No way." Luffy yelled back oblivious to Ace's laughter.

…

Luffy screamed in anger as he was dropped down from across the man's shoulder onto the floor of Teach's office. He stood quickly, trying to get back to the hallway. But his escape was blocked by Teach as the man grabbed his bound arms and roughly threw him into the corner. Luffy screamed again, this time in pain as his head struck the wall. The air left his lungs at the impact and he struggled for breath. His panting came out more like a sob as he tried to keep the black spots out of his vision.

One of the men was trying to talk to him but he couldn't hear anything over his own pained breath. He pushed himself back up to his feet, feeling them tremble underneath him as he tried again for the door. Only to be stopped a second time by Teach whose already limited temper was being tested.

"What is it with you?" The man asked irately. As Luffy tried to shove him away with his shoulder Teach grabbed his head and slammed him harshly into the wall.

"Why don't you learn?"

"Thatch!" Luffy yelled desperately hoping his friend was alright. He wanted to go back and make sure.

"Shut up!" Teach snapped slamming him into the wall again and again.

"How the hell do you have so much energy left?" He waved his hand at one of his underlings.

"Go get the doc," He snapped.

"But he's sleeping."

"NOW!"

Luffy snarled viciously in the man's grip as he tried to force himself free. But the next second he was once again struggling for breath as he was knocked to the floor. Instead of air a wetness bubbled up his throat as he coughed up blood onto the wooden deck.

"Dammit!" The pirate snarled. "You made me do that. Stop fighting me already!"

Luffy ignored him in favor of spitting up the rest of what was in his throat. He heard Teach's boots against the floor as he made his way to his desk. He must have signaled the other man because a few seconds later insistent hands were pulling him up and towards the couch.

Luffy's struggles doubled at that as he let out a warning growl. He would rather get stabbed repeatedly then to be held again and treated like a trophy. A very disobedient trophy.

Teach had never been scared of him but the lackeys were a different story. The man handling him paused.

"Uhh he's growling at me," He said trying to come off as confident rather than nervous.

Teach ignored him leaving the man on his own as Luffy bucked against his hold. When an arm came too close to his face he dug his teeth in as hard as he could. The man screamed at that instantly letting go. But Luffy held on, feeling the blood start to flow from the wound. He only backed down when he felt thick fingers close around his neck cutting off his oxygen supply.

"Can't you do anything right." Teach snarled at the injured man who fell backwards in a mix of shock and pain.

"My arm," He whimpered. His pain quickly turned to anger as he rounded on Luffy. "That brat bit my damn arm off!"

While that was an exaggeration there was a sizable dent in his arm. Luffy spat back the man's blood into his face further enraging him. Teach had to physically hold him back from murdering Luffy like he was screaming about.

"OUT!" He told the man pushing him away. "Calm down before I decide to throw you overboard." Teach told him angrily. He panted for a second before turning to Luffy. "You cause trouble at every possibly opportunity. Just Behave!"

Luffy felt anger well up in him at that. Behave! He had never behaved in his entire life. And yet Teach had the audacity to try and control him like a dog. These people, this person, took him away from his home. He took his freedom away and chained him up in a place that was dark and wet. The air was stale and he was always cold. There was no sunlight, or much light at all. And no wind. Everything hurt all the time. Luffy was always hungry and tired. The only thing that came freely with Teach was the pain. And there was so much of that. His chest and stomach were the worst. It felt like knives were stabbing into his ribcage every time he moved them. But he would gladly put up with any pain as long as it meant he was making all of their lives harder.

He screamed at Teach in response putting all of his anger into the noise.

Teach once again slammed his head into the floor before pulling him back up and onto the couch. "Do you even know why I wanted to talk to you?" Teach questioned his voice dangerously low.

Luffy screamed again. He didn't care. Nothing the man said would change anything.

"Fine!" Teach snapped giving up. "I forgot you are more like a wild animal than a human." Seemingly remembering a prisoner wasn't worth losing his temper over Teach went back to his desk shuffling through some papers.

Luffy watched carefully from his seat. He brought his knees up to his chest protectively, waiting for what was coming next. By now he knew that with Teach it was always something.

Doc Q arrived a few moments later seemingly sleepy but not complaining.

"What boss?"

Teach gestured to Luffy. "He's driving me crazy. Do something or else I really might kill him."

"Something like what?"

"Make him stop screaming for starters."

"I can sever his vocal cords?"

Luffy hissed at that pushing back with his feet until his back hit the edge of the couch, as far away from the men as he could be.

"Something more short term."

"Ah okay." The Doctor agreed dropping his examining bag onto the floor and riffling through it.

Luffy watched with wide eyes as the man dumped out a number of instruments that looked more like weapons then doctors tools. There were knives of various shapes and sizes, differently labeled poisons and what looked to be a machete.

Finally the man found what he was looking for, a small glass bottle and Luffy bolted. He tried to get up but his head was too dizzy from its repeated collisions with the wall. He fell to his knees on the second step. When tried to crawl away Teaches heavy boot came down on his back pinning him to the floor.

"Let go you stupid jerk!" He shouted twisting to try and free himself. He could see the doctor load some of the bottles content into a syringe and his struggles renewed. He didn't want whatever was in there in him.

But nobody was giving him a choice as the sleeve on his left arm was roughly yanked up and he felt a prick.

He snarled at them again spitting insults until Teach slammed him into the floor again.

"What was that?" The man questioned as the doctor patted Luffy's head when he stopped struggling.

"It's a sedative." The man said as both of them lifted him from the floor back to the couch.

"You Had That The WHOLE Time!" Teach demanded angrily. "Why the Hell haven't you used it before?"

"Oh I have," He assured him. "The kids metabolism is scary high. It's not real cost effective with how quickly he works through it. Anyway," The man clamped his hands together. "I'm going to go, job well done here. I gave him a huge overdose so let me know if he starts suffocating or falls into a coma."

"Stop!" Teach commanded as the other turned to the door. "You're staying here."

Doc Q groaned at that but knew better then to argue with the man. Instead he dug around in his bag for the nearly empty bottle of booze he kept there.

"Whatever you say boss," He grumbled.

"How much do you know about hereditary genetics?"

The man shrugged, "a bit I guess." He took the paper offered to him.

"Who's this?"

"You tell me. That man is he related to the kid?"

The doctor looked at the picture before turning back to Luffy who was watching them both with dulled eyes. He let out a feint growl when the man pushed back his hair but it sounded more like a groan.

"Widows peak, jawline…..both of them sure look the same when they are angry."

"So…?"

The man shrugged letting go of Luffy. "I mean I think so. Kind of hard to tell without seeing the mother."

"Probably some kind of demonic badger," Teach grunted as Doc Q turned back to his bottle. This kid's family was so crazy it was no wonder he was the way he was. With a grandfather, brother and father like he had.

Teach turned back to his desk waving his hand in the man's direction. "Keep him quite, I need to make a call."

"Aye Aye captain," He said sarcastically.

Luffy wasn't paying attention anymore. Whatever was in that jar had made his head feel really fuzzy. Moving was a lot harder and he felt really tired but he didn't want to fall asleep here surrounded by these people. He heard the ringing of the baby den den as Teach made a call. He could hear the gruff voice of his associate on the other end. They were talking…about him?

He groaned at the pressure in his temples. It felt really weird. The doctor unbuttoned the first few buttons on Thatch's shirt to poke and prod at his bruises which Luffy responded to by trying to kick him away. He heard Teach snap at both of them, telling Luffy to shut up. And for once he listened but not to please anyone. He was just too tired.

Teach continued to talk and Luffy felt himself begin to drift off. He was thinking about better times. But then the tone on the other end shifted from gravely and harsh to painfully familiar and much younger. Luffy opened his eyes confused at the voice. He looked around the room until his gaze fixed on the den den. They were arguing about something.

He made a noise and Teach's attention snapped over to him, like he was remembering Luffy was still there. For a second he looked like he wanted to snap at him again but thought better of it.

Teach continued to talk. His tone shifting from anger to self-satisfaction as he sat down besides the teenager, pulling him up to lean against his side. Luffy wanted to pull away but he found he couldn't even do that. He huffed in anger as he listened to the two of them talk. He wanted to say something but the Doctor covered his mouth every time he tried.

"Want to say hello to your little brother?" Teach asked after a long moment.

Luffy sat up straighter but the hand didn't move from his mouth. He tried to pull away but the two men easily held him in place. His attempts to break free were pathetically weak.

He felt rough fingers prod his broken ribs with extreme force and before he could stop himself he let out a loud groan of pain. He didn't realize the point of that other than the usual abuse until he heard his brother call to him from the small snail.

"Luffy!" Ace breathed. His tone was much softer than it had been with Teach. He sounded worried. Luffy smiled at his voice but a hand on his throat stopped him from making a sound.

"What did you do to him!" Ace demanded.

"He's fine… more or less. A little out of it right now. Don't you have something to tell him?"

Teach held the snail out to Luffy but there was only silence at the other end. That was until they prodded his ribs again, harder this time and he let out a muffled shout of pain.

"Luffy," Ace said reluctantly.

"Go on," Teach prompted impatiently.

"Can you behave…for him?"

Those weren't Ace's words. Luffy knew that was Teach talking through him. Ace had never asked that of him before. He was just as wild and ill-behaved as his brother.

"Lu listen to me I'm going to save you. I swear to you no matter what." He promised fiercely.

Luffy knew that. Of course he did. He wanted to tell his brother that but they wouldn't let him talk. Controlling the both of them like puppets. Luffy was sick of it. Much like a child throwing a fit he bucked hard against their hold biting down on the hand over his mouth. He kicked blindly at them not stopping when the hand on his throat tightened until he couldn't breathe. He felt the collar of his shirt being tugged down to make room for another prick, this time in the soft skin above his collar bone. He felt all the previous fight rush out of him and he fell back limply, as if the strings holding him up had been cut.

"Ace told you to behave!" Teach told him angrily.

Luffy wanted to tell him that Ace hadn't said that! Teach had said that using Ace but he found he couldn't. The man stood up to finish whatever he had to say while the Doctor pet his hair in what may have been a rare display of sympathy. Their voices were coming off muted. A bit like they were underwater.

Oblivious to them Luffy's stare was fixed in the corner of the room. His breathing hitched and Doc Q grappled in his bag for the stethoscope. But Luffy wasn't suffocating as he feared. Rather he was staring at the grey eyed child neither man was able to see.

He was small, having just turned thirteen a few months ago. He looked at Luffy with sympathy. In his hands he held a single sparkler. The only present he had gotten in celebration of his birthday. It was lit, glowing with golden light that danced into the air.

Luffy tried to call out to him but the only sound he as able to make was a pained gasp. He tried again but couldn't. He called to his brother silently his lips forming the words.

'Help me.' He begged.

Child Ace only shook his head.

'Please.'

Teach turned around to look back at where the kid was staring.

"What the hell is he looking at?" He asked to the doctor. Whatever he was trying to say was lost in the erratic breathing that was quickly turning into hyperventilating.

"Just the drugs." The doctor assured him. "He's not reacting well to them."

"Well do something then!"

"Don't need to." The man said lazily tapping his nail against the jar. That was the beauty of tranquilizers.

The rumbling of the men's voices was muted to Luffy's ears as the sparking of the flames grew louder. All other noise was drowned out.

"Don't leave me," He breathed out begging to other boy to stay with him.

The rest of the room was dark but Luffy could still see the brightness of the sparkler lighting up the small corner of the room. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear the chirping of crickets but they were hard to make out.

He struggled, confused to find that he couldn't move. He wanted to go there where Ace was. Why couldn't he?

'Please nii-chan.'

Ace blew out the sparkler and everything went black.

Chapter Text

"I have little time to talk to the likes of vermin today." Whitebeard said as he answered his den-den.

"I assure you, you should make time for this vermin." Came the voice from the other line and something about the self-satisfaction in the tone sent uneasy chills up the old man's neck.

"What did you call to bother me about today?" He demanded.

'You know what this is about,' a small voice at the back of his brain told him. 'You know there are only a few reasons that Teach could be this pleased with himself.'

"I guess if you are busy I can call back later," the man continued.

"Do not play these games Teach, speak or stop wasting my time."

'You already know,' That awful voice nagged again.

'No!' He thought to himself. 'I do not know.'

His first and second division commanders had not checked in for a few days. Which was extremely odd behavior for Marco especially. The last news he had heard was that Ace had gone missing. But that was quite some time ago. Anything could have happened since then. Something that would explain the excited glimmer in Teach's voice.

When the other man still did not speak Whitebeard finally asked, "What have you done with my commanders?"

"That depends on which one you are asking about," the smug tone was back.

Whitebeard clutched the den-den so tightly it threatened to break as he growled, "What have you done!"

"What I told you I would," The other bragged. "You shouldn't have gotten involved old man. This was between me and Ace!"

"You made this between us when you Betrayed My Crew! When you Betrayed Thatch and used our connection to betray Ace and his family. This was never anything other the personal!"

There was a low sound from the other end as Teach began to laugh.

"Is this a joking matter to you?" Whitebeard demanded some of his legendary anger creeping into his voice.

"No, no." Teach assured him. "I guess you have a point. This really is personal for you isn't it? Except you got one thing wrong."

"I told you I have no time for your games."

"Oh it's no game," He assured. "I was simply going to mention that your connection with Ace wasn't the one I am exploiting."

"What?" Whitebeard asked not following.

"No, the recognition I'm after is much… grander than your own," He decided. "It seems like our own little spitfire had some pretty large skeletons in the family closet. In fact he was secret keeping for a few families."

"What do you speak of?"

"Well I guess you will have to ask him that won't you," Teach said matter-of-factly. "After all I'm sure there is a perfectly logical reason that he didn't trust you and your crew enough to tell you."

Whitebeard ignored the goading as he spoke firmly, his tone demanding an answer he asked, "Ace. He's all right then?"

"Right enough," came the flippant reply and Whitebeard felt the worry that had been creeping its way up his spine momentarily cease. That was until Teach continued;

"I can't say the same about the other though."

The world seemed to lurch to the side for a horrible moment. Marco was? No, no that wasn't right.

"You lie!" He growled darkly.

"Nope," Teach told him. "This time it's nothing but the truth. I'm afraid I had my men deal with your phoenix as punishment for getting involved."

"Like your weak men would be any match for Marco."

"Well it seems as if they had a few tricks up their sleeves. I never said it was a fair fight."

"There are no such things as rules in a fight between pirates," Whitebeard snapped. Marco knew that. He would never get tricked by such cheap tactics."

But the satisfaction in his tone never wavered as he spoke. "Well if you are so sure of yourself then where is your commander hmm? Haven't seen him in a while."

The cold dread was back.

"Marco will return." Whitebeard told him. He always returned, no matter how dangerous or impossible the mission was. His most loyal son never failed to come home.

"Well then, if you won't take my word for it I guess we shall see then won't we? Do let me know if your prodigal son returns. Wouldn't that be a neat trick!"

Whitebeard felt his temper flair at the audacity of his old crew mate. After his absolute betrayal and kidnaping of his crew. It seemed like he would go to any length to cause the maximum level of harm. Anything to get his fame. Anything for this idiotic legacy of his.

How had he not seen it all these years? The glimmer of evil residing in that man. All that time spent on this ship and he didn't even understand Whitebeards simplest and most basic of principals; all that fame and fortune was worth nothing if you were alone. You could hold the world in your palm and it might as well be ash if there was no one you cherished left in the world. But Teach seemed content to burn every bridge he ever made. He had abandoned everything the moment he caught sight of his goal. Whitebeard recalled weeks earlier, in the days following the disappearance of Thatch, when Marco had remarked to the crew that this oversight was everyone's burden to share. But if that were true then the bulk of the blame rested on his shoulders. For it was he who had allowed such a heartless man passage on his ship. He had put his children all at risk and he had been ignorant of it all these years. Even now as his precious crew payed for his mistake, suffering and bleeding, he remained wholly intact. The consequences of this so called 'group-over-sight,' seemed to fall on the shoulders of Thatch, Marco, Ace and the kid. No matter how much he wished that were not the case there was little he could do to change that. They were a strong group. He knew that. All of them capable in their own right. Tough as nails and brave enough to withstand what the evil mastermind had in store for them. But that didn't mean Whitebeard worried for them any less.

Moments passed before he spoke again. His tone calm and collected but underlined with fury.

"You are a very spiteful man," He told Teach. "I do not believe you can understand the concept of trusting in others when all other logic fails. Or what it means to put the lives of those you care for above your own. And that will be your undoing."

"My undoing!" He gave a harsh laugh. "Save your worries for your own crew. It is better suited for a wide eyed group of exploitable pirates like the ones you seem to collect. What you fail to realize in all you're preaching of family is that it doesn't make you strong. It leaves you open for blackmail and manipulation. Why look at yourself. A legend like you forced to converse with one such as myself out of fear for your underlings. Look at Ace who I forced to abandon his home to follow my every order, and even Marco who tore after him despite the danger because he couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to Ace. You aren't stronger together. No, it's the opposite. Beating a crew like yours is easier than winning a game of chess. It strategical. Something you are seemingly ignorant of."

"Chess?" Whitebeard laughed at that. "No boy, this is not chess. Not when you play with people's lives as you are. You'll find people make very poor pawns. They don't move about as you've ordered. With an attitude like that it figures that you will underestimate us at every opportunity. You underestimate Marco, you underestimate Ace and you overestimate your own capacity to control situations. And I don't believe I have any more time to play with a snot nosed brat such as yourself."

He was about to hang up the Den-den when Teach responded.

"Is that what you think? Well the next time you see Ace ask him where his loyalties lie. Whether it's with the crew he's known all of a couple months or if it is with his little brother, the one he raised and cared for himself. We will see then who and who is not an obedient little pawn."

The line went dead with a click.

Whitebeard stared in shock for a moment before he too hung up.

'No,' he decided. Friendship and family wasn't like that. It wasn't an all or nothing endeavor. The only rat on his crew was the one who had revealed himself. Now he had to go tell his crew the news. All the while wishing his son's were staying safe and staying sane.

XXX

Hours later as Teach unlocked the captives door, loudly complaining about incompetence, Thatch was waiting for them. The lackeys had unlocked him from the pipe hours ago and in turn he had broken one of their arms and badly bruised the other one's jaw. That had felt good. It had been satisfying to pay them back for their underhanded fighting. But it had meant that they were now too scared and 'injured' to do Teach's dirty work and Teach had been forced to do it himself.

"-should put a bell on you," Teach muttered as he shut the door carefully behind him. He asked louder, "do you want a fight? Is that it."

"No," Thatch told him uncrossing his arms as he gestured for him to give him Luffy. Who lay unmoving in his arms, fresh blood on his face.

"Not that I don't want to knock your smug face into the ocean one of these days. Today it seems like that wouldn't end well for me." Not that he hadn't thought about it. More like fantasized about bashing the man's head in every day since he had woken up in that awful cell. But he knew it was not the time for that. Even if he did manage to win despite not being able to fight off two lackeys without them taking advantage of his still healing injury. Then there would still be a ship full of pirates between him and his goal. Not to mention protecting Luffy and-They Were Still On a Ship! Not many places to escape to here.

He gestured again to take Luffy, more insistently this time and Teach handed the abused boy over. Thatch took him, with much more care then Teach had been using, and laid him down gently on the bed behind him.

"What did you do to him this time?" He asked as he tried to wake the kid up without getting any response.

Teach watched his old crew mate move about. Doing his best to care for the kid whom, up until a month ago, had been a stranger to him.

"You really care for him don't you?"

"Not everyone is as psychotic as you," Thatch responded.

"Why is that?"

"Because you sold your soul already."

"No!" He said annoyed. "Why do you care so much? This dumb brat is Ace's burden not yours."

"Well," Thatch said turning away from Luffy to meet Teach's beady eyes. "I don't expect you to understand this but Luffy is a good kid. Much better then you will ever hope to be. I don't want to see him- nor Ace get hurt any more then what you have already done to them."

The man scoffed at that. "Is that it? You're so incredibly noble. All of you are just so above me. Is that really what you think! Then why is it that you're in here. Where did your nobility get you?"

Thatch only stared at him.

"I could spend a year explaining it to and you would still never understand."

"Then I guess we don't have all that much to talk about do we?"

The man turned back to the door. He still had phone calls to make and things to do. Everything was taking shape before him. His wildest dreams, once too abstract to dare to think of, were now unfolding before him. He could see it like a map in his head. What he had to do to achieve absolute fame and power. And he would do it too. All with the help of the crew he had spent so long traveling with. It were like the heavens themselves were personally arranging his destiny. Everything he needed was lining up neatly in his path.

The boy. He glanced back over his shoulder to where Thatch was still trying to wake Luffy up, patting his cheek and shaking his shoulder. All the while the kids face was deathly pale and he didn't so much as stir. The boy would mark the start of his fame. Teach would use him to open doors to the world government. Separate his name from the hundreds of other power hungry fools on the ocean. All of them too stupid, too weak and narrow minded to do what needed to be done for the chance at true power.

"He is alright," he told Thatch from the door. "But he won't wake up for a while. If he starts to suffocate bang on the door." And with that he left, shutting and bolting the heavy door behind him. After all he had better things to do then converse with his captives. So long as they were still breathing then he didn't care what happened.

Luffy and Thatch were his leverage, tokens to be used like a child at a candy store. He could barter them away. Ace was his trump card, someone who would boost his status just by association, regardless of if he killed the young man or turned him into his follower. And then there was Whitebeard. Taking the old man's head was what would turn him into a legend. The kind that would be remembered long after as someone great. Someone who may one day go on to become the next great pirate king.

XXX
"Sir, this just arrived for you."

The fleet admiral looked up in anger at the officer who dared to interrupt his work. The intruder was young and understandably nervous to be here, even more so when he saw the others face.

"Whatever it is you should report it to your immediate superior," He told him turning back to his work.

"Urm, I did so. He took it up with his boss and his boss's boss. They said you ought to take a look at this."

Sengoku looked up again regarding the young man once more.

"What's your rank and position?"

"Uhh, well I'm just a cadet. I work in the- the mail room."

"Well cadet, why are you wasting my time?"

The man shifted uncomfortably. "We got some mail. Or more like anonymous mail. I think there's information in it. Well of course there's information in it what I meant was- I think it's something you would want to read."

No wonder they put him in the mail room. "Give it here then," He said holding out his hand in permission for the man to hand him the letter. In messy handwriting were the words:

.

What is the only offspring of the revolutionary Dragon worth to you?

- Marshall D. Teach

.

"Sir," The cadet asked.

Sengoku was silent for a moment before he spoke.

"Go, research everything you have on this man. Get the other cadets to help you. I want to know everything."

The man nodded, turning towards the door before hesitating. "Do you reckon it's real then?"

"It's impossible to say," He told him stiffly. "Go now."

Without further protest the young man left, leaving the commander alone with his thoughts. He put down his pen pushing the notes away with a sigh.

'Real?' almost definitely. Sengoku would have been much more skeptical if he had not overheard Garp telling a lieutenant weeks ago that his grandson was missing. And when Garp who was an extremely poor excuse for a guardian was worried then it was almost definitely serious.

It was a shame for his colleague. It wasn't that Sengoku didn't feel remorse. On the contrary, he sympathized with the man. He too knew what the pain of loss felt like. He knew Luffy was more like a son to Garp than his own was. But at the same time, he knew that the same blood that flowed in his father's and foster brother's veins flowed through Monkey D. Luffy's veins as well. That boy was bound to be a huge amount of trouble if he chose the wrong side. And from what Sengoku could gleam without ever meeting him, he had no loyalty to the world government.

It would break the vice admiral's heart to pieces but it had to be done. Anything to protect the sanctity of the world government.

Chapter Text

They were children. Small, troublesome, mischievous and still relatively naïve. Back when Ace thought he had the whole world figured out. When he tried to avoid personal relationships because he viewed them as too much of a hassle. Back when he tried to steer clear of everyone. Well almost everyone. Two people in particular seemed to have worked their way through his defenses. But after losing Sabo. Having to deal with, for the first time in his life, what felt like a molten hot sword work it's way through his entire chest before ripping his heart open. After that he decided that he didn't want to go through that again. He never wanted to experience that pain a second time. He had decided then that Sabo and Luffy would be his first and last mistakes. But he was never all that good at following his own advice.

And now he felt like he was precariously balanced at the precipice of losing absolutely everything-

But he didn't want to think about that right now. So instead he played with his little brother. Like the little kids they used to be when they had first met. They were playing pirates. Just like the old days. Only this time they were playing on a real pirate ship. But not just any pirate ship. No, the one they had chosen was the largest and most impressive on the seas. It was also Ace's home…. Or used to be. But no, he already decided that he wasn't going to think about that! About any of it. Not about Marco or Oyaji, his crewmates or friends…. So he didn't. Instead he gestured for Luffy to come over to him.

"Yea?"

Luffy, no older than seven, wondered over and Ace smiled softly at him.

"Look at this." He told him picking his brother up and placing him on the great railing of the ship so he could look out at the great expanse all around them. A breathtaking sight that Ace had somehow become immune to.

"Wooow!" Luffy breathed as he took in the ocean, the shimmering reflection, the smell of salt and ocean mist.

"It's amazing!"

"Yea," Ace agreed looking out at it once more. Yea it really was. When had he started taking the sight for granted?

The two looked out at it a moment longer until Luffy began to wiggle, a sign of wanting to be let down. Ace complied, helping him off the railing and back onto the deck.

As he did he caught sight of the storm clouds behind them. They seemed to be following the ship where ever they went. Never quite over taking the sky but impossible to outrun. Bad weather, he knew, made for some bad sailing.

He turned as Luffy tugged on his shorts to get his attention.

"Ace?"

"Yea?"

"Why haven't you saved me yet?" Luffy asked.

It was an innocent question but it had the effect of knocking the air out of his lungs as he stared down at his brother.

"Lu…" He started but Luffy cut him off.

"Your close right! You're coming to get me." He looked out at the ocean around them. "So you can show this to me for real?"

Ace shut his eyes turning away, "I'm trying." He promised.

"Trying?" Luffy repeated confused. "What does that mean?"

"I'm, we're- we're working on it."

"You're working on it?" He repeated, sounding unimpressed. An unnatural tone for the usually cheerful kid.

"It's my whole life?" He told him. "You're working on it?" He shook his head the confusion turning to anger.

"You're not even trying are you?"

Ace moved to grab his shoulder but he pulled away.

"I am I promise."

"How would I know that? How do I know you're doing anything?" He was getting angrier.

"Luffy…" Ace said unsure of what to say.

"What!" The boy demanded fire coming back into his eyes. "You're not strong enough, not brave enough."

"Luf-,"

"What Ace!" The boy snapped. "What do you have to say to me!"

When Ace didn't reply Luffy dropped his head down against his chest, the sudden silence between them was far worse than the anger.

"Is it-," He began. "Is it that you don't care enough about me?"

Ace shot up quickly. "No!" He protested.

"It is isn't it?"

He tilted Luffy's chin up gently with his finger, forcing the other boy to look him in the eyes.

"That' not true Luffy. You have to know that."

Luffy shook his head free with a violent jolt.

"Isn't it?" He repeated.

"No," Ace breathed.

"Then where am I Ace!" Luffy was angry again. "Do you know! Come find me."

"I don't," Ace began but he was cut off again.

"You can't can you!" Luffy was shouting now. "You were supposed to look out for me. You were supposed to protect me! You promised Sabo!"

"Stop," Ace said.

"You Promised ME!"

When Ace reached out to grab his hand he pushed away from him like his touch would burn him.

"I'm Dying!" He screamed at the other. "I'm Dying Ace! Because of You. Because you and your cursed family. You left me!"

"I didn't!" Ace protested.

"You did!" Luffy's eyes burned with never seen before rage.

"You abandoned me! You're just the same as everyone else."

"I'm not!" But even as he said it he knew it wasn't true. He had abandoned his brother like the rest. And now this had happened. Because he had cared more about his dreams then his little brother.

"YES YOU ARE!" Luffy screamed. "I Wish I Never Met You! I Wish You Were Never Born!"

Ace stare back at him, feeling like a knife had been thrust into his chest. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't speak. All he could do was stare back brokenly at the little boy.

"I just wanted-," He took a shuttering breath. "I wanted to protect you." Above all else.

When the child spoke again the anger was gone. He sounded as broken as Ace was.

"Ace I'm scared." He admitted. "I don't want to die."

"I won't let you," Ace promised.

"But you don't even know where I am." He looked away from Ace bitterly. Over at the open ocean around them.

"It's not fair," He said his voice little more than a whisper now. "I was the one who wanted to live. I was the one who wanted so desperately for adventure. You- you didn't even want your life. Why do you get everything I can't have? You have so many people who care about you, you are free to live your dreams and live freely like we always talked about. You have everything I ever wanted." Luffy's eyes welled up with tears. "-and because of you I can't ever have it."

"Luffy no."

"I'm going to die," He sobbed. "Because of you." The tears began to roll down his childish cheeks.

"It's Not Fair! It should be you.

"I know," Ace told him softly. "I know."

"You ruin everything!" He cried trying to wipe the tears away as they fell. "Everything you touch turns bad, as bad as you are." He clumsily rubbed his eyes with his palm.

"Your going to hurt everyone," Sniff, "The way you hurt me- everyone around you-,"

"No!" Ace cut him off firmly. "I won't let anyone else get hurt."

"You couldn't stop them from taking me." The child told him. "You can't stop them now. Marco, Sabo, Whitebeard, Thatch, everything that happens to them is all because they got involved with you."

"That's not true!"

"Isn't it?"

"No!"

"Are you sure?"

Only this time Luffy's tone didn't sound right. It wasn't like him at all. It sounded more like…

-It sounded like Ace.

In the blink of an eye everything around them was gone. The boat, the ocean, the sky and the clouds. All replaced by inky blackness. And Luffy- no, not Luffy. It was just him now. Ace stared transfixed at what seemed to be his own reflection.

"I think you know it is true." The reflection told him.

"I think the only one here that deserves what's happening is you." He told himself.

"And now everyone you love has to die because you couldn't manage to off yourself when you were a kid." His reflection shook his head at the shame of it all.

"Maybe-," The reflection said and Ace held his breath. Unable to tear his eyes away from the sight before him.

"Maybe someone should just do it for you?"

And that's when Ace felt the hand on his shoulder. Grabbing at him, shaking him. And he screamed.

He forced his body to fight back, push against the intruder shoving them off him and knocking them both to the ground.

"-Ce!"

"NO!" He screamed, instincts flaring up as he pinned them down to the floor.

"ACE!"

He felt something collide with his collar bone succeeding in knocking the breath out of him as he tried to breathe through the pain. As he did he noticed someone was speaking to him. Not the rushed words of his would-be-murderer but the concerned words of a friend.

"Sabo?" He asked with a cough. Still feeling the impact.

"Ace?" Came his weary reply and all at once Ace realized two things; First off they weren't in the infinite blackness but instead just the dark room of the abandoned building they were staying at, and secondly he was currently on top of the other one. Pinning him down by his shoulders in a way that must be uncomfortable.

Ace stared at the other for a moment and Sabo stared back before reality seemed to crash down on Ace and he quickly scrambled back.

"Shit Sabo, I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"

Sabo rose to his feet, looking much less concerned then most people would be in his situation. Instead he offered Ace a small smile.

"Hurt me?" He asked. "What am I a teacup? No," He told him seeing his face. "I'm fine you punch like my grandma."

"You never met your grandma," Ace told him honestly but Sabo ignored his 'fun facts' of the day to instead say, "I think I got you though."

Ace rubbed the spot sorely. "Yea," He admitted. "Definitely going to feel this one later. He looked around the darkened room. "What happened?"

"You had a nightmare."

Ace blinked back at him. "For real?" That was embarrassing.

Sabo nodded. "I think you're worried about Luffy. You kept saying his name in your sleep. And when I tried to wake you up you flipped out.

"Sorry," He groaned again. "Did I scare you?"

"You surprised me," Sabo amended.

"I'm just stressed."

"No you're completely worn out! You haven't had a good night's sleep or really eaten anything in days. And since the conversation with Blackbeard you have been so much worse!"

Ace made a face at that. He didn't really want to talk about that. He didn't want to talk about any of it. He remembered his dream vividly, the way Luffy had looked at him, how he had said the words that Ace had always wondered about but had never asked. Some of his deepest darkest fears, all dragged into the harsh light of day by his sadistic conscience. Even though a part of him wanted to deny it everything Luffy had said and everything Ace had said to himself, it was all real. There was no defense for any of it. No excuse for not having anything to say when Luffy had begged him for help that he didn't know how to give. His stomach rolled warningly at the thought.

"-Sabo," He said slowly. "I think I'm sick."

"Sick?"

But Ace didn't have any time to expand on the idea as he leaned to the side and violently threw up all over the splintered floor. Sabo managed to jump back just in time to avoid getting the very meager contents of Ace's stomach all over his boots.

He looked down at the puddle and back to Ace who made a face of distaste.

"You really are sick."

Ace wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "No I think you were right. I'm over doing it."

"Here," Sabo headed over to their stuff to pull out his canteen which he handed to Ace. The other accepted gratefully. He took a generous amount before handing it back to Sabo who was watching him carefully.

"What?" He asked wearily. He remembered that look from back when they were kids and it never ended well.

"I want to come with you tomorrow." Sabo told him outright.

"Come with me." Ace thought back to yesterday. What had felt like an eternity ago when he and Teach had a very long and invasive discussion. Just when he had thought this crappy situation couldn't get any worse. How wrong he had been.

He risked a glance up at Sabo who was still staring at him. He wasn't exactly sure how much the other had heard as he had been hiding somewhere in the broken down dust filled ceiling at the time. To be safe Ace had assumed it was pretty much everything. But the two of them hadn't gotten very far into discussing it before Ace passed out in what had to be a record breaking number of times in the span of a few days.

He sighed as he ran his fingers through his tangled mess of hair.

"You can't."

"Want to bet?"

"Listen Sabo, It's not that I don't really freaking need your help. I do. More than you realize. But you can't come with me. You know why."

When the other still didn't look swayed Ace was forced to continue.

"For starters I need you here."

"You can get someone else to do this." He argued, "This is more important!"

"No! It has to be you. You're the only one I trust to stay here. Not to overstate the issue but this kind of hits close to home for me. I really need to know that you're handling it! No one else. Please Sabo!"

"Ace," The other knelt down next to him so he could look him in the eye. "I get it really I do. I'm not trying to stress you out more then you already are because the last thing we need is for you to have another attack. But I'm going to be blunt okay?"

Ace nodded for him to continue.

"Well honestly I don't like where your head is at right now and I don't know if I trust you to do this."

"Okay ouch!"

Sabo sighed, "You're choosing to take this personally."

"Yea I don't know if you have noticed but all of this is kind of personal for me." Ace had always envied how calm Sabo was able to stay in situations like this. "It's not like some guy just waltzed into your life and made it his mission to rip everything you care about to shreds- and oh my god I think I am going to be sick again."

"No!" Sabo said quickly reaching forward to put both his hands on either side of his face, forcing the tired grey eyes to meet his own.

"Listen to me Ace! I'm not blaming you, nor am I judging you and I am certainly not underestimating you. You're trying to do your best in an impossible situation and if I can't relate it's only because a month ago I didn't think I had a personal life so this is all kind of new to me but I am trying. When I say that I don't trust you to do this it's because I honestly don't know if you can? I don't know if I could if the roles were reversed."

"I can do this!" Ace told him determined. "I have to do this."

"But that's just it. No you don't. What do you think I am here for?"

"No," He shook his head. "You can't come."

"Why!"

"I told you why. I need you here. What's more is your right okay! I might fuck this up. I might fail and I honestly don't know what will happen then. But just in case something happens to me. I need to know that you are still safe and you can save Luffy.

"Ace!"

"Please!" He begged feeling his stomach turn again.

"That's the problem!" Sabo said his tone a bit louder. 'In case something happens to me!' What does that mean? Are you planning on not coming back."

"Of course not! I just mean anything can happen."

The blonde made a frustrated noise as he turned to look away to think it over. Ace watched him impatiently waiting for his reply.

"Fine!" Sabo said turning once again to face him.

"You'll do it!"

"I'll stay here if that's what you mean."

Ace let out of sigh of relief. But instantly tensed again as Sabo continued.

"-But that doesn't mean I'm just going to leave you. Either you make sure this goes perfectly or I am charging in there to get you back."

"Damn you!"

"Do you know what you're asking?" He asked him incredulously.

"You signed on to save Luffy! All I'm asking is that if something happens to me you save him like we planned. It's what you wanted!" Ace snapped his voice steadily growing louder.

"Without You!"

"I Don't MATTER!"

"UURG," Sabo made a noise of frustration as he stormed away in anger. Crossing the room in a few short strides to stare out the boarded window.

"You're impossible!" He told him angrily.

"Because you know I'm right." Ace told him.

"I know you're an idiot!"

"Sab, please." Ace tried the anger in his tone gone now. "Just promise you are going to save Luffy."

"I told you I would!"

"Really?"

"Yes! We are going to save him together."

"I'm trying to be realistic!" Ace told him.

"So am I!"

"So what?" He asked pushing himself onto unsteady feet. "You in all your glory are going to storm in alone and- take on the entire crew of the Whitebeard pirates? Yea okay Sabo."

He made the frustrated noise again as he protested, "Obviously not like that!"

"So like what then? Because so far your great plan sounds like it is going to end up with both of us sitting in a cell twiddling our fingers- all the while Lu is out there waiting for us to save him!"

"Well I guess I can't get caught then."

"It's not really something you can control!" Ace shot back. "And I don't want to take that risk when the gamble is Luffy! I told you that we need you to be here and free!"

"You're asking too much!"

"I'm Asking You To Follow The Plan YOU Made!"

"You're asking," Sabo said working to keep his tone level. "For me to abandon you if things go south."

"So what if I am?"

"I can't do that!"

"WHY!" Ace cried.

That seemed to finally snap Sabo's temper as he yelled, "I Don't Know OKAY!" He took a deep breath. "I know it might be strategical or whatever the hell you said. But I don't think I could bear to just leave you to the whims of the pirates you just pissed off. This-" He gestured abstractly to his chest, "All of this is new to me. And I know I don't remember things the way you do but this isn't naïve little ten year old Sabo talking, this is me and I'm saying that for the first time in my life I can't just blindly put the mission first."

"Why not," Ace pleaded.

Sabo's infinite blue eyes searched his face for a moment before he turned away seemingly embarrassed.

"I'll stay here," He said softly. "But I am going to back you up if you need help. Even if it means starting a war between the Whitebeards and revolutionaries."

Ace opened his mouth to protest that but one look from the other and he thought better of it.

"I don't want anyone else getting hurt," He said finally.

"Neither do I but that is the price of my help."

There would be no winning this one. Ace opened his mouth to give quiet agreement but instead he heard himself whisper, "I don't want to do this alone."

"Ace, what I'm trying to get through your head is that you aren't alone."

And Ace, in that moment, thought that he finally understood how Luffy felt all those years ago, back when he was just a scrawny unwanted child.

"You'll stay with me?" His voice sounded hoarse even to his own ears.

Sabo nodded.

"Promise? You won't lie to me."

"I recently learned that I can't lie to you." He told him with a soft smile. Ace had informed him of that when he tried to lie about some well-meaning eavesdropping. Ace had called it his built-in-Sabo-lie-dar. That apparently only worked on him.

He nodded, "You can't. I can always tell with you." Even after all these years Ace could read Sabo as easily as he could his own thoughts.

"Then you know I'm telling the truth when I say that I won't. I'll stay with you as long as you want me to. I'm on your side no matter what."

"On my side?"

"I mean I decided to help you, even if it hurts me."

"Why?"

Sabo shrugged, "Because I feel like it." He told him simply. That was the easiest way he knew how to explain it without the conversation becoming embarrassing for him. Ace was right when he said they didn't really talk about their feelings. Both of them were god awful at it. Ace just started screaming and apparently Sabo couldn't even broach the topic without growing noticeably red.

But apparently that was a term they could both accept as the other nodded. "Me too then."

"You what?"

"I am going to help you even if it hurts me."

"Oh," Sabo said dumbly. "I didn't really mean it as the type of thing you had to reciprocate."

"I know," Ace told him with a smile. "I just felt like it. Deal with it."

He smiled back at him. "Alright. I guess we are our own side then."

"The side of idiots. Two members and counting"

"Looks that way." Only idiots would willingly go up against the Whitebeards and Teach's gang with just the two of them to deal with the extraordinary backlash they were going to unleash.

"Now go to bed. I wasn't kidding when I said I was worried about you."

"But-,"

"But," Sabo told him as he took his hand and pulled him back over to the tangled blankets. "You have to get some sleep for tomorrow." He pushed Ace down gently onto them.

"Because you have a really important job to do tomorrow. And you are going to do it perfectly because-," He put his palm over Ace's face when he tried to get up and forcefully pushed him to lie down.

"You have my full confidence that you will succeed."

"I told you I can tell when you lie."

"You have seventy percent of my confidence that you will succeed." He amended. "The other thirty percent thinks we are all going to die. But don't think too much about that. Now does that lie-dar thing work both ways?"

Ace just shrugged. He really didn't know and he wanted to get back to the 'all going to die thing.'

"So if I asked when you were planning on telling me that Luffy's dad was Dragon! You would give me an honest answer. Because that seems like a really freaking important detail you left out."

"Would you believe me if I told you that it slipped my mind."

"It slipped your mind." Sabo repeated.

"Yea, I mean I never thought of it as a big deal until now. It is just something the old man told me years ago only once. I never thought anyone was going to find out. And I never thought things were going to end up like this. I mean its Luffy we are talking about. Not some great revolutionary legacy or what not…It's just him- no matter how crazy his family is. You know."

Sabo stared at him for a moment before he sighed again. "I think I actually do know. But- umm should I tell my boss about this? I kind of feel like there is a slight possibility that Teach, the master of the details apparently, is going to try to capitalize on this."

"Yea," He agreed. "That might be a good idea. How is he going to take it?"

"I really don't know. I mean it is his kid."

Ace laughed at that and Sabo turned to look at him.

"Luffy is our kid." He corrected. "We were the ones who have been looking out for him and fixing his problems for him since he was a little snot-nosed seven-year-old who cried all the freaking time." It was their beds he had crawled into when he was upset, and it was them who he came running too when he wanted to show them whatever freaky thing he found in the jungle, and they were the ones who he hid behind whenever he was scared.

"I didn't see anyone else out there with us willing to help. So as far as I am concerned everyone else can take a long walk off a short dock."

"You do not like Dragon," Sabo remarked.

Ace just shrugged. "He abandoned him," he said simply.

His parents, troublesome as they were, at least had an excuse for not being there. But for anyone to have a sweet innocent little kid like Luffy and then just leave him? Without even explaining why. Without even knowing him or meeting him. Yea they were on Ace's blacklist all right.

"I'll tell him you said that." Sabo teased.

"Do it! But tell him that if he wants a shot at me he has to get in line behind a whole lot of people that I am about to piss off."

Chapter Text

Ace met Burgess on the docks just as the sun was beginning to creep over the horizon. The man was waiting for him in front of their boats with a baby den-den and a clear set of instructions.

"You are to keep this on you and on at all times. If you turn it off even for a moment the first thing I am going to do when I get back is break every one of your baby brother's fingers. If it still isn't back on by then I'll move on to the toes. Then I guess I will have to start getting creative. Do you understand?"

Ace glared up at him. There were many things he wanted to say but all of them would risk him taking out his wrath on Lu who didn't deserve any of this. So instead he held out his hand.

"Give me the damn thing before I break your fingers."

Burgess grinned at him. "Anybody ever tell you that you're pretty hot when you're pissed off?"

He was mocking him now. Ace rolled his eyes as he grabbed the baby den-den from the man. A specialized one as he had explained it, that was wired only to the master one which Burgess would hold at all times. Everything Ace said and did would be relayed strait back to the mother one. Meaning everything he said would be tracked.

"It's almost like you don't trust me," He told the man.

"Boss trusts you all right. He trusts you to go running strait back to your pathetic crew the second you get the chance. Blubbering about friendship and family or whatever lies the old man preaches."

Ace felt his face flush red with anger as he slandered Whitebeard. But Burgess continued on before he got the chance to tell him to shut it.

"I however disagree."

"Why's that." Ace asked clenching his hand into a fist to stop himself from punching his smug face where he stood.

Burgess gestured to one of the bags he held and Ace instantly knew what was in there.

"Because of this." He told him grinning cruelly. "Face it kid blackmail or not you are a traitor now just like the rest of us. Do you really think the old man is going to go any easier on you just because you're sorry?" He snorted. "No I think he would kill you for what you did. And I think you know that. You're safe right now because they don't think it was you but I promise if I get one word, one sign that you are thinking of betraying us for your old crew we won't hesitate to clear up that little misconception. Then it's your head someone is going to be scraping off the walls. So," He reached over to pat Ace's cheek, "Do as you're told like a good little puppet and everything will go according to plan, got it?"

"Got it!" He repeated as Ace finally nodded, his face red with anger.

"Good now shove off already. I got places to be as well and I need to see you off first."

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Mind your own business."

"I thought you were taking the recruits back." Ace persisted.

"Recruits went back yesterday. I have… other things to do." He rifled through one of his bags pulling out a picture and waving it in Ace's nose. When the teen tried to reach for it he held it back.

"What is that?"

"This?" The man was smiling again. Seemingly laughing at an inside joke. "This was for you until you went and pissed the boss off with that mouth of yours. Now it's going to be used for… other purposes." Ace tried to grab it again but the man held it out of his reach.

"Too bad," He goaded. "You would have liked it. Oh well." He stuffed the picture back in his bag as he turned to Ace.

"Now go! Head directly for the Moby Dick and don't even think of making any other stops. Trust me I will know. Otherwise…"

"You will break Lu's fingers yes I got it," Ace finished for him irratated.

The man blinked at him. "You call him Lu? That's awfully cute of you."

Ace cursed his own carelessness as he snapped, "Shut the hell up!"

He looked past the man's shoulder to the buildings beyond the harbor. He could make out the outline of his brother, watching the two of them from one of the rooftops.

Ace nodded to him ever so slightly. Telling him goodbye. He could see Sabo do the same. Wishing him good luck. But when Burgess turned to see what Ace was staring at he was already gone and all of Ace's attention was back on the man. He had already said goodbye to his brother early this morning. Surprising both of them he had pulled the blonde in for a tight hug. Something he never remembered doing before. No doubt Sabo didn't remember it either. What's even more surprising is after a moment of shock the other boy hugged him back before hurriedly whispering the plan in his ear. The same plan they had gone over time and time again. Ace knew it in his sleep by now but it didn't stop Sabo from repeatedly telling it to him every chance he got. If Ace didn't know his brother better he would almost say it was nervousness. Sabo had also reminded him that if Ace messed up and got caught he would move heaven and earth to get him back. Which, despite Ace's insistence to focus on Luffy, it was nice to know at least someone would morn him if his head did end up being scrapped off the wall like Burgess claimed.

He looked back at the man before turning to his skiff behind him.

"I hope you get eaten by a shark."

"Goodbye to you too kid," Burgess said.

XXX

An entire three days passed after Thatch's enlightening conversation with Teach. In that time they were more or less left alone. Food was still thrown in once a day but there was no further contact which was most likely for the best except for the fact that Thatch was losing his mind of boredom. Whatever they had done to Luffy had left him mostly unresponsive. He woke up only once for several moments and in that time ate two days' worth of food before passing out again. Thatch was incredibly frustrated. He wanted to know what was going on, what Teach seemed to be so excited about and where the hell his family was. But it was impossible to tell from down here so instead he was going crazy waiting.

It was early in the morning on the third day when Thatch felt the boat slow to a stop. He was sitting on the floor with his back against the side of the bed, too fidgety to sleep and was instead waiting anxiously.

He stood up listening intently. Down here near the bottom of the ship the silence was enough to drive anyone mad. Usually he had Luffy to fill it for him though. He hadn't realized how much he had come to rely on the kid until now. Thatch didn't like this new quite Luffy who had replaced the loud hyperactive one. He knew it was a product of his injuries and fatigue and that a month ago he would have killed for the boy to be just a little bit less energetic as at the time it had felt like reigning him in so Teach didn't have to was literally, not figuratively, killing him. Although he had always been secretly proud every time Luffy's apparent lack of warning instinct kept him insulting and otherwise aggravating the insane pirate. A feat even the bravest of men would think twice about. Luffy it seems had no such reservations and he never failed to infuriate the traitorous bastard.

Thatch sat down on the side of the bed shaking his shoulders gently at first and then harder when he didn't react.

"Kid- Luffy…,"

Thatch pulled him up to a sitting position and let him lean against his shoulder as he waited the some odd minuets it took for Luffy to wake up enough for him to give a slurred moan.

"Are you alive?" Thatch joked a bit tensely. Lately it felt like the saying was hitting too close to home.

"Alive?" He repeated confused, "Where are we?"

"Still on the ship." Thatch told him. "It seems like we stopped."

"What ship?"

"What did they give you?" Thatch asked in bewilderment. "-and did you bring some for me?" Honestly that seemed much better than sitting here slowly going insane.

"Give me?"

Thatch sighed as he tucked Luffy's head underneath his chin, letting him have a moment to come back to reality. If he even did.

"Your okay," He told him as the boy moved to try to get up.

"Where-?"

"Where are we?" He guessed.

Luffy shook his head. "Where is Ace."

Of everything Thatch was expecting him to say that had not been it. He felt himself caught off guard and unsure of how to answer.

"Luffy," He tried slowly. "We are on the boat remember. The really dark and cold one?"

He tried once more to get up but Thatch easily held him in place unsure of what he wanted. "He was here," Luffy told him. He pointed a shaky hand at one of the darkened corners. "He was right here!"

Thatch brushed Luffy's bangs out of his eyes in the same way he always did for his younger siblings when they were injured or upset and he needed them to focus.

"You're a little out of it right now," He told him gently. "Ace isn't here. I know you must miss him." Or at least he imagined that he did. He never outright said it but if this was any indication then he missed his brother more then he let on.

Luffy tried once more to free himself of the man's grasp but he wasn't much of a match for the gentle but insistent arms.

"But I saw him!"

"Okay," Thatch caved. He figured they could have this discussion a bit later when Luffy was acting more like himself. "But he is gone right now and I think we have a problem."

"Gone? Why?"

"How many fingers?" Thatch asked without bothering to hold up his hand.

"Fingers?" Luffy repeated confused. "Whats-,"

"You are not much for conversation right now are you?" He told him with a small grin. He should have figured as much. He hoped Teach got bit by something poisonous in the next bed he slept in for doing this to Luffy.

"I'm not going to bother explaining things to you if you're not going to understand or remember any of this." Thatch told him standing up slowly from the bed and looking around for anything he could use to defend them. There was a syringe in the trash from weeks ago. He had discovered it yesterday on accident. He retrieved it now, buried as it was under the layer of dirty bandages and, ugh throw up. For the first time Thatch was thankful that they never bothered to clean the trash. He tucked it into his waist band before grabbing under Luffy's arms and hauling him onto unsteady feet. Not trusting him to stand on his own he kept a firm grip on his arm, practically dragging him to the back wall.

"Just stay behind me."

Luffy pressed back against him, seemingly annoyed by people continuing to treat him like a sack of flour. But Thatch easily won out pushing them both against the wall as he stepped in front of him. His back shielding the smaller kid from the door just as the rattling footsteps reached his ears. They were coming.

The familiar rattling of keys sounded in the lock before the door was flung open with a bang and the lackeys stood outside, looking a little anxious. Thatch noted that about half the group seemed to be sporting injuries from their time dealing with the two prisoners. No doubt they were not eager for more. But Thatch felt very little sympathy for them. He figured whatever they got they deserved for choosing to follow the man they did.

"Oi!" Broken nose said catching sight of the two of them at the back wall. "Come along then."

"Where are we going?" Thatch asked tensely.

The group looked at each other before the man spoke up again, his voice slightly nasally from the injury. "Never you mind, just come on."

Thatch shifted, having to use one of his arms to keep Luffy in place.

"No," He told the group. "I think we are better off here."

"Well the boss disagrees," The man growled.

"Then why don't you get the boss down here?" He shot back. "Have him come and talk to us."

"Boss is busy." The man said taking a step closer, flanked by the rest of them. "Now give us the brat and this don't have to get ugly like last time."

"Let's let this get ugly." Thatch told them narrowing his eyes. He preferred it ugly. The only ones who seemed afraid of that were the cautious group.

The man in front seemingly lost his patience as he stormed over to them, reaching out to push Thatch away from the wall. The second his wondering fingers made contact with the fabric of Thatch's shirt he was suddenly reeling back with a cry. Fresh blood flowed from the gash in his forearm as he cried in rage.

The men behind him looked in surprise at their fallen comrade and then to the bloody syringe in the man's hand and seemed to realize at the same time that this was going to be harder than they thought.

"Bloody hell!" One of them groaned as he pulled out his knife.

As they moved to attack Thatch was much quicker. He slashed upward with the syringe breaking the skin on the man's arm and forcing him to drop the knife as he too cried out. While he clutched his arm in pain Thatch kicked him squarely in the chest winding him. Seeing their comrade downed two more moved to attack together.

Thatch was ready for them as he caught them both around the back of the head and shoved their foreheads together with a loud crack that was sure to give way to a very nasty headache. However Thatch couldn't find it in himself to give them any pity. The rest of the gang cried out in anger, all of them charging him at once. Thatch grit his teeth feeling the ache of his healing side protest the movement. He used one hand to keep Luffy in the corner where no one could take him away and the other to grip his makeshift weapon. If these bastards wanted a fight then a fight is what they would get.

In the end things got a little out of hand. Or so Thatch thought as he wiped the blood off the syringe and onto his already dirty pant leg. When they had tried to corner him he had gone from defensive to downright vicious. It seems that this little prison experience from Teach was effecting him and his self-control more than he had originally thought. That was something to think about later. For now he should worry about any of the downed men waking up and sounding the alarm. That was the ones that still could wake up. He was pretty sure he had killed one of them.

The foolish man had pulled a gun on him. His aim had been horrible and he was in desperate need of practice but Thatch took the threat to heart and before the fumbling finger could press the trigger the needle of the syringe was buried a good three inches into his throat, much to the surprise of both the man and Thatch who hadn't intended to do that. Still it had gotten the point across to the rest of them. After that taking down the rest was like swatting flies.

"Come on," Thatch told Luffy finally stepping back and pulling him away from the corner. If he was grateful for one thing it was that the kid hadn't been able to see most of the fight from behind Thatch. It wasn't a stretch to assume that Luffy had probably seen some violent stuff in his life. But that didn't mean Thatch needed to go out of his way to show him more. Call him over protective but he didn't want to mess the kid up anymore then he already was going to be from all of this. So before he stepped away to reveal the group of downed men, including the one with the gaping hole in his neck that was dripping blood like a water fall he covered Luffy's eyes with his hand. Luffy reacted immediately, trying to pull Thatch away clumsily.

"Your fine." He promised forcing the hands back down and away from his eyes. "You just don't need to see this alright?"

But Luffy wasn't listening and Thatch wasn't going to budge on this one. He instead grabbed the wrists that were trying to pull his hand away and pulled him out of the room. Careful to step around the bodies. Some groaning lightly. They would wake up soon it seemed. They needed to work fast. He pushed Luffy into the hallway rougher the he meant to just as the nearest man's eyes fluttered open.

He heard Luffy stumble and fall against the ground as he slammed the door behind them. Hopefully trapping the lackeys there for the foreseeable future. He had stolen the key ring from one of them but hadn't realized just how many key's they had on it. Did the ship even have this many doors?

As he fumbled he risked a glance behind him at Luffy. Who was staring up at him wide eyed from his place on the floor.

"You good kid?" He asked trying yet another one of the keys.

"Good?"

"You're a regular parrot today huh?" Thatch told him trying to force the mismatched key into the opening with sheer strength. From inside the door he could hear the man nearest to them beginning to get up. But not before he locked them in the room they had trapped them in for weeks on end.

Finally one of the keys slid in and he snapped the lock shut before taking the key ring and throwing it noisily down the other end of the hall as far as he could.

"Let's go?" He held out his had to Luffy but when the he didn't take it Thatch grabbed his elbow hauling him back onto his feet.

"Next time I tell you to sit still and be quiet you can remind me of this," Thatch told him as he bent down to pick Luffy up and put him over his shoulder. He got kicked a couple of times but in all he hardly noticed as he broke out into a run towards where he thought the stairs to be.

With most of the lackeys gone Thatch only really had to worry about getting caught by Teach. He was the one Thatch was most worries about. After everything that had happened he wasn't sure he had it in him to fight anymore right now. So instead he ran, carrying the both of them up the narrow stairs from the belly of the ship onto the main deck. Up and up where the air was less stale and smelt more like salt water. Thatch figured they had probably stopped at another port. Which meant another chance to escape. All they needed to do was break out of this prison ship and steal away into the crowed. If they could just evade Teach for a few days they would be in the clear.

He paused at the top of the stairs to let their eyes adjust to the dim but natural light, all the while staining to hear any noises from the deck. When he didn't hear anything and his eyes had mostly stopped watering Thatch risked stepping out from the safety of stairway onto the main deck. It seemed empty for the moment. Creates and barrels cluttered the space. Where they in the process of moving the supplies again? Surely Teach wouldn't make it this easy for them…?

It turns out he hadn't. As Thatch moved away from the cluttered crates and onto the open deck he saw what he had missed before and what would undoubtedly prove to be the biggest obstacle in his impromptu escape plan.

He set Luffy down from his shoulder onto the deck. When he was sure the kid's legs would support him Thatch wondered a bit further towards the railing. Eyes taking in the sight before them.

They had not stopped at a port like he had thought. The silence in the air should have tipped him off sooner. Instead of the yells and shouts that usually accompanied a busy city the only sounds were the distant rumbling of thunder. There was a storm headed their way. The sky above was over cast and there was dark clouds on the horizon blocking out any bit of blue sky that they might have seen. Which was fortunate for their light starved eyes as it made the transition back into the light a bit easier. It still stung but any pain he felt was pushed aside by the dread curling in his stomach.

The ship had taken anchor out here to avoid the jagged rocks that seemed to litter the water in this area. There was no hint of land or an island in sight and it appeared they were still in the open ocean but about half a mile away strait off the main bow was a towering rock structure that shot strait out of the ocean like a mountain of black rock. A jagged outpost surrounded on all sides by sharp rocks and sheer cliff faces. In the dim light Thatch could just make out the structure built right into the cliff face. It looked like it was made out of the same material as the cliff it sat on. Only the rock had been carved into stone blocks to build the decrepit structure upon. A near impenetrable fortress. No help would they find here, nor anywhere. He had no clue where they even where let alone how far it was to the nearest civilization. Thatch turned to look at Luffy expecting him to be staring at the outpost before them in a similar state of fear. Only Luffy was smiling.

He wasn't even looking at the rocks before them but up at the cloudy sky above. He didn't look scared at all only happy. Happy to be outside Thatch realized with a pang. He was happy to see the sky again after such a long time. Even with the clouds it was beautiful in the way that it seemed to stretch on forever. Thatch never imagined there would be a time when he missed the sky but here they were.

"It's pretty huh?"

Luffy turned to him, smiling brightly and despite himself Thatch felt like smiling as well.

But the next second there was a slam behind him and a sharp pain shot through his leg. His knee buckled under his weight and he felt himself slam into the deck with a cry.

"Nice try," Came the familiar taunting voice and from Thatch's spot on the deck he could see both Teach and the Doc work their way towards them from the stairway.

Thatch pushed himself up to a sitting position as his hands clutched at his right leg just below the knee where blood was beginning to soak through his pant leg. He had been shot! The bastard had shot him.

Besides him Luffy's eyes grew wide as he stared down at the growing red stain. Still not in his right mind but apparently coherent enough to understand that something was wrong he moved towards Thatch. But the Doc beat him to it as he knelt beside the downed man, muttering to himself as his medical kit fell open on the deck.

"Do you realize how much work you make for me?" He asked.

"Shut up." Teach told him shortly intercepting Luffy before he could reach Thatch and dragging him away.

"You did a number on my men," Teach said, this time talking to Thatch who glared at him through the pain.

"You have some pretty weak un- Ahh, underlings." He tried to push the Doctor away as he touched the wound.

"I'm trying to fix it geez!"

"I think I'm better off without your help."

"He used to be so nice," Teach said with fake sympathy for his ex-crew mate.

When Luffy tried once more to help him the man grabbed his jaw turning his head away from the bloody scene before him to instead meet Teach's own black eyes.

"Now he is only nice to you. Why is that?" He was mocking them now. Thatch answered anyway.

"He is the only one on this whole –OW, Freaking boat that I don't want to see dismembered by a sea king.

Teach regarded the pirate for a moment before turning back to the kid. One of his large fingers tilted his head so he could look into the glassy eyes of his prisoner. Luffy stared back at him obedient and quiet, nothing like his usual self. His pupils were blown wide and didn't seem to be focused on anything. Teach smirked and let him go.

"You know I think I like the kid better like this," He told Doc Q as Thatch's head snapped up.

"He is less trouble," The other agreed.

"Leave him alone!" Thatch growled.

"Relax," Teach adjusted his grip as he pulled them both over to the bow of the ship. "I'm just showing him. At least one of you can appreciate all my hard work."

"Well," Thatch groaned as the doctors jostled his knee by accident. "Being a murderous, kidnapping slime ball is a full time job."

Teach laughed at that in honest. His checkered teeth showing as he grabbed the rigging with one hand and used it to pull himself onto the railing of the ship. He reached down, hand once more tangling in the stained shirt as he pulled Luffy up beside him.

"One more comment like that and the kid is going for another swim. Now do you know what that is brat?" He gestured at the base before them.

When he failed to answer Teach told him, "That's the Hold?"

"The hold?" Luffy's voice was childish and bordering on timid. Wholly unlike his usual tone. But it made Teach grin. For once glad someone seemed to be recognizing his authority. In his arrogance, he seemed to miss that all Luffy was doing was copying what everyone else was saying, not truly keeping up with the conversation.

"That's our new headquarters. That's home now for all of us." Thatch looked on in disgust.

"A near impenetrable fortress from before the start of the great pirate era. It's been abandoned for centuries." He smiled broadly. "Until now boys."

When Luffy turned from the hulking slab of dark rock and grey stone to look at him Teach smiled. He reached out his large calloused hand to stroke the bruised cheek in a way that someone who didn't know him may have mistaken as affection rather than egotistical.

"Do you know what else it is?"

Luffy shook his head.

"It's the place where your brother is either going to join me or I am going to kill him. It is where I am going to defeat the Whitebeard Pirates and gain worldwide fame and recognition. Where I will win over the world government and take all that I can from them." His grip turned hard as his hand tilted Luffy's chin upwards again.

"But for you little one, this place is where you will die."

Chapter Text

It had been nearly a week since arriving at the new base. A very- very long week. Luffy had been sick the entire time. Ever since waking up from his drugged out stupor. But he was mostly back to normal.

Thatch wasn't feeling all that great himself. Most of that being due to getting shot in the freaking leg. Which had been patched up somewhat roughly before he was left to his own devices.

The crew had left their boat anchored in the ocean and instead entered the outpost through a series of tunnels that were only accessible during low tide. The sea tunnels led to a network of bootlegging tunnels that connected to the outpost base and ran across the entirety of the miserable island. A truly impenetrable fortress. Climbing the rocks themselves was a near impossible feat without the sea access and any nearby ships would instantly be spotted before they could even attempt. This meant that for the moment the two were trapped here for the foreseeable future.

Thatch had gotten a headache thinking about it and instead tried to push those thoughts from his mind. It would not do to lose hope right now. He had to believe that things would still turn out all right, if not for his sake then for Luffy's. The kid had suffered far too much from being caught in the middle of a fight that wasn't his. With a groan, and a great amount of effort Thatch sat up from the bed and lowered himself to the floor, being careful with the injured leg.

Their new cell was just as small, dark and cold as the others had been. Surrounded on three sides by the same dark stone the outpost was built from with iron wrought bars making up the last side. Even the rats seemed to avoid it, figuring they could do better somewhere else.

"Luffy," Thatch said trying to get his attention. He crawled forwards on his hands and knees to stop by the kid's side.

Luffy was laying on the floor, with his flushed cheek pressed against the stone. He was seemingly the only person who appreciating the cold dankness of their new home. Every time Thatch managed to put him on the bed he would eventually make his way back to the floor, overheating one second and freezing the next. He moaned brokenly as Thatch worked a hand under his cheek trying to get him off the floor.

When he woke up, more or less back to his normal self if not a bit dazed, he had no clue how they had gotten here. It seemed like Luffy didn't remember anything of the last few days. He hadn't remembered them escaping, mercifully didn't remember Thatch killing that guy, nor Thatch getting shot and himself becoming Teach's parrot. No one was more disappointed that Luffy was back to normal then the fat man. Whom it seemed was finally coming to like the kid during his obedient drug trip.

"Yea, come on buddy," He encouraged helping Luffy to sit up. His skin raged with fever beneath Thatch's fingers. "You're alright." He worked his arms below Luffy's legs picking him up, hardly able to support either of them with his injured leg.

"Let go Thatch," Luffy told him, as he always did each time the man tried to take care of him. As far as Luffy was concerned the only thing he wanted in this world was to stay put.

"And leave you on that floor? I think the underside of shoes are cleaner then it." He once again set Luffy on the bed before sitting heavily besides him, his knee shaking from the effort.

"Just stay here this time. I know you're miserable. In fact I think that's the point but humor me alright?"

A long moment passed before Luffy leaned back a bit. "Alright," He agreed and Thatch smiled.

If you were to ask Teach or anyone on his crew they would probably say Luffy was impossibly stubborn and poor tempered. But in truth he was actually very sweet tempered. At least he was to anyone who hadn't kidnapped and tortured him. To Thatch he was surprisingly easy going. Most of the time at least. It seems like when he set his sights on something he would never yield, no matter what it was. But thankfully this was not one of those times and Luffy seemed to grasp Thatch was only trying to look out for him.

Surprising both of them Luffy pulled himself up a bit so he could lean against Thatch's side, soaking in the warmth of the other man.

"You okay?" Thatch asked and Luffy nodded as he closed his eyes.

"I'm okay," He promised. Just really- really tired.

He was a sleep a few moments later, leaving Thatch to watch out over their darkened cell.

They weren't left alone for long, they never were. Late into the night or possibly early in the morning Thatch was woken up by the sound of trampling footsteps approaching their cell. It sounded like a lot of them. He turned to look at Luffy, still a sleep at his side. Good, he didn't want him involved in whatever this was. And if he had learned one thing about the kid it was that he wouldn't hesitate to get involved. As much as he admired his bravery Thatch didn't know if he could handle it if something were to happen to Luffy. With the way things were going it was startling to look like- well he wasn't doing so great right now.

"Stay sleeping," Thatch told him gently as he moved the kid from his shoulder to lay on the bed. With any luck they would leave him alone. He ruffled the black hair before stepping away from the bed and into the center of the room, awaiting to footsteps.

He didn't have to wait long.

XXX

When Luffy woke up again the world seemed a little bit clearer. As it did each time following the overdose.

For a second he though Thatch had woke him up by being so noisy. But that wasn't quite right. He was still laying on the bed where he had fallen asleep and someone was sitting by him but everything around them so was loud. Maybe it was his head?

"Fight-fight- fight!"

No that wasn't what a headache sounded like. Confused Luffy pushed himself upright looking around their tiny cell. What was empty a couple of hours ago was now packed with people, all of them screaming and jeering. Still confused he moved to stand but someone pushed him back down.

"You'll want to stay out of this one trust me."

He turned in surprise to the man sitting next to him on the bed. This wasn't Thatch? Where was Thatch? Who were these people? No- scratch that he recognized most of them as Teach's lackey's. So very bad people then.

The man gestured to the circle of men, all shouting and cheering in front of them.

"We got a few new recruits," He explained. "Wanted to play with the Whitebeard pirate- er what's his name."

Luffy's gaze immediately turned back to the circle, worry curling in his stomach. The bodies completely blocking his view of whatever fight was happening.

"Thatch!" Luffy shouted pushing himself to his feet. But he hadn't take more than a step when the man came after him and firm arms locked around his middle. One over his chest pinning his arms in place and the other looped around his neck.

"Dammit kid I told you to stay out of this one. Do not get involved in this or it's your blood we will be scrapping up instead."

But Luffy wasn't listening, feet kicking wildly as he tried to break free. The man was forced to hold him off the floor.

"Leave him alone!" Luffy screamed again, his voice getting lost in the cheers of the small crowed.

"Calm down," The man told him irritably.

"Let Me GO!" Luffy fought back viciously. He hated this-this feeling of uselessness that was always hanging over him. He hated being used and traded like tools. Of being treated like a misbehaving kid. But what he hated more than anything was not being able to help the people he cared about.

"I said, Calm Down!"

Luffy felt the man's thick hand curl around his neck, threatening to cut off his air supply. He was welcome to try, the sea stone had been removed sometime before waking up in this prison cell and those type of holds no longer worked on him. But that didn't stop the man from tightening his hand, trying to choke him into submission. Luffy only struggle harder.

'Thatch was in trouble, Thatch was hurt! Why couldn't he seem to help anybody! He screamed out in anger, feet kicking into the empty air. And deep down Luffy knew this was his fault. If he was just a little stronger…then he could protect the people he wanted to- and maybe this never would have happened. What the hell was wrong with him?

When had he become so weak? Weak enough that this man, a spineless lackey with no sense of loyalty, could stop him even at his most determined. A few months ago Luffy would have stomped him into the ground without a second thought, a month ago he could have taken him on, and two weeks ago he could have at least broken free of his hold. But now- well now he was useless. The same screaming child he had been for most his life, the one who relied on other people to protect him. The same one who hid behind his older brothers backs. But that boy had done nothing while his brother was taken away. That boy was weak, and he didn't want to be him anymore.

"That's it, calm down." The big man told him as his struggled lessened. Still the hand did not move from his throat, ready to squeeze the life from him like one of the jungle snakes. And while Luffy didn't really care if the man tried to cut off his air supply his other arm was digging quite deeply into his fractured ribs. Rubber or not the pressure on his lungs was too much and dark spots began to dance in the corners of his vision. Ignoring the crushing hands he gasped for breath.

'This- this wasn't him.' He wasn't someone who could be stopped, not when his will far outweighed this mans. Luffy could feel it, feel his own determination coursing through his blood, through every part of him. He could feel it the same way he could feel this man's own desires. He was nothing, he amounted to nothing. His strength, his will, all of his actions all of his character- and they were Pathetic. Halfway through his spineless life he was still so weak. So weak and flimsy. Nothing like Luffy's.

He squeezed his eyes shut working on getting his breathing under control.

"There's a good boy." The rough voice said in his ear. "Finally listening to us now."

"Never!" He forced out between clenched teeth. Luffy would sooner bow down to the dirt then these people.

The hand tightened around his neck and the foul breath was back. "Come again!"

Luffy hated this man, he hated all of them. They thought they were strong. Following twisted orders, beating half dead prisoners, bending others to their orders with blackmail. That was not what strength was. Luffy had seen true strength. His grandfather, crazy as he may be was strong. His brothers, even at the young age of ten had been braver and tougher than any one of these men could ever hope to be.

"Say that again brat!" The man snarled his hands tightening once more. "-and I will rip your throat out and then we will see if you are still so sure of yourself while you are dying at my feet."

Fighting through the nearly overwhelming pressure on his lungs Luffy opened his eyes. The small crowed in front of him blocking his view of Thatch. He could hear the sounds of a fight, a very outnumbered fight. They were screaming, jeering, so loudly. Nobody even remembered Luffy was here, no one but the brute holding him.

"Where's your captain now Whitebeard?"

"Not so strong are you?"

Their taunts nearly drowning out Luffy's panting breaths. And as he struggled to breath his anger grew. He couldn't remember the last time he had been this angry. Furious with people, at the world. He didn't like to think like this, these thoughts were usually unwelcome. But right now he held onto them as tightly as he could, letting the rage wash through him. Lighting a blazing fire in his chest.

'They were nothing, they would always be nothing. How dare they do this to him! How dare they do this to Thatch. They didn't own him, no person could ever own anything living thing.'

He vaguely felt himself being shaken. "Well kid?" dirty fingernails scrambled at his throat. "What do you say?"

"You're all so weak!" He spat out and it felt like his eardrums were about to shatter with the force of his own heartbeat.

'I don't want this- I don't want this- I don't want any of this- They would stop! He would stop them. One by one if he needed to because- well because…

'-I am so Much More Than All OF YOU!'

And for a fraction of a second the world froze.

For him at least, things seemed to stop moving, his heart had stopped beating. And for that second he though his heart had burst. But then the moment was gone and he realized nothing had stopped at all. Not even his heart, which he hoped was still beating just not quite as loudly as before. The fight in front of him still raging on as if no one had noticed. No one but the man holding him.

In the span of a second his hands went from pinning him against his chest to loosely holding him, then dropping all together as he slumped back with a half startled cry.

Luffy paid him no attention, driven by one thing now as he dove forwards. He grabbed the clothes of the man nearest him yanking them back with all his might and to both their surprise the man tumbled onto the floor, startled by the attack and- for whatever reason he seemed oddly out of breath. Like he had just run a long ways.

"What- did you-," He began to say but Luffy wasn't listening. He pushed deeper into the crowed, tearing past the remaining crewmates who were still cheering loudly. He felt an arm try to pull him back as someone noticed his intrusion. He shoved them off as he continued to push through the group. Past the lackeys to the center of the cell where a handful of people he didn't recognize stood. A very odd assortment of men and one woman, all of whom had bloodstains on their clothing and seemed to be grinning. The new recruits.

"Thatch!"

His friend lay on the ground at the center of the crowed. A stupid fat man with a brick like nose seemed to have him pinned down as Thatch fought back viciously managing to hold his own even now. All the while the crowd cheering them on like this was a spectator show. The floor the two fought on was littered with broken glass, someone had thrown a half empty bottle at them that was now shattered. Although neither fighter noticed it.

"Get off him!" Luffy shouted as he shoved the woman aside.

"Damn it who let go of the kid?"

"Somebody grab him before he interferes!"

Luffy threw himself down to the floor as a dozen hands reached out for him. He had begun to crawl towards the two of them when he felt a hand close around his ankle drag him backwards.

"No!" He kicked back furiously fingers scrambling for grip.

"Who the hell is the kid?"

The commotion had managed to reach Thatch's ears now as he turned from his fight against the humongous man to meet Luffy's eyes. There was a deep gash above his eye and blood ran freely down the side of his face. He looked scared but not for himself.

'Luffy,' He mouthed, or perhaps he spoke it and the sound was just lost in the noise of the room. Luffy lunged forward even as he was dragged back, away from the fight and away from his friend. His only friend in thousands of miles… one of the only friends he had.

His fingers closed around something sharp as an arm close around his chest.

"Geez kid what did you do to Creed?"

"Let go of Thatch!" Luffy screamed as he was hauled back by some faceless man.

Thatch was distracted, still staring at Luffy, oblivious to the fat man's fist that was flying towards him. It smashed into his jaw sending blood and spit splattering across the grimy floor.

Luffy watched wide eyed as the man continued to beat Thatch, jeered on by the crowd. Violence, pain, blood, Luffy wanted it to stop. He was sick of it. He was so sick of all of this.

"Way to go," The one holding him said, kneeling besides him on the ground. "You distracted him. Gave old Vasco the upper hand. Guess you're not so useless huh?" He laughed.

"Tell you one thing though, he better stop soon or he really will kill him."

"You want to be the one to make him stop?" One of the newcomers boomed out a laugh. "Try it and he will beat you in the Whitebeards place."

"Boss'll have our heads if we kill him."

"Boss will have your heads you mean," The woman laughed cruelly. "We beat the kid next then?"

"Kids off limits."

"Eh?"

"Somebody important's son or whatever."

"So?"

"So kill him and Teach will flay you. He needs this one."

Luffy wasn't paying attention to them, his gaze fixed firmly on the one sided fight a few feet from him. Eyes wide as he watched as blood began to pour into the grooves of the brick.

"THATCH!" He cried trying once more to free himself, his fist closing tightly over the glass shard as his hand quickly became slippery with his own blood.

"Thaaaatch." The crowed mocked him.

"Are we hurting your boyfriend there kid?"

"Are you going to cry some more!"

"Don't worry you can have fun with us instead."

"We'll be sure to leave you an arm or something to remember him by."

And as they cried out in mockery something snapped inside of him-

Quicker than anyone expected Luffy turned, beyond that of a normal humans range. Glass shard gripped firmly in his now bloody hand he whirled onto the man holding him and thrust the object strait into the man's neck. With all of the force he had he ripped it across the skin causing blood to spray out from the wound.

And for a second the world seemed to still, everyone too surprised to react. The man holding him seemingly more shocked then anyone. He stared at Luffy for a moment longer before his grip loosened. His arm reaching up to his own neck but only coming partway before freezing once more. He let out an odd noise, partway between a gasping and choking sound. Eyes staring once more at Luffy before he slumped over onto the ground, staring glassily up towards the ceiling.

And still no body moved, the crowed now fixed on the downed man.

Free at last of the grabbing hands Luffy shot forwards once more and this time no one stopped him. He threw himself again towards where the two men were, the larger of the two having pinned his friend to the floor and had been repeatedly slamming Thatch into the floor.

"Get away from him!" Luffy screamed as he slammed into the big man, trying to get him off of Thatch. But as it was his size and strength was nothing compared to the larger man and the only thing he succeeded in doing was catching his attention.

Beady eyes blinked down at him stupidly and a large hand moved to grab him. But as sausage like fingers closed around his upper arm, Luffy dug the shard strait through the middle of the man's hand.

The reaction was immediate this time. The pain startling the man to his feet as he cried out to the group.

"IT Hurts! AH, Get It Out!"

He continued to flail his hand as if it were on fire, as his other hand scrabbled to grip the bloody glass.

Luffy ignored him as he collapsed to his knees.

"Thatch!" He cried fingers desperately tangling in the stained shirt as he pulled him back up from his place on the bloodied floor.

"Please- be – Please don't be dead!"

A pale white face stared back at him, marred with blood and bruises. One of his eyes was black but the other was staring at Luffy, wide with shock. He had seen everything that happened.

"Luf-," Thatch breathed at the other.

Luffy didn't care what he was trying to say or how beaten in his face looked. He didn't care about anything except that the man was okay. The massive weight that had been threatening to drag him down suddenly lessened.

"Your- your okay." His voice broke a bit as he looked his friend over. "You're still." alive. "still…Okay."

"Luffy you-you-k-…" Thatch's gaze moved to the downed man lying a few feet from them before focusing in on the blood on Luffy's face.

"Oh kid I am so sorry." He finally said remorse in his voice. Luffy had no clue why he was apologizing. He hadn't done anything wrong.

But Thatch didn't talk anymore, instead shifting his weight to one hand so he could wipe the blood from Luffy's cheek with his torn sleeve. He did so very gently like he was worried he was about to fall apart if he touched him too hard.

Luffy didn't really understand why, or what he was so sad about but right now he didn't care. Maybe it was just Thatch being Thatch. He did things from time to time that made no sense to him.

And despite everything, Luffy smiled up at him. Because Thatch wasn't dead. He was okay. Beaten to hell and looked a little sick but he was alive…

The next second a large bloody hand reached out and shoved him to the floor and everything went black.

Chapter Text

XXX

Ace had to take a step back at the sheer force of his brothers. Haruka fell upon him first and he tensed, even as his arms came around him in a tight hold. The others weren't far behind, falling into step behind Haruka as they clambered around him. He hadn't known them to be much in the way of hugging. Yet here they were, huddled around him like moths…it was kind of heavy- no it was suffocating. Ace felt like all the breath had been stripped from his lungs. He couldn't breathe. That was happening a lot lately.

"Ace are you alright," Juzo's heavy hand rested firmly on his shoulder like a weight. He hadn't bothered with the hugging but he looked concerned all the same. He gestured for the others to give him a bit of space. Reluctantly they stepped back.

"We heard what happened," Haruta told him. "We thought… well, were just glad to see you again."

They had heard some version of the truth.

"- You are okay aren't you?"

Ace was pretty far from okay. He was hard pressed to remember a time in his life when he felt worse than he did right now.

"I'm okay," He told them and then for added benefit gave them a small smile.

"Do you know anything about Marco?"

"Don't rush him! Can't you see how tired he is!"

"I was just asking."

Ace looked at the faces of his crew mates, eager and anxious as they were. It seemed like he wasn't the only one who was having a hard time lately. He had been dreading this for days. Ever since Teach had ordered him back to his home ship, back to his crew. The entire trip over he had thought about it, the crew they left behind turning up to look at him and asking for answers he didn't have or couldn't give them. Ace had never lied to his crew before and he honestly never thought he was going to. But it seems like there were a lot of firsts lately.

"I- I … I don't know." He fought back the urge to stare down at the ground below. Nothing to tip them off. He lied so infrequently he didn't know if he was any good at it or not. Probably not. It was one of those things you were either born with or you learned. And for him it was neither.

"But you saw him right! He was with you before… before he disappeared."

They were going to hate him. Good, let them hate him. He deserved it.

"I didn't. He was there and then…he was just gone. I'm- I'm sorry."

The hand tightened on his shoulder a bit. "No one blames you Ace. We know you did your best."

This all would be so much easier if they did. If everyone finally started to realize that this was his doing.

XXX

"We will leave this island, Set sail and be freer than anyone else."

It felt like he was floating under the ocean. Every time he clawed his way to the surface another wave would crash over him and drag him back down. Down to the darkness. That was alright though. There was nothing up there but pain and violence and Luffy was getting sick of those. He was sick of just about everything lately.

"Set sail and be freer than anyone else."

'Ace, Sabo, I'm sorry. I think there's a crack in me.' It wasn't there before, in fact Luffy didn't know where it had come from. But lately it felt so big Luffy would just split apart. Like glass.

"Freer than anyone else…"

Only he wasn't glass, he was made of tougher stuff then that. He was raised to be brave and strong, he was born to be a warrior. And he was trying, he really was. He had been trying so hard ever since he was a little kid. It was just-

'I want to see the sky again.'

'Freedom.'

'We're supposed to be free right?'

It was better to die in the ocean then to live in a cage. Was that right? Only he didn't think that Ace would ever forgive him.

Not for dying before he got the chance to save him….

-And then Luffy was really drowning.

Violently yanked back into the waking world where everything was sharper. All of his senses came slamming back to him at once and he tried to gasp for air but only ended up choking on the water as it rushed into his lungs. He kicked frantically and pounded his hands, fighting for air. Everything was dark, and wet and cold and he was trapped.

Just when black spots were starting to dance in the corner of his vision and his movements had started to drag he was pulled out and unceremoniously dumped onto the floor.

Somebody was laughing. Luffy was choking, he was shaking on his hands and knees, coughing up water from his lungs.

"This is grunt work. My talents are wasted with this."

The laughter stopped.

"Well no grunts will go near him anymore so you and your talents are stuck with it."

"Cowards, their scared of a little kid."

"A little kid who killed one of them…. Maybe there is hope for him yet. And all this time I thought he wasn't listening to me."

"Please, a drunk man with a butter knife could have taken them out. Their weaklings. I heard the Whitebeard pirates took out a few just last week. They are cannon fodder. That's why you recruited us no?"

When it felt like Luffy had nothing left to cough up he pulled himself up on shaky arms. Every inch of him was drenched in frigid water. Which now dripped off of him, stinging his injuries and collecting into a pale red puddle beneath him.

The room they were currently in was small and dark. It was the same slate stone the rest of the fortress was carved from. Most of the floor was wet, probably from the half empty barrel they had just tried to drown him in. Aside from that there were a few stools and buckets full of water. Teach stood a few feet away. He had taken a break from their conversation to look over at Luffy. A woman was standing behind him, near the doorway. He recognized her from the cell. She had been their while the others were fighting Thatch.

When it became apparent Luffy was breathing again Teach turned back to the lady. "It's ain't just that. A few of the guys said he did something weird. There's one, Cr- something, who can remember their names, but he won't go within ten feet of the kid. Claims he is witch or something. He says he was supposed to be watching him, keeping him out of everyone's way. And the next thing he knew he was waking up two hours later."

"So the kid sucker punched him then, mystery solved."

Teach shrugged, "Maybe. Wouldn't be the first time for those idiots." He turned back to Luffy who was watching them both with dark eyes."

"Either way boy you're starting to be more trouble than your worth."

"W-where's Th-thatch." Luffy's voice was shaky and barley louder than if he whispered it. His teeth were chattering too hard to speak.

Teach heard him all the same. Even if he pretended not too. "How about some gratitude?" He said irritation in his tone. "If I hadn't been there to pull those guys off you, then there wouldn't be anything left of you to mouth off. I damn near saved your life."

Luffy narrowed his eyes. "W-where is T-thatch!"

The man pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing in disappointment. A clear sign the other was grating his nerves yet again.

"You know Luffy, I'm getting really sick of this attitude of yours. I see the way you look at me. Think your better or something? I've seen where you come from. A backwater country populated with trash and criminals. You have nothing, no parents, no family, and no home. I doubt anyone even realized you're gone. If they did they would probably give me a medal. Your grandfather? I don't see him screaming to get you back. Your brother? Please he's not even that. You're fooling yourself if you think his attachment to you is anything other than misplaced guilt. You're the offspring of a criminal. Good for nothing gutter trash. So what about that makes you think that you are any better than I am? Huh?"

Luffy didn't answer.

"Nothing to say then!"

He brought his knees up to his chest fully feeling the coldness of the room. The entire base was like ice and the water he had been unceremoniously dumped into was colder than that still. Every part of him was numb from his blueish toes all the way to his heart which felt like it had frozen all the way through.

Satisfied with his silence the man continued. Confident he had gotten through to his prisoner. "Now you have a chance, for once in your miserable life, to be some of use to someone. Some very important people are going to come see you and I need you to look less like bloody road kill while they're here. Can you at least do that?"

"…"

"Well!"

Luffy hugged his knees a little tighter to his chest. Thatch's shirt, that had kept him warm this entire time now felt heavy and frigid against his skin. Who would ever had thought hell would be so cold?

Teach may be right; about Luffy, about Grandpa and even Ace, but he didn't think so. The man lied a lot, nearly constantly. And even if he was right about everything that didn't change the way Luffy felt about them. He loved everyone. His friends, his grandfather, and his brothers. So much that it hurt. He always had. Even if he had nothing he had them and to him that mattered a whole lot.

"G-go to hell!" He growled. "You're worse than me. I-f, if I'm trash then- what does that make you?"

The room fell silent, Teach staring at Luffy as his words sunk in. It seems like his speech hadn't had the effect he thought it would on the boy. Time seemed to still for a long moment before he turned to the woman.

"Catarina," He said his voice softer than usual but there was a tremor underneath that promised blood.

"Boss?" She asked, sensing the same heaviness in the air for what it was. Dangerous.

"Those talents you spoke of, now is your chance to use them."

"What can I do sir?"

"The Whitebeard pirate. Kill him. Make it slow."

"NO!" Luffy screamed his eyes going impossibly wide as he fell forwards.

"Don't you need him?" She questioned ignoring Luffy's screams.

"Take backup if need be but I want it done," He told her. The coldness in his tone carried enough authority that she didn't question him again.

"STOP!" Luffy screamed pushing forwards. "Don't you DARE!"

Teach finally turned his attention to him, his face white with anger. "You did this not me." The woman looked unsurely between the two of them before moving towards the door.

"STOP!" Luffy cried again. "Don't Hurt H-him."

"This is how you ask for things," He told him his tone still soft with anger.

Luffy grit his teeth, his lip trembling at the thought of anything bad happening to Thatch. He couldn't be alone here. He wouldn't do it. Not now not ever.

Before Teach's eyes he pushed his forehead into the ground. "Please," He said forcing his teeth to stop shaking so he could speak clearly. "Please don't hurt him Blackbeard. I'm sorry for what I said. I take it back…just don't hurt him."

Teach regarded him a moment. "Catarina," He said after a long moment and she paused in the doorway. "Finish up here."

"And the Whitebeard?"

Teach didn't answer. He cast one last look at Luffy before heading out the door, brushing past both of them and slamming it behind them.

Luffy didn't dare move. Even after Teach had left.

Catarina sighed recognizing both of their dismissals. And just when she finally had something fun to do. But better to listen to the boss right now, otherwise it would be her head on the chopping block.

She filled a bucket with water from the barrel mixing in some soap with it. "Get up," She snapped at the kid but he ignored her. She dumped the ice water back over him anyways, washing away the last of the blood.

"Their scared of you now you know." She told him putting the bucket down.

Luffy sat up slowley.

"They think you're tough, they say you're strong, and that you're a monster… now you're a murderer too."

"They are pathetic no? I can see you for what you are." She leaned forward a bit and he tensed.

"After the boss stepped in and saved you he had me carry you here so we could wash the blood off ya… do you know that you cry in your sleep? You're no murderer. You're a frightened kid who was forced to sit at the adults table." Her hands reached out and he flinched away from her.

"Look at that! You do know fear don't you." She rose to her feet.

"You know what I think?" She grabbed a clean set of clothes from the bench and tossed them over to him. The shirt landed on his head and the pants falling to the ground besides him. "I think you're getting tired of playing with the adults. -I think you're getting real tired of playing at all." And with that she followed her boss, slamming the door behind her and clicking the lock into place. Leaving Luffy alone in the dark and cold.

XXX

Far removed from Luffy's suffering ,but not unaware of it, on the other side of Paradise sat Sengoku. A thick stack of papers beside him on the desk awaiting his immediate signature. He ignored them for the time being and instead sat in silence, hands clasped together as he stared across his office. Contemplating a great many things.

"Sir," There was a knock on his door. "There's a man outside. He requested a meeting with you. We detained him at the gates but he said it is urgent, that you were expecting him. What would you like us to do?"

"These pirates today are getting bolder."

"Sir?"

"Search him and send him up. While you're at it bring me my Admirals. We have much to discuss."

XXX

The rain was coming down hard by then. Covering the entire town with cold misery. By the time he found him they were both soaking wet and shivering. The younger boy was in bad shape. He was beaten half to hell and it looked like he had been tortured. Sabo did the best he could, carrying him to safety and drying and wrapping the worst of his injuries. The entire time feeling anger burning in his stomach.

Sabo was no stranger to anger. It was the feeling that usually accompanied injustice and mistreatment of the innocent. But this time… this time it felt different. For starters he was angrier then he could remember feeling before. Part of him, the more malicious part, wanted to track down the ones who had done this to the kid and rip their tongues out of their mouths.

But the other part of him was just confused. And that was the part he had decided to listen too. So Sabo had gone through with the assignment as planned. Like the good little tool he was. And he had been paying for it ever since.

Ace had left two days ago, he should be meeting up with his crew anytime now. Sabo shifted in his seat feeling restless. Despite their talk he still wished he had gone along with his… with Ace. Sending him back to his crew after what had happened was like sending him into a wasps nest and then shaking it. One word and they might turn on him. Then how much good would Sabo be? By the time he made it over there might be nothing left to save. He could lose Ace. Just when he got him back.

Keeping with his promise to the other boy he would go save Luffy regardless. And then he would have to look into those big eyes and say:

-"Hey there Luffy, I don't know if you remember me or not but I guess I'm your brother. Or foster brother... If not no hard feelings, I mean you were so young. After all I don't really remember you either. But I'm here to save you. And oh by the way the brother who didn't abandon you is dead. Sorry… but you still have me."

Yea that would go over great.

He had told Ace as much while they were arguing over just how long Sabo was allowed to wait before rushing after him if Ace missed a check in.

Ace did not seem to share the same fears he did. He had nearly laughed. "First off I'm not going to die, I have you watching my back." He had told him. "Second Luffy would never forget you. How could you think that?"

How could he not?

Sabo leaned into the table in front of him. A cup of coffee sat before him, cold by this point. Now that Ace had left it was quieter. He hated it. Left alone here for long hours all alone with his thoughts. He thought about Luffy a lot. Almost constantly now. He kept replaying what had happened over and over in his head, as if he could somehow change the ending.

He remembered Luffy's face. The way he looked a split second after he had been knocked to the ground. He had stared up at Sabo, or strait through him. As if he hadn't truly seen him there. Or anyone. But Sabo had seen him. He had looked so young, even more so covered in blood and bruises with a split lip and watering eyes.

'He was a crybaby after all.'

Sabo rested his head on the table, feeling the cool wood against his pounding forehead. What a mean thing to think.

He heard a shuffling in the doorway but didn't bother to look up.

"And what's wrong with you then?" The raspy words were slurred.

"Nothing's wrong with me." Sabo told him

"Want me to take a look at you?"

Sabo pushed himself back up, turning in his chair to look at the man, a grizzled old drunken creature.

"Are you sure you should be drinking?"

He let out a gruff chuckle, patting the bottle at his hip. "Boy I've been drinking longer then you have been on this earth. I do my best work drunk."

He was close enough that Sabo could smell the alcohol… and blood. He always smelt like alcohol and blood. He hated that smell.

Alcohol, blood, so much blood. He was crying. Of course he was crying. Seven years old, covered in blood, dangling like a broken toy on a rope and screaming for help.

Sabo groaned as he reached up to hold his forehead. Like he could push it back together again even when it felt like it was about the split apart.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing's wrong with me. I just have a head ache." He told the man getting to his feet.

"I might have something for that."

"It will pass on its own." He held out his hand for the bottle. If you can't beat them join them.

With a bit of grumbling it was passed over and Sabo took a deep drink.

"That bad huh?"

"Worse." He said wiping his mouth with his sleeve as he handed it back over.

"Well when the hangover kicks in I'm sure you will feel much better. I'm heading home. I'll check back tomorrow. You should try to get some sleep. You look like hell."

"Thanks," He felt like hell. But he didn't go to sleep like he had been told. Rather Sabo pulled his coat on, moving his den-den from the table into one of the pockets. There was work to be done.

XXX

"I was wondering when you would call." This was bound to be interesting.

There was only silence from the other line.

"What have you gotten yourself wrapped up in this time Sabo?"

"We need to talk."

"Yes," Dragon put his pen down. "I would say we do."

"I think you want to be alone for this."

Sabo sounded a little off. He had been a little off for a while now. Ever since coming back from that mission. But tonight he sounded less like himself than ever.

-And it just got more and more interesting. He looked up at the two men in his office. One sorting through the cabinet and another standing awkwardly in the doorway. He dismissed them both locking the door behind them and returning to his desk.

"We are quite alone now. Say what you needed to say."

"It's about your son-"

XXX

"Thank you for allowing me some of your precious time today chief," Burgess said. His tone was sincere but something in his face mocked them. He was a very large man with a sinister feel about him and a greasy smile. Sengoku recognized him for what he was, a criminal.

"I expected to meet with your boss."

"Teach? He wanted to come but he has his hands full at the moment, sent me in his place. You have our highest apologies sir." The mocking look was still there even as he apologized.

"Busy avoiding his old captain Edward Newgate."

The man laughed, a very odd sounding laugh. "You heard about that."

"We are more informed then you know," Sengoku told him gravely. "Now stop wasting my time and tell me why I shouldn't just throw you into prison right now?"

"Well you could. But I take it that if you already agreed to meet me you know what we have."

"I know who you claim to have."

Burgess motioned to one of the marines standing at his side. "Show him why don't you," He told the unsmiling man.

"Sir," The marine stepped forward. "Upon arresting him we searched him and confiscated his possessions. He appeared to have only this." He handed the photograph to Sengoku.

The Fleet Admirable looked it over briefly before putting it down on his desk. "And this is?"

They both knew that Sengoku already knew who it was but Burgess answered anyways. "Monkey D. Luffy- sir. Son of Dragon the revolutionary leader."

The admirable on his right who had, up until that point been looking out the window, turned to face them. He took the picture from Sengoku's desk to inspect, as if it held some secret for them to uncover.

"You are sure?"

"Yep that's him."

"How do you know this?"

"Do you doubt that's him?"

"Answer the grand admirable questions!" The man to his right snapped, slamming the photograph back down.

Burgess held up his hands in surrender, "His brother of course."

"I was not aware Dragon had more than one offspring."

"-I guess I should say his foster brother. You will all know him as the second commander of the Whitebeard Pirates Firefist, or Portgas D. Ace."

"This is ridiculous!"

Sengoku held up his hand and silence fell over the room almost instantly. "And where is the evidence of this?"

Burgess looked amused again. "Sir," He said lowering his voice as if the others wouldn't be able to hear him if he spoke quietly enough. "Do you really doubt what I'm saying? With all due respect I though your information network was past this point."

"What I believe and what you can prove are two very different things. Now if you expect us to trust anything you have to say I suggest you start showing us some proof," He snapped.

"Alright, alright. Full discloser then. As I am sure you are well aware of by now my captain, Marshall D. Teach betrayed his old boss Whitebeard. He kidnapped one of the old man's commanders as leverage. Newgate is ridiculously fond of his crew, sees them as all his children."

"-And by doing so starting a war with the Whitebeard pirates. One you cannot possibly hope to win."

"A necessary risk I assure you."

"Is it now?" Sengoku asked.

"We don't just have one of his commander," He assured him.

"No it seems like you also have this boy."

"Yes, and as long as we have the younger Monkey we have Portgas as well."

"Why is it so important you have him?"

"Sir," The mock sincerity was heavy in his tone as the pirate smiled. "I am sure you already know what's so special about him."

"Humor me then or we are through here."

"Alright, okay. The outlaw pirate you know as Firefist is actually the son the infamous pirate captain Gol D. Rodger. The last of the presumed dead Gol blood line."

"Impossible," One of the admirable snarled.

The Pirate turned his attention back to Sengoku. "What do you think sir?

Sengoku refused to rise to the bait. He ignored the man besides him as he continued on. "Firefist will obey you?"

"Yes, he has already proven his loyalty to his foster brother outweighs that of his crew."

"To what extent?"

"I'm sure you all have noticed the absence of Whitebeards right hand man the Phoenix. I assure you that was no accident. Nor was it by my hand he was done in. Although it was on my captains orders."

"So you're claiming Firefist is your prisoner?"

"Prisoner? Where is the fun in that? He is our puppet."

"This is ridiculous!" The heated Admirable slammed his hands down. "These are nothing but baseless claims. Do you really expect that the World Government can operate on nothing but the words of a lowly criminal?"

Burgess looked up at the outburst but his attention turned back to Sengoku. He didn't seem bothered by their lack of trust in him. Rather he seemed as smug as a cat. As if they had already given him the keys to the kingdom.

"Sir- Grant Fleet Admirable, My captain is offering you the chance to fight the overreaching hold Whitebeard has on this world as well as the offspring of the two most dangerous criminals in recent history. All in one move. If it is proof you want I would be more than happy to show you. It's understandable if you are hesitant. But I don't believe that hesitance stems from disbelief in my claims does it…sir."

Sengoku neither denied nor agreed with anything he said instead asking, "What are you asking in return?"

"Only your support against the Whitebeards and any other opposing forces against my captain."

"You're asking for back up against this war with Whitebeard that you started." The second admirable finally spoke up.

"A chance for the government to be rid of the Whitebeard pirates once and for all, surely that is in all of our best interests no?"

"What else do you want? Don't insult me by pretending that you are here on our behalf."

Burgess wet his lips, mentally arranging his next words carefully in his head. "My captain," He said after a moment, "requests warlord status and the support of the government that comes with it."

"Warlord status is something to be earned."

"I assure you by the time all is said and done he will have earned it five times over." He turned to address the room. "Do we have a deal then?"

"You have given us much to consider," Sengoku said coldly.

The infuriating grin was back now. "If I may sir, if you do believe me, and we both know you do. Then what possible reason do you have to refuse me? On behalf of the world government could you afford to turn us down?"

Sengoku rose from his desk, standing at an impressive height in front of the pirate. "I think I can afford to do whatever I see fit on behalf of my superiors." He told him and the smile disappeared from the pirates face. "You however cannot afford to get on my bad side or the price will be your worthless life pirate scum. Now as I said you have given us much to consider. We will discuss, during which you will wait for our verdict. Now I presume if we do agree to your terms we will need to verify what you said is accurate. You will take us to your boss?"

"Yes sir!" It seems like he had finally managed to make the ignorant man aware of his current circumstances.

"Any failure to do so will lead to your immediate execution and your captain's arrest."

"Yes sir."

Sengoku gestured to the two men standing beside their prisoner and they gripped his upper arms, leading him away. The pirate obeyed willingly, pausing only briefly in front of the door.

"Consider carefully sir," He told Sengoku and to one of the men standing silently at the back of the room he simply smiled.

"My apologies for your loss vice-admirable."

XXX

Chapter Text

XXX

By the time they came back for him Luffy had stopped trembling. They had left him alone in that room for hours slowly freezing. When someone finally came back for him they didn't bother to check if he was still awake, instead they just slung him over their shoulder and carried him back down the hall.

"If you learn one thing before you die," The man told him as he stopped in front of their cell, "I hope it's to keep your mouth shut." When Luffy ignored him the man just scoffed at him, as if he had disappointed him somehow.

"Your funeral kid," He said opening the cell and dropping him from his shoulder back into his cell.

Luffy's knees buckled as soon as he touched the floor. He was so cold and all he wanted was for everyone to leave him alone so he could sleep, even if that meant more time on the freezing floor. But before he could fully hit the ground a pair of arms caught him, stopping his fall. The cell door slammed behind them and he heard the lock click into place as it did. He hated that sound.

"Luffy your freezing!" A hand moved to brush his hair out of his eyes and feel his forehead. And despite everything Luffy smiled. There was only one person in this entire place who cared when he was hurting and he had begun to think he had gotten him killed.

"Y-your al-alright." He reached up without any specific goal in mind other than the vague thought of making absolute sure Thatch was still there.

The other male caught his hand giving it a tight squeeze of reassurance. "I'm fine," He promised. "Look at you though, what have they done to you this time."

"B-but you're okay?"

Thatch worked his arms under Luffy, lifting him off of the floor and placing him back on the bed.

"I'm really fine Luffy. I'm no stranger to a good beating trust me it come with the territory." He wrapped their blanket around him rubbing his arms and shoulders in effort to get the blood flowing again.

"I-I- th-thought…"

"Shh-, It's okay Luffy. Everything's going to be okay." He covered his small frozen hands in his larger ones trying to warm them up along with the rest of him. "I know this sucks, and they suck and everything is awful right now but Ace is going to come and save you, just like you said he would."

Luffy smiled. He missed Ace.

"I k-now," He said flexing his fingers back and forth grateful to be able to move them again. They fell into silence for a few minutes. Luffy lost in his own thoughts while Thatch tried his best to warm him back up

"T-hatch?"

"Hmm?" He was only half paying attention now, set on taking care of him. Thatch was just like that. He seemed to think it was his job to take care of Luffy. He didn't really know why. At first it had surprised him. He wasn't use to adults, especially ones he didn't really know caring for him. He could look after himself after all. But the more time they spent together made Luffy think that Thatch was just that nice. It felt good that someone here, in what felt like a hellish place of pain, cared about him. at the very least Luffy wasn't…

Alone.

"Thatch," He said again, trying to get his attention.

"Yea?"

"Y-you guys, your crew and cap-tain… y-your all really close. Right?"

The man paused for a second unsure where this was going. Finally he answered, "Yea I'd say we are."

"You guys l-look after each other?" Luffy pried.

He nodded. "Yea kid. That's how it works." Or at least that was how it was supposed to work before Teach.

"If-f someone is sad or hurting, you'll loo-k after them?"

"Luffy," Thatch said finally catching on to what he was saying. "Don't say things like that."

"You would though!"

"Luffy!"

But Luffy refused to drop it. Not when it was this important. "Say You Would!" He pushed away from the older man still trembling, putting himself just out of arms reach. But this was more important than that. This was more important than anything.

Thatch looked back at the glaring eyes, taking a calming breath before he spoke again.

"Yes." He told him finally. His voice was harder than Luffy had heard it before.

But still Luffy pressed. This was important. More important than Thatch's feelings.

"Promise?"

"Come here," Thatch gestured him to come back towards him.

Reluctantly Luffy scooted forward. Putting himself within his reach once more.

"I promise we'll look after Ace." And strong arms closed around him pulling Luffy into a bear hug. It was tight enough to hurt a little bit. But Luffy was so cold and shaky and Thatch was warm and solid.

"Nothing's going to happen to you," He told him resting his chin on the fluffy hair.

XXX

After the intrusive pirate left Sengoku cleared his chamber to speak with his two admirals and gage their opinions. He already knew what each of them thought about this matter, the conference was more of a formality. Sakazuki was strongly in support of any chance of gaining the upper hand against the Revolutionaries or the Whitebeards, both groups having been a thorn in their side for years. Aokiji on the other hand did not believe the trouble it would bring would be worthwhile. There was no denying that going through with this and partnering with wild card pirates would be like sticking a loaded gun into the hornet's nest of both the Whitebeards and the Revolutionaries. Two groups that were exceedingly powerful in their own right.

"That fool wants to start a three-way war and he is trying to drag us strait into the middle of it."

"We've always been at the middle of it," Sakazuki told him.

Choosing his words with more care Aokiji interjected, "Using civilian hostages to antagonize pirates into fights isn't the way the world government usually conducts itself sir."

"Civilian! That kid is the flesh and blood of one of the most notorious criminals we have ever seen. There is no doubt in my mind that if given time he will grow into a worthless criminal just like his father. Not to mention the son of Roger. Not only has he survived to become a powerful criminal, but he was managed to align himself with one of the most prominent threats to us to date. We should take this as an offense of the highest order. Firefist can not be allowed to continue his partnership with the Whitebeards nor continue on the seas. We must deal with this quickly and quietly. And these pirates, lowly as they are have given us the perfect opportunity.

"Partnering with them may come back to haunt us," The other warned.

"I am well aware," Sengoku said turning to look out the window at the glimmering sea below. "Acts of violence carried out in the name of justice have revealed themselves to be personal ghosts of mine sent to haunt me for those decisions." Knowing you've done wrong and being wiling to do wrong again was one of the most important parts of leadership. There was no world in which people could not be hurt and boundaries could remain intact. He knew that then and he knew that now.

"Admirable Akainu, pending approval from the council I am authorizing you to accompany the pirate to their base and verify the situation for yourself."

"Sir." The man accepted obviously pleased his viewpoint had been chosen over Aokiji's caution.

"If everything is as they say then we will use Dragons son against him. If he does not comply to our demands we will be forced to apply some pressure."

"Pressures sir… what does that entail."

"That is up to you, under the conditions that you do not kill the hostage."

The man saluted. "I understand."

XXX

Ace,

You NEED to go look for Sabo! I saw Sabo. I'm starting to think it was just a Sabo ghost now. But it gave me his goggles. If you find him tell him I am so sorry for running away like that. I didn't mean to, I really am as dumb as you guys said after all huh. But if you find him and he wants his googles back he has to come get them, they make me feel better for loosing Boshi…

Whatever you do! Don't listen to Teach. I know he was your crewmates and all but he is awful. Hopefully your other ones are better. They must be for Thatch to be so cool.

I promise I know you're coming to save me. You always save me, your Ace. But whatever happens from now on don't be upset okay. And don't be mad at me I tried my best. I just wasn't strong enough to stop them. I'm sorry.

I don't know if I am going to get to be pirate king or not. But I do know I would have been kickass at it, the best one yet. But either way it's okay. As long as you are living freely and without regrets I'm happy. You only have one life so you have to make it a good one. Be happy and don't be alone. No matter what you decide to do you will be amazing. You're my big brother after all, and you're going to show the whole world how amazing you are.

But most of all thank you for being my brother. Since I met the two of you I haven't been alone, not even for one moment. And even if I have to die here I'm not unhappy. How could I be anything less than grateful when I was loved by so many people? How could I possibly be sad when I was so lucky. And I wouldn't give up a minute of it, even when things were painful.

One way or another we'll see each other again.

Love ya oceans and oceans

Lu

…

When Thatch woke up and realized Luffy was gone he nearly had a panic attack. It took another moment for him to realize the kid wasn't gone gone, he had just moved off the bed.

The cell was dark. Well it was always dark but the candles in the hallway had burned themselves out hours ago and the base had fallen into silence so he suspected it was very late in deed as most everyone was asleep. That was all well and fine if it meant there was no one left to pick on Luffy anymore.

Minding his broken knee Thatch slid himself off the bed to join Luffy on the floor. If there was one good thing to come out of this it was that he had gotten much better at seeing in the dark. Enough so that he could pick out the kids clothes in the back corner. From what he could make out Luffy was sitting on his knees, his cheek pressed to the wall of the cell.

"Luffy?" Thatch said gently sitting beside him, a little worried he was having a breakdown. Either that or he was a weird kid. But that wasn't anything new.

"Hmm," Luffy hummed in response.

"Are you feeling better?" The man felt his forehead, glad that he seemed to be warming up.

"Hmm-hmm," He agreed. Pressing off the wall to look at Thatch.

"What are you doing?"

"Just thinking."

Well now he was really worried. In his experience Luffy wasn't much of a thinker. Maybe that's why he was doing it wrong.

"Thinking about this wall?" He asked gently a bit worried he had cracked after today.

Luffy laughed, his voice hoarse. It had been a little weak all day, even after the stuttered tremors had disappeared. "You can hear the ocean through the wall." He told Thatch. The man leaned into the wall as well, happy to find he was right. It was soft but there was the ever constant lull of the waves on the rocks outside.

God he missed that sound. He missed the ocean. Luffy must have as well.

"It helps me think," He told Thatch.

"What do you have to think about?" He asked feeling the worry creep back into him. He didn't like the way Luffy had been talking earlier. There was no universe in which he would be ready to have that conversation again. Not with one of the sweetest and kindest people Thatch had ever known. If anyone deserved their life it was this kid. He had so much excitement for this world, even though he knew the darkness it held, that did nothing to damper this overwhelming need he had to be part of it, to live in it. Luffy wanted to see everything, meet everybody, he wanted endless adventures and laughter. He wanted every bit of treasure the world had to offer. Fifteen years old and he already knew the difference between real wealth and the trifles that most got hung up on. Something Teach hadn't figured out yet.

Somebody like him should never have ended locked up here in this cage, with the walls creeper closer and closer each day. He deserved so much better.

"A letter." Luffy told him brightly. He sounded better than he had in days. Not his voice, it was as shaky as ever. But he seemed calmer now somehow.

"You were thinking about letters?"

"I was thinking about a letter," He corrected resting his back against the ocean wall so he could look at Thatch. "My bro- Sabo, My Sabo wrote us a letter once."

Thatch faltered for a moment. Luffy didn't talk about Sabo. Not really. You could fill books with the people Luffy didn't talk about. But something about saying the others name seemed to hurt him so he didn't bring it up on his own. Maybe Thatch should be worrying more.

"What did it say?" He asked a bit unsurely.

Luffy shrugged, "You have to ask Ace, I didn't read it."

"Luffy!"

"He wanted to say goodbye! I hate goodbyes!"

And despite everything Thatch laughed at that. Luffy really was just a kid. He patted his hair in apology. "He wanted to tell you he loved you," Thatch told him. "He wanted to make sure you two would be okay without him."

Luffy tilted his head a bit. "Now I think you might be right. Maybe I should have read it."

"Finally curious about what he said?"

"Nah, I still don't really care."

"You're an enigma kid."

"I think he wanted me to read it though. So I guess I should have huh?"

"You're just realizing this now?" Thatch asked.

"People say that I'm not very smart," He told him. "Guess it's why it took me so long to figure that out." The corner of his mouth turned upward a bit at the thought. Here, taken away from his home and his family by people who wanted to hurt him and those he loved. Blackmailing those he couldn't live without. Luffy clutched the broken googles closer to him. This must be how Sabo felt… and it was an awful feeling. He never wanted his brothers to suffer. Not when they deserved all the happiness in the world.

Luffy understood his brother's letter now because he knew what it felt like to have things he needed to say but no one to say them too. "I wish I could write a letter too."

Thatch fixed him with a look of sympathy. "-But you don't know how to write," He finished for him. "It's okay kid I kind of figured. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Tons of people struggle with it, writing is really har-"

"No," Luffy cut him off nearly laughing. Nearly. How dumb did Thatch think he really was? Pinning hours away thinking about a letter he once received and wishing he too could write. Maybe the man was as stupid as he was.

"I can write Thatch!" He wasn't great at it but he was in deed literate.

"Ah," The man said a bit awkwardly. Both of them fully aware of how quickly he jumped on that idea. Maybe Luffy shouldn't tell him any more stories about home. It might be sending the wrong message about his little island.

"I just want," Luffy started. He just wanted to say the things to people who weren't here. He wanted to know the people he loved would be okay. He wanted to make sure Ace would be okay. That his brother wouldn't be angry with him. Maybe he could be a little angry. The same way Luffy was a little angry at everyone who had left him. But not so angry he didn't listen to his little brother. He needed his brothers to know that just because he might not get the freedom he wanted as long as they had their dreams he would be free in his own right.

He knew exactly what he wanted to say. He had thought it over for hours and hours, listening to the sea crash outside. He had each line burned into his memory by now. He could write it all down, Ace could read it. And even if Luffy never saw him again things would somehow be okay in the end. Maybe not at first but in time.

His brothers would forgive him. They always forgave his weakness. Others would carry his dream with them. Ace would have to carry Luffy's dream, Sabo too. Luffy hoped more than anything Sabo could too. Otherwise Ace would have to shoulder both of his brother's unrealized promises. It would be hard. But Ace was one of the strongest people Luffy knew. He could do it. And by chasing his own dream he could give Luffy his endless freedom and Sabo his fantastical adventure and it would be enough for them. Luffy was no expert at family but he was pretty sure that was how it worked if you were lucky enough to have some.

That was what he had been thinking about.

But the same way Luffy knew everything was going to be alright, he also knew his words would never reach Ace. He had no paper to write on nor any possible way to get it to Ace. Worse Teach could take it from him and use it to hurt Ace more than he already had. And Sabo. No, the man wouldn't get to learn about the brother they may or may not still have. Luffy would protect him.

But maybe just thinking it was just as good as writing it. After all long emotional letters weren't really Luffy's style. He would either tell someone what he wanted to say to their face or nothing.

He turned back to Thatch who was staring at him.

"I think I was right the first time," He said finally.

"Are you sure?" He didn't sound convinced but Luffy was.

"Everything he wanted to tell me, I already know." It was Sabo after all, of course he knew.

…And so would Ace. He might not know everything Luffy wanted to tell him, the same way Luffy didn't know everything Ace would have said if he were here. But the really important stuff-

That was beyond words.

Chapter Text

Ace hated these people. He hated everything about them. He hated how they called him kid, he hated how they laughed at his assassination attempts, he hated how they treated him like a passenger on a boat ride rather then a pirate in a life or death fight. But worst of all he hated their captain. The man with powers that rivaled Rodger. That was what they said about him. And they called him father. Every time he heard it his blood ran cold, which was unfortunate since it was impossible to get from the deck to the galley without hearing it.

He hated being here. He hadn't had a damn choice in the matter though. Part of him knew he should be grateful; the alternative was death. The captain could have easily just killed him. By all rights he should have. Ace didn't know what had stopped him other then he apparently amused the man. Which of course irritated him to no end. He was stuck here, on this enemy ship, where people consistently acted like his friends even though he didn't know them, and they all pretended to be a family. It made him sick. It was his own personal hell. And now thanks to his own decisions he ended up trapped here, his crew too. The ones who had come back for him. Not that he got much of a chance to see them now. He was very- alone. It had been a long moment since he had felt this way. He had been lucky in his life. Or at least luckier then he had any right to be. That feeling- being alone, he had felt it before all right. He had been forced to live with it for years. But never forever, never indefinitely. Just enough for him to recognize it for what it was.

He had been on this ship for just over three months now. Meaning he had tried to kill Whitebeard nearly a hundred times. And the only thing he had to show for it was a dozen scrapes, two busted ribs and an extremely bruised ego. The first few attempts, he had waited for the pirate crew to turn on him for attacking their captain. But when they hadn't he had given up expecting them to act normally, just another thing that annoyed him.

He pulled his knee up to his chest wrapping his arms around it. He was sitting on the bow of the ship, one leg on the deck the other tucked beneath his chin as he looked out at the ocean. He did this every day, especially after a failed murder attempt like the one today. He kept hoping there would be answers out there for him, but so far it was just a whole lot of seafoam. It sure was pretty though. He had always loved the ocean. Shame he would never be able to swim in it again.

"There you are kid," A friendly voice greeted and Ace didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

Unbothered by his silence the man continued. "Can't figure out why you keep coming out here. One tip of the boat and you're done." When Ace didn't answer he put the bowl on the railing besides him.

"Saw your attempt today, think everyone did. You're a betting pool kid. Made a clean fifty off you today alone."

"Thatch?" Ace said resting his chin on his knee. The man looked at him in surprise. It was the first time he had called him by name. Thatch probably hadn't even realized that he knew it.

"Do me a favor?" Ace asked.

"Uh- sure?"

"Shut the hell up."

There was silence between the two of them and Ace finally turned his attention back to the man to see if he was going to try and push him off the bow or what not. But more infuriatingly the man began to laugh, and Ace felt himself grow hot with anger. As he always did when they acted like this. He wanted to snap at him to stop laughing but he knew from experience that made it worse.

"God," The man wiped his eyes and there were actual tears of mirth. "It's been a long time since I spent this much time around teenagers. Don't get a lot of you lot on the grand line."

"My lot?" He asked before he could stop himself. The anger momentarily forgotten.

"Kids," He gestured to Ace and suddenly the rage was back with a vengeance. Another pet peeve of his, these guys acted like he was ten.

"I'm eighteen, arsehole." He wasn't, not for another few months but he could hardly reply to someone calling him a child by saying that. It was the same thing as toddlers claiming they were three and a quarter.

"Are all of you this moody?" Thatch mused to himself completely unoffended by Ace's attitude. "I'm trying to think back to when I was your age and I'm drawing a blank here."

"I'm not moody," Ace told him angrily. "I'm being a strait up dick! And you guys are acting like you don't notice.

"-And it's driving you crazy," Thatch finished for him catching him off guard for the second time. There was no witty comeback this time and Ace just stared at him unsure of what to say. He hadn't been expecting that answer.

"So your doing it to spite me?" He recovered.

"Can I sit?" Thatch gestured to the spot besides Ace.

"It's your fucking ship, why are you asking me," He muttered turning away as Thatch joined him on the railing.

"Why do you seem to think the world is conspiring against you k- Ace?"

"If you try to turn this into some counseling, self-betterment crap I'm jumping strait into the ocean and drowning myself."

"We would jump in after and save you," Thatch teased. "I'm only curious… Honest," He said in response to the boys look. "No judgment I'm trying to understand what you want."

"For you to leave me alone."

"Oh no you don't." He dismissed him. "No one ever wants to be alone. What do you really want?"

Ace turned to him thoughtfully, wondering how far he would take this 'here to help' attitude until Ace got him to snap.

"To kill your captain."

"Maybe short-term goals, but that's not what you really want. You have no grudge against Oyaji." He was wrong there. "What else do you want."

"Now to kill you."

"And-,"

"For you to stop talking to me like we're friends. We're not friends. We're not anything. Leave me alone or kill me but for god's sake don't talk my damn ear off while you do it." Ace felt his temper snap again. It seemed to be doing that constantly lately. Damn these do good evil pirates. Damn them or him to hell. At this point he didn't care which so long as it let him off this ship.

He had half expected the man to laugh again, but when he didn't Ace risked a glance over at him. Thatch was silent. He wasn't smiling as he usually was, but he didn't look angry either.

"All right," He said after a long moment. "Want me to stow my 'self-help crap'. You got it."

He had his full attention now, and Ace's fingers curled over the railing a little bit. Just in case he had managed to get the older pirate to shove him off the ship as he had been half expecting this entire time.

"You-," Thatch started, and Ace braced himself for an attack. But it didn't come. Not in the way he had been expecting at least.

"- are so fucked up. Your first time meeting half-decent people and you don't understand us. And that makes you so mad. What the hell did the world do to you? How are you that young but you have such a low opinion of yourself? Do you really think your worth so little? That no one would notice if you were to disappear?"

"I-," Ace stammered wholly unsure of what he intended to say to that.

The man stared at him expectantly. Waiting for an answer of some sort. But when Ace couldn't come up with one, he spoke for him.

"I don't know who I pity more you or the foolish people who care about you." He continued on, well aware of how uncomfortable he was making the teenager. No doubt he hadn't expected to have his problems thrown back in his face, and by a goody-two-shoes-pirate no doubt. But that was tough since he was going to hear it if he wanted too or not.

"Word of advice kid." And Ace met his eyes. "If you keep chasing down death eventually your going to catch it. You have to figure out if that's really what you want or not.

Thatch rose, patting him on the shoulder as he did. He knew the teens eyes were staring him down but he didn't stop to look. Instead he headed across the deck back to the alley. It was time to get back to work. But he had barley made it inside the hatch before he ran into Marco.

"Nice speech."

"Stalker," Thatch accused him as he sidestepped him to continue on. Marco followed him.

"That was a bit harsh no?" He asked keeping pace with Thatch. "Usually you're more- gentle."

"I tried being gentle," Thatch reasoned. "It pissed him off more." This was the only way he could think of to get the hot-headed kid to listen. Harsh words weren't exactly Thatch's go to, especially when dealing with messed up kids.

"I figured the only voice he would listen to was his own, coming out of someone else's mouth." Tough love and what not.

"Your smarter then we give you credit for." Marco told him and he smiled at his friend.

"I don't know about that, you might be giving me too much credit." Thatch was good with people, what's more he was good with kids. Even though no one was willing to give him that.

"Besides what's your excuse? Spying on him."

Marco just shrugged, surprising Thatch when he admitted. "I like this one, he's interesting. Fearless too." Oyaji had good taste but more then that he had a soft spot for hot headed idiots without a lick of common sense. What's more was he was good at finding those with a good heart. Even amidst all that darkness.

"What he said," Marco began, and the smile fell from Thatch's face. There was no need to guess at what he meant. The entire time Ace had been here he had been begging for a chance to throw his life away. Thatch wanted to know how that happened. How the world could shape someone so completely into thinking it might be better for him to just disappear. It made him a little sad.

"I hope he changes his mind," He said simply. "This world has enough suicidal idiots as it is. Shame to watch all that potential go to waste."

"Oh I don't know," Thatch said looking back down the corridor. "We might make a Whitebeard out of him yet."

XXX

Back at the Hold, far away from the Moby Dick where everyone he cared about worried about him, Thatch lay awake. Luffy was besides him, sleeping soundly. As he always was these days. Their conversation still rattling around his brain. Thatch was no doctor, but he thought something must be seriously wrong with him. What was worse was Luffy knew it too.

Thatch realized that tracking someone down on the sea was no small task. Especially when that someone was the devious Teach. But at the same time he really wished his family would hurry it up and save them already. Thatch was beyond sick of being someone else's prisoner. The novelty of their situation had worn off months ago and unlike Luffy he couldn't sleep through it. So instead Thatch was left to listen to the gentle, occasionally scratchy breathing of the kid beside him and think.

He thought the most about his family, how much he wished to be back home instead of here. He thought about Oyaji, Marco, his troublesome siblings, and he thought a lot about Ace too. Mostly good stuff. But tonights conversation with Luffy had made him remember something. One of the first real talks he had had with the teenager. Back when he was pretending to be mean and ,worst of all, ready to throw his life away at a seconds notice. That had been, by far his worst quality. At the time Thatch had felt sorry for him. Sorry that the fucked-up world he was born into had made him think that. But now, lying here, Thatch felt frustrated.

Ace was always the first to offer himself for danger. He seemed to have a strong better-me-then-you attitude. It was an improvement of his previous better-kill-me-just-because world view but it still worried, and irked his family. Even after all this time they had failed to pound his own self-importance into that thick head of his. Thatch had overheard him talking to his crew once, telling them not to risk it, to go back to their families with clear hearts.

How very noble of him. Trying to save everyone but himself. But Thatch didn't quite get how he could think like that because… because what about Luffy? His little brother loved him, surely he had to know that. More then anything else in this world. It was clear that he thought the world of Ace. So how did he not know if he was worthless or not if his death would break Luffy's heart. Did he just not care? Or maybe he really did think Luffy might be better off with him too. Thatch didn't know. And here, trapped in this cell he would never be able to find the answers. He looked at Luffy, his face peaceful now that he was sleeping, no longer sad or in pain. He could ask him. But the kid didn't seem to like talking about stuff like that. He would answer Thatches questions, but always reluctantly. Like talking about it with other people was a chore.

"Why didn't Ace tell us about you?" He asked Luffy who in, reply mumbled something about food in his sleep but didn't wake up. And Thatch was stuck, sleepless, and in the dark with no answers.

He had given up on getting any for the time being. Determined to talk with Ace, about a whole lot of things when his family came to rescue them. But more then that he wanted to watch Luffy's face light up, as he knew it would, when he saw Ace. He wanted to prove him wrong about not being able to say goodbye. He didn't want the two of them to have to say goodbye at all. And they wouldn't. Trust Oyaji to find a way, no matter how slim. They just had to hold out for a little longer, just a bit. And sooner then he realized his family would be here to rescue them. Izo would scold him for being careless, Vista would laugh at him for getting caught in the first place, Namur would probably tell him to be more careful next time, Haruta would give him the largest hug of his life, and so on until Marco ,standing by Oyajis side as he always was, would smile at him. Drawing comfort from his family, Thatch began to drift off to sleep as well. Content for now that everything was going to be okay again someday.

And that was when he heard the footsteps echoing down the halls.

The footfall was heavy, clumsy and headed this way. It took him a second to react, he was still half asleep. But the footsteps got closer and he realized what was happening. Not Luffy. Not again. How many times had they dragged him away, bringing him back each time in worse shape. Didn't they realize he was fifteen? That he had enough and then some. That much more and he really would die. But Teach was obsessed at this point. Determined to break him. He didn't understand that it just wasn't going to happen.

Thinking quickly, Thatch worked his arms under Luffy, picking him up off the bed. When he stood up, his broken leg shuttered under both their weights, threatening to give out. Curse the leg. Curse them for leaving the bullet still in it. He put them both in the back corner of their tiny cell, shaking Luffy as he did, trying to wake him up. He woke up slowly, as he always did these days. Each time taking a little longer. That was a bad sign.

"What?" He yawned, rubbing his eyes? "Thatch?"

"Someone's coming." Thatch told him tensely, as he moved to put Luffy back down. He only let go when he was sure the kid wasn't going to fall right over.

Luffy was less worried and he yawned again. "Oh."

"Oh?" Thatch mirrored.

"Someone's always doing that."

That was true, but it was never good for either of them. So they waited, in the dark corner of their cell as the footsteps drew nearer. Thatch tensing as the door unlocked and he expected to see Teaches ugly face in the doorway.

"Miss me kiddo?"

Not Teach! Besides him Luffy growled from the back of his throat.

"-Caused I missed you Lu," He continued on his voice cheerfully mocking them.

"Shut up!" Luffy snapped violently.

"That's what your brother calls you right?" He said stepping into their cell and in the light from outside Thatch could see him better. He wasn't Teach that was for sure, rather he was far more muscular with a hulking figure and a well-muscled torso.

"And who the hell are you?"

The mans eyes moved to Thatch for the first time, smirking at him in a knowing sort of way. "And you must be the Whitebeard pirate everyone keeps moaning about. Looks like you made a friend kid."

"Shut up!" Luffy said again and the man laughed coming closer yet to them.

"Names Jesus Burgess, Whitebeard. I'm Teach's right hand. Ain't that right Lu?" He reached out to jostle Luffy's shoulder like they were old friends and Luffy snapped his teeth at him, threatening to bite him.

Thatch put his hand around Luffy's shoulder, moving him back a bit as he stared the man down.

"If you're that bastards right hand where the hell have you been?"

"Busy," Was his cryptic reply. "A bit of this, a bit of that. Stopped by the world government, they can't wait to meet you. But mostly I was keeping an eye on that brother of yours. He's the hot one of the two of you huh! With the…. And all." The man imitated fire noises and Luffy stared at him blankly.

"You get what I mean," He said to Thatch who only glared at him. Unamused by his humor.

"Why were you with Ace?"

"To kill the phoenix of course." The response came easily, and Thatch felt his blood run cold.

"What?"

Luffy looked back at him in concern.

"Bosses orders," He continued. "Kill Whitebeards first mate. Or son I guess as that sentimental bastard puts it." But Thatch didn't hear that part, he didn't hear anything beyond Marco.

"Your lying!" He seethed through clenched teeth. Of course Marco wasn't dead. "Someone like you could never beat him."

"That's why we had Ace do it," He said a large grin stretching over his face.

"Ace would never-,"

"But he did," The man insisted, his grin growing larger. "I really thought he would break down but he finished him off."

"Your wrong then!"

"I can't be wrong. I watched it happen. Your bird friend asked him not too. Told him he could help him save you two, not us. But Ace knew better. Good little soldier that one."

"Why-," Thatch breathed, not interested in the rest. "Why would he do that."

Burgess looked at him like he was stupid. "Why?" He echoed. "To save his little brother of course. Why else. If he refused we were going to torture Little Lu." His eyes flickered to Luffy who was glaring up at him with such hate in his eyes.

"Count yourself lucky kid, your brother sure does love you. You don't know how close the boss came to that. Course that was before we learned how valuable you are to us."

"Your wrong," Thatch said interrupting him once again. "You have to be wrong. Marco's not dead. You made a mistake."

Burgess snorted, finding his panic amusing. "Mistake? Like hell I did. Your bird was poisoned, slapped with sea stone and burned to ash. I brought his head back to the boss. I promise you he is dead as can be."

"He's lying!" Luffy said turning to meet Thatches devastated eyes.

"Shut it kid!"

Luffy's hands closed around Thatches shirt, shaking his shoulder a bit to get the man's attention. "Your friends not dead."

"And how would you know!"

Luffy ignored the man as he continued. "He's wrong. I know he is Thatch. Ace wouldn't kill his friend."

Thatch's eyes flickered to meet Luffy's own for a split second.

"As if you would know!" Burgess snapped.

"Please believe me," Luffy told him softly. Not at all like his usual tone. "Ace wouldn't do that."

"Fucking-hell," The pirate laughed. "Don't listen to this kid. Little Lu has such a hero-complex about his brother. Thinks he can't do anything wrong," He scoffed. "I can't wait to see the day when he finally lets you down. I hope it breaks you!"

But Luffy's attention was solely fixed on Thatch. Part of the man recognized his face must look pretty devastated for Luffy to be so worried. But he hardly cared. Every part of his heart was screaming in loss.

"Did you know?" Thatch asked finally.

Luffy bit his lip, nodding slowly.

"Why didn't you tell me," He whispered feeling hollow.

"Because it's not true," Luffy told him.

Thatch closed his eyes, taking a slow shuttering breath. "You don't know everything about Ace," He told him quietly.

"I do!" Luffy said taking a bit of a step back. When he spoke again his voice was harder. "He wouldn't do that."

"He could and he did," Burgess grinned. "Honestly kid you're a broken record. And when you think about it it's really your fault more than anyone's."

"I thought Nakama are suppose to believe in each other," Luffy told Thatch.

"How about both of you shut up," The man told them. "I ain't got time for this. Come on Lu, I was sent to come get you. Some people want to meet you."

He stepped forward to grab the kid but Thatch, remembering himself, pulled Luffy back faster.

"Don't," He warned softly shaking his head.

"Or what?" He sneered amused.

"You don't want to mess with me right now."

"Fine!" He put his hands up in surrender. "Kid come here."

"Go away!" Luffy snapped.

"Ah, okay." He shrugged turning on his heels. Instantly giving up. "Boss said you would come along nice and quite without struggling." He explained to them as he unlocked the door. "Said you understand what happens if you keep fighting us. Guess I have to go tell him your not cooperating. Don't worry though he's pretty understanding."

For the first time fear crossed Luffy's eyes as he pushed Thatch off him. "No! Don't!"

The man turned, the smile back on his face as he pulled the sea stone cuffs from his pocket. "Then be a good kid and come over here nice and easy and the boss doesn't have to hear a word from me."

"Don't you dare Luffy!" Thatch told him. He had no idea what the man was talking about but apparently Luffy did.

"It's okay," He promised turning once more to face Thatch. "I know you think I don't know the bad parts of Ace but I do. I know he's not perfect. I never said he was."

"Any day now kid," Burgess warned."

"But Ace wouldn't kill his nakama, no matter what. He hates people who betray their comrades the most. So don't you dare listen to these people!"

"Kid I'm losing my patience."

Luffy glanced back at him before slipping out of Thatches grip.

"What are you going to do to him?" Thatch asked as his hand shot out to grab Luffys sleeve.

"I told you people want to meet him. And after that… well they're probably going to hurt him a fair deal. Blackmail is such a nasty business."

"Why him?"

"Now you want to start asking questions," He scoffed. "I told you Lu is far more valuable to us then we realized when we first grabbed him. He's got a bit of an insane family lineage. Now Luffy last chance come here or else."

"You're not taking him!" Thatch's grip tightened on him.

"You on the other hand are getting less useful to us by the day," He drawled.

"Then come and fight me!" Thatch growled. "No one to get mad at you this way."

"I don't see why not," The man grinned rolling up his sleeve.

"No!" Luffy said his hands prying Thatch's fingers open so he could move away. "I'm coming don't hurt him."

"Luffy don't do this!"

Luffy stared at him for a second before he took off the goggles from around his neck and looped them around the man's wrist twice.

"Take care of these for me until I get back," He told him and Thatch watched, anger in his eyes as Luffy obediently came to stand in front of Burgess.

"There's a good boy!" He praised condescendingly as he roughly turned Luffy around so he could snap the sea stone cuffs back onto his wrist. He had to put an arm around Luffy's chest to hold him up when he locked them around the skinny wrists.

"Want me to carry you," He taunted and Luffy growled roughly shoving him off with his elbows.

"Have it your way," He said grabbing his arm as he pulled him out of the cell. Winking at Thatch as he passed in an infuriatingly cocky way.

"Don't worry Whitebeard, I'm sure they will go easy on him. After all the World government is known for their mercifulness."

XXX

Chapter Text

"Sir," Koala knocked loudly on her boss's door. "Sir?"

When no one answered she tried the door handle surprised to find it unlocked. For days now Dragon had stayed locked in his office, obsessing over something. While it wasn't super out of the ordinary for him Koala had started to worry when he started skipping meals. With Sabo gone, Dragon busy with something and most of her friends off on missions the base had started to feel really empty. She slipped inside. "Are you in here Boss?"

But the room was empty. And she realized, surprisingly clean. Usually when Dragon was in one of these moods it would be a mess. Littered with maps, and plans and strategy's. But this time there was none of that. She frowned looking around for any signs of life. One of the cooks had dropped off lunch at his door but it was still there, uneaten. If she hadn't cleared it away then so would have been the meals from the last few days. It was rare that the boss stopped eating all together. Usually he had a unending appetite.

She checked the balcony but he wasn't there either. He liked to stand out there when he was stressed. Always from the same spot and always looking east. He was a very odd man. Most of the things he did puzzled her. She headed back inside, determined to track down her elusive boss when something caught her eye. Sitting strait on the desk was a small picture frame. This would be a completely normal thing for a man to have on his desk if it were anyone else. But this was her boss. The one without any form of personal life what so ever. This was getting weirder and weirder.

She picked it up, not realizing she was snooping. It was a old picture that had been crinkled a number of times before being framed. A laughing older man, whose hair was beginning to turn white was holding a little boy in his arms. The kid was young, three or four with a smile that could light up a room. Koala put it back confused. Why would Dragon have something like this in his office. Curiosity getting the better of her now she scanned the rest of his desk for an explanation. Papers were neatly stacked in different piles awaiting approval, as always. There was a map off to the side a bit. It wasn't odd for Dragon to have maps. But this one had been written on. It was a map of Paradise, with various X marks on some of the areas. A large circle covered a range of islands. He was looking for something. Sabo? She wondered vaguely. Could he be in trouble. Had something happened. She poked around the piles with a bit more urgency then before. Mostly just reports from the other sectors. She knew having handed most of them off to him. He was getting behind in them, worryingly so. Knowing she was out of line now she opened the top drawer. The concern for her friend was clouding her judgement. An envelope sat on top of the papers inside. She had seen it before, a couple of days ago. It had changed hands a number of times to reach Dragon, before she carried it in with the reports of the day. It had been opened, a number of times by the looks of it. The official seal of the world government was stamped on the front.

'Whatever it is I'm sure Sabo is fine," She reasoned to herself. It would be wrong to pry into her boss's mail. Even if it was out of concern. She closed the drawer and stepped back.

And then she opened it again, opening the envelope, feeling her guilt rise.

To the leader of the revolutionaries Dragon,

As of the 12 th  of July the world government has taken Monkey D. Luffy into custody. On behalf of our leaders we will continue to hold him until you cease your attack and recall your army's out of all government-controlled lands. Your immediate compliance with these requests is needed. If these demands are not met the well being of Monkey D. will be threatened. You have three days to comply or he will be subjected to an inquisition at the hands of CP-0 . If you do not contact us within a month to discuss the revolutionaries surrender, he will be immediately executed. Any attempt to negotiate will be taken as failure to comply.

-Your move Dragon

The last part was written in messy handwriting and under that was the stamp of the world government. Koala wished she hadn't opened the envelope. This was a threat. It was blackmail addressed to her boss. They were demanding his surrender? How could they possibly expect him to do that?

"It's not nice to read other people's mail," A low voice said and she squeaked in surprise, her heart thundering in her chest.

"Sir, your back." She said hastily putting the envelope down. "I wasn't- I was just- just."

"Going through my desk." He finished for her.

She hung her head, "I'm sorry." Even by revolutionary standards this was a huge no. She could get fired over this.

"I am sorry," She told him truthfully. "I really didn't mean too. But you were acting so strange and I thought that maybe Sabo was in trouble and I- I just panicked. There is no excuse."

"I'll ask you not to do that again," He told her.

She stared into the floor, silently cursing herself. "Never."

He nodded, sitting back into his desk chair.

"Sir?" She said timidly, half expecting his next words to be her termination, but even so the note worried her more than even that. "I read the letter."

"I know I saw you."

If at all possible, her face turned a deeper shade of red. "Y-you, you aren't going to recall our troops will you?"

"Of course not." Was his simple reply.

She sighed in relief, of course he wasn't. Thousands of people would die. He would never allow that.

"Sir," She said again. "Who is Monkey D. Luffy?"

Dragon looked up at her, his face stone serious, as it always was. For a long moment she thought he wasn't going to answer but he leaned forward and tapped the picture frame, his nail over the little boy's face.

"He's cute," She said unsure of what else to say.

"That was taken a long time ago."

"Are they… their going to torture him."

"-Yes, they will."

"That's awful." She said looking back at the picture of the happy kid. She had heard horror stories about CP-0. They were the most dangerous of cipher pol. She wouldn't wish that upon anyone. Not even her worst enemies.

"Is he a criminal?"

"Not that I'm aware of. Not yet at least."

"Then why?"

Dragon fixed her with a look and her mouth snapped shut. "I'm sorry, I just." She started unsure of what to say. This whole thing had caught her entirely off guard.

"Isn't there anything we can do to help him?"

"Short of surrendering? I don't believe so."

"So you're going to let this happen?"

"Koala," He told her and her eyes snapped back to meet him. Well aware she was still in dangerous territory. "You have a gentle heart," he said once again surprising her. "You don't like to stand by when innocent people are being hurt. But I didn't tell you about this because you don't need to hear about it. There is nothing you can do for him. This belongs on my guilty conscience and mine alone."

Her eyes turned back to the picture. He looked so happy there. She was already involved now, and like he said her stomach was twisting at the thought.

"Please," she said finally. "We can't let them do this. Not to an innocent civilian."

"If there was something to be done, I would have done it already. I am doing what I can." He told her cryptically. "But right now, it's not going to be enough to save him this pain."

"Their doing this to get to you…why?"

He stayed silent and she leaned a little closer. Koala realized her presence was unwanted here, but she also hadn't been formally dismissed yet. While she appreciated her boss trying to save her from pain it was too late for that. It wasn't like she could just go back to her duties, while knowing the entire army was currently being blackmailed and some man was being tortured by cipher pol. For them? Because of them. She needed to know why.

"You will not let this go?"

"I can't?" She told him truthfully.

He frowned, turning to look back at the picture. "There are many things I have failed at in this world." He told her picking the frame up. "But allowing this to happen, not being able to stop it. Or not being willing to pay the cost to stop it. This is by far my greatest." He put the picture back in the drawer, face down.

"If you really wish to know, close the door."

She did, feeling guilty to have pushed him so hard. But not enough to excuse herself as she took a seat in front of his desk.

"I am sorry to add this burden to you," He told her truthfully. "But I am not sure how much longer I can continue to act as the leader of the revolutionaries."

Koala was back out of her seat in an instant, panic rushing through her.

"You're kidding! Tell me you are kidding."

He continued on, unshaken by her outburst. "I will need you to compile a list of possible successors for my chair, you included on that list. Your discretion in the area is crucial."

She shook her head slowly. "You can't do this. You can't! We would be lost without you."
"I hope it won't come to it." He told her, his tone level as always. Infuriatingly so right now. "But it is out of my control."

"Because the Government told you too!"

"I ask that you remain level headed about this. We can't risk our emotions clouding our better judgment now."

She closed her eyes taking a deep breath. Why had she had to open that stupid letter! Now it really was too late to turn back.

"Sabo," She told him. There was his list. "He is the second in command, the people respect him, he is strategical, good under pressure-," Mostly at least.

There was a long pause before he spoke again, and his voice was gentler. Rare for the even toned man. "You two are close."

"We are friends," She reminded him. "They had been ever since they were little. Sabo's first friend. Sabo's best friend."

"I am sorry to be the one to tell you this, it isn't my place to speak for him. But I do not know if he intends to return to the revolutionaries or not."

And for the second time that day the world seemed to stop, and she felt the breath leave her lungs bit by bit.

"What!" She managed finally. Sabo was? No he couldn't.

"Did he get his memory's back?"

"Not quite," Dragon told her. "But he has found some people from his past. And depending on how certain things play out I think he might try to distance himself-."

"From us!"

"From me."

"No," She shook her head feeling tears begin to well up in her eyes.

"Why would he do that?"

"It is his business," Dragon reminded her.

"I'll talk to him!" She said. "I'll bring him back here!"

"We must respect Sabo's decision." He told her calmly. "He is entitled to his own choices. And if he does choose not to return then we must have a list of possible back up's for leadership."

Koala couldn't believe this was happening. Not to her, not today.

"Tell me why!" She said finally. "You owe me that much. Tell me why you are stepping down…Please sir."

He sighed wearily, rubbing his face with his hand. And she realized he was very tired. More so then she had seen before. The skipping meals, locking himself away in his office, ignoring his work. It was all making sense. And she hated that. She should have taken the out when it was offered to her. But if it wasn't too late then it definitely was now. At the very least she wanted to know why. Why he would be willing to undo his life's work. Jeopardize thousands of lives. Give in to the government, his sworn enemy.

"This can never leave this room."

"It won't sir." She promised him.

He nodded, "very well Koala. As you know the world government is blackmailing me personally. They wish my cooperation for the life of that boy," he gestured to the desk drawer where the photograph lay. "I can't give in to their demands without costing losing thousands of lives in the process. But I can't simply allow them to torment and kill him. If he can't be rescued in time, then I will give up my life for his. But the only way I can do that without risking the destruction of the revolutionaries is stepping down from my position and stripping myself of leadership.

"You would go that far-,"

"-For my son." He finished for her.

"No!" She shook her head, "He can't be."

"I assure you he is."

A thousand things rushed around Koalas head, doubt, the strangest feeling she was the punchline of the world's worst joke, a strong urge to demand a paternity test…. But more then anything she was just-

"-Sorry."

"You have done nothing wrong."

"I'm sorry their doing this to your kid." She told him mournfully. "That must be- really hard."

He regarded her carefully for a moment not answering.

"Can we- can we go get him?" They had the force, armies if necessary.

"I haven't the feintest clue where he is."

"The marines?"

But he just shook his head again. "They would like to have me believe that. But I know things they don't realize I am aware of. They aren't the ones pulling the strings in this, they are only pretending to."

She didn't know what that meant. Only that any attempt at a rescue would have to wait until they tracked him down.

"Surely someone must know?"

"Sabo is working on it."

"He is?" She asked growing steadily more confused. "At the moment he is the best chance of rescue."

"But he won't get there- is there nothing you can do to stop this?" She asked looking back at the note. Three days time…that was today.

"No," He said softly, moving his gaze off of her to behind him, where the balcony door was left open. "It appears not this time."

XXX

"You've returned my son," Whitebeard said as Ace came to stand before his great chair. "Your siblings were worried about you."

Ace's gaze flickered to the side, avoiding Whitebeards eyes. The man noted that he looked different, older, or maybe just wearier. He had been through a lot in the last few weeks. It had taken its toll on him. Especially since Ace had always struck him as someone who could handle 'a lot'.

"You have a brother," Whitebeard continued a bit softer.

Ace nodded, his gaze still on the deck.

"You two are close?"

He nodded again.

"We will get them back my son," he said laying his giant hand on Aces shoulder.

Ace shrugged him off, although not rudely. More out of guilt as his eyes finally slid up to meet the mans.

"I'm sorry I left without telling you." In the pirating world that was bad form.

"You had good reason," the man waved him off.

"Besides many apologies are in order Ace. Teach has been with us since he was a child, and yet after all that time I could have never predicted there was this kind of darkness in him. That failure is on me not you."

Ace didn't say anything, his gaze going back to his feet. Something was definitely wrong with him.

"Did you see Marco before he disappeared?"

Ace said nothing, his attention fixed firmly downwards.

Oyaji waited a moment longer, expecting Ace to answer but when he didn't the man sighed.

"We will find him my son. All of them. Until then I am glad you are back with us."

Still Ace said nothing, waiting to be dismissed. It seemed like there was nothing he could say.

"I've spoken to your brother," The man mused to himself. "Monkey D. Luffy right?"

Or almost nothing.

Ace's head shot up in surprise. "What?"

"All of you D's are so head strong," He mused. "It was a while ago now. He was causing trouble on Teaches ship. Picked up his den-den by accident. Funny kid. He's a lot like you."

"I hope not," Ace said quietly.

The man regarded him for a long moment.

"Go to bed my son. You look like you have had quite the week. We can talk more later. But for now rest."

Ace nodded, giving in without protest as he moved across the deck. Whitebeard watched him disappear below the deck. He sighed again summoning Izo over.

"What's wrong with Ace?" He asked in concern. Everyone had noticed the young mans marked change in behavior. And his disappearance had attracted quite a lot of attention.

"Teach," Whitebeard told him simply. "Can I ask you to keep an eye on Ace my son. You have a good head on your shoulders, and he is not acting like himself.

He nodded, "Of course."

XXX

Luffy hadn't fought them this time. He knew what would happen to Thatch if he did, so he followed Burgess down the maze-like corridors of the hold. He had said something about Marines. Luffy hoped it was his grandfather.

It wasn't.

The man had a vice grip on his upper arm and forced Luffy into what must have been the main room. It was at the center of the base and was very large, much bigger then the other, usually tighter spaces of the Hold.

It was made of the same dark stone as the rest, and the huge space was empty except for a single throne like seat that had been carved and shaped up from the floor itself.

But Luffy ignored this, what did he care what the room looked like. Instead his attention snapped to the people in the room. There were a few, most of them dressed in marine uniforms, standing stoically against the wall in attention. Marine lackies as his grandfather had called them when they annoyed him. Teach at the center of the room, standing next to a tall and serious man. He wore a coat similar to Garp's. Luffy figured that meant he was some form of higher-ranking marine.

"This is him." The marine man said, slight disappointment in his tone as he glared at Luffy like one might look at an uninvited rat visitor.

"That's him," Teach confirmed a smile breaking out over his face. "I guess he's finally learning some obedience."

The marine strode over to him, his face like thunder. Luffy stood his ground, not like there was any other choice with Burgess holding him in place.

The man stared at him for a second longer, sizing the younger boy up.

"Your not much to look at son of Dragon," he told him angrily.

"Neither are you," Luffy shot back returning the glare two-fold. He didn't have the slightest idea what the man was talking about but anyone who was partnered with these pirates was an enemy of his.

The mans reaction was instant, he lunged forwards striking Luffy in the face with a surprising amount of strength. It was enough to knock him down and then some, which wasn't such a rare feat anymore these days. A mild gust of wind could take him down but this man's punch would have knocked him easily even if he was at full strength.

Luffy lay on the floor, fighting back the urge to puke, listening to the men talk above him.

"He's always like that," Teach was telling him. "It's annoying."

"Where did you find him?" The stern voice asked.

"Where? Some island in the east blue," Teach said dismissively.

"Was he alone?"

"Uh, yea? Far as I could tell-why?"

"Anyone discovered aiding a criminal is guilty of obstruction of justice."

Luffy felt his blood run cold at those words as he forced his spinning head off the floor to look at the marine. Dark eyes met his own gaze, and the mans face promised blood.

"Well it looked like he was alone. Orphan and what not. Don't think he really had anyone aside from his brother. But I don't really know. I didn't exactly stick around," Teach told him as he gestured to Burgess.

The pirate reached down to once again haul Luffy up and back onto his feet to meet the glare of the marine.

Luffy didn't know what he had done to garner such a strong hatred from the other man. Usually it took another few minutes for someone to dislike him. But this man seemed to hate him already.

"Where were you born son of Dragon?" The man addressed him once again.

"I'm not a dragon!" Luffy told him equally angrily. He thought that much should be obvious with the lack of claws and what not.

"What!" The anger in the mans tone was now mixed with confusion as he whirled around to Teach. "He doesn't know!"

"Looks that way," He said as he began to pick his teeth with his fingernail.

He turned back to Luffy even angrier now. "Your useless." He hissed. As if that was an insult. He was hardly the first person to say that to him.

"I never said he knew anything," Teach told him. "Kids dumber than a pile of bricks and twice as stubborn. If he wasn't so valuable, I'd have tossed him in the ocean by now for how much trouble he has caused me."

The marine turned back to Luffy with his ever present glare but when he spoke it was to Teach.

"You will have no objections to what we choose to do to him."

"What are you going to do?" Luffy said only to be ignored by everyone.

Teach paused in picking, "Don't kill him, I need him alive."

"What you need is no consequence to the government," He growled. "The son of Dragon is now in our custody, that means it's the property of the world government."

"You can't own me!" Luffy snapped as he pulled against Burgess's hold on him.

"Fine," Teach rolled his eyes clearly unamused with the politics. "Then isn't he of more use to you alive?"

The marines silence was telling enough even though he didn't agree out loud.

"How are you going to convince the bigshot revolutionary then without killing him? From the little that I know about those guys, or that guy, they don't appreciate their hands being forced. I doubt he's going to bend without anything at stake."

The marine signaled to two of the lackies behind him and they came forward towards Luffy. He took a step back, or tried to, glancing around at the people. He didn't understand what they were talking about. But they weren't going to kill him at least…probably.

The man answered, speaking to both Luffy and Teach at the same time, his eyes staring Luffy down like a cat would a mouse.

"There are things worse then death."

Teach shook his head in bewilderment. "And you call us heartless. You guys are merciless huh," he snorted at the irony of it all. But his amusement did not reach the marines as they grabbed Luffy's arms, taking over from Burgess as they began to drag him backwards.

"Stop!" Luffy said trying to push against them. He knew enough to know this was not going to turn out well for him. He dug his heels into the ground trying to slow them down. But it was all for nothing as they continued to drag him away.

"Wait!" The marines order rung out across the room easily canceling out Luffy's protests and the men froze.

"The cuffs, remove them."

"Are you sure?" Teach asked. "Trust me he is much more susceptible to pain with them.

"Our agents are skilled." He said. "They are good with a challenge.

Chapter Text

"Luffy!" Thatch yelled running the short distance across the cell to where his friend had been carelessly dropped.

"Shut it pirate!" The marine snarled.

Thatch ignored him as he crashed to his knees in front of Luffy. "What did you do to him!" He cried clumsily hovering his hands over him unsure of where to start.

"I said shut up!"

"Go get the doctor!" Thatch told him urgently.

"Pirate scum doesn't order me around," The marine snapped but Thatch ignored him. He pressed his ear against Luffy's chest to listen to the shaky inhale and exhale of his lungs.

"And medical supplies," Thatch yelled back at him. He ignored the marines angery response as the cell door slammed and locked behind him. Despite what the marine said Thatch had little doubt he wouldn't do as he was told. Not because a pirate ordered it but because he knew better then to let Luffy die. For whatever reason the kid seemed to be their new trump card. And they weren't going to let him go so easily.

"What did they do to you," Thatch asked him as he put his palm on Luffy's cheek, now smudged with blood. "And the marines call us heartless." But the kid didn't so much as stir even as Thatch poked and prodded his new injuries.

"It's okay I've got you," He promised. "I'll take care of you for as long as you need me too. Just do one thing for me."

"-Don't die alright." Because Thatch honestly didn't know what he would do if he lost him.

XXX

All those weeks ago Ace had left in pursuit of the traitor Teach to try and rescue Thatch. Oyaji sent Marco after him to watch the hotheads back and since then the crew had been in a standstill. All of Whitebeards allies were on high alert for the traitor and their stolen comrade. But he was nothing if not tricky and no matter how many stones they kicked over there was no trace of him.

Not until a few weeks back when Oyaji got word somehow that Teach had been in Jaya and for the first time they had a lead. But that had been a while ago and the little town held no more answers for them then the open ocean had. Teach had been there, they confirmed it. But he wasn't anymore. And once again they were in the dark.

That was until yesterday in the harsh light of day when Pops had told them that Teach said he… that Marco was dead. That they had killed him for trying to interfere with his plans. A warning for the rest of them. And now Marco was nowhere to be found. Nobody wanted to believe it. They were the words of a lunatic after all. Marco was one of the strongest they had, counting him out so easily was not wise. But it wasn't like Marco to go this long without checking in and it certainly wasn't like him to worry them. An unshakable gloom had settled over the crew and it had persisted up until they learned Ace was coming back. But now even though he was safe amongst friends again, it seemed something was still deeply wrong with the young man.

Ace was sitting on the deck, as he seemed to be doing a lot lately. He didn't bother to greet the various sisters and brothers who walked past him, despite noticing their pointed stares. They wanted to talk to him, ask him about Marco, make sure he was alright, find out what compelled him to disobey their fathers' orders and why he left in the first place. But it was clear Ace didn't want to talk and they stayed away.

Everyone except Izo, who trailed him like a silent shadow. Never too close as to be obvious but he didn't stray far either. Ace had most likely noticed but he didn't seem to care. He didn't really seem to care about anything anymore. Or maybe he simply cared too much, and everything felt like it was crashing in around him.

Haruta sat down besides Izo, purposely avoiding one of the black crows that sat on the railing. In the span of a single night their ship had been invaded by a flock of them. All of a sudden the birds were everywhere. The more superstitious of the crew had taken this as an ill omen, but most of them hadn't cared. This was hardly the first time a flock had seeked refuge aboard the Moby while at sea but that didn't mean they weren't a nuisance.

"Has he said anything?" Haruta asked his brother as he glanced back to Ace. The young man's back was against the railing. He was petting one of the crows that had perched itself on his knee, the creatures feathers glinting in the sunlight.

"He's said a lot," Izo told him turning back to his sewing. "No thank you, I'm not hungry, I'm fine, Yes please, I'm okay… need I go on."

Haruta frowned, all very un-Ace like things to say.

"What do you think happened?"

Izo just shrugged, "who is to say. He saw something bad happen to Marco? Teach got in his head. He feels bad about not being able to do anything for Thatch. I really don't know."

"Why can't he tell us?"

"Asking for help has never been Ace's strong suit," Izo told him without looking up from his work.

"We're his friends," Haruta reasoned.

"Right," Izo agreed. "Now go remind him of that not me. I'm not the one that needs a pep talk."

Haruta huffed as he stood, stomping over to Ace. The young man looked up as he approached, the crow taking off from his lap. As the dull grey eyes turned to him Haruta felt all his previous confidence disappear as he realized he didn't know what to say.

"Want some… company?" He asked lamely as Ace shrugged. He sat anyways, opposite his ship brother.

"Are you- are you okay?" Haruta asked after an awkward beat of silence between the two. Talking to Ace felt weird now, as if they had become strangers. And he didn't understand. They weren't strangers. They were friends. Talking to Ace was easy. He laughed often and smiled brightly, or he used to.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Ace said turning to watch the crows circle overhead.

"You seem sad," Haruta told him honestly. "What Teach is doing right now, that isn't your fault. You know that right. You couldn't have stopped any of this. We are going to get them back! Oyaji will defeat him."

But his words didn't seem to comfort Ace. Instead they seemed to have the opposite effect. He pulled his knees up to his chest resting his chin on them as he looked out at the open ocean. He looked so lost and Haruta was at a loss of what to say.

"It's going to be okay Ace," He said after a long moment. "You know that right."

Ace just shook his head, eyes still staring at the sea beyond them. "I don't think so… I don't think anything is going to be okay ever again."

XXX

Sabo had just managed to hide himself away in the rafters, nothing but the corner of his blue coat visible from the ground, when the door flew open and Burgess strode in like he owned the place. The cadets Ace had worked so hard recruiting were with him although they remained in the hallway looking bored an uninterested.

"What are you doing here," He growled at the man. This was the second to last person he wanted to be dealing with right now but unfortunately for him Burgess carried a direct line to the first.

"Thought you might be lonely out here all by yourself," The man barked a laugh as he held up the baby den-den. "Boss wants to talk to you, what else idiot?"

Ace narrowed his eyes at the man as he reached out to take the offered den-den.

"What."

"I think we need to have a talk," came the sickeningly satisfied voice at the other end. Teach sounded like a child who had just been gifted a grandiose birthday presen.

"About what?" He asked.

"About the huge secret you've been keeping from me."

And Ace's blood ran cold. He couldn't stop the fearful look he shot up at the rafters although he tried to play it off as an eye roll. There was no way Teach could know about Sabo! Well there were actually many ways he could have found out but Ace wouldn't let that happen. He couldn't lose the one card he had left to play against these brother stealing bastards. He forced himself to calm down with a slow shuttered breath before he spoke again.

"What are you talking about."

"Oh of course," The mans laugh boomed through the tiny snail. "I shouldn't be surprised. After all you seem to have your fair share of secrets. I wouldn't have thought so just looking at ya but your used to lying by now ain't you. Your father, your brother, what else are you keeping hidden from the world Ace?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Why I'm talking about the family Dragon of course," The man laughed again and of everything Ace had been expecting him to say that was nowhere on the list.

"The Dragon?" He repeated stupidly. Whatever it was he was grateful this wasn't about Sabo. But his relief didn't last long as Teach continued on.

"-Or should I say Luffy's Dragon. The two of you have one messed up family lineage that is for sure. I would never of guessed that the idiot apple that is your brother came from the worlds most notorious tree."

And in an instant Ace understood what he was saying and the dread returned two-fold. Teach knew. He had figured out the one secret Ace had wanted to keep hidden above all else.

"I don't know what your talking about," He said coldly. Hoping he sounded more confident then he felt.

"Course you do. Play dumb all you want but I already know. But let me ask you this? What do you think the government would do if I shared this little guess of mine? Hmm. Now tell the truth Ace or so help me the next call I make will be to the marines."

Ace closed his eyes forcing his mind to still for a split second as he made up his mind. "How did you find out?" He said finally.

In an instant the cheerful tone was back in Teaches voice."That's for me to know," He told him smugly. "Now if you don't want-," his voice cut off suddenly and it sounded like there was a bit of a scuffle on the other end.

"Want to say hello to your little brother?" The question came out of nowhere and it took Ace a moment to respond. Luffy was here, Luffy was right there! The closest Ace had been to him in years.

When he was too slow to answer there was a moan of pain from the other end. It was soft but undeniably familiar.

"Luffy?" He breathed hoping his younger brother could hear him. "What did you do to him?"

"He's fine," Teach said with disinterest. "More or less. A little out of it right now. Don't you have something to tell him?"

Ace had no clue what he was suppose to say. But knowing Teach there was a plan, of course the man always had a plan. He looked up confused at Burgess who mouthed a single word to him. Ace got the message loud and clear but he clenched his jaw shut, glaring at the pirate, his eyes promising blood. It wasn't until there was another cry of pain from the den-den, louder this time that Ace gave in.

"Luffy," Ace began reluctantly balling his hands into fists.

"Go on," Prompted Teach.

The words burning his tongue Ace said it anyways. "Can you behave…for him." But no sooner had they left his mouth when he followed them with ones he actually meant.

"Lu listen to me, I'm going to save you. I swear to you no matter what," He promised Ace knew Luffy had heard him when the call cut out shortly after that. But the triumph was short lived. It always seemed to be. When Teach called back later he demanded a favor from Ace. One he couldn't refuse.

XXX

"Hey are you alright?"

Sabo looked up startled by the intrusion. He had been so caught up in his own world he had forgotten the man was here. He nodded anyways turning his head back to the ocean.

"Not to overstep but you are looking worse and worse each day."

"I have a headache," Sabo told him. It was more like a migraine and no matter what he did it seemed to grow worse and worse by the day. It had gotten so bad he was lucky to get an hour or two of sleep a night.

"I offered to take a look at 'cha."

"No, I'm alright." He told the man. He was not the victim here. With everything going on it would be selfish to complain about a headache. Even if it felt like a hammer was pounding his temples every minute of every day.

The man didn't look convinced but by now it was clear that Sabo wasn't going to agree to a check up so he let it go.

"Your bird is back," he said instead pointing up to the sky. Sure enough a pure black crow soared through the air towards them. Sabo held out his hands for the creature as it landed gracefully on his outstretched palms.

"That's one well trained pet," the man remarked in surprise as Sabo stroked it's ruffled feathers absentmindedly.

"It's not my pet he's my friend," He told the man vaguely as he took the message from the birds leg.

"You're a bit odd," The man told him as he watched Sabo read the note and replace it with one of his own, tying it to the creature's leg.

"I've got a lot on my mind right now."

"Yea I can see that. All this sneaking around, are you like a spy or something?"

"Or something," Sabo told him raising the bird back into the sky. It took off in a flurry of feathers. He watched it disappear back into the clouds before turning to face the old man.

"What happened to you not 'giving a damn what I was up to so long as you got your pay?' He was quoting the man's exact words from weeks earlier back to him. Finding someone who both didn't care about the circumstances and was willing to break a few laws but was still skilled at his work had been tricky. The result was a retired and grizzled drunkard with a sharp tongue. But for the most part his skills and lack of empathy had payed off.

The man just shrugged, "What can I say you managed to tickle me curious. And take my word for it that is hard to do. So are you going to tell me what this is all about or not?"

"Not," Sabo told him rubbing his temples.

"And whys that?"

"Because I really need your help."

"Yea I figured that when you said 'I really need your help,' when ya hired me." The man muttered.

"Well if you knew what we were doing, just who exactly we are about to piss off you would be out of here so fast."

"Oi! And that's supposed to comfort me?" He cried in outrage. It did nothing to quell his steadily rising curiosity.

"Trust me you don't want to know what's going on," Sabo told him honestly and the man caved, throwing up his arms in the air as he turned away.

"Fine, fine keep your secrets kid. Don't tell an old man like me. I'm done for the day anyways. I'll be back tomorrow."

Sabo bid him goodbye as the man stomped away, muttering under his breath. When he was sure the man was gone, he turned back to the note in his palm, scrawled in Ace's messy handwriting.

I'm still okay

They don't suspect anythin

Don't come after me

I will do it in three days' time

Stay safe Bo,

Now that he was alone Sabo slumped in relief. Ace was still alive, or at least he had been when he wrote this. And although that knowledge lessoned the worry in his chest a bit it did nothing for the knot in his stomach that weighed him down like a stone. He had talked to Dragon, he knew about the military and what they had planned to do, or what they had already done to Luffy. And he hated it. He hated the feeling of uselessness while he stood here, on this stupid little island while everyone worked around him. But he had promised Ace he would stay, and he intended to keep it.

But he hadn't told Ace- about Luffy. It was hardly the kind of thing you could write in a scrap of a note. What's more he didn't trust Ace to think clearly if he did tell him, so he kept it to himself. And it was an awful secret to keep. But this was one of the few times in his life where Sabo honestly didn't know what to do.

Chapter Text

There was so much noise. He was trying to sleep but it was just so loud. He could hear the heated argument taking place in the hallway outside. Teach with his gravely voice and that dumb marine guy were fighting- about him. Teach was worried that if Luffy died then he was going to loose his trump card, and the marine guy- well he wanted Luffy to die. He pretended not too. It wasn't like he hid his disgust of him or anything but he defended himself by claiming to follow the orders of his superiors. But Luffy somehow knew that the man's real intentions were to kill him. And right now it would be really easy for him. He wanted to send him back, to that CP man as they called him. He said something about teaching a dragon a lesson or whatever. But Teach refused, thinking if they sent Luffy back to that man he wouldn't be coming back and Luffy agreed with him.

He tried to tune their words out, choosing instead to focus on the other conversation taking place just outside the walls of their cell. And unlike the argument that was equal parts aggressive and very public, this conversation seemed to go unnoticed. Almost like Luffy was the only one who could hear it. He had first heard it a few days back, when that man was hurting him. In between his pain he started to pick up bits and pieces of words, but everyone else just seemed to think he had finally gone insane. He had expected it to go away but it hadn't. When he woke up a few hours ago back in his cell he heard it clearer then ever. From his spot on the floor he tried to look around for the speakers only to see nothing. The voices sounded like they were coming from the other side of the wall, from the ocean.

The humans …..at it again

They talked a lot about humans.

…Felt the awakenings of a conqueror again last night

That's a rare power in humans

It's getting stronger

But conqueror is dying

-They would rather kill the cub then let it continue to grow it's power

Luffy didn't really understand what they were talking about. He figured they meant him when they said someone was dying but the rest just sounded like nonsense. He wished they would shut up.

Humans kill that which they are afraid of

-Shame…..a while since I felt a spark like that one

A powerful cub indeed…. Into a powerful adult

A warm hand rested on his forehead distracting him from the words. "Hey your awake," Thatch's soft voice drifted over to him. Luffy looked up at his friend, he looked relieved but so-so tired at the same time. He moved his hand to Luffy's bruised cheek giving it a soft pat.

"You hanging in their kid?" His voice was low over the argument taking place outside their cell but Luffy could hear him all the same.

"What are they talking about?" He asked his voice rough from screaming.

"Don't worry about it," Thatch told him petting his cheek. "It's going to be okay."

But Luffy shook his head pointing to the cell wall behind the man. "Out there," he told him.

Thatch turned to look at the wall in confusion. When he turned back to Luffy the expression melted into worry. "We're on a cliff, there is no one talking out there."

That was the same thing the psychotic CP guy had told him. He bit his lip in annoyance. Why could no one hear it.

"Yes there is!" He insisted.

"Luffy-," Thatch began but he cut him off.

"That is a human war ship anchored on this island. They will bring more back with it. Others will come to fight them for the cub. I worry these waters will run red." Luffy recited the words he caught back to Thatch wondering if the man knew what they meant.

Thatch opened his mouth before closing it. He stared down at him for a second unsure of what to say.

"I hear them!" Luffy insisted hoping his friend would listen to him. Something on his face must have gotten through to him as he looked back to the wall.

"Who is it?"

Thatch could only shake his head. "I don't know Luffy," he told him honestly. "What are they saying?"

….The cub doesn't have long left now

"I think their talking about me."

"What are they saying?"

I sense bloodlust from the war human. He will kill the cub before the others can come.

With tremendous effort Luffy pushed himself off the stone floor with his elbows, trying to fight the dizzy feeling in his head as he sat up. Thatch stabilized him, pulling him the rest of the way as he put a supporting hand on his shoulder to keep him from pitching over.

"What is it?" He asked as Luffy stared up at him. He reached out to tug on the goggles, still wrapped around Thatches wrist like a cuff.

"Oh right," The man said misinterpreting Luffy's interest as he moved to take them off. "I should give these back."

"No," He told him closing his fingers over them clumsily. He could feel the coolness of the steel and the sharpness of the glass. The strap, that darn strap was broken because Luffy had broke it. He broke everything.

They had been on that rickety rope bridge. The one that was always breaking. Luffy had fallen through again and had reached out to try and save himself. It had worked, if only for a second until the strap snapped, then two sets of hands were on him, pulling him back up and into the safety of their arms.

"Can you hold on to them a bit longer," He asked tightening his hand on them one last time. "Give them back to my brother yea? Tell him I'm sorry I broke them again." He felt his chest tighten at the thought of that but instead of crying he laughed. "I keep doing that- breaking them." And they kept saving his life.

"You can give them back yourself," Thatch promised him. "Don't give up on me now bud." His voice was soft, understanding.

"I'm not," Luffy promised sitting up a bit straighter.

Never.

Outside the cell the argument was winding down. There was no need to ask who had won. And Luffy thought back to the letter he didn't get to write.

He turned back to Thatch, the mans full attention fixed on him. Thatch couldn't hear the voices, he didn't know what was going to happen. Luffy wondered if the man hated being alone as much as he did. Maybe he was just better at hiding it.

Behind him he heard the familiar grading sound of the key sliding into the lock. He forced himself to ignore it as he looked up at the pirate. And Luffy smiled at him, putting everything he had into it.

"Tell my brothers I love them- oceans and oceans."

Thatch couldn't hear them. He didn't know what Luffy was talking about but he hugged him all the same. Pulling the tiny teenager into his arms fiercely.

Just as the cell door behind them opened. Teach had lost the argument, that much was clear. Luffy closed his eyes against the insistent arms that grabbed him, tugging and then pulling him away from his friend.

Thatch tried to stop them but he was held back before he could do so much as throw a punch. He looked scared, but not for himself for Luffy. So Luffy did the only thing he could think of. He gave his friend one last bright smile.

"Bye Thatch."

But his words were lost in the noise of the room. He heard Thatch scream at them to stop, and far outside he heard the fragmented words. They were talking about an oncoming war.

What war. Who was fighting a war? Whatever they were going to fight over, it must be pretty important.

XXX

Ace was getting better. It was like a flip had been switched. He went from saying little and sitting alone to his old self.

"Guess he is feeling better," Rakuyo remarked to Haruta as they watched Ace talk animatedly with one of the pirates from his division.

"He must of worked it out," Haruta said happily. "I wonder if he talked with someone or something. Why do you think he was upset in the first place?"

"Marco?" The man said with a shrug. "I don't really know. They were in pretty close contact with Teach right? Anything could have happened."

"Ace would have told us if something major happened with that traitor!"

The other man just shrugged again. "Tattling isn't really his personality is it? But I really don't know anything, I am just glad the kid is feeling better."

Izo seemed to have a similar opinion on the matter. The sudden change in attitude did nothing to stop the careful eye he kept on their youngest ship brother. If anything it was the opposite and Izo made sure Ace was never out of eye sight even for a moment.

"Can't you stop now?" Haruta asked. "He really seems fine. He stole my food at breakfast and everything."

"Just because he seems fine doesn't mean he really is." Acting alright when he wasn't was Ace's go to move when he was hurt.

"If he were to, disappear again or do something stupid he would be getting more withdrawn," Haruta argued. "But he is doing the opposite of that."

"Yes he is. Almost to a fault," Izo answered back evenly.

"Are you saying he is faking?" Haruta asked in surprise.

"No, all I'm saying is that yesterday he was carrying the weight of the world. And today, all of a sudden, all of that is gone." Nowhere to be seen.

"Ace is acting fine!"

"He's too fine," Izo told him. "Marco's missing, We have no idea where Thatch is. He was torn up about it all week and suddenly he's fine again."

"Maybe he really is feeling better," Haruta argued looking across the deck to where the young man stood with a group of their crew mates, a large smile plastered over his face.

"-And maybe he knows we're watching him and he is trying to throw off suspicion."

Haruta actually laughed at that. "This is Ace we're talking about, right? Do you really think he would come up with something like that himself?"

"No," Izo agreed and Haruta felt himself relax. But then his friend spoke again. "But whose to say if he is still acting alone."

XXX

"Hey son…son can you hear me?"

Sabo groaned a bit as he pulled himself up. It took him a second to wake up and realize he had been lying on the floor. He felt the mans old but firm hands close around his shoulders as he pulled him into a sitting position. Sabo let him, trying to remember how he ended up on the floor.

"What happened?" He asked as the man unbuttoned the top of his shirt, pressing a stethoscope against his chest.

"I was hoping you could tell me that?" He told him, moving the device around as if chasing his heartbeat. "-Came out to find you passed out on the floor. I've been telling you for weeks now you were looking a little pale. I figured I would be burying you before you let me take a look at'cha."

"I don't need medical attention," Sabo told him as he moved the device away from his chest. "I'm fine really. I've just been over doing it."

The mans attention shifted to the table where various maps and papers were spread out. "Looking for something are we?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes! I figured I made that pretty clear. All this time and I've hardly seen you sleep other then dozing off during your work and," he gestured to the floor. "This now. What's worth risking ya health over."

Sabo moved to stand but when he did he felt a sudden lightness overtake his head and he was forced to stay down, resting his pounding forehead against his knees as the man watched.

"It's my little brother," Sabo told him, his words muffled against his knee. "He was kidnapped by some pretty horrible people and I have to find him before they kill him."

Whatever the man had been expecting it was not that. Sabo hadn't told him anything as he hadn't seen a need to. The less this bystander knew the better. But now his head was pounding too hard for him to think clearly and he didn't care enough anymore to go through the trouble of lying.

"-Are you joking with me?"

Sabo shook his head.

"Well damn." He said after a long moment of awkward silence. Kindness did not come easily to him after all his years in this place but he tried it now. "I- I'm sure he is alright."

"He's not," Sabo told him finally lifting his head too look at the old man.

"I'm sorry," he said finally. The words coming a little awkwardly.

"Don't be," Sabo told him as he pulled himself to unsteady feet. "It's not your fault." He put his palms down using the stable surface to steady himself.

"How about you get some rest? Your no good to your brother dead."

"I'm no good to him at all," Sabo said. "I'm alright really. I've gone through much worse believe me. Just give me the update…please."

The old man reached over to rummage around in his bag, pulling out an oat square before he offered it to the boy. "Eat this then I'll tell you."

Sabo looked at it before turning his gaze to the doctor in surprise. "What happened to not caring so long as you got paid."

"Can't pay me if you're a corpse," he told him shoving the food into his reluctant hands.

"It's called corpse looting," Sabo told him taking a small bite of the food.

"You're a dark one ain't you."

"Look I'm eating and everything, I feel better already. Just give me the update."

"I'm afraid it's not good news."

"News is rarely good in my experience," he said as he put the food down.

"Look I tried my best I really did. But I can't keep this up forever. It's not working any longer. I don't really understand how or why all I can tell you is it's not."

Sabo nodded slowly, his blue eyes staring into the distance, calculating. "How long?"

"A day or two… I'm sorry boss."

"No it's all right, just do your best and I'll deal with the rest."

The man nodded not looking so sure. "I'll be heading back for the day then," he said a bit reluctantly and Sabo just nodded. He looked like he was barely listening, already coming up with a backup plan and another after that. Still the man hesitated.

"Look- about your brother. I shouldn't have pried."

"It's fine."

"No I just mean… I'm sorry. I hope he knows everything your doing for him." He stuttered a bit when Sabo stared at him, feeling slightly awkward in his continued attempt to be nice. "He's lucky to have a brother like you looking out for him," the man stumbled out, patting the doorframe once and then he was gone.

XXX

By the time Oyaji returned to his chamber it was quite late. Most of his children had headed off too bed hours ago and only the night watchman and the few odd members were still awake, so when there was a soft knock on his door he was rather surprised.

"It's past bedtime brat," his voice boomed through the office as he laughed at his own joke.

"Oyaji can I talk to you," came the soft reply and he recognized the voice instantly as Ace. The smile was quickly gone from his face as he granted permission. He was under no illusions that Ace was here for a casual chat.

Ace slipped into the office, looking especially small and young amidst his collection of giant-sized furniture.

"I was wondering when you would come talk to me," Oyaji told him as he settled behind his desk wearily. He was not as young as he used to be, nor as healthy and he found his old knees would creak and groan on nights like these.

"-I was starting to doubt you would," He added glancing back to the office door. Ace must have gotten around Izo somehow. He could not sense his presence nearby and considering Izo was not one to shirk his responsibility Ace must have work hard to lose his tail. Meaning what ever he had to tell him must be pretty damn important.

"I didn't know how to say it," Ace said his voice low and unsure. Everything he was not.

"This is about Marco." It wasn't a question, but Ace nodded anyways.

"It's about a lot of things."

"What trouble have you gotten yourself mixed up in son." Oyaji knew there had to be a reason for Teach to target Ace out of everyone on the crew. He had known this all along but chose to keep it to himself. Whatever secrets Ace had were his and his alone. But Oyaji could not help him if he didn't know what was going on.

The boy shook his head, sorrow clear in his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"What have you done?"

"Everything."

Oyaji shifted in his great chair. He had been expecting this, on some level. from the way Ace had been acting he guessed something catastrophic had taken place. But he had hoped he was wrong.

"Tell me." He said his voice low but commanding and it left no room for argument. It was the order of a captain.

"I didn't want to." Ace told him, his eyes honest.

"I know." Oyaji told him. No one ever meant to. That was how blackmail worked. But want to or not Ace had been under Teach's thumb since the day he got that old straw hat. After his years on the sea Oyaji firmly believed that while strength and bravery won wars it was love that stopped them. And even though he was showing his age by admitting it he knew not to over estimate it. But for Teach to use it in this way, for him to use the love of Ace and the Whitebeards to manipulate them - then his heart was blacker then he could have ever thought. And it was time to put an end to all this heartache.

"Where is Marco?"

But Ace only shook his head again, refusing to answer. "Why did you invite me to join you?" He asked suddenly, his eyes searching the old mans face. As if he looked hard enough he could find the answers there.

"Because you were already one of us." The answer came easily. "I like hot headed idiots like you."

But that did not seem to satisfy Ace and his frown grew. "One of you? You don't even know me."

While it was true Ace had not been with them very long, a few short months, but in that time his personality had switched from cold indifference to the kindhearted young man he really was.

"It's not the length of time that matters but what you share with them," He said. After all Teach had been with them for years but it hadn't mattered in the end.

But Ace didn't seem to take the words to heart as he moved to stand in front of the mans desk. "I could be anybody," he told his captain softly. "I could be from anywhere. "

"We are all children of the sea," Oyaji reminded him. "That is all that should matter. Now tell me where my first mate is."

"Do you trust me," Ace asked resting his hands on the desk delicately. He was avoiding the question, a question he knew the answer to despite claiming he didn't. It wasn't like Ace to lie. It wasn't like him to do any of this.

"I trust all my children. And you are my son."

"Your trust has been misplaced before," Ace reminded him softly.

"As was yours I'm sure. It's a hazard of piracy my boy. We all want to look into someone's eyes and believe so desperately they see the world as we do, but there are so many eyes out there, and life doesn't always play out how we want it to."

"You trust me."

"Yes."

And for a split-second Ace looked angry, a dark emotion flickered over his face as he turned away. When he met Oyajis gaze once again he looked hurt. Or rather he looked like he was hurting.

"That was your mistake," he told him and there was something cruel in his voice. Resentment perhaps.

"I'll ask you this one more time, where is Marco," Oyaji told him beginning to rise from his desk.

"He's dead."

"You can't know that for certain."

"Of course I do, I watched it happen."

"You saw Teach's crew take down my phoenix?" Whitebeard asked, disbelief and fear clouding his once sure conscience.

But Ace shook his head slowly. "Not them, me."

"No!" Oyaji told him his voice raising. "You couldn't." Even if he wanted to he didn't have the strength to take down Marco. And that was a big if. The two of them were close friends, Ace would never want to hurt him.

But Ace was already reaching into his backpack. He pulled a tiny vile with a purplish liquid that sloshed around.

"It's a jellyfish neurotoxin," he told him. "The most poisonous in the world."

The old mans eyes narrowed at that. He recognized it for what it was. And while it was incredibly toxic it was also nearly impossible to attain, even for Teach. How had Ace managed to get that much.

"Why are you telling me this," He asked danger lacing his tone. Whitebeard, while a benevolent man, also commanded a great amount of authority. And when angered not even the most oblivious man could ignore that feeling of fear. But Ace had always been a brave brat, and even knowing the looming threat he continued to speak.

"I told you I was sorry," He said his low but sincere. "-and I meant it. For everything. And when I told you about the poison I did so because it's in you too."

"Your lying," Oyaji told him. He would have known if he was poisoned.

But Ace pointed behind him and despite himself Whitebeard followed. At first he saw nothing but his darkened office but then the glint of the steel pole caught his attention and he understood. It was in the I.V. bag that his daughters put in his arm twice a day everyday. And for the last week poison had been flooding his veins without his knowledge. But not just any poison, the most deadly known to man. The poison that had killed Marco. A poison that was slowly killing him.

"You came back to us…" he began.

"On orders," Ace finished for him. But despite everything there was no joy in his voice. His tone was completely void of anything but sorrow.

"To kill me."

"I'm so sorry," he told the man honestly and his voice broke a little bit. "I couldn't let him die."

"Oh my son," the man sighed heavily. "There is always another way."

"I don't have a choice."

"We always have a choice. It only seems like we don't sometimes."

No!" Ace said with such resolution.

"Then this is my choice!"

And that was all he said.

Pulling a dagger from his boot the teen charged Whitebeard, the intent to kill hanging in the air like a deathly aura. The situation was eerily similar to how Ace used to attack him. If only this could end like the last hundred times. But Ace wouldn't allow that.

Whitebeard deflected the attack, his giant hand swiping the blade and sending Ace crashing into his desk with enough force to shatter it.

"Stop this!" He commanded as the boy dragged himself up, dagger still somehow clutched in his hand, his other clasping his broken ribs. The blood staining his side from some wound under his clothes dripped grotesquely over his clasped fingers. "You will attain nothing," Oyaji told him darkly.

And Ace, with such hurt in his eyes said, "not until I kill you." But that looked to be the last thing on earth he wanted to do. He looked like he wanted to cry. But rather then cry he charged the man one final time.

Only this time he worked quicker. Ace had grown in the times since he used to attack his captain. He had gotten stronger, but he had also gotten quicker, all the while Oyaji slowed down. So when the dagger came inches within his throat the old man reacted instinctually and mercilessly. His reflexes picking up the slack for his age-addled mind. And without a thought he sent Ace flying strait into the wall so hard a deep fracture appeared in the sturdy wood.

Ace caught himself against the cracked wall, panting as blood bubbled up into his throat. The wind had been thoroughly knocked out of him at the impact and he was bruised and broken. His captain looked on in sympathy. There was no mercy for traitors, but family, however misguided was a different story.

"Ace," The captain said meeting the deep hurting eyes. "It's over." He said softly. "Stop this now. It's not to late to fix this mess and save them my son."

And Ace dropped the knife and it clattered at his feet. He brought his free hand up to wipe the blood at his mouth. And for a second Whitebeard truly believed the young man would concede. But the next moment Ace spat up blood.

"But it is," he told his ex-captain. "It's too late for me- and your not my damn father. And before Oyajis eyes he threw himself into the cracked wall with all the force he had left. The weakened wood groaned at the weight before it snapped all together and Ace fell through.

Whitebeard moved to catch him, but it was a empty gesture. He made it to the wall just in time to watch his son disappear into the black waters below.

Chapter Text

XXX

"No, no, no, no, no-," Thatch breathed over and over like a mantra as he ran over to the boy on the floor. He heard people talking in harsh whispers around him, they were worried. He ignored them. They didn't matter.

He crashed to his knees, hovering his hands over him unsure of what to do. "Luffy! LUFFY!" He called growing concerned when the other didn't respond.

"Your okay, your alright," He promised him even though he knew Luffy couldn't hear him. He placed his palm over the others face waiting for the soft shallow breath, only there wasn't one. His shaking hands clambered for a pulse but when he realized they were trembling too much to be of any use Thatch lay his head against Luffy's chest, listening for a heartbeat, for his lungs to draw a breath. But there was nothing, only silence.

-And somewhere deep in his heart he knew he was dead.

They had killed Luffy, for a war he had no part in. They had tortured him over and over all for what? This wasn't justice as the marines claimed. This wasn't fair. Even Thatch, a good for nothing lawless criminal in their eyes, would never have done the things the world government had sanctioned.

But none of that mattered right now because Luffy was dead. They were friends, more then that with everything the two of them had shared. Thatch had promised to protect him and he was dead.

He lifted his head slowly, pressing a clumsy kiss into Luffy's messy blood matted hair.

"I am so sorry," He whispered to him putting every word he had into his apology. "I wanted to protect you." He looked over the still body. "I've done a horrible job haven't I?" The man wiped his nose on the back of his hand turning away.

The marines were watching him intently. They had wanted him to fix Luffy, that was what they told him when they had dragged him from his cell and down into the prisons. But by the time Thatch had gotten down here it had been too late. Luffy must have died all alone in this horrible room. The man who had done this was no where in sight. Neither were the others, but Thatch was sure they would be here soon. After all they still had use for him.

He turned back to Luffy, reaching out to pet his hair in a way that would have been comforting if the other could feel it. He moved a bit closer, so the marines couldn't hear his next words. Not that they looked particularly interested in what Thatch had to say other then his inability to fix this problem for them.

Luffy looked so small on the floor of that cell. New injuries scattered across him from the marine's final attempt to break him. His face was pale and smattered with old grime and new blood. But despite everything he looked peaceful, a small smile on his face underneath all the pain and injuries. That was just like Luffy wasn't it. Thatch bowed his head so the crowd couldn't see the tears threatening to spill over.

"No ones going to use you anymore," He promised him. "No one can hurt you again-," his throat tightened and his voice trailed off, unable to continue.

He heard the sounds from the hallway, they were coming, they had been told finally. He knew they would take him away, condemn his body to the sea or continue to use him for power. There wasn't much time left for Thatch to make this right.

"Wherever you go know that you will not be alone."

He knew the words by heart by now. Thatch, while not old, was far from young. He had seen his fair share, far too many funerals. He knew the Sailors Song by heart.

"May the sea comfort you on your journey"

"Let the waves pass you by, for you press forwards no longer"

"We'll wait for the year, when the tide comes"

"Rolling over the rails"

"From here to the end of the island"

"Washing away all that was you"

"And taking you to a softer place"

He faltered as his voice once again failed him. What was he going to say to Ace? What could he possibly say? Luffy could have been free. But he had come back for him. And it had cost him everything.

However many times he had done this for his fallen comrades that had come before. It had never been as hard as it was right now to get the words out. Even if his family rescued him tomorrow, and he was allowed to walk out of this place on his own two legs. Without Luffy, he could never truly escape. He would never fully be free from here. Not when he had left such an important part behind.

The door flew open, Teach cussing up a storm. The doctor on his heels as he knelt before the pair of them. Stethoscope in hand the man searched for something that wasn't there. Thatch felt a hand on his shoulder as someone tried to pull him away. He shrugged them off leaning closer so he could be sure Luffy would hear his words wherever he was and forced himself to continue.

"Wonder no longer my friend"

"You have lost your path,"

"And we have lost our song"

"But with the sea as our witness, we send you home"

"Well!"

"How long has he been like this?" Doc Q asked ignoring his captain in favor of glancing up at the uneasy looking marines above him.

"We don't know when he stopped breathing," One of the men said reluctantly. "A few minutes maybe?"

"Do something!" Teach commanded his doctor. "If we lose him, we lose our footing with the revolutionaries. And they are not a group you want to mess with without a backup."

"I'm doing all I can," The man told him spilling his tools onto the floor so he could pick the needle free of the mess. With strong steady hands he had gotten from years of practice he loaded it with one of his vials.

"Fix him!"

"There's not much I can do at this point," the man grunted as he pushed the needle into the deathly still arm. "I'm not a miracle worker."

Someone tried once more to yank Thatch away but he held on for one moment longer. Just long enough to say goodbye before he fell apart.

"When the sun sets on the ocean blue"

"Remember me as I will always remember you"

"And when the sun rises, we will part ways you and me,"

"Because my brother"

"Now you are free-"

XXX

Luffy was lost. And he didn't like it. Every single doorway looked the same to him and all of them were locked leaving him to wander the empty hallways endlessly. The further he went the darker it seemed to get. At first all he could feel was the cold but now it didn't bother him so much anymore.

"Thatch!" He called out hoping his friend would answer him back. But he was alone here, and Luffy hated being alone.

"Somebody!" He asked the dark pathways before him. "Anybody!"

"Hey there Lu."

Luffy perked up at the familiar voice and he hurried down the hallway, bare feet flying over the stone floor as he broke into a run. He recognized that voice.

This far down it was so dark but everything was becoming clearer step by step. The world around him was coming into focus.

"Miss me?" The boy asked with a big smile as Luffy slammed into his arms.

"I missed you so much!" He replied his voice muffled by the others chest. "I thought I would never see you again," He told his brother as he hugged him tighter.

"I was alone here," He said out of breath. "I thought I would be wondering around lost forever." He told him as Sabo pulled back to get a good look at him.

"Were they picking on you again?"

They had been. And it had really hurt. But he didn't care about that now. Luffy smiled up at his brother. He looked just how he remembered from when they we're kids, but taller, and older. It seems like he and Ace weren't the only ones who had grown.

"Sabo can you help me get out of here?" He asked looking around them. "I don't like it here and I'm worried about my friend."

"You can't go back the way you came anymore." Sabo ruffled his hair. "You have to keep going until the end. But if you're worried about your friend you better get there before the door opens."

"End of the hallway, got it!" Luffy said, even though he really didn't as he grabbed his brothers hand pulling him along with him as he ran down the hallway.

"Open the door. No problem."

"Before the door opens," Sabo told him patiently as he allowed Luffy to pull him into his stride.

"That's what I meant," he corrected himself.

"How dark is it going to get?" He asked his brother as he was forced to slow down a bit in the blackness.

"Scared of the dark now are we little brother?" Sabo asked and Luffy frowned, marching them both through it in a show of bravery.

"I'm not afraid of anything," he told him.

"Right," Sabo said unconvinced. It wasn't like Luffy could lie to him easily. They had grown up together, he had seen all the things that scared Luffy, especially when he was a kid. But he didn't need to bring it up right now.

"It isn't the dark you need to worry about," Sabo told him, ever the factual one. "It's-,"

"What's that?" Luffy paused again. The path in front of them had begun to glow. A bit like in those early mornings when the first glimpse of sunlight climbs the horizon and slips out over the fields, making everything shine with an orange tinge. Except there was no color in the light, it was just- light.

And Luffy paused because- well it unsettled him.

"What's down there?" He asked for the first time.

"I thought you weren't scared of anything," Sabo reminded him tugging him forwards down the path with him.

"I'm not," he said again.

"Except being alone," Sabo reminded him being, in Luffy's opinion, really unhelpful.

"I was alone before I knew you," Luffy reminded him. When he turned behind him he could no longer see the dark. It was like a switch had been flicked and the hallway was now flooded with light.

"And you hated that didn't you."

Luffy didn't answer. He didn't want to admit Sabo had a point. What he wanted was to see where the hallway ended.

"it's getting brighter," Luffy said.

"That means your running out of time."

"Time to do what?"

"Just time." He told him simply.

"Sabo your being weird," Luffy told his brother as he pulled them along faster. It was like they were trapped in a maze where the only direction he could go was forwards. That sounded like Luffy's kind of maze, like hell he was going to lose at going strait. He was directionally challenged, not slow after all.

"What do you remember about before?" Sabo asked him and his pace faltered.

…

…The cub doesn't have long left now

"Bye Thatch."

"You die today son of Dragon. I will not tolerate your blood on this ocean any longer."

Pain, there was so much pain

Someone was screaming- he thought it might be him. Yep-that was definitely him, but the man was angry because he wasn't screaming the right thing. They wanted him to scream the answers to secrets he didn't think he had. But even if he did he would never give it to them.

"Stop! Stop it!"

…

Luffy shook his head, tightening his grip on his brothers' hand. "I don't know," he told him.

"Yes you do," Sabo urged him. "I know it hurts but this is important all right. You have to try and remember. He pressed his forehead against the younger willing him to do it.

"Come on Lu."

…

"Why won't you STOP!"

He was begging them to stop hurting him. And when they didn't, he began to scream something different.

Without realizing it he had started screaming for Ace like he was seven years old again.

"HELP ME!" He cried to his brother. "Make them Stop Ace!"

"Nii-chan Please!"

"DON'T LEAVE ME HERE ACE!"

And the man did stop. But not because anybody made him. Because he was laughing.

"Oh you poor thing, you don't know yet do you."

"K-know wh-what," he asked shaking in pain."

"That boy that you keep screaming for he's not going to help you."

"You d-don't know him." Luffy told him firmly." H-he's not going to leave me."

The man shrugged putting the knife back on the tray. "Your right I don't know him. Maybe he would have come, maybe not. But it doesn't matter now."

"Why?"

"Aw kid, keep up with the news yea. He's dead."

"Shut up!" He snarled.

"It's true. Guess they forgot to tell you."

"Your lying! Shut your lying face!"

"Yell if you want." He told him. "It won't change anything. Teach ordered him to kill his captain. Dumb kid confronted the man on his own and he pitched him through a wall and strait into the ocean. They couldn't even fish his body out of the sea. Devil fruit users, you lot sink like stones."

"I don't believe you," Luffy told him his voice low.

"I don't care if you believe me or not. I'm just telling you what happened." The man told him wiping the blood from his blade as he changed his tools.

"Your pirate friend, Blackbeard bugged him. He heard the whole thing go down. As you can imagine he is none to happy to have lost his double agent. Probably why he fought so hard to keep you out of here. But here we are, and here you are. So believe me kid, that hero of yours isn't coming."

"No," he whispered as a stabbing pain worked it's way up into his chest. It was so strong all other feelings in his body were momentarily canceled out.

"Your lying! Your lying. Your LYING. Ace would never do that! He promised me. He promised me he would never die. He has to be here for me. HE WOULDN'T DO THAT. HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE ME HERE."

"Then why are you still here?"

…

"Luffy," Sabo's voice was soft as he shook the others shoulder. "Luffy can you hear me?"

At some point, Luffy didn't know when, he had sat down, tucking his head into his knees.

"He- he -said," Luffy tried to force out but his voice wouldn't obey him.

"You remember," Sabo asked softly and he nodded.

"He said – he said Ace is dead!" He finally cried hugging his legs tighter. "H-he's lying, tell me he was lying."

"Hey, its going to be alright," Sabo comforted. "It's okay Lu, I need you to get up alright. You can't stop here."

"I-I can't." He cried harder and Sabo kneeled down in front of him, placing his hands on either side of his head and forcing Luffy to look up at him.

"Yes you can," he promised him. "Lu you've been so brave. But you need to keep going. Your running out of time. The door is almost open and then there will be no going back."

Luffy fought off his hold and he pressed his forehead back against his knees.

"I don't care!"

"Yes you do!" Sabo told him patiently. "You've come so far all on your own. It's just a little bit further. But I can't carry you. You need to walk there yourself."

When Luffy still did not move he sighed, standing up. "Come on I'll help you," He told him holding out his hand for the other to take. When he didn't Sabo tried again.

"Come on little brother, just a little bit further. Don't you want to get out of here, see the sky again?"

Luffy sniffed, slowly lifting his head at that. He nodded and Sabo smiled. He took the others hand and he helped him onto his feet.

"Don't let go," Luffy warned him as they began down the hallway once more.

"Never," Sabo promised squeezing his hand.

The light was almost pure white now. Blindingly so. Luffy had to close his eyes as they crossed through the last archway and into the room at the end of the hallway.

Luffy hadn't seen the entrance when they had arrived here. He had been, In Thatch's words, -Super drugged up. So he didn't even know what the door looked like. For all he knew they could have entered the base on a magical rainbow, although he would have been angry if they had and he missed it.

But just like Sabo said there was a large wooden door. The dark wood was faded with rusted square bolts embedded in it. It looked just like the dozens of other ones Luffy had passed on his trip down here and the hundreds that he saw during his time in the Hold.

"It's just a door," he told Sabo a little disappointed. "I thought it would be cooler."

"Well this is your party Lu, and you've always been a pretty literal person. Not to mention you don't have much of an imagination."

He would have shot back, annoyed his brother was throwing shade at him right now. But Sabo had a point and Luffy was too distracted. Because this door was different then the others in one way- this one was open. The light in the hallway had come from the outside and it spilled easily through the open door, lighting up everything around him with a frightening intensity. Like a thousand suns burned just outside the threshold.

And Luffy ventured closer, Sabo's hand gripped tightly within his own. He could feel the warmth from here. But not a burning feeling like when they were hurting him. It was a nice glow, like falling asleep in sunlight.

"What do I do now?" He asked.

"Now? You leave." Sabo told him simply. "That's what you wanted right."

Luffy stared back at the door. That was the only thing he had wanted for months now.

"I can leave?" He asked taking another step towards the light. "It's as easy as that?"

"It's as easy as that," Sabo promised. "Nobody can stop you anymore. You will be free forever. They can't cage you and they can't hurt you. No more pain, no more loneliness.

Luffy smiled as he held out his hand to the light, it felt good on his skin. That sounded perfect.

Whe-vr…y-kn…oh-…tha-y-t'alone

He paused, his hand resting on the door as he looked back behind him.

"Sabo can you hear that?"

The blond shook his head and Luffy took a step back, trying to see the hallway behind him.

"What do you hear?"

He frowned, tilting his head to listen. It was faint, but there all the same. It was as if someone was speaking far away from them. Back on the other end of the hallway. No matter how far Luffy had come he could still hear them.

We'll wait…th-… year… -the tide comes.

"Someone's talking," He told his brother. And remembering himself he took another step back towards the hallway.

"What about Thatch?" He asked. He had forgotten about his friend in all the chaos. "I can't just leave him here. What will happen to him?"

"His family is coming for him," Sabo assured him. "They have been looking for him for a long time."

"But what if they can't find him in time."

"Then he comes here," Sabo gestured at the door. "Would that be such a bad thing?"

Luffy looked back at the light and shook his head slowly. No It wouldn't be. But all the same-

"He's my friend," He told him. "I don't want him to be on his own."

"Are you asking what happens if you stay?"

Luffy nodded, figuring that must be what he was asking.

"Well the doors not completely open yet, you might still have a chance to close it. But is that really what you want? You don't like being alone. If you stay here you might have to be."

"What do you mean?"

"Luffy you heard what he said about Ace," Sabo told him softly. "He might not be here anymore," he gestured to the door. "He might be out there now waiting for you."

"But what about you?" Luffy said. "You're here, you have to be. You saved me, you gave me your goggles."

"Are you sure about that?" Sabo asked him gently. "If that was me why did I leave you. Why did I never come back for you. Why wasn't I there to save Ace. When have you ever known me to let him go against a stupidly strong opponent without backing him up?"

"They were your glasses," Luffy said defensively. He did not like what Sabo was saying.

"So what if they were," He said squeezing his brothers hand gently. "Maybe they found their way back to you all on their own."

"It was your handwriting."

"Are you sure about that. Are you really sure it was?"

Luffy wasn't sure, he thought he was but… it had changed a fair deal. He had wanted it to be. But right now he didn't know what he still wanted. He felt frustrated tears well up in his eyes and spill down his cheeks.

"But what if your wrong," He asked finally. "What if they're here waiting for me and I leave."

"Don't cry little brother," Sabo told him pressing his forehead against his once more. "The time for tears is behind you. There's no suffering beyond the door."

"But I'll be alone," He sniffed.

"No," Sabo shushed him. "Not even for a moment. There's no time anymore, no more space. If you choose to go and we are still here then we will be back with you before you even realize it. Everyone you ever loved will be."

"But-but you guys will be here alone. Won't you be sad if I'm gone."

"Of course we will be. But we will also understand." Sabo used his sleeve to dry Luffy's cheek although it was all for nothing as new tears spilled over.

"We never wanted any of this for you," he told him. "We never wanted you to be hurt or broken. I know how you feel inside- that there is this huge crack through you that seems to get bigger and bigger until you slide out of place. If it's permission, you want you already have it. It's okay Luffy. You've been so brave and strong and I know you can handle it. You can handle anything. But just because you can doesn't mean you have to. It's okay if you want to be free now."

Luffy wiped his nose on the grubby sleeve of his shirt as he turned to look at the door behind him. Like Sabo said it was almost all the way open, there was only a few inches between the wall and the wood, a few inches before he had to go.

He could hear the voice a little clearer now. He wondered if it was because the door was almost open or because he was listening for it.

"I was going to be pirate king," he told his brother finally.

There was nothing but understanding in Sabo's eyes as he nodded. "I know."

"I was going to go on so many adventures. I was going to see everything out there." All these years and all he truly knew of the world was the tiny island he had been born on. But there was so much out there, he knew it. He would be giving up all of it. But what's more important was his brother. If Sabo really was gone and Ace was still alive then he would be leaving his brother all alone here. And while it might be nothing to him it would be a lifetime for Ace.

"I don't think I could do that to him," Luffy whispered and somehow Sabo understood what he meant.

"He wants you to be safe," Sabo told him softly. "He wouldn't forgive himself if he found out that you stayed behind, that you were hurt again, to protect him."

"Isn't that what brothers do for each other?" Wasn't that what Ace had done for him all his life. "Besides he would be all on his own here."

"He has his crew, his friends, Thatch," Sabo told him rubbing his cheek encouragingly. "The choice is yours Luffy and yours alone but you have to make it quickly. Even now I don't know if you can force the door closed. But whatever you do you have to be sure. If you stay and we are already gone, there is no guarantee that someone is going to save you. You could be trapped forever. Teach is going to turn you over to the marines soon and they will make it so you can't ever escape. They will clip your wings and if that happens you won't ever see the sky again. They could keep you in the dark and cold for the rest of your life. Is that really what you want?"

He shook his head, that wasn't what he wanted. He wouldn't wish that upon anyone, not even stupid Teach and the ones who had locked him up here.

He turned back to the door, even now he could feel the light. Making all of the hurt before nothing but a distant memory. Out there was nothing but freedom. And no one was forcing him to stay here any longer. It would be so easy wouldn't it, to just walk out the door. He would be with his family again. He had everything to gain by going, and everything to lose by staying.

-If his brothers really were gone, if they were beyond that door and he chose to stay. He would be alone in this world again. Trapped here where people continue to hurt him over and over again. Like Sabo said, for the rest of his life. Or until they messed up and killed him again.

….Wonder no longer…..friend

- lost…y'… path

And we h' lost…..

The sea…s' ou'…..we send you home

"What is that?" Luffy asked again.

"It's called the Sailors song." Sabo answered. "It's a prayer to those who are lost or buried at sea. It's supposed to give them safe passage into the afterlife."

"Why?"

"Your friend is saying goodbye to you," Sabo told him. "If you can still hear it there might be time left after all. But your hesitating at the gate," Sabo told him. "Why?"

"I don't know what to do." Luffy told him as he rubbed his eyes uselessly.

"Yes you do." Sabo promised him. "You know, you just don't want to do it."

And then he felt a sharp stabbing, like a bee sting.

"Ouch," Luffy rubbed his arm in surprise although there was no mark there. "That hurt! Wait why did that hurt?"

"They are trying to bring you back," Sabo told him.

"Can they do that?"

"No, you are beyond their reach now. The only one who might be able to drag you back is you. It might help you close the door though if that's what you want.

Luffy tilted his head, hearing the song clearer now as if it was growing closer.

…-on the ocean blue

Remember me…..always remember you

And when the sun ris'…we w'part ways you and me

Because m'-brother

Now you are free-

Luffy turned back to his brother holding out his arms. Sabo obliged catching him up in a great hug as he squeezed him tight.

"Can you help me with this?" He asked into his shoulder.

"No you have to do the rest yourself."

"I missed you."

"-I know," Sabo promised.

"I love you."

"I love you too little brother."

And then he was gone, and Luffy was standing alone in front of the big door as the light grew brighter all around him.

He sniffed, drying his tears a final time on his sleeve. He could feel whatever they had stuck him with work its way into his body, although he felt it distantly like a phantom pain. He couldn't hear Thatch anymore but that was all right. He knew his friend would understand, he knew everyone would understand.

-everyone but himself

So Luffy closed the door. Which was one of the hardest things he ever had to do before. For a long time the door didn't budge and it seemed like it would not move for him. But the door didn't know Luffy very well, he was very stubborn. So little by little he closed it and the light began to fade. It was slow at first but the more he closed it the easier it became to move until he slammed it shut all at once and everything was dark once again.

Only this time the dark was a relief and he gave into it happily.

XXX

Chapter Text

When he woke up the room was dark and unfamiliar. He sat up slowly, feeling his body protest. Everything was bruised and his muscles felt oddly out of sync with the rest of him. It took a long moment for things to come into focus, and another longer moment to realize he wasn't alone. There were two men in the room with him.

The furthest from him was a young man sleeping on a old desk chair. He was sitting with his chest against the wooden back, arms draped over the top to cushion his head. He was dead to the world for the time being. The closer one was a scruffy looking old man who had his back to him, rifling through a bag of supplies. He turned around slowly, medicine in one hand and a bottle of whisky in the other. But upon seeing him awake he dropped both, cussing viciously as he clutched at his heart.

"Damn near gave me a heart attack!" He accused once the swearing had died off.

"Boss," He called to the sleeping young man. "We got a problem."

He was already up; the noise had snapped him awake seconds ago.

"I can see that," He told the other as he straitened, sitting but not standing up.

This wasn't just any young man though; it was harder to see in the darkness, but he knew this kid, didn't he? His mind, still slower to react tried to recall where he recognized him from.

And then all at once it clicked and the last of sleeps foggy fingers released his mind. He rose to his feet, or at least tried to but he was forced to sink down to his knees on the bed as his body protested the sudden movement. But even so it was impossible to mistake his posture for anything other than threatening as he glared at the blonde boy.

"I should go," The doctor said looking between the two of them uneasily.

"Yes, you probably should," The young man told him, never turning away from the pirates' intense glare. The man nodded curtly grabbing some of his tools as he hastily shoved them back in his bag turning towards the door. He paused for a second in the frame to look back in worry at the kid.

"Uh, you going to be okay boss?"

"Go," the blond told him not looking his way. And that was all he needed to say as the man ducked out of the room, slamming the door a few moments later. But neither reacted to it, caught up in the intense stare down.

"I see you're feeling better," The blond said humorlessly as he regarded the man somewhat wearily. Although there was no fear in his eyes.

Marco wanted to see if he could change that. He stood slowly, making sure he was ready for it this time as he swiped a scalpel from among the forgotten doctors' tools. The boy watched him as he made his way from the bed over to the corner of the room where he sat.

He raised the scalpels point to his throat, so it pressed warningly into his larynx. Not to break the skin but ensuring the other felt how sharp it was.

"You're going to kill me?"

The kid looked exhausted. There were dark circles beneath his sleepy eyes. This was no surprise since he had been sleeping until a few seconds ago. Still there was no sign of fear or even surprise. He had suspected this would happen and he was not afraid of Marco. Not yet at least.

"That depends on what you say next," He warned him, his own voice hoarse from disuse.

When the boy still did not answer he added a slight pressure to the blade. "Who are you?"

The blond frowned and slowly raised his hand to his neck. With two of his fingers he pressed on the blade, gently guiding the scalpel away from his throat. Marco let him move his hand, only an inch or two off its course. Close enough to slash his throat if he tried anything else. Only the other boy did not look like he had any tricks up his sleeve at the moment.

"Who are you?" He pressed impatiently.

The young man's eyes moved down to the blade. "Or what? You'll kill me?" He said again.

"Any sudden movements and you'll find out," Marco warned as he looked around the room. It was staggeringly underwhelming. A very modest space with not much else besides a bed and a table where various medical equipment was spread out. There was a door the doctor had left out of, still half open and a window on the other side that reflected the blackness of the night sky.

Turning his attention back to the boy he gestured for him to rise with the tip of the scalpel. He obeyed, Standing from the chair slowly in front of Marco.

"Turn around."

He did so wordlessly as Marco patted him down, starting with his shoulders and working down to his broken in boots which he kicked off when instructed.

"I don't have anything on me," He said as Marco turned him around roughly as he continued to search.

"Forgive me if I don't believe you," he told him as he took special care with the sleeves of his loose-fitting shirt. But when he still found nothing, he had to concede that the other was right.

"Unarmed then? Pretty sloppy of you," He said as he turned his attention back to the room. The other's lack of fear was beginning to grate on him.

"Devil fruit?"

"No."

"Backups on the way then?" That would explain why the old man had run away.

But the blond just shook his head. "No back up, no weapons, no plan."

Marco lowered the blade in disdain. "I don't believe that for a minute." From his limited interactions with the kid there was always a plan.

"Believe what you want," he told him.

"One of Teaches?"

"I would never work for that pig!" There was actual emotion in his voice this time. A far cry from the evenness of his tone when he asked if Marco intended to kill him. Based on that alone he was inclined to believe him except for the fact that if he wasn't Teach's then who was he? He had better figure it out quickly.

Up until now Marco had been cutting him a break since he was still just a brat, an amusing one, but that was before he had allied himself with Teach's crew and tried to kill him. He was still unsure about the details.

He tucked the scalpel into his waistband in case he needed it later. "Look kid, you know who I am, and you know what I can do. So, I am going to ask you one more time, who are you?"

The blond hesitated a moment, but he seemed to be willing to talk now that the knife was put away. Apparently, he didn't respond well to threats. They had that in common.

"My name is Sabo," he finally told him.

"Sabo what?"

"Just Sabo."

That was hardly anything to go off. "That doctor called you boss."

"Because I pay him." He said. "It's amazing what people will call you when money is involved."

"Paying him to do what?"

"Fix the roof." He told him and his voice was so honest that for a split-second Marco believed him.

Feeling his frayed temper threaten to snap he crossed the distance between them snatching the collar of his shirt as he pushed him into the wall, pinning him there with a firm hand.

"Is this funny to you?" He demanded.

The boy's hands automatically came up to try and lesson the others hold on him but then he seemed to think better of it and dropped them back to his side. It seemed like he was going out of his way to avoid a fight, but he was also trying to avoid talking. So far, he had done a pretty good job of redirecting or refusing all of Marco's questions.

But he wasn't smiling when he told him, "None of this is the least bit funny to me."

Marco tightened his fist raising his arm, so the boy had to stand on his toes to remain on his feet. "Answers." He told him. "Now!" And both of them could smell the slight burning of the cloth as the fabric of the boy's shirt began to singe under the heat.

"Why are you against the Whitebeards!"

"Not the Whitebeards," he told him trying to keep his balance. "Just you."

"What?" He knew for a fact the two of them had never met. "How have I done you wrong?" He asked shoving the boy back into the wall harder than he needed too.

The others hands did rise now as he wrapped them uselessly around Marco's trying to pry the other off him.

"Tell me!"

But he shook his head trying to push him away. "I don't want to fight you," he told him honestly. "I have nothing against you or your captain."

"What does that mean!"

"Kill me if you want." The boy told him. "But from what I've heard about you, you're probably not going to do that without answers."

So that was his plan then? "Don't be so sure," Marco told him darkly. "I'm having a bad day." He threw the other to the ground roughly once more looking around the room. Confident the kid was not going to tell him anything of use, and that he was significantly outmatched by Marco as it was right now, he decided to get his baring's. He headed to the bedroom door, still half open in the doctor's haste to leave.

"Wait!" He called still winded as Marco made his way from the room and into a dark dusty hallway. Where was he? Wherever it was it seemed to be mostly deserted. The wooden floors were cracked and worn, and cobwebs littered most of the corners. The few rooms he passed were boarded up as well. The main room at the end of the hallway seemed to be the only other functional room with papers and maps scattered around every open surface.

He skimmed over the maps with vague interest. They were of a particular section of paradise, with various islands ex-ed out and a few circled. A large map lay over the table and one of the labels caught his eye. The Moby? He tapped his finger over it unconsciously as the bad feeling in his stomach continued to grow. He needed to talk to Oyaji. Now!

But before he could act on that impulse something else caught his eye. Resting on the corner of the table, sitting atop a stack of reports was a ratty straw hat. He grabbed it from its seat inspecting it carefully. Unless he was wrong this was Ace's brothers' hat. The very same one he had carried all this way with him across the ocean.

"Put That Down!" The other boy had followed him into the room and was now standing in the hallway looking, for the first time angry. When Marco didn't immediately drop it, he strode over to take it back. But Marco stopped him mid-way across the room with his phoenix fire.

Remembering himself the blond- Sabo, paused. Although the anger was still there in his eyes.

"Put-it-down!" He said again slower this time.

But Marco did no such thing, satisfied to finally get a rise out of the other. "What's so important about this?" He asked, challenging him with the safety of the hat.

"Don't you already know?"

"Why do you want it?" Marco asked again.

Sabo sighed as he crossed his arms, standing his ground despite the fire burning inches away from his bare feet.

"It's Luffy's hat." He said finally.

"And why do you have Luffy's hat? Why isn't it with Ace?" As far as he knew the other would never have parted with it willingly. "If you hurt him…"

"I'm holding on to it for him," He told him finally. "You can hold it. But don't mess it up…please."

"And Ace just gave it to you and what? Left."

"Yes actually."

"To do what?"

The silence in the room stretched around them as the blonde boy once again stopped talking.

"Look kid! You said you didn't want to fight me. But after what you did… if you really mean that you will start talking right now." During their fight Marco has sensed his bloodlust but no hatred behind it. Nor did he feel it now. Although he knew the other boy was pretty masterful at concealing it.

He shuffled through some of the notes, making sure to keep a careful eye on the young man who was trapped in the center of the room by Marcos fire. But despite everything he seemed willing to stay there for the time being, so Marco turned back to the files.

For the most part they seemed to be field reports and pirate ship citing's around the grand line. All though upon second glance they went a little deeper than that. He had here, organized into geographical stacks the records for every major, and most minor, ports on this side of paradise. The dates were recent, as recent as they got. Information like this- well one doesn't just stumble across it. It comes from a very widespread and organized intelligence network.

Marco cast another glance at the blond boy before turning back. He doubted even pops could pull something like this together. At least not as quickly as this boy must have. The only group that came to mind with that kind of power was the world government. He pursed his lip continuing to shift through the records. That would explain why he had allied himself with Teach if they were trying to bring the Whitebeards down. But he didn't look like he belonged to the navy. Nor did he fight like they had trained him.

The gleam of a glass bottle caught his attention and Marco moved to snatch the vial up from the bookcase. There wasn't much left in the already small container, but what was left of it was an unusual deep purple color.

He turned around, wiggling the bottle between two fingers for the other to see. "This would be the neurotoxin I take it?"

The blond boy nodded.

"Well- Sabo was it? How did someone like you get this. Or better yet where did the rest of it go?" If Marco was recalling it correctly then this little bit was one of the most poisonous substance on the seas. Not even his phoenix was immune to it. Which made it both extremely rare and difficult to find.

"There was never anymore." The blond told him evenly. "I only just had that which I used on you."

Marco rolled his eyes holding the glass up to the light for the other to see. "There is a line where the glass got tinted from the toxin." It was hard to detect unless you were looking for it, like he had been.

"I'm no expert but it doesn't take this much to coat a blade so I'll ask you again and then I'll start burning," The fire crept closer at his words and he had to give credit to the blonde for not backing up, even though he knew he could feel the flames licking at his exposed feet.

"It's with Ace." He told him finally.

"Oh? And where is Ace?" Marco said tucking the vile away in case he needed it alter. At the very least hopefully out of the others reach.

"…"

He was unsurprised this time by the lack of an answer as he turned back to the papers. There had to be something, a signature, a sign, something to give the other away. He was sure it was in here he must have missed it. He flicked through the sheets again.

"So Ace is working with Teach." He asked fishing one of the papers out of the stack. Bingo.

"You say it like he had a choice," Sabo bit back and once again there was anger in his tone. It seems like it was possible to get under his skin, Marco had just been going about it wrong.

He turned to look at him, the paper loosely clutched in his hand. "Didn't he?" He asked. "Teach took something from all of us, not just him. Our captain sent me here to help him. But instead of talking to me he switches sides? I would have helped. He knows that."

"But that didn't seem to matter much to him did it?" Marco continued noticing the others mounting anger. "So, he casts us aside! That's how much our friendship was worth to him. No, instead he partners with the people who betrayed us, who stole his brother, and you. A liar and a murderer because everything about you screams trustworthy."

"That's Not How It Happened!" He snapped as his unusually tame temper finally broke. "What would you know about what happened? How much help were you lot? It was your crewmate whose doing all of this, but Ace is the one he's going after! If Anyone is paying for your bad judgment, it's Him! And now because of Your Mistake Luffy is…"

"Is what?" Marco prodded as the other boy trailed off. Finally remembering himself. He glared up at Marco.

"You did that on purpose." He accused and the man shrugged.

"Why? Because I manipulated you? You would know all about that wouldn't you revolutionary?"

"What?" The boy asked, looking for the first time truly and honestly worried.

Marco held up the sheet of paper, a dragon signal in the top corner with red ink, marking the document as an official revolutionary message.

"I wondered what kind of group could have a reach this large but also overt," He gestured to the papers. And, how a kid like you could get that poison." Sabo's ability to lie like no other and remain calm under the pressure also made a lot more sense. He had been trained for covert operations.

"So that bags the question?" Marco said his tone dangerous as he leaned against the desk. "What would the revolutionaries be doing aligning themselves with Teach, our enemies?" Small territory squabbles aside the two groups rarely crossed paths. The revolutionaries had made it their mission to underhand the world government while the Whitebeards stuck to the sea's and their territories. But this? Was Dragon really sending out spies to discreetly overthrow Whitebeard? And at the end of this all Sabo could slip away with no one realizing he had been they're at all.

"I suggest you choose your next words carefully," Marco told him. "If you don't want to start a war that is."

"They have nothing to do with this!" The boy said fiercely.

"Stop Lying!"

"I'm not!" He grit his teeth. "I am a revolutionary, you got me there. But I am not here on anyone's orders. I brought myself here. Believe it or not I could care less about your feud with Blackbeard."

"Why would you do that?"

The answer was immediate this time. "-To help Luffy? While you guys are arguing with Teach their doing terrible things to him!"

"And why do you care so much about what happens to Ace's brother?"

"Because Ace is my-," The blond sighed calming himself again before he continued. "Because he is my friend."

"Ace is my friend," He said again softer this time. "I don't want to see him get hurt. And I want to help him save Luffy. Whatever it takes. So, if you want to be pissed at him fine. But he spent the last few weeks doing absolutely everything he could to help you guys. To keep you safe from Teach."

"So, he turned to the revolutionaries?" Marco asked struggling to understand. He wasn't as angry with Ace as he acted, nor was he completely forgiven. More then anything Marco was confused about everything at this point. And the faster he could catch himself up the faster he could actually make an informed decision on what to do next.

"He didn't go to the revolutionaries! He just asked me for help. Ace didn't even know I worked for them at first."

"You guys are such good friends he didn't know where you worked and never once mentioned you."

"It's complicated."

"It must be," Marco told him dryly.

"Your sarcasm is noted," Sabo told him. "But if I really partner with Teach and the revolutionaries wanted you dead then you would be dead, not here with every open opportunity to kill me!"

"Whose oversight was that then. Yours?"

"It was Ace's!" Sabo told him. "He asked me not to use sea stone because you guys were 'friends' and apparently, friends aren't supposed to do that to each other." They also didn't stab each other but neither needed to call attention to that right now. "Then again I was counting on him being the one to explain this to you not me." The chances of the first commander going off on a random traitorous stranger were much higher compared to his shipmate.

But expected or not that seemed to have the desired effect on the man and the fire burning next to Sabo's foot flickered once before disappearing, leaving nothing but a burnt spot on the wooded floor.

"Thank you." He told him honestly. He was grateful for anything, even the small amount of trust he was showing him. Although the feeling was short lived.

Marco just shrugged, turning away towards the door. "I need to contact my captain."

"No!" Sabo said taking a few steps towards him on reflex.

The flames were back as quickly as they had come the first time and once more, he put up his hands in placation.

"Don't do that!" He told the other man slowly. "Just hold off for a day."

Marco regarded him carefully, lessoning his flames but not yet extinguishing them. "And why should I?"

There was silence again between them. No doubt they were dancing around the topic he had been reluctant to share. That was the problem with revolutionaries, they never gave you the whole story, not at first at least.

"Trust is a two-way street Sabo," Marco reminded him. "You want me to believe you then you have to tell me what's going on right now."

The younger man seemed to consider for a moment. He opened his mouth but whatever he had to say Marco never got to hear.

There was a loud- THUNK sound as something clipped the wall of the house and their attention was drawn over to the window. One of the glass panes had been left open letting the cold air of the night inside. There was a small squawk and to Marco's surprise a crow landed itself onto the windowsill tilting its head at the pair of them.

Tensions must have been running high, that stupid bird was enough to restart his heart. The man turned back to Sabo, but the bird squawked again louder this time and he realized that he had never seen one out this late before.

The creature hopped from the balcony to fly onto Sabo's shoulder, calling as it did in a shrill voice.

"What are they?" Marco asked as a second one perched itself on the now vacant sill.

Sabo reached up to the one on his shoulder, running his finger down it's fur as if searching for something. But the bird just shook itself out, sidestepping his prying hands as it let out another squawk. It sounded like an alarm call.

"What is it?" Sabo pried and Marco knew he was not talking to him right now.

The bird cried again lunging for his finger. Its beak clipped his bare hand once then twice, drawing a droplet of blood on the second peck. It cried again when he drew his hand back flapping its wings on his shoulder. All round the strangest bird behavior Marco had seen.

"What are they?" He asked again, his tone leaving no more room to be ignored.

Blue eyes met his as the boy held his arm for the bird to move to. "Show me." He commanded and the squawking stopped.

To Marco he said, "That would be my backup."

XXX

"Ace, ACE!" The voice was growing closer as the screeching around him died down.

He felt a distant tap against his fingers as one of the crows tried to get his attention. He thought it was the one who had carried him here, all this way. Not that he remembered very much of it after falling into the ocean. It had snatched him back up right before he could sink irrevocably below the surface and he felt grateful for that. But beyond still being topside he wasn't sure where it had taken him. Not until his name was called again by that same familiar voice and it clicked in his brain.

"ACE!" He called again as they crashed to their knees in the sand of the beach. He felt hands on him. These were far more insistent then the gentle pecking of the crows had been.

"Oh my god Ace!" A second voice asked as another pair of hands searched him over. "What did you do."

"Help me get him up," His brother commanded, and he let out an involuntary groan as he was pulled upright.

"Your backup has looked better." The voice was suddenly right next to his ear as he felt the additional strength help support him.

"Ace you promised me you wouldn't do this!" Sabo sounded mad, his worry laced with annoyance and a hint of betrayal. And despite his scarce coherence Ace panicked. He couldn't deal with letting down any more family right now. He couldn't do that again.

He dug his feet into the sand beneath them, pulling back against their grip with everything he had. He heard both stumble besides him with the sudden shift, but he ignored that in favor of grabbing his little brothers' shoulder.

"Sabo Don't Be Mad! Yell at me, scream at me just don't be mad at me!" His words were slurred, so much so that he didn't know if they were intelligible.

But he knew the other got the message when he answered back, the irritation gone now leaving just worry and understanding.

"Ace I'm not mad," He told him softer.

"Promise," He asked unaware of how childish, and generally off, he sounded.

"I promise." The blurry shape of his brother told him.

He tightened his grip in the others shirt holding them all in place even as the other two tried to pull him along.

"Sabo," He said again to get his attention which was useless as he already had the full undivided attention of the two of them.

"I'm sorry." He told the blond again. "I fucked up."

And then the sand was rushing up to meet him as his legs buckled underneath him sending him crashing back down to where he had started.

Chapter Text

What does it feel like to be totally alone?

It feels cold.

How do you know what being wanted feels like when being unwanted was all you had ever been? In life there are those that have had love and loss and the hurt comes from knowing what that absence feels like. But sometimes there is only a hole where you know feelings are supposed to go but there are no feelings to be had.

How do you learn that your broken? That you've been broken this entire time. Is it not realizing that something about you is wrong that makes you broken or is it only when you realize you're missing a piece that you seal your own fate?

Can you fix yourself?

Are you even worth fixing?

Are there people in this world who would miss you?

And if there aren't then does that mean your worth nothing.

Is the worth of your entire soul summed up by the people who care for you. Or is it the other way around. Do the people who you care for give you value.

Who decides who should live and who should die?

And how could they be so cruel.

Ace saw a still baby once. It had died during the night from a sickness it's immune system couldn't overcome. In the grey terminal illness often ran rampant.

He only saw it for a second. It was wrapped up so tightly in its blanket. But it was tiny enough for the sight to haunt his memories. What was worse was the screaming of its mother. How she didn't let go of that tiny bundle for the life of her.

He tried not to listen, but she was being so loud, it was impossible to tune her out. People were trying to comfort her, but she was inconsolable. And when he passed her, he caught the grieving mothers' eye. Ace still had no idea why. Maybe it was because he was so young at the time, almost a baby himself. She might of seen what could have been for her own son.

Whatever it was she stared at him through the crowd and he couldn't help but look back at her as he passed. And she had asked him, "Why My baby! Why did it have to be my baby! What did he ever do to deserve this. What have I done!" She looked like she wanted to say more but she collapsed into a fit of tears and couldn't continue, and Ace pressed on. He tried his best to forget the incident, but it stayed cemented in his mind for years to come.

He had no answer for her. Or rather he had no satisfying answer. The simple one being that life was cruel. It would chew you up and spit you out without a moment's hesitation. That was just how it was, especially around here.

But on a deeper level he had to agree with her. Why had her baby died? She had loved it. So much so that she drove herself mad over a weakling. It may have been weak, but it had also been loved.

And Ace had started to wonder why he was still alive. He wasn't like that baby. He was strong, he knew that despite being very young. But if he were to die no one would notice. Not like that mother had. In fact, they might celebrate. Throw a huge party where everyone would get a little too drunk.

When you were unwanted it hardly needed to be said. You just knew. And oblivious as he was to other humans Ace wasn't so in the dark to mistake his living situation as anything else. They called him a demon behind his back, and sometimes they said it to his face. And when he would beat up grown men, they would scream it, while running away like scared cowards.

'That's no child, it's a monster,'

At that point it hardly came as a surprise to him, it was expected by now. It really shouldn't hurt. But it did every time.

That baby may have been weak, but it wasn't a monster. It wasn't unwanted and it didn't bring suffering wherever it went. Not like he did. And the more he thought about it the angrier it made him.

Was this it? Was this really everything there was. Ace was one of the lucky ones. He was still breathing; he had survived and all for this? Because if that was true. If his life was meant to be years upon years of this- then it wasn't worth it.

That mother must have been wrong. Wherever her baby was it was better off there. At least it wouldn't suffer.

But then he thought about the mom, so ready to give her everything to a baby that wasn't here. A baby that had received more love in the few days that it had been alive then Ace had gotten in his entire life and suddenly he was angry again.

He didn't know who or why he was angry he just was. And every time he took his anger out it made him feel worse and worse.

The bandits were done with him. They had 'given up' on him for months ago. He overheard most of what they said about him. That was how he knew that if he were to disappear like the baby had there would be no one crying, only celebrations. And that made him angry.

And that was right about the time that Ace met him.

Kids were scared of Ace. It was no wonder. After all any kids that watched him take on a full-grown man with a knife would turn tail and run if they so much as caught sight of him. Not even the nastiest of the bullies dared picking a fight with him anymore. But it was for the best. Ace wouldn't know how to react to other children. His social skills were non-existent and as far as he was concerned if he had made it this far without any friends then he was fine without them.

If you spent so long being alone, if it's all you've ever been then you don't believe there is any other way to be.

Until suddenly you're not.

It started the same way everything started for Ace. He was beating some men up, two of them. both of whom had picked a fight with him when they caught him wandering the outskirts of grey terminal after dark. Something that most sane people shied away from. After the men had realized he was not as easy a target as they thought they had turned tail and fled.

Before they had turned their anger onto Ace, they had been targeting another boy. Ace had seen them chasing him but he had chosen to ignore it. What did he care who they hassled? He had only gotten involved when they forced his hand. And once they were gone the other boy came up to him happily.

"That was awesome!" He told Ace a dumb grin plastered over his face. His lip was split and sluggishly bleeding, and he was covered in dirt from the bottom of his shoes to the top of his blonde head.

Ace looked him over once before turning away. "Whatever." He hardly cared what this kid thought. But to his surprise the other followed him.

"I've never seen a kid take down adults like that!"

Ace turned to him, annoyed already by his attitude. "If you don't fuck off, I'm going to beat you next."

The blonde boy stopped for a second mid-step as his smile faltered. And then it was back again.

"Are you threatening me?"

"Who else would I be talking do dumbass?" He snapped. "I mean it stop following me or else."

"Or else?" He repeated confused. And in a split-second Ace turned around, stalked back to the blonde boy and rammed his fist strait into his face.

He went down easily, Ace was strong after all.

"Stay out of my way," Ace told him turning away satisfied that any second the boy would scurry away.

"Hey," There was a tug on his collar and the next thing he knew the boy's fist hit him firmly in the jaw.

Ace took a step back from the impact, feeling the familiar sting of pain although it wasn't nearly enough to make him lose focus. Instead he set his eyes, now furious on the blond boy.

There was no contest in who could hit harder. The boy's nose was bleeding, dripping blood down his chin and the front of his shirt. For all Ace knew he could have broken it. He hoped he had.

"You're going to regret that," He spat at him and the blond boy once again surprised him by smiling.

"Are you going to make me?"

They ended up beating each other purple. Ace did far more damage to the other but at the end of it he came away with his fair share of bruises. For someone whose punches were so weak he could take a surprising amount of punishment.

"You really are strong," The boy told him from his spot on the ground. Both of them were trying to catch their breaths.

"You should get stronger before you start mouthing off like that." Ace told him annoyed. "

"I think you broke my hand," He wiggled it before wincing. "Nope it's just sprained.

"Well you shouldn't have followed me."

"I was going to ask for my knife back."

"Huh?"

He gestured to the knife tucked into Ace's shorts. He had taken if from the men he beat up and meant to toss it but he had forgotten.

"They took it from me earlier," The boy explained. "It's my only weapon and it gets pretty rough here at night." He laughed a bit unsurely. "I'm new to these parts so it helps me get by when people like that come after me."

"Did I ask for your life story."

"You think my life story is 'hi I'm new'?"

"Shut up." He snapped.

The kid sat up turning to look at Ace, still smiling a bit like he wanted to laugh but was trying to hold it back. He reached out his hand towards the other. "I'm sorry I hit you, it seemed like the thing to do at the time. And to be fair you hit me first. Can I have my knife back I sort of need it… please." He added for good measure.

Ace rolled his eyes as he grabbed the blade. It was rusted and dull, hardly worth the trouble to steal it. He really ought to give it back and be rid of the trouble.

And then, without fully realizing what he was doing he tucked the knife back into his pants and stood up.

"You want it so bad then come and take it from me." He told the blond as he began to walk away.

The boy stood up as well, but he didn't chase after like Ace had half expected him too.

"What's your name?" He called back.

"What do you care?" It wasn't like they were ever going to meet again.

"I'm Sabo!" The kid yelled back at him as he continued onwards.

"Learn how to throw a fucking punch Sabo!" Ace called over his shoulder.

XXX

Somebody was talking near him. Their voice soothing in it's familiarity. It was Sabo he realized sluggishly, and his nerves calmed themselves. If he was here everything was alright. Ace was okay. The horrible tug at the back of his mind ordering him to wake up and deal with the world could wait a bit longer. As he fell back asleep, he listened to the voices around him, arguing with hushed tones.

"-I told you this isn't a revolutionary set up!"

What were they talking about?

"Yea well if your motivations are really friendship then answer me this, how old is the kid?"

"What?"

"Ace's brother? How old is he."

"I," The voice faltered a little bit. "I… don't know."

"Then how about Ace? How old is he? Don't know? Then what about his birthday, when's that?"

When Sabo failed to answer the questions continued. "Favorite food, Least favorite? Do you know anything about him!"

Ace staved off sleep for a little bit longer as the feeling of wrongness grew. Why wasn't Sabo saying anything, he knew this stuff.

"Kid I warned you not to lie to me anymore."

Ace sat up with a groan, the dream still playing fresh in his head. Why was he thinking of stuff like that right now? His sleepy grey eyes fell onto his brother, who in turn was staring at him with concern. And Ace saw the scar on his face, and everything came rushing back to him.

Of course Sabo couldn't answer those questions, Ace and Luffy were still strangers to him. The concern was because of Ace's reaction when they had found him. And Ace had reacted like that because he had just betrayed his crew and turned his back on the only father he had ever known and now he had to explain all of that to Sabo. It was like a cascade of awful.

He felt the familiar lightheadedness that usually accompanied his stress induced sleeping spells but he gripped the fabric beneath him sinking his fingers into it like an anchor. Everything he had done brought him here. This was a result of his actions and right now was the time to deal with them so he could not faint.

"Ace?" Sabo asked watching the other carefully. "Are you all right."

He nodded, turning his gaze over Sabo's shoulder to Marco. The man was watching everything the two of them did. Now came the hard part, convincing Marco Whitebeards right hand, to go along with them. He hadn't expected to deal with this so soon. Together with the doctor they were working on keeping the man sedated so he couldn't interferer. The plan was to keep him out of the way until, at the very least, Ace got back. But it seems like that didn't go exactly as planned. Although he was incredibly grateful Sabo managed to keep the man from killing him or both of them and storming out. Trust Sabo to be the logical one in situations like this. The fact that Marco was still here meant he had to be at least willing to listen.

Ace chewed on his lip, feeling the wave of dizziness threaten to overtake him again at the stress of it all. Never in a million years did he think things would turn out this way. After all the Whitebeards meant a lot to him. So for the moment be put aside everything, the plan, strategy, all thoughts of them getting their way to apologize to his friend.

Ace shakily stood from the old couch he had been laying on. The floor moved uncertainly below him, but he steadied himself, realizing for the first time that a thick layer of bandages had been wrapped around his torso. Sabo moved besides him, as if to catch him if he pitched forward but Ace held his ground.

Picking up strait where he left off in his fight with Marco Ace squared his shoulders and addressed him with all the assurance that he was sure was still inside him somewhere.

"I'm sorry for everything that's happened." He told his old friend. "I never wanted to hurt you guys."

When Marco didn't say anything, he forced himself to continue, knowing it was best to say everything while he still had the chance. Usually Ace would never broach this kind of emotion sharing but right now the embarrassment seemed pretty far off from how awful he had felt ever since this whole thing started.

"I know I wasn't with you guys for very long, but I honestly thought I would sail with you forever." But life was kind of funny like that. Ace should have been used to getting blindsided by now. But he kept getting hit time after time like the idiot he was. Maybe he really was cursed.

Marco regarded him for a long moment before he spoke. "Why are you saying this now."

Ace shrugged. He figured he owed them at least this much after everything…. And if he died then ghosts tell no tales. "I just wanted you to know, I guess. No matter what happens in the future."

He gestured behind him where his brother was giving him a 'what the hell are you doing' look that Ace ignored.

"I'll tell you everything," He told him wearily. "And you can decide what to do. But whatever happens none of this is Sabo's fault." There was a noise of protest but he ignored Sabo.

"This was my plan; I am responsible for everything not him. If you need someone to blame, then blame me…please."

Realizing he was being blown off Sabo rolled his eyes making a small noise of frustration. "Yea right that was your plan."

"Shut up!" Ace growled.

"It was both our ideas," Sabo told Marco. "So if you want revenge then you just have to go after both of us."

"Good god Sabo shut up please." Ace turned back to the man in front of him. Marco had watched the whole interaction carefully and finally he nodded.

"Fine."

"Fine?" Ace repeated stupidly.

"Tell me- everything."

Ace nodded. "Sabo can you…." Run into the hills in case this goes south. But he didn't say that part.

The blond looked between both of them before grabbing Aces arm. "I can give you guys some space, but I need to tell you something first."

"Can it wait?"

Sabo shifted uncomfortably looking back at Marco. It could wait, and it could also be told in private but either way there was no easy way for Ace to hear this regardless of how he said it. Sabo justified withholding for as long as he did because he was already worried that Ace's hot headedness would get him killed but now, he wanted Ace to hear it before he made any big decisions.

"It's about Luffy."

"Is he okay?" The response was immediate even when both of them knew how stupid it was. Of course, he wasn't okay. He hadn't been okay since this started. But Sabo understood him.

"He's more valuable to them alive," He offered weakly. Feeling weird to be talking about him like this. Like he was another mission factor for Sabo's work.

"I wish I had better news." He said quietly. "Do you want me to wait…" He gestured to Marco but Ace shook his head. "No, it's fine just tell me."

"Do you know about the organization Cipher Pol?"

"There with the government, right? Aren't they spies?"

"Sort of," Sabo said. He had really hoped he wouldn't have to be the one to explain them to Ace but it seems like fate had other plans.

"More like they do the governments dirty work. They are a mostly covert group that prefer to keep a low profile and stay out of public eye. But that means they are in charge of doing the really bad stuff the government would prefer not to be attached too."

"What does this have to do with Luffy?"

"There are different sections of Cipher Pol but by far the worst is known as CP-0." Sabo turned to look at Marco who was leaning against the wall silently listening. "You know of them." He nodded stoically.

"They bring death and suffering wherever they go." He said and Sabo agreed.

"Compassion and empathy are seen as weaknesses to them. They have no code other then to obey every command from the world government. They handle things like assassinations, information collection and interrogations. CP-0 in particular is infamous for their inhuman tactics when it comes to torturing people." He paused for a moment when Ace fell silent. "I'm only telling you this so you understand how bad these people are."

"And-?" Ace pressed quietly when Sabo faltered.

"And I found out a few days ago that Teach allied himself with the government. It seems that he wants to trade Luffy for status."

"Sabo," Ace said quietly, half-ordering and half-begging his brother to just come out and say it.

"One of CP-0 is leading an 'inquisition' against Luffy… they tortured him. At least once so far that we know of. But they will do it again and again for as long as he lasts."

"T-that's stupid," Ace said his voice sounding hollow. "He doesn't know anything."

"Yea I know," Sabo said quietly. "That's not the point."

"What's the point?"

"To make him suffer."

The silence stretched around them and Sabo wished he insisted more on telling Ace this in private. Now on top of everything Ace would have to explain all of this to Marco including why the government was so obsessed with Luffy, which was probably the last thing Ace needed right now.

He glanced to Marco thankful that he was keeping all the questions he must have about the situation to himself for the time being.

"Do you want to sit down?" He asked Ace gently gripping his shoulder when he saw the other sway on his feet. "Your still hurt and your really pale." If Marco wasn't standing right there Sabo would have added that it was okay if Ace couldn't keep it together. That for just this moment he could afford to lose control a little bit. But he was, so Sabo just squeezed the others shoulder reassuringly.

"I haven't heard about anything involving them interrogating the Whitebeard so I think they probably spared your friend." He told Marco quietly. "I can't be certain, but I think he is still all right."

The man smiled ever so slightly, a very bittersweet smile but the relief was evident all the same. Marco had really missed that idiot since he had been gone. Although this was hardly the verdict on if he was all right or not. And Thatch had been with that bastard long enough for Marco to guess that like Luffy the man was probably not all right. But he wasn't dead- and that meant everything.

Thinking of his missing ship brother Marco turned to Sabo. "This plan of yours, tell me."

Sabo nodded silently looking over at Ace, who still looked very pale. "Ace?" He said again and Ace shook his head as if trying to clear away the bad thoughts.

"I'm fine," He repeated as he looked up at the two of them. "Really," he added when Sabo hesitated.

"Just tell him Sab," Ace said quietly as he moved to lean against the table as he fought off a wave of dizziness. Ace didn't know if it was his injuries or narcolepsy that was trying to topple him but either way he refused to submit, not right now. Or at least until his eyes fell on the familiar straw hat sitting innocently on the table.

Ace heard Marco and Sabo talking behind him.

"Here's your scalpel, can you give it back to the doctor?"

"You can probably keep it if you want," Sabo said.

"That's okay, the blades dull."

Ace should have been glad the two seemed to be getting along, at least enough to be in the same room. But his mind was a thousand miles away and he couldn't tear his eyes away from the straw hat.

And then exhaustion hit him like a tidal wave smashing into his already tired body and his legs buckled underneath his weight. It happened so fast that he was asleep before he even hit the floor.

XXX

"Your knife sucks!"

The blond boy looked up as the stolen knife was tossed to his feet.

"Your back?" He said in surprise as the other boy strode into his base like he belonged there.

"You live here?" He asked looking around the small space. It wasn't much by any means, just a bunch of pieces of driftwood clumsily lashed together, a lean-to, but a crappy one. The cracks were mostly filled with mud, but the chilly night air found a way in and tonight was freezing both inside and outside of his tiny home.

"Just for now," Sabo told him still a bit perplexed about his sudden appearance. "I'll move on in a week or so." Hopefully to a warmer spot. He was too exposed to the elements out here. He put down the flint stone heading back to retrieve his knife from where it was thrown.

"What are you doing here?" He asked as he slipped it back in his boot regarding the other somewhat wearily. It was late, very late and the weather outside was rotten tonight. The wind was howling like a pack of wolves and the rain was pouring down on them. And Sabo's crappy home was hardly waterproof. He had put out buckets for the worst of the drips, but it would take the entire grey terminals supply of them to catch all of the leaks so mostly he just made do with what he had. He couldn't imagine what the other kid would possibly be doing wondering outside right now.

"Giving the knife back," He gestured to it abstractly.

"In the middle of the night?"

The boy just shrugged. "I was wondering around; I saw the light and I figured I might as well. It was useless to me. The blade is super dull. You can't even cut wood the way it is now."

Sabo frowned running his finger over the metal. He wasn't wrong. Hopefully soon he could get a better one. But for the last week he had made do without one at all and all things considering it wasn't at the top of his priorities right now. Not when he nearly froze to death every night.

Taking his silence as a cue the kid shrugged again, uncaring what the other thought. "See you around," He said as he headed back for the door.

"Wait!" Sabo called without quite knowing what he was doing. The boy hesitated a moment looking mildly irritated as he turned around.

"What?"

"What are you doing wandering around during this storm! Are you trying to get hypothermia?"

"Hypo...what?"

"You're going to get sick."

"I don't get sick," He shot back.

"You're going to freeze to death," Sabo tried again. "Why don't you go home?"

Now the other definitely looked annoyed as he scowled at him. "What's it to you?"

"Are you homeless?" He pried ignoring the rising sense of danger at angering the kid.

"No!" He snapped. "I have a place to live. I just don't feel like going back there now. Got a problem with that?"

"No." Sabo told him honestly.

"Good! Then mind your own business." He said turning away again.

"You don't have to go," Sabo told him. "You can stay…if you want?"

The anger was back but much stronger now as he turned on his heels glaring daggers at Sabo. "Don't you DARE feel sorry for me!" He yelled across the tiny hut. "You're the one living in a shack so take that concern and Shove It!"

Apparently, Sabo had said the wrong thing and pushed him a bit too far. He put up his hands in placation. Unlike the other night he really didn't feel like getting into it right now. Not when he felt half frozen himself.

"I'm not!" He told him quickly. "I'm the same way."

"What?"

"I'm not really homeless either. I just don't want to go back right now." Or ever again. "I would rather freeze or starve out here then go back. So if you want you can stay or you can go to where ever it is you are from. I don't really care." Sabo told him as he turned away retrieving the flint stone once more.

He heard the boy rustle behind him and he expected to hear the door slam but it didn't. Before he was interrupted, he had been trying to get a fire going but the fire pit had been thoroughly rained on before he found the leak and everything from the wood to the flint stone was soaked.

"Here." The flint was grabbed away and suddenly the boy was kneeling right next to him. Sabo watched as he carefully adjusted the logs leaning them against each other like a tent while he gathered the scrap material in the center. He rubbed the flint against his boot twice before scrapping over it with the scrap metal. To Sabo's shock he got it to ignite on the very first try as sparks rained onto the fire pit. What was even more surprising was how he managed to start the fire despite the wetness of the logs in under a minute. Feeding it gently with the larger logs piled high besides the pit. When he stepped back from the blazing flame he realized Sabo was staring at him.

"What?" He asked rubbing his blackened hands on his pants.

"How did you do that?"

"Practice," He said. "How do you not know how to do that?"

"I'm not from around here," Sabo reminded him. "I didn't exactly grow up doing this stuff. It's all kind of new to me."

"So you're an idiot then?"

"Maybe," He said as he crouched in front of the fire. "But I am a quick learner. I can usually pick up on things if I've seen them once."

There was a soft shuffle as the other sat down next to him, holding out his rain-soaked hands to the fire.

In the light of the flames Sabo could see the bruises on his arms and face, as well as the bandages. He looked pretty beat up.

"Did the people you live with do that?" He asked after a long moment of silence.

"I will throw you into this fire!" He snapped his bad temper flaring up once more. It seems personal questions and concern were a sore spot.

Sabo frowned, trying to think of a way to calm the other without further agitating him. He patted his own cheek, turning slightly so Ace could see the fading bruise.

"They ones I used to live with did this," He told him evenly. "It's not that I'm scared of getting hurt again or anything. I just don't like that I have to live with people like that." He shrugged, "If someone is going to hit me then I want to be able to hit back, even if it means I'll just get hurt more."

Silence stretched between them and Sabo wondered if his words made any sense to the other. It was an odd thing to try and convey. But it seems like at least some of it must have gotten through to him.

"They're too scared of me," He told Sabo quietly.

"huh?"

"The group that I live with. They're not going to hit me. Not for real. Their scared of me."

"Oh," Sabo said when he didn't know what else to say. The silence stretched on between them and it was tense enough to be uncomfortable.

"It wasn't my intention to offend you," Sabo said after a long moment, falling back on the practiced apology he had been forced to use every damn day.

The kid turned to look at him. "You talk weird sometimes. Is there something wrong with your head?"

"Your kind of mean," Sabo told him.

"Sorry to hurt your feelings!" He snapped back. "You told me to stay! Not the other way around. Kick me out and I'll go gladly!"

"No-," Sabo interrupted fighting the urge to sigh. This boy was like a tinderbox ready to blow at any second. "I'm not saying that. I kind of like it actually."

"What?" He asked caught off guard.

"Where I used to live, everyone there was so weird. They never said what they really meant. And when they did talk it was to gossip behind peoples backs." He sighed, it was enough to drive him insane listening to them day in and out. "Your mean but I think deep down most people are. At least when you talk you mean what you say." It was kind of refreshing compared to the people of high town.

The other boy was staring at him now, at least he didn't look angry. Rather just confused. Finally, he turned away. "Whatever weirdo. At least I don't talk like a rich old guy."
"I do not!"

"I'm irrevocably responsible," He said trying to mimic Sabo's voice but taking it a few octaves higher. "Please pardon my adhesive behavior."

"You don't even know what you're saying," Sabo defended, laughing despite himself. "I take back what I said you're not mean you're just an idiot."

He half expected the insult to set the boy off but it didn't. Instead he smiled at him. And in that moment he looked like a completely different person then he had been up until now. "Takes one to know one Sabo."

That caught him by surprise as Sabo hadn't expected him to remember his name.

"Well then-umm…."

"Ace," He told him.

"Well then Ace, right back at you."

…

When he woke up the next day the rain had stopped. Ace had left sometime in the night; the blanket Sabo had lent him was in a heap besides him and laying on top of it was a new flint stone and a sharpened knife.

Sabo figured they wouldn't cross paths again.

-Was he ever wrong.

XXX

Far away at the navy headquarters Sengoku sat in front of his desk skimming through the papers provided to him. There were pages and pages of painstakingly transcribed dialogue that amounted to nothing. Well nothing more than dialogue that got progressively crueler to read.

"Anything useful," A gruff voice asked from the doorway and the man sighed as he set the pages down.

"Would you like to read for yourself?"

Garp frowned as he entered the office. He glanced over at the spread pages but did little more than skim the first line before turning away.

"No." He said firmly. "Did you get anything you could use."

"Not even remotely," Sengoku said.

"And did you get a response from Dragon?"

"No revolutionary forces have increased their hold. But as of yet there has been no correspondence."

"So have you made your decisions yet… Fleet Admirable."

Sengoku was silent a long moment before he answered. "There is no decision to reach the word of the government is law."

"Uh-huh," Garp replied unimpressed. "And-."

"And I know this kid's history. You have to promise me that I won't come to regret this. He can not be allowed to turn out like his father or brother."

"How am I supposed to know what's going to happen in the future." Garp said dismissively doing nothing to ease the others worry.

"There will be no war over this understood. Your actions will not result in prolonged fighting otherwise you will have to face the consequences."

"I don't think my life is really going to make up for a huge war."

"You're not making this easy!" Sengoku snapped.

"Your minds already made up so what does it matter?"

"My minds not made up on anything!" The man told him irritably. "As a Vice-Admirable and highly accomplished Marine you have access to certain resources. That is the law. It's what you choose to do with them that could be considered treason."

"If it was really that easy you would have given it to me weeks ago." Garp snapped back. "Make up your mind already! Or I will use those resources of mine to find him myself." Which both men knew could become highly scandalous if word got out. Much more so then the shady business that was happening right now. Knowing his back was against a wall Sengoku sighed heavily. Leave it to the Vice-Admirable to put him in a situation where treason was the best way to save face.

"Consider every single favor I owe you, past and future payed." He told his old friend as he handed him a folded-up note.

"I mean it! Don't make me regret this."

Chapter Text

Ace was sitting on the roof when Marco found him. From the top of the old broken-down mill there was a perfect view of the city, the tops of the buildings sticking up from the trees. But Ace was looking at the ocean, or perhaps beyond that. Marco didn't even have to guess what he was thinking about.

"I know it looks big," Marco said softly as he sat down besides his friend. "But take it from me. The oceans not nearly as vast as everyone gives it credit for. Trust me it's a small world when you need it to be."

Ace looked up at him before sliding his gaze back at the open ocean. "Your trying to make me feel better."

Marco shrugged. Old habits died hard it seemed. " When did you wake up?"

"An hour ago," He admitted. "I meant to come find you but…"

But he was still worrying over what Sabo said. Speaking of which. "Where is the revolutionary?"

"Sabo? I told him to go to bed. He looks like he has been up for days. And I thought you might want some space."

"Your still worried I'm going to kill him?"

Ace shrugged, confirming Marco's suspicions.

"I haven't yet." Although that was a close call when he first woke up. No wonder Sabo had sent the doctor away. The old man had come back to give Marco a checkup while Ace was sleeping, skittering around Marco like a nervous mouse while he worked. When he was finished, he bullied the blond boy into eating some more food claiming he was wearing himself out.

"Does he actually listen to you?" Marcos experience with revolutionaries was that they didn't take orders from anyone. They were rebels like that, it was right there in the name.

"I think he pretends to," Ace told him. Sabo gave them space, but he doubted he was actually sleeping. Sabo was so worried Ace was going to pass out again he was doing pretty much everything in his power to appease him.

"Why? Why is he helping you at all? What is in this for him. He claims he is your friend, but he doesn't know the first thing about you."

Sabo's consistent referral of them as 'friends' had not gone unnoticed by Ace. He pushed whatever urge he felt to tell Marco the truth down and instead settled for a half-truth. If Sabo wasn't going to broach that can of worms, then neither was Ace.

"He's a really old friend of mine," Ace explained. "We haven't seen each other for years. He might not remember me but I know everything about him."

"People change," Marco told him after a long beat of silence.

Not this one. At least not in the ways that count. And despite everything Ace would never entertain the idea that Sabo could be capable of doing anything that might stop them from saving Luffy.

"I would ask you to trust me on this one but I think that would be kind of stupid of me all things considered."

Marco turned his attention to the ocean below them. The sun was sinking lower in the sky and as it fell it hit the water in a way that made it light up like diamonds. No wonder Ace liked it up here. He missed watching the sun fall onto it. He missed his family.

"Sabo told me how long I was out for." Marco had never imagined he had been out of commission all that time. To him it had felt like a few days but in reality, it had been weeks. But that had been part of their plan. He had been part of their plan. At first to trick Teach into thinking Marco was gone and Ace was his dutiful puppet. And then Sabo and Ace had kept them out of the way for the rest of it. Probably because he would have objected. He had figured out that much on his own.

"You talked to Whitebeard."

It was Marcos instinct, especially after going missing so abruptly. He couldn't even imagine what his crew must be thinking. The last thing he wanted to do was worry them when they should be focused on getting Thatch back. But…

"Not yet."

"Yea," Ace said miserably resting his cheek on his bent knees. His tone reflecting someone who thought their entire plan, months in the making, had just crumbled around them. But when Marcos words finally registered his head shot up, looking at Marco with an owlish gaze.

"Wait what? You didn't."

"No," Marco told him again.

"Why?"

"I told you yesterday I would listen if you told me everything and I meant it. Give me some credit. I doubt I'll agree with this plan you two cooked up but right now I don't really have much of a choice." Not when it might be their best chance of finding Teach.

"I- yea but," Ace stuttered for a second before regaining his composure. "Thank you."

"I didn't do it for you."

"I know but thank you all the same."

It would be a stretch to say the teenager looked happy, but he did seem a bit calmer then when Marco first approached him. Probably because he knows there was still a chance now.

"Tell me everything, and I mean everything and then I'll decide what I am going to do. You can thank me or curse me then."

Ace agreed easily, not that he had much choice. "What do you want to know?"

"Tell me when all of this started? Since when have you two been working together. Have you been working against us since you left the ship?"

"No," came Ace's immediate reply. Of all things he looked a little offended at the suggestion. "Of course not."

"But you were hiding something." He had noticed the change since the younger had first talked to Burgess.

"Oh that."

"That."

The young man sighed, ringing his hands over his shorts in a nervous way. "It's not what you think." He said finally. "It had nothing to do with you. They just caught me off guard… Teach is blackmailing me."

"Yea I got that much."

"Not with Luffy." Ace tried to explain. "Well yes with Luffy. Him and Thatch are the reasons I have to do what that bastard says but he went after me out of everyone on the crew because he found out something about my family."

"Your family?" Marco repeated confused. He hadn't thought Ace had much of a family. At the least he never mentioned any.

"I don't really know a lot about it," He admitted still fidgeting, clearly this topic made him extremely uncomfortable. "I never met them or anything. They died before I was born…" He trailed off unwilling to continue. "It's not something I like to talk about. I still don't know how Teach found out."

"But he thinks it might be worth something to the government."

Ace nodded. "I used to think it would be the end of the world if it got out. But with everything with Luffy and Thatch, I know that it doesn't really matter anymore. I just want those two to be okay. Even if that means everyone finds out that I really am nothing but worthless criminal trash."

"Where you come from doesn't define you," Marco reminded him. "It's what you do."

"What I've done is betray my crew," Ace reminded him his voice full of loathing. "The people who do that, people like me, they are the ones I hate the most."

Marco didn't know what to say to that. And he usually always knew what to say. But before he could figure it out Ace continued.

"I promised to tell you everything though and I will."

"No, it's okay," Marco told him. He saw no need to make Ace share something that he had kept secret his whole life. Especially now with the threat of everyone finding out. Marco figured he must have some family skeletons for him to catch Teach's eye.

"Are you sure?"

"Ace it's ok. If you want to tell me, you can. But I'm not going to force you. But you owe me the rest of the story."

He nodded, relief showing clearly in his features. "Thank you."

Marco nodded; it was the least he could do. He waited a few moments until Ace began talking again.

"All of this really started when I went to drop off the recruits. They gave me a choice, either kill you in two days or they would torture Luffy to death. I didn't want too agree but…"

"You couldn't let him die."

Ace nodded. "I am supposed to protect him. I can't be the reason he's not here." The young man shook his head as if trying to chase away the darker of his thoughts.

"I wanted to tell you, but I figured they would be expecting that. They made it so that it was impossible to fake it. Or at least impossible for me."

"I'm guessing that's were the revolutionary comes in," Marco said. He knew this plan was too complex for Ace to come up with on his own.

He nodded again. "Sabo found out what happened to Luffy and came looking for me. I am the one that asked him for help," Ace said quickly. "I didn't know what to do other then what they said. So Sabo came up with the plan.

"How did you manage to trick them."

"I switched your body," Ace told him. "We umm… broke into the town's morgue. A pirate died in battle a week ago and no one had claimed the body, so they were going to burn it."

"You don't do anything halfway do you."

"We didn't want to risk losing to you in the fight, so we cheated with a neurotoxin. After you passed out, I pretended to burn the entire room up. The temperature was so hot that Burgess had to turn away, plus fire- visibilities not real high. So I switched your bodies and burnt up the corpse. By the time I was done it was like charcoal, so they had no way of knowing it wasn't you. He took the head back to Teach like he promised. Burgess didn't stick around long enough to search the warehouse so I guess we were pretty convincing." From the little of it Marco had been a part of, they had been convincing. Enough to fool him. And that was hard to do.

"But that was weeks ago. Why couldn't you have told me afterwards?"

"Because Teach had another job for me. I think he was pleased with how it went, and he figured I was a good way to get some of his dirty work done."

"What was the job."

"To poison Whitebeard."

Marco was on Ace in a second, the young man put his hands up quickly to stop the other although he made no move to escape or even move back.

"He's okay," He said quickly. "Or he will be."

"What does that mean!" Marco demanded crossing his arms over his chest. "And you could of led with that! You damn near gave me a heart attack."

"Sorry," Ace told him honestly. "My heads not working right since I woke up. I didn't mean to scare you. I did poison him with the neurotoxin, but I left him the antidote and faked my death. Now everyone thinks-,"

"That Oyaji's dying, you betrayed them and now you and I are dead," Marco finished for him as the picture began to come into view. By all accounts that was a pretty impressive feat for the two of them to pull off, strategically at least.

Ace nodded, his expression anything but pleased with himself. Instead he looked like he might be sick.

"How did you manage that?"

"Every night after the nurses went to bed I broke into the infirmary and injected the poison in his medicine so-,"

"Not that," Marco interrupted him hastily. He didn't really want to hear how Ace had poisoned his father which was all well and good as it didn't look like the other wanted to talk about it, or any of this. "How did you fool everyone?"

Ace sighed softly, shifting ever so slightly so his knees were closer against his chest, subconsciously protecting himself before he spoke.

"Teach ordered me back to the ship. He claimed credit for murdering you when he spoke to Whitebeard. But he told me that if I even thought of betraying him, he would tell them that it was actually me and let them kill me themselves. So, I went with it. I tried to act normal…I don't think I did a very good job though. Izo knew something was wrong."

Marco smiled ever so slightly at that. Izo always knew. He was smart like that. He really missed them.

"Whitebeard knew I was lying but he didn't do anything. I think he wanted to let everything play out. But on the last night I was there I confronted him and told him everything and renounced him as my captain. I attacked him but when I failed I jumped into the ocean…The crows saved me and brought me back here where you guys found me," Ace added when he saw the look on Marco's face.

"What's the deal with them? They keep giving me weird looks."

"Their helping Sabo, don't worry about them right now."

"So then why did you do all of that? Why couldn't you have just told Oyaji the truth?"

"Teach bugged me, he heard everything I said since we split up. He would have realized something was off if he overheard the crew talking. We needed them to believe what we wanted to otherwise he would have caught on."

"How do you know he is going to be okay?" Marco pressed.

"I gave him the antidote."

"You did?"

"Well sort of. I left it at the door to his office before I confronted him. I folded up a note asking him not to take it for a few days. Hopefully he still trusts me enough to listen," Ace said trailing off. He had, in his own way, been asking Whitebeard to trust him even as he fought. But he didn't know if the men had gotten the message or not beneath all the horrible things Ace said.

"Why wait!"

"Because we need it to seem like he is dying. Teach thinks that he's weakened right now, that's how he will put his guard down."

"How do you think he is going to find out at all?"

Ace frowned, leaning forward a little bit as he added, "Sabo thinks that there might be a spy in the crew."

"Is he sure?"

"No," Ace admitted. "He just said Teach probably has ears in the Whitebeards. It would make sense."

"I guess he would know about spies after all," Marco muttered. He didn't like to think about it but it was a possibility. Judging by how Teach worked it was a big one. The Whitebeards had an extensive crew, most of them Marco knew very well. But there were new recruits all the time, usually a few seasonal workers to help with operations… it wouldn't be that hard to buy off one of the hundreds of crew members. Especially one on the fringes of the group.

"Either way news like this spreads fast." Ace told him. "Sooner or later everyone is going to know that Whitebeard is weakened."

"Especially if we let it get out," Marco said catching on. Let the rumors spread that Oyaji was losing strength and sick. If they could trick Teach into believing it he would let down his guard. And that's when they would attack.

Ace nodded wearily. "That's the plan."

"And you figured I would have stopped you two."

"Wouldn't you?"

Marco thought for a moment. "Yes probably." He agreed. Part of being a first mate meant you stopped assassination attempts against your captain. He doubted he would have been able to stand by through everything.

"Still you could have found some way to tell Oyaji what was happening," Marco argued. "It didn't have to be this way."

"Would he have gone along with it? Lie to his entire crew based on the words of a traitor?"

Marco honestly didn't know. Telling Oyaji would have been a risk for sure. One that Ace didn't seem willing to take. It was pointless to think about now. What was done was done. There was n changing that. Only time could tell if things would play out. But for the moment Marco could work with this. The tables were beginning to turn.

XXX
Teach strode through his fortress with the self-assurance he had no doubt earned from all his hard work. Everything was falling into place at his feet, just like he knew it was. The only thing left for him to do was deal with the odds and ends until the government gave him what he was owed. But still there was no rest for the wicked.

He made his way through the passageways ducking down into the prison area where one particular prisoner was still held.

He stopped at the room at the end of the hallway, turning his gloating expression at the prisoner inside.

"I had almost forgotten about you," He said with a laugh. "You're a whole lot quieter without your little friend." Before this Thatch would be screaming everyday about something, he needed medical supplies, for them to stop hurting Luffy. But now, he was just silent.

Thatch sat in the darkness of his empty cell, leaning his back against the bed as he faced the wall continuously bouncing a pebble against it to have it ricochet back into his hand. He said nothing to the boasts, preferring to continue on as if the man was not there.

"What's wrong? Your not still sad about the kid are you? "It seems Teach's gamble of letting Thatch become attached had payed off. A little too well judging by his reaction. He had figured Thatch's bleeding heart and weakness for kids would make him sympathize with Luffy. But the two had gotten much closer then Teach could have predicted. Which was all well and good as it suited his needs just fine. Both were easier to control this way and taking Luffy away had proved to be the final nail in the coffin of Thatch's spirit.

"Do me a favor and get over it will ya? You should be far more worried about yourself."

Thatch frowned and the constant clicking of the pebble ceased for the moment as he turned to Teach. "Take your own advice," He told him darkly. "Do what you want with me. But you have to deal with Ace. He is going to kill you for what you've done."

"Oh, I doubt that," came the dark reply. "I don't think Ace is going to cause trouble for me or anyone else for that matter?"

Thatch looked up sharply. "What!"

"Ace failed his last assignment. Apparently, he would rather go for a swim then risk the consequences of disappointing me. He jumped into the ocean."

"Your lying."

Teach let out a booming laugh that echoed around against the tiny walls. "Funny, that's exactly what the kid said."

"You told him?" Thatch asked in horror.

"Not me someone else. I wish it was though. I would have loved to see the look on his face- losing all hope." For Thatches benefit he added, "right before he died."

"You really are a monster," Thatch said his voice croaked from disuse.

A vein of annoyance throbbed in Teach's forehead and he took a step closer to the bars, then apparently thinking better of it he backed down with a laugh.

"Be like that then. Sit there trapped in a cell while I kill everyone you have ever cared about. Let's see if you are still so defiant then."

"You think you can just use people as you like," Thatch answered quietly. "Just because you lie and cheat and steal, that doesn't make you above the rest of us. Maybe you will kill me, maybe everyone. But sooner or later everything you've done will catch up to you. All the fame and power in the world can't protect you from that."

"There you go again, lecturing me," Teach growled. "Do you really think I would take advice from my prisoner? What! Should I have a bleeding heart like you. And what did that get you? The crew you are so loyal too is nowhere in sight, you got too attached to the kid and now he's gone and your all alone. So keep your advice. I am not stupid enough to listen to the man who loses the game."

"There was a moment of silence before the bouncing of the rock resumed again. Teach shook his head in disgust turning back to the door.

"It's not advice," Thatch told him as he left. "It's a warning."

XXX

Sabo was sleeping outside when Ace found him. Well he didn't really find him. One of the crows was perched on Sabo's shoulder crying it's head off bloody murder. Every few minutes it would hop down his arm in agitation occasionally pecking at his face. Still he didn't wake up through all of that.

Ace called his name once and then a second time with more alarm. Upon reaching him Ace sunk down to his knees beside him. The bird stopped it's frantic calling upon Ace's arrival, hopping onto his shoulder as he tried to wake the other up.

"Sabo…SABO-," Ace said as he began to shake him harder. What was he doing sleeping here of all places, half-way through the overgrown clearing that surrounded the old mill? When Ace had asked him to get some rest, the nearest patch of weeds was not what he meant.

"Is he alright?"

Ace had forgotten that Marco was right behind him. After their talk on the roof they had gone off in search of Sabo to ask a favor only to find him here.

"I don't-," Ace trailed off when his brother stirred.

"Hm?" Sabo asked sleepily.

'Oh thank god,' Ace thought as his shoulder sagged in relief. He remembered clearly how the doctor had pulled him aside to warn him that he had found Sabo on the floor a little while ago. He thought it was due to stress and over working himself. Ace had done his best to keep an eye on him (old habits died hard), but with everything going on apparently, he hadn't done a good enough job.

"What happened?" His brother asked as he sat up.

"That's my line idiot!" Ace said punching his shoulder. "What did I tell you!" The crow hopped from Ace onto Sabo's head stomping its feet into his hair as if to scold him. Sabo shooed him off as he turned back to Ace.

"To get some sleep," He said with a small but mischievous smile.

"Don't be cute," Ace snapped at him unaware Marco was staring at him. "I told you not to overdo it idiot!"

Sabo brushed him off easily as he moved to stand up. Ace had to grab him when he realized his leg had fallen asleep. "I'm fine," He insisted gently pushing Ace off him once he found his balance. "I guess he didn't kill you after all,"

Ace looked back at Marco. "For now, we need a favor though."

"Apparently that's what I do."

Ace opened his mouth to respond, still visibly angry, when he froze.

"Your nose."

The other frowned as he reached up to his face. Blood had begun to lazily drop from his nose down his face.

Ace was instantly worried again. "What happened!"

"Nothing," Sabo shrugged him off, stemming the bleeding with his sleeve. "Ace nothing happened," He insisted when the other refused to drop it. "It's just a nosebleed."

"Did you hit your head when you fell?" Marco spoke up surprising the two of them. Sabo gave him a weird look. He was confused why Marco was concerned when he made it clear that he did not trust Sabo.

"I know a thing or two about medicine," Marco informed him.

"No, I'm fine." He said again.

"I told you already, I always know when your lying," Ace reminded him.

Sabo sighed in surrender. "I'm fine, really. I just had a killer headache for the past few…. while. Guys it's no big deal." He told them when both of them continued to stare at him. We have bigger things to worry about then me….-ACE!"

"Fine," Ace caved. "Can you show Marco what you were doing while I was gone?"

"You probably figured it out already but I was looking for Teach," Sabo explained to him as they headed back to the old mill, their makeshift HQ.

"With revolutionary resources," Marco cut in. "What does your boss think about that."

Sabo looked at Ace who simply shrugged. "He knows," Sabo admitted finally.

"And he is okay with that!"

"He's a nicer guy then people give him credit for," Sabo said weakly.

"Not that nice."

"How would you know?"

"Ace!"

"Teach is blackmailing Dragon," Ace said as Sabo made an exasperated sound behind him.

Whatever Marco had been expecting that was not it.

"What! How."

The two of them shared a look. "If it's okay I think it's his business," Ace said. "Don't worry it has nothing to do with you guys."

"So that's it," Marco mused. "He has a personal stake in this. Is that why you are here."

"I keep telling you I'm here because I want to be," Sabo said in exasperation. "I'll tell you what-,"

"Sabo," Ace warned but his brother brushed him off.

"If you find out that I'm lying, that I've actually been working for Dragon this whole time. You can finish what you started when you woke up."

"SABO!" Ace snapped shocked and annoyed by his brother's recklessness. "Don't say things like that dumbass!"

"Deal," Marco agreed, and Ace groaned.

The blond held out his hand and Marco shook it, cementing their promise.

"Stop it!" Ace ordered them breaking up their hands. "Nobodies killing anybody and nobodies betraying anyone!"

"It's fine. Don't worry about it." Sabo told him continuing onwards ahead of them. Far less concerned then Ace was about the new arrangement.

"Marco don't listen to him," Ace said pulling his friend back. "He's an idiot. Don't hurt him okay."

"You think he is lying?"

"I know he's not lying," Ace told him. "But I am tired of my friends getting hurt. The last thing I need is them fighting each other for no reason. Just tell me you won't hurt him."

"Why are you so desperate to protect him?"

"Marco," Ace said a slight hint of desperation in his tone. "I hated lying to everyone. I hated attacking Pops and I hated fighting you. It was one of the worst things I've done. And I've done awful things. Please! Don't make me fight you again."

And Marco understood what he was trying to say. Ace would side with Sabo again if it really came down to it. Ace was anything but disloyal, despite current circumstances. But everyone had a weakness. It was clear Luffy was Ace's. But apparently there might be two people he put before everything else.

"It was your friend who made the deal," Marco reminded him. You can't protect him from himself. Besides a promise between pirates isn't something you can will away. But if you believe it won't come to that then I choose to believe you," Marco told him as he pulled out of Ace's gentle grip, following the quickly disappearing blond.

Not that he could tell his friend this but he doubted it would come to that as well. Revolutionary or not Sabo had shown himself to be brave and honorable. And at times, like right now, he reminded Marco so much of Ace.

In short, he was starting to like the kid.

XXX

"Missing something?"

The second Dragon answered the call and the scratchy voice projected from the snail he knew he had made a mistake.

"It's you."

"Hello to you too."

"How did you even get ahold of me?"

"All this time and you still underestimate me. I have had a way of contacting you for years, I just didn't want to," Garp told him.

"I'm not missing something so much as you lost someone," Dragon replied darkly. "He was with you so this wouldn't happen. You were supposed to be looking out for him."

"I was! Can't get more remote then where I stuck him. But things happen sometimes. Especially to that kid, he is a trouble magnet."

"So you called me for the first time in years to tell me things happen?"

"No, I called you to tell you that I am sorry. I don't support your actions but I sure as hell don't like the government blackmailing you with my grandson!"

"Your sentiment is noted," Dragon told his father with irritation. "But I can't fight back with sentiment, can I?"

"Always so serious," Garp scolded him. "This is why Luffy takes after me."

"Thank you for your concern but I am better without it," came the stiff reply.

"Geez! Hold on- hold on. I didn't call you to say I'm sorry. I called you to make this right. I know where he is."

"What! THIS WHOLE TIME!" Dragon thundered.

"GEEZ! Calm down will ya!" Garp told him. Miffed his son thought so little of him. "If I had known all along Luffy would have been back ten times by now! It's not like they just willingly handed me this. I had to call in every favor I had and break a dozen rules. But that being said I'm not exactly in a position to go get him myself. Senny would have an army on me before I got out the doors. So I'm giving this to you instead, on one condition."

"Condition?"

"Luffy's brother, his name is Ace. This whole mess is kind of his fault. He is going to make this right; I know he will. So if I tell you where they are keeping him I need you to find Ace and pass it along got it! Unlike you I don't have ways of contacting Ace. He could be anywhere.

"Ace huh," Dragon said. "I might have some idea."

"Good!" Garp said. "I'm entrusting Luffy to you two… for now at least. Don't let me down. He is my kid two."

XXX

Sabo spent most of the night showing Marco where on the maps he had crossed off. Just from listening to him talk Ace had to agree his brother had done a ton of work. No wonder he wasn't sleeping. No doubt he was as worried about Luffy as Ace was.

"We need to narrow it down more," Sabo told him tugging at his hair in frustration. "But I can't seem to find anything else. It's like the ship disappeared somewhere in these waters."

"That's a lot of ground to cover," Ace said his chest tightening at the thought of it. They were still so far away. He needed something more then this.

"I'm sorry," Sabo apologized in earnest. "I don't understand how they just disappeared in the grand line. I'll keep working."

"Don't apologize," Marco told him before Ace could answer. "This is good work. You're a skilled tracker. It might not be what we want but it's something! More then we managed to get so far."

Sabo smiled faintly at the praise although most of his attention was fixed on the map.

"I know how important it is that we stay undercover, but I think it's about time I call Whitebeard! At the very least he can help us search the area."

The two of them shared a look before Ace nodded slowly. "Will a letter work?"

"Yea, that will probably be fine."

"I think it's time you introduced him to your friend," Ace told Sabo.

"Your friend? He's coming here!"

"He's been here the whole time," Sabo said holding out his arm. One of the crows that had been perched on the windowsill swooped into the air to land on Sabo's shoulder. "He is here as a favor to me," Sabo told Marco. "Not on orders."

"Wasn't going to ask," Marco said. "I believe you, you promised after all." Sabo grinned as his attention moved to the crow.

"Can we talk?" He asked it and the creature stared at him with its black beady eyes. If not for the bird's strange behavior earlier Marco would have thought the both of them had just lost their minds.

For a second nothing happened. And then like hail there were bangs from the outside as hundreds of wings beat the walls of their base. The crows seemed to stream in through the open window like they were part of a single hive mind. They flooded the room in a flurry of black feathers.

Marco ducked down to avoid them as they flew over his head, all seemingly amassing around where Sabo was standing. Circling around his head and hands. No, not really circling, they were… fusing. To Marco's surprise, if anything could surprise him anymore the murder began to take form, the form of a man. A very large intimidating man dressed in a cloak of black feathers like the grim reaper himself.

"I pet you," Marco accused him.

The man stared at him for a moment without answering before turning to Sabo. There was a muttering sound like he was saying something unintelligible. Sabo reached up, standing on his toes to fidget with the man's mask and suddenly his voice was booming.

"You look pale."

"Not you too," Sabo waived him off. "How are things?"

"The Whitebeard pirates are in chaos."

"Your Spying On Them!" Marco said incredulously.

"Be mad about it later," Sabo said cutting Ace off before he could try and explain. "This is Karasu," Sabo told him."

The man turned to Marco. "Your captain is aware of me," he told him. He reached into his coat to pull a familiar set of goggles, handing them to Ace.

"These were recovered from your bag, he asked that I return these to you."

Ace looked down at them in shock, taking them back. "Thank you," he said quietly, and the man nodded. He was worried you could of drowned, but he thinks you escaped."

"You talked to him?"

"He talked to me," Karasu said. "I listened as a crow. It seemed like he figured out why I was there." He turned back to Marco. "Your crew is saddened and grieving but they are intact and looking for retribution," He tilted his head respectfully showing his solace before turning bck to Sabo.

"Can you get a message to him?" Sabo asked and the man dipped his head again.

"It's the safest way if we want to stay dead." Sabo explained to Marco.

"Thank you," Marco told him earnestly. "I appreciate your help."

Karasu dipped his head again. Not a man of many words it seemed. He excused himself to go get food before his flight leaving the three of them alone again. Marco moved to the desk in search of paper while Ace turned his attention to Sabo.

"You! go to bed!"

"What are you my mother?"

"I'm worse than your mother!"

"Well now I'm scared."

"Good, finish your work tomorrow Sab."

"There's no time."

Marco listened to them bicker as he began to write out a note. There was so much he wanted to tell his father, so much that he was sorry for. But now was not the time for that. They could talk after this war was over.

"There's time for you to sleep! We already have to deal with me passing out all the freaking time! The last thing you need is you to start copying me."

"Sorry I didn't realize you had the monopoly on falling asleep."

"Well I do!"

Marco really didn't understand them.

Their argument was broken up by the sudden buzzing of the Den Den. All three of them stopped, turning their attention over to it.

"Who is that?"

"It's Dragon." Sabo said in confusion as he moved to answer it.

"That's weird though he doesn't usually call so late. Whatever it is, it must be pretty important."

Chapter Text

Izo sat patiently against the railing, going through the motions of cleaning his guns. He was actually keeping a close eye on his captain. The man sat in his great chair on deck a little ways away, talking animatedly about something on the Den-Den to one of their allies.

It was a good sight to see. The last few days Oyaji had been confined to his cabin. There were rumors that he was dying spreading like wildfires among the crew. There were a lot of rumors now. And Whitebeard had done nothing to dispel any of them. Not even his commanders understood what was happening. But as always they were following his lead.

"Oh, is that so?" His captain asked and there was something wonderful in his tone. Izo could feel the contentment bursting from him.

"Well I surely hope that's the case!"

Izo smiled as he turned back to his task. Satisfied that his captain was happy.

The ship hadn't been the same since the most recent betrayal. Something that Izo felt deeply responsible for. If he had done his job like he had been asked, then none of this would have happened. But he hadn't counted on Ace being that clever nor sneaky. It wasn't like him at all.

Everyone on the ship had heard the crash as the entire section of the wall in Oyaji's office crumbled. They had rushed to him at one. But all he told them was that Ace had attacked him and when he had failed to kill Whtiebeard he had thrown himself into the ocean.

They dredged the water again and again, going as far as to enlist Namur but his body was already lost to the ocean.

Ace's bag had been abandoned in Oyaji's office. Whitebeard had already searched it before he handed it over to his crew. Sure, enough they found an active baby den-den that confirmed it. Ace had been a spy, Teach's spy. Who knows for how long? And who knows what really happened to Marco.

The crew had felt the blow from this. Ace of all people, after everything Whitebeard had done for him. And before they could even begin to process what could have possibly been going through the young man's head he was gone- just like that.

The general consensus among the crew was he deserved whatever he got. A traitor was a traitor after all. Any mixed feelings they might have had were pushed so far down- for another day.

Those among them that had known Ace the longest were shocked. They refused to believe that he would do something like this. After all pirates that betrayed their crews were the people that Ace hated the most. But despite that there were no answers. So the entire crew carried on with a cloud hanging over them. They did their best to try and forget Ace, with his bright smiles, quick retorts and absolutely no regard for his own safety ( the last one drove them crazy). And they did their bests not to think about Marco either. No one wanted to be the first to give up on him. After all phoenix's could never really die could they?

So, they focused on those they could still help. Their captain and Thatch, who somewhere out there was waiting for them. No doubt he had suffered greatly while in Teach's clutches.

Personally Izo tried to stay above the rumors. He did feel great fear just a few days prior when it seemed like Whitebeard was succumbing to some sickness. But his health had taken a turn upwards and he seemed to be getting better. Although it was always hard to tell with the man.

"Be sure to tell your wife not to worry," Whitebeard continued his voice getting softer. "Children always strain our hearts, especially when they are so far away. But families have a way of coming back together- and children are strong. Particularly this one."

He waited a moment as the snail continued to speak- it's words too soft for Izo to hear.

"Yes of course! I think a three day vacation sounds wonderful. Although not for you. You will have to act quickly if you want to make it to the party on time. Ah, I almost forgot, make sure to say hello to your mother in law. Her pet birds are really quite hard working. How nice of her to lend them to us."

He paused again to listen to the reply and Izo tucked his guns back into their holster.

"I can't tell you how good it was to hear from you again my dear Margo. I thank you for the support you have shown the Whitebeard pirates. Alliances are not such an easy thing to come across these days. I look forward to seeing the lot of you again," Whitebeard said. "Make sure to keep an eye on your extended family. They seem like a handful."

Whitebeard smiled as he hung up, reaching up with his giant thumb to wipe at the tear that had collected under his eye.

Izo watched him silently as he rose to his feet. Whitebeard caught site of him after a moment, smiling despite his tears.

"Ah my son, life is a precious thing isn't it?" Whitebeard shook his head slightly with a laugh. "You were always one of the smartest weren't you."

Izo smiled. Yes he was. "Children strain our hearts?" He asked.

"A story for another time," Whitebeard told him. "Would you do me a favor and gather a few of your brothers for me? I think it's time we go get our children back!

XXX

He looked exhausted, not even his own mind could deny that. There were dark circles under his eyes and his skin was completely pale. If there was ever a bad time for… whatever this was, Sabo thought in annoyance as he washed his face once and then again. He had hoped the cold water would help him but all it did was make his headache worse. The very same headache that refused to go away.

"What the heck," He muttered gingerly feeling his face with his hands. Why did he look like he was dying? Why did he feel like he was dying? Was this like a brain tumor thing? He hoped not. That was the last thing he had time to deal with right now. Ever since he had cracked his head open as a kid he had been waiting for it to catch up to him. But after all these years whatever brain damage this was could wait a little bit longer.

When he was sure the blood was stopped, he washed his face again. Then he scrubbed all evidence of the nosebleed off his collar and gloves. That would only make Ace worry and he was worried enough as it was.

The three of them had stopped on a tiny island in Paradise. It was more of a rock then an island. Marine presence was non-existent here and the tiny island was plagued with it's fair share of criminals. But it was a good place for them to gather supplies and maybe get a few hours of sleep.

It had been five days now since Dragon had called Sabo with the location. In that time the three of them had been continuously on the move. No one had really slept more then two hours a night. They were too busy or impatient to sleep. Apparently his… father- Ace and Luffy's Grandfather had given it to him. Sabo was still trying to wrap his head around the kind of man who dedicated his entire life to the world government, then fatheres Dragon and willingly takes in the son of his enemy. Yet through all of that he kept his beliefs cemented in the World Governments methods. And now! When they had taken his grandson away from him, he still believed that he was on the right side. What an interesting guy. Sabo hoped they would never meet though.

He spotted Marco on the other end of the bar. He was sitting in the corner, talking to the baby den-den on his shoulder. And Ace was… who knows where. When Marco caught sight of him he stopped for a moment. After a series of letters, thanks to the tireless efforts of a very sleep deprived Karasu, Marco had been communicating with his captain again. This was the first conversation he was able to have with his leader in months (even if it had to take place entirely in codes) and Sabo didn't want to bother him right now.

'Are you okay?' Marco mouthed across the crowded area and Sabo froze.

Did he really look sick enough that even Marco was worried? But the next moment Marco tugged his collar, signaling to Sabo the blood trail on his own shirt that he had missed. Frowning, he turned his coat collar out trying to hide the evidence of his latest nosebleed the best he could. He turned back to Marco putting a finger to his lips, silently asking him to keep it a secret from Ace. The man didn't promise anything either way but Sabo could work on him later. And Sabo didn't want to add any more to Ace's burdens. Because Ace seemed to have this weird thing about Sabo. It was like- well maybe not quite- but it kind of reminded him of the times growing up when Koala pretended to be his mom. Not in the literal sense, but she would scold him when he did stupid stuff, or shirk his responsibilities, or sleep through meetings- especially when he slept through meetings.

It was that sort of thing except Ace didn't get mad. Instead he would get sort of quiet whenever the blond did something he deemed as particularly stupid. Which was saying something considering recklessness was Ace's entire personality.

Sabo stood on the steps of the bar, waiting for Marco to finish up. He prayed to whatever gods may or may not be out there that the idiot was sleeping like he had told them he would.

Earlier, right before the marathon nosebleed, Sabo had been talking to Dragon. He would help them. Of course, he would. It turned out that despite everything he loved his son. Parenting techniques aside that meant something. But the revolutionary's power wasn't infinite. Reinforcements would take time. Time neither Ace or Sabo were willing to waste for Luffy. Dragon hadn't asked for Sabo to wait. He must have realized it was pointless. He did after all, know him pretty well. But instead he asked Sabo to be careful. To not be spotted before their reinforcements arrived. Because strong as they were, they couldn't take on the force of the military alone. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that. But after what they had done, all bets were off about how much caution they would have preceding forwards.

He should probably be sleeping as well. But he would wait for Marco to finish up. He needed to know what Whitebeard said. He wouldn't be able to sleep a wink until he knew if he and more importantly Ace, had just became the new targets of the Whitebeard pirates. Figuring this might be a while he allowed himself to take a seat on the steps, watching the people passing by.

His eyes flickered across the crowd, landing on a nicely dressed woman trying to let the catcalls brush past her as if she didn't hear them, then to a man clutching a briefcase to his chest, looking as if the world was about to end, an old lady waggling her cane at some boys and then the boy's themselves. They had tried to steal something out of her purse. Naughty children. They had realized her reflexes were slow and were circling her like a shark. When the taller one ventured too close to her she wacked him viciously with her handbag, the type of thing that would leave bruises for sure. While she was distracted the smaller one came closer only to get a face full of what Sabo now suspected was a purse full of bricks. The kid went down like a champ, scraping up his arms as he did. Realizing they were beat they glared at her as the old lady cussed them both out viciously before carrying on her way. The kids rose, dusting themselves off, scowling the whole while.

Sabo reached into his pocket, fishing around for the oat square he knew Ace had slipped in there this morning with the specific instructions of 'this is for you to eat'. He whistled to catch their attention. They both turned their scowls onto him. The little one holding his now bleeding arm.

Sabo held up the oat square. The bigger one stayed exactly where he was, his eyes full of fire as he glared at Sabo. But the little one risked venturing forwards. Sabo tossed him the food. The kid caught it easily and his scowl broke into a smile.

"Thanks mister!" He beamed as the other boy reluctantly came over. "Got- anything else," The kid continued still smiling.

Sabo had no food on him. He had a little money also a knife, but he definitely wasn't going to give them that. He pulled the coins out of his pocket and briefly considered telling them not to steal from grandmothers but then he thought better of it as he handed the money over to them as well.

The little guy looked content as he beamed at Sabo turning to leave but the other boy held off a moment longer, eyeing Sabo.

"If we told ya we were sick would you give us more?"

"It's all I have on me," Sabo told him.

"Liar."

He turned out his coat pocket to show them. They both stared at him a moment longer and then the little one bluntly asked, "What happened to your face!"

He had gotten that question a lot. Before he could answer the other boy smacked him across the head. "Idiot, ya can't ask stuff like that."

"Why not?"

"Cause it's not nice an'stuff. I don't know!" He said in frustration turning back to Sabo he tilted his head in gratitude.

"Thanks for the food and stuff old'guy. Sorry my little brothers a shit."

Sabo felt the 'old guy' comment pierce him much deeper than anything the other boy had said. As much as he deserved it. He had been way worse when he was their age, blunt enough to make soldiers cry.

The older boy grabbed the others arm, yanking him roughly away as the kid unwrapped the food shoving it entirely into his mouth. As they left, he turned to wave at Sabo, mouth stuffed. Sabo smiled and waved back as they disappeared into the crowd. When he was sure they were gone he leaned down to rest his forehead against his knees. Feeling the pain collected there pound more forcefully then it had in a while. Like someone was hammering on the inside of a skull with a sledgehammer. Apparently being nice really was going to kill him.

"They were cute." Sabo's head shot up despite the pain. He was surprised to see Marco standing there, for who knows how long.

He forced himself to stand back up, using the wall to help. "How did it go?"

Marco waived his hand. Signaling they could talk about it later.

"That old lady is glaring at you," Marco pointed out. Sure enough, the old woman with the weapons grade handbag glowered at him from one of the shop windows. Apparently, she too had seen that.

Sabo just waived at her and her face pinched up in anger as she turned away. She did not approve of him helping her attackers and not her. Then again you couldn't please everybody.

"Aren't you guys supposed to be for the people and what not?" Sabo guessed Marco too had seen that whole thing. He shrugged as he fell into step besides the man.

"I don't like to discriminate." He told him. Just because she was old didn't mean she was any less capable of defending herself. "If they were stealing from the elderly then it was because that's what they have to do to survive. And kids that young could hardly be faulted for a system were becoming low grade thieves and surviving were one of the same.

"God," The man moaned after a minute. "That is such a revolutionary answer isn't it."

"It's a me answer." He said as they made their way down the street.

"I have a soft spot for kids like that." He always had. Ever since his meals and bed became guaranteed, he felt for the kids who went to sleep cold and hungry. He was thinking about those two kids. The way the older one let his brother eat the food without comment.

"Your nose."

"Huh?" Sabo reached up to feel blood once more trickling down his face and groaned. Not again. The loss of blood was making his headache worse.

"I'm seriously thinking of bringing you to a hospital," Marco told him as he handed over a napkin. Sabo accepted it great fully tilting his head back.

"You guys need me," He reasoned. "Besides I promise you want your friend to be safe more then you need me to be healthy. So don't worry about it."

Marco sighed clearly annoyed. "That's not really an answer."

Sabo shrugged again. He didn't know what to tell the man. He had no clue what was wrong with him. Nor why now of all times. But he was willing to hide it the best he could if Marco was willing to look the other way.

"Just don't tell Ace alright."

"Why are you so worried what Ace thinks?"

"I'm not," Sabo defended. "I am just trying not to get put in the time out zone by him." Which is exactly what he would do if he found out.

"Come on," Sabo persuaded him. "You don't even like me. So, who cares what happens to me." He was teasing, mostly at least. Trying to lighten the other up a bit. But apparently that had been the wrong thing to say as Marco turned to him angrily.

"Great another one!" He told Sabo in irritation. "No wonder you and Ace are friends if you are both like this."

"Like what?" Sabo asked baffled by the tone shift. Clearly, he had set the usually calm man off. But Marco was done talking about it as he set off down the street, Sabo having no choice but to follow him.

XXX

The revolutionary had been oddly quiet in the last few months. They had maintained their ground and continued to support the rebellions in progress, but few outside conflicts were started. They had been… behaved. Which was exactly why Koala was surprised when she was called into Dragons office to give the order to start assembling whatever forces they could spare.

"But do it discreetly."

"Boss?" She tilted her head sharing a look with the commanders besides her. She couldn't outright ask her boss in front of everyone. Especially considering she wasn't even supposed to know. Luckily for her she didn't need to.

"We can gather our available fighters' boss, but it's going to be a challenge to do it without the government taking notice."

Dragon nodded, "I understand. Let the government notice, but not yet. Buy as much time as you can with whatever discretion we can afford. But act quickly we don't have much time."

"Time for what?" Someone asked.

"A partnership against the navy." He said it like it was simple. But there wasn't anything simple about a toe to toe confrontation with the world government.

"Who would the partnership be with boss?" Ivankov, who had been silent up until now finally spoke out.

"The Whitebeard pirates."

Silence fell once more over the room as the members contemplated that. While they did have an enemy in common, they rarely allied themselves with pirates. To the eyes of the world government, criminals were all the same. But the revolutionaries did have a strict honor code, one that not every pirate shared. If they aligned themselves with a group that later proved themselves to be cold hearted then they would be supporting the very thing they hated. So the impromptu news of a partnership were sudden to say the least. Although the Whitebeards had a reputation for being a fair and merciful group.

"Did they agree to a team up?"

Dragon fell silent before he answered, choosing his words carefully. "I spoke a short while ago to Whitebeard. It seems we have something in common. The government has taken hostages as a premeditated act against us. Since they targeted us together it is only fair we fight back against them together. But a confrontation with the government is not something I take lightly. I understand there will be heavy causalities on both sides. I have my own reasons for fighting." A few heads shot up but Dragon continued on before the questions could come. "I choose to keep those to myself."

"Clearly, I am not without my own motivation, so instead I ask the question of you. Knowing the circumstances would you team up with pirates? The decision is yours to make this time."

Dragon abstained from the vote. But it didn't matter. It was unanimous.

They were going to war.

XXX

It was a bit of a surprise to be called to Whitebeards office in the middle of the night. The man had taken special care to keep the spirits of his crew high even though they were going through difficult times. But this felt different.

Haruta got the summons earlier that day from an oddly cryptic Izo. He was to go to Oyaji's office at midnight. If that wasn't odd enough, per the whispered instructions of Izo he was supposed to keep the meeting a secret. So he did as he told. When midnight rolled around Izo stuffed his bed like a teenager sneaking out. He was running a bit late as he knocked on his captain's door.

"Join us my son."

Haruta was surprised to see three other commanders standing before his captain's desk, serious looks on their faces. It seems like he was the last one here. He closed the door behind him before coming to stand beside his fellow commanders. Izo stood to his right while Vista and Juzo were on his left. Only then did Whitebeard begin to speak.

"It pains me greatly to admit this to you my children. But I have not been entirely honest with you. Nor can I afford to be at the moment." Of all the things Haruta had been expecting that was not it. Their captain was apologizing to them! For keeping secrets. He risked a side glance at Izo but the man hadn't so much as blinked. Apparently this was not news to him as it was to everyone else. Izo always had been pretty quick on the uptake.

"But that secrecy has not come without benefits. We now have our best lead to where Teach may be."

"Captain are you sure?" Vista asked in shock, mirroring the rest of them.

"Nothing's ever certain," The man replied patiently. "But I am fairly certain."

"How did you do that!"

"That is a very long story my sons."

"This is great!" Haruta said unable to contain himself. "How far is he! Are we heading there right now?" But Oyaji stopped him with a knowing smile.

"Not so fast. Like I said this is more complicated than I care to admit to you. I can tell you that Teach has aligned himself with the world government." Sickening as it was there was no real surprise there. It was a logical move for a criminal who had just sold out their crew and were looking for power. Although it did not bode well for them… or Thatch.

"If we start moving our forces Teach will catch on and he will be ready."

"We can't do nothing!" Haruta said unable to stop himself. "We will never get Thatch back if we do not act on this." Otherwise he could be lost forever.

"I fear that if Teach thinks his power is being tested he will kill Thatch before we make it."

"If he does that, he looses the advantage he holds over us." Izo pointed out, practical as always.

"Not entirely," Whitebeard told them. "As I said this is complicated. But much of this story is not mine to tell."

"What does that mean?" Haruta pressed. But Whitebeard was not fazed by his desperation. He met the looks of confusion with love and sympathy.

"You deserve nothing less than the truth. But I cannot afford to tell you it right now. I fear that keeping it from you may come at your expense but the consequences of not will be greater." He paused for a moment to look down at his chosen commanders. "So as always I ask for your trust. In exchange for a temporary delay in answers I swear to you that we will take Teach down, what's more we will save your brother. So my children, what do you say?"

The effect was immediate and all the burning questions in Haruta's mind silenced themselves as he joined the others in the burst of agreement.

"Aye-aye captain!" The cry rang out through his small office and despite everything it brought a smile to the old man's face.

"Thank you." He told them sincerely. "Now would you like to hear my plan!"

There was honesty nothing Haruta wanted more. He had been waiting for a chance like this one ever since Thatch was taken off their ship. One moment he was there and then….

Ace was the next to go. Ace- Haruta had been trying his best not to think about Ace. Teach's betrayal had stung but Ace's down right hurt him. The two had been close, although not quite as close as he had been with Thatch. Which made it hurt so much more that Ace had decided to throw in his lot with that man. What could make someone- someone like Ace who valued freedom and loyalty above all else, betray them like that. But Haruta quickly chased those thoughts away. Whatever his reasons were Ace did not deserve his sorrow. He chose instead to focus on Thatch and… and – Marco.

He was still missing in action. Ace said he was dead. But Ace was a liar. Marco could still be out there. Or at least Haruta thought that was what Whitebeard thought. The man hadn't offered his opinion one way or another on the topic of his missing right hand. So, while the world went on counting Marco dead as if he was just another weed to be mowed down Haruta still held on to hope that somewhere in the world Marco was there. Waiting until he could come back to his family. He might be delusional. But what was the problem with that.

So he forced himself to stand there patiently, like one who hadn't just heard the best news of the year, and listened to Oyaji's plan.

"It hurts me to say this," Whitebeard told them mournfully. "But I suspect we might have yet another rat problem onboard. So for the time being everything we talk about tonight needs to stay between us."

The commanders nodded and Whitebeard continued. "I will inform the crew of the location in a few days. Then we will summon our forces and we will face off against Teach and whatever naval support he has managed to weasel his way into commanding. Hopefully that is time enough."

"To do what?"

"To save your stolen brother."

"Captain?"

"I told you my fears of what Teach could be capable of when pushed. I want you guys to go ahead and infiltrate his fortress. Intervene if he tries to kill any of his hostages. It will be dangerous. I won't pretend otherwise. But if the three of you can stay hidden for just a few days backup will arrive." Whitebeard trailed off although the words unspoken were heavy in the air.

When the Whitebeard fleets did arrive, they would unleash all hell upon Teach

"You said the three of us?" Juzo interrupted.

"Yes. This might not make sense right now but you will understand when you see it. The base Teach is seeking refuge in is something of a fortress. He has a perfect view of approaching ships. There will be no sneaking up on him. It is a risk in itself to send one person let alone three. I know you have power in numbers, but this is a stealth mission. If you are caught you cannot beat them with strength, regardless of if there are three of you or four or ten. The military powers simply outnumbers you guys. No matter how strong all of you are. So I think the three of you will have to do." Whitebeard told them.

"And what about me captain?" Vista asked.

"I have another job for you," Whitebeard told him. "Someone was just mentioning our vermin problem to me today. I need you to try and single out whatever traitors may be hiding on our ship."

"Kill them."

"Oh no," Whitebeard corrected him. "There are more than just one way to get rid of pests. You will tell them the truth."

"The truth?" Vista repeated stupidly.

Whitebeard nodded, "-That we are hopelessly in the dark about Teach's whereabouts. And when it becomes obvious that we have found the location then you tell them that we are attacking blindly. That as far as you know our allies are sitting this battle out and our numbers are depleting- understand?"

A smile crossed Vista's face as he caught on. "Of course captain. Leave this to me."

They would show everyone who crossed them what Whitebeard hospitality looked like. After all – they protected their own.

XXX

Sengoku sat alone in his office. It was late. Most of his subordinates had turned in for the day. But for the last few days sleep had evaded him. There was no need to guess why that was. He had made a mistake. A big one. Possibly a career ending one. He had made a friend.

That in itself wasn't the mistake. People were allowed friends, even in the marines. But he had let his friendship get in the way of his duty. But it was more than that, he had let his personal feelings get in the way. Sengoku didn't like what they were doing here. Although he was no stranger to tough calls. Only this time the effects wouldn't be felt oceans away. No the one most hurt by this would be his longtime friend and confidant Garp.

Even so what had he been thinking, giving Garp the location. He had tried to tell himself that it was in his right. But it wasn't. Or at least that story wouldn't hold up in front of the council. It had been a moment of weakness. Perhaps the atrocities he had overseen for the 'greater good' had finally caught up to him. Maybe he was tired of innocence suffering while those who truly deserve punishment were rewarded.

If the government succeeded in this then his name would go down in history as the fleet admiral who single handedly brought down the two largest threats to the world government. He would be praised as a hero, a savior of the world.

And it would be so conveniently left out that in order to accomplish this great feat a murderous, traitorous criminal with no trace of a moral compass was given incredible power and influence when one of the kinder pirates of the century was torn down. All because Newgate cared for his crew like his children and would rather risk everything than abandon them. And Luffy- no Dragon's offspring (it was easier when he didn't use names), he wouldn't be mentioned at all. He would be some faceless civilian causualty lazily scrawled in one of the navy's archive books. They wouldn't mention that, tainted blood or not, Luffy was a civilian. Still a child. It would be one thing if they had killed him. Political assassinations happened often. Ace had been a rather brutal, and failed, example of that. But they didn't kill him. No they tortured him within an inch of his life, and beyond that, in his father's place. Going so far as to use Cp-0. The group was only reserved the cruelest of punishments. Death was a kindness compared it. Hell- an amputation with a butter knife was far better than even one day of that. They were feared for a reason. But he had allowed it to happen to L- to Garp's grandson.

Sengoku had read the transcript. It was protocol for all interrogation sessions be recorded in case of valuable information. But of course, this was hardly an interrogation as Dragon's offspring knew less than nothing about his father or his own lineage. But there was a record of it all the same, recording the grueling seventy hours. The stack of papers sat on his desk even now, impossible not to draw his eyes. He noticed how Garp avoided it like it would burn him if he so much as touched it. Perhaps that was why Sengoku had done it. Or perhaps it was how Dragon's offs- the kid, had acted when he was faced great pain…. And it was the same thing every other kid in the world would do. It didn't matter that he had a demon's blood in his veins. He hadn't opened his mouth to reveal a forked tongue or started chanting curses in archaic speech. No despite what everyone might believe he really was just a kid. A brave and extremely durable brat. But everyone had a breaking point.

But this wasn't an isolated incident. This type of thing happened. It was unavoidable. Justice wasn't black or white contrary to what people liked to believe. There was a grey zone and in it was where Sengoku made his decisions. Always for the greater good. God help them, he hoped so. The thing about this job was you never really knew. He wasn't a prophet; he couldn't foretell if something would ultimately do more harm than good. But hard or not, he often times had to make the call in the name of the World Government.

But that was what he needed to remember right now. His responsibilities came first. They had too.

Sengoku picked up his Den-Den. It was late but he knew the Admiral would answer. He was always diligent in his work like that. And he was not disappointed this time.

"Sir!" Came the quick response of Akainu.

"They know."

"What?" The man responded.

"They're coming." Sengoku told him.

"Who is they?"

"The revolutionaries and possibly the Whitebeards. Their coming. Don't take your eyes off the hostages."

"We will need reinforcements."

"And you will get them." As many as they needed. That was his job after all.

It was just a shame he wouldn't be able to keep his promise to his friend.

XXX

Ace hadn't been sleeping when the two of them got back. Instead he had been sitting against the wall, cheek resting on his knee. He looked up as they entered the room.

"Are we dead?" That was the first thing he asked. "It was all my idea, not Sabo's." That was the second.

But Marco just shook his head. "Nobody's dead. And you two are too similar for your own good." He gave Sabo a warning look which the blond pretended not to see.

"Oyaji agreed to go along with the plan," He told them both wearily. It wasn't like they left him with much of a choice. The messenger crow, Karasu, had dutifully delivered a letter or two between Whitebeard and Dragon, although what exactly they said to each other was a mystery to him.

"He will start to move in three days' time, that gives us a head start. He is sending three of our brothers to help us."

Ace looked up at that, the surprise clearly on his face. He opened his mouth to say something then seemed to think better of it as he nodded instead. Accepting whatever his ex-captain had decided.

"Ace," Marco tried. "Oyaji said-,"

Ace looked up at him, offering him a fragile smile. "It's okay."

"No, listen- he said."

"Marco," Ace told him softly, very unlike his usual blunt self. Marco sighed realizing it was pointless. Whitebeard could tell Ace himself when all of this was over.

"We should all get a couple hours rest," He told the two younger boys. "We can keep moving at daybreak. Both of them nodded in honest, but Marco knew they were lying. Neither one would get any rest. He second guessed his decision to keep Sabo's secret from Ace but thought better of it. Whatever was going on with the boy, he wouldn't be able to hide it much longer.

XXX

Sabo spent a few hours checking in with the revolutionaries. A very miffed Ivonkov brought him up to date on what had happened. The divisions had happily agreed to fight with Dragon (as if there was ever any doubt they wouldn't) and they were going over their plan of attack. Like Whitebeard, Dragon had permitted them three days before he planned to drop all pretenses and move his forces in honest. It wasn't a lot but hopefully it would give them the head start they needed to get the drop on Teach.

By the time he hung up it was very late. But there were still a few hours until dawn so Sabo went looking for Ace. He wasn't surprised to see Ace's temporary bed empty. He wondered aimlessly around the tiny rooms they had been sleeping in. There was no sign of Ace but his backpack was still here meaning he must be close. Sabo knew this because Luffy's straw hat was in that bag and Ace refused to be without it.

So his search led him to the roof. Apparently Ace also liked to be up high when he was upset. Another thing they had in common.

Ace was sitting against the edge of the two-story building. Not quite as high as Sabo liked to go but it would do in a pinch. He joined him to look out across the sleeping town….It was peaceful.

"So what's bothering you tonight?" He teased and Ace groaned.

"Pick one honestly. When all of this is over, if it's ever over, I don't think I am ever going to sleep again."

Sabo knew how he felt, better then most. He mulled it over in his head for a few minutes. This situation reminding him so much of that night, right after Ace had 'killed Marco,' where they sat on the roof just like this. That had been only a month or so ago but it felt like years considering all that had happened since then.

"Want to talk about it?" Sabo once again asked.

Ace looked over at him, an amused smile tugging ever so slightly at his mouth.

"I know this isn't our thing," Sabo told him. And he was grateful for that he really was. But now he also understood that he may have been the closest thing Ace ever had to a confidant. But that wasn't a bad thing. No, the thought made him feel… glad to be trusted so much.

Ace shook his head as he turned back to look out over the sleeping town.

"Want to hear a story?" He asked out of the blue.

"A story? Why" Sabo asked confused.

Ace shrugged helplessly. "I can't sleep. It's the only thing on my mind. I can't seem to stop thinking about it."

"Okay," He agreed. "Just don't make it a sad one." He had had his fill of those for a long long time.

"Wuss."

"Tell me your story grandpa and then maybe we can both go to bed." Although he didn't think it was likely for either of them.

"Once upon a time in a kingdom that really really sucked-"

"-You missed your calling as a poet."

"Shut up- …In a kingdom that was really the worst, there was a little bird."

"Oh god, is this one of those animal stories! I hate those." Sabo moaned. They would always tell them to the revolutionary orphans when he was little. Apparently, it's less sad when bad things happen to animals in the stories. Apparently, that was their answer for trauma. Lost your parents in a war, how about a story about a misbehaving elephant to cheer you right up.

Ace shushed him again as he continued his anthropomorphized story. "This was a baby bird. Its mom had gotten eaten by a tiger."

"For real?"

"The tiger then tried to eat it too." He continued ignoring the interruption all together this time. "It bit off it's wing so the little bird couldn't fly away. It was just about to eat the little bird as well when it was scared off by a pack of kittens."

"A pack of kittens," Sabo asked unable to stop himself. "Against a tiger?"

"Kittens can be scary," Ace told him. "Their claws and teeth, their like reverse porcupines."

"How are you this bad at telling stories?" Sabo asked, bewildered. He had no idea why this was the one thing Ace was thinking about tonight. Maybe he was finally cracking for real after all those false alarms.

"-Then the terrifying pack of crime hardened kittens turned to the bird." He pressed on. "For they were going to eat the it in place of the tiger. But when they saw it there, wing torn off, all bloody and dying they realized it was still too little to feed them. So they wanted to leave it there but it kept crying out for it's mother. It was kind of sad, even to the mean little kittens. So the runt of the litter came back for it. The other kittens wanted to put it out of its misery so it wouldn't have to hurt anymore. But every time they got too close to it, it would drag itself away with its only wing, crying for its mom to save it."

"I don't think I like this story," Sabo told him.

"In the end the kittens couldn't do it. The littlest kitten thought that the bird was sad because it was lonely. So, despite what the other kittens thought, they carried it back to their nest and took care of it. They tried to patch its wing and gave it a little box of its own to sleep in. The smart kitten said that the chick wasn't going to last the night. But the littlest thought that the bird was a fighter. They made sure the bird was warm throughout the night and lo and behold to their great surprise the next mourning the little bird was moving around and chirping because it was hungry. So they fed it scraps, they were hungry too so it didn't get much. But it seemed happy. And every day the kittens would go to bed and when they woke up the chick would be chirping for food. They didn't take good care of it. Not really at least. It couldn't move much because of its wing so they left it in it's box all day while they were gone. But every time they came back it would chirp and run in circles. I think they figured that since it survived this long it was going to make it. Or maybe they didn't really think about it at all. I don't know. But one night they got back to their nest really late and they were tired. They tried to feed the chick, but it didn't want to eat. The kittens figured it was just being finicky and they went to bed but the littlest stayed up a while trying to get it to eat." He paused for a moment, looking thoughtfully at Sabo.

"What?" He asked.

"-The next morning when the other kittens woke up they realized that the chick had died. And only the runt kitten realized something was wrong with it. He had stayed up all night with it because… he said he didn't want it to be lonely when it died."

"Oh," Sabo said softly, finally understanding what this story was.

Ace nodded at him as he continued. "It was stupid to get sad over it. Animals died all the time. They knew this. How could they not. So the smart kitten told the littlest that chicks died without their families. But the smart cat felt bad because he was supposed to change the chick's blanket but he had forgotten, and the mean kitten felt bad because he should have tried to feed it better and the stupid kitten was just sad because his friend was gone. But there was nothing they could do about it now. So they buried the chick and the whole time they thought the littlest kitten was going to cry because that was just what he did. But he didn't. So they figured he was finally growing up. To make him feel better the smart-ass, I mean smart one, made them climb into the treetops when the sun rose. They could see all of the birds in the crappy kingdom flying around up there…. And that's when the runt kitten started bawling it's eyes out because he missed the bird. So the grumpy kitten told him to; shut the hell up because he didn't understand anything. He said that if the runt was this soft-hearted, he would never grow into a cat. And the little kitten just told him that if he stayed this soft-hearted when he grew up into a cat then maybe he could save the chick next time. That way he wouldn't have to feel the pain again. But no matter how strong he got in the future he was never going to see the bird again."

Ace finished and there was silence between them as they both stared out at the open ocean.

"I thought I asked for a happy story," Sabo said when he could bear the silence anymore.

"I know," Ace admitted. "But for some reason tonight even the happy ones turn sad when I think about them too long."

"Well damn… now neither of us are going back to bed tonight."

Ace sighed, falling to his bad as he looked up at the stars above them. "Why am I such an idiot!" He asked Sabo who didn't have an answer for him.

"I thought I understood before. I thought I was being practical. But the older I get the more I feel for that bird. How stupid is that. Life in unfair, I know that I really do. Sometimes things suffer. I've always understood that. Or I thought I did. But I still can't help feeling sorry for that bird. Because I remembered that the first night it kept me awake for hours with it's crying. And I think I wished it would just die so I could go to sleep. But when it was gone, I think I really wanted it back. And I felt bad about everything I didn't do for it. But it doesn't matter what I wish I had done; it only matters what I did. And I didn't do enough. How blind does a person have to be to make the same mistake twice!" Ace snapped and Sabo frowned.

"Ace it isn't like that."

"No offense Sabo," He said his voice sincere and without anger despite the words. "But how would you know."

"Give me some credit," He said after a moment. "I know enough, or I know you enough to know that if you could, you would blame yourself for the sun setting." Sabo told him.

Ace nodded; he knew that. He really did. It was just, "I just can't stop thinking about how he was scared that the bird would be lonely when it died. And at the time I thought he was being stupid. But now I am so worried that Luffy is lonely, or cold and hurt. And- and nobody cares enough to help him-" He trailed off when he realized that he was ranting. He needed to shut up now. Sabo had his own problems without listening to this. He sighed laying back against the roof. This was as good of a spot as any to get an hour or so of sleep. He felt a rustle besides him as Sabo also lay down. Apparently, they were sleeping up here tonight.

Ace closed his eyes, one thought repeating over and over in his head as he listened to Sabo's breathing begin to even out.

I hope he's not alone.

XXX

He remembered the boys from the town, the ones who tried to steal their way through life to survive. They weren't model citizens, of course not. You could hardly live in a place like this and be.

All the while something was tugging at the back of his mind- like a gentle knocking against the door.

"Wake up!"

And then again louder "Wake up!"

That would be Ace. He rolled over, unsurprised to see his brother standing over him. He looked a lot like the older theif boy from today had. Tall and fit but still rather scrawny and covered with a fine layer of dirt and bruises. He usually looked mistrustful, but right now he was smiling.

"Let's go!" He insisted.

'Where?' He pushed himself up all the same listening to his brother. He found that it made the pounding in his head easier if he did as he was told.

"Come here!" Child Ace insisted again. "Just a bit further."

He paused for a moment considering before stepping forwards.

Ace smiled at him. One of his real smiles as he held out his hand, silently telling him to take it.

"Wh…-the hell?"

Abandoning his caution Sabo took one final step over the edge, reaching out his hand to his brother.

-And then he was falling

He felt his left arm being wrenched backwards with a force that was enough to nearly yank it out of its socket. His side collided with something very hard and then he was falling again. He felt a hand squeezing his wrist so tightly that the bones might shatter.

He was unconscious even before he could hit the ground.

Chapter Text

It had been nearly two months. Things were getting better, gradually. The smell still got to him, as did the moldy food and the cold. It was often biting at night. But like he said Sabo was a fast learner. He could start a fire in under three minutes, he was getting better and better at finding food and perhaps the best of all he had moved into a new place to live. It was still cold and dank, but the leaks weren't so bad now. But to Sabo who had lived his entire life up until this point in a place he now referred to as fancy hell this was fine. Better then fine he liked it here. Sure, his overall quality of life had dropped significantly. But before he had been a prisoner in his own home, having each one of his actions decided for him, his entire future already planned out. It had been so stifling there were some nights where he just wanted to scream and scream in frustration. But of course he couldn't because his parents would hear him and that would not end well for him. So he had done everything they wanted for years. Played a stupid little puppet. But no longer. Out here where everyone was miserable and hungry and cold- he was free. And he loved it.

The people here weren't the friendliest. They were too cynical for that. But that was fine. Sabo was used to being alone. He had never had friends growing up, he found the noble children impossible to deal with and he wasn't allowed to talk to the children in town. He also had never expected much in the way of parents or guardians, so Sabo was fine with the solitude. So long as he could come and go freely, he figured he didn't have much room to complain. So things continued on.

He hadn't expected to see Ace again. That was just what life was like around here. People were there one moment and then they were gone the next. Where they disappeared too was anyone's guess. So when their paths eventually crossed again it was a bit of a surprise.

On that particular day, with food shortages running through all of gray terminal Sabo was forced off his beaten path in search of his dinner. The hunt took him closer to the forest then he usually ventured. He could just see the high treetops breaching the mountains of trash around him. Peaceful looking comparatively. But he knew there was nothing peaceful about those woods. Just about everything in there wanted to kill or eat you- usually both.

But he was hungry so there wasn't much of a choice as he ventured closer and closer, all the while searching the outskirts for food.

The further he got from the center the more the population waned. Most of the people didn't come out this far. By this point the trash out here was so picked over there was nothing of use in here any longer. Still he bothered to check.

It was then that he noticed the sounds of fighting. Without fully realizing what he was doing Sabo crept closer to get a better look. And immediately he regretted it.

This wasn't a fight between pirates or outlaws. No this was an unfair fight; anyone could see that. It took him another second to recognize the small but distinct figure of one of the only people who had talked to him. His- sort of not friend the unsmiling boy Ace.

He was in the middle of a circle of three grown men, or more like gorillas based on the size of their muscles. They had weapons. Sabo saw the glint of steel from two knives and some type of short sword.

Ace was bleeding, rivets of blood dripping down his forehead. His body was covered in scrapes and bruises.

When the men descended down upon him once again Ace made a sound halfway between a grunt and a hiss- much like a cat- as he turned away from the encroaching weapons. But he was growing tired. His timing was a few seconds off as the knife caught the tail of his shirt slicing through it, drawing blood from a superficial injury beneath the fabric. Ace hissed as he clasped his palm over the wound with one hand, with the other he blocked himself from a particularly vicious hit. When he stepped back he stumbled, barely managing to catch himself as he tripped.

His face was pale and pained.

And without realizing it Sabo moved. He felt the coldness of the rock in his hand before he realized what he was doing. It wasn't until he watched it soar through the air, colliding with the largest man's head that the sparks connected. He was dead! He was so dead.

The man's face confirmed that as he whirled around to look at him, one of his ogre like hands clutching the back of his head where the rock had connected with his skull. The pure fury on his face made Sabo freeze in his spot.

He had managed to catch Ace's attention as well, his eyes widening when he saw Sabo. He spoke Sabo's name although any sound was covered by the noise of the angry men.

"Your friend!" One of the men snarled as they took a step towards him.

Sabo took a step back on reflex as he sized up the men in front of him. He had rules for this. He wasn't supposed to engage in confrontations. Not when the odds of winning were impossible. But he took one look at the dark-haired boys face and went for it with everything he had.

He must have caught the man off guard. No doubt he hadn't been expecting a kid a third of his size to barrel into his stomach. The man stumbled back with a muffled 'urphhh' as the wind was knocked out of him.

"What are you doing you idiot!" Ace screamed at him as Sabo scrambled up, turning to see the other two men eyeing him dangerously.

"I'm helping you!" Sabo yelped as one of the men reached to grab him. He managed to escape his grasp only to back up strait into the man he had tackled. He had recovered enough to rejoin the fight and Sabo's stomached dropped as his arms were yanked back by the now furious man.

"You little brat!" He spat. "Thought you would help your friend, did you?" He wretched Sabo's arms back a little further pulling them unnaturally in their socket and it took everything he had to stop from crying out.

But the next second the pressure was gone, and the man stumbled back, clutching his bleeding nose with a furious cry. Ace had charged his way straight through the men to send his fist into this man's face.

"B-bastarrd," The man spat, blood dripping from his crooked nose. "You'll regret that."

"I won't." Ace told him angrily. "And he's not my friend."

"Thank you," Sabo told him quietly rubbing his sore shoulders. To his surprise Ace whirled onto him next.

"Shut up!" He snapped. "I Didn't Ask For Your Help!"

"Okay I'm sorry," Sabo said as they were both forced to scramble away as the other two approached them. He really didn't have time to get into this right now. It wasn't like he had been expecting a gift basket or anything for intervening, but Ace's hostility had surprised him. But he pushed all of that aside as he grabbed the other boy's wrist.

"Come on we have to get out of here."

But Ace just shrugged him off turning to face the three men once again.

"You get out of here," He told them. "I'll hold them off."

"Ace," Sabo growled in frustration. He couldn't be serious.

"I don't need your help."

"They will kill you."

"I'll be fine."

He wouldn't be. But he was either too stupid or too stubborn to admit it.

Backing this boy up might just have been the last thing he ever did. Sabo looked beyond him to the landscape beyond. Should he run? That was what he was told to do growing up, that was what his father and every rotten noble would do. But he wasn't one of them anymore. He was his own person, and it was time to start figuring out what that meant.

Pulling the knife free from his hip he came to stand beside Ace, looking at the three very angry men before them.

"I'm not leaving you." –

XXX

It had been a bloody fight and a tough one. Sabo was pretty sure one or all of his fingers had been sprained. But somehow impossibly they had won. That was due in part to Ace, that boy was shockingly strong. He was obviously used to fighting and probably situations like this. Throughout it he never looked scared or nervous, only angry. Honestly it unnerved Sabo a little bit. He had never met anyone who didn't show fear before. He didn't think that was normal. But then again none of this was normal.

But as strong as Ace was Sabo knew that he was also a part of their win. Like he had told Ace all those months ago; he was a fast learner. Before coming to live in the grey terminal he hadn't had much or any experience with fighting. But now fighting had quickly become most of his existence. You fight for food, you fight to protect your food, you fight for fun. And the strong survived. So apparently that meant Sabo was strong. It was odd to think that he had gone his entire life without knowing that until now when he gave up everything. Maybe that was why he had never fit in at high town. The people there were so… so weak, and cowardly, and sick in the head. It made him angry to think about.

Either way he looked at it his fighting skills, and overall survival skills were growing rapidly. When he first came here, he didn't know if he would be able to do it. He didn't know anything other than the cushy life he had been born into. But he was more worldly now. And he was never going to go back to the way things were.

"I didn't need your help," Ace said from beside him. And maybe it was the adrenaline flooding his veins or maybe he had just had it, but when Sabo uncharacteristically responded, "Shut the hell up," Ace did just that.

The two of them were laid out on their backs, tending their bruises and cuts while they tried to catch their breaths.

"Think their running back to their mothers?" Ace said after a moment and Sabo smiled. The men having fled only moments ago. Retreating with their tails between their legs. The image of the muscular full-grown men wailing to their moms because they got beat up by two kids was laughable.

"I hope they are," Sabo said honestly. He pictured himself running back to his own mother and her shrill voice. How she would scream when she saw the grime covering him, and his smile vanished. Not everyone had that type of mother.

He turned to Ace, his face serious again.

"Hey, are you a psychopath or something?"

"Huh?" The other boy turned confused. "A what?"

"Or like someone that can't feel fear or empathy or something?" Or maybe he really was just crazy. Either way neither of those things were good things.

Ace turned his head back to look up at the sky again. "How would I know that?" He asked. Sabo hadn't thought about that. But he was glad the other boy hadn't gotten offended. He was too loud when he was offended.

He remembered Ace's face all that time ago when he had talked about his home. He had looked hurt. But he had pretended he wasn't. No, Sabo decided. Not a psychopath.

"So just crazy then?" He was pushing it now. But neither one had enough energy left to start another unnecessary fight.

The grey eyes once again turned to look at him before he rolled them sarcastically. "Oh whatever. I'm not the one that keeps butting into other people's business. Who is the crazy one now?"

"Your right!" Sabo realized. That had been reckless. He had always been a little bit reckless, but just now. That was taking it to a whole new level. Perhaps this place was starting to rub off on him. "If your calling me crazy that can't be a good sign," Sabo mused putting the emphasis on the 'you'.

"The hell's that supposed to mean?"

"What do you think it means!" He shot back and instead of snapping at him Ace just shrugged.

"Maybe your right. You seem to understand this stuff better than me… even if you're a shit fighter. But-" Ace cut him off before he could interject. "- I like you better like this."

"Like what?"

"I don't know," He tugged on his hair in frustration trying to verbalize the words in his head. It was clear from their interactions that although he was a competent fighter Ace's social skills were nearly non-existent. "Rude! Blunt! Kind of a jerk! Pick one!"

"I apologize if I offended-," Sabo began almost automatically. He hadn't even realized he had been doing it. His parents had always been quick to point out when his language became unproper for polite society. But despite their best efforts he still slipped from time to time and spoke his thoughts without filtering them. It seems the fight had knocked that part of him loose again.

"Don't Apologize!" Ace cut him off before he could finish. "I already told you to knock off that language. Your talking like a rich person or something."

"I'm not though!" Sabo said quickly.

"Then stop it! Your too nice. But the only thing being nice gets you around here is an early grave. No one's going to go easy on you just because you ask them politely. Besides the formalness annoys me," He finished lamely. "Say what you want to say already."

"-O-okay," Sabo said awkwardly. The turn the conversation took had caught him off guard.

"Your serious?"

Ace nodded.

"Well then if I can say anything, I'd ask what was wrong with you- OUCH!" He hissed scrambled back as he felt a nasty kick to his already bruised side. "You said-,"

"- Never said I wouldn't kick your ass," He responded his voice huffy. Sabo had insulted him. But not as much as he had been expecting.

"So, let's hear it, what is wrong with me." He asked laying against the ground once more.

"It's just…. Why didn't you run away when we had the chance? What if they killed us?"

"-'M not scared of dying," Ace muttered looking up at the broad sky above them.

"Yea right."

"No," The boy turned to meet his eyes so Sabo could see he was serious. "I'm not." And something in those murky grey eyes was so sincere Sabo believed him. Even if only in part.

"Why not?"

But Ace didn't answer choosing instead to watch the clouds drift across the sky.

"Fine," Sabo said softly, and then louder, "But I am alright! So next time let's not stick around as long."

"Next time don't stick your nose into my business."

Sabo thought for a moment, "Yea I can agree to that." And there was piece between the two of them. Until his stomach grumbled reminding him that not only had he missed lunch, but he still had no food for dinner. He groaned. "I'm so hungry!"

"Then eat."

"Thanks genius."

"No, I mean let's go eat," Ace told him standing up. "As much as we want."

"You have food?"

"No, not right now." Ace turned to look behind him at the forest and Sabo followed his gaze. "But I know where we can get some."

"Are you crazy! Nobody goes into that forest. They say there are tigers in there the size of bears and bears the size of houses." The locals didn't go near there. Not if they weren't suicidal. It was notorious for being incredibly dangerous and inhospitable.

"That's a lie," Ace told him. "Their the size of trees." He turned to Sabo, grinning ever so slightly. "Scared."

"No!" Sabo shot back adjusting his top hat on top of his head.

"I grew up in these woods, I won't get us lost. I hunt in them every day. The foods worth it," He looked Sabo over once more. "If you can hack it." He teased; his tone more playful than mean.

Sabo's stomach grumbled again, and he turned back to the forest.

"Bring it on!"

XXX

What a weird dream this was. It was earlier that day and the two thief children were standing before him. Skinny and full of scratches, their eyes mistrustful. But he remembered the way the littlest one's face split into a smile when he had given him the food. The mistrustful look in the older one's eye's, glinting wearily every time Sabo moved. How he was raised to expect violence at any moment.

"Your too nice," Came the familiar voice and Sabo turned unsurprised to once again see a young Ace. "Feeding everyone who asks n' stuff." He rubbed his nose against his sleeve. "But I guess you've always been like this huh."

-he had hadn't he?

When he didn't say anything, Ace rolled his eyes. "Whatever, let's go." He turned to leave, without waiting for the other. And without fully realizing what he was doing Sabo followed him.

Just like he always did.

XXX

The two became hunting partners of sorts. Ace would enlist his help to bring down large game. Or at least he did at first. Then he would call on Sabo for smaller things he could usually handle himself, and then just all the time. Every day had the two of them running through the woods. They fought with sticks, then pipes, sometimes just their hands.

The jungle had been a bit intimidating at first, but the more time he spent here the more familiar Sabo got with it. He came to enjoy the relative peacefulness. Plus it was a necessity if he was to get food, something he had been missing out on since he had run away.

For the most part Sabo enjoyed the company. It sure beat doing everything alone. The thing about Ace was… he was completely crazy. Like he had said he really didn't seem to fear his own death. He was odd that was for sure. He was also a very serious child. The first time Sabo said something that made him laugh, Sabo had been surprised.

"So you can laugh?"

Ace was prickly for the rest of the day.

Things were slow in the start, but eventually the other boy let his guard down more and more. And occasionally he even acted like a kid.

Either way Sabo knew it was a mistake to get involved with a kid who didn't care about his own life. Because that just meant Sabo would be the one who got hurt when Ace eventually got himself killed.

XXX

"Let me go!" Ace seethed in his arms as he was dragged away, out of the bar and away from the grown men he had been trying to pick a fight with.

"Let it go! For once in your life! Who cares what they say?"

"Stay out of my business!"

"Your business almost got us killed yesterday."

"I Didn't Ask For Your Help!" Ace snapped as he tried to grab a fistful of the blond's hair. "You almost got yourself killed!"

"I wasn't just going to leave you!" He hissed back as he shoved his palm over Ace's face equally angrily. "I can't just leave you! You'll die. Why can't you get that?"

"SO!" Ace spat and something in Sabo snapped as he went for the other's legs. Tackling him to the ground and knocking the breath out of him in the process.

"You don't mean that." He said fighting to stay on top of the other boy.

"What if I do!" Ace snapped defiantly. He brought his knee violently into Sabo's side trying to dislodge the blond boy off of him. "Get OFF!"

But Sabo took the blow as he put all of his weight onto Ace's shoulder blades, feeling the other shutter and then collapse underneath him. Sabo was getting angry, angrier than he remembered being before. He dug his fingers into the other's hair, pressing his face into the dirt beneath them.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!" He screamed.

His win was short lived as the next second Ace's flailing fist caught him in the eye as he fell onto the ground with a cry.

Ace was quick to retaliate, rising to his hands and knees he wiped the dirt off his cheek with the back of his hand. When Sabo tried to scramble up Ace knocked his arms out from under him, roughly turning him over to sit on his legs pinning him down to the ground.

"What's wrong with ME!" He asked clearly as furious as Sabo was. "What's wrong with you! WHY do you care what I do! How I choose to live my life has nothing to do with You Alright!"

"God! You really are an idiot aren't you!" Sabo snapped back at him reaching up to try and claw at his face. Ace leaned back, avoiding his grasp as he put more weight onto Sabo's stomach, waiting for the other to tire himself out. But that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

"How Do you Care THAT Little About Yourself!" Sabo screamed at him. "What about me huh! Did you even stop to think about that!"

"How Is this possibly about You!" Ace snapped at him, flinching as Sabo's fist connected with his cheek.

"What If I Was the One who died or was Killed! Would You Care Then?"

The question seemed to catch Ace off guard as he sat back, face blank of any response. But Sabo didn't give him time to think of one as he let his arms fall to the ground, no longer fighting.

"You don't care about yourself; do you care about Anyone!" Sabo pressed. "Would you care if I died! Would you even notice?"

He had pushed him too far on that one. He felt the blow as Ace slapped him across the face. Not nearly as hard as he could have, but enough to sting.

"-OF COURSE!" Ace seethed clenching his fists as he shut his eyes.

Taking the chance Sabo sat up, shoving Ace off of him. "Then how can you act like that!" He asked as he stood up. "How would you feel if you were me! Who do you think is going to bury you! Who you are going to be leaving behind! I thought we were friends."

"We are?"

Sabo ignored him, too angry to deal with his surprise right now. "You know what you are! You're selfish! You act however you want without even thinking about anyone around you. How they would feel if you died. How I would Feel!"

"It's not like that!" Ace shot back.

"SHUT UP!" Sabo yelled. "It's exactly like that.

"No!" Ace said in frustration. "I'm not like you! Your… I don't know good or something!"

"Ace I'm not good!" He told him. "Trust me."

"Yes, you are!" Ace told him. "You care about people. Your normal and smart. Yea, sometimes your scary as hell when your mad but you're a nice person, a good person. I know it! I'm not."

"That's not true!" Sabo told him. "Why do you get to decide that?"

"I didn't decide!" Ace said his voice finally quieting. "I was just made this way."

Sabo frowned, leaning forward onto his hands and knees in front of Ace so they would be eye level.

"Listen to me Ace," He told him softly. "If I've learned one thing in my life it's that it doesn't matter where we come from or who brought us into this world. The only thing that matters is what we choose to do with our lives. And no one can tell us how to live, even if some people think they can." He smiled gently at the other boy who was staring at him with wide eyes.

"You don't understand," Ace said as his gaze slipped down to the ground.

"What don't I understand?"

"I really am a monster." He reached his hand up to his cheek. It had gotten scraped in the fight and a trail of blood was sluggishly collecting on his face. He pressed his fingers into the cut staining his hand with the blood as he showed it to Sabo. My stupid blood is cursed or poisonous or something! I deserve everything bad that happens to be! Maybe more I don't know."

"Ace that-,"

"I killed My mother!" He blurted not wanting to hear the other's comfort.

"What!" Sabo asked taken back. "How?"

"She died giving birth to me! She died because of me!"

"You didn't ask to be born." Sabo told him. "That wasn't your fault."

"Why won't you listen!" Ace shoved his now bloody hand closer to Sabo's face for him to see. "It's THE KING OF PIRATES! THAT'S WHOSE BLOOD IS IN ME." He was screaming again now. "The Worst Criminal In The World. The Man Responsible for Countless Death and Destruction, Feared by the entire world. My Blood is As Rotten As You Can Get! It killed my mother. So, I can't be good! I can't be anything but evil."

And suddenly Sabo understood as everything clicked together. But not for the reason his friend thought. He was just like the noble kids. Only Ace was the other side of that. They, who believed their privileged blood made them above everything else. That it gave them the power and permission to do whatever they wanted. Made them so much better than the rest. All this time together and Ace was just as obsessed with blood as they were. Only he had been told, so many times that he believed it, that his blood made him worthless. God, how had Sabo not realized that.

And for the first time since he had met the other boy he looked scared, no not scared he looked terrified. Terrified that his only friend in the world would now hate him now that he knew the truth. Sabo did know the truth now. But not the one Ace thought mattered the most.

He grabbed the knife from his boot. And the fear in Ace's eyes as he scrambled back made Sabo's heart hurt as he turned the blade on his own palm. Without giving the other a moment to process what he had done he grabbed Ace's bloody hand with his own injured one. Holding it tightly when he tried to pull back.

"What are you-?" He asked his eyes wide with fear, adrenaline and confusion.

"Ace I knew." Sabo told him without letting go.

"What?"

"I've known for a while." It honestly wasn't that hard to figure out. Especially since he had been there when one of the drunk men mentioned Gol D. Roger and Ace lost it on him.

"Why didn't you say anything!" Ace tried again uselessly to grab his hand back but Sabo just held tight.

"I figured it was your business. That you would tell me if you wanted too. But Ace, you have to know that it's not your blood that defines you. What your parents did doesn't make you a bad person. No more than mine do?"

"Your parents?" Ace echoed faintly.

"Uh, for abandoning me!" He said without thinking. God Sabo was such a coward! And a hypocrite. Thinking about it now he understood Ace in some messed up way. How it feels to be ashamed of what you are. Only one of them was willing to say it out loud. But this wasn't about him was it?

"You- think," Ace began and if Sabo didn't know him he would swear his tone was almost shy. "That I'm not a bad person!"

"I said you're not a bad person because of your blood." Sabo corrected him. "You're a bad person because you would leave me here by myself." He squeezed Ace's hand tighter feeling the blood begin to drip down his arm. But still he didn't let go.

"You would be okay," Ace told him softly.

"Would not! Ace you're my only friend in the world! Hell right now you're the only person I like. Out of everybody on this stupid island you were the one who helped me! You were the one who talked to me. You're the one who I'm best friends with. So I don't care what anyone else says. I want," -need, "You here with me. Not-," He felt his voice break a little bit but struggled past it. "Not in the ground okay! I really don't want to be alone again okay. OKAY!" He snapped and Ace nodded quickly, his face the perfect mix of surprised, scared and embarrassed. It would be funny if Sabo didn't feel like he was about to start crying.

He didn't trust his voice, and apparently neither did Ace so both of them just sat, kneeling in the dirt their fingers intertwined, no doubt looking like a bunch of weirdos.

"You promise." Ace finally asked after what felt like an eternity.

Sabo smiled, "I promise. He told him softly and it was only then that he pulled his hand free showing Ace the blood on his arm. "And look," He told him his mouth pulling into a smile. "Your blood isn't poisonous or cursed or whatever. It's in me now and I'm still fine."

Ace finally smiled, although just a bit. He still had that stupid, scared kicked puppy look he had been wearing for the last few minutes. But apparently when it came to Ace sometimes you needed to rip a wound open again for it to heal. So Sabo gave him time to adjust and hopefully wrap his head around the idea that even though Sabo knew his secret, he wasn't going anywhere.

"What would you do if you started- like foaming at the mouth right now or something?" Ace asked after a moment. His voice was somewhat shy but with a hint of his usual cheek. Apparently, he adjusted quickly.

"From the Blood?" Sabo asked.

He nodded.

"Guess you could say I told you so then huh?" Sabo smiled back at him.

"I would have to say it pretty quick."

"Or carve it into my tombstone," Sabo added glad the conversation was shifting off of the rawer topics and more into the jovial joking both of them had grown used too.

"Say it at your funeral."

"Make my ghost sign an apology,"

"Let's be partners!" Ace blurted out quickly cutting off their conversation.

"Huh?"

"Like fighting partners, or crime partners or something…"He rambled nervous now. "Like a team or something. Or- or not." He said misinterpreting Sabo's silence. "Let's not."

"No," Sabo stopped him. "Partners, I like the sound of that. We can give the pirates and nobles a run for their money?" His grin was back as he held out his bloody hand to the other.

"Partners!"

Ace took it in a heartbeat. "Let's raise so much hell!"

XXX

Ace ran past him like the white rabbit from fairytales and Sabo followed behind him, letting the other lead him deeper and deeper into the hole. So far down the light no longer reached him.

XXX

And then there was Luffy. He was something new. Something they hadn't seen before.

For one thing he was kind of sweet and maybe a little bit cute. Not in any traditional sense though. He was far too loud and brazen for that. But the obedient, shy and meek children usually favored by adults didn't survive well here. But Luffy was unusual in other ways. He had skipped over the 'independent' stage of child development that Sabo and Ace were caught up in. Luffy didn't seem to have the same desire to show the world that he didn't need anything from anyone like the two of them did. He claimed independence but spent all of his free time trying to get Ace's approval. He wasn't mean or violent. He also wasn't a sad kid, he didn't spend his days crying at the window or whimpering over his new situation as Sabo would expect from a someone who had just been kidnapped from his home by his guardian and dropped into a new situation in the middle of the woods. Instead he was relentless in his following of Ace.

At first Sabo pegged him as someone who wouldn't last a month here. By the time he realized he might have been wrong about that prediction it was already a bit too late. Everything had changed after that. Something about seeing Luffy crying his eyes out, tied up and bloody surrounded by criminals about to kill him had snapped something in the two of them. Suddenly he wasn't just that annoying kid who had relentlessly tried to follow Ace.

Things changed a lot for Sabo that night as well. More than he ever thought they would. He abandoned his home in the grey terminal out of fear of getting his throat slit while he was sleeping or something equally awful to move in with the two of them. The mountain bandits were surprisingly nice, at least for mountain bandits. As far as normal people went, they were a bit on the rough side. But honestly, they all were so it didn't matter much to him.

And Luffy, who was currently going through the kid phase Ace and Sabo skipped, taught them a lot about being a kid. Like for one thing they were supposed to play. Like make believe and use their imaginations and stuff. It was weird at first. Especially since they always had larger things to worry about. It was nice in a way. When Luffy was around they got to act like children. He made it fun to act like a kid. What's more was Luffy had this way of bringing immaturity out of Ace and maturity from Sabo. It never failed to make him laugh, how Ace could be so protective of the littlest one and then turn around and bully him.

They started acting less and less like partners and more like brothers. They fought sometimes, they got on each other's nerves, but at the end of the day none of that stuff mattered. It was like, for the first time in Sabo's life he finally found a family in them. Not the kind he had been born into. That was more of a wolfs den then a family. But this one, they needed him. Loved him even. But what was more important was that he loved them.

Family was more permanent then friendship. Sometimes you had to be considerate of your friends. If you fought too hard, were too rude or pushy you could lose them. But you were stuck with your family. No matter how much they drove you crazy or how bad you fought that wouldn't change.

Sabo had always tried to be a nice person. He liked to help people and didn't enjoy watching others suffer. But for how he was raised he had a tendency to be a bit rough around the edges. Not as bad as Ace but not as polite as well-adjusted people were supposed to be. But the longer he lived with them the more patient and understanding he became. Not that he wasn't still an irresponsible, competitive, rude brat. He was, but he was also acting more like an older brother all the time. He hadn't realized how much until the first time Luffy had woken him up in the middle of the night asking to sleep with him. Sabo let him, and the next time and the time after that.

Luffy wasn't quite like them. Not yet at least. He was still too soft. Probably from growing up in the town, or at least that's what Ace thought. Who knew the real reason? Maybe he was just less obsessed with denying when he was in pain or sad. Whatever the reason he wasn't ready to be on his own just yet. He needed to be watched, constantly, with hawk like supervision. At first neither wanted to do it. The well being and safety of a child, particularly that child, was a big responsibility for the two of them that had just been responsibility free. They told Luffy to stay behind but of course he didn't listen to them. He wanted to follow them everywhere even if he couldn't handle it yet. So in the end there wasn't much of a choice but to take responsibility for him because if they didn't nobody would and he would certainly die out here. And they would be the ones hurt the most by that. So they took care of him, trained him to fight, to get food and to survive. Sabo was sure he would grow out of it when he got older. Ace thought he was going to be a crybaby for his whole life. But crybaby or not, the best thing about Luffy was that he Never Ever gave up.

No matter what.

XXX

When Sabo finally caught up to Ace it wasn't because he managed to outrun him but rather because Ace had stopped to wait for him.

"Your so slow," He teased.

"I don't know my way around here." He argued. This was all knew to him.

"It's okay," Ace told him with one of his cocky grins, reserved only for his brothers. "I can show you."

"You'll come with me?" Sabo asked.

"If that's what you want?"

He nodded. He had been alone when all of this happened. So why should he still be alone?

"I like you better like this," Ace told him out of the blue.

"Like me like what?"

Ace took Sabo's hand guiding it to his left cheek to feel the smooth skin underneath. No longer scarred by his past mistakes. Sabo spread out his fingers over his face, it was the face of a ten-year-old kid. A kid he used to be.

"I'm not this person anymore." He told Ace letting his hand drop.

"I know." Ace told him. "It's okay, I'm not this person anymore either. But sometimes don't you wish we were?"

He thought about it for a moment. "Life was simpler wasn't it?" Ace nodded. It was so weird. When they were kids there were times, he swore his childhood was crappy. To be fair there were times when it was. But now… "I guess you never really know what you have until it's gone."

"No matter how much I promise myself I will learn that lesson I never do," Ace told him. "It's hard not to get too caught up in the pain."

"Nearly impossible," Sabo agreed, and the other boy smiled as he turned to lead them away.

"Your home," Ace told him finally as Sabo's childhood home materialized in front of him. The sight of it alone was enough to send shivers up his arm. He had always hated this place hadn't he? It looked like such a beautiful house from the outside. But it was nothing but a fancy prison for him. But it had been home, at least for a while.

Looking behind him to make sure Ace was following him he headed inside, slipping between the iron gate and through the yard. The front door was held open wide to him, something it usually never was.

"It's nice," Ace told him looking at the flower beds that lined the walkways.

"You would have hated it." Sabo promised him.

"I would have," He agreed. "But it's still nice."

"I guess." Sabo said as the two of them crossed the threshold into the house.

Standing there in the grand entry way of the house stood his parents. He had totally forgotten them. That was good. They had never gotten along. And looking at them now he understood why. The one thing he had held onto from his amnesia was his fear. Of them, of becoming them, not knowing the difference between right and wrong.

"You keep disappointing us," His mother told him.

"I know," He told her. No matter what he did he would never have made them happy. He would never be enough for them, even when he tried his hardest. Even if he had been perfect like they wanted they would have still been so disappointed.

"Let the monsters see you smile," His father greeted him, his face like thunder.

That was something he used to say a lot. He liked to say it when dealing with 'enemy competitors. It might just be the best advice he had ever given his son.

"I'm sorry you got stuck with me," Sabo told them. And then, because his father had told him to and because he always did whatever his father asked, Sabo smiled at them. "-But I am sorrier I got stuck with you." He didn't think they would meet again. What would be the point? You couldn't make someone love you and he didn't think they had ever loved him. It would be easier if he could say the same. But no, that would be a lie. They were his parents after all. And what kid didn't love the people who made them. Even if they didn't deserve it. But no longer. They may have created him but they weren't his family.

"Let's go."

Ace nodded as he wordlessly followed Sabo down the hallway. But it no longer led to the dining room. Instead it let out in the forest.

The three of them were burying something. A tiny blackbird, Sabo realized with dulled regret. No wonder Ace couldn't forget this.

"We never named it," Sabo remarked to Ace from where they stood on the outskirts of the scene.

"We called it bird," Ace recalled.

"I feel bad about that now."

"I don't," Ace said. "Things die. That's just the way things are around here. We knew it would die. What was the point of getting attached?"

"We got attached anyways," Sabo reminded him.

"We're idiots," Ace said sullenly. "And you and I were never as above it as we pretended to be were we?"

Sabo shook his head. They were kids after all. Even if they pretended not to be. Their hearts beat and broke just like every kid in the world. But they never failed to give Luffy a hard time, just for being honest.

"We're his older brothers," Ace said as if reading his thoughts. "It was our job to tease him."

They followed the three boys up into the treetops to see the birds flying around up there. Sabo had forgotten how beautiful it was in the morning. When the sunlight looked like it was on fire. And the birds, more then he could ever imagine, flying around as they always had. As if they didn't even care one of their younglings had been lost. Probably because they didn't.

And that's when Luffy started crying. So, like they had in the past the two of them were forced once again to listen to his sobs, and then Ace yelling at him.

"I think we should have been nicer to him," Sabo admitted ruefully. He had been thinking about that a lot.

"There were a lot of things I should have done," Ace told him. "But I didn't always know how." After all no one was ever that nice to him.

They climbed higher then, up the trees into their tree house. Which at the time seemed high enough to brush the clouds? It kept them safe when the floods came. They had feared the water would get high enough to drown them but their fort kept them safe.

Luffy was restless. Ace continuously threatened to push him into the flood if he kept complaining. And Sabo realized that the Ace of now, who sullenly stood beside him as they watched was a very different Ace.

"I'll tell you a story while we eat," Sabo heard himself say as he watched the blond pull Luffy down onto his bed with him. Telling him a stupid story to keep the peace between them while they ate. Afterwards he had let the littlest stay, even if he was annoying to sleep with for all his kicking and sleep talking. At the time Sabo had thought it was a chore, but after everything that had happened he got a warm feeling in his chest watching them.

"I'm really nothing like my parents, am I?" He asked his Ace and the boy shook his head.

"You never were."

They went higher still, to the roof of their tree house where the three of them liked to lay and watch the stars on clear nights. It had always helped remind Sabo of how small his worries really were when compared to how vast the sky was.

"I think I could live a thousand years and I still won't understand why some things had to happen," He told Ace.

"We don't believe in fate." Ace reminded him. "Things just happen. That's all there is to it. You don't need to understand."

"But I want to," Sabo said looking back at the sky, and then at the three of them happily laying there. He wondered if Luffy, wherever he was right now, felt the same way. To him it must just feel like so much senseless violence he didn't deserve. He was the one who had sympathized with the bird. He had always been the best of all of them.

"When will this- feeling go away? I hate it!"

"I don't think it's supposed to." Ace told him. "At least it never did for me."

"I don't want to feel like this!" He had always hated seeing it on other people faces. How something so insignificant to him, to his cause, could ruin their lives, and cause them to crumble.

"It's easier when it's someone else isn't it?" Ace asked and he nodded. It was so very different when it was his own life.

"It's okay," His brother told him. "It doesn't feel like it but this is good. This is what makes us kind. This is why all three of us go so far to help people. Because we know how it feels. And just because we didn't save the bird that doesn't mean we are always going to fail? We'll do better, and better again. Right?"

"When did you get so smart?" Sabo asked after a moment.

"Nah," Ace said with a small smile. "As always it's just you isn't it? And you were always the smart one."

They climbed higher still. Past the treetops and into Grey terminal. Where the two of them met for the first time and last time. They watched in silence as they were attacked. They lost, of course they did. But they always tried so hard. And left with no other choice Sabo gave up, surrendering to his parents' wishes. Just when he thought he had finally escaped them.

He saw the betrayal in Ace's eyes as he turned. The feelings of being abandoned clearly on his face. He never meant to abandon him. And perhaps worst of all he heard Luffy's screaming for him as he left. Begging him to come back. But he never did.

"Sorry I let go," Ace told him without turning away from the scene before them.

"Sorry I made you," Sabo responded easily. That hadn't been their proudest moment. He shouldn't of had to do that. But he had and there was no going back now. He reached out to squeeze Ace's hand. "We will do better next time," He promised him.

"You really mean that?"

Sabo nodded.

"You understand now," Ace told him. "What I am, what I'm like. I'm going to get myself killed trying to save Luffy."

"I understand," Sabo told him. "And I won't let you. I'll back you up. Just like I always have. We're partners after all aren't we? Let's let the monsters see us smile."

Ace smiled lightly. "Yea."

And Sabo smiled back, even as he fell down into the waiting water below. If there could be one thing, he could have protected himself from it was this. He didn't need to remember this part. Except it was his past. Even if it was painful.

He remembered being in so much pain. His face felt like it was on fire as he desperately reached up towards the surface. His hands grasping at the water as he watched the sunlight above fade further and further away the deeper he sank. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't move, he couldn't even scream.

This was what it felt like to slip beneath the surface and just keep sinking.

This was what dying felt like.

But he wouldn't die. He knew that now. If the world wanted to kill him it would have to try again. Because this only made him tougher.

Life was beautiful. But it was also complicated. And he would hold on to it tighter this time. For as long as he had it.

Chapter Text

XXX

Everything was blurry at first and he groaned, his arms trying to pull himself up. He felt truly awful, but at last the headache was gone. He hadn't even realized how bad it had steadily gotten. Like an ever-constant nail being drilled slowly into his head at the temples. But right now, he felt clearer than he had in months. Clearer on everything.

He tried to pull himself up noticing the weight on his stomach for the first time.

"Ace?" He shook his shoulder, gently first and then more insistently.

"Ace!" He said again managing to pull himself up on the second attempt. The other's head fell from Sabo's stomach onto his thigh. Normally the movement would wake a person up but Ace seemed content to keep sleeping. He must have been truly exhausted. Sabo would have liked to let him sleep but they didn't have time for this. He shook his shoulder harder and practically yelled his name into his ear.

Ace shot up startled, and then startling himself again when he saw Sabo was awake. He jumped out of his chair and the shock on his face quickly turned to relief.

"Thank god!" Ace said as he put his hand on the blonde's head. "I was really starting to think you would never wake up." Ace wrapped his other arm around his messy hair and pulled the extremely surprised Sabo against his chest.

"I'm glad you're okay," Ace said squeezing him tighter yet again before letting go. He certainly had changed since they were kid's hadn't he? Sabo, who honestly didn't think Ace had that in him, couldn't think of anything to say so he remained silent.

And then more on brand for him Ace punched his shoulder as hard as he could. Sabo fell back onto the bed with a pained hiss.

"You Stupid IDIOT!" Ace snapped.

"OUCH!" Sabo said as he pulled himself up once more only for Ace to punch him again. He managed to stay up this time, catching the fist that came at him once more.

"Quit it!

"Make me!"

Yep, this was definitely the Ace he remembered. Not the huggy one who looked like he was about to cry.

"Marco told me what happened," Ace told him as he pulled his fist out of Sabo's grip. "Why would you try and hide that from me?"

"Because you would have left me behind!" Sabo told him. "Besides I thought it would just go away on it's own."

"I Can Tell When Your Lying!" Ace snapped. 'Dammit,' Sabo kept forgetting that. "And I would have been right to leave you behind! It would have been better than watching you walk right off a roof!"

Sabo didn't remember that part. "Is that what happened?"

"We were sleeping," Ace told him. "When you stood up it woke me up, I thought you were just going back to bed, but you went the wrong way. When I realized what you were doing I tried to grab you but it was too late. You hit the side of the building before dragging me with you. I saved us from going splat but I think your ankle might have gotten injured in the fall."

It had felt a little bit sore.

"Thank you," Sabo said honestly.

"Shut up," He answered still angry. "I went to get Marco and he told me that there was something wrong with your head. You kept having nosebleeds and dizziness." The man was sharp that was for sure. But towards the end Sabo had gotten sloppy at hiding it.

"You wouldn't wake up and we couldn't see anything wrong with you, so we had to take you to a doctor."

"What was wrong with me?"

"You had brain swelling," Ace explained. "At least that's what the doctors said. You apparently have some scarred tissue from the accident?"

Sabo nodded. He knew about that. They had told him that was what had caused his amnesia.

"Well apparently that was pressing against your… um I don't know some brain thing and causing your headaches. But you just kept ignoring it so it only got worse until your nosebleeds and blackouts started happening and then you walked right off a roof."

It had been a hallucination. But he kept that to himself. That made sense in a way. Sabo had gotten a concussion a few times and he figured this was a bit like that. When your head started hurting you had to quit what you were doing so wouldn't hurt yourself more. Only in this case Ace had been the trigger and Sabo had been relentlessly chasing his past memories even if his head had been trying to get him to stop.

"How long have I been here?"

"Three days."

Sabo's face paled. "Your joking! Please tell me your joking!"

"Marco left two days ago," Ace continued on. "He wanted me to tell you that; if you were going to kill yourself anyways the bet was pointless."

"How thoughtful of him," Sabo said. "But Ace what are you still doing here! Why didn't you go with him!"

"Why Do You Think!"

"But Luffy-"

"I didn't know what was wrong with you!" Ace interrupted him. "The doctors said you have brain swelling. You were in a COMA for Three Days! They didn't know if you were going to wake up or not! How could I have just left you!"

Sabo was silent for a moment. "Ace I'm really sorry." He knew how worried Ace was about Luffy. The last thing he needed was something else to worry about.

Ace shrugged off his apology. "Marco promised me he would get Luffy and look after him until I could get there. Or at least until I knew you weren't going to die while I was gone." He ambled around under the bed for his backpack. Pulling it across his shoulder he leaned over to ruffle Sabo's hair affectionately and the blond was stunned into silence once more. For months Ace had thought of nothing but saving Luffy and now that he was finally in reach Ace had entrusted him to his friend to stay with Sabo. He couldn't imagine how much that must have tortured him to sit patiently in his seat, watching the minutes tick by, knowing he needed to be somewhere else. Sabo didn't know how to respond to that, so he said nothing at all.

"But you're okay now?" Ace asked noticing the others silence.

Sabo nodded.

"Good!" Ace smiled at him. "I need to go then. But I'll be back when I have Luffy. Feel better all right."

Sabo opened his mouth.

"-And before you ask your not coming with me!" Ace cut him off. "You were literally in a coma up until five minutes ago! Give it a few days at least!"

"Ace, he's my brother too," Sabo reminded him softly. "I love him as well."

Ace's eyes widened slightly. He had clearly not been expecting that response. Which was fair as up until a few days ago Sabo's argument had been one of logic. 'You need me strategically,' not so much one of emotion. Which was a bit stupid when he thought about it because Sabo had never been doing this as a strategic move. He was doing this because, even the way he had been, he couldn't bear the thought of that bruised boy from the docks getting hurt anymore.

Ace recovered a moment later, staying firm. "You can tell him that yourself in a few days alright. A week or two tops. I can't risk you feinting on me again in enemy territory. If you really want to help me at least get discharged by the doctors first and then you can meet us. I won't let anything happen to Lu if that's what your worried about."

"I know you won't," Sabo told him softly. He pulled himself up from the bed to sit on the edge crossing his legs under him. He motioned for the other to come closer and Ace did, somewhat reluctantly.

"Listen to me, I need to tell you something."

"You can't come-" Ace began only to have Sabo cover his mouth.

He was coming all right, there wasn't going to be any negotiation about that. Besides Ace needed him, even if he didn't know it. Sabo knew now that Ace probably didn't really think he was going to come back. His life for Luffy's that probably seemed fair to him. But Sabo was going to find a way out of this, for all of them. He was the smart one afterall.

"I never forgot you two," He told him, and Ace's eyes widened once more in shock. He tried to say something, but Sabo tightened his hand around his mouth. "Not fully at least. I don't think I ever could."

As a kid he had always been so protective of his food, even though no one tried to steal it. During thunderstorms he would automatically move over in his bed to leave space on one side. On kitchen duty he would sometimes swipe food from the kitchen and hide it in his pockets for later only to realize he had carried it around all day to share it with nobody. And he had once bought a pair of binoculars for no reason other than they had little monkeys on the.

"I meant what I told you. You two were my treasure." He said smiling softly at the other one. Ace stared back at him, his grey eyes full of shock and surprise.

"This is hard to say," He told him. "Not just because you and I hate this kind of thing but also because you are drooling all over my hand and it's super gross." He pulled back his hand to wipe it on the blanket below him.

Ace still looked like a stupid stunned puppy. It would have made Sabo laugh if he didn't feel like crying. But there was a point to be made in all of this.

"-So Luffy is my little brother too," he told him. "I love him same as you. So let's go get him together."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"How long will we be here anyways?"

"The officer said not that much longer. I think their transferring us back to headquarters in a few days."

"Thank god." The man said. "I can't stand this place. It's always so freaking cold."

"Tell me about it."

Luffy rolled over, or at least he tried to. He had a chain wrapped around his ankle which gave him a narrow radius around the cell.

When he really misbehaved, they would usually tie him to the support beam and cover his mouth so he couldn't bite anyone, which he did a lot. He hated those times, for a lot of reasons. First it was uncomfortable, they would also leave him like that far longer than they needed too. But lately he didn't have the energy to do that, so they just kept his ankle tethered to the wall on a short leash.

His new cell was somewhere in the basement of the base, near where he had gotten 'interrogated'. He hated it down here. It was always freezing. The entire base was freezing but not like it was down here. Whatever strength he had left got sapped by the cold. It was also always so dark. The last place had been dark but the new one was pitch black inside. He didn't mind it so much at first but now it was starting to bother him. It was always hard to tell when he was sleeping or awake. Luffy didn't think people were made to be kept in the dark. He wasn't a bat after all, he was a person. Or he was supposed to be.

He hadn't really realized how much Thatch had been taking care of him until he was gone. Thatch had been giving him food and water, taking care of his injuries, trying to keep him warm and most of all stopping the lackies from beating him. It was odd because Luffy didn't usually depend on people outside his rag tag family. At least not in this way. He had been raised with the principals of being able to take care of yourself if you needed too, because he knew his situation could change at any moment. If he had forgotten the lesson over the years this was a painful reminder. He wished he could thank the man. But stupid Teach said that was impossible. He was told that he would never see Thatch again.

They were talking again. They were annoying with their constant talking. And to think, Gramps had always told him that Marines didn't gossip, because they were above that. At least they were occasionally nicer to him then Teach's lackies. Most of the newer ones were surprised to see him. Apparently, criminals deserving of CP-0's interrogation tactics were usually older and more sinister looking then Luffy was.

"Trust me, don't go in there. He's a murderer. I heard he kills marines for fun. Why do you think he's locked up here?"

"That's ridiculous." The other voice scoffed. "Look at him, he's just a kid. How could he do that?"

"He's got some sort of freaky power or something."

"He's wearing sea stone."

"Well he was wearing it when he killed one of Blackbeard's underlings. I heard he did it with his bare hands!"

"That's just a rumor."

"It's not!" The man argued.

"Did you actually see it happen?"

"No," The man admitted. "But I heard the story."

"Blackbeard's crew are always spreading rumors. They just hate the kid. They will make up any story about him just to scare us."

"Yesterday Len was feeding him and got to close. The kid tried to rip his throat out with his Teeth! He's still in the infirmary recovering. You can't tell me that's made up! Plus, like three other guys nearly got their fingers bitten off"

"He's just scared," The man reasoned.

"He's not scared he's feral."

"Your all far to mean to him."

"I'm warning you don't go near him."

The advice was ignored apparently as the shuffle of feet came closer, pausing to open the cell door with a loud creaking groan. Luffy stayed on his side, trying his best to go back to sleep despite the noise. But the man was insistent.

"Hey there um… you?"

They all tried to talk to him. Usually with a lot more swearing and violence. He liked it best when the guards gave up and ignored him all together. But the man didn't give up and his footsteps came nearer still.

"Man, I mean it stop! Think of your kid!" The other Marine snapped from the other side of the cell. His concern only grew as his friend passed the somewhat faded chalk circle that represented the 'prisoners' radius. Luffy could only go so far with the chain on his ankle. But anyone who ventured inside his range usually got attacked.

"I am thinking of my kid," The man responded lightly. No concern in his voice as he walked right up to where Luffy had been laying and knelt down beside him.

Deciding that ignoring him wasn't an option Luffy pushed himself up, wearily turning around to face him. He knew from experience that when they got this close it meant trouble.

"Hey there," The man said again, somewhat awkwardly. "You must be so bored in here?"

Luffy just blinked at him. Being bored was the least of his problems. Although to be fair yes, he was. Very bored. But whatever horrible thing the man was about to suggest wasn't going to help.

"-Well, I know you don't know me." The man rambled nervously, obviously feeling the tension between them. Unbeknownst to him Luffy was gearing up for an attack, expecting an assault at any moment, and unknown to Luffy, the man was trying to be nice. It had been so long since it happened, he was out of practice with recognizing the signs.

"Things are a little rough for you right now huh?" That felt like an understatement.

Luffy's eyes slid to the man's partner waiting outside the cell, a fearful expression on his face and his hand twitching to his knife. He would no doubt use that if it came down to it. Noticing his gaze, the marine outside seemed to straighten, stepping back from the door like it had burned him. He was too scared to be much good in a fight. That was good. Luffy turned his attention back to the man in front of him who was still rambling awkwardly.

"You probably miss your parents. I bet they miss you too." He said encouragingly. "I'm actually a parent myself!" There was pride in his voice and Luffy blinked in surprise at him. Well maybe this wasn't exactly how the violence usually starts. Come to think of it the people weren't usually this friendly either.

"My baby daughter was just born!" He beamed, sliding his bag off his shoulder.

The action had Luffy scrambling backwards as far as the chain would let him, which wasn't very far.

"No- No!" The man said quickly. "It's okay! Sorry. I shouldn't have done that. It's okay! I'm not going to hurt you. Don't be scared. I just wanted to show you something."

His words did little to comfort him as Luffy brought his knees up to his chest eyeing the man suspiciously. Scared wasn't the right word. After all this time any initial fear was long gone just to be replaced by weariness based off too many painful experiences.

Moving slowly the man opened his bag, rummaging around until he found what he was looking for.

"See!" He said proudly presenting a small glass photo of a toddler. "It's my daughter! Cute isn't she! Happiest kid I've ever seen!" He reached over to hand the picture to Luffy but when he didn't take it the man put it in his hand.

"Be careful with it!" He told him. Luffy looked down at the photo. She didn't really look cute to him. But she did look happy. He guessed that was good. He handed the photograph back and the man's smile grew.

"What's your name?"

"…"

"That's okay," The man said anxiously when it became clear Luffy wasn't going to answer. "I brought you something. But first- you must be hungry right? Every time I pass here, I can hear your stomach growling! I bet they're not feeding you enough right? So I thought I should bring you some extra when I got the chance." He pulled out an oat square offering it to him. "I know it's not the best tasting, but it has to be miles better then what their giving you."

Luffy's gaze trailed from the man's face down to the offered food and then back to his face.

"Hey genius," The Marine outside the cell called. "Have you been paying attention at all? He's hungry because he stopped eating. The guys that feed him have to hold him down and shove the food down his throat." Those were the people that often got their fingers bit off.

"- and even then, he usually just makes himself throw it up right after."

That wasn't true. Luffy didn't intentionally make himself sick. It just happened on it's own. But he didn't bother correcting the man.

The Marine in front of him looked back in concern before turning back to Luffy.

"Better be careful. They say he's getting a taste for human flesh! That's why he bites people!" The man yelled at him, sharing the wild rumors that had been spreading.

Luffy bet the man would resort to biting too if a bunch of people tied him up, stuck their fingers in his mouth and forced him to eat food he didn't want.

The younger Marine didn't seem convinced as he opened the oat square trying to coax Luffy to take it. "Stop it!" He scolded the man lingering at the door. "How can you all say such horrible things about a kid? Look how hurt he is."

"He's not a kid! He's a monster."

That one Luffy had heard before. But he had never really cared what people said or called him. They could think what they wanted.

"Sorry about him," He told Luffy. "He doesn't realize what he's saying." He wiggled the food in front of his face once more temptingly.

"Are you sure you don't want it? Even if you don't feel like it you should eat. At your age you're still growing so you need lots of food. You don't want to stunt your growth or something. Your already so small and skinny!"

'This guy might be an idiot,' Luffy thought. At the very least it didn't seem like he fully understood what was happening here. Did the man think the worst that could happen by not eating was he would stay short? That was the least of Luffy's problems. He was one of the new navy reinforcements though. He hadn't been here long enough to get the whole picture. He probably thought the government was going to release Luffy once he was transferred into their custody. That they would let him see the sky and give him back to his family.

He swatted the food away from his face with irritation as the man tried once more to get him to eat it. Taking that as his cue to give up the marine frowned, rewrapping it for later as he put it in his bag.

"You must be really sick huh?" He said apologetically. The sympathy in his tone catching Luffy off guard a bit. Maybe the Marine was a bit naïve, but this was the nicest someone had been to him in who knows how long.

"I told you I have something for you!" He said reaching into his bag once more and whatever Luffy had been expecting it was most certainly not this. The man proudly offered a stuffed animal to him. It looked like a teddy bear with little button eyes.

"I thought it might make you feel better." He shook it insistently when Luffy hesitated to take it. Eventually he did but only because the man didn't seem like he was going to give up any time soon. He looked down at it, unsure of what he was supposed to do with it. Luffy didn't think he had ever had a stuffed animal as a kid, not even when he was really young. Not that he had ever wanted one. After all you couldn't eat it.

"He doesn't want that!" The man outside said, echoing Luffy's exact thoughts. "He's a human eating, violent feral thing. Besides why do you even have that?"

"It's my daughters," the man admitted. "She gave it to me before I left. She said it would keep me safe." Luffy held it out to him, wanting the man to take it back but he just shook his head.

"No, you keep it. I know she will understand." He smiled. "Besides I promised to get her a new one when I get back. You need it more than I do right now."

The last thing Luffy needed was a stuffed bear. But the man wouldn't take it back.

"If you get lonely and start to miss your family give it a squeeze. It will help. It always did for me."

Luffy looked down at its button eyes wondering if that was true. He doubted it. But then again, he had never had one so how was he supposed to know? Maybe they were popular for a reason. He brought it to his chest, giving it a tight hug, holding on for a few seconds before letting it go.

It didn't help.

Oblivious to his thoughts the man before him smiled. Even the one outside seemed surprised as he finally surrendered and joined the two. Apparently watching Luffy hug a toy was enough to convince him that some of the rumors might not be true.

"Feel better?"

"No," Luffy told them honestly. His voice was hoarse, but it was enough to make the second Marine jump.

"You will!" He encouraged.

He didn't think so.

"I have to go," He told him. "But hang in there all right. I know things must seem hard for you but wait it out. I'm sure the world government will let you go back to your parents soon enough."

Yep, this guy was an idiot all right. That was very much not what was going on right now. What was the point in correcting him? Let him think whatever he wanted about his employers.

He reached out to pat his head and Luffy let him. Only because, stupid or not, he had been nice to him.

As the men left they shut the door, once more leaving him in complete darkness.

He squeezed the bear again still not feeling any better.

XXX

He didn't know how long it had been before the door opened again. He had found it was impossible to tell time in the darkness. At first, he had listened to the guards changing their shifts outside, but he quickly gave up on trying all together.

"You still alive?" He didn't even have to look up to know who it was. Teach's doctor always greeted him like that since his heart had stopped. He thought it was funny.

"Look you have another friend," Doc Q said looking at the teddy bear sitting forgotten against the pole. Luffy didn't say anything as the man set down his tools besides him. Motioning for him to sit up. He did, but only because if he didn't the guards lingering in the doorway would make him. They were back up to the Doc, he brought them with him to deal with Luffy when he was being 'uncooperative'. Which was a lot.

"If you don't start eating on your own, you're going to die."

Luffy said nothing and the doctor began to unbutton his shirt. He slapped his hands away which caused the men in the door to take a menacing step forwards, but the doctor waived them off. He reached into his bag for the syringe, already loaded, showing it to Luffy.

"You know what this is right?"

Luffy turned his head away but let the man finish unbuttoning so he could take a look at the damage.

"You must be hungry?" He said as he poked and prodded the dark purple bruises on his stomach.

"Is this about the rat poisoning? Because they won't do it again.

Back when Luffy had first woken up they had fed him soup and one of the lackies, the one whose nose he had broken, had thought adding rat poison would be a good way to get him back. But the man had put far more then he should have. If Luffy didn't have a stomach made out of steel that might have killed him. While he survived it had made him extremely sick.

That had not helped his current eating situation. But no. He shook his head and the man sighed.

"Your quieter than you used to be," he remarked. "I guess it's to be expected right? Still though, if you really won't start eating on your own they're going to have to use other methods, and you won't like it trust me. Now hold out your arm."

When he didn't the man grabbed it, sticking the i.v. into his arm. Luffy turned away as he did it. He had lost his trust in needles a while ago and preferred not too look anymore.

"You know," The doctor continued. "I worked this crap job once and one of the guys there had this pet fish. He shouldn't be responsible for so much as a dog flea let alone a fish, but he bought it anyways. This freaking fish was so full of it. But I think it was also smarter than he was. So the man would forget to clean it's tank and the water would get all moldy and filled with algae and nasty. So the fish would refuse to eat unless it's tank was clean… I think that's why you won't eat."

"Because I'm a fish?" Luffy asked confused.

"Ah, you can still talk." The doc said. "And you're as stupid as ever. You're not a fish, what you are is unhappy. But this," He tapped the i.v. line. "Isn't going to save you. Now I don't care what you do, as long as you don't die in the next few days. After that you're the World Governments problem. And trust me their less lazy then I am. So-," He put the thermos in front of Luffy. "If I were you I would try a bit harder. Look it's soup. Nice and warm, hopefully thin enough so your stomach can handle it. And no poison, promise. Take your pick."

Luffy chose the soup.

"What's going to happen to me?" He asked as he sipped it gingerly. Doc Q had been right, it was warm. It felt nice in a way and his throat had been so dry. But it sat uncomfortably in his stomach.

"When the government takes you? You'll probably go to impel down. It's their prison," he explained to Luffy's blank look. "And once you're there the chances of you seeing daylight again are impossible. Nobody leaves that place. And no one can escape."

Luffy was silent for a long moment before asking, "Is Thatch okay?"

"I guess, for now at least."

"Can I say goodbye?"

"No, Teach already told ya. Stop asking!"

"What's going to happen to him?"

The man shrugged, "Boss will probably use him until he gets what he wants from the old man, then kill him."

"You can't let him!" Luffy told him.

"Kid, I'm not on your side." The Doc reminded him. "Honestly I don't care what happens to either of you. As far as I can tell it's up to fate. And it has not been kind to you but what can you do." He shrugged again.

"I don't believe in fate," Luffy told him sullenly. This wasn't the work of fate. People did this to him.

"Your interesting," The doctor told him. "Interesting people give me a headache. I will be glad when we are rid of you." Luffy fell silent once more, leaning back against the pillar and turning his head away from the doctor.

"Take the food slow alright," The man told him. "Don't worry the World Government won't let you die… even if you might want to." He patted his shoulder in mock comfort as he packed up his tools, exiting the room murmuring instructions to the lackies that hung in the doorway.

He was wrong. Luffy didn't want to die. He just didn't want to be here. Or with them. This last… little while he had felt a little off. He had felt this way ever since he had died. He didn't remember much about it aside from everything being really-really bright and this feeling, like a warm feeling, where he knew everything was going to be okay. And then he woke up, and everything just seemed wrong.

They had told him what happened. That the interrogator had gone too far and his body couldn't take the blood loss and shut down. Teach had been livid. Luffy was told that he should be grateful that they were able to bring him back. It felt hard to be grateful some days.

But it wasn't the doctor's choice, it was his. He remembered that at least. Even if it was only little bits of it. He knew that, no matter what they told him, somewhere out their Ace was alive looking for him.

And Luffy wanted to be here when Ace found him.

XXX

It was dark by the time they finally made it there. Just like they had planned. Breaking into this place during the day would have been impossible. But in the dark, it was simply very hard. They had to stick to the shadows, careful to avoid the search light that spun around the rock like a lighthouse. And somehow manage to keep the waves from smashing the small boat into the sharp rocks that littered the island.

"This place looks miserable!" Haruta said as they pulled the boat onto the rocks. All of their pants soaked from the long trudge to shore. "I can't believe Thatch had to stay here."

"We need to break the heel of the boat to sink it," Izo responded. "If they find the remains, they will know someone was here."

"It looks like a horror novel took place here," Juzo grumbled staring up at the sheer cliff face above them.

"Do you think he's all right?"

"There is no point in asking," Juzo answered. They watched Izo shoot three holes against the base of the boat.

"We'll find out soon enough. It was our failure for not being able to find him sooner," He said honestly.

Izo kicked the boat back into the inky dark sea, and they watched as it began to fill with water, slipping back into the open ocean. "We can't change how long we left our nakama with Teach. We need to focus on now." He told them. "We will rescue Thatch, wait for Oyaji and then we will show Teach what happens when you go up against the Whitebeards."

As the mast of the boat slipped below the surface there were two mutters of agreements. They had five days, a week at most, before reinforcements came. They would rescue Thatch, avoid Teach and when those days passed, as they were sure too, then they would give the traitor what he deserved.

After all no one messed with family.

Chapter Text

Akainu listened impatiently as the pirate bastard listened to his daily check in of the Whitebeards. The man liked to act like he was superior to the pirates but in fact he was just as dumb and even more full of it.

"What did he say," The admiral asked folding his arms over his chest.

"Things are going according to plan," Teach told him pleased with himself. "My spy says Whitebeards health fails, but he refuses to admit it. He will be dead within the weak. He is gathering his forces to appear strong, but he is in the dark as to what to do with them."

"Your source is a fool, as are you." Akainu told him and he watched the smirk fall from the man's face.

"What!" He growled.

"The fleet admiral informed me, the revolutionaries know of our location. I suspect they found some way to communicate this with the Whitebeard pirates. He is gathering his forces for an attack and trying to make it look like the move of a desperate man."

Teach paled at this. "You knew this!" He accused. For how long!"

"Days."

"And you expect us to take on their forces!"

"Backup has been summoned." Akainu told him, the warning clear in his voice. "Forces that will be enough to rival the revolutionaries and the Whitebeards."

"How!" Teach demanded. "This spot was chosen for that reason. No one could ever find us here by chance. This was the incompetency of the World Government!"

"Watch your tone!" The admiral snapped as steam began to roll off him. "Don't you dare question the capabilities of the World Government or you will be the next pirate to be eliminated."

"How long!" Teach snapped not in the mood for more of this. "Since Whitebeard found out."

"It is impossible to know. A week at the most."

Teach cursed. "You think your so clever, keeping this from me. I know this man, I know how he thinks. Just because the ship has stalled that doesn't mean he has. He would send scouts, his strongest. The prisoners!" Teach said suddenly. "They would be after our prisoners?"

Akainu felt himself burn with fury as he turned away, storming out of the office as he headed for the prisons. Like hell Dragon's son would escape under his nose.

They had doubled the guard a few days ago but there were ways around that if someone was truly determined.

But in the end his worrying had been for nothing. When he reached the cell he saw Dragons spawn, laying where he had been chained up. At the sound of the door opening he slowly pulled himself up, trying to cover his eyes from the harsh light.

The marine allowed himself to release some of the tension he had been carrying. The prisoner was still here. He alone could not be allowed to escape. If he was anything like his father, and it had become increasingly apparent that he was, then the world could not function with yet another criminal heretic. He had been confident in his decision to end the brat's life, even if it went against orders. The fleet admiral was not unwavering in his choices. He was friends with Garp, he occasionally was known to have a soft spot for children. If he could look past this and see clearly Akainu knew he would see reason. The brat was too dangerous to be kept alive, even as a lure for Dragon. A quick elimination was necessary for both should he get the chance. But after his last attempt Sengoku would remove him from the detail or he could receive a professional reprimanding if he tried again. So for now the brat would stay alive. Although he may wish he were dead. Akainu would see to that.

When the spawn saw who it was his eyes grew larger and his muscles tensed. Akainu had made a point to avoid him but he knew the kid understood that it was him who had ordered the interrogations and insisted on the last despite knowing it would kill him. At least it was supposed to. It seemed the child had more lives than a cockroach, just like his father.

He strode into the cell, watching the boy pull away, held in place by the chain around his ankle. But both knew there wasn't much he could do. Not trapped in a cell like this. So instead he brought his knees to his chest staring up at the man as he came closer. After all this time he would have expected the kid to become shy or timid. And to a certain degree he had become wearier. But more than anything he had replaced previous behaviour with aggression and defensiveness.

He snarled in warning at the Marine as he came to a stop in front of him. It reminded the man of a cornered cat. It was a pathetic display. Akainu knelt down onto one knee before him, looking him over impassively. When he reached out his hand the kid snapped to bite at him but he was much quicker. Grabbing the bruised jaw with just enough restraint to refrain from snapping those same jaw bones like a splinter.

The kid hissed in pain as he tried to pull back, his fingernails scrambling to get his hand off. Akainu only gripped tighter in warning. He leaned closer until his mouth was inches from the others ear.

"You-!" He said his voice low in fury. "Will never escape from here. Do you understand? I will let every pirate go before I let you leave alive. Do you understand!" The kid gasp as he dug his fingertips into the sun starved skin. "If you try, if you even think about escaping, I will make you regret it!" The palm of his hand began to smoke in response to his anger and the boy yelled in surprise desperately sinking his nails into the Marines hand trying to get him to let go of his face.

Akainu released him, disgust plain on his face.

The boy instantly reached to the burned skin on his cheeks, raw and pink. He glared up at the man, angry and defiant.

"Why?"

He needn't answer the questions of criminals. Akainu brought his foot down angrily and the boy recoiled, covering his head with his hands as he was kicked roughly to the floor. Something fluffy in the corner of the cell caught his gaze and he turned to see the stuffed bear.

"Where did you get this!" He demanded snatching it up.

The boy just glared at him rising to his feet. Akainu was quick to knock him back down. "Prisoners aren't allowed personal items." He ripped open the animals back feeling around for any smuggled items.

"Give it back!" The kid told him, his legs shaking underneath him.

The Marine stared at him before looking back to the toy in his hands. For some reason it made him angry. Not an escape attempt, or weapon as he had thought. But apparently it was a comfort gift. Like a kid who had to stay overnight in the hospital. Only the boy before him wasn't a kid he was a criminal. Age was irrelevant in the eyes of the law. Whoever mistook the boundary between justice and sympathy would need to be reprimanded. Akainu did not accept weakness in his men.

"Who gave you this?"

"…"

In an instant he burned the furry toy, the smell of melting cotton filling the cell.

"NOOO!" The boy screamed as he lunged at the man, trying to grab it. But he forgot about the chain on his ankle that stopped him inches short and sent him back to the ground.

"That was favorable for you," He told him as he dumped the pile of ashes onto the floor. "Attack me again and you will regret it. Don't forget boy, you're at our mercy. And justice will be delivered."

But the kid wasn't listening, instead he had crawled forwards on his hands to dig through the pile of ashes. His searching fingers found a single button, it had fallen before it could be burned like the rest of it.

Akainu turned on him angrily but before he could take it back the boy shoved it between his teeth. If the man tried to forcibly take it, then it would be swallowed in a heartbeat and then he would either admit defeat or reach down his throat to get it back. All together it wasn't worth it.

But it wasn't the button that angered the marine. It was the boy. Even after all this time he was still so defiant. Either the interrogator was losing his touch, or the kid took after his father to an extreme degree. He felt pure anger course through his veins. He left the cell, barking orders at the marines on guard.

"Tie the prisoner up! Double the guard. If anyone not authorized tries to pass by shoot them on sight. You are to have no other contact with him."

The Marines obeyed wordlessly as Akainu left. Heading back to the center of the base. He had work to do. No disgusting pirates would be breaking into the base under his watch. He would snuff them out like rats, one by one until the world was cleansed.

XXX

The dirty pirates in question had decided against getting Akainu's permission to infiltrate the base. Tempting as it was. Oyaji had called with specific instructions for them. So specific all three of them were at a complete loss of how he could possibly know so much about the base. They were to sneak in through the network of tunnels that ran throughout the island. They had been carved strait into the rock itself when the base was first made so bootleggers could evade any pursuing marines. They were unstable, some had flooded with sea water and others were part collapsed and led nowhere. As such they had fallen out of use. But in theory they led up from the ocean to the main base. It was their best bet. Oyaji had also asked them to rescue any of Teach's prisoners that they came across. It would make this whole mission harder. But at this point anything to tick off Teach.

It took them nearly a day to navigate the tunnels. They were a mess, made to confuse anyone inside of them. But eventually they started to see familiar arrow markings on the wall that led them higher and higher up the caves until they hit a main hallway. They followed that until it led them to a trapdoor entrance to the basement of the base.

"And I thought this place was miserable from the outside," Haruta hissed as they watched Izo work on the trapdoor. It had been locked from both sides, and it was clear it hadn't been used in years. Decades maybe.

"Let's get Thatch out of here and burn the whole thing to the ground."

"We can't burn rock," Juzo told him.

"Fine, destroy it. I don't care. Nothing good can come from this place."

"Juzo I think I got it, I need you to push it open. It feels like something is on top of it."

They switched places so the muscular man could ram his shoulder against the door until he managed to shove whatever rested on top of it off. The resounding crash was very loud and the three of them waited, holding their breaths to see if anyone would respond. But when no one came they risked peeking through the hatch.

"Clear," He called climbing the rest of the way into the base. The other two followed him into what looked like a scarcely used storage room.

"If we get separated, we will meet back here. We can free Thatch and wait out the rescue in the tunnels." The two nodded their heads in agreement.

"Let's go quickly," Haruta said looking around. "This place gives me the creeps."

"Imagine how Thatch feels." They pressed forwards in silence. None of them wanting to think too much about how miserable Thatch must be. They would make it up to him, somehow. They would find a way.

They crept out of the storage closet only to find themselves in a huge network of tunnels, most abandoned and dark. But there was a glimmer of light towards the end which they followed until it connected them to a trafficked hallway. Unlike the other rooms the lanterns on the wall were lit and marines occasionally patrolled past. Although they were rare.

"I can't believe that bastard really did it," Haruta growled.

"I'm more interested in how he did it," Izo said. "What could he offer them to get himself this many reinforcements?"

"Well that's something to think about," Juzo said as they crept along the hallway. They followed the murmured talking of the Marines. The guards became more and more frequent the further they went and they were forced to duck into rooms to avoid them.

"We need to camouflage," Izo whispered as they watched another pair of marine's patrolled past the door. Most of the rooms that lined the hall were empty or storage. But from the ones they hid in it was clear at one point in time they were prison cells. Horrible ones. But the high amount of guards in this area was a good thing.

"I think Thatch might be in one of these cells," Izo told them. "What would be the point of guarding an empty cell?"

"Well we can't make it much further without being spotted. And if they find out we're here before we can locate Thatch it's all over."

"Camouflage," Izo repeated. When the next pair of Marines passed, they stuck them from behind. The men were unconscious before they hit the ground. Izo and Haruta took their uniforms, as it was unlikely Juzo would fit, and left them under his watch.

"Really think this will work?"

"We can hope," Izo said as he straightened his brothers tie. "Keep a straight face, don't meet anyone's eyes if you can help it."

Trusting Juzo with the unconscious men they continued down the hallway. There was a handful of marines standing in the hallways, their guns over their shoulders at attention. Two more stood firmly stationed in front of one of the cell doors. Bingo.

Izo and Haruta shared a look as they came up to the group. Trying their best to hold authority in their pose. The trick to looking like you belonged was feeling like you did. If you didn't question your position, then nobody else would without a reason. However, the reason was out of their control.

One of the Marines in front of the door turned to look at them, the rest seemed content to ignore them.

"Your late," he barked. Izo said nothing.

"Where is Len?"

"I don't know, the captain told us to take over for them," Izo told them calmly.

The man squinted at them. "I haven't seen you around. More new recruits?"

"The base just keeps sending us backup," He said to their silence. "I'd be real eager to learn what this big threat is that they need to keep throwing reinforcements at us."

"Couldn't say," Izo said.

"Whatever," The man shrugged gesturing to his companion. The other man handed the keys over. "The Admiral is on the war path. Don't take your eyes off him. There will be hell to pay if you so much as speak to him. He's uh- in time out." The man smiled like this was somehow a joke to him.

Izo closed his eyes. A marine Admiral, that was just about as bad as things could get. No wonder Oyaji had warned them against detection.

"Of course, sir." Haruta, who had never called anyone sir in his entire life, responded. The man left, leaving them at what was apparently a grueling eight-hour watch shift. The other guards quickly resorted to playing cards although they would hide them at the approach of footsteps.

Izo caught Haruta's eye. They needed some way to get inside that didn't look suspicious. Their way arrived around dinner time along with the meals.

"We were starving," One of the men said as a new group of marines handed out the food. "Yea right you lazy bums, you were playing blackjack not working."

"Can't we do both?" One of the men joked. "Deal you in?"

"Maybe later," One of them grunted. "We have to feed the monster." He gestured to the last bowl. It wasn't sandwiches like the rest of them got but rather disgusting looking gruel and an apple which was quickly snagged by the one with the cards.

"Oh don't give me that look, It's not like he eats it anyways. You guys shouldn't even bother. Less mess for us to clean up later. Plus this way you can keep all of your fingers intact."

"That's true," The man hesitated. "But that creepy Blackbeard doctor ordered that we make him eat. If he died on us they would have our heads."

Haruta was glowering from besides Izo. Furious about how callouses the Marines were being. But Izo was planning.

"We can give him the food," He said. "Play a round of cards while you're at it. We don't really mind."

"I always wanted to see a real live pirate," Haruta practically spat and Izo sent him a warning look. But the men just cackled with laughter.

"Don't know if he's a pirate or not." The marine said but he handed over the plate easily. Glad to be rid of the responsibility. "Your newbies right?"

"We're that obvious?"

"Well no veterans would risk their fingers," He teased. "Make sure he eats all of it. He's tied up so it will be easier for you today. Do not put anything near his mouth you don't want bitten off. And whatever you do don't untie him."

"We can manage!" Haruta told them still furious as he took the plate. The man was talking like he was a wild animal.

"Don't say I didn't warn you!" He laughed as he handed Izo one of the lanterns before the group turned back to the card game.

"Scream if you need help."

Izo unlocked the door wordlessly, as they slipped inside. He closed it firmly behind them, placing the lantern down on the floor. It was pitch dark inside the cell. Inhumanly so. Haruta stepped in front of him.

"Thatch? Thatch is that you?" He whispered. There was no answer. "Thatch?"

Izo shone the light around trying to get his bearings. Not Thatch? He came up to the support beam where the scary prisoner was tied. He placed the light down beside them. This prisoner was too small to be their lost brother. But he was someone.

"It's a kid?" Haruta said his confusion quickly turning to concern. They had been talking about a kid. They had tied him up in a cruel way…. And they had called it time out? Like they thought this was somehow funny?

The boy's back was against the support beam, his hands bound around the pole with a thick knot of rope, his legs bound similarly so he couldn't kick anyone. His eyes and mouth were covered, which was so excessive with how dark it was in here. Without a light there was no way he could see anything anyways. And perhaps worst of all was the heavy chain wrapped around his ankle, tethering him to the post he was already tied to.

"What is he doing here?" Haruta asked still surprised. "Did Teach do this?"

Izo gently put his palm on the boy's cheek to let him know they were there. The kid jumped, rattling the chains as he did so, and began to squirm in his holdings. As if he could somehow work himself free.

"Can you hear us?" Izo asked making sure to keep his voice low. "It's okay, we're going to untie you." He pulled out his knife and began to saw at the bindings at his ankles. The second his legs slipped free Izo felt pain explode in his side as the boy kneed him in the ribs. He fell over, barely rolling away in time to avoid another kick. He pulled back, only just noticing the chalk circle around him.

"Haruta," He called to his friend sliding him the knife from across the floor.

"What are you serious?" His brother asked as he grabbed the knife. "What if he screams."

"I doubt the guards will care," Izo spat. "This isn't right."

Haruta nodded as he raised the knife to the boy's face. The kid flinched back at the feel of the metal, hissing despite the gag.

"Shh, it's okay." Haruta promised as he sliced through the cloth over his eyes. He turned the knife onto the boy's arms, careful not to knick the bandages that covered most of his skin as the ropes fell.

The moment he was free he pushed off from the poll, scrambling back as far as the chain on his ankle would let him his hands tugging on the cloth covering his mouth.

"Please don't scream," Haruta whispered to him as they watched him tear it off and throw it to the other side of the room in disgust.

'Definitely young,' Izo thought. young-teen or pre-teen. And he was injured. It was hard to tell how badly with the dirt and bandage layer covering him. He approached him slowly. It was clear the boy wanted to retreat as he did so but he was trapped in place.

"Hey there," Izo greeted trying to keep his voice light despite their situation. "Listen I know we might be dressed like one, but we're not on their side alright."

"Izo," Haruta warned.

"Your one of Teach's prisoners I take it?" He asked. "Do you have a name?"

"…"

"I'm Izo, and that's Haruta. We brought you food if you're hungry." Haruta offered the bowl to him but he didn't take it. If anything, it seemed to put him more on edge. His teeth snapped at Haruta's hand when it came too close to him.

The man yelped, quickly pulling back. "God, and I thought they were kidding about the biting."

The kid kicked the bowl, sending the grayish gruel all across the floor and flipping the bowl over with a loud clatter. Izo winced.

"How is it going?" One of the guards called from outside the door. "Is he misbehaving. Do you need backup?"

"No, we're fine." Izo answered back, quickly motioning for the kid to stay quiet.

"No bruises?"

"Nope, We're fine!" He repeated.

"Well give 'im a good kick in the ribs for me alright. Kid really nailed me in the stomach yesterday. I'd been meaning to pay him back for that."

"Umm," Oh god! "Sure thing." He said shaking his head at the kid while he said it.

"Sh-shh," Haruta tried to comfort the small teen. "We aren't going to hurt you. We're not going to make you eat either. We're not here with them. We are actually looking for our friend." The kid hugged his knees to his chest, his dark eyes scanning over the two of them.

"Have you seen any other prisoners here?"

There was a long moment of hesitation before the kid nodded.

"That's great! Have you seen him! Is he okay!" Haruta started. The kid just stared at them.

"Do you know where the prisoners are?" Izo clarified.

He shook his head after a moment.

"Are they okay?" Haruta asked again.

The boy nodded and both of the Whitebeards broke into a smile. But the moment was lost on the kid as he continued to stare at them blankly.

"God," Haruta ran his fingers through his fringe in frustration. "Are you okay?"

"Listen, we need to get our friend. But we can't get caught. Do you want to come with us?"

There was a long pause before he shook his head surprising the two of them. "You want to stay here?" He shook his head again leaving them in somewhat of a crossroads.

"We can't just leave him here… right?" Haruta asked Izo. He was so sick and injured and his breathing came out more like gasping meaning there might be something wrong with his lungs. Haruta honestly didn't know how many days he had left in him. Especially with the psychopaths outside.

"Right, listen umm- kid. We can't get you out right now." He tugged experimentally on the chain.

The boy just stared back at them, no emotion happy or sad reflected on his face. It was a little unnerving but more concerning.

"Don't tell anyone okay."

"…"

"Are you hungry, or thirsty?" The food they had been feeding him looked disgusting. He shook his head and Izo sighed. Unsure of what else to do, he had never been in this position before, he reached out his hand to touch the kid's cheek in reassurance.

The kid turned away from the hand, pressing his face into his knees in a sure sign that he did not want to be touched. Izo dropped his hand apologetically. He didn't know what compelled him to do that. But everything about the kid caused guilt to well up in his chest. So instead Izo shrugged off his coat, standing up to tuck it around the kid's shoulders.

"You're okay," He told him as he tried to scoot back further. "You must be so cold. You don't have to go with us, we're not trying to kidnap you. Do you have family?"

The boy hesitated before nodding once. Izo smiled. "We can bring you back to them…. Do you believe me?"

The boy shook his head and Izo fought off another sigh. "That's okay. Just hang in there all right. We will be back for you. Stay warm." He tucked some food and water into the pockets of the coat nodding to Haruta. His brother looked so hesitant as he glanced back at the kid.

"We will be back," Haruta finally said reluctantly following Izo. "I promise."

Izo cast one more glance at the kid, watching them from beneath the oversized Marines jacket. No, he really didn't believe them at all did he. That was all right. They would prove it to him. He knocked once on the door for the other guards to let them out.

"Wow," I can't believe he didn't attack you," One of the Marines said. "That has to be some kind of record. Did he actually eat his food?"

"Uh, yea sure."

"No kidding? Without throwing it up after?"

"He's that sick?" Haruta asked turning to look in concern at the door. "You should get the doctor."

"That pirate doctor knows, he was the one who told us to start force feeding the brat when he quit eating. The kids being transferred to Impel Down once the Marine back up arrives. I doubt he will die before then. That's all that lazy ass cares about."

"Impel down," Izo echoed faintly looking at Haruta. "But he is just a kid?"

"I don't know man," The Marine said with a shrug. "Don't even bother feeling bad for him. Wait until he tries to bite your throat out and those feelings will disappear. The damn thing is vicious."

"What about the other one," Izo said trying to sound casual. "Is he as much of a handful?"

"Oh god no." The man laughed. "Eats his food. Hardly says a word. Never bites people! Apparently, he used to be… harder to deal with. According to the Blackbeard pirates at least." The man leaned closer as if they were exchanging gossip. "But get this- the pirates said they played a little joke on him."

"A joke?" Haruta echoed faintly. The man nodded enthusiastically.

"A really good one. Only he didn't find it so funny. Ever since then he's been the perfect guest." The Marine laughed in honest. "I'm sure the pirate deserved it."

As the Marines laughed. Izo clenched his fist, the sick feeling in his stomach growing.

XXX

The horizon was clear. As it had been for months. Akainu turned away from the window to get back to his work. He would be glad to be gone from this place. Working with criminals left a bad taste in his mouth.

One of the Marines knocked on the door. "Sir, there's a problem."

That was not what he wanted to hear right now.

"What is it!" He snapped.

"It's just, uhh, the Guard Len. He had kitchen duty an hour ago but he never showed."

"So?"

"Uhh, we can't find him anywhere. We checked his bunk, the mess hall, everywhere. We've been looking for hours. It's a small base, there are only so many places you can go."

"Did he show up for any of his duties today?"

"That's the odd thing sir, no one reported any missed shifts today."

"What was he scheduled to be doing right before?"

"Uhh, he was supposed to be watching the prisoner."

Akainu stood up from his seat so fast it toppled behind him. He grabbed the Marines shirt pulling him closer. "Did The Guards See Him!"

"Uh, no. Apparently him and another guard switched their shifts with two of the new recruits."

"Who," The man breathed, and smoke curled from his mouth like a dragon.

The man was clearly nervous now. "Well umm, the thing is… or the reason I came to find you… we can't find them either."

He snarled as he shoved the man away stomping towards the door. "Get Blackbeard! Get those incompetent guards while you're at it. I want all of them in the throne room NOW!"

The man scrambled off to do just that as Akainu stomped back down to the prisons below. They were here now. They had been here for who knows how long. Right under his nose. They had been left alone with the prisoner. Incompetent all of them.

When he reached the basement, the guards were all standing at the door, white with fear.

"UNLOCK IT!" He snarled at them, and they jumped to do just that.

The boy was there. His ankle still chained to the beam with seastone. But he had been untied. His wrists and ankles were an angry red from where the ropes had bitten into his skin. He was sleeping on his side, his head pillowed onto his arms and his knees curled to his chest like a cat taking a nap. Even from across the room the Admiral could hear his scratchy breathing. But more worrying was the jacket draped across his shoulder.

Feeling his anger peak the man stormed up to the boy, grabbing his hair and yanking him up. His large hands grabbed a fistful of the torn collar and he heard a rip as a few buttons came undone.

"WHAT DID THEY SAY!" He screamed and the kid gasped in surprise. His hands once again trying to loosen the man's grip on him.

"Nhhhn," He groaned his toes scrambling to touch the ground.

"What Did They SAY!" Akainu repeated. "Those men who talked to you. What Did they Tell You."

But the kid didn't say anything other than a pained gasp and Akainu dropped him to the ground. Instead he searched through the coat pockets finding only food and water supplies. He searched the kid's clothes next, nearly snapping the wrists that tried to push him off. But it was apparent that he honestly didn't have anything.

"Your useless!" He snapped. A useless mute now. He pulled the sea stone handcuffs from his belt roughly turning the prisoner around to attach them to his wrists. "Whatever they told you it's all lies. You're not going anywhere but navy headquarters. Your fate will be decided there!" He unlocked the shackle on his ankle, pulling him along by a fierce grip on his wrist. The kid stumbled, unable to find his footing as Akainu practically pulled him down the hallway. When they reached the threshold from the basement to the main hallway, he shut his eyes tightly, unused to the bright light. Too annoyed to wait the admiral continued forwards, dragging him along. When he arrived in the throne room a few moments later Teach was already waiting for him.

"We've got a rat problem, it seems," He said before turning his attention to Luffy. "Oh little one, you looked awful. It seems some time alone did wonders for breaking your spirit huh?"

"Who are the rats?"

"Izo and Haruta," Teach told him. "The guards gave me their description. Two of Whitebeards top commanders.

"They pose no threat." Akainu said. "It's Whitebeard himself we are interested in."

"They're his scouts," Teach said. "If there here then the man is sure to follow. Until then… Let's set ourselves a rat trap, we'll see how many we can catch."

"How do you propose we do that!" The Marine growled. "We have no bait."

Teach's smile grew as he looked at Luffy. "Our baits right here. He just needs the right… motivation."

"Fine," Akainu said. "Handle it. I am going to search the perimeter. Do Not! Let either prisoner out of sight or this partnership is over." The man stormed off, Teach watching him go with disinterest.

"Marines," He said when the other was out of earshot. "So serious." He turned to Luffy, his grin cruel. "Do you think they're here to save you?" He teased.

Luffy shook his head and the man laughed. "What's this! You've finally learned to hold your tongue? If all it took was a dark closet to lock you in then I was trying much too hard."

And Luffy, because he couldn't seem to learn his lesson Ever, stuck his tongue out at Teach.

The man looked angry at first, then slowly he laughed it off. Nothing was able to ruin his good mood today. The confidence of a man who was days away from getting everything he wanted. So Teach was jovial. And as an added bonus Luffy was silent.

"Well little Luffy. As I will soon be rid of you, and your nightmare is only beginning, I will give you one last thing. But only because I need something from you in return."

Luffy tilted his head in confusion.

"It's what you've been asking for." Teach said with a large smile. "The only thing you've been asking for."

XXX

When Thatch woke up there was a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. It certainly wasn't there before he had gone to sleep. He moved it gently, confused how it had gotten there. He had drifted off sitting on the floor against the wall. It was hard not to fall asleep, there was literally nothing to do in here.

'Maybe one of the Marines,' he thought sliding the blanket off. It certainly wasn't anyone in Teach's crew. Thatch spent a lot of time at the furthest wall, listening to the ocean outside. Just as he remembered Luffy had done, what had to be months ago.

Thinking about the ocean comforted him. As it always had. Everything about it was cyclic. It was unpredictable, but predictably so. Time was always changing, so were people and their circumstances. But slowly with each rolling year. It was all just so many waves. They began, they had their moment and slowly they would disappear only to give way to another and another and another. The new would over take the old, the small would give way to the large, and so on forever.

And on days the ocean was calm he liked to think about his memories. Maybe humans got greedy with them, always needing more. Never appreciating the one's they already had. Thatch's life had been an interesting one. Not completely happy. Most people with amazing childhoods didn't become pirate outlaws. But it wasn't all bad. He didn't believe anything was ever all bad, not even this. Sometimes it just took a while to find the good parts. And Luffy, well he had been the good part.

So Thatch worked through each one of his good memories, time with his family, time with Oyaji, that one time he had laughed so hard he started choking. All memories he had forgotten so quickly. But now they felt good to think about.

Oyaji liked to say that they were all children of the sea. They had come from it and one day they would return to it. That was just how the waves worked. And it wasn't always bad. It was just waves.

He heard noise from outside the cell but ignored it. The marines or pirates were always making some kind of fuss. The two groups seemed incapable of getting along. He had learned to simply tune it out. Although today they seemed particularly excited about something. He stood up, coming to the front of the cell to look out between the bars. A few Marine's stood guard, more then there had been this morning. They ignored him even as he waived his hand to get the attention of the man nearest him. But Thatch was not dissuaded.

Finally, after five minutes of waving his arm between the bars the Marine turned to look at him, annoyance clear on the man's face.

"What's got them so excited?"

"Shut it pirate scum."

Thatch waited a moment for the man to continue. When it was clear he wasn't going away the Marine scoffed at him. "Orders from the higher ups. They don't tell us nothing."

Thatch knew the feeling. Teach enjoyed keeping him in the dark. He leaned back against the bed with a sigh. Either way something was happening. Good or bad it mattered little to him. In order to lose something, you had to have something left, and he was beyond the point of being able to have things taken away.

His attention shifted to the ceiling at a small but persistent scratching. A mouse? No probably a rat. But before he could decide the noise stopped as suddenly as it had come, and he was left in silence once more. He leaned his head back against the bed with a sigh, feeling a very deep and familiar tiredness fill his bones.

He must have drifted off at some point during the long hours. He didn't hear the scratching resume nor the thumping footsteps as they came down the hallway. The marines remained silent at the mans arrival and it was only the clanging of the keys against the metal bars that woke him.

"Go-way," Thatch said his voice scratchy from sleep.

"I have a present for you,"

"-Don't want it."

There was a loud grating sound as the man forced the bars open. "Oh but you do-," He said as he pushed inside, roughly throwing something to the floor.

Thatch sat up reluctantly, irritated at the disturbance. But the words he had on the tip of his tongue died as all logical thought left his mind.

Standing in front of the door stood stupid Teach, smirking like the satisfied cat who caught the canary, but Thatch didn't care about him. There at the man's feet, sprawled out on his hands and knees where he had been dropped was the kid. But not just any kid, it was Thatch's kid.

They were both staring at each other in complete shock. Thatch felt himself pale, and then pale further. For the most inexplicable reason he felt sick. He opened his mouth without realizing what he was doing until he called the other's name. Or at least that was what he meant to do but no sound came out of his mouth and he only succeeded in mouthing the others name.

It was Teach who broke the silence first, quickly growing impatient with them he leaned down to grab Luffy's arm practically throwing him at Thatch.

The other had to dive to catch him.

"Well do you want it or not?"

Thatch didn't answer, still in shock as he looked down at Luffy. He felt cold in his arms and small. But he was staring back at the man very much alive.

"But-," Thatch said his brain working to catch up. "But-but," He stalled, "I thought- you said that he was…" dead.

"I lied!" Teach snapped. "Sue me. You had it coming for the escape attempt and what you did to my men."

Thatch looked back to Luffy, slowly trying to wrap his head around it. "But I saw you. You weren't breathing."

"If you want to thank anyone thank the Doc, he was able to get the kid's heart going again after you left."

Thatch frowned as he ran his thumb over Luffy's cheek. The teens dark eyes were staring back at him. His face covered in a layer of dirt and blood and Thatch could see new bandages poking out of his much too large clothes. But none of that mattered to him right then. Against his wish's tears began to well up in his eyes.

He closed his eyes tightly and pressed Luffy against his chest, hearing the surprised squeak of the other as he did so. But Thatch only tightened his arms around him. He had been so sure, all these months alone- that he would never be able to see Luffy again. He couldn't have possibly known….

Teach spoke again, but whatever he said fell on deaf ears and eventually he gave up.

"I'll be back for you two in a few hours," He warned. But the words hardly registered with Thatch's overtaxed brain.

He didn't know how long they sat there, on the freezing cold floor. It was only the gentle tugs on his sleeve that brought him back to reality. He had been holding the other too tightly. He loosened his grip sitting back a little bit so the kid could breathe.

"Sorry," He said as Luffy started to cough, a violent wracking sound like something was rattling around in his lungs. Thatch winced leaning forward to help but Luffy waved him off. When it passed he sat up, wiping the blood away with his sleeve as he turned to look at Thatch.

"Your okay!" He said finally his voice even worse than Thatch's was. And despite his tears Thatch's face broke into a wide grin.

"I wanted to ask you that," He said furiously wiping his cheeks to no avail.

"Your crying?" Luffy noticed, "…does it hurt?"

"No-no," Thatch assured him as he tried again to stop. "I just…" He reached forward to put his hand on Luffy's cheek. "I really missed you. I didn't think I was ever going to see you again."

"Me too… missed you. Stupid Teach told me I couldn't say bye."

"Bye?"

"Hmm," Luffy hummed. "He said he sold me- to the marines." He closed his fingers around the goggles Thatch had wrapped around his wrist and there was an odd look in his eyes as he did so.

"That doesn't make sense," Thatch told him trying to wrap his head around the situation. "Why would they want you? Take you where?"

"Don't know," He murmured. "It's really bright- here… my head's hurting."

It wasn't bright in the cell at all. But Thatch looked at him sympathetically. He had to stop himself from asking if the other was okay, they both knew the answer. He didn't know what to say right then, 'you look sick' or maybe, 'you look like your dying.'

"Hold on okay," Thatch finally said. "I'm not going to let them take you away again I promise." It was a promise he wouldn't be able to keep.

Luffy knew it too. "It's okay." He promised his friend. "-Because you're okay."

Thatch bit his lip as he looked at the other. He wished he could offer comfort, or a real promise. But no matter how much he tried or how badly he wanted something he was so powerless. It made him sick to think about.

He took the glasses off of his wrist to instead tie them around Luffy's neck. "Oh kid," He sighed. "I am so sorry. You'll never know how badly I wanted to protect you. But I don't think I've ever failed someone as completely as I failed you."

Luffy tightened both hands around the goggles, running his fingers over the cracked glass and twisted metal. "-Not true," He told Thatch seriously. "That's not true! It's not your job to protect me… but you were taking care of me. I didn't really realize it- sorry."

"Yea well, you save my life. So, we can call it even?" The last thing Thatch wanted was a thank you, not from him.

Luffy nodded. "I- wanted to tell you. In case I never saw you again."

Thatch wanted to say something- anything. But he didn't know what he could say to that.

So he stayed silent as he watched Luffy crawl onto the bed.

"-Soo soft," He said sleepily nuzzling the blanket with his cheek. And something in the way he said it made Thatch frown. He pulled himself from the floor as well, sitting down on the edge of the bed as Luffy predictably began to fall asleep.

"Hey Luffy?"

"Hm," Luffy hummed in sleepy appreciation.

"If … if I really won't get the chance to tell you, thanks' for coming back for me and saving my life." Even if it had been a stupid decision. "-And thanks for keeping me company. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Luffy opened his eyes, tiredly reaching out to grab Thatch's wrist, his other hand firmly holding the glasses around his neck.

"I'm glad I met you too."

XXX

The guards came back for them hours later. They said nothing to Thatch's questions and the man could hardly fight against them as they flooded their cell. Luffy wouldn't wake up despite their best efforts so they cuffed his hands with sea stone and threw him over their shoulder. They put Thatch in handcuffs as well, with two marines on either side of him as he was forced to walk alongside them.

No one said a word until the hallways began to widen into large corridors with a surplus of marines standing guard against the doors. Teach was waiting for them inside the throne room. The same room where Luffy first met the marine Admiral with the single seat made of stone that had been delicately carved and sprouted from the floor like a tree.

"What is this?" Thatch asked as the guards pulled him to stand in front of the man. Teach's crew stood behind them, unusually serious. Meanwhile the marines lined the walls and doorway, surrounding them.

"Where is the Admiral?" Teach asked one of the men.

"He said he was rat catching," the man looked confused as he said it but Teach understood perfectly. "Should I go inform him?"

"No, don't bother." Teach scoffed. "I hardly need his help to handle this. He would only get in my way with all his preaching of justice."

"What is this!" Thatch repeated, violently trying to free himself from the marine's grip. But they held him to the spot.

Teach finally turned his attention to him, and a grin spread over his face as he did so. He motioned for one of the marines to bring Luffy over.

"Oh Thatch, my old crew mate. How long have we known each other?" When Thatch didn't answer Teach did it for him. "Years at the least. You might not have known me, but I know you. You were so loyal, so trusting, you had so much faith in that senile old man. Right up to the end." The marine slid Luffy off his shoulder in front of Teach, when he let go Luffy fell to the ground, hitting the floor with a thud as he moaned. The pain succeeding in waking him up.

"- I just want you to know," Teach told Thatch as he leaned down to pull Luffy up, testing the cuffs on his wrists as he did so, "That your faith was misplaced. Whitebeard will fall and in that void of his power I will build my empire."

"Your insane," Thatch told him.

"Aren't we all?" Teach said with a laugh.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you helped me do this," He gestured around him in delight. "You and you," He threaded his fingers into Luffy's hair like a proud father and the kid tried to push him away in disgust. "I owe you both my thanks."

"You can keep it," Thatch told him.

Teach just laughed. Not even his prisoners' insults could ruin the unnerving amount of cheer he had. "I just wanted you to understand," He told him. "Since you won't be around to see it."

"And you," He told Luffy turning his attention back to the teenager. "I owe you the most. For someone who was always alone you have so many people who were willing to give up their lives for you -and in the end nothing they did even mattered to you." He laughed as Luffy tried to shove him off.

"But I need one last thing from you before the marines take ya' alright?" He reached down his belt to grab his gun, showing it to Luffy proudly. "Your pretty stupid so I will make this easy for you. This gun, it's full of little metal bullets. And on their own they ain't bad. But this thing fires them like a cannon got that." Without warning Teach pointed the thing at the ceiling, firing a shot. The sound was deafening in the quiet room and Luffy turned his head away. Teach's smile only grew.

"See, pretty powerful huh, it went right through the rock. Imagine what it would do to a person's skull… Hey," Teach scolded, nudging Luffy's jaw with the barrel of the gun so he was forced to look back at him.

"Now I know you and your freaky power don't know what that feels like…"

Luffy turned to Thatch, the fear clear in his eyes. "Don't!"

Teach just motioned to his crew behind him and Catarina stepped forwards. He handed the gun off to her. "You might not be much of a talker anymore. But I remember you used to be. So I'll tell ya what. The louder you are the longer he get's to live." Teach patted his cheek roughly one last time before Burgess stepped up to hold Luffy's arms and Teach finally answered Thatch's question.

"I'm making a rat trap of my own. And nothing makes better bait then a kid screaming for help. Let's see what we can catch." Teach grinned at the room as he sat down heavily on the throne behind him.

"No," Luffy said hoarsely. His eyes wide with horror as he watched Catarina approach Thatch.

"You'll need to be louder than that," Teach advised as the whole room watched as she pressed the barrel of the gun against his temple.

"Noo," He breathed on the verge of a panic attack.

"Luffy it's okay- it's okay," Thatch promised him. Instantly inclined to comfort him as he watched the fear on his friend's face. "I promise it's going to be okay."

"Wow, I figured you cared about him more then that." Teach said. "Catarina- "

"NO! STOP!" Luffy snapped at him turning to Teach. "You can stop this! Please- don't kill him."

"I can't HEAR YOU!" Teach snapped at him.

"STOP!" Luffy tried to scream but his vocal cords had been too damaged, and he could hardly manage a low scream let alone the wailing Teach was demanding.

"That's pathetic."

Luffy closed his eyes desperately struggling against Burgess's hold on him as he screamed. "STOP! PLEASE STOP. DON'T HURT HIM. I'LL DO ANY-," His voice cracked in the middle, but he forced himself to keep going. "PLEASE DON'T DO THIS. SOMEBODY HELP HIM! HOW CAN YOU ALL JUST STAND THERE!" He screamed at the marines lining the walls. "THEY SAID MARINES CHASED PIRATES- HOW CAN YOU HELP HIM!" Some of the marines shifted uncomfortably as he called to them. But not one stepped forward to help.

Teach's grin was back as he listened to Luffy's screams grow in pitch. Not as loud as he would have liked but as loud as the kid could manage with his ruined vocal cords. And hopefully enough to attract every damn rat on this island.

"Well- well," Teach said over Luffy's hoarse screams. "I guess there are no rat's brave enough to challenge the cat. Catarina, I think you know what to do."

"STOOOP!" Luffy screamed as Burgess had to hold him off the ground as he struggled. "DON'T KILL HIM. YOU CAN'T."
"Sure thing boss," The woman smiled, her attention fixed on Thatch. "No hard feelings," She mocked him as her finger clicked the hammer, tightening on the trigger.

"Whatever ya' say boss."

"STOOOOPPP!"

"Do it."

And in that second a gun shot rang out in the room.

Catarina screamed as she stumbled back, the gun laying on the floor as she clutched her bleeding hand. She cried out in pain and then again as she stared in shock at the bullet hole in her hand.

Behind her two of the marines had stepped forward, one armed with his own smoking gun.

"You shot me," Catarina screeched rounding upon them. But Teach waived her off, stopping the marines from approaching them with a single wave of his hand.

"There you are," He said with a smile. "I've been wondering when I would see my old crew again."

"We were never your crew," one of them snapped.

"Sorry we're late," The one with the gun said, his voice much gentler as he looked at Thatch.

Thatch was staring at the two of them in shock, his eyes impossibly wide as he regarded the crew mates he never expected to see again. "Izo… Haruta- " his voice was barely louder then a whisper but they heard him all the same.

"Are you okay?"
"Guys-," Thatch tried as his voice faltered. "You came."

"Of course, we did. Did you really think we would leave you?"

"Why did you do that," Thatch asked, the devastation clear on his face. "He's going to kill you too. I- I can't-." He looked between the two of them like they were deities.

"Why do you think idiot," Haruta asked him without any real edge in his voice. "We couldn't let you die. We're your brothers, aren't we?"

"Well-well-well," Teach mused as he rose. "Whitebeard sends his best and I'm suppose to believe that it's you two? Be honest now. Who else?"

"No one," Izo told him his voice hard. "We came alone."

"Forgive me if I don't trust you, now boy's put down the weapons."

"Or what? You'll stab us in the back as well?" Haruta hissed.

"No," Teach motioned to Burgess and the man pulled his own gun from his belt, turning it on Luffy. "I assume you guys met the kid, you may or may not care if he dies. I don't really know. But I promise you Thatch cares a hell of a lot. So put down your weapons or Burgess here is going to shoot him."

"You can't kill him with that," Thatch growled.

"Not with an ordinary bullet," Teach said. "But the marines gave us these nifty sea stone ones. I bet you anything that- that would do it."

"Fine," Izo snapped lowering his pistol, "Leave that child alone. We'll listen to you." Haruta did the same, after a strong cuss at Teach he lowered his sword. And in that instance Teach signaled the marine's forward.

It was only when the two pirates were restrained, firmly held by the marines that Burgess took the gun off of Luffy.

"Good," Teach said as he strode over to Thatch. "Where were we?" He picked the pistol up from where it lay on the floor. "Oh right, wondering if there were any other rats among us." He spoke next to the crowd of marines. "Last chance to save your crew mate…. Going once," He raised the gun to Thatch's head once more. "Twice!"

"Don't you dare," Izo warned him.

"Or what?" Teach challenged. "What will you do to me? What will any of you do to me? He turned to look at Luffy over his shoulder. "What about you! You love to tell me what I can and can't do. What do you say to me now?"

"Leave him alone," Thatch told him his voice low. But Teach ignored him.

"Stop!" Luffy told him. His voice was breathless and all but shot from the screaming. "Stop! Stop!" He gasped, his voice turning into a sob.

"You're a broken record. If you really can't scream anymore then you know what's going to happen to your friend?"

"Wait no," Luffy said. But as much as he tried, he could hardly raise his tone over speaking level.

"Guess that's it then."

"NOooo! Noooo! Thatch, I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He told his friend hoarsely.

"None of this is your fault," Thatch promised him, offering a small smile of reassurance.

"Yeah right," Teach laughed. "This is all your fault! You could save your friend if you wanted too, just call the rest of the rats here!"

"I swear to god leave him alone!" Thatch snapped.

"Know this," Teach told him. "There are people on this island that can help you. But your so damn quiet they can't even hear you!"

"Hurt Thatch and it will be the last thing you do," Haruta warned.

"Now or never kid! I'll give you the count of ten."

"I'm trying!" Luffy cried as he dug his fingernails into Burgess's arm. "Please, don't kill him!"

"Ten!"

"NO!"

"Nine."

"Stop!"

"Seven…six… five…"

Luffy squeezed his eyes shut as he cried out again. His throat was on fire. And no matter how badly he wanted it to, his vocal cords had been too damaged to go on screaming and instead sounded pathetic and broken when he tried. He remembered his 'interrogations' where he would be expected to say something, he knew he couldn't because he didn't know the answer. His voice gave out then too. That was where he broke it in the first place. And whenever that stupid- smug- mean- jerk- face would ask him where his father was, he would give him the same answer;

"ACCCCEEE," Luffy screamed! "ACE help me!"

"Not this shit again!" Teach snapped losing any threat of his temper he had left. "I thought you were passed this already! ACE Can't Help You! He's Dead! Do You Get That? He's not going to save you! He's not going to help you. He's not going to do anything for you!"

"Your wrong," Luffy told him, his voice was scarcely louder than a whisper.

"I'm not wrong! Your too stubborn to admit it! Everyone else knows it!"

"No," Luffy told him with a sniff. "He wouldn't leave me here! He can't die."

Teach gestured the gun at the two pirates. "Tell him! Go on!" He ordered.

"Don't!" Thatch warned.

"Kid," Izo said gently, ignoring Thatch. "I'm sorry if you knew him, but he's gone."

"No," Luffy shook his head feeling tears begin to well up in his eyes. "He wouldn't do that to me."

"Our captain saw it happen," Haruta told him.

"Stop LYING!" Luffy snapped. "He's not dead!"

"Luffy it's going to be okay," Thatch promised him.

"You don't listen do you!" Teach snapped. "Fine, think what you want. But he's never coming back for you. He betrayed his crew, murdered his friend, poisoned his captain and then drowned like a coward."

Luffy sniffed as he felt the tears begin to drip down his cheeks. "Your wrong- your all wrong! Stop telling Lies about him! ACE WOULD NEVER DO THAT!"

"Your impossible," Teach grit his teeth as he turned the gun back to Thatch.

"Four!"

"Three!"

"Two!"

"…"

"Ace, please!" Luffy begged.

"One!"

And then everything was on fire.

There were screams from all around them as the marines and pirates alike tried to scramble away from the heat. Luffy closed his eyes to the blaze. Held in place as he was there was nothing he could do to avoid it. But it didn't burn him. Not like it burned Burgess, he heard the man scream. Instead it felt warm, the flames gently licking at him as they dried the tears on his cheeks.

It didn't take long for Teach to nullify it with his darkness power. Almost as quickly as it had come the flames died, the darkness replacing them as they snuffed out the warmth into their void.

But when they cleared the room was in pandemonium. The marines and many of the pirates had tried to scramble for the door, a good bunch of them sporting painful looking burns.

The two pirates remained in their spot, unharmed, the marines were no longer holding them back.

Teach held his own in the center of the room as the last of the darkness disappeared like puddles drying after a rainstorm.

-And standing right between Teach and Thatch, looking angrier than he had ever been before, was a familiar young man.

When he spoke his voice rang throughout the room like a thunderstorm.

"He Told You To Stop!"

Teach dropped the gun in shock, taking a step away from the two of them like he was looking at a ghost.

"That's impossible," Teach said.

Ace ignored him as his gaze passed Teach's shoulder to instead meet Luffy's own wide eyes. He smiled at his little brother's surprise.

"Hey Lu," His voice was gentle. So much so it hardly even sounded like Ace.

"I've been looking for you."

Chapter Text

Luffy widened his eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing. Despite his cries he hadn't really thought they would be answered. He wasn't ever that lucky.

Much like Thatch had felt earlier that day, things seemed to move too quickly for Luffy's brain to keep up with. For a long moment all he could do was stand there, held firmly in place by burgess, and stare.

But Ace was looking at him and only him when he spoke and Luffy.

"-I've been looking for you."

And suddenly his surprise melted away to something else and he felt his eyes become cloudy with unshed tears.

"Ace," His voice sounded broken, or 'pathetic' as Teach had said. But Ace heard him all the same and gave his brother a gentle smile, silently telling him that everything was going to be okay now. And Luffy knew it was going to be. Because Ace was here. And he was going to save them all. Just like Luffy had always believed.

He pulled against Burgess's hold again but the pirate tightened his grasp. Silently warning him to stop struggling. And Luffy felt immense frustration at the man, who dared to force him to stay here when all he wanted was to go to his brother.

"Kid, don't test me right now." The man warned, the gun still in his hand.

Luffy didn't care what he had to say, he didn't care what any of them said. He struggled harder until the man's temper snapped, and Burgess shoved the barrel of his gun against Luffy's temple.

"Dammit quit it!"

He felt a growl build up in his throat which made the wetness of his eyes worse. He was sick of feeling helpless, he was sick of being pinned or chained down. He wanted everyone to just stop.

"Hang on Lu," Ace told him softly and Luffy sniffed, unable to stop himself as the tears spilt over onto his cheeks as he looked at his not-so-dead-brother.

It had been a year since he had seen him, plus however long he had been here. Honestly the days all blurred together for him. Especially after they began to keep him in the dark room. It was impossible to keep time there.

But, like something strait out of one of his happy fever dreams Ace was standing before him, just like Luffy had remembered him. Or maybe not quite, he was older now, you could tell by his face. And a little bigger. But aside from that it was the same brother Luffy knew. The one who protected him from everything.

Luffy closed his eyes, sniffing again as he felt more tears well up. Everything was going to be okay.

He wanted to tell Ace he knew that, and he could hang on. But he didn't trust his voice anymore, so he nodded clumsily instead. His bound hands coming to grip the large one's around his chest that held him in place.

Ace saw his nod of understanding as he turned back to Teach. His expression quickly darkening as he stared the man down.

Teach seemed to have recovered enough to stop sputtering as he shouldered Ace's warning look.

"You-your- but you were dead," He finally snarled. "You drowned yourself."

"Do I look dead to you?" Ace asked, cold fury in his voice.

Teach turned to the Whitebeard's next, looking furious. But what ever words he had on his tongue died when he saw their shocked faces.

"Ace?" Thatch murmured, his face white with shock as he stared at him. Clearly Ace was the last person he had expected to see. Despite what he had said, or hadn't said, Thatch clearly believed Teach about Ace's fate. His refusal to admit it had been to protect Luffy. But now, for the third time today he had gotten a huge shock.

"HOW!" Teach demanded. "How are you here?" and then his face darkened further as a thought came to him.

"IT WAS YOU!" He thundered. "You leaked the location.

"No," Ace answered back his voice low in comparison but no less angry. "You made your own enemies. Now you have to deal with them."

If possible, Teach seemed to grow even angrier. He looked about ready to throw a fit. Like a child who had a toy taken away from them.

"Ace… what the hell?" Haruta said from behind him, still trying to get a grasp on the situation.

Ace turned around to look at the two of them. Deciding they were alright he turned back to Teach, ignoring their questions.

"Let go of Luffy, right now."

Teach glowered at him as he took a step back, calling to Burgess over his shoulder. "Let go of that fucking kid and it will cost you your life."

"Understood," The man said pushing the barrel of the gun into Luffy's head with renewed force.

"Move and he's dead," Teach snarled at Ace.

"He's worth too much to you to shoot him." Ace told him coldly. "Do that and suddenly you have the revolutionaries to deal with."

"Trust me," Teach snapped at him. "It's a risk I'm willing to take. But considering what you've done for him I know you can't say the same."

Ace turned back to Burgess. "Hurt him one more time and I will burn you from the inside out." His eyes flickered to Teach, "-and then you. And I promise- your going to feel it."

Teach snarled at him. "Big words for someone who has no chance of accomplishing them. Was this your plan Ace? Coming here all alone. What could you hope to do except be the first to die?"

Ace frowned as he took the weight of the mad man's stare unflinchingly.

"What makes you think I'm alone?"

Teach roared in fury as he spun around to the marines. The ones that managed to stay relatively unharmed had collected at the back of the room near the doors.

"Where is the Admiral!" He snapped at one of them.

"We don't know," The lieutenant called back. "He isn't answering his den-den."

Teach turned back to Ace. "You?"

Ace shrugged dismissively.

"Well!"

"No," Ace finally told him. "You might have lost me my pirate crew but I still have a friend who hates you as much as I do… well almost."

"Your friends done for," Teach snapped back. "It's suicidal to go up against an admiral."

"Maybe?" Ace shrugged again and the lack of fear in his voice seemed to make Teach even angrier.

"Ace isn't on your side?" Haruta asked unable to be ignored any longer.

"Shut it!" Teach snarled.

"Not unless you make me!" He snarled back, the pirates temper frayed from the situation and the added confusion wasn't helping either. "Tell me what the fuck is going on? Because it seems like you and your traitor friend are at odds, which is strange because just a few months ago he was your errand boy."

"I might be a traitor or his errand boy but the one thing we never were was friends," Ace said.

"Careful," Teach warned. "You'll hurt my feelings. And all this talk of friendship, you were never really friends with anyone were you kid? I mean if you were you would have told them the truth about who you were. But you never trusted anyone enough for that did you?

"What are you talking about?" Haruta demanded. Tired of Teach's seemingly infinite list of surprises.

"Well go on," Teach stooped down to pick up his gun, gesturing it at the pirates behind Ace. "Go on, tell them all the secrets you've been keeping…. If you don't I will."

"Don't do this," Thatch warned Teach. He didn't know what Teach could be talking about, but he was well versed in the man's mind games and he was sick of them.

"You think, after everything you did to me, that this is going to hurt me? Now I'm going to say this one more time- Let My Brother Go!"

"Wait- what!" Haruta said.

"He's not your damn brother! Why do you even care about him?" Teach snarled. "Because he's your responsibility? Or because he's the only one who knows who you are and tolerates you anyways. Or maybe you just get some kind of sick kick out of the hero worship?"

"No," Ace answered back visibly unrattled despite Teach's best efforts. "He is my responsibility," He answered, meeting his little brothers' huge teary eyes. "But I care because I love him- and I can't live without him."

Luffy bit his lip to stop it from trembling. Ace really had changed since he had seen him last hadn't he? Even more then physically the brother he remembered would have never said that to him. Nobody ever had. But that was okay, Luffy never needed them too. He already knew it. But that logic didn't stop the tears from falling against his wishes.

Teach scoffed in disgust. "Then your as delusional as he is."

"Maybe."

"That kids… your brother?" Haruta asked trying to keep up, but completely blindsided by the conversation. "What's he doing here… what happened to him?"

"He's Ace's adopted brother," Teach corrected, a distinction Ace had never really cared to make. "Who apparently he loves so much he never mentioned him… to anyone."

"What happened to him!" Haruta repeated firmly. "Why is he here?"

"Why do you think!" Teach spat, annoyed the point he was trying to make wasn't sinking in.

"You did this?" Izo asked finally speaking up. Teach's silence was answer enough. "Just when I think you couldn't sink any lower. What did you do to him."

"Like your opinion matter to me," Teach said irritably. "He got whatever he deserved." He turned to Ace. "He's like you in all the worst ways." Teach looked back at Luffy, his wide eyes following all of his movements. "Well kid, I got to admit it. Your endless faith was really annoying. But it looks like you were right about Ace. Congrats. You've earned the honor of watching him die yourself." Teach pointed the gun at the pirates in front of him. "And then you, and then you and you."

"Course you don't need to die," Teach told him. "If you join me I'll forgive you… maybe."

"Oh, you've got to be joking?" Ace asked him. "You still want me to join you?"

"Beats dying with these losers don't it?" Teach shrugged. "Hell one day you might even get to see Luffy again."

"Why are you asking me this?" Ace challenged.

"Don't get me wrong," Teach scoffed. "I couldn't care less what happens to you. In fact I've been sort of itching to see your blood for the last five minutes now. People who cross me don't often get a second chance. But your more tolerable then your brother so I guess I can allow it. Because having the son of the pirate king at my disposal has a good sort of ring to it am I right?"

Ace glowered at him and behind him the three pirates stared on in stupid shock.

"I would rather die."

"That's not funny," Haruta snapped at Teach.

"Oh, I ain't joking. "Doesn't act at all like his old man but I assure you he is that man's son. You can kind of see it- when he's real pissed off…. Like right now."

Teach turned to Ace. "Oh I'm sorry? Was that a secret?"

"I told you, I don't care what you say about me," Ace told him.

"Your serious, aren't you?" Thatch asked quietly. Luffy certainly hadn't told him that. "That's why you went after Luffy." After months it finally made sense to him, Teach's obsession with Ace- it was for power. "Your so fucked up."

He was quickly met with the barrel of the gun as Teach pointed it at him. From behind them Luffy moaned in horrified protest.

Ace stepped in between them, willingly accepting the brunt of the gun as Teach adjusted his aim to Ace's forehead.

"Oh, you want to protect your friend now? That's cute. And your sure of your decision. Don't you think your little brothers been traumatized enough yet without having to watch his big brother get shot through the head.

Ace turned to Luffy who was watching everything unfold with horror. Ace tried to give him a comforting smile, but it came out as a grimace.

"I'm going to be okay Lu." He promised. "Close your eyes okay." Teach was right, Luffy had been through enough. He didn't need to see any more of Teach's threats. If the huge tear tracks on his little brother's face were any indication, any more of the bastard's stupid power plays were going to give him a break down.

But like always Luffy never listened to Ace as his eyes only grew wider.

"Don't," Luffy whispered.

"So where are they Ace? Your backup. Are they going to come running if Luffy starts screaming again?"

"No," Ace told him. "Because you're not doing that do him again. You're not doing anything to him ever!"

"Ace," Thatch said from behind him, trying to pull him out of the way. "He's right. Don't do this." His friend sounded horrible. No doubt Teach's hospitality.

But Ace held firm in his spot, ignoring Thatch. To Luffy he said, "Run little rabbit. As fast as you can. Don't look back. I'll come find you."

"Like hell," Teach growled. "He's not going anywhere. Now bring your friend here or Luffy will!" He cocked the gun.

Ace stared back at Teach, tilting his head forward so the gun was pressed firmly against it as if to encourage the man.

"Trust me Lu," He told his little brother. "I won't let anything happen to you."

"But-," Luffy's voice was trembling and he was obviously doing his best to keep from crying. But it was all for nothing as he broke a few seconds later. "Please don't die Ace," He sniffed his panic turning into a sob. "Don't leave me alone here."

"I won't." Ever.

"Fine," Teach seethed. He spread his powers and a shadow formed around Ace's feet making him feel like he had been plunged into an ice bath. Ace shivered and behind him he heard Thatch swear in surprise at the unpleasant feeling. "But you aren't burning your way out of this one."

He motioned to the marines, "If the pirates try to interfere shoot them on sight." There was a low murmur of agreement as dozens of guns clicked, trained on the two pirates at the center.

"Don't!" Izo warned.

"What kind of fucked up freak are you?" Haruta snapped. "Haven't you done enough to that kid yet?"

Thatch tried again to get Ace to move but the younger boy pushed him off again.

"This is a warning to the other rats!" Teach called to the room. "Come out now or I'm ending the Gol D. blood line once and for all."

"Portgas."

"What!"

"My name! Is Portgas not Gol.

"Like that matters!" Teach said.

"It matters to me," Ace growled. He wasn't his father's son, that man didn't even know his name. He was his mothers. She had sacrificed herself for him, she had done everything for him. Not Roger. Anyone could knock someone up and then abandon them. But only his mother could do what she had done. Who ever Ace had become, good or bad, was thanks to her, not Roger. And it was time that Ace stopped paying for someone else's crimes.

He heard Luffy sob again, louder, and he frowned. He didn't want to have to hear him crying.

"Well Portgas," Teach mocked. "Looks like no one's coming to save you."

"Looks like it," Ace answered back.

"No! Stop it! Don't hurt him." Luffy said shakily as he sobbed again. His already broken voice shattered by the barely contained sobs.

"Any last words?"

Ace glared up at him, feeling indescribable anger course through his veins.

"You're going to regret making Luffy cry."

"I doubt it!"

"Stop!" Luffy cried. "Stop-stop-stop STOP! Why won't you STOP! Kill me instead! Hurt me! I don't care" He sobbed again. "Just don't touch Ace."

Ace closed his eyes, steeling his resolve. Why couldn't Luffy ever listen to him. He didn't want to hear his baby brother beg. He didn't think he had ever heard something so awful in his entire life. Well, there was that time Sabo died and Luffy had cried for three days straight. He had sounded pretty awful back then too. And just like then it only made Ace angrier.

"You have the nerve to ask me that!" Teach snapped at Luffy. "After the crap you always pulled."

"I'm sorry," Luffy cried. "I'll do whatever you want. I won't fight you anymore. I'll be good now. Just Please-please leave Ace alone."

"Too little too late kid."

"What the hell is wrong with you," Thatch hissed violently shoving Ace forward to get to Teach. But the dark shadows climbed his leg, holding him to the spot as Ace maintained his place between the two of them. "

"Give your father my regards in the afterlife."

"You can tell him yourself," Ace told him.

And Teach smirked at him, clicking the gun. "You first."

And then he pulled the trigger-

Luffy screamed like he was dying and for the second time the entire room fell into chaos.

It felt a bit like a charge of static electricity, shocking the entire room and sending everyone's hair on end. At least it did for the ones who managed to stay standing.

Half the marines, and most of Teach's lackies took the hit. Their eyes rolling back in their sockets as the collapsed over each other.

At the same time Teach had dropped the gun, clutching his hand in agony. The bullet that had been meant for Ace fired, ricocheting off the floor before embedding itself into the wall behind them.

In his distraction Teach released his powers, freeing Thatch who scrambled back, his eyes wide with confusion and on edge with the sudden burst of power. He felt his brother's arms around him, pulling him back to them. Haruta's hand gripping his wrist so hard it felt like it might break.

"What- was that," He asked in shock.

The room seemed as rattled as he was. The marines were screaming over their fallen comrades, unsure if they were dead or simply knocked out.

"Who was that," Izo corrected him slinging his arm over Thach's shoulder giving his long-lost brother a comforting hug.

Burgess, who had felt the brunt of it, managed not to drop the gun but his hold on Luffy loosened.

Luffy, the only one unaffected, threw the stunned man's hands off of him. And Burgess let him, too surprised to do much more then clutch emptily after him.

But he didn't run like his brother had told him. Or rather he didn't run away. Instead he sprinted across the room, easily avoiding Teach who was too startled to even notice him.

He slammed into Ace's arms, hard. Knocking the older boy back a step with the force of it.

Ace closed his arms around him instinctively. As surprised as the rest of them.

"Lu- did you?" He began. But the truth of it was that he didn't really care. Not right now.

Ace closed his eyes, tightening his arms around his little brother, willing the other to stop trembling.

"I got you." He promised Luffy, gently resting his cheek on the messy hair. And for the first time since this entire mess started, he felt content.

No matter how many awful things he had been forced to do. Or the even worse things he had been willing to do. It would have all been worth it. For this.

Luffy said nothing. But he felt his little brothers trembling stop as he slumped forward in his arms, pressing his face into Ace's collar bone. He was really tiny and cold but Ace didn't care about any of that. Because he had his brother back. And like hell he was ever going to let him go again.

It was Teach's voice that broke through his happiness and Ace opened his eyes, tucking Luffy's head under his chin when he felt his little brother try to look up.

"What the hell was that?" There was something dark in his voice as he reached down once more to pick up the gun with his uninjured hand only to recoil with a hiss as it was still too hot to touch.

Ace could see that the palm of Teach's hand was raw and glistening with the tell tales signs of a burn.

"You let go of the kid!" Teach accused whirling around to face his crew mate.

"Sorry boss," Burgess stuttered still unsure what had happened. "It felt like the kid shocked me- I -I don't.

"Useless- your all useless," Teach muttered as he turned back to glare at Ace. "What did you do?" He accused. "Half of my men are downed. I will kill you for that."

Ace didn't bother to point out that he had just tried. "Wasn't me," He said gently reaching down to draw Luffy's face away from his chest and Luffy reluctantly let him. His face was covered in dirt and blood, with dirty tear tracks carved into the grime. He looked hurt.

But Ace couldn't look too closely before his little brother squirmed, pulling free of Ace's hold he pressed back into his chest. Still too traumatized by what had almost just happened. Ace understood and pulled him tight again.

"How did you burn me? My darkness nullifies your powers," Teach had been talking all the while. Ace wished he could tune him out. But then things would just get messy again.

He looked up at Teach. "What makes you think that was me?"

"Who else could it have been?"

Ace shrugged, looking down at his brother. Luffy had conquerors haki. That was interesting.

"Your full of surprises," He whispered to Luffy.

"Are you guys okay?" He asked the pirates behind them.

"Ace What The Hell Was That!" Haruta asked.

"Is Luffy okay?" Thatch asked cutting his brother off." He squeezed Haruta's hand, trying to wordlessly communicate to leave Ace alone.

Ace looked down at his brother, deciding that he was as okay as he could be for the moment.

"He's okay," He reassured him.

"That was Luffy wasn't it?" Thatch asked. Ace said nothing but the man didn't need his confirmation.

"That little kid did this?" Izo asked.

Teach gaze snapped to Luffy and Ace tightened his arms around him. "You're kidding! He looked back at Ace. "Alright come on, enough of that. Let go of him nice and easy."

Ace felt Luffy press harder against him at the words and Ace put his hand on the others hair reassuringly.

"Come make me."

Teach hissed at the words as he stormed over to Burgess, grabbing the gun from his hold before rounding upon Ace once more.

"I suppose you think that was clever huh? That you somehow are going to win."

Ace saw the gun, gently pulling Luffy away from him once more. He fought to stay where he was but Ace was insistent. Pulling him behind his back as Teach approached.

"Guys," Thatch warned his brothers and Izo stepped forwards. "I think you've done that, enough haven't you?" He told Teach firmly but Ace motioned him back.

"It's okay, stay there."

"It's okay is it!" Teach snarled. "What exactly is okay for you?" He turned to the group behind him. "Pull yourselves together you weaklings. Are you so pathetic that a child can bring you down?"

"Hell no boss," Catarina said. Her hand clumsily wrapped with a scrap of her shirt as she came to stand behind her captain.

"And you," He growled at the marines. "Every one of you still standing. If you let this lot escape, I will personally hunt you down and make sure it's the last thing you do. Your admirable ain't going to protect you from that. Do you understand?
"Pick yourself up," The lieutenant told his men. "Guard the exits. No pirates will escape on our watch." There was a resounded, albeit shaky cry of agreement.

"Ace," Izo warned.

"I see them," Ace said without looking at him. "Stay behind me."

"Like we can trust you!" Haruta snapped, ignoring Thatch's warning grip on his arm.

"You don't have to trust me," Ace said tightening his hold to keep Luffy behind his back. "Just don't move.- You too Lu," He felt Luffy's face peek over his shoulder to see what was happening but he pushed him back down.

"Okay," Thatch promised for all three of them. "You'll be okay?"

Ace nodded as he felt Luffy grab his hand and he squeezed back, even as Teach marched up to him. Once more shoving the gun in his face.

"Any more tricks up your sleeve?"

"Just one," Ace said.

And the ceiling broke.

Or rather some of the support beams that ran all across the ceiling snapped. Ace held his ground as the splinters rained around him and his ex- crew. The others weren't so lucky as they scattered back to avoid the rubble.

Only Teach held his own, his powers protecting him from the worst of the damage.

And amidst all the chaos was Marco, swooping down from the ceiling. His phoenix wings slowing his descent to a controlled fall as he landed before Teach.

And the fury of Teach was nearly tangible as he got his second nasty shock of the day.

"You," He hissed. "You were behind this," He waived his burnt hand. "You stopped the bullet."

"You were too hasty?" He told Ace ignoring his ex- crew mate to instead search the crowd.

Ace shrugged. "I had to. He was picking on Lu."

Marco's eyes fell over Luffy, studying his injured face carefully. "You hanging in there kid?" Luffy peeked over Ace's shoulder at Marco, his eyes widening at the glowing phoenix wings. But he didn't respond.

Marco looked beyond them, and his smile grew even wider as he caught sight of his crew mates and- "Thatch!" He said his voice softening. "I can't tell you how good it is to see you."

Thatch looked shocked, although he was starting to get used to it and a few moments later a huge smile replaced his surprise. "My old friend. I promise it's better to see you. They told me you were dead. I see now that was another lie."

"Oh Ace," Teach hissed. "What have you done!"

"I lied," Ace told him.

"You worthless-," He began only to be cut off by the pirates behind him.

"MARCO!"

"We thought," Izo began.

"-That Ace killed me?" Marco asked smiling fondly at his ship brother. "Trust me the kid needs a lot more practice before he can take me down."

Thatch smiled back at his friend before looking over to Luffy, who was pressed against Aces back, squeezing his hand tightly in his own. Thatch figured he owed Luffy an apology. At the time he had thought it was just blind optimism. But Luffy had been right all along. And no one had ever listened to him. But apologies would have to wait until they could get out of here.

Teach looked absolutely murderous. As if he was unsure who to be angrier at. He turned to the room behind him.

"Get up!" He told them his voice low with the sort of fury that made Luffy tuck in closer to Ace. "Kill them all but bring the little one to me."

Marco looked over at Ace as the sound of dozens of gun's pointed towards them. "Got him?"

"I got him," Ace said, turning around to pull his arms around his brother. "Good," He turned back to his ship brothers. "Hold on to each other."

"Shoot them!" Teach commanded.

And there was an explosion of smoke that covered the room and the sound of gunshots rang out from the terrified marines.

And when it cleared, the prisoners were gone.

Chapter Text

Ace held his baby brothers face in his hands hardly able to wrap his head around the reality in front of him. He had Luffy back. After all this time, all that searching. Ace had begun to believe he would never see him again. But here he was right in front of him. Staring up at him with those familiar dark eyes, huge with surprise.

Sometimes when they were growing up Ace swore he could just look at Luffy and just know what he was thinking. He knew that kid better then he knew himself at times. It was only now, when Luffy moved his head, pressing his cheek into Ace's palm, desperate for comfort, that Ace knew what he was thinking. he could finally understand how Luffy felt. Because he felt it too.

And for the first time in a while Ace felt tears well up in his eyes and he furiously blinked them away. There was no time for that right now. This wasn't about how he felt, it never was. So he forced the feelings that threatened to bubble over back down.

"Are you okay?" He asked his little brother.

When the other didn't answer Ace let go of him, pushing back to get a good look at him. But when Luffy felt him try to pull away he followed him, pressing forwards on his knees as he threw his bound arms around Ace's head.

Ace felt the unnatural coolness of the sea stone cuffs against his skin as Luffy did so, plus the impact of Luffy sent them both down to their knees. Luffy refused to let go the entire time, his arms wrapped around his neck as he pushed closer to his brother.

It caught Ace a little bit off guard. Luffy had always been an affectionate kid. He took whatever he wanted from people be it their food, clothes, friendship or companionship. But Ace had never seen him like this. He was so- quite… complacent maybe bordering on scared. Worst of all he looked so fragile. -Traumatized. Teach's word came to mind. That's what he was wasn't he. Not that Ace hadn't been expecting this. He just hadn't given it much thought aside from keeping Luffy breathing. He knew he could figure everything out later. And it wasn't later yet.

Ace closed his arms around Luffy, leaning down so his chin rested on Luffy's shoulder.

"I'm sorry I'm so late." He told him, his voice low. Of all the things he had to apologize for that was far from the top of the list. But in the moment, it felt like the most important. And if he truly started apologizing, they would be here all year.

Luffy didn't say anything, only moving a bit in response.

"Just hold on?" Ace asked him again. "I'm not going to let anything else happen to you…. Okay?"

"….Luffy?" He asked gently after a moment when the other still did not move. Ace could still feel the frantic beating of his heart from everything that had just happened. …Traumatized. The word ran though his mind again and if he was being honest Ace was feeling more than a bit traumatized himself. And resisting the urge to shake Luffy out of his shock and demand to know if he was all right or not was taking every bit of self-restraint Ace had. Patience had never come easy to him, especially in situations like this one, where every protective instinct he had was screaming. But Ace's feelings didn't matter. He didn't get to be hurt or scared or upset, not when all of this was his fault. He had to stay firm. That was the only way he would ever be able to begin to fix things.

He reached up gently to tap Luffy's cheek, trying to pull him out of it.

"Stay with me Lu?"

"Hmm?" Luffy said as Ace pulled back just enough so he could see his face. There was a slightly glazed look in his eyes and Ace didn't know it was from everything that had just happened or if he was on something.

When he went to lift Luffy's arms off from around his neck he snapped out of it. Luffy made a nose of protest from the back of his throat frantically pulling him back. To Ace's surprise it was Luffy that rose up to his knees, wrapping his bound arms around Ace's head once more as he pulled the older boy to his chest. When he moved in surprise Luffy held on tighter.

"Lu?" Ace asked in surprise, Luffy grip tightening in protest when Ace tried to move.

"I missed you." Luffy told him finally resting his cheek on the top of Ace's head.

Ace moved his head a little bit, so his voice wasn't muffled against Luffy's collar bone.

"I missed you too," Ace told him. More than he could ever know.

"I- I thought that …Teach was- he had a gun- you were just standing there…Why were you just standing there." Luffy asked.

"I'm sorry I scared you." Ace told him. He wasn't supposed to see that. "Why don't you ever listen to me?" Ace asked him softly. He hadn't really been expecting an answer but Luffy liked to catch him off guard.

"Because sometimes you're stupid." Luffy told him with that famous blunt honesty of his and despite everything Ace smiled.

"I am aren't I"

"Hmm," Luffy's arms' tightened around his head. "You can't just stand there! He was going to shoot you." He told him, his tone implying that he thought Ace hadn't known this.

"Luffy it's okay."

"Not Okay!" Luffy told him raising his voice a bit. "You were going to let him kill you! That's not fair!"

"Sh-shhh," Ace tried to shush him before he got too loud that they would be detected. "Luffy I wasn't going to let him shoot me."

"You weren't?"

"Of course not!" Ace told him pulling away so he could meet Luffy's eyes so the other could see how serious he was. "After all the work I put into saving you, I can't just show up and die right, what kind of rescue would that be?"

"A stupid one," Luffy agreed.

And Ace felt something snap in his heart at that for no explicable reason. He moved forward quickly, easily breaking free of his brothers grip to grab him. Luffy made a sound of surprise as he was pulled into Ace's arms firmly as Ace clumsily kissed his temple. And then because Luffy was squirming, and just because he could, he kissed his forehead and then his cheek. Something he had never done before and would likely never do again, but right now he didn't care about any of that.

When Luffy started to squirm more he finally let him sit up. "I just missed you," He said again to Luffy questioning look.

"Mmm," Luffy agreed. "I was worried I wouldn't get to say goodbye."

And suddenly all of the overwhelming relief Ace was feeling left as quickly as it had come.

"What!" He asked sure he had to have misheard. Luffy didn't say goodbye to anyone, least of all to Ace. He liked to say 'see you later', especially to those he wanted to meet again. That was just how he was, he hated goodbyes. So why?
"Goodbye, why goodbye." Ace asked forcing out the hardness in his voice. "You're not going anywhere." Ever again. Right now Ace didn't want to even let him out of his sight. "Okay!" Luffy just nodded, easily agreeing. Offering nothing else. Ace tabled that for later, he really couldn't deal with whatever Luffy could have meant by that.

He stood up, gently pulling Luffy up after him so he could look the other over. There was no easy way to say it, but Luffy looked awful. And that was in the dim light of their hidey hallway. He was much too small, and his legs trembled under his weight which prevented Ace from letting go of him. It was hard to see how injured he really was with all of the bloody grime and bandages, but Ace knew it had to be bad. Worse then he wanted to think about, both inside and out. But Luffy was strong, he wouldn't still be here if he wasn't. And whatever it was, whatever had happened to him Ace would fix it- somehow.

There was one thing that he had held on to all these months, one thing he kept repeating over and over in his head. Like a prayer to whoever or whatever might be listening. Not that he really believed in that stuff, but grief made people a bit crazy, crazy enough for him to do anything. So he kept bargaining with the gods that controlled the fates of people. He would tell them, furiously, over and over for the last few months;

'Just let him be alive- Please! You can take everything else away from me but not him. You can't have him.'

And Ace swore that if he was all right then for the rest of his life, he would do whatever Luffy needed, wanted him to do. He didn't care. He just… needed him.

"Can you hang on a little bit longer?" Ace asked as Luffy leaned his head on his shoulder. Looking about ready to fall asleep- or maybe pass out.

"Umm," He agreed forcing his eyes open sleepily.

There was a sound, far off for now but getting closer. Marines. Ace looked over with a frown. For a moment there he had forgotten about them, about everyone and everything. He wished that for just a little while everyone could just stop except Luffy. But life wasn't that easy.

They had to run from the throne room as fast as possible. Ace had held Luffy while Marco had grabbed the other three. When he dropped the smoke bomb the two of them hadn't bothered with the door, knowing the marines would just slow them down. Instead they had entered the way they came. On the ceiling rafters there was a break in one of the corners. A break Marco had made, that led them to the next room, from there Marco and Ace knew exactly how and where to run to avoid detection.

They had stopped in in this small hallway, a split off from the main one, removed enough that it wouldn't initially be searched, in order to wait out the group of marines. With any luck they had a good enough head start that they wouldn't double back for quite a while Or at least that was the plan.

They had taken a break in this small run off hallway to give the marines a head start, but from the sounds of it the second wave of search party was heading their way.

Ace turned to Marco, to make sure he knew. If he was being completely honest, he had forgotten about them for at least the last ten minutes. But it was clear they had not forgotten about the two of them. Izo and Haruta turned away quickly, pretending they hadn't been staring. It was only Thatch who was still looking at them, unapologetically watching.

Usually Ace would be embarrassed. He was never this affectionate even to Luffy, let alone in front of a huge audience. But right now he could only manage to be slightly flustered. But rather than curious like the other two Thatch just looked happy. Really happy as he looked at Luffy pressed against Ace's side.

"Oh kid, you're a sight for sore eyes." Thatch told him his smile growing larger. During the time Ace had been focused on Luffy Thatch had been reuniting with his brothers. His already messy hair was mussed from their hugs and tasseled and Haruta's arm was slung half casually and half protectively over his shoulder.

"I'm glad your okay," Ace told him and he meant every word of it. Thatch's fate was weighing heavily on his conscience. The man was one of his first friends on the Moby and had never failed to cheer Ace up when he was feeling bad.

"That's your brother," Haruta said again. Only there was no disbelief in his voice only interest. He was asking Ace to introduce them.

Ace looked between him and Marco. Something must have transpired while he was caught up with Luffy that had softened the pirates a bit to him. How much was still to be determined But they didn't seem to want to kill him right now so he would take it. He nodded after a moment a bit unsurely. Ace no longer knew where he stood with them anymore, after months on the opposite side and that made him hesitant.

Haruta turned to Luffy next, "Are you okay?"

There was only concern in his voice, but Luffy still drew back at the attention. Pressing closer to Ace. Maybe he was picking up on Ace's obvious hesitance or maybe he had just become wearily during captivity- either way he acted nothing like the trusting overly friendly boy Ace had grown up with.

'Worry about it later,' Ace reminded himself. 'Even if it takes me the rest of my life I'll make it up to him- fix him.' He didn't know if there was anything he could even do but the words comforted Ace to think about. And he meant them, more than anything. He would do whatever it took to make this right. But right now they needed to get out of here.

"Can you still run?" Izo asked Luffy, turning the question onto Ace when he once again didn't answer. Ace nodded. Truthfully, he didn't know. But he knew how tough Luffy was to keep down.

But Izo didn't look convinced as he looked Luffy over once more. "Marco?"

"I'll look over both of you once we shake the tail," He promised looking to Luffy then at Thatch.

"No worries about me," Thatch said beaming at his ship brothers. "I think I could climb a mountain." His smile only seemed to grow bigger as time stretched on. Thatch was ecstatic and all the previous adrenaline had turned into happy contentment. He had gotten everything he had wanted, had dared to hope for, in the last few hours and nothing could ruin his jovial mood.

"You might want to save the mountain climbing for later," Marco told his friend with a small, but sincere smile of affection. "You look awful and we have to go." The pounding footsteps were getting closer they had to go.

"You know your way around here?" Izo asked and Marco nodded.

"Lead the way."

XXX

Thatch had begun to think of the day as one of the worst in his life. It hadn't begun that way, not at first. He hadn't been happy. Ever since 'losing Luffy' his days had gotten much darker and he had lost track of the passing of time. That was until, out of nowhere Luffy had been shoved back into his life and it had nearly given him a heart attack from surprise. From then on the day had had been an unbelievable roller-coaster of emotions. He knew Teach hadn't reunited them out of the goodness of his heart, but at the time Thatch had been too content to question it. That was until they had been dragged into the throne room and everything rapidly went downhill. For a man like Teach who was continuously challenging himself in reaching new moral low points, he had outdone himself. Thatch would never forget the way Luffy's voice sounded as he screamed, so desperate to save him. Thatch honestly didn't know he cared so much. Of course he knew the kid liked him but not like that, like his world would end if they shot Thatch. And if he hadn't had a gun to his head in that moment, he would have found it overwhelmingly sweet. But the whole mess was little more than a blur of adrenaline and desperation.

The whole time Luffy was screaming Thatch honestly believed that they were alone here, no one could have possibly found them out here. But his brothers had and they had come all this way on their own to save him. Thatch had felt his heart stop when they had stepped forward.

And in that instant all of his doubts and fears from the previous months abandoned him and a new kind of fear replaced it. A self-less kind. Just the sight of them was all he could have asked for. It was confirmation to something he already knew. His family had loved him, and they had come to save him. But it also reminded him what was important- them. And he realized in that moment that he would rather take the bullet then let anything happen to them. The sight alone of his family risking everything to interject would be reward enough for his struggles, and their safety would be worth his death. If only he could tell them that, or Luffy who kept screaming the entire time. It honestly made Thatch sick to listen to. He wished more than anything in that moment that he could take Teach with him, but it seemed that it wasn't meant to be.

He told himself the kid would be okay; his brother would take care of him in Thatch's place. Somehow, they would just look at him and understand what he went through. He could see the sky and even if Thatch never got to see it with him he would somehow know Luffy would be okay- as would his family. And at the end of his very long and wearisome day Thatch would come home to Marco, and all the brothers and sisters he had lost too soon. After every ending was happy if you were patient enough.

But then Luffy started screaming for Ace and Thatch nearly lost his resolve. Because he just didn't sound okay. He sounded wrong, broken. And then Teach told Luffy 'not this again,' and Thatch realized with this horrible heavy feeling in his stomach that Luffy had been screaming for Ace this whole time. He had never understood that he was crying the name of a dead man to come save him. Because he really believed Ace was still coming for him. And Thatch just couldn't leave him like that. With everyone he loved already dead. Traumatized and abused within an inch of his life, tortured to death only to come back and be completely alone in the world. That was beyond cruel, even for the tough little kid.

He had tried his best to get Teach to shut up, but his well-meaning and completely idiotic brother had confirmed Teach's claims. And Thatch saw the panic in his eyes as, for apparently the first time, he began to believe Teach.

And then, in what had to be the most shocking moments of Thatch's life, Ace answered Luffy's cries. He seemed to come from midair, bringing a god like vengeance with him that scorched everything that wasn't his friends. And most of all he rattled Teach. But Thatch was too shocked by his appearance to reveal in his captor's failure.

And then, when the dust had settled Ace had let the man turn the gun on himself to protect Thatch. And Thatch had to agree with Teach when the man said that Luffy had been traumatized enough without having to watch his brother die. But Ace was too confident not to have some kind of plan. And he did. But what was even more surprising was Luffy's reaction. Not the screaming, although that was horrible in its own way. Thatch had honestly believed that nothing could be worse than his cries up until that point. But there was something about the way he tried to bargain for Ace's life that was somehow worse. There was no need to wonder who he loved more. Not when months of Teach's attempts to break Luffy were all upstaged by a single instant when he pointed that gun at Ace and Luffy started to break for real. Begging Teach to kill him instead and finally, for the first time since Thatch had known him, he promised to obey. But all that went out the window a moment later when Luffy lost it for real and in a shockingly powerful display from someone so young released a huge wave of conquerors haki.

But all his suffering had been for nothing. Ace had had a plan, not that he could of told Luffy that. And his plan turned out to be Marco. Who must have been monitoring the situation closely, ready to interject at any point to save them. They were never in any real danger of getting shot. Not with his friends' powers. Which would have been great to know beforehand.

But Luffy had served as a good distraction, allowing them all to break free and in that moment, it was like the universe slid back into place for them. Thatch felt his brothers' arms around him, hugging him and pulling him against them. He returned the gesture wholeheartedly reveling in the feeling of this- being loved lost and reunited. And one of them, he honestly didn't know who murmured, "We got you, your back, your back." Over and over like a pledge. And Thatch felt his eyes prickle as he knew the words to be the truth. He was home with them.

When he clued back into reality Luffy was already back with Ace. He had ran strait for him like he was the only safe place left in the universe, ignoring everything and everybody in favor of his brother. Ace asked if they were okay and Thatch returned the question, unable to take his eyes off the trembling shape in Ace's arms. He was acting very unlike himself and he had been ever since they were forced into this awful room. But now?

The day felt like an endless parade of revelations, one right after another. Ace had never betrayed them, not on purpose. Everything he had done had been for his brother. Thatch had always thought this was true but it came as a total shock to his brothers, as did Luffy being Ace's brother. And not only was he not dead but he had spent the last few months planning the revolt against Teach, learning his games and deceiving him. So entirely that he had managed to convince everyone with the exception of his brother, who seemed to have an endless amount of faith in Ace. And then, in what might have been the most surprising thing yet to come out of Teach's mouth, Ace was Rogers son? The same Roger that Oyaji was close friends with, the one that would come hassle the crew on occasion. The one that loved the smile and whose laugh sounded like a clap of thunder. How little Ace acted like his father. If he had thought that he knew nothing about Ace before the more he learned the more he felt like the less he knew. But he was Ace's father not Luffy's. Because Luffy wasn't really Ace's brother. At least according to Teach. Thatch tabled all of that to deal with later. It didn't really matter. The only thing he cared about right now was the way his brother's arms felt around his shoulders and how tightly he hugged them back, and watching the way Luffy seemed to relax in Ace's arms as he protected all of them against the threats. And things just seemed to feel right.

And then, just when it seemed like Ace was all out of tricks, he still had one final one. Marco. He broke through the ceiling like a storm, shattering it with his anger and landing between the two groups, as protective of them as ever. And that was the instant Thatch just knew that everything was going to be all right, and it had been for the last little while. Because even if they didn't know it, they had a guardian angel watching over them. And Marco freed them all. Distracting the marines with a smoke bomb he grabbed Thatch, collecting the other two in his phoenix talons as he took them into the air, up where the smoke couldn't reach them, hidden from the marines. And Thatch was finally free.

…

They had a had a lot of ground to cover in a short amount of time it would take the marines to sort themselves out. For a few moments the small group had done nothing but run, Haruta helping Thatch and Ace carrying Luffy. And miraculously Marco seemed to know where to go, the same way he knew which abandoned hallway to stop in to give the Marines a chance to pass them. He signaled them all to stop, pushing the small group behind him in a protective way as he looked out, watching the feet thunder past from a safe distance. They had a few moments to collect their breaths.

All Thatch had thought about for months was this moment, getting his brothers back in arm's reach just for a moment. He wanted it so desperately. Just like Luffy had done all those weeks ago he had thought over and over what he wanted to tell them, how much he wanted to translate how he felt about each one of them into words. And now that they were finally here, all of his wishes answered in an instant he forgot all of it. The only thing he could do was sit there stupidly feeling first Haruta tackle him to the ground, followed rather uncharacteristically by Izo and then finally Marco. The man returned from the watch to pull Thatch to his feet only to give him a light hug, one that Thatch instantly turned into a deep bear hug.

"I freaking thought I lost you," He told his brother, his voice strained from shock and grief. "I really thought…"

"You can't believe everything you hear," Marco told him hugging him tighter in comfort.

"Don't even start!" Thatch told him hitting his arm lightly. "Try living in a mad man's match box and see how picky you can afford to be about your news." He wasn't angry, just relieved and worried. Marco knew this and smiled.

"I'm sorry. I wish we could have found you sooner."

Thatch did too but he shook his head. "You were just in time," He told his friend. "But between me and you don't cut it so close next time." He looked over at Ace and Luffy. "Not all of us were having as much fun as you were in there."
Marco followed Thatch's gaze to where Ace was kneeling, Luffy held tight in his arms. The younger boy looked pale and in some kind of state of shock. He was hurt, everyone could see that. And all of this could not be good for him. Not when he was likely to pass out at any moment. Ace had tried to get his attention, but when it failed, he dropped his hands. And that was when Luffy moved, quickly reaching back for him. Wrapping his own arms around Ace, desperately pulling him back. He crawled forwards so his own arms were wrapped around him. Pressing Ace's head against his chest as he rested his cheek on the others hair. Something Thatch had never seen Luffy do before. It warmed his heart.

For months he had been forced to watch Luffy be abused and tortured and there was nothing he could do nothing but watch the tiny kid get smaller and more injured. Luffy hardly accepted or asked for comfort throughout their captivity. He would lean against Thatch's side when he was falling asleep. But Luffy seemed hard wired to deal with the pain and stress himself. He never asked Thatch for help or to protect him or anything a normal teenager might have done. Aside from the one-time Thatch had never seen him cry over anything that happened to him or break down.

Thatch watched along side his brothers, all in surprise as Ace grabbed him clumsily kissing his face. Something none of them would have thought him even capable of. His brothers were shocked. But Thatch could only feel happiness as he watched them.

One of the only things Thatch had wanted while they were here was to know that Luffy would be okay, maybe not right then, but one day. And then he had lost him and suddenly all of that hope went away. For months he had to live with the knowledge that Luffy had died all alone, hurting and cold in that horrible room…

But Thatch didn't want to think about that right now. Not when Ace was right here hugging Luffy. And it was obvious he had missed his little brother every bit as much as Luffy had missed him.

He had been worried- or he just wondered why Ace had never said anything about his little brother. Thatch had wondered it so much it had kept him awake sometimes. He just needed to know that Luffy would be cared for once they left this place. That somebody aside from Thatch in the wide world gave a damn about what he went through.

-And now he knew that somebody did. They cared a lot.

Behind him Haruta was squeezing the life out of Marco. He heard Izo's low voice. He had been speaking for a while.

"Teach said he killed you? Everybody thinks you're dead."

"It was supposed to be Ace," Marco told him.

"Huh?"

"Teach ordered Ace to kill me," Marco clarified. "I'll tell you later. There's no time now."

"Wait- wait?" Haruta said ignoring Marco's words. "Ace really isn't on Teach's side?"

"Of course not!" Thatch cut in hearing enough of the conversation. "How could you guys think that?" Sure he had doubted Ace, pretty hard. But never once had Thatch thought Ace would hurt Marco by choice. He looked back at Izo, the man silently listening. He had always been quicker on the uptake then Haruta."

"So he didn't pick Teach over us?"

"No," Marco told him, his tone impossible to read. "Not Teach. He chose Luffy over us."

And regardless of how his ship brothers might feel about that Thatch was nothing but grateful that he had.

Chapter Text

The base was as cold and unwelcoming as you could get. The sight of it made Marco's skin crawl. The perfect hole for Teach to hide in. He entered through the tunnels in the bedrock below. That had been one of the only pieces of information Sabo's revolutionary connection could offer them. There were bootlegging tunnels throughout the whole mountain, but where they were or where they led was anyone's guess. Marco spent nearly an entire day trying to navigate the tunnels and the other sneaking around the base itself. When Teach had called for reinforcements his ask had been answered in full. There were marines everywhere, not to mention the admiral. Particularly Marco's least favorite. This was going to be risky.

He found Luffy first and for a horrifying moment he thought the boy was dead. Lying on his side in the pitch-black room. When Marco touched him he felt cold- deathly cold. But he was just sleeping, or passed out. They were one of the same with how far gone Luffy was.

Marco would have to leave him here. He knew it, even without testing the sea stone chain. If he tried to bring Luffy with him now they would most likely be caught. He tested the chain all the same, trying to pull it from the wall before it began to sap his power. It was no use. Without the key the kid wasn't going anywhere. It was a good thing Ace hadn't come with him. He doubted the younger boy would have been able to leave his baby brother. Not like this.

"Hold on Monkey D. Luffy," Marco told him. "Ace is coming for you."

There was a ragged teddy bear a few feet away, lying forgotten on the ground. It looked so out of place in the prison cell. What kind of person trapped a kid in a prison cell, not so much as giving them any light or contact, and then threw a Teddy in with them.

Marco kicked it, feeling annoyance at the marine's gesture of kindness. Then thinking better of it he retrieved it bringing it back to the sleeping prisoner. Luffy curled up a bit tighter, tucking his face into the soft fur. Subconsciously trying to block the world out. But he didn't wake up. And Marco left.

He went after Thatch next. Finding him far away on one of the upper floors. The man was doing better. If only physically. He too was covered with bandages and looked filthy with blood and grime. Only Marco didn't mistake him for a corpse.

He was sleeping as well, which seemed to be all Teach's prisoners did. Leaning back against the bed with his head braced on his knees. At the very least Thatch was only sleeping, and not passed out. No doubt he would wake if Marco wasn't careful enough. And if he woke then there was no way Marco could just leave him here, even if it was only for a bit longer. But then Teach would know something was wrong and his job would become much harder.

But Thatch did not wake up. And Marco once again left him. But not without carefully draping the blanket over his shoulders first.

"Soon," He told one of his favorite brothers. They would take him back and Whitebeard would see this whole place burnt to the ground. But first there was work to be done.

Just over four days since splitting up Marco met Ace and Sabo at the base of the caves. He had expected them to take longer- and for Ace to be alone.

"You're a sight for sore eyes kid," Marco greeted Sabo. "I thought we might have lost you."

"And I thought you didn't like me?" Sabo answered back more amused then anything.

"I don't like revolutionaries. But your all right for one." He turned to Ace. "But I am surprised you let him come? With whatever kind of relationship you two have going on and him having been in a coma a day ago."

"We're not in a relationship!" Sabo argued.

Marco hadn't meant that kind of relationship, or maybe he had. Honestly, he didn't know at this point. And at the moment he had bigger things to worry about then figuring out which kind of team, if any, Ace played for.

"I don't really let Sabo do anything," Ace muttered as he looked up at the hulking sight in front of him. "He just does whatever he wants… That's it?"

Marco nodded turning back to the task at hand. "Fair enough. Just tell me your not going to pass out again?"

"I won't." Sabo assured him.

"One day you guys are going to sit down and tell me everything. And I mean everything."

"If we make it out of here alive I will write you a book," Ace promised. "Did you find Luffy and Thatch?"

Marco hesitated a moment too long and watched the fear rise in Ace's eyes. "I did," He said ushering the two of them into the cave.

"Are they- okay?"

"No," Marco told them honestly. "We need to get them out of here as soon as we can. Luffy especially." He didn't know how long the kid had left if left under Teach's care.

"Well let's go get them!" Ace said pushing past Marco even as the man reached out to grab his arm. "It's not that easy."

"Yes, it is!" he argued.

"Listen I overheard the marines talking. Reinforcements are on their way, Teach knows something is up. He doubled the guard force and it's only going to get worse from here."

"I don't care," Ace said pulling his arm out of Marco's grip.

"Luffy's chained with sea stone. Even if we stormed the place, we couldn't free him."

"Then we get the key."

"And do what with them? It's not an issue of force," Marco reasoned catching Sabo's eye this time. He knew he could appeal to the logical blond before his words would reach Ace. "What's the use of freeing them if we have nowhere to take them. We can't fight off everyone at once. No matter how much we might want too." He added.

"You have a plan then?"

"This place is built like a maze, there are hallways built into the walls. Most of this place is abandoned. We can use that. I spent the last three days exploring it."

"Learn our way around here better than them," Sabo said catching on and Marco nodded. He turned to Ace who frowned.

"He's right."

"I don't care."

"Teach has had his way for too long," Marco told him. "He's overconfident and that will make him sloppy. Let him make his move, it's sure to be a spectacle. He will have to unchain Luffy. We will get them then. It's our best option to remain hid-"

"- I Don't Fucking Care!" Ace snapped, embers of fire shooting off of him as his temper snapped.

They stood in silence for a moment until Sabo turned to look at Ace. He didn't say anything, but his opinion must have been clear on his face, at least for Ace. After a tense second Ace broke their gaze, huffing as he turned away, exhaling smoke.

"Ace," Sabo said after a moment.

"Yea I know." Ace said defeated, his voice much softer now.

Marco watched in surprise. He had never seen anyone derail Ace like that. Let alone when he was so angry that he lost control of his flames. Maybe they really were in a relationship.

Sabo turned to Marco. "Show us."

"Just promise me something," Marco told them. "I know what I'm asking is incredibly unfair, but I need you not to seek Luffy out."

"Why!" Ace said immediately alert.

"Just- trust me." Marco said. "Please Ace. When you asked me to take you on your words I did. Do the same for me." He knew that if Ace were to see Luffy he would never be able to leave him there, sea stone chain or not.

Ace's gaze didn't waiver. "He's alive."

"He's alive." Marco agreed.

"Fine," Ace said.

Marco turned to Sabo who nodded. "I won't go looking for him."

XXX

Sabo was silent as he made his way down the corridors. Gently opening the doors in front of him to look in each room. There weren't many, if any people on this level. As the row of rooms on top of the basement cells there was little use for them other than storage. So he was undisturbed in his searching. Which was ideal for this.

The Whitebeard scouts had arrived last night. Marco was in contact with Whitebeard. At least as much as he could afford to be, telling him what they had found and how to navigate the base which the man relayed to his sons.

For the time being Marco was sticking with the pair of them, making sure they remained undetected for as long as possible. Not that they knew of course. No, they couldn't afford the pirates to know they were all still alive. So Marco followed them silently, often from the ceiling or in the walls. Making sure to draw marines away when they got to close to the pirates, or leaving a door unlocked for them when they were headed in the wrong direction. While Marco was busy babysitting his ship brothers Ace was keeping an eye on Teach and Sabo was supposed to be watching the Admiral. But there would be time for that later, there was something important he had to do first. Because honestly, one doesn't face up with a marine admiral very often. It was dangerous. And they all knew it.

"This one," He said to himself prying the door of one of the rooms open. There was nothing special about this one. Sabo let himself in easily looking around. Dusty and abandoned just like the rest. But- he walked over to one of the far corners, focusing his attention on the floor. -Luffy.

He could feel him. Kenbunshoku. The most basic kind. And Sabo was very good at it. He didn't need to actually see his little brother to see him.

It felt like…it was hard to explain what this felt like. Sort of like standing next to a person and closing your eyes. That feeling you get from their companionship may it be awkward, compatible, tense, familiar. That's what Sabo felt. And right now he just felt Luffy.

He had kept his word to Marco. If only because it was nearly impossible to sneak into the cell with how many guards Teach had recently added, and continued to add.

Sabo sunk down to his knees. Closing his eyes as he concentrated. It was easier the closer you were. He could see him, in that way only Haki let you do. Luffy was sleeping, curled up on his side. His aura, if that's what you wanted to call it, was small. Unusually so, but it was him. Their baby brother. The one who cried too much and went running behind their backs when he got scared. There was no one to hear him crying now.

And Sabo leaned forward his brow creased in concentration as he focused in on Luffy. He could destroy the floor. It would be so easy for him. He could grab Luffy before the marines even realized what happened. But he couldn't break the sea stone could he.

This was what Marco had been afraid of. This and… It only took Sabo a few seconds to understand what Marco had realized days earlier- Luffy was dying.

He didn't know what was wrong or how long he had left. But he could tell that Luffy's energy was starting to falter.

Sabo opened his eyes slowly. Feeling all the worry and concern turn into something else. There was nothing he could do for Luffy. Not as things were right now. And that made him so- So- Angry.

The idea of facing off against a marine admiral suddenly didn't seem as daunting as it did a few minutes ago.

"I'm going to kill them," He promised his brother as he rose feeling the kind of anger he hadn't felt before. Every single person who got in his way, everyone who ever hurt Luffy. He wouldn't forgive them.

XXX

"Hey!"

Akainu paused what he was doing.

"I said HEY!" Sabo said again. "Are you deaf or just fucking stupid!"

The man turned now, his eyes narrowed warningly at Sabo. Besides him the two navy officers had turned white with shock and fear.

"One of the criminal rat's show's themselves." The man said, his tone dangerous. But Sabo was beyond caring.

Now that they were staring face to face, and Sabo could look into the eyes of the man who had helped keep his brother captive, he could confidently say that he hated this man. Beyond hatred, he despised him. He wished in that moment that he had Ace's flames, so he could scorch everything.

"So just stupid," He snarled as the marine rounded upon him. Heat coming off him in intense waves.

"Mind your tongue," He hissed. "Or those words will be your last."

Sabo glared up into his cold eyes, his own hand tightening on his pipe.

"Better I die here then spend one more second breathing the same air as you!" He spat.

The Admiral roared in fury, pushed too far by the worthless criminal in front of him. He lashed out, fist swinging towards Sabo. Lava beginning to drip from his shirt onto the floor beneath them.

Sabo rolled to the side, scrambling to his knees just in time to block the next attack as the man came again and again.

"You-dare-talk-like-that," The man snarled his fist slamming besides Sabo's head with enough force to leave a dent in the stone floor. "-To-The-World GOVERNMENT!"

Sabo could and had filled books with things he dared to do to the World Government. But this wasn't about that. Whatever grudges he carried he hadn't brought with him. This was about Luffy and Ace.

Using his staff to knock the man off balance he brought his knee up, lashing out at the man on top of him. It was enough to send the Admiral reeling back as Sabo pushed himself to his knees. Ducking behind the nearest pillar as a mass of lava flew past him. He felt the heat on his skin as part of it hit the pillar, exploding with a sickening hissing sound.

"You've killed yourself challenging me," Akainu said. "

"I'll send your captain Whitebeard after you soon enough."

"Knock yourself out!" Sabo called. "He's not my captain."

"Then what brings you here, to challenge me?"

"I bring myself," Sabo told him stepping out from the pillar to once again face the man. Not like he could ever know what it felt like to have your baby brother stolen from you. The same one you spent your childhood looking after.

But despite the marines claims that this was justice it wasn't. Because Ace might be a pirate but no one came after him because he was a pirate. Nobody chose him to blackmail just because they felt like it. This was about Roger. The fact that the marines had lost control to him. And decades later they were still so scared of him, or what he had done. The only way they could truly feel like they had won was by controlling Ace, killing Ace.

And then there was Luffy. Who had done nothing to them. Who, legally they shouldn't be able to even touch. But for him they had given him the worst punishment they had in place of his father. It didn't matter he was a civilian or that he was fifteen or even that he was already half dead when they got him or that he didn't even understand why they were doing this to him.

"You'll regret getting caught up in this!" The man thundered. "The powers at play here are out of your comprehension Boy!" As he spoke lava bubbled up from his skin, seeping down to the floor where it began to sizzle, melting the stone beneath him.

But still Sabo held his ground, tightening his grip on his weapon as he willed his haki to spread outwards, protecting it and him. And somewhere in the back of his mind there was a voice telling him to run. He had the man's attention, just what he had been tasked to do. Now he needed to get away. Lead the man away while he was at it so Marco and Ace could do their part. Because as strong as Sabo was, and he did not like to underestimate himself, he didn't think he could take out a Navy Admiral. Especially not what may be their strongest one.

But no matter how much the logic made sense Sabo didn't want to run. He didn't want to do anything but stay right here. Because he was mad. Mad at Teach, mad at the pirates, mad at the marines, and mad at the Admiral. There was one person in the whole fucking world he and Ace had wanted to protect no matter what. And that was the person they decided to go after. None of this was fucking fair!

So part of him just thought; well I guess I am going to die today.

He would protect Ace just like he wanted. And Luffy didn't even have to know he was alive. He could go on thinking Sabo died eight years ago. The two had made it this long without him. They would be alright.

He thought about Luffy, how small his aura was getting. He had just wanted to see him one last time.

"I wanted to kill all the rat's in one place." Akainu told him pushing his magma out into the room.

"Yea?" Sabo asked feeling the heat on his boots as the first wave of heat threatened to crash down on him.

"When do we ever get what we want?"

XXX

"Shit!"

A loud crashing sound broke Ace's attention. From besides him Marco looked up as well.

"What was that?"

"Sabo." Ace said his eyes going wide.

The two of them were hidden in the rafter of the ceiling. Below them in the throne room, a sickeningly egotistical room Teach had just announced his move. He was aware of the Whitebeards. And he was setting a trap for all of them. Ace had no idea what that entailed but the thought made his stomach churn. It wouldn't be long now, before Teach called upon his two prisoners and began his game. Just like Marco said he would.

Everything was going according to plan… except-

"Sabo what have you done." Ace muttered under his breath.

"Go," Marco said.

"I can't."

"Ace," Marco told him. "Nothing's going to happen to Luffy- to anyone of them. I can protect them."

Ace bit his lip as he glanced back behind them. Sabo had to distract the marine Admiral. Just distract. Nobody said he needed to confront him. God dammit since when was his brother the hot headed idiot? He certainly had been calm enough this morning. This whole time he had kept his composure while Ace's kept slipping. So why now.

There was another crash in the distance.

"I'll be back," He promised.

Marco nodded as Ace stood up, making his way along the stone column as it led to the wall. He knew this place better now. Or at least enough to get to Sabo undetected.

XXX

"It was a fish!"

"Come here," Sabo said trying to wipe the deer blood off his brother's face. It didn't look quite right, a tiny little seven-year-old smiling brightly covered in blood. Even if it was from a hunt.

If he was going to act like a baby duck, following them everywhere up and down the mountain, immediately crying for them whenever he got scared or hurt. Then they were going to treat him like one.

"What fish?"

Luffy pushed his brothers hands off him too excited to stand still. He bounced impatiently on his feet, ready for another adventure, and then another and another. There was no keeping him down.

"I saw it over by the river! This morning. It was the size of a mountain! Can we eat it! I told Ace but he didn't believe me."

More likely Ace didn't care.

"Don't you think we have enough food right now?" Sabo asked looking at the huge piled of deer meat Ace was skinning for dinner.

"Please Sabo! It will be fun." He grabbed Sabo's hand swinging it between them.

"Why don't you go by yourself?" Ace would be pissed if they both took off and they couldn't just leave all this deer meat lying here. No way it would still be here when they returned.

"Hmm, no way." Luffy made a face. "I don't like being by myself. Besides I like you guys best!"

From a little way's away, kneeling over the front hooves Ace laughed roughly. He had been listening to their conversation.

"Yea sure, you like us now that you want something."

Luffy frowned. "That's not true! I always liked you the most!"

"As opposed to who? The bandits. Everyone we know is shit. You just say that because we feed you."

"Hey! You don't feed me, I help!"

"Guys!" Sabo said sensing an argument coming. He should have predicted it when Luffy said that. Ace always tried to pick a fight whenever anyone showed him affection.

"You nearly get eaten every other time! The deer almost trampled you! How do you help us exactly?

"JERK!"

"Weakling!" Ace shot back.

"AM NOT!"

"Are TOO!"

"Guys stop it!" Sabo told them pushing between them as he tugged Luffy away so he could wipe the rest of the blood off his face. Luffy huffed in annoyance at Ace.

"He's right," Sabo told him kneeling down to try and get the stain out of the front of his shirt.

"I Help!"

"No, I mean you'll change your mind." They would only be Luffy's favorites until he got a better offer. People moved on. And they always- always, moved on from Sabo. They told him that they loved him, but in the end they were just liars. It was just a part of life. It only hurt if you let it. Besides it wasn't like they were going to be together forever. When Luffy outgrew needing their protection he might outgrow them as well.

"NO!" He said frustrated as he pushed Sabo's hands away once more. "I like you guys best! Better then everyone in the whole world!"

"Idiot, you don't even know everyone in the world!" Ace told him.

Luffy huffed in annoyance as he looked back at Sabo. "Well If I did you would still be my favorites."

"Oh yea?" Sabo asked.

"Yea!"

"How are you so sure of that?"

"Um?" Luffy thought about it for a second. "I don't know." He said finally and Ace scoffed.

"You guys wouldn't get it," He said finally. "You don't like anyone."

"Who says we don't like anyone!" Ace said irritated.

"You did," Luffy told him. "This morning. Maybe when you're old and nicer you'll understand."

"What did you say!" Ace said already rising to his feet ready to hit Luffy.

He reacted as he always did when Ace was seriously pissed off. He ducked behind Sabo, his tiny fists grabbing the other's shirt.

"Come back here!"

Sabo let Ace hit Luffy once before pushing him away. He figured Luffy deserved that for mouthing off.

"Enough," He told his brother. Ace just glared in annoyance stomping back to the deer.

Luffy peaked out from behind Sabo's shoulder.

"I can't believe you just played the 'we'll understand when we're older card on us," Sabo told him. That was their move.

Luffy tugged on his shirt again to get his attention. This time keeping his voice low so Ace wouldn't overhear. "Sabo."

"What?" Sabo turned as Luffy leaned up to whisper in his ear.

"Even if I knew everyone in the whole world, you're always going to be my favorite… Ace too even though he's grumpy."

Sabo smiled. God Luffy really was seven wasn't he. That's not how the world worked. But then again it might be how Luffy's world worked.

"Want to hear a secret?" He asked and Luffy nodded.

"I like you guys best too." He held up his pinkie so Luffy knew he was serious.

The little kid's face broke out into a grin as he wrapped his own around Sabo's in a pinkie swear. The most sacred of all promises.

"Let's not tell Ace." Sabo said loud enough for the older boy to hear.

Ace scowled as he continued to work, trying his best to ignore them. Which only made Sabo want to tease him more.

He reached forward to grab Luffy into a big hug. Luffy, although surprised, hugged him back. Sabo was just tall enough to rest his chin on the others hair so he did, smiling at Ace when the older boy looked up.

"Oh, I'm sorry are we ignoring you Ace. Do you want a hug too?"

"No!" Ace said now doubly annoyed both at the teasing and now being excluded. Ace was not a hugger, but he also got jealous easily. Honestly sometimes it was just too easy with them.

"Luffy still want to go look at that fish?" Sabo asked as he slipped his hands into his little brothers.

"Yea!" Luffy said, swinging their arms excitedly.

"What do you say Ace," Sabo asked him. "Want to come? I mean I guess you'd have to say that we're your bestest- most awesome friends first. Right Luffy!"

"Yea!" Luffy said excitedly. Having no clue what he was agreeing too but he liked the energy.

Ace narrowed his eyes at them. "Whatever."

Ace would make him pay for this later, he was sure of it. But right now it felt worth it as Luffy pulled him toward the lake, clueless at his part in Sabo's teasing plot.

He definitely loved the two of them best. Even if it wasn't forever. But then again Luffy hadn't lied to them yet. Maybe Sabo would understand- when he was older.

XXX

The floor was literally lava. Like the children's game except there was nothing fun about this. Sabo stood on the desk watching the magma sea steadily rise as the Admiral charged again. Forget going on the defensive it was all the teenager could do to fend off the attacks that came relentlessly. This man was strong. Terrifyingly so. There was no getting around that.

When the attack came again Sabo ran off the desk, lunging into the air to grab the railing above him flipping over it evenly as Akainu charged after him.

"I thought you wanted to face me," The man's voice echoed behind him. "Yet here you are running away."

This made Sabo pause, turning to face the man with a frown. "Fine." He said.

And Akainu attacked, his molten fists evenly meeting Sabo's armament coated staff. Sparks flew off of the altered metal.

"You're a fool."

No argument there. Sabo really was being an idiot. He ducked under the mans arm hopping up onto the railing to escape yet another lava attack. Only for the man to counter with his foot, knocking at Sabo's legs and sending him flying off the railing and into the opposite wall. He felt the impact distantly and then the inevitable plunging as he fell to the ground below. Now a volcanic lake.

Only he never felt the heat.

Ace caught him as he fell. His own fire protecting him from the lava's intense burn.

"Another one has emerged," The man hissed in fury steam escaping from his mouth like an engine.

"Sabo," Ace said trying to get the other's attention.

"Mnn," Sabo replied still too dazed from the impact with the wall. He felt Ace's hand searching his hair only to come back bloody.

Sabo tried to concentrate on his brothers face but it kept swimming in and out of focus. And then Ace was running. Sabo squeaked in surprise as he felt himself thrown over the other's shoulder. There was a thundering behind them like a stampede and he could see the blurry outline of magma as it stretched after them, and the Admiral with it.

"What the hell was that!" Ace asked him furiously as he flew down the corner. "You were supposed to distract not actually fight him!"

"Sorry," Sabo said as the world finally came back into focus. He patted Ace's shoulder to let him down but his brother didn't lesson his grip. "I got mad."

"Yeah well join the club. Doesn't mean you have to do this!" Ducking around another corner, out of the Admiral's view he pushed his brother against the wall hiding behind a stack of old crates and the man thundered past.

The two held their breath as he did and didn't release it until the man had past. Ace rose slowly to his feet, starting to crawl out from under there. Sabo grabbed his arm pulling him back down.

"Wait," He said catching Ace's arm. "Where are you going?"

"To fight that jerk!" Ace said as he tried to crawl away yet again only to be stopped.

"You just called me an idiot for doing that!"

"Yea well you're supposed to know better."

Sabo growled as he shoved Ace back down. "Ace let him go."

"But-"

"Where is Luffy?"

Ace fell silent for a moment before answering. "With Teach."

"Get him!"

"But the marine?"

"I'll handle him." Sabo said. "No more stupid fighting I promise. I can lead him away from you guys like I was supposed to. He will hardly even see me." Sabo knocked on the walls. "I am a quicker learner then you. I know my way around pretty well by now.

"I don't want to just leave you?"

"You won't." Sabo promised taking his hand. "Get Luffy. Make sure he's safe. Tell him hi for me okay? I'll take care of the rest."

Before Ace could agree Sabo was already pushing past him as he went to the hallway. "HEY!" He screamed down it. "HEY YOU STUPID JERK! YOU LOSE SOMETHING!"

Sabo turned to look at Ace one last time. 'go," He mouthed. And then he was gone. Already running headfirst into danger. Just like he always did.

Ace frowned as he stood up. He took a tentative step after his brother before turning around running back down the hallway they had came from. Luffy first. And then he would be back for this idiot. And the Admiral.

He sprinted down the hallways, choosing the route he remembered taking. He had been leading the man away from the throne room but now he had to go back there. It was a good thing the hallways here were mostly empty or this might be kind of tricky. But Teach had summoned all of his lackies for the show. And Ace was late. Very late.

The closer he got the louder the noise became. Someone was screaming. Quite loudly. He followed the noise down another few hallways until the sound became loud enough for him to recognize it as Luffy's. That just made him run faster all the while his heart sinking. Marco had promised! He had promised and Ace had trusted him. Why was Luffy screaming! He had never heard him sound like that before. He was screaming for help. He was screaming for them to stop.

Reaching the abandoned attic directly over the throne room Ace threw himself to his knees, crawling forward through the hole in the wall that led to the rafters. He could hear everything up here with crystal clarity.

The throne room that mere hours earlier was empty was now full of marines. Teach's so called back up. But Ace didn't care about them right now. His attention was fixed on the figures at the front of the room. Teach stood tall and proud with his gun trained on Thatch. Izo and Haruta were there as well, their weapons securely confiscated. And standing near the throne was Burgess holding Luffy tight against his chest. A gun held loosely in his hand.

Luffy was still screaming, or at least trying too. But his voice was too damaged to be loud anymore.

"Stop!" He begged breathlessly. "Stop-Stop!" He was crying. And Teach thought it was funny.

"You're a broken record. If you really can't scream anymore then you know what's going to happen to your friend?" Teach told him.

"Wait no."

"Guess that's it then."

"NOooo! Noooo! Thatch, I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

And Ace moved forward, throwing himself along the rafters as he ran. Headed straight for them. His only instinct to help his baby brother. But in his haste he had forgotten about Marco.

The older man caught him before Ace even got halfway across the central beam. He grabbed Ace using his free hand to cover his mouth.

"Don't make a noise!" Marco told him.

Ace pulled his hand off his mouth with an angry growl. "Marco let go!"

"This is what Teach wants," Marco hissed in his ear. "Use your head. He is trying to lure us out."

"You said you would keep them safe!"

"Their safe Ace," Marco promised him. "I'm not going to let anything happen to them."

"They don't sound safe!"

"Don't fall for it," Marco told him. "Please Ace we are so close. Let him lower his guard. Then we will get them- all of them."

"None of this is your fault," Thatch promised Luffy from below. Trying to quiet the boys panic.

"Please Ace, I know how this feels. I know how hard this is." And it was hard. Worse than torture.

"Please, don't kill him!" Luffy cried from below.

"Let go," Ace said trying to squirm free of Marco's grip as Teach began to count down from ten. He was counting down to shoot Thatch, and he was using Luffy's screams to draw them out. Like Ace couldn't possibly hate Teach any more then right this second. Although there were few things that would make him come running faster then Luffy crying for help.

And even though Teach's little act might be a trap it was real for Luffy. He could hear it in his voice, how desperate he was. He didn't know Luffy could sound so sad.

"Seven…six… five…" Teach counted, enjoying every horrible minute of it.

And finally something in Luffy seemed to snap as he began to scream again. Asking for help from the only person who never failed to answer him.

"ACCCEEE, ACE help me!"

Marco had loosened his hold in the last few minutes, but it was a good thing he hadn't let go or Ace would have been gone. The man swore softly as Ace once again began to struggle for all he was worth.

"LET GO OF ME!" He hissed hardly bothering to keep his voice down anymore. He rolled over, trying to kick Marco off. But the man held his ground pinning Ace onto his back as the two of them struggled.

"Not this shit again!" Teach snapped at Luffy. "I thought you were passed this already! ACE Can't Help You! He's Dead! Do You Get That? He's not going to save you! He's not going to help you. He's not going to do anything for you!"

"Ace it's okay, it's okay." Marco promised him. "I know! I know."

"Why Don't You Ever just let me go!" Ace hissed his fingers digging into Marco's arm even as the man pinned him in place. And Marco knew he wasn't talking about just this.

"If I let you go, you'll die!" Marco told him his voice serious and full of emotion. "IF I Ever Let You Go like you want then you will get yourself fucking Killed!

"THEN LET ME DIE!" Ace hissed back at him.

And without warning Marco collapsed on top of him, knee's on either side of ace's hips and his forehead against his shoulder. And for a moment Ace was too surprised to move.

When he finally did speak his voice was different then Ace had ever heard it before. He sounded older, and much wearier. "I never understood… why you were like this. What happened to you. How do you still not get it?"

"It doesn't matter," Ace told him lowering his voice as well. "Nothing about me matters. Please let me g-"

"Ace," Marco cut him off. "I can't do this right now. I can't take it. Not right now. I just- can't."

The two of them lay there for a long moment. Listening to Luffy yelling, "Stop LYING! He's not dead! " He sounded so angry. But more then that he sounded scared. Scared Teach was right.

"Your little brother loves you so much," Marco told him, his voice distant. "How could you do that to him?"

"You don't listen do you!" Teach snapped. "Fine, think what you want. But he's never coming back for you. He betrayed his crew, murdered his friend, poisoned his captain and then drowned like a coward."

"He would have been better without me," Ace told him.

"Your wrong- your all wrong! Stop telling Lies about him! ACE WOULD NEVER DO THAT!" God Luffy and his endless faith.

"Doesn't sound like it." Marco told him sitting up.

"Four!" Teach began the count again. "Three! Two!"

"Ace, please!" Luffy begged.

And Ace shut his eyes. "Sorry Marco."

"One."

In an instant he was on fire. The man jumped back in surprise, but it wouldn't have mattered. In a second the whole room was burning. Everything and everyone but his friends.

Everything was in chaos as he jumped from the rafters onto the floor below. All around them there were panicked screams.

And Ace felt his flames touch Luffy even as he flinched away in fear. But Ace would never hurt him. He had been crying. And Ace hated it when he cried. He dried the tears on his cheeks. Even as he felt Teach's darkness begin to close in on him. And when the flames fell away, they were left with just them.

Teach looked at him, pure disbelief on the man's face. As if he was seeing the impossible. Good to know that not everything was going his way today.

"He Told You To Stop." Ace told the man, conveying Luffy's message. Nobody had listened to his little brother. But they were listening to him now. Every single one of them.

Teach dropped the gun in shock, taking a step away from the two of them like he was looking at a ghost. "That's impossible!" He said.

But he didn't matter. Ace looked past him to where Luffy stood. His eyes huge with surprise.

Ace smiled.

"Hey Lu."

Chapter Text

The marines were everywhere. They had been slow to assemble but once they had they filled the halls. Making it nearly impossible to hide and even more impossible to run.

"This is the sort of thing we were trying to avoid," Marco told him and Ace rolled his eyes.

"I'm sorry," He lied.

Another explosion rocked the base, this one louder than the last. They had been periodically happening for the last ten minutes. Part of Akainu's furious rampage. Ace frowned as he looked over, feeling worry well up in his chest. Sabo.

"Marco, I can draw them away."

"No." Came the instant reply. "What are you suicidal."

Another explosion caused both men to look up. "Someone has to help him."

"I'll go," Marco said. "Little one needs you," He gestured to Luffy. "You know the layout well enough. Get everyone down to the tunnels."

"Not as well as you," Ace argued. "…. I need to make sure he's alright."

"Then we can go together once we get to safety."

"No, I've left him long enough." Ace said. "Besides we can't go anywhere right now. The marines are blocking every one of our exits." A fact he knew Marco was well aware of.

He turned to his little brother squeezing his hand to get his attention. Luffy looked up at him and Ace knelt down, meeting the sad dark eyes. "Hey it's okay," He promised him. "We'll be okay." He ran his fingers through the fringe of his hair. "But I need to do something first."

Luffy's eyes widened as his grip on Ace's hand tightened. "Don't!" He warned.

"I have to," Ace said pressing his forehead against Luffy's. "Its- you'll understand in a bit." He promised. "Oh man, you're going to freak out when you see."

"Don't care," Luffy insisted grabbing Ace's shirt as if he could physically keep him there. "Don't leave!"

"I'll come back for you," He promised. "Before you even know it. But if I don't distract the marine's then we are all going to get caught."

"I'll come."

"You can't." Ace told him gently. "It's too dangerous and I need to move really fast. You'll be safer here with everyone."

"Ace Don't." Luffy said as he began to panic. Ace sighed pulling him in for a hug. This was harder than he thought it would be. A lot harder.

He looked up at Marco. "Keep him safe?"

"Are you sure about this?"

Ace nodded. "Just promise me?"

"I promise."

Ace nodded as he turned back to Luffy, pulling him away gently. Luffy shook his head. "I want to stay with you." He had just gotten him back. Just when he finally felt safe.

Ace removed the fingers from his shirt despite Luffy's panicked protests as he broke away. Marco had to come put a hand on his shoulder to keep him in place.

"I'll be right back for you Lu," He promised one last time as he turned away from his little brother. Luffy called after him but Ace forced himself to ignore the pleas as he stepped out into the main hallway, shouting at the top of is lungs.

"COME GET ME!"

And then he was gone. Sprinting off down the corridor, in the opposite direction of where they were headed. Every marine around had no doubt heard that and were following him.

Luffy watched him go with a horrible sadness in his heart. But Marco's hand tightened on his shoulder when he tried to follow. "Ace will be okay."

"We need to move, quickly." He told the three pirates behind him.

"Luffy," Thatch called patiently. Trying to get his attention. But Luffy didn't even look at him.

Ace shouted again, his voice drifting over to them from the long hallway as he called out to more marines. That did it for Luffy.

He pushed Marco away and tried to run but he stumbled over his own feet as his legs gave out and crashed onto his knees. He pushed himself back up with a surprising speed and continued to run.

Marco followed him with a cuss as he grabbed Luffy before he could escape into the hallway. Luffy growled loudly in warning. Sounding like an injured animal that realized it had been cornered.

"Calm down," Marco commanded him.

"Let go! Let go let go," his growl had turned to a panicked whine as he clawed at Marco's hands.

"It's okay," Marco told him his voice calm in comparison. "I'm not going to hurt you. But you need to stop struggling.

Luffy hadn't stopped struggling this entire time, he wasn't about to stop now. Not for this person who grabbed him, kept him from Ace and was trying to control him.

In an instant he changed tactics, clutching at Marco's arms instead of trying to push him away Luffy kicked his feet off the ground. Using his captor's arms like an anchor he vaulted his knees onto the other's shoulders and at the same time he pulled the man's hands to his mouth biting deeply into his arm.

Marco loosened his grip both in surprise and pain and Luffy broke free, swinging his body up onto the shoulders in a clunky but acrobatic move. He had always been flexible, sea stone or not. Luffy pressed his knees against Marco's head to steady him as he wrapped his bound arms around his throat before Marco could push him off.

"Damn," One of the pirates said apparently impressed.

"Luffy stop!" Thatch called out but Luffy ignored him focused on the fight.

Marco for his part seemed willing to let Luffy stay in his chosen seat if it meant he was no longer running. That was not a good sign. Frustrated Luffy tightened his arms in warning.

"Nice move kid," Marco said bringing up his hands to try and pull Luffy's arms out of their chokehold but then seemed to think better of it and held up his hands in surrender.

"But I already told you I'm not going to hurt you," He said and Luffy frowned. This wasn't a real surrender. The man wasn't even fighting back and none of his crew looked the least bit concerned about him.

In the past Luffy would have wanted to stay, see what kind of skills this guy had. But right now, he just wanted to get out of here and find Ace. He looked down the hallway where his brother had disappeared moments ago.

"Marco-" Thatch called out warningly seeing the look in Luffy's eyes.

When Marco reached for him Luffy hooked one of his legs around the man's chin as he threw himself backwards catching himself on his arms in a half bridge as he tried to kick off of Marco. But the pirate grabbed his ankle before he could unwind it and his arms gave out under him.

Luffy kicked him in the face with his free foot as he collapsed onto the floor. He must have made a pathetic sound as his head hit the floor because Marco instantly let go of his leg.

"Shit are you okay?"

Luffy kicked at his legs as he pushed himself to his hands and knees crawling away.

"Feel free to jump in at any time," Marco told the two pirates who were watching the whole thing in amusement. And Thatch who was entirely unamused had a look of worry on his face.

"You're doing great," Haruta told him.

Ignoring their conversation Luffy put his hands onto the wall, using it as support as he rose once more to his feet. When the ground below him swayed violently he had to close his eyes, resting his forehead against the smooth stone to steady himself so not to fall back over or worse.

Marco followed him over, concerned when Luffy didn't open his eyes or move his forehead from the wall. "Hey are you okay?" He put his hand on Luffy's shoulder which was a mistake.

Luffy acted instinctually as he twisted around punching Marco in the face with everything he had. Which wasn't a lot but the sea stone handcuffs on his wrist connected with his skin and the momentum sent him to the floor.

Luffy took his chance and bolted. The other pirates were too far down the hallway to stop him and he shot off in the direction Ace had gone.

"Shit Marco theirs guards coming!" The tall pirate called to them but Luffy ignored them as he finally made it into the main hallway.

'Ace why did you leave me?'

But Marco was right behind him. Before Luffy even realized how close he had gotten the man tackled him. His speed and strength were like nothing he had shown before with his stern but gentle motions. Now Luffy felt the full might of a pirate commander as he covered Luffy's mouth and pulled him against his chest with the other.

Luffy let out a terrified growl as the man pulled them both behind one of the pillars at the approaching footsteps. The three pirates in the hallway hid themselves as well, having no time to help. Marco tightened his grip on Luffy's mouth until it was painful as he whispered, "Make a sound and we all die."

Luffy closed his eyes, trying to get his breathing under control as the marines marched past them. He could see their white uniforms from between the gaps in the pillars but none of them caught sight of the two hidden away. Marco did not lessen his grip the entire time. He could only squeeze Luffy tighter when his panicked breathing grew to loud, silently telling him to keep it under control.

'Ace why would you leave me with them?' He thought once again as he held his breath shakily letting it out before refilling his lungs.

So Luffy waited until the marching uniforms past and their footsteps had died down before finally letting his breath out, gasping in air. But when the stupid pirate didn't let go of him he got frustrated and bit down on his hand.

By the time the sounds of footsteps had faded from view Thatch left his hiding spot in the shadows to run into the main hallway, his two brothers close behind him.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"They didn't see us," Marco told him as he tried to dislodge the younger kid's teeth out of his palm.

Fully annoyed now Luffy brought up his hand to try and pry Marco's fingers off his cheek as he shifted his teeth the bit into Marco's finger.

"Stop it," Marco told him.

"Let go," Luffy told him only it came out as, "Umph-hm."

"Marco let him go!" Thatch said angrily.

"If he scream's they are still close enough to hear it," Marco warned not letting up.

"He's not going to scream!" Thatch said in frustration. "He's not an idiot." Marco dropped his hand and then at Thatch's urging slowly loosened the one around Luffy's middle.

"You think that's a good idea?" Haruta asked. "He's just going to run again."

The second he was free Luffy pushed away from the stupid jerk and began to sprint towards the direction the Marines had disappeared too. The three pirates didn't try to stop him and it was Thatch who blocked him this time. The man grabbed Luffy's wrist as he tried to run past him.

"See," Haruta said.

"Thatch let go!" Luffy said angrily as he tried to pull away. Although not nearly as combatively as he had with Marco.

"Your trying to go after Ace?" Thatch asked him. Luffy didn't reply as he tried to pull his arms back.

"He's gone Luffy," Thatch said. "You don't know where he went. How are you going to find him without getting caught by the marines?"

Luffy turned away so Thatch wouldn't see the hurt in his eyes that the anger had been hiding. He knew his friend was just trying to help. But right now he didn't want it, nor his logic.

"Hey, it's okay," Thatch said gently as he dropped to his knees to meet Luffy's gaze. "Why don't you stay with me for right now okay." He let his grip slip from Luffy's wrist to his hand giving it a gentle squeeze."

When Luffy still hadn't said anything Thatch added, "Please Luffy?"

Luffy nodded slowly, still turning to look down the hallway where Ace had gone. Thatch smiled as he rose to his feet.

"He'll be back," He promised. "Until then you're stuck with these idiots." He gave Marco a pointed look as he said the word idiot. Silently telling his brother off for being too rough.

Marco smiled back at his brother, gladder to have him back then he could express in words. "Sorry," he told him. "I panicked."

"What's there to panic about?" Haruta said. "This place is great. So spacious."

"Yes a wonderful summer home," Izo cut him off impatiently his attention fixed at the other end of the hallway. "If we're quite sure that no one is going to run off anymore we need to go."

It was a good thing that Marco somehow seemed to know exactly where he was going. He hadn't led them astray yet. But it was slow going. They constantly had to change or derail their route due to approaching marines. Thatch also made the mistake of letting go of Luffy's hand for a few moments and when he turned back around Luffy was nowhere in sight. It seems like the moment Thatch let his guard down he booked it. Marco went after him, easily catching up and throwing Luffy over his shoulder. He didn't let go of him for nearly ten minutes until he finally got tired of being kicked in the ribs and let him down, still holding his elbow.

"You don't give up do you?" Marco asked.

Luffy shoved him back as he once again took off down the hallway. Marco tried to grab his arm but Luffy threw himself out of the way, managing to knock himself off balance.

"Stop it!" Thatch protested.

Realizing what had happened Marco tried to grab him but it was too late. Dark spots dancing in his vision Luffy fell, hitting the ground hard. He felt all the air leave his lungs and when he connected with the ground something seemed to snap in his chest.

Marco was talking over him but it sounded like the man was speaking through water and his words were muffled.

"Don't pass out." He felt a hand work it's way under his cheek and he was rolled fully onto his back. The floor tilted as he was picked up, the man still trying to talk to him but his words were too muddled. When the strain on his ribs became too much he passed out.

XXX

Marine's were thundering past the hallway at a nearly constant rate. They seemed riled about something.

Ace leaned against the opposite wall as he watched them swarm like angry honeybee's. Idiots. The moment the group turned the corner he sprinted out from his hiding hallway over to a discolored spot of the wall. He banged on the wood with his palms.

"Sabo, you there?"

There was a moment of silence and Ace figured he got the wrong spot. But then came a click as the discolored section slid open.

"Ace what are you doing?" His brother asked and Ace grinned at the sight of him.

"Move over," He said as he pulled himself up onto the concealed ledge. The space was extremely small, so much so that their knee's brushed against each other's. Ace leaned against the opposite wall as Sabo shut the sliding panel behind them, latching it for good measure. The three of them had found this spot yesterday. It was originally a dumbwaiter, but it had been sealed up for years and the door had been painted over so it was nearly indistinguishable from the rest of the wall. Unless you were looking for it.

"What are you doing?" He repeated still surprised.

"Looking for you what else?"

"Is Luffy okay?" Sabo asked automatically.

Ace frowned as his fingers began to absently scrape the peeled paint on the floor. "I don't know if okay is the word. But he is alright for right now. He was really upset when I left." Ace's frown deepened at the memory.

"But he's still…"

"Yea."

"Everybody else?"

"We're all okay- for now at least. Marco is smart. He can handle things."

"How did you find me?" Sabo asked after a long moment of guilt-ridden silence.

"I didn't, I've been looking all over for you. But I remember we saw this place with Marco and all the marines seem really intent on charging past. How did it go with the admiral?"

"That man has serious anger issues," Sabo said. It was a few extremely close calls. Closer than he would like to admit. But he was still faster and more agile then the aging man. He had managed to stay far enough ahead of him while he lured him away from the throne room. Once he heard that the marine soldiers had been given the order to focus efforts onto finding the escaped prisoners, he knew that they had succeeded. He had ducked into the sealed over dumbwaiter to hide until they either gave up or set up camp in the hallways.

"It sounds like the great marine admiral is throwing a temper tantrum out there," Ace said in disgust. He looked at Sabo, "Now's your chance. Go,"

"What are you insane? They'll catch me."

"They won't," Ace promised him. "I'll distract them."

"Then they will just kill you," Sabo said in frustration.

"I'm not so easy to kill," Ace assured him. "Sab, I have this. How's this any different from what you just did for me?"

"That's different," He said getting flustered.

"You know it's not," Ace told him. "I'll draw them away and meet up with you guys. Don't give me that look I can handle it."

"Ace," Sabo began. "I don't-,"

"Do you want to see Luffy or not?" Ace pressed impatiently.

"That's dirty and you know it."

"Well? Go and see him then." Ace smiled at the thought. "Oh man, I would give anything to see that."

"Then come with me."

"I'll be there," he promised his brother. Once I lose these guys.

"Your sure about this!"

"Go!" Ace commanded opening the panel to make sure the hallway was clear.

"You better come back," Sabo told him as he looked over his shoulder uncertainly. "Or I'll come back to get you."

"Whatever you say."

XXX

The four pirates were talking in low voices when they woke up. Luffy tried to open his eyes but instantly regretted it. He surrendered to the sleepiness instead choosing to stay half asleep.

"It's not like that," One of the voices said.

"Wow, I really missed all the action, didn't I?" Thatch's voice said. "I had no idea."

"Neither did we, you guys were gone for months. What were you doing?"

"Teach's bidding mostly."

"And then you just disappeared!" The voices got louder. "Teach said he killed you! Do you have any idea how worried we were?" They sounded upset.

"I told you it wasn't like that."

"Then what was it like?"

"It's complicated."

"Yes, I know. Then why can't you just explain!"

"I will, at least what I can. But only once we meet up with Jozu and Ace. I don't even understand all of it. Maybe you can tell me Thatch, what on earth is Teach offering to give to the Marines to get them to work with him?"

"Hmm?" Thatch said curiously. "He's a killer interior decorator."

"Can you be serious," the quiter voice said.

"Honestly who cares," Thatch sighed. "The less I think about that crazy bastard and his insane motivations the better. Otherwise I'll be tempted to go back there and sock him in his stupid face for all of the shit he pulled."

The group was silent for a moment before one of the pirates spoke up.

"It was that bad?"

"Worse than bad," Thatch said. "Our ex-brother is a really sick prick. And I mean that in the most loving way," He added his tone dark. "The next time we see him I'll be sure to let him know how grateful I am for his hospitality."

"Thatch-" Marco began but Thatch cut him off.

"It's fine." He insisted.

The group fell silent once more and Luffy wished they would shut up permanently. He wanted to fall back all the way into darkness, and they were keeping him up with the noise.

"Do you have any idea about Teach and the marines?" Marco probed again. "I'm sorry to ask but it's important."

"Not really. It's not like he consulted me on his plans."

"Would Luffy know?"

Thatch actually laughed.

"Can you try and guess?"

"Marco I am sorry buddy but I don't know anything you don't. I think Teach got their attention by… you know- killing you." There was venom in his tone, but he pushed forward before anyone could comment. "He probably offered them a chance to take down Whitebeard and all of his commanders, and Ace. Oh and I guess he sold Luffy to them."

"He did what?"

"Yea, that's why Teach said they couldn't kill him."

"Why do they want Ace's brother?" The smaller pirate asked.

"Honestly, I have no idea," Thatch said.

"What's the story there?" He pressed. "Between Luffy and Ace?"

"What do you mean?"

"Who would adopt the son of Roger?"

"I had no clue they were adopted siblings," Thatch admitted. "Not until an hour ago."

"How could you not know?"

"Luffy never said anything," Thatch defended. "He never talked about his family. But I think he's an orphan. So I don't know who would have adopted Ace?"

"There's no point in prying," Marco said as he got up. "Ace's past is- complicated."

"And now we know why."

Luffy had fallen back asleep at that point, all but tuning the pirates out when he heard a rustle from beside him as the man crouched over him.

"Luffy can you hear me?" He asked.

Luffy could but he was too far gone to make sense of the words. When the man shook his shoulder, he let out a low groan and whatever Marco said next was lost to him.

He felt a pressure on his wrist as it was lifted, and his pulse was taken and then again at his throat.

"Can you guys get me a rag and some water?" He was too loud. Why was there so much noise?

He felt a new weight on his stomach and suddenly everything came crashing back to him as the tired haziness of his mind lifted.

Luffy shot up in blind panic. Where was he?

He had passed out on the floor with the pirates. They had brought him with them it seems. Into this… very dark place. He was laying on a blanket on the floor, a little ways away from the gossiping group.

"Hey Luffy," Marco greeted him gently. The man had been sitting right beside him. He had lifted up Luffy's shirt to poke at his stomach.

Luffy lowered it now, tucking his knees to his chest as he stared owlishly at the man who was sitting too close to him. Just beyond him sat Thatch and the two other pirates whose names he had instantly forgotten. Their conversation had halted and now all four men were looking at him.

"Welcome back to the world of the living." Thatch greeted affectionately.

"We're in the tunnels now," Marco explained to him. "Under the basement." That's why it was so cold here. It smelled like his last jail cell. Luffy decided he didn't like this place. "Teach and the Marines don't really come down here so we should be safe for now. But just to be careful don't book it again okay?"

Luffy looked around them at the damp dripping stone, most of it was covered with moss. They were in a room, or an intersection between four different pathways. He said under the basement. So even further from the sun then the place he had been before.

"Luffy?" Marco tried to get his attention. "Can I take a look at you?"

Luffy turned his attention back to the pirate with a frown. Why was he still talking? It wasn't nice to go pulling people's shirts up when they were sleeping.

"You're not looking so good," Marco explained seeing his unimpressed look. "I'm a doctor – of sorts -and?"

This dude was a doctor? Luffy remembered Teach's creepy doctor that would always come look at him and instantly tensed. Not good. Run.

Marco jumped back as Luffy's foot kicked at his face. Before he could even understand what had happened Luffy was up and running again.

Cursing his brother as he did so; stupid Ace, stupid Ace, Stupid ACE!

Not only had he left him but with a doctor no less? Next thing he knew he would try sticking needles in him or forcing food into his mouth. Dumb doctor stuff.

"Marco he doesn't like doctors!" Thatch said as the man got up to chase after him yet again.

"Thanks for telling me this now!"

"Here to help," Thatch said as he got up as well, Izo helping to pull him to his feet as they came to help Marco.

"Luffy there's nowhere you can run too down here," Marco tried to reason with him.

"Geez Marco sound a little less creepy," Haruta hissed. "That's not going to make him trust you."

"It's the truth."

It was not the truth. There was a drainage pipe sticking out from the wall. It was about the size of a small bolder with iron bars covering the entrance. But two of the bars had rusted just enough to let a small, partially starved teenager slip through.

By the time Marco realized what Luffy's target was he was already too far ahead of the group. The man caught up to him just as he slipped between the iron bars.

Marco slammed against them grabbing Luffy's ankle as he tried to crawl away. "Don't!" He warned. Luffy growled in anger as he fell, smashing onto the floor of the pipe as Marco tried to drag him out.

"Kid- Luffy listen please. If you get lost down here, we might not be able to find you."

That sounded fine by Luffy as he tried to kick free, crawling forwards even as he was pulled back.

"Ace knows where the meet up point is," Marco continued. "He's coming back here. This is your best chance for him to find you."

Luffy stilled a bit at that and Marco took that as a good sign. "Listen, I am going to let go alright. Please don't disappear. We can't follow you in there."

Luffy pulled his ankle back as soon as it was released. He did scramble back, hugging his knees to his chest. But he didn't go further than just out of arms reach from the opening.

"Thank you," Marco told him. "You can stay in there if you want too but aren't you cold? It will be warmer near the fire. We aren't going to hurt you."

It was cold in here, and damp and dark. But after all these months he was used to it. Besides he kept saying they weren't going to hurt him before hurting him. It was like lacky 101, they always used to say that to Luffy right before hurting him. His trust in people was shot, even if they were Thatch's friends.

"Luffy, come out from there." Thatch said reaching the two of them as he knelt down besides Marco. "What scared you?"

Nothing had scared him. He wasn't a little kid. He had gotten startled though. And if he stayed here no doctor could get him. Luffy didn't feel like explaining it as he rested his cheek on his knee feeling tired again.

"Luffy please!" Thatch held out his hand to him through the bars. "Come out."

But he didn't come out. He refused all food or water they tried to give him and stayed curled up. Forced to give up the group moved the little fire closer to the grate to make sure Luffy never left their sight.

Marco took a look at Thatch next. He had only brought the bare minimum of his tools but it was better than nothing as he set to work on his brother.

"I'm pretty small," Haruta said sitting down beside them. "I bet I could squeeze in there."

"Leave him be," Marco told him motioning Thatch to open his mouth so he could look inside. "You lost your tooth?"

"It's been greatly missed," Thatch said mournfully.

"The swellings gone down. It must have been a while ago if it's healed this much. Does it still hurt?"

"Not anymore- Haruta we mean it leave Luffy alone. If he sees you coming you're going to scare him deeper in…leave my ears alone!" He pushed Marco's little probe stick away from his head.

"You have dried blood in your ear canal," Marco told him in concern.

"Is that bad?"

"It's not great."

"I can catch him easily. Don't you need to look at him?" He lowered his voice a bit. "What if he dies in there?"

"Don't say dark things like that," Izo scolded.

"He's not doing well but he's hanging in there. Forcing him to let me examine him is going to do more harm than good at this point." If Luffy proved anything today it was that it was nearly impossible to get him to do anything he didn't want to do. He wanted things his own way. "Your nutrient deprived," He informed Thatch as the man took off his shirt somewhat hesitantly.

"Is that?" Izo asked trailing off.

"Where our good friend Teach stabbed me?" Thatch said rubbing the scarred tissue absentmindedly. "That hurt alright."

"Your lucky to be alive," Marco told him gently trailing the wound with his fingers.

"Yea I figured." He sat still as Marco checked the rest of his injuries. Izo was polite enough to turn around but Haruta kept staring like a wide mouthed fish which was making Thatch feel somewhat self-conscious.

"What happened?" His younger brother asked.

"Teach happened."

"He did all of that?"

"Him and his lacky guards." Thatch growled.

"These look really bad," Marco said feeling out some of the purple bruises on Thatch's ribs. "You might have internal bleeding. How do you feel?"

"Awesome."

"I'm being serious."

"So am I," Thatch assured him. "I feel better than I have in months. And it's all thanks to you guys." He smiled at the three of them. "Thanks for coming back for me. What would I do without you?"

Eventually the group took a break. Many of them not having slept for days on end. Marco took the first watch as the other's settled down. Trying to get some sleep despite the fact that the marine's could begin searching the underground tunnels at any time.

Thatch settled down on one of the tarps, trying to ignore the coldness of the floor as it tried to seep into his bones. It was only after they had gone to sleep that he finally came out.

After an hour or so Thatch heard the soft rustle of bare feet padding up to him as Luffy laid down against his back. Just like he always did. Thatch waited a moment before turning around.

"Luffy."

"Mmm?" Luffy mumbled as he rolled onto his stomach. Looking up at Thatch sleepily. The older man pushed himself onto his elbows as he leaned over to gently kiss the top of Luffy's messy hair. Holding his full attention now Luffy tilted his head curiously, his face asking Thatch what that was for.

"Nothing," He assured him. "You're just amazing."

"M' not." Luffy answered back frowning.

"Yes you are," Thatch insisted. "Trust me. I would know.

When Luffy said nothing, Thatch leaned in, bringing his arm over his shoulder to pull him a little bit closer.

There were a thousand things he had desperately wanted to tell Luffy when he thought he was about to die. But laying there now Thatch couldn't remember a single one. Asking if he was okay was a pointless question. He supposed he might as well try to make Marco's life easier if he had the chance.

"Listen," Thatch told him softly. "I get it, I really do. You are way past done with people." He tried not to think about how overly trusting Luffy was when this whole mess had started. "But I've known these guys a while now and I know that they would never do anything to hurt you. It might not seem like it to you today but Marco was just trying to look after you… his execution might need some work huh?"

Luffy blinked at him and Thatch had to fight back a worried sigh. He missed the days when Luffy used to talk his ear off. It was hard enough to read him back when he said any and all thoughts that entered his mind. But now it was almost impossible to guess what he was thinking.

"Anyways, you don't have to listen to me or whatever. You've got pretty good instincts. But if you want to give them a chance, I promise you won't regret it…. And if you do then at least you won't have to worry about kicking their asses because I'll do it for you- okay?"

"You'll be sad," Luffy said sleepily as he pushed a bit closer to Thatch trying to warm up a little bit in the freezing room. His words were muffled by the other's shoulder so Thatch had to lean closer to hear him.

"What?"

"Fighting your family will make you sad."

XXX

Well-well-well who have we here?

"This is your subject."

"I gathered that," The masked man leaned closer to look at Luffy. Luffy pulled back against the Marine's that were holding him.

"I've never played with a kid before?" He reached out to grab Luffy's jaw.

That was enough of this. Luffy brought his leg up, viciously kicking the man in the face. When the marines staggered, he sunk his teeth into one's shoulder, socking the other in the face to get them to let go.

The second their grip loosened he bolted. But the door had been locked behind them and Luffy could do nothing but slam up against it as he punched it in frustration again and again. Eventually the marines caught up, dragging him back as he shouted curses at them. Stupid marines, stupid Teach, stupid base.

"Apologies sir!" The man on his left said, his voice quivering slightly as they dragged Luffy back in front of him. "That was unintentional."

"We should have held him better," The other added his lip trembling. These guys were terrified of this man. What wimps. Luffy rolled his eyes at them as he looked back up at the man before him.

There was a drop of blood at the corner of his mouth from where Luffy had kicked him. But rather then angry he seemed amused. Amused at him and at the terrified Marines before him. He brought up his hand wiping the droplet up before licking it off his thumb.

"Blood, there's nothing like it" He told Luffy. And Luffy decided right then that the man was super weird.

"Please forgive us," The marines babbled.

"Oh relax," The man said. "I'm not going to- oh I don't know- cut out your eye."

That seemed to be anything but comforting for the men as their trembling increased.

"Or am I?"

The left one looked ready to cry.

He laughed at their fear, as if it was all one big joke among friends. "That's the problem with soldiers, no sense of humor I swear. What about you?" He asked Luffy. "I hear you're not as breakable as my last few toys."

When he took a step too close Luffy gave him a ferocious growl that seemed to spook both men besides him but this man just laughed.

"Oh, this is going to be fun."

XXX

Only one of them ended up having any fun.

"Just remember, there is nowhere you can go that they won't find you. And there is no one you love that I can't kill."

The words were spoken so clearly. As if someone was right there, whispering into his ear. Luffy shot up in panic, falling backwards in the darkness as he looked around him.

Nobody was there.

Those words. They were in his head. He closed his eyes desperately pressing his forehead into his knees as his breathing turned to gasps.

-don't scream-don't scream-don't scream

Luffy uncurled, turning to Thatch besides him. He reached out to clutch at his wrist. The pirate stirred but didn't wake up and Luffy felt the steady thumping of his heart under his fingers. He let go shakily.

It was just a dream. A really stupid- rude- dumb- stupider-stupidest dream.

A noise in the hallway distracted him from his thoughts as he shot up again. Only this one wasn't in his head. The black-haired pirate had heard it too. The men, Thatch excluded, had been taking turns keeping watch while the others slept.

The dark haired one stood up, the gun already in his hand as he turned to look at Marco. Marco was already up, if he even slept at all. He put his fingers to his lips silently telling the other to be quite and the pirate nodded scanning the room. When his dark eyes landed on Luffy he motioned for him to stay put. Luffy tensed. The two pirates pressed against the wall of the doorway to stay out of sight.

A second noise from the hallway, this one much louder, had Luffy shooting to his feet. The fear from his nightmare, still racing through his blood, drove him to sprint across the room. He quickly tucked behind one of the back pillars. The words still fresh in his mind.

-There is nowhere you can go that they won't find you

He pushed off the wall to watch what was happening at the front of the room as footsteps drew near.

"Don't move," Izo commanded his voice low. He pressed the barrel of the gun against the intruder's head in an obvious warning as he stepped out from against the wall.

There was a beat of silence and when the pistol didn't move the newcomer answered.

"Are you going to shoot me?" He sounded more amused then anything else.

"We'll see," The dark-haired man replied icily. "Who are you? Marine."

"You don't remember me?"

"We've never met and if you don't want a hole in your head you better start talking."

The newcomer turned to Marco next. "What did I lose the bet already?"

Marco sighed as he brought his hand to his forehead. "Why are you like this."

They weren't shooting each other yet. That was a good sign. Luffy leaned out of his hiding spot a little bit further so he could get a better look. It was a tall young man, not that intimidating looking with a top hat.

"Like what?"

"Nothing, Izo don't shoot him. He's with me."

"Who is he?" The pirate asked but lowered the gun all the same.

"Revolutionary." Marco answered him.

"The hell is a revolutionary doing here?"

The young man searched the room. Noting that the other two Whitebeards were still asleep, although Thatch was beginning to stir. He finally caught sight of Luffy at the back of the room. When their eyes locked Luffy felt a thrill of fear as he pushed himself back behind the stone column.

The man moved towards him but Marco stopped him. "Leave him alone. Trust me. Or he will bite your finger off."

"Whozzat?" Thatch asked sleepily as he finally sat up.

"Revolutionary," The pirate answered as he went to wake up his sleeping friend.

"Oh," Thatch said stupidly. "It's not a party until the revolutionaries show up is it?" He turned besides him only then realizing that Luffy was gone.

Gently but firmly the young man pulled his arm free of Marco's grip. Realizing he was coming over Luffy pushed his back against the wall. No! Why couldn't revolutionaries just leave him alone… whatever a revolutionary was.

There was no point in keeping silent anymore. As the person came to stand in front of the pillar Luffy let out a very loud warning growl that warned bloodshed to anyone stupid enough to get too close to him.

"I told you! Just leave him alone until Ace get's back." Marco said in annoyance as he began to walk over as well.

The young man ignored him as he caught sight of Luffy. A smile breaking out over his face as he looked him over. Happy just to see him.

It made Luffy nervous as he growled again, daring the other man to try anything.

"Hey, it's okay," He promised, still smiling like he had just won the world. He held up his hands slowly dropping down to his knees.

"Do you remember me Lu?" He asked his voice soft and patient. "Because I remember you. You have grown so much since the last time I saw you."

Luffy tilted his head, confusion mingling with his defensiveness. Lu? Nobody called him that but- approaching footsteps caught his attention as he turned to look. Thatch had woken up enough to come to his senses as he followed Marco over.

"Get away from him!" Thatch growled.

"Luffy," The man said patiently, bringing the other's attention back to him. He reached out very slowly to touch him but Luffy snapped back hissing at the offending hand.

"Why are you growling at me?" The man said gently, his tone teasing. "I thought I was your favorite?" And Luffy's eyes grew wide as he remembered those words.

"-Out of everyone in the whole world." He took off his hat, setting it down beside him.

"That's all right," He promised him. "I still like you best." And Luffy felt tears begin to well up in his eyes as Sabo leaned in closer to tap on the goggles around his neck.

"Thanks for holding onto these for me-Ooof!" Sabo fell back as Luffy tackled him, knocking them both onto the floor. Crying so hard now that the words were nearly illegible, Luffy answered.

"I-ah-Kgk-Oke-dem"

"You broke them?" Sabo translated wrapping his arms around the younger.

Luffy nodded desperately hugging his brother back, wrapping his bound wrists around the other's neck as he crossed his legs around Sabo's waist.

"Luffy it doesn't matter," Sabo promised trying to calm him.

"Yess It Doess," He sniffed. "I'm sorry- m'sorry-I'm so sorry."

"No it doesn't idiot," Sabo tried to calm him as he looked up at Marco. The two of them had managed to catch the full attention of the Whitebeard pirates. All of them were completely caught off guard by the direction the conversation had taken. Catching Marco's look Sabo turned back to Luffy.

"Lu I don't care about those," Sabo promised him rocking them back and forth lightly trying to shush the other. "Quite down crybaby," He told him lightly. "Or every marine is going to hear you."

"I'm sorry," Luffy sniffed, ignoring Sabo. "-Sorry I didn't stay put like you told me too. I should have listened to you." New tears welled up in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I wish I had listened… I didn't know."

"God stop apologizing," Sabo told him as he rested his forehead against Luffy's. "You are the last person who should be apologizing. Especially to me. That was my fault not yours. I didn't know either."

Luffy looked up at him. His big eyes still full of tears and he had to bite his lip to stop it from trembling. He looked so sad. When they were kid's Luffy was always smiling and laughing.

"Stop your crying baby," Sabo teased him. "We'll be alright." He hugged Luffy to his chest. "We won't leave you again."

Luffy sniffed, trying his hardest to stop crying as he closed his eyes. It would be easier if Sabo snapped at him but his brother was nothing but patient as he always was, gently shushing him as he rested his cheek on Luffy's messy hair. He had nearly forgotten what this felt like, having been fending for himself for so long now. It made a fresh set of tears well up in his eyes and spill over his cheeks as he started crying all over again.

Luffy held out his pinkie, asking Sabo to swear by it. Sabo smiled at him as he locked his finger around his little brothers. "I promise."

Standing a little ways away, so as to pretend to be polite but not far enough to actually miss anything said were Marco and Thatch. The other two pirates were nice enough, and more confused than anything, to pretend to be busy with other tasks. Izo was cleaning his gun while Haruta was sorting pebbles from the floor.

"Oh shit, that's Sabo." Thatch murmured to Marco.

"You know him?" Marco asked.

"I know of him," Thatch said now confused. "He's Luffy's brother- the nice one."

"What!"

"You didn't know?"

Marco shook his head as he watched the two of them. He honestly hadn't. But looking back things were starting to make sense.

Chapter Text

"Luffy didn't say anything as he pushed forwards into Sabo's chest. Sabo obliged him, wrapping his arms tightly around him, all the while wondering where this sense of independence came from." (Ink and paper drawing I did when I was in high school). 

He was so sleepy. He fell against his brother like dead weight, too tired to even sit up on his own. Not that he would want to if he could. Lately Luffy had been doing everything on his own. With his own power, whatever was left of it after all this time here. And he was tired of having to do everything on his own. But he didn't have to anymore. Just for right now.

Sabo had made him get up out of the corner, the safe corner, so he could talk to the doctor- Marco. The doctor was near the two other pirates and Thatch. It seemed like they had some things to talk about. Luffy wasn't really listening. He didn't care what they said at this point. He just wanted Ace to come back. And maybe then they could leave this group, taking Thatch with them, and Luffy could go back to sleep. Only then would he be satisfied, that when he woke up he wouldn't be alone again. Or even worse back in his prison cell where it was so dark and cold he couldn't even see his hand in front of his face.

Luffy had finally stopped crying a few minutes ago, right before Sabo had half pulled, half lifted him up to sit by the fire so he could talk to the pirates. At least he had sort of stopped crying. More like he had literally run out of tears, probably because his body hadn't had much water to begin with.

Luffy felt the heat of the flames on his face from the makeshift fire, clearing away any of the wetness that might still remain. The fire blaze was bright. Dr. Marco had made it, him and his freaky power. It seemed like today every time Luffy turned around things were on fire. How weird was that? It was also warm. But not as warm as Sabo sitting behind him. His brother's arms were around him, looped loosely around his neck in a way that if it were anyone else Luffy would push them away.

"I don't think he would risk that yet, at least I hope not."

"You never really know with him do you?"

"He seemed pretty mad."

"Yea but mad enough to do that?"

"We have to go get him! It's been long enough. This waiting is making me restless." That one was Thatch.

"What do you think? You clearly have a plan."

They were talking about Ace. Luffy tightened his hand on Sabo's sleeve and the older boy squeezed his shoulder gently in a silent reassurance.

"My plan was for it to be me who was distracting the marines." Sabo answered Marco, and when he spoke Luffy could feel the feint vibration against his back.

"So, he came to help you and you just ditched him?" One of the pirates pushed.

"Haruta," Marco began.

"He didn't leave me with much of a choice," Sabo told him his voice calm. "When he get's an idea in his head he makes sure that's the way things go."

"So your plan is to go along with whatever Ace says?" Marco said, "That doesn't sound like you." There was something in his tone that annoyed Luffy.

"It's just like me," Sabo argued. "When he get's like this I always go along with it… at least for a little while. It saves me time."

"I'm glad this is funny to you," The quieter of the two pirates spoke up.

"So damn funny." Sabo agreed, his tone impossible to read, devoid of any noticeable signs of anger or humor. But from where he sat Luffy could feel his brother's heartbeat speed up. He too was annoyed but letting none of it show.

"Izo," Marco said sounding very weary. Silently asking the other to keep the peace.

"We are going to take a strangers word for it?" Izo asked him quietly. "After everything Teach has done, all of the games he played. How do we know this guy didn't lead Ace into a trap and leave him?"

There it was again. That same tone. What was with these guys! They didn't even know Sabo. And they were blaming him for this! For Ace being a stupid head. Luffy might have no clue, like none at all, what was going on, but he knew Sabo would never do that.

"Or that he isn't secretly on Teach's pay roll?" Haruta spoke up. "It would hardly be the first time that the bastard got himself an inside spy."

"Guys," Thatch cut in trying to stop them from saying more. But Luffy's hand was already in Sabo's coat. His fingers closed around the first thing he found and before the blond realized What Luffy was doing he pushed away from the other. Breaking free of Sabo's arms, he threw the item strait at the pirate who accused Sabo of sabotaging Ace. He honestly didn't know if he could stand up right now so instead Luffy settled onto his knees in front of his brother protectively.

"Your wrong!" He told them and his voice didn't sound at all like he wanted it to. He wanted to sound absolute but instead he was so quiet the entire room had to strain to hear him. Stupid broken throat. But Luffy's glare made up for what his voice couldn't do.

They were wrong! They had been wrong about Ace and they were wrong about Sabo. What was the point of them if all they did was lie about the only two people who would bother to try and save him. -Stupid's.

The pirate was a bit slower on the uptake as he reached up to feel his forehead where something red and sticky coated the skin.

"Holy shit am I bleeding?" Haruta asked checking his fingers.

"Probably not," Marco said leaning over to grab the item. "He hit you with like, half of a sandwich."

"What is this then?" He rubbed his hand against his red stained forehead."

"Jam."

Sabo was quick to pull Luffy back against him. Luffy tried to push him away but the blond was insistent.

"Lu I got this," He promised hugging Luffy tightly when he gave in and leaned against his brother once again. He was willing to let it go as long as they were done saying bad things about his brothers.

"I suppose you want this back?" Marco said holding the sandwich fragment up.

"You already know I do." Sabo said taking it back, before tucking it back into his pocket.

"We should probably catch you guys up on a few things before any more food is thrown," Marco said turning his full attention to Sabo.

"You're their foster brother then?" It wasn't really a question and Sabo didn't answer. But he didn't need to. The sandwich saving was proof enough, on top of a dozen other things Marco had overlooked over the last few weeks. Ace didn't talk to anyone like he talked to Sabo. But by far the biggest hint happened a week ago, right after they got the location. Sabo fell sick and Ace held off rescuing Luffy to stay with him. Because he thought his brother was going to die.

"Your serious, aren't you?" Izo asked the blond before turning his question to Marco when Sabo didn't answer.

"Wait what?" Haruta asked.

"Any more surprise family members?" Marco pressed.

"Nope," Sabo told him after a long moment, lying as he spoke. "It's always just been the three of us." But that part was the truth.

"And you thought you shouldn't tell me this because…"

"It's-,"

"Complicated," Marco finished for him. "Yea that's what I am starting to gather."

Luffy tightened his hands on Sabo's sleeve and Sabo looked down at him curiously. He tipped his head back to look up at the older boy.

"What is it?"

He continued to stare, face blank as he blinked up at him.

"I'm not psychic," Sabo reminded him. "You're going to have to say it."

When Luffy stayed silent Sabo smiled gently at him. He had an idea what his brother wanted. But it seemed like he wasn't talking as much anymore.

"You could have told me," Marco told him after a long moment. "I would have been nicer to you." Especially if he had known what Sabo must have been going through worrying about his little brother. Working himself until he passed out with the same feverishness Ace had done. Both of them literally sick with worry.

Sabo only smiled at him. "What good would that of done me? I had bigger problems to worry about then if people were nice to me or not."

God now that he knew it was impossible not to hear Ace when he spoke.

"Yea well it might have given me some peace," Marco told him.

"You know now, are you at peace yet?"

What a snarky bastard he was. Marco looked at him and then Luffy who was falling asleep in his arms. His eyes gently falling shut before he would quickly snap himself out of it, each time tightening his hold on his older brother's sleeve, not trusting the pirates enough to fall asleep. Both of them were still just kids themselves.

"We'll talk about this later," Marco said after a moment. "How long are you going to wait before going after Ace?"

He shrugged. "Another few hours, until the marine storm passes-OW!" He pulled his hand back quickly as Luffy had bitten deeply into the palm not liking the idea of being abandoned again.

"Stop it!" He said pulling his arm back before his brother could bite it again. "Don't you want Ace back?" Sabo's eyes met Luffy's but the younger didn't say anything. After a long second Luffy broke the gaze, turning away as he pulled away from Sabo. He didn't say anything only pulling his knee tight against his chest as he turned his hurt expression into the floor.

"Hey it's okay," Sabo told him gently. "I'm sure Ace will come back on his own. We just need to give him more time okay." Luffy didn't look up.

"I'll come with you," Marco told him. "-if it comes to that." He added for Luffy's benefit.

"Thank you," Sabo told him honestly but-."

"You can manage." Marco finished for him. "I'm sure. I'll still come."

XXX

Thatch had immediately given in to Marco's suggestion and gone back to sleep but the other three pirates stayed up talking together, it seemed like they had a lot to catch up on. Sabo looked over at them, he hated missing out on what they were saying, a habit of any revolutionary worth their salt. But it didn't seem like Luffy was going to do anything without him so it was a sacrifice Sabo was happy to make.

He had grabbed one of the dusty sheets lying around, protecting some of the old barrels long since empty. Now it would protect them from how cold it was down here. He dropped his backpack besides them before shrugging his jacket off.

Luffy sat watching him with his cheek pressed against his knees. He hadn't said anything in a good little while and the silence was getting to be too much. Because Luffy always had something to say.

"I can't believe anyone would ever mess with you," Sabo finally said unable to take it any longer. "-With how sharp your teeth are."

He had been joking. His hand had been bleeding a little bit from earlier, but he honestly didn't care. But Luffy sat up at that and his expression was the furthest thing from amused. He looked devastated. And to Sabo's absolute horror a tear spilled over his cheek, with more soon to follow if this kept up.

Luffy bit his bottom lip to try and stop it from shaking. And for a horrible second Sabo was reminded of that time when he and Ace had rescued Luffy from the bandits and Luffy could barely stop crying long enough to thank them.

"Sabo-," He said very-very careful to keep his words clear. "-I'm sorry. I'm Sorry." He closed his eyes as another tear followed the first one. "I'm sorry-I'm sorry- I'm sorry." Luffy continued to repeat the words senselessly. "Sorry, sorry sorry…"

Oh my god he had broken him. Sabo quickly moved towards him trying to stop the small and absolute break down the other was having. He placed his palms on Luffy's cheeks forcing his little brother to look at him.

"Luffy it's okay I have another one!" He showed him his unmarred hand which for whatever reason only made the other cry harder. What did they do to his eternally happy little brother? No, Sabo knew what they did.

"Why do you keep apologizing to me?" He asked gently. "It's not at all like you. I'm the one who let you down."

Luffy just shook his head. "I tried. I promise I tried. I promise!"

"I know you did." Sabo told him trying to stop him before he broke down again.

"I wanted to be strong."

"You are," Sabo told him.

"I couldn't do anything!" Luffy said shaking his head. "I thought I was better- since you saw me. Less…less useless."

"Luffy you were never useless." Sabo told him.

"I am! I'm worse. I'm so-." He trailed off as his voice failed him. "-Weak."

"Lu-,"

"I couldn't stop them, I couldn't fight Teach, I couldn't fight the marines." He sniffed wiping his cheek. "I couldn't protect Thatch; I couldn't protect Ace. I can't save anyone. I can't even protect myself."

Sabo was beginning to see what this was about.

"And now- I can't even stop weaklings. I used too but… not anymore." He reached up, grabbing's Sabo's wrists as he gently pulled the older boy's hands off his cheeks. His eyes were dark and impossible to read as he looked up at his brother. "I keep trying- but I just keep failing. More and more. M' Sorry. I can't even help you get Ace." Suddenly the biting incident made a lot more sense.

He let go of Sabo's hands. "I thought you were dead. I just got you back, and I'm not strong enough to protect you."

"Oh Lu," Sabo said gently. "Is that what you think?" He hadn't really thought of it before. But it was very- Luffy like- to see things like that. See this whole horrible thing, the fact that he couldn't single handedly go up against the world government and the Blackbeard's, as his own personal weakness.

"Of course you can't protect me, or Ace. You never could. When we used to fight you never even landed a real punch."

"But-," He began only for Sabo to cut him off.

"You're our little brother. You're not supposed to protect us. We're supposed to protect you. Maybe the day will come when we spar and you can kick my butt ten times over, and then you can worry about protecting me okay. But until then you are going to have to trust me. I'm going to look out for you and Ace and I promise Ace will do the same."

"… I'm that useless?"

"You're not useless Lu. You did amazing, all on your own. I wasn't there but I know you. And I can't imagine how hard things must have gotten for you. And I'm sure you annoyed the hell out of everyone who tried to control you. But you never gave up did you?"

Luffy didn't say anything and Sabo knew he was right about this. Whatever hell Luffy had survived he hadn't done so without loss.

"This is the adults table. Like the strongest in the world. Not even the best pirates on the seas can bring these guys down. Your still young and very hurt. They've been hurting you so you can't stand up against them. But you won't stay hurt forever and you're going to get older and stronger. And then you can show them, you can show everyone."

Luffy didn't reply, instead reaching up his finger to trace Sabo's scar. His hands were light and very cold. But Sabo let him do what he wanted until he dropped his hand, deep in thought. Wholly unlike himself once again. Sabo was getting the feeling that it would take a long time for him to become like himself.

"Okay?" He asked him softly.

Luffy didn't say anything as he pushed forwards into Sabo's chest. Sabo obliged him, wrapping his arms tightly around him, all the while wondering where this sense of independence came from.

He gave Luffy his coat, and his socks to try and keep him warm, neither of which he reacted too much. He tried to get him to drink some water but Luffy didn't seem to want it and in a few minutes he was passed completely out. Leaving Sabo alone in the darkness to wonder just when the hell his little brother had become so dependable. He remembered when they were little how Luffy would hide behind their backs when he got scared. How weird that Sabo missed that now.

"I can't believe how much you went and grew up."

Chapter Text

"I can't believe he didn't go with you."

"Well blondie wasn't looking so good. The doctors don't know what's wrong with him. They think it's some type of brain damage. But they won't know how serious until he wakes up- if he wakes up."

"I understand," Whitebeard said honestly. "But everything Ace has done as of yet was for his brother. I have a hard time believing he would suddenly put someone else before him. Simply because he has yet to do so."

"Honestly," Marco told him. "No one knows what's going on inside Ace's head except Ace."

"For his sake and ours I pray your mission is a success."

"Me too," Marco said thinking of Thatch. "I can't help but get the feeling, that if we lose Luffy we lose Ace."

-Three days ago

XXX

"Can you look up for me Luffy," Marco asked.

Luffy continued to stare at the man, as if he hadn't spoken at all.

"Luffy," Sabo said softly, reminding the other to behave. Luffy huffed but looked up, then down, then side to side as Marco commanded, following his finger.

"You don't like me much do you?" The kid Ace had described to him was outgoing, friendly and cheerful. But this kid wouldn't stop glaring daggers at him. Not that they had gotten off to a great start yesterday. "Can you open your mouth."

"Why?"

"So I can take a look."

Luffy opened his mouth reluctantly, letting Marco poke around his tongue. "Some of your back molars are missing," Marco said. "Do you remember what happened to them?"

"…"

"Look Luffy, I'm on your side. If something is hurting you can tell me. I might be able to help."

A few beats of silence passed before Luffy turned away from Marco. "Someone took them."

"Took them?" Marco said and then it clicked. 'Oh shit.' He glanced at Sabo whose brow was furrowed in worry. He had gotten the message before Marco had.

"What else did they do to you?" He asked.

Luffy turned to look at him. He didn't say a word but the expression on his face clearly read, 'screw you.' And Marco fought back the urge to sigh. Why did this remind him a bit of Ace when they had first met. Only Ace had been quite vocal and had no shortage of creative swears. Luffy was mostly silent and preferred to ignore and avoid the Whitebeard pirates, with the exception of Thatch who he was super sweet too like he was with Ace and Sabo.

Marco considered himself an empathetic person, to an extent. But he was also a pirate with medical training and healing abilities. He wasn't an expert in child psychology or trauma, so he didn't exactly know what the correct thing to say to a kid that he just found out had four of his teeth pulled out by a psychopath. Somehow 'that's rough buddy,' didn't seem like it would cover it. He couldn't sit there and ask; how did getting your teeth pulled make you feel? Or whatever it was those guys would say to him.

What he could do was try and help him as a doctor. Screw what the proper procedure was. It wouldn't matter if he hurt Luffy's feelings if he ended up dying before they could escape. Time to stop trying to be gentle, not that it was working anyways.

"What are his symptoms Thatch?" Marco called over to his friend, who had been sitting with Izo, eating an enriching breakfast of protein bars and stale water.

"Huh?" Thatch looked up, mouth full of food. "How would I know?" He garbled out. "I ain't no doctor?"

"You were with him for most of it, were you not? You should have seen something?"

Thatch frowned as he moved to stand up, stumbling quite noticeably before Izo went to help him. "Uhh, he spent nearly an entire month puking up blood. What!" He said in response to Luffy's betrayed look. "He's just trying to help you." Thatch promised. "He's not like the other doctor alright? Teach's doctor," He said for Marco's edification.

"And what was he like?" He asked searching around in his bag for his cotton swab.

"A sadistic drunk."

"That doesn't surprise me," Marco said as he moved the tool towards the teenager's ear. Caught off guard Luffy flinched, his hand shot up to cover it protectively.

"Luffy," Sabo sighed. "Please."

Luffy turned to his brother, still shielding his ear. "Can we go back to sleep."

"You already slept eight straight hours. It took ten minutes to wake you up. It nearly gave me a heart attack." Sabo told him. It was right after that Sabo had forced Luffy to let Marco look at him.

"Are you tired Luffy?" Marco asked reaching up to pull his hand away from his ear. "This isn't meant to hurt." He said as the teen reluctantly let his hand fall so Marco could poke around inside his ear.

Luffy nodded after a long moment.

"On a scale of one to ten how tired do you feel usually?" When he didn't answer Marco turned the question onto Thatch.

"I'm not sure, but by the end he wasn't able to stay awake for very long. Like an hour or two and he would fall back asleep for half a day. Right in the middle of a sentence sometimes. It was kind of scary."

That wasn't good. But Marco figured everyone could figure that our on their own. He traded the cotton swab out for a clean one as he changed ears. The right one had been infected; he had expected a similar situation for the other but the moment he looked inside he immediately understood Luffy's defensiveness.

"Sabo he's really dirty. Do you think you could find something to try and clean him up with? If the dirt gets into a cut it could cause an infection."

"Uh, sure."

"It's cool," Haruta said standing up. "I can go instead." He caught Marco's look. "Never mind. Maybe not." Sabo looked between the two of them and Marco found himself wishing he wasn't the smart one out of his brothers.

"Sabo?"

"Uh, yea. I guess." Sabo stood up. "You good?" He asked Luffy who stared up at him. He didn't say anything either way, so his brother took that as a yes, leaving to go 'find something' everyone knew Marco already had.

"What really happened to your ear," Marco asked once Sabo was out of earshot. His eardrum was perforated, and it didn't look like it happened naturally. And Marco could imagine, from his own experience of having siblings, that Luffy didn't want to worry his brother more then he already was.

When Luffy didn't answer he continued. "We can talk about this now or we can talk about it when your brother get's back. As well as everything that was done to you. up to you."

"Jesus Marco, maybe go a little bit easier on him," Thatch told him, disapproval clear in his voice.

"Going easier on you isn't going to make you feel better," Marco told Luffy. "I'm going to try and help you whether you want me to or not. Because I'm not an alcoholic doctor. So if you don't want Sabo finding out I suggest you start talking to me."

"A needle," Luffy said after a long moment. "He put a needle in my ear and I couldn't hear anymore."

"Hearing loss is temporary," Marco told him. "It's badly damaged but it can typically heal on it's own as yours is doing. If not, we can fix it…. Okay?" Luffy nodded at him. For once not fighting him. He seemed almost… trusting? Maybe he was just grateful to know he wasn't going to be half deaf forever. Although he had done a good job at hiding it.

Marco patted his head gently. Silently telling him he had done a good job before moving on. He checked his sinuses which were infected and his nose which had been fractured but it was mostly healed now. Thanks to his devil fruit powers for that one. Luffy didn't seem to break bones like normal people did. It was possible with Teach's newfound devil fruit power. But they healed like puzzle pieces, quickly and without the bruising or marks most people would get. The only sign his nose had been displaced was the subtle bump in the bone, which was common a year after breakage for normal people. And apparently after only a week or so in Luffy's case.

Marco moved onto his torso next, where most of the damage was. He asked Luffy to take off his shirt and when the kid was slow to obey, he made the three staring pirates turn around.

Luffy fumbled clumsily with the buttons. While Marco got his bandages ready. From the brief glimpse he had seen yesterday there was some major bruising on his stomach, likely internal bleeding. It was being treated by the sadistic doctor but not nearly as closely as it should have been. Like Thatch, Luffy must have been dealing with this throughout captivity.

"Abdominal pain, bruising, trouble breathing." Marco asked, more out of habit then anything else. He didn't need the confirmation; he had seen these enough times to know. Most recently on Thatch. But even Thatch's wasn't this extensive. When Luffy finally conquered the last button Marco gently pushed the shirt off of his shoulders, getting it out of the way as much as he could with the way Luffy's arms were bound in front of him. His stomach, chest and shoulders were covered in a sickly purple color, blackening in some places.

Luffy was staring at him. He realized it only when the other's breathing hitched, and he moved to pull his shirt back up.

Marco forced himself to smile at the kid. "You'll be okay." He lied. "But leave it a little longer okay. I'm going to change your bandages. It might sting a bit."

Someone had been taking care of him, at least a bit. There were grimy but not yet stained bandages wrapped tightly around his chest and parts of his arms and legs. He could worry about that later.

"Did the doctor do this?" He asked as he began to remove the old wrappings. Luffy nodded. "Everyday?"

"No."

When the bandages came off Marco finally understood Luffy's panic. This was a lot. Even for him, and he had seen it all by now. Nothing needed stitches, at least the other doctor could handle that part. There was no need to ask who had done this.

"Can we turn around yet," Thatch asked. Bored already in typical Thatch fashion.

"No," Marco told him pushing Luffy to lie down on the blanket while he took care of the various cuts and contusions the bandages had been hiding. He cleaned the area first (as if he didn't have a rag all along).

"This is going to sting all right." Luffy hissed as he tried to sit up but Marco gently held him down until the sensation passed.

"I saw where you were," Marco told him after a moment. "Want to tell me about it?" Unsurprisingly Luffy shook his head. "What about Sabo? Would you tell him?" Luffy shook his head again. "Whys that?"

"Why would I want to make him sad?" Luffy asked and Marco didn't have an answer for him.

"How long were you there?"

"I don't know."

"Did they ever let you out."

"No."

"You can sit up bud," Marco said, as he helped him up so he could rewrap the bandages. "Do you know what month it is now?" Luffy shook his head.

"Can you guess?"

"July?" Luffy said softly.

"What about you Thatch?"

"Can I turn around yet? Staring at this wall is starting to give me a headache."

"Listening to Thatch complain about watching the wall is giving me one," Haruta said.

"Fine," Marco said. He was almost done anyways.

"Uhh- it's probably fall by now isn't it?"

"It's October," Marco confirmed.

"Oh," Luffy pulled his knee into his chest, hugging it close to him in that way that he seemed to do when he was upset and trying to comfort himself.

Thatch saw this as well as he came to sit besides Luffy, throwing a hand over his shoulder. Luffy made a surprised noise, somewhere between a yelp and a squeak as he was pulled against the man.

"It's okay," Thatch promised. "I once went on a bender for like a straight week. It was so bad that I thought it was Christmas in like June." Marco remembered that. Thatch tried to put up Christmas decorations on a palm tree and the entire ship ate Christmas ham and eggnog for a solid three days.

"Really?"

"Yes," The Izo and Haruta said together and Thatch smiled. "What I wouldn't give to see Pops and everyone again.

"You don't have to give anything," Marco told him without looking up. "They will be here before you know it."

"Aw," Thatch said, "You old softy."

"Get off my patient," He said but Thatch just laughed.