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Chapter Text

Being blind never stopped Ace from doing anything. It started with blurry vision, then came the occasional blackness even when his eyes were wide open. Finally, on one snowy day, he saw nothing but darkness...

It freaked Sabo out to the point he threw Ace into the river. Or well, he would've, if the river wasn't frozen over. "Ugh! Cool it, Sabo! My eyes sucked to begin with anyway!!"

Still though, it never stopped him from giving Luffy a good hit on the head when he does something stupid. "Don't eat that! I'm telling you it's not edible!!" Nor does he lose more in their 100 one on one fights. In fact, for some reason, Ace felt as if he was 'seeing' better.

He absolutely couldn't count money or read though. But both Sabo and Luffy helped in anyway they could. Sabo who knew how to read and write, taught Ace how to write and was patient beyond belief. "This is so weird...do you really have to be holding my hand for this, Sab?" "Well, if a certain illiterate idiot didn't suddenly go blind one day, then I wouldn't have to!" Luffy did what he thought the best way to teach a blind kid was. Point at random objects and ask what the hell he had pointed at.

He would describe the objects sometimes. If he didn't forget. Or got distracted by something else.

It seemed silly and downright useless until one day, it worked.
By making taps on any surface, he could feel the vibrations and get an impression of the object(s). It was weird, but meh.

Ace felt so loved in the months that Sabo and Luffy used just to teach him how to 'see' when he couldn't. How to write with just the feel of the pencil and sound the scraping makes. They've even went as far as to try feeling the back of the paper to try and tell what words were written on it. It didn't work very well, but at least he could write.

He lived in a world of darkness, but it was beautiful. He felt loved.

But he also felt he didn't deserved it. Especially on days when he'd forget words or stumble. 'Luffy and Sabo...they're wasting their time on me...It's only a matter of time before they realise how useless all this is...how useless I am! I'm just a blind demon child...good for nothing.'

His heart was open, but his mind was dark. His doubts and self hate stopped him from 'seeing' how much his brothers care for him. Stopped him from 'seeing' how much they wanted to be with him.

So when Outlook came to take Sabo, he said things he didn't mean. He let his brother go unwillingly.

He felt even worst when Bluejam defeated him and almost killed Luffy. He was consumed...

By dark thoughts and before he knew it, Sabo was gone.

He cried, Luffy cried, Makino cried and so did Dadan and the mountain bandits.

Ace could feel them. He could sense them, understand them and pinpoint exactly where they were on the island. But what good is a power that comes too late?

Best not be late then. Because for him, he has a second chance. He has one more little brother to take care of and he will keep his promise, he'll even take on Sabo's dream, and sail out to sea on his own no matter how much the danger scale increases for a blind 17 year old to sail the seas.

And thust, with a last wave goodbye, Portgas D. Ace began his journey.

(Note: Ace's observation haki strengthened after he 'read' Sabo's letter. That's when he cried. The emotions he felt were too much for him to control, so it burst out in a strong wave around the island. And Dragon had already taken Sabo, so Ace couldn't sense him.

Ace can 'read' by feeling the back of paper, as long as the writer writes hard enough to cause bumps, he can 'read')
_____________________________

Time skip, Ace sets sail.

++ Third Person's POV ++

"Fuckkkk." That word was the very frist word Ace groaned out as soon as he woke up on the very first island he landed on, Sixis. After leaving Dawn, he used the heat of the sun and bumps he had made on his map to continue on. It wasn't the best way to navigate, but it was good enough...or so he thought.

He remembers nothing on how he got there. In fact, he was gonna avoid the island completely! Not suddenly falling asleep and being randomly thrown onto an island surrounded by hurricanes!

Ace sighed and got up to collect whatever he could find that was still salvageable from his shipwreck. He didn't find much though. But he was content nonetheless. He still had the hat Luffy gave him, the hunting knife gramps threw at him for his last birthday and the red beaded necklace Dadan gave him. Oh, and the bag that Luffy said looked like a watermelon which Makino made for him.

He also managed to gather some rope, cloth and nets.
He tried sensing for life, but he found few. There was one other person as well as a few birds in trees, and bird-like giant creatures hiding all around the high places on the island. As far as he could tell, there was no freshwater sources on the island.

It was already late evening, Ace was about to go search for the other human being, when his stomach rumbled. 'Food first.' He thought.

He caught 5 large, but not giant birds he found and cooked them over a fire. The light might had caught the attention on the other person on the island as said person had been steadily moving closer.

Ace finished the third bird, but felt no where actually full yet. That was when the other presence came into view. Not that Ace could see him.

"Hungry?" Ace asked, taking one of the sticks that held the cooked avian and pointing it out towards the stranger. Makino had taught him it was polite to offer food to another when you had some.

The bird was snached right away and thanks were rushed out of the stranger's mouth. Said stranger started devouring the food, uncaring of the heat burning his lips and tongue.

They both ate in silence until everything was gone and the stranger leaned back with a satisfied sigh. Thanking Ace for the meal again.

"No problem! By the way, I'm Portgas D. Ace. Nice to meet you!" Ace said cheerfully.

The stranger was slightly put-off by Ace's cheerful nature, but replied friendly, "Um...nice to meet you too Portgas."

"Call me Ace!" Ace smiled. The stranger had to admit, he felt kinda happy to see another person's smile after spending three days alone on this godforsaken island.

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..

...

Ace and the stranger talked for a while, before Ace realized he didn't know said stranger's name. When he asked though, the stranger said he didn't have one anymore.

Ace inquired more about it, but the stranger shook his head.

"Come on, Deuce! You can tell me!"

"Deuce?"

Ace nodded, "Since you won't tell me your name, that's what I'm gonna call you from now on!"

Duece sighed, rolling his eyes. "How did you get here anyway? You got a ship?"

At that, Ace sighed, "No...fell asleep and the next thing I knew my face was on sand and my ship destroyed."

Deuce sighed too, "Bummer..." He tilted his head up to stare at the tiny shining dots that littered the night sky. The stars truely looked so much different compared to when he was back there..."At least no one's missing me." He whispered to no one.

But Ace heard it. Being blind ment all his other senses were heightened. And he felt curious, "What do you mean?" He asked, voice loosing his joyful spark.

"Well..." Deuce started, "Long story short, I'm a med school drop out. After realising I could never be anything good, I decided to look towards the sea for adventure. This is my first and probably last island after my last though..."

"Huh, so you wanna be a pirate?" Ace inquired.

"Wha-no! Gods no. I seek adventure but do not wish to be a pirate thank you very much."

"Oh come on, it'd be fun! You can be my first mate!" Ace exclaimed.

At that Deuce raised his brow, "You, a pirate captain? You need to get checked out in a mental institute right after getting a hair cut. What are you even doing out in here anyway? Shouldn't you be at home?"

Ace laughed, "First of all, I'm already 17, basically an adult. And I made a promise to my younger brother, I'm out here for a reason. For freedom and my own dream. I'll be a captain of an amazing crew and have my name spoken all over the world, I'll be even more famous than the Pirate King himself! And if I die out here, I die with no regrets!" Ace stated with so much determination and seriousness that Deuce had to wonder if this was really the kid he just spent a couple hours telling stories and laughing with.

Deuce really didn't know what to say after Ace's declaration. Because he literary felt all of Ace's passion in all that he has said. He's really gonna do it. He can do it."And my hair's just fine!" Ace said pouting.

'Yup, same hyperactive kid...' Deuce thought. Deadpanned inside.

They sat in silence for a minute before Deuce figured out what to say, "When we get off this island, you seriously need to take a look in the mirror, 'cause you look like you've been on this island longer than I have with that unruly mob of hair on your head. Especially your bangs, I can't even see the color of your eyes with them in the way."

They both laughed, 'I wouldn't be able to see myself though...' Ace thought. He's long passed the stage of caring about his looks.

"Still though, more famous than the Pirate King himself? You're talking about the worst bastard in the history of pirates, a demon! Everyone wanted him dead when he was still living. And he's still being talked about after-"

Ace zoned out, no longer listening to what Deuce was saying after the word 'demon' was spoken. It was one of his trigger words. One that brought back memories he despised. Memories of men unknowingly telling him to die, that he should never had been born. That he was a demon child...

Deuce noticed the change and was about to ask what was wrong, maybe he shouldn't had challenged Ace's dreams? When Ace asked a question he hadn't asked since he had asked Luffy 7 years ago...

"What if the Pirate King had a son?".

The words that Ace spoke changed the mood. Both fell quiet, making the forest and fire sound like an orchestra.

All of a sudden Deuce got up, and left...

Even with the fire burning brightly, Ace felt cold...
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..

.

Deuce marched away as fast as he could, watching out for branches and protruding roots that could trip him. 'He's Rogers son? What the fuck, that guy's bad news...'

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..

...

Deuce kept as far away from Ace as possible on the island, everyday he'd search for food and water, just something, anything to put in his mouth and swallow. The hunger is his belly was getting painful, and he didn't want to die, not on this stupid island.

He'd look high and low, just hoping, sometimes digging for ground water, anything! He found close to nothing though...he's never really been an outdoors person, 'What was I thinking?! Everything seemed so simple in books!'

He'd curse and just focus on breathing, it felt like his body was starting to shut down on him, it was a god awful feeling... The huge ship on the island kept giving him false hope, he was so done with this...

'I wonder how he's doing...wait, no! I couldn't care less about him!' Deuce would think during particularly hard times, times when he felt he couldn't move, when he felt how hard it was to breathe.

'Fuck it!' He thought, he got up and walked over to where he knew Ace would be, his steps were unsteady and slow, but he was getting there.

When he broke past the treeline, his eyes widened, a fruit...a huge orange fruit...Ace was holding food! 'What the fuck...had he been eating those ever since he got here? How did he find...had he...had he been keeping them? All of them?! Bastard...'

Deuce felt his blood boil, and his stomach pang, he reached for a big, heavy brance that was just laying around by his feet, and silently made his way over to Ace.

Ace had his back turned, but he could feel Deuce making his way closer towards him as he inspected the fruit he had just found, it felt...weird. But food's food!

Deuce was about to strike, he had his arms above his head, ready with his heavy stick, when his stomach roared loudly, and pain flashed across his face. Ace turned around then, holding the fruit out to him with...with a smile...a sweet innocent smile...as if Deuce wasn't about to bloody murder him! "Hey Deuce! Look what I found!! A fruit!! You're hungry, right? Here, eat this!"

That's when Deuce really got a good look at Ace...he was skinner than the last time he saw him, around him were broken wood, leftovers of ship wrecks after ship wrecks...had he...had he been trying to get off this island? Even with all those hurricanes? Even when Deuce himself felt so...powerless?

The branch fell from Deuce's hold, and it landed behind the blue haired man. Said man fell to his knees right after with his head bowed, and started apologising.

"Hey, hey, it's alright!! What's wrong though? Does your stomach hurt?" Ace asked, concerned, Deuce looked dreadful, and he was clutching his abdomen hard, trying to get it to shut up and stop hurting as much, but it wasn't working, he felt worst than before. 'Fuck, fuck it!! How could I have been so cruel to him?! Ace...Ace isn't like his father, fuck! I don't even know his father! Who am I to judge?' "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, so sorry..."

"There's nothing to be sorry for... hey, hey! It's alright! Now here! Eat it!" Ace stated, pushing the fruit at Deuce.

Deuce shook his head, "I can't."

Ace frowned, "Sure you can!! Just open up!"

"No, I can't, it's yours, I...I tried to kill you for it."

Ace sighed, "You wouldn't be the first...OK, tell you what, we'll split it!"

Ace used his dagger to cut straight through the fruit, and he shoved half of it into Deuce's hands, "Here!" He huffed. "Now, let's eat!"

Ace's voice was strong and didn't give room for refusal, Deuce stared at Ace, was he really forgiven? Really?

He thanked Ace and they both took a bite, almost at the same time, but Ace was just a little bit faster.

"Bleh, this thing tastes awful!" Ace laughed, they both finished the fruit in a few bites, and although it tasted worst than the worst thing they've eaten before, it settled their hunger.

"Yuck, you can say that again." Deuce laughed too, before his eyes grew to the size of saucers, "Y-your arm!!!" He yelled,  "Fire!! FIRE!!!"

Ace tilted his head, "What?" He didn't feel the heat of a fire, he tried flexing the arm Deuce was pointing at though, and he did feel like something was...around it? Or...coming out of him? "Huh, weird." Ace muttered nonchalantly.

"Are you fucking blind?! YOUR ARM IS ON FIRE!!!" Deuce was obviously panicking, people don't just catch on fire!!

Ace's reaction was jaw dropping for Deuce though, the fire on him flickered, and he tensed, his mouth closed with an audible click and his head shifted in the other direction...

"Wait..." Deuce calmed down, starting at Ace intently, first, he noted that his...friend? Wasn't burning, and then... "Are you blind?" He inquired, there was only curiosity in his voice, no mockery or hate, no tone of being upset, and Ace could feel Deuce's genuine concern...was he...not mad at him?

Hesitantly, Ace nodded his head. It was a move so uncharacteristic of him though...Deuce pictured Ace as an outgoing guy with a fiery spirit, with darkness around the corners due to his heritage, but definitely not shy and hesitant for anything. He suddenly felt the need to show Ace that he didn't think less of him just because he was blind, but he was unsure how... instead, he just said what was on his mind.

"You're amazing."

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Since that day, Ace had been figuring out his devil fruit. Deuce was marveled by the way Ace can walk without sight, it was mind blowing!!

He got an idea to use Ace's devil fruit to get them off the island, and since then, the two had been making a small, but not too small, boat of sorts. It's big enough to hold two people, but it has a streamline shape, perfect for propelling.

When they were done with it, Ace took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Welp, If this doesn't work, guess I'll die!" He laughed.

Deuce felt his jaw slacken as he stared at Ace, before he shook himself out of it and stated that he'd save him if it didn't work, "A captain can't just up and die before his crew!"

Ace snapped his head at Deuce so fast that the other prayed he didn't get a whiplash. "Did you just...call me captain?" Ace asked. Deuce turned sheepish and looked away, scratching his dry, sandy cheek. "You'll join my crew?" Ace sounded hopeful, and his smile was wide, it made Deuce feel happy that someone wanted him as nakama.

"We'll, yeah...you're not a bad guy. I wouldn't mind you being my captain." Deuce stated, still looking away with a light blush on his cheeks.

Ace cheered, "All right!! I got a first mate!!"

The two got even closer after that, the giant birds that Ace couldn't catch before became their feast after Deuce came up with a fire net idea. They ate back their lost muscles and drank evaporated sea water.

And when the day came to set off, they did with determined eyes. "Let's do this!"

"Aye, Captain!"

Ace propelled their small boat with his fire, as Deuce held onto the mast in the middle of the boat for dear life. It was exhilarating! They were going so fast!

It was bumpy, the boat nearly fliped over once, but Ace managed to get them through. And finally, FINALLY! They were off Sixis, and heading to a brand new adventure.

The two of them gasped for air, their hearts pumping fast, as it they had ran marathons, after the shock wore off, they both broke out in laughter. "We made it!!" Ace yelled, overjoyed.

"Kiss my dry ass, Sixis!!" Deuce shouted, pointing a middle finger at the slowly disappearing island.

They both laughed some more, before Ace got his fire working again to get them to another island, there was one that was thankfully close to them, with Ace's new power, they'll be able to reach it in no time.

"So, wanna tell me your name now?" Ace asked smirking, still high on adrenaline.

"You already know it, cap!"

"Eh?"

"Deuce! My name, it's Deuce!"

___________________________

After they left Sixis, they came across another island. One with a marine base.

The "Heroes of People" were garbage. They expected the villages to pay taxes, hurt any of those who fought back or couldn't pay up.

Saber seemed to be the only Marine who hated his profession. Spoke about how people should never be kept prisoner in their own homes in fear of those who were supposed to protect them.

So, the Captain and First Mate looked at each other and decided to do their first heroic thing as Pirates.

They freed the island from marines and got a new crew member.

Mihar was a surprised find, randomly taking care of Ace on an island suddenly, and even holding a sudden study session to teach Ace how to write a letter to Luffy. It was no surprised that the teacher was asked to join the crew.

Kotatsu was a poor thing... Trapped in a bear trap, held prisoner by a travelling circus. Ace could feel his pain, he couldn't turn a blind eye to the lynx, but didn't expect to earn a loyal feline companion when he freed and nursed the dangerous creture back to health.

The Spade Pirates sailed on, finding members allover the place, Skull had all the knowledge of a true fan boy of pirates, it was truely a happy time for Ace.

His amazing crew, the loyalty they give him. And the pride in his chest at being able to not just survive, but thrive at sea. He knew that he made it.

'Sabo! Are you watching me? Look!! I can't read it, but Mihar told me that the government wants me to be a war lord now, can you believe it? Gramps would kill me if I turn it down, but I'm a pirate, I'm turning it down anyways!!'

The Spade Pirates love their captain, and Ace bathes in that love every second of every day. There was nothing more that he needed, he has achieved what Sabo and Luffy wanted for him all his life. He may not be the most well known pirate, but he has obviously made a name for himself.

"So, what now, Captain?" Deuce asked as they were all resting around the fire.

Ace breathed in the salty sea air that he loves so much, and spoke out contently, "We live. And have fun doing so."

"Sounds good to me!" Saber cheered, "Honestly, for a minute there, I thought you'd say something reckless again."

"Right? Like meet another Emperor!" Skull laughed, "Though Shanks was really fun."

"True, but that's Shanks, who knows about the other Emperors."

"Ggrraaa."

"Right, Kotatsu, they might be as vicious as the rumors say they are!"

"If we're talking rumours, Whitebeard is actually a hero for many islands. We all saw the flag in Fishman island!"

Ace "coughed".

"I-I mean-"

Ace laughed, waving his hand. He still enjoys toying with them once in awhile, but truely loves the way they'd forget that he was blind. Made him feel independent and strong

The others chuckled at the pink Skull's ears turned into.

"Well, we can't trust all rumours." Deuce chimed.

"True." Ace, who was laying on Deuce's lap, sat up. "We should see for ourselves, don't you think?" His mischievous smirk under his bangs made the crew sweat.

"Why... Why did we start talking about Emperors again?"

"It's your fault!! You started it, Skull!"

"Skull, where's Whitebeard at?"

"A- Captain- I...Um..."

"No need for you all to be so terrified. I'm not looking for a fight, there's actually something I'd like to ask the old man."

"Concerning he who shall not be named?" Deuce asked, curious.

Ace nodded. "I'd like to know what Whitebeard really thinks of him, and of me."

"Ace-"

"No. It's the final thing for me to finally be at peace."

"You sound like a ghost looking to pass on into the afterlife, haha..."

"Oh hush!"

"Um... Cap..."

"Hm?"

"You don't have to answer us if you don't want to, but... Who is this "He who shall not be named" person?" Mihar inquired.

"My father." Ace said bluntly.

Deuce looked at him in shock. Ace looked back, and smiled at his first mate and friend, before facing the fire again.

"He died before I was born, and my mother died giving birth to me. So all I know about my father, is that he's the devil. A demon who kills innocent people, rapes women, orphans children, makes those who oppose him eat their own intestines and even drinks the blood of marines."

Banshee cringed at hearing the self cannibalism part.

"All of this is from random strangers I've met in taverns, the ones who tell me that if that person ever has a child, that they should be killed gruesomely, for a demon child like that... It's what they deserve."

"But..."

"Which isn't true!" Deuce exclaimed under his breath.

'They said that about you...'

Ace started the confession scared, but feeling how his closest people cared for him this much, it would absolutely break him if they suddenly resented him because of that man...

"How old were you at that time, Ace?" Mihar asked, so quietly, as if any louder would cause the world to shatter.

"I first asked about him in particular when I was seven. But I've been told that I had a father when I was six, just not all the sickening parts. I believed all of it for a long time too. I hated that man so much that I hated myself." Ace chuckled meekly, "But I met two brothers who didn't give two shits about who's child I am, that loved me for me."

Ace felt them being happy for him.

"But I lost one."

'OK, fuck, who hurt this precious person, I will sink my weapon in them!'

"So I got even stronger in order not to lose the other." Ace closed his unseeing eyes, "Luffy's my world. He saved me without even knowing it and it's because of him that I'm even here today. Him, and my mother of course. I often wondered why she would be with a man like that... Even thought once, that he had raped her and forced her to carry me... But my Grandfather shot that down the moment I brought it up, told me that he died long before I was born, and that she had chosen to carry me past term in order to keep me safe and alive. I still don't know why... Maybe she did love him and wanted a child to remember him by, or maybe she just loved me that much... Enough to give her life so that I may live... The child of the man that forced the most kind and caring, selfless woman to the point of losing her life... I..." Ace bit his bottom lip, "I owe her so much..."

Kotatsu came to sit on his lap, cuddling into his chest.

"So, with all the good, with all the people whom I've met up till know, with all of you..." Ace smiled at them, "I lost the furious hate at being Gol D. Roger's biological son."

Chapter Text

They felt invincible. Nothing, no one could hurt them, not when they were united as much as they are.

"OH MY SEAS YOU'RE THE SON OF THE GOL D. ROGER?!" Skull was an even bigger fan of Ace after the confession. Ace felt no hate from any of them, only care that swallowed any bit of doubt in him.

"I see why you were so worried... But Ace, no child should ever be blamed for what their parents did, or didn't do."

"Yeah!! Besides, you've proven how great of a person you are to us more times than I can count! So what if the Pirate King's your dad? He doesn't define who you are!"

"Aye! You're our Ace, our Captain!"

"Gggggrrra!"

"And you always will be!"

"You guys..."

"I HAVE THE BEST CAPTAINNNNN!!!!" Skull had crocodile tears streaming down his face.

"WE! We have the best captain!"

"Rrrrraw!"

The crew laughed. Deuce was so happy for Ace, he wished he had been like this in the past, when he first realized who Ace's father is, but no point in welling in the past. "There honestly doesn't seem to be a point in meeting Whitebeard, Cap. You still want to look for the old man?"

"Well, we'll see where the sea leads us."

"Aye!"

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Marco loves the freedom that his wings give him. High up in the clouds, he feels at peace. His devil fruit might have taken away his ability to swim, but the trade is undoubtedly in his favor.

Up here, with his bird's eye view, he is able to watch over his precious family. His home, docked at the port, brothers drunkenly frolicking around, chasing each other and the shiny stranger at the clift...

Shiny, bright, stranger...

Fiery...

Marco didn't notice how he was descending towards the bright light that is Ace playing with his fire.

Golden light danced and flared all around the single cleared area in the forest, Ace flared his flame all over the clearing, testing out different ways of 'seeing' again. He loves his devil fruit just as much as the phoenix, the precious devil fruit that allows him to see so much more than just feelings and shapes, but details as well.

And more than that...

"Hello..." Ace smiled, arms opened to catch the being made of fire. "Who is this? What a pretty birdy you are~"

"Choo~..." Marco snuggled into the incredible warmpth.

"Awww, you like that?" Ace heated up his body more, tiny flames danced along his arms and flickled in his hair.

Marco practically melted, his flames urging Ace to mix together.

"Woah..." Ace whispered in awe, "What a beautiful creature you are."

The bird in his arms cooed softly, looking to be drifting to sleep. Ace sat down crossed leg, bundling his new friend in warmpth.

It looked peaceful... The cool breeze unable to affect them and their little warm bubble.

But in Marco's mind...

'God damn Phoenix assaulting a stranger... A literary and figuratively hot stranger... Nice abs... I needed a break anyways... Thatch said so. Yeah... This is fine. This is... Yeah... Nobody has to know.'

A hand, Ace's hand, started stroking his head, from the ends of his beek to the end of his golden trail.

'Oh seas that feels nice... Wait, no-'

"Shhhh... There, there, pretty birdy." Ace stroked a finger on his sternum, Marco couldn't help but coo again.

'Ahhhh well... He called me pretty, so what can I do?'

Footsteps from behind caused Marco to tense, 'No hurt hot human!' His phoenix hissed.

"It's OK," Ace chuckled, "That's my friend."

Marco instantly went back to being a flaming marshmallow, melting in Ace's arms.

"Who are you talking to, cap?"

"Here, a bird flew into my arms." Ace let Mihar get a closer look.

"That sounds... Unlikely, but then again, this is the Grandine...Oh? Isn't this a phoenix?"

"A phoenix?"

"Yes, a bird made from fire, that will return to fire. A mythical bird that is said to be immortal because it will combust, turn into ash, and be reborn. Into a baby phoenix. Starting it's life anew."

"Oh..." Ace sounded sad, "But I don't want this phoenix to turn into ash..."

Marco narrowed his eyes at this... Mihar character. How dare he insult one as great as him. Not just a phoenix, but THE Phoenix. As if he'd combust, pfft. Laughable.

Ace hugged the phoenix tight, "Does it hurt the phoenix?"

"Well... Maybe not?"

"How would you know... You're not a Phoenix..."

'This... HOW DARE YOU MAKE MY HOOMAN SAD!' Marco screeched at Mihar, who jumped back at it.

Ace continued to hug him, shushing him, petting his fiery feathers. "There there, birdy. Mihar's not a bad guy... There there..."

Mihar sweat dropped, 'I know cap loves animals but... A bid and a cat on the same ship might not be a very good idea...'

"Mihar..."

"... Ah-yes, cap?"

"What does a phoenix eat?"

"Oh, well..."

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...

"Ace!" Deuce called out, knowing he doesn't have to, but it's become a habit.

"Deuce." Ace smiled over at his best friend and first mate. "Everything ready?"

"Yup, all stocked and ready for emergency sail if we need to."

"Perfect!"

"What's with the bird?"

"Coo~"

"I think it likes me."

"Coo~"

"And my fire, Mihar said it looks like the mythical bird in children's books. He went to go get Skull to see if he knows anything about it."

"Ah... You want to keep it... Don't you?"

Ace chuckled, "Yes. Yes I do."

"Kotatsu might eat it."

"My baby would never!"

"We both know he could."

"Oh hush."

'Hah! As if one as great as I would get eaten...'

"So, what about it, birdy? Wanna come home with me?" Ace smiled, purposefully heating up more to tempt the creature.

Marco cooed, snuggling impossibly closer. 'A little while more wouldn't hurt. I can say I was scouting another pirate ship, it wouldn't be a lie.'

"Alright then!!" Ace jumped up, "Let's go!!" He practically skipped all the way back to his ship. Deuce following close behind with a fond smile.

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Marco was in heavennnn! Never before has a Phoenix felt this relaxed and pampered! The phoenix in him hasn't stopped cooing, and Marco doesn't blam 'em!

All those years doing an unending amount of paperwork, idiot brothers that ruin his plans, his sleep, cause trouble, pull pranks, heck even oyaji and his alcohol addiction followed up by his stubbornness concerning doctors appointments! All those never ending hurdles of life, absent in this very moment! Oh Marco doesn't want to leave!!!

Ace chuckled, "Birdy loves it here, Deuce!"

And what a lovely hooman❤️‍🔥 so warm and kind, he's cute too, just Marco's type. For once, Phoenix has the same thought. 'Mate'.

'Court him, user, court him!'

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"Marco's not back yet?"

Haruta shook his head, "No one's seen him."

"Where in the world has that blue turkey flown off to? We were supposed to leave two hours ago!"

"I'm sure he's fine, Oyaji has his vive card, not even a fizzle has shown up on it, so he's probably just enjoying his alone time right now."

"Alone time? From such marvelous pirates such as us?" Thatch and Haruta posed, hand on chest and head tilted back.

Izo rolled his eyes as Jozu continued watching the island for any flicker of fiery blue. He noticed another pirate ship leaving the island, SPADE was spelt across their sails. He paid it no mind and continued his watch as his fellow commanders argued on who was more 'delightful' as a pirate brother. He wanted to roll his eyes, after all, he was undoubtedly Marco's favorite drinking buddy. Thus, his favorite brother.

Another 20 minutes passed, Whitebeard walked towards them, their attention on their father. "Sons," his hand was opened, palm up, a scrap of paper inching away from the direction of the island, "Follow that ship, but be discreet about it."

The ship in question was the exact one Jozu saw a while ago, but strange... He didn't feel Marco's presence on it then... But Vivre cards never lie.  "Yes, pops!" The commanders acted fast, the Moby was soon tailing just behind the Spades, out of site in a fog Nemur created.

"So...they kidnapped Marco?" Thatch voiced out, his words heard by his brothers on deck.

"Impossible!" Haruta exclaimed, a heavy frown on his face, "There's no way Marco would have let his guard down like that! He couldn't have gotten the better of! Especially not against these rookies!" He handed a short stack of papers to his pops. "There's hardly anything noteworthy about them at all, the only one who has a devil fruit is their captain, a flame-type logia. But, Marco's immune to fire! He might have turned down a warlord position, but come on! Marco can hold his own against Yonkos!"

"Vivre Card aside... I still can't feel his presence."

"They might have a couple hidden devil fruit users onboard. One to hide detection maybe?"

"Aye... What do we do, pops?"

The commanders looked to
their captain for orders, said captain stared at the Vivre Card in his hand, Marco's Vivre Card... Not a smolder off of any corner, inching steadily across his wide hand. His eyes wandered to the ship ahead, could they really be a crew capable of capturing his right hand? Either way, a son of his needs saving. "Enough discretion, let's get Marco back."

"AYE!!" His sons roared. Not wasting a moment to start catching up to the SPADE Pirates, the ship propelled through the waves, aided by wind sails, they quickly caught up.

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..

.

"Captain!! W-Whitebeard!! Whitebeard Pirates!!!" Skull exclaimed frantically.

Ace had felt the presence of strong people following them for awhile now. But even as they draw closer, he still felt no real hostility from them.

Just... Worry...

A type of worry he is all too familiar with, the kind concerning someone precious to them.

"Prepare for battle! We might have a fight on our hands."

"Aye, Captain!"

Deuce walked up to him, "Darn, I guess they came to you."

Ace chuckled, "Odd, isn't it? It's as if it's my destiny to fight Whitebeard."

"Hah... Yeah right..." The blue haired pirate watched as other ship approached them, it grew a thousand times bigger as it stopped just beside them. Intimidating figures starring them down.

"Whitebeard!" Ace called out. "To what do I owe the pleasure?!"

The biggest man on the ship scanned the crew, eyes shifting from one to another before speaking, "We're looking for someone. You have them on this ship." He said with certainly, leaving no room for debate.

The crews were on edge, both for the same reason. 'What would their captain do next'...

"My crew are my own. They have been with me since before entering the grandline. If your business is with me," 'because of Roger.' "Then leave them out of it and fight me!" Ace put up a flame wall higher then the tallest mast of the Moby dick. Covering his crew fully, before jumping into a battle with Whitebeard.

Though... "Battle" would be an overstatement. Whitebeard batted Ace away like a fly, sending the flaming fisted pirate crashing back into his own ship's deck. His body breaking the wood with the impact. The sound alerted Nemur underwater of the battle, queuing him to start his operation.

A crushing defeat... But the wall stayed up, even as the SPADE crew called out in distress for their captain.

Below deck, a blue bird engulfed another fire user in their flames.

.

..

...

Marco startled awake.
Startled awake!?
When had he fallen asleep?!

The phoenix took in the sight in front of him, Ace! His precious human was hurt!!

Blood dripped from somewhere behind Ace's unruly bangs, the other stood up wobbling, Marco went over to him quickly, letting his own blue flames engulf the other, healing him.

Ace chuckled, "Thank you, pretty birdy. Sorry we disturbed your nap time."

Marco could feel it... Feel them. His family had hurt Ace because of him!

'Damn it!!' Marco thought, rushing out of the hole Ace had unwillingly made. Ignoring Ace's shocked cry for him to wait because it was dangerous. 'My kind human..'

Marco let out a loud screech from behind the flame wall, diving through it as it wouldn't hurt him. The Whitebeard Pirates cheered at the sight of him, before he transformed back into his human form and loudly told them off.

"Don't hurt them, yoi!" The line caused a few eyebrows to raise.

Whitebeard, happy to see his son, was about to speak but Thatch beat him to it. "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE, TURKEY?!"

To the question, Marco gritted his teeth in inner embarrassment. He could only tell the truth of his own down right perverted undercover acts or risk the crew of the person he fancies getting hurt. Though... Before he could utter a single word of explanation, the flame wall died out and a loud bang of wood on wood drew everyone's attention to Ace, who had a look of bewilderment on his face, mouth opened wide and although no one could see his eyes, they were probably saucers behind his bangs.

Said person then exclaimed, "WHY DID THE PRETTY BIRDY TURN INTO A PINEAPPLE HUMAN?!"

Marco was mortified the weight of the situation pushing down on him.

He could kiss his reputation goodbye...

And as he thought...

From the corner of his eye, his family's evil grins were bearing down at him.

The only thing the First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates can do now, is accept his fate.

As Skull revealed his full identity to their shell shocked captain.

...

..

.

Meanwhile... The ship was sinking...

Nemur realizing that he may have made a big mistake 

Chapter Text

In Nemur's defense: It was Haruta's idea.

The idea: Damage the ship's keel. If they can't float, they can't run.

So...

Now...

Hmmm......

Nemur decided to hop back onto Moby and just watch for a bit. Cuz what's done is done :)

Oops?

...

..

.

Ace's fire was preoccupied all over Marco, confirming again and again that yes, the birdy that had cooed all over his lap was in fact, a grown ass pineapple man...

Mortified and feeling tricked, Ace fell dramatically to his knees, the palms of his hands hitting the hardwood beneath him in a hard thud. 

Marco could only press his lips together in a line at the sight, the cold feeling of his family's snickering wispers burning into the bald part of the back of his head.

He took a step forward, resolved to apologize to Ace, when the younger fire user's head snapped up.

"Spadadie?..." 

The ocean seemed to silence...

"Deuce!!!" Ace yelled out, jumping to his feet, "Spadadie's sinking!! Her keel's damaged! Skull! Head to the nearest port, Aggie with me!" His crew moved fast according to his orders, simultaneously making the Whitebeard Pirates concerned for them.

On Moby, Haruta gulped, his eyes scanning the deck for an equally guilty looking Nemur who refused to meet anyone's eyes.

Ace rushed to where the keel was damaged, water was already halfway filling up the room they were in. Chest deep and weakened, Ace was cursing himself for not realizing sooner, the ship as even tilting to the side for heaven's sake!! Albeit only by a bit, barely noticeable, but to Ace, it was a vivid feeling. Waddling towards the damaged area, he grabbed and broke apart a drifting shelf, pushing the wood against the hole of Spadadie's haul. 

"Captain! I've brought the tools!" Aggie called out.

"Here! Hurry, water's still flowing in!" Ace instructed. 

Aggie made his way over easier compared to Ace, who was now kneck deep in the salt water. The fire user could feel himself getting even weaker, sea water occasionally splashing him in the face, causing him to splutter and gasp.

"I've got it from here, Captain." Aggie pulled against Ace, pushing his smaller frame away from the hole and towards the enterance. "You get out of here first." 

Ace felt himself being pulled and pushed, his feet leaving the floor of the ship, combined with the water splashing on his face it disoriented him. He was suddenly gasping for air when another splash caused the salt water to enter his mouth and windpipe. Coughing and trying to break the water's surface, he suddenly felt too weak to move. The water was over his head now, the curse of his devil fruit making his body an anchor in the seawater filled room. 

He was drowning.

The feeling of cold fear clenched his heart. He had never felt more blind in that moment...

Where was up? Where was he? The sway of sea water didn't allow for the ship's vibration to reach him. It was so dark. Without his fire, without the certainty of what was in front of him.

Suddenly, something hit the left side of his head. A drifting table caused a small wound on him. But Ace didn't know that, couldn't know that, he couldn't even move. The breath he was holding onto left him, a realization came over him.

He could die right here.

A blind, nameless pirate. 

A fucking useless captain to boot.

Then, something grabbed him by the arm, pulling him up just as his lungs burned for air.

His head broke the water's surface and he was being dragged to the dry gound of the ladder leading upwards. "Fuck!!!" Aggie's horrified voice rang in his head, he gasped greedily for air, palms flat on the floor of his ship, relieved to be able to "see" again.

"Fuck, captain, I'm so sorry! Oh seas, I fucked up, I'm so sorry, Captain!!" 

Ace could feel his crewmate's panicked warm tears hitting the wood beneath them, he shook his head, still catching his breath, "It's alright." He wheezed, "Just... Continue patching Spadadie up." Ace instructed, standing up on trembling legs, he could feel again. He reached out with his fire, all over the ship, to all his crew members, "I'm okay." He said. More for himself.

He "looked" back behind him, "No..." Ace whispered, "Forget my previous order. Do not go back under, Aggie. We're blocking this at the upper level. Let's go." Ace ordered, his "sight" showed him that the room was now fully filled, the sway even leaving no air pockets in the room. It was now too dangerous for anyone other than fishmen.

"Aye, captain... I'm s-" 

"Stop." Ace commanded, "You did the best you could. That's enough. Now, we must hurry." 

Aggie nodded. Together, with the help of more members, they made a barracade to block off as much water as they could from flowing up to the upper levels. The ship was noticeably tilting to one side now, causing the Whitebeards to bite their lips in worry, pops in particular, even calling for his youngest son, Haruta to explain the regretful look on his face.

The Whitebeard Pirates were following closely behind the SPADE Pirates, watching closely as the ship finally stopped "sinking".

Marco was called back aboard long ago with a look from pops. He had reluctantly explained his side of the story, admitting to accidentally falling asleep and that he was at no point at all, in harms way or treated badly by the SPADE Pirates. 

The new information brought relief to everyone on the ship. But at the same time, it furthered the guilt in a couple of commander's hearts. 

"Now then..." Pops motioned for his youngest to come closer. "Tell me, son... What happened?"

Haruta gulped, before explaining his grand idea that has lead to the current events. Mainly why SPADE's ship is sinking. Nemur also came forward and told them exactly what he did, following Haruta's plan.

Whitebeard sighed...

"I see... We must make right our wrongs, and help the SPADES in anyway we can. Marco, head back over and assess the situation. Should they need any supplies, let Jozu know. Son, provide them with anything they ask for. We shall follow them to land, and give them our protection."

The sound of acknowledgment echoed across the deck, everyone set off to do what was necessary.

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..

...

Marco glided back down onto the PoS, he let his haki lead him to Ace, and found the younger fire user having his head bandaged by one of the SPADE Pirates. 

#Author's note: Now officially on hiatus