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Marco cursed where he was pinned down by enemy forces, they came out here for the Sacred city of Hamunaptra. Having heard that it was close and that those who found it would be rich beyond measure.
He hadn't been a fan of grave robbing, even if it was something that was quite the rage right now. His contractor also paid well, so that was one more thing taken care of. Marco hadn't thought about the implications or why they wanted to get to this monumental site. He hadn't asked about it, looking out for the archeologists that had been there with them so they could research.
But that had turned quite suddenly, when the Egyptians found out what they were doing there, trying to persuade them from going to Hamunaptra. They hadn't listened, so they became more and more aggressive. Until all that was left was for him to take it, to fight and kill, to be on alert at every moment of the day in an effort not to lose his life.
When the army had turned up, they hadn't been prepared, giving cover for the archeologists to get away. Giving cover fire and never noticing that they were guiding them away from where they had been and to the ruins not that far from where they had been digging.
It was a last resort as they were shot at, he didn't know what else there was to do. They needed cover and this worked the best for now.
His chief officer had told them to start shooting as he looked for a way out of there. A part of Marco thought he had been killed when he didn't return after a couple of hours. But the logical part of him said that the man had bailed on them. Had made a run for it now that he was able to do so.
So he had followed command as much as possible and was hating that he had done so. He should have never come here, should have stayed at home and done the odd jobs he had been doing before. Not for the first time his brothers flashed through his mind. He had left on this excursion to give his family a better future. They hadn’t needed to complain before, but with someone questioning the legitimacy of their bond to Pops (all being adopted) they had no right to the inheritance until a will could be shown. They didn’t have that, so while there was no next of kin, the assets were frozen and as the eldest he wouldn’t leave his siblings in the dark because of that.
The odd jobs hadn't been cutting it, so when he was approached in a bar, he hadn't questioned it. Izou had warned him that this was a bad idea. But Marco had promised his brother and best friend that he would be home again, no matter the consequences he would be home. Shame that it seemed to be in a body bag right now.
But for two long years he had been gone from home, going from one fight to the other. One strange job to the next, never asking about it but noticing that the tasks became more and more out there. It wouldn't be long now before he was asked to kill whenever he held a gun. Nothing more than a gun for hire and he hated it. If he had known this before he would have made a run for it so long ago. But hindsight is 20/20 as they say.
Now he was here, in the Egyptian desert with no way out and a large chance that he would never make it out of here again. Protecting, or trying to protect, himself and his team from the approaching people. Hoping beyond hope that he would make it out of here.
That's when movement out of the corner of his eyes caught his eye. One of his team mates was inching away, making him turn fully and yell out.
“Oi, Squard! Where do you think you're going?”
One of his men, Squard, was someone Marco had been weary for from the start. He was sleazy and was questioning him at every thing that he did. It was never good enough, but Marco had proven his rank where Squard did not.
Apparently the man had a thing against Pops from years before. Quite unbelievable as Pops had been open to taking in all kinds of people and treating them as his own. But then again, Squard didn’t stand out to Marco, so who knows what the man had believed Pops to have done. It wasn’t like Marco could ask either, Pops had been dead for 5 years now and there was enough to deal with without looking into the history with just one man. So for this man to hold a grudge for that long was absurd.
“Sorry, Marco, they offered better terms on the other side!”
With that the coward smiled, before he turned tail and ran, Marco couldn't see where he ran to but all he did know was that he was alone now. There was no way he could get out of here now and he hated it. He hated that it would end here.
The dunes on the far edge of the desert showed movement. But none of them moved, it was almost like they were just watching. They didn't interfere nor did they choose a side. Those dark figures on their horses. Looking on as the fight continued, dark eyes falling on him, he couldn't quite make out if they were a woman or a man, but he knew he would never forget the look of them.
All of the sudden, he heard a cannon go off and threw himself to the ground. It didn't do a lot of good as they came awfully close to where he was laying.
Trying to get further away, Marco was shocked when one landed not far from where he was laying. It went off almost next to his ear, giving him a whistle in his ear. He was almost certain he was deaf, temporarily if not permanently. The world was hazy and feeling dizzy enough that he could just throw up. It had knocked him back on his back when he had tried to get up. His head and ears were ringing as he tried to see where he was, but found it impossible.
If anything, the canon balls were meant to take them out or to disorientate them. It was so they could get an advantage on them.
And it worked well too. Within seconds the other side was there too. Rushing over the ruins and making their way to the downed soldiers like him. Their grins told him this wasn't anything good. Marco was certain that no matter what he said now, it wouldn't matter. They were in a land they shouldn't be, without anyone verifying why they were there. In fact, chances were their benefactors would be quite possibly trying to pretend they didn't even exist.
One of the men stopped at his side, looking at the way he was dressed and grinned as Marco tried to glare right back. Kicking him in the side before he was cuffed and taken along. Taken a prisoner and not able to see his brothers for a long time.
He would never forgive Squard for this, for bailing on him, betraying him like this.
He was dragged towards a wagon where he was sat down, taken to Cairo where he was thrown in a prison with all kinds of thugs and lawless bastards. He didn't belong here, but had no way to prove that.
All he needed to do now was sit this one out and hope that it would get better soon.
“I'm sorry, Izou, Thatch, it would seem I can't keep my promise. I won't be home for a while now.” Muttering sadly as he looked at his bound hands, thinking how much his brothers would be beside themselves if word reached them what had happened (if it reached them at all).
—
Ace sighed where he was in the library, this wasn't his favourite part of the job but it seemed to be done. Even with a doctorate, he was seen as a new hire and wasn't allowed to do all the things the others were allowed to do. If anything, he hated having come here.
But it was Egypt, he, Sabo and Luffy didn't really have anything else to do.
“I just hope that they aren't getting into more trouble right now”, he muttered under his breath as neither of his younger brothers had passed by.
No sooner than he said that, Luffy entered the museum library with a sheepish smile on his face, it was enough to give Ace a headache already.
It was clear that whatever had happened, he was doing something he wasn't supposed to do. Seeing as Sabo wasn’t following behind him, it was obvious his twin had been the instigator and had gotten involved in something that would cost them greatly.
Ace loved his brothers, he really did. But the little shits were able to get involved into shit by just standing around. It was annoying to say the least. At times he wondered why he wasn’t grey yet, it certainly seemed that it would cause it to happen.
He knew his uncle Ray often mentioned that Ace’s dad was the main reason he went grey so soon. Lord knows that Sabo and Luffy were just as bad.
“Luffy...”
The man in question grinned brightly, “Ace! It's nothing bad, I promise. Sabo found someone who heard about that lost city you wanted to find. The one dad always spoke about, Hamunaptra, I think! The word is that someone in the prison knows where it is, isn't that great.”
Groaning, Ace didn't even want to ask how Sabo had found out about that. He didn't want to know, but his brother was right in stating that he would love to see Hamunaptra. It had been that myth that got him into Ancient Egyptian, to the point he was fluent in the language. He blamed his parents for that, before they died Roger and Rouge had always been telling them about their adventures and the many places they had seen.
Ace had wanted to do the same, and maybe as a child hearing about Egyptian Lore is what got him into studying history and archeology. It was just about the only subject that could make him sit still. Maybe a good thing too, as the rowdy Gol Boys (as they had been called) were a hazard to take care of. But Ace and his twin, Sabo, found their own little interests while Luffy was easily entertained by a good story (which there were a lot of in history) as well as a new species of beetle.
He couldn't quite explain it, except he had dreams about the ruins at one point. Dreamed about them every night and just couldn't let it sit for long. He went to college, learning everything there was to know and followed up with a master's degree. Their parents died before Ace could finish it, and he wanted to see the ruins for no other reason than to bring him closer to them again.
Despite being good at what he did, not a lot of people believed in Hamunaptra and those that did, didn't want a rookie to take all the credit. Which had been why he was working in a museum anyways.
“Yeah, well I can't just leave here!” He exclaimed, as much as he hated the work here he did want to prove himself and make his name be known for what he discovered.
As soon as he said that, the director of the museum showed up, telling Ace he was fired as they couldn't take on the extra load. It didn't go amiss that the same man had been boasting about a raise not too long ago.
Sighing, he turned to Luffy, “It seems I can come with you then. Lead the way, and let’s hope Sabo didn’t get himself in too much trouble.”
The prison was one of the worst places in Cairo, it was clear that the people there were nothing more than sick amusement for the Warden. Who not even mistreated them all, but had them hanged for something as minor as talking back to him.
Ace had been around him before, which ended in the man trying to flirt and Ace hating every moment of it.
The moment he saw Sabo talking to the warden, he knew that they were in for some shit. There was a grin on his twin’s face that meant he had a plan, and Ace often didn’t like those plans. Sighing, he led Luffy closer, looking on as Sabo mentioned to someone in the courtyard. Letting his eyes wander, the first thing he noticed was the sharp blue eyes and blond hair. It was all looking quite unkept, but being in prison for a while did that to a person.
No, what stood out was the sharpness of those eyes and the fire behind them. It had him eager in knowing what this man was in for and wanting to see if he could share some things on what he could share on Hamunaptra.
When he heard that he was the next one to be hanged, Ace pleaded with the warden. Acting fast as even Sabo didn’t seem to know that this was what would happen, trying to sweet talk the Warden and somewhat convincingly too. Eventually going for the jugular and revealing that he knew the location of Hamunaptra.
The warden hadn’t been convinced at first, going back and forth on what to do. The blond down in the courtyard sneered at him, “I'm not telling you shit and I'm even less likely to take you there -yoi! That place is deserted and a curse to everyone who sets foot in it!”
Which, while it didn’t lead them into the right direction did make it clear that he knew where the legendary city was. As most people in Egypt right now, the Warden let greed cloud his judgement, agreeing to let the blond go if he and some of his men were allowed onto this excursion.
Ace wouldn't let him at first, but relented if it meant the warden would let the blond man go. Grinning smugly as he stated that the man had to show them the way if for no reason than to pay back his life where Ace had saved it.
It was obvious he didn't want to, but there was also admiration in his eyes as he looked at Ace. As if not expecting this to happen. But glad all the same. His eyes shifted to Sabo and Luffy behind him, and oddly enough that had his eyes soften a little more. Most likely he too had siblings somewhere out there then.
“I'll take you there, we leave at dawn and I'm not liable for anything that happens along the way -yoi.” Was the final say, before he turned around to get his belongings from the warden and make his way to an inn to freshen up.
Agreeing without question, Ace felt giddy at that. Grinning at Sabo and Luffy, looking forward to what this would bring them. Although he did scold the two of them for doing this, before hugging them close at the notion that they were going to see Hamunaptra at one point soon.
Sabo was grinning the whole way back to their apartment, that self-assured grin he had when he knew he did something stupid but it worked out in the end. Luffy on the other hand was just happy for the adventure they would be going on. He had been bored in Caïro, with nothing to do, no friends to see and even less time to actually have said adventure.
To have one with his brothers, and Ace had to agree he looked forward to that too. Giddy with excitement, looking at the picture of their parents as soon as he entered, grinning at the thought of feeling closer to them once more.
—
The next morning, they did meet up at the agreed-upon spot. The blond already waiting for them, cleaned up with his hair shaven on the sides and longer at the top. His face free from dirt and dressed in loose but protective clothes.
“I never did get to thank you -yoi”, he said as he held out his hand, “I’m Marco, Marco Newgate, thank you for saving my ass yesterday.”
Ace grinned, shaking his hand, “Ace Gol, these are my brothers; Sabo and Luffy. Thank you for agreeing to show us the way to Hamunaptra.”
Marco grumbled that he didn’t really have a lot of choice there. But they took it in stride, the man didn’t look too upset about all of that. Instead he nodded, “I’m taking it as something of closure -yoi. Plus, after this I don’t have to go back to prison and that’s the best thing out of all of it, I guess.”
The Warden chose that moment to arrive with two other men. Grinning, no doubt thinking about the loot he would be getting out of this. It was something very odd in Ace’s mind, to know that these people lived in Egypt but seemed to think that wealth was the only thing that mattered. He loved the knowledge, maybe because he had the fortune of his parents still waiting for him, so the loot didn’t really matter to him. Plus, with Luffy as a younger brother, he loved a good adventure too.
Sighing, Marco mentioned that he made arrangements for them to take a boat to the shore closest to the legendary city. Mentioning that it would be a couple of days walking from the shores to the desert, but at least it would give them something to do. A large grin on his face as the Warden seems to curse at him. One would think he did it on purpose, and Ace didn’t doubt that. From his minimal interactions with the Warden he was quite the bastard, so Marco was in his right to fuck with him.
The boatride isn’t all that long, but Marco is on edge when they hear people whisper that they too are on their way to Hamunaptra. Ace and Sabo recognize Bluajam who they had a run in before. Someone from some large city in America who seemed to think that everything was for the taking. After their parents’ death the man had come knocking at their door to ‘guy’ certain items Roger and Rouge had found on their adventures. When Ace and Sabo had told him no, he hadn’t taken it all that well.
“Bluejam”, they hiss at the same time that Marco sees someone else with the group and growls out, “Squard.”
Both groups stand across from each other before Bluejam sees the three Gol Siblings and laughs; “You’re not getting this one, boys. Though luck there.”
He turns away, leaving them fuming. Which is when Marco glares at the other man with the group until he too turns and flees. Sighing, before mentioning that Squard had also been there in Hamunaptra the last time he had been there. Fleeing as they were overwhelmed and he left Marco there to die.
Ace and Sabo, in turn, share their history with Bluejam. How the man seemed to think he could pray for them for being so young and having a whole legacy of things that kind of fell into their hands after their parents died. Marco huffed, “I heard the last name, Gol, right? Any relation to Roger?”
Sollom, they share that he was their father. Or had been their father, before he died some years back. Marco offered his condolences, before mentioning that his own father, Edward Newgate, talked about the man at times. How he was fearless and wouldn’t let people dictate what he did or didn’t do. He was someone Marco would have loved to meet, before everything went to shit.
It helps, and in a way it brings them closer with a connection none of them expected to find. In the early hours of the morning, when they’re ready to disembark to get to Hamunaptra first, Marco shares that he took these jobs to take care of his brothers back home. Mentioning that he, and the others, had been adopted by Newgate and without a will they had no claim to his fortune. Luckily, an old friend who was the executive lawyer, had frozen the assets so no one else could make a claim on it but that didn’t give them any other options for now.
Marco grins, “I could see you were an older brother as soon as Sabo and Luffy leaned in -yoi. I guess that’s what had me agreeing in the first place. You’re looking out for them and you don’t want to do this for the gold, or even the glory, you want to do this to feel closer to your parents and I can respect that.”
Laying his hand on Marco’s, Ace promises that at the end of this, they’ll go back to England and he’ll make sure that they find Marco’s brothers. That they’ll find a way to get out of this mess and see what is or isn’t possible in the long run.
While they haven’t known each other for long, there is something in Marco that speaks to Ace. He liked the other man, despite their initial meeting. He had a clear set of morals and he loved his brothers something fierce (not unlike Ace did). On top of that, it was clear that he wanted to see where this was going as well, with everything they had already done.
“I loved the stories my parents told me as a child, I mean who wouldn’t. Mom and Dad just went wherever they wanted to go and because of luck they did a lot of discoveries as well as find treasures lost to the ages and got paid for that”, Ace sighed. “I was aware that not everyone liked them because of that, but nothing seemed to come out of it. Until at one point dad returned home and started getting sick. He passed away in the span of a month.”
Shaking his head as he wiped at tears that seemed to stream down his face, he continued, “Mom became reckless after that, asking Uncle Ray or Uncle Gab to take care of us before she went off on an adventure alone.” He licks his lips, “She never did return from that one, and while people told us she just had bad luck we all know that she couldn’t bear to be without him and that hurts.”
Ace hadn’t wanted to admit that to anyone, he never did so before, but he felt abandoned by his mother. Taking care of his brothers at 18, even if Sabo was the same age. It felt like a lot, so add his degree into that and eventually his decision to move to Egypt to explore. It weighed on him more than he could ever admit.
A hand gets set on his shoulder, “Don’t worry about that, Ace -yoi. You’re doing a good thing and you’re obviously taking good care of your brothers as they think the world of you.”
Shrugging, Ace settles back against the railing of the boat, “I don’t see it that way.”
Marco laughs, “Spoken like a true older brother -yoi.”
They both laugh about that, before settling down in silence. Waiting until the boat is anchored and the dawn is just starting to peak over the hills in the deserts. Marco goes to get the Warden and his ilk, while Ace goes to collect his brothers. Leaving them standing on the edge of the Nile, taking off into the direction of the City as soon as Marco gives the go. All of them grinning when Squard and his people run into the wrong direction.
Luffy giggles, something in his eyes making it clear he had been responsible for that. Then again, when they first met Bluejam he had been a teenager and his older brothers hadn’t allowed him to do anything. Now at 21, he was more than capable of holding his own and as expected, didn’t let anyone get away with hurting his older brothers.
Setting up camp that first night was done at the edge of Hamunaptra. Close to two statues that were said to be the gates towards the ancient city. One of them was laying down and Marco explained that the battle he had been in is the reason it was laying like that. Mentioning that they needed something to cover behind, and solid marble was as good as a cover as any.
Ace, now that they had the time, was looking at them. Making mention of what the meanings were to his brothers who were following along. Eyes bright as he uncovered hidden meanings, deciphered messages left in it and eventually gasped as he found out that the book of the dead should be buried here somewhere. Gushing to his brothers that finding that would mean so much, as it had been believed to be myth.
—
Looking around for an entrance to look under the statue, Ace looks up in shock as Luffy yelps.
His youngest brother is nowhere to be seen, making him look at Sabo in shock before they call out for the younger brother.
Luffy calls back, leading them to a shaft he had uncovered. Sabo, not liking where this was going, promised to stay topside with a rope so Ace could climb in and get their brother out. Of course, as soon as he lowered himself into the shaft, Luffy was there with the book in question.
“How…”, Ace started to ask, before shaking his head. If there was one of them who looked like their parents the most it was Luffy. He managed to get into everything and anything, but also came out with whatever it was they were looking for.
The same could be said for this, as he held the book of the dead in his hands. Grinning as he had followed a string of beetles that showed it to him, “It seemed interesting, and exactly as Ace described.”
Sighing, Ace didn’t know what to say to that. Luffy’s beaming smile was enough to make him stop questioning him. Ruffling his hair before he took a hold of the book. Grinning as it was in his hands, “This is amazing.”
Humming, Luffy nodded, “It is, but we do need to get out of here. I saw some signs of flesh eating scarabs and I don’t want to find those.”
Blinking at hearing that, Ace nodded. He knew Luffy was knowledgeable in beetle species, so if he told him there as a beetle he didn’t want to see that was more than telling for him. Making his way back to the rope, he pulled it and found Sabo calling down that he needed to get up now, they had company and Marco was on edge because of it.
Climbing up, they find Sabo frozen as he looks at several people on horseback cloaked in dark clothes looking down at them. Marco is standing in front of them, seemingly in a heavy argument with what appears to be the leader. As soon as they’re both out of there, Ace pushes Luffy behind himself as he comes to stand next to Sabo, “What is going on?”
His twin shakes his head, “Don’t know, they were suddenly there and Marco seemed to recognize them. I don’t know what they want, but they seemed to be keen in making me let go of that rope which is when Marco stepped in between."
Now also on edge, Ace sees the moment those people realize there are others there too. The one Marco had been talking to gets off of his horse, “You found something.”
Frowning, Ace doesn’t know what to do or say. Glancing at Marco doesn’t give him any indication on what to do there, so he wings it, “So what if I did?”
The man, for it’s clear it’s a man as he takes off his hood approaches, “You need to put that back, the Book of the Death is not meant for mere mortals.”
Rolling his eyes, Ace can’t believe that this man is one of those that seem to think that it holds meaning still. Stating as much, the man introduces himself as Bogart even if that’s just a nickname. Mentioning that his people are descendants from the original guards of Hamunaptra who stood guard so that nothing inside of it could be released into the world. He said it with a lot of conviction, but Ace wasn’t quite up to believing that.
On top of it, he could see Marco seething, no doubt having seen Bogard and his people around the last time he was there and not getting any help before he was taken captive. The look in his eyes is more than enough for Ace to be on edge on what Bogard tells him. He doesn’t know this man, and he isn’t leaving the best impression.
Just to prove something, seeing as he can, he opens the book to a random page and starts to read. Grinning as Luffy and Sabo make sure Bogard or one of the others can stop him. Closing the book again, they wait for a moment before Ace grins, “See, nothing happened. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think we’re done here.”
His brothers and Marco are at his side in an instant before all of them make their way towards the city once it appears. Marco shares that he had seen this before, as he had been waiting for something to happen the last time he was here, there is only a specific time frame when the city is visible so that’s why they’re in the lead here. Squard hasn’t shown up yet, and maybe that’s for the best too.
“I might just shoot him if I see him -yoi”, Marco told Ace as they made their way to the entrance of Hamunaptra.
To prevent anything from happening, Sabo has a hold on Luffy’s hand as they enter the buildings. For it being a ruin, it’s remarkably well preserved. Looking back at Marco, Ace asks if maybe that’s why Bogard is here to keep them away. He no doubt knows that there are treasures here and they want to protect them which is fair. Ace and his brothers just want to see what has been here, other than that, they’re more than willing to just look around. But what the others do, like the Warden and his people, isn’t their problem. In fact, said Warden already went the other way to go and explore.
Marco shrugged, “The agreement was to bring them to the city, not take them out of it. They’re on their own now.”
Shaking his head, Ace has to agree there. Letting the other leave as he, his brothers and Marco go forward into the inner chambers of Hamunaptra. It’s magnificent, and he suddenly realizes why his parents had loved doing this so much. The thrill alone was enough to make him giddy.
Sabo looks back too, and there is the same kind of glee in his eyes as well. Luffy just joyously skips ahead. Swinging his arms back and forth, at least until he sees something that interests him. When he stops, Ace knows something is amiss.
“Luffy?” He asks, looking as his younger brother seems to get nervous, “What’s going on?”
Turning back, Luffy mentions they need to get on something, now. “Remember those beetles I told you about, in the shaft?”
Ace nods, he did remember and was freaked out by the notion of flesh eating beetles.
Luffy licked his lips, “They’re here too, I can hear them. We need to get out of their path and we need to do that now.”
Marco moves, wrapping an arm around Ace’s waist and pulling him up a stone slab that was easily 3 feet from the floor. Sabo had followed Luffy to something similar on the other side of the walkway. It wasn’t quite as high, but it would be enough to keep them covered.
One of the men that had joined the Warden came running over the walkway, only to trip and for a swarm of beetles to just go over him. The sound was not one they would soon forget, they buzzed like bugs tended to do. But as soon as they came in contact with the man, with flesh, it was like a buzzsaw. Once they disappeared again, there was nothing left of the man except for his bones.
Eyes wide as he looked at Luffy, Ace had never been happier that Luffy loved bugs and beetles as much as he did. If they had waited longer, if they hadn’t moved, who knew what might have happened.
They tread carefully after that, making sure to look after every turn. Looking at Luffy when they’re not sure until the youngest in their group gives the okay to move forward. Moving around the city and finally making their way back outside, which is when they encounter Bluejam and his group. Self-assured and more than ready to take on what is laying in wait there. None of the Gol Brothers feel the need to warn them for the scarabs, so they don’t. Marco follows their example, before they’re making their way back to Caïro.
As they get along, Ace can’t help but feel eyes on the back of his head. Looking back, there is nothing there, but he can’t seem to shake the feeling.
“Are you okay?”Marco asks where he is walking beside him.
Sighing, Ace smiles, “I’m sure it’s nothing, let’s get back to Caïro and see about getting you home.”
Marco smiles at that, letting his hand touch Ace’s before grasping it. A flush making its way on Ace’s cheeks. This is not how he imagined things to go, but he can’t say he minds all that much.
—
Once back in Caïro, they’re confronted with the fact that the passage Ace read is something that had an effect. They just didn’t see it right away. Apparently the thing that the Medjay were guarding, that Bogard had warned them about, was a mummy from ancient times. One that had been cursed to eternal suffering for what he had done.
Sakazuki had been the hand of the Pharaoh, his most trusted advisor until he deemed to be too bothersome and he killed the man with the help of said Pharah’s mistress. She had chosen to die and he had been captured until he was sentenced. Calling him back to life meant that he was able, and more than willing, to take over the world with the ancient curses he now possessed.
Bogard, when he appeared, shared that Sakazuki had been a mighty sorcerer. One that was said to be able to call on lava on command. Telling Sabo and Luffy as much when they ran into the man as they looked for someone, anyone, to help them while Ace played distraction for the Mummy currently rampaging through Caïro.
Marco had been in pursuit, so they didn’t have to look for him either. Not right now at least, he’d turn up as soon as possible. For now, Luffy and Sabo needed as much information as they could get to stop Sakazuki in his attempts.
He had taken Bluejam and his group, draining them to get his own visage back and be able to walk the streets without people on edge at his half-rotten face. Squard, like the little rat he was, had turned around and was helping the man. Apparently, or so they found out later on, Ace reminded him of the lover he had in Ancient Times. He wanted to use his body, and sacrifice his soul, to bring her back. Or so Bogard believed, as he and his people had been raised on these legends and what would happen if Sakazuki was released.
“We need to make sure that Ace brings him back to Hamunaptra so we can seal his ass back where he came from”, Sabo uttered. Keeping a hand on Luffy to make sure he didn’t have to go and look for two brothers.
Glaring at Bogard, he got out, “You’re going to help us, think of it as payment for not stating the whole truth before. Ace is a little shit, you challenged him that nothing would happen and at first it seemed like that too. So you’re in this together with us even if you don’t want to.”
Luckily, Bogard agreed with them. Mentioning them to follow, as he knew how to get out of here as soon as possible. Mentioning that he had others keeping an eye on Ace and Marco. To make sure they wouldn’t be blocked or otherwise taken out.
Ace had struggled, called out and managed to knock Squard out before running for it. Knowing that Sabo would be there to keep Luffy safe for now. Marco had been close behind him too, so at least that meant that he wouldn’t be alone when Sakazuki appeared.
“Fuck”, he cursed, not knowing what was going on right now. Apparently something had happened when he read that passage in the book of the dead. He could see Marco following after him too, so that helped in the long run, at least he wasn’t alone.
The lava spewing lunatic on his tail wasn’t something he liked so much. He had taken one look at Ace before calling him Imu, which wasn’t his name. The devotion in his voice didn’t help there either, he hated it. Something was really going on here, and he didn’t like it.
Marco managed to sweep him off of his feet at one point, turning in another street and running before they got on a horse together. Which is when he shared what he overheard Bogard telling Sabo and Luffy, making it clear that this was an Ancient Mummy and apparently he did try to get to Ace because he reminded him of a past lover.
Smiling, they were getting ready to get out of the city before Squard appeared again, sporting one hell of a bruising, managing to take Marco out with a well aimed hit of a baton. Leaving Ace alone on the horse, before he could go Sakazuki was there and he was captured. Struggling as he kept on calling for Marco, hoping that the man he was falling in love with was alright.
—
Marco came to with Sabo leaning over him. Luffy to the side, looking on in fear as they all pieced together what had happened.
Sitting up, he rubs his eyes, “Squard was there -yoi. He knocked me out as I tried to get Ace out of the city. They’re no doubt going to Hamunaptra to do whatever it is they think needs to happen.” There is a frown on his face as he turns to Bogard, “You better start telling us everything we need to know -yoi.”
Sabo intervened, mentioning that he already knows and that Bogard and his people are there to help. “Sakazuki can’t be reunited and preferably we get him taken out all together”, he mentions to Luffy who takes out the book of the dead, “Luffy also has this, so there isn’t a lot they can do right now. But we need to make haste as to get Ace before anything happens to him.”
Thanks to working with the Medjay this time around the journey to Hamunaptra is much quicker. Luffy stays out of the way and with Sabo as Marco and Bogard make their way to the inner city to get to Sakazuki and Ace. Squard is a lost cause and Marco has every intention of shooting the man when he sees him again, the pest has done too much right now, enough that he sealed his fate.
As it is, Ace isn’t unconscious and talking back to both Sakazuki, in ancient Egyptian, while sneering at Squard in English. Grinning brightly as he finds out something and kept Squard to act out, which has him dying by lava to the face as he forgets about Sakazuki and gets killed for it.
“Sucker”, he utters, before concentrating on Sakazuki. Glancing back once and seeing his brothers there. Which is when he acts and has Sakazuki kicked back. Giving him enough time to get to Luffy and Sabo to get the book. Look for another passage and read that, grinning as he calls to Marco, “He’s mortal again, now!”
Using the bullet he had originally held for Squard, Marco takes aim and shoots Sakazuki in the chest. Where before that didn’t bother him, Ace had been right in saying he was mortal now. Leading to the man clutching at his chest as he sinks to his knees.
Ace, giving the book to Bogard to keep safe, or destroy, steps closer, “You are so set on living in the past, that you forgot there is still a future ahead of us. I hope you find peace in the afterlife, Akainu.”
Sakazuki stopped struggling after that, even if Ace didn’t know what made him say that right now. But he would take it as it is. Looking on as the man dies, sighing as Marco is there to wrap an arm around his waist. His brothers gather around him as they hurry out of the City. Looking back to see it all collapse into itself.
Luffy giggles, “Now I know why mom and dad only ever had amazing stories instead of keepsakes. If this is what happens to them every time, I’d be happy to only have my stories too.”
Sabo, Ace and Marco laugh at that. Before they climb onto the camels that the Medjay have left for them. Getting on and making their way back to Caïro, planning on getting on a ship to bring them back home.
Marco looks kind of lost, which is when Ace gets closer to him, “What’s on your mind?”
The blond looks up, “You, actually -yoi. I didn’t think I would be finding someone like you here when I had been certain my life was about to end.”
Flushing, Ace looked away, “Well, I did promise to take you back home, I’m sure your family is looking forward to seeing you again.”
Nodding, Marco smiles softly, “Can I see you again, too?”
Laughing, Ace nodded, “Don’t worry, I have no intention of just letting you go, Marco. There is this connection, and I just… I want to see where it gets us.”
They all agree to that, and while it takes a while to arrange transport back home, Ace is the one making the first move in pulling Marco close to kiss him. Keeping it brief, grinning at the way Marco flushes at that too.
—
To their surprise, once home, Ray mentions that he knew Newgate at one point. That the man had been close to Roger as well, taking out a sealed envelope, which held Newgate’s last will and testament. Which leaves it all to his adopted children. Marco is shocked, but thanks them regardless. Telling Ace he’ll be back once everything is sorted and he can bring his brothers with him as well.
Marco does return, two weeks later, accompanied by several of his siblings. Grinning as he introduced them to Ace, and Ace to them. Making Ace and his brothers explain that Marco really hadn’t been exaggerating what had happened.
“Well then”, Thatch, one of Marco’s brothers says, “I never expected to not see Marco for two years and for him to come back with such stories, as well as a lover.”
Ace flushed at that, grinning, “What can we say, life has some unexpected gifts to grant us at times. I can’t say I mind a lot, things have been a little tense, but we managed just fine.”
His own brothers agree to that, Sabo and Luffy had been on edge for a while still. But they were enjoying being back at home. They all could enjoy being back at home, until the next adventure called at least. They would answer without a doubt, having gotten a taste of it.
On top of that, between the three of them, and Marco, they knew everything would turn out just fine.