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Chapter Text

“My power is far stronger than yours,” Ace heard Akainu say as he held his burnt arm. The pain was unbelievably painful. Was this how people felt about his flames?

“Ace!” He could hear Luffy scream his name before he, too, collapsed to his knees. Dammit, of course, he was exhausted. Luffy had just escaped from the most infamous prison. Ace could hear Jimbei telling Luffy not to fight anymore, but he couldn't process it over his own pain.

“Gold Roger – the King of the Pirates – Dragon, the Revolutionary,” Ace could hear Akainu say from above him, “I was amazed to hear that the sons of those two are stepbrothers.” Ace grimaced at the mention of his Biological father. “You two have bad blood in your veins. I don't care if the others get away as long as I get you two!” Akainu shouted. God, he was loud. He didn't care if he died, but at the mention of killing Luffy, Ace's grimace grew.

“Watch what I do.” He heard Akainu say. The realization struck a bit too late. Akainu was already heading for Luffy.

“wait!” Ace screamed, trying to stand up. “Luffy!” he raced towards him, using his flames to propel him further. Moving now was horrible, but he had to get to Luffy before Akainu did. Ace could see his fist coat with magma, getting ready to punch, most likely through, Luffy. In a desperate attempt, Ace cut right between the two of them, bracing himself for the impact.

The pain of being punched through was agonizing. He could tell the wound was fatal. Luffy stared up at Ace with a distraught expression. In front of Luffy, Ace could see his Vivre card. The same card he gave Luffy when they met up at Alabasta. Even without that piece of paper, he knew he was dying. It was inevitable. Ace watched as flames slowly engulfed the Vivre card, showing just how quickly he was dying. Blood splattered out of his mouth, but he couldn't care less. The only thing that matters right now is that Luffy didn't get hit.

“Ace…” Ace could hear the fear in Luffy's voice. He could tell how scared Luffy was. From the way he didn't move to how small he seemed at that moment.

From further away, Ace could hear Marco scream his name as well. His Marco. His lover. He is the only person besides Luffy, Sabo, and Pops that he trusts with his life. Marco was still bleeding, his hand still locked in those seastone cuffs.

The pain increased tenfold when Akainu retracted his fist from Ace's body, leaving a large hole in the center of his chest. The flames on his body tried their best to mend the hole, but there was nothing his flame-like body could do. More blood spilled from his mouth as his body fell forward a bit.

Ace couldn't process what had happened since that moment; the pain was too overwhelming. From behind him, he could feel the heat of another Magma fist getting ready to puncture him once again, only for it to stop.

“You can't touch him anymore!” Ace could hear Jimbei say, using his arms to shield them both from Akainu’s fists.

Akainu’s reaction was immediate, “You are just delaying the inevitable, Jimbei.” he said, voice confident, “Since you were once a Warlord, I bet you know what I'm capable of!”

“I’d be happy to risk my life if I can delay it!” Jimbei screamed at him. Ace would have been happy if he wasn't struggling to breathe. “I’ve been ready to die since the beginning!”

An explosion was all Ace could hear behind him, soon followed by the sound of something, or someone, being slammed into the ground.

“Looks like I need to execute a traitor, too,” Akainu said calmly. But Ace didn't hear a body get punched; he heard the voice of a familiar person.

“Jimbei, get down!” an oh-so-familiar voice said. Ace could feel his body partially relax at the voice. Marco. With that, Ace finally allowed himself to fall.

Luffy screamed Ace’s name before quickly catching his falling body.

“Hey, you’re alright, right?” Luffy’s voice cracked as he spoke, “Right?”

Dying in Luffy’s arms wasn't the worst thing that could've happened to Ace. It was one of the places he would honestly be fine with.

“I’m sorry, Luffy.” was all Ace could get out.

“Huh..?”

Ace grits his teeth as the pain resurfaces a bit, “In order to save me, you pushed yourself that far, but…” he pauses, breathing harder, “...I couldn't make it all the way.” Ace rested his head on Luffy’s shoulder for support. “I'm sorry…”

“Wha-” Luffy’s eyes widened for a second, “what are you saying?” Ace could hear the panic build up in his voice, “Don’t be ridiculous! Somebody, treat him!” Luffy’s voice broke as he continued screaming, “Please! Please help Ace!”

It was a fruitless effort. Ace knew it. Everyone around them knew it.

“Hey!” Luffy grew more desperate, “Somebody help Ace!”

“Hurry, this way!” Ace heard somebody say. He couldn't make out who it belonged to, “Give him first aid now!”

The yelling was starting to annoy Ace, but he couldn't do anything about it. He could make out the slightest argument between Luffy and the Okama.

“It's no use,” Ace finally mustered out, “My organs have been burned…” Pain burns through Ace more with every word, “I can't hold out any longer…I can tell my life is ending.”

“No!” Luffy says in denial, “That’s not true!”

Ace slowly took back his earlier statement. Dying in the arms of Luffy is the worst-case scenario. He always hated seeing Luffy like this, like he was weak. Luffy is supposed to be free. It had always been his dream — To be the freest in the world.

“Ace,” Ace hears Luffy say, “You promised me! You said—You said you'd never die!” And oh, does that just feel like a punch to the gut. (excuse the fact that he had one on his gut.) The harmless promise he made to Luffy as a child ends up stabbing him in the back. It was the only way he thought to keep Luffy from crying back then. Ace had never known it would end up being the one thing he regrets saying.

“What do you mean?” Luffy continued, “You can't make it? You said you'd never die…No matter what!” his words broke the more he spoke, and man, did it make Ace want to cry. Ace wouldn't even have a will to live if it wasn't for Luffy and Sabo. He was alone before meeting them, except the Mountain Bandits. Right.

“Oh yeah,” He said, hyper-aware of how Luffy gripped him tighter, “If you see Dadan someday, say hello for me.” a painful Inhale paused my words, “When faced with my death, I even miss a woman like her…”

“Stop talking like you are gonna die!”

“We have to live with no regrets, Luffy,” Ace continues, “and as we said, I have none…”

Luffy’s eyes filled with tears, droplets falling with no end.

“Tell everyone this for me,” Ace said, his face starting to match Luffy’s, “Thank you, everyone. For loving me..!”

Ace felt his life slip, his eyes shut, and he was met with an endless darkness.

 --

Blinking his eyes open, Ace was immediately greeted with a bright light. It wasn't the familiar warmth of Moby's infirmary or the bright flash of the sun. That wasn't the only thing weird. When Ace woke up, he woke up to a soft melody, like a woman singing to him. When the woman noticed his opened eyes, he called somebody into the room. Ace could make a wild guess and say it's her husband or significant other. A man rushed into the room. A man with a black mustache and pure black eyes.

Ace had no idea how he got here. He was sure he died from Akainu's punch. One second, he was dying in Luffy's arms, and the next, he was a baby being cradled. The thing was, he recognized the face of the man holding him. How wouldn't he? This was the same man who he spent his entire life resenting. The same man whose lineage got him killed.

“Good morning, Gol D Ace.”

Chapter Text

Ace yawned, easily getting picked up by Rouge. His mother was so much more beautiful than he imagined. Ace had no photos of her when he was alive, only knowing that she brought him into the world. His mother has wavy, pink-blonde hair, complemented by the red Hibiscus in her hair. Rouge also had those oh so familiar freckles marking her cheeks, the same freckles that are on his own. Ace still doesn't understand his gramps' claim of him looking like her when the only thing he takes after are her freckles and wavy hair. Her eyes burned with passion and life. A smile graces Ace’s mouth as he nuzzles into the warmth of her arms.

“Why does he like you so much?” Ace could hear Roger say, “He screams and smacks me every chance he gets!”

Ace just rolled his eyes, burying his baby face into his mother's embrace. It's only been a week since he came back and he is already annoyed by his sperm donor.

“I think he is just not used to you yet, dear.” Ace hears his mother say, her tone sweet, “And, he is only a week old, he can't hate you.”

‘Oh yes I can,’ Ace thinks but doesn't say. Not that he can say. If this was the afterlife, he'd gladly spend it with his mother. But he could do without that man.

— — — —

It's been a year since he came back and – God – he missed his brothers. He missed LLuffy.He missed his D smile and his contagious laughter. Ace hated how he had to leave him behind, leave him alone. Luffy hates being alone more than anything. Ace missed Sabo as well. Missed the way Sabo would be the brain to his brawn, his other half. Sabo was a constant in his life up to his death, and his death was no better than Ace's.

The more Ace thought about it, the worse he felt.

Celebrating his first birthday was eventful. He didn't even know why they celebrated it. Ace was just a baby, he wouldn't have had any understanding of it if he didn't live through life already. The only joy he had during this birthday was finding out that his Pops was invited. Man, did Ace miss him. The last Ace saw of him was when he was fighting for Ace to live. But he didn't. The door swinging open was like a wake-up call. His Pops had walked in, followed by other foot steps.

There were plenty of familiar and unfamiliar faces among the people that arrived. Back when he was alive and a pirate, all of these people were legends – big names with bounties in the hundred million or more. The only people in the room without a bounty would be his mother, Portgas D Rouge, and his Gramps, Monkey D Garp.

Ace had many memories with Garp. He remembered running for his lives on more than one occasion, protecting Luffy from his punches, and even his short visits to Dadan's hut as a child. Ace also remembered his last memory of his Gramps. He remembered sitting next to him on top of the Scaffold and watching as he cried for him. Cried because of him.

All of these familiar faces came to a halt as a child peaks from behind Pop's legs. Familiar blonde hair and blue eyes staring at him. Marco. Marco looked at Ace with a sense of familiarity. His gaze is one that Ace could recognize anywhere. It was the look of bitter-sweet joy.

– — – — –
The birthday came to an early end. The celebration was short as the ‘adults’ spent the time catching up with one another. Suddenly, Ace was grabbed and raised into the air. You see, Ace would have been surprised if he wasn't now a small baby. As he looked at the face of the man who picked him up, he realized it was none other than his Pops.

“Look at you, so small.” Oyaji chuckled, bringing Ace lower to his face, “You are so much smaller than I remember…” Ace could say the same thing to him, but instead of size, Ace would be talking about how much younger his Pops looked. Ace playfully rolled his eyes to himself.

Opening his eyes again, Ace was greeted with the sight of his Pops crying. Edward Newgate, the strongest man in the world before Ace died, was crying while holding him in his arms.

“I'm so sorry I let you die, Ace” and didn't that bring tears to Ace's eyes. Nobody was around watching them, but the world still felt so much heavier. Was it the notion that Pops remembered? Or was it the overwhelming reality that he wasn't alone. A year in this life and he finally learned he was not alone.

Pops let out a small laugh in his usual, weird way. It was comforting. A sense of familiarity hits Ace like a truck. Ace could tell that his Pops knew he remembered as well. It wasn't a surprise. Pops had always understood him better than Ace himself did. The man in front of him will always be his dad, his father. As long as Ace remembers, Edward Newgate will be the only father in his life.

Chapter Text

Ace was now 3 years old. He had finally gotten the hang on talking, but still couldn't communicate how he used to. His Pops, Edward Newgate, had been the only person who he could talk to about everything. Marco, even though he had shown no signs of remembering him, was somebody he hung out with on a day to day basis. Ace didn't know if it was because of how they were closer in age now, or the fact that he was still Oyaji's kid.

Marco was 2 years older than him in this life. It was a strange difference from the 20 something it used to be.

It was a usual day for Ace in this new life he had. First, he'd wake up, stretch his childlike arms before getting out of his bed. His mom didn't bother with the crib anymore since Ace had climbed out of it every single time. Ace made his way to the kitchen, messing around with the stool before finding his way onto it. Rouge, his beautiful and caring mother, was cooking food for them all. Her voice hummed a gentle tune as she worked. Having nothing to do, Ace kicked his feet back and forth on the stool. It was then when he heard a yawn behind him.

“Whatcha makin?” Ace heard the voice say.

“Hm? Nothing much, just some omelets,” She replied, “sit down, Roger, it’s almost ready.”

Ace had grown used to his presence. Roger reminded him so much of Luffy, which surprised him to an extent. Shanks, when Ace had visited him, had told Ace stories about Roger. He never knew why he did, but he listened anyway, not wanting to upset the Emperor. Roger was supposed to be a generational inspiration due to his story. In reality, this legendary man who was both praised and feared, was a child in the form of a man.

“Oh, right,” Roger had turned towards Ace, a huge D smile plastered on his face, “Newgate has agreed to watch you for a bit while your mother and I went out.”

“Why are you telling him?” Rouge butt in, chuckling quietly, “Now he might get excited about seeing his favorite person.”

“Which I don't understand…” Roger muttered, clearly jealous that Ace chose his best friend over him. It was Comical since he still allowed Ace to hang out with him every chance he got.

“Shh..” His mother smiled, placing plates in front of them. “Let him. You always said you wanted Newgate to be your child's Godfather.”

Ace could hear Roger grumble ‘I know that’ but decided to ignore it in favor of devouring the food in front of him. His family had questioned how he got the hang of utensils so quickly given his age, but put it off since his eating was, what they called, adorable.

After eating, a knock was heard from the doorway. Roger went to answer it, giving greetings before welcoming the guests inside.

“Ace!” Ace heard Marco say. Marco was quick to walk over to him, a smile painting his face. Ace just smiled in response, his gaze flickering to his Pops in a silent question.

‘Has he shown any signs of remembering?’ He questioned, using his eyes.

Pops just shook his head, looking away a bit sadly.

That was fine for Ace. The less Marco remembered the better it would be for his mental health.

“Ace, guess what!” Marco seemed excited. Ace didn't know what for. “I finally got my quirk!”

Ah, right. Ace had forgotten about the new concept of quirks and superpowers without eating a fruit. Ace thought Oyaji was joking until he showed him that he was still able to use his devil fruit abilities in this life. It had blown his mind that it was just like using a devil fruit but without the Ocean drawback. Ace had also forgotten that Marco was of the age where he would start to get his quirk. He already had an idea of what quirk it was, given Marco had consumed a devil fruit in his past life but he asked anyway.

“That's so cool! What is it?” It was stupid, he knows. Ace just wanted to sound as convincing as possible for a child his age.

“I can turn into a blue bird!” Marco laughed, “it's a big blue bird made of fire. I fell while running yesterday and I scraped my knee, but then the fire healed me!”

Yep, Ace called it. That just further proved his theory that his ‘quirk’ is just going to be the powers he had when he ate the Flame-flame fruit.

“You're a bird? Can you fly?” Ace said, already knowing the answer.

“Well, um.” Marco paused, thinking about it. “I don't know! I haven't tried that yet!”

Marco was an adorable child, Ace thinks. He remembered Marco as this big, responsible man who emitted the aura of respect. Ace didn't know whether it was the years of experience he had or the sheer overwhelming power he held with his devil fruit. In the end, it never really mattered to Ace. Marco would still always be there whenever Ace needed him.

‘And yet you left him.’ A voice in the back of Ace's mind tells him. He tries to push the thought away, but it now plagued his mind. He hated that he left the Marco he grew to love alone. And not only did Marco lose his lover, he lost his father, too.

He was pulled out of his thoughts when 2 hands lifted him up. Pops had picked him up holding him so gently, one might think he was afraid of breaking him.

“I have a surprise for you when we get back to my home, Ace.” Ace heard Oyaji whisper into his ear. That line totally wasn't ominous as hell at all. As much as Ace trusted his Pops, Ace grew suspicious.

“What's the surprise?”

— — — — —

Pops didn't tell him jack shit. He just carried him and Marco back to his home. When they came face to face with the entrance, Ace felt his heart beating loudly in his chest.

“Relax, Ace,” Pop's voice rang out, “We just have a few guests here with us today.”

“Oh! Are you talking about the surprise you said you wanted to show Ace?” little Marco asked, tilting his head a bit. The head tilt reminded Ace of what those owls would do.

“What's the surprise though?” Ace asked Marco, already knowing that Pop's would not spill the beans.

“No!” Was the answer Ace got in reply, “Oyaji said that I couldn't tell you!” And wasn't that wonderful.

Pop's just laughed. They made to the living room before Ace was taken from Pop's grip.

“Ace, you fool!” Oh. Oh those words were so familiar. The voice that said it was so familiar. The body warmth, the grip on his body.

“Gramps?” Ace almost whispered. That wouldn't be right. Gramps would be the last person he would have thought would be here.

“Yes, you dumb grandson of mine!” Was the only reply Ace got before he was set back onto the ground. “I spent 2 years in the other life thinking you died only to find out you are alive with your memories here!”

“2 years? If you just now got your memories of your lifetime, why are you complaining to me? Shouldn't you have moved on by now?” Ace asked, he didn't know why Garp would still be mourning his death. He had his whole life to do so.

“It's only been 2 years since you passed. The only reason I'm here now is because of Kuzan and Blackbeard!” Garp radically yelled.

The realization of what that meant finally hit Ace. The only way that the people he knew would remember is if they die in old life. That makes it so much worse. That means Garp died only 2 years after Ace did. Luffy just lost another person in his life that he grew up with.

“What about Luffy?” Ace finally asked. Ace felt a heavy feeling in his chest, one that he knew would not lift until he was sure how Luffy was.

“Hah? Luffy?” Garp questioned, flicking a booger from his nose, “Oh, he's fine. Last I heard, he became an Emperor of the Sea after defeating Kaido.”

“He became a WHAT!”

Chapter Text

That was a very eventful way of starting a day. Ace could already feel a headache coming.

“So you're telling me that Luffy, my little brother, fought Kaido?” Ace looked very irritated, but if you were to look at him from an outer perspective, he looked down right adorable. That was a given due to his current situation.

“Huh? I don't see the big deal.”, Garp responded, shrugging his shoulders.

“It's a HUGE deal!”

Garp just pulled a bag of crackers out of nowhere, eating it like there wasn't a single worry in the world. “Luffy was fine.”

“I don't know what you guys are talking about,” Ace heard Marco say. How did Ace forget about little Marco being here? Marco wouldn't know about this. “Who's Luffy?”

“My grandson,” Garp answered, “Wanna meet him? He was born last week.”

‘Last week?’ Ace thought. Luffy was already in this world. He had a physical body in this world but he wouldn't remember him. But Luffy was a baby now. Ace would be able to grow up with him again if he wanted to. This Luffy isn't his Luffy right now but he's still Luffy.

“Hey–” Ace said, looking at Garp, “If Luffy is here, does that mean Sabo is too?”

“Who's Sabo?–”

“Sabo is already staying with Dadan. We found him when he ran away from home.” Garp said, voice full of tiredness, “3 years old and he already wanted to leave.”

Only 3 years old and Sabo is already done with his family? It's not like they would be a noble family in this lifetime. Off of what Ace knew, there was no Nobility system here. Was Sabo treated the same way he used to be? Did Sabo, as a 3 year old child, already understand how bad his family was?

“Ace?” Marco nudged Ace's shoulder, knocking him out of his thoughts. “Are you done talking to them yet? I wanna go play with you.”

A smile made its way onto Ace's face. “Yeah, we are done! Let's go play.” Ace gave a wave to both Newgate and Garp before Marco dragged him away.

— — — —
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2 years later

It's been 2 years since Ace last met another person who remembered the past. Luffy, when Ace met him, didn't have any memories of his life and Sabo didn't remember anything either. It really sucked not having anyone his age to talk to about all of this.

Marco is 7 years old now, Luffy is 2, and Ace and Sabo are 5. Ace was finally reaching the age where he can use his devil fruit ability – or quirk, as it's called here – again. Ace didn't know what ability Sabo will get, but he knew for sure that Sabo would get one.

“Ace,” Rouge, his mother, said, trying to get his attention.

“Huh? Yes mom?” Ace said.

“Your dad and I are going overseas for a few months. We have a reunion we have to attend.”

Ace paused, “And I'm not going because?”

“Ah, we were gonna bring you originally, but a friend of a friend volunteered to care for you.” His mom said, her voice sweet as she gave him his breakfast.

“Who's watching me for your trip?” Ace asked, licking his lips before devouring everything on his plate.

“An old friend. Her name is Makino.” Rouge continues, “She runs a daycare down the road and a bar on the other side of the city.”

“Oh, yeah.” Ace said, unintentionally, “and her bar is named ‘Party's Bar.’”

“It is..” Rouge paused, “How do you know that?”

Ace freezes, his mind just now processing his words.

“..Ace?” Rouge calls, concern lacing her voice, “Ace you don't happen to know Makino already, do you?”

“Wha– what?” Ace scratches his neck, putting his best childish expression on, “No, of course not!”

Rouge raises her eyebrow. “Baterilla.” Ace's eyes widened. “Have you heard of that place, Ace?”

“...Mom?” That was the only thing he managed to get out.

“You came back…” Ace could hear the sadness in her voice, “I can't imagine the pain you grew up with, my poor baby…”

Ace couldn't help a stray tear from falling down his face. “Mom…” he said, voice small. The plate in front of him was forgotten.

“I'm so sorry you had to live how you did..” Rouge lifted Ace into her arms, her forehead resting on his own, “I tried my best to give you a life, to let you live instead of dying without seeing the world..”

“M sorry, Mom…” Ace cried, “You died trying to keep me alive..!”

“It's alright, dear…” Rouge wiped his eyes, “How long has it been for you?”

Ace sniffed, “20 years…”

“I've missed so much…” Rouge let out a small laugh, “I promise to make these next year's of your life better than your last one.”
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Ace was happy. He had just said his Goodbyes to his parents as they left him with Makino. Makino was quick to bring him to the daycare.

Makino was the same as he remembered. She had the same kind smile, deep green hair, and Dark almond eyes. As they walked into the main area of the Daycare, Ace was greeted with multiple gazes bearing into him.

“Everybody, meet Ace!” Makino said, her voice sweet, “He will be with us for a while.”

Ace politely bowed a bit before walking off to the corner. He didn't see any familiar faces here yet, and he didn't want to take the chance of finding somebody he had trouble with. Ace tried to busy himself with some building blocks but was surprised by the sound of little fireworks going off. Turning around, Ace saw a boy with spiky blonde hair. The boy was no older than 6, red eyes full of excitement as his extended hands crackled with little explosions. The little boy was immediately swarmed by the other kids. Even a teacher came up to praise him.

“It's just some fire, I've seen worse.” Ace heard a kid whisper into another kid's ears. It's not like Ace was eavesdropping, they were just awfully close.

“of course you did.” Ace whispered, yet that didn't stop the Black haired one from Turning towards him.

“What did you say?” The black haired kid asked as he began walking towards him.

“Ah!” The brown haired kid held the black haired one, “Sorry, about that! Izou, that's literally just a kid!”

“Izou?” Ace eyes widen. Man, this day couldn't get any crazier. First, his mom realizes he had his memories and in turn, she had hers, and now, Ace is greeted with one of his old fellow commanders.

“Ah, right!” The brown haired kid comes up in between Izou and Ace, “I'm Thatch and this is Izou, it's nice to meet you!”

Chapter Text

“Thatch..?” Ace could hear how his own voice cracked. He let in a shaky Inhale before continuing, “sorry… My name is Gol– bleugh, it's still so weird to say that name– I'm Gol D Ace.”

“Gol D– ?”

“ACE!?” Izou yelled, cutting Thatch off. “Ace, what are you doing here? Wait, no, you might not know us–”

“Wait, Ace is Gol D Roger's Kid??” Thatch asked Izou, his face surprised.

“Huh? Oh yeah, there was this whole big thing about it back when we were all still alive.” Izou responded before turning his attention back to Ace. Izou grabbed onto Ace's shoulders, shaking him back and forth, “Alright Ace, I'm gonna say something and you have to say the thing I know the Ace I know would say.”

“What–”

“SHHHH,” Izou hushed Ace, “Alright, I'm going to say it now.”

“What will you even say to him–”

“SHUT UP THATCH!” Izou cut him off, once again before continuing, “ Alright, Marco is a?”

Ace let out a small chuckle before continuing Izou's statement, “Pineapple. Marco is a Pineapple.” Ace paused for a second, “Or is it Birdbrain? I don't remember. We called Marco multiple different names.”

Ace looked up to see Thatch clenching his stomach as he cackled and Izou looking straight at him with a smug expression.

“Welcome to hell, Ace.” Izou smiled, “the children here are loud and obnoxious.”

“They are still just kids,” Thatch scoffed, “We've all dealt with bigger threats in our lives– well, old lives. These small bodies definitely haven't.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Izou brushed Thatch off, “More importantly, catch the two of us up with how this life has been treating you, Ace.”
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“So, you're telling me,” Izou starts, hand pushing Thatch away, “that Marco, the responsible 1st division commander, is now only an innocent child?” Ace could hear the obvious humor in his voice.

“Yeah, he doesn't remember anything at all.” Ace says, his expression reminiscent yet humor filled, “He was so happy when you got his Devil fruit powers in this life – Ah, wait, they are called Quirks now.”

“Ah right, I forgot those were called that.” Thatch chimes in, finally getting away from Izous hand, “Yeah, apparently 80% of this world has it. Color me surprised when mines appeared.”

“Woah, wait,” Ace turned to him, “You got one? What did you get?”

“Ignore him, he got something boring,” Izou said, “I got this.”

Ace watched as Izou put his two hands up like guns before aiming at the wall. Before Ace could ask anything, Izou shot an air projectile from his hand. As Ace took a closer look, he could see how the wall had indents similar to Izou's old Dangirigan technique.

“Ah! Izou, stop shooting at the wall!” one of the Daycare ladies came up behind them, “we already had to fix it from the last time!”

Izou just put his hands up in a surrendering signal, “It's not my fault! Hand guns are a regular hand movement!” Ace could see Thatch smirking. Clearly this wasn't the only time this has happened.

As the lady left Izou with just a warning and walked off, Thatch turned to Ace.

“My turn?” Thatch smiled.

Ace just smiled in return, “sure, show me what you got.”
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Thatch also got a warning from the ladies. Apparently, flying cooking knife projectiles have the same effect real cooking knives do.

“Are you two causing trouble again?” Makino, bless her soul, finally came.

“No, Makino.” Both Thatch and Izou said, simultaneously. Ace found it hilarious. Was this what Sabo saw whenever Luffy and Him got into trouble?

“Ah! Ace!” Makino's attention shifted to him, “Your hair! Let me grab something to put it out!”

‘Put it out?’ Ace thought. He didn't understand what was happening until he saw the expression on Thatch's face. Thatch was smirking at him, his head doing a pointing motion to the Mirror over by the Cabinets.

“Ah, I'm on fire.” Ace said blankly. This got a cackle from Thatch and an eye roll from Izou. Ace was quick to put the fire out. It wasn't hard, it was second nature to him after having the devil fruit for years.

“Ah, you got a fire quirk?” Makino asked, her face visibly confused. “That's weird. It has no relation to your parents at all.”

Her confusion was understandable. Ace's mom had abilities related to the manipulation of flowers. It was a power Many people thought was useless. What these people didn't know was that his mother is skilled with poison, and flowers are a major contribution. Meanwhile, there was his Father. A strong man whose apparent quirk is an exact replica of his Haki prowess from his past life.

“Fire… maybe it's an elemental kind of development?” Makino concluded, giving Ace a small smile before walking away.

“Oh yeah, it was totally an elemental development.” Thatch said, watching the area where Makino left.

“You know her already?” Izou finally asked, “you didn't say or do anything you would with a new face.”

Ace just sighed, “I do. She used to take care of us back when my brothers and I were on Dawn.”

“Ah,” Izou turned towards where she left, “Speaking of caretakers, how is Oyaji? Have you met him yet?”

Right. Izou and Thatch haven't met Pops yet. They lived further than they would wish for away from their father. The man who took them in.

“Pops is fine,” Ace said, watching as they both stiffen before relaxing, “If you guys want to ever meet him again, he remembers.”

Ace watched as Izou shakily exhaled, like a weight had just been lifted off his shoulders. The same could be said about Thatch.

“Oyaji is planning on opening his own Hero agency…” Ace added on, “He wants to rebuild his family. When we are older again, know that his Agency will always be open to us.”

“Wait–” Izou pauses, “An agency? Doesn't that mean that–”

“The hero, Whitebeard.” Ace smiles, “one of the strongest in the world.”

“Oh, I so gotta keep up with today's news and heros now.” Izou laughs in surprise while Thatch gapes.

Chapter Text

“Ace!” A voice said. Turning around, Ace could see somebody running up to him.

It's officially been a little over 14 years since Ace returned. Ace was in his last year and last few weeks of Middle school. Ace decided that this would be the year he applied for UA, a High School where hero work is guaranteed.

“Denki!” Ace smiled, “Didn't know you lived on this side of the city now.”

Denki smiled, “Parents found a house close to their workplaces.”

“Of Course they did.” Ace chuckled.

“Are you still planning on attending UA?” Denki asked, skipping in front of him.

Ace hummed, “Yeah, I am.”

Denki laughed, “Me too! I heard you have higher chances of getting in if you get a recommendation from a hero though.”

‘I didn't know that..’ Ace thought, ‘If I get the Old man and Oyaji to recommend me, do I get in?’

“Anyway, how did you do on the Exam yesterday?” Denki asks, walking besides Ace, “I have that class today and wanted to know–”

“Ace!”

Ace turned around to look at who would be calling for him. Ace could tell that Denki turned around as well.

“Oh! Sabo!” Ace lets out a laugh as Sabo comes running by him.

“Don't tell me you were planning on walking without me?” Sabo gave a small punch to Ace's shoulder, a smile evident on his face.

“Wouldn't dream of it,” Ace replies, hooking his arm over Sabo's shoulder.

.

.

.

Growing up together was nice. Sabo had been unable to do so when he had lost his memories in the accident. When Sabo woke up in this world again, he was greeted with the familiar voice talking to him.

“I mean, can you believe that Luffy got away with that!”

Sabo felt his world freeze, the only moving thing was the person in front of him. Was Sabo in heaven? Was Ace talking about the recent Luffy chaos of taking on the World Government? Sabo remembered Luffy running off into battle after saving another kingdom.

“Sabo?” The oh so familiar voice and face said, the face synching with confusion and concern, “Hey, are you listening? Don't make me hit you.”

Sabo couldn't help but to let out a small chuckle. He had missed this. He never met the older Ace before, but he felt like he knew him his entire life. Ace still acted the same.

Sabo still remembered the day he got his memories back. When he heard about the deaths of the Paramount war and immediately checked the papers. The no-name pirate he heard bits about was not just a random pirate, but the brother he had long forgotten. Was it a curse or a blessing that the same man was in front of him right now. Did Sabo deserve to see him again? Did Sabo—

“SABO!” and just like that, Sabo get a smack across his face. He just sat there, eyes widened, “I told you, I'd hit you if you didn't pay attention. What's git you so messed up anyways?”

“Ah–” Sabo could feel his eyes watering, could hear his voice crack a bit, “Ace, sorry.” that got Ace to narrow his eyes, like he was considering something. “What did Luffy do?”

“Don't divert my question.” Ace was quick to redirect to his point. His eyes narrowed again before softening. “Somethings strange here to you, isn't it?”

Ace was right on point, as if he experienced the same thing. Sabo wanted to confess to everything. He wanted to tell him how he was still alive when he died one of the most gruesome deaths.

“Ace–” but before Sabo could say anything, he was pulled into a hug.

“You died, didn't you?” Sabo could hear Ace give a shaky sigh, “How old were you? Did you atleast live long?”

“34 years old..” Sabo sniffed, he didn't end up holding those tears in. They all came rushing out when he was hugged. “14 years passed since your death. Luffy became pirate king… got into a little dispute with the World government..”

“I knew he'd make it..” Ace smiled. Sabo couldn't believe it. “How did you die?”

And wasn't that ironic. “Got caught by the 5 Elders. Guess they found me annoying after raiding them 12 years ago.”

Ace was Surprised, to say the least, but that didn't stop him from smiling, “I've been dead for 14 years, yes. I've also been here for the last 14 years.”

Sabo knew what it meant. What everything meant.

“What an eventful lunch period,” Ace sighed, less shaky this time, “Welcome to this world, Sabo, it's one hell of a ride.”

Sabo smiled, “it's fine, the memories of this body are slowly coming back.” And they were. Sabo could remember what this world was like, what his supposed quirk was. This Sabo had run away from home at 3, found a haven because of Garp the Fist, a pro-hero who specializes in physical strength and force waves. Sabo grew up being taken care of by Dadan, a foster mother. He met Ace at 5, just like in his past life. Ace was his bestfriend, kust kike his past life. Ace is his brother now, just like his past life. Ace had changed this world to be like it used to be yet so different.

“Guess devil fruits are a forever thing now.”

Ace laughed. Sabo looked at his hands, watching as his hand flames up again. The familiar warmth that reminded him of Ace back then is now with him forever.

“Nice of you to make sure no shithead got my fruit.” Ace smiled.