Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a sunny day in the New world. In the middle of the day a scream started to echo throughout the ocean. The people out on deck of the Moby Dick tried to locate the sound. They all looked around confused before all eyes turned toward the cerulean sky. A screaming flaming ball of fire was on course to hit the ship. The 1st commander Marco the Phoenix flew up to stop it. Only to find it was a boy burning to a crisp. Marco caught him, put out the fire with the ocean and then got back on the ship.

Hours later the boy woke up in the infirmary. Marco and two other people by his side. They smiled at him and tried to braze themselves for what was to come.

Chapter Text

I woke up to a room I’d never been in before. The ceiling was of wood and there was a burning sensation in my arms, legs and everything. I tried to remember what happened but my head started aching. I took a deep breath, my lungs aching both while in and exhaling. I tried to not make any sounds as I closed my eyes and sat up, but despite my will letting out a grunt due to the pain. Not too loud though. It sure felt loud though, as I realised I was not the only one in the room. My face heats up but it probably wasn’t showing. Blushing is a myth, and nobody can see embarrassment in someone's face by changing colour. It’s science! Anyway, the people looked weird. One of them had a really weird haircut. Scratch that they all had weird haircuts. He looked like he’d pulled some yellow yarn, cut it and put it on top of his head with some school-glue. There were two others in the room. One with some round weird gingerhead hair, and the other was just some short child with a generally bad haircut. What really caught my attention though was their creepy smiles, and the huge swords the last two ones carried. I straightened my posture and swallowed the dry saliva. 

“C-can I help you?” I asked. Their smiles grew.

“How are you feeling?” The yellow haired one said.

“Fine.”

“It does not sting from the burn?”

“Oh, that. Yes it does sting, didn’t think you’d notice.”

“Kid, you were on fire and falling from the sky.”

“I was?” I tried to picture it but my head started aching.

“Yes, you got treatment here, you can thank our captain later.”

“Captain?”

“I’ll ask you some questions now and I’d appreciate it if you could answer truthfully.”

“Where in the world am I and who are you?”

“We’ll get to that, yoi.” Yellowhead said and pulled up a notebook.. I zipped my mouth.

 “What’s your name?”

“Crash.” I said. The man scribbled in his notepad.

“How old are you?”

“18.”

“Home address?”

“That’s confidential.”

“Country or island then?” the yellow head continued.

“England.”

“Where’s that?” A bad feeling surged in my stomach. What kind of weirdo do not know where England is?

“Next to Scotland?”

“What ocean?” After a moment of silence I realised he was serious. Before almost answering the Atlantic something I’d learned before moving to England popped up in my memory.

“North sea, and some other scotland or something, what was it? I’m not very good at geography.”

“North Blue then?” He gave me a questioning look. I’d already answered as well as I could. I kept quiet. “What were you doing before crashing into Moby Dick.” A laugh escaped me at the mention of Moby Dick. I mean I knew it was a book title also, but confusion often made my level of comedy drop to a six year olds level. The three men did not seem to appreciate it and I shut my mouth. I tried to remember what happened before me apparently crashing. Nothing turned up, except:

“I was putting my bags of groceries on the sink, but it feels like I did that yesterday, what did I do today?” I thought out loud. “By the way how long have I been here?”

“Three days.” Yellow hair said with a straight face. I hid my shock like an actor and tried to think of how I got here again.

“I was going to cook dinner, then my phone beeped, and I checked, what was I doing?” No matter what I did, my memories were cut off from that night. Some parts turned up like how I had sat down by the tv, and turned off the fan. But I don’t remember going to bed. I looked to the men again only to meet a patient sigh from my questionnaire and some confused looks from the other two. “Look here, it seems like I can’t remember what happened, can we just leave it at that.” It wasn’t a question. “Can you tell me where I am and who you guys are?” Yellow hair guy stood up, put away his notepad and reached out his hand towards me.

“I’m Marco, also known as Marco the Phoenix. Welcome to Moby Dick yoi.” I shook his hand only grunting a little.

“Crash Benson, at your service.”

“And I’m Thatch.” The bun head said.

“And I’m Haruta 12th division's commander!” The brown haired kid declared. 

“We’ll show you around later, when you’re feeling better.” I nodded as they exited the room and a group of nurses appeared. When the room was empty once again I stared into the ceiling. When I closed my eyes I could almost feel the room swaying, a testament to me really being on a ship. A fan was directed at my bed. I stepped out of the bed, skipped over to it and turned it off. I’d never slept well with that stupid sound on.

Chapter Text

Marco called the commanders to a meeting. With Whitebeard present. With everyone seated Marco rose up and walked to stand in front of them all. 

“As you’ve probably heard by now, we have a guest. And he has now woken up and we need to determine what to do with him. First of all, does anyone recognize him?” Marco held up a picture of Crash unconscious on the infirmary bed. Burns covering his body giving the skin the look of a boiling lobster. Some made a painful noise as if they felt the pain from the burns. No one answered Marco.

“We have an unidentified assailant onboard. No one is able to identify him. He calls himself Crash. Claims he’s 18. From some place called England by Scotland in the North Blue. This will be looked into. Questions yoi?”

“Why’d you call us all here Marco?” Vista spoke up.

“Pops wanted me to brief everyone.”

“ Gurararara -” Whitebeard laughed and downed a barrel of, probably, alcohol. “Someone needs to look after the brat.”

“Where busy commanders!” Someone said, others joining in the sentiment by nodding. 

“I’ll do it!” Thatch said, and as if that concluded the meeting everyone rose up and left. Except Whitebeard, Marco, Thatch and Haruta.

“ Guararara , now tell me about the brat. Does he have potential?” Whitebeard said, while taking another sip of his beverage.

“Pops, you need to stop speed adopting people yoi! We are buried in work from the last guy.”

“I’m just doing what every father should.” Marco tried to wipe away the frustration from his face.

“He seems like a good kid.” Thatch said. “Just a bit confused, and in pain.He made a horrific sound when he shook Marcos hand. But that’s normal considering the circumstances.”

“He couldn't remember how he got here!” Haruta remarked. “He could be a spy. I wouldn’t put it past the Marines to use a kid for something like this.”

“We’ll just have to observe him for now yoi.” Marco said.

“I’ll trust your judgement Marco - gurarara .” Whitebeard said. The meeting was concluded.

The result: Thatch was Crash designated babysitter.

Chapter Text

After my initial contact with the crew I was suspecting the whole situation to be a cliché coma situation. Where I was dreaming as if I was living but really I was lying unconscious in some hospital. 

After realising that the pain in my arms did not disappear by thinking they would, I started doubting my initial thoughts. I tried not to freak out, but after waking up and turning off the fan a couple of times and finally waking up to realise I couldn’t fall asleep anymore my brain really started going off the rails. I’d died! No, I was alive. I got kidnapped. They were going to send mom a ransom note. She would never be able to pay. They’d kill me, then… 

But then no. It did not seem possible. 

No matter what I came up with, nothing seemed to fit. I cried in a manly way.. I tried to smile too. I did everything right but the answer did not appear in my mind. My emotions kept reigning supreme. The weirdest thing was how yellowhead had introduced himself. I must have misheard it.

The hours went by. Not sure of how many but my body healed enough to enable me the courage to walk out of the room on my own. I trailed through a couple of corridors searching for a staircase. If this was a ship I would be able to get out on deck. The smell of musk and wood filled my breath. Finally I reached a staircase or a ladder or whatever. I climbed up and opened the door. A strong wind threw the door open. It hit the wall with a loud thud. The wind washed over my face with the smell of soap, vinegar, and salt. I looked up and realized the massive size of the ship. It had at least three masts. All of them touching the sky like a 50 year old grand cedar. There were not a lot of people outside, but a few people hung around the rope ladders. I skillfully avoided their eyes and treaded lightly. And by lightly I mean masterfully along the walls of the ship. I reached a corner, slowed down and tried to peek around it. All clear. But then I felt something on my shoulder. It was the bun headed guy from before.

“Hey there kiddo! Good to see you up and about!”

“Hello.”

"What’cha doin?" Trying to figure out if this place is real or if I’m in a coma, I thought to myself.

“Just checking out the deck.”

“You’ve been on a ship before?”

“A smaller one, yes. More like a boat really.”

“Want me to show you around?” he said. I tried to take in the person before me. I grew suspicious. It was a ridiculous suspicion. But still. His hairstyle. The stylish goatee and…

“What was your name again?” I said.

“Thatch!” He answered happily. My energy drained and I sat down on the floor.

“My moms gonna kill me.” Thatch laughed. It was not funny. I was probably in a coma or worse yet, hallucinating. What if I was really out on some random street and talking to complete strangers in the city.

“So you live with your mom, huh?” Would-be Thatch laughed.

“I hope someone helps me home,” I mumbled to myself. “I’ll definitely go to some institute for mentally insane people.” Thatch just kept laughing. Not funny.

“There, there,” he dropped down to the floor and patted my shoulder. “We're gonna get you home buddy.” the person my brain masked to look like Thatch said. I must really look like someone crazy.

“Thank you.” I whispered. An idea appeared. “Wait, can you call my mom and ask her to pick me up?” Thatch smiled and nodded. Yes! I cracked the code. I was hallucinating. I just needed to pretend I wasn’t. I’d get home without a hitch. He pulled a pen out of his pocket, by the giant sword, or rather knife. I received the pen, tore off a piece of my shirt, and wrote moms number down. I gave it to Thatch. He looked at it, and then back at me.

“Are you sure this is correct?”

“Yes, I will look into it. You can follow me.” Then he turned around and I followed. I could feel the eyes of people as we walked through the ship. But if this really is somewhere in the city or whatever I’d run off to. Was it wise to follow a stranger somewhere strange? Half delirious? I stopped in my tracks.
“Can you call her now? Don’t you have a phone on you?” The would-be Thatch turned around and looked at me concerned.
“I’m sorry kid, but we have no phons on this ship, we’ll have to go to the communication centre and dial a Den Den-mushi.” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. My imagination was impeccable. Den Den-mushi? Maybe I shouldn’t have pulled all those all-nighters watching One Piece. Thatch looked at me concerned. Oh no I messed up, I couldn’t look any more crazy. I cleared my throat.

“Excuse me.”

“Are you okay?” Thatch said. I looked around.

“Is this really a boat?”

“A ship. The Moby Dick. Greatest vessel you’ll ever travel on.” Had I actually managed to get onboard a real ship. Great. I’d actually managed to go to the harbour, get badly burnt, and get onboard a ship. Or maybe that’s kind of impressive. I did all that half unconscious too.

“And we need to go to the communication room to call my mom?”

“Yes. You look a bit pale there, are you really okay?”

“Never better.” Thatch hummed and kept walking, this time by my side instead of in front of me.

“How’s the burn?”

“It hurts, maybe I burned my brain too?” I tried to joke. 

“How so?” The hallucination masking the man before me really looked like Thatch. 

“You wouldn’t believe me.”

We walked in silence until we reached the communication room. A couple of people were in the room. They all stopped whatever they were doing and greeted would-be Thatch. Plenty of light came from all sides through the windows. Various snail-like creatures  lined up on a table in the middle.  All with a container in front of them and water. Real Den Den Mushis. I couldn’t help but grin. Honestly, not smiling at a crisp 4k HD of a group of Den Den Mushi would-be a crime. They were spectacular. Even if my brain was making it up. Maybe I’d make a great artist? I’d never considered it before. Thatch walked up to a big one and dialled my number. I decided to poke at the Den Den Mushis. They didn’t seem to mind me at all. One of them even seemed to like it and I petted it like I would a dog. It was cute. But also a bit icky. I wiped off the goo on my chest bandage. This was certainly realistic. No wonder people acted weird when they went crazy. I looked over at Thatch who probably dialled moms number. He looked at me with an apologetic smile. It dialled a couple of times. After a while he hung up and dialled again.

“I’m sorry kid.” He hung up again with a sigh.

“She must be looking for me though.” Would-be Thatch put his arm around me. My skin burned at the sensation. But I masterfully hid it. Thatch retreated his hand for some unfathomable reason.

“It’s okay kid, a lot of things could have happened. Maybe there's a storm or something, maybe her Den Den ran away or something. It’ll leave a message that we called. She might call back.” he said happily.

“Yeah, maybe.”

“Come on, let’s go eat something.”

In the kitchen or Galley as Thatch called it, he whipped up a meal. Grilled fish in some sauce, and a lot of vegetables. I’m not normally a fan of fish, but it was delicious. Thatch smiled at me for no apparent reason. People were starting to fill up the dining tables. I realized I wasn’t sure what time of day it was before seeing a clock above the door. 7 ‘clock. The question was, morning or evening. Just as I was about to ask Thatch someone basically came flying through the door in a blaze of fire. I could almost not believe my eyes. My heart rate quickened. Black curly hair. An orange cowboy hat. Only shorts and boots on. I stood up on my feet. Who cares if I’m hallucinating. Who cares, it all feels real! It feels so SO real. Sorry mom. I’m gonna go crazy for a while. This is awesome. I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Thatch. He seemed concerned.

“Portgas D Ace.” I whispered and pointed at the loud party entering the galley.

“Yes that’s right.” Thatch nodded.

“PORTGAS D. ACE!” II jumped up on my chair feeling happy. So real! It felt so real. The party, and the man in question looked over at me.

“Ace it seems you got a fan!” Thatch yelled. People started laughing. And Ace lowered his hat a bit, hiding his gaze. Oh my he’s so real, and before me. I loved my imagination so much that at that moment I barely did not scream. He looked back up again at me. Right into my eyes. So cool. Then he smiled a wide D smile, came over and sat down beside me. Or beside my chair which I was standing on. He reached out his hand towards me. I took a deep breath and sat down on my chair and shook his hand. It was warm, but it did not burn.

“I’m Portgas D. Ace.”

“I know.” I smiled. After a confident shake he let go.

“I usually don’t have many fans, so don’t expect special treatment. As long as you're with us you’ll be safe, but I can’t promise anything when you leave our crew.” I laughed out loud. My brain was probably suffering from my burning accident.

“You’re awesome.” Ace didn’t seem to join my sentiment about his own awesomeness as our conversation stopped there. Thatch started serving dinner and Ace made himself a good portion. He dug in, and ate with such gusto, that I started imagining him eating on par with Luffy and everyone else being disturbed about it. Such a nice thought. I made myself another serving, and continued to observe Ace. He glanced at me a couple of times, but kept eating. Suddenly he fell asleep in the middle of the plate. Startled by the sight I snorted and coughed at the same time as I was trying to swallow. The fish was caught in my throat. I couldn’t breathe. Everything paused. I saw Thatch and someone else reaching for me. Everything blacked out, my head hurt.

I opened my eyes. A tear slid down my cheek. Thatch and someone else stood over me and breathed a sigh of relief. I touched my chest and realised I could breathe again.

“You scared us there kid.” Thatch said. Something clicked in my brain.’

“I get that it can be startling to see someone fall asleep from nowhere, but this is too much.” The black haired stranger said. I sat up on the floor, and realised I was surrounded by a lot of other strangers. A bit dizzy, my head aching. Again. But the feeling was undeniable. I was about to die. No matter how much I told myself, everything had a normal explanation. Nothing did. I looked up at the strangers, trying to puzzle all the weird faces. Realising I knew them. But not as real people. They were not supposed to be real. But I wasn’t hallucinating. I’d never done it before. Why would I be doing it suddenly? The strangers kept talking over my head.

“Hey, kid. How are you feeling?” Thatch said. I let the tears come.

“Call the nurses.” I let the tears come.

“They’re already on their way.” None of this should be real. But it was.

“Ace, you're awake. Look what you did to our poor guest!” Someone said, I looked up at the man on the bar stool above me. Our eyes met. Mom. I’m sorry. I should have listened to you. I passed out.

Chapter Text

Marco scanned the list one last time. They were approaching one of the islands in their territory. Preparing was needed to restock. It was always a hassle. Everyone was needed to restock and do a thorough island wide check. Yet everyone wanted time off. Marco had in the past tried to make something of a schedule, but it had not worked. It was better to make lists and send everyone off in groups to let them manage their own time. They were never understocked when they left, but even then, something always managed to go wrong. And Marco was responsible. He wasn’t even the oldest! But sure I felt like it though. After checking one last time with pops, Marco decided that it was time for some food, and made his way to dinner. Everyone was gathering tonight since it was kind of their last day off before the preparations for the port began. Ahead people seemed to already gather in the galley. It was earlier than usual. What could the fuss about? Marco brazed himself to once again have his patience tested. 

He walked in and had to elbow his way through the crowd. The source of the debacle was by the bar seats. It was the unwanted assailant, lying unconscious on the floor. His face flushed a deep shade of red and cheeks wet with tears. Thatch caught his eye, and waved his hands.

“I didn’t do anything! I saved him! Don’t give me that look!” Thatch said. Marco slapped a palm across his face. 

“Let’s just get him to the infirmary for now.”

Jozu offered to carry him on his shoulder. The teen gave no reaction to being hurled across his giant shoulder. He really was out cold.

“Weren’t you supposed to babysit him yoi?” Marco said, looking at Thatch.

“I was, he suddenly started choking.” Thatch said, crossing his arms. The people gathered opened up a way out of the galley. After the three left the crowd dispersed and everyone returned to what they’d been doing before.

“We’ll talk about it later, did you find anything else out today? When did he wake up?” Marco said, walking behind Jozu. 

“I don’t know. I found him on the deck a while ago. I was just finished with the preparations for dinner and on my way to check on him. He seemed confused, and in a lot of pain. Shouldn’t your powers have healed him completely by now?” Thatch said.

“I’m no miracle worker.” Thatch snorted, which Marco glared at him for. Thatch quieted. “His burns were severe yoi. I basically did all I could and now it’s only as if he got badly burnt by the sun. That should be enough of a miracle.”

“Good, he’ll be okay then. Really I can’t imagine what such a weakling was doing that made him fall from the sky. You think he was catapulted or something?”

“Don’t joke around yoi.” They opened the door to the infirmary. Jozu put the boy down on the bed and then left the room leaving everything to the boy. Marco started looking over the boy's vitals and changing his bandage. Everything looked better than yesterday. 

“You think his hair burned too?” Thatch noted.

“No.”

“But it’s black.”

“People have black hair Thatch.”

“Yeah but shouldn’t his hair have burned too?” Thatch said. Marco sighed.

“Put it in the bin with all the other questions yoi.” Marco finished up tying the bandage. “Now tell me everything.” They walked over to the door, opened and closed it to talk outside in the corridor.

“We didn’t do much. I found him. He asked me to call his mom and gave me a number. He talked about a phon which must be some kind of invention that works like a Den Den Mushi.” Thatch seemed to expect a reaction but Marco just nodded and waited for him to continue.

“The number only had 11 digits so I thought it was weird, and also the two first were not North Blue’s direction.” 

“You think it was a personal line?” Marco said, raising an eyebrow. Thatch moved closer to him and whispered. 

“Or he was lying about being from the North. What if he’s a son of Big Mom and he has amnesia or something?” Thatch said.

“Okay let’s not jump to conclusions yoi. What happened after that?”

“I called the number, but no one answered. The kid seemed disappointed and then I took him to the galley for food.”

“And you let him choke on something you fed him?” Marco said. Thatch's gave him a You’re so mature look.

“He recognized Ace and suddenly was excited. Didn't seem to be bothered by the burns then because he jumped up agile as a monkey. Anyway, he was startled when Ace fell asleep in the middle of eating, and then started choking. And then you arrived so that’s all I have to report.” Marco sighed and picked up his notebook from his coat, and wrote down the important parts before putting it away again.

“Good. Stay with him until he wakes up yoi?” Thatch nodded, but looked to the infirmary door concerned. Marco suspected that Thatch was feeling conflicted about the kid. Something was not right. Or at least weird. 

Before Marco was able to leave the infirmary door opened. Out marched the boy calling himself Crash. Their eyes met, and there was a big difference from yesterday's encounter. Crash gaze was intense and watery.

“Oh, you’re awake yoi. Crash, right?”

“Yeah, that’s my name. And you’re Marco?” Crash asked, smiling in a whispering voice.

“Yeah.” Marco said in a normal volume.

“Wow-” Crash whispered and then turned to Thatch. Thatch flinched when their eyes met.

“And you’re Thatch?” The boy made a sillious face. Was he completely sane? He didn’t hit his head, but maybe the burns did something to his nerves.

“Yes,” Thatch answered. “We hung out today, do you remember?”

“Yes, yes of course!” The boy said and then turned away his gaze. “It’s just hard to believe.” His smile grew bigger. “And this is Moby Dick? The actual Moby Dick?”

“Y-yes.” Thatch answered.

“Is Whitebeard onboard?” the boy said. Although not said in a happy tone, the two commanders flinched at the mention of their captain. Ready to stop the kid if he had some dangerous designs. Or became a nuisance.

“And Izou?” the boy continued. Not waiting for their response before he started running through the corridor. Horrifying sounds which could be described as a mix of laughter, heavy breathing and painful screams escaped him as he ran. Taken aback at first Marco looked at Thatch and Thatch looked at him, before they took off after him.

The boy ran up on deck again, tripping on his newly made bandages a couple of times. They were unwinding and Marco did not think about how someone had to redo them later. Hoping it would not be him. Thatch and Marco caught up fast but decided to keep their distance since Crash was acting strange. Marco was ready to transform at any time. On deck Crash looked around frantically. He went over to the rope ladder leading up to the crowsnest. Started climbing it, and then seemed to regret it, stopping to climb down again. Then he ran down towards the main deck where pops usually sat. Marco transformed and took off to the sky. He would catch him on the main deck. Marco saw Crash's eyes locking onto him from where he was running.

“Cool!” Crash screamed. “Marco! Can I touch your flames!” he continued before he started laughing and coughing. Marco just sighed and landed before picking up the kid and throwing him across his shoulder. Crash just laughed and giggled like a little child.

“Aren’t you a little old for acting like this yoi?” Marco said.

“Nuh uh.” Crash said before giggling even louder. Marco could hear him repeating This is crazy, under his breath in a happy tone, but decided to ignore it.

Thatch caught up to them.

“Let’s take him to pops, maybe he’ll be calmer then?” Thatch said, catching his breath.

“We’ll take him to our captain, cause then we’ll know what to do with him.” Marco said. He hadn’t eaten dinner yet. He did not have the patience to think or deal with this new idiot before doing so. Thatch lowered his voice.

“What if pops wants to adopt him?” Marco felt a chill going down his spine. The kid started laughing again which also made him cough again. 

“We’ll follow the captain's orders.” Marco said, while praying that said captain wouldn’t order something like that. 

The galley was rowdy. Pops was also there enjoying his children's company conversing with a group from Vistas 5th division. Thatch immediately saw something wrong in the galleys' cooking quarters and ran inside to reprimand some chefs and fix whatever they were doing wrong. Marco contemplated setting the kid down on the floor but decided against it before greeting pops. 

“Marco.” Whitebeard smiled when he approached. “You look tired.” Marco sighed and eyed the barrel pops had in hand. Then he put Crash down on the ground. The boy had finally stopped giggling and was now looking at pops quietly. Finally  acting as if he was on the ship of the worlds strongest man. If he would also wipe the silly grin off his face that is.

“Pops, this is Crash.” Marco introduced the boy. He looked at Crash. The kid had only excitement for their captain in his eyes. Maybe he was just stupid, and not insane? It still bothered Marco.

“ Guarararara , you were a small one, boy.” Pops said, while taking another swig of sake.

“I am?” Crash answered casually.  “Oh, shoot me! I can’t believe I’m really meeting the Whitebeard. Whitebeard Edward Newgate!” Pops eyed Crash cautiously.

“You’re a lively one. Want to tell me what you’re doing on my ship?” Whitebeard said. The boy's excitement faded.

“I don’t know sir, I mean captain? What I heard was that I got burnt and you guys took care of me. I just don’t know. I don’t want to make up a story cause it wouldn’t be believable, captain.” Crash said in a serious tone holding his hand up as if to salute like the marines towards their superiors. Pops sipped on his drink in silence, his attention solely on Crash. 

“Then, I believe you would understand my suspicions as a captain, Crash. You could be a spy for the government.” Pops said. Crash giggled again. Marco's back turned cold. 

“I’m not.” the boy giggled.

“ Guarararara . Tell me more about yourself.” The captain picked Crash up and put him down in his lap. Marco took the chance to get something to eat. The evening went on in calm chaos.

Marco made a point to study the boy. He spoke happily and without reservation with pops. In the middle of their conversation he’d taken out a pen from somewhere and torn a piece of cloth from his shirt and made pops sign it. Pops had laughed and done so. Crash was laughing loudly and conversing with everything and everyone. Or rather he acted like a child. Or someone crazy. It wasn’t the weirdest thing Marco had experienced but something about the kid just didn’t add up. The kid suddenly lost interest in Pops and ran around to everyone gathered. Speaking loudly and making everyone  sign his shirt and tattered bandages. Most seemed happy about the kids' interactions. Except the commanders. Especially Ace and Izou gave Marco a concerned stare once the kid approached them. As the clock approached midnight things started to quiet down. Crash had fallen asleep on the floor with some shore boys playing cards. Marco picked him up and carried him off to the infirmary again. He made sure to lock the infirmary door. Feeling his pockets he picked up one of the restock lists again. Marco stared at it for a second. Suddenly it felt less bothersome than being out at sea. They’d reach land soon.

Chapter Text

I woke up feeling like a car had hit me while I slept. My back is making a sound of popping bubble wrap. I loved that stuff and it felt good even though my back continued to hurt. My head also ached a bunch. My shoulder was weirdly in pain too. I must have done something stupid. I sat up in bed and realised I wasn’t in my room. It took a second before I remembered. Crazy. 

So I was apparently in the world of One Piece. Onboard the Whitebeard Pirates ship. It was just like something out of the countless fanfics I’d read before. This was better than any comic-con I’d ever go to. For sure. I actually got to meet everyone. It was crazy. I realised I was hugging my shirt from the day before. It was filled with autographs. Crazy. The shirt looked like a real rag. I noticed a pile of bandages from yesterday too. I picked them up and realised they too were signed. Even by Izou! At the same time I realised my bandages were changed and tidy. Covering my whole body. Maybe I’d be able to sell them? Then again, would I even be able to get back home? Mom. Would be worried. Or maybe time flowed differently from home, and I wouldn’t have to worry about it. Anyway, I would have to get off the Whitebeards' ships sooner or later. I got up from bed stretched and looked around for something to put on. I found nothing. I went outside, and looked through every door I got my hands on. No clothes just lying around anywhere. You’d think people weren't living on this ship. Since my body was completely covered in bandages I wouldn’t be flashing anyone. But still. I was basically naked. After contemplating for a while I hurried to the galley. Thatch was always described as the nice one, and he had proven to be it yesterday. I’d get breakfast and simultaneously ask for some clothes. 

On my way there I was greeted by a lot of people. I had no idea who any of them were. At first I tried to play it off cool and avoid them. Cause I’m not much of a people person. One grabbed me and pulled me into a weird hug? Of sorts. It was more like he was squeezing the life out of me while rubbing my brains out. My body was still in pain and whatever the no name pirate did, did not make it better. He praised me and laughed as he left. I observed him as he left me alone. Maybe it wasn’t too crazy being onboard Moby Dick. After him more than one greeted me, and I greeted them back. I must have made a really good impression yesterday. I remember being really happy. 

In the galley I saw Thatch on the other side of the bar counter in the kitchen.

“Hey Thatch!” He looked up and our eyes met, before he looked down at his cooking again. Or whatever he was doing.

“Hey kid, you’re up early.” Thatch said.

“I slept well.” I said.

“Great, want some breakfast?” He asked.

“Yeah, and some clothes. But perhaps that’s not on the menu?” I laughed at my own joke.

“One plate of after party subs coming up. You can probably talk to Curiel or Izou about that. I’ll go with you.” Thatch smiled meekly.

“Did something happen yesterday?” I asked.

“Not really.”

“You seem tired.”

“We did celebrate a lot.” I said no more as he placed a plate of two stuffed sandwiches on the counter. They were delicious.

Thatch led me to another part of the ship. I could still not believe I was really on the Moby Dick. The sun beating down on us. People everywhere are busy carrying stuff and following the direction of the sails. I sighted a little of Whitebeard down on the main deck but we did not go down. Instead I was led further into the ship. Thatch stopped outside a door and knocked. We were let in and I realised it was Izou from the night before. He did not seem happy to see us. Maybe he’d been sleeping.

“What is it?”

“He needs a pair of clothes.”

“Right.” He opened the door and let us in. “I think he’ll have to wait till we anchor, I don’t have anything ready made, and we need to restock on land.” Izou said while inspecting a piece of the people on the floor were working with. 

“Marco called a commanders meeting at noon.” Thatch said.

“I heard.” Izou answered with a sigh, giving a suggestion for one of the working pirates.

“What are they working on?” I asked motioning toward everyone on the floor. One of them looked up at me smiling. Izou however shot them a stern eye, and they went back to working.

“WE are working on mending the backup sails.” Izou said.

“Don’t we have anything in storage?” Thatch said. 

“Either he’ll have to borrow something from someone, or he could check the storage. Maybe there are some old marine uniforms lying around.” Izou answered, still focused on the fabrique. 

“Why would you save something like that?”

“It’s classified.” Izou said coldly. It was just a question. He didn’t have to be like that. Thatch shook his head and waved at me to follow with a smile. 

In the storage we found some Marine uniforms. Dust had piled up to 1 cm upon the pile. I picked one of the less tattered ones I could find. By the chest pocket a number was embroidered in by the Marines emblem. The owner had probably been a victim to the pirates' strength. I shuddered at the thought. Perhaps my situation was a dangerous one. I wasn’t exactly equipped to fight anyone. I might throw a good punch or two. But in this crazy world that's nothing. Much less against the Whitebeards. I looked back at Thatch who was standing in the doorframe smiling kindly at me. He wouldn’t hurt me would he?

Thatch left me soon after and I decided to wander the deck for a while. The marine uniform was to my surprise comfortable. It covered all of my bandages and the fabrique was sturdy and soft. I also looked good in white. My mom was always against wearing white. Since stains would show easier. I decided to get as high up on deck I could without climbing up the masts. I wanted to lie in the sun and just think for a while.

After a little climbing I settled down on the stern. The cold air and ocean smell filled my nose as I watched the line that trailed after the Moby. How I got here was a complete mystery, and from my experience with crappy fanfics I just might never get home. But this was real life. Something or someone put me here. The big question was why? The more urgent one, what next? I pushed the why to the side. Without any clues it was useless to ponder anymore than I’d already done. Without going insane. So what next? I could perhaps hang around the Whitebeards. But at the same time that's dangerous. Plus with the crew's impending future I wouldn’t want to become part of them. I closed my eyes and rested a bit more.

I was woken up hours later by somebody shaking my arms. Ace was standing above me, his body casting a shadow over me. 

“Ace!” I greeted, rubbing my eyes.

“What do you want?” Ace said, his face serious.

“What?”

“You want to get off on the next island?” Still serious, he sat down beside me.

“I don’t know.”

“You wanna go home to your mom?”

“Yes.”  I didn’t think I had spoken with Ace rough for him to bring it up.

“Great, where does she live? I’ll take you there.” He was still serious. 

“Thanks, but I think that will be difficult.”

“Just tell me.”

“I’m not from this world.” I blurted out.  Ace did not answer so I looked at him only to see him staring at me with furrowed brows. I held my breath.

“What’s that mean?”

“Whatever. We’re all going to die anyway so it doesn’t matter.”

“What does THAT mean?”

“I meant it as in: everyone dies! You know, at the end of our lives. Sooner or later. No one lives forever. Hah hah hah . Except maybe Brook.” I said.

“So you’re saying you come from another world?” Ace asked, still serious.

“Yeah.”

“Then what’s your world like?” He said. I let out a laugh.

“For one, there’s not any pirates there. Not where I live at least.” I looked at Ace but he stared at the ocean, so I continued. There was not much to tell. I realised the world was pretty colourless back home. I told him about my mom. A bit about school. When I didn’t have anything left to say I looked to the horizon too. For a moment the waves and the clatter and chatter from somewhere on the ship was the only thing to be heard.

“You miss your mom?” Ace said.

“Yeah.”

“You think she’s worried?”

“I hope it’s kind of like I’m in a time pocket or something, so that if I ever get back she will not have noticed I’m gone.”

“You seem like a real smartass. Time pocket?” I could hear amusement in his voice.

“I’m not that smart.” I said.

“So what are you going to do?”

“I’ll do whatever till I get some clue on how I got here or how I’ll get out.”

“You seem awfully calm for someone who was transported from another world suddenly without warning.”

“Thanks?” We sat in silence for a moment longer. Then Ace patted my back and jumped down from the stern's roof. 

The sun began to set and I realised I had not eaten since breakfast. I decided to go and leave my tattered autograph filled t-shirt before heading to the galley. After sliding down the stern roof without breaking any bones I was on my way. Upon a barrel however a newspaper article caught my attention. It was a picture of Big Mom. So cool. However ridiculous anyone might have found big moms' design to be, Big Mom was dangerous. The picture in the newspaper was to say the least frightening. It sent a chill down my spine, thinking of the person Lin Lin was. One of the four emperors. Luffy would be able to defeat her. He wouldn’t be unless certain things took place. But not yet. And more than that. I was in the middle of some real important events for that catalyst of his growth. I stuffed the newspaper in my pant leg pocket. My heart beat heavy.

The galley was filled with people, like the night before. Not as many however, but it didn’t matter. I overheard someone talking about an island they were to port to soon. I sat down at the bar counter. Same place as before. In the kitchen I could see at least thirteen people working diligently. I caught the eye of Thatch who waved at me before continuing his work.

Suddenly someone not from the kitchen placed a steaming bowl before me. I looked to my right and saw Izou. The 16th commander gave me a stern look and nodded at the bowl.

“Eat.” He said. The bowl was filled with a lot of different stuff in some kind of broth. I recognized an egg, what looked like a round cracker and some white pieces I assumed was tofu. I took the chopsticks he gave me. Separated them. Tried to remember how to use chopsticks. I could feel the man's eyes burrowing into me. I tried to fish out the egg by stabbing it a couple of times before giving up. Embarrassed, I was offered a fork from someone in the kitchen. I gave Izou an excusing smile before eating the dish before me. Probably in the wrong way. However sloppy my technique was, I ate everything under Izous watchful gaze. The rich broth mixed with the different ingredients and burned my tongue.

“How was it?” Izou asked. Swallowing another glass of water I sighed.

“Surprisingly okay. I’m not usually into this type of food.” Izous glare got worse.

“How so?” He said.

“I’m just not. What’s this called?” I said smiling and trying to lighten the man's mood.

“Oden.” He breathed out coldly.

“Oh.” So that’s what it tastes like, I thought. I smiled. This was really a full package experience. Izou turned away however and was on his way out of the galley. I shouted after him. “Thank you Izou, for letting me try this!”
I sat alone the rest of the evening. A lot of people came up to me and tried to start a conversation. It was nice, but it soon turned into awkward silence and then they left. Some choreboys I recognized but did not remember their names came up and asked me if I wanted to play cards again. I told them no, and for the rest of the evening I sat alone. 

After spilling my glass a couple of times with what I assumed was ale or beer or something I rediscovered the newspaper in my pocket. I put it down on the counter.. The text was in english. I started reading. There was nothing about Luffy or the Strawhats. Maybe he hadn't set out to sea yet. I closed the issue, and stared at the picture of Big Mom again. A pirate sitting at a barstool to my left saw the newspaper. He clicked his tongue and looked at me.

“You should be happy you fell on our ship and not hers.” He pointed to the picture. I snorted.

“Yeah I am.” He didn’t say much and turned to his other side and kept talking with the people there. I reached out and patted him to catch his attention again.

“Do you know what kind of island we’re going to dock at?”

“The island? Oh yes, It’s one of our usual supply islands, it’s under pops protection so we usually do a big safety sweep, restock and then get on our way.”

“So no Big Mom?” I jokingly asked.

“Yeah, NO Big mom.” The man laughed, turning back to the conversation he was having.

A sense of relief washed over me. At that moment I realised I was approaching a golden opportunity. I’d get off on the island. Get a job. Or something. Whatever was going to happen at least It’d be less dangerous than hanging around a bunch of pirates. Then maybe in two years or so, I could get onboard Thousand Sunny Go. Or at least meet Luffy and the Strawhats. Maybe I could go and meet them halfway. Maybe I’d be able to see Merry Go. Maybe I could grow strong too. Or, maybe not. Maybe I’d go to the first part of the grand line, follow it back to the east blue. Yes, that sounded good! I’d settle in one of the calmest seas until… Yeah until what? No matter. Whatever I was going to do, I’d start with getting off the doomed ship first.

Chapter Text

Marco 1st division, flipped through the lists one last time. Chatter filled the room. All commanders had arrived. Pops had for once not brought anything to drink with him. He was sitting in a chair behind Marco. His fists calmly resting by his sides. The nurses were setting up his health equipment. When they left Marco cleared his throat. The room turned quiet.

“Welcome, I’ll begin this meeting by going through the protocol, which will be checked later by 9th division’s Blenheim. First of all we’re going through the groups assigned for the restock. Then the groups for the Island sweep, and lastly further proceedings regarding the unwanted assailant.”

It took about an hour or so to go through everything. The groups and group leaders were assigned, tasks explained and lists handed out. There would be multiple groups in some of the divisions. After that all further questions were answered. 

The island sweep procedure was familiar to all commanders. At this point everyone had been through it at least once. One group would go through the island inspecting every part of it. Asking islanders questions and do a general safety check. Another group would check the island's finances. If the islanders had any form of public management they would check in with the leaders there too. Pirates usually did not have a good relationship with the law, but the protected islands were different. They did not have an affiliation with the world gov and did not view protection from pirates as a problem. The next island, Cane Island, did have public management and Marco had already contacted the major that they were approaching. The Marines had given them much critique about the island sweeps. Saying that Whitebeard was exploiting innocent people. But Pops didn’t care. They were pirates. Why should anyone care if they check or raid an island's treasury? The islanders never complained, only the marines. Whitebeard supported a lot of the smaller islands and especially those without any public management who did not have a lot of trade were thankful for it.

The last step of the sweep was to check the Whitebeard territory flag and make sure the islanders had a functioning system for  immediate threat protection and a functioning line of contact with the Whitebeards.

They reached the end of the meeting. The last point on the agenda awoke voices. Pops raised his hand and the room turned silent. Everyone looked to Marco.

“We need to discuss what to do with the unknown assailant…” Marco began.

“What’s there to talk about?” Haruta 12th division interrupted, kicking the leg of Ace of the 2nd division's chair.

“Yeah can’t we just kick him off?” Ace said kicking Harutas chair sending him into the air 3 cm for 0.1 second.

“He’s just a kid.” Marco sighed.

“Could still be a spy.” Atmos 13th division said.

“Yeah he’s suspicious. Dropping from the sky, and then he suddenly just knows everything about us?” Haruta said.

“Come on! How could he be a spy? He's just a weak kid.” Namur 8th division said as he was trying to step in and stop Ace and Haruta from fighting.

“Which is a great cover.” Rakyo 7th division hinted, twirling his moustache.

“Why would he reveal that he knows stuff about us if he were a spy? Wouldn't he want to keep it to himself?” Namur countered, dragging Harutas chair to the other side of the room.

“Maybe he’s just stupid?” Rakyo answered, meeting Namur’s gaze.

“I have something to say.” Izou 16th division stepped forward. “I think he knows about my past.” His voice was serious. “He asked me what I thought about Oden, in a weird way.”

“You think he meant our Oden? He could have just been talking about the meal.” Curiel 10th division said.

“It's not very well spread outside of Wano!” Izou almost yelled.

“I've eaten Oden before, outside of Wano.” Namur piped up from behind him. The fishman received a glare from Izou.

“Okay quiet!” Marco said. Everyone froze. “Anyone else that noticed anything weird? No speculation, just things he did or said yoi.”

“He knew who I was.” Ace said a stern expression on his face. “He asked me a weird question too.” 

“What was it yoi?” Ace opened and closed his mouth before he opened his mouth to speak. 

“It was about my brother."

“You have a brother!” Haruta shouted in surprise, but was ignored. Ace smiled and said no more. The smile faded as he met Marcos eyes.

“Anyone else?” Marco said. Many raised their hands, saying he knew who they were too. Told them he was a fan and asked them to sign his shirt or bandages. Someone even signed his shoulder. He knew about some of their moves and that also seemed weird unless they'd fought in the same battle before.

“I think he's a spy.” Atmos said again.

“Shouldn’t we just throw him overboard?” Haruta said, sitting down on the table.

“We need to protect the crew.” Blenheim 9th division said. They kept talking. Mostly stating their own opinions on what to do and discussing why the others were wrong. Minutes passed before a clearing of the throat turned their attention elsewhere. Everyone looked at Pops. No matter what they said or thought, he was the one to make the decision. The air turned thick. Nobody made a sound. The booming tone of their captain's voice filled the room.

“He's a weak brat. If he stays he stays. He poses no threat now. If he becomes one, guarararara, it’s no problem for the family.” Vicious smiles spread on the faces in the room. 

“I doubt he could even use Haki.” Haruta snorted.

“What!?” Jozu 3rd division said. “How would a kid be in the New World, without knowing haki?”

“He could come from a nearby island. Maybe ones under pops protection. That would make sense considering he knows who we are and our abilities.” Curiel said.

“But then why did he say he was from the North?” Atmos asked.

“He must be lying.” Curiel answered.

“Why would he lie, unless he’s a spy?” Haruta said.

“There's no use in talking about it anymore!” Ace stood up. “We’re going in circles. I'll just go ask him and get it over with! If he really comes from nearby I could probably get him home in a day or two with striker.” Ace said loudly. Everyone turned quiet as they watched the fiery boy leave. The door opened and closed. A loud clap turned everyone's focus forward again.

“As Ace said there’s no use in discussing this further with you. We'll follow the Pop's orders. Everyone gets ready to anchor in approximately 18 hours.” The meeting ended. 

Marco really needed a drink, or maybe some sleep. Or both. Maybe both. Most of the commanders left immediately, some standing behind to chat a bit longer. Thatch stood beside Marco.

“You okay?” Thatch asked.

“Just a bit tired.” Marco said, looking at the nurses coming through the door. Pops smiled at him. The nurses worked fast and expertly. Only ten minutes later Whitebeard had left the room, medical equipment and everything else also gone. Marco felt a sense of relief. “I hope the kid will just get off at the next stop. I really don’t need anything more on my plate right now.”

“It’s not your job though.” Thatch put an arm around Marco. Marco let out a grunt. Not reciprocating the motion. “We’re family. And as Pops said, we’ll take care of this together.” Marco sighed

”Any chance we could make him more uncomfortable yoi? Unless Ace’s plan does not work out that is.”

“On a pirate ship in the middle of the New world?” Thatch said with a grin. “I could make adults uncomfortable.” Marco groaned. Fully aware of what Thatch could do. But for once, he too thought it was a good idea. Maybe it would be easiest. If the kid just left. Out of sight out of mind.

Chapter Text

Part 1/5

Cane Island. A subtropical Island with an abundance of sugar canes. The locals exported sugar to all over the New world. Due to the blooming trade a lot of pirates had taken to the island and enslaved the islanders. Forcing them to manual labour and putting the profits right into their pockets and stomachs. That was before Whitebeard claimed the island. Now it was a peaceful, prosperous place. The perfect place to settle and wait. From the ocean I watched the coast grow bigger by the hour. Thatch was carefully wiping away at his hair with a towel. I was hanging over the railing. The blue colour paint dripped down into the sloshing waves below..

“I’m sorry kiddo.” Thatch said repeatedly.

“It’s okay.” I said. Out of nowhere I had been drenched in a bucket of blue colour. Somehow I had been the loser walking into multiple of their pranks. The last hour . Since I woke up I’d been doused in paint three times, scared 4 times, and faked out 1 time. Don’t ask about the last one. I’ll just say it was messy.  Haruta and Thatch had come running laughing and with a sort of photographic Den Den mushi this time too. I of course brushed it off like nothing happened. I just looked at them cooly. Thatch seemed to regret the pranks then. As he should. I did not really care. But I let Thatch wipe the paint away anyway.

“Are you feeling better?” Thatch asked, pouring another cup of water above my head.

“What?” 

“You were crying.”

“Pfft, no.” I said, shaking my head to get rid of the liquid.

“Okay.” Thatch said. A towel landed on deck with a thud and a new one started to wipe at my head. Behind us everything was in full swing, preparing for docking in about an hour. 

“It’s just that something similar happened before.” I said. “Some kids at school had put up a bucket for the teacher and I accidentally went under it.” Thatch clicked his tongue. He continued to wipe.

“I’m really sorry.” Thatch said again.

“Don’t be, It was an accident.” I said. Just like that unfortunate time these pranks were not meant for me personally. I looked up at Thatch who smiled and continued to wipe when I stood up straight. Even though he was taller than me, it didn’t feel threatening. More like a kind bodyguard who wouldn’t let anyone mess with you.

Docking at Cape Island seemed to need everyone's hands on deck. It was a real spectacle to watch them “reel the ropes,” “fasten the sails,” and all the other things that Jozu shouted from the steering helm. A whole group jumped off the ship to receive the ship. The water splashed and the ship rocked calmly. When everything was settled, the commanders made a show of sending away people onto the island. One at a time they all left the ship. In the harbour a crowd shouted and whistled. Welcoming their protectors. I wish mom could have seen this. Maybe she would understand why I wanted to travel more, and why I liked One Piece. Even though a scene like this must be conceived as a fan exclusive. It was awesome. One after another everyone left the ship. Marco was talking to Thatch. We made eye contact for a second. The Phoenix man did not smile, just stared. Thatch turned around and came over to me.

“You coming with?” He said.

“I think I’ll explore on my own. Thanks.” I needed to see if it was safe to stay here. Everything seemed to say it would be okay. But not all the logistics were clear yet and I wouldn’t want to sleep outside the first night. “When will you leave again?” 

“Depends on how fast things are settled.” Thatch said. “It usually takes about three days at most, but we could be done earlier. And after that we usually have a party where everyones invited so we could be here for longer too.”

“I see.”

“You’ll notice if we’re leaving.” He patted my shoulder and then left. I watched after him as he walked away. Maybe I wouldn’t see him again. He’d been so nice though. I wanted to do something in return. Maybe I could get him a gift? I realised then that I didn’t have any money. Perhaps my first worry should be getting work. I got into the world of One Piece and I had to worry about work! I swallowed the bitter realisation.

I decided to greet Whitebeard one last time. He was out on deck. 

“Hey Captain Whitebeard.” I said. He looked at me. His steady gaze sent a chill down my spine. He was getting ready to get off the ship as well, but seemed to be in the middle of a checkup. “I just wanted to say, thank you for everything up till this point.” I said. His face lit up with a grin. An authentic Whitebeard grin. I couldn’t help but smile. His moustache did not flinch at all when the man laughed.

“Guararara . Child, does that mean you’re leaving?” he said.

“I hope so.” Whitebeard raised an eyebrow. “I mean, you’ve all been very nice, even though this is a weird situation and I just wanted to…” I continued but was cut off.

“No need to fret, child, It’s your decision.” He said. I breathed a sigh of relief. One of the nurses said something to him. It seemed serious. Maybe I should go. But before I did I needed to say one last thing.

“Thank you for everything.” I bowed 90 degrees, as they did in the series. “ And two days ago, talking to you, was a real honour. I understand why all your sons look up to you.” Whitebeard kept smiling. I smiled too.

I left the ship with all that was mine. Which was frankly only the torn autographed shirt, the pieces of said shirt with autographs and the autographed bandages. I’d keep them for as long as I could. I had actually met the whitebeard pirates. I needed a reminder so I wouldn’t start doubting it as soon as they left. I also took a new marine uniform from storage. Since the first one was ruined. The streets were lively with people talking to each other and to the whitebeard pirates. I saw a glimpse of Ace in the crowd. He seemed busy, and after chatting a bit with a vendor he disappeared. The marketplace was filled with people. And all kinds of canes. Different kinds of sugar canes and also walking canes. Other things were also sold but at every stand where they sold something else there would also be canes. I walked up to one of the stands that had some clocks and other trinkets. I worked up the courage to talk to the woman behind the stand. She was beautiful.

“Hi! What do you sell here?” I asked. The woman turned to me, looked at me up and down and then with a sour mouth said.

“Nothing. I can’t help you, sir. ” She said, I backed away from the stand, a bit offended. I hadn’t done anything to her. I went to another stand, and then another. I even went up to a kid selling flowers and asked her if I could buy one. She straight up ran away from me. I walked around a bit more. I could feel threatening gazes from everywhere. Suddenly a crowd started to gather. People were cheering. I looked up. Whitebeard had finally left the ship and was proceeding toward the village square. Wading through the happy crowd. Awesome. I tried to get closer,but was shuffled out of the crowd. A man glared and spit in my face. I gave up the pursuit and left.

Dejected, I found a big rock outside of the village. Why didn’t anyone like me? I climbed up on it and watched the village from above. Behind me the lush green sugarcane fields spread out across the landscape. The fields were surrounded by hills, creating a sort of natural bowl. Houses far apart spread across the hills. The harbour was the only place where people lived clumped together it seemed. The harbour was the only place where the winner's circle was connected to the sea. The air smelled sweet. As I continued to ponder what to do next I fell asleep.

A couple of hours later someone yelled. I opened my eyes. I looked up and saw some figures walking angrily away from a building and out of the village. They came towards me. By the uniforms they seemed to be marines. Weird. I closed my eyes once again. The rock had been cosy and warm when I fell asleep. Now it was pretty cold. They came closer.

“Why do we have to do this?!” A scruffy voice said. “Sneaking around like some group of pirates, watching as their crew lice comb through the islanders pockets.” 

“Shhh, some things are out of our control.” A calm deep voice sounded.

“They shouldn’t be. We could arrest them right here, right now and be done with it.”

“You know that’s not possible.”

“We just need to call in reinforcements. See what they're doing to these poor people. Celebrating this scum as if they're gods of the sea. Having everything that should be theirs stolen without fighting back..”

“We’ll just have to come back again until the chief thinks through our proposal thoroughly and makes the rational decision to cut them off.”

“It could take months! I’m sick of these visits. These people don’t know what’s good for them. If only I were an admiral.” The scruffy voice squealed

“You’re not. And if you were you’d know that we can’t do anything rash. Especially with the Whitebeards here.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. HEY!” A hand suddenly grabbed my pant leg. I opened my eyes and met the eyes of a crazed little admiral. His red spiky hair seemed to fit his temperament perfectly. “What are you doing sleeping up there! Are you crazy? Get back to your duties!”

“Don’t be rash Connor.” The calm deep voice said. Connor didn’t seem to care.

“Answer me!” I looked at him trying to understand the situation. Before I realised I was wearing a marine uniform. Of course. I couldn't tell them I’d borrowed a marine uniform though. I did what any rational human would have done. Saluting him and bowing my head in apology. “OHI- HO HO, you’re not getting away that easily.” The man called Connor said.

“I’ll head back, don’t hurt him too badly.” The man with a calm voice walked away. I realised Connor was still staring at me. He did not have a good expression. The face of an angry maniac.

“I got an idea.” He suddenly said, his face shifting into an awful smile. “You’re coming with me.” Then he grabbed me by the collar again. Off towards the fields of Cane.

Part 2/5

The island sweep was proceeding smoothly. Thatch was in charge of supply and restock so Marco had less to worry about on land than at sea. Ace had come back early reporting that the 2nd division had gone through the south of the village. He also said they were going to update the island map tomorrow. Which was not on the list, but not unappreciated. Marco was now only waiting for reports from Curiel and Atmos. 

Therefore Marco made his way to Chief Muro’s house. Muro greeted him happily as always. They went into an office on the second floor. It was nicer than the last time they’d been there. Marco sat down in a comfy chair across from the Chief. Marco went through the standard questions. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. And judging from the happy state of the main street confirmed it. Maybe there wouldn’t be anything going wrong for ones.

“That’s great yoi. Anything else we should know about?”

“It’s all good. Except a little squabble among the villagers but, it is really nothing.”

“You can tell me.” Chief Muro sat up straight in his chair. He fiddled with his fingers and looked out the window.

“We get occasional visits from the marines,” he said.

“Marines?”

“Yes, they want us to join the world government, now that we are established. We tell them no of course.” He shifted in his chair and rose up and walked over to the window. “They usually come here to restock too, it’s good for the economy. We don’t want to start a quarrel with them. But some of the islanders want to join them and so it has caused some unpleasantries.”

“They restock here?” Marco asked, looking at the man's back. The marines usually kept their distance towards the protected island. “If they bother you, you should just drive them away.” 

“Oh, no. It’s okay.”

“Really yoi?”

“Yes.”

“You know we’re pirates right?” Marco said standing up.

“Yes, we don’t want to make any more trouble for you either.”

“No, that's what I’m saying, yoi, make trouble for us. We’re already against the government. A protected island such as Cane island wouldn’t start anything by turning the Marines away. You know we are always just a call away.”

“Thank you Marco. But our motto has always been, to do what’s best for everybody. And helping the marines a little, will not hurt our reputation and I’m glad it does not sink us in your regard.” Marco held back a sigh. It was problematic that they were trying to keep contact with the world government. Giving them the wrong signals would only make them come back. Most islands under their protection had been ignored by the government before Pops had claimed them. The government was mooching off.

“The government is mooching off of Pop's work!” Ace said in frustration. Marco was on his way back to the ship. He’d taken another road back than the main street this time. He noticed the marine corps sign hanging beside some of the stores and stands. Ace was chewing away at some churros, spitting them everywhere. “Why aren’t the islanders doing anything? We should make an example out of them for their disloyalty to pops!”

“It’s not that easy yoi. Not all of the villagers side with the marine.”

“It’s been a while since I sunk a marine ship.” Ace hummed. “Why isn’t the Chief doing anything about it?”

“I don’t know. I think he’s scared.”

“Of us or the Marines?”

“Beats me yoi.” They arrived at the village square. Pops was sitting in the middle and conversing happily with a group of villagers who had gathered around him. ACe disappeared into the crowd.

Atmos and Curiel's reports came in around early evening. Everything had gone smoothly except some shop owners showing them up. Almost all groups had completed the day's objective and things were going okay for once. People were lying on the deck sleeping. You’d think they’d been in battle all day. Marco was just about to sit down when he realised a headache he’d forgotten. He walked over to Thatch who was talking to the group about tomorrow's tasks. He was standing beside piles uf unopened rum bottles. Apparently they needed to go fishing? Thatch dismissed them when he saw Marco approaching. 

“What happened to the kid? Didn’t he go with you? Marco asked.

“No he went on his own.” Thatch answered.

“You think you’re pranks, ” he felt bad even saying the word, “worked?” 

“I don’t know, but I felt bad.” Thatch said. Whitebeard was eyeing them from the corner sipping on a barrel of sake. Ace came running towards them. “I feel like I’m bullying a toddler who doesn’t know any better.” Thatch continued.

“Have you seen Crash anywhere?” Ace said sliding across the deck leaving light burnmark tracks. A scream could be heard above. Probably Blamenco commander of the 6th division, upset over the damage.

“We were just talking about him.” Thatch said. “I think he’s still on the island.”

“Okay I’ll wait till he comes back. I found this really good store and I wanna show him.”

“He might not be coming back yoi.” Marco said. Picking up a bottle of rum from the floor. “He just might wanna get off here.”

“Really? Not even come back to say goodbye?”

“It’s rather that Marco hopes so.” Thatch whispered. Ace laughed.

“Okay, I’m gonna go find him. No use in hanging around here.” Ace said before jumping off the ship and landing in the harbour in a burst of flames.

Marco almost managed to down the whole bottle of rum before Haruta approached them. There had been a signal indicating a marine vessel was in the area. Marco finished the bottle of rum. But the bottle is down. Transformed and then flew off to check it out. This better be the last thing he had to do today.

After circling around the island he did find a ship about 20 miles from the coast. It was on course away from the island. So not really a threat. But thinking about the conversation with the Chief he decided to give them a warning.

“Where’s Philip?” A bright red haired man screamed from the deck.

“Who?” Another marine answered.

“That idiot! He was going to get my gun!” 

“I don’t… Look out! Marco the Phoenix!.” The whole ship was alarmed but it was too late. Marco had already burned a considerable hole through the mast and the sails. For good measure he burned all of the sails. It seemed that there was no high ranking officer onboard able to meet Marco in a fight. He turned around just past midnight after watching the flames turn the sails to a crisp. For the first time in a while he smiled and turned around. He would sleep well that night. 

As he turned around he got a bad feeling again. His phoenix senses were better than normal birds. He’d first assumed the smokey smell was coming from the ship he was leaving behind. When he saw smoke rising from the middle of the island, he started to doubt his first assumption. Marco felt another headache coming along.

Part 3/5

I was dragged for a couple of minutes before Connor realised it was easier for me to walk by myself. I studied the man from behind. He walked like a crooked badly animated cartoon. It was a bit unnerving. But thinking about where I was, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. We stopped at the outskirts of the island. I considered sneaking away, but curiosity got the better of me. Also Connor had a giant gun in his belt. Hills surrounded us from every direction. Sugar canes surrounded in every direction. Connor pulled out something from his pocket. A rectangle of sorts with a clock on it. A bomb? I thought to myself.

“What’s that?” I asked quietly. Connor turned around.

“What’s yer name?”

“...Philip.” I said.

“What does this look like Philip?” Connor waved the clock up and down.

“A timer?” I said coming up with a less threatening option.

“You bet yer stupid brain that it is a timer. Use yer head! Gah, I’m working with idiots.” He said, throwing his hands up.. Connor crouched down to the ground and put the timer in the ditch. I exhaled. And crouched beside him. Then he pulled out some rope from nowhere and started connecting things.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Just help me.” Connor said. He then pulled out a Den Den mushi from his inner pocket. “Lieutenant Redfox requesting backup and ropes, and a can of flammable.” Not good. He handed me a piece of rope and pointed for me to tie it to one of the poles. I did as he wanted. Soon three other uniformed officers came around to where we were. Connor ordered us all around. We steeped the ropes in the oil, then spread it around all of the fields. As far as the ropes reached. They all tied the rope to different things. 

“Hey you need to tie it to something or it might fall out of place,” one of them said when I was laying out the rope.

“Really?” I said acting surprised.

“Use your brain idiot.” As soon as he looked away I untied the knot I made while he was looking and let the rope lie a good bit away from the field. Why was everyone treating me like this today? I understood the villagers by this time. If these guys came around I wouldn’t want to bother with them. But did these guys have any reason to call me an idiot? They were idiots.

“Okay lassies, let’s get back. Morgan said we shouldn’t dally too long.” Connor shouted. I tried to sneak away. “Hey Philip!” Connor screamed after me. “Where are you going! Don’t dare think I haven’t forgotten about you slacking off.” My blood froze. Would I be stuck impersonating a marine? That would be even more dangerous than hanging with the Whitebeards. The marines were actively pursuing dangerous criminals. Reluctantly I followed them. But then my escape plan took shape. If only I could get close enough to Connor. Connor cackled to himself, and praised his own genius plan.

The Marine ship was anchored on the most westward bank of the island. The ship was smaller than the Moby, but still considerably large. 

“Lieutenant, where’s your gun?” One of the officers suddenly pointed out.

“What!?” Connor started jumping around frantically spouting incoherent swearing.

“I think you dropped it on the way here.” All eyes were turned on me.

“Why? Did. You. Not say anything?” Connor Practically screamed. 

“I’ll go and get it.” I turned around and started sprinting along the beach.

“You better!” Connor screamed after me.

Maybe it was the calming sound of the waves hitting the sand, or maybe the squawking seagulls. But running along that beach I felt free. I ran past that I had dropped in the grass on the hill. Maybe it was just Connor. But they were so stupid. I made a straight line for Moby Dick. 

The night air was chilly but not cold. I was now in the harbour. The Moby in sight. I saw a glimpse of Whitebeard climbing aboard. I stopped for a minute to catch my breath. Suddenly Ace greeted me.

“Hey Crash! I found a really cool store. I think you’ll be able to get new clothes there.”

“The marines.” Inhale. “Connor.” Exhale. “Setting everything.” Inhale. “On fire.” Exhale. “To blame.” Inhale. “Whitebeard.” Exhale.

“What! Oh I’m gonna pumel their ships.” He said, cracking his fist. They crackled, actual sparks lightning upp them. It was so cool. But no time.

“No.” I stood up straight. “We need to destroy it. He used some timer thingy that will go off and set everything on fire.”

“How much time are we  talking here?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t get a good look.”

“Okay let’s just get it over with.” 

I showed him the timer. Ace was going to punch it but I stopped him. First we needed to destroy the oil soaked ropes. They had covered more ground than I realised. The whole thing took three hours to destroy. One fire fist later and the timer was no more. Threat neutralised. 

Walking back through the village we walked passed a loud couple trying drwon out the noises of the street:

“Yeah. I wish the chief would grow some backbone and give the marines the middle finger.” 

“Did you see them again?”

“Yeah, I swear, we owe them nothing and they’re acting like we’ve betrayed them.” I looked at Ace, wondering if he’d heard the same conversation.

“Do you know what they’re talking about?” I asked.

“Yeah. Some islanders want to side with the WG. The other half wants them to leave them alone.” Ace said.

“Really?” I assumed he meant the world government.

“It’s a whole thing apparently.” Ace sighed and smiled as a child in a stand handed him a fried drumstick. We turned onto another street. I realised we walked in circles. Or maybe exploring the stands. I’d never done stuff like that before. But it was nice just walking and looking at the stands. No one met my gaze though. Right, I still had the marine uniform on. “It’s like we haven’t given them rough reasons to side with pops.” Ace continued to talk. I started to think about the day's events. Ace put different snacks in my hands.  I realised I haven't eaten all day. It was delicious. With a delicious skewer in my mouth and warmth in my stomach a plan started to form.

“Hey Ace.” I said. He looked at me with a mouth full of food. I told him my plan.

“Oh.” He swallowed and a grin spread across his face. “Everyones going to be soo, pissed.” He said.

“They will?” I said, wondering if maybe it was a too drastic solution.

“Yes, but I like your style.” Ace said, picking up another skewer from another stand. This one with grilled sugarcane.

“You think it could work?”

“Definitely. I can just suck it all up if it gets out of hand.”

“You can do that?”

“I can try. I mean I’m made of fire.” We turned around and went to work.

Part 4/5

Marcos flew over the hill in his phoenix form. Beneath him, multiple fields and houses were on fire. Marco gripped  the boy with his claws.

“What were you doing!” Marco yelled.

“I was helping!” I gasped as he forcefully lifted me off the ground.

“Who?”

“Everyone?”

“Don’t play with me, don’t want to make me your enemy.”

“I know, I know, Please don’t hurt me.” The boy screamed back up at him. The fields were set on fire. Not all of them, but enough to upset you if it were your field. The sky was filled with smoke. The sparks of fire flew high up into the sky. The blazing flames eating everything in sight. People were running with buckets of water trying desperately to put it out. Namur did some fishman karate moves, and a lot of the either commanders did their best to hurl water at the plantation. Marco lifted me up, transformed completely into a phoenix and took me into the village. 

People booed as they landed in the middle of the square in front of pops. The crowd started throwing things at the boy. Marco unfortunately was too in the splash soon. He set him down face towards pops. Pops was not happy.

“Apologise, if you want to live..” Marco managed to wheeze to the kid, who seemed paralyzed. This would not do their pops any good. The optimist in Marco however repeated: Finally a good reason to throw him overboard. Now it was pop's choice on what to do with him. Marco didn’t know what to expect, but what happened after that, he did understand. The boy turned around.

“I’m Phillip and I started the fire.” Crash said. People started to whisper. He took a firmer stand. He continued shouting.

“I’m Phillip, officer 3245 of the 1223/D64 Marina under Lieutenant Connor. I started the fire, on orders from my superiors.” The effect was immediate. The crowd was furious. Marco watched the following actions unfold before him. The crowd threw themselves onto stage. Grabbed the screaming boy off, and started beating him. It took less than a minute, which was the time Marco needed to regain his senses. He basically ripped the boy away from the crowd. They all screamed and roared after him. Marc flew over to Whitebeard.

“Put him in captivity.” Was all his captain said. He did as he was told immediately.

Part 5/5

My heart was beating like crazy. I could still feel the smoke in my lungs. I coughed for two days after our arson spree. I was definitely not fire resistant. Marco hates me. Whitebeard probably. All because I wanted to try a stupid idea. It was just tempting when it was so easy.

The hour went by slowly. All alone I had nothing to do but reflect. And try not to go crazy. I did a good thing. Right? No matter what anyone said it was a good thing. Probably. I did burn down part of a whole island's means of living. Even some of their income. Which could not be replaced by money since it was all cane sugar. They would have to rebuild their homes again. Oh shit? Was it really worth it? Did I think I was playing some sort of hero, while doing something really crazy? Was I going crazy? Wouldn't it be weird if I was infected by the crazy world I’d crashed into. Right? They would definitely have to swim with the sharks.

The days went by. Someone came by with food. Ace came every day too with some new snack he’d found. On his 6th visit he didn’t bring any snacks.

“Pops says you can come out now.” He said grinning. Ace had told me after the first night that he had explained everything to pops and Marco. It was a relief, but that didn’t say that our methods justified the means.

“I messed up badly.” I said. Ace laughed.

“ We messed up. But you did good. Now those islanders won’t have to deal with the Marines anymore.”

“That’s not for sure.”

“Don’t be so negative. Look, I got you something.” Ace waved at me to follow him. He basically ran through the ship. I followed as best as I could. In a room filled with bunk beds he stopped. On one of the lower beds lie a pair of black shorts, a vest, shirt and a cowboy hat. “I only bought the hat at first, but I felt bad when you had to sit in that cage for three days so I bought you a whole set of clothes. You know, so you don’t have to wear those uniforms anymore.” He laughed and then left the room. I held up the shorts. I could tell they were of good quality. I put them on and checked myself out in a mirror. It was a very dark look, but in a good, fresh way. The cowboy was really special too. I’d never worn anything like a hat before. On the bed a newspaper was also spread out. I picked it up and scanned through the content. To my surprise there was an article about Cane Island:

Marine officers ship sunk after setting fire to one of the four emperors Islands. 

The Chief declares: “We’ve had enough. Don’t come back you scum. Mess with us and you mess with Whitebeard!” This happened while the Whitebeards were docking on Cane Island. Experts say…”

I put the newspaper in my pocket and went out on deck.

“Wow, you almost look as good as me.” Ace cooed from a railing where he was crouching talking to another commander. The commander turned around. It was Diamond Jozu! So cool.

“It’s a mini Ace.” Jozu said dead serious. My face warmed up. The same feeling I’d got when someone recognized the keychain figure I’d brought to school. It was a mini chopper. Not that Chopper's bad. Chopper is really cool too.

“No.” I said. Ace just laughed, jumped down on deck and spent the rest of the evening shoving me around to show his work. 

Chapter Text

Moby Dick had always had multiple cannons. The smell of gunpowder wafted through the air as Thatch  walked through the gun deck. He met some familiar faces, but kept walking through. He was to get Ace up on deck. Marco was usually the one to do so, but after the Cane Island incident he had locked himself in his room, and when he came out he started delegating more assignments to everyone. It was a sign the Phoenix had given up full or even remote control. He was too tired to deal with all the crew's shenanigans. But Thatch saw it as a good thing. The crew had really grown the last ten years, and there was nothing saying it should all ride on the shoulders of one Marco. 

Ace had really taken to the kid. From Thatch's understanding he was now currently trying to teach him some haki, although Thatch was fairly sure Ace was also new to the subject. At first they’d been on deck the first couple of days. The kid was a bit more jumpy than before after the island. After a couple of days they moved the training down below to the orlop deck.Now they’d been training daily for two weeks. Thatch knocked on the doorframe. Inside they were sitting with legs crossed from each other. Eyes closed. 

“Now, focus on the presence near us.”

“There’s a presence near us? I feel nothing.” Ace threw his hands up. Opened his eyes, jumped up and walked over to Thatch.

“Nothing?”

“I can hear you walking.”

“Just open your eyes, we're done for today.” Crash opened his eyes. His leather Cowboy hat was hanging around his neck. If you didn’t know any better you might have thought they were brothers.

“I’m not improving at all.”

“It’s okay, some things just don’t come natural to everyone. You’ll just have to make up for it by training hard.” Ace said happily. He posed his own well defined arm. Raising a fist to Crash in a motivational manner. Crash sighed and smiled at Thatch. “What’s up?” Ace turned to Thatch.

“The group from your division is arriving in half an hour.”

“The one Teach was leading.” A clatter was heard behind Ace.

“Yeah.” Thatch answered looking at Crash lying among the anchor chains on the floor. “You okay there bud?” Crash nodded. They both followed Thatch back up.

The wind was beginning to pick up on the main deck. Moby Dick was practically sailing without the sails. Drifting along the log pose. In the distance a boat was approaching. The boat's little aft deck was filled with people cheering.

Teach boarded the ship. Laughing and joking with everyone. He greeted Ace and they talked. They'd found an old treasure map a while back. A group was sent out to investigate, if Thatch remembered correctly. Judging by the smug faces, and the heavily jewelled cremembers boarding, the map must have panned out. Teach was always eager to go on those treasure hunts. Primarily because he was good at it. Thatch looked to his right. Crash was practically ogling the man. It reminded Thatch of when he'd woken up and attacked everyone. Teach wasn’t as famous as the commanders, but he was one of the oldest members on the crew. Thatch smiled.

“Do you want to meet him?” Thatch asked. Crash stiffened up.

 “Who… who?” He said, smiling up at Thatch.

“Him.” Thatch pointed towards Teach. His curiosity grew with his smile.

“He is real then. Marshall D. Teach.” Crash said. The kid then whispered to himself. He must be shy.

“I’ll introduce you.” Thatch pushed Crash forward. Like a rowboat he followed Thatch steadily. Someone yelled out for Ace and so the fire fruit user disappeared in a beat. Teach noticed them.

“ Zehahahahaha , what do we have here?” Teach asked and looked curiously at Crash.

“Crash this is Marshall D. Teach.” Thatch said.

“Hello.” Crash said. Putting a hand up and waving at the man standing less than two metres away from them.

“Hello there Crash.” Teach said, smiling and moving closer. He crouched down to be in eye length with Crash. “How are you doing kid?” Crash didn’t answer and just stared. Thatchs smiled awkwardly. Teach did not seem affected by the lack of answers. Something behind them caught his eye instead. He was just about to leave, when the kid put up a pen and a newspaper.

“I think he wants you to sign this.” Thatch said.Teach looked back down and smiled.

“ Zehahahaha . Sure.” He took the pen and scribbled on the newspaper and handed it back to Crash. The kid was still staring.Teach pushed them aside and went over to where they were handing out flasks of rum.

“What’s wrong kid?” Thatch said. Was Crash shaking? He looked a bit pale too.

“I don’t think I feel too good.” Crash said, dropping the newspaper on the floor running toward the railing. The sound of throwing up followed.   

“I knew I shouldn’t have put out those oysters.” Thatch said. He patted the boys back. After a while the spasms stopped and Crash sat down on deck.  Thatch ran away to get a wet towel.

Thatch brought a glass of water with the towel. Crash wiped his mouth and sipped a bit of the water. Slowly he seemed to regain colour.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah." Suddenly Crash doused himself in water.

“Is it your stomach messing with you?”

“No, it's not. I get like this when I'm... pressured, sometimes.”

“You wanna talk about it?" 

"It's nothing."

"It can't be nothing."

"I'm just weird. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by stupid stuff. It will go away." They sat in silence. Crash rose up. Thatch looked up at the kid.

“Hey Thatch, what do you think about Marshall D. Teach?” Crash began. Thatch smiled.

“He’s okay. Just like everyone else on the crew he's my brother.”

“You don’t think anything’s weird about him?”

“Like what?” Thatch said furrowing his brows.

“I mean isn’t his exterior pretty rough?” He looked so ashamed while dsying it Thatch couldn't help but let out a dry hah.

“We're pirates. I know I'm very dashing so you might have gotten a crooked picture, but most of them look like Teach. Most don't care about appearance. And no one judges. Are you scared?"

"No." Crash said. His hands in his pockets aloof.

"You’ll have to take my word for it before you get to know him yourself, he's harmless.”

“I’m not sure my stomach will be able to deal with that.” Crash said, scratching his neck. Was that the reason he puked? Thatch rose up too and put a hand on Crash's shoulder.

“If you’re scared of someone it’s best to just meet that fear head on.”

“I’m not good at that.” Crash said confidently.. 

“Then you’ll have to practise. I need to start dinner preparations now, see you later kid.” He smiled and patted him reassuringly on the back. Some things you had to figure out on your own. And Thatch believed this was one of those things. As Thatch walked away he could feel the kids eyes in the back of his neck.

Thatch thought about Crash when dinner came around. Just in case he made a hearty soup good for the stomach and intestines. He chuckled at the thought. Teach ugly mug straight up making someone puke. He's never found Teach remotely well looking. But not that ugly. Thinking back on it. Maybe Teach wasn't the problem. Maybe it was something with Crash. Either he’d heard something scary about Teach, which wasn't very believable. Or he had had a bad experience, and something about Teach triggered it. Thinking about Crash's reaction to their pranks… Could he have been bullied? Or perhaps abused? Anyway, maybe Thatch had been too aloof leaving the kid to himself. Trauma was nothing to laugh at.

The dinner bell rang. People came in and went but no Crash appeared. Teach came over to the counter.

“You got any Cherry Pie lying around, cook?” He said with a toothy grin.

“For you Teach, always enough.” Thatch said. They chatted as Thatch warmed up five cherry pies.

“I’ve heard the kid this afternoon burned down a village or something. Zehahahaha .” Teach said suddenly.

“It was a field of sugar canes, they burned pretty badly.” Teach kept laughing while staring hungry at the cherry pies. Thatch was always happy to feed the hungry, but he could never understand Teach's fascination with those pies. Teach kept talking, telling him they'd gotten news Jinbei was coming to visit. That was always good news. Teach then picked up all the warm pies and hurried back to the table.

The hours went by and dinner was concluded. Thatch took a bowl of soup to the infirmary. Whether the kid wanted to or not, Thatch would make sure no one went hungry on Moby. As he approached the door he heard sobbing from inside. Worried he knocked on the door. Inside some fumbling with sheets and something landing on the floor could be heard. Then everything went quiet. Thatch knocked again. No answer. He slowly opened the door and went in.

“Thatch hey! I can now use a little bit of observation haki!” Crash said in an upbeat tone and a clogged nose. Thatch smiled and arched an eyebrow. Not believing a word he said. The kid was sitting at the bedside facing away from the door. His eyes followed Thatch every step. Eyeing the bowl of soup on his tray.

“Really, show me.” Thatch walked around the bed and put the bowl on the stand beside it. He studied the flushed red cheeks and the running nose.

“I can't, it was outside, when I focused on a dot in the ocean it became really clear suddenly, like a camera lens.” The kid said, still smiling. Thatch smiled and dragged a chair to sit down. What was a camera? Thatch started patting down his uniform. 

“I don’t think that’s how it works." He pulled out a handkerchief and held it out towards the boy. Crash shook his head.

“Well then I unlocked some completely new power then.” He said a more genuine smile dancing on his lips. Thatch laughed. They sat in silence. Crash looked down at the floor fumbling with the sheets by his hands.

“You okay?” Thatch said as calmly as he could. Crash did not meet his eyes. “Look I’m sorry If I was harsh earlier. If there’s something you want to talk about I’m here if you feel comfortable talking to me.” Crash smiled. 

"Hahah you did nothing wrong. Why would you say that." Crash laughed. Thatch felt a bit relieved. "It's nothing, really. I'm not just putting up a brave face, or whatever." His nose still clogged up. Thatch waved the handkerchief a little. This time, Crash took it. He mumbled a thanks and then blew his nose. "Sometimes I just. Uhm. It's hard to explain." A tear slid down the kids cheek as his voice seemed to get smaller. "Look I don't feel like this and yet this happens anyway." Thatch felt uncomfortable. Powerless, as he watched the kid trying to force another explanation through wet cheeks.

"You don't have to force it."  

"I'm not." Crash said. Thatch went up and poured a glass of water. They said nothing more as Thatch made him eat the soup and drink a bit more water. 

When the bowl was empty Crash lied down. Thatch stuffed him inside the blanket and stroked his forehead. Crash closed his eyes and whispered thanks. Thatch made sure he had a filled bottle of water hanging on the bedside before leaving. In the doorframe he looked back and their eyes met. 

"Don't tell Ace." Crash whispered in the deathly quiet infirmary. Thatch only nodded and closed the door. 

Outside the corridor was quiet. Thatch walked through it anxious.

Chapter Text

In the galley, Thatch put down a steaming plate of spaghetti. He smiled at me heartily, but I avoided his gaze. The last weeks have been awkward. He treated me differently. Due to a stupid misunderstanding he treated me like I needed his help to breathe. Complimenting me on tasks a baby could do, always appearing when I was going somewhere alone. I did not. I am fine on my own. I don't need anyone uselessly waiting for me. It reminded me of mom. Her infuriating way of trying to comfort me. I missed her. I was really feeling homesick. I wasn’t supposed to be here. Something touched my shoulder. I jolted up before I saw Ace standing behind me.

“You’re tense.” He said bluntly. “Let’s go and workout.” I put the last piece of spaghetti from the plate.

“Great job Crash.” Thatch said smilingly and took my plate. I held back the irritation in my throat. I smiled, nodded and then hurried out towards the bow. 

Inside the whale part of the ship there were three decks fully equipped as training areas. I’d started to work out with some of the lower ranks groups who were not assigned to a specific division. I need to get stronger if I am going to stay alive. It felt like everyone was looking at me. From the jolly days before Cane Island everyone that wasn’t one of the commanders now looked at me weird. As if I was unwelcome. I decided to ignore it. I was getting off soon enough. 

I had nothing else to do onboard and spending time with Ace was awesome. He was more serious of a person than I’d imagined. He took his responsibilities seriously. But was still happy and didn’t complain unless you asked him about it. All in all I respected him immensely. The time always flew by. 

Ace went over to the sparring ground which was a circle in the middle of the hall. I picked up a dumbbell and started doing reps. I’d never exercised regularly before, but these past few weeks I had been shaping up okay. Ace had offered to help me train to become stronger. We had first begun with haki and just sparring normally. That was Ace's way of phrasing it. It was more of a one sided beatdown though. The haki was another matter. Although I gained muscle mass, the haki training gave no results. “No do this.” Ace said, walking towards me with a smile. He took the dumbbell from me and showed me how to do it. I did not understand how his way of doing it was any better or any different from mine. After a couple of reps he put it down again.

“I’m so done with this.” I sighed.

“Stop complaining. We’re sparring after this too.” Ace said. His grin was starting to tick me off a bit. He might be the real Portgas D. Ace, but somehow he was becoming too real. Like all the other stupid heads in school. I didn’t hate him though. He was just kind in his own way. 

In the ring Ace took a stance ready for any attack I’d throw at him. I stretched out my hand and pretended to zoom at him. My body moved and I shot forward. I put my hands up to my face and closed my index finger and thumb. Then I parted them fast, zooming in on my target. Somehow I had awakened another ability. I called it zoom. Cause it felt like I could zoom in on reality just as I’d used to do on my phone. Ace parried and avoided me easily. Using my head as a vaulting pole he jumped above my head. I landed with a crash on the floor. More controlled than before. The goal wasn’t to beat Ace. That I would probably never do, but to touch him. I won if I could touch him. It sounds easy, I know. Yet I hadn’t been able to do it. It wasn’t just sparring, it was also training in haki. Haki I probably didn’t have. I could never touch the stupid fire logia by myself, he knew that. He probably expected me to unlock it with this type of training or something. The thing he didn’t think about though, was that maybe not everyone is as talented. I also blamed it on his genes but I never said that to his face. I turned around and locked eyes with Ace. He just smiled, not taking this seriously at all. Just looking in the mirror I felt very good about myself. But I was continuously reminded I was nowhere near the beasts around me. I zoomed and was in his face one second, before he ducked and gave me a gut punch. I flew up before I fell to the floor with a thonk.

“You’re getting better Crash!”

“You’re just saying that I groaned.” Rolling around on the floor.

“No really. You’re faster than before.” I smiled as I took Ace's extended hand. “Wanna go again?” We spared them more times until Ace was called away on business. Thatch soon found me and made me help him in the kitchen. 

That night I was all alone in the infirmary. Thoughts kept me from sleeping. Memories from the day I just lived through haunting me. Ace was alive before my eyes. Thatch was alive and he was so overwhelmingly nice. They would die though. But I was getting off soon enough. Not my problem. I thought of my phone and wished I could get on Ao3 to read my favourite fanfics again. Fanfics where what I lived through now wouldn’t seem weird. I missed my phone. If I had it here right now I would call mom. I would ask her to pick me up. And she’d come no matter where I was. I was so stupid. Maybe she’d be better off without me. She probably was. I was so pathetic. Why can’t I sleep? Just close my eyes. Close my eyes.  

The days turned to weeks and one day Ace shoved a poster in my face. 

“Guess who’s brother this is?” I took it from his hands. Almost ripping it. I looked at the picture and couldn’t help but smile and laugh. I spun around a couple of times before I looked back at Ace and realised what I’d done. I cleared my throat and handed back the paper. Ace looked at me weirdly. He then looked back down at the poster and smiled.

“No, who?”

“Mine!” Ace said with a beaming smile. “He defeated Arlong.”

“I know.” I said without thinking.

“Is that why you danced around in circles? He’s an old enemy of yours?” Ace said in a clear mocking tone. 

“Just forget about that.” I pulled my lips together. Ace hurried away to show everyone else. Luffy was finally in action. I’d kept tabs on the newspapers collecting everything I could find. The infirmary had really become messy. At least the part I was in. But that was not important. I might actually meet the Strawhats!

Days passed and one day I overheard that Jinbei was onboard. I hurried to the main deck and there he was. The whale-shark fishman Jinbei. So cool! He looked serious but calm and collected. I walked over to him. Ace and Marco were talking away with him. I was going to step forward but what was I going to say? All my questions fell away. Everything I wanted to ask was about the future. About a future no one else knows about. A future which would be great, but would come after a lot of suffering. My eyes met Thatch who came up behind the three icons. His kind eyes. Eyes I owed the world. My stomach gurgled. I made a U turn and started to run. I could hear Thatch steps behind me, and Ace laughing in the distance.

I shook Thatch off. I wanted to be alone. I wanted to think. By myself. With my thoughts. My skin felt clammy and my heart beat heavy. I needed to get off on the next island. Yes, that's what I was going to do. Then I wouldn’t be able to think like I was anymore. Everything would be normal. As it should. The place I’d hid away was the roof of the stern part of the ship. I’d climbed here a couple of times to lie in the sun. It was nice. But right now it reminded me of Ace. Below the ship I saw the ocean line Moby was leaving behind. Diving in would be nice. Yeah cool and nice. And I wouldn’t think anymore. Not about this. I’d make a big splash too. That would be cool. I’d never jumped from this high above before. I rose to my feet. Then I jumped.

The salty waves washed over me as I regretted my stupid impulse decision. I would have panicked watching Moby sail away. But somehow I wasn’t. I tried my best to swim and stay afloat without swimming after the vessel. My mind was calm, only one thought passed through. This is how it was going to end . Maybe If I died, I would get back to Mom. Maybe I wouldn’t fade to nothing and would actually go back to my original world? I’d thought about it before. But it didn’t seem worth the risk to try that option first. Maybe now was my chance though. 

Dick disappeared completely out of sight. The waves were pretty calm but still I went under. My arms and legs started to hurt.

“What are you doing there?” A voice yelled from the water some distance away.

“Jinbei?” A fast blurb splashing water everywhere approached me fast. I locked eyes with the fishman. He was the only real adult of the strawhats in my opinion. One whom a lot of people, among them Luffy, were indebted to. 

“They’re looking everywhere for you aboard.” There was so much I wanted to say. To tell him. 

“Thatch?” I asked.

“Yes, mostly him.” Tell him Fishman island and Otohime’s dream, everything was going to be okay.

“Look, I can see that you’re going through something.” Jinbei said as I got on his back “But fleeing your problems is not going to help.” I didn’t say anything. He was fast and the water splashed everywhere.

“Jinebi,” I began as Moby appeared. “I don’t want to get hurt.”

“No one does.” He said.

“It’s normal right?”

“But some things are worth taking a beating for.” Jinbei continued. Cutting me off. “Like worrying someone almost to death. Don’t worry, I think Thatch will be gentle.” Jinbei said smiling as he shot up from the water I held on as well as I could. Somehow he put me under his arm before landing on deck. Thatch was there. Waiting. As soon as Jinbei put me down he was up in my face.

“What are you doing jumping off ship! hUH? What would you have done if Jinbei wasn’t going home and picked up on your presence?! Huh! You little brat!” Thatch said checking my heartbeat and all the other limbs. Then he wrapped me in a hug. “I was really worried.” I hugged back.

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.” Jinbei then left for real. I watched him dive undersea again. Maybe we’d meet again. Later.

In the galley a party was brewing. Thatch immediately prepped me a meal and I sat down beside Ace. Some took out instruments and started playing. Everyone raised their voices, joining in a shanty tune.

“The sea is rough but we're as tough. We’re finally breaking free!
The ship we steer is fast and strong!
Moby Dick she hears our plea.
We sail along the shores we find and treasures fill our trove.
We win the battles every time and then we travel ooon.”  

It was a jolly scene. I tried to sing along as well, as the tune went on and on in an endless circle. I eyed Balckbeard in the corner of the room. Marshall D. Teach. One of the main antagonists of One Piece. In my opinion probably one of the possible final bosses of the whole piece. A big man. His smile was infectious, and he got along just fine with the crew. It was intriguing to think he was hiding his true goal this well. A real psycho. Or maybe sociopath was a better word. A mix of everything gruesome about pirates and everything jolly about them. It was interesting and disgusting at the same time. Pictures of the battlefield at Marineford flashed before me but I ignored it. I was just part of the story, I told myself. I shouldn’t even try, no. Whatever I did it would still come to pass. It was part of an epic story. I just needed to worry about myself for a while longer. Stay alive. Figure out how to get home, maybe meet the strawhats while I was waiting. Ace looked at me. 

“You need to loosen up man.” He put a glass sized barrel filled with alcohol before me. He hunched forward before falling asleep mid sentence. The singing and instruments got quiet and then gained momentum again. It was warm there. I looked at Ace's sleeping face. Wholly unbothered by food passing above him. He will be dead in a couple of months. Maybe weeks. I felt my stomach stir. I hurried outside.

The air was cool and calm. I lifted up my head from over the railing. I wiped my mouth, and just let the breeze hit me. We were approaching an autumn island. There I would get off. Finally get away from this island. I just had to listen to my mind, and not my stupid stomach that could not even keep its contents to itself. I went back inside. 

I looked around the room. Some were standing on tables dancing and singing. In the corner Teach was also partying away just as happy. Queasiness surged once again in my stomach. But it wasn’t my responsibility. No one could pin this on me. I should focus on myself and getting home to mom. I sat down at the same table as before. They’re going to lose their father. I waved away the thought. Their whole family is going to split up . Mom I hope you’re okay, and not worried about me. I’ll be home soon. I picked up the glass of beer from before. Ignoring any other thoughts that were surfacing I downed the bitter liquid. It warmed up from the inside. I could feel my cheeks warm up. I wasn’t blushing though. Cause that’s fake! I will get off on the next island. 

After singing the same song over probably fifty times I went outside onto the deck again. My worries are fading away. I took a few deep breaths although the drowsy feeling did not fall away. Somehow I knew what I had to do. Without hesitation I knocked at the giant door to the captain's study. Marco opened up and I slid in. Smooth like butter. Marco said something to me but I did not get what. Probably something stupid. Whitebeard was surrounded by nurses. I did not understand anything else about the room other than that there was a lot of stupid small stuff in it spread around. 

“Whitebeard.” I could not see if he was looking at me or not. But it didn’t matter. I didn’t want this bad feeling anymore, and I sure wasn’t going to do anything about it myself. Might as well give it away to a person with real power. “I know *blub blub blub* and *blub blub* so you need to *blub blub.*”

“What?” Marco’s voice. I looked to see where the voice was coming from. My vision was blurry though and he looked funny. Like a yellow talking meathead. A giggle escaped me. 

“I know *blub blub.*” I put my hands before my mouth. Why weren't the words coming out? I tried saying that Teach is a traitor and he will kill Ace. Well no that wasn’t correct. Teach would kill, then Ace would kill the government. Something wasn’t adding up . 

“Are you drunk?” The yellow blob Marco came closer and I felt warm something, whatever they're called, touching my cheeks. Like a warm pillow. I felt a laughter burst out of my gut. 

Some hours later I woke up. I looked around and realised I was in the captain's study. I was lying on a mattress on the floor with a blanket and pillow. I was drenched. When I sat up I realised Whitebeard was sleeping in a bed beside the desk. His closed eyes opened them slowly. 

“You’re awake, brat.” He said. Memories flooded into my brain and I realised my mistake.

“I’m so sorry captain.” I said hurrying to his side blanket wrapped around me. “ Gurararara, ”a slow breathy laugh. “Was there something you wanted to say to me?” Had he let me sleep in his office. He let me come into his office drunk, and he let me stay. I couldn’t send him to the future knowing what I did. I remembered what I decided while drunk. Somehow it didn’t seem half bad now. He gave me more reasons to keep my decision. 

“I have something really terrible to tell you.” The captain blinked his eyes slowly in acknowledgment. “I’m not from here, and where I’m from I got to know that *blub blub blub blub blub blub.*” There it was again. “*Blub blub,*” I tried again. Like a real time censor, only the sound of popping bubbles escaped me. Bubbles instead of the cold hard truth . I let my arms fall to my side. Face flushing warm. Humiliating. I had tried to change canon. A lousy fan as a lousy side character. Of course a no name wouldn’t be able to change anything. I wasn’t a time lord, or superhero. I was Marty McFly without a Delorean, in the wrong universe to boot. My heart screamed that it wasn’t fair. But I knew it didn’t matter. I didn’t make the rules. Eiichiro did. A long time ago and everything was planned. There was an ending. I really wanted to see it. But rather than living it, I wanted to sit on my sofa at home and keep trying to convince mom that it was awesome. 

As my thoughts were drifting away, something wiped my face. Rather someone. I didn’t even realise my eyes had started leaking. With his hands Whitebeard gently wiped my face. He pulled a handkerchief from the bedside table. I took it and blew my nose. Maybe I’m still drunk. My thoughts were a bit foggy. I felt him pick me up and put me beside him. In the next moment I was drifting away to sleep on top of Whitebeard's blanket, under my own blanket. Shielded from falling off the bed by his arm. He drew circles on my back. In my half awake state it reminded me of dad. I hadn’t thought of him for a while. I realised as I fell asleep.

Chapter Text

“Crash!” Marco yelled for the third time as he at last ripped the blanket of the kid. He spun around and fell onto the floor. “Wake up!” The kid groaned and looked up.

“Oh shoot. Where am I?” Marco tried to pin him down with his gaze. 

“Get up yoi!”

“Marco the Phoenix?” Marco threw the blanket over Crash's face. 

“Just get up, it’s 12 o’clock.” 

“So not a crazy prolonged dream then.” Crash mumbled. Marco ignored it. Pops had asked him to look after the kid. But he didn’t intend to do it well. As far as Marco knew the kid was a child tagging along without much thought. And he was a pirate, not a babysitter. 

“Make sure to thank pops later yoi. You shouldn’t have come yesterday.” Marco watched as the boy tensed on the floor. He stood up and put his black cowboy hat on. Without looking at his face he did remind one of Ace. A smaller Ace. Marco remembered the silly nickname that was going around among the commanders.

“I’m sorry Marco.” Crash said. 

“It’s not me you should say sorry too.” Marco looked him over but left him as soon as they both had left the room. 

The weeks passed by. Mini-Ace did not sleep in Pop's room anymore. Marco had walked in on him apologising to pops actually, and just barely stopped the older from revealing some embarrassing past events in comfort for the younger one. Crash had however gone to the study multiple times and just talked with pops. Pops never pushed him away, but he never did to any of his sons. The problem was he wasn’t one of them! Marco thought of how pops had waved for him to leave as the kid walked in one afternoon. Even though they were in the middle of planning for the next restocking. He’d heard later from Vista and Jozu that they didn’t need his lists for the next port. That pops had said that it wasn’t needed. Unbelievable. 

Marco walked along the main deck of Moby. Seagulls were squawking above. They seemed to follow the ship, no matter how far out they went. He spotted Thatch on the other side of the ship. The kid was looking around nervously, and in haste decided to climb the rope ladder towards the crows nest. He swung around a couple of times. His climbing style was a mix of fumbling mixed with not falling down. After a while he saw the reason for his actions. Thatch appeared with a cake in hand. Marco smirked. The prank strategy might not have worked. But whatever Thatch was doing now was way better. The kid had loudly declared one morning at breakfast: I’m getting off, on the next island. And Marco believed it. Marco didn’t really mind him anymore. He wasn’t a threat, the kid, just weird. His presence didn’t really disturb anything. Actually reminded Marco of the old days. When pops wasn’t sick. When Marco was in his 20s. Crash seemed to be more of a threat to himself than anyone else. As Crash climbed up the mast roped halfway Marco followed him with his eyes. Anyway, Marco checked his list in his notebook. It was smaller than before. It only had the things Marco was going to get. He put it down again as Thatch approached.

“Hey, have you seen Crash?” Marco eyed the cake. It had carrots on it. Lined up in the shape of a heart.

“Why’re you chasing him? Thatch?” Marco asked.

“ Heh ? Chasing him? Me? Sounds like I’m some kind of monster.” Thatch pouted, not the least bit cute.

“Whatever you’re doing, it's working.” Marco said, smirking, eyeing the kid trying to climb higher.

“Stop making fun of me. He’s going through something and he needs a friend.” Thatch yelled, putting down the cake gently on a barrel and sitting down on another beside it.. 

“Whatever you say, he’s getting off on the next stop yoi. So I don’t see how he’s your problem.” Marco said, leaning against the wall. He looked up at Crash who was struggling above trying to climb down. His leg was tied in a knot, and he seemed to try to get it off, floundering around like a fly in a spider's net.

“You really think he’ll get off?” Thatch asked. Marco shrugged.

“He said so himself.”

“I don’t understand why though. He’s all alone here. He fell from the sky, he hasn’t tried to contact anyone, except his mom who didn’t answer. We haven’t gotten any new intel on the Den den -number by the way. It looks like it doesn’t exist! He probably has nowhere else to go. So why would he leave us? We at least know him a little by now.” Thatch ended his ramble with a sigh as he watched Blamenco’s 10th division was patching up a hole in the wall.

“Are you trying to make him stay Thatch?” Marco raised an eyebrow.

“No I’m just, it doesn't make sense. He should just join the crew and have pop’s protection.”

“Well first of all, we’re pirates, and the seas are not really a place for a weak kid. I mean imagine if he got a bounty for “hanging out” with us. He’s not even part of the crew.”

“Who cares about that? He could just join. Pop’s not against it is he?” Thatch said. Marco looked up at the main mast again. Crash was hanging tight in the rope ladder. Shaking his head and motioning for Marco to keep quiet as he dangled there. Marco smirked.

“He does not want  to join, Thatch. Whatever pops thinks of it.”

“He’s really leaving us then? I’m not sure it's what’s best for him.”

“You sound like a worried mama hen.” Marco watched the kid struggle above them with just a tiny bit of amusement. 

“I’m not. It’s just, he doesn’t seem to know how he got here anymore than anyone else. Were the closest thing to acquaintances he has. You know how dangerous the world is.”

“He came here alone. He’s not a little kid, he's eighteen he’ll be able to fend for himself.” Marco said counting the arguments on his fingers. 

“You’re really a stick in the mud sometimes.” Thatch said and  picked up the carrot cake again. He took a few steps away.

“Thatch, by the way. Could you go on this next treasure map quest. We got a tip through Haruta’s revolutionary line yesterday. I’d like it if you went.” Marco said. Thatch turned back.

“Sure, It’s been a while.” 

“I’ll need you to prepare for it on this island though. That means not running around after Crash.”

“Very mature Marco.” Suddenly a blur of black fell onto the floor. “I’m not running after him…” Thatch began but was cut off.

“Your kindness is breaking the kid. Literally yoi.” Marco said as he un-leaned off the wall. The kid was lying face down in the planks, his legs sticking up into the air. He soon turned upside up and looked at Thatch.

“Thatch are you leaving on a mission?” Crash asked crawling on the floor to stand straight.

“Yeah, it seems like it.”

“What kind?” Crash said, massaging his scalp.

“It’s a treasure run.”

“Can I come?” Crash said seriously. Thatch laughed. 

“Weren’t you going to leave?” Thatch asked, still laughing.

“Can I stay?” Crash said, clasping his hands and pouting. Marco didn’t care who had learned to pout from who, but one thing was sure about the pouty face. They. Both. Ugly. Thatch looked at Marco with a shit eating grin on his face. Crash turned his begging pouting face towards Marco as well.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to join the crew then.” Marco said seriously. Thatch laughed, but stopped when he saw Crash's shoulders slump. 

“We can still hang out today if you want.” Thatch said consolingly.

“How do I join?” Crash asked, looking up again, raising his shoulders. 

“You’d have to talk to pops yoi.” Marco blurted out. 

“Okay.” Then Crash ran away towards the main deck where pops was. Marco instinctively ran after and put his hand out.

“Stop! Not right now.” Marco said. A cold chill down his spine. Pops was doing a checkup. 

“When?” Crash asked.

“Later. Just go with Thatch for now yoi.” Crash observed Marcos' expression suspiciously.

“Sure.” Crash said as he turned around and went over to the now smiling Thatch.It was soooo so close to get the kid off. A decision made in the spur of the moment could be regretted in the spur of the next. Just some time away from Moby and the kid would realise it was much safer everywhere else but here.

There were less than 4 hours left until the next island. Jozu was going to congregate with them there. Then they were going to restock and Marco was going to look for a chalkboard since his old one broke a couple of days ago. A storm was surging a bit away. A good sign. It was also always raining on the next island. As they’d docked everyone went to do their own thing.

Hours later Marco was onboard again. A new drawing board in hand. He’d gotten a new one. It was a new kind too and instead of one you use chalk on it was made of wax. It meant that it was possible to write and then when you needed to use it again you just applied pressure and it erased. You only needed a tool of some kind able to deliver pressure. No ink or chalk needed. It was awesome and the plate around it was made with quality oakwood. He’d even gotten the Whitebeard's mark engraved on it. A real haul. He couldn’t wait to show Izou who always insisted on buying new sketchbooks instead of using chalkboards for his division's expenses. In his thoughts of reverie something tapped Marco on the shoulder. A black cowboy hat was lifted and put on the back of the little boy before him.

“Is Whitebeard in? I mean, is the captain in?” Marco looked at him for a while before heaving a sigh.

“Follow me.” 

Marco led the way to the first division commander’s office. Marco’s office. He put the wax board on the desk. Motioned for Crash to sit in the armchair as he dragged the chair by his desk around. They both sat down. 

“Look Crash, this is not a play. We're real pirates.”

“I know that.”

“Okay then, why did you change your mind about leaving yoi?” Crash went quiet for a while. He opened his mouth. But then closed it again. “Crash? No ones forcing you to join right?” Crash snorted.

“No no, it’s more like I have nowhere else to go and there’s something I need to do.”

“You know being with us does not guarantee your safety? We’re no taxi service, we won’t have time to babysit you. As an apprentice you can’t lounge around the ship as you’ve done up until now. ”

“Really?”

“Yeah, what did you think yoi?”

“I didn’t know about the last part. Apprentice feels so official. Cool. But I’m fine. Thanks for worrying Marco, but I have something I need to fight for now. That’s why I need to stay.” Marco met the kids eyes as he was finally looking up.

“What are you fighting for?” Marco said.

“Everyone's safety. At least Thatch’s and Ace’s.” Crash then added in a whisper. “And yours too.” Marco lifted his glasses and put them on his head. Crash's face was a deep shade of red. He’d never seen someone blushing that much for such a silly reason. He looked like a tomato ripe enough to burst at any moment. Marco couldn’t help but smile.

“How will a weakling such as yourself keep anyone safe?” Marco said, smirking.

“I have my ways.” Crash said with a proud smile. Marco was sceptical. “I don’t really know what I can do. But I can do something for sure. All I know for certain is that I’m not running away anymore.”

“You were running away? It feels like you’ve been clinging to us since you got here.” Marco said as he put on his glasses from nowhere. Crash smirked.

“Seems like you’re not getting rid of me Marco.” Crash said. Cheeky brat. As if he knew everything Marco had to go through because of his presence the first few days on the boat. “Is Whitebeard in?”Crash said again. Marco nodded. They walked up and left for the study. They knocked on the door. A nurse opened. Crash went inside, smiling and finger gunning Marco before the door closed behind him.

The door to the study was closed for a long while. When it opened Whitebeard emerged  first with a grin. The nurses hurried after him. Behind him Crash followed. He also had a grin on his face.

Everyone was called upon the main deck. They were clamouring to get a good spot. People were whispering and anticipating what was going to happen next. Crash was standing among the nurses beside pops. Pops took a stance before his voice rang out loud and clear.

“We’ve gained a new family member today. Crash Benson, is my son now. Guararararara. ” Cheers erupted. Marco could see Ace jaw dropping from where he was standing on top of the galley's roof. A second later Crash was knocked down by fire logia. Comments like I knew it rang among the crowd. People gathered in the galley in the awaiting celebration of their new brother. Thatch was crying by the kid’s side, and Marco thought he saw the kid crying too. People walked over there to congratulate him. Marco smiled as he too walked into the galley turning his back to the party outside. Maybe the new little brother wouldn’t be too bad. 

Chapter Text

I put down all of the autographs and newspapers in a duffel bag. I didn’t really have anything  else to pack, but I still wanted to do it. I hung the bag over my shoulder. Looked over the infirmary one last time and then walked out. Hopefully I won't come back here anymore. As soon as the mission was done I’d be assigned to a real sleeping quarters with everyone else. It would be awesome! I had actually joined the Whitebeards. It was crazy. Crazy good. As long as I could stay alive, that is. But I mean Usopp and Nami got through the first part of paradise following Luffy so it wouldn’t be impossible. Probably. I might actually meet them too. So awesome!

Outside we boarded a boat that was usually stored inside Moby Dick, but who was now beside the ship.

“Make sure to keep your hat on.” Ace said and put my cowboy hat on my head. “You’ll get sunburnt.” He smiled.

“I’m no child.” I said. I tried not to smile. I tried. Ace treating me like this was mind boggling. The Portgas D. Ace. I would make sure he lived through the next two years. Definitely. Somehow.

“You’re my baby brother now, I’m just looking out for you. Mini-Ace .”

“Buzz off.” I said, pushing his arm aside. He somehow kind of reminded me of a stupid head in school. We’d known each other since we were little but he was still stupid. Ace cackled from his place on the railing as we sailed off. 

The mission was a treasure hunt of sorts. We were supposed to follow a lead we’d gotten from some secret source. Thatch said it wasn’t important. It took about two weeks to sail to the target island. We went ashore in a small rowboat. All in all we were five on the rowboat including me and Thatch. 

“We’re lucky!” Thatch said enthusiastically. As he jumped and skipped over the sand beach. Everyone else was tired. “The clue said something like Purple purple purple find the purple in a cave.”

“Really, was that really the clue?” I asked.

“Nah, I abbreviated it a little but I mean, It’s a small island. We just need to find three purple things in a row and then we’ll find the cave.”

“Thatch, have you done this before?” One of the three others asked, as she was dragging up the boat onto the sand. 

“Yeah yeah, it’ll be easy.” Thatch said.

“Everythings purple here.” I said. The palm trees, the rocks, the other plants. Everything was a flat purple except for the sand and the ocean.

“That makes it easier.” I pushed the anxiety aside and just followed the older man and the rest of the group into the jungle. 

After some time of walking we found an opening to a cave. To my surprise it wasn’t purple. We walked in and found a mountain of treasure. It was all well guarded by a skeleton with a little sign. Reminder: Don’t eat the treasure. Thatch suddenly shouted from a bit further in.

“Look what I found!” He lifted up a fruit that looked like it was covered in purple swirly drops. My stomach tied a knot and took a free fall. I just stared. The Dark Dark fruit. 

“Wow, it looks like a devil fruit Thatch. Nice find.” Thatch smiled and  put the fruit into a small sack. We all started filling our own bags with the treasure. It took a couple of hours to get everything onto the boat outside. I was surprised at how small the treasure looked in the boat's storage. They were apparently used to grab a lot more treasure. 

After emptying my last bag I went to the upper deck. I got the all clear from the people from the island group. There was nothing more to get. As I sunk into a sofa in the galley I saw the devil fruit again. It was just lying there on the counter. That spark that would start the fire. The catalyst for all the suffering to come. Anxious I rose to my feet. I left the room. Fruit no longer on the counter but under my coat. 

Now what should I do? I took the fruit out from my coat. I went to the stern of the ship. No one else was there. Should I throw it into the ocean or eat it? The first option was however most existing, as weird it might sound. Throughout the series I hadn’t gotten a sense of what would happen to a devil fruit if it fell into the ocean. Would the ocean reject it like it did the devil fruit eaters? Would it sink? Would it float? Would it shoot out of the air? However if I tried that it would be lost. It felt like a downer but then maybe that was for the best. I looked at the blue deep water. Soft waves hit the hull. I couldn’t make out the bottom, and that fact was a bit scary. If I threw it down, it would still exist in this world. But it wouldn’t cause canon to happen. Maybe the strawhats would reunite sooner than before. Maybe they’d go into the new world too early. Maybe they’d fail because they didn’t train enough. Maybe everything will be fine. In any case it was too many maybe’s. It all was in my hands now. Quite literally. I’d chosen to not run away though. So what now? Should I eat it myself? An idea swiped through my brain. It grazed me but I grasped it. Knowing this would be my future. A dangerous, but probably exciting future, that wouldn’t mess anything up. That last part was the most important. I wouldn’t mess anything up. And still save Thatch and Ace. I took a large bite of the fruit. The terrible taste filled my mouth as I ate it as fast as I could. Goodbye, nice swims in the ocean. I wouldn’t be able to jump off ship just because I felt like it again. That was a perk. 

“Where’s the devil fruit?” Thatch cried out from the cubby. I instinctively hid in the cleaning closet. There were a lot of mops in here. “Hey, has anyone seen the devil fruit I found?”

“Wasn’t it in the encounter just a while ago?” Someone said, the voice as one of the bigger guys onboard.

“I checked everywhere. It must have fallen down and rolled away then.” Thatch said. They didn’t even think to question that someone might have taken it. That wasn’t something that crewmembers did, apparently. As I was considering what to do next the closet door opened and Thatch saw me.

“Hi.” I said.

“What are you doing Crash?” Thatch said amused.

“Just chilling out.” I said.

“Looks cramped.” He said. I stepped out. Quietly I tugged at Thatch's shoulder downwards.

“I ate it.” I whispered in his ear.

“The devil fruit?” I nodded. “Accidentally?” I shook my head. Not meeting his eyes. “Why?” He was mad. Of course he was. 

“Please don’t tell anyone.” I whispered. My voice cracked but it didn’t matter. I looked up and saw Thatch putting his palm over his forehead.

“Really, Crash, I don’t believe you. How could you do that to me?”

“Please.” I said putting my hands together, begging. Thatch turned around.

“Everyone stop looking. I found it.”  I tried to pierce the floor with my gaze. Perhaps my end would come sooner than I could take my plan to fruition. Part of me had hoped Thatch wouldn’t mind me taking the fruit. But of course that was not the case. I took it without asking.

“Where?” Someone asked.

“I remember now I put it in the storage.” Thatch said. I let out a breath of relief.

“You’re going to eat it now?” Someone else asked.

“Not now, but thanks for looking at everyone.”

Thatch took me aside, into the kitchen.

“Do you realise what you have done?” I didn’t answer. Whatever I said it wouldn’t matter. I did what I did, and Thatch had all right to be mad. “Do you realise what you have done?” Thatch repeated.

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want your sorry, I want you to tell me why.” I looked up and saw Thatch's eyes. To my surprise they were more sad than angry. Although he did look angry too. 

“I had to.”

“Why?”

“I can’t explain it.”

“Is it about where you come from? Why you fell from the sky?”

“No, nothing about that. Or kind of. But I literally can’t tell you. If I say *blub blub blub* you. Nothing but a bubble sound comes out.”

“Why?”

“It’s a censor thingy so that I don’t *blublub* anything.”

“What’s that?”

“Apparently I can’t say that either.” I concluded. Thatch sighed. It seemed he wasn’t going to yell at me.

“What are we doing now? Why shouldn’t I tell anyone?”

“Because *blub blub blub, blub.*”

“So I’ll just have to trust you then?”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, don't be. It’s okay. I’m sure you have a good reason. But you know it’s pretty dangerous to have a devil fruit? You can’t swim.”

“I know.”

“What kind of power did you get?”

“I don’t feel any different, but I don’t want to try anything here.” I said, knowing full well what my power was and what it could do.

“Right, keep it secret, right?” I nodded. Thatch was really a great person. That night we ate and laughed together. We were less than 30 aboard in total. A fraction of the normal size crew party I was used to. But it was pleasant. If not more so, since I didn’t have to worry about my crewmates anymore. Everything would be fine. I had a plan now. A plan that would both save Thatch and the canon story. I was going to become one of the most ruthless antagonists in One Piece.

Chapter Text

Parties, parties, parties. So many parties. Everything was going well for the Whitebeard's. The reasons to celebrate never ceased, not that they needed a particular one to party. Thatch had found a devil fruit. Ace jumped up on the table and started dancing. As the night went on more and people joined him dancing on the table. Even Marco was sipping away at some beverage in the corner.

Hours later. Ace woke up in the galley. Apparently he’d fallen asleep in the middle of things. Everything was dark and quiet. He could hear someone tinkering away in the kitchen. A light told him it was Thatch, and not someone else raiding the fridge. He stretched his arms upwards. Thatch was whistling away in the kitchen. He’d refused to show them the fruit for some reason. Why Thatch hadn’t eaten it yet no one understood. He’d only shown them a badly drawn picture of it. It wasn’t a big deal, Thatch could do whatever he wanted with it, since he found it. But it was weird nonetheless. Ace rose up and was going to go to his own quarters. 

As he walked outside he heard voices somewhere further into the ship. It sounded like Teach and Crash? He couldn’t hear what they were saying. He walked along thinking he’d tease Crash a bit more before going to bed. 

Ace got closer and suddenly his senses peaked. They sounded hostile.

“ Zehahahahaha ! You?” He heard Teach, still further along. 

“Yeah me, and you’re going to become the victim this time.” Who would become the victim? Was that really Crash's voice? Why would he say something like that? Ace hurried along, the voices quieter than before. 

“ Zehahahahaha, ” and then the sound of a scream followed. “Now, now, there’s no need to scream. Wouldn't want to wake anyone zehahahahah .” The scream stopped and turned into muffled groans. Ace ran through the corridor. Suddenly traces appeared on the floor. Traces of a red liquid. Disgusted, Ace followed the trail.

“Teach! Stop right there!” Ace shouted, as he saw the full grown man dragging away a half conscious Crash on the floor. Multiple wounds on his chest. His mouth was covered by the man's hand. Ace flew forward. Teach threw Crash to the floor. Wounded Crash fell face first into the floorboards. Teach let the knife fall into the boys back. Then he set off in a panic, swearing loudly. 

Ace chased after but up the big figure was nimbler than he expected. Suddenly he felt the world spinning around. Not now , he thought as everything turned black.

As Ace woke up and emerged from the galley he looked around everywhere only to see Teach sailing away without any wind towards the horizon. He was laughing. Ace tightened his fists, but suddenly remembered the mess he left behind him.

Ace hurried towards Crash. He was covered in his own bodily fluids. Leaking onto the floor. Ace ran in sliding across the floor. 

“Ace?” Crash croaked.

“Yeah, it’s me, you’re going to be okay.”

“Don’t leave.” Ace looked at him. Of course he wasn’t going to leave with him looking like this. He started a cauterization procedure to stop the bleeding. “Promise me, you won’t leave.” Crash croaked again, as he was letting out a grunt from the pain. Ace nodded. The alarm was sounded and the whole ship, or at least the most concerned were awoken. Crash was taking into operation. Knife still in his back. 

The next day everyone gathered on the upper deck, around Whitebeard. Waiting for the news about the victim. Marco stepped out on the deck. He wore a white blood stained coat and gloves. 

“The injury is severe, but he’ll be fine.” Marco declared, taking off his gloves. 

“That’s a relief.” Thatch said. 

“What are we going to do now pops?” Marco said looking to his captain. Everyone looked at Whitebeard. But their father wasn’t the one speaking up. 

“I need to go after him. He was in my division. My responsibility.” Ace said. 

“Are you sure?” Thatch said, stepping forward from the crowd.

“He betrayed us, he needs to feel it.” Ace said. Everyone was a bit shaken up due to the sudden turn of events. One of their own. One of the oldest brothers. That they trusted had suddenly done something like this. There must be a reason. But at the same time the reason wasn’t more important than what had transpired. Whitebeard was reluctant, but Ace was determined. They all watched as Ace sailed away. The sky was fiery orange as the sun slowly rose upon the waves.

Chapter Text

The ceiling of the infirmary. Pain all over my torso, but in certain spots. I looked down, and sure enough. Beneath the blanket I was once again covered in bandages. Memories flooded my mind. Blackbeard stabbed me instead of Thatch. What in the world? My head started aching. 

“Your awake yoi.” Marco sat by a desk beside the bed. They must have put it there cause I swear it wasn’t there before. He was wearing a white coat with brown stains and his glasses. “How do you feel?” He asked.

“How long have you been here?” I asked.

“An hour, give or take. How do you feel yoi?” He asked again.

“Pain.” I said. “Everywhere.” He checked my bandages, and then turned around in his chair. He pulled out a drawer and picked up a container filled with some transparent liquid. He filled a syringe. I looked away as he approached me.

“Relax,” he commanded. I tried. But it still stung. I felt him pressing my right arm. I looked back to see him putting a bandaid on. “I’m sorry kid, I mean Crash.” He said. ”I’m sorry this happened to you. Right after you joined too.” He turned towards the desk and jotted something down. 

“About Blackbeard,” I began. Marco looked up. “I mean Teach,” I corrected myself. “What happened to him?”

“Ace went after him as soon as it was clear that you were stable.” Marco said as he took off his glasses, looking me straight in the eye. Worry came over me. I blinked trying to make sense of what would happen next. “What’s going on?” Marco said, snapping me back without much reflection.

“I told him to stay, and he went away.” I said. Confusion settled in my stomach. Somehow I knew what was going to happen, yet I didn’t, yet I didn’t want whatever was going to happen to happen. 

“He wanted to be here when you woke up I’m sure, but it’s also important to deal with the traitor. Ace felt responsible.”

“You’re all responsible though!” I yelled without realising what I’d done. I looked up to see Marco looking down, his fists clenched.

“I’m sorry Crash, you’re right.” He said. 

“No, I didn’t mean it like that.” I felt my eyes leaking. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. “Oh shoot.” I covered my eyes and crawled out of the bed. I should have been the one to stab Teach and flee, why was it like this? Everything was a mess. I saved Thatch from his death. But now Ace was riding towards his doom. For my sake too. I wasn’t even supposed to be here. I shouldn’t be part of the canon. But now I guess I was. What a mess. Wiping my eyes I walked over to the infirmary door. Marco blocked my way.

“Where do you think you’re going, yoi?” Marco said. I felt ill, and a bit whispy. First things first. Ace was going after Blackbeard.I wasn’t sure if Blackbeard could beat Ace without the Dark Dark fruit. But either way. If Ace was caught he would be in danger. If he caught Blackbeard instead, Luffy wouldn’t go through the Marineford Arc. I didn’t like any of those outcomes. I straightened my back, breathing out the pain.

“Marco, I mean, commander of the 1st division I need to go after Ace.” I said, as clearly as I could.

“Lie down,” Marco commanded. “You need rest, doctor's orders. ” Thinking of doctors, I really wanted to meet Chopper, Kureha, Law and Crocus. Marco pushed me down into bed again. I got up. And walked towards the door again. He pushed  me back to bed. The process repeated a couple of more times. 

“I need to go. Marco, please.”

“All you need is rest yoi. I don’t know what you’re worrying about but everything will be fine. Ace will be back soon.”

“No, I need peace of mind, and I’m going crazy here.”

“Really?” Marco said, putting on his glasses again. “Not my problem. You’d be crazy to leave and I’m not letting you.” I stopped resisting and decided to leave when he left. Which he didn’t do.

Three hours went by, before someone else came in and released Marco from hsi shift. Apparently I was being monitored personally by the commanders. The next person's shift was Haruta.

“How are you doing, little man?” he said, patting the bed as he sat down by the desk.

“Not good. Haruta, you do stupid pranks all the time right?”

“I don’t like your phrasing…” I cut him off.

“Could you help me sneak off. Marco won’t let me, and I need to go after Ace.”

““What? How did you jump from pranks to that? You’re bold for an apprentice. You really think anyone would care if you wanted to sneak out for a little bit? I do that all the time. I'm pretty good at sneaking.” Finally a light of hope.

Nothing went smoothly as Harutas way of seeking included a lot of loud conversation which I didn't want to participate in. He didn’t take this seriously and even stopped to speak with others. To not blow our cover , Was all he gave as an excuse. Finally on the upper deck, Haruta sneaked off to get me a scooter. I waited patiently. I noticed the captain's study. I wouldn’t get to say goodbye. I was thankful though. Taking off my hat I bowed in a quiet gesture towards the door.

“What are you doing brat?” A deep voice said. I turned around.

“Captain Whitebeard.” I said, looking at Captain Whitebeard. For once he was unattended.

“Call me pops brat.” Whitebeard said it in a mellow tone. He seemed tired. 

“I’m leaving.” I said. “Not the crew, but to follow Ace.” I said putting on my hat again. “Marco’s not letting me go, and you might think it’s a bad idea too. But nonetheless I’m going.” He didn’t say anything immediately. His observant eyes pinned on me. Yet his gaze was warm.

“Could you tell me why?” He asked. It’s for everything, I thought to myself. For the story that comforted me through more nights than I remember. For the people who took care of me when I came here. For the characters I’ve followed and loved for years.

“I’m going to do everything in my power to keep your family safe.” I said. Whitebeard lifted an eyebrow. He wanted me to call him pops. Thinking like that however seemed bolder than the thing I just declared.

“That’s not your job, son. And don’t say your , as if you're not included brat.” I felt guilty as pops smiled. “Go rest. Ace will be fine.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be disrespectful. Please forgive me if I am. I’m leaving, and I’ll send Ace back safe and sound.” I bowed. The sound of a scooter came below in the water. Haruta had brought it around. Pops said nothing more as I threw the rope ladder down. I thanked Haruta and was on my way. As I was about to start the motor I heard Whitebeard once again. I looked up.

“Be safe son.” The old man said. I bowed my head towards the figures above. Haruta and Whitebeard waved as I started the scooter and went on my way.

Chapter Text

Onboard Moby Dick, bobbing on the waves of the New world, Marco took a sip of coffee as he was looking over the papers on his desk. The office door was thrown open.

“Where’s Crash?!” Thatch yelled as he burst into the office. Marco was startled. Coffee spilled onto the papers. “Where is he birdbrain?” Thatch continued. Marco shook his dripping hands. He glared at Thatch. 

“Calm down yoi.” Marco said, now wiping his hands off. The papers were drenched. Thatch took a seat in the armchair. Marco opened a drawer and pulled out a towel. “He went after Ace.” Marco continued. He had been notified just a while ago himself. It was a headache to have a patient running away, but it wasn’t too bad. The Whitebeards had a network and if anything happened they’d be notified. He wasn’t going to run after his patients just because they didn’t know any better. 

“What!” Thatch said again. He was overreacting. Like the true mama-hen he’d become recently. The papers were sullied but he’d be able to copy the information.

“He’ll catch up to Ace soon or give up in a day or two when he fails.” Marco said. Looking up at Thatch. His pompadour wasn’t in the neat form he was used to seeing.

“Who did he go with?” Thatch continued.

“He went alone.“ Marco said as he continued to straighten the numbers on the papers on a new paper.

“How would he navigate a boat all alone?”

“He took a scooter.”

“ What? ”

“I know you care about him, Thatch, but it’s not as if he’s going to fight anyone. He’ll be as careful as he can be, I’m sure.” Marco erased a zero that he now realised was supposed to be an eight.

“He can’t swim.” 

“Surely he can, he’ll be fine.” Marco assured.

“No, he ate my devil fruit.” Marco looked up from the paperwork. Thatch palms covering his face. “He could be at the bottom of the sea by now.” 

“He’ll probably turn back if he doesn’t catch up fast enough.” 

“You think so?” Marco felt a headache coming on as Thatch continued. “He did fall overboard a while ago. When Jinbei came here.” Marco left the chair and walked outside.

“We’ll just check where he is. Everythings probably fine. He can’t have crossed the Red Line yet.” Hopefully he wasn’t already on the bottom of the ocean.

“And then we’ll pick him up.” Thatch said, following after Marco as he left the room. Marco closed the door and they walked down the corridor.

Five minutes later they were knocking on Harutas door. No answer. An apprentice walked by.

“Are you looking for Commander Haruta? I think he’s in the Comms room.” Great right where we need him, Marco thought. They went on their way to the telecommunications room.

The Den Den mushi were lined up. Five people besides Haruta were there making calls and listening to communications. Haruta was in the corner by the oceanwide line. Thatch hurried over and tapped on his shoulder. Marco watched as Haruta tried to fight off the persistent cook with glares and his sabre. Thatch however drew his knife. Haruta hung up and they were soon all out fighting. 

“Are you done yoi?” Marco said as he watched the too exhausted adults spread out on the floor.

“Good one Thatch.” Haruta remarked.

“Not bad yourself.” Thatch grunted as he sat up. “Right. Haruta, we need to find Crash.” Haruta rose to his feet. 

“Why? He left barely a day ago? I doubt he’s gotten far.”

“Could you just find him?” Marco said.

“Sure, sure, want me to make sure he’s fine or just find out what he’s doing or what am I working with here?” 

“Where he is.” Thatch said.

“If you’re in a hurry you could just check it out yourselves. I gave him a Log Pose to Felis Port.” Marco and Thatch locked eyes.

“I’ll go yoi.” Marco said.

“I’m coming with you.” 

“It’ll go faster if I go by myself. I’ll be back in a couple of hours yoi.”

“I’m not staying here.” Thatch said, crossing his arms. He was determined. But so was Marco.

“Then learn to fly yoi.”

“Can’t you just carry me?” Thatch clasped his hands and blinked his eyes innocently. Marco was so done with this.

“No. I’m. Going. Alone.” Before anyone else said anything more annoying, Marco hurried away. Not without telling pops, but after that he was off. As he transformed he flew up into the sky. Beside Moby he saw Thatch preparing a boat. He’d be back sooner than they’d be able to get set sail. 

Miles away underneath the ocean surface Ace was leaving Fishman island. Floating with his striker towards paradise. Hot on Marshall D. Teach’s trail. Not knowing others were following his trail. Some never leave him out of their sight. Some by boat, some by wings, some by scooters and some. Some used any marine vessel they had authority to use. Keeping a close eye on Whitebeard's 2nd division commander.

Chapter Text

Day 3. I’ve reached Felis Port. Hopefully I either find Ace or some way to pass through the Redline. Note to self: A scooter is the worst way to travel as a devil fruit user.

Felis Port was put on a big land mass just outside the Redline. The towering wall was visible rising from the ocean just outside the coast. Seagulls squawked and the sound of people talking throughout the narrow streets filled the air. I was soaked through and through. My strength had slipped through my already weak constitution. I mean compared to the non weak and threatening people of this world. I wouldn’t call myself weak otherwise. I’d gotten buff. Yeah, I was really buff. No one could say anything else. Except anyone else in this world. I wandered through the streets as I bathed in the sunshine. As my hair, clothes and body dried up I could feel my energy returning. Now how do I find Ace?

I figured that wherever Ace went trouble would follow, just as it always was with Luffy. But trouble was nowhere to be found. The people wandering the streets were happy. A festival was brewing for the town's mayor. Everything seemed fine. I adjusted the strap on my bag as I noticed a poster board outside the towns Marine base.  As I skipped over I accidentally bumped into a gentleman.

”Sorry.” I excused myself and continued towards the board. I did not notice him following me until a while later. 

The whole thing was filled with famous names. Beneath some fresh posters I caught a glimpse of a dark figure. I lpeaked under the freshr posters to find and realised Dracule Mihawk’s poster. Score! He hadn’t appeared much in the newspaper delivered to Moby. I guessed it was because he was a Warlord right now. It was in real good condition as I peeled it off and put it inside my bag.

”Want some real work kid?” A voice whispered straight into my ear. I flinched and pulled my head back as I spun around and saw a stranger.  

”What are you doing?”

”Excuse me,” the stranger said in a somewhat sarcastic tone. “But you bumped into me and didn’t even greet me properly.” I looked at the smiling stranger. He gave me bad vibes. 

”Sorry about that.” I said as I ripped a Fire Fist Ace poster off the board. ”I need to go now.”

”Desperate for money?” The stranger asked as he leaned against the poster board.

”Excuse me?”

”What do you say about working for me for a while? I’ll pay you well.” He said and made an O with his hand. I did need money.

”How much?”

”Let’s see. I could probably give you as much as you’d get for that guy,” he pointed at Ace’s poster.

”Seriously?” I chuckled at the thought of me hunting Ace. It was not a small amount. Would he actually be able to pay it. I held myself back as I realised it was a tempting offer. I wouldnt have any trouble finding transport with that kind of money.

”Of course.” He said, still smiling widely.

”And how would I know that? It’s an insane amount just to throw around.”

”Look at me kid. I am a rich nobleman, money’s no problem.” He stretched his arms out as if to flaunt his wealthy frame. He did look somewhat like a nobleman in his blue overcoat and black tophat. Covered in dust as he was he looked scruffy though. Not like the nobleman I’d read about in school.

”What kind of job is it?” I asked. He smiled and then leaned in towards my ear.

”I need you to be my little brother for a while.” He unleaned fom the wall and took out a pocket watch. 

”What kind of job is that? I won’t do anything weird.”I said as I took a step back and crossed my arms.

”It’s nothing weird.” After checking the watch he put it back into his coat. “I have a little bet with my friend who claimed I would be a bad big brother. Therefore I need you to prove what a good big brother I’d be.” He pulled out a pocket watch from his pocket. 

”So I’ll just pretend to be your little brother?”

”No, you ARE my little brother. I pay you to BE my little brother.”

”Why?” are you so weird, was what I wanted to say as I scanned the gentlemen. He was blond and tall. ”Why would you even feel the need to defend yourself about being a good big brother? Who cares?”

“I care, who cares? I care. Plus you’re just perfect for the role. You basically scream borther material.

”That’s so And second of all why not just pick a random kid? I bet they would be better.” As I said it I realised I was suggesting kidnapping to someone who seemed mildly unstable. I held back the urge to slap mysef in the face. The strangers' shoulders slump.

”I tried. But they ran away as soon as I offered candy as payment.”

”Smart kids.”

”Indeed. So what do you say? Will you do it?” Even though I didn’t consider myself someone who follows strangers, something about this particular stranger was familiar. I couldn’t put my finger on it. I’d never met anyone like him before, for sure. Yet, there was something that told me I had the upper hand. Perhaps my fan instinct took over. Making me more confident than I should have been.

“Sure.” I said closing my bag.

“Follow me. Remember, from now on you are my sweet little brother.” The stranger said and waved for me to follow him into the crowd. And follow him I did. 

Chapter Text

We walked for a while. Along the way the stranger bought me some treats and forced me to eat them.

The stranger was weird. That was not saying much since this is One Piece. But he had a huge scar across his face and a pipe on his back. That might not be too strange at first. But seeing as he made himself out to be a noble and the fact that he probably wasn't part-timing as a plumber I didn’t know what to make of it. In an alley he climbed onto the roof. He helped me up. There I could see across the city. The perspective, very different from the one down on the ground. I breathed in and stumbled realising that if I fell I’d probably break something. 

“This is dangerous!” I yelled after the stranger.

“Don’t wine, this is the fastest way.” He said and leaped from the roof onto another. I looked down. We were at least three stories up. 

“I can’t make that!” I yelled looking at the gap between the roofs. He turned around and smiled widely.

“Come on, you can do it, big brother believes in you.” The stranger shouted encouraging me. Crazy. He was definitely crazy. I looked down. Below was a street filled with people. Did he want me to die? “Come on little brother.” He continued to yell.

“I’m going to DIE!” My eyes glued to the street below.

“No! Big brother believes in you. You can do it!.” The stranger cooed. 

“You're a BAD big brother.” I yelled. If only I was anywhere but here right now. If only I was at home. My real home. In my bed I would be safe and sound. Reading manga was so much easier than being in it. Screw being in one piece. What did it matter if I would die the second I tried to do anything adventurous? 

As I was ready to back away and give up I remembered. How could I forget? I took a deep breath. Ignored the crowded street for a second. I put up my hand, coiling my fingers. Extending my thumb and index finger. 

”Zoom” I said out loud, picturing myself flying through the sky and landing beside the stranger. A second passed as I felt wind brushing past me. I opened my eyes. The stranger was no longer smiling as I crashed into the tiled roof. I felt gravity pulling me in as the dark dark ability turned me into void and sucked me in before spitting me out again. I stood up straight and tried to find my balance again. Everything happened so fast my head was spinning.   

“How did you do that?” The stranger asked as he grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the edge of the roof. I smiled at the confused man's face.

“I call it zoom.” He scratched his head as I brushed off my vest and fixed my cowboy hat in place.

“Is it a devil fruit?”

“I have that too.” I said. He made a face that looked like he was trying to hide his intrigue and be serious at the same time.

“I picked up a troublesome little brother.” He said while sighing and rubbing his temples. He was way too dramatic. I hadn’t even done much. “What’s your name kid?” He continued.

“Crash.” 

“Fits you like a glove,” the stranger chuckled. 

“And yours then brother?”

“Let’s just leave it at Brother. Call me Big Brother.” I will not say that I thought as I continued to follow.

I flew above the roofs using my dark dark ability and my zoom ability. 

“Don’t wreck anything!” Brother screamed from time to time. The stranger kept checking the chimneys. As I landed upon the roof I saw him pull out a paper and write something down. He caught my gaze, smiled and stealthily put the note back in his pocket.

“You seem new to your powers. Tell me how could a kid like you have a devil fruit and develop what I assume is a haki based ability?” He turned around and kept going. I followed. 

“Just happened. I’m part of the Whitebeard pirates and things just kind of happened.”

“You’re one of Whitebeard's kids?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ve never heard of you.” He said while stroking his shin.

“It’s kind of new. I joined recently.”

“Really? How long?”

“Like a year or something, I didn’t keep track…”

“What did you do before that?”

“I don't know. I was getting groceries.”

“What do you mean?” Brother chuckled. I crashed into another chimney. “Idiot! I needed that!” He screamed from behind before he himself landed on the roof.

We kept going. The sun started to set. I yawned. Why were we even doing this? What am I doing here? I looked to Brother. He seemed deep in thought. I sat down on the roof and just watched the ocean.

“Do you know where the town square is?” Brother asked. 

“I’m not exactly from here.” I said, yawning once more. Across the waves something came flying. At first glance it looked like a bird, but hte size of the creature made me doubt my eyes. Also the colour was weird. I froze as my brain connected the dots. The turquoise seagull looking thing, it was Marco. No doubt about it. Why would he be here though? Was he looking for me?

“Aah, no matter. We’ll figure it out, let’s get down from here for now.” Brother said. I rose to my feet. I glanced at the bird-figure once more before I followed him and climbed down from the roof.

In the crowded street Brother stopped momentarily to send or receive something through a portable Den Den Mushi. I activated the dark dark ability. It was a strange sensation. I felt both powerful and weak as I could feel molecules around me dragging towards me. Hurting me as well as becoming part of me. I tried to use it on the ground beneath me. Brother looked at me. His face turned into a stern glare.

“Can you stop that! I’m trying to read.” He said. I clicked my tongue and stopped.

“Is that how you treat your cute younger brother?”

“I’m a very good brother, you’re just not smart enough to comprehend it. Just, just quit it, I’m trying to focus.” I stuck out my tongue and stretched the skin under my eye. “When we meet the others, you better be acting better than you are right now..”

“I have not seen a beli since I started working so I might forget why I took this job…”

“Sure, sure we’ll get to that later.” He said putting the Den Den mushi back in his pocket. “That about wraps it up Crash.” I met his eyes. “I’ll introduce you to my team.”

In a smaller harbour was a fishing boat. The metal deck was slippery and the smell of fish abundant. I pinched my nose.

“It’s more spacious than it looks.” Brother said. We climbed into and walked down to the lower deck. There some people were eating, others talking over some maps and someone was sleeping on the floor. A woman looked up as I Brother approached the map.

“You have everything wrapped up?” She asked, lifting her goggles and placing them on her head. Her eyes sparkled and contrasted her orange hair that seemed to be in need of a shower.

“Yeah, I got everything.” Brother answered.

“Who’s this?” She asked and smiled at me.

“My little brother.” Brother declared proudly. The woman's smile disappeared. I waved and smiled at the lady. She still frowned. I looked around the room and took a seat by the table. Someone friendly handed me a glass filled with something. I just downed it in one go. It tasted like strawberry. 

“You can’t be serious.” The woman said. I guess she was the one who had accused him of being a bad brother. I gestured for more of whatever that strawberry liquid was. The friendly person filled my cup once more. I took another swig.

“You owe me 1 000 000 beli Koala.” Brother said. As I heard that name I almost spit the drink out. There was no way… But then again. I looked up at the two arguing. 

“I don’t owe you squat, he’s not your real brother Sabo.” I still hadn’t swallowed and when I tried I just started coughing and spitting on the table. I tried to take another swig to calm down but I was too fast and it caught in my throat once more. Coughing and spitting I was defiling the whole table.

“There there kid.” The friendly person patted my back as the coughs stopped. 

“Sorry,” I croaked.

“It’s okay.” I looked up at SABO and KOALA, who were still arguing.

“You said, and I quote: “I would bet a 1 000 000 beli this guy here would be a worse big brother than your brother.”” Sabo said. The real Sabo said.

“I was comforting the kid that we were almost scared to death. It’s your fault for taking it seriously!” Koala, the real Koala said.

“I’m a good brother! Crash, tell them!” I could almost not look at them as I felt my heart beating faster. It was accelerating. “Crash? Are you okay? Your face is red.” I felt my face with my hand. My hand was cold. Freezing cold.  It felt like an eternity passed as I locked eyes with the second in command of the revolutionary army. How had I missed it? Maybe it was all that seawater that’d splashed on me during the ride here. I couldn’t understand it as I suddenly understood everything. How could I have been so blind? Pulling out a pen I looked back up at Sabo. 

“Can you sign my bandage?” I said. My voice was no longer steady, and as I looked at my arm it was trembling. I felt thin.

I went to bed on the boat. I borrowed one of the bunks. As I stared up into the ceiling I went through all of the details I’d missed. The happy sensation I’d felt since the beginning of this world breaking experience surged inside me. 

What felt like hours went by. Reality dawned on me. My purpose for going after Ace. I was going to save him while still trying to keep Canon going. Right? 

Hungry, I climbed out of the bunk. Put on my cowboy hat and took my bag off the wall. Sabo was sleeping outside on the floor by the entrance. I sneaked past him and into the galley. I opened the fridge. Sandwiches. As I was chewing on the meat, lettuce sandwich I observed the 2nd in command. Should I reunite Ace, Luffy and Sabo? Or should I just let it happen naturally? Judging by how it was Ace’s death that made Sabo remember, I’d say it wasn’t likely they were going to figure it out by themselves while they were alive. But doing unnecessary stuff could disrupt canon. 

I pulled my hair as I swallowed the last piece. Why was everything so complicated? Maybe the best thing was for me to just disappear? My whole existence right now was a huge disruption. I looked back up at Sabo. Recounting the day we had together. He wasn’t a complete sociopath, as I had previously believed. And Ace and Luffy really loved him. I wouldn’t want to do anything to complicate things. Anxiety surged in my stomach as I reached my decision.

I sneaked outside. Standing on the dock I could feel the wet and cold air.I felt hungry. A salty scent lingering in the air together with the fish stench I’d felt before. I looked around. There were two paths to choose from. Left or right. Once again I was alone. I took to the right and followed the dock.

I sat down. The wooden bench was cold and I could feel the coarseness of the fibres with my fingers. What was I even doing here? I looked up. If there was a God, maybe he put me here. Maybe for some greater purpose. Or simply as a bad prank. I was exhausted and frankly ready to just give up and die right there, when the street lit up. A turquoise light illuminated everything. I watched as the phoenix landed beside me and transformed into someone familiar.

“Marco.” I said, and hugged him. This was a real brother. 

“There, there.” He said and patted my back. We sat like that for a while.

Chapter Text

“What are you doing?” Marco asked as I released him from my grip. I met his eyes.

“What are you doing?” I countered. “Here?”

“I asked first.” Marco sighed and then continued. “I'm picking you up.” We stared at each other for a moment. “You look pale.” He said. 

“I just have a lot on my mind.” Marco sat down on the bench.

“Want to talk about it?” He said placing his firm hand on my shoulder reassuringly. I shook my head, and looked down as I felt my eyes water. Marco said nothing as we sat in silence. 

After a while Marco spoke up.

“You should know that Thatch is running around this place like crazy looking for you. He’s really worried you know.” Marco was the same as the last time I saw him. It was nice seeing him, but it was also kind of not the time. I had a lot I needed to figure out. Stuff he wouldn’t understand. I just felt so confused, and I couldn’t talk about it.

“What should I do Marco?” I asked

“Sorry I didn’t catch that, yoi .”

“Nothing.”

“What are you doing?” Marco kept asking. I ignored him and instead observed the stars for a moment more. I’m so small in comparison. “Crash, answer me. Why did you leave?” You wouldn’t understand even if I told you, was all I could think. I know he meant well but it honestly felt like he was intruding. 

Marco took me with him to eat. I followed. That seemed to be the one consistent thing ‘d done today. Follow. 

My heart was beating louder as the questions and thoughts repeated. Following the same pattern, hopelessly trying to reach a different conclusion. 

What was the point anymore? 

Ace would maybe live a little longer. Maybe not. 

Luffy and his crew might not train for two years. They might live or die more or less than in canon. They might not. 

It wasn’t my responsibility. I did change things but did it matter? 

The simple answer was no. Of course not. Because when there’s no purpose there’s no meaning.

Is mom worried? Of course she is. Right? Even though she has no reason to care for me. She always had. No matter what I did. Feeling my pockets. I looked up and I realised there were a hundred thousand stars staring at me. Probably different ones from back home. Or maybe somewhere out there the earth was circling the sun. I closed my eyes and remembered my room. My bed. My desk. My collections of thrift shopped magazines and mangas as well as all the bad hand drawn fan art I’d made back when nothing really mattered.

“Should we look for Thatch and grab a bite together. I’m sure he’d appreciate it. Hey Crash, are you listening to me? Hey, are you sure you're okay, you look really pale.”

“Don’t worry about it mom.” I said sarcastically. Apparently that word triggered something in me. I regretted saying it as soon as I said it. I cried. And cried and cried. And they cried a little more. I rubbed my eyes to dry them up but the tears just kept coming. 

“Crash, did something happen?” Marco asked.

“Just leave me be. I don’t need this right now.”

“Did someone do anything to you?”

“No. Just stop asking questions.” 

It was one awkward moment. I didn’t know what to do and I put Marco in a tough spot. Anger swelled inside me. Nothing I did turned out right. Stupid idiot.

“I’m serious though.” Marco suddenly started talking again. “About Thatch I mean. Even if you don’t tell me what’s going on, he’s probably going to drag you back to Moby.” It was quiet for a moment. My throat is thick and sore. “Crash, just look at me.” I stopped rubbing my eyes and instead focused on covering them up. I turned away from Marco. 

“Just leave me alone.” I mumbled. The tears just kept pouring. Enveloped in salt and water I didn’t care if Marco was there or if he left. It was just me. I was the fault in the equation. I’d always been. I always ruined everyone's fun. And as I grew older I wasn’t invited anywhere anymore. Nobody needed me, nobody even wanted me there anymore. And even here I ruined everything. The one thing I couldn’t ruin because I wasn’t part of it. 

“Look, I can see that it’s not nothing and keeping it to yourself is not going to make it better.” Marco said.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Maybe, maybe not. But no matter what, you need to tell me now.”

“Just leave me alone. I need to deal with this on my own.”

“You’re not doing a very good job, yoi .”

“Don't patronize me.”

“Is that what I’m doing?” Marco stroked my back with his palm in soothing circles. “Is there nothing you could tell me? It doesn’t have to be what’s going on right now.” I forced some snot back into my nose only for it to continue dripping. My eyes stopped itching somewhat.

“I met a stranger and I pretended to be his brother.” I mumbled.

“Really? Why, yoi ?”

“He said he’d pay me and I forgot my pouch on Moby.”

“I’m surprised you even have money.”

“Thatch gave me some allowance.”

“Really. You’re spoiled.”

“I’m not.”

“Apprentices usually only get paid when we go ashore.”

“Tch. Anyway he turned out to be a really cool person. I got the money right… Shoot.” I remembered I didn’t even get my pay before sneaking off.

“You’ll meet him again, surely.”

“Maybe. I kind of wish Ace would meet him. That would be awesome.”

“How so?” He asked. Cause they're both alive and I love reading reunion fanfics so actually creating one would be awesome! I thought to myself but didn't say aloud.

“Cause they had a really similar vibe.” I said aloud.

“I’m not going to ask why, again, so isn’t it better to come back to Moby for the time being. You could heal from the stab wounds, and then maybe you could get pop’s mark.”

“You mean like a tattoo?”

“Yeah.”

“I have never been tattooed before. Does it hurt a lot?”

“It depends, and everyone's different. But generally, yes. A lot. We’ll have to get some seastone needles for you too.” I looked up at Marco.

“You knew?”

“Why do you think I’m here? We were half convinced you’d already drowned somewhere. Have I mentioned that Thatch is freaking out somewhere on this island.” A warm feeling spread throughout my stomach.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“It’s funny. A moment ago you were crying floods and now you're smiling as I tell you Thatch is worried sick. Is this your psychotic idea of a prank?” I looked at Marco frowning. He gave me a shit eating grin. 

“Is that your idea of a joke?”

“Come on, let’s head back.” Marco said and started walking again.

“Marco. Have you ever felt meaningless?” He stopped and turned around. Again. He looked me up and down and then took off his glasses. 

“Okay, if we’re going to be doing this let’s sit down.”

In a park we sat down on one of the park benches with a built-in table. Marco sat down across from me.

“Wait here. I’ll be back in a second.” Marco said before he walked away. My hands were cold. My breath was visible as I breathed out.

Marco came back with two cups of coffee and some kind of pastry I’d never seen before. It was a small donut-looking thing covered in chocolate.

“Talk to me.” Marco said. “Meaningless?”

“Like if there’s no meaning, then why even try?”

“Is this why you left?”

“No. But have you thought about it, why do anything when nothing matters?” I paused, fearing I might contaminate Marco with my useless feelings. 

“I don’t think everything is meaningless. Some things matter more than others but I wouldn’t say anything is really completely meaningless.”

“Really? What about darkness?”

“It’s cool and soothing. Plus we get to see amazing things like stars at night.” 

“But it’s just darkness. It’s not even a thing, it's a concept. If it didn’t exist it wouldn’t make a difference, it would just be gone and stuff would be different sure but who cares?”

“I’m not sure I follow, but darkness is very meaningful. It’s the opposite of light. The world would be radically different if not for the concept of darkness.” It just felt like he didn’t understand. I feel so useless. I’m just a bother to everything and everyone. Even now I was just bumming Marco out with my crap.

“Okay, maybe not the best example. But I am meaningless. The world would be the same with or without me. And frankly living is pretty exhausting. So I don’t know. I don’t know. I just don’t know.”

“That’s not true, yoi. You’re going through something right now. There’s no such thing as a useless person.”

“What about crippled people? Or people who sleep away their lives? What about people who leave their families because they found something better somewhere else?”

“You’ve thought a lot about this, but I wouldn’t say they are useless either.”

“They can’t bring anything to the table. And even though it’s like that everyone but me seem to be able to live with themselves. I can’t do that. Sometimes it’s too painful just to live.” I caught my breath and continued. “And when I think about it like that, does anyone bring anything to the table? No we don’t. We live, we survive, we feed off the earth and hurt each other in the process. I’m just as useless as every other person. And I don’t know how to go on living like that. Nothing I do is ever worth it. Even now I thought I was doing something noble, but then again I’m just selfish. Only thinking about what I want the world to be. How the story should unfold.” Heavy breath, heavy heart. I drank some coffee. It was hot and I burnt my tongue. Marco didn’t say a word. I didn’t dare meet his gaze. He was definitely looking at me.

“You’re doing good, Crash. I see that you’re upset. It must have been really hard, yoi.” I cried again. Marco patted my shoulder.  Maybe he used his phoenix powers as it felt warm and cozy. I calmed down. My tears dried and I was left feeling weirdly refreshed. I looked at Marco who was smiling. 

“Feeling better?” He asked.

“Yeah.”

“Fear is a feeling that consumes. And in those cases it’s important to remember that it’s a feeling. And that feeling does not define your worth. No person and or thing does. Not even you yourself.” Marco said. Holding my eyes with his own. I felt uncomfortable but somehow couldn’t look away. Until I did. I took another sip of coffee. “Can you think of anything you have done that felt like it had some worth.” He asked. My first thought was the autographs I’d collected by now. But they were stupid and meaningless too. “It could be anything.” Marco continued. “Anything that when you think back on it you can’t help but think: so worth it.”

“I don’t know. I guess I liked meeting the Whitebeards.”

“The whitebeards? Is that what you call us?”

“What should I say then? Whitebeard's crew?”

“Yeah. The whitebeards sound like some weird group of old men with white facial hair, yoi.”

“Well you’re not really young are you?”

“Okay okay, yoi, no need to be cheeky. This is not about me. So it was so worth it meeting us. Anything else?”

“It was so worth it to join the Whitebeards. To meet Whitebeard. To become your brother. To befriend Ace. To sail on Moby. I can only think about stuff that happened the last few weeks. Isn’t that pretty bad?”

“Was it worth it to eat the devil fruit?”

“Of course.” I answered without a second thought. I thought back on how Teach looked surprised when I showed him my powers. “Definitely.”

“Was it worth losing the ability to swim?”

“Yeah. I wasn’t a good swimmer to begin with.”

“And then you stole a scooter, of all things to come here.”

“Borrowed.” I corrected him. 

“My point is, there is worth in what you have done. I personally believe that every creature carries an inherent worth in them. No matter what you do, who or what you are, we’re all worth something. For better or for worse. That’s why life is so priceless.” Marco said, looking me in the eyes again. I’m worth something, I thought. My hands were no longer shaking. Marco smiled.

“I know what I have to do.”

“What is it, yoi ?”

“I’m going after Ace.” I stood up and started walking away.

“What should I tell Thatch?” Marco asked from behind.

“Tell him I’m okay.”

“And that you’re not going to use a scooter anymore.”

“Right.”

“Wait a minute.” Marco rose up. “Take this Den Den Mushi.” He pulled out a small one from his pocket. I received it.

“Thank you Marco. You said a lot of things, And I don’t think I agree with everything, but it was sweet and…”

“It’s okay, you can just say thanks.”

“Thanks.”

I walked away filled with resolve. I looked to the sky. People always say it’s all in my head. But it’s not. It’s not just in my head. It’s always been in my whole body. And since I can’t run from myself I’m stuck. But right now. Right now. I clenched my fists. I will be able to do anything. And with this newfound strength I’m just going to go and blackmail Sabo into bringing me across the redline.

Chapter Text

Thatch sighed. He’d been at this tavern for hours now with no sight of Marco. The flamebird had come to his senses and they’d decided to work together, split up and then reconvene here at the agreed time. He was late though. Thatch had looked everywhere during the day. Maybe Crash had already left? Why would he leave like that though? Thatch remembered all the moments where Crash had acted weird. He didn’t know what but he knew something was brewing inside that unruly kid. Thatch didn’t know how hurt Crash might or might not have been in the past. But one thing was for sure. He was still a kid. And Thatch wasn’t going to let Crash get himself or others get hurt because of it. The only thing he feared now was finding him and making sure he didn’t do anything crazy. Although in the worst case he’d already left for fishman island as a stowaway or something. That’d make things even worse. Pops needed him here he couldn’t follow if he’d left farther than fishman island. Thatch's heart was heavy to say the least.

“Could I get one more?” Thatch pointed to his plate.

“Right up.” The bartender nodded. As the door creaked open and slammed shut Thatch looked back to see Marco walking in. He waved at him from the counter until he noticed, which took longer than a minute. 

“Where did you run off to? We were supposed to meet here at 10 o’clock.” Thatch nagged. He didn’t want to be pushy but since they reconvened they had clearly decided to work together on this one. And then Marco just went off by himself again.

“Sorry you got caught up in something.” Marco  sat down and gestured for the bartender. 
“Fried chicken and an ale.” The bartender said as he slid a new serving of fried chicken. Thatch gave the bartender a suspicious glance at the ale. “On the house.” The bartender sighed.

“That’s what I like to hear.” Thatch said as he took a sip.

“One beer thanks.” Marco ordered.

“Right up.” The bartender fetched a glass with ease and elegance only years of experience could acquire. The contents spilled on the bench as the overfilled glass reached Marco who flipped over a gold coin towards the tip jar. 

“I don’t understand how you can be this chill.” Thatch said as he eyed Marco.

“You’re never chill. That’s the problem.” Marco said as he took a sip of his beer.

“He’s all alone out there. Probably on about some fantasy adventure, whilst certainly putting himself in more danger than he can handle.”

“I think you should start eating those before they cool down. You always get like this when you're hungry.”

“Shut it.” Marco said and bit into the chicken leigh. 

“Just calm down. Everything's fine, yoi.” Marco said, sipping calmly at his glass. Thatch almost choked. Marco smirked. 

“What?” Marco asked.

“Did you meet him?” Thatch asked. Marco didn’t answer and only took another swig. “Did you meet him?” How and why wouldn’t Marco tell him? How could he keep it to himself? 

“You tell me now.” Thatch said. 

“Just calm down.” Marco said, putting away the beer and actually locking their eyes together.

“If you tell me to calm down, one, more, time, I’m going to loose it. How was he? Why didn’t he come with you?”

“He’s got some stuff to do. Chasing Ace apparently. You know how impulsive kids are? He’s young and he probably just needs some new wind under his wings.”

“Where is here to bring him home birdbrain! Against his will if need be.”

“Okay, just calm down, he’s fine and he’s traveling with someone. They’re pretty strong from what I can tell. So stop worrying now.”

“Who? Who took my baby! We're bringing him home, you know. You told me we’d do this together.”

“He’s doing fine, yoi.”

“I’m bringing him home with or without your help, you know.” The chair creaked as Thatch stood up, throwing his coat over his shoulder.

“Look I know you're worried, yoi. I am too. But he’s determined and you know how sometimes I think he’s very much like Ace. And we couldn’t stop him from leaving. I’m thinking Crash is the same.”

“I just need to see him. To see that he’s okay.”
Marco sighed. When did this cook get so attached? Sometimes Marco really felt like the oldest sibling.

“Fine.”

They reached the dock where Marco had seen Crash enter safely into an unknown vessel, supposedly owned by the revolutionary army if his hunch was correct. 
They both stared at the open water. No boat in sight.

“They must’ve left.” Marco stated dryly.

“My baby!” Thatch screamed and shouted before he gave up and slumped down on the pavement. His face was pale and sickly. Only staring into the ground. Marco stayed the rest of the night by the dock with Thatch. Soothing the man. Telling him everything was okay. But no matter what Marco said. Nothing seemed to get through. As if Thatch knew something Marco did not.