Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or Rise of the Guardians.

A/N: Apparently you guys wanted a sequel to Fire and Ice. And my muse really wanted me to write said sequel so here's the first chapter!

Enjoy!

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Fire and Ice: Embers and Frost

By SkyleafAlchemist19

Summary: Sequel to Fire and Ice. After becoming the new Spirit of Summer, Ace struggles with the knowledge that one day he will be forced to leave everyone he loves behind. Jack questions how far he would go for those he cares about. And Luffy, unaware of Ace's rebirth, is plagued by visions of his brother's death and other horrors. But those nightmares may be more than just dreams…

Characters: Main: Ace, Jack Frost, Luffy, Law. Prominent Characters: Straw Hat Pirates, Marco, Whitebeard Pirates, Guardians, Baby Tooth. Others are spoilers. ;)

Pairings: None

Timeline: AU. Mix of Book and Movie canon/history for Rise of the Guardians. For example, (Spoiler) is related to Pitch, but Jack Frost is not (Spoiler) in this story. This story takes place sometime after the two-year time skip in One Piece. I'd say almost three years after Ace's "death". I'm going to call this story an Alternate Universe fic because it is not going to follow the One Piece post-timeskip storyline, and I'm not going to attempt to fit it in anywhere in the timeline. I will say that it is after Luffy finds out a certain blonde person is alive though. ;) Other than that, don't try to fit it in anywhere in the OP timeline. You'll just get a headache.

Warnings: Some cursing. Violence and blood. Nightmares and some disturbing imagery, I guess? (Pretty much I'll be using Pitch to more of his full potential than what you can do in a Rated PG movie.) Spoilers for One Piece, The Guardians of Childhood series, and the entirety of Rise of the Guardians.

Notes: Jack became a Spirit at 18. Ace became a Spirit at 20. Luffy is 19, almost 20. You can probably figure out the other people's ages from there.

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Chapter One: Out of the Shadows

Ace would never stop thinking that the ocean looked beautiful in the sunlight. The way the light reflected off the blue waters, dancing through the liquid like tiny, harmless bolts of lightning, always brought a smile to the fire-user's face. The recently reborn Spirit of Summer soared slowly over the ocean, letting his hand drift through the water and beaming when he felt no weakness from the action.

Even after two— almost three— years, Ace still was not used to being able to touch salt water and even swim in it again, but being able to do so without negative side effects was just one of the many benefits of being a Spirit. He never knew how much he missed the cold, silky feeling of the water until he gained the ability to enjoy it once more.

With a whoop, Ace let the fire keeping him aloft putter out, diving beneath the waves before shooting back up to the surface, fire collecting at his hands and feet and propelling him upward. Taking a breath, the Summer Spirit dove again, spotting a Sea King far beneath the surface. It stared at him in confusion but did not attack, more bewildered by the strange not-human than wanting to eat it.

Ace broke the surface once more, laying on it and letting the water float him where it would. A chuckle interrupted the fire-user's playtime and he turned to look at his companion with sparkling flame-colored eyes.

"Going to join me, Jack? Or is it too wet for you?"

Jack Frost, the Spirit of Winter, stood stiffly on a small island of ice he had created, staff gripped tightly in one hand. The Guardian did not like swimming, and the fact that most water froze when he was near it did not help to increase his tolerance for the liquid. Neither did the small detail that he had drowned in a lake before becoming a Spirit.

All things considered, Jack was quite calm for being where he was, in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight. Despite his tense posture, his smile was relaxed as he rolled blue eyes at the ex-pirate.

"Not everyone likes water as much as you. I'm beginning to think you should have been an Ocean Spirit instead of a Summer Spirit." Jack teased.

"I just gained a recent appreciation for actually being able to be in the sea." Ace replied flippantly. "Do Ocean Spirits exist in your world?" He asked, always eager to know more about the Guardian's home.

Jack nodded, stretching his arms over his head casually. "Yeah. There's a couple. There used to be more than fifty— all that were almost as powerful as the Seasons!— but they got into trouble a few hundred years before I became a Spirit." At Ace's questioning look he continued. "They became arrogant and kept purposely attacking and killing humans. Mother Nature and the Seasons take care of most oversea storms and hurricanes now, while the remaining Ocean Spirits deal with the sea itself."

"Ah." The young Summer Spirit winced, deciding he did not need to know more.

Ace relaxed on the surface of the water, gazing up at the sun. He and Jack had been doing this a lot lately, just exploring the Grand Line and New World. Not that they had anything better to do anyway. It was odd, not having to rush somewhere or do something.

As a Spirit trapped in a world that he was not meant to interfere with, Ace had very few things he was meant to do and almost no one to tell him to do it. Technically, the only person he had to answer to was Jack, and that was only when the Spirit fretted like a mother hen whenever Ace tried to manipulate nature beyond his capabilities and ended up knocking himself out. Or when the fire-user partook in other reckless activities.

Any comments from the Summer Spirit about hypocrisy and said mother henning were ignored by the Guardian. Even so, overprotective tendencies were a step up from how the Winter Spirit had treated Ace after he had first been reborn. It had taken three months and a literal explosion— courtesy of an irritated Ace— for Jack to stop looking at him like he was going to collapse any second.

But still… being so free of responsibility and mortal worries was strange.

Even on Whitebeard's ship Ace had missions to complete, duties to fulfill, and orders to follow. There were expectations to meet and fears to cover up. Even though Oyaji had known that he was Roger's son, most of the crew had not, and the fear of rejection had always lingered beneath Ace's skin.

Now Ace was no longer a Whitebeard Pirate. Now he was no longer a mortal with limited time. Now he was no longer defined by his father's blood, legacy, and name.

He was Hiken D. Ace, Spirit of Summer. Not Portgas, not Gol or Gold. His father's identity no longer bound him to his unwanted heritage. It was wonderful to not have the burden of the Pirate King's name on his shoulders any longer.

He was finally, truly free.

Naturally, Ace's sense of inner peace could not last forever. Guilt, slow and icy, trickled into his mind and he bit his lip, his thoughts flashing back to the darkest— and final— moments of his life.

"Thank you… for loving me!"

Pain was fading, blackness reaching for him with its kind embrace, and Ace could feel himself slipping from his brother's shoulder. Even as all of his senses faded away, Ace could still hear the teen's frantic sobs, gasping breaths quickly becoming howls of grief. Luffy's screams were the last thing he heard before everything simply ceased, and his mortal life slipped away…

Immortals did not need to sleep much, but whenever it became necessary for Ace to get some shuteye his nightmares were filled with the sights and sounds of the war at Marineford. Sometimes he died and was never reborn, trapped in an endless darkness for all eternity. Other times he did not reach Luffy in time and could only watch as Akainu punched his little brother through the chest, burning him from the inside. And then there were the dreams where his allies and loved ones abandoned him to his fate, unwilling to save the son of a monster like him…

So much for being free of his father's name and his mortal life.

Even with his resolve to live his new life to the fullest and without regrets, Ace could not truly abandon or forget who he once was.

The fire-user would never wish that the Man in the Moon had taken his memories like he had taken Jack's— of course he didn't— but having previous responsibilities and knowing people— mortals— he cared about were out there was difficult.

Ace was trying— he really was— but he could not stop himself from feeling selfish and awful any time he let himself think about those he left behind. The Summer Spirit had not heard much about his brother or the Whitebeard Pirates in the past two— three?— years.

As an invisible Spirit, it was a little difficult to keep up with the not-so major events in the world— and the ones that the World Government and Marines covered up— so days, weeks, and unusual happenstances passed by without the young Immortal noticing. Although, if Ace were honest with himself, he was afraid of what he would read if he picked up one of the newspapers he always saw whenever he and Jack drifted into a town.

Long story short, Ace was not watching over his little brother. Nor was he keeping track of or trying to reconnect with him. He was alive— technically— and yet he was not even attempting to seek out Luffy. What kind of older brother did that?

"You have your 'worrying about Luffy' face on again." Jack mentioned.

Ace glanced sidelong at the other Spirit, pulling his orange cowboy hat down over his eyes. "I have a face for that?"

"Yep." Jack informed him, popping the 'p'. "Spill. What's bothering you?"

"Maybe I should go see Luffy." Ace forced the words out, fidgeting with agitation. "I mean, it's been almost three years. He must be better now, right? And adventuring again? I know he took a break after my— after Marineford, but I think I saw his picture in the paper a few months ago." The fire-user had been too cowardly to go and see exactly what Luffy had done, but a glance at the photo of his brother's grinning face— from a distance— had told him he was at least not dead.

"Ace—" Jack began.

"I'm sure he doesn't need me anymore though." Ace continued, not hearing the Winter Spirit. "But it would be nice to see him. Just see him. I don't have to try to interact with him."

"Ace, I think—"

"Should I try to interact with him? He seems to have moved on but what if he hasn't? What if he blames himself for my de— Marineford? I should try to reassure him, right? I'm the big brother, it was my job to protect him and I would never regret dying to save him."

"Ace, maybe you should—"

"But what if I go and he can't see me? What if he can? What if I've been avoiding him for nothing? What if he hates me? What if—?"

Jack grasped Ace's shoulders, spinning him around in midair to face him.

"Calm down." The Guardian said solemnly. "You're starting to make a thunderstorm."

Ace glanced up and saw that the sunny sky had turned dark. Menacing grey clouds covered the heavens, and the waves below were no longer calm. Instead they thrashed about angrily, stirred up by the differences in pressure in the air. As the first lightning bolt ripped through the air, letting out a bone-shaking boom, the Summer Spirit bit his lip guiltily, praying no ships would get caught in the storm.

When he first became the Spirit of Summer, Ace thought he would have no problems controlling his powers. The fire-user had mistakenly believed that his only abilities were control over fire, like what he had when he was human. It turned out he could do so much more.

Clouds would usually dissipate when he entered an area, the temperature would climb ten or even twenty degrees, and if the clouds did not go away he may unintentionally cause thunderstorms. He himself could not shoot lightning from his hands or anything like that but it turned out that the Spirit of Summer had as much of a chance of making rainstorms as Spring did.

I always thought Summer was just heat and fire, Ace mused. I guess I have more to learn about my powers and what I'm supposed to do than I thought.

Fire and slight temperature manipulation— specifically known as making it hot in the immediate area around him in his case— were just like his old Mera Mera no Mi powers, so his decent control over them had transferred into his new life. As a result, when Ace got upset, he did not burst into flames like one might expect. Instead he caused droughts and thunderstorms. Or would this be a tropical storm?

"That's not going to become a hurricane or something, right?" Ace asked worriedly.

"I don't think so. It should disperse before it reaches land." Jack said with a little hesitance. He was no meteorologist after all. "Do you think I should make it a snowstorm? It doesn't thunder in winter, I think."

"I think it can." The fire-user mentioned, vaguely remembering hearing about a phenomenon known as 'thunder snow' during his travels. "We'd better leave it alone."

They watched the sky continue to turn dark and moody, the remaining white puffballs rapidly transforming into angry cumulonimbus clouds. Ace felt remorseful that he had literally ruined the sunny day, but even as he worried about the humans that might be caught up in the storm, the Summer Spirit could not deny the stirring in his core at the sight of nature's power.

The way the clouds shifted and churned, the heaviness and tension in the air, the pure force the forming storm exuded… It was almost beautiful.

But that beauty did not distract him for long.

Ace sighed, trying to reign in the stress and worries that plagued him. "I just don't know what to do." He whispered. "I can't just forget Luffy and my crew. But at the same time, I don't want to make things harder on them by showing up, only to have to leave again whenever North finally opens a portal to your world. I… I feel like I'm being pulled in two directions, and I don't know which way to go…"

The Guardian studied him with sad blue eyes, breathing out slowly and causing little snowflakes to dance around him.

"I think I finally understand why Manny took away my memories when he made me into the Spirit of Winter." Jack murmured, almost as if he did not mean for Ace to hear his words. "By the time I remembered my family, they were long gone. I didn't have anyone to hold me to my mortal life."

The Winter Spirit laid down on his ice island again, looking up at the gloomy sky. "I won't tell you which decision is right. Luffy is your little brother, and it's your choice whether you want to see him again or not. I won't persuade or dissuade you."

A part of Ace wanted Jack to care more about his little brother, but he brutally squashed such thoughts before he could voice them. He loved Luffy, he really did, but at the same time the Summer Spirit could understand why Jack distanced himself from the Straw Hat Captain and future Pirate King.

Luffy had stopped believing in Jack after Sabo had died, and the fire-user knew that the loss of two believers in one day still hurt the Guardian. Ace had a feeling that Jack was avoiding Luffy in order to keep his own hope that the pirate might actually see him again one day carefully under lock and key where it could not be smothered by rejection.

The Winter Spirit was normally the type to face such things head on and stubbornly attempt to get the result he desired, but when it came to the possibility of people he once cared for walking through him, the Spirit could not handle it. He would rather never find out if Luffy could see him again than have the boy— now young man— walk through him like he was a ghost.

Ace knew this was Jack's reasons because, in a way, they were his own reasons now as well. The thought of meeting his brother again, only to be unable to interact with him…

"It's getting a little hot over here, Ace." Jack mentioned, creating a frosty haze around himself as the temperature climbed. He also reinforced his little ice island, raising an eyebrow as a chunk fell into the sea. "We really need to keep working on your control before we get back to Earth."

"Oops. Sorry." Ace apologized.

The fire-user could not stop the pang of worry that gnawed at his gut when he thought about his inevitable job in a completely different world. It was true that right now he and Jack were doing little more than flying around the world and making sure Ace had enough control to not cause a natural disaster— or the end of the world— but the knowledge that he was going to have to leave this world and all he knew on it unsettled Ace.

I'm going to be leaving Luffy behind. We're already separated by whatever keeps humans from immediately seeing most Spirits and my… issues, but at least in this world I'll hear if he's in trouble and needs help. Once North figures out a way to get us back to Jack's world, will I even be able to come back here? I'm immortal now. What if I come back after losing track of time, and Luffy's an old man? What if he's dead?

Ace floated over to Jack's ice island, landing lightly near the edge. He tried to breathe evenly, but his breaths came out as ragged gasps.

It's not just Luffy. I'm going to outlive everyone I know except Jack. Except maybe Marco, but I don't even know if he's actually immortal or if that's a myth. It was fine to think my brothers would die one day when I knew I'd join them but now… I can't think about this. If I do, I'll make myself sick. Can Spirits even get sick?

The crack of thunder startled him out of his near-panic and he looked up to see lightning strike the water, arcing dangerously through the liquid. A moment later it began to pour, with the droplets turning to snow around Jack. Ace was already soaked from his dip in the ocean but knew he could just vaporize the water with his powers to dry off once they reached shelter. He could technically do that now, but the sudden burst of heat would only increase the instability in the air.

The two Spirits began flying through the rain, yelping and laughing as the storm raged around them. Lightning struck the water menacingly, making cracking and booming noises loud enough to make grown men quail, but they were unafraid. Jack and Ace were Mother Nature's children, and even in a different world they had little to fear from the elements under her control. Or maybe they were just reckless.

But even as he flew, Ace's thoughts refused to turn away from his brother and the choices he would soon have to face. To see his brother or not. To keep out of the pirate's affairs or protect him as he always had. To let Luffy keep thinking Ace was dead and gone, or to reveal himself in his new, Immortal form, only to have to leave again eventually.

Did he even have the right to make such a choice anymore?

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Marshall D. Teach, also known as Blackbeard, smiled triumphantly as he watched the villagers flee before him. His satisfaction was even sweeter because it was not just any island that he was attacking, but one of the many under Whitebeard's protection. It felt wonderful to pillage those that looked to that old fool to defend them if need arose.

Although the Whitebeard Pirates were still strong, the balance of power had changed after Marineford. New people had been drawn to lives of piracy, seeking glory or treasures or power, inspired to follow their dreams by what had transpired in the Marine stronghold. But not all of the newcomers were kind or genuine people.

Many new and ferocious pirate crews had formed, attacking all in their path and claiming territories that none had dared to invade just a few years earlier. Not only that, but the other Yonko— specifically Big Mom and Kaido— had taken the Whitebeard Pirate's weakening as a sign to expand their own territories. Even with their strength and numbers, the Whitebeard Pirates were facing opposition from too many sides at once in order to combat them all as quickly as they once did.

Blackbeard briefly wondered if it was because they were still grieving, and sneered visibly at the thought. Those that were hindered by the loss of one person did not deserve to wield such power and influence over the world. It was long past time that Whitebeard and his 'children' step aside and let the newer generations make their marks upon the world.

Smiling, the pirate used one of his favorite attacks, sucking up a few escaping villagers and taking down a few buildings along with them. The civilians screamed as they were dragged into the darkness, helpless to avoid their deaths. From nearby Teach's crew laughed and cheered, marveling at their Captain's power.

Basking in the praise, Blackbeard almost did not see the change in his darkness, as if another, darker shadow was forming within it. As it were, he easily noticed the glowing yellow eyes that appeared out of nowhere and stared at him from the blackness.

For an unknown reason, Blackbeard felt fear.

His helmsman, Jesus Burgess was the next person to spot the new presence. "What in Oda's name…?"

The Blackbeard Pirates could only stare in shock as the wraith-like figure became a definitive man, peeling away from Teach's darkness like a shadow splitting in two. He was tall, clothed in black, with skin as grey as ashes and hair as dark as night. The only colors on him were his yellow eyes and white teeth, which flashed when he gave an unreadable smile.

Blackbeard thought he saw a speck of greenish-blue flit out of the shadows as well, but before he could think more about it, the man spoke.

"I thought I kept seeing new shadows that weren't mine popping up somewhere." The man mused, walking on the darkness that covered the dirt as casually as one walked on solid ground. "Congratulations, human. You made me curious enough to come and investigate."

The tone in which he spoke was both condescending and sincere, sending a bolt of anger through Blackbeard's veins.

"Who are you? How did you do that?" the pirate yelled, stepping forward.

Shock crossed the man's face before a slow, cruel smile formed on grey lips, and yellow eyes gleamed as they studied the pirate.

"You can see me…" the man breathed. He saw them all looking at him at last. "You all can see me…"

"Of course I can see you, you dimwit." Blackbeard sneered. "Now answer my questions." Shadows gathered around his hand

"Aww. The little human thinks that he controls Darkness. How adorable." The man purred, deeply amused.

Fear— This man was not human— and anger— How dare he talk down to him!— warred for dominance in Blackbeard's gut. Eventually the rage won out and he glowered at the grey man, puffing out his chest.

"Do you think you can mock me? I am Blackbeard, soon-to-be the next Pirate King!"

The shadow man looked unimpressed. "And I say again… how adorable. Although…" His expression shifted from boredom into something close to rage. "Even with your vileness and age, I can feel the power of your dream. It's so… hopeful." Disgust flitted over his features before vanishing. "Still, if even the dreams of adults have power here… Though you could immediately see me as well…" Yellow eyes glinted with excitement and he gave a genuine smile. "Excellent."

"What are you blabbing on about?" Teach growled, irritated.

"Oh, I'm sorry." The man said politely, hands up in a calming gesture. "I'm just talking to myself… thinking of the possibilities…" His smile grew unnaturally wide and his gaze changed, almost becoming… hungry. "You have so much fear…"

Annoyed— and ignoring the uncomfortable twist of uneasiness in his chest— Blackbeard swept his hand sideways, letting his darkness fly at the man. The newcomer merely laughed as the blackness flew at him, reaching up a pale grey hand and twirling it lazily.

Blackbeard screamed, barely able to keep his footing as agony ripped through his torso. Like a limb being torn off, Teach felt the darkness break from his control, drifting slowly to the grey man and looping around him like a loyal pet greeting its owner. The man reached up, stroking the Darkness gently.

"You really do think that you can control Darkness. Foolish mortal. I think you need some lessons from an expert." The man murmured. "After all, what is Darkness without fear?"

The Darkness shot outward, expanding up into the sky like a monster opening its maw. Blackbeard flinched but the Darkness did not touch him. He could only watch in horror as the Darkness swarmed over his crew like a swarm of piranhas, all of them vanishing within it before they could even scream.

Ice crawled up Teach's spine and he stared at the thing in front of him with terror.

"W-What are you?"

"My name is Pitch Black. I am the Nightmare King. I am Fear. I am Darkness. It is mine to wield." Pitch snarled, the calm expression he wore dropping like a mask from his face. "And I will not share it with a human."

The Darkness, vengeful and merciless, lunged like a predator. Blackbeard yelled and was somehow able to dodge the shadowy tendrils, bringing out his own darkness. The pirate howled and fell to his knees, feeling as if he had been stabbed in the chest when Pitch tore the darkness from him, adding it to his own power.

"You are nothing compared to me, human!" Pitch crowed, "You think you control Darkness and shadows, but I am nothing but those things! You don't understand true Darkness. You have never experienced real nightmares!"

The Darkness settled in his hands, shifting and changing. Before Blackbeard's eyes, it became a black scythe that was as long as the Captain was tall.

"And you never will." Pitch stated.

With a single swipe of his black scythe, the Nightmare King beheaded the pirate. Teach's corpse fell to the ground and the Darkness covering the dirt retreated from him, as if the shadows themselves did not want to be anywhere near their former wielder.

Pitch let the scythe disperse, closing his eyes and letting the aura of this new world wash over him. "So much fear… and despair… and Darkness…" He smiled. "I will gain so much power here."

Something touched his hand and he opened his eyes. The yellow orbs lit up like a child's on Christmas, if said child had slight sadism hidden within the glee when they opened an unexpected gift. Nine black creatures stood dutifully beside him, their heads slightly above Pitch's own, even as they shifted restlessly. The Boogieman reached up, dismissing the warning hiss the creature gave him.

"Well, well. I certainly did not expect to be able to form some of you out of this Darkness." Pitch mused aloud, gently stroking one of the creatures' heads. He glanced at the beheaded pirate and sighed. "I should have made him into one of you, too. Oh well."

The creature snarled menacingly, snapping at his hand, and the Nightmare King smirked.

"This world is perfect for us. It's brimming with fear and violence, there are so many dreams to crush, and apparently adults can see Spirits as easily as children. As a bonus, there are no Guardians—" He spat the word with all the hatred he could muster. "— here to protect it."

The Nightmare King stepped back, shooing away the black creatures with a hand. "Now go. Seek out those whose will fall to fear and nightmares and… Well, you know what to do."

The creatures shot into the sky, clouds gathering ominously as they became smoke-like, soaring through the clouds with speeds unheard of on this world.

Pitch watched them go, yellow eyes glowing with malice. "It's time for this world to enter a Dark Age. I wonder how long its people will last."

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A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry if Blackbeard seemed to die too easily. I don't think he'd stand a chance against Pitch (He was afraid of him, after all). Especially since he doesn't have Whitebeard's power in this story. (Innocent expression) I also kinda hate Blackbeard, so I wanted him out of the way. I'll be using other One Piece villains though, don't worry.

Also, this is the only chapter I'm going to use Darkness with a capital "D". I did it to show the difference between Pitch and Blackbeard's darknesses.

On another note, I always find it odd when people delegate rain and thunderstorms only to Spring in their ROTG fanfics. The thunderstorms in my area are always the worst in summer, with loud cracking bolts of lightning that make my house shake and torrential downpours. Fun (sarcasm).

Ace won't be able to summon storms on command. That's unintentional. Fire is his go-to/instinctive power, and since he had those powers in his human life, I think he would have more control over them when he's upset. So his new powers are the ones that will freak out if he's emotional. :P Speaking of which, sorry if Ace seemed OOC at any point. He has a lot to deal with right now.

A special thank you to everyone who reviewed and favorited Fire and Ice and/or told me to write the sequel!

Please review!