(A/n Hi'ya everyone! This will probably be a two-three chapter story (once it's done I might just put it all together into a oneshot). Hope you enjoy it!)

On the Sabaody Archipelago many people celebrated Whitebeard's death. Only the pirates who knew this wasn't a laughing matter stood with straight faces. Those people knew that this event signaled a change in the current era.

It'd been three days since the Straw Hats were split up. Somehow the crew members had managed to make their way to Sabaody. It didn't matter if one of them was on the Bowin Islands or another having been sent flying high to the sky island Weatheria. With determination they sailed off the islands and to the meeting place.

Not too far off a marine battleship was sailing towards Sabaody. But this ship had been stolen. Instead of holding the marines it was so familiar with it held the surviving members of Whitebeard's crew. It was silent on the ship for everyone was still grieving over the loss of their captain. The Second Division Commander however, grieved two losses.

Ace sat alone in a room. He was sitting against the wall and had his head bowed. He was exhausted, but he couldn't sleep, he didn't want to either. If he did, those memories would plague his dreams, tormenting him and forcing him to relive that moment over and over again. Ever since he left Marineford pressure built up against his dull eyes, he needed to cry, scream. But his body was frozen in shock. He'd watched it happen. He was helpless to stop it, and he blamed himself for it.

Flashback

"…Now watch!"

From where he laid on the earth clutching his arm, Ace froze for a millisecond as he realized who Akainu was going after. "Luffy! Run!" He flipped around and shouted in a frantic voice.

The effects from the Tension Hormones and all of the other wounds Luffy had received in battle had begun it take it's toll. The boy was on his knees as he attempted to reach for something, he looked up at Ace's warning, but by the time he saw the enemy it was too late.

Time seemed to slow as Akainu raised a magma fist and brought it down.

The fiery substance collided with Luffy's chest, eating away at his skin until a fist popped out from his back.

The people close by stopped what they were doing to gawk at this. Ones who knew Luffy had many different reactions,

Marco, the First Division Commander felt his legs go weak as he took in the scene. Ace's little brother, the one who Pops had told him not to allow die, was on his knees, a fist of magma going through his chest.

From where Whitebeard stood on the other side of the split earth he risked a glance over his shoulder. His eyes widened when he spotted smoke curling into the air, and his son's little brother being impaled by the Akainu's fist.

An unimaginable rage built up inside Garp seeing one of his grandsons like that. Luffy's usual cheerful face was replaced with a mix of terror and shock as of this very moment, and that pissed him off. Whoever harmed anyone close to him would be sent to hell. And Akainu had a one way trip there.

Ace felt himself start to shake uncontrollably. A weak hand stretched out and he faintly heard himself shout, "LUFFY!" He watched as Akainu pulled his fist out. As he did there was a disgusting sloshing sound and blood began to drip from the gaping hole in Luffy's chest. Luffy didn't seemed to be registering the pain, he looked to be still processing what was happening. Slowly, the boy brought a hand to his chest. It pulled away dripping in crimson blood.

Ace's brows furrowed and he bolted over to Luffy who had began to sway on his knees. He slid on the earth and caught his brother before he could fall over. "A-Ace…" Luffy choked out.

The Whitebeard pirate laid a hand on the back of his brothers head protectively, the other going under his arms for support. "I…I'm here, Luffy."

Luffy managed to crack a smile and said, "Ah…I'm glad. Hey Ace, I feel, cold…I-I think I'm dying..."

Ace let lose a shuddering breath and he shouted, "Don't say that!"

"It seems that Dragon's son still has some life in him." A cold voice said from above. Slowly, Ace looked up. The magma user was standing above the pair, his left fist alive with his Devil Fruit power. "I'll have to finish him off."

Akainu pulled his fist back once more and aimed for Luffy's head. Ace felt himself shaking again. He wouldn't be able to stop him…this bastard could burn even him! And he was made out of fire! "Stop it…" He muttered, his eyes still focused on the punch yet to come. Akainu began moving his magma fist forward, towards Luffy. Ace shouted, "STOP!"

A sudden flash of blue appeared between them and Akainu. When it focused he found his brother's savior was Jinbe. The fishman had caught Akainu's fist and growled, "I won't let you harm him any more!"

"Jinbe…" Akainu said in a low tone. The former warlord managed to push the Admiral away from them and he and a few pirates blocked Akainu's path.

"Oi Luffy…I'm going to get you some help understand? DOCTOR!" Ace shouted over his shoulder into the crowd of pirates gathered. "WHERE'S THE DOCTOR?!"

Moments later a man he recognized ran out from the group carrying a small briefcase marked with a red X. "Hurry, let me see his wound!" The doctor said. The man observed the damage before standing up, a grave look on his face. Without meeting his eyes he said, "I'm sorry…"

Anger flared in him and he shouted, "What's that supposed to mean?! You're a doctor right?! Heal him and do your damn job!"

Ace felt a hand weakly squeeze his arm, "Ace…it's alright. The fist probably fried my insides…I don't have much longer..." Luffy said hoarsely.

He growled and said, "I told you to stop saying stuff like that! You're not going to die!"

Luffy chuckled which broke into a coughing fit, "Ace, could you do me a favor? My nakama's supposed to meet up with me at Sabaody…I won't make it. Could you go there for me…and tell them to live their lives without regret?"

Ace felt tears threatening to fall. To live without regret is something he'd told Luffy to do after Sabo had died. In a shaky voice he said, "Y-Yeah, I-I will." His lips pressed into a firm line and added on, "But you could meet up with them yourself! Just hold on!"

"Thanks," With a weak chuckle Luffy drew in a raspy breath then continued, "Listen Ace, after I'm gone don't blame yourself. I'll be watching over you! I'm not really gone…I'm glad…I-I'm glad, that I met you." Through the pain Luffy somehow managed a broad smile, "Thanks Ace, for everything..." The small arms that'd been once wrapped around him went limp. His eyes widened and his own muscles went slack as Luffy's body fell past him, falling to the earth with a thump.

Ace's shaky eyes looked down and he saw his brother, lying there, his blood spattered on the earth beneath him. His ears filled with ringing and he laid a hand on Luffy's shoulder, gently shaking it. "L-Luffy…oi…Luffy…." With each passing second that the boy didn't get up his chest felt heavier, tears pricked the corner of his eyes, his vision darkened.

There was a loud noise, it kind of sounded inhuman, he recognized it as a scream. His scream. He didn't remember what happened after but it was declared; Monkey D. Luffy, had died on the battlefield.

Flashback End

Ace grimaced and violently shook his head, at the same time digging two fingers into his temple in an attempt to push those memories from his mind. They were currently sailing to Sabaody, to fulfill Luffy's last wish. He just hated to be the one to tell Luffy's nakama that their captain was dead. But it couldn't be helped.

Marineford Battlefield; The Day Before

Shanks stepped forward and scanned the carnage with hardened eyes. He spotted his old rival Whitebeard standing as a corpse, unmoving with two holes in his chest. The old man dripped in blood, the aftermath of fighting to the absolute limit his body could be pushed to. Not too much further ahead there laid another body. This one was covered with a small tarp, but he could see his face. It was his old friend, Anchor. Shanks felt anger building up inside him at the sight of the bloodied kid. Marines nearby began to faint as he let loose some of his Haki, Benn managed to calm him down before a fight broke out.

With a glare he said, "I'll be taking these two men, any objections?"

A marine stepped forward, clearly angry, and yelled, "You can't take them! Their our greatest-" He focused his gaze on the man and immediately the marine dropped unconscious to the ground. A growl erupted from his throat and his eyes darted around, as if he was daring for any more idiots to try to stop him.

"You can take them." A gruff voice broke the tense silence. It was none other than Sengoku. The Fleet Admiral was standing beside the Vice Admiral Garp looking quite tired and annoyed.

A soldier stepped forward and protested, "But sir-"

Sengoku lowered his head and snapped, "Silence! I will take the responsibility for this. Treat the wounded! This war, is over!"

The battlefield went silent save for the distant crashing of the waves. Shanks looked up to meet with the Fleet Admiral and nodded once.

Sengoku knew the look he was being given; a look of gratitude. It return he scoffed and tilted his head up. Hopefully the Yonko didn't see this as an act of kindness towards him. He only was letting them take the two bodies because he'd rather not have any more bloodshed. And, as much as he hated to think it he had formed some sort of respect for Whitebeard.

Shanks walked first towards the motionless body of Anchor. Following him a foot or so behind was Benn. The rest of his crew was tasked with getting Whitebeard onto the Red Force.

"Sengoku!" A harsh voice bellowed over the chatter of the marines. "Why did you accept the demands of a pirate?!"

Shanks' eyes narrowed and he paused, letting loose another burst of Haki. He recognized this voice. The "Red Dog", Akainu.

Sengoku found the Admiral standing furious by the frozen water. Steam had begun to rise in the air as Akainu's magma dripped onto the frozen surface. He had just finished pursuing Portgas D. Ace, somehow the man had escaped his clutches. With hardened eyes he shouted in reply, "Are you up to fighting another Yonko after taking those injuries from Whitebeard, Akainu?!"

Akainu growled and tightened a fist. His eyes found Red Hair standing over the body of the Son of Dragon. He had killed that nuisance but Son of Roger escaped. And now Sengoku wants to hand over the bodies of the pirates who started a war for a proper burial? Absurd. They should be put up for the world to see as an example.

Through his rage a sliver of pain caused him to wince. Sengoku was right about one thing; that pirate Whitebeard had dealt him serious injuries. It felt like a dull throbbing at the moment but thinking rationally he didn't think he could take on a Yonko and his crew. He tilted his head down so that his eyes were shadowed. The war was a failure. The Son of Roger hadn't been executed, their only feat was luring Whitebeard here and taking him down. The Son of Dragon was merely a bonus. Deciding to go along with the Fleet Admiral's orders, he kept quiet and instead focused his hardened gaze on Red Hair.

Benn chuckled quietly and said, "By the time we leave I feel I'll have holes in my back from that Admiral's glare."

Shanks only grunted in agreement and bent down to gently scoop up the body before him. The boy felt oddly light, but he knew it was because there was probably barely any blood left in his body. His impassive face twitched as he spotted the gaping hole in Anchor's chest, similar to the ones Whitebeard had. Shanks had a feeling he knew who delivered the killing blow.

The marines didn't even need to be told to clear a path as he headed back to his ship. "Benn," He began in a low tone, "When we leave let the crew know not to bother me."

The first mate regarded his captain's feelings with a sympathetic look which quickly faded as he answered, "Will do."

Minutes later the Red Haired pirates had boarded their ship along with the two bodies. The crew members who had been around to know Luffy were grieving the loss of the boy. Others paid their respect to Whitebeard who was laid on the deck, awaiting his burial.

Shanks had retreated to the Captain's Quarters. He now sat slumped against the door a bottle of sake in his hand. Anger. Regret. Those emotions ran through the captain of the Red Haired pirates. Shanks thought back to ten years ago; if they had never stopped at Dawn Island maybe Anchor would never had been a pirate. Would have been for the best though? He heaved a heavy sigh and took a swig of sake. What's in the past is in the past. I can't change anything that already happened. I heard Ace escaped...that's good. Although he's probably in immense pain as of this moment.

And so, the day dragged on as the Red Force sailed towards the island which would hold the graves of the two pirates. Grief could clearly be seen on the faces of the crew. They were also worried for their captain-who hadn't showed himself since they left Marineford.

The first mate sat balanced on the ship's railing, gazing into the sea. He knew not to worry about his captain. The man would pull through. After all, he knew he didn't sail under a weak man.

At the same time...Baltigo; Revolutionary Base

The Chief of Staff stood shaking violently. In his hands were the paper concerning the article on the War of the Best. His eyes were wide in shock, hot tears numbly trailed down his cheeks. His vision blurred and images flashed…memories. A choking sound erupted from his throat before he let loose a strangled cry, afterwards collapsing to the floor unconscious.

Before he passed out a face appeared to go with the name he'd seen in the paper. Monkey D. Luffy. The face was a smiling boy, no older than ten. That person...that boy...is my brother!

(A/n Thanks for reading! Next chapter will have the Straw Hats and maybe some more reactions. Until next time!)