Author Note:
I am going to change a few things in the plot for this story because I sadly have not seen all of the episodes of One Piece around this time frame, or read them. So, it won't be accurate. I love Ace though and was so sad and angry over his death, spoiler lol. I don't own anything of One Piece but I wish I did because Ace would be alive still. Grr.
Warning: Violence, torture, explicit content, rape mentions. No slash or romance pairings in this fic.
Chapter 1: A brother knows
The straw hats were celebrating their victory over the marines and new nakama member Franky. Sanji was dancing around Nami and Robin with heart shape eyes. Zoro was drinking sake with Franky and laughing at the idiot Usopp reenacting his 'win over a hundred sea kings' to a captivated Chopper. Everything seemed like a grand celebration until one looked toward a lone figure sitting away from the bonfire.
The captain of the merry crew sat on the sand gazing out at the sea with a look not usually seen on his face. Usually Luffy was enjoying his nakama's enjoyment and would be right in the thick of the celebration, but something felt off to the boy. Luffy frowned in thought. It felt like the time he had bad meat in his stomach, achy and dreadful. It was a new feeling that was stronger than any he felt when he was in a dangerous situation.
Then again Luffy wasn't afraid of dangerous situations for himself, but for his friends. Luffy glanced at the merry laughing crew then back to the sea in thought. Luffy didn't like to think too much since it distracted from the adventures he could have. Something wouldn't let him stop though. His friends were all here and fine. Just a few feet away. What could be bothering him so much? It felt important so Luffy was making sure to not interrupt his nakama celebrating.
He glanced back at the others again and caught sight of Zoro watching him. With just a look Luffy could tell Zoro was asking if he was alright. Luffy was thankful he didn't have to say anything because he sadly couldn't really lie to save his life. He had no idea what was wrong and it was starting to give him a headache. Luffy gave Zoro a reassuring smile and slight wave telling him he was fine and to not bother him. Zoro gave a slight nod and turned back to the fool sharp shooter.
Luffy sighed in annoyance. He gazed up at the stars and caught a light coming from his hat. The fire was on his other side so why was there light? Shit he hoped his treasure wasn't on fire. Quickly he took the hat off his head patting the place with the light in panic. That's when he saw the light was coming from the ribbon, no inside the ribbon. Luffy gently moved it and saw the vivre card that Ace had given him.
"Ace..." Luffy felt dread deep in his chest and broke out into a cold sweat. Although he didn't know too much about the card except, he could find his big brother with it, something told him it was wrong for it to be on fire. Harsh breathing could be heard coming from the boy as he fully took out the card from his hat. This feeling he remembered now. Shards of memory started to come back of a blond-haired boy in a top hat and broken tooth smile. The child in a lone boat as the island he sailed from burned. A shot. "No!" Luffy shouted jumping to his feet.
The straw hats turn in alarm to their captain, tensing for a fight. Looking around nothing seemed to be out of place. Still on guard Sanji stepped closer to Luffy. "Shitty captain why did you cause Nami-swan and Robin-swan to worry? I should kick your ass for not treating the ladies right".
"Enough curly brow," Zoro scuffed at the chef pushing him back toward the others as he walked toward Luffy. Zoro had caught the trembling frame of his captain and as the first mate he knew Luffy wouldn't want the others to see him like that. Zoro kept one eye on his surroundings even though he knew the captain wasn't sensing any physical danger. Something had upset him.
Luffy took some large breathes to try to calm his racing heart as Zoro made it to his side. "Everyone head back to the ship I think it's time to get some rest before we leave in the morning". Zoro commanded without looking way from Luffy.
As they walked a few feet farther Zoro turned his captain toward him and startled at the look on his face. Luffy's eyes were wide with pain and a little dazed. He seemed to be seeing something else and not noticing the large tears falling from his eyes. Zoro lightly gripped his shoulders to try to ground him. "Captain?"
Luffy jerked a little at Zoro's soft but demanding tone. Gulping the lump in his throat he finally felt the water on his face. Taking a moment, that his first mate gladly gave, Luffy tried to calm himself more. Something was wrong with Ace. He was in danger. Although Luffy was a little slow and dumb at times he had excellent instincts that he would listen to.
They were instincts that saved him in battles against pirates, marines, and the larger wild animals in the mountains of his childhood. He knew Sabo was in danger and was too weak to save him. It felt like Ace was in mortal danger just like with Sabo. Luffy couldn't lose another brother. Although both had different paths and dreams in life there was one universal truth. Ace and Luffy were brothers and would always need each other.
If one was in danger the other would help them. Usually being Ace protecting his little brother. This time Luffy had to save Ace. If Ace died, he would be all alone. Yes, he had his nakama and dream to become the pirate king but it would never be the same without Ace being out there on the sea. Ace deserved to live more than a lot of the people in the world. His older brother that thought so less of his life. That asked people, "If Roger's had a son, should he live?".
Something snapped within his mind. Luffy felt anger and love pulse through him stronger than ever before. No, he refused to allow anyone to kill Ace and take him away. Straightening up with clutched fists at his side he turned determined eyes on his first mate. Zoro's eyes widened and almost took a step back at the look on the usually carefree captain's face.
"Zoro," Zoro tensed at his name being uttered so seriously. The air felt so heavy and sweat dripped down his neck.
"Captain," He said while trying not to move. The presence around the straw-hat captain was commanding.
"We're leaving now". Luffy stated as a fact and started to walk toward the ship in purpose. God help the poor souls that got in his way was the thought that came to Zoro's mind as he grimly walked behind his captain.
"What happened?"
"Ace is in danger," Luffy turned a little to look at Zoro holding up the lightly burning vivre card. "I will save him". It was said in such a commanding, simple fact way that Zoro believed him instantly like he had when Luffy states he was going to become Pirate King. It was just like saying the grass is green or the sky was blue. Luffy was the future Pirate King and he would save Ace from any danger he was in. Simple fact of life.
Zoro smirked dangerously. Although he had not been around the fiery pirate long, he could clearly see the love and care between the D brothers. There was a powerful bond between the two that transcended the distance the two kept with being on different ships, in different waters. They would always be there for each other.
He felt a tiny micro bit sad for the fool that placed Ace in danger, since Ace was strong himself so someone had to be involved. He was not like Luffy in the brain department from what Zoro could tell by their last meeting, or had Luffy's trouble magnet luck. Then Zoro remembered the crew Ace was from and snorted in pity. Whitebeard was a powerful man with a lot of powerful sons as he called them. Between Luffy and the Whitebeard pirates the bastards would be wishing for death, and Zoro will happily help the captain that saved his life.
It was finally time for the crew to protect their carefree, black hole of a captain. He knew that as soon as he let the others know about Ace, they would be fully geared to sail off to save him. Luffy had saved all of them before and made them feel so free and welcome in his crew. There was no way they would let him down in his time of need.