(A/N) This chapter was Beta'd by the brilliant Aliahra and HaruHanabishi, thank you!

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece, I am not Oda.

I graduated UNI! I'm so sorry this took so long. Thank you to all for sticking with me!

This is the final chapter. (However, I may go back and change a few things from previous chapters.)

Previously: Ace found himself in immense amounts of pain, due to the fact that two devil fruits can't exist at the same time. Unfortunately Sabo finds himself in the same predicament; so Ace tried to kill himself to save his brother, albeit unsuccessfully. Sabo however, had a more fail proof plan, and just chomped down on a second devil fruit.

Candle Heart

Chapter 22- Explosion!

Luffy groggily opened one eye.

Someone is yelling…

"LUFFY!"

Luffy sat up straight, suddenly alert.

That was Ace!

He jumped up and ran to the infirmary. He slid into the room and saw Sabo convulsing on his bed. Foam was building up around his mouth and blood was escaping from his tear ducts. "SABO!" he screamed running to his brother's side.

"Luffy untie me, so I can help him!" Ace begged.

Luffy looked over at Ace and saw how pale he looked; his face almost resembled a panda bears with the dark circles around his eyes. Luffy unbound Ace and helped him reattach his legs, which Trafalgar had cut off earlier. Ace ran to Sabo and grabbed him just before he fell off the bed, he pinned his arms down and growled, "What the hell did you do!? You said we had time!"

Sabo's eyes rolled to the back of his head.

"Luffy, grab his legs! We have to stop him from hurting himself!"

Luffy nodded and did what he was told, "What happened?" he asked.

"I don't know, I woke up and found him like this."

"We need Chopper!"

"CHOPPER!" they both yelled at the top of their lungs.

Within minutes the little reindeer was in the room closely followed by Robin, "What happened?" he gasped after seeing Sabo.

"We don't know!" Luffy cried.

"Quick, roll Sabo onto his side so he doesn't choke!" Chopper demanded calmly, but firmly.

The two brothers rolled Sabo over, whilst Chopper went to work intubating Sabo. Luffy couldn't help but notice how hot Sabo's skin was, he grabbed Ace's arm and noticed the opposite symptom. While one of his brother's skin felt like a hot stove to touch and almost appeared to be bubbling like it couldn't quite take the heat anymore; the others reminded him of Aokiji, and his cold ice.

"Luffy!" Robin exclaimed, "Look at this."

Luffy looked over and saw a half-eaten fruit lying on the floor, next to Sabo's bed. It was a vibrant green with a pattern of swirls covering the upper half of the cylindrical shaped fruit.

"A devil fruit."

"What does that mean?" Luffy asked.

"Luffy…" Chopper croaked, "it's rumoured people who eat two devil fruit… explode."

Luffy's eyes widened and he felt like somewhere he could hear glass shattering. He looked at Sabo, his hands were burning just touching Sabo's skin. How long did he have? Will he survive this? Why did he do this?

"Luffy, I believe we only have till sunrise to figure this out, and by the looks of Ace, he only has that long as well," Robin said as she placed a cold cloth over Sabo's forehead.

"That's only a few hours Robin!" Luffy cried.

"Luffy, don't worry about me, save Sabo," Ace croaked, now back in his own bed.

"By the looks of it the, smartest option would be to put Sabo-ya out of his misery," Law said walking in. "It'll be almost impossible to save him, and his death would almost guarantee Firefist- ya's survival."

"No it wouldn't!" Ace growled indignantly.

"Neither of them are dying Tra- Guy!"

"There's nothing you can do Straw hat-ya! The moment the sun rises over the ocean, both your brothers will be dead! You have to choose whether to save one of them or neither!"

"NO!" Luffy screamed!

"It's neither then!" Ace grumbled.

"Luffy, this is your decision. What do we do?" Robin asked.

"Save them both," Luffy said crossing his arms.

"I'll try to bring down Sabo's fever," Chopper said taking out a syringe.

"I'll do some more research," Robin said exiting the room.

"I'll see if i can try to extract the fruit Sabo just ate from his stomach. But it's unlikely to work," Law sighed.

Law activated his 'room' over Sabo.

"This doesn't look good Straw hat-ya; he's going to explode."

"Keep trying," Luffy begged.

The rest of the crew slowly woke up and helped in any way they could, but light was building up on the eastern horizon. The brighter it got, the worse the two brothers looked. They didn't have much time left.

"Luffy, Sabo could explode at any second; we need to get him off the Sunny!" Law exclaimed.

"Take him out onto the deck."

"Bring me too," Ace said weakly.

Luffy and Zoro took Ace and Sabo out on stretchers. Thankfully Sabo had stopped thrashing, but now his skin was so hot that no one could touch him.

"We're running out of time!" Luffy yelled, looking out onto the horizon. The very edge of the sun was peeking out over the horizon.

"There is nothing I can do, but delay the inevitable Straw hat-ya!" Law yelled.

"There must be something!" he screamed.

"Luffy, we can't find anything," Robin said tears welling up in her eyes.

"We need to kill Sabo-ya so Firefist-ya can live!"

"No! I will not let that hang over my head," Ace said weakly.

"But Ace..."

"I'm sorry Luffy, this is all my fault. You should have just left me in the past."

"No…" Luffy choked, his vision was becoming blurry with his tears.

"I'm glad the three of us got to be together again, made all of this worth it," he said before his eyes slowly closed.

"ACE!" Luffy screamed running toward him.

"No Luffy you have to stay away," Zoro said forming a tight grip around Luffy.

"ACE! SABO!" he screamed as he fought against Zoro to go to his brothers side's.

Law had formed a room around the two brothers whilst the rest of the crew stayed as far back as possible. "Law you have to get back too! The explosion could kill you!" Chopper yelled. Law didn't have time to react before a blinding white light consumed everything. Luffy managed to get one last look at his brothers before it consumed his sight as well.

As his sight slowly returned, he felt his heart shatter into a million tiny pieces.

It's all my fault.

Ace.

Sabo.

If we had just had more time to find a way to fix this.

He looked out at the blazing sun, a cruel reminder that time had once again betrayed him.

They were gone.

"Luffy! Stop being so depressed it was just our devil fruits."

He felt a slap on his back, "Yeah we can just go find new ones."

"But it's my fault you lost them, and you almost died!" Luffy said, trying to hold back his tears.

"Stop being such a cry baby Luffy," Ace laughed, "this just means Sabo and I can have a race to find the Mera Mera no Mi."

"That actually sounds like a good idea," Sabo said with a smirk.

"I'm still confused as to what happened." Usopp groaned from the side of the ship.

"Firefist-ya and Sabo-ya's Devil Fruits were rejecting them, it allowed me to extract them, when normally I wouldn't be able to," Law said from his seated position near the bow of the ship.

"So what caused the explosion then?" Nami asked from the helm.

"The second fruit Sabo-ya ate. I managed to extract it from his stomach but it still exploded."

"So what happened to the two Mera Mera no Mi fruits?" Brook asked before taking a sip of his tea.

Law shrugged, "One of them just melted into nothing, whereas the other one was just gone after the explosion."

"That'll make it more interesting to find again," Ace smirked, before passive-aggressively saying. "But first, there is a certain brother I have to beat up for lying to me."

Sabo rubbed the back of his head with a guilty grin before running below deck, followed closely by his two brothers.

"I'm glad that's over with at least," Sanji said bringing out tea for the girls.

"I'm afraid with Luffy around, nothing's ever 'over with'," Nami said using finger quotations.

"We'll never be bored," Robin chuckled.

"At least we get to see them together, where they grew up soon!" Brook said excitedly.

"Why? Where are we going?" Law asked.

"We're going back to Dawn Island," Nami replied, "Those brothers wanted to surprise someone."

"Who?" Law asked.

"I guess we'll see," Nami replied.

The sun that had seemed so depressing earlier that day finally set, and a chill took its place in the cold night air. The deck of the Sunny appeared eerie with only a couple of lamps on. Luffy was on watch, looking out at the moon from on top of the Sunny's figurehead, thinking about how he might join Sabo's and Ace's game to find the Mera Mera no Mi. Even though he didn't need it, he didn't want to be left out of the chase. He was considering what he would do with the devil fruit if he found it when the sound of someone's footsteps disturbed his train of thought.

"I'm leaving."

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Luffy asked, turning around to face the person.

"As much as I want to stay with you Luffy, I want to go find my devil fruit before someone else does."

"But you haven't even been here that long," Luffy pouted.

"I know, but Nami said I could borrow Sakatori for a while, besides I don't think I'm really cut out to be a pirate," Yume replied with a lopsided grin.

"Sure you are!" Luffy said.

"Nah, I'm going to travel around for a while, then I think I might start studying to become an animal tamer."

"Why?" Luffy asked jumping up and walking towards the little girl.

"It's much less stressful and animals seem to like me. Plus, I swear if I had to deal with one of your brothers almost dying again I might die."

"But there's nothing better than being a pirate!" Luffy whined.

"I'll miss you too Luffy," Yume said with a sweet smile. "By the way, when I find my devil fruit, can you look after it Luffy?"

"Why?"

"Because I think you could take better care of it than I can."

"You're strong. You can-"

"We'll be happy to look after it for you Yume," Robin said, cutting Luffy off whilst walking up the stairs to the Sunny's deck.

"Thanks Robin."

"Shouldn't you stay till morning Yume? The others may want to say goodbye?" Robin asked.

"It's ok, I'll see you all again soon." Yume jumped onto Sakatori's back, with her grumpy cat and waved goodbye.

"Thanks for everything Luffy,"

"BYE YUME!" Luffy yelled out.

"Good luck Pirate King!" she yelled out with a final wave as the giant bird disappeared into the dark night.

"Shishishishi, Pirate King," Luffy said with a huge smile.

"Come on Pirate King," Robin said with a chuckle, "bedtime, it's my turn to take watch."

"Night!" Luffy yelled out, before running below deck to jump on Sabo's and Ace's unsuspecting, peaceful forms.

They finally reached Dawn Island, everyone except for Jinbei, who decided to look after the ship. The place hadn't changed since they were last there, and Luffy couldn't help but think, it hadn't really changed since he was a kid either; with the exception of a huge black Straw Hat flag raised proud at the entrance of the small town. Even though the same flag was now displayed at many islands and cities the site of this flag in particular filled Luffy with joy.

"There sure are a lot of windmill's here, Luffy. What's the name of this place?" Zoro asked, looking around confused.

"We were only here a few months ago, and how could you forget the name of the town! There are hints everywhere!" Sanji chaffed.

"No, I knew that!" Zoro growled.

"Then why did you ask? Baka!"

"How long has it been since you two were here?" Nami asked Sabo and Ace, ignoring the two hotheads.

"I came and visited Dadan and Makino a few years back," Sabo replied.

"Three years for me, ten years if you include the time I was dead," Ace added.

Nami massaged her temples, "I hate time travel."

Whilst the others were talking, all Luffy could think about was whether or not Shanks would still be here. He'd love to introduce him to Sabo, and he was sure Ace would enjoy seeing him again. Plus Shanks always had the best parties. The thought of all the meat he was going to have was already causing him to start to drool.

"Ewww Luffy! Are you trying to make a lake here?" Nami asked.

"Meeeaat!" was all Luffy could reply.

They finally made it to Party's Bar, the crew walked through the doors to see a familiar redhead, taking a swig of sake.

A huge smile erupted on Luffy's face, "SHANKS!" Luffy yelled out, launching himself towards the man.

Slightly more prepared this time since their last encounter, Shanks managed to grab Luffy's face before he crashed into him.

"Hey Luffy," he said with an affectionate smile.

"Bwe goth Athe," Luffy said pointing towards the door, "and I wanteb you to meeth Thabo too."

"Firefist!" Shanks exclaimed, not in the least bit surprised. "Good to see you again!"

Ace stepped forward and bowed to Shanks, "Thank you for everything you did to help my brother and I."

"Dahahahaha! No problem! I'm glad it all worked out," Shanks replied dropping Luffy.

"This is Sabo!" Luffy said excitedly.

"Thank you for everything you did for my brothers," Sabo smiled.

"Again no problem! I've heard about you Sabo, pity you didn't become a pirate though," Shanks chuckled.

"Luffy!" Nami screeched hitting him over the head and disrupting the conversation between Sabo and Shanks. "Why don't you explain how Ace is alive before poor Makino has a heart attack!"

Luffy looked over to Makino who had tears streaming down her face. "I'd never thought I'd see this again."

Ace lowered his head and bowed to Makino, "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you Makino."

Makino choked on a tear and ran around the bar and wrapped Ace, Luffy and Sabo in a huge hug. "I don't care how," she said sobbing, "but I knew the three of you were meant to be together like this again."

The four of them enjoyed each other's embrace for a minute more before Makino stepped back and slapped Luffy. "You three need to get going over to Dadan's! Your Grandpa Garp just happened to visit yesterday." She began to shoo them all out of the old bar, "Go on, go on. No matter what you three have done, those two will enjoy seeing the three of you together again no matter what!"

"We'll be back soon Makino, Shanks!" Luffy yelled while walking off.

"You haven't smiled like that for a long time," Shanks said glancing down at Makino, who had a fond smile from ear to ear as she waved the pirates and the revolutionary off.

"Neither has Luffy." She whispered.

Ace kicked a rock as they walked up the forest road, his hands as deep in his pockets as his mind was in thought. Images of the minutes before his 'death' fluttered through his mind like pages in a book. The words Garp said that day in particular resonated through his mind.

'I have no sympathy for criminals but family is a different story.'

What would Garp say to me now?

"Luffy, have you seen Grandpa since my execution?" Ace asked.

"Hmmm, not really," Luffy replied.

"Sabo?" Ace asked.

"I haven't either."

"He's going to be so surprised!" Luffy chuckled.

"THINK AGAIN!" A booming voice said from out of nowhere.

The three brothers' eye's almost literally popped out of their heads with fear, as their grandfather began to throttle them, without mercy.

"Idiot Grandsons, making trouble for the marines. After all I've done for you."

"We didn't do anything!" Luffy screeched.

As he was getting his life pummelled out of him, Ace noticed that Garp had the biggest smile he had ever seen on him, stretched across his face, yet he was acting almost exactly the same as he always used to. However, as much as he tried to hide it, Ace still saw the stray tears that fell down from his grandpa's eyes.

Luffy's crew looked on with horror, whilst the three got beaten, Sabo and Ace laughed whilst Luffy got the finishing noogie.

Luffy rubbed his sore head, and pride, whilst Garp started walking back towards Dadan's house. "Go find some food you brats; Dadan's rules haven't changed around here.

Brook, Nami, Chopper and Usopp all looked towards Luffy, "NO PIGS!" They all yelled in unison. Sabo and Ace gave them a confused look.

"We don't want to relive that madness," Usopp cried.

"I still smell like boar," Nami sighed.

"At least you weren't stuck under one's rear," Brook said with a cringe.

"Hahahaha, how about a crocodile then?" Ace asked.

"Meeaaat!" Luffy drooled.

Dadan was not impressed. Why had that old geezer come to visit her now, hadn't he caused her enough trouble over the years? She sat on the ground drinking sake, trying to think of a way to get rid of him, when he stood up, and walked out on his own.

Weird… Is he leaving?

He came back a half hour later, his eyes dark.

"What were you doing?" she asked.

"You'll see."

Stupid old man, treating my home like his personal palace.

She continued to think of ways to get rid of him, until her train of thought was interrupted by the loud calling of her name.

"DADAN! WE BROUGHT MEAT AND A SURPRISE!"

"Why are you back here you brat!" she screamed, sticking her head out the window. "Go fight some-"

No way...

The little brat…

She slammed the window shut and locked the door.

"We're coming in!" Luffy exclaimed.

"What are you doing Boss?"Dogra asked.

"Nothing, go away." Dadan yelled, covering her eyes.

"Oi! Dadan, why'd you lock us out!? Let us in!" Luffy demanded.

Magra looked out the window and gasped, "Ace! Sabo!"

Dadan sniffled and wiped her eyes, and slammed open the door, "What do you think you brats are doing here?"

She was cut short by the three brothers launching themselves at her in a vicious hug.

"Get off me you brats!" she yelled, but she couldn't stay mad, and she couldn't hide the huge smile that had spread across her face.

"Where has Garp gone off to?" Sengoku barked at a young marine.

"I'm not sure sir," the man replied.

"Here I am, living out retirement as an Inspector General, and I have to come back as a temporary Fleet Admiral, because of Garp's grandsons!"

"It has been a tough few weeks on all of us sir, things were bad beforehand with the new Pirate King. But since the knowledge of Fire Fist Ace's return was made public, the marines full forces have been summoned and they're all terrified, the nobles have become more distressed, the general public are in chaos and pirates have become even more active."

"Only those brothers could do this," Sengoku sighed, "I'm far too old for this. Go find Admiral Coby, and escort him here."

"Yes sir."

This is the next generation's problem now.

Within an hour, Makino, Woop Slap, Shanks, his crew and even Trafalgar Law had come up to the mountain, for the party. They feasted on the crocodile the brothers had caught and almost everyone was drunk by the end of the night. Of course, Garp was not impressed with all the pirates present, especially Shanks, however, for this one night he turned a blind eye.

Once everyone had fallen asleep, the three brothers left to go visit their old tree house. They lay out on the roof and stared up at the clear night sky, blanketed with an array of stars, just as they used to many years ago. An ASL flag once again rippled in the wind.

"I wonder if any of the traps we set still work," Ace pondered allowed.

"A few," Luffy chuckled, "I checked."

They stayed up late in the night having arm wrestles, talking and reminiscing, but after a while Sabo began to realise, just how much he had missed out on.

"I wish I could have spent a few more years here."

"Well you did leave earlier then you said you would," Ace teased.

"Why don't the three of us go on our own adventure, just us? I have a few things to organise first, as does Ace I'm sure. But Luffy it'll also give your crew a break for a while."

"Sounds good," Ace said.

"Mmmhmm" Luffy agreed.

"Then in six months, we meet back here,"

Luffy and Ace both nodded and smiled.

Ace then pulled out a bottle of sake and winked, "I stole it from Dadan again." He laid out three small red sake cups and poured the alcohol into each one.

"We might not always be together, but as I said once before; our brotherhood will always be with us, wherever you are, whatever you do, we'll always be bonded together, to brothers!" Ace finished off, lifting up his drink.

"To brothers!" Ace and Sabo both repeated as they lifted up their drinks and drank, reconfirming their bond once again.

(A/N) This is the final chapter! I hope you enjoyed!

I wanted to thank each individual reviewer, favouriter and follower, but there are just way too many of you. But thank you everyone who read this story, it's the first thing I've ever written seriously, so thanks for the support for the past year and few months. Also thanks to all the new readers as well.

I have a few honourable mentions to make:
First to my first reviewer: BlackGryphon101.
To my frequent reviewers: Friendly Reader, Wow, BlueJay Blaze, SteppedOnaLegoOw, AndurilofTolkien, KeenYeah, AceAyane, GreenDrkness, Matt, MyAnimeObsession, The Keeper of Worlds, Mirai HitsugayaKurosaki, Underwater Dreaming and all the others who have read this from the start.

And a special thanks to my main Beta: Aliahra and my other beta: HaruHanabishi

Guest Reviews: (Rest via PM)

Matt: Thanks for your review, and thanks for pointing that out, I changed it. :3
Keenyeah: I didn't really understand your review? Hummy? O.o
Guest: Bet the start of this chapter freaked you out :D

TATA!

UmbraAurumDragon out!