Ace furrowed his eyes with concentration as he balanced on the railings. There was no logical reason to do it and someone would probably smack him for doing something so stupid but he had to do it. It made perfect sense at the moment.

And as expected, someone did come.

"Ace, yoi, May I ask what the hell are you doing?" Marco queried, his voice neutral but underlying irritation lining his words.

Marco watched as Ace, who had the gall to look annoyed, wave his stretched arm briefly and shush him. The first division commander shook his head and knocked his youngest brother on board. He went down face-first and lay there, his cheek smushed to the wood.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack? What would have happened if no one saw you go overboard?" Marco asked, his protective instinct driving his argument.

"But I didn't fall." Ace answered genuinely confused.

Marco threw up his hands in frustration and gave up, deeming this discussion futile.

"INTRUDERS! East deck." The watch perched on the watchtower yelled. The division commanders made their way towards the source, muscles twitching as they began anticipating a fight.

Ace soon found an opponent, who actually put up a satisfying fight. The fire user grinned and suppressed his devil fruit, eager to brawl bare-handed. He needed the practice. He soon spotted Marco signalling him to finish up. He sighed and readied his fist for the final punch when he felt something pierce his upper bicep. He looked up in alarm and noticed his adversary's... nail? stabbing his arm.

Marco kicked the man who was fighting Ace back to his own ship when he saw his brother stumble. When he saw the intruders pull away, He made his way to Ace and steadied him.

Thatch and Izou who had noticed this made their way over, concerned about the health of their youngest brother.

"Ace yoi," Marco pleaded frantically as he supported Ace's increasing dead weight, "What's wrong?"

Ace grew weak in his knees, panting rapidly as black spots overtook his vision. He tried to blink them away as he heard Marco talking to him. His head grew heavy and he rested it on someone's shoulder. For some reason, It was purple in colour. Marco? What's happening to me…

Marco caught Ace as he collapsed, growing more worried by the moment. Poison? I should have not let that bastard go. Thatch reached over his shoulder and patted Ace's cheeks hoping to get a reaction out of him, his larger than life brother shouldn't be so still. Marco picked up Ace and made his way to the infirmary. He didn't exactly run but he didn't dawdle too. Ace was still in his arms, chest heaving as if he couldn't get enough air as his face grew increasingly pale, making his freckles stand out sharply.

His other brothers who had just come down from the high of battle were shocked when they saw their fallen brother resting in Marco's arms. Soon, A line of concerned pirates followed their first commander.

Marco glanced down to see Ace look worse as faint tendrils of red made their way up to his neck. What?

Ace then opened his eyes, wide and unseeing and screamed.

Marco almost dropped his brother as he jolted. Ace let up out another high keening sound filled with agony that twisted Marco's gut. Everyone following him surrounded them as Ace frantically tried to pry himself off his grip and fell down on the deck, twisting and trying to rid himself of whatever was causing him pain.

"Someone, Run and tell Whisky to get sedatives," Marco ordered hoarsely. Frantic footsteps followed his order as he desperately tried to rein his brother. Dammit, Dammit, I Should have killed that bastard.

Whisps of smoke arose from Ace's twisting body as he howled hysterically.

And before Marco's eyes, Ace shrank and before him stood a boy who resembled his brother.

...

And that's that, What do you guys think? Please drop a review, It's highly appreciated.

- Akaichi_rin~