Archive of Our Own ^beta

Ace should have known things would have gone this way. With a little brother like Nika. “Come on, it’d be so fun!” Nika said, pointing at the world. The floating globe showed one of Nika's favorite worlds. A dark energy eating away at it. Almost as though the world begged for change.

“Nika-“

“I’m thinking about reincarnating in this world.” Nika said, most listening. “I think it would be even more fun this time around. Look at all the new things they have!” He said, pointing at more things than humans could understand.

Ace sighed, “Fine.” Of course, it would end up like this. The best and worst part is Ace knew Nika would take it all too seriously. He would erase his own memories and get reborn as a baby. Where Ace would simply lock his thoughts until he turned 12. That way, he could start a basic life without remembering the baby stage.

When Ace woke up on June 10th, he suddenly remembered everything. It was like waking up from a dream. He almost laughed his head off, seeing Nika next to him, fast asleep. “You have to have me as your big brother in every life.” He muttered, brushing the other’s hair out of his face.

The only part of having Luffy as his little brother is the other not remembering anything. He even ate his fruit, like he always does, already. Looking around and seeing Luffy light up when seeing it. Or when Ace turned to ask about something Luffy had no memory of. It was like Luffy was a different person.

“Hey, wanna see something cool?” Ace asked, looking up at the night sky. When Luffy nodded, Ace reached out, bending the stars to them. Making the light dance around them.

“WHOA!” Luffy yelled, running around the field of stars. Ace watched, smiling. No real difference from the way they were before.

Time passed too quickly. Ace found himself being pushed out to sea just a few years later. Though he looked up to his domain every night. Wondering when he would stop letting Nika talk him into this. He always forgets how long humans live. Nothing more than a speck compared to others.

When the sea threw him out off his ship. Almost dragging him to the bottom of the sea. Something he escaped but was annoyed about. All his clothing was wet, and sand everywhere now. Ace could almost hear the goddess of the sea laughing. The little minx.

Wandering the island, it took a day or so before his stomach growled. Ace groaned. “Humans are such a pain. Nika, I swear I won’t do this again.” He whined into the trees.

Spotting another person was interesting. He hadn’t thought there would ever be anyone other than him here. He even planned on walking the stars to fix this. But now with another person. He couldn’t justify breaking out of his human for that. Trying to get closer to the other human was more difficult than he thought. But eventually he warmed up to him. They fought together and found a fruit to eat. Ace didn’t notice until it was too late what kind of fruit it was. His stomach was too hungry to care.

Ace forgot something about humans. How stupid they are. How they always pick the hard path forward. Never giving in to what could have always been. Yet, Ace also remembered why his little brother loved them. Why he loved them. Despite all the trouble and pain they go through, they smile and laugh. Tell stories of their pain like badges of honor.

When Ace came face to face with the strongest man in this era. He saw how the man loomed over him. Ace didn’t worry about his own life, but those who waited behind him. It wouldn’t be the end. Not here, not when there was still so much light to pass along. Ace burned a wall, ready to end this game. To watch his little brother continue this life. To see Luffy become the very person he always was.

To his surprise, the older man didn’t kill him. Whitebeard let him live and his crew live. No matter how stubborn they were, they came after him. They should have just kept going. But it still warmed Ace’s heart a bit. Knowing they would come after him. If he hadn’t already claimed them, he would have to do it again. Trying to beat the older man to free them, he was surprised at how strong the man was. Though Ace was more annoyed at how much his power was restricted. He couldn’t touch almost any of it. He really wanted to go up against the older man in a real fight. But that would have to wait.

Ace had to thank Thatch, or he might still be trying to kill the older man. The man is putting a 100-day limit on these attacks. Without it, Ace might have lost track of time. Even after all these years.

“Can we talk, Pops?” Ace asked, knowing this would be the worst conversation. Following the older man. Funny, he thought, the other was older when he was millions of years old. So old, no one but Nika counted anymore.

“What is it, son?” Pops asked, leaning back on his bed. Listening to what would come next.

“I have two things to tell you.” Ace started taking a seat near the bed. “This incarnation is Roger’s son. The world government will fight to the death should they find out.”

The man laughed. “Let them try.” His confidence was reassuring.

“No,” I said, making his laughter stop. His face fell in a way I knew too well. “Let them take me. Do not risk your children and your life for this. I-“

“I will do whatever I want.” He said, voice hard. “You are my son, and I will not let them have you.”

His tone almost made Ace stop. It wasn’t that easy. Ace knew it; Whitebeard knew it. He was going to risk it all for a child he barely knew. It would mean nothing in the end. Ace would live again where he belongs, not playing human. Taking a breath. “I am not human.” My words seemed to silence his anger. “My brother and I every few centuries come down from our places to live among the humans, fish men, giants, mink, and so on. He really enjoys this world. Should this body die, all that will happen is I will return to my place. Should you or your children die, it would-“

“Son. I don’t care.” He said, stopping me from talking. “I don’t care if you are a god or a demon. Here to burn the world down or save it. Should you ever find yourself in a position where your life is at risk, I will save you.”

“But-“

“Ace. You are my son.” Ace found it hard not to believe him. Ace almost wanted to laugh. But he figured there would be something else he could do for the older man. It was too late to change his fate, but he could still change his afterlife.

When Thatch was found dead one morning. Ace ran forward. He looked up at the sun. His powers were not nearly as strong as they could be. “Luffy,” he called, knowing part of Luffy would always answer. “Dim your light, please. I need… I need to save him.” While his new siblings frowned more. Almost like they thought he was crying for attention from a god who wouldn’t answer. It was only when the sun set a minute later that they realized something was different. With the stars high in the sky. Ace did something he shouldn’t have done. He messed with a human life. Pulling at the stars, making them dance around them until he found what he was looking for. Turning back to Thatch, he broke open the star, letting the dust cover and fall into his mouth.

Thatch gasped for air. Looking around, and grasping at the deck. “You’re back.” Ace said. Thatch looked over at Ace, who looked nothing like a human anymore. Eyes completely black, stars where his freckles were. Thatch didn’t scream, but passed out. “Oh no,” Ace said, looking back at Pops.

“Marco-“

“Already on it.” Marco said, running over to feel Thatch’s pulse. “He’s alive. Probably just freaked out.”

“You weren’t joking about not being human then.” Pops said with more interest than annoyance. Ace laughed at how easily they were taking it. In all the times they did this, no one had ever taken this with as much ease as they did. Thatch, being one of six that passed out, was already amazing. No one screamed, which was a record. He liked this ship and the people on it. Though he feels bad for Teach. While Luffy might not remember who he is, he might not see what happened here. Nika didn’t forgive easily when it came to family.