Newbie's Skill

Forty-Two

Whitebeard's symbol was suddenly created by flames. My eyes widened, and a smile crossed my lips. You did it, Luffy! You got Ace back! Nice job. I could have never done what you've done today. You've definitely made Ace the proudest big brother today by the look of that huge smirk on his face.

My smile faded, and I slowly fell towards the ground. I fought for consciousness. Someone saved my fall. I looked over my shoulder to see a smiling Izo.

"Good work, Kid." I smiled at him weakly. "Rest up. We're heading for the ship." I nodded, and I felt him putting me in a piggy-back position. He took off through a somewhat cleared path with the help of our crew. I suddenly felt warmth radiating from my right, and I looked at the source. I couldn't stop the tired smile that grew on my lips.

"Ace..." I smiled.

"Thank you, Ashlo," he smiled back, pushing my hair out of my eye. "You and Luffy made me so proud today."

"They made us all proud," Izo chimed in.

"Great ass-kicking!" Marco praised when we were a little under a kilometer away. I was grabbed from behind and thrown away from my brothers. I was sent rolling, and I grunted when I finally stopped. I didn't have much energy left. I could barely keep my eyes open. Someone hoovered above my body, and I could feel the burning heat from my position on the ground. Akainu. I managed to catch a glimpse of him raising his fist of magma.

"He's gonna kill him!" Haruta yelled.

"You brat!" Pops sneered.

"The weak link dies first," Akainu announced. I closed my eyes, awaiting the scorching impact, but it never came. My eyes opened, and then they widened.

"Marco," I breathed.

"I won't let you kill our little brother!" Marco seethed. Akainu jumped back, and Marco got me to the others. I watched helplessly as Ace and Luffy made their way closer. Marco tried desperately to stop some of the bleeding from my body. "He's lost too much blood," he announced quietly. Pops grit his teeth. I couldn't quite catch what Akainu said, but it made Ace mad and fight back. That led to Akainu burning him.

"Luffy! Ace!" I shouted. Tears poured down my eyes. I wanted to help. I wanted to so badly, but I couldn't move even if I wanted to. I had to get up. I had to help.

"Don't push yourself," Marco scolded as I finally managed to sit up. I threw the bloody rags off of me to get up. I groaned when I tried to stand on my own, toppling into Marco. I looked over to Ace and Luffy. Akainu leapt for Luffy, but Ace was quicker, shielding the younger with his body. Everyone was frozen in silent shock. It was all in slow motion from there.

"Ace!" I screamed. I was the first one to make a sound. He exchanged a few words with Luffy, and his eyes met mine briefly with a sad smile. My feet moved before I could comprehend, and I was on his free side in an instant.

"Ashlo. Buddy. I want you to keep going. Don't look back, just push forward. I love you, guys."