Loss and Gain (an Ace x OC x Sabo story!)

Marineford Incident

{AN: Basically got this from my Tumblr page that I posted on the same day! Cause hey! Maybe have a series on here? Anyway here's the stuff}

My eyes scanned the Sabaody area. Lots of pirates are said to be there, so that was the only idea I knew Ace would be at. Weeks turned to months while searching for him. This all happened after Blackbeard killed one of our crew members among the Whitebeard pirates. Ace's anger boiled all over him. I saw it and automatically grabbed him, warning him to wait for the right time. He yelled at me and told me he would loose them and he had to pay. Then the crew started to agree with me, did he listen? No. That stubborn asshole went on. How I know is when I woke up the next day, Ace was gone. Didn't get a "Wake up sleepy head!" Nothing.

Marco then approached me after I panicked and asked around where he went. Marco explained that Ace went to find Blackbeard and that Ace told him to tell me not to venture out to find him. My eyes widened and I yelled at Marco as to why he let Ace go and that it was a death wish. He sighed abs explained that Ace was always stubborn and then mentioned the first battle with Whitebeard. I remember it thoroughly, he kept trying after getting wiped by our captain over and over again.

I shook my head and told Marco I was going to look for him. Usually I never would do that, but with Ace, someone I'm close to. I would go against my boundaries. Marco told me to not do it and it's dangerous, knowing that the only thing I was good at was a small sword. I told him that there was no way I could let Ace find the traitor by himself. Marco let out another sigh and told me to be careful. That the Sabaody was a good idea to start.

Navigating waters was so damn difficult. Day by day felt like months to even years at that point. But every so often I would stop and get some food. Usually a crew was good to go, but like Ace, I wanted to find him alone. My feelings for him... I needed to express to him and fast, but at the time where I was till now... it was too late...

When I finally got to the Sabaody, everyone was staring at the screens. I was confused. What was going on? Why is everyone not talking to one another about pirate things and stuff? That's when my eyes went to one of the screens and my jaw went to the floor. Marineford. Ace was scheduled to be executed. My eyes began to water, No! This can't be it! I couldn't be gone that long! Let alone... be that far away from him! I thought at my hands went to my chest and prayed. Please... god! Make him come out of this safe! Let Luffy save him! Sure enough the news anchor went to a group of pirates that came ashore and it was- "Luffy?! Whitebeard! Marco?!" Then I realized... if I was patient like I use to be... this wouldn't have happened- I would have been there with everyone fighting for him.

My heart ached as death ran through the screen. Many marines and pirates died that day. Blood stained the ice that one of the marines put. It was a terrifying sight. When Luffy finally got Ace out, I hollered in glee. The pirates around stared at me, "Is she a fan of Strawhat?" I didn't answer and continued to watch, my eyes tearing up. "Luffy! Please save him!" I prayed again.

The two of them fought more marines, trying to leave the area. Suddenly the camera cut to a random battle but not the main focus, everyone was confused. "What happened?"

"Why it cut out?"

Suddenly the camera cut back and my eyes widened. Ace was laid on Luffy, hole in his back to chest, with a smile on his face. Luffy's face said it all. "Guys... Fire Fist Ace... has been defeated by Akainu... we... are told to cut the feed-" And like that... static went to the screens. Everyone panicked and my ears rang like crazy. Everyone was blacked out as I began to hyperventilate.

"What's your name?"

"Victoria..."

"Hm- that's a weird name."

                   Ace...

"Say Vick, how do you feel about being a pirate?"

"Not that bad actually... I was told pirates kill without reason."

"Not all pirates think like that! Come! Let's set sail and I'll show you more!"

                   Ace..!

"Why do you keep fighting, Ace?! You're going to get yourself killed!"

"I can't, Tori! That Whitebeard guy pisses me off... I have to beat him!"

"Why?! What good do you get by winning?!"

                     Ace!

"Because... I don't want him to kill you if he sees me give up."

"He isn't going to do that,asshole!"

"Listen for a minute! This is serious! Everyone else in my crew has been beaten... you're the last... I have to make sure to protect you... no matter what!"

                      Ace!!

"I love you, you know that?" He giggled as he scratched the top of my head playfully.

"ACE!!" My glasses fell to the floor as my breaths and vision were uneven. Glimpses of his face, his smile, his glow! Everything! It's gone! He's gone! "Ace! Aaaacccceee!!!" I wailed as my body crumbled to the ground. People started to come to me wondering what was happening. "Did she know him?" Is all I heard through the intense flashbacks of us and ringing through my ears. Suddenly my vision started to have black around and then I fell over.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I woke up as I sat up in my seat. Marco was on the other side of the room. He looked defeated. "Marco. Ace-"

"I know I saw..." He said cutting me off. "What... happened?"

"You passed out. I heard over a snail that you got knocked out and we're having a breakdown." My eyes went to my lap. "Sorry..."

"Don't be. We lost someone close to us. Whitebeard also died during that battle."

"What?!" My eyes widened. What the hell is happening?! Why were these marines wanting to kill people like Ace and Whitebeard?! My fists clenched as tears rolled down my face and onto the sheets covering me, "Ace... I wanted... I wanted to... tell him my feelings..." I cried and Marco narrowed his eyes, "You loved him..." I didn't reply as I tried to stop my endless tears. "I... feel like he had something for you too." My head shot up as I stared at Marco, "How?! How would you have known that?! You weren't with him those whole years! You didn't see what he had to go through to get his own crew!"

"No I don't. But he continuously talk about you. About how you were so naiive but kind. That even though he drives you crazy that you were by his side. I put two and two together and thought about it. I never asked him though. But I did catch him staring at you when you were sleeping outside the health room after his millionth battle with Whitebeard. He loved you too." Dammit! I should have waited! I would have saved him, confessed to him! Now.. it's all to late! This was all my fault! "Marco I'm an idiot... I should have listened-"

"We are all idiots. We are all stubborn for our family, our loved ones, but even though we might loose them. Their spirit is still inside of us!" Marco was right... but... after loosing the person who pushed me passed my boundaries is gone... I don't have anyone to continue that pattern... "Thanks Marco..." I took a deep breath as I looked away, "I've been thinking... maybe I should stop being a pirate."

Marco's eyes went large. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I can't go on without him! He was the closest I've ever had... I had my family away from me and he was the only one I've gotten so close with..."

"Victoria... don't..."

"I cant... if I get more attached to you guys... I might fuck up and loose you all as well." Silence filled the air. Marco leaned against the wall in a huff, "I'm angry that you would give up so easily... but... you're hurting a lot right now so I'm not going to force you to do something you don't want to..." He smiled at me. A sad smile, "Go on and do whatever. Be a civilian on one of the island of the Great Blue. Go find someone to love again, go find friends. Be happy. I'm not going to stop you." I cried more as I stood to my feet and hugged him. "Marco... thank you..."