Flaming Hearts - Fourth Wing

Chapter 1

To say Ace was shocked when she woke up in a random forest would have been an understatement. She looked around, feeling a bit lost, trying to figure out what island she landed on. She saw a crater where she woke up, a small fire still burning. She quickly extinguished it, before looking around again. Still confused as to where she was and what the hell happened; she started walking south. Because Marco always said, "when in doubt, always go south." And at that moment, Ace was doubting a lot of things. Where am I? Where is the damn sea? What kind of island is this? Where is everyone?

While walking, she tried piecing together what happened. Slowly it came to her. Thatch, Teach, and her Hunt. Alabasta, seeing Luffy again. Then finally finding Teach on Banero Island. Losing the fight. Marines, Impel Down. Torture. Then, Marine Ford. Kneeling at the top of the scaffold, in sea stone chains and handcuffs, to be executed. Pops, Marco and all the other Commanders trying to save her. Luffy trying to save her. And almost succeeding.

She stopped dead in her tracks. Almost. Almost succeeding. It flashes before her eyes: Luffy and her running, to get towards the boats. Akainu taunting Pops, her letting herself be provoked. And then, seeing Akainu about to attack Luffy and getting in between to save him. To save her little brother.

In an instant she looked down towards her chest, but the massive hole she was expecting was not there.

"Obviously it isn't there, I wouldn't be walking otherwise. Dammit Ace, use your head." She scolds herself. But it is weird. She died. At least, that's what she thinks happened. "Surely, I died, there's no way one would survive that. But...where am I? Heaven? Or rather, hell? I need to stop talking to myself, I sound like a fool."

There is no way she would make it to heaven. Not when she was a pirate her whole live. And the Son of a Monster. A devil. The King of the pirates.

And then, another thought hits her. Luffy. Did he survive? He had to, he seemed fine when I last saw him. As fine as one is when their sister is dying in their arms, of course. What was the last thing she saw?

Standing in front of Luffy, protecting him from Akainu Magma Fist. Falling to her Knees, exhausted. Smiling at Luffy, thanking him for Loving her and being her brother.

She swallows harshly, as she tries blinking away the tears in her eyes. He survived, he had too. More Tears are coming, which she wipes away quickly. Stop crying, she thinks, You're no cry-baby like Luffy. Get a Grip.

After she collected herself and taking a deep breath, she started walking again. Still going south. Looking for something, anything, to tell her where she is. Letting her observation Haki out for a second, she scanned the area around her. Mainly, to look for threats, and food. Because God, was she hungry. Her stomach growled as if it was agreeing with her. She felt the aura of a few small animals. 2 bigger animals. But no threats as of yet. Good, she thought. I need to eat before I do any fighting. Also, a nap would be good as well.

Quickly, she heads in the direction of the deer to her front. Going towards the southeast. But Marco isn't here to scold me, so whatever, she thinks to herself, letting a cheeky grin come out. He always scolded her. For being too loud, too wild, too unpredictable, too emotional... the list goes on. Though, Ace new that the 1st Commander always had a soft spot for her, not that he would show it openly. He was her best friend. And she was everyone's little sister on that ship. Hopefully, everyone is alright.

After locating and quickly killing the deer, painlessly, she takes the meat into her hands, quickly grilling it, using her powers. A little smirk steals itself onto her face, I love my devil fruit, it always comes in handy. Never feeling cold, never feeling too warm. There's a lot of perks to a body made of literal fire.