Blue and Red phoenixes

Chapter 17

Marco had taken the Moby Dick to one of their islands on Calm Belt. The inhabitants had been surprised; they had read the news from Marineford. Marco had been prompted to reassure them on Ace's and Whitebeard's states. He had explained that they were able to heal them, the mayor, of course, had been skeptical, so Marco let him go to the great hall, to see by himself.

When the man had returned, he had asked how they could have been healed so fast. Marco had replied that even him don't know.

Three days since Marineford, Marco entered the galley; members of the first divisions greeted him before returning to their patients. Most would certainly be leaving soon, seeing that they had nearly totally recovered.

Marco continued to walk towards the end of the hall, and he opened the curtains.

Ace, Whitebeard and Ann were there, lying on beds. The doctors had affirmed to Marco that Ace and Whitebeard were showing sign of waking up, after their estimations, both of them should be awake in two days max.

The problem was Ann. Marco sat beside her and took her hand in his. Slowly he brushed her hair. He closed his eyes and the memories began to flow in his mind.

Everyone was silent in the deck. Marco was standing, frozen in place, and was looking at Ben trying to reanimate Ann. He watched the doctor running to Ann with a syringe of adrenaline. He regained his senses, when he saw the fire erasing Ann's body. Marco tried to go to his sister, but Thatch caught him and prevented him to go near. After an eternity, for him, the doctor and Ben got up. The fire had disappeared, and Ann's legs had reappeared. Some men placed her on a stretcher and moved her to the galley. The doctor putting a respiratory system on her.

Only when Ann was out of his sight, Marco remarked that Thatch was speaking to him. "She'll be okay, Marco. She is strong." Thatch was speaking softly, he took a look to Ace and Whitebeard being conduct in the galley too. "They are strong"

Marco didn't remark the tears dropping from his cheeks.

Marco shook his head, now wasn't the time for crying again. Ace, Whitebeard and Ann were doing better: Ace and his father were going to wake up soon. Ann too.

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Izo found Marco in the same position but this time he was stroking Ace's hair, a small smile on his lips.

"Marco, you should go to sleep" Izo called him.

Marco jumped a little at his voice "Izo?" He asked, voice heavy with slept, his eyes weren't focusing.

"Okay, that's it Marco. You can't continue to do this to you, you hadn't sleep since Marineford, Marco. Staying here won't change anything." Izo said firmly, while forcing Marco up, and taking him to his bedroom.

Marco was too tired to protest, and he let Izo leading him to his bed. Izo didn't have to put too much effort to make him lie down, once they were in Marco's bedroom this later just passed out on his bed.

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Marco slept for two days, only getting out of his room to eat. During his absence Izo and Jozu were taking his first mate's responsibilities. Everyone on the ship were happy to see him finally getting rest.

It was the evening of the fifth days since Marineford, when a doctor entered the commander's room in hurry. "Ace is awake" He just said, and all Hell broke.