Blue and Red phoenixes

Chapter 18

Warning: events in this chapter will discuss scientific experiences with foetus humans, mistreatment of children, war and a murder

Sentences in italic are Ann's memories

--------------------------------------------------

When Marco finally left the infirmary, the night was falling, the last ray of the sun was putting on fire the sky.

Ray had told him that he wanted to stay alone, so Marco had let him by Ann's side. Marco saw Ace, Luffy and Sabo catching up, he wasn't going to spoil Ace's fun and interrupting him when he is with his brothers. Marco went to sit against the railing. He was looking at the starry sky, when Ace joined him with a tankard of booze.

"You didn't have to bring me a tankard you know" Marco took the drink offered. "You could have stayed with your brothers"

Ace sighed and sat down. "I babysat Luffy enough when we thought Sabo was dead, it's his turn now" He put his head on Marco's shoulder. "And well ... Sabo showed me the newspaper ... the one with the picture of me with..." Ace touched his chest. "... Anyway, I don't know who was stupid enough to take a picture at a such moment, but thanks to him Sabo recovered his memory. So..."

"I would have preferred that you didn't see it"

"Seriously, me too ... it's really disturbing to see yourself with a hole in your chest"

"Ace" Marco groaned.

Ace smiled to him and snuggle more against him. They stayed in silence, finishing their drinks, before Ace remarked that Marco was playing with something in his hands.

"Marco, what that?"

"Ann's dial, Ray gave it to me. He also gives me small chest, but it's locked. I will ask Fossa tomorrow to open it."

"Why he gave you that?"

"He said that, it was what Ann wanted to give us. Just in case." Marco fumbled with the dial.

"You aren't going to listen to it?"

"I don't know if I want to know. Part of me do but not the other part. I have the impression that I'm invading her intimacy"

Ace sat with him, before responding "Don't you think, she just wants to tell you something important but is unable to tell you in face to face" He paused "You know what, I'm gonna play it" And he took the dial, pushing the apex before Marco could stop him.

A scream of joy resounded, making Ace drop the dial, who rolled in the middle of the deck. A light came off from the dial, an image began to appear.

"Marco? What kind of dial it's this?" Marco didn't respond to him "Marco?"

Marco didn't hear Ace, too focused on what had appeared in front of him.

A man was in front of what looked like a big tube filled with liquid. He was looking in awe at what was in the tube that took the longueur from the ground to the ceiling.

"You did it doctor! You did it!"

"Yes, I did. After so many attempts, we did it." He put his head against the tube. "Miss, could you note what I'm gonna told you down. The subject D attempt nineteen is successful" He looked back at his assistant "hybrid from the combination of the genetics of mermaid, minks, giant, human..." He swallowed "... and the addition of the phoenix egg. The subject coded D, will be called from now Ann.