The Bastards [Shanks]✓

Bonus chapter: Ace

The purring of machines comes closer and closer to the cell where he sits. Dirtied. Broken in many ways. Portgas D. Ace stares at the wall. Looking only meant problems.
Suddenly he feels heat around him. Hesitantly he turns to look up, when arms wrap around him protectively. His eyes fall shut and a few tears escape his eyes. "Cat?" "I'm getting you out of here, little brother." Her voice is gentle and he soon hears the clicking of the locks on his seastone cuffs. They fall to the ground, the noise echoes through the whole isolation level of Impel Down. He still feels weak. The arms wrap around his torso and lift him up. "Cat..", he breathes and she already knows what he wants to say.

Run.

Save yourself.

"I'm not leaving you, Ace. I will never let you go. You are my brother!" Her warm hands are soft against his still cool skin and his body relaxes completely in her hold. Limply he just hangs there, over her shoulder as she makes her way through the silent hallways.
The mechanical whirring noise follows them closely. The metal sparks when it hits the concrete floors. He glances at the somewhat humanoid mechanic creatures surrounding them. They sneer at anyone even trying to turn and look, ready to kill.

Closing his eyes again he just waits, then he feels the breeze of fresh air against his skin. "I'll never let you go.", she whispers softly and he feels his sisters grip tighten as she jumps from the window. The ground comes closer and closer and then suddenly those creatures are underneath them. They could fly? Of course they would. It was Cat he was speaking of. The darkness covers them as they escape and Ace feels himself pass out.

When he opens his eyes again he finds himself in a warm, soft bed. Looking around he quickly recognises the warmth. "Sleep, Ace.", his sister whispers and he leans back. He tucks himself close to her and she wraps her arms around him with a soft sigh, pressing her lips against his dark hair. "You are safe with me. I'm here."
He can feel his eyes tear up as he buries his face in her neck. "Thank you for loving someone like me.", he whispers, only to be held even closer. "You are perfect, Ace. Don't ever doubt that you are perfect. It doesn't matter who your parents are. We define ourselves. And you are perfect, baby brother."

He swallows down the tears threatening to shake him up.
"I love you.", he whispers and she buries her face in his dark curls. "I love you too."
Whispering sweet nothings into his ear she manages to to get him back to sleep and when he wakes up again he feels far better.
Just a moment later the door opens and a multitude of plates is placed in front of him. "Eat. We need to get you back in shape." Ace smiles and looks up at the red haired woman. "That brings back memories... I wish Sabo was still alive.."
Cat blinks in confusion. "Ace.. Sabo ist alive. He works for my father.. he's here. I thought you knew." He drops the fork in shock, jumping up. "Where?" "Control room.. left and all the way down the hall." Grabbing his sister's face he presses a kiss to her cheek, then runs. Bursting through the door he looks at the familiar blond with his top hat sitting calmly behind the steering wheel. "Sabo.." "Hey Ace. I see you are better." He throws his arms around his brother and they just stand there, embracing each other for a while.