The next day in the early morning, I woke up to a knocking on my door.
"The sign says do not disturb!"
"Hay, it's me."
"Ace?"
Groggy, I get up from the bed and open the door. I don't even spare a second to look at who is at the door and lazily walk back to the bed, throwing myself onto it.
"What's up?" I say with eyes closed and hugging the warm pillow like a lost lover.
"We have a problem."
Dafaq, what is this guy on about? Huh?
Behind Ace was a little girl with pale skin like ash, long dark raven hair that reached her knees and big blue eyes. She peaked her head slightly behind Ace's shoulder to look at me.
WHAT'S WITH THIS GUY AND SAVING LITTLE GIRLS!
———————————
{Flashback Ace POV}
This Zepher wasn't so bad. He sure was skilled and had good head on his shoulders. Despite being a despicable liar and a greedy shit, he was decent.
"I wonder if I should actually join him and form a crew."
While Ace was contemplating whether or not to commit to Zephyr's proposal, something caught his attention. Something he had honed for years growing up with Sabo and Luffy on the gray terminal. Trouble.
As the night settles over Mirror Ball Island, the entire place transforms into a vibrant spectacle of lights and sounds. Neon signs flicker, casting colorful reflections on the still waters of the harbor, while music pulses from the heart of the island's famed dance clubs. The air is filled with a mix of laughter, energetic beats, and the scent of tropical fruits from nearby street vendors. Palm trees sway gently in the warm, salty breeze, their silhouettes outlined against a sky sprinkled with stars. In the distance, you can hear the rhythm of dancers' feet hitting the floors, adding a syncopated harmony to the island's lively atmosphere. As Ace wanders through the bustling streets, he can feel the energy of the island seeping into his bones, as if every corner, every light, and every beat invites him to join in the endless celebration. The streets seemed alive with people dancing and being merry. Everywhere Ace would go, there was some disco party going on.
A few feet away from him were a group of thugs beating up someone. At first Ace didn't care, but when he noticed the smaller frame of a child or a small teenager, it was like fire was being poured in his veins. Rushing towards the dark alley, he got a closer look at the youngster getting beat up. It was a girl.
All he could see was red.
"DIE!"
Using his logos, Ace flew towards one of the thugs who was beating the little girl. His fist a blazing inferno of rage. The thug didn't get a chance to yell or scream as his body turned to ash. The other thug tried to run but was shot with a flaming hot bullet of fire. His entire head had disappeared but there was no blood squirting out as the fire had cauterized the wound. The girl, finally free from her oppressors, watched in awe. This man was sent from the heavens to rain down hell on these evil men just as they did to her.
" You won't get away with this! Do you know who we are! WE WORK FOR THE JOK."
He wasn't able to finish his sentence because there was giant gaping hole in his abdomen. Where his organs once were, now exists a void. The smell of his own burnt flesh and viscous eyes of an angry Portgas D Ace were his last and final memory.
Only after ending the las thug did Ace calm down. When his breathing came back to normal, he glanced at the wide-eyed girl staring at him.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry you had to see that."
The girl didn't respond. She didn't seem fazed either. There was that look in her eyes. Like this was all to familiar to her. The death and dispare.
She is just like us when we were kids growing up. Ace thought to himself.
"Do you have a place where you can stay?" Ace asked.
The girl shook her head.
"No. They burned my house to the ground long ago and killed my family. As they will to you." The girl said like she was stating a fact.
"The joker gang does not forgive and does not forget. That's why I'm alone."
"Listen, I can take on this joker gang. Just take a look around you," Ace retorted, spreading his arms at the massacre he just made.
"These chumps never stood a chance."
"These were just the fodder. This island hides a dark secret one that my father tried to uncover and paid the price. My whole family did."
The girl slowly got up and slowly limped toward Ace.
"Thank you for saving me, but more will come. Leave now while you have the cha-"
Ace didn't let her finish
"Let them come! I will send them all to hell!"
He really didn't know why he was so angry about all this. Something about this little girl reminded him of his childhood with Luffy and Sabo. About Luffy almost dying and how he was not able to save Sabo. Sabo's death was something he could not control but it irked him none the less. How he fell victim to the greed of lesser men. It rubbed him the wrong way.
"Hay! You there! Did you do all this?"
I was like the universe was making fun of him at this point. A Marine had spotted Ace and the girl surrounded by corpses. Ace's aftermath had littered the alley with human cadaver. The Marine turned pale at the sight of an angry Ace surrounded corpses.
"Where were you when citizens actually need you. When she needed you. When Sabo needed you."
Flames started to waft out of Ace's body, only to then take a deep breath and calm down. I've killed enough already. I need to calm down. Ace thought to himself.
"Those are Joker's Gang members!"
"Joker?" said Ace with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh no! Oh no! I need to leave. I don't want to be part of this! You should have let that filthy girl di-AHHHHHH."
With speed that Ace did not know the little girl could muster, she jumps onto the Marine, biting his neck.
"What the f-"
*Squelch*
*Squelch*
*Squelch*
The little girl proceeded to eat the Marine, not giving a care in the world.
"What the heck are you?!" aske Ace
"I am not sure. I ate an odd fruit because I was starving. It had an awful taste. The Joker Gang has been chasing me ever since. I am no longer able to eat regular food. Only human flesh can satiate me. Are you going to abandon me? I know I'm a monster now; it's ok."
"Kid. What's your name?"
"My name is Alice."
"Alice... That's a beautiful name. Tell me, Alice, who are these joker gang thugs? Do you know where they like to hang out?"
{End of Flash back}
---------------------------
{Present time}
"So you want me and you to go storm these 2 berry excuses for thugs and dip off the island? Easy! let me get a shower and freshen up and-"
"No..."
"Huh"
"You see, the joker gang is not the problem," said Ace scratching the back of his neck.
"what do you mean joker gang is not the problem? What was the point of that entire flashback?!"
The tension in the room was palpable. Ace scratched the back of his neck as he tried to explain the situation to me, but my groggy brain was still trying to make sense of it all. I hadn't even had my morning coffee yet.
"What do you mean the Joker gang isn't the problem?" I asked, sitting up, the pillow still clutched in my arms. "After that whole flashback about you burning their thugs to ash and this little girl's tragic backstory?"
Ace let out a frustrated sigh. "I said the Joker gang isn't the problem now. The problem is the Marines. After I burned down Joker's headquarters, they've ordered a blockade around the entire island."
I froze. "Wait, a blockade? What, like a full naval operation?"
Ace nodded, his jaw clenched. "The Marines are taking this seriously. Apparently, Joker had some high-level connections, and they think I'm some kind of big threat now. Mirror Ball Island's surrounded. No ships in or out."
The words hit me like a wave of cold water. Marines didn't mess around when it came to blockades. This wasn't just about capturing one pirate—they were looking to make an example out of anyone associated with him. The party island vibe was about to turn into a war zone.
"How many ships are we talking about?" I asked, now fully awake.
Ace shrugged, glancing out the window as if he could see the approaching fleet. "Last I checked, there were at least five Marine vessels docked at the port. I'm guessing more are on the way."
"And we're stuck in the middle of it," I grin.
"A lot of good marines are going to die because of your stunt. Running around saving little girls"
"Oh that reminds me!" Said Ace.
"She said she got sick after eating a poisonous fruit and now all she can eat is human flesh. I know that you are really smart can you fix her?" Said Ace holding Alice from under her armpits like a kid would hold a toy doll.
"Oh really now" I say sarcastically.
This guy is an idiot I swear. He is like a cooler more retared version of Luffy. Well at least he is not my captain. I rummage through my inventory and pull out a pair of handcuffs.
"Hay Alice put these on and tell me how they make you feel"
Still being held in the air the little girl mechanically lifts both hands and lets me cuff her. The minute the metal touches her skin her body goes limp and her tongue sticks out like sick dog.
"Alice! ALICE! WHAT DID YO-"
*BONK*
"Awww"
"YOU IDIOT SHE ISN'T SICK! SHE ATE A BLODDY DEVIL FRUIT LIKE YOU AND ME!" I yell at Ace removing the sea stone cuffs and returning them to my inventory.
[DING]
Oh brother what now?
[RECRUIT ALICE DARKHOULD EATER OF THE HITO HITO NO MI MODEL: GHOUL TO YOUR PIRATE CREW]
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Title: Mirror Ball Ghoul