{Ace's POV}

"What are you guys doing here?"  I said in a tired and worried tone as I stare down at all my fellow loved ones who were strongly determined to save me from my death. Then I spot my eyes on a certain familiar figure. "Luffy! What are you doing?!"

Luffy took in a deep breath and didn't hesitate to answer. As my own little brother stared up at me with such intensity you can feel the overwhelming willpower he held in his eyes. "We are here to take you back! And we are going to make sure you come back alive!" "Just turn back!" "No! I refuse to go back without you!"

Before I could say another word Whitebeard had turned down my words and my will to continue arguing with my Luffy. "Ace! You are my son! I will not have my son die in the hands of the marines! You are going to live the great life you deserve!"

Tears began to trail down my slightly bruised cheek as I bit my lip. Everyone I deeply care for is all here and want to take me back. "I... I won't be able to come back alive!"

"Yes you are!" My eyes widen hearing such a voice that I will never forget. Those crisp clear emerald eyes. The soft and beautiful dark brown that was the same color of dark chocolate that always seemed to shine more in the moonlight and sunlight. "Storm...?"

{Storm's POV}

I stepped out from behind Marco as I walking up to Whitebeard standing beside his large tall figure. "You are going to come back home! You are going to live to see another day! We are going to take you back!" Ace began to break down looking down at his knees as the tears streamed down his freckled cheeks. "Storm... don't please."

"Charge!" Whitebeard shouted in commanded as all fellow pirates of all kinds came together. "Men attack!" "Yes, sir!" The marines said in unison and ran towards us causing a large collision between marines and pirates. I ripped off my blue cloak and ran straight into the chaos that was happening between pirates and marines. My arms and legs turned into metal slowing down my usual pace but I was able to keep up in a fight. Three marines tried to surround me; one was punched in the gut with my metal fist and was sent flying, the second tried to shoot at me only to have it reflected back to his leg making him fall to his knees allowing me to knee him in the face and the last one was too scared to move but I didn't hold back. "This is for Ace!" I cried out as I roundhouse kicked the last marine on the side kicking into his rib cage which made him spit out blood as he was sent flying across the ground. I continued onward running towards Ace.

"I'm coming for you Ace!" I turn over to see Luffy way ahead of me through the dust and chaotic sounds of men shouting, gunshots, and swords clashing together. "Luffy..." Ace spoke through his tears.

"Hey, shoot Straw Hat down! Don't let him get any closer to Monkey D. Ace!" One of the generals shouted in command as the sound of many separate gunshots rang through the air. I allowed my legs to return to normal so I could run faster as I let my metal arms liquify and stood in front of Luffy from his left side making a large iron shield. " Tetsu Tetsu No Guard Shield!" "Ah! It's the Metal Lady!" "Stop wasting your time and don't let your guard down Luffy!" I scold him as I launched my large shield towards the marines who shot at Luffy sending them flying into the air and sliding across the ground and I form a small shield on my left arm and had my left arm turn into a sharp blade. "Run to Ace!" I send him a simple yet hopeful smile. "Bring him home." Luffy stares at me for a moment and nods running off towards Ace once again but with a faster pace. "Get him!" I quickly began to fight off any marine who was arming towards Luffy so nothing crossed his path. "Tetsu Tetsu No Thor Hammer!"

I formed a large hammer with my hands and swung it around knocking out the marines. "Hey watch it Storm! You could have hit me!" "Marco! I don't think you're the who's about to die! So shush!"

After what felt like forever of endless fighting and bloodshed, Luffy was walking across the field with Ace limping his arms slightly. Despite the chaos happening around them they still seem to be so aloof and happy in each other's arms. Their childish smiles said it all. Ace is coming home...

Or so I thought.

(I Highly Recommend Listening to The Song as You Read This Part!)

"Storm!" Marco called out to me as he grabbed my shoulders shaking me out of my somewhat dazed senses. My mind was trying to process all of what just happened. There in front of me was Luffy crying out his eyes as Ace laid in his arms slowly dying from the large hole made through his chest as his skin was covered in burns and bruises and blood. I felt my mind go blank. My heart had shattered into a million pieces. Before I knew it tears had formed in my eyes falling down my cheek. I tried to walk past Marco to get to Ace but he held onto my arms tightly. I began to struggle and kick my legs. "Let me go! Ace! Ace! He's...!" "Storm! Stop! Please just stop!" "Ace! He's still...!" "He's gone Storm!" Marco said in a bitter tone. My heart stopped as images of Ace flashed through my head.

No

"Hey! You seem like the type of woman who would want to become a pirate! Come join! I would love to have a beautiful woman like you with us!"

No

"Oh good morning! Haha, don't make that face cutie! I will make you smile for real and it will be genuine!"

No

"Since we are so close now... does that makes us officially a couple now?! I hope so, because I have come to like you a lot Storm!"

No

"Mmn nngh noooo~ D...Don't wake me up... until... zzzz"

No...

"Haha I get you are picture perfect but the only way to make it more picture perfect is when I see us on our wedding day! Just wait for me. I promise my darling Storm, you will finally become not only my woman but my wife and love for life."

NO!

I snapped. The cries were uncontrollable. My vision was blurred from the amount of tears forming in my eyes as I fell to my knees in Marco's arms. My body trembled as I cried out loudly covering my face with my hands. "Ace! Oh, gods! Aceeee!!!" Marco pulled away from me as I curled over continuing to cry my broken heart out.

From this day forward I will never get to hear his corny pickup lines. I won't ever see his charming face that was graced with adorable freckles. I won't be able to feel his warm strong arms wrapped around me and feel his breathe against my neck as we lay in each other's arms. I won't ever get to see that ever so breathtaking smile that always melted my heart. I won't ever hear him call me "my darling Storm" every day.

All of it...

Gone

And I couldn't do anything to save him.

[Timeskip]

It has been about a few months since Ace's funeral.

Everyone has tried to return to their normal selves but you can still tell that the death of Ace shook the whole crew. Especially Whitebeard. He loved Ace to bits as his own son and seemed to become Ace's missing father figure. Marco has been able to take charge of Ace's old squad but they all still have a heavy sadness in their hearts. The news of Ace's death shook the New World.

Especially me, I have locked up in the room that was once called "ours" for ages going through all of Ace's stuff. My dark brown hair was a mess and my green eyes were red from all the tears I've shed. Today I found a small notebook in his traveling bag along with small trinkets. As I looked through his notebook I found a small letter tucked in the very back of the notebook. Out of my curiosity, I pulled out the letter and found my name written on the back of the letter.

I carefully opened the letter afraid it would disappear from my hands and scanned the letter. Before I knew it my heart began to feel a wave of emotions.

My Darling Storm,

I am not sure if you will ever get this letter but if you do, then that means I have died or probably been imprisoned by the Marine and World Government. I want to keep this shorts since letters aren't my things. I am more of a talking guy then writing it down. I hope you know I will always love you. I know I don't believe in a religion but I hope that in our next life you will be mine again and hopefully, nothing will have to keep us apart. Our bonds are strong. Our love is strong. I hope you will be waiting for me in your next life. Oh, and before I forget... check inside the envelope.

I giggled softly yet painfully as I slid my finger inside the letter to feel a cold circular object. I pulled it out slowly to be greeted by a gold ring with the initials "S x A" Storm x Ace. Small tears formed in the corner of my eyes. I continue to read the rest of the letter.

Will you marry me my darling? I know you will say yes but... I still had to ask. The ring was made for you and I personally asked a blacksmith to write our initials in it. Now it will show that you will always be mine and I will be yours. Storm, continue to live life for me and watch over everyone for me. Especially Luffy, he is always trouble. Please don't forget to worry about yourself. I know you tend to care for others a bit more than you care for yourself. I just ughh... I can't write! Just! Just live a great life. May we meet again my darling.

Your Beloved,

Ace

I smiled with tears of joy and peace. "I do..." I whisper to myself as I place the ring on my wedding finger. I held my hand close to my chest over my heart smiling. I felt a wave of relief from the sense of closure.

"Just wait for me Ace. I will see you soon..."

[Modertime 3rd POV]

A beautiful young girl with beautiful healthy dark brown hair and emerald green eyes walk down the street of Hokkaido as white snow fell from the sky. The crunching sound of each step filled the crisp cold air. She breathed into her hands trying to warm them up rubbing them together at the same time. She didn't pay attention as she continued to walk until she ran into someone's broad shoulder falling back a little but the stranger pulled her into their strong arms. "O...Oh! I...I'm so sorry!" She pulled away a little looking up only to be met with a pair of dark grey eyes that made her heart beat fast. A low charming laugh escaped from the stranger's mouth. The girl's heart stopped as she gazed and examined the stranger's features. His freckles and raven black hair were dashing.

"Hey sorry you alright cutie?" "Wh...What? Oh umm yes! Thank you." The girl pulls away from his arms as she blushes red bowing to him slightly. "Aww so shy~ Cute~ The names Ace." "Ace?" "Mhm~ That's me~" She let out a small giggle shyly smiling to Ace. "I'm Storm but you can also call me T or Teru." "Nah, I like Storm. It's very... striking," He said to the girl winking at her making her laugh at his pun. "Hehe, thanks. I like Ace. It's catchy." The girl said with her flushed cheeks smiling. "Well, I umm I'll see you around Ace," She said waving to Ace. "Yeah! See you around~" He waved back at her as she walked off into the distance.

"Just wait for me..." Ace said underneath his breath and continued to walk down the road.

I guess love is stronger than any metal itself.

Right? Storm?

(END OF THIS BOOK! THIS IS DEDICATED TO  TeruTategami !!! MUCH LOVE! I HOPE YOU ENJOY AND RECOVER FAST WITH THE POWER OF RECOVERY GIRL! )

Total word: 2261 words