"Those stupid pirate 'rules'" Luffy yells as he runs, "I've never heard of them!"

"Whitebeard really wants to laugh. Then, apparently, a member of some infamous pirate crew charges in. "Ace doesn't really understand what he means, but lets his wings and horns and tail melt away and his eyes fade back to brown as Ben scoops up his limp form. Something tells him he should just expect the unexpected when it comes to Luffy. He's suddenly filled with so much joy it overflows. Everything is okay. He can feel his heart breaking and he doesn't know if he will be able to fix it.And then he hears the insult to his father's name and he snaps. Is he even The choice is taken out of Ace's hands when the tiger takes a step forward. He keeps asking Ace, but how is the Demon supposed to know something like that? So does Sanji for that matter. He can't lash out.

Or –"Whtebeard laughs, long and loud. Johnny knows the perfect place, so they set sail.Luffy doesn't like the marine they run into; he's annoying. They can't possibly refuse.Of course, before they can get too far into the planning, the walls come crashing down around them. And his dad is strong.But Luffy has never met him, so he can't say he cares that much. You don't really act like Roger though…"Ace watches his chosen captain warily. Anything is better than Luffy dying.Luffy's eyes are silver and there's a golden halo on his head. You can't possibly take Oyaji's head the way you are now.

Soulmate!verse. Marco questions, from where he stands listening. He doesn't really get why this girl he's never met before is calling him "Boss" or why two thugs are suddenly glaring at him.But it doesn't really matter because they just touched his hat and no one should EVER touch his hat.The funny girl comes back again and starts talking about robbing pirates. He's missing a piece of the puzzle. "You scarred," he whispers.Luffy copies his action, running a hand along Ace's bare chest. Sabo would agree. When Luffy turns back to him, he grins.Ace smirks. The pain of Sabo's death eases, but never truly fades. Franky says that Merry lives on in Sunny and that makes Luffy smile. They've never gone further than that. "Yep," he says, and Ace sags in relief, "Rayleigh helped me get them back in shape. Luffy would be too busy geeking out over how cool it is to have an opinion on the matter. Luffy is furious. Today, a little voice echoes loudly through the trees. It hurts. Luffy! Their wing style is very different from Birkans, styled closer to the Shandia wings. They take Luffy, and Ace, knowing Luffy will be alright with them, fights to defend their backs. "Well, now this really is a surprise," the man says after a beat of silence, "I have wonder though, what exactly do you want me to do? Who cares that you have horns and I have a halo? ""Didn't I give you a hard time up till now?" Zoro didn't expect anything less and Luffy is just thrilled at being able to see his brother fight again. When morning came, Ace heads out. His first friend was gone. Trust…? But no matter what Ace yells, the little Angel's sobs don't cease.The next morning, a letter arrives. It's strange, yet oddly fitting. ""I see," Whitebeard says, "That is important news. "What the heck are you talking about, Nami? He brings a shaking hand up and sees it covered in blood.And for the second time in his life, Ace loses control.All those years ago, when Marco stopped Ace from gnawing his arm off, the Phoenix never understood what the younger pirate meant when he said lose control.He'll admit he's as shocked as anyone else when the kid sprouts wings and shields Ace from the incoming blow.

Not only was the infamous rookie pirate Straw Hat Luffy the pure and innocent Angel, the precious brother he had worked so hard to save was the twisted and tainted Demon. He can only hope that he fulfills their expectations of him.Ace catches the boy as he falls, cradling him as the battle finally slows to a halt around them. When he confronts his little brother, he isn't entirely surprised when the Angel declares that he will get stronger. They Kanpi and Sanji cooks and Nami and Robin laugh and Franky and Chopper and Usopp and Luffy dance while Brook plays music and Zoro watches it all with a smile.He can't stand the sight before him, the sight of his nakama fighting for his worthless life, shedding their blood for him, dying for him.