#elastixheart

He was the undisputed King of the Quidditch field.  Each game that found Slytherin facing a challenger, there was no doubt which house would come out the victor. As long as Ace led his team, being the vicious Beater that he was, the house cup would remain in the coils of the snake. 

--Much to the chagrin of some fellow students. 

Post-Game found the stadium barren of their fellow students, with the exceptions of a few: Ace, who stood on the field with training gear on and his broom clutched in hand; Deuce and Sabo both sat in the stands, peering over the edge; Deuce hardly gave them much attention. Sabo was sparkly eyed, violet gaze fixed on his two lovers. 

Then, there was the Hufflepuff who had the red eyed gaze of the Quidditch captain on her. 

"Why don’t you just let me train you?” It was a genuine offer, for the moment. Ace couldn’t guarantee that it would stay open for too much longer though. Let her come back with snark! The offer will immediately void.

“Everyone.”

The beating of wings was heard far off the island coast, announcing her fast approach. Her massive body flew overhead, casting a shadow that engulfed the village beneath. They recognized her silhouette, and cheered as she charged into the fray. Not far behind her was the fleet of the Whitebeard pirates, with canon fire lighting up the dusk. The goal was to prevent as many casualties as possible, to protect the harbor town that was under the protection of the pirate fleet. 

Another monster, another path of destruction. Mothra met him head on, her calls drowning out the destruction. And through the chaos, two voices resounded in harmony- performed by the second division commander and the lead doctor himself. 

Edward Newgate’s territory in the New World was a sanctuary for those who lived there, protected by the pirate fleet who had allied themselves with the benevolent Mothra. Time and time again, forces sent in by the World Government tried and failed to acquire the egg of the kindly Kaiju from Infant Island, hidden away somewhere in the territory of the pirates. The collection of Kaiju was not unheard of, especially by the corrupt Government, who had a monstrous beast hidden somewhere that they threatened to awaken if ever needed. 

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

Finding Luffy had gone from an impossible mission, to something more akin to Child’s Play for Ace, with the assistance of his beloved Mothra. The real question was always: Find Rodan, find Luffy. Sounds easy, but with how quick the Straw Hat pirates moved from island to island, they made that endeavor much harder than necessary. 

Today, was a good visit. A surprise.  Ace had called ahead via transponder snail to assure her that she would love the gift he was bringing with him, but there was no indication of what exactly that gift entailed...

Not until they finally reached the famous Thousand Sunny, and dropped on deck. Mothra took to the sky to greet her old, stupid friend. Ace-- was accompanied by a well-dressed blonde, so familiar and so different. He was also taller... 

After the death of the wendigo, Teach, the lands to the North found themselves without a guardian. The Thunderbird was mangled upon his return to the Sound, and out of commission for the time being. With nothing left for him here, and Tama’s adoption papers finally gone through, Ace was eager to pack up his family and go. He just never assumed he would be moving... here. 

--Keet’s old territories. 

Deuce suggested Rouge’s old home, remembering how far out of the way it was, and Sabo’s desire to return to it. Ace, who had always felt indebted to his mother, took the other. The plankhouse was large and spacious, accommodating for Sabo, Deuce, Tama, Ace himself, their animals-- and the child Sabo was expecting. 

It was quieter up here, and Ace was grateful for a chance to join with the local Fire Department nearby-- wanting to remain as inconspicuous as possible. However, the return of Keet was eagerly received by the locals when stories of the large orca being spotted started to spread. Ace felt a sour taste in his mouth once he heard these stories. The last thing he ever wanted.. was to get swallowed by his father’s legacy. 

But returning here was essential. The people, the spirits, the land-- all needed a guardian. 

He resented his large size now, but seeing that massive dorsal fin on the horizon was a symbol of hope for the locals. All he ever wanted to do was help people, and-- in a way-- he still was. But it would also catch the attention of the spirits nearby as well. 

It had been his day off, a chance to explore and take it easy. Ace had dragged Sabo along as well, taking some time away from their new home and leaving Tama with Deuce. That, of course, is when they found her--

--and Ace knew immediately that she was a spirit as well.. Another orca spirit, like him, but also different in her own right. 

STARTS BARKING AT HER