Video;

[raiseyou]

[ While he's not who appears onscreen, the SmartSnail signature on the phone is Portgas D. Ace. The location behind Marco is carefully chosen to be generic as possible: a wooden plank wall, the outside of some building or the side of some ship or who knows, really. The coded location of the transmission itself is scrambled. ]

Portgas D. Ace is currently alive and under the protection of the Whitebeard Pirates, the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, and certain sections of the Revolutionary Army.

[ Marco's trying for deadpan, really, but the smirk on his face is goddamn shit-eating. ]

As First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates I am hereby proclaiming his right to live as equal to that of any other man.

Boys. Be on notice.

To the Navy, the World Goverment, and the Yonko Marshall D. Teach: Just you fucking try and touch him.

[ Do what you want 'cause a pirate is free. ]

Comments

[Action] Until I can figure out what damn marine to bring in, sob

[burnt_offering]

[Wow, that was a hell of a lot cooler than expected. Marco's expression was the best. And while a part of him worries that there's already enough trouble made in his name, he can't help but get excited about this. They're not going to take things sitting down, and he's not going to die again. And since it's a lot harder for the people at the top to keep their grasp and control since the shift, this might have ruffled more than a few feathers.

Good. They deserve to be aware of what they've made. What path they put people on.] Did you really need to use my SmartSnail though? Or was that part of the impact.

[raiseyou]

[ That shit-eating grin is still definitely in place, maybe even more pleased with himself at Ace's response. ]

Part of the impact. [ The grin gets just a little sheepish. ] And also I may have just flown straight here and left my damn snail behind.

[burnt_offering]

Hey, if it works it works. [He's addicted to those smiles, the more troublesome ones really are the best. But seeing Marco a little sheepish is good too, usually it's Ace who ends up making those faces.] So I guess we're back in business? It's not the same without Pops, but I'm not gonna just sit around forever.

[raiseyou]

As back as we can be. With this convergence, even if a lot of worlds' fleets are as battered as ours, put them all together and it's a force again.

[ A pause. It's dangerous to hope, but. ] You never know... You're back. Maybe we'll get to meet some version of Pops again.

[burnt_offering]

Hey, we'll pull together to be one hell of a force. We can't be like we were before, but we'll be amazing in a different way.

[He really shouldn't be so excited over something that's not a promise, but his eyes widen and he's thrilled, why didn't this occur to him?] Shit. It could happen. I'll keep a look out, listen in case there's news of him.

[raiseyou]

Definitely. Can you imagine two or three of Jozu? [ Hell, just as an example. ]

I'll message all the old numbers too, if they don't contact me first, see if any of the other commanders are still on the old lines. Maybe some of them have heard from others from outside our world, too. Tell them to keep a look out for Pops. For anybody.

[burnt_offering]

That's... Wow. More than one of any of us is trouble that they don't wanna deal with. [That really has Ace's attention, and his mind is cranking. He's going to do so much research, track down everyone he can. They've got to be prepared for anything at this point, but if they're all together, then they're going to be all but unstoppable.

And that brings that brightness back up further, that warmth and determination.] If there's anyone here? We'll find them.

[raiseyou]

[ That fucking determination, the excitement, the absolute faith in their entire fleet... Marco takes approximately half a second to make sure the SmartSnail is asleep before leaning right in to press a kiss to Ace's cheek. ]

This is another reason I'm glad you're back.

[burnt_offering]

[Ace flushes at the kiss and smiles, he thrives on attention and acknowledgement, and everything Marco gives him is eaten up and used to push himself further.] Yeah? Well, you can't do everything by yourself. No one can. [He had one hell of a lesson on going out on his own, doing things on his own, and he's going to be careful and precise this time around with his actions.

Or just more careful, honestly. He's still an impulsive 20 year old.]

[raiseyou]

[ Marco hears that extra layer underneath. Ace knows well enough he shouldn't have... no, whatever. The past is the past; now is now. He's pretty sure Ace won't go after Teach alone again. They'll have each other's backs this time. ]

Smart words. Pops'd be even more proud of you than he already was.

[burnt_offering]

[He's not going to claim to be older and wiser now, but he's at least got the sense to know how thoroughly crushed he was. How he hurt people with that choice, and he can't handle the idea of harming his family again. And having this new relationship with Marco is a further stabilizing force, keeping him from wanting to be as careless.

He perks up further at Marco's words, and he thinks that he'd like to live his second life in ways that Pops would really be proud of. He wants to do better, as a pirate, as a brother, as a friend. And he thinks he can manage it all this time around.] Well, I've gotta lot to do. I fucked up, we all know this. But I can be better this time. [His quiet expression, which was one of self reflection, is lost to another cocky teasing face.] Hey, at least we know that lessons can literally be beaten into me. That's something that was debated in the past.

text | unknown sender

[callada]

Portgas who?

[Would you Ds all please calm yourselves for half a minute? Where do they keep coming from??]

[raiseyou]

[ What rock have you been living under, stranger. ]

[ Marco cocks a brow before responding. ]

Not sure what world you're from not to know the name. Son of Gol D. Roger, executed at Marineford two years ago, not without a fight. Don't know how he's alive in his state, but there won't be a repeat.

This is common news over several worlds I've seen news reports from. Who are you?

[callada]

Huh. Heard about the battle. Missed the details. Life gets busy.

Rafa, from Micqueot Island. Sorry, new snail's on the fritz, it's probably not showing up. Keeps doing that. These things are weird. Whitebeard Pirates, though, I have heard of you guys - didn't he die? You still sail under his banner?

[Meanwhile, time to add to the notes. Catching up on 13 years of missed news is SO HARD.]

[raiseyou]

He was the entire reason for the battle. Sengoku used him as bait. For the Whitebeard Fleet, specifically, and yes, he died standing in battle.

[ Having to relay that is a kind of infuriating Marco's rarely felt. ]

We haven't been very loud about ourselves recently, but one of Whitebeard's sons returning merits a change in priorities.

[callada]

[So the old man killed two birds with one stone. Clever.

...Noooot that he's going to type out anything to that effect here.]

I see. Just don't come terrorizing us, okay? We didn't do anything. We've had enough trouble with pirates lately.

[raiseyou]

[ ...That's an incredibly odd reaction to have. ]

You don't know a lot about the Whitebeard Fleet, do you, Rafa?

[callada]

Told you, got enough going on here trying to keep this place together on a good day, and now there's people jumping in and out from other worlds. It's a nightmare.

Why, what should I know about your fleet? You special or something?

[raiseyou]

[ Ooookay, we've gone beyond weird and into suspicious. ]

Depends on your definition of special, I guess.

[callada]

Yeah, yeah. I've heard of the guy, but if he's not around anymore it doesn't mean the rest of you are all gonna keep up his ways. What are you now, Marco?

[raiseyou]

Watch your mouth. [ Figuratively. ] Whitebeard is our father and I'm not inclined to listen to dismissals of his death. Whether he's here or not doesn't change that we follow him.

[callada]

[Sounds like a cult if you ask him. Hm. Bad.]

Heh, sorry. He was one of the four emperors, right? I heard about that. Other than start a big war with the Marines, and fight other pirates who wanted that emperor title, what did he do that you can all still follow if he's not there to lead you? Are you an emperor now?

[raiseyou]

What's the point of this line of questioning? Are you really that blind to the world around you or are you trying to get some kind of rise out of me? Or are you from some other part of the convergence and you're just fishing for information? All the papers are in your damn snail, you know.

[callada]

[Is the guy really that dense? Man, he legitimately feels bad for the islanders out there if this is how the commander of a big-name crew like this acts toward Rafa the poor vineyard worker.]

I'm worried. Worried about my family, about my friends. Every time some big name pirate shows up, we get robbed, our town gets trashed, people die. You're making some big declaration on the network and it's gonna get people thinking they should take you on, but you're telling me that because you're Whitebeards it's somehow different. How is it different? Or are you all really that blind to the kinds of things the rest of us go through at the expense of you pirates out there?

[raiseyou]

[ Marco's honestly not buying Rafa the poor vineyard worker. Any town with commerce gets the daily papers. This entire thing smells. ]

Do you need protection, then? Because that's our business. With the convergence there will be more of us to cover more area. We have allies outside the Grand Line. Maybe we don't have a yonko here with us, but between us and the Straw Hat Grand Fleet we'll take on anyone threatening islands under our care.

[callada]

Protection? What, all the way out here? I'll think about it. I'll talk to the governor, see what he says.

That's a big reach from the Grand Line, though. You think you can really do that?

[raiseyou]

[ In the meantime, Marco's gonna be investigating exactly how big a target Micqueot actually is. It's possible, sure, but islands with a big alcohol production tend to have fairly decent naval protection. He's also gonna see how difficult it is to cross-reference a delisted number. ]

I'll reach out to allies in the area. With any luck someone will already have a foothold near you.

[callada]

Hold off on that until I ask, don't just assume we want it. Not my decision to make.

They're gonna want to know why, anyway. It's a hard sell, pirates without their former leader. Too often a hole in the command like that makes trouble, I've seen it before. You sound like you mean well, so I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but what do I tell them? Nobody's out to protect entire islands out of the goodness of their hearts. What do you want from places under your protection?

[raiseyou]

Depends on what they have to offer. If your local Marines aren't doing fuckall to actually protect your vineyards I don't imagine you've got much in the way of money. But if your season's good a percentage of cases of wine would be enough. Pops was always big on second chances and bartering before shooting. I see no reason to deviate from that philosophy.

[callada]

Thanks. Sounds reasonable. If he's interested he'll contact you directly.

[Text]-Private, secure

[silent_king]

Your resolve is admirable, and you can count on my family for support.

You have the full cooperation of the kingdom of Dressrosa that I rule, the Donquixote pirates that I lead will stand behind you, and once I make contact with my husband his crew will undoubtedly aid you as well.

[raiseyou]

[ ...Well. That's. ]

[ Hm. ]

You'll forgive me some skepticism. The Donquixote name isn't exactly a friendly one in my world.

Wow that's a comforting icon

[silent_king]

That's absolutely understandable. My world varies incredibly from what most experience. But Doflamingo is dead, and we do not ally ourselves with those who would seek cruel control. I'm not asking for support or belief. But do know that if the need arises, we can be called upon and my airship fleet will rise for you.

Could be a lot worse he could be on fire

[raiseyou]

So you know, then. Good to hear you don't share Doffy's ideals.

I don't know your given name. I have questions if you have time.

This is true

[silent_king]

I know. When my brother died his ambitions died with him. We've worked hard in Dressrosa to pick up the pieces, and recover.

My name is Rosinante. I have the time to spare.

[raiseyou]

There's no Donquixote Rosinante in any of the wanted posters I've ever seen. He's not one of their generals. With his stupid playing card theme though there's a distinct absence of a Corazón. Would that be you?

[Text]-Private, secure FOREVER

[silent_king]

In the past I held that title. It was long ago however.

[raiseyou]

[ Fucking curiouser and curiouser. ]

I don't suppose this is prying if you're king, as his name would be public too. Who's your husband?

[silent_king]

[This rabbit hole is not one anyone wants to fall down.]

His name is Donquixote Trafalgar D. Water Law. [There's no reason to add titles right now. If he wants more information he'll surely ask.]

[raiseyou]

[ ...Well. ]

Our world has someone by that name, though without the "Donquixote." Was instrumental in Doflamingo's defeat, from how I hear it. I didn't think he had much prior connection.

[ He's not totally sure what dots he's connecting here, but he's pretty sure he's drawing new lines between a few. ]

[silent_king]

So I've heard. I've met one version of him here, although my Law didn't have anything to do with Doflamingo's death.

[raiseyou]

[ "My Law" is certainly an interesting way of phrasing that. ]

[ How to be most diplomatic about this. ]

But he was around, it sounds like? How long has your Doffy been gone?

[silent_king]

[It's entire unintentional as anything other than, his sweetheart, his husband, his Law, but in the context of royalty and intrigue it's without a doubt weighted sounding.]

He was, but he was a child when Doflamingo died. Entirely uninvolved. That was over a decade ago.

[Video] AU Luffyko

[onna_no_gomu]

[The stubborn brunette stares back into the video device, puzzled and raising a single finger to their chin to give it a scratch in thought.]

Oi, oi! What sort of trouble has big sis Ace gotten into this time?!

[raiseyou]

[ .......................... ]

[ All the weird responses so far this is by far the weirdest. ]

[ Marco is obviously nonplussed when he responds, but he tries to keep most of the bafflement out of his voice. ]

...Luffy. What year is it where you're from?

[ Does this very strange stranger not even know that her brother - sister? - was executed? Did it not happen in her world? What the hell is going on? ]

[onna_no_gomu]

[The girl paused for a few moments, blinking into the video feed as if their mind were finally lubricating the gears which helped to turn thoughts.]

What year is it? Well, it'd be the same year it is now, right? I mean, my town should be in the same year as this.

[Looks like the gears didn't get up to full speed, however.]

video;

[deviledlegs]

What? Seriously?! Big brother is?!

[Where's Luffy when you need him? Sanji feels like crying.]

[like_a_chimney]

[Smoker doesn't leave a message, but he's taking note of all of this bullshit. This place is in fucking chaos, and this is a war cry.

He's getting too old for all of this shit. ]