Baterilla, South Blue
[Clinic]
-Flashback-
The faithful day of Ace's birth finally came as he was tired of waiting to see the world. The labour lasted for hours as I sat outside, mind racing as the sounds of Nee-chan's painful screams were my only indicator of what was happening. I almost punched a midwife to get into the delivery room but after being held by the tall, tan-skinned man in a white outfit with the same colour pattern as the Marines. My struggle to escape his grasp on my collar was useless.
"Brat! Let these woman do their job!" He barked at me.
His words anchored me the whole time before my hope was shattered by Rogue's weak form, holding the newborn in her arms, her usual healthy skin now pale and her eyes fighting fatigue.
"Ramos...Come say hi to your nephew. "She breathed out.
Walking over to her, reaching for the baby.
"H-Hi Ace. You have nee-chams freckles. I chuckled softly, eyes still on my sister who was still looking sickly. "Nee-chan–"
"Ramos." She interrupted. " Promise me you will protect Ace." She weakly asked.
Biting my lip to distract the seeking tears," I promise to protect him nee-chan. Ace will be as free as the birds In The sky." He grinned back.
Rogue chuckled at his statement, chest heaving getting weaker." Thank you, Ramos. You're the best brother ever~"
Those were the last words she said to me before she died.
I stared at her lifeless body covered by a white sheet, the situation hadn't fully registered in my head, and the nurses tended to the crying baby as I just stood there like a statue. I felt a hand grasp my shoulder and a deep voice spoke to me.
"Listen, kid. Don't let your anger manifest into disdain towards him."
"His the reason nee-chan is dead." I started through a sob."Why did she have to suffer for his actions huh?"
Garp kept his eyes on Ramos." This world is ruled by strong people kid. The weak are just calamity, that's why we dedicated our lives to protect the innocent. He stated.
"Then teach me to get strong."
"Kid..."
Ramos bowed his head to the ground, "Please train me, old man! I-I don't want Ace to live in fear or break Nee-chan's promise–just please consider it." He pleaded through tears.
Gar,p seeing his determination,n was reminded of his own son, the hatred he saw in his eyes after the truth of being a Marine was revealed to him. He didn't want to fail another child...not so soon.
"Fine brat. I'll train you, but don't expect it to be easy you hear me! I'm going to mould you into the finest Marine to sail the seas."
-Present day-
Ramos stood by the shoreline watching the sunset, the lingering memories of Rouge's soft laugh haunted his dreams ever since joining the Marines.
"Nee-chan, I miss you so much...I-I'm still going to protect Ace. Even if his the son of Roger, his still my nephew and carries your will...our will."