Thatch

Faithful night, Phoenix excelled himself to the fullest as he entered the Moby Dick. He made sure no one saw him before heading forward.

'Anna wanted me to prevent the fourth commander's death yet she never mentioned where. I have to find him and fast...!'

He took a halt and hid, eyes focused on Thatch who's actually alone in the deck. He's looking at the sky with no regard of putting himself on guard in case of someone attack him from behind, so deep in thought. To his side was some kind of strange fruit which Phoenix concluded its the Yami Yami no Mi.

'No wonder Anna didn't say anything, you'll find him before you could sneak in... probably...' His real plan was to sneak in one of the windows on the ship but decided to check on the deck first to make sure but he needed to double careful in case someone was on crow's nest on watch.

'Now that I think about it...' Using his observation haki, he sensed no one other than Thatch on the deck, making him mentally frown, 'Just because you are known as Yonkos doesn't mean they should let their guard down.'

He sighed in disappointment until he felt something chilling, by instinct he covered himself using the cloak. What he saw ahead was a large man silently walked forward heading to Thatch. Phoenix narrowed his eyes on the approaching man until he saw a short dagger hidden behind him. His Phoenix side began to feel restless, as if it wanted to be brought out and attack the offender but held himself.

'My mission is to subdue him not kill him... I need to perfect my timing.' He knew one mistake could bring trouble to his existence. One save Thatch but could mistake as an offender and be hunted by this pirates which was a big no. Two save Thatch and leave immediately but still could cause to be hunted which was again a big no. Third save Thatch by letting him know the situation he's in... how?

Before he could decide however he saw the large man brought out his dagger, grinning madly as he get closer and Thatch still have no idea the coming danger behind him. With nothing left to lose, Phoenix run as fast as possible and just in time as this man thrust the dagger behind the commander's back but was blocked by a sword.

The sound of the clashing blade jolted the fourth commander's deep thinking, turning around just to witness a dagger was blocked by a long sword by someone who's wearing a cloak and hood hiding his face.

For the offender he can't believe someone will be there to stop his attempt much more someone he doesn't know. For Phoenix the situation had gone to his favor which was to his relief. With that in mind, Phoenix had pushed him away to give them both distance, Phoenix in front of Thatch in protective stance. The phoenix within him began to feel restless, just witnessing the attempt murder made it really angry.

"Who are you?" The man questioned and his voice gave a huge reaction toward his phoenix but held himself.

Instead of answering he gave his focus more about his mission. He dashed forward and attack the man which he had defended with his dagger. Phoenix continue his attack which actually doesn't have much pattern that became unpredictable where he'll attack next.

The man did well to keep blocking his attack until Phoenix made a twist to his sword which the man took this timing to actually slash his sword away but instead of an advantage it was a mistake as Phoenix finally consent his phoenix side to transform his feet into a talon that gave shock to both offender and Fourth Commander.

Phoenix smirked as he used this moment to actually give him a big hit by kicking his face using the transformed foot. He could feel the man blacked out and proved right when he landed on the ground with no consciousness.

Seeing he had successfully save the Fourth Commander and put the offender whom he had concluded to be Marchal D. Teach to unconsciousness, his mission was a success.

Phoenix breath in relief, glad that he had successfully finish Anna's last wish and in mind prayed for her peaceful rest.

Of course he knew for the fact the fourth commander will soon escape to his trance but never thought it would be that escape to his lips.

"Marco?"

As the name said, Phoenix slowly turned around to see the fourth commander in real shock and disbelief. At first he kind of concluded due to his power that he had called him Marco until he noticed his hood had fallen to actually reveal his face.

'Ahh...' Before he could react however, Thatch immediately dashed forward and hugged Phoenix.

Thatch could still not believe it, he was first shock about the fact that Teach, their long time brother had actually attempted to kill him from behind and he knew the fact that he could never defend himself because he's too lost in thought to notice the attempt then suddenly someone he doesn't know appeared before him and blocked the blade to save him.

The two fought while he's still in shock can't move a muscle until the mysterious savior's hood had moved to reveal his identity which again double his shock because... there's no way Marco, his lost friend and brother was here and alive, just in time to save him as well. Unconsciously he spoke his name, making the said Marco actually faced him.

He barely noticed his changes because his eyes were more focus around his eyes, an indication he knew that name which immediately lost control of himself as he lunched forward and hugged him.

For Phoenix he was shock, not expecting to actually hug him. Still something within him sadden, 'You know me... yet I don't know you.'

"Marco..." A sob, Phoenix could feel some wetness around his shoulder. Was he... crying?

"Your alive... you are actually alive!" His hug tightens, he really missed him.

Phoenix bit his lips hard enough force himself to push away his pain and sadness. When he can finally regain himself, he spoke for the first time. "You better look closely first."

Thatch had not expected that. His voice sounds... younger. Slowly he pulled back but not letting him go to actually give a full sight of his lost dead friend. He was shocked to see a young teen maybe around sixteen or younger, hair no longer in pineapple style but instead shoulder length tied in ponytail and impression no longer grumpy but instead young and almost innocent.

"Ma... Ma... eh?" Thatch was totally confused. He swiped his tears to get a better view and hope it's not real but when he looked again, his heart broken. "Bu-bu-but y-yo-you l-look like M-Marco..." He slowly let him go and stepped backward a little, still in disbelief that this boy was him.

Upon being let go, Phoenix actually attempted to run away from here but for some reason something within him told him to stop and stay. He felt he belong here at the same time... doesn't.

Seeing his body will not comply his desire to escape, he spoke lowly, "I will explain... but not here... especially not too many people or anyone than you." He went to pick up his sword then shealth it to its scabbard. His gaze turned to the unconscious body, "And we need to tie him up."

When Thatch's gaze turned toward Teach, anger resurfaced. "I will take of him. You go to my room and wait for me."

Phoenix thought for a moment before asking, "Your room?"

"Fourth Division hallway at the second ground floor third end to the left."

Phoenix numbly nodded before looking around until he found a rope. He approached to take it then gave the rope to Thatch. "Only you, I can't face the others right now."

Thatch nodded then took off. Before he could enter however Thatch shouted, "It might take a little while, I need to report this to Oyaji."

Knowing the address Oyaji was their captain, he ones again nodded before heading off. He got to Thatch's room successfully without being seen.

For Thatch, he had tied Teach securely before dragging him to their prison cells. The ones on the watch were surprise to see Thatch carrying Teach tied up and anger visible to his eyes which actually rare to happen to the prankster.

"Lock him and never let him escape. Be sure to wait for Oyaji's decision." Thatch said so deep that gave chill to the watchers and immediately complied as they took Teach away.

Thatch's next destination was the Captain's cabin where Whitebeard rest. Arriving to the door, he knocked and waited for a moment just to hear his permission to come in which he did. He saw his father sitting up and he knew he immediately saw his concern, anger and betrayal.

"What's wrong Thatch?" Whitebeard asked in concern as he direct him to come and had him sit beside him. Thatch did and slammed his head to his father's large knees, so defeated and angry.

Thatch took a deep breath to calm himself even for a bit before asking in almost a whisper, "Wha-what would you do... if one of my brothers... betrayed you?"

Whitebeard almost frown, "Betrayed you?" Thatch nodded numbly, "Betrayed by... killing you?"

This question immediately alarmed Whitebeard, "Thatch this is a serious accusation pointed to your brothers. You know this." And he knew he did. Thatch is the prankster of the crew but he knew boundaries, Thatch wouldn't lie to hurt his brother's feelings because out of all the commanders, Thatch is the most honest.

Thatch raised his head and Whitebeard was taken aback from his expression full of denial, disbelief, anger and betrayed. "I wish it is Oyaji... I'm..." His body began to tremble because remembering the blade that's actually pointed toward him, the blade that's supposed to kill him, the blade that he had no time to defend himself... he felt so angry and betrayed that he wanted to deny everything but Marco's return and the fact he saved him increased the feeling that it hurt so much. He began to curl himself which Whitebeard react to hug him to calm him down. He began crying too because he can't hold it anymore. "I thought I am home... I am safe..."

Whitebeard's eye softens, "You are home Thatch."

"But-"

"Look at me Thatch." It took a moment for him to do so and he began to cry more when he saw the love of his father toward him, so love and wanted that he and everyone else didn't acquired from their life. "You are home Thatch." Whitebeard repeated with tender and love toward his son, "You are here with your family, you are safe."

That made Thatch cried even more but with the mix of happiness. "Thank you... Oyaji... I'm sorry..."

"Shhh...it's alright Thatch." Whitebeard sooth but deep with those was a promise of death to the person who made Thatch feel this way. "I know it's hard for a moment Thatch but I want to know the truth. What happened?"

It took a moment before Thatch told him about his deep thinking about the devil fruit he found, so deep that he didn't notice someone approaching behind him with a dagger in hand and was about back stab him if aren't for someone to save him and put him to unconsciousness.

He also plead not to ask this person's identity but assured his Oyaji this savior is safe and now in his room waiting for him. Whitebeard nodded, knowing sooner or later he would meet this savior and will give his best gratitude for saving his son's life.

"Where is Teach?" He asked and there's an underlining fury to his voice. Thatch answered, "After tying him, I carried and place him in prison cell, told the watchers to wait for your orders."

Whitebeard nodded before carefully standing up, he looked to his son softly, "I will go and see him. Thatch I would call the commanders after I took a peek on Teach and tell them the whole story. You should return back because I know you will have some important discussion to this savior of yours. Please tell him he has my greatest gratitude for saving you and hope we could meet."

Thatch smiled softly, "I will Oyaji." And he will make sure they will.

Whitebeard nodded as both went out the room and had their separate ways.

As Whitebeard approach the prison cell, his dark aura became visible that could suffocate or make anyone tremble in fear because after all, the fury of the strongest man in the world is total bad news. No one harms his family and the family that betrayed the family shall take the greatest punishment.

For Thatch, he first went to the deck to take the devil fruit before returning to his cabin, ignoring the worried glance of his brothers he had come across knowing he's wearing a tired expression and most likely an indication he had cried. Upon his arrival to his room, he first didn't notice his visitor around his room until he saw him hidden on the side waiting which made him relief he didn't escape. He went in and closed the door, not forgetting to lock it then put the devil fruit to his night stand. He also offered him to sit on his spare chair which he did and so he took the other one.