If only he hadn't wished that….

Ben smiled knowingly, his captain was really worried about Luffy lately, he let his gaze wander and his breath caught. "Boss, someone is swimming there!" he said suddenly and Shanks startled out of his thoughts. "Holy Mary Mother of God!" he said and couldn't believe his eyes, it couldn't be. The remains of a ship floated in front of him, pieces were still burning everywhere, and yet it was quiet. So quiet that you could have dropped a pin, then he discovered something that was drifting a little off the beaten track in their direction. "Ben! There, someone is swimming!" he shouted. Ben didn't be told twice and jumped into the water. It was a young girl, her long brown hair hung down on her face, he laid her carefully on the planks. "She's still alive!" Ben noted, but Shanks just looked amazed at something that was floating in the water. That was Whitebird's ship, his flag was floating there, he was wide awake. "" All hands on deck, launch boats, look for survivors! "He gave instructions and the ship moved quickly.

His people had been looking for hours, but only bodies had been found, including the corpses of Marco and Whithbird himself. He shook his head, who was powerful enough to simply blow the ship into a thousand pieces? Who could kill Whitebird just like that? There was a knock and Ben stepped in, he looked at his captain briefly, then looked down. "There are indications that another ship was here before us, maybe they just overlooked the girl!" he said encouragingly. He knew Shanks was worried about Ace, just two weeks ago the news had come that Ace had defeated Blackbird. A relief and now something like that! "How is she doing?" he asked and Ben looked up surprised "I mean the girl!" "YES, sure" he started to grin "She's tough, the doctors say she'll get through!". Shanks nodded, then absently glanced at a blank piece of paper, Who was so powerful? Ben went to the door and seemed to talk to someone briefly, then looked at him meaningfully "She is awake!"

Maya stared at the ceiling, the bed she was lying in was hard and her back hurt like hell. Her thoughts were with Ace, she fervently hoped he was still alive. The door opened and this Ben stepped in with a red-haired guy she knew from wanted posters and from Asce stories. Shanks, the Red Shanks. He sat down on the edge of the bed, she didn't move, but fixed a point on the ceiling. " What's your name?" he asked, she looked him in the eye for a moment, there was a certain impatience in it, just like with Ace. "Maya" she said curtly "Please tell me what happened!" Shanks pleaded, again with a trace of impatience. "Why should I?" she asked stiffly "Because I need to know! Do you know Ace?" Immediately her whole body stiffened, she couldn't do anything about it, her reaction wasn't hidden from him either."Obviously! Was he on the ship?" she nods and this time it was Shanks who tensed. "What happened?" he asked more urgently this time. “The ship has sunk!” “Can that also be more precise?” “No!” she said curtly. Shanks raised an eyebrow and looked at her doubtfully "I don't believe you, please tell me what happened, I need to know, I need to know if Ace is okay!" Marine has a new weapon, the first bullet split the ship and the second completely shattered it, "she said and the memory seemed to pass her away. "What kind of weapon?" asked Shanks. "Lord God again, I only saw that you shot and Ace couldn't stop the bullets!" "Ace is dead?" "I don't know," she yelled at him, her fingers digging into the paint. The thought of it made her wish she were dead just so she wouldn't have to endure the pain. Shanks got up and left, Ben looked at her again for a moment. "Take it easy!" he said and then left her alone. Maya watched from the porthole and the sun as it rose over the sea. The red glittered on the water and every drop looked like a diamond. Ace, she thought, and immediately grabbed her neck. The necklace Ace had given her for engagement was a pear-shaped diamond. He had said 'only when this chain breaks he would die, only then. It was a promise, an oath and they had sealed it with a kiss. "Please, Ace!" she breathed and tears ran down her cheeks, "keep your promise"
*** Flashback ***
Ace lay over her and his face was contorted with anger, the ship fell apart. "Jump" he called and they jumped. She fell into the water and he landed on a couple of planks. When she reappeared, Ace pulled her up to him. "Listen to me, you have to stay here, live, for you and for us!" he said and she looked at him in disbelief "What? Ace what are you up to?" she asked panicked. "I distract them, you swim as far away as you can, they mustn't get you" "No, I .. We!" "Don't get me to watch you go to the gallows, Maya!", He looked at her and kissed her "I'll find you" he said and ran off. Then all she saw was fire, everywhere. Bombs strikes, wood splinters and screams but Ace stayed gone.
*** End of flashback ***
"Ace hurry up" she breathed and stared at the sea.

** at Ace **

Ace had meanwhile fled from the Navy, they could arrest him briefly and had ended up with Luffy without knowing it. He was still unconscious and knew nothing of his happiness, but that should change soon because he grimaced in pain and blinked a few times. Then he starts at "Maya!", He moaned and rubbed his head. He looked around, his little brother crouched in front of him with a club in his hand and stared at him in dismay. "Maya?What about her? "He asked," How do you know her? "Ace asked confused." She once saved my life, how do you know her? ““ She's my fiancé! ”Ace said as if it were obvious.“ Oh, cool! Didn't she write at all! " "As written? "" Are you writing? " "Yes! "" You cannot write, at least not readable! "That's why Namie writes for me," Luffy said, offended. "When was the last time you heard from her?" Ace asked hopefully. "7 days ago," Ace lowered his head in disappointment her everywhere! "said Luffy encouragingly, Ace smiled gratefully." Do that and ask her where she is! It's worth a try! "He said." Namie, can you write something for me? "Shouted Luffy and ran out of the room.

Dear Maya
Where are you? Ace is here and he's fine, but he is
is worried about you! You never mentioned that he was yours
Fiancé is (Congratulations <- from Nami),
please get in touch
Luffy


He rolled up the letter and put it in a tube, attached it to the falcon's leg and stepped to the railing. The bird rose with mighty flaps of its wings and disappeared into the distance. Ace, who had stepped on deck, watched the bird go. It had all happened so quickly, he didn't even know if she was still alive. No, he called to himself inwardly, she is tough and has surely survived. He shook his head and sighed, he had told Luffy everything and that had caused Luffy to make Namie write 20 times faster. "Are you okay?" Luffy asked "Yeah, sure! But I'm hungry". Luffy grinned "Sanji, Ace is hungry!" he screamed and in less than 5 minutes Sanji had conjured up a 4 course menu.


** at Maya **

Maya stood at the railing and stared at the sea, she had been here for 4 days and still no news from him. Even the Navy didn't hear anything, which Shanks said was reassuring. She let her gaze wander over the sky and discovered something that made her heart beat faster. She whistled and the hawk rushed down to drop on her shoulder. She scanned the letter briefly, then ran downstairs and stormed into Shank's cabin without knocking. "He's alive!" she exclaimed overjoyed