AU, where Ace is dissimilar to his father, so once upon a time, Ace learnt the lesson of running away.
The lesson of going backwards and avoiding a fight.
Because he had Luffy behind him and he needed him.
And then he had Deuce by his side and then the entire Spades crew.
Portgas had learnt to slow down and walk away from a fight one of his loved ones wouldn't be able to handle.
So he didn't go straight for Whitebeard's head.
And that's how the whole story changed .
After three years of sailing - the one who was a super rookie, is already approaching the title of Yonko, Spades has its own fleet, friends from all over the Grandline. Also having a growing confrontation with Joker and Kaido, and signed a secret alliance with the Trafalgar’s Crew. At the same time not yet Mugiwara, but long time Monkey D. Luffy is hoisting his own sails to go sailing in pursuit of his dream.
Ace’s title developed to Flame Emperor ( sorry Sabo), has friendship with Akagami, still not recognized as Gol D ( by bless the Duece’s and Mihar’s work as the ones who supervised and have a control over this kind of news along marines and pirates).
He avoid Whitebread and really don’t wanna believe all rumors about old Yonko’s desire to accept Ace as his son.
Nah, he really doesn’t want.
He could properly use Conqueror's haki (thank Big mom and her tea party)
Has his own marine Smoker (Isuka not count bc she started to work with revs as undercover agent)
His crew start tradition to get tattoo with different kinds of Spades Jolly Roger.
One of his nakama go to Rev Army so as a result Spades take some common missions and sometimes help revolutionaries… afterwards once Sabo recognize Ace, fell out, recover, and go to his brother with great news that he was alive.
There are both mess in tears.
Of course still Ace still has problems with his self-esteem, but his crew, his brothers help him, and once in some day, he wake up, look around, breath sea air and will know answer to his question.
