Marya's hands are full as she stands in front of the door of her new apartment. She juggles the boxes to rest on her hip while she retrieves the key. After fumbling with the knob, the door swings open. Taking a breath, she crosses the threshold, flicking on the lights with her elbow. Stretching her neck over the armful of boxes, she scans the new space.
It is a simple, basic, furnished one-bedroom apartment with an efficient kitchen. She kicks the door close behind her and places her pile on the counter. Inspecting the bedroom, she is relieved that there is a bathroom with a shower.
Sitting on the bed, she flops back. She smiles as she thinks of their graduation celebration. They really had us going with the whole dramatic call for possible reprimand. She chuckles and then remembers packing up her dorm with Bianca.
It took longer than it should have. They hugged and helped each other as they cleaned the room. Bianca had so much more stuff to move since she insisted that all her designs be packed a certain way.
Marya smirked, wondering what living alone was going to be like. No more roommate staying up late scratching away at her desk. No more complaints about her early morning training. No more walking to the dining hall together. Marya sighs; enough of that! I need to get moved in and settled. I only have two days before I report to my work assignment.
Retrieving the boxes from the kitchen counter, she brings them to the bedroom and places clothing items in the drawers and the closet. A wad of paper rolls across the floor when she shakes the sweatshirt she wore to Bloom Island. With a wrinkled nose, she picks it up. Sitting on the bed, she unfolds it. "Oh, right, the wanted poster."
Pondering momentarily, she turns and notices the box where she keeps her mother's letters. Opening it, she recognizes the other letters, bound together. "Now I remember!" Picking up the binding, she holds the stationery and reads Luffy's name. Her eyes jet between the wanted poster and his handwritten name. "So, that's who you are. Monkey D Luffy." Lips pursed, "How am I supposed to get this to you?" Rolling her eyes, "Whatever, I will figure this out later." Wrapping the bungle with the wanted poster, she returns it to the corner of the container.
Picking up her mother's notebook, she flips through the pages. "Oh yeah, mom's journal." Tapping a finger on one of the illegible pages, "I wonder if Charlie could help me with this?" Closing it, she leaves it out and continues.
Marya inspects her wardrobe options. She will begin her new work assignment in two hours and is unsure how to dress. Picking randomly, she stands in front of the mirror. Her first option makes her cringe, "OH MY GOD! I look just like my dad in this," shaking her head, "that is a hell no." Her second option, she grins, "This is cute, but wearing a skirt while being a guardian could be awkward." Her next option, "I look like an academic in this," rolling her eyes, "nope." Grinning, "This is it," she twirls, inspecting the denim shorts, crop top, over-the-knee boots, and leather jacket. "Okay," she retrieves Eternal Night from its rack and places her Kogatana around her neck. "Let's do this."
Someone calls her in after she knocks. The room is dimly lit, dominated by a central table with a display and a large holographic map glowing at its center. Knox looks up from his paperwork.
"Right on time," Nanette says, putting her pen down.
"Hey, little sister," Marya smiles as Vaughn claps her on the shoulder.
"Does this conclude our team?" Charlie steps up to the other side of her.
"Why yes," Nanette rests her chin on intertwined fingers.
Marya's head swivels, "we will be working together?"
Nanette grins, "For the next eighteen months, you will perform fieldwork. Mr. Vaughn will take the lead and show you the basics. As your skills develop and you prove your abilities, you will be charged with more challenging duties. After your time together, we will evaluate your status and determine if you can reach the next level."
Charlie shifts on his feet, "What if we are not capable."
Nanette holds his gaze, "Then you do not move onto the next level." Leaning back in her chair, "We will not move anyone forward until they are ready." Charlie nods with pursed lips.
Knox slides a paper across the desk, "Here is your first assignment."
"Nice!" Vaughn announces while reading. Looking to Charlie and Marya, "This will be a good one!"
"Safe travels," Nanette picks up her pen, returning to her paperwork.
Walking down the hall, Charlie inquires, "What is our assignment?"
"This is right up your alley, little brother," Vaughn holds the paper up between two fingers. "We are going to meet another team and assist with documenting some ruins."
Charlie beams, "This is truly exciting!"
"Hope your bags are packed," Vaughn folds the paper.
Charlie claps his hands together, "when do we depart?"
"This afternoon," Vaughn puts the paper in a pocket. "Both of you meet me at the sub in two hours!"
"Yes, sir," Charlie zips ahead of them.
"Well," Marya sighs, "he is excited."
Vaughn chuckles, "Don't be disappointed. Everyone starts like this. While the academics are doing academic stuff, we can work on other things. Besides, there have been plenty of times when low-key missions have become something else." Marya gives him the side eye with a tilted head. Amused, he places a hand on her shoulder, "Get packed. I will meet you in two hours."
Marya looks over her shoulder as Charlie calls out her name. She covers her mouth, giggling at seeing him in his tan cargo shorts, pocket vest, pith helmet, and hiking boots. His backpack is so large that it is almost bigger than he is. Stopping next to her, he buckles over, panting. Marya composes herself, "You got everything?"
"Oh, yes," Charlie stands up, "I packed everything!" As they walk, Marya zones out while he rambles about his inventory of items.
"There you are," Vaughn steps out of the sub. Smirking, he and Marya share a knowing glance. She grins, shrugging since Charlie has not stopped talking. "Well, let's get going."
Charlie continued talking from when they left the dock until they arrived at the island thirty minutes later. His head was on a silent swivel as they moved through the jungle. "You know," Vaughn nudged a branch, "we can use this time to hone your devil fruit powers."
"Oh, yeah," Marya kicks a rock, "I meant to ask you. The navy had you in sea prism stone handcuffs. Are you a power holder, too?"
"Yup," Vaughn ducks, "I ate the Dazzle Dazzle fruit. I can turn sound into light."
"Sound into light," Marya is unimpressed.
Vaughn laughs, "Okay, it doesn't sound like much, but it might be fun to spar and see what happens."
"I'm game," Marya steps over a log.
She catches herself when jostled by Charlie, who almost runs over her to pass. Pushing the long palm leaves aside, he stands with his jaw dropped. "We found it!"
"Okay, now," Charlie jets off before Vaughn can finish.
"You know," Marya crosses her arms, watching Charlie leap and run down the hill to the excavation team. "We may have to leave him here."
Vaughn rubs the back of his neck, "Well damn. I didn't think it was that exciting." Turning to Marya, "When they told me he would be part of the team, I was concerned he might not be cut out for this."
Marya shakes his head, "Don't let his demeanor fool you. He is more reckless than Riggs when it comes to archaeology."
Vaughn chuckles, "I can see that."
Walking past him, "How did you become our babysitter, anyway?"
"Don't say it like that," Vaughn shifts to navigate the hill. "All experienced guardians are expected to be team leads and support future guardians." Marya blinks, "Okay, okay, after my jailbreak, I need to lay low for a while. We didn't make the papers, but I did end up on a wanted poster."
"We didn't make the papers?"
"No," Vaughn pushes a palm leaf aside. "I am sure the Navy does not want to advertise another incident so soon after the pirate's besiegement."
"It makes sense," she says as she drops her bag. "Oh, look. We have arrived. Let me unpack," she says in a deadpan tone.
"I will go check in."
That night, dinner consisted of Charlie rambling about the ruins, what had been excavated, and his interactions with the other archeologists, Vaughn and Marya couldn't get a word in before he stood and went to bed.
"Wow," Vaughn blinked.
"Yeah," Marya spoke around chewing, "it will be like that until we leave."
"I see," Vaughn sipped his water.
"When will that be, by the way?"
Vaughn lifts an eyebrow, "a month."
"Steller!"
"Well," Vaughn puts his plate down. "While we are here, we will be involved in security and hunting. In the morning, we will spar." He walks off before she can reply.
Marya meets Vaughn outside his tent first thing in the morning. "I thought I might have to wake you."
Marya shakes her head, "This is just like training, only we are camping."
Walking past her, "you noticed."
Following him, "So, should I assume the reason this was our first assignment was so I could develop my devil fruit powers away from the Consortium?"
"Feel free to assume whatever you want, little sister."
Once they arrive at the clearing, Vaughn turns and pulls his oversized double-sided ax from his back. "Does it have a name?"
Vaughn grips the handle as Marya holds her blade, "Light Clever. Yours?"
Marya smiles, "Eternal Night." Her eyes shift to the shadows in the jungle, "We have an audience."
"Of course," Vaughn charges. Marya lifts Eternal Night to block his strike.
Blinded, she drops her head and wipes her eyes. "What the hell?'
Vaughn laughs, "Dazzle, Dazzle!" Cocking a hip, "I can turn any sound into light. That includes the sound of steel on steel."
Marya's vision starts to clear, "Well, if you can do that, then how was the Navy able to capture you."
Vaughn cocks his head, "That is simple. I got caught while the people I was guarding were able to escape."
Through narrowed eyes, "Ah, Huh."
"Now that you know what to expect, you ready to go again?" Marya smirks as dense mist rolls in. "That's more like it," Vaughn charges again.
They stand before Nanette and Knox a month later, listening to Charlie. "As you can see, I have prepared an in-depth analysis," he places a reem of paper in front of Nanette, "of our and…."
Nanette's eyes bulge. "That is very impressive," she interrupts him. Lifting a corner of the stack of paper, she thumbs through its thickness, "I look forward to reading it."
Charlie beams. He is about to continue when Knox interrupts, "We have another task for you." Sliding the paper across the table. "You depart in three days." Vaughn turns it over and lifts an eyebrow. "I understand, but this should be pretty direct. The information has already been verified."
Vaughn turns to his team, "Okay, you heard him. Meet you on the dock in three days."
As they leave, Knox calls out, "Vaugh, you have a minute?" Closing the door, "I know you will submit a formal report, but I wanted to hear your thoughts on their performance from you."
"Charlie's enthusiasm caught me off guard. He performed far outside my expectations. He will go far as an archeologist in the field."
"And Marya," Knox twists the end of his mustache.
"Her Haki control is beyond expert level. I suspect she will develop new methods that have not been conceived of. Her Devil Fruit Power needs some work. The more she uses it, the more proficient she will be."
"Well," Nanette pushes the stack of paper to the side, "there is no pressure for her to become proficient with it. We would prefer her to keep her skill set basic."
Vaughn's brow creases, "I believe that would be a waste of talent. If she has the…"
"Nanette is right on this," Knox cuts in. "It may sound conflicting, but it would be best if she never developed that power." Vaughn is about to protest when "That will be all. Thank you."
Marya is inspecting the dials on the submarine panel when she looks back at Charlie, in his seat. " Hey," he looks up from his book, "Could you take a look at something for me?"
Cocking his head, "of course."
Vaughn watches Marya hand Charlie the notebook from her packet. "What you got there?"
"It was my mother's, but I don't understand what it says or is about," Charlie takes it from her, "so I am hoping Charlie might have some ideas."
Vaughn presses a flashing button, "Oh, that's right. Your mom was an academic."
"Yeah," she watches as Charlie inspects the contents, "but I take after my dad." Charlie makes several strained faces as he turns the pages. "Any thoughts?"
"Yes," he mutters. Rummaging through his bag, he takes out round eyeglasses.
"So," she turns to Vaughn, "I noticed you took the color out of your hair."
Running fingers through her dark mane, "Yeah, after Bloom Island, I decided I needed to draw less attention to myself. I am thinking about getting sunglasses to …"
"Ah, Ha!" She giggles when Charlie looks at her. His eyes have been magnified, matching the shape and sizes of the lenses. He looks like an owl. "She wrote it in code." Handing her the glasses and the notebook. "You have to read with cipher glasses."
"Cipher glasses?" Vaughn laughs as she looks at him through the glasses with her golden eyes. "Maybe I should wear these all the time."
"Only if you want to join a circus, little sister."
Marya begins looking through the journal, "Holy Crap!"
"Yes," She glances at Charlie, "it will appear smudged or illegible without the glasses. With the glasses, it is quite legible." Marya purses her lips, shaking her head. "Yes, I noticed that as well."
"What is it?" Vaughn turns a dial.
"It appears to need an additional cipher," Charlie says, resting his back in the seat. "If you like, I can assist you with it."
"I would like that very much."
Vaughn glances between them. "Can you tell what she was working on?"
Marya shakes her head, "Something about a compass, and the only other word I could make out was Golem Island."
"Hm," Vaughn flips a switch. "Have you tried talking to Nanette? She may have some of her old notes."
Marya chuckles, "I didn't think to do that."
"Okay, we are here," Vaughn turns his seat to face both of them. "I need to make myself very clear about where we are going. While we are here, you are not to speak with anyone. Do you understand?"
Noting his change in tone, Charlie asks, "Mr. Vaughn, is this going to be dangerous?"
Vaughn sighs, "The Consortium does business here regularly. Oddly, we are being sent here for our second task. Normally, a more experienced team would be tasked with this."
Brow furrowed, Marya asks, "Where are we?"
"Bootleg Island." Charlie blinks, scratching his nose.
"Okay," Marya's eyes shift between them. "Someone want to explain?"
Charlie clears his throat, "Bootleg Island is not really an island. It is a volcanic crater in the ocean; well, half of it is." Pushing his glasses up his nose, "It is also the primary location for the Syndicate."
"The Syndicate?"
"Yes," Vaughn intertwines his fingers, "the Syndicate is a Black-Market Organization that the Consortium has deep ties to. I don't know all the history, but we do much work together."
Charlie asks, "What is our purpose today?"
"A simple book retrieval."
"Sounds easy enough," Marya returns her focus to the panel.
"Yes," Vaughn turns, another nob, "as long as you follow my lead and do exactly as I say."
Marya notices the Log Pose jumping back and forth. "Does this place not have a magnetic field?"
"It does not," Charlie crosses his legs. "This island suffered the same fate as the island of the Consortium 800 years ago. A weapon of mass destruction was utilized, destroying the island's magnetic field. I suspect a large portion of the original island is annihilated."
"Which is why," Vaughn takes the steering wheel, "it is the ideal location to hide from the World Government. You have to know where you are going. There is nothing to guide you here." Looking at both of them, "Strap in; this part is bumpy."