"Lunch is ready," Natalie calls from the sub's rear.
"Come on," Emmet gestures, "we better eat before Riggs takes it all."
"You need to eat!" Natalie scolds as Marya rummages through the satchel.
Riggs stands, reaching across the table, "If she isn't hungry, I will…"
Jax grabs his collar, "Sit down! You still have food in front of you." Turning his attention to Marya, "Find anything useful?"
"Yeah," Marya begins pulling items out, placing them in the center of the table, "there is a map, eternal pose," holding a wad of the letters, "looks like correspondence, a newspaper and some," reaching for the bottom, "wanted posters."
Emmet takes the map, "I can figure out where we are with this." Natalie picks up the eternal pose, reading the name. Emmet looks over her shoulder, "Where is that pointing."
"Loguetown."
"Ah," Charlie swallows, "that island is infamous." He sits a little taller when everyone looks at him. "It is known as the beginning and the end. It is the birthplace and execution site of Gol D Roger, better known as the King of the Pirates. They say his last words sparked the Great Pirate Era."
"So," Emmet strokes his jaw while inspecting the map, "it is a Marine Base. Good to know. We should make sure to avoid it."
"Like," Bianca fumbles through an opened letter, "what does any of this say? It's, like, in code, or something."
Charlie reaches for it, "May I take a look?" Bianca hands it to him. "My linguistic skills could prove beneficial."
"This is quite interesting," Zola scans the paper. "It appears that pirates recently besieged Loguetown."
"Pirates!" Riggs beams, "That sounds awesome!"
Zola nods, "yes. The article mentions a Monkey D Luffy and Pirate Hunter Zoro." Zola's brow creases, "They call themselves the Straw Hats. Does it make sense for a pirate hunter to be a pirate?"
"Um," Celeste lifts her hand to speak, "maybe he was not always a pirate."
Zola cocks her head, "True, but then shouldn't they change his title?"
"Monkey D Luffy," Marya pinches her chin with a strained face.
"Is something the matter?" Zola blinks.
"Luffy, Luffy," Marya mutters, "Luffy, why does that name sound familiar?"
Celeste picks up the Wanted posters from the floor. "Um, maybe this is why?"
Marya takes the poster, tilting her head to the side. "I saw him!"
"Really!" Riggs jumps to his feet. "When?"
"He was on the ship the navy was chasing."
"Of course," Emmet groans.
"Thirty million berries," Marya murmurs. Folding the poster, "I am keeping this."
"Ah, Ha!" Everyone turns to Charlie. "I believe I have deciphered these letters."
"Well," Emmet looks over the edge of the map.
"It was quite simple, really." Charlie juts his chin, "You see the cipher…"
"That is great," Jax interrupts, "but what does it say?"
Charlie clears his throat, "Well, that is troubling." Shifting his eyes away, "it appears that navy ship was in route to escort a prisoner."
"Okay," Emmet's forehead creases. "Why would that be a problem?"
"Well," Charlie pauses for a long moment.
"Just say it!" Emmet barks.
Charlie takes a breath, "It appears that the person is an acquaintance of ours."
"Who?" Marya asks.
"Master Vaughn," Charlie's head drops as they sit in stunned silence.
"Like," Bianca flicks her wrist, "I am sure there are plenty of people named Vaughn. How do we, like, know it's Harper's Vaughn?"
Charlie sighs, retrieving a picture from the fold of the paper, "because they have a picture of him."
Natalie snatches it, inspecting the image, "what?" Looking up, "he's right. It's him."
The table rattles when Riggs slams his fists, "we have to rescue him!"
"Settle down!" Jax barks. "We need to figure out where we are and how to get home. We can report this to the guardians, and they can decide the best course of action."
"Well," Emmit lowers the map, "that could be a problem." Jax eyes shift to him. "Just doing some fast math here, but if I am right, at our current speed, it will take approximately three weeks for us to get close to the Consortium without the bubble transporter."
"But, like," Bianca's fingers rhythmically tap the table, "I can fix it. I, like, just need the parts. Is there, like, an island that is close that, like, might have what we need?"
Emmet sighs, pressing his eye shut, "There are several remote islands and a few islands that look to have port villages, but I doubt any of them would have what we need." Holding Jax's gaze, "Loguetown is the most likely place we can get to before we run out of fuel."
Jax leans back in his seat, "dammit."
"Great!" Riggs jumps to his feet, "We can fix the sub and rescue Vaughn!"
Jax rubs the back of his neck, "Fixing the sub is our priority!" Riggs opens his mouth to protest, "I am not going to jeopardize anyone's safety. We can gather intel, but we are not planning a rescue." Glaring Riggs down, "understand?"
Arms crossed, Riggs flops down in his seat, "Fine!"
Jax shifts his gaze, "Marya?"
Putting her glass down, "I heard you."
"How long until we get to Loguetown?"
"We will need to adjust our course," Emmet folds the map, "but we should be there by tomorrow morning."
*****
"Captain," Knox turns, "it appears we have a problem."
Watching the young guardian shift his weight from one foot to another, Knox snaps, "Well, spit it out, man!"
"It appears they have gone off course."
"This is the island the eternal pose is directing them to," Aurélie rests her hand on a cocked him. "Where are they going?"
"It appears they have adjusted their course to go to Loguetown."
"Loguetown!" Knox barks.
Everyone glares at Master Gaius when he belts laughter. "Something like this was bound to happen! You put a group of prodigies like that together, and they will do the unexpected."
Knox curses, "We need to mobilize! The scenario is canceled! Inform the proctors and deploy. I suspect there will be trouble."
*****
Assembled on the dock, Jax goes over the plan one more time. "Okay, everyone knows what to do. Emmet, Celeste, and Bianca, you three will go and secure the parts we need for the sub. Riggs, Zola, and Charlie, you stay here and keep the sub secure. Marya, Natalie, and I will gather intel." Everyone nods, "Remember, we need to be discreet. Do not attract attention from the Navy."
"Celeste," Riggs interjects, "trade with me!"
"Um…"
"No," Jax snaps, "stick to the plan!"
"Ugh!" Riggs pouts, "Fine!"
Jax shakes his head, "Be back in a few hours."
The bustling port city's cobbled streets, lined with centuries-old buildings, resonate with the echoing tales of legendary seafarers. The city's docks, perpetually alive with the hum of activity, welcome a myriad of ships, from grand merchant vessels to rickety pirate boats. The markets overflow with exotic goods and the laughter of children fills the air, mingling with the salty sea breeze.
While passing the execution plaza, a solemn reminder of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, they close in on the Marine base. Marya grins, "Hey guys," Natalie and Jax turn to her. Jerking her head, "Look over there." They turn, "You see what I see?" chuckling, "I have an idea." A few moments later, they emerge from the laundromat in Marine uniforms.
"Well," Natalie straightens her collar, "this should make it easier."
"You three!" they become rigid. "What do you think you are doing?" They blink in response. "Why are you not at your post?" the Marine snaps. "We cannot afford another pirate incursion! Report to your duty section now!"
"Ah, yes, sir," Jax awkwardly salutes, "right away!" Their eyes connect briefly before they scurry off.
Getting swept up in a group of marching marines, they panic and fall into formation. When the formation halts and is dismissed in the middle of the training grounds, they discreetly find a secluded corner. "What the hell?" Natalie's eyes bulge.
"Don't freak out," Marya peaks around the corner. "We wanted to get intel, so let's get intel."
"This is not what I had in mind," Natalie whispers, yells.
"I want to take a look around," Marya announces.
"No, wait!" Jax curses when she disappears before he can stop her.
"Are you serious right now?" Natalie hyperventilates.
Marya reappears, "I found him!"
"What?" Jax blinks in disbelief.
"Yeah," I can get him out, but I need your help."
"This is not supposed to be a rescue mission!" Natalie whisper barks.
Marya narrows her eyes. "Will you be able to look Harper in the eye and tell him that?"
Jax curses, "What do you need?"
"We just need the key. He is shackled in sea prism stone. Once those are off, I can use my mist power for us to walk through the wall."
Jax strokes the scruff on his chin. " Can you turn us to mist so we can move through this place?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"What do you mean you think?" Natalie crosses her arms.
"One person is easy. Two people are a little more complicated." Marya shrugs, "I just need to practice more, I think."
"You think?" Natalie whisper scoffs.
Jax fixes his jaw, "Okay, let's do it."
"What do we do once he is free?" Natalie throws her hands in the air.
Marya smirks, "we run." Natalie's protest is muffled when Marya grabs her wrist, and they turn into mist.
They appear at the top of the steps. "That is so weird," Natalie announces. Marya buckles over, panting, and Natalie places a consoling hand on her shoulder, "Are you okay?"
Marya nods. Once she catches her breath, she stands upright. "I can't take you any further. It requires more stamina than what I have right now." Jax nods, "He is just down those steps, but the keys are secured behind a door at the end of the corridor."
"Okay," Jax takes a step forward.
"Oh," Marya puts an arm out, blocking him, "and one more thing." Pointing up, "There are video transponder snails."
Jax cuts his eyes at her, "how are we supposed to get past that?"
"Well, they may not notice at first," Marya shrugs, "we are dressed as Marines."
Natalie wrinkles her nose, "So we are going to just walk down there?"
Marya starts descending the steps, "Yup." Shrugging, Natalie rolls her eyes and follows.
"Who goes there?" A guard calls out from the bottom of the steps.
They pause, and Jax takes the lead while the others stay concealed in the shadows. "I am here to relieve you."
The guard's brow creases, "I have two more hours before I am relieved."
Jax scrambles, closing their gap, "Ah, I don't know. I am just following orders."
"Whose orders? Give me their name and rank." Flustered, Jax pulls his arm back and knocks him unconscious.
"What the hell?" Natalie runs down the steps.
"I think they saw that," Marya says when the alarm blares.
"Now what?" Natalie flails. Marya thrusts her arm out, filling the corridor with thick, misty fog. "What is that supposed to do?"
"Block their view," Marya snaps.
"News flash," Natalie throws her arms in the air. "It blocks our vision, too."
"Enough," Jax stands with keys in his hand. "Let's find that door!" Rushing to the end of the hall, they stopped at a big metal door.
"Now what?"
Maryia draws her blade, "stand back."
"Oh shit," Jax shoves Natalie out of the way as Maryia slices through the heavy metal door.
"This is insane," Natalie pants.
"Grab the keys!" Marya turns her attention to the voices in the fog. Swinging her sword again, the mist and the voices are blown back up the steps. "This way!"
Running, they stop and peer through bars at Vaughn, haggard and shackled to the wall. "Vaughn," Jax calls to him.
When he looks up, his jaw drops. "What the hell are you kids doing here?"
Marya's head swivels as footsteps thunder towards them. "No time for that." She turns, swinging her sword, sending an ariel-slicing attack through the corridor. "Find the key and unlock him. I can get us out of here!" Jax fumbles, trying all the keys to unlock the cell. It clicks open, and he rushes to Vaughn. "Quick, get inside," Marya orders Natalie.
"But why?"
"No time!" Marya shoves her in.
The shackles clank to the ground, and Jax helps Vaughn stand. "You ready to run?"
"Yeah but…" Jax shoves him through the wall Marya is pressing her palm against. "What the hell?" He is shocked at the sight of blue sky and tall buildings. "How did we get out here?"
"Get moving!" Marya shouts as Marine soldiers start to follow. "I will catch up!"
"Not this time!" Jax glances at Natalie, "Get Vaughn back to the sub! We will be right there!"
"What!" She has no time to think as panicked adrenaline kicks in, and they start down the main street.
Jax spins, pulling out his three-sectioned staff. Catching up with Marya, they stand together, blocking the path of the Marines. "We aren't going to let you get away!" an official-looking Marine calls out.
"Oh really," Marya smirks. Swinging her blade, a cloud of mist emerges in its wake.
"Devil fruit powers!" A voice calls out.
"Don't get distracted, men! Charge! Don't let them get away!" Cheering in unison, they push from the mist. Jax and Marya stand their ground, beginning their assault. Marya swings her blade, sending groups of soldiers flying with slashing attacks. Jax twirls his staff, knocking soldiers out and creating wind gusts, thrusting Marines backward.
*****
Bianca curses from inside the sub's engine. Standing over her, handing her tools, Zola asks, "Are you in need of assistance?"
"No," Bianca says sharply, "I, like, need the hammer." With her head buried, she reaches out for Zola to give her the requested tool.
"Why do I always get left behind," Riggs shuffles on the dock with his arms crossed.
"Relax," Emmet claps him on the shoulder, "I am sure nothing exciting is happening. They are just taking a look around."
"Um," Celeste is interrupted by yelling. They turn as Natalie and Vaughn run towards them.
"Start the sub!" Natalie calls out. "There is no time!"
Emmet moves to hear her better, "what?"
"Get in the sub!" Natalie calls.
Emmet's eyes bulge as the Marines trailing them come into view. "Get in the sub," his voice trails off as he rushes in. "Bianca!"
"What!" She snaps from inside the engine. "We have to go! Now!"
Popping her head out, "like, we can't. We, like, don't even have propulsion right now. I need, like, twenty minutes."
Emmet shakes his head, "I don't think you have twenty minutes. The Marines are coming!" Bianca blinks and then curses as she climbs back into the engine. Emmet turns to Riggs and Celeste, "You have to buy us time!"
Riggs nods, "You got it, boss." Drawing their swords, they rush past Natalie and Vaughn.
"What are you doing?" Natalie screeches. "We got to go!" With battle cries, they send slashing air attacks in unison, and the front-line Marines are propelled away.
"What the hell?" Vaughn calls out.
"Get in the sub!" Riggs shouts. "We will hold them off!"
Natalie and Vaughn are on the sub, bent over, panting, "Why aren't we leaving?'
"I need, like, ten more minutes," Bianca yells from the engine.
"What the hell?" Emmet shakes his head, "I thought you were just doing recon. Where are Marya and Jax?"
"They stayed back to buy us time to get out," Natalie gasps.
The engine hums and the lights flash on. " Got it!" Bianca beams as she pulls out of the engine, and then everything shuts off. She curses, thrusting her tool, which bounces across the floor as she ducks her head back in.
Marya and Jax stand back-to-back in the middle of charging marines. "So," Marya pants, "I have an idea."
"Yeah," Jax wipes the sweat from his brow.
"How about I turn us to mist and get us past this mob, then we make a run for it?"
"I can …." She doesn't wait for him to finish. They shift past the Marines and start running through the streets.
"They are getting away!" A voice calls out. "After them!"
"They just keep coming!" Riggs heaves as he sends another Marine soaring away from the dock.
Celeste looks over her shoulder, "We have to hold them off!"
"What about Marya and Jax?"
"We can figure that out later," Celeste slices through another soldier.
Emmet watches Celeste and Riggs holding the Maries back as he rapidly paces on the dock. Natalie steps out, and their eyes meet. "This isn't looking good," Emmet braces his hands behind his neck, "How long can they keep this up?" He stops, his gaze turns toward the horizon, where the ominous silhouettes of ships loom larger by the minute, their sails taut against the wind.
Natalie turns to see what he is looking at. "Oh no, Navy ships."
The dock erupted into chaos as the towering Navy ships loomed closer, their massive hulls cutting through the waves like predators closing in on prey. Panic surged through the group, their hearts racing as the thunderous sound of cannons being prepared echoed across the water. Shouts of terror and frantic footsteps clashed with the Marines' barked orders, creating a cacophony of desperation. The once-safe dock now felt like a death trap, the ships' shadows stretching over them like a grim omen. Eyes widened in fear, darting between the advancing fleet and the dwindling escape routes. The air was thick with the scent of salt and dread, every second tightening the noose around their freedom. For them, the sight of the Navy's overwhelming force was paralyzing—a stark reminder that their dreams of escape were slipping away.
"Bianca!" Emmet yells, bracing his arms on the frame of the open hatch, "We need that engine now!"
Natalie squeals, jumping up and down! Emmet follows her gaze and beams a smile, sighing in relief. The moment the submarines surfaced, cutting through the dark waters like silent saviors, a wave of overwhelming relief washed over them. The tension that had gripped their chests shattered, replaced by a surge of hope and disbelief. Cheers erupted, mingling with tears of gratitude as the hatches opened, revealing familiar faces ready to whisk them to safety. The deafening roar of the Navy's cannons faded into the background, drowned out by the pounding of their hearts, now racing with exhilaration rather than fear. Every second had felt like an eternity, but now, freedom was within reach. The submarines, sleek and swift, were a lifeline in the chaos, a promise of escape from the jaws of capture. For the first time in what felt like forever, they could breathe again, their spirits soaring.
"What is it?" Vaughn peaks his head out. Clapping his hands, "reinforcements!"
Consortium guardians leap from open hatches with weapons ready and charge into the chaos. Celeste and Riggs freeze as friendly faces rush past. Smiling, they feel a second wind as they press on.
A submarine pulls up next to the dock. Aurélie and Knox step out with a man in overalls carrying parts. Natalie rushes to Aurélie, throwing her arms around her. "I have never been so happy to see anyone in my whole life."
Aurélie awkwardly peels her off, "You appear to be well."
Knox smirks, "who can give me a status report?"
"I can," Vaughn steps up from behind him.
"Vaughn," Knox raises an eyebrow.
"Celeste and Riggs are holding the dock while Bianca repairs the submarine." Knox nods, and the man in overalls with parts goes to Bianca.
"What of Marya and Jax," Aurélie asks.
"I can't say." Vaughn shakes his head, "they stayed behind to allow us to escape."
Knox and Aurélie look at each other and nod. Aurélie pulls out a transponder snail, "Submarine four, with me." Instantly, she and Knox vanish.
Marya and Jax are racing down the Main Street. "Maybe we should split up?" Marya heaves. "I could confuse them with mist and …."
"I hate that idea," Jax huffs, but…" He glances over his shoulder and sees the Marines closing in. Focusing back on the Main Street, he smiles as Knox and Aurélie come into view. Glancing at Maryia, he says, "Looks like reinforcements are here."
"I wonder if she will scare them to death with her locus form?"
"I heard that," Aurélie rushes past, swinging her katana. The building collapses, and Marines scream as they are thrown aside.
Marya and Jax are about to back her up when Knox yells, "No!" They pause, "You two, go to the dock! Your sub should be repaired by the time you get there. You are to get yourselves home immediately!"
Marya is about to protest when Jax interrupts, "Yes, sir." Taking her hand, he drags her away.
Arriving at the dock, they pass unconscious marines and familiar consortium guardians. Celeste and Riggs wave for them to hurry. Jumping inside, Vaughn is at the helm with the man in overalls. Strapping in, Marya asks, "Who is that?"
"That's, like," Bianca flips her wrist, "my professor. He, like, brought all the stuff to, like, fix the sub."
The sub jostles, "preparing to dive," Vaughn announces. "Coordinates are set."
"Coordinates confirmed, all clear."
"I think we might be, like, in trouble," Bianca picks at her nails.
"Really?" Marya cocks her head.
"I believe that is a reasonable assessment," Charlie adjusts his glasses.
"I don't care," Emmet slouches in his seat, "I am just glad we are going home."
"Same," Natalie flops her head back.
"This was awesome!" Everyone turns and glares at Riggs.
"We are clear of the island. Engage bubble transport."
Three days later, Nanette called to meet with them in the main assembly. They nervously stood outside the ornately arched double doors, waiting to enter. "Like, what do you think is, like, going to happen?" Bianca chews on her cuticles.
"Most likely," Jax stands with his hands folded behind his back. Looking to the ceiling, "Some formal reprimand. Maybe it will just be documentation."
"While in retrospect," Zola points upward, "it is true that we could have made better decisions if we had been more informed. I do not regret the decisions that were made."
"I have to concur," Charlie nods. "Mr. Vaughn has proven himself a valued member of our group. It would have been disparaging if we would have left him behind."
"I thought we did awesome!" Riggs crosses his arms, pushing out his chest.
"Um," Celeste presses her index fingers together, "I will never forget it." She looks away when everyone turns to her. "I mean," her cheeks flush, "we don't know if we will ever be together like that again."
"She is right," Natalie smiles, pulling her in. One by one, they add to the group hug.
The doors open, and a throat clears, interrupting their moment. Aurélie steps aside, "they will see you now."
Jax takes a deep breath, pulling the corners of his shirt, "Here we go."
Marya remembers this room. It was the room where Master Gaius teasingly introduced her to everyone and where she first met Knox. Her nose wrinkled when she saw Master Gaius, Nanette, Vaughn, Harper, and several professors. Why would all these people be here for a formal reprimand?
They filed in, standing on the stage-like platform in front of the room. "I am sure you are all curious as to why you have been called here today," Nanette strides in front of them, back straight and hands folded behind her. "Well, before I get into that, Captain Knox has a few words to say." She gestures for him to take the floor.
Clearing his throat, "Yes, thank you. I must say this is a truly remarkable group of students. When the final scenario was launched, they broke the mold regarding thinking outside the box and changing the standards for what should be expected from the next generation. Upon reviewing the transponder snail transcript, they demonstrated the ability to collaborate and follow through with action plans: infiltrating a navy vessel, crossing paths with infamous pirates, infiltrating a Marine base, and closing strong with a jailbreak. While I…."
Jax steps forward, "As the group's leader, I accept full responsibility!" The room falls awkwardly silent.
"You can't do that," Marya interjects, "when I was the one…"
"I don't think," Emmet starts talking over both of them. A moment later, they were all attempting to talk over each other.
"Ah, excuse me," Nanette struggles to get their attention, "excuse me," she tries again without success. "Hey!" she snaps, and they stop and look at her. "I believe you have the wrong idea?"
"We do?" Emmet cocks his head.
"Yes," everyone in the room chuckles. "This is a graduation ceremony." The group blinks in disbelief.
"Graduation?" Natalie's voice trails off.
Nanette nods, "yes. You passed." They sigh in relief. "You were supposed to follow the log pose to an island we had set up with proctors to test you properly. However, you went a different way. You utilized your skills and training to come up with your own answers and to save a member in need. You demonstrated the ability to think on your feet and make decisions."
"Even though there was already a plan in the works to retrieve him," Knox mutters.
"See," Jax scoffed at Marya, "I told you." Marya shrugs.
"We passed," Emmet smiles as the realization comes over him. His elation begins to spread through the group. "We passed!" They squeal and jump in delight.
"Yes, yes," Nanette hands each of them envelopes, "inside, you will find a key to your apartment and your new work assignments. Congratulations."
"We should get a picture!"