A very funky--junky? A very Funky junkyard brawl!

[baconisfluffy]

Flash back 2 days ago:
Agatha, who has up until recently been stationed at B-1 in the North blue, had arrived at Sundance island not too long ago. The air was an immediate contrast to the frigid temperatures of the north blue. The west blue's lowest temperatures were usually the highs from her homeland, which made her laugh as she usually enjoyed the labor most of her fellow marines begrudged. Although her time on Sundance was rather short lived or at least staved off for the time being. The commanding officer at the post was getting reports of , " Close calls". Very close calls where men, women, and children almost ended up drawing their weapons on her. The girl herself, didn't even quite register this rage and often did what she wanted when no one was looking.

That day she ended up being summoned to his office first thing in the morning. He had a scowl etched into his face these days, whereas he was a usually a jolly middle aged man with the vigor of a twenty year old. Now his wrinkles showed as his brows furrowed and his irritated gaze pierced his subordinates. Agatha on the other hand nonchalantly approached his office with a plastic trey of fried potato wedges. She tossed it aside and wiped her hands on her shirt. The commander gave her the same aggressive look that he reserved even for his most reliable subordinates,but she gazed back at him with a blank stare. " uhh you wanted to see me sir"? He rose up from his seat and slammed his palms into the table, pointing at her aggressively, as if he were trying to pierce her soul. " Explain.The.mark-et inci-d-ent".

His office assistants winced, expecting him to blow at any moment. His teeth were clenched and eyes trained on the petty officer. She shrugged and shook her head,laughing on the inside. " I dunno". The commanding officer's fingers started to bury their way into his desk, " That's I don't know SIR". She nodded her head in a very unenthusiastic manner, " I don't know, SIR". Her tone of voice mimicking his own, right down to the enraged pronunciation of Sir. He didn't respond to her that time, but rather he pointed at his subordinate and gave him an aggressive swing of the arm to signal him to step in.

To her left came a short timid boy, probably an enlisted chore boy or something along those lines. He handed her an orange envelope marked as debriefing.  She turned to address her commanding officer when a loud audible crunch and heavy breathing escaped him. She smiled back and bowed, preferring to be given assignments through paper work than through talking to her superiors. She skimmed through the paper work, looking for key words. " hmm criminal activity yada yada yada. stuff about people getting hurt yada yad yada. hmm ahh, Funkyard. That sounds fantastic"!

~~~Present~~~ 

As she left the marine ship with her hands in her pockets her superior called out to her. " Remember Agatha, we're here on business. You can play around in the junk after reconnaissance". She blankly look back at him with an unenthused expression and nodded her head. " Aye aye sir". Making her way from the docks she noticed there was trash floating ashore and dark shadows beneath the surface of all shapes and sizes. Turning her gaze to the town itself noticed most of the structures were actually made of discarded sheet metal reforged into homes for its residents. In them were many a workshops and road side stands. Her eyes lit up as she peered at the make shift robots on display and the hard at work inventors putting gizmos and gadgets all at the same time. " Now remember Petty officer Siffer, work first".  She turned back to him with a frown, simply nodding her gaze started to once again dart around. " where ...was...it that we're going 'gain"?

" The mayor. We are going to speak with the mayor, then the town sheriff. Got it"? She stopped right before bumping into his finger, which was an inch from her nose. " yes sir".

[RK]

As the Captain sifted through the junk and debris, he did well to try and keep himself as clean as possible. There may have been some useful stuff in this landfill, but most of it was still just garbage, and garbage stinks.

Shotaro Morishi didn't really know why he had come all the way to the West Blue, to this pile of trash in the middle of nowhere. He had had several misadventures before, barely surviving by the skin of his teeth, making it out just before things got too much for him to handle. He was glad to be alive...but heroes aren't supposed to run away. If he had ran away on Sedna all that time ago, he probably wouldn't even be here now. The Captain sat down in a pile of old newspapers, hoping he would gain some time to contemplate the rapidly changing pace of his life. He was currently wearing his Captain Mask suit, specifically because the helmet helped him avoid the smells that wafted around him. However, those smells would invade his nostrils for a moment as he removed his helmet for a moment. Just to be safe, Shotaro put on his shades, and covered his face with his scarf.

The young hero held his helmet in front of his face and stared at it for a moment. He began to remember the times he had, trying his best to save people and be a good person. How could he even do that though when he wasn't even strong enough to stay when the going gets tough.

"How am I supposed to save people if I'm not strong enough...how will I even survive against villains on the Grand Line. Against people with Devil Fruits or other unimaginable powers..." Shotaro wondered as he picked up one of the newspapers beside him and tore a piece off, it was a much older copy, detailing events shortly after The Summit War. The War of the Best. "How am I supposed to get from here..." Shotaro spoke softly as he let the piece of newspaper go. He watched as it fluttered in the wind and ascended into the air, like a baby bird taking flight for the first time. "...to there?" He muttered as he stared intently at the piece of paper, still rising higher into the air along the winds.

Shotaro looked at his helmet again. The symbol of everything he stood for, the justice and heroism that was Captain Mask. A Hero that everyone and anyone could depend on. The man of many faces, but one true heart.

One true heart...

Shotaro bolted up quickly and removed his shades and scarf. His face in full view. He didn't care, no one could see him, but even if they could, what would it matter right now? He was having a realization that he should have had a long, long time ago. Even though he was scared, and unsure, and small...he could do it.

"I can do it." Captain Mask whispered as he placed his helmet back on. "The man of many faces...but one true heart." The Captain spoke louder as he clutched his chest. It didn't matter if he was Shotaro, or Captain Mask, or some no name idiot in a track suit trying to be a glorified crossing guard. Captain Mask climbed his way up to the highest point on this mound of garbage, one of the many here on the Funkyard. He could see everything up here. From the various mounds of garbage, to the machinery and workers, to the...the...docked marine ship.

Captain Mask curled up into a ball and slid his way down the mound, hoping that no one saw him all the way up there. No matter how many good deeds you do, the marines don't take kindly to the acts of vigilantism that someone like him made himself known for. The Covert Captain decided to try and act natural from this point on. Whatever the marines were doing here, it was clear that they had a presence, and that presence could easily outweigh just one little superhero. CM looked around for a moment before resting his eyes on what he had been looking for. A thin piece of metal, bent at about a 130-140 degree angle. Perfect for making a boomerang out of. The Captain reached out for the makeshift boomerang and felt its weight, making sure it was even enough. He also did a few other stupid things like check for edge smoothness and how it felt in a throwing form. Which for a boomerang, was the only real way to test it. The Captain reeled his arm back and flung the boomerang "MASK THROOOOOOOOW." He exclaimed as he launched the would be boomerang forward into the sky. It had a nice arc to it, and looked like it would hurt, but seemed to be too heavy to travel any worthwhile distance, what a shame.

[Junzo]

Struggling to keep up, Junzo had to put extra effort into his stride to not get sucked into the trash heap that was Funkyard. The island had... some charm, somewhat. If he was an inventor or otherwise liked to look at parts of machines then this would be a more interesting post for him, but he really wasn't interested in any of that. He really was more interested in pure forging techniques and blacksmithing rather than machinery and inventing. But, there had to be things that he could learn on this island. After all, he was here for work not play. There was criminal activity going on in the underbelly of Funkyard and he and the rest of the Squad from Sundance Island base was here to put a stop to it.

The biggest issue on Funkyard, the one that Junzo and Agatha were sent to investigate, was the sale of weapons to Pirates on their way to terrorize other islands in the West Blue. Winchester Island, in particular, was having their War interrupted by Pirates gaining heavy firepower to use against the Marine base. Preliminary recon work suggested that someone here on Funkyard was responsible for it all. So a team was mustered and sent out to investigate. Upon arrival, they were tasked with speaking to the mayor and the sheriff of the town and then going out to the general populace to try and track down some clues.

Before the team got to the mayor, however, Junzo could hear someone off in the distance yelling about a Mask Throw. A boomerang whizzed through the air and then started heading back towards its source. Interested in finding out who threw that lump of metal so precisely, Junzo called out to Agatha. "Petty Officer Si'ffer, head on to the Mayor without me, I'm going to investigate the junk heaps some more." Before he could hear any words of protest, he hurried out of formation towards the source of the boomerang throw. If Captain Mask didn't leave the spot or hide from the Marine, Junzo would attempt to strike up a conversation with the masked man. "Hello, did you see a boomerang fly this way? I'm sure it was headed in this direction... Anyways, you haven't seen any shady people around, have you? Something's off about this Island and we intend to track it down."

Was it a good idea to just straight up ask random masked men if they knew of shady people? Probably not. But it's all Junzo could think of asking. Maybe he should have stayed with the group...

[baconisfluffy]

Doombert
Alexander aka the bad guy
Mayor Ethans
-------------------------------
As Agatha pushed her superior's hand aside she heard one of her subordinates rush off without so much as a response. Normally such a thing wouldn't even get on her radar. In her mind that was just one less annoyance to deal with, but at the same time her own superior officer was getting on her nerves. She immediately reached out to him with a worried expression. Speechless and somewhat staggering, she too left formation and began to follow his trail. " Where do you think yer going Agatha"?  She turned back, " To get my subordinate". He stopped the whole march with just the wave of a hand while she jogged in place. " Since when do you care about your subordinates so much huh"? His eyes slits and facial muscles stiff with frustration seething from his every twitch. " So you want me to not care, Master chief petty officer Branston"?

He let out a sigh of discontent and continued the march. "Keep yer den den on and hurry back", she in turn gave him an energetic salute and ran off in the direction of the stray recruit. " Now if'n I were a stray dog, where would I be? hmmm". She was slightly relieved to be out of that marching column and out and about. Nothing would be solved in her eyes if they simply walked into town. The criminals would likely hide behind and there her fun would go she thought as she shook her head heading toward a dump on the outskirts of town. 

She found her stray pup awkwardly standing out in the middle of the road, looking onto a masked fellow. She walked past him and placed a hand on his shoulder for a moment and whispered, " Hey asking people if they've seen bad guys is a perfect way to end up dead kid". Taking a few paces forward she knelt down and started rummaging through the garbage. " While you'd make good bait. Our boss man back at Sundance would have a fit if any more of you guys came back in a coffin. Ooooh steeeel. Ahh shiny". There was a sense of glee in her voice as she started putting scrap metal aside.
-----
Back at the ship

Inside her cabin doombert was fidgeting around in a glass container. " Mama"? Its voice having a monotone and staticy nature to it. "Mama"? Its voice growing louder with more feeling to it. " MAMA"! In that instant its container broke and the little robot fell forward with its head smacking hard against the floor as it fell off the table. It looked around for a moment with a confused expression and headed for the wall, which it simply walked through without regard for its surroundings. 

It approached the draw board with trepidation, head bobbing and forth as it struggled to balance itself out. " one" it said as it raised its leg. " Twooooo", setting its foot forward ever so slightly. "thr--", it said before falling forward and bouncing off the drawboard's grooves built into it. " Wahooo hahhoooo" it wailed all the way down. As it staggered to its feet it looked around confused. " now what was I dooooennnn"?
----
At the mayor's office

The mayor paced back at forth at his desk, quickly and erratic laps. He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked back at the check on his desk. He perched over it and stared, beads of sweat pelting his desk. The clock was at three minutes till noon. Time was what he needed, but it was time he didn't have. The clock which he never paid much mind to clicked to signal another minute has gone by. He wiped his brow once more and downed another glass of water. "by gods what am I supposed to do"?

His assistant remained as outwardly calm as he could, with suitcase in hand and den den mushi in his hand. " Mr. mayor I can make the transaction at any time. Just need yer approval". The mayor looked back at him, but saw not a hint of concern or emotion. " How can you be so calm right now youngster"? The young man shrugged and pointed at the clock which clicked again. " It's for the good of your family right? Pay it now and wait for the marines to do something about it". The mayor picked his pen up and unsteadily held it above the check. The mayor was an outspoken man and one who never backed down from a fight. But something spooked him about these criminals. The fighter in his wanted to spit in the face of his aggressors, but the father in him could not bare to put his baby girl on the line.

The clock clicked once more as he stood there with his internal struggle, when he head the den den.

Badda badda badda badda

He placed his pen down and gulped. The check still unsigned and his heart beating like a drum. The den den had spikey side burns and a big toothy grin as it rung. Badda badda badda badda He reached for the receiver, gulping once before feebly saying, " Hello. Mayor Ethans speaking". The voice on the otherside was silent for a moment. The two of them waited on the line for a few moments, before a sigh came from the other side of the line. " Mayor ethans? Since when were you Mayor Ethans to me friend"? He hesistated and fumbled over his worked as he lost grip of the receiver.

" Calm down friend...all I wanna know is why my bank account be empty. The misses is complaining about wanting a new dress. Women right"? The mayor breathed heavily, trying to regain his composure. " I can't do that Mister Alexander. You're going to have to leave this island at once or there'll be dire consequences". The voice on the other line paused. " hehe oh c'mon friend. What was our deal? It's just a loan. A loan between friends. You know yer my friend right"? The mayor hesistated once more. Before he could stammer a out a response Alexander cut him off. " I'm haven't done anything to ya. Wanna know why"? The den den's forehead had a varacuse vein sticking out of it.

There was no response. " It's cuz yer my friend. You wouldn't want to know what I do to my non friends, friend". Mayor ethans stamped his foot and grit his teeth. " The marines are here. You're finished if you do anything to me! Now get the hell out of my city"! Once again laughter burst from the other side of the den den. " you funny friend. You funny. You know what? I'll give you one day. Because you made me laugh".

The den den's eyes closed and it sputtered off. Mayor Ethans started to grip his reciever with his teeth grit and brows furrowed. As an audible crack started to escape the breaking device, his assistant placed his hand on his shoulder and slowly began to pry his fingers from the device. " Sit down mister mayor. Consider checking in on your family". He looked at his assistant before nodding.

"Right".

[RK]

Not good...not good at all...

Two marines, CM glanced quickly at their uniforms...the first one who came up was only a recruit, hell, this may have been his first deployment. The other however, an officer, seemed to be a bit more focused on their task. The first marine, a guy who looked around the same age as the Captain, asked about the boomerang that flew by, and CM seized up a bit. He was found out, they were gonna cuff him there and send him to Impel Down with the rest of the people who think they're above the law.

CM then took a moment to try and and actually listen to this guy, as he then mentioned something about shady individuals. Villains? Something amiss with the fine people of...uh, the Funkyard!

"CAPTAIN MASK WILL-" The Moronic Captain Mask shouted before quickly stopping himself. He couldn't just shout that he was going to save everyone from whatever threat was causing distress. This wasn't the same as Sedna where marines showed up later, they were already here. This was reminding him too much of his encounter with..uh..the Ensign who gave him a warning on Sedna. CM was having a bit of trouble remembering his name however. It was like, Nimbo...something. Whatever, he was all the way in North Blue, so he wouldn't be running into him anytime soon. However, as Captain Mask pulled himself out of his thoughts, he realized that these two marines were still in front of him. He needed to get out of there and fast. "Captain Mask will uh...go get a drink at the bar. Like a normal person..." The Captain tried to speak in such a way that wouldn't paint him like a suspicious person, but a little bit of Shotaro slipped out there. The Captain shuffled around the two marines and grabbed a tarp that was nearby on the ground. Deciding that this could probably keep people from questioning him much more, he donned it over his armor and started walking in the direction of the local bar. The Pub n' Grub.

The Pub n' Grub, also known by some of the the less honest types as the "Scrap n' Crap", was a standard looking den, situated in the middle of the more populated area of the Funkyard. The walls and ceiling were made from old looking metal panes, with some wood here and there. The place seemed pretty quiet, which made sense, since it was still the middle of the day, so most people were probably still working. However there were a couple of people scattered around inside, sitting in the corners with their heads down. They seemed to just want to keep to themselves, so The Captain wasn't going to try and start anything. It's not like he knew if these folks were criminals or not.

Behind the bar was on older gentleman, probably around 70 years of age. He had many wrinkles along his forehead, leading up to his bald head. Resting atop his scalp was a napkin. From how the man seemed to be going about his business, it seemed as though he didn't even notice it was there. He was wearing a pair of round black shades, and was rubbing down the same spot on the counter over and over. That one spot was sparkly clean, but the rest of the bar was dusty and covered in bits of food and trash. The Captain sat down at the bar, he was a bit worried for this man. Was he...all right? The Curious Captain Mask waved at the old man, but garnered no response. He tried a few more times, but a snap of the fingers seemed to do the trick. The geezer shot up and looked over at the Captain. The Hero didn't really know what to say, this man was very unsettling, he kept shaking as if he could barely hold himself up, and he was breathing heavy. Not to mention he still hadn't stopped wiping down that one spot on the counter, as if his life depended on it. Though to be honest The Captain wasn't sure just how much life this guy had left to live.

It'd been a while since he had had anything in his system. Some Coffee would be nice now, maybe some donuts too. The Captain shrouded his face a bit more began to speak. "C-" The Captain was stopped immediately before he could even finish his first consonant. "Sure thing sonny, I'm pretty sure I put a fresh pot on 'bout 20 minutes ago." The geezer wheezed out his first words. He sounded like a motorcycle that was having trouble starting, and then only half got going. As the old man grabbed a mug and began pouring the freshly hot coffee, he began to scrape more words out from his throat. "Lemme guess, you like it black, and with a couple donuts. I hope you like jelly filled. By the way, name's Greg, but everyone 'round here just calls me Grits, nice to meet ya, boy." Grits spoke in a kind grandfatherly tone. He seemed to have a good grasp on what he was doing, even if he seemed a bit shaky on the outside. The Captain lifted up the mug of coffee, the steam piping up from the cup. He took one sip and the rest was history, that was some damn good coffee.

[Junzo]

Junzo's superior officer followed behind him, getting in the way of his investigation and whispering in his ear that asking random people if they'd seen bad guys was a good way to end up dead. This annoyed the boy, which put a scowl on his face. "I can take care of myself... But fine, let's just go to the mayor already..." Captain Mask was one his way to the bar anyways, someplace that Junzo wasn't old enough to follow. He didn't look old enough, at least. There might be some bar that would let him get a glass of milk or juice, but Junzo's commanding officer was pressuring him to rejoin the squad.

The boy was still very curious about the masked man who had walked off from the junk heap covering himself in a plastic tarp. It was suspicious, for sure, but didn't sound villainous or shady enough to warrant Junzo investigating further. So with a shrug, he let Agatha lead him back to the squad with her den den mushi to get in contact with the Master Chief Petty Officer in charge of them both. When they returned, the Seaman recruit was swiftly punished by MCPO Branston.

"Next time you walk off randomly to follow some nothing lead instead of sticking to our orders, I'll write up a demotion request and get you sent back to the mop and bucket! Do you understand me?"

Slowly nodding, all Junzo could do was keep his big mouth shut and march in line to the mayor's house. When they entered it, the mayor greeted them warmly, but definitely seemed very perturbed about something. Master Chief Petty Officer Branston was the first to address the man.

"What seems to be the problem, Mayor Ethans?"

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