Chapter Text
“Alright, alright, I’m sorry,” Tommy pleaded as the ship’s captain continued to pinch his ear as he was pulled into the Captain’s Quarters. Finally, the captain’s grip on his ear slackened and he pulled away in pain,” Fuckin’ hell man, did you have to pinch so damn hard?”
“Did you have to stowaway on my ship?” the captain retorted, there was a sternness in his voice yet Tommy could not find a trace of fury nor anger in it,” The answer to both our questions is no, obviously.”
“What’s your game then? You caught yourself a stowaway so now what’re you gonna do to me? Make me walk the plank and pray for my soul’s forgiveness lest I get pulled down into Davy Jones’ Locker?” Tommy chortled, he had always been the type to stare death in the eyes and laugh, at least, that’s how he hoped he came off as.
Wilbur saw right through him.
“So, you claim yourself to be this fearless hero, yet when I asked ‘what the hell happened’ I could tell from the look on your face that you shat yourself mentally if not physically,” Wilbur called his bluff. The young scallywag with his serpent tongue and jittery fingers reminded the Captain of his own history of being a mischievous little scamp,” Though, I have to admit that I admire your ability to have stayed undetected on my vessel for nearly our entire voyage, thus, I have a proposition for you. If you’re willing to hear me out, that is.”
“Well, what other choice do I have? It’s either I take up your mysterious offer or get thrown off the starboard side of the ship.” Tommy grimly remarked, although he was still quite young, he knew better than anyone his age the mind games adults liked to play. Thus, he made sure that in a battle of wits, he would come out as the victor.
“That wasn’t a yes or a no,” the Captain jeered.
“Fine then, yes. I’ll hear out your stupid proposal.” the Stowaway groaned.
“Good. Well to put it simply, I want an aide,” Wilbur proposed, he had a cheeky grin and look as though the agreement to this proposition would be the beginning of a long con of hijinks and shenanigans,” An aide-de-camp if you will, that acts as not only as a personal assistant but someone who I can bounce my own ideas and schemes off of.”
“That’s it?” Tommy asked, bewildered by the Captain’s extremely basic proposition.
“Yup, that’s it. No jokes nor silly business afoot here. No siree.” Wilbur said as he puffed up his chest and expressed in the most sarcastic manner possible.
Tommy gave what could only be described as the biggest facepalm in the history of humanity. Not only was he at the mercy of some bumbling idiot that somehow became a high-ranking Naval Officer, but he would also now have to serve his every beck and call.
“Ugh. You know what? Fine. I’ll become your aide or whatever.” Tommy finally muttered.
To this Wilbur giggled with glee, he ran around his Quarters until finally resting his hand around Tommy’s neck and on his shoulder. With his laughter dying down he remarked,” Oh man, we’re about to have lots of fun… Hang on, I don’t think I’ve caught your name yet. What is it?”
“Tommy,” the new aide said confidently,” and what’s yours Captain Forehead?”
“Oi, watch it, Tommy. The name’s Captain Wilbur Soot to you, and I best expect you to remember that” Captain Wilbur Soot said sternly,” Now then, let the fun begin.”
Right after the words left Wilbur’s lips, the ship began to shake terribly and the shouts of their fellow crewmates could be heard coming from the Main Deck.
“What was that?” Tommy was exasperated, a clear sense of fear was emitted from his voice.
Wilbur grinned,” The fun’s begun and we’re not there. Come along, let’s go have some fun.”
The day was already off to a bad start. Not only did he have to finish his chores in half the time but now, Tommy was in the Captain Quarters and he’s helpless to stop any punishment that will be given to Tommy lest he suffer the same fate. All Tubbo wanted right now was to talk to his friend but with what normally happens to stowaways, he knew that they might never be able to talk again. Thankfully, a kind soul noticed the Cabin Boy’s obvious distress and went to comfort him.
“Are you alright?” a voice behind Tubbo asked, it sounded familiar but it was comforting.
“Um, yeah no. I’m alright.” Tubbo said quickly.
“Then, may I ask why you’re crying?” the voice asked concerned, at this Tubbo touched his cheek. The mysterious voice was correct, unbeknownst to the originator, silent and silver tears rolled down the sides of his face.
“Oh, I-I’m sorry I didn’t realize I was,” Tubbo said apologetically, since they were already falling down he let them flood his face, his sleeves quickly became wet. He was alone again. And a world away from the dreadful hellscape he once called home. Surprisingly, the owner of the mysterious voice pulled in the scared Cabin Boy and comforted him for sometime. After what felt like an eternity for the young man, he pulled away and wiped away his remaining tears. “Thank you for the comfort and sorry about your uniform Mr. S-” Tubbo clearly saw who the kind stranger was now. It was none other than- “Midshipman Eret!” He exasperated out of shock “Oh goodness me, I’m so sorry sir! Let me get you a fresh uniform or something.”
“No, no I’m good... It’s Tubbo correct? You don’t need to go out of your way to do that for me lad.” The Helmsman said with a grin of comfort. Immediately Tubbo relaxed and was more at ease.
“So I’m guessing that Stowaway was your friend then?” Eret smirked, at this Tubbo immediately tensed up as he realized how he had outed himself by crying.
“Um… I- uh, er- Well, no. You see…” Tubbo began to explain himself but his constant stuttering was going to get him nowhere.
“Hey, hey, hey, calm down lad it’s alright,” Eret said reassuringly,” I know the Captain, I’m his number two after all so I’m sure your friend is alright.”
“Huh? Um, what do you mean he’s alright? I thought any stowaways found were to walk the plank,” Tubbo pointed out, he had memorized Naval procedures by heart so it was surprising to hear a very common one possibly being broken.
“Well, I’m sure you’ve met our Captain, Tubbo. On top of being a less than ideal Naval Lieutenant, Wilbur tends to bend the rules here and there,” Eret sighed, he knew his Captain all too well. While he is an impeccable leader in his own right, his Helmsman was very familiar with his less… favorable qualities. “Honestly, I’m not surprised he’s been ranked as high as he is, given who his father is,” Eret continued, he chuckled to himself.
“What do you mean?” Tubbo inquired,” Who’s the Captain’s father?”
“Well, don’t let the Captain know I told you this but, the man has pretty big shoes to fill.” Eret began, he had known for a good time now that the Captain had always something on his mind but only recently discovered that it was because of,” His dad, y’see is considered one of the greatest Naval Strategists and Commanders to ever exist, but he never became more than a Lieutenant. The reason? Well, I’m not quite sure myself but, I’d assume he wasn’t one for formalities or rules much like how his son isn’t one for them either.”
“Well, if you don’t mind saying… What was his name?” Tubbo asked, intrigued filled his face.
“It’s Ph-” Eret was interrupted, as a sudden gust of wind began to pick up in pace and ferocity,” I’ll tell you later as it appears we’ve got a storm in our hands.” A bolt of lightning struck a short distance away from the port side. “And by the looks of it, it’s a rather nasty one.”
Wilbur had always been the type to jump on any opportunity to go on wild and daring adventures, it’s why he became a Naval Officer in the first place. But he was only able to rise through the ranks quickly because of his lineage, if he truly wanted to surpass his late Father he’d have to carve his name into legend. Thus, it was almost second nature for him to run outside and face whatever terrors the sea has thrown his way.
“What is that thing!?” his aide Tommy yelled through the furious winds, waves, and voices that would be considered deafening to most.
Through the flurry of chaos that surrounded him, Wilbur could barely make out the figure that was giving them much hardship. It had a long, cylindrical tendril or tentacle, Its skin was protected by a stormy grey layer of scales, but he could not find the creature’s head.
“Wait a minute, where’s its head?” The captain asked, oblivious to his fate.
“OI WILBUR, LOOK BEHIND YOU!” Tommy screamed, but it was too late. In one fell swoop, Captain Wilbur was devoured whole by the creature.
“CAPTAIN!? NOOOOOOO!” Tubbo cried throughout the ongoing chaos, he thought his tear ducts would’ve been empty by now but tears flooded his face as he mourned the loss of their captain.
Eret laughed.
“Midshipman? Sir? W-what’s so funny?” Tubbo continued to weep.
“Oh it’s nothing, just give it, oh I dunno. Five seconds? Four? Three. Two. One.” Eret said in confidence.
Just as he finished speaking the creature’s entire body seized up. Then, as if by some miracle, divine intervention, or most likely with his luck and quick thinking, a sword slits open the creature’s throat from the inside. While it did kill the creature, it spilled a disgusting pile of its guts out into the ship’s deck. Tubbo wanted to hurl. Tommy did hurl off the ship’s starboard side. But, from within the creature emerged a slimy but mostly unscathed Captain Wilbur.
“I guess it was just your standard Sea Serpent,” Wilbur said with a grin, he then arched his back as he joined in with Eret’s laughter.
Tommy could not believe his eyes, he had seen this man be devoured whole by some unholy creature from the depths. Yet, here he is laughing as if it was a day in the life of a seafarer. In this moment, he knew he had to follow this man to the ends of the earth.
“Hey Wilbur, it looks like you survived… somehow.” Tommy grinned.
“Seems like I did, didn’t I?” Wilbur continued to chuckle,” Well then, if you’re having second thoughts about being my aide well, we can leave you out here at sea in a barrel.”
“After seeing you do something as cool as that? Hell no!” Tommy cheered, he never really thought that anyone other than him was cool but in that moment, he knew that Wilbur was one of the coolest people he knew. Besides himself of course. “In fact, I’d be proud to call you, my Captain.”
“Glad to hear. Welcome aboard Sto- Tommy.” Wilbur grinned with surprised happiness,” Now then, let’s set sail.”