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The Undersea was strange.
It was nothing like the other two Riptide Pirate captains had ever seen before. The weightlessness of being in the water for such a long time felt claustrophobic at first. Hell, being able to breathe underwater felt strange for the first hour.
But the Riptide Pirates continued forward.
Gillion led the way forward, followed by Finn, the both of them moving flawlessly as the others struggled to keep up. Well, Jay was doing okay, but Chip and Gryffon were both lagging behind — one for his size, and the other one never having been properly taught how to swim. But you can't blame Chip for that one.
"Are you sure you're okay with this, Gil? We don't have to do this." Chip had said, late one night, feeling Jay shift next to him.
"You could stay back, too, if you want— we know that… this probably isn't going to be a fun experience." Jay chirped up from next to Chip. She had rolled over on her side, propped up by an elbow.
Gillion shook his head. In the late night, maybe it was the topic of conversation, or maybe just the intimacy of sharing such detail of his past to the co-captains, but his voice seemed soft. "No. I won't allow you to meet with the Elders on such a whim. Perhaps I could get them to listen for once."
Chip glanced at Jay, who was making the same sort of face — concern and worry. "...okay. Just— Say something if you ever need to leave. We don't have to do this."
"It's the fate of the world, Jay," Gillion sighed. "I have to do what I can."
"So, this is the Undersea, huh?" Chip asks, looking around as he catches up to the rest of the group. "This is where you grew up, Gill?"
Gillion hesitated. "I suppose one could say that, yes. Although I haven't seen… a lot of it. I've seen more of the world above than the Undersea itself." Gillion gracefully moves forward through the water. "I have to apologize in advance for how I may act when we get to the Elders. They… They were practically the only people I knew before I was banished and met you all."
Jay puts a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure it'll be okay, Gill. We'll still be at your side, no matter what." Gillion gives her a small smile, resting a hand on hers for a brief moment.
Finn swims forward, looking at him. "Young Tidestrider," he starts, words coming out slowly as he deliberately picks his words, "if the Elders cannot see you for who you are now, you need them no longer."
Gillion's shoulders dropped just the slightest at that. Something about the fact that a tritron is saying those words, someone who's had to deal with the Elders before — or maybe it's just the fact it was his own grandfather who brought him the sense of ease he needed.
He knew this wasn't going to be easy. Gillion knew he wouldn't be able to avoid the gaze of the Elders, and he'll be right back to what he was like before his banishment. But he wasn't alone this time.
Even if Gillion struggles, he knew his co-captains and crew would always be by his side.
Gillion takes a deep breath, looking at those he considers his family now. Despite everything, despite using magic to be able to breathe underwater and communicate, they still stayed next to his side. Jay takes his hand in her own, eyes shining bright with determination.
With everyone on his side, Gillion pushed open the doors to the Elders.