"Oh captain, my captain. It's time for you to wake up." I coo, the soft thrum of my voice accompanied by a gentle brushing of fingers through his hair rousing the man.

Schlatt blinks heavily, his brows creasing as he leans into my touch. "It's morning already?" He mutters huskily.

"It's afternoon, sir." I muse, planting a kiss to his hairline before moving away to gather his coat. It clinks and clatters with all the gold embroidered into it and I drape it over his shoulders as he stands, his hands pressed flat to the desk for support.

"Fuck. That was some good rum. I don't remember anything."

"Your hat, captain." He bows on instinct and I place the feathered garment atop his head, tipping it a little to the right to fit between his curling horns. When he straightens the feathers fall into his face and I hold back a small snort.

"Very dashing," I tease, curling a feather between my fingers. "Like a peacock."

Schlatt grunts and pulls the hat from his head, plonking it onto mine. "If you like it so much then you wear it."

"But it's the captain's hat!" I protest with a laugh, tilting the brim back to grin at my captain. "You simply must wear it."

"Now why would I do that when you look so much better in it?"

My laugh catches in my throat as he bends down beneath the hat, coming almost nose to nose with me. His eyes are hooded and dark, not fully awake, but even I recognise a look of lust when I see it.

"If it pleases my Captain," I hum, a smirk curling my lips as I take his chin between my thumb and forefinger. My other hand runs down the front of his open shirt and hooks into his belt, giving a small, teasing tug. His eyes flutter and he groans.

"Fuck..."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you."

My lips touch his in the lightest of kisses, "but maybe later. You still need to eat breakfast."

"But I've got a whole meal right in front of me," he huffs, dropping his head down into the crook of my neck, his hands finding purchase on the jut of my hips, thumbs pressing hard into my pelvis.

I shiver, my feet thoroughly rooted to the floorboards as his thumbs start to rub circles, his teeth nibbling at the sensitive skin of my throat.

He's being very tempting today. Must be the alcohol still in his bloodstream.

"No. You can wait." I decide, surprised to find myself almost seduced by his sultry tone.

"Tch."

His thumbs press harder and I wince, my knees almost buckling. I love it, of course, a bit of roughness, but if I don't stop him now then we won't get anything done today.

"I said you can wait," I repeat, taking his gold-capped horn and jerking him away. He grumbles but doesn't resist as I force him to straighten up, his hands falling from my waistband.

There's a knock at the cabin door and Niki calls out, asking to enter.

Immediately my face blossoms into a smile as I cross the room and open the door for her, leaving Schlatt grumbling and blue-balled, leaning on his desk.

"Thank you," I take the tray of food from the shorter woman. Her pink hair is tied back in a cute little knot today and she has her sleeves rolled up to her elbows in a typical 'working woman' fashion. Her glasses catch the light as she looks up and returns my smile.

"You're welcome." She hums, voice soft and gentle, only for her gaze to harden into one of disdain as she catches Schlatt looking at her. "And I hope you choke." She growls.

My heart flutters at the sight of her malice. I love a cute woman with bite.

The door swings shut behind her, rattling the candelabras and sending a map sliding from its cubby hole.

"She's going to poison me one of these days," Schlatt mutters, eyeing the tray of bread, eggs, and salted meat.

"Possibly," I muse, resting the meal on the desk and taking a small bite out of each item. "But not while I'm around."

"Naturally, you're the reason she's even on this ship and not floating off into the middle of the ocean with the rest of Wilbur's sunken bucket. She owes you that much," he leans forward as I offer a forkful of egg, "doesn't stop her from hating my guts though."

Schlatt chews thoughtfully, "speaking of that bastard's crew, how's our other captive doing? The annoying little one?"

"Tubbo is doing better. Ponk has administered as much care as he can give, and he looks to make a full recovery, though it's unfortunate to say the sight will never return to his right eye."

Schlatt snorts, his expression one of mild amusement, "Serves 'em right for trying to load fireworks into a cannon. He was basically asking to be crippled."

"It was unfortunate, for sure," I agree begrudgingly, not wishing to sound unkind toward the crew and what had indeed been a shortsighted decision. It was a miracle no one else had been caught in the backfired explosion, and a larger miracle that the ship hadn't caught fire and sunk on the spot. Instead it had taken a full day of fighting and cannon fire to sink the galleon previously known as the SBI. And as the ship sat sinking we pillaged their valuables and left the crew to the mercy of the sea.

All of the crew except for Tubbo, that is. And Niki. We needed a new cook and she'd been a perfect replacement. And Tubbo... Saving him had been a spur of the moment decision—one that Schlatt didn't seem to mind. A reward for my continued support and love. But that was where his kindness ended. Tubbo may have been saved but now he spends his days and nights down in the galley, cooped up inside a cell like a caged bird. Some saving I did. He might have been happier with his crew, floating in the ocean.

"We'll be approaching the port of L'Manburg soon." I prompt, eager to change the topic to a more cheerful one. "We can stock up on fresh produce, and even get a new outfit tailored for you with all the gold we have now. Do you have anything in—"

The ship pitches to the side, my words cut short as I tumble over the desk with a gasp. Schlatt falls flat on his ass, managing to catch a corner of the desk before he falls further.

"The fuck was that?!" He exclaims, eyes wide and clear as day, all earlier sleepiness completely wiped clean.

"Can't be anything good," I grit, pushing myself up. Half a dozen of Schlatt's trinkets had come down with me, digging into my sides like a pin cushion. I think I have some egg on my forehead. "Stay here. I'll check it out."

Schlatt provides no objections as I brush myself off and march out onto the deck, feather hat still planted firmly on my head.

Punz and Fundy stand to the starboard side of the ship, looking out over the ocean, talking urgently between themselves. There are still waves lapping up against the ship's hull, and I see now that the wave that nearly tipped us was from the impact of a cannonball.

"Report," I demand, making the two men jump.

"Holy sh— uh, Captain!" Fundy salutes, his spine straightening.

Punz forgoes the formalities and hands me a spyglass while pointing out to the ocean, "on the horizon. There's a ship."

I grimace and raise the scope to an eye, wondering what mad bastard would attack us so close to a port town. And so boldly, too. Our ship isn't named The Overlord for nothing. Do they not know who we are?

Green sails meet my sight and I swear.

"It's the Dreamon." I frown, already running through a mental list of the ship's crew and abilities.

"Fuckin' 'ell." Punz runs a hand through his sandy blonde hair, stress creasing his face. "What are they doing firing at us?"

"I guess we're about to find out. They're coming straight for us," I press the spyglass into Fundy's chest, the fox fumbling to keep it in his grip.

"Wait, that's Dream's ship, right? The speed demon? They say it's the fastest ship in the seven seas."

"Unfortunately," I mutter, raising a hand to shadow my eyes as I stare up at the crows nest and the dark-haired shape cradled inside it. "He has one job..."

I turn sharply to Punz, the man doesn't even flinch, the gold jewellery hung around his neck shining like a sun. "Climb up into the crows nest and wake George up, would you? If we're going into a fight we need everyone awake and accounted for."

"You're kidding. We're fighting Dream?!" Fundy whimpers.

"Yes, Captain." Punz complies, already halfway to the mast.

"Fundy, inform the rest of the crew to prepare for battle. This one is going to be nasty."

The fox whines low in his throat, his ears and tail drooping. He casts one more look to the horizon before nodding and hurrying away to find the rest of our crew.

"What's happening, hot stuff?" Is Schlatt's first question as I re-enter the captain's quarters, my steps light and urgent.

"The Dreamon is looking for a fight," I explain briefly, my sights landing on my usual weapon of choice, hung up on the wall like a trophy fish.

Raising a wrist the trident vibrates, humming to life. It zips across the room into my open palm, keening like a dog that's missed its owner. Understandable given it has been a while since I was last forced to use it. I give Schlatt a meaningful look. "Please, don't do anything stupid and stay here. Lock the doors and move the dresser if you have to."

"Hah? Now where's the fun in that? I want to watch you kick ass."

My head just comes up to the ram's shoulders as I take his collar and pull his head down to my level. "That was an order from your Captain, dear. Not a request."

He smirks, his dark eyes brightening at the lovely position I have him in.

"I thought I was the Captain?"

"The position comes with the hat, didn't you know?" I hum, my eyes roaming his face for any further defiance. "And I have the hat."

"You're so fucking hot when you tell me what to do." He breathes, placing a large hand to the back of my head and pressing his mouth over mine. Our noses bump in a brief moment of clumsiness before we find our fit, lips locking together more meaningfully. The grip in my hair tightens and I find myself being pulled higher to meet his hungry lips, forcing me up onto my tiptoes.

His free hand rests itself in the curve of my back, but roams lower to squeeze at my ass. I grumble into the kiss for him to go easy and he chuckles, squeezing harder.

"If you bruise me I will not be happy," I mutter, nipping at his lips before breaking away, my chest heaving from the brief moment of intimacy. It has my stomach feeling hot and fuzzy with want for more affection, and it takes everything in me not to simply push the man up against a wall and explore him more thoroughly. A pre-fight workout if you will.

"Then how about I bruise you later?" He questions huskily, hand still sliding along my backside.

"If we survive this fight then how about I bruise you later."

Schlatt chokes, his eyes bugging.

"Oh, fuck yes."

I laugh, always delighted by his unabashed thirst for me. "Now I really need to go. I'd better not find a scratch on you when I come back."

"Don't worry, you'll be the only one scratching me tonight."

My eyes crinkle in amusement and I plant a final peck to his lips before pulling free of his hold and exiting the cabin.

Everyone has gathered on deck, their respective weapons either in hand or hanging from belts. The calmest of the group is Punz, as usual, and he seems to be talking through exactly what the fight may entail. As an ex-member of Dream's crew he naturally has the most experience with combat, and is the perfect person in this scenario to help with morale.

I'm noticed and the crew fall silent, turning their attention to me. Quackity steps forward, clearing his throat. It's now I see the lime green parrot perched on his forearm, nibbling at his sleeve.

"Dream sent us a message," he explains, holding out a small scroll of paper that must have been tied to the parrot's leg. The parrot echos the word "message" and then tries to pull the string on Quackity's eyepatch. "Fuckin' bird! Stop!"

I unravel the note and skim it.

My expression goes from calm to confused to concerned.

"Ares?" Fundy questions, concern overtaking his features in a mirror of mine.

I sigh and rub at the space between my eyes. This headache just became a migraine.

"They're his demands," I explain, scrunching the note in a fist. "Apparently the survivors of the SBI are now a part of his crew, and they want their stolen members back; Niki and Tubbo, as well as all our gold and... and me. Or the ship sinks."

There's one more demand on the note that I hadn't read out, not that the crew would know what it is; a treasure that only Schlatt and I know about, with the unwanted addition of Dream. And I'm the one to blame for telling him in the first place, even if it had been in a moment of weakness.

"I guess we sink, then." Punz grins maniacally, patting his sword with a clink of gold rings. "Everyone has their protection enchantments, right?"

A collection of hums and a flashing of various jewelled items are his response, the magic jewellery having been one of our greatest finds while pillaging other ships and digging up treasure not meant for us. My enchantment sits inscribed within a simple gold band on my left hand. Schlatt had insisted I wear it on my ring finger to ward off other men. His seriousness when saying it had made me laugh.

It lifts my spirits to see everyone so eager to fight, despite their nerves. Our enemy today is one far stronger and of greater number than we've ever fought before.

"Then I guess I'll send Dream our reply." I muse.

With the parrot sent back with a fresh note tied to its ankle the crew of The Overlord begin their preparations for a fight.

Watching everyone work so diligently has pride swell in my chest, and gives me hope that maybe we can win this.

I smile as a cannonball rolls across deck, Fundy chasing after it, who is then followed by Purpled with a mop as he cleans up after the fox.

"You're welcome to join in on the fun, Purpled," I remark.

"Ah, no thanks. I like mopping. And if we lose then maybe Dream will give me a job as his cabin boy instead."

I grin, "Looking out for yourself? I can respect that."

Only minutes have passed since sending off our reply, yet the Dreamon with its green sails and smiling white flag have grown close enough to make out the enemy crew without need of a spyglass.

I spot Dream easily amongst the rabble. He stands at the wheel, his pearly white mask shining like a second sun. A black axe hangs from his hip where a sword would otherwise be, gleaming with unknown enchantments much like my trident. The lime green parrot sits on his shoulder and I can't help my smile thinking of his expression at our written reply.

'If you want us, come get us, bitch boi'

Was it immature of me to antagonise the enemy?

Yes, it was.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely.

The ship rocks as the Dreamon drops anchor along our starboard.

"Took you long enough, green bean." I muse, trident swung over a shoulder as Dream lands soundlessly in front of me. The rest of my crew remain silent and tense as they watch me make first contact with the enemy. Dream's crew are the same; they remain stood at the border of their own ship, waiting for their Captain's signal to attack. I glance to the faces he's collected.

He really does have the SBI with him. Wilbur, Tommy, Techno and Philza. As well as the usual ones. Bad, Sapnap, Karl, Sam and Ant. There are a few more that haven't shown themselves yet and I suspect they're below deck, prepping more cannons and gunpowder.

I squint.

Is that...dynamite sticking out of Wilbur's pockets?

"I didn't realise you were so eager to lose? Thanks for your love note, by the way. I took it as an invitation."

"You never could take a hint," I smirk, bringing my trident down and tapping it at the boards by my feet. "So? Are you going to start this or are you going to leave a lady waiting?"

"What lady?" He grins, voice high with maddened amusement as we bring our weapons forward.

From here what can only be described as pure chaos ensues.

Cannons fire, blades clash and pirates yell bloody curses at the top of their lungs. I'm largely occupied with Dream and his obsidian blade, but I do catch glimpses of others and their individual battles.

Quackity has taken up a fight with Sapnap as Karl cheers his raven-haired ally on. Punz has ended up against Techno, and they seem to be enjoying a conversation. Fundy is doing his best fending off Ant and Bad while Purpled mops in the background, slipping both enemy and ally up in the process. Ponk, to my pleasant surprise, is doing well against Sam as he throws potion after potion at the green-haired man, staving him off, though I'm sure I hear the names 'Sammy Wammy' and 'Ponky' getting thrown playfully between them. I have no idea where George is, and it worries me that Wilbur and Tommy have also disappeared from the battlefield along with Philza. Gone to reclaim Niki and Tubbo, perhaps?

"Eyes on me, princess."

Black flashes across my vision as I bring my trident up just in time to block a downward swing from Dream. He tuts and draws back, spinning the axe between his fingers like it's a lightweight baton.

"Sorry, you were boring me," I remark, readjusting my footing. "Was wondering if Sam might give me a better run for my money."

"Wow, now you're just being mean." We clash again, my trident vibrating from the force of his strikes. "It's not too late to join me y'know. I could use that kind of cynicism."

"Thanks for the offer, but I don't think there's room for two Captain's on your ship." I cast a quick look to his boat, so close to ours, and notice the painted calligraphy along its hull. I let out a spluttering laugh. "Like I'd want to Captain a ship called 'Dre'."

"We only had enough paint for the first three letters!" Dream states hotly, his ears turning a clear shade of pink.

I laugh lightly and he grumbles something under his breath.

Someone yelps so loud I flinch, the noise followed by a splash. I turn and see Bad and Ant high-five.

Ah, there goes Fundy. I suppose he was outmatched...

Another splash signals someone else getting thrown overboard. This time it's Quackity who stands victorious, with Sapnap nowhere in sight, Karl backing up with raised hands.

"I hope your boys know how to hold their breath," I comment, my eyes on the masked man as I fling my trident to the side. It sails clean through the fighting, missing my crewmates before smacking length-ways into Bad and Ant toppling them over the edge of the ship. "Bad and Antfrost were always too good for you. Maybe they'll want to join us after I beat your ass." I smirk.

"Bold words for a fight you haven't won yet."

"It's simply a matter of time."

A door bangs open and I jerk to attention, eyes growing to the size of saucers as Philza steps out of the Captain's quarters, his sword to a disgruntled Schlatt's throat.

"Put down your weapons or he loses a limb!" The bird man declares, black wings spread wide and fiercely, determined to gain the attention of everyone.

It works. There's immediate confusion as the fighting falters, all eyes turning to the new and unexpected development.

How did Phil get into the cabin? I think frantically, scanning Schlatt for injuries. Did he fly around and through a window? I didn't account for this happening!

"Looks like my pawn took your queen," Dream smirks behind the mask. "I believe that's a checkmate."

"Shit," I snarl, lowering my hand, my trident clanging to the ground as I cancel its return.

Slowly the crew of The Overlord follow my example, their weapons clattering against wood.

"Sorry, hot stuff." Schlatt hums as I'm pushed down beside him, my wrists bound behind my back. "The bastard snuck up on me while I was opening a bottle of rum."

"No, don't apologise. I was the one who was supposed to protect you." I sigh, watching as my crew are tied up around the mast. Unsurprisingly, Purpled has been left to mop. And I still don't know where George is. Ponk is wandering around on deck, checking both sides for injury. As a ship doctor it seems Dream has given him some leniency. He'll probably end up joining the Dreamon's crew after this.

"Hey, Karl! Like my new weapon? Isn't it cool?" Sapnap spins my trident around, swinging it like a baseball bat. "Haha! I feel like the king of the seas!"

I roll my eyes and with a small purse of my lips, have the trident flip around and bury its prongs between Sapnap's boot. The points don't impale him but he screams anyway, for a moment horrified that he's just been skewered.

"Get it off! Get it off!" He shrieks, earning raucous laughter from both ship's.

"Nice trick, but I'm going to have to ask you to behave." Dream appears in front of me, crouching so our faces are too close for comfort.

Schlatt snorts, breaking what was supposed to be an intense moment. "Good luck with that. I've been trying to get her to behave for years."

"Hm. Maybe she just hasn't been given the right incentive..." Dream presses the curve of his axe to Schlatt's throat and my heart leaps into my mouth. "Ah. Now she's paying attention. So tell me, Ares, where is the b—"

"Tubbo is back, baby!" The loud voice of Tommy breaks through, his arms raised to the air as Tubbo steps up onto deck, finally free of his prison. He squints under the sunlight, his single eye watering slightly at the brightness. It's been a few weeks since he last came above deck and saw the light.

"Welcome back, Tubbo," Techno huffs, a smile on his tusked mouth as he pats the boy on the back.

"Ah, yeah! It's good to be back..." he looks around, soaking in the new scenery, at my crew tied up on the ground and of Dream hovering over me and Schlatt. He catches my eye and quickly looks away and I don't blame him. While I'd been good to him during his captivity on the ship, he'd still been kept like a prisoner. Of course he'd have mixed feelings about all this. "Where's Wilbur?" He asks.

There's a small lull as everyone looks around, realising the tall man hasn't been seen since the fight began.

"I thought he was with you," Phil frowns, his wings twitching with unease.

Tommy's brow creases. "No? I thought he was with you."

Niki barrels up onto deck at that moment, expression twisted with panic as she throws herself at the closest person—Phil— and grabs at his green coat.

"Wilbur! He's going to— The dynamite and gunpowder! He's going to blow up the—"

The rest of her words are drowned out as a loud explosion rocks the ship, sending a shower of wood and water into the sky.

I don't remember much after that. Brief glimpses of memory are all I have. Of me kicking Dream away and breaking my bonds on his blade. Of wrapping my arms around a dumbfounded Schlatt while summoning my trident. My body had moved on its own.

And now I find myself sprawled out on a beach, chest heaving with desperate breaths as saltwater clogs my airway.

"Sch—Schlatt?" I splutter, blinking the water from my eyes.

I spot him, a few feet away stretched out on his back. His eyes are closed and I don't see him breathing.

"Oh, shit! Oh no! Oh shit!"

With the grace of a walrus I drag myself to his side, pressing an ear up against his chest. And when I don't hear or feel anything I panic.

You are not dying on me today, you old goat! I fume, planting my hands to his chest and pumping on him, then switching over to mouth-to-mouth.

Eventually he twitches and heaves, rolling over to spew water into the sand.

"Holy shit!" Are the first words out his mouth as life re-enters his body. "What—"

His words are muffled as I press a hard, bruising kiss to his mouth. Then I break away, call him an idiot, and kiss him again.

"Jesus, Ares! Are you trying to kill me again! Let a man breathe," he coughs out, eyes hazed with a confusing mix of emotions. He doesn't know if he wants to kiss me more or catch his breath.

I laugh and throw my arms around his neck, pulling us both down into the wet sand.

And then I hear someone yell out for their Captain and I sit up again, looking down the beach. Our crew are walking towards us, looking like drowned rats but with the stupidest smiles on their faces.

"Is everyone accounted for?" I ask, serious mode turning on as I stand awkwardly, pushing wet hair from my eyes to inspect the faces before me.

Punz grins and nods, folding his arms, "yup! Even George washed up. Though I think he's ended up on Dream's part of the island."

"Dream washed up too?" I blink.

"Everyone from both ships survived, it looks like. But they've regrouped to their own parts of the island for now." Quackity explains. "We were just missing you guys."

"Quackity, there's a parrot on your head," I point out and the boy fumes, stamping a foot.

"Shut up! I can't get Dream's dumb bird to leave!"

The dumb bird gives a scratchy, parrot laugh and tugs at a lock of his black hair. Quackity screams.

"Well then," I plant my hands on my hips, observing my crew and their tired but expectant eyes. "I guess we gather what supplies we can from the wreckage and try to survive till a ship from the port town passes us by." I give Purpled a strange look and then laugh. "And you can probably drop the mop now, Purpled."

"Ah, no thanks."