Madeli– er, Madison knew she was a brat and was proud of it, but at least she wasn't a snotty, stuck-up brat like all these people at this weirdo, nerdy science camp. Her brother, for some reason, seemed to be making an effort and applying himself to learning more at this rich people cesspool. Blegh. Who actually cared about all that smart stuff? All they needed to do was steal the fancy, schmancy jet skis like their father said then skedaddle! They didn't have to try to work for them.

    She couldn't help but notice the condescending looks the older teens seemed to throw her brother's way whenever he fumbled or didn't grasp a concept at first. It's like they sensed he wasn't one of them. Ha! The fools! Little did they know that if he wanted to, her brother could have easily stolen their pants off them in broad daylight without them even knowing. She hated the odd pang she felt when Finn's easygoing smirk turned more forced as he interacted with these stuffy teens.

    To make up for his inaction and to get back at everyone, she started collecting as much credit card info and jewelry she could get her hands on from these unsuspecting rich kids. It was too easy. Like taking candy from a baby. Even the Nektons weren't really on their tails as they were too enthralled with all the ocean science junk at the camp. Also, by some fortune, they were placed in different groups so they didn't really come in contact with the do-gooders.

    Halfway through the week, Finn actually seemed to begin excelling at the marine activities. Maddie didn't particularly care, but her brother's weird excitement about learning something new was oddly sweet. Not that she'd tell him that to his face though. She had a reputation to uphold as his annoying little sister, but it was satisfying to see the snooty rivals in his group look at him in surprised respect.

    As always though, there had to be at least one extra rotten apple in every group. She had noticed Ant still being harassed by some stupidheads, but that wasn't really her problem. Besides, his sister seemed to be at the ready to send a genuinely scary glare at any hint of harm towards her brother from the bullies. And Maddie had seen what happened to the boy who had been extra antagonistic toward Ant on the first day. 

    Finn being harassed though was definitely Madeline's problem. For the most part, the rich snots had stuck to backhanded remarks and patronizing glances. When Finn had offhandedly mentioned what was happening, she had angrily bristled on his behalf, demanding to know names. He told her not to worry about it, but she didn't believe that nonchalant grin he liked to hide behind. 

    One day, the conceited teens got a touch too bold and cruel with her older sibling right in front of her face. Their mistake. Like any good sister, she unleashed hell on them.

    The entire camp shared lunch at the exact same time and Finn always made sure to sit with his younger sister. He got snide comments on it sometimes, but that was easily brushed off. Madeline had just gotten up to go grab some juice, but when she came back to her seat, she was weirded out to find Fontaine talking amiably with Finn. She decided to hang back until the Nekton went away. She eventually did and the young pirate returned to her seat, pulling a face as her brother's gaze and grin followed the girl as she walked away. 

    That one interaction seemed to garner the attention of a couple other boys who were, for some reason, seemingly jealous of Finn's familiarity with Fontaine. People were weird, teenagers especially. Why would they be jealous of Finn being close to those disgusting Nektons?

    One teen had the audacity to saunter on over to their lunch table and stick his pudgy fingers all up in Finn's face threateningly. "Look, I don't know what backwater place you came from, but  stick to your own people."

    Madeline smirked as Finn snarked back. "Well if Fontaine's too good for me—which she is— then she's definitely way too good for you."

    To wipe the smug smile off Finn's face, the oaf grabbed his lunch tray and moved to smacked it over Finn's face, but the pirate siblings were very quick. Finn dodged while Madeline went on the offensive and lunged at the idiot who dared to try to attack her brother. There was genuine fear in the boy's eyes as the eleven year old came flying at him with reckless abandon.

    He did not move in time to avoid Maddie's lunch tray swinging against his head. It went deathly silent for one moment as the lunch tray connected and the teen stumbled back. He grabbed a fistful of green beans and chucked them at the little annoyance. Madeline ducked out of the way and the vegetables hit a blonde girl who shrieked and threw her an apple in retribution. Soon enough, an all out food fight had started. The young pirate watched it unfold in glee.

    Just as she was about to launch a muffin at another teen at the rude table, Finn caught her hand and pulled her out into the hall, away from the ruckus she instigated.

    He sighed her name in exasperation, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Maddie."

    The girl in question threw up her arms. "What?! He was askin' fer it!"

    Finn wasn't going to argue with that. "I know. I know. Just..." He chose his next words carefully. "it's not your place to fight my battles. I'm doing okay, 'kay?"

    "It is so my place when you won't stand up for yourself," fired back the young pirate. She was still incensed at that boy for trying to pick a fight with her brother.

    "Look. If we wanna fill out Dad's mission, we–"

    Before the two could argue further, a leader threw the door open and stepped into the hall, fixing his stern gaze on the two kids. "Ben and Madison Cora, you're coming with me."

    Though this was most likely about the current food fight that was being warred in the lunch room, Hammerhead's kids exchanged glances. Had they been found out?

    Madeline kept a firm grip on the muffin she still held in her hand in case she needed ammunition for a quick escape. Turns out she didn't need it. As far as ocean-loving saps go, the young pirate had to admit that Reina wasn't half bad and actually listened to and believed their story. All she did was grumble to herself about kids being insufferable to each other and rethinking about returning to teaching college courses.

    With that said, Reina did give them a firm warning about starting up more food fights and confiscated the smushed muffin from Madeline.

    "See, Maddie," said Finn once they had left. "We don't need to draw negative attention to ourselves. What if they look more into us because we're troublemakers and they find out who we really are?"

    "Doesn't mean you aren't allowed to stand up for yourself," grumbled Madeline.

    "I prefer the chill route and slipping under the radar," explained Finn. He was telling himself as much as he was telling her. "Just one more day of putting up with those goofs and we'll have our jet ski and be outta here."

    "Yeah, but are ya gonna make it through the night?" questioned Madeline, subtly nodding in the direction of a gaggle of boys who were picking particles of food from their hair. They glared at the siblings. 

    It was clear to Maddie that her brother was fighting to keep unease from expression as he glanced over in their direction. He patted her on the shoulder before hurrying off. "Alright, see ya around, Mads. Stay out of trouble."

    As expected, the angry guys followed in the direction he left. His sister couldn't help but call out at them, wishing she still had that muffin to throw at them, "Hey! You bone-heads better not even think of messing with my brother!"

    The boys laughed at the sight of this scrawny preteen threatening them. She bristled as they dismissed her. "Run along, little brat."

    She stuck her tongue out as they turned and walked away. "No! You're the brats!"

    She tailed them but the cowards fortunately didn't try jumping Finn. They whispered shiftily amongst themselves before suddenly dispersing as the P.A. system rang out. Maddie eyed them warily but couldn't do anything about it.

    After the day's activities were done and everyone was preparing for bed, she couldn't stop mulling over about the older teens and their snottiness. With a sly grin, she snuck out, deciding to do a little late night retribution. Her plans were cut short though when she rounded the corner and bumped straight into Fontaine.

    "Madeline," growled Fontaine as soon as it registered who she'd run into. "You aren't supposed to be out right now."

    "Neither are you," fired back the pirate child. Curfew had started ten minutes ago.

    Fontaine looked away guilty. That's when Maddie noticed the giant jug of motor oil she held in her hands. What would the Nekton need with that? 

    "Are you trying to sabotage someone?" gasped Maddie accusingly.

    "Wha– No!" spluttered the teen a little too quickly. "Are you?" She nodded at the length of rope was currently looped around Madeline's shoulder.

    "Yes," answered Maddie shamelessly. "They were messing with me brother, so they deserve what's comin' to them."

    That piqued Fontaine's interest. Concern shown in her eyes. "People are harassing Finn?"

    "Yeah. Why d'ya think I started that food fight at lunch today?" asked Madeline crossly.

    Fontaine looked upset as she admitted, "Oh. People are harassing Ant too. They haven't let up about him needing his big sister to save him." She patted the oil jug. "I'm taking a page from you pirates I guess and doubling down on the fact that they don't get to pick on my brother, even if he is annoying."

    While Madeline didn't particularly care about the well-being of the Nekton boy, she had to begrudgingly appreciate the fact that the Nekton girl seemed to be on the same wavelength as her when it came to defending their brothers. She inwardly shuddered. It was weird to be thinking like a Nekton.

    Unfortunately, neither of the girls had a chance to enact their plots as the sound of someone sneaking down the deck sent them scrambling out of sight. They watched with narrowed eyes as a teen quickly looked around before ducking into the scuba gear room. A few minutes later he scurried out and back to his sleeping quarters.

    Just as Fontaine and Madeline were going to pop out of hiding, another boy came into view and also snuck into the scuba room. Fontaine let out an annoyed huff as she recognized the kid to be Jacob. He too left a few minutes later. Whatever those boys had been up to, it was no good.

    Madeline and Fontaine attempted to explore but as they cracked open the door yet another person approached. It was a camp leader doing a nightly patrol.

    "Hey! What're you doing out?"

    The girls sprinted away before they could be caught. 

    As they caught their breath in a quiet quarter, Fontaine struck up a deal with the young pirate. "Look, if you promise to protect Ant tomorrow, I promise to look out for Finn. It's clear those boys were up to no good and we have a common interest in protecting our brothers. Can you do that for me?"

    Madeline curled her lip in disgust at the idea of having to be Ant's bodyguard. He was the worst Nekton of them all! Still, it made sense to look out for each other's brothers since the groups were divided by age groups. "Fine," she relented. She couldn't help but add a teasing jab, "I know you'll look after Finn really well."

    Fontaine grew defensive and crossed her arms. "And just what is that supposed to mean?"

    Madeline just responded with a cheeky grin and ran off to her room, preparing to keep a vigilant watch and get payback tomorrow should anything run afoul.