Summary: They land! Finally getting to meet who we've all waited for!

....Just... who exactly are we meeting again?

Notes:

Cyber:.....now I know it's been a hot sec, but in my defense, my work flooded, I finally got my drivers license, got car insurance, bought a car, am about to turn [REDACTED] years old, suffered from some severe headaches, like a few bouts of mild depression and self hate and got sick for a week or so. In between all that, I have been typing this chapter with Ender as well as editing Chapter 2, writing my final chapter of Claw Flames and Tears, updating another fics chapters, and putting in final first term grades for my kiddos at the school I work at......also some of my family is getting divorced, and my dad just barely finished healing from surgery.....I'm fine.

UPDATE from a few weeks later: work also had a carbon monoxide leak at the daycare.....hopefully everyone will be fine. Also End is an angel, a saint and I love her and if any of y'all come at her in the comments I have no impulse control right now and I swear I will fight you or just straight up delete your comment.

Ender: ....Yea I got nothing! Aside from the fact I've been procrastinating again, what's new? Fight Cyber and I will fight you! Err... politely!

Oh! If some of you who read the story a lot have noticed that some chapters have had a name change there is a reason! I wish I could say I had a big brain and thought of this ahead of time but alas I did not. The name changes are a hint, if you can notice which ones did and what they changed to.

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Tommy is vibrating in his seat next to Drista; he and the others had rushed to the bridge when Philza had announced their oncoming approach to the planet. The planet where Drista had told him his crew planned to get him a translator so that he could understand them, she'd also mentioned that Dream wanted to see if he could get her a universal translator while they were there, since not everyone spoke common and it would be useful to have one while she was traveling.

Which yea, cool for her and all, but Tommy was getting a translator! He wouldn't have to rely on others to try and mime, or wait for Drista and Dream to be able to talk to.... To his...crew.... oh who was he kidding. His family. He wanted to talk to his family!

In a bout of nervousness he'd asked Drista what they considered him, and Drista had fixed him with a look, before admitting that Ivories never would place their feathers on someone they didn't consider family for any reason. He'd mentioned that little trip to her in passing over the last few hours, and to discover the significance of that particular little tidbit had settled something in his chest he hadn't realized was out of place.

So even if the others didn't consider him family (he wasn't worried about it screw you) he at least had the crow father on his side. A highly overprotective crow father who gave amazing hugs, and who apparently cared about him as much as he cared about the whole crew. It was reassuring to know at least one of them would want him around after he got his translator. He was pretty sure they all would, but that little voice in his head that screamed no alien could be trusted wasn't satisfied.

His thoughts were interrupted by a certain two tailed alien talking over the... phone? Some communicator thingy. Tommy spots him walking down the hall, headed towards their side of the ship since both crews quickly got used to sharing both ships. At first they didn't want to invade each other's space with barely really getting to know each other but...

Both him and Drista said "Nah screw that" and made both connected ships their playground, playing tag and messing with each other. Man! Who knew he'd miss playing tag?

He's slightly grumpy about that actually, he lost every chase to Drista. He was taller but physically she was more fit than him- in running anyways, you'd think being tall automatically made one faster but nope! She doesn't run, she simply zooms.

Regardless the point was, Wilbur was currently talking into a small clear glass like thing held in his claws. It reminded Tommy of a phone, but it was entirely clear and had weird protrusions on the top and bottom. He also wasn't speaking normally. Wilbur usually alternated between what Drista called common tongue, which sounded like a bunch of clicks and taps, and another language that apparently was his home world's language.

But that language sounded like instruments thrumming or a whale call on an old recording, deep and resonant. This was neither of them, it was more similar to his home tongue in that it sounded almost lyrical, but it had a lot more hissing thrown in as well as some growling bass notes that set Tommy's teeth on edge.

Drista didn't seem to appreciate it either and had covered her ears about halfway into Wilburs apparent conversation with whomever was on the other side. Wilbur doesn't seem all that happy himself, his shoulders are hunching periodically and his tails are thrashing in a gesture that Tommy has come to associate with confusion, or agitation. When Tommy asks Drista what Wilbur's bothered about she shrugs a sour expression on her face.

"I only speak common, remember? Whatever this unholy racket is, it is in no way similar to common, and is completely incomprehensible to me. I know a little Sr'e which is what Sapnap speaks, and a little He'a which is Dream's mother tongue, but even that's limited. It's part of the reason Dream wants me to get a communicator like you, while a lot of aliens learn common, not all do, and it makes communication tricky without a translation device."

Tommy grumbles, maybe she did need one of the stupid translators, not as much as him obviously, but he didn't wish the curse of no communication on anyone. That didn't help him right now though, he and Drista go back to covering their ears, as Wilbur lets out a particularly harsh 'har'Ack'ssss' it genuinly sounds like Wilbur's either about to vomit, or start hacking up a hairball combined with a pterodactyl.

Whatever he and the person at the other end of the communicator are talking about it's clearly not going well. Tommy sincerely hopes it doesn't affect his chances of getting a translator. Then when Wilbur lets out another demonic sound and Tommy decides he's had enough grabbing Drista's arm he slides out into the hall and into the rest of the ship, Wilbur can sort this out on his own, Tommy is going to leave before his eardrums explode!

*************************

Philza's Pov:

Philza watches highly amused as Tommy makes his great escape with Drista, honestly he doesn't blame the fledglings, Wilbur's friend does sound rather terrifying when she's not singing, her mother tongue of Crzl is a harsh language even for Jubi'lineee full of screeches, hisses, and growls, it makes sense with her biology, but it's still not a pleasant thing to listen to, especially outside of her natural habitat.

Shaking his wings fondly he glances over at the control panel where Tubbo is peppering Dream with questions as the Dreamon carefully steers them toward Jubi'linee in a final approach. It was interesting to Tubbo that Dream was the pilot, and Dream had explained that while George and Sapnap had their own ships, and could technically fly, they weren't usually allowed to pilot in more delicate or difficult situations like when two ships were hooked together.

Philza had to give it to the Dreamon as well, because despite Tubbo's continued pestering about why exactly the Comat and Archea weren't allowed to fly, and his own nervousness (Dream's tail had not stopped twitching once), he was an amazing pilot. Jubi'lineee was known for its turbulent air space as well as its fluctuating gravity fields in its atmosphere.

Yet the entire time they'd been hovering up here circling the planet and waiting for Wilbur to confirm their landing with his friend, there had been no bumps. Which was something Philza himself struggled with even after years of flying (both in ships and on his own power).

He glances away from the young Dreamon and over at Tommy and Drista who had re-entered the room in a bundle of tussling limbs as they screech and laugh together he smiles fondly his shoulders relaxing as his eyes dilate. He hears shifting movement behind him, and out of the corner of his eye he notices Dream glancing toward his sister, the Dreamon's electric green eyes holding something achingly soft.

It only felt a little odd to understand and relate to the achingly soft affection in the Dreamons eyes towards someone, the two humans grew on each other like newly hatched fledglings. His heart ached in pain at the way Tommy interacted with them, the way his hair shone brightly and how his eyes were the brightest he's seen them since meeting him. His claws gripped at his seat when he swore he saw feathers on Tommy's back when he turned quickly to Drista, swore he saw black feathers for a second before quickly realizing it was just the movement of Tommy's shirting casting small shadows on the wrinkles of it.

He knows he shouldn't and it wouldn't do well for his old heart but he couldn't help but wonder about 'what if's'. Wonder if Tommy would have also been tender and kind to his hatchling if they ever had the chance to meet. If his hatchling would have tried feeding Tommy some seeds and sulk when Tommy couldn't eat them.

He would have wanted to become strong like Tommy and Techno, stars, Tommy acts so much like him... they would have loved each other...

"Hey... are you okay Captain Philza?"

Phil snaps out of it, looking over at Dream, who had raised a hesitant dull claw to his shoulder, reluctant to touch him but clear relief crossed his face when Phil came back to reality.

"I'm.... I'm fine mate, sorry. You can call me Philza by the way, I have a feeling we'll know each other for a long while after this so we should get comfortable with each other"

Phil tries to give a convincing smile, but his wings lay droopy behind him, his body language betraying how he really felt. The ever observant doctor wasn't fooled by his weak attempt to reassure him, instead all it did was earn Phil a concerned look.

"Are you sure you're alright? If you're worried about the planet's biosphere, like if it's safe for Tommy to enter, I've already done a scan and it should be safe for him to travel in. The gravity is lighter than humans are accustomed to on earth but nothing detrimental to their health. Tommy will be fine-"

"No mate I-"

Philza chuckles, happy to at least know the planet was safe for Tommy.

"I wasn't worried about that- though I do appreciate the reassurance about it. I'm just an old Ivory thinking about things"

Phil turns his attention back to his crew, specifically at Tommy, who was talking to Techno and trying to convince him to side with him against Drista. Techno didn't look impressed at the way Tommy was pulling at his arm and is barely budging. Philza fondly notes while smothering a coo at the way Tommy was not pulling as hard on Techno arms. Clearly Techno took mild offense and was staring Tommy down with a challenging look, it was playful if his tail swishing was any indication.

"If it's not too rude to ask, can I ask what you were thinking about? You looked pretty deep in thought, and you didn't look...."

The Dreamon trails off clearly uncomfortable with pressing further.

"Sorry I can get one of your crew for you to talk to if you prefer, you just look really..."

The Dreamon trails off once more, his tail thrashing as he tries to figure out what to say. His gaze darts around as he does so very obviously trying to find a way out of this rather awkward conversation he'd started. Philza looks around as well, his eyes falling on Drista who is gently rubbing Ranboo's arm, a fascinated and elated look on her face as she chatters excitedly about how pretty his skin is.

Dream lets out an exhale of air much like Philza had seen Drista and Tommy do on several occasions, then he sits beside Phil on the bench that goes around the control room. He keeps a good few coa's (inches) of space between them, clearly trying to give Phil some space as he speaks, his voice soft and his eyes downcast.

"You look like your grieving sir. I-I know that look really well, what with...."

Dream trails off looking frustrated with himself as he searches for the right words to say. Philza has a feeling that his next words would have pertained to the mass murders his kind routinely caused. For all that Dream was different from his people, he wasn't stupid, the Dreamon from what Philza had seen of him was remarkably self aware and exceedingly respectful of how people viewed him. Almost to the point of- His thoughts were interrupted by Dream finally continuing.

"What I intended to say is I'm very familiar with that look, and if you don't want to talk about it that's fine. But in my experience sharing it with someone helps ease the ache. So if it's something that's hurting the people you care about now, maybe you could talk to one of your crew about it? Or maybe call someone? I don't know I just-"

Philza interrupts him, his voice heavy with emotion.

"Nah mate, you're right. I should talk about it. Thank you for caring...It's just that Tommy reminds me of someone, someone that my wife and I loved very much. We lost him a while ago, but if he'd gotten to grow up, he'd be somewhere in between Tommy and Drista's age. He... would have loved being here and talking with you all. He was always a curious soul, I'd bet he'd even want to spar with you if he had the chance once realizing you're friendly. He was my little warrior..."

Philza paused and took a deep breath swallowing down the choked cry that wanted to leave his throat.

"He was my son. He died, and was taken from us far too soon. He...He had just finished the hatching and molting after birth, which is about six Tirn cycles (two human years) old. It was so sudden, and seeing what I could have had, what I now DO have.... it's hard, to not miss him you know? To not imagine what it could have been like if he could meet his siblings and their friends."

Dream laid a gentle hand on his shoulder and let out a low trilling humming sound.

"That's... That's really hard sir."

Philza laughed, the sound slightly wet from the liquid gathering in his throat.

"Again, the names Philza mate, you calling me sir makes me feel so unbelievably old. But thank you, and you are right... it is hard, but it's also so, so amazing. It's as if the universe has given me a second chance, not just with Tommy but with all my kids. I'm just so blessed, but the pain doesn't go away, it just makes the joy all the more sweet."

Dream hummed and nodded his own eyes, flashing to Drista a soft look of pure adoration in his gaze.

"May I... may I ask what his name was?"

Philza took a moment to look back at the humans, specifically Tommy and watches him for a minute before answering.

"His name was Chayanne, I had the honor of knowing the little hatchingly from the day he hatched... to the day he left"

Philza didn't need to look in order to see how Dream reacted. He heard it. A quiet sound. One he's unfamiliar with, perhaps Dream's own mournful croon? It was so quiet and low he could barely catch it.

Techno's ears perk up and he looks over at him and Dream, with a nod from him Techno nodded back and paid them no mind.

Phil felt like he could truly relax and breathe. For all that his sons liked to tease him about dad instincts, sometimes they silently gave him his moments. Letting him cherish the moment be it from afar or right alongside them. And maaaaaybe they have a point. Like how he could just tell that for all Dream acted endlessly, and patiently, unphased by what others said about him, and how they treated him, the Dreamon was hit deeply by it.

It made him wonder if perhaps this trip would result in the adoption of five new kids instead of just the one. That was a thought for another time he decided, as Drista and Tommy began to brawl with a tad more earnestly before, just the slightest bit of rage on both their faces. Dream and him both leaped up to separate their respective humans, and Philza shoved the thought to the side.... for now.

******************************

Wilbur's POV:

"Finally, by the Stars that was irritating!!"

Wilbur slammed his tail irritatedly against the wall as he spoke, he noticed a slight flinch at the movement from the corner of his eye, and internally winced. He hadn't meant to startle the Dreamon pilot. Deciding it was a problem for another time, he turned and glanced at his father, the Ivory was eyeing disapprovingly, stupid dad instincts, it had been an ACCIDENT, it wasn't his fault Dream was a jumpy guy. He spoke, deciding to ignore his fathers disapproval for now.

"She finally sent me the coords. Or at least the landing coords, her shop tends to move this time of year cause of the currents on Jubi'linee so we will have to land on the nearest city and then rent a sce' craft to get to her shop. It's going to be a tricky landing with both ships, do you think you can handle it?"

He directed his question at Dream and the Dreamon hummed glancing at the coords that were flashing the message box on the consul. He tapped a few things peering at the ships scanners, checking the recordings of the atmosphere, air currents, gravity fields, and water currents of Jubi'linee. His brow ridge furrowed just like Tommy's did when the human was thinking and he tapped a claw on the consul as he thought.

"I should be able to do it with no issue, but with an environment that fluctuates as much as this one I can't make any promises."

Wilbur nodded, he would have been more worried if the Dreamon stated complete confidence. Planets like Jubi'linee were homes for the black market trade for a reason. They weren't exactly easy to access or navigate; it also happened to be the exact reason that his friend had decided to set up shop here. She was native to the planet, yes, but for a good while her shop had rotated between several dark stations while she drummed up business and customers. Now she let them come to her.

Dream began to click away at the consul, his fingers moving faster than any of the Dreamon's movements had been since he met the man. He also relaxed for the first time since he'd met them, his tail ceasing its constant thrashing and his shoulders loosening as he focused on the screens and viewport. Sapnap spoke up the Archea looking a tad nervous.

"I would recommend buckling in now, Dream doesn't always remember to tell us that before he starts his flight plan, and he's also a bit of a thrill seeker when it comes to flying. Stars good pilot though."

Wilbur and the others quickly complied and buckled themselves into the bench on the bridge, Wilbur wasn't sure what he thought Sapnap meant by thrill seeker but it certainly wasn't what happened next.

Dream pulled up the piloting holo screen and slammed his palm on the thruster button while simultaneously changing the angle of the wing flaps on 'The Kristen'. They darted forward almost immediately descending into a smooth spiral as the Dreamon slid them smoothly around an asteroid stuck orbiting the planet. He completed the loop then straightened them out, pushing the angle of the wing flaps even further to fight against the instant drag of the gravity in the outer atmosphere of Jubil'nee.

The descending at a fast pace but not nearly as fast as the could have if Dream hadn't checked them. They broke through the first layer and immediately Dream changed the wing flaps to lay down as the gravity loosened its hold dramatically. Dream twisted the help and corkscrewed them through the sky around other ships that were flying about in the immediate air space, some leaving, some entering, and some that just stayed up here. Several of the other ships appeared to be struggling in the drafts, drafts that Dream was using to speed up their ship even furthur.

For all that Wilbur was used to flying with Kristin and Phil he couldn't deny the naturalness of Dream's movements as he expertly predicted the next updrafts and side currents sliding them through the sky at speeds most wouldn't dare in Jubi'linee's airspace.

The Dreamon was definitely having fun though as he laughed and had them take a hairpin turn around one of the spires that rose from the city they were rapidly descending towards the Dreamon's tail was sweeping back and forth happily as he leaned over the holo consul pushing 'The Kristin' and her attached partner 'The Explorer' even faster toward the landing coords.

They descended towards the small landing pad at frighting speeds and just as Wilbur began to brace himself for impact the Dream pulled back gently on the thrusters making them fire down at the ground and instantly slowing them to a stop with the barest of bumps. They hovered there above the landing pad for just a moment before the Dreamon gently lowered them down and expertly touched down on the floating landing pad.

Then he powered down the thrusters, checked that the flaps were against the wind and that the docking locks were engaged, finally he powered down the consul and sat back in the pilot seat with a giddy smile on his face as he breathed in. For a moment everything was still then-

"You are soooooo showing me how to do that!"

Tubbo launched himself out of his seat followed closely by Tommy who had seemed initially scared by the flight was now rapidly firing his own strange sounds at Dream. The two boys were up in Dream's space demanding that he teach them how to fly, and the Dreamon looked a tad overwhelmed, his horns glowing faintly from embarrassment. He twiddled his claws nervously as he stuttered out words, some in common and some in Tommy's language as he insisted that it hadn't been that cool, and that of course he'd show them but only if it was ok with their crew.

Sapnap and Drista looked extremely amused and the two were muffling laughing behind their hands while George watched on with his usual impassive expression, though Wilbur could have sworn there was a slight amused glint in his eyes. Phil was looking on fondly and Ranboo appeared to still be in shock curled up slightly in the seat, eyes slightly dazed. Only Techno seemed bothered, his eyes flashing with irritation as he watched the two pester Dream.

Wilbur made eye contact with his brother and shook his head, the Dura grunted and scowled but didn't speak up, and Wilbur decided that would have to be enough. He tapped his claws to get everyone's attention and a slight smile on his face. Everyone turned Dream looking quite relieved and Tubbo and Tommy slightly annoyed.

"As fun as this is, it's time for us to get Tommy dressed in his disguise and head out to get on the Sce' before the tides change and we can't get to my friend's place today."

Dream relayed his words to Tommy and the human instantly lit up, jumping up and down and darting toward Wilbur, his eyes shining brilliantly like twin stars as he began to tug at Wilbur's shirt. Wilbur laughed and pointed at Phil. Tommy instantly ran toward the Ivory and began to tug on his shirt much to the Ivory's amusement. The Ivory led Tommy towards his room where he would dress Tommy up in his disguise. That left the rest of them to get ready as well. Techno stormed off to arm himself and dress in his cloak that hid his features, Ranboo darted off to grab his water proof suit to protect himself from the water and acid based planet.

Wilbur found himself unable to leave though as he stood listening in as Drista and Dream began to argue in soft voices. They appeared to be speaking in a mix of common and Dreams native tongue, the Dreamon tongue sounding strangely lyrical without the harsh clipped intonations it was usually spoken with.

Unfortunately for them, Wilbur had taken a brief course on Dreamon during one of the SBI's undercover missions, that had been... slightly more illegal then their normal jobs. The point was, he spoke Dreamon and could understand what they were saying minus the few human words thrown in. Truly it was dizzying how fast they were switching between the three, but he got the gist of it.

"Drista, we can ask them to try and find a translator for you while they are down there, but we can't go."

"Why the stars not!"

"You don't have your usual disguise with you, not after you destroyed it on the last planet we visited and I don't have the supplies right now to make you a new one. It's simply not safe for you to go out there."

"Why can't I just piggy back on you and hide under your cloak like last time I messed up my disguise!"

"Because it will be a lot longer than last time, and I don't actually know the person they are visiting you wouldn't be able to get down the entire time we were riding the Scre's and you would have to stay hidden until we could confirm that whoever it is they are meeting wouldn't kill or report you and Tommy on sight. Also I may or may not have accidentally set my cloak on fire in a minor accident in the lab."

"Well what about the others! I'm sure they could figure out a way to disguise me, they figured out how to disguise Tommy after all!"

"Drista, I'm not letting you go alone with them!"

"Well then you should come with me duh!"

"DRISTA!"

The Dreamon paused after his shout burying his face in his hands, his dull claws clacking oddly against his glass like skin.

"Drista, this crew barely trusts us as is, this is a dark market planet that I wouldn't chance visiting even with full gear, without Sapnap and George, and I'd never take you here if I could help it. I promise to ask if they can grab you one while they are down there, and order one if they don't, but I will not put you in danger like that, especially without a disguise. I can't lose you Pikera."

Drista, stood straight for a moment her face the same scarlet hue Tommy's turned when he was embarrassed or enraged, her shoulders tense, and her face screwed up in a truly hideous display. Then slowly she relaxed the tension leaving her body as she slumped.

"Ok. But you gotta promise to convince one to bring one back for me got it!"

Dream nodded and crouched, wrapping his sister close to his chest and tucking her under his chin.

"Thank you Pikera, thank you my precious GrieNhal"

Drista melted into the embrace and Wilbur took that as his cue to slide away. Something in him feeling rather guilty for spying on the two. Deciding to think about it later he darted quickly to his room, he should hurry and get ready, after all this planet was the one he was in charge of leading the others for. Most people like Dream didn't much like this world, but Wilbur, he thrived in places like this. Dark worlds with people who'd sooner sell you and your body parts then actually sell something to you. He had a knack for persuading people to listen to him, and in tricking them into giving him a better deal than they intended.

He also happened to be a slightly less than upstanding citizen himself, but hey no one claimed the SBI was a totally legal crew, and just cause some of his business absolutely was never going to be told to Phil and Techno meant nothing whatsoever. He was just good at what he does, that's all. What Phil and Techno didn't know wouldn't hurt them. Sides, it got them out of all sorts of situations all the time, sure it also got them into half of those very situations when people Techno and Phil didn't know about came after him, but it was fine. They'd lived hadn't they?

************* oooooo scene change*********

Wilbur could feel Techno and Phil's glares as he finished talking to the man who was renting them Scre's. Wilbur elected to ignore them as he finished haggling with Schlatt. Sure the guy had a reputation, and sure last Phil and Techno had seen the guy he'd been attempting to kill the whole crew, but that was in the past. He and Schlatt had resolved that little spate ages ago. Those two were just paranoid, this was fine. Schlatt glanced behind Wilbur at the fidgeting crew, and winced at the sight of one of Techno's armor piercing fazers. He turned three of his six eyes back on Wilbur while he eyed Techno with the other three. He leaned closer to whisper to Wilbur, his vents flaring nervously.

"Did you not tell them we made up, and are friends again?"

Wilbur could see Techno stiffening in the corner of his eye. Curse his good hearing.

"Yea sorry bout that mate. I didn't think it would come up so soon, I wanted to give them more time to cool off after.... last time."

Schlatt leaned back, his eyes rolling in surprise, before he started snickering.

"Do they seriously not know?"

Wilbur could feel the glares on his neck increase in intensity.

"No and I'd like to keep it that way thank you."

Schlatt was snickering.

"Dude you have got to tell them at some point."

His expression turned more stern.

"Seriously dude, if not to be honest with them, at least to keep them safe."

Wilbur sighed.

"Fine. Soon, right now tho...."

Schlatt nodded and handed over the key crystals.

"These have enough juice to have them running for three rotations (days) just in case like you said. When you get back you know how to ping me. I also have a crew coming to separate the two ships and fix that second one up, as promised no boarding crews. Safe travels."

The Carvex twitched his frill one last time in farewell and then vanished into the bustling port city. Phil trilled softly to get his attention and Wilbur turned a nervous close mouthed smile on his face. Phil and Techno were standing Phil with his wings raised and Techno with his tail lashing, arms crossed.

Wilbur chuckled nervously before tossing them each a key crystal, and dashing for the Scre's bobbing at the dock. The swirling overcast blue of the grey was hopefully hiding the embarrassed white hue of his neck, but he wouldn't count on it.

"Last one there has to drive the Tomper!"

Techno grunted in frustration and made after him, Phil and the boys close behind. Wilbur was nearly there when a blur of motion passed him forcing him to dodge in order to avoid getting hit. The blur resolved itself into Tommy, who despite knowing next to nothing about alien technology, had somehow managed to not only determine what they were racing towards, but also figure out which of the Scre's was the fastest.

He lept atop the sleek grey Fen'x model, leaving the Tomper and and Gop floating on either side of him, Ranboo popped into existence behind him, having snagged Phil's key based on the enraged screeches behind WIlbur and smirking at a stunned Wilbur shoved it into the socket in the center of the Scre's consul and revved the power core shooting off into the blue expanse in a spray of acidic water. Tubbo and Techno passed him shortly after he resumed running and jumped atop the Gop, shooting off after the two shrieking teens, Tubbo howling something about betrayal.

Wilbur found himself standing on the edge of the doc with Phil beside him seconds later, the two of them stared at each other for a moment. Philza spoke first,

"We are talking about that later mate."

Wilbur nodded.

"For now lets go destroy those boys Tomper or not."

Wilbur allowed himself a full toothy grin with all three rows of teeth on display.

"You've got that right old man."

Phil grumbled something under his breath, but hopped behind Wilbur on the black Tomper with its hot pink stripes anyway. Wilbur wrapped his twin tails tightly around his dad and gripped the handles after jamming the key crystal home. They shot off slowly at first, but then picking up speed rapidly, for all that the Tomper took longer to speed up it was the fastest of the three Scre's, though turning and slowing were next to impossible once you got started.

Or it would be if he didn't have Phil. Phil used to take him and Techno out on rides on Tompers when they were younger because with his wings he could force the bulky thing to turn tighter then any of the newer models of Scre. The other Scre's were simply too light to counterbalance his hairpin maneuvers.

Within moments they were neck in neck with Ranboo and Tommy, Tommy noticed them and screeched something at Ranboo. It sounded like the usual nonsense Tommy spoke to Wilbur, but it clearly meant something to Ranboo cause the kid got a wicked grin on his face, his lips stretching just a little too wide to be polite, and a bit of fang showing. He did the wink thing Tommy had taught him and Tubbo and suddenly they were gone. Vanished entirely. Wilbur nearly crashed them into the roaring waves in shock, until....

A shrill familiar laugh rose over the choppy surf, and Wilbur looked forward just as Ranboo and Tommy finished their free fall from the place in the sky where Ranboo had teleported to. Teeth bared in a feral snarl he hit the speed and Phil pulled up his wings in a fast maneuver that launched them over the next mountainous wave.

Within moments they had caught up to the two laughing boys who only laughed harder and glitched out of sight once more vanishing ahead into the inky black water. Distantly Wilbur was aware of enraged shrieking from behind them where Techno and Tubbo struggled to catch up on the Gop. He only smirked again and set the speed to max. They shot across the water like a blast from one of Techno's modified Fazer's, cutting through the smaller waves and rapidly climbing the ones the size of hills before sliding right back down them.

Wilbur was just glad that he'd had Schlatt set all the bikes on a lock route so that they could keep heading toward her place while they raced across the surface of Jubi'lineee. The ocean was treacherous without a set destination, much less a moving one like her shop. Jubi'lineee had invented technology called 'locks' that allowed those with access to have a direct signal sent to them from on site for a certain period of time.

It only worked if you had the right code for a certain site, and only for as long as the site transmitted, it was how the dark world did such good business. Every site was constantly moving, or in main cities like the one they'd just left, they could be submerged entirely in a matter of tics (seconds).

It made it extraordinarily hard for authorities to find who they were looking for even IF they managed to get past the planet's insane gravity fields and dark world weapons systems. If Jubi'linee didn't want you here, you couldn't come here. Simple as that. Wilbur focused back in on his race and launched them off the peak of a wave, at the same time the boys jumped into the inbetween. Phil spread his wings and they soared over the waves for a brief moment before arching down and skidding across the water with a burst of extra speed.

The boys reappeared moments later, this time behind them. Wilbur laughed along with Phil as the unmistakable sound of Tommy cursing filled the air behind them. Just cause they didn't understand the words themselves didn't mean they couldn't understand the tone, and Tommy was definitely sending some choice words their way.

Eventually the boys tired out and they both slowed and waited for Techno and Tubbo to catch up. Tubbo had briefly attempted to launch himself off the Scre' only to have Techno catch him to prevent him from falling into the endless sea below. He also let out a stream of very colorful curses before subsiding into a sulk. Ranboo and Tommy both snickered at him but a stern look from Techno silenced them.... eventually.

They settled in as the rotation went on, the hours passing in achingly slowly, about two hours in, Phil flew over to Ranboo and Tommy and picked up Tommy depositing him behind Wilbur. He returned to the Fen'x and forced Ranboo to relinquish the controls to him. Then he had Ranboo lean on him. Within a few moments the boy was asleep and shortly after Wilbur felt a heavy weight settle against his back. Tommy had fallen asleep as well. Wilbur activated the bubble cover usually used to keep rain out, so that Tommy wouldn't fall off into the sea, and Phil did the same. It took Tubbo a lot longer, but eventually he too ended up falling asleep against Techno. They went on like that for about an hour before Techno spoke up.

"So Wilbur care to explain why half the market back there seemed to recognize you?"

Wilbur shifted uncomfortably on his scre' the old Tomper shifting beneath his grasp. Before he sighed and answered his brother, over the communicator.

"So you know how I said I had a few contacts on that last run we did...."

"WILBUR!"

Phil sounded utterly affronted.

"I thought you cut ties with your darker contacts after the incident with your crash landing on-"

Wilbur cut him off.

"Well I sorta lieeeeed about that"

Philza was letting out some rather worried trills and chirps and Techno just grunted out low and long in pure disapproval. Wilbur shifted uncomfortably before raising his frills defiantly.

"Well it was useful for that run wasn't it! Besides if I hadn't maintained those relationships it would have been a whole lot harder to get access to Jubi'lineee and you both know it."

There was a long silence then Techno spoke up once again.

"We know Wil we just worry bout you."

Wilbur about jerked the Scre' straight into the sea at that. Techno willingly admitting he was worried? Was the world ending? Then Techno continued.

"Who else would we use as bait in our missions? If you're gone, I'd have to get another equally useless fellow and that takes so much effort."

Wilbur sputtered and they all soon devolved into useless teasing, and the matter was dropped. A few hours later the boys woke up, and started playing some sort of odd gesture and sound game. Maybe an hour later all three boys were exceedingly bored and Wilbur was about ready to throw Tommy at Techno just to get him to shut up. Luckily just as he was debating the true durability of humans. Something began to beep on the receiver, they must be closing in on her lock.

As if in response to his thoughts something dark appeared on the horizon, it was difficult to see between the crashing waves and the pouring sheets of rain, but it flickered with a pattern of lights as they drew closer. The brilliant blues, oranges, and pinks shining almost mirage like across the sea. As they got closer though it began to sink beneath the waves the small port town vanishing until only a single spire was visible. Then an automated voice sounded over the communicator.

"State your lock code, and the ID of the person you wish to see."

Wilbur took a deep breath and rattled off the codes he'd been forced to memorize in a one time transmission.

"Lock code: 568 Derka ID code: 9875488 KAt"

There was a long moment then-

"Confirmed. Breaching surface for landing now. Please back up 12 Lats."

Wilbur motioned for Techno and Phil to comply and they backed up till the spire was no longer visible. Once more the port city rose from the depths and now that they were close enough they could actually see the buildings as the water cascaded down the bubble dome that covered the city. Finally a small beam of light scanned over him and the others before beaming them into the city. They had finally arrived, it was time to get Tommy's communicator, now all they had to do was survive port Cal'yp'soo....piece of cake, right?

**********************************

Techno's (and a little bit of Phil's) POV:

Should it annoy him that Wilbur still has sketchy connections to black markets and the... subtly dark undertone type of people? Yes. Does it? He'd be stupid if he wasn't. Even if it's useful having some of those connections. Can you blame him? Anger the wrong kind of people and it wouldn't be long before the wrong kind of people came looking to hurt his sounder.

Thankfully because of the strength of the security in this place meant it was hard for just anybody to be walking around. Didn't mean everyone here wasn't a sketchy or murderous individual, but they definitely had to have connections of some sort, so the regular easily enraged kind of people couldn't usually gain access to this place.

They follow behind Wilbur, Techno keeping a pair of eyes and ears out for any trouble. More ears than eyes. Techno was starting to lose confidence that Wilbur had any idea where they were going. Sure they got in but the place was big, with the way Wilbur was looking up consistently and looking this way and that, wasn't giving Techno much confidence.

"Are you going to continue looking like a lost kit, or are you going to lead us?"

"Shut it Techno! I've got this! I just... give me a minute"

"We've given you 20 minutes!"

"I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE IN AGES TECHNO!"

"Boys! Please! You'll cause a scene!"

During what Technoblade would call 'A friendly reminder please don't get us lost', they all pass by a hulking metal strewn stall that is easily identifiable as a repairs, and scrap shop. Scraps of tools hazardously on the ground, both in the shop and outside of it, Techno easily picks up Tommy by the back of his cloak and keeps him from tripping on any of the equipment. Last thing they need is the human tripping and destroying his disguise.

Wilbur wasn't so lucky and stepped on a scrap metal that was lying on the ground and tripped over with an incredibly loud shriek that echoed into the air as he slammed face first into the sandy bit of the ground.

Techno always told him to watch his feet and tails, to not trip or he'd be eating more sand than he'd like. Waddya know, he ate some sand.

Wilbur stumbles back onto his feet, trying to keep himself stable as he dances around the scrap, Philza doing the same but more graceful. He was hissing in his native language and probably insulting whoever left the junk lying around. Which for once Techno has to agree, that's a hazard.

"Who in the galaxy leaves junk lying around like this!? It's a hazard and honestly I have half a damn brain cell to find who's in charge of this stupid, wretched-"

"-fine establishment?"

Techno had never heard Wilbur make such a shrill sound in the entire time he'd known the Orcam, the blue man had twirled around to face the voice that had sounded behind him and promptly tripped over his two tails. Techno watched in awed amusement as Wilbur tumbled end over end in a truly fascinating series of somersaults before crashing to a halt in the aforementioned pile of scrap metal. It was truly a spectacle to behold.

Techno turned his attention from his disaster of a brother to the person who had startled him. A tall gray toned female Cyertenic with glowing blue hair stood above Wilbur, her eyes concealed behind a black visor, but her amused grin on full display. She turned her eerie gaze on Philza, and bowed slightly a gentle smirk still playing on her lips.

"I apologize for startling your companion, honorable one, but I must admit he made it all too easy."

Philza oddly enough instead of seeming confused by her greeting erupted into a wide smirk of his own, as he replied.

"Puffy, it's been awhile, I must admit he is really easy to scare, but I love him anyway. Also Puffy-"

He frowned playfully pretending to fluff his feathers angrily,

"-what have I said about calling me honorable one!"

"How could I not? It's basic respect! Oh let me have some fun, for old times sake! Nostalgia is one heck of a drug after all"

"What do you mean old times sake! It wasn't that long ago!"

The Cyertenic, who he now knows as 'Puffy', gave a hearty laugh as she shook her head fondly. The history between her and Phil was clear and fond. Good. Last thing Techno needs is to defend them all with another enemy. Puffy side eyed Techno, and he could have sworn her visor was twinkling as she spoke,

"Really Philza are you getting so old that you're forgetting the years now?"

Philza puffed up with real indignation this time as he sputtered,

"Puffy, you're barely younger than I am, if I'm old, so are you!"

Techno spoke up and felt immense joy at the brief hope in Phil's eyes when he heard his voice, and felt even greater joy watching that hope die a miserable death as his words registered with the Ivory.

"Phil let's not go kidding ourselves now, we might need to get you into a care facility if you're forgetting that much already."

"Yea I'm doing fine. Thanks for lifting me up and giving me a hand, or claw. Any limb. thanks."

Wilbur calls from the ground, he lay sprawled across the metal heap and wet dirt, resting his chin on his hand, glaring up at them from his place stuck between several heavy metal scraps.

Ranboo steps closer and sheepishly offers his own claw, Wilbur huffs playfully and only grumbles for 3 tics before accepting the limb and lets himself get pulled up. Just in time too, because Tubbo looked ready to hop right on Wilburs back, a rather concerning smirk on his face, an identical one mirrored on Tommy beside him.

Philza sighs tiredly in exasperation, ready for the conversation to progress into something more productive, as much as he enjoys seeing Puffy, they are here for a reason and while he loves the woman he doesn't trust her enough to tell her about Tommy.

"Are you working in repairs? You don't happen to be the crew working to repair two ships that are connected together by any chance do you?"

"Something tells me one of them ships is yours? The answer is yes, report we got says something about the controls no longer working, probably the same ones connected to the power if it was at risk of stranding the crew in the empty void. Glad they had you come along then. Dying in the void is one way to go"

She leaned teasingly towards Philza.

"Adopted any strays? Decently big ship, hope you didn't snatch the captain without him even realizing"

Everyone aside from Tommy struggled to hide their snorts or sounds of amusement. It didn't take a genius to see that Philza sympathized with Dream, especially when Techno remembers their little one on one with each other. Whatever conversation they had had it had Phil looking at Dream with fonder eyes. Even Techno with his not so great eyesight can see when his feathers fluff up a little when he watches Dream and Drista interacting together.

Phil keeps himself blank for a second too long, giving him away that he was desperately trying to keep his feathers in check, exposing him that yes... he maaaaybe did. Maybe...

That has her laughing once more, how his crew couldn't stop their amusement and Philza's expression trying to keep his cool.

"Ah typical Philza! Well I'm glad you're still doing well, should I worry you're going on an adopting frenzy?"

She gestures playfully towards Tommy, then Puffy does a double take when she sees his feathers and hair. She looks like she wants to walk and lean closer to inspect Tommy but her eyeballing him clearly had Tommy shifting on his feet, uncomfortable with some stranger ogling him for too long. He growls something at her, taking a step forward, his challenging personality coming through and straightening himself.

Puffy startles and scrutinizes Tommy a little. Phil mentally pleads that she doesn't ask further questions about Tommy. While Tommy can be convincingly disguised as an Ivory or any Avian species, Tommy doesn't possess any mannerisms typical of Avians. Such as a crucial biologic fact: Ivories don't growl. The closest growl any Avien alien species can make are more grounded species, ones that glide more than they fly. Ivories click threateningly, Tommy has not let a single click out.

That, and the fact Tommy isn't talking to her, just glaring and displaying unusual behaviors unlike Ivories.

Puffy looks back at Phil, the mirth in her eyes no longer there and instead, questioning concern. The others tense, Technoblade placing a steady hand on Tommy's shoulder to keep him from acting up.

"Philza...."

Here it comes, Phil prepares for interrogation with answers that don't reveal who or what Tommy is. He trusts her but the less people outside the crew that know the better. This isn't some childish secret to keep, this is the safety of one of his younger crew members and that's something he plans to uphold.

"Is he safe?"

Phil... wasn't expecting a genuinely concerned question. His first assumption was if Tommy was safe to be around, but taking a good look at Puffy he can see her genuine concern for Tommy. She clicked that he was in disguise but she must be thinking that they're escorting him somewhere safe, or perhaps he's someone on the run.

Whatever assumptions were running through her head, she wasn't pushing and simply wanted to know if the chick was safe.

Phil felt something in his heart soften, it had been such a long time since someone outside his flock had shown such genuine concern for his family. He smiled at Puffy and laid his hand on Tommy's arm, setting his other on Techno's shoulder. It was a slightly awkward angle with how tall the two were, but he needed to feel grounded at the moment.

"Yes, he's safe now, thank you for asking Puffy, and for keeping it to yourself."

Puffy smiled back, all her teeth retracted, something knowing in her gaze as she leaned close to whisper her response.

"I get it Phil, let's just say you aren't the only one to have adopted a death worlder since we last talked."

After dropping that mind shattering revelation, Puffy floated up slightly into the air and sent a small blast at Wilbur who had been edging slowly toward a particularly sketchy looking part in her stand, it was a light stunning blast that would leave no marks, but it sent Wilbur tumbling right back into the scrap heap with an offended wail. This time no one offered to help him up, and Phil simply raised his ridge impatiently as he waited for his son to return himself to standing position.

Wilbur did so with much grumbling, muttering about how he was going to have to file his spines back into shape after this. Then with a few more mutters he once more began to lead them deeper into Cal'yp'soo.

Mere paces later a red orange blur tackled Wilbur around the waist, forcing the man to let out an ouff sound as the air was knocked out of him. Tommy and the others instantly tensed, Tommy was mid lunge when Wilbur abruptly started laughing and picked up the small orange bundle, Tommy stuttered to a halt, the wings that had flared when he moved lowering at a slightly unnatural angle, that had Philza quickly adjusting them, before he focused on their latest interruption. It's a small Kit'sa probably a very young one with bright vivid golden eyes with no visible sclera, dressed in fine clothes, and in one of the Kit'sas more fuzzy bipedal forms.

The Kit'sa begins to speak rapidly to Wilbur in his native tongue, the lilting howls and low trillling sounds so rapid that its a wonder Wilbur can keep up with him. Then Wilbur begins to speak back just as quickly a look of intense interest on his face. Finally they seem to come to a pause and Wilbur touches his forehead to the boy's head, lilting something softly to him.

The Kit'sa child nods and jumps down as he begins to run off though Wilbur calls out after him his voice carrying across the market square easily.

"Say hi to Sally for me, alright!"

"Of course Tak'i"

Whatever Tak'i means it has Wilbur breaking out in a glowing blush of blue embarrassment. But he ignores all of their questions as he begins to guide them once more through the streets. But Phil can't help but wonder just how many people they are going to run into here, it's as if Wilbur knows every other person. He also wants to know what such a small child is doing alone and unattended on a known dark world, he supposes the child could live here, but that doesn't explain how he knows Wilbur or why he's alone. It's odd, and he can't help but be worried about the small boy. Still he follows Wilbur as there is no catching up to the little one now.

After a fair bit more of walking and one or two more run-ins with some people named Skeppy, and another person named Illa's, they finally arrive near the heart of the city. The rain and waves are still crashing against the dome, but it's quieter, and more soothing here.

Wilbur brings them to a small shop embedded in a wall, it reminds Phil of an entrance to an underwater cave, the entrance dripping ever so slightly despite the dome high above them, vivid but dim lights in varying colors embedded in small stones on the walls, floor, and roof of the entrance, heavy curtains made of woven seaweed, sea glass, and other strange sea items are woven into a thick fabric that moves ever so slightly with a strange wind that comes from within the shop.

Despite its rustic almost primal appearance, when Wilbur holds out his physical copy of his dark world ID, the whole entrance flashes from each of the glowing stones in a dull pulse, not bright enough to hurt but definitely a sign of some serious tech and security. An automated voice speaks next saying,

"State your business, and how many are in your group?"

Wilbur flashed a charming smile at one of the more oddly placed stones, and Phil assumed it must be a recording device of some kind.

"We're here for a translator. We have six people here today."

"Do you have an appointment?"

Wilbur's smile widened ever so slightly, a hint of it actually entering his eyes, and the barest hint of his sharp teeth showing between his lips.

"Yes. Your boss set it up herself."

There was a long moment then...

"Confirmed. You may enter now."

The lights dimmed back down and something metallic slid behind the curtains. Wilbur sent them all a slightly manic grin and bowed slightly at the waist gesturing for them to enter, his tails thrashing behind him.

"Welcome to the best communicator, translator, and false or real ID's shop in the known universe. Though the locals know it as False Face."

There was a moment of hesitation then Phil took a deep breath and after raising and tucking back his wings he led the group into the shop, Willbur came at the rear, his card still held in his hand. Phil used his wings to part the curtains and now that it was moved he could see the solid Ke'ss (a metal stronger than steel and used to build most space ships in this universe) door that had slid into the wall beyond.

He walked in further and once Wilbur stepped in he held up his card and the door slid shut behind them. Ahead was another curtain, though this one was made of the gauzy brilliantly colored Sea Silk made here on Jubi'linee. It was a brilliant turquoise color and Phil was careful with his claws as he brushed it to the side.

The entrance concealed by the curtain led to a round room carved from stone that dipped down ever so slightly. A kiosk stood just beyond the entrance and the room bustled with movement as patrons and workers walked about or lay and sat at various stations. It was full of colors, and low warm light, with some stations with brighter light hidden behind more of the sea silk curtains.

Strange but eerily beautiful music played in the background filling the room with a calm despite the frenzy of movement. Phil watched in fascination as one worker applied something to a patrons fur and the red fur changed instantly into a deep ochre color. He was distracted by a clicking sound from the kiosk.

A woman stood behind the kiosk, her hair and skin a brilliant tapestry of pink, but what really caught Phil's attention was the color of her eyes. They were blue, but not just any blue, no they were the nearly exactly the same electric blue shade of Tommy's eyes. She was a fairly short Fa'lca, her long pincer-like arms and insect-like abdomen more than made up for it though, this was no weak desk lady. No, this was a door guard disguised as a desk lady. Wilbur didn't seem to share his suspicions though as he darted straight up to her and wrapped her in a hug with an excited trilling sound.

"Nikai'ki! It's so good to see you! You look great!"

Philza gave up, it was official his son knew every dark worlder on this star forsaken planet. Wilbur was soooooo grounded after this.

***********( a moment of silence for Techno and Phil's sanity***************

Tommy's POV:

Tommy veered away from the group- not by much! He's not dumb enough to get himself lost in some shop. He can hear some idle music playing around, a bunch of music actually. From different corners of the shop, quiet enough they don't overlap too much.

He wonders what kinda shop this is. From Philza's charade game on the ship he guessed it was a translator but is it specifically a translator shop? Sure as hell doesn't look like it. He literally saw someone's hair change colors when he walked in! And the products were so different! He feels like he walked into some secret spy agent stuff with the weird gadgets and doohickies around.

He has an inkling that some of this stuff isn't even translator related at all! A weird spray can on display doesn't scream "translator" to him, there's a line, now he might not be the brightest of people, but he wasn't exactly stupid.

The group are talking to a Mantis bug person, he dipped quicker than Techno could hear him. He likes bugs! He has Shroud after all, it would be contri... contro...contridick- It would be dumb for him to be scared of spiders if he kept Shroud!

But Mantises are some creeeeeepy sons of guns. He thinks he remembers something about the girl ones eating the guys! W H Y!? It ain't even worth having a bug girlfriend if he were a mantis. Living life a hermit, Tommyinnit would like to live and not be "taken out" in the dating and dying way.

He walks by some aisles, exploring the weird alien products. Seriously, what is this stuff? Some of it looks like digital IDs, little gadgets, a bunch of writing that he doesn't even bother looking at since he can't read it.

He's starting to lean into the idea that this shop is more of a spy gadget workshop or maybe one of those weird witness protection change your whole identity sort of place.

Then again the whole vibe of the planet kinda gave "Black Market" vibes. He's really hoping it wasn't, hell would be let loose if any of those creeps found out what he is, he's seen the greedy glint in a lot of aliens back then. Can spot it a mile away. He's not keen on seeing that look again so soon.

Stuck in his thoughts he barely avoids knocking down a small box on a display table, he panics and curses under his breath as he desperately tries to makes sure it doesn't break and he gets his ass kicked or worse, maybe his wings pulled apart and his disguise falls apart and they'll all know who he is and put him back in a cell and sell him again while maybe killing his whole crew for keeping him hidden and he never sees them again.

You never know what punishments these aliens do on planets like this!

Thanking everything in existence that the box didn't fall and break, safely back on its display table. He flinches when it opens up.

Curses spill out of his mouth quietly. Did he break it? He didn't mean to! He thought he caught it! It didn't even hit the bloody ground!

His feet go to bolt away from it, maybe if he subtly put distance between himself and the box nobody will suspect it was him. Maybe run to Phil and hide- go... in his wings... not hiding, Tommy doesn't hide. But he would like the soft feathers wrapped around him in darkness. Normal big man feelings.

But as he's backing away the box starts playing a familiar tune, he froze mid step before tilting his head. He's heard this before. Where... the heck? It was slightly different, he didn't think he'd recognize a song in space. None of his captors played music near him, he can only remember music from his time around Wilbur...

OH WAIT! Wilbur played this to him! That guitar knock off song Wilbur had played to him when he had accidentally bitten Ranboo. The Guix he thinks it's called since that's what WIlbur kept saying while pointing to the instrument. Regardless, the tune is the exact same, only instead of just the low thrumming and trilling notes of the strange instrument.

There was a voice singing this time, higher than Wilburs hums. It had both a soothing and kinda eerie tone to it. When Wilbur played it, it sounded more comforting, maybe cause of the almost deep humming quality of the second voice? There is a second instrument playing with the eerie chords, Tommy can't identify what the instrument most reminds him of it wails high sometimes like a violin, but then it will begin to hum sort of like the wind outside his window on earth.

Then a voice joins in with the two instruments in the recording, two voices actually, one speaks in a language that Tommy can't even begin to try and figure out how he'd pronounce fully of deep throated hums, and bone shaking bass notes, the second voice is much more familiar to Tommy. It's Wilburs familiar lilting voice. The two voices sound sad, almost resigned, but as the song continues and the two voices twine around each other he can hear the hope in the notes the longing.

Tommy was oblivious to the curious eyes that were watching him with interest, whoever they were made the decision to approach the curious and disguised human boy. It's not often that people who come to her shop on this planet come for the music.

—-POV Wilbur—---

"I didn't think I'd see you for a good while Nikki! Seriously, how long has it been? Last I saw you, you were in a baking contest in a separate part of the galaxy. Speaking of which, did you win?"

"Close, I got second place. They didn't quite like some of my native ingredients."

"Wait really? But your baking always tastes amazing!"

"Well it's one thing to taste amazing, it's another once they learn some of the ingredients"

"They are cowards who don't understand true taste and culture. So what if it had a few bugs? Some species still eat bugs after all, they can't be biased like that!"

Wilbur may or may not have gotten distracted from the original point of the visit to the shop. It's been awhile okay!? Nothing wrong with greeting an old friend.

Techno clears his throat, reminding Wilbur that they had a mission to do. Nikki chitters amused at how distracted Wilbur got. She waves a claw at Techno and the crew, having met them various times over the years. She waves happily at Ranboo, who warbles back contently, his tail swishing behind him. Nikki focuses back on Wilbur, giving him a knowing and teasing look.

"Okay, what are you really here for? I know it wasn't to visit me, you didn't even know i work here, so spill it"

Ah, she never did beat around the bush when she wanted answers. Wilbur chuckles before sheepishly tapping his twin tails together.

"Nothing escapes you huh? Unfortunately you're right, I came here to visit your boss actually. Translator business"

Nikki tilts her head, curious but not prying. If he wanted a translator those are easy to get- granted very expensive, but relatively easy. He's specifically looking for a custom translator. To say her curiosity isn't piqued would be a lie.

Though, she knows this sort of business on a planet like this isn't meant for talking openly or admitting anything to anyone, best if she asked at another time.

She taps the counter, pointing vaguely around the shop.

"She's somewhere around the shop, music side likely. You'll find her walking around checking on the display items, or maybe just listening to some of her music."

Nikki then looks within their group, as if recalling something and trying to find it.

"Didn't you guys have another person with you? A tall Avian species?"

Wilbur shows no reaction at first before he panics and looks around, realizing that Tommy is gone.

************************************

Tommy's POV:

He knows what that voice sounds like when talking so he can tell that Wilbur is just providing background vocals in this piece, but to hear his familiar voice and instrument playing on this strange device, it draws Tommy in.

He had loved hearing Wilburs music, and it seemed he wasn't the only one who thought it was beautiful if this recording was anything to go by. He had barely realized that he'd been drawing closer to the box the entire time he'd been listening to it play until suddenly a grayish blue clawed hand dropped in front of him gently picking up the box and holding it inches from his face.

Tommy startled back with a shrill sound of surprise, briefly grateful none of his crew was around to witness his moment of weakness, before focusing on the owner of the clawed hand. A tall wall of shimmering deep blue scales was what first caught his attention, before his eyes trailed up and came to rest on a reptilian face.

A flat nose with slitted nostrils, brilliantly glowing orange eyes that reminded him of red hot coals, and a wicked set of serrated teeth peeking out as the alien spoke to him in the language Drista had explained was called common. For all that he should have been intimidated, Tommy found himself distracted by the glowing horn like ridge on her head, shimmering tentacle like hair, glimmering coral head scales in patches between the tentacles, the shimmer of her sea glass like scales, and the shimmering gold jewelry the aline wore.

In short, despite being a giant snake with arms and a humanish head, the alien was gorgeous! Maybe it was just the part of Tommy's human brain that liked shiny things, but the alien was genuinely one of the prettiest things he'd seen since he'd come to space.

He finally turned back to what was happening when the alien lowered itself (herself?) down by curling her tail into a stack of more tight coils in order to place herself more at face level with him. She had laid a webbed hand on his shoulder and brought him out of his musings. She was speaking again, but her voice was softer than before, as if speaking to a lost child. Which due to his disguise, Tommy wouldn't be surprised if that's what she thought she was doing, and he was just guessing based on female anatomy of humans and other girl aliens he'd seen so far, but he was pretty sure this alien was in fact a She. But yea, alien thinking he's lost and asking questions he can't really answer, kinda a problem.

So he decided to play into the lost child look, not all kids could speak multiple languages in space right? He could just pretend to be a sad lost alien child, until he got back to his group, cause he was in no way excited to test his strength against something that looked like it could strangle him like an anaconda, pretty scales or no. He'd probably win, just based on his track record in space, but he'd rather not tempt fate. So operation fake lost child it was.

He put on his best sad and confused expression and left his eyes open just long enough to make them look watery round and big, something he'd found made his crew coo and croon at him as if he were a cute baby, instead of the deadly beast of destruction he was. The new alien folded like a stack of cards, and let out a low hum as her webbed and clawed hands came up to cradle his face ever so softly.

She said something else in what sounds like another language, but at his continued look of confused sadness it seems to click for her that he is likely limited to one language. Despite the language barrier, she gently grasps his hand and begins to guide him to a soft corner in the very back of the shop. It was a small alcove set into the wall like several others, and was filled with pillows and a variety of strange looking instruments. Little floating bubble lights hung suspended throughout the alcove lighting it up in soft warm light.

The alien slid into the alcove bringing him with her, she paused for a moment, considering before abruptly picking him up and setting him gently atop a few of the cushions. It was so sudden and over so quickly that Tommy didn't even have a chance to struggle or protest. He'd never seen an alien move that fast and he was suddenly a lot more wary then before. The alien woman seemed to notice and hiss/hummed an apology before waving down someone. The two aliens conversed for a moment before the alien went off presumably to look for his family, based on the concern on both the aliens' faces.

Then the snake woman slithered into alcove and curled her coils around the edges of what Tommy was now realizing was a nest. She didn't get too close to him with her coils or hands, seeming to have realized he wasn't fond of foreign unfamiliar touch. Once she'd settled she picked up one of the instruments and slid it along her scales.

It made a sound like waves rushing mixed with a shrill call of a bird. Tommy found himself fascinated as the woman began to show him the instruments one by one, becoming so entranced he failed to notice the woman's coils slowly getting closer, until something smooth and cool was sliding along his leg. He shifted uncomfortably and she backed off again, but not before he noticed a sad look flash across her face.

Well too bad miss alien, cool scales, and instruments or not Tommy still didn't know this lady all that well, and wasn't comfortable with being coddled pretending to be a child or not. Still the next time smooth scales brushed against him, he found himself too entranced by yet another one of the instruments she'd let him mess with to care. The thing sounded like a storm, but with siren voices howling within its conch like base.

So he simply let her coils rest gently around his waist as he played with the instruments, if she really wanted to, she could have just wrapped him up with that scary speed of hers earlier, so it probably wasn't malicious.... it was fine, yea, Tommy went back to playing with the instruments thoroughly fascinated by everything the woman had to show him.

While he fiddles and tests out the various foreign instruments he can hear her... talking again. But different. Another language? It sounded like chirping, clicks and the swoops that all sound like bird talk.

His body tenses a little at that, shit. He can't speak bird and he's disguised as one, this has the potential to be a problem, the best he can do with no practice is a whistle but that's as far as his skills take him. She notices his nervousness and stops for a minute. Treating him gently as she goes back to humming and playing small tunes on the instruments. It sort of weirds him out how... nicely she's treating him, but in a confusing way that doesn't make him feel patronized.

Is this how Tubbo felt when Tommy practically coddled him? Yikes he might need to apologize- especially if Tubbo really isn't a kid. That's going to be awkward. Actually no, if anyone is going to get the first word in it's Tommy, Tubs shouldn't have been calling him his MOTHER!

He slowly relaxes again when she plays, his wings press against his back without his control. He looks at how he's coiled in and briefly wonders if he's able to sneak away or make a run for it. It doesn't seem like she'll hurt him, and he was pretty quick and confident when taking him to this little area, so perhaps she's an employee? Employees can't attack potential customers right? Or lost children.

He watches the way she plays the instruments, as though trying to keep a child friendly atmosphere for him. Her scales shimmer and against his best judgment, he runs a hand on the scales. He was almost convinced his hand would have glitter all over it but he was fascinated at how cool it felt, his hand is glitter free. It felt different from a snake's scales. Dare he say it almost had a soft fish scale body, y'know now that he's looking at her tail, it looked better suited for deep sea swimming- or at least swimming.

She's distracted, he's genuinely debating making a run for it when he hears familiar voices coming towards them. He looks over at the blur that gets right up to his face and glares right at him.

What was definitely not a yelp of fear, he jerks back and right into the comfortable coils of her tail. It tightens for a second around him protectively before immediately relaxing when it became obvious who exactly came over.

Tubbo shoved his face right up to Tommy, chittering and talking a mile a minute while buzzing erratically. He might be a little pissed at Tommy for walking off, which is fair. But in his defense he wasn't going to just stay still! It literally wasn't in his nature! Besides, it's a cool shop, weird, but cool so obviously he needed to investigate it.

Tubbo seems to read his mind and flicks him with one of his fingers, irritated. This though has a rather negative reaction from Tommy's latest acquaintance. The coils around his waist tighten ever so slightly and she rises from where she'd been lounging partly in the shadows. Apparently the rest of the crew hadn't noticed her till now.... which yea while the lights here were pretty, they were dim and had a sort of watery effect on the shadows.

Techno immediately shifts into what Tommy recognizes as a battle stance and Wilbur flinches hand going to his waist, Phil's wings rise in a clear threat display, Ranboos jaw unhinges with a horrifying hissssss and his tongue lolls about sickeningly, and Tubbo. Tubbo skips the threat display entirely, launching himself stingers first at the alien woman's face.

Tommy has a split second to try and catch Tubbo from the air, and his hand is reaching for Tubbos ankle when something darts past him wrapping gently but firmly around Tubbos right horn forcing the other boy into an immediate halt mid air with a startled yowl. It's the alien woman's hand.

Her clawed fingers are wrapped delicately around Tubbos horn careful not to put too much pressure and snap it, the thin blue webbing between her fingers sticks to the porous bone-like structure of Tubbos bones and Tommy winces in discomfort, at the sight. Instead of getting more aggressive like he expected, Phil, Techno, and Wil relax Techno, even reaching out to stop Ranboo from beginning his own attack as they seem to finally realize who it is they've run into. It takes exactly one look between Wilbur and the alien lady for Tommy to realize something.

These two know each other, and if Phil and Technos reactions are anything to go by they do as well. Wonderful, well at least he doesn't have to try and talk down Tubbo and Ranboo on his own, Tubbo probably wouldn't even listen and Tommy would be forced to have Tubso in a bear hug He settles back into the center of the woman's coils who has relaxed once more, he might as well get comfortable while they sort themselves out.

He could use a few biscuits and tea right about now he decides, but contents himself with going back to fiddling with the instruments. Secure in the notion that his crew will be safe and they will keep him safe as well.

Tubbos POV

He only feels a little embarrassed that he tried to attack her. Just a little bit though. She's a big scary deathworlder okay!? Visually with Tommy next to her, she looks stronger and scarier than the human. But research supposedly shows that on land, Humans outrank her species.

Not so much in water though.Regardless, he panicked seeing HIS human wrapped up in those deadly coils, cause when it came down to it they are both Death Worlders and as strong as Tommy as he's in a rather vulnerable position at the moment.

Which honestly now that Tubbos had a moment to think about it, should have told him that Tommy was comfortable. Cause as much as the human likes touch, he isn't exactly the most trusting teen. Still he isn't going to admit to the fear and following embarrassment he felt, cause even if Techno, Phil, and Wilbur had tried to immediately hold him and Ranboo back when the Enderian had followed him into the fray; he still didn't trust this lady.

She'd immediately lost whatever points she might have had since she knew his crew, the moment she decided to curl around HIS Tommy. So he reacted accordingly-

"So who are you *******?"

"Tubbo!"

Phil scolded, sounding positively scandalized, Tubbo ignored him like the A grade snarky teenager he was, and felt Ranboo fall in at his side standing on his right and at his back. A clawed hand landed on his shoulder and he could sense the Enderian crouching in a slightly predatory way, eyes fixed on the woman's chin, not ready to lock eyes and start a fight just yet, but he wouldn't need much pushing from Tubbo to be ready. Good, Tubbo needed more people on the protect Tommy with a violent prejudice team.

The woman, who he thinks Wilbur called... "Kat" when screaming and trying to get him to back down, stared at them both her orange lamp like eyes holding him trapped in their depths. A long moment passed and a transparent secondary lid slid over those eyes, she tilted her head much the same way Phil did when he was considering something. Then she spoke, and Tubbo released a breath he hadn't known he was holding.

"It's smart for you to be wary little ones, but do not worry I mean your brother no harm."

Tubbo immediately began to sputter, Ranboo flapping his hands anxiously beside him. He honestly wasn't sure what part of him had him the most flustered, being called a little one, which RUDE he was plenty mature THANK YOU! Or the implication that he, Ranboo, and Tommy were brothers, which.....now that he thought about it, she wasn't exactly wrong. He just- just hadn't thought of it that way yet. His mildly panicked thoughts were interrupted, by Kat speaking up once more.

"Come we can talk in the back."

She picked up Tommy under the armpits before the human could protest, tucking his head under her chin, wrapping her arms around his chest, and under his arms, rising up several feet as her coils unwound. She was only a few inches shorter than Ranboo like this and Tubbo found himself staring up at her in shock.

It was also horrifying to note that she was probably twice as long underwater since a good half her coils stayed on the floor to allow her to slither on land. She glided away, Tommy protesting only mildly from his place in her arms, squirming around in her grasp. She seemed to note his displeased grumbles though and grabbed one of the instruments in the alcove before she left entirely passing it to the human to mess with. Tommy looked offended for a brief moment before he huffed and accepted the offering, subsiding into quiet mutters in her grasp.

She turned to face them after gliding a few paces and gestured with her head for them to follow, after exchanging a look with Ranboo, Tubbo reluctantly followed Phil, Techno, Wil, and "Kat" as she led them deeper into the store. They traveled for a fair bit weaving through a few side halls before they came to a high tech looking door, Kat gently set Tommy on his feet and held out a hand allowing a small device to prick her finger and test her blood, and the door slid open, with an almost imperceptible hiss.

Walking into the backroom it was noticeably less cozier than the little alcove they were previously in. Wilbur greets her with a warm smile and his twin tails twist in excitement.

"While I would've liked to have a better introduction I'm glad he didn't wander off outside or someone else found him. Next time don't scare us by coming out of the dark like that, You'll give poor Philza a heart attack. Look at him, feathers are already falling off of him"

Wilbur barely dodges the wing that was aiming for his head.

"You little- stop it and focus! The sooner we start, the better."

Philza sighs heavily before his wings shake and shift, he sends a soft greeting to the Boidae'Sk women.

"It's really nice to see you again, I don't know how much Wilbur told you or how informed you are about our request for a translator. How much did he tell you exactly?"

She tilts her head up in thought before the end bits of her hair glowed briefly.

"That you need a custom translator, didn't say what language, which i would have appreciated knowing so I could have at least gotten the software and actual language into the translator ahead of time."

She sends a glare at Wilbur, who looks away like he didn't hear a damn thing. She turns back to Phil.

"Aside from the typical 'Keep it hush hush' and that all you needed was a custom translator, your dear friend has neglected to say anything else"

Phil straightens a bit more to be professional but his voice lacked the professional drone of tone that he'd normally have for others.

"Ah... yes well there is a reason for that and it has to do with Tommy"

Phil gestures to the human in disguise, who perks his head up at his name and stares at them all curiously and almost demandingly, like his patience was growing thinner and thinner the more they talked with no context to him about anything.

"Before I tell you more I ask not as a business partner or a dealer, but as a friend of me and the crew, that this is kept between us"

That got her attention. Normally as policy she kept things quiet with a sealed mouth anyways. But it's rare she gets requests this confidential. Her eyes hardened and she nodded, making herself straighter to let them know she was taking this seriously.

"Tommy isn't an Ivory- or an avian species of any sort"

If she had any fur or eyebrows she'd have them furrowed and would be giving them a deadpan stare.

"I figured when he didn't respond to any calls or when I spoke ISk' Ar to him. He looked more lost than a Sart (Dumb fish) in a Reef. I'm guessing he's a fugitive of some sort? Maybe a hunted species of some sort. But..."

She gives a calculating eye to Tubbo and Ranboo, politely avoiding looking Ranboo in the eyes. Even when she did this she was somehow still giving off peaceful body language.

"With how attached your youngest is and how willing you are to go this far for... Tommy was it? It's amazing how far you're willing to go for him. I'd guess he's a part of your crew with how at ease you are with him and how protective you all are, I saw you Techno, i saw your stance when you didn't realize it was me"

She chitters prettily in amusement, leaning back and considering them as her shoulders relax and her tail uncoils every so slightly. She regarded them curiously, clearly thinking something through, then she glanced over at Tommy, who was still looking at them all with what Tubbo has learned to be a pout of some kind.

"Then.. I guess I should ask the big question then"

'Kat' kept her stance calm and openly friendly.

"What is his species that requires this much secrecy? That you'd come to me- not that I'm complaining about the visit- and request a custom translator?"

Phil takes a second to look the rest of the crew in the eyes, silently letting them get ready for any possible reaction before getting nods or sounds of agreement.

"He's a human. We are... unsure of his age but we think he's close to adulthood from what an....acquaintance.... of ours has said.."

She didn't react at first, staring at them blankly before her rows of sharp teeth were in full display, scaring Tubbo into a fluttering flurry of motion, his wings rapidly beating to zip him away from her. But he relaxes when she begins giggling, the luminescent patterns on her head flashing vibrantly in a pretty display of mirth.

"Oh! I didn't realize humans came this far in the galaxy! No wonder you need a custom translator! Well why didn't you say so!"

She was positively beaming as she gently and playfully shoves Wilburs arm before turning her attention to Tommy, who had officially gotten tired of not knowing what's going on and finally starts talking in frustration, ranting at Tubbo who is closest. Tubbo's not sure what he's saying but he can tell the other teen is far from pleased..

—-------------Tommy POV—------------

"I'm getting sick and tired of not knowing what's going on! It was easier with just you guys cause it was... it was just easier! A little bit of charades but we got it pat down. But it's getting real annoying with all these extra other people, so can I please now just get that stupid translato-"

"My! You really are a talkative one aren't you? I was wondering why you couldn't understand me earlier"

Tommy didn't jump and yelp, he didn't. He didn't make any unmanly sound for the second time today. Nor did he butcher whatever words that were going to come out of his mouth in an unintelligible stream of sound. Nope was simply too big of a man for that.

He can admit he did stare at the big snake/eel lady, blinking rapidly it was starting to hurt his eyes.

"You... you can understand me...? W-wait! You can talk to me! That's English!"

Tommy pulls a face.

"Why the hell do you sound American!?"

Blue snake lady giggles- or he thinks it's a giggle. She's smiling brightly and gently at him, not unlike how Kristin did when she looked at him.

Though, Kristin did not have that many sharp teeth.

"I just sound this way, I'm sorry if it's not to your liking. You humans have soooo many languages, it's a wonder any of you aren't subspecies in some way"

She lowers herself to him, trying to get rid of the height difference they have, he can only find himself only briefly annoyed that she's taller naturally. Only briefly. Women deserve to be the biggest and scariest after all.

"How about we introduce ourselves? Your crew told me your name but I figured it's polite to ask"

Tommy smiles at her and puffs up his chest, ignoring the cooing sound Phil sent at him, and brings a hand to his chest to introduce himself.

"I'm Tommy Careful Danger Kraken Innit! But Tommy works, all the ladies flock to me"

Her laugh almost sounds musically as she gently lifts a hand to her chest.

"My name is Derivakat. And you're a long way from home Star Sailor"

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes:

Ender:

(Puffy) Wig? Snatched

(Sally/Fundy) Ankles? Broken

(Niki) Hotel? Travigo

Get tricked, get, Jabaited. You thought! But you thought wrong. It's Derivakat!

(Please note the entire time Tommy was in the shop he did not speak english since he figured he had no reason to and was just exploring)

Cyber:...........I have the current emotional stability of a popsicle stick, yet it's still better than it was a few years ago so I'm counting that as an absolute win! Regardless FEAST! FEAST UPON OUR CHAOS! I was the main writer of this chapter sooooo between my mental health and my absolute hectic schedule that's why we have a late update. Also here is the song that Wilbur and "DerivaKat '' were singing together, just imagine the voices more eerie and raspy and in a different language and you've pretty much got it.

Now dear readers, you may have noticed that our chapter count received an official update....

Ender: 15,081 words. That's how many words for this chapter alone. I mean you'll have already known from the Google notification. BUT GOOD GOLY. Can you guys tell who was typing for which parts? Cause i can XD FINALLY DID THIS! SO MUCH STUFF HAPPENED IRL it's just not being my end of the year. This was meant to come out near my birthday- speaking of which, I am now older.

Some of the chapters are Derivakat songs! I wish I could say I named some of them beforehand but alas I didn't. Manhunt, A Whole World (Galaxy), Tell Your Story, Finally Find you. These songs were picked not because of their title but more for how the songs fit the vibe with the picked chapters.

Oh! And one more thing.....

How'd y'all like Chayanne? *RUNS*

Cyber: I may know next to nothing about QSMP but I do know about Chayanne and I have no regrets *books it for the hills*