(The second part of Ship in a Bottle, hope you enjoy :3)
Acho wasnât stupid. He knew something was up.
It started about a month ago. In the market, he noticed that one of the Kestrelâs had something new around his neck. A group of pirates from every faction surrounded was looking at it curiously. He was hidden in the walls of Hookâs shack so he couldnât get a good look through the boards. He tried to perk his mouse like ears to hear the conversation but was unable to understand any words so he brushed it off and continued with his routine.
Next, he started noticing that all the pirates were more observant. He had nearly been catch by the fur of his tail multiple times by one of the Herons, Owen he thinks. Even the kites have been getting more dangerous then they already were. A browned hair boy had ransacked all the crates and boxes around the town, clearly frustrated when he couldnât find what he was looking for. Luckily for Acho, he had been safely watching from the walls of the tavern.
The bad feeling increased when he was in the Nightingale base, resting in the walls were his room was after a long journey back from the town. He had stepped out onto the roof to talk to the stars when one of his fellow Nightingales, Apo he believed, walked out holding something tiny in his hands. It wasnât until Apo spoke that Achoâs bad feeling made sense.
âI hope Sausageâs tiny will loves this wardrobe! The poor guy had only this coat for so long.â The human hums to himself.
Achoâs eyes widen as he spots the coat in Apoâs hands.
It was Scottâs.
Fear filled Achoâs heart and mind. Scott had gotten caught? How? When? Acho slapped his cheeks to dispel his panicked thoughts. Now is not the time. He told himself firmly. So Scott was with the human Sausage. And Sausage was with the Kestrel. Looks like he had a trip to plan.
Acho apologized to the stars for cutting the talk short before he left. He had a brother to save and a journey to prepare for.
By day, he was in his glorified cage, hanging from Sausages neck. By night, he was thankful taken out of the small jar, but was tosses and locked into a small chest. Sausage had furnished the box with cotton and fabric for his bed and placed food and water in every night. Scott had tries to escape multiple times but every attempt failed and ended up with a punishment of some sort. His ribs were still sore from the last attempt.
He was recently given a few new clothes that Sausage had commissioned for him, which heâs not sure how to feel about. It means he cares somewhat. But Scottâs not sure if Sausage cares about him personally or if he just cares about his image. His new clothes are golden and sparkly. Clearly made to make him stand out.
Currently Scott is in his box, sitting on his bed with his knees pressed up to his chest. He had learned to cry silently after two weeks. Once Sausage heard him crying one night, so in an attempt to comfort him, he held him close through the night. After that, Scott was too scared to make a loud sob. His ears drooped and his tail curled around his boots as he thinks about it.
He wished he had at least got to tell Acho how sorry he was. That he stood up to their parents more. He regretted not being a better big brother. He wanted to tell Acho that he wished he could back in time and fix his mistakes.
Tears gathered in his eyes as he flinched as Sausageâs snored ratted the wooden container. Getting up from his bed, Scott made his way to the water bowl and sat down next to it as it was the farthest away from Sausage. Leaning against it, he sniffles and hiccups into his arms. Scott continued to cry till his eyes had dried out.
Lifting his head up, Scott catch a glimpse of his reflection. Red shot eyes stared back at him. His once fluffy ginger hair was a tangled greasy matted mess. He had tried to keep it up for the first week but after Sausage had kept ruffling it he had given up. He idly wondered if he would be better just accepting his fate as a pet. He dips his fingers in the water, watching the ripples distribute his reflection.
His thoughts were broken by the sound of something clanking on the nightstand outside the chest. Scrambling up, Scott hurriedly to one of the cracks of the chest. Peeking through, Scott spotted a hook caught on the edge of the dresser. Shock filled him as his little brother pulled himself over the edge and clambered fully onto the dresser.
âAcho!â Relieve plausible in Scottâs voice.
Achoâs head snapped over to him and he hurried over to the crack.
âScott! Thank goodness youâre okay!â He gives him a weak smile. âI thought I would be too late. Hold on, Iâll get you out of there.â
Digging around in his bag, Acho pulled out a large paper clip and climbed up to the lock on the chest.
âPlease be careful. Heâs a light sleeper.â Scott warned quietly.
Acho nodded distracted as he concentrated on pressing the paper clips on the mechanism release. He grin triumphantly as a quiet click was heard. Careful, he lowered the lock onto the desk. Then he pushes open the top of the box.
Scott quickly leaped up, with the help of Acho, he was able to climb out of the box chest with little trouble. Both brothers shimmied down the rope of the hook and quickly got out of the Kestrel base in the dead of the night.
Once they both agreed it was safe, Scott hugged Acho tightly.
âIâm so sorry, brother. I should have been there more.â He whispered as he tears up again.
Acho held him in his arms. âItâs okay Scott, I never blamed you. I understand you were just a kid as well. Iâm just glad youâre safe.â
Scott smiled at his brother, happy to be reunited at last.
Tw: Major angst, mentioned torture (none shown), near major character death. WC: 2708
âSo, can any of you pitiful creatures tell me what you know about a borrower named Dream?â Purpled stared up at the might of the man who they all called The Warden, he didnât think he couldâve been more scared than he had been for the past month. Of course Purpled knew Dream, but that didnât mean he would give him up. Dream was the only borrower who could match Technoblade in skill. He turned his head away from The Warden in defiance, but he could barely keep himself from shaking as The Wardenâs eyes landed on his tiny form. Damnit, itâs almost like he has a sixth sense on information or something. âSo you wonât talk, will I have to get The Magnifying Glass again?â
All of the borrowers on display were shaking after that mention. (Purpled has counted 11 borrowers total other than him.) Aw man, what would Dream do? Well, he probably wouldnât have gotten caught at all. Dream who was his friend, Dream who was the only borrower who could match Technoblade in skill. Dream who wouldâve done more for them instead of the Captain.
Dream, who was now in grave danger. The Warden had grabbed the Spiked Magnifying Glass, (why the spikes? Well letâs just say it counts as a Multi-tool now.) and drew the blinds. âI would say Iâm sorry, but thatâd require me to feel bad about your puny existence.â He monologues as he positioned the magnifying glass in the correct position, causing a beam of light to be reflected in the direction of the display.
The Laser danced around the jars just barely missing the borrowers. A few of them had to duck and move around to avoid it, Purpled looked over to the few borrowers he recognized, Tap-L, Fruitberries, and the thirteenth empty jar of their professor FuntimeMoth. No one knows exactly how they escaped, but they could only pray that they were getting help. The two of them had their Jaws set as they looked back to Purpled. He knew that they wouldnât give up Dream, so he wouldnât either. The longer they stayed quiet, the closer the beam of light got, Purpled prepared himself for the pain as the light beam finally hit the side of his faceâŚ
10 Minutes laterâŚ
Sam was, disappointed at the borrowers lack of cooperation. These creatures were stubborn and needed to be put in their proper place, underneath humanity. He had enjoyed the torture that he put them through, made him feel, in control. He still remembers the time when he punished the borrower friend his younger brother Ponk had made. It still made him smile thinking about it. He didnât enjoy however, the way his brother looked at him after that.
He wasnât doing anything wrong, he just needed to inform his brother on how pathetic these creatures are. Serves him right for making a borrower friend in the house of an Exterminator. But none of those family thoughts today, it was time for him to help his friends. He pulled up into their driveway with his extermination van, and got out.
He took a brief moment to examine his arsenal and took out his electric baton. It had these little sparking things on the end that would electrocute the air around it. He went to the front door and knocked. Badboyhalo, Sapnapâs dad, answered the door. He was smiling when he opened it, but it fell immediately when he saw it was Sam. âOh, hi Sam.â He responded a little, despondent for some reason.
Dream was curious as to who this new guy was, Callahan didnât accompany him to check out this time claiming that four humans was too dangerous and that leaving soon would be advised. Dream didnât agree, needless to say. But he did have to admit, he felt tense at the sight of this human with the gas mask and long black stick. âWhy donât you, come in?â Bad asked the man, who was apparently named Sam. âSapnap hired me here to assist in his borrower problem?â Sam proclaimed, hired? What was he, an Exterminator? Okay, maybe Callahan wasnât that wrong. Also, HOW DID HE KNOW THEIR SPECIES NAME.
âBorrower? Donât you mean Tiny?â Bad questioned, good, Dream was gonna get an answer. âTiny is merely the unofficial name for these small creatures, but the government has deemed them as Borrowers for the official name.â Sam responded very official like. âOh.â âOh is right Mr. Halo, now May I please start my work? Iâd recommend finding something to do outside the house, is Sapnap or George here?â He finished.
âNo, Sapnapâs out with his boyfriend, and George is taking Antfrost out for a walk on the town.â âAh, so Sapnapâs still seeing that Joker?â âQuackity isnât that bad.âBad responded defensively. âWhatever you say Mr. Halo. Please inform the other two that I am starting here and to extend their time outside.â Bad left after that, leaving Dream, Callahan, and Sam here alone.
âAlright Dream, I can see you up there. My gas mask detects heat signatures in the goggles, so I suggest you speak up and surrender to me.â Surrender? As if. âHeh, seems like youâre less of a Buffoon than the others. Well you wonât catch me Sam.â Dream proclaimed stepping out from his normal spot behind the photograph. Samâs gaze locked onto his form instantly scowling. âYou will address me as The Warden.â Sam started,
âAnd once I catch you I will teach you some respect.â âOver my dead body.â Dream growled back, who did this guy think he is? Dream was just about to leap off the edge when he heard a voice, (Author Note: imagine the voice being similar to Tails from Sonic, the movie.) âDream, WAIT!â Came Callahanâs voice from the vent next to Dream, it was rather quiet and hoarse from disuse. Dream immediately stepped away and into the vent, if Callahan was talking then something was seriously wrong.
âCallahan, whatâs wrong?â Dream asked frantically as he noticed Callahan having a panic attack while staring at Samâs cold eyes. âCallahan, look at me, Breathe. Just breathe.â Callahan calmed down once he turned his gaze to Dream. âNow, do you want to talk about whatâs wro-â Dream was cut off by a sharp electrical zap that echoed through the Metal vents. Callahan instantly went slack and collapsed,
âCALLAHAN! Wake up!â Dream had never been more thankful for insulating his hoodie and boots. âOh, so youâre still alive? Clever of you to insulate your outfit, but Iâll get you!â Dream thought through everything that he could do at this moment. His outfit had survived one zap, but couldnât survive another. He couldnât charge out at Sam, even though he didnât want to admit it, he would probably die if he tried. The situation seemed hopeless, then Callahan woke up and gasped air into his lungs.
âDream, there is something else I need to tell you.â Callahan started whispering due to his injury. Dream listened waiting for as long as he could. Then whispering into his ear, âYouâll have to go without me, Iâd only slow you down. Iâll be fine, he probably wonât kill me. Goodbye Dream, and, youâll have to make friends with your previous enemies if you hope to defeat The Warden.â Callahan finished crawling over to the vent entrance. âNo, CallahanâŚâ âGO.â Callahan shouted back as he exited the vent and fell into The Wardenâs grasp.
Then, Dream ran. He managed to get out of the vents and hid in the backyard. He hear Sam searching around the house, looking for him. Eventually he left and George, Sapnap and Bad came back. Oh and Antfrost too. He thought over Callahanâs last words to him, no not last words, he was going to get him back. He sped ran over to Georgeâs room, who heâs known the longest. He emerged into the shelf where he hid Georgeâs glasses, his first prank on him. âHey GeorgeâŚâ
George immediately tensed up at Dreamâs voice. He had been doing a bit of thinking on his walk with Ant, and thought about the Exterminator that was coming, that was there at that moment. And realized something. He didnât want Dream to die anymore, after Sapnap called the exterminator, he and Dream talked normally for a bit. Mainly him asking questions about what Dreamâs life was like. Dream had teased him quite a bit, But George found that he actually liked Dream.
At least when he wasnât messing with him. So this was it, the moment where he could bury the hatchet, but not into anybodyâs back. âDream, I was wondering if-â But Dream cut him off, âListen George, Iâd like to apologize to you, for being such a dickhead.â Dream started, âAnd that if youâre up to it, maybe we could be friends?â George was surprised by this, he hadnât expected Dream to actually want to be friends.
âYeah of course, I was planning on asking you basically the same thing.â George responded. âI thought it over, and youâre actually a cool dude.â Dream smiled a bit at this, and it was genuine smile, not one born out of delight for a humans torment. âGood, because I need your help.â George looked up to him, âWhat do you need?â âWell Iâll need all three of you.â After that George went and got Bad and Sapnap into the Living Room. âOk, so let me fill you in.â He started,
Dream swung down onto the coffee table next to George. Instantly Sapnap leapt up from his seat, but George stopped him. âGeorge? What are you doing? Heâs right there!â Sapnap pointed at the small man on the table. âSorry Sap, me and him have worked out.. and arrangement.â âWhat!â Sapnap exclaimed, âSap please sit down and letâs hear him out.â Bad gestured for his son to sit. He did rather begrudgingly.
âOk, so the long story short, Dreamâs friend Callahan was captured by Sam-â George informed them, but was stopped by Bad. âWait! Callahan was captured!â Bad exclaimed suddenly a lot angrier. âWait you knew Callahan?â George asked confused. Suddenly all three eyes were in Bad who was a bit flustered. âYeah, weâve been talking for a bit, he didnât want to tell Dream due to his feelings towards humansâŚâ Bad mumbled to the three muffins in front of him, âDonât worry itâs fine Bad, all that matters is we go save him.â Dream told Bad.
Meanwhile Sapnap was looking at the two of them as if they were insane. âFirst Quackity, now you two?â He mumbled under his breath. âBut why should we help you!â The potato asked Dream angrily, âYou tormented us for a long time!â Sap finished. âBecause, I apologize for what I did, and I can only hope that your friend and dadâs willingness to help me will sway your decision.â
Sapnap, understandably, thought they were insane. But after meeting Karl, maybe it would be alright for tinies to be, more than just pests. He thought about how Quackity had talked about learning how to use a taser, that seemed like itâd be useful if he wanted to get him to help them.
Sapnap groaned, but he agreed. âAlright, now if we could just find at least one of my borrower friends to help meâŚâ Bad jumped in, âHow about Skeppy? Would he be good to have help?â Dream stared at Bad like suddenly he sprouted Devil horns and a halo emerged from his head. âYou know Skeppy too?â âYeah, he pranked me for a while, until he fell and hurt himself and I helped him! Itâs part of the reason why I tried to be nice to you.â Dream blinked a few times, âOkay then, hereâs the planâŚâ
MeanwhileâŚ
Illumina was awaiting orders. âCaptain, are we going to head out soon?â He asked the headmaster of The Arctic Academy. Their professor and inventor Funtime Moth had come back a day ago to deliver news of an Exterminator who had 12 borrowers hostage in his office. âYes, this is the start of our Rebellion,â Captain Sparklez started as he and the team of borrowers got ready to ride birds to the Exterminatorâs office and hopefully kill him. He held up a paper depicting what the Exterminator looked like, and blasted it to pieces with his magical hands.
It was very cool to know that some borrowers possessed magic like that. âWell then, are you with me!â He shouted to team of borrowers who were there. (Beckyu, Illumina, FuntimeMoth, Thea non, and Smajor. Not a lot, but it should be enough.) âThen letâs go!â He finished as they climbed aboard the trained birds on the windowsill and left for the Exterminatorâs.
Purpled was clutching his arm, willing it to heal alongside his face as The Warden stepped into the room. With a new borrower in a jar. Aw great, another one caught. He stuffed the new borrower on the shelf with the rest and took a moment to sit in his chair, his hand on his forehead. Purpledâs Jar wasnât with the rest, but was instead abandoned near the sink. On the other side of the room. That was when he noticed a small team of borrowers infiltrate through the vent.
He silently cheered as he saw them, FuntimeMoth among them. The others couldnât see them, and he realized that heâd have to provide a distraction. âSo Ugly, whatâs wrong with you?!â He yelled up to The Warden. The Warden instantly tensed up his veins popping out of his neck and forehead. âIt is not wise to antagonize me at the moment you pathetic creature.â During this the team of borrowers was breaking the others free, with some form of magic?
Dream spotted The Warden through a window whilst sneaking by with Skeppy. âAlright Skeppy, letâs try toâŚâ that was when Dream spotted Purpled on the sink. His eyes widened, âItâs Purpled! I canât believe it⌠We definitely gotta save them.â Dream overlooked the situation, and noticed how methodical The Wardenâs movements were,
and noticed a button that he appeared to be edging towards. That was when he noticed that someone was already there helping break out the captive borrowers. He spied a man in a ninja outfit. Illumina, of course. Back in school he always tried to show Dream up as the better borrower, but that didnât matter now, what mattered was that he believed that they were all walking into a trap.
Sam wasnât an idiot. He would never let a borrower escape his prison, he did it in the hopes of luring more borrowers there, and judging by the sensor going off in the display, it had worked. (Yes he had a load of technological things in his mask, his mask was inspired heavily by Iron Man.) He was nearing the button to close the display wall and trap all of them inside, when Dream rushed him.
This pesky borrower, he wouldnât be beat by an inferior! He ducked and Dreamâs needle just barely missed, he reached for the purple borrower and held the jar up ready to smash it. âNot a swing closer!â He shouted out to all the borrowers in the room. âIf any of you move I will shatter this jar with the scum inside.â He proclaimed. One of the borrowers inside the display who had come to break them out seemed to glow slightly. Sam would have a fun time experimenting on him. Then suddenly the door burst open.
Sapnap was thankful for the fact that Quackity had acquired the right to wield a taser. The group of four and Quackityâs new borrower friend Karl burst into the room. âGet away from them!â Sap yelled as Quackity tased Sam. He fell to the floor unconscious, then the room started filling with a strange gas. âUh oh, Love? I donât think thatâs goodâŚâ Quackity informed Sap. âOkay we gotta get out of here-â But he was cut off by something hitting his side, he turned and saw that Bad, George, and Quackity also felt it. He felt tired, and fell to the floorâŚ
As he fell into Darkness, he couldâve sworn he heard Dream and Skeppyâs voices yelling their namesâŚ