Work Text:
The island where the battle had taken place earlier hummed with the energy left behind. The water lapped against the shore, washing away the remains of the fighters who had been unlucky not to survive. The leaves of a lone tree swayed in the light gusts of wind, creating a faint sound, complementing the temporary silence.
In the water tunnel, a name badge with the name of Law's right-hand man, Deputy Ace, recently disappeared, followed by a pitifully small number of lawmen. Wemmbu's tail was swinging behind him, water spray dripping from his body from his decision to jump into the dolphin pool in an attempt to follow the guy.
Despite that, he was satisfied with the outcome of the fight. Which is to say, how could he not be when he almost ended up in prison again, this time with his friend Eggchan, only for JadenMAN to save him.
Speaking of which.
Wemmbu's gaze darted to the guy a few feet away, who was watching in triumph as the lawmen ran from his territory. His view was obstructed by the guy's fighters, who surrounded Wemmbu with wide smiles, clearly proud of having won.
“Yo,” finally, Wemmbu spoke, attracting JadenMAN's attention. “You know that Lettuce's probably about to become a king and...” JadenMAN chuckled at that. “Will exile you for helping me, right?”
“Well, the Law doesn't cover the Great Sea, so.” He shrugged as if these were minor problems.
Wemmbu nodded, looking at Eggchan. “Bro, are you good?”
Eggchan nodded indifferently, uttering a barely legible “I'm fine,” examining the scratches on his diamond armor. It had been a long time since they had such an adventure, or any adventure at all. Or rather, a fight.
Wemmbu nodded, satisfied with the answer, before turning his attention back to his... Friend? Ally? Who was discussing something with his men. The demon couldn't be more grateful that he had figured out how to reach the Great Sea, even if at first he had thought of just hiding there, barely considering the idea of looking for JadenMAN.
“Thanks,” Wemmbu said as soon as the guy had left the pirate. “You know, for helping us out.”
“Being on my territory and attacking my friend? No, they definitely should've anticipated this one.” With obvious smugness in his voice, JadenMAN replied.
Wemmbu's tail unconsciously began to draw lines on the sand, feeling uncomfortable due to the humidity. The sand stuck unpleasantly to the tip of his tail, so he had to suppress a wince.
The word friend echoed in his mind. His friend.
It made sense after all, because they went through a lot while he was invisible, and in the end, Wemmbu helped him get a base to start his new Pirate Empire, didn't he?
And they probably didn't end their last meeting on the worst note. Like, what chance was there for JadenMAN to help him if he still had a negative attitude towards him?
Well, unless the pirate wanted to capture him and lock him up in some watery prison, keeping him there for whatever reason he could think of. In JadenMAN's cage.
The voice of the aforementioned guy snapped Wemmbu out of his thoughts.
“So...” JadenMAN began, his gaze darting from Wemmbu to Eggchan, who now simply stood there, spinning the gifted trident in his hand. Pirates could be heard moving around somewhere behind, likely preparing to head back to the empire. “I understand that you two have nowhere to go.”
Wemmbu mumbled something in agreement. They certainly had nowhere to go, but they also had to get to the Farlands as soon as possible, regear and destroy the Law. Although it was a damn hard task when you were being chased by hundreds of players.
“No place is safe for criminals of our caliber.” Eggchan commented, his tone making it impossible to know for sure if it was a joke or not unless you knew him long enough or if you couldn't guess.
Wemmbu couldn't help but laugh, which JadenMAN quickly joined in, before nodding seriously. “He's right.”
“Sure thing,” the pirate agreed, “But I believe my empire can be a good enough place.”
Wemmbu fell silent, considering the obvious suggestion. He glanced quickly at Eggchan, who just shrugged, indicating that the matter of trust was up to the demon.
Of course, getting to the Farlands had to be a priority, and it was important to find a way to leave as soon as possible, but it would also be nice to have a place to stay for a while to rest. Without the possibility of being jumped at any moment.
They had nowhere else to go, that was true. The Law was everywhere. It seemed like every bit of the server within walking distance belonged to them, or was filled with other people who didn't like Wemmbu and wanted nothing to do with him.
And those who weren't against him weren't an option right now. Minutech was currently dealing with the End's problem, FlameFrags... Honestly, who knew where the hell the guy was. Wemmbu just hoped he didn't get caught by Law. Boosfer was not an option to consider. Baablu and Fantst are pretty much the same as FlameFrags.
So, he basically had no options left to turn to. He had kind of ruined his relationship with Spoke, not that it mattered to him, and PrinceZam was with him.
Therefore, the opportunity to go to the empire, from where he would not be exiled and where the Law had no influence, sounded tempting.
Besides, he was really curious about how things were going there now.
“I don't see why not, bro.”
And just like that, a few hours later, Wemmbu was waking around the main base of the Pirate Empire, while Eggchan whistled from behind, surveying the majestic beams and large windows with the view of the empire.
Wemmbu could not argue with the fact that, compared to the earlier appearance of the base, which belonged to the treasure hunters, the building was now surrounded by incredible buildings, with strong walls, many different houses and ships, and an addition to the tower that towered above everything else.
Compared to when Wemmbu left the place, it had changed significantly. The surrounding area was in keeping with the original theme of the building, and the area had definitely been expanded.
But the middle of the tower changed little - some rooms were redesigned, along with the stairs there was an elevator, and its highest point was more of a conference room, below which was JadenMAN's office.
The footsteps of several people echoed through the tower as Wemmbu and Eggchan followed JadenMAN deeper into the building. They were on one of the middle floors, which were obviously intended for relaxation. His men followed his orders, leaving the three of them alone.
They talked a little on the way here. JadenMAN asked him about the situation he was in and commented on his presence at Lettuce's speech. Wemmbu simply replied that it was a long story, and added dryly that he had noticed the guy's presence.
The rest of the journey was occupied by Eggchan, drawing out what he could from everyone present, asking questions about the empire and occasionally glancing at Wemmbu with an understanding glance. The last time they visited the empire together was not the best.
Wemmbu didn't mind filling the silence, although the atmosphere seemed calmer now that it was just the three of them.
“I asked my guards to prepare gear for you.” JadenMAN said in a casual tone, his steps slow but sure. They headed down a small hallway before turning in the other direction.
Wemmbu nodded, “I appreciate that,” while Egg muttered his own thanks.
They finally stopped in front of a pair of dark oak trees. JadenMAN pulled the latch and opened them, stepping inside, expecting the other two players to follow him. Which they did.
The room was quite pleasant to look at. The floor was made of birch, the walls were a combination of stone and quartz. Two yellow beds were on opposite sides of the spacious room, and a small bamboo table with two chairs stood in the middle, on a white rug. A large window extended almost to the ceiling, offering a view of the place where ships and dolphins made their way in and out.
Wemmbu appreciated the opportunity to see when someone new was entering or leaving the empire, even if there was the possibility of some secret entrance. Which there certainly was. But his confidence in the pirate was enough to believe that he is not going to let anyone in who wants to harm him nor Eggchan.
In addition, several chests and barrels stood close to the walls, allowing temporary residents to store their belongings there, and between them was a crafting table and a stove. Practical.
“Here's your temporary room,” JadenMAN said, surveying the space before nodding in approval. “Good enough for you?”
“That's great,” Eggchan replied before the demon could. Wemmbu waved his hand in agreement.
“Don't worry, bro. It's a decent room,” after being in prison, surrounded by damp stone walls and only a mattress, any space was good enough. “Much better than what they looked like before.”
JadenMAN looked particularly pleased with himself after that comment. “These rooms weren't so bad before, but they still lacked decency. Plus, the humidity was even getting in here,” he added. “You should see how I changed the other rooms. They are all much better now.”
Wemmbu smiled. “I'm sure you did. I mean, at least you took the Lobster cage, right?” he couldn't help but ask the question, "You didn't turn this into some crap like JadenMAN's cage, did you?"
JadenMAN grimaced at the mention of this, making Wemmbu laugh. “You think less of me. Seriously, before I recruited people into my empire, I made sure this thing was gone.”
Eggchan watched the exchange silently, the wings at the base of his head fluttering with interest. The last time he had seen the two together, they had been at odds.
Despite Wemmbu's previous admission that JadenMAN found out about his identity after they did some things together and he mentioned it as ending on a peaceful note, it was much more interesting to watch that peaceful note in real time.
More precisely, to observe the interaction of the demon with his former enemies, his former friends. Minutech once said that Wemmbu wasted time, having odds with people, when he could have had them as good allies. Eggchan couldn't agree with that statement more now than he had before.
After a few minutes of exchanging jokes, there was a knock on the door. JadenMAN curtly said, “Come in,” interrupting whatever he was saying. The door opened, and a familiar face that Wemmbu was sure he had seen in the fight before appeared in the doorway.
“Here are the shulkers with gear, sir.” Wemmbu raised an eyebrow. Sir? Seriously? While the unknown pirate walked inside and placed two white shalkers on the floor in front of him and Eggchan.
JadenMAN waved, “Great, you're free,” before pausing briefly and adding, just as the boy was about to disappear out the door, “Tell the others to prepare the table and food for our guests.”
The guy nodded, “Yes, sir, it'll be ready in a minute.” then left the room, closing the door behind him.
As soon as the door closed, Wemmbu couldn't help but say, “Sir? Seriously?” there were joking notes voicing his thoughts.
JadenMAN looked away, shrugging. “That's better than 'Your Majesty' or 'Your Highness'.”
“Why not 'Captain'?” Eggchan asked, his voice, unlike Wemmbu's, carrying genuine curiosity. “Isn't this, like, a pirate thing?”
Wemmbu let out a soft 'Oh', as if he had just had an epiphany. “Really, why not 'Captain'?”
The pirate paused for a moment, as if thinking about it. “I don't know, it must have just slipped my mind.” he seemed dissatisfied with this himself.
Wemmbu nodded with exaggerated understanding. “It happens when this is your third empire, made of pirates.”
JadenMAN's face instantly fell in mood, he looked at Wemmbu unimpressed, unsurprised by the comment. The demon just shrugged innocently.
“Suddenly it's become a moment where I leave you alone before dinner.” the pirate says dryly.
“Ooh, the dramatic departure of JadenMAN.”
The guy ignored him, heading for the door. “I'll send someone to get you when the food is ready.”
“Aren't you even going to come yourself?” asked Wemmbu simultaneously with Eggchan, “What a disregard for your esteemed guests.”
JadenMAN didn't answer, leaving the room. They immediately burst into laughter. Wemmbu felt a certain warmth in his chest. It had been a long time since he had joked like that with Eggchan around. It was much, much better than when he was alone or with someone else.
Eventually the laughter died down, leaving only the distant sounds of the incoming ships, mingling with the sounds of the sea and the life of the empire.
Well, now all they had to do was regear, rest a bit, and talk about what they should do next. Simple. Safe.