Archive of Our Own ^beta

Mud splashed everywhere, and an argument broke out between the three mudskippers. Barnacles, Kwazii and Peso could only watch in amusement. Another mission was complete, and it was time to head back to the Gup A.

“Actiavte helmets, everyone,” Barnacles announced. “The others will be waiting for us to have a late breakfast.”

Peso nodded, and pressed the button without question. However, as Kwazii pressed his button… “Argh! I completely forgot! I broke me helmet earlier!”

Barnacles and Peso quickly deactivated their own helmets. “The Gup A is too far away and deep to just wade to,” Barnacles commented. “Plus, we could run into that crocodile again…”

“That’d be the last thing we need!” cried Kwazii. “It nearly got a chunk of my tail last time!”

Barnacles racked his brain for ideas. Maybe they could ask Tweak to come out to the Mangroves to fix Kwazii’s helmet. But then again, the whole helmet broke and it may take longer to fix than saying “muncha buncha…” well, however she would say it. Or perhaps he could swim to the Gup and surface it away from the shallows so Kwazii could get onboard without diving. A decent idea, but–

“I got it!” Peso announced, immediately taking his helmet radio off. “Kwazii, take mine.”

“What?!” The cat jumped back in surprise. “Peso, then you wouldn’t be able to breathe down there! What difference is that going to make?”

“Remember the Iron Clam Competition?” asked Peso. “I had to hold my breath underwater while competing with Hugo.”

“Oh yes,” gasped Barnacles. “As a penguin, you can hold your breath longer than either Kwazii or I can. That could just work, if we’re quick.”

“Aye, matey,” Kwazii grinned, and he gave Peso his own helmet radio. “Thanks, Peso!” The helmet activated and he had his air tanks on. “Ready, steady, go!”

On that signal, the trio dove underwater, Peso gesturing with his flipper in a ‘catch me if you can!’ manner.

“I’ll beat you to the Gup!” Kwazii challenged back, doing a flip in the water, “Keep up, Captain!”

“Heh, it is on!” He laughed, kicking his legs and pumping his arms.

Sea creatures and mangrove roots were a blur as they swam, and many of the lobsters, crabs and shrimp all waved.

“There’s the Gup!” called Peso. “I’m going to win!”

“No you’re not!” Kwazii grinned, as they and Barnacles were neck and neck.

Then, Peso’s flippers pulled ahead from the pair and launched through the Gup’s chute. “Yes!”

“Oh, well done, Peso,” smiled Barnacles, scrambling in. “Your training has come in handy.”

“Aye, matey,” nodded Kwazii, following after them. “That was a clever idea.”

“Thank you,” he replied, before swapping helmet radios back with Kwazii. “I can’t wait to write about this to Hugo later.”

Barnacles grinned as he started the Gup A. It would be a smooth ride back to the Octopod from here, and he had no doubt that Kwazii’s helmet would be fixed faster than… oh, it would be fixed quickly, let’s put it that way.