Hey everyone! Thank you so much for all the positive reactions to this story, it really means a lot to me. I hope this chapter is good enough for you guys. Uma is really hard to write, mostly because I absolutely love her and I never feel like I'm doing her justice. Let me know what you think!
There was nothing in the world Uma wanted more than a pirate ship. Having a ship meant she was a Captain, a leader, someone able to strike fear into the hearts of others and protect what was her's. It was something Mal didn't have, something Uma could actually call her own and she wanted one with all her heart. She already had a few ideas about who she would want on her crew, how she would run the ship and what sort of terror she would wreak. The day Harry came to her with news that a ship was available to whoever could defeat its current captain was just about the happiest day of her life. Uma went down to the docks and made a deal with the captain to fight him at noon the next day, winner taking the ship.
Back at her mother's fish shop Uma boasted loudly about how beautiful her soon to be ship was. She was confident she could beat the other captain and with Harry and Gil to back her up they wouldn't dare going back on their word. So she acted as if she had already won and beamed as the customers cheered her on. Walking into the kitchen, Uma ducked as one of her mother's tentacles flew threw the air over her head.
"What is all this I've been hearing about a pirate ship?" Ursula asked.
"Tomorrow I'm getting my own ship, gonna fight a captain at noon for it." Uma said proudly. Her mother laughed as Uma prepared a tray.
"You're working here all day tomorrow, none of the other wait staff are available." Uma froze at her mother's words. No, this couldn't happen. Turning around slowly, Uma looked at Ursula in disbelief. The sea witch cackled at her daughter's expression, pointing towards the schedule board. Tomorrow Uma was the only person set to work, without her being there the shop wouldn't be able to serve anyone. Her mother certainly wasn't going to be a waitress, they would have to close. But closing meant losing business and Ursula hated losing business. Uma couldn't possibly reschedule the fight, the captain would probably back out and she would lose her one chance at getting her own ship, getting her dream. She wasn't going to miss out on that chance, even if it meant making her mother extraordinarily mad.
"Isn't there anyone else who can work?"
"You're scheduled, you're working darling," Ursula smiled as Uma turned around and stormed out of the kitchen, slamming the tray in front of a customer. No one dared say a word about her change in attitude as she tore off her apron and stomped out of the shop, Harry and Gil obediently following their angry leader.
Uma didn't pay very much attention to where she was going. She just wanted to be away from the shop. Harry and Gil were trailing after her, keeping their distance but still close enough that she didn't worry about anyone trying to start something in her distracted state. It didn't matter what her mother said, she was going to the fight tomorrow and she was going to win herself a ship consequences be damned. The consequences for making the shop close were going to be severe though. Shut up, it'll be worth it, she sneered at the small voice in her head trying to rethink her decision. I'll make it quick but I'm gonna get my ship. Maybe if she was only gone for an hour or two her mother wouldn't be quite so mad. She knew that hope was in vain.
Stopping, she sat down on a crate and looked out over the ocean. Her feet had led her to one of her favorite spots on the island. From her vantage point she could see all the way to Auradon, watch the blue waters churn and feel the salty breeze on her face. Harry and Gil took her slightly more relaxed position as permission to come closer, Harry sitting on a crate next to her and Gil sitting at their feet. They stayed silent, Gil only opening his mouth once before closing it when he received a nudge from Harry. Uma was thankful for their presence, and their silence as she gathered her thoughts and finalized her plan for the following day.
"Mom told me I am the only one scheduled to work tomorrow, which means I am going to have to close up the shop. I expect you both to be waiting for me down at the docks exactly ten minutes before noon, understand?" Uma eyed both her boys carefully. They nodded and she gave them a small grin.
"Tomorrow we will finally have ourselves a ship." The mere idea sent shivers down her spine and made her blood rush with excitement. Finally, finally things were going to look up for her.
"But isn't your mom going to be mad that you are skipping out on work?" Uma wanted to strangle the boy in front of her. He was staring at her with worry written across his face and Uma knew he hadn't meant to ruin her mood again. But never the less he still had. A quick glance at Harry had him standing and hauling Gil up off the ground, the tip of his hook pressed lightly against the blonde's throat, warning him to stay silent. Her first mate marched Gil away whispering to him and leaving Uma in peace.
Gil knew he should be down with Harry at the docks already. Uma would be there soon no doubt and she would be furious with him for not being there to back her up. He wanted to be there with her, to cheer her on and make sure the other pirates didn't go back on their word, but this was more important. He stood just outside the doors of Ursula's Fish and Chips shop. He could see the inside was dark and empty, an unfamiliar sight since the place was nearly always open. Carefully he opened the doors and walked in, flicking on the lights as he did so. He hadn't even made it to the counter when a tentacle whipped out from the kitchen and smacked him.
"So now you come back you ungrateful brat! The shop has been closed for nearly ten minutes we've lost so many customers all because of you!" The voice screeched. Gil barely managed to dodge the next swing, backing up till he was out of Ursula's hitting range.
"Sorry Mrs. Ursula...Mrs. Sea Witch...uh Uma's mom, I'm here to work in Uma's place while she is out. I can get the shop open real fast." Gil offered, nervous as he tried to figure out exactly what he should call the fearsome witch, after all she was his captain's mother. Ursula was silent and Gil took that as his cue to get everything ready, just like he had seen Uma do before.
Customers trickled in, most people he knew, regular patrons of the shop and few others people he didn't recognize. He tried to imitate what he had seen Uma and the other workers doing countless times. Ursula stared at him the entire time he was in the kitchen trying to figure out what items were supposed to go on the trays, not saying a thing. The first few customers were rough, but he soon got the hang of it. He still messed up but most of the people were used to not getting what they ordered and those who weren't he quickly apologized to and gave a regretful smile to. Even though they were villains, not many could stay completely mad at him when he looked like a hurt puppy. That and they remembered exactly who he was good friends with. Gil barely had a moment to spare as he tried his hardest to see to everyone, he wanted to make sure he did such a good job Ursula wouldn't be able to get mad at Uma. He heard a few people talking about the fight between Uma and the captain and he eagerly listened to them. When a man burst through the doors and told the whole room that Uma had won and now had ship of her own, Gil led the victorious cheers. Uma losing had never been an option, but it was still nice hearing her victory confirmed. Gil couldn't wait for Uma to come back so he could congratulate her himself.
Uma was not happy. She and Harry were at their meeting place but Gil was nowhere to be seen. There was only a few minutes before she had to leave for the fight and a third of her group hadn't showed up. Gil was almost never late, especially when Uma had ordered him to show up at a certain time. Yet on the biggest and most important day of her life, he wasn't there to back her up. There wasn't any time for either of them to go looking. Cursing Gil, she and Harry left. She would make sure to punish Gil severely for his tardiness, but first she had a duel to win.
The fight went like she had expected it to. The only ones who could match her sword skills were Harry and Mal, the captain never had a chance. He and his crew had been furious. A few members even starting to draw their own swords then Harry stepped in, his sadistic grin and sharp hook making them cower. She made sure everyone was off the ship before standing on the bow and declaring to everyone watching that she, Uma, daughter of Ursula was the new captain of the Lost Revenge. After securing her ship, she and Harry walked back to the chip shop. Uma was caught between the high of victory and nerves about the punishment that awaited her. Harry was also walking as if he ruled the world, though in his head he was trying to compile a list of all the places Gil could possibly be.
As they neared Uma saw the lights on in the shop, loud voices coming from inside. Had her mother managed to get someone else to work? When the pair entered they were met with cheers and a very strange sight. Gil was walking out of the kitchen, three trays balanced in his hands. He was wearing an apron over his usual yellow outfit, a smile on his face as he handed customers their orders. Noticing them, he beamed brighter than before, his whole face lighting up.
"Uma!" he called as he rushed over to them.
"What is going on Gil?" Uma demanded. Gil looked around before focusing back on her, his smile fading as he saw her blank expression.
"Well you see...I knew no one else was working, and I didn't want anything to upset you...cause I knew you'd win. Oh how is the ship? Is she pretty? Harry said not to bother you again yesterday or I would have told you. I'm sorry...did I mess up again?" Gil started to ramble, with each word his smile faded more and more until he looked like a sad puppy. Uma had been ready to tear Gil apart for missing her fight, but seeing him now and knowing his intentions had been pure made the sizzling anger die down. If it had been anyone else she still would have torn them a new one, but with Gil she just couldn't.
"Next time tell one of us if you're going to do something like this. The Captain and First Mate always need to know what their crew is doing." She gave him a quick pat on the shoulder, enough for him to know she wasn't as mad at him anymore. Uma made her way to the kitchen ready to face her mother's wrath.
"You're back already? Is that Gil boy still going to be around? He is a far better worker than you've ever been." Uma didn't even react to the insult as she put on her own apron. Her mother never said anything about her leaving, outside of a few insulting comments, but spent several days asking if Gil could work again to which Uma always said he was busy with other jobs. Namely helping fix up the new ship. He seemed determined to do everything he could to make the ship absolutely perfect for Uma and Harry. Sitting in her cabin late one night, Uma allowed herself to marvel at everything that had occurred. Her dream had finally come true. She now had a ship to call her own, a place where she and Harry and Gil could sleep without fear or dread. A place they had worked together to make possible. A place the three of them could finally call home. Uma had never been happier in her entire life.