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The Octonauts were returning to the Octopod from their river adventure.

"I had this really weird dream last night," said Deborah. "I kept hearing this weird thumping noise, and no matter where I went, it wouldn't go away."

They entered through the Octo-Chute and surfaced in the Launch Bay, where the others were waiting for them.

"Captain, we heard about your injury," said Kitsune. "Are you alright?"

"I'll live," said Barnacles. "It wasn't as badly broken as we anticipated."

"Let me help you," said Lekona. He extended a paw and helped the captain out of the GUP.

"Oh, Peso asked me to set this up." Kitsune handed him a walking cane.

"You should use it to walk until your leg heals up," said Peso. "We can take the plaster off in a few weeks."

Barnacles leaned on the cane. He was a bit uneasy, but after a few steps, he was walking fine.

Relieved that their captain was able to walk, the Octonauts all separated and went to do their own thing. Only Lekona stayed behind by Barnacles' side. "Are you sure you're alright, captain?"

"Well, I can get around okay," said Barnacles, "but I don't know if I can be a proper leader on this cane."

Lekona pursed his lips and put his paws in his pockets. After a moment of thought, he looked up. "Well, if the things I hear from Tweak and the professor are true, you'll be back up and kicking in no time."

Barnacles smiled. "Thank you. I needed that."

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Later in the evening, Barnacles entered the library, where Professor Inkling was telling old stories to the junior officers.

"Good evening, Captain," said Professor Inkling. "How's your leg?"

"It's still pretty sore," said Barnacles, "but I can get around."

"Here," said Elekai, "take my seat." He stood up and allowed Barnacles to take his seat. Barnacles lowered himself down and sighed.

"Is something wrong?" Deborah tittered. "You look really sad."

Barnacles pursed his lips. He was not in the mood to talk about his feelings…but this was his crewmate/sort-of-daughter asking. "I don't know if I can be taken seriously like this."

"Why not?" Kitsune cocked her head.

Barnacles held up his cane. "Leaders are supposed to be strong and…indestructible." He turned away from the others.

"Captain…" Professor Inkling adjusted his monocle. "You've done so much for this team. I've seen you protect us and keep us safe from countless dangers."

"That's right," said Lekona. "You were the one who evacuated us from that whirlpool."

"And you formed that bucket brigade to help that little shark," chirped Kitsune.

"Hey, you can't be all that bad if you took me in without question," said Sarabi, leaning over her seat.

Deborah scooted her seat closer to Barnacles'; she had a lot to say. "When I was little, I was obsessed with the idea of being 'daddy's little princess'. I thought it would be the best thing ever to have the kind of father who looks after you and believes in you; the things I never got from my actual father. So when I came here and started working with you, I just…clung to that idea. You were someone I felt like I could lean on and really be myself around. It was like my life was black and white forever, and then when I came here and met everyone, I began to see in full colour."

"You see?" Professor Inkling gave him a warm grin. "You've given her a father figure, and the rest of us a reliable leader. Why on earth would an injury make you think you were unfit to…"

He trailed off and his smile faded. "…oh."

"What's wrong?" Elekai got up and went to the professor's side; he was worried.

"Now I understand," said Professor Inkling. "You don't want to go down the same path as Amy."

"Who's Amy?" Sarabi cocked her head.

"Amazonite Bobcat. She was one of our old captains," said Professor Inkling. "She and Barnacles were the best of friends."

"I was her lieutenant," said Barnacles. "At least, until…he showed up."

"After five years as captain, Amazonite was in this horrific accident. She came out of it with only one working limb left. She had no choice; she had to leave us." A wave of regret washed over the professor's face. "That was when Seacliff became our captain."

Barnacles clenched his jaw. "That was a horrible two years."

"But Captain," said Deborah, "we would never do those things he did."

"I don't think it's that," said Professor Inkling. "He's worried about his injury prohibiting him from looking after us."

"Captain," said Elekai, "you can still get around. You can still lead us."

"Besides," said Lekona, "it's not like a bad leg is gonna erase everything you've already done."

Barnacles looked up at his crewmates who all had reassuring smiles on their faces. He grinned and pulled Deborah in and ruffled her hair. "You're right; I'm still kicking, and I plan on doing so for as long as I can."

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I don't want to do an outro and you can't make me.