Another gold coin slips through my fingers, plummeting into the endless blue below. The sunlight catches it for a brief moment before it disappears into the depths. I reach into my pocket for another, ignoring the heavy footsteps approaching from my right.

"Still feeding the fish, huh?" Techno's dry voice cuts through the sound of waves lapping against the hull. I don't bother looking up.

"I'm not feeding fish," I mutter, "I'm calling Tommy."

Techno sighs heavily, leaning against the railing beside me. "Wilbur, it's been months. Maybe it's time to let this whole imaginary friend thing go."

"He's not imaginary," I snap, finally tearing my gaze from the water to glare at him. "He saved my life. I'd be dead without him."

"If you say so." Techno's skepticism is as thick as the salt in the air.

"I do say so." I pull out another coin, holding it between my thumb and forefinger. "He'll come back. He just needs to know I'm thinking about him."

Before Techno can respond, another set of footsteps approaches. My father's distinctive gait - confident, measured, the steps of a man who owns every room he enters. Phil Watson, the Pirate King, rounds the corner with his usual easy smile, though it falters slightly when he sees what I'm doing.

"Not again, Wilbur," he says, settling on my other side. His black coat flutters slightly in the breeze, revealing the hilt of his sword and the butt of his pistol. "You've gone through half our treasure feeding it to the ocean."

"I'm not feeding it to the ocean," I repeat, frustration rising in my voice. "I'm trying to get Tommy's attention."

Phil sighs, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Son, I know you survived something terrible out there. But whatever you thought you saw -"

"I didn't imagine him!" I stand abruptly, nearly losing my balance on the swaying deck. "He's real, Dad. A boy with scales and a tail like nothing you've ever seen. Golden hair that shines like the sun and eyes bluer than the deepest part of the ocean."

Techno and Phil exchange a worried look that makes my blood boil. Before I can continue my defense of Tommy, a lookout's shout cuts through the air.

"Ships! Three of 'em! Royal navy by the looks of it!"

Phil is on his feet in an instant, all trace of amusement消失 from his face. "Battle stations! Man the cannons!"

The crew scrambles into action as the distant ships grow larger on the horizon. My heart sinks as I recognize their familiar silhouettes - the Blackwall, the Ruby, and the Concorde. Three of the navy's most feared vessels, and they've caught us unawares.

"We're outnumbered," Techno growls, drawing his sword.

Phil nods grimly, but there's a spark in his eye that I know well - the thrill of a challenge. "Then we'll just have to make this fight memorable."

As the first cannonballs begin to fly, I find myself pressed against the railing, staring out at the churning water. I pull the last gold coin from my pocket, clutching it tightly.

"Tommy," I whisper, "if you can hear me... we need you."

The coin slips from my fingers, spinning downward toward the waves. And as the battle rages around me, I can't help but wonder if this time, the ocean will answer.