My Purpose: A Dream...or a Nightmare

Chapter 4: Puffy's Departure

"TUBBO! DRISTA! PUFFY! ANYONE?" Dream cried. He was banging his fist on his door, yelling for it to be opened.

No, this couldn't be happening. Puffy had left once on a sea mission and it had been the worst thing to ever happen to Dream. But he was younger at the time and didn't know what death was, so this time, it truly was Puffy going on the mission, Dream knew that Puffy might not make it home.

The door cracked open and Dream caught sight of a small face in the doorway looking confused.

"Tubbo?" Dream cried.

"What? What's the matter? Did something happen, Dream?" Tubbo asked, worriedly. He opened the door and Dream shot in, looking around.

He knew Puffy wouldn't just leave without saying goodbye, but the thought that she might've, bore into his head.

"Tubbo," Dream turned to his younger half-brother, "Where's Puffy?"

Worried creases appeared between Tubbo's brows, and he drew a hand through his chestnut brown hair. "At work probably. Why?"

Dream let out a relieved sigh. Everything felt so normal, it almost seemed stupid Dream had thought Puffy was leaving.

But right then, the door opened, and in came Puffy. She had a weird expression on her face, like a cross between sadness, shock, anger, excitement, exhilaration, and fear.

When she caught sight of the two boys, her expression turned into that of guilt and regret.

"Mom?" Dream asked tentatively.

"Hey, boys," Puffy said just as nervously.

Dream couldn't help noticing that she held an official letter sealed with the royal stamp, and in her other hand was the letter. With closer inspection, Dream noticed it was signed with the King's signature.

His hands started to twitch and he fiddled with the end of his sweatshirt.

"Um, I called Drista out of school early. I- I want to tell you all something," Puffy told them, walking past them and up the stairs.

When Drista had entered the house, Puffy came down. She was putting on a fresh, red royal sea captain jacket. It was decorated and lined with gold lacing and she wore a new linen shirt with a collar. Fresh breeches and boots were on as well, but what Dream noticed the most, was the extravagant captains hat in her hand. It had a huge white feather, and was lined with gold patterns like her jacket.

Dream knew what this meant.

There was a knock at the door, and when Drista opened it, to the kids' surprise, it was Captain Sparklez; a father figure for both Dream, Drista, and most especially, Tubbo. He was the King's personal secretary, but he found time to take care of all of them. Tubbo looked up to him and hoped to be him one day.

"Hey, guys," he greeted them with a warm smile.

Dream crossed his arms, watching as Tubbo and Drista yelped in pleasant surprise, giving Captain Sparklez a bear hug. Dream repetitively squeezed the cloth on his arms, nearly tearing them.

"Ok, kids," Puffy addressed them, "I have something I need to tell you."

"It better not be that you found another recipe on how to bake a muffin," Drista cut in, turning back to look at Puffy, rolling her eyes, grinning.

"I- no no," Puffy smiled, but it seemed forced. She pulled out the letter Dream had seen earlier and raised it so everyone could see. "I've been called by The King to go on an exploration. And as the Royal Captain, I must lead the voyage."