Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The night sky looked dreary. Dark storm clouds filled the horizon as the moon rose high into the sky. The endless buildings reached up as lightning cracked across the sky as the rain fell.

Of course it was a dreary rainy day.

Of course it was also Tommy’s only off day.

And of course it also had to be a day of city wide mourning.

Despite the fact that the person they were mourning had been dead for 7 years. Still, an off day was an off day and Tommy was going to take advantage of it at any point he could despite how hard it had been to find any place open at this time of night and on this particular day.

But McDonald’s was always a solid option and from how often he went there it was starting to become a joke that he needed his own personal rewards system. Despite being a Broke kid he didn’t always want to cook and it was directly across from his work so he commonly went there on his lunch breaks. He wasn’t heading back to work though and instead started towards the rickety apartment building to go sit down and watch tv with his Roommate and hope they didn’t have to have a bucket precariously balanced on various items above the TV so it didn’t get water on it.

But despite the day supposedly being a day of national mourning a news notification went off on his phone and Tommy pulled it out swiping right as he opened it.

“Alert- Firestorm and Apollo going at it by Southside McDonald’s”

Well that was funny he was just by there—

A loud explosion and people yelling quickly brought him to the reality that, yes. The two were fighting right near him.

“Shit!” he exclaimed quickly looking around him as he bolted home the rain only getting worse but that’s when he heard the fight clear as day.

“Fighting in the rain what a shame Flame~” Apollo’s silky smooth voice rang out as a burst of flame came for him as he dodged out of the way.

About 50 feet in front of him around the corner he was just about to turn on was Apollo and Firestorm. Apollo had his back to him facing off against the hero his golden guitar sitting across his back unused. It wasn’t everyday they had one of the syndicate on this side of town. Let alone one of the top hero’s. What did they want over here? Most people on this side of town were just desperate for money. It was a shithole of poor people including himself and his roommates.

“Back up will be here soon Apollo just you wait!” Firestorm yelled and Apollo just stood there and for a moment and for a second Tommy thought he was going to get hit, planting his feet to run and push the super villain out of the way. But just before it hit the man, there was a flash of gold and red colors and a tall figure landed in front of him taking the blow the flames dissipating around him.

The Blood God

Two Syndicate members? What the fuck was going on and more importantly he had to get the hell out of here. He looked at his hands for a moment cursing to himself. He would love to help but it wasn’t his problem. This big man deemed this situation a bit bigger than he could deal with, as hard as it was to admit that to himself.

So he promptly turned and headed right back where he came as he heard more fighting break out between the two villains teaming up against the poor hero.

Because of them being right in his way it took over an hour to walk home. He had to go past the McDonald’s and take Northampton street to 31st way then circle back around to his apartment building.

So by the time he stood in front of his apartment door and unlocked it entering it was around 1am. Fucking supervillains.

When he opened the door he was welcomed to his two roommates sitting on the couch eyes on the TV screen watching something.

“Tommy! You’re home!” Tubbo bounded over to give him a hug.

“Yeah big man of course I’m home. Why wouldn’t I be? I got rent to pay too. Can’t trust you two fuckers to do it alone now can I?” He laughed hugging him back before Tubbo moved to pull him to the couch.

“That whole villain fight is still going on! It’s live right now. “

“It’s still going on?” Tommy exclaimed sitting down next to Tubbo pulling out his now cold McDonald’s.

“Yeah!!! The Blood God and Apollo have been toying with Firestorm for the past hour! Time Turner just got there 15 minutes ago and is currently engaging with Apollo while Firestorm and BG are dooking it out! Thanatos has yet to appear but if anymore hero’s show up it may lure him out. Why are they over here anyways?”

“Who knows. They’re villains. Being destructive and what not is what they do,”Ranboo piped up watching intently. Of course out of the three of them Ranboo was the only one who managed to stay in the Hero Training program after high school. His teleportation was insanely useful and he had piqued the interest of the number one hero, The Puppeteer. Still, despite that they shared their one bedroom apartment in the shitty South district with a barely operating toilet and off and on water. It was drafty and had no heat but it was a roof over their head. Ranboo’s training program took over most of the day so he only could work evening shift jobs and could only pull part-time hours with everything going on.

This left Tubbo and Tommy to cover a majority of the rent. It sucked and left them with very little money but they had some food and on the occasion ended up with a bit extra.

“Alrighty, well I am going to go to work,” Ranboo says standing up as he stretches a little running a hand through his hair.

“But Boo, they're still fighting out there! What if you get caught up in it?”

“But I have to get to work, Tubbo. We need the money!”

“Have to agree with him there Tubs,” Tommy sighs rubbing the back of his neck. “‘Sides he’s got a training license and can teleport there if needed without getting in trouble.”

“Oh come on, technically I’m not allowed to use that!” Ranboo rolled his eyes going for the door as he grabbed his backpack. “I’m thinking of quitting that anyways.”

But of course before Tommy and Tubbo had even an inkling of thought as to what to say he was gone.

The duo exchanged looks to each other for a moment then back to the door then at each other.

“Did he just say that?” Tommy asks.

“Mhm…”

“And has said nothing to you?”

“Nope.”

“How fucking sick is he?!?”

“Should we go grab him?”

“Could we catch him?

“Probably not…”

“Wanna try..” Tommy smirked looking at Tubbo.

“If he’s threatening that then fuck yeah!”

And with that the two bolted out the door of their apartment Tubbo locking it behind them as they moved to chase after their friend. They both knew he couldn’t have gone far with how long he was gone but if he ended up using his teleportation powers then the both of them would have issues finding him. Tommy’s ability wasn’t the most useful in this sense of a chance either. Neither was Tubbos.

However, what both of them forgot was that there was still a fight going on in their district. It was rather close and constantly moving as it seemed. Still, Tubbo and Tommy had a mission and both of them would not fail in locating their friend. The rain pelted their faces as they ran thunder and lightning echoing around them.

But Tommy saw it far before Tubbo did and pushed him out of the way before back up himself as a large portion of a billboard came down between them in the street.

“Tommy!!!!”

“Yeah Tubbo I know! Go find Ranboo and kick his ass for me!”

“But--”

“Not buts go get him! I’ll figure out a way to just get back to the apartment, okay?”

“Fine we’ll meet you back at the apartment, stay safe Tommy!”

“Stay safe Tubbo.”

Getting back to the apartment shouldn’t be that difficult but if those guys had moved this way? They were probably much closer than what Tommy wanted his friends to be near. He was still concerned as to why they were over on this side of town anyways. He looked around him. The sign had gone pretty deep into the concrete. He could just climb over it but even then it was massive. Trying to change it to something was impossible. He couldn’t even think of something to make that would be useful to make. He moved and ran into a nearby alley way as he saw the Blood God and Firestorm run past across the roof tops.

He let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding as his heart pounded against his chest. They should have never let Ranboo go out in the first place. Let alone follow him. He leaned against the alleyway, the rain trailing down his cheeks in the rain. As he just relaxed for a moment.

He tried to relax before he heard rustling deeper in the alleyway and out came a disheveled looking man. There was a black beanie shoved onto his head, a guitar case on his back with a simple black jacket over a t-shirt. He had thick round glasses sitting on his nose as he sort of looked a bit dazed as he leaned against the wall. What the fuck? What was a goddamn hipster doing over here? More importantly he was obviously limping. He leaned heavily on one leg and against the brick wall next to him.

“Woah you okay there big man?”He commented on everything this guy did. He was on edge but this guy seemed harmless enough. Maybe he got mugged?

“Fuck… yeah kid I’m fine.” His voice was a bit hoarse and raspy and while normall Tommy would peg the hipsters all smokers but not this one. He didn’t seem like the smoking type but still his words hit him all the same.

Kid

The word hit him like a brick. This guy thought he was a kid.

“I am not a fucking kid. I’m the biggest man and I was gunna offer my help but if you’re gunna call me a kid then I’m gunna fuck right off. “ He promptly turned and moved to walk up before the guys voice pipes up.

“Wait, fine shit I’m sorry, I’m Wilbur, and you?”

Tommy turned and crossed his arms looking at his eyebrows raised. “Tommy, wanna tell me what happened?”He motions towards his leg.

“Had a gig earlier tonight I was leaving and well I guess I seemed like an easy target?” He shrugged. “Got a good beating then woke up just now.” Now that the man mentioned it there were fresh bruises still in the process of forming across his face. Namely around his nose and jaw. Tommy’s hands glowed red, the energy building, flowing through his body for a moment as he reaches to the ground and grabs a trash bag. With a flash of red in its place was a first aid kit.

“Lucky for you I was here then. Looks like a nasty gash on your knee…”He pointed out opening up the kit in his hands as he looked over it’s contents.

“Oh fuck yeah i guess so.”

“Shit just sit against the fucking wall hipster dude.”

“I’m not a hipster?” The man still did as he was told even as he looked at Tommy.

“Your name is Wilbur…. And your have round ass fucking glasses, yes!! A goddamn hipster!” Tommy walked over to look at the gash on his knee. It was a clean slice done by something sharp. That was nice at least. Still, he knew there was going to be fabric in it. This guy probably needed stitches but Tommy was no way in hell dealing with those.

“That doesn’t mean I’m a fucking Hipster!”

“I say otherwise.” He smirked as he set the first aid kit down going through it. He grabbed a spare rag and with another moment of building energy and a small glowing light from his hands came a clean rag. “You’re lucky that my friends and I have uber bad luck. I have plenty of experience patching people up.”

“Wait, you live around here?”

“No dipshit I live in North Miles under the ‘protection of the Hero Committee’,” He rolls his eyes looking up at him. “Yes I fucking live here.”

“Woah no offense there Toms,” Wilbur put his hands up. “Thanks for helping me.” The man named Wilbur gave him this large goofy smile and Tommy just grumbled under his breath that he couldn’t let a hipster break his glasses.

“No problem, just stay still. You’re gonna need stitches dude. I can help a little but you got to get to a hospital.” Tommy looked up at him and Wilbur seemed to nod. “How much did they take from you?” Wilbur hesitated as he felt around his pockets as Tommy did his best to pull some fabric out of the wound. There wasn’t much he could do but clean it and wrap it.

“Shit I was worried about that…”

“Yeah well I can still help.” He shrugged and moved to put some gauze over the wound knowing it wouldn’t last too long. He still grabbed the cloth and wrapped it tightly around the wound causing Wilbur to wince and give a gasp.

“What the fuck didn’t care to warn me?!?!”

‘No,” he looks up at him with a smirk.” people react better when they don’t know. It’s like the first thing of most first aid, especially like resetting an arm or something.” Tommy shrugged but finished fastening the bandages and cloth around his knee.

“That’s a pretty cool gift you have there by the way,” he smiles.

“Thanks, I guess,” Tommy nodded and stood up. “There you are dipshit. I have helped as much as I can for the time being. Think you can make it to the subway okay?” Tommy wasn’t exactly in a position to be able to hand out monetary gifts. He did have his subway pass on him and maybe this Wilbur guy could use it. The card only had one more use of it anyways so it wouldn’t really do much for him because he would have to get another tomorrow anyways. Thinking about it, he pulls out his wallet and passes it to the guy.

“What’s this?”Wilbur asks, frowning gently while taking it.

“Fuck’s sake you do know what the subway is right?”

“No shit Sherlock, yes I know what the subway is.”

“That’s my old pass, it should have one more use left to you,” Tommy put away his wallet and gently moved to take the first aid kit with him. He hated using his abilities but also it was useful when they were broke, which they were.

“No, I can't take this from a kid!” He exclaimed and Tommy shot him a pointed glare. Wilbur raised his arms in defense,”fine not a kid.”

“Now be careful so you don’t get your ass fucking mugged again bitch,” He sighs and shoves his free hand into his pocket. He was going to get so sick from this fucking rain, but nonetheless he headed home hoping Ranboo and Tubbo were going to be there waiting for him. God they were going to get a kick out of this story.

By the time Tommy got back to the apartment the rain had thankfully died down but he was shivering and soaked to the bone and he hoped Tubbo and Ranboo had fared better. As he walked in he saw Tubbo sitting under a mountain of covers with a warm drink in his hands and Ranboo gently rubbing his back.

“Glad you guys made it home,” he comments as he takes off his shoes, setting the first aid kit on the counter.

“Tommy! You’re fucking soaked let me go grab some towels. You should get in the shower to warm up. It’s actually a hot water day,” Ranboo smiles and stands up going to do exactly that. “I made some hot chocolate, it’s still on the stove if you want some.”

“Thanks, Ranboob but I think my main focus right now is getting changed out of these fucking soaked clothes. You two alright though? No issues with that fight?”

“Nah Tubbo found me not too long after you guys got separated and I teleported us back here. Why did you guys come after me? Tubbo’s been trying to warm up ever since we got home because both of you guys forgot umbrellas?!” He gave a glare at them both with that one.

“You said you were going to quit the hero program!!” Tubbo exclaimed, pouting from his spot on the couch. “You’ve wanted to be in that program since we were all in primary school.”

Ranboo sighed and handed Tommy the few towels they had left. “I know what I said… and I meant it. There’s a lot going on and now that I’ve seen this side of the Hero Committee? I don’t want to be a part of it anymore.” He moves to sit down, beginning to get lost in thought.

Tommy frowned as he looked at Ranboo. He looked solemn and almost like he had been betrayed and slowly Tommy moved to sit next to him. “But no matter what happens you know we’re both here for you right? Tubbo and I?”

“Tommy is right! We’re always gunna be here for each other! If you want to drop the hero program Ranboo we’ll support you!” Tubbo gave a bright smile before sneezing a little bit causing his two friends to laugh a little.

“Don’t be so grim like you’re fighting this alone!” Tommy laughed and moved to tackle Ranboo into a hug despite his soaking wet clothes causing Ranboo to shriek as they both landed on top of Tubbo.

“Gross!! You’re clothes are so fucking soaked Tommy what the hell,” Ranboo laughed as he desperately tried to get away.

“FUCK YEAH THEY ARE!!!” His grip only tightened until a quiet voice broke him out of his smothering.

“You’re on top of me!”

“Shit sorry Tubs!” Tommy quickly moved to get off of Ranboo as they all laughed at everything going on. Despite the night being kinda shit overall he was glad he had his friends. Lord knows what he would do without them. He moved to grab his towels heading for the bathroom.

“Have a good shower Tommy!” Tubbo smiled as Ranboo went back to being a mother hen to Tubbo making sure he was warm and toasty.

Tommy just smiled as he flipped them off heading into the bedroom to get to the bathroom, grabbing a spare change of clothes along the way.

And as he got into the scalding hot shower he thought back to just the day as a whole. For a day of designated mourning there was too much going on and it had Tommy concerned that this was an omen.

Something bad was going on and it was going to just get worse.

Chapter Text

Tommy was back to work the next day at Nikki’s bakery, The Snow Capped Cupcake. She was in the back making some biscuits as he made coffee and served the various sweets and deserts she made each day. The place was small but homely. There were some potted plants hanging from the ceiling, the vines working their way around everything as they grew. There were only a few places to sit but they had more seating outside on their small patio. He knew how hard Nikki worked to keep this place running. She was also a good boss and always gave him the hours he needed even if she didn’t want to completely give him as many hours as he worked.

“Did you have a good Mourning Day?”Nikki asked gently as she brought up a steaming plate of Cookies to put in the window smiling at him. Her pink hair was put into a circle braid around her head as her apron was covered in flour.

“You could say that,”Tommy shrugs as he makes coffee for a customer. “Tim.” He calls out the name as he goes back to talking to his boss.

“ I saw on the news last night about The Blood God and Apollo being on your part of town. They didn’t get near you guys right?”Her voice was laced with mild concern as she watches him.

“I briefly saw them on my way home from getting food,”he shrugs as the door chimes signaling another customer.

“I’m glad your safe then Tommy!”She gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze and turns around heading to the kitchen once more.

“Hi, welcome to the Snow Capped Cupcake what can I--”He stopped mid sentence looking at who was in front of him. Curly brown hair over wide circle glasses. A sweater with a familiar black beanie resting over his head.”Well if it isn’t the fucking Hipster!” He noticed the man had a messenger bag crossed over his chest with a crutch under his arm.

“What a nice surprise,”The man smirked, leaning on the crutch a bit as he looks over Tommy for a moment.

“You’re walking,”Tommy points out. “Aww and using a cane like the old fucking man you are!”

“Hey! I’m not that fucking old. It’s also a crutch, not a cane. Aren’t you supposed to be taking my order? Do you just have bad customer service skills?”Wilbur raises his eyebrows at Tommy as he sort of watches him.

“No, i’m a fucking delight. It’s just a shame you can’t tell that. Do you need to get your ears checked?” Tommy smirks as he logs into the computer. “What do you want Bitch?”

Wilbur rolls his eyes at this as he orders,” One black coffee and some Green Tea. Large for both please.”

“Wow Black coffee and Tea? Need it for your low energy and joints? And are you really gonna drink that much?”

“One’s for my brother Tommy,” he teases just a little as he pulls out some money and pays him for the drink just as he put a decent amount in the tip jar.

“Ahh, a tip, thank you, you old decrepit man. You have earned my thanks in the form of a gift. Which drink is your brother’s?”He had the widest grin as Wilbur looked at him questioningly.

“The green tea, Thanks again for last night. Really saved my ass.”

“Of course I did, I'm the biggest man around,”Tommy smiles proudly at that one as he moves away to make the drinks for the insufferable man. Tommy watches as Wilbur limps a bit to sit in a seat by the window pulling out a journal and beginning to write something in it. The simple plastic crutch was resting against the table. He could see the bandages underneath his jeans. But still, he moves around with ease as he brews the coffee and the tea, snapping the lids on both as he starts to write before sticking them both in a drink carrier. He smirks and walks past the counters and moves to set them on the table Wilbur was at.

“Wilbitch?”He calls out, holding up the two drinks. Thankfully it was only those two in the store right now other than Niki but she was in the back anyways so he wasn’t concerned with her for the moment.

“Wilbitch?” Wilbur laughs and looks up at him before he moves to take the coffee from the drink carrier. He pauses to admire the pen markings sitting on the side of the cup. “And a dick really? You truly are a kid.”

“Yes,” Tommy smirks, laughing as Wilbur sees the dick drawing on the cup. “I am a fucking artist come on! How’s your knee holding up.” He motions to the single crutch then to his knee.

“Pretty good actually. They said if you hadn’t patched me up in that alleyway it would have been a lot worse but since you pretty much cleaned it up and everything I should heal up just fine with very little chance of infection.” Wilbur shrugged and sipped at his coffee. “Speaking of that, when do you get on break?”

“I normally don’t take a break, fuck I normally don’t work this early, why? Trying to creep on a kid?”

“Thought you said you weren’t a kid,but also explains why I’ve never run into you before. Shame really”The man laughed as he looked up half-lidded through his hair as he drank his coffee. “But no, I want to thank you properly for helping me yesterday. Look I’ll even give you my number and you can text me when you get off? I was just thinking about getting some food?”

Tommy was hesitant for a moment. “Fine bitch boy. Food sounds fine.” He moved to take a piece of paper Wilbur held out for him. On it had his full name ‘Wilbur Soot Craft’ then his phone number just below it. “Text you when I’m done. Best go give your brother his tea. Tastes like shit cold and I’m not going to take the complaint because your old ass couldn’t move fast enough to deliver it.”

Wilbur laughed again brightly before nodding. “Alright alright. Text me where you want to go for food and I’ll pick you up whenever you get off?”

“Sure bitch,”He laughs but nods and goes back behind the counter as Wilbur gets up and goes to the door leaning heavily on his crutch. Tommy watches him walk out to a running car. It seemed to some sort of expensive ass brand that Tommy didn't recognize. Was it imported? Was this hipster loaded or something? Then he actively remembered the guy left a tip and went to go check it out. The guy left him a $50 bill. How rich was this fucker?

“See you met Wil?”Nikki smiles standing in the doorway for a moment before walking out next to him as he watches the car slowly drive off.

“Yeah.. I helped him out a little bit last night.”

“Last night?’She frowned a little bit.

“Yeah , he got mugged in an alleyway. Weird place on his knee to get hurt though and it didn’t look like a normal cut but either way I wrapped it with what I could,”He shrugged a bit as he looked back out the window to the dreary day. It wasn’t raining but it was just cloudy and overcast.

“Oh that’s unfortunate. I’m glad he’s okay. He comes by here all the time. Thank you for taking Jack’s shift though. I know he really appreciates it,”She smiles gently. “If you want to just stay for the morning shift instead of working a double I can cover the close.”

“Are you sure?”He frowns, asking. “Don’t you still open tomorrow too? I don’t want you to be too exhausted Nikki.”

“How about this then. You work a double tomorrow, too. I think Jack’s probably gonna have to call out tomorrow anyways so it will work out. Sound okay?”

“Yeah! Sounds good. I appreciate you helping me with my hours and all!” Tommy laughed and pulled out his phone so he could text Wilbur and then his roomates. He hoped his roomates wouldn’t mind him not being there tonight… Then again as far as they knew he was working a double today. Still he shot a text to Wilbur’s number.

“Hello Wilbitch, it’s Tommy. I get off at 4 tonight.”

“4? Sounds good to me! Anywhere you want to go? I know a few places if you don’t.”

“Honestly anything sounds good to me.”

“See you at 4 then Toms!”

Tommy smiles at his phone but puts it away. He really appreciated Nikki working with him like she did. He knew she was really busy all the time and would more than likely be busy no matter what was going on.

Still the rest of his shift went without an issue as he texted his roommates that he wasn’t sure what time he was going to be home. Nikki’s shop was in Central End. The best place to go for anything. It was the main shopping district and close to the city hall and everything. She was just happy her store hadn’t been blown up by any fights. If that happened though Nikki always said she had backups and would help Tommy get a job elsewhere. He sighs a bit and takes off his apron, putting it up and clocking out as he slides on his simple grey hoodie to fight against the oncoming cold weather settling into the city. He got a text on his phone.

“Running late sorry toms! >-<” What was that emoji? Oh he was totally going to make fun of him for that.

“It’s fine, You’re the late one old man!” He smirks looking at his phone for a moment, laughing quietly to himself as he puts his hands in his pockets sitting on the patio admiring the sunset on the various skyscrapers around them. Still, 5 minutes later a sleek dark black Z28 camarro pulls up and the window rolls down. Inside is none other than Wilbitch himself.

“Wholly shit, how do you have this nice of a car,”he gasps out under his breath. Jesus this guy was loaded.

“Just get in Tommy! You’re gonna enjoy this!” Wilbur laughs and revs the car's engine as Tommy circles the car and gets in the passenger side buckling up. “I normally walk everywhere but my knees a bit fucked and I can’t walk super long distances, doctor’s orders. So I borrowed one of my dad’s cars.” The second Tommy got in he was astounded with the luxury that he sat on. Everything even as he got in the car was just luxury and comfort. Tommy wished he had a driver’s license right now.

“So wait where are we going?”

“To one of my friend’s restaurants! You never told me where and my friends runs this great little place by Central Park.”

“Are you taking me there to kill me,”Tommy asks a little bit seriously. Raising an eyebrow at him before turning his eyes on the road.

“God no! My friend named Bad runs this cute little cottage themed restaurant. It’s not far, it's just annoying enough to walk too since it’s across the district,” he shrugs.

“Mhm sure, old man picks up a youngster never to be seen again!”

“You’re such a prick!”Wilbur laughs eyes on the road.

“And you’re such a bitch! You’re lucky I’m even gracing you with my presence!”

“Yes because you are the ‘biggest man’!”he teases as he laughs poking fun at Tommy for a moment.

“Yes, in fact I am the biggest man. Thank you for noticing!” He smiles smugly at Wilbur. “What’s the place called anyways?”

“Eat your heart out! It’s a buffet style restaurant,”he explains as eventually they pull into a small parking lot of a small little place. There was a cute sign hanging from the door that read “please enter” in cursive writing. Wilbur got out of the car motioning Tommy to do the same as they both got out and Wilbur locked the car. As they got out a figure could be seen jumping from building top to building top.

It wasn’t seen too often but it was definitely one of the hero’s. If Tommy could take a guess he would take it as The Captain making her rounds. Still, he brushed past the thoughts following Wilbur to the door sticking close as they entered into the rather tight space. While it was small the ceilings were surprisingly tall. That made sense considering the host was 7ft tall and a more demonic figure.

“Hey Wil!!!''Bad smiles and grabs some menus. “Nice to see you again! And you have someone new with you. Nice to meet you I’m Bad!”

“Uh, Tommy,”he introduced, `` If only even a bit shyly, a little intimidated by the large imposing figure that Bad was.

“Just the two of us tonight!”

“No Phil and Techno?” Bad’s head cocked to the side in concern, a small frown settling onto his features for a moment.

“They’re busy tonight and couldn’t make it is all.” Wilbur shrugged.

Bad still smiled and nodded.”Well, I hope you still have a wonderful evening without them, but follow me,” He Motioned for them to follow as they start towards the small booths and Bad get’s them seated. The restaurant seemed empty right now so it was just the two of them which seemed nice if anything.

“I’ll be right back, What do you guys want to drink?”

“Uh, some coffee for me,”Wilbur smiles as he opens the Menu Bad had placed in front of him.

“Do you have Coke?”

“Yeah of course! I’ll be right back with those!!”Bad smiles and walks off to go get their drinks. Tommy watched him leave. What an interesting power, guess it made sense that not everyone could hide it?

Tommy turned his attention from Bad walking away to Wilbur looking over the menu. He slowly moved to look over the menu himself.

“What’s good here?”

“The muffins are phenomenal, we’ll have to get you some to take home, but really anything here is really good,”Wilbur sets his menu down, smiling gently at Tommy. “I do have a question though.”

“Shoot,”Tommy says eyes going over the menu in front of him as his eyes go over the many options available. A burger sounded nice. But also pancakes?!? That sounded better. French toast maybe? With eggs? Oooo too many things to decide on.

Wilbur sighs gently. “Tommy, are you registered?” Tommy stopped and looked at him for a moment. Shit. It was okay, it wasn't like Wilbur was a cop. As far as he knew he could just lie and WIlbur would be none the wiser. There was no way he could see if he was registered. That kind of information wasn’t open to the public.

“Yeah of course I am,”he nods with a shrug trying to focus on the menu and no Wilbur. He had lied about this a million times. Why was this time any different? “Why’d you ask?”

“Oh! Just never seen a power like yours before is all. Only other person I know who can do anything like what you do is that villain The Dealer. I figured you were probably in the hero program or something,”Wilbur shrugged as Bad came back, setting their drinks on the table and setting down some straws in the middle.

“Alrighty, Do you guys know what you want? Or do you need more time?” Bad looked between them holding a pen and notepad that looked a bit small and awkward in his hands.

“I know what I want, what about you Tommy?”

“Uhh yeah sure, you go first though!” Tommy’s eyes widened wanting to hide behind the menu for a moment. Of course they had to be interrupted. But shit what did he want?

“I’m just going to get a regular burger please,”Wilbur smiles as he hands the menu back to Bad.

“Of course Wilbur! And you?”

“Uhhh, I’ll try the chicken sandwich please,” he decided as he also handed the menu back to the man who nodded and finishes writing it down.

“”That will be out shortly!” Tommy watches him leave again before he truly replies to Wilbur’s comment. His nose crinkled at the idea of being even associated with the hero’s. He knew Ranboo was but that was different. He knew him personally and knew he wouldn't pull a lot of the sketchy shit a lot of the other hero’s pulled. The only current hero he respected was the Captain herself. She was rather chill. He had even met her one time when someone ran a red light as he was crossing the street. She really saved his ass. He would have been a goner if it wasn’t for her.

“So, are you in the hero program?”Wilbur’s facial expressions were soft and almost just accepting but there was also an unnerving violence at the edge of his tongue and how he phrased that sentence. It was like if Tommy didn’t answer truthfully something might go a little differently.

“No, I’m not,”and with those words whatever had been holding Wilbur on the edge of his seat like a threat backed off. It freaked Tommy out a little bit but it was also like in a moment of time there was nothing wrong at all in the first place. Like there wasn’t just an invisible knife held to his throat demanding answers.

He swallowed thickly for a moment before continuing. “I don’t really have respect for a lot of those supposed Heros. They only cover the areas they want to and leave us in the Outer districts struggling. We rely on vigilantes and occasional villain sightings to keep our crime rates low but even then they go up every year.” He shrugs a little bit moving to pull his soda closer grabbing the straw as well, immediately going to pull off a majority of the wrapper leaving only a little bit on the tip.

“Really? Well I must say your opinion is few and far between. Not many people think of things like you do,”Wilbur sighs and looks around him. “Makes sense why all these cozy places tend to be over here and not over in the South or East districts of --”He was cut off as the small portion of the straw wrapper Tommy had left on the straw hit Wilbur in the face.

Tommy scoffed bursting out into laughter. He can’t believe he just made that shot. The wrapped had hit it’s mark in the middle of Wilbur’s forehead just between his eyes before bouncing off and landing on the table.

“You’re such a fucking child!!”He exclaimed, smiling. Laughter hiding in his eyes as he grabbed the remaining straw on the table quickly moving to try and make it into a weapon as Tommy ducked below the table a little.

“You’ll never catch me bitch! Bet your eyesight is so old you couldn’t shoot straight anyways!”

That was before he looked over at Wilbur underneath the table and found his smiling face back at him before he shot his own weapon and nailed Tommy right on the tip of his nose.

“HAH! Right back at you Toms!” He smiled, moving to put the straw in his drink. “I can’t believe I made that.” He was breathless with laughter for a moment even as Tommy pouted.

“Fuck you!”

“You started it you little shit!”

“This isn’t over!” Tommy exclaimed, eyes narrowing at Wilbur. “I will end up victorious.” It was a playful threat in his voice.

“Oh uh huh for sure Tommy. Definitely going to win,”and Wilbur rolled his eyes as he take a drink of his water.

“I will, are you, Wilbur Soot Craft doubting me?” Tommy smirked bringing out the others full name as he seemed a bit taken aback by the other using his full name. “What’re you scared of Wilbur? A challenge?”

“Oh it’s on kid. We’re going to fight to the death with this one. But I’m taking it this means we’re going to have to see each other more? Want to make going out like this a thing? Maybe get food once a week? My treat. I’ll pay for it.” Wilbur’s voice calmed down at the end of his sentence. Tommy could see he was too kind for his own good but also as much as he didn’t want to admit it he really was enjoying this time with him. He liked the banter and how no matter what he did the other just seemed to roll with it.

“You much be a really lonely insufferable old bitch-man if you’re asking a “kid” to hang out with you,”He teased smirking as Wilbur reached across the table to seemingly hit his head a bit and Tommy barely dodged out of the way laughing through it as a voice brought them both back to reality.

“Alrighty, one burger, and one Chicken sandwich,” Bad says as he sets the plates down in front of them.

“Thanks Bad you’re the best,”Wilbur smiles.

“No problem Will! Just don’t cause too much of a mess in my restaurant either,”He teased softly. “Oh! And Tommy, here’s this. Any friends of Wilbur’s are friends of mine.” He set down a small neat box with the restaurant’s logo on it. A fork with an anatomically correct heart on it. It was a bit gorey for a logo but with the red and pink outlining it actually seemed to fit really well, oddly enough. When he opened the box though he was welcome with the biggest muffin he had ever seen. It was at least twice the size of his hand and could honestly be argued that this was definitely a small cake. But it still had the muffin top and the smell of blueberries and yeast wafting from it only reminded him of how hungry he was as his stomach growled.

“This smells so good, Thank you so much Bad!”Tommy was excited now and moved to try the muffin first but Wilbur moved faster than him and slammed the lid back down on the cardboard bakery box.

“Ah, ah ah little gremlin. Gotta eat something consistent before dessert.” Wilbur’s face held a smug smirk across it as he watched Tommy sit there dumbfounded for just a second before he smacked WIlbur’s hand away.

“You’re welcome though Tommy,”Bad gently gives his shoulder a squeeze before walking off himself.

“Fuck you bitch! I can do what I want!” Still Tommy made no other motions for the muffin box and simply put it off to the side as he digs into the sandwich in front of him. Wholly shit was his food so good. This was nothing like the sandwiches from mcdonalds or the put together sandwiches that they did sometimes when they were really tight on cash. This was so good and god he wished he could get this every night but he knew that would be impossible. This place was definitely far too pricey for him and his roommates but Tubbo’s birthday was coming up and Ranboo’s was too. Maybe he could have his tip money for them to come here? Praying that nothing bad happened, they could do it. It would be nice to have a solid dinner for once other than just from whatever they had in their cabinets that wasn’t expired.

“So who are Techno and Phil?”Tommy asked after a few bites into his sandwich. He had almost forgotten to ask about them after Bad had mentioned them earlier.

“Oh, those are my family members. Techno is my brother and Phil is my dad,”Wilbur explained as he continued to eat his own food.

“Do you guys usually come here?”

“Yeah it’s like our go to family dinner place. It’s either here or we just make food at home. But it is indeed nice to go out every once in a while and escape Techno’s potato obsession.” This causes Tommy to burst out laughing.

“Potato obsession? I have to know about that one,”Tommy pressed, smiling brightly at him. He wanted to know more. Everything about Wilbur was just interesting and entertaining it seemed. Maybe his family was the same. Even if deep in his heart he longed for a family of his own. Maybe a few brothers, A mom, a dad. That sounded nice. Impossibly nice to have.

“I’m not sure on that one myself he just really loves potatoes and will make them at any chance he can. He gardens a bit on the side but he couldn’t grow anything else but potatoes for some reason so while it started out as a joke I think it ended up just developing into his entire personality. I will say my Brother’s personality is being an extra special potato.”

“An extra special potato…”Tommy repeated as he barely manages to hold back a snort of laughter as he takes a drink just about sending the liquid through his nose. “I’m gunna tell him you said that if I ever meet him.”

“Good luck with that one Toms. His sleep schedule is more fucked than mine. Practically could call the fucker nocturnal.”

“Oooo Spooky,”Tommy teases a little bit as Wilbur playfully kicks the others leg.

“Shut up!”

“Never. I am quite convinced it’s not in my vocabulary actually.”

‘Oh I believe it big man!”

“You said it! Fuck yes!” He was a bit loud but quickly lowered his voice seeing Bad’s head whip around at his words. He quietly went back to eating his sandwich avoiding the stern gaze of the restaurant owner only causing Wilbur to burst out laughing, hard.

“Oh yeah Bad’s not a huge fan of cursing especially loud cursing. I forgot to warn you sorry, bitch boy.”

“Don’t you call me bitch boy! That nickname’s reserved for you.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah it is but either way you called me Big Man, which means despite aything you said you know it’s true. I am in fact the biggest man.”

“But you’re so short?”

“No you’re just freakishly tall!”

“My brother’s taller than me Tommy,”

“Jesus! He has to be close to the height of one of my roomates then. One of my roomates is just super freakishly tall. It’s super weird just how he towers over anyone he meets!” Wilbur shrugged at this one laughing softly as he slowly finished up his burger. Tommy beginning to wrap up his own food.

“Would you want to meet my brother eventually? Maybe my dad too?”

Tommy shrugged,” I mean maybe? That’s a bit odd though Wilbitch, Already trying to introduce the kid you kidnapped to your family. What’re trying to do give me stockholm syndrom?”

“Gods you’re too fucking dramatic. I’m just gunna leave you here then,”he joking moves to get up. As Tommy moves to grab his wrist.

“Uhh but you’re still paying the bill right?” Tommy was only halfway joking about that one as Wilbur gently sits back down.

“Well no shit sherlock yes I’m paying the bill. In fact let me go do that. I’ll be right back.” Tommy let’s go of his wrist as he gets up once more to go talk to Bad leaning heavily on his crutch the entire way. He watches from his booth spot as the two interact as Wilbur pays for their food before circling back over.

“Ready to go?”

“Yep,”Tommy pops his P a bit as he gets out of the booth grabbing his giant muffin he was way too excited to eat.

“You okay with me driving you home? I know you can definitely get home from here but I know that area can be super sketchy at night and personally I’d feel better if I could drop you off. That okay?”

“Fine by me. But you’re not getting any of his muffin, capische?”

“Hey, your muffin man. Not mine.”Wilbur laughed as he held up his hands a bit The car ride to Tommy’s was filled with idle conversation. Tommy asking more questions about Wilbur’s family and Wilbur continuously shit talking them the entire way. Tommy interjected directions every now and again so they could get through the streets of Southside and successfully get Tommy back to his apartment in one piece.

“Here I am,”He smiles gently. “Thanks for dinner Wilbitch. It was nice. Can’t wait to do this again!” He slowly opens the door and gets out of the car.

“Yeah of course anytime. You be safe and text me if you need anything. Now that I know your hours too, you get your sweet ass I will be stopping by to be insufferable too.”Wilbur smirks as Tommy rolls his eyes.

“Mhm sure you can certainly fucking try. Goodnight Wilbur,”He comments a bit sarcastically as he pulls out his keys and passcard to get into the building, giving the man a wave as he enters and walks up the stairs to the 3rd floor opening the apartment door.

Inside were his two roommates…. But they both were wearing masks and weird and odd outfits causing Tommy to do a double take.

“What the fuck is going on?!”

“Tommy! We’re going to be Vigilantes!” Tubbo’s voice piped up from behind the gas mask he had sitting on his face. Where the fuck did they get a gas mask?

“Uhh yeah!”Ranboo was a bit more shy at that statement but stuck to the whole black ensemble including a solid black mask.

“And you two fucker’s didn’t think of inviting me?!?!” Tommy exclaimed, closing the door behind them as he was taking in what was going on.

“We were!”Ranboo says, quickly moving to grab a small box. “We went thrift shopping because we needed some better winter clothes and blankets and found some cool stuff! We got you an outfit too. But only if you want?”

“You’re asking me if I want to start fighting crime with you two, illegally. I am okay with this but just one question… Ranboo is this why you wanted to drop out of the hero program? You wanted to become a vigilante?” Tommy moves to take the box looking through the items and nods at what he finds. It didn’t hold a lot but it was just enough so he could hide his appearance.

Ranboo nodded slowly. “The hero’s don’t give a shit about us over here! They’re never going to actively try and help us and the crime. So we need to do it ourselves!” His voice was laced with determination and hesitant confidence and honestly Tommy was proud. He knew how quiet Ranboo could be but here he was fighting for what he believed in.

Slowly he nods and moves to pull out the bright red bandana. He ties it around his face covering his nose and mouth, “Then let me get changed and let’s go see what we can do about this Ranboob.” He smiles brightly.

“Ooo! There’s a matching beanie in there for you too,”Tubbo says motioning for him to move the matching bright red hoodie. Indeed as Tommy moves the hoodie to the side sitting on some fingerless gloves was a simple red beanie. Not his style but it was the point of this.

Oh he was going to look so good in this.

Chapter Text

Balancing his new Vigilante life and work was a struggle.

He went in most days exhausted out of his mind and most of the time the trio ended up making shifts so the three were not always out every night. It had become a routine. But no matter what, Friday and Saturday night were always the three of them together. Other than that they ran two on patrol and one at the apartment keeping an eye on police and other things.

Tubbo had managed to engineer them each some small ear pieces out of an old set of blue tooth earbuds. As long as they each had their phone on them and pretty much stayed on a 3-way call it would be fine. It was stupid how simple it was but it worked wonders for them.

Their main focus had also been teaching Tubbo how to fight on the side. He knew the basics: Punching, taking a punch, but he needed to know how to disarm someone. How to take them down safely. Tommy didn’t know all of these things either and was thankful for Ranboo having had that extra bit of hero training.

Out of the three of them though, Ranboo stayed behind the scenes as much as possible. He was the only one of them registered. The city knew full and well about his abilities in specific detail. Part of the admittance policies to the Hero program. So with that Tubbo taught him how to use his laptop to search and locate crimes, how to access police Channels, etc.

Tommy had a lot of fun even if some days he ended up being dead on his feet. He ended up with new bruises and small cuts every once in a while from it.

Tonight it was Tubbo and Tommy leading the forefront of their vigilante efforts. Tubbo taking the name Chernobyl, basing the name on his control over radioactivity. Ranboo settled on a simple name, Ghost. He didn’t want a name to immediately tell people about his powers, and it seemed he had been thinking of about it for a while. Tommy on the other hand had struggled with his name. He wanted to find something that felt right. So after a few nights of research he settled on the name Theseus. Based off of the fearsome battle between him and the minotaur in Greek mythology.

And over the course of the few months they had been been vigillante’s they had made quite the name for themselves. People began calling them the “Bench trio” as that was usually how they were spotted, sitting on a bench. Tommy thought it was dumb but also hilarious. They had more eyes on them by the day and that concerned Tommy. It also concerned his partners too. They knew the more people saw them and the more they helped people, the more the hero’s would be interested in getting them quiet. It was the common reason Vigilante’s rarely lasted. Most of them got arrested or simply disappeared.

So there they were, Theseus and Chernobyl taking watch over the night. Currently, they had responded to a shop break in by enhanced individuals. The police over the radio hadn’t seemed to interested in getting there too quickly either.

Tommy dodged the punch of one of the thugs. His moves fluid and consistent as he threw a right hook feeling it make contact. The man tried to hit him again but this time he got a kick to his back from a small man in a gas mask and he stumbled forward.

“I got him Chernobyl, take care of the other guy!”Tommy called out, taking the man’s moment of distraction to land a swift kick to his side watching him fall to the ground. Tommy took the chance to grab a pair of the zip tie cuffs as he forcefully grabbed the thugs arms and zip tied them up. A voice echoes inside both of their ears.

“Police are coming. Get out of there.”

The two vigilantes looked at each other and nodded. Tubbo had just finished zip tying the other guy as they indeed saw flashing red and blue lights.

“Shit…”Tommy whispered.

“Theseus come on we got to go!” Tubbo exclaims, grabbing his hand as they start to run.

“If I grab Chernobyl, think you can make it until I can get back to you?” Ranboo’s voice echoed in his ear.

“That’s a big distance boss man. Do you want to risk that? We can outrun some cops. We’ve done it a thousand times.”

”Tommy they have the SandMan with them. I’m not sure even you could resist his abilities if he gets a hit on you!” Tommy hesitated at the new information. Tommy knew how to fight. He got in too many fights as a kid to not be able too. When he was with this one foster family they even paid for him to take some taekwondo lessons once. Tubbo though. He could fight but he was nowhere near as good as Ranboo and Tommy. Besides the fact his power was going to be better at fighting anyone over Tubbo’s, and he knew a hero was never good news.

“Fuck… get Chernobyl out of here Ghost,”he whispers softly as he jumps and pulls himself onto a fire escape after Tubbo.

Tommy and Tubbo climbed the fire escape faster hearing the police sirens clear as day even as he felt the light of a helicopter land on them. Shit.

“Stop running. Turn yourself in Theseus,Chernobyl,”In a flurry of soft blue smoke there was Sandman standing in front of him. His white goggles reflected the light around him. His bright red cloak flying in the night winds. He wore an interesting costume as it was more fantasy inspired. He wore dark jeans with dark blue padding connected over them for protection as he wore a red and blue chest plate over his chest. His sleeves were long, supposedly to hold knives, but everywhere on his suit were knife sheaths. Various spots to grab them from and attack with even if he didn’t get them back.

Tommy laughed. “Oh really? Now why would I do that?” He could run the opposite way but then he would pass the police and if he was honest he was debating dealing with them over Sandman. If they got a hit on him he was done for. He’d read the reports on Sandman’s powers. He looked around him for anything to change then remembered what he had specifically so he could do that. He smirks and pulls out a long scarf and as he pulls it out he feels his powers building in his palms. Hot and ready to be used.

The plain black scarf transformed into a red baseball bat. If he was sticking with the red theme he was going all the way.

“On my way you guys!”

“Because you need to leave the saving people to the hero’s and the cops!”he called out, even if a bit harshly.

“Oh so yes I’m going to Let that store get robbed by some powered up thugs and let the police deal with them by themselves as they have failed to do continuously?” Tommy slowly started walking towards the edge of the building getting ready to make a run for it.

“I don’t want to fight some kids,”Sandman hissed out.

“And I don’t want to fight a prick.”

“I don’t even like your name!”Tubbo piped up. He normally left all the cocky banter to Tommy but this was also one of Tubbo’s least favorite hero’s. Everyone knew how dark his powers could get. There was a whole incident one year after one of the old Villains got arrested and gave a testimony to the police about his experience. It went viral. Apparently, the Sandman shows you you worst fears in the world whenever he touches your. It’s why most villains avoid his touch during combat.

“Then I guess We’re doing this the hard way?” He watched as slowly a set of throwing knives appeared between Sandman’s fingers.

Guess we are Sanddick,” he smirked.

But before either one of them could say anything there was a flash of purple particles and Ghost stood next to Tubbo. He gave a nod to Tommy before going to teleport out but not before Sandman threw a knife in their direction.

Tommy twirled his bat smirking underneath his mask before a knife was thrown his way and he moved just out of the way as he dashed forwards. From there it was like a dance between them. Tommy dodging and attacking with the flow of an invisible beat. He rolled underneath Sandman’s arm as he used his bat to hit the back of his knees just avoiding his touch.

There was static over his ear for a moment. “Toms it’s Tubbo we need you to get to a place where you can hold your ground for as long as possible! Ranboo is faint he got hit with one of Sandman’s knives but he says he can make it there and back but it has to be quick because he’s in a lot of pain!”

He was caught off guard by a smirk across the man’s face just as the area around him was filled with that same smoke as before and it seemed several copies of him appeared. Tommy paused backing up away from them trying to register around him and listen to everything.

“Just turn on the TV and help me win this fight Tubs!”He whispered under his breath, watching around him carefully.

“You won’t win this battle so called Theseus,”The figures held out their arms and surrounded him as he turned around trying to decipher which one was the real Sandman. “You need to be taught a lesson!” and all of them held knives like they were about to throw them. But Tommy knew Sandman was smarter than that.

”Tommy! Behind you now!”

He threw his elbow back into the man’s face behind him, quickly grabbing his arm and flipping him over to hit the ground hard. He scrambled to quickly grab his bat once more as soon as Sandman hit the ground. He landed a hit to his stomach before backing up breathing heavily. But just as he was down Sandman was back up. Tommy was getting tired. How could this guy keep getting up?

The smoke around him grew thicker as he struggled to hold still of his surroundings and where he was before things began to shift around him. Fuck. He touched him.

“It’s not real.” He whispers softly as bodies form in front of him. A short man with messy brown hair and a gas mask laying in a pool of blood unmoving. And draped over him was a tall figure wearing black clothing but his body was completely bisected into two. Entrails falling out. Then a bit away from them was one more. A man with curly brown hair in a beanie holding a broken guitar staring into nothingness as blood trickled from his lips in a slow manner. He felt his heart wanting to break. And the longer he stared the worse it got. Nikki’s broken battered body joined into the mix as their apartment building shot up in flames.

“Is it Theseus? Are you sure?” A voice echoed around him. He felt a sharp pain in his stomach like he’d been punched as he gasps doubling over only realizing as he felt the others arms nail into the back of his neck bringing him down to the ground

“TOMMY! GET OUT OF THERE RANBOO WON’T GET THERE IN TIME. RUN. FUCKING RUN!!”

His ears rang for a moment as he felt something was wrong as he struggled to get up.

“It’s not fucking real!”He called out as Sandman’s illusion shattered with his voice in a wave of red energy, as he swung his bat around him to hit Sandman on the side of the head knocking him down to the ground.

He moved to back up as he quickly backed up. But Sandman wasn’t moving…. He wasn’t getting up and as Tommy was now he didn’t think he could run.

There was still a feeling of relief in his mind that Sandman was down. He knew there was pain blossoming from his stomach, and he reached down to hold to his stomach trying to keep his thoughts in one place. But when he pulled his hand away there was a deep crimson fluid covering them.

And despite the wound, there was relief until another body ran next to the Sandman panicked, as he climbed onto the roof. And Tommy’s heart stopped.

“No… no fuck no,”he whispers out his heart racing as he feels tears prick at his eyes. This couldn’t be happening. There was no way that was who he thought it was.

”TOMMY! THESEUS! RUN! Tubbo yelled, desperately through the intercoms but unfortunately they fell on deaf ears.

“What the fuck did you do?!?!”The man screamed standing up as he unsheathed his sword with one hand and the other touching the smooth stone of the room for a moment. As he stood up and pulled away from it he was the thin glistening strings of the Puppeteer. His mask resting on his face hiding his features minus his sandy blond hair that stuck up in waves around him.. He felt the roof begin to crack as the Puppeteer pulled upwards and Tommy desperately tried to get his shit together as he pushed himself away.

“I-I-I didn’t do-do anything!!''Tommy stammered out his breathing fast and quick and desperate. Wholly shit he was going to die here. He had to live. And this was his best chance: running.

He turned around and ran, pain coursing through his body as he held his stomach and jumped. His hands barely catching the next ledge as he hit the edge hard causing him to almost pass out for a moment. Hands slick with blood almost wanting him to fall. He could hear The Puppeteer’s footsteps behind him before he turned around and saw his sword heading his direction. He barely scrambled up as the sword cut through the fabric of his hoodie going straight to his arm, but thankfully it was only a scratch.

“If you didn’t do anything then why the fuck are you running!”

”TOMMY! Tommy listened to me. You’ll be okay Ranboo and I will find you. Just live Tommy!

“I-I didn’t hit him that hard!”he tried to defend as he scrambled to run and then it hit him. The hero was toying with him. He could easily catch him and find him and kill him but no this man was toying with him.

“His unconscious body says otherwise Theseus!” Tommy was walking backwards trying to keep an eye on him until he felt the edge of the building he was on. He was bleeding and bad. He felt the blood soaking through his sweatshirt. He was distracted and the Puppeteer seemed to notice that taking this moment to dash for him and pull him from the edge of the roof and flipping him onto his back.

Any air Tommy had had left was gone as he was desperate to breath anything at all feeling the hero’s gloved hand against his neck squeezing.

“Maybe I Should let you know how it feels to go unconscious!”he growls before smirking and moving to stick his fingers into the stab wound causing Tommy to scream in pain.

”You’re gonna be okay Tommy! You’re gonna be okay! Ranboo is getting help!” Tubbo’s voice was filled with desperation like maybe he didn’t believe the words coming from his lips either. As if maybe just maybe he wasn’t completely crying in worry and fear at the moment.

“Stop please!!” Tommy wheezed out as he desperately tried to push or hit the man away. The Puppeteer moved close to him grabbing the small piece in his ear putting it in his own as he smiled.

“Hello, Ghost and Chernobyl~ I can assume you’re watching and trying to understand what’s going on. If you want your dear friend Theseus here alive you better come to police station. If not he’s as dead as a rat.” He pushed harder into Tommy’s wounds causing him to let out a breathy desperate scream again. Tommy was just trying to breath deep even if he could barely breath at all. Everything around him was tinged black and he was trying desperately to stay awake.

Escape he had to escape.

But before he passed out he saw the midnight black wings of a figure holding a massive black scythe as he saw and felt the Puppeteer be knocked back and away from him. The figure stood
protectively in front of him landing as his wings folded inwards and in his mind it registered as to who it was saving his life.

Thanatos.

But everything faded to black and Tommy no longer knew where he was.

Chapter Text

(Please play Valse by Evgeny Grinko on repeat it's worth it. When Wilbur start's singing tho do what U want)

Quiet piano.

Angry yelling.

It was like the group home all over again. Desperation clinging to everyone like a disease that could never be cured or fixed or washed off like day old dirt. Desperation that leads to hate, that leads to anger, that leads to sadness, that leads to betrayal, and running. And maybe Tommy should have known that this wasn’t even going to last. Those quiet moments with his only two friends in the world shattering like glass. Even in the hours of them all being hungry together. Even in the grumpy sour mornings of them all waking up at various times but still ending up on the rickety old couch to watch tv around 12pm, they had been family. His family. His only thing in the world keeping him sane. But over the past few months Tommy just now realized there had been another inching his way into his heart.

Oh…

He had wormed his way into Tommy’s heart with his stupid laughter. He had cared about Tommy as he would show up exhausted and bruised at their weekly dinner. He showed he cared by letting him listen to poems and music he was working on. He let him steal his food sometimes if Tommy wanted to try something. Even through the insults. Even through the desperation. Even though now Tommy knew he would not show up to work tomorrow. He knew that his newfound family member would arrive to be disappointed and wear that dejected look of sadness when Tommy was not there. Or that Tommy would not respond to his next messages at all. He hadn’t even known how it happened and Tommy was wondering if this inky blackness he felt around him was death. It sat in his bones like steel and ran through his veins like ice.

Ironic really. Tommy adds a new person to his family but ends up dead merely months later. It would track for him. Good things never stayed good. And that desperate disharmonic playing came to a crescendo before he heard something break and people talking.

“Are you fucking crazy?!?!”

“He’s already been reclassified as a Villain, Blade. At least this way we can protect him.”

“Are you serious? He’s a kid?!?! Shouldn’t we be telling him to go home, lay low, and stop fucking being a vigillante? It’s a miracle that his two little friends haven’t been reclassified too.”

“Like you weren’t testing the waters of villain hood when you were young? You landed 4 kids your age in the hospital and blew up your school's science lab, Blade. And you were only 15.”

The man scoffed.

But that was all Tommy could register as the inky blackness came back and he was once more left with his own thoughts and emotions. He desperately wanted to wake up. All he felt in the abyss was a dull pain and honestly, Tommy couldn’t tell if that was from his aching heart or something much worse.

He had to leave this place eventually, right? It felt empty as he sat himself down, knees to his chest. Maybe a dream would come to him, or not. He wasn’t sure but he could hope.

And those disharmonic chords straightened up and arranged themselves to form a beautiful but stressed piece of emotion. He sat like this for hours, just listening. Waiting. Wanting.

“You know they want to meet you one day,”A voice rang out as the surroundings changed. He sat at the usual booth against the wall at Eat your Heart Out! Wilbur sat in front of him his guitar sat next to him. His hair a bit messier than usual. His excuse had been, a bad day at work and his hair wouldn’t cooperate. Tommy remembers this conversation. It was last week. They had gone here a bit later in the night than usual but still got dinner all the same. And as he recognized the scene he realized he was watching it from a bird’s eye view.

“Really? Why?” Tommy watched himself shove some of the mac and cheese into his mouth.

“I talk about you all the time, Toms! As much as it absolutely pains me to say you’re one of my best friends,”Wilbur laughs brightly and Tommy feels a string tug at his heart. “You’re like a little brother to me Tommy. The best one could ask for anyways.”

“You think of me like a brother?”

“Of course I do! But considering that, I think you should meet my brother and my dad,”Wilbur smiles gently.

“...”He was taken aback even now from how kind Wilbur’s words were. He appreciated them more than the man knew. He also desperately missed his friends and his family aching to touch and hold them in the way of protecting them with all he had.

“Tommy?”

“Ah yeah! Sorry of course they would want to meet me! I’m fucking awesome, come on! Of course I would love to meet your family Will!”

Then he heard footsteps and saw a man he did not recognize before. He had dark brown hair and black glasses. A doctor’s coat sat over a nice ensemble of a button down shirt and matching black slacks.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Tommy I think you and I should talk,”And Tommy was no longer watching the scene unfold but in his body(?) once more looking up at the man.

“Uh… sure,”He was hesitant to leave Wilbur. His mind snapped back to the fight.

Lying unconscious against a wall with empty eyes staring into nothingness with a pool of blood around him and--

“Then come on then, let’s go on a walk.” The stranger gently motioned for him to follow and slowly Tommy did just that. He was hesitant and struggling to keep his mind together. He followed him out the door of the restaurant and then they were on the roof of a building. Rain poured down on them but they did not get soaked. Instead, tommy merely followed him to where he stood on the edge. They weren’t just on any roof. They stood on top of the Hero Committee building. He could see the entire city from up here and under the night sky it was beautiful, even in the rain.

“Who are you?”

“Oh? Me?”He smiles. “I know you very well Tommy of Manburg. My name is Charlie Slimecicle of Las Nevadas and I am not of your world as you know.”

“I’m sorry? What do you mean? How do you know my name?”

“In time Tommy of Manburg, in time. One must place their pieces precisely before you can make a move. Though I must admit I am not the master of this game, but I do hope you will cross the board.” This only confused Tommy even more. What was he talking about? Game? Crossing a line?

“Why am I here then?”

“Oh! That’s easy. I am healing you. My gift allows me to heal anyone I touch. Though sometimes it takes a while because it will not allow me to leave the person’s body until I finish what I started. Sometimes it makes me deal with mental issues as well. Healing is healing after all.”

“Mental issues?” Tommy snorted. He normally would say he doesn’t have any but this guy already saw everything in his mind. He didn’t think it was best to lie to guy that was helping him.

“Yes, but I do have a question. Why do you not have any memories? Most of your childhood prior to age 10 is gone. There is nothing there?”

“Even I don’t know the answer to that question Charlie…”

“Hm… Maybe that is why I am really here. I think you need to find those memories, Tommy of Manburg. You are much more powerful than you think you are. But I think that is all I can tell you and offer. “He motions Tommy to the edge of the building right next to him. “I think it is quite about time to wake you up Tommy of Manburg. I think you have many destinies aligning and lines of fate crossing your path. You just need to jump and take control of what you want. Decide what you want Tommy of Manburg and all will in place.” But before tommy could stop him Charlie jumped off the building. He fell as Tommy screamed and reached a hand out for him. But Charlie did not even care to reach back as he closed his eyes. His glasses falling from his face as his coat swirled around him in a frenzy but it became blurry and Tommy wasn’t sure what happened to him. He looked peaceful and serene.

But it didn’t make sense to Tommy, of course it didn’t. Nothing ever came easy for him. He always had to work harder, stay longer, Be stronger than everything else. It was how he was, how the world seemed to treat him. He gave a heavy sigh and moved to the door to go down inside the tower. But when he opened it he was somewhere else again, watching another scene from a birds eye view.

It was in a large room. An elementary school maybe. No this place was too clean to be that. Everything a sterile white color. Maybe a hospital? But he didn’t remember this? But even then maybe some part of him did because he was seeing this. He saw himself when he was younger. Familiar messy blond hair. He ran up to a taller man with dark green hair. He wore a similar colored mask as his hair. A lab coat over a soft black turtleneck.

“Tommy!”The man said smiling warmly as he watched the little man run over to him making grabby hands to be lifted up.

“Sammy!!”

“Oh how I missed you big man!”

“I missed you too!” The child laughed as he was indeed picked up. Tommy felt that tug on his heart. Had this man been family once? Something to him once?

“Are we playing today Mr. Sam?” He seemed so excited but something about the whole scene was off. The man who he had guessed was named Sam had fear in his eyes. He could see in how his eyes went to the corners of the room in paranoia.

“Unfortunately not Tommy,”He apologized setting him down as he guides him over to the small couch. “I came to have a conversation with you. A big man conversation. Is that okay? Are you okay with a big man conversation?”

“Yes!!! I am the biggest man!”

“You are indeed the biggest man Tommy,”Sam smiles and brushes his hair out of the kids face as he kisses his forehead. “Now Tommy, do you know why I visit you?”

“No… everyone just tells me you take care of me.”

“I do take care of you Tommy. That is part of why I am here but also I am here because you’re so special tommy. “

“I am!”His face lit up.

“You are indeed, so special. But Tommy, special people have power. Special people need to be protected because certain individuals want to hurt these special people. Do you understand?” The child nods his smile fading though at his words.

“Why?”

“Because they want what you have Tommy, power. If they have you then they have the power you have.”

“Oh…” His face turned towards the ground but he scooted closer to Sam.

“But I am here to protect you Tommy, always. Okay I will always be here to protect you but also me protecting you requires something.”

“What?”

“It requires time and patience. I know you struggle with that but I need you to listen to me Tommy. We may get separated soon. If that happens I need you to wait. I trust that we will find each other when we need each other, okay?”

“Okay..”

“I have to go but keep one thing in mind okay?”

“Anything!”

“One day you will reach the top of the world Tommy, and when you’re at the top you’re going to realize something.” Sam reached over to gently lift the child’s chin with a smile.

“Sometimes all you have left to do is--”

“Fall..”Tommy breaths out as he is suddenly back on top of the Hero Comittee Tower.

He needed to wake up. That’s what Charlie was saying. That was part of what Sam was saying. He had to jump to wake up. He takes a deep breath turning around on the edge of the tallest building in L’Manburg and he simply let himself, fall.

But it was freeing. The wind in his hair. The fear building in the back of his throat like a bile, but it dissipated as fast as it came. As he fell and watched the building go past him he saw memories playing out along the tower windows. Dinner with Ranboo and Tubbo. Game Nights. Helping Wilbur. The remnants of high school. Watching hero/villain fights on the TV with his friends. The schools on lockdown from fights. But also the further he fell the younger he became. Then he saw a glimpse of the very first thing he remembers.

Waking up from the hospital after a big accident. A man in a green mask holding him tightly saying how thankful he was that he was alive.Then he smiled and said he would find Tommy when the time was right and that he would always protect him no matter what. But Tommy never saw that man again. Now he knew that man was named Sam.

But Tommy was again back in his abyss, floating. Left with those brought up memories. Thing became clearer around him. But it was like watching things through a foggy glass. He sat on a bed with a man’s head laying on his arms right next to him. Fluffy curly brown hair, a single streak of white standing out. Folded glasses set off to the side. He was passed out. He wasn’t in a hospital?

Tommy examined his surroundings. He was on a large queen sized bed in an equally big room. There was paper strewn about the room. The wall to his right had instruments hanging on the wall with only a few missing. The left wall seemed to have large windows that were currently being covered by thick black curtains. A bit of sunlight peeking through the sides. A desk sat to the right of the door that had a various amounts of things on it. Pill bottles, water bottles, bandaging, etc. First aid supplies from what he assumed.

But his mouth was incredibly dry. It was also hurt like a motherfucker and now that Tommy thought about it, everything hurt like a bitch. His stomach, his arms, his neck, his head. Everything. He slowly moved blinking as he attempted to sit up a bit and take in his surroundings better but he made a pained noise figuring out rather quickly what a bad idea it was. The figure sleeping next to him stirred a bit at his noise slowly moving and sitting up blindly reaching and grabbing his glasses as Tommy’s heart did a flip in his chest.

It was Wilbur.

Wilbur was sleeping next him as he laid injured in a bed. There were instruments everywhere which only lead Tommy believe one more thing. He was in Wilbur’s room, which meant he was at Wilbur’s house. Then his eyes slowly fell onto Wilbur himself once more, and they made eye contact and Tommy knew what was about to happen quickly trying to scoot himself away from the oncoming storm--

And he was pulled into the tightest hug he had ever been in letting out a small cry of pain and Wilbur quickly let him go.

“Oh my god I’m so sorry,”Wilbur whispers quietly, leaving his hands on Tommy’s shoulder’s though. “Hello tommy…” His eyes were full of hope and happiness that he seemed to be awake and alive and just there. Tommy was scared this was a dream and gently moved to pinch himself.

Ow that had hurt. But just to be safe he moved to touch one of Wilbur’s arms. This was real. He was genuinely with Wilbur right now. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

“It may take a bit for you to regain your voice back,”Wilbur starts gently as he moves to get up to get something but Tommy stops him grabbing his hand shaking his head no. Wilbur couldn’t leave him, not yet. He wouldn’t let what happened in his vision happen in real life. It wasn’t going to happen on his watch.

“Hey, I’m not going anywhere Tommy. I’m just going to get you some water, okay? Not even leaving the room,”Wilbur gently pulls his hand off of him as he walks over to the desk grabbing the water bottle. He stops and looks back at Tommy though for a moment. “Are you in pain?”

Tommy hesitates at the question but nods. Wilbur sighs and grabs the pill bottle as well as he walks back over. He gently helps Tommy sit up properly as he hands Tommy some pills and the water bottle. He takes them wincing at the pain in his throat.

“I’m sorry that it’s going to hurt for a while but your voice should come back to you soon. It feels weird not to have you harassing me,”Wilbur chuckles with a smile. “Though I guess I should be thankful for the silence since you don’t know how to shut up.” He teased the kid for a moment before opening the drawer on the bedside table and grabs a pen and paper and hands it over to Tommy.

“Here so you can actually talk to me instead of just looking like you want to kill me.” Tommy flips him off with that statement, but gladly take the pen and paper. “Just being honest big man.”

Am I in your room? Tommy asks as he shows WIlbur the paper and he nods.

“Yeah we needed someplace to put you that wasn’t a hospital but we could easily check on you!”

So you found out about Theseus?

Wilbur hesitated on this one but nods slowly. “Ranboo told me. He was desperate and needed help and I was free. I have connections in various parts of the city so I called a few people up and told them the Hero’s were attacking a kid. But it does explain all those bruises and cuts now” He shrugs like he didn’t just admit to Tommy that he had connections to some of the most powerful villains in the city. It left Tommy dumbfounded for a moment.

Is Ranboo okay? Tommy remember’s Tubbo mentioning something to him about Ranboo getting hit with one of Sandman’s knives.

“Yes he’s fine. Tubbo is too. Between us three we’ve all pretty much been taking shifts watching you.”

How long have I been down? Tommy frowns as he shows him the notepad.

“Do you want to know? You're Not going to like the answer.” Tommy nods as Wilbur takes a deep breath. “A week. You’ve been out a week.” This threw Tommy in for a loop.

“HOW?” He quickly showed Wilbur the notepad barely giving him time to read it before writing again, “WHY?!?”

“We don’t know Toms. I called my friend Charlie over to help you and well he did what he could but even then he warned us that you were going to take a while to wake up. That you had ‘things to realize’. As cryptic as that was and as he was before he left. Just said if anything goes south he’ll be here and we haven’t seen him since. Kinda just appears and disappears randomly.”

“I don’t have a job anymore do i?”

“I’m sorry you were stabbed by the Sandman and choked out by the Puppeteer and you’re worried about work?”

“Rent, bitch”

“Jesus, Tommy. No,I mean yes, you do have a job. I explained to Nikki that you got really sick and I was taking care of you and that you would reach out once you were feeling better. I think I said you had the flu or strep or something. I just remember it was supposed to be super contagious.” Wilbur shrugged. Tommy paused for a moment.

“And she believed that?”

“Hey! Come on, I'm charming and did the best I could!! Not like you could have come up with anything better!”

“Broken foot? Doctor ordered rest? Mono?” “Yes in fact, so much better than what I said,”Wilbur rolled his eyes at that one. “Wilbur, was I just hallucinating or did I actually see Thanatos?”

“No, You saw him alright. The news is still in a buzz about it. ‘Thanatos saves kid villain Theseus!’ “He sighs and rolls his eyes. “The news are a bunch of extra pussies if you ask me.” Tommy stopped for a moment. Villain? No that was wrong. He was vigilante. He wasn’t a villain. He didn’t hurt people. He didn’t kill an entire swat team because he could like the Blood God. He didn’t watch the city hall catch on fire and people burned alive as he sang songs of its flaming beauty. He hadn’t frozen police officers to the ground only to leave them there to slowly freeze to death like Permafrost, or even melt the streets and cars and people along with them like Obsidian. He wasn’t a villain.

“They reclassified you Tommy. Theseus is now considered a villain…”Wilbur said his words slow as he slowly rubbed Tommy’s back as he stared at the sheet in front of him.

“Why?”

“Puppeteer is mad Tommy, and Sandman has supposedly been in the hospital ever since your fight too. No one knows if he’s awake or not. I suspect he’s fine though and the Hero committee is just dramatizing it to villainize a kid.”

“I didn’t mean too.”

“Tommy look at me,”Wilbur whispers as tommy hesitantly looks up and over at his friend. “Hero’s are shit. They villainize anyone and everyone who doesn’t agree with their views. They rat out vigilante’s and leave them for dirt. They abandon the outer areas that are only filling with crime by the day. You did what you could to stay alive in the shitty situation you were put into by the heros. And The only good hero I ever trusted just retired. As much as I hate it to say it, Tommy, things are only going to get worse. “

“Only good hero? Who retired?”

“The Captain. She went on the news saying how she did not agree with them villainizing a kid just trying to help people. She says if the Committee sided with the Puppeteer then she was gone. That she was retiring.”

“She was my favorite too you know.” There was a poor little smiley face drawn next to it. But it took a second for will to realize just under the smile was the word “bitch”. And Wilbur playfully and gently smacked his arm.

“Nah you’re the bitch Tommy.”

“But you’re my Willbitch!” he managed a small laugh as he showed Wilbur who looked absolutely repulsed by this statement. Even if he immediately regretted it his hand gently going to his throat as he took another long drink of water.

“Fuck you Tommy Innit,”Wilbur laughed softly.

Tommy smirked and held up his freshly written notepad,”No thanks!”

“I missed you Tommy. When I got that call from your roomates I was just panicked. I wasn’t sure if I could reach you in time. I watched the fight on my phone as I called anyone and everyone I knew. I was scared, Tommy. Please try not to do that again.”

“Did I cause that?” He motions to the white streak in Wilbur’s hair.

“Don’t give yourself that much credit Big man! My hair for some reason naturally grows this way but I usually hide it in my beanies.”

“That’s why you wear beanies?!?! To hide that bomb ass white streak!”

“Bomb ass? Interesting choice of words there Toms. Do you think it really is that cool?”Wilbur reached up to touch it gently. Tommy nods with a smile. “Either, way if you’re awake I think I should shoot a text to Ranboo and Tubbo to let them know that you’re awake. “ Tommy shook his head.

“Not yet. I want some last peace and quiet before I get the last bit of life squeezed out of me from their combined hug,” Tommy joked smiling as he pretended to faint falling back onto the bed. Which was a mistake because he was absolutely in pain trying to sit back up and thankfully Wilbur had seen this and helped him sit back up.

“Okay fine, a little longer. I have people I want you to meet, if you’re okay with it?”Wilbur was smiling with hope in his eyes. “Remember how I told you about my family?”

Tommy nods,”Oh yeah they live here too right?”

Wilbur nods. “But don’t worry they like you already. I think I talk too much about you. During the first couple days of you staying here my dad, Phil. practically dragged me out of here yelling at me to go get some coffee and get out of the house, but even as I got back my brother had been staying in here reading. Watching you for me while I was --” He was interrupted by a knock to the door. “That’s probably one of them is that okay?” Tommy hesitated his heart picking up in his chest. Was he nervous? Oh my god he was nervous. He was about to meet Will’s family, but nodded despite the nerves.

“Come in,”Wilbur yelled as the door opened. In wafted the smell of hashbrowns and eggs and pancakes. Oh my god it smelled holy. Even then it was put aside by who entered into the room. He was taller than wilbur with pink hair pulled into a french braid down his back. He was built and filled into the clothing he wore. Right now was a simple grey t-shirt with a black jacket over it. He wore jeans and had on grey socks with little pig designs all over them.

“Oh he’s awake,”the man spoke as he walked in. “I was just coming in to give you food but I can go grab the kid some too.” He looked as if he was about to go and turn around to walk away before Wilbur spoke up.

“No, he can eat it. He’s probably starving. I’ll get some in a little bit,”Wilbur laughed. “Tommy, this is my brother that I’ve told you about, Technoblade. Technoblade meet Tommy.”

Tommy gave a small wave to the man who nodded and fully walked i nto the room closing the door behind him.

“Nice to officially meet you Tommy. I take it you can’t quite talk yet?” Technoblade motioned to the notepad and Tommy nodded. “I see..” He paused as if not knowing what to say. “Will tells me you talk a lot. Should I be grateful you’re stuck with a notepad right now?” He smirks a bit even as Wilbur looks offended for a moment that he was just ratted out before Tommy begins writing on his notepad giving Will a pointed glare of Mock offense.

“You said I talk a lot? How DARE you? My own brother! Betraying me and ratting me out to his own brother!”

“Heh..”was the only thing Techno managed to say before Wilbur spoke up.

“I am telling the truth! You talk so much!” Wilbur looked as if he was about to continue but was interrupted by Technoblade laughing a bit.

“I see why you two get along now. You’re both little shits!”he laughed as he sets down the food. “I’m going to go grab you food Will at least make sure the kid eats this. He’s lost a bit of weight from the whole ordeal.”

Technoblade smiles at the two but moves to leave the room shutting the door behind him.

“He might take some time to warm up to you but I promise once he does you’ll know,”Wilbur laughs smiling. He grabs the try pulling it over to them. ‘Here eat. Lord knows you need it Tommy. After that you should probably get some more sleep. You may be alive and awake but you still have a lot of healing to do. “

Tommy just nods, not wanting to simply write out ‘fine’ when he indeed had a head and could just shake his head yes. He moves and grabs a fork as he goes to eat, and Tommy hadn’t realized just how hungry he had been until he practically almost scarfs down the entire thing before Wilbur stopped him not wanting to deal with his throwing up later from eating too much food too fast. But he still ate a decent amount and WIlbur insisted he sleep some more.

“Will you at least play me something?I never get to hear you play” Tommy pouts a bit as he shows the pad to Wilbur who laughs a bit but nods.

“Okay, okay I’ll play you something soft Tommy,”He nods and thinks for a moment as he grabs his guitar sitting back down beside him on the bed. His finger grace over the neck of the instrument as he begins to play soft repeating chords.

 “You know it takes a lot to move me
So if you figure it out, tell me
I'll trace figures on your smile lines
Work out formulae to cure me”

Tommy wished he could hear Wilbur sings more. His voice was always soothing to him. His voice was light and breathy but in tune. He remembers this one. He read it while they were at the cafe one day. Wilbur had wanted some help with lyrics and Tommy wasn’t one to deny him. He watches Wilbur play though as he sunk more into the covers of the comfy bed.

“And I'm lonely
There I said it
Nine million people
I always seem to add them up,
I could go away
I could pack my things and be gone before you wake
You know I've tried hard to love me too
It always seems to fall in through”

And that disharmonic chord that he had heard playing in the background finally went away, and it became this. It became the quiet of the home he sat in as Wilbur played his guitar next to him quietly singing. And Tommy could feel himself being pulled to a slumber, far more tired than he had told himself he had been.

“Maybe one day I'll live in La Jolla
Drinking cocktails out over the water
My own personal sunset
To give each day its own diploma
And you know it's funny
Amid my backseat taxi jaunts
I'm trying to ignore the skyline
So I don't figure out where you”

And Tommy was passed out asleep by the end of the last line. Wilbur’s voice echoing in his head giving home solace and comfort. Maybe his home wasn’t just a place with two friends anymore. Maybe his home was an idea. A group of people he would die for, and as terrifying as that thought was.

Tommyinnit was okay with that.

Chapter Text

Even as he remembered it Wilbur had been next to him when he fell asleep. It made sense that Wilbur wasn’t there when he woke up from a nightmare. He had to sleep in a solid bed eventually. Still, Tommy winced but moved to get up out of bed looking around him as he took a few hesitant steps forward to test the waters.He only now realized he was wearing clothing that was a bit too big for him. It was simple grey sweatpants and a loose t-shirt. He had on fluffy red socks which he was sure saved him from the cold hardwood floors

He managed to get over to the desk as he looked at the pill bottles then a sheet of paper that had times and amounts written down. Tommy glanced at the clock on the wall and grabbed which ones he needed to take based on the detailed notes and downed them with the bottle of water. He saw two doors and recognized the one Techno had entered in earlier, must have been to the rest of the house. Still, he walked over to the other door and opened it finding the bathroom. He turned on the lights as he wanted to see the physical damage easier.

As soon as the lights were on Tommy winced. Not just at the brightness of it all but at how he looked in general. Dark bruises in the shape of a handprint sat around his throat. He had yellow fading bruises on his chin and a bandaid over his nose. His upper forearm was wrapped up presumably from the cut The Puppeteer had given him. It was gruesome and then Tommy lifted up his shirt to view the wound on his lower abdomen. It was neatly stitched up and while a little irritated already healed rather significantly.

He looked like shit. Dark purple bags under his eyes. His hair, a knotted mess. Random bruises elsewhere on his body. He was caught off guard though as a seemingly familiar melody played through the night. He frowned. He had heard that. He heard it as he sat in his abyss.

He crept out of the room looking down the hall both ways. He slowly walks towards the end of the hallway where there was a door slightly ajar light flickering in and out of it. Candles maybe? He moved and quietly peaked into the room.

Sitting in the left hand corner was a large grand piano. A small chair sat on Sitting at it was Technoblade. His fingers flying across the keys smoothly as the echoing melody rang through the room. It was solemn beautiful tune and almost drew Tommy towards him.

“You can come sit by me,”Techno says softly as he stops playing for a moment as he scoots over patting the spot next to him. Tommy hesitates but goes and sits next to him. “Couldn’t sleep?”

Tommy nods realizing he forgot his notepad in his room.

“Neither can I. I’m usually the only one awake at this hours.” He gently starts to play once more as Tommy watches him intently.

“Can you play?”Techno asks with a small smile on his face. He wore the same thing he had earlier but his jacket’s sleeves were pulled up a bit out of the way. He looked so serene right now. Not as uptight as he had been earlier.

Still once more Tommy shook his head no.

“Do you want to learn how to play this with me?” he offered motioning to the keys. It was then that tommy realized that Techno was playing this by memory. He didn’t have a music sheet in front of him. Tommy nodded yes.

“Alrighty so put your hands like this,”He moved and set his fingers gently on the keys. “It’s going to feel weird at first but the more you play the easier it will become.” He moved Tommy's hands exactly as he needed them to be.

“See those black keys up top.” A nod. “Those are going to be your sharps and flats.”

“Just follow my lead, okay? Tap my shoulder if I go too fast.” And then they were playing. Slow notes working their way through the song as Techno taught him various notes and patterns. Tommy was gentle despite how stand-offish he had seemed earlier.

“Do you like this?”he asks softly. “I’m going to change it up a bit, okay? You keep playing what you are.” and then they were playing a beautiful duet. Techno going off on his own as Tommy kept the base notes he was taught but it was fun and simple and beautiful. They didn’t need words to communicate as he gently bumped Tommy’s shoulder showing him another note as they seamlessly continued.

A wordless lesson from then on out. Technoblade showing tommy notes as they played and even if Tommy messed up Techno would urge him on in a quiet manner by gently playing the note again until he got it. They made music in the middle of the night in quiet concordance. It felt right just sitting here playing with Technoblade.

“You’re picking this up fast Tommy.” He complimented as Tommy gave a small shrug but was still smiling none the less. “I can continue to teach you if you want. If you can catch me in here.”

Tommy paused for a moment and nodded then thought back on their notes. They sounded familiar. And Technoblade watched as Tommy slowly figured out the chords and notes to the quiet song that echoed in his dreams.

Technoblade stiffened a little bit as his hands slowly moved to join in the darker melody. The beautiful echoing quiet sounds of the piano.

“Tommy how do you know that piece?” He stopped to fully turn his attention to tommy. Tommy gave a shrug and tapped his ear hoping he would understand.

“You heard it? Where?”

Tommy paused. He wished he could talk and explain how he heard it echoing in his dreams and in his head, like a distant memory he was desperate to grasp, but every time he was just about to remember something. It was gone.

So slowly he tapped his head.

“In your head?” Tommy shrugged and nodded yes. Technoblade hesitated for a moment as he looked back down at the keys.

“I see.. Tommy, that's a personal piece of mine. Wilbur and I wrote it when we were very young with the help of our dad.”

Tommy frowned at that listening intently. How did Tommy know what it was then? How could easily replicate it. “Are you sure you have never played before Tommy?” He nodded.

Technoblade sighed softly. “Alrighty. Do you want to just listen to the full piece then?” He asks softly.

Tommy nodded slowly as he stands up a bit moving to lay down on the couch watching technoblade’s hands fly over the keys meticulously as he plays the beautiful piece.

“We named it Reverie. It was written when both Wilbur and I were going through a lot 7 years ago.” He smiles softly as the piece slowly gets brighter and louder and almost just prouder and more beautiful. His mind taking in the piece as technoblade continued to speak.

“Wilbur wanted the piece to be happy but I wanted it to be solemn for what we had lost. So we came up with this. It’s my favorite piece of mine to play.”

Each credendo hit Tommy different than the last and just like with Wilbur he began to drift off into sleep, even if unintentionally. The notes echoing in his mind.

As he drifted into sleep he found himself in a dream. A tall man with giant black feathered wings holding him out to the familiar man with green hair. He was maybe only a toddler.

“Take care of him Sam. “

“I will… I will. If anything happens you’ll know about it, but I will protect him.”

“Thank you,”And the man was gone, disappearing out into that abyss he was becoming more familiar with by the day even.

He felt warm arms wrap around him and pick him up as the piece echoing away into nothingness. He leaned against the warmth a little as he sleepily opened his eyes once more seeing the familiar pink strands of Techno’s hair resting on his shoulders.

Techno must have been carrying him to bed. Maybe he had fallen asleep somewhere he wasn’t supposed too. Still, it was nice and Tommy quickly drifted back off into sleep. This time met with familiar warmth and gentleness, and no nightmares.

Morning came, the sunlight once again filtering through the windows that apparently someone had pulled to the side and tied off ensuring they would indeed wake him up. He sat up slowly his stomach aching as he looked down at it. He looked around and found himself alone, again. He didn’t like it. He missed waking up with either Ranboo or Tubbo or both laying next to him all curled up or sprawled out.

But there was another water bottle on the bedside table with a small bowl with the supposed medication he needed to take. Beneath it sat a small note,

“Had to go out and do work stuff with Techno! My dad is home and should be downstairs! Tubbo said he and Ranboo would be stopping by after Tubbo got off work. Forgot to tell you Phone is in the top drawer

-Willbur :P”

Tommy scoffed at the little smiley face with the tongue sticking out. His throat didn’t hurt as bad and slowly tried to talk.

“Hello,”he managed but it was strained and in a whisper barely audible even to himself. But he did it! He strained it a little more to see how loud he could get in. A whisper was the loudest without pain and it still felt as though he was trying to yell it out. He was proud but he opened the top drawer to indeed find his phone, the screen cracked in various spots but still held the clear phone case on it.

He carefully looked out of the room. It was about probably mid day and the house was full of light. He walked over to the railing looking down. Someone was walking back and forth on their phone.

“Puffy, yes I know what we did was risky but it had to be done! It will be worth it in the end!’ The voice rang out as Tommy made his way down the stairs.

“Hey Puffy, the kid’s awake again, I’ll call you back?” He gave a small nod and hung up the phone as Tommy came down the stairs slow and methodical.

“Hey,Tommy,”He starts softly. The man was rather tall and Tommy could see how he was Techno’s and Wilbur’s dad. His hair shaggy and blonde though as he wore a long robe over something else. It suited him though, oddly enough.

“Hey,”He starts in his whisper of a voice.

“You can speak a little! That’s good Will told me before he left that you were struggling there a bit to say anything. Techno mentioned it as well. How’s your stomach holding up? Did you take the medicine we left for you?”

“Fine, thanks,”he says softly.

“Oh shit, sorry mate. I just realized you don’t know who I am. I’m Phil, Wilbur and Techno’s dad,”he laughed softly. “You hungry?”

Tommy looked around him. The living room was quite big with a comfy looking couch and a large flat screen TVs mounted on the wall. These guys were some rich fuckers. He looked back at Phil who seemed to walk over to the kitchen to open the fridge.

“I could whips something up or order takeout? We could also actively go out too.”Phil suggested with a smile. “People’ve been concerned about you mate. Bad asked why you guys didn’t stop by when we stopped by to pick up some food for us.”

Tommy shrugged as he walked over to the small bar like island they had and sat down. “Anything is fine, thank you, for well everything,”he smiles gently at Phil. He really was thankful for their help. All of them. “Oh, and I have two friends who want to stop by is that okay? I don’t want to intrude…”

“Oh yeah it’s um Ranboo and Tubbo right? They’ve been stopping by as much and they can. They definitely care for you.” Phil smiles and sets down a cup if water handing it to Tommy. Tommy smiles gladly accepting it. “You’re not a burden if that’s what you’re thinking?” Tommy looked away at that one.

“I’ll order some take out, come on,”Phil smiles and grabs a small pamphlet handing it to tommy as he walks past leading him to the couch.

“Want to watch TV or something?”Phil smiles as he turns it on. Unfortunately, it opened right on to the news. Sitting on the TV was the Puppeteer. His smug face smiled as he spoke.

“I’ve finally been cleared to talk about but Sandman is okay. He won’t be back on the streets for a little bit but rest assured I’ll be taking over his patrols and working extra hours to find Theseus. He won’t just hurt one of us like that and get away with it.”The man was confident and Tommy had that confidence in some areas but seeing how the Puppeteer had fought against him was terrifying. It made sense that a lot of the Villains tag teamed against him. It didn’t comfort him to know that they were actively looking for him either.

“Puppeteer! Why aren’t the vigilantes Ghost and Chernobyl being moved up as well?” A reporter asked as Phil quickly moved to change it.

“No, let it play a little longer…”He whispers out softly as the Hero pauses for a moment.

“Ghost and Chernobyl were involved in the matter and it was discussed but neither one of them were outwardly as violent as Theseus. Even in examining the footage from the fight we decided as a team. The other heroes and I thought that the only one that should be moved was Theseus Ghost and Chernobly weren’t involved in the fight. Theseus’ abilities are dangerous and now we know he’s fully aligned with the Syndicate. It was an obvious move. Next, question?”

“There’s rumors that Theseus was a kid? The Captain has retired because of the Hero committee’s decision even stating that Theseus was a kid. How will the committee deal with losing the number one hero and being down another top 5 hero? That makes you two people short of your normal patrols does it not? Even then is it true that Theseus was a child?”

“Theseus knew what he was doing either way. Kid or not it doesn’t change the fact that he intended to kill Sandman and probably would have gone after me himself had he not gotten hurt. What also doesn’t change is the fact that he is indeed aligned with the Syndicate. Which, if I will remind you have been active more and more every day. Theseus is a murderer just like them. He is violent and dangerous, and he will be brought down. That is why he was moved up to the 4th position on the villain list--” It cut off as Phil turned off the news switching it to something else. Tommy’s eyes moving to the tv stuck on it intently. Puppeteer’s words echoing in his ears.

Theseus is a murderer

Tommy had never killed anyone before. Had the hero’s really devolved into lying scum to try and justify being after a kid? Was this what they were pinning on him now?

“Play any video games?”

Tommy was caught off guard by Phil’s question brought from his own thoughts for the time being. “Uh.. no,”he shakes his head slowly. “Not really. I never had the time for them.” Tommy gave a shrug as Phil laughed a little, even if nervously.

“Oh we’re about to change that one. Come on.”He sits down and hands him the controller as he put on a game. He goes through the movements. What was to walk, to shoot, etc. Tommy was very bad at that really but he and Phil had fun all the same.

“Sorry about that whole news bit….”

Tommy shrugged. “Wilbur already told me what they did..”

“Doesn’t mean it was justified and right. There’s a lot of discourse going around though about you. Half say you’re rightfully in trouble the other half are defending you. But the footage released of that fight was muted. So no one could hear anything of what went on. But even then Ranboo and Tubbo explained what they heard. I think Tubbo leaked some of the audio he had saved actually.”

“Why are you helping me even if you know what I did?” Tommy frowns as he dies again. He stops and put the controller down sighing heavily. He felt a gentle hand on his back.

“Didn’t you hear what I just said? The Hero committee is in the wrong. They have been for years Tommy. Fuck the Puppeteer and whatever he stands for. Sides, I’d imagine they think you’re a pretty strong guy if they moved you to rival Apollo,”He gave him a playful nudge managing to get a smile out of tommy.

“Mhm, I am just so strong. This stab wound. Nothing. I’m already back to patrols,”His voice painfully cracked at the end though which only caused them both to burst out laughing even if it was strained in a way on Tommy’s part.

But they played on, starting a game called among us and Phil consistently ratted him out everytime he was imposter and well Tommy tried yelling but it didn’t go too well so after they decided it was a bad idea they moved on. The previous topics long forgotten and Tommy was starting to think that avoiding painful topics was a special ability of the family.

Eventually though they ended up playing this game called Halo and Phil showed off his skills as they both played the games even as their chinese food arrived and they barely stopped to eat it. Tommy insisting on kicking his ass even if already knew going into it he was very much so going to loose.

Tommy’s throat started to hurt so he backed up from talking. It only resorted in angry grunt everytime Phil killed him making dramatic hand movements everytime in fun frustration. In fact it was during one of those out breaks where Phil had just killed him for the millionth time and Tommy was angry typing on his phone and showing phil as Phil was laughin his ass off as there was a knock at the door before it could be heard opening and Tommy turned to see who it was.

Standing in front of him was Ranboo and Tubbo both had eyes wide with gaping smiles. Tubbo ran over to tackle him onto the couch even as he grunted in pain as he was taken down Phil barely getting out of his way.

“You’re awake! In person and awake!!!!”Tubbo exclaimed as a small device attached to Ranboo’s hip started going off making a loud sound.

“Tubbo, your radiation,”he warns as Tubbo immediately pulls away and takes a deep breath the beeping slowly going to a stop.

Phil laughed a bit at them. “It still blows my mind that you guys have to keep geiger counters around.”

“Not everyone's gift is controllable, Phil,”Ranboo says a bit bluntly like he was calling Phil out on something that even Tubbo didn’t quite know. It caused Phil to pause but slowly nod as he stood up.

“I’ll let you guys socialize then. I’ll be up in my office if you need me. Tommy, the boys know where it is,”He smiles and gently pats his shoulder before going and heading up the stairs.

“Anyways! How are you tommy? Are you in pain? I didn’t cause you to pull a stitch out or anything right?”

“No, of course not Tubbo.” Tommy laughs a little breathy as he shows his friend his phone. Ranboo moves to sit down on the couch next to them smiling.

“We missed you, Tommy,”Ranboo smiles.

”Missed you too! Though it only felt like a really shitty nap for me. Got the whole weird visions and everything”

Ranboo and Tubbo laugh. “We’ve been stopping by at any chance we’ve been able too, but Tommy um we had a question?”Tubbo messes with his fingers a little bit looking to ranboo who hesitated.

”Okay? Ask?”

“Is it okay if we still do vigillante work? We want to help people and things have been going crazy around the apartment since the fight. There’s been riots over you Tommy. People of the Southside have been causing chaos and we need to reign them in?”

Tommy hesitated but felt a small bit of hope in his heart as he burst into a smile.

“I caused riots?”

“Shit, no?” Tubbo sighed but nodded. “They saw what you were doing for the neighboorhood and people have been pissed off. Shit I just gave a huge boost to your ego didn’t I?”
Tommy gave a bright nod laughing as he hugged his friend before moving to type on his phone.

“Of course I still want you doing Vigillante work. You guys love it. Especially after this I want you guys doing vigilante work. I can be inside ears for the time being if needed. I don’t mind. I want to see you guys succeed even if I’m grounded for a bit!”

“Really?”Ranboo spoke up hesitating for a bit before Tommy nodded.

“I love you guys, You’re my family!” Showing them this statement caused both of his friends to tackle him into a hug.

“Ooo! Whatcha playing? Is this Halo?” Tommy gives a nod.

“Fuck yeah I’m going to kick you ass Toms!”

“Not if I don’t kick yours first Tubs!” Ranboo spoke up as he located another controller. This was nice. This was his family. They sat and played until the sun went down and fell asleep in a cuddle pile on the couch.

It was peaceful and nice until he heard the front door open and close drawing Tommy from his sleep. He heard the footsteps of two people coming in talking in rushed hushed whispers.

“We are nott bringing him into this. I already told Phil that!”

“You think I want too? Have you even seen the streets of Southside? Did you pay any attention to the patrols? The number of police reinforcements from the riots?”

Silence for a moment.

“If we do not act this entire situation may end up worse than it started. I know you may cry for war but we cannot do this, not yet. He is going to get dragged in. Let it be on our terms, not on the Puppeteer’s.”

“What… what if he remembers? How will Sam react? He told us not to let that happen. Getting involved with him was bad news from the start Wilbur. You know that.”

“He wasn’t supposed to be a vigilante…”
Tommy felt his heart hurt but also confusion setting into his bones. Did they know something about his memories? Were they hiding something from him. Did they know the sam from his memories? From his past?

“And we weren’t supposed to end up with abilities. He wasn’t supposed to end up with them. None of us were supposed to be in this mess, but we didn’t get that choice. He had an escape route. A way out. It was not right for you to drag him into this. He deserved a normal life!”

“BOYS?!!!” There was a quiet and soft whisper of a yell from the top of the stairs. Tommy didn’t have to see who it was to know. It was the stern voice of Philza.

“Do not wake up the younglings from their sleep. If you’re going to argue do it up here. At least that way they won’t end up with even more questions.” There was pause before he heard the dejected and grumpy footsteps of the two brothers going up the stairs.

And once again he was left with silence before he felt the warm lips of a kiss to his forehead knowing it was Phil. .

“Goodnight boys.”He whispers before he too left to go upstairs. Tommy cuddled closer to Tubbo who was currently sprawled partially over Ranboo’s legs probably hugging one even. Tommy wasn’t sure what kind of position they were in but at least they were together.

How many secrets could one family have?

Chapter Text

It had taken another week of healing before he got his voice back. Wilbur turns out had been staying in the guest bedroom but the 3rd night he was awake ended up claiming his bed back with both of them falling asleep half on each other after talking late into the night.

Tommy was dying though. He had been in the house forever and no one would let him go outside because of what had happened. He had to remind them several times that it had been Theseus in trouble, not himself. The only thing he felt keeping him sane was that there was always someone at the house. Whether that was Wilbur, or Technoblade, or Philza. He found himself sitting in the small office that had been deemed Techno’s more often than naught playing the same songs techno had been teaching him over and over.

It still felt like a spiral, that even though he had lived through the attacks of the Puppeteer and the Sandman that he was trapped into a corner left into the chaos. It felt like this had happened before but he couldn’t place it. Still, he learned more of the piano and it turned out to be a pretty great way to get his anger out. Techno teaching him more and more even angrier ones. Ones he could let his emotions flow and go through to express.
Tommy could tell the others were going a little mad themselves after dealing with him getting cabin fever. He had been itching to get back to work to earn some money after he got up. He’d been concerned about rent but with a pointed glare to Phil, Ranboo had said they had already figured it out with little issue. It was weird how Phil and Ranboo interacted. Like everytime they saw each other something was more wrong than before. Like they were having his unspoken argument over and over again.

But when he was allowed to return to work he had never been more excited, smiling brightly as he came down the stairs almost completely falling down them if Techno hadn’t absentmindedly grabbed the back of his shirt to stop him.

“Watch where you’re going? Can;t have you get hurt the day you’re finally going back to work.”

“I know, I’m sorry Tech!” He apologized as he straightened himself up and walked down the stairs like a normal person.

Phil had the table set for breakfast. Technoblade finding his seat next to Phil as Wilbur motioned him over and he sat down.

“Excited mate?”Phil asks pushing his plate over to him. It had a small 3 stack of chocolate chip pancakes on it with a side of hashbrowns. He had realized that this family ate too many potatoes. He had potatoes with every meal they had here. Of course he had briefly heard about the whole issue of potatoes from Wilbur but it was still hilarious to experience it himself.

“This is my first day back after two weeks! Of course I am!” Tommy still had to borrow Wilbur’s clothing for today though. He had pants but he needed something that would be high enough to cover the remaining bruising around his neck. Thankfully because winter had set it he had better choices to cover up. He practically scarfed down his food, too excited to leave the house. Wilbur was also letting him borrow a scarf and some gloves. They were fingerless, but better than nothing. Techno had leant Tommy one of his leather jackets which was comically big on him but was warm all the same.

“Don’t choke,”Techno commented laughing as Tommy finished his food saying something incomprehensible with the amount of food in his mouth.

“Don’t talk with you mouth full Toms!”Phil scolded softly.

“Sorry..”He mumbled, smiling still even as he finished his food. “I do have to go though I have to make sure I catch all the trains to get over there.”

“I can drive you!”Wilbur piped up.

“You have your own work, remember?” Phil reminded. WIlbur’s face fell before sighing.

“Shit yeah i forgot about that, Sorry Toms.”

“It’s okay I’ll get there just fine,”he smiles.

“I can drive you,”Techno casually offered as he finished his own plate getting up and grabbing tommy’s to put in the sink as well. “Let me go get on my shoes and a jacket.” He didn’t give Tommy time to say no thanks or anything like that before Techno was long gone up the stairs. That guy was so brisk and sneaky it scared him sometimes. He was so tall and built yet he literally could just show up behind you. Tommy simply nodded and put on the jacket and gloves and scarf in the meantime. The temperature had dropped fast and it currently was snowing gently outside. It was freezing. Part of him was glad he couldn’t patrol as a vigilante anyways.

“Ready?”Techno asks as he walks down the stairs . His hair was thrown into a high ponytail to keep it out of his face a few stubborn pieces hanging around his face. Tommy nods about to jump out of his skin from being so excited to go back to work. More importantly, to just get out of the house.

The ride was quiet. Techno’s playlist echoing around them. It was comical. It was a mix of straight metal music alternating between classical as well. It threw tommy off a lot but still it was funny. In Techno’s fancy rich person car it didn’t take long at all to reach Nikki’s cafe.

He got out of the car with a quick thanks to Tech before bounding inside through the back door. “Nikki!”he exclaims as he greeted with a tight hug.

“Next time you send Wilbur to tell me your shit instead of just giving me a call I’m going to suspend you!! You scared the shit out of me Tommy!!!!” She playfully slaps his arms and he winced forgetting he had a still healing cut there too.

“Damn Nikki, I’m sorry Really! It just came on so suddenly and I got ill so quick even Wilbur wasn’t sure I was okay until he came knocking and found me passed out on the couch.” He shrugs and rubs the back of his neck. Together they had come up with a cohesive story. Tommy got super sick. Ranboo and Tubbo had taken care of him before Will came and offered to pay for a doctor. Then had been staying with them since.

“You’re here now I guess. I’m really glad you’re okay. Jack’s been driving me mad honestly,”she laughed softly as she pulled away a little from the hug. “Like seriously I’m glad your okay. From what Will said you were dying.” There was a gentle laugh and Tommy matched it but his was more nervous. She definitely did not need to know how literal he had been.

“I’m glad that I can be back,”He gives her a smile as he puts on his apron making his way to the front of the store stopping for a moment, hesitating. Just outside the door was a hero. A familiar hero. He watched them walk inside the building and get in line just like anybody else. Tommy hesitated but moved to take orders as slow as he could. He didn’t want to have to interact with hero’s at all if he could avoid it. If he was being honest with himself.

Still, as it got to the hero in question he moved to take their order.

“Hi welcome to the Snow Capped Cupcake what can I get you today?”

Standing in front of him was Firestorm. His brown hair a mess with a black bandana wrapped around him. He wore his signature black and red fireproof armor. It had to be specially made to resist the heat he gave off at any give point of time. Most of the heroes got stuff like that. It had been thought about but as Ranboo was in the hero program he learned just how much they got and how their outfits worked. He wore a simple matching red mask with black over the eyeholes so he could see through it.

“Hey! Yeah, can I get a caramel macchiato? Medium. Um and a fuck I don’t know what Puppet wants….”He sighs heavily as Tommy freezes up at the name. It was okay. He was okay. He was safe.

“Our teas are good. May I recommend some green tea?”He tries politely but there was a waver to his voice. He was nervous.

“Oh yeah that sounds good, thanks! Oh yeah! Can I also get two cookies, a chocolate cupcake, and a white chocolate macadamia? “ Tommy nods as he gathers the treats for a moment bagging them up.

“That will be 19.67 today,”He says with a pained smile as he takes the cash and gets his change watching as he puts a few bills in the tip jar before going outside again. Tommy watched him as he pulled out his phone and called someone. Tommy sighed and sort of pushed it to the back of his mind as he made the coffee and tea and waited for him to come back in before calling out the hero’s name and handing it over.

“Thanks!”He paused for a second, seeming to read his name tag,”Tommy! Have a great day.” Well wasn’t he… chipper? Tommy just watched him leave almost dumbfounded. His mind screamed at him that something was wrong but he was powerless to do anything. It pulled at the back of his brain. But he had a job to do. He was also out of a house and he was free for once. He wanted freedom today. To go to work and do whatever he wanted.

More importantly, he wanted to go back to his home nestled in the chaotic streets of the Southside. He was told there were too many things going wrong there and He wanted to see for himself. He wanted to share his couch and his bed with his roomates. But part of his wanted to walk back to Eastend for Wilbur. To pretend that everything hadn’t gone to shit. To pretend that he was indeed alright and okay.

And when he got sent home early from work because Nikki didn’t want him to get sick just as soon as he got back he waited outside for a moment trying to decide what to do. Snowflakes began to gently fall from the sky as he shoved his hands in his pockets. The sun had set an hour ago and the street lamps were illuminating the city. He gently held it out watching as the snowflakes landed on his hand and melted gently.

In fact he simply closed his eyes looking up letting the snow fall on his face just relishing in the moment. This was nice. He took a deep breath of the cold air as he stepped forwards and set off towards his home. The familiar streets going past him as he got on the subway and took the train to the Southside. Stepping off he was welcome with the familiar stop what was about another 15 minutes from his home. It wasn’t bad really and he liked the walk.

Still even though he was home he could tell the difference. As soon as he walked out of the station he saw policemen. Policemen like there never were before. They patrolled the streets like mice. There were posters and graffiti all over the brick buildings. Glass shop windows were covered by wood with flip signs nailed to them stating weather they were open ot closed. Glass littered the street in some areas as he passed them. There were more people out on the streets.

Tommy frowns and stops by looking at the posters.

“WE STAND WITH THESEUS!”

And there was an art depiction of him below it. Tommy felt a tug at his chest. He reads another.

“THESEUS IS A HERO!”

And then another.

“THESEUS IS OUR VIGILANTE HANDS OFF”

All of them with beautiful art. All of them handmade. There was graffiti of his name and his mask. Chalk art. He stopped as he saw a few police cars their lights flashing as he watched a group of people throw rocks at them.

“YOU FUCKERS ARE THE REASON HE’S DEAD!!!” One of them screamed. Tommy stopped in his tracks. He hesitated. He pulled up his hoodie as another woman yelled at them.

“GO BACK TO THE NORTH MILES WHERE THEY NEED YOU BITCHES. WE ARE PROTECTED BY OUR OWN.”

Police were out of their cars as one landed squarely at their windshield as it broke. Guns pointed at the civilians. Tommy;s eyes widened. No. The police were not seriously doing that. He looked down at his hands and touched his jacket. He watched as it turned into the familiar red hoodie and even though he hadn’t known he could do, the mask was over his face and everything. He looks at himself.

Did he just do one of those stereotypical superhero transformations in a fucking alleyway? How did he do that. He didn’t know he could do that. He peaked out of the alley before grabbing a trashcan lid.

“PUT YOUR HANDS UP!!!”

“PUT THE ROCKS DOWN OR WE WILL SHOOT!!!!”

“NEVER YOU MOTHER FUCKERS. “

And Tommy bolted. He moved his way through the crowd before he was in front of them all. Good thing too because the police fired at the people. But Tommy was just as fast as them and jumped in front of the main civilian harassing the cops. His trashcan lid transforming into a bright red shield with a small whoosh of his red magic. He dashed forwards and hit the man upside the head before the other cops gun was trained on him.

“Stop shooting..”He spoke. “Put the gun away and leave. I don’t want to hurt anyone…”

“Tell that to the Sandman!!” He continues to shoot and tommy gives a heavy sigh. He tried to warn the guy. He rushed forwards the bullets hitting his shield as he moved and bashes it against the guy as he collapsed hitting his car. Tommy was breathing heavily looking to the shocked and amazed group.

“Theseus!”One of the women exclaimed.

“Why were you attacking the police? I was gone for two weeks what the fuck happened?!?! Are you insane! They could have killed you!” He snapped harshly and the woman flinched back for a moment.

“They’re taking this moment to oppress us and we won’t stand for it!”

“So you’re using me as a Martyr?”

“A symbol. Someone for people to look up to!”

“Look up to Chernobyl he’s done so much more than I have. Turn to him and Ghost. I’m not in this game anymore. Not for a very long time. Now go! Get home! I have to leave before they try and call in the fucking hero’s.” And tommy was off.

He ran into the alley ways and away from their. He ended up 5 blocks away before he finally stopped to breath. He had moved to sit on a roof as he knew his phone was being blown up by well everyone for pulling that stunt. The news of his return probably blew up faster than he expected. Police cars would loop the area below more frequently.

He held the mask in his hands as he stared at it.

A symbol? What kind of bullshit was that. He was gone for two weeks and he comes back to his once loved area now nothing more than gang territory. Desperation clinging to everyone. Fear sitting behind everyone’s eyes. How did this happen in such a short amount of time. He knew everyone was probably concerned, wondering where he was but he didn’t care at this moment. He knew people had cared about him. But now he was wondering if people were using him as an excuse to hurt people. He didn’t like to hurt police officers but those people would have died. Not that the officers themselves would have been left off much better.

“FUCK!!” He yelled out onto the streets taking everything in his power to not throw his mask from this roof. But he didn’t know how it had formed in the first place and he wanted to be able to transform Techno’s jacket back to normal.

“Angry there kiddo?” There was a soft voice from behind him as he heard feet hit the concrete of the roof top. He quickly put on his mask before turning around to see who was talking to him.

Standing on the rooftop was Thanatos. He sat at about 6ft tall. His solid black bucket had sat on his head the veil neatly sewn around the hems hiding his face. He wore a nice black robe that sat loose around his body except where it was tied in the middle. Underneath he could see the glistening of armor in the moonlight. His sleeves going past his hands. Of course the true thing that stood out about the Villain was the large solid black wings on their back. They adjusted them a bit as he had seemed to just land.

“Thanatos…”He simply breathed out.Ah yes, another factor he had forgotten about. He owed Thanatos his life. Thanatos had come out of a suspected retirement. The Villain hadn’t been seen in over a year but he had come out of hiding to save him and honestly, Tommy was sure as to why. He was the leader of the Syndicate but he stood in front of him like he was hesitant of even being there.

“Hello Theseus,”the man started slowly as he sighs gently. “It is good to see you up and moving. We had not been told of your status so we were concerned.”

“You were concerned?”Tommy’s brows furrowed.

“Tommy, you, Ghost, and Chernobyl have helped us immensely. More than you know. We have been watching from the sidelines should anything go wrong though…”

“We?” Tommy looked like he was ready to bolt at any given second.

“The Syndicate.” If his face already wasn’t pale white it was now. The syndicate had been watching them. The Syndicate had been keeping an eye out. The Syndicate knew of their existence and choose to keep out of it. This was the moment when it truly and really hit tommy. The leader of the Syndicate stood in front of Tommy asking if he was okay, like a concerned friend. Like he the last time he was seen before then was at the bombing of City Hall where he and the Puppeteer spent 3 hours locked into a battle and Thanatos had landed what should have been a fatal blow to the Puppeteer. Like in that battle he hadn’t personally taken out 10 civilians in the streets and 15 office staff, and caused Mayor Schlatt to have a stroke. Thanatos held the highest body count of the Syndicate and was the only villain to have a hero’s death to his name. Not just any hero either. The old number one hero: Zephyrus. The one that sits on a pedestal in front of city hall. The day of mourning that goes by every year. All because of the man standing in front of him.

“What does the Syndicate want with us…”He says slowly as he stands to his feet. Standing at the edge of the building.

“Nothing but for you to keep at it but Theseus. You have a problem.” He takes a step forwards and Tommy instinctually wants to step back but also knows he can’t or else he would fall from the building.

“What problem?” Tommy snapped, possibly a bit harsher than he had meant to.

“I mean no offense Theseus but it is known by now that you have been rebranded as a villain. I think it is obvious that at this point you see the error in the Hero system. They do whatever they want and get away with it. They almost killed you and kidnapped you and the Puppeteer faced no punishment but a slap on the wrist. There should not have been villains sent after you in the first place. The Pharoh and the Red Traitor have been operating for years without giving the committee issues but the second 3 new vigilantes show up and pounce at the idea to take you down. They’re trying to create another enemy Theseus. You need to open your eyes and see it!” Thanatos was passionate. Tommy could give him that. His words laced with honey and conviction like there wasn’t poison hidden beneath them more than likely. More importantly he didn’t understand where Thanatos was going with all of this information and talk.

“Then what are you talking about and suggesting Thanatos…”

“Have you ever heard the poem ‘I shall not Pass this way again’ by Eva Rose York Theseus?”

“I thought that Apollo was the poetic one…”

“He is but it’s a good poem..” Thanatos slowly walked over next to Tommy looking over the city. He turns his head to Tommy.

“The poem is about how life is full of wonders and how time continually moves on and that you cannot change the past.”

“Thanatos…”

“But since I may not, let me spend my strength for others to the end,-- for those who tread on rock and stone, and bear their burden all alone, who loiter not in leafy bowers, Nor hear the birds nor pluck the flowers, A larger kindness given to me, A deeper love and Sympathy: Then, O, one day May someone say-- remembering a lessened pain-- “Would she could pass this way again.”” There was a silence that settled between them as he finished the stanza.

“That’s just the ending to that really but the whole poem is beautiful. The author only saw the good in things and asks god to forgive her for seeing it that way. Can you believe that? Asking for forgiveness for only seeing the good?”

“Thanatos what is your point? You came here and talked about lies and the heroes and recited to me a poem? What do you want?”

“I see you did not listen. I’ve watched you fight. I went through hours of videos and articles and comments about you and I always hear one common thing: He was kind. Theseus protected his friends over himself. Theseus took the blow in my place. And Chernobly released the audio from that night. He distorted some bits he wanted private but he released it. The public does not support Puppeteer right now and we need to make a move.” Thanatos turned to look at Tommy as the wind picked up and the snow blew past them in a small flurry.

“Theseus we want you to join the Syndicate.”

Chapter Text

The words had to be a joke right?

This entire thing was a joke. Thanatos had not just asked him that question.

“You want me to do what?!?! Fucking hell. Is this some sort of god damn sick and twisted joke?” Tommy yelled at the Villain back away from him. He stormed away back further onto the roof laughing at the idea. “I should have died on that roof. I was barely saved and then I’m gone for two weeks and come back and you want me to join the Syndicate? Why?!?! What do I bring to the table? And if you say my image I swear to fucking god.”

There was silence from the villain and it had to be a joke. The villain was quiet for too long.

“The offer isn’t a joke Theseus…. It’s very true.”

“That doesn’t answer the fucking why Thanatos.”

“Because you will be hunted for sport otherwise. If you associate with the Syndicate you’ll be guaranteed protection from any of us. You are guaranteed a doctor if you get hurt, money, anything you want but you will be solidifying your reclassification as a Villain.”

“So you want to protect me?”

“You’re a child. Just because you can protect yourself doesn’ mean you should have too..”

“I’m not a fucking child. Oh my god! I should have expected this honestly. How else am I supposed to take your words old man?!?! I’m fine. I’m going to be taking a break from vigilante shit anyways. Retiring”

“And when they go after your friends Theseus? Ghost and Chernobyl? What will you do then?”

Tommy stopped and looked back at him. “They’ll be fine. I can help from the sidelines.”

“We both know between the two Chernobyl is a weak fighter Theseus… He wouldn’t stand 5 minutes against any of the top rated heroes at the very least on his own.. “

“They’re not meant to fight heroes. They’re supposed to just be helping out with petty crimes!”

“Like you then? Face the facts Theseus. You are a target in the Committee's eyes. If you disassociate with your old colleagues and join the syndicate they’ll back off from the vigilante’s. If you just drop off the face of the Earth after tonight then what happens to them? Another target for the Heros?” Thanatos turned away from him looking over the city from the buildings roof. “Theseus I am not meant for these kinds of discussions. This is a part of the job I was not meant for, so I have another proposal, Would you join the Syndicate in exchange for your favor towards me?”

Tommy stopped in his tracks at that. He was right. He owed the man his life. He was in a very serious debt to the Syndicate. He had heard and saw the photos and videos of Apollo picking him up and whisking him away. It had only just set in though how badly he needed to get the debt taken care of.

“If and only IF I join, what would it entail? Because I’m not hurting people or killing anyone,”He started right off the bat as Thanatos turned again to face him. The wind was picking up as it began to snow harder. He pulled out his phone seeing desperate messages from his two friends and what he could only assume to be slightly frantic calls from Wilbur. He gave a heavy sigh moving his phone to silent not having time to deal with this bullshit on top of what he was currently facing.

“I never said you had, too, Theseus. The Syndicate is not some grade school club where you must participate in all events. The Syndicate is merely a group of aligning individuals. A group that simply believes in one thing: the destruction of the Hero Committee. You could operate as a vigilante as much as you wish. We may ask you to assist us with specific tasks, but we will never ask you to break your moral code. As I stated earlier the main focus of you associating with us is to protect you from the hero’s. If you went out we can provide better protections since you’ll be fighting heroes more, better weaponry or weaponry training, healing and medical supplies, supplies to assist you in subduing low level criminals, etc.”

“And you’re not going to make me do anything I don’t want to do? And my debt to you will be paid?”

Thanatos gave a nod. Tommy liked to imagine his sinister smile underneath the veil. What kind of man laid underneath the mask of the most feared villain.

“I have one more question….”

“Go for it mate.”

“Is Charlie your healer?”

“Yes, he is in fact. May I ask why? Kind of a pain in the ass to locate sometimes but usually the Dealer can track him down since he’s the closest to him.”

“I will join the syndicate if I can talk to Charlie. I have questions and I think he may be able to help me a little.”

Thanatos hesitates for a moment but nods. “Alrighty I think that can be arranged Theseus.” He holds his hand out. “Do we have a deal then?”

Tommy looks at his hand as he walks closer to the super villain but slowly and surely take his hand giving it a shake.

“Welcome to the Syndicate Theseus. We will be in touch very soon.”

Theseus nodded. A lump sat in his throat as he thought over his decisions and actions just now as Thanatos stretched out his wings wide. And with a strong push upwards he was in the air. Wings flapping and catching the wind as the snow fell down around him.

What did Tommy just do? What did he just agree to? He collapsed on the roof eyes wide. He was a villain. He was living up to everything he swore he would never become. How badly did he fuck up. How badly did he betray his friends. The air was biting against his skin. His hands red from the cold as he felt tears slowly slip down his cheeks. Tommy reached up to gently touch them. He was crying?

Tommy pulled out his phone opening it as the messages slowed down. A lot of them asking where he was at from Wilbur and Tubbo. The amount of missed calls was impressive but Tommy slowly just moved to press the call button to the only number he felt comfortable calling.

“Tommy!!” Was the first thing he heard in his ear as he pressed it to his head. He sniffed and tried to wipe the tears away. He realized the issue of the fact that he was on a rooftop. He would have to get down and change his clothing at some point but right now he just wanted to hear his brother's voice. “Tommy what’s wrong? Where are you?”

“Wilbur..”he simply whimpered out quietly.

“Fuck, Tommy where are you I’m coming to get you.”Concern filled his voice but as panicked at it was it was gentle.

“I-I don’t know..”he whispers softly just holding the phone close to his ear to just listen to Wilbur. To just take in the fact that he answered and was here for him. He hadn’t had this in the sense of a brother. Friends maybe, but this? This was entirely different.

”Techno! You drive fast go get the car started!” He heard Wilbur yell. ”Tommy you have an Iphone right? Just send me a ping to your location ok? We’ll be there soon.”

“Okay…”he whispers into the phone. “Thank you Wilbur.”

There was a pause from the other end, and Tommy could imagine Wilbur’s soft ridiculous smile as he laughed gently. ”Of course toms… that’s what I’m here for right? I’ll see you soon, okay?”

There was a quiet pause before Tommy hangs up the phone taking a deep breath before letting it all out. The frustration. The fear. The worry. The concern. Everything that had been building up inside of him for the past few weeks. This energy of odd loneliness and yet a family. His power had been itching to be used. Building under his skin like a rickety damn just waiting to burst. Even now he could feel it there waiting to be used. Wanting to be used.

Tommy slowly forced himself up. He gently touched his clothing watching the red spread over his body as it turned into the once familiar hand me downs from Wilbur and Techno. He bit his lip before climbing from the fire escape. He shoved his hands in his pocket, the cold eating away at him at this point. He was shivering since the Adrenaline of the situation was fading from his veins.

Tommy moved to simply sit against the brick building underneath the awning of a closed storefront. He stayed tucked in on himself. He was shaking and shivering. He wiped away his tears and kept sniffling. He wasn’t going to let Wilbur see him like this. Not as broken as he was. He didn’t want the others to see. He slowly pulls out his phone to finally go through and read the several text messages from Tubbo and Ranboo and Wilbur. Most of them were texts of concerns saying they just heard that Theseus had made an appearance. Asking him if he was okay and if the others were okay.

All he texted Ranboo and Tubbo was that he was fine. No one had to know about his new association with the Syndicate. No one. Not Wilbur. Not Techno. Not Tubbo. Not Ranboo. No one could know before it was revealed. He couldn’t drag them into his mess. He had to fix this and he would fix this. He just didn’t know how yet. He brought from his daze of staring at his phone be being enveloped in warmth and comfort. He tensed up but slowly realized who it was.

“Tommy..”Wilbur says softly pulling him closer and only tightening his hug. “You had us worried. Come on let’s get you back home and in some other clothes, okay?”

He felt everything rise to his throat again. Wanting to choke him because he desperately wanted to tell Wilbur why he was so torn. Why he was so broken and felt like he was betraying his own family. Tommy brought his arms around Wilbur returning the hug as he held him tightly. He simply nodded as Wilbur got up and offered Tommy a hand which he gladly took,

“Jesus Tommy! Your hands are too fucking cold!!!”He exclaims moving to push Tommy into the back seat of Techno’s vehicle. As soon as they were in Wilbur’s gloves were off and he held tommy’s hands between his blowing hot hair on them to try and warm them up. “Do you not have gloves?”

Tommy shook his head no. “I used to.. And I left the ones you let me borrow at work. “ He explained. Techno was quiet in the front seat. He looked like he was lost in though debating something important in his head. He occasionally would look in the ear view mirror to check on them.

“No wonder you’re hands are cold! We have to get you a new pair of gloves and a different jacket that fits you as well! That’s it we’re going shopping tomorrow before you have work.”

“What? No! I’m fine Wilbur.”

“I’m not going to let you freeze your ass off! It’s only going to get cold as the season progresses.”

“Wilbur--”He tries to speak up.

“Not buts Toms! Either way Tubbo texted me asking where you were because he heard over the police radio about Theseus popping up. I thought you were laying low?”

“These civilians were harassing these cop and I was just going to let it happen but then the cops pulled their guns and they weren’t backing down. I wasn’t going to allow some civilians to get hurt!!”

“....Fucking idiots..”He grumbles pouting a little. Still, in no time at all they arrived back at the house. Techno really did drive fast even comparatively in the middle of a city he knew where to turn to avoid all the lights so they got to Wilbur’s house very quick.

“PHIL!!!!”Wilbur yelled as soon as they got into the house. “THE KIDS ARE HOME.”

Wilbur practically dragged Tommy up the stairs and into the bathroom. “Stay here I’m going to get clean clothes.” And he did in fact come back in mere minutes with a fresh clean set of clothes for him to put on.

Tommy liked to shower here. It was guaranteed hot or cold water and he could pick the temperature. He also liked the fact that Wilbur’s shower was huge. It had a waterfall showerhead with jets on the side. It screamed money but that was everything in this house.

Tommy turned it on though watching it fall as he took off his slightly wet clothing sighing heavily as he looked at the remaining bruises. The stitches had been removed and now all that was left was the nasty scar in its place. He sighed before slowly stepping into the flower letting the water run off of him for a little. Honestly, he sat in silence just thinking.

Thanatos had said they would reach out soon but Tommy wasn’t quite sure how. His thoughts were swimming back to the conversation he had with Phil a bit ago after he had woken up.

”I’d imagine they think you’re a pretty strong guy if they moved you to rival Apollo”

Even if hadn’t joined they had moved Theseus to the number 4 top villain in the city. More than likely he still would have been associated with them because they saved him anyways. As much as he wanted to look on the bright side of things his mind kept going to all that they had done. How many people they had killed.

Did their goals align with his? Thanatos had only said that their goal is to be rid of the Hero committee. Tommy had to agree with that goal. The hero committee keeps proving time and time again that they’re incapable of handling the hero’s and the hero’s keep proving that they’re incapable themselves.

But still any way he looked at the situation, a hero should have never been sent out that night in first place. It didn’t make sense. Why send a hero out to deal with two vigillantes taking care of a robbery? What was the use in that. It didn’t sit right in his head. And Puppeteer had been there on the scene which had meant it wasn’t just one hero. They had sent out two hero to deal with two newer Vigillantes. It didn’t make sense and it scared him and concerned him.

What were the hero’s doing? Was it that that Charlie had been talking about? There had to be a bigger picture here. Charlie had called him a game piece. He also said he hoped he would get across the board. Only game he could think of where he wouldn’t would be checkers… did that dipshit make a checkers reference? So if he got across the board then what? He became a queen? That couldn’t be right.

The entire thing was bothering him and he kept having time to think about it which only made things worse. He moved to turn off the water and as soon as it was off he could hear an argument from downstairs between the family members.

“And so you thought that was right course of action?!?!”

“Techno and I agreed it would be best Will!!”

“But you didn’t keep me in the loop?”

“We knew you would react like this if we told you!”Techno hissed. Tommy frowned as he slid on his clothes finishing drying his hair a bit before he Pressed his ear to the door not wanting to open it and out himself.

“This isn’t the time nor place for this conversation Anyways Wilbur,”Techno continued.”Do you want him to die in the streets? Do you want to watch him bleed out? Do you want them to kidnap him? Or go through everything we watched him go through fucking AGAIN?!?!”

“No!!!”

“Then shut the fuck up Wilbur. We do this to protect. To keep an eye on him.” He had never heard Techno be so blunt to him. Whatever they were talking about, whoever they were talking about must be close to them. It was a serious conversation and Tommy didn’t know if he wanted to hear them argue like that anymore so he opened the door and stepped into the hallways hearing how quickly they all shut up as the door was heard. As he came down the stairs pizza sat on the counters of the kitchen and Wilbur and Techno seemed they were about to tear each other’s throat’s out with the pointed glares they gave each other.

“Tommy!! Good to see you mate! I’m glad your all warmed up now.”Philza laughed softly. “Pizza? I wasn’t sure what you liked so I ordered some cheese and pepperoni and went and grabbed a bunch of things on my way gone too!”

“Thanks..”he smiles gently looking over to make eye contact with Wilbur who offered a small concerned smile.

“Pizza and then watch a movie on my laptop?”Wilbur whispers as he walks by.

“Please,”he whispers back as he goes to get his pizza laughing softly.

But he and Wilbur grabbed their food before indeed heading upstairs to Wilbur’s bedroom.

“Do you want to talk about it?”Wilbur asks as soon as he enters his bedroom shutting the door behind them.

“No… but what were you guys fighting about?”

“You heard that?”

“I caught the last end of it. You guys weren’t exactly quiet.”Tommy shrugged. He shoved a piece of pizza into his mouth as he sat on the bed. Wilbur set his food down grabbing his lap top and turning it on.

“Sorry about that Toms. I even knew you were kinda stressed but phil and Techno just told me something really big and I just got so mad I kind of snapped at them.” Wilbur sighs and runs his fingers through his hair.

“Do you want to talk about it?”Tommy offers a bit.

“You;re not normally this quiet Toms. Will you pleas talk to me about it? I’ll make you a deal? I’ll talk to you about my fight if you talk to me about what’s up with you?” There was hesitation in Tommy’s eyes before he slowly nods.

‘Okay..”

“Thank you Tommy,”Wilbur smiles gently before pulling up a random movie they could easily talk over as he gets the lights leaving only his bedside lamp on.

“So what were you guys fighting about?”

‘Techno and I have an old childhood friends,”he starts. “Practically like a brother to us and well over the years as I’ve mentioned to you I’ve gained a lot of connections. Techno recently mentioned he gave one of these connections to the friend, Jeremy. Even though just a week ago we had talked about not doing that because he’s so young. Just a little older than you in fact. We wanted to protect him from that world he was partially already apart of, but I just think we should have waited. “

“Are you upset at the fact that it was done or the fact that Techno didn’t tell you about it?”

“Both I guess.”

“Sounds to me that you would have told him about that stuff either way,”He took a bite of his pizza.

“I mean, well--”

“I’m not done, come on. Big mans got some words of wisdom. “

Wilbur laughed and held up his hands in surrender. “Alrighty then Sir. Tommy continue.”

“It sounds to me you’re upset because you’re close to Jeremy and they didn’t bother to tell you. If it’s for his protection and you knew it was the only way how long would you have tried to hold out? It just sounds to me that you are really upset because they went behind your back. It doesn’t sound like you’re upset about the actions they took. You’re just desperate toprotect him so you keep telling yourself that there was another way when there probably wasn’t. You know that they’re right but you’re too much of a prick and full of yourself to admit that they made the right action, so instead you’re taking it out on them when All they were doing was trying to help.”

“When did you get so fucking Wise, Toms?”

“Since I spend a week in my own head,”he laughed. “That or the head trauma.” He held up a piece of pizza as a joke. “Probably the latter honestly.” Wilbur laughed.

“But you’re probably right. I do think I have to apologize to Techno and Phil…” He looks down frowning a bit thinking things over in his head. He sighs before looking up at tommy. “Thank you, but unfortunately, it is your turn to express your emotions. I know it’s gross but I did it now you have to.”

Tommy sighed heavily setting his pizza down. “I guess there’s a lot going through my mind but the biggest thing happened tonight Wilbur. After I saved those civilians I got to thinking. Why did I become a vigilante in the first place? Why did I help people? No matter how I act I constantly hear from those around me that I’m too kind and have a lot of Empathy and I want to believe that, maybe. But then when I talked to those civilians after saving them I realized something. They only wanted me to be a martyr for their cause. A faded desperate symbol and plea for their chaos. Maybe some of them are genuine but I could see the want in their eyes to just do more. Riot more. It scared me. They’re using my name and raking it through the dirt only to pick up and shine it off like it hadn’t been dirty and ruined in the first place.”

Tommy rubs his face a bit. “I don’t want to have to stand up to the Martyr they expect me to be. I don’t want to be a symbol of chaos, but that’s how they’re portraying me. On top of that, when they moved me to a villain they put me at top priority. They even knocked the Dealer down and put me in his place among the top 5. I’m not inherently violent.”

“Why?” Tommy was thrown off.

“Why what?”

“Why aren’t you inherently violent?”

“Because that’s wrong!!! Hurting people is wrong! Not unless they are attacking me, or-or committing a crime or even hurting someone else!”

“See Tommy you’re already better than most of the villains. Just because they say you’re one thing doesn’t mean you actually are.”

“But they’re going to consistently say it!”

“Then you have three options.”

“What Will? What are my three options?”

“1, you can prove them wrong. Doing this route though will put you in a lot of danger. You won’t be able to associate with anyone or go to anyone for help and we can only help so much from the sidelines. It’s incredibly dangerous.”

“Wow thanks Wilbur, what’s option 2?” He rolls his eyes at the guy sighing as he flops backwards onto WIlbur’s bed.

“Option 2 is you just disappear. Retire. Give up. Never to be seen again~ Ooooo spooky,”this causes Tommy to burst into laughter.

“Wow thanks Ghostbur, and option 3?”

“Make them regret their decision to call you a villain. Rise to the top. Train. If you’re going to be classified as a Villain make them regret ever pushing you to that point. Rob some banks. Steal candy from a baby, I don’t know, join the fucking Syndicate or something!”

That last one hit too close to home but he stayed silent sighing as he let his eyes become glues to the ceiling. He hadn’t noticed this before but Wilbur had those glow in the dark space themes stickers on his ceiling. Goofy looking spaceships and stars and planets all over his ceiling. All glowing faintly in the dim light.

Make them regret their decision. Never said he had to kill anyone. It could work. Tommy did love spitting people.

Tommy held his hand up to the air. “Did I ever tell you about my power Wilbur?”

“No….”The guys eyebrows furrowed. “It’s it like roughly transmutation? Changing one thing to another?”

“It’s more than that Wilbur,”he starts softly.

“I can simply create anything.” He moved his hand and in a small burst of red energy there was a small throwing blade. Similar design to Sandmans. No. Exactly like sandmans.

“So the 3rd option it is?”

“Yup.”

“I can’t wait to see how this goes Tommy Innit Craft…” Wilbur smiles, and Tommy’s heart does a flip.

This was going to be a great decision. He was going to make the heroes pay. Even if he decided to just mildly make their lives annoying in the process.

It was decided then. He had already agreed to join the syndicate. Now all he had to do was make it the best decision that group ever made, and make the Hero's regret ever crossing him in the first place.

Tommy Innit was going to become a villain.

Chapter Text

Tommy didn’t know how he had gotten to this point. Not even talking metaphorically. He was currently walking down a hallway towards the rest of the Syndicate lair. Since it was his first time in they hid it from him by blindfolding him in the car over.

Tommy had stayed over with Wilbur and they talked a lot. Even though they gave him the guest bedroom Tommy practically lived in Wilbur’s but he didn’t seem to mind it really. It was a week later before he got a text from an unknown number that it was Thanatos to Meet him in Southside. Tommy made an excuse saying he wanted to go take a walk and he wouldn’t be home for a while.

When had had gotten there he was met with Thanatos, who took him to a black sedan and handed him a blind fold. He couldn't see who was driving it though.

Still after he had been guided in the building they finally took the blindfold off of him and walked him inside. He knew they would let him see the outside eventually but in the meantime he understood. Thanatos walked in front of him his wings blocking the view from in front of them a bit. However at the end of the hallways they approached a large set of ornately decorated wooden doors. They had to have been handmade and they were huge in comparison. He thought the hallways had been oddly tall but this explained it.

Thanatos soon opened the door intos a large room. The walls were covered in art and decorations with various doors leading elsewhere. Sitting on a platform in the middle of the room was a large table with 8 chairs. Three on each side then two on the ends. It looked like it was norse inspired as he was just in awe from how beautiful it all was. The least he could do was admit that the villains had fucking style.

Sitting at each one of the chairs were villains. In fact the top villains. He recognized the greens of Dedaelus, his respirator nearly over his face with goggles on. He was in full uniform with a green shirt with his armor sitting neatly over it. Form fitting and sticking to him. Over it was a loose black jacket. He was playing with small mechanical creatures that scurried over his hands. The man looked up at Tommy Entered. Then again they all did. On his right was the man he recognized the Dealer. He knew the two spent a lot of time together and did a lot of join-tasks and backed each other up.

The dealer was flipping a poker chip between his fingers. He wore a nice white button down wih a black vest over it. He looked similar to a poke dealer, hence his name. He had on a beanie and you could see a pen behind his ear. His simple white mask sat over his nose and mouth with a black pixilated smile. There was a large scar over his right eye. He remembers watching that happen on tv. On his right was Apollo, messy brown hair with a beanie over it.. His signature golden guitar sat on his right with his matching mask over his eyes.

Across from Apollo sat the Blood God, the number 2 villain. His pig mask sat over his hair which was separated in various braids. His crown sat shining on his head with his thick cape hanging over the chair. He wore a loose pirate style shirt with a corset and pants with taller black boots. He looked too pretty. Even with the mask.

To his right was Permafrost and Obsidian. Permafrost sat with her hair cut short. He didn’t know who had recently cut it. Her blue attire standing out against her bright pink hair. She gave off a gentle aura despite her attitude in battle. Obsidian sat next to her with his obnoxious hair and red and blue glasses. His armor looked as it it was cracked obsidian painted to where it looked like there was lava inbetween the cracks. Tommy had to admit, Obsidian’s armor was his favorite out of them.

“Thanatos welcome to the party,”Apollo greeted leaning on the table.

“This the kid you were telling me about?”The Dealer spoke up his hand stopping from messing with the coin any longer.

“Everyone this is Theseus,”Thantos motions to Tommy who stood just behind him. He gave a small wave. In this room were the most feared super villains in the city, and he was going to be apart of them now.

“Theseus please take a seat,”Thanatos motioned for him to sit at the seat at the far end. He nodded and approached the platform going up the steps and taking a seat as the leader took his own.

“Not talkative much?”Obsidian asked leaning over towards him.

“Or maybe he’s intimidated~”Permafrost spoke up her voice just as sweet as she seemed giving him a gentle smile.

“Yes, we’re here to talk about Theseus but not just him. There are other matters to attend to. I want Theseus to hear about what we talk about first before asking about him. Fair?”

Everyone nodded.

“Good. Blood God you have the floor.”
The imposing silent figure stood up.

“As you all know the Comittee has been putting more rules into place on managing gifted and powered individuals. The registration I believe was just their first step. Then the hero training program in high school was definitely the next and now they have just announce mandatory blood tests for anyone working governmental jobs including in schools and colleges. There is talk about making legal for jobs to test for gifts as well in case you are unregistered.

The bounty of ratting out unregistered peoples also has gone up to $200 a person.”

“$200 just for fucking being a mole?”Tommy piped up.

“Oh he speaks,”Apollo laughs. “Yes this has been going on for years. Have you not known? Did they ever test you? I heard they started testing Kids in the system before they could be emancipated anyways.”

“Must have started after I left but no I had no idea.”

“Shit… they have been hiding it Well—“he was cut off by the Blood God piping in.

“As I was saying. My thought is we lead a team to interrupt the meeting on the votes. It’ll be in 3 months time which leaves us time to gather things and prepare. We can interrupt the voting and session in general and call them out on their bullshit,”The Blood God sighed crossing his arms.

“This kind of ties into our next area of conversation too but first, if we ran a team to interrupt the meeting who wants to go? Blade will lead. “

Tommy stopped at the name for a moment. He heard that when he was in and out of consciousness. He hadn’t known who had said it but now? Had Thanatos and the Blood God saw him while he was out?

Tommy looked around them for a moment. Apollo raised his hand as well as Dedaelus. Tommy stopped but slowly raised his hand as well.

“New kids got some guts,”The dealer smirked looking at him.

“It’s shitty what they’re doing jackass. I’m not going to hurt or kill anyone but I can help incapacitate them and stuff.” He shrugs crossing his own arms.

“And a bite,”Apollo commented looking at how caught off guard Dealer was. Thanatos cleared his throat.

“So we have Blade, Apollo, Dedaelus and Theseus? Sounds like a good group,”Thanatos nods a bit since you were unable to see his facial expressions through his veil. It was miracle how he saw out of that thing

“Onto the next order of business. The Hero’s. They keeps overstepping their boundaries, going after vigillantes. Threatening them to try and get to us. They’ve also been sighted in the outskirts of the city. Rumor has it they’re looking for something. Under who’s orders? That’s another question entirely. What they’re looking for could probably give us the rest of the answers we need. Dealer, could you use your network see if you can find anything?”

The man nods but sits back in his seat. “Look I can try but here’s the issue. More than likely, it’s going to require an inside man. I lost the one inside man I had recently. Without an inside guy getting anything on what they’re looking for or the specifics is going to be near damn impossible.”

“If I can get close enough to the Hero’s without them noticing and use my powers we could find out. That’s if I can get close enough for them to hear me without activating the silent shields.”Apollo brings up.

“My appearance would throw them off, especially if Sandman or the Puppeteer were there. Between Blood and I I’m sure that would be real fucking distracting.”

“Well-I mean—“Apollo was cut off by Permafrost.

“No that’s actually ingenious. We set something up where there’s going to be a lot happening and use the distraction of bringing in Theseus fighting alongside us to distract them. He’s number 4 now anyways. “ the Dealer let out a scoff at that one, probably upset because lost his spot to a kid. Not like Tommy had actually wanted it. It was just given to him.

“The Vote would be perfect, but if we’re planning on going in this to draw in the hero’s we’re going to have to pick up the pace on a few things which leads us to the next topic, Thanatos?” The blood god motions towards the man who sat in his chair listening and waiting.

“We’re bringing in Theseus as an official member of the Syndicate. He will have our help in training, protection, etc.”

“Wait I thought he was just going to be like a trainee or some shit? Like an intern?” Obsidian spoke up.

“He’s the only one hear who has ever broken free from Sandman’s illusions without help from any body.” Then all of a sudden everyone’s eyes were on him.

“How!!!! I was down for 3 days last time I got hit with his illusions. They crushed me so badly!!!”Obsidian exclaimed looking at Tommy next to him who merely shrugged.

“How?!”Permafrost asked, eyes on him.

“I just kept repeating it wasn’t real. Don’t get me wrong his vision still gives me nightmares but I really couldn’t tell you how it happened.”

“In the Videos there was a burst of red energy around him,”Dedaelus spoke up calmly as he looked around the table. “Theseus what are you powers? I’m assuming your unregistered anyways considering you haven’t been arrested yet.”

“I think it’s supposed to be a form of transmutation?”His eyebrows furrowed a bit.

“A form?”Dedaelus looked a bit puzzled with his head cocked to the side a little.

“Well I can transmute one item to another,”he explained. “Can I have that pen behind your ear?”he asks. Dedaelus nods and hands it over.

“For example,”He focuses on his hands and in a small puff of red energy the pen was Gold. “I can change this to solid gold. But I can also create anything I know. “ he flicks his other hand for a moment and in another burst of red energy there was a matching golden pen. He turns one of them back to normal and hands it back over to the man setting the golden one on the table.

“What’s the take backs?” Dealer spoke up.

“Take backs?”

“You know negative effects, requirements to recreate things? Mine is I have to know the exact specifics of anything I make. Like the weight and amount of certain chemicals and metals,”He waves his hand and in a small flash of golden energy he saw one of the dealers signature throwing cards in his hand. The edges sharped to cut. “I have to know everything about what I make. A take back.”

“Mine is that it’s only while singing can I make things happen.” Apollo spoke up.

“If I actively use my super strength and special abilities I’m out for at least 5 days sleeping,”The blood God shrugged. Tommy realized that these people were actively telling him weaknesses right now eyes wide a little.

“I have to pull my magma straight from the ground. Lots of city wide damage when I fight. Why do you think I fight in the streets and/or on the edges of town. Gotta be careful not to melt any buildings.” Obsidian shrugs.

“I don’t do well around heat, as you could probably guess.” Permafrost shrugs.

“I have to preen. It’s very annoying.”Thanatos sighs.

“See! A take back!” Dealer motions for him to speak.

“I don’t think I have any… I guess bigger items? I have never tried to create large item or transmute mthem either,”he shrugs. “I get a headache if I try and create something radioactive. Chernobyl creates radiation but he can also manipulate it so I made him some but it caused me to get a bad headache and puke for a bit. It wasn’t just a radiation poisoning either. In theory I could probably dobigger things too I just have never tried.”

“Wait you have the ability do things like that, with no repercussions?”

Tommy gives a nod.

Dedaelus interrupted Dealer before he could speak.”then why does your clothing look like a mess. Why nor just transmute yourself something better?”

“Honestly… I didn’t think of that. But also, I like these! Fuck off!”

“He’s not talking about the style Theseus,”Thanatos commented sighing. “He’s talking about the armor. You have none. It’s a miracle you lasted as long as you did without getting severely hurt.”

Dedaelus moved and grabbed the edge of the sweatshirt feeling the fabric. “I can help you, immensely honestly. Most of our clothing here and uniforms are made out of a technology I invented. Unfortunately it was also invented before I left the Heros,”He sighs thinking things over in his head.

“Either way back to the topic of you actively being a member Theseus. You will need to train. As you are now you would loose to any one of us. So does right now I want to focus on training. You can work with Dedaelus on ideas for a new outfit.” Thanatos speaks up.

“I will help you with your fighting abilities but your gift is another question. Dealer you have the most similar gift to him here, think you can help.”

“I can certainly try. Oh I’m going to have fun with this,”Tommy didn’t have to see his face to get the wicked smile across his face.

“Does anyone else want to add anything?”

“If you’re fighting in the central district, remember to avoid my shop!! Blade you and the Puppeteer got too fucking close last time! I thought I was going to lose it!”

“And I apologized, didn't I? I had to get him away from Dedaelus somehow!”

“So you lead him towards my fucking shop?” She exclaimed back at him.

“Is there anything else I need to know while I’m here?”Tommy pipes up interrupting their conversation.

Thanatos shakes his head a bit.

“Then just send me when and where I need to meet you next time,”Tommy nodsand stood up. Apollo also stands you up.

“I’ll take you back to the spot,”he nods, moving to escort him. Everyone gave a small bye as they continued the topic of conversation. Apollo escorts him through the large wooden doors.

“So why’d you become a villain?”He pipes up as they walked. His hands in his trench coats pockets as they headed down the hallway.

“Spite?”

“I’m sorry?”

“You heard me, bitch, Spite.”

“Oh so I’m a bitch, now? And Spite?”

“You think I wanted to be a villain?”

“I mean--”

“Don’t you fucking say shit, Golden Hoe.”

“Golden Hoe?!? Now come on Theseshit calm down!”

“No! I was trying to not get myself murdered in there but with you? I’m not that scared of you.”

“Hold the fuck up--”

“No, I won’t thanks--”

“SHUT UP,” His voice rings out musically in tone as he continues.

”Go home, Farewell Theseus. Forget the locations and say goodbye to the night~”

Next things Tommy realized was that he was back in front of Wilbur’s house standing confused. He wasn’t in his vigilante uniform. He also had no memory of much else from when Apollo had sang to him. Maybe that guys powers worked a little different than what everyone believed? He didn’t like the hazyness that followed as he tried to remember how he got here. He shook his head as he slowly opened the door. He looked as his phone as he got inside.

There was a text from a different person.

”Come meet at the spot tomorrow. BG and Dealer will start your training. Figure it out Theseshit.” Tommy laughs as he types back.

“Sure Hermes :P” Then it showed the three dots for typing,

“First Golden hoe now Hermes, what the actual fuck.”

“Would you prefer Thesefuck?” Tommy scoffed looking at his phone. Then more typing dots.

“Fuckus?”

More dots.

“Theseass.”

“You’re a child, despite looking so old,”Tommy smirked looking at his phone.

“Going to continue to insult me, Fuckeus?”

“You know what, yes, Music bitch!”

”You know I like that name… Music bitch. Suits me!

“Who’re you texting?” A voice spoke as he looks up realizing he had just been standing in the entranceway typing. Looking towards the couch with a single lamp on was Technoblade. He had a book resting open in his lap.

“Oh! Just one of my coworkers. He was wanting to know if I could cover his shift for tomorrow,”Tommy spoke up putting his phone in his pocket walking over.

“Oh? Trying to get some extra hours?”He asks flipping the page.

“Yeah, hey what’re you reading? Normally you’re piano room by now,”Tommy flops right next to him trying to peak at what he was reading until he tilted it away.

“What’s it to you?”Techno smiles, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Uhhh, I’m a curious man? I’m trying to go back to school? I’m just curious as to what the great Technoblade! Is reading at 1 in the morning.” He smirks.

‘The art of war.” He chuckles closing the book to show him the title.

“Isn’t that some old book on war theory?”

“Yes, actually.”

“I’ve heard of it briefly,”he shrugs.

“I’ve read it a lot, but it’s always a good read.”

“Really? It’s on strategy and shit? How can it be good?”

“It has good advice.” The man shrugged a little as he sighs a bit. Tommy moved to be annoying wondering if his antics he used on wilbur would work on techno. He decides to obnoxiously lay in his lap.

“Heh!!” He exclaimed as the other plopped in his lap quickly moving his book out of the way.

Tommy smirked. “Continue,”he stated casually as if he hadn’t just ruined any plans the other had of continuing reading his book. “You said it has good advice? Give me some advice big man.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I will… I don’t know fucking defeat you in a game of mario kart?” Techno looked down at him sighing.

“Do you want me to read it to you? I don’t mind Tommy,”he says chuckling as he gently begins to run his hand through Tommy’s hair before opening the book to where he was.

“Sure,”Tommy says trying desperately to not lean into the familiar and comforting touch of his eldest brother…..

Techno was his brother. He thought of him as a brother, but did Techno think the same? He currently laid in his lap with the others hand through his hair reading a book. It was tame and calm and Tommy thought that this was probably the calmest he’d ever seen Technoblade. Aside from when he had seen him in the gardens.

“He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.”

“What does that even mean?” Tommy’s eyebrows furrowed in thought.

“What do you think it means?” Techno looked down at him. Tommy shrugs.

“Fuck if I know what some old dude thinks of war. Or what the fuck else he means,” Tommy moves on his side. Techno’s hand still messing with his hair. It felt nice. Technoblade laughs as he shakes his head continuing with his book.

“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce
your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.”

“That one reminds me of the heroes..”

“Oh? Why do you think that?” Techno closes the book just slightly.

“They all serve the committee. But the hero’s don’t follow the rules. The Hero Committee don’t keep the hero’s in line. There are no repercussions or anything. They just straight don’t follow the rules of them. They don’t follow anyones rules. The Hero Committee has a lot of spoiled kids. The Puppeteer is just leading the helm.”

“But hadn’t he made the other hero’s think of him as a commander? Treated them nicely. They believe he is their deepest friend right? So is the real commander the Committee or the Puppeteer? “

“I--” Tommy stopped thinking for a moment. The hero’s could just break away at any point and the committee would be helpless. Tommy hadn’t thought of that. The committee wasn’t in charge anymore. The real one in charge was the Puppeteer. Left with that thought Tommy finally realized just how tired he was as Techno continued to read out passages from the book in front of him.

Tommy knew that sleep would soon be something hard to manage so he wanted to take advantage while he could. So he did. He fell asleep right there on Technoblade’s lap as he was lulled to sleep by his voice.

Chapter Text

At the line jump turn on this and probably just put it on repeat tbh

“Did you not just listen to what I fucking said Ghost!” Tommy yelled into a mic watching their location from Tubbo’s computer at their apartment. He sighs heavily as he rubs his forehead frustrated. “You two need to get the fuck out of there now! There are a lot of police headed your way!”

“Heard you loud and clear Thesefuck!”Chernobyl snickered over the intercom.

“I tell you one story and you use it against me!”Tommy exclaims. He watches Ghost appear next to Chernobyl before in a burst of purple particles both were in the living room breathing heavily. Tommy looks up from the computer screen pulling off the headset and setting it down on the counter. He crosses his arms watching the two.

“You know if you would have left earlier you wouldn’t have had the police on your asses,”he comments sighing heavily. Tubbo pulled off his mask sighing as he threw it on the ground just wanting it off of his face.

“Fuck you Tom’s, come on we were so close to catching that bitch!” Tubbo exclaims as he goes to flop on the couch. It wasn’t too late into the night but either way Tommy would be crashing here as he did whenever he helped them out. Otherwise it wasn’t too out of place for him to be seen at the Craft household. He’s practically lived there at this point.

Ranboo was quiet as he slowly got out of his vigilante clothing. He calmly took off his mask and then his hoodie and the various aspects of their outfit. He sighs moving to flop onto the couch as well next to his friend.

“I’m going to bed,”Ranboo said. They looked exhausted. Tommy was exhausted. Between the three of them they were all 3 pushing themselves dead. Ranboo and Tubbo did patrols every night without fail weather or not Tommy was there. Tommy was the inside ears every weekend(Friday-Sunday). But during the weeks he had three days of training and then the other day was spent having a movie night with the crafts most of the time.

They had fallen into a rhythm over the last 3 weeks. Things had been settling down but it didn’t make Tommy any less exhausted from how much he was working. He was getting significantly better with his abilities and his fighting. The Blood God beat his ass on a nightly basis anytime they were together but he was a good teacher nonetheless. Unfortunately for Tommy he believed very strongly in the idea of “if you can’t get up from the attack or you can’t avoid it, you don’t need to learn it yourself.” So a lot of what he did was rebound training too. Get hit, go down, try and get up.

The amount of bruises he was having to fight only grew by the day. It was why he was thankful that on Thursdays he had power training with The Dealer. His training was exhausting but also useful. He knew better than to push him too far so he could get home safe. A lot of his training with the dealer honestly varied. Sometimes he would be learning about useful materials and their properties so he could create. He learned about different types of weaponry and knives and what did the most damage and what did the least damage. He learned about armors and the modern day equivalents. He also would sometimes create a lot of one object. The syndicate would never run out of pens because for the full 2 hours of training one day, that’s all he did was create pens until he couldn’t. He got to 113 before he felt like he was about to pass out and he was sure he did actually pass out because he woke up with no memory of getting home but he was asleep on the Craft’s house.

“You two need to head to be, I’ll take the couch,”Tommy chuckles as he begins to put the computer and things away a little bit. He walks to the closet to grab the pillow and blanket for the couch.

“I don’t want to get up,”Ranboo complained as he and tubbo were both leaning on each other.

“Me neither.”Tubbo sighs. “Why can’t the police just leave us alone? “

“Because they’re bitches?”Tommy asks chuckling. “And we’re technically doing something illegal.”

“I wish you could join us again toms,”Ranboo gives him a small smile. “I miss having to teleport your ass out of the way of an enhanced idiot.” Tommy rolls his eyes at that one.

“Yes and I miss the terribly sickening teleportation of yours!”he laughs joining them on the couch as he holds the blankets and pillow close to his chest as they all leaned into each other. Tommy didn’t know what happened after that as he fell asleep. He was sure Ranboo and Tubbo didn’t move either

-----

“Tommy we went over this last Tuesday! Use your force!” Blade dashed forwards using his strength and momentum to knock Tommy on his ass.

“I’m sorry!” Tommy breaths heavily rolling out of the way of Blade’s sword as it came down next to him as he moves to stand up to try and rebound against his attacks.

“Don’t apologize, just fucking practice,”The Blade hissed as he moved to attack again. “Do you want to know how I got to where I am?”

Tommy blocked his blow ducking under his arm sword at the ready to parry his attacks.”how?”

“Blood, sweat and spite!!”

“Spite?”Tommy asked as his sword was knocked out his hands and Tommy was pushed backwards by the other’s foot stumbling as he bent over a little bit. He grasped his stomach, which while healed still was tender. “Fuck.” He breathed out falling on his hands and knees. He looked up to see Blade holding out his hand which Tommy gladly took and helped him stand.

“Yes, Spite you little shitling,”he smirked a bit. “People always used me growing up. So I decided that out of spite I was going to become everything they hated. Everything they didn’t want me to be.” He pulled his sword up to his face to examine it.

“They wished to hunt me to the ends of the Earth, but instead,”He paused and held his sword at Tommy’s neck. “I hunted them, and I ended their pitiful existences. Ended their suffering with my axe through their skull.”

“The murder that made younumber 2. You hunted and found several individual scientists killing them in cold blood in the streets. These voices echoing around you chanting ‘Blood for the Blood God’. It may not be your oldest kill but it’s the one that made you,”Tommy finishes quietly.

“Exactly. I made them pay for what they did to me. The question is Theseus, are you going to do the same? Are you going to make that marionette perform on his stage? Or are you going to burn eit and everything he cares for to the ground?”

The way the Blade’s voice echoed in his ears. Pushing him forwards. Urging him to fight more and get up. To pick up his blade. It was surprising. He didn’t know where this motivation came from but he wasn’t complaining. The mans gaze was still on him sword at his throat. He let his hands grow warm as in a moment he created pepper. Without another moment for Blade to register he blew it in the others face slipping underneath his arm and grabbing his sword rolling out of the way as he stood up at the ready. The man sneezed throwing him off before shaking his head a large grin coming across his face.

“There we are. Fight dirty Theseus. Don’t let them watch you fall like Icarus. Let them watch you burn everything they care about down.”

“I’m not going to kill anyone.” He hisses going on the offensive slashing towards the Blood God. Then they were locked in a fight. Not one of desperation or anger. One of proving something right. And what did Tommy have to prove to the Blood God. The cold hearted villain that stood at the 2nd highest rank. Tommy had to prove that he was worth.

That he was worth holding 3rd highest ranking villain status.

Tommy had to prove that he had the hate and anger to do what needed to be done sometimes.

Tommy had to prove that he would do anything to take the Puppeteer down.

Tommy had to prove that he had the guts to play dirty.

And Tommy had to prove that he would fight to get what he wanted.

So their fight went on. Blades crashing against each other. Metal on metal. Each of them ducking and swerving and dodging the others attacks. A dance Tommy didn’t know he was performing as he desperately sought to reach the upper hand. He had abilities. Blade has abilities. But blade did not have his abilities, and a brilliant idea came to his mind. He moved to kick the others head knowing he would dodge before he used his off hand to create another sword. It was a short sword with a dull blade as he rounded up and held it to the others chest.

He was breathing heavily as they met a stalemate.

“I’m going to find the Puppeteer, and I’m going to hurt him. I am going to destroy everything he has ever loved, and I am going to smile while I watch it burn. I am going to show the public what their precious number one hero really is, a dictator. A prison guard. A man too high up on his horse to notice the burning city beneath him. Nothing. And I mean nothing is going to stand in way. Not even the Syndicate.” He breaths out heavily as he stared into the Blood God’s eyes. There was a dark blood lust to them as he throws his weapon to the ground and holds his hands up. Tommy lets the weapon dissipate as he takes a deep breath.

“Good job Kid,”the man smiles. “That anger. That motivation is what you need to fight. You need to fight with your powers not against them. Use it against you opponent like there is no tomorrow, Theseus. Nothing will stand in your way.” He moves to walk past him patting him on the shoulder proudly.

“I’m going out. Go home and get some rest kid.”

As the Blood God walked out there was someone slowly clapping behind him. When he turned to look he saw exactly who it was. Standing there in front of him was Apollo. They didn’t interact much but when they did, it was interesting.

“Damn, that was a fun fight to watch. You show a lot of promise but even then you could tell he was pulling his punches right?” He smirked.

“What do you want Apollo?”He sighs heavily as he walks over, putting up the training sword before walking back across the mat.

“You seem to still have some anger to take out. Want to see how you hold against me? Have a conversation?” The man gives him a sickeningly sweet smile. Like he was planning something.

Out of all the villains he met Apollo was the oddest. Thanatos was in and out, neither here nor there but when he was there everyone was there. Training or doing something. Apollo constantly always was around when Tommy was there. Watching and waiting and Tommy wasn’t sure what for. He would make snarky comments on the occasion.

Permafrost was always polite and always with Obsidian. The two never did anything without the other seemingly best friends.

“You want to have a conversation while we’re fighting?”

“Yes, and?”

“We take turns. I ask a question and you have to answer a question. We both have to answer honestly.”

“Sounds fair enough Golden Hoe.”

“Oh it’s on Thesefuck,”Apollo smirked as he pulls off his long trench coat throwing it to the side. Now that it was off Tommy could see just how built the man was. His turtle neck outlining some of his muscles that you normally couldn’t see. He smiled and rolled up his sleeves for a bit before He cracks his neck getting into a stance.

“Who goes first?”Tommy asks casually as they begin to circle each other.

‘I will… How old are you?” Wilbur asks carefully watching Tommy’s movements.

“17, turning 18 this year,”Tommy answers before he takes a lunge the other slipping past him easily dodging it. He had to remind himself he was fighting Apollo. The man had an incredible defense and while wasn’t small he was skinny which gave him an up in agility over Blade who was just simply so built. “How old are you?”

Wilbur moved to go a punch himself as Tommy blocked it rerouting it to get Wilbur’s arm behind his back. Wilbur elbowed tommy in the side flipping him. “25.”

“Damn such an old ass fucker,”Tommy breathes out slightly winded as he rolls out of the way bouncing back up to rebound from his attack.

“And you’re a child? Say something that’s valid Thesefuck.” Tommy rolls his eyes at that one. “When did you join the system?” Tommy barely got out of the way of Apollo’s kick as he blocks it with his arm aiming for a jab but was also blocked.

“When I was 10.”

“And before then?”

“My turn to ask a question.”

“Yes, sorry,”Apollo smirks as he lands a kick to Tommy’s side. “Ask away then.” Tommy winces but bounces back up from it. He had too. It was the first thing The Blood God had been teaching him in his twice a week lessons.

“Why are you a villain?”

“Because they hurt someone I care about.”

“Who was it?”

“My turn Theseus,”He chuckles. Their movements became a fluid dance. One hit. Blocking. Kicks, flipping the other, bouncing up, again.

“Where were you before you were 10? Before you were in the system?”

“I don’t remember.”

“You don’t remember? Who the fuck doesn’t remember their childhood?”

“Shut up!”Tommy exclaims landing a punch across his face a bit as the other staggers for a moment rubbing his jaw as he looks back at Tommy.

“Who did the hero’s hurt?”

“You don’t want to know the answer to that?”

“Tell me who did the hero’s hurt that has lead you to hurt people?” He hissed out as he went back in to attack. “Who was worth all the death and destruction.” Apollo went on the defensive as Tommy went into overdrive. Punching, kicking, avoiding. Anything to land a hit on the dodgy fucker.

“I told you, you don’t want to know Theseus!!”

“You said you would tell the truth!”

“I’m saving you the pain!”

“Tell me Apollo or this is over!”

“What’s over? You being in the syndicate?”

“Any friendship we would ever have! Who was so fucking important to you that you blew up the city hall with women and children inside!!”

“My little brother!!”Apollo yelled at him as finally Apollo was on the offensive.

“Those scientists Blade killed? He killed them because I had already murdered every last other bitch who had laid their hands on my brother.” Apollo hissed as he landed his first solid hit to Tommy’s face. A left hook.

“Those heroes were experimenting on humans!”

A right hook across tommy’s face.

“They experimented on me! On Blade! On --!!”

A kick to his chest as Tommy was thrown backwards breathing heavily. A bil rising in his throat and he knew what his next words were even though Apollo never got to say them as a loud booming voice interrupted.

“APOLLO !” Thanatos exclaimed. “Out here now…”

There was a look of recognition across his face as he seemed to have realized something.

On you

The words Apollo never got out. The words that played on his lips like an unfinished symphony.

As Tommy sat there breathing heavily and in shock from what just happened eyes wide he felt blood trickle from his nose as Tommy looked down his hands.

He had seen this all before. He had been here before. Fuck what had he gotten himself into. What did the villains know about him. What did he not know about himself? What did he need to know about himself.

People kept bothering him about a past he doesn’t remember. Bringing up memories he never knew existed. People that have felt dead to him for too long. People that should have died with him years ago.

The heros were experimenting on humans

What did that even mean. What had tommy been apart of. Where had he been? There were too many questions and not enough answers and he was desperate for something, anything to ground him. To keep him here in the now. He felt warm arms around him as he hesitantly opened his eyes not having even realized he had been crying. He moved his glasses to wipe them. Sitting next to him arm gently wrapped around his shoulders in a slight hug, was Daedalus. Green hair that now seemed all too familiar. He was quiet. Not saying anything and Tommy was more thankful than the man could know as he needed comforts. He needed someone he could trust. Daedalus reminded him of someone though. A face just out of reach....

Sam. Daedalus was Sam, but that brought up an entirely new question. If this was someone long gone from his past, and the others knew of him.

Who else was lingering?

Who else knew the secrets?

Who could Tommy really trust?

Chapter Text

Tommy’s following training days were canceled and he even spent the followings nights at the apartment he, Ranboo, and Tubbo had. Apparently they had to talk about what happened. He ran as the man in the chair for them all weekend and it was nice. Nice to focus on something else that wasn’t him. There were still two months until the big planned course of action.

Tommy wasn’t sure if he wanted to be apart of it. It was weird because even Wilbur had been sort of distant from him. Techno stopped by the coffee shop during his shift, and when Tommy had asked about him and why he hadn’t been texting him back Techbo had just said Wilbur was going through something and needed some alone time.

It made him feel sick. He was terrified. Had he scared Wilbur off finally? Done something to fuck with their friendship?

“Earth to Theseus!”The voice of Tubbo came through his ears.

“Yes sorry I’m here!”he says quickly.

“Put on your mask and stuff! We are heading home with a guest!”

“A guest!!!!”

“The Pharaoh got severely hurt! The Red Traitor is helping Ghost carry him!!! We have no where else to get him healed!”Tubbo’s voice was frantic as Tommy ripped off his earbuds quickly moving to change into a random hoodie and his signature mask forgetting the sunglasses. He grabbed the first aid kit and thought for a moment before creating a needle and thread to see someone up. He had done it on himself before, he could do it on someone else.

At least this was distracting him. He moved and cleared off the coffee table so he could sit on it and Tommy could easily see with the light. He grabbed a bottle of the vodka from their cabinet(not that they actively drank it but even they knew they needed someone to clear wounds with). He also made a bunch of towels so he could easily clean the wound with. It wasn’t long after he had just finished gathering all the supplies before the door slammed open. In walking the two duos. Tubbo rushed in and held the door open before checking the hallways and shutting it quickly.

Ranboo had a man heavily leaning against him arms across two people. He easily recognized them as the Pharaoh and the Red Traitor. The Pharaoh looked rough. His nose trickled blood and there was a large gash in his forehead. His hood with the sewn in “teeth” was fallen down so all he had was his sandy brown colored mask sitting on his face. His jacket was sleeveless with a zip in the middle. The zipper was already all done to show a large and deep cut across his left side abdomen. The clothing in tatters a bit blood steadily flowing.

“Put him on the table. Ghost grab the flash light,”He called quickly pulling up his sleeves as he washed his hands with scalding hot water. He summoned himself some sterile gloves before moving to inspect it. The man groaned.

“Eret…”he whispers. The Red traitor looked incredibly concerned, gently moving and grabbing the Pharaoh's hand. He didn’t seem to care that the other had just said his name out loud.

“Hey, it’s okay you’re going to be fine!!!”Red said smiling past their tinted glasses. Decorated beads hanging from the edges to keep them on their face. Bright red lipstick on their lips.

“What cause this?”he asked quickly, grabbing the vodka and cleaning the surrounding area before inspecting it beginning to clean out any debris he saw as Ranboo came back with a flashlight holding it over the wound only to prove his fears. He wasn’t a fucking surgeons, but if he didn’t do something, this was going to be bad.

“Who do you think?” Tubbo hissed pacing back and forth.

“He’s going after you guys too now?!?!” Tommy exclaimed wide eyed at Red and Pharoh who was barely holding on there. “Fuck, questions will be later. Tubbo pull up descriptions of pain medicines and ingredients. I might be able to create some after.”

And a silence fell over them. Red kept hushing the Pharaoh who was in and out of consciousness. Tommy moved and sewed the skin together tasking Ranboo with wiping away the blood as he needed.

It took Tommy 30 minutes to take care of the stomach wound before he could tackle the gash on the man’s forehead, which he also had to sew shut. All the while it was tense in the apartment even as Tommy finished dressing the wound. He sat back pulling the bloody gloves off of his hands as he just breathed for a second.

“I don’t know if he will be okay…”He said honestly. “But we’ve got the bleeding stopped and hopefully it won’t start back up.”

“Thank you,”Red started softly. The man looked distressed himself.

Now that Tommy had a second to pay attention he actively admired the others costume. A long red cape with some sort of fur at the top held on him by a golden chain. Their tinted glasses with the bead holders slipped over them. Golden earrings in the design of a crown with dangling jewels. They wore a large amount of jewelry. Red’s brown hair pulled into a low pony tail with a crown sitting on their head with a veil attached to If. He knew that they would either hide their face with the veil or just do the tinted glasses.

They wore an off the shoulder white long sleeve shirt with a red corset that fell over their black jeans. And for Tommy personally the most impressive part of Red’s outfit… black platform combat boots that raised them about 2 inches. Tommy had tried to wear those once and it was rather disorienting. He recognized the metallic glint of the gauntlets that were fitted to his hands perfectly. He knew the Red Traitor liked to be upfront and personal. What was even worse about the whole situation of the Red traitor fighting someone. His gauntlets were so thin and close to the size of his hands that they were gloves he could fit rings over the fingers. That was exactly what he did. Large gemmed rings sat on the nice metallic molding.

Tommy dragged himself up to wash his hands again looking once more at the Pharaoh. He just noticed just how physically fit the man was. He frowned. Something was missing it seemed.

“Doesn’t he have a scepter he carried with him?”Tommy points out.

“The Puppeteer broke it half just before he did this to him,”Red explained standing up himself as his friend was unconscious.

“Ah… I can make him a new one, probably.” He shrugs as he grabs the bottle of vodka moving to start putting things away. Ranboo quickly moved to help grabbing the messed up clothing to throw away as Tubbo sat on his computer glued to the screen.

The Geiger counter sitting on the counter slowly was rising. It had been for a while but still.

“No need,”Red said softly looking over at his friend once more before moving to sit at the counter. “You’ve saved his life. That’s already a lot. We couldn’t ask for more.”

“So, I may have been ears in but the connections were spotty tonight what happened out there?” Tommy sighs as he grabs a bottle of water putting a straw it in so he could drink.

“The Puppeteer…. Is growing frantic and restless and I’m not sure what for. The inner districts are calling for a vigilante round up and I’m sure with the Hero Council on his ass as the now number one he’s trying his luck with taking us down or something of the sort. We were just doing our rounds! Helped an old lady find her cat, stopped a mugging. Small things.” Red rubbed their forehead a second. “Puppet already has had it out for me since I defected. If my name shows anything. He’s the one that gave it to me after all. Got all salty about me choosing to do good rather than deal with theirHero Committee bullshit.”

“Do you care that I know your name now?”Tommy asks hesitantly.

“No, not really. I trust you not to share it. You can’t stop a sick man from rambling.,”Eret sighed a little.

Tubbo looked up at them both for a moment. “Puppeteer is talking to the news right now.. do we want to turn it on and watch? See what bullshit he’s pulling this time?”

“Might as well see what he’s trying to blame on me,”Red sighs as Ghost moves to turn on the TV to the news station.

Eret flops onto the couch as Tubbo closes his computer. On screen you watch at the fight happens as a replay. Puppeteer was engaging The Pharaoh in a fight. Sand flinging everywhere as the Pharaoh held his own for a while dodging debris thrown at him and avoiding the flying sword that the Puppeteer was controlling. . Then the screen cut to the Red Traitor in a head to head battle with Cernunnos. The deer skull mask sits firmly on the man's face as they fight. Cernunnos’ hood firmly attached to the back of the skull as to not fly off. Then both of the fights were in view at the same time, within a stones throw away from one another. That was until Pharaoh was caught off guard and he watched the man hit him with the sword before Puppeteer gave him a nice punch across his face and the screen went back.

“Keep an eye out for the Pharaoh and the Red Traitor, both are at large as suspects of Robbery and assault and battery. They were last seen making their getaway near here. Pharaoh will be injured but the Red Traitor is still armed and very dangerous.” Cernunnos is seen in the background conversing with Firestorm who seemed to have just arrived. Smoke gently wafting from their figure. Tommy didn’t have to know sign language to see the anger in the man’s eyes as he signed fast and furiously at Firestorm who had his hands up defensively against the man.

Tommy didn’t know too much about the Hero. Despite being in the top 5 now he was rather quiet and kept to himself. He stayed away from too much conflict and only got involved when he felt like it. Something was going on if Cernunnos was back in action after a while. Maybe it was Thanatos coming back that triggered it?

“I will not be taking any questions at this time but rest assured we know the city is going through a hard time right now, and there will be progress. Sometimes there must be a few steps back to take leaps forwards.” The Puppeteer smiled, or well Tommy could assume that he did. The man turned to look at Cernunnos in his outfit. Brown cloak blowing in the winter breeze. He had on leather armor of sorts in various places on his body. Chest. Shoulders. Arms. There were two short swords that were sheathed in his sides. He was covered head to toe including brown leather gloves. The man had a whole deer aesthetic going on, Tommy could respect that at least. ”Do you have anything to say Cernunnos?”

Cernunnos gave a spiteful roll of his eyes before looking at the camera and with a smirk signing,”fuck you.”

“Hey I know that sign,”Tommy snorted watching them.

Eret was leaned forwards eyes lost in thought. “Assault and battery to them maybe,”they hissed out before straightening up. ‘This is exactly the kind of bullshit they’re going to pull. It’ll be a miracle if they don’t reassign every goddamn vigilante in the city to a villain. I’m sorry about what happened by the way Theseus.”

Tommy was caught off guard by the other apologizing to him. “Don’t apologize. No one could have known that this was their moment to make a move. Whatever that move was though, is another question entirely.” Tommy shrugged and moved forwards to feel for the injured mans pulse. Thankfully it had steadied out for now.

“If you want we can arrange a bed on the floor? I’m sorry we don’t have much room here…”

“Do you mind? I just want to make sure that Pharaoh doesn’t kill you all in a panic as soon as he wakes up,”Eret chuckles a bit with a smile.

“Question, while I have you here,”Tubbo spoke up. “What are your gauntlets made up of? I know you fight with your fists and stuff, but you can also easily move your fingers and they don’t sound like they’re mental?”

“Nanotech,”they explain simply as they open and close their hand. Tommy watched as they gently reached up to their neck and pressed the small red gem on one of the many pendants around their neck. In no time at all the Gauntlets retracted to a larger golden metal bracelets.

“What the fuck…”Tubbo whispers.

“You work around here long enough and get a few favors to the syndicate you can ask for things. They have the one of the only people who knows about this tech. The Heros have the other one which puts us little guys at a disadvantage. Don’t ask me about specifics though that’s Dedaelus’ whole thing. How do you think the Heroes and villains show up so fast? The nanotech can help change them into their outfits in no time at all. I know Apollo’s just creates his mask and usually his shirt making it into a layer of armor for him. I think it also covers his guitar so it can’t get broken? I’m not sure about that one,”they shrug.

“That's amazing!!!” Tubbo exclaims wide eyed not that you could see it much through his gas mask but Tommy knew his friend well enough to guess his expressions.

“We should head to bed. Theseus ,do you want me or you to sleep out here?”Ranboo spoke up as he stood up slowly.

“I’ll sleep out here no worries,”Tommy says gently. “If something happens to Pharaoh too I can help out a bit better.”

“You’re not a doctor though.”

“Better a doctor than you Ghostie,”he chuckles with a smile. Tommy moves to go grab some blankets and the one extra pillow. He watched Ranboo and Tubbo head to the bedroom as he hands the blankets over to Eret.

“I know you said you were tired of the Hero's bullshit, but what was the specific moment that caused you to want to defect from the heroes? Didn’t they have to know your gift and real identity?” Tommy asks as they both mutually set up their “beds”.

“Back then it was different. You just simply registered with the Committee. Now though… it’s incredibly risky and complicated. But your asking about the line they crossed?”

Tommy nods as he watches them slowly take off their crown setting it to the side before beginning to unlace their shoes. “One day, this was about a 3 years after Thanatos appeared and Zephyrus was killed, so that’s what 4 years ago?”

‘Yeah about..”

“4 years ago, when the Committee was still on edge about everything despite the time passing I saw Mayor Schlatt talking with the head of the research division. He changed his name recently so I’m not sure what he goes by now I think but I do know his gift. If he looks at someone or something he can see the components they are made up of. I saw them talking. Schlatt go heated and I wasn’t in full hearing range for the first part but I did hear the end of it…”

“What would Schlatt want with a Heros researcher?”

“Schlatt said ‘Whatever was left about the Philosopher's Project needs to be burned. That research can never reach the light of day ever again. If the public found out about it this entire city would be in ruin. It was already almost revealed. I know you were hoping to start it up again but this is over. It’s too big’” Eret hesitated as they adjusted the blankets, setting their shoes off to the side. “That planted the seed of doubt. I’ve been trying to find any remnants of the project ever since, but I’m sure even the current heroes have any idea about it. Most of them are too young into the system. I defected 6 months after hearing that conversation. It was a build up of a lot of things, but it was all because of Schlatt saying what he did. Thus when I defected and the Puppeteer and I faced off as I announced it he stripped me of my hero name and branded me the Red Traitor and that’s what I’ve been ever since.”

“Your old hero name was the Monarch wasn’t it? I recognize the crown. I also have to regretfully say when I was significantly younger I was a huge hero fan..”

“Oh? You the mighty Theseus? Defeater of sandman? Were a hero fan? Oh this I have to fucking know. Not many people got to know you well kid before they rebranded you.”

“Shut the fuck up Red!”Tommy laughed as he rolls his eyes. “My favorite has always been the Captain, but I must admit you as the Monarch were pretty fucking cool.”

Eret laughs brightly at this one. “Fuck yeah I am. I’m the real king here. I am the protector of the streets. I was and still am even if I was given a different name. What’d you like about me?”

“What need some coal to fire your ego Mr. Monarch sir?”Tommy snorts.

“Ms. Monarch! Come on, have some class! Did you not see me rock that dress to the Gala that one year? I was hot and that dress got me in so much trouble with the committee.”

“I’m sorry you’re right, Ms. Monarch. I was too young and not into that kind of shit but I vaguely remember everyone being up in arms about it in like high school or something.” He chuckles a bit.

“It’s nice being able to interact with you like this Theseus. I’m sorry Pharaoh and I couldn’t step in during that fight. We wouldn’t have been able to reach you in time,”Eret looked guilty almost about that as they looked towards the ground a little.

‘I’m all healed up now and back to normal, mostly. I still get some pains now and again but I manage. I have people around me who care. “

“You do. I can tell. Ghost and Chernobly care about you well enough.”

Tommy gave a shrug. “I’d probably be dead if Ghost hadn’t somehow gotten ahold of the Syndicate…”

“Probably, unfortunately… Good night?”

“Yeah, I’m exhausted and lord knows you are. G’night Eret.”

Tommy moves and lays down on the couch a bit as he sighs and is once more left with his own thoughts. He was running. Tommy knew that much about himself at the very least. He was running from every issue he was having.

Wilbur avoiding him.

The Argument with Apollo.

The realization of Dedalus’ name.

He was running from all of them. At the end of the day he agreed to be a villain. He also agreed to a very important heist. Something that could negatively impact the generations to come if he didn’t go and didn’t help them succeed. That moment was too important to let it go to waste. This was more than just about him at this point. There was too much on the line. They had to find out what the Hero's were looking for. If they could get to it before them then maybe they could destroy it.

Tommy had a few calls to make. He needed Thanatos to keep up with his promise as well. It had been a month and there had been no sign of Charlie despite what Thanatos had promised him. He needed to apologize and face his fears and actually be what he wanted to stand for. A big man who would protect those he loved. How could he protect those he cared about if he could barely defend himself.

And then there was what Eret, or Red, told him. The heroes had burned the files on a project. A project that sounded eerily familiar.

The Philosopher’s Project.

Why did that name stick so close to him?

Chapter Text

Tommy had been standing in front of the Craft house for 10 minutes just trying to get the courage to knock on the door. But finally he did it he moved to knock on the door, that was until he heard light solid footsteps coming around the corner.

Tommy was caught off guard as looked at the figure. Slightly taller than Tommy, a beanie with a trench coat. It looked like— Wilbur. But the figure had a cigarette between his fingers and took a long drag before blowing it out into the cold winter air. They stopped walking as soon as they saw Tommy. Tommy’s hand was still about to knock on the door as Wilbur and him stared at each other in an akward sort of silence, waiting for the other to talk.

“I didn’t know you smoked….”Tommy piped up, after what felt like an eternity. Wilbur chuckled softly and dropped the almost finished bud stomping it out with his shoe.

“Uh, only sometimes when there’s a lot going on,”He admitted softly shoving his hands into his coat. It was freezing out.

“Do you want one?”He asks, pulling out a carton.

“Is that even legal? For me to smoke?”

“Nope, not at all.”

“I’ll try one,”Tommy shrugged as Wilbur laughed and pulled out one.

“We’ll just share then for this one,”He moved to sit on the steps of the Craft place. Tommy moved to join him. Tommy watched him pull another cigarette out of the carton and closing it out away as he grabbed his lighter. The lighter must have been old as it barely wanted to lite. Still, he got it lit once more as he took a drag of the thing before offering it to Tommy.

Wilbur gently blew out the smoke into the cold air around them. Tommy looked at the cigarette in his hand and sort of copied Wilbur and his experience smoking the very rare blunt. The nicotine was strong though as he began to cough rather violently, handing the cigarette back to Wilbur who was laughing at him.

“Jesus Toms,”he smiles gently as he takes it back, taking another hit off of it.

“What the fuck! Wilbur are you trying to kill me!!” Tommy gasps out as he still is partially coughing next to him.

“Yes, that’s been my secret goal the entire time! Kill Tommy via Nicotine!” He laughs as Tommy punches his arm. Wilbur gently rubs where he was hit. “Damn got a nice punch there that actually kind of hurt!”

“Shut up Wilbitch!”

“Never Toms, Never!!” And they both sort of broke out into bright laughter.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so distant lately,”Wilbur apologized as he gently nudges Tommy on the shoulder.

“Will, you dropped contact with me for a week! I find out you’re going through shit because Techno told me at work no less.” Tommy exclaimed a little but sighed rubbing his face. “I’m upset, yeah. But you’re my best friend. My brother and I can’t just stand by and let you go through something alone!”

“Tommy I—“ Wilbur started before Tommy stopped him.

“I don’t need to know why you dropped off the face of the Earth. I Don’t need to know what happened to be honest. But I do need you to know that I’m here for you Will. Just as much as you’re here for me. We can’t be brothers if we don’t communicate,”Tommy had his hands in his lap fiddling with them as he leaned forwards on his knees. His legs bouncing a bit trying to retain his warmth. “But don’t get me wrong… Please never fucking do that again.”

“I won’t Tommy. Not intentionally. Never again.” Wilbur smiles gently as they lean into each other a bit.

“Can i ask if you’ll tell me though?” Tommy looks up at him. And Wilbur shifts thinking for a moment.

“I’ll tell you part of it…” Wilbur offers gently

“Better than nothing bitch boy.” Wilbur scoffed a little at this before taking another puff.

“So, the day Thanatos killed Zephyrus in the streets and they had a large fight. You know? Buildings were damaged and toppled and too much of the city was on fire,”he begins slowly. Tommy gives a press to Wilbur with his shoulder to try and comfort him. Wilbur gives him. A small smile before continuing.

“In the system I was really close to this little kid. We were like best friends and I swore I would protect him, but that day so much happened. I was told that we would be reunited and that was the only reason I never went after him. I trusted the adults too much at the time. Next thing I know I’m told he’s been moved and that in summary I’m never going to see him again… but Techno’s been doing some digging for me to find out where he was at all this time. He didn’t find anything. In fact all of his files and information was deleted. It’s like he never existed in the first place. This was months ago, but then I was told recently that there was a high chance he was in the old hero building when Thanatos burned it to the ground, meaning he was more than likely dead.”

“I’m sorry Wilbur…”Tommy whispers out watching the others gaze stuck on the ground.

“I just was hoping that there would be something more I could look for but I suppose not,”He laughs if only a bit solemnly.

“I know I can’t be whoever this was Wilbur, but I am here, and I am your friend,”he smiles gently.

“No you’re my littlest fucking brother,”Wilbur smirks a bit trying to lighten the mood himself it seems.

“Alrighty, well I’m cold as balls, and I’m gonna get a key to this house eventually. Don’t make me barge in and beg for the warmth of your house,”he smirked. Wilbur laughed brightly.

“Jesus Toms. You’re apart of this family now. I’m surprised you don’t have a key,”Wilbur laughs as he moved to stand up. “Now come on and come inside. It’s cold a all hell out here, little child.” He chuckled and moved to open the door Tommy standing up to follow him.

“I’m not a child!!!”

They were welcomed with Techno in the kitchen holding a potato in his hand with a large bite taken out of it. Was he just eating a raw potato? Like not even baked? Was this man fucking that obsessed with Potatoes…

“What the fuck…”was all he could manage out as Techno looked at them both and shrugged.

“More for me then,”he chuckled.

“Your brother is fucked in the head Will…”

“Our brother come on did you even listen to anything I just fucking said?”Wilbur smirks.

“Oh so he’s officially adopted?” Techno says before taking another bite of the potato like it was a goddamn apple.

“I mean I’m adopting him, has Father dearest said anything?”he laughed.

“I don’t think Phil would turn him away,”Techno laughed. “In fact if he were here right now he would probably file the paperwork right now.”

“He would?’Tommy piped up.

“Absolutely! Toms!”Wilbur draped his arm around the others shoulder playfully.

“Where is he anyways?”

“Dealing with work stuff,”Techno shrugged as he grabbed his book and finished off the potato.

“Why are you like this Techno…”Tommy asks motioning to the last bite of the potato.

“Why aren’t you like this?”He raises as he moved to the couch sitting down in front of the large TV. “Wanna play mario kart you two?”

“Do i? Oh come on Tech! Of course I do. I’m going to kick your ass!!!”

“Mario Kart? Fuck yeah. I’m taking you two fuckers down,”Tommy smirks as he sits on the couch Techo handing him a controller as he opens up the game.

*******

It was two hours later around midnight that the door opened as Philza walked in to greet his children. He came home to Tommy Half on top of wilbur in the middle of a race as Wilbur desperately tried to see the screen his foot planted on the side of Techno’s head who was also desperately trying to get away from it as they all where in the top 3 battling for first place.

“DON’T YOU CARE USE THAT BLUE SHELL ON ME BITCH!!!” Tommy exclaimed as he currently held the lead.

“FUCK YOU TOMs!!!!” Techno yelled as he sent it out.

“ALL I KEEP GETTING ARE BANNANAS WHAT THE FUCK!!” Came from a very exasperated Wilbur who was in third place.

“TECHNO WHY?!?!?” Tommy screams as he got nailed with the blue shell and Techno shot past him as Waluigi. This also was followed by Wilbur barely surpassing Tommy as Princess Peach across the finish line.

“WILBUR YOU TRAITOR!!!”

“2ND PLACE FOR THE WIN, KID! IT’S EVERY MAN FOR THEMSELF!!” Wilbur shouted laughing maniacally as Techno barely managed to get off the couch before Tommy finally fully and completely tackled the guy.

Phil was leaning against the wall for a moment laughing at them. “Well you mates having fun?”

“Hey dad,”Techno spoke up. He was currently perched on the loveseat with his phone in his hand recording the two going at it.

“PHIL!!! Save me!!! He’s a wild animal! A gremlin!” Wilbur called laughing as he desperately tried to escape Tommy’s blows.

“Bitch!!! YOU MOTHERFUCKER!! I am not a gremlin! Dad! Help me! Tell him I’m not a fucking wild animal!!”He yelled out as Wilbur finally got the leverage to flip them, knocking them both off the couch. It was only then as Tommy hit the floor as he realized he called Phil dad. Nope. He was brushing right past it. He didn’t do anything. Absolutely nothing.

“Come on boys, behave. Did you three even eat anything?”Phil laughed as the two finally separated huffing and laughing together “I’ll take that as a no, so alright. Get up we’re making food you two. Techno might as well help too. You can make more potatoes.”

“Yes!!!”He exclaimed just as Tommy’s annoyed groan of ‘no’. Could be heard.

“What do we want? I was thinking impossible burgers with a few sides,”He says as he walks over to the kitchen and opens the fridge. He pulls out the ‘meat’ as well as a few other things.

“Wilbur, Help Techno with his potatoes will you? Tommy and I will handle the burgers.” Phil smiles as they both sort of drift to their sides of the kitchen as Phil walks him through the process of seasoning the meat and shaping and forming them into little patties. Tommy’s were funky to say the least but he tried and Phil complimented him all the same as they did it.

“So… dad?”Phil finally asks softly care in his voice as he sort of whispers it. Techno and Wilbur were goofing off in the background being loud as usual.

“Uh… um… Yes,”Tommy manages out his cheeks going red a bit embarrassed.

“Nothing’s wrong mate, I just wanted to know.”He says gently as he places the burger he was working on on a sheet.”I’m glad you see me as a father figure. I see you like a son in the first place anyways.”

“You do?” Tommy asks with wide eyes.

“I do Toms. You’ve all helped us in ways you probably don’t realize. You’re not just some strange kid brought to me anymore. I see why Wilbur had been so insistent on saving you. You’re a genuinely good person Tommy. I’m proud to have you as my son. You did what you could but unfortunately the people out there decided to say otherwise.”Phil gently nudged his shoulder with a smile as he laughs a bit.

“You helped me when I was injured. I would have thought you would just see me as a nuisance,”Tommy shrugs.

“I mean you’re a gremlin for sure,”Phil starts. “But you’re our gremlin now Tommy. We’re not letting you go no matter how much you want to try.” He gave a bright laughter as he smiles as they finish off the burgers.

“Techno what the fuck!!! Not again!!!” Wilbur exclaims as he frowns exasperated.

Phil and Tommy look over to see Techno eating yet again another fucking raw potato and Phil sighs a bit frustrated almost.

“Mate, we’ve talked about this!!!”

Techno just flipped off Phil as he takes another bite. And Tommy burst out into bright laughter. This was his family and these were his brothers. He still had more amends to make but for now he was going to have fun and make vegan burgers with two brothers and his dad. Tommy had never had a real dad and he was looking forward to the experience.

Chapter Text

Tommy had been staying with the Crafts again. He practically lived there. When he wasn’t helping with the duo on their vigilante things. The Pharaoh hadn’t been seen in a week now and Tommy just hoped that they were doing okay. He took it and he was okay since the Eret took back out back to patrolling after a few days. Aside from staying with the crafts he had texted Thanatos and asked to return to his training. So he had done that Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday he had spent with the crafts as he went back Thursday evening.

He opened the doors Thanatos behind him. A familiar man in a long doctor's coat stood talking to the Dealer. As soon as he walked in the man looked at him and gave a familiar smile, arms going out as he walked over to ‘hug’ him then stopped and held his fist out.

“Theseus of Manburg!!”He beams.” Dap me up!!!” Tommy was caught off guard but moves to fist bump him. “I was told you wanted to talk to me!!!”

“Uh yes,”he nods.

“Great! Let’s go talk,”he hums for a moment as he walks towards the elevator doors which were hidden behind another set of doors to make the area private. He calmly pressed the elevator button and the rickety thing came down and opened with a ding. Tommy and Charlie walked into the elevator as Charlie brightly picked the top floor button.

As they arrived to the top floor Charlie lead them to the roof stairs. He smiles as he walks with a slight bounce to his steps as he slams open the door to the roof letting in the winter air surround them.

“What did you wish to talk about?”

“How much do you know? About me?”He asks a bit hesitantly. The hero committee tower was seem off in the distance. Charlie smiles and looks around them.

“About you? I saw quite a bit. I have been told quite a bit. But I already said too much when I was healing you Tommy of Manburg!” Charlie laughed.

“You talked gibberish during that! Yeah some of it made sense after I remembered somethings but--”

“Wait, you remembered things? What things?”

“Uh I remember a green themed man and like him being named Sam? But no wait, what were you talking about with the whole game thingy?” He frowns as the man sticks his hands in his pockets, turning away. “Charlie?”

“Chess! I was comparing your life to chess. When a pawn crosses the board they can become whatever piece that the player chooses. Including the most powerful piece on the board. The Queen.”

“So I’m a pawn right now is what you’re saying? And isn’t a pawn getting across the board practically impossible?”

“No, not completely. Rare, yes but not impossible. If you play your cards right and with the right sacrifices they can easily cross. Are you willing to make sacrifices tommy?” Tommy walks up next to him looking out across the city scape.

“I’d like to think so? Why?”

“What about your current family? Wilbur, Philza, Techno?”

“What? I-- No?!?!”

“Even if they were lying to you?”Charlie turned their head to Tommy who looked at him wide eyed caught off guard.

“What? No, they aren’t hiding anything from me!”

“Are they not? How can you be so sure Tommy of Manburg. You have only known them a short while in comparison.”

“They’re my family! They’re not hiding anything from me Charlie!”

“Okay! Just remember what I said about those pieces Tommy. You may be a pawn right now, but if you watch the board closely, you can become a Queen. “

“You’ve barely answered any of my questions! You’ve only given me more!”

“I’ve given you what you need?”He looked a little confused.

“What I need? Hesitance? Doubt? What does that leave me with Charlie?”

“Anger? Curiosity?”Charlie walks to the edge of the building a ways in front of him. “Tommy, all pawns have their place. I am a pawn of movement. I push things along as they are needed.I am here for development!”He turned towards him arms spread open wide with a smile.

“You’re a pawn? No fucking way come on Charlie!”Tommy rubs his forehead for a moment. “Then what kind of pawn am I?”

“A pawn of possibility! Of importance! You’re a game changer! All you have to do is reach your finally destination!”

“And where is that fucking destination?!?”

“Come on! Even I don’t know that much.” He laughs as he spins around for a moment. “I know a lot though. I think you should go talk to sam! He may be able to answer some more questions of yours!”

“But I think I want to talk to you more Charlie…”

“And ask me more questions?”

“If you don’t mind?”

“Of course I don’t mind,”he smiles and laughs.

“Why do you work for the Syndicate?”

“Because they help me as much as I help them of course!”

“How do they help you?”

“Money, a place to live. Friendship. Because I want to,”Charlie shrugged.

“And you know they hurt people?”

“I said what I said Tommy. Some Pawns are meant to be lost in the long run. There is a battle brewing and I think eventually you’ll understand. Even if it might be too late.” How vague could the man be? Tommy was tired of his words. He felt as though he had needed this conversation desperately but all it did was leave him with more answers than he came up here with.

“Oh yeah, Dedaelus wished to see you! He said he wanted the final test and stuff for your new suit and things!” Slowly Tommy nods.

“Alrighty, thanks for telling me Charlie.”

“No problem Tommy of Manburg!!!!”

Tommy shook his head as he walked back down the stairs and towards the elevator which he pushed to the bottom floor. Daedalus' workshop.

The place was a mess as usual. Items all over the place. Dedaelus always called it his little organized mess. Did Tommy believe that for one second? Absolutely not.

“Hey Daedalus, Charlie said you wanted to see me?” Tommy moved to flop onto his free chair with a smile as he relaxed as the man jumped just slightly.

“Oh yes, I wanted to make sure the nano tech was working properly,”he nods a bit.

“I am beyond excited, Daedalus you don’t understand! I want to see what you’ve come up with! Even the simple shit is incredibly cool.” Tommy smiles brightly as Dedalus hands him a bracelet. The bracelet was simple and had a small circular design on it. Tommy puts it on.

“Go stand over there and push the small button on the bracelet. “He explains motioning over to the small circular platform.

“Alright. Also while I have you here I have some questions?”

“Go for it.”He chuckles as Tommy moves to stand on the platform before he pushes the button. Feeling the nanotechnology activated felt weird over his skin as it spread across his body. He looks at his hands eyes wide.

“What the fuck,”he whispers.

“Good it works, go look at yourself in the mirror,”He motions to a long full length mirror over by the door.

His outfit was similar enough to his old one in a way. He had on a red cloak. Fingerless gloves sit on his hands. He wore black pants. He could feel the metallic layer of metal which was seemingly covered by a fabric sort of design. He had a red bandana tied around his neck resting on a jacket with a white t-shirt. His mask was rather simple in style. It was more similar to Apollos. Just covering his eyes mostly. He looked at himself in amazement pulling up the hood.

“There’s a utility belt I made too but talk to Dealer about that one.I think he wanted to talk to you about it,”Daedalus shrugs a bit as he turns back to his desk. Tommy clicks the button watching it all retract in the mirror.

“Amazing.”

“Yeah, too bad the heroes made it took. It’s how they can be on scenes rather quickly too. It’s not perfected I’m sure to the level that I have made it now,”he chuckles. “Oh yeah! You said you have questions?”

“Oh yeah…”Tommy hesitated moving to sit down across from him. “I have memory issues for most of my childhood but when I was really injured and healing Charlie I think did something to give me access to some of them. Weather on purpose or on accident. “ He watched Daedalus stiffen up.

“I know I know you from my past. I know your name but I don’t know anything else. That night when Apollo and I got into that fight and you comforted me I connected the dots.” He watches sam press a few buttons beside him and the door locks with a small his as he pulls down his mask.

“I was wondering if you would recognize me at some point Tommy,”He gives him a gentle smile.”You grew up some well.”

“I grew up in the system Sam! Why?! Why did you put me in the system? Why couldn’t you just raise me yourself!”

“Because I am a defector Tommy. If I had tried to raise you, you would have been trapped in a life on the run. I was not going to raise a child into that life.”

“But even then you said that you’d find me when things were better? How come you never came looking!”

“I did Tommy! 2 years ago I came looking trying desperately to track you down through the system! It wasn’t until you were found that I was even told. I have been looking for you! Even if I had found you though I wasn’t going to make contact, but you were dragged either way into this life it seems.”

“No fucking shit! Who found me? Or is it just more fucking secrets you can’t tell me? Because no one can tell me shit apparently.”

“I would love to tell you Tommy but if I tried to tell you about your past no matter what I said you would not able to hear me.”

“What the fuck does that even mean?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Of course you can’t… here I was thinking I was going to get answers. Fine. Keep your secrets I’ll find them out eventually. “He stood up a frown set across his face. Tommy moved to leave. “I’m going to talk to Dealer about that belt. Care to unlock the door?” Sam moved and pressed a button the door hissing undone as Tommy walks through it. Why was everyone so insistent on keeping secrets from him?

He tried to push it to the back of his head as he heads to find the Dealer who currently sat talking to Charlie in the main room.

“Got your fancy new outfit?” Dealer laughs, messing with a poker chip absentmindedly in his hand.

“Uh yeah! He told me you had something for me?” The man nods and moves over to his seat pulling the chair out grabbing what looked to be a belt and throwing it at Tommy who barely managed to catch it. He looked at it suspiciously. There were small canister holders almost similar to like a bullet holder for a gun. He pulls out a canister looking at Dealer confused.

“What is this?’He asked.

“Do you remembered what I showed you about smoke bombs? Those are bases you can use to create them. Since you don’t want to hurt anyone making smoke bombs and other things that can get you out of there quickly is going to be your friend. Those are just bases so you don’t waste too much energy creating it from scratch.” Tommy was shocked. That was ingenious. Especially if he had to use his powers a lot during a fight then this would be great.

“Wow.. thank you.” He smiles genuinely.

“Thought of a new name yet?”

“Oh yeah, it’s all I’ve been thinking about,”he chuckles as he puts on the belt and adjusts it so it fit him properly. He transformed a canister into a smoke bomb for a moment before changing it back. Amazing. The large double doors opened and a beat up Apollo walked through limping a bit heavily his arm on his left side ribs. Obsidian next to him as he walks in with another person behind him that Tommy hadn’t seen before

“Fucking god damn Cernunnos is out patrolling again. My whole recon didn’t go according to plan,”he sighs as he just grabs a chair sitting down taking off his guitar setting it off to the side. Charlie frowned and walked over as started to Heal Apollo.

“Cernunnos is a bitch… I hate fighting him,”Obsidian sighs. “Oh yeah I may have destroyed a few streets so avoid driving tomorrow.” The villain chuckles.

“Apollo, I told you I could have done recon by myself! I didn’t need you two fucks going in there and fucking things up.”

“Like you weren’t about to get caught?!”He moved to stand up before Charlie grabs his shoulder and forces him back into the chair.

“Stay still Apollo of L’Manburg!!”

Apollo huffed as Thanatos came out. “Fundy, Obsidian, Dealer. I have another mission I think you three would be best on, come.”They nod and slowly follow the leader into a separate room as Tommy awkwardly watches Apollo get healed.

“Want some water?”He offered a bit hesitant.

“Sure…. Thanks.” Tommy nodded and walked into the small kitchen they held here. He grabs a cold water bottle from the fridge before coming over and handing it over as Apollo jumps as Charlie touches a large bleeding gash down the side of his leg.

“Bad night?”

“You could say that again,”Apollo sighs.

“Who was the fox themed guy?”

“That’s Fundy…he’s one of our recon guys. No official dealings other than what we pay him to do. He’s not a villain and just a nuisance to the Hero’s. They have no idea about him. Fuckin--”Apollo’s face scrunched up in pain as Charlie began to heal the wound.

“How is your nose?”Apollo asks hesitantly as he avoids making eye contact for a moment.

“Better. How are you?”

“Good as I can fucking b--FUCKING HELL.”Charlie pulled out a long thing piece of what looks like string. .

“You weren’t fighting Cernunnos were you?”Charlie starts slowly as he Apollo holds on to the chain desperately breathing heavily. Tommy moves over to hold Apollo to the chair as he continues to pull out a long string soaked in blood.

“Shut up Charlie,”he whispers out hoarsely as the man leans into Tommy for a moment trying to regain himself. Charlie sets the string on the counter.

“Apollo,”Charlie starts slowly. “Were you fighting Puppeteer?”

There was no answer to that one as finally Charlie was able to focus on healing Apollo. Tommy moved to sit on the table next to him, “I’m sorry for pushing that question,”He apologizes.

“I’m sorry for hitting you too hard.”

Tommy scoffs. “Fucking, no you don’t come on.”

“You’re right, but I can apologize for letting my anger and emotions get the best of me.”He chuckles, a bit strained if even.

“Well I forgive you. You didn’t ruin my incredibly handsome face too much,”Tommy smirks. “But why’d you lie about fighting Cernunnos?”

“Because everyone in the Syndicate is under strict orders from Thanatos and Blade not to fight Puppeteer right now. He’s not pulling his punches at the moment. Especially not against us. It’s dangerous to go 1v1 without backup, but Fundy and Obsidian were gonna get caught if I didn’t distract him.” Apollo shrugged before Charlie spoke up this time.

“So you distracted Puppet before the other two even saw him. While they fought Time Turner,”He clarified.

“Yeah, pretty much. Obviously got a few hits on me..”

“Are you going to be fine for the Heist?”

“Oh I’ll be fine! Just gotta rest up for a few days and I’ll be good to go,”he chuckles. “Awww Theseus are you worried about me?” he smirks as Tommy’s eyes widened.

“Fucking no!! But you are essential to our plan.” Tommy almost stutters over his words as Charlie stands up going to wash his hands grabbing the string. “So wait where did the string come from?”

“Well you know his powers?”

“Yeah, anything he touches he can control like a puppet. “

“Not that simple. Anything he touches also has a string attached to it. Gotta avoid not only his swords but the strings. Sometimes they’re more dangerous than the actual weapons. My leg was hit by a long shard of glass. He can also choose to disconnect at any point so the string can still be attached. The amount of thread I’ve had stuck in the wound is insane…”

“Jesus christ that’s awful..”

“Tell me about it… Are you ready for the heist otherwise though?”

“Got my outfit, and my gear. Resuming training up until then.”

“You mentioned wanting a new name? Any thoughts?”

“Oh yeah I’ve decided!”

“Wanna spill? Tell me.”

“My new villain name is going to be…”

“The Alchemist”

Chapter Text

Tommy stood crouched down on the roof of a building Apollo right next to him. Blade and Daedalus where behind the building. The plan was rather simple. Apollo and Tommy were going to sneak in and make their way to the center of the room. Apollo would make himself scene as Tommy would turn the doors to solid metal doors fused together and through the doors. That was the part they were concerned about. There were three doors Tommy had to transform. Once he did that, he was going to be out of commission of using his powers for a bit. The hope was that he could do it fast enough. As soon as the doors were done techno and Daedalus would go through the two windows and block off the exits. That would leave an entrance for the heroes since they were also what they wanted to go after in this case. Overall it wasn’t a bad plan. They just had to be weary of how many, and who was sent after the group. Probably 3-4 heroes minimum unless one of them was the Puppeteer then they were talking 2-3.

Blade had stated that the heroes try to pride themselves on taking care of us with as little people as possible. It was how most of them escaped so easily half the time. They each had small earpieces in at the moment.

“Almost time,”BG’s voice rang through his ear and Apollo and Tommy looked at each other nodded as he swung his guitar around his chest and began a very quiet melody as they made their way down the stairs and out of the building. They slowly crossed their way into city hall. The quiet hums and words of Apollo echoing through his ear.

“You will not find us, you will not see.

We will be hiding, right front of thee.

You cannot hear us. You cannot see.

We will be hiding, round corners from thee.”

A quiet continuing echoing magic came around them as he continued to play as they weaved in and out of crowds. They passed easily through the security and Apollo led them through the building as if he knew it by heart. They came to the first set of double doors. Tommy nods to Apollo as he opens them and they were in. The guards standing outside didn’t even more an inch at them opening the doors. As soon as they were inside Tommy shut and door and closed his eyes as he felt the red magic burn at his finger tips. The wood heating up under his touch as the door slowly began to transform into a thick fused metal wall. It took him a bit and he heard Bloods voice echo in his ear.

“How’re you doing Alchemist?”

“One down going to the left side now.” He looked over at Apollo and he gave a thumbs up to him. Apollo was currently avoiding Mayor Schlatt’s hands as he moved things across his desk.The man also mocking Schlatt a bit.He wasn’t really paying attention to the conversations going on at the moment. He wasmore focused on his task at hand before more people noticed. He placed his hands on the wooden doors and closed his eyes. Apollo sang a bit louder to get his attention. A warning. He had to finish this soon. So he took a risk. He let go. The magic still willing itself to spread as he dashed across the room avoiding people left and right as he touched the other door. His magic spread thin as the door turned to solid steel. Slowly but surely and by the time they reached completion he collapsed for a moment breathing heavily.

“Doors are completely done,”He pants.

“Hey, Alchemist, you okay?”

“I’ll -I’ll be fine don’t worry about me.”He tries to stand up for a moment and a deep look of concern crosses Apollo’s face as he has to use the door for support. He moves to create his bat and his powers flicker for a moment before it appears. He could not use anything else.

“Apollo, you’re turn,”He smirks as he spins the bat, straightening his back as he walks towards the back of the room in front of the first door.

“We’re ready, Apollo it’s your time to shine,”Daedalus speaks up this time as a large strum comes from Apollo’s guitar breaking the current spell. Schlatt straight up fell out of his chair as Apollo appears before him a large grin on his face.

“Ladies and Gentlemen of the crowd tonight may I present those of our conference!” His voice rings out.

“The Blood God!” He motions to his right as the window shatters as The Blood God lands smirking underneath his mask his cape settling behind him. Screams echoes the room. “And Daedalus!!!”

As the window shatters Daedalus flies in on a board that collapses into his shoes. “Tough crowd,”Daedalus chuckles as he adjusts his collar a bit.

“Oh come up just gonna leave me out of it, Music man,”Tommy teases from the back of the room leaning on his bat.

“Who the fuck are you?” One of the counselors spoke up right next to him.

“None of your business, fuckhead,”He smirks flipping his bat onto his shoulder.

“Enough theatrics Apollo, we don’t have much time. Daedalus. Schaltt,”Blood God spoke up as in a movement Schlatt was in restraints on the ground.

“Fucking villains let me fucking go!” He yelled out as Apollo and Blood God switched places so Blood God stood up proudly. Apollo began to go through the paper work as Tommy watched from the back.

“Why’re you here!!”One of the council members spoke up from the back.

“To stop your bullshit laws of course! You’re trying to control people. To discriminate against those who can’t help the abilities they were born with!” Blade spoke his sword in hand. “So I’m bringing to the table Law A-2390!”

“All those in favor!”A few hands hesitated but went up. Daedalus’s Triton appeared in his hand.

“Alchy, care to help?”Blade smirked. Tommy smiled as he gently tapped the shoulder of someone with their hand up.

“Hi, yes as someone that escaped the foster care system. Would you like to feel how angry it makes me that you’re trying to keep them there anymore?”Tommy asks.

“It’s for the safety of the city!” Tommy rolls back his shoulder as he brings his bat down for a moment. He swings and hits the guy arm with a lot of force. A audible echoing crack goes through the room. Tommy looked down at him as he screamed in pain.

“Anyone else want some broken arms?” Tommy didn’t want to hurt people. But at this point he decided that these politicians wouldn’t see the reality. The rest of the arms in the room went down.

“Good, so it’s settled Law A-2390,will not be going into effect!” Blood God smirked as Apollo came around grabbing papers from everyone snatching pretty much any paper he could grab into a briefcase. The villain bent down to get Schlatt to hesitantly sign it. The man didn’t want to until he cried from pain from how much tighter the restraints got.

“You know I don’t think this is completely legal! I think there should be a revote,”A voice spoke up from a crowding purple smoke slowly filling the chamber. Tommy knew who that was. He knew the voice. The man stepped out. Sandman.

The Blood God nodded to Tommy who moved closer to them. Heros were showing up. Just a matter of who was sent.

“I agree, it seems super unfair….” Tommy turned to look at who it was. A man with a bright purple suit and messy dirty blonde hair. Bright purple eyes sat behind a mask that covered his entire face except his eyes. He had on leather gloves and no visible weapon. Unfortunately that was the man closest to Tommy.

The entire building shook as the metallic door at the front of the room came off of its hinges. Tommy saw a crack split right up through the building as it was ripped out of place. The damage of the structure was now ruined. Just like he had made sure it would do. His eyes went wide as he and Daedalus made eye contact and his voice echoes through their earbuds.

“We got what we needed. Structural damage has been done. If we don’t want people to die we cannot fight in here.”Daedalus' voice rushed as the real enemy walked into the room.

“Saw you made some new friends, Syndicate! We made some of our own!”

The Puppeteer.

“Alchemist, you and apollo take Sandman. Daedalus, the new guy. I’ll handle Puppet.” The Blood God’s voice was quiet. Words spoke under his breath. BG hopped down from his spot on the top of the podium desk. He hit the ground with a thump as the Politicians pushed themselves away from him. “Long time no see Puppeteer.”

“Don’t try and make casual conversation with me!” He growled at the man.

“Then why don’t you attack? Or are you too afriad of being scolded like a fucking child. How ironic. The Child of the Committee and yet here you are. Failing to protect the Committee,”His arms opened wide as he taunted the man. He took the bait going straight for Blade. Puppet’s new little friend went right for Tommy. He pulled out a thicken metal baton from his coat as they went at it. Apollo disappeared for a moment leaving Sandman frustrated as he began to start towards Tommy. He almost saw Daedalus too late as he surfed on by with his cool surfboard thing grabbing the new guy with it. Great. Just him and the man he just casually had nightmares about. Tommy knew better this time. He had to fight Sandman and no one else could get touched. He was the only one who could escape his visions apparently.

“You look familiar,”the man chimed out as he saw him pull out a knife. One meant for more hand to hand combat. Guess even he couldn’t risk accidentally hitting a politician. The people that paid him after all.

“Do I? I mean I should,”He smirked as he attacked lurching forwards.

“You’ve improved theseus, I see you got a new outfit too. Fancy.”

“Shut Up Sandman,”he hissed out as he went after the other as he ducks under the others arm barely as he smacks the other in his back throwing his forwards a bit as he spins around and goes for tommy as he dodges landing a kick to his side before duking under another attack.

Sandman smirks as smoke surrounds them before he goes after Tommy once more, getting a hit on his arm. It should have hurt… but he remembered that Sam installed that protection. So the two continued to go at it. Ducking, punching, swinging, blocking, missing. Tommy was doing significantly better but he figure out quickly just what places had the reinforcement of the nano-tech. His sides were not so protected. He was knocked to the ground, speaking up. With a hard kick to his side. The man pilling him to the ground with his foot as he recognized the scene forming in front of him.

“Fuck no-no-no-no,”He hissed out. Bodies. Everyone in the room dead around him. Puppeteer’s swords sticking out of all of them as he stood in the middle. A sicking smile beneath his mask. The syndicate members all dead in front of him.

“Hands off the kid!” Apollo’s voice broke through the mirage as Sams cry of pain echoed through the room. Apollo begins to sing. Tommy doesn’t know where he’s going but he knows where Sandman is. Pushing past the scene in front of him he yanks on his leg, hard He fells the man go down partially on top of him as the scene shatters in red energy. He can see again. Tears stained his cheeks even as he managed to pin Sandman to the ground. He hadn’t gotten his sound proofing turning on. He fought Tommy’s grip desperately.

“Swing my sweet angel. Tell me your woes. What does the committee know. Tell me dear sandman, tell me what you know. What do you seek. How will we know? Speak only truth, or people will die. Not just you. These poor citizens will lie,”He didn’t even use his guitar as a dark smile comes across his face.

“SAND!!” Puppet screams before Blood God took his moment and slammed him through the entire wall.

“Your fight is with me!”He screamed at him, eyes glowing red. That crack in the wall and structure only building.

“Tommy, I got him, go help Daedalus. So tell me dear sandman, what do you know. You will not attack me, you cannot physically try. Tell me you love me, it's nice once in a while.”

Tommy was confused as to why he was singing his directions then he remembered if the other stopped singing about them then the spell fades. Sandmans eyes glowed yellow as he began to talk. Tommy only heard one thing as he shot up to go help Dadalus who was holding his head eyes locked onto the new purple guy.

“The Philosopher’s project is--” He couldn’t focus on Apollo right now. He bolted and tackled the man down.

“ALCHEMIST! Don’t look into his eyes!!”He screamed as Tommy gave a nod of confirmation slamming his first into the guys head. The man flipped him trying desperately to pin him down before. Tommy swung his feet up and kicked him off. The guy stumbles back holding his stomach as he hits the ground for a moment. Tommy grabs his bat hitting him in the stomach before landing a quick kick to his side as he curls up a bit growling even at them.

“You okay?”Tommy helps him stand up as the other leans on him.

“I GOT IT!”Apollo yells as he bolts past them. Sandman got up moving to throw a knife at Apollo. Tommy’s eyes widen as he bolts forewards tackling Apollo to the ground. “Alchemist what the fuck!”

“Nothing come on let’s just fucking go!”He hisses out softly. He shoots a glare at Sandman as they look at Blood God who was still in a ferocious fight with Puppeteer who was not doing so well.

“BLOOD GOD!”Daedalus shouts as the man whips his head at them, shoving a bloody and weak Puppeteer to the ground. Sandman rushing over to him as they pass.

“Split up, Alchemist and I will go and you two go, and we’ll meet up at the base.” Apollo spoke quickly before all of them were running. Apollo led him through the streets. “ Harder to find us, together.” Tommy nods as they get closer and closer to the base.

“Please let us stop,”Tommy whispers weakly. Tommy felt sore. Incredibly sore. He had made a vital mistake.

A deadly mistake. He held his side chuckling a bit as Apollo stopped him from hitting the ground as he collapsed.

“Alchemist?!?!” He exclaims holding him tightly as he slowly lowers him to the ground. “Hey, talk to me buddy.”

“I’m fine!” He insists trying to get up as he groans in pain. His adrenaline was wearing off. Apollo examined Tommy gasping as he saw the bright red spot on his hoodie.

“No you’re not Alchemist! Fuck did you take the knife sandman aimed at me?!”Apollo hisses holding a hand to his ear for a second. “Blade, call Charlie.”

“What why?”

“Alchemist took another knife from Sandman..”

“Shit!”

“Carrying him back.”

“Heard,” Dadaelus pipes up. “How are you holding up Alchy?”

“I’m fine!” He hisses.

“Obviously, not!”Apollo exclaims slowly picking him up.

“I’m fine! Also have you ever noticed, how Sandman is called Sandman? While Pharaoh is the one that controls sand?”He chuckles with a smile hand on his wound.

“FUCKING HELL ALCHEMIST!”

Chapter Text

Tommy passed out at some point on the way back. Whether it was from blood loss or exhaustion of using his powers he wasn’t sure. Thankfully there were no weird dreams this time. In fact the only thing he seemed to hear was the echoing of that piece Techno had written. He loved that piece.

He woke up on the couch of the common room. He was a bit sore but overall felt pretty okay. He lifted his shirt to see a nasty fresh scar. How? Right Charlie. Charlie couldn’t heal him all the way last time. The knife wound was too deep and precise for him to be able to do much healing. Apparently Sandman’s knives have spells on them to take more energy To heal.

He groans and looks around him a bit more. He saw the familiar kitchen area. There was a glass of water on the table with some pain meds sitting next to them. He checked his mask and it looks like someone, probably Charlie, had swapped out his masks so that way his face was still decently covered. The lights were off and he didn’t really hear much. He hear muffled talking behind the door.

“And I told you once he’s awake, you can see him! I Don’t need you guys smothering him!” Charlie’s voice could be heard.

“But—“

“No buts. You’ll see him when he’s awake and wants to see you guys. I told you he was fine. The wound wasn’t as deep as last time and he’s fine. It was also the only wound I had to heal with magic!” The door opened as Charlie came back through.

“Alchemist! You are awake! I am so glad!”he smiles brightly.

“Uh yeah! What’s up? Am I still at the syndicate base?”

“Yes you are, you passed out on the last leg of the trip back according to Apollo,”he nods a bit hands in his pockets. “Not gotten a chance to take that medicine yet?”

Tommy shook his head but moved slowly to grab it as well as the water. “How long was i out this time?”

“Only about 5 hours, but last time there were a lot of things going on and prevented me from healing you all the way. This time I was able to pretty much heal it all,”he smiles gently. He sits down slightly next to him.

“We got the information though, right? It wasn’t all a waste? Everyone else is safe?”

Charlie nodded. “Everyone else is safe. They’ll be excited to see you awake. Do you want me to invite them in?”

Tommy hesitates for a moment. “Uh yeah! I want to know about the information and stuff!!” Charlie nods and stands up opening the door before he heard the loud slamming of another and frantic footsteps.

“You guys are here thank god,”came a frantic rushed voice.

“Come, put him in here!”Charlie insisted as more people came inside of the room. Apollo looked at Tommy eyes wide as another person was brought into the room. Walking in was The Pharaoh in his usual attire he had scene on TV. He appeared to be doing much better than the Red Traitor. They sat in his arms looking casual despite the blood trailing down the side of their neck.

“I’m fine!”

“Again! Just because you don’t feel it doesn’t mean it’s not there!”Pharaoh exclaimed, setting Traitor in a chair as Charlie groaned and put his hands together as he pulled them apart, slime appearing between his fingers before he put them on the bleeding wound. He saw a faint green glow emanate from the wound.

“Pharaoh, calm down. He’s going to be fine!”Came Thanatos’ voice who was gently pulling the vigilante away from his partner.

“Alchemist,”Apollo spoke up standing right by him as he looked down at him. “I’m glad your awake and okay.” He gives a gentle smile and ruffles the others hair.

Tommy chuckled nervously. “Yeah..”

“But why the fuck did you do that!!”He also proceeded to slap Tommy upside the back of his head. “Not fucking telling me that you had been hit!”

“Where the fuck did you think it went!”

“I don’t know you sort of tackled me you idiot!”

“Idiot?!?! I saved your fucking life!!!”

“BOYS!” Thanatos yelled at them from his spot with Pharoah just as Blood God walked in carrying a few papers. He was a bit disheveled even as he stopped seeing the scene.

“What the fuck did I miss? A fucking party?”

“No, just Apollo and Alchemist arguing,”Red Traitor laughed.

“Fucking thank the god you’re okay,”Pharaoh walked over. “You scared the shit out of me?”

“Even though you know I can’t really feel pain?” The man smirked at his college.

“But you can still die!!!” The Pharaoh looked extremely concerned even as the Red Traitor fully looked up and looked over at Tommy.

“Good to see you again Theseus? See you finally got yourself a rebrand? The Alchemist was it?”

“Yeah!”

“We were heading here to warn you when we got jumped honestly,”She chuckles, rubbing her neck a bit.

“But you weren’t seen entering?” Blood God spoke up a frown on his face for a second.

“No, I made a sandstorm that covered most of this district. Long enough for us to get away,”Pharaoh explains as he shakes his head.

“Good, Apollo.”The man looked up from Tommy to change his look to Blood God.

“Yes?”

“Want to fully explain to everyone here what you found out?”

“So… Alchemist. Remember how I mentioned those Human experimentations? Yeah they’ve started them back up. But they’re trying to locate all the old survivors. After all these years and they decide to play hound dogs…”Apollo held a look of disgust on his fate.

“The Philosopher Project lives?”Thanatos looked in their direction anger in his voice. No one needed to see his face to understand that aspect. “All these years and they’re trying to do it fucking again?!?!?”

“No one is more angry than you Thanatos!”Apollo said quickly. “I know what you lost… but they’re really after only one of the ‘experiments’. Aka the entire reason they created the experiment in the first place. They want the Philosophers Stone..”

“What does that even mean?” Tommy spoke up with a frown on his face looking at everyone.

“I don’t know but whatever it is after your attack they’ve rebranded all vigilantes as villains. It was on the news after the stunt you guys pulled. We were coming here to warn you not to even go places alone. Not even in civilian forms after that…” Pharaoh spoke up rubbing his neck a bit. “Also Alchemist? I think that’s what you go by now? Thanks for stitching me up that one day. And letting us crash at your apartment.” Tommy shrugged.

“I don’t care, I’m glad you’re still alive and kicking. It’s pretty poggers! Anyways, Apollo what’s a Philosopher’s stone?” Tommy looks up at Apollo who had a look of mild horror and fear across his face..

“What the actual fuck is ‘poggers’ Alchemist?!?!?!”

“Wait you don’t know what poggers means?”Tommy snorted. “OH MY GOD.” the man burst out into laughter until Thanatos cocked his head to the side and Blood God did too.

“WAIT--”

“What does poggers mean Alchemist?” Thanatos asked before Pharaoh also started laughing the two uncontrollably looking at each other and then them. They had an entire wordless conversation between their laughter as they pointed at the trio before each other and laughed some more.

“Ow my stomach!”Tommy finally groaned out.

“Oh yeah! Alchemist of Manburg that is going to be sore for a little bit!”Charlie piped up laughing. “And you Red Traitor of the Undecided, neck will be sore too! Also, Dap me up?” The man held out his hand to Eret and Eret hesitantly indeed dapped him up.

Tommy chuckled shaking his head a bit at them both.

“Are either of you two fucks gunna tell us what Poggers means?”Apollo asked arms crossed. Tommy snorted making eye contact with Pharaoh again who spoke up.

“I means like awesome. It’s slang for cool, so like ‘this is so poggers’ or ‘That jacket is so poggers’,” Pharaoh explained as Tommy was doing everything in his power not to burst out laughing again.

“See was that so hard, Alchemist”

“You know, it was so hard! Do you know why? Because you three are so old we had to explain that to you!”

“They’re also out of the loop. I knew what it meant.”Eret smirked a bit.

“Point proven!”Tommy dramatically motioned to Eret who just laughed at them all.

“I’m not old!!!”Apolo vouched.

“I’ve seen your hairline! Are you sure?” Tommy smirked before he found himself being tackled by Apollo.

“GAH?!?!?”He yelps as he was tackled fighting under the weirdly familiar presence of Apollo who did it all in fun.

“Revenge!!!” Apollo laughed as Tommy struggled.

“I’m injured!!!! Charlie help! I’m still your patient right!!”He yelled while fighting off Apollo’s hands. “That has to violate some doctor’s code right?!?”

“I am staying out of this one Alchemist of Manburg! You are in fact not my patient anymore since you’re healed. Sorry!”

“FUCKING TRAITOR.”

“Nah that’s me mate,”Red Traitor spoke up a shit eating grin on his face.

“When I escape this, I’m coming from you!”Tommy yelled out as Eret laughed brightly.

“You can certainly try my man, Come at me!”

“FUCKI-”Tommy thew Apollo off of him quickly gaining footing to go chase after Eret who quickly bolted out of the room as they began their chase.

“Not in the fucking--”Thanatos looked like a poor dad just trying to deal with too many children. Blood God chuckled and walked over rubbing his back.

“How does it feel to be soo old and have so many kids?”Blood god said with a smirk and serious tone. One could only imagine the look on Thanatos’ face from that comment.

“How many seconds have I got to run?” Blade asked with a smile.

“5”

“Heard…”

“4”

“ALCHEMIST TAKE ON THANATOS FOR ME WILL YOU!”

Then of course Obsidian, Permafrost, and the Dealer walked in.

“PICK A SIDE!”Thantos exclaimed as he bolted past them after Tommy now. How that happened, who knows.

“Dibs on the kid’s side!!”Obsidian smiled.

“I’ll take Thanatos’ then!”Dealer smirked.

“Guess I’ll be with Blade and Alchemist as well!” Permafrost smiles as she bolts after Dealer with a laugh who yelps and run.

Then Fundy appears next to him hands in his pockets as he looks at Obsidian. “I don’t have to pick a side do i?” Obsidian smirked slowly inching closer. A small fearful look came across the mans face. “Do I?”

“Run,”Obsidian smirked as the man bolted, sliding across the fancy meeting table as Obsidian followed after him. Charlie cheering them on from the corner but was eventually brought in by the Dealer himself taking his side of course.

And Chaos descended upon the Syndicate hideout. Of course Tommy wouldn’t know that it would end up being his favorite memory of them all. He also never did find out what a Philosopher's stone was.

Chapter Text

“Stay safe Tommy!!!” Wilbur called out from inside the house in his whole worrying big brother voice. Tommy scoffed.

“I’m going to to get hit by a fucking car!” Tommy exclaimed as he heard the small shriek of wanting to chase after Tommy. Of course he also heard the strangled cry of ‘Techno!!!!’ And techno’s quiet groan half distracted in a book going ‘Leave him be Will…’

Tommy laughed. His breath filling the air around him.

“Hello Tommy of Manburg!!!” Charlie piped up from behind him nearly scaring Tommy half to death.

“Oh Jesus— hi Charlie!”Tommy smiles. “How’re you today?”

“Good! Ready to get some coffee I’m rather tired,”he laughs. There was a running car waiting for them parked on the curb.

“Who’re you?”Tommy asked as they got inside. The man wore a beanie and a hoodie but still looked rather nice. He had a large scar as cross his eye a bit though which caught Tommy off guard.

“Oh! Tommy! This is Quackity of Las Nevadas! Quackity this is Tommy of Manburg!”

“Nice to formally meet you Tommy! Shame I’m just playing Uber today! Where are you guys going again?”

“The Snow Cap Bakery! Run by Nikki of L’manburg!”

“Ah, I see,”Quackity chuckled and starts driving. He was significantly better at driving than Wilbur which was a huge relief because Wilbur had been dropping him off at places recently and this man’s could not park to save his life. Last time he had to bribe Technoblade with just straight up potatoes. Potatoes. To get him to do it.

Charlie and him talked about rather mundane things. The weather and what not. He didn’t know Quackity and definitely wasn’t going to reveal that he was in the top 5 villains in the city. It was a quiet ride though as they settled into silence. Charlie humming along to the radio. Quackity drove checking the back seat every once in a while but every time he did so it was like he was watching Him and not checking on his friend. It was odd and Tommy didn’t know how to feel about it.

Eventually though they came to a stop in front of the bakery and both of them got out.

“Goodbye Quackity!!!”Tommy and Charlie waved to the man as they walked into the bakery. It wasn’t that busy thankfully as they walked up to the counters.

“Hello Tommy! Charlie!” Nikki smiled. It wasn’t every day she worked the counter but she did do it. Lord knows she did when Tommy was out of commission for that bit. Tommy waves to her.

“Hello Nikki!!”Charlie beamed giving a wave as he smiles.

“Do you two want your usuals? Also I didn’t know you two knew each other?”

“Oh yeah no I met him through Wilbur,”Tommy laughs softly as he scratches the back of his neck. He moved and pulls out some cash giving it to her for the drinks as she pulls out his change handing it over.

“What else do you want to do today Tommy?” Charlie asked as they sat down by the window. It was getting less cold by the day as Spring set in. The Syndicate had been taking a step back since the whole heist. No one was allowed out alone in their civilian forms and so normally he went places with Wilbur but Charlie had called him and asked him to hang out today and he wasn’t going to deny a friend his company.

“I don’t know, honestly! Want to head to the park and pull the same shenanigans as last time?”Tommy asked with a smile.

“Yes!!!”charlie exclaimed as Nikki called their names Tommy grabbed both of their drinks handing Charlie his.

“Bye boys!”

“Bye Nikki!”The two of them called back as they headed outside. There wasn’t anymore snow on the ground thankfully, the last of it had mostly melted. In the shaded areas there were still very small patches but other than that, none.

The hero’s had been up in arms about no only a forceful dismissal of a law but also the fact that the Syndicate knew their plans. Of course the City Hall building was also in repair and completely closed down right now too because they had damaged the structural integrity of it so bad. Apparently Blood God had done a number on Puppeteer because the one who spoke to the public afterwards was none other than Sandman himself. Not Tommy wanted to care. If anything he wanted to just stab the guy once maybe? So he could know what it felt like. Had to be his knife too because, that made the most sense.

Tommy had been advised to keep a distance from the Syndicate. Wilbur hadn’t told anyone about the whole villain thing so his friends were a bit offended that he didn’t tell them. They had a whole argument about it even. Ranboo insisting he take a step back from the Syndicate that they’re dangerous individuals, because obviously Tommy could have never guessed that by himself. Because of the argument he was avoiding his friends apartment. He still technically paid rent but what Wilbur gave him as his familial “stipend” covered exactly rent for the other place, so he paid it but he didn’t live there. Not really. He had moved most of his stuff out of there a while ago.

“Tommy!”Charlie exclaimed bringing Tommy from his thoughts as Charlie grabs Tommy’s arm pulling him into an alley way.

“Charlie wha-“ he started but was interrupted by a loud crash besides them.

“Dealer is there,”he said quickly. Tommy’s eyes widened sneaking to the edge of the alley way to peak out. The dealer was going one v two on a rooftop. It was that new guy the Royal and then Cernunnos. It didn’t look like he was holding up well.

“Shit that’s rough….” It was then he looked at his phone as it went off.

“ALERT— Villain Dealer and Heros Cernunnos and Royal fighting near Central Park off of New-when drive!”

“Go help him!”Charlie looked at him with pleading eyes. “I-I can’t heal him if he’s dead!!”

“He should have a partner, come on Charlie I can’t get involved.” Tommy insisted biting his lip nervously as he peaks out again and sees Cernunnos get a solid kick to his side.

“….Tommy. “ Charlie shook his head. The dealer didn’t have a partner today.. the dealer had no backup. The dealer would most definitely die if he didn’t intervene.

“Fuck,” and with that Tommy pressed the Braclet watching the the outfit spread across him like a wildfire as he grabbed a piece of trash and transformed it into a smoke bomb and threw it on the roof. He was counting in his head as he bolted up the fire escaped breathing heavily as he helped the Dealer up.

“Alchemist what are yo-“

“Questions later. Saving your ass now,”Tommy hissed out as the others leaned heavily on him. He moved and picked up the dealer.

“Alch-“

“Shut up and let me carry you I have a plan,”he hissed out before running and bolting off the roof. He summoned a parachute catch the wind and slow their fall but even then it hurt like bitch as they landed and Tommy dropped the man onto the concrete as they both broke out into coughing from all the smoke.

“We got to go—“Alchemist said as Charlie rushed over to the dealer already trying to access his wounds.

“So you are with the villains after all Mr. Slime,”Royal’s voice spoke up, twirling his baton a bit with a smirk. Cernunnos chased after him signing something at him firmly.

“I know I know!”Royal chuckled before he raised his baton at Charlie and Tommy summoned his bat.

“What do you want Royal? If you want to get Charlie, you’ll have to go through me.”

“And me,”The Dealer growled as he stands up weakly. Charlie looks scared. He’s sort of curled him in himself more taking steps backwards slowly.

“Charlie…”Tommy says looking back at him.”Run.”

And he dashed at Royal as Dealer aimed at Cernunnos the hero barely managing to dodge the metallic card. Tommy avoided looking him in his eyes having gotten the detail explanation of his powers from Sam. If he looked in the man’s eyes even just once, he would be able to make Tommy feel whatever he wanted.

“What happened to the innocent people Theseus!!”Royal exclaimed.

“Why are you going after him new guy!”

“Because he’s helping you all! And my enemy!”Royal growled as he shoved Tommy away from him as Tommy frowned and jumped back into the fight. His training with Blood God was training off. Significantly better than he was doing before. He dodged the others attacks as he made his own offensive attacks.

“Wanna trade!”Dealer yelled at him.

“I mean sure, like are we talking Pokémon cards?”he asked as he ducked underneath Royal’s arm and he was back to back with the Dealer.

“I was thinking hero’s but you know what cards do you have?”

“Uhh I have a mewtwo in my deck at home? What do you have?” Tommy and Dealer twirled around each other as they each blocked attacks from their now switched hero’s.

“Oh yeah don’t look into his eyes dealer!!”Tommy said quickly as he slammed his foot into Cernunnos’ chest forcing the hero to stumble back before recovering to go for an attack. A scowl across his face.

“Heard that, and a Mewtwo? Got anything else?”

“I don’t know! I haven’t looked at my cards in years!!” Tommy scoffed at the man.

“Will you two stop being children?!?!”Royal growled as he shoves the Dealer into the ground and makes eye contact with him.

“AHHH,”The dealer screamed as Tommy could only imagine what sick and twisted thing the man had done to him and was making him feel. What really made his heart leap though was the smirk across the hero’s face as he bolted off after the direction Charlie had gone. Fear sank into his heart.

“No-fuck!!”Tommy growled and moved and summoned a sheild bashing it across Cernunnos’ head leaving him dazed enough for Tommy to bolt after the man.

But…

His heart stopped.

No.

This couldn’t- it couldn’t.

Tommy stood there bat in one hand and shield in the other looking at Charlie. Royal had grabbed a shard of glass and tore it across the ofhers stomach. Green blood spilling out on the ground. Royal standing there with a sickening wide grin of joy.

Charlie smiled though weakly at Tommy. A whisper of words coming off his lips before Royal sliced the glass across his throat landing the final blow.

“The pawn of Guidance.”

A guttural scream escaped his lips as he charged anger filling him as he slammed Royal into a wall. The man laughing as he was covered in the green fluid that was his friends blood.

“ YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!!”

“I did what I had to do!”

Tommy slammed his head into the brick wall moving to punch as he brought him down the ground.

“HOW DARE YOU.”

Again.

“HE WAS INNOCENT”

again.

“YOU KILLED HIM”

Again

“FOR NO “

and again

“FUCKING”

And again

“REASON!!”

Tommy felt strong arms pulling him away as he is yanked forcefully from the heavily bleeding hero. Blood staining the brick wall.

“Alchemist we have to go now!!!!!”

Cernunnos stood in front of them eyes wide.

”go” when the duo didn’t seem to get it he signed it again more frantic before running past them and up to Royal checking his pulse. Tommy didn’t see much more as Dealer dragged him away from the scene of murder. Who knows who was quite dead.

The dealer didn’t let his wrist go until both of them were breathing heavily practically on the opposite side of town.

“WHY DID YOU STOP ME!!!!”Tommy screamed tears streaming down his face as he grabbed the Dealer by his collar slamming him into a wall.

“BECAUSE WE CAN’T GET REVENGE IF WE’RE DEAD!!!”he screamed back his voice cracking at the end as Tommy saw the tears going down his face too.

“Is he—“ Tommy stops slowly holding his head and backing up.

The dealer gave no reply but a slow nod eyes squeezed shut in pain.

“They’re going to pay…”Tommy felt his nails dig into his gloves. “FUCKING HEROS.” He screams as he punches the wall a few sicking cracks being heard but Tommy did not react.

“Alchemist…”The dealer whispers out sinking to the ground as the man let him go completely.

“No— I—no! They’re not going to get away with this.”

“Alchemist don’t, please—“the man sounded so broken but unfortunately was talking into a broken phone. He was a broken record the sounds never truly reaching the listeners ears as Tommy shook his head.

“I’m sorry but I can’t have you following me Dealer,”Tommy was still crying as he kneels down to Dealer.

And that was all the Dealer saw before the ex-vigilante knocked him out. That wasn’t the last the hero’s had scene of what the Alchemist could do. He would make sure of that.

Chapter Text

Tommy walked down the streets, a smile on his face as his hood was pulled up at he looked down at the burner phone in his hand. He hadn’t been home in two weeks. Spending nights in the alleyways. Stealing for cash. He ate gas station snacks. Drank whatever he could steal. He used cash and made sure to avoid places the Syndicate or his family would look for him. He had learned a lot about this city in those two weeks.

Too much about the City he loved.

He’d been watching the news stations to see a report on how a hero killed an innocent by stander. Instead though it talked about how Alchemist was moved up to number 3 bumping Apollo down to 4 as he landed the newest hero in critical condition. Nothing about how said hero had murdered his friend.

Tommy was passing by the reporter’s building, and he wanted to go finish the job one piece at a time. But in order to do that he needed enough of a distraction to draw the hero’s. He looked up at the building feeling his powers at his fingertips.

No one knew what Greek fire had been made of but it was impossible to put out and Tommy knew what it felt like to make at his fingertips. . He had full confidence in Firestorms abilities though as he pulled the bottle out of his pocket. It was so small. A simple glass vile. He smirked and threw it at the building in front of him and ran as the fire broke out on the bottom floor people screaming as a few of them were caught in the crossfire of the exploding flames. His fingers pressing the button on his bracelet his outfit expanding over him.

Maybe he deserved to be called a villain after this. But if there weren’t going to be consequences for actions? Then he would not stand for anything. He smirked as he walked away head down as he heard sirens go off from around them. The building would not be unscathed after this.

He was walking calmly away before he was grabbed and shoved against an alleyway wall.

Apollo.

“What the fuck was that?!?!?!”He hissed out hands on his collar. Tommy shoved him away.

“That was nothing compared to what I’ve been doing this week!!”he laughed.

“What a strange way to grieve!!”he frowns as he glared at Tommy. “What happened to not killing people Alchemist?!?”

“What’s a few fucking innocents compared to teaching the hero’s agoddamn lesson!!!!”

“And here I was thinking you were better than I was?”Apollo snaps at him.

“What do you mean?”

“What happened to the kid who punched the shit out of my trying to ask why I blew up a building years ago?!?!”Tommy at this point shoved Apollo off of him.

“I thought you out of all people would fucking LOVE to see me turning to the dark side!”Tommy hissed out as the other stumbled back a little. “After what they did to your brother!!!” He moved and aimed to punch him as Apollo ducked and slammed into Tommy’s stomach slamming him against the wall leaving the man winded.

“Fucking!!”he moves to grab apollo but by the time he notices the other having used his powers he hissed out chasing after him. Apollo stood at the top of the current building he was up again. The villain smirked. Guitar in his hands. Tommy growled and looked at the fire escape grabbing the edges and pulling himself off heading to chase after him. Of course Apollo also was waiting for him at the top. How polite.

“Fucking dick,”he whispers under his breath as he climbs the stairs. When he arrived at the top he found Apollo cockily sitting on a chair playing his guitar before standing up his fingers stopping over the strings as the chair disappeared.

“Figured if we were going to fight dear Alchemist it was going to be on my terms,”the man smirked as his fingers began to move over the strings once more as his voice rang out as a copy of the Blood God appeared in front of them sword at the ready. The figure smirked before attacking. Tommy could tell this wasn’t just some illusion he set up. This was most definitely the blood god’s copy in how he held his sword and everything.

Tommy growled and aimed for the figure his bat forming in his hand as he smirked running forwards towards him before sliding underneath the others arms on his knees slamming his bat behind the others knees. The figure crumpled and then reappeared before Tommy slamming the pommel down on Tommy’s head disorienting him as he fell barely rolling out of the way as the blade came down on him where he was just moments before. He growled and quickly stood up. Apollo wasn’t going to let him get close. So he had to make an opening.

“Trying to kill me you fucking prick?”Tommy yelled as he got up lunging at the figure tackling him to thr ground watching Apollo back up out of the corner of his eye as he places his hands on the figures body watching as a golden color slowly began to spread from his finger tips across his form as Apollo’s eyes widened slightly at the figure turned to solid gold. Apollo’s singing even stopped as the figure disappeared beneath him and Tommy took this chance to bolt after Apollo. Bat swinging as Apollo side stepped him as he moved his golden guitar to his back.

“I think you need to calm down,”Apollo growled as he went on the defensive dodging around Tommy’s attack. Kicks. Punches. He was not throwing a single punch and it was driving Tommy crazy.

“Will you fucking stay still!”He yelled at him his punches getting more aggressive as he continued.

“Will get your head out of your ass and see what you’re causing!!!”Apollo yelled back as he finally threw a punch at Tommy hitting him across the jaw. He hadn’t been fast enough to avoid it. But this Lead to a series of hits on Tommy that knocked him prone on the ground coughing and struggling to get up. He spit blood onto the concrete next to him as he looked up now noticing the helicopter circling above their fight.

That was going to be an issue. Thankfully he also had tied up a significant amount of hero’s with that fire. Still, if Puppeteer came around they both would have bigger issues. He moved to get up but found the others foot to his stomach forcing him back down as Tommy struggled to regain his breath.

“You Fuckin-“Another kick to his stomach.

“Was it worth it Alchemist? To hear those people scream? To land another hero aside from the Royal in the fucking hospital!”

“You didn’t see what they did to Charlie!”Tommy screamed out blood on his teeth as he coughed up the other taking a step back laughing at him.

“You think I didn’t see? I saw all right! Me and Blood God went to retrieve the fucking body!! Someone had to grab it and the Dealer was too broken to move from
The Syndicate base. Just like you on the run from those you love! Ignoring them because you’re hurt!”

“I’m getting revenge!”

“For Charlie or yourself?!?” Apollo screamed at him as Tommy slowly pulled himself to his feet.

“For Charlie of course!”

“Then why are you hurting innocent people!! They aren’t meant to be in this game! They’re checkers pieces being forced into a game of Chess by you!!”

“So We’re just ignoring the fact that you killed all those people out of revenge too?”Tommy scoffs spitting more blood. His hand throbbing in pain. He had forgotten about that. But the fear of interacting with the hero’s again sat in his gut painfully. Killing his adrenaline and reminding him that his hand was broke or fractured or something. It was fucked up and he had been fighting with jt This entire time.

“No, I’m just disappointed. I thought you might actually be better than me,”Apollo laughed smirking at Tommy. Apollo then made a mistake. He turned his back hands in his pockets ready to walk away. His statement a punch in the gut to Tommy and that adrenaline and Anger was back. Ignoring the pain in his hand he ran tackling Apollo ignoring the Yelp And chaotic noises of the guitar as Tommy broke the strap with ease tossing it off the roof ignoring the cry of distress from Apollo.

Tommy flipped him over and just started punching. Tears slowly slipping down his cheeks.

“YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE DISAPPOINTED WITH ME!!”He growled. Apollo barely having time to register what was going on.

“TO JUDGE ME!” Apollo wasn’t fighting back against him. Apollo sat there underneath him taking the hits to his face like a champ as Tommy continued anger and hatred and sadness finally bubbling over.

“YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT CHARLIE WAS TO ME!!!”

Blood flowing from Apollo’s nose trailing down his face.

“YOU DON’T KNOW ME!”

His eyes faded from shock to acceptance as Tommy cried hitting him more.

“HOW MUCH I’VE DONE ONLY TO BE SLAPPED IN THE FACE AND BETRAYED.”

“IT’S NOT FAIR!”

Tommy was breathing heavily as the tears fell resting his head hanging as his fists sat on the others chest. He felt a weak hand on his head as he cried. Apollo gave him a smile, blood staining his teeth but kindness in his eyes.

“This isn’t what Charlie wanted. Come home Alchemist. Let’s bury him and send him off properly,”he whispers, pulling Tommy into a tight hug against his chest.

And Tommy cried.

Genuinely and truly cried. And he mourned. For the first time since Charlie’s death Tommy felt safe as Apollo held him tightly before gently moving him off to the side and standing up. Even as Tommy insisted he could walk Apollo picked him up flipping off the news helicopter as smoke rose around them.

And he disappeared to them but Tommy knew exactly where he was going.

Home

Chapter Text

A coffin was lowered into the ground. The main villains watched from a top a hill as he was buried with his other friends around him. Apollo, Blood God and Thanatos sat with him dressed in black suits and his hand in a simple white cast. Masks still on to support Tommy in not wanting to go home and support him morally since he was the one who watched Charlie be murdered.

Apollo’s hand was on his shoulder and since he came back Apollo had been nothing but quiet and comforting and gentle. Maybe he regretted his words but Tommy himself didn’t know. He was scared to go home now out of all times. He didn’t have his phone anyways anymore and didn’t have Wilbur’s phone number memorized. He thought they would see him as a monster. Someone to fear. He knew that was what they would see him as.

He was a monster. He saw the death count after his little fiasco. 5 people died and 7 in critical condition and at least 10 more in the hospital with various other wounds. Likely more now but anytime he tried to find out anything Apollo would intervene and stop him. Thanatos was in and out of the Syndicate base overall but at least Blood god and Apollo stayed there. Even if it was at least only one of them there at a time. It was comforting.

Tommy watched as Quackity, the man he had briefly met before his untimely demise, grabbed the shovel and threw the first shovel of dirt over the body. Tommy’s heart wrenched in his chest as tears slipped down his cheeks. He sniffed as Apollo gently turned him and pulled him close, seemingly fighting tears himself.

“Ready to go?”Thanatos asked after most of the crowd cleared. Tommy shook his head.

“No-No I brought him flowers and I’m going to place them at his grave. I can’t leave until I do it…”he says his voice cracking as he breaks away from Apollo’s arms looking at the grave. So they waited. People kept lingering though.

Apollo patted his head and said he unfortunately had to go but Thanatos would be staying. The blood god gave him a small mournful and gentle smile before leaving with Apollo. That left the two waiting there in silence.

“I know we have not spoken much,”Thanatos begins as he sits next to Tommy in the grass wings sort of sprawled out behind them. “But I saw the fight between you and Apollo and I figured it was time we had this conversation..”

“Waiting to put flowers on my friend's grave is the right time,”Tommy scoffed a bit as he looks at the ground. The soft spring wind blowing through the grass.

“All of us have lost something to the heros…”He begins as Tommy looks up at him. “Blood God and Apollo lost their brother I, a son. But I did not just lose a son that day. I lost my wife. A wonderful woman. A scientist who breathed life into this world. Who found out her research was being used for evil. When she stood up. When we stood up against it… they threatened us. Told us we would be denounced. Jailed even.” He looked up at the sky the veil still over his face.

“So you turned against them?”

Thanatos nodded slowly. “Dadaelus,Kristin, and I spent 4 months figuring out the specifics. We would free the children they were experimenting on, and if we used their abilities mixed with our own we could destroy everything they worked for.”

“When did this happen?”

“7 years ago.”

“But wasn’t that the day you debuted? As a villain at least? You killed the most beloved hero of all time? Was it that worth it?”

“I didn’t kill anyone that night. Not personally. Blood God did. Though from how I made it out I took the blame. I don’t mind it though if it kept my children safe. It was a burden I am okay with carrying.”

“But there are videos out there of you stabbing Zephyrus in the heart over the water by the docks. He fell and his body was never found again?” Tommy frowned.

“Alchemist… I was Zephyrus.”

Tommy’s eyes widened the dots connecting. His heart was racing.

“How?”He whispers out eyes wide as he looks panicked almost. Flashes of the Hero in his mind. Holding him and picking him up and throwing him in the air. A man he called dad….

A man who looked similar to Phil.

“Apollo sang an illusion of us fighting. We dumped my feathers and fish blood into the water so that I could be presumed dead. And we set that bitch on fire… But while I was fighting my copy making sure the distraction worked. I was unable to helpy my Wife and Dadaelus, Sam. When he came out holding you--I didn’t know what to do. He was covered in blood but I knew if all of the boys were together. They could be hunted. You were so young… Tommy,”The man rested a hand on Tommy’s cheek. Tommy didn’t want to flinch away from him even as he did. Tommy was shaking. Adrenaline and panic coursing through his veins as more tears reached his eyes once more.

He knew who he was this entire time. They knew each other this entire time. They had lied to him. They had kept things from him, but even then he was scared as slowly Tommy moved to pull off Thanatos’ hat. His heart echoing in his ears like a siren.

“No..”he whispers. “You knew?!?” His mouth agape like a fish. Blonde shaggy hair. Bright blue gentle eyes. The gentle smile of his father. The one who he had purposely avoided as he hurt someone and ran off. They had known all along about him and never told him.

“I knew..”Phil whispered quietly as the mans other hand gently reached down to press the button on his wrist the technology coming undone as Phil pulled him into a tight hug. “I never wanted to keep this from you Tommy. Never.” Tommy didn’t return the hug. Tears falling down his face. He slowly squeezed his eyes shut and put his arms between them and pushed the man away from him. Phil looked incredibly hurt by it but held his tongue. “Tommy I--”

“NO!! Shut up! SHUT UP!”Tommy was breathing heavily, crying. “You knew?!?! This was-was what Apollo meant? Do I know Apollo too?! Blood God?!? Did all of you know who I was and just not tell me?! Why can’t I remember who I was Phil? Who was I to you? A son? Some fucked up kid you saw and decided to adpot?”

“Tommy I-”

“Just answer the fucking questions!”

“Yes. You know Apollo and the Blood God too. It’s Wilbur and Technoblade…”Tommy scrambled up to his feet pushing his hair back his breathing picking up. He couldn’t breath. His chest was tight. Everything was too loud. This was too much. He grasped at his hair. Too much. Everything.

Too bright.

Too loud.

Too painful.

“Tommy… take deep breaths mate,”Phil said slowly standing up hands up towards him. He took a step back.

“No! FUCK WHO WAS I TO YOU?!?” His voice cracked as he screamed. Flowers resting on the ground now.

“My son…”

“THEN WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME!!!”

“I had to give you a chance at a normal life!”

“BULLSHIT!!!”

“Tommy please, calm down breathe! Let’s just go back to the house and talk about this, please,”Phil’s voice was so broken itself. Gentle and almost like he was panicking too. Fear in his eyes that he might loose Tommy, again.

“That’s-That’s the same bullshit excuse Sam gave me!! Did you even look for me?!”

“I-I”

“DID YOU?!?”

“No.. I wanted to wait for you to be older before I tried to find you. I couldn’t reach out to you beforehand, it was too dangerous..”

“But you didn’t stop Wilbur! Was I the brother Wilbur kept talking about?”Tommy’s hand was to his chest backing away from Phil more. “The one he lost?! The one he killed innocent people for???”

“Let go of your hair mate you’re going to hurt yourself…”Phil said slowly trying to get closer to him to move his arms from his head. To stop him from hurting himself.

“Why was it so dangerous then for you to be in contact with your son! Or someone you viewed as your son! “

“Because you’re powerful Tommy! So powerful and you’ve grown so much and I’m so proud of you but people want that power!”

“How did I even get this power! Apollo -FUCK- Wilbur said we were human experiments! What did they do to us? TO ME!” He was screaming again. “Don’t you fucking touch me!” He slaps Phils hands away with his good hand. Phil put his hands up in defense.

“Okay, okay I won’t but let’s just go home and talk about this Tommy, not at a graveyard.”

“No you fucking started this here! I was trying to mourn why couldn’t you have waited! But what did they do to me Phil!” Tommy felt his power at the tips of his fingers wanting to be used. Desperately aching to be used.

“... There’s too many to just explain right here right now Tommy.”

“Well fucking start then!!!”

“Tommy… they injected you with something. Something Kristin discovered very young as a grad student. God’s blood. She was on a research trip in the high mountains and they found a tomb. It contained the perfectly preserved body of a race we thought to be extinct. The Godlings. When experimenting with the blood she found the sort of power it held and she thought it might be useful for curing cancer and serious long term illnesses. They tested it on rats and when those trials became successful they kept pushing for more and more animals similar to humans. She became pushed to the back of her own research. Sam was just doing his job. Then they went behind their backs and brought in three children. Orphans. Wilbur, Techno, and Dream. Babies that each had life threatening tumors. Dreams was in his brain. Techno’s was in his arm. Wilbur’s was in his leg. But… there were side effects.”

“What kind of side effects, Phil…”

“Their powers formed earlier, and stronger than anyone had ever seen before, so they decided something. Behind the backs of the lead researchers. They were going to use the blood to create super soldiers raised from birth to combat the growing villain crisis. Schlatt paid for it all. So when Wilbur, Techno, and Dream turned 10 a group of babies were brought in. Innocent and perfectly healthy babies. Schlatt ordered all of them be given triple the amount of blood that the original trio was given. Only you survived.”

Tommy’s mouth shut backing up from him. “And even when they brought in humans you didn’t fucking think of anything!!!” He yelled at him covering his mouth with both of his hands. He felt sick.

“We thought it would be a way to help people! We didn’t know what they were planning! We thought that they were raising the children peacefully and safety. They promised us that they were being taken care of! How do you think Techno can fight anyone! Why he is the only one who can fight off the Puppeteer!”

“And-And that was when you lost Krisitn??” Tommy said, his voice shaking. Broken flashes of memories piercing his skull. Painful memories. Short bursts of painful migraines when he tried to remember anything. “FUCK! OW” He cried out as he fell to his knees holding his head once more but now in severe pain. It was like he wanted to remember. But something was stopping him. He looked up at Phil who’s eyes widened backing up.

“Tommy… are you okay?”

“Leave me alone!”He cried out stumbling to his feet just trying to get away from this man right now.

So he ran.

And ran.

And ran.

Desperation.

Confusion.

Pain.

Hurt.

Heartache.

Loneliness.

Longing.

Who was he? Where did he belong? What could he do…

By the time he looked up he was not in the cities cemetery anymore. He was breathing heavily in an alley way tears rolling down his cheek as he screamed in anger and frustration. Everyone was lying to him. Everyone was keeping things from him and he was sick and tired of it. He was hurt by it. Was Ranboo and Tubbo keeping something from him too? But as he collapsed to his knees he let out all the magic bubbling to his fingers a large sphere of red energy surround him.

As rain began to fall.

And Tommy looked up.

The entire alley way was made of gold. The trash. The ground. The dumpster, but what really made his heart stop… was the homeless man asleep in the very back of it. Tommy was shaking eyes wide as he stood up slowly approaching him.

No… did he do this? Was this him?

Was this his power? He puked. Letting out what little sat in his stomach at the sight of the once living man now turned to solid gold. He did this. Fuck. There was nothing else to say other than the fact of he was a monster. He was what the newspapers were saying.

He began to run, again. Heading no where in particular but knowing where he was heading in his heart.

Ranboo and Tubbo’s.

His feet carried him there even as bolted into the building his feet carrying him up the stairs and into the apartment….

Unlocked.

Only to freeze. His heart dropped in his chest.

Sitting on the couch next to two unconscious tied up bodies was the Puppeteer. He was eating yogurt before seeing Tommy laughing darkly as he motions him in.

“Come in come in!!!” He smiles sweetly. Ranboo sat on his left unconscious. Dried blood on his forehead. Tubbo….oh Tubbo. Tubbo sat to his right. His nose was obviously broken. Swollen purple and blue and red. The same color blossomed around his eye. They had been like this for a second. What terrified him was that there were syringes sitting on the table. Empty syringes.

Tommy heard the door slam shut behind him. He twirled around to see who it was and froze.

Sandman. The man smiled and waved at Tommy.

“Nice to see you again Alchemist…”

“What-What did you do to my friends?!?!” He yelled quickly trying to press the button on his wrist but sandman stopped and grabb his wrist forcing his arm behind his back as he was forced to the ground with a cry. Even through his cast he could feel something wrong.

“Come now Tommy!”

He tensed up: they knew his name.

They knew his name.

Puppeteer smirked and crouched down petting Tommy’s head as Sandman kept him pinned to the ground unable to move even as he wiggled and struggled and tried to get free. “You were a bitch to find after 7-8 years, did you know that?”

“What do you want!!! Let my friends go!”

“Oh Tommy,”The puppeteer laughed darkly sending a chill down his spine. “We have you now. That’s exactly what we wanted.” He stood up and grabbed a syringe. Sandman laughing darkly as he forced Tommy’s head to the side giving easy access to the neck.

“No! NO FUCK LET ME GO!”He screamed out. “HELP PLEASE! HELP-” The Puppeteer injected the needle into his neck as he gasped out. Panic settling into his chest as he cried out one last time.

“Wilbur save me…”

And everything went black.

Chapter Text

17 years ago

Wilbur was 8 the first time he saw Tommy. A small thing of skin and moving and crying. He held him gently in his arms with a smile looking up at Kristin brightly.

“Who is this?”

“That’s your little brother,”She says gently as the baby lets out a small bable smiling and laughing in Wilbur’s arms. Wilbur was in love with him then and there.

“Oh, what is his name?”

“His name is Tommy, Wibur.”

“Tommy?”

“Mhm, Tommy.”

“Toms!!!”

A bright laugh came from Kristin in her white lab coat. “Sure, Toms for you Wilbur.” She gently took Tommy from Wilbur’s arms before looking just behind him. “You can hold him too Technoblade.”

A small kid a little taller than Wilbur stepped out. He was playing with his hair a bit nervously before walking over. “I don’t want to hurt him..”

“You won’t hurt him Technoblade…”

“But the voices-”

“I won’t let you!”Wilbur exclaims. “I’ll protect you boths!” The little boy smiles brightly hugging his brother.

“I think I should protect you, Wilbur!” Techno pouts a bit.

“Come on boys,”Kristin chuckles at them shaking her head gently rocking Tommy in her arm.

“Can we play with him?”Techno asks. Kristin stops. A frown settled on her face.

“He’s too young for that boys,”she chuckles softly as she walks them to the next room. A small blonde kid putting a mask over his face for a bit as a taller man with Ram horns crouches next to him patting his shoulder. The man stood up and smirked at Kristin who sent a glare his direction.

“Is that Mr. Schlatt?” Techno asks stopping to look at him through the glass.

“It is Techno. He helps train you all, remember.” Kristin says as she leads them into a play room. She gently puts Tommy into a crib before leaving the children in the room, closing the door behind her. From behind the glass Wilbur could see her and Mr. Schlatt talking. Or was it arguing. Wilbur didn’t know and he didn’t care.

13 Years Ago

“Wilby!! Wilby!!! Wilby!!” Tommy chanted from his spot making grabby hands as Wilbur looked down at him chuckling with a smile and moving to pick him up.

“What is it Toms?”He asks holding him as he moves to walk down the hall.

“Mr. Schlatt said I could start training!!” Wilbur stopped. He forced a smile onto his face smiling painfully as his free hand touched the metallic collar around his neck.

“I’m so happy for you Toms! Now you get to play with the Big men like Techno, dream and i,”Wilbur forced the smile as he wanted to curb stop Jschlatt. He wanted to choke him out until he was a--

“Mhm!!! Sammy doesn’t want me to but Mr. Schlatt thinks I’m ready! He says I’m just as strong as you were!”

“Oh he did did he?” Wilbur hummed as they heard a quiet sounds of piano. Wilbur stopped looking into his brothers room. Techno sat at the piano fingers going across the board. A similar metallic collar around their throat.

“Can you put me down Wilby! I wanna play with Techie!!” Tommy squirms in his arms. “Big brother!!!” Tommy screams very loudly before he runs up to Techno who looks over. Red eye softening at him as he picks Tommy up putting him on the bench he sits on.

“Hello Tommy, Wilbur,”Techno smiles softly before he turns back to the piano and begins to gently play again. Wilbur smiles and plays the other hand. Tommy watched them with wide eyed.

“Teach me teach me!!!,”Tommy asks grabbing Techno’s arm shaking him rather aggressively, despite how defined the child was.

“Okay okay!”Techno laughed as he began to walk Tommy through the piece. It was soon enough that the three of them were playing it on the piano together peacefully.

“Techno, Wilbur it’s time for our next session,”a rough voice rang out from the door. Wilbur and Techno stiffened their eyes turning to the man, the man they hated. Shlatt.

“Go find Mom,”Wilbur says softly kissing his forehead and brushing back his brown hair as he gets up to follow after the man. Techno just ruffles his hair as he begins to throw his hair into a braid to get it out of the way.

Wilbur gives Tommy one last smile out the door.

“What do you want us to do today bitch, now before you,”he hisses out.

“Wilbur Wilbur so violent aren’t you,”Schlatt shook his head with a frown pressing a button on the watch as Wilbur screamed out in pain. Electricity rattling his body as Techno growled leaning down to help steady his brother.

“Fucking piece of shit,”he hisses out.

“It’s time for us to separate you anyways,”Schlatt sighed as he rests his hand on Wilbur’s back leading him away from his brother who glared at Schlatt with his bright red eyes before putting his hands in his pockets. Wilbur sighed as he was led into a room, the door shutting beside him.

“You know what to do, Wilbur.”

Another door at the other end opened and Wilbur closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. A small door opened and out hurried 50 mice.

“Go to sleep, close your eyes, don’t stop to breath, you’re alright. Die. die. Die. die. Die. die,”He sang out softly. Then mice began to drop. Not even slowly. As he kept repeating the work die the mice kept dropping like flies until there were none left. Then the door opened again.

In walked a taller man. Older definitely. He wore an orange prisoner’s jumpsuit. He looked like he was ready to attack at any thing.

“And they said I had to fight someone, what the fuck are they talking about! You’re just a kid! What maybe 10 years old?” Wilbur looked at Schlatt through the window.

“I’m not doing this Schlatt!!!”He yelled angrily. “You promised no humans!!”

“Do it WIlbur.” He pressed the button and Wilbur screamed falling to his knees electricity flowing down his spine.

“What the fuck did you just do to the kid!!”The prisoner yelled moving towards Wilbur. The electricity stopped as Wilbur struggled to regain his breath as he looks at the prisoner.

“How-How do you want me to do it,” He whispers softly.

“Slow suffocation my boy,”Schlatt smiled behind the glass. His wicked smile would Haunt wilbur as he looked at the prisoner his eyes glowing a bright gold before he looked up at him.

In plain words he whispered. “Stop breathing.”

The prisoners eyes glowed a bright matching yellow as Wilbur stared at him. He grabbed his throat gasping for air that wasn’t coming. Stumbling forwards grasping at Wilbur and Wilbur backed up desperately holding the spell. He watched his face turn blue. His fingers followed before the man collapsed entirely in front of him reaching out for Wilbur as the child pressed himself back into the corner. The door opened behind him as he saw Kristin. Who saw the body and gasped quickly picking up Wilbur.

“How dare you!!!” She yelled at him. “Making him Kill? He’s just a fucking child! What the hell kind of place are we running Schlatt!!”

She held a crying Wilbur in her arms as she tore into Schlatt. In another Room Wilbur watched through tearfilled eyes as his slightly elder brother sat in a room with a sword. He stood with bodies all around him practically drenched in blood. That or was just all over the walls of the place he stood in. He swore he could see bright red eyes around him, watching.

Then he saw Dream. The man sitting like a spider in a wab os strong he had created. Decapitated bodies sitting around him. He couldn’t kill like them, but he was powerful in his own way.

“Stop breathing,”he whispers as his eyes glowed and Schlatts lit up. He grabbed his throat struggling to breath as he collapsed.

“Wilbur!!!”Kristin exclaimed. “Stop that right now!! You are not a killer!”

“Breathe.”He whispers back out and the glowing ceased.

“You fucking brat!”Schlatt hissed out.

“Mommy… can I take a nap,”he whispers quietly.

“Yes Wilbur of course you can.” Her gentle hands rubbing his back. She walked past the two other hissing under her breath something about the fucking gvernment and what they were doing to them.

11 years ago

“If you don’t hit me harder than we both know what will happen!”Techno hissed out holding his training sword aimed right at wilbur.

“I’m not good with weapons, Techno!”

“That’s not an excuse for Schlatt you know that.”

“But shouldn’t it be?! We’ve been experiments for fucking years! We live in shit hole pens that get any flavor because of Mum and Dad! Dad’s never fucking around and they’ve started training Tommy a few years ago and it’s terrifying! I want out of here Techno!”

“Don’t let them hear you say that,”Techno looked down eyes closed.

“What?”

“Don’t let them hear that you want out of here Wilbur,”Techno said firmly his hand resting on his collar. “But I am worried about Tommy.. They haven’t let us near him lately.”

“There’s more White in mum’s hair now and days…”Wilbur says softly his eyes on the ground. “You know what that means…”

“She’s had to use her power more.”

“What happens when her entire heads gone white? What then? Does her powers even work then?”

“I don’t want to think about that Wilbur….”

“But we need to think about it! Mom’s using her powers! On WHO, it’s not us.. Not since that once time..”Wilbur absentmindedly touched the white streak in his hair.

“There are only two other people who she would willingly use it on… Well three including dad. But come on raise your sword. We’re in here to train. They’ll shock us again if we’re not!”Techno insisted as Wilbur slowly raised his sword again to fight against him.

“Do you think…”

“Could it?”

“Techno I’ve been hearing screams from the labs again… you don’t think they could have.. Could you?”

“No fuck no! Not again! They did that to us and even I was down for a 2 weeks after that happened but it took another 3 months to control my abilities again. Aren’t your abilities still fucky after wards?”

“But Technoblade you don’t--”

“They wouldn’t. He’s only 7… Sam would never allow it.”

“But Schlatt has his pet. Dream would do anything for that man.. You know he would.”

“I don’t--” They both cried out in pain collapsing as shocks were sent to the thick metallic collars around their throats as Schlatt walked in. Dream obediently behind him head down. There might as well have been a leash on Dream. The only one of them aside from Tommy who didn’t have to wear one. Both Techno and him had to wear them but Dream was Schlatt’s favorite. The most obedient. He didn’t have to do anything. He got everything he wanted. While Technoblade and Wilbur were forced to live off scraps.

Kristin and Phil were the only reasons they got anything nice. They tried to get time with Dream too but… Schlatt never allowed it. Dream was his prodigy. Wilbur didn’t know and didn’t care. He just knew one thing. He was going to get them all out of this. Alive. They were going to be free. He didn’t know it at the time but that day was the first of a 3 year plan for their escape.

7 Years ago

Wilbur ran through the hallway his voice echoing loudly what Phil had written for him.

“Mom!!!” He stopped seeing her head of mostly white hair.

Dream stood there a sickening smile barely visible beneath his mask as he pulled out the sword. Her body falling to the ground as he saw Wilbur and smiled before running off. Alarms balring around them.

“MOM?!?!” He screamed as he ran towards her body singing what Phil had told him to quietly to keep the illusions at bay.

“Wilbur sweety.. Your eyes don’t glow anymore when you do your magic!”She says proudly as he holds her close to his chest. She coughed as blood spilled more on her white blouse. His eyes filling with tears.

“Oh you’ll be okay Wilby. Not matter what happens You have me here,”Her hand weakly rested on his chest over her heart. “Tell Phil, your father that I--” She stopped to cough up a large amount of blood. “Oh my everything is fading. That I love him. Tell-Tell Techno to always listen to his heart and not those voies..”She moves her hand to Wilbur’s cheek.

“And know I will always love you Wilbur Soot Craft… Only a piece of my heart and--” Her smile played on her lips.

An unfinished symphony.

Wilbur heard a lot of those. His gaze down on the ground as he slowly set her unmoving down down and sliding the eyes closed. He gently removed her jewlery… His portion of what needed to be done outside now finished. He could stop singing.

“Burn,”he whispers as her body catches fire. But then it spreads. The flames reflecting in Wilbur’s eyes as he removes his tattered coat. He grabs a trenchcoat on his way out the door, flipping the collar up.

“Burn it to the ground,”He whispers as the building caught fire. A massive bonfire of a building as Phil landed next to him.

“Wilbur.. Where’s--where’s Kristin?”he whispers as he holds the sleeping child in his arms. Tommy. Wilbur felt hot tears slip down his cheeks as he shakes his head.

“Who--”

“Dream. It was fucking DREAM. He betrayed HER,”he screamed out of anger and frustration.

“We have to go…”Techno said eyes wide behind his put together mask. “Wilbur cast your spell. Phil needs to give Tommy to Sam…”

“Why can’t he come with? We already lost one, why can’t we--”

“If they have him they can continue the experiments. Godling body or not. Schlatt can make more of his barely thoughtful fucking soldiers. At least if Tommy is safe the Philosopher Stone’s Abilities can never be found..”

“I don't think this is right! We could fucking protect him!”

5 ½ years ago

“You know boys.. You all could have just saved me the trouble and come with me,”Wilbur smirks his mask settling on his face. “But no. You fucking scientists have to go.. I’m sorry! I don’t make the rules!”

Wilbur chuckled darkly looking at the scientists on their knees in front of him.

“Apollo please! There are innocent Women and Children here!!”

“Innocent you say? Then what was I all those years ago? What were the kids all those years ago. WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO US ALL THOSE YEARS AGO!” Apollo yelled at them.

“WE were innocent. We were babies when you injected us with that blood! Then teenagers when you did it again! My baby brother was only 7 when you injected him with more blood. You caused everything coming to you here today. I am not worry for innocent lives lost. In fact… I’m proud,”Wilbur smiled eyes wide with power and crazy. His hand fiddling with the detonator in his hads.

“You see I could easily blow up this building and no one could stop me, but I’m not going to make this painless for you. I want to hear you scream.,”He smiles and grabs a bottle he had brought with him and opens it walking behind the men pouring the liquid over their heads laughing maniacally.

“Pop goes the weasel, fellas,”He whispers as he pulls out a cigarette putting it between his lips as he lights it throwing the match on the men. They lit up like a bonfire. Bodies burning even as they screamed in pain and agony. Children and woman crying and screaming at the desperate sight of them trying to go out by taking Wilbur out who easily avoided them as they slowly burnt to a crisp. What a sight.

“I am on a schedule and do have to go unfortunately,”he chuckles as he pulls out the detonator with both his hands leaving the lit bud between his lips. “Yeah shit I’m running late. Bye guys~” He flipped the case over the button up and dressed the detonator button before slamming it on the ground. It shattered as he smirked and walked out of the building. Welcoming the police officers. The helicopters as he walks out with his hands up. He threw the bud on the ground as he sang.

“ Let it burn~ “

“HANDS UP WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!”

“Let it BURN” His melodic voice rang out as he put in earbuds walking forwards. People hesitant to touch him as he managed to get a pretty far distance before the building exploded and people screamed.

And Wilbur Smiled.

6 months ago

“What the fuck!!!”Wilbur screamed breathing heavily.”I’ve been staying Silent for this entire fucking time! And I asked for one fucking thing: He never be brought back into this kind of life!”

“Wilbur I-- We never meant to hurt you!” Techno pleaded as he pulled off his mask, throwing it on the couch.

“You went BEHIND MY BACK, and invited him to the syndicate!”

“We thought you would want to protect him! You had always said he would be safer with us back then!”

“That was back then Techno! He wasn’t being hunted by anyone then but now? With these fucking whispers going on? Now I think he should stay out of it as much as he can! Let him fall behind as a background vigilante who was never to be seen again!”

“Even if he thinks you support him..”

“Fucking hell! I will support him! No matter what happens he’s my fucking baby brother! He’s your baby brother! You remember us playing the piano together those day! Him falling asleep on our laps as you read him books. Or him listening as I played the guitar? I would burn the world to keep Tommy safe.”

“Then hold onto that thought with me Wilbur..”

“Which thought Techno?”

“We will burn the world for Tommy, to keep him safe. You and I--”

“Against the world… Now and forever.”Wilbur finished as he sighs pretting the pendant around his neck. He puts his guitar off to the side sitting down head in his hands. “Fuck what am I going to do..”

“Protect him. Like we always have, but he can’t remember Wilbur. He doesn’t need to remember what they put us through. The full extent of my abilities, your abilities, dreams abilities. He doesn’t need to know. “

“But--”

“Wilbur…”

“Okay yes the spell stays forever, till the end of time.” Techno pulled him into a hug.

“I’m sorry it has to be this way.”

“I’m sorry too I guess. I didn’t mean to yell at you Tech…”

“Din’t mean to yell at you too, Wilby.”

“Oh my god that name!!!”

“What!!! Tommy’s in the house why can’t I use it!”

“Does that mean I get to call you Techie again?”

“Oh no…”

“Oh yes my dear Techie, how does it feel to be on the receiving end of this now!”

“Wilbur no!” Techno yelled as Wilbur bolted off the couch.

“Come back here you little--”

Current

Phil slammed the door open to the Syndicate base breathing heavily. Soaked.

“Is Tommy here?!?!”He asked frantic his suit clinging to his form. Wilbur looked up still in his Apollo mask. He looked around desperation in his eyes his veil no where to be scene.

“No why?”He asked immediately standing up from his seat. “Phil what happened. Where’s your veil? Where’s Tommy?”

“I-I we were talking and i accidentally told him..”

“You fucking Didn’t Dad!!”Wilbur exclaimed. “FUCK!”

Wilbur ran a hand through his hair pressing the pendant as he felt the hidden armor subside his mask not on his face.

“Hide your wings we need to look for him.”

“I should be Ariel—“

“You know Tommy! If he doesn’t want to be found we won’t fucking find him! we just got him back!!!”Wilbur screamed.”AND I LOST HIM AGAIN. HOW MANY TIMES WILL I LOOSE HIM??”

“Stop yelling like a fucking Child Wilbur!” Techno spoke up pulling off his mask and cape grabbing and slipping on a leather jacket.

“Let’s go look, together. Because we’re a fucking family and it’s about time we act like it. Weather Phil was in the right doesn’t matter. We need to find Tommy and we need to talk to him, before Dream can get even closer than he is!”

Thankfully the next thing that happened saved them time.

Ranboo and Tubbo stumbled into the building.

Tubbo leaning heavily on the other who himself did not look to be in a good shape. Ranboo held his side as the two leaned on one another

“The Puppeteer has him…” Tubbo whispered solemnly.

Wilbur screamed,”FUCK.”

“Wilbur..”Phil warned.

“There is no calming down right now Dad! They have him, again! Dream has him!! Schlatt has him!!!” He yelled out desperately.

“WILBUR,”Techno yelled walking over to his brother and shaking him. “Look at me! He’s going to be fine… we’ll find him. We will.” Techno rested his forehead on his brothers. “It’s going to be alright! It has to be.”

Chapter Text

13 years ago

“What did I tell you Technoblade… We have no room for the weak here.” Schlatt looked down at him on his hands and knees. The voices were overwhelming.

Blood

Kill

Kill him

Blood was sticking to his hair as Techno slowly grabbed the sword to his right.

“Good boy. Now do me a favor and kill the rest of them I let in there.” Techno nodded his hair messily in front of his face as he used the sword to weakly stand up. The young boy barely even into his teens nods. Techno raises his arm. His muscles didn’t ache but the exhaustion of using his full abilities was hitting him. He stood at a ready position waiting for the door to open, and when it did….

They were dead.

In the blink of an eye his muscles flexed and he dashed forwards moving so fast they couldn’t see him. Blood now splattered even more so on his face and on the walls of the glass chamber he was sealed into. Maybe minutes had passed? Techno didn’t know. He just knew that if he did this Schlatt promised to back off from Wilbur and Tommy. The man had promised. If any of them were going to be used as a Solider it was going to be him. One day he would Kill Schlatt. That was a promise.

7 years ago

He was covered in blood. This was going to be the last time he let loose of his abilities. The last. The red eyes behind them watching and waiting and wanting. The voices crying out for him to kill more and more and to satiate them.

Kill

Kill

Kill

“Shut up!”He growled under his breath as he sheaths his sword.

“Techie?”The ten year old opened his eyes. “What?”

“Hey toms,”His entire demeanor changed.” We’re going to go on an adventure alright?”

“Okay… Where are we going?”

Techno moved and lifted him easily, too light. For this age. Too light. “We’re going on a trip to see Dad!”

Technoblade gave him a gentle smile. His heart dropping though upon seeing his hair. Solid blonde color instead of the dark brown it used to be.

“What’s this red stuff on you? Is it Blood?”

“Yes it is Blood Tommy. You know how Wilby and I talk about the bad men a lot?”

“Yeah! We’re the big men and we’re gonna kick their asses!!”

“Where did you learn- Fuck it now’s not the time. Yes. Today is the day we escape those guys, okay? But I need your help and I need you to be strong for me. You might see bad things, very bad things. You might see me do bad things too. So I need you to close your eyes.”

“Wha- but Techno..”

“Close your eyes Toms… Please,”He whispers desperation in his voice. Something that sounded foreign coming from his lips. Desperation. The desperation of wanting to murder Schlatt at his realization. No wonder their mother had white hair. No wonder they were rarely allowed to see their baby brother. Kristin had to keep reviving him. In turn it kept changing his hair color… Wilbur’s had turned white maybe it was just how Tommy’s body reacted in place of it.

“Okay..”the child nodded and closed his eyes tightly as Techno moved to carry him through the halls even more desperate than before. He was quick as he holds Tommy tight and close. But soon enough they came to one of the solid iron doors

“I’m going to need you to turn one of these doors to ash okay, it doesn’t look like it was unlocked..” Techno set Tommy down as he put his hands on the door in front of them. That was before Technoblade felt an electric current run down his spine and he cried out in pain collapsing to the ground.

“Techno!!!” Tommy yelled, “You! You-you bitch!!!”He screamed at the man slowly walking towards them. “Techno, techno come on! Get up! I-I--”

Techno grit his teeth. He forced himself to move even as his body convulsed and made it so he could barely move. Tommy stopped and slowly reached up to touch the collar as Techno was standing. The door in ashes behind them and as Tommy touched the device he gasped out as the electric current ran through him as well, but just enough before he turned the device to jello and it fell to the ground. But Tommy collapsed unconscious none the less.

“TOMMY!!” Techno screamed quickly pulling his brother close. He looked up at the man walking towards them with a smug look on his face.

“Hello, Technoblade.”

“Schlatt…”He growled as he unsheathed his sword standing up.

8 months ago

Technoblade looked at Tommy, unconscious laying in Wilbur’s bed.

“You always had such a foul mouth Toms, especially when we broke you out. I think it was your coping mechanism…” He whispers gently, moving a piece of hair out of his sleeping face. The boy unconsciously leaned into his touch a bit as Techno gave out a small breathy chuckle. “I’ve missed you so much Tommy. No one is ever going to take you again. If they do, I’ll rip them limb from limb.” His eyes flashed red in the darkness of his room as the voices let out a cacophony of “yes! blood!” over and over and over again.

“I wish it never had to be like this…. I should have ended Schlatt that night. I fucking should have ended Dream as fucking well,”He hissed out.

“Don’t blame yourself for the past Techno,”Phil’s gentle voice rang out as he walked over to gently place a hand on his back both of them looking at the sleeping Tommy.

“We had just gotten him back a little. Wilbur was working on it and now he’s hurt! If we were fast If I was faster! Dream would have never gotten to him in the first place!”

“Dream works for Schlatt at the end of the day Techno. The duo are dangerous but as far as both of them are concerned… They think Tommy’s dead.”

“If they ever decide to sample his blood though it will reveal it Phil!” Techno’s voice was dripping in concern that bordered on panic.

“So? If they find out Theseus is Tommy that doesn’t help much. It’s not his legal name. Not even on the ones Sam forged for him.”

Techno nodded and slowly moved to grab his book: The art of war.

“Reading it again?” Phil asked with a small chuckle.” Take a break Techno. He’ll be okay. Go rest. Or play piano.”

“It’s a good book! It also reminds me of the happier times in the Labs… but Phil. I’m just concerned. How much power does Tommy truly have?”

“The power to put the world at his finger tips,”Phil said somenly as he looks at the sleeping boy sitting down.

“I get that and I get why he was called what he was called but--”

“Techno, Tommy was the only baby to survive the Godling blood transfusion in his group. He then survive two more transfusions of Godling blood after. Schlatt nicknamed him a lot of things. Doesn’t mean we need to concern ourselves with them.”

“The Holy Grail.” Techno whispered.

“The Philosopher’s Stone.”

“The entire point of that project at the end of the day, a way to create endless amounts of super soldiers….”

Current

Techno stood in full uniform at the front of the table leaning on his hands. His mask wasn’t on because everyone here already knew his identity.

“I TOLD YOU!”Ranboo screamed at Phil. “I fucking told you this would happen! I wish I had never met you that night, FUCK.”

“Boo calm down! We’ll save Tommy! He’s our best friend. Powerful abilities or not. He’ll be okay! He’s tough.” Tubbo gently hugged his friend tightly.’

“He won’t be for long,” Techno piped up all the eyes in the room turning to him. “He’s not trained to withstand torture like Wilbur and I. Let’s face this. Even when we find him. I am not so sure there will be much left to save.”

“Techno--”

“Look, I already lost one of my friends Technoblade,”Quackity stood up walking over to him grabbing the mans collar and forcing the taller man to look down at him. “I am not fucking loosing another. So you and Wilbur need to stop whatever selfish bullshit you both have in your head that Tommy’s not coming back fine. Because he is.” He shoves Technoblade back.

“There are too many places they could be hiding him,”Sam pipes up. “I know each and every one of them and we can start searching now but--”

“That would take months, years even,”Phil spoke up. “No we need a way to figure out specifically which location they’ll be holding him at.”

“I can hack into their systems,”Tubbo offered.

“We can hack into their systems,”Sam gave him a smile and Tubbo nods.

“Alright..”Techno nods.

“Techno, come on we’re making a plan. This involves all of us,”Nikki says gently walking over to rub his shoulder.

“Yeah! He’s one of us after all!”Jack laughed brightly.

Ranboo glared daggers into Phil. “I don’t retract my statement. I wish you had never convinced me to leave the Hero training program and become a vigilante.”

“Oh so you’d rather work for them, mate? Good to know!” Phil piped back shooting the tall man glares too.

Techno’s eyes turned to wilbur who was staring at the table intensely his before looking up slowly his eyes widening.

“No..”Wilbur whispered out tears pricking his eyes as a powerful force of energy filled the room. Wilbur’s power was back, in full force. He radiated energy. Wilbur had always been the dancing monkey. Playing things up for show. Techno knew just how powerful Wilbur had been. He watched him set that building on fire with just his words.

“Will..”Techno whispered his eyes widening as well.

“They-They broke the spell…”

“Fuck..”Phil whispers out moving to sit on the couch his head in his hands.

“Tommy’s going to remember everything,”Techno whispers as the room goes quiet.

This was not good.

Techno was going to finish this once and for all.

Even if he paid the price for it.

Chapter Text

Fuck everything hurt.

He was back in that whole suspended in space plot, or something like that.

His head throbbed as he was thrust into a memory. He was holding a seemingly young Techno’s Hand. Or more so the other’s hand was laid over his as they sat at a piano. Techno going through the motions of teaching him how to play specific keys and rhythms.

“Techie?”Tommy asks as he looks up at Technoblade.

“Yes Toms?”Technoblade gives him a smile as he hums along to the tune of what they were slowly playing.

“What’s that thingy on your neck..” the elder stiffened up looking down at him.

“It’s a—- it’s a cool necklace right? Wilbur and I share them!”Techno said slowly.

“Oh! Can I get one? I want to Match with my big brothers!”he smiles brightly.

Technoblade tensed up next to him. “Sorry Tommy, these are for big boys, okay?”

“Hmph…. Okay,”Tommy pouted as Technoblade continued to play.

The memories moved across like a film strip.

Screaming and pain and desperation of them to stop. Electricity running down his spine as his teeth clenched shut. Tears slipping down his cheek. Then nothingness. Darkness and emptiness and silence.

Then he was waking up in Kristins arms her holding him tightly, another bright white streak in her hair. She had tears down her face as she pulled Tommy close. Tommy cried. The unimaginable amount of pain he had just been through. Even as young as he was he didn’t understand what was going on. Why was Kristin crying? Did he do something wrong? Why was Mommy Crying. And he opened his mouth to speak to ask his mom what was wrong but someone interrupted and wanted to talk with her as her gaze shot upwards to glare at someone.

But that didn’t seem to be the last time this happened.

The film reel flickered.

“Chapter 3: a Very Wonderful Thing!”Wilbur smiled gently as Tommy sat pressed against looking at the book in his hand.

“What’s that word?”Tommy asks slowly pointing at a word that was spell P.I.E.

“That’s Pie Tommy.”

“What’s a Pie?”

“Oh it’s like a desert,”Wilbur smiles gently.

“A desert? I want one!!!! Have you ever had one?”

“No I haven’t but Mum says they’re really good,”Wilbur chuckled as he kisses Tommy’s forehead.

An announcement came through the room. “Lights out in 5 minutes.”

“Oh no… do you have to leave Wilby?”He whispers out. Wilbur smiles gently.

“I do. I’m sorry Tom’s. I can read you the next chapter tomorrow night okay?” Tommy frowns but nods as Wilbur reaches over to the bed stand and puts a bookmark in the book as he set it down. He gives Tommy a hug before leaving the room. Left all alone in his small confined space. Then the lights went out. And Tommy didn’t even have the lights for comfort anymore.

Things passing by as he remembered. Bit by bit.

“Sammy!!!!” Tommy ran up to him as he was picked up. Slow methodically footsteps following behind him. Tears streaming down the child’s face.

Sam’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the taller figure walking in behind him. “Schlatt do you need something?”

“Yes actually and you’re holding it,”He smirked crossing his arms.

“It? You mean him. Tommy is more than you’ll ever be Schlatt. He’s not some pet like you’ve made Dream.” Sam gently bounced Tommy holding him tightly trying to calm him down.

“Fine. He is needed so we can run some more experimentations.”

“It’s 5pm it’s time for him to spend it with his brothers. Don’t you fucking think for one second that Kristin hasn’t told me what bullshit you’re pulling,”He growls as he gently moves to set Tommy down. “Techno Wilbur? Take Tommy with you okay?” The two curse as they walk in realizing they were spotted before approaching the sniffling Tommy and each one of them grabbing his hands gently as they leave the room. The argument only escalating into violent yelling as Wilbur covered his ears as they walked down from the hallway.

Not like Tommy hadn’t heard the fighting or saw the fighting or was being trained to fight himself. He did what Schlatt told him too and no one got hurt. He didn’t like it when mom got hurt especially.

They approached the family room as they called it. Kristin and Phil sitting inside talking quietly. Both of them shutting up as soon as they walked in.

“Mommy! Daddy!”He yelled breaking away from Techno and Especially Wilbur who pouted as he ran to them as Kristin laughed and picked him up.

“Hello Tommy, how are you tonight? You three are out early?”

“Yes.. Wilbur, Techno?” Phil asks softly, looking up at them as Tommy hugged Kristin tightly. Wilbur crossed his arms.

“What do you think dad.”

“Sam and Schlatt got into it after Tommy ran away from training,”Techno cleared as he moved to sit down a bit. “So Sam asked us to take Tommy.” Kristin gently pushed back Tommy’s messy hair. A bold few blonde streaks in his otherwise brown hair.

“Oh baby,”Phil says gently as Kritin hands him to Phil and Phil holds him tightly. “Do you want to go to bed?” Tommy nods slowly.

“Do you want a bed time story my love?”Kristin asks gently touching his face. Tommy nods.

“Alrighty. Do you boys want to listen to?”

“Can-can we?”Wilbur asks. Tommy hoped they could stay the night with him. They didn’t get to cuddle or sleep with him much. Not anymore.

So the small family walked to Wilbur’s room since he had the biggest bed and they all sit on the bed. Kristin moving and setting Tommy down and moving him underneath the covers slowly. Wilbur and Tommy settling on either sides of him.

“Let me tell you a story,”Phil began as Kristin gently grabbed his hand.

“About a young college student,”She smiles looking at him love in her eyes.

“And a stupid uprising Hero.”

And then Tommy was screaming.

He was strapped to a doctor’s chair, his arm laid out as a thick red fluid slowly flowed through the tube. He was screaming. Pain flowing through him as he watched it drip painfully slow.

He fought against the restraints as Schlatt smiled behind a glass window. Doctors around him as he screamed letting out a burst of red energy. The energy clearing as everything but was attached to him was turned.. Into a glittering gold. The floors and glass and ceiling. The doctors. But the fluid still slowly dripped into iv as he cried. Red staining his cheeks.

And a horned man walking through the door with a brilliant smile.

“Well well well… you’ve just become a little bit more valuable Midas.”

~~~~

“Change it to this,”the scientist in front of him handed him a rock and showed him a priceless diamond. Tommy frowned and nodded closing his small hand around and a in a small flash of red light he opened his palm to reveal a glimmering diamond which the Scientist took and successfully place it in a small box to his left.

“Now we’re going to try something different.”

Tommy nods. “Okay… “

He places something different in front of Tommy.

A gun

~~~~~~

Tommy didn’t know what age he was in this memory. He knew the repercussions of the test. His hair was split down the middle half a golden blond color. The other half his regular deep rich brown. Sweat dripped from his forehead. Hands placed on a Semi-truck in a large underground garage. He was maybe 8? Couldn’t have been any older. Even he had no clue.

“Mr. Schlatt I can’t!!!” He yelled out falling to his knees. The front portion of the semi a bright red crystalline color. He was breathing heavily, tears slipping down his cheeks. He heard the hammer being pulled back of a gun. Eyes wide.

“No please no.. not again,”Tommy whimpers. “I’m- I’m trying mr. Schlatt. I’m I’,--”

“You know my rules little Toms. Do it.”

Dream walks into the garage with a smirk across his face just underneath the mask. Tommy’s heart picked up at the sight as he turned to the semi. He had to do this. He places his hands on the truck. His hands glowing.

“Work please,”he whispers as the crystalline energy began to spread again slowly as he pushed, further and further and further. Sweat dripping down his face as he forced it to go and go and go. He wasn’t focusing on anything else. He didn’t want to die again. He didn’t want to. Not again. He wanted to see Wilbur again. He wanted to see Techno again.

But as he saw black he knew what happened.

He had gained another blond streak in his hair. Another death to his tally. Another white streak in his mom’s hair.A More stressed out dad. Another day away from his family.

~~~~

Tommy stood as he walked past Techno and Wilbur eyes dark as he looks at the ground before looking up at his brother. Each of them adults in their training rooms. Bright red eyes behind Technoblade as he easily took down enemies. The two brothers back to back. Wilbur looking at the people in front of them a straight face. No one reached the duo. Despite their collars they were terrifying as a duo. It was this moment that Tommy felt so small. He was young and looking back at this now as he remembered. They were so incredibly dangerous.

How had he not known about this side to them? Masks flash across their faces as it clicked as the memories surrounded him.

Technoblade was the Blood God.

Wilbur was Apollo.

He had been living with the syndicate this entire time. He had been with his family the entire time.

And they had fucking lied to him. Hid things from him, and now he fucking missed them and wanted them back so bad.

“Hmmm.. You’re being quite frustrating to wake up you know.”

A voice echoes around him.

“Unfortunately for you I’m not patient.”

A searing pain ran through his body as his eyes shot open.

Standing in front of him eyes fading purple was Royal.

The same man that had killed his best friend. He jerked to try and move to touch him but the pain only increased as he cried out in pain.

“Fucking hell!!”He screamed out as a tear slips down his cheek as he tried to register where he was. A solid white room. He wore a plain white t-shirt and elastic pants with grippy socks on. The biggest difference was the tightness around his throat. He sat strapped down to a surgeons table. An IV dripping something slow into him. Royal smirked pulling away as a door opened and the pain faded.

He tensed up as two familiar faces entered the room. The horned mayor of the city which now more than ever he wished had died that night for hurting Technoblade: Schlatt. And right behind him obediently standing his arms crossed was none other than the Puppeteer. Dream.

“You bastard!!!! What the fuck did you do to me!”

“I helped you Tommy. Saved you from the spell that your dear Brother Wilbur had you under.” Schlass smirked walking over to the table arms behind his back.

“You bastard!!!” He pulled against the restraints moving to turn them to something brittle like paper when the metallic band around his neck gave a hum before electricity ran down his spine and he screamed as the shock burned like hell. He panted heavily as he clenched his teeth together.

“Can’t have you escape so easily now can I? I have a friend too if you try anything with the ability of Nullification. It’s how I removed that nifty trick of Wilbur’s or should I say Apollo.”

Tommy glared at him catching his breath as he gather saliva in his mouth.

“Either way.. You can I are going to make great things Tommy. You’re my little project. My Philosopher’s Stone. You’re going to help with me goal. To make this city great again,”The man gave a sickening smile as he pushed Tommy’s hair out of his face as Tommy spits right at his face landing on his eye.

“Fuck you I’d rather die,”he hisses out as Schlatt growls and slaps him harshly across the cheek a whimper escaping from Tommy’s lips.

“Luckily for you I don't have the ability to bring you back this time… but don’t worry I’ll get creative,”Schlatt growled at him as wipes the spit from his face and wiped it off on something. “Royal.. Make him regret his decisions for a little bit will you?”

The man smirked. “This is for putting me in the hospital Bitch.”

And that searing pain through his skull came back as he was forced to look into Royal’s eyes.

This was no good and Tommy didn’t know what to do.

He wasn’t so sure his family could save him from Schlatt this time.

Chapter Text

Tommy got to know two new people in his life very intimately.

Royal and a new man by the name of Eryn.

Royal was Schlatt’s go too manipulator as he was forced to look at the man and his eyes pried open so that he could be tortured as needed. And if he wasn’t around it was Eryn. Eryn had the ability of nullification. No abilities worked when they touched someone. They were the one that Schlatt like to go a lot as well. To stop Tommy from trying to turn someone to something or just injure them even.

Tommy tried to escape a lot. Time passed weird and he was losing track of how many days he had been here. Every day was the same. Wake up. Let them run their experiments. Eat something. Sleep. He didn’t get the luxury of free time anymore. It was just training and tests. All under the watchful silent eye of Dream. Or Schlatt or the dozens of fuckers who worked here. He was constantly monitored. Constantly Watched.

“Wakey wakey,”Royal’s voice rang out as he banged on the door outside. Tommy let out a low growl as he stood up. He had dark circles underneath his eyes and still healing lacerations from the past week of his training. Training was what they called it.

Manipulation and Torture was what he called it. He refused to eat his first week of being here until they strapped him down and forced him to eat. He refused to do anything too. He got away for that for a little bit but Schlatt found out and didn’t hesitate to use his fancy little shock collar on him until he obliged.

He was being worn thin.

“Come on my friend we have places to be. Things to do, yes?”He smirked as he opened the door walking inside and grabbing Tommy’s arm forcefully as he stumbled next to him.

“Fuck you,”He mumbled.

“Ever as talkative are we?”

“Only for you Royal.”

“Awww thanks mate!” Royal let out a dark sickening laugh. They walked through the now familiar hallways to a room. Completely sealed off other than the glass window. The walls were a bright white. The floors, linoleum. Probably for easy cleaning. And from the blood stains in the room his theory was being proven correct.

“You’re late today Royal..”

“Yeah yeah but I got him here. I’m a hero too you know. Ever since you’ve taken a step down here someone has to fucking stand up to cover patrols you know.”

“Fine. Let me know next time or we’re going to have problems….”

“Yeah yeah whatever string bean.” A scoff from Dream at this one. Tommy looked at the glass managing a smirk.

“I like that, String bean?” Tommy laughed. “Sounds fucking wonderful for a bastard like you Dream.” A small warning shock came through the collar. Tommy was getting used to thoughs.

“You don’t scare me you fucking piece of shit. But alas, we’ve been through this before haven’t we? So what the fuck is it today?” Tommy walks up to the glass slamming on it. “Changing doors into obsidian. Summoning diamonds. Turning cars into plant matter. Summoning your mom-- oh wait whoops. Sorry forgot. You never had one.”

A laugh came from Royal sitting on a couch behind him.

Tommy stiffened as he saw a small smirk. “Oh no, something much better Tommy…” Dream leaned forwards a little to look at him before pressing a button.

Tommy turned towards the metallic door in front of him. “This is something I’ve personally watched you do before Toms..”

In walked a person. Maybe mid 50s. Long tangly white hair in an orange prison jumper. No.

Panic rose in his chest as he backed up shaking his head. He wasn’t fucking doing this.

“I think you know what you need to do Tommy…”

“No no no fuck no you fucking shithead!” Tommy yelled. “I’m not doing what you want me to.”

“Do it Tommy.”

“NO!!” He screamed moving and slamming his fist against the glass. A small crack splintering out as Tommy’s hands glowed red. But electricity ran down his spine as he screamed and collapsed.

“Prisoner 149,”Dream’s voice rang out. “Kill him and you’ll be absolved of all your crimes.” The prisoner halted looking from the glass to Tommy who held his neck shakily looking up at him.

“I’m sorry kid…”the old man mumbled before walking to him kicking him hard in the chest. Tommy didn’t move.

“And Tommy. Actions have consequences,”Dream smirked as another small figure was brought into the room. A child. “You know what you need to do.”

Another kick to his stomach as Tommy gasped out. No. Dream would never stoop so low, would he? He wouldn’t.

Another and Another and the man kept kicking him and even as Tommy felt ribs break he didn’t want to move. He felt hot tears slipping down his cheeks as he grabbed the guys foot yanking it up to unbalance him.

“I’m so sorry..”he whimpered out to the man as he hit the ground with a solid crack resounding through the room. Tommy felt the energy at his fingertips as he slowly took a deep breath and slammed his eyes shut.

Screams began to echo through the room as the prisoner screamed as his leg was slowly turning to wood. The substance spreads out from Tommy’s hands to cover the body. The man desperately kicking at Tommy’s head, and he ignore the pain as much as possible. In only a minute the screams stopped. And Tommy opens his eyes horrified at the wooden lifelike statue in front of him with a desperate and terrified look across his face. Tommy killed him. He knew he had hurt people before and maybe killed a few but he didn’t see their faces. He had never actively personally killed someone. Only by the consequences of his actions.

But now.. .now he was rethinking everything he had done in his anger. Seeing this mans face like this. He was dead. He pulled away pushing himself to the back of the room memories mixing and jumbling. He’d done this before. Killed someone like this. Holding his head tightly he squeezed his eyes shut, tears slipping down his face. Panic filling his lungs as he couldn’t breath and he felt sick. Bile rising in the back of his throat.

If this had been back then… He knew he would feel his mom’s warm arms around him pulling close. That she would hold him tightly and quietly whisper that he was safe with her. That she would always be there to protect him.

But he knew she could never save him from this anymore. She was gone. Killed long ago by the man he was entrapped by.

“No.. why. No. how could I--”

No one would be here to comfort him this time. Dream had made sure of that.

No one was going to find him.

He wasn’t sure he was going to get out of here alive anymore.

~~~~~~~

After the man.. Tommy wasn’t sure what happened. He felt a prick in his arms and things went quiet around him.

But now he laid in his cardboard bed jerking awake breathing heavily trying to understand where he was. He held his head slowly looking around. It was the same room he’d been in since Dream threw him in here. Not that he got much time to himself before the door opened.

“I thought you were awake.” Eryn. The one with Nullification abilities.

“Come to say hello again then?”

“Schlatt has need of you Tommy,”Eryn shrugged and chuckled a bit motioning for him to get up. Tommy frowned but stood up. He was still shaky but stood even as Eryn walked over and slipped the shackles over his wrists and grabbed his arm to guide him through the hallways.

Schlatt was a bastard. Tommy hadn’t seen much of him but he understood what Schlatt wanted from him well enough. He wanted to use Tommy as a weapon. A bank. A forge. Someone who could create anything they needed. Someone who could summon weapons and money out of thin air. But the most important thing to Schlatt was Tommy’s blood.

He wished he had never found out, but his blood apparently was special. It had the most similar properties to Godling blood. Schlatt wanted to make more super soldiers. Like dream. Like Wilbur, Techno and himself were supposed to be.

“Tommy!!! My boy!”Schlatt smirked. A glass of whiskey sitting on his desk as he reeked of alcohol. Eryn pushed him inside. “Sit we have things to talk about.” Tommy shoots a glare at Eryn but moves and sits down. Eryn simply closed the door behind him. Tommy knew though that the man stood right outside of it. Waiting to be called back in at any moment.

Tommy glared at Schlatt. “What do you want you old bitch.”

“Ow such harsh words for the man that helped make you who you are!!”

“A villain? Seems likely since that’s what you are too.”

Schlatt grabbed his drink, taking a sip seemingly ignoring the words Tommy said. “I have wonderful news… You’ll be so glad to hear it.” The man pulls out a file and sets it down in front of Tommy.

He frowned and hesitated but pulled it closer opening it up. The more he flipped through the more he wanted to sock Schlatt in the face. Not only where there files on babies going to be given up for adoption. There were notes on 2 year olds, 13 year olds. It started from the youngest and he saw one subject at 29.

“No…. what the fuck are you doing!”He breathed out eyes wide. “They’re going to die!”

“For a good cause Tommy. We must protect this city don’t we? Especially from your nuisance of a little family. If we have more super soldiers in the hero ranks we won’t even need the hero system anymore. They can just patrol the city for them. Most of the heroes are just lucky. But we won’t need luck for these people.”

“I was the only one who survived out 50 babies you kidnapped!!”

“You’re special Tommy! I’m sure some of them are too.” Tommy threw the file back at him as the papers went everywhere. The man sighs and shakes his head. “Such a trouble maker Tommyinnit.” He leaned forwards on his desk. “Let me be clear about one thing. There is nothing you can do to stop me from my project Tommy. I’m going to offer you to come with me. This is your last time. Serve me. Work with me! I can offer you everything.”

“You only offer Slavery,”Tommy hisses leaning forwards his hands beginning to glow red as he stands up. “I’d rather die than work for you!”

“I can arrange that. I have in the past and I can arrange it again. Unfortunately you’re too valuable to me alive right now, so instead I’m just going to break you.”

The door opened and Eryn walked in placing a hand on Tommy’s shoulder. His abilities washing over Tommy as his powers faded at his finger tips.

“Eryn.. yes hand him back to Royal and Dream. He’s not going to be sleeping for a little bit. Call Sandman down here while you’re at it. I think we have some things to do.”

Tommy fought Eryns grip.

“I’m going to fucking make you pay Schlatt!! If it’s the last fucking thing I DO!!”

Chapter Text

Sapnap knew things had been off. Unsettling even for the past 6 months. The syndicate went dark. Dream was barely seen. Schlatt was coming by the Hero tower more and more. Fuck even George was gone more doing whatever. Something was wrong.

There was something in the lower levels of the building that they didn’t want to be seen, and he knew he had to find out. It was getting hard to manage with the crime rates going up with the mysterious disappearance of the Syndicate. They seemed to be looking for something when they were spotted and were gone by the time a hero showed up on scene.

Sapnap was in his civilian clothes smiling as he walked to the elevator in the middle of the night. He had already seen dream go back to his floor and Schlatt was gone. This would make things much easier. He swiped the key card from Schlatt, the fucking drunk. As he entered the elevator button he pressed the basement.

“Please swipe access card,”the electronic voice rang out as Sapnap swiped Schlatts card.

“Welcome back to the Philosopher’s Project Mayor Schlatt,”and the elevator moved. Sapnap frowned. The Philosopher’s project? What the fuck was that. Sapnap frowned. This couldn't be good. Then the doors opened and Sapnap walked into the empty darkened hallway. There seems to be a few people mulling about but they didn’t even pay much mind to him.

This seemed to be a research facility. There were empty containment rooms. Then there was one that seemed to be live in but no one was in there at the moment. He walked through the hallways still avoiding people as he saw people in labs testing something? He heard people talking and tensed before quickly running into the next room he saw. He froze at the next sight in front of him.

A young teenager sat in a room with dark circles under his eyes. He looked half conscious as he was nursing his right arm. In the room sat various statues across from him all of varying sizes and shapes and materials. There was marble. Stone. Wood. Crystal. At least 8. One even appeared to be made of gold. There was a small clipboard sitting on the desk.

Sapnap grabbed it reading the name.

“Tommy Innit Craft. Test Subject 4. Codename: The Philosopher’s Stone, Nickname: The Alchemist”

He looked in horror upon seeing the name.

The alchemist.

This was who the Syndicate was looking for.

Then a timer went off and the boy tensed up as a voice rang out as another door on the right side opened.

“Stop please…”The kid, Tommy, whimpered out as he grabbed his hair frustratedly tears slipping down his cheeks.

A prisoner entered the room in their orange jumper.

A recording of what was definitely Schlatt’s voice rang out. “Kill the kid and you’ll have your freedom Prisoner.” The prisoner smiled as Sapnap watched what followed.

As the prisoner walked over a sickening smile across their face Tommy weakly stood up. He leaned heavily on the wall. The man punched him across the face and then in the gut as Tommy doubled over letting out a small cry. But Tommy grabbed his wrist and in horror. The man turned to solid steel. Tommy collapsing once again letting out sobs…..

Oh my god. What were they doing to him. Was this why the syndicate was quiet? He knew he couldn’t do anything now. Too many heroes in the tower. He wouldn’t get a second chance at saving him, especially if Schlatt was involved. So he ran out the doors and through the hallways he entered. He had some one to meet as he pulled out his phone to call someone.

“Quackity…. I need your help.”

~~~~~~~~

“Sapnap calm down,”Quackity spoke gently as they sat in his office in the Las Nevadas Casino.

Fire licked from his hair in anger and frustration. “No there is no calming down! I saw what they were doing to this- this kid! He was being forced to kill against his will!”

“You mentioned that Sapnap. But nothing else. Who was the kid. Where were you. Start from the beginning what’s going on?” Quackity gently walked out from behind his desk. His beanie was on his head and he looked like he had just woken up. Shirt unironed only half tucked into his trousers held up with a belt where he normally opted for suspenders. He was wearing little slippers with wings on them.

Spanap took a deep breath running his hands through his hair calming down the flames. “Everyone has been fucking weird! In the tower, out the tower. The syndicate’s gone dark. Dream’s missing half the time and crime is on the fucking rise! Even you’ve been distant from me!”He exclaimed. “Karl’s gone off on one of his escapades again and it’s all so fishy.”

“Okay…”The man tried not to look so hurt at his words. “Go on.”

“So Schlatt’s also been visiting the tower a lot and on his way out today he was drunk so I- So I stole his key card to the basement where he’s been…”

“Look at you getting some balls.”

‘Not the time Quackity.. So I went down there to check it out and-and when hiding from some guards scientists. I found this separate room looking onto a kid. He looked exhausted and tired and barely standing and injured and then as it turned the hour a prisoner was let into the room. He turned them to solid steel it looked like. Forced him to kill.”

“Okay….” Sapnap could see the mild concern now in the mans eyes.

“They’re doing something to him! I don’t know what! But as I picked up a clipboard and read it I um saw something. The kids name and his nickname. His nickname was the Alchemist. And judging from the powers I think we’re talking about the same one that stabbed Sandman.”

“Are you positive that it was Alchemist Sapnap…” Quackity said very slowly moving and grabbing his phone. “Like 110% sure….”

“Yes…”Sapnap nods slowly. “I am very positive.”

“Go get your backup suit from my closet, now,”Quackity said sternly already dialing someone.

“Why?” Sapnap frowned.

“Because it’s time you find out about my 2nd job.” He puts the phone up to his ear.

Sapnap tensed at his next words.

“Hey Thanatos… I have a lead on Tommy. I’ll be at the hideout in 20 minutes, and I’m bringing a guest.”

His fiancé was a villain….

~~~~~~~~

The turn of events aside, Sapnap wasn’t going to push the whole villain thing. There was something bigger going on and he wasn’t risking the safety of a kid. Villain or not. Currently he stood awkwardly at the end of the table. The Syndicate sitting in front of him plus the addition of the city's vigilantes. They had just proceeded to speed and catch him up on the issues and why the kid was so valuable.

“So the hero association has been experimenting on humans for over how many years now?”He just wanted to clarify.

“20 years.”Thanatos nods from his end of the table. It was weird to be face to face with them all and not trying to arrest them. Though he was sure they all wanted to hurt him due to his job.

“I have his location, and I have Schlatt’s key card,”he throws it down on the table. Chernobyl moves and grabs it examining it.

“I think we can replicate one of these pretty easily, right Dadaelus?” The other nods.

“So we have his location, what do we do now then?”The pharaoh spoke up.

“We plan,”The Blood God said simply standing.

“We sharpen our blades and we fight,”Obsidian smirked.

“I actually have some ideas about that,”Sapnap spoke up. “It’s not going to be fun and we will have to have people on patrol to save civilians… but I think I have a plan.”

“Give us your plan then Firestorm…’

“You have the ability again to make people do anything you say right?”

“Yes…”Apollo spoke softly, sitting up looking at him.

“Then let’s make a crowd for Dream and Schlatt and out them for the monsters they are.”

“I like your ideas, Firestorm…. We could make a Villain out of you yet…”

“But you’ll need help with the heroes…”Another voice speaks up and appearing from the shadows of the room was Karl, or Time Turner.

“Where the fuck have you been!!!!”

“Places…. But I’m here to help,”he puts his hands up.

“Fine.. then let’s go save Tommy shall we?”Sapnap smiles brightly.

“And let’s burn this fucking committee to the god damn ground.” Apollo adds.

Chapter Text

How long had Tommy been awake before he was allowed sleep? He had no idea. His thought was about 6 days? Had it been more? Or less? He had no idea.

He had passed out at some point unable to hold himself up any longer. But now he was woken up… again. He knew it couldn’t have been enough sleep because even as the alarms blared in his ears he was barely registering anything. Even as he was grabbed roughly and thrown over someone's shoulder.

He was thrown back into consciousness from the rough walking. He saw the floor beneath him and the familiar end of a sword. Dream.

Dream had him right now.

“Wh..t” He mumbled out dazed and very confused on his surroundings still.

“Hello Tommy. Waking up finally? You were out for a bit,”A dark chuckle came from his lips. “Well, I guess you were also awake for a while too weren’t you?”

“F-f-f..k you,”he mumbled out blinking and squeezing his eyes shut trying to be more coherent. The lights were off but it was so loud and red lights flashed through the hallways.

“Don’t worry we’ll be to our arrival destination soon enough. We just have some unwanted visitors so I am making a call on something.” The man hummed before they arrived in another sterile white room. He flipped the lights on to reveal a doctor’s chair and various things strewn about the room. Dream practically tossed Tommy into the chair. He fastened his arms and legs down as Tommy was now becoming painfully aware of his surroundings as the restraints bit into his skin. Eryn came into the room seconds after Dream finished this.

“Eryn you’re here good..”

“Schlatt said we need to get out of here with him while we can!”

“Fuck Schlatt I’m going what he never could,”he growled before looking over at Tommy. “We’re taking the blood and getting out of here.”

“But Schlatt--” Dream cut him off as he grabbed him by his throat and slammed him against the wall.

“You’re fucking with me or against me Eryn… decide. NOW.”

“With-With you,”He choked out as Dream let go and Eryn paused to take a few deep breaths before walking past him to get into the cabinet. Tommy fought against the restraints even more.

“Dream what the fuck are you doing!”He cursed out as he watched Eryn cut his sleeve off and got things ready to draw some blood, but the amount of bags he grabbed.. They were planning on taking it all.

“You’re going to shut the fuck up Tommy,”Dream hissed out. “I’ve killed you so many times. I’m finishing it once and for all this time.” He unsheathed his sword as he shut the door standing guard as he felt a needle go into his arm hissing at it.

“Fuck you! Let me go you fucking pieces of---”

“SHUT UP!!”

“NO! If you’re killing me then I’m going to fucking make it hell for you Dream!”

“You little--”

“You are a narcissistic asshole who’s been a pawn his entire fucking life! You’re not even a good pawn! You’re a pawn that’ll get thrown away to the other side as soon as it’s most valuable!” He watched the blood flow from his arm slowly into the first bag. The alarms still blaring outside. “You think you’re the number one hero?” He laughed borderline insanely. “You’re nothing, you never were anything, you never will be!”

Dream slapped him across his face as Eryn backed up, and for one moment in time Eryn let go. And he turned his restraints to ashes moving to punch dream across his face.

“ERYN!”Dream yelled as the man quickly moved and placed a hand across his shoulder as Dream moved to hold him down as Tommy laughed maniacally. Blood still flowing as Eryn held down his other arm. A slow trickle of blood slowly falling down Dreams face and off his chin. He couldn’t even hide that behind his mask. Tommy had done some damage. He smirked at that.

“I was always more than you were Dream… Think about it. Schlatt’s been so obsessed with me since I was created! You were nothing over me! You still are nothing over me! He wanted you to save me! Because I’m more valuable than him! Than you! I always have and always will be,”He laughs as Eryn motions for dream to change the bags for him as he moves to hold down both of his arms. Dream also moves to use the string he created from touching objects to tie him down. It bit into his skin even more painful than the restraints.

Then all of them stopped and paused right where they were as there was a knocking from the door. A calm knocking. An unnerving knocking. Dream looked at the two as he grabbing his sword. The door snapped off its hinges moments after narrowly avoiding dream who simply got out of the way.

“See I thought someone was home,”Came a gruff familiar voice. Long pink hair. Familiar hogs mask. Extra ass cape. It was Technoblade. He was saved.

“TECHNO!!” Tommy screamed out in relief.

“Keep him there,” Dream hissed out to Eryn who nodded in slight fear. Dream swirled his sword moving to swing at Techno who readied his battle ax. Techno smiled. Tommy could see his bloody footprints. He wanted to feel bad for the scientists but also… he had been tortured by them. By Dream. By Schlatt.

Metal on metal as Techno swung and swung at Dream and Dream retaliated against. Techno moving just too slow and catching a nick on his face as Techno growled and got a small slice on his arm. They were evenly matched. Two of the best fighters in the world. Unless Techno used his ability he would not be able to completely overpower Dream. They needed a distraction and Seeing Techno gave him hope. As tired as he was from the blood being taken from him he took a breath closing his eyes. He’s broken through people’s gifts before. He could do it again. He blocked out the metal on metal sounds. The slow dripping of his blood. The alarms. The humming of the air filter. He blocked it all out until he was silent.

And he saw Eryn’s power around him. Eryn’s power wasn’t nullification. It was force fields. Keeping someone's power contained as long as they were touching them. Which meant he could break through it.

“Let me go!” He yelled out as the red energy surrounded him in a flurry shattering Eryn’s abilities as Tommy changed the strings to ash and grabs Eryn’s arm. “I’m sorry.”He whispers and then… Eryn was gone. Their body collapsed into a pile of ash on the floor. It distracted dream for just one moment, but that was all Techno needed to kick Dream into the metal cabinet behind him bringing his ax down on his shoulder causing the other to cry out in pain as he collapsed on the ground. Dream managing to grab his sword and slashing it across the others leg just before Techno slammed his foot on Dreams head.. a piece of his mask cracking and breaking off to the side. The man appearing unconscious. Or dead. Tommy didn’t know, and to be frank. Tommy didn’t care as he almost brought Techno to the ground as he hugged him tears slipping down his face.

“TECHNO!”he cried out hugging him tightly before he felt the others strong arms wrap around him.

“I’m so sorry we lied to you tommy. Hid things from you.”

“You saved me, I don't care about any of that shit right now! Let’s get the fuck out of here!” Tommy whispers as Techno opens his mouth before nodding slowly.

“Yeah let’s get you out of here kid.” Techno ruffles his hair as they slowly make their way out of the lab leaning on one another. Slowly the adrenaline fading and exhaustion setting in from what he just did. Techno was limping badly. They were injured but they were together.

But as they rode the elevator up and went outside Tommy’s eyes widened.

The city sat on fire. Hero and villains fighting among the chaos. Golden musical notes floating through the night sky all converging at one location. The Hero Committee tower. And though it was faint he could see how Wilbur glowed a golden color in his Apollo outfit. A mass of people with glowing eyes around them as he stood there arms spread out reciting a song, no-- a spell.

This was the true power of Apollo, of Wilbur Soot, of his brother.

His brother since he was born. Villain or just Wilbur.

“So come, one and all to see the apathy!

The rings of gray stencils that fill the tapestry~

I look to all of you and see a different fucking species

Aspiration for a different destination to me

Across the Pennines, thin blue line, a knife and a mall

Would do something, if it wasn't also half my fault

'Cause I'm so high, my brain can't even look at the fall

And when you've reached the top there's nowhere else to go but”

“Fall…”Tommy whispers as they make eye contact from the far distance. Barely visible. But he didn’t have to see him completely to see his smile. The glee of his abilities as he was suddenly next to Tommy. Wilbur smiles and hugs Tommy.

And admittedly he cries. He hugs Wilbur so tightly and desperately as if he would never see him again. Wilbur’s magic fading from the air around them as the golden musical notes began to fade as the crowd very slowly was coming to again wondering where they were and what was going on. Tommy cried into Will’s shoulder as he gently rubbed his back.

“I’m here Tommy, for you. Now and until the end of time.”

“And I’m here for you Wilbur. You’re my big brother how could I not?”He laughed a little bit as there was a dark chuckle as the masses parted.

Walking towards them was Schlatt clapping slow.
Wilbur growled as he moved to push Tommy behind him but unfortunately for Wilbur, Tommy didn’t move. He was just as angry at the man as the other too. Techno readying his Ax. They all stood ready to tear the man to pieces.

“What a performance Apollo!!!”The man smirked as the crowds back away from the villains even more. “Or should I call you by your real name? What was the name Kristin choose again? Oh right.”

The crowds began to whisper.

“Wilbur Soot.”

Wilbur tensed at hearing the man say his name again. He handed Tommy his guitar for a moment as he pulled a gun from his jacket and pointed it right at Schlatt. His mask fading off his face as he pressed the green like pendant on his neck.

“How surprising Schlatt… I was hoping I would find you. If only so I could kill you for TORTURING MY BROTHER!” he yelled at him holding his gun steady. The man nods slowly as he pulls out a crossbow. What looked to be an explosive bolt at the end Tommy’s eyes widened. No. Neither one of them could fire. Schlatt deserved worse than death.

“Wilbur don’t--” But the man didn’t listen… as they both fired their weapons of choice. While their weapons were fast Tommy seemed to be faster in that moment as he ran in front of wilbur and his hands glowed a bright red. An obsidian wall appearing between them as the explosive detonated around them Tommy’s ears ringing. But the wall held. The wall protected them even as the crowds screamed.

He felt a pain in his shoulder blossom, and the ground Filled his vision moments after

Chapter Text

ommy knew what had happened. There was no avoiding the panicked scream of Wilbur as the man barely caught him as he collapsed to the ground. Wilbur’s bullet was in his shoulder. It wasn’t even his fault. Tommy was the one who got in the way of the other. He just knew how disastrous it would have been had Schlatt’s arrow hit them.

“Tommy! Hey buddy stay with me,”Wilbur whispers, pushing Tommy’s hair back out of his face as he was sweating profusely. A laughter echoing around them.

“I’m here,”Tommy whispers with a smile looking up at him. “I’m okay.. It just hurts.” He chuckles nervously.

“What a neat trick Tommy,”Schlatt’s voice rang out. “Too bad it won't save you for long.”

“Fucking hell,”Wilbur cursed out looking at Tommy applying pressure to the gunshot wound. “Techno!”

“Already on it,”the man swung unsheathed his sword from his best as he lays his battleax down by Tommy giving a smile. Tommy weakly smiled back as he watched him look at Schlatt just past the wall. He was about to move towards him but he had to narrowly avoid a sword flying right past him.

Wilbur, Tommy, and Techno turning their eyes to the source. A weak Dream stood at the door. His mask cracked and broken as blood trickled from a head wound on his forehead. A maniacal smile across his lips. Barely visible. The sword flew back into his hand as he pointed it at Technoblade.

“He’s mine Schlatt,”Dream hisses out as he begins to stalk forwards the other readying his sword.

“Wilbur,”Techno warned.

“Fuck! Yeah I know!” He yells out as he looks at Tommy. “I’m sorry..”

“Wilbur… can you sing for me to be healed?” The man shook his head.

“Then make me feel no pain and go take care of Schlatt. Make him pay. Let me help Techno…”

“That’s so fucking dumb Tommy!” He hisses out. “But it would work…”

“Where is Dad?”

“Taking care of the other heroes, he’ll be here soon I promise,”He smiles gently at Tommy. Wilbur pulls Tommy close to his chest as he whispers the words quietly into his ear as he feels the spell wash over him. “You will feel no pain.”

And Tommy felt immensely better. He knew he was still bleeding. He knew that, but he still moved from Wilbur’s arms and grabbed the battleax tightly in his hands. He twirled it looking at Wilbur.

“Shoot Schlatt in the face for me won’t you?”

“Run Dream through then in return yeah?”Wilbur laughed as he held up his fist to him.

Tommy moved to fist bump him. The brothers smiled before Tommy ran off to help Techno who was barely holding up a defense against Dream’s crazed attacks. Relentless. Forceful. Dream wasn’t expecting Tommy though.

Tommy had been trained by them all. He had the fierceness of Techno. The Agility of dream and defense of Wilbur. He was trained by the best after all. They wanted him to be the best.

“The little project joins the fray,”Dream hissed as he turns his attention to Tommy. Diverting most of his attacks towards the man, but unfortunately for Dream. Tommy was fast. He was skinny and tall but he could use it to his advantage as he ducks and avoids his attacks. Tommy’s anger slowly taking over the more he fought. Blade against blade.

“I am not your project anymore!”Tommy yelled as he slid under his blade standing up again to slam his foot into Dreams back causing him to stumble forwards. Techno was leaning heavily on his own sword but watched even as he got ready to rejoin the battle. Maybe he thought Tommy could handle it. Tommy didn’t know. Tommy didn’t care almost.

“You’re what I want you to be!”

“I am nothing to you!” Techno took his turn to hop in sliding underneath Tommy’s ax to land a clean slice to Dreams leg as he gasped falling to one knee. They both attacked at the same time against dream as he parried Tommy's blow and rolled out of the way of Techno’s. He looked at the two who had their weapons raised against him.

“Two against one Dream… surrender now while we’re merciful,”Techno hissed out sword pointed at him.

“He deserves no mercy,”Tommy glared at the man.

“He deserves to spend the rest of his life locked in prison..”Techno countered. “Don’t fall to his level Tommy. To my level. Don’t kill him.”

“And let you do it?” Tommy looks over at his brother,” no way!”

A loud gunshot rang out as Tommy and Tehcno whip their heads around to see who fired it.

Wilbur was breathing heavily underneath an unmoving Jschlatt. He shoves the body slowly off of him. Blood slowly pooling around his body.

“Schlatt is dead Dream!” Tommy retaliates turning back towards him. “You have no one to stand with anymore.”

“I stand for myself!”Dream hissed out as he shakily stood to his feet.

“You stand for power! That’s what you stand for.” Tommy laughed as his eyes began to glow a dark red. “You stand for abuse. Of manipulation.” He moves and disarms Dream knocking his sword out of his hand not too far away.

“I stand for choice.”

“You stand for nothing Dream. You stand for yourself. You deserve no mercy.” He moves to bring the ax down upon Dream but he was pushed out of the way as another blade met his.

A familiar blade. Techno’s blade.

“Tommy! Don’t do this!”He stood firmly in front of him. “Don’t kill him! You’re better than any of us ever were! Where is that Tommy now!”

“He killed MOM! He-He tortured me and forced me to kill people!” Tommy growled angrily as he pushed against Techno’s blade. But he knew. He knew he could never activel defeat the man, not if it turned to a real fight.

“But look at what you stood for!”

“All I stand for is gone!”

“Look around you Tommy! We’re your family! Stand for us! Don’t do this out of revenge! Killing him is not going to bring Mom back, or make up for the lives you were forced to take! I had no soul left to save by the time I was your age. Don’t make the same mistakes Wilbur and I made Tommy. You’re heart is good and you are so kind Tommy.”Technoblade smiles gently as he loosens his grip on his blade for just a moment. He could have taken that moment to push forwards and kill dream but instead he waited. Technoblade pulled off his mask and threw it off to the side.

“Techno I--” He hated how right the man was. The color from his eyes fades as his older brother gently lowers his weapon for him.

“You’ve been through a lot Tommy… it’s okay if it’s a lot. But you don’t have to take anymore lives. You should have never had to. “Techno moves and rests a hand on Tommy’s cheek as the man gently leans into it.

“I’m sorry Techno I’m- I’m so sorry,”He whimpers out.

“Tommy it’s okay,”Techno smiles.

Then a scream comes from Wilbur.

“TECHNOBLADE!”

Tommy’s heart lurches as he watches a sword go through Technoblade’s stomach. The man looking down in shock. He freezes as everything around him seems to slow down. Technoblade looks back up to him eyes wide before he coughs and blood trickles slowly from his mouth before Dream yanks the sword back and Technoblade collapses. Tommy barely catching him.

“Techno? Techno?” Tommy whimpers out as his hands begin to shake.

“Tommy…” Technoblade whispers out.

“Techno!”Tommy whispers as he painfully moves and tried to drag Tehcnoblade away from Dream who laughs darkly moving to stand up to follow after him. But not before a large set of midnight black wings appeared. A darkened scythe standing tall.

“Zeph-Zephyrus!” Dream stutters. “I thought-- you were supposed to be DEAD!”

“And you killed my wife.”

Tommy stopped paying attention after that as Techno’s hand grabbed his forcing something into it. A key…

“Techno?”Tommy whispers as he lets go of the man grabbing his cloak to move and press against the wound to stop him bleeding. “Techno there’s so much blood!”

“Oh come on Tommy….”He whispers with a smile across his face. “I’m the blood God for a reason!” He manages a breathy laugh before it turns into a cough blood spilling from his lips.

“Techno… no. Please no. No. I can’t loose you too!”

“Technoblade never dies Toms. Never,”the man whispers. “But sleep does sound nice right about now.”

“No. no. no. no. no. no. no. no. Don’t close your eyes. Techno? Techno don’t close your eyes. Hey! What’s this key for? Techno?” Tommy’s hands are shaking as he looks at his blood covered hands.

Then he looks at his brother. Blood tickling from his nose and lips.

Red eyes unmoving. Unblinking.

“You-You promised we would play yhat piece again Techno…”Tommy whispers out his voice cracking. “You-You promised we would play it again just you and I.” He grabs Techno’s hand. The warmth already fading.

“No please.”

“Please no.”

“I need you to beat me in mario kart again.”

“To chase me around the house.”

“To read to me as I fall asleep.”

Tears slipped down his cheeks. “Please don’t leave me….”

“Please.”

Wilbur tripped over his own feet as he hit the ground next to Tommy hard. Schlatt’s blood covering himself. “Technoblade?”

Wilbur shook his body. “Hey.. Techie! This isn’t funny! Wake up…”

“Technoblade wake up please.”

Tommy stared at the body holding the key close to his chest. He didn’t move as tears rolled down his cheeks, and he broke out into sobs. Heartbroken wailing that everyone could hear as the sun began to rise even as the sky began to cry.

Maybe mother nature could feel his pain. Maybe there was more to whatever was going on. Nothing could make up for dream killing Techno. Nothing. Wilbur stared. He stared for a while even as he pulled Tommy close to his chest and held him tightly staring into his brothers eyes. Hair sticking to his forehead as it began to rain. People clearing from the streets as policemen arrived.

Phil….

Phil walked over gently kneeling down as he shut Technoblade’s eyes. Very gently. He dug his nails into the concrete a little. Quiet sobs coming from the once great hero. Every war had a price. Tommy didn’t know it would be this.

Tommy had hoped it would never end up like this.

Tommy never wanted this to happen again.

And he was angry. And frustrated and he felt so helpless.

But his brother was dead.

And to put it Simply.

Tommy didn’t know what to do.

Chapter Text

Song recommendation for this chapter

The craft household was silent following the death. Policemen came by to request documents from them. Phil hadn’t been home much dealing with the aftermath of what they had done. Tommy had found out what had happened from Wilbur one night over dinner. Not like they talked to each other. Tommy was processing. Anger and betrayal bubbling in the back of his mind that threatened to overflow with any interaction between him and his elder brother.

But Wilbur had told him.

After Firestorm found him he went to the Dealer to get help. The dealer in turn brought him in and they devised a plan.

Firestorm would set part of the city on fire to cause the Heros to be needed. Small fires centralized on the abandoned city blocks. The entire idea was a distraction. Allow the time for Wilbur and Technoblade to sneak in. Technoblade would sneak in as Wilbur would summon everyone he could to watch as Technoblade would save Tommy and show how bad of a person their number one hero was.

It worked.

Even if a bit too well.

Tommy hadn’t gone near any of Techno’s things. The key hung around his neck like a paperweight. Sitting there reminded him of what he lost. He hated it. He traced it repeatedly every night before he tried to fall asleep. Of course they were only filled with nightmares and ended up on the rooftop away from everyone. That was until tonight.

Tonight there was someone else up there waiting for him.

Wilbur sat smoking a cigarette. Dark bags under his eyes. Not that they all didn’t have dark bags. He wasn’t sure his dad had even slept in his bed since the Fall of the Committee. That’s what they were already calling it. Tommy walked over slowly and took a seat next to him. Wilbur was quiet but pulled out the pack of cigarettes and slid it slowly to Tommy with the lighter on top. It was Techno’s lighter. Tommy knew Techno never smoked but he liked to mess with a lighter every so often. He assumed Wilbur took it from the body when it was exhumed. They had all decided that Techno would prefer to help others in his afterlife so his body was cremated and turned into a small pod that would go into coral reef blocks to help promote sponge growth.

Still Tommy moved and grabbed one lighting it.

“I think… we should talk,”Wilbur begins slowly.

“Techno’s dead. There we talked…”Tommy mumbled looking down at the city street. The lamp flickering beneath them.

“That’s not what I mean…”

“Then what do you mean Wilbur?”Tommy snapped a bit at him. “The fact you all were villains and I saw you everyday and you didn’t think to tell me? Or the fact that you used a spell to hide all of my memories of you then acted like you didn’t know me? Or-or the fact that I only found out from Dad after one of my friends died! Or the fact that you were all lying to me the entire fucking time we had known each other!”

Wilbur went silent. “You have every right to be angry at me.”

“Oh my god not everything’s fucking about you Will!!”Tommy yelled exasperated as he rubbed his face with his free hand. Lit cigarette in the other. “Phil, dad whatever! He did the same fucking thing! I only found out because he slipped up! I’m mad at both of you! I’m mad that just no one told me anything! I don’t want things to be hidden from me anymore! I’m tired Will! So fucking tired.”

Wilbur was silent looking down at the ground. “I’m sorry Tommy… you’re right. We should have done things completely differently. You deserved to know everything. From the beginning.”

Tommy sighs as he takes a long drag of the cigarette. Wilbur chuckling out softly as he looks up at the sky quietly for a moment.

“What?”Tommy asks.

“Technoblade would have already kicked our asses by this point…”

“For what?”

“Are you kidding me? If he found out we had become hermits who never left the house he’d be furious with us…” This caused Tommy to chuckle.

“It would have driven him mad…”

“I’m hungry, how about you?” Wilbur looked over at tommy who snubbed out the cigarette.

“Potato feast?” Tommy asks with a gentle smile.

“Only the best, for Techno.”

“For techno.”

~~~~~~~

Phil woke up from his nap at 5 am. He was welcome with the overwhelming scent of grease and other various foods. He walked down the stairs to see just…. Everything.

French fries, mashed potatoes, Potato skins, Latkes, tater tots, potato soup.

How long had the two been at this?

They both looked equally as exhausted though as Tommy saw him come down the stairs. “Dad!”He smiled brightly as the man came down the stairs.

“Good um morning? Did either of you sleep?” Both of them shook their heads no and Phil only laughed gently at them. “Have any of us been getting sleep? What’s all this?”

“A feast,”Wilbur smiles.

“For Techno. He figured he’d be furious at us… so this is to make up for it.” Tommy chuckles a little.

“So you made…. A potato feast?”

Wilbur and Tommy looked at each other before nodding.

“To honor him,”Tommy nods firmly with a bright smile. God how Phil missed that smile. Tears pricking at his eyes as he walks over and pulled them into a hug. A long tight sorrowful hug.

“Then let’s eat,”He smiles proudly at them both as he pulls away. The two nodding quickly laughing.

~~~~~~

Tommy stood outside of Technoblade’s door for what seemed like the millionth time. The key heavy in his hand as he slowly put his hand on the handle and he opened it. It had been a month and a half since his death.

The room was simple and comforting. The walls lined with books and golden ornaments. Tommy gently running his fingers along the spine. He looked at the untouched desk. Techno’s Spectacles sitting neatly on them. Tommy reached out to grab them hesitating for a moment before grabbing them and putting them on.

He actually… he actually saw better with them on. Did he need glasses? He frowns and keeps on his brothers glasses as he looks around the room gently sitting on the neatly made bed. Techno was meticulous. Whatever this key belonged to would be hidden. He pauses and looks around. He stands up and begins to look around. Underneath the bed.Hidden pockets underneath drawers. Then as he was going through his closet he ran across a wooden box pushed into the far corner.

He gently dusted it off and pulled it down setting it down on the soft carpet of his room. Tommy pulled off the necklace and gently tried the key. He twisted it shocked to hear the small click of it unlocking. He opened the box slowly. Inside was what seemed to be a stack of letters. Neatly tied with twine and sealed with wax. All of them addressing… Tommy. There was another few items in there. Including a worn copy of the Art of War. As he gently flipped through the pages he realized it was annotated in his handwriting in red ink. Notes. Memories. Thoughts. Similarities. All hand written by Technoblade. He set it aside next to the letters he would have to eventually read. There was a small casset tape recorder. Tommy frowned looking at it before he hit the play button jumping as he heard Techno’s voice come across. All staticy but uniquely his.

“Fuck I don’t know why I’m doing this..” A pause. “So uh…. If you’re hearing this that means I am dead. Sorry I think? I hope I died honorably then. But a few things. I have put several things in this box. Most of them for Tommy. I hope that he can get a chance to see them some day.” Another pause. “Fuck this is odd. But We’ll start out with Phil. To Phil I leave a letter. Sealed in Green wax with a seal with wings on it.” Tommy paused it to find the letter looking at it as he set it aside. “And my books.. Of course. Next I guess I’ll do Wilbur. Wilbur also has a letter but his is sealed with blue wax with golden accents. I also leave him my violin and the written music sheet for the piece of music we wrote as kids.” Tommy paused and found Wilbur’s peices smiling gently at it setting them in their own pile. “Then Tommy…. Fuck I hope you’re listening to this. I hope by now we have you in our arms again. Safe. I’m sorry it has to be this way.. But knowing you. You’ve always been a stubborn and demanding kid. It was so endearing. To Tommy I leave the Orphan Obliterator. My Sword. The Peace Maker, my ax. And anything else you want to have. I wrote a letter to you each year you were gone Tommy. Each one written on your birthday. But I do have a letter for him too. Tommy’s letter is sealed in red wax. Fuck I don’t know what else to say? You guys live for yourselves. Wilbur… don’t push people away. Write your heart out and express it. Phil.. don’t drown yourself in work like you do. You have people that love and miss you when you do that. Tommy. I hope we’ve found you. I hope you find what you’re looking for in life.”

Another pause.

“Goodbye.”

Tommy looked a the recorder rewinding it just to hear his brothers voice again. Tears slipping from his cheeks as he cried again. Soft sobs coming from his lips even as he slowly moved to grab his own letter and he breaks the wax seal. He opens it.

“Dear Tommy,

The amount of times I’ve had to rewrite this letter and seal it in red wax is too many times to count. Everytime I rewrite this letter I miss you more and more as the years go by. I hope that you never had to read this rendition. I hope you got to be a kid. I hope you have a great life overall.

You’ve always been so special Tommy. Not even with your insane abilities. You’re heart was too kind. Too big even for your chest as Mum would put it. I just hope it doesn’t cause you too much heartache while reading this then. Tommy. I’m giving you my collection of golden ornaments. You can do whatever you please with them and I know Phil has a lot of money but I also know who stubborn you are. You won’t deny a dead mans wish. Use it for you.

If you want to go to college it should cover college. If you want to travel, then travel. If you want to donate it, donate it. I am giving it to you because I trust you with it. If you ask Dad about it he should be able to give you the directions you need and help you out.

I missed you Tommy. My little Tommy. My little brother who was so painfully stubborn and who could talk your head off about anything and everything. I’m sorry if I leave you too soon. I love you no matter what and nothing is going to change that. Nothing.

Till death do us part.

Take care of WIlbur and Dad for me Tommy. Dad will try and work himself to death and Wilbur tends to close himself off to others. Help them out for me, will you?

With your whole heart and apologies,

Technoblade”

Tommy closed the letter and took a deep breath as the door creaked open. Wilbur stood in the doorway looking a little out of it.

“I-I thought I heard Technoblade…”He whispers out quietly. Tommy shook his head no. He rewinded the cassette and handed it to Wilbur Along with his letter and the music sheet as he slowly moves to stand up.

He didn’t need the music sheet to play that piece as he finds himself in the office sitting at the grand piano. He closes his eyes as his fingers slowly begin to glide across the keys. The somber beautiful piece echoing through his head.

Memories of smiles and laughter and good times filling his head as he realized what he was. Through and through. He was a craft

Not just any craft though. He was the Youngest of three. The loudest. The most obnoxious and proudest. He stood up for the broken. He would continue to do so.

Because the Philosopher’s Project was gone. Once and for all. He may be the remnants of the project but that did not define him. It never did. He may have been desperate for answers once but now.

Now all he wanted was peace. The only thing he was desperate for was remembrance. To remember it all and never forget anything ever again, and to make sure people remembered it as well. Tommy was truly and genuinely happy. For the first time in his life. And he was ready for whatever came next, because the hero committee had fallen, and had left a mess in its place.

Sam had been right all along though.

Sometimes all you have left to do is Fall.

Chapter Text

“Tommy!”

“I know fuck! I’m late!”

“No shit really?”Wilbur crossed his arms as Tommy bolted past him before Wilbur stopped him grabbing his jacket. “You’re forgetting something Toms..” Tommy looked down.

Shit shoes.

“Right yup, be right back!” Tommy ran back up the stairs to his room, Techno’s old room. The books still in their places if only Tommy hadn’t added new ones so you could barely fit anything else on the shelves. Today was an important day.

He had his first day of College classes. Or well for his 2nd year of schooling that was. It had been three years since the fall of the Hero Committee. Dream was arrested and locked in Pandora’s Vault. Most of the Syndicate retired after the events as the Mayor was dead they held an election. A familiar face rose to the spot, the Captain. Turns out her name was Puffy and she was kind and was working with Phil to establish a power training program. Rather than control the powers out there the program would seek to help those gifted with abilities to help control and manage them. Phil was the head of the program, payment to his years of bad deeds as a villain.

Tommy visited Sapnap when he could the guy only got a few years in comparison to the others. Royal was put away for a very long time. Sandman was also put away for a long time due to his involvement in the program. Not everything was perfect since then. It was better.

“TOMMY!”Wilbur yells.

“Sorry!”Tommy quickly bolts back down the stairs laughing as Wilbur gets into the car Tommy next to him.

“Are you Meeting Tubbo and Ranboo there today?”

“Yes I am!”Tommy nods. “Ranboo though has Micheal with him so he’s just there for Tubbo.”

“I still can’t believe they won the court battle….”

“Oh trust me, me too. But Ranboo did save the kid. It makes the most sense. They’re married on paper anyways.”

Wilbur laughs.”I can’t believe they went ahead with that one too.”

“Oh trust me you and I both Wilby.” He smiles brightly as Wilbur drove him to the front of the old Hero committee building. Now the main center for the local college. Tubbo stood outside holding a maybe three year old boy playing with the kid in his arms.

“Be safe,”Wilbur warned.

“Hey you too, you have a gig tonight right?”

“Mhm.”

“Don;t get mugged again, hipster boy!” Tommy teased as he got out of his car.

“Fuck you Toms!”Wilbur yells out laughing at him before driving off. He jogs towards the trio.

“Hey guys! Hello Sir Micheal,”the Toddler smiles brightly.

“Uncle Tommy!!!!”He exclaimed making grabby hands for him as Tubbo laughs and slowly hands the child over to Tommy.

“How’s my favorite little man doing?”

“Good! Daddy says I can start preschool soon!”

“Wow! Really! That’s so exciting.” Tommy laughed gently looking at Ranboo. The poor guy looked desperate for a break.

“Tommy we’re gunna be late for our first class!”

“Shit yeah, Alrighty Mikey I’m giving you back to your dad now okay?” Micheal nods as Tommy hands him over to Ranboo.

“How’s the uh parent life treating you now?”Tommy smirked.

“Can you babysit him tonight? I think his powers are coming in and I think you’re the only one I trust to baby sit.” Ranboo asks as he holds Micheal close. “I have dinner with Mayor Puffy and Phil tonight about the new Power management classes. As well as a bunch of the new councilmen.”

“Ranboo, deep breaths babe,”Tubbo laughs softly rubbing his husbands back. “You’ll be fine.”

“Yeah no worries! I got you.”

“Great, thank you so much Tommy!” Ranboo looked so relieved as he turns to start heading home. Tommy remembered when he found out about Micheal. The only other living child from the experiments. They weren’t sure if he was given the blood so everyone wanted to keep him close. Since Ranboo found him and saved him in the labs Tubbo and Ranboo fought for the rights to keep him and be his parents. Especially as they were acting guardians until others could be found. They got attached.

He begins to follow Tubbo inside the building smiling as they enter. Ah yes the main attraction of the building standing in the center of the high ceilinged main hall. People taking selfies with the giant marble statue in the middle that held golden accents. Flowers nearly blooming around it in the soil beds installed below.

Standing proudly with his sword raised to the sky was Technoblade. A smile across his face as his long hair blew in the wind. Golden accented rings adoring his fingers. They didn’t hesitate to go all out for the statue. And Tommy didn’t have to read the plaque to know what it said.

“In memory of Technoblade Craft: May he never die.”

Years had passed and time had moved on but the Crafts never did let him die after all. Tommy was only on his second year of business classes but had used the money to start a non-profit called the Blade Organization. It promoted the importance of knowledge for all. Every year giving away thousands of books for free. Building libraries. Holding classes to teach people basic things, or fun things or important things.

Tommy knew what Technoblade meant to him. Despite being a villain for most of his life they had changed the narrative. Put it into a perspective for others to understand. Technoblade was a product of his childhood that never should have been.

A man turned to villainy to protect his life and what he stood for. Tommy was proud of what he had accomplished. He was excited for what was to come.

Whatever that ended up being.

“Tommy! We are going to be late! If you fall behind me one more time I swear to god!” Tubbo exclaimed.

“SORRY!”he yelled out chasing after his friend taking one last look at the statue.

He could have sworn he saw a crow standing on it even though he they were inside…..

Chapter Text

I am sitting here writing this and I have rewrote this more times I can count. Going over the fine details in my head with a fine toothed comb trying to register any  coherent words to comprehend what I watched. 

I do not believe that he is truly gone. He will live forever in our hearts, because Technoblade never Dies. 

And yes I know this is a dark topic but because this book means so much to me I felt as if i needed to speak on a few things. The first is very serious to me and very important. 

here’s what hurts my heart and several people who have read the story pointed it out to me. Weather as a joke or just being genuine and pointing out a correlation. Technoblade died. One pointed out joking that I had “predicted the future” when I wrote this. 

Another pointed out the way I described my statue was the exact way that the Hypixel art of Technoblade on a Pedestal pictured him. 

I hate these similarities. 

1)Because I never meant for there to be any at all. 

2) Technoblade is gone and despite writing the mourning process and the depictions of grief that I have…. Nothing could ever have prepared me for him to actually die. 

An unexpected result of these similarities is causing me to struggle really really badly with my already fragile mental health. I used to be an open book and since I started going to therapy I’ve tried to keep my personal problems down low especially on the internet. I go to therapy and because of Technoblade’s death I might have to move to weekly appointments. I am going to do what I need to do to take care of myself. 

Please do not point out the accidental similarities. The fact that this was finished with his death 4 months before he passed. While, I know I do not owe an explanation to you guys I am going to explain it so you may understand this better. 

I feel such immense guilt. 

It’s so dumb and I know nothing could have helped much with his battle with stage 4 cancer, but I feel as if I had some mildly fucked up role to play in his death. All logical reason within my soul tells me how stupid I sound but my heart hurts when I open up the google document knowing who dies every time without fail, every time I read this. I want to delete it. I am not going too though. I have come too far to give up now. Technoblade never loses. I am not going to loose. 

I am fighting my stupid fucking guilt but I can only do that if others can avoid bringing it up to me. I need time to mourn as we all do as a community as his family needs to mourn him. As his best friends need time to mourn him, we all need time. I know I killed him in this story. Please do not bring that up to me. I know what I did. I know. I live with the ideas every day, and will continue to do so. 

But, even with the guilt I do not regret my decision. The point of a characters death is to propel the protagonist. It did just that as Charlie did. And one thing I finally realized as I thought about this was my accidental moral of the story. The lesson I am trying to teach to you through my tale. I know on my discord I talk about the ideas of morality a lot, but upon looking at this book the entire time Tommy is grieving for something he never had…. 

A family. 

Grief comes in many forms and yes there are the stages but some skip steps or go back before they go forwards. You can portray grief in different ways. You see how Tommy portrays grief in different ways throughout the book. He mourns his lost memories. He mourns his simple life at a point. He mourns his once peaceful city that pushed him to become a villain. You watch as he fights to protect his family and how they protect him. 

The entire story is about grief and overcoming it and I think that says something about who we are as a fandom too. We will overcome this but please take your time to mourn. 

Technoblade in this piece of Fanfiction died protecting the one thing he had been searching for his entire adult life. His precious baby brother. He mourns the fact that they never got to be kids. He wishes they could have been kids. Technoblade turns his own grief of the missing childhood dilemma to his motivator. The man was angry and rightfully so, yet when Tommy is face to face with the man who turned the city against him and moves to kill him Technoblade is the one to interfere. I knew when writing this Charlie was going to die and for a while Technoblade wasn’t even supposed too. It was something I was struggling with but as I continued writing I knew I couldn’t just end it there. As I said before this story is about grief and though I didn’t realize it at the time… I needed a healthy coping mechanism for my own anger and grief of my own childhood. To loose something you thought wasn’t possible until it’s gone. Tommy lost his brother. His gentle rock who taught him piano. How do you cope with loosing that? How do you move on? 

Yes it is ironic that now Alex is departed from us…. 

Which leads me to my final two notes for this chapter. 

1. I will be writing a short story companion piece 5 years after chapter 25. The 5th anniversary of his death. It will be from Phil’s perspective and will go over his personal growth and journey with grief. I think it’s important especially with everything going on that I get these emotions out for not only myself but for others. I am not going to hesitate to lean into bad coping habits and you will see how Wilbur and Tommy lead him away from bad coping habits. I cannot promise you it won’t be sad because this piece will be written as a way for me to cope with MY grief. I just hope that in posting it, it might help you with yours. Keep an eye out for it I am not sure when I will get to writing it. 
2. I am planning on publishing this book. Now more so than ever. 

Me wanting to publish something I’ve written isn’t anything new. I keep a few characters names and keep quite a few personalities but I do also change a bunch to better fit the demographic of what I want and to diversity it. If you want to keep up with that and edits I am making please check out the discord server. This isn’t supposed to be a huge announcement, but when I publish this novel even in it’s rewritten format Technoblade’s counterpart still pulls from Alex’s characters personality traits and even some of his own. I am planning on dedicating the novel to him. 

Technoblade can never die if he’s immortalized in text. 

I would love to add personalized letters from to him at the back of the novel but it depends on the publishing company. I know I want him to live forever. It’s wha he deserves for all the good he’s put out into the world

Technoblade means so much to everyone. He will sit in our hearts forever. 

Remember that Technoblade never loses either. He merely ended his life with a draw against cancer. 

If you are struggling with your mental health during this time and feel you may hurt yourself or others please reach out to your nearest hotline. If you just need someone to listen please reach out to me via discord or instagram. I check them pretty regularly but I am also not a replacement for trained professionals. If you feel you need to seek help, please do this is a very emotionally fragile time for everyone.  

Here is a link to the international list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines  

Here are a few I pulled off the list: 

United States of America

Emergency: 911 Suicide Hotline: (800) 273-8255

Note-USA suicide hotline is changing to the three digit code it begins JULY 16, 2022 

Australia:

Emergency: 000 Suicide Hotline: 131114

United Kingdom:

Emergency: 112 Suicide Hotline: 0800 689 5652

Philippines:

Emergency: 911 Suicide Hotline: 028969191

Germany:

Emergency: 112 Suicide Hotline: 08001810771

Just know that we as a community are all grieving and it is important to remember that we will only be able to grieve as fans. Let the rest of the DSMP members and Alex’s Family mourn in private. Do not bother them about memorials or public appearances. Their grief is just as valid. Do not pressure them. 

Do not judge each other either. Some people may be taking this okay but others, like myself, might be taking this very harshly. Both are valid. Not reacting much to grief too is valid. 

Please just stay safe. Remember to take your medicine. Drink water, eat a snack. Don’t be afraid to call out of work if you need too. Grief can be a sickness. 

I love you all. 

I am serious. Writing this book has lead me to meet some amazing people and thank you so much. I hope you will continue to follow me on my journey, but I hope you continue to listen to yourself and watch as you grow on your own journey. 

I am going to head to bed now. 

Sleep well . 

Or Have a good day my love. 

Reach out to me if needed.