Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tommy POV

Alone. That’s what Tommy felt as the door of his mothers room banged violently as fear filled the 7 year old as he uncharacteristically cried in his mothers arms. A weird metallic smell filled his nose as he buried his face into his mom’s now tear-soaked shirt, leaning into her as she ran her hands through his golden blond hair and kissed his forehead continuously, something she usually did to calm him down, despite it not working very well right now. 

“It’s ok, it’s ok Tommy.” Tommy heard his mom say hushed reassurances as though everything was fine. “There’s no need to hide, you’re going to be ok…”

Tommy looked up to see his mom smiling as tears ran down her face. Through his fear, he just managed to let out a small “why?” And burried back into her shirt. That one word lead to so many questions that we’re left unsaid. ‘Why was this happening’ and ‘Why was she being so calm?’

These questions made Tommy think back to how just earlier this morning everything seemed to be normal. He woke up to his mother waking him up and him having breakfast with his mother, telling her what he was hoping to do today, just like he normally did every morning, hell he was even excited to go to school so he could see his friends Purpled, Freddy, Eryn and Aimsey… also to learn more swear words from his teacher Miss Minx, and some more fighting skills from Purpled’s older brother Punz, but he didn’t tell her about that part.

Everything was normal, until it all went to hell a few minutes later when someone with weird glowing red eyes broke through the front door, pointed something at his mom and made her cry like the wrong’un that that person is.

They were now hiding in his mom’s bedroom with the door locked. He was in his mother’s lap hugging her for a long time now (really like 10 minutes) more scared than he’d ever been in his life. His train of thought was stopped when his mother gently lifted his chin to look up at her and spoke again.

”Tommy, I may not have long so listen to me, ok?” Her voice and eyes that was usually soft was hard with seriousness which confused and scared the already fearful Tommy even more, but he nodded his head anyway, somehow knowing this might be important.

”Survive for me ok sunshine? Live your life and protect yourself and others like the big man you always tell me you are, Tommy the world is changing so remember where you come from.” She paused, her eyes softening as she looked at him, and her hand retreated to the heart locket necklace around her neck. She took the necklace off and put it around Tommy’s neck, burrowing it under his shirt. 

“And remember I love you with all my heart.”

This act made his tear-filled eyes widen. He was told so much by his mother that this necklace was a gift from his dad, a man he’s never personally met.

Despite this he’s seen the inside of the locket many times before: a picture of him and his mother smiling together in the hospital after Tommy got his arm cast off.

It was a happy memory. Both of them were excited for the cast to be off after a few months of having to dealing with a broken arm, and it was also a good picture despite Tommy not looking at the camera. The picture also showed how similar he and his mother looked, both having blond almost golden and sky blue eyes. A lot of adults Tommy met always told him that he looks like a mini version of her. 

Tommy was shocked that his mom would give him the necklace, staring at it in shock, almost forgetting the situation they were in with it weren’t for the quiet jiggling of the door handle. Suddenly he realised her body was becoming cold and the hands that were holding him up went limp. The world seemed to slow as Tommy looked up, the sight before him made him burst into more tears. Tommy was met with blank greyish-blue eyes, the light and comfort that was usually in his mothers eyes were gone as though it was never there in the first place.

”…M-mom?” Tommy said,not really caring about hit admittedly embarrassing tears and voice cracking , which is something he hated whenever it happened.

”M-mom, why are you like this…?!” Tommy now begged, neglected tears streaming down his face. “Please come back!”

Tommy was so caught up in getting his mother to at least talk to him that he didn’t notice the long, almost spider-like metal fingers grab him from behind. Feeling the paralysing cold of these hands, Tommy jumped, letting out a yell of surprise, screaming and squirming, fighting to get out of the rough, cold grasp of the man and to stay with his mother. This went for at least a minute before Tommy felt felt hard prick in his neck and he found the world around him going black, but not before seeing a glimpse of something glowing red and pink.

Drista POV

Everything was quiet in her Momma Puffy’s closet, besides the bangs that happened sometimes. Sitting on the floor in between the back of the closet and her older brothers Dream and Foolish, Drista was confused.

‘What’s happening?’ Was all that’s going through the 5 year olds mind as just this morning, she and her big brothers were having their Momma Puffy’s delicious pancakes as she coloured. This was before Drista was suddenly picked up by her big brother Dream and was hurried to the closet. Drista was now wondering 3 things:

1. Why is big brother Foolish and big brother Dream playing hide and seek with her now when most of the time they don’t wanna play? And also they’re playing it wrong because they’re all in the same hiding spot.

2. Why is there banging? Because whoever’s doing it is going to get in trouble with Momma Puffy.

3. Where is Momma Puffy? It’s been along time since she saw her (like an hour), last seeing her when she put her with her 10 and 14 year old brothers into the closet loooking scared, crying even and saying that she loves them. That was what started Drista’s confusion in the first place because why did everyone look so scared. 

Drista looked up to her brothers, who were both crying just like Momma Puffy was for some reason. Foolish was holding her at the back of the spacious but small closet, light green eyes flicking between her and Dream, who was peaking out of the closet doors, seemingly watching something. Curiosity winning her over, Drista finally asked. 

“What’s happening? Where’s Momma Puffy?”

This got Drista both of her brothers attention, looking down to her with both different and kinda scary expressions. Foolish looked down to her with more tears filling his eyes and held her more tightly than he already was. Dream opened and closed his mouth like he was trying to answer her question, his eyes looking wet with tears, before turning back to the door. ‘Ok seriously what’s with everyone and crying today?’ Drista can’t help but think, getting annoyed that everyone knew that something was happening and she didn’t know about it! Drista was about to complain before Dream turned to her and Foolish, eyes hard as he spoke in a quiet voice.

”I’m going to go check what’s happening, maybe even find out where Puffy is.”

Foolish snapped his head away from her to their elder brother, looking ready to yell at him.

”What?! No Dream you can’t, you might get hurt, or worse!” Foolish half whispered, half yelled at Dream, panic filling his tone.

Hurt?! Drista didn’t know or hear anything about Momma Puffy being hurt before while while in this closet! Even she felt tears building up in her eyes and Drista wasn’t even that much of a crier.

”Wait, is Momma Puffy hurt?!” Drista said, feeling scared for her Momma Puffy and wondering if they’ll get hurt as well. 

The moment she asked this both her brothers looked over to her again with those same scary, annoying looks as before which was admittedly starting to… what did Dream call it when he angry again? O( right, piss her off. Especially when Foolish started to reassure her that Momma Puffy is probably fine but Drista didn’t believe it. 

You see Drista, despite being 5 years old was actually told that she was fairly smart for her age, learning to walk, talk and read much earlier and better than others, so when Foolish said  that Dream might get hurt, she could only assume that Momma Puffy was also hurt.

Ignoring Foolish’s foolish (ha) attempts to comfort her, Drista through her tears looked up to Dream with the same hardness in her eyes that he had a few moments ago, wanting her question to be answered.

”Is. Momma. Puffy. Hurt.” Drista said, voice as hard as it could be for a scared 5 year old, as she and Dream started to have a little staring competition, refusing to look at Foolish as he went quiet, most likely watching them as well. Not that Drista cared right now, she needed to win this and get the truth.

The hardness in Drista’s eyes let down a little, feeling proud of herself as Dream looked away first, letting out a sigh, giving up on the staring contest, before opening his mouth to say something.

“She might be hurt-“ 

“Wait, don’t tell her that!” Foolish whisper-yelled, obviously angry at Dreams admittance.

Drista just watched, kind of angry herself that Foolish was talking like she wasn’t there in the closet with them. Though that is before she heard what Dream said, which made her smile.

”Foolish, she’s going to find out sooner or later you know how smart she is, besides Puffy’s missing, probably hurt and we need to find her and find out what’s going on out there.” Dream argued back sounding and looking tired and unimpressed with Foolish.

Foolish went quiet at that, and looking up to him, Drista saw him opening and closing his mouth, fumbling to give a good argument back. Looking back to Dream, Drista saw a smirk, although hesitant painting his face, the sight making her smile even more.

”Fine, go out there but I’m going with you.”

Wait wot?

”Excuse Me what, you’re letting me go?”

”…Yes, you were right, we have to find out what’s going on out there but I’m not letting you go alone Dream.”

”What about Drista, we can’t leave her alone in here!”

”She can hide or something… I don’t know, I can’t let you get hurt Dream!”

”…”

Watching Dream go quiet, Drista’s eyes widened. Were they going to leave her alone in here in this stuffy closet by herself? What if she gets hurt, did they even think about that? “What about me?”

This came out as a whisper but it was enough to go back to being watched with sad expressions on her brothers faces. She saw Dream look around the closet, until he held up a fork and gave it to her.

”Here Dris.” She just managed a small smile at the nickname. “You can defend yourself with this.”

Drista looked at the fork that was now in her hands. She remembered this fork. It was from when she and Foolish had stolen a piece each of Dream’s birthday cake a few months ago and had eaten it in this very closet so they wouldn’t get caught. She didn’t know it was still in here but the memories the fork brang comforted her somehow.

So caught up in her memories, Drista barely noticed something peck her forehead twice and when she looked up, she tensed. She was alone

Confused, Drista looked around the closet, wondering where her brothers went until she remembered that her brothers were talking about going to see what’s happening outside the closet.

Crawling around the closet, Drista found a space hidden behind piles of towels and clothes. She crawled into the space, adjusting her position to make herself comfortable, figuring that if Dream and Foolish weren’t in here to protect her she’ll just hide.

With the fork close to her chest, Drista laid down with eyes closed and ears listening out for her brothers. They never came and the last she feels are warm gentle hands picking her up.

Chapter Text

Tommy POV

Tommy awoke to groggily to blinding luminescent lights and multiple pokes to his side, groaning and rolling over face to admittedly uncomfortable floor, closing his eyes again to try and fall back asleep.

"Oh, you are alive!" Shouted a loud unfamiliar voice, making Tommy's eyes flare back open.

Turning his head away from the floor and towards the voice, he was met with a bandage-covered boy who looked around his age, crouched down and smiling down to him with his hand slightly outstretched towards Tommy. 'Wait, were the pokes from him?!'

Looking at the boy, Tommy can see that he had brunette hair, and if he focused enough he could just make out the boys eyes, which were blue like Tommy's, but under the shadow of his hair and bandages they looked almost green. The boy was also dressed in rags (think of hospital gowns) just like him, which speaking of which, where were his normal clothes? because Tommy swore he was wearing something much better and cooler than these rags he was wearing like his red and white baseball t-shirt, which was his favourite by the way. He'll be angry about that later cause just who was this guy?

"...Who the hell are you?" Tommy asked, eyes squinting in curiosity. 

"Oh well I'm Toby, though my friends call me Tubbo." 

The boy, Toby ...Tubbo? what should Tommy even call him? It wasn't the weirdest name he's heard, hell he knows someone called Punz! but he didnt want to call him by his nickname in case he didnt like it and beat Tommy up or something, Tommy didnt even know him.

Anyway Toby gestures to behind him. "And that's my sister Lani!"

Wait, sister? Tommy was confused, there was another person in here, and it was Toby's sister? Tommy leans to look over to behind Toby and there he saw a younger girl, around 5 years old maybe, sitting with her legs curled to her chest, and looking over to them.

The moment Tommy saw her, he knew Toby wasn't lying when he said they were siblings as even though the girl, Lani didn't have bandages wrapped around half her body, from he could see from both siblings, they looked almost exactly the same. they both had the same hair colour, though Lani's was much longer than Toby's, and they both had the same weird eye colour.

Tommy was so wrapped up in his thoughts, wondering about whether or not Lani had been there the entire time, and surely she had not because no one was that quiet, even his friend Purpled, who is the quietest person Tommy knew isn't that quiet. 

Tommy was so busy trying to figure Lani out that he just missed Toby say something, only looking back to him when he noticed Toby's gaze on him.

"What?"

Toby snorted at the question as though Tommy said something funny whereas Lani looked up at them confused and seemingly somewhat unimpressed.

"Your name, you idiot."

"Hey I'm not an idiot, you are!" Tommy paused before saying, "...and it's Tommy."

"Hmm, we'll see about that." Toby countered, seemingly not very fazed by the insult and Tommy, now a bit angry was about to yell back at him again before Toby interrupted him.

"But I guess its a cool name you've got, Tommy"

Tommy felt his anger simmer down a little. Now that Tommy thought about it, Toby seems like a nice guy. Sure he's an asshole, but he still started to talk to him and that was more than he could say about most people other than his friend group at school, besides his friend Purpled seemed to be much more of an asshole than Toby when he first met him. 

Wait.

Where even was Purpled..? Where were his friends?

now that Tommy thought about it, where was he? 

"...Where are we?" Tommy asked, unwanted despiration leaking into his voice and staring at Toby for an answer. He needed to know where he is so he can get out of here.

Seeing Toby's surprised yet sad expression didn't help with Tommy's resolve but luckily he's stubborn and continues staring with a quiet determination. 

After a few minutes of staring, Toby finally relents and answers Tommy's question. Tommy had a gut feeling that he wasn't going to like what Toby was going to say.

"...We don't know, I think I have a bit of an idea since I wasn't knocked out when those...things took me and Lani here, but I was out of it or something on the way here, other than that, I really don't know where we are, just that we were in this room." Toby said, putting an arm around Lani who had at sometime got there and was cuddling into Toby's side.

Toby probably said something else, but Tommy wasn't listening, retreating back into the void that was his mind. All Tommy got from that conversation was that they didn't know where they were. Hell they were basically knocked out on the way and there's no windows in the room so they can't see outside, so how would even find his friends. 

The last thing Tommy remembers before waking up on this cold, cushion-like floor of this room was that he was with his mom before she-

"Woah! Bossman are you ok?"

"What?" Tommy asked, pulled out of his thoughts and his eyes meeting not only Toby but also Lani who both looked down on him, eyes filled with...was that pit? concern?

Why wouldn't Tommy be ok..? He's fine, its not like he's crying or anything.

"Well...you're crying."

Wait, really?

"...What, no I'm not." He laughed out, although it came out strained. Surely he's not crying, right? Tommy doesn't crying, at least not often so why does Tommy's face suddenly feel wet?

Tommy reached his hand up to his cheek, and his hand came back wet. This both confused and upset Tommy. Why is he crying? He was fine before so just why now? Is it because of the thought of his friends? The remainder of Purpled of all people? His mom?

Tommy didn't know he started shaking as well now, barely hearing Toby and Lani trying to comfort him through his own memory's rushing to the surface of how he what he was sure was yesterday everything was normal and now? Now everything, hell even life itself was shit with Tommy being god knows where with two people he didn't even know, his mom being gone and his friends...well probably being the same.

Through his tears and shaking, Tommy looked back to Toby and Lani, how they are comforting him, hell they don't even know him yet they're comforting like they do, like they've known him for years.

It reminded him all to well of how he met Aimsey in that school bathroom hiding from bullies. How his used to comfort him whenever he got hurt, and god didnt that break the already cracking dam.

It's embarrassing really, crying in front of strangers he only knew by name but sue him. Tommy lost everything and memory after memory that was bubbling to the surface of so many times that was better than this didnt help with trying to control the tears flooding down his face.

Not only that but it didnt help that Tommy felt like he was being watched and not by Toby and Lani.

And Tommy was right because while Tommy was bawling his eyes out and the siblings tried and failed to comfort him they were being watched. Through the camera, 3 different pairs of glowing eyes watched them, seemingly intrigued by the crying child that looked so much like one of them.

Chapter Text

Sam POV

With a little blonde haired girl tucked asleep in his arms and Fran trailing beside him, Sam trekked towards the police station, his de facto base of residence since this whole situation happened just morning, careful to look out for and avoid the robotic crows that now seemingly patrol around the city. 

Sam wasn't going to lie to himself, even he didn't fully know what was happening and he was chief of police, but he had a nagging feeling in his gut that everyone was in danger and that things were changing. Call it being dramatic or something all you want but based on what Sam had seen so far he'd trust that this gut feeling was true. 

Robots and even devices that has been known to be programmed to help humans have been strangely violent, fatally so. Sam has seen more death today than he's seen in a lifetime of police work. He's already lost his dear husband Ponk to this disaster, he doesn't intend to lose his dog Fran, who is now his only family after Ponk's death and his adoptive son Quackity running away a week ago. He also now doesn't intend to lose this little girl.

He doesn't know what happened to her. He found the child sleeping peacefully in a closet of a house that robots had just recently left with an unconscious older boy who he can only assume was her brother and 2 others dead in said house. He can only imagine what happened for her to be in that closet but whatever it was, it most likely saved her life.

Looking down at the girl now, Sam can only notice how young she looks, sleeping in his arms and clutching a fork to her chest, likely for a form of protection. The young girl couldn't be older than 5 years old. The sight fills him with a sorrowful rage. 

This kid had been hiding in a closet with a fork as her only protection, hell this kid shouldn't even be hiding at all. She should be playing with toys and spending time with a loving family, not hiding in a closet sleeping behind piles of towels and clothes, most likely waiting for a family that'll never come for her. These depressing thoughts made Sam wish he had more, or at least arrived at the child's house before all the bloodshed had occurred, then maybe just maybe the child's family would still be with her. Sam hoped to officers he sent out earlier would come back with survivors.

Fran's barking stopped Sam's train of thought, tensing as he looked over to where Fran was barking at. What he saw made his blood run cold and pull out his gun as swiftly and carefully as he can with a small child in his arms.

It was a robot, though this one was much more unique looking than the other ones he's seen around the city. The thing was pitch black, with small but noticeable horns sprouting from the base of its head, it also appeared to have a tail. It must've been modelled after a demon.

The robot made eye contact with Sam, and the sight made him feel a shiver run down his spine.

It's eyes were a chilling white, and the way it looked at Sam, at the child in his arms with a seemingly interested look in it's eyes made him shoot at it multiple times without a second thought.

The bangs that echoed throughout the alleyway was loud, but the silence that carried after seemed to be louder. The robots reaction to being shot was instant and definitely would bring him nightmares.

The robot, even though it was still standing on both of its feet, most of the upper body was bent backwards, most likely from the impact of the bullets. Though this is what confused Sam a little bit as his gun was just a pistol, this shouldn't be the impact the bullets had, especially on something that should be metal.

Sam tensed once more as he felt and heard the little girl in his arms groan and move as though she's waking up. 

...

Fuck

That was all that Sam could think, though she must've been waking up because of the gunshots. They were loud and could startle anyone that wasn't expecting it.

Looking around the alleyway, Sam tried to find a place suitable for hiding the child safe and away from the recovering robot.

The alleyway was fairly empty, but just behind Sam was a large garbage bin, big enough for the girl to hide on the other side without the robot being able to see them.

Perfect.

Looking back to the robot, who was now almost fully recovered from being shot. Sam knew he had to hide the kid and soon or else it might be either be her kidnapping or death, and Sam doesn't think he could live with himself to be the cause of that again.

Before Sam could move, the robot suddenly leapt and he would be dead if it weren't for Fran leaping, her jaws clasped firmly on it's thigh.

While Fran was fighting the piece of metal, Sam ran towards the back of the garbage bin. Once he was there, Sam set the girl down on the ground as gently as he could, trying not to wake her even more.

This was in vain as when he set her down, young, curious green eyes stared up at him, and only for a moment everything seemed to slow.

Green stared into green as them both looked at each other, one despite just waking up looked curiously yet slightly scared at the fragile calmness of the elder.

Sam put a finger up to his lips, gesturing the girl to keep quiet and the girl though still confused and scared, hesitantly nodded and covered her mouth with her hand.

Glad to know that the girl was at least much more safe and less vulnerable than she was in his arms, Sam turned most of his attention back onto the robot, who had just hit his dog, sending her basically flying into the brick wall of a nearby building, a pained yelp slipping from the wolf-husky breed.

To put it lightly, that action pissed Sam off greatly and hearing the muffled sound of a scared scream from the girl sent that anger through the roof.

No one and I mean no one messes with Fran and gets away with it, the dog that has been by Sam's side since she was a puppy, and is still a puppy. No one messes with Fran and gets away with it and that won't stop with this tin-can of a demon.

Sam gripped his gun with a new-found anger and resolve and ran towards the robot, grabbed it's tail quickly and pinned it to the alley wall, gun pointed right at the head.

Maybe it's the adrenaline, maybe it's the anger, Sam didn't know but when he saw the shine of a power button on the back of it's neck, he shot it, oil bursting from the bullet puncture and onto his face like blood.

This time, the robot fell to the ground, and didn't get up, even after a few seconds of waiting, almost like it shut down completely or dead. A part of Sam wonders if this is how you kill them or just would get rid of them for a while.

Shoving that admittedly useful information to the back of his brain, Sam stepped over the piece of junk that was the robot, putting his gun back in it's holster and hurried over to Fran.

Fran seemed to be mostly fine, she was awake though Sam could see that at least her leg was injured by either the fight, throw or both.

Sighing a breath of relief that his dog was alright enough to stay awake, Sam looked over to the garbage bin where the girl was hiding, though surprised to see her peeking over towards him from the back of the can.

"Is it ok to come out now?" The girl said, almost breaking Sam's heart with how scared she sounded. Sam didn't know if she was scared of him or the robot, though probably him with how he basically just killed a robot.

"Yes, it's ok to come out." Sam said gently, trying to soothe the kid and reached out his hand to try and get her to trust him just a little bit. Sam thought if he were her, he'd probably feel very much hurt and scared. Though that's probably just him.

Hesitatingly, the girl walked over and took his hand. She looked nervously to the before tilting her head up to him and asking.

"Do you usually get saved by your dog?"

Now that question took Sam a bit off guard and admittedly embarrassed, sure he and his dog work in the police force. Fran was breeded for that job, but he wasn't saved by her a lot. Fran was still in training and wasn't even supposed to be on the field yet as a police dog, though Sam guessed that with the situation the world seemed to be in right now that didn't matter.

"...I'm not answering that question." Sam said quietly, both not wanting to admit his embarrassment and alert the crows. Speaking of which, Sam just realised that they needed to get out of this area ASAP as to not get caught by more of the robots.

"Because I'm right?" the girl asked as she started walking by Sam's side, one hand holding Sam's hand and the other still holding the fork. Fran was limping by Sam's side, though slighty behind them.

"No, little girl, it's not because of that, my dog, Fran was still training before today." He explained, albeit gentle to the young girl.

The child tilted her head up towards him curiously. "Training for what, and I'm not a little girl, I'm Drista?" She said curiously, seemingly too curious about the dog to notice her surroundings, which had went from low level office and apartment buildings and high level business buildings and skyscrapers. 

"Well Drista, I'm Sam, and Fran was training to become a police dog before all of this." Sam said, still alert but giving way a small smile when Drista gave him a look of wonder, eyes sparkling with child-like wonder that only a naive child could possess. 

"Does that mean you're a police man?" Sam nodded at the question.

"So does that mean you know where my older brothers and my Mama Puffy is?" Drista looked up to him, eyes now sparkling with not only wonder but also hope.

Sam doesn't know what to say. Looking at Drista so full of hope suddenly made him feel so sorry for her, now realising that Drista doesn't know that 2 of her family members are dead, most likely her 'Mama Puffy' and one of her older brothers, and the other was kidnapped by those robots, now subjecting to prime knows what.

now in front of the police station, Sam kneeled down beside Drista before saying.

"I don't know where your family is, or what happened to them but I will try my best to look for them, I promise you."

Drista's face fell a bit at hearing that but at the same time her face showed a type of determination that only a 5 year old could possess

Sam didn't know why he was lying like this to young Drista but a part of him knew that he also wasn't lying when he said that. Sam knew he could never a be able to find Drista's mother and older brother as you can't find someone who was dead, but he still had a chance to find her other older brother and before then Sam will look after Drista and keep her alive.

Drista jumped up the stairs to the entrance of the police station as Sam carried Fran up the stairs behind her.

Drista pushed open the door to the station, stopping to gape at her surroundings, Sam chuckled at her expression, as he set Fran down on the office's ground.

"Do you really live here...?" Drista asked, looking up to Sam as she started to pet Fran with her free hand.

"Well I worked here but yeah, I guess I live here now." Sam hummed out, taking a keycard out of one of his many pockets, unlocking the door that led to the majority of the building.

Pushing the door open, Sam lead Drista and Fran to his office, where he knows bundles of blankets and pillows reside in from the times Quackity used to sleep over in his office when Sam looked after him during work while Ponk was working at the hospital. The nostalgic thoughts made Sam want to turn back time to those simpler times, but sadly he knows that's impossible.

As the trio venture further into the building, Sam starts to note the lack of people in the station. They must still be out there on the field looking for survivors, but it's getting dark which makes Sam anxious of the possibility that his comrades may never come back. 

Once they arrive at Sam's office, Drista immediately rushes into the room towards the pile of blankets and pillows, burying herself into the comfortable fabric. She is followed by Fran, who is limping towards the dog bed beside Sam's desk, laying down on her side in a soft whimper.

Sam, goes towards his desk to fish out a spare pet first aid kit, before going to Fran's side to tend to her wounds, thankful that Ponk had insisted on him learning a bit more than the basics for first aid. 

Sam sobered up at the thought of his dear late husband, missing him so terribly and feeling righteous anger and hatred towards the monsters that took Ponk away from him, as well as worry for Quackity, asking himself: Where is he? Is he still alive?

Millions of thoughts goes through Sam's mind that in my matter of time, he's suddenly finished with bandaging up Fran's leg, which luckily seems to only be fractured. Looking outside the office window, Sam realised it's also now night, the stars twinkling in the sky seem also beautiful, but the view is ruined by the noticeable shadows of the patrolling robotic crows.

Sam goes up to close the curtains, not wanting to risk being spotted by the artifial birds.

Turning around to check on Drista, Sam smiles at the little girl sleeping in the bundle blankets, drooling on a pillow, and holding her fork, which is too close to her eye for his comfort.

Sam quietly walks over to where Drista is sleeping and with some effort, manages to pry the fork out of her grasp, careful not to pluck to eye out.

Placing the utensil on his desk, Sam goes to sit on the desk, comfortable in the cushioned office chair and finding temporary solace in the silence the night brings.

Flicking his green gaze over to Drista's sleeping form then to a picture of his husband and missing child, Sam made a promise to himself.

"Don't worry I'll find them, even if it's the last thing I do."

Chapter Text

Tommy POV

It seemed like hours before Tommy had completely calmed down from his embarrassing breakdown with the help of Toby and Lani. He was a sniffling mess, looking down to the floor with red puffy eyes in an attempt to hide his embarrassment.

"It's going to be alright, Tommy." Toby said from where he sat next to him, patting his back in what's likely to be reassurance. "if I'm being honest, I don't know why you started crying, but it's okay."

Tommy looked up to see Toby's slightly pained smile, before looking back down to the floor.

Toby's words reminded him of his mother's, telling him everything is going to be fine when it obviously won't. Being positive and smiling while everything is going up in flames, while everything imaginable was going wrong. It was just like what Aimsey did when the bullies went too far. It both made Tommy equally sad as well as angry.

"How are you being so positive?" Tommy asked Toby, blinking back tears at the reminders of his mom and friend. He didn't want or need another breakdown in front of these people.

From the corner of Tommy's eye, he saw both Toby and Lani blink at his question.

'Oh no, am I Turning into Purpled?' Tommy thought, realising his question might be a bit blunt and narcissistic. Tommy didn't really care of course, but it would suck if these siblings didn't like him now, especially since he's going to be stuck with them for Prime knows how long.

Look, Tommy expected a lot of things to happen next. Silence, being left alone, anything, but what he didn't expect was to hear a laugh.

Looking up, Tommy was surprised to see Toby smiling, though he could barely see it from under the bandages, and laughing loudly.

Tommy was confused. Why is he laughing? Is he making fun of me? Did I say something funny?

"Sorry, sorry." Toby apologised after calming down slightly, still smiling a bit and laughter present in his voice. "You probably think I'm weird bursting out laughing like that."

"But you are weird, Tubbo." Lani spoke up where she sat on Tommy's left side, stating the statement as though it was a fact. Tommy was inclined to agree with her.

"Yeah, yeah." Toby said, rolling his eyes fondly, before focusing back on Tommy. "Anyways, I laughed because I thought it was obvious."

Seeing the confused look on Tommy's face, Toby explained.

"You know the saying 'there's always a light at the end of the tunnel'?" Toby asked.

Tommy nodded, confused on why that saying mattered to anything right now."

"Well, I think the saying applies here, things might, no, will get better, I don't why I'm so determined to believe that saying, especially after those metal-head's blew my fucking face off." Toby voice turned bitter when he said that, eyes going dark with anger under his hair and the bandages, before hearing Lani mutter "Language."

Toby's expression suddenly changed back to a smile and he continued. To be honest, his sudden mood change almost gave Tommy whiplash.

"Besides, I got to stay strong for Lani too, you know."

Tommy guessed he could understand that, having some hope even if it was probably in vain, staying strong for the only family you have left with you in this hellhole. Tommy knows he'd do the same as Toby if Eryn, Aimsey or hell, even Purpled was here with him. The reminder that his friends were not with him lowered his already depressing mood even further into the ground.

"I guess I can understand that." Tommy whispered, sounding exhausted from his prior breakdown as spoke his thoughts.

"Yeah." Toby said, smile turning hopeful and excited as he whispered his next words. "So, do you want to play 20 questions, get to know each other?"

Tommy thought this over. Toby seemed to want to friends with him, which surprised Tommy slightly. No-one never really wanted to be friends with him while he was in school, always either bullying him, calling him names and beating him up, or just out right ignoring Tommy. The only exceptions to this was Eryn, Aimsey and Purpled, and they themselves was also outcasts and bullied by their grade, it was only natural that they would become friends with each other. So why did Toby want to become friends?

"Sure..." Tommy said unsurely yet hopeful. Maybe this could be fun, besides Tommy felt like talking would help with this overwhelming sadness he's feeling.

the three children then sat together in a circle, well in a triangle. they had all decided that Lani could go first since she's the youngest, then Tommy then Toby.

"So Tommy?" Lani said, gaining the older boys attention. "Why did you suddenly start crying back then?"

Lani's question shocked Tommy. Don't get him wrong, Tommy expected that the question would be asked but not right away in the first round of the game! 

Tommy didn't know how to answer without getting pitying looks from the siblings. so he just told the truth, well half of it.

"...I just was reminded of some people who are probably gone by now." Tommy said, answering the question but looking down to the floor again.

Suddenly Tommy felt someone engulfing him into a... hug? Tommy looked up slightly, eyes wide with shock and confusion. He was met with locks of long brunette hair. It was Lani.

Lani didn't say anything, she just hugged him. Tommy was comforted by this, confused but comforted. the hug was cut short as Tommy pulled away, slightly embarrassed.

"It's my turn, right?" Tommy asked Toby, who nodded, eyes shining with curiosity. Tommy assumed it was probably for his question.

"So Toby, how did you get all those bandages?" Tommy asked, not really caring if the question was personal.

Toby blinked at his question, before laughing nervously, looking down to his fiddling hands. 

"well, I told you already, didn't I, I got my face got blown up by those monsters while trying to protect Lani from them." Tubbo said, voice hard, before looking up to meet Tommy's gaze with his. "And you don't have to call me Toby, Tommy, just call me Tubbo, we're going to be friends after all right?"

Tommy's eye's widened in surprise yet again at that. Toby, no Tubbo wants to be friends? with him? 

A smile crept its way onto Tommy's face at the thought. 'Friends, huh?'

"Alright, Tubbo." Tommy said, smiling even more when Tubbo smiled so happily back at him, pulling him into a side hug.

"Let's keep playing 20 questions." Lani said, smiling as well as she spoke up.

And that's what they did. As they played, the children who were now friends had learnt a lot about each other. Tommy had found out that Tubbo had a weird obsession and talent for robotics, and that both siblings love for bee's of all things. In return, Tubbo and Lani found out about Tommy's love for animals and his friends.

The siblings also got to see Tommy's necklace, which was still under his shirt. Tommy had nearly cried when he bought the piece of jewellery out, which ended up with Tubbo and Lani comforting him.

Once night came, which they could only assume was night as the lights went out, Tommy fell asleep content, and happy with Tubbo and Lani asleep next to him. Today had been a good one, being so distracted with talking to the siblings that he almost forgot that they were locked in one room.

Tommy was content, too content in his sleep as he couldn't feel the cold wiry hands picking him up somewhat gently, couldn't sense the soft glowing blue eyes gaze softly, almost possessively and he clung onto to the robot as he was taken out of the cell. blissfully unaware of the life-changing event that would change his life even more, for the rest of his life.

Chapter Text

Tommy POV

It was a seemingly peaceful morning with Tommy chatting away to his mother about his plans for the day, a gift bag sitting on the kitchen table next to him as his mother prepared breakfast for themselves, listening and chuckling at his antics as she did so, her golden hair pulled up into a ponytail.

Today wasn't like any other day, if Tommy would say so himself. Today was special.

Today was one of his best friends, Purpled's birthday and Tommy along with their friends, Aimsey, Eryn, Freddy and Bilzo was planning a little party for him, with the help of their parents and Purpled's older brother: Punz. They all put so much work into making this day the best day ever, all for Purpled.

Looking over to the purple gift bag sitting on the kitchen island on his right, Tommy couldn't help but feel a buzzing excitement for when he finally gives Purpled the gift inside. You see, the present was a Orbeez gun, which stuck out of the bag so it was pretty obvious what it was.

The week before Tommy and his mom had been shopping both in store and online to find something that Tommy thought would suit Purpled. At first he thought that he should get Purpled a baseball bat, seeing as his friend played the sport but Tommy already knew that Eryn was going to get Purpled a bat for his present. That along with the fact that the violet-eyed boy had a huge collection of baseball bats.

Tommy had thought about it for a while, remembering that he felt lost until he remembered that Purpled also had an massive Orbeez collection so why not get his friend an Orbeez gun?

Suddenly his mom placed a plate of delicious-looking pancakes in front of him, causing Tommy to cut off his train of thought to turn to look to her. His mother smiled down upon him as she holds her mug of coffee before saying.

"Why don't you start eating your breakfast now Tom's? You don't want to be late for school and be hungry until lunchtime."

Tommy rolled his eyes playfully, grinning as he grabbed a nearby fork as he answered.

"Yeah, Yea-"

A suddenly loud banging seemingly from the front door cut Tommy off, causing him to jump with a surprised, embarrassing squeak. Tommy looked from the door to his mom, confusion and slight terror flickering though his sky blue eyes.

It didn't help that she looked just as confused and almost as panicked as he did.

"Thomas, come to me." His mother ordered, voice going hard, and he did so, quickly sliding off of the kitchen stool he was sitting on and ran towards his mother, hugging her.

The bang that followed was deafening and he felt his mom crouch down to pick him up and run, unaware of the bright red blooming on his mothers shirt and present forgotten.

~~~~~~~~~~

Tommy awoke with a gasp, his dream of the past burned into his mind.

Tommy didn't even know if it was a dream, nightmare or simply a memory. It could be D. all of the above.

Tommy's face was damp with tears from not only the memory of his mother but also from the dawning realisation that that day was Purpled's birthday. He had completely forgotten about it and it didn't help that that was the day everything decided to go to shit.

With his mind still occupied by the realisation and his body on auto-pilot, Tommy unconsciously tries to lift his hand to brush way the tears. Key word being tries.

When he tried to lift his arm, Tommy soon realised that he can't move his arm. Actually, he can't move at all.

Quickly panicking, Tommy lifts his head to look around and he is quickly met with yet another realisation that doesn't help with the panic at all, his breathing turning  ragged and his heart racing.

He can't move. At all.

Looking down, Tommy see's that he's laying down on one of those first aid beds that he usually see's at his school's first aid room. However, unlike the subtle feeling of safety he feels when lying in those beds, he is trapped, strapped down and unable to move or feel anything but unsafe.

Suddenly Tommy heard the sound of a door opening loudly, making him flinch slightly.

Fear flooded his body like a tidal wave and he suddenly felt half of the very uncomfortable hospital bed lift up to a tilt. Tommy can now see the room he was in but also who, or rather what came into the room.

"Greetings Thomas Innes." The man, no the thing said, because that can't be human.

It can't be because no one spoke like that, like they couldn't decide whether they wanted to sound like a man or like a broken Alexa speaker, glitches and all so they decided to do both.

It looked normal enough, with blue eyes and sandy blonde hair but those eyes that glowed was so eerily blank and the blonde hair somehow didn't even look real. The thing also had wings. Giant black wings that seemed to drag behind it on the ground. Black wings that reminded Tommy of a crows, except the wings shone weirdly in the light and looked fake.

Tommy stared at it fearfully, not only because of its unnatural appearance but also because it seemed familiar? Like Tommy has seen this thing before but he can't remember when.

"W-what do you want?!" Tommy shouted, tensing and trying his best to mask his fear as something else.

The man-thing tilted it's head before smiling a smile that made a shiver go down his spine and his eyes start to tear up.

"I'm here to offer you something I know you can't refuse, Thomas Innes." The thing spoke, still smiling eerily.

Tommy was confused. What could this...whatever it is, want with him? What was this so called 'offer'?

Tommy knew that he probably shouldn't have but he voiced his thoughts, his curiosity getting the better of him.

The man? Bird? Seriously who or what even is this? Anyway, it imply cocked it's head in a bird-like fashion, smiling that same eerie smile before answering.

"Well, Thomas Innes." Tommy cringed slightly at the usage of his full name. "I can grant you the power to do whatever you want."

"Whatever I want...?" Tommy asked, watching the thing pushing a button that was on the wall beside it. Wait, was that button always there?

"Whatever you want, and all you have to do is let us have you go through some...things before having you get them."

Tommy felt a tinge of hope bleeding through his child-like curiosity. What if he could find his friends again? What if he could find his Aunt-

The man-bird-thing cut off his train of thought with his next sentence.

"All we need you to do is give you something oh so special before that happens."

'Wait, we?' Tommy thought, his confusion clearly written on his face. What did it mean we, and what was the thing it wanted to give me? 

Tommy's questions were answered immediately as the metal door slid open, revealing probably the most horrific thing he's ever seen in his life, which is impressive considering he watched his mom... ok, lets not think about that.

Anyway the now-open door revealed another thing so similar to the bird-man also oh so human to Tommy.

The thing- no the woman looked like she had once been so pretty, and don't get Tommy wrong, she still is with her dyed pink hair that has not a hair out of place and most likely took a long time to get done when she was still normal looking. That beauty is ruined by the metal torso, metal legs and her eyes seemed to be replaced with a white pupil-less gaze that held so much yet so little emotion, as well as the... fish parts?

The woman had a metal shark-like tail, gill flaps that covers her ears and metal sharp shark-like teeth the poked through from under her top lip. Tommy wouldn't be surprised if the woman had gills that he couldn't see, given the fish theme.

"What happened to her...?" Tommy couldn't help but ask as a cascade of thoughts ran through his mind, turning his gaze towards the man-bird.

The man-bird tilted it's head in a bird-like manner like it was trying to seem questioning but all it came out as was eerily black and mocking, eyes emotionless.

"She's now her best self, Thomas Innes, you see Cyborg-013 now has everything she's ever wanted with her life, all she did was pay the price for it."

Tommy's horror only grew at the words, looking back towards the woman with new tears falling down his face. The woman called Cyborg-013? Whatever name that is, Tommy had a feeling it's not actually her's. Looking at her now she seems so human. Not like the man-bird with its mimicry of emotions.

No, Cyborg-013 seems to be emotionless as well at first, but looking into her eyes Tommy can see so much pain. It's like she's holding something back and as she looks back at Tommy, blackish tears fall from her eyes.

"There is some more fixes to be done for her however, but don't worry Thomas Innes, you can soon become your best self just like her."

"No way!" Tommy exclaimed, now frightened and panicking. "You're not turning me into that!"

"Oh but you must, if you want our help with anything you want." The Bird-Man said, like it was trying to be comforting but that thing, that monster is anything but. "Besides, you won't feel a thing, right Cyborg-013?"

Cyborg-013 nodded in response but to Tommy it looked forced.

"See, Thomas Innes, everything will be fine, Cyborg-013 agree's as well, no need to resist them." The bird-man said, stepping towards him almost jerkily. Tommy closed his eyes in fear, feeling a unnaturally cold hand wipe the tears from his cheek.

It was like how his mom used to do when he cried, but also not the same. The horror that has settled in his gut suddenly gave way to a sick feeling.

"I won't, I won't, I won't, I won't." Tommy chanted to himself. He won't become like the woman.

"You will." Then bird-man stated, sound so sure of itself.

The bird-man suddenly stepped back, stiff in it's movement as it nodded towards the woman and left the room.

Tommy let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding as the woman gently unbound him from the uncomfortable hospital bed, fluid and and natural in her movement before escorting him back to his cell.

Tommy took the chance to look around the building, noting on the other rooms and later on cells as they walked, the white, sterile environment hurting his eyes. 

Tommy suddenly felt a folded up piece of paper get forced into his hand, causing him to look towards the woman in surprise.

Cyborg-013 seemed as emotionless as before, pink hair perfect and her white pupil-less eyes blank. However she was now muttering something quietly. Luckily for Tommy, he was close enough to catch what she was saying.

"Don't breathe in the red smoke" Cyborg-013 was muttering over and over again. Tommy didn't know why but it worried him.

'Red smoke? What does that have to do with anything?' Tommy wondered.

Cyborg-013 suddenly stopped at a large white door, much like the other doors in the building. Next to it was a USB port, guarded by a glass case which is prominent among the otherwise blank wall.

Tommy looked over to the woman as she pulled out a red USB flash drive, her eyes blank yet filled with sadness, her blackish tears still running down her face.

Tommy didn't think before he acted, but he found himself hugging Cyborg-013. He just felt like she needed it as he felt he body stiffen. The USB drive was now limp in one hand as Tommy clung onto her, the body in his hold a mix of natural warmth and cold metal.

Tommy didn't know how long he stood there for, hugging the woman with all his might, but at some point she whispered.

"Go, remember the safe space can be found hidden. Go and remember what makes you human." The woman sounded pained, like she was forcing herself to speak.

Tommy didn't know why but he listened, memorising her words and clutching onto the folded paper in his hand, not wanting to lose it. Cyborg was trying to tell him something, Tommy knew that much and he needed to listen.

Cyborg-013 let go, out of the hug he gave her and sending him a strained yet grateful smile. Tommy couldn't help but wonder what's going to happen to her as he watched her leave.

Looking away rom the retreating figure, Tommy focused his gaze on the opening door with an army of thoughts running through his head and a new goal in mind.

Once the door was fully open and Tommy numbly walked back into the cell, he felt a heavy weight crashing into him as the door closed, forcing him to tumble over onto the cushioned floor.

Now with his train of thought derailed and feeling stunned, Tommy was surprised to look up to find both Tubbo and Lani hugging him, pulling him into a vice grip.

"Where the fuck were you?!" Tubbo yelled into his ear, worry and anger bleeding into his voice.

'oh shoot, he said a swear word. I'm screwed.' Tommy immediately thought, tensing a little as he heard Lani mutter "Language" under her breath. Lani then looked up to Tommy, looking like she's been crying, before asking.

"Have you been crying?" Lani asked, concern filling her voice.

"I'll tell you guys later." Tommy said, wincing as he gently pushed the siblings off of him and held up the folded piece of paper.

"We need to leave."