Chapter Text
Tommy is assigned to a mission to help Las Nevadas. A few of the workers had been arrested during that fight last week. As such, a few Syndicate members will be working while the arrested workers go to court. Thankfully, the workers wear ski masks to hide their identities. Tommy is dressed in a black suit with a red tie. In black elegant words against gold, his nametag reads ‘Theseus.’ His ski mask is black and he has matching shades to hide his eyes.
Currently, Jester, who he learned was named Quackity, is teaching Tommy how to deal out cards. “You never gamble, kid?” Quackity asks, glancing at Tommy’s failed shuffle. “Never had time for it, I guess.” The younger answers, his voice distorted by both the mask and small voice changer.
“You could be in charge of the money instead. Your hands are a bit too shaky for dealing anyways.” The duck hybrid says, leading Tommy over to a counter with a shelf of poker chips behind it. Thankfully, there is a paper taped to the counter with what each color of chip is worth. “They give you money, you give them chips. Vice versa. If any of them gives you trouble, either deal with them or press this button under the counter to call me over.” Quackity explains, pointing out different things.
…
It’s a bit harder than Tommy expected. The place is packed, people everywhere. Some hand in chips with smiles, others look pissed. There is a guy currently trying to get Tommy to give him more money, using threats and shit. After the tenth time of saying ‘No,’ the man grabs Tommy by his throat.
~
Dream grabs Red Chaos by the neck, raising him. He left himself open. Dream adds another two hours to his training for today.
-
Tommy grabs onto the man’s pulse point roughly, applying as much pressure he can. His hand is suddenly on steel as the man uses his power. The color of the steel skin matches the strong asshole’s hair. Tommy can’t even reach the button, and the place is too crowded for anyone to really notice.
Tommy feels air get stuck in his throat, the hand keeping it there like a dam does to water. He tries screaming, unable to get louder than the casino. He gets fairly lightheaded. The steel man’s metal skin is cold against his, despite the burning sensation it causes in the teen’s lungs. He slightly blacks out for a millisecond.
Glass breaks against his mask.
The Crafts are pissed.
They find out he was Red Chaos.
They hate him
They turn their back on him.
“Get your rusted hands off of my worker.” A cold voice breaks through, Tommy coming back to his senses as he is let go, a few tears in his eyes hidden by his sunglasses. Greedily, he breathes in as much air as he can. He breathes as if the air will randomly go away again. Quackity had his hand tightly on the steel skin, an angry look on his face.
Slowly, the man’s skin turns back to flesh. “Just give me my money.” He grumbles, snatching the money and storming out. “I’ll have to have someone working the counter with you.” The duck hybrid comments, the coldness completely disappearing from his voice.
…
[Glass shatters against his mask. Blood and rain stain a knife in his gut.]
Ranboo and Tommy sit across from each other at lunch. Sadly, it’s a B-day, so Tubbo is in class. Somehow the conversation leads into a food fight. Somehow the food fight spreads across the cafeteria, until nearly everyone is throwing food. They have to go to the principal’s office afterwards, but it’s a great memory.
[He can’t feel a pulse. A reddish gold glow surrounds the wound. He says his old hero name.]
Dream is on the News, talking about how horrible it is to act like you’re Red Chaos. “My sidekick could be dead for all I know! And to claim I treated him horribly is painful and pure evil.” He always was a great actor.
[His wings puff up. Even with his mask, it’s clear he is looking at him.]
The Angel of Death and Theseus go on a mission together to steal some technology from the heroes. They soar away from the cargo container, both flying side by side with bags. He’s been on a few more missions while Siren is on a mission in another country.
[As he walks through the Craft’s house, he avoids his gaze. Should he even be at this house still?]
Techno wraps his cape around Tommy while they patrol the lower districts. “Why are you so intent to fight the heroes?” Techno asks, looking down at his little brother. It takes him a moment to come up with a response. He finally answers, “They’ve hurt a lot of people. They need to be stopped.”
[He stands in front of them. They look angry.]
Techno and Phil sit on either side of the younger. A movie called ‘Up’ is playing on the TV. Tommy is content lying against his father’s shoulder with a wing wrapped around him and his brother. He ignores the voice whispering in the back of his head, reminding him of that recurring nightmare.
[He’s all alone again.]
Tommy wakes up with tears in his eyes for what feels like the thousandth time this month. It’s okay. Just a nightmare. Just a nightmare. He manages to catch his breath, tracing a box on his palm. Would they really hate him if they found out he was once Red Chaos?
He makes his way downstairs, only to see a figure standing in the front room. There is a golden glow around them. They have a red hoodie on, the hood up. Looking around, Tommy doesn’t recognize his surroundings. This is a random house, not the Crafts. Was that room even his?
The figure slowly turns around, a circular black mask covering their face. A white frown painted on the mask. When he sees a mirror, he freezes. His hair is gold. Like how it was before he dyed it. There are features of his face that seem a bit inaccurate. “Traitor.” Red Chaos The figure says, slowly raising a gloved hand to point at Tommy. What the fuck?
“Selfish. The heroes gave you everything! And you turn your back on them. If it wasn’t for them, you would have stayed here. Only to be transferred to another group house. Or another foster house.” He The figure accuses, gesturing around. This was the last group house he was in before the heroes abducted him.
Tommy stumbles back, his wings puffed. They seem to be switching colors, as if the universe is unsure of their color. “Shut up.” The avian mutters, reaching for anything he can. He’s still asleep. That’s the only logical conclusion. He smashes a porcelain vase against his own head.
He wakes up strapped down to a chair.
…
Tommy has been here for maybe two hours. 404 seems content with staying in the corner as Dream does all the work. Tommy has his Red Chaos outfit on. He had remembered some of what happened. He was passing out copies of the healer files, since he made a lot of copies. Blue smoke filled his senses and he passed out. Now he’s in a big empty warehouse with a table of torture shit next to him.
“Damn mask won’t come off. The brat reinforced it.” Dream mumbles, rubbing his temple under his mask. “Do you know how worried we were when you first disappeared, Red Chaos?” Dream hisses out, anger evident in his voice. “Go to hell.” Tommy replies, drawing out each syllable. Dream picks up a blowtorch.
…
404 just stays in the corner or guards the door as Dream fucking tortures Tommy. They both sometimes go, either to sleep at the tower or to fight villains. Dream questions him, only getting insults in return.
“I really wish I didn’t have to do this, kid. Really. If you just tell me what I want to know, I’ll take you back under my wing! You’ll have to say publicly that the Syndicate took you.” Dream explains, grabbing the fabric hiding his hair roughly. “Fuck off, green bastard.” The younger retords, getting a hammer to his hand for that. He feels his bones break, pain spreading throughout his whole arm.
He’s terrified.