Chapter Text
In front of a rundown looking house, more of a shack to be honest, a man stood looking down at his communicator. Huge wings tucked to his side, covered with scales and tipped with a curved sharp claw, a thick equally scaled tail that agitatedly swung back and forth. Long white and blond hair dressed in integrate elaborate braids with gold charms, beads, and a single green clip with carvings in it. His crown of long obsidian horns sat on top of his head, a gold band at the base of a horn, he wore nether armor with furs and hides. His elbow length clothes did little to his the scars on his arms; his forearms had scattered scales till they made up a fully scaled hands tipped with sharp claws. The face that frowned at the communicator had bright blue cat eyes, crooked nose that had been broken, a scar that ran from his chin to the bottom of his eye. Tommy had grown, muscle that developed through constant fighting and flying, he had kept growing well into adulthood much to Sam’s disdain crying “My little boy is taller then me.” Tommy had rolled his eyes at his fathers antics, but made sure to tease him every now and then about it.
Speaking of his father, its been two weeks, not one but two since he got to his home. Every few months both Tommy and Sam planned a visit to each other meeting at the little shack that had started it all. Between Tommy’s instincts needing to not only scent and make sure Sam was safe with his own eyes; and Sam’s parental need to see his son happy and safe. When they plan a visit they both make sure to try to get there as fast as possible, which was why is was so odd that Sam was late. Maybe a few days or week late was okay, had actually happened before, but two weeks with no communication. It couldn’t be any mobs, not only is Sam competent enough to kill any mobs that attack him but Tommy had scented his fire proof cape that he only wore to visit. It told not only mobs that something much scarier then them was protecting Sam but others like piglings knew not to mess with Sam either. Which made Tommy even more unease because that meant Sam maybe never made it to the Nether. Tommy looked back down at his communicator he was hesitant, he hovered over a number they where the only person he found himself willing to speak to.
They’ll help they have to
Sam likes them trust them to
Hurry Sam could be in trouble
We have to do something
We cant be to late again
HELP SAM
Chat was right if Dad needed help then Tommy could do this. Taking a deep breath Tommy hit the button, a few rings then a second of silence then-
“Hello?” the voice cautiously said. Tommy won’t lie he hesitated to answer back, he was opening a door calling someone other than Sam, and honestly Tommy didn’t know if he wanted to open it.
Calm down
Yeah no need to be afraid
We’re stronger now
We’re no longer a small flame
Taking a deep breath Tommy answered.
“Hello Capitan Puffy”
“Holy Shit, Tommy! Is that really you!” Puffy practically screamed into his hear. But he could hear the smile in her voice, he could feel himself smile at her theatrics.
“Yes, its me Puffy……been awhile.” Tommy winced a little at his awkwardness, jeeze he sound like Techno.
“Oh Tommy its so good to hear from you, how have you been, Sam only ever gives me the basics ‘oh hes fine’ steel trap that one.” She said, Tommy had know she knew about him and Sam’s familial bond. Sam had said she figured out early on, but was loyal and promised to never say a word about them.
“Uh good to hear you to…..I’m good fine. Sort of I hate to say I’m not calling for a good reason, its about Sam he was supposed to meet me at are home but he’s two weeks late. He’s not answering my calls or messages I hoping you know why. I’m a bit worried about him.” Tommy rushed out, Prime when did he become socially inept, whatever he got his point across. A bit of silence then he hear Puffy mumbled a curse.
“Tommy he’s not with you?” The worry in her tone had Tommy already picking up his belongings, wings unfurled and ready to take off.
“No he’s not, and judging on your question and tone you thought he was.” Tommy gritted through his teeth.
“Are you coming back Tommy? Not that this is my place and you don’t have to answer it but if you are do you think its best to come back? I think I have a lead on what may have happened to Sam, I can investigate this and find Sam myself.” Puffy said. Tommy couldn’t really blame her for asking that question, he knew what he looked like when he left a traumatized suicidal teen lost and alone. What Puffy didn’t know was the man who was missing, his Dad, was the one who saved him made him feel again. Helped his realize he wasn’t living but surviving. It wasn’t easy, the panic attacks, screaming matches between them, when it got all to much for either of them. However they worked through it solidified the Father-Son bond they had between them, cared deeply about one another. If his Father was in trouble Tommy would be damned if he didn’t go to his rescue.
“I know you would Puffy, but I’m not a kid anymore. I wont lie and say it will be all smooth sailing, or that going back wont bring back certain feeling or memories.” Maybe when he was younger he would have denied that going back would effect him. But he wasn’t lying to Puffy when he said that he had grown, learned that the past, places, and even people didn’t have power over you unless you let them. “I sure that place has changed, maybe even the people, but so have I.” Tommy finished.
“Oh Toms, as a therapist I couldn’t have said it better myself. I’m looking forward to seeing you again. I think its best not to run into anyone so quickly, maybe meet me at the cords I send you then I can catch you up on what me and Sam have been doing.” Puffy went ahead with send the cords to him.
“I think that’s right it’d be best not to run into anyone at least not until we know what happened to Dad.” Tommy agreed, “see later Puffy.” With that Tommy hung up. Taking a deep breath Tommy launched himself into the air flew towards the main hub.
Its okay
We got you
You are no longer a small flame but an inferno
If you cant we’ll burn them to ash
ASHES TO ASHES
ASHES TO ASHES
ASHES TO ASHES
Tommy grimaced at the onslaught of voices, normally their pretty tame helpful even. However they where know to get into a bit of a frenzy. When they first started they were pretty tame not so load, but as Tommy got older they became more chaotic. It took a bit of time for Tommy to get a handle on them even now with a few years under him it still took by surprise.
He was nerves though, add with the fact Tommy was worried about Sam, he knew one way or another he would be running into old ghost. Tommy really hoped he would survive this mentally.
It was the dead of night, street lamps the only thing shining light. Ranboo was making his way back to Snowchester, he had left the Nether Hub having visited Techno. He knew it was pretty late to be out but he had missed Michael terribly, even if he was going through his rebellious teen phase. Techno had called upon his for Syndicate business, for the last few months kids and teens in the surrounding lands where going missing. Whispers of a cult being the culprit, most people in the Syndicate had soft spot for kids. So Techno and Phil decided that the missing kids where wroth the investigation. Ranboo was turning a corner when he felt it, as a Ender hybrid he was used to the certain quirks that came with it like his eye contact situation. However this, whatever this was, had him frozen the hairs on the back of his neck standing.
A panic warble left his mouth, his instinct screaming at him to run or hide, something was coming. Something of predator nature, which said a lot Ranboo being of predator nature, he quickly pressed himself into a nook in between to buildings and waited. At first there was nothing quiet, then the wind picked up, slowly the sound got loader until a heavy whoosh was over him. Steeling himself Ranboo looked up, the moonless night didn’t help with visibility, but Ranboo could barley make out the outline of wings as they flew over. And wow where they big, he was willing to bet they almost out spanned Foolishes. Then they where gone, Ranboo didn’t waste time messaging Techno and then booking to Snowchester, maybe it had something to do with the cult. Whatever it was Ranboo had a feeling something big was about to happen.
Tommy landed silently onto the ship, he was grateful for the moonless night made flying over the Prime Path Village without being seen easy. Not wanting to stay out in the open to long Tommy made his way over the captains quarters and stepped in. Ducking in Tommy was greeted by a homely looking office, the shelves full of books and nick-nacks, maps of places Tommy had never seen, and at the center a messy desk. The sheep hybrid looked exactly like she did when he had left, full and soft look hair with two horns tucked in. She gave his a soft smile, it was then Tommy noticed the few wrinkles surrounding her eyes. Still Tommy couldn’t stop the smile that crept on to his face, taking a few steps forward he drew her into a hug. Resting his chin on her head, blinking a few times to get rid of the wetness behind his eyes.
“Hey Captain Pussy” Tommy said with a smirk
“OOH, you little bitch or should I say big bitch.” Puffy laughed.
Pulling away Tommy asked “Not to say I didn’t miss you cause I did, but I just flew about a week straight to get here. I really like any information you have before I actually pass out.”
“Well normally I would tell you to wait till the morning but the sooner where on the same page the faster we can find Sam. Okay so maybe a few months after you left and Sam went with you, I started here chatter underground, I normally wouldn’t bother when isn’t the underground chatting. The chatter was a new group, cult really, had popped up they where making waves. Called themselves the Eggpire” Puffy said going back to sit on her chair gesturing towards the other empty chair.
“What kind of waves?” Tommy asked taking a seat. He knew of the underground, organizations and mafias willing to do anything with the right price. One of Wilbur’s talking points during the election was he would crack down on the underground, really though both Wilbur and the underground had a understanding. Had Wilbur won on the surface he would ‘crack down’ on the underground, in reality he would have under looked certain thing for them. The underground had deep roots, so if this group was making waves Tommy surprised they lasted this long.
“Waves like almost taking out the entire RedSnapper branch family, the only reason they survived was because the main family sent help. They took most of the docks then, it was a hellish few months, fishermen and traders had to pay the Eggpire just to get to there boats, so many left. The poor got poorer and so did the rich. Luckily the main Salmon family sent help and was able to push back, took back the docks.” Puffy elaborated.
Tommy nodded along, these Eggpire people must be something to force the Fish family’s back, even got the main Salmon family involved. Tommy had meet people of the Salmon family personally and let him tell you they don’t take shit from anyone.
“Then about two years ago a huge robbery was committed at the Hermit Kingdom.” At that Tommy eyes widen.
“Wait the Eggpire stole from the Hermit Kingdom! How the his highness Mumboo made the there vault room himself.”
“That’s they didn’t rob the vault room but the supplies. What they stole was blaze powder, no one knew why there are only so many thing you can craft with that. Then silence, nothing for about a year then at the begging of this year kids between the ages of 8-15 where going missing, no traces either me or Sam could find. Then a month ago we found a body a little girl about 10 years old, she had been dead awhile, but what was odd was her grave was covered with these red vines that seem to be growing from her outward.” Puffy said she had a far way look in her eye, Tommy placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Two weeks ago we got a lead that some Eggpire members where going to meet something about recruiting members. We had a plan to stake it out but Sam pointed out that they probably knew who I was and what I looked like. He said he would go in to see maybe go undercover has a member that wants to join. He wanted to leave from there then to you, said he’d fill me in once he got back.” She finally finished.
Tommy took a moment to absorb everything, Sam never said anything about this, though he never really talked about anything that was happening here. Probably didn’t want to make Tommy feel uncomfortable, but he had told Sam he wasn’t a kid anymore. It was a argument that happened more often then not, he didn’t want Sam to be uncomfortable with telling Tommy about his life here. Tommy wasn’t going to break just because Sam mention the Prime Path Tommy wasn’t going to have a panic attack.
“Ugh he never tells me anything, I keep telling him its fine but its like he doesn’t trust me.” Tommy signed into his hands.
“Tommy you know that’s not it he just worried about you, it would never be that he doesn’t trust you. He tells me when he visits you he’s able to get away from everything here.” Now its Puffys turn to put a hand on Tommys shoulder. Tommy gives her a small smile.
“Alright how about we get you something to eat then a nice bed to pass out on?” Puffy stands making her way to the door.
“Honestly I’m starving and yes passing out would be nice.” Tommy falls her out to the outside. The smell of the ocean and crash of the waves are soothing. As much as he wants to go find Sam now, the waiting game is one he’s mastered over the years.
Finally laying down on a bed buried in Puffys ship, Tommy prays to the Flame that his Dads okay. Because if he isn’t he’ll scorch the ground, nothing but Ashes left. May the Flame turn Ashes to Ashes.
Ashes to Ashes