Chapter Text
Tommy had never quite considered himself reckless.
Now, he knew that many, many people would argue such a notion, but he had reasons for believing it. Sure, he threw himself thoughtlessly into unpredictable situations just for the fun of it, and sure, he never refrained from provoking dangerous enemies just cause he reveled in the thrill of a fight, but that was different. Recklessness would mean he didn't strategize or take the results into account, but an assumption like that would just be plain wrong; he knew exactly what he was getting into, thank you very much.
He hadn't become Pyrocephalus, Esempira's infamous canine supervillain extraordinaire, for no reason. He lived for the excitement.
As did Chimera, the two-toned, double-enhanced enigma, and Fusillade, the explosive wild card with about a hundred themes rolled into one; the three clung as much to chaos as they did to each other.
And while their masked alter egos allowed them far more liberty in the matter, by no means did they stay out of trouble as civilians.
As a matter of fact, yet another wild venture was currently ongoing, accompanied by adrenline that made blood rush in his ears, and Tommy was relishing in every second of it.
He was sure he hadn't had this much fun in ages.
Although, see, to understand his predicament, one thing needs explanation.
He and his friends lived in one of the biggest cities in the world, one overflowing with towering buildings and bustling streets, one that was in desperate need of specialized transport systems due to its size. So, it had this nifty little thing somewhere between a metro and a train; there were a collection of seperate cars attached together that resembled the usual underground tubeline in other cities, often just referred to as carts. They ran through Esempira both above and below ground whenever one was more convenient.
The carts were by far the most popular way of travel, partially because they were fast and easy to access, but also because they were safe.
Esempira was flooded with violence, a near constant abuse of power, heroes and villains always at odds. People took what little security they could find and held onto it for dear life; even that didn't always work, but the carts were always monitored by a surplus of security guards and even some heroes from time to time, so it was the best option out there.
It also made sneaking onto one incredibly difficult and risky. Which was exactly why Tommy had suggested it in the first place, leading to quite the cinematic show of the trio sliding through a set of closing doors.
It had been pretty epic, if he did say so himself.
However, as it turned out, the higher-end tram guards went a little off the rails when it came to unauthorized entry. Pun fully intended.
So now, just a few minutes after being caught without tickets, Tommy, Tubbo, and Ranboo were clutching onto the outside of a moving cart. A cart going nearly seventy miles an hour as the breaks shrieked against metal.
It really couldn't be going any better, honestly.
Tommy, leaning his head back, gave a triumphant whoop and listened as it was carried away by the roaring wind. A barking laugh escaped him; he payed no mind to the numbness of his cheeks and fingers in the cold, hardly even noticing. A glance up revealed Tubbo opposite him, clambering onto the polished white roof, and the pair exchanged a grin.
They didn't have long to dwell. They were in the midst of an escape, after all.
"Go, go, go!" Ranboo spurred him on from his perch by the window. "They're still chasing!"
Oh, yeah. Right.
At this, Tommy heaved himself over the edge with Tubbo's help, before twisting to offer a hand out to Ranboo. His long, striped tail thrashing, the dual-toned hybrid took it, breathless as he was tugged onto the roof beside them.
"Get back down here you little sneaks!" A voice snarled, and they jumped, seeing a pasty hand make a grab at them through the window. When it nearly brushed the reatreating limb, Ranboo snatched his tail away with a low hiss.
"Dumb kids! It's not safe up there!" Another voice interjected. A guard, her hair pulled back into a short ponytail, shoved the first out of the way so she could glare up at them. "Look, just come back down and don't try anything, and we'll all get out of this just fine! All you gotta do is pay for a ticket!"
Yeah, right– like we're just gonna surrender that easily. That'd take away the whole point. "What? I can't hear you, it's too windy up here!" Tommy called back, a hand by his mouth and his eyes alight. "Guess you'll have to catch us!"
"Don't make this worse for yourselves- !"
He pulled back and dove across the gap to the next car, ignoring the indignant protest shot after him. Lady, you have no idea who you're talking to.
Still beaming, Tommy spun to be sure his friends had followed, which they were in the process of doing.
In fact, Tommy nearly got tackled when Tubbo crossed, which resulted in a short-lived spout of insults.
"What the heck, man, you could've knocked me off-"
"Well you didn't get out of the way in time-"
"You're a ferret, aren't you supposed to be able to fit through small spaces-?"
"That's not how that works!"
"Just get to the end of the cart!" Ranboo interrupted, snorting when they both unsuccessfully tried to shove each other towards the edge.
They all perked up at the sound of a latch clicking, gazes darting back to see a metal door slam open on the previous cart.
Tommy almost winced at the expression that greeted them, twisted up with a fury that turned their pursuer's cheeks an ugly beet red.
Almost winced. He got just enough satisfaction out of the annoyance they'd inflicted that he could keep up a smirk.
"You lot are on a very thin line!" The guard howled. "You could end up with jail time for this! Get down from there now and we might all be spared the trouble!"
"Can't throw us in jail if you never catch us!" Tubbo shot back.
"We can find you in the system!" The ponytailed guard said, popping her head out from behind her partner.
The trio exchanged a smug look. "Too bad for you. We're not in the system!" Tommy snickered, and once more, they were off, blissfully oblivious to the commotion they had caused in the previous cart.
Ranboo led the way this time, pausing at the next gap to help them each cross safely, which Tommy accepted only because he got to tug his friend along with him in the process. Meanwhile, Tubbo was watching the rear, warning them of each move the guards made.
From what the brunet could tell, one had gone below to implore the assistance of others, and the younger guard had crept onto the cart-top alongside them.
She seemed much more anxious about running along the surface of an unsteady moving vehicle than they, electing to crawl cautiously on behind them with the help of various grips in the metal. Tommy couldn't help a snerk, even if he supposed it did make sense, considering they hadn't even seen her use an enhancement.
Did that make him a bit elitist? Probably. To be fair, one of his best friends could literally control life and death to a large degree, so he liked to think it was reasonable.
It was a bit more of a concern to them when someone popped up from the next closest cart, and started to catch up.
They weren't too worried, though. If worse came to worst, Ranboo had retractable wings– he could hold his friends up for long enough to escape.
At least, that had been their thought, until a shimmering, transparent gold barrier suddenly wrapped round them and forced them to a stop.
As if on cue, the sky went dark, and the screeching of the cart wheels began to echo against walls of stone.
They'd gone underground.
Tommy's head jerked up, and he turned on his hand. Oh, of course the track would go through a tunnel right now. "You've got to be kidding."
In the faint light cast by overhead lights and the golden shield, he saw his friends shift. "What is this?" Ranboo muttered; all of them had grown defensive.
"Stand down, kids!" A voice boomed from behind them. "It's time to give it up!"
There was a moment of silence as they all grimaced. Then, sinking heavily in on himself, Ranboo sighed, "well that was short-lived."
"We still have options," Tommy said hopefully. Ranboo's gaze flicked to Tubbo, who was inspecting the shield; "do we? Or... are we actually stuck?"
"No, we're definitely trapped. Barrier enhancement," the brunet confirmed quietly, brushing a hand against the glowing surface. "No way out of this without using powers ourselves."
Tommy made a face. Great.
"Maybe I could?" Ranboo suggested with a wave of his hand. "Mine's less recognizable than either of yours."
"But aren't they public knowledge? Which one would you use?" Tommy questioned.
"Doesn't matter. The teleportation would be too obvious, and the shadows couldn't take us with you," Tubbo said. "Enhancments aren't an option."
"So we're left to the classic fancy talk?" Tommy inquired.
"Pretty much."
"Perfect." The blond put on a facetious grin, tapping his fingers on the metal surface. "Always has been my strong suit."
"Maybe you should leave this one to Tubbo," Ranboo remarked dryly.
"Wh- excuse me? What exactly are you implying?"
"I'm implying that your version of 'fancy talk' is more likely to get us into jail, not out."
Tommy opened his mouth to retort, but then glanced at Tubbo‐ who was giving him an amused look- and snapped his mouth shut.
"Mhm, I thought so." Ranboo flicked an ear at him.
"I find your words very offensive, Ranboo."
"Good."
They jumped at the sound of someone clambering onto the roof. Spinning, they could see a figure finally straightening up in the dim lights, uniform whipping in the wind.
Took you long enough, Tommy thought with a huff.
"Okay, you little brats," the newcomer grunted over the roar, eyes glinting gold in the reflection of his power. "Here's the deal."
"We don't usually make deals, actually," Tommy commented.
Tubbo elbowed him roughly in the ribs, drawing out a splutter of offense. Rude. "But we can make an exception this once."
The guard gave them an unimpressed look. "Right. Well, it seems like you were just making trouble for fun, and while that's not acceptable, it doesn't require anything severe. So what's gonna happen is you'll spend a few hours at the station, answer some questions, and you'll walk out with a fine to pay off. Got it?"
Oh, heck no. Tommy narrowed his eyes at Tubbo, who just shrugged. "I mean, you caught us. Whatever you say goes, boss man."
The brunet ignored Tommy's low hiss.
Ranboo caught his eye with a dry look, and Tommy made a face.
"Great." The guard raised an eyebrow, hand lifting up to gesture. "Then here's how this is gonna go. I'll let down the shield, and you need to follow me carefully down to the carts again." He flashed them a warning glare. "You try to run off, and we'll do this by force. Trust me, you don't want that."
Ha. If you knew us, you wouldn't be so sure.
Tubbo only dipped his head, ears twitching in a way that would've definitely betrayed his amusement to anyone who understood hybrid body language. "Sure. Promise we won't try anything, though, we know when we're caught."
And they certainly did.
Well. Many would argue that Tommy in particular really didn't, but in this situation at least, his point stood.
He bit down on his tongue, feeling the abnormally sharp canines prick at it, in an effort to quell his apprehension. Just a little longer and he could go running again.
The guard stepped back, keeping them in sight of his watchful glare, and raised a glowing hand.
The barrier began to melt away like ice in summer, dripping molten gold from the uppermost point of the dome. The trio shifted, and even in their limited communication, managed to exchange a few unspoken words.
They'd wait it out, be patient, seemed to be the agreement, however much Tommy hated it– he'd come out here to let off some steam, for heck's sake– but he guessed not getting thrown in jail would be a nice bonus.
The warm glow flickered out with the last of the shield, leaving them with the dim strobe of tunnel spotlights. The guard crossed his arms and waited.
"Off you go," he ordered curtly. "I'm sure if you got up here so easily, you can make it back down."
Tubbo, being the closest, cast a dubious glance back at his friends. Both of them shrugged, and the brunet rolled his eyes before sliding to the edge.
His tail tip twitched, and he pushed off without hesitation, landing on the entryway with an echoing clatter.
Tommy and Ranboo followed not long after. The guard lowered himself down much more cautiously, a watchful eye constantly on them.
He seemed, understandably, a bit concerned by their uncaring descents. Most normal teens wouldn't jump multiple feet from a moving train car onto a see-through metal grate so readily.
They weren't exactly normal teens, but the guard didn't know that. The thought made Tommy scowl as they were passed, a knock ringing out on the stark metal door as the group waited. If he knew who we were, he'd be shaking in those stupid rubber tipped boots.
The door was tugged open, two more guards meeting them, both carrying sets of handcuffs.
The trio's hearts collectively sank at the sight. Handcuffs would make the whole thing more of a frustration than a risky venture.
Unfortunately, they couldn't fight it without using their enhancements, which again was not an option. Brilliant.
It took immense effort for Tommy to bite back a growl when that pretentious barrier guy shoved him forward, like some misbehaving child. At a glance back, he saw that his friends were being treated much less roughly, which made him feel both better and worse. They sent him a sympathetic and a dark look respectively.
The group was lead over to the corner benches, which had evidently been emptied of passengers, and they settled there unprompted with varying levels of smugness. Surprisingly, Ranboo seemed the most so, placing a hand behind his head and kicking his legs out, leaning against Tubbo like this had been the plan all along. He and Tommy both caught on right away, easily relaxing and playing up the casual conversation.
"So now that's done, have you guys heard about the new game coming out?" Tubbo started.
And Tommy continued. "What, Plateau?"
"Yeah, yeah, that one- apparently it's just been released, its super fun but also super buggy-"
"Yo, you know we've gotta get it then," Ranboo added in.
"Oh of course."
"We should make TikToks of all the dumb exploits we find-"
"What else would we even do?"
"That's what I'm saying!"
A throat was cleared. They ignored it.
"It'll be great, we'll get hundreds of likes with no effort-"
"So true-"
"Put those really clickbait-y titles on the YouTube videos-"
"Excuse me!" A voice tried to break in. They talked louder.
"Oh yeah that'll be great-"
"Hey did you hear something?"
"Nah, must've been the cart wheels-"
"Hey!" The guard barked sharply. "That's enough!"
The trio broke off, and without the slightest pause, all of them flipped him off. Technically Ranboo used the wrong finger, but still.
It was nearly simultaneous. The three exchanged a look, and promptly burst into incredulous laughter.
All three guards looked appalled. One of the new ones, an older woman, clenched her fists in offense.
"Young men, you would dare-" the other started in disbelief.
"Oh, we would dare, meh meh meh meh meh, I'm so prim and proper," Tommy mocked, still wheezing. "I can't believe that just happened-"
"That was perfect!" Tubbo cackled. "Oh, all your faces- surely not-"
The guards shared a dubious look.
Strange, concerned frowns from the passengers across the cart followed them, but they didn't notice.
No one quite seemed to know what to do.
The rest of the ride went practically undisturbed, purely out of bafflement.
-
The trio hadn't even intended to escape the handcuffs, but apparently uncontrollable laughter was a pretty good defense system. They'd confused a lot of people in a very short time.
They'd have to remember that. But for the present...
Instead of being bound up and guided out, they were simply instructed to step onto the platform, a crew of five or six cops waiting to meet them. There was no way back onto the cart of course, and the exits were too far for them too reach just by running, so they were sort of stuck.
Tommy lead the way, glowering as he went.
"What a warm welcoming committee," he commented irritably at the officers, noting his friends on either side of him. "I feel so reassured."
"You're the ones who committed the crime, pal," someone retorted from the back. "It's your own fault."
"I think there's been a big misunderstanding here, honestly. We haven't done a thing."
"We caught them on the roof not long after they snuck in." And of course, it was the barrier enhancement guy, his tone dry as the desert. "Can you lot handle it from here?"
"Yeah, yeah, we got 'em," the guy in front waved the comment off. "Don't worry about it."
"Good. Take care, Sean."
"That's Chief to you! Quit causin' me extra trouble!" Sean, apparently, called irritably, just before the doors slammed shut.
Tubbo snorted quietly. Ranboo smacked his shoulder from behind Tommy.
The blond only glared as Sean approached lackadaisically. The man gave off a quick first impression, one that told he really didn't care how this went, just wanted it to be over with.
Honestly, Tommy could relate.
Although the attitude would make it all the easier for his trio to get off scot free. Hopefully.
The train got moving behind them, wheels screeching against the metal tracks, and it was gone. It left a chill against Tommy's back.
Sean beckoned his officers forward. Tense, the trio inched closer together, ready and alert.
In the seconds before the distance was closed, Tommy leaned to Tubbo and whispered, "what's the plan, king?"
"Escape and try not to get murdered in the process," was hissed back. Ranboo's tail flicked in acknowledgement on his other side.
Fair enough. "Will do." Tommy's eyes narrowed as Sean reached him first, snatching up a pair of cuffs from his belt.
"Alright. I'm already having a busy day, so why don't you lot make this a little quicker for me and come along easy?"
"Hmm... I dunno. Doesn't sound like much fun."
"I know you seem to think it is, what with the whole commotion you just cause on the train, but life isn't about having fun." The chief shook his head. "Look, I get it. You're a buncha teens testing your limits. But now you've found 'em, and you gotta cooperate."
When there was no reply, Sean jangled the handcuffs in his grip. "You'll only have to suffer through it for the drive, yeah? Not a big deal."
The chief shot a meaningful look down Tommy's crossed arms. The blond lifted an eyebrow.
"Yeah, that's not happening."
The other officers watched, glancing uncertainly between the two as they were seemingly left at an impasse. Someone awkwardly cleared their throat.
"I'll need you to hold out your wrists, kid," Sean said roughly. "You're being brought back to the station whether you like it or not."
Tommy allowed a small smirk onto his face. "Am I?"
The chief's expression lost its lazy dullness. "Yes. Now hold out your hands, bucko."
Tommy dipped his head and snorted. "Bucko?"
"Quit jokin' around. I don't have all day."
"You've yet to convince me this is worth my time."
"Your time? You trespassed on a cart for the love of- you know what? Fine." Sean made a grab for Tommy's wrist, but it was clumsy, all things considered. The blond dodged it easily, and sent a shove at his chest for extra measure.
When their gazes met again, the chief was fuming.
"Hands. Up."
"No."
"You've had your fun, kid," Sean snapped. "It's time to give it up now."
"Make me."
A pause as the chief's eyes narrowed.
Tommy's expression never lost its smug challenge, even as Sean responded tersely, "I will. But I don't have to."
"Oh, I think you do." Tommy tipped his head, then made a move for his pocket. All he carried was a pocket knife, and by no means did he intend to use it here, but they didn't know that.
However, his plan didn't exactly go as expected, because seconds later, two of the others surged forward accompanied by barking orders.
"Out of the way!"
"Hands up, kid!"
Well. He'd expected them draw weapons or something, back away, but no. Guess not.
Woops.
Ranboo let out a sharp yowl as he was yanked back by the arm, stumbling, for the second officer to get past. Both Tommy and Tubbo immediately whipped around, ready for a fight, but Ranboo had already pushed his assailant away; on the other hand, Tommy was still on the defense. Gasping, forced to sidestep a grab at his jacket, he nearly careened into Sean.
A hand closed around his wrist. Choking back the growl in his throat was nearly painful.
There was a resounding click as metal bound his arms together, the chains rattling, but none of the trio even paused.
A few things happened at once. As Tommy tried to wrestle himself out of the grip with a barely human snarl, Tubbo launched something into the ground, and Ranboo took a flying leap forward.
An ear-splitting bang sent Tommy spiraling, disoriented, as his captor cried out in surprise.
His eyes shut tight to block out the rising smoke, his ears ringing in the commotion, and seconds later–
Tommy blinked, and suddenly he was sitting on the floor, free of the chief and surrounded by fog so thick he could barely see.
"Uh..."
"Are you okay?" Tommy startled at Ranboo's breathless voice beside him. "Here, I've got his keys, hang on‐"
"Wh- wait a second, what just happened?" Tommy spluttered. "Did Tubbo throw a smoke bomb?"
"Yeah, all the cops ran to the outside, we're fine." There was a low click as the cuffs fell away. Tommy made a face and rubbed at his wrists, squinting to see his friend through the dust.
"What happened to the chief guy?"
"I may have, uh, knocked him out."
Tommy stared for a moment, then let out a quiet snerk. "I thought we were trying to be at least a bit inconspicuous?"
Ranboo waved a dismissive hand, but Tommy could see his grin. "It's fine, Tubbo broke the cameras and it's too soon for the media to catch on. No harm done."
"Except for that guy probably getting head trauma."
"That is true, but he kind of deserved it."
"He did."
"Exactly. So, no harm done."
"Fair enough."
Ranboo snorted and held out a hand. Tommy took it, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet, and they made their way cautiously to the smoke's edge.
The entire platform appeared oddly fuzzy to Tommy's eyes, and he glimpsed the officers still coughing near the exits. A few of them had guns drawn, watching the gray cloud warily.
I guess hybrid-friendly smoke bombs were a good idea after all. That enchantment Ranboo and I made really does wonders.
Tommy shot an amused look at his friend, receiving a matching one right back.
"Come on, we gotta go before they call in backup," Ranboo pointed out, a laugh just under his voice.
"Are we waiting for Tubs?"
"He's already out."
"Oh, sick."
"Yep."
"Let's go then."
"That's what I just said."
"No, I said it first."
"You actually didn't."
"Definitely did. It's very rude to take credit for people's suggestions, you know."
"Okay Tommy."
They disappeared back into the fog, and he elbowed Ranboo roughly in the ribs as they vanished to the surface.
Tubbo took great amusement in seeing Tommy get swatted over the head with a pale wing, and in the chase that ensued.
They escaped, taunts and laughter ringing out all the same, to the shadowed back alleys.
In Tommy's humble opinion, his suggestion had been an incredible success.
––––––––––––––––
Ranboo let out a long, contented sigh, his eyes closed.
He relished in the feeling of a chilled breeze flowing by his face. Peace at last.
While they'd had an icredible ride, one he wouldn't have passed up for the world, he was glad to have a moment of peace before they got going again. A lemur-bat needed his daytime rest.
He paused.
Do I? I don't actually know.
Bats were nocturnal, but lemurs weren't. Huh. Maybe that's why his sleep schedule was so skewed.
Somehow, he doubted that was the only reason.
"Ranboo?"
The hybrid's ear twitched. "Yes, Tommy?"
"I know you've done it before, but like. Why the hell are you upside down?"
Ranboo blinked open his eyes and squinted.
The world was in fact flipped on its head, the indigo dusk sky beaming at him from below and the skyscrapers hung up as lights began to flicker on like stars.
It was an odd sort of comfort, and one he for once, understood quite easily.
"I'm... I'm a bat? Why do you only question this now?"
"Well, I didn't want to be rude, but I suppose my curiosity has gotten the better of me," he said, his voice lilting sarcastically towards the end. He frowned. "I thought the upside down thing was only for... actual bats."
"N-no? You're a jackal hybrid, you should know how this works- we get all sorts of weird habits from our animal origins."
"Yeah, didn't you eat grass once?" Tubbo pointed out from the table across from them. "Cause the whole jackals will eat anything deal?"
Tommy met him with a deep glare. "I thought we agreed not to speak of that day."
"I specifically told you that I made no promises."
"I don't remember that."
"I do!" Ranboo lifted a hand before quickly letting it flop limply back down again.
"Well then this is just sad. If he can remember it, why can't you?" Tubbo snickered.
Hey, isn't that an insult to both of us? Why am I getting insulted?
Tommy glowered at the brunet. "I hate you."
"Right back atcha."
Ranboo snorted.
Tommy gave a faint scoff, rolling his eyes and poking at Ranboo's resting wing. "Fine. Get on with your weird bat habits, I'll stop questioning you."
"Thanks," he replied amusedly, batting the hand away.
"Hang on, isn't that also a lemur thing?" Tubbo looked up. "I thought that was also a lemur thing."
"Not that I know of, but I'm not exactly as well-versed in that side of things. I think some kinds might sleep upside down? Maybe?"
"Don't ring-tailed lemurs sleep in caves, though?" Tommy lifted an eyebrow.
"Wait, is that why you like dark spaces? I thought it was a shadow enhancement thing." Tubbo tipped his head, hooking his foot around the table leg so he could lean back.
Ranboo just shrugged, as well as he could, hanging upside down from his knees.
"Very informative," Tommy snorted.
"Thank you."
"I was being sarcastic."
"I know. None of us are ever not being saracstic."
"That's not true, I can be very serious when I'd like to be."
"Uh huh."
"Oh ye of little belief," Tommy huffed.
Tubbo tipped his head. "Oh ye of little faith," he corrected.
"What?"
"The phrase is 'oh ye of little faith.'"
There seemed to be a moment of deliberation, and then, "Yeah, but that's not what I said, big man, is it?"
Tubbo just grinned. "No, it's not."
"Clearly all those explosions have had an effect on you, Tubso."
The ferret stuck out his tongue.
"Exhibit A," Ranboo gestured at Tommy. "Sarcasm."
"Jerk."
Ranboo paused, then hummed. "Fair enough, I was wrong. You also use childish name-calling."
"Excuse me? I will enchant you with levitation," Tommy retorted indignantly.
"Well, I can fly, so that probably wouldn't be so bad. Also levitation is a potion effect."
"Make it Curse of Binding, then. But it'll be you, to that pole you're hanging from."
"Okay, that would suck. But you can't enchant a living thing, so ha."
"I'd find a way," Tommy vowed.
"That would be difficult when even I don't know where I learned how to use my enchanting enhancment."
"Probably some freaking cult, knowing enchantments."
"I'm fairly confident I was not in a cult when I was seven," Ranboo remarked dryly, ears fluttering as he stretched out his arms.
"Wouldn't put it past you," Tubbo chimed in.
"Wh- what does that even mean?"
"You tell me," was the brunet's snickering reply.
"You're the one who said it!"
"Yep."
Ranboo started to stammer a bewildered response, then quickly gave up. What am I dealing with. "You know what? I'm not even gonna try."
"Now you're getting it."
"I'm really not. It's been like nine years and I still don't understand you."
"That's cause he changes his whole persona every six months," said Tommy, leaning leisurely sideways against the metal.
"Hey, that's not true!" A pause. "It's at least seven."
"You have definitely swapped personas more often than that," Ranboo snorted. "You literally have three right now."
"They're all for different jobs! Fuse is a full on villain, and Honeycomb is just a mechanic," Tubbo pointed out. "They serve different purposes."
"And yet they're all just as chaotic." Tommy grinned, then huffed, brushing his hair back when wind blew blond strands into his face.
"You're one to talk."
"I don't think any of us can use being chaotic as an insult." Ranboo lifted up a wing to block some of the piercing breeze from Tommy, who shot him a grateful glance.
"Fair."
"Oh, by the way, how long were you gone for?" Ranboo inquired. "I never actually heard you come back, I was kinda half asleep."
"Not very long, honestly. Like I said earlier, just wanted to dig up a snack." Tommy patted his hoodie pocket, causing whatever package was inside to crackle. "The chance to get that stuffy freakin jumper off and let my tail out was good too though."
"I'd imagine," Ranboo hummed in agreement, noting the sweet relief that accompanied letting his wings free.
It was easy to understand why his friend felt the same.
Both of them had to don some sort of concealment even in their civilian forms. While the ones they had as villains covered their faces and voices, their hybrid traits would surely get them recognized, and that meant stifling disguises were a near constant requirement.
Tommy, with his seemingly limitless ability of enhancement manipulation– he could both mimic abilities and, because hybrid traits were technically an extension of magic, control to what extent they manifested– hid his tail, ears, and markings away when he was in public. Technically, he was unlikely to be recognized just by his appearance, considering that canine hybrids weren't exactly uncommon; however, Tommy refused to drop his exuberant speech patterns in either persona, so he was in need of a little extra padding when it came to his identity.
Ranboo, meanwhile, didn't have quite the same convenience to disguise himself, but what he did have was multiple enhancements. His shadow manipulation wasn't particularly relevant to his civilian self unless he wanted to play a prank or something, which obviously he had never done, but his other power was double-edged all on its own; teleportation, and enchanting, a rare ability which allowed him to easily use volatile magic that normally required set supplies, dedicated research, and careful regulation.
Yeah, it was a bit dramatic. But to be fair, it wasn't like he had any control over it.
The enchantments were what allowed Ranboo a less suspicious facade, one that didn't involve probably a full face mask and hood to make him look like a sketchy criminal. He was a dignified villain, thank you, not a lowly street goon.
He'd enchanted two items: a blue-white crystal necklace, which essentially provided a sturdy illusion, turning his hair a blond-brown, his eyes a mix of blue, gray, and green– it sort of varied, really, as though the enchantment couldn't quite decide– and smoothed over the split tones of his skin. In addition, he had a thin black wristband, embedded with a silver-lined amethyst, that turned his tail and ears a static gray. Both jewels were carefully protected at all times, though while they guarded him from recognition, they could also be very draining. Not to mention, his wings had to be locked away the duration of any time he was out. Restlessness was no new feeling.
Tubbo was the only one of the three that didn't disguise himself somehow as a civilian. He had requested an enchantment for when he was Honeycomb– one that turned his hair a vibrant blond– so he wouldn't be connected to Fuse, but that was all. Luckily, his markings were few and far between, his fur a rather traditional pale brown that wasn't far off from matching his hair. His ferret traits weren't particularly noticeable; no one would recognize Tubbo just walking around like they could Ranboo and Tommy.
The whole deal made for a lot of sneaking around, as well as having Tubbo do all the simple stuff like grocery runs.
It was also why they had places like this, set up on random rooftops near their district. Hidden corners of the city where they'd dragged unused tables and chairs and even a swing set for the one used most often, places they could rest and talk without the having to worry. They had other places, of course, they didn't live on the streets; in fact, there was a good size apartment where they most often stayed, a garage they had set up with all sorts of unnecessary devices and comforts, which was usually used as a sort of storage and for arbitrary game nights, and a full underground bunker where all their 'villain work' was kept. Tubbo's mechanics were done there, Ranboo's expiremental enchantments, Tommy's tests of his power mimicry.
They were nowhere near in need of an extra place to hang out, but these spots just made life a bit easier. Besides, they all enjoyed the scents and sights of nature, as much as they could get it in the thick of the city.
Ranboo was brought back to the present when Tommy flicked him out of nowhere.
"Ow– what was that for?"
"You weren't listening to me. I wanted attention."
"Bruh, you are a literal child."
"I am not! How dare you, you son of a–"
"You can't even deny it its so true–"
"Shut up–"
"Hey guys," Tubbo interrupted, as though talking over a casual conversation. "Our story's on the news already."
Oh?
Tommy and Ranboo were off immediately, although the latter had more difficulty, almost falling onto his back before managing to flip over again.
Tubbo was on his phone, curiosity showing in the tilt of his ears. His friends leaned eagerly over his shoulder.
One of the officers who'd been at the scene was speaking, glancing between the reporter and the camera. He seemed a little out of it despite his curt words.
"–is suggested that all citizens take caution near this platform until these criminals can be caught or until further notice. Police investigations are in tow and we can assure you that we will have answers soon."
Will you, now? Ranboo thought wryly. Sure. Good luck with that one buddy.
Another reporter was talking now, someone in the studio, gesturing to an overhead view of the dusty, roped off platform.
"–are still unsure where the perpetrators went, and seem to be unable to describe their appearances. Police Chief Sean Calvert, who suffered a minor head injury and is currently recovering in the safety of his home, explained an odd sense of disorientation when trying to recall the boy's faces."
"Oh, did you enchant the cops?" Tommy blinked, ears flicking. "I didn't catch that."
"Yeah, I put a cloak sort of thing on the area. No one will be able to recognize us if thats the only place they've seen us, if that makes sense? And I did the same thing on that one train car," Ranboo explained. He was actually kind of proud of that enchantment. He hadn't put enough thought into it to realize how well it would work, but apparently it did work that well, so. Score.
'Sick," was Tommy's reply. Tubbo nodded his agreement. "Yeah, man, that's really cool."
"Aw, thanks."
Tommy punched him in the shoulder, and Ranboo nudged him back.
There was a different figure on the screen again, now of the barrier guard from the train. He was going over the same things as the cops, how he just couldn't seem to recall what they looked like, and how there were no enhancements used by which they could be identified.
Apparently, the trio had caused a bit of a mess.
Ranboo knew none of them would have it any other way.
––––––––––––––––––––––––
Dusk had long passed by the time they enetered on their apartment.
They had spent a few hours walking the streets of the south side, rifling through different shops, chasing each other down the roads, just messing around, and now it was almost nine. And while many would probably be settling, they were just getting started. They still had a whole night of sparring, planning, and prep to do, albeit interlaced with a fair few games.
A break wouldn't be so bad, though. The work could wait until after dinner.
The door was pushed open. The golden-orange lights flicked on, and Tubbo sighed as warmth washed over him.
It was a relief to be back somewhere they really owned, rather than, well, somewhere they acted like they owned.
Tubbo wasn't sure they could exactly call it home. It only came close to that because they always had each other, here. But it came closer than anywhere else they'd ever been.
It was a welcoming place, cozy, likely more so than you'd expect from the highest ranked villains in the city. It looked lived-in. They supposed it did make sense– in the end, they were just a trio of teens going about their lives. Pretty good ones, if you asked them.
The apartment was a luxury, with all the comforts and size of a house, just shoved onto one floor instead. It entered onto a large living room, a rather misshapen one, because of the odd layout. They didn't mind that, though. It gave character.
There were windows stretching along the front wall, but they were almost always covered by dark curtains. However, the trio had strung up all kinds of lights along the ceiling edges and all the shelves, purples and white-yellows and pale blues, so none of the liveliness was taken away.
Tubbo had always loved the way their place was decorated. It was unique, unorthodox, for sure, and it represented all of them equally.
Most of the floors were tan carpet, with walls of dark red and mauve, shelves of polished mahogany. What made it more eye-catching, though, was that during the process of painting, they'd accidentally started a battle which resulted in splashes of color all over the wrong walls; oddly, they ended up liking the messiness, deciding to go with the look and stylize it. They'd gotten a bit too excited with the result, in how much they loved it, but we're still more than proud. It suited them.
Even more fitting was the chaos of actual decor. There were posters and pictures scattered haphazardly over every surface, a good few of the trio themselves, grinning or laughing in the glare.
They liked to used a particular cracked camera lense. It made all the pictures their own, in a way.
The best part of everything, though, was their bedroom. Tommy and Ranboo both knew how to paint to a certain degree, and had tuned the skill specifically for that one project.
Over a week straight of work, they'd finally finished a wall-to-wall mural of a brilliant night sky. Vibrant sapphire blues and rich purples streaking over a mountain-top horizon, scattered with white stars and a glowing moon, reflecting in the lake on the opposite side. It created an atmosphere they hadn't found anywhere else, a comfort and peace that made them all sleep easier. They set up pure white fairy lights in that room as well, to compliment it, make it feel more real.
There wasn't anything plastered over the paint, there, but the amount of curios and little knickknacks they collected on the bookshelves made up for it.
Tubbo couldn't wait to crash into his fluffy green blankets in there later, bury his face in the softness of his pillows. Until then, however...
There was something else he could do that to.
"Hey! Don't you dare take up the whole couch, Tubbo, we agreed–"
Tubbo collapsed on the cushions, spreading his arms above his head and effectively... taking up the whole couch.
Ranboo broke off and stared at him, unimpressed.
"My couch." Tubbo grinned.
"No. It is not your couch."
"I paid for it."
"All of us paid for it!"
"With money I earned from my tech. You cannot tell me your convenience store job got us this overpriced thing."
"Okay, fair point, but it's not a convenience store," Ranboo huffed. "That would just be low."
Tubbo snorted. "Your spoiled prince is showing."
Ranboo made a face at him, tossing his bag into the corner and sinking heavily onto the purple bean bag chair beside it. His tail settled in his lap and he began to comb through it idly. "I am not spoiled," he pouted. "And also your shoes are getting dirt on the armrest."
"You better not be getting my spot dirty!" Tommy barked from the kitchen.
"Nah, it's Ranboo's side," Tubbo answered.
"Oh. That's fine then."
"Hey!"
Tubbo's tail twitched back and forth with amusement as he dug a pillow from the corner behind his head. He lifted it with one arm and chucked it across the room at Ranboo, who batted it easily to the floor with a splutter. "Rude."
"You deserved it."
"Wh- why?"
"For... that doughnut you stole from me last week."
"You hold grudges too long."
"Spite is what fuels me."
Ranboo tossed the pillow back, and Tubbo caught it, tucking it to his chest.
"Turn on the news, I wanna see if they're still talking about us," the brunet demanded.
"Do it yourself!"
"No."
"Fine, then I guess the TV stays off." Ranboo met Tubbo's gaze defiantly.
"Fine."
Mistakes, mistakes, Tubbo thought as he looked right back, not even bothering to hold back his smirk.
The moment dragged on, and he could see as Ranboo began to deeply regret his decisions.
Tubbo refused to look away, and suddenly Ranboo was reminded why Fuse was so incredibly intimidating, as flinty eyes bore into his own.
Eventually, the lemur-bat groaned and got to his feet, breaking the intense stare and plucking the remote from its shelf.
Tubbo really was menace to society.
And everyone knew it, including himself. The brunet's eyes betrayed his satisfaction.
As Ranboo flicked through the channels, looking for the news, Tubbo tipped his head back.
"Hey Tommy, what are you making?" He called curiously. It was the blond's turn to cook dinner, as had been decided on the way back, since Tubbo and Ranboo had made a dish together the night before. Many would be surprised, but all three of them were actually fair chefs– although they each had particular quirks. Tommy had such a wide array of meals to make that he was genuinely unpredictable; everything Tubbo created was... vibrant, in flavour; and Ranboo never made anything without some sort of pasta on the side.
So Tubbo was curious what arbitrarily chosen meal Tommy had gone with this time.
"Carne asada tacos and sweet cornbread," was the reply, making Tubbo tilt his head with interest. "I decided to be fancy, so you better like it."
"Sounds awesome, boss man."
"Wait, what even are carne asada tacos?" Ranboo asked, glancing up from the remote in confusion.
Tommy made a noise of disbelief. "You haven't had carne asada?! Oh, you are about to be enlightened, my friend."
"When have you guys had the time to get some fancy dish without me?"
"During one of your missions." Tubbo let his arm swing idly over the side of the couch, humming. "If I remember correctly, it was that night some thugs almost shot you while you were trying to offer them a deal like three months ago."
Ranboo frowned. "Those guys at the warehouse? The ones that figured out Jester's name?"
"Yep."
"I thought you said you were trying to guide Fennec and Integrity away cause they were on patrol!"
"To be fair, that wasn't a lie. We trapped a bunch of people inside a mall and left those two to deal with it."
"And then got carne asada tacos," Tommy finished.
"Right."
Ranboo shot both of them silent glares.
Tubbo just grinned. "Sucks to be you."
Ranboo, without turning his head, flicked through the channels once more. "I hate it here."
"You love us," Tubbo argued, voice laced with amusement.
"Only out of obligation."
"Liar."
"Nope. It's completely forced. It has never been my choice."
"Bet."
"No."
"Coward."
"That's just rude. The fact that I have no backbone has already been established."
Tubbo snickered, opening his mouth to reply, when Ranboo perked up. "Aha! Found it!"
The news channel flickered into view, and Tubbo shot up in his seat. "Ooh, ooh! Are we on there?"
"I'm not sure, hang on," Ranboo fiddled with the remote, holding the plus button until the volume lifted enough to hear.
A pause, and someone began to speak.
Tubbo watched, alert, ears perked. Then he sank down, face falling.
No, it wasn't about them. The reporters had moved on to whatever crap the top heroes were up to.
Something dumb about Fennec and Sphinx teaming up with a vigilante, which wasn't even surprising. Fennec was known for working with vigilantes all the time. Monarch, Inchling, Halo- the Trio had personal experience with the guys, so this was no news to them, despite the universal name.
Why were they even still paying for this stuff?
He sighed, and he heard a similar noise of exasperation from Ranboo.
"I regret everything. The news is boring."
"I agree," Tubbo grumbled. "Media sucks."
"You should've just let me leave it off."
"I should have."
Ranboo plopped back in his bean bag chair, tossing the remote at Tubbo. "Maybe we can put on a movie or something."
The brunet caught it reluctantly, leaning his chin on his hand as he did. "I dunno. Is there anything on?"
"You tell me, man, I didn't look."
"I am not taking the time to skip through all these shows again."
"You could look something up."
"Maybe. What though?"
"I dunno, something comedic?"
"Hmm."
Tubbo leaned back on the couch again, holding out the remote. "Could watch a few epsiodes of a series, too, like–" He broke off.
Ranboo blinked. "Huh?"
"Hold on. What are they saying?"
Tubbo turned the volume up again.
"–with the seemingly endless chaos these villains have brought. Many citizens seem to believe that justice is long overdue, and claim that Nox has been neglecting their duty by waiting so long–"
"Woah, wait," Tubbo straightened sharply. "Are they talking about us? Like- supervillains, us?"
Ranboo's ears flicked, alert, and he made swiftly to his feet so he could get a look at the screen. "Are they?"
"–refused to answer for an extended period of time, but finally conceded, agreeing to an interview just last weekend about their stance on Pyrocephalus, Fusillade, and Chimera's activity–"
"They are! Yo, Tommy, come look at this!" Tubbo called, eyes alight. "Man, it's been ages since someone did an interview about us!"
"Wait, like an actual interview? Is it live right now?" The blond questioned over the the sizzling in the kitchen.
"Yeah, so hurry up!"
"Alright, alright, hang on a sec—" there were a few successive clicks, and then Tommy was swinging around the wall, sliding up and catching himself on the couch. "What's going on?"
"Not sure, just listen."
"–believe that the people are correct, and we apologize for not acting sooner. But things will be changing soon, we have plans in the works–"
"Plans?" Ranboo murmured thoughtfully. "Haven't they kind of already tried everything?"
"Not everything, no." Tubbo was starting to bounce in his seat. "Prime, I hope this is what I think it is."
"You don't think they'd actually?" Tommy's eyes were wide.
"Oh, I think they might. I really hope they do."
"–and you think the villains will feel threatened by this?"
"We would hope so. The Trio seem very unpredictable in most cases, but this is another level."
"Another level?"
"Well," the head of Nox held out his hands, glancing at the camera and back, smiling slightly. "We've never sent anyone after them above the fifth rank. That's the big change; as of yesterday, SBI accepted the role of chasing down our city's troublemakers."
"SBI? All of them?"
"That's right. Siren, Zephyrus, even Blade, the rank one hero. With any luck, having those three after them, the Trio won't stand a chance."
All of them were staring at the screen in shock.
Tubbo couldn't help the breathy laugh that escaped his throat.
Surely not.
SBI.
Rank one, three, and four– they're the most powerful hero group out there.
"No way," Ranboo said, almost blankly, disbelieving. "They're really sending them out?"
Almost all Tommy's weight was lying on the backrest of the couch, as he pressed forward, ears standing straight up. "They're actually sending them out."
"Surely not," Tubbo breathed.
They're actually doing it.
A grin slowly spread across his face, and at a sideways glance, he saw both his friends looking back with the most mischievous excitement conceivable.
Oh, this is gonna be fun.
"For Prime's sake, finally!" Tommy brought a hand to the side of his face, his eyes gleaming as laughter began to bubble up. "We've been waiting for so freakin' long!"
"An actual even matchup!" Ranboo pumped his fists in the air, head tipped back. "Yes!"
"We're gonna be able to use our enhancements to the fullest," Tubbo pointed out, glee seeping into his voice. "That hasn't happened in ages."
"At long last," Tommy snickered. "Some real action."
At long last indeed.