Archive of Our Own

Tommy opens his eyes with a snap only to be greeted with darkness. Where is he?

Something is tight around his body but not uncomfortable. It felt like a warm silk blanket. But he couldn't move. He feels he should be more panicked but he stays calm. There's no need to when everything feels fine. Right?

For a moment there is silence, before he hears muffled footsteps and distant murmuring. His mind was calm before but with the new sounds, foreign thoughts flood his brain.

Clutter-pack-lonely-longing-clutter-help-

Hungry.

With the new strange ideas in his head one thought stands out. Hunger . And it's right. He's starving. He just realizes that his stomach is aching. A bottomless pit that he needs to fill.

He tries to struggle, to wriggle and writhe, but he can't. His entire body lays stiff and motionless. So he does the next best thing and what he does best; he makes noise. And it works!

But what comes out isn't what he was expecting. A strange clicking noise comes out of him followed by a whine. It seems to do something as the footsteps speed up and the muttering gets closer. He can hear pattering taps against a wall. 

He can hear the voice and rejoices. Someone is coming to help! And not just anyone, his instincts realize, it's his clutter . His sire.

His whining and clicking gets more frantic and his hunger grows. He can vaguely smell something potent and sweet from outside the wrappings around him. It makes his hunger increase tenfold.

The voice is right next to him now and he can actually make out a few of the words.

"Hey, it's okay little spiderling."

And the words comfort him because of course, everything will be fine! He has his clutter near him. He'll be taken care of. He clicks a bit more and the voice chuckles.

"Oh, you must be so hungry. You can have the food but you'll need to get out of your cocoon first Toms. You can do it."

Cocoon? Wait. That's what he's in. Of course! He just needs to get out and then he can see his sire and eat!

An instinctive feeling overtakes him. The need to escape. The need to tear through this stuffy cocoon to get to his clutter. 

Suddenly, he feels something move on his back. It startles him and he chirps in surprise. The voice chuckles again.

"I see you've found your new limbs. Use them, Tommy. You know how."

And the voice is right. He knows exactly how to use the strange new appendages. He extends them in a jolt and hears a tear. Yes! He's doing it! He then gains some control over his front arms. He pushes as much as he can with both sets of limbs.

With a tear, he unravels himself from the darkness. He's out.

Before he can even think, he is hit with the smell of something delicious. His hunger overtakes every thought and his instincts beg him, hunt-prey-hungry-prey-sire.

He tries to look around for prey but is overwhelmed  by what he is looking at. Everything looks different. He can see more. 

The thought disappears quickly as the hunger grows and he is greeted by a familiar face. Dream. His sire. His clutter.

He chirps and clicks at the familiar blonde. The man's eyes- were there always four of them?- crinkle as he smiles warmly. He stares at Tommy in adoration. And best of all, he clicks back at Tommy. Tommy clicks back.

Dream's smile grows even more. "There you are spiderling. Look at you." He says, breathless. Dream scoots closer to Tommy on what he now realizes is a giant web. Tommy stares in awe at the large structure that is connected to the walls of the room they reside in.

Dream regains Tommy's attention when he places a hand on his cheek, bringing Tommy's eyes to his own. 

"You're perfect."

Tommy can't quite comprehend much right now but the words make him feel warm and he chirps at Dream. Or, at least, he tries to, because instead of a friendly chirp, a large whine falls from his lips. And he is reminded for the hundredth time of his monstrous hunger. Almost too much to bear now.

His sires eyes widen and frantically grab something next to the pair. And Tommy is hit with the most mouthwatering smell ever. He craves to sink his fangs- wait, fangs?- into whatever that smell is from and his stomach rumbles in agreement.

"Oh Prime, I nearly forgot, you must be starving! I went out hunting just for this Toms. Found a healthy L'manburg soldier hiking out where it wasn't supposed to, just ripe for the taking. You deserve the best, of course." Dream frets.

Dream gathers all of what he is holding and Tommy gets a good look at it. It is a large pile of crimson flesh, blood oozing from every crevice between each slab of meat. The smell is intoxicating and Tommy can barely think before lunging at it.

He tears and chews through the tender meat, not even caring that the blood smears all over his front. All he cares about is to get rid of the endless hunger. And the flesh both fills him and tastes heavenly.  

The blood is still warm from a fresh kill and tastes oh so sweet. It is torn up through his sharp teeth and swallowed with barely any chewing. He is so enraptured by his meal that he takes no notice or care to the voice around him.

"There we go. That's good. You need this first meal to be perfect to get your strength up. I bet it tastes great too, huh? I can't wait to take you out hunting. You'll be amazing. That's why I chose you, y’know? I had choices of others over centuries but, you were perfect the moment I laid eyes on you."

There is a hand brushing some of his long hair from his face, tucking it gently behind his ear. He continues to gorge on the remaining flesh as a hand rubs on his back soothingly. Weirdly, he can feel sensations from somewhere else around his back. 

Tommy finishes his meal and a wave of exhaustion hits him. His sire huffs and brings Tommy close, running a hand through Tommy's long hair. Tommy now rests on his sire's chest.

"You can sleep now Toms. You can sleep. And when you wake up, I'll be here. I'll always be here. Now rest, spiderling."

The voice of his sire rumbles throughout Tommy's body. Dream relaxes onto the web as Tommy shuts his eyes. With a kiss to his forehead, Tommy rests.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Tommy wakes up again. He is more lucid. In fact, he is completely aware.

His body snaps up and his eyes scan the room he is in. It seems like a cave but the walls are cut stone and smooth. Then he notices… HE'S ON A FUCKING WEB!

Tommy panics and tries to get out but he is disoriented by his new vision. He can see more, almost wider. When he goes to touch where his cheek is, his hand jerks back as it pokes his bottom eye.

Wait. WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?!

He shouldn't have another goddamn eye! He raises his hand to his other cheek, another irritated feeling happens. The most he can do is freak out over his new set of eyes.

To make matters worse, he tries to stand on the web but immediately falls over from the bouncy lack of balance the web provides. Instead of falling on his back, something catches his fall.

His eyes were shut to brace for impact but as he realizes nothing is happening he opens them up and looks behind him. And that's what makes him really panic.

Four spider leg-looking limbs are spread out and holding his entire weight. The leg-like appendages are black and fuzzy with a few red hairs here and there. 

Cogs turn in his head and a revelation sweeps over his body like ice cold water. The limbs don't just look like spider legs, they are spider legs. And they are attached to him! The eyes suddenly make sense and the fuzzy memories of a cocoon wash over him.

He's a fucking spider. 

Or at least a hybrid, but how? He never showed any signs of it and Phil is an avian not a fucking spider. And he knows that his mother was an avian as well. So how?

With his new fate and oncoming panic, he does the most sensible thing he can think of. He screams.

It seems to do something as a light comes from below him and a figure walks through it. Tommy shields his sensitive eyes from the light with a hiss. The head snaps up to him and Tommy panics.

He tries to get away or try to move but he can't. Because now he can hear or rather, feel something.

Sire-sire-cluster-safe-cluster-warm-safe

He has no fucking clue what that means but all of it is overridden by fear as the figure crawls up to the web. Crawls?

And indeed, it crawls. The webs, upon further inspection, are everywhere below him and along the walls and the figure has strange spider limbs from its back just like Tommy.

The limbs seem to aid its ascent and before Tommy knows it, the spider thing is crawling along the main large web with ease. Towards Tommy.

The figure makes a strange clicking and crooning noise and he calms right away. He still has coherent thoughts but he doesn't feel panicked anymore. Even as the figure approaches, he just waits for it to come closer, completely aware of the situation. He isn't scared.

The figure is right in front of him now. It has four glowing green eyes and it's back limbs are practically identical to Tommy's own except with faint green instead of red.

Now that the thing is close enough he realizes who this is. The blonde hair, green eyes-

"Dream?" He hears himself say. Dream's lips curl into a smile and Tommy can see fangs poke out. Tommy wonders if he has those.

Dream brings his fuzzy clawed hands to cradle Tommy's cheek. "Yes, Toms. It's me. You're probably confused right now, and that's okay. I'll answer all of your questions, spiderling." He says softly while brushing his thumbs on Tommy's cheekbones, careful of his new set of eyes.

Memories flood back to the last vivid thing he remembered. Exile. That's where he's supposed to be isn't it. He never wanted to go there he wants to stay in L'manburg-

Distress sweeps over his mind at the thought of L'manburg. His mind, crying out in sorrow and anger at his exile. 

Alone-cold-sire-bad-cold-betrayed

"Hey, hey", a voice says soothingly, "Everything is okay spiderling. Shh I've got you." He can feel arms wrap around him and he clicks in distress.

He shoots out of the arms of whoever is holding him and regains his panic once more. But now, he knows his captor. Dream.

Dream was the only one who cared about Tommy to visit. Dream is his friend. Dream cared. He didn't show up just for pity or to gawk, he showed up because he cares. Even when he made Tommy blow up his stuff and didn't allow him to eat, it was all to make Tommy better. 

To make him ready. An unfamiliar part of his mind whispers.

So why is Tommy panicking? He knows that Dream cares. He calms down and controls his breathing.

Dream is back in front of him again. His claw-hand things are resting on Tommy's shoulders. He is making distressed noise and Tommy just wants to reach out and reassure him that everything is okay. And so Tommy follows his instincts. 

He clicks back at Dream and the man eases with his own noises. "Uh, I'm alright, Dream. Where are we?"

Dream lights up at this and wraps his arms around Tommy. Tommy can't even pull away. He melts into the embrace and is calmed immensely by Dream's presence. His sire's presence.

Tommy can feel himself falling into that semi-fog again but on his own accord. 

"Right, you have plenty of questions. To answer that one is simple. You're home, Tommy. This is our nest." Dream says while carding a hand through his hair.

"Aren't I supposed to be in exile?" 

"Yes, Tommy. You still technically are but now you're here. Home. I had been meaning to take you for a while now but you had to be ready for your transformation. You had to be perfect. And now, you are." Dream smiles down at him and Tommy looks up.

He feels he should be scared again. He should feel freaked out or worried about the whole transformation thing Dream mentioned but he can't find it in himself. He feels content. 

"What do you mean by transformation? Is it all this?" Tommy gestures to his eyes and back limbs.

Dream nods and brushes Tommy's hair back. "You are now a spider hybrid. After a week or so in a cocoon I made, you went through your metamorphosis. You became something greater. And now, you're mine."

Dream keeps playing with Tommy's hair. Tommy settles his head back down onto Dream's chest and wraps his arms around his waist. His back limbs relax.

"So, now what?" Tommy asks. Dream hums. "Well, our first official task will be revenge."

Tommy waits for Dream to continue. He finds it strange that he feels a sort of apathy for the sinister words of what Dream is spewing.

"You want to get back at L'manburg for exiling you, don't you Toms?" Dream asks innocently.

Tommy feels his breath hitch and speed up a bit. The words of Dream swim in his mind. Dream is right. He needs revenge. It's all their fault he was alone in exile. L'manburg was the cause of all his problems. L'manburg deserves to burn.

"And that's only L'manburg. Tubbo was the one who made the choice. He was your friend. And he betrayed you. He sent you away to rot ." Dream spits out.

Yes. Everything has Tubbo to blame. Dream is right. He needs to get rid of Tubbo. He needs to see Tubbo bleed. He needs revenge.

His eyes furrow and he looks at Dream. Dream seems expectant of him. He almost seems worried. Tommy says his next words with venom. "And I'll make sure he pays. W-we'll make them all pay."

Dream looks relieved. "That's a good boy, Tommy. And we will. We'll blow L'manburg to shreds and erase Tubbo. Then, it can just be you, and me." Dream has a wide ear to ear smile.

Tommy smiles back. 

Unbeknownst to him, none of these thoughts are truly his own. Each idea weaved into him throughout his change. Built-up over time by his own captor. Reinforced by the instincts of his new form.

Dream tucks his head into Tommy's golden locks. It's almost time.

-0-0-0-0-0-

The next few days include Tommy getting used to his new home.

Dream explained that they are in a stronghold; a large underground system of catacombs created millennia ago. The nest was situated in a room Dream made slightly taller and next to a hot spring so they could stay warm. 

Dream said that Tommy could explore in a week or so when he has developed enough, but will have to stay near him for a couple more months in order to properly bond as a clutter. Tommy wasn't complaining though.

Most of the time Tommy would either sleep or talk with Dream on the web. He found that he was constantly exhausted but Dream said it was normal since he's just a spiderling.

He has also been practicing getting around on the nest and the movement of his new back limbs. The latter was something that came fairly naturally. He's even able to climb on the walls and ceilings! 

The first time Dream caught him doing that, he was gripping to the ceiling. Dream was ecstatic and hung out there for a little bit with him.

Another part of the routine was Dream's brief periods of absence. Dream usually leaves when Tommy is sleeping but he typically gets back before Tommy can process that he's gone.

He always comes back with food as well. Dream said that he needs to spend as much time as he can with Tommy but he still needs to hunt. It's alright though because he always comes back with a juicy pile of flesh for the two of them to dig into.

That part scared Tommy a bit when he was introduced to his new diet. He asked what the mystery meat was and Dream casually just said it was human. Tommy was a bit unnerved but couldn't quite feel much of anything about eating people. It's not like he's human anymore so why bother?

Cycle of life or whatever.

Other than that, not much has happened as of late. Tommy has been enjoying his new life and has nothing to worry about anymore. He has Dream and that's all he needs.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Dream knew the moment he laid his eyes on young 13 year-old Tommy when he arrived in his land, he was perfect.

The bright sunny face of the boy and his boisterous attitude drew him in. His love and passion for his discs and everything he does won Dream over.

See, Dream is a spider hybrid. This particular hybrid was not a common one like avians or many other mob hybrids. Spider hybrids for whatever reason, could not naturally be born. They didn't have the same reproductive parts as most other species or, lack there of.

Occasionally, there would be an anomaly of a born spider but those were incredibly rare.

But even with their rarity, spider hybrids could live for centuries and more. All they had to do was wrap themselves in naturally produced silk for about a year or two and BAM, they were renewed for another couple decades.

Of course, even with their longevity, they could still die. That meant they still needed to find some way of reproduction. This was a process of taking a non-spider hybrid child, and changing them. Wrapping them up in a safe cocoon and waiting until a new spider is created.

So, when Dream saw Tommy, he knew that the boy was the one.

Dream had been searching in the last century or so for a candidate for this metamorphosis. But he just couldn't find a child just right for him.

Then Tommy showed up in his lands, you'll bet that Dream was going to take him. The problem was, the process of turning was easy but it was the preparation that would be a pain in the ass. He had to make the boy completely reliant on him and make sure nobody else could interfere.

Which brings in his biggest thorn:

Wilbur Soot. And by extension, L'manburg.

Wilbur Soot was another who showed up on his server. In fact, he arrived with Tommy, apparently being his brother. And that made Dream's blood boil.

Tommy didn't need this pompous asshole as family, he had Dream. And he was going to show Tommy that Wilbur was nothing compared to what Dream could give him.

But before he could do anything, L'manburg happened. Wilbur successfully found a way to keep Tommy away from him. Through that awful eyesore of a nation. In Dream's land too!

Wilbur thought he could get away with keeping his spiderling away from him. But he was wrong. And look where that got the former president. 6 feet under.

Dream had tried multiple times to get to Tommy but Wilbur was just always ahead. Always finding something for Tommy to do when Dream tried to talk with the boy even through his deteriorating mind.

It didn't matter as Dream found a way to get rid of both of his problems. He could get rid of Wilbur and L'manburg in one fell swoop.

And he did. L'manburg was destroyed and Wilbur was killed by Philza Minecraft, of all people.

That worried Dream a bit as he was the father of Tommy and Technoblade. If he ever wanted his son back he would be a formidable opponent.

In the end it didn't matter. The man moved on with his life and stowed away in the arctic with Techno. 

Now he had Tommy all to himself. All he needed to do was separate his boy from the rubble of L'manburg and it's citizens.

He used a measly excuse of Tommy burning down George's house. He would have turned a blind eye to the chaos if he didn't see the opportunity it held.

He cared about George but in the end his mortal friends would fade away. It wasn't like he could keep them. They were already past the age where the transformation would be possible.

In the end, he pulled strings and got Tubbo to exile Tommy. It was perfect. Tommy would be isolated just for Dream and the fresh wound of betrayal would be wide open for Dream to heal.

And exile worked out splendidly.

Tommy was alone with just himself. He had him all to himself.

He gained more and more of Tommy's trust and made him reliant on his company. Destroying the boy's items was a necessary evil for the boy to lose his old attachments. It made his instincts a bit out of control seeing his soon to be spiderling hurt, but it would all pay off.

There was another issue that set his instincts off to the max; food.

Tommy had to be weak and starved in order for his body to be overpowered by the metamorphosis. His body couldn't put up a defense or else it would shock his system and die. And Dream sure as hell does not want that.

But seeing his spiderling so weak and tired with tight skin around his bones was nearly painful. His instincts would scream at him to hunt and provide but he couldn't. Not yet, it would scare the boy off.

So he waited. And waited. And waited...

Tommy's dead brother's happy-go-lucky ghost came around in the beginning. But he stopped.

And waited...

A few visitors came by but they all left.

And waited...

Ranboo lasted the longest. Long enough that Dream had to take measures into his own hands. A few well written words in a book easily got the enderian to worry about himself.

And waited...

Everyone stopped visiting. Typical.

But Dream was there at just the right time. He could finally take his spiderling home. Safe in the web. Ready to become something greater.

When the day came, Tommy was on the cold shores of Logsted. He was staring into nothing just waiting for Dream to arrive. Perfect.

Dream sat down beside the boy. Tommy's head snapped up and a shaky but genuine grin formed on his face. "H-hey Dream." The boy croaked out.

Dream would have to make sure he gets rid of that. One of the reasons he was so drawn to Tommy was his loud voice that could ramble for hours. He couldn't have his sun burn out.

"Hello Tommy. How was your day?" He asks gently. Tommy goes to speak but his eyes widen and scrambles upwards.

He grabs a shovel from his inventory and digs a hole. "S-sorry Dream! Nearly forgot. I hope you don't mind that there isn't much today. I was too tired."

Tommy threw a few flowers and a flimsy wood pickaxe into the hole. Dream stood up and placed a hand under the trembling boy's chin.

"You won't be needing to do this today, Tommy. You won't need to do this anymore, in fact." He says calmly.

"Wait, but why? Y-you told me that I was learning a lesson! W-why would you make me stop now?"

"Because, Tommy, you did it. I think you have learned your lesson. You don’t need this anymore. You're perfect."

Tommy seems blown away by this and hope flashes in his faded grey-blue eyes. Another thing Dream will fix.

"Well- he looks down at his feet - now what? I mean, I don't know what to do now. Tubbo doesn't want me anymore and I'm still exiled. What does this change?"

Tommy looks up at Dream with confused eyes. "I have an offer, Tommy."

"Yeah?"

Dream pulls a grayish green potion out from his inventory. He holds it out to Tommy and the boy takes it.

"I can provide you with everything you need. We can leave Logstedshire. I can provide you a home. And all you have to do, is drink this." He explains sweetly. His voice is gentle and coaxing.

Tommy looks apprehensive. But his eyes shift to resolved and timid. He nods. 

"I'll do it."

Dream's smile grows impossibly large.

"That's the spirit. Now bottoms up, Toms."

He looks at the bottle and back at Dream. "What is it?"

"I can't tell you just yet Tommy. You just have to trust me. You trust me, right?"

"O-of course! Dream, of course I trust you!"

"Good. Now drink."

And he does. The boy takes a small sip but winces at the taste. Dream chuckles a bit and Tommy smiles back. Tommy breathes out once before chugging the enter bottle, gagging at the bitter taste.

The boy is hit with immense exhaustion. Too tired to panic or catch himself from a fall as his eyes shut. Dream extends his arms right away and lowers the two of them onto the sand.

He cradles the boy close. He can already feel their cluster bond form. He clicks in delight at the new wave of instincts towards his spiderling. His spiderling.

It was so easy too. Tommy barely hesitated to drink the bottle's contents. Dream was lucky Tommy wasn't more suspicious.

Dream didn't give him just any potion. Dream gave him a heavy dose of his venom .

He had prepared the potion similar to a strong weakness one. He also added a heavy amount of venom he collected from his own fangs. This would aid in transporting Tommy to the stronghold without a hassle and get the first steps of bonding out of the way.

The venom will prepare Tommy's mind for the onslaught of instincts and provide the framework of the boy's new traits.

With a few pats on Tommy's head and the reassurance that the boy is out cold, he picks up his light form and begins his trek home.

-0-0-0-0-0-

He sets his spiderling down onto the web.

He barely stirs. A peaceful smile on his face.

Dream smiles back and allows his traits to unravel. Relief spreads through him and tension fades away.

Nobody actually knows what Dream is. If anyone in his lands were aware, well, there wouldn't be many to begin with.

Spider hybrids were almost as notorious as the fae for stealing children. Not to mention his kind's diet.

But now he can freely show himself with the safety of the nest.

He can feel his venom in Tommy's system. Reworking all of his ideals and memories. By the time it's done, his former allies will only bring pain and sorrow. And Dream will be the one he falls back onto.

And with that, he begins the process of Tommy's cocoon.

Green tinted silk unravels from his fingertips and wrists. He expertly wraps the boy in the smooth material.

It will be strong enough to keep the boy in and provide the necessary protection for the new traits to come in.

Once the boy is snug as a bug - heh - he sets the cocoon down on the web.

And he waits.

-0-0-0-0-0-

1 month later…

Tommy has been settling in perfectly.

He woke up weeks ago and his transformation was swift and went smoothly. Only a week of being in the cocoon.

Today marks the fourth week and the fifth day of Tommy being able to travel through the stronghold.

His new eyes adjusted to light fairly well and Tommy is a natural at climbing.

Speaking of his eyes, Dream couldn't contain his joy whenever seeing them.

He now had four eyes. All a blue as bright as the sky and as sharp as diamonds. And they looked just like Dream's own aside from the color.

Tommy was meant to be his. He was perfect.

And now they could finally get rid of the country that stabbed Tommy in the back. They could get rid of the people who turned on the boy the moment they had the chance.

With Tommy's changes he was more than happy to get revenge. Dream could sense the bloodlust rolling off him. He could barely wait for Tommy to go on his first true hunt.

Besides the carnage and revenge stirring about, Tommy and himself have enjoyed just living together in the stronghold.

At night, they play all sorts of games around the stronghold. Tommy enjoys chasing Dream around and rough housing. Dream is glad that Tommy is getting the stimulation a young hybrid needs.

During the day or any hours of leisure, the two cuddle. Close together in a wrapped pile of limbs on the web. A clawed hand will typically find its way into long fluffy blonde. A few happy chitters answer in return. 

Sometimes they look through the library and try to uncover what the strange circular thing in one of the rooms is.

They had some progress. Something about a dragon and ender pearls. It was a bit hard to read as it was all written in a language neither understood. But it kept them busy well enough.

Tommy was also doing amazing physically. Gone were his gaunt cheeks and boney body. After his new diet of human flesh was introduced he gained back all of the lost weight in exile. His new genetics allowed him to gorge himself right after complete emaciation without getting sick.

And now that he is back to health, they are nearly ready for their attack.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

4 months later…

This was it.

Tommy and his sire had been working tirelessly on weapons and planning for the final hit of L'manburg.

Once and for all that corrupt nation and it's vile citizens could be washed away with sweet destruction.

Doomsday. They call it.

Dream had gained a few allies to help. One of which was Punz. A mercenary Dream has known for years and had been helping with the plan for months.

Another was a pair Tommy had been less happy about. 

Technoblade and Philza Minecraft.

His estranged brother and father.

He doesn't truly consider them that anymore. He has his true family now. His sire. Dream. 

Tommy expressed his distaste for the anarchists to Dream but he was reassured it was only business. He promised that when the deed was done, Tommy could enact whatever revenge he wanted.

Tommy slides his whetstone across his netherite blade. The enchantments shimmer and glisten with power.

He can feel the thrum of power it provides. He can only imagine how beautiful it will look when blood is spilt.

He clicks in anticipation. Small satisfied chitters sound out as he drags a clawed finger across the metal.

Pitch black blood is drawn.

He smiles widely.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Doomsday.

Tubbo received word that it was coming.

He wished none of this ever happened. 

He wished he was never president. All of it is just too much. And Tommy- oh Tommy - is gone because of him.

Dead. Because Tubbo exiled him.

And it wasn't even a peaceful death, it was purposeful.

Tubbo had worked up the courage to finally visit his best friend in a place called Logstedshire. But when he arrived, there was nothing but destruction.

The entire area was covered in soot and smelled of rot. It was freezing cold and devoid of life.

Worst of all, there was a large pillar that went up to the heavens. It just went up and up and up. Tubbo panicked. He immediately ran to the tower and tried to find any sign of- well anything!

And that's when he saw it. A just barely there pile of blood and flesh. Picked nearly clean by mobs and the elements.

He fell to his knees.

He had to be dragged out by Ranboo, who was informed of Tubbo leaving hours prior.

And that was it. 

There was a funeral. Most of the old L'manburg crew were there and a few others. Techno and Phil even showed up. He didn't think he would ever see the Blood God cry until that day.

Ghostbur was there as well. He just stared at the empty coffin, placed some blue down, and disappeared. Nobody has seen him since.

But everyone moved on. Or at least they tried to.

Now, though. There was no moving on from this. Their impending doom was upon them and the best they could do was to fight back.

Citizens were mostly evacuated aside from a large handful of those who wanted to fight. Tubbo wished for them to go with their families, but they stayed put, wishing to fight back or die with their country trying.

So there wasn't much more Tubbo could do than prepare them to the best of what he could do.

And now, the day is here. Only having a week to prepare after Punz delivered the word of L'manburg's fall. Her final life.

That brings us to now. The TNT grid was set up before anyone could stop it and on top stood Technoblade and Philza. Reigning down on the country Tubbo and all the others has sacrificed so much into.

He heard Technoblade deliver some speech about the government and how it was corrupt. He thinks he heard Tommy get mentioned.

But this was it. Tubbo could do nothing but stare off the edge of the grid as his home was destroyed. 

But that's when he hears it. The laughter. Grating and unsettling in his ears. It was loud and unhinged.

"Would you look at this! L'manburg finally brought to it's goddamn knees!"

Dream.

"Glad to see you've joined us, Dream. Wait… did you always look like that?" Tubbo hears Technoblade say in confusion.

Tubbo looks up and lo and behold in all his masked glory, is Dream. But there's something wrong. 

Stemming from his back are four large spider arms, razor sharp at the ends. Instead of hands the masked man has pitch black claws that could tear his throat out.

And it hits him. Dream isn't human. He's a spider hybrid. 

It doesn't faze Tubbo terribly but it's unsettling to know that such a notoriously dangerous hybrid was right under their noses all these years. 

But that's when he hears it. Another voice of laughter rings out. It's even more piercing than the other. It cuts through the sounds of explosions and the rest of the world seemingly goes quiet.

Tubbo's breath hitches. He knows that laughter. Once upon a time, he would hear it everyday. Wake up to it and practically live it.

The laughter gets closer and more unhinged.

"Welcome back to me L'manburg! Did you fucking miss me me!?"

" Tommy? " he breathes out.

And there he is. Tommy. But that's not truly him, Tubbo realizes. 

Oh no.

Tommy- no - the creature laughs again. Something broken and crazed. It stares him straight in the eye.

Where two bright blue human eyes once lay are now four voids of blue staring through him. The limbs on it's back shook with it's cackling.

His former best friend was now a monster. And Tubbo has a hunch on who made that reality.

The creature stares into him.

"Hello, Mr.President."

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

This was it.

Tommy stands on the TNT grid watching the sweet destruction play out before him.

This was his revenge. L'manburg was never Wilbur's Unfinished Symphony nor was it his own.

This was.

The flames grow higher and higher and the screams crescendo all around him. He can hear the gasps and shouts of the humans down below.

He stares into the eyes of Tubbo. 

"Hello, Mr.President."

His smile grows impossibly wide as Tubbo stumbles back, eyes wide in fear and disbelief.

"I-I thought you were dead ." The goat chokes out. It's pathetic.

Seeing the boy tremble on his hooves and shake was almost enough to make him feel pity. Almost.

Instead, he feels almost high off the fear. He can even smell it. He can taste it. Huh.  

Must be some spider bullshit.

He cackles some more and a few amused clicks of delight come out with it. Tubbo's face falls even more with his inhuman noises. He assumes that Tubbo isn't all too fond with his new look either.

"You would think that wouldn't you Tubbo. You would have loved to see me out of your fucking perfect country. Out of your life for good. Exile was just a small part of it. You knew I would be alone. But now, I don't fucking need you! Because Dream was there for me! He was there! And you all fucking left me!" He laughs madly to himself. 

He can't help it. He cackles more. Maybe he is going mad. Who gives a shit.

"But guess what. I don't need any of you fucks. I have myself and Dream. He was there for me when you lot thought you could just get rid of me. But now, I'm here to get rid of all of you and this pathetic fucking country!"

His smile is ear to ear as he screams out to the President and the falling citizens of L'manburg. His instincts are screaming in his ear, satisfied by the smell of blood and thrill of the hunt. 

Blood-hunt-hunt-blood-prey-cluster-sire

Oh right! How could he forget!?

He turns to face his sire. Despite not seeing his face, he can feel the waves of pride through their bond.

Dream walks toward him and cups his face. 

"You are perfect. " He says. The words are gentle and a contrast to his own few shouts earlier.

Tommy leans into the hands and clicks at Dream. He can feel his back limbs relax and sag. He soaks in the praise.

He places a hand on his sire's wrist. "Let's have some fun." He grins madly once more and giggles.

He summons his sword and before he can begin the hunt he hears a familiar voice.

" Theseus? "

Ugh. Techno.

He looks towards the piglin hybrid in tandem with Dream.

Techno seems flabbergasted. Hehe. Flabbergasted.

Phil is right behind him with a similar look of horror.

"Runt… what did he do to you?" The piglin mutters out with horror.

"What ever could you mean brother dearest?" He says with a sickly sweet tone.

Techno's face goes from horrified and dumbstruck to enraged. He bares his tusks and steam practically blows from his nostrils.

"Dream, you have five fucking seconds to run before I plunge my blade into your stomach." The Blade says with an unsettlingly calm voice.

Dream ponders this with a finger on his chin. "I don't know Techno, I'm quite comfortable next to Toms over here. I wouldn't want to leave him for very long anyway. He's still a spiderling! Wouldn't want him to be away from me too long, wouldn't we, Techno?" He taunts.

Tommy smirks.

This seems to rile Techno even more and before either of them know it… he lunges.

Before Techno can get close to Dream, Tommy takes one step forward with his hands behind his back in front of Dream.

Techno stops barely an inch before Tommy's head. His blade lays just the smallest bit away from piercing Tommy's skull.

"Theseus, what are you doing?" Techno growls out. He is breathing heavily but holding his position, not moving one bit.

Tommy's smirk grows wider. Techno flinches back. "Not much." He says simply. "But if you even try hurting Dream then you'll have to take me with him. But you don't want that, don't you Techie?"

Tommy puts on an innocent face. His four eyes blink childishly. He's mocking Techno. The piglin's breath hitches. Phil gets close, his hands extended as if approaching a wild animal. Perhaps he is.

"Techno, lower your sword and Tommy please just move out of the way." He tries to stay calm but Tommy can hear the shakiness of his voice. Good.

Techno is the first to move. He lowers his sword and slowly backs away. Tommy then slides to the right with a cocky grin. He leans his back against Dream's shoulder. Dream claps his hands together.

"Well everyone, this altercation is fun and all but, I'd love to get back to why the hell we came here in the first place. Our business isn't finished, Blade."

Techno seems somehow more pissed at Dream's words. Seriously, how does this guy do it? But it seems like that's his cue.

Tommy jumps up from Dream's shoulder and goes to face the crowd. He peers over the edge of the grid and is met with the horrified faces of his former comrades.

HA! He can see Jack Manifold's dumbfounded look all the way from up here. 

The TNT stopped a bit ago so all of the remains of L'manburg were open for everyone to see. It was magnificent.

There was absolutely nothing left. A large crater took the place of the once proud nation and Tommy couldn't be more happy.

Luckily, the chaos isn't nearly over. The TNT may have subsided but there are still enough collapsing buildings and raging fires to keep the fun going.

Tommy ponders his next move. He decides to go make one last greeting with the president.

He walks towards where Tubbo is right past Dream. He can feel Techno and Phil's eyes follow him. Dream pays no mind and simply gives him a small shoulder touch as he walks by. He could vaguely hear another Blade growl behind him.

As Tommy gets closer to Tubbo he drags his sword to his side. He lets it drag along the obsidian, an ear splitting noise follows and he can feel sparks fly at his ankles.

The goat hybrid seems practically catatonic at this point, just kinda standing there staring at Tommy. That won't do. There's no fun if there isn't a hunt. 

Tommy doesn't even care about final words at this point so when he comes face to face with Tubbo he says one simple word.

" Run ."

And that seems to snap the goat boy out of his trance. He falls back and hits the obsidian below. He scrambles to get up and gets to his hooves in a clumsy manner. You would think a former soldier would be at least somewhat more coordinated.

Tubbo gets a slight head start and makes it about ten feet away from the spider hybrid. Tommy decides that he's had quite enough time to wait and starts his advance.

He takes it slow at first. Calculated steps to make his prey anxious enough to keep running but still believe they have a chance. 

Then his steps become larger, then faster. 

He gets closer, and closer, and faster. His prey is nearly to the edge of the grid now.

And Tommy all of a sudden breaks into a sprint. He can hear his prey's blood pumping and heart racing. His mind is nothing but a rush of instinct, guiding his every move.

BLOOD-BLOOD-PREY-BLOOD

And this was it! He was nearly there to his prey, just one more step! He extends a claw, just about to grab onto his prey's short and fluffy tail-

A flash of black and white  whooshes by him and Tommy's claw catches on nothing. All that's left where his prey once stood is a cluster of purple particles.

He looks around for the culprit and his eyes land below him on top of a caved in building.

Ranboo.

Of fucking course.

The man who did nothing but make empty promises. 

The enderian looked up at Tommy while holding Tubbo in his arms. His green and red eyes shined with pity. So now he cares. Backstabber.

Tommy sends them a sinister glare and a wide smile. He waves his claw at the two. A 'see you later' gesture.

He would deal with the pair some other time. He only went after Tubbo because of the convenience. Ranboo was already running away from the ruins of L'manburg so by the time Tommy caught up they would be long gone.

Tommy's grin still falls in frustration. He walks back to Dream who seems humored by the fiasco. Tommy squints his eyes and shoves the masked man.

This only increases his amusement as his back limbs shake with barely contained laughter. "I had him! If it wasn't for fucking Ranboob the dickhead would be in pieces!"

Tommy screeches his defense. Dream just groans loudly. "Prime, you are such a child!"

Tommy just rolls his eyes and walks to the edge of the grid. He ready's his sword and a stack of ender pearls. "Fuck you Dream! You know what? I'm going to go do the job that we came here to actually do you bitch! So if you'll excuse me!"

Dream sends a wave of fondness through the bond. It warms Tommy. He sends Dream a blinding grin as he jumps off the edge of obsidian. Down into the wreckage he goes.

He saw one last glance of Phil and Techno. They seem to have that pity look in their eyes and something akin to that horror he saw with Techno. Again, not his problem.

He ignores it all in favor of his next task. He throws an ender pearl to the ground and gets the rush of dizziness that comes with teleporting.

As he stabilizes himself he faces the crowd. Now that he is on their level he can see the true horror and fear.

Niki is covered in soot and has an angered expression. If looks could kill, Tommy would be six feet under.

Jack Manifold is even more hilarious up close. His wide open mouth doesn't make any words but a few squeaks and strangled noises happen.

Fundy is the most vocal, it seems. He's yelling something about 'How could you do this', 'What happened to you', blah blah blah.

Quackity looks heartbroken. A small part of Tommy pains at such an expression from his old friend.

There are a few others that he recognizes. Eret has a somber expression and BadBoyHalo looks intrigued.

Ghostbur isn't here.

Tommy ignores it. He ignores it all. None of them deserve him. Not after fucking everything up for him. 

He doesn't need anyone! He only needs himself! He only needs himself, and Dream! He only needs the two! 

And he'll make sure it stays that way. He'll make sure nobody can interfere or tear them apart.

And the hunt begins. His instincts sforzando and he lunges to action.

BLOOD-BLOOD-BLOOD-BLOOD-

HUNGRY

Blood is spilt and a boy feasts.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Techno stares at the carnage below. 

Ordinarily he wouldn't care, he caused this after all and it was a good thing he got rid of the tyrannical government. Hell, he has spilled his own fair share of blood for his god.

And not only did L'manburg attack him unprovoked, but it also caused the death of his little brother.

Oh, his little Toms. His runt.

He could barely believe his eyes when Tommy arrived. 

But that wasn't Tommy. Not truely. This was something contorted. By someone.

Dream.

For a while he considered the man a close ally. Not a friend, Techno couldn't risk an attachment like that nor could he truly form that with the masked man.

But now, with his recent reveal of being a spider hybrid and Tommy's own clear changes, everything is as clear as daylight now.

Spider hybrids were well known for stealing children away and transform them into their own spawn to keep the species alive. It doesn't take a genius to add the new traits of Tommy and Dream together and find the culprit.

Dream made Tommy his own.

It went against every instinct Techno had. The voices were screaming for Dream's blood for taking his runt. Despite all the hardships Tommy and himself went through, Tommy was still his brother.

Tommy was still his runt .

But seeing and hearing Dream call Tommy his spiderling made him pissed off beyond words.

KILL HIM

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

Runt

Get gold

Runt

Why does Tommy look like that?

Can we make him go back to normal?

E

E

SPILL THE GREN MAN'S BLOOD

RUNT IS OURS

Tommy shouldn't even be Dream's, let alone some bullshit about being a spider hybrid.

After Tommy came right up to his blade just to protect Dream, Techno knew he would do anything to get his baby brother back.

Staring into those blue eyes- there are four there shouldn't be four- he just had to get Tommy back.

Techno lowered his blade and he thought he could at least talk with Tommy, but Tommy was gone. He looked around for a bit before running after Tubbo.

And it was horrifying seeing his little brother literally hunt the goat hybrid.

Tommy was clearly enjoying it as well. A manic grin painted his face the entire time. He was just playing with his food.

Techno could barely believe he actually felt relief at the escape of Tubbo. He doesn't know what he would do if he saw Tommy tear someone to shreds. He wouldn't be surprised if it happened, though.

But that brings him to now. Looking over the edge of the grid he can see Tommy, his little baby runt, tearing apart L'manburg citizens.

Phil was right beside him with wide eyes. All they could see was red red red.

Tommy was ripping citizens limb from limb with his bare hands. What horrified them the most was when Tommy held the heart of a non recognizable body, and took a large hefty bite.

Tommy was eating people.

It didn't stop. Over and over, the blonde would tear another to shreds and gorge on anything he could stuff himself with.

The two started, unable to move. 

"He's amazing, isn't he?"

Techno whips his head around. Dream is standing casually. He sounds like a proud parent gushing about their child. It was wrong. Dream isn't Tommy's father, Phil is. Dream isn't Tommy's anything.

"I was a bit worried he wouldn't accept his changes. I was worried that his mind would still have those pesky human thoughts that held him back. All that attachment, gone in just a few weeks."

Dream was at the edge now. Not quite next to the pair but to the right of Techno. Techno could easily extend his blade and slice Dream down right now. All it would take is one movement and Dream would be six feet und-

"You won't get him back."

Techno growls. A low, angry sound deep from his throat. Usually, it would make other hybrids cower under their instincts or at least make them fearful. But Dream isn't some ordinary hybrid from the looks of it.

"You don't have a goddamn clue what you're talking about. I will get him back. He's mine . Not yours." He spits back. 

They both know, however, that Techno can't do anything right now. Not today at least. Their goal was to destroy L'manburg and get rid of any hopes of its return. They weren't prepared to take Tommy home anyway.

And if Phil and Techno did, what were they supposed to do? Tommy was a completely different species with completely different needs and instincts. Even if they could reverse the effects, they would still have to find a way to do so at all and it would be incredibly difficult to contain a bloodthirsty spider hybrid.

It disgusts him that Tommy falls under that category.

Dream just hums with his comment. Techno takes a small win as the limbs on Dream's back twitch in agitation.

They all return their gaze back down to Tommy.

The boy was gone.

All that was left were organs and flesh strewn about on every surface. To think that Tommy of all people did that was nearly enough to make him puke. Tommy shouldn't have ever been involved with any of this.

He should be playing in the snow of the Arctic Commune or laughing inside Techno's warm cabin. Not fighting for his life on the battlefield or in this case, taking the lives of others.

Because that was the real problem, wasn't it? Tommy is just a kid. They all have only themselves to blame for this outcome and now they get to live it.

A few moments later there is joyous laughter approaching. Quick footsteps get closer and closer before Techno can hear the voice of Tommy.

He looks up to see the blonde skipping and twirling towards them. If Techno could ignore the fact that he is drenched in blood and the back limbs and extra eyes, he could imagine a young Tommy pestering Techno about a pretty rock he found.

But now all he sees is a child soldier twisted into a creature so far from his origins. A bloodthirsty predator back from a hunt.

Tommy rams into Dream and his arms wrap around the masked man. He gives Dream the most blinding smile with adoring eyes. And worse, Dream reciprocates. 

Both are in a warm embrace. Both are making strange clicks and chitters as Tommy speaks of his hunt.

"Did you see me down there Dream!? It was so cool! And I got myself a good meal! Wait! I even saved some for you!"

To Techno's horror, Tommy pulls out a few slabs of unidentified human bits. He gestures for Dream to take it and the masked man declines.

"I don't need it Toms. It was your hunt, kid! You earned it." The masked man says with a large amount of pride.

Tommy shrugs. "Alright, your loss big man."

Tommy takes two bites of the meat and swallows the rest whole. His razor sharp teeth tear through the flesh. Blood drips down his chin, mixing in with the other gallons of blood on his armor and clothes.

Dream fusses a bit about the mess. "Toms, you are such a messy eater."

He wipes Tommy's face with a bit of his cloak. It's domestic. It's fond. And Techno fucking hates it.

Dream looks back to the anarchists. Tommy is still held closely in his arms. The boy seems more preoccupied with his meal rather than the others.

"I would love to stay and I'm sure Tommy is just dying to stand around here-"

"Bitch."

"-but we really need to go. We have a lot to do after all. I heard there were some plans for some new countries popping up! We could always have a little reunion sometime soon! But we have to go now. Tommy is still growing! He needs his rest."

Techno could do nothing as Dream wraps an arm around his runt and walks to the edge of the grid. Tommy looks back, he gives a taunting wave.

Dream takes an ender pearl and teleports away.

They are gone.

Tommy is gone.

Techno screams.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

The web is warm.

It is safe.

After returning home, both Dream and Tommy fell into their instincts right away.

The high of Tommy's first hunt and Dream's interaction with Techno made the two more than happy to indulge.

Tommy was curled in on himself and wrapped against the chest of his sire's chest. Arms tuck him close and run through his hair and pet his back limbs.

Small clicks worm their way out of his throat. He snuggles into the warmth of his sire and hears a coo from above. 

Tommy is lost to his instincts. Nothing but a warm fuzzy feeling washes through him. Everything is perfect .

Sire-web-cluster-web-sire-sire-cluster

As Tommy drifts off into slumber, a voice whispers out just above him.

" You are perfect. We have all of eternity together and more. Sleep, my spiderling. "

Surrounded by his cluster, he can barely remember what his life was like before the sweet embraces of his sire.

But does it truly matter?

With a final feeling of comfort…

Tommy sleeps.