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Michael was never allowed outside Paradise. He knew what was there of course, had heard the stories of his dad’s trip there. However he’d been told that until he was older, he’d never be able to go. (Why? I don’t know, maybe the author just wants it for plot convenience). After Paradise had fallen, Tubbo had taken over for Eret and of course that meant that everything was better because obviously Michael’s dad was the perfect person to lead.
He loved his dad, he could still remember the night that he’d taken Michael away from the lab and brought him home. Was Michael old enough to remember something like that? Sure he was, three years olds remember everything that happen to them. But Michael wanted to see the world, and of course Tubbo would keep him from doing it because that definitely makes sense.
So that’s why Michael was now heading to the wall, he was going to meet Techno so he could finally go outside and see it. Michael had always felt closer to Techno than anyone else, and Michael was sure there was something Tubbo wasn’t telling him. Of course that’s not a big enough leap for him to make, because it just made sense.
Techno waited for Michael at the main gate, a smile on his face as he ruffled his hair. “Hey! What’s up little man.”
“Hey,” Michael laughed, “I’m not little any more! I’m 12 now!”
“Mhm, yes, basically an adult.” Techno nodded in agreement. “You’re old enough to be sneaking out on your own to meet me here, with nothing bad happening to you.”
“Well?” Michael grinned excitedly. “Can we go?!”
“I guess-“ Techno teased, leading Michael toward the gate. “Oh yeah, did I tell you your dad made me a guard for paradise?”
“So basically a police officer?”
“Yep!”
“Wow! That’s awesome!” Michael said happily as they left through the gate. “I can definitely see you doing that! Dad said you were super anti-government, but I guess it’s just cause you weren’t the one in charge to make it better right?”
Techno nodded. “Yeah that sounds about right.”
Outside the wall, everything just looked normal after 10 years. It had been a hard effort to get it that way, but they’d been able to speed up the timeline. Michael stared as he looked around at the sprawling neighborhoods and cities. It was crazy how much everything had been fixed, and put back just the same way as before the crimson. They’d done it like that because society was perfect before the crimson.
Michael followed Techno across the street as they headed for some place in the distance. Michael was petty sure Techno had said they’d be heading towards the old Syndicate base, the Syndicate having been disbanded once Paradise had been completely reformed.
“So what happened to the rest of the Syndicate?” Michael asked curiously, “Dad rarely talks to me about you guys any more.”
“Well we all decided to go our separate ways, at least once Phil…” Techno gave a slight grimace, “You know.”
Michael nodded. “I see.”
“I mean, it’s not Iike we spent years together or anything working together as revolutionaries. Once our mutual goal was over we had absolutely no reason to stay together.”
“Of course!”
With that they continued forward, after a while they reached a large college campus. Or at least what used to be one. Tubbo had told Michael about visiting after everything had happened with Paradise.
When they walked inside, the building was mostly empty.
“So, what do you want to see first?” Techno asked Michael. “I could introduce you to Fundy? He, Wilbur, and Sally are the only ones who really hang around here anymore.”
“Sure.” Michael agreed, looking around the new building. The outside was amazing, he couldn’t believe his father wouldn’t let him check it out before. “You know you’re way cooler than my dad Mr. Techno!”
“Eh just call me Techno.” He snorted.
“You’re Michael huh?” Someone walked up to them, Michael was pretty sure it was Fundy. His dad had mentioned him during the days of the revolution. His hair was a swept-back, and he was probably twice Michael’s age. “Tubbo’s mentioned you a lot.”
“He did?” Michael blinked.
“Oh yeah all the time.” Fundy assured. “He used to tell my, actually not in important. Basically yeah I’ve heard of you. Tubbo and Ranboo raised you right?”
“Yeah! Ranboo’s great.” Michael agreed. “He helped dad publish an auto biography of what happened.” Of course there was an autobiography, it only made sense that the events Tubbo went through would be documented in some form. After all it was key history and everyone would've dropped everything just to write it.
Techno led Michael into a different room. “We also have to get lunch with the others too."
"Others?"
"Well Wilbur duh, then Quackity’s meeting us there."
Techno and Michael walked into the next room, Michael looking around. He recognized Wilbur, in his brown coat, relaxing on a couch.
"Ready to go?" Techno asked. "We're getting food."
Wilbur frowned, glancing over to Michael. "Sure but what's he doing here?"
"Visiting I guess, Tubbo wouldn't let him so I decided to." Techno shrugged.
"Right. Tubbo…" Wilbur grumbled as he slipped on his beanie.
Michael nodded. "Mhm! Techno's been super nice."
"Well duh your-" Before Wilbur could get the words out however, Techno was elbowing his arm before Wilbur corrected himself, "A friend! A friend…"
"Oh-" Michael grinned at Techno "Id be happy to be your friend."
Wilbur sighed. "Let's get going. You know we should've still destroyed Paradise."
"Oh yeah." Techno agreed.
"Is Sally coming?" Michael asked quickly. He really wanted to meet her.
Wilbur shook his head. "Nope. She decided to stay back. It's been great though, we even had three more kids alongside Fundy."
"Awee that's so cute!" Michael said excitedly, "I'm sure you guys have no issues whatever."
Then the author got lazy so this is just going to switch to the next scene, don't question how they got there or what happened between. I don't know. Also my self-imposed deadline is in like an hour.
Michael was led into a restaurant by Wilbur and Techno, the two getting food. “Oh yeah, how’s Tommy by the way?” Michael asked Wilbur curiously, yes more exposition.
“Mmm? Oh he’s been spending more time with Dream.” Wilbur shrugged. “He and Sapnap have been trying to help him. I think he’s really turning out for the better. Phil was helping them two before he… you know.”
“Right!” Michael nodded before going up to order food front the counter. Once they were done and he sat down with it, Techno and Wilbur followed.
A moment later through the door, Quackity and the man Michael recognized as Schlatt walked in to the restaurant.
“Hey!” Quackity waved, walking over with Schlatt’s arm wrapped lovingly around his shoulder. The two sat down. “It’s so good to meet you Michael! Or well, meet you again. I knew you as a little kid.”
“Oh yeah, Tubbo’s been horrible keeping him in Paradise still.” Techno nodded. “That guy’s totally unreasonable.”
“Want me to pick you something up, sugar pumpkin?” Schlatt asked Quackity before kissing his cheek with a smile.
“Just a burger, thanks love.” Quackity smiled before Schlatt walked away and Quckity sat down with a happy sigh. “Honestly, Schlatt’s been so nice. You guys seriously don’t get how lucky I am.”
“You guys definitely seem good together.” Techno agreed.
“We’re going to get married soon, the ceremony’s next month.” Quackity nodded. “I just hope it goes better than… last time.”
Schlatt suddenly gave a comforting rub to Quackity’s shoulder as he came back. “Hey don’t worry about them.”
Suddenly the door opened, a short man with fluffy brow hair stood in the doorway. Michael’s eyes widened before he hid under the table they were sitting at. Oh he was going to get in so much trouble…
“Where is my child?” Tubbo demanded, walking towards the other four sitting down. “Sam told me he left and ran off to you idiots!”
“Hey Tubbo- calm down-” Techno raised his hands defensively. “He just wanted to see the city.”
“He’s young and inexperienced, do you know what could’ve happened!?”
“Dad-” Michael stood up with a huff, well better now than never. “Im not some little kid! You don’t need to protect me anymore.”
“I’m your dad.” Tubbo folded his arms. “And you’re going to be in big trouble when we get home.”
“Actually, he’s not going home with you.” Techno stepped in with a frown. “He’s going to be coming with me.”
“What-?” Tubbo muttered, staring between them. “You can’t be serious?”
“I am, come on Michael.” Techno glared at Tubbo before leading Michael away, Michael holding onto him protectively as the other gave scathing glances as well.
“Thanks Techno…” Michael smiled as they left the restaurant together, back to Michael’s new home.