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"Thief, thief!!" The shout of an alarming distress call, a woman knocked over, splayed on the ground. Pointing at a running man with a black hoodie carrying a handbag close to his chest.
Of course, he was running when a flash of red and white dropped from above.
The man groans as he rolls on the ground, still conscious and alive but definitely going to sport some bruises.
But you may ask, who has stopped this nefarious foe in his tracks?
Now holding the bag in one hand and grinning widely is the local vigilante known as Red.
A man in a red mask, a red and white hoodie and blonde hair hidden under the hood. As well as bright and mischievous blue eyes.
He turns and skips his way to the lady, helping her stand.
"Are you alright ma'am?" He asks kindly, waiting patiently as she dusts herself off and hands her bag back.
"I'm alright young man, thank you." She speaks her gratitude and Red nods with a smile.
But the moment is interrupted by the iconic flap of wings. Red perks up in alert at the sound, knowing his time is now up.
"Well, I better run, have a good day ma'am." Red does a salute as he runs the opposite way, running past the thief and effectively disappearing in an alleyway nearby.
The flap of wings gets closer as someone lands from above. A man, a hero in a green and black suit, wearing a green and white bucket hat and a red heart at the center of his chest. His impressive set of black and white tipped wings curl close to his back after he lands. Approaching the lady who had screeched for help.
"Are you okay ma'am?" He asks kindly, looking at the scene, he can already guess what happened.
"Yes yes, I am, don't worry about a thing, Crowfather. A vigilante had already helped me." She directs his attention to the thief who's still slowly getting back to his senses.
Crowfather, aka Philza, will have to deal with that.
"Alright, that's good. Did you need anything?" He continues, watching as she's shifting through her bag.
"No no, I'll be fine, I just-" she pauses as she shifts through her bag faster.
"My… I had… where's my wallet?" She squeaks, alarmed at the missing item from her handbag.
Oh no.
"Stay here ma'am, I'll be right back."
Phil leaves the frantic lady, jogging towards the alley. He won't need to check the thief for the missing item. He has a feeling he already knows who took it.
Just in time, Foxtrot, another hero, arrives at the scene.
"Gra- I mean, Crowfather, what's happening?" The young man questions as he reaches the sight.
"Foxtrot, cuff that thief and call the police to pick him up, I'll be back soon." Phil says quickly as he takes to the skies.
While he's up there, he spots a moving red dot in the distance, jumping between buildings.
Ah, there he is.
He chases the vigilante and stops him just before another building. The man skids to a stop at the presence of the hero.
"Ah, well well well, if it ain't Crowfather. What brings you out on this fine day?" The vigilante greets, body relaxed but only by looks. Likely enough, he's more than ready to run.
"Red, good to see you. I just heard a distressed call from a lady but when I arrived, the thief had already been taken care of. Know anything about that?" The man plays the cards set by the red and white mock of a hero who pretends to think for a moment.
"Hmmm, no, I don't think I do. Maybe someone else dashingly handsome stopped the thief."
Phil just sighs at that.
"I see, did you also know the lady is missing a wallet?" He raises an eyebrow as Red fakes his surprise.
"Oh dear, that's an issue. Did you check the thieves pockets? Maybe he's got it there. Really Crow, how can you miss a detail like that? Isn't that like, heroing 101?"
The older man knows he's just buying time, stalling. He sighs again.
"I know you have the wallet Red, just give it back and they'll be no trouble."
At this, Red fakes a shocked gasp.
"I, the great and wonderful Red, steal from a civilian? You accuse me of such a thing, Crow? For shame, for shame my good man."
He's really playing into this drama, isn't he?
"You need to stop hanging around MorningStar, his dramatics are rubbing off on you."
This actually makes the vigilante stutter, it's a little amusing.
"Hey! I take offense to that, he's not rubbing off on me, I'd say I'm rubbing off on him. I'm the only one that rubs…"
There's a silent pause.
"Actually, can I backtrack on that?"
Another sigh.
"Please do. Anyway, we're losing track. Red, I know you stole the woman's wallet. Give it back and I'll leave."
The vigilante only groans like a child. Twirling around, backing away as he complains.
"I don't have it, Crooooowfather, have I ever lied to you?"
Phil gives him a look.
Red pauses again, thinking about it.
"Have I ever lied to you… recently?" He says rather sheepishly. "Look, I'm telling you the thief definitely has it. Just check his pockets."
Another sigh, Philza massaging his temples. He's not getting anywhere with this.
"Red, the whole point of being a hero is not stealing from the civilians you save. I've told you this."
Even though vigilantism is technically illegal, Phil still thinks people who have the power to save and willingly do it are more than enough as heroes.
The problem is, these particular groups of vigilantes. A group of four reckless vigilantes with their own calling card, have other such techniques when it comes to it.
Such as not only saving but also stealing.
Criminals in both occupation and method.
"And I've told you, my good hero friend, that I'm a vigilante, not a hero. There's a difference."
It's been a circle Philza has been trying to break since they first met. He knows these men have the power to change lives and save many.
The only problem is-
"How am I supposed to feed me and my lovely wives if I can't get the greens to do so?"
They are incredibly stubborn about it.
"You could join the hero organization and that wouldn't be a problem?" He offers, probably for the hundredth time.
Red just scoffs.
"And follow rules? Come on Crow Crow, you know rules can't hold a big man like me down. I live for crime and dine. And now to finish this rhyme," Red flips his wrist to his mouth. Oh no, "Ender, you have the time?"
In moments, a flash of purple particles pops out of thin air beside Red. Standing in his black and white glory is another member of the quartet. Ender.
Before Phil can say anything, Ender places his hand on Red's shoulder and they disappear into thin air.
And as quickly as they came, they were gone again.
Honestly, Phil is too old for this.
The man with wings stands alone now, on the rooftop of likely a few apartments or offices.
He gets an incoming call from his com and presses it.
"Crowfather here, talk to me." He says, rather tiredly.
"Hey, Foxtrot here. Uh, so I checked the pockets of the thief and found the lady's wallet inside."
Huh, so Red wasn't lying about the wallet.
"Thing is, she's now complaining about a missing $350 she had inside the wallet and the thief does not have the money on him."
…..
He's definitely getting too old for this.
—-------
Somewhere else, a pair of vigilantes pop into existence in a small apartment complex somewhere in the outskirts of the city.
"Please, for the sake of everything Tommy, never try to rhyme like that again. It was atrocious."
The tall enderman hybrid almost scowls at the use of Tommy's rhyme he did as he left Crowfather in the metaphorical dust.
"Oh shut up boob boy, my rhyming was amazing. You just can't appreciate true art when you see it."
Ranboo scoffs light heartedly, rolling his eyes.
Although, before he could make a comeback, a window opens. Sitting on the sill cladded in purple is the one and only Grayson aka Purpled, another vigilante/roomate.
"Whatever art you must see as true art will probably make our eyes bleed." He quips, sitting his head on his palm.
Tommy stutters at the blatant insult to his pride as Ranboo groans.
"Purp, I was gonna roast him. And will you use the door, stop climbing up the railing and through the window during the day, there's people everywhere who can see you." Ranboo lightly scolds as he pushes Purpled into the apartment to close the window, subtly checking the surroundings outside.
"It's fine, no one was around to see me and if anyone did, they'd keep their mouth shut. They know what we do and they either don't care or care enough because we stop them from getting their wallets stolen."
His reasoning is met with a look from Ranboo Tommy chuckles at.
But he moves on from the ongoing argument between the two to the living room where their fourth and final member sits, clicking widely at his laptop as the boy's wings buzz behind him.
He hums and mumbles at the different buzzes of the bees that flutter around his head. Probably talking to them about something or other.
Tommy doesn't disturb for a moment or two, casually removing his mask and fingerless gloves before injecting himself in his friend's space.
He flops on the couch just behind him, spraying himself out and huffing.
Tubbo aka Beehopper, doesn't say anything, at least to him.
Just keep mumbling to his bees.
Tommy goes a little further by poking at the boy's cheeks, unimpressed by his friend's attempts at ignoring him.
After the fourth poke, he finally gets a reaction he was waiting for.
"Keep poking me Tommy and I'm telling my bees to sting you."
He wouldn't but Tommy stops anyway.
"Did a little crime stopping today."
He tells the boy first.
"That's good, what was it for today?" He asks although not all interested as he continues to click at his computer.
"Just an old lady getting robbed. Thief tried to run until I valiantly stepped in and stopped him."
Tubbo hums as he hears his two other roommates enter the room, likely finished from the arguing. Seems like Ranboo just gave up.
"Man, why steal from an old lady? People who steal from the elderly are just weak." Grayson comments as he sits atop Tommy's legs on the couch. Ranbok just takes the beanbag.
"She had it coming with how much she was showing off. Lady was walking around wearing jewels and a fancy outfit. She was basically screaming 'come steal from me'."
A few murmurs of agreements came through before Tommy flips out what he had in his pocket.
"Which is probably why she won't be missing this. $350, we're eating good tonight fellas."
This gets a reaction from Tubbo as he basically perks up at the sound of money. His antenas lift and he spins around.
"$350?! Holy shit Tom's, this can pay for this month's rent and this week's groceries." Tubbo snatches the money from Tommy but Tommy doesn't mind. Tubbos always has brains so he's pretty good at keeping track of the money intake and what they need.
Tommy gets a few praises from the other two as Tubbo gets up to the little hidey hole they have in the floorboards. The only place they keep their most valuables including their money expenses.
"Nice one Tommy, what else happened today?" Purpled prys and Tommy grins.
"Ran into the one and only Crowfather today."
That makes the three pause, even the bees stop buzzing.
"Did he try to talk to you about the whole heroing thing again?" Ranboo questions and Tommy sighs heavily.
Guess that answers it.
"He's very persistent, we'll give him that." Grayson says rather sarcastically with an eyeroll.
"Do you think he'll ever try and arrest you? All you guys do is talk."
Tommy purses his lips, he can't imagine. For the past 2 years, all Crowfather has done was stop Tommy in his tracks and talk. Trying to convince him into being a hero.
It's become their routine. At first he would always run away but now, he at least has the courtesy to stop and talk.
"Doubt it, he's too set in making me into a hero." Tommy slouches back into the comfort of their old couch they found on the corner of a street.
"Ha, he's like your biggest fan dude."
Tommy scoffs into the pillow under him before turning his head.
"Like that mercenary you're insistent about being your rival?"
Tommy chuckles before yelping as he feels his calf being pinched.
"He is and you know it. The guy is annoyingly good."
Tubbo rolls his eyes.
"More like more obsessed with money then you are." He mumbles.
Purple in turn rolls his eyes, basically pouting.
"It's way better than Tubbos weird hacker battle with whoever the hell Nook is."
Purpled suddenly gets a pillow to the face, making him flail as he throws it off himself.
"Shut up, he's really hard to beat. The guy is good, whoever he is. I still barely know anything about him. Besides, it's way better than Ranboo supposedly knowing the Blood God."
The two on the couch chuckle at the past accusation Ranboo once made when he came home by himself.
"I wasn't lying, I did meet him. I still do. He teaches me stuff. Fighting styles and even Greek mythology, weirdly enough."
Tubbo snorts and Tommy fakes unconvincing snore sounds.
"Suuuure, we all know the Blood God doesn't exist. And even if he did, why would he teach you, of all people, how to fight? You hate fighting for one, plus, you aren't much of a fighter."
Ranboo groans as he sinks into the bean bag.
"He says I don't have to use it and I can use it to defend myself. Also it might make me useful on the field instead of… ya know, popping in here and there."
The three look between each other at Ranboos admittance to his lack of contribution.
It's understandable, Ranboo was never one to fight and ask questions later.
"Even if you are doing that Ranboo, you really don't have to. You're more than helpful being able to get us in and out of stuff, kay boo?"
Tubbo reassures Ranboo, placing a hand on his ankle where it sits just under his knee.
Ranboo gives a small smile at Tubbos reassurance but his eyes tell them he doesn't fully believe it himself.
Either way, they've all got someone. Even for each other.
—---
When Christmas day comes around, the quartet usually split up for once.
Doing their own thing for a day to give one another something in the end.
Even when they are broke as street cats, they at least get something for each other, even on this day.
And maybe, even for someone else in the end.
Tommy looked down at the bracelet he bought. It was only $5 but it was the nicest looking one.
With black and green beads and a single heart shaped attachment. Tommy's pretty sure this is supposed to be a Crowfather influenced creation.
Tommy snorts at it.
He bought it out of impulse, thinking maybe Ranboo would like it.
But now that he thinks about it, he's having second thoughts.
He sighs.
But a certain familiar smell enters his nose as he walks down the street, passing the other people who don't realize who walks in their presence.
Baked goods.
He smiles as he sees the cafe store up ahead.
Nihachus baking and Cafe.
Written in fancy swirling letters, the boy practically skips to the cafe's entrance, entranced by the smell.
He pushes the swinging doors of glass open. The humid smog of a rainy day washes away as the cool air of air-conditioning wafts over him and he almost shudders.
But a smile returns to his face as he walks towards the front desk.
"Hey Niki Nihachu, my favorite baker in the whole wide world." Tommy practically shouts as he walks inside. A lady with short pink hair smiles from behind the counter as she holds a half made coffee cup.
"Well hello to you too Tommy." Niki giggles, turning back the coffee machine to finish preparing said coffee for whoever ordered it.
"So, what brings your great presence here?" She words sarcastically, Tommy huffing good naturedly in return.
"Well, it is Christmas and what better present to give to my favorite baker than my presence."
The lady snorts as she places the lid on the cup with practiced skills.
"What a wonderful present you've gotten me. Small latte for Mike!" Said man named Mike, a weak name in Tommy's opinion, walks up, grabbing his coffee and giving a quick thank you before leaving.
Strangely enough, his face was red and his expression was sheepish.
Niki watches him go with an amused expression.
"That guy tried to give me his number. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him I had a girlfriend." Both start cackling at those words at the same time the front entrance jingled as a new person arrived.
Niki lit up at the sight of whoever entered and her friendly smile back on her face.
"Oh, Phil, it's been so long since you've visited. What's the occasion besides it being Christmas?"
Whoever entered chuckled good naturedly and his voice was friendly. Almost familiar.
"Just wanted to come by for some coffee. You make it better than they do in the office after all."
Tommy turned to meet the eyes of an older gentleman. He's got thin blonde hair that reaches his shoulders. Electric blue eyes that hold a lot inside them. Like he's seen things most would only dream of.
"Oh, sorry mate, go ahead." The man speaks kindly as he realizes someone else is at the counter.
"Nah, you go ahead, I'm still thinkin." He gives the go ahead for the guy who nods kindly and approaches the counter as Tommy moves aside.
He's standing beside him now and although he's technically taller, he has a feeling this guy holds more presence.
"Thanks mate, um, I'll get my usual Christmas special."
Niki gives a bubbled reply as she goes ahead and starts making whatever his usual is. Meanwhile Tommy is looking down at the bracelet he got.
He swipes his thumb across the heart. Looking at it closely, the paint job is shady but the actual form of the heart is pretty smooth.
The man, Phil, beside him notices what he's staring at.
"Whatcha got there?" He questions lightly, an open air of calm around the man that Tommy's only ever felt with one other person. He smiles a little at the thought.
"Well, this is, or was, a present I was gonna give a friend of mine. Now I'm not so sure anymore if he'll like it."
He continues to stare at the bracelet, thumb doing another swipe over the heart.
The man beside him hummed.
"What's the design's inspiration? Maybe the meaning could be good enough for your friend."
Tommy has the urge to laugh but just huffs.
"Pretty sure it's a Crowfather inspired design. Green and black like his outfit and the heart like the one he's got on his chest."
The man seems surprised to hear that and leans closer.
"Really?" He seems surprised but when Tommy shows him the bracelet, he sees a spark of recognition. "Ah, I see it now. Is your friend not a hero fan?"
Tommy hums, pursing his lips as he thinks about it.
"Not sure, he hasn't said anything bad about them but he doesn't say anything good either. I think he's pretty neutral about heroes. Pretty sure he likes villains more considering he loves talking about the Blood God."
Tommy still remembers when Ranboo admitted what he had been up to. The Ender hybrid started disappearing at times, especially after a partially unfun villain attack they had stopped.
None of them believed him but Ranboo stayed strong and didn't tell them anything else besides the fact he was meeting with the infamous Blood God. A supposed ghost of a villain who terrorizes the city.
Most say he doesn't exist and is just a dumb rumor but very few believe he does exist. Unfortunately, Ranboo is one of those few.
"Oh really? I've never heard of a Blood God fan before." The man comments as he grins.
Tommy raises an eyebrow at the strange grin the guy holds but moves on to his words.
"Don't tell me you're a Blood God believer too." He deadpan which ends up making the older man cackle.
"Maybe. What? Do you think he isn't real?"
Tommy rolls his eyes.
"Well, considering I've never seen the guy before even when I- uh, even when there's literally no evidence he exists, why would I think he's real?"
The man only hums, rolling his shoulders as he leans against the counter.
"Well, to tell you the truth, he's very real." The man smiles up at him, a knowing grin and a knowing look. Tommy narrows his eyes.
"How do you know?"
"Because I've seen him."
Tommy blinks, he stares at the man im disbelief. Waiting for the guy to say its all a joke but… he doesn't.
He just smiles wider.
"Bullshit, no you didn't." Tommy practically shouts, some other customers lift their heads to his yelling but both ignore them.
Phil chuckles.
"I have, I have. It was night and I was walking home but I saw him. He's pretty big, pretty sure he's a piglin hybrid. He's got long pink hair and wears a boar mask. The man is covered in golden jewelry, which is pretty piglin behavior, and wears a lot of red and gold."
Tommy tries to imagine that but it's so out of there he can't comprehend it.
"You blind old man, there's no way you saw that, especially at night."
The guy gapes at Tommy's blatant disrespect but it turns into a bout of laughter as he lightly pushes the teen.
"Oh shut up you little shit, I'm not that old."
Tommy smiles with him, the guy has a contagious laugh and besides, Tommy likes making people laugh.
"Suuure you aren't. So way into your thousands, you're in denial of your age Phil."
The two laugh a little more as the rain starts to pour outside. It's not every year there's a rainy Christmas but why does it matter when you're making new friends.
"Phil, got your order ready. Sorry it took a while. Took me a minute to find the almond nuts."
Niki comes back from the back with a plate of cookies. Half are chocolate while the other seem to have nuts. Likely almond nuts. There's also a fresh brewed jug of hot chocolate that comes with it.
"Thank you Niki, Wilbur and I always love your treats on Christmas."
"No problem Phil. Oh, I almost forgot about your coffee." She turns back to the coffee machine, quickly making a brew.
Phil gathers the cookies and jug of hot cocoa as well as his wallet.
Tommy feels a little down that he's leaving so soon, for some reason.
"I guess this is where you'll be heading off old man."
Phil huffs as he looks up at Tommy but his eyes tell an entire story. Tommy will definitely be meeting him again.
"It's no problem mate, Happy Christmas." Phil gathers his things, his coffee and pays for the food before turning towards the door.
Tommy nibbles at his lip for a moment, thinking hard.
He makes his decision as he quickly turns before Phil reaches the door.
"Phil!" He shouts although the man isn't that far away.
The man turns just in time to catch what Tommy had thrown.
"My name is Tommy, and Merry Christmas to you too." Tommy says rather abruptly and nervously, trying his best not to fidget.
Phil looks at the item with an inkling of shock on his face but it turns into a smile quickly.
He looks back at Tommy with that same smile.
"Thanks Tommy, have a good day mate."
—---
Days later, if people don't notice the additional item on Crowfathers outfit, a bracelet with his colours, then that's for him to know and for a certain teen he can't help but adore.