Work Text:
There are more kids at school today, Felix told him that a school had gotten shut down yesterday and they had been rezoned here. There’s a blonde girl with pigtails by the stairs, a boy crying in the corner that Felix pulls him away from comforting, a boy in a wheelchair by the access point, a boy with a buzz cut on the far side of the yard, a blonde boy who somehow got himself stuck under the school, and brunette boy walking around.
He surprisingly comes up to them as Felix rudely reassures Ted of the plan, “I told you already Teddy. The plan is fool proof. Just do exactly what I told you and-”
Ted interrupts him, “I know… it’s just… I don’t know Felix. This whole thing seems so wrong. Ozzy hasn’t done anything to us.”
Felix continues to reassure him as he notices the brunette boy is listening in, “It’ll be fine! Quit being such a-” Felix seems to finally notice the boy and clears his throat, “How long have you been listening to our little chat?”
The boy doesn’t say anything, just shows an Applesoft pin to them. Felix seems pleasantly surprised while Ted stares at it, he hadn’t been able to find his pin this morning.
Felix immediately lightens up a bit, “Oh! My apologies. I didn’t realize that you were a man of status.”
The boy nods, “Apology accepted.”
Felix continues, “You must be a new student. My name is Felix Huxley, heir to the Applesoft empire.”
Ted still doesn’t quite understand why Felix always mentions being the heir, it doesn’t matter to any other five year olds they go to school with.
Regardless, he attempts to introduce himself, “And I’m Ted-”
He doesn’t even finish before his brother interrupts him, “Ugh. Must you always be like this, Teddy?”
Ted hangs his head a bit, “Sorry Felix. I just thought I should-”
Felix cuts him off again, his voice raising a bit, “Enough! My word Teddy. You really are out of line today,” he glances back at the kid, “Say… Anyone with that pin must be trustworthy. Teddy, I think we should let this fine fellow in on our little plan.”
It’s more Felix’s plan than anything, burying Ozzy alive feels too obvious to Ted. It’d make much more sense to frame it as an accident. Ozzy does have asthma and tends to freak out if his schedule is interrupted or if he sees the green flower he’s allergic to and it just so happens that one of those flowers grows right by the school’s dumpster. Take his inhaler and then trigger an asthma attack and he’s dead. It’s not like Felix ever listens to him though anyway.
Ted does try to protest telling the kid, they don’t even know his name, “But- but I don’t think it’s a good idea. Ozzy is-”
Felix cuts him off again, it really is hard to get a full thought out around his brother, “Just shut up! If you won’t help me I’m sure this fine fellow will.”
The boy speaks up again, “The name is Kidd by the way, but sure, what do you need?”
Felix flashes a smile at him, “Well Kidd, give this document to Ozzy. It’s imperative that he reads and understands it. Got it?”
Kidd nods, “Got it.”
Felix nods back approvingly, “Good. Meet me in the smart class after it’s done. We have much to discuss.”
Kidd runs over to Ozzy, attempting to hand him the note. Ozzy refuses just as Ted expected and Kidd runs over to the boy in the wheelchair and hands him some money for hand sanitizer. It seems the wheelchair boy is a salesman, Ted takes a mental note of that.
Kidd runs back over to Ozzy and hands him the note which he can’t read and they both know that no one in the regular class, other than Ted but Felix doesn’t know that, can read so it doesn’t really make sense why Felix even gave him a note in the first place but at this point he’s given up on correcting his brothers logic.
Kidd runs back to the wheelchair boy, before approaching Felix again.
“Well? Does he understand what he’s supposed to do?” he asks, completely ignoring Ozzy who is right behind him.
“I need to borrow some money,” Kidd deadpans.
Felix sighs but doesn’t question what it’s for and pulls five dollars from his pocket for him, “Fine. Here. Take it, but he better understand the plan. Got it?”
Kidd accepts the money and nods, “Got it.”
He goes back to the wheelchair kid and gives him the money to where he whispers something in Kidd's ear. That naturally means that the wheelchair boy can read and Ted takes mental note of that as Kidd whispers it to Ozzy.
The bell rings afterwards and the principal herds everyone inside.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Ted sat in class doing absolutely nothing since the new teacher Ms. Applegate hadn’t said anything other than her name. Ozzy sat alone at a front desk like always, the buzzcut boy apparently called Buggs was sitting at the other front desk, the pigtail girl named Cindy was playing dolls by herself by the toy box, and the boy under the school was now sitting next to him at the back desk with one less arm and blood pooling at his feet from the empty socket. The boy had introduced himself as Nugget and proceeded to talk about how he had to bite his arm off to escape in graphic detail.
As Nugget finished his story Kidd walked in and up to him.
Ted naturally started the conversation, “Hey Kid! I’m coming around to Felix’s plan! Ozzy has been mentioning how vulnerable his mom’s company is, I think Felix is on to something!”
Kidd stares at him for a few seconds before hanging him a paper, “He’s trying to kill you.”
He’s shocked immediately trying to deny it, “What?! No! Felix would never. He loves me; he just has a weird way of showing-” he actually looks down at the paper and reads it before tearing up, “But this is his hand writing… and he’s going to… bury me alive… covered in spiders.”
It just sounds worse as he reads it, his brother wants to kill him, is actively plotting to kill him, his brother never actually loved him despite everything he’s done for Felix.
Kidd somberly nods, “That seems to be the plan.”
Something snaps in him, quiet and cold, nothing like his twin’s loud and burning fury. If his brother doesn’t love him, then what's the point of loving him back? What’s the point of having reservations about doing things to him for father’s love? If his brother wants to kill him, then why let him live at all?
“No,” his voice is colder than before, already thinking of how to spin this right back onto Felix.
“No?” Kidd asks almost warily.
“It’s time I stood up for myself! Felix thinks he’s so smart! Well this time, I’m going to beat him.” His voice hardens at the end. He’s not going to be a doormat in hopes of love. If he can’t earn love then he’ll have to take it by force.
Kidd smiles at him, “So what now?”
He can’t help but smirk a bit, “We go along with his plan, only we turn the tide on him at the last minute.” It makes sense to him, let his brother literally dig his own grave and just push him in when the time comes.
Kidd fidgets a bit, “So about that jar of spiders…”
Ted had almost forgotten about that with his plotting, “Oh right! Wouldn’t want him getting suspicious. Hmmmmmmmm…I think I remember seeing some spiders somewhere. I think the bathroom.”
“That’s helpful,” Kidd remarks sarcastically.
Ted hands him a jar he keeps with him, “I do have something to put them in though! Felix gives me a nickel every time I do something good and I put it in there.”
“It’s empty,” Kidd observes.
“Which is why you’re going to fill it with spiders,” he deadpans.
Kidd just shrugs, “Fair enough.”
“Once you have it, head back to the smart class and wait for the bell to ring,” He continues in a mostly cold voice.
Kidd nods with a smile, “Got it.”
At that moment, Ms. Applegate notices him, “What the-?! You’re not supposed to be here and I’m not putting up with any more kids then I need to today. Get out!”
Kidd does exactly that and she returns to the front of the room. Ted waves bye to him before walking up to Buggs’ desk.
Buggs notices him immediately, “What do you want money bag?”
He leans forward onto the desk, “You’re Buggs aren’t you?”
“Whats it to you?” He practically barks as Ted uses all his will power not to flinch.
“Well, I heard you were pretty strong and had an affinity for violence…” he draws out, making a little gesture with one of his hands.
Buggs rolls his eyes, “Cut to the chase Richboy.”
“Fine, fine, I want you to help me kill my brother,” he feels weird actually saying it, but in a good way.
“What’s in it for me?” Buggs asks, but it's certainly not a no.
“I’ll pay you, what do you want? 25? 30? 40?” He’s already looking through his wallet for the cash.
“Depends, how do you want it done?” He tilts his head and Ted knows he’s got him hooked.
“I’ll give you a signal and you come out to the playground and push him in a hole,” He smirks and holds out his hand, “Do we have a deal?”
Buggs shakes it, “We do indeed. I’ll do it for 30”
He places the cash on the desk, “See you at gym street rat,” he pauses for a second, “Can I call you that?”
Buggs sighs, “I’d rather you make fun of my poverty than my weight.”
Ted coldly smiles, “Then I’ll see you at gym street rat.”
He walks off as the bell rings.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
At lunch Ted sits next to Felix like always, this time leaving space for Kidd to sit between them. Felix had already ordered him to get a burger for Kidd that was currently sitting out getting colder then it already was.
After a bit of waiting filled with fantasizing about the plan Kidd sat down between them.
Felix immediately smiles, “Ah, right on cue! Teddy already picked up lunch for you. I take it you were able to get the… item I requested.”
Kidd nods and pulls out the jar which is now full of spiders Ted pretends to ignore, “Yup.”
Felix nods approvingly, “Excellent, but let's not let Teddy see it!”
Ted and Kidd briefly exchange a look of “Wow, he is really bad at this” as Kidd puts the jar away and grabs the burger.
“Oh. I’m just so stupid. I would just LOVE to see whatever it is you're hiding from me, but I guess that’s just part of the plan. Isn’t it Felix?” Ted says, his words practically dripping in sarcasm he knows his brother won't pick up on.
Felix looks a bit confused but just clears his throat, “Er- Teddy weren’t you just telling me something about Ozzy? Something Important?”
Ted continues the sarcasm, “Oh yeah! I CONVENIENTLY hear Ozzy mention that if something happens to him today, that his mom’s company would be finished. You were right Felix. You’re just sooooooo smart.”
Felix remains completely oblivious, “Yes. Yes I suppose I am. So you’re on board with our little plan Teddy?”
“On board? I’m ready to set sail captain! I’m just DYING to help you.” He’s using a large portion of self to not burst out laughing at his twin’s obliviousness.
Felix smirks, “Oh, don’t worry Teddy. You have the most important part.” He laughs and turns to Kidd, “Anyway, for the next part of the plan, we need someone to dig us a hole. Know anyone who could help?’
Kidd glances at Nugget over his shoulder before nodding, “I think so.”
Felix stands up, “Excellent. Lead the way.”
Kidd stands up and leads him to Nugget who is at the next table over and is still missing an arm. They talk for a bit before Felix takes him aside and gives him what Ted can only assume is a pass book. Kidd then goes over to Carla and gets a key of some sort from her. He gets his pass signed by the lunchlady as Dr. Danner leaves for the teacher’s lounge and a bit after that Ozzy leaves to use the left stall of the restroom.
He eats alone as Felix talks to the wheelchair boy about something or another but it’s better than listening to the entire history of Applesoft again.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Recess seemed interesting after everything that had happened so far today. Cindy was staring at the back fence for some reason, the crying boy was standing alone by the swings, the wheelchair boy was in the middle of the yard, Penny was talking to Ms. Applegate, Felix was waiting by the climbing wall, Nugget was bleeding out in the sand box, and Ted was fantasizing about the plan near where the hole would be dug in the sand box.
Kidd ran up to Felix to talk to him before he ran to the dumpster entrance and shortly returned with something. After he returned Felix signaled wheelchair kid and he went in followed shortly by Kidd. After a while a loud bang came from the cafeteria that Ted didn’t try to keep himself from flinching at but Wheelchair comes out shortly later.
The bell rings and everyone goes to the gym or science.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Felix and Ted pretty much start gym class by talking to Kidd.
Felix immediately starts his schmeel, “We’re almost ready to make our move. Teddy, you know your job.”
Ted decides to pull out the sarcasm again since he knows his twin won’t pick it up, “I sure do Felix! I just hope I don’t mess this up like I always do! You Know Me! Always screwing up!”
Felix rolls his eyes, “Yes yes yes. Now get to it. We’ll meet you at the playground.”
Ted nods and runs off to talk to Buggs, “Hey street rat, once you see Felix and Kidd leave, wait a bit and go to the cafeteria doors, I’ll give you the signal from there.”
Buggs nods and Ted actually goes outside, stepping over Stevie bleeding out on the floor.
Nugget runs out later with a shovel and a new arm and starts digging as soon as he hits the sand pit.
He finishes rather quickly but neither Felix or Kidd are out yet so Ted decides to start up a conversation.
“Sooooo, do you know who’s arm that originally belonged to?” He asks, shifting on his feet a bit.
“Nugget does not care who it belonged to, it is now Nuggets,” he responds.
Before it can get more awkward Felix arrives and Kidd shortly follows.
Felix immediately gets down to business, “Ah, right on schedule. Did you get what I requested?”
Kidd pulls out a pointer stick and hands it to him, “Yes.”
Felix grabs it, “Oh the teacher's pointing stick. Excellent choice. This will do splendidly,” he turns to Ted, “Well Teddy. It’s time.”
Ted holds back a smirk and nods, “Yes Felix. It is.”
Felix begins his monologging right as Ted sees Buggs through the glass door, “You’re probably surprised to learn that this hole isn’t for Ozzy… it’s for you!”
Ted actually rolled his eyes, his voice cold, “Yeah yeah. Quit your monologing.”
Felix blinks, “Excuse me?”
Ted smirks, voice still cold, “No… no I don’t think I will,” he yells for Buggs, “Now Fatty!”
Buggs comes out, only slightly insulted, “Hey! I said you could make fun of my poverty, not my weight!”
Ted rolls his eyes again, “Right… sorry.”
Buggs runs up to Felix, “Alright Mr. Moneybags. Into the hole with you.”
Ted steps out of the way as Felix foolishly steps backward in panic, “What?! No! No! No! I will not be going into that hole! Teddy! Can’t we talk about this?”
He lost the chance to do that long ago and it causes Ted to coldly snap again, “My name is Theodore.”
With that Buggs pushes him in the hole as Felix screams.
Theodore turns to Kidd, “Now for the spiders.”
Kidd tilts his head, “What?”
Theodore glares at him, “Drop the spiders in the hole!”
“Okay. Okay,” he walks over to the hole and empties the jar into it.
Felix screams again, “You’re a failure Teddy! Father will never love you like he loves me! You’ll see!”
Theodore shrugs, “Perhaps… but it’s hard to love someone who’s at the bottom of a hole,” he turns his attention to Nugget, "Okay digger kid. Time to fill the hole.”
Nugget tilts his head so far it’s surprising it didn’t crack, “And then you take Nugget to nugget factory?”
Theodore stares at him, “The what? What’s a nugget factory?”
“Nugget was promised a trip to the fancy boy’s nugget factory upon the completion of the Nugget Cave,” he explains, gesturing wildly.
Oh this poor sweet child, “We don’t own a nugget factory.”
“So Nugget has been lied to?” Ted can already see the anger growing.
“It would appear that way,” Ted says, slightly curious about what is about to happen.
“Then Nugget must seek vengeance," he says as he jumps into the hole and proceeds to fight Felix, “Come now fancy rich boy! Take Nugget to the nugget factory!”
Felix clearly isn’t winning, “Ow, Stop it you filthy mole creature!”
Nugget does not relent though, “Nugget will stop when Nugget has gone to the nugget factory!”
Ted coldly smiles at the scene before looking up, “I think it’s time we wrapped things up here. Fill in the hole street rat.”
Buggs nods, “You got it boss.”
He turns his attention back to Kidd, “I’ll be seeing you in a moment. There’s something I need to give you.”
Kidd just shugs, “Okay.”
Kidd leaves and Theodore hangs around with Buggs.
“I will say, you aren’t too bad for a street rat Buggs,” Theodore comments leaning against the fence.
“And you seem pretty smart for being in the normal class,” Buggs remarks, still digging.
He shrugs, “Eh, I’m only there because Felix was supposed to be the smart one.”
“He doesn’t seem to be,” Buggs says as he finishes with the dirt.
“He’s not, can’t strategize to save his life. Or pick up on social clues for that matter,” Theodore coldly laughs.
Buggs finishes filling up the hole and holds out his hand, “Pleasure doing business with you Theodore.”
“You too, I look forward to working with you in the near future.”
“Oh, you want to be business partners then?” Buggs asks.
“That is correct, in fact-” he pulls out five dollars from his wallet- “have this. For the trouble of filling in the hole.”
Buggs gladly accepts it, “See you around Theo.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Theodore waits for Kidd at dismissal even though he was the last one to come out.
Theodore sighs when he walks up, “Well… this is a sad day.”
Kidd looks confused, “Sad?”
He nods, “Well yeah… I thought my brother loved me. I guess I was just to naive to see the writing on the wall.”
Kidd awkwardly pats him on the back, “That’s rough Teddy.”
“It’s Theodore. And yeah… it is rough. Anyway… about that reward,” he adamantly wasn’t sure why he wanted to actually be called his real name now considering he never really cared before but could make a guess that it had something to do with Felix refusing to call him by it.
“What is it?” Kidd asked.
He hands him a chemical that Felix almost forgot that he forgot to give back, “There you are. The finest semi-legal chemical in existence.”
Kidd holds it up, “What’s it do?”
“You know those pills from your old school? This is the key ingredient in making them,” he only knew about the pills because he overheard it on the news that morning.
Kidd nods in understanding, "Interesting."
Theodore reaches into his pocket for his favorite monstermon card, the knight who turned evil, “You can also have this Monstermon card. It kinda reflects how I’m feeling right now.”
Kidd takes it, “Oh.”
Theodore sees his family’s limo pull up “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to have a rather long talk with father. Good day.”
Kidd waves to him as he leaves, “Good day.”