Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He sighed, swinging his legs over the edge as he smiles, his hair fluttering around his face.

"Beautiful evening, isn't it, Blade?"

At that, the man behind him tensed, his had going to the axe at his side, his signature weapon. It has a dark, wooden handle, and is made with steel, the blade being coated with a weakness potion.

"So." He ground out, "You know I'm here."

"That I do, Blood God. That I do." The boy said easily, still not looking at him.

"You're pretty popular, I hear."

"Am I? I don't really pay much attention to my popularity or whatever other shit goes on about me. Especially online. It's mostly just fuckin' bullshit praise. Half of it isn't even real, too."

"Is that so. I think it's pretty hard not to pay attention."

"Yeah, I guess. I don't fuckin- actively seek it out or whatever, though. Why're you here, anyways? Like, I don't see why The Blood God or whatever is interested in me. Although, I did hear that at least one of the fuckin'- leaders of the Syndicate or whatever meet every villain, vigilante, and hero who's gotten popular. Is that true, Blade?"

"Of course. We're not incompetent. Regardless, I'd want to meet you anyways. After all, you don't have that much info on you. Normally, by the time someone's gotten as popular as you are, something is known. Whether it's their general age, like with Zephyrus, the fact that they have a dog, like Warden, or the fact that they're a parent, like now-retired Captain, the public always knows something. And yet... you're a mystery. Nobody knows anything. Not about your job, not about any pets, not about family, not about friends, not about who you live with or even if you live with someone, not how old you are, I mean, like, nobody even knows what your power is. You're interesting."

"Wow, I'm flattered. THE Blood God, interested in me. Of course, it's to be expected, since I'm just so awesome and amazing and great and the biggest man ever. I'm not telling you jackshit, by the way. I keep my life private for a fuckin' reason, and if you pry, I'll fuckin murder you, asshat."

"Apollo, you won't win against me, even with your mystery powers. I don't understand why you're so confident in yourself." The Blood God said in a monotone, bored voice.

"Actually, I would fucking win, you bastard," Apollo said easily, finally standing up and turning around to look at the villain. "I mean, as much as you're the fucking number two villain or whatever, part of the Syndicate, one of the Emerald Duo, scariest villain out there, yadayadayada, blablabla, it doesn't matter. If I wanted to hurt you, I definitely fucking could, and I also probably could get away with it without a fucking scratch, asshole. There's a reason people say I could beat anybody, I'm fuckin' amazing, and I also have an advantage because you don't know what my power is."

"You're interesting, Apollo. I don't understand why you think you could beat me, of all people." Blood God said, a hint of curiosity sneaking into his usually emotionless voice.

"Do you want to fuckin' fight, then? If I win, I fucking win, and if you win, I tell you what my power is? No tricks, no help from others, no super fuckin' unfair gadgets, no running, no hiding, no killing one another, and no doing irreversible damage. Other than damaging your fucking pride. Also, no bombs, I actually care about property damage." Apollo said with a giggle.

Frowning even deeper, not that Apollo could see it, Blade gave a slow, careful nod.

"That works for me."

Immediately lunging at Apollo, The Blood God takes out his axe and swings it as he attempts to tackle the boy, however, Apollo quickly dodges out of the way and spreads his wings, beating into the air and summoning his golden bow, that's already got an arrow ready to go. Shooting at The Blood God, Apollo aimed for his right knee and shot, hitting his target and causing him to led out a hiss of pain. Seeping a stroke into the man Apollo watches as he twitches, starting to stumble as he starts dragging his left led and arm besides him as if he can't move them, then collapsing with a groan before Apollo goes down, whispers into his ear, "I win, Blood God." and reaches out to move his hand over Blade's heart, healing him.

"Wuh...ah...tuh..." The Blood God started with slurred speech, trailing off as he tried to comprehend what just happened.

"The fuck? Yeah, I'm awesome. Anyways," Apollo said casually. "I gotta go to work, I've got a shift in 'bout half an hour. Bye!" Leaving the shell-shocked Blade alone, Apollo runs off into the distance, giggling as he jump from rooftop to rooftop.

Meanwhile, The Blood God is calling his partner in crime via com. "Zephyrus. We've got more of a problem with this kid than we thought. Not to mention Chat's reaction to him."

"Oh? What's up with Chat? Do they like him or something?" A voice crackles through the coms.

"Chat, the all-knowing beings that live in my head and make me thirst for blood, who always boast about being immortal, who has clear opinions on everybody and either love them or hate them, usually hate, who has never been scared, even when I was actively dying, are saying that Apollo can kill them, and they sound scared."

"Oh... well that's... a problem..."

"I noticed. What should we do? He's obviously dangerous."

"Yeah... I think we just need to not piss him off, really. I mean, he's know in the underground for healing anybody he comes across, no matter who they are, so we could probably just stay neutral with him. Anyways, we can talk about this next Syndicate meeting. For now, you need to do you regular patrol of the Syndicate's territory."

"Yeah... yeah, I'll do that right now." Blade said, going off into the distance as he turned his com off. He had work to do. Villain work.

Chapter Text

Walking along a rooftop, Apollo glanced at Zephyrus in the distance when he heard the faint sound of wings. Watching as he lands, Apollo offers a warm smile, not that the man could see it, due to the red gas mask on his face, although it was likely that Zephyrus saw the crinkle in his vibrant blue eyes.

"Hey, mate. What're you up to?" Zephyrus asks, a smile faintly visible through his black veil. "Now's not you usual patrol time, is it, Ap?"

"Nah. I'm just out to get some air. It's nice, and side's, being out in my ass-kicking outfit outside of my usual times keeps people guessing, and most importantly, keeps civilians n'shit feeling safe and criminals scared to go out and commit crime because I'm just that amazing.." Apollo explains easily as he turns to fully face Zephyrus.

"Ah, yeah. Smart, although I would say that most people just, I don't know, go for a walk or go to a park when they wanna get out for a bit." Zephyrus pointed out teasingly, causing Apollo to give a warm laugh.

"Well, Zeph, I'm not most people, am I?" He responded with a cocky grin (not that Zephyrus could see it) and a gesture to his outfit, consisting of black armour pants with a lot of pockets, black combat boots that were lined with red, a red utility belt, a black t-shirt, a red jacket that can be flipped inside out to become a different jacket, a black and red choker necklace for a voice changer, and a red gas mask.

"You're not, Ap. You're really not. Hang on- what was that?"

"What was what?" Apollo asks, confused on what the villain was talking about.

"When you waved your hands around, I saw, like, a bruise or something. What happened?" He asks, concerned.

"Oh, uh, it's nothing. Just- er- a fuckin'- robbery gone wrong earlier today..." Apollo stammered out, eyes flying around in search of a distraction.

"Apollo, you've only been out for half an hour today. What really happened?"

"Nothing." Apollo says, pulling his sleeve so that the bruise wasn't visible anymore. "Just.. I, uh, tripped down the stairs."

The Villain frowned, and if the Veil wasn't covering the upper parts of his face Apollo assumed he would've seen Zephyrus' brows furrow, "Apollo, don't lie to me. What really happened-?"

"Zephyrus. I'm fine. I tripped." Apollo insists, interrupting the Syndicate member before he could push any further. "'Sides, we have more important things to focus on right now. Like that stupid fuckin' cult. How're we planning to stop it?"

"Apollo." Zephyrus crossed his arms, before sighing. He jabs an expression at the Vigilante's way that Apollo knows means 'We'll talk about this later'. "..Well, we need to find the source of the vines that've been taking over the city. I also heard that the cult is hosting something called the 'Red Banquet' as a trap, so if you get invited to somewhere like there, don't go. You could get mind-controlled."

"Oh, don't worry about me getting mind controlled, I'm resistant."

"Wha- how?"

"My fuckin' power. I'm fucking amazing bastard."

"That's your answer to everything. I swear to god, you've got multiple powers. Who cares if it's physically impossible, you can do literally everything."

"Not everything, and besides, it's really fucking hard to make other people resistant. Oh, by the way, would you like to make a big-ass area where the vines can't go and mind-control doesn't work? Because it'll take a while, like, a really fuckin' long as fuck while, but, like, I could do it."

"I- how?!?"

"My power, bitch!"

Chapter Text

Tommy walked into the kitchen, smiling. "What're you making, Tech?"

"Some mashed potatoes. Why, you want some, Theseus?" He questioned as he wrapped up, grabbing a bowl and a fork for himself.

"Nah. Why do you call me that, anyways? Theseus?" The boy asks, trailing Techno into the living room where the two of them plopped down onto the grey-blue couch.

"Why do you call me Technoblade?" He retorts, putting his fork into the bowl.

"Because while I met Phil as a concerned father figure before I met him as a villain, I met you as a villain before I met you as a brother figure, but it's too formal and stranger-like to refer to you simple as 'blade', meaning I have to go with both big bro techno and scary villain blade." Tommy answers easily, grabbing one of the teal pillows and hugging it to his chest.

"Well, I call you Theseus because Theseus was a hero, exiled by his people for doing the right thing, for helping them. And you're a hero, but if you ever got caught, you'd be punished for doing the right thing. Even when you're more of a hero than any of those government-funded sticklers. They don't even care about the citizens, just about getting fame and capturing villains. Well, that and getting money, anyway." Technoblade adds, his expression darkening slightly.

"Hmm. Well, anyways, wanna watch Up?" He asks hopefully.

"Sure, Theseus. Sure. First, though, I just realised I haven't asked you this in a while. What's your power, Apollo?" The man questions, a puzzled frown visible only to those who know how to read him properly, like Tommy.

The chil- sorry, sorry, the 'big man' simply giggled, looked at the older, and said, "I want you to guess. I'll tell you how close you are with lights."

"Thes, you always do this. Maybe- I dunno, I guess it might be, like, Angel's Gifts or something? Where you've got angel-like powers? That would explain healing and all your light stuff, as well as your ability to make a demon-proof, mind control-free church, and maybe you can do, like, reverse healing to give, like, diseases and stuff?" He guesses, his usual monotone voice taking a slightly curious tone.

"Orange! I guess it does make sense, though. Especially with Church Prime. All hail Prime." He said, giggling a bit at the beginning.

"Gosh, your power - and you, frankly - are confusing to no end." Techno said with a sigh.

"Hey! Well, whatever, Technoblade. Up time!" He exclaimed cheerily, reaching over for the controller as he guided the TV to Disney+.

Technoblade sighed. 'This kid is gonna be the death of me. Gonna make me have as many grey hairs as Phil, I swear...'

Chapter Text

"Phiiiiiiiiiiiiiil!" A certain gremlin whined, dragging himself into the living room.

"Hey, Tommy. Why don't you sit down, mate?" The winged man greeted seriously , gesturing to an empty spot on the black couch he was sitting on.

"Oh, shit, is this gonna be a serious talk? Is that why you made me come to the formal living room?" The boy questioned, plopping down on the couch and slumping back.

"Listen, and I know you're gonna be upset about me suggesting this, but you've gotta consider okay?" Philza said sternly, the tone of his voice making sure there's no room for argument.

"Alright, I'll consider it or whatever. Now, what the fuck is going on?" Tommy agrees, quickly going back to questioning the man.

"Tommy, I want you to start to go to therapy, if that's alright?" The avian said, a small, careful smile on his face, although it was obviously genuinely filled with love.

"Absolutely not! I'm not going to fuckin'- ThErAPy or whatever the fuck. I'm a big man, I don't need help, I don't need to heal or whatever shit you always go on about, I can take care of myself, if you'd just let me! I'm fine, I've always been fine, I don't need to go to something like that as if I'm a fuckin' baby or whatever!" He exploded spinning around to fulling face Phil and sitting up straight as he glared daggers at him.

"Mate, please just consider. I know you can survive without help, but help can make you be happy, make you live. Let us help you, mate. Also, don't start with me about how you 'don't need to heal' after what you told us about what happened. Everybody who goes through something traumatic needs to heal, no matter how good or big or amazing they are. And mate, as much as you can take care of yourself, you're a child. You can take care of yourself, but at the same time, you need somebody to take care of you. And therapy isn't for babies, it's for people who went through something hard and need to come out stronger without breaking themselves first." He pleaded, however, his calm explanations only served to make the blonde more angry.

"I didn't 'go through something hard' or whatever shit you're spewing out. I had a challenging life, and I did come out stronger. Not broken like you said. I didn't have a traumatic experience or whatever, and I don't fucking need therapy! My life was fine and there's nothing to heal fro-" As the boy started to rant angrily, he was cut off by someone.

"BUT YOU DID! You DID go through something traumatic! You ARE hurt, and you ARE broken! He abused you, Tommy! You don't just get to pretend nothing happened!" The older man yelled, giving a sigh of frustration as he zoned back in to see Tommy gone.

"TOMMY! WE'RE NOT DONE TALKING ABOUT THIS!" He called after him, glaring at the door as it swung from the impact of being thrown open.

Knowing that he'd have to apologise to him, the winged blonde shook his head and went to make dinner.

Meanwhile, said boy was in his room, having ran there. He had his back against the door and was crying and shaking from the betrayal, the fear, and most of all, the overwhelming sadness that one of the two adults he trusted had screamed at him, tried to force him to do something he didn't want to, and most importantly, used his trauma against him. As he finally calmed down, he heard Phil call him and Techno down for dinner. However, Tommy simply grabbed his vigilante gear, slipped it on, and hopped out the window as Philza climbed up the steps calling his name. He was patrolling tonight.

Chapter Text

"Zephyrus, where the fuck are you?" Apollo calls out, swivelling his head around in alarm as he heard another groan of pain that was unmistakably from his father.

"Huh...? Oh... 'm over 'ere. Apo, wha....h?" The man slurred out from behind a wall, blinking blearily as he saw a figure clad in red and gold rushing towards him.

"Shit- Zeph, it's me, it's Apollo. I- where does it hurt?" He asks quickly, in a quick, panicky tone.

"Ead... m' head urts..." Zephyrus replied as his eyes drifted shut.

"Oh- ok, yeah, that's- uhm, that's not good. Shit- ok- uhhh- can you- can you stay awake for me? Open your eyes, please? Like, you really need to open your eyes- uhh- shit- Blade! How long can you hold them off for? Fuck, um. Just- just open your eyes- yeah, that's it, listen I know it hurts and I know you're probably really tired right now, but uh- fuck okay- I'm just gonna grab your head here, there you go- oh shit, that's bad- uhh- I'm gonna, umm, I'm gonna heal you now, this might hurt, especially with- uh- the- the metal pole just, uh, sticking out of your skull- fuckin' hell I didn't even know that much blood was in your body- uh- okay, I'm gonna start healing you now- oh, no, don't- don't close your eyes, I know my hand probably look like they're little miniature red suns with how bright they're glowing right now, but uh- you need to keep your eyes open- shit, no- wake the fuck up! Zephyrus! Zephyrus I'm almost done healing! Please just open your eyes! Zeph!" The boy begged, his hands moving every witch way around the older's head, but then-

"Hello, Apollo." Captain greeted, staring at him. "What, don't think you can operate without your little leader? Don't worry, we won't kill you. Just throw you in Pandora, though then again, you'll probably escape. You're very slippery."

"I- just shut the fuck up! Zephyrus! Please wake up! DAD!" He called, causing the Captain to stiffen in shock and Zephyrus to jolt awake.

"Huh...? Shouldn't you be in school right now?" The veiled man murmured as he blinked, shifting into a sitting position.

"I skipped class. Dad, are- are you okay?" He asks, finally bring his hands back as their searing light turned into a warm, gentle glow, before dimming into complete darkness.

"Wait- Apollo, how- how old are you?" The Captain asks, still staring in shock.

At that, both Apollo and Zephyrus froze, realising their mistake. Exchanging glances, Zephyrus gave a subtle shake of his head, however, Apollo just sighed and said the word that would forever change Captain's thoughts on him.

"Seventeen."

"I- WHAT!? You- you've been a vigilante for one and a half years?" She exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Yeah. I was an early bloomer. Like, really early. Most people get their powers ages seventeen to nineteen. I got mine when I was fifteen years old. Never told anybody because I didn't have anyone to tell. Then, for my sixteenth birthday, my best friend got me a red and gold gas mask and suggested we become vigilantes. My other best friend said that maybe when we all had powers, but not right now because we were all powerless. The friend that got me the gas mask said he knew, but, as I quote, 'It's never too early to plan!' and that got me thinking. The only thing stopping them was their lack of powers. That wasn't an issue for me. I had powers, and I knew how to use them decently well. So, the night after I turned sixteen, I threw on a a hoodie, the gas mask, and some other gold and red accessories and went out the window. My best friends, who were also my roommates, didn't notice. The reasonable one because it was midnight and we had school tomorrow, so he was asleep, and the gas mask guy because he was visiting his dads for a week at the family mansion or some shit. Anyways, I snuck out, started to go out regularly, and eventually, he was back from visiting his dads and I decided to sit both of them down and tell them. So, as we sat on the couch together, arguing about what movie to watch, I said, essentially, 'Shut the fuck up, I'm an early bloomer and a vigilante. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner.'" Apollo explained, shining awkwardly from his position on the ground.

"Wait, and they just... accepted it? No worry for your safety, no asking how or about your powers?" Captain questions, confusion and disbelief clear in her voice.

"Well, not exactly. I had to tell them about my powers, when I got my powers, when I decided to become a vigilante, stuff like that. And they didn't just... accept it, either. Mask guy made me agree to let him make me gear like comms and such, because he's really good at, like, engineering and shit, and he also made me agree to let him be the one on the other end of the comms. Then, the responsible one made me agree to be, like, super careful and shit, but other than them fretting over me all the time... well, they're fine with it." He finished, a warm look in his eyes.

"Hey- what are your powers, anyways?"

"Yeah, mate, you haven't even told us..." Zephyrus pointed out.

"Doesn't matter. Anyways, that's actually not where this story ends."

"It isn't? Well, regardless of your powers, then, I think you should continue." Captain decided, leaning against the wall as she looked at the boy attentively.

"Well, see, a few months after that, the responsible one, who was actually a year older than me, got his powers. They're called enderman. He can teleport and pick anything up within a cube that's a meter long, tall and wide. He can also compress this cube to be a centimeter long, wide and tall. Anyways, he started training with his powers, and-" However, before he could finish, he was cut off.

"Hang on, isn't that Ender's powers?" The woman asks, something clicking in her brain.

"Wait, yeah, it is, isn't it, Apo?" Zephyrus said with realisation.

"Lemme finish. Anyways, then, three weeks after mask guy's seventeenth birthday, he got his powers, the ability to make an explosion come from his hands and to be resistant to explosions in general, not just his own. So, after training for 3 months, we decided to celebrate my seventeenth birthday by having them debut as Ender and Nuke. We agreed that I would act like I didn't know them out on the field, so they could form their own path rather than being seen as 'Apollo's friends' and they did well. Of course, I still help them with vigilantism a lot, but overall, they're amazing vigilante, and we're planning on officially becoming a team on my eighteenth birthday." He finished (for real this time), the pride evident in his voice.

By now, everybody had stopped fighting to listen to Apollo tell his story in a smooth, pit-perfect tone. Of course, some people had stopped earlier, but by now nobody was fighting. However, just as the moment of silence and peace was coming to an end, Zephyrus gave a yawn.

"Oh! Right! You were hurt! Y'know, you probably need rest... hey, why don't you ride my griffin back? And then you can fall asleep on the way." The boy suggested sweetly.

"I'm sorry, did you just say griffin? As in, mythical creatures that don't exist?" Smile said in disbelief, poking his head around the wall the three (Captain, Zephyrus, Apollo) were behind.

"Yep! I named her Clementine." He said happily, reaching a hand out to gently stroke air- however, just as his hand stopped, it became not just air, and instead the head of an eagle and making its way down to the golden body of a giant lion. The creature's wings ruffled and it gave a terrifying yet odd-sounding roar.

"Holy shit..." Captain trailed off, while Blade, who'd moved to stand in between Captain and Smile, gave an awed gasp.

"Zephy, could you go onto Clementine?" He suggested, before turning to the beast and saying, "Clem, could you do me a favour and bring him back home?"

It gave another odd, unique roar and lowered itself. Shrugging, the tired villain climbed in between her wings and lay down, resting his head on the feathers of her neck.

"Oh, and before you go." The young vigilante said, reaching out to make a golden sphere appear around the griffin and her rider. "It's a forcefield. Unbreakable. Alright, bye, Clementine!"

Waving as she spread her wings and flew off into the distance, he turned to the others there, watching in shock. "What?"

"That," the blood god said slowly, "was a griffin. Griffins don't exist."

"Welp, they do now! In fact, they have for the past two and a half years, starting from when I first got my powers!" The confusing boy said cheerily, the grin evident in his eyes.

"Ok, what the fuck is your power? Because honestly, at this point, I'm starting to think you have, like, fifty seperate powers. And you're just choosing when to reveal what you have." Smile said, frustration in his voice.

"Don't worry, I'll tell you what my power is eventually! Maybe. I might just keep you guessing, y'know, just because. Anyways, bye!" He said with a wave as his wings spread, lifting him off the ground and letting him vanish into the night.

"What..." Captain trailed off, staring at where he used to be.

"The fuck." Smile finished, similarly looking on in shock.

Well, on the bright side, they could finish the battle now without interruptions. Probably.

Chapter Text

Ok SO I know I should probably write this chapter, but like- I have no motivation and also I'm tired because it's late where I am and also I've been busy lately so I just wanna give an explanation first. So a few days after I wrote chapter 5, I got grounded lmao and I've just been kinda waiting. And now I'm not grounded, but I also haven't written this in like a month, meaning I'm not really in the flow of writing this. So, it'll probably take a while of me being busy catching up with friends after getting grounded for a few weeks and then procrastinating because I don't really wanna write this, like who would after leaving it for so long? I'm not really into it anymore? And then thinking about it for a while to get back into it, and then procrastinating even more.

All in all, I'll replace this in a few months with chapter six and also post an extra chapter 7 along with it showing my notes on this au's Tommy.