Chapter Text
“Tommy!”
Tubbo yelled as he grabbed the keys to the apartment. Ranboo was going over his list to make sure he remembered everything, or really anything… his memory kinda sucked. It was getting better thanks to these exercises, like remembering lists and such.
“Gimme a minute Tubs!” Tommy’s voice called out from the bedroom.
He hopped out while trying to put on his boots, falling with the grace of a fish out of water. Ranboo still couldn’t believe he was one of- if not the best vigilantes in Essempi, much less that he was the one that saved Tubbo and them that night. The remerging memory of rotting flowers, and the stench of a certain enchantment lingering in the air, echoes of never-ending footsteps ringing through their ears, all their senses overwhelmed but touch, they felt nothing; there was nothing to ground them. He was in a void, a place between places, everything and nothing all at once. Then their sense of touch returned as two children, not unlike them, screamed for Ranboo. For someone with a horrible memory he sure remembered that vividly. It was then that Ranboo tuned back into the conversation.
“Ranboo, tell’ Tom to hurry up!” Tubbo demanded.
“Lemme put on my shoes Big Man!” whined Tommy.
“The store closes in half an hour!”
“I know dickhead!”
Ranboo felt comfort in the banter of their best friends as they got on the train. They had all finally saved up enough to go to a store in lower Kinoko. It was a bit pricey to go anywhere but Logestedshire, Essempi wasn't exactly known for its "healthy economy". Gods, sometimes he wished he had run away, but then he wouldn't have Tommy and Tubbo. They made their way to the bus stop near their apartment. It was a fairly uneventful walk with the exception of a stray basketball from where some kids were playing, or an elderly person that needed help with something. In fact at one point they had stopped because Tubbo wanted to teach this kid to skate.
Soon they were on the bus to Kinoko, now Ranboo will admit Kinoko was pretty, it was made entirely by a team of powered people prior to the power restrictions, around the same time the powers were discovered. It has a unique look to it, as a result of the way it was created. Ranboo remembers finding the Logestedshire public library and going over all of the architecture books. One of those books had talked about how Kinoko was one of the most fascinating places in regards to architecture.
“Did’ya know there were rumours ‘round the time Kinoko was made that it was made by gods?” Tommy said mildly “Of Course after the government said the shit ‘bout powers those died down. Still, it’s fun to think ‘bout.”
“Why would gods take the time and effort for that?” Tubbo asked.
“Beats me Big Man.”
“Where did you hear that?” Ranboo added.
“Just something you hear y’know, growing up.”
Ranboo only hummed in response as they looked back out the window. The buildings were towering, with xieshan roofs and plenty of stories tall. The district was mostly clad in tones of red and brown. There was a distinct shift in the way the bus ran on falling apart tarmac in comparison to the cobbled roads of Kinoko. The street lamps had dragon carvings and hanging potted mushrooms. It was a pleasant drive through the unfamiliar scenery.
The bus stopped around a block from the store. Ranboo found himself rubbing his hands together, the autumn chill was more present as of late. The walk ended and soon the three boys were in front of the store. It had a simple sign with ‘KINOKO GENERAL’ on the front. The sign was back lit as he noticed it turning on when they walked in. The store was significantly bigger than the stores in Logestedshire.
“Tommy, Tubbo, do you both have your lists?” Ranboo asked, grabbing three baskets, wincing when his claws scratched against the plastic.
“Yup boss man” Tubbo buzzed, floating a bit off the ground.
Tommy just nodded, with that the three of them parted ways and made it through the aisles, once they were done they reconvened at the counter.
As Tubbo and Tommy were ringing up the items Ranboo caught sight of something in the glass behind the cashier. Three hazy figures were getting in through the back door, and before he could say anything, shouts rang against the walls.
‘EVERYONE ON THE GROUND.”
<><><><><>
Tommy cursed as he put on his mask and bandana. Thanks to Tubbo, his suit was now accessible at the click of a button (The button on the back of his right shoe to be exact. Something about melding tech and magic?). Whatever it was Tommy had never been happier.
He began sprinting through aisles as Tubbo had already cut the lights and cameras with a “Bee Bomb”. Not hesitating as he turned on the nightvision in his suit. Tommy took a beat to survey the scene, three of the bastards, spider hybrid, hoglin hybrid and human, all seeming a little disoriented at the sudden lighting change, which he could use to his advantage. He got to the top of a shelf and formulated a plan. It was times like these he was glad that he knew a lot about hybrids. He found the aisle with mushrooms, and found some rope near him. Before he could do much more the spider hybrid climbed to the ceiling and multiplied, the ceiling looked like it was oozing tar! Tommy took a mental note to ask Purpled about that later cuz’ spider hybrids definitely can’t multiply like that normally.
This is quickly becoming annoying. He just wanted to get their groceries man!
He launched off the shelf so he was closer to the ground. Signaling for the cashier to evacuate the store. The spiders seemed to be scattering because they couldn't see, while the Hoglin was sniffing around for him. The human! Where was that bitch? Tommy scanned the scene and found them making a B-line for the breaker box, and in that exact moment the hoglin hybrid yelled that Tommy was on the ground, to which the spiders began dropping. Nope not happening!
He now had to deal with spider rain while he threw random objects at the others. He made sure to herd them away from the civilians currently fleeing the store. He took a look around the crowd and concluded that Ranboo and Tubbo were hiding behind the counter or somewhere around that area. Okay they’re safe, now the human.
After spotting the human run toward the deli meat section he began to aim and managed to knock the human in the head and they went down in a second but not before making it to the breaker box and switching the lights back on. Shit, this takes away his upper hand, sprinting through the aisles and grabbing the mushroom jars and rope. 5 seconds… That's all he needs.
1
He opened the jars.
2
The spiders merged back into a person and dashed at him.
3
The hoglin charged down the aisle.
4
Red mist shrouded the mushrooms and rope.
5
The hoglin was coughing on the floor and the spider was tied up, to which they laughed?
“You are an idiot” The person cackled.
Before Tommy could ask what was happening they split into spiders again, right they can do that. Tommy saw Tubbo peak from behind the cashier counter, he motioned to the jars, and Tommy got it. The spiders didn't even get a second to charge before they were in the jars.
Now for the human. One last person and he could gain his badass points for the day, and Tommy would be satisf- HOLY SHIT THAT’S FIGMENT—Like—PRO HERO FIGMENT!
Tommy had forgotten that this was not a normal patrol, this was Kinoko, Hero Territory, he gagged internally.
“You!” Figment approached him.
Tommy stayed silent, backing up, not wanting the hero to touch him, he didn't need to deal with mind control. Thank you very much.
“Hello?” Figment asked. More on edge this time, he definitely didn't trust Tommy.
It was now that Tommy saw the human, no not human? The vex hybrid on the floor. They had broken wings. Another thing to take note of as they seemed to have hidden the wings when they came in, another trait hybrids of their kinds normally didn’t have, seems he would have to meet up with Purpled sooner. Speaking of Purpled, he had always said don't take your eyes off the threat! Tommy barely dodged Figment’s attempt to grab his arm. He backed away again, praying that his voice modulator was working.
“Hey no need to be grabn’ man! Just doin’ my patrol!” Tommy insisted.
“ I see… so no issue if you show me your Hero license?” Figment quizzed, his body language only becoming more threatening.
Tommy reached into his pocket for his ‘Heroes License’ Figment took it and with that Tommy bolted. Figment was about to give chase when the ‘license’ let out a flash of light throwing him off. By the time he ran after Tommy, he was gone, only a few gold and iron bills left on the ground.
<><><><><>
Tubbo ran to the kitchen sink to throw up. Teleporting still made him feel sick, meanwhile Tommy was yelling in excitement.
“Did you see that Tubzo? It was awesome right?! Wait, where is the money?! Shit it must have fallen out” He shrieked, removing his mask and bandana.
“Tubbo?” Ranboo asked, concern lacing his voice. He shifted his weight from leg to leg, at the same time wringing his hands. Primes Sake he was a dork.
Tubbo’s nausea started to fade, giving way to a burn in his throat. He washed his face with lukewarm water and took a look at their apartment.
His eyes first saw a half burned candle, Tommy’s diploma used as a coaster, Ranboo’s latest knitting endeavor, and his vision finally lost its haze as it landed on the only photo in their apartment. The apartment was small, so small in fact that with a few long strides Ranboo was by Tubbo’s side. Ranboo put his hand on the smaller’s back.
“You still get nauseous don’t you…I-I I’m sorry,” Ranboo manages to seem small despite his unearthly height.
“It’s fine Ranboo! I’m just not used to it.” Tubbo promised.
He looked to Tommy who was now sitting rocking forward on the counter, watching them in worry. Tubbo smiled internally at his friends.
“It was beyond epic Bossman!” Tubbo cheered, pumping his fist into the air.
Tommy’s face lit up.
“I know right! I wonder what Figment was doing there like, isn’t he a ranked hero?”
Both of his roommates made non committal noises and Tommy dropped it.
He bounced off the counter and opened the fridge. Just jam and bread…
“Okay!” He clapped his hands “Looks like we have jam n’ bread or bread n’ jam!” He sings doing a little dance over to the counter to make 3 slices of jam and bread.
“Did- did you just quote a BARBIE MOVIE?! That so fuckin’ crinnngge.” Tubbo spat in disbelief.
“Kinda sus you know what movie it was, Tubbo…” Ranboo teased, flicking Tubbo’s antennae.
Tubbo lunged at the older leading to Ranboo being knocked against the hanging moon lights in their struggle.
“WATCH IT RANBOOB!” Tommy steadied the lamps, “until I get another job we are barely making rent, we cant have your fuckin’- fuckin’ existence breakin’ shit.”
“My existence?”
“Yes, ya prick.”
“O—kay.” Ranboo and Tubbo held small smiles watching their friend go back to making their food. Tommy liked to hide his affection behind a prickly exterior, but he knew that they knew it was a façade. For prime’s sake, the boy was cutting off the crusts on Tubbo’s slice since the blonde knew he hated them.
He cared, albeit cared in a way words couldn’t express.
<><><><><>
Wilbur got back from patrol and was exhausted, the kind of exhaustion that settles in your bones. After the vigilante pulled the flashy card thing, He phoned the police to handle the criminals and finished up his patrol. Making his usual stop at Niki’s for a pastry, thanking her before he went home, to be greeted with Phil's warm smile.
"Hey Mate, long face for a long day?" Phil chuckled, holding two cups of warm coffee.
"Fucking vigilantes Phil" He whined, slumpping onto the couch as he pouted.
Phil hummed in sympathy and handed him a coffee which Wilbur immediately placed down on the coffee table. This day could not be worse.
"One beat you again?" Techno drawled from the armchair in the corner...when did he get here? Wilbur is starting to think the man has secret tunnels around the headquarters because he was definitely not here when Wilbur walked in..
Phil and Will exchanged looks of confusion at Techno’s statement...
After a beat of silence Wilbur's face dawned with a bitter recognition.
"That does not count, you are a hero now." He protested, glaring at his twin while pointing an accusatory finger at the man.
"Wasn't when you lost." Techno was as deadpan as ever, “just take the L, man.”.
"Boys." Phil chided his crow wings ruffling.
Techno and Wilbur both let out twin grunts of annoyance. Wilbur lied down on the couch and hugged a pillow while Techno picked up his book; ‘The art of war’, ‘XD he had to have that memorized by now!’ Wilbur was starting to feel his powers affect his voice causing it to sound warped.
“I do not understand why vigilantes keep showing up, can they not see we have it handled? The crime rates are at an all-time low. It only spikes because of their activity in Lower Kinoko and Logestedshire, that is still okay. At least it was, until that batch cropped up in The Badlands… ” Wilbur complained.
He jolted up with fury “I swear if I see that Red brat again I am arresting them on the spot. THEY NEED TO STOP PLAYING DRESS UP AND LET US DO OUR JOB.” He was practically seething now.
Across the seating area Techno's eyes rolled behind his book. Sometimes you could really tell Wilbur was born into the hero industry, and Phil was no better being old blood.
“I do not know mate” Phil added “Seems to me, like they are just some self righteous people, most likely kids. We could send more heroes to patrol there? Maybe get some in custody. That way I’ll discourage this behavior in the future.”
Phil sat by him with coffee in his hands, glancing at Wilbur who chugged his coffee in silence. Glaring at a spot on the wall Wilbur seemed to be thinking.
“We can not afford that L’manburg requires protection.” Wilbur reasoned “and with the slow down in hero course applicants we aren't getting a lot of fresh blood soon. We could just station more officers.”
“We can see to that for sure.” Phil agreed
Techno was getting tired of this, he missed Floof. He might just go home early.
“I got you guys some cake from Niki’s by the way” Wilbur said.
Okay, maybe he’ll go home after cake.
<><><><><>
Tommy was cleaning up the kitchen once Tubbo and Ranboo had gone to bed. “Sour patch kids” playing through his near busted headphones, it was Tubbo’s playlist.
He danced around the apartment. Cleaning counters and tables. He loved his friends, but he also enjoyed these quiet moments alone, just him and his music. He began singing to the song as quietly as possible, simultaneously maneuvering the broom to get into a small crevice. It was at that moment the music was interrupted by a DING.
He opened his notification to see an email he did not expect to get.
"TUBBO! RANBOO! I got the interview!"