Ashes of Yesterday, Fires of Tomorow

by Fallssong

Summary:

Cellbit is trying hard to track down what happened to the eggs, Fit comes to him with an important discovery. While looking for a missing Philza in the federation offices with Tubbo he found Happy pills prescribed to Cucurucho. Determined to find their eggs what are they be willing to do for answers?

Chapter 1: Fires starts with a spark

Click. Click. Click.

His pen being the only sound other than the quiet humming of the dim wall lights and ticking clock keeping Cellbit’s sleep deprived mind company. Less he fall back into the foreboding side of his mind, depths waiting to swallow him whole as fast as a picture snap. The photos and written notes covering the dusty pine desk in front of him however gave him no distractions, and no answers to the eggs location or what scared them into running away in the first place. Leaving him at the mercy of his own thoughts and the dark whispering anxieties that lurked in the shadows of the room.

Focus. Click. Click. Click.

He pulled his attention from his office board and brought the rough leather cased book closer; flipping it open to read over his notes again, hoping something would click into place. There had to be some kind of clue; Phil’s disappearance, the reappearance of Baghera, and the sudden arrival of Bagi. But nothing connected Bagi or her arrival to the eggs, Baghera had simply been kidnapped by the federation, a trend on this island he was rightfully beginning to despise; Philza had disappeared without a trace just as the eggs had, he sighed.

Cellbit highly doubted Phil had simply vanished or ran away, meaning he was most likely taken, by who was a completely different mystery. His most likely guess was it was unrelated to what had scared the eggs, leaving the options to another resident, the codes, or the most likely suspect: the Federation. He had no idea what their motives for that could be, he hardly understood their motives for anything. A distant haunting laugh echoed in the back of his ears.

Ha Ha Ha

Click Click Click Click.

He tried his best to not react, it was in his head… he hoped. Though the uncertainty crawled up his back, leading to him giving in, gripping his sword by it's handle before taking a cautious glance around his office and behind his chair. Nothing. He inhaled deeply taking in the smell of candle smoke and old paper. Trying his best to combat his pounding heart so he could continue thinking, something worse than the Federation and the Codes. If that was true the eggs would be more than justified to not trust the Security of their own homes, the Federation had managed to get through without problem before. Hell, they could appear and disappear without warning in places they shouldn’t even know about.

What worried him was that if they knew so much how come they hadn’t found the eggs, and if they had what they were keeping them for. What they might be doing to them…

Click . Click . . Click . . .

Last time the other eggs had been taken by the Federation they had been returned with cracks, no memories of what caused them. What possibly would have needed to crack them for, what sick twisted experiment could they be performing. A coldness crept into his mind replacing the warm space like a shroud slowly being lowered to suffocate him. Webs pulling at his arms and legs as he tried to escape them. What could they possibly want from them and the eggs?

Thump Thump Thump

What could possibly excuse them to do such damnable things!? Sticky material clung to him, ripping at his face to remove it as he threw his legs forward. Webs clawed at his legs and feet as he fled, the hallway stretched endlessly before him, laughing at his efforts. How could it be so enjoyable for them?

Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump

Gasping. The air was suffocating, hindering his efforts, only further ensnaring the claws closing around his airway no matter how hard he thrust himself forward to escape them. The Haunting echoing laugh filling his ears like an inescapable prison.

ha ha ha. Ha Ha Ha. HA HA HA.

-Cellbit!” he shot back, tripping over his chair and left careening backwards. A firm hand managed to catch his shoulder and he came to a jarring halt “Woah man. Sorry didn’t mean to scare ya.” A familiar male voice chuckled as Cellbit slowly blinked and realized he was breathing heavily. “Hey…Fit” he said as he leaned back upright, wiping his face of sweat. “Dang you were really out there. Hibernating or something?” Fit asked with a smile as Cellbit tried to get his racing heart under control “No… Definitely not.” He groaned, rubbing his aching eyes.

“Sorry for barging in, but you weren’t answering my messages” Fit said in a rush “And we really. . need to talk.”

Cellbit sat up with attention “What did you find?” he asked as he shuffled his notes into a pile on his desk, staring attentively at Fit. “I think we should discuss it somewhere more private.” Fit said with an eager smile. “Let’s head down then.” Cellbit said through the doorway to his left, yanking the fake wall to the side to allow Fit inside. He pulled the wall back into place behind him before shooting down after Fit on the elevator block.

The dim glow of the white lanterns welcomed them into the Order. Fit quickly followed as Cellbit whisked through the doorway, avoiding the drip of water from a crack in the ceiling he noted was getting worse. “You need to fix that roof of your’s, it’s cold enough down here as it is.” his friend joked as he slipped into the meeting room. “Yeah I know, it just hasn’t been my priority to keep up with lately.” Cellbit said as Fit settled in one of the chairs beside his “Naw man I get it, you're busy enough as is.” Fit said reassuringly, “I’ll fix it for you later if you want.”

Cellbit sat in his chair at the head of the table, placing down his backpack “I’d appreciate that.” he admitted. “Now, what did you find out?” The cat hybrid placed his book onto the table as he leaned forward. “Right, Right.” Fit said, digging through his backpack “What do you think of this?” Cellbit felt his hairs stand as Fit produced a pill, the horrid signature smile decorating its white surface.

Cellbit's expression hardened “More?” he asked in a low tone, his brows furrowing as he dug into his bag and pulled out a small ziploc bag. “Yeah and there’s something important I learned about these happy pills.” Fit continued as Cellbit took the pill from his hand and sealed the bag, glaring at the pill inside, the agonized screams of his friends echoing in his mind. “It’s prescribed to Cucurucho.”

Cellbit froze, his eyes widening. “To Cucurucho!?” Cellbit exclaimed, sharply turning to look at Fit, his mind began to run, ‘How long has it been taking them? How does that affect it? Is it the same as the other pills? Do the other workers take them as well?’ Cellbit’s thoughts halted, “Wait, how do you know they were for Cucurucho?” He asked urgently.

“It was one of the white bottles with a smiley face, it looked like the one Pac had but it was labeled ‘Cucurucho’ ” Fit explained, excitement clear across his face.

“That’s.. hang on, hang on” Cellbit paused as he threw open his backpack, digging for another book. “Were there any others? Is this all there was? Where did you find this?” Cellbit asked as he pulled out a book, throwing it open to scribble down his notes.

Fit adjusted in his seat as he spoke up “We managed to use the warp plates to get into the Federation offices. I used a bicycle to get into a room, it was like a lab. I can’t tell you much about it. I only grabbed one of the pills from the bottle and left. I didn’t want them to be suspicious if they caught me or if they notice one of the pills is missing. I’m hoping they’ll chuck it up to a miscount and not think too much about it.” Fit said. Cellbit nodded, trying to keep his excitement to a minimum “Were you seen?” Cellbit asked urgently and Fit frowned, his face furrowed a bit “Well Tubbo got caught and. . . Cucurucho did see me on my way to the exit.” he admitted.

Cellbit slowly cupped his mouth in his hand and leaned his weight back into his seat as Fit continued “But I don’t think he suspected anything, he just told me to leave after I told him I was trying to get in some overtime and that Tubbo was trying to find Phil.” Cellbit frown only deepened, if Cucurucho suspected something was amiss. . "Did it seem to know anything about Phil?"

“Not from what I can tell, you'd be better at telling then me, just denied everything like usual and laughed." Fit said in a low tone "But seriously you remember how Forever and Pac acted when they took those pills. It’s very similar to how Cucurucho behaves.” Fit said as Cellbit paused his writing before sitting straight up “Not completely. I do see where some of their behaviors overlap, especially that. . .horrid smiling.” Cellbit spat, words laced with disgust “But that bear doesn’t care who it hurts. It enjoys torturing it’s enemies, running us in endless circles. I bet even allies aren't spared if that bear could get a laugh out of it. I would bet money on that.”

Cellbit then continued “Forever and Pac still cared about the eggs and their friends when they were taking them. Even if they weren’t completely in control of themselves. Cucurucho’s pills are most likely different, unique, for whatever purpose that thing needs them for, we can’t be sure.” Fit smiled at him, brow furrowing in determination, “There is a way to find out though.”

He paused, glancing over at Fit “That is very dangerous.” Cellbit cautioned as Fit nodded “Well we won’t know what it does unless we give it a try. Pac can make the antidote dose just like he did for Forever and his doses.” Fit urged. “Yes but we had the whole bottles to make those antidotes. We only have one pill.” Cellbit pointed out. “He could probably use a bottle of their happy pills as a base and use the pill we got to make it closer to what we need. But it’s worth a shot.” Fit argued back “If anyone can tell us more about our eggs and what is going on its Cucurucho.”

“You’re suggesting it would actually tell us.” Cellbit pointed out “I doubt it would tell us anything willingly. Besides, we don't know what it takes the pills for or what they do in the first place.”

“Well maybe we don’t give him a choice. If it works at all we have some kind of chance, this is the best one we’ve had in a while. Will you help?” Fit asked.

Cellbit closed his eyes, curling his hands together. A voracious anger drowned out the fear that had gripped his lungs, slowly making the healed wounds covering his arms and skin burn with an all too familiar vengeful wrath. Slowly he nodded “Of course.” Fit nodded “Great. I’m going to ask Pac for help, you should get who we can trust together so we can plan this.” Cellbit dipped his head as he grabbed his messenger, briefly looking up as Fit left the room.

‘Vengeance is coming for you, smiling bastard. I'll deliver it to you myself.’ Cellbit thought as he started typing.

Chapter 2: Burning out

Summary:

Fit brings news of progress being made on the reversal dose but without more information it could be futile, Cellbit knows that. The Leader of the Order has exchanged sleep to gather information, when Fit arrives they both decide to attempt an experiment in order to find out more; but Cucurucho is elusive and the lack of sleep is catching up to Cellbit.

Cellbit shot down the elevator block, cool air flushing over him as he walked around the entrance’s wall to the door. He ran his fingers through the mess his curly hair had become over the past couple days, hissing as his nail caught on a tangle. The door finally groaned to life, stretching open like a maw to welcome him inside. Pulling his hands free of his hair he slipped through, adjusting his path as the door sealed itself behind him. His tail meandered behind him as he walked through the doorway to the right.

Bzzzt.

Cellbit slowly came to a stop in the middle of the hallway, calmly reaching into his pocket to pull out his small messenger.

He glanced over the lit up screen, tapping the icon with a red indicator in the bottom left corner. When the chat finally loaded he scanned through the messages, seeing he had a private message from Fit. He continued walking as he read it ‘You at the Order?’ As he slipped into his office he tapped the empty bubble. The keyboard slid onto the screen as he quickly typed back ‘Yes’ before sitting his messenger down on his desk.

He grabbed the handle of his chair, pulling it closer as he sat down. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out his leather case book and pen.

Bzzzt! The messenger chimed.

He sat his book on the polished desk, moving some papers to the side before pulling his messenger over; tapping the screen so the chat popped open. ‘I’m stopping by Chume labs to check on Pac. I’ll let you know how the antidote is going’ Cellbit took a drink from the cup sitting on his desk, ignoring how cold the coffee was. After all, the coffee didn’t lose any of its caffeine because it was cold.

Sitting down the mug, he typed a private message back ‘Alright. Meet me in the order when you’re done’ He rubbed his eyes as he sat down the messenger; he’d have to sleep later then. Grabbing eyedrops from his side bag he leaned back in his chair, dropping a few in each eye to relieve some of the aching that had been plaguing his eyes. He sat forward blinking rapidly to clear them again as the messenger buzzed once more.

Once his vision cleared again he glanced over the new message from Fit ‘See you soon’ He nodded to himself before sliding his messenger back into his bag. He scanned over the papers across his desk; might as well look over his notes.

He pulled his organized piles closer, splitting his observations into groups across the polished surface based on their different topics. Most at the moment were collaborative observations from members of the order about Cucurucho and the other workers. He’d exchanged sleep for time to investigate and recount interactions for the telltale symptoms of the happy pills.

His observations so far had confirmed none of the workers had presented signs of the pills; they all had a large range of emotions and lacked the symptoms the pills caused, he wished he had more data but the workers weren't out as often after one of them had gone missing in the past few days so he had to rely on memory and first hand accounts from other residents.

Cucurucho on the other hand had symptoms: it’s smile never wavered, even with it’s mouth being stitched tightly shut. Whilst it did present feelings other than purely happiness they were fleeting and often drowned out. No matter what the bear was doing, no violence or things seemed to bother it; unless it went against the island rules or something attacked it. It usually responded violently after that, but violence wasn’t out of the possibility to someone under the influence of the medication.

He paused, noticing he was tense; taking a deep breath to ground himself, he rubbed the gold wedding ring on his finger. He couldn’t fully relax, his efforts to relax his shoulders completely were unsuccessful. Cellbit allowed himself to take a momentary glance behind him; nothing, just his office and the flickering white lanterns that lit the space. It however did give him a semblance of relief. These episodes were always worse when he didn't sleep, but he could worry about that later.

“Foco.” he whispered quietly under his breath as he turned back to his papers. He took a moment to regain his train of thought, right, symptoms. A key symptom of the pills was their short duration, when it came to Pac and Forever they could only go so long without taking more. That was how they saved them after all. It would be hard not to notice Cucurucho’s constant disappearances and reappearances. It never usually stayed in one place or with anyone for very long; not without disappearing for at least a short while.

He pulled out his messenger, tapping a button on the side to pull up the map. Scrolling over to Chume labs just in time to see Fit vanish, leaving Pac who after a moment also vanished from the screen.

‘Are they both coming?’ He paused to gather some of the papers, scribbling down some notes on the pages of his book before closing it. As he walked out of his office, he heard the elevator block activate in the other room.

Cellbit made his way into the central room as the door opened and Fit stepped inside. “Heyyy. What's going on Cellbit!” Fit proclaimed, verging on a playful shout as he opened his arms to Cellbit.
Cellbit let out a small chuckle “Hey man, good to see you.” he paused seeing Fit was alone. “Is Pac not with you?” he asked as Fit shook his head, his voice lowering as his expression softened, “No, I convinced him to go to bed. He’s having trouble with the reversal dose, I thought it best he comes back to it after he gets some rest.”

Cellbit nodded as he turned around. “That’s probably for the best.” Fit followed him as he slipped back through the right doorway, "You look like you could use some sleep too." Fit commented as Cellbit took an immediate left to walk into the meeting room. “I'll worry about that later. Has he made any progress with it?”

Fit walked in after him “Yeah he’s been at it for a couple days but Pac thinks there's extra or different components between the pills.” Fit explained “That’s what’s giving him some trouble.” Cellbit nodded as he opened his book, placing it on the table in front of him, writing himself a quick note of the progress. “I thought that might have been the case. Especially since not all of Cucurucho’s behaviors line up with Pac and Forever’s.”

Fit walked around the long table, glancing at Cellbit’s neatly organized papers and notes “What doesn’t line up?” he asked, Cellbit brought his hand to his chin as he began “Well Cucurucho seems more calm than obsessively happy most of the time. It also expresses other emotions even if not by much or for very long." He handed Fit a few papers of his observations.

Fit adjusted his positioning so the warm lanterns lit up the words on the pages “Has Pac figured out any differences between the pills? Maybe how it’s different?” Cellbit asked, taking a moment to scan the room.

Fit frown deepened slightly. “Not that he mentioned, I’ll make sure to ask him next time I see him.”

Cellbit nodded “I’d appreciate that.” Cellbit turned back to the table, gathering up the papers into a pile. “I also don’t know if the pills Cucurucho takes lasts longer. Which might be important to know if we’re going to reverse the pills' effects.”

Fit flipped through the other papers Cellbit had given him, “We could test that. I saw Cucurucho earlier.” Cellbit shot to attention, turned sharply to look at Fit “Where?” he asked urgently. “Near the wall, I think he was headed back to the offices.” Fit said as Cellbit fumbled with his bag to grab his messenger. Tapping the screen until it came to life, he opened the activity list, sure enough the bear was labeled as active.

“How long ago was this?” Cellbit asked, turning back to Fit as he sat his papers onto the table “I saw him while I was on my way over here,” “Over here!?” Cellbit shouted urgently as Fit shook his head quickly “No no, I saw him in the distance near spawn. It's pretty hard to miss him.” Fit chuckled a little as he put up his hands in a ‘don’t panic’ kind of way.

“What was it doing? Was he watching you?” Cellbit quickly asked, “Not from my knowledge, no.” Fit answered calmly.

“Ok.. ok.” Cellbit nodded slowly, trying to calm back down. “You’re sure?” he asked, “Well not completely, but when I looked over he wasn’t acting like he had been watching me.” Fit responded, his friend’s calm tone was reassuring but not enough to completely settle his mind or his thumping heart.

“Alright.”
Cellbit gathered the pile of papers, opening up his inventory display before slotting the papers into one of the slots. “If Cucurucho is still out there I could probably distract him until his pills start to wear off. Maybe give us an idea of how long they last.” Fit recommended as Cellbit closed his inventory screen. “That could work. We need a clock”

Cellbit maneuvered around Fit to his seat, leaning down to open his backpack sitting beside it. He dug through his items, frowning as he looked up at Fit “I don’t think I have a clock” Fit pulled his backpack off his back as he started digging into it. “I’ll see if I have one.”

Cellbit reclosed his bag, swinging it over his shoulder and onto his back as he stood up. While readjusting his backpack Fit spoke up “Ah here’s one. I use it for my workouts but we can use it for this too.” Cellbit turned to see Fit pull out a small handheld clock attached to a beaded chain. “Thanks.” Cellbit took it from Fit’s hand, quietly flipping it over in his hand. It reminded him of a stopwatch, it’s small size would definitely come in handy.

“No problem,” Fit replied as Cellbit slipped the clock into his side bag “We should probably head somewhere we can spot Cucurucho from.” Cellbit suggested as he pulled out his warpstone. “How about we head to Phil’s house?” Fit pulled his warpstone from his bag. “Yeah let’s head to Phil’s”

Cellbit closed his eyes, envisioning the mossy waystone by Phil’s house. The pond, surrounded by avocado trees, accompanied by the small hand built wooden house atop the wall. The magic hummed through the warpstone, encircling him in a purple light. The usual disorientation came and went as the cool morning air blew through his messy hair. Fit appeared next to him, purple particles rushing upwards and dissipating from where they had appeared.

He squinted as the rising sun flashed into his already aching eyes, “Which side of the wall was he on?” Cellbit asked as a hummingbird flew by, stopping to drink pollen from the flowers peaking out of the grass he noticed was slowly becoming overgrown. Cellbit stared at the green and blue bird, his tip of his tail flicking without his permission as he watched it move speedily from flower to flower. “This side.” Fit said as he walked onto the potato crate plank, Cellbit pulled his attention from the bird as he followed Fit. The edges of the wall dropped away below them. They were accustomed to the height, jumping off it while traveling to other locations was habit. Cellbit scanned over the road and buildings, glaring daggers at the Federation building that loomed over everything.

“Hmm, I don’t see him. Is his messenger still active?” Fit asked as he pulled out a spying glass, bringing it up to his eye. “I’ll check.” Cellbit responded as he pulled out his messenger, checking the active tab. He frowned seeing Cucurucho was no longer on the active list “No, he’s not showing up.” Cellbit said as he turned off the small device. “Damn that’s a Bummer” Fit replied quietly as turned to the other side of the plank, his friend shrugged “Might still be around though.”
“Yeah he does just usually disappear” Cellbit added as he turned to the right. His gaze got caught on the mess of pink and yellow signs surrounding the trap door that led down to Philza’s bunker. A sinking feeling crept into his gut as he read the signs, reminding him of the importance of this mission.

“Hey is that Tubbo?” Fit’s voice broke his train of thought. Turning back, Cellbit walked to Fit’s side, “Tubbo?” He followed Fit’s gaze to a spot under the shadow of the wall in front of the Federation building. Near a bench someone was sitting on their knees doing something in the dirt. “Uh I don’t know actually.”

Fit brought the spyglass back to his eye as he closed his other eye, passing the spyglass to Cellbit “Yeah it’s Tubbo, don’t know what he’s doing though.” Cellbit lifted the metal spyglass to his eye, adjusting it until he found Tubbo in its scope.

The kid was quickly reburying something with dirt by the wooden bench under the leaves of a nearby cherry tree. He was shoving dirt into a hole quickly, like he was hiding something. “Looks like he’s in a hurry.” Cellbit added as he pulled the spyglass away from his eye. “Maybe we should ask him if he’s seen Cucurucho. Maybe that’s why he’s burying something” Fit suggested as Cellbit passed him the spyglass.

“Maybe.” Cellbit nodded as Fit grabbed his paraglider and leapt off the plank. He hadn’t completely been sure but it was too late now. Cellbit pulled his paraglider from his inventory before jumping off after Fit.

They glided down, Fit having a decent lead on Cellbit. He glanced around ensuring no one else was around, apart from a couple crows and pigeons he didn’t see anything. He turned just in time to see Fit land down in front of Tubbo who seemed to have been turning to walk away “Hey Tubbo!” Fit basically shouted, causing the kids eyes to shoot open as he flailed backwards screaming loudly.

“AHH!” Tubbo jumped, tripping over the uneven dirt patch he had refilled, landing partially on the bench corner behind him. “Oh my god! Oh my- Ow!” Tubbo yelped as he slid onto the floor, breathing rapidly. He grabbed his shoulder before looking up at Fit, clear relief flooding into his face “Fit you scared the living shit out of me!” Tubbo moved his hand to his chest as he took a deep breath from the floor.

Cellbit let the paraglider do the work as he glided down next to Fit, “I feel like this happens a lot.” he chuckled amusedly. Fit smiled “What no! I’m sure I didn’t scare him that badly.” “Yes badly!” Tubbo shouted, his voice loud but not carrying any real anger behind it. “Sorry Tubbo” Fit chuckled as he offered out his hand. Tubbo sighed as he grabbed it and Fit pulled him to his feet. “You alright man?” Cellbit asked.
“As alright as I can be.”
Tubbo winced as he stretched his shoulder, before looking at Cellbit "Are you alright? You look like you haven't slept in days man." Tubbo asked, his face turning to a slightly amused but concerned expression “Yeah I haven't but I'm fine. What were you burying?” Cellbit asked, quickly changing the subject as he glanced at the disturbed dirt behind Tubbo’s feet. “Huh?” Tubbo asked, glancing behind him. “Oh. I was just seeing if Fred had left me a new letter. I haven’t seen him in a while.”

“Ohhh that makes sense, he leave you anything?” Fit asked as Tubbo shook his head “No, not this time. I was hoping to hear back from him by now.” Tubbo’s face grew dejected as he wiped dirt off his clothes. “Maybe he got caught leaving messages.” Fit suggested. Tubbo frown deepened, “I hope not, I don’t want to get him in trouble.”

“Yeah knowing the Federation they probably wouldn’t like him sending you messages.” Fit said, taking a glance at the polished white stone of the Federation building, drenching them in its shadows. “Yeah probably not. But it’s nothing harmful.” Tubbo said sitting on the wooden bench as he pulled his goggles off his head, using his ivy green shirt to rub the lenses.

“Has he told you anything useful?” Cellbit asked as Tubbo looked up at him as a little red flushed into his face “No, that’s not really what they’re for. We’re more like penpals, you know friends.” Tubbo said “I understand.” Cellbit nodded with a slight shrug.

He took a small glance around the quiet place, with the leaves falling from the trees and crickets quietly chirping before the sun fully rose. Fred being a federation worker, it made sense he would find comfort in this spot. He liked to think this place would be quite relaxing to him as well if it had not been for the federation building looming over it, feeling a sense of unease drench over him as though it was watching him with disapproval.

Most things would be better without the Federation, without them always breathing down their necks. He paused, without the federation they wouldn’t have the eggs. The thought of his son softened his anger as he let his shoulders relax.

But apart from the eggs, he knew they were certainly better off with those Fuckers gone. Cellbit took a break from glaring daggers at the building, glancing back at Tubbo who he noted had gone noticeably quiet. The kid had leaned forward, his back arched in a depressive way with his goggles in hand. He glanced at Fit who also seemed to notice, glancing over at him before stepping forward “I’m sure he’ll respond soon.” Fit said, kneeling in front of Tubbo as he placed a hand on his shoulder.

Tubbo’s head lifted and gave Fit a small smile “Yeah I hope so.” But the smile didn’t reach the kid’s eyes, maybe Tubbo picked up on the uncertainty in Fit’s tone. Cellbit frowned, there was little he could do to help him, best he focused on why they came in the first place.

“Hey Tubbo, did you happen to see Cucurucho by chance?” Cellbit asked as he stepped around Fit to stand in a place Tubbo could see him more comfortably.

Tubbo lifted his head to look at him “Uhmm can’t say I have. Sorry.” Cellbit nodded as Tubbo leaned back on the bench. “No no that’s ok, we were just wondering.”

“Yeah I wanted to talk to him about something, I saw him earlier but I don’t think he’s still around.” Fit said as he stretched his arms above his head. “You heard anything about Phil?”

Tubbo shook his head “No, nothing yet. I keep checking by his base but nothing’s changed.” Fit lowered his arms, nodding with a frown “Yeah me too. No rumors about him at work either.” Cellbit frowned, his ear flicking to a quiet muffled ticking. He dug into his side bag, pulling out the stopwatch from his side bag quietly watching the second hand tick away on its axis; he frowned, wondering how it had started on its own as Tubbo and Fit continued talking.

Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick

Cellbit frowned down at it, pressing the buttons on it to try and silence the small clock. His attempts were futile, as it ticked on, echoes of clocks soon accompanied it; followed by all too familiar screams, they grew from quiet to an annoyance. Tubbo and Fit’s voices soon became muffled as he gripped the stopwatch in his hand tightly. Which button turned it off? His drowsiness was only making it harder for him to concentrate; especially when none of the buttons he tried were silencing the stopwatch.

His heart was thumping a little too noticeably to still be normal, ‘Caramba!’ he rubbed his head in his hand, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath. He rubbed the gold band on his finger with his thumb, rotating it in one direction then the other as he began to get a grasp over his thoughts. The last thing he needed was to get distracted like this, especially over something in his mind. When he needed to be gathering as much information as he could from the conversation he was currently missing! Especially when he swore he heard something breathing behind him. He wasn't falling for that again. He shifted his energy to feed his frustration instead, at how stupid this was.

In his frustration his tail started to lash behind him.

Thump!

His hair stood on end as his tail thumped against something furry right behind him, sending his heart rate running again.

“Good Morning. What are you doing?”

Notes:

So Sorry it took so long hehe I've been working a lot and art fight has kept me distracted between my it and my other tasks. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I already have plans for the next chapters so expect those at some point in the near future! Sorry about the cliffhanger they're fun haha. Let me know what you think I love to hear your guys feedback!! Thank you for reading!! ;3

9/6/25 - Just a note I'll be starting college soon and I'm also going through a lot of vods to research more about the characters and their stories so the next chapter may take a while but I'll get it to yall as soon as I can! bye!!

Notes:

Hope you guys enjoyed the read! This is kind of the introduction to the au and I fully intend on continuing many chapters into the future and I hope some of you guys stick around! I promise a lot of angst and fluff in the future haha so if you want to strap in for the ride I'm happy to oblige. I plan on posting art with most my writing (but if you can't find them here they should be on my other socials like Bluesky or Tiktok). Also I'd love to hear any theories yall have on what is going to happen! i Hope you guy have a wonderful Day/Night!