Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Antfrost was going through the local town. It was daring, especially with wanted poster with his anthropomorphic self everywhere. But, as long as he went out in human form, or even in cat form, he would be fine.

Besides, the kids were getting hungry, and the animals had migrated. He'd get the kids their food if it was the last thing he did.

Wow. Sometimes it really hit him how protective of these kids he'd gotten. When he had been accepted into Dream's Army (also known as the Dream Team), his parents had tears in their eyes – whether of happiness or fear, he didn't know – and told him to stay safe, and to never, ever lose his job.

So much for that.

He wondered if his parents would be proud of him for releasing the kids, taking care of them. He can't assume they'd say no, but then again, they always said he was their biggest priority, so he couldn't be sure.

He went to a stall, and looked at the prices. It was Niki's birthday, and he wanted to give her and the kids some food that was nicer than normal – cookies? Cooked steak, maybe?

"Get the fuck off me now!" Came a voice. He looked over to see a girl, maybe around Niki's age, maybe older, with sheep ears and tail, struggling from two guards.

"Control your fucking instincts-" Came the voice, and Ant had to suppress a hiss, because of course it was J fucking Schlatt.

"These aren't my instincts, fuckwad!" She spat. "I'm a fucking ram, and we don't fight unless we're in danger!"

Ah, that explained the horn stumps. She must've been one of the ones taken to one of the 'facilities' to be tamer, where he had almost gone before Dream hired him.

"Puffy!" Came a voice, a younger one, around Tubbo's age. A blonde boy with raccoon features ran up. The hybrid's – her name must have been Puffy – eyes widened.

"Tommy, get outta here!" She demanded, but it was too late. A man had grabbed him by the torso and lifted him up the air. He shouted cuss words, many that Ant had never uttered.

"Stop struggling!" Shouted the other man, and to Ant's surprise and utter disbelief, it was George.

Stunned disbelief coursed through Ant. George was the one who had gotten him his job (although whether Ant should thank him for that is... complicatd), and George was the one who had boycotted against speciesism. And here he was, rounding up hybrids, undoubtedly under Dream's orders.

He got over his surprise, and rage seemed to flow through him. He quickly morphed into his anthropomorphic cat form, which was more agile than his human one, and quickly ran forwards and punched Jschlatt.

He yelled in surprise and dropped the struggling hybrid, who immediately rushed to Ant's side, glaring at the man holding the blonde boy.

George's eyes widened in shock when he saw Ant, so shocked in fact, that he dropped Tommy, who quickly scrambled to Puffy's side, grabbing her shirt.

"Ant?" He whispered.

"George, what the fuck are you doing?!" Ant demanded. George withered under his words, stepping back and fidgeting uncomfortably.

"Dream told me to round up the-"

"Of course he fucking did you fucking simp!" He shouted, which may not have been the most eloquent thing to say, but he was so fucking angry, and he was not in the mood to be eloquent. "You always do anything he says! If he'd have said to torture me, you'd have done it!"

George looked scandalized and furious and stepped forwards. Despite himself and his anger, Ant was far too used to human anger not to be scared.

"I wouldn't! Besides, he wouldn't fucking do that!" George shouted. Ant saw, out of the corner of his eye, other guards surround them, and grit his teeth. He would have to have this conversation with him another day.

"This conversation isn't over." He told George, then grabbed the two kids and ran. He was so very fast when in anthro form, so it was easy to outrun the guards.

He quickly ran through the forest, Puffy silent and Tommy screaming his lungs off, so Ant's little camp heard him before he heard them.

When he came there, everyone was in a defensive stance, with some kind of weapon, apart from Eret, who just had a stick.

They relaxed when they saw it was him.

Sapnap blinked at the two hybrids in Ant's arm. "What the fu-"

"Language!" Bad demanded. "Also, yeah! Sapnap has a point! Who are they?"

Tommy stopped shrieking, which was a relief to Ant's ears. He gently let them down onto the ground. Puffy looked nervous under all the attention, but Tommy looked estatic under it.

"Uh, hi?" Puffy tried. "I'm Puffy, uh... hi."

"Stop being so awkward, Puffy." Tommy scolded. Ah, he was british. How the fuck, if Puffy was american. "My name is Tommy Danger Kraken Innit, and this is my sister-"

"I'm not your sister." Puffy grumbled. "We met like two weeks ago-"

"Captain Puffero Danger Kraken Innit."

"I am not being called that, Tomathy."

"LISTEN HERE, SCUMBAG-"

Bad raised his hand. The other two paused their bickering and looked over. Everyone else had been watching the argument like a tennis match, with wide eyes and a panicked excitement.

"Uhm, so you can resume your arguing later." Bad told them. "You two're hybrids."

Both of their expressions soured upon that word.

"I prefer the term built different." Puffy said. Tommy snorted, as did Tubbo. Puffy and Tommy's eyes widened when they saw the three siblings, like they had only just noticed them, which they probably had. Their gaze went to the wings, which were wide and spread out, still calming down after expecting an attack.

"You have horns." Puffy very elegently put.

Eret snorted. "Yeah, what's it to you?" He demanded, while Niki and Tubbo nodded fiercely.

"Horns." Puffy sounded like she was in disbelief, though Ant supposed seeing Enderdragon hybrids would do that to you.

Tommy rolled his eyes. "Yes, Puffy, it may surprise you, but these three have horns."

"But you-" Puffy opened and closed her mouth like an absurd goldfish. Eventually she sighed. "You know what? I don't wanna know. What're your names?"

"I'm glad you asked!" Tubbo told them. Tommy's eyes widened – possibly from seeing another brit. "These are my siblings, Eret and Niki." Niki nodded, smiling at them, though she looked a little unsure. Eret nodded in acknowledgement. "These are people who take care of us-"

"Like babysitters?" Tommy interrupted. Puffy slapped him upside the head.

"Manners, Theseus."

"You don't have to use my full first name." Tommy whined, rubbing the back of his head.

Tubbo laughed in amusement at the bickering, and Ant had to admit it was refreshing, seeing the two argue back and forth.

Tubbo cleared his throat, then gestured at the rest. "Yeah, kinda babysitters! These people helped us escape a..." He chose his words carefully, as his and his siblings' expressions darkened substantially. "bad place."

"Very, very bad." Eret amended. Niki nodded, putting her hand to the back of her neck and shivering.

"Very painful, too." Niki added. Ant once again felt his heart ache for these children. If he'd only gotten them out sooner, if he'd only taken one of his many chances to do so...

Puffy and Tommy blinked. Tubbo cleared his throat. "Anyways! You want to stay with us? We promise we'll protect you."

Sapnap raised his hand. "Uh, I didn't-"

Bad gave him a Father Look so severe that he gulped and said with a smile, "Y-Yeah! We'll protect you! Mm-hmm! 100% protecting. Yep."

Puffy and Tommy locked eyes, a silent argumnt, before Puffy shrugged and said, "Fine."

It ended up being a very good decision. Not only was it good to have another kid his age, Tubbo had also seemed a lot happier than usual, and Puffy, Eret, Niki and Sapnap got along as the, quote unquote, "older kids."

Puffy seemed more mature, and her expression darkened whenever anyone mentioned Dream, so Ant wondered multiple times whether she had a personal connection, but Puffy always shrugged and changed the subject.

They were both the perfect additions to the family. Tommy was brash, loud and impulsive, but he knew when to keep his head down and his voice quiet. He was good at climbing and especially good at stealing, so they let him into town a few times to steal some food, and Tommy always brought more than enough.

Puffy, similar to Tommy, was eager and quick to anger. But she was protective, and always had something up her sleeve (whether literally or not was up to her) to make them laugh. She always offered them night watch, and often guarded Tommy as he went on his 'stealing run.' She also seemed uncannily close to Niki, and if Ant saw her and Niki holding hands as they went on a walk, well, he wouldn't say anything.

It was a good system.

They all liked eachother, and all respected eachother (some more than others), but of course, luck for them didn't last long.

Chapter Text

Bad had to say, he was pretty content with his life. Like, he had his son and his most beloved people right by his side. They lived a pretty domestic life, and Eret, Niki and Tubbo seemed to be regaining a sense of a somewhat normal life. No-one was very good at recognizing them, and they forbid the ender dragon siblings from visiting any town, just in case.

The only real problem was Dream. He was looking for the ender siblings, and had been staying in the town right next to their, for lack of a better word, 'camp', and so they decided to pack up after he didn't leave for a week.

However, there was a setback.

When Bad was visiting the town – hidden under a hood, of course – to go grab some food, he saw something pretty alarming.

He was just buying a huge bag of berries, enough to feed a whole family and extended family, when he heard a pained shout.

Looking over, he saw a dark-green haired man get pushed by George – except it wasn't a man. It looked like.. a green centaur?

Frowning, Bad walked over to see better. His breath hitched.

The man had a dark green hoodie, white irises completely surrounded by black and pointed ears that looked almost scaly and green, and he had a mask on, half-gas mask and half-creeper mask.

The most shocking part were his legs.

They were furry and he had four of them. His complete lower half – until it reached his torso – was a furry green. If he had to explain better what it looked like, he would've said a green lion.

Bad didn't recognize him, but that didn't mean he didn't recognize the fact that he was definitely what the law would state as a 'dangerous' hybrid.

"Get off of him!" another man yelled, and a smaller man with bionic legs, a robotic arm and a bright ski mask ran forwards and crouched next to him, helping him up.

"He's dangerous." George said. "Come on, Ponk, you can't seriously be-"

The ski mask man – Ponk, apparently – glared at George as he helped the green man up. Then somebody else walked up, seemingly coming out of the shadows.

A smiling, staring mask greeted them all. He seemed to grin under it, though Bad couldn't tell for sure. He felt himself grip his sword subconsciously, a growl already starting to develop in his throat.

"Well, well, well." Dream drawled. "Looks like we've found a creeper hybrid. I'm honestly surprised you kept yourself that long, with that hindquarters." George laughed.

"Leave us alone! What the hell did he do to you?!" Ponk spat, holding him protectively.

"Exist." Dream said simply. "You do realize you owe me. Without me, you would've died."

"You mean your permission." Ponk corrected, scowling. "You're the one who broke my arm beyond repair, fuckwad."

Dream's expression was unreadable, under the mask.

"You either back away from him," Dream said, bringing out his axe. "Or I take off your other arm."

Ponk looked terrified at the prospect of losing his other arm, but hugged Sam closer, who hissed, sounding similar to that of a creeper. "Never."

Bad brought out a bow and arrow, and, blending into the shadows perfectly, aimed it at George's side.

He took a deep breath, and fired.

It hit his leg, but still, it was enough to distract Dream.

"GEORGE!" Dream bellowed, rushing to George's side. Bad used the distraction to run forwards and grab Sam and Ponk by the arm and rush out. There were gasps and exclamations at his appearance, and Dream turned, but not in time. Bad ran past the corner, then brought an ender pearl out of his pocket.

"Hold on!" He told them, then threw it. They gripped onto his arm. "Also what are your names?"

"Uh- Sam-" Said Creeper Man – or, Sam.

"Ponk."

"I knew that."

He heard the axe coming his way – it would hit his head if the pearl didn't land.

Just before it hit his head, he felt the rush of air around him, then fell on his butt in the middle of another town.

Ponk and Sam were still dazed, and evidently had not teleported before. He grabbed them both by the hoodie and ran.

Some people tried to stop them, but Bad was too fast.

Eventually, after reaching the edge of the forest, he was too tired.

His legs buckled under him... no, he had to get Ponk and Sam out... to get them to camp.

"Get on my back." Sam ordered. Bad was too tired to complain, and put his legs either side of the furry back. Ponk, evidently gleeful and out of breath, clambered on behind him.

"Oh, he never lets anyone do this, this'll be fun." Ponk whispered in Bad's ear. Bad only had a second of thinking what? before he understood a second too late. Sam rushed forwards, all four leg s propelling them forwards. Bad was immediately awake again, screaming in fear as he gripped Sam's hoodie for dear life. Ponk was apparently having a great time, whooping in his spot behind Bad.

"Which way?" Sam demanded, as if Bad could think when they were going faster than the speed of a galloping horse.

"Uh- uH-" Bad spluttered, then took control of himself. "To the left a bit here – and you should reach a cleari- AAH!" He screamed as Sam jumped off a rather large boulder. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see anymore.

Then they stopped abruptly, so abruptly that the force of it forced Bad's eyes open. Everyone in the camp was staring at them with wide eyes as they roasted sausages.

The ender siblings were the first to get out of their surprised stupor.

"SAM!" They all shouted, then ran forwards and embraced the tall creeper man, bursting with questions. Sam chuckled as they all demanded why he was suddenly a hybrid.

"ChiLDreN?!" Ponk said, his voice cracking. "What thE fuCK-"

"Language!" Bad shouted instinctively, coming to the slightly funny realization that Ponk was the only human there.

After explaining their situation, Ponk and Sam happily roasted sausages together with them.

"So," Ponk said, having taken his ski mask off and revealing his blonde hair and confused smile. " you're telling me. That these kids were trained for years to become like Army Generals or some shit-"

"Language!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. But you three," he pointed at Bad, Ant and Sapnap, "all rescued them to let them out."

"Yep." Bad and Ant said, Ant passing Eret a sausage.

"Sounds about right." Sapnap said, roasting another sausage.

"And you've been living here ever since?" asked Sam, laying on the floor with his body curved like a cat's, chewing on a sausage. He had taken off his mask to reveal a normal human looking nose and mouth, except with sharpened fangs.

"Yep!" Niki said happily, slapping Tubbo's hand away from the fire from where he had been trying to poke it with a stick.

"Awh." Tubbo whined.

"And you two joined like... a week and a half ago?" Ponk asked, turning to Puffy and Tommy.

"Yuf! I m bih ma! Ese ot quike nife!" Tommy said with a mouthful of sausage.

"Tommy!" Puffy scolded. "Chew before you speak." He stuck his tongue out in response, which was quite disgusting with bits of sausage flying around. "Ew, Tommy, act your age!"

"I m!" Tommy said, before swallowing and telling her, "I am!"

Puffy rolled her eyes, before accepting a sausage from Niki. "Jesus Christ, Tommy."

"Nope! Just Tommy! Tommy Danger Kraken Innit!" He told her. Puffy rolled her eyes again, putting her arm around Niki's shoulders. Funny, she seemed much more comfortable with displays of affection with Niki than with anything else. Bad wondered why that was.

Suddenly Tommy's ear flicked, and Sam and Puffy looked alert.

"What?" Tubbo asked, helping himself to a handful of sausage. "Honestly, stop being so-"

He was cut off mid-sentence by an arrow landing straight next to his wing. He yelped and everyone stared at it for a moment.

Bad came to his senses. "RUN!"

Everybody got on their feet. Eret grabbed Antfrost and Tommy, then launched straight up and flew, curving around trees. Niki picked Puffy up before kicking off the ground and beating her wings.

Bad got an enderpearl out of his inventory and prepared to throw it when he felt a sharp, burning pain in his side.

"Agh!" He yelled, falling. An arrow had pierced his side, and blood was leaking out.

"Dad!" Sapnap yelled, running over. Someone teleported using a pearl straight next to Bad, and Bad looked up sharply to see a smiling mask. Sapnap stopped in his tracks.

"Get away from my dad." Sapnap said, his eyes glinting dangerously.

There was a hiss, then Sam yelled distantly, "Ponk, hide!" and then there was an explosion slightly far away.

Bad was losing energy. All of it was pouring out along with that blood.

"If you don't get away from my dad I will incinerate you." Sapnap threatened, and Bad felt pride envelop him, though it was muffled by pain.

Dream had the nerve to laugh. "I've seen you 'fight'. You can't fight for shit."

Sapnap clenched his fist, an inhuman growl coming from his throat. Dream took no notice, putting his sword to Bad's throat and lifting his chin with the tip of it.

"I wonder how much they'll pay for a demon... probably a fair amount." Dream boasted, fury hidden underneath his boast. "Or I can keep you for myself, use you as bait for those beasts."

It took Bad a second to realize he was talking about Eret, Niki and Tubbo. Anger – no, rage – coursed through him. Then Dream turned, and Bad, alarmed, saw what was behind him.

Sapnap was floating several metres above the ground. His eyes glowed with power, and smoke came from his hands. Ancient letters and numbers floated around him.

25 15 21 23 9 12 12 2 5 19 1 6 5 6 15 18 19 15 13 5 20 9 13 5 2 21 20 20 8 5 19 13 9 12 5 23 9 12 12 3 15 13 5 20 8 5 19 13 9 12 5 23 9 12 12 2 9 4 5 8 9 19 20 9 13 5 1 14 4 20 8 5 3 15 14 19 5 17 21 5 14 3 5 19 23 9 12 12 2 5 4 9 18 5 15 14 3 5 8 5 6 9 14 4 19 20 8 5 13

"What the-" Dream just had time to say, before a wall of fire exploded into him. Bad's eyes widened in surprise, and he put his arms up to shield himself, but not even a whiff of the explosion hit him.

On the side, he saw Sapnap's knees buckle. The half-demon boy lay there, breathing heavily.

Sam ran towards them, looking a bit sick but otherwise okay.

"Help Sapnap." Bad croaked. Ponk lifted Sapnap up.

"Dad." Sapnap croaked.

Sam, in response, lifted Sapnap onto his back, then Bad, then Ponk. They then took off, and Bad was too tired to be scared of falling off. Blackness started to coat his vision.

"No, man..." He vaguely heard Ponk say behind him. "You gotta stay awake."

"I don't wanna..." Bad muttered, delirious with pain.

"Dad." Sapnap's voice was echoing in Bad's brain... All he wanted... to do.. was... sleep...

His consciousness drifted away.

Did he mention that when demons sleep, their souls temporarily go back to hell?

Well, he may have forgotten that part. He did want to have to meet her of all people.

"It's about time." came a loud, still echoey, irish voice. "Took you fookin' ages."

"Wha...?" Bad asked, then lifted himself up on his elbows. The air was sulfur. The ground was pebbles. He was next to the River Necro, a long, slanted, flowing pure black river.

The River of the Dead.

"Oh, you've gotta be kidding me..." Bad said, then got up. He looked to his side to see an angry looking purple haired girl with long horns coming out from her hair.

"You been avoiding me, ya fookin' twat." She told him, glaring.

"Ugh, Minx.." He groaned. "I've been... busy."

Minx snorted. "That's an understatement. Who's the pretty dragon girl?"

"Pretty-?"

"Oh, forget it." Minx rolled her eyes. "Look, I don't have much time here. It took me a long fookin time for me to find you. What I'm here to say is: your son issued a prophecy."

"Wha- how?"

"In numbers, somehow. Or, less a prophecy, more a telling of the future." Minx made a see-saw motion with her hand. "The point is, you can't let your friends know what it means-"

"Why not?" He asked, starting to get irritated. Minx was being real vague. "If we can know the future, then-"

"-then you'll all die. And as annoying as you fookin' are, I don't want you to die, ya fookin idiot." Minx finished, mumbling the last bit.

Bad blinked. "You don't want me dead?"

Minx snorted. "Is that a surprise?"

"Yes, I suppose it is." Bad pondered, looking over the river. He had once risen out of this river, but he couldn't remember what came before then. "Is your memory improving?"

Minx made a frustrated motion with her hands. "Nothing! But that doesn't matter. What matters now is that you make sure that they don't understand what it means."

"I don't know what it means!" Bad yelled, frustrated. "Why are you-"

"It's just a feeling." Minx told him. "Okay?"

Bad sunk down into the pebbles. "Fine. I guess I can't be mad at you."

There was a moment of silence.

"How's your son?" Minx asked abruptly. Bad blinked in surprise, then smiled.

"He's getting along really well. He actually reminds me of you a little bit, a freaking spitfire."

"I'll spit fire at you." Minx warned.

"No, no," Bad chuckled. "It's a compliment."

"Wait, that reminds me!" Minx suddenly shouted. "You need to find the-"

Everything went fuzzy. For a moment, it looked like he was in a canyon, then it reverted to the shore of River Necro again.

"Shit! I'm losing you!" Minx yelled. "Just remember to find-" Blank. "-of storms and-" Blank. "Make sure you don't-" Blank. "-off!"

Then Bad woke up.

Chapter Text

Tubbo blinked. Tommy had given him an enderpearl and told him to throw it as far as he could.

It was only his luck that he would land in a canyon of all places.

He saw no-one around. No familar face, just- him in a canyon.

There was no way he'd be able to get out easily. Maybe if he used his wings...?

Just as he thought that, he heard footsteps.

"Eret!" He yelled. "Niki! Bad! Tommy! Ant! Fuck, anyone!"

No response. Then he heard a footstep behind him and looked around suddenly.

There was a girl with dark purple hair and horns, similar to Bad's ones except larger and longer. She was wearing what a normal teenager would: a black zip-up hoodie and ripped jeans.

She stumbled. "Whatthefuck-"

"Uhm..." He asked, "are you supposed to... be here?"

He gestured vaguely at her. She gave him a scrutinizing gaze, before going, "You're the pretty girl's brother, right?"

"Wha- who?"

"Like.. Oh, what's her name... Uh..." Her form flickered. "Shit, uh. Doesn't matter. You're Tube-o, right?"

"Tubbo, but yes." He said, eyeing her warily.

"Tubbo, Tube-o, whatever. Just know that you shouldn't uncover those numbers." She said.

"What numbers?"

"Oh." She said. Then her eyes widened. "Oh! Oh, shit! Uh. See ya."

"Bye." He said, confused as her form shimmered then disappeared. What the hell was that about.

He heard footsteps above him, and the face of Eret, Antfrost and Tommy greeted him.

"Oi!" Tommy yelled, grinning relievedly. "You alright down there?"

"Yeah just please come down I'm scared it's scary down here-" He said in one breath. Eret laughed, and together they all glided down, one by one, with the help of Eret.

Once down there, there was a slightly awkward silence. Tubbo couldn't help of think of that arrow... it had almost struck him, his wing, the sadistic smile of Dream.

He shuddered and felt the back of his neck instinctively. The mark was still there, as it always would be.

He flinched as he remembered Dream's words: a reminder that you'll always belong to me.

Deep down, he knew that. He was Dream's. He was Dream's object. He was Dream's pet. Dream could do whatever he wanted to him, and Tubbo would have to deal with it.

Somebody's hand had patted him on the shoulder, and for a second he was back in that gym where Dream had held him kindly and then pushed him and then lightning struck down and he was on fire and-

Eret embraced him in a hug.

"You alright?" He asked.

Tubbo broke, and started sobbing into Eret's T-Shirt. Wait, shit. "W- Sorry for ruining your t-shirt." He said, hoping not to get burnt, to get hurt, to get beaten.

Eret laughed. "You think I care?"

Tubbo laughed wetly, hugging him even more tightly. "Nah."

They just were held there, until screaming filled their ears.

They broke apart rapidly just in time see Antfrost be a landing pad to Puffy.

"Oof!" He yelled.

"Sorry!" Puffy apologized, then got off and glared at the sky. "Don't just drop me like that, Niki!"

Niki came into view, flying down and giggling, and relief swept through Tubbo like the sun after a thunderstorm.

"Sorry!" She said, not sounding sorry at all. She landed next to Tubbo. "It was fun."

"It was not fun!"

"It was!" Tubbo heard her discreetly mutter, "for me."

Puffy pouted at her and Niki laughed, and Puffy lit up.

Tubbo frowned. What the fuck?

He'd have to ask about that later, for now they were still missing three people.

"Did you guys see Bad, Sapnap, Sam and Ponk?" He asked. Everyone immediately sobered up. Tommy's ears lowered.

"N-Not really." Eret stuttered. "I mean, I just panicked, grabbed Ant and Tommy and flew off."

"Which was really fun, by the way." Tommy noted. Tubbo snorted.

Puffy's ear flicked. She put her hand up for everyone to be quiet. Tubbo listened intently, grabbing a stick off the ground and staring up at the sky.

Tommy sighed in relief. "It's just Sam, I can hear the four paws-things."

Tension went from everyone's shoulder. Thank fuck. Puffy grinned. "And he's got cargo.

"Guys?" Came Sam's voice.

"We're down here!" Tubbo yelled.

Sam looked down at them and frowned. "How do I?"

"Just go your way around." Ant suggested. Sam did so, walking to the side, and they followed his steps.

They eventually found the steep end of it, which was ragged and steep, but Sam had no trouble with his weird paw things.

Immediately, Tubbo could tell something was wrong.

For starters, Sam's expression was grim, which wouldn't be that bad by itself, considering what just happened, but then on his back, Bad was limp with Ponk supporting him worriedly.

Sapnap and Ponk got down, then helped Bad down.

"A little help?!" Ponk demanded, glaring at them. Ant and Puffy ran forwards to help, both of them grabbing one of Bad's legs and bringing him to their little area.

There was a gasp as everyone saw the arrow lodged in Bad's chest. Tubbo started breathing heavily. No... not Bad, Bad couldn't die... he had been there.. since the beginning, they couldn't just.

"Alright, get outta the way!" Ponk demanded, running forwards. "I've got a doctorate just let me check."

He glanced up at the rest. "I need to take his shirt off to see the damage. I can't see with this big sweater."

Tubbo nodded, slightly uncomfortable, but feeling far more worried.

Carefully and delicately, Ponk took off the shirt.

Tubbo winced when he saw the damage. It was lodged right in his side, and there was blood everywhere.

For some reason, Ponk sighed in relief. "It's not nearly as bad as it could've been. If it'd gotten in his abdomen... well, that wouldn't be so easy to heal."

With delicate hands, he grabbed it, took a deep breath, and yanked it out. Blood flew everywhere.

Bad groaned loudly, but at least he was alive.

Ponk ripped off a bit of the sleeve of his hoodie, then wrapped it around his chest, then placed pressure on it, which made Bad wince in pain.

Sapnap, who had been looking terrified since the beginning, sighed and walked forwards.

"I can heal him." He said. Everyone looked at him. "I can do magic. Like, demon magic. I can do this, I swear."

"How do you know if you can do it again?" Sam asked. "That was some serious bit of magic we saw you do."

"It won't be as big." Sapnap agreed. "But I can still do it. Please."

Ponk stared, then, with a heavy heart it seemed, he stepped away.

Sapnap ran forwards and placed his hands on the area. Or well, around the area.

"Ase me nha kliso then plague, nha epitachyno then diadikasia ths epoulosis." He said, his words humming with ancient power. He opened his eyes and they glowed bright yellow. "Ase ayti then psyche nha zisei ligo akoma. afiste ton nha epistrepsei."

Tubbo blinked. It was the same language that Bad had used to wake Eret and Niki up, right on the first day of being free.

As Sapnap said the last word, they all saw the blood miraculously return to the wound, like a car going in reverse. When it all went in, the wound closed and turned into scar.

There was a pause.

"That was awesome." Sapnap said, just before he passed out. Ponk ran forwards to check on him, but he hissed and lifted his hand away when he touched him.

"He's burning hot." Ponk said concernedly, as faint smoke starting rising off Sapnap's body.

"Probably power over-exertion." Sam suggested. "He did a really big fire spell to get rid of Dream-"

"Is he dead?" Tubbo asked. It seemed to good to be true. Sam shrugged.

"I don't know. I didn't see."

"Oh." Tubbo wilted with dissapointment, a sour feeling in his mouth.

"Anyways, just after that he almost passed out and smoke went off him then, but he managed to stay awake." Sam said uncomfortably. "I guess this was kinda the... straw that broke the camel's back, I guess."

The metaphor flew over Tubbo's head, but he nodded anyways.

As they made a small camp, making makeshift tents with their hoodies and spare clothes, Tubbo thought about that girl. He'd completely forgotten about her.

Don't uncover those numbers.

What numbers? Tubbo didn't remember any numbers... maybe he was hallucinating, but she had seemed quite real.

It's the shock, he told himself, she wasn't really there, she was just in shock.

She had mentioned something about... the pretty girl's brother. She had guessed correctly that his name was Tubbo. That meant that 'the pretty girl' was Niki.

He glanced at her, then scrunched up his nose. She was pretty, but he could never think of anyone being romantically interested in her. In fact, in kind of repulsed him, which was natural of course, she was his brother.

Tommy flicked him on the head. "Oi. Why're you making that face? Penny for your thoughts."

"Ow." Tubbo said, rubbing the side of his head. "That's just mean."

"Penny. For. Your. Thoughts." He said slowly, like Tubbo was a five year old. Tubbo rolled his eye, but responded honestly.

"I saw this girl-"

"Was she hot?" Tommy asked instantly.

Tubbo rolled his eyes. "I guess? She was like a demon, kind of like Bad but with just the demon horns and tail."

"She say anything to you?"

"Yeah." Tubbo said. "She said, 'don't uncover the numbers'."

"What, like phone numbers?" Tommy said, scrunching up his nose. "Did you say no?"

"No, I felt like she was talking about something more... magical." He glanced at Tommy. "You get what I mean?"

"No." Tommy said honestly. "You know what I think?"

"Go on."

"I think you're hallucinating."

"Oh, fuck off."

"Language." Bad muttered dazedly.

Chapter Text

Bad was in a right state for a while, but they had to move multiple times because Dream or his men were lurking nearby. He seemed to just be very groggy, and Sapnap seemed okay after a good rest.

Tubbo and his siblings seemed to be the highest priority, the other hybrid children being a close second. They weren't allowed to play outside anymore or soar in the free air. It was understandable, but boring. After all, Tubbo wasn't stupid. He knew how to stay quiet, keep his head low .

"We risked our lives to break you out." Ant told him when he complained. "We still are. Do you really want to throw all that away by playing?"

That did not alleviate Tubbo's feeling of guilt of not being able to help. Puffy silently confessed to him that they didn't really do anything important on the 'scout missions' (her words, not his), so he really wasn't missing anything.

Eret and Niki shared his frustration, which Tubbo got. It made sense why he of all people was to be kept safe, but Eret and Niki were basically adults (well... Eret was basically an adult). They kept pacing around in the area they would be in that week, occasionally breathing purple fire.

He could tell they hated being pent up even more than he did, because at least he had never been claustrophobic, even with Dream breathing down his neck. But Eret and Niki had had punishments where they would be isolated in a plain white room the size of a bathroom, sometimes for a week before they were allowed to come out, and he knew this... almost quarantine-like thing was starting to remind them of that. Multiple times he had to stop them scratching their arms or biting their wings. They hated staying inside, he could tell.

So, one day, and the worst day, he made a very, very, bad decision.

It was his fault everything happened that day. If he had only waited...

But no, he had seen the look of desperation and frustration and fear on his siblings faces, so he had hatched a plan.

"Hey, guys?" He called out tentatively. They looked around, their eyes sunken. He hadn't realized they hadn't gotten any sleep.

"Yeah?" Niki said, while Eret ran a hand through his curly hair. The tired tone in which she said it made him all the more sure of his decision.

He smiled at them. "Why don't we enjoy the fresh air for a while?"

They stared at him, varying degrees of worry on their faces.

"What if we're caught?" Eret asked, his voice quiet.

"Dream isn't in town, plus, we can just fly away if we see any of their guards." He told them honestly. Well, half-honestly. He wasn't completely sure that Dream was out of town, but he was pretty sure. That was good enough, right?

"But Bad said..." Niki started.

Tubbo waved his hands dismissively. "Who cares what Bad says?" Tubbo asked, then upon seeing Niki's stricken face, he hastily added, "Well, I do, but what I mean is, we can be back before he even knows! We just need to stretch our wings out."

Eret and Niki exchanged fleeting glances, doubts clear in their eyes, but they nodded and followed him out.

Once they got out of their cave, the sun practically blinded them. They hadn't gone out in a while.

He started flapping his wings and floating upwards. It felt so good to finally stretch his wings which had been aching from non-use, that he actually laughed out loud.

He turned mid-air to look down at Niki and Eret, who looked stunned, but with smiles beginning to grace their faces.

He turned and flew, ducking under trees and over treetops. He heard the swish of wings behind him, and judging from Eret's whoop of pleasure and Niki's exhilarated laugh, they were having as much fun as he was.

He did a loop-de-loop, then veered left and flew over the village.

"WOOOOOH!" Eret yelled, flying high then dipping. It looked fun, so Tubbo did it too. The rush in his ears was exhilarating. He went even higher, the dipped again. The rush in his ears was stronger, almost making them pop. He laughed, a pure laugh of pleasure.

Everything was great. Nothing could be better than this. He was finally having good fun, having forgotten about Dream if only for a moment, but naturally, that was where things went wrong.

It was all fun and games until he heard a shriek behind him. He looked back. "...guys?"

Though they were all in mid-air with him, beating their wings to stay airborne, he couldn't help the feeling that something was absolutely wrong.

Then Niki's wings stopped flapping. She fell, making no noise as she did so, apparently limp as she fell down to the floor.

Eret and Tubbo seemed to race to get to her. Surely, at that height, it would mean a broken bone, or at least-

At the last second, somebody caught her.

Tubbo was about to thank them, apologize and run, until he recognized the green hood. His back was turned, but he recognized the trident.

It felt like a rusty dagger was starting to cut up his heart.

"Well..." The man said, his voice dreadfully familiar and awfully cold. Tubbo's blood turned completely cold at his voice, he just completely froze. "Isn't this a nice surprise?"

He turned, and Tubbo was met with a blank smiling mask.

Chapter Text

Tubbo was pushed harshly into a cell, about the size of a toolshed. They didn't go to the Base, which was a relief, but instead they were brought to the local taming center. The guards there had nervously shuffled out the way of Dream, apparently noticing his silent, seething rage.

Tubbo quickly got up, shaking all over, but he fell down the moment Dream started shouting.

"ONE RULE!" Dream yelled. "I had just ONE FUCKING RULE! And you overreact and run away. Fucking cowards."

They all flinched at his words, cowering under his mask's gaze.

"I had one rule, and it was so simple: Don't Escape." Dream said, with almost an air of finality to it. "And you broke my one rule."

Tubbo flinched, backing away. Eret put his arm over both of them, shielding them. Dream took a deep breath, then laughed under the mask. It was a sadistic, evil laugh.

"You know what?" He said, his voice with carefully controlled rage. "You want to protect those brats so much? Answer me."

"Yes." Eret whispered, terrified.

"Yes, Commander. And you would do anything for them?"

Tubbo felt something like a stone settle in his stomach.

"Eret, no!-" Niki hissed.

"Shut up, #2."

Niki whimpered and shuffled back, flinching at her past name.

Eret said nothing for a second, then said quietly. "Yes, Commander."

"That's what I thought." Dream said, a satisfactory note in his voice. Then, as quick as a flash, he slashed with something clawed, something inhuman, and Eret fell, and yelled so loud that Tubbo thought his ears would bleed.

Fear settled in Tubbo, running its way into his brain. He crawled rapidly towards Eret.

Niki sobbed as she reached him, putting her hands on either side of his face. He couldn't blame her. There were three vicious, inhuman slash marks going over Eret's eyes. They were bleeding, so much, that Tubbo couldn't be sure what exactly had been damaged.

Pure rage filtered through Tubbo. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!"

"Step back." Dream warned. Despite himself, Tubbo stepped back as Dream kneeled next to him and put a potion of healing over his eyes. A weird sort of steaming rose up from his eyes, like tears in the air, then it disappeared. The blood seemed to be siphoned into the air. Eret's eyes were clenched shut when all the blood disappeared, but tears were streaking down his cheeks.

"Eret!" Niki and Tubbo called in sync. At the sound of their voices, Eret's eyes opened, and Tubbo had to hold back a sob.

Where Eret's dark blue irises had once been, was now just an empty void of white nothingness. Where they had been so full of life, he now seemed dead.

"T-Tubbo, Niki...?" Eret stuttered. "W... I can't- I can't see you-"

Tubbo exchanged a terrified look with Niki, but Niki whispered softly in Eret's ear, "It's okay. We're here. We're okay." Her voice shook. It broke on okay. They were the furthest they could be from okay.

"Don't ever, try to leave again." Dream warned, and with that, he slammed the door shut. Tubbo flinched at the noise, then felt silly for worrying about a door slam when Eret was...

Eret was...

"Guys, I can't- I can't see-" He gripped Tubbo's shoulder. "You're here, right?"

Tubbo choked up with sobs. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm here."

Eret's shoulders sagged with relief.

"Eret I think you're..." Tubbo's voice died. Luckily, or unluckily, Niki spoke up for him.

"Eret, you're blind." Niki said, her voice cracking.

Eret's shoulders sagged even more. He seemed to age ten years. "Let's- Let's get some sleep, yeah?"

There was no bed, just a patch of newspapers on the side. With Tubbo and Niki's help, they guided Eret towards it, then put Tubbo put his hoodie down to make it more comfortable, while Niki put her hoodie on Eret's body .

With the wind bustling through the open window, it made Tubbo and Niki shiver with the cold, but Eret needed comfort more.

Chapter Text

When Dream came into the room next, he just stared at them. They didn't dare look away from his mask, his face, both of them putting their arms over Eret protectively.

After a minute of this apprehension, he seemed to smile satisfactorily under the mask.

"Good." He told them, a hint of triumph in his voice. Eret flinched, not having seen the man enter. Tubbo tightened his grip on him. "I'm here to talk about Eret's... condition."

Tubbo bit his tongue, knowing that talking out of turn would hurt more than it was worth. He merely nodded at him."

"So, as you definitely know by now, Eret can't see."

You blinded him, Tubbo wanted to scream. You fucking bastard, don't get any closer, leave Eret alone, leave us alone what did we do to you what did we do to deserve this-

"I have the power to get his sight back."

All of them perked up at it, ceasing their glaring immediately. Tubbo could see Dream's smirk, only barely, but he still saw it.

" But," Tubbo almost wilted. Of course there was a 'but'. "Only if you behave. You speak back to me, or try to escape or call for help? He stays blind. Permanently."

Tubbo flinched unintentionally. The idea of Eret losing his sight... forever...

"Do you understand? Say yes or no."

"Yes, Commander." Niki said the word like it was alien on her tongue.

"Yes, Commander." Tubbo said after. Eret gripped their arms warningly , but they didn't- couldn't- take it back.

"Good." Dream said again, then walked out. Tubbo sighed and leaned against the wall of the cell.

After Dream had gone, Eret whispered urgently, "You shouldn't have done that. You shouldn't have promised him."

"If it gets you your sight back, it's worth it." Niki said firmly. Tubbo was sure it was the right thing to do. Then again, he had been sure about them being safe to go out.

Sapnap finished writing in his diary, spelling out the last letter in Demon Language before closing his eyes and sighing. Bad was pacing nervously up and down the camp area, checking under and over everything, just in case. Puffy was staring out into the distance, as if she'd be able to see them if she just willed it. Tommy was perched on top of Tubbo's bed, staring at where he and Tubbo used to sleep. Ant was in town in his little cat form, checking, just in case. Ponk leaned against the wall, looking concernedly (and perhaps paranoidly) around. Sam was staring out the entrance along with Puffy, his face still filled with shock.

Bad let out a stressed whine. Nobody teased him for it. If Sapnap's human half didn't exist, he would have whined too. They were good friends- good kids.

"I can see Ant!" She yelled. Sapnap shot up, running to the hidden entrance. Bad and Tommy soon joined. He saw a siamese cat rushing up towards them, turning into their favourite anthropormorphic cat, Antfrost.

He panted once he reached the top, wheezing out a cough.

"Sit down." Sapnap advised him.

He didn't sit down. He looked up, with panic and relief and fear clear in his eyes.

"Dream has them." Sapnap wanted to throw up. He had suspected that Dream had them, 'cause who else would it be? But, he had hoped against hope that they had just lost their way in the forest, or spread their wings out. Heck, even them just abandoning their little group would have been better. But of course Dream had them.

Bad looked the most alarmed out of all of them, only rivalled by Puffy. Sapnap remembered the sight of those lightning shaped scars, darting all over their shoulder and snacking their neck, or in Tubbo's case, his cheek. Sapnap felt like he was actually going to throw up this time, a sick feeling growing in his stomach.

"We have to get them back." Puffy insisted.

"Right." Bad said, gripping one of the swords they had molded.

"Woah, woah, woah- r-right now?" Ponk asked.

Bad scowled. "You don't know what they've been through with Dream. Heck, we don't completely know. But it's bad enough that he lit these children on fire with lightning."

Sam, Ponk, Puffy and Tommy all stared, shocked and disbelieving.

"So if you think I'm just going to sit here while they're at Dream's mercy again?" He asked, scoffing at the end. "You're dead wrong. Emphasis on dead."

"Woah, Dad, chill." He said, pushing Bad's sword down. He had never seen Bad look so murderous, apart from maybe when they found out that Dream had caused their scars. "I get that you're angry. Ponk was just shocked. Nobody's suggesting we don't get them back." He glared round at everyone, with a little desperation. "Nobody had better be saying that."

Nobody responded.

" Good." Sapnap said, hidden relief in his voice. "Let's go get them back."

Bad could feel the eyes of everyone upon him as he ran through the town.

Rage coursed through him, worse then it had ever done before. He wanted to send that monster to hell, send him to the darkest pits of where he came from. He wanted to punish him. He wanted to make him suffer.

Of course, he wouldn't. At least for Tommy's – the current youngest – sake. But he would rip his head off. That wouldn't traumatize a kid too much, right?

If he was calmer, he would have understood how wrong what he had just said was, but fury clouded his mind.

He was going to tear that muffinhead limb from limb.

George just had time to look up when Ant slammed into him. George yelped and tried to raise his shield, but Ant put his claws against his neck.

"Where are they?" Bad demanded, stepping forwards and showing his claws.

"W-What?-"

Puffy unsheathed her dual knives, snarling at the man. "You heard him. Where are they?!"

"I-In the taming centre! Of this town! I-" Bad didn't bother listening to the rest. He was already sprinting to the area.

The taming centre was one of the smaller ones, but still one nonetheless. It had many holding cells, at least until they got moved to the bigger taming centres. No doubt that Eret, Niki and Tubbo were in one of them.

Bad rushed forwards. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on whether you could rip his arm off), Dream wasn't there.

Bad found a hall of doors, all cells.

"Eret? Niki? Tubbo? Hello?!" He called out. He opened the first one. "Tubbo?"

He started opening them all, calling out their names whenever he did, and eventually he found a bundle of hoodies all over a small bundle of people.

He rushed forwards, putting his hand on the bundle. It flinched, and three heads rose out of it, then bodies. Bad wanted to cry in relief; it was them.

But there was something wrong. Eret wouldn't open his eyes, keeping his head down.

"Bad?" Tubbo whispered, like it would be a dream.

"Yeah, yeah, it's me, buddy." He held out a hand. "Come on, guys. Dream isn't here."

Tubbo flinched, then shook his head. "We can't."

"We won't." Niki added. Eret made a whining noise deep in his throat. Niki looked back. "You can open your eyes, Eret." She added softly, gazing at him worriedly.

Eret blinked open his eyes, and Bad sucked in a breath. Instead of the pleasing blue he was used to, Eret's eyes were a void of endless white. There was no iris, no pupil, just white.

He got over his shock. "Well, we can heal that. Come on."

To his surprise and disbelief, Niki and Tubbo shook their heads.

"We can't." Niki whispered.

"Why not?" Bad said, indignant. Niki shuffled back, starting to look unsure.

"Because Dream will heal Eret's eyes if we're good..." Tubbo explained uncomfortably. "...but he said he would do the same to one of us if we were bad."

Okay. Enough of Bad ripping Dream limb from limb. He was going to decapitate that man.

He steadied his breathing, which had started to go amok after he heard that sentence.

"I promise he won't find you." Bad said, placing his hand on Eret's knee. "And I can heal it. Your irisies may never come back, but you'll be able to see."

They still looked unsure. That's when everybody else ran in.

Tommy gasped. "Big man!"

Tubbo laughed, and the unsure look on all their faces melted away at the sight and sound of it.

Dream appeared at the doorway. He seemed to frown, not in fear, but in confusion.

"Puffy?" He said. Puffy stepped back sharply, like she'd been burnt. "I thought I fucking sent you away, you piece of shit."

"F-Fuck off." Puffy replied, not sounding at all like her confident self.

Niki gave Dream a death glare which would make even the bravest man back away, but Dream didn't even flinch. He must have dealt with this for years.

Dream sighed, sounding disappointed. "Eret, Niki, Tubbo. You've been bad. I mean, look at you." He wheezed, sounding like a kettle. "Preparing to escape? Haven't you learnt your lesson?"

The three kids in question flinched and Niki and Tubbo glanced at Bad fearfully, starting to back away.

"Come to me, and I won't punish you. I'll even give you Eret's sight back, and we can go back the way we used to be." Dream assured them, holding a hand out, which Antfrost looked dangerously close to biting.

Tubbo stepped forwards, looking conflicted. Niki walked a few steps forward.

"Niki." Puffy said, her voice shaking. Her voice made Niki freeze, then step back. With a heavy heart, it seemed, she stepped back again and shook her head.

Dream froze. "Tubbo. Tubbo, you'll come, won't you?"

Tubbo shook his head. Dream was starting to shake, though with fear or rage, Bad didn't know. All he knew was that he needed to get these kids out of there and fast.

"Leave." Bad commanded. Dream shifted the sword in his grip, apparently considering if he could take them. Quicker than Bad could see what was happening, he grabbed Puffy in his hands and put sword at her neck.

Puffy's eyes widened. Niki stepped back, shaking with undeniable rage.

"Well, little cousin." He spat out the words like they were poison. "Looks like you've become involved with the wrong people. Seems like, somehow, these three care about you. So I'll use that."

He was now speaking to Eret, Niki, and Tubbo directly.

"What's going on?" Eret asked nervously.

"Simple, actually. I have a sword at Cara's neck." Eret looked confused, as did everybody else. Who the hell was Cara?

Dream laughed sadistically. "Oh, she hasn't told you? Why haven't you told them, little Cawa?" He asked in a mock baby voice, now talking to Puffy. Puffy looked like a cornered animal, her eyes wide and fearful and looking for an escape. She tried to struggle out of his grip, but Dream gripped her tighter.

"This little bitch, right here-" He tugged on her ear, which made her cry out. Eret immediately understood what was going on, tensing up. "-is my little cousin. What is it, Cara? Are you ashamed? Ashamed of your only family?"

"You gave me up." Puffy said, her voice threatening tears.

"Because, I mean, look at you! What the fuck are you?" He laughed again sadistically. "Your mom just decided to go fuck a ram!"

"Language!" Bad demanded. Dream looked stunned for a second, then regained composure.

"And what has she been telling you her name is? Delusional little bitch?" He sneered, tugging on her ear again. She whimpered, but put her hands on Dream's wrist. Bad knew the impending move.

"Her name is Puffy." Bad stepped forwards. "And she's about to beat your muffins."

Dream looked confused, and his grip slackened just enough. "Wha-"

Puffy flipped Dream over her shoulder, then ran towards their little group. As much as he wanted beat the muffinhead, he needed to get Eret, Niki and Tubbo out of there.

"Run!" He told them, which they took haste to obey. They all ran outside, all their little ragtag group. They ran past a bewildered George, which made Ant laugh in pleasure.

After a while, Sam placed Eret on his back. Getting the idea, Bad gave Tubbo a piggy-back ride. Niki was running, but was quickly picked up by Sam.

Niki grabbed Puffy and flapped her wings, and she was up in the air. They all followed her, and they went into the forest, and past their little area, and kept running.