Chapter Text
*Ranboos POV
‘So tell me his identity. We both know that you know him. I wasn't able to get anything out of your friend, though I have a feeling that I’ll be able to get you to crack with time’
‘I don’t know who you’re talking about!’
‘Sure you don’t, let's see how long you’ll be able to keep quiet since you won’t be leaving till I get my information. Though it does seem that our time has come to an end for today, as the person you swear you don’t know is expelling me from your mind. Till tomorrow’
‘:)’
‘You’re not in trouble, just answer the question. The Hero’s can protect you, you just need to tell me how you know Nightmare’
‘I can’t tell you… He’ll know’, Tubbo mumbled the last bit. It wouldn’t be good if he finds out that Tubbo went running to the Hero’s. Tubbo shivered just thinking about it.
To his surprise Mage didn’t push, just gave him a business card.
‘Keep in contact. You can come to me if you need help, ok?’
Tubbo stared at Mage in shock before nodding.
‘ok…’
*Mage’s POV, 2 hours before
Sapnap paced the length of the room, checking the time every few seconds. Blade had yet to get back and the two had decided to patrol the 4th district today as they were seeing a rise in crime-rates, mostly break-ins.
Almost 7 O’Clock, that’s not good. The agency is very strict on patrol times.
Sapnap rubbed his face. Where the hell is Blade?!
Just then his phone rang, he quickly grabbed his phone off the floor (Don’t question it), and looked at the caller's ID, Crow. Sapnap rolled his eyes at that, Blade doesn’t like anyone having his number so if you want to contact him you have to contact Crow or Siren who are the only two people who actually have his number. Same the other way round, he goes through Crow if he wants to give any of the other Heroes information.
‘Heya mate, sorry for the close call, traffic was crazy. Blade has gone to get his armor on and said that he will meet you out front in 5’
Sapnap said his thanks and grabbed his mask off the counter before leaving his room.
He got some weird looks in the halls, despite the fact that it was nearly a year ago some people still can’t get over the fact that he was the only member of the Dream Team that didn’t join the other side. Most believe that he’s a spy. He has long since stopped caring what they think, he has gained back the trust of the public and they have made him one of the top three heroes.
They aren’t technically wrong with one of the things they think about him. He is hiding some information. Like, he’s the only hero that knows that Nightmare can’t just visit whoever he wants when he wants. He needs to have a connection to that person. Which is the exact reason that no one can ever find out. If he ever told the heroes? They would tell the public and arrest anyone who gets visited. Whatever poor soul that gets visited could be shunned by their friends and family, could lose their job or even spend years in prison. Not to mention the trauma that’s bound to come with interacting with Nightmare in that sense and having to deal with questioning from the heroes.
He’s also hiding the identity of both of his ex-team. When asked if he knew their civilian names or faces he denied. He doesn’t have the best reason for this one, they haven’t revealed his name or face to the public so he won’t do that to them. Though he did warn Nightmare during his first visit that if they do anything overly extreme that he will reveal their identities. He’s not sure how to explain it, maybe it’s the need to do one last thing for his old teammates.
‘Oh, hi Mage! Going on patrol?’
Sapnap turned to the familiar voice and smiled at the owner, Nihachu. She is a newer hero, only just having gotten clearance to do solo patrols.
‘Yeah, me and Blade are heading to district 4’
Nihachu nodded in understanding. ‘District 4 has been seeing an upturn of crime lately. Mind if I joined you? I don’t feel quite ready to go out by myself yet’
Sapnap smiled. ‘I have no problem with it, I’m sure Blade will be the same. We’re to meet him out front in 5, he’s getting his armor on’.
Nihachu’s eyes lit up
A few minutes later the two were out front waiting for Blade, having a debate on whether the crime rates have gone up or not in recent years… It was a very interesting conversation
‘God, I didn’t know that you two are nerds’
Mage jumped. Blade just appeared , like one minute he wasn't there and next POP well hello there. Mage clutched his chest and dramatically took a deep breath as Nihachu laughed, she didn’t even jump, impressive.
‘Ah, Nihachu. Joining us?’
‘If you’ll have me’
Blade nodded. ‘I assume that Mage told you the plan?
‘Yep!’
Mage smiled slightly under his mask. He had noticed that Nihachu has a very bubbly personality that can light up any room. He often wonders if her enthusiasm will die down with time like so many others before her. He really hopes not.
They all agreed to enter the district from different angles and meet in the middle, then do a few laps of the district together and call it a night. Blade will be clocking out earlier since he has to be present for the interviews the next morning.
Mage stopped 2 break ins and 3 muggings by the time he got to the meeting spot. The whole time he was fully aware of the figure that was following him, they weren’t being very discrete. They kept making little mistakes, knocked over a garbage can, stepped on a cat's tail, tripped over their own feet twice and then of course almost fell off a building. Well, they did fall off and just managed to catch themselves a few stories down.
Mage wasn’t sure if they knew that he knew that they’re there. He’s curious to see what they’re planning to do, just watch? Try to find out Hero secrets?
He sighed, no sign of Blade or Nihachu. Bored, Mage summoned a small ball of fire to play with.
It took him years to master his destructive power, and a few more years to become confident enough in his ability to control his powers.
He’s come a long way from almost burning down his childhood home and never wanting to use his powers again in fear of hurting someone, to performing small tricks to distract scared children while the medics check them for injuries.
Suddenly Nihachu and Blade appeared. Hey, that’s not fair! He taught the sneaky sneak move to her! :(
‘Nihachu! If you make a habit of doing that I will cry’. He pouted. It was bad enough that Blade did it, he found it funny that he manages to scare Mage everytime.
‘How was your first solo run?’ He adds
‘It went well! Stopped 6 muggings, no injuries!’
Blade nodded along. ‘She did really well’.
Mage could tell that Nihachu was proud of herself from how much her eyes crinkled with a very obvious big smile.
Nihachus' eyes traced to behind Mage and paused.
Oh, my shadow. Forgot about them
‘Uh, Mage? Why is Gremlin here?’ She questioned slowly
Sapnaps brain blanked
What’s a gremlin?
Blade's eyes snapped to where Nihachu was still looking, and made a sound that could only be described as a disappointed parents sigh. Mage had no idea that Blade could replicate that sound apparently by complete accident.
‘Gremlin, you’re not fooling anyone. Come here’
Sapnaps head finally caught up with everyone else's
Oh! The vigilante Gremlin. That makes sense.
The familiar sound of uncertain footsteps reached his ears and a figure appeared. Mage is a bit disappointed to admit that he jumped again.
‘Gremlin, why are you here?’Blade pulled off the same tone and Mage was re-reminded how close the vigilantes are to Blade's heart. It was sweet in a way.
‘I’m out for a walk?’
‘Say it less like a question and we might believe you’, Nihachu suggested with a small laugh.
‘I’m out for a walk’, He repeated with a more confident tone.
‘Gremlin, focus’, Blade brought the attention back to himself.
‘Why are you here?’, He repeated. When Gremlin didn’t answer Blade continued.
‘You haven’t been out in years, and I’m only assuming this but by the way you’re holding yourself you are out of practice. You know how easy it would be for someone to take you down or for a hero to arrest you? You’re lucky that Mage didn’t decide to pick a fight with you’.
Gremlin paused, seemingly just realizing that he was with three heroes that could arrest him.
‘You won’t arrest me right? You’re an ally with the Vigilantes right?’
Blade walked closer to Gremlin and put a hand on his shoulder. ‘I won’t arrest you and these two won’t either.’ He sent a glance to Nihachu and Mage that said ‘That’s not a suggestion’
‘I won’t arrest you, wouldn’t want to take down the brains behind the Vigilantes’ Mage piped up.
Gremlins ears turned red. ‘I’m not the-’
Mage waved him off.
‘Just take the compliment dude’.
Nihachu nodded, ‘Don’t worry about me, I respect you guys too much.’
‘You still haven’t answered my question, why are you here? If it’s about what happened last night, I’m sorry. I had no control over that.’
Blade paused
‘How are Portal and Red?’
‘....Portal is in a rough spot, we’re looking out for them though. As for Red? Currently cursing you out in my ear.’
Blade nodded, ‘Does sound like him.’
‘As for why I’m out, I just need to get some information. I was hoping that you would be willing to give it to me?’
Blade made a gesture to continue.
‘Why has our district been crawling with Heros the past few days? And what exactly happened with that civilian today?’.
Mage and Nihachu shared a glance. How much is Blade going to tell him?
‘Make sure that only the other Vigilantes hear of this and I’ll tell you.’
Gremlin nodded.
‘I need you to give me your word. Only the Vigilantes.’
‘I will only tell the other Vigilantes, no one else. You have my word.’
Blade fixed him with a hard stare for a minute.
‘The Heroes recently got information out of Punz. He has confirmed every kill he did under Nightmares orders, at the same time he hinted towards the fact that Phantom Chaos might be alive. When questioned on the topic he refused to say anything, we think that someone paid him out.’
Mage studied Gremlins body language, all he could see was confusion and a spark of hope in his eyes. Something about him reminded him of someone, he just can’t figure out from where.
Gremlins eyes suddenly lit up.
‘You think that Phantom is hiding out in District 10! It would make sense, he did love the area.’
‘Wait, does that mean that there are going to be heroes around until he’s found? This is bad’
‘Yes, that’s why I told you to warn the others. It’s going to become a whole lot more dangerous for you guys to go out now. Once the news goes out there will be Heros in your district 24/7 looking for him’.
What could be seen of Gremlins face paled
‘I’ll let the Vigilantes Committee know as soon as I get back’
‘Is that the official name?’, Mage cut in
‘Yeah, we have a group chat’ Gremlin answered absent-mindingly
‘As for what happened with the civilian today, he was visited by Nightmare to give someone a message. We have reason to believe that this message is for Phantom, which also leads us to believe that this Civilian is under Phantom's protection. We were going to bring him in for questioning but Mage won’t let us’.
‘I gave him my number, he’ll contact us if he knows anything’. Mage cut in with a hint of anger.
Blade waved him off. ‘But, you knew all that already. Right?’
Gremlin rubbed the back of his head. ‘Yeah, I got to the civilian earlier. Just wanted to see if you knew more than he did. Do you really think that he’s under Phantoms protection?’
Blade shrugged. ‘If the message is for Phantom, it is possible. He might not even know that he is under Phantoms protection, he was very shaken up and confused earlier.’
‘Why wouldn’t he just look into his memories to get Phantom's civilian face then?’
‘If he's under Phantom's protection, Phantom would have blocked his identity from his mind so that Nightmare can’t find him easily.’ Mage butted in without thinking.
Everyone stopped and looked at him.
‘I thought that Phantom doesn’t have powers?’ Nihachu questioned.
Shit
Mage shrugged. ‘Phantom was a very private person, but I do think that he has some sort of mind manipulation. Before we knew of Nightmares' betrayal he would often comment about not being able to enter Phantom's head, like a strong force field was keeping him out. Same with anyone close to Phantom’.
Mage is in trouble, this is information that he didn’t hand over. Hopefully Blade and Nihachu don’t report him.
Blade gave him a look of ‘We’ll talk about this later’
Blade turned to Gremlin ‘Get home before you get hurt, get the word out as fast as possible.’
Gremlin gave him a mock salute and started to run off.
‘Other way!’ Nihachu called after him.
Gremlin paused and took a minute to look around. Mage saw his shoulders drop and laughed quietly to himself. He had been running towards district 3 .
As Gremlin disappeared, going the right way this time, Mage turned to Blade.
‘How do you deal with them?’ He joked
‘I don’t know, first time I’ve met the kid. Have heard great things about him from the others.’
‘You recon he’s a kid?’ Nihachu asked
‘Well, maybe not a kid but he can’t be over 20. None of them are even if they won’t admit it’.
Blade glazed at his watch. ‘Welp, I’m off now. Don’t stay out too late you two’.
Then of course, he just fucking disappears. Mage and Nihachu stand in silence looking at where he had been.
‘I’ve got to get him to teach me that’, Mage whispered in awe
‘It’s an old vigilante trick, they use it to get away from heroes. Although it seems that the newer generation of Vigilantes don’t know how to do it.’ Nihachu informed
‘That’s awesome’, Mage gushed
‘How about we do a few laps and call it a night?’
‘Sounds good’.
The rest of the patrol went by without incident, they stopped 3 break-ins and 9 muggings. Though Mage did have this weird feeling of being watched that he couldn’t shake.
*Tommy's POV
Tubbo had gone out that night and got Tommy to sit in comms for the night, meaning that he was to do everything Tubbo usually did: Look out for the vigilantes that were out. Tommy had no clue how Tubbo does this every night, following every patrol through security cameras and warning them if there was anything around them. Like what happened yesterday.
Luckily for him all the Vigilantes out tonight said that they would be fine going in blind for a night so that he can focus on Tubbo.
So he was just chilling in comms with Tubbo, holding a very one-sided conversation since Tubbo has to be sneaky sneaky.
Tommy suddenly felt a pull from the protection he put on Ranboos mind.
‘Hey Gremlin? I’ll be right back, just going to check on Portal’
He didn’t get a response which was to be expected since Tubbo is currently talking with the Heros. Blade had just gotten Tubbo to swear that he would only tell the vigilantes, he really wants to stick around to hear the information but he knows that Tubbo will tell him everything later,
Soon Tommy was beside Ranboo, he was staring at them trying to figure out the weird energy radiating off of them. It took him a minute to realize what was happening.
He put his hand on Ranboos forehead, cursing silently when he realized that he was right. Ranboo is being held captive in their own head by Nightmare.
Tommy took a deep breath and focused as much energy as he could into forcing Nightmares presence out. It worked, but was a temporary fix. He’s going to have to use a lot of energy to expel Nightmares presence permanently.
He rubbed his face in irritation, he’ll have to do that tomorrow. He returned to the other room to see how things were going on Tubbos end.
Tubbo was on his way back by the time he returned.
‘How’s Portal?’
‘No change’, Tommy reported
‘Anything interesting happen?’
‘Lots, I’ll give you a full update when I get back. We have much stuff to discuss.’
*??? POV
Boss
> IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: DISTRICT 10 WILL BE CRAWLING WITH HEROES FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. DO NOT GO ON PATROL SOLO FROM NOW ON. FOR MORE INFORMATION MEET AT SAFEHOUSE 3 AT 5PM ON SATURDAY.
Purple Boi
> Will be there
>Have any of you met the new Vigilante yet? He’s kind of strange…