To Be a Hero

Chapter 6

 He made his way to his usual lookout roof, thinking. Ranboo had just....disappeared? That would only be possible if... his eyes widened. Ranboo could have powers? He shook his head. He could dive down that rabbit hole of theories later. After a few more hours, with no other incidents, he started to make his way back home. As he maneuvered across the buildings, he got the sudden feeling that he was being watched. He glanced back, but saw nothing.

Weird... he thought to himself, before continuing, that feeling still looming over him. He diverted his path away from home, not wanting to lead anyone to his house. The feeling persisted for several blocks, before he glanced back again, catching movement for a second before it was gone. Someone was definitely following him. His mind raced about what he should do. Was this a villain? Was Schlatt back? He decided the best course of action was to confront whoever it was. That way he didn't put his family or identity at risk. He stopped on a wider roof and waited, looking around. He made sure to adjust his bandana and hoodie so they were securely covering everything but his eyes. He was turning in a circle, looking, when he heard someone land behind him. He whipped around and his heart stopped. There, drilling a hole into him as he stared right at Tubbo, expression calculating, was Technoblade.

Toby took in his older brother's costume. His pink hair was loosely tied back, a cape flowed behind him, though the ends were ragged, ripped, burned, etc. from his encounters. He didn't want to have it repaired, because it was a reminder of his battles. Plus he didn't see the point as it would end up in the same eventually, and as Wilbur had told him once, it "made him look like a badass". His pig mask covered the top half of his face, tusks protruding from either side of the snout, eyes covered by opaque white so you couldn't see his eyes, a crown sat precariously on his head, seemingly about to fall off at any moment. Toby still wasn't sure how it stayed on. He cleared his throat.

"Out on a patrol..?" he asked, making his voice deeper like he had before, "I thought you stayed by the center of the city-"

"I do" Techno nodded, tilting his head as he observed Toby. He started walking around him, like a predator playing with its prey. This prompted Toby to walk too, so the two were circling each other. "I wanted to see this new hero that people were talking about"

"Well, you found me..." Toby's heart felt like it was going to jump out of his chest. Could he

"I did" He nodded again, "You've been doing pretty good around here from what I've seen and heard."

"That means a lot coming from a big hero like yourself." Toby nodded, "That all you need from me?"

"Well, I am curious about who...You're not registered are you?" Techno tilted his head again, "I mean, no one's heard of anyone with a power like that, let alone a hero. You're an interesting kid."

"You don't know I'm a kid-" Toby narrowed his eyes, "And I'm afraid I can't tell you much. Not who I am, or any of that"

"I took a wild guess" Techno shrugged, Raising his hand to Toby's height. That little- He liked to tease Toby for his height in civilian form too. "And I figured you wouldn't tell me, but no harm in asking right?"

"Yeah, I guess.." Toby nodded,

"So what's your name, kid?" Technoblade asked, tilting his head, "Or I guess your alias."

"Oh uh-" Toby paused, thinking. Then he remembered the name he'd told Niki, "It's Tubbo-"

Techno snorted, "Tubbo? Really?"

"Hey, I can say the same thing about you 'Technoblade'" he replied, a bit defensively

"Touché" Tecno shrugged

There was an awkward moment of silence

"I should be going...uh- thank you for not fighting me, or uh, burning me to a crisp-" he said awkwardly.

"You're not hurting anyone, you're a hero, just a mysterious one" his brother shrugged, "Thanks for not turning me into a puppet"

"Oh, uh-" Toby winced slightly, glancing down sheepishly, "I only use my powers on people who deserve it...villains and criminals and such...I'm not an asshole"

Techno chuckled, "No you don't seem to be...but that's respectable"

"Thank you...that means a lot coming from you.." he smiled a little behind his mask.

"Heh?" Techno tilted his head in confusion at the sincerity and tone of Tubbo's words.

Shit- he's forgotten that to Techno, he was a stranger, not a brother.

"I- I mean coming from THE Technoblade, you know..?" He recovered. Good job Toby-

Techno nodded, eyes narrowed a little "ok.." he said, still looking a little confused

Tubbo took a step back, "Well uh, farewell then Technoblade, nice to meet you-"

And with that, the two boy went on their ways

He got home much later than he usually did, mostly due to the fact that he'd taken a detour from his usual route. He didn't think Techno would follow him again, but he could never be too sure with his older brother. Soon, he made his way back home, crawling back through the window, into his room. Changing into his pajamas again, and burying himself under the covers. A lot had happened tonight, and as part of him mulled it over, his head throbbed.

Sleep now, go over all the crazy shit tomorrow... he decided, hoping the mini headache he was getting would go away too.

And with that, he closed his eyes and drifted off into darkness.