Both Tommy and Toby took a step back from the man in front of them. Schlatt laughed, almost maniacally, running a hand through his hair. A sign his calm, indifferent facade was starting to crack.
"You know, I probably should have expected this. I suppose I had hope that Alexis would stay loyal, but I guess I hoped for too much. He grew attached. You'd think me attacking Fundy's friend would send a message, or the people I sent to George, but no..."
Toby clenched his fists, "You're fucking evil-"
Schlatt put a hand to his heart in mock shock. "Who, me?" He snickered, glaring at Toby, "Though I suppose this wasn't a total disappointment...my son, the biggest threat to me, is here. That's pretty damn good I suppose..."
"I am not your son.." Toby said, glaring at Schlatt, as another boom and yells sounded from closer than the first one had, "Our allies are here, you're done Schlatt, I promise you that..."
They met eyes again, before Schlatt laughed, "You think that matters? You think you can defeat me? They'll be dealt with soon enough..." he drew a medium sized pocket knife from his belt, flicking it open, "I'll give you one last chance to join me Tubbo. Join me, or I'll do what I should have done over a decade ago."
"Hm, tempting, but hard pass-"
"Yeah go fuck yourself, bastard!" Tommy chimed in.
"Shame..." Schlatt smirked, like it wasn't really. They heard footsteps behind them, and some henchmen surrounded the two boys.
"You can't even fight us yourself, coward?" Toby yelled at Schlatt, him and Tommy in back to back fighting stances out of instinct. Schlatt just chuckled, watching, flicking the knife open and closed. I hope he cuts himself on it...Toby thought bitterly.
"Fighting together, right big man?" Tommy asked back, not taking his eyes off of the henchman.
"Of course" Toby responded with a grin. He was avoiding Schlatt's eyes, even as the henchmen attacked.
Tommy and Toby leapt into action.
There were about seven henchmen, all much bigger than Toby, but that was ok. Techno had taught him tricks for that. His smaller size made him a harder target to hit. He and Tommy were also at an advantage when their enemies underestimated them.
He ducked and weaved as they grabbed at him and punched at him. He ducked a swing from one man, punching him in the gut and causing him to fall with a pained gasp, clutching his stomach. Toby grinned as two more came at him. He ran to a wall, jumping up and using it to add to his momentum as he pushed off it into the two henchmen running at him, kneeing one of them in the chest and clotheslining the other, sending them both to the floor. A fourth one came at him, like he hadn't seen his buddies try and fail at that. Toby barely dodged his attack, his shoulder getting nicked, before swiping his leg out, knocking the man to the ground. He hit his head and seemed to be knocked out. Toby grinned proudly, mentally making a note to thank Techno when he saw him. His head not throbbing constantly had also made things seem so much easier.
As he fought, He caught glimpses of Tommy holding his own as well. He was pretty good at dodging himself, only getting grazed by a punch occasionally, and he could throw them himself pretty well. He raised his arms to block several hits. Tommy was a loud fighter, giving mighty yells with each punch or block.
Meanwhile Toby could feel Schlatt's cold gaze Watching them, but he didn't dare look at him. His guys were down, so he started towards Tommy in case he needed help, watching him throw a right hook that would have made Techno proud t one guy, definitely knocking him out, before dodging another one's punch, grabbing the guy's wrist in one hand and his shoulder in the other, and swinging him into the nearby wall. He grabbed the wrist of the third guy, swinging him into the man Toby had gut punched as he was getting up, sending them both to the ground.
"Did you see that? That was so badass-" Tommy panted, grinning.
Toby smiled back, he was a bit out of breath himself, though his time as Tubbo had definitely improved his stamina. Then, he remembered Schlatt. They both turned towards him, Toby avoiding looking at his face, instead focusing on the knife in his hand. It had a sleek, glossy wooden handle, and a shiny silver three inch blade. Definitely looked well made, and definitely looked sharp as hell.
"Well, I will admit that was impressive..." Schlatt mused, gripping the knife tighter, "But I'm afraid you're not leaving."
He ran at them, brandishing the knife, and Toby and Tommy braced themselves for another fight, when something unexpected happened. A figure as tall as Schlatt suddenly materialized between them and the villain with a swarm of purple particles. A familiar tall figure. Toby was ecstatic to see him before he remembered where they were and what was about to happen.
"You guys are ok!" Their friend grinned, not realizing the situation he'd just put himself in.
"Ranboo!" Toby yelled in warning, too late and unable to do anything as Schlatt rammed into him, sending them both to the ground. They both were surprised for a moment, before Schlatt snapped out of it and tried grabbing him. The two started to scuffle, and before Toby or Tommy could try to help, they were momentarily distracted by a large hole being blasted into the wall on the opposite side of the warehouse by a column of fire.
Toby saw Technoblade in full ensemble, his mask as always covering his eyes with the pale white ones, and his face looked blank. But as he slowly walked towards them, there was no mistaking the white hot flames crawling up his arm to his shoulder, starting to burn his sleeve. His fire always corresponded to his emotion, the hotter it was, the stronger his emotions, and right now, Toby guessed he was <em>pissed</em>. Following him out, Toby saw Phil, with a look he'd never seen on his dads face before..Wilbur and Kristin were also therelooking equally as determined and a bit scary, and He could see George and Fundy with their friends, and...his friends? Purpled and Karl were there too, now accompanied by a back to normal Quackity. It was too dangerous for all of them- what were they doing here? He was glad Techno wasn't fighting alone but now he had a lot more people to worry about.
The sight of them all had shocked him so much he'd almost forgotten about Ranboo, when his friend let out a yell of pain and there were more sounds of scuffling and whipped around. His stomach dropped as the group Techno was leading started running over. Ranboo had been stabbed, in the lower back from what he saw, just missing his spine, before Schlatt yanked him up, wrapping an arm around his torso and pulling him close, he watched in horror as Schlatt held a knife to his friend's neck.
"Alright," the ram horned man snarled, panting, "Let's all stay where we are, yeah? Or I'll slit the kids throat-"

YOU ARE READING
To Be a Hero
Acción|Cross Posted on Archive of Our Own| In a world where a small percentage of people are born with powers, Toby was born with a power considered villainous. As a result he kept it a secret from everyone, including his family, and gave up on becoming a...