Branded for Failure

Chapter5: Whatever It Takes

Apparently 'Carl' had been a new addition right around the time Tommy left which he found highly suspicious. Also Carl was Technoblades dog so the mutt was his room mate. Tommy let his head hang over the side of the bed to glare at the admittedly gorgeous, probably a pure blood dog who's fur looked so silky soft and Tommy wanted to reach out and pet it.

"No, I'm supposed to be mad at you."

Carl just tipped his head to the side.

Tommy pulled the covers over his head. Then immediately did not like not being able to see where he was and poked his head out. But even that was no good because Tommy wasn't able to look at the door from this vantage point. He rolled to his side but then his back was exposed and Tommy sat up. He frustratedly ran a hand through his hair then spotted the two feet between the dresser and the side wall, a little nook in the corner. Tommy dragged the whole mess of the blankets with him and settled there.

With pressure on three sides of him it felt a little claustrophobic, but most importantly it felt safe.

"Don't judge me." Tommy murmured to the dog, his eyes already dropping. "I still hate you."

Tommy slept without rest.

'Missed me.' Drista giggled flying to the left so Tommy's energy blast hit the wall behind her.

'Don't get too cocky now Drista.' Tommy laughed blasting three in a row. Drista dodge them all, the final one just by a hair.

'It's not your fault you're slow.' Drista taunted. 'I would expect nothing less from a child.'

'Oh you're on.' Tommy aimed for another shot.

Sapnap, who was supposed to be watched the two of them and keeping them from doing anything stupid, was instead the instagator of this little game. He fired at Drista who's body flashed green for a moment blocking the blast.

'Still to slow, wow, you all suck.'

Tommy climbed on top of one of the platforms in the gym built to practice flying, ran off the platform and sent shot after shot, then tucking into a dive roll and leaped to his feet.

Drista, who panicked on Tommy's behalf, thinking he was going to get splat on the floor, did not see the red energy flying her way. It only stung her a little but Tommy whooped in victory. Then brushed away his sweaty hair and saw Dream leaning against the wall in the doorway.

'Hey big man, did you see my sick move!'

Dream's white mask started back at him. Tommy grinned. 'What I saw was you two getting your tails handed to you by my sister.'

Sapnap slid off the platform he was sitting on, floating delicately down, sparks flying off the blaze hybrid as he did so.

'I'm just too good!' Drista cheered.

'You are supposed to be practicing knife throwing Nightmare.' Dream scolded.

'Ugh Dream, you're no fun.' Drista pulled a fork from her pouch and threw it at his head. Dream caught it easily. She pouted. 'Buzz kill.'

'Pyre, the next time I come in here you better be doing mentor crap all right?' Dream told Sapnap who saluted mockingly. 'Come on Tommy.'

Tommy grabbed his water bottle and sprayed some into his mouth while he fell in step with Dream, who ruffled his hair.

'Where are we going big D? Mission?' he asked hopefully.

'I have a meeting with Schlatt actually.'

Tommy groaned. 'Not that prick again! Seriously. He just glares all sweetly at me all the time.'