Business bay

Chapter 6: A Whisper in the Dark

The evening had fallen quietly over Business Bay, the kind of peaceful night that felt rare these days. Tommy sat by the fire with Axel and Deo, the flames casting long shadows across their faces. The usual banter had faded, replaced by a comfortable silence as the day's events settled in their minds. The trip beyond the Bay had been productive, but the strange emptiness they'd found still lingered in Tommy's thoughts.

Just as Tommy was about to call it a night, a small buzz went off in his pocket—the communicator he hadn't used since his days in Dream SMP. He pulled it out, a flicker of curiosity sparking through him. The screen lit up, and there it was:

"Purpled whispers to TommyInnit."

Tommy's heart skipped a beat. Purpled. The assassin he hadn't spent nearly enough time with back in Dream SMP. He had always felt a pull toward Purpled, wishing they'd had more time to become proper friends. Purpled had seemed like someone he could've trusted, someone who could've been part of something bigger—Business Bay.

Axel noticed the change in Tommy's expression. "What's up, Icarus?"

Tommy didn't respond immediately, his eyes glued to the communicator as the next message appeared.

"We need to talk. Meet me at the old bridge outside the Bay. Alone."

Tommy's breath caught in his throat. The old bridge—Purpled was close, far closer than Tommy expected. There was no mention of Dream SMP, no talk of alliances or factions. This was personal.

Deo leaned over, noticing the screen. "Purpled? That's unexpected."

Axel smirked, his red eyes gleaming with interest. "You gonna go?"

Tommy stood, shoving the communicator back into his pocket. "Yeah, I'm going."

Axel and Deo exchanged a glance, but neither of them tried to stop him. Axel gave a slow nod. "Be careful. If this is something big, you know where we'll be."

Tommy grinned, feeling the familiar spark of excitement. "Don't worry, mate. I've got this."

The walk to the old bridge was quiet, the night air cool against Tommy's skin. The bridge, a relic of Business Bay's early days, stretched over a narrow ravine just outside the Bay's borders. It hadn't been used in years, left behind as the Bay grew and expanded into new territories. But tonight, it felt alive again, as if it was waiting for something to happen.

Tommy approached cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he scanned the shadows. And then, from the darkness, a figure stepped forward.

Purpled.

He was dressed in his usual dark, assassin's attire, his eyes sharp and calculating, yet there was a softness in them that Tommy hadn't noticed before. For a moment, they stood there, sizing each other up—two figures from different worlds, reunited by something neither of them fully understood.

Tommy broke the silence first. "Purpled."

Purpled's lips curled into a small smile. "Tommy. It's been a while."

Tommy nodded, his heart racing in his chest. "You're the last person I expected to hear from."

Purpled shrugged, stepping closer to the edge of the bridge. "Yeah, well... things have been different since you left Dream SMP."

Tommy raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Different how?"

Purpled hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with something that looked like uncertainty. "Dream... things aren't right with him. The server's changed. People are on edge. Punz and I... we're not sure where we fit in anymore."

Tommy felt a twinge of sympathy. He knew what it was like to feel lost, unsure of where you stood in a world that was constantly shifting beneath your feet. He took a step closer, his voice softer now. "You know, mate, you could've always been a part of Business Bay."

Purpled looked at him, his gaze intense. "That's why I'm here."

Tommy blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

Purpled glanced over his shoulder, as if checking to make sure they weren't being watched. "I've been thinking a lot about what you built here, Tommy. Business Bay... it's more than just a faction. It's a family. You trust each other. You've got something real. Punz and I... we never had that in Dream SMP. We were always just... tools. Hired guns. But here... I think we could actually belong."

Tommy's heart raced. This was more than he ever expected. Purpled, the assassin who had always kept to himself, was asking to be a part of Business Bay.

"You want to join us?" Tommy asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Purpled nodded, his expression serious. "I'm done with the way things are in Dream SMP. I want something more. And if you'll have me... I want to be part of Business Bay."

Tommy felt a surge of excitement. Purpled was exactly the kind of ally Business Bay needed—skilled, sharp, and loyal when it mattered most. But more than that, Tommy had always wanted to get to know Purpled better. There was something about him, something deeper, that Tommy had always admired.

Tommy grinned, stepping forward and clapping Purpled on the shoulder. "Welcome to Business Bay, mate."

Purpled's smile widened, and for the first time, Tommy saw the weight of Dream SMP lift from his shoulders. There was still so much to figure out—Punz, Dream, and whatever was brewing in the shadows—but for now, Tommy knew one thing for sure.

Business Bay had just gotten a whole lot stronger.

As Tommy and Purpled made their way back to the Bay, Tommy couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. The Bay was growing, not just in size or power, but in heart. Purpled was more than just an assassin—he was someone Tommy had always believed in, someone who could be more than just a weapon.

When they arrived at the gates of Business Bay, Axel and Deo were waiting, their expressions unreadable as they eyed Purpled.

Axel was the first to speak, a sly grin on his face. "So... Icarus has recruited an assassin, huh?"

Tommy smirked, nudging Purpled. "Yeah. And he's on our side now."

Deo, ever calm and calculating, stepped forward, his sunglasses reflecting the firelight. "Purpled. You're a good fighter. We could use you here. But make no mistake—we protect our own. If you're with us, you're one of us. You good with that?"

Purpled nodded, meeting Deo's gaze. "I'm in."

Axel clapped Purpled on the back, his red eyes gleaming with approval. "Welcome to the family, mate."

As they made their way back into the heart of Business Bay, Tommy couldn't help but feel like things were finally falling into place. The Bay was stronger than ever, and with Purpled by their side, they were ready for whatever came next.

But deep down, Tommy knew this was just the beginning. Dream SMP was still out there, still waiting. And sooner or later, they'd have to face it.

But for now, Business Bay was whole again. And that was all that mattered.