Visions of Greed

Chapter 27: Picking His Poison Part 1

Note: This chapter had a major edits posted on 6/5/25 that changed a significant element. An explanation of for edit is included on Chapter 28's page.

Before I begin, I want to give a special shout-out to @tereziexists on Tumblr for making an amazing piece of fan art inspired by this fic. I'm honored that this story inspired someone else in such a way, and I smile every time I think about it.

I also want to thank everyone who has clicked on, read, left kudos, and/or commented on this fic. Including the ao3 users Riverslair and WhatIWish who have left multiple comments on this story. Thank you all so very much! Any interaction with this fic is makes me so happy and I am so thankful to you all!

Quick visual note: Remember the part in the How Bad Can I Be song where Once-ler hops down the staircase? According to some concept art, there was an idea to have that staircase appear below the desk in Once-ler's office. That staircase will make an appearance in this chapter.

And finally, TW Trigger warning for a brief moment of anxiety/panic with a freeze response.

Recommended Songs: Unstoppable (Redux Version)- Red, Master Plan Revealed/Slade Jr.- Michael Mcuistion, Smoke and Mirrors- Alesti, Kingdom of Giants What Lies Beneath- Breaking Benjamin, Ready To Go (Get Me Out Of My Mind)- Panic at the Disco, This Is The Life- Two Door Cinema Club.

Wearing her dark blazer and matching ruffled skirt, holding a small stack of documents in her gloved hands, Isabella swiftly made her way down to Once-ler's office. When Isabella finally reached the office door, she didn't even need to grab her all-access factory key. Instead, her other two sons, Brett and Chet, who were also wearing their more formal outfits today, opened the door and let her inside right away.

"Once-ler, I brought you some more paperwork." Isabella announced as she entered the room. But as she walked closer to the desk to give Once-ler said paperwork, she noticed something odd. Once-ler was leaning back in his office chair, seemingly asleep, while his sunglasses, top hat, and a thneed, all of which he had been wearing earlier, sat on his desk.

"Once-ler are you okay?" Isabella asked gently as she moved towards the desk to get a closer look at her son. Seeing him in such a state left her slightly concerned. Although Once-ler appeared to be sleeping peacefully and was likely just taking a nap. Isabella could not help but worry after the recent incidents where she had found him lying unconscious and feverish on the floor.

"Oncie?" his mother whispered loudly as she set the papers down and looked at him even more closely. Once-ler's face did not look flushed or strained, like it did those other times. Still, Isabella thought it was slightly unusual for Once-ler to be sleeping at this hour of the day and she needed to know why. So, Isabella ultimately decided to try and wake him up.

"Once-ler? Are you alright, son? Wake up!" Isabella demanded as she began to shake his shoulder.

A few seconds later, Once-ler woke up with a yelp as he flinched away in fear. Only to quickly discover that it was his mother who had awakened him. "Mom, what are you doing here?" Once-ler asked her in surprise as he tried to calm himself down.

"I'm sorry son, I didn't mean to scare you." Isabella apologized, although she was secretly relieved. For Once-ler having such an animated reaction to being woken up likely meant that he wasn't ill again. Those other times, she could not even wake him up at all.

Once-ler's eyes widened in surprise at his mother's words, and he wondered if he was still dreaming. For it was almost unheard of for his mother to apologize to anyone over anything-ever.

"I just came in here to bring you some of your paperwork, when I saw you asleep in the chair, and after what's happened recently, with you getting those weird fevers and passing out and all. I just wanted to make sure you were okay." His mother explained, a touch of worry evident in her voice. "The last thing we need is you coming down with something right before your TV appearance next week." she remarked.