Wilbur sat in his bedroom by the open window, taking a long drag at his cigarette. When he breathed out, the smoke poured from his mouth and nose and then out of the window. If his father had cameras on the roof, he wasn't going to smoke out there because then he'd definitely be grounded. The smoke was snatched away by the light breeze, tumbling through the air like dye in water. Wilbur watched it go, silent.

It wasn't that he particularly enjoyed smoking - it was more like he had accepted that his body had been so fucked up from experimentation that smoking was the least of his worries. He would be in his office normally. Or, maybe, he'd be patrolling: jumping over rooftops in a semi-corporal state; pacing along the docks while invisible; watching from a skyscraping balcony; saving the people of L'Manburg. Whatever he was doing, it wouldn't be smoking in his bedroom during the late afternoon that slowly tipped into the evening.

Maybe Techno would wake up soon. He had come home a while ago but had fallen asleep almost immediately on the sofa - his soft snoring could be heard in the distance. His mother was still overseas. His dad was still at work. His brother was still asleep. They wouldn't know if he just happened to disobey the Inbetweener... Sure, he was instructed not to go on patrol but what if it wasn't authorised as patrol?

Besides, he still had his theory about Theseus. He just needed to know if that was true...

All he needed to do was leave a note saying he was somewhere else and they would believe it. All he needed to do was sneak away for the night and no one would be able to doubt him if he said he was at Sally's. A plan formulating in his mind, Wilbur began to grin and ground the cigarette's light out on the stone windowsill of the outside wall. When it was out, he tossed it in the bin and made his way to the closet. A yellow turtleneck, black jeans, boots and the long coat - he was already wearing a beanie - and he was almost ready.

He hurried to his bedroom door, ready to rush into the hallway, but froze when he heard the front door open just before his hand reached the handle.

"Ngh," Techno groaned, waking up groggily. "Dad?"

Wilbur knelt down quietly, peering through the keyhole. His father closed the front door and grinned at his eldest. "Hey, Tech. You good, mate?"

"I was," Grumbled the piglin, sitting up on the sofa - Wilbur could see his pink hair. "You woke me up, bastard."

Phil walked over to him and knelt down, smiling. "And you're doing alright after what happened with Bee last night?"

There was a hum from Techno as he shifted on the sofa. "Yeah, pretty much. He didn't mean to push me and, besides, he saved my life afterwards."

"Fair." The elytrian's eyes crinkled warmly. "Glad you're doing alright. How's Wilbur?"

"Haven't seen him," Techno answered, sitting up properly and Wilbur could see his side profile. "He's in his room, though, I think. Why, d'ya need him?"

"Nah, I don't need him. I just wanted to check how he's doing. He's on probation and I'm hoping he doesn't sneak out."

Techno shrugged, face neutral as ever. "Maybe he's sleeping. He hasn't snuck past me, I don't think."

"That's good," Phil smiled. "If he's sleeping, I don't want to wake him, so I'll wait till dinner to tell him."

Techno frowned, confused. "Tell him what?"

Phil stood up, stretching his arms above his head. "Eh, some news I think he'd love to hear." He flashed his eldest son a grin. "We found a witness for Theseus and got a huge lead."

Wilbur felt himself gasp although he didn't make a sound. His blood began to pound in his ears and he felt every inch of his body screaming to get closer to the door and listen in. "A lead?" Whispered Techno in disbelief, sounding as excited as Wilbur felt. "What is it?"

"A birthmark on his face, allegedly," Their father said, grinning. "We only have one report of it so far, though, so don't get too excited about it. Apparently, King found someone who ran into Theseus years ago, before he, Enderling and Bee got attention: said he had none of the tech equipment and wore a bandana and had a birthmark from here-" Phil tapped one eye, "-across to here." He tapped the other. Both twins, even if Phil could only see one of them, began grinning.

"That's the best lead we've had in a long time," Techno replied, leaning forwards.

Phil nodded, leaning back. "The kid denied the money, though. Said he felt like he wasn't doing a good thing in telling us and feared getting the reward would stab him in the back one day."

While Wilbur made a face, Techno shrugged. "Pretty smart kid. I think the amount of money they offer is ridiculous. Makes it more likely people will sell us fake info."

"I agree," Phil said, walking out of the frame provided by the keyhole. "But it's what the Inbetweener wants us to do."

Techno turned to look over the back of the sofa, probably watching after Phil. "Do you think Theseus really does have a birthmark? How come we've never seen it?"

"Concealer was suggested. No one's ever got close enough to him to test it out, y'know? I mean, when was the last time you brought makeup wipes to a fight?"

Wilbur's twin shrugged. "Touche."

"Oh, and another thing!" Phil called. "They found something in that first warehouse. Another basement, it seems."

"I heard. Got a briefing message when I went in this morning."

"Does Wilbur know?"

"Nah. I don't think so anyways."

"I'll tell him."

Techno nodded. "Not now, though. He's still a bit tetchy from the whole Inbetweener thing."

Whatever Phil was fiddling with in the background, he put it down. Neither spoke for a while until, slowly, Phil began, "Did you see the photos of what was in the basement?"

"No. I was given an envelope with stuff in but I haven't checked that out yet. I was busy." Techno tilted his head. "What's wrong with it?"

"...Do you remember the laboratory?"

From behind the door, Wilbur's ecstasy about Theseus vanished. His heart clawed its way into his throat and part of him wanted to cry. So suddenly and abruptly did this wash over him that he found it near impossible to ignore. Judging by the sudden slackness of Techno's face, his twin felt that way too. "No," Techno breathed but, even as he denied it, he said, "It's them, isn't it?"

"That seems like the only possibility. Just wait till you see the photos. It's eerily similar."

"Are you sure it's not fan behaviour?" Asked Techno, almost pleadingly.

"Yes." The answer was so definite it sent shudders down Wilbur's spine. "It's definitely them."

Techno wetted his lips. "And... and what does the Inbetweener think?"

"He says he thinks it's too early to be sure. Wants to prioritise caution and double-check everything, so we don't cause a panic."

Wilbur watched Techno swallow and hesitate before shakily asking. "Do you really think they're back?"

"...Do I have you word you won't tell Wilbur?"

"Yes."

Phil didn't answer for a moment and then, "Yes, Techno. Yes, I really think they're back."

"Shit," Techno moaned, slumping down in the sofa. "That's not good."

"No, it isn't. We'll just have to pray I'm wrong for once." Phil cleared his throat, trying to interrupt the miserable tone of the conversation. "I'm going out shopping. Want to come too, Tech?"

"Whatchya buying?"

"Nothing too big - probably just tonight's dinner."

"Can we buy beer?" Techno tried, weakly grinning.

"What does rehab say?"

"...Rehab says yes."

"Those are lies because I know that rehab always says no."

Techno sagged even more. "So mean."

Their father's laugh carried across the apartment. "Sure, mate, of course. Go get your shoes on and we can pick a pudding too."

Climbing off the sofa, Techno too disappeared from view. For about ten minutes, the pair flickered occasionally in and out of view until, finally, they left the flat. The front door echoed shut behind them. Wilbur waited for one precise minute and opened the door, standing up properly. He went to the bathroom, knowing full well his hands were shaky. He had waited so long. So long for anything on the laboratory. He had always known they weren't truly gone, that they were always waiting in the shadows. They had always been there, in the corner of his mind, as an answer for everything. It would explain the hybrid purger's murder and the child kidnappings: it would explain all the anomalies and confusion. He couldn't wait now. Not after hearing that. He had to know - Wilbur doubted he could stomach a night without an immediate answer. He flung open the medicine cabinet, briefly catching sight of his wicked grin. He pulled out a pure white container, screwing off the cap.

Inside were pills, all electric blue in colour. The experiment poured six out into his palm and then filled the glass cup on the sink with water. He sipped some of the water, swallowed, threw in the pills, sipped some water and swallowed again. He put the lid on the pills, put them away, and closed the cabinet door. Wilbur finished the water glass and looked at himself in the mirror. There was no blue tinge rippling around his pupils yet, which was good. For a minute, he stared at himself, trying to calm his breathing. He was ready to go.

And out the door he flew, taking the stairs down instead of the lift. He ran down three steps at a time, his long coat billowing out behind him. This excitement was almost childish, as he used the bannister to swing him around flight after flight. By the time he had reached the ground level, his father and Techno were long gone and his escape was easy. Wilbur walked, at a careful pace but his mind was racing: Theseus might be able to be identified; there were more basements; they were back. He might be able to catch the one who caused it all - the one who'd done this to him.

All he needed to do was to find them.

Maybe tonight was the night.

"And then I told them I had a birthmark," Tommy whispered, Ranboo and Tubbo leaning anxiously in. He had been whispering for hours now, terrified to raise his voice too high. Sure, they'd never had a noise complaint before and no one had ever mentioned anything to them about the heroes but the threat felt too real now.

"How'd they buy that?" Breathed Tubbo - his eyes were still a tad bloodshot from the tears.

Tommy nodded to Ranboo. "Because this fucker doesn't shut up about makeup. I said he might be using concealer and they seemed to buy it."

"Did you take the reward money?" Asked Ranboo.

The blond shook his head. "Nah. It felt weird accepting it: like, I had just snitched on myself but lied about it and was getting money for it... y'know?"

The hybrid made a slightly pitiful face. "Tommy... You know out of all of us that you need the money..."

"Eh? No, I don't. I'm doing great thanks to you, rich bitch boy!"

Tubbo hummed, leaning over to hug Tommy. "I'm just glad you're back."

"Me too," Tommy mumbled, patting his friend on the shoulder. "I was terrified, y'know."

"Did anything else happen?" Whispered Tubbo.

Tommy looked him dead in the eyes and could only picture the business card that the Crowfather had given him, sitting in his backpocket. "No," He lied. "It was just the interrogation."

Tubbo nodded, seeming satisfied and hugged Tommy a little tighter. Ranboo stood up, clearing his throat and switching back to normal volume. "Well, what an interesting evening. I'll make dinner and then I need to head out to the pizzeria. What are you two thinking?"

"I've got some stuff I need to tinker with," Tubbo said. "From a few clients."

"I'm gonna go out on patrol," decided Tommy, standing up. He looked to Tubbo. "I want to check out the first warehouse we went to. If I can get inside and see that basement, we'll finally be able to maybe challenge the 'cha' with some stuff. Get a few steps closer, y'know?"

Ranboo hesitated. "That's risky, Tommy. Right after what happened today?"

"They won't be expecting it, hopefully," Tommy tried. "I can do it."

Tubbo frowned. "Your shoulder is still fucked up, king. You might make it worse."

Tommy shrugged, grinning. " C'mon. We're vigilantes, it's an occupational hazard."

The pair glanced at each other and then Ranboo sighed loudly. "Fine. I'll keep an earpiece in and I'll have a cloak on me just incase."

"Thanks, Boo," Tommy grinned. "I'll be quick, I promise."

"Yeah, yeah," Ranboo smiled back. "I've heard that one before."

"Aw, this time I mean it, I swear!"

"Off you go, you criminal. Off you go."

Tommy beamed wickedly at Ranboo before leaving the kitchen and beelining it to his bedroom. Throwing open the door and letting it swing closed behind him, the first thing he did was pull out the Crowfather's card. It looked like a 'v' or an incredibly vertical smile, only it involved three flicks spreading out on either side. Like stretched wings, his mind whispered to him. Tommy flipped it over to look at the back - it was blank and that made him frown. Surely it wasn't just blank. Tommy held it up to the ceiling light but nothing shined through. He walked over to the window then held it up to the sunlight and still saw nothing.

Crossing back to the door, he turned off the lights. The only thing that changed was the darkness of the room. He fumbled over to his bedside table and pulled out an infrared torch that Ranboo once bought him on a whim. He shined it on the back of the card and only then could make out the tiniest hint of a QR code. "Huh," He squinted. "That's not amazing security, let's be real here..."

With that mystery solved, Tommy hid the card next to the infrared torch and closed the drawer. He turned the lights back on and started packing his bag to leave with, adding in one extra item, just incase.. It didn't take him long before he was flying back out the bedroom door, earpiece in, and he started trying to force his shoes on.

"Be careful tonight, yeah?" Pleaded Tubbo from where he sat just outside the kitchen.

"Relax, bossman," Tommy smiled comfortingly, "it was because that guy said I might know Theseus - they had no clue I actually was him, y'know?"

Ranboo leaned out from the kitchen doorway, head tilted. "You're not staying for dinner?"

The blond shook his head. "Nah. I'll microwave it up when I get back."

The enderman sighed in exasperation. "Alright, then. Keep us updated."

"Will do! Keep an earpiece in, Boob-boy, I could need pick up whenever!"

"Yeah, yeah, get out already." Ranboo smiled and Tommy beamed back.

Tubbo waved politely. "Bye, Tommy - tell us all about what you find when you come back!"

"You know it, bossman!" Tommy opened the door, backpack firmly on. "Bye!" And he closed the door on the flat, standing now alone in the corridor. It was time to go.

He caught the lift, which was thankfully empty for once, and hit the ground floor button. Down he went and it didn't take him long to excitedly rush out the lobby. It was a bit silly for him to be so eager but every passing hour of not running around in fancy dress punching dickwads felt like years. Besides, it was a strangely good way to relax. After being cooped up in the white room with two heroes unknowingly desperate for him behind bars, it was nice to let loose and mess around. It was also a fun way to say 'fuck you', now that Tommy thought about it...

The blond walked briskly and purposefully through the city, easily slipping through the crowds and cutting across pathways every now and then. He darted down alleys and side streets until he reached his field and then towards the woods where his port-a-loo sat waiting for him, like always. It was dependable, like that - always in the same unnoticable space everytime. Never moving, never budging: solid and proud like a rock... Tommy was strangely attached to this port-a-loo.

He made his way inside, changing clumsily with the typical adrenaline. On with the t-shirt, on with the belt. He slid in the firecan, he slid in the grappling hook. He pulled on the gloves and then he pulled up the mask. Tommy adjusted his earpiece and made sure the mask sat more firmly on his face. Now it was time for the final touch. Tommy reached back into his bag and pulled out the final, new addition to his vigilante kit. A stick of concealer, stolen from Ranboo's room a month ago that he once used to hide a bruise for an interview. He leaned into the spotted, grimey mirror and began to rub the concealer on his edges of his face.

Ranboo was a shade paler than both Tubbo and Tommy, and this meant his concealer was lighter than Tommy's normal skin. Not dramatically so but enough that, if anyone got too close, they might call Tommy's normal shade a birthmark against the makeup - and, hopefully, the heroes would call it that too if he carefully traced a long, bumpy pattern in his skin, colouring the outside instead of the middle. Once considering himself done, he pulled back and looked at himself in the mirror, eyes narrowed. Then he grinned to himself.

"Tommy, you brilliant handsome man, you've done it again," He winked pridefully at himself. "Flawless job."

Having deemed the job more than perfect, he kicked down the door and stepped out. The sun was almost fully gone and it was slowly becoming evening. Tommy breathed in and breathed out, air filtering through his gas mask. He smiled to himself as he walked out of the port-a-loo, smuggling the bag beside him. Time for another evening of stylishly breaking the law.

Dashing through the city was always a blur but it was best in the evening. People were tired, with their eyes on the road or pavement and not in the sky. No one was in the office buildings, listening to the sudden running footsteps on the roof above them. Tommy could fly easily through the air and make his way expertly to the first warehouse. He still remembered the route - not that it was too hard, since it was only recently that they'd been there. He dived quickly and dashed low, trying his best to remain unseen.

It was occurring to him that he should've just had Ranboo teleport him but that wouldn't be as fun as the risk: the risk of waiting for the chase. He had to go from centre L'Manburg to the docks and, hopefully, it wouldn't take hours. Tommy kept glancing to the sky, hoping each time he wouldn't see a green-robed elytrian swooping down or a large police helicopter gliding towards him. For a long time, there was nothing above him, if he ignored the occasional pigeon, and there was no one in front of him either. It seemed that, tonight, he was going undetected.

That made sense, now he thought about it - after all, King had paperwork and this was his territory Tommy was crossing into. The replacement would be a bunch of low-ranking heroes, or at least maybe someone in the #20s or #30s - Tommy could handle them for sure. The air slowly tasted salty and the dull coos of pigeons became the needlessly aggressive caws of seagulls. Tommy adjusted his half-gas mask over his face again, in case it had slipped down his nose in all the running and jumping, and stopped abruptly as he came to the cusp of a building. The sea beamed out at him, the moon's silvery-grey reflection sparkling brokenly on churning blue waters. It looked somewhat like Jubilee Line: the blue and the grey melding with each other so fluidly.

Tommy, blinking, cleared his head and tried to get back on track. He turned around, his back to the sea, and crouched down to scour the surroundings. The warehouse was well lit up by newly brought-in floodlights and had the semi-luminous police tape spread far around it. There were at least four guards at the main entrance - if Tommy leant to the side, he could see the hole left by the Blood God in the wall was bordered up with plywood and also guarded. They were vans, closed and locked for the night, but filled with large cardboard boxes, taped securely. Tommy slowly slid closer across the rooftop, blue eyes narrowed.

It looked like four guards to a side, meaning it'd be hard to go anywhere without getting surrounded - getting surrounded would mean either getting caught or risking calling in Ranboo and escaping while definitely putting his hybrid friend at risk. Either way, the C.C.H.A. would know they were looking into the basements and that would make their moves predictable: that was one risk Tommy was less keen on taking.

The vigilante slowly crept to the edge of the building, pulling his grappling hook into his hand. He just needed to get a better view, to see the cameras and figure out what they could see. Aiming, he prepared to fire when he was abruptly stopped by a whistling train and a pair of cold hands grabbed him and threw him to the floor.

Jubilee Line stood above him, translucent, and he had a heavy boot on Tommy's chest, immovable. "Theseus," he said, in his slow, professional manner, and Tommy braced himself for the worst words imaginable. "What are you doing here?"

There was a long pause.

"Huh?" The blond frowned.

"I said, what are you doing here?"

"Yeah, I know, that's why I'm confused."

Jubilee Line frowned back. "Why are you confused?"

"You changed your catchphrase!"

The phantom paused and then took his boot off Tommy's chest. "I don't have a catchphrase."

"Yeah, you do!" Tommy sat up. "Your whole 'Theseus, you're under arrest' spiel!"

Jubilee Line hesitated, almost guiltily. "Oh, yeah. That." He turned around and crouched, looking down at the warehouse, like Tommy had been doing just a minute ago. "Long story, that. Well, it's not really but, yeah."

The vigilante stared incredulously, still not finding the strength to get to his feet. "You're acting off."

"I'm acting fine."

"No. You'd have arrested me by now. Or at least tried and failed, as per usual."

Jubilee Line shrugged. "Don't feel like it."

"Well, that was a lie."

"I have changed my mind on the whole arresting thing."

"That was also a lie."

"Fine, I've decided that I am now a supervillain."

Tommy frowned. "I'm not an idiot, Juby. What's going on?"

"Alright, fine," Jubilee hissed, turning to look at the vigilante. "I'm not able to arrest you right now."

"Why?"

"I'm not authorised to."

Tommy raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"...I'm on probation."

He could hardly hold back the laugh and ended up being unable to, giving an undignified bark of amusement. Jubilee glared, displeased. "You? On probation?! How?" He whispered hoarsely.

"It's also a long story."

"I feel like it isn't."

"It's a story I won't tell you."

Tommy sagged but still held a bright grin that crinkled his eyes. "Aw, c'mon!"

"No! Never!" Jubilee turned away. "It's none of your business!"

"...I feel like we're building a good back-and-forth right now."

"We are most certainly not."

Tommy grinned. "I think you're lying~" he trilled, prodding the phantom in the back. The hero turned back to glare. "You're able to have a conversation, who knew?"

"I don't want to have a conversation with criminals."

The blond shrugged. "Fair, but, wouldn't ya say... You're being a bit of a criminal?"

Jubilee Line froze, grey face petrified with horror. "Eh?"

"I mean, yeah... Aren't you disobeying the Inbetweener right now?"

The phantom blinked, a few welled-up tears spilling. "I... don't like that notion at all, thank you."

"Oh my god, Jubilee Line is breaking the law..."

"I'm not breaking the law... just the rules."

Tommy clasped a hand over his hidden mouth giddily. "Oh my god, Jubilee Line can be funny! Choo-choo-train, I'm so proud of you!"

Jubilee breathed in deeply as if trying to control himself. "I knew talking to you would be a bad idea."

"You don't have to sound so disgusted."

"Oh, I am holding back," Jubilee Line turned to him, straight-faced. "I am incredibly disgusted by your presence."

Tommy snorted, undeterred, and finally found the ability to move as he got over the shock. The vigilante sat next to the hero, staring down at the warehouse too. "So... Why're you staking out this place?"

"I'm not."

"I mean," Tommy began cheekily, "That's definitely not true... You're sitting here unauthorised and staring at a building while checking out its security." His smile widened. "You wanna break in and look at the basement..."

"I-" Jubilee turned and hesitated. His hackles seemed to raise. "How do you know about that?"

Tommy shrugged. "Bee's a master hacker and he found some photos of things being moved. I came here to check it out."

The phantom nodded. "Alright. I'll tell headquarters to toughen cyber-security."

"Aw, shit, you're a snitch."

"Just doing my job," the hero shrugged.

SIlence passed for a moment untilan idea dawned on Tommy. "Hey, Juby-"

"-Don't call me that-"

"-I have an idea on how we can both get in..."

The phantom hesitated, considered and then turned to Theseus. "You're suggesting we strike a deal?" Tommy nodded, giddily, and Jubilee sighed in response. "Fine. We can team up."

"Oh my god, yes, that's awesome." Tommy grabbed Jubilee's cold hand with no hesitation, vigorously shaking it. "Absolutey, I will! This will be the team-up of the century-!"

"-But!" Jubilee interrupted, the faintest hint of a shit-eating smirk appearing on his face, "We do my plan, not yours."

Tommy hesitated but he was too excited to consider caution. "Fine. What's your plan?"

"Theseus, the the question I'm about to ask you is vital for this plan's success..." Tommy leaned in eagerly and Jubilee Line managed a smile. "Have you ever seen Penguins Of Madagascar?"