It's never easy to be the youngest of the group. It can feel like all your siblings (or even friends, it can happen with them too) are better and more special than you are.
But it's okay to need encouragement sometimes, that you indeed are as amazing as they are. After all, there is always something good to find.
In a duo treasure hunt, with the focus on everyone's talents, Red is feeling useless as there is no trace of anything based off of him, and is sure that all the others had already finished it.
Luckily his teammate is there to ensure Red of his importance to the group as a whole, not even to just the colour gang. (Just some fluff and wholesomeness, mainly between Red and Dark).

The gang had been planning to do a treasure hunt, but were still discussing the who and what about it.

"But if we're going to do it in duo's, someone is going to be the leftover," Red pointed out.
"Not if that's the one to make the treasure hunt," Purple said casually. "And I don't mind being that person."
"Okay, then what should the duo's be?" Second asked.
"I say for an even power distribution, each duo should consist out of a colour and a hollowhead," Yellow pointed out.
"I want that one," Chosen said as he pointed at Yellow. Both were titled the smart one of their 'species', so it would fit quite well.

Green looked around at the others. Usually he would immediately have ran into Second's arms. But he knew that Blue wasn't a good mix with either Dark or Vic, and he was still getting used to the reformed villain himself, so he chose to go for the quietest of the bunch. "Hey Vic, how about we form a team?"
"Yeah, sure," Vic answered with a smile.

Blue looked at the two options still left. The Dark Lord, or The Second Coming.
'Yeah, definitely not doing this with him' Blue thought as he looked at Dark.
"Come Second. We are going to be a team," Blue said as he dragged Second away to one of the empty spots that a duo could sit.

"He still doesn't like me, huh?" Dark asked Red, still looking at Blue walking away.
"He can be very stubborn. I actually think Green chose Vic so that Blue didn't have to."
"Smart thinking," Dark admitted. "Maybe next time we do colour and hollowhead duo's, he should be the judge."
"That would still end up with Yellow and Chosen being a duo though," Red said as he looked over at Dark.
"Yeah, but birds of a feather flock together right? Let the nerds finally have someone to be nerdy with," Dark chuckled out.
"But for real, with Blue being the singled one, Green can be with Second, and both possible combo's between you and Purple and me and Vic will work either way."

"Which of the two of us would you want to team up with the most?" Red asked.
Dark thought for a moment, but had his answer ready fairly quick.
"I'd say you as my first pick, Purple as the second. Then Yellow, then Green, and otherwise I wouldn't be playing."
"I know he's hard to win over, but Blue is not that bad"
"I wouldn't mind trying to work or do something with him, but it doesn't seem like he is ready for that yet. He would probably quit if he had to go with me, leaving me without a possible partner, making me quit too."

"Okay, fair point," Red said after Dark's explanation.
"I should really think of something for you two to do together so that he will at least stop seeing you as a potential threat."
"That would be nice," Dark admitted. "But we are a team now, so no need to fret about that."
"Main focus now is to win!" Dark grinned as he held a fist next to him, and Red finished the sideways fist bump with a grin of his own.

~Time skip to when Purple has made the track and puzzles for the rest to solve~

"Okay, so I think I have made something that should appeal to everyone!" Purple said loudly for everyone to hear.
"But only the best, kindest, smartest and most creative team can this!" He said, getting into it to make it sound so mysterious and exiting as he could.
"And our contesting teams are... Drumroll please." And despite some eyerolls, everyone did do as asked.
"Second and Blue!" A small cheer came from them, but also from Yellow and Chosen.
"Chosen and Yellow!" Again, a small cheer from the contestant team, Blue returning Yellows favour, and a cheer from Dark. To which Chosen looked over at with a raised eyebrow. But Purple didn't notice, and kept announcing.

"A slightly unexpected, but welcome, duo. Vic and Green!" They, too, were met with a cheer, quite a loud one at that, from both Dark and Second.
"And last, but certainly not least, Dark and Red!" Who got met with less audible cheering than the others had. But still a bright smile, and even wink, from Purple and Vic.

"I had been thinking, and I think it's best that I let everyone go in the same order as I just called them upon."
"Ha! Easy win if we get to go first!" Blue grinned.
"We'll be right on your tail though!" Yellow yelled over at him.
Blue was ready to yell something back to his boyfriend, but Purple quickly continued to explain, before there was an heated argument outbreak.

"Okay, so it won't matter who gets back first, but who returns in the least amount of time," Purple explained.
The colour gang looked a bit uncomfortable because of his explanation. It was bringing up some less than happy memories.
"No alternative motives, I promise. Also no teleportation devices."
They visibly relaxed at those statements.

"Sorry for the tensing up. Just an very unpleasant memory came out of that experience." Red couched after that.
He and Second shared a quick glance, knowing full well what Red meant with the unpleasant memory.
"I understand. I did some things wrong, but I'm trying to be and do good."
"But. No time for that! It's time to have fun!"
"Second, Blue, you're up to leave first."
"Yeah, yeah, we're already packed. Let's go!" Blue yelled.
Purple, Second and Yellow just gave a small smile at Blue's reacting.

"Here, in this envelope, is your first clue," Purple said as he handed second and Blue their envelope.
"And a tracking device, to make sure no one gets lost, and to know when you're far enough to send the next duo along." He gave them something that looked like a phone, but that they could not use to search up something when they couldn't get the right answer to the upcoming riddles.

They go on their way, and when Second and Blue have gotten the first clue, they found themselves in a similar simulator as they had done previously, but indeed with no teleporters, and this looking more like temple style hunt, than a parkour race.

(No ideas for challenges, so we skip right into the juicy/emotional part)

"But why did you choose me? I'm not nearly as talented as the others..." Red asked Dark.

"I'm sorry for not nearly being as creative as Green... I'm sure he has already thought of a way through this." Red whispered to himself as he watched Dark rumble with the puzzle pieces.
Dark was still puzzling with what they had, but did listen to Red while doing so. But what he heard Red say about himself made his stop immediately.
"What about all those drawings you like to make in your free time? Those are pretty good."
"They are not nearly as good as Seconds or Alans though. Let alone when they join forces."
"So? Neither have the talent to befriend and work with practically any creature that comes on their path."

"Yeah, but when is that ever helpful? When has that ever saved the day?!" Red asked, tears slowly building in the corners of his eyes. "I mean, Blue is amazing with potions! Has saved us a lot of times with some health potions. Yellow is smart and can build amazing things to help us in practically any situation! Green is creative and can make something with whatever he finds. And Second is an amazing artist and fighter!" He practically yelled out towards Dark. "And me? I'm just the runt of the group, nothing special to mention." He looked away, seemingly in shame, and the tears finally spilled over. "I'm just the little brother that they have to babysit."

"That's not true," Dark said sternly, taking a step closer towards Red. "First off, you are not weak." He tried to look Red in the eyes, but that was hard when the other was looking away. "Secondly, if anything, you are the one to take care of the others in ways that truly matter."
"What do you mean?" Red asked, moving slightly, but still not looking at the other.
"You are the one who tends to all their wounds. I have heard you talk about Blue burning himself while cooking, and despite him whining that it 'is not that bad Red, there's no need for bandages' you still make sure those spots don't get hurt again before they had time to heal." Dark began, imitating Red when he had imitated his older brother.
"And not to mention all the times you took care of Yellow when he accidentally cut himself on something sharp from his new project."

Red looked up at Dark, and finally returned the gaze, had it not been that Dark was moving around as he was trying to prove his point.
"And I'm sure you had to take care of Second sometime. All of us are idiots that will get ourselves hurt if we have a mission to complete."
"I guess I am the one to tend to their wounds..." Red spoke softly, eyes not fully focused anymore.
"Mate, not just their wounds, but on a mental level too!"
Reds focus returned. "What?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Who brings Second a cup of coffee when he really can't stay awake? Who is willing to listen to Yellow rambling on and on about his new inventions? Makes sure Purple feels accepted and loved in the group? Is willing to help Blue in the kitchen? Who is willing to have a building battle against Green, despite the high chance he'll lose?!"
Red slowly casted his gaze towards the ground again, but not in the same way he had done about a minute prior.
It had been true what Dark had said. Many can't listen to Yellow for the time he needs to finally have all his thoughts being said out loud, they usually only get annoyed when Second keeps falling asleep against their shoulder, and practically everyone is okay with being the judge, but not a participant when Green joins the building battle.

"But most importantly, in my opinion." Dark was now standing in front of Red, and had places his hand on the others arm, bringing Red back to the here and now. "You were the one, practically the only one for a long time, to give me a chance. And you even helped every way that you could to get the others to like me, or at least tolerate me. You were the main reason I got my life, and most importantly, the love of my life, back."
And before Red could even register he was moving, he got engulfed in a hug.
"You are important. And you are useful," Dark whispered. "No one, would be here without having someone looking out for them. Whether it's tending physical wounds, or just simply listening."

Red was silent for a moment, frozen in place as he was letting Dark's words sink into his brain. When he had fully realized the love and honesty that was put in those words, he was able to move again. But also no longer able to keep the tears from overflowing again.
"Thank you. Thank you so much," Red said with a trembling, but happy voice.
When they pulled out of the hug, Red wiped his tears away.

"O no! I didn't mean to make you cry! It was meant as a positive thing!" Dark panicked.
"I'm not crying. Or at least not the bad, sad sort," Red responded.
"They're happy tears," He continued. "Cause your words helped me regain some confidence in myself."
"So you're okay again?"
Red thought for a moment.
"Yeah, I think I am." He slowly moved his hands, and bawled them into fists. "Let's beat this puzzle!" He yelled out while pumping a fist into the air.

Dark giggled a bit as he saw the energy get back to Red. He walked over, and made a similar pose.
"Watch out treasure hunt! We're going to beat you!"

The rest of it went quite well, and when they finally got out of it, they were met by all their other friends already back.
"Damnit. I really thought we would've beaten Vic and Green," Dark said with a fake disappointment.
"O, don't worry. We literally only had time to sit down, so you're faster than we were," Green replied with a laugh.
Red looked over at Purple with a raised eyebrow.
"He is right," Purple replied.
"But that's not all." He smirked, looking at his phone, which held the timers for all the teams. And with Red and Dark finally having returned too, all had a final time.

"Everyone ready for the results?"
There came a cheering of Yes back as a response.
"In forth place..." He started, drumming on the nearest table a bit to create some form of anticipation.
"Second and Blue! Sorry guys."
"Damnit," they said in union.

"Third place... Vic and Green! Pretty damn good job for a team that never really interacted before."
"I sorta cheated by being interested in everyone's interests, and so knowing bits and pieces for every puzzle," Vic admitted.
"But we were faster!" Yellow yelled from across the room.

"That indeed is true," Purple said.
"But? I feel there's a but somewhere," Chosen asked.
Purple gave a sorrowful smile in response.
"But Red and Dark were faster."

"Whoo-hoo!" Red yelled out in excitement. He turned around and high-fived Dark, who was making that motion too.
"Very well done. Here is your prize." Purple handed them a golden statue each, as the prize.
Red was sporting a massive grin. Yellow and Vic hadn't seem him grin that wide in quite some time, and automatically smiled too at the sight.

"I feel like Purple cheating in their favour," Blue whispered to Second. It was meant as a joke, but Blue hadn't been as quiet as he thought he had been, and Yellow hadn't taken it that way, as he got hit by a slap against the back of his head by Yellow.
"Sorry, it was meant as a joke."
"Besides," Green joined in the conversation.

"If Purple made it easier for Red and Dark, why not for me and Vic too?"
"I didn't make it easier for anyone," Purple announced.
"I made a challenge, one based off of everyone each."

"That you didn't get through all of them as fast as they did, does not mean I cheated."
Blue grumbled at Purple, but he did smile while doing so.
"You do not trust me?" Purple asked, trying to be intimidating.
"Blue, don't start a fight," Yellow said, taking Blue's hand, and dragging him out of the room.

"I'll go check on them," Second and Green said at the same time.
They looked at each other, as they usually don't talk at the same time. They burst out laughing, as they indeed walked after Blue and Yellow.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to take nap. It was really fun, but with so much thinking, it was also quite tiring," Chosen said with a small yawn.
"Of course, sleep well," Dark responded with a kind smile.

After all the others were gone, Red turned himself towards Purple.
"So, is what Blue asked true? You cheating in favour of us?"
"Eh, yes and no?" Purple responded.

"Honestly, I had expected for you two to win. I may have made everything, sorta knowing only Red could get through it all," Purple explained with a guilty smile.
"Eh, maybe Vic could have beaten it too... But I knew you could!" He said, fully turning towards Red.
"But there was nothing that was specialised to me..." Red said with a slight questioning tone.
"Really? Or was it so specialised that only you would be able to do all parts of it?"
Red raised his eyebrow at that.

"The potion puzzle?" Purple started with. Red gave a nod.
"If you put the wrong ingredients together, the thing would explode."
"Yeah, obviously Blue's specialty."
"But not impossible when you have spent enough time with him to learn bits and pieces about what you can mix, and what not. Spoiler, Second and Green wouldn't know any of it."
"Chosen and Yellow did get through it, but it's also basically Chemistry, so of course the nerds would know enough about that."
Dark and Vic gave a nod that seemed to indicate a 'fair enough'.

"And the thing with all the mechanics? Placing it in the right order, each side the right way, getting it to work as intended, only Yellow knew what to do. Heck, even just the only one who had an idea of where to begin." Purple coughed at the last part.
"But someone who spends quite some time with him during his makings. Or even just who listens to him talking about his inventions, could solve it. Blue did have a vague idea, but not quite good enough to make it fully work as intended. You and Yellow were the only ones to ace that part."

"So I kind of cheating in your favour, but it's also on them by not being more invested by the hobbies of everyone else."
Red smiled at the thought put behind it, and hugged Purple.
"You still should put something specialised to me, maybe something with animals, so it's more equalised."
"So that you can beat them with a hour difference? You really expect the others to be able to work with animals?" Purple laughed.

"I say dibs on Red for that challenge parkour," Dark and Vic responded.
"You already had him this time, next time it's my turn," Vic said towards Dark.
"But we proved that we're an amazing team, you should never split up such an amazing duo," Dark responded.
"Or I could organise the next one," Red said.
"I'd like to see what you'd come up with," Purple said, genuinely curious.

"Come and help me!" Red responded with cheer.
"We all had a very fun day, so I could definitely use your help for fun puzzles."
Purple agreed to help. And together, they too, walked away.