[TW: Violence]

Despite a freezing gale throwing him from side to side, Grian managed to land beside a barely-alive Scar. Paralyzing fear still writhed deep in his chest, but he remained stood talking before the meeting. Pearl stood up from where she sat in a decrepit boat and clapped her hands, making everyone turn their attention to her.

"I wanted you here because I saw a... thing. I was texturing the side of my base that faces away from Boatem when it sort of... appeared? It was like a giant block of black concrete appeared except it had weird amber eyes in it. It even said something that sounded like Taurtaros."

Grian swiftly restricted a muffled gasp, but apparently not well enough. Everyone turned their curious gazes to him. A familiar, ominous tingling feeling in his head filled him with panic. Not here, not now, not ever again. Fast as a fleeing cheetah, he dashed away, quickly yanking off his elytra and shifting his shoulder blades. It had been so long since his wings could breathe.

Shimmering a thousand vibrant shades of both warm and cool hues, his feathered limbs spread wide and lifted him off the ground. Thunder crashed in his ears as rain began to fall.

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Warm hands grabbed his as Fundy was dragged from the shadows by Wilbur. Ears flattened, he attempted to hide again, only to see Tommy slouched against the wall nodding at him.

"Go on and fight!" yelled his father's voice as he was shoved forwards. Arrows raced past his head and Tubbo stood at the other end of the pathway., clutching a bow. Forced into his hands was was a shield, but one moment too late, the fox-human raised it to stop the projectiles. Landing squarely in the middle of his chest, the paint ball exploded.

"Hey! That's not fair! I had no weapon!" he retorted, wiping off his shirt.

"C'mon, it was still funny though." laughed Jack from the shadows, sipping a can of something. In response, Niki elbowed him in the side, making him spit his drink out everywhere.

"Give him a weapon, Wil."

"Take this then," replied his father, tossing him a blunt wooden sword onto the ground. Although it was heavy in his hands, he soon found the rhythm of swinging it from side to side to knock aside arrows. Catching him off guard was an aggressive blow to the back, a blunt wooden axe hitting his spine.  Starting forward in a pained yelp, he glanced back to see Tommy grinning at him and leaning on the axe.

"Hey, not fair!"

"Dream, George and Sapnap won't be fair in a battle. You have to stay on your toes!"

Annoyed, Fundy started to jab at Tom with his sword while using his tail to thwack aside Tubbo's arrows. Finally, he lunged forward with enough force to disarm his older opponent and pin him down. Glancing over at his father, Fundy was slightly disappointed to see Wilbur talking under his breath to Niki swiftly.

"Hey Dad, look! I won!" he called, resting back on his hind legs.

"Yes, yes, very good Theodosia," replied his distracted father, unaware of what'd he'd just said as he quickly checked his communicator. Ears flattened, Fundy flinched, tail bushed out.

"Uh, boss?" murmured Jack, leaning closer to Wilbur. "You said the wrong name again."