Infected

34 - Lost and Abandoned

"Of course they'll come for me," Tommy snapped, but deep down couldn't help but think that Clay was right. He moved into a fighting stance. "I'm here, now what do you want from me, and Ranboo? Do we aid your plan to take over the world somehow?"

"The world is flawed," Bad said, "Corrupted, it takes what you want from you. Friends, dreams, family. The egg has promised us what we have lost and to bring balance to the world."

"And you would have gotten the same," Clay said, "We could have been brothers, but no, you had to rebel. So now we have to make sure you aren't a threat."

"So what," Tommy demanded, holding his head high, trying to keep his voice from shaking. He could feel vines slowly wrapping around his legs. "You're just going to kill me?"

"Of course not, the past has proven that never works," Bad gave him a soft smile. "So many have tried to kill the Avatar in the Avatar state. All have failed."

Tommy couldn't help but scoff, "Clearly. So there's nothing you can do." He could feel the vines tightening as he tried to pull his feet free.

"On the contrary," Clay said, "We don't have to kill you, we just need to take you out of the equation. Make you no longer a threat like I originally tried to do."

"So what does Ranboo have to do with any of this," Tommy said, the longer he could keep them talking the better.

"It's simple," Clay walked towards him, coming uncomfortably close to Tommy's face. "You're the bait, and he's the leverage."

Strange enough, Ranboo was the first to realize Tommy's disappearance as the night settled. He came running into the planning room where Technoblade, Jinora, Niki, Phil, and Schlatt were still trying to make a plan that didn't risk anyone's lives.

"Guys, Tommy's gone," Ranboo said, they all looked up at him. "I've looked all over the island with Jack. He's not here anymore."

Techno cursed, slamming his fist on the table. "We should have known. I should have known. He probably went to turn himself in."

"He wouldn't do that," Schlatt said, "Right?"

"If he thought it meant he could save Tubbo," Niki said, grimly, "He would."

"What do we do now," Phil looked at Jinora, the airbender rubbing her chin with her eyes closed.

"We have to turn Ranboo over," She said calmly, the entire room outraged.

"No!" Techno roared over everyone. "That's insane. You want to turn him over?! You might as well turn me in next!" The room went quiet, no one there, except Phil and Ranboo, had ever seen the man more outraged about anything.

"That's not going to happen," Jinora said, "You never let me finish. Unlike Tommy, he's not going alone. Techno will take him, and another group will be waiting for his signal as soon as they release everyone they've promised."

"If you think that will work," Ranboo said, "I'll do it."

"Niki, pick your team, organize everything with Technoblade. The success of this will fall on you two," Jinora said. "Leave as soon as you're ready."

"Tech, are you sure you want to-" Phil started.

"It's Ranboo, I have to be the one," Techno said, "I'm the only one here that stands a good chance against them by myself." He looked at Jinora in the last part, and she nodded. Phil just smiled and shook his head. "What?"

"You and Tommy sound the same," Phil said, "He always insists he has to be the one. And neither of you think you're anything special."

"We can discuss how wrong you are when I get back," Techno said, gesturing for Niki and Ranboo to follow as he left. "I have some ideas for who we should bring."