Another hour or so passed, and the arguments had stopped (Techno had almost burned the curtains) and everyone had calmed down for the most part. Though everyone was still stressed, they finally had lunch, and as soon as he could, Techno left to go looking again. Phil and Will also left to look and Kristin stayed back this time with Toby.

"How're you doing kiddo?" She asked, coming into the living room where Toby was now sitting.

He had come out here to get away from the yelling initially and came back after lunch to check the news. His head was pounding, but he'd gotten used to it by now. He also had been texting Niki and Ranboo to try and distract themselves. He didn't see any reason to hide stuff from them, so he'd told them what was going on. They were as worried about the situation as he was...

Toby looked up at his mom, "Uhh, not great, but I supposed it could be worse, right?" He didn't know how exactly, but he was sure it could...probably.

Kristin said nothing at first, before walking in and sitting by him on the couch, grabbing the remote and turning the volume of the tv down, but she didn't turn it off. Toby guessed she wanted to see if they reported anything about Tommy, or maybe just a distraction from everything.

"I know this has to be stressful for you honey..." She said softly, "is your head doing ok?"

"It's fine..." he said, hugging his knees, "better than yesterday at least..."

She nodded, "that's good..." there was a moment of silence, "I know everyone is worried about Tommy, as they should, but you were in a lot of pain just yesterday, and this whole thing can't be good for it...I want to make sure that you're ok too..."

He gave her a weak smile, "thanks Mom, I appreciate it"

In all honesty he hadn't done very good at worrying about himself, with a couple exceptions, even before this morning. He hadn't given any thought to help himself. How could he? His brother was missing and it was more than likely his fault.

"Hey, it's my job." She smiled back, wrapping an arm around him. He smiled, though his head throbbed again. Suddenly, the news channel the tv was on started to fritz out, replaced with a familiar, smug face. Toby grabbed the remote, turning the volume up. The sudden movement made his head throbbed a bit, but he didn't care.

"I have a message for the hero named Tubbo '' Schlatt said, a nasty smirk on his face, "I have something...or rather someone I have no doubt is important to you. You've probably noticed he's been missing since last night. If you don't meet me where we first met by the end of the day, he will die, and I'll be sure to publicly display the body, just for you."

Next to him, his mother let out a strangled gasp, covering her mouth.She probably realized he meant Tommy, it was too big of a coincidence...And there was no way

"Oh! And by the way, if you don't come alone, or lead any other heroes or cops to me, he also dies. Anyways, that's all, I'm sure my message will reach you eventually. Good day! I hope to see you soon..."

And with that, the news station returned the person who'd must have been reporting on something before the channel was hijacked. They were wide eyed, and the faint sound of scattering could be heard, like the news people had been trying to find out what was going on.

Toby quickly turned off the tv. He felt pale and sick. Tommy would die if he didn't meet Schlatt in that damned alley. Dammit...he didn't know what the villain wanted with him, but he knew what he had to do. He turned to Kristin, who had unshed tears in her eyes and her hand over her mouth. He pulled her into a hug, partially to comfort her, but also partially to say goodbye. She hugged back, and they stayed like that for several minutes, before he pulled away.

"I-I don't really feel great all of a sudden...I'm going to go try to take a nap or something..." he lied.

Kristin nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes, kissing his forehead gently before getting up. "Alright, I'll be down here if you need me ok?"

He nodded, getting up, "thank you mom, love you-" then he got up and made his way upstairs.

He grabbed his costume from under his bed as soon as he was in his room. Might as well "dress up" for this, right? Before he did, he wrote a short note, explaining as much as he could, and apologizing to his family. The last thing they needed was another son going missing with no explanation, so he might as well give them one. As soon as he was dressed, he quickly went back out the window, climbing down like he was so used to at this point.

He made his way to the city, sticking to rooftops as much as he could. His gut twisted as he got closer to the alley. He needed to save Tommy...but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't scared. But he knew he had to do this. He didn't want to risk putting Tommy in any more danger than he already was. He hopped down into the alley, and waited. He seemed to be there for an agonizingly long time, when in reality it was only about 10 minutes. Finally, Schlatt emerged from the shadows. Such a cliche villain entrance...but Tubbo said nothing.

"Good, you're here!" Schlatt grinned, clapping his hands together, "that was easy enough, come on now-" he gestured for Tubbo to follow him. Instead, he stayed where he was.

"What do you want Schlatt?" He asked, frowning under his mask.

"You're not fun, you know that?" The man sighed, rolling his eyes and crossing his arms. But he quickly grinned, "Well, it's simple. Someone like you, I want you to work with me."

Tubbo got the strong feeling he really meant for him. "And if I say no?"

Schlatt laughed, "Then I'll follow through on my threat earlier. Tommy will die"

His eyes widened, "How did you-"

Schlatt laughed, "You'll see, comment still stands though"

He clenched his fists. At first he wanted to ask why Schlatt was so dead set on "working with him" then he realized. Until now, Schlatt hadn't been able to control him. He'd been his biggest threat.. he had to choose. His freedom, or Tommy. Scowling after the man, he followed him.

They mostly stuck to back alleys and abandoned streets. Schlatt in the front, walking confidently, the young hero trailing behind him, wringing his hands. He could do this. To get Tommy home and safe. It was like Tommy always said.

I'm a big man, I can do this... he thought to himself. He lost count of how many turns they made. They at some point got to the warehouses at the edge of the city, which seemed too obvious, until they started going underground. Oh crap.

"There's no need for the disguise anymore you know..." Schlatt grinned, "We're going to be working together after all.."

Tubbo scowled, and didn't move to remove his goggles or bandana right away.

"Come on now, don't be like that..." Schlatt's grin darkened a bit, "I'd hate for anything else to happen to Tommy.."

Bastard... Tubbo thought, but he lowered his bandana and put his goggles up on his head, glaring at the man. The "anything else" also worried him. Was Tommy ok? Schlatt stared at him for a moment longer than he should have, like he recognized something, but he quickly shook it off.

"Huh, you really are a kid-" he chuckled, "was that so hard?"

They continued, and as they walked, passing through underground warehouses, with people no doubt employed by Schlatt, milling around, Tubbo realized why they hadn't found him before. He had a lot more resources than they thought. This whole thing was causing his headache to return, at full force.

Not now dammit- he thought to himself.

They turned into an empty hallway. Well, almost empty. He froze at the sight of three familiar faces that either wouldn't look at him, wouldn't meet his eyes, or were trying to keep a neutral expression, but he was clearly shocked to see Tubbo. George, Fundy, and...Quackity, respectively.

"Big Q?" He asked, frowning, "I- how- you- you're working with Schlatt?"

"Of course he is, all my kids are.." Schlatt grinned, spreading his arms.

Kids? Seriously? That explained Dream's hatred for Schlatt from a few days ago...he'd send people to harass his own kid? To hurt him? His headache was getting worse.

"Quackity...the other night, was that an act..?"

Quackity looked away from him, "...yes..."

"Did you help kidnap Tommy then" Toby glared

"No, that would be Fundy here.." Schlatt answered before Quackity could, "As I told Tommy before, all my children have abilities...Fundy can track the owner of any object I give him...I suppose you used your...brothers? The night we fought? How unfortunate"

He chuckled, before pointing to Quackity, "Alex, take him to their cell, yes? We have a lot to discuss later. But I'll be nice and let him be with his brother..."

"I want you to let him go-" Toby said immediately, "let him go home safely."

Schlatt snorted, "right- something you'll learn kid, is that you don't call the shots here. I do. And I say you're a lot easier to control when I have a hostage..." he paused, then grinned wickedly, "Control...how Ironic..."

He nodded to Quackity, then waved to the others, who followed him cautiously, sending apologetic looks to Toby.

"Oh, and if you're to use your abilities after my power wears off, Tommy is as good as dead" the man called, before he was out of sight with the other two. Great. Now he was trapped and Tommy was stuck here too. Because of him.

Quackity frowned, "Uh, ok...this way.."

They walked down the hallway in tense silence for a few moments, his head was starting to throb. Not good- soon, Tubbo finally spoke.

"Big Q- Quackity..." he frowned, "I really thought you were our friend..." his head was starting to hurt like it had yesterday

"I was- I am! I just..." Quackity looked down, "I can't explain right now, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were Tubbo, I didn't want any of our friends to get involved here, I care about you guys-"

"You're the son of an actual supervillain-"

"I can still care!" Quackity snapped, before pausing, "I'm sorry...I just...I do care about you, and Tommy, and Purpled, and Karl. And even Ranboo, even though I haven't known him as long as you guys...Schlatt took me in when I was little, after my parents died in a car accident. I can't explain stuff right now ok? But I swear I will.."

Suddenly, pain exploded in Tubbo's head. Worse than yesterday. He stumbled, catching himself on the wall. The sides of his head were in agony-

"Toby? What's wrong?" There was genuine concern in his voice-

Toby's vision was rapidly growing spotty and dimming.

"Head...hurts..." he managed to mutter, before his vision tunneled and he collapsed, everything going dark.