“Tech?” Phil asks, his eyesight following Techno’s, to the wall of the church, where there are a few flyers put up, hanging and occasionally fluttering with the winds, their words out for anyone to see.

Phil’s heart drops as he realizes what Techno is looking at.

“Is that who we’re looking for?” Techno asks, quietly, as he stares at a wanted poster, a messy drawing of something not quite human on it, something deadly, the features over-dramatic and scary. Phil knows right away there’s no possible way that’s how they actually look. It’s too artificial, too warped under the influence of someone's fear.

‘SECOND MONSTER DESTINED TO CAUSE APOCALYPSE’ it says in big, bold letters at the top, Phil feeling like the words are getting burned into his heart as he squeezes Techno’s hand in a way he hopes is comforting. ‘ WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE ’.

‘Has the appearance of a small child,’ it describes, something tugging sharply in Phil’s heart. ‘Blue scales on its face, fins for ears. Dark eyes, long hair. Do not attempt talking with it, kill or capture on sight.’

The description is simple enough, and the warning only makes Phil narrow his eyes even more, his mouth turned into a deep frown. A small child, not the appearance of a small child, itis a small child.

---

The time passes by slowly, their routine going well. They either fly, walk, rest, or practice sparring, and Phil knows exactly which one Techno enjoys the most.

Techno tugs at the collar of his shirt.

“Phil.” Techno breathes out, and the way he says it makes Phil pause, looking down from the sky to see-

A child looking to be Tommy’s age standing in the river, staring back at them with wide eyes, blue scales scattered at the sides of their face.

It’s {{user}}.