A/N & TW: Please be aware that this particular fic contains both Tom Milsom and Alex Day as fairly prominent characters. For the record, the story was completely written and published long before any of the allegations against these men came to light and has nothing to do with that situation, but if you are in any way triggered by those events, please exercise your best judgement in whether or not you choose to proceed. Stay safe everyone.

Chapter 1 - In Which the Island is in Uproar

Saturday, November 9th, 2013

(5:36 A.M.)

"Fellow Nerdfighters, vloggers, and socially awkward friends, I think you all know why we are gathered here today," John Green, co-founder of the now-infamous Nerdfighteria Island, began. Beside him on the stage, Hank Green—the other co-founder—was staring off in the opposite direction of his brother, arms crossed over his chest. The various audience members looked uncomfortable, as though they could sense just how fragile the situation must be if even their leaders weren't getting along.

Or it could have been from the fact that it was 5:30 in the morning, no one had slept yet, and they'd all been through a severe trauma. Either way.

"Though we understand that this has been a very difficult time for all of you, we must—"

"Where's Alex?" someone in the crowd shouted. Immediately the room erupted with noise as the audience members frantically sought more information:

"Yeah, where is he?!"

"Why isn't Alex here?"

"Has anyone seen him since the battle?"

"Did he really go mad?!"

"Are you gonna deport him?"

"Is it true that he blew up the Town Square?!"

John sighed and head-desked against the lectern dramatically. "Quiet, everyone!" he groaned. "Please be quiet!"

Hank rolled his eyes and gently claimed the microphone. "Okay, guys, listen up! We are all stressed out about the recent events—"

"Catastrophe," John mumbled into the surface of his pseudo-desk.

"…Catastrophe," Hank continued with a half-loving glare at his older brother. "We are well aware that you all want answers and please rest assured that you will get them as soon as possible. In fact, that's the reason that we've gathered you all here now."

John gazed out at the rows of audience members. "Benjamin Cook? Ciaran O'Brien?"

"Here," Ben replied. He stood up from his fourth-row seat and waved awkwardly at the rest of the audience members. Ciaran followed suit.

"Thank you." John nodded to them before addressing the group again. "As many of you know, Ben and Ciaran have been visiting our island for the past few days in order to film promotional videos."

Ciaran let out a snort of amusement at the thought. No one would be moving there now.

John ignored him and went on. "In order to obtain the most accurate report of the incident possible, we have decided to compile video testimonies from those most involved. Because they have some experience in this area, Ben has agreed to conduct the interviews while Ciaran films them."

Carrie Fletcher's hand shot up in the air.

"Yes?" Hank asked.

"Okay, no offence to Ben," she said, "but why him? Shouldn't we have some sort of professional doing this?"

"I am a professional," Ben shot back.

"You're a professional reporter," she retorted. "I mean, considering howserious this is, shouldn't the interviews be done by like, the police? Or a psychiatrist?"

"Ideally, yes, we would prefer to have a counselor," Hank replied, "but with the current immigration situation as it is, it's important that we deal with this matter privately. We had to make do."

"Thanks," Ben called sarcastically.

John picked it up. "I mean, we thought it through, and an investigative reporter is not that different from a counselor. We have to work with what we have available. Plus, Ben has assured us that he will be both unbiased and respectful while conducting the interviews. Right, Ben?"

Ben nodded. "Absolutely."

"So there is nothing to worry about. Okay, then if that's the only question—"

"Where's Alex?!" several voices chorused from the back of the room.

John sighed. "Alex Day is currently being held in custody, but we ask that you please refrain from making any assumptions as to his involvement until we have more information. That is all we know for now. Okay, are there any questions not about Alex Day?"

Dan Howell stood up from his seat in the crowd. "Phil?" he asked, his voice cracking on the vowell. "Philip Lester—where is he?"

"Phil is currently being treated for burns at the Nerdfighterian Hospital and I'm told his condition is stable," Hank responded gently.

"But…" Dan choked out, "how bad is it?"

John glanced sideways at his brother. "Sorry, that's all the information that we can give out at this point due to confidentiality and—"

"Just tell me if he can still see or not," Dan begged. "Please."

"Well, we don't know if the damage is permanent," Hank quickly pointed out. A collective gasp came from the crowd and John shot his brother a look which clearly said, 'Shut up you've said too much'.

Dan looked like he was deciding whether to pass out or start another riot. "Oh my god," he muttered anxiously, his blank stare not changing as he sunk back into his seat. "Oh my god, oh my god. It's my fault. Oh shit… Peej, he'sblind!"

"Dan, just breathe," PJ Liguori leaned over and whispered whilst the Green brothers continued to answer questions from concerned citizens. "It wasn't your fault. Phil was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"It's my fucking fault and you know it!" Dan shot back under his breath. He covered his face with his hands. "He's gonna hate me," Dan mumbled into them. "Oh god, I ruined his life!"

"Well… it's not like you did it on purpose?" PJ tried again. "It was an accident."

"He's fucking blind!" Dan whimpered. "And it's my fault!"

"Um…" PJ couldn't exactly argue with that. "Hank said it might be temporary?"

Dan didn't respond, just cried quietly into his hands. PJ awkwardly placed a hand on his friend's back, hoping it would give some comfort.

"Alright if that's all the questions," Hank concluded, "we will begin the interview process. If your name is called, please follow Ben and Ciaran out of Town Hall and over to the Creator Space for filming. Everyone else… uh, we ask that you please stay in this room until you are officially dismissed. Uh… by penalty of law."

Murmurs of confusion and fear rippled around the room.

John smiled forcedly. "Oh come on… detainment isn't that bad! I think we have 'Settlers of Catan' in the storage closet, there's a popcorn machine in the back, and if all else fails we can do musical chairs!"

It did little to lighten the mood, however.

"Never mind." John coughed. "Ben? Take it away."

"Alright." Ben stood up and turned to look at the nervous audience members. "Let's start with Mr. McDonnell."

A/N: Hello Lovely reader!

So this story is our phandom big bang collaborative writing project! (check out the tumblr: phandombigbang) It was written, edited, and illustrated by a team of 16 people from six different countries, ranging in age from 13-26 over the course of 11 months. We had loads of fun with it (and, alright, a few meltdowns when the plot holes threatened to swallow us up completely) and it was a truly amazing experience and we really hope you enjoy our story!

This chapter was co-written with Jamie (tumblr: captainoftheship)

Thanks so much for reading! Please be sure to let us know what you think in the reviews!

Best wishes,

~Bethany

P.S. There's a complete list of contributors (with links) in my profile