Chapter 17

(Crows)

They watched Wilbur leave, and followed. The Crow Father's first fledgling, was always unpredictable and mischievous and had always gave the flock unending entertainment as they watched him. However as much as they enjoyed having the fledgling back, it as also a little jarring, especially when now there was now a new possible fledgling for them adopt! Although The Crow Father had said, that the new fledgling would have to choose them. So the crows were determined to make the three fledgling get along with the new fledgling and then they would have four fledglings! So, they all came to the decision that since Wilbur was the most unpredictable they would have to all keep a close eye on him. Until all the fledgling got along.

'Get your sleuthing hats on, he's on the move!'

'Crime boy on the move!'

'Hurry, hurry!'

'What's he doing?'

'Planning something!'

'Ooo yay!'

'Not yay! Suspicious!'

'Not yay?'

'We must supervise!'

'Yeah, we're the boss'

'Crows assemble!'

'So, we snitches now?'

'Only to Phil!'

'Sh, he looking right at us!'

The whole flock went quiet, all of them making eye contact with Wilbur, who was smiling up at them. "Now what you all up too?" He asked.

'Busted!'

'Make a run for it!'

'Mission failed!'

'Abort! Abort!'

'Ah, act normal! Act like birds!'

'We are birds!'

'He can't understand us remember!'

'Oh, yeah, I forgot!'

They all shrieked, over half of them taking to the sky, now that they had been spotted. Wilbur laughing as the crows that stay collected themselves. "I bet you guys are just flying around for some entertainment." He hummed.

The crows all hopped around and a few ruffling their feathers. This was one of those time that it was good that only Phil could understand them.

"Well, come on. I was just about to build something." He beckoned, starting back to walking just a bit off Techno and Phil's property.

'Mission back on!'

'We're Crow. James Crow! '

'Cue awesome music!'

'This is so exciting!'

'We're going to need runners for this!'

'Oh, good idea!'

'What about a stick?!'

'No!'

'Yes!"

'You want to whack with a stick if he's bad?'

'No! We craft a belt!'

'We get Dadza! Pay attention!'

'I gonna need snacks for this stakeout!'

'Eat a worm!'

'I don't want a worm!'

They chattered following Wilbur, who seemed delighted in having their company. "You guys are very excitable today." Wilbur chuckled, ducking his head as he walked just a few crows swooped in low, one carrying a stick in its talons. "I got to draw up so blue prints but we're basically going to construct a very fancy diving board." He said, chatting along with the crows, knowing that while he, himself, may not be able to understand them, the crows could understand him just fine.

(Techno)

He was trying to read. The voices liked it when he read, they quieted to hear the stories. They haven't stopped their constant whispering since Quackity woke from his molt. Since they found Tommy and Michael, holed up in Philza's house next door. And they especially got excited when they found Wilbur on their doorstep. Needless to say, despite his want to read, the voices wanted to talk.

'Okay, but hear me out! Popcorn!'

'We shouldn't be reading!"

'Popcorn?'

'Phil still up there with Quackity!'

'To watch someone go 'YEET!'lol'

'E'

'Impostor still in the den.'

'What are we reading?'

'I don't know.'

'Hermes and Hera!'

'E'

'Never heard this one!'

'Yes we have.'

'Blood.'

'Trouble is coming.'

'E'

'Mischief in the making.'

'We should check on Phil!'

'We should go find Wilbur!'

'Yeah!' The voices whispered their words a jumble of murmurs that were starting to give him a headache.

He was just about give in and go upstairs like the majority of them wanted him too, but thought better of it. Beside Phil had back up there once the crow wearing the bow had alerted him that Quackity was back up. Phil seemed determined to want to build up Quackity wing muscles, even if Quackity wasn't interested. Usually was Techno could care less what happened to Quackity, as his main focus was just to help maintain the image of a retired Anarchist, while keeping the identity of the Syndicate a secret. He had even meant to send Quackity on his way once Phil was up again. However, Phil did have a point, bad wings meant a dead avian. Quackity couldn't fly. He couldn't even glide correctly. If Techno had wanted to kill him that day, he could have. Actually, by Quackity trying to glide as he did, could have resulted in Techno having two avians with dislocated and broken wings. Avian bones were hollow so to try and glide while not having the muscles to help hold him up, Quackity was lucky he hadn't got severely hurt, beside the broken glass of a potions bottle.

'He's been up there too long!'

'Quiet! Too quiet!'

'Phil hasn't come down!'

'Check on Phil!'

'Why didn't we use a bow and arrow again?'

'We needed him alive.'

'Oh, yeah.'

'Go check on Phil!' The voices all whispered. They still didn't trust Quackity, of course neither did Techno. If he had his way Quackity would have been gone, but it was his instincts that wanted to keep Phil happy and so Quackity was his house guest. Whether they both liked it or not. Phil made an appearance down the stairs, fixing his hat while his hair looked frazzled and out of place. Telling Techno that Quackity had not liked the Phil going back up to finished the rest of the wing stretches.

"Fought the whole time didn't he." He stated, eyes going back to his book. As the voiced screamed about Quackity might have actually hurt Phil.

"Yeah. He's got a lot of spunk that's for sure. But once we get him flying, he's going to be exposed to a whole new look of the world." Phil hummed, plucking a stray white feather that had got stuck in his own feathers.

Quackity must have really tried to get out of the stretches. Made Techno think back when Tommy had started to learn how to fly. Kid was so impatient, he'd climb the tallest thing around and jumped, with out stretching out his wings and had gotten several cramps because of it too.

'Duck boy going to go YEET!'

'LOL!'

'Who are we kidding, we all know Wilbur's going to go YEET too!'

'Crime boy and Duck boy go 'SPLAT!'

'I smell trouble and fun around the corner!' The voices whispered, as Techno tried to tune them out.

"So once he flies successfully, he's out, right?" Techno prompted, because it was a headache having his instincts scream at him constantly. The only time they quieted was when Quackity was stuck deep in his instincts during the molt. Something Techno didn't think would happened considering they were both enemies, but he had and he was less of a threat that way. He had stayed compliant and let Phil and even himself preen his wings. A sharp contrast in Quackity's usual behavior.

Phil made a soft sounding chirp as he nodded. "Yeah. If he wants to leave then, I will not stop him. But he's got a long way to go before then. Which reminds me. I need to talk to my Lady. So that means you're in charge." Phil said, looking expectantly at Techno.

"No." Techno grunted, this time setting his book to the side, so nothing could distract him. Phil was up to something. There was no way the man was going to leave Quackity, Wilbur, and he alone together, and expect him to keep the peace.

"Aw, come on Techno, its only a for a few hours." Phil pleaded, his wings doing a little flutter behind him.

"I'm not babysitting Wilbur and Quackity, Phil. Besides every time you go to talk to her, one of two things happen, You either stay seated at the shrine for days stuck in the void with her. Or you either give control up and she walk around in your body, and if that happens that mean I have three people to look after." He grunted making sure to count them off for Phil.

Phil didn't even look repentant about the suggestion, though. "Aw come on, mate, its easier than trying having to search around through his history behind his back. I besides time as know meaning in the void, you know that." He defended.

"Isn't this still looking into his history behind his back?" Techno stated, somehow he could already tell Phil was going to get his way anyway.

"Only if his ancestors refuse to talk to me." Phil said, already making a move for the front door to go to his place next door, where his Lady's shrine rested. "Look, I just want you to keep the peace, I shouldn't be long." Phil was still waiting at the door, waiting for Techno to agree.

Was he going to agree?

"Protector?" Phil chirped, sharp blues eyes expectant.

Techno grunted. "Fine." He couldn't stop the rumble that left his chest. His instincts and the voices liking that his status in their pack was appreciated and that his Elder trusted his judgment to leave even an unruly fledgling with him.

"Thanks mate. I'll tell her you said 'Hi,' okay." Phil grinned leaving. The door shutting softly behind him.

'He appreciates us!'

'But now we got to watch Quackity.'

'And Wilbur!'

'This is going to be fun!'

'Can we go back to the story?'

'Read to us!'

'Yes!'

'No!'

'We must protect the home!'

"But I want to be read to!' The voices chattered.

"The things I do for pack." Techno huffed, leaning back on the couch and grabbing his book. He wasn't going to bother to go check on Quackity. The little crow Ranger was up there with him. Surely the little bird would let him know if Quackity was up to something. That and the couch was right by the stairs so there was no way for Quackity to sneak by.

(Quackity)

He was on his stomach with his wings doing slow small flaps, the muscles in them loose and the feathers neater than what he was use too. Yesterday, Phil had been insistent on the stretches and now his muscles were so loose he didn't want to move them but he also didn't want to let them sit still. It was a weird feeling, especially considering all that stretching had made him restless during the night too, like he had too much pent up energy. Phil's touch still lingered on his wings too, and that just had those stupid instincts practically dragging him back down and to accept everything. It was getting hard to be resistant and Ranger was certainly not helping, constantly flitting around the nest as chirping and making strange noises, some of which were starting to sound similar to the ones Phil made.

"Buzz off, you little pest, I'm not in the mood." He grunted out, swatting at the crow when it tried to land on his head.

Ranger just landed by his face, tilting its head slightly, giving him a judgmental look.

He really didn't get the little crow. At first he was sure the creature would leave him be after a while after Phil said its was to be his companion, but it seemed the little crow was in it for the long haul. He guessed he also found it weird due to the fact, that creatures that were like pets didn't last long. Someone would always come up to kill it. And he could feel himself getting use to Rangers presences and that couldn't happen. He couldn't have something that someone could easily take away.

"Go away…." He shooed. He could already see it. The death this bird would suffer just to get to him. Wilbur would probably toy with it to get Quackity where he wanted him and then cut Ranger down just to get a point across. Techno would probably rip its head from its body, if Quackity so much as fought back. He doubted Phil would even notice if one crow disappeared. After all, he had millions what was one missing crow. People were assholes like that.

Yet Ranger stayed. Or would always come back with friends. Bringing stuff tot he nest. The recent addition being a trench-coat that look suspiciously like it belonged to Wilbur, and a bandanna that resembled the one Tommy liked to wear. Techno's cape and Phil's kimono robe had made their way back into the nest too. And Quackity couldn't bring himself to really push the garments away. Though the trench-coat and bandanna stayed toward the edge of the nest.

"Why are you still here?" He growled out at the little crow. It needed to leave now. There was no way he was going to let them have something over on him.

Ranger chirped, adjusting its wings before turning its head away to preen a bit.

"Yo, is everything good in here?" Techno's voice, made Quackity jump, his body moving from laying on his stomach to up on his feet in one motion. He hadn't even heard the guy's footsteps.

"Just planning your death!" Quackity snarled.

Ranger had taken to the rafters, at Quackity's sudden movements, which was good, It meant the little bird was out of the way if a fight broke out.

Techno just rolled his eyes, murmuring about keeping the peace or something, Quackity couldn't really hear, nor care to try and figure it out. "Come on. We're going outside." He huffed, not impressed by Quackity's threat.

"We?" Quakity growled out.

"Yes, we. Phil's busy and I'm not going to leave you here alone while I go and get Wilbur." Techno nodded, red eyes seeming to bore into Quackity's

"Why not just throw me back in the basement with your monster instead?" He asked, because that what he would do, rule were reverse at this point. It was easier to keep a prisoner contained and complaint. And as much as Quackity hated being on the short end of the stick, he could appreciate the quick thinking on Techno's part and hate him at the same time.

"Do you want to go back to the basement?" Techno asked, like he was giving Quackity a decision.

It made Quackity's bristle with anger. Like he had a choice in this situation. "No." He answered not breaking eye contact with Techno.

"Then come on. Wilbur went off the property a bit to do something, not really sure what, but its getting dark like a blizzard is coming and I want everyone in the house before it gets here." Techno said, grabbing his red cloak from the nest and was already walking away. Not even looking to see if Quackity was following.

Quackity almost didn't want to to out of spite. However, he did have a better chance outside of the house, so he was quick to follow. He was sure Techno had a nether portal close by and Quackity didn't mind traveling through the Nether, he had enough gold on him thank to the crows anyway. There were shoes waiting for him at the doorway where Techno was waiting, already holding a sword in his hand and his red cape with the white fox fur as a collar already on his shoulders. The sword made him nervous though he made sure not to show it. There were several ways Techno could kill him with that sword. What if this was a trap to make it where Phil would turn on him finally? All the niceties shattered from just leaving the nest with Techno without Phil present?

"Don't lag behind. I don't want to have to search for you too if you wander off." Techno grunted, as they crossed the fence the marked his property, his red cape catching the wind and flaring out behind him.

Quackity flinched when he felt something land on his shoulder, only see that it was Ranger, already settling on his shoulder like it expected Quackity to let it just sit there. "Get off." He hissed, swatting the crow away. Making sure Techno didn't look over to see the crow snuggling close. Ranger took back to the sky joining a few other crows that seemed to be following them? Leading them? He wasn't too sure, but he could still pinpoint which was Ranger with its bow that was slowing coming undone.

The sun was slowly getting covered by thick black looking clouds and Techno's pace was picking up and he only looked back every now and then to make sure Quackity was still following. Like it was even possible for Quackity to make a run for it, when Techno would just slice him down with that sword. No, now wasn't the time to run.

After a bit more walking they began hearing the loud sound of a hammer banging against wood, before they rounded a few trees to see Wilbur on top of a wooden structure. Now Quackity didn't claimed to know a lot about construction but the structure that Wilbur stood on looked rushed and bit unsteady. Quackity also noticed that there were a lot of crows sitting in the trees and flying above them. "Wilbur! Get off of that thing!" Techno shouted up.

"Tech! What do you think?" Wilbur shouted back, spreading his arms out like a showman, undeterred by the wind that was blowing.

"It looks like a Janga stack about to topple over. Get off it!" Techno frowned.

Quackity silently agreed with Techno. The structure was tall and seemed to sway with the wind. He was hoping the wind would blow it over with Wilbur on top of it.

"Hey birdie!" Wilbur shouted down, this time talking to Quackity. "Come up here! You want to right?" Even though he was up high, Quackity could hear the smile in his voice.

"Bastard." Quackity huffed, turning his head to watch the crow in the nearest tree.

"Subtle Will, real subtle." Techno grunted. "Bruh, don't make me come get you. Its going to get dark a blizzard might be coming in soon."

"Now's the perfect time to try it out!" Wilbur argued.

Quackity had to admit that Techno had a point and creatures came out during a storm and a blizzard was not something you wanted to be caught in and he didn't want to try his luck without a weapon or the proper supplies. But he also stood a better chance out of losing Techno if there were monsters and creatures and weather that would mostly likely slow him down. He had only took one step back to try and see if he can make a run for it and too either the nearest village or a nether portal, only to immediately stop when Techno grabbed his upper arm in a warning grip, giving Quackity a side eyed glance before turning his attention back to Wilbur.

So much for running then.

It was at this time Ranger flew down from the group crows in the sky to where Wilbur was standing on the structure. Flying around it curiously with a few others, that seemed curious almost in their movements. And Quackity, watched with silent horror as Wilbur stretched a hand out, letting Ranger and a few other crows perch on his arm. "Hey, why's this one wearing a ribbon?" He shouted down at them.

Techno tilted his head. "Phil said they were to stay with him. emotional support" Techno answered throwing a thumb towards Quackity.

"Oh, is that why their wearing a bow?" Wilbur ask, bring the little crow closer to his face, the others leaving Ranger alone with Wilbur. "What's their name Quackity?" He asked,

Quackity made sure to keep his face as neutral as possible. He wasn't going to let them know how he felt about the little crow. As much as he like to deny it, Ranger had started to grow on him. "Why the fuck would I give it a name!" He growled out.

"Aww, that's too bad." Wilbur said, sweetly, petting Ranger on the head.

All the while Quackity was mentally begging the little crow to fly away.

"You know you shouldn't be cruel to animals Quackity's. You could come to regret it." Wilbur continued, bring Ranger close to his face.

"Like I care. I thought you had a problem with me!" He snapped, he didn't like Wilbur holding Ranger. It made him uneasy.

"Now what would make you think that?" Wilbur taunted, had coming up to the crows neck and taking the half un-done ribbon in between two fingers and began to pull.

"Leave it alone!" He shouted, jerking against Techno grip on his arm, surprised when Techno let him go so easily.

"Or what little birdie? Going to fly up here and stop me?" Wilbur grinned, holding the ribbon now free from the crows neck and letting it fall to the ground.

"Will. Now really isn't the time you know." Techno spoke up beside Quackity. "We need to get going home."

Not that Quackity cared what Techno had to say, he barely paid attention to what he said. Instead his eyes were roaming up and down the structure that Wilbur was standing on, debating on if he tore the right piece of lumber off it maybe the thing would collapse with Wilbur on it. But that didn't mean Wilbur would let Ranger go.

"Now is the perfect time Techno." Wilbur countered, still petting Ranger with a certain look in his eye that just made Quackity want to punch him. "Come on little birdie, tell me what are you going to do? What's a fake avian like you going to do? Well, sugar pumpkin, hm?"

Something within Quackity snapped and his vision seemed to tunnel, his only focus was Wilbur and Ranger who was still in the mans hands. Something in his brain shouting about Ranger being in danger, about 'flock!'. Quackity practically jumped onto the structure, and was climbing before he even realized he was climbing.

"Quackity! Stop!" Techno commanded, though the words were muffled as he was laser focused on Wilbur and Ranger. "Wilbur!"

"Come on, Quackity, come get your crow." Wilbur taunted, a hand grabbing the crow around the wings petting the crow that way. Yet the only thing Quackity's brain focused on was the fact that Wilbur was making it where Ranger couldn't fly away.

(Techno)

He had seem Quackity's eyes change, pupil's dilated to the fullest like Phil's when the instinct too over. Wilbur was great at Taunting and manipulation when he put his mind to it, but now really wasn't the time, and now not only was a blizzard on the way, but now Techno was going to have to probably catch two idiots when they fell from the bootleg version of a diving board. Though honestly, he couldn't understand why Quackity sudden plummeted into his instinct over a name. Surely the avian didn't think Wilbur would hurt one of Phil's crows? He and Wilbur both knew Phil would notice if a crow got hurt. And not only Phil, but the oldest crow Brian would be pissed too. If Techno remember correctly that particular crow was a young one. So, it made no sense to Techno that, that was what made Quackity snap into his instincts.

To Techno it looked like Quacktiy could careless about the creature, but clearly he must have misjudged, if Wilbur had succeeded in his taunting.

'Need water now!'

'Must put water down now!'

'Catch both!'

'Now!'

'Now!'

'It's going to fall!'

'Start putting water down!'

'NOW! MOVE!' The voices shouted.

And Techno agreed with them. He caught sight of Wilbur's tools and grabbed for a shovel and started digging. The crows were all going chaotic on the turn of events and were all screeching and a lot of them where flying around the structure although none of them touched Wilbur or Quackity. He did notice that a few crows had flown back to the house and he hoped they were going to get Phil. He wasn't sure if he would be able to put water down in time if one of them fell.

"'Keep the peace Techno.' It is not as easy as you think, Phil!" He grunted, as he threw dirt over his shoulder.

TBC