Treat Spiders the way you want to be treated. Killed without hesitation.
3D my gorgeous child. When you first sent your prompts, I was hyper fixating on jornos. But at 11pm we had an idea and brain said: WRITE IT! and speed wrote it. So I hope you like this extremely angsty fic because it is just angst on angst on angst :D
cw: death mentions (there's a lot but no one other than a mention bugs actually dying), fear, panic, anxiety, spider hybrids (arachnophobes I gotchu) death, a bit graphic with descriptions. In other words: I went hard with angst lol promise it has happy ending
one shot
words: 1204
Disclaimer! This story is based on the characters of the Dream SMP and not the real life content creators. Anything that occurs in this story is purely fiction and should be treated as such. Thank you.
Shroud knew he wasn't going to make it. His own mother had made that clear to him the day he had hatched, but he had never thought he was going to meet his end this way. It was a cruel life to be born into, but he had managed and now he was fully grown to a good 2 inches tall. All his siblings had long since left the cocoon leaving him to fend for himself. In a world that was kill or be killed, he was lucky he had survived this long. Even if it was through hiding in the unreachable crevices of his old home to avoid being picked off. But without anyone or anything left in the cocoon to provide him nutrients with, he’d eventually been forced to leave and find somewhere that had more food available.
He’d seen many things on his journey looking for a safe haven to call home. Many terrible and horrible things. He’d watched as helpless other spiders had been snatched up and devoured by birds. Watched as heavy rains drowned other insects and bugs. He’d witnessed how insects and bugs fought others of their own species and eaten the remains of their dead foes. He was lucky in the sense of being a spider hybrid, having the smarts of a person rather than just another mindless prey, but having witnessed such horrors the world could cause, made him ever restless in his search for safety. But even they were nothing in comparison to how he was to meet his end.
He’d only heard of them in legend. One of the few stories his mother had told him when they went to sleep at night. Out of all the predators in this world, none are more ruthless and terrifying than humans. 100x a spider hybrids size with triple the smarts. While they seem just like them minus 4 arms and a few other features, never mistake: they will only ever bring about your doom. For every way you could possibly think of dying, they had 10 plus more unimaginable ways to bring about your death. They could squish you beneath their gigantic thumbs, use their despicable sprays to poison the air, suck you up and leave you to die in their monstrous machines, trap you in jars and use you for experimentation or perhaps even burn you alive! The humans were creatures that could and would only bring about your demise. And Shroud was trapped in one’s cabinet.
He didn’t know it was a humans’ home he had stumbled upon. The space he’d been scouting had been clear of any living creature for several hours before he had even dared getting closer and climbing up with the help of his webs. But as he had made his way about looking for food, the loud voices of people approaching could be heard, along with the vibrations of their footsteps shaking the earth as they went. It wasn’t hard to guess what was coming. Shroud didn’t have time to think as the door to the cabinet was flung open. He tried to hide behind one of the boxes on the shelf in attempts of not being seen, but unfortunately for him, it was the very box he was hidden behind that the human grabbed.
A loud scream filled the air, as did the sound of a box crashing harshly down and onto the floor. “THERE’S A SPIDER IN THE CABINET!!!” The human shrieked. Shroud threw his hands over his ears at the sheer volume the human spoke in. “TOMMY!!!! GET IN HERE AND KILL IT!!!” Shroud froze at the humans’ words. He tried to turn and run, but his legs felt like jelly and he barely stumbled a few steps before falling to the cabinets floor.
“TUBBO?!? TUBBO WHAT’S WRONG??” A second humans’ voice appeared yelling in alarm. Shroud continued to try and get away, till he had scrambled into the corner of the cabinet.
“It's in the Cabinet Tommy. Top shelf! Kill it!! Please kill it! Kill it! Kill it!!!” the first human shouted again.
A shadow was suddenly cast over Shroud, blocking out the light. He scrunched his eyes tightly shut, as his entire body began to shake uncontrollably. His breathing became short and staggered as he waited for his impending doom. He didn’t want to see how he was going to die. He’d tried so hard to make it. He’d survived with so little for so long. He just wanted to find someplace safe!
“A spider is not going to hurt you Tubbo so just- oh. Hello.” The human spoke above him, surprise laced in their voice. When nothing happened, Shroud peaked an eye open and was surprised to see not the human ready to kill him, but instead adorned with a soft gentle smile. “Just look at you.” They exclaimed, reaching their hand towards him, their pointer finger outstretched. Shroud shut his eyes once more and buried his face into his 6 arms tighter, willing himself to just disappear from existence.
“Tubbo you d*** head, this isn’t a spider. It’s a tiny spider-human-like hybrid.”
The human began to gently scratch the top of Shrouds head. He relaxed slightly at the contact. No one had ever touched him like this before. “Well just hurry up and kill it Tommy! It’s still a spider!” the other human screeched at its human friend.
“Tubbo! You can’t say s*** like that!” The human replied as he stopped scratching Shrouds head. Shroud whined at the loss of contact lifting his head as if to follow after the giant appendage. He didn’t want them to stop.
“Like that huh?” The human said, smirking a little at his display.
Shroud looked the human over once more. They were like nothing he’d ever imagined. They had blond curly hair and bright blue eyes and were staring at him like he was the most precious thing in the entire world. But that didn’t make sense? Humans were supposed to be ruthless killing machines? Even their friend had seemed desperate for their companion to dispose of him! Why were they being so kind?
Suddenly the human's hands reappeared and scooped him up off the shelf and into its grasp. He wanted to fight it and get away, but Shroud couldn’t help himself from melting into the warmth beneath him. It was so nice and it felt safe.
“Oh you’re such a sweetie.” The human said, raising him up higher to his face to get a better look at him. “What’s your name?” they asked.
Oh so quietly, he responded “Shroud.” he said semi trying to hide himself at being so close to the apex predator.
“It’s nice to meet you Shroud. I’m Tommy.” The human- Tommy said with a smile. “Would you like to get something to eat?” He asked. Shroud gave a very hesitant nod, and Tommy began to walk out of wherever it was they were in and to somewhere new. Not even acknowledging the other freaked out human as they went.
And it was after that day that two things happened to Shroud. He finally had found himself a safe place to call home, and somehow gained a loving protecting father.
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wow. just wow. I just chose angst writing this. like man. Just how many different ways can I cram in death in one fic? A lot it seems. If you read to the end, thanks for doing so and I hope you enjoyed the fic ❤️
A group of five sat around a soft glowing fire. They didn't quite know where they were, tucked away under the dark dark trees overhead. It's not as though the two children seemed bothered, running in circles to try catching each other.
"So. Any clue where we are?" The shortest, a well short hybrid names Tubbo questioned his friend in blue. The friend is named Tommy, who seemed irritated with the paper in his hands. "None at all! This is fu-" The moth hybrid was quickly shut down by a much taller being, whose tails snap at the insects that flutter about.
"Tommy! There's kids around!" Their name is Ranboo. The two kids, Michael and Shroud, payed the adults little mind though. "Oh they've heard it before!" Tommy protested loudly, almost dropping the map he brought. The trio of adults weren't actually adults though, just three older teens doing their best to survive. Tommy has family, they just had... History. Tubbo used to have a dad. Ranboo had none at all, aside from a lady named Niki who was his adopted sister. The three were simply married for taxes and such to help get by.
Inevitably the boys became tired. Michael choosing to curl into Tubbo's fluffy coat to warm himself up. Shroud wiggled his way into the blue sweater of Tommy, pressing into his chest to rest. "We can try tommorow.." Ranboo whispered softly to his companions. Tommy only groaned, hugging around himself and his son to keep them both warm. Tubbo was quick to rest beside him, forming a cuddle pile which he promptly dragged Ranboo to sleep in as well. "Yeah, that means we ALL sleep big man. C'mon, lie down or something."
They fall asleep into their own comforting dreams, despite how cold the air around them were. The fire would soon go out and soon, they'd sleep in the darkness of the night only under a thin blanket.
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What they didn't realize were the soft eyes watching through the dark. Dark and lifeless, most would say. His skin cold and grey, tinited blue. Hands dark as night as they moved to hold a dull red beanie, keeping himself steady. Ghostbur was crouched low, looming over the small group he had been watching for hours.
Curiosity mostly led him here, holding his once full beanie. The five little hybrids that had gotten lost in his territory each had their own little smell, and Ghostbur wanted to know each. He also wanted to show his family.
Reaching down, Ghostbur selected the black and white being first. Careful of the long body, this one was lanky and thin. Ghostbur held the being close before sniffing. A mix of scents, not one particularly out there. But they felt so cold in Ghostbur's hand and he felt concern hit him over this being.
He didn't have anywhere to put the little guy but.. Ghostbur glanced at his beanie. It could fit.. Maybe them all?
Toying with the idea for a moment, Ghostbur decided to gingerly tuck away the first being in his beanie. Warm and comfortable, safe away from this horrid world. Ghostbur already had some grass in there, which worked well.
Glancing at the rest of them, Ghostbur started sniffing again. This time, the one in red and their.. Mini? A child? The elder smelled like flowers and.. Dirt. Simply put. The child smelled like daisys to be exact. Then, delicately as he could, Ghostbur deposited the duo into the beanie as well. Now the last two. The elder smelled like honey, but gun powder too. The smaller reminded Ghostbur of his elder twin.
"Okayy.. Okay okay- so now I have.. Little beings." He mumbled as he put them into his beanie and just.. Held it. Unsure now of what to do with the sleeping creatures inside. This would take awhile..
Next au time, and I honestly think this one will get the most attention because of one thing:
Mer au.
I like them, I made one. But this time all the mers are deep sea fish cause they’re cool and more terrifying and I can have an excuse to draw body horror fish people.
Tommy was on a boat as a toddler and the boat crashed, knocking him out and leaving him badly injured. He was found by a young sea witch in training, Ranboo, who quickly managed to enchant a nearby shell to help Tommy breath underwater to save his life. Tommy wakes up with only blurry unrecognizable memories of his human family after a nasty hit to the head, but is now surrounded by three mers. Giant squid hybrid Bad (a more experienced sea witch and Ranboo’s teacher), lanternfish hybrid skeppy, and angler hybrid Ranboo, down at the depths of the ocean.
Bad explained to Tommy what happened and said that he was now in the depths of the ocean and that he’d added a few new spells to the seashell he’d been given to breath, mostly ones to make Tommy’s body more suitable for the pressure of the deep ocean, survive with the lack of average human food and sunlight, and understand and communicate in the mer’s language since none of them knew English, and had embedded the shell into a headpiece so Tommy couldn’t lose it, as taking it off would likely kill him.
Years later, Tommy still lives near the bottom of the ocean with Ranboo, along with his now best friend and Ranboo’s fiancé Tubbo, a barreleye hybrid, and their kids Micheal, a cuddlefish hybrid, and Shroud, an isopod hybrid (id specify who’s kid is who’s but you all already know). They also managed to convince Bad to drag a giant shipwreck a bit deeper down on the ocean floor, so now thats where they live. Tommy also convinced him to drag an extra submarine down and claimed that as his home cause he’s a big man and can live by himself, but he still mostly lives in the big shipwreck.
Things are all going pretty well until they start seeing signs that humans might know of them, seeing cameras only a bit higher than where they live. They know the humans can’t put cameras too low, since the pressure would crush them, but it’s still nerve wracking, especially for Tommy who still swims higher in the ocean for fun sometimes (against Bad’s wishes, but who cares, the bench trio moved out of his cave years ago). Meanwhile deep sea Ichthyologists (fancy word for deep sea fish studiers) twins Wilbur and Techno call up their father Phil, fully convinced after what they’ve seen on the cameras that their baby brother is alive after all this time.
I have more plans for this au, including how other characters fit in (mostly the Dream Team because Sapnap is Bad’s son), but this is already too long, so I’ll leave that be for later.
Oh lol I get it now fhfhd idk why but I thought it was like an existing character that Tommy had just called Henry because cow. It makes a lot more sense that it's just Henry as a human kid.
Is there a reason the villagers sacrificed Henry and Shroud specifically? Are they just extra mouths to feed that they want to get rid of, or is there a more sinister reason, like they're hybrids in a village that hates hybrids?
I've been contemplating weather they should be hybrids or not- but ye, sure they can be hybrids because hybrids are cool!!!
But they're not just hybrids- this town doesn't really have an orphanage or care about kids without parents, so if a kid is living on the streets instead of someone coming forward and adopting them- it's just much easier to sacrifice them instead. Yeah sometimes kids will be adopted off the streets, but it's more likely for hybrid to stay homeless, which causes them to constantly get used as sacrifices (usually the kids are okay with it- but only because they're too young to understand what's going on, there are a few hybrids that they try to make sacrifices that are older but they always fight and get away- which is why they stick to young kids)
So Henry and Shroud aren't the only hybrid kids that will be "sacrificed" in this au- Freind, Steve, Yogurt, and I haven't figured out who else will also be sent to the gods in this au