#crewe

"What the hell-"

"I need your help- I need- I don't know- I just- I couldn't think of anyone else to go to and- I had to tell someone and-" The hero's sidekick was nearly hyperventilating, pushing out words between their deep breaths that were nothing short of a rambling mess. They were pacing back and forth in tight circles.

"Sidekick!" Villian said loudly, just to get the other's attention. Sidekick flinched, wrapping their arms around themselves like they were cold before slowly turning to face the villain. Only then did the criminal notice how wet the other's eyes looked.

The criminal gaped at them for a moment, completely unsure what to do. Was this a fight? It didn't seem like one. Storming in through their front door seemed a poor way to go about stealing something. Was this a trick? They weren't exactly known for having a "soft side,"... but the sidekick was genuinely shaking in front of them. It would be a stupid setup for a trick, coming here all alone unless they weren't-

The villain turned back to the still-open door behind them and glanced around.

"I'm here alone, I- I swear,"

The villain took a deep breath and slowly closed the their front door, locking it before turning back to the sidekick in front of them.

Now what? Nothing like this had ever happened to villain. They had half a mind to just throw them down in the dungeon and be done with it, but...

"Living room," the Villain ordered, pointing. The sidekick did as they were told, heading in the direction with the villain close behind them until they entered a cozy-looking living room.

"Sit."

They perched on one of the couches, arms still wrapped around themselves. They eyed the villain warily. Yet, it wasn't the *villain* they seemed wary of. If the villain was being honest, the other seemed wary of their own bloody shadow.

They appraised the other for a few more seconds before sighing, letting a bit of the tension in their shoulders ease.

"Now, want to tell me why exactly you're barging into my home, unarmed, all alone, at midnight?" they asked, tone less threatening then it had been prior.

Sidekick's shaking seemed to increase, and the arms around themselves tightened. "I- I'm sorry, I just- Hero- I-" Suddenly they were crying, breathing increasing again, "Oh god-" they buried their face in their hands

"Are they dead?" Villain assumed, crossing their arms and half-sitting on the arm of an adjacent couch. Why the hell would sidekick come to them if hero-

"What?" Sidekick snapped up to look at them, eyes wide, "No, no, they aren't-" Sidekick shook their head, wiping their tears in an attempt to regather themselves. Villain sat quietly.

After another deep breath, Sidekick turned to look at the villain again.

"Hero had gone home early, with a cold. I went to the afternoon meeting but- but after it was over I went- I went to check on them- see if- if they needed anything," They managed, taking another deep breath.

Villain watched their fingers tighten on their knees, turning white.

"I didn't want to wake them if they were sleeping- so I let myself in the front door with my key. I found them in the kitchen, super groggy and out of it. Getting themselves a glass of water. It wasn't.... It wasn't until they turned to look at me...." Their voice seemed to break, arms coming to wrap around themselves again.

"And.....?"

"Their eyes were black" they whispered, like they were afraid to even say the words out loud, "Pitch black,"

The weight of the situation finally seemed to dawn on the villain.

"I- they didn't seem to notice, thanking me for coming to check on them before turning to go back to bed,"

"Are you suggesting what I think you are....?" Villain asked cautiously.

The sidekick nodded, "I couldn't go to anyone at the agency, what if-" They swallowed, "What if they already know? What if there are more? What if they all are-" They couldn't bring themselves to finish the sentence. "I couldn't think of what else to do but come here..."

Villain was starting to understand. It would take a pretty extreme situation for anyone to see their house as the safest option, but well....

This little fella… I’d name them Crewe and they’d help me backstage when I get stressed.

Congratulations! Crewe is now yours!

Wonderful lil fluffy baby! Very fond of lemons, for the taste and their quality of making people emote in a funny way.

I like to think these two would have a fun dynamic together

I Envision Anil (From The TTTE 2026) to be a GWR 4073 with an orange livery