The Batch Needs A Hug - Tumblr Posts

Febuwhump day 3: Muzzled

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Warning: Character death

(I'm so proud of this story lol. Please enjoy.)

Hunter woke up in a cold, dark room. Looking around he noted the room was empty other than him. His wrist met with metal as he tried to pull them up. He was sitting on his knees, both his ankles and wrist cuffed. A tight cloth was tied around his head, tucked into his mouth to stop him from speaking. Trying to move the chains kept him against the wall.

    He tried to recount what had happened to lead him to this. He remembered being separated from the rest of the batch on their last mission. The planet was freezing cold and it started to take its toll on him. Walking through the woods he would be found by Crosshair who would stun him.

    Hunter wondered why Cross hadn't just killed him. Crosshair wanted him dead, he wanted all of them dead.

    Hours passed before light spilled into the room as the door opened. Hunter looked up to see his brother. "Hello Hunter." Crosshair said coldly.

    Hunter attempted to greet the soldier but was once again reminded of the cloth that restrained him from speaking.

    Crosshair chuckled "what's wrong, cat got your tongue?" He hissed.

    Hunter rolled his eyes.

    "Don't get too comfortable Hunter. Soon you'll see." Crosshair moved to the upper corner of the room.

    Hunter wondered what that could possibly mean. His question was answered soon after as he heard familiar voices taking of how to free their brother. Hunter panicked and looked at Crosshair. He was the bait.

    Crosshair grabbed one of his vibro-knifes from his armor. Hunter relieved whoever walked through that door first would have no chance to see what was waiting for them. It was a perfect plan.

    Hunter frantically tried to free himself from the chains. He desperately tried to remove the gag from his mouth. He could hear the footsteps of his family running closer to the cell he occupied. The beeping of the combination to the door scared him. He wished the batch would have just left him instead of falling for Crosshair's trap.

    The door opened. Tech walked through the door first followed by Echo. The other two stayed outside to guard the room. Little did they know the danger was already inside.

    Hunter tried desperately to alert his brothers of Crosshair. His muffled screams were heard but not understood until Crosshair's knife submerged in Tech upper back. Tech fell to the floor. Hunter shrieked, Echo gasped and took a step back as Omega and Wrecker took their eyes off the hall. All relieved what had happened. Crosshair had killed Tech. Crosshair had killed their brother, his brother in what he would say is in the name of the empire.

    Crosshair had no remorse. He stepped closer to Echo who had fallen to the floor in disbelief. He knew Tech was dead but needed to prove it to himself in some way. Echo couldn't lose another brother. Not after so maybe. Hunter continued screaming into the cloth, both to warn the others and from the sheer pain of losing his brother to one of their own.

    Wrecker would attack Crosshair while Omega would run to Tech and Echo. Echo shook Tech trying to wake him. He couldn't grasp the fact that Tech would never wake again. Like his other brothers he would forever rest, never to be bothered by the pain of the real world again.

    Crosshair jabed the knife towards Wrecker. Wrecker moved to the left to avoid injury. This unfortunately opened Crosshair to new possibilities. He slung the knife towards Echo. More attempted warnings ignored. Echo however would move on his own to stand and be hit in the lower back. This would force him right back on his knees.

    The suppressed screaming hadn't ceased. Attempting to warn the batch, trying to get them to leave. Hearing soldiers coming closer and closer. Though no one understood him, he pleaded to his family to leave him. Even if they did understand him they wouldn't. That's the way they were or at least were now.

Wrecker slammed Crosshair into the wall "Omega try to free Hunter!"

The girl moved from where she was comforting Echo over to Hunter. As to not scare her he finally let his voice rest.

"Hold on Hunter" she spoke softly. Gently untying the gag she pulled it away from his face.

"Leave, soldiers, hall" Hunter stuttered out, his throat horse and in pain.

"Hunter, we aren't gonna just leave you here." She fiddled with Hunters chains, attempting to free him.

"Please, no one else needs to die here." He begged her.

Omega's heart broke. No matter what they did Hunter always tried to look out for them. He couldn't let it be the other way. It was like if he didn't find a way to save them, no matter the cost, he would fail them. "Wrecker" the blonde began, "can you come get these chains off Hunter?" Omega's voice sounded calm. Hunter knew she wasn't, he knew it was for him. His heart shattered as he realized the position she was put in, the position that didn't allow her to be a child.

"You need to leave, please." Hunter looked at Wrecker as he walked over to him. "They're coming."

"We aren't going to leave you." Wrecker kneeled down and pulled the chains out of the wall and floor.

Echo had begun to attempt to fight Crosshair.

Picking up Hunter, Wrecker kneeled down to Tech. "I got them both, let's go!"

Echo moved from where he was and waited until the others were out of the room before rushing out. He would close the door before Crosshair would get the chance to leave.

The team would hardly escape. Back on the Marauder the family attempted to stay together, all just barely holding themselves in one piece.

After a while everyone was physically stable. Now they were left with three adults, one child, and a body. Cid would pity them and give them some time. None of them weren't sure how much time they really could take or how to properly handle the sharp grief that came with losing Tech.

Hunter rubbed the part of his face the gag had been. If only he could have told them, if only that cursed cloth hadn't been there.

@febuwhump

Febuwhump Day 7: Forced to watch

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Warning: graphics depictions of violence

Hunter had been sitting in an empty room for a while now. The cold metal cuffed his wrist like tight bracelets. Short chains attached him to the wall. The mans knees ache and his legs felt numb and cold from sitting on them. He wished to move but he wore a matching set of anklets that kept his feet to the floor.

    The batch had been contacted by Rex to extract one of his clone contacts from the empire. Chex had been found out and he wasn't able to pick him up. The batch complied and left for Coruscant. They were able to grab him but Hunter had been separated from his family and cornered. He instructed them to leave and they reluctantly obeyed.

    "We gotta stop leaving people behind" Echo spoke. He had joined them for the mission and would now help with freeing his younger brother. "I'll contact Rex and let him know what happened."

    Omega uncomfortably shifted "Echo's right."

    Tech turned to the girl, "we couldn't have done anything Omega. We had to leave for our safety and for Chex's."

    "I'm sure Hunter's fine!" Wrecker chimed in. "He probably would have yelled at us had we gone to get him anyway!"

    That was true. Everyone at that point knew Hunter held the others life before his. That seemed to be a trait most clones had, most Jedi too.

    "I didn't mean to cause such a problem for y'all. Sorry." Chex held his hands behind his back, rubbing his fingers together nervously.

    "Na it's fine!" Wrecker slammed his hand on the regs back.

    "Your brother got captured! I can help you get him back if you need?"

    Tech sighed and turned around to face the others "We will be fine. It's not safe for you to go back to Coruscant and it would be a shame if we rescued you just for you to die." With that Tech turned back to piloting the ship.

    Chex opened his mouth to argue but decided he could convince them anyway.

    Crosshair walked into the room that held his former sargent.

    "Hello Crosshair."

    "You're working with the rebels I see" he began. "Such a shame."

    "Only this once" he stated. This wasn't true, they were working for Rex but no matter how hard Hunter might try the sniper wouldn't believe him.

    "I knew you couldn't stay out of trouble." Crosshair antagonized.

    "So why am I alive? Don't you kill traitors?"

    "I need information, I just have to wait a little longer."

    "Longer? What are you waiting for? You have your vibro-knife and I'm sure you can find other methods around here." Hunter pressed, hoping to take Cross off guard. It wasn't that he really minded not being tortured but the sooner it began the sooner it was over. He'd hoped Crosshair wouldn't do that to him but you don't always get what you hoped for, do you.

    "No amount of physical torment will get you to talk." This stuck fear into Hunter and the soldier saw it. No matter how hard his brother may try to hide it, his eyes betrayed him. "I just need the rest of your squad."

    "Crosshair what are you gonna do to them?" His voice wavered.

    "You'll just have to see." Hate, that's all Hunter heard in his brother's voice. He misses the slight caring sound that Crosshair's voice used to be laced with when he was with them. The door closed and Hunter was once more alone with his cruel mind.

    Crosshair was right, of course the batch came back for Hunter. They dropped Chex and Omega off with Rex. Rex didn't mind babysitting for he knew how dangerous infiltrating the empire was and didn't want the kid to get hurt. Omega attempted to argue but was shut down quickly by the harsh reality of the situation. The three 'adults' rushed back to Coruscant. They fell right into Crosshair's uncaring hands.

    Crosshair forced Tech into the cell Hunter occupied. He pushed the mercenary to he's knees in front of Hunter. Stepping on the others legs Crosshair placed two strong, half circle magnets over Tech's ankles and activated them.

    Attempting to free himself Tech tried to pull his leg up. He came to the conclusion that only Wrecker would be able to lift the magnets.

    "Tech" Hunter assessed his brother to find any injuries. He began to breathe again when he saw he was uninjured. "Where's-" Tech cut him off.

    "I'm not sure. I only know where Omega is and she's safe off world."

    Hunter sighed in relief. Now he just had to figure out how to get the others to safety.

    Crosshair pulled his vibro-knife out and stared into Hunter's eyes. "I'll give you one chance before I harm him."

    Hunter looked at Tech. Tech of course shook his head no. The leader looked back to Crosshair who sighed and stepped behind Tech. The clone prepared himself for the burning pain that came with knives. The knife easily slid over the victim's chest. He gasped and looked away from Hunter.

    Both understood what was happening, the batch had been trained to withstand large amounts of pain. Out of the two, Hunter had the bigger heart and would break before Tech would.

    "Hunter." Tech looked back up at him. Hunter met his eyes. "Don't tell him anything."

    Hunter nodded. From their it only got worse. Crosshair knew how to inflict unbearable pain. It used to work in their favor. None of them ever thought their brother could hurt them the way he hurt strangers. Now they seemed to be strangers with memories.

    The knife wasn't the only method of torment Crosshair had brought. Electricity would course though the mans body. Hunter could do nothing other than watch as his brother tore apart his other brother. As he continued Hunter started to fight against the chains. Despite to get help Tech he pulled and pulled, tiring himself. Warm blood ran over his hands from his wrist. Hunter didn't even know.

    Tech's screams shattered Hunter's heart. He would open his mouth to speak but Tech would stop him with a look or verbally if he could. He knew what was coming for him if this continued but he also knew the empire could never know that Rex was alive.

   Hunter once more opened his mouth. "No" Tech breathed. "It won't matter anyway." He struggled to speak but he knew he had to tell Hunter. "I'll... die anyway." Tech's voice was always sort of monotone. Hearing so much emotion and pain slip though his mouth scared them both. 

    Crosshair spoke over Tech's sobs and Hunter's soft crying, "you like taking Tech, you always have." He moved from his position next to Tech to behind him. Hunter fought the chains harder, not that he hasn't been fighting as hard as he could.

    Crosshair took the knife to a little bit under Tech's right tear duct and angled it at around seven o'clock. He slowly dragged the knife down until it retched the bottom of his face. The wound ran over his lips making it difficult but not impossible to speak.

    Tech's head was spinning, it had been for a while. The wounds he has received could not hurt him as much as the hopeless feeling that came with them. He hated that Hunter must be feeling the same way. Forced to watch as he slowly died, unable to help him. Somewhere in Hunter's brain he needed to protect them.

    "Tech!" Hunter had been calling for his brother for almost a minute now. Crosshair rose the knife again. "Wait" Hunter yelled. He looked at Tech who looked out of it. His breathing had become labored and blood ran down his face and body. "I'll tell you just please stop, you're gonna kill him!"

    The leaders broken screams pleased Crosshair. He'd won. "Go on."

    "Omega's" Tech coughed "with" his voice drifted. The clone used his last bit of energy trying to keep his little sister safe. He collapsed.

    "Tech!" Hunter stared at his brother helplessly.

    Crosshair kicked Tech to the side and kneeled down in front of Hunter. He grabbed his face and forced him to look him to the eyes, "look what you've done." He hissed.

    "No." Hunter whispered. "Is he?"

    "He is and it's your fault."

    The soft cry became a full sob. He was forced to watch his brother die. He couldn't save him. That helpless feeling made him sick.

    Crosshair stood and walked out the door, leaving Hunter to deal with his mind once more.

    Rex, Omega, and Chex knew something wasn't right. When Phee and Cid agreed they decided to contact Trevor, another informant of Rex's. Soon after the five would depart from Ord Mentell.

    Arriving the group located the brothers and snuck to break them out. Finding the cell block they stopped Infront of Wreckers cell. Omega went to open the door but Rex reached out his arm out, stopping her. "Be careful, I'm not sure what we're gonna find." Cautiously Omega opened the door.

    Wrecker looked up at his found family and smiled, "good to see ya!"

    "Not so loud!" Cid whisper yelled.   

    "Wrecker!" Omega ran to the large man and hugged him.

    "Hey kid" he spoke softly. "Let's go get the others."

    Walking down the hall the band kept the same cautiousness as before when opening the door. When Echo greeted them with a thankful smile, Rex let himself relax a little. Yes he cared for all of them but none of them fought beside him as long as Echo had. The two were close and Rex wasn't sure what he'd do if he lost Echo again.

    Now seven the group quickly moved to the cell Tech was supposed to occupy. Opening the door to not find him scared them.

    "Where's Tech? He's supposed to be here." Omega turned back to Rex. Rex looked at the adults, all assuming the worst.

    Echo kneeled down to Omega, resting a hand on her little shoulder. "I'm sure we'll find him." The group walked to Hunter's cell and paused. Phee pushed the combination into the panel and the door slid open.

    Inside Hunter leaned against the wall softly crying. Tech rested on the cold floor. The noise startled the leader and he looked up.

    Rushing into the room Omega ran to Hunter to release him of the heavy chains. The others spread across the room as Echo dropped to check on Tech. As eyes landed to Tech feelings rose. Anger, sadness, fear, everything.

    As soon as Hunter was free he attended to stand. His numb legs failed him and he collapsed. Phee caught him and gently placed him back on the ground. "Careful dark and broody, take your time. You're safe." Her soft voice took Hunter off guard and he leaned into her.

    "He wasn't. I failed him Phee. I could have saved him and now-" He couldn't say it.

    Phee ran her hands over his head and looked to the others. Was brown eyes dead?

    Echo checked Tech for a pulse. "He's got a pulse! It's weak but it's there!"

    Hunter quickly sat up and looked over to the others "Crosshair told me" he smiled softly"he's okay?"

    "Far from okay but yeah he's definitely alive." Cid shook her head.

    "It'll take more than that to kill Tech! He's too stubborn to die!" Wrecker walked over to Tech and picked him up, "now let's get out of here!"

    Hunter tried to stand again, some feeling in his legs had returned but he still wobbled. "Here" Phee grabbed the sergeant, "I gotta."

    The team made their way out of the cell block. Once outside the building Phhe set Hunter down. "Thanks." The clone felt somewhat embarrassed by Phee carrying him the whole way out but being close to someone was nice. He tried to get her to set him down a few times but she wouldn't budge.

    The group ran to the Marauder and headed back to Ord Mantell. Tech would be fine. When he'd wake up Hunter apologized profusely. Of course Tech wasn't even upset. He would have to get used to the mark across his face but that was miner. It would always remind Hunter of his failure to protect his brother. For Tech it was a reminder of the monster Crosshair had become.

    Hunter always hated that helpless feeling when he could help anyone, he always would. Being forced to watch what he thought was his brother's demise stayed with him, hunting his dreams forever.

Febuwhump Bay 21: Inferno (alr prompt)

Fandom: Star Wars

Timeline: The Bad Batch

Warnings: Character death and somewhat graphic depictions

Old and new buildings always fell the same way when fire overtook them. It never mattered what or who was inside when the building gave. Family homes and war command posts collapsed under the same pressure, no matter the memories inside. Innocent children and terrible murderers succumb to the same smoke and flames when an exit could not be found. Both feared the pain that would come with the overpowering smoke consuming the air or when their skin lit up like Christmas lights.

  Fires like this were the worst. Fires like this one torn apart families. A bounty hunter had found Omega and taken her to an old warehouse while waiting for further instructions. Of course her brothers came and rescued her. Warehouses like this were already unstable.

    When the fight against the bounty hunter started a spark lit a small flame. No one saw the heated light until it started growing. By then the hunter had been killed and the girl untied. Running through the halls the floor creacked.

    Hunter skidded to a stop putting his arms out. The fire had spread quickly. He pushed Tech back into Wrecker as the floor caved in under him. Hunter fell down to the floor below them.

    "Hunter!" Omega's voice rang through the air. Wrecker pulled her away from the newly created edge.

    After a moment Hunter looked up to them, "I'll find another way out! Go!"

    The four complied and left. Now to find a way out. Hunter pulled himself up and stood slowly. The pain from the fall made moving difficult. Smoke had filed most places inside the walls of the old decrepit building.

    Breathing became difficult as did seeing. Hunter wasn't sure how much time had passed. He did know that his family was safe outside. They talked about going to get him but Tech tried to reason with them. "We can't go back inside. Hunter can get out on his own. If we went back in there is a possibility that we could die. Hunter would never forgive himself if something happened to any of us. The best thing we can do is wait." Tech was right. That's exactly what he wanted them to do.

    While making his way to the closest exit a support beam fell, trapping him under it. Pain shot through Hunter's body and it took a moment before he started squirming to escape it.

    The heat began to rise as the fire creeped up on him. With the clones enhanced senses it felt like the fire was already clawing at his body. He had no way to contact his family; if not for anything then for closer. Out of everything Hunter thought could take him out he never thought a beam and some fire would do it.

    The outside the building looked like it had been engulfed in the flames. Hope faded from the family's minds as the fire got worse and worse. Omega cried insisting they had to at least try while Tech argued with her. Wrecker and Echo tried to get the two to stop but it didn't work. All of them wanted to go in and save him. Hunter wouldn't answer his comm; rather this was because it was broken or he was dead none of them knew.

    Looking around Hunter gave up. The orange and yellow attacker had seemingly surrounded him. Could the smoke kill him first or would he have to suffer being torn apart by flames?

    Hunter listened to the batch talk. Hearing their voices almost relaxed him. At least the man knew the others cared.

    The inferno had destroyed Hunter's hope the same way it destroyed the building. It tore it down and suffocated it. The fire started spreading from just the building to the surrounding area.

    As the fire started talking over nearby buildings and trees the family knew they had to leave. With heavy hearts they ran back to the Marauder.

    Hunter couldn't really breathe. The flames engulfed the room. Pained screaming escaped his mouth as the fire caressed his skin. The pain would be over in time and suddenly nothing hurt.

    Not long after the family would leave they would learn of how far the fire had spread. They comforted each other, understanding that their brother had died in the inferno. Of course the flames had claimed other lives as well. Nearby wildlife fell victim to the flames.

    Somewhere in Echo's mind he decided the Domino squad would take care of Hunter until they got there. The four would tell him stories that Echo never had the strength to repeat. His other fallen brothers would greet him and then greet the others as they came.

    Tech blamed himself. Likely he would have been the one to fall to the next floor; to die in that cursed building. Now he had to watch as his family grieve their oldest. Somewhere the man knew that Hunter chose to save him, that it was Hunter's fault he burned in the warehouse, but blaming himself was easier than admitting the truth.

    Wrecker did his best to keep the family sane. Unfortunately this came at his expense. The clone didn't mind because he helped them. Slowly his happy attitude became more protective and tired.

    Omega tried to help her brothers as she fell apart. In her mind it was her fault for making them go to that damn building. Not only was his death on her so we're the numerous others.

    Slowly the family would heal. In the same way the life around the warehouse would grow again they would live again. Going on without the guidance and comfort from their squad leader, their brother was difficult but it was what he would want. In the same way fire rises they would rise again.

Whumpril Day 3: Rope Burn/"Hold Still."

Fandom: Sta Wars The Bad Batch

Note: Spoilers for season 2 episode 16. This story will make more sense if you have watched it.

Summary: The remaining members of the batch go on a mission on a mountain. Wrecker ends up on a ledge below the other two.

  Tech had insisted that the Bad Batch kept rope on board the Marauder. At first they never understood why. Their cables should be enough right?

    Now Wrecker stood on a tiny, week ledge. They had lost the cables earlier during their mission. Echo had gotten the other two to help with rebel missions while they searched for Omega and Crosshair. The Rebels may be able to aid in finding them and they needed the help.

    The rope had been tried around Wrecker's waist so he couldn't fall. As the ridge started to crumble Hunter prepared to pull him up. However the rocks gave way before any of them excepted them to and Wrecker was dangling.

    Rope slid quickly through Hunter's hands. "Echo!"

    Echo slid in and grabbed the rope and dug his feet into the edge of the ledge the other two stood on. "Hold on Wrecker! Don't look down!"

    "I don't plan on it!" Wrecker responded. The two started to pull Wrecker up. Echo noted that hits of red appeared on the light tan of the rope.

    Hunter was so focused on saving Wrecker that he didn't hear the cracking of their own ledge until it was too late. Now all three fell. They landed on a another part of the mountain below them.

    Hunter woke up first. He sat up slowly and quickly moved over to Wrecker. He was closer to him. The leader assessed the other's injuries and then moved to check on Echo.

    When Echo woke up the first thing he saw was the sky. The blue that previously filled the canvas was painted over by black. The white dots of light looked beautiful. Then the pain from the fall hit him.

    Hunter came into view. The cyborg tried to sit up but was pushed softly back to the ground. "Hold still."

    Hold still? Why did he need to hold still? What was wrong? "What's going on?" Asked Echo.

    "You're alright. Just stay still." A shard of rock rested in the man's side. Unsure if Echo would panic Hunter reframed from telling him. He grabbed some bandages and started to wrap the rock in place. Taking it out right now was a terrible idea. None of them knew what to do for this kind of injury. Tech typically handled this stuff.

     Echo held still. He hated every second of it. "How's Wrecker?"

    "He's alright."

    "And how are you?" It was the first time Echo had finally really looked to see if Hunter was okay. Blood had flowed from some injury on his head. The crimson liquid mixed with hair and made in stick to the side of his face. His eyes and face relayed the message that he was in pain, even if Hunter's voice hid it well.

    "I'm fine." 

    As Hunter finished attending to Echo's injuries he heard Wrecker stir. Once finished he walked back over to Wrecker and asked if he needed anything. He responded with "no" and sat up.

    Hunter sat between the two and finally looked at his own injuries. Looking at his hands he understood why treating his brothers wounds hurt so much. The man's hands had been torn up by the rope; his thin, cloth gloves tattered. Moving them hurt more than he realized. Luckily other then his head the clone had no other major injuries. The brothers stayed the night on the ledge.

    In the morning Wrecker would take Echo back to the Marauder and meet Hunter back at the ridge they rested on with medical supplies and a rag. Gently the large man cleaned his brothers face off and got some of the blood out of his hair. After that, despite Hunter's protest, he would clean and wrap his hands.

    The men finished the mission in spite of their condition. In the back of all of their heads stabbed the question of why they survived the fall while Tech never stood a chance. It was a shorter way down and they all knew it but I just didn't seem fair.

    Back on the Marauder that three set off with a new piece of information for the Rebels and for themselves. Now they were one step closer to finding Omega and Crosshair.

   @whumpril