Chapter Text
Just sleep, just dream
Just sleep, just dream
Just sleep, just dream
In the back of my mind
I've been trying to chase a monster this whole time
Rain falls around a ragged, curly haired blonde teenager who stands in front of a black portal, gleaming in the light of the torch the boy held, his dark blue eyes defeated. One block is missing from the side, leaving it empty of the purple void indicating the portal was functional. The low light of sunset, said bright ball of fire dropping below the ocean horizon in the distance, casted long shadows across the grass that surrounded the black stone, the boy's shadow stretching towards the void in which he could no longer go.
The silence is deafening, the only noise being water rushing the shore; everything else was just so quiet, so suffocating. The boy straightens, clutching his fists before looking around, fresh scratches and ash coating his body and face, his clothes torn. No tools or weapons hung from his hands, nor did he wear any armour, all of those were in pieces among the wreckage Dream caused.
Tommy’s mind reflected on the past few hours, when the blonde-haired, tall man had shown up, cheerful for a visit with Tommy. His gleaming, purple armour shone in the sunlight of mid afternoon, the enchantment glimmer flowing across the netherite in regular pulses. Dream prepared for their ritual of destroying Tommy’s stuff, digging a hole in the ground, when he stumbled across the chests Tommy hid under his base.
“Fuck Dream.” Tommy cursed, looking at the still smoking crater of where his new beginning was, before the green-eyed bastard showed up and blew it to kingdom come. The man was angry Tommy hid items from his destruction so he lined the base with TNT and set it off, claiming Tommy had to start over and listen better from now on.
He stands still for a few more moments, the sun fully sinking below the horizon before he sighed, rolling his shoulders back, wincing at the bruises forming from being thrown by the explosion earlier, before climbing into the hole to gather any resources he could salvage.
But I couldn't see the monster was me
And no one heard our cries
As he picked through the ruined wood and stone, Tommy thought over the past few months with a scowl, tears tracking clean paths down his face. Dirt blocks scattered the ground, making collection at least somewhat easy as he stacked them in his inventory. He also uncovered a brown coat, something Ghostbur had brought for him, from under a jagged stone piece. Tommy tucked it away in his inventory, some part of his mind still using survival instincts.
Dream had returned regularly to check on him, he was the one Tommy saw the most. What forced everyone else to stay away?
Ranboo the shy and awkward enderman hybrid had made a point of having regular communication with the obnoxious teenage boy. That communication had suddenly stopped with the letters and visits disappearing, Tommy had one suspicion as to who was the reason. The enderman may have been spineless, in Tommy’s opinion anyways, and a little bit of a bitch, but Ranboo surprised Tommy with how much they visited. They always reminded Tommy to keep his chin up before they left each time. They were always so endlessly positive and seemed to believe in Tommy, they wouldn't just stop coming without a word.
Ghostbur had also disappeared into thin air, he was prone to doing so but not for this long since they had started ‘Lads on Tour’, in the spirit's words. The pale phantom with curly brown hair spent lots of time in the base, decorating and brightening up the place, gleaming red blood showing through his yellow sweater he wore on his death day. Though Tommy resented him for what he represented, any company would have been good, any at all. He missed being handed anything blue by the ghost, usually flowers he found from somewhere, often orchids, cornflowers or wool from his sheep he had dyed deep cobalt.
He had spent hours and hours preparing for the beach party that he planned out, then sent invitations with Ghostbur to deliver, but no one attended. No one had cared enough to come and see the exiled blonde. Tommy was well and truly alone and forgotten to everyone now.
His eyes caught the overturned chairs lying on the beach, he hadn’t bothered to maintain the area after the disappointment of the party, the scene in shambles now. The place looked haunted, but maybe it was just the bad memories. The empty places where his friends should have been, all chairs unused that fateful day except one.
One for Dream.
Tommy was beginning to thread the beads of truth together from the lies Dream fed him, forming a more coherent story, but his half crazed mind could not convince himself fully of the truth. At the end of the day he knew that if his friends had heard of the party they would have done their best to attend. At the very least Ranboo and Ghostbur would have come…
But someone must have prevented that…right?
Tommy hated this indecision and questioning mindset he had sunk into, with no one to talk to but himself his circling thoughts grew more tangled and snarled with every day passing. This sinking depression felt more and more familiar to him, he missed being Tommy the menace, sure of who he was at his core. The reckless and impulsive traits he flaunted were what had gotten him in trouble, but those traits made him feel more like himself.
He missed bothering the fuck out of Tubbo, learning more about Ranboo, pulling pranks with Fundy, chatting about everything, even the stupidest topics, with big Q, L’Manburg itself…
There was only one thing above all else the boy missed the most, while he stood knee-deep in the wreckage of the temporary shelter, the only thing on his mind.
Tommy missed himself.
Now I've run out of tears
The time has come for me to disappear
It was midnight, the moon high overhead, lighting up the silhouette of a boy sitting on top of a very tall tower of stone and dirt. One he had emptied his entire inventory into creating, it almost reached the limit of the world. The teenager sat on the edge of the square, dangling feet off the side of the stone, his mind screaming it was too high up but he ignored it in favour of fiddling with his broken communicator.
Tommy had dropped it accidently soon after he had first been dragged here, the screen cracked as a result and it never turned on again. He had bothered Dream about getting him a new one for months, the bastard had promised he would but never did follow through with it. He got by with stealing Ghostbur’s whenever the boy came by but never got a new one of his own, not that anyone responded to his messaging.
With another large sigh, he tosses it off the edge, standing and peering below him at the bottom of the tower, listening to it clatter once against the tower before quieting to nothing but the wind rushing past his head.
His mind whirled in circles, the harsh thoughts accusing and ripping his already fragile mindset apart.
The sky grew darker as some clouds moved overhead, covering the moon, sprinkling rain on the boy in the red shirt.
He was alone here, he would always be alone here. No one cared about him anymore, he had been out here for months with no sign of the people he missed the most.
Tubbo had never even sent him a letter. Tubbo had thrown away the only thing to ever lead him back to Tommy, his compass. Twin to the one he held in his calloused hand, regretting he never had the strength to destroy the one thing that would always remind him of his best friend's betrayal.
It was always supposed to be the two of them, against the world. Others had come and gone from their lives, but time and time again they had always come back to each other. The third of their trio, the one who originally recruited them to found L'Manburg together, had been killed, so then it was only the two. They supported each other, fought for each other, laughed so many times together, held each other while they cried…
Until now. Until Tubbo gained the leadership of a country and chose that nation over Tommy. The teenager was still bitter over the fact, the months spent in isolation tamed the fire but it still burned deep in his gut.
Ranboo repeatedly promised they had spoken to Tubbo about coming to visit but clearly, it didn’t work.
His Tubs didn’t care about him anymore, this was such a disappointing realisation.
Tommy’s chest tightened again, tears streaming down his face as he sobbed, clutching the compass to his chest until indentations were left in his skin. The rain fell harder, soaking through his shirt causing it to cling to his skin, the cold outside matching the emptiness inside his chest. The depths of his mind dragged him further down, encouraging the self-blame, the self-hate, their clutches digging into his emotions with an inescapable grip.
His vision is blurry as he glances around what lies below, the crater where Ghostbur had built him a shelter previously, the remains of the tent he lived in, the broken portal. All of this he had gathered resources to help craft, reminiscing on what had brought him to this point.
His memories take hold of him again and bring him back to the starting days of Pogtopia, when he and Technoblade stood discussing life in their hole in the ground. Techno had just finished building a few furnaces for the ravine they now called home, it was just the two of them awake at nearly midnight and everyone else had left for their own spaces in the ravine to rest. The pair sat on logs around a campfire, Techno sharpening his sword and Tommy snacking on berries Tubbo had gathered earlier.
In between the usual banter Techno told stories of worlds he had been through before. The piglin hybrid came to this world server when Tommy petitioned Philza to send the piglin hybrid to support the Pogtopia revolution. Wilbur had spoken highly of his fathers old friend, leading to Tommy sending letters to Philza about needing his support and efforts to win back their land. Philza himself could not come at the time, but he sent the piglin their way, promising to follow if it was an emergency. Technoblade is an ancient being, so old he forgets the exact age, something Tommy always teased him on.
But he is wise, when he gives you advice you best listen because he cares enough about you to offer his own thoughts on matters, his own time to listen and console. Something had come up where Tommy had asked Techno about why he was so meticulous with gathering materials, the scarred piglin spending hours upon hours organising chests for all the members, even after he had returned home exhausted to the bone from gathering the things he deemed necessary.
Tommy could even hear Techno’s deep voice speaking of a time he spent on a world server, he titled Skyblock, aeons ago where he appeared on a single island, the open sky surrounding every side of the landing and below. Techno had been challenged by the world leaders to complete the challenge and survive, so he did. With careful management and planning, he proved patience and appreciation for what you already have is the best way to survive in any circumstance. The pig's warm and comforting voice rang through Tommy's ears now, as if he was sitting beside the teenager still.
“You spawn on a tiny island in an empty universe. All you have is a tree, some supplies and some dirt to stand on. You have to treasure EVERY dirt block, because if one falls into the void, there's no way to replace it and as you carefully navigate your absurd circumstance, you gain a new appreciation for the few things you have as you meticulously use them to their fullest effect. With nothing but some ice, lava and saplings you slowly transform this empty expanse into a world of your very own. Skyblock teaches us that no matter how ridiculous the odds may seem, within us resides the power to overcome these challenges and achieve something beautiful. That one day, we'll look back at where we started and be amazed by how far we've come.”
Tommy still remembered the peaceful look upon Techno’s face, he spoke so kindly of months of isolation, forging his own way. Tommy didn’t know where the piglin found the inner strength to spend months alone and remain stable, he felt anything but. He was weak, distraught, depressed and isolated for everything and everyone.
He had followed the piglin's steps, Tommy had been forced to start from scratch the moment he arrived here. Sure, Ghostbur helped occasionally, but the only words that kept him company every night were his own. In an effort to entertain himself he reminisced about the good times with his friends over the years. Slowly he felt more motivation to get back to them, and had begun planning his future away from exile.
Several days ago Tommy was feeling the best he had in weeks, he was finally getting progress on supplies, Ghostbur had put the finishing touches on Logstedshire. The base finally felt a bit more like a home, Tommy was still upset about the exile but had finally felt like he had made progress. Dream came to visit often, praising Tommy and relaxing more around him as the boy schemed for a way to return, spending long nights gathering everything he planned to use in a getaway.
Tommy shuddered remembering those emerald eyes scorching him when Dream discovered his stash. The following devastation had pitched him into his current mindset and Tommy was not sure he wanted to come up for air anymore.
All he wanted was to spend time with someone who cared about him, or even to talk to someone outside of the two people he had seen these past many months. Someone to reach out a hand to the distressed teen, to help him find his way out, not leave him to drown in his own despair.
His gaze caught the ground again, wondering if he had the strength to continue, to keep fighting. The dark water of the pond promised a safe landing, but what if he didn’t want that. Rocks scattered around all other sides of this tower, promising permanent rest if he so chose. Promising a peaceful sleep, for the first time in these long few months he spent here, surrounded by the same trees he has been staring at for too long.
Tommy closed his eyes, breathing deeply, before screaming out into a void where no ears were listening. The emotional turmoil bubbled up and burst, his mind finally hitting the lowest it had ever gone, his throat raw after he finished, feeling light headed. He hunched over leaning his hands on his bloody knees, coughing and breathing quickly. Water streaming down his face, tears and rain water mixing together. His chest felt like it was bound in tight rope, not allowing him to breath deeply.
He contemplated whether anyone would care if he died.
His hand clutched painfully around the compass he still grasped, the metal biting into his palm, warm red liquid dripping from between his fingers. An unpleasant reminder he still felt physical hurt, even after so long of numbness. Tommy slipped the shimmering compass back into his inventory, not wanting to break it.
Everyone’s faces scrolled past him like film, focusing on each person who meant a lot to him. Certain words or traits jumped out to him; Tubbo with his crazy ideas and passionate nature, Fundy with his care for L’Manburg and love of fun, Quackity for looking out for him and always being on his side, Ranboo for their compassion and diplomatic ways, Philza’s love for architecture and being an open ear when needed, Techno for his love of dry humour and chaos.
Tommy wondered if out of all of them, Techno might still be willing to help. Him and the piglin have gotten mostly along before, minus the days of being angry with him for killing Tubbo. Techno was a wild card though, he wasn’t affiliated with any nation, so he held no loyalty to Dream or any of his allies.
Tommy took one final moment, deciding which side of the tower to jump off, weighing pros and cons, before closing his eyes and leaping.
Air rushed past his ears, whistling, as clothes rustled around him. His mind steeled as he descended, more confident in his choice.
Cold water embraced him as he hit the pond, sinking below the surface for a moment, listening to the quiet serenity, before he broke the surface. His blonde hair stuck across his eyes, he wiped the strands and water from them. His clothes clung to his skin, he shivered as he pulled himself from the water.
Tommy took one last look around Logstedshire before setting off in the direction of Techno’s cabin, hoping he will make it before he freezes stiff.
While Tommy was searching the ruins earlier he stumbled across a brown jacket deep under stone pieces, he had placed it in his inventory before beginning his ascent to the sky. Luckily, it was still dry and mostly in one piece, Tommy pulled it out and wrapped himself in it, using the belt of the coat to tie it shut as most of the buttons were missing now. With nothing else to bring, the teenager set off to the west through the trees, to see the piglin hybrid and convince him to let the teenager stay there for a bit.
Get me out of this mess and away from this stress
Set me free so I can rest
The morning air found Tubbo and Ranboo standing in front of a sign in the middle of the new L’Manburg, one with a picture of Technoblade on it, ‘Wanted’ printed above the piglin’s head. It stood in the middle of the main market square, set upon new posts and the glue still drying, among the stalls made by the most naive being trying to make the place beautiful and welcoming. Fundy and Quackity were showing the posters they were putting up on the beautiful new walls of L’Manburg to the President when Ranboo emerged from their home and joined the three. The clean place was covered with posters promising conflict, with a reward promised for the pig’s capture, dead or alive.
The piglin hybrid stood, staring defiantly at them through the poster. Ranboo had never spoken to the man, they had only seen him through photos, only once in person, they caught a glimpse when the piglin snuck in to visit Philza. His gleaming armour and blood red eyes were a far cry from the sweet scene they observed between the old pair of warrior comrades.
Tubbo had been asleep, it was very early in the morning, most of the town was still slumbering too. Ranboo often spent the time reading, they only slept about four hours a night before waking up full of energy so this was a usual routine for the enderman. The sun was just creeping over the hills, Ranboo was sitting in the chair they had facing the front window. A book open on their knee paused at the page they stopped reading as they enjoyed watching the sunrise, the orange and yellow rays spreading across the deep blue sky as the world awoke.
Suddenly, the door next to their house creeped open and someone with long, pink hair stepped out, braided neatly back. The murmur of quiet conversation was the only sound before the man turned away, walking down the stairs. Philza called something after quietly, the person stopping to face the crow once again. Ranboo then got a good look at his face, gasping a bit as they recognized it.
Philza had a picture of himself and that man hanging near a few frames of memories on his wall, Philza took to speaking about Technoblade fondly to Ranboo, not many sat happily to hear about the man they only knew to love anarchy. The piglins tusks were gleaming in the photo, gold hanging from his ears as he grinned looking at a younger Phil, the avain’s golden hair quite a bit longer also. A shiny gold crown rested on Technoblade’s brow in the photo, opposite fashion to Philza’s wide-brimmed white and green striped hat that had tears in the brim. Both wore an emerald earring in their right ears, Phil mirrored the smile on his face. Phil’s wings shone in the bright light, gleaming and full compared to their current state with the scarring. Their cornflower blue uniforms matched, standing out against the snowy ground surrounding them, poppy red and pale yellow accents decorated various places on their gear.
The face outside the enderman’s window was more grizzled and scarred, but the glint of green revealed the same earring hanging against his rose-pink hair. The same golden crown encircled his head, but Technoblade’s tusks were no longer matching, the right significantly shorter with a jagged edge. He wore a travelling cloak over a plain brown shirt and blue trousers, tough, leather boots on each foot. He offered the same gentle smile, bowing to Philza slightly before turning to leave once more, this time not turning around. Ranboo watched as Phil stood outside his door until the piglin was out of sight, playing with the matching earring he always wore, shaking his head slightly before returning inside his house. A few crows settled around the porch, cawing and creaking as the man returned inside.
Fundy and Quackity left to hang more, speaking excitedly between the two of them about where to hang the next. The red-headed fox hybrid was carrying the hammer and nails, where the raven-haired man carried rolls of posters. Both wore comfortable clothes for the day, the rule of no armour still stood in L’Manburg; citizens and visitors must follow this rule while visiting the country.
The fox hybrid and Secretary of State had built a tall machine over the past week in the middle of the square, an anvil suspended hundreds of blocks in the air above a cruel, iron cage at the bottom. A lever was constructed at the base of the pole holding the anvil, the tests ringing loud throughout the day. Ranboo and Tubbo had been awoken a few mornings by metal smashing into stone as they perfected the height, practising on pumpkins.
Quackity had taken the fox boy under his wing after the death of his father, the pair sticking close to each other over the past few days. Ranboo noticed the fox seemed oddly dependent, listening to anything the boy instructed, unlike when the enderman and fox were together. Ranboo wondered just how suggestive and manipulating the Secretary could be, Fundy was a completely different person when it was just the pair of them. Fundy flourished when the two hung out, showing a more carefree side as the pair spent many long nights mining, light hearted teasing was hurled back and forth deep within the tunnels of the server.
Whenever the red headed fox spent time with the Secretary he became more withdrawn and bloodthirsty, they often conspired together without Tubbo or the other council members. Ranboo was good at blending into surroundings to avoid interacting with other people, the enderman would stumble across the two speaking often. They felt bad eavesdropping so usually made themself known if there was no way to go otherwise, then when they saw Tubbo they would tell him what they viewed or heard, Ranboo felt the President should know what the pair were up to.
Tubbo’s suit was clean and pressed, his golden hair neat with brown horns gleaming, extending from his forehead to along the crown of his head, the only concern Ranboo had were the bags under his sky-blue eyes showing just how much the country’s concerns were weighing the boy down. The bi-colour eyed enderman stood at their president's side, taking deep breaths as anxiety ran through their veins, fidgeting with their suit buttons and messily fastening their red tie. They blinked their red and green eyes, bleary with sleep still but awakening as their thoughts began to race. Ranboo’s tail flicked behind them, outwardly showing their whirling mindset. The only thing they had done before leaving was run a brush through their black and white hair, placing their own golden crown on their head. The hair brushed over their eyebrows now, they noticed the strands were almost becoming too long to leave down anymore.
Tubbo turned away from the poster, meeting Ranboo’s eyes before looking down to fix their tie, their hands moving quickly to do so. Ranboo appreciated Tubbo’s concern about their dislike of eye contact, but the sweet blonde was one of the only people they didn’t mind having it with. Tubbo’s right hand was coated in rough scarring, bad memories from a time he had only told them once about, moving slower than his left as he fastened the red strip of fabric.
“I’m scared, big man.” Tubbo breathed out quietly, his voice halting as he admitted it.
“M-m-me too.” Ranboo confessed, stuttering, fidgeting with their hands now that Tubbo took away what their task was, their breath quickening as their mind thought about the possibilities and outcomes, catching the blood red stare from the poster. Tubbo’s small hands grabbed each of their big ones, being dwarfed in their black and white grasp, before leaning his blonde head into Ranboo’s chest. They steadied each other, Ranboo’s breathing returning to normal as they rested their chin on Tubbo’s warm head between the two smooth horns, eyes still caught on the poster.
Ranboo had only appeared a few weeks ago, waking up in the spawn land with no memory of the prior places they had been. In fact, that was a trend that seemed to continue, as their memory continued to be spotty at best. Tubbo relied on them even with that factor, their quirks being so remarkably alike they quickly found comfort with each other. Tubbo made sure Ranboo had a book and pen with them everywhere, so they could write down things they deemed important so the enderman didn’t forget anything again.
Ranboo knew Tubbo missed Tommy fiercely, he often spoke about him with a fond but sad tone, his guilt for the choice he made held him back from going to see the exiled boy. His choice for the country's safety over his relationship and loyalty to his best friend haunted the President every day. Tubbo kept a picture of himself and Tommy in his house that he looked at every morning, Ranboo often caught him staring at it when they hung out there. Tubbo’s anger when he lost the compass to lead him back to Tommy followed the President to this day, he often spent time staring at the horizon in the direction Tommy had been taken by Dream.
The enderman became more worried each time they saw Tommy, they felt in debt to the boy after taking the full blame for griefing King George’s house, so they went frequently to visit and left him letters when they didn’t see him. Tommy became more ragged and distant each time they went, seeming to pull away from everyone. His eyes were dim with a lack of light he always shone bright with before, something was stealing Tommy away from the world and Ranboo wasn’t sure they could follow.
Ranboo hoped that one day Tubbo would come with them to see Tommy, before it was too late and they were too withdrawn or something happened to the exiled teen. Ranboo always had the fear that they would go to visit Tommy and no one would come to greet them, his tone of speech and mood turned darker with each visit or letter between the two.
Tubbo leaned back, meeting Ranboo’s mismatched eyes, before he took a deep breath. “I want to talk to them about these posters and that machine, we need to discuss if this is our next best step.”
Ranboo, ever the people pleaser and especially for this boy in front of them, nodded in agreement.
We're only kids who lost our way
But if we wait long enough, we will be saved
Fundy, Quackity, Ranboo and Tubbo all stood or sat around a table in an underground room of stone, surrounded by more posters calling for Technoblade’s death. Fundy and Quackity were sharpening nethrite axes, while Tubbo paced and Ranboo fidgeted with their shield. This room was hidden below a lake, the only four who knew about it stood within its four walls. They had adjourned here after Tubbo and tracked them down, demanding a meeting before they continued hanging propaganda.
Tubbo stopped, clearing his throat, before looking at the fox hybrid teenager and raven-haired man in front of him. “Is this truly what you think is best?”
“He needs to die for his crimes!” Quackity snapped, his brown eyes flashing, obvious fear showing in his rigid stance.
Fundy pinned his orange ears back, tail flicking, before he sneered with sharp incisors showing through. “Who’s to say he isn’t going to do it again?”
Ranboo knew little of what happened before they showed up, bits and pieces being told to them by other members or overheard from their discussions. They knew there was someone that resembled Ghostbur called Wilbur, the late man that blew up original L’Manburg, repeating the words of another betrayer, 'It was never meant to be' before dying. Wilbur's last act was appointing Tubbo to President before pressing a button in an attempt to ruin what he built, wanting no one else to have it. Technoblade had turned to the side of chaos after the explosives went off to put any further attempts of a government formation into the ground, warning to stop making them because all they caused was people to turn on each other.
Fundy had lost his father when Wilbur died, Philza killing him the moment the avain arrived. Philza himself told Ranboo the story one day when he had stopped by to visit, they often had tea together, tears in the middle-aged man’s eyes he recounted the event with heavy regret. It was obvious he just wanted to get it off his chest, for Ranboo to hear it from himself first, the explanation had scared the enderman but not enough that they stopped visiting the crow hybrid.
The fox teen was a spikey one to get along with, he put up fronts of fun-loving and pranks but something dark lay behind those eyes that only showed when you tried to pry. Sadness clung to him like heavy shadows, Ranboo knew he was the one to beg Philza to come save Wilbur, but some animosity lay between grandfather and grandson now. Ranboo wondered if Fundy had witnessed the death, leading to a permanent divide between the fox and crow.
Their eyes caught Technoblade’s on the wall, an arrow holding the poster up, directly through the piglin’s forehead. They had only heard bad things about Technoblade except when Phil talked about the piglin, they was curious about his thought process behind facing his brethren, turning against them. Fighting them so passionately for a side all on his own for what he described freedom was, without government. Freedom was a tempting concept, away from all this conflict that made the enderman upset and worried.
But that was away from Tubbo, and they knew they would miss him desperately, as the thought crossed their mind the President’s voice broke through their thinking.
“I don’t know if this is the best option.” Tubbo told Quackity and Fundy, who both looked angry at his disagreement.
“Mr. President, the man knows we have a government here, he is just going to blow it up again. We have to take him down first.” Quackity stood up from his chair, slamming his axe into the table, the blade digging into the spruce wood splitting that particular plank.
Ranboo jumped a bit at the noise, chattering a bit to themself to keep calm, attempting to ignore the argument that broke out. Their tail whips behind them as Ranboo rubs oil into the same strap they have been trying to loosen for the past ten minutes, crossing and uncrossing their ankles under the table. Their earrings jingle as they press them close to their skull, wishing they were anywhere but here. The argument became a din of noise, so Ranboo lost themself in their mind, retreating to safety as voices raised and fell around the enderman.
Tubbo’s blue eyes crinkled with anger when they looked back up, the blonde was glaring towards the two at the other end of the table. The yelling had died down to a crackling silence, before Tubbo took a deep breath.
“Fine. We find and we kill Technoblade.” His voice is shaky, the worries in his tone causing him to waver.
“If there is one person who knows where he is, it's Philza.” Fundy volunteers, meeting Tubbos eyes. “Wilbur always spoke of how close those two were, I doubt much has changed with them now being on this server together.”
With that, the four left the room to pursue their prey. Three dressed in blood soaked aprons, Ranboo choosing their own armour instead much to the chagrin of Fundy and Quackity. All four have the same goal of finding the pig hybrid, but two were reluctant to see this plan through to its current potential conclusion.
Just sleep, just dream
This isn't fair, no, we're not just what we seem
“Ding, ding, ding!” Tubbo rang the bell outside Philza’s house, regretting what was about to happen. “Philza, open up!”
The avian opened the door to the four standing before him, took one look at the red-soaked aprons and moved into a defensive stance, grabbing his bow from where it hung on the wall. One thing that was different was Phil had traded his green robes for an older, cornflower blue uniform of a forgotten era, red and pale yellow accents throughout. His night-black feathers were combed together neatly and shiny between the patches of scarred skin, discoloured and bare from previous burns. It was obvious he had just finished preening them even though he could barely fly anymore, becoming land bound after attempting to save his son from TNT. Old habits die hard it seems, not that Tubbo blamed the man.
“What are you doing here?” Phil asked, his eyebrow raised as he waited for them to speak, a blue and white striped hat on his head, a long braid of blonde hair hanging from behind his left ear. At the end, clinking together when he moved his head, were four beads; pink, yellow, green and red. A worn, gold-framed emerald hung from his right ear and a purple-flickering gem pendant attached to a chain around his neck.
Rumours were that both the man standing in front of him and Technoblade shared one thing in common, the blessing of the Death Goddess. They were not immortal in the truest sense of the word, they could die a mortal death, but age did not seem to touch them. Tubbo wasn’t sure how much he believed in a goddess watching over anyone but something had kept both of them alive for aeons, both had seen thousands of years pass. The crows that always seemed to gather to the hybrid had also been a claim to the Goddess's power, they allowed the ancient being to send messages between servers. Rumours about Technoblade spoke that his blessing was slightly different, voices in his head ranting and calling for chaos and bloodshed.
“You know where Technoblade is.” Quackity accused.
Tubbo watched the man close off completely, schooling his face to casual indifference, as they stood in his well-kept home. He seemed completely at ease, but the slight tightening of his hand around the bow did not go unnoticed by Tubbo.
“Me and Techno go way back, we don’t just sell out on each other.” Philza said firmly, moving closer to his arrow quiver slowly.
“Back away from the arrows, old man.” Fundy raised his crossbow, his grip steady as he raised it as his grandfather.
Phil froze, his blue eyes sad as he openly gazed at the fox boy whose blue eyes matched his own, glaring back at the avian, Phil clearly regretted his past actions. The crow opened his mouth to say something before Quackity cursed, cutting him off.
“Fuck it, search his posessions! Maybe he has a clue that will lead us to the pig, like a map or something.” Quackity shouts, glaring at the other three. "I'll keep an eye on the old man, search his things.”
Tubbo hopped into action, happy to have a task instead of focusing on all the ways this could go wrong. Tubbo knew he had to do the best thing for this country that was under his responsibility, he contemplated this while digging through Philza’s chests, the avian looking progressively more angry at the intrusions.
Ranboo stood off to the side, shifting their weight from foot to foot, looking clearly uncomfortable as they tossed apologetic looks Phil’s way. Tubbo moved to the next chest as Quackity continued to question Phil, Fundy working his way through the others.
Shattering glass brought the focus back to Quackity, who glared at Philza with his axe still held through the window frame, the source of the sound. Glass shards lay upon the ground at his feet, his gloved hand saving his skin from lacerations.
“Where is it, old man? I know you must have something here, he would have given you something.” Quackity threatened.
“No, no property damage!” Ranboo’s shaky voice demanded, moving to place their white hand on Quackity’s shoulder.
Quackity eyed themm in obvious distrust, others were taking longer to warm up to Ranboo. Ranboo backed up a bit before resolving themself, pulling the angry man away from the window. “We don’t need to go to that extent.”
“We do, he is obviously holding back!” Quackity jabbed a finger towards Phil, whose face turned dangerous.
“I will not be a traitor to him.”
“You are being traitor to L’Manburg!” Quackity tossed back, shaking off Ranboo’s hand.
“I don’t owe you anything.” Phil spits out, grip tightening on his bow. “You should be trying to prove why I should have loyalty to you instead of my best friend, who I have centuries of history with. Not that it’s likely, I would never turn on Techno.”
Tubbo moved to shut the chest he was searching, wanting to break up that confrontation when something caught his eye. A circular, glass faced object lay under a piece of black cloth, using his scarred hand he pushed out of the way, uncovering a compass, the arrow spinning before landing on one spot. His fingers drew across engravings on the back as he picked it up, which he flipped to see writing scrawled into the back.
He had to focus for a moment, forcing his brain to read the letters “Techno’s Compass” slowly.
“Hey Big Q!” Tubbo called, looking to see the man now glaring at Ranboo who looked scared, Quackity still held his purple axe at the ready, then the black-haired man turned to the President. “Look what I found.”
The compass dangled at the end of the silver chain he held between his thumb and forefinger, Quackity’s smile turning wicked as his brown eyes caught it, blazing.
“I knew you were holding out on us!” The olive-skinned man said triumphantly.
Tubbo stood up straight, laying the compass on his palm, noticing the slight purple shimmer of an enchantment as the arrow steadied to one direction. The face was worn with scratches and dinges, but the dull shine meant it was handled recently. Phil’s face had turned from indifferent to frightened, the open emotion raw on his features as he watched Tubbo use the device.
Quackity stomps over after making sure Fundy has his crossbow trained on Phil, glancing down at the compass. Tubbo observes the man's face up close, wanting to get out of the house before Phil decides he's had enough or Big Q riles him up anymore. Now that Philza was scared he was more unpredictable, Tubbo knew the man was dangerous and he had only been here a few months, not enough time to gain attachment to the country he resided in.
Quackity’s eyes have a mad sheen to them up close, scaring Tubbo deeply as he meets the eyes of his Secretary of State, clearly emotionally-driven to find the pig hybrid. He knew there was some sort of history between him and the piglin but he had never asked the man, not wanting to bring up bad memories.
“Now that we have this, let's make sure you can’t follow us to warn him!” Quackity announced, drawing his sword to level the point at the crows chest who flared his wings in response, looking very intimidating as he moved his hand to his belt. “Fundy, go get an ankle shackle.”
Fundy seemed startled by the demand, before scurrying to do so, leaving the house with the door slamming behind him. Ranboo looks even more concerned, glancing between the three left in the room. Their red and green eyes linger on Tubbo’s, the boy feeling the worry the enderman shuddered with. Tubbo usually had trouble reading people but with Ranboo it was easy, the black and white face open to his deciphering.
Philza just stared down Big Q with a death glare, slowing his hand before just returning to rest it at his side, deciding to humour the raven-haired man for now. Tubbo knew the man was experienced in only the way aeons could give, the fact that Big Q still thinks he had the upper hand was a testament to just how much he underestimated the crow.
“Is that really necessary?” Tubbo interjected, concerned with how quiet Philza was, his blue eyes flashing as his face hardened, drawing his wings back close to himself, settling into a ready position.
“He would immediately leave to warn the pig, Mr. President. He has to fucking stay here while we leave to arrest The Blade.”
The room is silent as they wait for Fundy to return, once he does so Quackity attaches the shackle to Phil, then to a post Fundy constructs from stone.
“Give Ranboo the key.” Tubbo instructs Quackity, meeting his eyes when they flashed to him with contempt.
“Why?” He asks, clutching his hand tightly around the object in question.
“I trust him.” Tubbo says, meeting Ranboo’s eyes and hoping they catches his message. “To do the right thing.”
Quackity gives him one more look, before pressing his key into Ranboo’s hand, whose long fingers covered it quickly, backing away from both the avian and olive-skinned man. Ranboo catches Tubbo’s eyes, confused as Quackity and Fundy walk towards the door after Tubbo gestures for them to leave. They make it outside, Tubbo moving to follow after nodding his head towards the quiet crow after holding Ranboo’s gaze. Ranboo’s eyes widened as they understood, Philza glared at Tubbo as he moved to follow the others, his gaze hot on Tubbo's back.
The chain dragged across the floor as Philza sat heavily at a chair, the door closing being the only thing to break the stare. Tubbo joined the other two outside, who mumbled to each other before abruptly stopping as Tubbo joined them. Ranboo came out a moment later, looking shaken as they clutched their shield tighter.
“You still have the key, Minutes Man?” Quackity accused the enderman, who jumped a tad at the tone of voice, before opening their white hand showing it still there. “Good.”
“Big Q, let's go.” Tubbo really wanted to get further from the man they just severely pissed off, not that where they were rushing off too was much better. Having two angry ageless chasing him down was not something he looked forward to. He hoped with his small betrayal of sending Ranboo to unlock the crow’s shackle the crow would forgive him, but he highly doubted it.
We want to fly but our souls are trapped inside
It's not a game, not to blame, we're forced to hide
Soon after leaving the crow’s house they began rowing across the ocean in the direction the compass pointed, Fundy and Quackity in one boat, Tubbo shared the other with Ranboo. Ranboo kept staring at the compass and offering quiet directions, clearly still shaken from the events leading up until now plus the boys were travelling across open water, something that can hurt them immensely. Their enderman genetics meant that water harmed them, so Tubbo had been sure to cover all of their exposed skin before they went out on the water, the enderman was disassociating too heavily and not caring for themself properly at the moment. The split skinned enderman often had episodes like this when they were placed in difficult situations, threatening the crow avain counted in that for sure.
Tubbo occasionally reached across to pinch their hand, bringing Ranboo out of wherever they disappeared, the enderman sending him shy, grateful glances as he did so with their red and green eyes. They had developed this system quickly into knowing each other, Ranboo revealing that they had trouble coming back to reality under high stress situations to which Tubbo promised he would always help.
Tubbo felt oddly protective over Ranboo, he still desperately missed Tommy but that was a whole range of emotions attached to that, the bitter taste of betrayal still heavy whenever he thought of the loud blonde, whereas what he felt for Ranboo was simple. He enjoyed the enderman's company, feeling akin to what they went through on a daily basis with their thoughts and worries, the pair overthought everything and would talk to each other when they needed reassurance.
The ocean journeys passed quickly, surroundings changing around them as they went through different biomes before ending up in a spruce forest, cold and glistening in the snow. The company was quiet, the armour cold against the boys skin as they trudged through the snow.
Quackity looked bloodthirsty, Fundy looked less convinced but kept glancing at him to encourage himself, Tubbo knew his face matched Ranboo’s worried one.
Tubbo was second guessing every choice that led up to this point, he knew what The Blade could do when threatened, in fact, he felt the consequences first hand. When that firework met his face head on, he vowed to never bother the piglin again, to attempt peace as violence was never the answer, which he was now breaking that resolve. Tubbo knew he had to do what was best for his nation, but he had doubts that going to poke this bear with a stick is the best way to achieve that.
“Ranboo?” Ghostbur’s voice cut through his haze, the ghost gliding out from between the trees, his red crimson blood spilled across his chest a vicious reminder of his death, a contrast to the cobalt blue dripping from his fingers into the glistening snow. A familiar emerald earring hung from his right ear, one of the most solid things on the phantom.
It never got easier seeing the man responsible for so much strife on the server, even if it was his pale shadow. Ghostbur remembered none of the bad memories from Wilbur’s lifetime, making him a happy-go-lucky decorator with a child-like personality who had truly made the new L'Manburg beautiful with his paper lanterns and marketplace. A poetic opposite to the smoking crater he caused before dying, scarring the land forever which they had been slowly constructing the new nation overtop of.
“Ghostbur? What are you doing here?” Ranboo asked, visibly perking up as the ghost floated towards him, the glaze clearing from their eyes for the first time in many hours. Tubbo often came across the two chatting happily, they bonded quickly when Ranboo had moved in beside Philza. They had similar positive personalities and memory problems, Philza had taken both under his protection when they needed it, offering a safe space to the outsiders that were still regarded with distrust.
“I was visiting Technoblade!” Ghostbur announced happily, to which Quackity smiled at the spirit, moving beside the enderman who moved slightly away from the man.
“Where is the Blood God, Ghostbur?” Quackity addresses him, to which the ghost looks a bit thrown off by someone actually addressing him, before righting himself.
“Just over this hill, I will show you!”
The group follows the spirit, they trail behind him for about ten minutes before they come across a small cabin set between some hills, spruce forest high on each side of the clearing, dark and intimidating in the evening light. The chimney puffed smoke, the white quartz walls shining in the torches placed around the perimeter, matching the snow blanketing the ground around the house. The main building stood in front of a smaller structure to the back, a horse stable built against one side of the house near a door to the main floor. Warm light shone from the windows, spruce accents offsetting the white exterior, a pleasant palette overall.
Much care had been put into building this cottage, looking warm and inviting among the harsh climate of the snow and ice. Ranboo stepped closer to his side, Tubbo tightening the grip on his axe and shield. Quackity turned to face the group, his face serious as he met each of their eyes.
“We just say we are here to arrest him, nothing about the true plan until we get him back to our country.” His cheeks were flushed pink, his deep brown eyes meeting Tubbo’s from across the circle.
“True plan?” Ghostbur asked curiously, to which Quackity shot him a look.
“Nothing you need to worry about, Ghost boy.” Quackity assures, before meeting each of the others eyes. “Understood?”
Fundy, Ranboo and Tubbo traded looks before nodding, fiddling with various pieces of their clothing or weapons. Quackity set out first, trudging ahead to break the snow for the others to follow, the redhead fox teen following close behind, then the last three.
Ranboo began playing with their fingers again, the one holding the shield, their face melting back to indifference as they got lost in their own mind, their axe remained sheathed at his hip. Tubbo knocked his shoulder into the bi-colour enderman’s side, their height difference means the top of Tubbo's head was level with their shoulder. Ranboo tossed him a grateful look before straightening up, coming back to the present, Tubbo walking quickly to keep up with the enderman's long strides to the cabin.
As they walked towards the cottage Ghostbur had moved closer to Big Q, chatting pleasantly, who seemed to be giving half his attention to the pale phantom.
Tubbo caught sight of the hulking piglin outside his cabin standing near the main floor doors, which Ghostbur waved happily to Technoblade as they approached, moving to stand off to the side of where the two parties met. Someone had clearly warned the warrior as he was armed to the tusks, his armour polished between the dents and scratches that coated the well used pieces of protection. The sheen of purple enchantments flowed across the metal, along with the sword he held in his hand. A polished bow was strung and hung from his back, quiver attached to his belt at his hip. The pig hybrid had some features of the nether species, such as tusks and height, he stood eye level with Ranboo, very few on this server had that claim. His pink hair was tied behind his head, neatly braided and prepared for battle, a worn gold-framed emerald hung from his ear.
"Pig." Quackity greeted, to which Technoblade looked at him coldly without response. "You seem to be expecting us."
"We are here to bring you back to L'Manburg for questioning." Tubbo announced, moving to be at his Secretary's side, standing a bit away from the pissed off piglin hybrid.
Technoblade's blood red eyes narrowed, before he scoffed. "An’ how do you plan to do that? I've given up my life of violent ways but won't hesitate to defend myself from a thinly-veiled threat. You all showed up here armed, wielding your weapons in fact, why can't I protect myself?"
Tubbo worried more as he watched Big Q rise to the threat, his hand tightening around the handle of his sharp axe. "You will come back to L'Manburg to be tried for your war crimes, pig."
Ranboo shuffled behind the pair, the snow crunching, Fundy moving to stand beside Big Q, loading his crossbow with a steady hand. "You know we have a government there, we have to follow our laws and you must be tried and punished for your past actions."
"As far as I know the punishment for my actions would be death, yes?" Technoblade commented with a firm tone, waiting out the silence before huffing again. "So why should I choose to return with you to that cursed ground? Why would I follow you to my death?"
Big Q growled at that, staying silent before meeting his eyes again. "Fine, if you won't come the easy way, the hard way it is."
With those last few words he raised and swung his axe at the pig, who's face twisted with determination as he brought his sword up to catch the attack, yelling over the clash of metal. "I choose blood!"
Glass shattered against the ground as the muscular pig threw bottles at his feet, potions effects surrounding him in a swirling cloud that he exploded from, swinging towards Big Q who barely caught his attack with his shield in time. Tubbo and Fundy moved to defend the Secretary, drawing their weapons into an attack stance, Ranboo hanging back with a scared expression. Ghostbur’s mouth hung open at the scene in front of him, moving back from the swinging weapons towards Technoblade’s house.
Technoblade pulled his sword from the wooden shield, the wood creaking before releasing the blade, the piglin hybrid dancing back with practised ease to keep all three attackers in his sight.
Fundy moved to attack next, using his crossbow to shoot bolts at the pig, which he blocked with his shield. Technoblade got exasperated by their attacks quickly, letting out a cry before surging forward, overhead swinging his sword at the blonde President.
Tubbo stopped focusing on the surrounding battlefield and moved his axe to stop the attack, stumbling at the sheer strength the pig put behind his swing as he caught it on the handle between his two hands, bracing himself. Technoblade reared back after the failed strike, using his free hand to suddenly grab the axe from Tubbo's surprised grip. He then whipped it towards the fox who had continued firing bolts, the shots bouncing off the pigs armour. Fundy screamed before falling to the snow, an axe buried in his arm that was behind the shield it shattered with the force the pig hurled the axe.
Tubbo moved his shield into his primary hand, rapidly trying to plan a way out of this situation as the piglin approached the boy, snarling. Tubbo frantically shuffled backwards, not noticing the stone behind that he subsequently fell over.
Technoblade's glare turned dangerous and triumphant, the blonde boy had nothing to use in retaliation, he could only watch as the pig approached his fallen form. Tubbo’s chest heaved as his potential demise approached. He gazed frantically around, Big Q had disappeared and Fundy was still collapsed in the snow, the fox barely moving.
Technoblade only bared his teeth before raising the sword overhead, pointing down, to impale the boy in the snow, who was wishing with every fibre he had that he hadn't listened to Big Q when he called for Technoblade’s head. As the sword swung down a form jumped between, the black and white enderman bracing himself as they caught the stab. Ranboo screeched at the force before shoving the pig back a few steps, allowing Tubbo time to stand behind the enderman, breathing heavily.
Green blood dripped into the snow, Ranboo letting out a pained whine as Technoblade ripped his sword from the shield. The pigs sword was slick with the enderman’s blood, Ranboo’s shield arm dropping quickly after that. More gushed on the snow, Tubbo finally got a good glimpse at his friend's face as they stumbled back, their eyes flickering a vibrant purple as Ranboo mumbled under their breath. The armour pieces that protected their arm fell to the ground, dented and broken from the attack, following the light green liquid. Ranboo swayed before falling heavily to their knee, their eyes flickering purple as they glared at the piglin, baring their fangs, hissing and chattering in Enderian.
When Tubbo finally tore his gaze from his friend saw a surprising expression on Technoblade’s face, one of interest as his red eyes roamed the enderman in front that had managed to stop his blow. Tubbo slipped the axe from the sheath at Ranboo’s hip, moving to their side to protect the one who just put themself on the line for the blonde man. Technoblade dove in for another swing at Tubbo, who ignored Ranboo for now, promising to himself to check on the enderman after he took care of the threat. As his sword dug into Tubbo’s shield once more someone shouted Technobladeblade’s name, the pig sneering once more as he glared at Tubbo, ignoring the first call.
“TECHNOBLADE!” Quackity’s voice broke the moment, yelling a second time, drawing everyone’s attention from the fight.
Quackity held his axe to a frantic white and brown horse's neck, the horse’s breath heavy in the cold air, the reins in a tight grip, walking the horse over to the group. Technoblade froze, Tubbo stepped back to Ranboo’s side, who cradled their injured arm to their chest. Fundy was pulling himself from the snow, a similar injury on his arm, a glowing portal ignited in front of him as he pulled a health potion from his inventory.
He used his sharp teeth to pull the cork from it, downing it before pulling out another, tucking his crossbow under his arm as it hung uselessly, glowing as the potion attempted to heal it. Technoblade dropped his sword to his side, his red gaze turning dangerous as Quackity pressed his blade further into the horse’s neck. The fox walked to the enderman’s side, his arm healing under the torn fabric of his sleeve, red blood coating the clothing tatters.
Tubbo takes the potion and helps Ranboo drink it, letting the enderman lean against him as they sway. The violet light still flashed in their eyes every now and then, Ranboo kept mumbling in Enderian as the potions effects glowed around their injury. Tubbo was very worried about them but they had more pressing matters, the glowing eyes were new, he wasn’t sure if he remembered Ranboo doing that before.
“Let. Carl. Go.” Technoblade bit out the words, Quackity grinning and confident now.
“Drop your weapons.” Quackity countered.
“You don’t want to do this Quackity.”
“Drop your fucking weapons pig and all your gear, or I will kill this horse right in front of you.” Quackity's face smoother as he gazed at his enemy.
Technoblade stood for a moment more, meeting everyone’s eyes, before he began to shuck off his armour. He stacked them on the ground before accessing his inventory, a glowing portal opening as he pulled various items out. Several potions, a few more weapons, his tools and golden apples all lay on the snow after he finished. After all was said and done he stood in a gray shirt, black pants, emerald earring and a familiar purple-flickering gem around his neck. His pale skin was coated in scars and bruises, some faded with time but a lot more new.
Everyone divided up his supplies to carry back to L’Manburg; Tubbo taking his tools and weapons, Fundy his apples, Quackity the potions and Ranboo took his armour, after the enderman's eyes stopped glowing. The wound on their arm had slowed bleeding, the potion healing it most of the way. Quackity produced manacles, binding the piglin’s wrists before handing the chain to Fundy, his blue eyes wide as he took it.
Quackity moved to mount the horse, meeting Technoblade’s eyes before turning to lead the party back towards the boats. Fundy tugged Technoblade along, leading him, the threat to his horse meant the man wasn’t going to do anything reckless. Tubbo still felt this wasn’t their best option, but what’s done is done. Ghostbur asked a few questions about what they were doing, Fundy glaring at the phantom as Tubbo placated him with simple answers.
The journey back to L’Manburg passed with little words, Technoblade opting for silence as Quackity peppered him with questions. Technoblade only spoke to say there was a raft they could use for Carl, his horse’s safety paramount to him. The pig cared for little on this server, Carl being a rare exception to the rule. With some effort they loaded the horse onto the raft, Fundy and Quackity piloting it, with Technoblade and Tubbo in one boat, Ghostbur and Ranboo in the other following.
The ocean journey went as expected, the blue waters choppy as they traversed. They rowed through the night, the morning sun peeking above the horizon as they arrived at the docks. Tubbo was incredibly tired, wanting to just get this over with as they arrived back home.
Just as he thought that, the realisation that as a country they were condemning a man to death. Yes, he caused death, anarchy and strife but were they truly the ones to decide his fate? Is that their right?
Technoblade met Tubbo’s eyes as they unloaded from the boats, the pig held his chin up with dignity. His pink hair was messy, blowing in the wind as the cool morning air swept across the group. The resolve in his eyes shook the President to the bone, Ranboo moved to Tubbo’s side with Ghostbur following.
“Hey! Minutes Man!” Quackity’s voice made the enderman jump, before he turned to face the man on the horse. “Help Fundy with the pig.”
Ranboo’s eyes widening before they scrambled to comply, Tubbo narrowed his eyes at Quackity, reminding himself to talk to the Secretary about undermining his authority and being rude to Ranboo.
They begin the trek to the middle of town, the machine casting a long shadow down the street, anvil swaying in the wind. The chains rattle and groan as they walk, Technoblade walking with his shoulders thrown back as he is led to his sentence.
Ranboo and Fundy each held part of his upper arms, both their injuries healing enough over the ocean journey to be useful again. Potions were not an instant heal to severe damage but left with enough time they could fix most injuries. The wooden path felt longer than ever, Tubbo still questioning his every move with each step further into town.
Just as they passed Philza's house Technoblade made his first rebellious move, surging against their grip towards the crow warrior, whose wings were flared slightly, face sad as his eyes met Technoblade's. The pig looked him up and down, eyes narrowing as they saw the metal clasped around his ankle, chain leading out of sight through his doorway.
"Phil, what did they do to you?" Technoblade's gravelling voice promised harm if the answer wasn't correct. “Are you harmed?”
"You really caught him." Philza's immense sadness shone through his eyes, meeting Tubbo's for a good minute before returning to Technoblade's. "No, old friend, they just caged a bird."
His silky black wings shuddered as he spoke, robes rustling, the two ancient friends in matching chains. The rigid posture of a bygone era were mirrored by the two, matching earrings and necklaces. Technoblade met Philza’s eyes, capturing the crow’s hands in his own, shackles clinking, before he leaned in to meet his forehead to the crow’s. The pig whispered something to the crow, a single tear dripping from Phil’s blue eye down as he said something back. Tubbo’s heart clenches at the sight, feeling horrible about his part in today already.
“Come on pig, I don’t have all day.” Quackity stopped the horse, calling back to the scene.
Fundy started tugging Technoblade along again, Ranboo reluctantly following suit after glancing at Philza with apologising looks, Tubbo could see the regret on their half white half black face. The chains clattered against the wood as they dragged the piglin hybrid closer to the iron cage. Quackity must have seen the hesitation on Tubbo’s face, for he glared back at the President.
Tubbo watched as Fundy and Quackity shoved the pig into the cage, locking it tight, Ranboo backing away to stand beside Ghostbur, returning to fidgeting with his hands as Ghostbur remained silent, both their faces matching in their regrets. Fundy took the horse’s reins from the Secretary, before he walked to Tubbo’s side and gestured for him to move away from their prisoner.
They walk a bit of distance up the street before Quackity faces him, crossing his arms. “Are we still going through with this?”
Tubbo felt his rage grow at those words, narrowing his eyes at the man in front of him. “What’s this ‘we’, Big Q? Yes, we dragged him back here at your insistence and now you are sentencing a man to die which is going to piss off his best friend. All for an event that was in our past that I thought we had moved on from, but I have a guess it’s a bit more personal for you which is why you insisted on this extent of an action calling for his blood to be spilled.”
Quackity’s expression changes from expectant to angry, meeting Tubbo’s glare. “We brought him back here already so we should commit to it. Who knows if or when he decides to come back and raze our land to bedrock? We need to take care of the threat first, you of all people should know that.”
Quackity gestures to the right side of Tubbo’s face, the one coated in the thick skin of firework scars left there by the pig himself. His fingers drew across the rough skin as he thought about it, the anger still there but a sadness crept through him too. He vividly remembered the blinding light, searing pain, and blissful blackness that followed suit from the piglin executing him at Schlatt’s insistence after he found out Tubbo had been spying for Pogtopia.
A few days later he woke up in the spawn area, his second lost life physical evidence across his body. Unlike the first time he died, when there was barely any besides the deep one on his chest, this time an entire half of his body suffered the consequences.
“Remember what Technoblade has done, he took the ideals of peace you once had and smashed it into the ground. The days of a peaceful L’Manburg are gone, Mr. President, that was written off the day that damned Wilbur hit the button and blew the country sky high. You put all this work into making this area beautiful again. When you were left with a crater you designed and founded the new L’Manberg, on the remains of what was. Technoblade has actively tried to kill us because we were a country before, because he sees governments as nothing more than instruments that use people. He only knew what happened because Wilbur gained power, lost it, then went mad when someone gained control of what he created and built.” Quackity ranted, his speech becoming more passionate as he continued. “We need to take care of the threat, now, that is a dangerous man we have trapped out there. We must remove any chance of further harm to our nation.”
Tubbo’s mind took the points he argued and pondered them, agreeing with some of the intentions but not all. Quackity placed his hand on Tubbo’s shoulder, meeting his blue eyes with that deep brown.
“You must protect what we have built, for who else is going too. That falls on you, as our leader of this country, to make the decision.” With those heavy words Quackity turns to leave, walking back towards the centre of town.
Tubbo’s mind whirled as he thought it over, moments passing before he took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. The President has had to make hard decisions before, a certain best friend crossed his mind, but he shook his head to remove the thoughts, his mind steeling itself at the verdict he had come too. Tubbo knew Technoblade was a ticking time bomb, he had threatened destruction before and removing the threat before it could be carried out was ideal.
Tubbo would be breaking his ideals for peace with this blood on his hands.
With that sentence crossing his mine, he began walking back to the square, catching glances from each in the square. Philza glared at him from where he was stuck, at the end of his chain, standing on his deck in the morning sun. His cornflower blue uniform was clean and ironed, black wings glistening in the sunlight. Ranboo was still talking to Ghostbur, casting nervous glances towards the stage where Quackity, Fundy and Technoblade stood.
As Tubbo re-entered the square Quackity gestured for him to get up beside him, which he did. Fundy jumped off the stage, moving to stand beside Ranboo and Ghostbur. Philza had moved closer to his door, leaning against his house.
“I was right, not even a trial, you just plan to kill me.” Technoblade growled, his face bisected by the bars of the cage. “For what? For trying to show you the error of your ways?”
Tubbo met his gaze one last time, before turning to face the square, his heart feeling heavier than ever. He mulled over the words he was going to say for a brief moment, before raising his chin to address his citizens. "Technoblade has robbed our country. Robbed it, of everything that made it special. Of everything, that defined what it was. He stepped in when he shouldn't have. He created chaos. He ruined the government."
As those last words left his mouth a green pearl flew into the middle of the square, a man appearing from green particles where it hit the floor. A tall, muscular, blonde man wearing a white sweater and golden chain stood in front of the surprised group, holding a sword and shield with a smirk on his face. His blue eyes looked confident, holding his weapon with a practised ease.
“Punz?” Tubbo questioned.
Punz tossed another glance towards the president before the glowing portal of his inventory appeared, him drawing explosives from it. Ranboo and Fundy leapt into action, seeing what the man planned a moment too late. He had placed some of it down already, sprinting across the square as he tossed potions in the air, landing on himself. Fundy engaged the man in conflict, swords clanging as they swiped at each other, Fundy fighting aggressively to stop the man as he caused chaos. Ranboo picked up the TNT quickly, trying to stop any explosions from happening and storing it in his inventory.
Quackity stands for a moment stunned, before turning to meet Tubbo, who shouts. “Pull the lever Big Q!”
Technoblade shouted an exclamation at that declaration, rattling the bars of the cage as his survival instincts kicked in. Quackity leapt for the lever, cranking it down with a decisive action.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw glowing from Technoblade’s clasped hands, the anvil whistling through the air towards the piglin. Tubbo wondered briefly what he just pulled from his storage, when the scream of a dying man rang through the square. Awful sounds of flesh and bone breaking sounded, blood splattering the cage bars from the mess of ruined meat and clothing lying below the anvil.
Tubbo retched at the sound and sight, leaning against the pole as he felt the shock of what he just ordered rushed through him, the gore twisting his stomach into knots. Philza’s pained scream met his ears, Tubbo looking to see the man holding a bow, his voice cracking from the mournful wails that escaped him. His cheeks shone in the light, tears rushing down his face, as he attempted to rush to Technoblade’s side. Phil yanked at the chain holding him back, frantic in his attempts, wings flapping as he seemed to lose the composure he held himself too.
Several black crows gathered, summoned as the one Philza cared about most died, all cawing loudly towards the five in the square. Purple particles shone in their feathers, their eyes glistening the same colour as they tilt their heads in various positions, watching the scene in front of them.
Suddenly yellow and green particles exploded from under the anvil, creating a cloud around the corpse crushed under the heavy blacksmith’s tool. The inside of the cage is filled with this fog, before it blows away to show Technoblade, hunched on top of the anvil. Most of his skeleton was exposed to the air, internal organs forming inside the cage of bones, long pink hair blood soaked and clinging to the white. Tubbo gagged at the exposed skull that looked at him, flesh and tendons spider-webbing across the smooth bone. Audible cracking and popping sounded as the pig’s body repaired before the President’s eye, his eyes appeared last, blood-red and deadly as he glared at the blonde, snarling.
His hands were now free, the manacles lost below the anvil, he tugged the blood soaked pants from under it before slipping them on. Next the piglin found his earring and necklace, slipping them into his pocket. Tubbo stood swaying, still in shock by what he just witnessed, as Technoblade grabbed the top of the cage and vaulted himself over, using the anvil as a boost. His pink hair blew in the wind as he paused, turning to look at his best friend, Philza’s face in awe at what had just happened.
“I will be back for you, Phil.” Technoblade promised, before taking off running across the square without looking back.
Ranboo, Fundy and Punz were all facing each other a little ways away, weapons at the ready but stood frozen, mouths open at what they just witnessed. Ghostbur had disappeared from sight, the spirit tended to do that when conflict reared its head. Quackity was still standing on the raised platform, his face flaming in rage, breaking the freeze to leap off the stage and follow the piglin.
Punz then took advantage of the confusion, whipping the crossbow off his back to shoot a green firework into the sky, before taking out a pearl and tossing it far down the street. Green particles were all that remained after he made his getaway, Fundy and Ranboo were left with no one to fight. They sheathed their weapons, moving to join Tubbo on the stage as he questioned what the hell just happened. Ranboo leaned down to pick up Tubbo’s right hand in the enderman’s black one.
Tubbo let the enderman lead him off the blood soaked stage, to sit at one of the benches off to the side of the square. Ranboo held their arm up for Tubbo to cuddle under, Ranboo’s shaky hand betraying just how much they were feeling. Tubbo nuzzled under their arm, pressing his face into Ranboo’s chest. Fundy sat heavily on the other side of the pair, staring off into space, ears pinned back to his head. The trio remained quiet, no words came to any of them about what the hell just happened.
Tubbo had just put a man to death, which he had mysteriously returned from before then taking off to plan retaliation, the President assumed. Quackity’s insistence at executing that man had just painted a target on all their backs, Technoblade might not have been planning to burn everything down before but now he certainly was going too. Especially after they caged someone Technoblade cared about fiercely, Tubbo knew it was only a matter of time before that came back to bite them.
Just as Tubbo pulled back, opening his mouth to talk to the pair about what to do next, his communicator buzzed in his pocket. He tugged it out, turning the screen on to read a chilling message.
Quackity was slain by Technoblade