User:Lance the simp

This is Lance the simp's page. If you are here for the ping list, please edit only the section 'The Universal Ping List' and nothing else.

=The Universal Ping List=

The idea for this came from Click here for cookies and partly Jaderose35

This list is a universal ping list. If your name is on this list, you will be pinged for many different fics on the discussion page. If your name is on here and you don't want that, please edit only this section and remove it. Thank you!

If you want to use this list, just copy and paste the entire 'Pings' section into your post. Then add a space at the end of each name and remove it to ping said person. Thank you!

Pings
The Universal Ping List for Fan Fiction:

@SSMeifwa205

@Nc129

@Vo1dsou1zz

@Number2harrypotterfan

@JustHereForNothing

@HeavenlyRickr0ll

@SorryThisUsernameIs

@0PollencentMoon0

@Jaderose35

@IceDragon1235

@Aphlonwy

@Flono322h

@Teatako

@SnoLeopard7

@Commentannermemez

@MathTimeWithCookie

@DreamyIsn'tTyping

@StabWritesStuff

@ThEtBe

@Winged Lizzarrd

@Darlingq

@Yeetmore is swag

@Arianaxo06

@I like mcyt

@Mouselline

@FluffyLavenderCloud

@StuffRoniSays

@Maki is magic

@CheesyKetchup2

@Purple Musicx

@Jayleap

@AniCanFly

@Jasmyn Flowers

@ToastedBagels

@Rosewater15

@KDmPKitaria

@OfficerIDropKickedThatChildInSelf-Defence

@Storm The WeatherWing2

@Emdyinnit

@Shroombee

@The1Imperium

@TheFabledPsychic

@KittyDsmpfan

@Nickyyang100

@TheOceanSeeker

@Elfinnit

@TommyInnit7

@Hovernotfound

@Orange 89

@Azerick2

@Ghaast

@Yourlocalhumanbeing

@VityzSykes

@DuckieLuhv

@PoggersRanboo

If you want to add or remove your name from this list, follow this link and read the notes!

If you want to use this list yourself, follow the link and read the notes!

https://dreamteam.fandom.com/wiki/User:Lance_the_simp#The_Universal_Ping_List

=Lance the simp= I write shit.

I'll add the links to my stories later, rn I just need to add my writing list and my friend list, and keep them separate so I don't annoy people.

Also here are some incorrect quotes;

<><><><><><>

Tubbo: Wouldn't it be pretty different if all your friends died?

Karl: Was that supposed to be a threat, or observational humor? Because I pretty much live in that nightmare already.

<><><><><><>

Wilbur, sarcastically: Show responsibility! Ensure that you cat is ran for.

JSchlatt: I can get behind that logic.

<><><><><><>

Ranboo: See, don't you think other people can be a blessing if you stop being so narrow minded?

Techno: No, not particularly, and I shan't think I ever will.

Ranboo: What abou-

Techno: You and Phil are the only exceptions, and right now you're dancing on thin ice.

Ranboo: ...Noted.

<><><><><><>

Tubbo: When we can become one with our existence, we can tear down the walls of-

Tommy: Hot woman?

Techno: Government?

Tubbo: -Public bathrooms.

Tommy: *Disgusted pride*

Techno: *Disgruntled intimidation*

Ranboo:

Ranboo: I really don't know why either of you are surprised, seeing as you've known this little shit far longer than me.

<><><><><><>

Dream: Confuse the glove, spoil the servant.

Tommy: I swear to god, if you don't stop talking in riddles I'll lose it.

Dream: Bingo.

<><><><><><>

Tommy: They can befriend you, they can erect a statue for you! But Tubbo, listen to me, they can never laugh at you.

Tubbo: Not that what you said wan't inspiring, but it also sounded extremely narrow minded and vain

Tommy: That's fair

<><><><><><>

Write list:

@Kidiot

@Yeetmoi

@Chiguira

@FriskPacifist1

@ClickClips

@DuckieLuhv

@Number2harrypotterfan

@JustHereForNothing

@HeavenlyRickr0ll

@Jasmyn Flowers

@SorryThisUsernameIs

@0PollencentMoon0

@Jaderose35

@IceDragon1235

@Aphlonwy

@Flono322h

@Teatako

@SnoLeopard7

@Commentannermemez

@C00kieAddic

@ThEtBe

@Winged Lizzarrd

@Darlingq

@ItzPandanotfound

@LemonStickersXOXO

@FluffyLavenderCloud

Friend list:

@Kidiot

@DuckieLuhv

@Jaderose35

@IceDragon1235

@LemonStickersXOXO

@DreamyIsTyping/DreamyIsn'tTyping/Ghaast

@ItzPandanotfound

=Journal of a Fallen Star AU=

Chapter 1:
Entry #1

Day three of my janky ass vacation

So, this idiot I live with suggested I write in a journal when he isn’t around. So here we go with this stupid fucking emotional shit.

Some other idiot I once knew told me it all falls, eventually. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I guess it was dumb of me to think trust was any fucknin’ different, even with him. If I had to be honest, I may have been relying on my belief he didn’t have the guts to do it to me a little too much. In a lot of ways, I guess I kinda fuckin’ deserve it, but come on! We agreed for fuck’s sake, to take that motherfucker down. But it is what it is. I’m not in exile, I’m on vacation. Suck it.

Now it’s time to burn this fucking book while he isn’t looking-

Shit-

He’s crying now-

Guess this thing lives to see the next ugly ass sunrise.

Entry #2

Day five (Log Prime Day)

So, if this thing has to stay, and obviously it does if Ghostbur cries every time I attempt to burn the motherfucker. His tears stain my fucking tent blue. But if it’s gonna stay, at least it’s sorta useful, works as the only bloody calendar in this place. I went mining earlier, came out with jack fuckin’ shit. Four bars of iron and 12 coal was not worth the three hours of mining fucking spent. On the bright side though, it was enough to finish my set of iron armor. Would love to write more, but I actually have more pressing matters to deal with, like “How to Sex 3”.

- The most Pogchamp man (not a fuckin’ child) you ever saw, TommyInnit.

Entry #3

Day eight, I’m pretty sure-

That motherfucker, he really is a piece of work. Spent days getting that iron, that little pissbaby was like, “Oh, that’s mine now,” in full fuckin’ netherite. What an asshole.

I have to hide this now, otherwise he’ll burn it and Ghostbur will cry till literally the entirety of Logistire is fuckin’ blue.

I don’t like the color blue.

I never did, always more of red man if you know what I mean.

I like it even less now.

Too close to green.

-  TommyInnit

Entry #4

''He won’t be here today, thank god. (Last known date was the 8th, we’ll call it the 16th for now I guess)''

I hid this stupid book in time, he didn’t bother looking underneath the Nether Portal. Sticking under the camp bed was my first idea, but of course he checked there, I’m glad I didn’t.

Still waiting on Ghostbur to come back. He hasn’t, yet. Left on the third day of the green bastard ruining my fucking life. He hasn’t come back yet.

Dream said he probably won’t, before blowing up all my hard earned shit.

Said he was my only friend now.

I fucking doubt that.

- A very poor man again, TommyInnit

Entry #5

''Been like three days, maybe? I guess the 19th day then?''

Dream comes around every other day or so. It’s really fucking annoying. I can’t have a moment to myself anymore.

Ghostbur still isn’t back. This man checks everywhere, I have to keep hiding this book further and further away.

I think I saw my oldest friend yesterday. Dream said I was imagining it.

He’s probably right.

Poor big T. I really did hurt him, didn’t I? Maybe I should apologize?

…

No, Tommyfuckin’ Innit doesn’t apologize. It’s his fault I’m even in this mess. Besides, if I’m exiled, and my seeing him is my imagination, then how could I apologize anyway?

It’s getting cold at night.

I should make a flint n’ steel, and hide it with the book.

That way I have fire.

Fire is warmth.

Warmth is safety.

Chapter 2:
Entry #6

It’s been about a week, so day 26ish I guess.

I think he knows I’m hiding something from him. Everyday, his search parameter gets wider, and I have to re-hide it rather than risk him finding this shitty ass book. Since Ghostbur is gone, and likely never coming back, this stupid fucking book is my only refuge. It’s getting risky though.

Just yesterday, Dream led me out into the forest without explaining why, and led me on some shitty wild goose chase all day. Trying to keep me from having time to hide it again, I guess.

Joke’s on him, I move it everyday no matter what the fuck happens.

I have enough iron to make a flint n’ steel now. I just need the flint. I’ll hide the iron with the book for now.

It’s only getting colder.

-Tommyinnit

Entry #7

''I don’t know how many days it’s been since I came here. It’s been three since Dream last came. He’ll come again tomorrow.''

Entry #8

''Two days since Dream last came. He’ll come again in three.''

Ghostbur is gone for good. That’s fine, I didn’t need him anyway. That stupid ghost of my dead older brother was just a pain in the ass. I’ll keep this book though. It’s the only thing Dream doesn’t know about, the only constant other than him.

My personal rebellion, I guess.

I fucking hate him.

Dream, I mean.

He’s my only friend, though. Tubbo hasn’t come and seen me once. I’ve seen him plenty of times, but it’s in my head.

It just keeps getting colder.

I finally made a flint n’ steel. Maybe I can ask Dream for some nether blocks.

- TommyInnit

Entry #9

''Five days since Dream was here. He’s late.''

Dream isn’t ever late. Has he forgotten about me?

Maybe it’s just as well.

All the fragments of TNT everywhere are getting bothersome.

I found a piece in my food yesterday. Not that my food was very edible to begin with, I’ve been eating pinecones and other, equally as gross shit, for the last couple days. Anything I can find, really.

RacoonInnit, amiright?

It’s going to snow soon, I can tell. The edges of my lake have started to freeze over. I’m lucky Dream was nice enough to give me some netherack to warm up my tent. I guess he realized I could very well freeze to fuckin’ death out here.

You know, I haven’t had time to really use this the way I meant to.

I meant to write down more than just, what happened today during breakfast.

Well, the way Ghostbur meant me too. I just.. I agree with him, I guess.

Even though he left me.

Even though everyone has left me.

Everything falls, right Wilbur?

- It’s a racoon, in’nit?

Entry #10

I’ve lost track of the days it’s been since Dream was here.

I’ve been traveling recently. I went pretty far north, but I had to come back. I thought I saw that stupid hog, and had a mini panic attack.

TommyInnit, having a panic attack.

What’s happened to me?

A lot, I guess. I slept in my tent for a few days. My chests were empty when I woke up. I could have sworn they were full of things when I went to sleep.

Maybe Dream visited after all? I guess he didn’t see any reason to wake me up. What a nice guy.

I hate him.

Glad he didn’t find the book… I hid it under my pillow when I fell asleep, so I’m kinda surprised it isn’t gone

Maybe he really didn’t want to wake me up.

- A tired man (tired of fucking pinecones), TommyInnit

Entry #11

''Dream’s visiting normally again. Been two days since he was here last.''

I think I’ve successfully gotten him to believe I am in fact not hiding something from him now. His search parameter is much smaller again. I can hide this thing, with my flint n’ steel, at the base of a tree just inside the forest, and he’ll never see it. It’s fuckin’ great.

It’s gotten a lot colder, but I manage. Been holding up in Ghostbur’s old place when the tent gets too cold. I’ve been reading some of his books to pass the time-

-And, well, to be completely fucking honest, they’re really sad.

But it’s nice. It makes me happy to know I’m not the only one freaking suffering.

…

Huh, I just realized.

That, up there, is not, in fact, the f-word.

…

And neither was that.

What the fuck is Dream putting in my pinecones?

Actually, now that I think about it, Ghostbur’s writing style might just be rubbing off on me. He doesn’t like cussing in his writing, makes it ‘unprofessional’.

- Sincerely, not a piss baby like Dream, TommyInnit

Entry #12

Dream visited yesterday, should be safe.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but exile really isn’t so bad! Sure, I live alone, in a shithole, in the middle of bum fuck nowhere, but, hey! I finally found some cows!

Fuck the pinecones!

We havin’ steak tonight. Actually, now that I think about it, this might be my first hot meal since L’manburg. There weren’t any cows in my field when I got here. Probably Dream’s fault, the greedy dickhead.

Like I said before, this isn’t exile.

It’s a one man vacation.

- The not exiled man, man, Big T

Chapter 3:
Entry # 13

It’s so dark-

He-

He just-

I don’t know what I did…!

One moment it was fine, and the next, Dream’s blowing up Ghostbur’s cabin, and my tent-

He blew up my nether blocks too, and just left.

Right now, I’m huddling next to a tree I set on fire just to keep warm enough to stay awake. My fingers are so fucking numb.

There isn’t anything left here.

Once my flint n’ steel brakes, I’m as good as dead.

Should I end it myself, rather than give in?

I’d rather die quite literally any other way then freeze to death.

I’d rather not die at all…

- Tommy

Entry #14

Day one in the Nether

I’m such an idiot! When my flint and steel finally fuckin’ broke, I had built the tower, I was about to do it myself, when it hit me!

The Nether is literally two feet away! Dream had to light it to leave the island, it’s been here the whole time!

I landed in water and ran, didn’t stop running until I was through the portal and thousands of blocks away in the nether.

I’m so tired...

To think that I thought I was going to freeze or fall to death in that fucking place.

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting on one of those soft red trees in the Nether. Ya’ know, the ones that look like what I want to say are willow trees? I was lucky enough to stumble blind into, damn, what’s it called…. A crimson forest, right? Yeah, yeah the warped ones are blue.

I’m glad...

I still don’t like blue.

I remember, when I was a child (I’m not a child anymore), that I was banned from going into the Nether. Phil said it was too dangerous by myself, what with me and my habit of getting into trouble.

His words big man, not mine.

I don’t know why he said that though. Sure, the mobs are pretty annoying, but when you get away from them, the Nether is a pretty damn peaceful place. No sounds but the soft whispering of soul sand, the rhythmic crackle of lava, and my own, heavy breathing.

I think I’m going to go to sleep now…

Chapter 4:
Entry #15

''I have no idea how long it’s been. Time in the Nether doesn’t work quite the same.''

I can’t believe I found this. I thought I had lost it. It’s been… a long, long time.

I’ve…

I’ve escaped.

They all think I’m dead.

I can live out the rest of my days, here in the fire, alone and unbothered.

Dream can keep the fucking discs.

Tubbo can keep L’manburg, the shithole it was.

I’m happy here.

Alone.

Fuck, I’m so alone.

I built a treehouse in that Crimson Biome I lost this in.

Of course it was in the one place I didn’t look, a Warped Forest.

A piglin must’ve swiped it, and then died.

Or something. I don’t give a fuck. Now that I have this thing I can stop talking to myself.

Even the mobs look at me like I’m crazy.

It’s harder to live here than you might think, purely because it’s difficult to get armor. The fire, I can manage.

It’s the fucking piglins that’ll get to me first.

- Tommy

Entry #16

''I’ve slept maybe eight times since the last entry. Not that it means anything, I hardly ever sleep.''

I have a tagalong. He follows me around, and gets in the way. I haven’t bothered getting rid of him yet though, got too much to do.

Besides, company that doesn’t talk is a nice change of pace.

I’ve renovated my treehouse a bit. It has bridges that lead all the way around the Crimson Forest. I’m thinking about building a wall around the Warped Forest, both so that I don’t have to see it and so the piglins stop raiding me.

I wonder if, I went to the Nether Fortress and used the Blaze farm there to get more blaze powder, instead of actively hunting the dumb creatures, anyone would notice. It’s getting hard to keep my fire res chest stocked, now that they avoid my forest.

- Tommy

Entry #17

I’ve slept 6 times since my last entry.

I’ve realized a flaw in my design, as hard as that is to believe.

My treehouse is as fortified as a Bastian, and while that’s great because it means no mobs can get in, it also means Tagalong can’t get in either. Which is bad, not because I like him or anything, but because this thing has terrible separation anxiety and makes it even harder to sleep with his panicked grunting messing up the Nether’s natural lullaby. So I have to deal with that. I might just have to let him ride on my shoulders, it’s not like there’s any other way to carry him around, my satchel’s too small. Ya’ know, I could carry him around in a bag, like old ladies and their tiny, hatful dogs.

Tagalong isn’t hateful, he just likes to talk, hear his own voice.

Like me, a long time ago.

He likes watching me write too, even though he can’t read the words I’m writing. Maybe I should teach him English before my voice disappears from lack of use.

- Tommy, and... Little Tagalong.

Entry #18

Slept seven times since I last wrote.

Piglet is learning English fairly fast. He can’t speak it, guttural language, decaying voice box, and such, but he calls me ‘Light.’ At least, that’s what it sounds like. From what I remember the hog telling me about piglin key words, that means ‘Blaze’ in piglin. I’m not sure why he calls me that, I’m human after all, and I don’t really have a habit of shooting fire, but whatever works.

I’ve noticed he responds to the name ‘Piglet’ better than anything else, though sometimes he looks up at ‘Tagalong’.

Sometimes.

I’m working on making a bigger pouch for him to ride with me in. It’s gonna be a Piglet proof backpack, he does like fiddling with buttons and clips and things, so I’ll have to make sure he can’t fall out.

Time to go find the leather to finish it, I guess.

- Tommy and Piglet

Chapter 5:
Entry Number One

Date: December 20th, 2020

It amuses me that Tommy thinks he can hide things from me successfully. I’ve known he’s been hiding something for a while, but now that I know what it is, well, I have to laugh. Here I was, thinking he was hiding bombs, or weapons, or armor, anything to take me down.

But it was just a stupid little Diary?

A catalogue of “What Dream did to ruin my life today,” huh?

Fantastic. I’ll let him keep it, it’s a good way to keep a closer eye on his progress.

Of course, it’s also a good way to see what else he’s been hiding. A flint and steel isn’t that noteworthy, actually, it’s to be expected. I wondered if he was going to try and keep himself warm, or ask me for help. Turns out he did both!

That tells me two things.

One, he’s almost where I need him to be.

Two, I haven’t broken him badly enough for him not to care about his own wellbeing, which is good.

That needs to stay the way it is, for now.

Pinecones, ha, what a joke.

- Dream ;)

Entry #19

I don’t think I’ll be sleeping anytime soon.

That…

That…

That fucking piece of breathing dumpster fire! I can’t even-

Piglet was flipping through my journal, I gave it to him to keep the little guy entertained while I built, ah... extensions, to the house. When I looked over, he was trying to read an entry that…

Well, that I was damn sure I didn’t write.

It was at the end of the book, and the handwriting-

It was just…

So…

So annoyingly crisp.

So clear.

I could hear his voice as I read it.

I’ll tell you fucking what, I swore I’d never let myself hear his voice again.

But here we are.

He knew.

That stupid son of a bitch k n e w.

I’ll kill him!

When I get my hands around that man’s throat, he’ll wish he never fucking knew me.

“A flint and steel isn’t that noteworthy.”

I was this close to fucking freezing to death, you shit human being.

If there’s even a human face behind that god damned mask of yours.

- TommyFuckin’ Innit

Entry Won!

This is Piglet’s entry, he wanted to write one too.

'''Im Piglet. That what light call me. He'''

ta-

tug-

Told me about CAPITOL LETTERS this day.

I LIKE CAPITOL LETTERS

They big, an easy to draw.

Light like to end his entrys with Tommy so I will to!!

- Tommy (Piglet)

Entry #20

Been three sleep cycles, I think.

You know, for having hooves instead of hands, Piglet isn’t bad. I could read his entry. Of course, I’m used to my own shitty chicken scratch, so maybe I’m bais.

Not like it matters though, there’s no one out here to judge or disagree.

I went up to the over world the other day, desperately needed some water, and the Piglins were still in a foul mood about the wall, so they didn’t want to trade.

As far as I can tell, it’s been about two years since I was exiled.

Which, is a fuck ton.

I had no idea I'd been out here for that long.

It doesn’t matter though, I don’t want to go back.

The sun isn’t warm enough anymore.

The nether is my home.

- Tommy and Piglet.

Entry #21

I’ve slept four times since the last entry.

I haven’t slept much recently. I don’t know why, but Dream’s entry is bugging me. Of course, I’ve already held it over an open fire until the fire resist enchantment it had broke and the page burned, but they way he worded it-

It bugs me.

I only read the thing once, and it’s engraved into my head.

He worded it as if it wasn’t my journal, but his.

He knew I would find it too, I-

I don’t know…

I can’t do anything without jumping at the slightest noise anymore.

I know he wrote that entry before either of us would have thought I’d dare to leave, and I haven’t told Piglet about Dream so he just thought it was another one of my entries.

I just…

I shudder to think what would happen if he found me now.

Living peacefully, under nobody’s rule but my own and the will of the Nether.

As I write this, Piglet is asleep next to me. I haven’t slept in at least three of his cycles, and no creature in the nether sleeps much.

Piglet even less, because he lives with me.

I really should follow in his suit, but…

...

I̶'̶m̶ ̶a̶f̶r̶a̶i̶d̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶o̶s̶s̶i̶b̶i̶l̶i̶t̶y̶ ̶h̶e̶'̶l̶l̶ ̶c̶o̶m̶e̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶s̶o̶o̶n̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶I̶ ̶l̶e̶t̶ ̶m̶y̶ ̶g̶u̶a̶r̶d̶ ̶d̶o̶w̶n̶.̶

I’m afraid of what will happen if I do.

- TommyInnit.

Entry #22

I can’t find Piglet.

Chapter 6:
Entry #23

I haven’t slept at all.

I’ve been looking for him everywhere-

I can’t find him.

He hasn’t been outside of my care for half of his life, and I wasn’t fucking kidding about the seperation anxiety.

Oh my Prime, I-

It’s all my fault, I shouldn’t have left him alone-

I left him near the Nether Fortress, and told him to stay!

I had-

I was going somewhere dangerous, and despite my efforts the backpack does not work-

And when I came back he was fucking gone.

I-

I can’t help but wonder if this is Dream’s fault-

If he’s been watching me this whole time, and I felt to safe too notice-

The back of my neck keeps prickling as I get closer and closer to the Nether Hub in my desperate searching.

If they all think I’m dead, sure I want to fucking keep it that way but Piglet is more important than my comfort and soilidarty at this point.

I don’t care if Dream did take him.

I don’t care if he’s already killed my baby zombie piglin, I’m not going to cower and cry like a broken child.

That man is dead.

- TommyInnit

Entry #24

I don’t think I’ll ever sleep again.

I can’t believe it.

Well, actually, I can, but I don’t fucking want to.

First he takes my freedom, then he takes my safety, and now he takes my child.

Dream isn’t the dead man here, Tubbo is.

As much as I would love to pierce that green man’s throat with my knife, after this, Tubbo’s first on my hitlist.

I almost died because of him.

Really, died.

Last life.

No respawn.

Sure, it was Dream who lit the TNT, but it was Tubbo who sent me away.

Tubbo, who choose a stupid plot of land that didn’t even matter anymore because Wilbur was dead, over his best friend.

Tubbo, who took my only refuge.

My only friend.

Because he isn’t anymore.

‘Tommy and Tubbo against the world’?

The words of a naive child.

- TommyInnit

Entry Too I think!

I think too comes after won.

I found some white sticks that show up on these walls.

It cold here.

Really cold.

I miss Light house, and the bag, satchel, light called it.

These weird men came and trapped me in hole.

I grunted loud as I could.

Would have shouted like light does sometimes as he sleep.

But I can’t.

Too hard.

They came back days later, digging me out of hole and taking me to this cold place.

I think light told me about places like this.

Is the white stuff I see outside snow?

I don’t like snow.

Light only brought me into overworld once.

It was cold.

He said that ‘sun not warm enough like nether’

His voice sounded piglin like

Light don’t talk much.

The weird people who brought me here do.

Call me, Michael.

I don’t like that name.

It sound dumb.

They talk to me in loud and high pitch voice.

As an-

Annyo-

Annoy-

As scary as ghast scream.

Hope light come soon

I miss nether.

Run out of room on these tiny, cold walls.

- Tomm-

Entry #25

''I fell asleep while trying to bridge over lava. I have fire res for years though, and Piglet is-''

Well, he’s not with me anyway.

Not really a big deal.

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the overworld recently.

I forget how loud it is on this side of the nether portal.

I haven’t had the guts to travel into L’manburg yet-

Or, rather, what’s left of it.

Apparently, Dream’s first assumption was that I ran away (I hate that he was right) so he came and threatened L’manburg.

Said that if I didn’t come out, he’d blow it up.

He only assumed I must be dead after it was gone, chunk errored, and I hadn’t shown face once.

I hope Tubbo was there to watch it all fall.

Without me there, to watch it fall with him.

Heh.

He wasn’t there when Wilbur told me it all fell.

He didn’t learn his lesson the first time

Admittedly, neither did I, but…

At least I did learn.

Techno, as much of the mindless pig that he is, was right.

Only about one thing though.

I did want to be the hero.

I don’t anymore.

- TommyInnit

Chapter 7:
Entry #27

Tubbo is a dead man.

Im….

There aren’t any words in my vocabulary that describe how pissed I am right now.

I’m sure there’s a word for it, but I was never the english wizz. That was Wilbur’s department, and look how he turned out.

‘Course, I didn’t turn out much better. I’m plotting to kill my ex-best friend.

He has it coming though, can’t feel too bad, can we?

…

I say we.

It’s just me right now.

Not for long. They have Piglet in a fucking tundra biome.

A tundra.

If it weren’t for the fact I know my geologys I wouldnt even know what that word means.

I do, though.

Snow.

You put a zombie piglin in a snow biome.

What idits.

What complete utter fools.

No wonder I turned out the way I have, the birdman didn’t know what being a Fire Child meant either.

Time to burn this place to the ground.

It’ll warm Piglet up, at least, if not satisfy my anger.

- TommyInnit

Entry tree

Won, too, tree… I can’t remember what come next.

It really cold here.

And these weird men don’t feed me.

They keep wondering what happen to the chicken they put up here to keep company.

Light would call that being idiot, I think.

They were really confuse at my other entry.

I guess they really are idiot, light could reed my words.

They wipe it away.

I write smaller this time, that way there room for other thing.

They seem to care about me, but never come see me.

Light always made sure I see him if I want too.

Light much nicer.

Light warm.

The tall one give me bad feeling.

Like he isnt really what he seem.

When I look at him, i see scary ender eye.

The short one has little horns.

He seem kinda scared all the time.

Not careful scared like light.

Nervous scare.

I thought i saw light earlier

Out in the snow.

I don think so though.

If light were here he would take me back to nether, back to warm Light house.

Back to the quiet.

Light like quiet.

I know why now.

It loud here in overworld

I can hear crunchy foots steps an the muttering of the golden man from here in my little place.

Light said something about something call an exile wons.

When i ask about it, he says he was trapped, in an ‘open prison’

I don’t know what that means, but this feel like ‘closed prison.’

They don’t let me move freely like light does.

Am i in ‘prison’?

- Tommy

Entry #28

He’s still with those jackasses.

Piglet is within my reach. I can see him looking longingly out the window sometimes.

Like I can call that thing a window.

I’ve been stalking the house for almost 2 weeks now. Tubbo’s schedule is as chaotic as it ever was. And he lives with the weird tall guy now.

I want to say his name is Ranboo?

I can’t remember

I got really close one day, intending to shove my netherite axe in their faces, but I could have sworn I saw rings on their horns.

What the fuck happened while I was away?

Needless to say, that put me off from killing these fuckers.

Even if Tubbo is married, he made the mistake of messing with my kid.

I’ll confront him tomorrow…

That’s when the shit hits the fucking fan.

It all..

Falls…

Down…...

- TommyInnit

Chapter 8:
''The horned brunette walked towards his home, excited to see the one he considers his child. He walks inside, and considers going right up, but remembers the armor his partner had made for the small beast. He begins to walk back outside, through the front door.''

''He’s stopped by the feeling of enchanted netherite resting against his neck. It obviously had a high sharpness enchantment, as it was barely touching the horned man, yet still it drew blood.''

''“Where is he,” said a gruff voice. Something in the stranger’s tone rang a single bell in the horned brunette’s mind, clear and sharp.''

As sharp as the axe against his throat.

“Who?” He croaked desperately, trying to get a look at his assaulter.

''“The kid. My Piglet. You know who I’m talking about Tubbo, you piece of shit.”''

''It was as his attacker said this that the horned man, Tubbo, got a good look at his face. Recognizing it as his childhood friend, Tubbo gasped, the axe at his throat almost forgotten.''

''“Tommy? Wh- Nguhf-” Tubbo was cut off by the shifting of the axe his friend held at his throat.''

''“Don’t you dare say my name like that, like nothing happened, Tubbo,” The longhaired blonde spat. “Just shut up, and give me back my kid.”''

''His kid? Tubbo was confused. “T- Tommy, we thought you were dead! I-”''

''“Yeah,” the other cut off. The one known as Tommy. “I wanted it to stay that way. But you wandered too close to my turf, and took something too valuable for me to ignore. Give. Him. Back. Or I slit your throat right now.”''

“Are- Are you talking about M-Michael?”

''“M- You changed his name?!” The one called Tommy had an indescribable rage on his face. The axe cut deeper.''

''“Give. Him. Back. Or I break you and burn this place down to the ground, right here, right now.”''

''“N- no! And what about Michael? He’ll get h- hurt too!” Tubbo pleaded. He had been backing away this entire time, slowly but surely, and was now up against his living room wall. There were drops of blood on the ground from the door to where he was standing.''

“You have the balls to say no? Now ''you have the balls to say no? What about back then, Tubbo? What about when I needed you to say no?”''

Tubbo coughed, and groaned in dismay when he tasted a coppery warmth in his mouth.

“What about Michael!?”

''Tommy laughed shrilly. “What about ‘Michael’, eh? He’s a piglin, a zombie piglin at that. The only thing hurting him here is the cold hell you’ve trapped him in. You did that to me, Tubbo, and now you’ve done it to my kid. I’ll make sure you don’t do it to anyone else.”''

>>>

The cabin burned for a long time.

Chapter 9:
Ranboo’s Entry:

- Tuesday

The cabin is gone.

So is Tubbo.

So is Michael.

Did he-

Did Tubbo find out about everything?

Foolish said that he saw a figure walking out of the cabin holding Michael. He said he couldn’t tell who it was from the distance.

He did say that it seemed to be taller then Tubbo, but at the time he didn’t notice.

He only realized the cabin was on fire after it was far too late.

When he did, he came to find me…

I need to find Tubbo.

And if Tubbo is gone…

I need to find Michael and keep him safe.

Keep him safe better than I kept Tubbo safe.

Things to do:

- Question Syndicate

- Find Michael

- Rebuild cabin

- Pay Foolish

- Keep looking for 4th book

Entry #29

Sleeping is a thing of the past.

I-

I didn’t mean to kill him…

I really didn’t.

Fuck, he’s really dead now, isn’t he?

That was his last life.

If they-

If they find out it was me, they’ll come looking.

I love my home as it is, but for the safety of M-

Piglet.

For the safety of Piglet, we have to move deeper into the nether. Maybe I’ll make that lava lake near my forest my new home.

I’m somewhat re familiarized with traveling the overworld, I could get a shit ton of sand and just make a glass city under the lava.

No one could find us then.

None of the mobs really attack me around here anymore anyway. In their eyes, I’ve become one of them. Zombie piglins are family oriented, maybe if I ask them to attack anyone who comes out this far on sight, they will.

Piglet was happy to see me when I took-

Rescued -Him from the overworld. Poor kid was freezing, the only thing I had on me was one of my old shirts… The red and white one.

When we got back to the nether, he didn’t want to take it off, so I let him keep it.

Any time I feel bad about killing him, I look at Piglet, and see the name tag they put on him. Michael. Fucking idiots. Name Tags are permanent, and have tendencies to make young mobs grow up docile.

Wilbur told me once that the word means tame. o If Piglet’s going to survive in the nether, with me, where he belongs, he can’t be tame.

- Tommy and…. And Piglet.

Entry #30

''I feel asleep at my desk. I only slept for a little while though, Piglet panicked. Apparently I wasn’t breathing enough.''

There isn’t time to regret my actions. As soon as Dream finds out about Tubbo’s death, he’ll know it was me. It’s time to get the jump on him while he thinks I’m dead.

I can picture it now. He’s just standing there, and I just come ‘round and-

Well, you get the gist.

I was reading past entries when I fell asleep. God, what a child I was.

Pinecones. Jesus.

If I ever have to lay eyes on another pinecone again, I’ll burn down an entire forest.

Not even kidding.

Piglet said that he wrote entries too, while in Snowchester. I have this warm feeling in my chest that I don’t recognize, and I have to wonder, is that pride?

Damn, I really do have a shit family.

I’ll make him his own book and satchel tomorrow.

- Tommy and Piglet

P.S. He’s ecstatic.

Entry For!

Light told me what come after tree.

He said I spell thing wrong sometimes, but that the men who kept me in Snowchester should have still been able to reed it if they weren’t illiterate.

Im so happy!

'This is my own journal'', so i can write to! Light made it just for me!'''

I even have bag, satchel, to put it in!

SO HAPPY!

Light said that I should end entries with my name so that he doesn’t get our books confused.

Light so funny, his English much better than mine.

- Piglet

Entry #31

''I’ve started sleeping again. Slept four times since my last entry.''

At this point, I live for this small child. He’s so cute. He showed me his entry after writing it, even though I told him it was his, and that he didn’t need to show it to me. I need to protect Piglet with everything I’ve got.

The plan is going smoothly. I’ve gotten a lot of glass so far.

I decided to visit L’manburg on one of my trips.

It’s a fucking mess.

The one good thing Dream ever did, in my opinion.

Even Wilbur wanted it gone, in the end.

He was right, of course.

It wasn’t what he built it to be anymore, in the end.

Piglet is reading over my shoulder, and he wanted to know what L’manburg was.

My voice is too mangled to do the song justice, but I’ll write it down for him.

''[Verse 1]

''I heard there was a special place,

''Where men could go, emancipate,

''The brutality

''And tyranny

''Of their rulers.

''Well this place is real you needn't fret,

''With Wilbur, Tommy, Tubbo, fuck Eret

''A very big and not blown up L'Manberg.

''[Chorus]

''My L'Manberg

''My L'Manberg

''My L'Manberg

''My L'Manberg

''[Verse 2]

''For freedom and for liberty,

''Our nation sought to build on these,

''A victory for all under democracy.

''Well the darkness came and then it went,

''We built a home and watched it sink,

''And from the rubble, there emerged L'Manberg

''[Chorus]

''My L'Manberg

''My L'Manberg

''My L'Manberg

''My L'Manberg

''[Verse 3]

''With bloodied hands and weakened knees,

''Our people rose like the phoenix,

''Our empty fields and canals 'round L'Mantree.

''With sweat and tears we armed our ranks,

''We laid foundations in our land,

''And from every lips fro here up to infinity;

''[Chorus]

''We sing L'Manberg

''We sing L'Manberg

''We sing L'Manberg

''to our L'Manberg

He asked me who Tubbo, Wilbur, and Eret are.

Were.

To be honest, kid, I don’t know either.

…

I will say that Tubbo was one of the people who took you from me.

He wasn't all bad.

I knew him, a long time ago, to be deserving of much better than he got.

- Tommy and Piglet

Entry #32

Been 4 sleep cycles I’ve taken to taking Piglet with me wherever I go. That Ender hybrid, Ranboo, is bound to be looking for him.

Him and…

It’s best not to think about it.

From my recent trips to the overworld, I’ve found out that the rest of the server realizes Dream is a terrible person now.

Took them fucking long enough.

Apparently, Awesamedude built a massive prison before Dream revealed himself as a phyco, and now they’re trying to lock him up.

The problem is, the man is impossible to catch.

Well, lucky for me, I’m not trying to catch him.

Something else that’s pretty lucky, if everyone knows Dream is a monster, they might assume it was him that killed Tubbo.

That buys me some time.

- Tommy and a sleeping little Piglet

Entry #33

Slept six times since I last wrote.

I… ah, found my…

Found my…

Memorial, yesterday.

Apparently Tubbo made it.

There’s a chest full of some of my old things.

It…

It hurt to look at them.

While, uh, looting my own grave, and digging around, I found a chest about three blocks down.

It was full of letters.

Letters from Tubbo.

A few of them were dated around the time of my exile, but…

Most of them were written after they thought I died.

I guess Tubbo was the one who found the pillar.

Put two and two together, and…

Well…

It broke him. I can see it in his letters. Reading them in order, I can see how he slowly started to change.

It felt just like reading through my own entries.

From the bright, charismatic fool I knew…

To whatever mess he had become when he stopped writing.

Encased below are the letters he wrote to me.

It didn’t feel right, leaving them there.

- TommyInnit

Chapter 9:
Ranboo’s Entry:

- Tuesday

The cabin is gone.

So is Tubbo.

So is Michael.

Did he-

Did Tubbo find out about everything?

Foolish said that he saw a figure walking out of the cabin holding Michael. He said he couldn’t tell who it was from the distance.

He did say that it seemed to be taller then Tubbo, but at the time he didn’t notice.

He only realized the cabin was on fire after it was far too late.

When he did, he came to find me…

I need to find Tubbo.

And if Tubbo is gone…

I need to find Michael and keep him safe.

Keep him safe better than I kept Tubbo safe.

Things to do:

- Question Syndicate

- Find Michael

- Rebuild cabin

- Pay Foolish

- Keep looking for 4th book

Entry #29

Sleeping is a thing of the past.

I-

I didn’t mean to kill him…

I really didn’t.

Fuck, he’s really dead now, isn’t he?

That was his last life.

If they-

If they find out it was me, they’ll come looking.

I love my home as it is, but for the safety of M-

Piglet.

For the safety of Piglet, we have to move deeper into the nether. Maybe I’ll make that lava lake near my forest my new home.

I’m somewhat re familiarized with traveling the overworld, I could get a shit ton of sand and just make a glass city under the lava.

No one could find us then.

None of the mobs really attack me around here anymore anyway. In their eyes, I’ve become one of them. Zombie piglins are family oriented, maybe if I ask them to attack anyone who comes out this far on sight, they will.

Piglet was happy to see me when I took-

Rescued

-Him from the overworld. Poor kid was freezing, the only thing I had on me was one of my old shirts…

The red and white one.

When we got back to the nether, he didn’t want to take it off, so I let him keep it.

Any time I feel bad about killing him, I look at Piglet, and see the name tag they put on him. Michael. Fucking idiots. Name Tags are permanent, and have tendencies to make young mobs grow up docile.

Wilbur told me once that the word means tame.

If Piglet’s going to survive in the nether, with me, where he belongs, he can’t be tame.

- Tommy and…. And Piglet.

Entry #30

''I feel asleep at my desk. I only slept for a little while though, Piglet panicked. Apparently I wasn’t breathing enough.''

There isn’t time to regret my actions. As soon as Dream finds out about Tubbo’s death, he’ll know it was me. It’s time to get the jump on him while he thinks I’m dead.

I can picture it now. He’s just standing there, and I just come ‘round and-

Well, you get the gist.

I was reading past entries when I fell asleep. God, what a child I was.

Pinecones. Jesus.

If I ever have to lay eyes on another pinecone again, I’ll burn down an entire forest.

Not even kidding.

Piglet said that he wrote entries too, while in Snowchester. I have this warm feeling in my chest that I don’t recognize, and I have to wonder, is that pride?

Damn, I really do have a shit family.

I’ll make him his own book and satchel tomorrow.

- Tommy and Piglet

P.S. He’s ecstatic.

Entry For!

Light told me what come after tree.

He said I spell thing wrong sometimes, but that the men who kept me in Snowchester should have still been able to reed it if they weren’t illiterate.

Im so happy!

'This is my own journal,'' so i can write to! Light made it just for me!'''

I even have bag, satchel, to put it in!

SO HAPPY!

Light said that I should end entries with my name so that he doesn’t get our books confused.

Light so funny, his English much better than mine.

- Piglet

Entry #31

''I’ve started sleeping again. Slept four times since my last entry.''

At this point, I live for this small child. He’s so cute. He showed me his entry after writing it, even though I told him it was his, and that he didn’t need to show it to me. I need to protect Piglet with everything I’ve got.

The plan is going smoothly. I’ve gotten a lot of glass so far.

I decided to visit L’manburg on one of my trips.

It’s a fucking mess.

The one good thing Dream ever did, in my opinion.

Even Wilbur wanted it gone, in the end.

He was right, of course.

It wasn’t what he built it to be anymore, in the end.

Piglet is reading over my shoulder, and he wanted to know what L’manburg was.

My voice is too mangled to do the song justice, but I’ll write it down for him.

[Verse 1]

I heard there was a special place,

Where men could go, emancipate,

The brutality

And tyranny

Of their rulers.

Well this place is real you needn't fret,

With Wilbur, Tommy, Tubbo, fuck Eret

A very big and not blown up L'Manberg.

[Chorus]

My L'Manberg

My L'Manberg

My L'Manberg

My L'Manberg

[Verse 2]

For freedom and for liberty,

Our nation sought to build on these,

A victory for all under democracy.

Well the darkness came and then it went,

We built a home and watched it sink,

And from the rubble, there emerged L'Manberg

[Chorus]

My L'Manberg

My L'Manberg

My L'Manberg

My L'Manberg

[Verse 3]

With bloodied hands and weakened knees,

Our people rose like the phoenix,

Our empty fields and canals 'round L'Mantree.

With sweat and tears we armed our ranks,

We laid foundations in our land,

And from every lips fro here up to infinity;

[Chorus]

We sing L'Manberg

We sing L'Manberg

We sing L'Manberg

to our L'Manberg

He asked me who Tubbo, Wilbur, and Eret are.

Were.

To be honest, kid, I don’t know either.

…

I will say that Tubbo was one of the people who took you from me.

He wasn't all bad.

I knew him, a long time ago, to be deserving of much better than he got.

- Tommy and Piglet

Entry #32

Been 4 sleep cycles

I’ve taken to taking Piglet with me wherever I go. That Ender hybrid, Ranboo, is bound to be looking for him.

Him and…

It’s best not to think about it.

From my recent trips to the overworld, I’ve found out that the rest of the server realizes Dream is a terrible person now.

Took them fucking long enough.

Apparently, Awesamedude built a massive prison before Dream revealed himself as a phyco, and now they’re trying to lock him up.

The problem is, the man is impossible to catch.

Well, lucky for me, I’m not trying to catch him.

Something else that’s pretty lucky, if everyone knows Dream is a monster, they might assume it was him that killed Tubbo.

That buys me some time.

- Tommy and a sleeping little Piglet

Entry #33

Slept six times since I last wrote.

I… ah, found my…

Found my…

Memorial, yesterday.

Apparently Tubbo made it.

There’s a chest full of some of my old things.

It…

It hurt to look at them.

While, uh, looting my own grave, and digging around, I found a chest about three blocks down.

It was full of letters.

Letters from Tubbo.

A few of them were dated around the time of my exile, but…

Most of them were written after they thought I died.

I guess Tubbo was the one who found the pillar.

Put two and two together, and…

Well…

It broke him. I can see it in his letters. Reading them in order, I can see how he slowly started to change.

It felt just like reading through my own entries.

From the bright, charismatic fool I knew…

To whatever mess he had become when he stopped writing.

Encased below are the letters he wrote to me.

It didn’t feel right, leaving them there.

- TommyInnit

=Mother to Monster AU=

Song
Here I am,

Sitting and wondering,

Questioning life,

Questioning my morals,

My sanity and self,

The same damn twisted fate as everyone else…

And though I tried,

To keep my promises,

You backstabbed me first!

Taking my kindness as weakness…

I’ll make sure that mistake is your last!

Hey!

Ho!

What would ya’ know?

Now I’m the villain!

Hey!

Ho!

What would ya’ know?

The protector you once knew is gone!

Hey!

Ho!

What would ya’ know?

This story of a good heart turned wrong!

I used to be,

Someone people relied on,

Someone to clean the messes you all made,

Someone to be the mother you all clearly needed,

But now that me is gone,

I am the villain,

Do you know what that means?

I can trust no one,

Not myself and not my creed,

Not even those,

I consider my family…

So get lost!

Hey!

Ho!

What do ya’ know?

I’m not the ‘mother’ I was!

Hey!

Ho!

What do ya’ know?

Stop telling me this isn’t who I’m supposed to be!

Hey!

Ho!

What do ya’ know?

From Mother to Monster,

Watch my horns GLEAM!

And now I stand before you,

Wondering what exactly what you’ll do,

Now that you’ll face Death,

When you face me too!

You murder,

Betrayer,

You psychopath!

And maybe I’m going too far,

Saying that-

-I mean, my son did similar things,

] (Adopted)

But I while I still love him,

I have a hard time loving you after what you did!

HEY

(Hey!)

HO

(Ho!)

WHAT WOULD YOU KNOW?

I KNOW THIS A ONE EIGHTY,

A WHITE KNIGHT OF MONARCHS,

(A fool’s knight of glamour)

A KIND GENTLE SOUL,

(A naive weak soul)

SINGING RAGE ROCK KARAOKE IN A BAR FAR SO FROM HOME?

MY DUCKLINGS,

YOU’D HARDLY RECOGNIZE ME NOW I’M AFRAID!

BECAUSE NOW I’M THE CRIME BOSS OF FUCKIN’ LA!

(Haha, LA!)

And it comes to my attention,

Now that I’ve had my spiel,

That you aren’t quaking in your boots,

Do you not think I’m for real?

I’ll kill you right here,

And though I might regret it later,

I certainly wouldn’t right now!

Hey!

Ho!

What do I know?

I know that I failed to protect…

Hey!

Ho!

What do I know?

I know I killed my best friend…

Hey!

Ho!

What do I know?

I know my actions today will stay with me till’ the end…

So….

(So-!)

I’d better make them last,

And make them stay,

Make it clear to everyone who’s wronged me today,

That I will not stop,

Sorry doesn’t cut it anymore,

Your demise is what will satisfy me,

Nothing less!

Chapter 1
Captain Puffy woke up to a heavy silence. It bore down on her heart, nearly bringing tears to her eyes. Fiercely rubbing them, she beat down her anguish.

“Come’on Puffs, this is basic! Don’t show weakness, even alone,” she said to herself.

Being a villain was admittedly rather difficult. It didn’t matter how she looked at it, she wasn’t built for it. Puffy didn’t have underpooling insanity like Soot, ulterior motives like Niki did. She was just a broken-hearted mother. If anything, that worked against her case.

“Hey, I made a promise. Everyone who’s hurt me or Foolish.” she argued with herself.

Puffy smiled wryly when she realized she was the only one there. Perhaps she wasn’t as sane as she’d like to believe. Or maybe she was just lonely. She hadn’t managed to find Foolish before he respawned and locked himself away in one build or another, throwing himself into his work. Puffy would have liked to see Niki, but…

“She’s past her problems, me coming to her with this insane declaration of villainy would only hurt her,” She whispered aloud. So much for not caring about anyone but herself.

There’s always… a little voice in her head suggested quietly.

Puffy shuddered at the thought. “No,” she said. “After everything, that’s the last place I’d like to go right now.” Despite Foolish’s recent death, the large prison vault that stood in the Heartlands of the SMP was the biggest reminder of her failures as a parent. It probably always would be, being three times Foolish’s real height, which was 20 some odd feet. She hadn’t visited Dream yet, and while he would probably the only one left who would both understand, and maybe even help-

“No,” she said again. It was best to squash that train of thought now rather than later. Breaking her other son out of prison was way further than Puffy was willing to go.

Leaving her house, she walked along the path that went around the whole central SMP. She noticed that a building was messed up, and that the path and dirt around it were messed up and displaced. Puffy ignored the ich she felt to clean it up. “Not my problem,” she muttered, heading out into the wilderness. Wilbur had Pogtopia, Niki had her Secret City, and… and, well, Dream had his vault. Every “villain” Puffy could think of had a secret base of operations far away from where people thought they lived.

It was time to get to work.

>>>

Puffy stepped back, inspecting her handiwork. She had found a grounded ship in a beach some ways north, hidden by a cove surrounded by nothing but sheer cliffs and a cave or two. Puffy, upon finding it, had abandoned any other ideas she may have had and begun revamping the place for her purposes. It had been a perfect find, really. She held the title of ‘Captain’ in her full name, and while that didn’t necessarily mean she was one to travel the high seas, referring to herself as a ‘pirate’ rather than a ‘villain’ made it easier to process, somehow.

So Puffy had gathered a bunch of dark wood and had begun making the ship bigger, darker, and more haunted looking. Terraforming the cove so it was covered, she lit it up with lanterns, and placed bridges crossing the length of the cove in several places and altitudes. She had used the natural cave systems to her advantage, making steep and winding staircases to and from them. It wasn’t anywhere near finished, but already it felt like home.

Puffy’s brake was over, so she decided to continue working on the ship. After working on it for hours already, it was massive. A deep and ragged gash in the hull served as the opening, and the proper entrance to her whole base. Inside the ship was her living quarters, hidden with several misleading doorways and a few clever tricks with slabs. On the deck of the ship, she had her working benches and basic storage, and if one had ladders they could climb up the mast to the lookout, where she had hidden her enderchest and a small wooden chest of valuables.

It really was perfect. Finishing up for the day, Puffy placed a chest on front of the entrance, with a book inside reading, “Enter if you dare, into Danger’s Lair.” She didn’t think anyone would find it so soon, but it was a nice touch.

Leaving the cove, she felt her worries and pain catch up with her, and the sudden wave of emotions felt like they were choking her. She understood, now, at a core level, why Foolish locked himself away after the banquet. When you have nothing to do, your mind wanders into places it shouldn’t. Trudging through the Nether back into civilization, she enters the Community Hou- “Hub,” She corrected herself, looking at the roofless brick square she stood in.

Walking along the Prime Path back to her house, she noticed Awesamedude walking- No, stomping angrily over the bridge that leads to the prison onto the path. Puffy couldn’t help but call out a greeting. He had been there during the Banquet after all, and tried his best to keep everyone safe, even though the TNT didn’t work.

He looked at Puffy in surprise, and walked over. “Puffy,” he said in greeting. “What are you doing here?”

Puffy ignored the slight panic that arose at his question. ''What if he finds out what I’m doing? Will he throw me in the joint? Does he already know?''

“Just coming back home after a day’s work,” She said smoothly, smiling through the chaotic and terrified thoughts running through her head.

Sam just nodded, then frowned. You actually couldn’t see his mouth, it was covered by a lightweight gas mask painted like a creeper’s mouth, but she’d known Sam long enough to be able to tell. “Unfortunately for me, my day’s work is nowhere near done.” Pinching the bridge of his nose, he sighed in exasperation. “I doubt it will be three days from now, even with the advantage given to me by the Nether.”

Puffy was no longer panicked, but interested. “Why so?”

Sam sighed again. “I learned my lesson with Tommy’s death, someone dies in the prison, everyone needs to know about it, pronto.”

''Died? Who- no, it couldn’t be-'' “Who died? It wasn’t-” Puffy blurted out, afraid for the life of her son.

Luckily, Sam seemed to understand. He shook his head.

“Ghoustbur. Dream killed him, and while usually he would just respawn, unkillable and such, but I haven’t been able to find him. Now that I’ve had time to consider it and question Dream, he and Tommy were saying something about-"

“Tommy? What was he doing in the prison? And I thought only one visitor at a time?”

Sam winced. “He snuck in with Ghostbur. I caught him before he could help Dream escape th-"

Puffy snorted incredulously. “Tommy of all people, breaking Dream out? Very funny Sam. I know you’re trying to spare my feelings, but it’s kinda obvious he was there to kill him. Don’t take me for a fool.”

Sam seemed taken aback at this. “I- What?”

Puffy raised her eyebrow. “Sam, you know he’s been plotting to kill Dream since he was revived and let out of the prison, right? Like, actively plotting?”

Sam’s eyes narrowed, and he seemed to space out for a moment before answering. Puffy let him finish his train of thought. “Huh,” he said finally, his eyes lighting up as he connected the pieces. They darkened when he realized what it meant. “That… that makes a scary amount of sense.”

>>>

Puffy sat on her bed, her coat hanging up and her jewelry out for the night. She couldn’t help but think about her conversation with Sam. As soon as he had connected the pieces, he excused himself and ran towards the nearest Nether Portal. He had said something about Wilbur Soot, specifically, Wilbur, the man who blew up L’manburg the first time. The more Puffy considered it, the tighter the knot in her stomach got. It was a sick mix of excitement, anticipation and utter dread.

Chapter 2
It's been two weeks since Captain Puffy had spoken with the Prison Warden, Awesamedude, on her way back home from her secret project. Only two weeks, and the news had already caught like wildfire.

Tommy had tried to break into the prison to kill Dream, and nearly succeeded. Instead of killing his only current dangerous opponent though...

He helped bring back an old one.

Wilbur Soot was now alive once more, though from the rumors whispered to her, he was a little worse for wear. Some said that he was still faded, and that the white streaks in his hair was part the physical cost of staying so long in the afterlife.

Others said he had come back in the same clothes he died in, the hole through his shirt where his own sword pierced him still there, though ominously clean.

Still others said that the man talked obsessively about a mysterious train station, about his time there.

But no matter what voices you listened to, they all agreed on the same thing.

Wilbur Soot considered himself in debt to Dream. Considered Puffy's manipulative adopted son a hero, his hero.

Puffy wasn't stupid. She knew this meant a few things. One, it meant that Dream would soon escape. Of course he would. It's not that she didn't have faith in Sam's abilities, but rather she knew very well the lengths her child would go to do what he thought right, to prove his strengths, and to eliminate his weaknesses.

After all, those are the lessons she had taught him in hopes that he would go further than she ever could.

And by Prime, that's exactly what he did, and would continue to do.

Puffy walked along the rickety pathways of her nearly-finished base, allowing the feeling of vertigo and pride in her work to wash over her, to smooth the rough surface of her mind. It would be fine. She wouldn't let anyone in her care get hurt, not again.

What about the innocents that are currently out of your reach, asks a quiet voice in her head. What will happen to-

"They aren't my problem. I'm not a Knight anymore," she said firmly, absent-minded touching the gashes in her horns where jewelry used to sit, and looking out to sea. The restless murky depths reflected the dark gray, ominous sky. Puffy suddenly had a strong urge to just start sailing, to start sailing away, never to return to this awful place, this SMP, and the way it changes good, honest people. In the whirlwind of emotions that went through her head at that thought, the voice in the back of her head spoke up again.

''Trust no one, not even yourself. Have you already forgotten that? Or are you giving up on being a villain already?''

Puffy found herself rubbing at watering eyes again, something she'd been doing more then she cared to admit.

"I didn't forget... How could I forget? Everything has been taken from me. It's just- I didn't think, when I entered these lands, that I'd gain so much, only to lose it all to foolishness and stupidity. I should have known Hannah was gone, should've seen it!"

She rested her head against the stalagmite the bridge she was standing on held against. "I should have known Hannah was gone, should have known TNT wouldn't work, should have fought kicking and screaming, getting myself killed before I let Foolish die. But I just stood there..."

She stared into the depths of the sea for a long time before finally making her decision.

>>>

"Sam, I- I know you don't want to let anyone into prison right now, but I need to see him," Puffy pleaded.

The stern Warden only shook his head. His eyes betrayed how much it pained him to keep her away though. "I'm sorry Puffy, but I can't do that."

"Please Sam, I've heard the whispers, the rumors, the things they're saying- They want him dead Sam! I need to see him, this might be my last chance." Long before Tommy and Sam were wedged so far apart by this god awful Prison, they had agreed with the rest of the server that if push comes to shove, if the greater SMP voted for Dream's death, he would be executed.

Sam was clearly at odds with his his empathy and logic at Puffy's desperate plea. "Puffy, in any other circumstance, I'd let you through, but I can't guarantee your safety, and-"

"You can't, but I can. I swear on my Knighthood, he won't lay a hand on me." Some part of Puffy winced at this lie; She had renounced her Knighthood almost a month ago, cutting off the tips of her horns and removing the jewels that encrusted them, as custom dictated. Sam didn't know that though. The Puffy he knew valued her honor almost as much as her family. He didn't know the customs of her old home, so far northeast of here.

When Sam sighed deeply, and rubbed his temples, Puffy knew she had won.

"You can promise me he won't hurt you, Puffs?" He asked, his voice cracking a little.

Puffy's will almost broke at the nickname. Almost. "Yes, I can," She said, without skipping a beat. At this, Awesamedude's gaze fell upon the book that lay open on the lectern. The Terms of Agreement.

"Should I even bother having you read and sign this, Puffy?" He asked.

The hopelessness in his voice reminded her of her own struggles. All he wanted to do was complete his task of keeping Dream locked up, and keep others as safe as he could. It would waste time, but...

"If it would make you feel better about this, Sam, go ahead," She replied, giving him a weak smile.

It was the first genuine smile she'd given anyone since just before the Banquet.

>>>

"What is your relation ship with the Prisoner?"

"I- I'm his... I'm his adoptive mother."

"Do you believe the Prisoner in question is deserving of being locked up?"

"I..."

"Puffy?"

"Puffy!" The Warden said, snapping the sheep woman out of her thoughts. "The lava is about to finish lowering. He'll know you're here in three, two, one....

Sam's voice faded away as the lava lowered, and Puffy saw her other son for the first time in several months. She was vaguely aware of Sam instructing her to walk with the bridge she was standing on as it glided across the lava. As soon as her hooves clacked upon the obsidian, the bridge retracted, and the lava rose again, the barrier between herself and Dream lowered into the ground. He was leaning against his wash basin and and facing the back most wall.

Neither of them spoke for a long time.

Dream was the one to brake the silence, much to Puffy's surprise. "So, finally came to see me then, Puffy?" He asked wryly.

Puffy noted the use of tone in her name with a twinge of pain, but what called her attention most is that his voice was cracked and dry, devoid of any emotion other then boredom. She remembered, now, why she hadn't considered Dream her child for a long time. He wasn't the person she cared for anymore, and she'd be smart to keep that in mind. She decided to start casual.

"How did you know it was me? You haven't even turned around." Dream snorted at this, and tapped the obsidian floor.

"I don't know many people with hooves, Puffy. Jschlatt is dead, at least for now, and Techno's footsteps wouldn't be so unsure and hesitant."

"Being isolated hasn't dulled your senses very much then, I see. At least, not your physical ones," Puffy said smoothly. This got Dream to turn around. Puffy couldn't see his face, but his mouth turned up in a nasty smirk.

"What's this I see? Puffy making a half decent insult? My my, and I see your horns are less occupied with jewels too. Did Eret finally give away control of the SMP? Or did you finally realize it really isn't worth while to hold such a useless title?"

Puffy ignored the jibe, and decided getting straight to the point might be best after all. "You're in danger of being executed."

Dream nods calmly. "I figured as much. Killing the favorite will do that. If you're stupid enough to be concerned, don't worry, about it. I have a plan, obviously."

"And what if that plan goes south?" Puffy dared. Dream laughs quietly.

"It won't go-"

"But if it does? What will you do?"

At this, Puffy realizes she made a mistake. Dream's shoulders tense, and his body language expresses anger. "And why the hell do you want to know? Did Sam talk you into this? Why are you-"

Puffy chooses to cut him off there. "No, I want to help." Dream looks at her for a long moment, and ant then tilts his head slightly, asking silently for her continue. She takes a deep breath, and begins explaining what's happened in the last two months.

Chapter 3
Awesamedude noticed how long Puffy was in there. Sam noticed, too, that when she came out, the timid, teary eyed mother was gone. There was a set determination on her face that wasn’t there before, and an vengeful purpose to her stride that left him feeling…

What was this feeling?

Confusion?

Concern?

Worry?

...

Fear? Asked a quiet voice in his head. Sam frowned. That wasn’t it either. He had felt real fear for the first time in a very long time at the banquet. He still remembered what it felt like. This wasn’t it. It was similar, but-

Anticipation, said his mind. It wasn’t a question this time. Sam gulped, and nodded slightly to himself, accepting this answer. It was Puffy, though, wasn’t it? She wouldn’t try and-

That might not be her goal…

Sam considered that possibility. She had expressed sudden care for her denounced son, seeming very distraught at the possibility of execution. She entered the prison intending to say goodbye. She’s leaving like her business here isn’t over. What other reason could possibly-

''Remember Tommy. Not always what it seems. Maybe that person she met in that cell isn’t who she was looking for?''

Sam thought through that too, while bringing Puffy back through the prison. That was much more likely. But what did she think she could do about it?

Remember Tommy...

“Puffy,” Sam said, after opening the locker her stuff was in. The sheep woman turned to look at him with that same determination, and maybe a dash of impatience. It softened as he held her gaze though.

“Yeah?”

He took a deep breath before answering. “Please don’t feel as if you’re responsible for his actions. You’re a good person, Puffy. Don’t doubt that. Don’t doubt yourself, or your friends, even if, really, you can’t guarantee their loyalty. Trust is what holds a person and their friendships aloft, Puffs. Remember that.”

Sam wasn’t just talking about Puffy anymore, but at this point, it didn’t really matter. Puffy smiled sadly, and looked around at the empty room, and cold walls.

“Maybe you should follow your own advice, Sam. In a lot of ways, this is your prison too.” With that, the mother of the server left the frigid, darkened prison, stepping into the nether portal.

Sam watched her go, and chucked to himself when she had left.

“Follow my own advice… Haha… doing that is what got me here in the first place, Puffs,” He muttered, getting up to do his rounds.

>>>

As soon as Puffy was through the Nether Portal, her smile vanished. She can’t afford to play nice with people anymore. Not do so, and actually mean it, anyway. She liked Sam, but not so much as to actually trust him. She couldn’t really trust anyone, despite what he had said. He was right, but not about the message he was trying to send.

Puffy needed a team, and she knew just where to look first.

>>>

The last thing Niki Nihachu was expecting when she went through the Nether Portal that connected to her secret city was a chest with her name on it, in Captain Puffy’s handwriting.

Even further down her list of things to expect when coming home was finding a message inside of it that said;

Dear Niki,

I’m sure you’ve heard the news by now.

Wilbur is back.

I need your help with something, something big.

Meet me in the dark forest just outside of Kinoko Kingdom, we can talk there.

- Puffy

It was strange, to say the least. If it didn’t have Puffy’s seal on it, Niki would have assumed it to be an ambush and burnt the thing.

It could still be an ambush, for all she knew. Puffy had been acting rather strange ever since the Banquet. Which was fine, she has a right to grieve, but what she’s been doing is straight up weird. Niki has been wanting to visit for a while, but Puffy hardly ever seems home anymore, and when she is, she’s just leaving, or coming in to sleep. It actually kinda reminded Niki of how she acted while her secret city was being built.

“Puffy isn’t the type to build secret villainy bases, Niki,” she said aloud, wondering why that’s what popped into her head. Maybe Puffy was planning something for Wilbur, a welcome back party.

Or maybe not.

Too soon after the banquet.

Niki headed out of her secret city, skirting the edge of Kinoko Kingdom. Stopping at the overhanging cliff that sheltered the simi-valley, she noticed Karl stumbling out of his Library, looking panicked, upset, and a lot worse for wear. His traveling cloak was torn and stained dark, and the steampunk style goggles that rested on his head cracked and broken. A strong part of Niki wanted to help him, but she had other matters to deal with at the moment. Besides, she’d never known Karl to be alone, someone was bound to be nearby.

She continued on her way to the forest.

>>>

Puffy jumped, startled by a noise behind her. Heart racing, she turned around, and, sure enough-

There was Niki. She had come through the bushes, a few leaves in her hair. Looking up at Puffy, her eyes widened.

“Puffs!” She exclaimed, tugging the rest of her jacket off the bush. “What on earth is going on?”

Puffy sighed, and sat on the ground. “Take a seat Nix, this will take a while.”

Chapter 4
Karl Jacobs wasn’t thinking straight.

Ha, what a joke, he thought wryly, struggling to stay on his feet. He was never thinking straight. Side effect of being a time traveler. Even with his recent findings in The Other Side, the decaying of his mind had only slowed down. It wasn’t the Inbetween stealing his life force anymore, but just the natural effect on his health of being overstressed at all times.

“What a joke,” He said aloud this time, flicking his shattered watch in a vain attempt to get it ticking again. He’d have to ask someone what time it was before he passed out.

He had to tell someone what he had seen before he passed out, and inevitably forgot it all.

The fate of everything the server was, relied on it.

He couldn’t let the

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Karl touched his head in surprise at the jumbled mess of noise that surrounded his thoughts.

“Is it fading already? Crap, I’m running out of time-”

''What a funny joke, Karl. Your time is already up.''

>>>

Captain Puffy’s heart sank as she watched Nihachu’s face morph from confused shock to a hesitant frown at her tale. She reacted much the way Dream had, listening politely and only interrupting to ask a question, or confirm a fact. She interrupted much less than he did, of course, purely because she knew most of the important details already.

Like the egg’s growth.

And the banquet…

And... the death of Foolish…

Puffy cleared her mind of those thoughts, and decided to just be grateful she only had to recount those parts once.

“So let me get this straight,” Niki said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “You want to recruit a team, a team of people who you can trust, including me and Wilbur, to break Dream out?”

Puffy winced at the way she described her plan. It was pretty ridiculous.

“Yeah… That's a pretty spot on conclusion Niki.”

“And this is why your horns are bare?”

“Yeah... ”

Niki rested her chin on her knuckle, looking like she was seriously considering it. Puffy wanted to say something to reassure her, but she hadn’t expected to get this far, so she was kinda at a loss for words.

When Niki finally spoke, her answer was short, crisp, and sure. “Okay. I’ll help.”

Puffy was taken aback. “What?”

<<<

Dream leaned back as Puffy finished her tale, resting his head on the warm obsidian that surrounded his prison.

''“Okay. I’ll help. What’s your plan to get me out of here? That part of this can’t go wrong, or else we’re both screwed.”''

“I- What?”

''“You heard me. So what’s the plan?”''

“It’s just- I didn’t think that’s how you’d react to this-”

''“Why not? It makes sense. How’d you think I would’ve reacted?”''

''“I.. I don’t know what I was expecting, to be honest.”''

“Then don’t be honest.”

“Wha… What do you mean?”

''“If you act like you’re human, they won’t see you as the villain.” He reaches up, stretching stiff limbs.”The monster. They’ll see you as a distraught mother who's been manipulated to serve other, more villainous people. Like, well, me, for example. But that’s not it at all, is it?”''

“No.”

“Then you can’t act like a human, can you?”

“What are you saying?”

''Dream sighs, and moves his mask to the side of his head. “Look at me Puffy. Do you see anything that betrays what I’m thinking in my eyes? Do you hear any emotion in my voice? Do I seem anything but extraordinarily bored in this place?”''

“No.”

''“That isn’t because I’m an emotionless rock.” He leans forward, looking at Puffy intensely. “It’s because I act like one, and people like Tommy are selfish and self centered enough to actually believe it.”''

>>>

Puffy was pleasantly surprised at Niki’s willingness to help. She had said that Bad, Ant, Ponk, and Hannah, Hannah especially, had hurt her too, and that it was about time they faced the consequences of their actions. So Puffy had given her the coordinates of her cove, and told her to bring anything she might need or want for the foreseeable, and make herself at home.

One down, four to go.

Five, counting Dream.

She had to break him out before he could really be of any help.

And to break him out, she needed to find Foolish.

>>>

Awesamedude was concerned. He hadn’t questioned Dream after Puffy’s visit, but he was beginning to think that maybe he should have.

While Dream was usually rather docile, especially when he’s recently made a scene, after Puffy’s visit he’s been much more active, pacing back and forth, writing books, burning them, calling Sam for no reason, and eating rations faster than he usually does.

It was worrisome, to say the least.

And Sam didn’t like worrisome things.

He was sitting on his cot, inside the room he had made for himself in the prison. It was small, and rather bare, but it served as his home more often than not. His Warden’s armor was hung up and hidden in his closet. Sam didn’t really like looking at it when he wasn’t working. He didn’t really like his job, either, so that didn’t help.

He got up and walked over to his closet, mentally preparing himself for what he was about to do.

>>>

“Dream,” Sam said, the greeting sounding more like a statement.

“Why hello there Sam. Come to feed me more raw potatoes?” Dream asked with a condescending sneer.

“I’ve come to ask you what you and Puffy discussed a few days ago,” Sam started.

“Oh? Why the sudden interest? Are you scared someone is going to break me out? Scared I’m going to manipulate Puffy for my own use? I thought you had more faith in your friends then that, Sam.”

Clearly, this was a bad idea. Sam stiffened, and left the cell as quickly as he could. He couldn’t deal with this today.

...

If he was honest, he couldn’t deal with it any day.

He just did.

Chapter 5
''“If you act like you’re human, they won’t see you as the villain.” He reaches up, stretching stiff limbs.”The monster. They’ll see you as a distraught mother who's been manipulated to serve other, more villainous people. Like, well, me, for example. But that’s not it at all, is it?”''

“No.”

“Then you can’t act like a human, can you?”

“What are you saying?”

''Dream sighs, and moves his mask to the side of his head. “Look at me Puffy. Do you see anything that betrays what I’m thinking in my eyes? Do you hear any emotion in my voice? Do I seem anything but extraordinarily bored in this place?”''

“No.”

''“That isn’t because I’m an emotionless rock.” He leans forward, looking at Puffy intensely. “It’s because I act like one, and people like Tommy are selfish and self centered enough to actually believe it.”''

Dream's thoughts were interrupted by Sam. He took his frustration and impatience out on him, saying something about trust, or stupidity, or something. Anything insulting enough to get the guy out of his hair.

What was bothering the masked man is what he had told Puffy. Why he had felt inclined to share the trade secret, he couldn’t say. If he tried hard enough, he could convince himself it was because if Pufy knew how to play the game, as an ally she’d help him win it. That was indeed what his head was trying to do, by default. He pushed away that core instinct to make things turn in his favor, though, and questioned himself, why?

It would help you both for her to know how to hide her true feelings on these things, his head offered.

No, that wasn’t it either. That still twisted things to his favor, to his advantage.

Could it be?

No….

Really…?

Could it really be that Dream pitied the sheep woman?

An amusing idea, and one that he would play around with later, but right now he needed to focus.

Escaping the prison hadn’t really ever been a priority. Sure, he’d take an opportunity to remind everyone he was still there, but now…?

Well, let’s just say he was running out of time to play with the minds of his prey.

As fun as it had been in the obsidian cell he’d been calling home for… gosh, what had Puffy said, months now?

As fun as it had been, he had other fish to fry.

>>>

Puffy was getting tired. She’d been on the road looking for Foolish Gamers for a week now, ever since she had invited Niki Nihachu to her cove. She knew how much what happened at the banquet must have scared him.

He had told Puffy, a long time ago, that when a god loses a life, some of their power fades. When a god loses are three of their lives, whatever power remains is passed on to their children. The opposite of demons, basically.

She really just needed to find him, before her patience ran out and she tried to break Dream out without his required assistance. He liked warm deserts, maybe he was down sout-

“Ack!” Puffy shrieked as she fell down a large cliff. She had been so distracted, she hadn’t even noticed. Quickly opening her inventory, she groaned in frustration as she realized she didn’t have a water bucket. She was bracing for impact when-

Splash!

She landed in water. She had looked, and she was sure there hadn’t been any water there a few seconds ago.

Someone had placed it.

“Hello Puffy,” said a soft, kind voice.

Looking up, Puffy saw Foolish in front of her, holding an empty bucket. She couldn’t help the tears that welled up in her eyes.

“Foolish!?” She jumped out of the water and ran full speed into her son, wrapping her arms around him tight. “Ohhh, my son, I’m so sorry! I should have stopped them, should have fought back, I should have started kicking and screaming the moment they rose an axe towards you, I-”

“Puffy,” Foolish said again, silencing the distressed sheep woman. He hugged her back, for just a moment, squeezing hard, and then pulled away. “It’s okay. There was nothing you could have done. Fighting back would have just gotten you killed, and then I would be the one turning to villainy.”

Puffy was taken aback. How had he known already? “I- what do you… How do you know about that?” Foolish sighed, and motioned towards Puffy’s horns, which were bare.

“I know what that means Puffs. I’ve told you my secrets, and you’ve told me yours. If your horns are like that then the most reasonable conclusion I can make is that you’ve denounced your pledge to protect,” He said, fiddling with his hands.

“And the only reason I can see you ever doing that would be because you feel that the people you wanted to protect don’t deserve it anymore.”

Puffy remembered what Dream had said. It echoed loudly in her mind. But this was her son, the one who hadn’t betrayed her trust and her teachings. She could trust him, right?

“Right?”

“I- Yeah…” Puffy was suddenly ashamed. Ashamed of herself and ashamed of her actions. Of course Foolish would know… and maybe Niki is willing to help, but why on earth would Foolish be? It would just be putting him in danger all over again.

“Foolish-!” She blurted, still wanting to try. After all, she came all this way. “Foolish, I’m planning to break Dream out of prison, and I need your help…” She said, trailing off again.

Foolish nodded, slowly. “Right. Mkay. Lets… I have a house around here somewhere, let's go sit with a cup of tea before anything else.” He started wandering slowly to where he thought his house was, presumably, leaving Puffy with no choice but to follow.

>>>

Badboyhalo was…

Well, he wasn’t sure what he was anymore.

A muffinhead for believing that obviously flawed plan would work?

Yes, definitely.

Angry at everyone, especially Quackity, Technoblade, and Captain Puffy?

Oh yeah, for sure.

Weirdly grateful to them at the same time?

Hmm…

“Ant!” Bad snapped, frustrated at his thoughts. As silence stretched on him, the demon realized he was still alone. They had been separated during the aftermath, and Ant was out of reach anyway. “Muffins,” he muttered, his tail thrashing wildly. He wouldn’t even be that upset with what had happened at the Banquet, if it weren’t for Skeppy.

The Egg had only promised the diamond man’s safety if the plan went well, and they could move to phase three.

The plan did not work out.

Skeppy was in danger.

Bad hissed in irritation. Without backup, without a good reputation, and with a high bounty on his head, he couldn’t do anything about the creature, the thing that held his human hostage, and by extension, him hostage too.

He needed help, and while he knew getting it would be hard, if he could get Skeppy out of there, he could unleash his wrath at the Egg without worrying about death. It could kill him a thousand times, but Bad wouldn’t falter.

He stood to his full height, and started walking back towards civilization.

It was time to make allies with his enemies.

>>>

Karl Jacobs woke up in his library. He yawned, and stretched stiff, and-

“Ouch-!”

-and probably broken limbs.

His last adventure must have been rough. He couldn’t remember it, but he knew he must have written it down, because there was a new book on the wall. He debated reading the thing, but knowing very well how his memory loss worked, he figured whatever had happened might be best left forgotten, to all but his book.

He got up, wincing, and dug through his chest for a health pot. If he was going to go and see what the Banquet was-

F̶̝͖̫͖̠͉͔̟͍͒͌̍̇̉͌ͅO̴̟͉̩̲͇̣̠̺̼̿̂̾̒̔̓R̸̨̟̱̭̠͙̤̥̦̓̄͗G̶̢͔̰̖̤͚̿ͅE̷̦͕̍̔̚T̸̡̜͎̥͓̳̲̲̈́͝͠T̶̝̟̾̉̈́͌̉̂̓̎̊͒İ̴̡̨̛̫͉͚͕͔̪̲͗̈́̿̀̕͠͠N̷͙̬̜̺̼̱͔̦̰̍͆́̔͑G̵͎͚̻̺͕̻̰͎̩̽̈́̕ ̵̟̳̼̣̝̲̤̭̹͛͛̀̄͗͘S̶̟̗̤͊̃͐̒͂̊̒͜͝͝O̴͓̠̞͗̆̓͐̔̀̉͋͐͘M̶̩͛͗͆̈́̀̈͆͛͐̿E̵̹̳̘͂T̷̮̰̄̽͆Ḧ̴̡̛̟̗̪̪̱̬̝̖̯́̅͋̽̌̍I̸̢̢̤͚̣͂͜Ń̸̯̖̺̭̺̠̑̒́͛̾̒͘͜G̷̨͍͈͉͔͚̞̃͗̓̈́̕͠,̶̢͈̲͌̎͒̓͋̓͗̾ ̶̢̩̩̉̅̾͒́͠A̵͔̝̹̯̿̽R̵̢̖̱͖̤̲͈̾͆̈́̕E̵̛͔̮̱̤͒̋̒̾͋͘N̵̡̡͙͓̣̺̿̄ͅ'̵̨͙̭̥͉̥̝̺̗̓͊̈͗͊Ţ̷̨͖̱͉̮̬̼̜̽̽͝ͅ ̴̧̨̖̥̐̿͑̈́͠W̶̺̓̅́͒͑̇̐̑E̸͙̙̼̻͖͗͊́̈́̈́̍̈́?̸̢͕͍͍̪͉̠̩͔̆̀̄̆̽͌̆͜

Karl falls back down at the explosion of noise. Clutching his head, he panics a little. He hasn’t had these kinds of issues since leaving the Inbetween. Had Tulip lied to him? No… Tulip hadn’t led him astray yet. She had shown him the truth, the truth Rose wouldn’t, and let him into her hiding place. Her home.

So why now?

Why now, was this jumble of thoughts plaguing him?

r̷̮͐̌͌́̈́̚͠ͅͅḛ̵̢͇̎̑ầ̷͔̤̲̥̬̎̎̍̾͌̚d̴̪͕̤̯̣̱̓́̋̏ ̵͎̳̰̫͗͗̌́̏͂͗͠͝t̵̳̳̘̳̳̩͕̭̯̀̚h̴͍̼̣̟͈̪̭͍̻̤̊̔͒͂̚ę̶̯͙̰̟̰̞̘̉ ̶̘̺̺̎̈́b̵͕̥̦͔̖͛̾o̸̝̊̿͘ỏ̸̡̦͎͍̜͚͙̼͛̿̇̐̀̀͠ķ̵̻̮͎̹͓̗̜͓͉̌̈̓̾̋̓͋̋̕͘,̷͙̰̩̣̣͑̎͋̀̒̍̚͝ ̶̧̳̰͎͕̮̦̭͖̌͆͂̿̚ͅK̴̤̯͉͖̝̲͉̿̑͋̇̾̂á̵͈̈r̷̦̣̠̭͔̼̯͖̆̇̓̓ḷ̸̢̯̣̻̬̳͕̣̟̈́͊̈́.̴̡̹̳̤̹͂̎̔̏͗̔̔͛̚͝.

> > >

Chapter 6
Captain Puffy was seated in a dusty chair across from Foolish Gamers, with a small tray of tea and cookies between them. The cookies laid untouched, as neither of them were sure how old they were.

Foolish had led Puffy to a little cottage, hidden deep in the forest. He had apparently built it when he first traveled into the SMP area, believing he was deep within uncharted territory. When he had discovered the little pocket of inhabited land called ‘The Dream SMP’ by locals, he had abandoned it, choosing instead to live among the backwards mortals that existed just east of his new home, unbeknownst to the rest of the world.

Well, to the rest of this world.

Puffy knew of many fables in the form of songs and shanties. Most of them mention a many eyed creature that observes all, but changes the course of little. But that’s where the similarities end. Some claim it’s a synchronized murder of crows, who follow around those who understand their dark cries. Others say they’re the angels of gods, coming down invisibly to whisper in their chosen prophet’s ear. Still others claim they’re a presence seen and felt only when the sleepless sleep.

Whatever the case may be, Puffy firmly believed in these stories.

After all, she had seen many strange things over the years that had proved other stories right. Why wouldn’t this be true?

“Well, Puffs,” Foolish said at last, snapping her out of her thoughts. “I must say, I’m surprised but not shocked.”

“Oh?” She replied, lazily sipping at her tea.

“Yeah. And while I understand your plight,” He started, braking in the middle of his sentence to sip his own tea. “I’m not sure I want to get involved.”

Puffy nodded. “Yeah… I understand. But, if… If we get Dream out, we have a higher chance of taking the Egg down, and that’s the real goal here-”

“But at what cost?” The golden man asked, his emerald eyes sparkling dully. He looked so tired…

Puffy thought about that. “The agreement was, I break him out, he helps us take down the Egg before he splits to regain control of the server. Even if he does become a tyrant worse than the Egg, at that point even Technoblade wouldn’t dare ignore the threat he posed.”

Foolish considered her words for a moment, stirring more sugar into his cup. “And what about the risk to those involved?”

Puffy’s answer to this question came much quicker, more certain. “Everyone involved should be well aware of the risks if they choose to accept my offer. Even if they don’t, it’s hard not to associate the word ‘risk’ with my plans, seeing as they include breaking my previously disowned son out of the slammer.”

Foolish raised an eyebrow. “Previously,” he said. Puffy knew it was a question.

“I can’t exactly not welcome him back under my wing. Not after what I’ve proposed,” She said carefully.

Foolish sighed, and leaned back, rubbing his temples and resting his eyes shut as he considered her words. Puffy realized with a pang of guilt that it reminded her a lot of Sam, and his reaction to her begging to be let into the prison.

“And you need my help?” He asked, without opening his eyes, or bringing down his hand from his head.

Puffy nodded vigorously, mostly to herself, before speaking. “If you can’t help, I may as well give up now and tell Niki to go home, and not to even bother with Wilbur.”

Foolish sighed again, and looked at her, his gem like eyes piercing through her. “Alright,” He said at last. “Okay. I’ll help. But on the condition that my involvement remains unknown.”

Puffy smiled wryly at this, remembering again the tales of the Many Eyed Seers.

“I can’t promise it will stay secret for long, Foolish, love,” She said. “But I can promise you on whatever honor of mine remains untarnished that it will not be from my lips you are revealed.”

>>>

Karl was tired.

He was always tired, the physical strain of his double life was to be expected, but this?

This ‘tired’ hit him different. The effort it took to move seemed to increase as he left Kinoko Kingdom, an headed towards-

Well…

He wasn’t sure where exactly he was going. He just needed to head in the general direction of civilization, and make sure none of the key events that lead to the future he had frantically scribbled down had happened yet.

If they have already begun? Well, it could probably be stopped.

If they’d already begun, and it was too late to stop?

...

Well, then it was time to grab Sapnap and find Quackity, and boot their asses to the Nether until either everyone was dead, or it had all blown over.

George too, while Karl was still slightly peeved at the man’s sleeping habits, that was no reason to leave him behind in such a hell.

He needed to find someone, anyone, though, and ask them what was going on.

If he just happened to find Puffy first, well, that’s just perfect.

Finding the place where the gravel paths turned abruptly into wood, Karl sighed in relief.

The Prime Path hadn’t been changed yet.

That was a good sign.

He started towards the prison, now sure it would be there, intending to ask Sam what had been going on. He liked Sam, he was outgoing and friendly, like him.

At least, he was now.

At least, Karl hoped he still was.

He approached the prison, preparing to enter, when he saw the silhouette of someone leaving.

At first, Karl was pleasantly surprised, even pleased, as he thought it might have been Puffy.

Coming closer though, he realized with a start that it wasn’t Puffy, but Quackity, one of his husbands to be. At this realization, Karl felt uplifted and energized. He hadn’t seen Quackity in so very long, the tasks he desperately needed to do felt more like chores that he could put off, for the moment.

He ran the rest of the way to the prison.

“Big Q!” Karl cried, throwing his arms around the disgruntled and surprised duck man. “Oh, it’s been so long! Where have you been? And what are you doing here?”

Quackity pulled back from Karl’s embrace, looking irritated.

“I had business to attend to that doesn't really concern you,” He said gruffly. This really didn’t upset Karl as much as it maybe should have. After all, he just came out of the prison with a slightly bloodied axe, and Dream was one of Quackity’s sworn enemies. Anyone could be in a bad mood with those two factors. The fact of the matter was, though, is that Quackity had actually been in a pretty good mood.

Had been, being key words there.

Karl didn’t know that though.

He backed away a little, deciding that casual might be better at the moment. “Alright, okay. But that doesn't answer my other question, where have you been? There’s been an empty spot for you in Kinoko Kingdom for ages, I haven’t-” He cut off at the look of rage and hurt that crossed his beloved’s face.

“Q- Quackity?”

“There’s been an empty spot in Kinoko Kingdom, you say,” Quackity said, his face pointed downward, hiding his expression from Karl.

“I- Why yes, of course! Why- Why wouldn’t there be?” Karl stammered out meekly. Quackity brought his head up just enough to look at Karl, his eyes bright with anger.

“What, you’re asking me? You’re fucking asking me ‘why there wouldn’t be a spot’ for me in a nation you didn’t even bother telling me about? George was the one who had to tell me, Karl. George.” He began walking away.

“Don’t bother apologizing. I’m over it. I want nothing to do with your stupid fucking nation anyway.”

Karl was left alone in front of the prison. “‘Oh dear,” He said, watching Quackity leave. “That’s troubling. Very deeply so, actually.” The sky rumbled in agreement, darkening as rain started to fall. He looked up, feeling the rain on his face.

“Yes, I suppose that’s quite fitting, isn’t it? Rose, Tulip, you and I might need to arrange a meet up.”

>>>

Wilbur Soot paced back and forth. He was restless. Very much so. Going thirteen years without needing sleep, food or water, and then being slammed back inside a mortal shell did that to a person, he supposed.

No one had come to find him yet, cowards they were. Philza was probably holding up somewhere, speaking to his crows about what to do next, like the crazy bird man he was. Is. Are. Won’t be. Has been. Whatever.

Words spoken from this point on don’t really matter.

Dream had set Wilbur free from his prison. It was time he returned the favor. Say, someone around here had a creeper farm, he was sure of it-

“Wilbur?” He heard someone call. It was the soft, quiet, yet determined voice of someone he had always admired growing up.

He made a mistake, earlier. Niki Nihachu was a lot of things, a traitor is high on that list…

But she wasn’t a coward.

>>>

Puffy had succeeded in getting Foolish on board, and now that she had the strength and covertness she needed, now all that was left was to find the distraction.

The bait, if you will.

She’d thought about hiring Purpled, and Punz too, if need be, but the problem with them is that it wasn’t just their bron that could be bought. Someone paid a high enough price, they’d tell their client anything they wanted to know.

Which left only one man for the job.

Knock knock knock!

The door opened, and Puffy was met with the tired face of Philza Minecraft, the winged bird father of the server.

“Good evening, Puffy,” he said, barely managing to hide his surprise. “I half thought you might’ve been Wilbur. All things considered, this is a pleasant surprise,” He said, opening the door to let Puffy in out of the cold.

“Thanks, I think?” Puffy said, entering the tiny cabin.

This got a laugh out of the once airborne man. “Who knows at this point, eh mate? Anyway, what brings you here?”

She shifted her weight to a more comfortable position before answering. “I was actually looking for Technoblade. I’m planning a break out, and while I could hire others for much cheaper, I feel like Techno would be less inclined to spew my secrets for the right price.”

Philza froze, at this. “A break out? Oh boy. We’d best go somewhere a little more private, then. There are eyes everywhere, even in the middle of nowhere.”

Puffy had to smile.

"Of course."

Chapter 7
Technoblade burst into Philza’s cabin with a shout.

“I still hate his guts, but damn, the man is through,” he said, cutting off as he saw Philza Minecraft and Captain Puffy. “Eh? What’s the sheep woman doing here? Don’t tell me, there’s already another bounty on my head?”

Puffy was quick to speak up. “No, Techno. Quite the opposite, I need to speak with you.”

The pig man snorted. “After how insensitive I was about the passing of that Ghoulish character-”

“Foolish,” She corrected.

“-Whatever,” He continued. “I’m not really surprised.” The Blade placed down his sword and began sorting his loot through chests. “What exactly do you need me for?”

“I-” Puffy started. She was cut off by Techno holding up his hand to silence her, his head cocking to the side, as if he was trying to hear some far away noise.

“Oh ho!” He said at last, his eyes twinkling with a chaotic sheen. “A breakout, eh? And you need the help of but a simple potato farmer? I suppose that can be arranged.”

Puffy was beginning to understand more and more what Dream had said. It was getting old, having people see right through her. She wasn’t even really surprised he knew at this point, she was just curious as to how he got the information.

“How’d you guess that, oh mighty potato farmer?” She asked sarcastically. This got a chuckle out of the man they called the Blade.

“Same way Philza seems to know everything sometimes. Well, not the exact same way, but-”

“In similar fashion,” The birdman interrupted, sharing a knowing and fond look with his roommate.

Puffy caught the look, but shrugged it off. It wasn’t her secret to know. “So you and Philza will-”

“Woah there,” said Techno and Phil simultaneously.

“I’m a little too old to be breaking someone else’s son out of crazy man jail,” Philza explained.

Puffy snorted at this. “You phrase that as if you’ve broken all of your own sons out of prison several times,” She said jokingly.

“And you say that as if he isn’t completely serious,” Deadpanned Techno. Philza nodded in grim agreement. There was a twinkle in both of their eyes, though.

“Then who else would you suggest to add on to my team, Warrior?” She asked, knowing she needed one more person to fill out her team. Techno leaned back to consider her question.

“Hmmm. I might know a guy,” He said, pulling a poker chip out of his pocket.

>>>

Karl sighed in relief as he felt the strength and energy of his true form flood into him. It was easy to forget how restricting the human body was. He only regained the power of his old self in the Inbetween, The Other Side, or here, this abyss neither Rose nor Tulip claimed as her own. Here, he could remember things clearly.

He never regretted his choice to become human though.

It was a sacrifice he had been more than willing to make, and one he’d make again in a heartbeat.

Karl felt the presence of the girls, and traveled towards them. ‘Walked’ wouldn't be quite the right word to describe traversing the abyss.

‘Girls’ wasn’t the right word to describe Tulip and Rose, either, but that’s what they choose to appear to him as. Young sisters who couldn’t look or be more different than each other.

Rose’s skin was fair, and her irises were white with black flecks like the birch trees that were scattered around her sickly sweet trap. Her dirty blond hair was in a tight bun on her head, tied off with a Withered Rose whose poison thorns had never been removed. It complemented her simple black dress and dark leather zip up boots. She seemed older than Tulip, though in reality they were both timeless beings

Tulip’s skin was much darker toned, and her eyes were a coal grey, with flecks of gold and orange that reminded Karl so much of the ambiance of her dark home. Her black, frizzy hair was neatly clipped back with little white tulip hair clips. Her white dress was beautifully laced with a pattern of flowers, which went well with her white lolita shoes.

“Hello Tulip, Rose,” Karl said when he saw them at last, nodding his greeting to each of them, respectively.

Their nods of greeting in return were synchronized, but their responses altered.

“Jacobs,” Said one, not bothering to hide the utter disdain that crossed her pale face.

“Karl!” Exclaimed the other, hardly containing the excitement that lit up her dark eyes.

“What brings you here?” They asked, falling back into synchronization.

His initial relaxed and calm state strained a little as he attempted to form an answer.

“In all honesty, I’m not entirely sure. The only thing I do know is that I should have dealt with the Egg when I had the chance,” He said at last, a fierceness in his voice that he didn’t expect. He’d been so close during the masquerade.

“Karl, you know the rules,” Tulip began apologetically.

“Does he, though? He would have had a chance to deal with it if you had left well enough alone and let him stay with me,” Rose snapped.

“At what cost Rose? Every other time you’ve tried has led to the Lost. If he had stayed with you, the only reason his mind would be safe from the influence of the Egg is because it was already too shattered to be saved,” Tulip argued.

“With me, he’s learning proper methods of self realization and protecting his secrets.”

“Right, but what happens when-” Rose began to counter.

Karl cut her off with a loud and exaggerated clearing of his throat. He’d heard this argument before, he didn’t care to hear it again. Especially not when every second was of the essence.

“With all due respect girls, I don’t have much time to spare, and at this point, neither do you. If what you’ve said about this Egg is true, you’re bound by time as much as I at the moment,” He said at the hot glare he got from both entities. Tulip sighed, and looked at her sister.

“He has a point Rose. The Egg has us pinned between a rock and a hard place.”

“True, but what can we do about it? Helping Jacobs the way we have is already seriously bending the rules.” At this, Tulip nodded, frowning.

“What present are you in, Karl? Has anything gone wrong yet?”

“I think things may have started going wrong before we were aware of the problem. The banquet has long passed, and Quackity-” His voice broke. Taking a deep breath, Karl continued to speak, trying to keep his tone level. “I forgot to tell him about what I did to move my library. He’s gone rouge.”

Tulip’s eyes became sympathetic at this news.

Rose’s seemed to be mocking him.

Karl respected both of them, but he couldn’t help but dislike the ruler of the Inbetween. She had trapped him, used him, and would have discarded him once he was broken if Tulip hadn’t stepped in. Maybe he still would have forgotten to tell Quackity if Tulip had gotten to him sooner, but it would have been less likely, certainly.

Or perhaps he was just telling himself that to relieve the back of his mind from the guilt and worry that kept pinning him down.

“Troubling news indeed. Karl, you know what happens if the Egg hatches. You’ve been there. You’ve seen it. Go and stop it, whatever it takes. We’ll do our best to hold things together over here. Right?” Tulip asked her sibling.

Rose nodded. “Until further notice, Jacobs, you are exempted from your time traveling duties, and your memories, strength, and power as an interdimensional being will be returned to you outside of our realms. Is this understood?”

Karl nodded, aware of how generous this offer was. Until the threat was dealt with, he would have full control over his powers again. That’s something he’d thought he’d lost, though he supposed if anyone could do it, it would be them. The Sisters of the Sides Inbetween.

“Yes. I understand.”

>>>

Wilbur Soot heard the keywords ‘Dream’, ‘prison’, and ‘TNT’ when Niki Nihachu hashed out Puffy’s plan to him. That’s all he really needed to hear to agree and have some fun. So he went along with whatever she told him, pretending to still be listening.

He also pretended to be stupider than he was.

13 years is a long time to be alone with your thoughts, a long time to let your mind dull or sharpen.

Wilbur chose to sharpen his mind.

Tommy coming ‘round was a nice break from the endless torture that was being alone.

Alone, in the quiet, in a place that should be so very loud.

He might be considered insane to some.

And they might be right.

But his mind was sharp, sharper than anything.

Wilbur only needed a little more time to space out, a little more time to ground himself, to get used to being…

Well, to being back.

As soon as Ghostbur’s memories finished returning to him, and he remembered how to live, well….

It would be like he never left.

The SMP had been quiet for far too long. It was about time he fixed that.

>>>

Dream was getting restless. It felt like it had been so long since Puffy visited, and Quackity’s visits had finally started getting to him. There were several scars and bruises on his hands, arms, and even face from various tourture methods the man had used.

Dream had to respect the will power and resolve it must take him to commit such acts.

If not that, he respected how desperate he must be to try them.

And if not even that, well then…

He had to respect how far gone Quackity must be in order to be so cruel. Dream knew what that was like, and the utter devotion to your goal it took.

In fact, the only problem he saw with it is that Quackity’s target was him, and the Revive Book.

Dream didn’t really give a fuck about the Book, he would have a hard time caring less. But if Quackity wanted so badly, then clearly Dream couldn’t let him have it. He was still at the disadvantage though. Quackity had the means to break him, and wouldn’t hesitate to do so if it meant reaching his goal.

He really hoped Puffy hurried up.

He couldn’t hold out for long.

Chapter 8
“No.”

“Please, I ne-”

“Absolutely fucking not.”

Captain Puffy wanted to bleat in frustration. Technoblade had gone through the trouble of arranging a meeting with this man, and he wasn’t even hearing her out.

“Look lady, I can appreciate your struggle, but there is no way in hell I’m helping out with whatever this is,” The scared man said, punctuating ‘this’ with a flick of his hand in Puffy’s general direction. “I’ve got enough of my own shit to deal with.

“At least hear me out? You and I both want the Egg gone, not just locked up. If Dream can still be a danger behind bars, so can this thing-”

“Which is exactly why he shouldn’t have a chance to get out! You crazy bitch, telling me to ‘hear you out’, you should just be grateful I’m not threatening to tell Sam about this!” He exclaimed, slamming his hands on the table. The sound of the impact and the sudden roar of thunder outside seemed to combine into one sound. It had been raining in the general SMP area for a solid three days, and that day the downpour had slowly worsened until it was a massive storm.

Puffy waited till the thunder died down, and the only sound was of the heavy rain just outside their meeting place to speak again.

“Quackity, we need his help to take down the Egg. Against all of us, he stands no chance. We use him, we dump him.”

“As much as I’d love to see his face doing that, no. We don't need him, not at all, and-”

“I’d beg to differ,” cried a third voice as the door to the meeting place swung open with a slam. The sky seemed to be enjoying dramatic timing that evening, thundering loudly and letting lighting strike down at that very moment.

Within an instant, they were both on their feet, Puffy wielding her axe and Quackity his crossbow.

“You would not believe my day,” The unidentified figure said, ignoring the armed and startled people in front of them. A long, stained and tattered cloak covered their face and clothes, making it hard for Puffy to recognize them. “Or maybe my last couple days. Not entirely sure. How long has it been since you walked out on me, Quackity?” They asked, shutting the door.

The rain became muffled, making the room the three stood on much quieter.

She noticed that the figure’s voie was masculine, on the higher side. She was shifting through the possibilities when from the corner of her eye, Puffy saw Quackity visibly relax, though he didn’t lower his crossbow.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing Karl?” The duck man asked incredulously.

Karl? As in Karl Jacobs?

“Stopping you from making yet another stupid decision,” Retorted the figure, drawing back his hood. It was Karl, but something in the way he moved, the tone he talked in… The Karl she had met, and, well, dated was submissive, easily influenced, and rather forgetful. This Karl was…

Well, he had an attitude to rival Quackity.

It was unsettling.

The duck man must’ve noticed to, because he fired a warning shot that missed Karl’s head by only a few inches.

Karl didn’t flinch.

This just seemed an impressive feat and proof of will to Puffy, but it made several red flags rise up in the back of Quackity’s head. He kicked the tabled to the side and walked towards Karl, switching his crossbow for a blade. He grabbed the man by his collar and slammed him against the now closed door.

“Who are you, and where the everloving fuck is Karl?” Quackity asked through quenched teeth. His fiance wasn’t like this. The way he held himself, the way he talked, it was all wrong. Whoever this imposter was would regret trying to trick him.

“Hmph. Let go of me, Quackity,” Karl said, giving him an emotionless glare. “Now isn’t the time for this shit.”

Quackity resisted the urge to punch this guy and instead let go of Karl’s shirt, stepping back and holding his weapon in a ready position, in case he felt the need to block or make a blow.

“You’re helping Puffy break Dream out whether you like it or not. The fate of the server rests on it,” he said, dusting himself off and fixing his roughed up collar.

Quackity had to laugh.

“Like fucking hell it does. Since when is breaking out a danger to society ‘saving the server’?”

“Since when are you qualified to label other people as dangers to society?”

“I- hmhp.”

Karl rolled his eyes and turned to Puffy, who had watched the confrontation rooted to the spot.

“What’s the plan, Puffy?”

Chapter 9
A pure and single fact that ran through Dream’s head as he woke up with a start to the dispenser in the upper rightmost corner in the room dispensing his daily rations scared him.

It actually scared him.

While Dream would like to think his internal clock was still close, he could count on the daily click of the dispenser, whether or not it had the raw potatoes.

That was the third time the dispenser had clicked in it’s twenty-four hour cycle since last Quackity visited, for lack of a better word.

Three solid days.

He’d been alone and unbothered for three days.

The thought should have been comforting, but all it did was make the ever persistent knot in his stomach tighten and sink.

While the daily torment had been maddening, at least he knew what to expect. Dream knew when to dissociate, to shed anything but the slightest awareness of pain, so he’d know when his body had reached its limits, and act accordingly.

Indeed, Dream’s only real limit was how much of it he could take mentally. He could be standing when any other man would have collapsed unconscious from pain and blood loss already. That sounds cool, but the focus it took to maintain was huge. He had to divert all his attention to a single point, something he had learned on an instinctual level not to do. Focusing on only one thing at a time is a great way to get killed. It was the only way he had managed to survive so far in Quackity’s visits without losing the battle of wills.

Now, though, Dream didn’t know when he would show up again. The only warning he’d get would be the clicking of dispensers as the lava was allowed to lower. That gave him ten minutes, tops. Not to mention, if it wasn’t Quackity, Dream would have to back out of the hurried steeling of his mind, purely to communicate effectively. In short, he’d be fucked either w-

Click click click click!

His damaged nerves screamed in protest as he stood up and scrambled to the food dispenser to confirm what he already knew.

The clicks weren’t from his food source, but from the lava dispensers. He had a visitor.

He hurriedly threw on his mask, which had been resting in the corner of the cell he usually slept in. It was usually too hot in the cell to keep it on, what with the lava and crying obsidian, but he had an image to uphold.

He prepared to suffer immensely if he was unfortunate enough for it to be Quackity, and let hope blossom deep within his core as he dared to pray to Prime it might be Puffy.

He really, really hoped it was Puffy.

He subtly pressed himself against the back wall, putting as much distance between him and his visitor as possible. It wasn’t that he was afraid…

A wry smile crossed his mostly covered face.

He was terrified. This stance gave him no advantage but the comfort of a solid wall. He stiffly walked forward as the lava finished lowering. Squinting, he looked at his visitor…

And immediately wanted to collapse in relief.

It was Puffy.

Only Puffy.

Dream managed to keep his composure until the lava rose again, before once again backing against the wall and sliding down it into a sitting position as he tried, and failed, to stifle his sigh of relief. The slightly corrosive substance that the crying obsidian secreted burned as it rubbed against the more tender spots on his back, but at this point he could have cared less.

“Is something wrong?” Puffy asked, clearly noting the difference in his behavior. Dream did notice, though, with perhaps a touch of pride that it was more difficult to judge any reaction to his behavior other than morbid curiosity. Looking deeper however, he saw the underlying worry and concern. It was enough to fool people like Tommy and people who didn’t really know her, but anyone else would see right through it if they were actually paying attention.

“No,” he said. He winced internally at the voice crack, but perhaps he could pass it off as it being the dry air, rather than an emotional breakdown. “No,” He said again, clearer and without emotion. “Just dehydrated. It gets hot in here.”

The look of concern faded into a skeptical gaze.

“Fine,” She said, not pressing the issue. He was grateful for that. “I have a team, and a plan to break you out.”

Freedom.

The idea was both exhilarating and daunting.

“Oh?” He said, tilting his head. Whenever you don’t trust yourself to speak, making noises of interest and toning them as questions, or even answers, depending on your situation, was a safe call.

Puffy hummed her affirmative and motioned to the chest in the left corner of the room. It only held his books, as he kept his food in his inventory. “I’m going to need one of those, and whatever writing utensil you have around.”

>>>

“What?” Dream said horsley as Puffy told him the cast of her planned show.

“What?” She asked, pausing from scribbling a rough map of the prison. Looking at him, she noticed he seemed to be breathing more heavily, and that his usual calm and uncaring demeanor was thoroughly shattered.

He had seemed off the moment she stepped into the prison, but right now, looking at him, Puffy realized with a slight shiver that Dream seemed more human than he had in a long time.

“Repeat what you just said.” His words were quiet. Not quite a whisper, but very soft, as if to speak them was exerting a lot of effort.

“That your revival of Wilbur will prove useful, and that Technoblade will serve as the main strength behind our-”

“No, before that,” Dream strained. He seemed… desperate?

“That Quackity is helping due to unexpected interference from Karl Jacobs?” Puffy could have sworn his breath hitched as she spoke.

“Fuck,” he breathed. Puffy only barely heard it over the lava, and even then she wasn’t entirely sure she had heard correctly.

“Is something wrong?” Puffy asked for the second time.

“Oh, nothing. Nothing at all!” He exclaimed ruefully, throwing his hands up in frustration.

“It’s nothing, definitely not the fact that the same asshole who made this place an actual hell is part of my escape plan. I’m sure he was just thrilled to add the word ‘out’ to the end of ‘break me’.”

The last sentence of the emotional outburst was muttered and dripping with sarcasm.

Puffy heard it all the same though, and immediately she was on high alert. “What are you talking about?” She asked. The fierceness and underlying anger in her voice startling the frustrated masked man.

“I-” Dream visibly bit his lip. “Nothing, don’t worry about it. There isn’t time to hold grudges,”

Puffy’s eyes narrowed. “Speak, or I leave, and we wait another day. My group is still organized, the extra time would be welcome,” She said, gazing at him with an intense look. She watched as he stiffened, and fiddled with the cuff of his sleeve.

This was not the same Dream she had met on her first visit.

This Dream was more like a frightened child.

Puffy once again found herself fighting her core instinct of protecting those who were weaker, those who needed help, those who were afraid. Of helping others through their problems.

“Quackity and I don’t have the best relationship,” He said, frowning.

“Clearly.”

“And by that, I mean I may or may not have information he wants, and he may or may not be willing to go very far to get it,” He continued, choosing his words carefully. “I’m not exactly in the mood to elaborate.”

Puffy sighed. “Fine,” She said. “But this conversation isn’t over. Now, back to the plan…”

= A Toast to Freedom AU =

Chapter 1
Technobalde reveled in the glory before him. He'd decided that Tommy had earned a treat, as he'd been hard at work for a while, earning his place in Techno's household.

So he'd decided to show the child what he'd been working on.

The locker wasn't large, but it was big enough, because every wall was lined top to bottom with the ashy, tarnished skulls that Wither skeletons had. It had been a pain to get them all, most Wither skulls turned to ash upon killing the skeleton, but when one goes to the Nether and stays there as long as he had, it happens eventually.

Techno looked over at his menace of a little brother figure and was slightly surprised to see his expression was not mirroring his own, bloodcurdling excitement, but instead held shock, and...

Fear?

"Techno, I'm n- not entirely sure this is all necessary? I m- mean, Dream's a huge pissbaby," Tommy said meekly, his naturally annoying personality peaking through the obvious intimidation in his voice. "He'll run like a coward just seeing us pose epically."

"If things go the way we want them too, he won't be seeing us at all, and nor will anyone else, Theseus," Techno reminded him. He had originally refused to use Tommy's real name just to annoy the child, but to his dismay his infuriating roommate had just accepted it as some sort of code name. Just as well, it was kind of satisfying to see him glow when he used the name, as his general way of summoning Tommy was shouting 'Oi' at the top of his lungs.

"Right, right,﻿ but I mean really Technoblade, you don't want people to think you depend on the power of Withers, do you?" Tommy insisted. He used Techno's full name, which told the pink warrior two things.

One, Tommy knew he was on thin ice.

Two, he was also being serious. Well, as serious as Tommy got.

"I'm not sure I follow what you're trying to lead me to, here," Techno said, raising an eyebrow. He would with hold his urge to snap at Tommy, at least till he understood why the child was getting cold feet.

A mistake, as his restraint from doing so seemed to frighten Tommy more than getting mad would have.

"I- Well, it's just that all this seems excessive? I mean, we aren't trying to bring the entire town down-"

"Actually, I believe that's exactly what we're doing. We're cutting off the head of a corrupt government, and burning the severed neck to make sure it won't regrow. That's what we agreed too, Theseus."

"I- I..."

For once, Tommy had nothing to say. His face was contorted in worry.

"I don't wan't to hurt anyone."

"They hurt you first, Tommy," Technoblade reasoned, not unkindly. He saw the familiar sight of turmoil behind the child's fearful expression. "Something I often say is that those who've treated me with kindness, I'll repay in kindness, while those that treat me with injustice, I'll repay in injustice a thousand times over. I'd consider what they did to you government toppling worthy, at the very least."

"But I-" Tommy tried to argue. Technoblade grasped his shoulders and looked him in the eyes.

"If Dream was right about one thing, it was that they aren't your friends. Friends don't exile friends, Tommy. Besides, I never said we'll use the Withers."

"R- right. Right, okay," The child said, relaxing. "They're not my friends, and we might not even need the Withers."

"Good," Techno purred. "Now come Theseus, for we've potato farms to harvest," he deadpanned, witholding hardy laughter, but not a tiny smile, at Tommy's clearly less than pleased expression.

"Must we?" He whined, dragging his feet as he began to lead the way towards the farm.

"Where else shall we get our ridiculous amount of carbs to fuel hijinks?"

"I know, but I just thought we could..."

The duo's voices faded as they left the location of the locker. Even with the door shut, the skulls inside gleamed in the dull torchlight.

Chapter 2
Tommy sowed the small stretch of farmland Technoblade kept, his calloused fingers hardly feeling the splintered handle of his wooden hoe. His thick cotton clothes made it so he hardly noticed the creeping cold, and his wandering mind hardly noticed the time that past as he went through the motions, his thoughts so far away from the actions of his hands that for a time he forgot where he was.

Tommy, despite being easily distracted, wasn't usually one to retreat into his thoughts, preferring to ignore what desires, hopes, or intentions that laid deep within him.

But the thoughts that plagued him now were different.

They could not be ignored.

He figured that Techno must be right, as, after all, Tubbo had broken his promises.

But... So had he. Remembering a conversation he and the warrior had, Tommy paused.

"Techno, you call me Theseus, but what was he like? Y'know, according to the myth."

"He was a good man, the son of a king, and of a fair and caring mother. He saved many people, by riding his country of scoundrels, and by killing the Minotaur. But he was also one of many broken promises."

"...I've broken a lot of my promises, haven't I?"

"A few. But so has everyone. There isn't a single man here who hasn't broken a promise, if nothing else I guarantee that."

"Even you?"

"Yeah, I suppose that includes me. But it's not really the promises you've broken that count, because chances are the weren't good ones to begin with. It's the promises you've made, and then kept, no matter what."

"...Techno, I made a promise that kinda contradicts what we're doing here. I promised something, and finishing off L'manburg with you... Well, it breaks a promise I still want to keep."

"What promise was that?"

"Tubbo... He promised me he wouldn't become the next JSchlatt, and made me promise that I couldn't become the next Wilbur either."

"Did he keep his end of the promise, then?"

"Well no, he exiled me! Me and Ghostbur. It was just like the day of the elections, except... Just because he broke his promise doesn't mean I have to break mine. It was a promise to myself too, and you're always saying that those are important."

Techno's gaze had softened at those words, Tommy remembered. He'd seen something in the warrior's eyes he didn't really recognize.

"You do have a point there, young Theseus," He had said. "I suppose I can respect that. We won't blow up L'manburg. You won't, anyway. I still might, but for now, we'll start small."

It was then he'd listened as Techno came up with a new plan.

"That's not simple at all," Tommy had complained. Techno only chuckled, and sent him off to go gather materials for various things.

"Oi! Get over here!"

The shout came from near the entrance of Techno's house, cutting through Tommy's thoughts. Instead of dropping what he was doing and coming as soon as he was summoned, as he normally would, Tommy took his time. He finished harvesting, perhaps a little faster than before, and was putting it in the chest when the cry came again.

"Tommy, what's taking you so long!?"

This got his attention, causing him to dump half his inventory into the chest before breaking into a run towards the direction of the shout, skidding on the icy snow. Technobalde rarely ever used his name, and when he did Tommy knew to heed what he was saying.

"Yes Technoblade?" Tommy asked, panting as he slid to a stop in front of his house mate, his heavy breaths sending steady puffs of steam in the frosty air.

"It's time. Grab the armor I made for you, we're going into town." Tommy furrowed his brow.

"That was sudden," he said, heading toward the vault with Techno.

"Now or never." He seemed agitated, impatient. Tommy would almost describe it as thirst. He choose not to argue though, because he had a point. They couldn't put it off forever.

"Remember," the warrior said as they headed into L'manburg. "You're to get into their good graces again, and tell me what's going on."

"I know, I know," The child replied, drinking an invis potion. They both walked into town on foot, preferring not to use the community house. To their surprise, though, the town was empty. They expanded their radius, each flanking a side of the path that ran through every part of the central SMP, until the reached the community house...

Or what was left of it.

Tommy was sure that even Techno was shocked at the sight before them. The community house was in shambles, and in the center of it all was none other than Dream and Tubbo, surrounded by citizens and non citizens alike.

"-And he needs to be punished!" Dream was exclaiming.

"I'm sure Tommy didn't do this," Tubbo tried to reason, obviously intimidated by Dream's height and authority.

"Of course he did, you need to stop denying the facts. Tommy is a danger and a menace, and if you won't do something about this, I will," Dream spat, the anger in his voice growing. Tommy found his own anger rising. He wanted nothing more than to jump down into that clearing and kill them.

Both of them.

Dream for bringing his best friend to betray him, the trying to take his place...

And Tubbo for letting it happen, deciding to give up his best friend for a plot of land rather than fight for him.

But he wouldn't. He wouldn't let his anger bring him to impulsive-

"Tommy did this, Tubbo. He ran away from his exile, his punishment for attacking the King of the SMP, and then he blew up the community building, the oldest thing on this server, just to get under my skin."

He would not make an impulsive decision.

"I- Tommy's dead, Dream, how would he have done this?"

He would not make an impulsive decision.

"Tommy? Dead? Please, I'll believe it when I put him down myself, which I should have done ages ago. I was merciful enough to let him live, and he threw that away, so where are you hiding him?"

He would not-

...Except he would.

And did...

Jumping down with a yell and a splash, Tommy landed right inbetween Dream and Tubbo. Quickly, he drank a bucket of milk and looked back and forth between his enemies.

"He's not hiding me anywhere, because I'm not hiding," Tommy snapped at Dream. He decided not to add the 'anymore' he originally intended too.

"-And I'm not dead," He spat at Tubbo as he turned to him. "You just never cared enough to visit before I gave up on you coming to help me. So I helped myself."

Both of them stared at Tommy, though one in shock...

And the other in secret glee.

Chapter 3
Technoblade had to resist the urge to bang his head on the closest hard surface, which at that moment was his sharp, merciless axe. Tommy had gone and done it again, made things more difficult than they needed to be. There he stood, in a hole just barely keeping itself from flooding. As it was, water leaked into the crater from shattered walls, amassing beneath the rubble Tommy stood upon, between, of course, the Masked Bastard and the Ram-horned Sheep.

 'At least in this way,'  a voice from Chat consoled, speaking over the mutterings of the rest. 'There shall be more blood to stain the sand.'

"And?" Sighed the Blade. "We wanted to avoid that this time. If I'd known he was gonna be an idiot, I'd have brought the hounds."

In truth, Techno had known damn well it would come to this, he had just hoped for less quickly made enemies. He may be a prophesied angel of blood, but even he was no match for such a disadvantage of numbers, much less his rambunctious fool of a roommate. Tommy could hold his own against one decent swordsman, perhaps even two, but the emotional turmoil inside the child would make even managing that difficult for him.

 'b r u h ,'  cried another voice, louder than the first.  ' w e a l l  k n e w  h o w  t h i s  w o u l d  t u r n  o u t,  y o u  c a n ' t  b e  t h a t  d e n s e .'

Other, less prominent voices muttered in agreement.

"Oh no, you caught me red-handed," Technoblade muttered sarcastically, irritated at Chat's ability to read his mind. Privacy would be nice. "Well, you're about to, anyway. For the moment, my hands are untainted."

 ' You would do wise to change that, warrior, '

Techno nodded, partially to himself, and partially to the foreboding voice that had warned him, and that was now leading the chant that always aroused before battle.

 'Blood for the Blood God, B l o o d f o r  t h e  B l o o d  G o d, Blood for the Blood God, ' they whispered.

"Blood for the Blood God," Techno repeated, as was customary. "And may our thirst be one day satisfied."

'' 'It n e v e r  shall, They replied in unison. He sprang into what would likely be his doom just as all three of the figures in the flooding pit drew their weapons.

= Here lies a strange enemy indeed... = ⎅⍜⋏'⏁ ☍⟒⟒⌿  ⋔⟒  ⍙⏃⟟⏁⟟⋏☌...