Chapter Text
Dream felt the blood drip from his lips and he ran. His normally green hoodie, drenched with his own blood from the stab wound on his side. He could hear their shouts behind him as he staggered from blood loss. He had managed to get out of the prison but as expected, Sam was immediately alerted obviously. Dream knew the risks of breaking out, he knew he could die but for fucks sake at least he got a taste of freedom even if he was gonna fall on the ground and bleed to death. 3 months in that hell hole and can really fuck with someone. Dream stopped next to a building he didn’t recognize, putting a hand on whatever cold stone the structure was made of. His vision was too blurry to tell. His one working eye is not doing too well right now. Being half blind was the least of his problem right now. The multiple arrow wounds in his back from arrows he had pulled out were bleeding steadily. He had 2 new ones, one in his shoulder, the other in his thigh. Dream also had multiple lacerations littering his arms from blocking hits. The one time he failed to block he’d gotten stabbed in his side and fuck it hurt. Despite that, Dream knew how to run with injuries. He did manhunts, while the others could die during a manhunt, any injury he sustained he had to deal with while on the run. He knew how to deal with blood loss, he wasn’t some amateur. Frankly, he’s never been chased by like 20 people before completely unarmed while they all had enchanted netherite or diamond. Dream panted. He suddenly heard a piece of wood creak beyond him and he turned just in time to block a swing from none other than Tommyinnit himself. Dream snarled. He hated this kid right now.
Even after he’d told them how to bring back people he was still alive. He was supposed to die after that but Tommy kept him alive. His exact words being “You deserve to suffer more and I’m gonna make sure you do”. Kinda shitty but Dream understood it at first. 2 months later and he was still alive. He had nothing to live for so he began to work towards escaping, putting his life to some form of use. He knew what he did was wrong, even when he tried to right his wrongs and apologize, offering to do anything to fix what he’d done. And when he said anything he meant anything. He was overjoyed when Tommy agreed once. He was naive to think Tommy’s usual no would change to yes that easily without there being some catch. Tommy had seen his happiness and he screwed with him. He said that he’d be let out for a little bit if he did a few things. Dream did everything without question and he did them well despite being weaker than normal. Tommy had said he’d done great, that maybe he really was trying to change. Dream almost cried at his words. Tommy said he could go outside for a bit. He walked Dream to the locker room. Tommy activated the portal, Dream felt himself smile for the first time in 2 months of being there. Tommy walked up to the portal and smirked before laughing loudly. ‘You didn’t actually think I was going to let you out did you?’ said Tommy and Dream felt any joy he had in him drain. Then Sam grabbed him by his limbs and began to drag him back to his cell. Dream kicked and screamed, tears filled his eyes but never fell, he wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of crying. He screamed until his voice was raw, hell, he almost managed to get out of Sam’s grip but he was punched in the gut and face quite a few times sending his already weak body to the floor and from there he dragged his limp body back to his cell. Hah, Dream felt his hate was kinda justified. Dream snarled and backed up against the wall. Tommy smirked.
“Can’t believe you actually managed to get out but hey, you don’t look like you’re going to get very far.” said Tommy. Dream would’ve spoken back but his unused voice wasn’t going to do much for him right now.
“Nothing to say Dream?” said Tommy. Dream didn’t even give Tommy enough time to move before he lunged for the kid, tackling him to the ground and lifting his fist. The air was knocked out of Tommy’s lungs so he heaved giving Dream an opening. Dream lifted his fist and brought it down on Tommy’s face repeatedly, the hits hard and fast. That’s how Dream typically fought, strong but fast blows to ensure damage but also to ensure getting away. Dream saw Tommy bring up his arms to defend himself but Dream hit those to, all the pent up rage being let out. After Tommy had done that to him, he died inside. Any hope he had of gaining freedom and fixing what he did was wrong vanishing. He didn’t eat very often, the potatoes often making him sick. He developed a hate for the kid. He already disliked him but he’d had times with him where they got along and were once friends but those times were forgotten after that. Dream saw blood splatter on the ground from his last hit. He heard footsteps to his right and he turned his head to see all his former friends. They all saw his fist covered in his blood and Tommy’s. Dream spit blood out of his mouth and stood up, his knees nearly giving out if not for the wall next to him. Tommy hacked up blood from his spot on the ground. No one moved towards Dream because they noticed the enchanted netherite axe in his hand. Dream didn’t even remember picking that up but he didn’t mind. The fact they were still scared of him gave him a good feeling. Good. They should be scared. They should’ve known it would backfire when they locked him in there and forgot about him, keeping him alive for no reason, with no one. The only person who visited as a friend was Bad. There was a reason Bad was the only person uninjured. He also noticed the 3 or 4 times Bad had a chance to hit him he didn’t. He doesn't hurt the people who don't hurt him. It’s just that simple. Dream coughed into his hand, blood splattering over his already blood stained hand. Dream looked at them, he still had his mask, it was broken to hell though. Cracks littered the porcelain. Dream straightened himself, hand still at his side.
“Back the fuck up right fucking now or I will cut him so many times you won’t even recognize his lifeless corpse.” threatened Dream, putting the axe near Tommy’s neck. Quackity scoffed.
“We aren’t stupid Dream, we know you wouldn’t do that.” said Quackity.
“He’s ‘too fun’ remember?” added Tubbo, worry and rage in his eyes. Dream raised the axe and brought it down, the edge cutting Tommy's neck slightly.
“That was before he did what he did. He could die and I wouldn’t give a shit. Hell, you're lucky I haven’t killed him yet.” spat Dream.
“Again, your shit won’t work on us D-” started another voice but Dream lifted his axe and slammed it into Tommy’s thigh, a pained scream coming from Tommy’s throat as the blade cut through the flesh. A few people gasped at the action.
“It’s not shit, now, back the fuck up.” said Dream once more, his tense body loosening when they took steps back. Dream’s breathing was labored, he left the axe in his leg, not moving it because he’d bleed out in a matter of minutes if he did. As much as he hated the kid, he wouldn’t kill him unless he had to. Dream froze when George pushed through the crowd.
“Dream… please just stop.” said George out of breath. Dream swallowed.
“Just surrender and we won’t have to kill you. You can go back to the cell after we treat your wounds. Please Dream.” continued George. Dream let out a breathy laugh before he broke out into a full blow laughter. It wasn’t his normal laugh, it was one full of bitterness and pain, sadness and regret.
“And you called my ‘bluff’ bullshit! You think I’m gonna go back in that hellhole?” said Dream. George shrunk back. Dream hacked up more blood.
“You make me sick. You should’ve killed me after you got the information you wanted.” spat Dream.
“I wanted to die after I gave you the information. It was the only thing I was still alive for, but this little shit,” said Dream, kicking Tommy in the side, hard too.
“He said he was gonna make me suffer, I thought maybe he’d torture me, or have Sam beat me until he was ready to kill me. Hell, that would’ve been fine as long as I died. But no. I was still alive. Hah! Then this fucker really said I could get some time on the outside if I did shit he asked and I did it all! I did everything hoping for a little time outside but then he had Sam drag me back to my cell! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT DID TO ME!?!” yelled Dream, rage fueling him.
“HE TAUNTED ME WITH THE ONE THING I HAD LEFT TO LIVE FOR!!” screamed Dream. The others backed up at his outburst. George stared at him with wide eyes and then he looked at Tommy.
“So yeah, I’m not surrendering you assholes. You’ll have to kill me first,” seethed Dream.
“Then we will,” said Sam. Dream laughed.
“Sure you will, see, you forgot one thing about me Sammy.” said Dream. Sam tensed at the nickname.
“I know how to stall pretty well,” said Dream with a smirk. He brought up his admin menu quickly, it hadn’t been working earlier, but a little time to reboot and boom, he was fully functioning again. His hand hovered over the teleport button, he had no idea where this was going to take him, he just needed to get away. Everyone saw that he was doing and they dashed towards him. Dream pulled the axe from Tommy’s leg, the name Nightmare engraved into the side. Funny how that works, Tommy took it from him over for Dream to get it back. Irony at its finest. Dream saluted before pressing the button, his body disappearing, every weapon aimed for him only meeting air. Dream’s vision went dark until he appeared somewhere. Dream would’ve screamed if he hadn’t thought he’d fall over. The cold, harsh wind cut through his thin, damaged clothing. Of course he had to fucking teleport the a fuckin’ tundra biome. Dream groaned and almost punched a tree before remembering his very bruised knuckles. Dream could barely see, the snow blowing in the air combined with his fucked up eye and the blood loss not making a great combo right now. Dream staggered forward. He didn’t know where he was, he had no energy left to do a teleport, he used it all the first time. He was royally screwed. Dream shook his head. No, he wasn’t giving up here. He was gonna get out of this. Escaping death was something he was known for. Dream shivered in the cold, as he walked through the snow. He was glad he at least teleport ed to a forest, the thick trees doing a little against the snow falling. He blinked again, eye blurry. He could barely see, it was still pitch black outside. Good for his sunlight deprived eye but horrible for the tundra biome he was currently struggling not to pass out in. Dream swayed dangerously after losing his footing, trying to catch himself by using the axe. Dream hacked, and his knees hit the ground, the cold wetting his pants immediately. Dream’s palms, held him up and he heaved and choked on his own blood, the crimson liquid staining the white snow under him. Dream felt tears come to his eyes. He didn’t want to die now, not after getting out. Not after everything. He couldn’t die here. Dream hauled himself up, blood continuing to drip down his chin, as he held onto his only weapon tightly. Dream reached up and removed his mask, the snow getting caught in it. He used the strap to tie it on his bloodied arm. Dream huffed and took a few more steps. He barely registered the light of a lantern, his mind to foggy. He didn't see the two people looking at a map. He didn’t notice them until he rubbed his eye and his vision cleared ever so slightly. He recognized the red cape and the striped bucket hat. He stumbled and hit a tree, putting all his weight on the wood. He saw they were looking at something, their mouths were moving, a piece of paper in their hands.
“Phil, don’t doubt my tracking skills.” said techno.
“Then why haven’t we made it home Techno?” asked Phil. Techno huffed and crossed his arms.
That’s what I thought, if we keep going this way we should be home in no time.” said Phil, gesturing to the left. Dream blinked. Could he trust them? Oh for fucks sake, like he cared if he could. It was his best choice right now. Dream swallowed, his throat dry.
“T-techno…? Phil…?” rasped Dream. They both jumped and pulled out their weapons expecting to see an enemy but instead their eyes landed on someone Phil didn’t recognize. But Techno did and his eyes widened.
“Who the h-” started Phil but he caught sight of Techno’s horrified features and shut up.
“Dream?” muttered Techno. Phil’s head snapped to the very injured person leaning against a tree.
“Help me…” muttered Dream before falling forward. Techno rushed forward and caught him before he hit the ground.
“Phil, we need to go right now.” said Techno, picking up the now unconscious Dream. Phil nodded and grabbed the axe Dream dropped and put it in his inventory.
“This way.” directed Phil and the two began running through the blizzard. Techno looked down at Dream, the amount of blood on his face was concerning and neither Phil or Dream missed his blood covered side. Techno shook his head and focused on getting back home. The two reached the clearing and Techno’s house came into view. They ran to it as fast as they could, arriving at the home. Phil slammed the door open startling Ranboo.
“Ranboo. Get the med kit from upstairs right now.” directed Phil. Ranboo’s eyes glanced at the bloodied form in Techno’s arms and his pained face before dashing upstairs. Phil pulled a bed from his inventory and placed it.
“Techno, lay him down where I can get to his side easily.” continued Phil. Techno nodded and gently laid his friend down. He looked at the blonde. He was covered in blood. He had blood from his nose and spit lip and then some from his throat. His clothing was torn, there was an arrow in his shoulder along with other holes in the back of his shirt from the other arrows. Techno clenched his fist, rage bubbling in his chest. Whoever did this was going to be in pain that’s for sure. Techno saw Phil come back into the room with a bowl of water and rags and some other clothing.
“Techno, strip him down please,” said Phil, throwing Techno a pair of gym shorts to put the other in. Techno began doing so, stripping him of the hoodie and undershirt, both literally dripping blood and water. He got rid of his pants next, pulling the arrow out of his thigh before removing them. Dream cried out weakly in his sleep when he did so. Techno mumbled an apology and pulled on the gym shorts. Phil had turned on the furnaces to make sure he’d be warm to prevent hypothermia. Ranboo came back down the stairs.
“Here,” said Ranboo handing Phil the stuff.
“Thank you Ranboo,” responded Phil. Techno had begun cleaning the wounds so Phil could see the wound better. Phil nodded to him and Techno moved, Phil sitting down next to Dream. The older male observed the wound.
“It looks like he was stabbed with a dagger so it didn’t go all the way through thank god, but it’s deep and it needs to be stitched immediately.” said Phil more to himself than the other two in the room. Techno watched as Phil got started and Ranboo tapped him on the shoulder.
“What’s going on?” whispered the enderman hybrid. Techno looked at him.
“That’s Dream, found him in the woods looking like that.” answered Techno. Ranboo’s eyes widened at the name.
“That’s Dream?? How did he get hurt so bad?” Techno shrugged.
“I don’t know but once I figure it out, whatever or whoever did it is gonna hurt.” stated Techno, voice deep and threatening. The two went silent after that watching Phil work. Over the course of the next hour, all of Dream’s fatal wounds were stitched and bandaged. Phil was now working on the less dangerous ones, bandaging then gently. Phil sighed, signaling he was done.
“He was in rough shape, he’s lost quite a bit of weight too. Nothing too bad but still odd.” commented Phil.
“So… is he gonna be okay?” asked Techno hopefully. Phil turned to look at his son, the desperation and worry in his eyes making him frown.
“Yeah, he should be okay. It’ll take a while to make a full recovery but he’ll at least live to try.” finished Phil. Techno sighed in relief. Ranboo fidgetted nervously next to him.
“Oh thank fuck,” muttered Techno. Ranboo looked over at the hybrid, he looked stressed which was understandable at this time.
“I’m gonna get dinner started, he may wake up soon though, the bags under his eyes tell me he doesn’t get too much sleep so his body will wake him up earlier.” stated Phil. Techno nodded.
“I’ll keep an eye on him.” said Techno. Ranboo stood up.
“I can help with dinner if you need it?” offered Ranboo and Phil smiled, nodding.
“Yeah, the whole ‘getting lost and then running through a blizzard thing’ seemed to have tired me. Shocker.” said Phil looking at Techno. Techno rolled his eyes.
“Well if we hadn’t gotten lost we wouldn’t have found this guy.” said Techno motioning to Dream. Phil shrugged.
“True, but I thought the human gps could navigate through a blizzard,” continued Phil. The older knew Techno and Dream had gotten close. He hadn’t seen the kid around in a while, none of them had. (Guys, we’re just gonna go with none of them knowing he was in prison) He seemed to just disappear for 3 months for some reason and he then found him bleeding to death and cold in the snow. It seemed to have hit Techno hard so if bickering would help raise his spirits he’d do just that and said bickering went on for an hour and was currently on Techno giving a detailed description of the path here to the Syndicate. Phil laughed and raised his arms in defeat.
“Okay, Okay! I believe you.” said Phil. Techno huffed.
“Bout time.” mumbled Techno but he couldn’t hide the small smile on his lips. Techno
turned back around and looked at Dream. His smile vanished and Phil noticed. Ranboo came back into the room and saw Techno frowning. He looked at Phil who just sighed and shook his head. Ranboo sat his items down and walked into the room, putting a comforting hand on Techno’s shoulder.
“He’s going to be fine, you need to relax.” said Ranboo. Techno sighed.
“I know but you can’t help but worry,” responded Techno.
“Yeah, that makes sense.” said Ranboo scratching his head. Phil dried his hands off and walked into the room.
“Dinner’s ready, it’s just chicken noodle in case our injured friend wakes up.” said Phil. Ranboo made his way into the kitchen and grabbed a bowl for himself and Techno, handing the pig hybrid the bowl. Phil walked into the room and sat down, taking a spoonful and eating it. He looked over at Dream, the kid was still very much unconscious but he didn’t look like he was in too much pain which was good. He had never seen his face. He didn’t know he had so many scars on his face along with his body for that matter. All these new wounds would probably leave more on him. His right fist was pretty banged up like he had punched something repeatedly. They’d have to ask what the hell happened once he woke up if he was really to talk about. They’d just have to be patient.