Chapter Text
“Sorry, Dream. You should have paid me more.”
Several silhouettes appeared within the purple swirls of the prison’s nether portal. The sound of shifting metal and armaments echoed within the silent hall as nearly a dozen figures stood in gleaming armor. Tommy and Tubbo bolted behind their new wall of allies as the group gathered into the enclosed hallway, staring down a lone masked figure.
The cornered man tilted his head in an unsettling manner observing the group as they slowly approached. Taunts from the two blond children blurred into background noise as his gaze settled over each member of the SMP. Their once fearful faces were twisted with anger and resentment. A sign that something had gone wrong with his plan. The sharp axe in his grasp swung up to rest on his shoulder in a casual manner, but there was a slight tremble to his grip. “What is this?”
“We’re tired, man. We’re tired of your shit.”
"You’ve fucked up for the last time!"
"There is nowhere to run."
The mob clamored with complaints as they slowly started to draw closer, blocking the hall. Their shields were readied and weapons drawn for the impending fight. Each blade pointed at him marked another flaw in the meticulous web he had woven. Blind spots he had missed in all of this plotting and puppeting. Somehow despite his best efforts, nearly the entire server was united in their stand against him.
Just as it should be.
Small flickers of sadness and pride peeked through the searing anger burning in his chest.
A fierce scowl formed under the mask as he stomped all of the emotions down. His shoulder rolled back as he stood tall, showing no fear. "Are you really sure you want to do this?"
"Hell fucking yeah we do!" Quackity's voice bounced off the black stone around them as others voiced their affirmation.
Tommy burst from the group, armored up and full of so much confidence it was almost sickening. He sauntered over to the meticulously cataloged item frames that lined the wall and pulled the Axe of Peace from its resting place. The blade sparked with deadly magic as it was swung in his direction, the child holding it grinned widely.
“You know what Dream?” A block was broken showing the broiling lava beneath. “Put your gear in the hole.”
Fair is fair...
Rage bubbled up at the arrogance of the gremlin who started so many problems. The spark that lit so many flames and made it so easy to manipulate everyone. How ironic how the little terror that divided so many people now had all of the server coddling him.
“You’re joking.” The masked man sneered.
The crowd inched closer forcing the trapped admin back into a corner, showing they would not be intimidated again. Their steadfast resolve to put an end to his reign showed clear with every heated glare locked onto even the smallest moment the escape artist made. A coil of panic started to break through the aggravation. The taunts and angry shouts of the mob fading to white noise as calculating eyes scanned the room for an escape. His usual bag of tricks had been depleted by the earlier fight. Even an ender pearl would put him at risk of being surrounded as everyone else no doubt brought those as well. They would all need to fall for him to escape.
There is another way out.
He hesitated for a split second before a low chuckle escaped the lone defender.
The green-clad man backed away, the end of the hall quickly started to box him in. "You all want me so badly?” the admin stepped back feeling resistance beneath his foot. “You better be quick."
The tell-tale click of redstone resonated louder than any war cry, and like a firework, everything burst into chaos.
Shields were brought up expecting the worst while those with bows readied fired. He jumped back to dodge the rain of arrows, a few bounced off his shield. There was a hiss of pistons and the trickster simply leaned back. The look of shock, confusion, and horror on everyone's face was satisfying as he saluted, letting the awaiting water stream whisk him away.
There was an oh so brief moment of peace the water engulfed the admin completely before Dream was forced out of the water, stumbling and sputtering for air. He gasped a few precious breaths of freedom before letting out a shaky sigh.
It worked!
W̵͖͖͇͕͈͚͛̇h̴͇͖̤̱̟̅̈a̵̧̭̟̦̦̺͊̈́̈́͗t̴̡̪̞̣͗͛̿̃͛?̷̻̹̺͚!̶̧͈̭̙̃̇̾̆̈̎
Dream felt a tug at the back of his mind but pushed it against it. Time was short and he was not going to waste his only chance. The blond bolted down the hall, his feet pounding loudly against black stone bricks as he did what he did best, run.
Splashes of water and angry shout's quickly followed, spurring his body to move faster. Dream’s movements became erratic as he weaved through the wide hall. Poisoned arrows whispered past him, a lucky few sinking into his worn armor. A roll of nausea took hold of his senses but he pushed on.
Flashes of green caught his eye as a hand full of resourceful friends hunters pearled ahead of him. There was a split second of hesitation as Sapnap and Sam stood before him. A small part wanting to give in right there but the weapons quickly chased that impulse away. Dream bobbed and weaved, dancing between blades and arrows. The sound of clashing metal intermingled with panicked shouts as a few strikes managed to chip away at his armor. Fresh blood was sent splattering across the pristine bricks.
Each strike threatened to slow his pace but Dream forced himself to keep moving. Fighting back, almost reluctantly, to gain a breath and keep running.
“Get back here!” “Argh! Keep on him!” “You won’t get away!”
Familiar voices swirled in a chaotic storm between the clashes of metal and shattering of glass. It was almost nostalgic. Ghosts of manhunts long past echoed familiar sentiments. Memories of carefree times when he would try to outmaneuver the hunters as they attempted to stop him. It would have almost been nice if not for the venom and heat behind the jeers. The games were over and these hunters were after his blood. Descending upon their prey with relentless force. Every time he forced one person back two more took their place quickly wearing him down.
His lungs heaved with every breath as they ached and felt heavy. His back strained in agony taking the brunt of the damage but still, he pushed forward. Every new blossom of crimson rattled his body and shook his soul. It was only with the grace of a few desperate golden apples that he navigated the winding halls.
Finally, the gleaming glow of quartz and glowstone caught his eye, pulling him like a beacon. A frantic pearl throw landed him squarely within the large room. In stark contrast to every other room in the prison, this one was covered in shimmering quartz and was almost blinding.
"We got him!"
"Careful, careful!"
"Don’t let him get away!"
Thundering steps stampede towards the little sanctuary.
Dream turned to face the oncoming hunters. Taking in the ire and hate that twisted the friendly faces he remembered. He distantly took note that the numbers had dwindled, most likely to wait for his respawn. Bitterness rose from the back of his throat but he shoved it down.
This was never his fight to win.
His stance shifted, shield raised as he bellowed, "Come ‘ere!"
This ends now.
N̷̡͇͈̓̈̈́͛̋o̷̧̖͉̭͂̈́̕ͅ!̵̫̮̪͛͌ͅ
Tommy and Sapnap lead the charge, fire burning in their eyes brighter than ever.
Dream took a deep breath, calming the paralyzing nerves creeping up his spine.
"I am one."
There was another flash of green. He brought up his shield just in time to block a sword, the metal crunching into the splintering shield. Sapnap grit his teeth, dark eyes glaring straight into Dream, burning into his very being, before shoving him back.
"A soul."
A flash of orange and blue caught his eyes just before two arrows sunk into the weakened parts of his armor.
"A higher power."
Dream blocked another volley of arrows and dodged a vicious strike from Sapnap. Just as he readied to push back, a searing pain lit up his side as Tommy blitzed past him, axe stained with his blood.
"I-I wish for this no more!"
"Then stand down!" Sam barked, his strike was hesitant and easy to deflect away. Dream swung his axe for good measure gashing into the hybrid’s side, causing him to retreat.
“Wha- wait!”
Everything seemed to slow for Dream. Tommy and Snap were charging in with blazing determination. Quackity and Eret let loose more arrows, one far more bloodthirsty than the other. Unnoticed by all of them white runes pulsed to life beneath the splatters of fresh blood. Fundy’s eyes were wide with understanding.
A moment of resignation washed over Dream, a cool wave dowsing the overwhelming vitriolic hate that crashed upon him from all sides. Unshed tears echoed the bittersweet heartache that tore through his chest with more velocity than any blade.
"I will be fixed."
The sound of porcelain clattering against stone resonated within the chamber as the infamous mask was shattered. Everything stopped as all eyes were on Dream. A sword plunged through his chest and an axe buried in his side. An arrow stuck out from his shoulder while the second fell alongside the broken fragments of his mask.
Contrary to the scowls everyone expected, a tired smile curved Dream’s bloodstained lips. Fading green eyes locked onto turbulent dark ones.
"I'm sorry."
The room was engulfed in a blinding white light causing everyone to shield their eyes. When the light faded he was gone. Only a pile of possessions remained to mark that Dream ever existed.
"The fuck was that?!" Tommy shrieked while looking around confused.
"Warn everyone at the bed! We need to get back!" Quackity yelled, trying to scramble everyone together and return to the rest of the group.
Unfortunately, their efforts were ultimately for naught.
Dream did not respawn.