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‘The Sword’s Broken Scabbard.’
Clay and Tommy Brookes’ favorite novel. The two brothers spent hours reading it together. It was what first started bonding them when they were fostered in the same house before being adopted by the lovely couple they now called their parents.
Tommy was 10 when he first arrived, only a month after Clay, who was 14 at the time. Usually, the age difference would hinder their bonding, but because of their shared love for the book, they bonded much more than normal foster siblings, and soon, when Tommy was 11 and Clay 15, they were adopted and became official brothers.
Now, with Tommy 17 and Clay 21, with their parent’s permission, Tommy lived with Clay for multiple reasons. One, it was closer to Tommy’s college, two, they didn’t want to be separated again, like when Clay left for college, and three, their parents thought it was a good idea.
They fought, obviously, but never in a way that would break their bond. Just minor squabbles they had for either petty reasons, they were exhausted, or they were just bored. But, at the end of the day, the two can honestly say that they’re each other’s best friends.
~~~
On an average Sunday, where Tommy didn’t have any classes and Clay didn’t have work, the two always went out to eat for breakfast. Today, they were walking to a new cafe they heard about with good reviews.
“So, then I told her, “Of course I know what I’m talking about! I’m Tommy motherfucking Innit!” Tommy had his head up high as he told the story to Clay, using the last name he called himself because he thought his real one was boring.
Clay just chuckled at his little brother’s obvious exaggeration as he looked on his phone for the direction.
“Uh uh, and what did she say about that?” Clay looked up for a minute to give the younger blond an amused smirk. Tommy just grumbled and started waving his hands animatedly as they stopped and waited for the crossing light to turn green.
“She fucking yelled at me and told me to just get on with it! Can you believe her?! She should be honored to work with me for this project,” Tommy crossed his arms with a huff. Just then, the light turned green, and the street lights turned red.
“Yeah, I bet.”
As they were crossing the street, Clay was the first to spot the speeding car coming their way. With his eyes widening, he grabbed onto Tommy protectively.
“TOM-”
Crash
~~~
Waking up with a groan, Tommy looked around the blurry, bright white space. When his vision cleared up slightly, Tommy shot up.
“Clay?!”
He looked around frantically before he heard a sharp intake of breath from beside him. Looking down, he saw Clay still unconscious beside him on the ground. He quickly checked over his brother for any injuries before letting out a sigh of relief when he spotted none.
“Ugh,” Tommy watched as Clay woke up with a groan much like himself before shooting up after a few moments. Clay shot his eyes towards Tommy before flinging himself towards the boy.
“Tom, Toms, Tommy, you’re okay .”
Tommy didn’t mention how Clay’s shoulders shook because his shoulders shook as well. They both just hid their faces in each other’s necks.
They were startled out of their touching embrace by a loud ping noise. Drawing out of the hug, the two each watched as a screen materialized right in front of them.
[Welcome!]
Welcome to the White Space !
This is a space created by The Creator .
It is a space meant for rest and strategizing.
Welcome, Tommy and Clay !
“What the fuck….” Tommy whispered.
Right after reading, another ping rang out.
[Information!]
Due to the unexpected deaths before your time,
The Creator has decided to give you an option!
If you so wish, you two will be reincarnated as
two of the characters in the world of ‘TSBS’ !
If not, you will die.
Please select (yes) for reincarnation and (no)
for death!
After reading, the two brothers shared a look . They seemed to have a silent conversation before Clay sighed, and Tommy looked smug. With a final, weak nod to Tommy, Clay stood up and hesitated before taping on the (yes) button.
The screen vanished for a second before another ping sounded.
[Information 2.0]
Amazing! All of the information you’ll need will
be automatically available to you once you
wake up! It might take a few moments,
but everything you need will be transferred
over to you! For help, just think the word
{menu}, and this screen will pop up.
It will tell you the story progression
as well as your character stats and
roles!
“Stats?” Clay questioned loudly before the screen vanished. Immediately after it disappeared, the white room suddenly began glowing an unnatural amount, blinding the two.
“TOMMY!”
“CLAY!”
~~~
“-eus!”
Coming to, Tommy woke up to the sound of voices.
“Theseus!”
Opening an eye, Tommy spotted a fluffy, brown-haired man wearing Disney prince-styled garments. With a groan, Tommy ducked his head underneath his soft pillow.
“Theseus, I know you’re awake! Get up, or you’ll miss breakfast!” His voice was laced with not so hidden amusement, much to Tommy’s confused annoyance.
“Fuck off. Just let me starve,” Tommy mumbled. He felt like he was hit by a car. Which he was.
With a loud sigh, the brown-haired male walked over towards the door.
“Fine, fine, but don’t come crying to me when you’re hungry later,” with one last goodbye, the man left the room as the door shut behind him.
As he contemplated who the brown-haired male was, Tommy suddenly sat up as memory upon memory entered his head.
“Oh. Oh .”
He was Prince Theseus Craft, the third prince of the Antarctic Empire, son to Emperor Philza Craft, or ‘The Angel of Death,’ the younger brother to the crown prince and general Technoblade, or ‘The Blood God,’ and second prince Wilbur Soot, or ‘The Siren.’
He was also the main character and hero of ‘The Sword’s Broken Scabbard.’
“Oh god.”
~~~
“Dream!”
Clay shot up from his bed with a startled yelp.
“Christ, wake up sooner, will you? We have to prepare for the festival, and I’m not doing that without you there to control Sapnap!”
Clay looked up to meet eyes with a very charming and very irritated looked brunette with white goggles sat atop his head, leaving his heterochromatic blue and brown eyes out for him to see.
Just as Clay was about to ask who ‘Dream’ and ‘Sapnap’ were, all of the memories he was missing came rushing back. Quickly pasting on a smirk, Clay thanked his parents for all of the years of acting lessons they encouraged him to do.
“Sorry, sorry,” he waved his hand dismissively, pulling his knee up so he can rest his elbow on it as he placed his chin in his hand, smirking up at the brunette.
He just huffed and stomped out of the room. Once George slammed the door shut, Clay’s smirk dropped as well as his leg before he placed his face in his hands and sorted through his thoughts.
He was now Dream Wastaken, the number one mercenary in the continent. He was friends with George Notfound, once the prince of the Mushroom kingdom; he was placed under a sleeping spell and could only sleep as his kingdom fell and was conquered by the Antarctic Empire. Dream saved him, and the two bonded and became friends. And Sapnap, a blaze hybrid born in the nether before being abandoned by his parents in the overworld. He and Dream met as children and were friends ever since.
He was also the villain of ‘The Sword’s Broken Scabbard.’
“Fuck.”
~~~
After an hour of pacing as he recalled everything in the book series and looking at his appearance, he figured that he was in the middle of the first book, right before the ‘Red Festival,’ the first significant appearance of Dream in the novel.
Once he sorted through all of the memories, and there was a lot , he remembered what the screen said. He thought the word {menu} before a screen popped into existence in front of him.
[Menu]
User: Tommy Innit
Character: Theseus Craft
Age: 17
Species: Demi-god
{Character stats;
Intelligence: A
Charisma: A-
Strength: A
Popularity among the people: B-
Health: S
Humor: B-
Happiness: A+
Childishness: A
Responsibility: C-
Flexibility: A }
Family: Cꖎᔑ∷ᔑ (M𝙹ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ∷: Aꖎ╎⍊ᒷ), Philza Craft (Adoptive Father: Alive) , Kristin Craft (Adoptive Mother: Deceased), Technoblade Craft (Adoptive Brother: Alive) , Wilbur Soot-Craft (Adoptive Brother: Alive) , Fundy Soot-Craft (Nephew: Alive) , Sally Soot (Sister-in-law: Deceased)
{Skills;
Sword Fighting : A+
Sewing : B
Archery : A
Public speech : A-
Singing : A+
Improv : C
Manners : C-
Information gathering : A
Planning/Strategizing : B+
Writing : B
Gymnastics: A
Clutches: S }
Story progression: 46%
“What the fuck…. With a sigh
~~~
At the same time, Clay was doing the same thing.
[Menu]
User: Clay Brookes
Character: Dream Wastaken
Age: 21
Species: Ram
{Character stats;
Charisma: A+
Intelligence: S
Cruelty: A
Possessiveness: A-
Health: S
Flexibility: S
Strength: A+}
Family: Puffy (Mother: Alive), Foolish (Adoptive Brother: Alive), JSchlatt (Uncle: deceased), Tubbo Beloved (Cousin: Alive), Ranboo Beloved (Cousin-in-law: Alive), Michael Beloved (First cousin once removed: Alive)
{Skills;
Sword Fighting: S
Archery: A+
Planning/Strategizing : A
Resource gathering: S
Manipulation: A+
Gymnastics: A
Acting: A
Parkour: S
Clutches: A+
Intimidation: A}
Story progression: 46%
Clay exited the menu before flopping onto his bed, covering his eyes with his arm with a sigh.
“Why do I have to be the bad guy? He's literally a child abuser, and I have to be him?” Clay continued to grumble complaints under his breath as he re-entered the menu and tapped on the [messages] button.
[Messages]
Clay:
This is bullshit
Clay:
Why do I have to be a child abuser of all things?!
Tommy:
L
Clay:
Fuck off, prick
Tommy:
Okay, Piss Baby
Clay picked up his mask and fastened it to his face with one final sigh, covering up all his features. With one last glance around his room, he turned off the lights and made his way to his friends.
“Sapnap! You better not light the TnT accidentally!”
“THAT WAS ONE TIME!”
~~~
[Message]
Tommy:
Sadge
Clay:
Suck it up
It’s part of the script
And I thought you liked that scene?!
Tommy:
I did
But that was before
I WAS THE ONE WHO GOT FUCKING BLOWN UP
Clay:
What can you do?
:shrug:
Tommy:
Can’t wait to stab you next scene
:)
Clay:
:worried:
Tommy:
:Smile:
~~~
Story progression: 64%
~~~
[Message]
Tommy:
TAKE THAT BITCH BOY
Clay:
YOU COULDN’T HAVE AIMED A LITTLE LOWER?!
Tommy:
LMAO
Clay:
I’M NOT GOING TO HOLD BACK NEXT TIME
Tommy:
COME AT ME PUSSY
~~~
Story progression: 84%
~~~
[Message]
Clay:
;Picture of Clay holding Cat and Mellohi with a smirk;
Would be a shame if I somehow lost these
Tommy:
YOU MOTHER FUCKING BITCH ASS PISS BABY
I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL I KILL YOU
Clay:
Oh, what’s this?
I can’t seem to find Mellohi?
Where did it go, I wonder
Tommy:
COUNT YOUR DAYS
WE’RE ALMOST TO YOUR DEATH SCENE
~~~
Story progression: 98%
~~~
They were standing inside of the obsidian bunker.
Theseus, with his sword out, glaring at Dream as he threatened to kill his best friend. Dream with his axe against Tubbo’s throat, looking at Theseus impassively from behind his mask.
Tommy with his sword out, looking at Clay with worry and guilt. Clay with his axe against Tubbo’s throat, watching Tommy with acceptance and forgiveness.
Tubbo, in the middle, watching his best friend fight for him.
“Let him go,” Theseus growled. Tommy tried not to let the shake in his voice show.
“Hm. I don’t know why I should,” Dream tilted his head in faux confusion. Clay tried to show that it was okay through his body language.
“If you don’t, then I’ll kill you where you stand,” Theseus threatened. Tommy pleaded.
“And risk your precious Tubbo?” Dream cooed cruelly. Clay cooed softly.
“DUCK!”
Leaving Dream no time to react, Theseus whipped out a crossbow and fired, Tubbo having enough time to duck as the arrow pierced Dream’s heart. With a gasp, he went down.
Tubbo went running over to Theseus before they embraced, the blond dropping his crossbow to pull Tubbo into his arms. Tommy hid his face in the shorter’s hair, not wanting to watch his older brother die by his hands.
“You’ll...Never...Escape...Me,” Dream gasped out, his last words a metaphorical curse. Clay gasped out, his last words a metaphorical hug.
Theseus’s shoulders shook as he took in the knowledge that his abuser was dead. Tommy’s shoulders shook as he took in the knowledge that his brother was dead.
“He’s gone. He’s gone! We did it!” Tubbo pulled away as he looked at Theseus gleefully.
At that moment, everyone shot out of the portal they used to get here. Tubbo ran over to his husband, Ranboo, while everyone else took in the scene with shock.
Theseus smiled softly. Tommy cried silently.
“We did it.”
~~~
Story progression: 100%
S̷t̷o̴r̷y̷ ̷p̸r̶o̴g̴r̴e̷s̶s̶i̸o̸n̶:̶ ̶1̵0̵0̶%̴
Ŝ̸̼͉̪͍̂̏͗t̵̳̏̈́̽͘o̷̡̯͓͂̋ͅr̸̢̟̠̓y̸͕̮̤̍ ̷̜̋p̸̢͇̈̈́͂̈̏̈́ř̵̜͕̬͝o̸̺̥̙̿̈́̈̌̑g̵̝̪̭̉͛̾r̵̮̙̝̰̣͈̄͑͝ë̵̥̳͛̅͐̐s̶̟͝s̷̟̄̚͝i̷̺͔̠̺̞̱̐̏̉͋͒͘o̶̢̼̖͈̺̦̐̽̒͋n̷͇͙̳̱͒:̷͎̙͍̩̘̈̀̍̑̍ͅ ̷͚̈̈́1̷̛͚̺̜̿̇̉̍̇0̴̨̮̠̇̐0̷͚̥̤̘̱̽͆̈́̇ %̶̠̈́̂̓̕
~~~
Clay shot up with a gasp; he felt his body for any wounds, and finding none, he looked around for Tommy. He was still in the obsidian bunker. Though everyone else who was a significant character was too, they were all unconscious like he was. He quickly unbuckled his mask and set it down beside him, tired of wearing it.
He spotted Tommy where he was standing when Dream died before jumping up and rushing over to him. Quickly checking for injuries, he sighed in relief when he didn’t find any. Once he finished his inspection, he started shaking the boy awake.
“Tom. Toms. Tommy. Toms!”
“Ugh,” with a groan, similar to when they first woke up in White Space all those months ago, Tommy let his vision clear before shooting up and into Clay’s awaiting arms.
“Clay!” As they hugged, they failed to notice the people waking up around them.
“Wha-what happened?! Didn’t we finish the story?! We’re supposed to be home!” Tommy started rambling as Clay held the boy’s face in his hands as he gazed at him affectionately.
“What the fuck….” Tubbo whispered as he clutched his platonic husband’s hand, witnessing the loud, obnoxious, never one to touch Theseus cling to his mortal enemy and abuser, Dream. And Dream, the cold, collected abuser of Theseus gazing at him with love in his eyes, as well as his mask being off.
What the fuck?!
They were all interrupted by a loud ping echoing around the room. Everyone turned to see a large screen form into existence above them. While everyone else jumped back in surprise, Theseus and Dream didn’t.
[Bad news]
Users Tommy and Clay , I regret to inform
you that there has been an error in the
system of the worlds. Where you were supposed
to go back to your own one, you’ve
been set to stay in this one
I’m very sorry
“We’re stuck here?!” Tommy shouted, clutching his brother tightly.
“Seems so,” Clay sighed, moving his arms, so they wrapped around Tommy in a hug. He didn’t miss the way everyone seemed to twitch as he did, probably ready to grab him and run if it weren’t for their mass amounts of confusion.
Clay sighed as he cast them all an apologetic look, taking a second to glance at George, who he’d developed feelings for but could never act upon.
“I’m very sorry for everything that’s happened so far, but if you’d let us explain, I think you’ll come to understand a little better,” his tone was very different from Dream’s.
Where Dream’s voice was always cruel, cocky, and smug, Clay’s was softer, kinder, and more gentle. That was why it was easy for Tommy to see Dream and Clay as two different people.
“Why should we listen to you?” Technoblade growled, seemingly over his confusion as he pulled out his sword. He was always protective of his younger brothers. Theseus, more so, because he accidentally injured him as a child, and he never wanted that to happen again.
“Techno,” Tommy spoke, catching everyone off guard. He usually only called Technoblade ‘Blade’ or ‘The Blade.’ Never Techno, not since early childhood.
Technoblade took in the pleading look in his brother’s eyes and huffed before putting his sword away and standing near their father.
“Thank you,” Clay cleared his throat.
“We are not the Dream and Theseus you know.”
Cries and confused shouts rang out before Tommy shouted a loud “SHUT UP!” to quiet them.
“We are actually Tommy and Clay Brookes. We were born on Earth before we died in a car crash; you don’t know what a car is, but that’s fine. We woke up in a place called “The White Space,” and a screen informed us that we either reincarnate here and complete the story and go home or die. Now though, it seems that we can’t go home and are now trapped here.”
Tommy and Clay could see the doubt on everyone’s faces, so they turned to each other and had another one of their silent conversations. Clay turned back to the group of people with a nod as he thought the word [Menu: visible] . He smirked as everyone jumped back with a shout at the display of his menu.
[Menu]
User: Clay Brookes
Character: Dream Wastaken
Age: 21
Species: Ram
{Character stats;
Charisma: A+
Intelligence: S
Cruelty: S
Possessiveness: A-
Health: S
Flexibility: S
Strength: A+}
Family: Puffy (Mother: Alive), Foolish (Adoptive Brother: Alive), JSchlatt (Uncle: deceased), Tubbo Beloved (Cousin: Alive), Ranboo Beloved (Cousin-in-law: Alive), Michael Beloved (First cousin once removed: Alive)
{Skills;
Sword Fighting: S
Archery: A-
Planning/Strategizing : A+
Resource gathering: S
Manipulation: S
Gymnastics: A
Acting: A
Parkour: S
Clutches: A+
Intimidation: A+
Child abuse: S}
Ŝ̸̼͉̪͍̂̏͗t̵̳̏̈́̽͘o̷̡̯͓͂̋ͅr̸̢̟̠̓y̸͕̮̤̍ ̷̜̋p̸̢͇̈̈́͂̈̏̈́ř̵̜͕̬͝o̸̺̥̙̿̈́̈̌̑g̵̝̪̭̉͛̾r̵̮̙̝̰̣͈̄͑͝ë̵̥̳͛̅͐̐s̶̟͝s̷̟̄̚͝i̷̺͔̠̺̞̱̐̏̉͋͒͘o̶̢̼̖͈̺̦̐̽̒͋n̷͇͙̳̱͒:̷͎̙͍̩̘̈̀̍̑̍ͅ ̷͚̈̈́1̷̛͚̺̜̿̇̉̍̇0̴̨̮̠̇̐0̷͚̥̤̘̱̽͆̈́̇ %̶̠̈́̂̓̕
“Child abuse, really?” Clay huffed as Tommy cackled. Clay shoved him good-heartedly as Tommy fell to the floor in laughter.
“B-BUT IS I-IT WR-WRONG, THOUGH?!” Tommy laughed.
“Oh, piss off, child,” Clay crossed his arms as he glared, but everyone could see the smile on his face and how his eyes held no anger, only amusement.
Just as Tommy was about to yell back at Clay, George hesitantly spoke up.
“S-So...You’re not...Dream?” Clay winced at the tone of his voice. He looked back at George with sad eyes and smile.
“No, I’m sorry. Your Dream is...gone,” he looked at George as apologetically as he could.
“Good,” Sapnap snapped, though they could all see the way his shoulders shook, “he was a bastard and off his rocker.”
Clay smiled at him gently. “You can still miss someone and be glad they’re gone. And hey, it’s not all bad, I’m here! And I’m not a child abuser,” Clay tried to joke, but only Tommy huffed out a laugh.
“Bad timing, Piss baby,” George and Sapnap couldn’t help the snorts that left them as they heard Dre- Clay shout in mock offense.
“You’re not...My brother?” Wilbur spoke up. Clay looked at Tommy with a ‘your turn’ expression, causing him to huff before he shifted a little at the looks he was receiving from his family members.
“No,” he mumbled as he looked pointedly at the ground, “I have his memories, but I’m not him; not really,” he looked back at them with a sad smile as he watched Wilbur break into tears as Technoblade and Phil comforted him with tears in their own eyes.
“But! Now that you all know, we can act like ourselves! We can stop with all of the conflicts and just live peacefully!” Clay pointed out, waving his arms frantically as he tried to explain.
“Really?” Tubbo sniffled, “No more conflict?”
“Yes! Everything after this point in the original was because of Dream and Theseus, but now that we’re not Dream and Theseus, we don’t have to have conflict anymore! No more problems!” Tommy pointed out.
Phil looked hesitant, but one pleading look from Tommy made his resolve crumble.
“Alright. Everyone back to the Empire. We can sort out everything over time, but right now, I think we all need sleep,” with a nod, he led an exhausted Wilbur through the portal, Technoblade following close behind.
Everyone went in after them, casting glances at the two blonds still sitting on the obsidian floor before leaving the two alone.
As they sat on the floor, they kept their eyes locked onto the portal.
“I’m gonna miss mum and dad,” Tommy spoke, grabbing Clay’s hand. The older squeezed the hand gently before rubbing his thumb over Tommy’s knuckles softly.
“Me too, but at least you’ll have new parents, and one’s a fucking goddess!” Clay tried to bring the mood back up and was happy when he saw that it worked.
“Yeah. We have new brothers, too.”
“We?” Clay tilted his head in confusion.
“Yeah, we. What, you think I’m not going to count Techno and Wilbur as your brothers too? We’re in this together, bitch,” Tommy smiled at Clay smugly as he watched tears fill his older brother’s eyes.
“Yeah,” Clay sniffled, wiping his tears with his sleeve before pulling Tommy into an aggressive side-hug.
“Together.”