Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

L’manburg
Before the Battle of the Two Towers

History. It’s a silly thing, many events happen based on coincidences, on small things that make the house of cards crumble. It could be a way someone said a certain word or someone rounding the corner just a second too late or too early. It could be descend of a mind into disarray that would make someone too aware of those around them. It could be something simple. 

Whatever it was, whatever made those changes happen was the same thing that could have made history that we know so much different. Sometimes the reasons were clear, but sometimes they were so different that no one would be able to tell why they happened. Often it didn’t matter. Outcome was what mattered in the end.

Such a situation happened that breezy night. Wilbur wasn’t sure why he went for a walk after his son fell asleep, tucked in the backroom of Camervan, there was an itch in the back of his mind about his citizens, his soldiers (his pawns). There was something that didn’t feel right. If anyone asked Wilbur afterward he wouldn’t be able to pinpoint what he noticed, it may have been the way Eret kept his glasses more pressed to his face or the way he seemed to keep focusing on a single place during their small walk around L’manburg while Wilbur was giving one of his inspirational speeches. Whatever it was, it led Wilbur out of his home that night. For a simple walk that wasn’t supposed to change the course of an entire war. Entire history.

With slow steps he went around the walls of his L’manburg, one hand pressed against the walls as he walked, feeling the dents and coolness of the blackstone under his gloves. Wilbur’s soft humming ( My L’manburg, my L’manburg... ) should have been the only thing in the night making noise besides creatures that roamed during the night. Instead of only hearing his humming he got cut off by moving of pistons, followed by muffled words and curses. 

Was it curiosity or slowly increasing distrust in his soldiers caused by a whisper in his mind that imitated voice he used expertly to lead his troops Wilbur would never know, there’s many things that he doesn’t understand about that night, but he descended towards the noise, down a tunnel, wondering how it appeared, why did it appear and considered maybe turning back, after all it could have only been a silly mine. But he went, past the stone and past blackstone, with his only lead a wall and the voice on the end of the tunnel. Wilbur walked, mindful of sound of his uniform he had yet to take off, until he saw the light and realized it wasn’t only one voice, but two of them, both of them holding different emotions. One of them sounded distressed, unsure, while the other was frustrated. Both of them...familiar.

“Eret, are you sure this will work?”

“I know it will Dream, they don’t suspect anything. Just make sure that you keep your promise.”

Coincidences were such funny things.

Path between the Two Towers and L’manburg
The Battle of the Two Towers

Yelling was only thing that filled the battlefield, from both sides, both sides taking orders from their commanders respectively. The battle at that point took a turn for better for L’manburgians, only casualty being Wilbur’s near death in his attempt to take the attention to him to gain some more space for his soldiers. Orders were barked left and right between soldiers and when their opponents started taking cover and backing away, L’manburgians started celebrating, some louder, some to themselves in hushed tones.

With their enemy taking cover, Wilbur gave a signal for a retreat towards the walls, motioning with his hand and looking as they retreated too. There was blood. Tommy’s hair was covered in it and even Tubbo’s had small amounts of it drying on the edges. Fundy’s hands and armor suffered the same fate once he stumbled over the steps, stepping into someone’s blood. It was curious why there was blood leading up to L’manburg, but no one said a word about it. Maybe it was just rain from last night that took color from blood spilled in a battle prior. 

Truth be told no one paid it any mind as they celebrated the victory of that battle. No one but Wilbur who has watched with hawk’s eye every single detail since the battle has started. Even in the face of that he said nothing as they headed towards the walls, but their marching was interrupted by Eret.

“Gentlemen, in L’manburg I have... ”, Eret spoke in that tone that made everyone in L’manburg love him, but there was hesitance, as if regret was filling his voice but no one looked for it so no one heard it, “I have prepared a secret weapon.”

Of course as it was expected from their members, so young, so high on adrenaline, questions exploded, excitement and guesses from every mouth and their leader matched it as well, asking with a curious voice: “What is it? What is it?”

“I’m gonna need you to join me”, with that everyone followed Eret as he headed towards the walls, towards the entrance into the L’manburg, “It’s an element of surprise.”

As he led them Wilbur asked once again, this time his voice carried an emotion that only those that knew would be there could hear, but to everyone else it was just curiosity and anxiety of the battle: “What is it, Eret?”

But the man said no word as he led them, drowned out by excited chatter of his comrades. They went through the tunnels and followed stairs that lead down, same stairs Wilbur himself followed just the night before, there was no ounce of anxiety in anyone. It felt like the war was about to be won, like their victory was close. They weren’t wrong, of course, still their expectations were wrong, but Wilbur wasn’t about to break the excitement, when it was just a matter of time.

“This way gentleman, I’m excited to show you”, Eret presented like a showman, slightly turned towards them with his hands high in the air, showing the hallway and leading the way through the tunnel, though it was barely high enough for him to do so then he turned them his back and in the same tone said, “They will never suspect a thing.”

Their ragtag troops followed behind and soon they saw the blackstone, Wilbur being first one to notice it from his place right behind Eret and everyone else noticed it afterwards as they piled inside, opening chests to see what was inside of them, quiet room became overfilled with various questions of: “Eret, what is this?”

“This is…”, Eret’s voice was low, like there was something caught in his throat, “The final control room.”

“Hey what does this button do?”, Tommy’s voice cut him off and so did the distinct sound of a button being pushed and pistons working.

Soon there were screams and curses from behind the walls that followed the sound of glass being broken. Voices were familiar. They were voices of their enemies. Wilbur’s enemies. And they were dying with potions biting through their armors and skin. It managed to pull a smile onto Wilbur’s face as he heard it work. It was like a sound of utter success that was only officiated by pings that their communicators made when death messages appeared on the interface.

GeorgeNotFound was killed by magic

Sapnap was killed by magic

Punz was killed by magic

Dream was killed by magic

That last one brought a smile to Wilbur’s face, a smile that would never be rivalled because that was the moment when he knew that he won. After a moment pistons moved once again to show a small hallway, no different than the one they passed to enter the room. There was shock on every single face in the room, but the one Wilbur was paying attention to was Erets' shocked, terrified face. Oh the joy it brought Wilbur while Eret realized his mutiny was discovered as he watched hollow armor roll on the ground of the hall.

With a swift motion Wilbur pulled the string of his bow and aimed it towards Eret’s head, letting his arrow leave the sting with sweet, sweet words of victory: “Down with the mutiny. Long last, L'manburg.”

L’manburg
A week after the Battle of the Two Towers

Sometimes coincidences provided you with enough material power to turn the tides of the battle, to make it possible for you to get more. To get everything. 

As the initial shock wore off and questions started subduing, after all of them have been answered one by one, several times over with truths and half truths being thrown in there from time to time the news of what happened spread throughout the land and soon L’manburg stood with more allies than they could have hoped for. First it was only a person or two, but soon more and more people came offering help, alliance. Some offered food, some offered equipment, if offers were made while there was an edge of the sword pressed against their throats well, that was just a coincidence too.

Wilbur knew that the upper hand he had could be turned around just as fast, so soon they were sitting around the table in Camervan, with a huge map spread out across the table and brewing stands bubbling in the background. Around the table figures with shining netherite armors were surrounding him, ‘the rule didn’t matter much during this crucial time of the war’ he told them. They had to do all things necessary to keep the upper hand they had.

“I know that we’re doing great, not only are we able to keep our borders but we can expand beyond the river”, Wilbur spoke in even tone, moving his finger around the map, circling the territory they have overtaken in just a matter of a week, “Do we have an idea where Dream and his little gang is?”

“They’re taking cover in George’s base under the community house. Punz is staying in his own place. I went to bargain with him, he said he’ll stay out of the conflict from now on, he won’t fight on either side”, Fundy spoke up behind him, pulling at the fur on his tail with anxiety, “I think they’re trying to gather resources again, I saw them around the portal.”

Wilbur listened, but soon he waved his hand dismissively: “It will be fine. Tommy I will need you to guard the portal, if you see any of them come close warn them that from now on it will be in control of L’manburg and only those who have surrendered will have access to it.”

“What the fuck Wilbur!? That’s boring stuff! I don’t want to do that! Have Tubbo do it”, complaining that came from Tommy was loud, as it always was. He was a wild child, one that itched for a fight. If it was left to Tommy he would have went and attacked their enemies until they were dead. But as always Wilbur just let him throw his tantrum. It was hard to explain to that child that they can’t build an empire without people paying for their product.

“I have a more important job for Tubbo”, Wilbur said calmly, grabbing the attention of the shorter boy that was leaning against the window, gently scratching at his head, Wilbur assumed that his horns were growing in, it wasn’t uncommon around his age.

“What’s up bossman?”, Tubbo neared closer to the table, looking at Wilbur with curious eyes. Tommy was chaotic, he would wreak havoc and cause chaos wherever he appeared but Tubbo was different. Tubbo was chaos itself. He was effective. Cruel without meaning to be. He reminded Wilbur of an old friend.

Wilbur smiled, taking a feather and putting it in some ink before he spoke: “We can’t risk Dream forming alliances, after all, our own alliances are weak and they might turn on us at any given moment. We need to ensure that doesn’t happen. I want you to go and… borrow any brewing stands our allies happen to have in their possession.”

“You want to make sure they don’t ally with each other”, Tommy mumbled, walking over to Wilbur to look at the places Wilbur was circling, “Or if they do they won’t have potions.”

There was swelling in Wilbur’s chest. It was pride that his protege was picking up on his plans, it seemed like Wilbur was doing a good job making sure he had a worthy successor. Tommy was by no means stupid, he was just impulsive and ignorant but slowly Wilbur will shape him into what he needed to be. Small steps.

“Ding, ding, ding. Point for Tommy Innit!”, Wilbur continued cheerfully, “Just like you said, we can’t have them allying, or overpowering us. I don’t think they realize it yet, but if we control the potions, we can control everything. They need potions to heal zombie villagers, to safely go into the nether, to be able to fight, to explore underwater or in the caves.”

“... Alright, alright. Guard the portal… Wilbur you’re a bitch, I still think we should just go in and get rid of them”, Tommy declared, putting his hands in the air, but as it usually went he agreed and moved to sit aside while Wilbur wrapped up their meeting.

With Tommy dealt with Wilbur turned towards Tubbo: “Niki arrived last night. I will introduce you and have her accompany you, I need you to wrap it up quickly. Any questions?”

“Sure thing”, Tubbo said, taking note of all the allies he would need to visit, “No, no questions. You can count on me.”

With that the meeting continued for a bit longer, just clearing things up and agreeing where they will settle newcomers that Wilbur invited to join them. Everyone was throwing ideas or taking up tasks they could handle, with Wilbur only reserving the task of presenting L’manburg to it’s new citizens and brewing potions. It took a bit time for everything to be agreed upon but with the sun setting and day slowly coming to an end they started wrapping up the meeting, Tommy and Tubbo excusing themselves as soon as Wilbur announced that the meeting was over.

They left the caravan side by side, mumbling something or another, Wilbur didn’t pay them any mind as he moved around to get new papers so he could continue forming his plan. Wilbur almost forgot someone else was in the room until he heard Fundy clear his throat.

“Do you-What should I do?”, Fundy asked with a slightly cocked head, looking at the folded map.

For a moment Wilbur thought about it before waving him off: “Just continue capturing zombies, Tommy will take over watching Dream and the pests since he will already be at the portal.”

“One of them almost bit me last night!”

“... then be more careful next time.”, Wilbur let out a frustrated sigh at the lack of paper he had, he would need to go get more, “I will leave first.”

With that he stepped out of the Camervan, closing the doors behind him.

Community house
The same night

People often forget that history as it was, carried two sides, with no bias against one or the other, they both happened, it was only left up to those looking at it to tell which one they cared to see. 

Difference to the day in L’manburg there wasn’t much noise in the underground base in the middle of the lake, the only thing that could be heard was soft breathing and bubbling of yet another mushroom soup. Three boys were sitting in various parts of the small underground base.

The oldest of them was sitting under the entrance to the base. Being the first one to die he was the one who suffered less effects of the potions, though that didn’t spare him from slightly discolored points on his body where the potion bit into his skin leaving scars behind. Truth be told it was barely noticeable and for the first time he was glad that his skin was the type to get sunburnt even in the lightest sun, the scars were barely noticeable. Only true damage was securely hidden, unnoticeable.

Right across was the youngest of the three, curled up in the corner, on the single bed that they had, with a shirt held firmly in one of his hands and thread and needle in the other. It was slightly painful to sew leather pieces into the shirt to patch it up, every time he’d push the needle through the thick material he would do so with his fingers that were covered with new, still hardening skin covered by scar tissue. It was a great difference to calloused hands that he got used to over the last few years. He didn’t let it show on his face though, he continued sewing in the same manner his father taught him. It wasn’t really needed, but it was a good excuse to not have to wear a shirt and have it rub against the scars and irritate him, it was still a weird, unknown and unpleasant sensation. Not that either of his current roommates would scold him for it like they would if it was just a week ago.

Lastly, by the small cauldron they managed to get in the base, sat the last of the three, the one everyone considered a leader, the man with enough power to control the whole territory. What a joke. He was quiet as he worked, stirring the soup slowly so that it would cook properly. He was glad that scars and wounds were nothing new to him, not after he spent his childhood getting hurt by weird adventures his best friend took him to. Still these weren’t scars he was proud of or had a funny story about. Scars that now littered his body were a reminder of a mistake that he made and of death he led his friends, people who believed in him and followed his lead with no question, into. Thing that hurt him more was the fact that they carried the remainder of his mistake too, but whenever he muttered a ‘sorry’ they refused to hear it, so he stopped.

How funny it was, just one simple mistake. One visit to… he forgot why he even visited… It was enough. It was enough to turn everything against them and to leave them huddled away in safety that they knew wouldn’t last long enough for them to lick their wounds and recover.

Still he pulled a smile, not hidden by his mask because his trust was the only thing he had left to give to show that he was sorry, and said: “Sapnap, George come try the soup, I think it’s done.”

Chapter Text

A cave on the outskirts of the main continent
A month after the battle of Two Towers

Sapnap whispers to you: ‘Dream I got poisoned, help, I need help.’ ‘In mineshaft’ ‘Please, I’m sorry, please’ 

The fear that shook Dream’s bones when he read the message on his communicator was greater than the fear he felt as he was being poisoned to death by potions Wilbur set up. He felt bile rise to his throat and he… he didn’t know. He didn’t know what he was going to do if Sapnap died because of the poisoning.

He didn’t know who he would blame for it. Would he blame Wilbur for bringing them to this point? Or would he blame himself because he didn’t react fast enough, for allowing this to happen, because if only he didn’t declare war...? There were so many thoughts as he ran towards the branch in the cave he sent Sapnap down.

How could he let this happen? Sapnap would never sound that desperate if it wasn’t bad. 

Dream thinks he never ran that fast, dropping his torch and pickaxe so he could get to Sapnap as soon as he could. He can’t carry another death on his conscience, he had to save him. He ran down the dark paths, following instinct that never failed him before, following paths Sapnap marked with small fires drawn with coal as he went down. 

He ran with the stuffy air of the cave burning his lungs when he finally, finally saw the light of the mineshaft. With no thought that it might be dangerous he jumped down into it, ignoring the way a sharp stone cut his calf on his way down. The adrenaline was making it all non existent, he only needed to get to Sapnap, he needed to save him. So he would save himself. He needed to… to do anything. To feel like he didn’t lose his grip on everything that was ever important.

When he entered the mineshaft he didn’t know where to go, only thing indicating Sapnap might be in one or the other direction was a line of charcoal leading to his right, but then he saw the dropped charcoal when he went in deeper and air got caught in his lungs.

Sapnap wasn’t dead. He couldn’t be. There was no message. He couldn’t be dead yet. Dream had to save him. He had -

The hyperventilation he didn’t even realize had started was stopped by a firm hand on his shoulder and Dream looked behind himself, ready to fight whatever touched him. But fast his eyes met George’s worried ones and he calmed. That’s right. If Sapnap sent him the text he sent it to George too, George’s own pathway in the cave was closer to Sapnap’s. 

“We gotta- He can’t be-”, Dream started, but he was stopped by George’s hand covering his mouth, not too hard, he could still breathe, but the motion prevented him from talking.

“There would be a death message, he’s fine. But we have to go find him”, George spoke calmly, though Dream felt his hand shaking, but his own were shaking just as bad so no one said anything. 

They both nodded at each other, George lowering his head before they heard a scream. It cut through the silence like an arrow and they bolted before even thinking what caused it. They ran and they ran until they arrived at a passage covered with cobweb, the sound of struggling spiders dying to fire filling their ears.

Within moments their eyes fell to a curled up figure lying next to broken flint and steel on the ground. 

If Dream could have done one thing back then besides saving the twitching boy, his best friend, his brother in front of him he would have screamed until his throat was raw. He would have cursed himself and Wilbur. Why did it have to happen? Why did he have to send Sapnap down this pathway. Why!?

A cave on the outskirts of the main continent
Three hours earlier

So many coincidences. Why was there so many coincidences in their lives that lead them to their death? 

With L’manburg rising to power and extending their borders it was becoming harder and harder to move around the mainlands, it was just a matter of time before L’manburg took over everything, with their manpower slowly increasing.

Now L’manburg’s territory included majority of the main continent that was occupied, only community safe from it was Bad’s and Skeppy’s, only because Wilbur still wasn’t too sure about the odds and it’s not like they were troubling him. They struck a deal that Wilbur will allow them to form their own faction, as long as they pledge their help to Wilbur in his time of need. Now only factions with any power were Badlands and L’manburg, DreamSMP was just three people trying to piece each other together.

It didn’t seem like they would be able to even keep the name if things progressed in the same direction as they did for the past month. About a week ago L’manburg claimed territory where Punz’s home was located and man just let it happen, they offered a deal that Punz was allowed to do whatever he wanted in his territory as long as he turned in his brewing stands and anything that Wilbur deemed necessary. And he agreed. No one was truly mad at Punz, he fought in the war because he was paid in the first place and he lost a life, that wasn’t part of the deal. Still... It was like war was lost without a single arrow fired. It was sickening in a way. Though… was there still a war to be fought? It was obvious that Dream wanted it not to be true, that he wanted to find a way out, but in all reality it was obvious that the war was lost a month ago and they were just scrambling to survive, leaving their hideout carefully, through secret passages to avoid getting killed. Leaving at night, risking getting killed by mobs and other horrors of the night rather than by L’manburg and their people.

It was like grasping at straws but they still attempted to prepare to fight back once the community house was asked to surrender. They knew that they wouldn't be offered a peaceful solution, Dream knew that they would be eradicated no matter how peacefully he went about it. He won’t be able to outwit Wilbur, he knew that. That’s the only reason why he didn’t try to do so in the first place, resorting to a war. Something he was supposed to win. It was obvious he regretted so many things.

In one of their attempts to gather materials they scrambled last of their resources and through their small passageway escaped right outside of the L’manburg’s territory. With quick steps and hushed orders from Dream they made their way into one of the many underground caves that were littering the main continent. 

“Keep an eye on your communicator and look for diamonds. Don’t take risks. If you think you might get hurt, get out of there and call in. We don’t have the luxury of making mistakes anymore”, Dream stood in front of Sapnap and George, with a torch between all of them, shining light to his face.

Sapnap could see the worry and battle of what he should do playing in his mind, but over the past weeks that expression has been the only one he’s been seeing so it wasn’t surprising. Still it was unsettling. He was used to Dream being the collected one, the combination of brains and brawn. Seeing him look so out of it was breaking them all. It looked like he carried the weight of the whole world on his shoulders, though it wasn’t far from the truth, he did carry the weight of their world on his shoulders, taking it upon himself to do everything and plan everything, allowing the two of them to rest.

Though… it didn’t matter how much he spared them they still noticed the ever growing eyebags under his eyes, he didn’t sleep much… he didn’t sleep at all . And it seemed they could do nothing to help him. Sapnap wanted to help him so badly, to lighten the weight he was shouldering, but he never seemed to find the right way.

“--Understood?”, Dream’s voice broke him from thoughts and he nodded, recollecting his thoughts.

“You got nothing to worry about, this will be quick!”, Sapnap said proudly, trying to lighten the mood, at least to get a small smile, “We will see who will have more diamonds in the end!”

“Oh come on now, you know I will beat you!”, Dream shot back, with a huge grin appearing on his face, it was tired. It didn’t reach his eyes.

George scoffed to the side: “You two are acting like you have a chance . The one with most diamonds doesn't have to cook tomorrow.”

“You’re on! I’m going to make you regret ever saying that!”, and with that Sapnap snatched a spare torch and flint and steel, before disappearing into his branch of the cave, Dream’s call to be safe ringing in his ears.

Sound of metal hitting stone rang thought the cave and Sapnap made his way, collecting anything valuable that he noticed. Occasionally he would stop in his track to pull out a spare coal piece to mark his tracks. He would quickly draw a small fire on the walls, something he was taught to do so his way back would be easier. Small fire figures brought a smile to Sapnap’s face, they brought back some memories.

He didn’t have the time to linger on those memories for too long, since he knew soon the sun will rise and they might be in trouble if they weren’t back in their hideout by then. Getting shot down was much easier during the day.

With practiced and swift steps Sapnap moved further down the cave, looking at many openings that lead downwards into other caves. He ventured through them, looking for glimmers of diamonds that would reflect from the fire on his torch, but when he had no luck he’d climb out to continue the main path. It was just his luck that he spotted a small light in the cracks of the stone and he decided to poke his head through to check it out. Sapnap thought it might be George or Dream, if their paths somehow crossed with his, so he investigated, but what he found made hope swell in his heart. It was a mineshaft . 

It was also a risk. But it was a mineshaft. It meant there might be an enchanted golden apple. Having a God apple would have saved at least one of them that day. But it was a risk.

Sapnap had a dilemma and for a moment he sat and thought about it. Dream said no risks. He seemed pretty serious about it too. But Dream was also tired. So fucking tired. Dream had eyebags under his eyes and constant tremble in his hands. And he needed help. A God apple would be more help than a full diamond armor. Sapnap knew he was supposed to call in for help. But he also didn’t want to bring their hopes up. He couldn’t bear to see that.

In the end to Sapnap it was never a question. He was going to take the risk, if only for a chance to see Dream’s eyes light up again, to see hope in his eyes.

Once again he drew a messy fire, checked his bag to secure it and then took a deep breath. And he jumped into the cave.

(And it was the biggest mistake he could have made. He should have called for help.)

And when he jumped in it didn’t seem too bad, there were some dark parts and cobwebs but it wasn’t anything bad. He couldn’t hear mobs and there didn’t seem to be crackling of lava, so he moved slowly, holding his torch. With careful step, weary of broken paths and rotting wood he made his way thorough. 

At first he drew a line on the wall as he went, but it seemed useless so eventually every turn he took he went left and counted them, then went back and counted ever turn right so he wouldn’t get lost, it would be useless to draw with coal to mark his path. Several times there was a chest in one of the tunnels, but when he opened them they only held some small things. Even if it left him with a slightly heavy feeling in his stomach beggars couldn’t be choosers so he took what he saw.

Once Sapnap passed almost every path he wanted to give up, it didn’t seem like he could find anything like what he originally planned, might as well stop wasting time, so he started returning. 

-spiders attacking sapnap starts here, if its something that might put you off please skip this part-

Just as Sapnap made his way through he heard a noise. And another. And he looked back and saw fluorescent green eyes staring at him. So many of them. With his brain going on autopilot Sapnap started waving the torch in his hand at the spiders. Blood in his veins was freezing. Why were they so many?

It seemed the more Sapnap waved his torch the more of them appeared and he didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t start running, right now they were peaceful but… he was terrified. There was so many of them. With his brain not thinking clearly Sapnap bolted once one of the spiders stepped towards him.

Sapnap should have know he can’t outrun them all, but he tried. He tried so damn hard. He ran and he took turns he didn’t know were there and he tried … But then the first spider bit him and he slowed down, yelping in pain. This allowed more and more spiders to group up and bite Sapnap.

And it hurt. It hurt. It hurt. It hurt .

Once he was put into a corner he was at loss. They were surrounding him, he was going to die. But then he remembered the flint and steel in his pants, the last minute he remembered it. He took it out with shaking, twitching hands. With practice ingrained in his mind Sapnap set spiders on fire, making a circle of fire around himself to keep him safe.

-spiders attacking sapnap ends here-

Just as his flint and steel broke he heard them slowly dying, backing away. Sapnap let out a sigh of relief, curling up in a small ball once his entire body started twitching because of the poison, his heart felt like it was skipping beats on it’s own accord.

His head was pounding, everything hurt, and somewhere in the back of his mind he remembered two faces and wrote a text. And then another. He was scared that if he stopped texting he would lose the track of what was real and succumb to pain. Despite Sapnap’s efforts eventually he couldn’t think anymore, only thought being the pain and feeling of poison burning his veins. He thought he was dying. He felt like he was dying. Eventually Sapnap’s mind went blank, there was only one thought in his mind before then:

“I’m sorry.”

That’s how Dream and George found him, and something in them broke when they saw a figure in the dark. Twitching, scared. Dying.

When realization hit him Dream quickly drew his sword and killed the remaining spiders, rage filling every inch of his body. His vision was filled with red. At first he was angry at Sapnap. Why the hell did he decide it was a smart idea to go down a mineshaft alone !? Then he was angry at Wilbur and not only at Wilbur but at himself… if only this stupid, stupid war didn’t start.

What pulled him away from spiraling was George’s gasp from where he stood over Sapnap.

“We have to get him home, get some milk and food for him, but Dream…”, there seemed to be hesitance in George’s voice as he spoke and his words spoke for themselves when he looked at Dream, “We won’t get there in time.”

And that was it. That was the scary part. Even if they ran they wouldn’t be able to get there on time, and the passageway was narrow, only one person could pass at the time, and carrying Sapnap by his legs and shoulders would disturb him too much. Only way to get there on time was over the path and through L’manburg territory. Guarded, under watch during both day and night, territory. It wasn’t a gamble Dream wanted to take. It was too risky. But he remembered the pain of respawning. He still felt his skin stretch because of the burns, he still felt the poison eating away at his skin. Dream had to do something .

“We will… Come on, grab one of his hands, try not to move him too much”, Dream ordered, decision clear in his mind. It was a death sentence probably, but Dream was more willing to die with Sapnap than to let him die because of a mistake. Because of a childish fight. Because of him.

George did as he was told, but there was worry on his face, realization dawned on him as he spoke: “Dream the passage… you mean the path. You want to go over the path.”

Of course George caught on. There were few people in the world who could follow what Dream was thinking, sometimes even he had to run to catch up with his thoughts. There was only one other person besides George and Sapnap who could tell what Dream was thinking just because of the way he breathed, and that person had the mind that worked the same way Dream’s did anyways.

Without a word Dream got himself under Sapnap’s arm, shushing the protests and huffs of pain that left Sapnap’s lips when he was moved, pain was probably subduing or it made him almost dull. There was resistance, of course that the youngest of the three didn’t want to move from his position on the floor, but they had to get him home. It was so hard though.

Sapnap was delirious and he kept whispering nonsense as they carried him away. Moving through the cave with his twitching tugging them from time to time wasn’t easy, it was hard, it hurt their necks, but they would laugh and complain about it later. They would laugh and complain about it when Sapnap wasn’t on the brink of death. But they will get to laugh about it. They had to. He had to survive.

It took them about half an hour to get out of the cave, taking careful steps because slipping would cause Sapnap more damage and both of them could get hurt. Eventually, even if it was hard, they managed to breathe in the fresh air instead of the stuffy one that the cave was filled with. By that point they were probably exhausted, only thing masking the pain in their limbs and exhaustion in their bodies was pure adrenaline induced by fear.

Dream moved his hand before they poked their heads out, stopping George in his track. Slowly he poked his head out, checking their surroundings. The path was just one clearing away, they would be able to get home fast. They had a chance to keep him alive. The passage itself, he knew, was the same distance away as was their home by using the path. And going around would move Sapnap around too much, especially if mobs appeared. 

Dream glaced back at George, meeting the same worried expression that was mirrored on his face, but he forced a smile: “It’s okay George, we will get through there, they won’t spot us.”

It wasn’t said with security but he did say it. It was better than saying nothing. Though his hands were trembling. He remembered the pain of poison eating away at his skin.

“Of course they won’t”, George shot back, with a smile of his own, “ They got nothing on us. Let’s go.”

Those words were as sure as Dream’s, but it didn’t matter. Even if it was false hope it was hope, so Dream reached to the back of his backpack and took the ceramic mask, it was chipped, in the worst state he had seen it in years. But somehow… wearing it gave him strength. Wearing it made him seem above emotions, with a perfect smile painted on. It was better than the knitted eyebrows he currently had and anxiety filled eyes.

Using one hand he put the mask to his head, supporting it with his shoulder to clasp the leather strap on the back. Satisfying click made… something in him relax. It has been awhile since he wore it, since he felt the safety it brought him. It was better to hide behind a mask, make his feelings only his own, to not let anyone exploit what was written on his face, but he knew against Wilbur it was useless. For Wilbur the mask didn’t exist. It seemed like he could defy any law. It made Dream feel the fear in his bones, an unsettling feeling in his stomach whenever he saw the man.

“You ready?”, once George noticed Dream’s shoulders drop he asked in a hushed voice.

No. Dream wasn’t ready in the slightest. But that didn’t matter, he still nodded and adjusted Sapnap, supporting his back with one hand to make it easier on George and keeping contact with Sapnap’s own to remind him that it was okay, that they were there. Slowly they climbed out, George cursing the rain that fell earlier that day and Dream keeping an eye on the path. There was no one there.

Once they were out of the cave the air seemed fresher, with a slight smell of salt from the water in the air. No longer wasting time both Dream and George started moving, their eyes glued to the path. Despite the clear air it felt like their lungs were filled with fluid. Ever since the Battle of the Two Towers they didn’t walk the main road, they weren’t seen or heard often. They only saw Tommy and Fundy who were either keeping an eye on them or guarding the portal. They didn’t see Bad or Eret (in the back of his mind Dream wondered what happened to Eret, was he declared a traitor? Or did he betray him? Sometimes when the nights got quiet he wondered) or… or Wilbur. They heard him. It was impossible not to. But they didn’t try to look at him. They said it was because they didn’t need to. They said it was out of precaution.

They refused to admit it was fear. They refused to admit that seeing him would probably break them (break Dream). If they saw the boasting smile and that shit eating grin when he laughed in their faces (faces that had chemical burns running along their edges).

Still George and Dream tried to push it back down, to stuff that fear down their throats and pretend it never existed. They did their best and small pitiful whispers were the only ones keeping their resolve.

“Dream-- Dream I’m sorry- George- I was dumb-”, Sapnap was barely speaking, it seemed like it hurt to breathe, to even think, “I shouldn’t have-”.

“Of course you were! And the moment you feel better I will kick your ass for it you hear me!?”, George whisper-yelled, but there was no malice in his voice, it was worry and anger. Why didn’t this stubborn dumbass just wait for them or call them?

Just when Dream wanted to say Sapnap had no reason to be sorry a raspy laughter stopped him: “I-I’d like to see you-- try-.”

And it felt like the world wasn’t ending. It felt like they were taking a casual stroll as they stepped onto the path, but the moment they did unease filled the air around them all, because they stepped into the light. The glowstone luminated the path and it felt like they were about to be shot down any moment. George and Dream looked at each other over Sapnap’s head. George slowly reached to squeeze Dream’s shoulder to convey a quiet and soft ‘it’s okay’.

Their breathing was quieter but at the same time it sounded so loud. Their steps were careful and quiet, but they sounded like someone was stomping on the path. Even Sapnap’s hitches seemed so loud even if they didn’t notice them before. It seemed like the few meters they walked spread into oblivion.

But it didn’t seem like anyone was there so they sped up. They passed the mansion and climbed the stairs, as quickly and as carefully as they could. They held their breaths whenever Sapnap’s legs fell onto each step because he was barely able to control them.

Dream’s mind was running but it seemed everything was fine. They didn’t see a patrol and they didn’t hear them, that probably meant they didn’t see them either. They could see the lights of what once was Tommy’s shack. They could see the road to L'manburg. That meant they were close to home. To safety. George looked at Dream and gave him a hopeful look once he came to the same realization. Step after step they felt like the exit was right there, they were getting Sapnap home and they smiled at each other, even if George couldn’t see Dream’s smile.

And then just as they were about to pass Tommy’s house they heard boots hitting the wood. They heard netherite crushing the grass. Too many steps. Too many people. And then they heard a voice, before they saw a smile. A sinister smile of none other than Wilbur Soot. 

Dream felt the fear settle in his bones and an unsettling feeling in his stomach appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

“Well, well gentlemen! A fine night for a walk. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Chapter Text

Crossroad next to Tommy’s base
A month after the battle of Two Towers

Dream felt every bone in his body freeze as they were surrounded, he didn’t pay anyone else any mind, his eyes set on Wilbur’s form on the path.

Dream’s mind was running, going through idea after idea but whenever he thought he had something he would look at Wilbur’s eyes and his mind would go blank to that small hallway and sound of potion bottles breaking. He wouldn’t admit it but, he was terrified, his palms were sweaty and breath in his lungs became stale. He wasn’t scared that he would die, but George and Sapnap… this wasn’t their war. Dream’s eyes traveled to the glint of enchanted netherite behind Wilbur, to his armour protecting Tommy and his sword sheathed on Tommy’s hip. It reminded him of his failure, with some of the runes on the armour bitten through by the potion.

With Dream seemingly unable to collect his thoughts George spoke up instead: “It really is Wilbur, we’d like to go home now though… we would appreciate it if you let us through.”

George wasn’t sure if he should play along to Wilbur’s tune, follow his lead and hopefully entertain the man enough for him to let them through what was now L’manburg’s territory. Out of all three of them Wilbur liked George the best, he offered him multiple times before the last battle to join the L’manburg side, he thought of him as one of them. He thought of George like a lost lamb.

“Ahh….”, Wilbur rubbed the back of his head, shaking it as he did, “That might be a problem. You see… see it’s hard to explain, but… L’manburg has a strict policy about who is allowed to be within our borders and well...”

Wilbur made a motion with his hand, motioning to all three of them: “You aren’t allowed.”

“I’m sure you can make an exception-”, just as George started he was stopped by Dream’s hand coming up in front of his mouth mid sentence.

“Wilbur he will die”, Dream said in a sure voice, letting his eyes fall to Sapnap, his heart was slowing down, Dream could feel it from where they were pressed together. They didn’t have the time for Wilbur’s games.

Wilbur’s face twisted into something that resembled pity, but it wasn’t… it wasn’t true. It was an act, there was a glint of satisfaction in his eye that showed that he was amused. That he was happy as the young man’s life before him slowly fell through Dream’s fingers. It was like he fed on the look of worry and disappointment that Dream had on his face even if he couldn’t see it. It wasn’t surprising. Dream knew this as well. He knew what Wilbur wanted. He wanted Dream to break, to lose his will to defend what little freedom everyone had, he wanted Dream to stop fighting. And the worst thing about it? Dream knew that and yet slowly, so slowly that he could collect the pieces as they broke off, but never put them back, he was cracking like glass.

“You heard what he said, Dream, that’s the policy”, Tommy spoke up behind Wilbur, stepping up front with a frown, but there was still confusion. Tommy didn’t seem to understand why that was the policy, why they couldn’t let them through or give them a health potion. He had one strapped on his belt. 

In the back of his mind Dream heard a clock, ticking away with every time Sapnap’s heart took a beat and he tried to think. It was like his own mind was trying to drown him as he tried to come up with a way to get them home, to get Sapnap help. They couldn’t run. L’manburg had their weapons and armour, they probably had speed potions and Dream still wasn’t sure if some of them weren’t waiting closer to home. They couldn’t fight, if it was a person or two Dream would have been able to maybe, just maybe get an upper hand. But not with Tommy and not while there were so many people and he had to protect Sapnap and George. He had to be cautious. There was no way, no way, no way.

And then he found a way in the hurricane that was spinning in his mind.

“We will surrender, give up, and become part of the L’manburg. Whatever . Just let us through”, Dream said with certainty in his voice.

Certainty that in all honesty wasn’t there. It wasn’t there because he didn’t think of it, he didn’t think it through. It just came through his mind and he said it, without thinking of what that entailed, without realizing that it meant the lives that were lost were in vain. But it was worth it, right? Surrendering to keep Sapnap alive. They were already fighting a losing battle. L’manburg annexing them would mean that they wouldn’t live in fear of getting out of their base, they would be able to walk around. Even if that would give Wilbur free reign. Even if it would take away the freedom that Dream tried to uphold. It was worth it, it had to be. Even if Wilbur won.

“No.”

Wilbur’s words were like the sound of a sword getting sharpened. They cut through the silence and made Dream’s heart stop. It was like the ticking of the clock finally stopped as if it broke down.

“What do you mean no?”, Dream asked, dumbfounded, confused, scared .

Dream didn’t understand what he meant, why would he say ‘no’? What did he mean!?

“I mean no… you see Dream…”, Wilbur started, slowly starting to walk in front of him pacing from one leg to another, “You’re a trouble. I can’t trust you, I can’t trust that you won’t turn on me. I want to slowly eradicate you and everyone who stands by your side. And this? Well this just gives me a head start. I can’t put my citizens at risk, you must understand.”

“Wilbur-”, George tried to reason, but once again he was prevented, this time by Wilbur.

“But I’m not a monster! So as a proof of my good will, tonight we will let you go...”, the sentence raised hope in Dream’s heart so he kept all the insults and curses he had for Wilbur close to his chest, until, “...You just have to turn back and get out of L’manburg’s territory.”

And President Wilbur Soot wore a smile on his face. The smile was one that was supposed to imitate kindness but Dream saw through it, it wasn’t kindness. It was amusement, a show of power, one only Wilbur could muster.

“ Wilbur he will die if we go around! ”, Dream yelled with all the power he had left, but it got no other reaction than another smile.

But it didn’t seem like Wilbur cared. Wilbur turned to walk away but it seemed that he had a last minute thought so he slowly leaned towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder to whisper into his ear: “I would suggest you start running then, but… it seems like it’s too late anyways.”

Just as Wilbur said that Dream became aware of Sapnap twitching less… and less… and then he slowly just… disappeared leaving particles behind himself.

Sapnap was slain by a cave spider.

Dread on Dream’s face came just as he felt the weight from his shoulders disappear. That wasn’t the weight on his shoulders he wanted gone! He failed. He didn’t manage to help Sapnap. He failed him. Again.

Dream felt his own heart beat slower as it dawned on him what just happened. It took him a moment to process it. In a way he felt like he himself died right then when Sapnap’s ragged breathing disappeared. Sapnap had only one life left. Having only one life in their world was almost like having a death sentence and there were only two people that Dream knew could survive with only one life (one of them has been doing it for hundreds of years). His mind was filled with… everything. With building the community house with Sapnap and George. With the courthouse that was more for show than actual sentence. With the farm Dream built so everyone would have wood on hand. With the celebration before that day. With laughs, with smiles, with happiness. It was filled with home and family. And then with fires that burned high into the sky with only Wilbur Soot walking out of them with a smile on his face.

That was what it took for Dream to see red and he whispered, so low that only George and Wilbur could hear it: “Run.”

What was the point of being cautious anyways?

Dream didn’t wait to see that George understood the order and ran, jumping across the fence so that L’manburgians getting him was harder, he knew what George would do. Instead he used the moment of surprise when Wilbur looked over to pull out a sword on his hip. It was a matter of seconds as Dream pushed a sword into Wilbur’s abdomen, twisting it to ensure that he didn’t survive.

Everyone was too distracted by George’s leave that no one paid attention to Wilbur until he grunted in pain, blood coming on the corner of his mouth and his chest, staining Dream’s hands red, but by that point it was too late. That much was enough for Dream to push both Wilbur and the sword towards the crowd, using them as a shield and bolt towards the community house where Sapnap would respawn. He didn’t hear the screams and yells as they realized what happened.

WilburSoot was slain by Dream.

In retrospect it wasn’t… It wasn’t something he should have done, but… Seeing that message appear right below Sapnap’s made him feel better. Gasps as Wilbur turned to particles made him feel better. He didn’t care for screams and curses thrown at him as he ran, dodging the arrows. It made him feel better. It made him feel like he was alive, like his fate wasn’t in someone else’s hands. 

He ran the path that he helped build like a fugitive, his steps hitting against the wood, filling his ears like there wasn’t a mob running behind him. It didn’t matter because at least he could do one thing and if they killed him it would be worth it because at least Wilbur will remember that day because of a scar that will be on his chest for the rest of his life. That was enough.

GeorgeNotFound whispers to you: “got to sapnap, wth dream”

Dream wasn’t sure. He didn’t know. But it made him feel better and that was the only thought filling his mind. Even if it was only one life at least this time Wilbur Soot didn’t come out of it without a scar. 

Dream dodged the arrows that were fired at him on instinct, looking back to see horde of L’manburgians running after him, flaming arrows flying past his head, thankfully none of them thinking clearly enough that with speed potions he saw on their belts they could catch up to him. It gave him enough time to run to the community house. With the last bit of clarity he took out his pickaxe and slammed it into the bridge to the community house, breaking it, making the planks fall into water. It would slow them down. 

Swiftly, Dream ran into the house, ignoring the arrow that flew past his ear and found itself a place in one of the item frames. He closed the trapdoor, jamming it shut with force he used to pull it down before he jumped down, hissing as his ankles seemed to protest.

The picture he saw seemed to make his heart go slower, but it was still beating so fast. George was pacing, hands in his hair with his glasses perched on top of his head while Sapnap was sitting on the floor, holding his head like he was trying to crush it. They didn’t even look at him, recognizing his steps just like their own. 

He tried to stay quiet, give them time to gather their surroundings, realize what was happening, but then Dream heard footsteps nearing and he knew that they had to get out. Soon.

“We have to go”, he said, once the realisation that he killed Wilbur settled in.

George looked at him: “Yeah.”

Sapnap looked down in guilt, but murmured: “But where the hell do we go?”

Dream wasn’t sure. He had no answers to any question, but he knew that they had to go. That feeling only got bigger once he smelt smoke. It was a familiar smell, one he could recognize in his sleep. They were setting the community house on fire. Trying to smoke them out like rats.

With more resolve in his voice Dream repeated himself: “We have to go.”

This time it wasn’t a statement. It was an order as he moved the bed from their pathway that led out. Both George and Sapnap sprang to action, George offering Sapnap his hand so that the younger would be able to stabilise himself. His veins were still tingling and in pain from the poison. Running should have been the last thing he was doing, but that was in ideal situation. 

In their situation they could look up towards the trapdoor, imagining their home burning in red flames, their memories turning to ashes and people they once considered friends holding weapons to strike them down.

In their situation all three of them jumped down the path, without getting any of their possessions other than what they had in George’s and Dream’s backpack. Dream broke off some dirt to block off the path after he pulled the bed to cover the hole. And then they ran, leaving behind their home without realizing what it meant.

L’manburg
The same night

“ Fuck! ”, Wilbur’s yell rang in the walls of L’manburg as he stumbled out of the Camervan, holding a hand to his chest. His shirt was unbuttoned, allowing a scar just below his ribcage to peek through his fingers.

Wilbur didn’t plan for that to happen, he didn’t expect Dream to stab a fucking sword into his chest and twist it. He thought that he finally broke after Sapnap’s death, but it seemed that Wilbur miscalculated. It was getting on his nerves. Dream’s existence was. Why wouldn’t he just give up?

The plan was simple when Jack told him he spotted the trio step onto the prime path with Sapnap seemingly ill. Wilbur just wanted to taunt them and watch them run away with their tails between their legs, scared of L’manburg. Scared of him. But it seems that he wasn’t quite right regarding Dream. It seemed that the bastard wouldn’t calm down until he was gone for good.

To Wilbur that didn’t mean much. If what it took was killing Dream then so be it. Him and his little friends were stuck under that community house, knowing that the moment they peek their heads out they would be dead. All he needed was to ambush it. That’s right… All he needed was to ambush it and wait for them to slither out of there. He knew of their little underground paths. All he would need to do was spread out his people and then wait for the rats to come out. Within a week he will have them. Yes… all would be fine.

“Wilbur!”, Wilbur heard a female voice behind him and turned around to look at her. He saw a blonde woman in L’manburg’s uniform coming closer to him.

“Hey Niki”, he mumbled out, still pressing a hand to his chest, it still felt like the sword was there.  

“Are you alright? We didn’t notice until it was too late”, Niki said running up to him, looking at the scar with guilt flooding her eyes.

Wilbur thought about it. Yes he was alright. It was only one life, not a big deal, still it pissed him off that Dream was the one who took it. Still he sighed. Wilbur knew he had to at least keep up the appearances, until his grip on the country was unopposable. Until he finally had absolute control over the powerhouse that L’manburg was becoming.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. It’s Dream, he’s just mad that his tyranny is coming to an end so he’s angry”, Wilbur smiled, voice laced with honey and lies, but so sweet that no one would dare oppose it.

Niki didn’t seem to agree, there was turmoil in her eyes, thankfully though her guilt over him losing a life was greater than whatever questions she had so she just nodded. Niki offered him a helping hand, to help him stand, which he took, leaning on her just slightly to keep himself upright. He heard that the first life was the worst, because the body wasn’t prepared for it. 

After a moment Wilbur noticed that the only person in the walls was Niki. That wasn’t right.

“Where’s everyone else? Where’s Tommy?”, Wilbur asked right away. His right hand was supposed to come running for directions and lead everyone else back after they ran Dream back into his corner.

It was just as Niki said it that Wilbur smelt the burning and smoke in the air: “Tommy led them to smoke out Dream.”

And Wilbur wanted nothing more than to go and yell at Tommy until his throat got raw. How were they supposed to catch them if they escaped into the wilderness!?

“ Go tell them to stop! Dream can’t get away! ”, Wilbur yelled, rage boiling inside of him. How could Tommy fuck up his plan!? If they don’t make sure they have someone watching the outskirts Dream would get away, having independence meant nothing if Dream was still able to take it away.

At his yell Niki saluted, her eyes widening as she ran off. Wilbur watched her climb one of the horses by the gates and run off.

Wilbur always knew she was quicker on her feet than the majority of his other subordinates. She would get there fast. Still she would get there too late. If he knew anything about Dream it’s that he knew how to weasel out of a closed bottle if he wanted to. No matter how fast Niki ran, no matter how fast the horse was, Wilbur knew. He knew that Dream just slipped through his fingers and he would be coming. They both knew that this war wouldn't end until one of them was gone for good.

“ FUCK! ”

Forest in the SMP wilderness (no man's land)
The same night

The forest outside of the borders of L’manburg was quiet, spare for elevated breathing and three pairs of feet crushing the leaves beneath them. Their steps were in sync, all of their hearts beating with pure fear and adrenaline. They didn’t have the time to process that they just left their home behind in search of safety, they didn’t realize that they might never come back home. They didn’t realize that what was once a safe haven became a hell they had to get away from to stay alive, with fire rising up above the trees and their home going off in flames.

It took them a bit of time, jumping through the forest, hiding with Sapnap going after George, Dream going behind them to erase the tracks they left behind. It was only after they got to a heart of the forest, close to a small lake, that Dream whistled loudly and they finally stopped running. 

Once Dream checked out their surroundings he turned around to find Sapnap sprawled out on the grass, taking in deep breaths. It was possible that he still felt like the poison was there, making his blood boil. George was leaning over the water, talking in small sips with his bag on the floor next to him. With a sigh that didn’t manage to make him feel any less heavy, Dream sat down on the grass, his back turned to the cloud of smoke that was rising and covering the moon. With a shaky hand he pulled down the mask that was covering his face, allowing him to finally breathe. He put both of his arms on his knees and hung his head. Just to catch a breath.

Once he felt like he could breathe again he mumbled: “You two okay?”

George was heard from the direction of the water, giving an affirming humm: “Yeah, all good here.”

Dream nodded, that was good: “What about you Sapnap?”

“Wha- Oh… yeah… I’m… I’m good. I feel like my fucking insides are still boiling, but I’m okay...”, he said with an unsure note in his voice, “Dream I’m-”

“Don’t. Just… don’t”, Dream cut him off right away. He didn’t want to hear it. He didn’t want Sapnap taking the blame. It was his job to keep them alive.

“But if I didn’t-”, Sapnap tried to continue, but it was to no avail, once Dream was set on something he was set on it.

“ Don’t! I don’t want to hear it! It would have happened either way so just… stop. You taking the blame now won’t equal to shit anyways. I’m the one who started this stupid war, I’m the one who lost it, I’m the one who fucked up. So… just don’t!”, Dream yelled out, not caring about anyone being close, he couldn’t give a shit, he needed to get it out. He needed to get out all the blame he felt, he didn’t want anyone else to feel at fault for his fuck up.

The quiet seemed to take over for the next few moments, but then a step in the grass and movement of the leaves made Dream jump up with a sword in hand and a murderous look in his eye. Today was just a horrible day and he was ready for it to be a whole L’manburg community, but then he saw the outline of the shadow. A familiar shadow.

On the small hill, slipping under the branch was a man with a crooked crown on his head and a cape flying in the wind. The pink hair, slightly unruly and braided was an unmistakable branding that Dream recognized straight away.

“So…”, the awkward voice filled the silence before Technoblade spoke again, “I heard you guys might need some assistance.”

Chapter Text

Forest in the SMP wilderness (no man's land)
The night of Dream Team’s escape

Dream's feelings when he saw Techno could be described in many ways. He was confused, scared, but somewhere he could feel a slight bit of... relief. It was familiar, Techno was familiar.

Despite that Dream still had his sword pulled and both Sapnap and George were drawing theirs out, unsure if Techno was there to help L'manburg, but it didn't look like he was ready for a fight. He was dressed in his usual attire, only protection he had was a tunic that has probably seen some better days and a cape with rough edges.

Still, the dread that kept on filling Dream's stomach made him ask: "What are you doing here?"

"Heh? Wow Dream, is that a way to welcome an old friend, I would think you hate me!", Techno spoke, moving his hand around theatrically, leaning against the tree.

"Techno-", Dream started with a venom in his voice, usually he would continue the banter, but usually he wouldn't be on the run from everyone he knew. Usually his life and the lives of his friends wouldn’t be on the line.

Techno chuckled, raising his hands up again, to show that he was by no means a threat: "Calm down nerd. There's a talk around Hypixel, people saying stuff. I came to check if it's true. To offer... an alliance, if you will. Just like the good old days."

Good old days did bring a wave of nostalgia to Dream, for a moment... he wondered if maybe, just maybe, he should have stayed.

The Colosseum Hypixel
A few years ago

"And now, for the grand finale, a battle you've all been waiting for! I can just feel the excitement! Our champions will enter the Colosseum in just a few moments, everyone place your bets if you haven't! Maybe you will be going home with carriages of gold!"

The announcer's voice was filled with giddy feeling and excitement as the whole arena shouted and screamed their favorite's name, shouting insults at one another just to explain why their favorite would win.

On the other side, in the small preparation hall just below the Colosseum two boys, who were barely adults at that point, stood in front of the mirrors with their weapons, checking out their equipment one last time. 

They knew that the match outside was the one everyone was awaiting, it was obvious that they would be meeting in the finale of the tournament, it was just a matter of when. Both of them have made names for themselves and ever since they learned of each other's existence it was a battle, a banter between them, stealing wins from one another, snatching them right under each others noses.

"You scared?", the deep voice asked to the side, with a sign of teasing in his voice.

"As if!", the other shot back and looked back to the mirror.

Dream in the mirror was much different to the Dream he was bound to become after everything that he at the time was unaware would happen. 

He wore a green hoodie, new, clean with barely anything out of place, his hair was shorter and the ceramic mask pulled up so it wouldn’t cover his face was polished, looking almost new. There were calluses on his hands, but they were made from training, rather than fighting for his life. Dream's face was clean, with the only marks on it being freckles that were now overshadowed by scars on his face.

The screams soon made them aware that the battle was supposed to start as did the staff members who yelled at them to get into their places so both of them looked at each other, Techno throwing a grin at Dream, pulling out a boar skull mask to place over his head, Dream doing the same with his mask. Hiding his face from the world. 

“Good luck.”

“Not gonna need it.”

“I’m leaving Hypixel”, it was said in the dark, Dream’s voice was the only thing filling the empty silence of Techno’s property.

Dream was leaning with his back on the small gate that was more for the looks than it was for functionality, it’s not like anyone would try to break into Techno’s home. Technoblade was a champion, one of the best in what he did. Many called him a monster, but Dream knew that he just did his best to survive so he passed no judgement. Many would say the same about him after all.

From the other side he heard a humm, it was quiet, but the silence still made it heard: “So you’re really going through with it, huh? ...You got a plan? What are you going to do?”

A thud was heard as Techno leaned on the other side of the cobblestone gate, both him and Dream turned back to back with each other. Not looking at one another. For a long time what kept both of them going was a rivalry that was between them, it’s been long since they both had something else to do other than outplay each other in one thing or another. Be it a pie eating contest or a Colosseum fight.

“I… Sapnap and George will come with me…”, Dream said, with ease in his voice, but there was still a hint of anxiety about the unknown.

He wasn’t sure what they would do. It was a sudden decision. Made a few days before it, while they were resting in the forest that was close by, just playing tag because they didn’t care about how old they were. It was fun.

“We… we’ll make a home.”

And those words, so hopeful and young, those naive words were whispered into the dark just a bit over half a year before Dream ran away to stay alive.

Forest in the SMP wilderness (no man's land)
The night of Dream Team’s escape

“... and then Dream stabbed Wilbur, the rest of it was just… us running away.”, George finished up his brief retelling of what happened in a record time, with Sapnap occasionally offering commentary on it.

Dream didn’t add much to the story, mostly throwing some wood into the small fire they started under some trees with a lot of leaves to prevent the smoke from being seen too well, even if they were far away and it would be possible that lava started a forest fire, something that wasn’t all that uncommon, Dream wasn’t sure how careful Wilbur would be now, how far would he go just to hunt them down, so they opted for a safer option.

Techno patiently listened to the whole story, occasionally intersecting to ask questions, but he mostly let them tell him what happened, some jokes and quips were traded between the two of them, but after a bit, once they talked about the Final Control Room it got a bit quieter and Sapnap’s eyes would quickly go and come back from Dream’s position by the fire. 

Listening to how it went down really made Dream realize how many things happened in such a short amount of time. It also made him wonder if he was wrong. If he only went different and did things differently. He wondered if he would be able to change the story if he did just something differently, but he knew that now was not the time to feel regret. What was in the past was in the past, he couldn’t change it and dwelling on it made his heart feel heavy. 

“Dream you really did yourself in with this one”, at the mention of his name Dream’s head snapped up to look at Techno with confusion on his face until he registered what was said to him. 

“Why are you here?”, Dream asked bluntly, staring directly into Techno’s eyes. 

Dream didn’t mean to come off as rude or angry. He just… he didn’t understand it. Techno should hate him, hate everything that he was. At least that’s what he expected. That’s what he thought for a while. When he left it was a heat of the moment, a fast decision made by someone who just wanted to get away from the repetitive life he was living, not at one point did he ask Techno to join him, he realized it after the community house was already set up, but by that point it was just too late to just ask him. It would have been awkward. Him and Techno spent years training together, fighting together, but then he just disappeared into the night like he never existed. Maybe Techno was still upset over it, Dream could only guess. Techno knew how to hide his emotions when he wanted to, though in the heat of the battle he wore his heart on his sleeve.

What came out of Techno was just a small nose of uncertainty before he just shrugged: “I don’t like governments.”

For a moment Dream raised an eyebrow, falling back into the old habits of banter between them: “You’re dressed like a monarch.”

“Just because I hate governments doesn’t mean I hate having style!”, Techno threw his hands up in disbelief, shaking his head while mumbling about Dream always needing to get the last word in.

The comment raised a laugh out of Sapnap and George, who were quiet since the interaction between the two rivals started. Both of them were glad that Dream was feeling alright enough to tease the famous ‘Blood God’, even if he didn’t seem to be looking all that much better at least he wasn’t beating himself up as much anymore, his mind on a different topic now.

For a moment it was quiet again, it wasn’t clear if it was comfortable or not it was just… quiet, crickets were in the background, making small noises and a zombie could be heard in the distance, along with a bow being pulled. Whenever they heard it, despite knowing it was only a skeleton, at least one of them twitched or turned around to follow the sound. There was nothing else but that, it was so quiet that they could hear each other breathing. It was interrupted by Techno getting up, grass shuffling under him and the sound of his cape being dusted off.

Dream’s eyes snapped to him in an instant, hand immediately going to his sword with wide blown eyes, but the moment Techno raised his hands up in surrender Dream realized that there was no danger. Techno wasn’t wearing any of his gear, he didn’t have a sword or armour. He wasn’t there to fight, he wasn’t ready for it. Not yet.

“My legs are going to fall asleep! Dream, let's go for a walk!”, Techno declared, stretching his hands above his head, pretending like he didn’t just put them up to show Dream he was no threat.

Dream raised an eyebrow at him, but at Techno’s side glance at him he realized that it wasn’t even a question, he was going to take a walk. With a sigh he threw another piece of wood into the crackling fire before taking off his bag completely to place it near Sapnap. Slowly he pushed himself off the ground, combing a hand through his hair as he looked at Techno, who started walking the moment Dream started getting up.

George and Sapnap gave him confused and worried looks, Sapnap already opening his mouth to argue that he shouldn’t go into the dark with someone who they weren’t sure about,

“We won’t be long”, he mumbled to Sapnap and George over his shoulder as he followed Techno into the dark of the forest.

Dream wasn’t sure why Techno was separating him from George and Sapnap, realistically if he wanted him dead he would have done it with a bow and arrow before they even spotted him. Some form of anxiety gnawed inside of his chest. What if he was leading him into a trap?

Dream watched Techno’s back as he walked, red cape getting caught on branches and bushes, white fluff on the bottom dragging through the dirt. It seemed that even Techno was lost in thought. Maybe he really just wanted to take a walk through the woods. 

The two of them walked for a bit, through the trees, countless of them that Dream was almost scared they would get lost. Still… It was relaxing. Almost calming to just take a stroll through the woods, he couldn’t remember the last time he took a walk without fearing for his life. He wasn’t even sure why he wasn’t fearing for his life now, that he was with one person who would be able to match him in strength and in his current state (tired from running, tired from living ) win that fight.

His thoughts got him so deep that suddenly he just slammed into a solid in front of him. At first he thought that it was a tree, but realization that trees were neither deep red nor baby pink hit him soon after and he realized that Techno stopped in his track and Dream just walked into him since he wasn’t paying too much attention, once he just decided that right now if Techno wanted him dead he would be.
Dream stepped back to look at Techno with offended eyes but said nothing, maybe Techno just saw something interesting which made him stop in his track. It happened often enough that it wasn’t too out of place. At least it did. Back when him and Techno sparred every week as a tradition.

“What are you going to do?”, Techno was the one who broke the silence, not even looking at him.

That was a good question and Dream… well he didn’t have an answer to it. Not truly. What was he going to do? Will he run back to Hypixel and wait to be hunted down there by someone? Will he continue running and hiding? Waiting until Wilbur caught up? Will he just take George and Sapnap and try to live hoping Wilbur doesn’t find them? He wasn’t sure. He felt uneasy about any of those options. Flashes of Sapnap’s body turning to particles flooded his mind, he could almost hear Wilbur’s breath against his ear again. Telling him that it’s too late. He should give up. He lost.

“I…”, Dream started, with something akin to bile rising up to his throat at the realization, “I don’t know.”

It was a scary feeling. Not knowing what to do, not knowing where he stood now that he ran away from life as he knew it.

“Don’t know?”, Techno questioned, turning to look him dead in the eyes, his eyes unmoving and unblinking, like Dream’s answer truly wasn’t clear to him.

Dream, with lack of words just nodded. It was hopeless, no matter how far he ran he knew that somehow, someday, Wilbur would hunt him down. He stabbed him, took one of his lives. Wilbur will come for him.

“So you’re just going to give up?”, Techno asked, leaning against the tree, “Let Wilbur take the win?”

The tone Techno spoke in wasn’t condescending, it was filled with something Dream couldn’t read, but closest he would put it was… it was a pity.

Dream glared at Techno, stepping closer: “What else can I do?”

“Techno I did lose. Wilbur won. You heard what happened. I have no power. No man power. No material power. No nothing! I fucked up. I lost. I can’t give up if I already lost. Sapnap has only one life! What the fuck can I do!?”, Dream almost screamed, all the emotions in his stomach bubbling up. It wasn’t bile earlier that was rising to his throat. It was fear. Anger.

He was scared, scared that he would die, that Sapnap and George will die. He was terrified that he would lose more than he already had. He didn’t want that. Dream didn’t want that but at the same time he was angry. Angry at himself and at Wilbur. Why the hell didn’t he chase Wilbur away the moment he stepped foot in his home? Wilbur had a reputation. He was bad news. Why didn’t Dream just chase him out before he let his roots latch on the ground of his home?

Techno knowingly hummed, looking down at his fingers to pick at his nails: “When did that ever stop you? When did not having the upper hand ever stop you, Dream? Did it stop you when I beat you in sparring?”

“ This is different ”, it was whispered through his teeth, with venom coating his every word, Dream’s teeth gritting together.

“Is it?”, Techno pushed himself off the tree he was leaning against, taking a step closer to reach Dream, without giving him a chance to react he hooked his leg under Dream’s and tripped him, making Dream fall to the ground, “So was everything you did, everything you lost for nothing?”

At first the question caused anger, what the hell did Techno know anyways? He wasn’t there, he wouldn’t know. 

“What do you expect me to do, Techno!? Are you here to gloat? To laugh in my face that I left and now I lost everything!?”, now he was yelling, without a care they would be heard, it skipped his mind. He was just angry, his mind was filled with it.

Techno just snorted at that, waving his hand around: “I’m here to help you, nerd. But I can’t help you if you just decide to give up. I get nothing out of you losing your life. And I told you… I don’t like governments.”

It made Dream stop. His mind ran over everything Techno said. He wasn’t wrong. When he fell during their early days of sparring together he just got up, time and time again to try and fight back. To try and win. Losing wasn’t something new to him. But usually he didn’t lose people’s lives, his own life. Techno was right. They lost lives. They lost their home. It wasn’t just something you forget and write off as a casualty.

He was quiet for a bit. Just… thinking. Remembering, going over memories, those that were hazy because they happened so long ago and those that were as clear as day.

Neither of them said anything until Techno nudged him with his foot, causing Dream to look up at him: “Have you cooled down or do I need to pour some freezing water on you?”

“You riled me up on purpose”, Dream stated matter of factly, lowering his gaze to stare at the grass, his mind clear, but not numb.

Techno laughed, offering a hand for him to get up: “Well I needed you to stop staring at me like a zombie.”

It truly was a Techno move, to just piss him off to get a reaction. Still it made Dream’s face change into a frown, but it wasn’t truly angry. Just mildly irritated by Techno’s ability to read him.

“Your methods suck”, he mumbled, taking the offered hand to get up, only to be met with a grin once he was pulled up.

“It worked, didn’t it?”, Techno asked, obviously proud of himself and his own methods of bringing Dream out of whatever state he was in, “Now… what are you going to do?”

L’manburg
The same night

“ What the hell do you mean you thought you’d get them!? ”, Wilbur’s yell and banging of his fist against the table filled out the caravan. He was leaning over it, his hair covering his expression.

Crows on the trees scattered and all that was left was empty L’manburg, people were scattered about to try and find Dream before he managed to get away into the wilderness, though it was pointless and they knew it as well as Wilbur did when he sent them off. Sun was yet to start coming up so the only thing that could be seen were the lights of the Camervan with smoke coming out of the back window, indication of brewing stands that were working day and night under Wilbur’s management. Inside of the walls smelt sickly sweet of potions and ingredients. There were some crows on the trees cawing.

“W-Wilbur, big man, there’s no need to yell”, Tommy defended with his hands held high, a green bandanna that was tied around his wrist tightly flopping around, “I thought that we’d smoke them out! How could have I known they had a secret passage!? It’s not that big of a deal, it’s not like they can do anything!”

Wilbur lifted his head to glare at Tommy from under his fringe, his eyes holding something dangerous, it looked like for a moment his eyes were red.

“Who the fuck gave you the bloody order to go and try to smoke them out?”, Wilbur seethed from under his breath, curling his fingers, scratching the table with his nails in irritation.

“We had to show ‘em-!”, before Tommy had a chance to finish, Wilbur slapped his hands on the table again, standing up straight and cleaning off his suit.

“Show them what !? That we have flaming arrows!? Well good fucking job Tommy, you truly showed them!”, the glare Wilbur threw at him was cold, it almost made the teen shake from it, it made no sense to him as to why Wilbur was mad over a honest mistake. It’s not like he wanted Dream to slip under his nose.

Before Tommy got a chance to defend himself Wilbur sighed, walking over to one of the chairs to throw himself in it. He ran a hand through his hair, almost pulling on it before he leaned back, his head hanging off of the back of the chair: “Get the fuck out.”

Tommy wanted to argue, but lately Wilbur was insufferable, so you wouldn’t catch Tommy wanting to have anymore conversations with him than he needed. If he was allowed to leave without listening to the lecture any longer he wouldn’t be complaining, instead he would just turn right on his heel and march out.

Tommy opened the door and went to slam it shut, to show his dissatisfaction, but not before he heard a whisper in the dark coming from Wilbur, said without a care someone would hear him: “Even Fundy would have done a better job.”