Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The roars of the dragon pierced the air and trembled the ground and void. It soared through the sky as exploding towers set it off. Endermen littered across the muted yellow land, some getting in the way of the dragon’s onslaught and the players that ran across.

A girl followed her two brothers across, tired but the energy of adrenaline and the fear of death fuelling her.

She heard yelling as arrows after arrows shot across the air and into the dragon. Puny swipes of their swords slashed across the dragon as it tried to swoop down at them.

There was a yell of command and the girl looked to the side to see her brothers readying their arrows. They were almost out of food and resources in general. Weapons on the verge of breaking.

The dragon was on it’s last health but so were they.

It was their last stand.

None dared of them dared to die for they feared what would happen.

The dragon’s roar drew their attention once more as it begun to swoop down to them. Jaws begin to open to fire its dangerous breath.

One last look to their siblings before they pulled their arrows. The dragon came closer and closer, TnT ready to go off to ensure their damage.

Arrows flew and then there was a bright light. They heard crumbling and cheering then yelling as the light grew brighter and brighter. Not long after all they could see was light then there was nothing but darkness.

Words flew down that went for what seemed like forever and as they drew a close. The girl felt her eyes grow heavy with fatigue as she closed her eyes and there,

She was surrounded by the darkness and void.

Everything was warm and weightless, the girl slowly coming to consciousness every so often before slipping back into the void.

Time passed by and knowledge was whispered to her. How, she couldn’t remember. She didn’t bother to.

Then she remembered hot flashing pain. The roar of the end dragon. Yelling for her name. Desperation. She fell and fell into the cold end of the world, then she felt herself drop onto the ground.

The girl opened her eyes and white light flooded her vision. She yelled in pain, immediately closing her eyes with hands flying to cover them. Spots danced in her eyes and she curled herself onto the grass, ensuring her protection from the light.

‘Wait…grass?’ the girl thought. She flinched at her own thoughts, her own voice in her own head. Sensations begun to hit her all at once with realization. The girl opened her eyes, seeing her shadow on top of the plains of grass. Her hands felt the soft, prickliness of the weed. Smells of soil and chlorophyll filled her nose, tingling her.

She got to her knees and looked at the world she was inhabiting. There in front of her, were not darkness and void, but the familiar, long lost sight of the blue skies.

Wind brushed against her face, as if to caress her in comfort.

The girl realized, where she was and no longer was.

There was so many sensations going on and even as she closed her eyes, she could sense the world around her.

She was here.

Faintly, she knew she should be moving but at the same time, she wondered if this was a dream. As the sun moved, something old and forgotten popped from her.

‘Gather wood’

She stood up, her legs shaking while they shuffled onto the ground. There was no urgency in her as she wanted to savour everything.

This could very much still be a dream after all.

She gathered the wood, feeling the bark and flesh of the plant crumble before converting the mere few blocks into a crafting table. She made a wooden axe, before continuing to cut down the tree with more efficiency.

She relished as she swung and swung, feeling the wooden axe chip at the wood.

More wood was gathered, and she saw something red drop from the crumbling leaves. She looked and saw apples among the sticks that had fallen.

Somewhere in the static of her mind, she was surprised at the fact that there would be sticks and apples from the trees. She gathered them up and put them in her inventory before realizing a detail.

Oak Wood.

‘It’s not just…wood? There’s other types of wood?’ she thought as she looked at the oak saplings.

A childish glee and excitement to search for other saplings started to kindle as she took her crafting table before making her way forwards. As she walked among the land, an old instinct took over.

She picked at the stone to obtain cobblestone and achieved [Stone Age] as she crafted better tools and weapon. Her efficiency grew as she gathered coal and immediately made torches for the inevitable nightfall and the dangers it would bring.

She was in the zone before she found herself in a small self-made cave she dug into the side of a mountain. She had set up a little nook for herself as she placed the door in place as she saw the sun setting.

The furnaces behind her crackled as she had two going: one for smelting some iron ore she had mined, and the other for meat.

At some point, in her zone, she had found some animals. She killed any animal she could for food and sorted through the bounties. She had quickly made a bed with the wool of the sheep and cooked the mutton in the furnace. She still had chicken meat, pork, and beef to cook next.

One of the furnaces stopped kindling and she moved to check on it. The mutton was cooked and she took it before replenishing the coal and cooked the next meat.

As the furnace added further light to the small cave with the torches she placed here and there, she felt…secure. Though the darkness should be familiar to her, the darkness she knew and the darkness she was in now were two different things.

The darkness she knew was warm and weightless with no threat of monsters. The darkness she was in now was pretty and cold, with monsters in every corner.

She learned that the hard way, a start reminder of the reality around her. As she gathered as many resources as she could, getting a lay of the land, she noticed the mobsters. They were familiar as she charged.

As she brought her sword down to attack them over and over again, she had gotten scrapes. She relished the adrenaline pumping through her body and the little nicks she got, but also hated the pain it came with it.

Trudging back to her temporary base, there was a voice in the back of her head yelling at her. It was not her voice among the static but something different…both unfamiliar and familiar.

‘Out in the world mate, you’re going to need armour. These guys might not be hostile to you but I’m worried for you when you need to fight hostile mobs-‘

The voice was both concerned yet hopeful, as if he was planning for her. She didn’t remember who the voice and memory belonged to, but…she felt happy to remember something from that person.

As she sat on her bed, she sorted her materials and prepared to make a leather armour with the help of the material book that seemed to stick with her. As she finished the last piece of armour, she went to put it on before finally noticing the piece of clothing article on her. It was very different from her main clothes, as it almost looked like a cloak. It was slightly singed and damaged but seemed more or less usable. It was light and radiated some sort of energy, but where she got it, she didn’t remember.

But it was important in many ways.

The night went on and she slept in the armour she had made fulfilling the advice of the voice. She drifted off into the darkness and she tried to relish the familiarity of it, wrapped in the cloak underneath the blankets.

In a blink of an eye, she was quickly woken up to the light filtering through the small window of the door.

There was disappointment and excitement at the same time before she pulled herself out of bed.

Muscle memory kicked in as she survived, gathering resources.

Survive…survive…

Survive for what?

This thought stopped her in her step. She just stood there as she breathed.

The motivation that was fuelling her now was the experience. She was enjoying the sensation and the renewed exploration. But now, as she grind, she realized what was her goal?

She didn’t know who she was entirely. Her memories were slowly resurfacing but none that would solve her mysteries. She didn’t know why her memories were so far away. Something told her she had done this before, the few memories attesting to it, but it was all so new yet familiar as if she had gone back to a place, she hadn’t been for 10 years; all the new amongst the old.

She was surviving yes, but what was she living for?

Did she want to go to back to the void and darkness? Did she want to live to see the world?

She knew she needed her memories back.

Who was the voice that popped in her head every so often, an accent that was familiar. Stories told by that same voice. Stories of a world much like this but so personal.

‘I promise you mate, I’m going to fly you out of here and I’m going to show you how much the world has changed and everything it has to offer.’

She looked up at the sky and she closed her eyes, feeling the sun warm her skin and the wind going through her hair. She imagined wings flying and then she looked below her. By her feet was a small pond of water and her face was reflected back at her.

Her face was there but it was unfamiliar. She knew then and there that that appearance reflected back at her wasn’t her original one. Her ran her blackened hand through her messy hair, sending particles in the air.

Pink (glowing) eyes looked back at her as she blinked, a name on her tongue.  She turned back to her cave as she prepared to pack up.

As night came and went, she stood outside of the little cave that was her home for a short time. Her inventory was sorted with her meager belongings (they were just material) but precious all the same.

She then turned away from her home to head in a direction and leaving the cave behind.

There a sign marked her existence, with the words: “Thea’s Cave”.

Chapter Text

Thea wasn’t sure how long or how far she wandered. Time didn’t have much of a hold on her, going slowly sometimes but on other times very quickly. If it weren’t for the day and night cycle, especially with the threat of mobs with the latter, she wouldn’t be so aware.

It didn’t matter to her as much since she was more focused of learning the world around her. Everything was so familiar yet so different.

She knew the world yes, but this version. Things were similar, like she knew which material was which, but they were different variants. There were different biomes beyond the desert and regular grass biomes. There were different types of wood for each biome and the grass was different looking too!

And the flowers! There were more flowers! Beyond dandelions and poppies! And they could be turned into dye. Not just red and yellow dye either. Blue dye could be acquired from flowers and no longer just lapis lazuli. The flowers had actual functions beyond aesthetics!

Thea wandered and wandered, learning and relearning traits. What aided her tremendously was the crafting book. Every new material added to the secrets it held and it’s whispered to her that there was so much more.

She eventually came across a village and the new wave of sensations took over. So much so, she had to sit down and watch the villagers go on about. Eventually, she had gathered the attention of them and then there was an iron golem that lumbered its way to her.

It stopped in front of her, staring at her, watching Thea wave to it in good gesture before it reached up. Its bulky arm moved to pluck a poppy and extended it to her. Thea smiled at the poppy and golem. It was not long before she was guided to the center of town.

Everything was a whirlwind before the villagers slowly introduced themselves to her. Then she was offered a place to sleep as night blanketed over them. There Thea learned and learned, getting used to living in the world.

“What do you mean enchantments? There’ enchantments now!?”  she shrieked in shock and excitement. “That is so scuffed!”

The villagers, the blacksmith and alchemist particularly, nodded as they showed her how she could enchant. The alchemist later showing her his potion stands and Thea short-circuiting with the weight of this new information.

Eventually, she begun to split her time between learning and helping around the village, to being on her own. The desire to be away from people was always there but it was overshadowed with her curiosity of the new world and survival.

She had built herself a small home, a little bits away from the village (mostly because there wasn’t room in the village to begin with) and with each block she placed, she remembered the enjoyment of building. So much so she made a home that was in design compared to the village’s.

But she did not dare stray away from the difference in resources. Deciding to start off slowly with what she was familiar with.

‘One day, I’ll use something new. One day’ she thought to herself as she slept in her pink home, in her wooden home that was fortified with solid cobblestone. ‘but this is just fine.’

As she built, her memories formed a figure that would build alongside her. A man who wore a green and white hat, humming alongside as he told her of his builds. His presence calming yet chaotic that brought a smile to her face. Sometimes, as she walked among the villagers, she thought she would see the man at the edge of her vision but disappear when she turned.

She learned and learned, in the good graces of the village and she felt…settled.

 Not at home, no, she knew she would never be at home but she was, settling. Thea slept in her bed, safe in her own base, surrounded with her own things and reminders of her existence. The new clothes she wore were of her own design and with the help of the villagers, she had more of an identity now.  Her pets, her wolves and cats, slept around her reassured her she was alive as they radiated life.

Finally feeling the pull of sleep, Thea closed her eyes and was welcomed with darkness. She loved and feared sleeping. She loved it because it was a comfort to rest her body and have a taste of her past existence of existing in the void.

But she also feared it because as each day she lived in this world, she was afraid to leave it and be stuck in the void.

She begun to sink further and further to sleep, edges of old memories seeping into her dream when she heard the bell rung. It mixed with the sound of someone singing as they droned out together to nothingness. The sound of a horn mixed with the sound of the dragon’s roar that it shattered the air and her dreamscape.

Thea’s eyes flew wide open, her body on edge immediately. She leapt out of bed, her body stilling as it strained to focus. Her breath stilled, her heart beating against the forcefully stilled chest. Her ears strained as there was another horn, the bell in the village square ringing.

In the darkness, there was an orange hue to one side and she smelt it. Smoke.

Ice spread throughout her entire body as she ran to her balcony. She looked to the source of the light and Thea widened her eyes, witnessing the village on fire. Panicking, Thea jumped out of the balcony. Her wolves were by her side as she ran to the village, as villagers were huddled in their homes while some were running out of the burning homes.

Thea ran and took out a bucket, grabbing water from the wells and started dumping them wherever she could. The fires were extinguishing but not fast enough as it continued to spread.

She heard grunts and the sound of the golem attacking. She turned just in time to see an arrow fly past her barely. It razed her arm and she hissed, taking a bit of damage. The wolves immediately turned on the instigator and charged, growling.

Thea turned to where the wolves were targeting their anger towards and saw a Villager but not a villager, with its grey like skin and brown clothes. There were banners of its face as they advanced with crossbows.

“Pillagers” whispered Thea in realization, the realization making her awake. Thea’s body moved as she opened her inventory, placing her armour on and putting her shield and weapons in hand. She briefly had noted her food and arsenal before she took position.

With bow in hand, she begun to pick off the pillagers. This ultimately caused their attention towards her and some of them advanced forward. They got closer and closer to her and some fell by her bow.

There was coming too close to her, crossbows locked and loaded. Her shield, decorated with a pink flower, was littered with arrows. Every thunk of the arrows causing Thea to unconsciously flinch. Deciding she couldn’t pick them off anymore, Thea took out her iron sword and charged. She swiped and swiped at them, jumping to cause more damage and moved around them.

She blocked what she could, but at some point, the thrill of adrenaline masked her pain. She gleefully took pride as she killed more and more pillagers. More and more pillagers came and fell.

More of her wolves fell and there were some villagers who failed to escape. Their deaths kept grounded and aware, reminding her why she was even fighting to begin with.

Thea’s fuel had changed from protecting the villagers to fighting for her survival to the thrill of fighting. She was still conscious of the fact she couldn’t get any of the villagers hurt, but at the same time-

With a swing of her sword, she had cut down another pillager but this time it was the flag bearer. Its banner fell and she picked it, collecting it as a trophy before she looked to her next target. Whether it be another pillager or hostile mobs.

Then she heard creaks of metal that made her heart crack. She turned to the iron golem, eyes wide open as it fell to it’s legs. The last defender.

The pillagers advanced and rage filled her. She roared and there was a buzz in the air, reminding her of endermen before she found herself diving at the final few pillagers, sword ready.

Then like that, it was over.

Dawn approached as did peace.

Thea walked towards the iron golem, it’s head creaking up at her. She stood in front of her, dazed with adrenaline and emotions. The iron golem raised its arm, creaking pathetically and Thea held her hand for it.

Their fingers touched before one hand fell and then the light behind the golem’s eyes disappeared as did its life.

Thea closed her eyes, bowing her head for a moment before kneeling down and placing a poppy by it. One of the many she promised.

Forcefully feeding herself food, she looked through the village and took note of the damage caused by the pillagers. The village was practically decimated with only a handful left (which wasn’t much to begin with). She gave some food to her last two wolves, letting herself take a moment to breath while running her hands through their dirtied fur.

“I should’ve named you guys” she spoke to them. Not to just the wolves that were licking her hands and face in reassurance, but to the ones that fought alongside her. She would have to build nameless graves to the long-gone wolves, and the thought of it was a wake-up call.

She was too busy catching herself upon learning about the new world, so much so, she didn’t really let herself live.

Not in the way it mattered.

Thea got up to her feet before going to her home, no doubt where the rest of the villagers had taken refuge in. Her base was no longer hers as it was theirs now.

They needed it more than she did.

A few days passed as she helped the remaining villagers, returning their kindness as best as she could. She tried to help savage their resources, expanded her farm enough so they could eat, fixed the homes that were still standing or building new ones. Most importantly, she helped create graves for those who had perished.

Their gravestones were flourished flowers that Thea had collected. She made her duty to plant a bed of poppies around the iron golem before creating a grave for her fallen wolves, also adorned with flowers.

Time passed as Thea shouldered her things, only the essentials, as she stood outside her base.

What would’ve been her home.

The village was getting back on its feet but it would take time before it would flourish once more.

The few villagers that stayed in their new home stood outside the home, standing there to see her off.

“Thank you for your kindness. I would still be lost if not for you all” said Thea, giving them a smile (what was behind it she didn’t know).

The villagers grunted, talking to her as the smaller ones held her cats. They would need the cats more importantly, to fend off creepers from blowing up any recovery progress they had done.

They gave her bread for the road and she waved them goodbye as she left the village. She wrapped her mysterious cloak around her neck, before straightening her new turquoise hoodie poncho which fluttered in the wind, revealing armour underneath, as she took a deep breath, setting her eyes on the vast land before her. Her two wolves, now named as Lupa and Fenrir, trotted alongside her dutifully.

They left the village behind them and unknowingly made their way towards the DSMP, where there would be a whole new chapter.

Chapter Text

Thea walked without a real destination. Only following her gut instincts. It was an adventure though, she thought. Before, she wasn’t just learning for the sake of comparing to her past experiences and not really taking anything else around her. Now, she was really taking in the world.

It also helped that she had two companions around her, especially so when she knew she had someone watching her back.

Mobs were still a tricky thing but after a while, she learned to just create a small shelter to rest when things got too haggard. She even resorted to digging a small pit in the ground to rest for the night, with only a ladder and trap door as the entrance.

It was unnerving to hear the mobs walk above her, sensing her presence but not seeing her.

When morning came one day and Thea had walked a few ways away from the pit shelter, in the midst of fishing, she had come to a realization too late that she was leaving a trail of shelters in her wake. She hadn’t bothered to clean them up or filled them up, leaving them open for people to come across them.

She both balked and laughed at the thought of people wondering who were leaving these shelters.

‘If there were other players’  thought Thea faintly as she looked at her haul. She only expected to fish out…well fish but she didn’t know when other things would appear. It ranged from things like string to even a saddle and an enchanted book. She sorted through her haul, throwing out unnecessary things and keeping what was important.

Eating her cooked fish around a campfire, Thea listened to her dogs chewed on their rotten flesh (which Thea was glad they enjoyed and the fact that item had an actual use then pain). Night had fallen and she had dug into a small mountain side to make a temporary shelter. The weather was nice so she just made a little gate for the entrance. Torches flickered around their post, casting shadows across.

Mobs still tried to approach but they were safe nonetheless.

Thea finished off her food and let her wolves clean her hands. She giggled at their tongues and sighed, looking out at the night. Lately, she didn’t feel like sleeping much and the time she did, her sleep would between short and long. Sometimes, she wasn’t even tired.

Tonight, was one of those times.

Glancing at her wolves, she noted how tired they were getting. She petted them, cooing at them to sleep before Thea walked out of their shelter to do some hunting and exploration.

Mobs came her way as usual and Thea fought back, hoping that by the end of it she would be able to sleep.

Slowly she fell into the swings of her sword, absorbed into the motions that she barely heard the shuddering hisssss of the creeper. Light flickered and Thea snapped behind her to see a creeper about to explode. She cursed, noting that it was going to be too late to run.

Her shield moved in front of her as she prepared for the inevitable blast when she heard a WHOOP! She glanced back to see a black figure behind her, long arms wrapping around her before everything shifted.

There was another WHOOP! and Thea saw she was a few ways away, a pit where she was once was. The pit was too big to be created by one creeper and Thea had the shuddering thought that there were actually more than one. She wouldn’t have survived the blast and who knows what would’ve happened.

As her bearings steadied, realization slowly creeped in that she was teleported. She turned behind her, slowly shifting her body to see an Enderman peering down at her. Her eyes flickered to the side, not keeping direct contact with the mob.

“Did you…did you help me?” she asked hesitantly. Her hands nervously gripping her sword and shield.

The enderman spoke and she almost caught the words.

“E-Excuse me? Could you repeat that please?”

“⊬⟒⌇ ⟟ ⎅⟟⎅”

Yes

“W…why?”

Thea not realizing she heard the Enderman speak and she understood.

“⎅⍜ ⊬⍜⎍ ⋏⍜⏁ ⍀⟒☊⍜☌⋏⟟⋉⟒ ⋔⟒ ⊬⍜⎍⋏☌ ⍜⋏⟒?”

Do you not recognize me young one?

“I…recognize? You recognize me? From where?”

“⌰⍜⍜☍ ⏃⏁ ⋔⟒ ⏃⋏⎅ ⊬⍜⎍ ⍙⟟⌰⌰ ⌇⟒⟒ ⋔⟒”

Look at me and you will see me

“But…isn’t that forbidden?”

“⎎⍜⍀ ⋔⍜⌇⏁, ⏚⎍⏁ ⊬⍜⎍ ⏃⍀⟒ ⍜⋏⟒ ⍜⎎ ⎍⌇”

For most, but you are one of us

“One of,” she stuttered, her hand flying to her head as everything around her wobbled. Her head throbbed as flashes of images popped into her head.

End cities, endermen sprawling around and mingling. They surrounded a child as she peered at them, confused and warbled. Hands fed her chorus fruit. The dragon’s roar shook the domain and she sang to it to calm it. An endermen king, Endlantis-

Thea’s face was covered with cold sweat, her pink eyes glowing similarly to the Enderman in front of her. She placed her hands on her face, her skin resembling the sand in the End, running up to her hair that was not black but with hues of purple. Purple particles were disrupted from her hair, fluttering around her. Hands willed to forcefully release their grip on her scalp were lowered, then inspected. The tips of her fingers (with nails a bit too sharp) were black and slowly gradiating up to her forearms.

Too many similarities to be passed of an enderman. Traits of endermen.

Thea slowly lowered herself to sit on the ground, body stiff from her observations. “So…am I an enderman?” she asked quietly.

“⊬⟒⌇ ⏃⋏⎅ ⋏⍜. ⊬⍜⎍ ⏚⟒☊⏃⋔⟒ ⍜⋏⟒ ⍜⎎ ⎍⌇ ⏚⎍⏁ ⋏⍜⏁ ⍜⎎ ⎍⌇”

Yes and no. You became one of us but not of us

The words were cryptic but she understood. She became one of them, in a way where she shared traits of them and could understand their language. But she wasn’t one of them as an Enderman.

“An Enderman but not endermen” she spoke, looking at the being in front of her.

The enderman nodded.

“⟒⋏⎅⟒⍀⋔⏃⋏ ⏚⎍⏁ ⋏⍜⏁ ⟒⋏⎅⟒⍀⋔⟒⋏” it repeated.

“So…what does this mean…” her hand gestured to the two of them.

“⋏⍜⏁ ⟒⋏⟒⋔⊬ ⏚⎍⏁ ⋏⍜⏁ ⌇⏃⎎⟒ ⏁⍜ ⏃⌰⌰”

Not enemy but not safe to all

Thea nodded and took in a deep breath. She looked up at the sky, seeing the stars shift and the moon making its way. Dawn was approaching as she looked at the enderman, casting her head down in a bow.

“Thank you.”

The enderman whooped and chirped at her in greeting, before the tell-tale sound of teleportation heard. The enderman was gone with only bits of particles.

Thea stared at the spot, releasing more shuddering breaths before making her way back to the shelter. She had become tired as she planned, but she didn’t know if the weight of the information would let her sleep.

She would have to try anyways.

Part of her mystery was revealed, but more questions remained.

Thea had taken a few days before settling back out into the world. She used those days to absorb and forced herself to accept it. She spent her time, jotting the notes down in her journal; detailing what had happened and the information that was given to her. It also contained bits of her journey and memories that she thought was worth noting.

That she was the youngest of three siblings. Two older brothers. She had lived between the void, darkness, and the End cities. She spoke to Endermen but was not of them. She knew a man whose face and name eluded her, the only features that remained was a green and white hat that sat upon golden hair, with large black wings.

When she needed a break, she would go back into her main hobby of drawing. She had done drawings in her journal, but it was nice to have designated sketchbook. When that was not enough, she went out to explore the world. As she sat among the flowers, watching her wolves romp around, a thought came to her.

Although there was some part of her that wanted to return to the void, the darkness, and End, she liked it here. She liked exploring the world, the land and sea. She liked being on her feet and getting into fights every so often. Though it would be nice to have a place to call home, she liked wandering.

She liked her freedom. The ability to choose and live how she wanted. To do what she wanted.

In some part of her, she knew she would be forced to make choices but at least it would be here choice. Even if she wasn’t presented a choice-

Thea moved on from her little nook, her thoughts settled but her body no longer. She set off into the world, following her gut once more and enjoyed the freedom of exploration.

But as soon as she had re-started her wandering, she would come across a place called L’Manburg.

Chapter Text

            As Thea walked over the hill, night had long fallen. Her body was not the least tired and her wolves were keeping up in pace. She had encountered mobs after mobs, but they were almost nothing. Her shield and sword were up, and Thea offhandedly thought that she needed to get a new shield soon…but she also wanted to make a weaver so she could decorate it.

Her wolves stopped, ears prickling up with their body stances rigid. Their heads were still and Thea stopped immediately. Her boots crunched on the grass as she too was alert.

Then she heard it as her wolves turned to the noise.

Screaming and yelling.

Thea widened her eyes and her legs begun to sprint towards the source of the scream and yelling. She ran not because there were other people, too different then villagers or foxes, but because her natural inclination to help people drove her.

She ran through the trees, her wolves following suit and then she saw it as she ran.
Two boys were running and trying to fend off a massive wave of mobs. Skeletons were shooting at them as they tried to block them, but also dodge quick enough from creepers. Among them was one endermen, agitated as it teleported and tried to attack the boys.

“Lupa, Fenrir go!” barked out Thea as she drew out her bow and arrow. She notched it and let loose several arrows to deal with the creepers who fell quickly. Her wolves sped past her and begun chasing and attacking the skeletons. 

Thea ran as she shot, the boys’ and monsters’ attentions now on her. She barely noticed the players before she ran forward, iron sword gleaming as she attacked at the monsters. Her sword swiped at the zombies, cutting them quickly.

The boys screamed, their backs together and shields up as they tried to protect themselves from the enderman.

Thea felt something in her drop as she ran forwards, her mouth opening before she could register the words.

“☊⟒⏃⌇⟒!”

The enderman stopped and turned to her, still buzzing, but it was enough for the boys to recover. Thea slid in front of the boys, arms out in a peaceful gesture but was still prepared to fight it off to protect the boys.

“☊⟒⏃⌇- I mean, stop, please!” stuttered Thea, her pink eyes glowing and meeting the Enderman.

The enderman screamed at her, yelling at her why should he.

Thea didn’t have an answer as she was tongue tied. She wasn’t an immediate enemy but endermen didn’t attack unless provoked. The boys must’ve provoked it so there goes any accidental mishaps.

The enderman saw her hesitation and screamed, filling their ears and head. The boys winced and screamed as the enderman teleported away from her and begun to resume attacking. She moved before she could register it, her sword already swinging.

It hit the enderman, turning its attention at her and attacked her. Thea had her shield up as it swung at her and she moved, almost seemingly teleporting, while keeping up with the mob. She swung once, twice, her sword broke before the Enderman screamed and fell.

In its place was an enderman pearl and something sunk in her.

Not an enemy but not safe.

She could only hope.

One of the boys walked over to her and picked up the pearl before handing it to her. She numbly took it, not registering the gesture as she shook.

“Hey that was so pog! Thank you-“

“Hey, are you alright?”

Thea turned to the boys as paws marched up to her, one wolf licking her fingers and another placed its head under her hand to be petted. Thea absently minded begun to pet the wolves, feeling herself become centered once more.

“Uh, hi” Thea said, forcing herself to smile. “I’m Thea.”

“Hi! My name is Tubbo!”

“I’m the great Tommyinnit!”

Thea inwardly winced at their volume but she brushed it off at the reasoning that she wasn’t used to other people’s voices.

“Are…are you guys alright?” she asked, her words falling onto each other.

“Why are you stuttering? Something wrong?” asked Tommy.

“Tommy!” berated Tubbo.

“What?! It’s a perfectly good question!”         

Thea ran her hand, the one that was covered with wolf drool, and made a face of disgust as she quickly dried herself off.

“Uh, excuse me. It’s just been a long time since I’ve actually…talked to other people?”

“Wait, why do you sound so unsure?”

Thea scratched the back of her neck. “I mean, as far as I know, you guys are the only players I’ve actually talked to. In a very long time.”

“How long?!” asked Tubbo curiously.

Thea scrunched her face as she thought of it.

“10 years? Give or take? Time doesn’t really-“

“10 years?!”

Tommy and Tubbo choked and sputtered while yelling. They questioned Thea who was being overwhelmed as they tried to get their questions asked. What did she mean by 10 years? How could she have not talked with anyone for 10 years? Where was she? Who was she?

It got to the point as Thea groaned, covering her face.

“Please, please can you guys please calm down. I’m getting a legitimate headache” she pleaded, resting on the back of her legs.

The boys immediately shut up as they saw her starting to whine, the wolves pressing themselves against her to comfort her.

“Oh, sorry…are you okay?” asked Tubbo.

“I….just need a minute. There’s a lot to take in.” Pink eyes glowed behind the tips of her fingers before she sighed, noting where they were. “But I think we should get to somewhere safe…do you guys have a place?”

“Oh man, do we!” grinned Tommy, “Come on woman, the great Tommyinnit has something to show you!”

Thea snorted but smiled, getting up to follow the boys.

They walked side by side as Thea flanked their backs, shooting any incoming mobs. Her sword was broken and she didn’t have the time to craft a new one. So bow and arrows were used (even then her stock of arrows were getting low).

While walking to wherevever Tommy and Tubbo were leading her, Thea told them the minimal information, which wasn’t much to begin with.

“Wait, wait, so you just woke up here?” questioned Tubbo.

“In this world yeah. Though I spawned somewhere farther away” she confirmed.

“And you fought the end dragon? POG!” said Tommy.

“According to my memories, yeah. Though, they were with my brothers.”

“Do you know their names? We could help you find them!”

Thea shook her head sadly. “I don’t know their names or what they look like. Though now I know there are other players here…I might see them and know them on the spot.”

“Then we better hurry up, there’s plenty of people we can introduce you to!”

Their steps hastened and Thea saw strange forms in the distance. The land became less organic and then she saw it. Structures and builds that were too unique and screamed that they were made by players.

Thea’s eyes and mouth opened in shock and excitement. Faintly she heard Tommy and Tubbo snickered and their hands pulled her along. She let them do so while she admired the builds around her.

It wasn’t a seamlessly consistency and were a patchwork of builds, but it only solidified the fact that they were other players.

She wasn’t alone.

That statement both made her happy but also scared. Happy that she wasn’t alone anymore but scared that she would have to interact with new people.

As soon Thea stepped into what was L’manburg, she immediately felt the swirling emotions. There was tension in the air, that was threatening to break and inevitably lead to something monumental.

Nervously looking around, Thea noted the borders of L’manburg and the signs. An Election. Thea noted the boys’ clothes and kept quiet, deciding it wasn’t her place to speak. She was just a visitor afterall.

“Welcome to L’manburg Thea!” welcomed Tommy as he stood proudly. Chest puffed out.

Thea smiled, eyes softening at the structures. The physical reminders of existence.

“It’s a nice place” she noted politely.

“It is, isn’t it!”

“Tommy!” another voice called out.
They all looked to see a tall boy walking towards them, purpose in his footsteps as the newcomer spoke. “Tommy, where were you? I was looking all over for you! We have ton of work to do-“

“Wil, Wilbur” said Tommy, “Chill out. I was with Tubbo and-“

“And? Tommy, we have an election coming up soon-“

“I know, I know! We were just going to be quick then there was so many mobs. Of course being the big man, I wasn’t worried but you know there was Tubbo-“

“Tommy” Wilbur called out in exasperation.

“-And then Thea came swooping in and you won’t believe it Wilbur!”

“Thea, who-“

Thea smiled sheepishly as Wilbur’s eyes turned to her, finally noticing her. She gave a polite and quick bow of her head and waved her hand quietly. “Hi, I’m Thea. Nice to meet you.”

“O-oh, nice to meet you. I’m Wilbur Soot, president of L’manburg” he greeted back and Thea felt herself inwardly filing all the information she had learned.

“Sorry for intruding. I don’t know if I need papers but uh, can you make an exception? Waking up after 10 years makes you lose important documentation.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary- wait 10 years?!”

Tommy and Tubbo laughed at Wilbur’s face as Thea sighed in exasperation. She only spoke about this once and she was already tired of explaining it. She had a feeling that it would be a repeating introduction.

“It’s a bit long” she said next, and then found herself around tables and chairs. Food was handed out as Thea explained her situation.

All three of them looked at her in shock, surprise, and among other things and Thea let bits of information sink in as she ate.

“So, 10 years….and you don’t remember anything else?” asked Wilbur.

Thea nodded, cleaning off her plate and folded her hands together. “Only bits and bobs. Some of my memory have been coming back but they’re vague. But I haven’t had time to really delve into it, since a lot has changed since I was…well existing. So, I was mostly preoccupied trying to learn and understand and…yeah.”

“Well, feel free to make yourself comfortable in L’manburg” smiled Wilbur.

Thea smiled back, quietly noting the swirling emotions underneath his mask. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”

            Wilbur excused himself and Tommy and Tubbo took the reins of giving Thea a tour. She nodded and let herself be taken place to place before they had to do other things.

Although Wilbur had said she was welcomed here, she had a feeling she shouldn’t place her roots here. Not yet.

So after Thea slept in a guest bed, she made her plans to make a home just outside of L’manburg.  Tommy and Tubbo greeted her and joined her for breakfast, before Thea unveiled her plans.

“Wait, why don’t you want to have a place here?” said Tommy. Hints of hurt and betrayal in his tone.

Thea lowered her cup of tea and spoke gently. “Tommy, I’m honoured to be offered a place here and it’s not because I don’t like you guys, but you have to understand, it’s been 10 years since I’ve interacted with people, much less live with them. So, I need some buffer space so I don’t overload. Take it slow, y’know?”

Tommy pursed his lips, eyebrows furrowed but nodded. Tubbo only nodded in understanding as Thea puffed, before reaching over and rubbing her hands on top of their heads.

Tommy and Tubbo startled for a moment, her hands oddly both warm and cold, before they were gone as quickly as they came as Thea got up, sipping the last of her tea. “Thanks of listening anyways. I better start looking for a place…”

“We’ll help!” said Tubbo, slamming his hands onto the table and Thea yelped but let out a laugh.

The two boys made their way around, pointing out places for Thea to build. They were still too close for her liking mainly but they had their own reasons that weren’t suitable.

“What about here?” asked Tommy.

Thea stopped and found herself in a clearing. She felt she was far enough from L’manburg but close enough to travel. The land itself needed some work for an actual place but there were flowers and something just seemed right.

She smiled and that was all what was needed. She begun to cut down the trees and the boys joined in to help, Tommy constantly saying as vice-president of L’manburg he had to help out and Tubbo snorted. Thea hummed in thanks but somewhere deep inside her, she knew Tommy needed a legit reason to be away from the preparations of the elections.

She didn’t comment on it because although governments were necessary for order and harmony, she wasn’t too fond of it. Then again, she never was into politics to begin with. Heck, at one point, whenever someone told her the word government or politics, she would just laugh on and on at it.

She kept it to herself and hummed.

The land was cleared and Thea called for a break, as she begun ot make food. She faintly heard the two boys talking to themselves, but she kept herself. Food was served and the two boys ate with vigor.

“Hey, Thea, are you an Enderman Hybrid?”

Thea stuck her spoon in her mouth and gave an questioning eyebrow at Tommy.

“Hybrid?” she asked questioningly.

“Yeah, like I am!” piped up Tubbo, “I’m a ram hybrid though.” The boy further emphasizing as he lowered the tops of his hair to reveal short horns.

“So? Are you or are you not?” asked Tommy, squinting his eyes.

Thea looked up towards the sky in thought, humming before she took out her spoon and casually played with the handle. “Well, if you consider having traits of an Enderman as a hybrid, I guess so?”

“Traits? What do you mean by that?”

Thea placed her spoon and bowl down, before clamping her hands together. Trying to form the words.

“Well, I’m definitely sure that I was born as a regular human,” noted Thea, “And the appearance I have? This?” she gestured to her entire self, “isn’t the one I had when I was 13.”

“Wait, what?!” they yelled. Thea instinctively leaned back, as if their yelling was pushing her back.

“How is that even possible?!”

Thea raised her hands up in a gesture of peace, before shrugging. “I don’t know. I think…I was living in the End for a bit? I’m pretty sure the Endermen there were taking care of me, but y’know there isn’t any food there to begin with other than Chorus fruit. I dunno, it could be a ton of other factors all at once…or maybe I just woke up like this and just-“ she shrugged once more, her face scrunched up in thought.

“That’s insane” gaped Tommy as Tubbo had a look of thought.

“So, you’re not an Enderman?”

Thea let out a sigh, “Based on that one enderman conversation I had, it told me that I had ‘become one of them, but not of us’, ‘An Enderman but not Endermen’.”

“That doesn’t mean anything!” groaned Tommy, falling onto his back in frustration.

Thea chuckled and rested her chin on her hand. “Believe me, I know. It’s very cryptic but I think I somehow took on traits of the Endermen to be consider close to one, but I’m not an Enderman by default.”

“So you’re a hybrid but not in the traditional sense” thought Tubbo.

Thea shrugged, “Who knows. I’m not an immediate enemy of them, but I’m not safe from them either.” The weight of the Enderpearl in her inventory was proof of that.

            Time passed on as Thea begun to make her little home. It was much like other home she made but she didn’t have any other materials to work with. Tommy and Tubbo watched and occasionally pitched in, before Thea learned that there was concrete now.

Her interest was peaked as she thought of areas to begin replacing. The day continue to go before Tommy and Tubbo had to tend to other responsibilities and Thea saw them off, letting them visit when they wanted.

Eventually, Thea had a nice three level home where one had the basement. Cobblestone lined the outside of the walls before were built with logs as the structures of the home, before filled in with wood. Thea took good glee in colouring her glass with her collection of flowers and made the glass pink.

As Thea set her pink bed on the second floor and sighed in content. She looked around and already had smokers and furnaces working with chests ready to be filled. In one corner of the room, there was a weaver ready to be used with a chest by its side to house the materials for convenience’s sake.

She had already thought of places to put an enchantment table (if she was lucky enough to find diamonds) and brewing stands, remembering about the nether portal. There was a pull to the nether inside her but also a fear. Somewhere in her mind, she knew she had been to the nether, one reason or another, but she didn’t know how much of it.

Night had fallen and Thea took the courage to set up her farm and an area for livestock, needing a steady source. The mobs made their way but Thea continued working while also felling any of them that dared to grow closer. It also helped that her wolves would automatically hunt down any skeletons so that was one problem that she didn’t need to worry about.

Thea finally decided to go to bed, content in the fact that her wheat and flowers were planted and dreamt of an ocean monument out of the water, with a giant nether portal underneath it, with flowers growing lusciously around it.

Chapter Text

“You don’t have a communicator?!”

“Tommy, tommy, I literally woke up in the world just…I don’t know how long actually?” said Thea, her face scrunching at the realization that she didn’t keep count. “Wait, what’s a communicator?”

Tubbo trotted up to her and pulled out his communicator, showing it to her. “We use these to call and keep into contact with people. Also other things like if people get despawned or something.”

“Ohhhh, yeah definitely don’t have that. If I did, then I would’ve known there were other people around.”

“This is unacceptable! We got to get you one now, or how else are you going to need help from Tubbo and I!” yelled Tommy as if it was a crime.

Thea folded her arms together and human, leaning slightly against her wall. Her newly acquired bees were buzzing around which was a great delight to Tubbo.

“I mean, I’m close to L’manberg to book for it” noted Thea but the boys didn’t notice it. They were going in and out of the house, exploring everywhere as Thea just snorted at their antics but kept on working and learning.

She had a crossbow, snatched from the pillagers all those time ago, and apparently, she could shoot fireworks out of it. She had planned to experiment more with the fireworks but that plan went out of the window when the boys came.

It had been only three days since she met these boys and she already knew, they were chaotic and would need supervision when they were handling TnT. So, she had gone out and looked for some animals, Tommy enthusiastically helping her round up cows and chickens, and bees by an enthusiastic Tubbo. Thea found some sheep and now she was just tending to them and the farmland.

“HEY THEA,” yelled Tommy from the balcony as she turned to him nonchalantly, “WHERE ARE YOUR GUEST BEDROOMS?!”

“I DON’T HAVE ANY!” she yelled back and turned to her planning potatoes.

“WHAT?! WHY!?”

“WHY WOULD I?!” she yelled back a question, before snorting. There was someone jumping off and Thea turned back to see Tommy and Tubbo parkouring off the balcony and rushing towards her.

“So we can sleep over!”

Thea stood up and dusted off her pants, noting absentmindedly that she should get new clothes.

“If you guys do, just set a bed somewhere in the bedroom, I don’t care. I got wool and dye, just mark which is which and mind my stuff.”

Tommy and Tubbo beamed and dashed off as Thea realized she had just given the two permission to set their place. Thea shrugged as she heard the two boys in her home yelling about something and as she collected honey, she felt another presence.

She turned to it, seeing Wilbur walking down her little path. His eyes met hers and Thea instinctively waved her hand to greet him, smiling as she did.

“Hello Mr. President” she said as Wilbur gave a smile.

“Thea, I see you got a house now” he said, hands folded behind his back and head turning around to take in the place.

“Yeah, don’t need much sleep and got it done” said Thea as she put away her honey. “Here on some official business?”

“Something like that but it’s nothing right now. Tommy had mentioned a few things and I had some time so I thought I would come check it out.”

Thea hummed and nodded. Her eyes focused on Wilbur’s face, taking his features in before noting how skinny he was. Even if he was tall, he looked to be pushed thin from exhaustion and lack of management. Although his eyes were not focused on her, she could see the tiredness and the bubbling madness that was threatening to burst.

She didn’t want to think why the madness was there, but she guessed it had to do with elections and politics. It always did a number on people, one way or another. 

Thea gestured to her home and smiled, “Well, would you like to come in for some tea? It’ll be nice to get to know you more.”

Wilbur jumped in surprise, eyes wide.

“Oh, you don’t have to.”

“I want to” said Thea, placing a hand on his arm but just above hovering. An open invitation but not one of force.

Wilbur looked at her and his posture relaxed, giving her a small smile. “That would nice, thank you.”

Thea grinned and guided Wilbur to her home.  “Tommy and Tubbo are here already so what’s one more?”

            Wilbur was led into her home and was immediately hit with the smell of food. His mouth watered at the smell and he then wondered when he last ate. He took another whiff and knew it was stew with freshly baked bread mixed in it. The door was opened, allowing the smell of flowers waft in.

He looked past the smell of food and he found himself standing in the room. He saw furnaces and her crafting station to one side of the home, where nearby were piles of chests and barrels. A weaving station was another part of the home with a chest bit it. There was a table with chairs surrounding it, on top of it with a nicely placed cactus.

There were two entrances, one leading up to the balcony and one leading down to the basement.

There was thumping upstairs and Wilbur instantly recognized Tommy’s and Tubbo’s voices. There were also sounds of barks and remembered Lupa and Fenrir.

Wilbur heard clattering as he turned to see Thea walking from her ‘kitchen’ and to the table. He politely walked over and sat in a chair as Thea sat opposite of him. She served the tea, him politely saying thank you before the two sat there with their tea and snacks. 

There were a tense few awkward seconds before Thea felt the need to break the ice. “So, how are things?”

Wilbur chuckled nervously, lowering his cup. “I’ve been busy, with the election coming up and work to be done.”

Thea politely nodded, “Have you been taking care of yourself?”

“Excuse me?”

Thea took a sip before speaking. “One cannot take care of others if they cannot take care of themselves.”

Wilbur stared at her bewildered as Thea elaborated, “I get it, being president is stressful and there are ton of things to do and think about. But you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of anyone else; much less a country.”

The man in front of her ran a hand through his hair, resting his arms on the table. “You do make sense, but there’s a lot you don’t know. From the start, we fought for our freedom and our country but then once it was over, my control on the country has been slipping. Losing this election would make our effort for naught.”

Thea let him speak on and on, silently encouraging Wilbur to drink and eat the snacks. Soon they were finished as Wilbur sighed, leaning against his chair. “I’m sorry, I didn’t plan on-“

“I’m a new person, I literally know nothing or anyone else. With the election soon, whatever you say to me won’t matter either way, I won’t be able to influence any changes and it’ll be nothing once it’s over” cut in Thea, “So, don’t worry about it.”

Wilbur stared at her bewildered and he was only met with a straight-face. It was only a few moments pasted that Thea realized what she had said and her face was covered with her hands.

“Sorryyyyyyy, totally uncalled for” she groaned out.

Wilbur chuckled, “I didn’t expect you would say something like that.”

Thea removed her hands and she had a disgruntled face, “10 years of basically off the grid will mess with your social skills. Though, I haven’t considered myself to be particularly charismatic.”

Wilbur chuckled and took a sip of his remaining tea. Thea lowered her hands, about to speak when the tell-tale sign of Tommy yelling was heard.

“THEA!”

The aforementioned person stood up in her chair in a panic, eyes wide and body stiff with attention. She looked to the stairway and so did Wilbur. Tommy and Tubbo barrelled down the stairway, holding her sketchbook in hand. They ran up to her and held out the open pages.

“I didn’t know you could draw!”

Thea relaxed, giving a huge sigh of relief and fell back into her chair. She had a hand on her face as she gave a nervous laughter. “Don’t scare me like that, I thought the worst-“

“Yeah, yeah-“ cut in Tommy before placing the sketchbook down on her table and flipped it with Tubbo and Wilbur looking with interest. “These are so pog, why don’t you show them more?!”

“Tommy, I will say this again and again. I literally woke up after god knows how long, I had other priorities. I haven’t exactly had time to paint either.”

“If we win the election, will you draw portraits of Wilbur and I?!”

Wilbur placed a hand on Tommy’s shoulder, scolding him. “Tommy, you can’t just ask her to-“

“Sure.”

They all looked at Thea who had a thoughtful look on her face, her arms crossed and back leaning against the chair. She had a thoughtful expression before she smiled at them. “But don’t get your hopes up though. It’s been years-“

“Wait, really?” gaped Wilbur.

Thea shrugged. “On any other circumstances, no. But, it has been years since I’ve properly drawn anything. At the end of it, it would be a great exercise and practice. Not to mention,” her eyes softened. “It’ll help solidify the fact that I’ve met people and interacted with them. That I was here.”

Wilbur looked at her with surprise as Tommy cheered. Tubbo tried to ask if he was included too which Thea confirmed that he too would be included. The two boys were chattering and bouncing off ideas to Thea who hummed and gave her honest opinions. Reminding them not to get too attached.

Wilbur had a small feeling of warmth in his chest and he didn’t know why. He was about to pull Tommy and Tubbo away for over-staying her hospitality when there was a large growl.

Everyone turned to Wilbur, whose ears turned red and Tommy laughed, ready to make fun of the president when his own stomach betrayed him. It was Tommy’s turn for his ears to turn red and Tubbo was about to laugh and it started a domino effect.

Thea choked a bit before she let out a laugh, wheezing and everyone turned to her as she was slamming her hand on the table and knee, before keeling over and continued to laugh. They all watched in awe and concern as the girl continued to laugh and fall onto the ground, holding her stomach.

“What are the odds- HOLY-” choked out Thea in laughter as she struggled to get back on her feet. “I…the ODDS!”

Tommy gawked at her and started to protest. “Hey, hey, stop laughing!-“

Thea snorted as she shakily made her way to the kitchen. “I…I’m going to get… *SNORT* Just sit down, I got it-“ she continued to laugh, forcing herself to stop as she slammed her head against the wall to force herself to stop.

Tubbo giggled before he went to help Thea who was wobbling due to the lack of oxygen.

Wilbur ran a hand over his neck bashfully as Tommy groaned, muttering to himself. Soon, they were all gathered around the table as plates of food were offered. They all dug into the soup, bread, and meats that were offered.

All three of them dug into their food and Thea couldn’t help feel that her suspicions were right on that they weren’t really taking care of themselves. She absentmindedly noted to keep her food stores stocked in case these shared meals were going to be frequent.

As dinner was wrapped up, Thea asked Tommy and Tubbo to help feed her wolves and check on the farm. The two eagerly dashed away from escaping dish washing duties. Wilbur rolled up his sleeves and politely helped Thea clean up the table and take them to the kitchen.

Thea washed the dishes after thanking Wilbur, offering him another cup of tea. The man leaned against the nearest window seat, watching outside where he saw Tommy and Tubbo running around outside, partly doing Thea’s request while also playing. Fenrir and Lupa accompanying them.

Everything was peaceful and Wilbur didn’t know when he last felt so close to contentment. At peace. His eyes were tired and he quietly realized he wasn’t taking care of himself.

He sipped his tea when he heard a soft melody. His ears prickled at the noise, his musician side of him instantly intrigued.

He found his legs walking quietly towards the source of the music and over the corner, he saw and heard Thea singing. It wasn’t a full song nor was it perfect. It was a mixture of singing of lyrics and hums when she didn’t remember it. Her voice cracked every so often but Wilbur knew those were from the lack of warm-up.

Wilbur found himself drifting off, eyes closing to focus on the singing and then there was peace for a moment.

Thea had finished washing up and walked out of the kitchen, drying her hands as she did. She went to check on Wilbur, half-expecting him to have walked back to L’manburg with the boys.

Instead, she saw Wilbur slumped against the nearest place. She stiffened and checked on him, noticing his eyes were closed, with soft breaths rhythmically. The teacup loosely wrapped in his hands that threatened to spill if any more loose.

She stared at Wilbur, bewildered on how he was sleeping there before she thought what to do next. Waking him up was definitely out of the question, remembering how tired he was, and begun to think if she could move him.

She looked at her hands, flexing them as if it would tell her how strong she was.

A moment and two passed before she took in a deep breath and further rolled her sleeve up. She bent down and took the cup away, moving it to the side somewhere before slipping her hands under him.

She paused, readying herself, before slowly but surely lifted Wilbur. He was much, much longer then she was, so she had to balance him while her arms strained. She held him up for a moment, seeing if he would wake up but the soft snores reassured her.

Sighing in her mind, Thea walked to the stairway, just as Tommy and Tubbo had come in. They looked at her bewildered, mouths wide open with shock. She ignored them, figuring they would follow her or stay there. She didn’t care as she had bigger problems.

She reached the bedroom floor, noting the green and red beds already there with her pink one. She went to her pink bed, carefully depositing Wilbur into it and drew the blanket, tucking him. The person now occupying her bed was unaware and undisturbed. If anything, he snuggled further, sighing in content.

Thea smiled and had her hands on her hips, taking a moment to breathe. She could lift someone to bed, but barely.

She turned to the stairway to talk with Tommy and Tubbo, but saw their heads peeking out of the stairway. She rose an eyebrow but gestured to their beds, hoping they got her question.

They all nodded and quietly but quickly made their way to their beds, taking off their outer clothes and armour before slipping in. Thea hummed, checking on them if they were settled (while absentmindedly tucking them in further and patting their heads) before closing her home.

When she was sure the place was secure, her wolves followed her as she took off her armour and placed a blue bed near the others and slipped into bed. Her wolves cuddled around her as she sighed, eyes heavy with sleep.

She listened to the room, hearing Tubbo and Tommy’s breathes starting to settle and Wilbur’s soft snoring. Thea closed her eyes, feeling sleep pull her in. Before she let the darkness claim her, she spoke.

“Good night, sweet dreams.”

The boys muttered back quietly and Thea fell asleep, the darkness no longer silent but simply, quiet.

Chapter Text

“I’m so sorry” Wilbur groaned in his hands, his elbows resting against the table. Thea just snickered quietly while sliding Wilbur’s his plate of breakfast. Tommy and Tubbo already digging in without shame.

“It’s fineeee, next time I’ll put you in the blue bed” noted Thea and found it highly entertaining at hearing Wilbur groan once more. Thea snorted, pushing Wilbur’s plate towards him a bit more, a silent message for him to eat.

As soon the boys had finished eating, Wilbur immediately grabbed Tommy and Tubbo, quickly giving their goodbyes and thanks before rushing out of the door. Thea stared out the open door, listening to Tommy’s yelling fading.

Her wolves looked at her, cocking their heads as she hummed and finished off her breakfast.

Now they were gone, she could get back to her original plans.

After tending to her farm, Thea grabbed her materials before making her way out. She walked until she was a far distance away before making her fireworks, before loading into a crossbow.  She took a few shots, her ears filled with the sound of explosions before popping into the distance.

Thea hummed, doing some more experimentation when she heard footsteps behind her just as the last firework went off. She turned, lowering her crossbow as she did, before noticing Fundy and Niki.

“Oh hello!” greeted Thea, “Don’t worry, I’m just experiencing fireworks for the first time and wanted to try them out.”

“Oh, oh” sighed out Niki before she gave a nervous smile. “We were looking for someone and heard it and thought-“

Thea let out an ‘ah’ and nodded. “Fair enough. My name is Thea.”

“Oh! You’re Thea?” said Niki as she and Fundy approached the girl, who put away her crossbow.

“That’s me” she nodded and smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too! My name is Niki and this is Fundy.”

Thea waved at them, “nice to meet you both….so who were you looking for? If it’s Wilbur or Tommy, they left a while ago.”

“Oh, we were looking for you!” said Fundy.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, we heard from Tommy and the others that someone new arrived and set up a place just outside of L’manburg. It was strange seeing Tommy being pulled away and he wasn’t exactly-“

“low-key?”

“Yeah”

Thea snorted but smiled, “Yeah, should’ve expected it. Placed a bed away in my home and everything.”

“You don’t mind that?” asked Niki, tentatively.

Thea shrugged, “Not particularly? Then again, I’m probably starved off anything so it’ll be a while before I go back to my introverted ways.”

“Uh…what do you mean by that?”

Thea let out a breath and nervously chuckled. “Probably should take this to my home before I unload my story.”

Niki and Fundy gave her a confused look before following her to her home. As they did and were served tea and snacks, The moment they took their first sip and bite, Thea waited until they had swallowed before she explained.

Like every other time, Niki and Fundy yelled in shock and stared at her in disbelief. Thea had a tired yet amused look on her face with the hint of exasperation.

“Wait, wait, so how much do you know? Like world-wise?” asked Fundy.

Thea sipped her tea. “Enough to know how to survive but man, so much has changed. It’s fun to learn but it’s like being a fish in a pond. You’ve spent your entire time there and then you’re suddenly released into the ocean and there’s so much to deal with. I’m just…swimming.”

“Oh, are you alright?” asked Niki, concerned.

Thea shrugged, thin forming with a stressed line. “I mean, I’m here? I haven’t exactly had time to take it all in yet. Now I have a place, I will but like…it’s just…hm I don’t how to say it.”

“Well, if you need anything, we’ll be happy to help!” said Niki cheerfully.

Thea smiled, “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“So, what are you going to do next?” asked Fundy.

“Long term or like today?”

“Uh, both?”

“Long term, try to see if I can understand more of my circumstances. Short term, uh, I guess get better gear and clothes in general?”

“Better gear?”

Thea gave a defeated laugh, “I’ve been using iron armor but like I really want diamond but I haven’t been able to not enough diamonds. Not sure if I should save it for armor or use it for tools.”

“HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?”

Thea threw her hands in the air, “I WANT DIAMONDS, I NEVER HAD DIAMOND GEAR DAMNIT-”

“YOU DEFEATED A DRAGON!”

“WITH MY BROTHERS! EVEN THEN, now that I think about it we were all wearing iron armor mostly. We had some diamond gear but like we were sharing it.”

Fundy screamed and Niki just laughed as Thea looked utterly torn between laughing to exasperated at her own circumstances.

“What were you talking about, with the clothes?” asked Niki between giggles.

Thea pulled at her sleeve, “Oh, these are my only clothes.”

There was a hush silence that fell as Niki and Fundy jumped out of their seats and Thea just stared at them wide-eyed, “Ah.”

            The day went on as Niki had taken Thea’s measurements and asked question after question on clothing items. Then Fundy dragged Thea to a mine and were looking for diamonds.

Fundy looked at his communicator as it pinged a message from Niki.

“Oh, Niki says she has some clothes for you to try out.”

“Oh nice!” grunted Thea as she broke another stone pickaxe and drew out another one, continuing to mine. They had managed to find some diamond, which Thea made Fundy to take half as payment.

“She also wanted to know your communicator cords-“

“Tommy did mention that but I don’t have one” commented Thea, yelling back.

She faintly heard Fundy let out a scream as it bounced off the tunnels. Thea snorted as she checked her inventory.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON’T HAVE A COMMUNICATOR?”

Thea peered out of the tunnel and rose an eyebrow, gesturing to her entire self.

“Oh right-“

“Anyways, I think we got enough diamond for the day, at least enough to make a chest plate or a couple of tools.”

“You can have it all you know? I’m fine taking just a few.”

“Nah, diamond armor is important.”

“I mean, diamonds yeah but nothing beat netherite.”

“….netherite?”

Fundy’s ears and tail were slowly lowered as the fox realized the implication of his words.

“You don’t know what netherite is.”

“Nooooo? Fundy, I discovered there were other types of wood existed. If that is not the an indication of my knowledge, then I don’t know-“

Fundy sighed before he slowly explained and watched Thea’s eyes bulge.

“WHAT?!”

            “Thank you for having us for dinner” said Niki as the three were gathered at Thea’s table.

“Please, it’s the least I could do” replied back Thea, as she served some cooked mutton with honey glazed carrots with a bowl of mashed potatoes. “Besides, I can’t wait to try out the cookies!” referring to the cookies that Niki offered to teach.

“I can’t remember the last time I had a meal like that” said Fundy as he took a bite of the mutton, his tail wagging. “Or with other people either.”

“I find that concerning” Thea grimaced, sipping her soup.

“It’s nice! We should have this again!” cheered Niki as she scooped her mash potatoes.

Thea hummed, cutting her mutton. “Tommy, Wilbur, and Tubbo were here for last night’s dinner and breakfast. You two are like the 2^nd group to share a meal with, at this rate I might be a social eater.”

“Wait, Wilbur was here?” asked Fundy, wide-eyed.

Thea hummed. “Passed out and everything a bit after dinner. Had to carry him up to bed and then the boys slept over, and of course, couldn’t let them leave without breakfast-“

“Oh, that’s good. He hasn’t been…himself lately.”

Thea’s eyes sharpened, noticing Fundy’s and Niki’s eyes shifting to look at each other; a knowledge that these two knew and one that Thea wasn’t privy to. She took a bite of her mutton. “I can see that. I did tell him he was welcome to come over if needed. Besides, I don’t think I’m going to give him the option either.”

Fundy and Niki gave her a bewildered look, the former’s ears drooping slightly in worry. “Uh, what do you mean by that?”

Thea smiled as she raised her glass, sipping it without a word.

“WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!”

Thea cackled and it shattered the incoming tense atmosphere. Dinner went off smoothly and with plates of cookies and milk for dessert. They gathered around Thea’s fireplace, the three getting to know each other while also Thea learned more around.

“So, there’s that many people here?”

Fundy nodded, chewing another cookie. “Yeah, but everyone is pretty much doing their own thing. The election is the only thing that has been drawing people together.”

“This election is starting to sound pretty serious” commented Thea, noting her stomach twisting at the idea of it. The need for order and harmony was good for the people, but based on what she was hearing about the election, it was starting to sound more for a reach for power.

“And you two are running?”                                        

“Yup! Coconut 2020! Be sure to vote for us!”

Thea gave a polite smile, hiding the fact she wasn’t going to vote at all. She didn’t think she could anyway plus…

“I’ll think about it” she commented. Not fully elaborating that Wilbur and Tommy also asked her to vote for them and now there would be a conflict of interest based on people she knew; not on their policies.

Fundy’s ears drooped in disappointment but Niki nodded, seemingly understanding her choice. Thea looked outside and noted how late it was, hearing monsters hiding just outside of their perimeter.

“It’s late, you guys want to stay the night?” asked Thea, getting up to either escort the two out or set up the beds, depending their decision.

“Oh, I need to go! I have to open my bakery in the morning” said Niki as she got up. Fundy too, “I need to go and do some things too.”

Thea nodded as her wolves gathered at the door. “I’ll see you guys out.”

“You don’t have to!”

“You sure?” asked Thea, leaning against the doorway as the other two stood outside.

“We’ll be fine. Thank you though!”

Thea nodded and smiled. “Nice to meeting you two. Thanks for everything and the impromptu help…” she laughed nervously.

“It’s fine, it was fun!”

Thea squinted her eyes, humming under her breath at which part of fun was Fundy talking about but she didn’t comment on it. She watched the two walk back to their homes and Thea didn’t miss the white glint in the shadows. Her finger itched for the crossbow but didn’t as whatever was there disappeared.

Thinking it was a skeleton, Thea walked back into her home and went to the basement, moving onto her next order of business.

She grabbed her pickaxe and begun to hum as she mined and mined. As she dug, only coming up to deposit materials and for food. At some point, the deeper she got, she built a little room in the mines, creating a bed inside with furnaces and chests for materials, she didn’t know how useful it would be in the future.

Chapter Text

            “So you use it like this?” clarified Thea as she down with Tubbo and Tommy. In her hands was her own communicator, procured by the duo and were now teaching her. The first one was of course how to add contacts and already they had spammed her with messages.

“Yeah, yeah!” said Tubbo, “And this is how you check your coordinates.”

“Okay, let me see-“ she tried to replay the command and was successful. “Yes!”

“Great!” cheered Tubbo as Tommy got into her face, “And now we can ask you where you are when you are being a mole.”

“To be fair, I’m doing the Minecraft thing” snorted Thea.

“No one does the Minecraft thing then Philza Minecraft” snorted Tommy as Tubbo nodded.

Thea froze at the name as she whispered a quiet, “what?”

Tommy didn’t see the change in her as he continued, “Yeah, Philza Minecraft but we call him Phil. He’s the father of Minecraft cause he’s so old.”

Thea’s ears were ringing and droning everything out. Tubbo and Tommy continued to talk but she couldn’t hear what they were saying. Their voices were drowning out. Her vision was becoming murky as the reality she was in was merging with statics of memory.

            It was another day in the End. She didn’t know what qualified a day that passed but clearly some time had passed. She didn’t know how much time had passed when she found herself in the End, without her brothers, nor she how long she got her bearings and was in safety. She kept track when she first thought of it, lines crossed on the wall of her ‘room’.

The endermen mingled around her, occasionally warbling something to her and waving to her; mimicking her when she first did it. Their words were still incomprehensible but ever so slowly, she could understand them.

Who knows how much time passed, the Endermen slowly acclimated to her and somehow established a friendly relationship with each other. The endermen slowly gave her chorus fruit for her to feed on before one day, one grabbed her and teleported her to an end city. There she stayed in (not that she had much of a choice but it was better than sleeping on the sand).

Occasionally, Endermen would pop in, offer her more chorus fruit (her main diet) before poofing away. Today was one of those days as Thea ate her breakfast of chorus fruit, per usual. She had a ton of them stocked just from the sheer frequency of the number of the times they would visit.

The days were full of monotony. Nothing really new happened unless she made it happen, but even then there wasn’t much to work with. Her inventory was empty so she could only use the materials that she was given with, but the end cities were very limited.

Sure, sometimes and somehow the Endermen would pop in with overworld items but they happened few and in between. The amount of the materials also varied. The most brought over item were grass brocks which were nice to touch, just to remember what grass was but because she couldn’t pick it up like they did, all she got was dirt.

So she collected dirt. So, so much dirt.

After who knows how long, she had some things. Buckets of water to finally create infinite water (screw logic) and made a garden of whatever she could grow to eat. Just to provide some variety into her diet. But due to how strange the End was, food grew slowly if it did, so she rationed what she grew and ate her chorus fruit.

Flowers were never in a short demand, but they were always dandelions and poppies. Dandelions were used to make tea and for salad greens, poppies were used for merely decoration because adding a spot of colour.

She had things but limited.

‘what should I do today?’ thought Thea as she licked off the juice of the chorus fruit. She looked out of her room and did her rounds. Clean her room, check her stock, check in with the endermen, and-

There was a roar in the distance and Thea jumped. The roar of the dragon cut through the echoes of the End realm. Despite how she came here, there was somehow already a new dragon in its place. She hadn’t encountered it at first but after the dragon seemed to get agitated and tried to break free from her bonds, the Endermen took her to it.

Somehow, she ended up singing to the dragon and it calmed down the dragon enough. So there was an decision made that Thea would sing to the dragon, to calm her down so she wouldn’t cause more harm to the Endermen. She usually announced her presence by roaring but this time?

The roar was different. Familiar in tone but where…

Thea widened her eyes as she realized it. She ran out to the balcony of her room and looked out to where the Dragon was. In the distance, she saw the pillars exploding into light and a dot moving around, attacking the dragon.

Someone had come into the End realm and was fighting the dragon. The endermen all left the island she was on and left her alone in the End city.

She couldn’t see too much detail and then, the familiar light exploding from the dragon’s body flooded the entire end realm. She heard the dragon dying roar and Thea felt her heart clench in sadness.

Then there was silence and then there was nothing for a moment.

Thea had woken up in her bed with endermen surrounding her. Her head throbbed but the Endermen whispered to her that the Enderdragon was dead. She asked to be taken to the island and they did. She tried to enter the portal but it wouldn’t work. She kept waking up in her room in the End City.

She spent days crying in despair, hope for her to finally be free but it was just out of grasp. She couldn’t stand looking out the balcony now where she knew freedom was so close but would elude her.

As if she was forbidden to leave.

Time had passed, quickly going back time of monotony. There was a dull feeling in her, where Thea just existed. The Endermen would press fruit into her hands and she would eat it, but never by on her own accord.

 Then one day, the Endermen were agitated. They screamed and echoed off in the void and Thea perked up. There were some Endermen who were dying but she didn’t know if it was the Enderdragon killing them or somehow one angered the other and-

Then there was cawing.

Thea felt like her world was shaken. Those were definitely bird sounds. Or were they? She couldn’t tell if it was her mind finally going crazy.

She went to go out the door but an Enderman appeared, teleporting in front of her. It warbled into her mind, telling her to stay before it disappeared.

She stood there, wondering what was going on and the sudden change in her routine made her panic. She took gulps of deep breath, her body shook and slowly climbed into her bed.

She finally had a change in her life, something totally new but she was so used to this way of life, she couldn’t take it. She felt her body starting to shake and be on age, before Thea grabbed her stone sword.

She held it as the sound of footsteps got louder and louder. There were sounds and then it stopped in front of her door. There was a sound of confusion and then the knob turned.

Thea braced herself and out of instinct, her brain made her body move. Her sword was raised and swung down at whoever was coming.

Sword came into contact with sword. Through panic eyes, she saw a man in front of her. His blond hair would be average but it was gold against the muted colours of the End. His blue eyes were like lapis lazuli in that regard.

Those same eyes looked at her with shock and Thea felt her sword shattered due to the difference in gear. Thea gasped, seeing the enchanted diamond sword. Panic begun to consume her and her breathing became laboured. She scrambled away, barely hearing the shouts behind her.

Crows shot out past her, blocking her from climbing onto the balcony to jump. Arms wrapped around her, pulling her back and she tried to claw out.

“Wait, mate! It’s okay, it’s okay! I’m not going to hurt you-“

Thea cried out, not sure if it was from panic or the fact she was finally hearing another person’s voice. She broke free and pressed her back against the balcony railing, curling in herself as the man in front of her was on his knees, hand up with weapons gone.

“It’s okay, I’m not here to hurt you…”

“Who are you? Why….how-“

Those blue eyes were gentle as his words were soft.

“My name is-“

“Thea!”

Tommy and Tubbo called out to her, trying to get her to respond to her. In front of them was Thea, standing a few feet away from them. At first, the two hadn’t notice Thea’s silence among their talking.

Then they heard the telltale sound of an Endermen screaming.

They all turned to see Thea, clutching her head and hunched over. Through her long hair, they could see something pink glowing behind them. Particles flaked off her and surrounded her.

They tried to talk to her and her face snapped up at them, revealing her eyes and mouth glowing pink; seemingly familiar to an actual Enderman. They screamed and Thea blinked out of existence for a moment before reappearing just a few feet away from them, clutching her head in pain. There were tears that slid from her cheek and then screams turned to cries of sadness.

“What’s happening?!”

“I don’t know!” yelled Tommy as he panicked. They didn’t know her enough to know and he didn’t know what led to her. One moment she was having fun learning about her new communicator and then-

“We’ve got to help her” said Tubbo, taking a step forward carefully.

“H-How?! We don’t know she’ll attack!” fired back Tommy.

Tubbo gestured harshly to Thea’s face, “She’s hurt!”

Tommy faltered for a moment and looked between his best friend and Thea. He looked closer and focused on the sobs coming from Thea. He took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s do this Tubbo.”

Tommy and Tubbo slowly approached Thea whose face was now facing them, but was still in the same position. They tried to ignore the Endermen noise coming from her but as they got closer, they noticed that her hands were now pointier like claws. They winced at how tight Thea was clutching her head, claws digging into her hair that was raised like a cat’s fur hackled.

“Hey Thea” said Tubbo carefully, “Are you okay?”

Thea warbled something in Endermen, taking a tiny step back.

The two boys stopped as Tommy held out his hands, “Hey, Hey Thea, it’s okay. We’re your friends remember? Tommy and Tubbo! You didn’t forget us already did you?”

Thea didn’t respond but they could hear the screaming slight defean.

“Yeah, yeah. Everything is fine Thea, you’re safe! Come on, let’s go back home and watch the bees” said Tubbo.

They inched a bit closer as her hair drooped back to normal. Tommy and Tubbo looked at each other and nodded, agreeing that was a good sign.

“You’re in L’manburg. You’re here, with us. Not back in the end or whatever” said Tommy.

A bit closer.

Thea loosened her grip and then she cried out, warbling and falling to her knees. “THEA!” the boys yelled.

They rushed over as she was hunched onto the ground, body phasing slightly between their touches. The two boys looked at each other, desperately trying to find answers in each other.

“Tommy! Tubbo!”

They turned and saw Eret running towards them.

“Eret!” said Tubbo in relief and surprise.

They saw them running over before stopping just a few ways before the three, their eyes seeing Thea now. They looked at the boys’ faces before rushing over, getting onto their knees.

“What’s wrong?” they asked.

“I dunno! One moment she was enjoying the communicator that we gave her today and then she became like this!” said Tommy, his hand hovering just above her back. Scared to touch her for many reasons.

“Okay, okay, give her some space” instructed Eret as they took a breath. They reached over, hands just above Thea’s shoulders and spoke softly. “Hey, breathe. Can you hear me?”  

Thea’s face twitched as it slowly looked at Eret, who saw her eyes and mouth glowing much like an Enderman. They mentally filed that information away seeing it was not the time right now.

They could feel the stares of Tommy and Tubbo behind them, watching carefully and seeing if they could help at any moment’s notice.

“My name is Eret, what is yours?”

Thea warbled something back as Tubbo spoke quietly for her. “Thea.”

“Hello Thea, are you hurt?”

Thea huffed in panic as Eret continued to speak, “You’re safe. I need you to breath and come back to us. Tommy and Tubbo are worried for you.”

Thea’s eyes flickered as Eret raised to their sunglasses. Glowing white eyes stared back into Thea’s pink ones. Then as if there was a click, Thea’s eyes flickered before she blinked revealing just pink irises.

The particles begun to disappear into thin air and Thea’s arms fell limp to her sides. Loss of strength left in her to keep her body up, she fell forwards and was caught in Eret’s arms.

“Thank…you” rasped Thea, edges of exhaustion starting to spread through.

“You’re welcome” replied Eret, adjusting her so she was in a more comfortable position. Tommy and Tubbo took either side of her as she weakly waved, giving a twitchy smile.

“What happened?” questioned Tommy.

Thea blinked, eyelids drooping faster and harder every time. “M..memories” she breathed out, about to pass out.

“You can ask her later when she rested. Where does she live?” asked Eret, wondering if they could lift her to carry her to wherever.

“She lives a little bit outside of L’manburg” said Tubbo, “Which is a bit far…”

“Well, she can stay over at my place for a bit.”

Tommy made a face but looked at Thea who was conked out before nodding. “Alright, just until she’s awake.”

Eret nodded and readied to carry Thea. They slid his arms underneath Thea, lifting her. Their muscles contracted a bit at the weight but overall, Thea was surprisingly lighter then anticipated.

Tubbo went to grab Thea’s fallen communicator before following Eret and Tommy to the castle. As they approached the castle sooner and sooner, Eret spoke up.

“Do you think Thea has any extra clothes?” as they had noticed that Thea’s clothes were dirty and were stretched out, with little holes starting to appear from being ripped open. They silently noted that Thea had shrunk slightly, and they weren’t sure if Thea had shifted her form during that state.

“Hmmm not sure? Oh but Niki might! She did mention about talking to Thea and getting her clothes though!” said Tubbo.

“Can you ask her then? If not, I have some clothes that I can lend to Thea.”

Tubbo nodded and messaged Niki. Soon they reached the castle and were quickly led to a guest room, Tommy and TUbbo helping Eret set Thea down. They had just taken off her boots, scarf, and cloak when they heard footsteps.

They looked and saw Niki and Fundy through the door.

“Fundy? What are you doing here?” asked Tommy.

“I was with Niki when she got the message. What happened?”

“Dunno, she just went….Endermen-like and had a panic moment? Eret helped calm her down and now she’s just-“ Tommy gestured to Thea who was clearly passed out.

“Oh no. Is she okay?” asked Niki worriedly, rushing over.

“She doesn’t seem hurt but clearly exhausted. Whatever happened, it’s better we give her some space. I’ll keep her safe and when she wakes up, I’ll tell you all.”

The others nodded as Niki set aside Thea’s clothes. She noticed something from the corner of her eyes and gasped.

“What’s wrong?” asked Tubbo.

“Her hands!”

They all looked and saw that the skin of her arms had turned more black, going to her elbow now. Her hands were longer and more lanky, with the tips of her fingers and nails extending out more as claws.

“Her hair too!” noted Fundy as they also saw that her hair was longer, fluffier now with tiny strands curling upwards.

“Did you think she can shapeshift?” asked Tommy, eyes sparkling with wonder. He also noticed that Thea was a bit taller before, just as tall as Wilbur now (and regrettably taller than him).

“Maybe, it wouldn’t be the weirdest thing to happen” said Eret, “But right now, we should be quiet and let her sleep.”

The others nodded and left the room, Eret slowly softly closing the door and enveloping the sleeping girl in darkness.

If anyone was in the room, they could see her slightly glowing a pinkish-purple hue that would flicker every so often with silent mumblings and sniffles.

Chapter Text

“…how long is she going to sleep?”

“-it’s been days!”

“We can’t do anything Tommy”

“-the election is soon…Tommy would like it if you came to support us, so would I-“

“-I’ve been taking care of the bees, and the other animals too! Wilbur and Tommy have been taking care of themselves, or so I think they are. They’ve been staying in your home time to time-”

The first thing she came to notice was how stiff and heavy her body was. Her eyelids at first refused to open and it took all of her willpower for something to move. She tried to move so bad that at some point, something shifted-

Then there was a coolness and almost nothing-

Pain racked her entire body as she found herself on the floor of some place. She looked up at the tall ceilings, eyebrows furrowed in utter confusion. She had no idea where this place was and how she got there.

The creeping sensation of panic were starting to set in, as she shakingly got up. She looked around and everything was grand like she was in a castle. Taking note of the room, she noticed an empty bed that was disrupted and on the bedside were folded pieces of clothing.

A communicator laying on top.

Memories returned as she remembered what happened and she walked sluggishly towards the device. Eventually when she reached towards it, hand extended out, she noted her different her hand was. Her hand looked almost the same except her fingers were just a tad longer and extended forwards with claws.

Her hand carefully picked up the communicator (not noticing that her hand was bigger then usual) and saw a couple of messages. All from people she knew-

She noticed the date and a message from Tommy, Tubbo, and Wilbur. All saying today was the day and they would see her there.

This information was her wake up call when she realized how long she was out for. Then she noticed everything else. She was definitely in someone’s bed, in someone’s home. Everything was slightly off like she was just a tad bit taller. Her hands had claws now and her hair was a lot more wild and longer-

Her clothes she was wearing now were stretched out with tiny holes in them. She cursed as she glanced at the time, noting how much time was left till was left, before she looked at the clothes.

She hastily took off her clothes and begun to pull the new ones on. She hurriedly put them on, not noticing that some clothing items weren’t supposed to go together, before rushing out the door.

It took a few minutes but she managed to find a way out, faintly noting the huge infrastructure that was Eret’s place, and going past the grand walls. She ran down the path, faint memories of Tommy and Tubbo’s tour, as she approached the stage. It was already in full swing, noise radiating from where the event was taking place.

She jumped and climbed, parkouring her way through and found herself on top of an infrastructure, looking down. First her eyes landed on the people that were gathered around below as they all watched up at the stage, as she saw Wilbur on stage. She could see from afar the struggling composure on his face, his entire body radiating anger, disappointment-

The air was thick with tension and there was the hint of something worse brewing underneath.

“-Pog2020 got 45% of the popular vote, meaning the collation government of Schlatt and Swag2020 got 46% of the vote-“ sounds of eruptions came from the stands and the stage as Thea felt her chest constrict and her breath came out slowly and shaky. “-lades and gentlemen, on Tuesday the 26nd of September, Schlatt2020 has been inaugurated. Mr. JSchlatt-“

Thea heard ringing in her ears as she could feel the disappointment and shock and the radiating excitement from the new government. Thea watched Wilbur walk down the stage, noting how he was walking, and looked towards the new president and could feel the incoming hostility.

She didn’t hear much next as something in her screamed to get her weapon out. Her shield first came out before she got her close and long range weapons ready. Her crossbow readied with fireworks.

Fireworks to supposedly be used to celebrate.

But oh she knew they were dangerous if pointed at someone.

She saw Wilbur and Tommy joined the audience as Schlatt made his speech. “-This place will be a lot different tomorrow. Let’s start making it happen. My first decree as the president of L’manburge, THE EMPEROR of this great country! Is TO REVOKE! The citizenship of Wilbur Soot and Tommyinnit!”

Eruption of protest came from Niki and the side of Wilbur and Tommy. Thea hitched her breath as her body shook. Her eyes widened in horror, directly looking at Wilbur and Tommy’s shocked faces. She also saw the fear in their eyes as Thea felt her body got ready.

For what, she didn’t know.

“GET THEM OUT OF HERE! You’re not welcome here!” ordered Schlatt as some people of the stands got their weapons out and begun to stalk towards Tommy and Wilbur.

“Tommy run!” yelled Wilbur, the former president running as he pushed Tommy forwards.

Niki screamed as people begun to hunt Tommy and Wilbur and that’s when Thea felt her body move.

Her crossbow was pulled as she took aim and shot it towards the hunting group. It exploded briefly in dazzling sparkles that burnt. There were noises of confusion and screaming, everyone turned to the source of the fire, but she loaded her next shot and aimed it towards the stands.

She saw Wilbur and Tommy looking at her in awe? Surprise? Shock? Before she shot her firework at Schlatt, Quackity, and George. She aimed it just so it would not directly hit them if they moved away, but close enough to feel the burn.

They did move, Quackity pushing Schlatt away as George had instantly backed away. Small embers catching their clothes and she couldn’t help the desire to watch them burn. She loaded her next shot, seeing the hunters turning their own crossbows to her. She didn’t hesitate as she shot them, yelling “RUN YOU FOOLS!” to her friends and foe.

Everyone scrambled as someone had appeared where she was. She turned, her shield just up in time to block the attack, before her sword came out. She slashed and fought back, moving backwards as she took in her surroundings, trying to figure what she should do now.

She heard Schlatt laughs echoing through the air and it made her sick and so, so angry. She saw people surrounding her, Niki being held back by Eret as they wanted to help but they were so, so outnumbered to help her.

She nodded to them, hopefully telling them that it would be alright, and stood on the edge of the building, noting the drop. She let out a breath as the wind blew past her, unravelling her scarf as it fell behind her.

Despite being faced with weapons and enemies, she felt oddly…fine with it. She couldn’t help let out a laugh as an arrow shot out. There was pain and her body fell backwards. There were screams and yells but as they watched her fall to the ground. Air whizzed past her and over the edge of the building, she could see Niki and Eret’s faces, hands reached out as if they could grab her.

She smiled once more before she closed her eyes, her body going light and then there was nothing. She got the glimpse of the void that she had missed and her hand reached out. She could almost feel the void touch her fingers before she was lifted and then something pressed against her back.

Her entire sense of being was being jostled before she found herself lying on her pink bed. In her home.

She lay there, feeling the plush material underneath her body. She allowed herself to re-orient herself, her vision no longer seeing doubles. She wanted to throw up and the nausea became too hard to ignore, before she rushed up, threw the balcony open, before leaning over the side to do so.

She heaved as the pattering of wolf paws approached her. There were some noises of inquires before they felt reassuring hands on their heads. Thea took gulps of deep breaths, her sense of being re-oriented for the moment. She turned to the distance and saw L’manburg but she saw the walls being torn down. She grasped her scarf around her neck, a welcoming weight around her neck, and wheezed.

Her communicator pinged and she took it out, leaning against the balcony as her wolves pressed themselves against her sides.

The notification of Wilbur’s death made her nausea rise but there was nothing left in her. She glazed over the notification that she was shot but she didn’t recognize the name, so at least she was glad she wasn’t killed by those on the stage or by her friend. The center of her chest throbbed from the phantom pain of the arrow that lodged itself in her and she placed a hand on it, feeling her heartbeat.

She hurried to the message she received and saw it was Tommy. There were some from Tubbo, Niki, Fundy, and Eret (but she wondered if Wilbur was alright).

There were inquiries of where she was, was she alright, was she safe-

She wrote them all that she was safe and alive. Failsafe plans begun to form in her brain, on the chance they would storm her home for act of rebellion. Of course they would interrogate her, send her to jail, but after her stunt, her chances of being in the all clear were slim.

She begun to restock her ammo and taking the essentials to have on hand when her communicator went off. She flicked it in one hand, recognizing Tommy, as she picked it up and held it to her ear, her other hand still moving.

“Hi” breathed out Thea, still woozy.

“THEA! Are you okay?! Where are you?!”

“At home, fine. You?”

“Are you sure? You don’t sound-“

“Threw up, woozy. Tired” she grunted out, as she held the communicator to her ear with her shoulder, both hands crafting TnT.

“Oh”

“Are you and Wilbur safe?”

There was a shuddering breath and there was a moment before Tommy spoke back up.

“Yeah. Yeah. We’re outside from L’manburg. Far away but close enough.”

“Safe?” Thea asked as she begun to hide the TnT.

“Yeah. Yeah, we’re safe.”

“Good.”

“We’ll come and get you-“

“Don’t,” shushed Thea as she headed to her basement and into her mine. She was going to transfer stuff to her mining saferoom, just in case. “I don’t want you to take any chances, in case they’re going to hunt for you guys.”

“But-“

“Tommy. I want you and Wilbur to be safe. The less I know, the less I will compromise your safety.” Her voice turned quiet, the hidden message hopefully conveyed.

There was silence on the other end as Tommy spoke back quietly. “Don’t take their shit.”

Thea grinned, “Neither do you Tommy. Take care, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Goodbye Tommy. Until we meet again.”

“Don’t be depressing and sad and shit” croaked Tommy.

Thea chuckled as she cut off her end and took a shuddering breath. Her wolves barked behind her as she turned to them. On her knees, she begun to pet her wolves and bury her face into her fur. Their tongues licked her as she cooed at them. She silently thought how she got into the situation, but she didn’t have any regrets of the actions she did.

Her friends were safe. For now. That’s all that mattered.  Right now.

            Ticks went by before Thea felt centered enough. She smiled at her wolves, giving them one last pat, before continuing where she left off.

Some part of her hoped she would be free of the incoming scuffle, but some part of her expected that someone would have to go down in flames (and it wasn’t going to be her).

Chapter Text

It had been three days since the inauguration and the revoking of Wilbur and Tommy’s citizenship.

Since Schlatt came into power.

Thea spent those days preparing for the worst case scenario, and it was almost late afternoon when her communicator went crazy. She pulled it out and saw frantic messages from Tubbo.

Tubbo: Schlatt is coming.

Tubbo: I don’t think it’s going to be good.

Thea: Roger. Don’t worry. Be safe.

She sat in her seat and let out the best slow and controlled breath as she could. Her heart was beating like crazy as she reviewed the plans she made in her mind. She had her things on her. All her essentials. All the stuff she could move were moved, in between points.

She had set up failsafe plans, just in case, but the twisting in her gut told her that it would be unfoiled. She whistled to her wolves, who turned their heads towards her. “Time to hide” she told them as they barked. They followed her as she hid them, to be safe.

After that, she went back, did one more sweep, and placed her armour on, before laying down the pressure plate. Dusting herself off, she opened both double doors and sat back down in her chair in the main floor before sipping her tea. Waiting for the inevitable.

She was draining her pot of tea fast and she wanted to make a fresh pot. But depending how today went, the pot of tea would be wasted.

She heard them first before she saw them. Footsteps making their way up to her porch and she was in view as she saw a couple of figures walking up. She saw Quackity and Schlatt walking up front, with Tubbo lagging nervously behind…and Fundy? Her eyes zeroed in on Fundy, who walked with slighy confidence and purpose. A certain look in his eyes.

She sipped her tea to hide her skeptic eyes before gently lowering her cup down.

“Hello gentlemen, what brings you here?” she spoke from her chair, not looking at them. She was being rude while polite on purpose lol.

“You’re Thea right?” questioned Quackity. His tone not friendly but seemed like it.

“Yes. And you’re Quackity I presume?” she looked at Quackity from the side of her eye, before facing him forwards.

Quackity grinned and she rose an eyebrow, before she turned to Schlatt. The first thing she saw was how hammered the man was. She made a concerned and disbelief look at him, “Is…he…?” she pointed at him and looked at the rest. There were various looks of response but it was clear that he was indeed drunk.

There was a look of utter disbelief as her brain was trying to understand why before she shook her head.

“Back to business…” said Quackity as Schlatt reappeared conscious for that moment.

“Ah yes, business. I’ve heard from Fundy here that you are new here, right?”

Her eyes looked at Fundy who made eye contact with her. Ears and tail drooped slightly, eyes shifting.

“Pretty new” she affirmed, eyes returning back to the front.

“Can’t say I’ve heard anyone waking up from defeating a dragon to find themselves here.”

“Hmmm” she took a sip of her tea. “What business do you have? If you are here for pleasantries, it would be nice to be forewarned.”

“Straight to the point, I like that” said Schlatt as he folded his hands behind his back, bottle of alcohol still in hand. He sneered and Thea slowly got up, standing by her chair.

“We have an offer for you: join Manburg or be executed for your actions towards it.”

Thea hummed. “What wrongful actions have I committed to be executed, if I may ask?”

Quackity growled angrily. “You know what you did!”

Thea shrugged, gesturing with her arm in a casual dismissal. “Do I? As far as I know, I was protecting two individuals from being cruelly attacked immediately, people without any time to leave when their citizenships were revoked. Morally, I am in the right.”

Quackity’s anger grew as he stepped forward, “Listen here-“

“Speak to me like you are worthy of being vice-president. Or are you abusing your power?” she asked, pointing both questions to Quackity and Schlatt. The former flinched as Thea casually picked her tea back up, sipping it. “Show me some basic decency or my initial respect and decorum will be revoked.”

“You crafty bitch” laughed Schlatt and she didn’t miss how Tubbo and Fundy were looking at each other and her in nervousness.

“Call me on my bark, but do not forget I still have bite” grinned Thea. She didn't bother holding back her seething anger and taunt.

Quackity took out his weapon and armor on, Thea quietly put hers on as she listened to him speak. “You’re coming with us!”

“No, I don’t think so. Not without a fight that is. If you don’t want to get hurt, step back” she said, turning her head to aim those words towards Tubbo. She saw him widen his eyes and took several step backs, grabbing Fundy by the scruff his neck with him.

Quackity charged at Thea and blocked his attacked with her shield. She stepped onto the pressure plate and let Quackity continue to hammer his attacks on her. Then they heard the hissing sounds and Quackity looked over at her with widened eyes.

She let a wild look on her face to appear before slamming her shield back to throw him off balance. Her sword swung, Quackity predictably shielding himself as Thea booked for it. Just as she entered the stairwell of her basement, the explosions were going off in succession. She heard yelling and swearing behind her as the nervous energy that was building were released with unhinged laughter.

She continued to laugh manically as she ran into her mine shaft, leaving nothing but explosions, dust, and craters behind her.

Ears were ringing from the explosion but also from the adrenaline. She ran and ran through her winding tunnels, blocking it off occasionally before coming to a cave. She ran around the corner to her half-way point where her ‘bunker’ was.

She approached the door, slowly her footsteps and catching her breath as she opened it. Inside her wolves were waiting for her. They’re tails wagged in excitement as they walked over to her and checked on her. She smiled as she sat on her bed, taking this moment to relax.

Her communicator was going off like crazy but she let it, using that moment to eat and replenish her energy. She let her wolves lick her fingers clean, wiping it dry on her clothes, before feeding her dogs next. While they ate, she checked her messages. There were frantic messages ( a common one of late). Some from Niki and Eret who heard and saw the explosions from where they were, asking if she was safe and what had happened.

Some from Tubbo who updated her on the situation, where unfortunately Schlatt and Quackity did not get caught up in the blasts. Tubbo and Fundy were however safe and fine, albeit shocked at what just happened.

Then there were some from Tommy and Wilbur?

Tommy: WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?! WHAT HAPPENED?!????!!!!

Thea: Schlatt and Quackity. They came with Tubbo and Fundy and tried to take me in. Quackity attacked me first and I blew up my house to escape.

Tommy: ARE YOU OKAY?!

Thea: I’m fine. And safe. Currently hiding underground with my wolves.

Thea switched to messages of Wilbur who was asking similar questions but in a more calmer way.

Wilbur: Are you okay? What happened?

Thea: I’m fine and safe. Schlatt and Quackity came over and long story short, pleasantries went sour and I blew my house up to escape.

There were a few seconds of silence before the next message were a series of coordinates. She stared at it, bewildered, before she let out a breath and steeled herself. She checked her coordinates and begun to make her way over.

She took her tunnels to get to the outside. Her wolves covered her blind spots as she kept glancing at the coordinates. She reached an area as she dug into the earth, before coming across a little room and a stairway down. Covering her tracks, she made her way down to a ravine and noticed all the torches.

She stood there, glancing around before she let out a song. It was a random tune, with no lyrics or whatever, but it did the trick. The song echoed throughout the ravine, bouncing off the walls and travelling across the air.

As the final notes of the song disappeared, there were footsteps approaching her. She turned with her hand on her sword, just in case, when she saw Tommy sliding out of godknows where.

He had the look of utter disbelief and then excitement when it registered who it was. He gawked at her for a moment, and only ran over when Thea grinned and held her arms open. She somewhat regretted it as she felt the full force of the hug, but when she felt the arms cling to her, Tommy sputtering in excitement, the look of relief on his face-

Thea smiled and hugged him back, nodding and responding what she could. She looked as Wilbur was walking towards her, a smile on his face and in a different outfit in general. She smiled in greeting and nodded. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw another figure, much larger in form walking just a few ways behind, analyzing her. Observing her. See if she was a foe or friend.

As soon Tommy let go of her, she found herself adjusting her sword to be behind her. Not easily accessible to kill someone quickly. The stranger noticed her change and there was a slight regard.

“You made it” said Wilbur they both had a hug. Thea wasn’t sure if there was a hidden message behind it. She made it here, but she also made it safely?”

“Yeah, gotta run away with the boys now huh?” she smirked as Tommy whooped. She snorted at him before turning to Wilbur. “How are you all holding up?”

“We’re fine” currently replied Wilbur and she saw the swirling darkness in his eyes. Thea patted his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“You’re alive. Anything is possible now” she smiled, but her eyes kept noticing the other figure behind Wilbur but tried to be polite.

Wilbur finally noticed and widened his eyes, his face lighting up. “Oh! You wouldn’t know who he is! Technoblade, this is Thea. Thea, this is-“

“THE BLADE!” roared Tommy as Wilbur let out a curse and Technoblade leaned back as if it physically hurt him. Thea thought that she was going to have to experience this daily but smiled good naturedly.

She waved at Technoblade, “Hi, nice to meet you.”

“Hullo-“ he greeted back and Thea had so much to take in. First was his appearance of his regal attire, then his height and size, and then his face. There was a giant boar skull as a mask where eyes stared behind the depths of the eye sockets. She could see actual pig features underneath but she also noted how nice the braid his long pink hair was.

 She heard the word “Hybrid” spoken by Tubbo echoed in her mind as Tommy was talking excitedly next to her. “-The blade is now going to be on our side and we’re going to win this!”            

“So, we’re binding our time then?” she clarified.

Wilbur nodded, “Yeah. You’re welcome to stay here in Pogtopia.”

Thea nodded as she turned to Technoblade, “I guess I’ll help out with the materials. Should I grind here or just continue back in my own mine?”

“Doesn’t matter. The more resources we get, the better” he said.

Thea nodded as she let out a huff. “Well I have stuff on hand right now, so I’ll just put these stuff down. I have more back in my bunker, so I’ll take some trips soon.”

Tommy cheered and Thea chuckled, listening to him chatter. He led her to where they were sleeping and Thea made her own room right nearby. She begun to carve a little nook for herself and laid down another pink bed. She begun to set some personal stuff down before making the entrance of her nook a bit more aesthetically pleasing. She made the frame of the nook out of wood and then placed a door, because she wanted some privacy at least.

As she left out of her newly acquired nook, she came almost face to face with Technoblade; hand raised to about to knock.

“Oh!-“

“Uh-“

There was a pregnant pause that was on the verge of being awkward as Thea spoke up, “Uh, so is there anything you need?”

Techno gathered himself, speaking in his usual drawl. “Are you going to fight?”

“I don’t know if there’s been an official declaration but I’m assuming we’re at war. Fighting is going to be inevitable.”

Techno nodded as he rested his arm on his sword. “Do you know how to fight?”

Thea crossed her arms and hung her head back, sighing. “Uhhhhhhhh, look I can fight in the sense that I won’t die from mobs and can defend, but- did the guys say anything about me?”

“Nothing much really.”

Thea nodded, “Alright, alright. Uh, how pressed for time are you? Cause this is some basic info of me.”

Techno tilted his head in questioning while trying to ignore chat’s ramblings.

Lore? LORE? LORE-

“I have some time.”

“Then, better sit down for some tea” said Thea as she invited Techno in. He ducked his head and found himself somewhat pleasantly surprised that there was enough room for him to stand and walk around. Thea quickly made some tea and offered Techno a cup, who took it politely. He watched her sit upon the crafting table and she took a sip, as if it was her liquid courage.

“I literally woke up here almost a month ago, I think, and I have no idea how I got here.”

“Wha-“

Techno listened to her story while taking- a tentative sip of the tea to be polite, but almost spat it out.

“Wait, wait what? What kind of lore is that?”

Thea groaned, slapping her hand over her eyes as she threw her head back. “I don’t know. I really don’t know. I got partial memory loss? And I haven’t had time to unravel that because got to relearn how the world works again, then there’s this whole thing-“

“Bruuh.”

“Bruh is right” agreed Thea before she ran her hands over her face and looked at Techno with a look of exasperation. “So yeah, I don’t know where I stand in skills at the moment. If you’re talking sword fight and stuff, I have some experience but you’re going to have to be judge of that.”

Techno nodded as he got up, going out to leave. Thea showed him out and before he left, he turned to her and spoke. “How do you feel about this war?”

Thea crossed her arms and leaned against the doorway, sighing. “Two things come to mind. ‘Subdue the enemy without fighting’ and what was it, ‘The greatest victory is a one that requires no battle’? I hope we don’t have to actual fight but…I expect it’ll happen.”

Techno stared at her for a moment before nodding.

“G’day.”

Thea nodded and waved him goodbye, “See you around Technoblade.” She watched him walk down, his red cape fluttering in the air as he did before yawning, thinking what she could do next.

 Lore?! Who’s she? SUS. Was that a Sun Tzu quote? SUN TZU SEND THEY WISDOM! Kill her for Enderpearl!

“Chat, we are not killing her. She’s not an Endermen either. Also those are similar Sun Tzu quotes” muttered Techno. Wilbur and Tommy had gone off doing somewhere and Tehcno was onto his next task. As he got ready to grind, he wondered about the newest member with chat going off in his head for company.

            Thea spent her time setting up a little kitchen or a general living part of Pogtopia. She was slightly concerned at the organization of the area or how the boys were living up to this point, but she reasoned with herself that it was very early into Pogtopia’s establishment.

She made it underneath the stairway, and dug a huge cavern. She set up several smokers and furnaces, chests and barrels for food and items, and a little eating area. She wasn’t sure how many people were here or would be here, but it would be nice to sit together and eat.

(even if it might not be often or if there’ll be anyone either)

She had just set up some cauldrons filled with water for whatever purposes. As she looked at the amount of counterspace, she realized she could set up brewing stands and have it on hand.

“What’s this?!”

“An eating and living area” replied Thea to Tommy, not bothering to look as she finished setting a few things. “Look you guys may live in a ravine but it doesn’t mean we have to live like it.” She leaned against the island as Tommy looked around with wide sparkling eyes.

“This is nice!”

Thea hummed, “Right? I want to get some carpet around here, a bit more lights, and stuff. I know we’re going to be scattered a bit so I hope having this place is a sort of a place where everyone knows that everyone is here? Maybe some shared mealtimes or just have food here on hand.”

“Can we have a jukebox here?” questioned Tommy as Thea looked around.

“Uh, once I make the ‘living area’ a bit more bigger then yeah.”

“Yes!”

“I should put some plants here, to livin up the space” commented Thea as she stuffed a couple of potatoes in the smoker. She walked over and had her pickaxe in hand as Tommy joined by her side.

“You joining?”

“Uh yeah? The Big Man is gladly taking some time to help you!”

Thea let the corner of her mouth quirk up into a half-smile, letting out a cackle. “Alright, I’m honoured. Now, let’s start digging.”

Tommy whooped as they both begun to dig a larger section for the living area. Thea listened to Tommy talk about everything and anything and she listened, using Tommy as background noise. Eventually, they also made a high ceiling, several blocks tall enough for Techno to walk more comfortable before they went about setting the furniture.

Tommy ran back and forth, bringing Thea materials to craft before joining in. Four pair of hands worked faster than anticipated and there was a nice little place. There were also pots in place for plants and other accessories to be liven up the place with Tommy finishing up by placing a jukebox.

“This is pretty pog” said Tommy, smiling at the place.

Thea placed her hands on her hips and grinned. “Yup and with time to spare. Thanks for the help Tommy, appreciate it.”

 Tommy grinned at her as they turned to the kitchen, “What’s for dinner?”

“For now, some cooked steak with a side of baked potatoes. I didn’t bring other ingredients with me at the moment and it’ll be some time before I can find a place to make a farm-“

“Don’t worry about the potatoes.”

The two turned to see Techno walking into the room with Wilbur behind him, who looked in awe.

“What’s this place?” Wilbur questioned in awe, “You guys did this?”

“Tommy helped me making the living area,” smiled Thea, “I wanted to make a sort of kitchen and living area here. We might be hidin in a ravine but it doesn’t mean we can’t have some comfort. Even if we’re scattered, this place can act as a sort of convening area to eat or just relax.”

Wilbur nodded, appreciating the area as Wilbur sat at the table. Thea looked at Techno who was standing to inspect the area. “it’s pretty rough so I’ll make it better later. You got enough room Technoblade?”

“Heh? Uh… yeah, it’s pretty roomy.”

“Good, it would be pretty bad to hit your head constantly” she noted before grabbing plates to serve the food, “What do you mean by the potatoes?”

Tommy and Wilbur snickered as Techno gave her the most serious look. “Don’t question it.”

Thea looked at him bewildered before she raised her hands, “Ah yes, never give your secrets; never know when you want to bamboozle someone” she said before serving them dinner. They ate and chatted among themselves and at that moment, they were more focused on the company they were keeping then the brewing tension.

Chapter Text

“Hey Thea, now that I see it, what the fuck are you wearing?”

She turned to Tommy with the look of utter confusion and looked at her clothes. “Uh, what?”

“Your clothes! They’re all so random!”

Thea looked at her outfit and on one hand, she could see it but on the other hand, it was comfy. She still wore her black turtleneck and leggings but on top of it was a sweater and skirt that went to her knees. She still wore her turquoise poncho and her cloak-turned-scarf but she had taken off for Techno’s training.

“Ah,” said Thea as she remembered. Her fingers snapped rapidly as if it was firing the neurons in her brain. “When I literally woke up in that place, the clothes were there and I just put that on because I was late for the whole election thing. Now I realize it, I’ve just been wearing this whole time since.”

“Seriously?”

Thea shrugged as she took another gulp of water before stretching. Her muscles were groaning with disuse and even though it had been almost two months since she arrived in this world, this was the first time in a while since they’ve been pushed to the limit.

Thea chatted with Tommy a bit more before he managed to weasel out of training. Wilbur used that excuse to also move onto other things, Thea faintly calling them goodbye and she would leave food out soon.

Thea picked up her sword, feeling its weight, and looked over to Techno who was still moving around; doing some drills. She saw that the bone mask was taken off, revealing his face to be have pig-like. His snout was scrunched up in intensity and Thea just sat on her hunches, watching him move.

It was mesmerizing to watch and it wasn’t too long when Techno stopped, his body twitching with adrenaline. His ears flickered before turning towards her, realizing she hadn’t left yet.

“You’re still here?”

 Thea stood back up and stretched. “Yup.”

“Why?”

“Just wanna” she replied.

“Hm.” Techno looked off to the side, occupied in his thoughts, and Thea noticed his hand adjusting his grip on his sword as if he was debating something.

“You still wound up?”

“Heh?”

Thea gestured to him as Techno huffed. “I suppose. I expected to do a few more drills but I guess Tommy and Wilbur had other ideas.”

Thea hummed before she did her leg stretches. “I can go for a few more minutes” she noted.

Techno turned to her and rose a skeptical eyebrow. “Can you?”

Thea stood up and twirled her sword in circles and arcs, becoming familiar with the weight of it. “It’ll be good experience. Even if I’m going to end up like a pulp” she said before taking position. “Just don’t go lethal.”

Techno’s mouth quirked up a little before he nodded, and they both took their own stances. Swords and shields ready. There was a pause of silence and they both felt the tension snap before they begun to move around each other. They took note of each other before Thea moved first, charging with her sword and jumping up.

Techno used his shield to block and push her back, swatting at her with the training sword. She saw it coming and leaned away from it as best as she could, feeling herself falling backwards. She let it happen and felt her body do a flip before finding herself back on her feet, and taking off low to the ground.

Techno swung at her and she rolled, rising up while slicing her sword up. Techno backed away and his shield just came back up in time to block Thea’s leg that had came up to kick to the side.

Thea fumbled a bit, her balance disrupted and she stuttered a bit to get back on her footing. Techno raised his sword to attack and Thea yelped, her wrist turning oddly to use her sword to block the attack before she pushed and turned.

Techno grinned as chat went off in his head. Thea shook her arms out, jittery and feeling shudders. Her brain was fizzling and in turn, particles started to flutter out. He rose his eyebrow at the sight quizzically but returned his attention.

Thea and Techno charged once more, getting into more and more and even when their swords broke, their fists immediately started flying to hand to hand combat. A leg was swiped to knock her off balance and Thea felt herself fall backwards, yelping as she did.

She almost landed on her back if not a hand grabbing her arm and pulling her back up. Thea felt her entire world shake and that showed as she stood up, no longer steady on her feet.

“Whoa, whoa you okay?” asked Techno, keeping a steady grip on her shoulder and her hand clamped on his for extra support.

“I…think? Nope, sit. Gotta sit-“

Techno helped her carefully sit back down on the ground, his hands keeping her top half steady as Thea looked around wildly, before closing her eyes and hung her head. She breathed out heavily and slowly, gritting her teeth.

There were a few tense seconds before Thea felt her equilibrium settle back to normal. Her eyes opened back up, no longer seeing doubles, before her pinks eyes met with Techno’s red ones.

“I’m good now” she stated and released her hold on Techno, “Thanks.”

“What happened?” releasing on hand before he too sat on the ground next to her.

Thea readjusted her seating as she let out a slow breath. “No idea. Maybe just a lot? Haven’t got time to properly get back into gear I guess.”

“Ah yes, living the hermit life does that” said Techno.

Thea barked out a laugh, “That’s one way to put it! I’m an introvert so finding myself forcibly and unknowingly living a hermit life doesn’t work with sudden being thrusted into the open world and dealing with excitement.”

“Cringe”

“Cringe indeed.”

There was a pause of silence before Techno offered her some water. She nodded her thanks and took a gulp, sighing in relief.

“Well despite being pulled out your retirement, you move and fight fine.”

“Do I? Feels clunky.”

“Oh yeah it is”

“Hey!”

“But what I’m saying is despite the fact you said you’ve been probably stuck for 10 years, you act like you’ve had some stuff to get back into things.”

Thea looked at Techno and saw his skepticism. She placed her cheek on her hand and sighed. “Honestly, you’re not wrong. I haven’t told the others about this yet but I do have some memories, well glimpses of it to be exact, that don’t match up from when I was 13.”

 “Heh?”

“Feel like listening to some conspiracy?”

“Hmmm, consider myself interested.”

Thea smiled before it dropped. She begun to tell him about her being in the End city, memories and the voices of a figure who she couldn’t remember the name of it, bits of words that man said to her and how did it all fit. The dragon’s roar that seemed to double as if there were more than one dragon, and her falling into the void.

“The thing is, I can remember his features but his face and name keep eluding me. And I don’t know how I know these things? Like all these things new things should have me struggling to get used to but like it’s like I knew about them, not from experience but from another source, so-“

“It’s like you had second hand information already.”

Thea nodded.

“Yeah. Which doesn’t make sense logically? Unless I somehow absorbed the knowledge of the universe in the void and it’s just in my subconscious, I’m stumped.”

“Hmmm, and you say that this man appears frequently in your memories?”

“Sort of? I know he’s not my brothers or anyone from that time, but he feels…he’s important to me? Like he was someone like a friend?”

Techno hummed, wondering how Thea knew Phil. Even if it was Phil to begin with. It sounded like Phil but he didn’t want to jump into any conclusions without further information (or until he could completely trust Thea). Then there was the matter with Wilbur too.

“Well, I guess some plot thing will happen and unlock some secret lore” noted Techno as he got up. Thea copied him before she went to put on her poncho and cloak-turned scarf. Techno was putting back his red cape and crown on, before noticing that her scarf.

His eyes widened in surprise as he recognized it looking just like an Elytra, even if it was damaged a bit. He couldn’t analyze it any longer as Thea had put it around her neck and she noticed his stare.

“What?”

“That scarf…where did you…?”

“Oh this? I woke up with it. It looks too damage to wear as intended but it feels…important. Sentimental value I guess.”

Techno slowly nodded as Chat was going crazy. He ignored them as Thea clapped her hands together and grinned. “Well I’ll see you around Techno. Going to mine a bit, work the communal area a bit more, and I’ll also cook some food for everyone to either eat together or just grab. Whatever you guys are hungry I guess.”

Techno nodded as Thea turned, “Bye Technoblade, thanks for the training! It was fun even if it hurts!”

Techno scoffed and rolled his eyes, wondering if he should be polite and say goodbye too, but Thea had already left.

Was that an Elytra!? HOW?! CHEATS! STEAL IT AND THEN WE CAN HAVE THE TECHNOPLANE. TECHNNOPLANE.

Techno grumbled but couldn’t help agreeing with chat. That scarf looked awfully close to an Elytra and he’ll only know for sure if he gotten a better look at it. If it was what it is, then that was an important asset. How she appeared with an elytra when spawning in this world was a question that couldn’t be answered but-

“Chat, there’s no need to steal it. I could just ask her and she’ll most likely let me see it.”

BORING. LAMMME-

            “Heeyyyyyy-“             

Thea turned to Tommy who had suddenly appeared in room. He would’ve opened the door wide open to announce his presence if Thea hadn’t already left it open.

“Hey Tommy” she greeted back, setting her tools down to turn to greet the boy.

Tommy saw her holding a medium sized canvas and saw all the art supplies that were being organized.

“What’cha doing?”

“Some drawing, felt kind of inspired and motivated” she said.

“POG! Can I see?” Tommy asked as he leaned closer to see her sketchbook.

Thea handed it to her and waved her hand, “Go ahead” she said as she grabbed her canvas that she managed to obtain. She set it on her makeshift table easel, making sure it was secure. She mentally thanked Techno for the help who helped her after he saw her trying to craft something outside of the manual.

She also off-handedly wondered if she should go to him again for a full easel, but put that aside as she begun to check her paints. Her fingers were already covered with the black soot of the charcoal as she begun to draw the outlines on the canvas, looking at the sketches every so often.

“Wait, wait, is this me?!”

Thea pulled her hand away as she flinched, sighing in relief that she didn’t create a huge unwanted mark.

“What?” asked Thea, turning in her seat as Tommy gawked at the page. She peered over and saw the sketches she had done of Tommy. They were quick and weren’t as composed as she liked since the boy didn’t stay still for long but it was good practice. There were also a couple of headshots and sketches of Tommy, some in more great detail than others.

“Oh yeah, yeah that’s you.”

Tommy’s eyes looked at with amazement but also touched that she took the time to draw him. (It also sort of made his ego inflate).

“Since when?” asked Tommy as he flipped before his hand stopped at a page. He saw Tubbo’s face and he felt his heart clench at the face of his friend, and he lightly touched it. Thea saw the page and ignored it as she spoke.

“For a while I guess, hope that’s alright” she said, giving an apologetic smile.

“No, no! It’s great! I…I didn’t know” he said, realizing the picture of Tubbo was paired with him, another scene of them which was much smaller but were clearly playing around.

Thea turned to her canvas and fiddled with the charcoal, spreading more soot onto her hands. She stared at it, deciding if the outlines were enough and wondered what part of the paint to go on first.

“Drawing people when they don’t realize they’re being drawn is the most natural state. It’s like comparing a photo when you know you’re being captured and one when you don’t. Plus, it’s hella less pressuring and awkward.”

Tommy cackled as he carefully flipped the next page before he saw what was on the canvas. “Wait, is that a portrait or something?”

Thea smiled knowingly, “Yup”

“Who’s that? Is that me?” a bit of hope rising in him.

“This one? No”

Tommy’s face fell as Thea hurriedly continued, “You’re next though. Honestly I’ll be painting two canvases interchangeably to allow them to dry and I don’t waste the paints that I already set out.”

“Wait, what-“ Tommy stuttered but stopped as he saw Thea turned around and grab another canvas that already had some mixtures of outlines and paint already placed on it. Now he saw it, he knew.

“Wait…that’s me?”

Thea handed him the canvas and his hands shakingly reached out to it, grasping it carefully.

“Don’t worry, the paint is practically dry” said Thea, as she leaned back into her chair. “And yeah, that’s you. Hopefully it’s recognizable in the end.”

“I didn’t know you already…why?”

Thea leaned against her chair, arms crossed over each other, eyebrow raised as her head tilted to the side in confusion.

“Remember? When I said I would do portraits of you guys.”

“But…we didn’t win-“

“I was going to do this anyway, regardless if you guys won or not. Besides,” Tommy looked away from the painting and at Thea who looked at him with a grin. “I want to remember my friends.”

Tommy felt his eyes prickle as he cleared his throat loudly to hide it. “I mean, of course you would want to remember the great Tommyinnit!”

Thea cackled as she turned to pick up her brush, “Yeah, that too.”

Tommy carefully set down the canvas to the side as he looked at the other canvas. “Wait, if that’s not me then-“

“Wilbur.”

Tommy grinned, “Hey, what if we gave him a moustache-“

“Oh hell no-“

            Thea laid on her bed, haven gotten to sleep like usual. Despite the energy consuming day, she closed her eyes one moment and woke up energized. It didn’t last long like she had just blinked and just felt rested.

Thea sighed in annoyance, knowing it was one of those days that she was just up. She looked off to the sides and saw Fenrir and Lupa curled right beside her, fallen asleep deeply. Carefully getting up, her wolves blearily woke up and she shushed them, patting them back to sleep before they huffed and went to sleep.

She sighed and tugged on her boots on, before grabbing a lantern to go outside. Maybe she should make a cup of warm milk mixed with honey or some tea.

Walking towards the communal area, Thea heard footsteps. She looked towards it, wondering who it is and saw an overcoat fluttering around the corner. Curious, Thea begun to follow, her hand unconsciously going to her sword to be safe. She walked up the steps, careful not to fall from the side, before coming up to the exit of their base. She opened it and closed it back up, noticing Wilbur looking off into the distance towards L’manburg. Or now Manburg.

She carefully walked forwards and the light was enough to announce her presence. Wilbur turned around abruptly, thinking it was an enemy. He felt his heart jump as he saw the glowing pink eyes, thinking it was an Endermen but the light from the lantern showed Thea’s face.

“Oh it’s you” sighed Wilbur in relief.

Thea held up her hands up in a peaceful gesture (her finger easily holding the handle of the lantern up).

“Sorry. Woke up and went to get a drink and saw you.”

Wilbur nodded as Thea walked forwards, sitting beside him. The lantern placed by her side.

“Can’t sleep?” asked Wilbur after a moment of silence.

“Eh, sort of. More like one of my weird sleep cycles” she replied honestly.

“What?”

“So you know how I was in the void or something?”

He nodded.

“Well, I know I mostly slept for gods knows how long, barely conscious. I think it sort of messed up my sleep cycle or my sleeping capability. There are days that I just can’t sleep or just sleep one moment and wake up fully rested in like an hour or so. All totally fine and running.”

“Sounds like insomnia but without the negatives. If only I had something like that” chuckled Wilbur, feeling jealous at that ability.

Thea shrugged, “Probably then again, it’s annoying since I don’t know how it happens or when it happens. Also, there are days were I have just gotten to sleep and wake up a few days later.”

“What? Like you just hibernate?”

Thea grunted. “It happened once or twice so far. Once out of total accident which I don’t what happened but something did to tire me out. The second time was when I just collapsed and woke up in time for the election.”

“That’s….”

Thea nodded, cutting that part off. She gripped the grass in nervousness. “If I hadn’t waken up in time…I wouldn’t been there for you guys.”

There was a tense moment that fell onto them. There was no conversation between them as they sat there, staring at Manburg, with the night sky above them. There were crickets in the air among other nightly creatures.

“I never said thank you.”

Thea turned to him as he glanced at her. “At the election. When Schlatt revoked Tommy’s and I’s citizenship and everyone begun to turn to us, I knew we had to run but there wasn’t enough time to. Then there you just come swooping in, firing off fireworks and-“ Wilbur laughed, “I saw you shooting Schlatt and Quackity and George and their faces were hilarious!” his smile dropped, “then despite it all, I ran away while you had to fight them off. I still got shot to death but then when Tommy and I checked, we got the notification that you too got shot but we couldn’t-“

Thea placed her hand on Wilbur’s shoulder, clamping it as he jumped. She rubbed his shoulder comfortingly, loosely resting her hand between his shoulder blades and pressed herself just a bit closer to Wilbur. Grounding him.

“You two still got out. It was pretty much odd numbers anyway but as long you guys were alive, that’s all that matters. Tommy’s here. You’re here. You’re alright. Safe.”

Wilbur nodded, sighing and let himself lean against Thea. She let him, her arm reaching up to rub his head, Wilbur laughing quietly under his breath. Thea grinned but didn’t say anything as they continued that way.

Thea felt herself humming and Wilbur closed his eyes, listening to it unconsciously.

“ I look at you all
See the lover that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps

Still my guitar gently weeps

I don't know why nobody told you
How to unfold your love
I don't know how someone controlled you
They bought and sold you

I look at the world
And I notice it's turning
While my guitar gently weeps
With every mistake
We must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps”

Wilbur felt his eyes slowly droop with tiredness, his body succumbing to sleep. His mind was still stirring with thoughts but they were being quieted. His body was too heavy to move now and felt himself lying down onto something soft.

Thea continue to sing, humming between words. Although it wasn’t perfect, it was enough.

He let himself close his eyes, letting himself drift off just for a moment. Thea continued to sing off the song, going quieter and quieter before shrugging off her poncho. She also took off her cloak-scarf, folding it to make a makeshift pillow and placed it under Wilbur’s head, on top of her leg. The poncho was draped over Wilbur as a blanket. Her hand carefully and gently carded through his hair, gently patting his head as she sung another song as the man below her finally slept. She looked, seeing the beginnings of dark bags. His face no longer haunted and was at peace.

Thea looked forwards, the moon already half way past. Dawn would rise but it would be sometime until Techno and Tommy would come to look for Thea, to only see her quietly press her finger to her small smile. Eyes twinkling.

There they would see a sleeping Wilbur and when Techno dragged Tommy away, to only later see Wilbur and Thea come down after a period of time; the tips of the former’s ears flushed red, they acted as nothing had happened.

If they noticed that Wilbur laughed and talked more like usual, if they noticed that Wilbur spent more time engaged with them, if they noticed Wilbur picking up his guitar and sing once more, eyes glancing at Thea who also sung quietly under her breath- both smiling,

Well, that was only for them and no one else.

Chapter Text

            “Theaaaaaaaaaaa-”

Thea let out a huff, tired and wired. She had just spent some time mining and gathering resources. Then to her dismay, the organization and space of Pogtopia was starting to get out of control; thus, she also spent more time organizing everything. If anything it was to ease her sanity.

“What is it Tommy?” she asked, turning to the blond who seemed to miraculously appear out of nowhere.

“I’m borreeedddd” he groaned, slumping against a chest.

Thea rose an eyebrow at him, “uhhh, can’t help you there?”

“Pleeasseee, there’s nothing to do. Wilbur is ignoring me and Technoblade is off doing whatever the fuck he’s doing.”

“Must you curse?” Thea chided, rolling her eyes.

“What, are you Badboyhalo? I do it all the time woman!”

“I-, wait Badboyhalo?”

“Oh yeah, you still don’t know everyone here” said Tommy as he seemed to brighten as he had something to do. “So he’s another player and he’s a demon, but like he’s super uptight and polite, and doesn’t like when we curse like “fuck” and “shit” and always yells out “language!” whenever he hears anyone swear. He’s also super close and best friends with this guy named Skeppy.”

Thea took a moment to absorb that information as she finished sorting the chest, “I-, alright, I guess that’s nice to know more people on this server but also- how does me telling you to mind your language make me like him?”

“Just because.”

Thea stared at him before taking a deep breath and sighed, rubbing her temples. “Alright, alright. Anyways, don’t you have stuff you need to do?”

Tommy kicked one of the many rocks that was lying around. “Not really? I don’t want to train and I can’t hang out with Tubbo, not to mention we’re fuckin fugitives so-“

Thea stared ahead as she tried to think of what the boy would like to do. Being fugitives didn’t help in their list of activities they could do, or else draw attention to them too early. It also didn’t help that Tommy was not the time to stay low and quiet either in their little ravine.

She turned to the boy as she leaned against the chest, “well, I need to take Lupa and Fenrir for a bit of a walk, wanna join me in a bit of a trek?”

Tommy perked up as he grinned. “An adventure?!”

“Sort of? I need to go back to my bunker and grab some stuff now things have cooled down. On the way I need to search some stuff for personal reasons.”

“I’m in! When do we go?!” Tommy cheered as he buzzed with barely restrained energy.

Thea had barely reached her energy to go out but if she didn’t go now, Tommy would explode. “We can go now” she said, sighing to herself but smiled when she saw the boy cheer. He ran ahead up the stairs, disappearing but reappeared quickly with her wolves.

Thea just smiled as she quickly checked her inventory before following Tommy as they all went outside. The stark contrast of the dim interior of their ravine to the sunny world was harsh but all the more welcomed.

She took in a deep breath, taking in the clean air compared to Pogtopia’s stale and wet air. Tommy was yelling at her from the distance for her to hurry up and she hummed before walking over to Tommy. Fenrir stuck to her side as Lupa took her side to Tommy’s.

The boy rambled on and on and Thea listened, occasionally inserting words while also occasionally telling Tommy to tone down his volume. On the way, Thea collected whatever flower she saw and soon saw Tommy doing the same.

Thea silently directed Tommy around Manburg’s perimeter as they made their way to where her house had stood. They went through the trees and as they broke through, there it was.

Tommy’s voice went silent as he stared at the crater. Thea stood next to him and she glanced over to look at his face. His eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly agape in shock. She saw the conflicting emotions flying by his eyes and his face had gone slightly pale; as if realizing the magnitude of her actions. The severity of the situation.

Thea gently placed a hand on his shoulder and turned to her ‘work’. As expected, the amount of TnT she placed had created a deep hole and if she peered enough, she could see the beginning of her tunnel but only because she knew where it lead. Otherwise, it was just a deep hole, with only a few blocks that was the remnant of her house.

Of her existence.

There were a few cows and sheep rolling around, and she fathomed that those were of her herds.

“What the fuck” said Tommy as he looked at her, “why?”

Thea clenched her jaw, “it was probably excessive but honestly, I wasn’t probably at my sanest of minds” she admitted.

“Is there anything even left here?” Tommy asked, gesturing to the crater.

“We can harvest some of the meat here and all that, but otherwise I’m going to lead to  you where my bunker is.”

Tommy slowed nodded as they descended into the open. Not long had they stepped a few ways out of the cover of the trees, there was a voice.

“Well, well, who do we have here?”

Tommy froze and scowled as Thea immediately took out her sword. Fenrir and Lupa took their sides as they all turned to the voice.

There stood a person who wore a green hoodie and a white mask with a smiley face on it. He took on a casual form but as Thea looked at Tommy who was tense. Thea turned back to the stranger and kept her hand on her sword but tried to be loose.

“Tommy, nice to see you again” greeted Dream.

“Dream, what are you doing here?” questioned Tommy who stuck closer to Thea.

“Oh, just walking around. What about you? Should you really be so close to Manburg?” a taunt to his tone.

“Fuck you Dream, I’m a Big man and I can do whatever I want!”

“Oh yeah? Even if it means risking you and your friend here being dragged to Schlatt?”

Tommy bristled and step forward, Thea immediately grabbing the back of his shirt to pull him back and close. “Fuck you Dream!”

“Tommy, shh” Thea tried to whisper but Dream saw it.

“I’m sure Schlatt won’t have a problem with me dealing with your friend here, who appeared out of nowhere.”

Tommy tensed further as Thea gripped her sword but stared at him. “First of all, who are you?”

“That’s my question” said Dream, his elbow resting on his own sword. “After all, I don’t recall you ever being on the list and how you mysteriously appeared.”

Thea huffed and shrugged, looping an arm around Tommy’s shoulder as she dropped her arms. “I take it you’re the admin or some sort? Either way, if you figure out how I got here, do tell. Even if I wanted to tell you how I came here, I don’t have any clue.”

“Oh?”

Thea nodded, dragging Tommy closer who protested but she cut him off by talking forward.

 “I feel like a broken record but basically long story short, last thing I remember is fighting the Ender dragon with my brothers, then there was light and then darkness. Next thing I know, I wake up alone here far away and have to relearn everything with practically no idea what’s up and down. Look, I didn’t know there were other players until like, really recently.”

Dream stared at her, “Wait what?” there was a short laugh then cough- and although Thea couldn’t see his expression, she got the feeling he was curious, doubtful, but more importantly interested; but at least not interested in taking her in (or Tommy).

Thea shrugged, “It’s the truth.”

“So why are you with Tommy then?”

“Well,” Thea thought as Tommy looked at her with worry and was startled as she placed a hand on his head, “He’s my friend.”

There was a gape from Tommy as she could imagine Dream raising a questionable eyebrow. “That’s it?”

Thea nodded, “That’s it.”

“Not because of L’manburg and Wilbur?”

“Ha! I have no connection with L’manburg, and I don’t frankly care.” Tommy was about to protest as she placed a gentle hand over his mouth, “But Tommy and Wilbur do, and they’re my friends, so I’m choosing them.”

Tommy stared at her and let out a yelp as she pushed him behind her, before drawing her sword slow. “So, if you really want to drag Tommy to Schlatt-“

A threat.

Dream held up his hands calmly as he nodded. “Alright, I get it. I let you two go free for now, but I wouldn’t relax either.”

Thea stopped pulling her sword and straightened, but kept her hand on it. She nodded, “Appreciate it. Now shoo Smiley.”

Tommy let out a laugh as Dream stuttered in disbelief. “S-Smiley?” 

“Yes ‘Smiley’. You didn’t give me your name, so Smiley it is.”

“H-Hold on-“

“Nope, don’t care. Wasting precious time, byeeeeeeeee-“ said Thea before grabbing Tommy and pulling him in the opposite direction.

“MY NAME ISN’T SMILEY! IT’S DRE-“

“BUH BYEEEEE-“ yelled back Thea as Tommy cackled while the two of them booked, her wolves barking loudly and excitedly, drowning out the rest of Dream’s words. Thea just kept running, amused but also worried that she may have potentially slighted Dream.

They continued to run in random directions, Thea tagging Tommy who sputtered out curses before chasing after her. Thea laughed, the two of them in a game of tag before her wolves joined in.

They spent their time playing until the sky started to turn and they called it a day. She let Tommy declare himself as the winner as they went back to their base, tired and ragged.

Thea proceeded to wash her face and hands, ignoring how Tommy went to the living area to collapse on the couch.

“Where were you two?”

Thea washed her hands, relishing the cool water as she turned to Wilbur and nodded in greeting.

“Hi Wilbur. Was about to go my bunker and see where my house was, then we got interrupted by this green fellow, Dream I think? Then-“

“Wait, Dream?” Wilbur interrupted, eyes wide. “Why?”

Thea shrugged and ran her wet hands over her face, “No idea. There were some words here and there, something about dragging us to Schlatt and then I turned the situation around to prodding about my origins and intentions then I called him Smiley before me and Tommy booked it. Then the two of us spent time playing Tag.”

Wilbur stared at her bewildered as Thea dried her hands and face, tilting her head at the other.

The air became tense and Thea felt her stomach go tight with nerves. She looked at Wilbur, who had a thoughtful look in his eyes, but no longer directed at her, his hand over his mouth.

“Something the matter?” she tentatively asked.

“Something like that…don’t worry about it. But next time, just tell us if you are going out.” Wilbur smiled to reassure her. It didn’t work but Thea nodded regardless, placing a hand on his arm.

“If there is a problem, we can figure it out together.”

Wilbur stared at her for a moment before nodding as Thea gave one last nod before sighing and turned to where the living area was.

“So what do we want for dinner?” she asked him, in an attempt to change the subject.

Wilbur thought for a moment and grinned, “How do you feel about anteaters?”

“Excuse me, what?”

            With a very normal dinner of mutton chops and more potatoes, Thea stared at the mountain of potatoes that had miraculously been restocked and some in one of the barrels.

Over dinner, she looked at the people at the table. Tommy and Wilbur were chatting between each other, and Techno giving the occasional quips. Thea noticed that Techno had set aside his boar mask off to the side before dinner, revealing his more human face. She faintly remembered Techno’s face with half of a pig, but that thought was pushed to the side.

She had a more pressing thought to bring up. She munched on the potato wedges before she spoke.

“Alright, how did we get so many potatoes all of a sudden?” She gestured to the two full barrels of just potatoes. “How and why?”

There was a pause before there were snickers coming from Wilbur and Tommy as Techno calmly ate his potatoes wedges.

(She somewhat noticed that Techno was chewing a bit more deliberate and slower)  

“Like sure potatoes, very versatile- there are different ways to cook them: steam them, boil them, bake them, fry them- but seriously, in a span of what time, how did we already have so many god dang potatoes?!”

There was a full-on laughter from Wilbur and Tommy while Techno sipped his drink looking at Thea with a serious face as he did.

“Don’t worry about it.”

Thea looked at him, a thought of realization, and pointed a finger at him.

“It was you!” she screeched.

Techno didn’t respond but calmly stood up to only reach into his inventory before proceeding to drop several stacks of more potatoes onto Thea, who proceeded to scream as she got buried by the vegetable.

“I will make a Mr. Potato Head to spite you” promised Thea with a sneer and the last thing she remembered were more potatoes and Tommy and Wilbur’s laughs echoing in her ears.

(Thea smiled as she caught also Techno smiling a bit).

Chapter Text

Thea sipped her tea after another gruelling day in the mines. She had found more resources and was giddy at her discovery of more diamonds. She had set some aside for Pogtopia and took her own share to improve her weaponry and armoury.

She hummed, setting down her teacup before looking at her next project. Another canvas waiting to be made. She had an idea for it already but…

She glanced through her sketchbook pages, looking at the particular subject and thought. Would he mind? She didn’t know the man too well and their interactions were pretty minimal and cordial, but…she liked him enough to remember him-

“Another canvas? What happened to the other two?”

Thea closed her sketchbook and smiled in greeting at Techno.

Ah, this time is half-face. “Hello Technoblade. And they’re fine. They’re being painted on as we speak but looking at paint dry is not very productive.”

Techno hummed before depositing his cape-coat down on the table before grabbing the pliers to pull the canvas. Thea moved to give him room and she caught the smell of smoke lingering on him.

“Do you smoke?”

“No…? Why would you think that?” asked Techno, giving her a raised eyebrow. Ear flicking in question or annoyance.

“Wilbur smokes time to time. Don’t fancy it but-“ Thea smelled the smoke again and realized, “Oh wait, wrong kind of smoke. Never mind~ brain went lag.”

Techno snorted a laugh before nailing down the stretched canvas. “You were probably smelling the Nether.”

A thoughtful look on her face. “The nether? Hmmm, what do you do there? I mean there’s nothing much other than Lava and maybe if you’re lucky a fortress. Blaze rods?”

Techno looked at her, “Have you not been to the nether? It’s pretty resourceful if you know how. Like Endermen, trading with piglins, the bastions-“

“Wait, hold up. What do you mean Piglins? Not zombie piglins?”

Techno stared at her before he realized. “Ah-“

“Technoblade….did the nether change???” asked Thea carefully. Fearfully.  

“…what do you remember about the Nether?” questioned back Techno.

“Other than nothing but lava, zombie piglins, the occasional enderman, the only thing worth going to it is for the fortresses for the blaze rods-”

Techno stared at her incredulously before he spoke, “You really haven’t been the nether recently have you?”

Thea stared at him before she slowly sat in her chair, pouring herself a cup of tea and took a gulp of it before putting her head on her hands. “Let me guess, a lot has changed.”

“Yes….”

“And let me guess, it’s more of a nightmare isn’t it.”

“You could say that.”

“How much more of a death trap is it?”

“Probably a lot for you.”

“Oh gods” cursed Thea before staring at Techno bewildered. “I’m now curious to look at it but at the same time, I really shouldn’t, should I?”

Techno didn’t respond as his hands quickly moved, before he picked up his cloak, and  walked away slowly yet also quickly with a stiff movement.

“OH YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME, TECHNOBLADE!!!”

There was a bark of a laughter and Thea shook her head in disbelief but also somehow finding the whole situation hilarious. She scoffed before taking a sip of tea, before noticing the canvas was already pulled together and her sketchbook was opened to particular sketches of a pink haired man.

“Oh you little-“

            Thea stared at her dinner and everyone was more or less was the same. Though, she couldn’t help wondering now everything had somewhat died down.

“Hey, how do you think the others are?” asked Thea and everyone’s cutlery stopped (with the exception of Techno, who continued to eat methodically.)

“Who?”

“Like Niki and Eret, Tubbo and Fundy. I don’t know anyone else but-“ Thea glanced up in thought, “I know Tubbo and Fundy are in Schlatt’s cabinet so can’t really say much there, but I’m worried for Niki…”

“Well…her bakery is still there” said Tommy as Wilbur had a dark look on his face.

“…I’ll try to check up on her” announced Thea, finishing up what’s left of her plate. She looked up when she finished to see everyone looking at her with various expressions.

“That’s dangerous Thea” said Wilbur, his tone low. A warning.

“It is, but…when I last saw her, I don’t think Schlatt and his team will go easy on her” commented Thea, “I have to at least make sure she’s alright one way or another. If anything, she did help me.”

Wilbur stared at her for a moment before nodding. Tommy spoke up next, “I’ll come with you.”

“No” said Wilbur and Thea at the same time, the two looking at each other before Thea looked at Tommy.

“I appreciate it but I’ll being using my tunnels, which I don’t exactly have time to show you because of Dream.”

Tommy opened his mouth to retort but Thea shook her head. “Please. It’ll just be a quick check in, heck, I might not even be able to talk to her.”

His eyebrows furrowed in anger and Thea patted his shoulder, “I’ll be quick.”

“You’re going out now?” asked Wilbur.

“Maybe. For now, I’ll check on my inventory and go from there.”

Wilbur nodded as Thea put away her dishes and left the living area. As she mentally checked her list and entered her room to check her chests, she heard a knock on her door. She turned and saw Techno standing at the open doorway.

“Technoblade? What’s the matter?”

“What do you have?” he asked.

“Uh, specify please?”

Techno took a deep breath and shuffled his feet, before he spoke. “Do you have an invis potions?”

“Nope.”

Techno stared at her, “So what your plan was to sneak in without any invisibility potions?”

“OH” Thea gaped as she smacked her head, “Invis potions! Well, I only have these two bottles from a while ago.”

“Ah” before Techno shuffled his feet once more and before there was an irritated look on his face, before turning away to mutter at chat. “Chat, please-“

Thea stared at him confused before Techno let out a breath before gesturing for her to follow him. She did, after a moment, and followed after his long strides. He went into a chest and pulled out a couple of invisibility potions before handing it to her.

“There, those should last long enough. You mentioned tunnels?”

“Yeah, when I had a house there was an underground mine below it. There I made my own tunnels, found a cave, and just kept on going. That’s where my bunker is also is.”

Techno nodded before he drawled, “Well I won’t tell you how to infiltrate but I guess I’ll lend you some stuff considering how much of a noob you are.”

Thea rolled her eyes, “Not that new but I get it.” She smiled at the invis potions before tucking it away, “Thanks for the thought regardless. I’ll be sure to replenish our supplies or make it up.”

Techno hummed before he turned away, “Well, good luck being a mole.”

Thea let out a cackle before waving goodbye at him, even if he wasn’t facing her. “Bye Technoblade.”

She watched the man walk away from her to do gods knows what, before she gave a deep breath and deflated. What she thinking? Sneaking into Manburg to see Niki?

She did own the girl to find out to at least check up on her. Adding onto the fact the last time she saw her was during the election and barely even communicating with her right after she blew up her house sky high.

She begun to move as she thought. She thought back to the crater where her house once stood. If Niki ever checked it, it wouldn’t be the best of consolation seeing it.

Rain filled her sensations. The smell of the wet forest replaced the staleness of Pogtopia, the sound of rain falling filling her ears. It was raining hard today and add in that it was night time, there would be little visibility. If anyone was out anyways.

Right now was the best time as any.

With that resolve, Thea flipped on her hood and departed into the rain. Hundreds and hundreds of rain droplets sprinkled on top of her, weighing her down ever so slowly. The rain was loud in her ears, irking her but also lending her some health. At least she didn’t need to work so hard to be as quiet.

She ducked under every tree she could to get at least some coverage in her path towards her path. Manburg wasn’t far in her trek but avoiding as much detection from mobs and any potential people slowed her down.

The place was upon her and she silently was thankful that the walls were gone; no matter how much Wilbur wished it was still there. With the walls gone, it was an hurdle she didn’t need to figure out.

Just as she was in the threshold, her hand held the invis potion that Techno had graciously given her. She popped the lid and chugged it down, ignoring the odd taste. She had medicine that was more stronger and bitter, it didn’t make it less pleasant to take.

Putting away the bottle, she glanced at herself and saw that she was invisible. There were minuscule particles floating off her but with the rain, it wouldn’t be as big of a problem. This eased her fear of getting caught.

She trudged through the rain and entered what was now enemy territory. She glanced around, trying to find familiar landmarks that would indicate where Niki’s bakery was. It didn’t help that she had only been around here for a handful of times.

There was almost no one around, but their focus was more of getting from point A to Point B as fast as possible because of the rain. She waited for them to go by her before she moved on quietly.

Then she smelled it. The rain mostly covered it but the sweet, sweet delicious smell of freshly baked goods wafted through the air. Thea felt her mouth watering at the smell and her stomach twisting to demand an after-dinner treat.

She followed the smell before she came across the familiar pathways to the bakery. There she stood in front of the door, peering through the window. There was no one manning the front and she saw the delicious baked goods out in the open. She tried to see further to see past the back if Niki was there. The lights were on and there was definitely fresh smells coming from there, so Niki had to be there.

Thea looked around, standing there for a few precious seconds to see if anyone would come by. When it seemed, no one was going to come immediately, Thea opened the door slowly before squeezing through the door without rattling the bell. She slowly closed the door, her breath hitched still and winced the door made the soft ‘clack’.

Noticing that she was probably dripping wet, Thea carefully squeezed out as much water as she could at the little mat and carefully breathed out in comfort at the warmth. With her back against the door, she felt her heart beat against her chest and she pressed a hand to it to calm it.

There were hard thumps coming from the back and Thea’s ears strained. They were loud, hard, and she could almost hear muttering and sniffling. Worry filled Thea as she tread to the back quietly, still under the guise of the invisibility potion.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw scrunched up papers and she faintly caught the words “Taxes”.

Niki’s sniffling caught Thea’s attention once more and she hurried, standing at the doorway. There she saw the girl hunched over the table, flour everywhere with pans and pans of bread waiting to be baked. Currently, Niki was rolling and pounding away at the ball of dough, tears running down her cheeks.

Thea walked into the baking room and around Niki, near her but not close to her. Thea felt her eyebrows furrowed as she saw Niki’s own furrowed eyebrows, her face scrunched up angrily but also sadly.

Niki was muttering under her breath with each roll of the bread, and Thea decided to make her attention known. Carefully taking out a flower she had picked up earlier today, she slid it out and placed it on the table.

A little pink tulip.

Niki’s eyes didn’t immediately catch on it, but Thea remained patient. She watched as Niki glanced up after putting the thoroughly rolled bread into a pan, reaching out to grab another dough before her hands froze.

Her eyes widened and blinked away the tears that were clouding her vision, before focusing on the tulip.

“What- where…?” questioned the girl quietly, reaching out to grab the tulip and felt it as if she didn’t believe it was real.

Thea grabbed another flower, a little poppy, and placed it down on the table. Niki gasped as she saw the flower appear out of nowhere and her eyes glanced around wildly. “Who’s there?” she demanded.

Thea saw the flour on the table and grabbed the stem of the poppy, before writing her name in it like a pencil. Niki’s eyes followed it and ever so gradually, her eyes widened and twinkled as she read Thea’s name scrawled in the flour.

“Thea? Is that really you?” whispered Niki.

Thea smiled as she felt the potion she drank started to fade. “Yeah it’s me” whispered back. She snickered as Niki gasped, taking the poppy flower and felt Thea’s hands. Both hands grasped each other in kind as Niki smiled. “You’re here.”

Thea felt the tingling in her disappear and Niki smiled as she saw Thea’s form appear. Noticing her gaze, Thea lowered her hood carefully and grinned.

“I came to check up on you” admitted Thea, smiling and glanced at her wet cheeks. She grabbed a handkerchief and dabbed her cheeks. “What’s wrong?”

 Niki sniffed but giggled as Thea continued to wipe her cheek and the corner of her eyes. “Thank you,” said Niki as she took the handkerchief and the flowers. “I…it’s been hard lately.”

Thea glanced out the door and went around to hug her friend. “Sorry.”

Niki shook her head and hugged the girl back. “It’s okay. You, Wilbur, and Tommy are safe.”

“Are you?” asked Thea carefully.

Niki pursed her lips, and Thea dreaded the small pause of silence. “I’m fine.”

Thea carefully removed herself and placed her hands gently on Niki’s arms, staring at her. “Are you safe?”

Niki sighed, twirling the stem of the flower. “For now…but it hasn’t been easy around here.”

Thea scrunched up her face, “Explain.”

Niki sighed, “Schlatt has been giving me more and more taxes. I tried to pay them as best as I can but, they just…”

Thea pursed her lips, her mind flashing to the crumbled papers. “And has he been doing that to anyone else?”

Niki shook her head, wiping at her eyes. “Taxes are up but not as much as me.”

“So it’s targeted….do you know why?”

Niki sniffled, “No, which is frustrating! Or at least, not anything obvious…”

Thea looked at the amount of bread that Niki has been making and it was enough to feed an army (oh little did she know). She looked outside and saw the rain was slowing down as Thea sighed.

“I’ll bring it up to the others but at the moment we’re still binding our time and I don’t know what our next course of actions is. For now, keep yourself safe and if things get tough…”

Niki smiled, hugging her. “I know. Thank you.”

Thea squeezed her. “Sorry I can’t do anything right now.”

“You came to visit me. That already means a lot.”

Thea slowly nodded as she peeled herself from the other. “I should go. I don’t want to endanger you and have more taxes placed on because of my presence.”

“Well you did try to blow up Schlatt and Quackity.”

“To be fair, I gave them three chances to leave. Not my fault they didn’t mind their manners” scoffed Thea.

Niki giggled as she had an idea. “Oh, take these with you!”

Thea watched Niki whirl around the bakery, grabbing several baked goods and put them in boxes before holding it out for her.

“Oh…are you sure?”

Niki nodded and gestured to the piling baked goods. “I’m sure.”

Thea nodded as she put the baked goods in her inventory and pulled up her hood. She took out her invis potion and held it up as a mock cheers. The potion was chugged and then Niki watched her disappear. “Is there a backdoor?” asked Thea quietly.

“Yeah, come on” said Niki before leading her out. Before Thea left, they shared one last hug and one last whisper.

“I mean it Niki. Take care of yourself any means necessary.”

Niki nodded, “You too.”

She felt Thea’s hold disappear and then the presence of whatever warmth she radiated was gone. The rain continued to fall and Niki watched, imaging Thea walking away. Somewhere into the distance.  

The bell of her shop opened, and Niki felt dread, but as she looked at the flowers in her hands; she felt reassurance and then a bit of courage.

            Later in Pogtopia, the others watched Thea walked into the living area and carefully deposited the baked goods on the table as she flipped her hood off aggressively before she taking a deep breath.

She looked at them with a certain drive behind her eyes as she told them what happened. The sweet smell of baked goods reassured her while fuelling her at the same time.

Chapter Text

A brush was dipped into paint before it was placed upon the canvas. Stroke after stroke, colour after colour. What was once an empty canvas was being filled. Formed into content; filled with context.

Thea set down the brush, staring at her progress before stretching her arms; feeling her muscles stretch and bones pop. Hands carefully held the canvas and set it on the wall, letting it dry as she stood back to observe it.

It was coming together with it’s brother.

Another sat, sketched with outlines and ready to be painted. Soon to join the other two and then she would have a trio of work. Sketchbooks were strewn about, open to pages of people and scenes.

Her hands tingled and buzzed with overactivity. She sat there on her bed, staring at the canvases, her mind no longer chasing after the next activity.

She had worked and gathered more supplies, made food, spent time with Tommy, taken care of her wolves, worked in the mines once more, painted and drawn, and now…

She kicked off her boots and leaned against her bed, taking a time to calm down. She let her eyes close, her mind drifting off.

It had been some time since she settled in Pogtopia. While it wasn’t as what she had expected, being involved in a political strife, she was…fine. Now with everything calming down and without the threat of a fight happening any time soon (judging how less tense Tommy was and more carefree he was, Wilbur moodier moments weren’t as bad, and how Technoblade was in general).

And now Thea was starting to think of it. Her mind no longer focused in survival mode.

She hadn’t gotten too far in undiscovering her entire circumstances. There hadn’t been any revelations either and her memories were still blurry. Memories just out of grasp. She was however, slowly rediscovering herself though but she couldn’t put into words. Not yet.

An odd, mysterious yet familiar feeling begun to re-introduce itself.

Thea glanced around her room and was thrown back into reminiscent. This was much her first ‘home’. The cave where she first spawned into this world, suddenly thrown into life once more.

Out of the End and out of the Void.

Out of the Darkness that she had unknowingly had grown accustomed to. That she missed.

‘Ah’ thought Thea as she sat up in her bed, rubbing her face. ‘This is what it is’

The feeling of uncertainty was happening again.

The cycle that had made itself known. She was ready to abandon where she was and move onto the next. Not because she wanted to, but she knew it was going to be inevitable. When she was starting to think of the place as a “home”, it would disappear.

Like what happened in the Void and Darkness. The End. Her Cave. Her home she built in the village; the one that was now a crater.

Was Pogtopia going to be gone?

An uneasy and depressing feeling started to fill her chest, so much so it hurt.

Some part of her reminded herself that Pogtopia was never meant to be a permanent residence. It was a place to hide away in from Schlatt and his party. Once this whole ordeal was over, whether they win or lost, Pogtopia would no longer serve its purpose.

Thea curled herself onto her bed, pulling the blanket over herself. A weak imitation of the darkness blanketing her and surrounding her. Her eyes closed and tried to search for the warmth the Void had. The nothingness where she simply existed and not. Where she thought but did not think.

Feel but not be burdened with it.

Tiredness clawed at her, but it was not out of sleep but of exhaustion. She drifted, the cusp of unconsciousness when she heard shuffling. Unsteady breathing that was not of her own.

The illusion she had crafted for herself was broken by the second living entity and she opened her eyes, lifting her blanket off herself to see better. There was a shadow, casted by the lanterns. The shape immediately familiar to her.

“Tommy?” she murmured out, tired and still on the edge of unconsciousness.

The shadow flinched, flickered and Thea got up, huffing as her bones ached. She saw the boy half-way out of her room, before she saw wide blue eyes.  

A raccoon that was caught sneaking but also terrified.

Thea curled her legs into herself, slouched but stared sleepily at the boy. “You okay?” she asked, somehow still able to tell that there was something wrong but couldn’t deduct why.

“Uh heeyyy Thea, I was just, looking for something and I didn’t mean to wake you up-“ eyes flittered around, unfocused yet focused with panic. Voice tight, muscles tense-

She saw the way he curled into himself, his body twitching-

Thea beckoned him over, with a hand curled with a cat’s paw. Tommy stared at it as if her hand would hurt him. The other huffed, trilling at him to come closer. The boy finally shuffled over, his shoes taken off before curling up onto the bed. Thea patted the bed for him to come over and awkwardly he did.

Thea grabbed one of the many pillows and gave it to Tommy, who took it gingerly before hugging it to himself. There was a moment as he took some time to settle, to get comfortable.

Observations were filed away but Thea was consciously aware of it.

Yet.

“Something the matter?” she asked, with her own pillow and mimicked Tommy but her posture leaned into it for comfort then support.

Tommy’s eyes flickered between her and around the room, before his eyes settled on the paintings. He seemed to take the progress and the changes since he last saw it.

Thea blearily looked at the portraits. The background was done, to set the foreground. The first layer of Tommy’s skin was done, with bits of shadow to give it depth. Sections of sections had been applied with colours beforehand and details were being made.

Wilbur’s portraits had sections being laid down, one layer at a time.

Thea waited for Tommy, whether it was for him to speak, respond, or simply be calm.

“You weren’t at dinner.”

She opened her eye at Tommy (when did she close them?) and hummed.

“Did you eat?” she asked him.

A nod.

“Good.”

Tommy murmured into the pillow, “I waited and no one was there.”

Thea felt a tiny stab and had an idea where this was going.

“Technoblade and Wilbur didn’t come to eat?”

A shake of the head then a shrug. “Techno is off doing whatever he’s doing and Wilbur…he grabbed something but didn’t stay to chat or anything. The food was fine I guess, but something was off about it.”

Food tastes better with company. It tastes sour when the company is amiss.

“I…I haven’t been feeling too well honestly” admitted Thea, as if it would explain everything. But what?

Tommy looked at her, concern in his eyes.

“Are…are you okay?”

Thea nodded, noticing Tommy’s just slightly reaching to hold it. Just the tip of it.

“It’s nothing new. Can’t tell yet though if it’s physical, mental, or just both.”

“O-oh.”

Thea looked at Tommy, who seemed conflicted as Thea poked his cheek. He sputtered and Thea smirked.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just a fact of my life and I’m living with it.”

“What?”

Thea blinked, trying to think if she should continue before she made the choice to get out of bed. “I’ll explain over some food. Maybe now you’re here that my appetite is back” she smiled.

Tommy immediately got up, a small glee in his eyes and smile as Thea smiled back. The two walked side by side to the living area as Thea took her position at the kitchen, grabbing the soup that was still warm on the stove.

Tommy had rifled in the barrels and chests before dumping the contents on the table before hurriedly rushing over with his own bowl, to which Thea helped him serve without question.

The two took their place at the table, eating their soup and other miscellaneous food items. Tommy ate with the same vigour as always but just a tad more; as if he was enjoying the meal.

(If there were tiny tears prickling at the corner of his eyes, she didn’t see them. No she did not. Tommy was too much of a big man).

Thea felt herself more appreciate of the company and the food, silently thinking of making the effort to at least eat at the living area at meal times.

She bit into a chunky potato piece in her soup, reminded that the vegetable was provided from Techno but where he was getting them was still left unsaid. Their hungry was filled and their hands got slower and slower.

That’s when Thea spoke.

“Back there. When I said I haven’t been feeling well lately?” Tommy looked at her from his bowl, listening but trying not to seem like he was.

“Things have been calmed down and I was reminded of some things. How I still miss being in the void and the darkness, how many times I’ve been uprooted from where I live for one reason or another; never really being able to call any of them home just yet.”

Tommy had stopped eating and looked at his empty bowl, “Oh…do you…want to go home?”

“I don’t know. I know the void and the darkness or whatever I was in, isn’t my home. It felt safe and nice sure, but… my home is where my family is. The things is I can’t remember why my brothers and I decided to fight the Enderdragon, much less get to that point. Why we left our parents for an adventure we weren’t prepared for and leave home in the first place? I can make any many houses as I like, but I know it won’t be the home I’m looking for. Afterall, ‘home is where the heart is’.”

Tommy was silent and so was Thea, realizing she knew her answers but it just took time to get it.

“I get it…”

Thea looked a Tommy, whose eyes stared back at hers.

“It’s the same with L’manburg. It’s the place where my friends and I worked so hard for and gave up so much for it. To lose the election and getting exiled out of it hurt. Being driven out of our own home…”

Thea silently slid her hand on the table, her other hand resting on the other arm. Casual enough to seem she just wanted to put it there, but still there if Tommy wanted it. Tommy’s arms were crossed over each other, hands tucked in the armpits as if to keep them there from reaching out but they slowly unraveled.

Thea kept her eyes on Tommy’s face, totally not seeing Tommy slowly reaching out for comfort.

An understanding.

“Maybe when this is over, we’ll rest our hearts where it belongs.”

            Thea found herself waking up back on her bed, with a tuff of blond hair at the corner of her vision. She knew Tommy was there, sleep and sound. Blankets and pillows, and two wolves fortified around them to give them maximum comfort.

But the ultimate comfort?

Was knowing there was someone next to you.

That you weren’t alone.

Faint memories of last night flitted in her mind. Tommy following her back to her room, with pots of tea ready and warm milk stirred in with honey. Quiet talk passed back and forth as one wrote in her journal and the other looked through her sketchbook on the pink bed before passing out.

Thea felt content as she walked out of her room to begin breakfast. She felt happy as Tommy yelled a good morning and beamed as she slid him a plate of hot food. She wouldn’t forget as Wilbur walked in, eyes growing appreciative at the hot food, even more so when Thea poured him a cup of coffee, as he sat next to Tommy.

A smile appeared on his face and the dark haze that surrounded him was brushed away every time he opened his mouth; to eat, to drink, to talk. The corner of his mouth twitching upwards.

The three ate together and Thea quietly greeted Techno a good morning as he too joined and hummed as he saw his own plate piled with food. A quiet morning was murmured to her, a silent thank you underneath.

The morning was quaint and filled with warmth, as if meals were always enjoyed with company. While Thea looked around the table, she begun to feel more at place then she had felt in a while; a bit of her heart found.

Chapter Text

“Bruuhhh, what are you feeding your wolves?”

Thea finished bottling the invis potion that had just been made and added the next component to make the potion last longer. She turned to Techno who was sitting on a nearby surface with his large hands petting said wolves.

She cocked her head to the side in confusion, “Eh?

Techno’s face turned to her and rose an eyebrow, gesturing to one of her wolves. “Bruh, they’re huge.”

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “But, aren’t wolves supposed to be huge?”

“I mean yeah, but like your wolves are bigger than even above average” Techno reached out and grab Fenrir by his arm pits and lifted him up like some sort of long cat but wolf version.

“See?!”

“Techno, I know this won’t make much of a difference to you but you’re taller than me and I am only realizing that I am a lot taller then I remember; which was short.”

“Bruuuuh-”

“Hmmmmm”

Techno placed down Fenrir, patting the canine affectionately on the head while Thea begun to walk into the kitchen to check on her suspicious soup varieties.

It turns out collecting flowers was a lot more beneficial then Thea knew previously and she was ever so delighted at the prospect of collecting even more flowers. Footsteps approached her as Techno accepted the mug of tea from Thea as the two sipped their beverages.

There was a calm, quiet atmosphere as the two enjoyed each other’s presence while also letting their hands wander in the wolves’ fur while also sneaking them bites of treats.

“Thanks for taking my wolves out for a walk by the way.”

“Hmmm, not a problem.”

“Appreciate it. Still no used to…moving as much.”

There was another hum from Techno before there was silence again. Thea took up her sketchbook and begun sketching once more, trying to capture her wolves while also sneaking in some more Techno.

While she felt like she was committing a felony for drawing Techno without telling him so, she also knew that Techno knew she had drawn him and had yet to voice a complaint.

If Techno moved just conveniently that allowed her to capture more of his facial profile when she craned her neck to get a glance; if Techno just so happened to pose particularly as she switched to a new page-

[“Do you need more canvases?” asked Techno once.

Thea hummed and shrugged and a night later, she found a couple of stretched canvases, of various sizes, propped up on the side of her door- ]

“Have you ever thought of having an army of wolves?” Techno questioned while he effortless played tug of war with her wolves.

There was a pause as Thea considered it and went, “Yes. Just for the sake of it.”

Techno nodded a few times, agreeing with her notion.

“And I would, but like,” Thea gestured to where they were, “This is not the time or place.”

“Who says?”

“Puppies for one thing. Then we’re one wolf down for the most part. I’m talking logistics Technoblade.”

“Fair.”

“Why the army of wolves all of a sudden? Or has that been one of your ice breaker questions?”

“Hmmm perhaps-”

“pft-“

“-but also I think Lupa is pregnant-“

“Say what now?!”

            Thea huffed as she finally set down her pickaxe, her work at the moment done. Her arms burned and throbbed as they lay limp by her sides. She grabbed some water and glugged everything before going for seconds and thirds.

Thirst quenched, she took in her now-widened room. Techno was at one part of the room where there was a smaller nook. He was rounded out the rough stone edges with wooden slabs and staircases, piles of leather and fur right beside them.

After they had discovered that there were going to be puppies soon, Technoblade and Thea had rushed to make the necessary accommodations. Which includes making a small den for the Lupa to give birth her pups safely in.

But to be there at any moment and the whole pack mentality, they had to widen Thea’s room significantly. Thea let Techno handle her wolves and she could see the laser focus determination he had. She smiled and turned to her new work area and begun to re-assemble present furniture around it. Now she had room to spare and no longer did she have to carefully navigate around set easels and wet canvases.

They also went with expanding the area where Thea would sleep, with now to double beds, side by side, and a little fenced in area that basically outlined her sleeping space. Techno helped with the bones of the place and Thea worked on the aesthetics.  It was basically a platform of wood, with wooden staircases that would up to it. Her beds were set in the middle and was basically boxed in with a little canopy set up above. Banners hung from up top to give the illusion of space.

(Though she never thought on why Techno would help her set up her sleeping arrangements)

Thea finished making sure her beds were comfy and set up, she sat in her new workspace and saw Techno working away. One of her wolves, Lupa was curled around her feet and she could feel the puppies kicking away.

Fenrir was nosing in Techno’s space, eyes observing the man making the room spacious and comfy for the new additions. Thea smiled and she found herself working away at her sketchbook, noticing bits and pieces.

Like how the lanterns and torches casted both harsh and subtle shadows on his form; providing depth to his form. The mask was forgone (as now she realized was gone more and more) and noted his eyes gleaming with focus in the shadows.

She admired his form by drawing it down and when she looked up, their eyes came into contact. They looked at each from afar, both observing each other.

The silence grew and was on the verge of turning awkward as Thea set down her sketchbook. “So how’s the den?”

Techno took a moment and cleared his throat. “Good. There should be enough room for the puppies but also giving Lupa and Fenrir enough room to settle comfortably. Thea gotten up and walked over, Lupa trailing beside her as Techno patted down the last fur on the floor. The bottom was not stone floor but wooden, providing some warmth at least.

Lupa sniffed the den, Fenrir poking her neck before the she-wolf stepped into the den. She inspected it before turning around and laying down on the carpet, before sighing in relief as she stretched.

Fenrir poked at the den and barked, before walking over to Thea’s bed. The two humanoid beings watched as Fenrir grabbed one of the many blankets and dragged it over to the den, settling it down.

Lupa edged it closer and huffed in relief, and Fenrir turned his attention to Techno.

“Heh?!”

Thea let out a gust of air, stopping herself from laughing as she watched Fenrir try to pull off Techno’s coat, the owner of said-wear trying to stop the wolf from doing so but also trying not to tug too hard to rip the article of clothing.

“Hey, hey Fenrir that isn’t nice” chided Thea as she reached over and pulled up Fenrir by his elbows and the wolf whined.

Techno pulled his coat close, inspecting it as Thea looked at the den. “Guess he wants our scents in there?”

“I suppose but why me?”

She shrugged and placed Fenrir down. The corner of Thea’s mouth quirked up in a smile, “Probably because they like you. You’re a pretty comforting presence to be around with.”

Techno rose an eyebrow at her.

“I’m comforting? Heh?”

Thea shrugged and crawled into the den, patting Lupa. Her eyes no longer facing Techno, instead watching her hand disappear in the white furs of Lupa; heat radiating through her cold hands.

“To me I guess. Not to say you don’t have an edge to you still; which is totally fair. But how do I put it…I can just vibe around you a lot easier, if that makes sense? Not that Tommy and Wilbur aren’t great to be around with, but Tommy is a bit too high energy for me to constantly be around with, and Wilbur is also fine to be around with but y’know how he has his moments where he goes chaotic which is a lot. There’s something about you where I can just be me and just vibe, our chats just being chats but we don’t necessarily have to talk to get along any closer, y’know?”

Techno stared at her and cleared his throat, feeling a little touched and felt a bit flustered with the sudden emotional confession.

“You’re pretty okay too, I guess.”

Thea turned to him with soft, twinkling eyes. Tiny soft particles radiated off her as she smiled, “Awww, thanks mate.”

Techno opened his mouth to add on until there was a scream and cursing that was unmistakably Tommy.

“What the fuck, FENRIR STOP! No wait, no that’s my cloth, THEAAAAAAA!!!!”

Then there was a scream that was definitely Wilbur.

“THEA! HELP! YOUR WOLF!!!”

Thea and Techno look at each other with wide eyes as the former gaped. “Oh shit-“ she cursed before booking out of the den and out of her room.

“FENRIR, STOP!” she yelled, her voice disappearing and echoing in the ravine.

Techno just stared at where Thea had disappeared out of and his eyes caught something. He got up and walked over to it, hearing Lupa huff behind him. Approaching to Thea’s work area, he found himself staring at the canvas that was on the easel.

He knew that Thea was working on portraits of Tommy and Wilbur, both of which were close to being finished and were currently hanging on the wall to be given the final touches.

But on the easel? He saw the inexplicit shapes of him. In a mixture of charcoal over white canvas and layered paint, was his form where he was in between forms of his human and animal face. The one he currently faced Thea as. There were swatches of several hues of pink as if the artist couldn’t figure out which pink to paint with.

Chat whispered to him, and he followed their words, noticing another canvas on the table. He turned to it and saw it was him, the one that wore the boar mask that covered his human face. Or so he thinks.

The charcoal was light, and he knew it was not a final draft; noticing Thea went a bit more heavy handed as she grew more confident towards the drawing’s final form. He saw that her sketchbook was open and saw it was open to sketches of him.

Another thing he wasn’t surprised about either. But he saw the written words of notes and he peered closer to read it. Among them were notes of his form, personality but then chat saw something and started raving on it.

SHE KNOWS! How? THIRD EYE! Does she know? SIMPLE DEDUCTION MY DEAR! Kill her, she knows too much-

Techno frowned, his eyes prickling as he heard Thea still yelling and Tommy’s explicit language. There were also the sounds of Wilbur’s laughing and he turned his attention back to the words.

“Technoblade- different forms? Shows mostly half-pig? Piglin? Boar? Shape around me. Wears a boar mask but facial shape is different? Human face underneath boar mask? Typically around Tommy and Wilbur when he doesn’t notice I’m around; or when he goes off doing his own things. Technoblade in between forms? One he takes on around me at least. Potentially have human form and pig/piglin/boar form??? Go ahead with in-between form-“

 And circled several times were the words, “Techno neutral around me”

He felt his facial muscles tense and burn, a familiar sensation as he begun to take on his other form. The lights that littered the area casting a shadow on his form that no one else saw.

            Later when things had settled down and Thea headed to bed exhausted after another long tiring day. As she opened her door and let Fenrir go in first to join his mate in their newly-made den, she noticed something on her table that was definitely not there before.

She walked closer to it and on top of it, were stacks of flowers of all colours. But she noticed that among them, there were more pink flowers then the others. She picked it up gently and smelled their sweet scents. She smiled, feeling better but was confused.

She wondered who gave her flowers? It could be Tommy considering they went flower hunting a few times already and talked about a garden of flowers. But somewhere in her mind, she wondered how Tommy knew she was getting low on pink dyes for her paints?

            A man with gilded golden hair and sparkling blue sat beside her, a book laid on the table that was made by the man. He spoke and taught her things, guiding her gently in a voice that made her calm yet was loud in the quiet expanse of the End.

Large black wings draped behind him and as he breathed, there was the occasional twitch. Crows littered around them, but two particularly: Ian and Brian settled around them on the table.

The man came by every so often, somewhat secretive but also somewhat open. There was something amiss in the End realm but without a way to get around past her floating island, she had no way of exploring.

Even the Endermen did not tell her. They were becoming less and less frequent and the only constant was them bringing her daily doses of Chorus fruit. They would warble their greetings her and pick her up to hug her, but then disappear in a hurry as if there was a devil on their heels.

The man visit her not long after this strange occurrence. At first, she was worried that the Endermen around here would be aggravated with the man’s presence, but she knew quietly that there was some sort of truce going on.

“Thea”

She turned to the man, her eyes droopy.

He smiled and placed a hand on her head, and she purred as she felt comfy. The lull of sleep beckoning her.

The man chuckled, “You sleepy mate?”

“Perhaps…” she yawned and the man chuckled once more.

“I think that’s enough for one day” said the man, as he closed the workbook they were doing. He guided her to her bed, now more colourful and was pink. Her entire room was more colourful thanks to the man who livened up the place with materials from the overworld.

Make no mistake, she was still in the End realm and she knew this. But when she looked around her room, she had a piece of home.

The man tucked her into bed and sat beside her, as he always did these days, watching her until she drifted off to sleep.

“Can you tell me a story or something?”

The man looked at her and then smiled. “Don’t know a whole lot of stories, but I can try.”

The man reached over to pull the covers a bit closer and tucked it under her chin, noticing her eyes drooping faster and faster.

The man hummed in thought before he spoke quietly. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you about them, have I?”

There was a hum from Thea.

“I haven’t had I. I probably mentioned them here and there but never really talked about them. Once I figure out how to get you out of here and back into the overworld, I’ll introduce them to you. Now, first of all, is Kristin who is my wife. She’s not here but is always around, and while I would like you to meet her….then there’s my son, Wilbur; a fantastic musician and I love him with all I can but oh boy, his mind can be chaotic. Then there’s Tommy who is loud and boisterous and just as chaotic as Wilbur but there’s something about him that you can’t hate him for. Oh there’s my important friend, Technoblade who is known more famously as the Blood God; but really he’s obsessed with potatoes. He’s a bit of a hard character to know but with enough time, you’ll see who he truly is-“

There was filtered noise of Phil telling her stories of the people he cared about and Thea drifted off to the lull of the darkness.

            Thea stared up from her bed, hands holding her head as she struggled to remember. It was a memory, and she remembered the man telling her about the people he knew. He uttered names but she couldn’t remember. Only bits of snippets

 Now, first of all, is Kristin who is my wife. She’s not here but is always around, and while I would like you to meet her….then there’s my son, _____  a fantastic musician and I love him with all I can but oh boy, his mind can be chaotic. Then there’s ________ who is loud and boisterous and just as chaotic as _______ but there’s something about him that you can’t hate him for. Oh there’s my important friend, _______ who is known more famously as the Blood God; but really he’s obsessed with potatoes. He’s bit of a hard character to know but with enough time, you’ll see who he truly is-“

Thea sighed and curled up, pressing her head to her knees. She was so close yet just out of reach.

For now, at least she had an epithet to go off. The Blood God.

(who apparently obsessed with potatoes…sounds like someone she knows)

Chapter Text

Thea begun to make her way to regular checking-in with Niki. After the first few times using Invis pots to become a regular thing, she also figured out one of her passage ways would lead her there before making a tunnel specifically to check on Niki from underneath the bakery.

Together they managed to dig a hole with ladders leading up to the floor of Niki’s bakery, where it was hidden with a furnace. It also acted as an emergency exit if such an occurrence was needed. Thea even took the time to show Niki how to get out fast and spent time putting markers around so they wouldn’t get lost.

Normally, Thea would come by at night but with how skewed her sense of time was, she mistook the time and arrived in the afternoon.

‘Since I’m already here’ thought Thea as she climbed up the ladders. They creaked each time her foot stepped on each bar. She saw the furnace above get closer and closer and when she was, she carefully pressed her hand against it.

There was no heat radiating from it. A precaution (she also didn’t want to ruin any baked goods that were being made).

Breaking the block, she moved up and climbed herself out of the floor; getting ready to place back the furnace and the coals in it.

“Who the hell?!”

Thea turned just as she saw a man similar to her age, with red and blue glasses. She froze as panic hit her. This was a hitch in the plan. Who was this person? She hadn’t seen him around before and she didn’t know if she was friend or foe. She didn’t know if he knew she was a friend or foe.

They looked at each other, both with stiff muscles and each had a drop of sweat run down their face. Thea held up her hands, “Are you friends with Niki?”

“And if I am? I haven’t seen you around, are you here to steal more shit from her?” questioned Jack threateningly as he took out his sword and shield.

‘Well, he’s a friend of Niki but clearly not mines then’  thought Thea as she spoke, “What? No! Why would I?!” Her fingers itched to draw out her own sword and shield, but if he did attack, she would only had a split second to take them out.

“Oh likely story, you’re acting quite sus from crawling out of the floor like a rat!” His sword pointed towards her and time was running out.

‘Oh, he doesn’t knoowwwwww-‘ “wait, what’s sus?”

Jack blinked, “What? Sus? You don’t know the word sus?”

“Sus? Is that a new mob or something?”

“What? No! Sus is short for suspicious!”

“Ohhhh, okay, okay. I need to check because I am very out of the loop. A lot of things around here changed and I thought that was another hostile mob I didn’t know. Like, I just learned what Phantoms were and that’s from when they were literally attacking me at night!”

“Wait, how do you not know about Phantoms? They’ve been around for a while!”

“Look, I don’t know how long either. One moment I’m fighting the dragon then I’m just vibing in the darkness and the void, and then poof I’m here!”

There was a pause as realization hit Jack. “Wait, wait. You’re the one people have been talking about! Niki told me about you! You’re her!”

“I do hope I am the person you’re talking about because I am very out of the loop. Hiding away like a mole rat doesn’t exactly bring a lot of information.”

“What’s your name, uh, something with T-“

“Thea!” said a new voice. They turned just in time to see Niki coming into the baking room, armed with goods as she gasped in surprise. “You’re here, early!”

“Thea, that’s your name!” said Jack, realizing. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry-“

“Uh, no no. No harm no foul. It didn’t get ugly and it’s nice Niki has someone around-“

“Oh boy, I nearly stabbed you!”

“I mean, to be fair, I did come out of the floor like a rat.”

Jack groaned as Niki looked between him and Thea in confusion. “What’s happening?”

Thea chuckled nervously, letting out the nervous tension in her. She rubbed the back of her neck and let out a breath of relief. “My sense of time is skewed and I came here too early. I thought I might as well see you anyways, and he-“ Thea realized she never got his name and turned ot him, “Uhh, I never caught your name.”

“Oh it’s Jack Manifold but you can just call me Jack, nice to meet you” he greeted and they shook hands.

“Thea, but you know that. Anyways, Jack saw me come out of the hidden passage and then thought I was being a hidden mole rat stealing your things and then one thing led to another and we’re good now.”

“Oh, that’s right Jack! You haven’t met Thea before!” gasped Niki.

“No harm no foul” repeated Thea as she leaned against the baking table, hands on her knees. “Man, that gave me a heart attack.”

“Jack! How could you!” chided Niki.

“I didn’t know!” defended Jack.

Thea waved her hand to dismiss it before she ran her hand through her hair to pull it back. “It’s fine. Things are tense in here after all.”

“Still….” Said Niki.

“It’s fineeeeee” said Thea before grinning. “So I take it he can be trusted?”

“Oi!”

Thea stuck her tongue at Jack who sputtered.

Niki giggled, “Yeah, he’s fine. What are you doing here?” she asked next.

“Well, like I said, my sense of time is skewed and I mistook of the time. Being underground doesn’t help either and I don’t have a clock either. By the time I realized it was the afternoon, I was already here and might as well… it’s just a regular check-in but since you’re fine and are probably busy with the Bakery, I should go.”

“Oh you can stay though!”

Thea shook her head as she walked to the hidden furnace. “Nah, better not stick around and get caught. I did technically try to blow up the cabinet a few times.”

“Which was bloody awesome by the way” said Jack.

Thea bowed, “Why thank you.” Her long hair clumped down and she cursed, quickly getting back up to pull it back.

“Your hair is getting pretty long…when’s the last time you got it cut?” asked Niki.

Thea paused to think and shrugged. “Skewed sense of time remember? But probably not since I spawned?”

“Oi! That’s a lot of hair though!”

Thea shrugged, “Not much I can do. It’s not like we have time or freedom to pop into a salon to get it cut. Or get someone else to cut it… Besides, my hair tie broke on the way here which otherwise would be fine.”

“At least let me braid it” said Niki as Thea debated it. She sighed, “Okay but make it quick. Don’t want to hold you up.”

Niki screeched in excitement as she bounced up and down. “Oh it’ll be fun! Jack get my things please?”

Jack saluted, “Ayup” before he ran to a direction to grab whatever was needed. Niki quickly left to check if anyone was out before closing the shop for a moment and dragged Thea into the bakery’s backroom.

There Jack appeared with Niki’s things. That’s how the three spent their time helping comb through Thea’s hair and braiding it while also talking in between. “Wait, wait, so you’re not really an Enderman?” questioned Jack as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Thea shrugged as best as she could without disrupting Niki from doing her nails. “Eh, not in the core sense? I have enough qualities of an Enderman but I’m not one. If that makes any sense.”

“Sort of but not really” admitted Jack as Thea made a noise of confusion.

“So if you have enough qualities of an Enderman, do you have Silk touch on your hands?” asked Niki curiously.

“Nope. I picked up enough blocks of dirt with my bare hands to prove it wrong” told Thea.

“Oh”

“But what about teleportation?” questioned Jack next, curious.

Thea tilted her head to think, sifting her memories if there was an occurrence (which wasn’t a lot considering her state of mind at the moment). There were a few moments that were odd but those could attributed to adrenaline. “Not that I know of? If I do, either it hasn’t come up yet. But I really don’t think I can teleport though.”

Jack and Niki looked at each other before moving onto other topics, getting to know the person in front of them more and vice-versa. Eventually, Niki had to go back to tending to the bakery and Thea took it as her cue to leave.

She waved them goodbye as she descended to the tunnels and Jack closed the gap with the furnace; easing her mind that it would face the proper way).

Thea made her way through the tunnels effortlessly and appeared out of the ground, seeing as it was sundown soon. She came out of the bundle of trees, closing the gaps with normal wood, she made her through the cluster of trees.

The wind blew against her face gently, bringing wafts of sweet, sweet air that filled her lungs. Thea took several deep breaths to savour it, for soon she would head back into the ravine with it’s stale air. Her ears prickled as she heard the leaves rustle against each other amongst the trees, creating a nice song for her.

The sun touched her face and Thea thrummed with glee as it warmed her skin and body. She stood there, basking in the remaining light and realized she may have stood there for too long.

“Thea?” a voice that had it’s natural squeak that broke with emotion.

Standing in attention, Thea whirled to the voice and saw Fundy who gaped at her with surprise. Her pink eyes flickered to his eyes, seeing to his own eyes that flashed hurt, relief, apprehensiveness, and more.

Fundy on the other hand, saw the clear panic taking over her eyes as he panicked. “Thea, wait I-“

Thea booked for it as she ran, remembering that Fundy was working with Schlatt. At first the only sounds were heavy breathing and the rustling of the trees. Then suddenly, there was other feet chasing after her with shouts from Fundy.

Her instinct was to run back to Pogtopia but she immediately thought against it because that would endanger their position. So she ran around aimlessly, trying to lose Fundy.

“Wait, wait! Thea let me just talk!”

Thea climbed onto a tree and drew out her bow and arrow, notching it and pointing it at Fundy who froze immediately. His hands flew up in a surrender pose as Thea took several breaths to calm herself and to steady her hand.

She pulled the string and spoke, her voice shaking. It shook from fear and reluctance but she hoped it would be passed off due to how exerted she was from running.  

“Then talk” she said, her grip on her bow tightening.

Fundy swallowed the ball of tension down his throat as he tried to speak. “I know that seeing me side with Schlatt wasn’t what you thought but I swear, I didn’t think Schlatt or Quackity was going to bring you like that!”

“Schlatt appears to be many things but none of them are good” she stated.

Fundy nodded, his tail flicking nervously. “I know, I know and I’m doing something but it isn’t what it seems Thea. Trust me on this.”

Thea narrowed her eyes at him. She could see his tail twitching nervously, drooping as it did. His ears were flickering around as if he was listening for anyone coming in and she saw his eyes blown wide.

“What is this something?” asked Thea, her form loosening but still ready to strike.

Fundy looked down for a moment, “I can’t tell you now but Eret knows what I’m doing. Talk to them and they can vouch for me. Look, I know how it looks like and I need it to be that way but trust me that I’m on your side.”

Thea trained her eyes on him, staring him down and she could see Fundy growing more and more nervous and more…vulnerable. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly and steadily, calming her beating, bleeding heart and lowered her bow gently. Her fingers still holding onto the arrow but it was no longer pointed at him.

Her pink eyes opened to look at Fundy’s relieved eyes as she spoke. “I’ll talk to Eret and for now, I will trust you on this. Break it and you know what happens.”

Fundy’s ears drooped in relief as he let out a sigh. “Oh thank god. You won’t regret it Thea.”

“We’ll see about that” she stated, the warning she gave him still lingering. She gestured him back to the direction where Manburg was. “Now get.”

Fundy nodded, his paws interlocking with each other and fiddling around nervously. He turned to leave, living his back exposed to her arrow if she chose to. He walked a few steps and stopped, cautiously turning around to look at her.

“I…I know I don’t have the right to ask you of this but….”

Thea tilted her head but her fingers twitched.

“Look after Wilbur for me please? I know he probably doesn’t see me that well and I get how it looks for your own son to betray you-“ Thea hitched her breath at those words, “-but look after him for me, please?”

Thea stared him down, trying to find the resemblance of Wilbur in Fundy and pushed it aside. “I’ve been doing that” was all she said.

Fundy nodded and more of the tension in him was gone before he gave a small wave and walked back to Manburg. Thea watched him walk away until his orange form was a mere dot before Thea raised her bow and shot at the nearest tree.

The arrow head made a loud THUNK! In the wood and she stared at it. There was a lot to take in and she didn’t know how to unpack all of that.

Her fingers itched and Thea felt her hands shake. Deciding she needed to get rid of that pent up energy, she set out to hunt.

Her bow and arrow felled many creepers and skeletons. Her sword felled down zombies and spiders. She killed any livestock animals that came her way. With her inventory a bit more fuller, her mind was a bit more clear.

Thea sighed in relief as she rested her aching muscles, eating her packed meals at hand. Finishing off her meal of steak and baked potatoes, she let the meal settle in her stomach and just have a moment of pause.

‘Fundy is a mole? What about Tubbo? How’s he doing? Does anyone else know? Fundy mentioned Eret but could Eret be trusted?’  she thought as she had that memory where she saw Eret try to reach her as she fell. ‘Yeah…they can be trusted for now…’

Thea let out a shaky breath before taking out her communicator and scrolled to Eret. Her fingers nervously tapped out a message and she took a few moments to brace herself before hitting SEND.

Once she did, her arms became spaghetti as they dropped. Thea looked up at the star riddled sky and watched in appreciation as it moved and sparkled.

It was only for a few moment but it felt like forever when the communicator buzzed. Thea immediately picked it up and saw a reply from Eret.

Thea: Encountered Fundy. He said you could vouch for him. Can he be trusted?

Eret: Yes.

Thea stared at that one word before closing her eyes and let out a breath, before replying back.

Thea: Okay. I’ll place my trust in him for now.

Eret: Thank you.

Thea: Stay safe.

Eret: You too.

Thea took a few more moments to watch the night sky before the rattling of mobs called to her. Grunting, Thea put away her communicator and begun to make her way back to Pogtopia.

Seeing it was night, she didn’t need to worry about people seeing her and made her way back above the ground.

She wandered around a bit, trying to find any memorable landmarks that would lead her back when she heard the sounds of moving water and…guitar noises? Thea followed it and as she got closer, she could smell the faint traces of cigarette smoke in the air.

It made her nauseous but she only knew one person where that cigarette smoke was paired with guitar noises.

Thea honed onto those traces and followed it to the source before appearing out of the trees to see Wilbur by the water, guitar in his lap and a burnt out cigarette between his lips. His eyes were trained on the water where a couple salmon were around. Their scales and the water reflecting the moon.

Thea let out a warble and chirp, gathering Wilbur’s attention who turned to it immediately. His eyes were wide with fear as he expected an enemy but Thea took out a lantern and the light lit up her features.

Wilbur’s shoulders relaxed as he watched Thea crouch beside him.

“Thea, I didn’t know you were out” he said.

She grunted, “Sense of time got skewed. Ended up going out a bit too early and came back late because of things. I got lost a bit and followed the traces of guitars and smoke to you.”

Wilbur hummed as he dragged a few fingers off the string, plucking them one by one. “What were you doing?” he questioned.

Thea hummed and stood up beside him, arms crossed lazily.  “Today was another regular check in with Niki, got almost skewered by Jack who thought I was a rat, figuratively and symbolically, things happened. We’re friendly now, Niki did my hair and nails-“ she flashed her nails as Wilbur hummed in appreciation, “then left from tunnel and since it was practically sundown, I thought why not go up? Was proven wrong when I saw Fundy-“

“Fundy? He saw you? What happened?” questioned Wilbur, his guitar tossed to the side as he gripped her shoulders. Thea leaned back as Wilbur suddenly stood up, him towering her slightly, and immediately patted his hands gently to reassure him.

“Nothing happened really. I mean, nothing bad…basically, he saw me and I booked for it, he took chase and wanted to talk. I let him talk but with an arrow ready to shoot, and well…he’s said it wasn’t it seemed like and to trust him. Eret seems to vouch for him.”

Wilbur widened his eyes and bit his lip in frustration, a dark look taking over his face. The grip on her shoulder tightened and Thea felt concerned but her face didn’t show it surprisingly.

“Eret can’t be trusted.”

Thea stared at him.

“Can you tell me why?” she asked after a moment.

Wilbur’s eyes flickered to Thea’s eyes. They glowed slightly in the dark but her eyes were soft and kind. He hesitated and found himself giving her the bare minimum. “They betrayed us…we were in the control room and then they set us up and got us all killed.”

Thea’s breath hitched as her heart dropped. “Oh Wilbur…” Her hand squeezing Wilbur’s hand in sympathy. Her eyes were downcast, thinking as Wilbur’s hold loosened and softly held her shoulders.

“I don’t want you to get hurt like we did Thea…”

Thea nodded and she turned to the salmon as it jumped out of the water. It created a ripple in the water, disrupting the image of the moon with its waves. Wilbur looked at the water and they took in the moment of silence.

She felt Wilbur’s hands drop away from her shoulder and she found herself holding his hands softly, gently brushing her thumb over his hands to reassure him. They listened to the sounds of the night and nature, but most importantly each other’s breathing. Thea felt the nervousness energy from today’s event begin to disperse into jitters.

She couldn’t keep it down and begun to hum a nonsensical song but still sounded right and swayed, trying to get rid of the buzz that was now overtaking her. Wilbur blinked at her in confusion as Thea swung their cojoined arms and her legs begun to shift, and he did the same, and they begun to slowly dance in the moonlight.  

Thea saw the red scales of the salmon shimmer above and then she remembered.

“Fundy mentioned something.”

She saw Wilbur flinch and stiffened from the corner of her eye.

“What is it?” he asked, and Thea didn’t miss the way his fist tightened.

“He mentioned being your son….is that true?”

Thea looked at him and saw Wilbur’s eyes widened. “I….yeah, yeah. Fundy’s my son…what…what did he say?”

Thea turned around to face him, crossing her legs to get situated. “He knows how it looks, but he wanted me to look after you.”

Wilbur hitched his breath and looked at her in disbelief. He let out a tiny and quiet, “what” as Thea elaborated.

“It was right as he was about to leave. He seems to care and I don’t think he has completely abandoned you. But yeah, he mentioned being your son and well…”

She saw Wilbur cover his mouth with his hand as he seemed to absorb this bit of information. Thea let him stew for a moment, letting him take his time and looked at the moon as it slowly moved across the sky.

“Fundy…he…” Thea looked at Wilbur when he spoke. Their eyes caught each other and she nodded as he continued. “He’s my son. We gave birth to him and he was so little and was always my little star.”

“So he’s your birth son?”

Wilbur nodded, “Yup, with Sally-.”

Thea tried to think back of hearing a Sally or ever met a Sally.

“-the Salmon.”

Thea flinched, “Wait what? What about Salmon?”

“Sally the Salmon! Fundy’s mother!”

Thea stared at him in confusion and it slowly turned into disbelief. “Wait…Fundy’s your birth son.”

“Mhmmm”

“With Sally….”

“Sally the Salmon.”

There was a pause.

“A salmon.”

“Yup!”

“A literal Salmon?”

“Uhuh.”

“Don’t you mean a nature spirit Wil?”

“Nope. An actual salmon.”

Thea felt very off place and felt very, very wrong.

“So, so, so….let me get this straight: Fundy is your birth son which you had with Sally, who is a Salmon.”

“Yeah, it’s not that hard.”

“Wilbur. You’re telling me you basically had sex with a SALMON, a Fish! And it gave birth to Fundy, who is a FOX!”

Wilbur beamed at her as Thea just looked at him and let go of Wilbur’s hands to raise her hands in the air in exasperation.

“CURSED. THAT IS CURSED!” She started to sputter out words, hastily making her way back to Pogtopia as if she could leave what she learned. Wilbur chased after, trying to explain how it happened and Thea yelling out into the night to block off the cursed knowledge.  

Thea looked back at Wilbur to tell him off to stop but in the water, she saw a Salmon jump up and in the trick of the moonlight, she saw a figure of a woman with red hair and she smiled at Wilbur with a gleam.

A strong shiver shook down Thea’s back, and she quickly pushed Wilbur back into Pogtopia, muttering about “fuckin around with Nature spirits.”

Chapter Text

Thea woke up in the water. She had a dream. One filled with people that she knew she knew but she couldn’t remember their names. A server of other people where she appeared in and out but then it all blew up figuratively. The server died and she faded back into the darkness of the void.

It left her unsettled and Thea remembered where she was as waves rocked her like she was a baby. The sun was rising higher and higher, casting its warmth onto her face. She could slowly feel her biorhythm getting back to normal.

Confusion then hit her as she wondered how she got here: specifically why she was sleeping in the water to begin with?

She tried to track back in her memory. She remembered the event of the day she had of meeting everyone and then she talked with Wilbur…who proceeded to unload her from one cursed knowledge to another.

She groaned, face scrunching in pain at the memory. Now she remembered. She couldn’t handle Wilbur’s rambling of cursed knowledge and basically booked out of Pogtopia. She got irked enough to start fighting monsters and then decided to take a swim, but then figured out there were actual hostile mobs in the ocean. Since when????

And thus was her prize of her effort in her hand.

Thea raised the trident in her hand, the water droplets catching the light of the sun as it sparkled. She then realized two things.

Thea calmly stalked back to Pogtopia, trailing wet droplets in her wake. She went to the living area and begun her usual routine of making breakfast and people slowly came in.

“Good morning” she greeted as she heard footsteps, eyes not leaving the cooking eggs and bacon. She begun to make heaps of hashbrowns, specifically for Techno. “Breakfast will be ready soon.”

“Uh Thea-“

“Can you set up the table please? Thank you” she said absentmindedly as she flipped the bacon. ‘I should make chopsticks’ she thought as she heard cutlery being placed down.

“Um, Thea-“

Her ears twitched at the slightly different sound. Thea furrowed her eyebrows together in thought, wondering why it sounded familiar yet different at the same time. She took the pan off the stove and placed it on the counter to finally see Tommy, Wilbur, and Techno who were all standing around.

Then she saw him.

She gaped and quickly jumped over the counter, “TUBBO!”

“THEA!” he screamed before the two collided into a hug. Thea gasped and squeaked as the force of Tubbo’s hug knocked her off and they both fell to the ground, Tubbo laughing.

“TUBBO!”

“THEA!”

“TUBBO!”

“THEA!”

“TOMMY!” screamed Tommy before he too joined them abruptly.

Thea wheezed as the air in her was knocked out but she looked at Tubbo in surprise. “Wait…what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to visit!” he said like there was nothing wrong with the situation.

“He’s our spy!” cheered Tommy.

Thea looked utterly confused and looked at Wilbur who nodded, then at Techno who shrugged and went off to plate the breakfast. “I must say I love what you’ve done with the place!” said Tubbo as he pulled Thea up, while the girl was still wrapping her brain around the fact Tubbo is a spy and was here.

Tommy pushed Thea into her usual seat and blathered.

“You see here, Tubbs, this living area idea was planned by Thea, and of course being the Big Man I am, helped! Now we get to eat and chill here whenever we want!”

“Ohhh, that’s a nice idea Thea” beamed Tubbo as he sat by Tommy.

Thea poured herself a cup of tea and took a sip. She felt the hot drink warm her inside (reminding her how cold she was from being wet). “Just because we live in a ravine, doesn’t mean we have to live like it.”

Tubbo took a bite of his breakfast and seemed to lighten up before shovelling more into his mouth. Him and Tommy matched each other while Wilbur chuckled before eating his own food; realizing he was much hungrier then he thought initially.

Thea and Techno ate their food at a slower pace but with mechanical. Thea slid more of the hashbrowns to Techno who accepted it and helped her divide some for her.

Thea slightly raised her cup to him in thanks and Techno’s ears flickered in acknowledgement.

Tubbo rattled off a thousand things (with Tommy interjecting every so often with his own commentary) and Thea nodded and responded accordingly. She got the gist of what was happening with Tubbo since she last saw him among other things.

“How come there is so much hashbrowns?” asked Tubbo who had finally took a breather.

Thea sighed and threw her head back in exasperation, earning some chuckles. “It took me way too long to find out it was the Technoblade that has been providing our potato stocks. Now only if I knew where he was harvesting them from-“ she sipped her tea and glared half-heartedly at said-person.

Technoblade just spooned in a large heaping of hash browns, his eyes staring at her in challenge.

Wilbur snorted and chuckled, failing to hide behind his cup of coffee. Tommy and Tubbo snickered and Thea shook her head.

“I am surrounded by this potato mystery. I have been forsaken to the clutches of my curiosity that will continue to haunt me until I perish” bemoaned Thea before spreading her toasted bread over the spilled egg yolk. She exaggerated stuff her face with the bread, her wet hair smacking against her eyes.

She sighed and drew her hair back, “I need a bath” she said before sipping her tea.

“Why are you wet anyways?” asked Tommy, scrutinizing at her.

Thea grunted, “Went out late to escape some cursed knowledge and went some grinding late night. Woke up in the water which I have no idea why but I got loot.” Thea took out her newly acquired trident as the boys went “YOOOO”.

Thea stared at it and noticed underneath the info box. “Hey what does Loyalty I mean?”

“When you throw it, it’ll return to you” explained Technoblade.

Thea’s eyes went wide with interest. “Oohhhh, that’s useful! Wait so Loyalty is an enchantment and that means if it doesn’t have Loyalty, if you throw it, it’s gone?”

“You can pick it up, but it won’t return to you immediately.”

“Ah….”

“Yooo, you should put Riptide on it and you can fly!” said Tubbo excitedly.

“Wait, Riptide? Fly?”

“Yeah! When you’re in water or when it’s raining, you can use the trident to fly!”

“Oh gods…”

“How many drowned did you have to fight to get that?” asked Tommy, eyes focused on the shimmering trident.

“Drowned? Is that those were?” Thea’s nose scrunched at the memory of them. “I wondered when there were hostile mobs in the ocean. Was no one going to tell me about this? Since when was this a thing?”

“Whoops.”

Thea sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Any other thing I should know about the ocean?”

“Well, there’s coral and stuff, pufferfish and stuff…but there’s ocean monuments-“

“Ocean monuments?”

Tubbo nodded, “Yeah! They’re like this huge buildings underwater and you can find some sick loot in there but they’re littered with guardians which can be intense if you’re not prepared.”

“So nope for me.”

Tubbo shook his head. “Sorry.”

Thea felt a nagging in the back of her mind. “…Ocean monument…why does that sound so familiar…” she muttered.

A large blue temple. Surrounded by grass and flowers. Surrounded in a barrier of glass that separated it from the ocean and dry land….a nether portal rising underneath that went to consume it.

“Oh gosh, so it does work for you!” cheered [blank], his laugh contagious as Thea gaped in awe. She walked around, hand in the man’s hand as he let her drag him around the structure like a child and parent in an amusement park. “This is amazing mate! You’re finally out of the End!”

Thea went to step over the circle of obsidian and felt funny down to her bone.

“WHOA!” yelled [blank], wings beating to pull her back into his arms. His black wings encasing her in protection as they stared in shock as the tips of her toes turned between black and invisible.

The man and girl heaved with that close call, a pale look on both of them. The sun casted its rays down on them, keeping the icicles of fear that penetrated them. “…Let’s stay away from there for now, yeah?” said the man, his voice shaking slightly. His grip tightened around her, pressing her closer to his side and protection as if she would disappear.

Thea nodded as [blank] beat his wings a few times and carried her up to the top of the monument. She stared at awe at all the coral and glass that was placed around, and the flowers!

[blank] smiled at her awe, his eyes turning concerned as he kept glancing back at her touched foot; black from being zinged. She hobbled but the excitement of finally being out of the End didn’t deter her. She turned to [Blank], his eyes looking disturbed and distant. She hopped over to him and tugged his sleeve, gaining his attention and she shot question after question about the build.

Night begun to fall as they gathered together on top of the monument.

She saw his look and turned to the ring of Obsidian and she saw the barely visible wall of purple that radiated from it.

“…Looks like we only got one foot in the doorway” said the man as he and her sat side by side. His wing extending out and around her, keeping her warm as they both shared a meal of stew.

“But I’m free” she said, sleepily.

“Freer than before but still stuck mate” murmured [Blank], his fingers grasping the bowl a bit too tightly. “A cage is still a cage.”

Thea looked at her bowl of stew and let Phil fill it back up. The crows surrounded them and she placed down her ripped pieces of bread for them to peck on. She stared back at her stew, almost making her reflection among the liquid that was filled with meat and vegetables.

“…I’ll take what I can get and besides…it doesn’t feel much like a cage since you found me” admitted Thea and found herself staring at [Blank].

The man gave a look that conflicted between happy and sad. “I know mate, but I want you to be free.”

Thea looked up at the twinkling stars and moon, relishing the sound of the crashing waves. She closed her eyes and saw the darkness before she opened it and smiled at him.

“Tell me a story” she pleaded, and the man smiled (sadly).

“Alright mate.”

            Water begun to flood and flood. Thea stood in terror as the rush of water started to advance. She wanted to scream but the Endermen around her were already screaming in her head. She could hear the Enderking curse to emptiness of the End and then there was [Blank]’s voice; calling out to her. She turned to it, seeing him dive towards her, hand outreached to her-

She opened her mouth to call to him, hand raised out, but all she could do was scream as ocean water slammed into her, swallowing her. Everyone was muted as water rushed past her ears, her scream bubbling in the water and her hand flailed for some sort of purchase.
Water rose and rose and pushed her back and forth like sort of ball. Everything grew darker, muted and then she fell to the bottom, drowning and drowning.

“THEA!” yelled Tommy and Tubbo as they knelt beside her on the floor.

She screamed, hands clawing at the air as if she was trying to escape out of something. She screamed and cried, eyes far away and stricken with panic. Techno and Wilbur both worked together to keep her arms and legs from flailing too erratically.

“What’s happening?” questioned Techno, grunting slightly as he saw Thea’s form changing.

“She…she might be back into that daze!” said Tubbo, eyes panicking as he bleated nervously. “She did this before and we had Eret to calm her down but then-“

“What triggered it?!” asked Wilbur, barely dodging Thea’s hands; noticing they were growing claws.

“I dunno, last time we were teaching Thea how to use her communicator and then Tommy said something about-“

And then Thea let out another sob and then she cried out, with eyes that were still lost in panic.  “PHIL, HELP ME!”

Everyone froze stiff with surprised shock. They looked at her in disbelief, not believing what she had said and she continued to struggle in her memory. “Phil, phil, I can’t- LOOK OUT-“

“how does she know Phil?” asked Wilbur as he begun to panic.

Techno thinned his lips as the voices got loud in his head. Tommy looked between him and Wilbur before grabbing Thea’s face, forcing her to focus.

“Thea, Thea, it’s me Tommy. You’re safe. You’re in Pogtopia with me, Tommy, and Tubbo, Wilbur, and Techno! Thea, wake up!”

Tommy’s voice was loud as he yelled and it echoed in the ravine. And like that, Thea’s eyes focused on his voice and then refocused with clarity and consciousness. Her limbs stopped moving abruptly and she looked at Tommy and then around them.

“…What…am I doing on the floor?” she croaked, her voice hoarse.

“You just had a far away look to your face and then you just fell to the ground and started crying and screaming-“ said Tommy as he let out a breath. “What the fuck is happening?”

Thea looked around, slowly coming to reality and becoming tired. She saw Techno and Wilbur holding onto her limbs and it didn’t take long for her to realize what they were doing.

“I…” Thea’s brain buzzed, “I remember…an ocean monument being swallowed by a Nether portal…by the Enderking? And…the man…the man with the blond hair and blue eyes who dons a green and white bucket hat…and he had wings Tommy.”

She faintly heard Wilbur’s breathing hitched and grab her limbs tighter. Thea felt tears prickle as she gripped her head as a throbbing pain rose. “I…I’m losing hold but I knew him Tommy. He helped me in the End…he taught me many things and tried to get me out…I…Why can’t I remember his name? I know it but I just can’t- it’s on the tip of my tongue…”

“Yeah, yeah? You’re getting pretty close I say” said Tommy, voice shaking.

Thea’s eyes drooped drastically as she murmured in shock. “The last time I saw him… I was falling into the void and he…oh gods, he probably thinks I’m dead.”

Everyone looked at each other and wondered what that could mean.

            Moments later, they managed to get Thea into bed and she just curled up. The group moved to the living area to carry their discussion. They all sat around the couches, each and everyone of them absorbed in their own thoughts of the revelation.

Tommy’s knee bounced rapidly before he finally had enough. “So, are we just not going to talk about this?”

“About what Tommy?” asked Wilbur, sighing.

“Oh like how the fuck does Thea know about Phil?! How does she even know him? If he does know her, then how come we’ve never heard of her?”

Wilbur threw his hands up, “I don’t know Tommy! Phil never mentioned her before and my letters take time to get to him!”

“But how did she end up here then? If she knew Phil and from what she told us, he knew her for a bit too; I’d imagine he’s probably worried” said Tubbo as he looked a bit nervous.

“I think her story checks out,” said Techno as everyone looked at him, “Haven’t you noticed her scarf?”

“The ragged thing? Yeah?” asked Tommy.

Techno nodded, “I got a look at it and although it’s damaged, it’s still an Elytra.”

Everyone widened their eyes, “What?! HOW?!”

Techno shrugged, “She mentioned waking up with it so if we combine her memories, she probably had the Elytra from Phil and when she fell, somehow managed to keep it. Though that is scuffed if that is the case.”

“Well no one can enter the End realm or has, so having an Elytra here….”

“You don’t think it’s from her End realm?” asked Tubbo.

“Probably. Then again from what she told us, she’s from a much older time. I don’t think she even knows about the existence of an Elytra, so logically, Phil’s the one who’s been teaching her this entire time.”

“That is, if what she is saying is true” said Wilbur as he crossed his arms skeptically.

“Of course it’s true Wil!” admonished Tommy, “Thea won’t lie!”

“We don’t know that.””

“Oh don’t give us that Wilbur! After all she has done, you think she would lie like that?”

“Her origins are a bit suspicious.”

“Mysterious at the best” said Techno, “So far, she is a bit suspicious but at the same time, she doesn’t know a whole lot so even if she’s a threat, she’s not much at the moment.”

“Well Thea took a few days to recover last time she had something like this….” Said Tubbo as Tommy groaned.

“This is just like right before the Election.”

Wilbur frowned as he remember,

Thea shrugged, “Probably then again, it’s annoying since I don’t know how it happens or when it happens. Also, there are days were I have just gotten to sleep and wake up a few days later.”

“What? Like you just hibernate?”

Thea grunted. “It happened once or twice so far. Once out of total accident which I don’t what happened but something did to tire me out. The second time was when I just collapsed and woke up in time for the election.”

“That’s….”

Thea nodded, cutting that part off. She gripped the grass in nervousness. “If I hadn’t waken up in time…I wouldn’t been there for you guys.”

….

Thea placed her hand on Wilbur’s shoulder, clamping it as he jumped. She rubbed his shoulder comfortingly, loosely resting her hand between his shoulder blades and pressed herself just a bit closer to Wilbur. Grounding him.

“You two still got out. It was pretty much odd numbers anyway but as long you guys were alive, that’s all that matters. Tommy’s here. You’re here. You’re alright. Safe.”

            Wilbur placed his hand over his mouth, deep in thought. Tommy and Tubbo were the main chatter and he could feel Techno watching him from the corner of the other’s eye. Wilbur couldn’t care because at the moment, there were other things he was concerned about.

The revelation that Thea knew their Phil was the one taking over his mind. That description she gave was clearly him but that left the question: how did she know him? How could she have known him? How long had they know each other? Why didn’t Phil tell him about her?

He knew Thea had secrets with her selective amnesia but even then, he wondered what other secrets was she hiding from them? Would it endanger them?

A pit of paranoia and distrust begun to fester and Wilbur frowned behind his hand.

            All the while Thea floated between the gray line of her unconsciousness and the void. The darkness called to her, whispering to her and yet, she continued to dream soundlessly. Out of the void, came a woman who wore a large brimmed hat with a veil. The stars and the universe shimmered in her dress, her hair flowing down but disappeared into nothingness.

She came up and lifted her hands, cupping the girl as she smiled.

Chapter Text

Thea fluttered between her consciousness. The pull of sleep and the darkness too alluring to stay away from for too long. It would pull her with the lull of warmth and comfort with memories and dreams mingling together as one.

The only reason she forced herself to wake up was because she knew she had to wake up. But her body didn’t let her wake up for too long.

As she drifted between scenes, the darkness welcomed her every time.

But within the darkness, she could hear voices and she followed it like she was lost in a cave. The voice being her only lead outside.

            Tommy came in and out of her room. Bringing her fresh flowers to change out of old withered ones, bringing fresh scents in the room. He watered her plants and dusted off her things. He would give her wolves pets and take them for walks, if Techno doesn’t already do that already. He then would talk to her by her bed, as if she was still awake. If he listened closely and was lucky enough, Thea would mutter out sleepy replies or acknowledgements.

It wasn’t anything close to how she would be if she were fully conscious but with lately how Wilbur was acting as he begun to spiral, Tubbo being their spy, and Techno off by his lonesome, Tommy found whatever solace he could find in Thea.

He would hold her hand, sometimes, and every time he did, he could feel the slow grip she gave him.

Time went on and when Wilbur came too hard to be around with, Tommy would slip into Thea’s room and climb into her bed that was too big for one person. Clutching the doll of Henry that she and him made, and curl beside her.

Cause as the Big Man, it wouldn’t be very pog for her to be alone would it? He was needed and he needed to protect her from whatever decided to come after her when she was vulnerable. (He didn’t miss how he could almost hear Thea wish him goodnight and sweet dreams somehow).

            Techno found himself on a new schedule. On his usual grind, he would check on Thea periodically; his visits just before or after Tommy. He didn’t miss how the flowers in her room changed regularly nor how they stayed alive. He added more coal to the fire burner to keep the room warm and made sure the smoke wouldn’t suffocate the inhabitants of the room.

No, it wasn’t if he was doing this just for Thea, nope. He was invested in how the wolves were and the development of the puppies. He took Lupa and Fenrir on walks and it wasn’t like he didn’t talk to them about their master.

Techno carefully held a couple wolf puppies, fur now soft like cotton. They were so much tinier in his larger hands and he brought them to their human master; Fenrir and Lupa taking by her sides.

He placed the puppies on her chest as they whimpered and squirmed, yelping every so often. Some burrowed them in her fluffy hair and some of them hid just underneath her chin. Techno held one, one he called ‘Floof’ and held it to look at Thea.

“This is Thea, she may be asleep but she’s just like you. Sleeping away and being useless but soon you will be much more superior to her.”

Chat cooed and went awe at the puppies and he tried to ignore the voices that were focused on Thea.

“I’m claiming this one, as payment for taking care of your wolves” said Techno to Thea as he placed Floof back with his siblings. “We need to start my army of wolves after-all.”

He then left the wolves, aware that they’ll protect their master in his absence, and made his way to the vault. He had taken Thea’s measurement to make adjustments now. He left Pogtopia with trident in hand with the idea to enchant it.

            It was another one of those days where it was late, and his mind was spiraling. His mind was too loud and everywhere whispered harshly. Too late and too bothered to sleep. Everywhere he went he was haunted, and he could feel his sanity waning.

He found himself staring at Thea’s door and slipped in. He looked around for a moment, noticing how everything still looked in order despite its inhabitant hasn’t been conscious long enough to maintain it’s upkeep. He heard huffs and puppy whimpers in a den that was tucked away. He saw glowing eyes in the darkness that stared at him, judging him like everywhere else.

His eyes caught the colour of blue and turned to it. He felt his breath stiffen as he came face to face with his own face. Painted on a canvas that hung on the wall. He stared at it, his face no longer resembling the one that was painted. His legs shakily made his way forward to meet the imposter (the original) and stared at it.

His eyes were soft and kind. Not baggy and haunted with betrayal and distrust. His hair was styled the same but it seem soft and wispy, kissed with sunlight and shine. Not dry and unkept and hidden with a beanie.  His face stared at with a lush brightness, a smile that was happy. Not ashen and sullen with insomnia and with a practiced smile of maliciousness. The blue that surrounded them was his blue that seemed so much more alluring that seemed to ease him.

It was an imposter (it was the truth).

He noticed portraits of Tommy that captured him and one of Techno as well. He saw portraits of Tubbo in the making, and one of Niki. Outlined with charcoal on stretched canvas, with the backgrounds painted with a singular colour. As all the other portraits have been once. He sees the sketches in the open sketchbook, a small sprinkling layer of dust but were too lightly dusted to do anything for fear of smudging the lines.

He tore his gaze from it and turned to the artist, who lay in her bed. Unmoving from when she was first set on it and had yet woken. He walked over, pulling the chair to sit on it. He wondered when there was a chair set aside by the bed and his thought went to Tommy.

He looked at Thea, face set in sleep. Still as a statue yet breathed like a living Galatea. Yet to be brought to life by the wish of its sculptor and by the whim of a Goddess.

He looked at her and, in the beginning, thought of how she knew Phil. Then how Phil knew her. What their relationship was. Was she a mere acquaintance? A friend? Or a child that Phil replaced in place of himself.

Then somehow, in his spiral down the rabbit hole, a song started to filter in his ear. It was unsung yet it was clear as crystal. The song came and went, bringing memories of Thea and although it was laced with mystery that brought a hint of doubt, it was covered by warmer tones to the song.

I used to hear a simple song
That was until you came along
Now in its place is somethin' new
I hear it when I look at you

With simple songs, I wanted more
Perfection is so quick to bore
You are my beautiful, by far
Our flaws are who we really are

Wilbur felt himself relaxing into ease. The cacophony of sounds in his brain now replaced with a symphony. He felt his eyes closing, fatigue in his body. He leaned and found himself falling asleep by the lullaby.

            Thea sung into the darkness, surrounded by the Darkness and below her the void that beckoned her with its echoes. She sung, her voice bouncing off and disappearing into the unknown. She was alone yet not at the same time.

She could not see anyone but she could feel them beside her. Her friends, they were around her, presence enough to make the darkness warm and not cold with loneliness. She could hear and feel them somewhere in the darkness and she felt at ease, singing along.

And around her, there was Her who smiled as she also surrounded them; there but not there at the same time.

Chapter Text

There was a festival for all to enjoy. Friends and Foe together to enjoy a special day. A blotch of joy in the tension. Colourful banners and decorations were placed everywhere and all seemed well.

Then it wasn’t.

There was a speech. Then there was a boy. Then there were screams and questions of betrayal. Fireworks were set. Then there was an execution. Then there was chaos and rage. Tears and Blood were spilt. Voices were heard.

            Thea heard the voices in the darkness. It rippled through the void like angry waves and she was drowning. She tried to swim free and towards the source of the waves.

Then she felt Her lift her hands up and scooped her out of the darkness and there she awoke in her bed. There were seconds of stupor but the yelling spurred her on faster. She hissed as everything hurt and Lupa and Fenrir appeared by her side. She used them to push up and she staggered towards the noise.

She felt like she was underwater but she still swam and swam.

The source of the noise was getting louder and louder. So many colours surrounded her, vibrant with life and hue but yet together they radiated a picture that told of betrayal, fear, and violence. The colours produced a cacophony of sounds to those like Van Gogh, and she knew it was painted by a musician who was not a painter.

She walked closer to the mess of colour where the focal point of this painting. She had to fix it and make the painting perfect and serene as best as she could. Too many colours that gave her a bad taste and sound.

She saw Techno and Tommy in a pit. Red and Red. So much red that were splattered around messily and bloody. She turned to Techno whose pink was now red was spiky and was turning browner and muddled. She looked at Tommy’s red who was too bright and radiated so much hurt and anger, splattering red everywhere.

She felt herself buzz and fists of red were swung towards each other-

Thea stepped in with her brush, to fix this messy canvas into a painting of semblance. An abstract work at best.

“Enough” she said, the painter cutting the reds with her hands.

Tommy and Techno stopped in shock, but both reds now differentiated and were no longer trying to dominate the other. Forced to by the painter.

Pink eyes looked at Blue and Red eyes. Two colours that were primary and if worked together just right, would produce a royal colour.

“Enough” said the painter softly, her hands no longer gripping the coloured fists and held them firmly yet delicately like one would hold a brush.

The colours no longer flayed across the canvas, taking over the other colours. One’s red (Tommy) was supported by his complementary colour, Green (Tubbo) and then the painter turned to Red-Violet/Pink, placing her hand on his shoulder to re-arrange the piece.

Then everything fell as voices blended together. It was not perfect. The abstract painting colour formed something but there was no uniform understanding. All the colours either blended by the edges or were separated by its form.

The painter could only paint it as best as she could but she could not return the colours to their tube once it was placed on the white canvas. (It will never be white again, no matter how they will try).

            “Thea?”

Thea looked and her eyes focused on the colours in front of her. They began to focus more and more before it turned into an image and there she saw her friends.

“Niki” smiled Thea and the girl let out a relieved sob, hugging her. Thea hugged her (welcoming her? Comforting her? Who?) and then her eyes turned surprised, sad, and hurt as she saw Tubbo. She knew those marks. She saw enough to know. Who had drew those scars on him, she didn’t know but she found comfort in knowing it was not directed on the side where his heart was (but that wasn’t any better either).

His green was disrupted and hurt, and Thea carefully reached out to make the green vibrant once more. Tubbo gave her a sad smile and bleated quietly, before burying himself back to the painter.

Thea held them close and saw they were no longer as vibrant as they were but she could make them once more.

A shaky, wavering red flickered behind the pink and green. The painter looked up and saw Tommy, who tried to slot himself in this picture. The painter welcomed him and the red easily blended in.

            Thea’s clarity edged closer and closer till everything was in focus. She held her friends close to her (and tried to hold their cracking forms as close together as she could; just until she could fix them. The cracks would never disappear, but she would not let them crumble).

She rocked them, humming every so often but more so to create a rumble in her chest; an far off imitation of a cat’s purr. But she tried anyway because options were limited.

When their shaking forms were quelled, she looked at them properly. She watched them try to regain their composure, she filtered through her brain on what to say. She was still sleepy but she had to awake.

She saw Tubbo’s scars, oh poor Tubbo. Dear sweet Tubbo.

Niki’s tears with fury and sadness underneath. The tulip ever so slowly wilting.

Tommy’s face conflicted with so many emotions but frustration was clear as one of them.

Not knowing what else to say, Thea licked her lips. “Let’s get some hot chocolate. Tea. Snacks.” She stood up, hand reached to firmly but gently grasping her friends to guide them to living area.

They moved where she wanted them, not knowing what else to do and she pushed them, guiding them from behind. She saw Wilbur and Technoblade conversing, and she knew she had to get answers.

Talk.

But right now.

Comforts.

Thea guided them into the living area, welcoming as it was designed to be but the aura everyone carried dampered it slightly. “Sit” she said, “I’ll make something.”

They all nodded as Tommy and Tubbo went to the couches while Niki stood around, taking it all in. Thea moved to her position behind the counters, her body moving with ease. Her joints creaked slightly from disuse but she pushed past it.

Water and milk were being boiled and warmed. Cups were set out. Tea leaves were in the tea pot. Cookies were plated with whatever sweets that were on hand to rid the bitterness in their hearts and minds.

Niki sat at the bar, watching Thea pour hot milk in cups filled with crushed cocoa beans. Sugar was added and Thea carried them to the boys. She watched her whisper to the boys, hands gently placed on the edge of their shoulders before she went back to the counter.

“Chocolate? Tea?”

“Please” whispered Niki and Thea simply nodded, making her a cup of hot chocolate. She carefully slid the cup towards the other girl, plates of sweets offered and Niki held the cup. The warmth slowly ridding the coldness and numbness she felt.

Thea sipped her tea, silent, eyes glancing at the boys, Niki, and at the entrance.

“Where were you?” whispered Niki, and Thea caught the edge of anger.

“Asleep” replied Thea.

“Asleep? How could you be asleep? We needed you!” rasped out Niki furiously. Tears prickling once more, filled with anger, betrayal, sadness-

Thea placed down her cup and had her hands by her sides. “I know.” Her voice croaking out with sadness, regret-

“Where were you…How could you be asleep of all times.”

“I know” said Thea, her voice growing firmer. Hands tightened into fists in frustration. “But I can’t control it.”

Niki opened her mouth but Thea gave her a look that made her freeze for a moment. “You don’t know…” whispered Niki.

“No but I can read the room” told Thea, her eyes looking behind Niki as she too turned to see Tubbo and Tommy looking at them. Tubbo’s wide eyes looking at them and at Tommy, whose face was scrunched up in anger.

There was silence as Thea spoke. “I want to know what happened but I won’t ask right now. But I will say I’m sorry, but I didn’t intend this.”

Niki looked down at her warm hot chocolate. Tommy downed his hot chocolate and stalked towards Thea, stopping just before her. Tubbo trailed behind his friend and Thea held her arms out, slowly bringing them in a hug.

There was silence for a moment as Thea looked at Niki. She saw the softened eyes and Niki felt another sob break out before joining the hug. Thea cooed at them, rubbing their backs as she acted as their pillar.

Even for a moment.

            Thea worked at the stove, by her lonesome as she prepared everyone’s meals. She had to be their pillar (she had to pull her weight from not being able to support everyone). She had gotten bits and pieces from the others after their hug. Her heart broke and she experienced so many, many things in that one moment.

She had to calm herself but told the others to go to her room. Niki to sleep in her bed that was more than capable of holding them all. She told Tubbo of the puppies and told Tommy that she trusted him to take care of her pets and flowers.

Tommy saw the escape offered and he took it. He dragged Tubbo to the sanctuary of her room and Niki looked back at Thea, before following after the duo.

Thus, where Thea was.

She stirred the stew, watching it bubble and the ingredients mingle. The ovens were going on high with pies, potatoes, bread-

Footsteps were heard entering the living area and she knew those footsteps. They stopped just the entrance way and she knew he was watching her. Thea kept her stance lax, eyes kept on the stirring pot.

She raised her hand and gestured him to come in. A pause. Footsteps made their way forward as the inhabitant sat at the bar. Thea set down the ladle and took out a potato, setting it on a plate before grabbing butter and salt. She slid the plate gently to Technoblade before grabbing his cup.

There was only silence between them (something she was familiar with but it was so tense and awkward). She gestured to the stew and Techno nodded. Thea nodded back and ladled his serving into the bowl, before setting it towards him.

Bread was set out for him, offered to him, and Thea kept herself busy but aware at the same time.

Techno ate the food, welcoming the meal and company; even if he was dreading it and felt the weight in his stomach.

Meal half-finished was when Techno spoke.

“Are you not going to ask?”

Thea cleaned a knife and it was threatening but he wouldn’t be surprised if she would use it to hurt him. He expected it but her hand was gentle as it slowly placed down the knife (not a weapon. Never a weapon).

“Curious but now is not the time” she said, carefully. She looked at him and Techno analyzed her face. Tried to.

He couldn’t but he knew at the same time that she wasn’t mad. Not angry. Not disappointed. Just…there.

“But I won’t hate you Technoblade. Sure, I’m….still processing your actions but some part of it doesn’t make sense to me.”

“Doesn’t it?” he shot back.

Thea walked closer to him, still separated by the counter. She threaded her hands together and settled them on her stomach.

“I don’t know you.”

Techno flinched as chat screeched.

“But I want to. I don’t know if we’re friends but I know we’re not enemies. Hopefully never. We may have disagreements but who doesn’t” said Thea as Techno stared at her. “Gods knows I have my own faults and actions. I want to know what happened. Why you did what you did, but not now. Too much has happened and I’m still not…all there if you will.”

Techno stared at her a few more moments as Thea took a shaky breath. “But I want my questions answered.”

He nodded slowly.

“Did you want to do it? Hurt Tubbo willingly.”

“…No.” If it weren’t for chat peer pressuring him.

Thea nodded slowly and licked her lips as she struggled with the next words. She stared at him with a distraught yet calculate look.

“I…I know Schlatt suddenly asked you to come up the stage and told you to execute Tubbo…were…were you peer pressured or were you threatened then?”

Techno felt his breath still for a moment, his mind screeching. He couldn’t tell the difference between chat and his own mind now; but within it all, he felt relief.

“…yes.”  

She stared at him, then nodded and let out a sigh of relief. Her form crumbling as her knees gave way. Techno slid out of his seat quickly as he rushed around her, as Thea placed her forehead against the counter and fingers grasping in anger.

A hand covered her face as it contorted.

“This fucking sucks” she cursed and Techno knelt beside her. He shuffled, not knowing what to do as Thea looked at him from the gaps of her fingers.

“I’m so sorry.”

Techno didn’t know why she was apologizing but then he saw her face and knew. She was sorry they had to go through this. She was sorry she wasn’t there to help them. She was sorry this happened to them. She was sorry for Tubbo, for Niki, for Tommy, for him.

Techno held out his hand and Thea took it, holding it shaky as they sat together on the floor.

            Thea cleared her throat for what seemed like the umpteenth time. She walked through the empy, echoing halls of Pogtopia by her lonesome. After her moment with Techno, they shifted back into some form of normalcy while simply being in each other’s presence.

Techno had awkwardly but kindly helped her up and scooped out some soup for her, before two ate their meal in silence. Dishes were washed before new dishes were set out to be filled with food. Techno helped her carry the trays to her room where the others were (minus Wilbur).

Thea took it over, nodding in Techno in thanks who nodded back before quickly disappearing. Holding the trays like an expert waiter, she managed to knock the door in a rhythm and opened the door. She was faced with her three occupants, Niki sitting on the edge of her bed awkwardly, Tommy and Tubbo buried under the furs of her wolves (several puppies yipping and crying for the boys’ attention).

The whole atmosphere was a bit tense and it was suffocating (but Thea kept it to herself). Thea made small talk with everyone, gathering bits and pieces of information. Balancing on the delicate edge of encouraging them to talk and not pushing them.

It was a lot of mental effort and she was tired. Mentally but not physically. Plus the guilt that she felt from sleeping too much was what made her miss this important event to begin with.

(Not to mention she still had to track down Wilbur).

Thea got them settled as she wordlessly produced out more beds for everyone, gathering they were going to sleep in her room for the night. She showed them the bathroom she had made (with Techno) and told them her extra clothes were. She hoped they would fit or be appropriate enough but it was better than sleeping in the clothes they were wearing now. She made sure everyone was going to be alright for now before hugging them one by one, before she went on her (dreading) task of finding Wilbur.

Dishes were left to soak in the basin and she grabbed the packed food. If anything, it would give her an excuse to the slowly-deranged man.

She walked around, hoping that Wilbur would at least be in Pogtopia but she knew, somehow he wasn’t.

Whispers of a control room, hidden away but close enough, popped into her brain. She dreaded it but the more she thought of it, the more she believed it. She walked out into the night, barely caring about being seen at this point.

Afterall, it would be seen rude if someone tried to arrest her for just a food delivery.

Logically, Thea knew she shouldn’t walk into Manburg without an invis potion or without any of her safety protocols but she was too tired emotionally for this. She walked and walked, noting the destruction and signs of what had happened today.

There was specks of blood here and there and the smell of fireworks were so, so prominent.

She saw the podium and she frowned in disgust. She could imagine what happened and she hated it. How Tubbo was boxed in as a trap, outed for being a double-agent, peer pressured Techno to come up to execute a boy-

She looked up to the side, feeling the despair of Tommy watching his comrade execute his best friend, his pseudo-brother holding him back from jumping in before it all happened.

Thea found herself being tugged to a direction and she walked, and walked before finding a hidden entrance.

She walked in, hearing harsh mutters. She stood at the threshold, gathering her wit and she took a deep breath before singing a song. The verse carried into the darkness and the mutters disappeared.

Then the other verse of the song was sung back to her.

Thea walked through and soon came across Wilbur. In a small room. A chair in the middle that faced a button, with words of a song scrawled all around. Wilbur turned to her, and Thea saw the tiredness, the insanity, and all the darkness all over his face.

“Thea” he said to her.

His voice too off, too wrong to her.

Thea held up the packed meal and saw Wilbur’s eyes tear away from analyzing her to the contents she held in her hand.

“Brought you dinner” she simply said.

“How did you find this place?”

“Took a guess from everyone and wandered around a bit. Actually a lot” she told truthfully. She walked with ease forward, ignoring the cold pit in her stomach. She held grabbed a block and set it beside Wilbur’s chair, setting the contents on it. She noticed the furnace and used it to heat up some things (casting a warm glow to the sickening darkness).

Thea leaned against the wall, arms crossed in feign casualness. She could and see Wilbur’s stare at her, feel the paranoia and distrust that was festering. She didn’t address it immediately but instead grabbed the warmed food and placed it by Wilbur.

The smell of the food helped ease her nerves, filling the room with sort of comfort than of gunpowder (it was still very much there. She knew.)

Wilbur made no move to eat and Thea felt saddened that he didn’t. Instead, she turned to the button and spoke.

“So, how much Tnt is there?”

She turned to him and Wilbur made no move to speak.

“I already know. The plan that is. Besides, can’t really argue with this considering I laced my entire house with TnT and tried to do the same to Schlatt and Quackity.”

She saw Wilbur relax for a moment and the paranoia slowly dissipated. Thea felt disgusted as she remembered a memory of her personal life and how she was put in this situation once more.

“It would be enough to blow the stage up. Just to get Schlatt and Quackity for what they’ve done. It would’ve gone so well and Tubbo was going to be fine when I gave the signal but everything went so wrong…” admitted Wilbur as he groaned into his hands that covered his face. “I know I shouldn’t have but I just wanted Tommy and Techno fight in the Pit and-“

Thea listened him to spill it out, her chest slowly being filled with dread but she kept her face passive. Her nails digging in her arms as she continued to feign. “But I have had enough now. It’s not worth it anymore, L’manburg that is.”

“You’re giving up?” she asked, her voice cracking with hopefulness and disbelief.

“No, no…we’re too deep and too fucked up for that now. I just want it all gone. If I can’t have it, no one else can” he admitted, and Thea saw the cracks growing bigger and bigger.

Thea looked at the button for a moment, her eyes catching the verse of L’Manburg. She didn’t have any attachments to L’Manburg. She only cared because Tommy and Wilbur did. And Niki. And Tubbo. And-

But was it really worth their lives? But then, they already gave their lives for it so to let it all go for naught, what was the point? To let it go, to let it go for naught- [it’s frustrating. Why? Why why why-]

L’manburg is not just the land. It was its ideals and its people. If they survive, then it still lives on.

But L’manburg as a country, as a government, it wasn’t right. After all, how could you control and put a system to a world that was so open and creative?  

Yet she could not disagree with the sentiment. If not as a leader but simply as an artist, as a creator. For it all your work, where you put not just time and effort into it, you also put your soul into it. Your entire being in it. To have it to be taken away and to have it to be defiled-

Thea couldn’t help feeling the sentiment: “If I can’t have it, no one else could.”

            Thea stared at the button once more then at Wilbur; who awaited her reaction. Not out of fear, but out of curiosity.

Thea was conflicted but she understood.

And that was the problem wasn’t it?

“So, what’s the plan?” she asked finally.

And Wilbur smiled.

(and the food went cold)

Chapter Text

Thea woke up warm and blearily. Her muscles and joints ached, a dull feeling resonating in her chest and brain. It took her a few moments to gather her surroundings. She could feel someone curling behind her, hands and knees drawn up that were pressed against her back. Small breathes were taken in. [Niki]

Thea went to rub the fog in her eyes but found one of her arms was trapped. She blinked and saw Tubbo curling in front of her, hands grasping hers in a tight sleep. Face scrunched up with something that wasn’t great and she didn’t miss how his leg bucked every so often, ears twitching.

She found herself after rubbing out the sleep crust from her eyes, yawned before reaching out to softly pet Tubbo’s head. She just stared while doing so, watching his face relax and his breathing evening out. She scoffed inwardly as Tubbo bleated quietly before shuffling closer.

Thea grunted before adjusting herself a bit more. She glanced up to see the clock she had installed; telling her of the time. It was just shy of having just turned dawn.

She grunted, feeling more awake but just barely. Her legs started to feel heavy and then she realized there was a mop of blond hair at her feet. Thea lifted her head as best as she could and noticed Tommy curling up by the end of the bed. He had his head resting on a pillow, on the top of her thigh, while somewhat curling in also with Tubbo but his growing tall stature was slightly awkward.

At first, Thea thought he was going to have a bitch of a crick in his neck when he woke up. Then noticed that Tommy’s face was also scrunched up in some sort of fitful sleep. His murmurings were inaudible with him pressing his face deeper onto her leg, hands fisting the blankets and pillow.

Thea dropped her head onto her pillow and slowly exhaled. Her eyes closing.

It was barely morning and this was already happening. She had taken note of her surroundings and it was far too early to get up. (Plus she didn’t want to start thinking of what had transpired yesterday and last night).

There were a few whimpers and quiet gasps. Who she didn’t bother knowing (Lies, she knew who was who-)

A melody filtered out of the darkness and Thea hummed, slowly warming up her vocals from their sleep. Shifting herself slowly and just so. Tommy now had a more even surface to lay upon, Tubbo and Niki now curling deeper in her side. (She had a horrifying realization of how small they were now)

She softly ran her hands through Niki’s and Tubbo’s hair, calming them as she hummed. Tommy unconsciously shifted himself further up, now resting on her stomach; barely deterred as his head was bobbed up and down as she breathed.

Thea continued to hum, lulling them into a sleep and replacing whatever dissonance they were hearing in their dreams. Then she opened her mouth to sing the words that were whispered to her-

“Reckless child, falling down

Welcome to the Underground

Good or Bad, choose your path

You accept the aftermath-

Friend or Foe, who could know?

As you go your heart will grow

Dark with hate, Bright with love

Reckless child from the up above~”

[- "Straight From the Underground"-Undertale by Ben Briggs, Besso0, and Dodger ]

            She smiled as she heard her friends breathing more evenly, more softly, as they drifted into a more restful sleep. She let herself fall into the warm darkness once more, letting her sleep just a bit more. To savour to this moment just a bit more.

And in the darkness, the void, she saw Her smile and her Angel in the distance-

Thea found herself in the kitchen, successfully pulling herself away from the sleeping pile without waking anyone up. The clock told her it was early morning now and it was time for breakfast.

Some sort of normalcy.

She gathered the ingredients and the tools.

The kettle whistled and Thea poured it in the teapot, steeping her tea. She moved, getting ready the coffee that would be dreadfully needed.

Hands and fingers grasped her cup as she took a sip of her tea, sighing in relief as the hot liquid washed over her and settled her. She stood there, sipping her tea and not really staring at anything.

After downing two cups of tea and about to move onto her third, she heard footsteps. She turned and saw Niki walking in, fiddling with her hands and looking around the living area with a new perspective.

Thea sipped her third cup of tea and waved in greeting as Niki gave her a small (hesitant) smile.

“Morning” greeted Thea as Niki approached her.

“Good morning” she replied back as her eyes seemed to look everywhere, unsure what to do. Where to sit. What should she do-

“Coffee? Tea?” offered Thea as she gestured to the ready pots. Niki nodded gratefully as she went and grabbed a cup, pouring herself a desired drink and prepared it how she liked it.

Niki joined her as they both enjoyed their morning beverage, enjoying each other’s company. Thea leaned herself a bit more into Niki (and Niki leaned into her more, appreciating the silent comfort).

6 cups of tea in and Thea was ready to make breakfast. She placed her cup down, a new kettle of water being boiled as she grabbed the ingredients for pancakes. Niki hid her face behind her drink as she darted around, watching Thea move as she noticed the familiar arrangements of bread making.

Thea saw her stare and she smiled, gesturing her hand to it in an open invitation. Niki smiled as she found her comfort.

“I was thinking of making more cookies and stuff. We need to some quick snacks” said Thea as she begun to mix the pancake batter. Her eyes never leaving her task but she could see from the corner of her eye that Niki relaxed, eyes twinkling.

Thea felt more relieved as she saw, felt, heard Niki move around with her usual energy. She smiled and quickly made a small pancake for them to munch on while they fed everyone.

Slathered with chocolate spread, Thea held it up to Niki who jumped in surprise and blushed.

“Oh I can do it myself” she stuttered and Thea rose an eyebrow, eyes looking at Niki’s occupied hands and Niki blushed a bit more before opening her mouth to take the offered pancake.

Thea smiled to the side as Niki seemed to be more chipper as the chocolate hit her. Tommy and Tubbo came in at some time, yelling Good morning and Thea responded in kind.

Niki gave a much more quieter greeting but more chirper.

“Pancakes?” gaped Tubbo as he saw the pancake mixture, ready to be cooked.

Thea nodded as she carefully took out the cooked quiche, as Tommy returned from helping put the rest of the breakfast items on the table.

“Any waffles?” asked Tommy, questioning.

“Sadly no. Don’t have a waffle iron bub” said Thea as she begun to cook the pancakes. “Quick, chocolate chips or no, go!” she yelled rather loudly.

“(FUCK) YES” said the boys as Thea sprinkled the chocolate chips as she snorted. “Niki?”

“Plain please.”

“Gotcha” sounded off Thea as she looked at Tubbo and Tommy, “Grab the syrups would you? In the chest.”

Tommy and Tubbo charged at the chests, Niki following them to grab more ingredients. Not long into her pancake making, her communicator buzzed as she read from Techno.

Technoblade: Chocolate please

Thea: Noted. Want other stuff?

Technoblade: Please.

Thea: Sure- morning btw

Thea slid her communicator back in time as Tommy and Tubbo huddled near her, waiting for their desired pancakes. She gestured to the pile of pancakes and the boys whooped, quickly taking them to the table to eat. They piled their plates and were trying to see what to put on it. Niki smiled as she slid her baked goods in and out of the ovens, before Thea handed her pancakes.

They all gathered at the table and only when Thea sat down, did the boys dig in. Although the table was lacking their usual two occupants, it was replaced by Niki and Tubbo who still made a nice aura around the meal.

Thea was just there, eating her breakfast as she listened to everyone’s plan and whatnots. She quickly finished off her meal and went to deliver the other missing two their meals.

She didn’t miss how the other three followed her as she did and she wasn’t a fool to believe that they didn’t know who those were for.

“We can handle the cleanup” said Niki as she smiled (politely).

Thea smiled at her, “Thanks. Lunches here are a bit more casual but I’m usually here for them” she said, framing it as if she was talking to Niki and Tubbo; but she also reminded Tommy she was going to be here.

(she saw how Tommy looked relieved but it was covered with mock annoyance)

“Alright, alright we hear you woman! Now go and do your woman business or whatever-“

“Tommy, don’t say woman business or suffer the fallback” she warned him, face turning into one of “just no” and “you will see hahahahaha”.

Tommy sputtered off firebacks and Thea just waved without looking back at him as she walked out. Tommy’s yells and Tubbo’s laughing and Niki’s giggling were left behind as she walked to Techno and Wilbur.

She heard footsteps and they were familiar. Technoblade appeared out of the shadows, as Thea raised up his breakfast. “Morning~” she greeted. She didn’t comment on how Techno had his mask up and guessed he was in his most human form.

“Morning” he greeted back and carefully took the meal. “Thanks.”

“No problem” said Thea as she carefully popped her neck.

“You alright?”

“Slept a bit late but I’m running fine. Wasn’t expect to be piled with three people though” she told him as she leaned against the nearest surface as she watched Technoblade eat his meal.

“Were you talking with Wilbur?” he asked.

Thea caught on the undertone.

“Sort of. Got his take and some.”

Techno heard the undertone, nodding as he sipped his coffee; noticing it was the way he liked it. There was silence as Thea texted to Wilbur about his whereabouts so she could deliver his breakfast. She received a reply and Thea held up a finger to Techno.

The man nodded and Thea disappeared as Techno ate his breakfast by his lonesome (the food suddenly tasted a little less appealing than it was before).

Thea re-appeared, without her other parcel as she stretched. They enjoyed each other’s presence as Thea gazed nowhere.

“Any plans?”

Thea shrugged, “Just some maintenance and stuff. Otherwise after making lunch, no idea though.”

Techno hummed as he polished off his breakfast. He stood as he tilted his head and grunted. “They’re gone.”

Thea nodded as she followed the much taller man to their living area. True to his word, the others were gone and remnants of breakfast were gone.

Techno washed the dishes and set them aside to dry before he and Thea drank the remaining beverages.

“On a completely off topic note,” started off Techno.

Thea rose an eyebrow as Techno waved his hand in a flippant gesture.

“If I were to invite you to join me in the nether, would you?”

Thea blinked but smiled behind her cup. “I wouldn’t be opposed to it; especially if it’s after said-lunch time. One cannot enter the Nether on an empty stomach. For that is folly.”

“Did you just haphazardly parody the Lord of the Rings?”

“Perhaps~”

“HA-“

            Thea joined Techno at Pogtopia’s Nether gate, ready to go and the man was already there. He noticed her long before and they stood at the swirling purple gate.

“So, ready to see Hell?” questioned Techno.

Thea shrugged and let out a slow breath. “Gotta do the grind” she commented.

“Yes, the grind” nodded Techno as he stepped forward. Thea followed and felt the swirling sensation of being transported to literally another dimension. It was familiar but still not very pleasant.

There was a moment and then she was bombarded by heat that so hot that it instantly made her sweat. She smiled at the heat and Techno watched as she took steps out of the gate. He gestured her to follow as they walked out of their cave of netherack and instantly gaped at everything.

“WHAT THE HELL?!” yelled Thea, her voice echoing in the Nether.

Techno let out a laugh as he shifted, watching Thea look around in utter amazement and horror.

“What the hell, what the hell, what the fuck-“ she cursed as she gestured dramatically at everything. “What is thaatttttttttt.” Thea noticed everything, the weird clicking sound that was in her ear every so often and ran her hands through her hair. “This is so cursed.”

Techno snorted as he took out his sword. “I guess I’ll do the right thing and show you around; it would be inconvenient if you kept going around like a noob.”

Thea followed after him, copying him as she too took out her sword and shield; the armor a blessing but also curse as it hugged around her. “This is so cursed, what the fuck. The nether then was already a terror show and this? This is just-“ Thea let out a noise as Techno hummed.

He didn’t listen to her rant of her reaction to the whole Nether, knowing it was on the general basis of “This is Hell but like H.E.L.L”. Which was a good thing because he was leading them across the Nether and Chat was absolutely going nuts as they listened to Thea.

Mostly poking fun at her reactions but also agreeing.

Ah yes Hell. L. That is the most funny faces she has pulled. Just wait till she sees WITHER SKELLETONS. Throw her in the lava and let’s watch her reaction. OOF. What a way to learn. Just wait till she sees the Piglins and stuff. LMAO.

There was a screech and Thea screeched.

“Oh frick, why are there more ghasts?!” she screamed.

“Relax, they’re not so bad. Besides, they’re easy to deflect their shots.”

He heard her footsteps stop behind him and he turned. Chat screamed as Thea had a distraught look. Techno knew that face as he spoke slowly.

“Tell me you knew that” he said.

Thea blinked very slowly. Her hands were put together almost like she was going to pray, placed the tips to her lips that was contorted like she was constipated and her eyes screamed “WHAT”.

“HOW HAVE YOU SURVIVED?!” he yelled in disbelief.

“LOOK LOOK, BACK THEN THE NETHER WAS SUPER NEW AND LET ME TELL YOU IT WAS STILL SCARY AS HECK. AND WE JUST USED BOW AND ARROWS CAUSE WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO APPROACH THAT THING!”

Thea pointed dramatically at the ghast that was leaving them behind.

“Cause you can get drops?!”

“THEY DROP STUFF?!”

“BRUUUUH”

            This is basically the general theme throughout their journey in the Nether. Techno was flabbergasted at Thea and made a point to stay close because he did not trust her at the moment. He also made a point to give her a rundown right then and there because while he wasn’t scared of the Nether, he found it awfully concerning.

Chat was not helping but Thea was listening to everything he told her, and he slowly saw her face dropping and her composure waning to panic with every information. When he was done, Thea simply took a breath and sat on the ground, dropping her head into her hands.

"What the fuck” she said.

Techno leaned his head back and sighed loudly.

There were a few moments before Thea took a deep breath, slapped her knees and got up. “Alright, let’s do this” she said and Techno stared at her before he sighed; somewhat regret bringing her along (he was sort of glad he did because he didn’t want to think of Thea traversing the Nether by herself or Notch forbid, by Tommy and Tubbo.)

They made their way across the Nether and he could see Thea adapting to the Nether, despite how jumpy she was.

They found themselves across the Crimson Forest. Thea looked around wide eyed at all the vegetation and Techno looked around for any netherwart that may be around. He was a bit distracted as his eyes landed on some. He went for them and as he gathered them, he lost track.

It was only the resounding screaming of chat that he was pulled out of the zone.

TECHNOOOOO. OH FUCK. Time for murder. THEA. Oh no. Ready to press F for respect. TECHNO HELP HER. Doesn’t anyone think those piglins are a bit off?

Techno straightened up, his heart racing as he looked around. Thea wasn’t here. He got up and hastily walked around, trying to find his companion. When she wasn’t near in his vincinity, he got a bit concerned. It didn’t help that Chat was going so fast in his mind and he couldn’t properly focus.

Then he heard Piglin noises. He rushed towards it, knowing it wasn’t good. He zoomed on it, weapons and gear ready to go. He felt his form shifting under his skin and then saw the mobs of Piglins.

Thea was huffing and had her shield up as she tried to both protect herself and run, while also fight off the Hoglin that was rushing at her. He saw the Piglins also jumping, shooting at the Hoglin but there were also some that were trying to grab Thea for whatever reason.

Techno felt his blood roar as Chat rising to chant “BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD”

He jumped and knockback the Hoglin, creating some space. The piglins screeched at him as he slammed into one Piglin, and grabbed Thea at the same time.

 “Technoblade!”

She let out a breath and he smelt blood; but it was hard to tell among the sulfur of the Nether. He pushed her behind him and Thea took out her bow to start shooting at the Hoglin rapidly.

It went down, damaged considerably by Techno’s netherite sword and after being whittled down to nothing. Techno kept his eyes on the horde of Piglin who snorted at him furiously.

He heard the Hoglin go down and Thea grabbing the back of his cape, tugging it slightly as he huffed. The piglins started saying something and Thea couldn’t understand it-

But then Techno growled and he shifted. Thea gasped quietly but gaped as she watched Techno’s form shift. First, she saw his face shift and filling the emptiness of the mask, then it fell off as it was pushed off and Techno got bigger and wider.

Her eyes widened in fascination as she saw Techno’s form turn more into his full piglin form and the horde of Piglins took several step backs. Words and threats were exchanged and then, they came at them.

Technoblade fought at them and he kept trying to keep Thea behind him. She in turn kept his back covered, shooting her arrows to cover his sides but it became too much. Her sword and shield came on and they fought together. They shouted each other names as they created some distance between the mobs and then, out of nowhere there were brutes. One came at Techno who blocked it but the other brute got ready to swing and then Thea yelled, “TECHNOBLADE!”.

Techno heard the sound of an Endermen teleporting and he slashed at a brute, turning to deal with the other but instead he saw Thea appear above him and slamming her sword down at the brute.

Everyone was surprised but Techno didn’t miss how her eyes were glowing bright pink, face concentrated. The Brute fell back, taking several steps back as he got ready to swing at Thea, but before the blade could, she disappeared just as it landed. Another thwoop and then she was by it’s side, and attacked. Techno watched in awe as he watched Thea teleport again and again, attacking every time and then,

they were gone.

Thea gripped the back of Techno’s cape, grounding herself as she breathed heavily. Her ears roaring as her heart beat rapidly. Everything around her was moving just so and she wobbled. Her hand gripped Techno’s cape more but slowly moved to grab his sleeve; tugging it. Techno took several moments to calm down from the adrenaline rush and Chat’s noise. He felt her pat his arm calmly and rhythmically, and then he felt himself shift back into his in-between form.

They stared at each other. Techno’s red eyes staring at Thea’s glowing pink eyes (eyes that were slowly dimming and turning back to normal).

“Let’s go” he muttered and Thea nodded, chirping. He grabbed her hand, and she grabbed his, letting him pull her along. She gripped his hand and was glad to have something to ground her. Techno went into autopilot and soon found themselves back near the Nether gate. They stopped close by, sitting on the edge with their feet dangling off. They stared at the pools of lava and were catching their bearings before they dealt with the queasiness of the Portal.

There was silence for a moment and Techno stared at Thea who was still a bit out of it. Eyes a thousand miles away.

“What happened back there?” he asked.

Thea’s eyes turned to him, and he saw them focusing for a moment, but exhaustion was still there.

“I…I was exploring a bit and wasn’t going to go too far from you but there was a ledge and I didn’t catch it in time. I fell and there was a hoglin. I remember what you told me and it kept battering me with my shield up. I kept flying and then there were Piglins. I tried not to attack them but then the Hoglin kept whittling down my shield and I knew I had to fight back…I accidentally grazed one Piglin and…” her fingers flexed and wiggled with anxiety and Techno nodded, getting it.

“I’m sorry Technoblade” said Thea, “Guess I’m not as ready as I thought I was.”

Techno stared at her and felt his mouth open before he could stop it.

“Techno.”

“Huh?”

“Call me Techno.”

Thea opened her mouth as Techno explained smoothly (and not totally sputtering out). “It’s a whole lot more efficient to say that then spending those precious seconds; and knowing you, you’re going to take a while to get used to it-“

Thea felt a smile pull onto her lips as she gave a light laugh. “Alright mate, I get it. You wanna know a bit of lore?”

Techno rose an eyebrow as Thea tucked in one of her knees, resting her chin on it. “I don’t think Thea is my actual name.”

“Whaaaat?”

“I don’t know how but I think you know, settling somewhere and not being the void, everything being jumbled up or anything-“ Thea took a deep breath and ran her hands over her face, “But like during then, at some point I remembered.”

“So basically you triggered a memory?”

“Based on my track record, more of my memories get triggered when exposed to some sort of intense event which isn’t ideal.”

“Not pog.”

Thea nodded before she sucked in a breath.

“Anyways, Thea is a nicknamed, a shortened form of my name. Now here’s the scuffed thing…I don’t remember my full name? I’m not sure anymore.”

Techno stared at her and leaned back against his hands. “Well, Thea is a lot easier to say and besides, it sounds awfully similar to the Titaness Theia.”

Thea stared up as she thought. “Isn’t she like the Titan who gave birth to the titans of the sun, the moon, and dawn?”

Techno nodded. “The same one. Her name is actually spelt ‘Theia’ and she is considered the Titaness of sight. Endowed gold, silver, and gems with their brilliance and intrinsic value.”

“Sounds pretty pog” commented Thea as Techno nodded; realizing they were tired.

There was silence as lava bubbled as Techno spoke up.

“Are you going to try and figure out more of your past?”

Thea shrugged as she too leaned back against her hands. “For what’s it worth and what I have to go through, and by extension everyone else…. probably not willingly. Not that if it wasn’t presented to me openly, it’s just…”

“I get it” emphasized Techno as Thea nodded.

With that, they sat together in silence and in each other’s company a few more moments before returning back to the overworld.

            Later in the evening, Techno worked at the netherite as he added more to the vault. His stomach was full as his mouth didn’t taste like iron. The taste of dinner cooked by Thea lingering. His hands worked with rhythm and his mind wandered back to just before he left.

Where he and Thea looked at the stars, after Techno told her stories of Greek Mythology.

“What do you know about Anarchy?”

Thea looked at him, confused and her face scrunching up in thought. There was a moment before she spoke, “Uh, something about hating the government or any position of controlled power?”

Techno hummed, “You’re close. It’s about being free from constituted without authorities or a governing body. Where no one is fit to rule over other human beings.”

“Ahhhhh, I feel that. Sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“I mean, I like having order and harmony for the sake of living peacefully and y’know, not throw everything into chaos. Then again, if it means anything, I used to laugh uncontrollably for a concerning amount of time whenever someone said ‘government’. So-“ she shrugged.

“Then you know why I’m here?”

“Schlatt’s tyranny, which is becoming more evident it seems” her face soured.

Techno hummed and there was silence once more. Wind blew and the stars and moon continued its course.

“Then you also know I will destroy Manburg.”

Thea stiffened and she was more awake. It wasn’t because of shock or fear, but it was further realization of the course of this plot. She knew it was coming but now the pieces were in place and now they couldn’t change it.

She took a deep breath in and let out a controlled breath, feeling content in this situation.

“Yeah I know…it’s inevitable you will do it. One way or another,” she said. ‘And I know Wilbur’s but…’

“What, you’re going to stop me?”

Thea felt a bit unease as she felt conflicted. “I can’t stop you and I know how you can achieve your goals and aligning your ideals to everyone else’s goals but on the course we are now, I can’t see it happening.”

Techno gave a thoughtful humm as they both stood up. They walked a bit to the middle and Thea spoke, “but regardless, like everyone else, I’ll do my best to support you all.”

            Techno fiddled with the netherite gear and continued working.

Chapter Text

Thea could feel the inevitable arriving. When it would happen, she didn’t know exactly but it was coming.

But for now, Thea remained doing what she did always and adapting to the new people in Pogtopia. She still made meals for everyone and people still gathered around but it was rare now that everyone sat together for a meal together. Nonetheless, she kept some sort of normalcy around, and in between with checking on everyone, she tried to desperately replenish her mental and emotional energy by trying to do her own things.

But today was not one of those times.

“So you’ve been doing portraits all this time?” questioned Tubbo as he stared at the paintings.

Thea hummed as she sketched a bit more, capturing more of Tubbo’s features and form before as they waited for the paint to dry. Thea’s pink eyes flashed to Niki, who was staring between her in-process portrait and the sketchbooks that Thea had accumulated since. Her portrait had a lovely pink and violet background that was painted earlier and now were filled in with the features of the girl.

Tubbo had joined in, sometime between looking for her and was now sitting in front of her. She set aside her sketchbook, propped up precariously before she gestured to Tubbo to remain relatively in place.

“Been working on it for a bit. Finished Wilbur, Tommy, and Techno. I had started on you guys but I only had few and between sketches. But now that you guys are here, I can get the features in more!” piped up Thea as she started to paint. A faint greenish and yellow background had been applied earlier and now the subject was being painted in and rounded off.

“That’s so cool,” said Tubbo as he kicked his legs and Thea smiled at how carefree he was now. Glad to see him this way. “Where do you think you’ll hang them?”

“No idea” she admitted as she dipped her brush into her paint. “Never gave it much thought. I thought of giving the portraits to you guys if you want but if not, just hang them in my home or something.”

“We could make a little gallery for you and hang them there!”

Thea gave a nervous laughter, “Oh no way, nope. Too much there.”

“Oh come on! We could have other things then! Like sewing tapestries and other works people make! Pottery and sculptures too!”

“Sounds like a project man” said Thea, “Where would we even have the space?”

“I dunno, we can think about it though.”

Thea rolled her eyes but let him think (if anything it’ll give them hope for the future and take his mind off their current demons).

“Hey Thea,” asked Niki as the girl gave a hum of recognition. “Why did you choose the colours for everyone?”

Thea looked as Niki gestured to the finished portraits. “Ah the backgrounds?”

Niki nodded as Tubbo gave a thought, peering over at his own portrait. “Oh yeah, I was wondering about that.”

“Ahhh, it’s sort of…your auras? Or my interpretation of what your colours be” said Thea, her voice slow as she realized it sounded weird.

“Oh!” said Niki, surprise then in curiosity. “How did you come up with them?”

Thea licked her lips as she tried to think of how to describe it. “It’s hard to explain? They’re like general impressions mostly then systematically given. But the colours on the background aren’t exactly way that I see it but just a general tell. Like Wilbur’s both a deep blue and maroon colour that just seems to co-exist with each other; they’re deep colours that have a lot of depth in them but give off different vibes? Tommy’s, I’ve struggled a bit but he’s mostly a red but given the choice I say he’s more like red-orange-yellow gradient given how bold and boisterous he is, but also very warm once you get used to it. Like a fire almost. Techno’s-”

“Ooh, then what about Me and Niki’s?” asked Tubbo excitedly.

“Well as you can see,” Thea set down her brush to focus and also allow the paint to dry. “Niki gives that hint of pink and violet gradient. Very warm and gentle and bubbly but has a depth to her that tells more. Can’t explain it yet but that’s how I visualize it.”

“Oh” Niki in surprise but a small smile appeared as she stared at her portrait. “That’s so kind of you to say.”

“As for you Tubbo, not sure if it’s because of the green you wore when we first met, but you’re mostly green with also yellow and hints of orange. Green not just because of its vibrancy and growth but add in yellow and orange for how much energy you provide and not to mention the chaotic nature you have.”

Tubbo looked at the colours painted and Thea smiled, as the taste of the colours and the sensation it brought to her. She watched the two look at each other’s portraits and at everyone, giving their own opinions of everyone’s colours and how it would apply. Thea half-listened and half-thought.

There were more to the colours, and like everything, there were positive and negative connotations. She didn’t want to think of it at first, but she remembered what was happening during the pit. She didn’t tell them the more in-depth construction of their colours because it wasn’t the right time. Not now. Maybe hopefully never.

For now, she let them vibe.

Tommy appeared in all his firey glory and Thea tried not think of how much colour there was now. She forgotten what it was like from years in the void and the End, and forgot this part of herself.

            “Hey, Thea-“

“Hm?” she hummed to Tubbo as she put away her things, done for today.

“What about black and white? Would you see that?” 

Thea shook her head, “Nah, those are ones that I don’t ever see….well that’s a lie but it is extremely rare.”

“Wait, really?” asked Tommy, who caught hold of the conversation. “You never said that before!”

Thea picked up her tea, giving herself a reprieve before she spoke. “I don’t see it generally but I have seen it a few times before, but those are exceptions.”

“Like what?” asked Niki, now curious.

The tea that had settled on her tongue had turned bitter as she thought back. She slowly set down her cup. “Black I have seen a few times but they’re not something that happens normally, nor for white. The latter is mostly when I see something like babies. Children are rainbows.”

“Then what about gold and shit?” asked Tommy, “Are those possible?” he asked again with interest and excitement.

Thea thought back. Remembering when a large woman whose body seemed to mold off the void. Galaxies danced in her eyes and were part of her hair, veil- flecks of shining colours-

The man who possessed deep lazuli blue eyes with blond hair that almost seemed golden-

Ah-

“Once or twice but I’d say they’re the exception to the norm” said Thea as she sipped her tea and turned away.

Everyone else looked at each other perturbed but Thea didn’t say anything beyond it. Especially they saw her eyes; both faraway but turning ancient with hidden knowledge.

“Well,” said Tommy as he huffed. “What about you then? What’s your colours?”

Thea gave a sad smile as she shrugged, “I don’t know. Can’t tell myself and I don’t think I’ll ever know.”

There were a few barks that bounced off the halls of Pogtopia and Thea stiffened. She knew those barks and then Thea dropped her cup as she ran. The cup shattered as it made impact but it was little of thought.

Thea made her way to the central part of Pogtopia, seeing her wolves growling at the intruder-

“Quackity” she called, taking out her sword and shield.

The man in front of her had his hands up in a surrender pose as he seemed to be sweating bullets. “Wait, wait-“ he said, “I’m not any enemy!”                                                              

“That’s what they all say” said Thea as she pointed her sword at him.

“Wait, wait, Tommy and Wilbur know!”

Thea rose an eyebrow but she tried it. “TOMMY!” knowing he was close behind.

Tommy appeared and wheezed, “Hold on Thea! Big Q is with us!” he said.

Thea turned to look at him and took in Tommy’s face, immediately lowering her sword. She turned to her wolves and clicked her tongue, the wolves looking back at her before relaxing and returning to her side.

She petted them, kneeling on the ground and she didn’t miss how Big Q relaxed dramatically. She looked at Tommy, “How long has this been a thing?”

Tommy scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, “Uh just today?”

“Nani?”

            The current situation was taken to the living area as Thea had to start on their final meal of the day. Everyone who was present was gathered in the living area and Quackity was looking around in both awe, ease, but still tense and stressed. She didn’t miss how he was fidgety and jumpy but was trying to be at ease as Tommy explained what was going on.

Niki was helping Thea with dinner and it was business as usual.

“Dinner!” she called out and the boys jumped up to the table. Thea saw Quackity looking awkward as she and Niki carried the food to the table. “You too Quackity.”

The man seemed surprise, “Wait what, me too?”

Thea blinked at him with a deadpanned look. Stared at him for a moment and rose an eyebrow. “Yes you too. Look, you and I may have an altercation and all that but considering Tommy trusts you, among other things, the things that happened doesn’t mean you are not exempt from being fed.”

Quackity stared at her in slightly disbelief and Thea sighed, gesturing to the table with her head aggressively. He took the hint (and mild threat) and hurried took the table; sitting next to Niki and away from Thea; who sat at the head of the table.

“If you’re joining us, we’re going to need a bigger table” commented Thea as she scooped some food for herself as everyone begun to do the same.

She nodded in thanks to Niki who helped scoop up some mash potatoes for her as Thea watched everyone plate their food. She carefully watched Quackity who seemed to take in the sight of the food, as if it had been some time since he had a proper meal and seemed to jump with every clutter of plates and utensils but to only relax when it was just Tommy and Tubbo being themselves.

She pushed down the sympathetic feeling in herself but didn’t ignore it. She temporarily ignored Quackity’s shaking hand and the other concerning signs.

“Time to eat” she announced.

“Time to Eat!” cheered Tommy before he shoved the first bite of food immediately.

Thea chortled but ate her food and everything was pleasant if not awkward at first. Only because the lack of the usual conversation happening as the flow of the atmosphere was interrupted by a new participant.

“S..so,” started off Quackity as he ate a mutton, “You guys eat like this every day?”

Tommy nodded, “Yeah! Well not every day since Pogtopia happened. When Thea joined us and made this living area! Now we have proper place to eat and shit!”

“Not on that last part” immediately interjected Thea as Tommy choked on his food and everyone stuttered, both laughing and choking.

“You know what I mean woman!” yelled Tommy embarrassingly.

Thea pointed a fork at him, a piece of mushroom at the end of it. “It’s called subjective interpretation” before she ate what was on her fork.

Tommy sputtered off curses and groaned.

Niki giggled as Tubbo snickered, “Anyways Big Q, Thea’s been the one in charge of meals since she built this living area. She wanted a place where everyone could have a place to hang and stuff.”

“It’s very nice to have” smiled Niki as she saw the colour flowers growing, the comfy chairs, and soft carpet.

Thea cut her mutton as she spoke casually, “Just because we live in a ravine, doesn’t mean we have to live like it.” She popped in her food and continue to eat.

“That’s actually nice” said Quackity, “We don’t have meals like this often and when we do, it gets ruined by Schlatt-“

He stopped himself as he caught himself but everyone heard it. Tommy, Tubbo, and Niki looked at each other and then at Quackity. There was a tension in the air and Thea scooped more food onto her plate before dumping more stew for Quackity who was stirring it nervously (and spilling some of it).

Everyone stared at Thea in surprise at how casually she was taking this, and Quackity jumped as Thea placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He met her eyes and expected disappointed and cold eyes. Except he saw soft eyes.

“Meals are supposed to eaten in warmth” she said, “Now eat, a full stomach is best.”

With that, Thea removed her hand from Quackity as she smiled at the others. “Hope you have room cause Niki made a delicious dessert.”

Niki brightened, “Oh yes, I made some chocolate pie!”

Everyone cheered as Thea nodded, “We can have dessert later then, first dinner.”

Quackity watched everyone fall back into normalcy and warmth, and Quackity watched Thea put back the pot of stew onto the stove before returning her seat. He caught her eyes looking at him and she smiled reassuringly, before gesturing to the food with her head.

Then she returned eating like nothing happened and responded to whenever she wanted in the conversation that took place. Quackity stared at the plate of food and the safe company he shared. He felt something well up in him for a moment and he tried to stuff it down with the food.

It tasted warm and it both made him happy but also sad.

            Dinner came and went. Dessert also came and went with a game of Uno. It was a disastrously fun affair. Time turned late and Thea and Quackity wished the others a goodnight.

Quackity sat remaining at the table, nursing a cup of coffee, as Thea cleaned up the table and plates, humming a quiet tune to herself. He watched Thea pack up food, telling him she would be back before disappearing for a couple of minutes.

This gave him time to think and settle what had happened.

Then Thea came back with empty-handed as she grabbed her tea and in front of Quackity but also a bit off to the side. He could see her but not immediately. A welcome but also off putting presence.

There was soft music playing somewhere in the background, filling the silence between the two.

“You okay?” asked Thea and Quackity looked at her. He saw her lean back into her chair, arm propped up against the back of it, knees crossed over each other. She was also leaning back the chair slightly, all the while sipping her drink.

“Yeah…yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” lied Quackity.

Thea stared at him and softly settled her chair back and set down her cup, but letting it go. “Quackity. If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t be here.”

Quackity felt his breath stall and he gripped his coffee mug tight. “I…”

Thea stared at him for a moment before sipping her tea and started filling it. “I won’t pry, gods knows we both met and interacted only negatively so I’m not morally right to do so. But I have the feeling something bad happened and changed with Schlatt which led you to be here right now. Tommy seems to know and trust you. Wilbur verified it when I asked him but that’s all I’ve done and going to do.”

Quackity stared at her a bit more as her eyes met his, the pot of tea back on the table. She kept her hands on the table for him to see and he noticed how dainty they were.

“I’ve trusting you as much as I can. There’s the whole if you hurt any of us, I’ll hurt you thing but can you blame me?”

Quackity shook his head, “Not really.” Eyes downcast.

“Call it being fair. But as long as you are here and don’t intend doing anything to hurt us, you have a place here. A bed to sleep, a person to talk to and come for help. A meal waiting for you. That much I can promise you and give you to trust in….”

“Now all is left is what about you?”

Eyes met each other as Quackity sucked in a breath. “I guess I should tell you what happened….”

            Thea breathed in relief as she lay down in a flower field she found. After much coaxing and preparation, she left Pogtopia to gather herself once more. She was burnt out and told the others much, before being told to go out for a walk or a little journey. With reassurance that they could take care of themselves until then.

So here she was. Lupa joined her as Fenrir stayed behind with the puppies. The female wolf was in much need for some R&R now the puppies were weaned.

She watched Lupa eat her meal at her own pace while Thea ate hers in the same manner. She enjoyed how the wind blew against her face, rustling the flowers and trees. The sun shined down on her, warming her skin and being. Everything was nice and Thea realized she missed this.

Much so.

She had walked around, saw the sights at her own leisure. Her sketchbook was being filled with sights, memorialized in the pages.

She also drew her next house, planning for a time when it would come. Surrounded by flowers and trees; away and secluded to her own design. Her dreams were interrupted by the sharp sound of her communicator going off.

She set down her brush, letting the pages dry in the sun as she grabbed her communicator; bringing to her ear.

“Hello?”

 “THEA!” yelled Tommy.

She immediately drew her ear back from the device as Tommy continue to yell out. “Thea, thea! You need to come back to Pogtopia!”

“Whoa, whoa, what’s happening?” her ear and shoulder pressing the communicator close as she quickly packed up. Heart hammering.

“I…something went wrong. We tried to get an upper hand on Schlatt and then he said there was TnT under Pogtopia, now there’s buttons everywhere-“

Thea felt her body grow cold and everything shatter. “I’ll be there soon.”

“Please”

The communicator went dead and Thea took a shaky breath but charged. She wasn’t far and then-

There was buttons everywhere. Just buttons all over the walls, floor, and-

Her eyes fell on Wilbur who was gleefully pressing every button, a wild insane look in his eyes and she could see the insanity now. Tommy and Quackity were around him, trying to get him to stop pressing every button, panic everywhere; eyes flashing to the walls and ground, frozen every button pressed; as if they were waiting for something to explode-

Thea grabbed Wilbur’s hand from pressing another button, pulling him back . Her other arm wrapped itself around his midsection from behind. He turned to her, delirium in his eyes. She pulled him back, away from the buttons, turning him around as if she was dancing with him. Leading him away to the dance floor-

The next thing Wilbur knew, he was dipped back with Thea above him, holding his midsection; supporting him with his hand, arm still held in hers. A curtain of Thea’s hair draped over him, hiding their faces from anyone else.

Wilbur’s crazed eyes met Thea’s eyes, and he noted how softly they glowed but seemed so sharp with how dark it was-

“Hello Thea” greeted Wilbur, smiling.

Thea had a passive look on her face, “Hello Wilbur. That’s enough pressing for today.”

“Awww, but what about one more?”

“You’ve pressed enough” she commented before unfurling herself and pulling Wilbur up smoothly. Their legs were between each other, and he looked down at her with an indiscernible look.  Her hand still pressed against his lower back as her hold on his arm changed but he instead gripped it as if they were going to waltz.

(In a way they already were).

Thea noticed the confused but relieved looks of Tommy and Quackity behind her before taking a deep breath and slowly let go of her dancing partner. She begun to straighten Wilbur’s coat and hat, brushing his hair away from his eyes.

A step back and Thea spoke. The question of what was happening lingered on her tongue, but she had a feeling if she asked, Wilbur would be launched back into whatever mood he was in before. Her hand dashed and gripped Wilbur’s hand, pulling him to her side before he could go and press another button.

She noticed Wilbur pouting at her and she ignored it as she spoke. “Everyone okay? No one harmed?”

Tommy and Quackity nodded as Thea gave a purposefully sigh of relief. “Good. Now…who’s thirsty?” she smiled, confusing them all but they nodded, agreeing out of confusion.

            They came and went, explain what had happened. Tommy and Quackity left, on the ‘suggestion’ of Thea while she and Wilbur sat side by side. (She didn’t miss how they gave her concerned glances before they left, but she just nodded).

Wilbur no longer sitting at the end of the table but not by her side. Their knees touched each other and there was nothing at first.

Then they found themselves dancing in the living area, not giving a damn. Well, Wilbur more so then her.

“I wanted to press the button” admitted Wilbur, breaking from his humming of nonsensical notes.

Thea felt her gut drop but she kept the mask on, understanding what he was talking about. Wilbur twirled her around, him laughing a bit before pulling her close. They swayed and guided the other forwards and backwards-

“I was so close. I had my chance. Blow up L’manburg and only Schlatt would’ve been killed but then Quackity and Tommy-“ his face morphed into rage and disgust.

Thea placed a hand on his cheek, moving her hand over his face and removed it; revealing his face back to normal. She gripped his chin as she forced him to look at him.

“At this point, it’s not Schlatt anymore. You just want it gone do you. To be over with” she said. It was a statement, not a question

Wilbur closed his eyes and hummed, leaning his head into her hand. “Yes, so, so much-“ he admitted and his eyes were half-lid. “I’ve been going to that room by myself already a few times. So close to pressing that button and yet-“

Thea felt a bit of hope but also a bit of despair. Her hand fell down and Wilbur caught it, clutching it to his beating chest. She knew and he knew.

That it wasn’t going to beat any longer at this rate, but Thea wasn’t going to accept it. She had to save him, somehow, from this insanity (but she knew he was in too deep. Too long gone. If he didn’t get this, he was gone either way-)

She noted how his deep blue was getting darker and darker, indescribable. The maroon mixture he had was also darkening and seemed sinister now.

“Don’t chase it” said Thea, pressing her palm onto his chest. Relishing how his heart beat. “If you do, I…we won’t be able to chase after you. I won’t”.

Wilbur gave her a soft, sad yet deranged smile; knowing something she didn’t (she did but did she really?). He pressed his hand on her back, gripping her closer to him (she did so in kind) and lifted her hand to his lips; kissing it softly in intention and roughly with how chapped his lips were (she didn’t ignore the amount of pressure that was just on the threshold of being painful). 

“And I don’t want you to” he said back.

There were footsteps approaching hurriedly, and the two separated smoothly and turned just in time to see Tubbo with a look of panic.

“Uh guys, Fundy is here.”

She heard Wilbur stiffen his breath and Thea flashed a glance at him. She turned to Tubbo and spoke, “Got it. Now go.”

Tubbo’s face became confused, flashing a concerned looked at her, but nodded, before disappearing. She stood by Wilbur and they stood there for a moment. Thea placed a hand on his back, gently coaxing him; guiding him forward as they went to see what about Fundy had to say for himself.

            Thea handed Fundy a muffin and coffee.

Threats and explanations were exchanged and Thea stood between it all. She listened and remembered around Pogtopia, noting that everything (other than the massive amount of buttons) were the same. The threat of the TnT to blow up Pogtopia was a lie (but it did it’s end goal regardless).

Then there was Dream.

At first there was threats and Thea just sipped her drink and greeted him with “Hi Smiley.”

She grinned as Dream sputtered off but Thea didn’t listen and just sipped her tea loudly; relishing how friends were snickering and laughing.

Then the day of battle was confirmed. Then the mood dropped and now everyone was tensing up. Thea should’ve felt many things but all she felt was acceptance. She didn’t like it but the inevitable was declared and it would happen. One way or another.

            “So, War” drawled out Technoblade as he and Thea were in each other’s company.

Thea nodded, re-adjusting the collar on Fenrir and Lupa. Their newly dyed collars of Pink and Blue now showing from their white fur. Techno revealed this bit of information, and she was gleeful.

Techno watched her poke her wolf’s ear while he softly petted Floof. Chat cooing at the pupper and the doggos which was a welcome change (but he still knew they were ramping up for the upcoming blood that would be shed).

“Will you fight?” he asked her.

He watched her slowly sip her tea, the two of them finding solace and quiet between each other. Everything was too noisy and chaotic. Tension was building and Thea knew she was spreading herself thin.

“I…don’t know” she admitted, her face casting a shadow. He looked at her and saw the contradicting emotions. “I knew this was inevitable but I tried or hoped to at least avert it. But the flames have been constantly fanned and it’s now out of control. I want to support you all and I know we have to fight, but…” ‘it doesn’t mean I have to like it’

Techno nodded as if he knew what she was talking about, he let Floof nibble on his finger.

“Everyone is dead set on what they want to do and how they want it to end” continued Thea as she sighed and leaned her head back, eyes staring at the stars. “And I know one way or another, it will not end the way that everyone is satisfied.”

“So you’re just going to be part of it?”

“Either I can watch this story unfold as part of the audience, or I can do what I can given the role I have” admitted Thea. She turned to Techno. “I don’t want anything to happen to you guys because after all this time, I’ve come to care. I want everyone to be happy and I want to support you all. Whatever way I can.”

Techno stared at her and after a moment, spoke. “Look, Thea, I don’t know what you think of me but I have my…plans and goals.”

Thea nodded and took a sip of her tea. Slowly before she spoke.

“Wilbur mentioned blowing it up and he seems absolute on it. I’m still going to try and avert it but…” they knew the unsaid words. “I’ve heard things. Whatever you got planned with what’ve you been grinding up this point…I’d imagine it’s something.”

Techno huffed. “And you say you’re still learning.”

Thea gave an amused huff, finding herself smiling but it was empty.

“I can fathom. Besides…I know you and Wilbur have been collaborating. And I’d imagine you got something to help with it, but I just hope it never comes to it.”

“There’s no place for Tyranny.”

Thea nodded and set down her cup. “Yeah I know. Let’s hope I’m proven wrong but if not…I understand Techno. Even if it won’t mean much.”

Chapter Text

The days till War grew closer and closer. Every side was preparing, and the tension was growing.

Yet Thea remained her steadfast role. Trying to be one of the pillars (but she knew she was crumbling, and she was probably alone in her role).

She continued to make meals but the shared meals they shared were becoming least frequent. She knew it wasn’t because they didn’t want to, but simply because they were getting too busy. Timings never matched up and Thea thought to herself that she was the only one that saw everyone.

Pogtopia filled with more and more people but it didn’t feel like it.

Breakfast had become a breakfast buffet where people grabbed what they could from that was laid out before they grabbed and went. Lunch was always an informal affair but instead of meals that were meant to be grabbed whenever and eaten at the table became less.

The lack of dishes proved that.

So Thea begun to make lunches that were able to be grabbed and go. Sandwiches were always on the menu but she tried to give the others some variety in their nutrition (she offhandedly knew they were eating less and she worried for them).

The others tried to prove themselves they would eat together at dinner time. It was more for the sake of feeling others were with you then simply enjoying a meal together. Nonetheless, Thea kept it up as best as she could.

This happened on again and again. Wilbur and Techno appeared in meals again, bringing some joy to Thea and she let them know it, but others didn’t feel the same (there was always tension in the air. They knew. Everyone knew).

The one thing about being a constant was that everyone eventually came to you.

Thea became the confidant and she knew so much but also little.

(She felt herself growing more and more thin, but she kept trying to pull herself together as she did her best to keep herself in running condition).

Thea continued to paint her portraits, finishing them (she didn’t want to think that it might be the last memory she had of them). With so much time on her hand (and oh so little), she had even time to start and finish the other additions.

Thea was enjoying a cup of tea as she finished eating her lunch. No one had yet to come in yet but she knew they would come (they tried). She washed her dishes and set to move onto making lunch.

Bread was cut. Meat and vegetables were sliced. They were piled together and-

“What a nice place you have here” said a deep baritone voice. Thea stopped what she was doing as she recognized that voice.

She turned and widened her eyes, smiling as she recognized the figure. Fundy was smiling right beside Eret, tailing flicking in excitement.

“Eret!” she gasped before rushing over to hug them.

The figure opened their arms to her and she crushed it.

“it’s good to see you Thea” Eret greeted.

Thea separated but kept her hands close, “I could say the same!” she studied her friend and had a concerned look. Eret gave her a soft, understanding smile.

“I know. I’ll explain myself to Wilbur, but I will be joining you.”

“Oh” Thea said quietly. “That’s good but are you sure…?” she asked tentatively.

They nodded solemnly. “I have to repay what I’ve done.”

Thea bit her lip and nodded before she smiled at Eret and Fundy. “Well, first things first, have you eaten yet?”

             Lunch was a welcome affair as they all caught up with each other. Thea learned more of Fundy being a double agent and how Eret knew.

“I’m glad you weren’t alone” she said to Fundy and the fox stared at her in surprise but his eyes went misty and nodded gratefully. Eret placed a hand on his shoulder in sympathy and nodded to Thea for understanding.

Eret explained how they were trying to work behind the scenes and Thea wondered how many people were just working behind Schlatt’s back this entire time.

Fundy left, saying he had matters to attend to and then Thea and Eret took their conversation to her room (she knew no one would be coming in soon anyways).

They sat in their chairs and Thea begun to draw, her hand no longer able to stay still. They caught each other up personally and with gentle coaxing from Eret, Thea told her more of what was going on.

“Everyone is not doing well” she admitted as she lowered her charcoal. She gingerly placed the sketchbook away as Eret reached a hand out, their hands holding each other in solidarity. “And it’s going to be well, even if we win.”

A warning that Eret caught. “How do you know?” they asked quietly.

“I’ve been talking to everyone and you hear things. Eventually you piece things together. Tommy is still upset at Techno but it’s mostly pushed aside. Techno has been…mostly keeping it to himself. Tubbo hasn’t completely admitted to it but he has PTSD from being executed, which is understandable, and then there’s whatever going on with Quackity and Fundy-“ Thea took in a deep breath and sighed, “Then there’s Niki and Wilbur which…” she cocked her head to the side and bit her lip.

“And you?”

“Huh?”

“How’ve you been doing? You mention everyone else and I know you’ve explained it to me but…”

Thea glanced down and felt the weight of everything slowly crushing her.

 “It’s been…difficult, I won’t lie. I’m doing what I can to be a pillar out of necessity and I know it’s not great? But if no one does it, who will though? What’s worse is I can’t imagine this ending well. Everyone has their ambitions that they’re not going to budge on and there’s no room for compromise. It’s either is or that.”

“What do you mean by that…”

Thea looked at Eret and they frowned. “We can only minimize the damage as best as we can, but will it be enough?“

There was a harsh knock and the two jolted. They looked and their hands left each other just in time for the door to open. At the entrance was Wilbur, who was leaning against the door with an air of casual (but both could see the dangerous look in his eyes).

“Hello Eret” greeted Wilbur, “All caught up with Thea?”

Eret thinned their lips but nodded, “Yeah. There was a lot to catch up on.”

Wilbur grinned sharply, “Great! I’m sure there’s a lot to still talk about but we have time, do we?” they couldn’t get a word in as Wilbur turned to Thea, waltzing up to her. “Do you have time to spare now?”

Thea could see Eret stiffening but Thea was already pushing herself out of her seat. “Yeah, I can spare a few. We’ll catch up more later Eret” said Thea with the best undertone of “I’ll be fine” and “Don’t get caught up in this mess”.

Wilbur hummed as Thea pressed a hand between his shoulder blades, coaxing him out of the room and getting him away from Eret as fast as possible. The two walked and walked until Wilbur gently slid his arm around Thea’s own arm, pulling her to a direction.

They walked and walked until they were outside, staring towards the direction of Manburg. They stood together staring as sun was slowly moving down. It was still the afternoon regardless.

“So,” prompted up Thea as she couldn’t handle the tension anymore. “What did you want?”

There was a moment before Wilbur turned to her and smiled. “I’m not too sure honestly.”

Thea felt her face turn irritated then angry, but she suppressed it into a more tamer look, but she didn’t hide the skepticism.

“So you just pulled me from Eret without any reason? Call me doubtful but you came in very purposefully for it to be just a whim, Wilbur.”

Wilbur smirked, “Perhaps it is a whim but I won’t lie, you talking to Eret did make me irritated.”

“And why is that?” Thea placed her hand on her hip, gripping it so she wouldn’t grab the front of Wilbur’s shirt to shake some sense into him.

“Eret may be here to support us, but it doesn’t change the fact they betrayed me.”

‘You mean Eret had betrayed you guys, not just you’ she thought before she sighed, “Is that what it is?”

Wilbur nodded, “You know it might as well be.”

Thea stared at him, running her hand aggressively through her long hair (that was much too long now). “Wilbur, what did you really bring me here for?”

“Can I not enjoy your company?” he asked her, voice dropping in tone.

Thea stared at him. ‘That’s not what this is’ “We both know it’s not just that.”

Wilbur shrugged before he placed his hand into his pocket, taking out a cigarette. He lit it and there was a inhalation and exhalation. The smell of nicotine irritated Thea where it made her sick. Her head ached at the smell of it and Thea took a few step backs, scowling.

Wilbur saw it and he took the cigarette between his fingers and blew it out to the side. “Not a fan?”

“It makes me wanna puke” she said honestly.

Wilbur stared at her, then the cigarette. He took a long drag and exhaled it slowly before dropping the burning stick on the ground, crushing it out with his heel. The smell of cigarette lingered in the air and Thea didn’t hide her disapproval.

“I’ll be honest Thea,” said Wilbur as he stared towards Manburg. “Do you think I’m the villain?”

Thea stared at him and she placed her trembling hands into her pockets. She kicked at the dirt, burying the cigarette into the ground and stomped at it. Speaking as she did.

“History is written by the heroes. No one really wants to be painted the villain or the bad guys but, in every narrative, there is a bad guy and a good guy. Even moral characters are seen as either way. So, who’s to say? You may be a villain, but you may not be. It all depends on the person.”

There was silence from Wilbur then he spoke in the next few beats. “Then,” he turned to her, “What am I to you?”

Thea stared at him, studying him. She placed her hands on her hips, taking a deep breath and sighed, curling herself in a bit. She stood back up and walked over, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“You’re my friend.”

Something happened in Wilbur and then Thea was pulled into him. She squeaked but she immediately clamped her arms around him, her back leaning backwards and Wilbur bending over her. Face burrowed into her shoulder. Their legs faltered and Thea held Wilbur tighter as his knees touched the ground. Thea held him close, his ears pressed against her chest, where he heard her beat; reminding him of a hummingbird.

“Thank you” he said and Thea felt joy, dread, despair, sadness, and-

Her lip trembled and she bit it, tasting blood. She ran her hand through Wilbur’s hair and the other holding and rubbing Wilbur’s back. They shed tears and they were just.

Tired.

            The sound of blades hit each other, twanging in the air. There were grunts and yells as they danced around each other.

A dangerous dance of blades.

Techno and Thea danced and fought each other, dressed in armour and armed with weapons.

They were burning the last of their energy before slept would take them until the next day.

Blades raised in the air and fell down onto each other, the force of their collision creating a powerful vibration that went from their hands through their bodies and to their feet.

Both eyes stared at each other with ferocity, and they stood there, frozen. Each saw the other’s true intention behind their eyes.

One need to satisfy the voices that would not rest until they were satisfied. The other needed an outlet when her mind and hands could not satisfy with the pen, but with the sword.

Their shoulders relaxed, tension and adrenaline dissipating. They lowered their weapons, and both let out a sigh of relief.

Techno’s head was quiet and numb from the lack of chat chanting in his head. He savoured it as he rested his eyes. For a couple moments, he opened them and sheathed his weapon, while Thea stabbed the ground, resting her hands on top of the pommel and her forehead resting upon it. He stared at her, waiting for her, then he saw her raise her head, pink eyes staring at him.

There was no need for words as the two walked side by side for a moment; finding solace in each other’s presence.

            Thea slept in her bed, drained. She was tired and would be feeling it into the next day, but she was satisfied. She lay there, waiting for sleep to slowly grasp her and pull her into the darkness when the door opened.

Eyes stared at whoever came in and there she saw Tommy. He looked carefully and Thea grunted, signalling him that she knew he was here. He jumped but she dropped her head on her pillow, scooted over and patted her arm to the space next to her.

Soft feet approached and then the bed dipped.

Thea pulled the blanket over, tucking him in and she lay there like starfish. Her hand patting Tommy to soothe him to sleep.

“Thea?”

“Hm?”

“Do you think we’ll win?”

A pause before she sighed, turning her head to him. Her pink eyes glowed enough and she could see him looking at her. Looking for answers that she somehow had.

“We’ll win one way or another. There are people here that will see that through. That includes you. But whether it’ll end how you want it to be, then I can’t answer that.”

An answer and one that was framed in such a way that was honest.

Tommy’s eyebrow furrowed before he nodded and closed his eyes. Thea tucked him in as he curled into bed and she closed her eyes.

“Good night Thea.”

“Good night Tommy. Sweet dreams.”

As Tommy drifted off, Thea hummed a song and soon both were claimed by sleep.

            Thea dipped her fingers into the balm and lifted a good dallop. Her other hand, free of any medicine, gently approached Tubbo’s side. She lifted just the bits of hair with her fingertips, barely grazing him. Yet it still made him flinch.

Thea felt the swirl of unease but kept her face and hand steady. She approached Tubbo’s scarred side and gently dabbed his face, rubbing the ointment.

This treatment had been going on since the festival. It would never go back to normal (it will never be normal) but the hope of this treatment was to at least heal it where it wouldn’t taunt and cause Tubbo any pain.

She saw it healing and it weighed less on their minds. Especially when Tubbo was smiling and laughing. There was less wincing in pain or hesitance when the corner of his mouth moved past a certain limit.

The steady fast treatment was working. The scar was fading bit by bit and was less rough than before. There were flakes but it was a sign of healing. Tubbo’s hearing would be affected still, but the ringing that haunted him was diminished greatly.

“It’s smelly” complained Tubbo and Thea snorted.

“It’s medicine, no way around that” she said. ‘It’s either this or smelling burnt flesh.’

Tubbo groaned and draped himself over her, to which she simply let him and as she cleaned up, burning the used bandages and cotton swaps in the pit. As she worked, Thea felt Tubbo press his cheek against her shoulder, arms wrapped around her. Thea guided his legs around her waist to encourage the Koala behaviour as she stood calmly and placed the medicine kit away.

She hummed a song and it was reassuring feeling Tubbo’s breathing.

There wasn’t much to talk about and that was alright. They were here.

They were alive.

That’s all they needed.

            Thea heard Niki taking gasps of air that was indicative of someone crying harshly and for a long time too.

When she turned the corner, she watched the girl bake away, hands pounding at the dough of bread. Absorbed in her misery and work.

Thea walked over and gently reached over to place a hand on Niki’s hands. The pounding stopped and Thea didn’t look at Niki before curling her fingers around Niki. Thea’s other hand was placed on the other girl’s shoulder, rubbing it in comfort.

Thea felt Niki’s head lean against her shoulder, her weight leaning against her before there were more sobs into her shirt. Thea enveloped her in a hug, shushing her and cooing her, letting the girl hug her.

Niki didn’t respond to Thea’s gentle encouragement, but she knew not to pry. She was tired. Exhausted.

So Thea set the girl on the counter, making her a cup of warm honeyed milk while she made the girl something sweet to eat.

(Thea knew Niki wasn’t eating as she should).

Pieces of day old bread were soaked in custard and baked together, topped with caramel. The air was sweet, sweet. Too much for Thea but she endured it for her friend who smiled with red eyes as she took a bite of the food.

And that was enough for her.

            “Do you think Wilbur still sees me as his son?”

Thea sat next to Fundy as they watched the salmon. She turned to him, Fundy staring at the Salmon with a look of nostalgia and a bit of sadness. The Salmon reminding him of his mother but knowing it was not her.

She knew never asked what happened to Sally, why she wasn’t in their lives. She gathered a guess that Sally was somewhat corporeal to the point where she did raise Fundy for her to be a memory but not enough of a presence in Wilbur’s mind beyond an infatuation.

(Thea shuddered at the cursed knowledge that Wilbur imparted on her. She did not know nor needed to know how one could copulate with a fish and yet-)

Thea swung her legs gently in the cold water, disrupting it further.

“He still sees you as his son but whether he consciously is aware of it is…”

Fundy frowned and his tail wagged angrily.

“I did what I had to do but I won’t lie, it wasn’t entirely an act.”

Thea nodded at the information as she leaned forward, elbows resting on her leg.

Fundy begun to go into his despair and anger and Thea listened.

(Cause that’s what Fundy needed the most right now).

            Thea sat across from Quackity. Cards in each other hands. They were assortment of things that substituted as poker chips; ranging from cookies, acorns, shiny rocks, and such.

The oddest thing was a ring.

Thea glanced at it as Quackity pulled it out and set it on the table, putting it in the pile. She was okay at Poker, but she knew Quackity was more of an expert than her. Yet, he continued to play more poorly than he should.

They both knew it.

Especially when he placed the ring in the pool when he was clearly losing.

Thea knew the ring was well worn (loved). She pulled her winnings to her pile and Thea placed a finger on top of the ring, sliding it back. Quackity placed his hand and stopped her, sliding it to her.

The ring sat in the middle and Thea set down the cards, letting Quackity taking it back and shuffling it absentmindedly.

“This is no ordinary ring” she said and the more she stared at it, the more she knew it was an engagement ring. The fact Quackity added it to the betting pool…she knew.

“…Schlatt and I…he and I were engaged.”

Thea let the surprise take over, but she smoothed it over, Quackity barely noticing. He continued to shuffle but his hands lagged.

“I wanted power and control, which is why I also worked with Schlatt. But then-“

Quackity’s face furrowed into fury and despair and Thea reached over, hand stopping the shuffling. She set their hands down and she gripped his hands. Quackity hung his head and Thea listened.

“I just wanted to belong. To respect me.”

(She listened)

(But was anyone listening to her?)

Chapter Text

The day was soon upon them. Everything came down to this one moment.

Everyone was gearing up for war and Thea did her last rounds. Tonight would the last for Pogtopia; whether they won or lost, it’s existence would cease. Many things had happened since she joined and she was there as it continued to develop. There were more people then ever.

Thea made their last dinner as fellow Pogtopians and it would be a feast (she knew for some it might as well be their last meal). Everyone gathered in the living area and Thea looked up and around her.

She faintly remembered when it was filled with everyone, but it was only a handful of them. Now, there were more and this was the first time everyone was here together (how sad it was it would be also the last). There was laughter and chatter in the air and Thea wished she could freeze this moment in time.

She could of course memorize it in photos and videos (which she did) but it wasn’t the same as living in it.

Thea announced that dinner was ready to be served and everyone rushed. They all splintered off to setting the table, gathering the food and serving it. Thea orchestrated them all and they all gathered in their seats.

Wilbur was at the end of the table and while the seating was tight, it was right. Food piled the table, and it was an impressive sight. People murmured to themselves and others as they sat, getting ready and Wilbur looked at her, smiled before he rose from his seat, glass in hand.

He clinked his glass with his knife (she didn’t miss the symbolism) and gathered the people’s attention. Everyone was silent as they all stared at their leader.

“My fellow Pogtopians, the day approaches and I know we have our doubts but we have survived this far,” started Wilbur as he looked at everyone. “but we have a chance to defeat Schlatt and tear down Manburg and we will not let them win-“

There was a cheer and Wilbur grinned. Techno and Thea caught each other’s eyes, understanding before returning their attention to Wilbur. “Everyone has done their part in our war with Manburg and I applaud you all for your efforts and spirit.” Wilbur looked at them and then rested his eyes on Thea. She stiffened, a shiver running down her body as she straightened her posture.

“And we cannot forget one of our fellow comrades, a friend to us all: Thea.” Everyone turned to her, and Thea started to sweat at all the attention. She politely raised her drink and took a sip as Wilbur continued. “Thea, I would like you to say a few words to us all.”

Thea choked on her drink, but years of practice forced her to calm down and slowly swallowed it. She set down her drink, shaking and roughly, before she pushed herself out of her seat. Wilbur continuing to stand and smile with drink in hand.

Thea looked at her fellow friends, memorizing their faces while also gathering what words to say.

She took a deep breath and cleared her throat (that burnt).

“First of all, wow what a way to put me on the spot Wilbur,” she grimaced, and Wilbur chuckled before Thea sighed. She rubbed her hand over her face before clamping her hands behind her back.

“Second of all,” she looked at them all, “Although this has been a wild ride for me, considering my story to which you all have been enlightened on, I never expected to be brought back into the world and be surrounded with people; friend and foe alike.”

She caught their nods as she continued, “I know I am an outsider to this all that was brought into it, but it was because of that I was introduced to you guys, which I will hold dear to my heart.”

A few awwws.

Thea picked up her drink and held it halfway. “I will be honest, regardless of what tomorrow brings and whatever the future brings, it has been my honour to meet you all and be there for you all. We may go our separate paths or walk down shared paths, but we will live, one way or another.”

She raised her drink, and everyone cheered, raising their own drinks. Thea drank hers but she looked at Wilbur and Techno as she did. They nodded as they got her message and Thea sat down.

Then they dined.

It was loud but it was theirs.

Laughter and banter were shared. There was yelling and a few shots of food were thrown. But everyone ate and enjoyed to their fullest.

The night grew later, and everyone begun to disperse. Resting up before the final day. Thea wished everyone a good night and sweet dreams, to which they all wished her the same. They all went to their beds and Thea went to hers.

She stood in her room, taking it all in. It would be the last time she would sleep her and she would uproot herself once more. Routine was done as Thea took a long bath, brushed hair and teeth before dressed in her best sleeping clothes. She went to her bed, her wolves taken care of and ready to fight on her call (if she chose to). She slipped in her bed and as she lay her head on her pillow, did Thea realize how empty and lonely it was.

Thea slept but it wasn’t a fruitful one but rested all the same. She woke up on time but some selfish part of her wanted to sleep and never wake up. Regardless, she still woke up.

She got dressed and went to make everyone a quick breakfast, able to be eaten with their hands. To her surprise, Techno was there first. He waited for her, with her tea prepared and offered it to her.

She smiled warmly, heart blooming at the gesture, but also sadly. Thanking him as she took a sip of her tea. He kept her company as they both drank their tea. Breakfast was made and offered. Everyone ate and then they gathered.

It was intimidating as everyone wore their armour and it truly set in that it was war. Words were shared and Thea hung in the back, watching it all unfold. Her wolves by her side.

“Before we go in, we have 20 minutes from now. So does anyone have any extra stuff, anything that we can pool our resources together before we go-“

“I’m stepping in” announced Techno as everyone looked at him. “I’ve been preparing for the past month. We do not lack items at all. Everyone just follow me.”

Everyone looked at each other in surprise but as Technoblade walked with confidence past her and out of Pogtopia. Thea moved to follow and so did everyone else. They all did, everyone murmuring to each other but then Techno lead them to a large body of water. He went in and without question, Thea followed, and they all watched as Techno revealed the hidden dirt, a steady stream of bubbles rising.

As Techno went in, he turned to Thea and slightly extended his hand. She grabbed it without question, and he led her hand to grip his shoulder, descending together. Soon, they came out of the water into a small dug out base and the splashing of water could be heard behind them.

“So this is where you’ve been” commented Thea and Techno hummed. More and more people gathered as Techno greeted them. “Welcome guys to the entrance to my secret base!”

Everyone started murmuring to each other rifling through as Techno yelled at them not to go through them. “Not there you guys! Come on here, now this…” Techno led them to another area as he grinned., “This is the vault!”

Everyone started yelling amazement as they flooded the vault.

“HOLY SHIT-“ cursed Wilbur, not believing it.

Techno cackled, “I am ready for revolution boys!”

 Thea stood by Techno, giving him wide eye amazement and bewilderment. She gestured wildly to the area as Techno cackled. He gestured for her to look and she did, immediately noticing how STACKED everything was.

Everyone started loading up, Techno gesturing Thea to do the same which she did. Techno calmly nodding every time she held up an item like “Yes, yes go ahead.”

After taking only what was necessary (wait did she see Tubbo take the Emeralds??), the two watched the rebels loading up in excitement. There was a pause before a gentle tap on her shoulder made her look at Techno.

He gestured for her to follow, and she did, before she saw him go to a hidden chest and pull out a set of armor. “Look, I sort of guessed you wouldn’t take beyond what was needed but you seriously need some better gear.”

Techno tossed her the full set of Netherite armour and Thea started sputtering. “Oh come on, you’re seriously going to fight with half iron and diamond armor? Bruuhhhhh”

“Look, look, I-“ Thea said trying to defend herself but she scrunched face, knowing he was right and it was very true. Thea sighed and muttered to him, “I’ll return the armour to you when this is over.”

“Nahhh, you’re too tiny” commented Techno as he pulled out her new sword.

Thea sputtered more half formed curses but sighed, before putting on the armor. It fit just right and Thea could literally feel all the enchantments. “What the heck” she muttered as Techno dumped a sword into her hands. “Oh geez-“

Thea held up the sword, noticing it was her diamond sword but when-

“Wait is this my sword? I lost this when I despawned….” Or she thought.

Techno hummed, “I figured. I took liberties and made it far more superior than before” he said as Thea gave him a confused look.

“How did you know it was mine? I didn’t name it or anything.”

“A guess” he lied as Chat booed, saying they were the ones who told him it was hers.

Thea stared at him before smiling, before doing some swings with her sword. There were flicker of flames and Thea jumped, peering at the sword.

“Fire aspect?”

“Sets things on fire when you use it” commented Techno before gesturing to the anvil. “You probably should name it, it’ll be more epic when you kill foes.”

Thea rolled her eyes but with the insistence of Techno, she did. She wondered what name to choose before she set it down to name it. There was a pause as she wondered what name to give it and after some few seconds, named it.

“Soooo, what did you name it?”

Thea smirked, “Guess you’ll have to see me cut down some enemies to know.”

“Bruuuuuuuh” Techno complained with a smile while Thea cackled.

The two made their way back to the group as Thea placed an arm on his shoulder, “Thank you Technoblade. Not just y’know, supporting us but thank you for being a friend.”

Techno stopped and looked at her with wide eyes, but before he could speak, their fellow comrades started cheering, “WE GOT THE BLADE.”

Thea scrunched her face at the cheering. While confidence was definitely useful in battle, arrogance was not.

“Let’s not be too arrogant-“ said Techno.

Point was made.

They set out and after a rousing speech from Tommy, to which was jarring to hear as everyone went “HUmahahahahah” or something along those lines.

And then, they all stood on the rails, glorious in their armour. “LET’S GOoooo-“

Everyone begun to advance, and Thea set forward with the others, friends by her side. They approached closer to Manburg and the tower came into view. Her wolves barked in warning and Thea immediately paid attention.

“HOSTILE INCOMING FROM ABOVE!” she yelled as everyone turned up just in time to see flaming arrows raining above them. “SHIELD!” she barked as everyone raised their shield above their heads to protect themselves while moving away from being sitting ducks.

They all charged towards the Tower to storm it and Thea got ready to fight, defend, and support when needed.

“Lupa, Fenrir, circle the perimeter” she ordered as her wolves nodded. Thea climbed the tower with everyone as they saw their enemies trying to get away from them. Techno’s rocket launcher kept going off and Thea huffed as they fought their way up.

Eventually they got to the high ground but their enemies had disappeared below somehow, and they were the ones firing from above. Thea kept her shield, blocking her friends from getting hit by stray arrows then she saw Wilbur curse.

“Oh god oh god I’m hit, I’m hit!”

“Wilbur!” she yelled before rushing over to check on him, and immediately giving him a potion. He took it bitterly as Techno dumped gapples on him.

Then Thea realized something.

“Why aren’t you wearing armour?!” she yelled at him.

The man held his hand up but winced at the newly healed wound. “I don’t like wearing armour” he defended.

Thea smacked his head in anger, “Do you have a death wish?!” she hissed.

Wilbur looked at her and she didn’t like the gleam in his eyes. There were no words said and then with a nod from Wilbur, they turned their attention back to the battle.

Eventually they took to the ground, hearing one of her wolves howl. Thea descended with slow-falling. She got her crossbow ready and started to shooting fireworks and arrows alike at her foes, her wolves doing marvelously at slowing down their prey.

Thea heard a yell of her name, and she barely dodged the incoming blade. Her shield came up just in time to block the hit and she braced the impact. Then she saw Tommy rushing over, yelling in his signature way.

Her enemy turned just in time to see Tommy coming at him and she used this chance to ram her shield up, knocking her enemy off balance before her blade came down on him. Thea and Tommy shared a nod before they charged back.

Thea was everywhere, alternating between fighting, defending, and supporting her comrades. Stretching as far as possible.

Adrenaline was running through her veins and she couldn’t fight off the excitement and fear off her face. She even felt like she was almost teleporting.

(Little did she know, she truly was but the battle itself had everyone’s attention).

With their numbers and arsenal, they were pushing the enemy back further and further into Manburg. They stormed into the center, blood and carnage in their wake. Everyone stuck together with each other as they covered each other’s back.

Thea came face to face with Punz, and their swords were raised. She knew the man in front of her was skilled and Thea didn’t let herself hold back. She couldn’t. Thea positioned her sword, a forgotten memory that was part of her subconsciousness and muscle memory. Her sword twirled and sang with each deflection and slide of metal. They kept grazing each other and Thea felt herself being pulled into the heat of it-

Then Techno shot at Punz, causing him to push back into the water.

Techno and Tubbo joined her as they tried to pursue Punz, but it was too late. They couldn’t chase after him and be thinned out from the group. They nodded to each other before regrouping back and the battle carried on.

She ran beside Tubbo, covering his blind spot before she was sure he would be covered by the others.

She saw Niki and Eret getting swamped and Thea rushed forward. “TECHNO! TUBBO!” she yelled as they swerved their heads to her. “BUMP ME UP!”

A nod and their shields raised below. Thea jumped and then she was lifted up by their shields as they pushed her jump, launching her high. She heard someone cheer her but Thea pointed her sword up to cut the drag and then threw her weight down. She slammed her shield down, drag slowing her for a moment as she crushed her enemies before using momentum to swirl on her shield, sword gleaming as she cut down her enemies in a windmill movement.

They disappeared and Thea stabbed her sword in the ground to stop herself from spinning. She huffed and looked up, wide eyed with adrenaline and saw Niki and Eret reaching to help her up.

“Thank you.”

Thea gave them a smile, patted their shoulders before charging into the fray.

And then, it just stopped. Thea’s ears were ringing, and her wolves flanked her, pressing their body against her legs. She noticed everyone gathering and Fundy pulled her along as they saw Dream.

Wilbur and Dream to be exact.

Thea walked forwards to Techno, checking on everyone along the way and with general bill of health, Thea felt less worried.

Both she and Techno were covered in grime and blood but neither were too bothered by it.

“What’s going on?” she asked, finding herself leaning into Techno. The pressure on her feet were starting to hurt.

Techno shifted to accommodate the weight, “Some sort of talk. The dude suddenly runs out of Gapples and then wants to talk. L-“

Thea huffed, peering her eyes at the two in front of her. She had a bad feeling of this.

And then Techno leaned down closer to her and curious what the man had to whisper about, there was a click. A selfie.

Thea blinked and Techno grinned, and she gave a chuckle. “We’re in a war and you’re taking selfies?”

“In my defense, look at all this clout” he said and grinned. Thea shook her head in amusement before brushing her hair out of her face.

“One more, I’m a mess right now.”

“Bruh, we left a bigger mess. That is the least of our worries.”

Thea laughed before she went to make herself as presentable as she could before smiling. Techno smirked as they took a few selfies with their communicators. Their bodies pressed together helped ground her, feeling each other breath.

And then everyone else joined in.

Then Dream spoke. “Everyone be quiet.”

“Hmmm only if my enemy insists” said Techno.

Everyone turned to Dream as Thea gripped her sword, ready to fight. “We would like to surrender, and I have to show you something.”

“What?” they all resounded out loud. With great reluctance they followed but Thea kept her crossbow ready and trained on Dream; ready to fire if the hint of something happened. As they walked, Thea then realized there were a lot more people around them.

There were way too many people as they piled into what was half a dirt shack and half something? Thea couldn’t hear or see properly over the sea of people surrounding what was assuming Jschlatt.

Thea barely pressed herself in, squeezing in just barely when she noticed the state of him. She had heard the previous words he stated but she didn’t like what was going on.

There was coughing and Thea immediately saw the signs.

Especially when he said, “Does anybody smell toast?”

“Is he…is he having a stroke?!” she yelled, pushing forward. Everyone jumped away from her and stared at her or at Schlatt as she slid on the ground on her knees before fumbling through her inventory.

“FUCK, HE’S HAVING A STROKE!” she yelled before shitting her potions to see what may work. If it would work.

“What?!” someone yelled and everyone begun to wonder the same thing.

“My arm is numb-“ said Schlatt, his weight pressing down on her when he couldn’t feel his muscles.

“QUICK!” she yelled, but realizing it was either help him and let him live to die by execution or let him die by stroke. Thea tried to figure out what to do in this scenario and then-

He was gone.

The weight that was slumped on her, just gone.

Thea just stared as her breathing hitched.

“What?! What just happened?!”

Thea felt her mouth go insanely dry and bitter before she slowly stood up, and turned to the people. “He died from stroke…which I didn’t think was-“ she saw the too many empty alcohol bottles, “I guess from alcohol abuse.”

She stared at the items that were despawned from him, and hoped that he was alright when he respawned. But having a stroke-

There was silence, more confusion, then there was cheering as they had technically won.

Thea was happy they won but sad because they had won in a war with casualties. Still, she kept a smile on her face for the sake of everyone and felt blooming relief that the battle was over.

They all filed out of the drug van and then made their way to the podium, everyone cheering and celebrating; some for the win for Pogtopia, some for the death of Schlatt, some simply because it was over.

Thea hung back, watching it all happen. She looked at the vast sky, relishing the calm (before the storm). It should be over, but she knew it wasn’t over.

They were just getting to the climax of this story.

And then it happened.

Thea watched Wilbur hand his presidency to Tommy. He spoke on the stage and gave a speech. Several eyes looked at him and were surprised when Tommy declined the position, and then back to Wilbur.

It almost seemed like there wouldn’t be a government and avoid one of the triggers for a conflict-

Then it was passed to Tubbo.

Tubbo was the new President. Instated in front of them all.

Thea was half-paying attention. Tubbo’s words loud and clear on the speaker. But as he spoke, she felt cold dread.

Here it was. The inevitable conflict among their ranks.

She snapped her head towards Techno, whose face grew darker and more enraged. His eyes locked with hers and she understood but didn’t want it to happen. She knew what was going to happen.

Something blurred at the corner of her eye and then where Wilbur should’ve been-

He was gone.

Further dread occurred and she was drenched into cold water. Her hearing rung and her body went numb.

Chaos would ensue,

And Chaos ensued.

Chapter Text

It all seemed to blur.

For Thea.

When she looked back at it, there was so much that had happened. So much to absorb. Yet one after another, things kept happening.

Thea went to look for Wilbur, trying to remember where that blasted room was. She looked and looked, only being there once at the dead of night.

How she even found it was a miracle, but it would be unanswered in the dire time.

Then she got the notification.

Techno had used his rocket launcher at Tubbo. Once more.

Her body went ice cold. So cold and brittle that she felt herself shattering and staggering. She felt the jagged ice stab her in the core that she couldn’t breathe. Her mind racing and she was thinking everything; so much so that she couldn’t focus and didn’t.

She didn’t know how long she stood there at the news but then she remembered as she heard a crow cawing in the air. It spliced through the air, a memory, but she didn’t hold onto it.

The present took precedence.

Thea looked at the direction where Wilbur was, her brain now finally remembering where the room was. So close and yet-

She turned around, abandoning the direction, and ran. She ran and ran back to where the ongoing strife was. She had a chance at this. Not there.

She ran back, her feet stumbling as they felt like concrete. Everything was blazing and yet-

If she was paying attention, she would’ve paid more attention to the crows. All the crows that were amassing like a dark cloud. So much it casted a large shadow over her. She noticed the shape and another memory flickered.

So familiar. So close.

She knew that shape. She knew of it and knew who it belonged to. The man with large wings. She dared glance to it but the sound of fireworks and rattling of her notifications reminded her.

No, she had to focus. She could not focus on the past. The present was now. She couldn’t chase after remnants of her memories and be pulled into it’s illusions. Not now. She couldn’t be pulled back and miss this, miss everyone. She poured more energy into herself, running faster; urged by her resolution and as she ran away from her demons.

So without knowing, Thea had run past and ignored Phil; both missing each other. They didn’t know the other was there, yet the crows did.

They cawed loudly but it mixed in with the sound of war.

Thea saw the battle happening ahead and saw everyone going against Techno; who was winning with himself blazing in glory. There was yelling mixed in with the sound of swords and fireworks.

Thea saw a few who were running away, and Techno had his crossbow trained on them. She moved and her shield was raised, blocking the shots and covering them. She caught Techno’s eye but didn’t focus on it, instead turning to her comrades.

“RUN!”

They stared at her and nodded, running and Thea followed them slowly. She peered over and she and Techno stared one second into each other. There was a moment of surprise as Techno watched Thea take off all her armour, and simply closed her eyes and slowly nodding. There was silence before she opened them to see Techno turning his back towards her.

Though he did not shoot her, understanding her gesture of non-violence, she couldn’t help feel hurt. Especially seeing his broad back growing smaller as he resumed his carnage. 

But she didn’t dwell on it as she turned to the comrades she covered. Their names escaping her, but their faces were seared into her memory. She pulled out her inventory, giving them what they needed to heal (even just a moment).

They barely got their thanks in before they saw her nod and smile, before turning back to the carnage. She went forwards, waving her shield and tried to establish a neutral zone to heal, to which was becoming apparent.

It was only because of anger and spite that they kept charging back out to fight (some barely healing enough before getting despawned).

Thea held her ground, her eyes catching Techno over the distance. She opened her mouth to yell at him (for what she didn’t know but only she needed to call out his name first) when suddenly everything was disrupted.

There was screaming and yelling but Thea felt it all at once.

The sound of explosions going off deep underground, ringing in her ears and head. The force of the blast sending her forwards, the searing pain of heat that burned her back. She tumbled and felt sharp pain all over her body. Her entire world was disrupted and all she could feel was pain, pain, pain-

There was screaming and yelling but for exactly who or what, it was all over the place.

There was darkness for a moment as she fell (Thea felt like she was falling back into the welcome arms of the void). Then she hit herself hard and knew it wasn’t the void. Her ears were ringing, there was muffled yelling and screaming.

But there was pain. So much pain that it was numbing.

Then there was coldness and wetness. 

She finally was able to force her eyes open, her vision blurring and shaking. The world was constantly moving and she felt sick. Dizzy. Nauseous.

She was so dazed and confused at the silence (or that was just the deafness). But she knew she was in a giant hole, blasted open by the explosions. Wilbur’s explosions. She noted the water flowing from wherever (she could feel it).

She was on the ground, staring up at the blue sky with fluffy white clouds; framed of the crater that she lay in.

There was a peck and she saw, seeing iridescent black. Beady eyes stared at her and cawed and Thea automatically lifted her bleeding, shaking hand to brush the feathery coat of the crows that were surrounding her-

Wait, crows?

She lifted her head, seeing the circle of crows that were accompanying her and then she caught gold.

Dazed pink eyes focused on it and there, right by Wilbur and in a cavern; stood the man in her memories. The man with golden hair and blue eyes, dressed in green with that ridiculous white and green bucket hat. But what solidified it was him was the black magnificent wings behind his back.

She could feel the pieces of her missing memory forming together into completion. The name of the man now on her lips. Between the past and present mingling together, she remembered now. She was aware of Wilbur seeing her and looking at her. He smiled at her-

She screamed and cried Wilbur’s name when she saw him die but it came out hoarse. The crows cawed for her, but they were unheard beyond the grief.

There was despair, silence, and then resolution. She cried for her friend’s death, the sadness fuelling her, but also relief now that he had found his catharsis. She was torn by her friend’s death and torn for how conflicted her emotions were. She kept slamming her fist on the ground, crying in relief and despair. Tears tracking down her face and falling onto the ground.

Then there was blooming happiness and solace as she cried to the man.  Her body started moving, no matter how tired and painful it was. She started climbing out of the wreckage towards the man, the crows cawing around her. They flew around her, some trying to pull her up as she cried and cried.

Her voice was still hoarse, and her voice was gone but it was returning with every step closer.

And then-

“Phiiiiiiillllllllllllllll-“

Phil’s eyes widened, snapping himself out the grief and sadness at the call (an all too familiar warble) of his name. The crows were cawing, but they all seemed excited. They pulled at his clothes, and he felt his son’s body despawning from the world permanently.

He lost someone dear to him, but he found another.

“Phillll-“ the voice cried out to him. So familiar yet so faint. He knew that voice. The same voice that called his name as she fell into the void, her voice mixing in with the dying roar of the dragon-

His breath hitched and he felt new tears prickling out the corner of his eyes. Not out of sadness but out of happiness. It filled the gnawing hole in his chest as he couldn’t believe his eyes.

Among the wreckage, in front of the others, in the crater below him, there was a girl who was staggering to him, hopping faster and faster as she found her groove; her pink eyes dead set on him as if she didn’t, she would lose him.

He did the same as he felt his wings ache, trying to fly towards her immediately.

“PHIL!” she cried out of happiness, pain, and sorrow.

Phi felt his throat choking up as his lips trembled, but he was able to croak out her name.

“Thea” he breathed out in disbelief, before wide, teary eyes were brimming with joy. “THEA!”

“Phil!” chirped out Thea, her body staggering as her wonky and bleeding leg (there was so much blood) missed a footing and she tumbled down the rocky decline.

“Thea!” he yelled out in concern, fluttering down immediately as the crows followed. He zeroed on Thea’s body as she tumbled, spreading blood and dust everywhere.

Then the distance was closed immediately as hands desperately clawed at the living being in front of him, holding her close as they looked at each other in what seemed like forever (gone).

“Phil” breathed out Thea, in disbelief then in relief. Her weak hands gripping his arms, “Phil, Phil, Philza. You’re here.”

Phil stared at her, not believing it was her for a moment. He took everything in (he noticed the Elytra around her neck, that he gave her, that he doomed her with). Then he gave a shaky smile, “Thea. Oh gods it is you, how-“ he gave a shaky laugh, “That doesn’t matter right now, you’re here. You’re alive-“ he hugged her, his wings wrapping around her closer.

Thea buried her face into him, being reminded of what was Phil. Her saviour in the bleakness of the End. Her mentor in teaching the changes in the new world and catching her up what she missed in life in general. Her friend among them all.

Family even if she dared.

Then there was a speech. A man comparing Tommy to Theseus. Both Phil and Thea turned to Techno, not knowing the two had a common person.

Then a booming, hollow sound filled the air as Thea felt her being shaken when she saw Techno place the Wither skulls into the soul sand.

“You want to be a hero Tommy? THEN DIE LIKE ONE!”

Withers were summoned and she heard Phil curse. His arms wrapped around Thea, battered wings flapping aggressively as he took them both away. Like a well-oiled system, the two worked together as they whittled down the Withers.

Phil and Thea kept everyone’s back but then it was clear it wasn’t enough. Thea’s comrades were being over-run and with both Withers and Techno as their opponents, they were getting beat.

Thea knew she didn’t care who won but she couldn’t just let the hurting continue. So she turned to look at Phil, shoving all the arrows she had to him before charging right into the fray.

Phil noticed too late as he saw Thea’s form becoming smaller and he cried out to her, wanting to prevent from losing her once more (he already lost her once and he had lost Wilbur just moments ago) but it was already too late.

He saw the familiar teleporting she did and he cursed, his hands notching and shooting arrows more desperately then before. Thea slid into battle, blocking Techno’s swings from hurting the people around them but also protecting Techno at the same time-

There was also Dream that interfered, Nightmare raised, and she fought aggressively at him. Knowing he was an enemy and not a friend at all to her.

 (She could let loose).

But when she saw a Wither aiming towards Tommy and Techno, her body moved. A hand reached to Tommy, and he screamed as he felt her hand touch his being, before vibrating out of existence for a moment, then reappearing by Tubbo’s side all of a sudden.

But he also screamed as he saw the Wither blast her, consuming her.

Techno hitched his breath as he let Thea bash her shield at him, sending him flying harmless. He got up, ready to berate her for supporting the government and tyranny but the words died on his lips as he saw the Wither blast her.

Thea looked at the beast and smiled, feeling her body burn as she was blasted by the wither. It hurt so much for a split second and then there was nothing.

She flew in the air and fell, fell, and was falling.

She didn’t hear anything anymore as darkness surrounded her. The void opened up to her and warm familiar hands scooped her out of it, cradling her. She let herself sleep as She cooed at her.

There was a notification.

[Thea was blasted by a Wither. Second Canon life lost. One Canon life remaining.]

People screamed.

            Everyone would flood to where Thea’s bed was. Panicking if for a moment that she might’ve spawned far away in the world, without a clue where she would be. Worse, if she despawned out of the world and into the void.

Lost forevermore.

Phil quickly following Tommy and the others as they flooded Pogtopia. The familiar door was in sight and Phil flew past them. He had memories of where he would consecutively check her bed (it was not her bed. A theory he kept testing) in the End realm, but there was nobody lying there (her respawning point was destroyed since then, there was no hope).

(Her familiar Endermen family shaking their heads as they warbled sadly.

They both would go to the Overworld, searching for a single hint of her but there was no hope.)

The door was slammed open and Phil couldn’t focus. He saw the puppies in the den. He saw the portraits that were painted with care and love hanging on the wall (the portrait of his son, so familiar yet so strange staring back at him). Then his eyes finally landed on the person on the bed.

Sleeping so soundly and so still (so much so he thought she was dead).

“Thea” he breathed out in relief and fear before he rushed over, his wing aching as it pulsed with pain whilst being dragged on the ground. His knees fell onto the floor, hands hovering close to the girl who slept in her bed. Unmoving yet her chest moved up and down.

He let out another sigh of relief before his throat clenched and he warbled out a cry. Out of fear or out of joy, he didn’t know. His hands grasped hers and he pressed it to his head, praying to Her.

Thanking her for not taking her once more and pleading that to let her stay.

            Thea opened her eyes to soft strumming of the guitar. She had a smile already on her lips when she ‘woke’ up. Her head resting partially on a shoulder. They were both in the ‘waiting’ room that Thea recognized.

A memory that she would only remember in her subconsciousness.

“Hello Wilbur” she greeted, eyes forward. Her hands lay limp one on her lap and one other side. The guitar stopped strumming as it was gently lowered down before a gloved hand reached over to grasp her hand. Fingers weaving with each other before interlocking.  

Thea closed her eyes for a moment to steady her heart, before she opened it and turned to the man beside her.

Wilbur smiled at her with a clarity that she hadn’t seen in a while (or did she ever?).

“Hello Thea.”

Chapter Text

There was a land that was wrecked by carnage and destruction, rebuilt from the wreckage to be a place of home once more.

In that land, there were two houses. They looked similar to the other houses that lay side by side, but these two were different because they were connected to each other. A house that was his and her. A door connecting them both in their cojoined walls.

One belonged to a man with wings. The other belonged to an Enderman but not Endermen.

Inside, in her house, on the utmost floor lay Thea in her pink bed. Set up like her bed in Pogtopia. Similar but different. It was positioned in a way where it would face the balcony and the first things Thea would wake up to would be the world.

Phil sat in his chair, by her bed, as he held her hand. Softly rubbing his fingers on the back of her hand, soothing himself and the girl as he spoke. Knowing his words might not be heard but would soften the guilt and weight in his heart.

Several others had come by to visit and check up on the girl, hoping to see her awake and smiling as she always did to them, but would always be disappointed as she slept.

Phil was the most common visitor, but could he really be called that as he practically lived next door and the houses might as well be one? But he couldn’t help it.

Not after their history together and the gnawing hole he had in his heart.

Phil fell back into a familiar groove. Caring for the girl he found in the End realm, but instead of being surrounded by Endermen, they were surrounded by people. Some less pleasant than others, but if Thea tolerated them, then he would too.

A loose bandage got caught in his fingers and Phil broke out of his mindless talking. The crows picked at every loose bandage that stuck out, cawing at Phil to fix it.

“Alright, alright you little shits. Stop doing that!” he berated one of them that particular tugged away a line of bandages. He sighed as he shook his head, “It’s probably time to change them anyways” he murmured out loud. He went to grab the first aid supplies and groaned as he realized he hadn’t gotten up in a while.

            After the whole event that had transpired and the relief that Thea was still in this world, they realized the extent of her injuries.

There were so many wounds and burns that marked her skin. Bones that were broken and muscles that were torn or bruised. Some would heal over without a trace, and some would remain as a physical reminder.

There was an ongoing number of people that helped heal Thea as she fell into a coma, but among them was Phil being a constant.

“Any changes?” asked Niki as she helped stuff more pillows behind Thea’s back so she could sit upright. The front of her body was being supported by Tommy and Tubbo, as they quickly stuffed more pillows by her side; just in case she would flop over.

Phil sighed but carefully spreading the regen potions on her wounds, letting them sink in before he covered them. The crows that were inside cooed and were preening Thea’s hair and pecking at the newly done braids.

“No unfortunately. Other than the few twitches, nothing has changed.”

“Oh…” said Niki disappointingly.

Tubbo placed a hand on her shoulder in comfort as Tommy frowned. “How long do you she’ll sleep for? I get she sleeps a bit long sometimes but this is a bit much eh?”

Phil sat in his chair, sighing. He was tired and let his eyes close for a moment. He was busy but there was no other choice. There was Techno and he was taking care of Thea, just waiting for her to improve more and hopefully wake up soon. Then there was the matter of Tubbo’s presidency and the people he was working with.

The only reason he was letting Tubbo and Quackity in his home was the thin neutral ground of Thea (though he had a suspicion that she wouldn’t like Quackity).

But right now, he had to be sure that Thea wouldn’t suddenly disappear.

“I don’t know mate,” replied Phil honestly and for the umpteenth time. “Since I first met her, Thea has always been a bit of a mystery. Not that she tries to be but it is what it is. I still don’t believe she spawned in this server without an idea. With no memories either. Whether that has something in play or not, I don’t know.”

Tommy visibly showed his dissatisfaction, but he let his worry show. He turned to Thea who slept limply in the pillow, her face completely neutral. “Well…I hope she wakes up soon.”

Everyone looked at him sadly but then turned to Thea.

“Yeah, so do I mate. So do I.”

“What do you think she’s dreaming about?” asked Tubbo as he pushed the bee plushie into her hold.

“I hope it’s something good” said Niki as everyone nodded in agreement.

            In a realm that would be inaccessible by anyone, were two inhabitants. They talked with each other, spending the time they had. Even if time had no hold here really. In one of their many sessions, Wilbur and Thea came across Schlatt. After a series of events, they talked to each other, but it was because they had no choice. There was no one else really to talk to after all.

(Well, there was one other, but She wouldn’t appear out of the blue. She was always there, around them but out of sight).

But Thea relished it as she listened to them both, who had a clarity to them then they were alive. If anything, it was nice talking to Wilbur without the presence of strife in his heart.

The same sentiment applied to Schlatt, getting to know him outside of their secondary interactions.  She listened and asked questions, but somewhere deep in her mind she knew she wouldn’t remember it back in the overworld. She wouldn’t be the exception either, the same situation would apply to the others if there was ever such an occurrence.

They would remember yes, but not all of it.

Thea was familiar with the void and was able to spend her time in it easily, but the other two didn’t. So, she had to teach them.

“When you talked about the void and the darkness, I thought it would be a bit more… welcoming” said Wilbur as they played cards. Schlatt and Wilbur kept their cards close to their chests while Thea kept her cards calmly.

(She didn’t tell them that she knew what cards they had. A thing that happened when someone spent enough time in the void. Your consciousness just blends into the void and you just become part of it.)

“It is welcoming if you just let yourself rest. But you two still have…unfinished business so you two have your forms. Honestly, I just remember going in and out of existence within the void but it’s like being in and out of sleep. One moment you have your eyes close and you’re in a dream asleep, then you wake up.”

She waved her uno card as a point, “This is how we even have cards. They’re not technically real but our consciousness brings them into existence.” As a point, the uno card changed from a +2 card into a regular playing card, then switched to a +4 card. Then she placed it in the pile and Schlatt cursed.

“That’s cheating!”

“Get good” she fired back grinning as Wilbur cackled.

Schlatt glared at him.

“Oh you wanna laugh lover boy? Have a taste of this then !” cursed Schlatt as he pulled out a red card before moments passed. Wilbur snickered as Schlatt’s face was something like he was constipated, and then the card switched to a STOP card. He slammed it in the pile with a yell and this time it was Wilbur’s turn to curse.

“Oh you fuck!-“

Schlatt gloated but then Wilbur started changing his own cards, then Schlatt started changing his cards-

Thea hummed and lowered her final card down, winning the game but her other players were too absorbed in their own arguments. She watched them argue and thought of breaking it up when she heard a familiar voice.

She knew that call and she stood up, walking away without anyone knowing. She walked and walked before coming across a familiar being. One she had been described to and talked about by her angel.

Thea smiled up at the face being the veil. As She peered down at the mortal with familiar warmth.

“Hello Kristen.”

            Phil sat in his chair, empty dishes and cups shoved in one corner and tools and the like around. His hands felt the item in his hands, sighing in exhaustion. He had a nightmare and woke up in the middle of the night.

In his panic, he shoved the connecting door to his room and Thea’s, his muddled mind seeing an empty bed (or not even a bed at all).

He panicked but the crows cawed, pulling at him to wake up him and he felt the most terrifying relief that Thea was still in bed. Unmoving. Asleep.

He couldn’t rest and decided to work on one of the projects he had planned. He stationed himself in his chair and begun to work, his mind and hands wandering but still there enough to plan his thoughts out.

A familiar groove. He had done this before, polishing, and fixing armour that was barely worn but seemed like it had gone through hardships to chip.

As the night slowly became day, he could hear his lady whispering softly in his ear. Her hands gentle as they grazed his features. Her hands and his hands cupped together as they worked together. They threaded the cloth in their hands, weaving magic into it.

And now, it was morning. Phil folded the item on his arm, carrying it as he rose from his chair. There was an indent of his presence, but it was fine. He walked towards the balcony doors, opening it and he stepped out. The clean air welcomed him and he took a deep breath, closing his eyes as the first rays of the morning touched his face.

He could hear the city around them coming to life. Birds were chirping. There were doors and windows opening. He could smell the morning dew mingling with the faint smell of fresh bread.

It was nice.

He opened his eyes and saw a few people he recognized. He waved to a few as they passed by (some out of warmth and some of curtesy). He watched them go about starting their day and Phil sighed, turning back inside. He should make some breakfast.

But first.

He walked to the front of Thea’s canopy bed, pushing aside the curtains. He stepped aside as he let the morning light in, casting a nice glow onto Thea.

He stared at the sleeping features of Thea, healthier than before, and he sighed. Now they were just waiting for her to wake up.

“Good morning Thea. Another day eh?” he greeted her like always before turning back to his home. He didn’t wait a response (he couldn’t expect it at this point, he couldn’t handle the silence that came as he waited for something.)

He took a few steps when he heard, “Good morning Phil.”

He took another step forward before he registered the voice. He widened his eyes, hand over his mouth. “No way” he uttered before turning around in a flash.

There was Thea, slowly sitting up from her bed. The crows cawed and flapped around excitedly as they crowded her.

Pink eyes stared into Phil’s blue eyes.

Thea smiled groggily and grinned to greet him once more, “Morning Phil.”

Phil let out a cry while rushing forward, hands hovering as a sob come out. Blackened hands (not so much so anymore) grasped his shaking hands, grasping it tiredly as Thea leaned her head against the pillow.

She was awake but she was still so tired.

“Hey Mate” Phil warbled out with a shaky laughter.

Her eyes were coming into focus and then there were a rumble of footsteps. She and Phil turned to the source and out of the stairway, where the others. They looked around in a panic hearing Phil cry through the open balcony.

Then their eyes fell on Thea.

They stared at her in shock and gaped and Thea simply smiled sleepily. “Morning everyone…what’s the rush?”

There was a moment then a second one before there was a loud exclamation of “THEA!”

This woke her up but especially so when people started charging, throwing their bodies onto her. Tommy and Tubbo gripped her, talking a hundred miles a minute while people like Niki and Eret cried and smiled.

While Thea just looked utterly confused but hugged everyone and took it all in. She tried to get up and despite everyone trying to push her back in bed, she felt stifled and boxed in. She wanted to get out and she looked towards the balcony. She huffed and felt herself float.

There was a screech and Thea felt herself float for a moment, before coming into contact with cold air and hard, harsh floors. She let out a yell, more out of surprise then pain.

“THEA!”

There was a fluttering of wings and then calloused hands held her up. Thea’s head was spinning and Phil hugged her as he yelled.

“What the fuck do you do that for mate?! You know you shouldn’t be teleporting when you just recovered!”

“Wait I can teleport?” she mumbled out as her equilibrium was settling.

“Of course you can teleport!” gawked Phil, “You kept doing that back in the End realm!”

 Thea begun to remember her attempts at teleporting across the End islands. Phil screaming and cursing as she kept falling halfway through and tumbling into the void. Then waking up in her bed and Phil panicking with his head in his hands.

“Oh yeah…” she murmured as Phil let out a curse.

“Jesus Christ- don’t do this to me, especially when you have one canon life left!”

Thea stared at nowhere and was still. Her mind was turning when she looked at Phil. She faintly noted that there were people looking over her balcony and some surrounding her.

“What do you mean one canon life left?”

A hush silence fell. The atmosphere was thick with tension.

Phil clutched her and sat her up, his hands shakily on her shoulders. His face in disbelief as he laughed nervously. “T-This is not the time to joke mate-“

“What joke? This world isn’t a hardcore and even then, we never knew how I kept respawning even back then-”

Phil’s face started to crumble as he had a terrifying revelation, “Thea,” he spoke as firmly as he could, “Do you know what canon lives are?”

Thea’s confused look was the only answer he needed to know.

“Wait, wait…did no one tell you about the Three Lives System?”

Thea shook her head. “No…? Is that important?”

Phil’s wing flared up and he looked up at the people around him. He pressed Thea’s head to his shoulder, not letting her see his face or theirs.

Everyone saw his face and those who didn’t were staring at each other in disbelief and realization. Phil knew when he saw their faces.

Thea shakily got up on her feet, taking Phil with her, and gripped Phil’s sleeve. “Phil? What’s wrong?” Her voice muffled in his haori.

Phil was looking between them and Thea before he took in a deep breath, before he removed her head from his shoulder. He gave the best gentle look he could for her. “Come on, let’s get you inside first.”

Thea stared at him for a moment before nodding.

His wing stretched out to support her while she hobbled back into the house. The people around them parted and over his shoulder, Phil glared. “All of you in, now.”

            Thea sat in her bed as everyone gathered around her as they explained her the Three Live System. As they explained, they grew more and more worried.

It had never occurred to them that Thea didn’t know about the system in the first place. They should’ve, based on her numerous discoveries of the world. Yet-

They just assumed as she had taken her deaths so lightly. How she seemed to know about Schlatt’s and Wilbur’s death- (she didn’t really. She just thought they wouldn’t respawn for a long time like she had).

They explained that Thea lost her two canon lives.

 The first one when she was shot off the tower at the Election. The second from being blown up by the Wither.

She was down to her last canon life and threatened to be gone from the world permanently.

When they finished, they all expected some reaction from Thea. She was silent at first and stared at her hands and then at Phil.

What they didn’t expect was her to smile.

“So, I’m like you now Phil!”

The man stared at her in surprise before he let out a couple of force laughs as Phil was torn between crying at the fact, she didn’t know she could’ve died all this time, or laugh at the innocent comparison (it was not innocent but to her it seemed like it).

Thea looked at everyone and saw their expressions. But she pushed it aside as she had a new revelation.

“Oh. So that’s why I could talk to Wilbur and Schlatt. No wonder we were in the void and all that.”

“Wait, what-“

Thea hummed and nodded, “Yeah. I guess that’s why I was down there for so long? I mean I was part of the void for so long, so I guess She wanted me to teach them how to basically…exist? Then again, they were pretty corporeal so they still have lingering attachments or whatnot so they won’t be moving on for a bit-“

“Whoa, wait hold on a minute” interjected Quackity as he pushed forward. Phil frowned and moved forward but then Tommy interjected faster.

“What do you mean you talked to Wilbur?”

Thea stared at him and then it was slowly coming into place. Her hand was on her mouth as she realized.

“Oh…Oh-“ she said, the delirium gone now. “That’s why Wilbur was down there. Makes sense with Schlatt too. They’re gone from the world-“

“Thea, what do you mean you talked to Wilbur?” insisted Tommy as he gripped his hands. Refraining from shaking her shoulders to get the answers.

“I…I remember talking to him. We talked a lot Tommy and so did with Schlatt-“ Thea hissed as she clutched her head. A massive pain flaring up. She wobbled forward and there were sounds of concerns but Tommy and Phil steadied her. “I…I don’t remember what we talked about, but I know I saw them. They…they were there, and they had this clarity to them that I didn’t see when they were alive…”

Someone coaxed her back into bed and she collapsed into the mattress. She faintly could hear everyone in an uproar around her and it was all so loud. Yet she was so sleepy.

            The rest was a blur, her mind barely able to process everything properly. She remembered people coming to see her and greeting her, before having to leave because all of it was too much.

There was too much colour.

There were hands helping her and voices talking her but she was in a daze. She would remember everything but she needed to process it.

But first.

Thea moved her feet (she noted the bandages and how weak she was) and her feet touched the floor. She could barely sit up for long but it was coming back to her. For now, her wolves Lupa and Fenrir were back with her and were now supporting her. They pressed their bodies close and she idly ran her fingers through their furs. The puppies were now a lot bigger. Not adults yet but definitely not babies anymore.

(She noted that Floof was not among them. She had a feeling where he went anyways)

A table was placed by her bedside as she adjusted the wool shawl over her shoulders. Phil reappeared from whatever corner he was in before and laid out assortment of food and tea on the table.

Thea automatically reached for the bowl of porridge and slowly took bits and pieces.

“How is it mate?”

Thea hummed and nodded, wincing as a sharp pain pulse from her head. Her face scrunched up in pain and there was a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Easy there,” said Phil as Thea sighed. Her eyes opened and she smiled at him. He gave one back and felt relieved as he watched her steadily eat and drink. “Looks like your appetite won’t be a problem, but we should probably ease you in.”

Thea hummed and Phil smiled, leaning back against his chair. The only sounds now was Phil soft breathing and Thea eating and drinking. The sounds of L’manburg filtered through the open balcony.

Thea could sense people still outside but they had to limit how many visitors now due to overstimulation. (She didn’t miss how Phil frowned at the amount of people was in their home. His eyes narrowing at certain individuals).

Niki and Eret were kind enough to redo her hair, promising a haircut and on the way they were bringing clothes for her. Tommy was also part of their group, helping Niki do some altering as they coordinated with Eret’s directions. The shawl was one of their items (something about keeping their hands busy).

Tubbo and Quackity immediately launched into her about how new and improved L’manburg is right now. She didn’t hide the distaste, but she was able to play it off as the information that was being dumped on her. It was the truth, but it wasn’t the full truth.

She didn’t like how fast a new government was in place. Even more so with Tubbo being President because how young he was and she remembered when he admitted to the public that he didn’t know what a President does. Then there was the matter with Quackity. She might put her difference and opinions aside when they were allies but he still didn’t make a nice opinion. She was more than willing to put it aside but she saw the gleam for control and power in his eyes. It was unsettling and she was thrown back to their first meeting.

(She wondered if she should lace the entire underground of her home with TnT but the memory of Wilbur flashed in her brain)

Thea could feel her brain coming back into gear and she was aware of everything now. She looked up at Phil and saw his disapproving look as he stared outside; the voice of Quackity and Tubbo quite loud outside.

“Something the matter?” she asked quietly.

Phil was reminded of where he was and he turned to her, giving her a smile.

“Nothing wrong mate.”

Thea stared at him and wagged a finger. “You’re ticking.”

Phil frowned as he covered his lower mouth. “Damn, forgot you know about that.”

Thea gave a smirk but dropped it. She scooched forward as she petted Fenrir’s head on her lap. “Is it Quackity and Tubbo?”

Phil’s frowned deepened as he sighed, leaning closer to her. Her hand came up to the table and he held it.

“I’ll be honest mate, I have my concerns.”

Thea glanced outside and she could hear Tommy outside now. “Quackity?” questioned Thea.

Phil sighed and nodded, “Not just him but also Tubbo. I won’t go into details right now but I don’t like it.”

Thea nodded as she leaned back, the door downstairs being opened. “I support you Phil” she stated.

She saw the relief in his eyes, his wings relaxing. “Thank you.”

Thea gave him a knowing smile and turned to greet the others. Phil got up to leave to let them do their thing and Thea was greeted with her friends. There were colourful clothes and Thea was shown them all. They all got her adjustments and worked, talking as they did.

Thea listened from her bed, lying against the pillows. She may be awake and mostly healed, but she was still so tired. Not to mention the lack of usage of her muscles proved a problem.

Thea was nodding off but she could hear them. They updated her of what happened but it was clear they were excluding somethings from her. They tried to cover it up or lie but Thea knew.

            This sort of occurrence kept popping up as days went on. Though she was mostly mobile, she was still more or less bedridden. Physical therapy was a work in progress but it was progress nonetheless. Now she had to figure out the whispers that talked to her in the darkness around her and the glimpses of a figure floating at the corner of her eyes that wore a yellow sweater.

In other words, she was house bound.

And so was Phil. For different reasons.

Phil tried to be subtle about it but he seemed relieved every time he came into her home to escape, using her as a legitimate excuse when others came to visit him.

And she was starting to know why.

“So Thea,” said Quackity as he and Tubbo sat in front of her. She was able to go downstairs now but was sitting in a plush chair. They all had tea with snack provided by Niki.

“Hm?” replied Thea as she sipped her tea. She felt apprehensive and skeptical, and she could feel something coming from Quackity.

“I know you’ve been sleeping in and all, but we got some questions to ask.”

Tea cupped her tea, feeling the warmth spreading into her hands and body. “If I can answer them, sure.”

Tubbo cleared his throat and adjusted his tie (it was off-putting how Tubbo was dressed).

 “You were close with Technoblade right?”

Thea suppressed her face to twitch at the tone but she shifted into confusion. “Yes? Not more than anyone else.”

Tubbo and Quackity looked at each other in surprise and hesitation before they returned their attention at her.

(She mentally questioned if they thought she was that out of it to pull such a face in front of her).

“We get that you’re pretty friendly with everyone so you might know a thing or two about Technoblade,” started off Quackity and she could sense the charisma he was excluding. The one where they deliberately wanted something out of someone.

“A thing or two yeah” she agreed.

“So you would know where Techno might, oh I don’t know, might go off to if he didn’t live in L’Manburg-“

Thea raised to sip her tea, giving her time to quickly gather her thoughts. ‘Techno isn’t in L’Manburg, which isn’t surprising considering his actions and clear opinions. Then where could he be…’  flashes of a story of an icy cold tundra where lay the Antarctic Empire.

“I mean he’s like me: an introvert,” she started and they leaned into her information. “We did talk about dreaming to be hermits but where exactly was a debate.”

“Oh and what did you debate exactly?”

“Which was better, being in the middle of a desert or in the middle of the ocean” she surmised, remembering that particular topic. “And which one of us would prefer living in a desert temple or an ocean monument.”

Quackity and Tubbo gave her a very confused look and Thea smiled. Hopefully they would interpret her at her reminiscing at the memory then at their expressions.

“I see, I see” nodded Quackity, “And perhaps did you two ever look at some of those areas?”

Thea took a nibble of a cookie. “Nope. We were busy preparing for war” she said, “Me taking care of you guys mostly, and Techno doing his grinding. You did see what he had in the vault. He was very adamant on his take about taking down tyranny and governments after all.”

 Quackity and Tubbo stiffened and they gave each other a look. Thea saw it all happening but while hummed before her slice of cake. From there, the two tried to play off into casual conversations but it was botchy at best.

She waved them goodbye as they excused themselves, and she saw from the windows of the two in deep, furious arguments. Their eyes glancing towards her. They moved away immediately when they noticed her watching. She kept waving from her spot and they stiffly laughed it off before dashing away.

There was a moment or two passing before Thea reached for her cane by her chair. She tapped a rhythm on the floor and waited. Then a block was removed from the ground and popped out Phil.

“So, I take it they’re trying to hunt him down” commented Thea.

Phil let out a frustrated sound. “Oh yeah, they’ve been bugging me for ages. They’ve only been nice around you cause they think you’re on their side.”

“Jokes on them, I’m on certain people’s sides. I’m only being polite” she scoffed.

Phil let out a flat chuckle before he replaced the blocks and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I know mate, which I’m thankful for.”

Thea hummed and served Phil a cup which he accepted gratefully. They enjoyed each other’s company for a moment before Phil spoke.

“You’re not going to ask about Techno?”

There was a pause as Thea set her cup down. Her wolves curling around her feet perking up.

“Honestly? I don’t think I have the right to.”

Phil looked at her in surprise, “Why’s that mate?”

Thea was silent as the negative emotions appeared. “Thea?” whispered Phil as he knelt by her side, taking her hands to ground her. It took a moment. Another. Then another before she could speak.

“I…I treated him like I did to everyone else. I talked to him, got to know him, made sure he ate-“ she started off, “I think we were friends? Or at least close acquaintances. We were friendly at least,” she took a shuddering breath, “I knew of his thing with tyranny and governments. He made it very clear and I understood why. I supported it but I couldn’t fully because it would inevitably conflict with everyone else. I support people but I supported too many people and I knew I would be torn about it. But I had to choose them over Techno, even though I tried not to. That’s why I was protecting them but wasn’t fighting him either-“

Thea made a frustrated noise and Phil placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her. “I just, when I fought to protect them from him, do I have the right to ask about him when I probably have betrayed his trust?”

Phil stared at her and all he could see was how hurt she was. Not just for herself but also for the person she considered friend but wasn’t sure if the other considered one.

“Oh mate” he said before he hugged her, wings wrapped around her. Hands fisted his shirt and a face burrowed into him, trying to find solace in him and the darkness.

            In that night, instead of sleeping, Thea wrote a letter and as the sun came up, she sealed it with a wax and flower. She pressed her seal into it and turned over the envelope to write to its sender: Technoblade.

She held it in her hands and stared at the letter. She wrote it in the off chance that Techno would read it, but she doubt it would ever be read. If anything, it was for her own sake.

Thea wondered if she should burn it.

“Keep it. He will read it in time”

Thea jolted as she turned to her shadow, hearing the voice coming from it. She was too tired to think about it but-

She listened to it and slid the letter somewhere safe.

Chapter Text

Thea took her time walking among L’manburg. It was a big change with the wooden walkways above the crater. A lot of the old buildings that stood were gone and were replaced with dirt or other structures. Different yet the same.

Her wolves padded beside her, giving her some sort of support and weight. Her cane was somewhat supporting her as it tapped against the ground. She was enjoying her walk, finally given the approval to have a tiny walk.

It was finally some sort of freedom and although she loved Phil and her friends, boy, they were overbearing. And they still were.

And how she knew this?

Despite every time she stopped to look around and seeing no one around, she knew there were people following her. Some out of concern and just to be there in case (and some for less then honourable reasons).

“Fundy is hiding underground” whispered the voice from her shadow. “Quackity is also not too far behind”

“Tubbo and Ranboo are not very subtle” it whispered to her.

Thea strained her ear, tilting her head as she heard the whispering. She didn’t know this Ranboo fellow but she could pick out some details. Tubbo had mentioned him a few times and he was a new player that came along recently. Along with two more. Niki had mentioned the other one named Puffy and by the sound of it, there was some sort of romance going on.

Thea kept on walking and now she was becoming more aware of the people. She also noted the crows that were around and Thea held out a finger to them. A couple of crows fought to get their first but she led one to her shoulder, and held out her free arm. A couple of crows landing on her arm, and she casually let them sit there.

No doubt the relay of crows would be telling Ian and Brian who would tell Phil.

(She knew of Chat and what chaotic shits they were).

She leaned her head towards the one of her shoulder and cooed while whispering. “Are they being sus?” she asked it.

It cawed and bobbed its head and Thea laughed mirthlessly. Try as they might to keep her details and keeping her in a bubble, but she knew what was behind their curtains. And she wasn’t very pleased about it.

Still, she stayed to watch but walking in L’manburg didn’t make her feel at peace. Especially when she knew the chaos and strife the land had, and her friend had died for its destruction and yet it still stood.

Thea walked and walked. She didn’t know how long she was walking but she knew if she stopped, she wouldn’t be able to get up for a while. Luckily as she climbed up the stairs, she found a recognizable dirt shack and a bench.

 The main inhabitant not in sight but that was fine.

She approached the bench and slowly eased herself into it, but landed heavily with exhaustion. One wolf sat by her leg, head laying on her lap and the other curled around her legs to keep her warm.

The flock that was chat took their places, cawing and gossiping. No doubt telling Phil where she was. She shivered, feeling cold from being exhausted and went to her neck to tighten her scarf.

But then she now realized it wasn’t there and remembered Phil had it in his hands. Instead, she sighed and stayed still as possible. The clothes were warm and the long skirt blocked some of the wind, but she didn’t like it.

The downside of being injured and healing.

There were footsteps approaching her and she turned as a long, lanky shadow loomed over her. She turned to its host and her neck craned to see red and green eyes look down at her nervously.

“Uh Hi” he greeted her.

“hello” she smiled and something familiar seemed to reach out to her.

The finely dressed teen fidgeted before he opened his mouth to speak nervously. “Oh this is for you” he said, extending out the shawl.

“Oh, thank you” she said in surprise. She took it and as soon she grasped it, the teen pulled back his hands and fidgeted once more. Thea put on the shawl over her shoulders, sighing at how warm it was as Chat and the voice in her shadow cooed.

“Fundy and Tubbo had them ready” snickered the voice.

“RANBOO” cheered Chat.

Thea glanced at the figure who was looking everywhere but her. So, this was Ranboo.

Ranboo stood by Thea and glanced around, struggling what to say. He was going to introduce himself, the shawl that Tubbo shoved for him to give her as the ice breaker. But he was tongue tied as he thought of the burning questions, he had for her.

In such nervousness, he let out an Endermen sound and clamped up. Thea flinched in surprise and turned to him with wide eyes. Oh dear.

“I- uh, I’m Ranboo and I’m half-enderman-“ he introduced nervously.

Thea blinked at him and he almost didn’t register the words from her mouth.

“You’re an enderman?” she said in Ender.

Ranboo stood stiffly but not out of fear but out of surprise. He looked at her and he felt joy.

“You can speak Ender?” he said a bit excitedly.

Thea’s eyes softened and chuckled, “One learns to when you are raised by the Endermen.”

Ranboo’s tail wagged happily and Thea smiled at him, but not at his eyes. She patted to the open space by her, “Would you like to join me?”

“Please” he said before he sat down and cooed at the wolf who regarded him before also extending his body to curl up by his feet.

The two sat there for a moment as Ranboo spoke in common. “I…Are you an Enderman hybrid?”

Thea chuckled but shrugged. “Not really but I guess you could say that. Officially by the Endermen, I am Enderman but not Endermen.”

Ranboo thought of her words. “So, you’re like an Enderman but you’re not really one?”

Thea nodded as she spoke towards him but looked past him. She gestured to herself. “I have qualities of an Enderman but I’m not one of them. Maybe it’s a result of living in the End for how knows how long or maybe its all the Chorus fruit I ate, but I was once completely mundane.”

“Oh” said Ranboo, “That’s interesting.”

“It is, isn’t it?”

“I…how come you lived in the End?”

Thea smiled bitterly but spoke softly. “I’d take it that Tubbo told about me.”

Ranboo flinched, “I…he said some things but how did you know that?”

Thea shrugged, “I just do.”

Ranboo bit his lip but nodded, twisting his tail nervously. “When I first came here, people told me about you because well they thought I would feel more welcome here. You know, without being the only Enderman hybrid here and I was told about you, but they didn’t let me meet you with you recovering and all.”

Thea grunted, “I was recovering, and everything was much at first, but I was fine. They’re just being secretive.”  She said in Ender.

“…You don’t want them to know do you?”

“No because be it as they may, I trust some of them as a person, but I do not trust their judgement” she said lowly for him to hear. Her eyes flashed to the others hiding in just earshot.

“I suppose you want the full story” she said in regular language and volume.

Ranboo nodded, “If you don’t mind.”

Thea smiled as she leaned back in the bench, bracing her hands on her cane and told her story. She told and told, starting from the beginning and to how she arrived. She told of the cave where she no longer looked at the shadows and looked outside into the world. Then she told him of her wandering and then how she came to find her place here.

Then she told of what happened, how she tried to be the pillar in Pogtopia; giving them some sort of warmth in the cold. But it was all for naught.

The sun was almost down at this point. The voice that was becoming quite a presence around her whispered to her that her little trailers had left. Clearly disappointed and disinterested in her tales. Nothing useful would be gleaned from her.

For now.

Ranboo listened to her story and he leaned back into the bench. The two watching the sky change colours.

“That’s…something” said Ranboo.

Thea cackled and laughed. “Something? It is quite something!” she agreed.

Ranboo chuckled himself before he pulled out a book. “Can…can I write it down?”

Thea looked at the thick book and the words, “Do not Read”. She hummed as she petted one of the crows. They cooed as she did.

“Go ahead. Gods know that I did the same” she said as chat hopped onto her finger and she lifted her hand up and down. Their wings flayed open as they had fun trying to balance.

Ranboo perked up as he stopped writing. “Wait, you wrote things down too?”

“Yeah, memory was hazy and all over the place. A consequence of being in the void for so long. I wrote and drew things down to remember in general and sort of memorialize it down somewhere” she told him before letting the next crow have it’s turn, “Gradually things got better, but habits die hard.”

“Oh…” said Ranboo before he nervously wrote down the next words. “Do you…does anyone try to read yours?”

Thea stiffened and she sucked in a breath. She knew that tone and could feel the nervousness and fear radiating from him. She had a bitter taste in her mouth and she took a guess.

“…they ask and sometimes I do. Only things I don’t mind sharing. Some secrets don’t see the light of day” she said while glancing at Ranboo who clutched his book close to him. Thea titled her head towards him and spoke quietly, “It’s your book. Your property. Don’t feel bad if others don’t respect your boundaries Ranboo.”

The endermen nodded as he sighed. “Thank you.”

Thea gently tapped her cane, “Don’t thank me for something so basic. Everyone deserves respect, kindness, and the like without question. Only if they do not treat your or others then do they have to earn it back.”

Ranboo stared at her and looked at his book. He nodded and then the two got up. “Can we talk a bit more? Until I can escort you home if that’s not too much trouble.”

Thea smiled and she took Ranboo’s elbow, the two making their way back to L’manberg. “For you Ranboo? Not at all.”

            Thea and Phil sat across from each other, enjoying their dinner. It was a humble meal of stew and bread, but welcome all the same. They ate in comfortable silence but there was an underlying of anticipation and worry.

The crackle of the fire in the corner warmed the room but there was a chill. Whether it was coming from outside or somewhere else, she didn’t know.

“Something the matter Phil?” she asked as she took a bite of mushroom and chewed it.

Phil lifted up his spoon and sighed, lowering it back into the bowl. He looked outside and was comforted by the murder of crows that stood vigilantly.

Thea chewed a piece of bread as she glanced at their shadows, the fire extending them across the room.

“He’s been worried about Technoblade. He hasn’t seen him in a bit since you’ve woken up.”

Thea looked back at her friend and slowly stood up. “I need to get something” she said as she went up to her floor. Phil looked at her confused but quickly as she went up, she came back.

His eyes zeroed in on the letter in hand and he took it as Thea extended it.

She returned to her seat as Phil read the name of the Letter. His eyes went up to her, “Thea, I-“

“I’m not saying can you deliver it for me. Afterall, no one knows where Techno is but,” drawled Thea as she picked up her spoon. “But, if you encounter him while you’re doing some land surveying, it would be hell of a chance yeah?”

Phil felt his mouth quirk up, “Land surveying, huh? For what exactly?”

Thea stirred her soup and then tore a piece of bread to dip it in.

“As much this house is comfy, I want my own house; seeing as I haven’t had a permanent place of residence. Left my humble cave, my first house was given to some refugees, my second house got blown up, and Pogtopia was never going to be permanent anyways. Not that I don’t like living with you Phil, I just want my own place, y’know? One of my own design and all that. And on my way here, I found the flower biomes really nice but any other place is pretty great. Besides…I don’t think I can rest here any longer with the ease of mind…”

Phil nodded as he got her words. Thea gave him a smirk. “I was thinking if you could go out for me and look for places that are great to build a place. Seeing as I’m not ready for travel but as soon as I can though-“

‘I am out of here ‘ was left unsaid.

Phil smiled as he chuckled, sliding the letter away at his person. “Well, for you mate, I can do that. And if I ever see the person this letter is addressed to you, well that would be two birds with one stone.” 

Thea smiled.

And if any of the cabinet members came looking for Phil, she didn’t lie when he wasn’t here and was busy. On some favour she had asked of and told of her true intentions (she left out about the letter, that was quite private thank you). There was some hesitancy, but she pulled out her card.

“Look, I know L’manburg is great and so much effort was put into it…I just can’t stay here any longer than necessary. I just keep seeing the Election, the fighting, and Wilbur…” she said truthfully, her voice leaking emotion.

Fundy’s ears and tail drooped down as he nodded. Quackity thinned his lips and although he seemed bitter, he understood. Ranboo stood in the back, tails flickering as he seemed to be sympathetic.

Tubbo nodded. “Of course Thea, that’s quite understandable. Your house was quite awesome before it got blown up.”

Thea smiled, “Yeah it was quite nice. Shame it had to end like because of politics.”

There was the blossoming of tension and Thea didn’t feel bad about it.

Chapter Text

With Phil gone now, Thea felt the lack of his presence.

But it was better with him gone for a few reasons. She was starting to see Phil’s apprehension of the Cabinet members and was starting to feel it. Without him around, they were asking more and more questions. And more than once, Thea had to intercept them when they tried to rifle through his belongings. Whether it was for taxes (aka stealing) or for information, she put her foot down.  

Her wolves were becoming uneasy and were doing their guarding duties, which gave Thea some breathing room to focus on her hobbies or do some business that she was putting off.

Which included talking to whatever voice was around her lately. It wasn’t hers per say but it sounded like it if her voice was distorted. It was confusing because sometimes there would be more than one voice ‘speaking’ and it was unnerving. So far she only hear two so far, but the third one was rare but that was special.

It did sound awfully familiar to Her after all.

Nonetheless, the voice(s) that whispered her were only heard from her. And they didn’t appear 24/7, which helped. What brought them out she didn’t know but considering they told her of things that she wouldn’t have known normally, she was taking it in stride.

Thea was painting on the balcony, enjoying the nice weather. Her palettes of paints and dyes were beside her, spread around as her hand wielded her brush. In front of her, she was finishing up a portrait of Eret that she had started in Pogtopia.

Tommy had dropped them off sometime ago as he and a few others gathered the things she had left behind in Pogtopia. Except for the fine layer of dust that gathered, there was no need to retouch the paintings.

(Though it did hurt to see the painting she had done of Wilbur. She softly cried for her departed friend when she removed it out of the chest.)

There was still no plans where to hang up the paintings, considering the original idea was to gift them away to their person or hang them in her own house. But there were neither options and Thea faintly considered the idea of hanging them in the castle.

There was a bustle of noises somewhere and she looked to see the Cabinets putting up more wanted posters of Technboblade. Thea gave a polite smile to Tubbo who waved at her, but she kept her true emotion suppressed.

She didn’t like this and how it would lead. Quackity and Fundy were talking with each other more adamantly that just oozed trouble for them all.

Thea felt her muscles shift and she noted it would be soon till she could finally leave. She just needed Phil to come back.

Irritate and worried of what was happening, Thea focused back on her paintings and finished it to escape her troubles for a moment.

              Phil hummed as he marked a spot on the map. Techno was by his side, accompanying him in his little journey. The older man didn’t tell exactly why he was going around these places, but it was whatever.

Right now, they were standing in a flower biome and Phil was excited.

“This place is perfect” he said before noting the landscape. He could see the potential builds that could be done and wondered what Thea would do.

Techno patted Floof by his side as he gave Phil a raised eyebrow. “So why is it that you’re going around marking places on the maps Phil? We’ve been going around for a while now.”

Phil let out another hum as he slid the map away. “Well, it’s for Thea. I was already marking places up and us meeting each other was just a coincidence.”

Techno stilled for a moment.

“Thea? What for?”

The two were making their way back to camp as Phil sighed. “She told me that as soon she was healed, she was leaving L’manburg. Wanting her own place and all that which I can understand.”

“I see…”

They walked in silence for a few moments before Phil spoke up again. “It’s because of her that I’m able to go out without anyone hounding me. The cabinet members have been pretty pushy as of late so this all works out. Speaking of which, I have something deliver for you.”

“Heh?”

Phil grinned as he slid into his side pocket and took out a envelope that seemed pretty thick. He held it to the other and Techno took it, seeing the cursive writing of his name.

“A letter?” he uttered out slowly. He stared at it for a moment and when he turned it around, he saw the wax seal with a few strands of flowers sealed with it.

“From Thea” explained Phil as they reached their camp. He got the campfire ready as he continued, “She wrote it a while back it seems and she said in the ‘off-chance’ I saw you while helping her land surveying, well, it would be quite the coincidence, would it?”

Techno looked up at his friend and saw the mischievous grin Phil was giving. Techno then stared at the letter and he let out a snort before laughing. “Wow old man, you got bailed!”

“Shut” said Phil but chuckled. “Not going to lie, it was a weight off my shoulders.”

The two enjoyed their silent company as night descended. As they ate their dinner and talked, Techno looked at the letter in his hands. It had a hefty weight for a letter of its size and it was reaching its limit almost. It was pressed with care where Techno was scared to open it.

Chat was going on in his head, conflicting in their opinions of the letter. Some were saying to throw the letter away into the fire. Some were saying to read it and some told him not to.

Curiosity got the better of him (and no, he wasn’t being peer pressured). He slid his finger underneath the fold and went to flick the wax open but he stared at the flowers that was pressed. He frowned and Phil saw his hesitation.

“Here, wanna me to help you open it mate?”

Techno nodded as he handed Phil the letter. The winged man took his finger and slid his talon on the top edge of the envelope, opening it. “Here you go mate.”

The piglin nodded in thanks before he carefully took out the content. He slid it out and saw that there were a few pages that were folded in. He begun to read the lines of somewhat cursive writing, and he read and read.

He didn’t know exactly what the letter would entail. He expected some words of hate but after he read the few passages, he had a feeling the letter was not of that sort of intent.

He read and read, noting how Phil was trying to be discreet reading over his shoulder. He pressed on, slipping the pages behind each other as he finished each page, before he came across the last page.

The last page of the letter only had a few words but the main content of it was a small sketch. He chuckled at the small cartoonishly drawn pig that had a crown on its head (Chat cheered at it).

Once he stared at it long enough, Techno felt a bit more at ease as he casually handed off the letter to Phil. There was an act of declining but the man took it before he too read the letters.

Techno stared at the stars as Phil chuckled, signalling that he finished reading.

“Ain’t that good for you Techno?”

Techno hummed, “Yeah.” He remembered the sketch of the last page before he turned to his friend.

“What do you say about we do some land prepping?”

Phil smiled at the sketch as he chuckled, “Guess I’ll be out for a bit more huh?”      

Chapter Text

Dear Technoblade,

If this letter finds you one way or another, I hope you are doing well. At the very least, in health.

If you are interested in hearing on how I am doing, continue reading this. If not, just skip till the next page. Or the page that I have indicated with a little star on the corner of the page.

I am fine. Not great, but fine. At the time I was writing this letter, it has been a bit since I’ve woken up and gotten my bearings of the world. I will admit that I was in a coma and was existing in the void, with Wilbur and Schlatt. I don’t remember the details other than I have. It is a bit jarring being back in the overworld but a welcome one. Especially seeing Philza again.  

He is still the man I remembered, even back then they were bits and pieces. My saviour in my world of loneliness. My mentor who guided me. My friend of it all.

You had always known that the man was Phil, haven’t you? I don’t hold it against you for not revealing that bit of information. Nor anyone else. I wasn’t exactly in a state for it either way. That had been proven time and time again. 

Regardless I am doing well. I hope you are too, even if the sentiment is not recuperated.

This is enough pleasantries (for now). It is about time I get to the heart of things. But if you have read this far, thank you. Even if you are reading this for the sake of reading this letter, I appreciate it. I will tell you first and foremost before we get to the contents of the next letter.

I do not hate you and I understand.

[Next Page] *

              Hello Technoblade, this is the page where the true intent of this letter is contained. I don’t know how you think of me or the others, but I can only surmise. Especially with your actions against the comrades we had fought along with. Before, in your eyes, the same people who betrayed and used you.

I am (perhaps) one of those people.

You will probably not believe my words, but I hope you will. One day.

              I understand what happened and it was only inevitable. I knew this beforehand and even now. I understand your decisions and actions.

I will admit that I rather it didn’t have to happened in the first place, but I know where it came from. I did my best to either prevent it or set it off-course. But I could not have changed it or change it anymore. Even if we could time travel to that day.

This was something was set in motion way long before my arrival after-all. The decisions and choices were made by different parties that would result to that day.
Fate is not unkind but it seems unfair at times.

I have my feelings about everything. I am only human after-all (Even if I am Enderman but not Endermen). But you are also one too (yes, pushing aside technicality). But I will try not to make you the brunt of my anger and the ludicrous emotions.

I say I will try because I won’t give you empty promises. That I will not do to you. Rest assured in that.

I don’t think you are at fault. Not the only one nor should you shoulder it alone. Everyone had some part to play; not just Wilbur and Tommy. No matter how minor or major it was.  

It was that sort of stage after all. A story that would end in tragedy.

              I hope we meet again as friends one day. Whenever or wherever it will be. I wish you well and hope you continue doing well.

Until again, Thea.

              P.S. I guess Floof is with you. I hope he is. He belongs to you after all for your wolf army.

[Next Page]

              One day, I plan to build a house, surrounded by flowers and warmth. And when that is built, I hope I will be able to invite my friends and share that warmth. Even for just a moment.

[On the page, there was a sketch of a house that seemed large but also quaint. It was surrounded by flowers and trees.

Among the drawing, there was a cartoonishly drawn pig with a little crown on top of it, and a crow with a bucket hat. It broke the seriousness of the drawing and the letter]

Chapter Text

Thea let out a sigh of relief as she flopped onto the plush grass. Her bones and muscles groaned as they finally were given a rest, but Thea relished the feeling of accomplishment.

Phil had came back after a bit and excitedly told her that he had found a perfect place to build. Thea grinned back and cheered, jumping for joy as she did. It was perfect timing since she had gotten better now and was ready to build.

So she did.

Thus here she was now.

Phil had showed her off the other potential places on his map but showed her the flower biome first. She didn’t hesitate to start setting up her place, especially since it was conveniently had a nice little clearing of space.

Her mentor-friend helped her a bit and Thea wondered where and how he got all the materials so fast. But she didn’t linger.

First she had set down a little area where there were smooth stone lining her property home with white concrete piled up; creating a fenced in area. Within it, there was already the foundation of her house, lined with stone bricks. There were cobblestone pillars with pink concrete walls in between. Of course, she had white glass for the windows.

She made the entire home pretty large, and there were four levels this time; including the basement.  The utmost floor was going to be her work station and had a little balcony out of it.

All the left was to fill in that little pond with water and fishes, with some lily paddies floating on top. There were saplings, bamboo shoots, and flowers planted in her little garden. Her farm was all ready to go and she even gathered some animals.

In other words, she was ready to move in. She had to set up the furniture and all that, but right now? She was bone tired.

The more she thought about it, the more she realized how tired she was. She hadn’t been sleeping these past few days, considering she didn’t a need to. Not for a while since she woke up from her coma.

The prickling sensation of fear started to infest her.

“You should sleep in your house” advised the voice from her shadow, the darkness slowly building and the voice was more coherent.  

Thea immediately got up and walked past the walls of her home. She closed the gates before walking up into her house to sleep, realizing if she was going to pass out again for a while, it would be best in the comforts of her own home.

She laid down in her bed, her hands gripping the blanket in fear. She needed to sleep and not draw out the inevitable, but she was scared. What if she pushed herself too much once more and slept away the days. Without anyone knowing where she was?

Thea felt a hand brush against her head and a soft, familiar voice spoke to her. The darkness was taking over the room and she swore she saw Her shape forming out of it.

“Shhhh-“ she cooed as she continued to brush her hand, “It’ll be alright. I’ll tell them.”

Thea felt her eyes drooping heavily and being rocked to sleep. Her body and mind begun to fall asleep and let herself sleep, comforted in the words.

              Thea woke up to the sounds of bustling. She stiffened immediately, her mind caught up in the drowsiness of sleep. She wondered what time it was, when it was, who was here-

There was a caw and her eyes immediately snapped to the bird, seeing the familiar flock of crows. They were everywhere, some in her room and some outside. Taking advantage of the balconies and perches.

They cawed and cawed and Thea slid herself out of bed. Her hands reached out and the crows all hopped on, cawing and crooning. She slowly brought them to her face and let them preen her, rubbing their heads against her.

“Hey Chat, chat, chatters” she welcomed.

They cawed in response and Thea felt better. If the crows were here, especially so many of them, then He was here.

Thea got up, balancing the murder of crows on her arms and took themselves down the stairs. Immediately the main part of the house was a lot better then she had left it. Everything was cleaned up and was made more homey, the touches of home filled in. The fireplace was blazing with fire and there was a pot of something being cooked on top of it.

Her wolves were everywhere and Lupa and Fenrir barked at her in greeting, going up to her greeting. She bent down, arms raised to keep the crows out of the furry maws and giggled as her wolves licked and burrowed their noses at her.

“Heeeeyyy” she greeted gently and a smaller wolf pushed through. He licked her face in excitement and pushed her on her bum and Thea laughed. Floof whined excitedly at seeing her again and Thea was glad to see him.

There was a laugh and Thea beamed, looking up to see Phil with his arms crossed over his chest with a smile on his face.

“Hey mate” he greeted.

“Phiiiiiillllll-“ she cheered and the crows cheered with her. The man let out another laugh then snorted at the sight of Thea holding her arms to let the crows balance on her properly while being surrounded by wolves.

“Alright you little shits, time to let her up” chided Phil. The crows whined and Phil pointed a finger at them. “Shut.”

They pouted before flying to the rafters above, peering down. Phil smirked as he looked up at them before looking at Thea who was burrowing herself in the wolves’ furs.

“Did you specifically make the rafters for them?” he asked, thumbing to them.

Thea grinned sheepishly as Phil sighed but chuckled in good nature. “Well can’t say I’m complaining. Good for storing shit and stuff. Surprised you got this built so fast.”

Thea shrugged as she got up, giving the man a hug. “I wasn’t joking when I wanted to build a house. It was long overdue anyways.”

Phil hummed in agreement as the lid of the pot clattered. He walked over to let the steam out and stir the contents as Thea looked outside.

“How long have you been here?” she asked.

Phil had placed a couple of lanterns outside with some torches. The minimal lighting prevented any mobs from forming but there she swore something moving in her garden. It was a familiar shape but where-

“Not that long mate” said Phil, “Just a couple hours at most. You didn’t sleep that long.”

Thea let out a sigh of relief as she saw Phil preparing the dishes. She padded over and looked over him, “Anything I can help with?”

Phil gave her a soft smile and ran his hand on her head. She preened at the touch and he chuckled. “Naw, it’ll be ready soon. Just longue around until then.”

Thea nodded and went to sit at her couch, sighing as her body still groaned with overexertion. Her wolves all clambered around her and Thea petted Floof. As she listened to the fire crackle and Phil work off to the side, Thea addressed the elephant in the room.

“Is Technoblade here?”

 There was silence before slow movement. “Yeah, how did you guess?” Phil’s tone was light but still stressed.

Thea patted Floof, scratching behind his ear. “I know how many wolves I have.” Alluding to Floof.

“Ahhhh” said Phil as he glanced outside the window. Technoblade was outside, filling something and was ‘adjusting’ her potato fields. Eventually he would have to come inside and the open window was enough for him to know. Even from here, Phil could see Techno attentively listening from outside. “Is there a problem mate?”

Thea leaned her head back. “Nope” she said, popping her P. “Just didn’t expect him to be here this…early.”

“I did give him your letter” said Phil.

Thea looked at Phil from her perch, surprised. “Huh.” She looked at the fireplace once more as she felt a bit unsettled.

“Yeah.”

“…I guess he’s here to give a response in person.”

“That but first,” said Phil in a way that made her look. He walked up to her and took out a letter and handed it to her. Thea let out a laugh at the sight.

“We’re just making the messenger bird are we?” she cackled while taking the letter.

Phil snorted. “If you know that, start communicating with each other then.”

“That’s the hope Phil” she said while she turned to the letter. She barely caught the softened look from him.

The letter itself was pretty standard. A white envelope with her name scrawled on the front. She turned it over and it was sealed with a red seal. She turned the letter over a few times before she opened it.

Her fingers carefully grasped the actual letters inside and pulled out the pages. She carefully unfolded and her heart was beating against her chest. Her eyes stared at the first two words before she was able to summon the courage to read the rest.

              Dear Thea.

Thanks for the letter. Most importantly, thanks for reaching out to me. Even if you didn’t think the letter would be in my hands in the first place. Eh, the thought counts or so they say.

Look, I’ll admit I’ve written a lot of drafts how to respond to your letter and I’ll just keep it brief. Short and sweet.

I do not regret my actions that I did to L’manberg. Maybe it didn’t have to come to it but as I’ve said to Tommy back in Pogtopia, violence is the universal language.

I know you probably don’t like that but it is the truth.

Everyone had a part of play and everyone was at fault. Perhaps some less than others.

But I admire your stance. You may have fought but it was for survival and the sake of protecting. I will at least respect that.

I don’t know if we can trust each other the way we did back then, but if you’re willing to still be friendly to me, then I will. If anything else, we both share a common person in our lives: Phil.

We both care for him in the end and if all things fails, I know you wouldn’t hurt him. The same goes for me.

So if all said is done, I will take your olive branch.

With regards, Technoblade.

P.S. I still have to at least let Floof see his parents sometimes.

[On the corner of the page was a badly drawn picture of a pig with a crown with a wolf]

              Thea re-read the letter over and over again. She didn’t know she was holding her breath until a wet nose pressed against her face. She flinched but remembered where she was.

She lowered the letter and stared into the fire, watching it flicker. There was a rustling of feathers before a wing draped around her shoulder. Phil waited for her and Thea let out a nervous laughter, not realizing the tension she was carrying.

Thea covered her face and forced herself to calm down before she looked at Phil, giving him a smile. Her friend and mentor returned it, squeezing her shoulder before letting go.

Thea walked out to the door and opened it, the light inside the house escaping outside. There at her pool where suspiciously was filled with water already and lily pads, was a large figure.

He turned to her, the familiar mask on his face. His ear flickered and they stared at each other for a moment. Studying each other.

Thea beamed a smile and opened her arms.

Techno’s shoulders relaxed just a bit before walking up to her, her height almost matching him from where she stood on the stairs. He let her hug her, Thea patting his shoulder as he awkwardly returned it.

They stayed like that as Thea sighed in relief.

“Nice to see you again Technoblade.”

She pulled away and let him go, as Techno nodded stiffly. It was a start as Phil called out to them that dinner was ready. Thea bowed and gestured her arms to let Techno in and she heard a snort.

She snickered as the two sat at the dinner table, sitting across from each other as Phil served them. They ate and talked.

Food was a good buffer when you were awkward in talking. They ate and cleaned up. They moved to the couches, enjoying the peace they had.

“Well, since everyone is getting along now” said Phil out of the blue. “It’s about time I gave this back to you. Considering it was all beat up, I’m surprised it still held up. Took a while to fix it up, I also did some personal touches.”

Thea and Techno looked at each other and then at Phil as he dug out his inventory. In his hand was a familiar piece of item and Thea gasped.

“My scarf!” she cheered as she made grabby hands.              

Phil chuckled and pressed the item into her hands. “You mean your Elytra.”

“Scarf?”

“No no, Elytra” said Phil as he chuckled nervously. “Come on mate, I know I taught you this.”

Thea tilted her head in confusion as she wrapped her Elytra-scarf around her neck, pressing it close and burrowing her face into it.

“Oh my god” uttered out Phil as he turned to Techno like “Do you see this shit?” while his friend merely shrugged. There was still the slightest of a smirk.

“Thea, have you just been wearing it as a scarf this entire time?” asked Phil slowly. His tone in disbelief.

She hummed and nodded as Phil cursed. “Jesus christ mate! You’re the only one with an Elytra in this world and you’ve just been wearing it as a scarf this entire time?!”

Thea looked at the scarf around her neck and beamed as she remembered what the Elytra was. “Oh yeah, yup. Just woke up with this and been wearing it like that yeah!”

“Thea, I cannot-“

Techno let out a laugh as Phil just buried his face in his hands in exasperation.                     

The tension and awkwardness was still there but it was slowly melting away. They would never be able to go back where they were back then, but it was a new start.

Chapter Text

Thea was settling. As best as she could at least.

Now that her house was essentially finished, all was left to fill in the interior. Which was slow but surely.

It was also slightly awkward due to Techno being a more regular presence (though Thea know Techno also felt awkward). They were doing their best in moving forward and had a few pleasant interactions, but neither were talkers. It only worked back in Pogtopia because there was a large buffer time between them, with one going off literally preparing for war and the other-

Their only saving grace was Phil, who basically acted as a buffer between them. 

But even then, there were somethings that were inevitable.

This came time when they were all gathered in Thea’s crafting room which was basically her art room. Thea was unpacking some of her supplies and Techno had taken charge of setting up her easels and of course her canvases.

Phil was helping Thea and as Thea was setting up her paints-

They heard Phil made a stifling breath in and a sad coo. Instantly Techno and Thea turned to him, worried something was wrong. And there was.

And Thea could taste the inside of her mouth becoming bitter.

In Phil’s hands, he gently grasped the painted portrait of Wilbur. There was a gentle drag of the finger against the painted surface and there was a hitched breath. Thea and Techno found themselves looking at each other and there was some wild gestures of charades.

Techno tilting his head and shoving his hands to gesture to Phil. Thea could hear Techno going “HEH?!”

Thea wildly throwing her heads from her head and going “What do you want me to do?!”

Techno nervously while repeatedly gesturing her to go to Phil.

Thea throwing her head back in exasperation and dragging her hands over her face: “Oh my god, fine-“

Techno let out a huff and she made a face at him. Turning towards Phil, Thea took a deep breath to steel herself and shuffled herself over. Her feet making deliberate sounds as she cut the distance. She slowly kneeled down by Phil and gently placed her fingertips on his shoulder.

There was a flinch of the wing and Phil turning towards her, before he relaxed. He tried to give a smile, but Thea pressed herself closer to him, and wrapped an arm around him.

There was a hitching of breath, a shuddering breaths before a wing slowly reached out to coax her in closer. Thea shuffled herself closer and Phil’s head lolled to her shoulder. She pressed her cheek on top of his head and let out a huff. She rubbed Phil’s shoulder in comfort for a moment while also gathering her thoughts what to say.

There wasn’t a protocol on how to comfort your friend who’s son had died (especially if you helped assisted in said-death)- on a tangent where he found a portrait of said-son that was painted by a person you helped take care of and thought was dead in the void when she fell from the fire of a end dragon, to only find out she was alive this entire time right after the death of your son-

Thea felt a whisper of a touch and she flinched. It was cold yet warm, that created a path of jitters across her skin. She heard Her speak before she could even think what was happening.

“Tell him,”  Mumza spoke.

Thea frowned a bit at the vague command but decided to roll with it.

“I..when I first met Wilbur, it wasn’t a good time-“ she said as Phil stiffened. She continued on. “It was just a bit before the Election, where it all went wrong. He wasn’t taking care of himself at that point and was stressed. But when Tommy and Tubbo came to my house, right outside of L’manberg, Wilbur came not long after.”

Phil looked at her and Thea took a deep breath,

“We had some tea and dinner, a bit, and then when I was finished doing dishes, I found himself asleep. On the floor, just passed out. He looked so exhausted, so I just carried him up to the bedrooms and put him in my pink little bed. He slept a bit long and was so embarrassed for Brunch.”

Phil started to loosen up as Thea spoke, “On the suggestion of Tommy, I did get around painting their portraits after I entered Pogtopia; not long after I hibernated a bit and woke up just in time to shoot fireworks at Schlatt and co for trying to kill them on sight, and not after that I blew up my house when Quackity and Schlatt tried to forcefully take me in.”

Thea adjusted her footing and looked at the portrait of Wilbur. She ignored how Phil had tensed up all of a sudden and brushed it off because Phil hadn’t been told her story.

“When I settled myself in Pogtopia and also met Techno, I made a little living area. A communal place. Just because we live in a ravine, yes Phil a ravine your most hated place, yes I remember that, anyways, just because we live in a ravine doesn’t mean we had to live like it. I sort of took on the role of a caretaker, making everyone three meals a day at least, with some snacks in between, and doing some here and there.”

Thea’s mouth was turning bitter and was starting tighten. In a way that wanted to make her stop talking but she had to. For Phil.

“In that time. I slowly came to see Wilbur slowly falling apart and I tried, Phil, I really tried to save him. There wasn’t much I could do at that point because after that election, it was just a matter of time. He died as he wished it and that was his only salvation at the time. But one thing I don’t regret is that I knew him before he lost himself, and knew the Wilbur that was him. Granted, I may not know him well…but enough.”

Thea stared at the portrait of Wilbur and placed her hand over Phil’s. “This portrait is proof of that. That he lived and he was cared enough.”

There was a bit of silence and Thea started to feel awkward. “Alright, I kind of word vomited and I had no idea what I was trying to say but like, I guess that…I miss Wilbur too and that we’re here for you when you need us.”

Phil stared at her and gave a tired smile, his hand reaching up to pat her hair. “Yeah, I guess you’re right mate. Thanks Thea.”

Thea pressed her head into the touch and gradually everyone moved on just a bit. She noticed Phil taking the portrait and setting aside and she let him, leaving open the possibility of him taking it. Maybe it would be today or may be time something in the future.

She turned to her other portraits, setting aside Niki, Eret, Tubbo, Tommy, and then-

Thea looked at the portrait of Techno in her hands. As she stared at it, something was made apparent as she turned to the living model. In the portrait, she had painted Techno who was in between forms. The one right in front of her was in his most human form and that made her concerned.

              It was late and Phil excused himself and went off somewhere. Techno and Thea told him to have a good night, unsure if he was going to bed early or he was off somewhere. But it was clear he needed some time by himself.

Today had been a physically and emotionally exhausting day.

Both had gone off to do their own thing but was in more or less same proximity of each other. For what reason, they didn’t know. For each other’s presence? For an inevitable attack?

Thea was scrawling in her journal, logging events by the fireplace. Her pot of tea was slowly drained and when she was down to her last cup, did she realize that Techno was out for a bit long. She stood up, pulling her Elytra-scarf together as she stared outside.

She saw Techno’s form just standing there in the property, their collective wolves just romping around. There were puffs of cold air coming from him and Thea found herself walking out to him, hot drinks in hands.

There was a flicker of an ear and Techno turned his head to her. She raised his cup and extended it, her finger tips holding the cup up by the top. Techno took it and mumbled out a thanks.

They stood apart from each other but close enough to be friendly yet polite. They sipped their drinks and watched the wolves romping around some more, some chasing after skeletons and coming back with happy tails.

Thea looked up at the sky, seeing the splattering of the stars (she was reminded of the End realm but this was much more appealing then seeing darkness).

“Is there something I can help you with?”

Thea looked at him and rubbed the back of her neck, easing the strain. “Nothing of great importance.”

“But there is something” he pointed out.

Thea shrugged and took a sip of tea. “Personal. Curiosity more or less.”

“Oh?”

She looked at him and took a deep breath, taking in the colder air. Winter was close now.

“Back in Pogtopia, you took more of an in-between form around me alone. I know you have this form,” she gestured to him right now, “but mostly like this around Wilbur and Tommy, and sort of around other people. But right now, you’re like this for a long time…is there…something wrong?”

There was a tense silence as Techno shuffled his feet a bit.

“I…just ended up in this form and can’t seem to switch around you…”

“Oh” said Thea as she stared ahead, “So it’s a me problem.”

“And I know you have your notes and probably guessed that I have another form. I’m not sure if you’re all comfortable with them…”

Thea stared at him with the most deadpanned look she could muster. Techno felt a tiny bit uncomfortable as her pink eyes started to glow. “Technoblade…I-“ she let out a sound of a dying cat and exasperation before she took in a deep breath. “While I appreciate that you’re taking me into consideration, I already have seen your forms and they don’t really affect me-“

Techno stared down at her with a bit of surprise as Thea shifted herself so she was sitting on top of the railings. Her ankles crossed on the bars to keep her stable. Her hair blew in the wind and Thea continued to speak.

“-But regardless, no matter what form you take, no matter how you present yourself; in a physical manner or how you personify yourself. You’re still Technoblade; Techno, The Blade, Brother, Comrade, and Friend. You’re you.”

There was a silence and then ever so slowly, Techno raised his hand to his mask. He gripped it and undid the clasp, before taking it off calmly. Thea stared at Techno’s face, taking it all in. He gave an awkward smile (which some might say a nerdy smile) before he closed his eyes. He took a deep breath to steady himself and then there was his in-between form.

His eyes opened, his half piglin face staring at her, and Thea grinned at him.

“Hey Technoblade” she greeted. Her chin leaned against her arm.

Techno smirked, “Hullo~”

She snickered as he chuckled before the two enjoyed each other’s presence. Two people just enjoying watching the night sky pass them by.

As Thea inspected the bone mask that he wore, she stared at the eye sockets and then she heard it.

“Tommy is in trouble!”

“Fire!”

“Ranboo in trouble!”

“Help them!”

There were a barrage of the voices in her hears. Speaking so fast that it sounded like static. It was so loud and so sudden that it physically made her unbalanced. She let out a hiss and grabbed her head to push down the throbbing.

Techno widened his eyes as he saw her toppling sideways. His hands moved fast and he grasped her, the bone mask cluttering to the wooden floor from Thea’s hands.

“Thea? Thea?!”

“my head…they’re so loud- FUCK” she cursed as she closed her eyes. They were hurting but as she closed them, they were just as loud and she let out a whimper, burrowing her face into Techno’s shoulder to ground herself.

Techno stared down at her, as she begun to grow increasingly warm and pale. He felt a prickle of fear in his chest, a wave of familiarity but logic kicked in. His arms swept her up in his arms, whistled to the wolves to come and forcefully opened the door with one hand. He didn’t bother closing it as he bee-lined to her bedroom, before slowly depositing her down.

He could only watch her curl up on the bed, head still grasping her head and Techno could only pull the blankets to her shoulder, and just sat by her; accompanying her.

He didn’t know exactly what was going on but he couldn’t help feel something like de ja vu. Techno tensely rubbed her back (he ignored the sweat soaked clothes), the wolves surrounding them. His eyes caught the flash of Ghostbur’s presence and he huffed, hoping Thea wouldn’t see him.

There was a lot going on and seeing Ghostbur wasn’t going to help.

Eventually, Thea’s breathing and body relaxed. Her hands dropped, to grip the bed sheets as she felt asleep. Her eyebrows were still furrowed in pain but there was still he could do to help.

Techno grunted and stood up to take Thea’s boots off. As he did, he then made sure everything was secure for the night. He sat on the couch, ears prickled in case Thea needed help. In his hands was his communicator.

With a deep breath and Chat going off in his head, he begun to type to Phil. He needed to know.

Chapter Text

Few days had been passed since that incident.

In between, Thea woke up half conscious and only was awake enough to do the necessary. The voices would get peter out when it was clear as day but would return back when things were becoming dark. A receding wave that would only come back crashing when the moon was high. 

She remembered Techno coming by a few times and Phil, but his presence was becoming less and less.

She couldn’t dwell in her thoughts, when she barely had room for her own thoughts and savoured the bits of silence. Only to deal with the voices, deciphering them as she forced herself to sleep so she could escape in the lull of dreams.

She couldn’t focus why Phil wasn’t here. [Why wasn’t he here? She needed him. She missed him. Don’t leave her again-]

She couldn’t focus on the familiar smell of smoke on Techno [She knew that smell. She couldn’t forget it. She couldn’t forget the smoke of the Nether. The sound of the Withers tearing through the Earth-] .

She couldn’t focus on why there was a bunch of blue here and there [It was a such a familiar shade of blue. The blue that reminded her of Wilbur. The colour he carried along with the maroon-]  

She couldn’t focus on the ghost of the face of Wilbur [She knew. She had seen him, glimpses from the corner of her eyes. She knew what his existence meant. Why was he hiding from her? Was this her punishment?]  

She couldn’t focus on why the voices were agitated [There was a reason-]

She couldn’t even focus on the voices and what they were saying exactly [She knew but she tried to ignore them. Tried to runaway for a moment from her thoughts. She wanted to be ignorant for a bit. To be free of her morality and duty-]

There were pieces of words that were repeated amongst the whispering, but together they did not make coherent sense.

“Tommy” “Ranboo” “Fire” “Dream” “George” “Trouble”

Each word came into waves and slowly she was able to put it together. But by then, things were too late.

The realization hit her as the words became coherent in the dead of night. The house was silent. The words that the voices were telling her, warning her, were clearer then ever. But the next words that came made her heart break.

“Tommy was exiled by Tubbo. He’s alone with Dream-“

Thea threw her blankets off her, partially aware of the furs that were added (where did they come from-) and hurriedly to get herself ready. The wolves were awakened to her haste and their furs hackled in agitation.

With the final tug of her armor, she ran her hand over her scarf before making her way towards L’manberg; a place she wanted to leave behind but the people she knew couldn’t leave behind.

She approached a cave where her Nether portal gate was and entered it. Her wolves follow behind her through the purple gate. The distortion was nothing compared to what she was experiencing as of late (but it didn’t help with how sick she was either).

Her foot walked the few steps to the cobblestone pathways she laid out on the ground. It would lead her to main pathways that Phil and Techno showed her when they made her the gate. She passed by the flowers and the lanterns that she set up along the way.

She marched towards the main portal gate, her pack of wolves flanking around her. The dusty and dark realm of the Nether was replaced with the world of the Overworld, but Thea couldn’t admire the buildings as she once had before.

She marched and marched towards where the center of L’manberg was, and her breath hitched as she saw the wall of obsidian. Something stabbed her heart, dread filling her, and her feet quickened.

She passed by that one tree that was surrounded by its own wall.

She tried to look for a way in and looked up at the wall, wondering if she should make a way in. Her pickaxe and shovel was ready to be used but she decided to walk a bit more, just in case there was a way in.

And there was. Just a small two block entrance.

She walked in and saw that the wall cut off L’manberg just so.  Boxing it in.

(she noted how there was some suspicious evidence of fire taking place. Oh poor Jack’s house was burnt-)

“Thea?”

She turned as she saw Niki and Jack, making their way over. Relief and ease filled her for a moment and Thea found herself smiling a bit.

“Niki, Jack. Hi” she greeted as they hurried up to her. She each gave them a hug as they seemed relieved.

“We haven’t seen you around a bit. Where’ve you been?” asked Jack, eyebrow raised.

Thea gestured to a direction, “As soon as I got the clear, I built a house somewhere.  Been building and settling. Then somethings happened to me, and well-“ she looked around, frowning. “I came to visit for a bit, but-“

Niki and Jack frowned.

“Dream built the walls” told Jack, frowning.

“Dream? Why-“

Thea tilted her head in question then there were footsteps. “Thea?!”

They all turned and saw the Cabinet hurriedly making their way over. Tubbo, Ranboo, and Fundy seemed relieved at the sight of her, Quackity being polite. She gave a polite wave and then there was a blur.

Tubbo smacked into her for a hug, and she happily gave it. She patted his back as he stepped back to look at her.

“Where’ve you been?!” he said, “it’s been so long!”

Thea blinked, “I did what I said I was going to. Phil found a place like I asked, went there and started building a house. Been settling there for a bit and was dealing with other things here and there.” She then turned to the walls, “I came for a visit cause it’s been a bit, but…”

The mood instantly dropped as everyone seemed to look anywhere but at her. Thea tilted her head just so as she had a grasp of the situation. Their eyes darting around, looking at each other nervously. The tight strain of their lips downturned.

Guilt.

Thea looked around once more, as she grew curious. Sensing a missing presence.

“Where’s Tommy” she asked slowly and lowly.

And that was the nail of the coffin.

It grew even more tense and silent as Tubbo backed away.

She stared at him and Thea felt the words coming out of her mouth.

“Is Tommy dead?”

That got everyone’s attention. All their heads snapped at her, immediately yelling. “No!”

Thea folded her arms over her chest. “Don’t lie. Dream built the walls so he probably forced you guys or something. This looks like one of those tactic. The nation or a person. Which one will you sacrifice?”

Thea allowed her lip turn downturned in anger. “I hope you didn’t just send Tommy to his death.”

“No, no!” said Fundy as he seemed nervous. “Why would you even say that?!”

Thea turned to him. “Look, Tommy is a bit wild and if I remember what everyone has told me, it’s not surprising he wants Tommy out of the way. Afterall, it was him and Wilbur that went against his rule.”

“Dream…dream wouldn’t do that” said Fundy.

Thea thinned her lips. “I don’t know him as well as you do or know him as you do. But considering he did wage war against a couple of disks, L’manberg which only took a land which is tiny to the land that I’ve seen, and aided the destruction of the original L’manberg by suppling TnT to Wilbur and aiding Schlatt in Manberg-“ she counted off, “You wouldn’t think he wouldn’t kill off Tommy?”

“He’s not dead!” cut in Tubbo and she turned to him, seeing the panic in his eyes. Along with the fear, the doubt, the anger and guilt- “He…He was exiled.”

Thea widened her eyes in shock. The voices telling her the truth. Her ears were ringing and roared.

“Exile? Again? For what?” she demanded. Her own voice drowning in the roaring in her ears. “By who?”

“I…Tommy burnt down George’s house and Dream forced our hand. It was either Tommy or L’manberg…”

Thea wanted to grit her teeth but she had to keep her face passive. Keep herself in control. Her fingers curled and her nails begun to dig into her palms. She stared at them all and no one was looking at her.

This made her even more irate.

Her body begun to grow hot with burning rage. Her body thrummed and she forced herself to speak. “Explain everything. From the beginning.”

They all stared at her in apprehension, but as she stood her ground. Tense moments went by that seemed like moments before they spoke. She didn’t pay attention who was speaking but she heard it from all of them.

But it all ended the same.

They chose L’manberg over Tommy.

Thea gritted her teeth and begun to growl. She could hear herself vibrating and she couldn’t tell if she was shaking with disbelief or anger.

Ranboo let out an Endermen warble, one of nervousness, trying to appease her. Her vision begun to focus as purple filled the air. Everyone took a step back as they saw the particles radiating from her, Thea’s eyes glowing as her skin begun to blacken.

“So let me get this straight. You, Tubbo, Tommy’s supposed best friend, decided to exile him at the last moment. Over a nation?”

“It was the best logical decision-“

“It’s a fucking nation Tubbo! If you can even call it that!” she snapped, gesturing to L’manberg. There were a few open protests from the cabinet but she growled at them. “What citizens are there to protect? Huh? Everyone, except Ranboo as far as I know, has fought in wars; no one here is helpless. Everyone has built incredible things, so its not like everyone will become homeless. You can just go out there in the world to build a new place! This nation is nothing but a giant communal property.”

She gestured to all of L’manberg.  

“Sure, the land itself is significant and I acknowledge that. But L’manberg?” she turned to them all, “L’manberg died when it was stolen, ripped away and plagiarized. It died when its creator wanted to destroy it. L’manberg died with and by Wilbur’s design!” she yelled.

Everyone stared at her with wide eyes. She couldn’t tell through her own emotions what they were feeling. And she couldn’t care.

Her tongue rolled on. “You decide to create a government for such a miniscule group. Your government has no power. No people other than yourselves. You have four members to control what? A handful of people? Fine, I get you want peace and want to enforce and control it for everyone’s safety, but that means absolutely nothing anymore. You chose to exile Tommy. For what, grieving? As far as I can tell, everyone has grieved each other so many times already. Heck, Jack’s house was grieved by Dream when he somehow burnt down his house by building these walls! Why was this is the exception? Because Dream saw an opportunity and forced your hand. And your hand was to chose an empty place over your best friend.”

Tubbo looked stricken and Thea let her tears fall; so tired and frustrated. “Tubbo, why? A nation can be rebuilt but your lives cannot. And Tommy? He has only one life. Do you not get what Dream wants?”

“Dream wouldn’t kill Tommy” bit out someone. Uneasily though.

“Wouldn’t he? We did just have a war that took people’s canon life over a nation. You think this is any different? I lost two of my own canon lives, which no one even told me was a thing-“ a guilty stab, she knew, but this was growing to be more serious then any of them thought. “You just left Tommy at the hands of Dream, the only person he will be around with, and no one will know if he’s gone or not.”

Niki grabbed her arm, squeezing it to pull her back. Thea grounded herself to that feeling but Thea said her last words.

“I won’t tell you want to do. Heck if it will change anything anymore. You’ve been warned before and yet, you continued onto this path. But let me say this: if you continue to choose to cling to the past, don’t blame anyone when things get worse. There’s nothing good about chasing after ghosts and smoke.”

Thea turned to leave and she stayed one moment. Before turning to them, looking at them in the eye before she landed her eyes on Tubbo.

“Tubbo, this is the truth. I’m sorry that you had to be put in this position but this is what being president is. You have to make the hard decisions, even if you will regret them; but don’t forget who you are because of it. Remember what matters the most. I’ll be around to help if you need me, any of you, but if you continue on this path….” Thea bit her lip before sighing, “Let’s just hope Tommy will still be alive to make amends.”

 Thea left and Niki clung to her. Preventing her from making any more hasty decisions. She turned her back to L’manberg and left through the cursed obsidian walls. She looked up at them as she did. She growled at the thought that these walls were thicker and higher before.

They walked and walked. Thea only noticing there were more than one other person. Only after she was out of that boxed in nation and had cooled down. They reached the community house when Thea turned around.

There she saw Jack, Ranboo, and Fundy. She felt even more drained but sighed, her other hand reaching to pet her wolves. Fur bristled against her fingers as she spoke hoarsely. She didn’t want to ask anymore.

“I don’t know what you guys are following me for so say what you have to say right now. If not, I’ll be off.”

“We just wanted to see how you were doing…” admitted Fundy. Ears and tail flicking nervously.

Thea stared at them, her posture slipping. She leaned against Niki who hugged her.

“I’m fine. Sort of. Look, a couple days it’s been tough with the lack of proper sleep and headaches. I came here because of a nightmare and…I guess it sort of is.”

A pause.

“…Where are you going?” asked Jack.

“Back to my house” she replied, “Take a nap then onto my next plan.”

“Which is…?”

Thea stared at them all. “I won’t say it for our sakes” she said.

“…Wait have you been alone this entire time?” asked Niki.

Thea closed her eyes and hummed. “Nah. Even when I was building my home, Phil has been keeping me company. Though…as of late, he hasn’t been around and he doesn’t usually do that without some forewarning.” She opened her eyes and saw the quick panic over Fundy and Ranboo’s eyes. “Does anyone know where he is? I need him. Call me clingy but I can’t help it when I’ve finally been reunited with my friend after all this time.”

She could feel panic and even more guilt. Thea narrowed her eyes but she knew it was safe from her fallen hair. She decided to log that information away and peeled herself from Niki.

“Sorry I haven’t been around a bit but…some pressing matters are to be dealt with.”

Niki gave a weak smile, giving her one last hug. She nodded to everyone and waved them goodbye, her pack of wolves following behind her. She slowly made her way back to the Nether gate.

At the gate, she heard an Endermen call. She instinctively turned to see Ranboo. She gave a call back to him as the tall lanky teen walked over.

“Ranboo,” she greeted, “Need anything?”

The Endermen hybrid’s eyes darted around, that was more out of anxious then his endermen trait. Thea deliberately sat on her legs to pet her wolves, who lolled their tongue and sucked up all the attention.

“Are…are you really okay?” he asked.

Thea made cooing noises at one of her wolves. “Not really” she replied, “It’s been a lot and I thought with what happened in their past, they would’ve avoided this but-“ she shrugged.

“Oh…”

A moment of silence. “Are you going to find Tommy?”

Thea looked up at him but not at him. She smiled but didn’t give an audible answer, but Ranboo understood it.

He nodded and warbled, Thea returning the gesture. She stood up and pulled out a flower, giving it to him. “Take care of yourself Ranboo.”

“You too…I’ll be in touch?”

Thea smirked, “Of course.” She saluted to him and turned to the Nether portal.

Now, she had to go back home and start on planning her mission.

Chapter Text

Thea gathered her maps and the pre-made copy of a map that Eret had given her. She didn't miss the knowing look and nod she got from him, which was thankful for. This particular map covered the areas so far that were built and that were notable as of yet. She sat at her desk, surrounded by materials as she poured over the list she had made in her journal.

1. Find out where Phil was
2. Find where Tommy is
3. Figure out Dream’s motive
4. Keep an Eye out on L’manberg

              She wasn’t too worried about Phil, since he had been around much longer then any of them. Even if PvP wasn’t his strong suit, he had years of experience that only time could provide. She would still look for him and try to get into contact with him, but survival was his forte.

              She had to find Tommy. Thea knew he was technically exiled, but he was exiled by Dream and was escorted no less. So Tommy couldn’t have just fucked off to nowhere, he was led to somewhere specifically. By Dream. The whole situation was fishy and this was definitely a personal reason. She didn’t know what she could do for Tommy, but since she wasn’t part of L’manberg and wasn’t there for the declaration…she had some leeway. If anything, she had to see and talk to Tommy herself to know if he was okay. If he was, then she would leave him to it. If he wasn’t…

Thea frowned as she remembered at the election. She remembered the look of horror and fear on Tommy’s face when Schlatt exiled him and Wilbur. How the people turned on them instantly and were ready to kill them on sight. Barely letting them get enough headway. Exile was already bad enough, but paired with past experience and being exiled by your best friend? That was already a blow to anyone’s mental psyche.

              She was wary of Dream. Sure, he was the admin but…this was starting to go far. She didn’t forget what he had done and how ready he was to take her and Tommy in when she first met him. She was still pretty neutral towards him at first, but as time passed on, there was something off about him.

              As for L’manberg…she couldn’t do much in terms of it anyway. Nor did she want to. She had more negative opinions of it then the others, nor did she have the same personal attachment unlike the others. She only knew that it was once a special place and was the final resting place of her friend. The same one that was pushed into a corner because of it.

Thea placed down her pen and leaned back against her chair. She let her eyes close and everything was eerily quiet. More so now that the voices were quenched. Sort of.

They still made themselves known, whispering her bits and pieces but she guessed after she found out what they were screaming to her about, they were super quiet. Drained. So she was only getting tiny leads. Which was fine with her. It at least gave her some sort of direction to go off of.

              Like Dream had taken Tommy very far away, where no one would see him by chance. Which direction, she didn’t know.

But far enough between him and anyone else…

The problem was that Thea didn’t know the DSMP land that much. Sure, she may have gone arrived somewhere very far away, but she didn’t know where she was going. It was literally go into a random direction and just walk.

So much walking now that she thought about it.

Thea begun to flip through past logs in her journal, refreshing herself of any markers that could be helpful in her missions. As soon the next day came around, Thea was ready to leave.

She looked back at her house, staring at it for one last time in a while before she closed the door and gates.

              Thea walked to the nether portal to get to the main nether gate. That would be the best place as any to start. She entered to the main center and stood around. Now to figure out which direction to go off to.

She grabbed a stick and crouched on the ground, holding the stick upright with her finger. “Show me where Tommy is” she said as she let the stick fall. It fell in one direction and she turned towards it, seeing it would lead her to L’manberg.

She frowned but sighed before picking up her stick before the wolves would chew it. She stared at the stick as she walked in the direction it pointed. “if you don’t work, I’ll burn you” she threatened.

The stick quivered at the threat (no it was just her hand doing that).

She repeated her unconventional method at every key marker.

“Are…are you okay?”

Thea looked up and blinked as she saw Puffy.

“Oh yeah, I’m fine” said Thea as she stood up, noting where the stick had fallen.

“Oh, okay” said Puffy as she glanced between her and stick. “What are you doing?”

“Using a stick to point me into a direction” she said before pocketing the stick before her wolves snatched it up.

“Why?”

Thea looked at her, wondering how much she should tell. “Just looking around. Haven’t exactly looked past L’manberg since I came here.”

“Ohhh, wait, are you Thea?”

Thea gave a polite smile, “That’s me. And you’re Puffy?”

“That’s me” the other smiled, “How did you know?”

“Ah, heard a lot about you from Niki” Thea stated and gave a mischievous grin. “And some.”

“Oh!” said Puffy, a small blush on her face before she gave a grin back. “Did she huh?”

Thea hummed and nodded.

“So, anywhere you are particularly going?” asked Puffy, “You seem pretty packed up.”

Thea nodded, “Just a bit. Looking for some flowers and stuff, some materials. But mostly sightseeing.”

“Ahhh, nice nice,” said Puffy while nodding, “That explains it. Well, it was nice finally meeting you Thea.”

They shook hands, “Same to you, Captain” she smirked.

Puffy let out a bark of a laughter and Thea chuckled before they parted away with the promise of talking to each other.

              Thea wandered and wandered a bit further, checking her map every so often. She begun to cross off areas that Tommy was definitely not at. Faintly, she knew day had passed and it was night. Her wolves chased off any skeletons, bringing her back their bones. She shot off any creepers down, and just let the zombies burn with the swipe of her sword.

She only stopped to eat, realizing she might as well use that time to rest her feet for a moment. She held out her hands as her wolves licked her fingers clean.   

              She looked up the stars and wondered where Dream could’ve taken Tommy.

‘Look for a village-‘  said the voices, ‘Right by the water’

Thea frowned and then the image of the first village she came across. That village she almost stayed at before she arrived her.

‘That would be too much of a coincidence’  she thought and closed her eyes. She sighed before opening her eyes and discovered it was almost day. Thea grunted, standing up before continuing her journey.

              She would’ve walked further if not that she somehow, managed to trip. She let out a yelp as she toppled onto the ground. She rolled and groaned, cursing as she tumbled.

Her wolves barked and she groaned on the ground. Her wolves surrounded her, poking their wet noses against her as they sniffed for any injuries before licking her.

“I’m fine, I’m fine-“ she said before pushing herself off. “What did I even trip on-“ she turned and then widened her eyes as she saw a body. She scrambled up with fear hitting her core and she ran towards the body.

He wore a blue shirt and had white sunglasses and Thea instantly recognized him. She knelt by him, her hands hovering above him. Her eyes looked at him, trying to find a semblance of life.

Her heart beat per every second that passed.

And she saw his chest rise.

Thea let out a sigh of relief, pressing her palms against her head. Suddenly light headed.

“What the fuck” she cursed and looked down at him. She stared at him , perplexed as to why this guy was here. Asleep no less?

“Oi” she said, gently shaking his shoulder.

George continued to keep sleeping and she grew more worried. She looked around, wondering if he was truly alone but decided it was better to risk it. Her hand reached into her phone, checked her coordinates, and then messaged to everyone.

Thea: Hi everyone

Thea: Uh, I found George in the middle of nowhere and he’s asleep. Is this normal??? I tried to wake him up but he won’t wake up. Should I be concerned???

She waited for a moment and then her communicators kept popping off. It vibrated so hard and so much that it shocked her, making Thea lose her grip on it a few times.

Dream: GEORGE

Thea immediately frowned at the username and huffed.

Sapnap: Gorgyyyyy

Fundy: Oh yeah, he does that sometimes

There were other messages of something of that note, before she typed in.

Thea: Well, here are my coords. I’ll wait for anyone who wants to come by and make sure he’s safe.

              Thea sat by George. She pulled out her journal and begun to make her notes in, seeing as she had time. Her wolves laid around them, keeping them warm and safe. The wind blew against them and Thea took a small nap. She leaned against her wolf, who had laid behind her.

Now as she lay there on the green grass, the laser focus she was on was broken. Then she realized, with the warm sun shining down on her, that she was actually tired. Obligated to stop, there was nothing urging her on at the moment.

So she slept.

And slept.

She only woke up when she heard footsteps and instinct kicked in when her wolves growled. Her sword was immediately drawn, pointed towards the source.

“WHOA! What the fuck?!”

Thea blinked away the sleepiness from her eyes, rubbing it for good measure. Her vision focused back and saw Sapnap.

“You’re….Sapnap?” she guessed, her sleepy brain barely remembering (she remembered him when she fought him back at what was once Manberg and L’manberg).

“Yeah, you’re Thea” he said, a bit annoyed. They both stared at each other for a moment, apphrension before Thea lowered her sword. She kept it in hand and got up, rubbing the back of her neck as she did.

“So you’re here for George?” she asked, clarifying his intent.

Sapnap nodded as he looked down at his friend.

“Yeah,” he said, “Guess he didn’t wake up at all?”

Thea huffed, “I tried but he’s sleeping like a rock. Is this normal?”

Sapnpa pursed his lips and Thea got the flash of concern. “Not…really.”

Thea stared at him and then at George, running through her mind what to say. “Do you need help?” she asked.

“huh?”

“With George. If you need me to, I can help you take him wherever.”

“It…no it’s fine” said Sapnap before he knelt down to pick up George. The latter didn’t wake up at all and Sapnap grunted at the weight. He swayed a bit and Thea rushed forward to help steady them both.

“Uh Thanks” said Sapnap, a bit bashfully.

Thea stared at him and then sighed, “Alright, I’ll help you” she said before putting away her sword.

“Wait what-“ said Sapnap before Thea felt her limbs stretch. The other yelped in surprise when Thea grew taller and longer. Her features changed slightly as she did and then with slightly clawed hands, much larger then before, she reached over and took George into her hands.

She carefully cradled him and she stared down at Sapnap. She tilted her head at him and spoke. “This’ll be faster. Lead the way.”

Sapnap gaped at her and Thea gave a confused look. “What?”

“You can shapeshift?! Why didn’t you do that earlier!?”

Thea frowned, “Well it’s not like I do this often anyways. It just happens. Besides, even if I did, I have no idea where to take him.”

Sapnap and Thea stared at each other for what seemed to be an unusually amount of time that could be considered necessary. Ticks went by then all of a sudden, grins appeared on their faces and they both broke their facades. The two ended up laughing at the absurdity of the situation, Sapnap bending forwards to hold his knees while laughing.

Thea would’ve liked to be on the floor laughing but her hands were occupied with the still slumbering George.

They were reduced to giggles as they slowly walked, Sapnap taking the lead. The giggles disappeared into silence and for a moment, it was peaceful.

Thea realized they were making their way back to the main hub of the server.

“So uh,” said Sapnap as he looked up at Thea. His white tie fluttering in the air as he sheepishly scratched the back of his neck. “I guess we never introduced ourselves. I’m Sapnap.”

“Thea” replied back Thea, smiling.

“Guess it’s a bit late for it huh?”

Thea shrugged, adjusting her hold of George.

“Probably. Then again, it’s finally good to be properly introduced then seeing each other in scuffles.”

“Oh yeah, you were there” said Sapnap, thinking back to the war between Pogtopia and Manberg. “Where were you? I didn’t hear much about you since then.”

Thea hummed, some hint of bitterness in her mouth. “Well, guess floating in the void and being in a coma would do that to you.”

“Wait what?!”

Thea let out an amused scoff, “Oh man, can’t believe I miss this. Well we got some time, so you want the story?”

              “What the fuck” said Sapnap in disbelief as they were now approaching the border of the central hub.

Thea let out a cackle, “Oh yeah. Now imagine being the one who lived through it all.”

Sapnap stared at her like she was insane. Before he could add anything more, Thea saw two players approaching them. One of which was very eye catching, considering he was made out of literally diamonds.

“Sapnap!” called out Badboyhalo as he approached.

The boy turned and Thea saw his eyes glimmer for a moment. She smiled as they approached the duo. “Oh, who’s this?” said Badboyhalo.

“She does seem pretty familiar” said Skeppy.

“I’m Thea” she introduced herself, “I think I’ve seen you guys around but uh, you know things happened…” she drawled off, but they knew what she was referring to.

“Ah, well, it’s great to finally meet you Thea!” said Badboyhalo, “My name is Badboyhalo, but you can call me Bad and this is Skeppy!”

“OH!” Thea said in awe, “Oh you’re Badboyhalo! And you’re Skeppy! I’ve heard things about you!”

“Oh?” said Skeppy, interested. “You have, have you? What things have you heard?”

“Oh, well…Tommy told me about Bad and I’ve heard some things about Skeppy from Technoblade.”

“Oh!” said Skeppy and Bad in surprise, before looking at each other.

“Wait, you’ve been hearing from Technoblade?” asked Sapnap, skeptically.

Thea felt the skeptically sense and it was going to be dangerous. She shrugged as the best as she could with George still in her hands (it would work as a nice hostage if it came to it. She didn’t forget that he was on Dream’s side.)

“Oh yeah, back in Pogtopia” said Thea, “Some stories here and there that we traded with each other. Though I was trying to figure out the heck we had so many potatoes but Technoblade was very vague on that.” She scowled at the mystery of the potatoes that was never solved.

Sapnap scoffed and Badboyhalo snickered. Skeppy let out a bark of laughter, “Oh man, the potatoes.”

Thea scowled, throwing her head back in exasperation. “Why does everyone know about the potatoes but not me?!”

They laughed and Thea rolled her eyes. “As much as you guys find this amusing, can I at least put him down?” she held up George who was still snoring away.

“Oh right” said Sapnap before gesturing for her to follow him. She did as they all approached the community house. Sapnap gestured for her to follow her up the stairs and Bad helped her open the door.

She saw a bed and Thea approached it to gently set him down.

Thea let out a sigh of relief, as her arms ached from the weight. She looked down at him in utter confusion.

“How the heck he slept in the middle of the field and still slept all the way here?” she asked.

They all stared at her with a look that she knew there was a lot behind it, and she shouldn’t know.

              They all left George to sleep before descending down the stairs. They all were talking, getting to know each other in basic sense when Thea jumped when she saw a creeper.

She let out a yelp and the creeper turned to them. She stiffened ready to fight when she realized there was something different about it.

“Oh Sam!” greeted Bad, approaching the creeper hybrid.

“Oh hi Bad” greeted back Sam, smiling. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, Skeppy and I were on a walk and then we saw Sapnap with Thea, and helped her take George to somewhere safe.”

“Oh?” Sam turned to Thea, who was slowly loosening her muscles. She gave a sheepish smile and wave.

“Hi” she greeted.

“Oh hello. You’re Thea?”

She nodded “Yeah, and you are?”

Sam held out his hand, “Awesamdude but people just call me Sam.”

“Pleasure to meet you Sam” said Thea, shaking his hand back.

“So Thea,” asked Bad, “What are you going to do now?”

“Well,” said Thea, “I was doing some sightseeing and looking for something, flowers and what not when I came across George. I was going to continue on, but” she looked outside and saw how dark it was. “I guess I should get my supplies restocked before continuing back.”

“Well, if you like, how about you all join us for some dinner? Since you’ve helped my little muffin’s friend.”

“Oh, I don’t want to impose- wait little muffin?”

Sapnap’s face burned with embarrassment, so much so he was on fire. Thea let out a scream and Sam sighed, dropping a bucket of water before the fire would burn the community house down.

Skeppy let out a laughter as Bad smiled. “Oh, I call Sapnap my little muffin. After all he’s my son.”

“Wait what?!”

Chapter Text

Thea wasn’t sure how much time had passed exactly. She knew days and nights had passed, witnessing the sun setting and rising once more. The night and the darkness coming forth and the voices appearing clearer then ever.

She had trekked around, gathering things along the way as she did. She looked at the maps that were created, seeing the sights as she did.

But as time did pass, the more she grew more antsy.

Something was approaching and she wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

Phil had appeared now and again, but he was elusive. Normally, Thea wouldn’t really care as long as he was safe, but there was something. What was only soothing her was the communicators. If not for those-

Techno had checked in and now again with her. This was par of the course but when they told each of their life updates, Techno seemed to keep stuff out. Or she thought. It was Techno after all. Then again, it was also Techno to do something while no one was looking and then reveal something big in the works.

Thea had been keeping in touch with people more often now. Talking with the new and old. (She still didn’t step in New L’manberg though, not since that day. Any attempts to talk there were elusively steered away into her favour).

              Thea rested on top of a mountain, enjoying the sight of the open world. The sky was a nice touch of blue with clouds rolling across it. The sun was shining down upon them, casting its rays onto the trees and plains. The water glistened like crystals in the distance, dancing across her vision.

Her ears prickled and she could distantly hear her wolves running across below her. She let them have their fun while she decided to climb the mountain. Somewhere in her mind, she wondered if this was how Phil felt. 

She ate her remaining meal and as she licked her fingers, eyes glancing around-

Her eyes narrowed as she saw structures in the distance. It looked like a village, but it was just slightly off. Like someone had built on it-

“Why does that look so familiar…?”

Thea looked at it a bit longer and as she did, she noticed glass in the distance. A certain building-

“No way. There’s no fucking way” she said to no one in particular but the wind. She got to her feet and scrambled, jumping off the ledge. Instinct kicked in as she pulled out her elytra. The magical cloth snapped into place and begun to fly through the air, her hand going to whistle for her wolves.

They howled as they raced after her.

She zeroed in on the village, the image of it becoming more and more defined. As it did, her heart raced as memories flowed.

The wind blew against her face and hair, her heart hammering in anticipation and adrenaline.

(She faintly remembered all the lessons Phil put her through, where he made her how to use the Elytra. So many times she was either pushed off the buildings on the End Island. So many times she fell to the ground like a looney tunes character and woke up in bed with Phil wheezing).

“No way” she gasped as she saw the village. Her village. The Village.

She landed into the middle of the village, on top of the well. Her chest fell and rose rapidly from the exertion and she swiped her hair over her head, keeping it there. The wind cooling her sweating skin.

Her arrival definitely alerted everyone and they all peered. There was the initial fear of an incoming enemy but as she looked at them all, their eyes turned from wide filled with fear to excitement.

They all came out in droves welcoming her as she let out a grin, laughing in glee.

“YOU GUYS!” she exclaimed before scrambling off the well. She tripped and yelped as she tumbled, but the villagers caught her. She was brought into arms of hugs and she tried to hug them all, them all welcoming her. She tried to respond with earnest to all of their questions while firing her own back.

Her wolves barked and yipped in excitement, darting around in the buzz.

              “I’m glad the village has gotten better,” said Thea to the main council of the Villagers. But she wasn’t looking at them.

She stood in front of the inactive golem, vines gathered around it. Thea placed down a few more flowers to her friend, adding to the already growing floral bed around it. It looked peaceful but Thea knew better.

The villagers gave sounds of affirmation before they all slowly walked. They showed her what had changed since she had last seen them, while also updating bits and pieces. The village itself had changed by growing and expanding. There were still remnants of the ‘original’ village here and there, but overall, time had shown its effects.

Night approached but the Villagers did not sleep. They gathered in the main city hall, feasts laid out before them. They all celebrated Thea’s arrival as music joined in the air. Thea felt a bit bashful at the event but she enjoyed it, knowing it was also for them.

She caught up with the villagers and getting to know new ones. There was dancing and singing, Thea leading them into the first few before it got rowdier.

Eventually things begun to slow down and Thea gathered around her friends. They shared cups of drinks between them, Thea leaning back against Lupa and Fenrir. Her other wolves, the kits, were romping around and playing around with the children.

Thea sipped her drink while absentmindedly petting her newly acquired kitten in her lap.

“So,” said Thea as she gently set down her cup before looking at the council with a serious look. “What’s going on really?”

They looked at each other, nodded, before turning to her. She had told them of her journey from their village, the sights she saw, the trials she faced. The friends and enemies she made.

She told them of her quest that led her to return to their humble village. And they had information for her.

One of which may be of interest to her.

“So wait, there’s a boy out there near here? By the waters?” she asked, leaning forward with interest.

They nodded and spoke.

“You haven’t talked to him per say but he did try looting around… are you sure of your descriptions?”

They nodded and continued.

“So why haven’t you talked to him then?”

They lowered their heads, some taking on dark fearful looks.

Thea felt her stomach clench in fear.

“You tried to approach him when he wasn’t doing well but then you got warned off…” she said, drifting off. She saw their looks. “Did…who died…?” she whispered, afraid of her own question. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew the village was missing something, even if it was bigger and fuller then before.

One of the villagers spoke and Thea’s breaths hitched. The blood in her veins turned ice cold and everything was silent.

“The…The alchemist? But,” she looked down at her lap, forcing herself to focus on the little life on her lap. “Why?”

The villager continued, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. To keep her focus and to stop her from getting up.

“He tried to help the boy with potions of healing and regen but…a man in a mask stopped him and killed him in front of him…as a warning to all of you…? And to him?” she whispered back for clarification. Her vision danced and she gripped her head, growling.

The more they talked, the more she was gathering the pieces. She hoped she was wrong of her assumptions, but it was becoming clearer. It didn’t change what had happened but if the people in their stories were who they were…

Thea grit her teeth and looked at the villagers.

“Tell me, does the man who wears the mask fit this description?” she asked before giving them the description.  A man wearing a green hoodie. A white porcelain mask with a simple smiley face.

The villagers paled and she had her answer. Thea looked outside, through the window and the moon was high. The stars were out, and the voices spoke to her. They only confirmed the stories and Thea spoke.

“Tell me where this boy is” she said and turned to them. The villagers looked at each other before the head of the village simply nodded in resignation.

              Thea pulled her cloak over herself and carried her potions. Provided by the new alchemist, the one who was once an apprentice. The one who had the pleasure of succeeding his master and teacher, while working alongside him. Now the sole one and carrying the burden.

Her wolves stalked with her as they all moved towards the location provided by the Chief. The hunting party they had escorted her a while back but stopped at a certain point. That was as far as they could in their goal, or they risk being found.

If they did get found, the village would perish. As per the threat given by Dream.

(and by that extent, Dream would use that as leverage towards Tommy, guilt tripping him that he was responsible for the village’s demise)

That left a bitter taste in Thea’s mouth and fueled her anger.

She stalked faster before she was sure she was close. The voices told her.

In the distance, she could see the evident signs of torches and campfire set around. There was haphazard placing and a tent in the distance. There was a Nether portal but she doubt it was for Tommy to use.

Thea hid in the forest and darkness, signaling her wolves to lay low. They heeded her command and Thea watched in the trees. She watched and watched, gathering her information.

As much as she liked to charge in and take Tommy away, confront Dream, she didn’t have all the angles.

It would be foolish and costly.

So she watched and stayed in the distance.

With the days that went by, she saw Tommy and Dream interact. The more she did, the more unsettling it became. It was like an innocent dream that slowly revealed itself to be a nightmare.

When Dream left and didn’t return the next day, Thea used that night to set out. It was night and with only the reassurance of the voices, she set out. She walked towards the tent and only paused to get her surroundings. It was…bare minimum. Just barely.

Thea fisted her hands deeply before relaxing. She couldn’t be stressed in front of Tommy. Now from what she had seen.

Thea quietly approached the tent and saw a sleeping Tommy. Just barely. She immediately picked up that was all too familiar of Pogtopia. (She also noted how thin and beaten he was. She had the flashing image of what if Thea wasn’t there with them in Pogtopia and this what would’ve happened if she didn’t take care of him).

Thea quietly sat by Tommy, far enough as the Tent allowed her to be. But it was still close. She gestured to the wolves to be on the lookout and she prayed to the voices that they too would warn her.

She heard Tommy whimpered and twitch in his sleep, and Thea could hear the notes of the song in the air. She heard it and begun to sing softly.

You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
'Cause they fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You'd think me rude but I would just stand and stare

I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems

'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a thread (thread, thread)

I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)

Thea could see the particles floating around like they were fireflies and filing the tent with a soft glow. She continued to sing and the whimpering died down. The twitching stilled and Tommy relaxed. His eyebrows that were once furrowed, fell and lay softly. His eyes clenched shut relaxed until his eyelashes were now soft. His mouth twisted in a grimace turning into a soft smile and opened mouth with soft breaths.

She smiled and sat in the tent, resting her head back as she continued to sing. As she neared the end of the song, she let her throat rest. Pause of quiet silence filled the air and Thea realized her eyes were closed herself.

“Thea?”

She opened her eyes and smiled softly before looking at Tommy, who stared at her in wide disbelief. (She noted how his blue eyes were beginning to turn misty. His fists gripping the blanket in a way she knew he was scared.)

“Hi Tommy” she said, “It’s been a while.”

Tommy sat up in his cot and stared at her, hands twitching. Thea raised her palm slowly and held out her hand. Far enough to not immediately touch him but close enough if he chose to bridge that gap.

Tommy stared at her hand and what seemed like forever went by. And then, his hand reached out. His fingers twitched and drew back when they touched, but when it was clear it wasn’t a dream-

Thea held out her arms, encircling around the boy. She hugged him and placed a gentle hand to cup his head towards her. She hummed a random song (covering his sobbing) and patted his back (that shook, rising and falling with tension).

She waited until Tommy calmed down before they faced each other. “What…how are you even here?”

Thea grinned, giving faux impressions. “Well, first things first,” she said before pulling out a meal for him to eat. She snickered inwardly as she saw Tommy drool before pushing the food into his hands. “Eat while I talk” she said.

Tommy nodded and bit into the food like he hadn’t eaten in days (She suspected that was probably the case).

She told him what she had been up to. She told him in a vague manner where it was a very general knowledge, but had enough details for him to draw his own conclusions (hopefully).

“So…you’ve been looking for me this entire time?” whispered Tommy, his voice cracking with emotion. He was staring at the leftover meal, looking at the tiny morsels left with a certain look. Thea shoved a gapple into his hand and his eyes sparkled.

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

He looked at himself in the shiny exterior of the gapple, his reflection staring back at him; muting the true nature of his appearance into a more desirable one.

Thea looked outside, the stars spanning across the dark sky with the moon slowly making its way across. “Because, be as it may Tommy, you’re still someone I know. Someone I care for and am friends with. I had to know where you are and make sure you were alright.”

“As you can see, I’m alive and well.”

Thea tilted her head, “Alive yes. Well, that’s up for debate.”

“Hey!”

Thea gave him the most incredulous look she could muster. “Tommy, I took care of everyone who came to Pogtopia. I’ve seen how high and how low everyone can be.” ‘So I know when you’re well or not, so don’t test me on this right now’

Tommy seemed to get it and looked down. “I…”

There was silence and Thea sighed in frustration and ran her hand through her hair. She gotten the gist from Tommy and while she would like to take him away, there was something more to this.

“Tommy, listen to me carefully and listen well.”

Tommy stared at her as she spoke. As day begun to rapidly approach, so did Dream. The voices urged her to leave. She left long before Dream would arrive and covering her tracks along the way back to the village.

(She also noticed someone peering over at the corner of her eye, wearing that certain tone of yellow that she was seeing every so often)

The villagers were already standing to welcome her back and the Chief looked at her dead in the eye.

Thea spent the few days in the village, tilling her energy and slammed the chests closed. Her house remained as it did.

When she was done, she looked to the direction where Tommy was before heading back home. She had done what she could for Tommy and if it ever came to it…he would have something.

A part of her was relieved, the quest over, but a new one would be waiting. For now, she made her way home. She planned for some well-deserved R&R but little did she know,

It was only the beginning.

BONUS CONTENT: initial concepts of Thea. Was previously named as Thalia.

Chapter Text

Thea spent her days go back and forth between the village and her home. She would also stop by New L’manberg to chat with friends and new acquaintances. She happily chewed on a muffin that Bad had made and hummed in delight at the treat. Niki finally introduced Puffy to Thea and surprised the other girl when they had already met (although briefly).

She even saw Sapnap and George time to time. While Sapnap and George were Dream’s friends, she held her hesitancy back long enough to get past it. Ignoring how they were Dream’s friends; they were actually great people to hang out with. It was also very chaotic.

Ranboo had snuck away and greeted her with happy fwoops and Endermen chitter. She smiled at the gesture, knowing that Ranboo felt more at ease with his endermen heritage but had little to show it to. They would talk and exchange flowers, her favourite being peonies while Ranboo would give her alliums.

Her more frequent visits begun to draw some attention and every time they asked where she was going, she would bite back that she was (distantly) checking on Tommy and instead reply with the other bit of truth.

“Oh, remember how I was doing some sightseeing?”

They would nod.

“Well, I found my old village! The first village that I came across when I woke up in this world! I’ve been going back and forth checking on them while also transporting some old materials that I had to leave behind!”

There were some inquires if they could follow and Thea would put on a thoughtful look (that was no act but she had to put energy in it to ensure she showed it. There was no room for error).

“I wouldn’t mind personally, but uh, something happened in the Village so they’re a bit reluctant on new visitors. I’m still in the process telling about you guys to warm them up.”

They would grumble or be a bit disappointed but they would agree. Thea wasn’t telling a lie but it wasn’t the whole truth. She was telling the Villagers about them, but she had to put the pieces in play. Just in case.

Just in case Tommy needed help and see what Dream was doing to him. And when she finally showed some people on the server to the Village, well it was out of her control if they decide to venture a little bit in a certain direction.

            Thea rested near the vicinity of New L’manberg after a particular journey. She was tired and decided it was fine to just rest a bit. She bundled in her clothes as the bits of winter bit at her.

If there was one thing that Thea wasn’t complaining about her changed body and appearance (when she was last fully human), it was the fact that the cold didn’t bother her (much) anymore.

She was far more tolerant to weather then she was before, which was a blessing considering what she went through since her time on the server.

Her thoughts were interrupted with the stiffening of her wolves and the growl that was slowly emanating from their throats. She scratched and cupped their maws, preventing them from getting anymore agitated. Wondering what got their attention, she begun to look around and her eyes immediately locked on the incoming figures.

They were walking towards her normally but something felt off (or maybe it was because the last time she saw them, she yelled at them).

The Cabinet members were closer now and Thea braced herself. She slowly got up as they were only a couple feet away. She took on a lax stance but was still prepared to fight when necessary. One wolf stood up while the other sat up, her hand on top of Lupa’s head.

She ran her finger through Lupa’s tresses, calming herself and hiding her anxiousness.

“Hello Thea!” greeted Tubbo and Thea let her small bit of softness to the boy show.

“Hello Tubbo.”

“What’cha doing?” he asked curiously.

“Just resting,” replied Thea, “Finally got the most of the materials from the Village and did one last check. Thought it was about time I just took a breather and all.”

“Oh I see, I see” nodded Tubbo and Thea hummed, nodding her head as well. In that movement, she let her eyes roam and took in everyone else’s composition. There was something off and Ranboo’s tail was flickering a bit too nervously for her own reassurance.

“Enough pleasantries,” said Thea, waving her other hand, deliberately showing her sheathed sword to them. “I know you have something to ask of me.”

Tubbo thinned his lips and Quackity’s lips quirked upwards a bit too much for her to be reassured.

“Oh yeah! Yes,” said Tubbo as he became nervous and looked between his cabinet members for reassurance. Thea gripped the back of Lupa’s collar, holding her back and shifted her foot just so to stop Fenrir from stepping with his growl. “Well, we were wondering if you know where Technoblade was.”

Thea felt her muscles stiffen. Her gut clenched with nervousness and anticipation. She took a moment to look at them all, while she shifted her back. Her elbow resting on her scabbard.

“Technoblade? What do you want to know where Technoblade is?” she asked carefully, “He’s been away and out of contact with everyone for a while.”

“Oh, we know!” interjected Quackity loudly, a beaming smile on his face. Too nice of a smile to be just slightly off. “We just want to apologize and make amends with him!”

 That surprised Thea so much so that she literally stumbled. That statement was something she never thought would come out of his mouth.

“Wait, what?” she stammered out.

“Yeah, yeah!” said Fundy as his tail wagged. “With everything calmed down and between rebuilding L’manberg we gave it some thought.”

Quackity nodded, “Yeah, yeah. And we thought it would be nice to show Techno how different L’manberg is but we have to say sorry and all that. Right Tubbo?”

The (all too) young president jolted as he quickly recovered. “Yeah! But since no one has seen Technoblade in so long, we haven’t been successful in finding him. So we figured you might know where he is, since we heard you’ve been in contact with him.”

Thea wondered who they heard that from but then remembered Sapnap. Maybe…?

“Oh,” said Thea as she ran her hand through her hair a bit nervously and in utter bewilderment. “Are you serious in making amends with him?”

They all nodded, a bit too much for her liking but she ignored it. If they truly were going to make amends, then-

That would be one thing that would ensure there was going to be peace. Everyone would benefit and they were on their way to accepting Techno-!

“Well,” said Thea as she licked her lips. “I have been in contact with him but its more on the communicators once and a while, and he visits me at my house. But even then, I have no idea when or where he comes.”

There was a drop of disappointment, but Thea quickly stammered something out of anxiousness. “But, if you really want to know where Techno is or get him to come over, your best bet is Phil.”

“Phil? Philza?” asked Fundy, a bit nervously.

Thea nodded, “yeah. The only person who would know more about Techno is Phil after all.”

Little did Thea know she would regret saying those words to them. But she didn’t because she was excited for Techno that was going to be accepted and they were being mature-

So excited that she didn’t notice the gleam in Quackity’s eyes and Fundy and Tubbo. So much so that she didn’t notice the nods they all shared before they beamed at her.

“Thanks for the information, Thea!” said Tubbo who clasped her hands in his. “We’ll get right on it and when we’re done with our plans, we’ll show you how much better L’manberg will be!”

Thea tilted her head, something in her questioning Tubbo’s words. But as she stared at his sparkling eyes, she pushed it aside. It was nice seeing Tubbo happy again.

“I’ll look forward to it” she agreed as the Cabinets members begun to leave. They all turned their backs to her and she caught Ranboo looking over his shoulder.

He stopped, fiddled with his hands and stepped towards her but Tubbo called out to him. Ranboo jumped and stuttered a response before waving towards Thea before hurriedly catching up with the rest of them.

As the sun went down, Thea had no idea why she thought the orange sky looked a bit too red for her liking.

She shook it off as fatigue and decided to make her way back home, ready to rest for real. She ignored the voices, too tired to care. When she finally reached her home and forced herself to eat the stew she had going on this entire time, she cleaned it up and slipped herself into bed.

She deserved some sleep.

The voices couldn’t warn her in time as she slipped into her dreams.

She couldn’t hear them as something else was happening back at New L’manberg.

            “What do you think you’re all doing!” demanded Phil as the cabinet members ransacked his house.

“Philza, you’re under house arrest” said Quackity as Phil’s wings puffed out in anger. “For what?!”

“For collaborating with the traitor and one of the most dangerous threats to L’manberg: Technoblade” sneered Quackity.

“You have no proof!”

“But we do” said Quackity as Phil’s breath stiffened. “We have confirmation from Thea that you are the only person who would know Technoblade best.”

“Thea…why-“ stuttered Phil. “She wouldn’t betray Technoblade or Me. Unlike you all little shits, she’s not like you!”

“Oh we know” nodded Quackity, “We just had to say we wanted to make amends with Technoblade which wasn’t really a lie.”

“What-“

“Except, we will make Technoblade make amends to what he has done to our country” barked out Quackity. Tubbo found the compass that would take them to Techno’s cabin and Phil felt like the world was crushing him.

They began to move out and right before they left,

“Oh and Phil? Don’t even think of running away. If you don’t cooperate, we can just take Thea in for being a threat and conspiring with Technoblade. After all, other than you, Thea’s the other person that Techno has been close to. Unlike you and Techno, she still seems to trust us and we know where she lives.”

Phil felt all the air in him disappear and it was knocked out as they slammed his door shut. He stood there in silence, amidst the destruction of his own home. His entire being shook for a moment before he rapidly took out his communicator from one of the crows, who managed to take it back in the chaos.

He punched in the words that would formulate in his bird brain. He warned Techno and when it went through, he fell to his knees, clutching the communicator to his chest.          

He could only hope Techno was going to be safe and alright.

And he hoped Thea would be left out of their mess. He cursed at them for using Thea in their Hog Hunt and even using one of the few people he cared about against him. He had just found Thea after all this time, he couldn’t lose her again because of him.

He took shaky breath as the crows appeared through the broken windows and any other opening. Some went to fly and warn Thea while the rest huddled and comforted Phil.

            Phil took a sharp right as he barely missed the burning flames of the Enderdragon. He heard it roar loudly in pain as an arrow was lodged into its side. He dared look as the dragon’s attention was now focused onto Thea who flew in the skies of the End.

He was thankful and also regretting giving Thea flying lessons with the Elytra.

The two End dragons that somehow appeared in the End realm were destroying Endlantis while also destroying the End islands. It was no problem for Phil but it would be one for Thea.

After all, she couldn’t leave the End realm and if all the livable places in the End realm where gone-

“PHIL! LOOK OUT!”

Phil in his moment of distraction saw the burning flames coming at him with the maw of the End dragon coming at him. His wings flapped and tripped as he tried to get away but he knew he would not make it in time.

Then something knocked in him. He was pushed out of the way and he tumbled in the air. There were only singes of heat on him but they were snuffed out as he caught himself.

He looked around, gathering his bearings but he quickly saw the burning speck that was rapidly dropping to the void.

Phil widened his eyes as terror struck him.

“THEA!” he screamed as he dove. He dove and dove, as fast as he could, his arm outstretched to her.

Thea was tumbling down to the void, flames on her body. Her front was burning, her elytra on fire, and even from here, he saw her arms were blackened-

He choked and dove even faster, trying to reach her-

Thea’s pink eyes opened just long enough to see him. She smiled at him and Phil cried at the panic then resignation in her eyes. She had the audacity to smile at him while she spoke, her mouth mouthing out the words.

“Goodbye Phil. Thank you.”

Phil cried, instinct calling to him as he stopped just before the void. Thea disappeared into the void. Swallowed into the nothingness. Panic took over as did sadness and grief-

The Dragons roared and he snapped his head at them. He had to take care of them. As long as they didn’t destroy the bed that Thea had slept in, she would respawn, as she always did-

            Time passed and the dragons were gone. He cheered for a bit before he flew straight towards Thea’s building. His heart hammered against his chest as the crows followed.

Everything was going to be fine. She was going appear in the bed as she always did. Everything was going to be alright. They would work together in rebuilding the End realm, making it even bigger and better. They would finally make a better house for him and Thea to sleep in-

He slammed the doors open of Thea’s room and his face took on a hopeful, beaming look. He needed to be happy so she wouldn’t panic when she respawned.

Only did he realize-

He was barely standing on the remaining parts of the End island. Half of the building and island decimated into nothingness.

There was no room left. Only a bit sticking out.

Everything of Thea was gone; all her stuff, drawings and writings-

And what he hoped to see in front of him was gone.

The bed was gone. Her pink little bed-

There was no respawn point for her-

Thea was gone-

There was a piercing cry that rung through the End realm. The endermen cried as they heard Phil cry. They knew what that meant.

Thea was gone.

Phil let out a shudder and let himself let out a sad, and frustrated warble. His hand shook as he typed into his communicator to Techno.

He couldn’t lose either of them.

Chapter Text

When Thea went down to sleep, she was rudely awakened by the voices screaming. She was tired, in between consciousness. Her body felt like lead from the exhaustion and she was still so tired-

But the voices kept screaming.

And it was a very familiar type of screaming.

One of panic. One of warning. One of urgency.

Much like what happened with Tommy and Ranboo.

It also didn’t help that her windows broke when a flock of crows appeared. They slammed against the windows, shaking it and spooked Thea out of her bed. She launched herself out of bed and the crowing of the murder mixed in with the screeching of the crows.

She woke up with a throbbing head, induced by all the noise.

The crows all spamming at her to help Phil (wait why Phil?)

The voices mixed in with something foreign; a new cacophony of voices. (They screamed ‘Blood for the Blood God). Words filtered her through the noise and Thea listened this time.

‘Techno, Blood, Hog Hunt, Tubbo, Quackity, Fundy, Ranboo, Ghostbur no! CARL

The words didn’t make sense but hearing her friends’ names made her worried. The Cabinet members were looking for Techno to make amends. Did it go South? Was Techo too hurt by their actions and he retaliated against them?

Or were Tubbo and the others lying to her?

 As soon that thought crossed her mind, dread and regret filled her. Her hands created rips in the blankets before flinging her blanket off. Her feet slammed against the floors, shaking the entire house. Her wolves and cat whining at her frantic movements.

Something wasn’t right.

The weather didn’t help, with it being cloudy and ominous. Something also told her it was going to rain hard and she wouldn’t be surprised if there were lightning strikes.

She ran to the Nether portal, donning her gear on the way. The distortion making her even more sick but she pressed through. She could relax and worry later if things were okay.

If things were okay-

Thea ran and ran, reaching the main Netherportal hub. She entered through and gave little thought. She ran off the tall incline while launching a firework. She took off in the air and headed straight towards New L’manberg.

It was dark but the lights that were scattered around were enough (she wasn’t that human anymore to be hindered). She heard the echoing sound of Tubbo’s voice, too loud and too serious-

She reached New L’manberg and landed straight in the center. Tubbo stopped speaking in surprise and as Thea stood up from her kneeling position-

Her pink eyes locked onto Techno. Who stood in a cage.

Thea’s eyes widened in surprise and her eyes followed up into the air, ignoring the insistent questioning of the Cabinet members. Ranboo warbled worriedly, unknowingly warning Thea.

But Thea saw the anvil. Hanging precariously above and would land on Techno, who was locked into place with no place to go. Ready to be executed-

“What is the meaning of this?!” she roared, turning on the cabinet members. Her body begun to burn with rage and panic, her muscles straining. She saw Quackity take a step back from her and Ranboo’s endermen voice talking to her-

He approached her and tried to pull her back, talking to her in Ender. Trying to calm her down and appease her- not to fight or she would get hurt-

“I…I-“

“It’s a trap!” yelled Phil, his voice cutting through the static in her ear. She stiffened and slowly turned to her friend and saviour; who stood above on the balcony. His hands gripping the fencing-

“Philza, you’re under arrest do not-“

Thea snapped her head at Quackity who said it. He stiffened as he realized his mistake and Thea snapped her head back at Phil. He gave her a grimace and lifted his pant leg, revealing an ankle bracelet. Her eyes stared at Phil and while he didn’t seem *physically* hurt, she saw the toll on him.

A bird wasn’t meant to be caged for so long-

Rage burned as Thea growled, her voice straining to be calm (or was she so angry that her brain wasn’t processing it and was suppressing it so she wouldn’t go ballistic- maybe that was the case-  after all why was she seeing Wilbur’s face in the corner of her eye?)

“What is the meaning of this?” she hissed out.

“I…Thea, we need you to calm down-“ Fundy asked her nervously but Thea’s emotions flared.

 “I NEED YOU TO EXPLAIN” she barked.

Fundy’s fur bristled in nervousness as they all saw her form changing. Rapidly getting worse-

“We’re giving what Techno deserves!” Quackity yelled out as he daringly pressed forward. Glowing pink eyes turned to him and everyone shuddered as they heard that familiar agitated Endermen noise.

Ranboo’s tail flickered in nervousness as he let out a nervous warble, stepping back in response.

“You said you were making amends with Technoblade…” hissed Thea, her eyes flickering to Techno, “Was that a lie?” 

“No! No, we weren’t lying!” said Quackity as Techno yelled, cutting him off.

“Oh they totally did Thea” Techno called out, voice in a false and forced calm with underlying rage.

“No, not like that Thea, you have to believe us” said Quackity, “We said we were going make amends with Technoblade, we’re going to execute him for what he has done to L’manberg-“

“You said you were going to make amends with Technoblade! You even elaborated that you were going to say sorry and everything! You lied to me!” yelled Thea, her voice lacing with hurt. “And an execution!? This isn’t fair!”

“Fair? You want to talk fair? He destroyed L’manberg and took everything that was great about our country-“

“Your country?” cut in Thea in disbelief. She stared at them before letting out a bark of laughter. “Your country?! L’manberg was never yours, Quackity. It was always Wilbur’s, no matter how much Tommy and the others were part of it, it was never theirs. Why do you think he went off the deep end and wanted to destroy it? It was his and was ripped away from him, plagiarized!” she yelled, “L’manberg was gone as soon as that election happened and it had died with its founder, Wilbur Soot.”

Thea grabbed out her sword and shield, growling. “I don’t give a fuck about L’manberg. I didn’t care what you do with it, but you have finally crossed the line now. Technoblade was right all along, governments are corrupt.”

“Arrest her!” yelled Quackity, voice shaking slightly, and everyone charged.

Thea growled ready to fight but then there were interference. Snowballs were launched and so were potions, and then Punz appeared. Thea stiffened as he appeared before her but there was only a nod before he turned on the Cabinet.

There was chaos of war and Thea blocked a surprise attack from Fundy. Despite the fact she was ready to fight, she was still surprised that Fundy attacked her first-

She felt her heart break and Fundy seemed to understand what he had done.

“Thea, I-“

Rage filled her and Thea felt the bridge inside her to Fundy burn. Her face became unreadable and she only slammed her weight into the shield sending him flying. She turned to run to free Techno, but then there was the sound of a switch.

Thea looked up and saw the anvil fall, her eyes fell as it did. There was an arrow launched to knock it off but it missed-

She screamed as the anvil crushed Techno, sending blood flying. Some of it splattering out of the cage. But as quickly as it killed Techno, colourful lights appeared and Thea watched as Techno was brought back together, bone by bone, flesh by flesh, and there in his glory, stood on top of the anvil.

There were exclamations of surprise and shock but Thea just felt the instant relief. She let out a laughter and cheer and Techno gave her a smirk. Then he quickly climbed out of the jail and yelled something about Carl.

She turned and saw Dream leading a horse away, Techno running after him. The cabinet members tried to chase after but Punz slowed them down and Thea pulled out her crossbow.

Fireworks were launched, screams rippling in the air and Thea turned to Phil. Her eyes locked onto his delirious face. He grinned at her, and she did the same.

She felt her body vibrate, and she turned just in time to see Quackity slash his sword at her. She merely grinned, saluted to him. Her body teleporting just in time to miss the sword as she reappeared by Phil.

He turned to her and Thea quickly cracked the ankle bracelet. He let out a yelp and another as Thea looped her arm around his waist before she felt her body burn. She heard more yelling, but she ignored them, the encouraging words from Phil urging her forward as she felt their bodies vibrate. Arrows shot through them, just barely grazing them-

There was darkness and weightlessness before they fell onto the ground. Phil let out a squawk while Thea let out an oof. There was chaos behind them but Thea kept grabbing Phil to teleport them the fuck of there.

Then as soon they were at the community house, Thea felt her body growing nauseous. She dry heaved into the water and Phil’s rapid hand motion soothed on her back. He cooed at her, helping her ease into heaving whatever was in left in her stomach. Her vision was blurry but her mind was running.

She grabbed out two potions of invisibility, shoving one to Phil. She barely listened to him as she popped the cork off and chugged hers. The taste of the potions disgusted her especially so but she pushed forward. Phil grabbed her hand before drinking his own, before leading her away. Their empty potion bottles thrown in the water.

Thea let Phil lead her away into the Nether, chaos happening behind them. She could hear the Cabinet members trying to find them, the wolves somehow now near them. She grabbed one splash of invisibility and threw it at them, masking them.

She wasn’t coherent and was stumbling. Phil had a wing behind her back to keep her steady, caging her in also. She forced herself to stay awake to walk. In her lapse of consciousness, she knew they were heading somewhere else.

The distortion was the final nail in the coffin. Thea felt herself blacking out and then slumped over, the sound of her wolves, barking and whining, their wet noses and tongue licking at her, and Phil, calling out to her, accompanied her as she was sent to the darkness.

Chapter Text

Phil hovered over Thea after he took her to her house. For now, it was the safest thing he could think of and as of yet, no one knew where Thea exactly lived. He hoped at least it was a bluff that the Cabinet boasted. If then, hopefully the chaos that happened would slow them down and they would take some time to gather their forces.

But that could always change.

He was concerned at Thea's weight, while she was always had been lighter then he was, she was completely boneless with exhaustion. It was easy to carry her home but despite the easier transport, it didn’t sit well with him.  Even then, she wasn’t heavy as she should be.

Thea was clearly wasn’t in a fitful sleep and he tried to ease her in her sleep, but she thrashed and heavily breathed. Cold sweat covering her skin. Phil bit his lip, glancing between Thea and the communicator.

He had just sent a message to Techno, saying he was safe and was out of house arrest; giving a brief explanation but also urging him to come over to Thea’s place. Techno had said something about being a bit late but he was on his way.

Phil only hoped there wasn’t any more obstacles.

He heard a deep shuddering breath and his head instantly snapped to Thea. Her eyes were opening, bags under her eyes and she was clearly distorted.

Before he could ease her into consciousness, there was the sound of a certain horse and the crows only confirmed who it was.

“TECHNO-“

“It’s Carllllllllll-“

“POGCHAMP”

Phil gave a shaky chuckle as he squeezed Thea’s hand, patting it for good measure before welcoming his friend. The avian made his way down the stairs and the door was slammed opened. The force of it shook the entire house and Techno was at the front of it, his eyes glancing around in a panic before landing on Phil.

“Philza” Techno said in utter relief, all tension gone from his shoulders.

Phil gave a smile, “Hey Mate” he greeted before opening his arms. It was quickly wrapped around the incoming figure, Techno’s height dwarfing him. This comforted him as Phil crooned and wrapped his wings around his friend for good measure.

There was a few moments before they separated, Techno’s hands on the other’s shoulder.

“How did you break out old man?”

Phil ignored the jab as he chuckled, patting his friend’s hands. “Thea,” he begun before he forced himself to relax his wings. “In the midst of the chaos, Thea teleported and broke the ankle bracelet before teleporting the both of us away. We got as far as the community house before we took some Invis potions and got away.”

“Huh” said Techno as he relaxed, “And where is Thea?”

Phil nodded his head upstairs. “Asleep. I’d imagine she hasn’t teleported in a while and it takes a lot of anyone.” Then a frown appeared on his face.

“What’s the matter Phil?”

“Thea isn’t in good shape, and I don’t think she was in any better shape before all this shit happened” said Phil, “she’s too light even for her, she even has bags under her eyes Tech- what happened when I was gone?”

Techno frowned and his eyes flickered up the stairwell. “I don’t know but you two are safe and that’s what matters right now.”

Phil nodded, “Yeah,” he clasped a hand on Techno’s shoulder. “Good to see you alive mate.”

Techno smirked, “Technoblade never dies.”

Phil let out a laugh and Techno chuckled for a bit. But the moment was interrupted when there was a crash and then there were the cawing of the crows, frantic. Phil and Techno looked at each other before rushing up the stairs.

They froze as they saw the bed in a mess, everything leading up to the balcony in shambles as they were knocked over. And the doors of the balcony were opened to reveal Thea scrambling off it.

“Thea!” yelled Phil in a panic.

At the sound of her name, she flinched and froze. Her head looking at them and Techno immediately knew. There was panic and fear. He recognized that type of it.

“Phil…” he warned lowly.

“I know, I see it” whispered back Phil before putting the best calming he could. “Thea, hey mate…did you have a bad dream?”

There was no response but a deep, shuddering breath. “I know, I know. A lot of scary things happened but we’re safe now. You’re safe now. Can you get down for me please? For me mate?”

Thea’s body shook before her head shook frantically. “I..I can’t. I…I led them to you, they…they hurt you two. I’m not safe.”

Techno stepped forward, “Hey, hey, they were part of the government. They hurt all of us. You’re not the one at fault-“

“I still got Phil in trouble, I-“ stammered Thea before her eyes flickered to the two of them. Her eyes watered as tears fell, her face scrunching up in hurt and guilt. “I’m so sorry.”

Before Phil and Techno could console her and convince her to calm down, thunder roared in the clouds before there was a strike of lightning. It spooked everyone and Thea fell off the balcony.

They cried out to her and ran out to the balcony, peering over as Thea was on the ground. They were all still and all their breaths stilled.

Then it moved when Thea slowly peeled herself off the floor and glanced worriedly up the balcony. Seeing their eyes peering down at her, the dark clouds and shadows on their faces creating a horrid picture in her panic.

She ran and ignored all the cries and lightning.

Rain begun to pour down and it mixed with the tears that ran down her face. The sounds of the water falling and lightning being struck, her cries and sobs unheard. Monsters were everywhere and she yelled in pain as she was attacked in her blindness. She really didn’t pay attention to what weapon she was using, or even if it was a weapon.

It was only her barest instinct to survive that was making her move (but her guilt tried to silence that need-)

There was a crack of thunder near her that made her deaf. It shook the earth, sending her off balance and her weak body didn’t react. She fell into the wet earth and her surroundings were off.

Her ears were ringing, her vision blurred. She saw the blurry form of the creeper, it’s green unmistakable (why was it glowing-) she staggered up and tried to run, from it. It started to detonate but her legs weren’t working-

She came face to face with a skeleton, it’s bow and arrow drawn. She widened her eyes, her hand lashing out to grip the skull, pushing it back as the arrow flew up in the air. It embedded into her shoulder and that’s when she felt herself resolve to her fate- 

There was an explosion that took them all, the heat of the explosion burnt her back and she screamed, the tendrils of the supercharged creeper seeping into her veins-

The pain was intense and she was thrown back into a familiar time.  

[There was screaming and yelling but Thea felt it all at once.

The sound of explosions going off deep underground, ringing in her ears and head. The force of the blast sending her forwards, the searing pain of heat that burned her back. She tumbled and felt sharp pain all over her body. Her entire world was disrupted and all she could feel was pain, pain, pain-

There was screaming and yelling but for exactly who or what, it was all over the place. ]

She lay in the crater, the thundering rain filling the depths quickly. Thea didn’t bother moving as the water filled and filled, trickling in from the sides of the crater like tiny waterfalls and filling from above the dark, rolling skies.

(She couldn’t move even she wanted to)

She could feel the darkness and void calling for her. The whispering memories, warnings from Phil about canon lives and how it would truly be the end-

Thea gripped the wet, slopping mud. Her other hand gripping the skull of a skeleton, as she closed her eyes in exhaustion.

If this was how she would die, she didn’t mind. She had betrayed Phil and Technoblade. She deserved it and besides, existing in the void would benefit everyone. She didn’t mind dealing with Schlatt and she could see Wilbur again-

“Thea!”  a distorted voice of Wilbur’s piercing through the static and ringing noise in her ears.

She opened her eyes tiredly and turned, seeing the face of Ghostbur for the first time. His face in pain, not just from the rain melting him but also from emotional distraught. She stared at him, out of stupor as the ghost of her friend (did he ever consider her a friend?) and she smiled at him.

“Wilbur…” she whispered hoarsely, before her chest were racked with coughs. There were flashes of pain and Ghostbur tried to stuff her hands with blue. She gripped his cold, translucent hands and the blue that were staining their hands and the earth-

“So, this is where the Blue has been coming from…it was you huh?” she said, before her eyes started to darken. She gave a pitiful laugh while breathing labourly.

“Hold on Thea, Phil and Techno are nearly here-“ said Ghostbur in a panic while Friend bleated.

The noises drowned out as Thea was coaxed into the darkness. The last thing she ever were green and pink over the edge of the crater. The world tipped over and she fell. She barely heard the calls of Phil and Techno, Ghostbur trying to help-

They clutched her, Techno throwing potions of healing and regen to stave off the clutches of death. Phil clutched Thea to his chest, wings flapping off all the rain that was dripping off his feathers. He raised it over them, sheltering them all from the downpour.

“Phil” said Techno, his voice becoming a light in the dark. “We need to go now. The faster we move, the higher her chances of surviving.”

Phil nodded numbly before he slowly got up, lifting her up as he did. He extended her to his friend, who had taken off his cape to bundle her up in. “Yeah, you’re right mate. We gotta go-“

Phil went to climb out of the crater but before he could, he noticed the skull of the skeleton. He grabbed it and felt his cold turn even colder; realizing what really caused such a large crater. He gripped the skull as he climbed out before following his friend and the ghost of his son.

There were more important things to focus on. Right now, they had work to do and to save Thea. They were being hunted but they would make them sweat first.

            The Cabinet members found Thea’s nether portal. They had decided to go and arrest Thea for her crimes but also her value to Philza and Technoblade. They didn’t bother going for Technoblade’s cabin, the compass gone and the threat of Technoblade’s wrath would be very apparent.

Thus, they would arrest Thea and use her as a hostage, a replacement Carl. And they would also have Philza in their grasp.

So, they searched and found her Netherportal.

They wandered the flower biome, looking for her house but they didn’t have to walk long. Her house stood out among the nature and its grand yet humble stature. They approached it, scoping around and saw minimal movement from afar.

But they couldn’t see who it was exactly.

A plan was put into place, and they returned back to L’manburg.

When they felt they were ready, they marched and went to rush into her home.

But they failed to notice the open gates. The empty garden. The lanterns that swung ominously. They broke down her door, yelling their presence but as they did.

They noticed something very wrong.

The house was barren. What could be taken were stripped away; leaving unnecessary items behind. There were no pictures on the walls, nor of personal value-

It had been only a few days since the failed execution. There was no way Thea could’ve moved out so fast by herself…

They stepped in closer and then they heard a click.

Quackity was thrown back into the time when he first entered Thea’s first home. How she grinned manically as she had a pressure plate behind her, how she stepped on it. Triggering the explosions beneath them-

“RUN!” he yelled while frantically pushing everyone out. They barely made it as the first explosion set off, triggering the other explosives-

They ran and ran, the house behind them going into dust and flames, the land beneath them-

They felt the heat licking and nipping at their heels as they saw the forest burn. They screamed and ran towards the nether portal, explosives even laced underground-

They barely made it time through the portal when they heard glass shattering behind them. They all gasped and sucked in the sulfuric, hot air into their lungs before turning around. 

The portal was broken, and they paled. A lighter was used as they reactivated the portal and there they would see a large crater. The forest decimated along the house that was once there. Whatever that could be of use of them was no longer there.

The sight made them nervous and wondered who could’ve triggered it but they didn’t stay long enough. The cabinet members ran back to the safety of their country, as weak as it was.

While on the other side and faraway from the blasting zone, Phil witnessed it all. He had laughed when the explosions were first set off, seeing the Cabinet members panic and run to the Nether portal.

He grinned as the dust had settled, seeing their shocked faces as the damage had done and their faces paling. He readjusted his hat as he relished the adrenaline in his veins. Red eyes gleamed with mirth from the brim of his hat but as he took a moment to calm down, blue eyes reappeared before he turned back to go back home.

If the Cabinet members had stayed any longer, they would face Philza but there would be something different about him.

His attire replaced with the colour red. His eyes would be gleaming a manically red.

But it would be another day that anyone would see Redza in the foreseeable future.

            Somewhere far away, in a snow biome, there was a cabin that was far from anyone. Only a quaint village nearby.

In that cabin, there would rest a girl who would be bundled warmly and safely. Her skin would be marked with explosions and burn marks. Bandages were wrapped around her to her injured flesh but when they removed it, they would see lightning marks.

She would rest for days on end, surrounded by pillow, blankets and plushies. There would be pelts on top of her blankets and around. A steady rotation of wolves would keep her company while they also kept the other inhabitants of the Cabin company. A cat would prowl around the house but ultimately had a place by Thea.

People would check on her regularly.

Philza would be thrown back into a routine that he had hoped would never happen again. But this time, there was someone he trusted around to help. It also was less lonely with Technoblade around. Tommy keeping him distracted. It was less horrifying to wake up from a nightmare, that faithful day reappearing like a mole rat. It would not stop him from double checking if the girl was still in her bed, but he knew with the steady rotation of people around, he would know immediately.

Tommy would blather to her as if she was awake and would talk about everything and anything. His complexion and state much better than in a different universe. He would sew and embroider clothes while he talked, occasionally stopping to inspect his work and to make sure his measurement was right. But often, people would find him slumped over the sleeping figure, his hand grasping her hand in comfort.

A ghost of a friend would watch over her, talking to her but would also sing to her. He wished he could talk to her finally but even then, that would not be soon.

Techno would check on her, bringing up a chair by her bed and read a book. Sometimes he would read out loud, and sometimes he wouldn’t. He would listen to her breathing and be reassured she would be fine. The voices being surprisingly politely silent whenever he kept her company (but sometimes the silence would be too much).

Chapter Text

TW: Nightmare, Blood, Watching Deaths, Drowning, Being trapped

            She watched in frozen horror. She tried to scream and thrash at the injustice and carnage going on.

She watched as the dragon blew its searing hot breath at her brothers, their bodies burning the corpse. The roar of the dragon and fire drowning out their screams and cries. It dove at them, obliterating them and the land they once stood. The dragon continued to dive and dive, it’s head splitting into three, Heshe and Shehe sharing the body of the dragon-

Their maws opened in sync, glowing dangerous bright as they zeroed on her. She could only watch in horror as they swallowed her.

She tumbled and tumbled as their teeth dove into her like sharp swords-

Swords pierced her body, mowing in her as she raised her shield but she was down and could not escape. Chains held her captive and down like an animal as the Cabinet members surrounded her. The heads of a duck, a ram, and a fox leering down at her as they dragged her to a seat. They sat her down, chaining her down to it and when she blinked, she was faced with a large theatrical stage.

There was a mask on top of the stage, two white masks; one with  :)  and the other XD. They placed in the central of the bar, above the flowing red curtains that seemed to transform from red, silky curtains to flowing bleeding blood-

There was a fanfare, and the actors took the stage. The curtains pulled to reveal an execution stand. In the cage was a pig, caged inhumanely and unjustified. She watched the actors give their speech and there was no rescue.

Thea screamed but claws held her jaw shut-

The anvil fell and crushed the pig, sending blood high in the air like it was a gyser. The red liquid rained down on the actors who danced as if they were welcoming rain from a drought. Their crops watered, and the actors feasted on red wine and red beets.

The red liquids pooled from rivets to rivers, joining and staining the red curtains. It begun to fill bottom of the theatre, the audience stand. Thea could feel it rising up from her feet and rose and rose-

The curtains pulled closed for a moment and the curtains puled open to reveal another cage. There was a pretty black bird that was caged and was taunted by the actors, making it sing scream and they cheered at the sounds it made. They pulled and cut its flights feathers, never allowing it to fly away from its cage and taunted its freedom-

Thea screamed at the stage, but her voice was being drowned out by the rising liquid. The stage continuing to float.

The curtains pulled to end the scene and Thea cried.

The curtains pulled and Thea gasped (for air or in surprise, she didn’t know) as she saw herself.  Her original self.

She had black hair that flowed to the ground as if she was Rapunzel, disappearing into the darkness. Her skin was pale but not like the sands of the End, but pale that could be seen as prettier for the delusional, but sickly for those who saw the truth. Her eyes were not pink but were brown but from here, they were almost black-

She was smaller and not as tall.

Her original self spoke, the Ender language was deaf to her. She spoke and spoke, walked and walked onto the red ocean that continued to threaten to drown Thea. The chains weighing her down to be executed-

She walked over and peered down at her. Red liquid was on the side of her vision, bleeding into her vision and eyes-

She smiled down at her and lifted her dainty, small hands before her face went blank as hands pushed Thea’s face into the liquid. Hands wrapped around her neck, choking her as she drowned and drowned-

More hands grabbed her being and pulled her further down and down, and Thea saw the heads of the duck, ram, and fox appeared out of the darkest of the depths and grinned- the faces of her brothers distorted in the liquid appearing next to them.

Glowing purple eyes greeted her below and the darkness swallowed her whole-

A glowing green figure, resembled Dream in many ways but also not. He wore a mask with XD inscribed on it. Hands reached out to her and spoke to her. It grinned at her before it too ate her.

Chapter Text

Thea let out a gasp of air. The coldness of the air and unfamiliarity and familiarity of the smells bombarded her. Her surroundings were different, and the grasps of the nightmares still held her captive. She screamed in fear, panic, sadness, and more and her limbs thrashed.

The ground rumbled and she panicked. The faces of a pig and the bird appeared to her and memories hit her. They spoke but it came out gibberish to her and then she ran.

She ran and ran as fast she could. As sluggish as she was. Her entire being was cold and her face was being bitten. There were shouts behind her and the cabinet members were chasing after her-

They were going to use her as a hostage, something to use against them- if she wasn’t useful and when her usefulness was over, she would be killed-

There was the pop of an Enderpearl and then a large weight wrapping around her. She froze but the smell hit her first. Arms wrapped around her, keeping her still and the heat from Technoblade penetrated through the ice-cold feeling.

His hand was on the back of her hand, his fingers slightly tugging her hair. He breathed steady and loudly and she couldn’t help breathing along with him. She burrowed into the warmth and noticed how fluffier he was now. (Looking back, Thea would notice that he was in his full Piglin form).

The sound of wings batted against the air, driving up cold air before another weight pressed against her back. Feathery darkness surrounded her, cutting off the blinding light. There was a coo and trill, before arms hugged her close.

The contrasting heat and cold woke her up before her hands idly grasped them.

“Technoblade? Philza?” she whispered, much like she was a child.

“Yeah” confirmed Techno.

“We’re here mate” said Phil, pressing his head on top of her. “You’re safe.”

“Are you…are you safe?” she asked, her voice cracking and wavering.

“We are. Phil’s safe thanks to you” Techno emphasized before slowly pulling away. Thea shivered as cold air hit her and Phil wrapped a wing around her to provide some sort of warmth. She wrapped her arms around herself, shaking.

It now only solidified that she had run out into the deep snow, with even more slowly falling above from the cloudy skies. There was nothing for miles and she didn’t know where they were. (Nor did she want to. Just in case-)

“Why…?”

Techno rose an eyebrow at her, “What do you mean why? You gotta to be more specific here.”

Thea closed her mouth as she tried to gather her words.

“Why…did you save me? I betrayed you guys…”

There was a snort, “Probably to you but considering the government, I figured they would resort to some underhanded tactics. Besides,” Techno gestured to Phil, “While you were sleeping, we had time to talk.”

Thea looked at Phil who gave her a sad smile, a hand squeezing her shoulder. “Come on mate, we better take this inside.”

He begun to lead her towards the direction of the cabin but Thea dug her feet into the snow even more. He stopped to give her a questioning look but all she saw the panicked look. His feathers rustled at the look and he knew what that look meant.

“Thea” he said gently.

“I can’t…If I know where you guys live, they’ll just-“

“Let them. They’ve already be here and if anything, we’ll be ready when they do come” said Techno before pressing a hand against her back and pushed her forwards (but not exactly. It was a gesture).

“But-“

“We just have to take the fight to them before they come to us” Techno grinned.

Thea gaped her mouth open, freezing her mouth from the cold air. It was an unpleasant coolness. The mint without the mint.

Before Techno could contemplate just picking her up and throwing her over his shoulders to march them into his cabin, there was a familiar yell.

“OI WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!”

Thea furrowed her eyebrows, everything thrown out of her mental window. Her eyes zeroed in on the approaching and very loud red figure and Thea gaped.

“Tommy?!”

“Thea!”

“TOMMY?!”

“THEA!”

“TOMMY!” she screeched in surprise, excitement, relief, and disbelief.

 Her legs moved and the two of them collided in their rush. They were toppling into the snow and there were screams, Thea grabbing onto Tommy so she would take the blunt of the force. There were curses spitting out of Tommy’s mouth as Technoblade and Phil watched the other two tumbling further down the hill of snow, sending flurries into the air.

“Well, that’s one way to get her to move” drawled Technoblade. His eyes rolling in disbelief as he chuffed.

Phil let out a laugh as he patted Techno’s back, the two of them moving forward.

After a lot of yelling from Tommy, questioning why she decided to just scream and run into the snow like an idiot and Thea, questioning why he was even here, they were both dragged into the cabin.

The two were chattering from the cold, one more so then the other as they all huddled around the fire with blankets and warm drinks to supply them. Fluffy warm animals surrounded them all, adding to the heat. There was a bit of silence, used to gather their thoughts and their strength.

When the chattering of teeth died down, Phil lowered his cup of tea and spoke. “So, Thea…what happened?”

Tommy stopped in mid-drink, eyes dashing to them all as Thea fiddled with her cooling cup. Drink empty. She licked her lips and then the words begun to tumble. How she woke up to the voices that were haunting after her. How they kept bothering her until it got so loud, and she went to New L’manberg. How she discovered how Tommy was exiled and what led up to it.

Thea’s eyes flickered to Tommy who had a troubled look on his face while he sunk deeper into his cocoon of blankets. She scooched closer to him, arms before smoothly swallowing Tommy’s cocoon into hers, while she continued to speak.

Tommy snuggling in just a bit into her hold.

How she came up with a half lie and half-truth excuse while she looked for Tommy. If anything to make sure he was alright. How she encountered several others and kept on trudging forward. Then how she finally found Tommy and how she was so tired, physically and mentally. She guessed that was the reason her usual guard wasn’t up when the Cabinet members approached her.

How they approached her for information so they could, quote ‘We just want to apologize and make amends with him” and “we thought it would be nice to show Techno how different L’manberg is but we have to say sorry and all that.”

There was a hush of silence as Thea’s voice cracked.

“I didn’t know where you lived which is a good thing. But I didn’t think they would house arrest Phil like that…” she croaked and hot fresh tears begun to prickle.

Phil thinned his lips as Techno growled.

The older man spoke gravelly with an underlying rage. “Don’t be too hard on yourself Thea. They were already gunning for me, but they wanted a second hostage to use.”

Tommy and Thea snapped their heads at him as Techno tried to be calm. The voices ramping up in both Phil’s and Techno’s heads.

“What?” questioned Tommy in the first time since they started.

Phil set down his cup so he wouldn’t break it in his hands. “They threatened that if I didn’t comply with their orders, they would just take Thea for ‘conspiring’ with Techno. They believe other than me, she would be the second person that Techno is close to. And they knew that she still trusted them and knew where she lived.”

Thea stared at Phil with quiet shock as she looked at her empty cup. The depths of it taunting her.

“They…they really thought of using me” she stated to be clear. The words solidifying in her head. She snapped her head up in realization, “That means they’ve-“

“They did try to scope out your house. Good thing they decided to wait a little before charging in. When you got injured, we had enough time to take you back here and get you patched up, while at the same time, grab all your things and set a little surprise for them.”

As Phil explained, he rubbed the back of his neck and groaned, the brim of his hat sliding over his face. Unbeknownst to Tommy and Thea, he let a small grin quirk up and his eyes flashing red for a moment. Techno saw it but he continued to sip his tea and let it happen.

Thea stared at the fire before she slowly spoke, the energy and will in her to speak becoming less and less. “So what surprise was it?”

Phil pushed his hat back, humming, and Techno rose to get more tea. Tommy furrowed his eyebrows and broke the charade they were having.

“Wait…is that why you were carrying so much TnT?!” he shrieked.

Thea furrowed her eyebrows in confusion then her face turned one of exasperation and then just tired acceptance. Her hands covered her face as she groaned. “You blew it up, didn’t you? You did of course-“

“Well to be fair-“ started Phil but Thea cut him off.

“If I had a quarter every time my house got blown up, I would have 50 cents. Which isn’t a lot but it’s still weird that it happened twice” she laughed in amusement but also disbelief. She ran her hands over her face and let out a deep breath. She stared at them all and blinked. “I guess with that explained…there are two things I have to know.” Her eyes looked at everyone. “One, why is Tommy here? Two, where am I going to live now?”

“Uhhhhh, so about that-“

Thea listened to how Tommy decided to not give a shit anymore to Dream and how he planned to jump but faked it immediately (Thea didn’t believe it and the voices whispered to her only increased her doubt).

He remembered the words Thea told him and found the village with her build there, finding the supplies. He took the long way around to deter off Dream, just in case, and how he kept finding these weird hiding spots as if someone had used it a long time ago. And then kept on walking to find Techno’s cabin and hid in the basement.

Which led to his living situation right now.

(She could tell as Tommy was telling his side of the story, that he was hesitant and dodgy. It was clear he was leaving out a lot of details and the haunted look that would flash over his face…She didn’t pry because she had an idea of what Tommy endured. But it was something that she couldn’t ignore. His red broken with black veins-)

Thea stared at him when she realized something, before sputtering in utter shock. All composure she had was gone as she started laughing.

“Oh gosh, I forgot about those!” she wheezed in disbelief. Slapping her knee in good measure.

“What?” asked a wildly bewildered Phil. A mildly interested and amused Techno in the background.

“My hiding spots!” she gaffed. “When I first appeared in this world and was travelling around, I made a bunch of hiding spots in wherever I could and just left them behind- to think Tommy would-“

Thea wheezed and collapsed in laughter, her wolves and cat poking their heads at her.

“THOSE WERE YOURS?!” screeched Tommy. His form breaking out of his cocoon to stand and put his hands in his hair.

Thea let out a cackle as Phil shook his head in disbelief.

“I can’t believe you just left them behind all over the place” sighed Phil in amusement.

Thea pointed a finger at him, “To be fair, I did it because of you.”

“Wait what?!” he squawked.

“Ah look at Phil, teaching young kids to make holes in the ground” joked Techno.

“Oi, don’t you dare-“

“Oh yeah. Back in the End realm, Phil told me how he would just dig holes and seal them up so he wouldn’t get attacked when his brain is off going brrrr or when it was nighttime, he would just hide himself until time passed. I didn’t have a bed though, so I just literally sat in them til the sun rose.”

“Oh you little shit, I will have you know I did not leave them around-“

“How would I know? For all I could know maybe you did but since I can’t leave the End realm, I had to trust your word for it-“

“That’s not the same thing!” laughed Phil in exasperation but also disbelief.

They all laughed and Thea felt warm.

“Okay that’s it, you’re going to bed young lady” chided Phil before walking over to grasp the back of her collar and begun to drag her to wherever her ‘bed’ was.  

“Wait, what-“

That would’ve been it for the day, ending the eventful day uneventfully. However, they failed to take one thing into consideration.

“Oh! Thea is going to live with us now! This’ll be so fun!”

Thea immediately slammed her feet onto the ground, digging her heels into the ground as she heard that voice. Her head immediately swiveled to the source of the voice, that one particular voice that was distorted but was still one she recognized.

It wasn’t hard to pick him out. Especially as Techno was giving a disgruntled look, eyes flashing between her and him with concern. Tommy was attempting to cover him while urging him to leave. Phil’s wing fluttered to cover her eyes, sweeping her in like a concerned parent.

But Thea simply pulled off the hand off her collar, getting up. She could feel the static building in her ears and head. Her eyes just zeroed in on the new member, eyes glowing.

Tommy yelped as Ghostbur floated for a bit, pushing his hands on top of Tommy’s and launched himself forward to Thea’s face, beaming wildly.

Thea could only stared at the white eyes of Wilbur’s face, seeing the dead hue of his skin-

She barely flinched as Ghostbur cupped her face, his hands stained with blue as he cheered. It was so airy and cold but at the same time, it was there-

“You’re finally awake Thea! You slept for so long and we were so worried! But you’re awake now! Is that great everyone?” he chirped excitedly, his head turning to the other occupants of the room.

Thea glanced at them, seeing their eyes trying not to look at her but there was guilt. She stared at them indiscernible to the living before she turned to Ghostbur, giving a smile.

“Oh hello, ghost of Wilbur,” she greeted, her hand softly cupping the hands on her face, “It’s been a while so you have to remind me a bit.”

“Oh yes! Yes! My name is Ghostbur!” he chirped as Thea rose an eyebrow, a smile that was too practiced remaining on her face.

“Ghostbur?” she asked.

The ghost nodded, “Yup! I’m not Wilbur but I have his memories. I can’t remember that much anymore like Alivebur did but-“ his face seemed to still and his white eyes seemed to be lost in thought before he beamed, “I have many fond memories of you!”

“Oh that’s nice Ghostbur” she said before gently patting his hands away, “We can talk more later but right now I need to talk to the others first.”

“Oh yes, yes, you have a lot to catch up on! Oh, I forgot to introduce you to Friend!”

“Friend?”

“Friend is a blue sheep that I found! He’s very soft and nice” he chirped.

Thea hummed, “is that so? Where is Friend?”

“He’s outside with Carl! I should check on him!”

“You do that Ghostbur, we’ll be here” she said.

Ghostbur cheered before disappearing out of the cabin. There was a deadly silence and Thea let her face turn blank. Her eyes closed, took a few steady breaths, before with a calm (fury) she spoke.

“How long?”

There was silence and Thea opened her eyes. She saw their faces and knew.

“Why?”

Tommy spoke, voice cracking. “…We thought after you witnessed Wilbur’s death, and everything that had happened, we thought it was a good idea for you not to see Ghostbur. I mean, Niki hasn’t been doing well with Wilbur and as far we know, Niki hasn’t-“

“So basically, everyone else knew?” she quietly seethed.

“Thea,” spoke Phil with a quiet reassurance, “I may not know much what happened back then, but I knew that you and Wilbur had something. You saw him die permanently and then you were in a coma, hell mate, they didn’t even tell you about canon lives- it…it wasn’t a good idea.”

Thea let out a shaky breath as she buried face into her hands. She tilted her head back in exasperation and took several breaths.

“What’s done is done” said Thea, her throat lodging. Her will to speak dissipating. She removed her hands to look at them. “But I can see that Ghostbur is very different from Wilbur.”

“So…you’re fine with it?” asked Tommy, a bit hopefully.

“No” she said bluntly as Tommy’s face fell. “Ghostbur is not Wilbur. His name is a clear proof of that. I won’t delude myself either. He’s here and existing, and I have to just acknowledge that.”

            Thea lay on her bed with the moon high in the sky. It was dark and the voices were whispering to her every now and again, but were respectfully silent otherwise. The others were off doing things but she also knew they were avoiding her while giving her space.

Dinner was awkward, even though from the outside it didn’t seem like it. They ate and talked, but it was tense too. Ghostbur blissfully unaware (or not perceiving). After dinner and getting cleaned up, Phil led her to her bed where she would be sleeping. The cabin wasn’t big enough to house everyone and it seemed like Tommy was sleeping underground.

(she tried not to think of how similar it was to Pogtopia)

Techno and Phil were off discussing things and she had her guesses what it was about. Right now, though, she couldn’t find it in herself to care.

Her head was running like a hamster on wheels and would not let her rest. She couldn’t find it in her to voice herself. A welling tightness in her chest that bubbled out to her throat and was threatening to choke her.

She slowly breathed out before she turned to her bedside, seeing the Skeleton skull.

Phil gave it to her, explaining that it was from when the charged creeper exploded. Saying it was hers if she wanted.

She stared at the dark depths of the socket and then her hand rose to it. She gripped the skull and sat up. She inspected it and for a moment, felt like Hamlet. The moonlight through the window acting as her spotlight. She fiddled with it in her hands before an idea started to form in the night.

Chapter Text

After what had happened yesterday, the others were not expecting a lot. All the inhabitants in the house all woke up, lulled out of their sleep and dreams with a delicious smell.

It penetrated down to the basement where Tommy slept, where the blonde snapped his eyes open before throwing his blankets off. His long, growing legs got tangled and he screamed as his face was meeting the floor at a rapid rate. He started sputtering off curses and it slowly travelled upwards.

Techno took a long frustrating deep breath to calm himself down. He could hear Tommy screaming from all the way down and yet. He grunted as the voices were surprisingly quiet in the morning which would’ve made the start to his day fantastic, if only Tommy to instantly shattering it with his screaming.

The waft of smell reached up in his loft and he sniffed it. He sat up from his bed, relishing the peace he was having, eyes closed to steady himself. Behind his eyes, he remembered the better memories of Pogtopia, where he could hear and smell Thea making breakfast, bustling the supposedly dark and wet area with positive energy.

He heard a chirp and he turned to see Phil rising out of bed, his body hidden under the blanket. The avian blinked sleepily and warbled in a pleased confusion, as Techno snorted.

“Good morning Phil” he greeted as the other yawned before stretching. His wings also expanding while fluttering slightly to stretch himself.

“Morning Mate” yawned Phil once more before he ran a hand over his face, “Fuck, that smells great. What you’re making Techno?”

Techno grunted as he got up from his bed to get dressed before heading downstairs, “Not me, but it’s probably Thea.”

“Thea?” questioned Phil before he turned to where her bed was, thinking she was there. But all he saw an empty pink bed, slightly rumbled as it was half-lazily set up.

“Yeah, back in Pogtopia she put herself in charge of making sure we all got fed. Made a communal room and everything so we would all there for mealtimes. It was like one of the most constant and low-key things that was around. I swear she was the only one that made sure we weren’t starving or something.”

As Techno explained, he could almost hear Tommy’s screaming but he shrugged it off. Deeming it because since his headspace was so quiet, it was unnerving, and he just wasn’t that used to it. So for whatever reason, the echoes of his mind was replaced by Tommy’s screaming.

“Huh” said Phil as he rose slowly to get out of bed.

“Need some help getting out bed, grandpa?” joked Techno.

“Shut-“ sputtered Phil but was cut off when they heard Tommy screaming.

Considering Phil let out a squawk of surprise and literally jumping as he did, Techno realized oh no, that wasn’t his imagination. Tommy was really screaming.

They all scrambled down the ladder and they all saw what Tommy was screaming for.

Tommy was pressing himself against the wall, near the ladder, screaming in his Tommy way of shock and almost surprise and fear. They saw him pointing and the two adults turned to see who was Thea but they did hesitate.

Because standing before them, all the features matched Thea except for her head. Where normally her face was, was instead covered by the skeleton skull. The same one that Phil gave to her when he found it by her. She was standing there still and her hands hovering in the air.

Phil and Techno looked at each other as if the other would have the answer to it but they didn’t.

Techno looked at Phil, telling him what they should do and what was going on while, Phil was staring at Techno with a raised eyebrow at the possible theory that Thea was mimicking Techno when he would wear the boar skull mask.

“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU WEARING?!” demanded Tommy who was clutching his heart, finally able to speak in coherent words.

There were a few sounds coming from Thea but she gave a frustrated sound, throwing her hands in the air (one holding a spatula) before her hand went to pull off the mask.

“I…you’re early” was all she said.

“THAT DOESN’T ANSWER THE QUESTION!” sputtered Tommy, stomping up.

Thea threw her head back in exasperation before putting away the mask, turning to the stove. There were pans of sausages and eggs cooking, one with hashbrowns being made, and another cooking pancakes. A tower of them already on the counter and was growing as Thea poured another batch.

Techno and Phil gave one last look to each other, the topic untouched for now as their stomachs growled. They began to move in an unspoken manner as they all got ready for breakfast. Tommy took the platter of pancakes while Thea grabbed the other two pans to the table.

Techno had set up plates and cutlery while Phil was serving up drinks. Everyone else was sitting in their seats as Thea worked around and begun to serve everyone. When that was done, Thea sat in her seat and gestured her hand to the meal.

“Time to eat” she said shortly and curly, a small (weak) smile.

Breakfast was an uneventful affair, not much what had happened moments earlier. The food were eaten clean from the plates. Everyone was moving, getting on with their day.
Phil was finishing off the last of his tea while Thea was washing the dishes.

Tommy had popped down to the house, getting dressed before heading out with Techno. The piglin was taking things from the chests and was organizing them.

“So, what’s the plan?” asked Phil as Thea took the cup from him before washing that too.

“Well, Tommy and I have some…plans. We’ll probably not be back for a while,” said Techno, while directing the last words to Thea. She looked at him briefly to nod her understanding, before returning to her task of drying the dishes. Phil hummed as he stretched his arms.

“You guys have fun,” said Phil as he cracked his neck. “Thea and I will be here.”

Techno nod as Thea dried her hands before the skeleton skull appeared in her hands. She turned away to put it on and Phil and Techno shared a concerned look.

They would talk about it later but was definitely not going to be ignored.

Phil and Thea watched Tommy and Techno going off to do whatever they were doing and as they saw the two dots become smaller and smaller in the distance, Phil turned to Thea, the skeleton mask giving him bad vibes.

“What’s with the mask mate? This seems a bit sudden.”

Thea didn’t respond for a moment, which instantly signalled something was wrong to Phil. Not once since he had met her, Thea would always respond. Even if she was trying to find a moment to gather her thoughts to speak, she would make a sound at least.

But right now?

She was too silent.

Phil gently placed a hand on her shoulder and she flinched. It was very brief but it was enough to make him instantly pull back his hand.

“Thea?” he whispered gently, wing twitching to wrap around her.

The wind blew, sending flakes of snow and disturbing the bits of her hair. Thea twitched and there was a noise. It was unintelligible but to Phil it was something. Her voice came out croaking, but it was weak and rough.

“I…I just…don’t wanna” she said.

“You don’t wanna what mate?” asked Phil, wing reaching out to shield them from the colder winds. Thea’s hands raised and twitched as she stared at them.

“I….it’s getting harder to find the will to speak? I just want things to be quiet. Silent.”

Phil stared at her with concern, but he quickly covered it. He remembered similar times with Techno and he understood. He didn’t like it but he understood.

“Well, we might not always get quiet time because Tommy is here, and that boy,” he chuckled, and Thea let out a snort. “But, I get it. Techno will understand to. Between us, we can get Tommy to be a bit more quiet.”

Thea nodded and there was a bit of silence once more. Growing and threatening to burst.

“Just, we’re here Thea, yeah?”

Thea nodded and Phil knew that was the best he was going to get.

“Come on, let’s start building” he said, and Thea followed him.

          The days that followed were consistent. Everyone had a plan that they were sticking to: Tommy and Techno going on their adventures and working up to the destruction of L’manberg, and Phil flying out to gather resources and building his own home right next to Techno’s cabin.

Thea kept her own consistency by making everyone breakfast that everyone would eat together, enlightening each other of their plans before setting off. Lunch would be made but it was an informal affair. She would sometimes accompany Phil or vice-versa, but they both knew.

When he wasn’t laying the foundation of the building, he was out on his mini-adventure.

Phil’s house arrest affected him much more than they had thought. He couldn’t be cooped up in Techno’s cabin for much longer than necessary before needing to stretch his wing, both literally and figuratively. Eventually, Thea would be watching Phil go out and the time he would get back would get longer and longer.

If it weren’t for the Crows and the voices reassuring her that he was fine, Thea would be far more concerned and paranoid.

When the boys were out, Thea begun to do her own plans. She would help clean up the cabin and organize the chest (she stared at the jack-o-lantern wearing skeleton that was somehow in the basement), help feed Carl and the growing amount of animals on the property. She also begun to try out the clothes that they left for her (smiling when she noticed Phil’s work and Tommy’s embroidering).

She stuck with the half-sleeved back turtleneck as her top and baggy pants that flowed down to her ankles. She also had a partial yukata (no doubt from Phil’s design) and wore with a red sash. Her elytra scarf still wound around her neck. The mask became more and more normal (but there was still a weight of it presence).  With her head donning the skeleton mask, the darkness within it amplified the voices. A more constant presence.

They sometimes spoke but they were just there, offering their presence to comfort her.

            During the times when the others were out and before she would return back to the cabin to start on dinner for everyone, Thea begun to go explore. There was nothing but ice and snow for miles and miles, white just everywhere.

Not too far from the compound, Thea found a small pool of nothing of just squid. She took some of them for ink and when she would past it the next it, there was a pool full of squid again.

At least Thea wouldn’t need to worry about running out of ink again.

She also noticed a suspiciously formed wall and she had stared at it. It was nothing but a wall of smooth stone and dirt, and yet, how it appeared made her curious. She almost took a pickaxe to it, but the voices screamed at her not to.

They were so loud and screamed at her not to that her arms flailed. Her pickaxe flying into the air as she fell backward. The pickaxe landing just by her head. The tip scrapping the edge of her mask.

She didn’t care of asking what the voices were going on about but only focused that she nearly took her own pickaxe to her face. She called it a day and ignored the questions that were directed to her, asking why there was the smallest of a crack in her mask.

Whenever the others were home, however many of them were there, they would try to talk to her. Tommy often leading off with stories that went on and on, which were easier for her when she would use all the energy she had in her to respond bits and pieces. (She tried not to feel crushed whenever she saw Tommy’s face fall for a moment when she couldn’t respond).

Techno was an easier case considering they talked on and off, never speaking more than necessary. Their actions were enough whenever they would hand each other tools and the like to each other.

Phil…was harder for Thea. It was a usual between the two of them, carried from their times in the End realm. They didn’t usually have to talk either, but they both knew there was something wrong.

It came to a boiling point when the foundation of the building was set, and the walls were coming together.

The two were having teatime, watching the wolves romping around in the snow. Their breathes and the steam of the tea visible in the cold air. Thea had taken off her mask and the world felt a lot more silent and colder when she did. Her fingers twitched to put it back on, but she knew she couldn’t wear it forever.

“Hey Thea?”

Phil’s voice immediately brough Thea’s attention to him as her eyes were wide with attention.

He chuckled as her eyes reminded him of a cat that was staring wide eyed at him. Her head tilted in question and he snorted.

“How do you feel about living with us permanently?”

Thea was in mid-sip and the sudden jolt of her limbs sent the dark liquids of the tea splashing and staining the white snow. Phil instantly knew and his wing extended out to coax her in.

“Hey, hey-“ cooed Phil in reassurance, “it’s alright. I just want to ask because I know you’ve been searching up for a place of your own around here- but I just want to reaffirm that Techno and I don’t mind you being here if you want to. It can be a house here or a room in one of our houses.”

Thea opened her mouth to respond but she pulled herself back. Hesitation filled her limbs and her throat begun to tighten with confliction. She tried to speak but it came out unintelligible. Thea tried to respond again and again but nothing came out.

She made a noise of frustration, putting her face into her hands. She could hear herself making the ender sounds and then there were wings hugging her with hands on her shoulder.

“Thea, breathe” said Phil as he rubbed his hands reassuringly on her back. “You’re alright, you’re safe.”

Thea garbled something out in frustration and Phil hummed. “I know, I know. I get you’re frustrated but we need you to calm down so you can tell us what’s wrong. Then we can fix it together.”

Thea took several deep breathes and her hands shook as she peeled them off from her face. She garbled out something, a sorry and Phil patted her head in reassurance. She curled up into Phil who hugged her close, rocking her gently back and forth. He placed his chin on top of her head, tucking her in closer, feeling her hands gripping his haori.

The avian was sent back to the days in the End realm. In the early days when he first discovered her, it was clear she hadn’t been able to speak common anymore. Not as well as she could at least. It was mostly from the disuse of such skill and being surrounded by Endermen didn’t help.

Occasionally when Phil helped Thea remember how to speak common, they would hit a bump. Recovery wasn’t linear afterall.

This was some way to make her calm down.

He felt the increasing weight onto his body. Soft, rhythmic breathes. The tell-tale of someone fully succumbing to sleep.

Phil groaned a bit as the cold and the extra weight but lifted Thea into his arms. He took her back inside, the wolves paddling behind them.

It was some sort of progress but he couldn’t tell if this was the rise or dip in the recovery.  

“Phil?” said Ghostbur.

Phil took a deep breath and turned around as he saw the ghost of his son floating. In his hand was the skeleton mask. He debated whether or not to throw it out but he knew it wouldn’t do much if Thea didn’t willingly give it up herself.

“It’s alright Ghostbur, she’s just tired” reassured Phil before taking the mask. He set it by the bedside before gently coaxing Ghostbur away. “She just needed some peace and quiet.”

Ghostbur gave a confused look but beamed as Friend approached and bleated at him.

            Tommy and Techno had stopped for a moment, catching their breathes in one of their underground bases beneath L’manberg. They had almost let the bees out again (No it wasn’t Big Tommyinnit, what do you mean?-) and just had rounded the ones that almost escaped and patched the windows (again). They were scouting for a suitable place underneath L’manberg where it would hold the army of wolves that they would unleash upon the country.

They were sitting around the furnaces and were eating one of the packed lunches that Thea had made. It was a simple meal. Hardy bread that was baked with berries within it. The soft flesh of the bread protected by the crunchy crust. They were sandwiching piles and layers of meat, cheese, greens and a nice dollop of condiments.

The only difference was that Tommy’s sandwich contained ham and slices of bacon that was practically popping out, while Techno’s contained layers upon layers of sliced roast beef that were thin but still meaty; paired with a small container of roast beef juice. Each were given a pair of fried potato wedges that were salted and spiced.

Techno had to fed off his sandwich from Tommy for a while, the teen naturally trying to convince the piglin to share his sandwich; calling him greedy for denying him a ‘tiny’ bite. It was only after Floof came over and took out another bag with more roast beef sandwiches and then all was alright.

They ate in surprising silence and Techno was not used to it. Normally the teen would be spouting off words from anything and everything but today? Tommy was silent, savouring each bite he could. If it weren’t for his furrowed eyebrows, Techno would’ve just thought it was Thea’s food somehow magically making the boy silent.

No, it was something else.

Techno finished off his sandwich, licking his fingers and took a swig of water. He let himself settle for a moment before he spoke, knowing it would be a while.

“What’s bothering you?” he asked.

“W-What? What do you mean by that?” questioned Tommy, his tone slowly becoming defensive.

Techno took a slice of his roasted potato wedges, inspecting it for a moment. “Look, you don’t’ have to hide anything. I get I’m the last person to ask what’s bothering you and this is totally Phil’s and Thea’s thing, but we both know those two are busy.” Considering there was something going on with Thea and Phil stayed behind to make sure she was 110% fine.

Tommy lowered his sandwich. With his mouth no longer preoccupied with chewing, you could truly see his frown.

Techno popped in the potato in his mouth and chewed before he continued. “Tommy-“

“It’s Thea” said Tommy and Techno stopped himself. He knew what was going to happen and begun to slowly eating his potato wedges. “I just keep thinking back to her reaction to Ghostbur. Like she wasn’t mad at him but at the same time, she wasn’t happy to see him either? Not to his face anyways-“ he made a frustrated sound before taking an angry bite of the sandwich.

He chewed it in a manner that made Techno make a disgusted face before Tommy drowned down his meal with a bottle of milk. “Like, I know she still misses Wilbur but at the same time, she’s moved on? I know Thea loved Wilbur and cared for him like she did for all of us, but it’s like she doesn’t want to see anything of Wilbur anymore…”

Techno was silent as he leaned against his knees. He stared at the small campfire they had to keep themselves warm underground before he spoke.

“I can’t answer that honestly. Whatever Thea and Wilbur had was different then what you and she had with each other. Same with me. It’s not fair to assume everyone relationships are the same to you.”

Tommy huffed, running a hand through his hair. “I know I Know, but I just can’t help it. I just…back in Pogtopia and shit, I realize that what I knew of whatever was between and Wilbur and Thea was different because Thea was helping off-setting whatever Wilbur was doing from me, while being nice and supportive with me.”

Techno hummed as he remembered the times he saw Thea. Thinking back how slightly differen Thea was facing Tommy and Tubbo and the others then she was with Wilbur and him. She was still the same, there was no doubt. But she just chose which side of herself to put forward.

The communal place wasn’t used because for its designated purpose. It was used because Thea was there. Afterall, she was the only one who was consistent despite their chaotic lives on this server. Even now, she was making meals for them. The proof was in the sandwich.

(it was also because of Thea’s consistency that she was taken advantage of)

“And then when I thought she was back, she’s not speaking anymore and wearing that thing on her head-“

Techno finished off his potato before he begun to clean up after himself. “Whatever it is, Thea knows the difference between Ghostbur and Wilbur. She proved that. She’s strong and right now she’s just taking a break.”  

Tommy was silent as Techno sighed. “Come on, let’s finish up here for the day and hurry back home. We gotta get back in time for dinner.”

As they did and begun to finish up their task for the day, Tommy spoke.

“Do the strong break?”

Techno touched his skull mask before he spoke, moving it as if to adjust it. A feign.

He remembered standing above the crater. Looking down as the rain filled the crater, melting bits of Ghostbur and drenching Phil. Despite how wet it was in the air, he could smell the gunpowder, ozone, and blood in the air. His eyes focusing past the other two as he saw the limp figure of Thea, half-drowning in the muddy water. 

(He was pushed back in the time as he saw Thea caught in the blast in the war.)

“Sometimes, Tommy. Sometimes-“

‘They crack’

“Why do you always look so sad?”

Thea turned to Ghostbur, her skeleton skull off. Phil and the others were out, gathering the resources for the turtle and bee farm. Which left Thea and Ghostbur (and Friend) back at the compound.

Up until Ghostbur spoke, Thea was sitting on top the roof of the Cabin, sketchbook in hand. Although this body of hers wasn’t that susceptible to the cold, being in a snow biome increased the temperature. She welcomed the bites of the freezing cold nipping at her skin, seeing it as a sign that she was still alive and here.

Thea set down her charcoal on her sketchbook before she spoke.

“What do you mean Ghostbur?”

Ghostbur floated there for a moment before he floated lower, his knees pulled up to his chest. “I mean, whenever we talk, you always seem sad…did I do something wrong?”

Thea took a deep breath and stilled for a moment. She felt her hands shaking as she nervously played with the charcoal, smearing more of the dust all over her hands. She tried to think what to say properly before she sighed. Her hand ran over her hair as she breathed out white clouds.

“I’ll be honest with you Ghostbur, I’m not used to you.”

“Oh.”

“I’m…still working on separating you from Wilbur” she clarified, her hands going clammy. “You two are the same but you aren’t.”

Ghostbur was silent as he stared at the white landscape. “Oh. I see.”

“I don’t have anything against you Ghostbur,” said Thea slowl, “You may look like Wilbur but I won’t see you as a replacement. You two are too different for that. I just probably don’t know you enough yet to fully separate you two.”

Ghostbur hummed and then turned to Thea with a beam. “Then we should get to know each other more!”

Thea stared at him in confusion as Ghostbur continued on, “I admit that I don’t really remember much but I have some of the memories of Alivebur, and he had many good memories of you!”

“Did he huh?” smiled Thea sadly.

Ghostbur nodded, “He did! There was a lot of singing and dancing and lots of smiling,” he floated around happily, “That’s why I was so excited to finally meet and talk to you!” then his face turned sad, “but everyone told me that you weren’t ready yet so I couldn’t talk to you.”

Thea looked in the direction of where L’manberg was. “Yeah, I can see why.” Then she smiled at Ghostbur, “But I guess I’m here now.”

Ghostbur beamed and giggled. Thea couldn’t help giggling back before handing out a charcoal coated hand (the skin for hand slowly turning back to normal to show it), “Hello, my name is Thea.”

Ghostbur gasped excitedly before taking her charcoal covered hand with his blue stained hand, “Hello Thea, my name is Ghostbur and I have a support sheep named Friend!”

“Nice to meet you Ghostbur, I hope you’ll take care of me in the future.”

“Likewise!”

“What’s your favourite colour?”

“Blue!”

“I’m jealous how you can admit that. I like many colours but I lean partially to red and pink.”

The two begun to talk more and more and by the time the others came back, they would see a happily floating Ghostbur chatting rapidly to Thea who would respond every so often while cooking. Tommy beamed and begun to insert himself into the conversation while Techno rolled his eyes good-naturedly.

Phil chuckled and as he took off his cloak, going to help Thea with dinner. Techno folded his own cloak onto his chair, and then he noticed the open sketchbook on the table. And on it, were several sketches of Ghostbur and Friend, parts of the pages smeared with blue. 

Techno smiled as he gently ran his fingers on the pages.

And later in the morning, Thea would find several canvases stretched and prepped with a little corner for her set; accompanied by an easel and a table laid with paints. When Thea would begin her portrait, she happily welcomed the blue that Ghostbur provided her. Friend bleating happily as it sat there as the model.

Tommy would whoop and go on about his own masterpieces while Phil would wheeze and laugh while he helped make more paint for Thea. Techno off to the side as he would give an input every so often, while in his war-calloused hands held a small block of wood that was being slowly chipped away by the carving knife.

(In a sketchbook they would later find several sketches of them, posed like they were going to be painted in a family portrait)

Chapter Text

            It was a relatively good day; warm for the snow biome and sunny as it was. Thea was thankful for wearing the skeleton mask as it reduced the light refracting off the white snow. The tiny rays of light bouncing off everywhere from the tiny ice crystals in the fluffy structure. It was also warm in the mask, puffing out small billows of white clouds as she breathed out.

She stood outside, a little ways from the settlement as she watched over Tommy as he readied several chests of cobblestone. The first time she decided to follow him, the blond was going around with scaffolding, and she got increasingly worried as he climbed higher and higher.

So much so she had begun to dig a circle around the scaffolding tower before hurriedly grabbing water to fill it in. It was a good thing to because the moment she placed the last bit of water, there was a Tommy scream.

Her head snapped up and she barely had time to teleport to catch him before he fell into the pool of water. The force of his impact sending a high wave of water and soaking Thea from head to toe. She screamed, not only at the wave of ice water hitting her but also for Tommy.

While although her susceptibility to the cold was greatly diminished, it still didn’t mean she wasn’t at the mercy of hypothermia from being soaked to the bone in a Tundra. The wind decided to blow at that moment and her teeth clattered.

Her sneezing was the catalyst for to come. She sneezed loud enough it seems because it made Tommy jump and scramble to push her back into the cabin, while Techno and Phil snapped their head to the direction of their home, as if they sensed a disturbance in the force. The voices in Techno’s head and the crows made them leave the turtle farm faster than they ever had.

A few days of Thea practically not moving from the fireplace, swaddled in blankets and hugging her pets close for warmth. She couldn’t stop shivering and only managed to scrape by with the efforts of Techno and Phil.

The former literally piling upon piles and piles of pelts on top of her and him chucking regen and healing at her; the latter giving her bowl after bowl of stew (both normal and suspicious) while also scolding Tommy. Tommy on the other hand repeatedly apologizing, yelling, and crying at Thea not to die while Ghostbur floated around singing and letting her hug Friend for dear life.

While the voices all were in the range of concerned to amused.

So much Ls.

            After that, Thea would watch Tommy to make sure he wouldn’t fall into the snow, ignoring that he would respawn fine back into his bed. For the most part it was practically uneventful and it was very relaxing.

(She ignored the fact that she may have heard Schlatt speaking every so often, but she could not confirm if it was real or not; although she wouldn’t be surprised if it was. Considering Ghostbur’s existence).         

Somewhere along the way, Thea begun to help Tommy build the cobblestone tower. Tommy was rattling off in her ear like usual (she was glad) and she did her best to engage with him. But every so often, her throat would constrict and then her words became jumbled and become nonsensical. She became frustrated and stopped, breathing in and out as best as she could to calm herself down.

Tommy was not a fool and stopped building, placing a hand on her back and would wait for her before she would be able to get out the words.

Then they would resume like nothing happened.

Eventually, it would be noon and the two had stopped building. They were sitting on the edge with lunch in hand (Thea setting down a block along the edge one block below them just in case). They ate in silence, their legs dangling while they stared out at the expansive white landscape.

They just appreciated the view and the peace they had.

Then-

“Hey Thea-“

She turned to him, his words stopping and floundering as he tried to voice out his thoughts. “-How…how have you been? Like really?”

Thea stared at him before shakily taking off her mask completely off. Her hands shook as she slowly held it on her lap and took a deep breath of the cold air. It pierced her throat and lungs, her lips drying at the same time.

“I…I don’t know” she admitted.

“You don’t know?” he asked incredulously.

“It’s…I don’t really know how to say it” she furthered clarified. “Tommy, since I’ve been here…I haven’t had enough time to take it in. From nothingness to something, one after another. It’s a lot to take in. Sometimes I yearn for the Void.”

Tommy’s eyes grew wide, and fear started to prickle but she quickly placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding them both. “But I know I can’t. It would be selfish of me. I-“ her words jumbled and there was static in her mind. The words came out gibberish and she took a frustrated sound. Tommy jumped as it sounded like an Endermen and hugged her arm. He could feel it vibrating but also felt nothing at the same time.

The static died down and Thea sighed, rubbing her hand over her face in frustration. “I won’t. I exist now and I can’t leave behind you guys. Even if we have our disagreements, we exist to each other.”

Tommy looked up at her, “Then why do you…”

Thea licked her lips, making them colder. She could feel her limbs going stiff with nerves, the panic seeping in. She wanted to run but there was a part of her mind that was holding it off. She rapidly pulled out her journal and flipped it to a page. She found it and then stuck it out to Tommy. He looked at her confused, but she gestured the book before he took it. Her hand shaking to pull it back.  

            Dear Journal, it has been sometime since I have last logged anything. I can’t be bothered to write the exact date anymore. Ever since I’ve woken up from my ‘sleep’, I have lost the ability to speak properly.

I can’t tell the others that I appreciate them. I can’t tell them what really bothers me. Every time I try to be honest to them, the static appears back into my mind. My words become gibberish. My throat seems to clog up and when I want to show my journal to them, something in me keeps stopping me.

Even now, my hand wants to stop writing and it’s shaking-

[The words become more and more slurred, becoming nothing but swiggles by the end of it].

Tommy looked up from the book and to Thea. He looked between them a few times before he spoke with shaky confidence. “We’ll figure it out. Together” he said.

Thea gave a weak smile and nodded. Her hand reached out to quickly mess up his hair and Tommy started yelling and protesting at the gesture; his hands to bat away her hands while she let out a bunch of snickers.

            Tommy went off somewhere and Thea sent Lupa and a few of her wolves to follow him. Thus leaving her with the only other person at the compound: Techno.

The two were in the cabin, Thea taking a moment to warm up with the fireplace roaring. As she sipped her tea, she watched Techno going around the floor as he made more and more potions. For what purpose she didn’t know, but she knew when it was needed, the were there and it would be swift.

She could smell the smoke of the nether and the image of the Withers popping in her head time to time. But she merely pushed it aside, blissfully accepting that this was Techno.

Soon, Thea begun to check the chests and their reserves, noting how much food and materials they had. As she made a list of what they should stock pile on, she had a thought.

“Hey Technoblade,” she asked, turning away from the list to look at the Piglin. The other hummed as he checked the brew in the bottle. “If I wanted to make a farm, where would be best?”

“Uhhh I guess anywhere but like the property value though” said Techno, his hand shaking the bottle, “but it would be nice to have a cow farm again.”

“Again?”

“Oh yeah, I guess you didn’t know…see I had a cow farm where I could get a bunch of steak back during Pogtopia but someone snipped them all which is inconvenient.”

Thea stared at him as she had a thought, “…what about the potatoes then.”

There was silence before Techno smirked at her. She sputtered, “WHEN WILL YOU TELL ME WHERE THE POTATOES ARE?!”

Techno let out a laugh before dashing out of the house, “You’ll never knoooooooow-“

Thea wheezed and pressed her hands to her face, laughing in hysterics. “Noooooo the potatoe mystery!” she groaned, and she could hear Techno laughing outside. She rolled her eyes before putting her coat on and got her stuff ready.

“Fine I’ll just make my own farm then-“ she shook her head as she opened the door to go out. Techno was leaning against the railing and rose an eyebrow.

Thea let out a good-natured scoff before patting his arm before waving goodbye. She felt the cold air hitting her face and it was only half way through that she realized she didn’t put her mask on.

The prickle of fear started to appear and her body shook. Her hand went to pull it out of her inventory to put it back on but…she gripped her fist and tightened her hold on her axe before slamming into the tree. She channelled all her nervousness and fear into chopping down the trees and hurriedly made her plans.

Cut, craft, dig, mine, plant-

It was only as her fingers were bleeding did she realize what she was doing. The pile of rabbits at her feet, as her wolves barked happily. She lowered her bow and sword, her limbs tired. Her wolves barked and there was one picking up her bow and sword in their maws.

There were some rabbits that were alive, caught in her traps before deciding to calling it a day. The crops were planted and they had a steady supply of rabbits. She took all the rabbit legs that would later be useful for potions of leaping.

As she made her way back to the Cabin, she heard the voices.

Dream is here, he’s looking for Tommy. Techno is distracting him!

Thea felt more of the nervous energy appearing and her nerves begun to be infected with fear. Her hand took out the mask and put it on as her tunnel vision was already in play. She ran back to the cabin and climbed up the steps, her feet slamming up the stairway. She opened the door and she could see the red hiding under the table, in the corner of the room.

Tommy.

She heard voices below her and then there was rapid climbing up the steps. There were loud voices of Techno and then-

Thea narrowed her eyes as Dream screamed as he thought it was Tommy but instead, he came face to face with a skeleton. Nightmare came out and he rose it to hit the skeleton but then it pulled out a Netherite sword.

The sword and axe clung together, stopping their respective blows.

“Oi, oi” yelled Technoblade as he came between them, his larger physique acting as a figurative wall between them. “What the heck Dream, don’t go starting fights in people’s houses! If you do why mines?!”

“Who’s this Techno?!” demanded Dream as Thea’s face turned from a frown to anger. All hidden behind her mask.

“Isn’t it obvious? That’s Thea, duh” Techno said nonchalantly.

“Thea? What’s she doing here?! And why’s she wearing a mask!?”

“Bruh, that’s what you’re focusing on? Dude, I don’t think you realize but it’s kind of ironic that you’re asking why she’s wearing a mask. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without yours-“

“That’s not the point! What’s she doing here Techno?”

“Dude, I get you’re homeless and all-“

“I’m not homeless!”

“-but like you probably heard how her place got blown up and all, she’s staying here with me along with Philza and all.”

“What?”

“Oh yeah” nodded Techno as he patted Thea’s shoulder (specifically her shoulder of her dominant hand), encouraging her to lower her sword, “During the whole Hog Hunt, Thea was Pogchamp for breaking the Old man out, so I’ve been letting her chill here.”

“Why with you?” asked an exasperated Dream.

“Well, Phil is also living here cause duh,” shrugged Techno, “besides, she’s been helping making sure we eat which is a bonus. Not to mention,” he drawled, “it’s better to combine forces when we take our revenge on L’manberg.”

Dream looked between her and Techno as Thea reaches up to tap Techno’s shoulder, gathering his attention, and thumbing to Techno like “What’s he doing here?”

“Ah yes, the homeless Teletubby-“cue screaming from Dream, “has been just going through the house and has the gall of making fun of the lists.”

“Who has ‘Sell Foot’ as part of a list?!”

Thea in that moment thanks the luck of the rabbit’s foot, before taking out a rabbit foot. She gestured it like “This foot you mean?” before placing it in Dream’s hand for further proof. Techno and Dream stared at it and when Techno rose an eyebrow at her, she also begun to dump all the rabbit feet she had. Granted they were like 10 of them, but it was definitely more than they were expecting.

Thea shrugged.

“Then what about that Build a Girlfriend!? That’s definitely Tommy!”

Thea turned to Techno who was sweating, and she had her fists on her hips. Then they watched her shake her head before croaking out, “I said: ‘we should build a grill, friend’ not Girlfriend. Unless, you’re talking about me?”

“Well….ADHD man” shrugged Techno. Thea patted his shoulder as Dream seem to glower, while increasing in tension.

“How long has this been going on?” asked Dream.

“Time is a social construct” piped up Thea, her voice warbling a bit.

Techno immediately latched on it, “POOOOOOOOOOG”

“What?! It is not-“ sputtered out Dream before he let out a yell. “Alright, alright, never mind. I know Tommy was here and I will find him, sooner or later.”

Thea tilted her head and slowly went to pull out her sword. Techno placed a hand and grunted, “Sure you will, just don’t go barging into people’s houses. Just because I owe you a favour and you’re homeless-“

“I’M NOT HOMELESS-“

“- It doesn’t mean you can just threaten my guest and do what you want Dream” finished off Techno seriously. Thea furrowed her eyebrows at the fact Techno owed Dream a favour but she remained silent.

Dream looked at Thea, regarding her for a moment. “Are you sure you want to trust her Techno? She does have a soft spot for Tommy and the people of L’manberg.”

Thea stiffened to hackle her skin but Techno rose an eyebrow at him. “Sure she may have a soft spot for Tommy and Tubbo, but that’s just how she is. She cares and if it isn't obvious, she does this out of Kindness, not out of favour. Besides, she doesn’t care for L’manberg. That died with Wilbur and when they threatened Phil- something that we both have in common.”

Thea slid her sword shut and held it in her fist. Side-eyeing Techno and Dream. The two seemed to have a stare down. Thea was ready to jump anytime but then Dream held up his hands. “Fine, but don’t say I warn you. You can’t trust her or Tommy.”

Thea felt her throat clearing as she spoke, “Tommy has made mistakes and he has yet to make up for it, but so do you Dream.” The other people of the room looked at her in surprise. Techno and Tommy mostly because it had been a while since they’ve heard her speak with such certain clearness.

“What does that supposed to mean?” questioned Dream.

Thea rolled her eyes and head for effect, “Please, you think I don’t know? You have just as much as a hand in the chaos as everyone else. Not only did you helped supplement the TnT for Wilbur, and encouraging the downfall of Schlatt. But most important, don’t think I don’t know what you did to my villagers and Tommy.”

There was silence and then a pin drop. Dream took out Nightmare and pointed it at her. “Where is Tommy?” he demanded.

“Why would I tell you? You have no power over me.”

“Don’t I?” he tested.

She called him on his bluff.

“You can’t use or kill Phil. If you do, no matter what favour Techno owes you, that is for naught. And you don’t want to anger Her either. Tommy and the others? They have each other, as much of it is a blessing and a curse, so I’m not worried about them. And you can’t threaten my life either.”

“And why’s that? Got nothing to live for?”

“Not really” admitted Thea and everyone stiffened. “In all honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that I’ve existed to people, so just disappearing wouldn't be fair to them. Especially to Techno and Philza who went through the trouble to saving me, if not for them? I would’ve gone to the Void a long time ago. I don’t fear the Void, Dream, after all,” her voice trailed off, “It’s all I’ve ever known.”

There was more silence and Dream put away his weapon. “Fine, I’m wasting my time here. But don’t think you’re innocent either.”

Thea snorted, “Please, I am fully aware of my faults. Why do you think I’m wearing this skull?” she said, gesturing to her mask before stepped forward, one step only. “Now the question is, do you? There are some lines that cannot be crossed. You are not exempt Dream. Never forget it.”

“So, how much of it was true?”

Techno and Tommy squished Thea between them. Tommy was hugging Thea to him, pressing his face into her and dead asleep; no doubt from all the excitement and tension was gone. Techno was leaning his weight on her, grounding her. He was in his full piglin form, large and warm. Thea was absently running her hands over his hands and arms, relishing just how surprisingly fluffy he was. Still had coarse hairs but was also fluffy.

They were waiting for Phil for dinner, who informed them he was on his way back.  

Thea had taken off her mask and was fiddling it with one hand. She glanced at Techno and Tommy, before sighing “All that was said seriously was true. One way or another.”

“Hmmmm” hummed Techno.

“If you’re concerned, I will tell you this: I have no intention of doing it and never have I ever attempted it. I still have the desire to live.”

“So, it’s one of those objective thoughts.”

“I suppose. Then again, a lot has been happening and I haven’t had time to y’know, relax. Process. Being stressed does that.”

There was a bit of silence. The fireplace was roaring and there was a crack of the wood.

“You should do cottagecore" suggested Techno, a 100% genuine input.

Thea cackled, her chest bouncing up and down rapidly. Disturbing a still sleeping Tommy who groaned and burrowed his face further into her body. “If only my houses would stop getting blown up” she shrugged, her body shaking considerably.

“Unfortunate indeed.”

“Makes nice fireworks.”

“That it does.”

There was more silence before they could hear the crows cawing in the distance. Phil was almost here.

“If you, theoretically, were offered a room here, would you take it?” asked Techno.

Thea smiled and gave a quiet chuckle, nervousness energy rippling throughout her. “Between you and Phil offering? I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

“Imagine living in a nest.”

She couldn’t help scoff, “Been there, done that.”

Techno snorted and then there was silence. The cawing becoming louder.

“Thanks Techno.”

“No problem Thea.”

            The days came and gone. Ever since Dream had appeared, everyone could feel the atmosphere becoming tenser, bigger, denser. They were just waiting for the inevitable pop, the drop, the crack in it. But what made it nerve wracking was they didn’t know when, how, what, or who.

All Thea knew that she was drained. Her awareness of everything was muted. It was like she was wading through murky water, barely seeing everything and only shapes. Noises were drowned out and there was an increasing pressure.

She had an inkling of why this was happen. Her nerves were shot during her confrontation with Dream and while she would like to say she was neutral towards him… she wasn’t a fool. She knew what Dream had done and was doing. Maybe not the specifics but his actions and words were enough. They were waiting for the bomb to drop on whatever he was planning, and it needed the downfall of Tommy.

Tommy was a driving force, one that he created and was semi-aware of. It was his personality, and it would take a relentless storm to beat it out. In any other circumstances, Thea would’ve guessed that Tommy would be fine to be with. As much as a teenager could get. But whatever this server was cursed with? It wasn’t a bad mix to have. That also included Tubbo, Ranboo, everyone else even-

They were all so young-

So impressionable-

The static and the darker side of the voices returned to her ears and it was so loud-

Thea hissed at the pain and let out a small cry as the pressure in her head increased until it was squishing her head. The static grew and grew and it started to meld into her vision, blurring everything-

There was a warble and panic hit her. Flashes of the cabinet coming towards her, weapons drawn with blood on them. The heads of animals leering down at her, dwarfing her as their eyes preyed down at her-

Her sword was in her hand and then-

            Techno and Tommy were talking with Phil, giving him a rundown of what had happened. They were discussing what may be happening with Thea and finally decided to have a meeting how they would help Thea. In mid-speech, they heard the tell-tale sound of an agitated Endermen and then there was a screech and desperately warbling.

Phil immediately puffed up his wings and his chair toppled over onto the ground as he stood up abruptly. He turned outside just as Techno pulled out his weapon and Tommy was yelling in confusion. They all ran out into the snow and immediately their eyes saw the moving blurs in the white landscape.

“Ranboo!” cried out Tommy in shock and fear.

The Endermen boy glanced to Tommy, but his attention was immediately back on Thea who was attacking him. He had his shield out and was blocking her hits, warbling to her to calm her down.

He knew immediately that there was something wrong with her. Her eyes were glowing bright pink and while in words that may sound normal, in appearance it wasn’t. Normally her eyes could be seen, outlines and just looked like the opacity of the glow was turned down-

But this? The glow of her eyes had taken over, practically overtaking her eyes. Tears running down her cheeks as she screamed. Her form was definitely more Endermen like, her skin turning black, and she was literally vibrating. Ranboo had seen her in the distance, visiting Techno and the others in a while. He wanted some space away from everyone else due to the loss of his Memory book and everything, but was surprised to see Thea there.

He was relieved, so much so that he ignored the signs that was something off. He warbled to her in greeting, excitedly and skipping over. He couldn’t help it. He missed the other Endermen like entity and her general presence. He was worried for her when she suddenly disappeared from the face of the Earth, practically going radio-silent which was unusual.

Even with Niki, Jack, and Eret, she didn’t respond at all-

Naturally they were worried and they tried to find her but they had no guess where.

Ranboo was knocked onto the snow and he gritted his teeth. He kept warbling to her, the glow flickering as her eyes of clarity struggled to pierce through her fog.

Then there was a blur of shapes. It collided with Thea who toppled over and then there was a small struggle. They all piled on top of her and Ranboo followed suit, piling into the doggy pile.

Thea struggled, her larger form having some advantage but with the combined words of everyone, they slowly saw the fight in her diminishing. Clarity was returning and then Thea let out a sob, crying as the tears turned to ice.

Ranboo looked at everyone else in concern, but he held his tongue from the “not now” looks from Phil and Techno.

They managed to shift her back into the warmth of the cabin, Techno and Tommy practically burrito-ing Thea in blankets. Phil patted her back as he had the fireplace roaring.

There was silence as they all caught their breaths.

Thea tried to speak, to apologize and to explain, but the words became indistinguishable. They came out in gibberish and Thea made noises of frustration.

Phil reassured her with coos. “It’s okay mate. Take your time. We’ll figure it out together, one step at a time. We know you didn’t mean it-“

Thea tried to say that wasn’t excusable. She shouldn’t be like this and already adding to the stress. That she shouldn’t have done that to Ranboo and she was sorry-

“I-It’s okay” stuttered Ranboo as he nervously played with his fingers. Everyone looked at him in confusion as his eyes looked between them all frantically. “I mean, it’s okay. I get it, you’re stressed and I know you wouldn’t do that voluntarily-“

Thea looked at Ranboo in confusion at how he knew what she was trying to say and tried to ask him.

“I know I have memory problems and all, but I can still somehow remember to speak Ender, y’know.”

A pin dropped in the silence to be only broken exponentially when Tommy sputtered, “Wait, what the fuck?”

Phil stared at Ranboo, realizing what he was implying, then look at Thea, his eyes narrowing in thought.

Then as if a light bulb was flicked on inside his head, Phil's eyes widened, a look of realization hit him.

“Oh. OH. OHHHHHHHHHHHH-“

Techno also seemed to realize before he slapped a hand over his eyes and groaned, “Bruuuuuuuuhh-“ the voices started screaming in realization and he looked at Thea pointingly. “Oh course, how didn’t we see it before????”

“Wait, wait what is going?!” demanded Tommy as he looked at everyone.

Thea was furrowing her eyebrows this entire moment and when the realization hit her, she had her head burrowed in her hands, wanting to bury herself into the snow and just freeze her existence off.

Ranboo was utterly confused, his eyes flying to look at everyone.

“Wait, did none of you not know???”

Thea let out a muffled yell before she looked at Ranboo with a look that could only be described as “I am laughing at my own peril and I am done with it”.

“Look look Ranboo, these past few weeks? Months? Have been very stressful and Trauma is not easy- but no, we did not know. I didn’t know myself!”  she told him in Ender.

“Oh.OH. Oh man” said Ranboo, realizing the situation as Tommy screamed.

“Is anyone going to tell me what’s going on?!”

Phil placed a hand on Tommy’s shoulder as he laughed at his own stupidity while also being exasperated at the same time.

“Tommy, y’know whenever Thea would speak half-way through, and the words became indistinguishable? And the gibberish we’ve been hearing when we thought it was just sounds?”

“Yeah?”

“That entire time, that was Ender; the same language that Endermen use.”

Another blanket of silence fell upon them. Again, it was broken by Tommy screaming.

His eyes went wide with disbelief, hands flew to his hair as he jumped from his seat and was yelling. “WAIT, WHAT THE FUCK?! Wait, wait this entire time!? Thea was just speaking ENDER? And literally none of us knew!? Only for Ranboob to tell us!? WHAT THE FUCK-“

Everyone started to laugh either in delirium or humour. The atmosphere was broken but was filled with something better.

When things calmed down, Thea spoke to Ranboo, explaining what happened. As they spoke, Techno and Phil were now seeing that it was indeed Ender this entire time. But the fact that they weren’t fluent in it, nor had any good frame of reference for it, they never really figured it out.

Phil was more fluent in Galatic then Ender, considering the language of Ender wasn’t commonly practiced; more so on the fact that Endermen commonly used the language telepathically then verbally. Techno was exposed to the language but considering the times he was exposed to it, it wasn’t at the forefront of his mind.

Tommy was looking back and forth, studying the conversation between Ranboo and Thea as they were conversing in Enderspeak; trying to learn the language from sheer observation.

“Oh boy, so that may be why” said Ranboo, realizing why this was happening.

“Wait, what is why?” asked Techno.

Ranboo turned to the other three, took a glance at Thea who nodded before he took in a deep breath. “So uh, normally Endermen telepathically speak to each other where Physically, or I guess Verbally, in our case, using Enderspeak isn’t used that often?”

“Wait, Endermen telepathically speak?!” said Tommy in shock.

“Yeah mate. Y’know the static thing you hear when they’re agitated? That’s it” said Phil, remembering back to the End Realm. Thea helping translate between them.

“What the fuck” gaped Tommy.

“Anyways, what does that have to do with Thea?” asked Techno.

“Well, it’s a theory because I don’t really remember that much, but Thea is an Enderman but not Endermen, and I’m Half-Endermen, we tend to use more of the physical form of the language; mainly in our cases we can’t use it telepathically. Or at least I think I can’t do it telepathically.”

“Yet” added Thea, patting Ranboo’s shoulder in reassurance. He gave her a hopeful look before she spoke next, “I’ll be honest, I haven’t been sleeping as I should be cause of the nightmares and I’m pretty sure I have PTSD or some form of trauma; so it may be interfering how I speak in common but some part of my Endermen like traits is trying to compensate for it but-“

“- there’s a conflict basically. Her Endermen traits want her to speak and telepathically communicate to you guys, but since we literally can’t, it comes out wrong.” Ranboo translated.

“Thus the gibberish” Phil finished before letting out a sound of frustration and exasperation, before he looked at her with worry and sadness. “Oh Thea…”

Thea shrugged but there was a disturbed look. Ranboo bit his lip nervously before Tommy spoke.

“So, what is with the Skeleton skull? Does that have a reason?”

“Uh, that I’m not sure?” said the other Enderman. “I mean aesthetics?”

They all turned to Thea who just shrugged, not sure why she was doing it either really. There was a symbolic reasoning but even then, it wouldn’t stick that long. Things progressed and Thea begun to make dinner. Ranboo stayed to explain some more things and later came over to help out with Phil.

“So Ranboo,” questioned Thea as she sliced some carrots for the rabbit stew, “What brings you here anyway?”

Ranboo stiffened and looked at her nervously, tail swishing a bit. He looked a bit nervous, not sure if he should say about his memory book before he gave a shaky smile. “I’ll tell you later. I’m a bit hungry and tired.”

Thea gave him a knowing look before nodding. Ranboo let out a breath before helping her serve dinner. As they ate and Ranboo slept in a guest bed, he closed his eyes as he fearfully prepared himself to face Dream.  

Chapter Text

Thea was resting peacefully in her bed, sleep finally coming to her easily. She was sinking into the darkness with warmth, lulled like a baby wrapped in a bassinet. Slowly rocking and being hummed to sleep. She was dreaming but she would later not remember.

The water of the dream was disrupted as ripples crossed over it. The voices peered through her darkness, disturbing the illusion. They whispered to her, and she felt herself waking up.

She tried to sink back into the darkness, pulling the covers over herself to block them but the voices thrived in the darkness. They existed there.

Thea woke up, her eyes glowing softly in the darkness. She stilled herself there for a moment, readjusting to the plane of the living. She heard Techno and Phil breathing softly that is sleep and it was practically silent.

Except she heard a door opening and closing.

Thea furrowed her eyebrows and quietly rolled out of bed, the voices urging her. She huffed in irritation, running her hand through her wild hair. The voices were in their element and were not letting her sleep. She was too annoyed to listen to their words so she might as see what that was about. 

She climbed down the ladder and then noticed that there was something missing. She looked outside and saw a form walking away from the cabin. Curious, she left the cabin and out into the freezing night. Her wolves whined and nudged her as she walked, them following her.

Frost layered her skin like a veil, but she felt light and unbothered. In the distance, she saw a familiar crown and furrowed her eyebrows. She followed him, her footsteps creating a trail next to the stranger’s.

She followed and got closer and closer, noticing the shape in the distance becoming larger. His form was different just slightly, but the overall shape was familiar.

Thea squinted as if she wasn’t sure before realizing who it was, “Ranboo?”

The head turned, not to her call, and it immediately became apparent that while this was Ranboo, it was not him either. Ranboo’s form was slightly different, much like hers when she (somehow) tapped into her more Enderlike state. His eyes glowing a more odd purple, similar to an Endermen. The glowing purple eyes replacing his red and green eyes.  

“⍀⏃⋏⏚⍜⍜?” she called out.

‘Ranboo’ turned to her and she watched his maw open, glowing slightly as well. He warbled to her, ears and tail prickling up, wagging, before trudging towards her. Thea looked up at him as he warbled to her in curiosity.

She tilted her head before telling him, “What’s going on? It’s late and cold mate.”

Ranboo tilted his head and let out a questioning chirp. Thea tilted her head to the other side and let out a breath. “Oh boy, that’s what this is isn’t it” she asked rhetorically.                     

There was another chirp, a wag of a tail before ‘Ranboo’ turned around and headed off in a direction.

“Ranboo? Ranboo?!  ⍀⏃⋏⏚⍜⍜?!” she called out before hurrying off after him. She took one glance to the cabin and huffed, running her hands over her face. Screw sleep, she was going to make Phil molt feathers faster at this rate. There was a caw and Thea raised her hand, keeping pace with Ranboo. Tiny claws wrapped around her hand and she chirped at the crow.

 It cawed at her before hopping onto her shoulder, while a few flew above her. The darkness whispered to her and as Thea trailed after Ranboo, she could hear some new addition of voices within in the fold. She entertained them and vice-versa.

            Ranboo opened his eyes blearily. Light filtered in and he groaned, turning over to block it out and pulling at the blanket over his head further. As he lay there, he slowly came to around his surroundings.

The smell of bacon and eggs being cooked. Blades of grass poking at him and softening him. The chirping of birds. The warmth of the wolves-

Ranboo furrowed his eyes before realizing something was wrong. He sat up in a sudden, seeing nothing relating to the cabin he once slept in. Instead, he found himself in the great outdoors.

First panic hit him as he realized he had slept walk once more and panicked further realizing no one back at the Cabin knew where he was. Then he was confused as the smell of breakfast filled his senses. He latched onto it and turned to the source, his hands running through the furs of the wolves.

Not too far from him, he saw Thea; somehow cooking eggs and bacon before cutting two loaves of berry filled bread horizontally. She stabbed the bacon and eggs and filled the bread.

“Good morning Ranboo” she greeted, eyes never leaving her task. The Endermen jumped in surprise, clutching the cloak. Confused, he looked down and saw the cloak that Thea wore was now on him, used as a makeshift blanket.

“Uh, good morning” said Ranboo as Thea handed him his sandwich. She took a sip of tea and Ranboo accepted the hot chocolate. Pushing aside how Thea procured this items in the middle of nowhere, he focused on more pressing matters.

“Uh…Thea?” he called out nervously; not sure if he should speak in common or Ender, considering that Thea was speaking in Ender but he wasn’t sure if it was a conscious decision or not.

His eyes flitting between the meal in his hands, warm and delicious, and at the person who was nonchalantly eating her meal.

She saw his look and gestured to the meal in his hands with her cup of tea. Sloshing some of the liquid onto the grass.

“Eat your breakfast first Ranboo, then we’ll move onto the Ravager in the room.”

Accepting that order, he ate and hummed at the meal. He focused on the taste of eggs and bacon with the sweetness of the berries baked in the bread cutting the grease. He took a sip of his hot chocolate, before downing it and sighing in relief.

Thea gave a smile before cleaning up their little campsite and took the cloak back onto herself. She patted the wolves as they finished eating their own meal before she stood up, stretching her body.

“Uh Thea…why…how-“ Ranboo tried asking nervously.

Thea placed her hands on her hips and stretched, looking at him with the most positive-neutral look he ever saw. “Come on, we’ll talk while we walk back to the cabin.”

Ranboo stared at her for a moment before nodding. He followed Thea, who seemed to know where they were and how to get back to everyone. Which was a good thing considering he had no idea where they were. Thinking on it more, he was glad that Thea was with him (putting aside the terrifying implication of Thea knowing his condition and the danger that brought).  

The sun was just about coming up, Ranboo hoped they would be back before anyone noticed.

“So,” Thea started as she threw a stick. Her wolves darting forwards after it into the distance. “How long has this been happening?”

“Um, excuse me?” Ranboo stiffening his back to give himself some composure but it went weak like an éclair quickly.

“The sleepwalking.”

“O..Oh. So that’s what happened…”

Thea rose a concerned eyebrow, “Do you know you’ve been sleepwalking?”

“Um, sort of?” he nervously admitted, “Not sure when it happened but it’s been happening ever since my memory book got stolen.”

Thea stopped in her steps and Ranboo fiddled with his tail nervously. “What?”

Ranboo felt himself sweating under Thea’s stare. He knew it wasn’t bad but the fact she both looked so discerning, blank, yet so incredulous simultaneously.  He begun explaining himself and more. Not just leading up to the loss of his memory book but also afterwards. How he had been having weird dreams and hearing Dream. Then how he wasn’t sure how to say it, even before Hog Hunt and then he begun to catch up Thea on what she had been missing.

By the end of it, Thea was hugging him, his body contorting somewhat uncomfortably to be held snuggly, her hand patting his back in reassurance, before she let out a long sigh. “Does anyone else know?”

Ranboo shook his head.

“Alright alright…I know what we can do for now. Come on, we need to get back first.”

            Phil was getting started on lunch prep, humming as he did. His hands were a bit shaky, with anticipation and nerves so his hands were itchy. He had to find something to do. The crows had notified him that Thea was out with Ranboo, why she didn’t exactly say but he had to take solace in that the crows were with them and that Thea was clearly doing better. And he couldn’t be distracted considering Tommy was in a mood.

When Techno told him that Thea was a constant fixture in Pogtopia (which in hindsight helped everyone’s mental state), he didn’t know it would still carry on. The fact that Thea continued making meals for them clearly helped their mental and physical health, her lack of presence immediately had an effect on everyone.  

Tommy was groaning and pouting, with half of the energy that was Tommy’s brand. He was currently draping himself over the table, half muttering why Ranboo was out having fun with Thea and why didn’t they bring him along. His hands were occupied with a sewing project, but every so often there was a hiss and a curse as the needle pricked his fingers.  

Techno was helping Phil peel potatoes at a slow methodical pace. Originally Techno was reading a book, but his mind was elsewhere, and the words of the page weren’t registering. He huffed and just begun peeling potatoes since then. His head and ears flickering and jerking to the nearest window or the door at every sound. As if he was anticipating when they would be back. Phil had watched Techno get up a few times, brushing it off that he forgot to do something, but from the corner of the window, he had seen Techno stand in the open, arms crossed over his chest as he faced a direction. As if waiting for them would miraculously make them appear.

Phil let Techno keep doing so because if he didn’t, Phil wasn’t sure what they were going to do with the preexisting pile of prepared potatoes.

Just as Techno had came back in and Tommy was know turning his attention onto him, there was a cacophony of the caws of the crows and the voices being intrusive. They all screamed just as the doors were slammed open, shaking the cabin.

At the entrance of it, stood Thea who had her arms out; clearly showing that she was the one who gave them a mini-heart attack. Behind her was Ranboo, curling in order to fit underneath the door and gave a sheepish wave, eyes wide with both panic but also amusement. Wafts of cold air carried flecks of snowflakes into the cabin, making everyone shiver slightly.

Before Tommy could even say anything, Thea spoke up with a grin. “Boys, something has been brought to my attention and this requires some group work.”

“What?” Tommy asked confused but Thea turned and saw the pile of prep works.

“Hmmm. Right lunch. Alright I’ll talk and work-“ she said before rolling her sleeves up to her elbows and begun to stalk to the kitchen. Phil squawked as she begun to infiltrate the space and moving around. Ranboo closed the door and they all looked at him for some answers, but he just shrugged with eyes looking around nervously.

“So, Ranboo’s Memory book got stolen and Dream is somehow doing Sith mind tricks” announced Thea, in common to everyone’s surprise, as she begun to make lunch.

“Wait what?”

            Thea explained in place for Ranboo, who spoke up time to time to clear up some details, but then her voice would switch to Ender, which…was awkward. Then Ranboo had to literally take over but was sort of better (or not) as he translated for her. Everyone else looked between them bewildered. More so at the fact what had happened since the two had left and the fact Thea was acting nonchalantly as she served them lunch.

They ate, at the insistence of Thea, who ate and spoke in between.

Thea then finished off, “So, I don’t know about Dream or even have a grasp of the situation, so you guys are the best bet.”

Phil looked so done with everything as Techno sipped his tea while Tommy was looking between Thea and Ranboo with the most “WTF” face he could muster.

“And with that, you all think of something while I work with Ranboo.” What Thea realized that she had said that in Ender, but Phil could read the lines as he saw the beaming focus that Thea was giving to Ranboo.

Ranboo snapped his head up from petting one of Thea’s cats and was utterly confused. “Wait, me?”

“Yup.”

“For what exactly?”

“Well, we need to learn about your Endermen trait cause clearly last night, you were clearly in an more Ender like state. Similar to me. If anything, it’ll be good for you to learn more about yourself and if we end up learning how Dream is popping in your head, then well-“ Thea grinned, “Two birds with one stone.”

Ranboo looked at everyone with wide eyes, trying to find any re-assurance but Phil grinned, letting things go in stride, while Techno shrugged. Tommy looked confused and excited at the same time.

“Oh boy” said Ranboo, “This won’t hurt will it?”

Thea grinned, and Tommy had a weird look on his face. Then her hand was  grabbing Ranboo.

“No idea! Now let’s go!”

“WAIT-“

The others just watched Thea teleport her and Ranboo out of the house, not before her cheerily telling them goodbye and Ranboo’s scream getting cut off. The small particles disappeared into nothinginess and Tommy broke the silence-

“What the fuck was that?”

“No idea but not our problem” said Techno before shuffling through the notes he was taking. Phil let out a cackle.

            “So, you have an aversion to water?” asked Thea, still speaking in Ender, as they were walking around the compound.

“Yeah, I guess so. I can touch water and everything but I don’t like going in without armor” Ranboo admitted as he fiddled with his tail.

“At least you can take a bath” noted Thea, “No stinky boys allowed.” Ranboo chuckled and nodded.

“Don’t tell that to Tommy.”

There was a pause as Thea sniped down a skeleton underneath a tree.

“But you can’t teleport?” Thea questioned next.

“I mean, I haven’t tried honestly?”

“Huh.”

“How can you teleport?” asked Ranboo.

Thea shrugged, “Probably a side-effect of being in the End realm or eating the chorus fruit. Now I think about it, I don’t remember doing so back in the End realm. Though according to what Phil has said, it seems I could but at what time in my life was I able to, I don’t exactly remember. But it’s definitely something I can do here.”

“Chorus fruit?” asked Ranboo.

Thea stared at him in confusion before realizing, “Oh, you don’t know the End realm…”

“No…not really? I mean, I know about it but if I’ve ever been there, I don’t remember it.”

Thea covered her mouth in thought as she let out a small breath.

“Alright. Uh, the Chorus fruit is only grown in the End realm. It’s this sort of muted purple fruit that…the taste, I don’t know how to describe it? It’s sweet but also juicy yet dry? I…” Thea licked her lips as she tried to remember the phantom taste of the fruit. Her throat begun to become dry and salivate at the same time at the thought of it.

“Uh, are you…okay?” asked Ranboo.

“Yeah yeah, just…” she swallowed the emptiness in her throat, “Anyways, the Chorus fruit allows you to teleport just slightly and randomly. But the thing is that it really never happened to me?”

“Wait what? Why?”

“No idea? It may have been repeated exposure and the effects became lost? It was literally my only food until Phil came. To tell you the truth Ranboo, my existence in the End Realm is weird. I couldn’t die and I would pop up in my bed. Up until I got burned down by the End dragons, I couldn’t leave the End realm. Not through the portal or by dying.”

“The fact I could even have a bed down there without it y’know exploding was big evidence already.”

There was an eerie silence. They continued together and Ranboo glanced over at her. He saw the faraway look in her eyes, her form poised that gave the impression that reminded him of Techno or Phil.

Ranboo opened his mouth, “Do you…miss it?” Thea looked at him as he elaborated, “The End Realm?”

Thea stared at him for a moment and looked up at the sky. She watched at how wide and expansive it was, the clouds rolling across. The sun shining down on them. She closed her eyes and remembered the End realm.

While the End Realm was bleak and dark, the more she stayed in there, the more details and nuances that she picked out. The dark, endless void-like sky and the bottom containing tiny flecks of stars. There was rolling mists in the distance, acting like curtains. If you stared at it long enough, you would see the universe and nothing at the same time.

She opened her eyes and gave a soft smile, “Sometimes, but I’m glad to be here and I wouldn’t change it.”

Ranboo gave back a smile as they walked side by side a bit closer. There was more silence but it was comfortable.

“…can we try teleporting?”

Thea gave a smirk, “Sure. Here, get a feel for it first.” She held out her hand and Ranboo took it.

“So Ranboo can’t teleport huh?”

Thea licked her mutton chops and hummed at Tommy before she spoke in common. “Too early to tell. With Ranboo being half, it’s either that or Silk Touch. He clearly has enough Endermen in him but since he’s half and without knowing his other side, it’s one or the other. Whether his other half has an affect, we won’t know. From what I can see, Ranboo is still young so whatever trait he does end up inheriting won’t pop up.”

“Why do you think that?” asked Ranboo curious.

Thea took a sip of her soup before replying, “I mean even in the End realm, I didn’t see what you could consider a young Endermen. They were all mature so I can only guess that only then they are allowed out because they have the necessary abilities to survive. And even then, I was what? Just about to turn 13 when I defeated the Enderdragon, and I guess when Phil appeared and when my Endermen traits appeared. I was just starting into my teleporting at that time, right?”

She turned to Phil for confirmation.

“I don’t know how much time happened before I came along so I can’t really say mate. And I don’t have a frame of reference of when you were younger to tell if you aged or not.”

There was a whisper of a voice and Thea stiffened. She tilted her head as if to hear closer. It was a notable act that Phil and Techno glanced at each other.

“Well, I’m 23 now, so I guess either way for the sake of it, my ability to teleport has fully come in by now,” said Thea.

“Now? Wait when’s your birthday anyway?” asked Tommy, leaning forward.

Thea blinked at them, “Oh, uh….I don’t’ really remember?.”

There was a pause of silence and everyone slowly turned to Phil, who slid his hands up. “I don’t know either mate! That has never occurred to me to ask before-“

“HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW?!” yelled Tommy to Thea and Phil who squawked.

“LOOK CHILD, I WAS IN THE VOID FOR 10 YEARS MAN- TIME IS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT!” yelled Thea.

“THAT’S NO EXCUSE! AND I'M NOT A CHILD-”

“HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW OLD MAN?!” yelled Techno in disbelief.

“OH SHUT! Also, what was I supposed to do?! I was more focused on keeping the child alive!”

There was shouting and Ranboo just looked at the surrounding party, clutching the cat to his chest and spoke to it. “This is both amusing and terrifying to watch.”

“Meow.”

It was getting late, and Tommy and Techno were off doing something; something about training while they were doing some off-grinding with the hostile mobs outside. Phil, reassured that Thea had no plans of leaving the cabin, went out to do some minor grinding.

Thus leaving Ranboo and Thea back at the Cabin. The former was currently sitting at one of the couches, petting the cat while both he and Thea were surrounded by the remaining wolves.

Thea sat in front of Ranboo, sketchbook in hand as she begun to sketch him; eyes flashing to him every so often. Ranboo could feel the pin and pricks of being stared at but he more at ease then usual. He had no idea if it was just Thea being Thea or the fact she was an Enderman.

The fire was crackling away, roaring. He was almost at ease but then as he closed his eyes, he saw the taunting : ) behind his eyelids. His heart jumped and then he remembered why he was seeking some relief.

“Uh Thea?”

She looked up from her sketchbook, noticing that Ranboo was nervous; where only minutes ago was content and relaxed.

“What’s wrong Ranboo?”

“I…I remembered something.”

“Huh?”

Ranboo looked around nervously, trying to escape the visage of Dream standing at the edge of his vision.

“⍀⏃⋏⏚⍜⍜?” called out Thea, who approached him slowly yet deliberately. Her sketchbook and pencil gently placed down onto the table. ““⍀⏃⋏⏚⍜⍜.”

“I…” Ranboo warbled, “I think I may have done something wrong.”

Thea furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and concern. Then her eyes hardened when his eyes begun to flicker to that purple glow. She spoke as calmly as she could. “Can I put my hands on you?”

Ranboo made a noise of affirmation, nodding his head desperately. Thea reached out, her fingertips just gently grazing his shoulders. She stopped for a moment when his shoulders flinched but she placed her hands on his shoulder, pressing down a firm weight to steady him.

“Ranboo. I need to you to take some deep breaths. You’re safe here, I will make sure of that.”

Ranboo’s eyes flied around, and he focused his attention on the hands on his shoulder. He let himself focus his eyes on Thea’s changing hands, turning from human like to more claw like, veins of black bleeding throughout the skin and travelling up. Purple particles got his attention and begun to cover the edges of his vision; blocking, suffocating the visage of Dream as soft static and rumble of an Endermen filled his ears.

He felt his constricting breath calming down and he looked up at the elder, his red and green eyes focusing on the glowing eyes of Thea; the pupils hidden away and now reminding him of the familiarity of Endermen.

He let out a deep, shuddering breath. He closed his eyes, seeing only the residue and the glow of the particles behind his eyelids (there was none of that cursed smile) before leaning his forehead against Thea’s belly.

He felt gentle scratches behind his ear and the back of his head, playing with the baby hairs. There was a comforting rumble and hum before he heard the soft melodies of Thea’s singing.

He faintly remembered Tubbo telling him that the goat missed the Thea’s singing. It wasn’t the most perfect singing he had heard nor was it particularly unique. But it was comforting.

As Ranboo begun to calm down, the more the notes of the song begun to resonate with him. Sleep begun to take hold and he faintly noted the feeling of Thea readjusting his body so he wouldn’t have a crick in his neck. Blankets were tucked into him and a pillow was slotted underneath his head. Thea sang and sang, the notes becoming more harmonious and more familiar. It was like listening to an old nursey rhyme, a lullaby from your childhood.

“Where…did you learn that song?” he mumbled, eyes growing heavier.

Thea let out a breath, her throat slightly sore. “The End realm. When the Endermen were my only company, my family, they always sung these notes to me. Whenever I was sad, scared, or sleepy. It was a comfort song.”

The last thought he had before he fell into a restful sleep was, “Ah, it’s a song from home.”

There he dreamt of the End realm and there he tasted the flesh of the Chorus fruit. He heard singing and he looked up and saw a girl with long black hair and wide brown eyes, her pale skin revitalized with colour and life. She grinned at him and he gave one back.

            Thea watched over the sleeping Ranboo. Smiling tiredly, relieved at the peaceful look on his face.

The moment was broken when she heard the whispers of an archaic language. One that made the voices in the darkness hiss. She furrowed her eyebrows and she stood. She made a command to the wolves who some followed and some stood guard.

She walked outside and followed the whispering. Her armor and swords were ready and there, surrounded by nothing but white, she looked around. The sensation was familiar, something like Her but wasn’t at the same time. Her throat became dry and the rising addiction to the Chorus fruit itched her.

“Who goes there?” she spoke. Throat scratchy.  

There was nothing but silence for a moment then something like ice cracking filled her ears. Then it cracked and cracked till it burst and out of nowhere, there stood a divine figure who wore the same stark of Green Dream wore. He had wings and hands, a golden halo behind him. But what stood out was the white mask that was oh so similar to Dream but was not.

XD stood in front of her and the mask of the skeleton was back on her head. Words were exchanged and were forgotten, until another time but it shook the air. Bolts of lightning fell onto the earth. It shook the earth and air and only a few entities on the server felt it.

It was felt by a silent man. It was felt by an individual whose vision was white. It was felt by a ghost. It was felt by a demon and a man made of diamonds. It was felt by the mysterious entity hidden in the ground. It was felt by the many bodies of a creeper man who was interested since the ingenuity of redstone. It was felt by the Blood God and the Angel of Death. It was felt by a man who wore a green hoodie, his mask similar to XD (or was XD’s mask similar to Dream?).

            The Blood God and Angel of Death would leave the boy with golden hair at the cabin, where they had found a lone Endermen that was lulled to sleep. They followed the prints in the snow and there they would find Thea sleeping in the melting snow; her mask in place and in her hand was a chorus fruit and an end block. If it were not the fact that Thea was surrounded by broken land and her mask cracked with veins of gold in between, the two who found would’ve focused on the items in her hands.

But alas, they had bigger problems to focus on.

            “WHY DOES EVERY TIME WE LEAVE HER FOR TWO SECONDS, SHE’S ALWAYS SOMEHOW ANYWHERE BUT HERE?!” shrieked Tommy while furiously pacing the living room.

Techno and Phil had just placed Thea in her bed, knocked out into what may be another hibernation. Ranboo had woken up to the commotion and was nervously facing the interrogation of Tommy on what had happened.

The Endermen was very confused and didn’t know what had happened since he was lulled to sleep but he did give some insight what had happened before then.

“Well not much we can do about it. Whatever did happen, she’s alive and was at her best state she could’ve been. All we got to do is wait and see.”

Everyone looked at Phil who was slumping into his seat, blowing his hair out of his face.

Tommy groaned as Techno tilted his head at the voices. He was trying to make head or tails of what they were saying but they were all so obscure and they were speaking so fast that it was more of a headache to try to listen then anything.

“But uh…I know this is a bad time and all, but I did remember about something that I needed to tell you guys.”

They all looked at Ranboo who told them about the Green Festival.

Chapter Text

Thea woke up in her bed and she looked at the ceiling blearily. She laid there, swaddled in her blankets. She didn’t bother trying to escape and just let herself vibe. There were the faint after-effects of her head pounding, the feeling behind her eyes sore. Her mouth was dry and ash like.

She felt like she had a hangover.

She glanced around and saw the cracking mask of her skeleton skull by her bedside. She stared at the empty, dark depths of the eye sockets; hearing the whispers of the voices within it. She thought and thought, her brain slowly warming up to the consciousness.

Remembering what had generally happened, Thea rolled onto the floor. She thumped onto the ground, shaking the house a bit and with a bit of maneuvering, begun to inch her way to the ladders.

            Phil was in the basement, a small hidden room he had dug out with Techno last night. He was hunched over the table, working carefully on the Chorus fruit; his hands carefully setting the parts of it aside in order to bloom it.

In his ender chest was the one piece of Endstone.

After they had found the items in Thea’s hands, they immediately dragged her to the cabin with Phil holding the Chorus fruit and Endstone. Techno took Thea to distract Tommy while Phil quickly placed the fruit and stone in his enderchest for later.

When the boys were asleep, Techno and Phil ventured to the first floor of the basement and begun to carve a small room to the right. They would later figure out if they were going to use a piston set up to lock the room from sight, but for now? They just had to find a place to store the fruit and endstone.

They couldn’t let Tommy or Ranboo know (not yet at least) until they could successfully germinate the seeds from the fruit into a flower and be able to plant a Chorus Flower on the endstone. Then they would have a replenishing amount of Chorus fruit.

It took everything in Phil not to just bird focus onto the new exciting project. Or to even let out a lip to Tommy or Ranboo. 

Thank goodness that Ranboo told Tommy and Techno about the Green Festival. The two had gone off after Ranboo left first, the two doing some off to the side talking. Phil had more than enough reason to stay behind with not only having no need to be involved and taking care of Thea who was hibernating.

It had only been a day or so since the whole thing and Tommy and Techno were either on route to or were now in L’manberg, waiting for the right time.

Where were we? Oh yes, back to Phil’s current thing. He was putting away the hopefully germinating Chorus fruit when he felt the house rumble. He instantly froze and his wings fluttered. He heard cawing and glanced up. There were a few more vibrations that followed along with glass breaking, pots and pans falling and clattering against each other, followed by a cat’s yowl.

Perplexed, Phil left his hidden workshop, quickly covering it before climbing up to the main level of the house. He quickly took notice of Thea sitting at the table, cup in hand and with the most undead look that she could ever muster. She sipped her tea for a moment before lowering it, raising a tired hand in salute to Phil.

“Morning mate,” asked Phil as he walked up to her, taking a plate of waffles for her. “What happened?”  Referring to either what happened last night or what just happened moments prior.

Thea stared at her cup, then up at the ceiling for a few seconds, before looking at Phil. “I think I fought God” her throat croaked out took a sip of tea before unintentionally slamming the empty cup on the table, “and lived.”

Phil stared at her, processed it, and blinked, “Okay, alright. We’re going to come back to that later, because you’re clearly out of it.”

Thea hummed, eating the syrupy waffles with her bare hands. As she chewed and Phil opening and closing chests, Thea looked around and noticed the lack of people.

“Where are they?” she said after swallowing the waffles.

“Uh, well, Ranboo had to go back to L’manberg cause he wasn’t supposed to be here for that long.” Phil gave her some sausages to chew on, “Techno and Tommy went off to a festival.”

Thea paused in her chewing, “Heh?”

            “Wait, wait, Ranboo told them about the Green Festival that the Cabinet is hosting and Tommy and Techno are going off there?” asked an exasperated Thea as she slammed her pickaxe into the stone.

Phil hummed as he went brrr around the mine. “Yup. It’s just a festival mate.”

Thea paused and turned to Phil, rubbing her temple. “Phil, There was a Red Festival when we were going against Manburg. I don’t know the details myself but it was basically a trap to out everyone. Techno was pushed into a corner to shoot Tubbo who was acting as a double spy for Pogtopia. Cause some friction between everyone.”

Phil stilled as he turned to her, “Wait, so what are you saying?”

“I don’t know exactly but Phil, everyone on this server clearly can’t move on. If the Green Festival is going to be anything like the Red Festival…it’s a trap.”

Phil froze as he took her implication. “Oh shit.”

After Phil had to reassure Thea, that it may not be a thing. Thea was taking a break as Phil was going through his things and was yelling at Chat.

In her hand was her communicator, playing it around her hand, while she tried to think whether or not she should warn Techno. Her gut was twisting and turning with a sinking feeling.

She sighed and decided to bite the bullet.

Thea: Hey Techno

Techno: Hullo.

Techno: Guess who is awake?

Thea: Harh harh

Thea: Are you at the Green Festival?

Techno: Eyup

Thea: Techno, not to be paranoid but this server seems to have a problem of moving on

Techno: Mhmm, that does seem to be the case

Thea: my point is Techno, history seems to be repeating itself. If it is anything like the Red Festival…

There was a few seconds of nothing as Thea took a shuddering breath. Struggling to think and get her warning across. her hands were shaking and jumped when her communicator let out a ping.

Techno: Technoblade never dies

Thea let out a laugh, drawing Phil and Chat’s attention to her. She smiled at the communicator, the swirling pit of dread in her stomach easing a bit.

Thea: and so he may continue to live gloriously

            The days went by as both Phil and Thea kept themselves busy. They had been almost non-stop grinding. Thea on several accounts had to stop Phil from just consuming bread after bread, and actually forcing him to stop and take a proper break. Thea respected that was Philza Minecraft but mans was in eagle focus mode. Just going Brrrrr on the stone and going back and forth like the man was possessed. If Thea had to listen to Phil one more time of opening and closing chests to find one particular item but to only miss it in his speed, she was going to scream.

She actually did and she could honestly hear the crows screaming “TOP LEFT FOOD CHEST”.

Then there was the mansion. At first Thea was trying to be sneaky but she literally watched Phil break the windows and sneaked in through that way. She tried to stop Phil but then when she saw him take out a bell, she gaped at Phil who rung the bell.

And like that, they saw all the pillagers and there was chaos.

“WHAT THE FUCK?!” yelled Thea as she haphazardly slashed at the little demon ghost thingies that the mage like pillager – an Evoker that Phil would later enlighten her- had summoned and were a bitch to deal with.

Phil slid her a totem and then as they made sure to take down all the pillagers, Thea turned to Phil.

“Guess it’s time to loot-“ she said but her words were cut off, “Phil, wait what are you doing with that flint and steel?”

Phil turned to her, grinned, and lit the wooden walls on fire. Thea’s eyes bugged out and she barely had time to process it before Phil tossed her, her own flint and steel. Phil cackled as he begun to light the entire mansion on fire and Thea just looked at the burning walls before shrugging.

“Cause why not. Arson pog.”

They sat outside, watching the mansion burn. Thea just went with it as all of them cheered, the crows cawing. When the fire had burned out completely, there was chests left and then there was the looting.

Coffles full, Thea realized the time and thought it was about time someone went back home to welcome back Techno and Tommy. Phil looked at the map as if he had more he wanted to look into, but then he was conflicted because he didn’t want to leave Thea alone.

“I’m just going back to the cabin and take all our stuff back. Someone has to be home to start on dinner” said Thea.

Phil stared at her, debating with himself. “Just straight on there okay?”

Thea nodded, raising hands up with a small smile. “Just heading straight back home and going to stay there.”

Phil stared at her for a few more moments before nodding. “Alright mate, be safe mate. I won’t be gone for too much longer.”

Thea grinned, patting Phil on the back before they parted ways. Thea took off from their perch on the trees, her Elytra snapping into place. She flew, letting the wind catching her. She heard a few caws, seeing a few of the crows splitting from the murder and joining her.

She whistled to them, and they cawed at her, flanking her. She didn’t know if they were here out of her pure will or because Phil told them to. Either way, it was nice to have company.

            Fireworks were launched to carry her on further and like that, she reached back to the cabin. Seeing the building with the snow surrounding it somehow made her feel warm.

The crows’ feet clung to her shoulders as she begun to dip down to the ground, the crows cawing in cheer as they let their wings out to feel the wind. She pulled up at the last second to slow down her descent.

Flurries of snow were kicked up as she landed onto the snow. Her feet lagged a few, creating small cavities in the thick snow, before she found her way up to the stairs. She stomped out any clinging snow and entered the cabin. She shivered as the cabin was basically an ice box and hurried to the fireplace, chucking wood after wood to get the fire roaring.

Embers of flames grew into roaring flames and Thea shivered, rubbing her arms to get the blood flowing. She also begun to turn on all the furnaces as she begun to smelt and boil up water.

Some boiling tea would be great now.

            As the heat grew in the home, the more active Thea became. The frost on the windows turned to fog as the contrasting heat inside came into contact with the outside freezing cold. Thea had placed everything they had gathered into the chests and was now winding down by making dinner.

The bread was resting after yeasting, and now Thea was onto the stew. The beef stock was just about right, started before she started organizing the chests. She had cooked some beef chunks in the pot and was now throwing in carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes in the oil. The beef stock came next and deglazing the pot before she put back the beef.

Now all that was left was to let it meld together as one. Just about at peak tastiness when the boys came back.

Thea then moved onto washing after herself. As she was doing the last of the dishes, she looked up from the sink and out to the window. There in the distance of just white, she could pinpoint a smidge of pink and red. They were still far away but-

Thea begun to finish up and as the dot grew closer and closer. She decided to greet them outside. She patted and cooed at the crows, ignoring their fervent cawing and went outside.

She could hear the rushed whisper of the darkness, but the light was high in the sky. She walked outside and waited in the snow as the dot of pink and red grew closer and closer. She noted as Techno grew closer that there was something off in his body language and that Tommy was absent.

Wondering where Tommy had gone off to or was just lagging behind, Thea waited patiently.

And here folks, Thea would later look back and realize two things. One was that she was still wearing her skull mask and the other was that she was dressed in her armor. And later on, one was a mistake, and one was not.

Technoblade stood in front of Thea, a couple feet away but the imposing figure of the former was all Thea had as a warning. There was a flash of red and instinct kicked in. Metal and metal collided as their blades crossed with each other.

Thea felt her feet sliding backwards in the snow, her back leaning backwards slightly as the force of Techno’s attack pushed her so. She held her sword with one hand on the held and the other on the large blade.

She stared at Techno’s eyes and saw it was glowing red, the whites turned black. It was unfocused yet bloodthirsty. Then she heard the voices that were consuming behind them both. One that raged for blood and revenge.

Thea widened her eyes for a fraction before Techno’s form grew larger and larger-

She was knocked back due to the force, staggered in the snow, barely dodging the sudden swing of his weapon. She rolled onto the snow, digging up flurries and she jumped up, kicking up flurries towards Technoblade.

It provided only her a moment but it was enough for Thea to put on her shield to block the next attack.

“Blood for the blood god” said Technoblade, or was it the voices.?

Thea didn’t dwell on it, she can’t as she endured the barrages of attacks. She attacked to create distances or to knock the weapon out of him, or sending him down. She could hear the voices, hear Technoblade muttering under his breath, speaking Piglin-

‘Is he…’ Thea saw the red eyes and remembered seeing something similar in Phil. A handful of times but the left quite an impression.

Redza

That part of him would slip through and Thea could remember him gleefully taking it out. While Philza was more experienced in dealing with the carnage of the voices, ones that manifested in the form of crows, occasionally Redza would slip through and just there be pure chaos.

She didn’t know entirely of Technoblade, but-

“Oh gods Techno,” said Thea in realization, “You have Voices.”

She saw the flash of clarity in him and then the blood thirst was back. Thea readied herself, feeling herself vibrate for a moment to dodge at the last moment. Teleportation was out of the question for her cause she was tired from the grinding with Phil, but she had to. It would take her out but-

Technoblade came at her, and she teleported at the last second. His weapon grazed through nothingness, and he looked around in confusion. She landed on the cabin, her footing shaking from the vertigo but also the slickness of the ice on the roof.

She took out her communicator and she faintly heard the drawing of a crossbow.

Thea: PHIL. SOS. TECHNO. VOICES. ASAP

She barely was able to press the Enter button when she heard the ignition of fireworks. She let herself drop hard to the side as fireworks grazed her. Her body rolled off the roof and Technoblade waited for her.

Carl neighed loudly, as the weapon came down at her but she was ready. She teleported, the weapon embedding into the door and Thea appeared behind him. Technoblade tried to pull out the weapon, stopped to look back at her and she pounced. She wrapped around him, pulling him away as Thea grunted, forcing herself to shift.

“Hey hey Technoblade,” she spoke, grunting as she clung for dear life as Technoblade tried to get her off. “It’s going to be alright friend. You’re safe. Philza’s safe. Carl’s safe. Everything is going to be alright-“

She hissed as Technoblade threw her off and she teleported away, rolling in the snow. She quickly got up, swaying on her feet a bit and barely was able to pull up her shield. She blocked Technoblade’s rush before she pushed him away. Her sword came out, her’s and his’ colliding.

Their weapons collided and the perfectly laid out snow was disturbed with crevices and dents. Flurries of snow and ice were kicked up in the scuffle. Among the sounds, the voices raged for Blood in the Piglin’s head. But faintly in the distance of the cacophony of noises, the adrenaline and the hurt- there was another voice.

She talked to him like a friend. Calm and level. It shouldn’t be able to pierce through the screaming of the voices but it did.

And then, he heard a song.

“You're alone, you're on your own, so what?
Have you gone blind?
Have you forgotten what you have and what is yours?
Glass half empty, glass half full
Well either way you won't be going thirsty
Count your blessings not your flaws”

Thea begun to sing out, minding her movements as she danced. She remembered singing and dancing. She danced away from the blasts of the Enderdragon, the dives it did towards her- just barely grazing death and annihilation as she sung to calm down the Dragon.

“You've got it all
You lost your mind in the sound
There's so much more
You can reclaim your crown
You're in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head
Put all your faults to bed
You can be king again”

Contrary to popular belief, Technoblade was not that bloodthirsty. Not more than anyone else who enjoyed fighting. Sure, he liked winning a lot but who doesn’t? He was just more skilled, making him more terrifying, and the voices edged him on.

And that’s where the problem was. The voices edged him on, supporting him but their desire for absolute carnage and victory took over, putting an unseen weight on his shoulders and mentality.

Combined with emotional factors, it was understandable the mindset that Techno took on.

Thea had seen it in Pogtopia. In Manberg.

“You don't get what all this is about
You're too wrapped up in your self doubt
You've got that young blood, set it free

You've got it all
You lost your mind in the sound
There's so much more
You can reclaim your crown
You're in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head
Put all your faults to bed
You can be king”

Thea felt herself tiring and losing her focus as time waned on. But as she sang, she noticed Techno’s swings were getting less bearing and more sluggish. She saw the flickering consciousness in his eyes and she pushed forward.

“There's method in my madness
There's no logic in your sadness
You don't gain a single thing from misery
Take it from me

You've got it all
You lost your mind in the sound
There's so much more
You can reclaim your crown
You're in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head
Put all your faults to bed
You can be king”

Then when Thea let her guard down too early, the voices edged him one last time. His red eyes glowed and Thea barely raised her sword in time. The force of his attack knocked her sword into the air, it swirled up in the air and Techno’s weapon was heading for her head.

Thea leaned back in time, the weapon breaking the mask. It cracked and broke and light filled her vision. Pieces of shrapnel flew in the air and Thea let out a yell as the weapon grazed…no cut a line in her throat.

Thea clamped her hand around her throat, groaned in pain as adrenaline fended it off. She pressed her scarf to her neck, absorbing the blood, hiding it from Technoblade, and she grinned. She tasted iron in her mouth-

She saw the consciousness and clarity returning to Technoblade’s eyes and she leapt towards him. She knocked all of her weight into him, sending him backwards. She clamped down all her weight onto him, shifting as hard as she should and draped over him into the snow. She hugged him and Techno lay there, the worst of the voices dissipating.

He felt a hand, patting and petting one side of his head, and a mass to the other side. He felt the snow and the earth pressing at his back, and he felt a comforting weight on his front. He looked up, his blurred vision seeing just the blue sky. Then as clarity returned, he saw who was on front of him.

He saw the specks of red on the pristine white snow and he sucked in a breath. He moved to get away from her but Thea shushed him, humming and pressed his head to her.

“You've got it all
You lost your mind in the sound
There's so much more
You can reclaim your crown
You're in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head
Put all your faults to bed
You can be king again”

Thea sung the last verse and Techno closed his eyes. He felt his heart beating rapidly in his chest and he felt cold specks on his face. He opened his eyes and saw snow falling onto them.

He listened to Thea’s humming and his mind flashbacked to Pogtopia. He heard her sing but never directly. Not so clearly. He always heard in the echoes of the distance and in the ravine.

He felt relieved and wrapped his arms around her, clinging to her for just a moment.

“Welcome back Techno” she greeted, her voice drifting off. Techno felt his throat clench a bit before he was able to force out a reply.

“I’m back Thea.”

He felt a smile against his neck and the hand petting his head went slack. Panic hit him and Techno got up, taking Thea with him. Then he saw the wounds and worried saw the one around her neck. It wasn’t deep enough to be fatal but it would be.

“Wait, wait Thea, don’t sleep-“

Her eyelids were half shut, her eyes behind them glazing over. He felt his throat closing up as fear took over. He had seen that look before in the eyes of his enemies, his prey. The way the light behind their eyes disappeared-

 “Wait, Thea-“

Thea gave a small smile, her bloodied hand rose to slowly cup his face. She couldn’t see his face but she had a feeling. If it was right, he was sad. She didn’t like that look.

“It’s okay Techno…I forgive you. You’re my friend after-all.”

Techno opened his mouth but then he heard wings beating, the cawing that followed. He snapped his head up. Relief and despair filled his entire being as he saw Phil struggling to fly. He dove, rolled onto the snow before rushing over.

Before the darkness took her over and saw Kristin wrapping her up into her hands, she remembered Techno and Phil shouting at her; desperately trying to stay conscious a bit longer.

Then there was light bursting out of her, golden and green, and then she was warm.

She smiled.

              Thea found herself walking in the void. As she walked, her feet sunk and rose; like she was sort of walking on water but also not. The closest comparison that came to mind was walking on a waterbed, or a trampoline, or even a float-y on top of the body of water. You sunk a little and the footing was all wrong with nothing truly solid underneath, yet there was something underneath your feet. If you weren’t careful, you lost your footing and topple over. That’s what like walking in the void was.

It was still dark but this time, she had ‘woken’ up to the less darker depths of the void; the middle part of the void. She looked around and saw the floating specks of the void. Though she probably saw it differently with how her eyes were. Whether by design or by experience, she could pick out the different aspects of the void easier.

But this time, the void was just slightly different. The unusually accessible part of the void. She had seen it before but only a handful of times. The void start to transition from a pure darkness to a more…sparkling part. There were sparkles and specks of fuchsia particles floating around like a soft flurry, with blue, green, and white rotating around. In some parts she could technically enter new worlds and other strange dimensions, but whether she would come back or not, well-

Now what truly perplexed her was the sounds. The void was practically a vacuum so the fact there were sounds?

Thea walked faster to the source of the sound and as she walked closer to the source, she saw 5 yellow oddly shaped figures. Figures that were people?

Her consciousness start to bleed away from the void but she was still part of it-

“-Where are even?”

“What do we do now?”

“I guess we just float?”

Thea got closer and closer and at first, she thought they joined the Void, somehow, and then she stopped when she heard one of them talk about cults and refreshments.

“Uh what?” she said, her voice echoing off in the void.

All 5 figures turned to her in surprise, and she got a better glimpse of the figures in what appeared to her to be space…hazmat suits?

“Oh!” said one of them, “There’s a person!”

“That’s not supposed to be- wait there was one more?”

“I don’t recognize her? What about you guys?”

“Whoa whoa guys, we should probably not talk like she isn’t there?” said a female voice.

“Uh,” Thea sounded off stupidly and perplexed. “My name is Thea,” she begun, “And You guys are?”

“Oh! Of course! My name is Grian, this is Scar, Mumbo, Pearl, and Impulse.”

“Ah, pleased to make your acquaintances! And I guess, uh, welcome to the Void?”

“Oh, thank you-“ said Grian, “Wait what?”

“Did you just say ‘Welcome to the void’?” asked Scar.

“Yes well, nothing better to say do I?” Thea sheepishly replied before gesturing around them, “This is the Void, or one section of it?”

“How do you know that?” asked Pearl, curiously.

Thea scratched her cheek sheepishly, “Oh, well, up until recently I sort of…existed here for 10 years? Give or take? I just come back here every time I have a death encounter or a, near death one I guess?”

“WHAT” the (partial) Hermitcraft crew yelled.

“Oh boy, here we go again” Thea laughed sheepishly, “Before I launch into my lore and stuff, what’s with the suits? How did you even up in the Void?”

“Oh, uh, the Moon was crashing into the Earth and we sort off, jumped into the Void?”

“wait what”

Chapter Text

“This is starting to become a pattern mate.”

Thea blinked blearily awake, her head murky with a dream that was so familiar of the life she was living yet not. Remnants of the dream lingered in her mind, of a place Inbetween realms, George strangely enough, and what others may identify as parallel realms. Amongst other things.

She was automatically turning to Phil’s voice. There was a twinge and throb of pain from her throat. She knew why. There was a constricting wrapping around her neck and she lifted her hand, slowly dragging her fingers over the bandages. Maybe that’s why her throat was sore. She noted that she was propped up and was piled with blankets and pelts. A small furnace in the corner of the room to warm the room.

Phil was sitting by her bed, hands in the midst of some small project. Paused as he lifted a small teapot to her lips, nozzle first. He slowly poured into her mouth, trickles of water flowing out. She closed her mouth to swallow it and she sighed at the small relief.

She then realized she was sleeping in what was Techno’s bed. She looked at it confused and rose an eyebrow, gesturing to the bed.

“Ah…Techno thought it was better” said Phil, shrugging.

Thea stared at him, knowing it was a weak excuse but her whole body ached so she let it pass. At least she had a nice view of outside. The small piles of snow edging on the windowsill. Small pots of flowers lay on the edge, giving some colour.

“Those were Techno’s idea. Thought it would provide some colour” noted Phil. She turned her head, slowly so she wouldn’t irritate her neck further. She opened her mouth, opening her mouth to ask where Techno was.

But-

No voice came out.

Absolutely nothing.

Not even a hum or hmm.

Thea furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. She tried to force out words but unlike her mental difficulty, it was more physically. She could feel her vocal cords wanting to vibrate but it was cut off.

Then she had a coughing fit trying to force the words out and Phil got up to rub her back, his tone lecturing but also sad. “Don’t force your words out mate. Your throat is still healing.”

Thea raised her head, partially holding her throat. Phil sighed and sat on the edge of her bed, his hand on her knee in comfort. There was a firm look in her eyes and she had the thought of “Uh oh, Dadza is disappointed” but she didn’t know who was disappointed at who.

“Thea…do you know what happened?”

She stared at him and wondered how she was going to respond. Then she sighed and did the ‘so-so’ gesture.

Phil nodded and sighed, “You only managed to scrape by because you just so happened to have a totem on you Thea. If you didn’t… who knows what may have happened.”

Thea nodded. She barely remembered still having the totem on her but little blessings she supposed. She looked at Phil and made a ‘T’ with her hands.

“Techno? He’s…he’s fine. It might be a bit till you see him, but he’s alive and doing alright.”

Thea stared at him and nodded. She leaned back into her bed and stared up at the ceiling, noting that there was a clock. That was definitely not there before. She knew that Phil was dodging around something but why she didn’t know. She was curious but the tension in the air was thick.

Phil patted her knee and she looked at him. He gave a weak smile as he got up. “For now, you’re in the clear but you got to recover mate. Techno’s a pretty big hitter.”

Thea gave an “OK” gesture as Phil gave one last word. “I’ll be around so if you need anything, just ring the bell.” He pointed to the channel bell that was definitely moved closer. Thea gave another OK and Phil gave one back. He disappeared down the ladder, leaving the trapdoor open to be heard properly.

She could quiet murmurings below and she sighed, now noticing her wolves and cat now beside her. The cat curled up on her lap and her hands were absently petting them both; her hands also wrapped. She could feel the sting and wondered that she may have scrapped them at minimum.

She also noted that it was Fenrir that was by her side at the moment. She wondered if Lupa was with Techno then.

Thea fell asleep to her hands running through the soft fur of her animals, the warmth of the room, and the smell that was surrounding her. She felt tired and slipped into unconsciousness.

Time continued on as such. Between her sense of awareness, Thea would often wake up to the smell of food. If Phil was accompanying her, she would be drawing or writing in her notebook. She kept herself busying as she could being bed ridden. Only being allowed to get up occasionally; mostly so to keep her muscles maintained or going to the bathroom.

Otherwise, Phil made sure she was on strict bed rest. So much so he sicked the crows on duty. There was some of chat around her, making sure she was in bed and now she was having a stare down who might be Ian.

Ian best mod but not at this moment for her. She swore she could hear Ian going "Ourna, ourna ourna" at her at this moment.

What was starting to get on Thea’s nerves was the lack of Techo’s presence. She knew he came to the Cabin because she could hear him. And that he would check on her when he thought she was sleep. When she tried to catch him, he would either give her an awkward goodbye if he couldn’t slip away in time.

There was evidence of him being around and interacting with her, but just not directly. Which was getting to her. The days went by and Thea finally snapped.

“Why is Techno avoiding me?”  she wrote out to Phil.

“He’s not avoiding you mate, he’s just…been busy” said the Avian, eyes darting a bit with that awkward smile.

Thea deadpanned stared at him, to which Phil sighed before shaking his head. “Don’t push him mate. I’ve known him for a long time and he’ll come to you when he’s ready.”

She stared at him and sighed, leaning against the (growing) mountain of pillows. She turned her head to look at the snowy white landscape, watching the snow piling more and more. She saw a few of the crows landing on the windowsill outside, peering through the open window. Thea could feel an idea forming and when there was a croak from one of the crows, she turned to the crows that were keeping her and Phil company. She held one of her hand out and a crow hopped on, lifting its wings up. It cawed a bit before leaning its head to be scratched. She rubbed the knuckle of her finger against its smooth feathers.

She watched it preen a feather, holding it out to her between its beak. As she stared into its eyes, Thea had an idea. She took the feather and grinned.

Phil watched the mirth in her eyes gleam and Phil leaned against his chair, smiling in slight exasperation. He watched her take out several parchments of paper and poised her pen. He set down his project for a moment and leaned his head against his hand.

“What’cha doing there now mate?”

Thea looked up from her writing and grinned, before making an L sign with her fingers. Phil looked at her confused but continued watching her as she wrote and folded the ink printed paper and made a makeshift envelope. He watched her take one of the coloured candles and drop a small portion of wax.

That’s when Phil realized what Thea had planned. He let out a chuckle as he took the held out letter. He saw the inscribed name on the letter and grinned, wavering the letter.

“Oi, are you making me your messenger bird again?” he joked.

Thea placed the palm of her hands together and held it high, bowing as a large, exaggerated gesture of “if you please” gesture.

Phil cackled, “I got you mate.”

Thea lifted her head and gave a large Cheshire grin.

            Techno was in the wolf pen, checking on the dogs. It was late at night and he was back from grinding some more in the Nether. He was preparing for the eventual destruction of L’manberg and he had yet to hear from Dream’s end.

He looked out to the starry sky and his breath turned white as he breathed out. He should head back in, but he would wait for Thea to sleep before he did. Wouldn’t do for him if he disturbed her one way or another.

Feet crunched the snow behind him, and Techno turned to see Phil walking up to him, lantern in hand. He rose a hand and Techno nodded his head.

“Burning the midnight oil again?” asked Phil.

“Yeah, the grind never ends” said Techno as he patted one of the wolves’ head. He turned to his old friend who shook his head in good nature. “Is Thea asleep?”

“Just about. She’s healing just fine, and it won’t be long soon till she’s back on her feet.”

“I see…”

A pause.

“And her voice?”

Phil thinned his lips, eyes troubled. “Her throat is healing. But her voice…whether she’ll be able to speak or not, I don’t know mate. She already had trouble speaking before so whether this’ll push back her recovery or what, I don’t know.”

There was silence as both walked further outside and walked around a bit. They stood at the front of the cabin and Techno glanced up at the window, noting the lights were out inside. He relaxed a bit but a part of him wanted to make sure she was asleep.

“You can’t avoid her forever mate.”

“Who says I’m avoiding? I’ve just” Techno waved his hand to find the right word, “been preoccupied.”

“Suuure mate,” grinned Phil, puffing out breaths of white. “Whatever you say Techno. But Thea thinks you’re avoiding her. She misses you.”

Techno hummed in disapproval but saw Phil reach into his haori. He took out a small package and Phil held it out to the Piglin with a grin. Techno stared at it, a small moment of de ja vu hitting him before he realized it. It was further confirmed as Techno took the object from Phil, seeing his inscribed name on it.

Phil patted his shoulder as he went to walk back into the cabin.

“Guess I’m back to being the messenger bird huh?”

Techno let out a chuckle and shook his head. He took a moment before he decided to read the letter, seemingly lighter than the last time he received a letter.

Dear Technoblade,

How have you been doing? Are you doing alright? Are you safe and well? I know you have been to the cabin because despite it may be, I do hear your voice. And your footsteps. Kind of hard not to when the entire house is hardwood.

Tell me, where have you been getting the flowers? Is there a secret greenhouse that you haven’t told me about? Wouldn’t be surprised if that were the case.

I never asked but what are your favourite flowers? I like all kinds of flowers but I tend to lean towards Peonies and Chorus flowers.

-From Thea                                    

            Techno read the letter a few times, perplexed at the short letter. It was a sort of roundabout letter but at the same time, he didn’t know how to feel about the contents. On one hand, he was glad that the letter didn’t directly ask about what happened but at the same time, he expected some sort of blunt questioning. Not a very mundane letter.

He stared at it and he looked towards the window. The lights were still out and from this angle he couldn’t see if anyone was peering out from the inside. After all, he designed it that way. He saw the vases of flowers he had been leaving there for Thea, a bit of colour for her, and then at the letter.

The voices were silent in the snow biome and only left with his thoughts this time, he walked inside the cabin, not bothering to quieten down his footsteps. He saw Phil give him a smile while completing night time routine. Techno nodded to him before he sat at the table and took out some paper.

He could feel Phil watching him with mirth but at this point, it was him doing bird things. Techno wrote a small letter, stared at it to let the ink dry before folding it. He took some of the melting wax from the candle and sealed a part of the edges before inscription Thea’s name on one side.

He stared at it for a moment, took a breath, before holding it out to Phil. The avian gave him a proud smile, patting his shoulder before the two went to sleep. Although Phil was a bit miffed that he was being a literal messenger bird for Techno and Thea, he did find some joy and the potential fun it was going to be. He might as well savour their awkward and all the faces they were going to pull at each other’s words.

            Dear Thea,

I have been busy but I have been doing alright. I’ll be fine.     

The flowers have been around for a while, something that I picked up along the way. Forgot why and when. I don’t have much of a use for them, but I figured if they’re going to stick around, might as well let you appreciate them.

It might be hard to set up a greenhouse with all the snow around but I’m pretty sure Phil knows something or two. We got to ask the old man about it. If anything, we can use it to grow carrots and potatoes.

I don’t really have a favourite flower, but I do prefer poppies.

-Signed Technoblade

            Hey Technoblade,

Poppies are great. I don’t know why but I remember the Greek symbolisms attached to them. How they can symbolism sleep and death because of Hypnos and Thanatos. Dreams, imagination, remembrance, regeneration.

Now I think about it, Thanatos and Hypnos, their mother was Nyx. She reminds me of someone I know, but that’s something to bring up with Phil. One day. I remember you calling Tommy, Theseus.

Do you have a secret thing where you secretly assign people as Greek figures? If so, I wonder what Philza’s would be?

I miss cooking. I miss it despite knowing that someone feeding you makes the food immediately 100x times better. I’ve never asked but what is your favourite food? I know you like potatoes but that’s more of an ingredient, right?

-Signed Thea

[At the bottom of the page there was an etched picture of poppies. It covered the bottom part of the letter, creating a plane of growing poppies]

            Dear Thea,

I do not have a secret thing assigning people Greek figures. Theseus just worked out in the long run.

But, perhaps I did, Philza reminds me of Daedalus. That is if we’re going strictly with Greek figures that are not gods. Otherwise, Phil reminds me more of one of the four winds: Zephyrus. He’s one of the gentler winds, although I find it unfair that all the other winds aren’t seen as favourable.

            Also potatoes are the superb meal, butttt if I had to say, I guess steak and potatoes. But really I like poptarts. It’s super hard to get poptarts here. Why? Do they not know the greatness that poptart bestow on people?

-Signed Technoblade

            Dear Technoblade,

Of course steak and potatoes. What else would it be lol.

Poptarts? Had a poptart once but that was ages ago. Not sure how long actually. I may have said that I was in the void for 10 years but…it may be more? I know I’m at least in my early 20s but…I feel so much older mentally? If that makes sense. Boy, I wonder if this Phil feels everyday.

Old man.

Now that I think about it, I remember you talking about Sun Tzu. That or some osmosis thing going on.

Anyways, what’s your favourite Art of War quote?

I just remember these quotes:

“There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

There are not more than five primary colors (blue, yellow, red, white, and black), yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

There are not more than five cardinal tastes (sour, acrid, salt, sweet, bitter), yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted.

In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack--the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.”

Even if it doesn’t apply to battle tactics, these can be applied to the arts.

-Signed Thea

Ps. I have no idea that I could remember the quotes this accurately.

            Okay Thea, you can’t just ask me what my favourite Art of War quote is. I’m assuming you know the sheer knowledge that book contains, and we cannot do this over letters. So we will pin that question for later.

So, I’m going to ask you a question this time. Cause it seems kind of unfair that you’re the one asking me the questions.

 How did you meet Philza?

I know the general idea of how you two met but only the short story of it. So I want to know the details of how you met Philza. But I will tell you how Philza and I first met.

It was a long, long time ago. I don’t remember exactly when it was, but it was at a competition. A bunch of nobodies and somebodies. We were strangers at first and we barely talked. Yet we knew each other by reputation. We competed against each other with several others, again and again, over the years. Then one day, we got paired up.

And then we absolutely dominated those losers. We won obviously.

The competition was slowly losing track over time and I got to see Philza less and less then. We kept in touch but our sense of time was skewed. Then one day, I formed the Antarctic Empire. We both joined forces with a few select others and we ruled the world Thea.

As we did, we knew each other better. Forged over blood and time. We were brother in arms and there was no one else I could see myself being with.

For him? For Philza? The world.

-Signed Technoblade.

P.s. Sometimes Thea, I want to go back to those days, but I know if I did, I would’ve gotten to know you.

            Dear Technoblade,

You know my story but not everything. The days start to merge as one. But I will try.

When I first Philza, that day? It broke the monotone days of the End realm. Time doesn’t pass as people think it does. There wasn’t much I could do there, with the limited things provided to me. Fewer if the Endermen did not bring me anything from their visits to the overworld. Even then-

Then I heard the Dragon roar, roar that shook the End realm. Then things begun to happen.

Phil was going through the End realm, and he stumbled onto my island. I was so scared and I only had a measly stone sword. I didn’t know if Phil was going to kill me or not but,

When he appeared, his hair was like gold and his eyes like lapis lazuli.

My sword broke on impact with Phil’s enchanted sword and I was hyperventilating because I didn’t know what else to do. He stopped me from jumping off the balcony, consoling me with his bird instincts.

Then from there, Phil took care of me while trying to figure out how to get me out. Taught me things. Brought whatever he could.

I would never be able to repay Phil’s kindness, or for all that has done for me.

Nor you, know that I think about it.

-signed Thea

            Techno read the letter and Phil was across from him. They were planning some things, getting things into motion before Techno rose out of his seat. Phil gave him an inquisitive look before Techno cleared his throat.

“I’m going to talk to Thea” he declared.

Phil blinked at him and then smiled proudly. His oldest friend clasped him on the shoulder, squeezing it. “I’m proud of you mate.”

Techno smiled at him before he went to Thea. He climbed the ladder and as he peered over the opening, he glanced to see if Thea was awake. He watched her slowly waking up from her slumber, rubbing her eye and turning her head from the pillows.

She stared at him sleepily before smiling. She mouthed, “Hello Technoblade.”

Techno rose to the floor and walked over, pulling the seat close to him. His knee just touching the edge of the bed. He sat in front of her, watching Thea get up, as much as she could before getting comfortable. Techno took a deep breath and spoke.

“So, I guess I should tell what happened. When I left. Why Tommy isn’t here.” He started off.

Thea gave him a confused look but stared at him seriously, before nodding. Techno took one last deep breath and begun to tell her what happened at the Green Festival. How the voices urged for blood after Tommy’s betrayal and how they slowly blinded him. How he became the Blood God, starving for Blood. To quell the voices.

“I never really spoke about the voices too much with anyone else. Philza knows of course but he doesn’t really count cause he knew for a while.” Technoblade admitted, “But, I need to know. Do you have voices in your head too?”

She should’ve been more shocked but at that point, with everything that Techno had explained, there was this feeling of contentment. She nodded and gestured to the dark spots in the cabin. The shadows.

Techno nodded, giving what could be a sigh. One out of relief or exasperation she couldn't tell as he also snorted. “I mean I already knew for a bit? And Phil knows of course but we really needed to confirm it.”

Thea nodded, before looking at him with understanding, then sadness. She extended her hand and Techno took it. They shared a quiet moment as Techno gathered his bearings while Thea processed it all.

Then Thea took out her pad of paper, her main form of communication and showed it to Techno.

“So what’s next?”

Techno stared at her for a moment, took the notepad before writing in it. And when Thea read it, she took a deep breath and it hitched.

[Destroy L’manberg]

Chapter Text

Thea hobbled on a cane, using it to help her walk. At first she hadn’t thought about it because of the adrenaline. Then she thought she was walking all funky from being injured and not really being able to stretch her legs properly. But now, it might be a bit of a permanent thing.

It does bother Thea a bit because this could potentially be a permanent thing. But, on the other hand, it didn’t really bother her?

Her throat pulsed with the lingering pain. She couldn’t find it in herself to be able to vocally speak. Granted that was already a thing but while that was more of a mental but with this? This may truly be a permanent thing.

“Thea?”

She turned to Phil’s voice who stared at her from the outside of the steps. She was finally outside, allowed some fresh air. The cold feeling numbed her skin, sort of numbing the pain. Making her feel alive sort of.

She rose her hand, in greeting, a physical sign that she heard him.

“Come on inside. Techno and I, we have to tell you something.”

Thea rose her cane, shaking it before hobbling over. Phil watched her walk up to the steps, ready to move if she slipped. There were a few moments that made Phil flinch but she managed to get up rather safely.

He guided her into Techno’s cabin where the owner of the house was sitting at the table. There were pots of tea ready, and Thea knew it was going to be a long one.

They gathered at the table and there was just silence. Building up to the moment.

“We’re going to destroy L’manberg” announced Techno.

Thea stared at him. She saw Phil glance at her for a reaction but she gestured for him to continue. “After they tried to execute me and for putting Phil under house arrest, for y’know twisting your trust in them and using your words and all that, we’ve decided that was the last straw. And we’re going to work with Dream on it.”

Thea rose a skeptical eyebrow like “are you sure you want to go with that?”

Techno rose his hands up, “I know, I know. On any other circumstances, I wouldn’t be normally be working with him but we have a mutual interest. Better to pool our resources together.”

Thea stared at him, before taking out her pad of paper and scribbled something on it. She held it to him: “We all know you got something planned already.”

Techno stared at her as Phil tried to stop the incoming laugh.

“Alright, fair enough” chuffed Techno, “But either way, Doomsday is approaching.”

Thea stared at him and crossed her arms; thinking. Phil folded his hands on the table, speaking to her. “Thea, we’re not going to force you to participate in this. You’ve been through enough, but we thought that you should know about this.”

Thea stared at him, then at Techno. After seeing the resolve in their eyes, she begun to write her words. They waited for her to finish and then she slid it to them.

“I approve of it. I’m in.”

The two looked at Thea in surprise, then at each other. Then they saw her motioning to the rest of the words.

“While I don’t approve of teaming up with Dream, cause that guy is questionable at best for reasons that are too long to write, destroying L’manberg for good is beneficial for everyone. Personally, they’ve lied to me. They used my good nature and betrayed my trust in them, using my words to hurt the people I care about. Something that I have explicitly stated and repeated. I won’t let them use people’s kindness for their own selfish reasons; especially if it is to hurt others.

Otherwise? The others are stuck and are haunted by the ghosts of L’manberg. They are stuck there and is corrupting them. Slowly killing them. They’re obsessed the idea of L’manberg despite the grief it brought them. I know what it meant to them but it has nothing of that there anymore. Destroying L’manberg, the land, will set them free and perhaps allow them to live once more. To be free again.”

Techno nodded his approval and Phil looked at Thea. “Oh mate…” Thea gave a sad smile and shrugged. She held out her hand and Techno took it. They shook on it and Thea gestured to Phil.

She took back the paper and wrote more words on it.

“I won’t probably be part of the actual destruction of it. I’m not in a state to do that but I will be there. Just so you guys won’t have to be alone, and I will just be protecting Phil. I will only fight to protect myself and Phil.”

Techno nodded. “I guess we’re in agreement.” He looked at Thea, “I know this is just who you are but if you want to tell them, go ahead. We won’t stop you, but they know we’re coming.”

Thea nodded in thanks. Techno then looked at Phil who nodded in approval. She watched them get up as Phil helped her up. “Come on, we have something we need to show you.”

She gave them a confused look but nodded.

The three of them begun to set outside. Away from the compound. They passed by that one pond of swarming squids and walked to that one seemingly suspicious wall. The one that Thea wanted to break open before the voices rudely stopped her.

Techno walked to the side and placed a button. He looked at Thea and smirked before pressing the button. Then a symphony of pistons begun to go off and Thea watched in awe as the wall begun to lower. Techno all the while, swooping in a bow as he showed her what was beyond the wall.

Phil pressed his wing behind her, supporting her. Good thing to because as the wall lowered, Thea took a hasty step back, almost slipping. Her hand flew to her forehead, slapping it and she ran it back over her hair. He heard give what could be described surprise.

Thea hobbled inside the vault and inspected the Wither skulls that were laid out. She stared at it and then at Techno who had his hands behind his back. Phil saw him fidgeting his hands and Phil glanced at Thea, remembering that Thea got blown up by a Wither.

“Oh shit, Techno-“

It seemed like Techno also realized the problem here. “Wait, Thea, this-“

Then there was a clap in the air, followed by another. They all saw Thea wheezing, slow clapping before there was a grin on her face. She shook her head in exasperation before hobbling over to the chests. They watched her look through them briefly before walking over to Techno, patting his shoulder. She gave a side grin and then mouthed, “I knew.”

“Wait, you knew? Heh?” questioned Techno.

Thea shrugged and tapped her nose and pointed at Techno. Techno realized what she was implying and chuckled. Thea crossed her arms and shook her head in exasperation before she thumbed to them. “How long?” she mouthed.

“A while” drawled Techno and Thea placed her hands on her hips, shaking her head. She looked at Phil, shoving her hands at Techno like “You seeing this?”

Phil let out a cackle at that.

            Thea was hobbling towards L’manberg. The air was getting tense and she knew they were preparing for what was coming. She was basically alone, without Techno and Phil. Only accompanied by Fenrir and Lupa. She didn’t bother putting armor on, just walking in casually with a button whited shirt and a flowing skirt. Her boots and cane clacking on the prime path. She readjusted her elytra around herself, the wind blowing through her hair.

Ah, she wasn’t alone really. Never truly.

She saw people bustling around and her arrival didn’t go unnoticed.

“Thea?”

She tiredly looked at Tubbo and Tommy, who stared at her with shock. There was also guilt and relief.

How contradictory.

She gave a small smile and didn’t stop them from hugging her. There was that short immediate feeling of disdain but she pushed it aside, hands above them for a moment. Hesitating a moment but feeling them cling to her made her heart soft. She held them a bit, patting their backs and hair before they separated.

“What…what are you doing here?” asked Tommy, eyes glancing around behind her as if he was looking for someone. No, keeping an eye out.

She looked at New L’manberg and took out her pad of paper, writing into it. That action shocked the two boys before they saw what she was writing.

“To see this one last time.”

They noticed two things but the two boys looked at each other as if to silently communicate to ask which one first. They already had an inkling of an idea why Thea was here for so-

“What’s with the pad and paper bossman?” asked Tubbo, his voice a bit shaky, gesturing tentatively to the item in hand.

“And you’re not wearing the skeleton mask?” Tommy piped up hopefully. His voice cracked for a moment.

“Wait what?” interrupted Tubbo obviously confused. Eyes wide and searching for the answers at Tommy.

Thea stared at them, a hand pressing to her head realizing she wasn’t wearing her mask. There was a tiny prick of fear that went through her entire body but it was more out of “Oh I forgot” then “Where is it?”.

She scrawled into her pad of paper, writing her responses. As she did, she was noticing that there were more people noticing her presence.

“Lost my ability to speak, in all manner of speaking. Also, just…didn’t feel like it anymore?”  she wrote out to them.

Tubbo was furrowing his eyebrows and noticed Tommy’s look of despair. “Tommy?” he called out a bit.

“What do you mean, lost it? You…you could still speak fine before? Even if you were speaking Ender and shit, you were still speaking? So how-“ Tommy’s slowly building anger was interrupted when his eyes caught the peaking appearance of the bandage around her neck. Just hidden almost completely by her cloak and the collared shirt. His hands flew and Thea took a step back. Tubbo yelled at Tommy, but he was too late.

Tommy’s hands were already grasping her collar and cloak, both with firmly and gently. He pulled them down, just enough to reveal the bandages and Thea was tilting her head. Thea had to calm down her wolves as they were growling at the potential danger.  She heard more than seeing Tommy’s breath hitching and she closed her eyes, bracing for the inevitable wave of explosive emotions.

“What…did…Did Techno do this?”

He was grasping at her clothes no longer in anger but clinging to her. His back and head furrowing downwards. The top of his blond hair tickling her chin. Her eyes strained but her eyes flickered down, seeing Tommy’s distraught look and the growing anger and hate. She also saw Tubbo’s eyes growing wide with realization, and she saw the flashback flickering in his eyes.

Her hands automatically wrapped around Tommy’s back, bringing in him closer and her other hand extending to Tubbo, who took it. He let her bring him in closer, hugging him. She felt Tubbo’s head bopping into her, his messy brown hair growing wilder. The tips of his horns now more prominent. They jabbed into her side and she flinched but pushed it down.

Despite it all, Thea just thought “Ah, they’ve gotten bigger”. Not older, no she wanted them to still be younger just a bit longer but time was cruel. Sadly, they were growing older and even older not by design, but out of force.

“What happened” questioned Tommy, his voice slightly muffled.

Thea closed her eyes and pulled away, their hands unconsciously clinging to her just a bit longer. She wrote two words into her pad, “The Voices”.

The two boys’ chest hitched in realization and Thea slid her pad away, pressing her hands onto their heads. She brought them closer, and she tapped their heads together, forehead resting. She closed her eyes, feeling the inevitable starting to break and she had to release the steam so it wouldn’t explode.

She took out her pad and wrote in it. “It’s okay”

Tommy’s anger broke as he yelled. “How is that okay? You can’t speak anymore! And Techno took that away from you! You can’t speak, can’t sing-“ his throat got constricted with emotions. His hand running through his hair in frustration.

Thea shook her head, smiling still. “I wasn’t speaking anyways then. Just barely. Not knowing if I was speaking common or ender. This doesn’t bother me.”

 “But…you can’t sing” emphasized Tubbo, bleating in worry.

Thea felt her face fall for a moment but accepted it. Her face didn’t reassure them, but she didn’t ‘say’ anymore. 

There was silence as they just begun to walk. Thea saw the preparation for the war that was looming over them. She tilted her head up and saw a weird dark dot in the sky but her attention was diverted when she heard one of the boys speak.

“Thea,” asked Tommy, “Are you here to join us?” there was hope. Pleading.

She stopped in the middle of the bazar. Her gaze looking automatically to where the detention room was. Where Wilbur-

She closed her eyes, gathering her composure before she shook her head. She opened her eyes and saw the crestfallen look on their faces. But she also saw resignation.

They knew.

Thea wrote into her pad, “I’m here to see this one last time. I won’t fight unless someone attacks Phil or me.”

“So what? You’re fine with L’manberg being destroyed?” gawked Tommy. His voice breaking as emotions started to rise.

Thea gave a sad smile. “L’manberg ceased to exist when Wilbur wanted to destroy it”  she wrote.

“So you’re just…going to let it happen?” clarified Tubbo.

“This place will be destroyed. One way or another. It will be a harsh kindness. This is Wilbur’s grave and I refuse to let you all be shackled here; cursed by it. I want you to be free and live.”

            Thea was with Niki and Jack. They were in Jack’s home, what was left of it at least. She went around, talking to friendly faces, greeting those she had lingering feelings for and ignored the others.

“So is it…permanent?” asked Jack after they all got caught up. His hand petting and running his hands through Lupa’s fur who grumbled in please.

Thea sipped her tea and nodded.

“Oh. Sorry about that” he tried to say.

Thea gave a smile and raised her tea in thanks.

“So, you know Techno is coming right?”

She nodded.

“Are you…going to be there?”

She nodded once more. “I will be there; if only to protect Phil. I will only fight if he or I are provoked.”  Niki nodded, petting Fenrir who was lying at her feet, and Jack placed a hand on his forehead.

“Bloody hell” he cursed, “We’re all going to get caught up in another war.”

Thea stared at them both. Noticing the growing hate in Jack, there was something in his undertone, and the growing weariness and depression in Niki. She looked at the reflection of herself in her tea and sipped it dry. She rose to refill everyone’s cups, them giving her words or thanks.

“Techno made it clear to me. He doesn’t care about the people who are here. He’ll fight people if they try to stop him. He just wants to destroy L’manberg, the land, not its people. Dream is also helping him and if its anything like what happened during Pogtopia and Manburg, it’ll be destruction and chaos incarnate.”

“So what do you want us to do?” asked Niki, her eyes flashing with a hardness that Thea wasn’t used to seeing (she saw it in Pogtopia but-).

“Don’t fight if you don’t want to. Do if you want to. Or have to. But there will be casualties. If you have anything important that can be moved, move it somewhere safe. Cover anything that isn’t with Obsidian. If all things go well on L’manberg’s end, then it’s fine but if it isn’t? you will have something.”

Jack ran a hand over his face, cursing before nodding. “Yeah, yeah…considering all the shit I keep losing from explosions or fire, I’m doing it.”

Niki nodded in agreement and smiled, albeit strained at Thea. “Thank you for telling us.”

Thea gave a mirthless smile and nodded. She raised her tea up to them, and they responded in kind. She then got up and the others went to see her off.

They accompanied her off from L’manberg, all very aware that Quackity and Fundy were keeping an eye on them, shortening the distance between them all quickly. Tubbo and Tommy were rushing over too, with Ranboo behind them; long legs keeping up and gaining easily.

Thea walked forward like there was nothing wrong at all. Just outside of what is considered L’manberg, she smiled at her friends and brought them a hug. There was no urgency in her motions, savouring the moment.

She clasped their shoulders, squeezing it for reassurance. They nodded to her, and she turned to Quackity and Fundy who stopped a few ways to her. She pulled down her cloak, revealing her bandaged throat and they stopped in shock to stare.

From the corner of her eye, she saw the Benchtrio approaching fast.

“Thea, what-“ said Quackity, his anger broken in shock.

‘Ah’ Thea thought as memories of Pogtopia resurfaced. The nights where she sat with Quackity, filling the silence with card games as he cracked under the weight of his emotions. She still remembered the crime he did against her and if she focused she could still feel the rising disdain and betrayal; but could she really hate him? When it came down to it…            

Thea tilted her head, giving a strained smile and just shrugged. She saw him look off to the side, pulling his beanie down just a bit but she caught the look of heartbreak. Ah,

Quackity may have done some actions that were not good, but he was still a good person.

They all were; just they made shitty decisions and were put in a shitty situation. 

“Thea,” called out Fundy, drawing Thea’s attention to him. He fiddled with his hands and stepped forward, ears down and tail swishing sadly.

“I…I’m sorry.”

She stared at him, holding out a hand. Her olive branch. He stared at it like it was foreign but she took a step and he did too. Their hands touched and she squeezed his hand, reassuring but also comforting. She gave a small smile and Fundy gave a hopeful smile.

The benchtrio approached and Thea nodded to them, Ranboo warbling to her in goodbye. Thea took out her notepad and wrote her finals words into it. She ripped it and handed it to Jack who took it.

She saluted to them and held out her firework, taking off into the sky. Her elytra took her away and she looped around L’manberg, seeing it one last time in the sky. Her eyes glanced at the obsidian in the sky, noticing it was slowly extending out but out of sight.

She glanced down at the group, their eyes focused on the paper she wrote. Her eyes turned straightforward as she flew away. They didn’t notice the obsidian in the sky and she could wonder if this was Dream’s contribution to the destruction of L’manberg.

She took one last fly around, taking this opportunity to see the land from above; from a bird’s eye view one might say. Her shadow and wolves passed through the land below and as Thea flew, she saw the castle below. She saw a familiar figure below and she begun to land down.

Eret was looking up at the sky, waiting for her. They smiled as Thea landed just before them, their arms stretched out to hug her. They both shared a hug, relishing the moment.

“Hello Thea” they greeted smiling.

Thea smiled and patted their shoulder in greeting. White eyes peeked over the sunglasses and hummed. “I guess you tried huh?”

Thea nodded, not commenting on why Eret was missing their crown. Both walked side by side. Eret accompanied her safely away to the Nether portal, their arms linked with Thea, helping her hobble across safely. The two stopping a few times to look down at the body of water. Sometimes dipping their legs in it and just swaying in it. The seagrass swaying as fishes swam through the water. It was peaceful but they both knew it was the calm before the storm.

They stopped at where once stood the community house. No one had patched it up so it was just a massive hole with water leaking down below. It was a crater basically. Thea lingered a bit to take it all in, imaging how it must’ve went down. But no matter how much she wished she should’ve been there, it wouldn’t have changed anything.

It was planned. A trap. Inevitable.

They both talked with each other, catching each other up on what the other has been doing. Thea did wonder how Eret knew the details that her writing didn’t catch. At some point, Thea gave up writing as it became clear that Eret knew what she is saying anyway. Even if she wasn’t vocally saying it.

Even with Thea’s haphazard charade skills, they talked smoothly as if Thea still had the physical ability to.

“So you plan on adopting Fundy????”

Eret nodded, both with confirmation and hesitation. Thea stopped, processed that information and continued on. “If he agrees…no matter what happens, carry it on. Even if the world is burning, you’ll make that promise. He doesn’t need to be abandoned even further.”

Eret hesitated at the words but nodded.

They both stood at the Nether portal, the two standing there. There was only silence for a moment before Eret spoke.

“Does it really have come to this?”

Thea was silent before she nodded.

“I tried but the wheels have been in motion a long time ago. We’ve tried and tried but no matter what we do, certain events will happen. History will repeat itself and they don’t see it; blind to it. In this case, I’m agreeing with the destruction of L’manberg because it is nothing been a curse. They cannot move on and are not living in the open world. Sure it has symbolic meaning behind it but those memories they have? The ones they cling to have been trampled over and over again. They are chaining themselves to ghosts. I refuse that land to be their graves; I refuse to let them die with Wilbur. This will be a harsh kindness. Cruel but true.”

Eret stared at her and took a deep breath, sighing. They nodded. “I understand. I don’t like it but I can see where you are coming from.” They turned to her and her face looked at theirs. “This won’t change us.”

Thea nodded, patting their hands. “Until we meet again.”

            “What did she write?” questioned Quackity, trying to lean over to read as Jack was about to read it.

“I’m reading it-! HEY!” yelled Jack as Tubbo snatched it.

The goat-hybrid begun to read it instead.

“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have-“ Tubbo stuttered as he tried to focus, the letters of the words on the page starting to blur together; making it difficult to read it. Someone whispered the next part to him.

“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be.”

            Thea was reaching the cabin, where Techno greeted her out front. She approached with a steady pace and Techno reached out an arm for her, to which she grabbed onto. They walked side by side, Techno guiding her safely across the snow and ice. Their breaths turned white as they breathed.

“So I take it went well?” posed Techno.

He felt Thea squeeze his arm as confirmation. He hummed as they approached the stairways. The other unfinished house by Techno’s cabin, standing proud but covered with snow. Philza was there, waiting for them with a certain smile.

Thea looked at him and found the scene in front of her picturesque. The snow softly fluttering down behind him, with a gentle breeze caressing his blond hair and wings. There was a sort of gentleness to the breeze, a caress that made Thea think of Kristin (she could sort of see her, just faintly so, standing by him and they were holding hands-). The white and gray gradient background behind him highlighted the sheen of Phil’s hair and the glow behind his blue eyes.

Techno joined him, giving a pop of colour to scene; with his pink, red, baby blues, and gold. They spoke together, sharing a laugh. They turned to her, Techno smirking and Phil smiling at her. They held out their hands to her.

It was very picturesque and brought a sort of contentment, as she took their hands and joined them in this picture.

(It eased her nerves and thoughts).

Chapter Text

Thea slept and woke up on time. Today was the day. She didn’t deny the part of her that she wished she slept through it all but at the same time admonishing herself for even thinking of it at all.

She did her normal routine, some normalcy for what the biggest mark on the server would be. Changing everyone’s lives and still forwarding them forward.

She made breakfast and potions, feeding the animals as well. Thea begun to make a pot of tea for herself and waved in greeting to Edward, who warbled while happily sitting in his boat with his little grass block. As she poured herself the first cup of steaming tea, she offhandedly remembered first meeting Edward and how he just goes in and out.  

She stood in front of the windows, sipping her tea. Wisps of steam rose from the mug and danced in her face, while the liquid of flavoured warmth warmed her inside.

One by one, all the inhabitants of the house woke up. It was fairly silent and she gave them a small smile. They gave her one and they ate together; gathered around the table. They ate in a comfortable silence and wordlessly worked together to clean the plates and dishes.

Thea was sitting at the table, savouring the last cup of tea. Phil and Techno were by her, drinking their own cups. She closed her eyes for a moment and then there was a lull. A small drop and rise.

She opened her eyes as the world came into view once more. Techno and Phil were bustling around and Thea looked at the clock. Ah, it was almost time. Time for the promised day.

She got up, grunting a bit at her bones popping into place. Then, she went to work on her last bit of normalcy. She made lunch while in the background Techno and Phil were preparing for war. She faintly heard about armour, fireworks, and potions.

As she made everyone hand friendly food, she also went to work on brewing potions. She bustled back and forth, hearing her name being called.

She turned and saw Phil who was approaching her, in one arm his scrolls and his other hand was holding down his hat that was about to topple over. “Hey mate, making us some lunch?”

She nodded.

“Thanks mate. Hey, can you give me your armour for a sec? I want to check it over a bit. I’m thinking if I can, I’m going to add blast protection on it.”

She gave a confused face and Phil gave an exasperated smile. “I should’ve done it earlier mate but you have a habit of getting into explosions. I’m not going to take that chance again.”

Thea nodded and handed him his gear, watching amusingly as he struggled to hold them all. She heard heavier footsteps and looked to see Techno approaching, his arms bursting with items. Some that were dangerously close to falling and probably causing a safety hazard.

“Speaking of which, I need check on your weapons; it has been a while.”

Thea just handed him her weapons as well before giving a backwards wave before starting to assemble their lunch together. As she did the final touches, an idea popped in her head.

She found herself fitting armour on her wolves, Lupa and Fenrir. Techno was right in his observation that they were rather large, even for wolves. They reminded her of Princess Mononoke, not so much so but big regardless. They panted and sat patiently as she worked out measurements and tugging on the straps, watching them move around to see if it was comfortable.

While Thea didn’t plan on them fighting, she wouldn’t take that chance. Moreover with their size and the likely chance of everyone’s panic, they would focus their attention on her wolves.

She made a bunch of kissy noises, cooing at them while kneeling while putting her hands on their necks, rubbing them furiously and lovingly. Conveying how great they are and what lovely doggos they are. Her wolves loved it and soaked up all the attention with their tongues lolling out.

“What good doggos~ They sure are,” cooed Phil who bowed slightly to also run his hands through their fur. They whined and their tails thumped against the floor rapidly. “Yes you are, yes you are~”

Thea giggled and Phil let out a chuckle before giving them one last scratch. He straightened himself and so did Thea. As she did, Phil held out her gear. She begun to put it on and spread her arms out like “Ta-da~”

“Nice” nodded Phil, “You got potions already?”

Thea nodded and gestured to the chest filled with her potions and the brewing stand of more. Phil nodded before they heard a loud sound. They all turned seeing Techno going in and out of everywhere, holding items and muttering to himself.

Phil saw Thea’s raised eyebrow as he gave a sigh, “It’s Techno, he just remembered a lot of things that he didn’t do.”

She shrugged before Phil patted her shoulder and went off to do his own preparations. Thea watched Phil and Techno a bit more and decided to just take a nap then and there.

            “I need potions-“ said off Techno as Phil hummed.

“Thea’s got that covered-“

“I need more red dye for fireworks-“ Techno listed off before chucking rosebushes and boneblocks to Phil to produce more dye.

“Pretty sure we already have some that Thea has for her paint. You can use those in the meantime” said Phil, before going outside to make more red dye. Now that he thought about it, it would be nice to have a greenhouse to grow flowers and other things; also raise the bees in.

“Are we just leeching off Thea? Wait speaking of where is she?” asked Techno who was scrambling to remember how to make fireworks. Specifically, the ones that would set off red and black cause aesthetics man.

“Taking a nap, I think?”

“Heh?!”

Phil just shrugged as the voices started to spam between ‘uwu’ energy and ‘let’s draw on her face’ energy.

“Bruuuuuh-“ said Techno before huffing and went back inside the cabin. His eyes landed on Thea’s art corner was and found all the red dye. He took it and then he finally noticed the armour-donning wolves that gave her loppy looks with Thea lying between them while lying starfished style. “Seriously?!”

Phil begun to cackle as he entered carrying in more red dye, “Here you go mate.”

“Bruhhh-“

Thea woke up blearily, slowly waking up to the world and catching some of Phil’s and Techno’s conversations. She heard fireworks being launched in the air and Thea’s eyes flashed open with alertness. She sat up and saw Techno making more fireworks.

Phil waved to her, laughing at something and she let out a warble. “Oh who decided to wake up now” joked Techno while crafting more and more fireworks. She gave back a hmmm and then-

“JESUS, UH TECHNO-” yelped out Phil as Thea immediately swearved her head to him, hearing him laugh awkwardly. Thea was definitely awake now as she saw Dream just standing there in the room, duked out in full Netherite gear.

“What is it Philza Minecraft?” Techno asked without leaving his eyes from his task.

“Turn around” wheezed Phil as Techno turned around.

“Ah-“

“I just jumped there” said Phil as he backed up a bit, towards Thea who got up. Her wolves also got up from the floor, yawning widely and stretching out.

“Hello Dream, how’s it going” Techno greeted Dream politely, “So what’s the plan?”

“It’s going pretty good, so the plans is“ said Dream as he begun to unload stacks upon stacks of TnT.

“oh boy” interjected Techno as he and Phil packed them all up. Thea felt a bit better at Phil’s foresight in giving her blast protection now.

“We have a special plan, and the thing I didn’t tell you yesterday, is that we need to prepare quick cause we’re going in early” announced Dream. Thea had a small feeling that he had glanced at her behind his mask but she kept her face set and her hands behind her back. “We should get there in 20 minutes so we destroy them 30 minutes early!”

“20 minutes? Bruh I need to prepare!” rattled off Techno as he started to move around more quickly. “Oh my god!”

“We’re good on potions Tecno, Thea got it all covered” noted Phil, as Techno then went off, “I need to sort out my inventory!”

“I have intel, cause I have a spy amongst them, the intel is that they’re all going to show up there at 3. So if we get there before 3-“

“Easy done” said Techno, noting as he rifled through the potion chest.

“Easy done” agreed Dream.

“So Dream, what do you need from me to blow up L’manberg? Cause I know you got a lot of TnT-“ started off Techno, drawling a bit for Dream to finish off.

“Um, do we want to talk somewhere alone?” propped up Dream and Thea rose an eyebrow at him, crossing her arms. She definitely knew he glanced at Phil and at her.

“No no, Phil’s one of us” Techno immediately stated nonchalantly, “So is Thea.”

“Okay then,” said Dream, before there was a small pause. “If you’re sure. So here’s the plan, the plan is that I didn’t set up redstone because they’ll destroy it so what I need to do is I need you to give me 20 minutes. To stall while I build redstone machines and stall them until then. So, you’re going to be fighting against 20 people for 20 minutes and I need you to live otherwise, we lose so yeahhhh”

“Bruuuuh-“ groaned Techno, “I feel like the risk is a bit one-sided here Dream. You’re going to be chilling in the air, like ‘Look at me I’m seth bling I’m doing redstone’ and I’m against like 20 dudes getting obliterated-“

“That’s true but I mean you fought them before-“

“I also have the hounds-“

“Listen Dream, I’ll do it but I just want to complain and doing the vocal interjections that my cohort here wants to say about how unreasonable you’re being all right?” said Techno, gesturing to Thea who grunted. 

“I mean it’s unreasonable, but to be fair, you did do that before. Anyways, it’s best if you have Pearls but then again you have Thea-“ said Dream, turning his face towards her.

“Oh no,” said Techno, “She’s only coming with us to protect Phil. Besides using her as a teleporting mule? Bruhh. Besides I’m not hurting on emeralds to trade for them.”

 Techno pushed Thea towards Phil while he went to the basement. Phil hummed, getting the potions and giving some for Thea to take on with her. “And I’m going to throw the water bottle into the traitor pit here- you know what, I’m breaking the Prime log- IT”S GONE. Y’know what? Thea you uh, might want to step outside.”

Thea gave a confused look and Phil just shrugged at her. She was gently directed outside and she and her wolves walked outside a bit distance away. Thea stood there for a few seconds, opening her arms out a bit like ‘Now what?’.

Not a minute longer when there were a few faint explosions going off, the vibrations shaking underneath her feet. Carl neighed in surprise and Thea stared with a confused look. Phil opened the window and popped out with a thumbs up.

Thea walked back in, seeing Techno back upstairs as Phil grinned, “He blew up Tommy’s room downstairs”.

She just blinked and shrugged. Techno turned to Phil with a serious look, “Phil I don’t know if I want to bring you along for this fight because you’ve only got one life, Phil.”

“I literally only have one live yeah” confirmed Phil.

“Phil, I don’t want you to risk your life for my grudge you know?”

“Techno we talked about this. I have a grudge against this as well” said Phil.

“Phil, there’s going to be so many people. Phil this is dangerous.”

The avian laughed it off whole heartedly as Techno started to stammer. “I don’t want to lose you Phil, are you sure about this?”

“I am a 100% sure” reassured Phil as he clamped his hand on Techno’s shoulder. Techno stared at him and took a deep breath before nodding. He went into his Enderchest and pulled out a totem, giving it to Phil.

“Phil I’m going to give this to you, this is my only totem of undying and here are a bunch of wither skulls.”

“OH- oh lovely, that’s fun.“

“Phil, I just want you to infiltrate. I don’t want you to be the main battle and be hiding at the sidelines. When I shoot up the fireworks straight into the sky, I want to spawn so many withers, all right?”

There was a delightful grin on Phil’s face, and he clapped his hands, laughing at the prospect of Chaos. Thea glanced over and saw the faint glow of red in his eyes.

“Cause I’m probably not going to be able to spawn any in front of 20 people, cause they’re going to like jump on me all right? One person with a shove would completely shut it down.”

“Hehe, that’s the best counter” Dream laughed lightly.

Phil grinned as he pocketed the wither skulls and soul sand away. “I’ll take care of it don’t worry about it.”

“Stay safe Phil” told Techno before giving Phil more invis potions. Then he turned to Thea. They stared at each other sharing a knowing look, a nod, and clamped each other’s shoulder.

“Thea, just in case, I’m going to give you these” he said and then handed her a stack of soul sand, and the Wither skulls.

“Uh Techno, you’re sure about that?” asked Dream, a bit skeptical.

Techno rose an eyebrow at him as Thea stared at the skulls in his hand. She took it and studied it. She could feel the eyes on her, watching her for a moment, and then all of a sudden, Thea slid on the Wither skull.

There was a look of surprise and some reactions.

“What?!” laughed Dream in nervousness and exasperation.

“Thea, mate, again?” Phil laughed out in exasperation too, but also amusement.

“Bruuhhhh,” drawled out Techno, not believing he was seeing. “I did not give you the Wither skulls for your aesthetics man.”

Thea just stared at him and shrugged. Techno let out another bruuuuh but laughed this time.

“Alright, you do you” snorted Techno before he readied himself one last time. “Let’s go then.”

Everyone nodded and begun to set out to war. Their group beginning to march towards the Nether portal. Techno and Dream were at the front of the group while Phil and Thea were behind them, lagging just a bit.

The front of the group were immersed in their talking, not noticing Phil and Thea weren’t in close distance. Their feet dug into the snow, their breaths turning white. “Any second thoughts? We won’t think anything less of you if you do” Phil spoke suddenly while also gently, stepping close to her.

Thea was silent for a moment before shaking her head. She took a step closer to him as well, while Phil hummed, nodding to her response. “Alright mate.”

There was a question from Techno of where they were over in the distance and Phil responded something about having three stacks of steaks. Their group reached the Nether portal and all entered together. There was the uncomfortable feeling of their beings distorting and reappearing in the portal. The freezing temperature of the tundra contrasting with the roaring heat of the Nether.

Banter and light hearted conversation was spoken along the way to the Main Portal Hub, barely sidetracked on their way forward when a stray Piglin and Ghasts came about their way. For some reason, Thea was shot back into time when Techno re-introduced to her the Nether and there was the Piglin incident. She may have stiffened at the Piglin charging towards her, gold sword raised to fight but Techno stepped in seemilessly and took it out, still talking as if it was natural. She let out a small breath of relief, taking a moment to gather her wits once more. When she looked back up the path, she saw Techno looking over his shoulder, give a nod, and then it was gone.

She kept pace with them, seeing as she couldn’t physically contribute to the conversation; though it did help that Techno and Phil would look at her for any potential ‘contributions’.

They reached the Main Portal Hub and Techno turned to them. “Alright everyone gather here, I’m going to splash us with Invis before we enter.”

“Alright, yup go” sounded Phil before they all stood close to each just before the cusp of the portal. Making sure everyone was close, Phil gave the word.

“Alright, 2 4 6 8 who do we appreciate? NOT THE GOVERNMENT! -” chanted Techno, throwing the splash potion upwards. Everyone’s eyes immediately followed it as we tossed into the air and Thea couldn’t help close her eyes when it crashed to the ground. She felt the potion wash over them before opening her eyes to see they were all just floating armour. “-GOOOO!”

Phil cackled and Thea gave her own air of laugh before they all stood into the portal. The distortion washed over them and then they were on the other side. Not sooner as they had appeared, they saw Sapnap. She could feel Dream stiffening at the sight of him and there may have the tiniest intake of breath. Her wolves, who were also under the invis, nosed her forward with the gentle hand of Phil.

For some reason, Thea’s hand reached out to Dream (how she knew it was him, she honestly didn’t know) and grabbed his arm, dragging him away from the portal. She didn’t pay attention too much to what her group was saying but when she felt the hesitation-

No, it was odd to think of it as hesitation that Dream was capable of but-

(Because if he was, then was he truly the despicable man that Dream was? Was he immoral or amoral? Could he be redeemed? Was he a person or not?)

Regardless, when she felt the tension in Dream’s body lessen, and he was moving on his own feet, that’s when she let go. She heard the blops of water and she jumped in, following the bodyless armour and her companions’ voices.

She slipped into the hidden hole underneath the community house and slid in. She could feel Techno’s hand against her back, urging her down and she begun to go down the ladder. There was oddly enough a tree down there, why she didn’t know but she had seen weirder placements. She looked around, waiting for Techno, Phil, and Dream to join her. As she did, she realized that she was under what may be a sewer system.

Faintly she remembered Tommy telling her about the system underneath L’manburg; how proud of it he was.

“Go go go!” said Techno, his voice disappearing off into the tunnel. She followed behind with the others, glancing back every so often just in case. She caught up with everyone and gradually heard the conversation they were having.

“-it’s the power of friendship versus the government boys-“ drawled Techno, glancing back. “And lady.”

Thea tipped her head in acknowledgement, wondering how odd it was to see it.

“Can’t wait to see the dogs do the work” inserted in Phil.

Thea hummed (or what she could at least).

Then Dream had to ruin the atmosphere by speaking, “I feel like I’m the only person who hasn’t technically betrayed you in the server Techno-“

“It’s really true!” Techno agreed, “Everyone’s like ‘oh don’t team up with Dream’ but like Dream is so kind to me all the time-“

Thea grimaced as she thought about it. Then again, Dream was doing his best to keep Techno in his good graces. Afterall, Techno was a threat that would match him, maybe even more. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

She felt a tap of a wing pressing against her back, scooping her in closer. She pressed slightly against the wing, a signal that she knew. Right, now’s not the time. She heard Phil laugh and there were more exchanges that she didn’t catch.

“-well it’s because I’m not pretending to be your friend, I mean, we have common goals-“ said Dream.

“Exactly!” emphasized Techno, “We have mutual interests, all right. We’re not sitting here like, hello yes. We understand I’m not your friend, alright? Alright. We have that boundary.”

Techno chuffed out a laugh and Dream followed. Phil gave his own good natured laugh, “Ah yes, we’re here for clout.”

Thea let out what may have constituted a laugh on her end. Only because of Phil and Techno.

They moved around a red and white marker and soon they saw a two block entrance being carved out. Who probably was Techno walked in and Thea gaped as she entered after the others.

“WHOOOO look at the dogs” Phil pointed out in awe at the massive amount of dogs that were just sitting there, waiting.

“WHAT?! WAIT WHAT THE HELL?!” yelled out Dream in complete exasperation and shock. “WAIT THERE’S ACTUAL LIKE A MILLION!”

Thea’s eyes sparkled at the amount of dogs and then she realized. ‘Oh god, Techno was serious about the wolf army.’

Fenrir and Lupa barked in excitement at the pack in front of them and Techno chuckled.  

“We’re going to be here for a while,” pointed out Techno as he begun to one by one unleash the dogs.

Thea cooed at the dogs as they were all slowly unleashing the dogs but the problem as soon they unleashed them, they were all swarming them with their large furry bodies; hindering their attempts.

“Okay I’ll be real, there’s going to be so many dogs left behind” said Techno as even he with his large body was having a hard time. There was just so many dogs that were trying to get Techno’s attention.

Thea couldn’t hear too clearly with all the panting and barking from the dogs around her, plus trying not to get buried underneath all the fluff. Then the next thing she knew Thea had teleported out of the furry mass and then there were wolves teleporting and then-

It was pure chaos already.

Thea scrambled to hurriedly make the entrance of the hidden wall wider but man, there were just so, so many dogs. She could hear Techno yelling in the chamber in panic and Thea let out an oof. Phil appeared to help her and they barely got it wide enough before being slammed with more furry bodies.

“Alright I got to teleport out of here before the dogs get crushed-“ there was the release of a pearl and then suddenly all the weight was gone from her chest. Well except her own two wolves. While catching her breath (and spat out a piece of fur) she heard a cacophony of wolf noises.

They all begun to climb to the surface, where Thea could hear Phil curse underneath his breath about scaffolding. Thea shook her head before realizing, oh man, Techno was really visible with the literal army of wolves around him. Mans can’t even walk with the wolves blocking his path as they followed him.

Thea let out a soundless laugh, wheezing with whatever vocals left, while Phil was straight up laughing at the sheer absurdity of it all. Banter was launched back and forth (there was even a potion thrown) but it couldn’t be heard over the wolves barking nor Phil’s laughter.

The invisibility had worn off but then a new potion was splashed onto them. Some getting on the surrounding wolves. Though it wouldn’t make much of a difference due to the sheer amount.

“-Okay so, I’m going to get started cause it actually might take more than 20 minutes. You see this big contraption above us?” pointed out Dream. Everyone else looked up and Thea realized there was a huge black grid above L’manburg. “-That’s all going to be redstone and stuff-“

“Oh wow” Phil and Techno voiced out at the same time. Thea just looked at it with wide eyes but then realized that the black dot she saw yesterday? It was that along.

“Oh that’s so subtle, they won’t suspect,” Techno sarcastically pointed out, “I thought you were going to be in the sky limit Dream! What is this?!”

“No no, the TnT would blow up in mid-air! Look, look they won’t suspect. They won’t suspect-“

Thea just shook her head, patting Fenrir and Lupa in the meantime. Some of the other wolves noticed her giving pets and tried to nosey their way in. The rest of her group carried on the conversation when she heard Techno speak.

“Phil, get into position” said Techno.

“Alright” nodded Phil. He turned to Thea, “Come on mate.”

Thea nodded as she unfurled herself from the doggy pile.

“Best of luck to the both of you. Today we destroy everything” said Dream. Then he turned to Thea, “And I guess you too Thea.”

She shrugged half-heartedly, keeping an arm dangling on her sword handle. Dream nodded to Techno before he took off, getting ready to go up the grid. All three of them watched Dream go into the distance, before Techno turned to them. “I guess I march into L’manburg. You think they won’t see me?”

Thea let out a ‘pffttt’ and shook her head while Phil cackled. “Probably-“ he chuckled next, “Remember to use the mic feature.”

Techno nodded and Thea tilted her head in confusion towards Phil. The avian gave an amused grin before he took out an earpiece. “Come on mate, put this in.” She took it and studied it for a moment. It was basically like an Bluetooth earpiece but less bulkier and more snug. She lifted her witherskull off and slip it into her ear. Making sure it would stay in place, Phil took out his own earpiece and slipped it in, before taking out his communicator. He fiddled with it and then there was a call on her end.

Then-

“Testing 1 2 3-“ spoke Phil, his voice overlaying twice. Thea blinked for a moment before giving a thumbs up. “Great, Techno?”

“Yup, got it” noted Techno, his voice a lot more clearer in her ear.  “Alright Phil, y’know the signal; when I shoot the fireworks into the sky, it’s Wither time.”

Phil let out a small laugh, the potential buzz of Chaos seeping into his blood. “Alright, come on Thea,” told Phil before he begun to lead them into hiding. Thea watched Techno walk into the center of L’manburg, before following the avian.

“-I can’t even walk forward!” yelled Techno in aggravation.

Phil laughed at the absurdity, “There’s so many” he observed the obvious.

Thea patted her wolves, scratching their ears before pointing them to hide. They did and hid themselves until necessary.

“Alright I’m going to jump into their VC, cause where are they?” wondered Techno, who was looking around. For a place that was supposedly fortified, there was literally no one. Thea wondered if it was a trap but then again, it wasn’t L’manburg’s style. “Phil, do you know which VC they’re in?”

“Uh…VC 4?”

“Gotcha, I’m going in-”

Phil turned to her, “Thea you too.”

Thea nodded and scrolled to jump in, before noticing literally everyone else was in there. It took some time cause literally, she just discovered that they had a Voice channel. Or even a chat room.

Where was this beforehand?!

By the time she figured it out, Thea physically reeled back to all the voices that were simultaneously going out at the same time. She joined in after Phil and man, she could not keep her head on straight.

“There’s 25 more minutes, no you’re not-“ called out Tommy.

“BRO, YOU THINK I’M GOING TO WAIT?! YOU THINK I’M GOING TO- “ snorted Techno, “you know what? There is 25 minutes. Actually I’m not in L’manburg, there’s no need to check .There’s no need to go to your base for the next 24 minute, it’s fine-“

“That is strangely omnious thing to say-“

“y’know what take your time, take your time-“ drawled Technoblade, as he rotated his sword languidly.

“What’s this obsidian grid doing here?!-“

“Take your time Tommy~”

“Wait wait Technoblade, stop it now. Where are you?” questioned Tommy, demanding where he was.

“I am in L’manburg~” he sang.

“Where do you think?” snorted Phil. Thea saw his form sitting on the tree they were perched at, the headgear titled. If Thea had to guess, Phil had his cheek resting against his fist, rolling his eyes at this entire exchange. She even heard him rattle and fluff his wings in irritation.

“Philza Minecraft?” whispered Tommy with so much disbelief. Thea could feel the cracks in her heart breaking. She stood by Phil, leaning toward him for some comfort in this.

“Philza?- That, that was my Philza Minecraft impression. Isn’t that great?-“ Phil cackled over the comms ath Techno. “His laugh right there? That was from my soundboard, mmm yes. He’s not here-“

“Is that you?” called out Tommy.

Thea’s ears perked up and she turned to see Tommy over on top of the hill, staring right at them. Phil sat up straighter and turning towards the boy.

“Uh yeah that’s me-“ admitted Phil. Thea hung her head back in exasperation at Phil; they were trying to sneaky. To which Techno voiced her thoughts.

“PHIL! YOU’RE THE LEAST STEALTHIEST PERSON ON THIS PLANET!” shouted Techno towards them. Phil just laughed to which Thea just hung her head down and shook her head. She slipped her hands behind her back, holding them there.

There were a few more random exchanges and then Tommy yelled.

“WHAT THE FUCK- WHAT, WAIT WAIT, NONO TIME OUT! WE GOT 30 MORE MINUTES!- WE HAVE 30 MORE MINUTES!“

“YOU GOT NOTHING TOMMY!” yelled Techno. “YOU HAVE NOTHING.”

“Wait where’s Tubbo!?” yelled out Tommy in a panic. He was looking around frantically while also holding his communicator to get everyone back to L’manburg. Then he remembered. “THEA! TELL THEM! WE HAVE 30 MORE MINUTES!” he yelled out, shouting towards where Phil was. He remembered. He remembered when Thea stopped by yesterday. If Phil was here, then that meant Thea was there too-

Thea found herself looking into Tommy’s eyes. She hitched her breath and she grasped her hands tighter. She could see the desperation and hope in her eyes, asking for help. She didn’t want to fight anyone (well maybe Quackity but even then that was shaky) but at the same time, this had to happen. She wanted L’manburg to be destroyed but could she-

“Don’t you get her involved Tommy” warned Phil, carefully and levelled. He had take a step forward, just slightly so in front of Thea. She could feel Phil’s wing extending out to cover her. It was still see through but she could just imagine his wing spanning just enough that it blocked Thea from seeing Tommy.

His bow twirling. It was both a lax gesture but also a threatening one.

“Yeah, she’s only here to protect Phil-“ added in Techno, rolling his eyes. “Besides, Thea also needs L’manburg to be destroyed.”

There was the tiniest ‘what’ from Tommy and Thea turned her eyes away.

“Where’s your army Tommy?” Techno said next, changing the topic now. “Because my army is right here Tommy!”

“We have 30 minutes! You said we had 30 more minutes!” yelled Tommy across the distance.

“Oh no did we lie? Ohhhh noooooo-“

“WHAT THE FUCK-“

“You think we were going to be fair?” said Philza, his anger leaking out bit by bit. “This is war Tommy.”

“Oh no, I wasn’t honourable about the 1 V 30 that’s going to happen. I’m sorry , oh noooo-” Techno sarcastically said as he paced around with ease. “

Thea heard another pair of footsteps approaching rapidly and there Thea felt her chest tighten. Eret. They were there and had a hand on Tommy’s shoulder. She took a step back into the darkness, finding comfort in the voices that were whispering. But in them, she could hear them reassuring her but also demanding for Blood.

Tubbo joined in next the VC and then Tommy was demanding about the preparations they had done. Then something about someone sabotaging them.

Thea stood there perplexed and then remembered what Dream said. He had an inside source. A spy-

More and more people started to pour in. Then Quackity started spouting off-

Then she heard the wolves growl. They begun to swarm the few people there and that what may have constituted the war starting. They all begun to charge and people started to attack the wolves with Techno in the middle of the pack. He was throwing potions at them, splashing them with invis and strength.

People were immediately thrown into chaos at the sight of the sheer amount of wolves Techno had with them, all swarming to attack them.

Phil cackled at the sight, cheering. “Ooooooh, look at them go!” Despite it, Thea found herself relishing in the bits of chaos the wolves were causing. Then Techno said it officially.

“LET LOOSE THE HOUNDS!”

 He too begun to charge in, attacking anyone he saw. Sword drawn shining menacingly as he chased after them. Formidable in sight and strength. It was only a few minutes in before Phil begun to draw his bow, arrows flying.

Everyone was literally in chaos and everywhere; trying to run away from the wolves and Techno while also trying to kill either of them.  Phil was sniping anyone he could see, some of the arrows unfortunately hitting some their wolves; all the while laughing at the chaos.

Thea glanced and could see Phil’s invis wearing off but she knew she could see the red seeping into his eyes. She caught the sight of diamond armour. She felt her heart stop for a minute when she saw Techno chasing after Niki, but instead went after Quackity; Niki leaving and disappearing off somewhere.

Thea’s eyes followed her and somehow Niki knew where she was. They stood, staring at each other and Thea could hear Niki whisper their names. “Thea? Phil?” it was barely audible over all the confusion and yelling in the chat and outside. Mostly because people were pouring in frantically and half prepared with how they still had supposed time and the sheer amount of wolves around the battlefield.

There were sounds of fireworks. Thea’s head snapped towards the source and saw the colourful red and black sparks flowering in the night sky. Her heart hammered at what that meant. “Time to go” announced Phil and Thea followed.

“THE SIGNAL!” yelled Techno.

Thea followed Phil up to the top of the bees and begun to set up the Withers. The soul sand were stacked and the wither skulls were placed. Phil looked at her before he placed the final skull and nodded. She nodded slowly and then-

The air shivered and there was a boom. Then there was the gasping screech of the Wither, glowing blue as it came into existence. There was a pearl landing and Thea saw Techno appear but she had little to greet him as she followed after Phil who was setting up Withers after Withers.

“Thea” said Phil and she nodded. People were swarming to them and her hand reached out to Phil just as he jumped. She felt her body vibrate for a moment before they teleported a few ways away, leaving the Withers to focus on the people who had gathered there; hopefully in an attempt to stop Phil from spawning more withers.

People were screaming as some of the Withers were chasing after them, while explosions were shout out of the Withers. Thea stood as she watched it all; having flashbacks of L’manburg. The original L’manburg…no was it Manburg by then? People screaming and trying to regroup to fight off the Withers, Techno being a formidable foe against his sword, Phil shooting arrows after arrows-

Her focus narrowed and everything was blurred. She just followed the object in front of her, green blurring in front of her, swiping any attacks that came their way. People trying to stop Phil from summoning more and more Withers. She faintly saw Niki talking to Quackity but when Phil moved, she didn’t linger.  Faintly, she heard the differences in surroundings as the noise underneath her feet turned from grass and wood to just pure wood. There was a door then she blinked, finding herself in a room.

“What’s ‘Do not Read’?” questioned Techno as he held a book. Thea’s eyes zeroed on it, hearing Ranboo’s voice repeating the words.

As Phil gave Techno more invis potions, Thea pulled out her communicator and numbly typed to Ranboo.

Thea: Techno found your memory book. Meet us at Phil’s house.

Her body was buzzing and then there was a door opening. She looked and immediately saw Ranboo, whose eyes were wide. He was huffing and breathing heavily, eyes darting around and everyone was looking at him.

Realizing the book was the missing book that Ranboo had lost, Techno immediately took it out of his ender chest. “Ranboo, Ranboo, you’re alright. I’ll give you-“ he immediately deposited the book into Ranboo’s hands, “Here’s the book. Ranboo, get out of here Ranboo. I don’t have anything against you, you can get out of here. Flee out of the battle, no one will know-“ Techno was pushing Ranboo out of the door with everyone else behind.

Thea heard a ‘bleet’ and everything was back into focus. She turned and saw that familiar blue sheep. Friend? FRIEND. She panicked hearing the Wither outside of the door and the sheep looked at her with wide, scared eyes. The next thing she knew, Thea was holding onto Friend, her size changed to carry the small friend. The sheep let out a bleat and was inevitably splashed with potions as she followed the group.

She faintly heard Techno saying about 10 more minutes and Thea panicked for a moment, realizing what was about to come. A big blast of air and explosions blew at her from a distance. She turned around, holding Friend close to her chest and when she turned back, she saw it.

The control room. Where Wilbur-

Thea looked at Friend, hesitated for a moment before teleporting over. The control room was still hidden, protected by stone and nature. For now, it seemed the safest place. Thea placed Friend within it and leashed it safely. She knelt down, nuzzling the sheep in comfort and she covered it with Obsidian, a one square hole at face level on each side to allow it to breath while being protected.

She got back into the fray, the sounds bashing her senses. She teleported away from a Wither, and flew into the air; taking over the skies while she got a handle of the situation. She saw one Invis person zipping around, determining that was Techno and found the other invis person who was Phil, holding a golden totem. Thea flew down and attacked the Wither chasing after Phil. It’s attention was turned to her and Phil called out to her to follow him. She followed, her gliding turned to running.

“We got company!” Phil told her and she turned, seeing a couple of people behind them. She focused and heard Tubbo updating everyone as two groups were chasing after Techno and Phil-

Thea felt bitterness in her entire body and she tightened her hand around her sword and shield. She reached a handout and pressed against Phil’s back. He turned to her in question and nodded, before they teleported up to the obsidian grid. They all watched the TnT raining down onto L’manburg, the TnT making more and more craters in the ground; sinking it into the ground.

“This is where the government gets you!” yelled Phil, laughing all the while from above; wings splayed out gloriously.

“You had your chance, Tommy” Techno stated as he stood in front of Tommy across from the platforms; in the midst of the TnT.

“Technoblade, listen to me! For once in your life,you didn’t have to do this!” preached Tommy, “We could’ve compromised! We-“

There was so much talking and explosions, just so, so much noise. Thea just stood above it all with Phil, taking it all in. She took it all in, heard and saw everything yet at the same time, it was all a blur.

“-you’re selfish!” accused Tommy.

“SELFISH?! YOU’VE USED ME FROM THE START TOMMY! YOU’RE WEARING MY HELMET AS WE SPEAK!” barked out Techno, anger rising inside him.

Thea knelt on the obsidian grid, leaning in to swoop in when necessary. She felt a hand on her shoulder, stopping her and she looked to see Phil. He shook his head, and Thea gave a grim look behind her mask. But she just turned her head towards the argument below.

“-You’ve betrayed me like 12 times!” Techno exasperated.

“Technoblade look at me! Look at me right now! You said you hated government, you said WE are the ones who betrayed you! But YOU are the one who killed Tubbo when JSchlatt told you to! You are the one who betrayed us out of all of this, Technoblade!”

Thea balked at the words. She kept getting flashbacks and she could feel herself shaking. It was all back to this? To that day? It was all because of that?-

“I was peer pressured! You just betrayed me like-“

Thea’s ears were ringing, screeching into nothingness-

“-I was only the Blade to you! A weapon! Guess what Tommy? I’m choosing what I fight for now and I’m going to destroy the Government, Tommy! You all die! It’s gone! We’re chunk-“

[skip. Screech-]

" Technoblade, people are above the government.We- It doesn’t matter if we want a government!”

“I’m a person!” yelled Techno.

“You are, Techno! And so are we! – The discs! The reason the discs, cause they were stolen from me!”

“DISCS AREN’T PEOPLE!” yelled Techno, voicing out Thea’s own inner words.

Thea could feel everyone’s emotions going out of control, just pure emotions and unleashing everything that was bottled up.

“Nothing is taken from you here, Technoblade! Nothing was taken from you here! You are SELFISH! You destroy what people love for your own selfish gain! You are selfish!”

“All of these problems are, because of YOUR government! Your government has caulled all of these issues! I believe in freedom, Tommy!”

“You don’t believe- When you are peer pressured that’s not freedom! That’s following what the government says, that was the president telling you to do that!”

[skip- screech-]

“Tommy-“

“You’re selfish-“

“Y’know what they did to me Tommy? They hunted me down, the whole butcher army and they executed me! I tried to be peaceful Tommy but the Government made it clear that we could no coexist-“

“-You spawned Withers, you repeated history and you made it worse!“

Thea felt herself tipping over. The ringing going on and off in her ears.

“You guys brought this onto yourselves! I was willing to live in my cottage and be chill and just farm turtles, but you guys made it clear-“

“Techno, you can’t live in a cottage after you’ve blown up the government! That’s not how it works! Actions have consequences!”

There was silence and Techno took a shuddering breath. “Actions do have consequences Tommy…and these are the consequences! It’s over. I’m going to kill Quackity!” he yelled as he chased down Quackity.

“We hunted you down in your cottage because you exactly did this! You did this. You exploded L’manburg!”

Thea leaned more and more forward. The hand on her shoulder becoming more lax and she heard the go ahead. “Go” whispered Phil. She tipped over, letting the wind blow by her ears, letting her muffle out everything and then her elytra snapped open. She dove down, closed her eyes. The wind blew against her entire being, making her feel like she was being hugged and carried. She relished that brief moment, a moment of relief and calm, before she opened her eyes to the strife of war.  

Chapter Text

“Technoblade you were meant to suffer the consequences of what you did. It was no more than that-“ Quackity words drifted off and his words got caught in his throat. Everyone stared at her as she gripped her fists and her hand held the soul sand. Techno stepped by her, a hand on her shoulder.

Words were exchanged more and more but the ringing in her ears blocked it out-

The anger, the bitterness, the pure emotions bubbled in her throat. She clawed at her throat, as she felt like she was drowning- choking- and then red hot tears sprung in her eyes-

“You could have taken your punishment and left- You had to, it was for L’manburg-“

“You’ve become the tyrant” voiced out Tommy-

“BULLSHIT!” she yelled, her voice cracking. Everyone stopped what they were doing and all turned to her. She could hear Phil breathing in deeply above her. Techno tensing beside her and looked at her with not awe, or shock but relief-

“BULLSHIT! FUCK THAT!” she yelled, her blood boiling in anger. “What about Phil? Me? You punished us for something we did not-“ her voiced cracked and she wheezed. “You-“ cough “used my goodwill- to hurt him- and you tried to use me as a hostage?! What did I do to you!?”

“Thea your voice-“ whispered out Tommy but Quackity spoke louder-

“You joined them! They’re the in the wrong!”

“How? I was nice to everyone! Even you! Even after you caused everything that went to lead to this! You went against Wilbur! You supported Jschlatt! If Techno is held a crime for blowing up L’manburg, you are just as guilty for starting it all! You even were engaged to Schlatt!”

There was a deep breath and Thea knew she had hit a low blow but at that point, they were pulling any reason to be justified.

“You…that was a low blow-“ stuttered out Quackity.

Thea tilted her head to glare, “I know, at least I can admit that. What about you?”

Quackity stared at her and gritted his teeth. Fury building inside him.“Y’know what maybe we were right in making you a hostage. All along you were conspiring with the destruction of l’manburg-“

Thea bit her lip and she could taste blood. Then she just snapped. She let out a laugh, placing a hand on her forehead, her Witherskull mask, and everyone just stared at her perturbed (except Techno who kept a hand on her shoulder; grounding her).

“Me?!” then she let out a laugh, “Oh that is rich! Have you forgotten? Wilbur was the one who started this all in the beginning! Who wanted to destroy it when he set off the TnT in the first place! Have you forgotten the Button!?” she stressed. Her face was burning with rage and she wanted to claw off her own skin with all the pressure building inside of her. “L’MANBURG DIED WITH WILBUR!-“ She yelled out, crying out as she begun to set up the soul sand.

She heard yells to stop her, some pleading her to rethink it, but Techno stepped in to let her set it up. Support from above helped her. She calmly set up the two wither skulls and faced everyone. She placed a hand on her skull and lifted it,

(Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jack and Niki, and a few others. They all stared at her with various reactions but she saw them nod, resign, and back away-)

“You are all content to trap yourselves in a grave and cling to ghosts. If you won’t free yourselves, even if you want to wither away, I will make you live!”

She screamed and slammed down her wither skull, the final piece and the Wither came to life. It screamed and everyone screamed. Techno let out a laugh, there was a cheer before Thea set her sword forward and the Wither charged.

“Thea why?!” demanded Tommy, heartbroken.

“Tommy, you know why.”

“No, I don’t! Why destroy L’manberg with Techno? I thought you cared-“

“That’s the entire problem. I cared. Too much. And Quackity? Tubbo? You all used took advantage of that. You used me as a hostage. A weapon. Against Techno. Against Phil-“ she choked and turned to Tubbo, whose eyes were wide eyed and broken. “Did I matter so little to you?”

“Thea- we-“ started Tubbom “It was wrong yeah. We shouldn’t have done that even if we weren’t going to-“

“Tubbo. Tommy,” started Thea as she grasped at her burning throat. She could feel her strength fading. “You two are so young yet so scarred. Both of you know how important promises and threats are. When they come through and don’t.”

“Thea…it won’t happen again. Please, just, just help us stop this” pleaded Tommy.

Thea’s eyes were burning with hot tears. “Tommy, I am. You might not like it but it had to happen. Whatever could’ve been done to save L’manburg is gone. Everyone doomed it. The Discs, you, Tubbo, Wilbur-“  she returned back to, she choked herself at that thought. It was always back to Wilbur with her. She could hear everyone talking to her and listening to her while the battle was still going around. Continuing. 

“-We keep coming back to this but it’s nothing now. You guys are wilting away here. Doomed yourselves here. Resigned to die here. I can’t let that happen. There’s more to this world but you guys can’t see it. There’s more to places and objects everyone,” she said, changing her speech to the boys in front of her to everyone that was listening. “I’ve seen the world and it’s so, so beautiful. So free. Yet you resigned yourselves to being prisoners of L’manburg, chained down with sentiments and attachments, to nothing but  a grave. Dream wanted to destroy L’manburg to break your spirits. Techno wants to destroy L’manburg to destroy the government. Me? I will destroy L’manburg to set you free because I just want you all to live!!! WHY CAN’T YOU JUST MOVE ON AND LIVE!”

Tommy and Tubbo stared at her as she pressed her hands against her eyes. “Why can’t you live? Your lives, everyone’s lives, are more important than this. So why? Why cling to this place? Why cling to this curse?”

Techno was slow falling from above as he shot fireworks after fireworks. Taking an aerial approach to his attacks. Phil was setting up more Withers and more TnT to finish the job. They drew away the majority of the attention away from the trio, allowing Thea to pour out the contents of the iron lid on the box that she tucked away in herself; previously only allowing steam to escape so it wouldn’t explode.
But the lid was shut too tight for too long. It was on the cusp of exploding, on the tempering of the flames delaying the disaster. Now the steam was billowing out, the contents bubbling and broiling.

Techno and Phil caught Niki, Ranboo, Jack, Eret and a few others slowly separating themselves from the fight; only fighting off the Withers that were targeting them by proxy.

Thea felt something sharp yet dull press against her side. Something pricky and fluffy accompanying it. There was a slow circling of a pressure around her. There was a bleat.

(Tubbo)

Another pressure pressed into her, securing her. Grounding her. They folded themselves on top of her, a bit unbalanced as trying to curl in more. There was a rack in their bodies, and they could feel themselves crumble.

(Tommy)

Thea peeled the wet hands from her equally wet eyes. She blinked; the view of the world blurred. Day was breaking through the horizon, and she blinked and blinked.

“Where did it all go so wrong?” whispered Tommy, who was pressing against her. His voice double layering in her ears, from the voice call and in person. Distorting her perception even more.

Thea let out a warble and gurgle.

“Do you think we can start again?” asked Tubbo quietly, bonking himself into Thea a few times. Gently. Rocking on the balls of his feet.

Thea sucked through her teeth, gritting as she tried not to break down even more.

Hands reached up and cupped their heads, holding them gently to herself. She ran her hands through their hairs, feeling themselves in her hold.

“…We have to….” Thea forced out, wheezing. Out of breath and out of strength. “…life’s too precious and too short not to.”

           There was once a land that stood L’manberg. In all of its renditions, from where it first started with a Drug Van to when its citizens tried to salvage its pieces. It once stood proud with all its glory, standing tall.

But now, it crumbled. Destroyed. It sunk down below the earth, burying L’manburg into the grave, joining it with its founder.

The sun rose again, time moving on as usual. It casted its light and its shadows over the remaining bones of L’manburg, all cascading down while filling the abysses that were L’manburg was once stood. The wind blew across the blades of grass and the leaves on the trees. Either snuffing out remaining embers of fire or feeding the flames that continued to burn.  

Above the shadows of the obsidian grid hovered menacingly of the grave, separating the grave from rising into the heavens. Smoke and dust floated up in the air, rolling like fog on a misty morning. They rolled along, some billowing out and some down below the deep abyss.

Everyone had gathered around to look down at the abyss. Some in close proximity to each other, some far away. They begun to disperse themselves across while some lingered. The war did not end immediately, with some trail ends happening here and there.

Those who still lingered watched Dream reload the TnT dispensers, making the abyss reach down to bedrock. Nuking it all the way to the ground.

Thea stood in front of Jack’s house and rose an eyebrow at the owner. “Yeah, I don’t know how but I ain’t complaining” said Jack, relieved. “Now I have to…move back all my things…ARGH.”

She gave him a pat on the back in sympathy while Niki also did the same. “It’s okay Jack, at least your house is okay” she said.

There were more explosions and Jack turned to him in the sky, yelling exasperated. “IT’S DONE DREAM! ENOUGH!”

“Nah, it’s not done, it’s not down to bedrock” Dream said, offhandedly while proceeding to put more TnT. He said in a manner that he only regarded Jack for a second, wasn’t important enough to direct even half of his attention to.

Thea frowned at him, deliberately now without her Wither skull on anymore. She also made some rude gestures at him but doubt that Dream even saw it. If he did, well,

She knew what she was doing. No regrets.

She felt someone press against her, smelling like sugar and wood smoke. Thea glanced to see Niki leaning against her, head rolling to rest on the other’s shoulder, resting there. Thea held out her hand and Niki grasped hers tightly. Shaking. The Enderian saw how weary Niki was, her eyes casting a darkness that she didn’t like with bags underneath. She felt the other girl’s tremors racking through her body and something glinted. Thea looked at it and saw flint and steel grasped in the pink haired girl’s hands.

‘Ah’ she thought, eyes going to the sky. ‘She lit the flames’ was her thought as she too leaned against her head on top of Niki’s.

Her eyes followed the set off TnT, falling to the abyss. Furthering it more with explosions. She watched it explode down below, lighting the darkness within with orange and white hues. The heat and dust becoming more and more faint. But the explosions were still intense, the abyss booming and echoing it out.

There was a part of bitterness in herself that she could not ignore. She wanted to hide it, ignore it- but for how long? She acknowledged that while she wished that L’manburg could’ve continued to stand, a remnant for what it was, an old memory to look back on; but she knew it was that reason that the others could not move on.

For all the good memories it embodied, it equally had bad ones. The former creating a rose-coloured glasses on their view, obscuring their vision from clarity. The latter slowly poisoning them, making them wither away to their doom.

L’manburg existed and did not. It existed in their hearts and memories but that what it was. A memory.

So, while there was a bitterness in her that L’manburg and New L’manburg had to end this way, she could not- did not- regret in the relief and the satisfaction. It was gone. There was no turning back. Nothing to turn back to. The others would face forward to move on and live.

They had to live.

Cause life was too precious.

           Thea stood on the remaining platforms, hands hanging loosely by her sides. Niki going off somewhere to calm down. There were a pair of footsteps, heeled boots clanking on the platform she was still standing. She caught the familiar glow that was Eret and turned her head to face them. (She could see to the corner of her eye, Ghostbur dotting around. Looking frantically and looking at the destruction below).

She tilted her head in greeting to Eret who emulated her, their heads leaning against each other. Shoulders just shy of pressing each other. Both of their hands behind their backs.

“It’s gone” they stated.

Thea stared ahead and nodded.

“What will you do now?”

Thea shrugged and huffed.

Eret glanced at her, “Is your voice okay?”

Thea looked down at her feet, seeing the shadows being casted. She shrugged and shook her head. She didn’t know. She could force herself to speak but she just…didn’t want to.

And that was alright with her.

Eret seemed to understand her and nodded. “I understand.”

She heard paws and turned to see Fundy yelping and trying to not get his tail bitten by Fenrir and Lupa; who were circling around fox with glee. She raised herself and turned to them, whistling.

It was low and weak but her wolves heard it. They perked up and turned to her before barking. They made her way towards her and Fundy let out a sigh of relief. Hands took off his hat, pressing it to his chest and breathed before worriedly holding it his chest. Eyes were darting around a bit nervously before looking into Thea, giving a meek greeting.

She nodded, gave a weak smile herself.

Her eyes kept finding Ghostbur who was bouncing around, seemingly silent. It was almost unnerving how much of a ghost he truly was. Thea looked at him, wondering if he would move on; now that L’manburg was essentially destroyed. If he was that type of ghost at least: the ones who were fixated to a particular place.

If that wasn’t the case, what was keeping Ghostbur here? If nothing was tying his spirit back here, was Ghostbur Wilbur?

Her mind and eyes wandered to the detonation room; her memories holding her hostage between realms. She would remember two versions of L’manberg, the strives that happened; the imaginary scenarios of what happened elsewhere; how Wilbur died-

Her eyes landed on where the detonation room and-

“AH” she gasped out, hands flying to her head. It sounded more like a hollow wheeze, her air simultaneously punched out of her gut. There may also have been a squeak there. Everyone (sans Dream) turned to her.

“What was that?” asked Techno before Thea blurred past him, trying to get to the room. “HEH?!”

“FRIEND” she wheezed and choked out, turning to them for a moment with frantically arm movements before whining wordlessly.

“Friend?” questioned Techno, before he widened his eyes. “Oh right, you grabbed Friend. Where did you even-“

“Friend? You know where’s Friend?” Ghostbur questioned panickily. Thea whined breathlessly, trying to get the words but she just resorted to pointing her finger by jabbing the air towards the direction.

Everyone stared at where she was pointing before realizing where she was talking about.

“OH.”

           Thea wheezed while she was breaking down the obsidian cage that Friend was in. Ghostbur was floating around them haphazardly, seemingly vibrating between dimensions while trying to reassure Friend and urge everyone to work faster. The specter interfering with their efforts more than helping them.

“It’s okay Friend, we’re coming!” cooed Ghostbur, voice shaking with worry and anticipation.

Friend bleated pitifully.

Eret wheezed in a breath, sweating as their Netherite pickaxe broke down one of the obsidian blocks. “Who…Thea why did you even put this much Obsidian?” they questioned.

Thea turned to Phil who stopped to look at her. He watched give a “what did you think?!” look while gesturing wildly to the landscape and the Obsidian grid above them.

“Ah, she didn’t want Friend to get hurt by accident by the TnT” told Phil as he chuckled.
Techno shook his head as he took down another block, “Bruh, did you have to use this many Obsidian? Why were you even carrying that much Obsidian to begin with?!”

Thea gave a very precise raised eyebrow while tilting her head.

Techno raised his hands in a placating manner, “Alright alright, fair enough.”

There was the sound of a block breaking and then a happy bleat, accompanied with a happy squeal from Ghostbur. Everyone turned as they saw the final bits of Obsidian gone, with a freed blue sheep while being hugged by its owner.

Ghostbur nuzzled his face into Friend’s face, burrowing his hands into the fluffy (albeit slightly dusty) blue wool of the sheep. “Oh Friend, you’re safe! Never again will you be hurt~”

Thea leaned against her pick and gave a tired smile. If any thing she did today was worth it, was saving Friend amidst the destruction. (Sans the Bees but-)

There was a long happy bleat and Friend clopped over to Thea, butting their head at Thea’s leg. She reached down and patted the sheep’s head, reassuring the animal.

“Thank you, Thea” cheered Ghostbur as he floated over, hugging her tightly. Head pressed against hers.  The mist-like existence that Ghostbur embodied tickling her nose like soft baby hairs.

Thea patted the ghost’s back in reassurance and comfort; her hand falling a bit before being bounced back. She felt the wooly head of Friend rub against her, and it was nice. She looked at the others, seeing the relieved faces of everyone else with her.

It wasn’t going to make everything better but-

They also seemed to brighten up that not everything was terrible. That there were small bits of happiness; starting that Jack’s house was the only thing left standing and was mostly intact, to discovering that Friend was still alive.

(Thea also noted that the people standing around her, right now, those who lingered a bit more around were just a bit lighter. Like a burden was taken away from their shoulder. It may her guilt talking, her consciousness trying to unease some of it- but she believed it was because that L’manburg was gone. For what it meant to them, L’manburg was slowly burdening them. Now that the burden was removed from them, they could walk with shoulders less heavy.)

There were still things to come for them to face, but they were taking it one at a time.

Yeah, it wasn’t all bad.               

There was a hand on her shoulder and Thea turned to see Phil. He gave her a smile, “Come on mate, let’s go home.”

Thea looked at Techno who gave a smirk and nodded before snapping his cape to turn towards the Portal hub. Phil turned to follow his friend, his expansive black wings acting like a cape as well.

She stood there for a moment, a revelation dawning upon her.

Home.

She liked the sound of it.

Home.

Thea’s feet begun to move, hurriedly chasing after the backs of Phil and Techno as they headed home.

She smiled.

Somewhere deep in the tundra, where there was nothing but snow and ice as far as the eyes could see, there was a small settlement. There would two cabins conjoined together with a small little bridge. There was a farm filled with hearty vegetables and animals. Dogs and wolves roamed around the large property, romping around in the snow as they kicked up flurries time to time like dust.

Smoke would rise out of the chimneys of the cabins, rising high and disappearing into the sky. It signaled that people lived there, welcoming and warding off people.

There in the two cabins, there would live a Piglin hybrid and an Avian respectfully. Two oldest friends living together in harmony and peace.

And there lived an Enderman but not Endermen. A person named Thea. She knew it was not her birth given name and that her name she wore now was a mere shortened version: was her name Dorothea or Althea? Time would pass and that question didn’t matter to her anymore. Here, she was Thea.

She knew she may never remember her past completely anymore. While she would wonder time and time again, she moved on forward. She may have had a life then, but she had a life right here and right now. She had a home right here and she wasn’t going to leave it any time soon.

Afterall, she had a family and friends here.

Thea hummed as she mined the section of the mountain that was just a few ways away from Techno and Phil’s cabin. It was off to the right side of where Phil was and right above the unusual yet natural squid spawn; nestled just at the mouth of the valley.

“A cave seriously?” Techno criticized as he accompanied Thea. Phil just chuckled as he helped clean up the area. Thea hummed and chuckled wordlessly before continuing to widen the area a bit before setting up what would be the foundation of her home.

Phil put away the materials in the chests before turning to Techno, with a small grin. “When Thea was talking about the build with me, she wanted to go back to her roots. Did you know her first place on the server was a cave? She kind of wanted to pay homage to that but more pretty.”

Thea gave a thumbs up before beginning to rapidly put half blocks of spruce wood outside the mouth of the cave. She planned to make the place like it was sticking out of the mountain hill they were on, while on top would have the snow and trees.

“Bruuuuuuh” drawled Techno but Thea knew from the tone that he was amused.

He knew, after all she told him all those days ago.

Thea smiled as she faced outside, standing on the platform. The wind and the rays of sun blew against her face. She soaked it in by closing her eyes while breathing in the cold air.

She imagined her home here where it would stick out of the mountain; just slightly overlooking the compound from above.  She would wake up to her home and be reminded that she was here.

She also imagined her home that she was building somewhere where at Central Hub of the server was. Surrounded by flowers, trees, and among other things.

Thea felt better having different homes everywhere around the server. Of course, her house at the Tundra would be her ‘main’ house but no matter where she would go, where she was, who she was with, she no longer had to search for a place to be.

She was here. She was home.

There was a warble and a chirp of a greeting. Thea opened her eyes, smiling down at Ranboo who was standing below in the snow. He gave a wave and a greeting, where Phil and Techno were already down there. Thea sat at the edge of the platform, hiking her knee up to hug it while resting her cheek. She contently watched them chat as Ranboo was also making his home here.

She smiled.

           Was she at peace? It was hard to say, having a feeling that there was more to come. But one step at a time. She already did what she could, 'talking' to people around. (As best as she could at least. Her voice would sometimes return but was otherwise silent. It was alright. She could live with it). There were still rough patches with some people (Quackity. Dream) but some she was rebuilding the bridges with (Tommy, Tubbo, Fundy-), but she never stopped reaching out.

Whatever they were about to face, they weren’t going to be alone.

There was a bird call and Thea perked up, eyes focusing to reality. She zeroed on seeing Phil wave to her. She got up and jumped off, floating down to him, her feet kicking up bits of snow as she descended. She joined the others as they all congregated to Phil’s cabin, about to enjoy the treats that she and Phil made together.

“So Ranboo, how’s the place going?” asked Phil.

“Oh, it’s going okay” said Ranboo as he bit into a cookie. “I just have some stuff to work on and clean up the place more.”

“That’s good mate” smiled Phil as he sipped his hot chocolate.

“What about you Thea? How’s your build going?” asked Ranboo, tail wagging slightly.

Thea smiled as she took out her sketchbook, showing him the design for the build here. Ranboo looked through it and Thea took the time to look around; seeing Techno hum as he petted Floof while Phil chuckled.

‘This is right’ thought Thea as she sipped her tea, the wisps of steam caressing her  face.

‘This is right” thought Thea again as she finished the last touches of her house in the Tundra. Everyone she was friends with gathered around her, watching her christen the house with its name; some people buzzing around a bit anxiously. They were going to hold a small housewarming party for her house back at the other location and the one here. It may be a silly thing but to Thea? It meant the world.

“Come on hurry up Thea! It’s fucking cold out here! Name the house already!” whined Tommy, who was anxiously waiting for her to hurry place the sign.

“Yeah, hurry up bossman! We want to know the name for this one!” egged on Tubbo. Ranboo looked between him and Tommy and warbled out his own.

“Bruhhhh stop delaying it” chortled Techno.

Phil just laughed as Niki giggled. Jack rolled his eyes while Eret just smiled knowingly.

Thea smiled as she placed the sign above the door, opening to enter her home. The house came alight and alive, allowing everyone who gathered around got closer to read the plate.  Some grinned and some were confused at the name. They began to file one by one into the house, filling the place alive with noise and life, while the plaque above the door glimmered with the words:

“Thea’s Cave”

{ T H E   E N D}

Chapter Text

Thea breathed and felt the particles of the void enter and leave her lungs. She was weightless and floated in the Void. The darkness was embracing and encouraging. A weighted blanketed that wrapped around her.

She braced herself as she counted the meaningless seconds that passed through the void. There was a deep sadness within her chest, and she didn’t want to come out of her weighted blanket. She didn’t want to open her eyes and leave the dream. The illusion she was trying to desperately hold onto.

But she had to.

Kristian and Phil-

Thea opened her eyes and let out a shuddering breath before finding herself on a floating island.

Hypixel. Skywars.

Techno told her about this.

She turned around from the edge of the floating island before turning towards the occupant of the island. Her feet carried her and the world around her bended to her whim before she found herself standing next to Technoblade.

In all of his glory.

She observed him. Searing the memory of him into her soul.

The lowering sun created hues of orange and red in the sky, his golden crown catching the light of the sun. His cape fluttered in the warm summer air as his hands petted the white soft fur of Floof.

Techno looked tired but was content.

Thea felt her eyes burning, before she pressed herself against him. The warmth of his body fading (the illusion was fading. He wasn’t here not truly anymore).

“Hullo” he greeted. His voice low, tired, but still…content.

“Hey” she greeted back.

There was silence as they were watching the sun slowly dip in the horizon. It was content silence and normally Thea was more than fine with it.

But not this time.

Time was running out.

Thea bit her lip and then Technoblade wrapping an arm around her shoulders, hugging her.

“I’ll miss you” she said truthfully.

Technoblade hummed.

“You made an impact on my life Technoblade. I know I wasn’t as close with you like you do with Phil and the others, but, I-“ Thea felt her voice cracking and she didn’t want to break down here. No, she had something to say to him, or it would be too late.

“-Thank you for everything Technoblade. You helped shape me and feel better of myself. Despite what faults you may have had and despite the mountain you’ve been caring on your shoulders, you were a friend.”

Techno turned to her and smiled.

The sky was darkening and Thea could hear the sad cacophony of crows cawing.

It was almost time.

Thea found herself standing and she helped Technoblade cross the island. As they walked, Thea could feel her feet losing the solidity.

 The island was disappearing.

Techno still had her arm around her shoulder and brought her close. She kept her own around him and helped him walk. As he walked and walked, he got more and more laggy. Tired.

Thea could see it but he was using as much of his remaining strength to be strong till the end.
A true warrior in body and spirit.

Thea looked up and saw Phil standing, truly the angel of Death.

She knew this wasn’t going to be easy for him.

He may be the Angel of Death and knew what his duty entailed…. but it didn’t make it any easier to watch the people you knew and love die.

They reached the dock, the rainbow bridge, where Phil was waiting. Across the sea of the void and darkness, Thea knew that was where Kristin was. Where she would take care of Technoblade till they met again.

Thea knew she couldn’t cross any further but as Technoblade took one step, two steps forward-

He paused and then turned to Thea. He gave a tired smile and his form shifted. She caught a glimpse of the true identity of who was Technoblade underneath this entire time-

But he was always Technoblade. The Blood God. A warrior, a brother, a friend-

Technoblade opened his arms in an open invitation and Thea took it. She wrapped her arms around his body (when did he get so thin-) and tried to squeeze him tight. Maybe tight enough so he wouldn’t disappear.

She felt his arms wrap around her, bringing her in close. He pressed his face against the top of her hair, kissing her forehead before whispering his last words to her.

It was time.

Thea tried to cling to Technoblade in a sad attempt to keep him close, but she had to let go of him. It was his time.

Technoblade gave one last smile to her and then grinned. “If I had another 100 lives, I think I would choose to be Technoblade again every single time, as those were the happiest years of my life."

Thea let out a sad, pathetic laugh as he saluted to her and snapped his cape before walking towards Phil.

She could only watch as Phil reach up to Technoblade and Thea adverted her eyes to allow them privacy that they were entitled to as they were brothers forged by blood and war, friends that relied on each other.

Then Technoblade boarded the ship with Phil at the helm. She watched him go as they sailed through the sea to the island, about to cross the rainbow bridge.

Thea summoned all the strength she had in her body and spirit.

“TECHNOBLADE NEVER DIES! LONG LIVE THE KING! BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!”

Technoblade turned to her one last time, gave a grin before he took one final breath to yell, “SO LONG NERDS! SUBSCRIBE TO TECHNOBLADE!!” before he disappeared.

Despite all odds, Thea felt the laugh push out of her and she could hear him laugh too.

When he was gone, Thea stood there for a few more minutes before she  felt the smile on her face wobble, before downturning into a frown. Then she broke down. Her throat and lungs burned as she let out cry after cry, her tears burning with tears as despair and loss racked her body. She stayed strong for him so he could rest easy. Content.

She made a promise with her pen and sword that she could continue honouring Technoblade; by supporting his friends, continuing his ideals....

For Technoblade. For Phil, Tommy, Wilbur-

For everyone.

Afterall, Technoblade never dies.

Now Thea would wait for him, the Blood God, as he ascended to Heaven to take on the Kingdom of God.

Chapter Text

It had been a while.

The void and darkness welcomed her as always, cradling her like a wrapped baby. She was warm, content, unassuming of the world outside.

It had been tough these days.

There was a sense of peace but the peace didn’t last. The wheels in the cogs of time continued to turn, ringing every hour; signaling a new event. A new dawn. A new strive.

There were times that Thea didn’t feel like waking up from the void because every time, there was a new conflict, a new pressuring stress that weighed her consciousness and soul. It made her weary.

Her handful of respite of peace was held preciously to her soul but even then, it waned.

Especially after Techno.

It hurt.

It hurt a lot.

She didn’t want to wake up from the darkness but dawn would always rise…one way or another.

Normally it would be a dragging lull of consciousness, forcing herself to rise out of the darkness to wake up.

She had to. She made a promise to him-

No.

She swore to Technoblade that she would wake up from the darkness. Watch dawn rise from the skyline and watch the lingering stars in the dark sky be covered by the rising sun. And that she would watch Phil’s back in his place.

Until they saw each other once more.

Thus began her version of Sisyphus’s punishment. She would drag herself to wake up, her tired eyes watching the sun rise; watching the light clear away the darkness in the sky and paint that brief moment of white sky into oranges, pinks, purples, before to its iconic blue. Then she would wake up the crow in his nest, to make sure he got out of bed, eat, and live. Then when night approached, they would sleep, and it would start all over again.

But this time, something was different.

It had been the last few times.

She felt ill yet she felt overall fine. It was that feeling she had. A deep ache in her bones, that made her feel like lead. Her mind covered in a fog that reminded her the aftermath of adrenaline after destruction.

The air was growing more statically, making her more on edge and more weary. And she felt little solace in the darkness these days. The latest trips to the darkness became more and more harsh, hearing the voices in the wide void becoming more and more rouse; harder to filter out what was coherent and pure noise.

Phil even insisting that they sleep in a large nest together in some form of comfort. She took on that offer a few times but as days grew, more strife was caused, the more wearier she became.

In some days, she was even fighting off sleep as opposed her body being naturally awake.

Today was different.

The void and darkness welcomed her as always, cradling her like a wrapped baby. She was warm, content, unassuming of the world outside. That had not changed.

But was different was the voices were more agitated. Panicking-

Almost irritable. Like you were on the cusp between sleeping and waking up but you wanted to stay asleep but something was provoking you to wake up-

In the middle of cacophony of the voices in the darkness, there was a singular voice that her ears were picking out. It was familiar, something dear but what-

“Wake up….”

“You have to wake up-“

“You have to get out-“

“Get out-“

“GET UP!”

She woke up with a start, heart hammering against her chest. Sweat clinging to her skin with her Rapunzel like hair sticking like wet seaweed. The air was rancid and slowly growing hotter, more harsh-

She heard fabric ripping as her consciousness picked out that she had ripped her own blankets and quilts. She looked with wide, dilated eyes and noticed her hand had turned into a claw, her forming shifting into her Enderman but not Endermen trait-

She looked at her hand like it was foreign, before stumbling out of her pink bed in her little room in her home in the side of the mountain. She looked at herself in the mirror before noticing her form was definitely shifting. Her eyes looked in the mirror and out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a flickering form.

She widened her eyes to stare at the form and the shape was familiar. She snapped her head behind her to look at Her but she wasn’t there-

Confusion filled her and it swirled in her chest, making it heavy. She stared at that spot, her hand absently mindedly petting her wolves that whined at her as the light peeked through the windows and into her home.

Deciding she needed to get her routine going, she went through one by one. The growing dread in her getting heavier-

“It’s not safe-“

She heard a whisper pass her ear like a wind blowing past her, jolting her. She turned to no one there but there was a form. A flickering form, one she knew too well when death came upon her and greeted her in the darkness-

A large woman with flowing brown hair, with a peek of white hair. A purple gown accompanied with a large hat and veil that covered her face from those uninvited. Wither roses accompanying her aesthetic-

Her form flickered and Thea widened her eyes as those familiar hands gripped her shoulder, her voice echoing in her mind-

“You have to get out!”

Thea gasped and took a few stumbling step backs. Cups and things were knocked to the floor, crashing down. Her heartbeat stammered as her breath quickened.

‘It’s the end!’

‘No!’

‘Oh my god, Tommy, Tubbo-‘

The voices begun to assault her mind as she cried, her head hurting. Images flashed her mind and as she watched, dread, despair, and pain filled her-

She let out a cry as she widened her eyes, tears filling. The Nukes.

The god damn Nukes-

Thea looked outside and while the blue sky was unassuming, she could notice the difference. Her eyes as an artist could see it-

“Oh gods-“ she said before scrambling. Her hands grabbed whatever she could, stuffing what she could in her inventory and hands, before flying out of her cave.

The cold air assaulted her senses next but she didn’t care, she couldn’t care about that-

She had to find Phil-

Green and Pink dotted her vision as she zoomed on it, falling into a roll from a rough landing in the snow.

There was a squawk and a scream from Phil and Niki as they saw Thea fall into the snow just mere feet from them.

“Thea?!” they yelled before rushing over. Thea pushed herself out from the snow, shaking like a newborn fawn as Phil jumped over the railing to grasp at his ward. Frantic hands reached out to him and when his hands grabbed hers, the questioning words in his throat died as he saw the terror and despair in Thea’s eyes.

“Phil.. Phil, oh shit, oh gods, frick, there’s nothing…we-“ Thea tried to rasp out, the beginning tales of hyperventilation. 

“Thea, Thea, mate, what are you-“ he tried to ask.

Niki reached them and Thea’s hand grasped her too, in a deathly hold. He saw her shaking, tremoring in fear and his wings began to puff out in instinct.

“Phil, Niki, things are going to shit and it’s fuckin Armageddon-“ she stammered out, voice changing, decaying and warbling in effect. Phil and Niki widened their eyes.

“Whoa whoa mate, calm down-“said Phil, slightly nerved that Thea was swearing out of character-

There was a boom, then a hissing out accompanied with the sound of cracking, like the cracks in the ice growing exponentially faster-

Phil hitched a breath as he felt himself growing stronger and more centered while Thea took in a deep gasp as she felt herself wobble; her hands morphing to her claws, gripping their arms and threatening to rip and tear their sleeves. Niki looked between the two of them in confusion and worry before fear.

“What…What was that? You…you heard that right?” asked Niki as Phil looked around.

“You heard that too?” questioned Phil, his heart thumping against his chest. His wings puffed up, with the feathers fluttering slightly as they tremble with anxiety.

Niki begun to stammer, trying to gather her words as she tried to calm down her own heart. “-I heard that too, you’re not crazy too. I did hear that this time. What was that?”

Phil begun to look towards the forest as the enchanted forest groaned and trembled, the darkness beyond the horizon growing. “Where did it come from-“

Thea heard the whispers and turned behind her, right where Ranboo used to live and-

“Phil? Phiillll?” she said, her words growing more anxious and surprised, “Philll, you might want to see this!”

Phil turned to her and then his eyes seemed to glitch for a moment, before landing onto what Thea was talking about. He gasped in disbelief while Niki gasped in surprise.

“Phil? There’s a woman-“

Light brightened up onto Phil’s face, his heart now thumping for a different reason. “Oh my god, it’s-“ he let out a squawk, “It’s Kristin!! Thea, it’s Kritistin!!!” he said, shaking her up.

“I can see thaaaaaaaaat-“ she said but her words went to screaming as he shook her before dumping her. His wings spread up and jumped off the walkway, gliding down towards Kristin, who was making her way towards them, gliding almost over the snow.

Phil dropped to the ground, sending powders of snow into the air, his arms wrapping around his wife. They shared a laugh as they hugged, Phil holding her tight in his arms as he physically could, before he lifted her up and twirled her around. Wings were flapping in excitement as more laughter rung in the air.

When they finally stopped, Phil kissed his wife, pressing his forehead to hers as they stared into each other’s eyes. There was a silent moment as he spoke, his hands cupping her cheeks while Kristin smiled, placing her own onto his.

“Are you here? Are you really here?” he said, his eyes looking all over, searing her form into his memories.

“Yes, my love, I’m here” she smiled. She tilted her head to the side and smiled at Thea, as Phil turned to her as well. “Right Thea?”

“Uh, yeah” said Thea dumbly as she stared at Kristin in disbelief. Her eyes blinking repeatedly, “Yeah, oh shit, you’re really here! Oh wow, this is really happening. Huh, man, it’s really weird to see you here and not like…when I’m in the darkness or when I was ‘dead’” she said.

“Oh yeah, I am much smaller here” said Kristin at the same time Phil had processed her words and yelled, “WAIT WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHEN YOU DIED?!”

Thea and Kristin turned to Phil with a face of disbelief and one with amusement, “Phil, I literally had death and near death encounters-“ as Kristin cooed, patting her husband’s cheek. “Oh Honey~”

“Um”

Everyone turned to Niki who was standing off to the side awkwardly, and not wanting to interrupt their moment together. She jumped at all the eyes looking at her as she waved meekly.

“Uh, Hi.”

“Oh hi Niki! Big fan!” Kristin greeted excitedly, her hands grabbing Niki’s in excitement.”

“Wait…how do you know my name-“ asked Niki.

 “Sorry about the sudden intrusion but I really had no time to warn you all but uh yeah, I know lots of things, I watch over this world and many others, comes with my domain.”

Phil wrapped his arm around his wife and smiled sweetly, very eager to introduce his wife to Niki. “So Niki, this is Kristin, the goddess of Death and-“ Phil chuckled, giddy with excitement.

Thea whispered to one of the crows resting on her shoulders and said “Simp” amusingly as the crow nodded.

“I go by lots of names but that’s one of them” said Kristin.

“Wait, that’s so cool!” said Niki.

“We met a long time ago but she can’t, usually come here by herself, I mean-“ started Phil, but his words drifted off as realization hit him. He turned to his wife, as Kristin smiled sadly at him, her hand placing itself on his own hand. “wait, why are you here? You-“

Kristin’s face turned remorseful as she spoke. Thea remembered as her breath hitched.

“I’m sorry, it took everything I had but I made it” said Kristin, “I’m sorry to meet you under these circumstances but we don’t have much time. Something urgent is happening and I need to get you guys out of here.”

“Okay what-“

“Wait, what do you mean?”

“Tommy and Tubbo went to confront Dream and Punz” told Thea as Niki and Phil’s head snapped towards her in shock.

“What…? H-How do you know this-“ started Phil, “What do you mean-“

Thea took a shaky breath, her physical form trembling and it was taking all her energy not to shift. “The voices, I can’t- there’s not enough time and I don’t know the exact events,” her throat choked up as she let out a warble as she buried her face into her hands.

Niki placed her hand on Thea’s shoulder, soothing her back with the other as Thea regained her breaths, looking at Niki and Phil.

“…It…Dream and Punz were going to use the Revival book to kill everyone and bring everyone back as many times as they wanted until we fit their status quo and, Tommy and Tubbo…they got caught up in it. Tommy went to confront Dream and Punz alone while Tubbo went to prepare the Nukes…but…Jack-“

“Wait, Jack? Why…Oh no. Oh no no no,” started Niki, horror covering her face as she realized. “He didn’t…I thought he gave up on it-“

Thea bit her lip and she nodded. “Tubbo set the nukes up to hit the prison where Dream and Punz are but…Jack messed with it. He thought he had it planned but Tubbo had it set up differently…now the Nukes aren’t going to target the prison…they’re going to hit the entire server.”

Niki let out a gasp and a scream, but it got off as she cried. Phil stared at Thea as the crows swarmed around them, cawing. He could feel the deaths happening and he-

Kristin made a difficult face, as she nodded. “It’s coming soon, and I need to get you guys out of here but I’m not sure I can protect you all.”

“I…Kristin, how can you-“ started Phil as Kristin squeezed her husband’s hand.

“I have a plan, but I need to get you guys to the nearest end portal, like right now. I need you to take me there” said Kristin.

“What’s that-“ questioned Phil as confusion hit. Niki looked at Phil confused and Thea looked at them in confusion.

“How the fuck do you not know what an End portal is? Phil- Ohhhhh right, FUCK!” yelled Thea, throwing her head back and her hands gripping her hair in frustration. “FUCK YOU DREAMXD!”

“Wait what-“

“No time, funky god shenanigans. You guys signed a waiver, I didn’t, so you don’t remember but I do-“ started Thea before turning to Kristin, “We have one, and you’re not going to like what your husband and Techno did to it” she started.

“Wait what do you mean?”

“They turned into a table” explained Thea.

“OHHHHH That!!!!” said Phil, “That?” he said then next in confusion.

“You turned it into a table?!” shrieked Kristin.

“It looks really cool-“told Niki, smiling.

“You made the End Portal, a gateway into another realm, a table?!” question Kristin in utter disbelief.

“Uh,….yeah! It’s pretty cool, we didn’t know-“ defended Phil, wings flapping in worry as he felt his wife’s fury emitting from her. Both husband and wife spoke over each other, words overlapping which was amusing to listen to the point she almost forgot the Armageddon happening.

“Anyway, it’s not too far!” said Phil, realizing he was in hot dog water.

“Okay, okay, I have to get some things. They’re pretty important to opening the portal, I’ll be right back” said Kristin, going to Techno’s cabin. Everyone looked at each other before following as Thea turned to the skies in worry. She saw the sky subtly and gradually changing-

Thea let out a squawk as Phil grabbed her collar, dragging her into Techno’s house and pulled her up to his loft as they were all gathered around the bell. Phil looked at the bell and smiled sadly, and looked at them all.

“One last time?”

Niki and Thea looked at him, then each other, and smiled back at Phil. “Yeah.”

Phil grinned as he raised his fist and looked at the girls. They held up their fists, pulling back their sleeves and grinned.

“I…2…3….SUBSCRIBE TO TECHNOBLADE!!!!” Phil yelled and the girls followed, all ringing the bell, yelling the same iconic phrase.

They all rang the bell one more time before they joined Kristin as she announced she had everything ready. Thea trailed behind and stopped, looking around the cabin. She looked at Edward who nodded as he warbled to her.

She smiled sadly and warbled back to him, before looking at Techno’s house. Tears burned at her eyes as she forced out her words, refusing to get choked up.

“Goodbye Technoblade…I’ll see you again, King.”

She heard the others call to her and she followed. They gathered around the secret entrance and Thea jumped into it. They begun to make their way through the tunnels to get to the Syndicate Meeting Room.

As the hidden wall disappeared, with the pistons working in tandem, they faced the Syndicate Meeting Room.

“I don’t know what a table has to do with this I’ll be honest” said Phil as he led them all in. “It’s just a table.”

Kristin hummed and held out her hand, “Phil, gimme your axe.”

“Yeah, alright-“ said Phil as he handed his axe to her to which she promptly begun to use to get rid of the wood in the middle.

Phil let out a cry of despair but let his wife do her work. Thea ran her fingers over the plaques of everyone’s chairs, lingering over Ranboo’s and Technoblade’s. Her eyes softened and misty-eyed but Niki got her attention before she could slip down into another spiral.

“Uh guys? Is that Connor?”

Thea looked and her eyes bugged out at seeing Connor, who was hanging around with Rosie.

“Oh my god it is,” said Phil, “Connor?” he called out.

“Oh hello you guys” he greeted, “I’m…a ghost now. I died and I’m here now. And Rosie and I are friends now. I think we’re spiritually bound now or something. A god did something between us or something. I don’t know what the deal is-”                                     

“Wait, when did you die-“ started Thea, but stopped, not wanting to get into it now.

“God is real in DSMP?” asked Phil, laughing.

“Phil, I literally fought God and survived” said Thea, reminding him.

“OH WAIT-“ yelled Phil, remembering that was a conversation they didn’t manage to ask about.

“Alright you guys, we don’t have time so we need to go through” said Kristin as she begun to put the pearls in. “I’m opening the portal.” With each pearl, a musical note played until the last one as it went BOOM.

The entire server shook with the activation of the End Portal.

Fears and memories hit Thea all at the same time, realizing what’s happening.

“It’s okay everyone, she’s a friend of mine’s” reassured Kristin.

“That sounds like it’s going to eat us” noted Connor.

“It’s fine, trust me on this.”

“If Kristin says it’s fine, it’s fine you guys” reassured Phil.

“Guys, I don’t know how much time we have left, so we gotta go into the portal quickly now.” Kristin urged.

“Can I...uh bring Rosie with me?” asked Connor.

“Definitely, just make sure she stays close” advised Kristin.

“Yeah, definitely would not like her to get eaten. Would be very unfortunate and depressing.”

“Wait, wait, what about Ranboo? What about Michael?” asked Phil.

“Don’t worry about them. I made sure they were safe before I got here. They’re fine.” reassured Kristin.                                  

Thea took a step back and pressed herself against her chair, and clung to it. Her breath hyperventilating.  The others weren’t aware of her state as Phil turned to Connor to ask if he wanted to go first. Thea watched painfully as Connor and Rosie walk to the Portal and step forward into it, disappearing into it.

“Niki? Thea-“ said Phil, before his eyes saw Thea, pressing herself into the chair, curled up in a ball in it. “Thea? Mate? What’s wrong-“

Thea’s breath hyperventilated as she remembered the End. She didn’t mind going back into the void and darkness, but the End? She couldn’t. No, not again, she couldn’t-

“Thea?”

She let out a cry and turned to the voice, growling. Her pink eyes taken over with the glow of her enderian trait, with glowing tears streaking down her ashen face.

“Whoa, whoa, Thea, calm down, it’s me!” said Phil, hands and wings up. “What’s wrong-“

There was a flinch, a blink, and her eyes turned back to normal as they could be but they were still glowing faintly. “Phil..I-I can’t. I’m not going” she stuttered, her voice hiccupping while shaking at the same time.

“Thea…why-“ he tried to ask but Thea let out a cry, her clawed hand grasping at her head and hair, her breathing hyperventilating.

“Phil, I can’t. Not again. The End Portal… it goes to the End realm….where…where we first met…the same realm I couldn’t die and leave….”

Phil could hear Niki gasp in the background while his wings dropped immediately with his face turning sympathetic. Kristin’s face became understanding and eyes became downcast, hiding behind the shadows of her large veiled hat.

“Oh Thea” said Niki softly, her hands dropping from her mouth.

“Thea,” cooed out Phil, his voice soft and unwavering. He moved forwards slowly, his arms open invitingly. “It’ll be alright. You’re not going to be alone anymore; we’re all going together. Whatever happens, we’re in it together.”

Thea whimpered, her nose sniffling as the tears tracks seemed to stain her skin. “But I’m scared Phil.”

“I’m scared too” acknowledged Phil, “But we’ll be scared together, yeah?”

Thea stared at him and nodded, wrapping her arms around herself before shuffling into Phil’s arms. He hugged her, arms and wings secured around her. Kristin walked up forwards to hug Thea and sighed, patting her head.

“I can promise you Thea that things will work out and it won’t be like last time. The End realm belongs to a friend of mine’s that you can trust” reassured the goddess of death.

Thea sniffled and nodded. “I believe you Kristin” she replied hoarsely.

Niki walked up to the trio as they separated as the pink haired girl smiled softly. She hugged Thea and kept a hand on her shoulder as a form of reassurance, grounding her. “Do you wanna step in together?”

Thea rubbed at her eyes, sniffling. “You…you’ll do that?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Okay” replied Thea meekly.

Niki nodded as they both walked up to the edge of the End portal. They stood side by side and hand in hand. Thea gripped Niki’s hand and Niki gripped her’s. There was a small tremor from both of them that was both reassuring and daunting. Thea stared down at the space-like void of the portal and her eyes flickered up at Phil and Kristin.

“I guess, we’ll see you on the other side” she said, her voice giving out an attempt faux optimism.

Phil and Kristin smiled at them both. “We’ll see you on the other side” said Phil, giving them his best reassuring smile.

Niki and Thea nodded as they took a deep breath, lifted their leg up and fell forwards. The sound of the portal erupted in their eyes as the world around them went dark. Thea felt a strong wave of de ja vu hit her as her hand gripped Niki’s tightly. Her body was both perpetually still yet in-motion.

Then in a blink of a moment, everything stopped still before everything came to them. Thea felt Niki let out a gasp and a groan before she felt her lean against her taller frame. The enderman-but-not-endermen kept her posture to let her friend rest against her.

A beat, then another, before Niki let out another gasp as she tugged at Thea’s hand. “Thea…look”

Realizing she had her eyes closed the entire time, Thea had a moment of anxiety hit her at the thought of opening her eyes; seeing the end realm once more.

There was a squeeze of her hand, a deep breath and Thea opened her eyes and white light flooded her vision.  Her entire being was thrown off and then a hand grabbed her arm, helping her up. Thea looked before disbelief filled her at what was in front of her. No words came out as first and as if a century had passed, she finally spoke with lips both curling into a smile and wobbling to cry.

“Technoblade?”