Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I walked around the palace, watching as servants did their day to day jobs. I never really paid attention to them, what was the need? They would do their work, and I would do mine. Which really only consisted of making sure no one was dead.

I continued watching and walking, before heading to the dining room to revive my lunch. I sat down in one of the large chairs, wondering what was taking the staff so long to bring the food.
Instead of seeing my chef walk in I saw some random Enderman.

“What brings you to my presence?” I stood up, getting annoyed about the late lunch. “I am very sorry Prince Ranboo, I only bring news from The Ender Dragon.” The Enderman bowed, holding out a letter.

I walked over and snatched it from their hand. “Now get out of here and go find where my meal is,” I muttered. They immediately walked off.

I sat back down and unrolled the letter, “what does father have to tell me now” I grumbled before reading. The letter read;
‘My dearest Ranboo, as you know you are turning 100 tomorrow. So this evening I have decided to hold a ball to celebrate your birth, and I ask that you attend. From your ruler -The Ender Dragon’

I sighed, even though the ender dragon was my father, it still referred to itself as ‘Your Ruler, The Ender Dragon’ when talking to any of its children.
I might be self centred myself, but not so much to talk to my loved ones like they were servants.
Not that I had any loved ones.

I had never met my other siblings and no one really wanted to be friends with a self centred prince. The only other person I talked to was Lana. Some weird and sassy enderman that The Ender Dragon had paid to be my friend. But she was definitely not a good friend.

I read the letter again and smiled, none of my siblings had gotten parties to celebrate their birth. I placed it back on the table and walked out of the dining room, forgetting about lunch.

—

I walked around outside, bored while waiting for the guests to start arriving.

I had planned to look around for any interesting hiding places, but my plan was spoiled when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned my head and groaned at the sight of Lana.

“Must you be following me now?” I turned to face her, Lana smirked and gave her answer, “I figure you would know by now that you can’t escape my company, I’m being paid after all.” I turned away and started walking again, closely followed by Lana.

I decided to start talking to her, to avoid awkward silence, “have you been invited to tonight’s ball?” “Ugh, I wish I wasn’t, but I have to go and keep you company. I don’t even know why you need an entire ball” Lana grumbled.

“Well, first of all, I’m royal! Second of all, I’ve lived 100 years, what’s wrong with celebrating 100 years of life?” I stated, slightly offended, but not surprised.

“Well, I’ve lived 20 years and I’ve never gotten a ball, double standards” Lana muttered and teleported a few meters away.
I smirked and held my hand up and formed a pearl in it and threw it next to Lana. I disappeared and reappeared next to her as it landed.

“You think you’re so special being able to teleport, ‘look at me, I’m an Enderian, I can make pearls and throw them’” Lana mimicked me.

“I don’t know how you think you’re getting away with talking about Enderian’s like that” I rolled my eyes and threw another pearl a few meters away. “Hey! Wait up!” Lana called and teleported over.

I laughed and kept throwing pearls further away, eventually Lana would have to get tired. I was right, after a minute or so, Lana slowed down and didn’t keep up.
“Fine, you win this one Ranboo! But you better be at the ball tonight, otherwise I’m fired!” Lana called panting.

“How many times do I have to tell you, it’s ‘Prince’ Ranboo” I called before throwing another pearl and disappearing from sight.

I walked around for a bit, keeping in mind what time it was.
It was quiet out and I was relaxed from not being around anyone.

I didn’t actually expect to find anything interesting, but then I stumbled across a hole in the ground, at the edge of the island.
I had never seen it before and walked in slowly, finding it was a tunnel.

I held up a pearl, using it’s dim light to stop complete darkness. I walked for what felt like an hour, but in reality it was only a minute or so before the tunnel opened up into a cave.

The walls were the same sandy stone as the ground but the thing that caught my eye was what occupied the middle of the room. It was some sort of pool, with strange emerald walls.
The edging was decorated with weird crystal eyes surrounded by small gemstones.

But really, the more interesting thing about this pool was the water. It looked like the sky had been poured into it. Stars floated around and the water was the same deep blue-black as the sky outside.

All I could think was that it was beautiful and mysterious. Before I could do anything I heard a ringing in my ears, it was the calling whistle.

The calling whistle was a whistle forged from the ashes of dead Enderian’s, yes, it’s really morbid. The whistle was able to be heard no matter where you were, it worked as a way of calling people to the castle.

So I took one last look at the pool before covering my ears and running out of the cave.

—

I looked in my mirror, wondering if I look presentable enough. I saw Lana sitting on a chair just behind me, fiddling with something off of my desk.

I saw her reach for one of my journals and spun around to snatch it off of her. “That’s mine, not yours.” I rushed, simply putting the book back.

It had ‘do not read’ written in large letters on the cover and I cringed remembering the contents. I sighed and turned back to the mirror.

“Do you think the makeup is too much?” I asked, squinting my eyes looking from different angles.

“The make up is fine, it’s your earrings man. You’ve got, like, 50!” Lana stood behind me, also looking in the mirror. I rolled my eyes and finished clipping my earrings.

“What are you wearing? You should be dressed by now” I commented and looked at what Lana was wearing. “Hey! Not all of us can afford fancy gowns and robes” She hissed walking away.

I felt mildly bad for not realising she didn’t have access to the same clothes I did, but it passed immediately.

—

I could hear music from down in the courtyard, but I still sat in my room, holding the ‘do not read’ book in my hands. I carefully flicked the pages over, re-reading words that I had forgotten about.

The whole point of the book was to stop forgetting, but I’d given up. If my brain chose to forget something I figured it wasn’t important.

So when I couldn’t remember what I had gotten up to this evening, I shrugged it off.

The words on the pages grew into panic, I felt the emotions rising in me again. The fear, the worry, the pain.
Before it could take control over me, I heard a knock at my door.

“Prince Ranboo, your mother expects you.” I took a deep breath, pushing the emotions back down.
“I’ll- I’ll be down soon” I called back, voice cracking a bit. I
heard the servant leave and let out the breath.

I walked back over to my mirror, which I definitely spent too long standing in front of. The longer I looked in the mirror the worse it got, at times I couldn’t even look without sending myself into panic.

I tried to avoid making eye contact with my reflection while checking my makeup. I opened the small box that sat on the table collecting dust.

I hadn’t needed to open it for 50 years. I delicately picked up the contents and stared at it before looking into the mirror, making the mistake of eye contact.

The contents of the box was a crown. I placed it on my head, around my horns.

Then I stared at my face, every small detail. Every strand of hair, the small speckles on the tips of my ears. My hands fell to grab the edge of the table, the panic arising again.

There would be so many people out there tonight, all wondering what their prince looked like, they would scan his face, see him for what he dressed as.

I quickly closed my eyes and turned away from the mirror. “Stop thinking like that” I muttered, gripping my wrist.
I hid the feelings again, pinching myself to bring back the normal me, or the face I put on for the people.

I quickly fixed my hair without looking at the mirror and grabbed my cloak from where it hung on my chair before walking out.

—

I stood on the balcony, looking over all the guests. There were more people than I expected, but I still took a deep breath and walked down.

I looked around for Lana, but before I found her I was met with a sight I did not expect. I saw 18 other Enderian’s. “You- you guys are here?!” I exclaimed looking at my siblings.

None of them seemed to be happy to be there, apart from one of them who walked over and held out their hand.

“Prince Ranboo, I am Royal Turath of the Rainbow Crystal Biome” I placed my hand in theirs expect to shake it, but I was mistaken and pulled into a bear hug.

I patted Turath’s back lightly, confused. “I’m sorry my brother, I was just delighted to find out I got to meet you.” Turath smiled and pulled away from the hug.

I fixed my crown, releasing none of my siblings had crowns themselves. “I uh-, I’m glad to meet you as well sibling” I muttered thinking of an excuse to walk away.
But, to my luck xe walked away. “Rude” I muttered before walking away myself, not wanting to talk to my siblings.

I decided to look for Lana, but she was nowhere to be found. She was probably flirting with some unlucky guy. I looked around, figuring I should ‘mingle.’

I scanned the crowd, wondering who I should please with my presence. Then I saw someone strange.

It wasn’t their appearance that was strange, or the fact that they were standing on the edge of the crowd talking to no one. But it was the fact that my eyes had been drawn to them, like a magnet.

I briskly walked over, pushing past people who bowed or held their hand out to touch me. I kept walking till I stood behind the stranger, they turned around and faced me.
I said nothing but held my hand out, asking to dance. The stranger was hesitant, as to be expected, but eventually put their hand in mine.

(Imagine BANG! By AJR is playing)

The music was strange, something I’d never heard before, but I didn’t really focus on the music. I hadn’t danced in a while and needed to remember foot movements.

I looked down at my feet gliding along the floor, but then my eye was drawn to something glinting on the stranger's leg. I quickly pulled away when I realised what I saw. There was a holster on the stranger's leg holding a knife.

I was about to call the guards but I was pushed back onto a wall, with the stranger holding a knife to my neck. But then suddenly, the stranger was pulled back and hit the floor on time with the song saying ‘bang, bang, bang’

I looked at who had pulled the attacker off as I gripped my neck, grateful for it being in one piece. Then I was shocked again when I saw Lana, holding down my attacker.

I quickly scanned the courtyard and realised it was now a battlefield. Other creatures similar to my attacker jumped at guests and guards, I looked back at Lana, unsure of what to do.

“Run you stupid brat!” She yelled, punching the stranger in the face to knock them out.
I didn’t think twice as I ran out the courtyard and away from the palace.

—

The music got quieter and quieter. I slowly stopped running and took a deep breath, but I felt unsafe standing in the open. I threw some pearls without thinking about where I was going.

I ended up at a cave entrance. Then my memories slowly came back to me.
I had found this cave this afternoon, but why did I forget it? I quickly rushed in, walking in the dark tunnel. It wasn’t till I reached the end did I realise why this was a stupid idea.

Not only was it a dead end, but there was a pool of water. Water that could easily be splashed by anything. Water that threatened to burn me the second it landed on my skin.

I panicked, not knowing what to do, when I heard footsteps coming from the tunnel. I quickly held a pearl, getting ready to try and pearl away when I saw one of my many siblings walk in.

“Ranboo! I hoped to find you here. I’m Echo (ee-co)” The Enderian gasped for air, obviously having run a long way. I threw the pearl at my feet, only causing me to flicker.

“Now we’re both going to die,” I sighed. Echo glared at me, obviously not liking the tone I used. “Ranboo, I need you to go into the pool ok?” Echo started explaining some sort of plan.

“Are you trying to kill me!? That’s water you know!” I hissed at the idiot. “Ranboo, please believe me ok. The water won’t burn you, I’m only trying to help you” Echo tried to gain my trust.

“What about you?” I muttered. “I’ll hold the attackers off, as far as they know, that’s only a pool, they won’t be able to follow you.” Echo started rushing as the sound of footsteps were starting to be heard.

“What? What do you mean?” I asked for an explanation, but never got one. “Get in the pool ok! Quickly!” Echo yelled.
I walked over to the edge of the pool and stood on the strange walls. I gulped, knowing If echo was wrong, this would be my death.

“RANBOO GO!” Echo screamed as the sound of attackers echoed around the cave. I closed my eyes and jumped into the starry water.

—

Chapter Text

I blinked my eyes open, I felt weird and my head pounded. I tried to remember what just happened and quickly scanned my surroundings.

Echo was gone, so was the sandy cave. I stood on strange stone stairs and behind me was the pool. I jumped down the stairs and ran out of the room I was in.

I looked at where I was. This wasn’t the cave anymore, this didn’t even look like The End anymore. I ran back to the pool that was, instead of on the floor, floating.

I looked into the starry water and groaned, it must have been some sort of portal.

Out of anger I kicked the side of the weird decorative wall, but as I did one of the crystal eyes cracked and the starry water fell away.

“What the- oh no, no no no no no!” I quickly panicked, realising I just ruined my way back.

Maybe I was over thinking, I could just be in a different part of the end, a different biome.

I walked out of the pool room and started walking down hallways carved out of the strange stone. I noticed that the doorways were unnaturally short for a place built for Enderian’s. I had to crouch to walk under them.

There were dead ends, stairways that lead to the roof, and random rooms with no use. I didn’t think I would ever get out.

But then I saw a light coming from the roof, I ran over and saw a hole, it led all the way to the surface. I hadn’t realised I was underground, but also couldn’t care less.

Without thinking I threw a pearl up and teleported to the surface. I sighed, thinking I would be able to find my way back now, but then my eyes adjusted.

I definitely wasn’t in the end anymore, there were trees with light green leaves and the ground was soft and green.
I felt air blowing against me and looked around for the source, but found none.

I was so confused, I started running, with no direction, just running. I ended up breaking away from the strange trees and into an open field. It was covered in the soft green ground, with mountains and what looked like houses.

I looked up to the sky and saw a floating island with water pouring down from it. I started panicking again, where was I? Was I dreaming?

Then it hit me. Not an idea. Or a realisation. But a someone.
Someone ran into my side, pushing me to the ground. “What the-“ I muttered before a hand was pushed against my face. “Who are you?! Have you come to attack us!? Are you with the hunters!?”

A flurry of questions were thrown at me from the person pinning me down. I pushed the hand off my face after getting my hand free.

“I’m not here to hurt you idiot! I don’t even know where I am!” I tried pushing the stranger off, but they didn’t budge.

“Tommy! What are you doing!” Another voice called, I saw someone run over, although my vision was foggy as my face was pressed back into the ground.

“I found a spy, here to attack us!” The person pinning me, Tommy, explained to the new person. “Well, they’re obviously not with the hunters, I mean look, their an Origin!” The other explained. Tommy mumbled something I couldn’t quite make out, but got off me.

I quickly stood up, brushing off my cloak. I looked at the two people that had ambushed me.

The first one, Tommy, had curly blond hair with feathery ears, then I noticed his small wings.

The other, who I didn’t know the name of, had short fluffy brown hair and also had wings, but they were more the wings of a dragonfly.
The only thing the two had in common was that they were both very short compared to me.

“Hello new person, who are you?” The one with short brown hair asked calmly.

“I already asked him, he wouldn’t tell, first sign of being a spy!” Tommy gave a strange look that was probably meant to be intimidating.

“Probably because you tackled them!” The brunette hissed. “Sorry about Tommy, he can be quite aggressive. I’m Tubbo, by the way” Tubbo greeted me again.
I felt as if I shouldn’t tell them who I was but gave in at Tubbo’s warm smile.

“Hello… Tubbo… I’m Prince Ranboo of The End” I said, fixing my crown again. “Hah, very funny. There isn’t any royalty here other than King Philza! And ‘The End’ isn’t even a real place!” Tommy shouted accusations.

I held back from punching Tommy as he tried to tell me I was wrong. “I’m not from here! I don’t know how I got here, or why! Ok? I’m not a spy for these ‘hunters’ of yours!” I yelled, getting annoyed.

I turned to Tubbo again.

“What did you mean by ‘I’m an Origin?” I asked, trying to calm down. “Well, you are, aren't you? You’re a- uhh, star borne?” Tubbo thought.

“Star borne!? No, not at all!” I had heard little about Star borne’s, only that they were very overpowered and hated everyone, even their own kind.

“I’m an Enderian, son of the Ender Dragon” I explained, slightly offended. “What! Really!? I’ve only ever heard stories of Enderians! I didn’t know they were real!”
Tubbo’s eyes shone as he walked around me. “Well, he’s obviously lying!” Tommy shouted whilst also walking around me.

“But look, he’s got horns, he has purple skin, hair that looks like the night sky… Hah, he’s even got a tail!”
Tubbo said lightly touching my tail. I immediately flicked my tail away and Tubbo pulled back.

“Fine, I’ll believe you ‘Prince Ranboo’ actually, I’m not even calling you prince.” Tommy grunted.

Tubbo sighed, “you should come with us, if a hunter found you… well, who knows what they would do” I didn’t really want to go with these people, but gave in and followed as Tubbo started walking away.

—

“So…” I started talking, avoiding awkward silence. “What’s with your guy’s wings?” I asked, looking at Tubbo’s glistening wings.

“Well, we’re Origins! Oh- wait, you don’t know what Origins are… well, we’re like animal-human hybrid things” Tubbo started explaining. “Human?…” I muttered

“A being with no magic whatsoever” Tubbo kept talking. “You’re an Enderian Origin, and I’m a Bumble Bee origin! Hence the bee wings!” Tubbo fluttered his wings and floated just off the ground.

“Oh, ok…” I pretended to know what a bee was to avoid some snarky comment from Tommy.

“Can- can he fly?” I pointed to Tommy.

Tubbo smirked, “I dunno, can you Tommy?” Tommy groaned. “No- I can’t, I’m an Avian… I’m half chicken…”

Finally, an animal I knew, I had read about it in books, a flightless bird. “So, you have wings that can’t do anything?” I held back laughter.
Tommy just turned away. Tubbo burst out laughing, so I didn’t feel the need to stop myself.

Tubbo was flying so that his head was at the same height as mine, I could see scales of some sort on his neck and face.

“Hey- why do you have scales?” I muttered, not thinking that that could be rude to ask.

“Oh- well, I wasn’t always a Bumble Bee. I was originally a Shulk! Which you would know, from The End!” Tubbo explained. “You’ve been to the end?!” I gasped, but Tubbo shook his head.

“No… I was born here in the Over World, which is why I couldn’t live as a Shulk. I went into a cocoon type thing a year or so ago, and turned into a bee so that I could live here” Tubbo explained, smiling, but the topic was obviously sensitive, so I left it alone.

“Anyway, enough about me, about you!” Tubbo started. I didn’t know what to say to this, I just looked at Tubbo and blinked.

“Well- what can you do?” Tubbo asked, I looked at my hand. I clenched it lightly and formed a pearl. “Wait! Really!? You can actually make ender pearls!” Tubbo gasped.

I smirked, always happy for the opportunity to show off. I threw the pearl and teleported off, I threw another to go back to them but before it landed I threw one another further away in the other direction.

I teleported back next to Tubbo, but only for a second before the other pearl landed and I teleported away again.

“Woah! Wait up!” Tubbo called flying after me.
I stopped throwing pearls and let Tubbo catch up. “That’s amazing!” Tubbo shook me by holding my shoulders.

I pulled away and Tubbo immediately stopped flying, obviously embarrassed. “Uhh, sorry” He muttered.

I didn’t know what to say, so I just gestured for him to keep leading the way. “Actually, we’re here!” Tubbo turned around.

I saw a pool of water just a few meters away, I was lucky the pearl didn’t land there. I looked around, there was nothing else.
“Look up idiot!” Tubbo said from above me.

I looked up and saw I was just under the floating island I had seen.

Tubbo started flying up and I sighed, “great, but there’s 1 flaw, I’m down here, and the island is up there” I rolled my eyes.

“Maybe think, what else do you see?” Tommy said as if he was speaking to a 5 year old. He probably didn’t know that I was about to turn 100.

“All I see is water, so please, tell me what I’m missing” I grunted. I looked down at Tommy who had a smirk on his face.
“This, you idiot.” Then he pushed me.
I started falling backwards, but quickly balanced myself. “What was that meant to be?”

But then he pushed me again, hooking his foot behind my leg, causing me to fall further back and down a ledge.

Then I remembered what lay below the ledge. Immediately my skin started burning, I was laying on my back in the cold water.

“AGH!”

I screamed in pain as I quickly tried to stand up, but only managed to roll over.

“What’s going on- RANBOO!” I heard Tubbo call, but I was getting dizzy, my arms were on fire and I couldn’t even feel my legs.

“Ranboo!” I heard a yell, but I couldn’t do anything, and passed out.

—

Chapter Text

“Tommy! What is wrong with you! You- you killed him!” I heard a faint voice yell.
“How was I supposed to know!?” “Maybe don’t go pushing people into water!” The voice cried. I tried to remember what happened before I opened my eyes.

I had fallen into water.

I should be dead.

I opened my eyes and felt my body burning. But not as much as it should have been. I lifted my head slowly. The last name I could remember saying was Tubbo, so I said it again.

“Tubbo?” I muttered out, the talking hurting my face. “R- Ranboo?” The voice from before answered. Then my vision cleared and my memory came back.

I saw the bee boy standing next to where I was laying. “OH MY GOSH, RANBOO YOU’RE ALIVE!” Tubbo yelled. “And you doubted me” a new voice spoke from behind me.

“I’m- I’m alive… but, I fell in water… I should be dead” I muttered again.

“Why does everyone doubt me, I’m not a bad doctor” the new voice spoke again, then the owner of the new voice walked into my vision.

“Hello- Ranboo? Was it? I’m Wilbur. Yes you fell into water, but I’ve healed your burns, yes you will be a little crispy, but you’ll live” Wilbur explained.

I looked around at where I was. It looked so weird, everything was the same as the tree trunks from outside. But there was a tank of water as one of the walls, and a room just off the side with flowers next to a room covered in fire.

“Where am I?” I asked slowly, standing up. “Welcome to the Pube!” Wilbur smirked.

“Pube?” I questioned the choice of name. “It’s actually pronounced ‘Pub’ the ‘e’ is silent” Tommy spoke up.

“You’re in The Over World” Tubbo voiced my fear. The pool had been a portal, I really was in The Over World.

I looked over at Wilbur and realised I could see through him. “Are you an Origin?” I asked, quite interested in the whole ‘Origins’ thing.

“Yes actually, I’m a Phantom. And if I’ve heard correctly you’re an Enderian? I’ve never actually met an Enderian” Wilbur said, inspecting me like Tubbo and Tommy did.

Finally, I felt respect and royal like I should. Then I realised I wasn’t wearing my coat or crown.

“What have you done with my crown!” I quickly scanned the room.

“Calm down, I had to take it off to cure your burns. You can’t wear it right now anyway, it’ll mess with the healing” Wilbur explained.

“Show me where it is, and my cloak! I demanded it!” I yelled, forgetting I didn’t have a royal title to excuse my rudeness.

“Actually, I don’t think I will, not when you’re speaking like that!” Wilbur hissed

I knew the right thing to do would be to apologise and ask nicely. But instead, I turned around and walked out of the ‘pube’

“Ranboo wait!” I heard Tubbo call, it was a good thing as well, otherwise I wouldn’t have stopped and I would have walked right off the edge of the floating island. “Of course the pub is on the island” I murmured.

“See, you’re not going anywhere until you’re healed, '' Wilbur smirked.

I tried to make a pearl but my hand was affected by it being burnt and I couldn’t make one. Wilbur was right, I was stuck here.

—

“-and I just fell slowly down, he hasn’t spoken to me since” Tommy finished telling his story. Tubbo laughed and Wilbur shook his head, but was smiling.

I had been listening to the 3 exchange stories to tell me what life in The Over World was like.
“
What’s it like in The End?” Tubbo asked excitedly. “Well, I’ve never left the nesting ground…” I started wondering how much I could tell these strangers.

I guess they weren’t really strangers anymore though, so I sighed and started explaining my life.

“I live in the End Palace with my servants and my friend… well, I wouldn’t call them a friend-“ I had flashes in my head of my paid friend Lana, she had saved me, but from what?

“And my dad.” I explained. “Wait- isn’t your dad ‘The Ender Dragon’?” Tommy asked, speaking to me directly the first time ever.
“Well, ya” I said, not thinking much of it, but Tommy was obviously amazed.

“I’m the Prince of the nesting ground, crown Prince to The End” I continued explaining. “So you are royalty” Wilbur murmured. “Yes, yes I am” I said, crossing my arms.

My crown and cloak still were not in my possession. “I can’t remember much though… I have horrible memory problems. The last thing I remember was being told about the ball that was being held at the palace” I sighed, I had never told anyone about my memory problems.

“What was the ball for?” Tubbo questioned, “If you remember…” he added quickly.

I smiled lightly at Tubbo, I definitely liked him most out of the three. “It was my hundredth year of life celebration,” I explained calmly.

“100 years!?” Wilbur stood up. I remembered that these 3 were half non magical, so they probably only had a life span of 70 or so years.

“Yes, it was the first time we had celebrated a birth, although we were having it the night beforehand” I smiled, thinking about what the ball was like, I wish I remembered what happened.

“Wait, that means it’s today, right? How long have you been here?” Tubbo asked curiously. “I- I got here the day before my hundredth year of life”

I answered confused. “That would make today your birthday,” Wilbur stated.

“Birthday- that’s a lot easier than saying my hundredth year of life” I tilted my head thinking.

“We should celebrate!” Tubbo stood up and walked over to me. “We haven’t had a reason to celebrate in ages, last time was Wilbur’s birthday, his 22nd”

I looked over at Wilbur, amazed he was only 22. “We don’t need to celebrate, I know I have no royal title here” I said, regretting every word, but it was the right thing to say.

“No, we’re having a party, we need some fun, King Philza’s been a pain” Wilbur cut in. I gave in, not terribly disappointed.

The 3 walked over to a cupboard and grabbed some ribbons and decorations out, I was handed a basket with more decorative items in it.

“Don’t complain, just do it” I muttered to myself and followed Tubbo’s lead in decorating the pub.

—

After a few hours of decorating, I walked over to the giant water tank. I looked at it, a little scared that it would burst open and tear through my already burnt skin.

Then I screeched as a person swam up the other side of the glass. “Someone’s in there!” I yelled.

Wilbur turned around and laughed. “Niki! Stop scaring our guests!” He called, waving at the person in the water.

“You named the fish person?” I asked, confused, watching as ‘Niki’ swam around.

“You might not want to say that, she’ll get angry” Wilbur smirked. Then Niki walked out of a special door that held the water in.

“Who’s this?” She asked, walking over. I took a step back and she tilted her head. “This is Ranboo! He’s an Enderian, so their allergic to water”

Tubbo explained coming up behind me putting his arm over my shoulders.

I flinched at first, but didn’t push him off. “Oh, well, hello Ranboo, I’m Niki. The exact opposite of you” She said smiling then quickly walked back over to her tank and got into the water.

“If she stays out of water too long her skin dries up,” Wilbur explained. “How many other ‘Origin’ people are there?” I asked, wondering how many more hybrids I would meet.

“Well, there are quite a few, but the only other one that will be here tonight is Jack, he’s also allergic to water,” Tubbo said, taking his arm off of my shoulder, going back to decorating.

—

After a bit, we had finished decorating. Wilbur said everyone did a good job, but Niki has just floated in her tank, moving pieces of coral.

“Jack should be here soon, he told us tonight he would visit” Tommy sighed sitting down.

“How old are you?” I randomly asked, Tommy gave me a weird look but responded. “I’m 18” “he’s 17” Wilbur cut in. “No! I’m very much a man, I’m 19!” Tommy defended, “you just said 18” Niki called from her tank.

Tommy murmured and turned away to go find food.
Then someone walked in.

“Damn, I was hopeful you wouldn’t show up” Wilbur groaned as this new person walked into the pub.

“Jack!” Tommy walked over and greeted who I assumed was ‘Jack’. “Jack, this is Ranboo. We’ve kidnapped him ‘because he’s an idiot and fell in water” Tommy introduced me.

“Hey, you pushed me in water-“ “you’re allergic to water?” Jack cat me off.

“Oh, yes I am. I’m an Enderian” I explained again. “Nice, I’m a blaze born, so the fire in the nether made me really sensitive” Jack sighed.

He looked up at me. “Ooh, did you fall in water, those burns look horrible” he winced. I touched my arms lightly and felt the burnt skin.

“Your friend Tommy pushed me into some water” I looked over at Tommy who held his hands up in defence.

“What’s all the decorations for?” Jack asked, turning to Wilbur. “It’s Ranboo’s hundredth birthday!” Tubbo flew in front of Wilbur to explain before he had a chance to talk.

“Oh, happy birthday man” Jack turned and smiled at me before he walked into the fire room I had seen earlier.

—

We had all eaten food together, it was weird to be eating around people, normally I ate alone or with Lana judging my every move.

We had all gotten to make fun of Tommy who ate an apple while we all had a good meal.

Tubbo had stolen all the flowers Niki had placed outside her tank and Wilbur kept going into his phantom state to scare Jack.

I had never had so much fun before. I was talking with other people, enjoying time with other people.

I especially bonded with Tubbo, he was so interested in The End and what I got up to, and he had told me everything about The Over World.
Even the fish person was nice, although we couldn’t speak unless she was on the other side of glass or about to be dehydrated.

“Oh geez, I’ve got to go. The piglins wanna do some trades and they won’t do it if I’m home late, see ya guys!” Jack said, walking back into his fire room.

“How does he expect to get anywhere in a room?” I muttered looking into the fire room, then I saw a purple door thing. Jack stepped through it and waved at me as he dissolved.

“Portal” I muttered and remembered my only way home was broken. I hadn’t told anyone how I got here, I had just said I forgot.

“Ranboo, get back here!” Tubbo called. I turned around and smiled as I saw Tubbo trying to steal the flowers that Niki had placed again.

“Tubbo! You have your own flowers!” She called but quickly went back into her tank.

I noticed he only took some of the flowers leaving every other. “Follow me Prince Ranboo,” Tubbo called laughing as Niki glared at him. Ranboo sighed, mouthing ‘sorry’ at Niki.

Tubbo led me into the flower room which I suspected was his room. Everyone had a room fit for them at the pub.

I guess Tubbo liked flowers, from what he told me bee’s liked flowers so that made sense.

“Why did you need to bring me here?” I asked, looking around the room that mimicked the outside world. “I wanted to show you something, I made it for you!”

Tubbo said going into a corner and doing something with flowers.

“Made something?” I wondered out loud. “Just give me a sec” Tubbo said, fiddling with whatever he had made.

I decided to sit down in the ‘grass’ as Tubbo had called it. It was soft and decorated by small beetles and blooms.

Then Tubbo came over and sat in front of me. Since Wilbur is hiding your crown from you, I made this!” Tubbo held out what he made.

It was a flower crown, he had used small yellow flowers for the base and red and green flowers for decoration, based on the red and green gems in my real crown.

“Tubbo! That’s awesome!” I smiled admiring the crown. Then Tubbo stood up.

“I crown thee, Prince Ranboo, of the Pube!” He said in a posh voice and placed the crown on my head.

I smiled more than I ever had in my life at The End. I finally made friends who weren’t people being paid by my father.

“Thank you Tubbo” I said, thanking someone for what I realised was the first time ever.

“For what? The crown? I figured you missed it” Tubbo smiled. “No, thank you for… being you” I sighed. “Being me?” Tubbo repeated.

“Back at The End, everyone is scared to speak around me or are too busy bowing to get to know me. The only person who speaks to me normally is rude” I replayed the thought of my servants and Lana.

“Oh, well, you’re welcome! I’m glad you’re not mean and self centred like the stories said” Tubbo laughed.

I laughed with him but cringed, knowing I was mean and self centred back at The End, but something here had changed me.

Tubbo had changed me.

I had a friend.

I liked having a friend.

I liked Tubbo.

—

Chapter Text

Ranboo woke, he opened his eyes, confused why he wasn’t in his room at the palace.
But then they remembered. He was in The Over World, he had made friends.

They looked beside them. Tubbo was curled in a ball a meter away. Ranboo smiled, the sight was quite adorable. Ranboo stood up and walked into the main room of the pub.

He looked around for Wilbur so he could ask about his burns when Wilbur appeared in thin air right in front of Ranboo. “Ah- Wilbur, you… I… uh” Ranboo stuttered, startled.

“Sorry Ranboo, what did you need?” Wilbur said, yawning. To get home “I just wanted to know if my burns needed any more treatment,” He looked down at his burnt arms and hands, “oh, the burns will heal over time, but you’ll never have burn-less hands” Wilbur sighed.

Ranboo worried this meant they would never be able to make a pearl again. He tried making one but failed.

“I don’t know when or if you’ll make ender pearls again, sorry mate” Wilbur said reading Ranboo’s mind. Then someone came up behind him, it was Tubbo.

“Morning Tubbo!” Ranboo smiled. “Morning Ranboo,” Tubbo yawned and waved at Wilbur who was walking away.
“Ha, you’ve still got the flower crown on,” Tubbo pointed out smiling.

Ranboo was surprised that the delicate petals and leaves hadn’t been crushed when they slept.

“I am the prince of the Pub now” Ranboo smirked.

“We could probably go down today, the hunters shouldn’t be here for another few days,” Tubbo said, walking over to the edge of the island.

“No one has told me what these ‘hunters’ are,” Ranboo sighed.

“Oh- well, some humans think Origins are dirty blood and should be hunted down, forced into slavery, or experimented on sometimes they even… kill- us”

Tubbo choked out. Ranboo flinched, he didn’t like seeing Tubbo upset, so he changed the subject.

“What are we gonna do down there?” Ranboo asked, hoping to talk about more happy things.

“We- we can explore, I can show you around. Introduce you to one of our other friends who lives not far from here” Tubbo started listing things and Ranboo smiled.

“If you’re planning to meet techno, take the carrots!” Wilbur called out. “Who is techno and why does he need carrots?” Ranboo tilted his head looking down at Tubbo.

“Techno is our friend, he’s a rabbit Origin, he has a diet of only carrots. Apparently he’s some weird blood god guy though, so we give him carrots as a peace offering”

Tubbo explained. Ranboo found it hard to imagine a blood god who was half rabbit but shrugged it off.

“Why do I feel like someone is missing?” Ranboo muttered looking around, who did he forget this time? “Oh, I mean, Tommy isn’t up yet” Tubbo suggested.

“That’s it, Tommy! Where is he?” Ranboo looked around. “He’s up stairs” Tubbo pointed over at the stairs, Ranboo ran over.

“Why are you getting him?” Tubbo called after them. “As much as he’s a little gremlin, he’s part of our trio!” Ranboo
responded, running up the stairs.

They didn’t know when they had started thinking of him, Tubbo, and Tommy as a trio. But they were.

“Tommy!” He called and found a room with a sign saying ‘ChickenInnit’ out the front. He knocked on the door. “Mr vegan, are you in there?” Ranboo called out.

The door opened and Ranboo saw Tommy standing there, with bags under his eyes and his wings all fluffed up.

“What do you want, Ranman?” Tommy rubbed his eye and smirked at Ranboo.

“Down stairs, now” Ranboo pulled Tommy. “Wait- what?” Tommy tried to pull out of Ranboo’s grip but gave in and let himself be pulled down the stairs.

“I brought the chicken from his slumber!” Ranboo announced. Tommy dragged his fingers through his hair, trying to fix it up.

“Your wings are… fluffy” Ranboo commented while Tubbo walked over. “Well- your tail is fluffy” Tommy spat back, trying to be rude back but didn’t work.

“He’s right though, the tip of your tail is quite fluffy” Tubbo commented and poked the tip of Ranboo’s tail. Ranboo flinched and Tubbo took his hand away.

They stood in silence for a minute. Tubbo, obviously embarrassed for saying the comment on Ranboo’s tail, Ranboo still mildly shocked that someone touched his tail and Tommy was falling asleep.

“We should- we should go now if we want to get to techno’s house and back before dark” Tubbo coughed to end the silence. “Huh? What”

Tommy stood up straight again and looked around. “Ugh, not BunnyBlade, is he due carrots again?” Tommy sighed, finally awake now.

“I wanted to show Ranboo around, so he knows where he is,” Tubbo smiled and went over to grab a bag.

Tommy gave Tubbo a strange look, then flicked his gaze to Ranboo then back at Tubbo. “I’ll be with you in a minute” He muttered walking off.

“Where’s he going?” Ranboo muttered, Tubbo shrugged and threw the bag of carrots over his shoulder.

“I think there is another sack around here somewhere, Tommy insisted on gathering his own” Tubbo said looking around.

Ranboo looked at Tubbo and then saw a brown bag on top of a cabinet, “is that it?” Ranboo said pointing to it.

“Oh yah, thanks”
Tubbo said walking over, but Ranboo reached over and grabbed the bag before Tubbo got there.

He wouldn’t have been able to reach it anyway. “Tall bitch” Tubbo muttered and Ranboo held back laughter.

“I’m back bois, let’s go see BunnyBlade!” Tommy said entering the room. “Where’d you go?“ Tubbo asked as they walked to the edge of the island.

“Oh, nowhere. Just had to make a bet with Wilbur.” Ranboo didn’t question it and just shrugged.

When they got to the edge Tommy turned to face them and saluted. “Sayonara bois!” He smirked and fell backwards off the edge.

“Tommy!?” Ranboo called and looked over the edge to see him floating down slowly and he remembered, with Tommy’s veganism came slow falling.

“So uh- how am I getting down…” Ranboo muttered. “Oh ya…” Tubbo looked down.

Tubbo would obviously fly down, but Ranboo would die from a jump like that and he couldn’t fly like Tommy and Tubbo.

“Wait, how did I get up here?” Ranboo realised he had passed out in the water on the ground.

“I uh- I might have carried you” Tubbo murmured, not loud enough for Ranboo to hear.

“Pardon?” Ranboo turned to Tubbo, but Tubbo wasn’t next to him.

Instead Tubbo had snuck behind Ranboo and out of nowhere, picked him up, bridal style. “Tubbo!” Ranboo yelled, confused by this sudden change. “It’s ok, calm down!” Tubbo laughed.

Then Tubbo ran and jumped off the edge and glided down lightly, his wings buzzing, while holding Ranboo.

Tommy laughed as Tubbo landed and let go of Ranboo, who still clutched Tubbo’s shoulder.

“You can let go now, Ranboo,” Tubbo smirked. Ranboo quickly snatched his hand back and blushed lightly.

“Ranboo, are you blushing?” Tommy poked at him.

Ranboo swatted Tommy’s hand away and coughed, “lead the way Tubbo,” Ranboo looked at Tubbo and smiled when he saw Tubbo had also been blushing.

“Yep, follow me” Tubbo quickly looked away instead of making eye contact with Ranboo.

—

Tubbo led the way, pointing out a few things every now and then. It was fun travelling to Techno’s place again, he hadn’t been there for a few months now.

“Tubbo!” Tommy whined. “What!” Tubbo grunted looking behind him,

Tommy was slouched over holding Ranboo’s arm as his only support. “Tommy? Are you ok?” Tubbo walked back to his friend.

“He- he just fell, and grabbed my arm… I don’t know what happened” Ranboo said, sounding a little worried.

Tubbo sighed and grabbed Tommy’s arm from off of Ranboo’s.
Ranboo instantly gripped where Tommy’s hand had been with his other hand.

Tubbo shrugged that off and looked back at Tommy. “Tommy, can you hear me?” Tubbo started thinking of what to do, aware of eyes staring at him from above.

“Yes, I can hear you, bitch” Tommy muttered and fell to his knees. “Uhh..” Tubbo thought for a second. “Did he eat any meat?”

Tubbo asked Ranboo without looking at him. “N- not that I know of,” Ranboo muttered.

“You’re not being much help closing up like this” Tubbo turned his head to meet Ranboo’s gaze.

Tubbo hadn’t really noticed his glowing red and green eyes until now. They kept eye contact for a minute before Ranboo started twitching and turned his gaze to Tommy.

“Tommy, how good is your vision right now?” Ranboo asked, Tubbo stood back so Ranboo could kneel in front of Tommy.

“I can see things, I guess, nothing different” Tommy sighed, now clutching his stomach.

“He must have eaten a berry or something from a bush. If we were at The End I would be able to find the correct plants to help, but all I can say is he needs to throw up. He’s eaten something wrong” Ranboo stood up and turned to Tubbo.

“How do you know that?” Tubbo wondered where this sudden knowledge came from. “When you’ve lived 100 years you learn a lot of things”

Ranboo smiled, reminding Tubbo that despite Ranboo looking and acting the same age as tubbo, he was incredibly older than him, Tubbo was only 18 himself.

“I think I know a tree that grows leaves that can do that… but it’s far away from here, by the time I could fly there and back I fear Tommy would be in too much pain” Tubbo gestured to the now curled up Tommy on the floor.

“What if I used pearls?” Ranboo suggested, “I thought you couldn’t make them right now?” Tubbo asked, confused.

Ranboo held his hand out and tensed it, an ender pearl forming in it slowly.

Ranboo clutched his wrists with his other hand. “You did it!” Tubbo looked up at Ranboo’s face and saw it was scrunched up.

“It hurts… doesn’t it? From the burns” Tubbo sighed. “No, it’s fine… where’s this tree?” Ranboo changed the subject.

—

“-and just over there” Tubbo pointed before grabbing Ranboo’s arm again and waited for Ranboo to throw the pearl.

As the pearl landed they teleported and stood next to the tree he had been talking about.

“Is this it?” Ranboo asked, “yep! Grab as many leaves as you can!” Tubbo flew up and started picking leaves, while Ranboo just picked the leaves at his head height.

Once they both had their hands full of leaves, except for Ranboo who left one hand free, Ranboo gestured for Tubbo to grab his arm.

Once Tubbo grabbed Ranboo’s arm, Ranboo tensed his hand again. Tubbo looked at his face and saw it was taking a lot of energy for him to make the pearls.

Still, Ranboo made pearls and started teleporting them back. When they were one pearl away, Ranboo collapsed. Tubbo turned to him. “You too?” Tubbo cried.

“No, I’m just-“ he clutched his wrist again as his fingers twitched. “You need to run the rest of the way, ok? Take these” Ranboo handed Tubbo the leaves he had carried.

“Ranboo, you’ve gotta come back with me!” Tubbo tried pulling Ranboo up, but the Enderian pulled back.

“You need to get back to Tommy, I’ll follow”

Ranboo took his hand that was on his wrist and clutched his face. “Please, Tommy needs you, I’ll follow!” Ranboo hissed.

—

Tubbo didn’t want to, but he ran the rest of the way, leaving Ranboo behind.

Tubbo slid down beside Tommy, who was still curled up in a ball. “Tommy, I need you to eat these ok” He spoke calmly.

Tommy opened his eyes lightly, which Tubbo expected to be glazed from pain but were the same bright blue.

“Where- *cough* Where's Ranboo?” Tommy said weakly.

“He’s- he’s coming, just eat the leaves ok” Tubbo pushed the leaves to his friend.

Tubbo sat in front of his friend for a minute, waiting for something to happen.

Tommy threw up,
he threw up twice.

But still he laid on the floor. Tubbo turned around as he heard footsteps, worried it was a hunter, but sighed when he saw Ranboo.

“Told you I’d be ok” Ranboo said slumping down next to Tubbo. Tubbo looked at his face and saw slight burn marks like tears under his eyes.

He realised it would burn Ranboo the cry, pain was so much more for him.

“Tommy?” Ranboo cleared his throat. “He- he vomited, but he’s still in pain” Tubbo explained.

Ranboo grabbed Tommy’s shoulder and shook him lightly. Tommy didn’t give an answer but his arm fell limp.

Ranboo drew his hand back in shock. “T-Tommy,” Tubbo muttered. “I’m sorry Tubbo he- he’s gone” Ranboo muttered.

“We weren’t quick enough” Ranboo brought his hands to his face.

Tubbo looked at the body of his friend, now laying in the grass, unmoving. Tubbo broke out in tears and in a need for comfort threw his arms around Ranboo.

Ranboo didn’t flinch this time, only wrapped his arms back around Tubbo to return the hug, and place their tail lightly over Tommy’s body.

After a minute or so he felt Ranboo flinch. Tubbo pulled his face away from Ranboo’s chest and looked at him with foggy eyes.

“What- what is it, Ranboo?” Tubbo tried to say without his voice cracking too much.

“Someone grabbed my tail” Ranboo muttered, “what- what do you-“ Tubbo was confused until Ranboo pulled away and screeched, “TOMMY?!”

Tubbo looked down at Tommy who was smirking and holding Ranboo’s tail.

“TOMMY! YOU’RE ALIVE!” Tubbo yelled, filled with joy his best friend wasn’t dead. “I was never dead,” Tommy continued smirking.

“Tommy, never do that again,” Tubbo sighed. Ranboo was still in shock and hadn’t flicked his tail back yet.

“I was never even sick, or in pain. This was a social experiment” Tommy sat up with a proud look on his face.

“What?”

Ranboo lifted his gaze to look at Tommy. “A social experiment! It’s when-“

“YOU PRETENDED TO DIE FOR A SOCIAL EXPERIMENT?! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH PAIN I WENT THROUGH TO MAKE ENOUGH PEARLS TO GET THOSE STUPID LEAVES?! LET ALONE ACTUALLY FEELING SAD WHEN I SAW YOU ‘DEAD’ AND I CRIED! TEARS ARE WATER TOMMY! THIS IS TWICE YOU’VE CAUSED ME PAIN BECAUSE OF WATER!” Ranboo yelled, ranting about how Tommy was an idiot.

“I-“ Tommy tried to speak but was cut off again.

“Not only did you cause me pain, but you hurt your best friend. Tubbo thought you were dead! We both worried a lot. Tubbo thought he did something wrong, you made him think he failed.”

Ranboo said, no longer yelling but in a strict tone that reminded Tubbo of being scolded by a parent.

Ranboo stood up angrily and stormed off, back in the direction of the pub.

Tubbo watched him leave, wanting to run after him and calm them down, but sighed and stayed with Tommy.

They needed to get the carrots to Techno.

“You’ve really messed up this time Tommy” Tubbo turned to his friend, who was still taking in what Ranboo said.

“Grab a bag, and let’s go.”

—

Chapter Text

Ranboo kept walking for hours, they had made it back to the pub, but couldn’t get another pearl, not without breaking his hand. So they kept walking.

He walked back into the forest, it was quiet, he liked it.

They thought back to watching Tommy fake his death.

Maybe that was why Ranboo never had friends, maybe he knew deep down that he could trust no one.

Ranboo found a small clearing with soft grass. He sat down and took a deep breath. They thought about what had happened the past few days.

For some reason he went through a portal that took him from The End to The Over world.

They met Tommy, Tubbo, Wilbur, Niki and Jack and had celebrated his hundredth birthday with these new people he called friends.

He went on a trip with Tommy and Tubbo, Tommy had fallen ill and he and Tubbo had to find leaves to save him.

But it all ended up all being for nothing, Tommy not actually being sick, but pranking the two of them.

Ranboo lightly touched the burn scars under his eyes. They weren’t a new scar, he had had them before.
The scars had healed and disappeared before, but now he had them again and burns on his arms and legs to go with it.

Ranboo was brought out of his thinking by sounds of footsteps from in the trees.

They looked into the trees and thought they saw a pair of purple eyes, but someone came from behind him.

“Ranboo!” The voice cried. “I thought you got hurt or- or taken by the hunters…” The owner of the voice came to sit next to Ranboo.

Ranboo looked down at Tubbo who looked at the ground. “Sorry for scaring you… I just, needed to think” Ranboo sighed.

“It’s ok, I just don’t know what I would do if I actually lost one of my friends” Tubbo closed his eyes.

Ranboo smiled slightly, “you consider me a friend?” Tubbo opened one of his eyes to look up at Ranboo.

“Of course! If anything, I would call you my best friend” Tubbo smiled. Ranboo looked forward again, “well, you’re my best friend too” Ranboo smiled.

The two sat there, looking into the trees. Ranboo felt warm again. Maybe he couldn’t trust everyone, but he could trust Tubbo.

Without knowing, Ranboo curled his tail lightly around Tubbo’s waist. Then Tubbo laid his head on Ranboo’s shoulder.

Ranboo blushed slightly, but it made him feel warm and nice, so he didn’t fight it.

—

A small sting on Ranboo’s face woke them. He lifted his head and felt the spot on his face, it was a burn.

Ranboo looked up at the sky, or what he could see of it through leaves and tree branches, it was the middle of the night.

“Great, Rain” he muttered.

They yawned and stretched their arms, then he felt something on his tail. Ranboo looked to his right and saw Tubbo, still laying down, but on his tail.

Ranboo didn’t want to wake the sleeping bee boy, but he could barely feel his tail at this point. “Hey, Tubbo. You’ve gotta wake up” Ranboo whispered.

Tubbo grunted lightly.

Ranboo sighed, he heard the rain getting heavier and knew the leaves would give out soon.

“Please, it’s raining and you’re on my tail” Ranboo whispered slightly louder.

“Anything for you boo” Tubbo murmured tiredly. Ranboo immediately blushed and became flustered at the use of the nick-name ‘boo’.

He knew Tubbo was still half asleep and probably couldn’t be bothered to say Ranboo’s full name so he pushed it off.

Tubbo lifted his head and sat up, yawning. “Sorry ‘bout your tail” Tubbo murmured again. Ranboo quickly flicked his tail back and turned away to avoid Tubbo seeing how much he was blushing.

“What’s wrong?” Tubbo said, sounding more awake. “It’s uh-, it’s raining. We need to get to shelter before the leaves give way” Ranboo stood up, still not looking at Tubbo.

“Oh- ok, the Pub is back that way, but that’s a lot of open space for rain to get us ” Tubbo started standing up.

“We could go to my house, I guess,” Tubbo sighed.

“You have a house?” Ranboo turned around, now that his blush was gone. “Well yah, I don’t live at the pub, it’s just a hotel type thing for when the hunters are around, they can’t get up there” Tubbo explained.

“Are there any open spaces from here to your house?” Ranboo asked. “Not there isn't,” Tubbo murmured.

“That’s perfect then!” Ranboo said enthusiastically, confused by why Tubbo seemed so against the idea.

“What’s wrong?” Ranboo said in a more serious tone. “It’s just- the last time I had someone over… never mind, let’s go” Tubbo started to explain but then started walking off through the trees.

Ranboo followed closely behind Tubbo as he led the way. Small drops of rain sprinkled through the leaves that threatened to give away at any minute.

“How far away are we?” Ranboo asked, getting worried. “We’re actually here” Tubbo said and Ranboo noticed a weird door on the floor.

“You live in the ground?” Ranboo questioned. “I thought since you’re a bumble bee you would-“

“Come on, let’s get inside before the rain gets worse” Tubbo said, opening the door and starting down the ladder.

Ranboo shrugged and followed his friend down.

When they got down, Ranboo was met with a nice little cottage type house, with flowers everywhere you looked.

“This is nice” Ranboo smiled, glad to be out of the rain. “Thanks, I built it after my transformation,” Tubbo said, walking into one of the rooms.

Ranboo followed and they entered what seems to be a socialising room like the pub, only smaller. Tubbo sat down on the bed-like-chair and Ranboo sat next to him sceptically.

“It’s ok, the couch won’t eat you” Tubbo smirked and grabbed Ranboo’s waist to pull him onto the couch properly.

Ranboo blushed and laughed to try and hide it. Tubbo let go of Ranboo and let them settle onto the couch.

Ranboo smiled, “what were you saying before?” They started “hm” Tubbo acknowledged it with a grunt, “about the last time you had someone over?”

He finished and saw Tubbo close his eyes and clench his fists. “If- if you don't want to talk about it, you don’t have to” Ranboo quickly added, not liking seeing Tubbo like that.

But then Tubbo relaxed and shook his head. “No, it’s fine”

Ranboo nodded and Tubbo spoke. “I never really had people over when I first made this place, it was my get away” Tubbo took another breath.

“But then, Tommy convinced me to invite him over, so I did and… it was fun, he came over every week and I finally started adjusting to the whole changing thing”

Tubbo smiled, obviously remembering happy memories. “But then- one night, a few months ago, he showed up randomly. We sat here in silence. And he told me something, he told me…” Tubbo choked on his words.

Ranboo sighed “You can stop, I don’t need to know-“ but Tubbo cut him off.

“Tommy told me that he had- had feelings for me at one point… I told him I had as well… but- but we both decided that our friendship was all we both needed or wanted.”

Tubbo hugged himself. “We didn’t talk for a month… and I haven’t had anyone over to my house till now.” He finished his story.

Ranboo didn’t know how to feel, he’s friend had gone through heartbreak on this couch, and here he was sitting with him on it.

Was Tubbo scared that Ranboo would leave him?

“Good thing we don’t have feelings for each other, hey. No more heartbreak” Ranboo said, not fully believing his words, but trying to lighten the mood.

“Ya, good thing boo” Tubbo murmured and laid his head on Ranboo’s shoulder again.

Then they fell asleep and slept the rest of the night on the couch.

—

Tubbo was the first to wake this time. He was curled up at Ranboo’s side still resting his head on the Enderian’s shoulder.

He looked at Ranboo’s face and saw that he was still asleep, but seemed in distress. Tubbo sat up and shook Ranboo’s shoulders lightly.

“Boo, you’re ok, it’s just a dream” Tubbo whispered, holding back a yawn. Ranboo’s eye flicked open, staring right back into Tubbo’s.

Ranboo sighed and smiled, “morning Tubbo.”

Tubbo smirked, “were you dreaming about me?” He asked playfully. “What?!” A soft blush appeared on Ranboo’s face.

“N- no, I… I was dreaming about- about,” “just kidding boss man” Tubbo cut him off laughing.

“You blush too much” Tubbo added and stood up to walk away.

Tubbo walked into the kitchen to get some food for breakfast.

‘What had Ranboo been dreaming about? Whatever it was, it didn’t seem good’ he thought whilst cooking some eggs and bacon.

Tubbo felt eyes burning into his neck and he realised Ranboo was staring at him. Tubbo turned around and saw Ranboo leaning against a wall, his head only centimetres from hitting the roof.

“Why is your house so short?” Ranboo asked through a yawn, but then spoke again before Tubbo could answer. “Oh ya, you guys are all really short here, never mind” Tubbo saw Ranboo smirk and huffed.

“I am not short! I’m average height! You’re an Enderian, I can physically never get as tall as you” Tubbo tried to defend himself but only got a laugh from Ranboo as a response.

“Anyway-“ Ranboo said, their laughter slowly dying down. “What ya cooking?” He walked over to stand just behind Tubbo.

“Eggs and Bacon your majesty” Tubbo said in his posh voice.

“I once cooked a cake; some of the Endermen brought me the recipe and ingredients.” Ranboo started explaining but then laughed, cutting himself off.

“I gave the cake to Lana, she said it could kill a god” The Enderian joked through his laughter. Tubbo joined along, happy that Ranboo had forgotten about whatever his dream
was about.

Tubbo quickly checked the eggs and bacon, then asked a question he had been meaning to ask the first time he ever saw Ranboo.

“Do- do you remember how you got here?” Tubbo immediately regretted asking, but he couldn’t take it back now.

“I- I don’t remember why, but I know how” Ranboo started, Tubbo felt like telling him not to continue, in case he voiced Tubbo’s fears.

“I came here, through a portal. It had- had water like the sky and, the water didn’t burn me, instead, it took me here. When I first opened my eyes here I got scared and angry so I kicked it and the portal broke.” Ranboo gripped his wrist again.

“So- so you can’t go back?” Tubbo half asked, half pointed out. “Not unless I figure out how to fix the portal, and I’ve been trying to figure out what the weird crystals on the portal were so I could replace it.”

There it was. What Tubbo feared, Ranboo still wanted to get out of here and go back to The End. Maybe, maybe Tubbo could go with him, when he fixed it, right?

“The eggs and bacon are done,” Tubbo said with a flat voice as he turned to take the food off the heat.

Ranboo sighed and stepped back to let Tubbo get everything ready.

Ranboo sat at Tubbo’s table and watched Tubbo bring the food over. “Thanks Tubbo” Ranboo smiled but frowned when he saw Tubbo wasn’t.

“Tubbo- if you think I’m going to leave you… it wouldn’t be forever, if I fixed the portal I could come back through” Ranboo started explaining.

“But you’re a Prince, Ranboo. You’re father dragon thing probably won’t like you going to the Over World” Tubbo pointed out.

It was true though. If The Ender Dragon found out Ranboo had attachments to the Over World, it would break the portal and any way of fixing it.

—

The two had sat in silence to finish their meal after that. When they were done, Ranboo offered to clean the dishes, but decided to let Tubbo do it when they realised that it involved water.

“We should go back to the pub, Wilbur will need to check your burns and Tommy is probably worried” Tubbo said, a little less emotion-less than before.

Ranboo followed Tubbo up the ladder back to the surface where it was no longer raining, “come on!” Tubbo started running, Ranboo chased after, smirking.

He held out his hand to see if he could make pearls without it breaking their hand, and it worked, it hurt a little still, but it worked.

He threw the pearl and was teleported to just in front of Tubbo, now leading the way. “Hey! No fair, I thought you couldn’t make those!” Tubbo called chasing after.

Ranboo bet him back to the pub, Tubbo greeting him with a light punch to the arm and a snickering “cheater.”

Tubbo started flying up to the pub when Ranboo insisted he could pearl up. He stood back so he could see the ledge.

They clenched their hand and made the pearl, took a deep breath and threw it.

He saw it land just on the edge of the Island, so he started running before it teleported him. Then they were up on the edge, and he immediately ran into someone.

“Geez, get a room, you two!” Someone called from in the pub.

Ranboo looked at who he had run into, it was Tubbo, who had obviously just landed and was shocked when Ranboo ran straight into him and pushed him to the ground.

“Sorry Tubbo, I didn’t know if the pearl made it all the way, so I had to run and-“ Ranboo was cut off. “Ok- ok, you can explain, after you get off of me” Tubbo laughed softly and made Ranboo blush.

Ranboo quickly but awkwardly got off of pinning Tubbo to the ground. “I mean what I said before Ranboo,” Tubbo added.

“Hm?” Ranboo didn’t know what he meant. “You blush too much,” Tubbo smirked and walked away.

“I- uh, I mean, what?” Ranboo stammered, he heard Tommy going crazy in the background.

“Tommy, I still hate you you little vegan chicken” Ranboo hissed, getting embarrassed.

“Alright, break it up you two,” Wilbur stepped in.

“Don’t worry Ranboo, I grounded him” He laughed. “You can’t ground me!” Tommy said angrily like a five year old.

“Let me look at your burns, I need to make sure they’re healing well” Wilbur gestured for Ranboo to sit in a chair so he could look at the burns properly.

Wilbur looked at Ranboo’s face first. “You have weird burns under your eyes that weren’t there yesterday when I looked. What’s with that?” Wilbur asked, a little concerned.

“I- I cried a bit and… tears are water” Ranboo murmured, Wilbur just nodded and looked at Ranboo’s hands.

“Ranboo, you shouldn’t have been making pearls, you’re stressing the nerves too much, it won’t get better” Wilbur sighed.

“But other than that the burns look ok, just stop making pearls ok” Wilbur smiled, patted Ranboo on the shoulder and walked away.

—

Chapter Text

Ranboo was sitting in Tubbo’s flower room looking at the different colours, when Tommy yelled something out.

“HUNTERS! THE HUNTERS ARE HERE!”

Immediately the pub was alive with Tubbo, Tommy and Wilbur running around.

“Tubbo, pull up the dam! Tommy, ring Niki’s bell!” Wilbur shouted orders.

Ranboo followed behind Wilbur slowly, not knowing what to do, or even really what was going on.

Tubbo walked back over from outside of the pub, “the dam is up, the water has all been blocked off” The bee boy said in a serious tone that Ranboo had never heard him use.

“I’ve called for Niki, but she didn’t ring the bell back, she mustn’t be at the bay!” Tommy called from Niki’s tank.

Ranboo assumed the bell was to alert Niki who lived down in the water that hunters were about.

“Can someone explain to me what’s happening?” Ranboo called out across the three who were running around aimlessly.

“Tommy spotted the hunters down on the ground, so we’re blocking off any way for them to get up here,” Wilbur explained, finally stopping running around.

Ranboo approached the edge without leaving the shelter of the pub.

He could see a small ground of humans, just on the edge of the forest.

Ranboo thought they all seemed like the stereotypical hunters you would think of, but then he saw something that made him gasp.

He stepped backward with shock.

“Ranboo? Are you ok?” Tubbo came over to his side.

“Yeah, I just- thought I saw something… but I couldn’t have,” Ranboo shook his head lightly.

“It looks like the Dream Team” Tommy said looking down at the group, “wait is that- no never mind” Tommy muttered.

“Who’s the Dream Team?” Ranboo decided to ask to draw their mind away from what they thought they saw.

“They’re a group of hunters, lead by this guy in a smile mask named Dream” Wilbur started explaining, but Tommy cut in to finish.

“He has these two people that always follow him, Sapnap and George. And every now and then he had this other hunter who doesn’t seem to like hunting as much, so we gave him the name Bad” Tommy said, obviously proud that he could supply the knowledge.

Ranboo and the three stayed huddled in the middle of the pub, staying silent and still.

But then Ranboo heard what they hoped they wouldn’t.

“This guy, Bad, would they happen to be an Enderman?” Ranboo muttered.

“What? No, I mean, he’s not human like the others… but definitely not an Enderman”

Ranboo listened closer to the sound he heard, it was the sound of an Enderman teleporting, and he recognised the certain Enderman anywhere.

“The hunters are working with Lana!” Ranboo blurted, a bit louder than he should have.

Tommy stared at him, “you were leading the hunters to us the whole time?!” Wilbur put his hand over Tommy’s mouth.

“What do you mean? How do you know it’s Lana?” Wilbur asked, not jumping to conclusions.

“Every Enderman has their own sound, I’ve learnt Lana’s. If anyone could convince hunters to work with them to hunt me down, it would be Lana” Ranboo sighed.

“We’ll just stay up here, and wait it out. They think this place is abandoned” Tubbo started explaining.

“Lana is able to get up here though, and she won’t stop at anything to find me.” Ranboo explained, noticing Tommy was still giving him a disappointed look.

Ranboo took a deep breath.

“I’ll go down there, if Lana finds me, she won’t help the hunters get up here. You’ll be safe, and- and I’ll go home” He muttered the last words.

“There, it’s a win-win, we get to be safe, and Mr Prince here gets to go home to his luxury” Tommy said in a rushed voice.

“You can’t just leave!” Tubbo said, completely ignoring what Tommy said.

“I’ll- I’ll come back, I promise” Ranboo said, starting to stand up.

“You can’t promise that! You know you can’t” Tubbo cried, quickly reaching after Ranboo and grabbing his wrist.

Ranboo wanted more than anything to stay, to stay with his friends and Tubbo.

But he knew they would all be in danger if he didn’t go. It was either stay and die with them, or go home and let them live but be stuck at The End forever.

Ranboo pulled Tubbo up with him. He didn’t say anything, but pulled Tubbo into a hug.

“R- Ranboo, I…” Tubbo tried to say something, but Ranboo pulled away and walked to the edge of the floating island.

“See ya, bee boy” Ranboo turned around and smiled at Tubbo, tears rolling down his cheeks, leaving burn marks.

Wilbur was holding Tubbo from chasing after him.

“Goodbye, Prince Ranboo” He heard Tubbo mutter before Ranboo made a pearl and threw it down, just next to Lana.

Tubbo watched Ranboo disappear.

“No!-“ he tried to cry out, but Wilbur pulled him back and placed his hand on Tubbo’s face to muffle the scream.

“Tubbo, he saved us. The hunters are going to go away, and he gets to go home, he’ll be happy” Wilbur tried to comfort him but none of it worked.

Tubbo broke down in tears, he curled up on the ground, hands pulling on his hair.

“They shouldn’t have gone back, it’s horrible back there, he’s told us what it was like!” He cried, luckily not too loud to attract hunters.

“Tubbo, if he stayed, we would all be dead. The only reason the hunters are here right now is because they were looking for him” Tommy also tried to comfort him, but was definitely doing the opposite.

“At least we would have died together, at least he wouldn’t be alone. Can you imagine what a thousand years alone would be like?” Tubbo hissed.

No one wanted to talk, Wilbur hugged Tubbo, realising he wouldn’t be able to say anything to make him feel better.

Tommy walked off to go make sure the hunters had left. He came back over and nodded at Wilbur who sighed.

“They’ve taken him, he’s gone back home.”

—

Chapter Text

365 days. Give or take a few.

It had been 365 days since Ranboo felt a breeze. 365 days since they saw a light blue sky. 365 days since she was happy.

The hunters had been cruel when Lana showed them what Ranboo was. They forced her to make pearls and even cut one of their horns.

Lana had just watched.

365 days ago, Ranboo and Lana teleported back to The End. 365 days ago, the ender dragon rejoiced in Ranboo’s return. 365 days ago, Ranboo was locked in the castle.

Ranboo sighed as she dropped the quill they had been using to write the words down.

She hadn't thought of writing things down. She hadn’t had memory problems. Then they forgot.

Forgot what humans called the day they are born. Forgot what Tommy’s powers were. Forgot what colour Tubbo’s eyes were.

They didn’t forget the names though. She wrote those down everyday, never wanting to forget the memories.

Wilbur. Tommy. Jack. Niki. Tubbo. Wilbur. Tommy. Jack. Niki. Tubbo. 

Tubbo. 

Tubbo.

The first few days they cried.

The next few she didn’t move.

350 days since Ranboo last spoke.

A knock brought Ranboo’s head up, she looked over at the large white doors to their room and cringed.

It would probably be Lana. She knocked everyday, making sure that they were still alive.

She shut the book and locked it in a hidden draw. The key was kept in a vase containing an impossible flower that they managed to keep alive.

Tubbo.

Ranboo walked over to the door and opened it slightly.

Lana waved lightly, “May I come in?” She spoke with sincerity.

Ranboo was taken aback by the sweet tone coming from the normally harsh face. It was a welcoming change though.

200 days since Ranboo saw her last.

Lana pushed the door further open before walking in and shutting it, making sure to lock the door.

Ranboo pulled another chair over and gestured for Lana to sit, taking her own seat in the chair they had been in only seconds ago.

“Thank you,” Lana smiled and sat politely.

Ranboo took a shaky breath. “Why *cough* Why are you being so nice?” Her voice sounded dry.

Lana frowned, “It’s been a year since I ruined our lives, I wanna change that.” She scratched the back of her neck.

Ranboo tilted their head, “Your life is ruined too?” They had been under the impression the ender dragon rewarded Lana greatly for returning the lost princess home

“You were locked away, you never left your room, as much as i hate to admit it, you’re my friend, and i hate not being around you and seeing you so sad,” Lana turned her head, looking ashamed.

Ranboo flinched, the old Ranboo would fire Lana and tell her to toughen up and move on. But Ranboo had changed.

It only took 3 days with people who cared and it changed Ranboo.

They wouldn’t forget that.

“It’s ok Lana, I forgive you. You were doing what you thought was best,” Ranboo stood and held out a hand to their servant.

Lana looked shocked, “Ranboo- uh, Princess Ranboo, thank you. I don’t deserve your mercy.” She took their hand.

Ranboo pulled her up and into a hug. “Of course you do, and call me Ranboo,” She sighed.

Lana returned the hug with an audible ‘awe’.

“Do you wanna… go walk around the castle? You haven’t left your room for a bit,” Lana offered, breaking the hug apart.

“200 days,” Ranboo muttered. The inner clock in her head still ticking. It would as long as they lived.

She nodded and followed Lana to the door. They stepped out and frowned, the closest endermen immediately bowing.

“Up, please,” Ranboo sighed, flicking their hand.

The servants and guards were hesitant, wondering if it was a trick or test. All but one.

Ranboo watched as one servant weaved through the bowing guards, not giving a care in the world.

“Excuse me!” Ranboo called out. 

The servant stopped, quickly turning around. For a second they looked over in disgust but then their expression dropped.

“Princess Ranboo!” They quickly dipped their head. “My highness I am the most sorry, I did not recognise you, I am not from around here,” They sounded panicked.

Ranboo stifled a laugh, “It’s alright, you don’t have to bow.”

“And now here I am making excuses, I’m a mess- wait, what?” The servant lifted their head.

Ranboo turned to all the guards and flicked their hand, dismissing them.

She walked over to the servant and realised they carried a box that seemed to be glowing.

“What is in the box?” Ranboo asked curiously, hoping the servant would calm down.

They did.

They smiled and opened the box, “These are crystals from the Rainbow Crystal Biome! That is where I am from, that's why I didn’t recognise you, I am a servant for your sibling, Royal Turath,” they spoke fast and full of excitement.

Ranboo smiled. They liked this servant. Maybe people outside of the nesting ground were nicer and calmer.

“What is your name?” Ranboo asked kindly, realising they didn’t know anyone else’s name apart from Lana.

The servant gasped, “My name? It’s illegal for me to speak my name without direct permission from The Ender Dragon,” they took a step back, full of fear again.

Ranboo hissed. The Ender Dragon was a horrible ruler. It didn’t care for anyone, only for itself.

“I am The crown princess to The End, I give you permission to speak your name,” Ranboo didn’t like the words, ‘Crown Princess’ but still went with it.

The servant was hesitant but smiled, “Princess Ranboo, my name is Maple,” they spoke happily.

“Well Maple, me and my friend Lana would like to accompany you to wherever these crystals are going,” Ranboo turned to see Lana waiting patiently.

She nodded.

Maple’s eyes sparkled, “These are going to the fountain in the courtyard, I’m installing decorations!”

Lana stepped forward, “to the fountain we go then.”

—

Chapter Text

“I think it’s beautiful!” Ranboo cheered, looking at the fountain that was now glistening with rainbow crystals.

Lana nodded, “I like the idea you had of putting that one that looked like an ender pearl at the top, Maple,” she added.

Maple jumped excitedly, “I’m so glad you like it, I’m glad I was able to make such a centre piece of such an amazing place!” They turned to Ranboo.

“Thank you, your highness, I can never repay this kindness,” they tipped their head down.

Ranboo immediately threw out a hand to stop them, “Just call me Ranboo, that will do.”

Maple’s face filled with joy and they nodded.

“Hey, do you hear that shouting?” Lana looked around, sounding confused.

Ranboo shrugged, “I didn’t hear anything?” She turned to maple who shook their head.

“Listen!” Lana whisper-shouted.

The three went quiet and then Ranboo heard it.

The distant yelling of someone who seemed so familiar yet someone they had wanted to forget.

“George! Sapnap! This way!”

“Those names, why do I know those names?” Ranboo placed a hand on their head and looked at the ground.

Lana gasped, “Oh shit, it can’t be, no no no!” Lana started pacing.

Maple stepped forward, “What’s wrong? Who is it?” They frowned.

“Hunters,” Lana’s voice cracked as she spoke.

Ranboo remembered.

Sapnap, the one who threw her to the ground. George, the one who spat in her face, wanting answers. Dream, the one who cut their horn, the leader.

“What are hunters doing here?” Maple shrunk down, looking around frantically.

Lana placed a hand on Maple’s shoulder, trying to calm them down. 

“Maple, I need you to do an important job for me, ok? I need you to go find our lead guard, he should be around Ranboo’s room, tell him we need to lock down,” Lana spoke seriously.

Maple went to say something but stopped themself, nodding with a stern face, “Got it!” They ran off.

The shouts were getting louder, they were getting closer.

“I’ll go meet them, maybe they don’t want violence?” Lana offered, but Ranboo highly doubted it.

In a flash Lana teleported.

Ranboo started walking around the fountain as they waited. 

A minute went by and nothing happened. Ranboo heard feet running towards her.

She turned her head sharply and sighed as they saw Maple.

“The castle is in lock down… where’s Lana?” They looked around, confused and slightly worried.

“She went to speak with the hunters, she used to work with them for a bit so she might be able to convince them to leave,” Ranboo hoped that that was what was happening.

“Sorry if this offends you, but-” Maple started speaking but their voice was drowned out by an incredibly loud sound, almost like thunder.

Ranboo knew that The End didn’t get thunder, the source of that sound could only be one thing.

“What is that?!” Maple yelled, covering their ears.

Ranboo didn’t need to answer as a large shadow fell over the entire castle, causing both to look up in fear.

The Ender Dragon.

Not seen for years on end, it was now flying into a battle. Its roar screeched out as it flew in the direction the hunters were.

“Oh no, it's going to attack the hunters!” Ranboo screamed.

“Isn’t that good?” Maple asked, confused as to why it was bad.

Ranboo sighed, “That’s where Lana is! She could get hurt if the dragon attacks!” They yelled and started running.

She heard Maple start running as well, keeping up by teleporting.

Ranboo could see where the hunters were, they had bows and swords, they looked battle ready.

Lana stood in the middle of them, Ranboo was unsure if they were protecting her or making her a target.

The dragon circled up ahead, its wings drowning out all sound.

Ranboo watched as a glistening arrow was shot that hit the dragon square on its chest. It screeched and lifted its head to send a shot down. Aimed for Lana.

“No!” Ranboo screamed, holding out their hand.

She focused, she hadn't done this in 365 days. Her hand clenched, it stung but slowly warmed up.

Luckily it took more than 365 days to forget how to create a pearl.

They threw it quickly over to the group, landing right next to a fearful Lana. Ranboo quickly grabbed her hand and threw another pearl back.

By the time the fire landed on the ground, both Ranboo and Lana were a safe distance away.

“You did it!” Maple cheered.

“Don’t celebrate so soon, there is still a battle happening!” Lana pointed back to where Sapnap was towering up to land better shots.

Dream and George were placing down beds.

Maple started walking forward.

“Hold on, where are you going?” Ranboo reached out and stopped them.

“Don’t we have to help The Ender Dragon?” They asked, still confused.

Ranboo hesitated.

“Do you really want to? If we let these hunters kill the dragon The End will be free, but if the dragon wins it kills the hunters,” She looked over again, watching as one of the beds exploded.

Lana nodded, “I say we see what happens, it can’t hurt… Maple?”

Maple gave quick glances from Ranboo, to Lana, to the fight.

They nodded.

The three all turned around to watch as the three hunters battled skilfully, but didn’t seem a match for The Ender Dragon’s fire.

Ranboo focused in on Dream. He almost floated over the ground, moving at seconds notice. He raised his bow.

He shot.

The fiery arrow flew through the air with a high pitch whiz. It stuck right in the dragon's neck.

“He got it,” Lana muttered.

The dragon froze in midair, it screeched louder than ever.

Ranboo watched as its wings started disintegrating, along with its body, until it was all gone.

“The Ender Dragon is dead,” Ranboo whispered.

“THE END IS FREE!” Maple shouted and jumped, teleporting like crazy.

Ranboo was still in shock, but threw a pearl over to the hunters.

“Dream,” she spat, looking at the taunting circle smile mask.

He turned around and laughed, “Oh Ranboo, I didn’t expect to see you again!”

Ranboo rolled her eyes, “Why did you come here? Why did you kill the dragon? You better stay away from the people here!” She flicked her tail in anger.

“Calm down, we only came here to kill the Dragon, and it was just for the title,” Sapnap spoke up, wiping blood off his sword.

He got close enough to hit it with a sword.

“Like your friend said, we freed you, you’re welcome,” George smiled.

Dream pushed his mask to the side.

Ranboo was met with a face she didn’t expect. He looked kind, he looked like a father.

“What I’ve done in the past is unforgivable, i don’t expect you to forgive me, I just ask for permission to explore The End, we even fixed the portal to The Overworld,” Dream sighed.

Ranboo stopped.

The portal.

Wilbur. Tommy. Jack. Niki. Tubbo.

They could go back.

Lana and Maple had caught up. “The portal? Ranboo, you could go back to your friends!” Lana cheered.

“The Overworld?” Maple muttered.

Ranboo suddenly felt excited, she could see them again. 

They could feel a breeze. They could see the blue sky. They could be happy .

No.

“I can’t, I’m crown Princess, I have an entire Kingdom to take care of,” She looked away from everyone.

Maple cleared their throat, “If you love the Overworld so much, your siblings wouldn’t mind.”

Siblings.

“What do you mean?” Ranboo turned back.

“All of your siblings hated the ender dragon, no one will be sad it’s gone, and the next heir could rule, or, they could all rule together, as a family!” Maple explained.

Ranboo thought.

“Ranboo, you can have this, don’t turn it away while you can have it,” Lana walked over and placed a hand on their shoulder.

She took a breath.

“Maple, do you know where Echo lives?” They turned to the energetic servant.

“Of course, Echo is so nice!” Maple nodded, smiling.

Ranboo felt excitement start growing inside them again.

“Go explain to them, they’ll get the family together and sort things out. The portal is fixed so I can come back through, but for now-” Ranboo turned to the hunters- “I have some friends to visit.”

—

Chapter Text

The second Ranboo took a step on the other side of the dark waters, she smiled. 

Dream had made a vow to never hurt an innocent person again and then showed Ranboo the portal.

They ran through the short stone halls that they had only seen once before.

Yet she remembered.

Remembered where the hole in the roof was. It was now a staircase that the hunters had built. It was quicker now.

As her feet touched the soft green grass, pathways sprung into their mind. The Pube.

They found landmarks in trees and ran with joy.

365 days since she felt this kind of joy. 365 days wasn’t 365 anymore.

The surroundings kept getting more recognisable even considering the growth of plants. 

The trees thinned out and she threw a pearl. They landed barely a metre from a pool of water.

Her heart skipped a beat. She looked up.

A floating island with a hotel on top of it. The first place Ranboo ever felt at home.

They took a deep breath. 

What if no one was there? What if everyone had forgotten about them? What if no one wanted her back?

She started panicking. 

What if this was a mistake? Would it be better to just go back to the end?

Just as she was about to turn backwards, they heard a scream.

A voice that had been ringing around their head for 365 days.

“Tubbo?” She whispered and looked up again.

She didn’t hesitate in making a pearl and throwing it up with force.

As they landed, they quickly looked around. The room was almost the same, only a few things were reinforced.

The biggest difference was the amount of growing vines and flowers at the entrance to the flower room.

Tubbo.

Ranboo rushed over to the room, swinging on the door frame.

“Tubbo!” She shouted. Her eyes focused on what was inside the room.

The walls were covered in vines, moss and fungi and the grass was overgrown.

Right in the middle of the room was a tall stone statue, in front of it was Tubbo, bent over, crying.

Ranboo gasped and reached her hand out, unsure of what to do.

Tubbo started muttering.

“Please come back Ranboo… I miss you,” Tubbo whispered at the statue.

That’s when Ranboo realised that the statue was of them. A memorial?

“Tubbo… I am here,” Ranboo spoke up, taking a step forward.

Tubbo’s body tensed. “When I turn around you won’t be there,” his voice cracked.

Ranboo sighed, a small smile making its way to her face.

“Please look at me Tubbo,” they took another step forward.

Tubbo hesitantly stood up and turned his neck. His face was red from tears but was filled with confusion and shock immediately.

“You- Ranboo?” Tubbo stuttered, his entire body shaking.

Ranboo walked up to the short bee boy and hugged him tightly.

“I’m back,” She felt warm.

Tubbo didn’t speak but returned the hug, wrapping his arms around her like he wouldn’t ever let go.

“Dream killed The Ender Dragon, but he fixed the portal and swore to never kill again. I think he’s good now, but I can live here now because I can go back and forth and-” Ranboo started ranting, having so much to say.

Tubbo pulled back. His face now red for another reason.

Ranboo looked into his eyes. 

They sparkled a bright blue, like the sky on a sunny day.

“I’ve missed you… so fucking much, i didn’t think you would ever come back, we all thought you were dead, i was so scared,” Tubbo took a turn to rant, a tear rolling from his eye.

“But I’m here now, and I don't have to go back for a long time,” Ranboo placed a hand on Tubbo’s shoulder.

Tubbo sighed.

He lifted his head and made eye contact with Ranboo, his face softening. 

Ranboo felt at ease. No more war, no more being alone.

She had Tubbo.

“Can I kiss you?” Tubbo asked, his voice quiet but calm.

Ranboo’s head spun for a second. 

Tubbo. Kiss. Yes.

“Please,” she whispered before Tubbo grabbed Ranboo’s face and pulled her down slightly.

Their lips connected softly. It was confusing at first, but as Ranboo placed her hands on Tubbo’s waist it made sense.

They seperate and Ranboo took a sharp inhale.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you, you were all I ever thought of,” Tubbo pressed their foreheads together.

Ranboo’s face went red and she smiled, “I love you Tubbo.”

The brunette silently gasped. “I love you too Ranboo, I really do,” his voice was warm and coated with honey.

Ranboo lifted their head and saw the statue again.

“What’s with the me statue?” She smirked and admired the detailed carving.

Tubbo laughed awkwardly, “Oh yeah, that’s embarrassing… like I said, we thought you were dead, and I wanted to remember you always so,” Tubbo dragged a finger across the carved stone.

“You only knew me for three days,” Ranboo said, confused how he could fall in love with someone so quickly.

Tubbo smiled, “I loved you from that first night, it was just a connection.”

Ranboo wanted to hug Tubbo again but was stopped by the loud gasping of someone outside the room.

“Ranboo?! Is that-” a slightly annoying British voice shouted from the doorway.

Ranboo turned around and waved at the chicken hybrid.

Tommy ran over and threw his arms around her immediately.

“Ranboo! What the fuck?! We thought you were gone forever! Please say you aren’t going again!” Tommy’s wings buzzed like Tubbo’s.

Ranboo hugged him back. Ranboo liked having friends.

“I thought so as well, but I’m back now, and I’ll explain later, I don’t want to say the same thing millions of times,” she said.

Tommy stood in front of her, his face glazed with joy.

“Do you know if Wilbur will be here soon?” As Ranboo asked, the older ghost brother of Tommy walked into the room.

“Ran?” Wilbur’s face froze.

Ranboo rolled her eyes, a little overwhelmed by the dramatic reaction from everyone one after the other.

“Hey Wil,” they smirked and raised their hand.

Wilbur suddenly went invisible, but his voice echoed around the room in joy.

Ranboo burst out laughing, she grabbed Tubbo’s arm for support.

She quickly leaned over and stole a small kiss from him, not satisfied with the singular kiss from before.

“Hold up, what did I miss?” Wilbur materialised, he seemed shocked but was glancing childishly at Tubbo.

“I missed this too! How long has Ranboo been back?” Tommy spoke through a chuckle.

Ranboo blushed, “Like, ten minutes,” they glanced down at Tubbo who was completely embarrassed.

“Such a player tubs!” Will joked, nudging Tubbo lightly.

“Also, Tommy, you owe me a lot of money now,” Wilbur smirked at his younger brother.

Tommy sighed, “why? What did I do this time?” He complained.

Ranboo remembered how much the two liked placing bets and wondered if this was that again.

“I think you remember a bet you made about a year ago about a certain Ranboo and Tubbo over here,” Wilbur gestured to the two.

Ranboo froze, “about us?” She asked, slightly concerned.

Tommy was silent for a second before speaking up again, “yeah, but I bet that they would get together, you said they wouldn’t,” Tommy rolled his eyes.

Tubbo burst out laughing. Ranboo blinked.

“You really made a bet on whether we would get together or not? Was it that obvious?” Tubbo sighed.

Ranboo cringed, how did Tommy know they were in love with Tubbo before they did.

Will nodded before turning back to Tommy.

“You said they would get together in a week, it’s been a year, therefore, you owe me all the money from every bet you’ve lost,” Wilbur seemed very proud.

“I’d be broke though!” Tommy complained, kicking the ground like a five year old

Tubbo scoffed. “Serves you right for putting a bet on me,” he leaned onto Ranboo’s side.

“But look at you two! If ranboo hadn’t been taken away, you would have gotten together within a week,” Tommy muttered as he walked out, maybe to get money, maybe to escape Wilbur.

Ranboo looked down at Tubbo. She smiled.

Tubbo went to say something but was cut off by the sound of Wilbur shouting and Tommy screaming.

Tubbo fell to the ground laughing and Ranboo followed.

This was home now.

No matter how long Ranboo was forced to be in The End, this would always be more of a home.

Home is where the ones you love are.

Tubbo was here.

Home is where people you trust are.

Tommy and Wilbur were here.

Home is where you’re happy.

As Ranboo looked at Tubbo curled up at her side, she smiled.

They were happy here.