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Some time after Dream breaks out of prison…
He never wanted to come back here. He never wanted to have him in his head again. He didn't even know if this would work. But he had no other choice. He didn't know what else to do. Maybe after everything he learned in the experiments it would be different. He would be more in control. So Ranboo took a deep breath and went into the obsidian box.
The panic room.
Everything still looked the same as he left it last time. The last time that actually should have been the last time ever. But now he was here again. He looked around the obsidian walls with the signs on them not knowing what exactly he should do now.
„Can… can you hear me?“, he asked into the nothingness. He instantly felt really stupid. It had never worked like this.
Why should it work this time…
„Of course I can, Ranboo“, the all too familiar voice answered. Ranboo tensed up. He hadn't heard Dream’s voice in a while.
„What did you do to him?“, he asked, gritting his teeth while looking around.
„To who?“ There was confusion in Dream's voice but was it real?
„To Tubbo of course!“
„Oh! I didn't do anything to Tubbo!“ Ranboo didn't believe him. It had to have been him.
„Yes, of course it is just a coincidence that Tubbo disappears as soon as you break out of prison!“ Ranboo really wanted to punch something or someone.
But there was nothing here except obsidian walls.
„Well not a coincidence per say, that's true, but I didn't do anything to him.“ Dream sounded innocent but in a way where you intentionally try to sound innocent.
It just made him sound more guilty.
„Where is he? Where did you take him?“ Ranboo was walking back and forth shouting at the ceiling, having to get rid of all the tension that had built up inside of him.
„I didn't take him anywhere!“ And even though Dream sounded like he was telling the truth this time, Ranboo couldn’t believe him.
„What do you mean you didn't take him anywhere? He has been missing for a week and no one has seen him or heard from him. And you left the prison a week ago to God knows where. And the last thing you wanted to do before you got put into prison was…“, Ranboo couldn't say the last words out loud. What if Dream really… No that couldn't be the case. Tubbo was still out there somewhere. He had to be. He just needed to figure out where. Over the past week he went everywhere and when Ranboo said everywhere he really meant it.
„Yeah I have my reasons to get rid of Tubbo but of course I have to lay low for now and getting to Tubbo would be the opposite of that.“
„That doesn't make any sense! He wouldn't just… leave. You have to have done something!“ Ranboo was getting desperate.
„Are you sure about that?“
That one hurt. Ranboo got a little unsure of that for a moment. Would he?
„I’m kidding! You are probably right“, Dream said and Ranboo could hear how much Dream was enjoying this, toying with him, „ but the only thing I did since I got out of that hell hole was run, hide and talk to you.“
„You wait… talk to me? You mean right now, right?“ Ranboo stopped pacing on the spot.
„No, I mean the day I broke out.“ There was definitely a huge smile on Dream’s face. He could hear it.
„You…“, Ranboo got quieter and even more worried. He had talked to Dream? Did he mean… But that hasn't happened anymore since… Dream went to prison. But he was out now. This couldn't be happening. Not again. „We… we talked?“, Ranboo asked cautiously.
„Yes, we talked! We talked for a while but I guess you wouldn't remember that.“
Dream was right. He didn't remember. But he also didn't think he had enderwalked in a while. He thought he had it under control. This was bad. Very bad.
„So yeah I have no idea where Tubbo is. But I know who knows“, Dream proclaimed. Ranboo focused his attention instantly. A weird shiver ran down his spine. Something was off. He could hear the slight smile in Dream’s voice.
„Who?“, was the only thing he asked. It was the only thing that mattered.
Part of him knew and he was terrified of the answer.
„You. You are the only one who knows where he is. Well other you I guess.“
„I… I did this?“, Ranboo said quietly and tumbled a step backwards as if something had hit him. He looked at his hands. No no no please no... This had always been his biggest fear.
„Yeah, I told you to but you are the one who kidnapped Tubbo. And you are the only one who knows where he is. I specifically told you not to tell me so people would leave me alone for now. And where else would a secret be safer than with someone who can't remember it.“ Now he could really hear Dream smiling. That bastard. Ranboo was in shock. He did this? He really kidnapped his best friend? His husband? Just because Dream told him to?
„But… You are lying. You are always lying. You must be lying. Because why would I have done that?“
„Am I?”, Dream questioned, “Why did you blow up the community house? Why did you hide that disc for me? Because we are friends!“
„We are not friends!“ But Dream was also right. He did do all these things he couldn't remember. He helped Dream before without knowing.
Why did he think this time would be different?
„Maybe one day you will understand.“ Ranboo could almost see Dream shrug his shoulders.
„What… what did I do to Tubbo?“, Ranboo needed to know even if he was afraid of the answer.
„I told you to get Tubbo to a secure place where he couldn't escape and no one would ever find him.“ Dream really sounded proud of himself.
But he didn't kill him. Tubbo was still alive. This was at least some sort of relief. That meant Tubbo was missing but he was safe. For now. „Why? Why did you do this?“
„Hmm Tubbo was useful in the past to get to Tommy. And I did want to get rid of him before the whole prison mess happened. Also I heard he has nukes? Which is kinda worrying. Oh and he had all my stuff I still want back. Thanks for putting it somewhere safe.“
„I… I did?” Ranboo shook his head. This wasn’t important. “ What are your plans now?“ Ranboo had to find out something. Something that could help him find Tubbo.
Anything.
„I bet you would like to know that. But you actually already know. And I wouldn't tell you my plans. The other you is way more fun! So… I’m gonna go now. See you soon, Ranboo.“
„Wait! You can't do this!“, Ranboo screamed.
But the voice had left. Dream was gone again. Ranboo sat down in the obsidian box, alone with his thoughts again, his head between his knees. What was he supposed to do now? He had looked everywhere he could think of for Tubbo before coming here. He was supposed to find him. This was his last hope. But how was he supposed to save him when he was the one who put him in danger? It was all his fault. He had to find a way to find him and make this right. Otherwise the blood of his best friend would only be on his hands. He couldn't let Tubbo die. But how, if he was the only one who knew where Tubbo was? If he could only remember…
That was it. He just had to remember.
Ranboo jumped to his feet and left the panic room immediately. He walked for a while but his steps had purpose. The particles around him started to whisper. They were worried. They knew where he was going. This was a risky plan. This was dangerous. This could even make everything worse. He didn't know what would happen when he went through with it. He didn't know if it would even work. He didn't know who he would be afterwards.
„I know that it's dangerous! But it's the only way. This is why I did all the experiments. I know you don't like it but this is what the emergency plan was made for. Emergency. Dream will probably kill Tubbo. Or worse… This is the only way I can save Tubbo. I have to remember everything.“
He stopped in front of the entrance of the room with the weird eye table things. He didn't know if he would be the same after this. He probably wouldn't be. He didn't know who he would be but he had to do everything in his power to save Tubbo.
Even if it meant losing himself…
* * *
One week earlier. One hour after Dream broke out of prison.
It was the early hours of the morning when the sun hadn't risen yet. Tubbo was already up and watched Michael sleep. He had had another nightmare and couldn't fall back asleep. Watching Michael’s sturdy breath while he was peacefully sleeping always helped. Ranboo didn't come home tonight but that wasn't an unusual thing. He probably stayed at his place near Phils and Technos. Sometimes Tubbo was glad that Ranboo spent a lot of nights there. This way he didn't have to explain his nightmares. He never really told him about them. It was not because he didn't trust him. It was just easier not to talk about what happened.
Suddenly Tubbo heard footsteps downstairs. Was Ranboo coming home this late? He went down the ladder and it was actually Ranboo.
“Hey big guy!”, Tubbo whispered not to wake up Michael, “where have you been all night?”
Ranboo just stood there in the middle of the room. Not saying a word. Something... something felt off. Tubbo got worried. “Are you ok? Is everything ok? Did something happen?”
And again Ranboo didn't answer. What was going on? A shiver ran down Tubbo’s spine. Something was wrong. There was this feeling of danger hanging in the air. “Ranboo?”, Tubbo asked and stepped towards his best friend.
“Why are you not scared of me?”, Ranboo suddenly asked and looked at Tubbo. Tubbo was confused. Where was this coming from all of the sudden? Was this about the half-enderman thing? “Why would I be scared of you? You're my best friend. I trust you. If I'm gonna be honest you are probably the single person I trust most on this goddamn server. I would never be scared of you.”
“But you should be.” This time Ranboo’s voice had changed. Just a slight change but enough for Tubbo to recognize. But before he could think more about this or figure out how to react, Ranboo came at Tubbo with a speed he had never seen before. “I'm sorry”, Ranboo whispered so quietly that Tubbo almost couldn't hear him while his best friend knocked him out.