Chapter Text
“I burned the tree.”
“What?!”
“I burned the tree,” Niki mumbled.
“Good job Niki!” Techno shouted as he attacked a wither.
And that was the end of the L’mantree. The tree survived tnt, the tree survived withers, but was ultimately destroyed by the girl that loved it most.
Niki fled. She ran to the caves. She ran back to where she started. And when she got there she collapsed.
When she woke up the next day she went to the L’mancrater and got the few belongings she had left in L’manberg. She went back to the caves. And then she started building. She made a house, she made a garden, she made everything she needed to live down in those caves. She made a home.
Eventually she was visited by two familiar faces.
“Niki!” A voice called.
Niki went to the door to find Jack Manifold and CaptainPuffy.
“Oh, Niki…” Puffy whispered when she saw the bags under Niki’s eyes.
“It‘s not as bad as it seems.”
“Niki…You need to rest. It isn’t good to push yourself non-stop,” said Jack softly.
“I do rest…I just don’t get much sleep…”
“Come here…” Puffy said as she pulled Niki in for a hug.
Niki just stood in her arms for a few minutes. Relishing in the warmth and comfort it brought her. She had not had a hug in a long time.
And then the dam broke. She cried. She let all the emotion out in the arms of her friend. Jack joined the hug and she cried more. And she thought to herself, What did she do to deserve friends like them?
After some long talks about self-care Jack and Puffy left, leaving Niki alone with her thoughts.
What do I do now? How do I move forward?
Soon her questions were answered as she got a message from a comrade.
He asked her to come meet him in the arctic. He said he had a question for her. So she went to meet him.
As she packed her bag she wondered, What could he want to ask me?
When she made it to his house he welcomed her inside and showed her to the couch.
“Do you want hot chocolate?” Technoblade asked.
“That would be wonderful!” Niki replied. She had no idea that the infamous Technoblade was a fan of hot chocolate!
“Careful, it’s hot!” Technoblade told her as he handed her the mug.
“Thank you.”
“No problem!”
“So what did you need to discuss?”
“Would you be interested in some anarchy?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m creating an organization of sorts. A group that participates in acts of anarchy. We don’t have an organized leader, so no member will be forced to agree to anything they don’t want to do. We watch each other’s backs and share information. If a new government forms we collectively decide how to bring it down.”
“Interesting. Who else is joining?”
“So far, Philza and Ranboo have agreed to joining.”
“I’ll give it some thought. But what made you decide to ask me of all people?”
“The L’mantree.”
“Oh…”
“I’m sorry if that’s a sensitive subject.”
“It’s not, don’t worry. Who knew the famous Blood God had a soft spot!”
He laughed, “I don’t know!” His face grew grim, “But on a more serious note, you don’t have to lie to me.
“What do you mean?”
“I can see it in your eyes Niki. You’re in pain.”
He stood and walked over to her. Then he got down on his knees and looked in her eyes.
“Whatever you are going through, you aren’t alone.” And then he hugged her.
She was surprised to say the least. She didn’t expect him to hug her. But she hugged back and then she realized that her heart was beating extremely quickly.
What is going on, she wondered. Why does my heart feel like it’s going to burst out of my chest?
In that moment she was sure he could hear her heart beat, but if he did he gave no indication.
Soon he got on the couch and she leaned into him. He let her lay there and soon they both fell asleep.
When they woke up the next morning Niki made breakfast and thanked Technoblade before leaving. As she left she realized that was the best sleep she’d had since before the war.
On the way back home she pondered his offer. Should I take his wait and see what they do first? she wondered. But then she realized that this was her chance at a new family and she knew her answer.
Soon Technoblade got a message asking when the next Syndicate meeting is.