Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Getting greeted by Karl's corpse was horrifying in a sense Vio refused to elaborate on.

The sheer fact that Jacob’s body had no breath left in it held the fact that he had failed one of the people of the server of not more.

And the book Jacobs had clearly ensured was in his hands…

Violet was beyond anger, frustration and despair.

The alien found himself pacing trying to make sense of it before embarking on the plan set up in the book.

Six times, six times they had failed.

He refused to let it be any more than that.

Reading through the book the main cause of the last failure was another reveal…

Although Vio wanted to be surprised by Dream, he just was tired now.

He left the building with the mauled face of Karl still imprinted in his mind- 

Five days, five days to rid his garden of this snake - no Basilisk that dared try and take from his territory.

The deadline was too close but they would do it, they had to.

She would pay, no one hurt them, not without consequences.

The book had come with a gift- a keychain and a viral hidden in the spine.

The viral held a sickly neon green substance to it and the book had warned of its toxicity and lethality to even the threat.

It was a discovery that was ill timed and what could have brought success instead was used against them to cripple their own forces.

_____

“Is there something you need from me?” 

Dream shifted under his gaze but Vio didn’t really have the time to waste.

He shoved the keychain into the admin’s hand and just as the admin looked to investigate the item he spoke:

“Wake up”

And then Dream had changed.

—————-

They had all sat in the meeting room as Vio had explained as well as he could to the server everything from the book.

The room had everyone sans one, though he was not far off, being a floor below, awaiting the alien’s call.

“He has exactly two choices. Either he helps us win, or he fucks around and gets everyone and himself killed. We can't afford to have him sit on the sidelines--I know because we tried it” , Vio’s tail lashed in frustration as he continued, “I know none of you trust him, and I don't either! But he's the admin, he's smart, he has his own time shenanigan that would grant an additional edge - no offence Karl -, and we need every tiny sliver of an edge we can get. I don't ask this lightly. This is a desperate time; desperate measures are in order. His parole and restraining order will be temporarily suspended until the Prime-damned apocalypse isn't breathing down our necks."

The alien stared down the server members, as if he dared them to argue, as moments passed, Wilbur was the one to break the silence.

"...There’s no way he'll be on the front lines, then. He's the hail Mary if all else fails--the revival book. He's in his last life, too. It doesn't make sense to put him anywhere that would put him in danger. So...he'll be on logistics and strategy, then? Commanding the troops?"

It wasn’t a surprise that the suggestion was met with outrage from several people.

Had it been any other situation Vio would have been more likely to bend and agree, they had every right to distrust Dream.

But six times, six times they had failed and they had only increased the odds with more people needing Dream, Day and Theo - it was stressed and he couldn’t fail again. “Besides, something tells me he will cooperate better now”

“You’re putting Dream in charge of strategy?”

“And your point Wilbur? It isn’t the time to play games or act coy - so spit it out-“

Wilbur raised a brow, despite that his expression was serious, “he’s not the only one with experience leading in battle. Put me with him."

From there Vio had cackled hysterically, confirming that it had been the plan, planting Tommy with them despite the boy’s protest.

There was no guarantee either of the two would survive a second revival, and Vio refused to test it then.

Purpled has been added as extra security since the strategy had been targeted before.

With only a small moment of relief, Vio had them dove into the next subject: Theo and Day

After all Karl had already talked about his own secret regarding the time travelling - he had to, the threat had used anything and everything against them.

No secrets were afforded.

“First of all, I’ll be asking for Day and Theo to come to our aid. In return I want to offer them anything they ask for with the sole exception of another person’s life. If they want to escape their world and live here, I will grant it without question. If they want every single resource I have, I will hand it over gladly. Nothing--nothing-- would be able to repay them for sticking their necks out for us.” He took a deep breath, and continued, “We can’t succeed without them. It was--it was emphasized.”

He had then rattled on how the fight would go, with everyone settling their roles.

He would have dragged Dream to sit there and work with the plan- if not for how apathetic he had become and he doubted the Admin would have been of any help currently.

The book had admitted that without a fight Dream would need time to process the memories- regardless of if they wanted it.

But had the book not confirmed that Dream would follow the plan regardless Vio would have dragged the admin there anyway.

The alien checked his comm as it beeped -“ Day’s given his reply - they’ll help”

Chapter Text

He stood in front of the door to the room Vio and the server were in.

The room around felt like a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation.

They had all died 

Six times.

He only knew of one - the last one.

Had Violet not ‘woken’ him, whatever was coming would have forced him out of the memory deprive anyway.

He signed and leaned into the wall.

It felt as if it had been just yesterday when everything went to shit just as much as it left like it had been lifetimes ago.

Him gaining his memories mid battle had been a distraction and a half and how could it not.

Processing centuries if not several fucking lifetimes worth of memories, emotions, ideals all with the span of a few hours was too much for anyone to face.

Let alone the few fucking seconds needed for any opportunity to strike, for either side.

It was a lot.

Even now.

It wasn't like starting a new loop.

It was like reliving through every single repressed memory in too short a time.

It was torture in its own right and burned.

And he hated how after all of it - he just felt numb.

Like the moment was grains of sand just slipping through his hands…

Surprisingly, Violet and his ‘dog’ had been the breath of fresh air to that.

They were just so - different.

Chaotic, and vengeful and petty as fuck.

Although he could respect that.

Vio had given him some time before he had to tell everyone about the weird shit that could catch everyone off guard - secret wise anyway.

Well he still had his extended inventory - he might as well try and set a new record in how fast he can explain it all anyway.

________________

Violet had him sit down with DayDream for a ‘talk’ although the other version of himself seemed to be grim. Frankly Dream wasn't surprised that the other had asked him to take off his mask, and while he was much more willing to part with it than his counterpart in this loop, it wasn't as if DayDream knew that yet.

Although the other seemed only a little surprised when he didn't show any hesitation to part with the porcelain disk - although he was willing to bet Day had yet to fully realize that his eyes were no longer green anymore.

Loop shenanigans 

Regardless, the conversation started bluntly, “Our lives were identical up to when Vio arrived here. I stayed in prison, kept being tortured, and eventually escaped with a body that had no hope of recovering fully. I went to spawn and made a bargain for a second chance for not just me, but everyone else. No, I won’t tell you the exact details of it. Yes, I remembered everything the whole time, and adopted my sons anyway.”

Just like Violet, DayDream seemed to breathe new life into the settled monotony of the server.

The information dump - because what else should he call it - felt like a quack damned goldmine.

“Wow - thats, thats alot”, he felt himself trip over his words as he wheezed a half lived laugh. DayDream just watched, looking intent as if waiting for venom to strike but frankly, Dream had none to spill.

It wasn't like he needed a powertrip to feel in control, or to soothe his paranoia because that entire revelation had so so many little voices rise up just like there was for Violet and his bloody dog and frankly any version of Tommy he couldn't attach himself to.

It was startling and stupid.

“That does explain a bit - wow - i”,  he needed a moment to breathe, “so you still went and adopted them? How did tha- nevermind, you already said you wouldn't tell - wow”

Day frowned at him and he didn't blame him - he must have seemed so out of character.

“What are you up to?”

“Who says i'm up to anything”

“Dont lie to me, your acting completely different from normal”, Day scowled at him and Dream had to fight the urge to curl in. He tried to continue nonchalantly.

“Fair, and blame Vio - it's his fault anyway - besides were going to tell everyone after you had your turn anyway”

“And why should i even entertai-”

“Because you and Violet and everyone on this server has the ability to shank me if that's not the case. Feel free to do it if i haven't told you by the end of the day”

“And why-”

“I can and will call Vio in - i don't have to tolerate your self loathing issues Day”

Interrupting Day felt illegal given the glares the man kept sending him one after the other as he interrupted him. But Day was far from the worst thing he ever had to face.

Day continued with slightly less venom in his voice as if contemplating.

“What makes you think he’ll even be on your side? Especially with how suspicious your being”

Dream just gave him an awkward grimace as he fiddled with his fingers, “again - this is kinda his fault Day, more so whatever idiot has shit enough self preservation to step on that’s alien’s claim on us all”

DayDream scrutinized every movement he made, staying quiet for the moment. Dream wasn't fooled though, saying the wrong thing would definitely set the man after him.

Deciding to take a risk, he found himself asking a rather stupid question, “How - how long did you have to deal with him - Quackity?”

He watched DayDream go quiet, observing how the man’s wings flustered at the mention of quackity’s name, never really dropping guard.

It's a shame that he telegraphed nearly everything on his face - but he supposed the mask was for more practical reasons for Day than it was for him at their start.

Day seemed to take a moment, before giving a soft shrug as he spoke, “I don't know, however it was far too long”, his eyes distant but Dream bet he had enough awareness of the room regardless.

Took a paranoid entity to recognise another afterall.

He picked at his fingers again as Day looked at him, coming back to the present fully.

-“For what it's worth, I’m glad you found your joy”, Dream started, masking how deeply he was observing the other, while speaking in the softest tone he could without making Day more suspicious than he was currently.

Day full on stared at him, in complete shock. He didn't even bother to hide it as he tensed as if getting ready to jump at him - which to be fair he probability was.

Rude.

“ - it doesn't take a genius to realize what may have been the results without them - they saved you didnt they?”

That seemed to set Day of more with the man hissing threats at him, “dont you dare play a fucking hand on them -”

“And I won't, that, i can assure you”, Dream cut him off, leveling the other before him with a look.

He took a deep breath, making sure to telegraph himself ‘relaxing’ and plastering a softer expression on “Look,  who else do you need to tell - “

Day cut him off fast, “I refuse to give you that information”

He nods before responding, “So enough people then, well go talk to them, Violet and I need to talk anyway”

Chapter Text

“How much did the book tell you?”

Vio found himself looking up as Dream walked in, “Hm?”

“Well you know enough that you weren't caught too off guard by the drastic personality change. But that doesn't really tell me much anyway”, the man rambled on as if unbothered, although Vio wouldn't be surprised if he was simply much better at masking his expressions compared to Day and the old Dream.

The alien considered a moment before responding, “the basics, that you live through time loops, don't fear death, that you covert any form of entertainment - and you consider Day, Theseus and I interesting enough to delay any form of inevitable end. That you're petty and can be dangerous even if recovering - and if anyone was to make it - it be you. That the reason Karl could warn us was because you understood the situation and made sure he got out alive enough to warn us.”

Dream hummed thoughtfully for a moment before continuing, “so something but nothing of substance outside the current situation”

“I suppose so”, Vio shrugged, watching where the conversation was going.

“Well, consider it your lucky day, ask and I’ll answer”, the alien blinked as the man threw himself into a chair, as if orchestrating something grand in his response 

“And how do i know you wont lie to me”

Dream just shot finger guns at him as he responded, “You don't”

“I suppose that's to be expected, do you know many times perhaps?”

He tested the waters with the question, Vio was a little curious from the lack of an attempt from Dream to defend himself from the accusation - however that could be an attempt of sorts to lower his guard.

Or perhaps Dream had a different motivation. Day had mentioned how bad his paranoia had been even in the old timeline, and Dream had previously exhibited such traits.

Even if they had been swallowed by a lack of self preservation and pride.

“I lost count after 168 rounds and that's not counting pandora loops, they tend to bleed together and it can be hard to tell sometimes if i've left one pandora to end up in another”

There was a flat tone to the response, Vio found himself observing the admin closely.

The neutrality didn't feel forced nor artificial.

“How would you say it's difficult?”

Dream picked his fingers, noticeably more uncomfortable - “my dreams, tend to be pretty vivid… sometimes painful too, makes it hard to properly tell what is and isn’t reality without access to a comm page - can't get those right in the dreams anyway”

The alien hummed.

“Is it not possible to subvert the events that place you in Pandora? Or at least leave the area or even the server to avoid such an end?”

Dream groaned at the ceiling before answering, not really thinking about it this time.

“Keep asking the tough shit huh. Not really, I tend to be stuck in the server regardless most times - it doesn't help the loops don't have a set start or end point”

Vio paused, “what does that mean?”

Dream seemed to have either become comfortable or nervous enough to ramble as he answered.

“Sometimes I wake up and I’m talking to Wilbur before the revolution, sometimes I’m in exile staring down Tommy, other times I'm facing an axe aimed for my head and enough times I'm in Pandora’s vault. With who knows what version of Quackity and Sam”

With how much emotion and attitude the admin placed into the last two names, Vio felt something click, deciding to ask to confirm his suspicions… it wasn't like the admin was uncomfortable with refusing to answer if he didn't want to.

“Does it matter that much”

“Yes, yes it does. God Vio, if you think Day had to face hell I hate to tell you but Quackity and Sam can be so much worse. Violet I had to train myself to stop reacting to this crap - because too many people realise and then try and take advantage and I refuse to let it happen more times than I can at least control - and that doesn't even go into my issues with Wilbur.”

Dream gleaned a hysterical tone before forcing it down, as he spoke, into a soft anger to have it end on a cold empty note of emotions. As if well practised at guiding such emotions.

It would have felt natural if not for the small giveaways Dream gave through his avoidance to even look at Vio as well as the constant fidgeting Dream did with his fingers against his sleeves.

Both Day and Dream shared a few small tells when they were stressed and tired.

“You definitely need to speak to Puffy about this - and Wilbur? not Tommy?”Vio turned the conversation, hoping one of the two topics would guide the admin back to the present fully.

Dream huffed before rambling again, “nope, not unloading any of this on her - I refuse to. In regards to Tommy. Most of my issues were because of Wilbur, or at least that's how it used to be. The loops seems to fixate on making my whole thing with Wilbur be with Tommy after some point and it rarely switches back - not that it ever changed the main events much when Wilbur went and committed suicide on doomsday and that made me look at the next biggest troublemaker back then and dump it all on him”

He stopped a moment as if to breathe, allowing Vio to enquire.

“Used to?”

“Nothing is ever exactly the same - or if it is, not for long or frequently anyway - sometimes Philza and technoblades are friends, sometimes family, or even soulmates. Other times Tubbo is schlatts biological child, an orphan, Phil's son or Captainsparklez even. There's also a matter of species, Techno tends to switch between piglin, to human to hybrid, Phil’s thing has almost always been his wings but whether he’s human or not seems to be inconsistent. My own biology is constantly changing, with different disabilities, appearances, backgrounds and all.”

He tucked some of that away for later, Dream deftly would be elaborating more when they weren't facing whatever threat decided to grace them all.

“I suppose that means Day, Theusus and myself are new variables to the equation”, Vio mused.

“Yep, if i die there's no exact confirmation that I’ll even be here for the seventh go - and i can't bring myself to risk anything on the off chance i don't see you guys ever again, especially as you broke the memory barrier properly so it wont rebuild itself if i die and wake up in another loop.”

Vio tilted his head at Dream’s small frown, “Is it that bad? You seem to be dealing with it pretty well for the moment”

The admin scoffed as if Vio had told a joke. 

“Because you guys changed it. Like so so much. Yeah I can predict people but it's so much less certain than it ever was, on top of that new interactions and projects and all that crap… Vio I can't go back to the loops, not yet not ever if I can choose - god there was a reason i tried to erase my memories so many times Vio - even if i make the same mistakes and have to relearn everything - even if i forget everyone i loved. It's hell. Its fucking hell”

“…You don't swear by Prime anymore, is there a reason”

The question seemed to pull Dream out of the building hysteria enough that it showed visibly in his body language.

From the start everything had flowed into another action as if guiding emotions through such motions. This time Vio seemed to have actually distracted the man 

“A stack and a half but frankly the two basic ones is that i've been dis-enlightened by gods and just swearing by god or gods mean that people are less likely to be weird about whatever you believe in even if you fall under the agnostic theism category - you believe in but don't worship gods or god”

“Can I trust you with strategy?”

“I’m me and I've reread many of Phil’s and techno’s books enough of which are war and battle focused”

“Fair enough, but not what i meant”

“Im skilled at holding back breakdowns and grudges, I may hate Wilbur and Sam to a stupid extent but I won't let it get in the way of making sure we all survive - we’re fighting to win after all, and I don't lose easy - none of us ever did”

“That’s true for one, come on we might as well go and set up, Day should be done soon”

“Aye aye Captain”

Chapter Text

Day had revealed his secret to most of the server by now, and time was ticking enough that Vio wasn’t entirely happy with how long Dream was taking to talk.

Eventually Vio’s comm had pinged and now he found himself in a room with several others.

Theo seemed to have invited himself as Day had basically said anything shared with himself would be shared with his sons.

Tommy had immediately sat besides Vio, before sending glares to the admin who was busy keeping an eye on Sam - much like Techno and Phil.

Karl had just sat down at the start looking vaguely uncomfortable.

Within a minute everyone had settled down enough for Dream to talk - although the room held an uncomfortable silence, and Dream seemed to be still.

The admin tapped the table repeatedly and hard from  under his arms, while his shoulders stayed tense and jaws clenched.

Decision paralysis was a devil.

“Well? What are you fucking waiting for?”Tommy was the first to break the silence.

“Have you ever wanted to go back? Or see if something could have changed? Like what if you said something different? Or let something happen?”

Dream finally spoke, looking at Karl as he talked.

Phil was the one to make a commentary.

“And where is this thing going?”

“Like time travel?”

Karl had voiced this with a hint of something in his tone- it was his every by now he could time travel.

His own inability to control it had made it a nightmare and the ability to talk about it had been blocked for so long that when Vio had been able to undo the restriction (along with some small help from an admin) he had almost cried in joy at the freedom to just. Talk. About. It.

Dream rubbed at his neck as he nodded, taking deep breaths as he spoke.

“Sorta, just instead of you having an active choice I’m stuck in a perpetual loop, where nothing stays forever i guess… I did a thing a long ass time ago which basically locked up all my loop memories because it got too much - it erodes your sanity even with the variety, really- and it stuck for a bit. But stuff happens and Vio basically undid whatever it was and accidentally made me relive it all… got a new perspective that kinda conked out some of the existential depression and now… I’m here”

The end of the speech was weak, with Dream’s voice straining.

Karl seemed to wince in sympathy - while Tommy remained skeptic

“I don’t mean to repeat after Techno” Phil made a motion to Day as he spoke, ““...but do you have any sort of way you can prove that?”

Dream tilted his head, “other than the book Vio got as well as some knowledge and stuff, I guess - but the stuff needs a bit of time thanks to how butchered the process of this was… along with the fact I was supposed to forget forever.”

Vio found himself voicing something before the others could get a word in. His conversation earlier with Dream had given some insight into why Dream may want to get rid of any and all memories in the loop. 

But Day and Dream were survivors.

They were people who on ce they found an advantage would abuse it if it could suit them and the price wasn’t high enough to deter them.

To give up such information- on the insights of the server, the future, possible blackmail - any of it.

It seemed strange for any version of Dream to do such a thing.

The ritual was precise, the book's instructions adamant about how Vio should go about it and what could happen if he did something wrong.

All of it hinged on what memories would be released and how.

If he had said the word with any cutting weapon in sight (man-made, it had been specific) then Dream would have attacked Vio instantly and been incapable of being talked down for days they didn’t have.

Had Vio just given him the keyring and nothing else then the admin would have been plagued by sensations of Deja vu while being plagued with dreams far too specific and meaningless- at least if the book was correct.

Each instruction had a reason why Vio couldn’t rush it in blunt terms - likely written by a ‘woken’ Dream.

The first page had a message from that Dream of what they needed to do if Karl was unsuccessful this time and only came an hour or day before the event.

A last chance to have Karl come earlier by Dream’s assurance that could pay off.

It would have been a bloody way to have the admin come out of a self imposed partial amnesia.

With time to spare Vio had chosen a less bloody but effective method the book had recommended instead.

“ I’m surprised you chose to forget all of it. Not even blackmail, or Perhaps a warning to possibly reach a kinder future? I don’t imagine the vault is a wonderful place to die every time”

No one mentioned it if they saw Day wince at the mention of the vault, although Vio did note a more bitter expression on Dream as he answered.

“The vault isn’t the worst thing, although it’s plenty awful… and I have done that in the past - however we- Day and I and most Dreams out there possibly. We are built far too curious… even if we know it would make us miserable we seek out what we miss. To remove everything, means to truly see it as it is… and to let the blindfold of ignorance blind us - me - of the tiresome reality of living life in the same set of events - forever.

“So you would make everyone else be miserable so your less miserable” Tommy scowled as he shouted at the admin

“Misery seeks company, besides its one of the least harmful routes I could have gone” 

“Thats bullsh-”

“Regardless Tommy does have a point, it doesn't seem like a smart move - if anything I’d describe it more like an act of desperation”, Tommy scowled deepened as Technoblade interrupted him, but given  Techno had ust made Dream squirm and he was a big man, he would let it pass for now.

He still gave a glare at Techno just for full effect however, “don't interrupt me”

“Then dont be a child”

Before the two could settle the argument, Dream redirected the attention - 

“An act of desperation… That's exactly what it was , Technoblade, you saw the box. No one sane would choose to place themselves there”

The room stayed quiet for a moment.

Sam shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he tried to avoid the dead gaze that Dream had started to direct at him.

Tommy bit his lip, as if withholding insults. No need to kick someone who was down (and Techno seemed to have triggered something anyway)

The small silence was broken by Karl of all people. The time traveler.

“I don’t think I could ever bring myself to do that - to forget like that”

“You haven’t done it enough times to think about it yet then - after all to me? In a world where nothing is permanent - there can be no consequences. Good or bad”

“I suppose that makes sense - Time travel as a concept would imply consequences - whereas Time loops do the opposite- even if the two are achieved through manipulation or travel of time.” 

Karl and Dream both stared at Technoblade as he spoke.

“Guess I didn't think of it like that”, Karl grimaced as Dream rubbed at his neck.

Philza just signs before turning to Vio, “That being said - Vio, Day, has Dream lied?”

Day grimaced while pinching his head, “I can’t tell - he’s right about being too different, I can only be so accurate with him like I would a distant friend - he’s not our Dream from before this anyway” 

“Continuing of Day, that would be correct, the book Karl’s future, past self delivered shared enough to allow me to believe it before I went through with the ritual” Vio had reread the entirety of the book several times over - even utilizing Hero’s help to assess the damage to future/past Karl to make sure nothing was off but with the clock ticking there was enough for him to decide to trust Dream for now.

---------

Dream sat alone in the room with Sam - the others had left and Vio had Tommy round the others up for the next two reveals as he himself set up.

The creeper hybrid looked at Dream awkwardly as the admin sat there.

It's not like the warden scared him much - especially now without the full armour and lack of weapons.

On top of that Sam was already on thin ice with many thanks to what Violet had revealed regarding the vault - so if anything was to happen the fingers would be pointed at the creeper first.

“The vault was really fucked up”

“I guess”

“That was on both of us. I don’t fully blame you for what we made - but I blame you for your inaction and enabling”

—-----------

Sam stayed quiet for a moment, the vault was inhuman - even he could admit it.

(even if he didn't agree that Dream deserved to be treated like a human after everything he did)

Vio had only really made him take a step back because the idea that Dream would take revenge if anything was handled poorly was something that half the server still feared - well before Vio showed how much more dangerous he was.

He tried to hide a flinch as Dream spoke up again - tone cautious as if Sam was the dangerous one out of the two of them.

“I’m going to trust you. So trust me while we try and survive. It’s the least you can do after that”

Without thinking he cracked a laugh

“And you won’t sabotage us? Don’t make me laugh”

Sam held no trust in Dream, even with Vio’s threats and assurances - the admin never showed strong self-preservation skills especially in pandora.

Perhaps had it been the early days of the smp he would have accepted it.

But Dream was a broken admin with nothing to lose other than his pride now.

“There’s no choice here. Even if I hinted at doing so both Day and Vio would shut it down before anything happened. We would all die.”

Sam almost fell for the somber gravity of the admin in front of him - “Like you care”

The creeper spat at Dream who showed a flicker of anger - an actual emotion - for the first time since they started talking.

“I don’t want to see you die - not Sapnap - not George. Even Foolish and Ranboo and Phil. Techno would die for Phil. Karl would die for us to have a chance. Trust them - if you can’t me. Not forever - but just for now.”

They both were inches apart, with Dream hanging over the table, standing and staring him down like a predator(monster) almost like how the admin used to be.

Just the threats had nothing to back itself up this time.

“Do anything and I will kill you myself”, Sam mimicked the admin’s(monster’s) posture as he reiterated his own threat back

Dream stood up properly as he let out a forced laugh, “Get in line”

Just as the admin reached the door Sam felt himself pause before talking

“… for now… you have it for just this”

Unfortunately - Sam did have a desire to live.

He didn't trust the admin (monster) as far as he could kick him - But if the alien was right.

If they were truly in danger? Tommy, Tubbo and the other kids deserved a world they could live in.

Dream was lucky that the doctor's stress was so palpable that even the warden’s doubt was crumbling.

“And you, mine”

Sam blinked at the soft tone before Dream left the room before shaking it off.

Chapter Text

Day had already won the server over earlier, through his sincerity and those who were still skeptical were less so after Theo’s own speech and Day’s tired response with self loathing oozing.

Dream’s  own actions had done little to win anyone over but everyone had begrudgingly accepted the fact that both Day, Vio and Theo would all kill him at the hint of betrayal or otherwise and Dream had somewhat of a will to live despite his previous actions.

Violet had some trust in the admin as both Karl and himself had vouched and underlined the necessity to have both Day and Dream in the plan.

It also helped that the admin had been assisting the best he could in bolstering Karl’s and any other server member’s defences through his own means and resources.

It did mean that when he saw Tommy in the armour both Day and him had ‘stolen’ there wasn’t much of a reaction outside of a small run down of what they may want to add or tailored to suit Tommy better.

The most annoying part was that it was sound advice and achievable in a short time frame.

Vio had yet to have anything done for him although Purpled did get an upgrade.

Dream had directly asked to check out Vio’s armour from the alien before the doctor had refused and told Dream he would find out later regardless.

For a mere half a day they had managed to upgrade and or fortify their gear with their stock of Gapples, totems, regen arrows (Day had admitted he would be using that idea later for the stackability) and other tools being distributed easily and quickly.

That being said it wouldn’t have been done anywhere near efficiently without Day helping to speed up the raids on their bunkers and Ranboo increasing his totem production.

Tubbo and Wilbur had both gone off in favour of both potions and bombs for the meantime before they had all regrouped.

———

Day had done his reveal in the early evening the night before and Dreamin the early morning and now it was approaching late afternoon and Vio decided to have them group at the edge of a Savannah and Forest .

The first thing the alien did was create a bit of distance before he had warned them that he was going to stop using his human accent, because he wasn’t willing to spare the bit of concentration it took during the fight.

 So they should be aware that it would be a bit...unpleasant, to adjust to the change.

Wilbur had asked/demanded what the hell Vio was on about before the alien had answered in his native accent.

There had been a half-screeched scream of "What the fuck ?!" from the revived man. Which, well--Vio had known that Wilbur would take him revealing the extent of his camouflage the worst. Of the group of them, only Dream and Tommy had heard it before--Dream because of threats, Tommy because it had been mentioned offhandedly and he’d been curious about it.

Although supposedly despite having not the best memory of the events before he ‘woke up’ Dream was among the least affected.

Regardless, the server had shown quite the surprise to the alien’s accent.

Humans, hybrids, and anything adjacent to them tended not to sound sort of like gravel caught in an industrial blender. 

“How the fuck did you manage to hide that so well?”

Jack just looked horrified.

Vio had stopped in his tracks and turned to look at the group. He purposefully used his secondary eyelids to blink and then became perfectly, utterly, terrifyingly still aside from the slight movement of his mouth. “I’m a predator . My kind lives in a barren landscape, and we have to be able to mimic everything and anything. I can reflect every minute shift your body makes, and I can also become so still I don’t look alive. We have to be able to, because otherwise we die when our prey spots us and flees. But people are not prey, and I don’t want to scare or startle if I don’t need to. I especially don’t want to do that to everyone here. You are what I decided to protect. I will lay every single one of my lives down for all of you because I want you all to live. I will show you every single blade and tooth and weapon I possess, because to do otherwise would be to sentence everyone to death. It may end up killing me in the future, but if it saves you now ? I will do this gladly.”

And then he began walking again, the signs of being alive returned from one second to the next. Day was actually smiling a bit, even while Theo was quietly muttering what the fuck to himself repeatedly.

Vio broke through the forest and into a savanna, then set down an ender chest. “Alright, so I believe the easiest way to show my skill is by explaining my various weapons and then having a round against Techno and Theo.” His eyes flicked to Day, and he gave a small nod. “I know you’re likely the strongest fighter here, but quite frankly I'm terrified of injuring your wings. I have no doubt you have spent a long time learning to protect them, but I am...a bit differently built.” He grinned, and it was the sharp-edged predator smile that he almost always kept hidden. There was a shudder that passed through Wilbur and Dream, and Techno gave the tiniest of flinches. Tommy, Day, and Theo seemed morbidly fascinated, though. “Well. To all of you, I suppose it would be more...built weird. Unnatural--perhaps even wrong.”

He pulled off his stained purple lab coat, revealing that underneath he wore a slim, sleeveless top that showed his arms. Even Tommy, who had seen him put on and take off his coat countless times before, had never seen him without at least half length sleeves.

There were a few beats of silence as they just watched him carefully put away his coat in his ender chest. “...Is that an extra joint on your arm?!” Tommy’s exclamation was oddly enthusiastic, his eyes wide as he stared at the area that definitely looked like an extra joint.

In response, Vio’s arm twisted in a way that made Wilbur turn a little green, given how the limb now should by all rights be broken . Then it twisted back, and Vio raised his eyebrows a bit. “Very much so. Also--to me, all you have one too few joints on your arms. It was one of the biggest shocks about learning how things worked with humans and adjacent species. The joint is analogous to a shoulder joint, by the way; ball and socket. I can demonstrate the exact amount of rotation, if it would be helpful. Just let me know.” 

Next, he flipped one of his hands over and used both thumbs of the other to press into the cleft between the main two sort of hoof-like nails that made up his primary digits. There was a moment when it wasn’t clear what exactly he was doing, until--

Those nails flicked out, unfolding. Into claws. Very, very sharp claws. He flexed his hand, and then carefully repeated the motion for the other hand, and he made a displeased hum. It was an awful sound in his native accent.

“I’ve kept them down for too long. It feels odd to free them again. I will have to spend some time getting used to this again,” he murmured, tail flicking slightly in annoyance. Speaking up again as he very carefully massaged the base of the claws he told them, “They’re quite durable; I’ve only really been fully stopped by netherite. Even then, I can scratch it a bit.”

Day blinked at that. "They can go through diamond?" "Not in one swipe, but eventually? Yes." 

Vio gives a little nod at that. "More or less correct. Growth only really occurs when I molt."

"...What, like a snake?" Tommy is still staring at the claws, brow creasing a bit in thought. Vio snorted softly and said, "Sort of. It's a bit like a cross between an insectoid and reptilian molt. I've been told the empty shell is grotesque and should be burned. It was Ponk who said though, so...I take that with a grain of salt." There’s a look of curiosity at the vague description from Tommy--and a bit from Theo too--so Vio can’t help but give a little laugh. “If you’re so interested, I’ll be sure to show you after my next one.”

Tommy gives a giant grin at that, and moves on before he can get too distracted at the promise. “So these'll be your main weapons? Wait--can you even use the other ones with those out? If that’s the case, how fast can you go from your khop-whatevers to those?” He’s looking at the claws with a slight head tilt, eyes narrowing slightly as he thinks. Vio’s answer is fast, like he’s tested it enough to know the answer by heart. “Seventeen seconds if I care about keeping my blades on me, eleven if not.”

Dream gives a low whistle at that. “Impressive. Would be faster with a speed potion, though.” Vio shakes his head, a small frown appearing. “No...I avoid potions. The dosage is tricky for me--I very nearly died the first time I tried to take a potion. I can make ones that work for me, but I keep them for absolute emergencies. Only health and regen, and even then they’re...not ideal. I’m more or less incapacitated once they’re in me.” There’s some surprise at that, and Techno’s eyes narrow a bit. “...Same with splash pots?” “Those are even worse for me--there’s extra nonsense in them to keep the effectiveness the same. If you need to use them during the fight, don’t do it where they’ll hit me. ” 

“So is it the water that's causing the issue? Or the magic - if it's the magic, is it the case with every type or most?” Dream asked Vio directly

Vio lets out a soft exhale, his claws flexing a little.  “...My body reacts oddly to magic in general. Enchantments are sort of...hard, for me. They feel wrong, give me a bit of a queasy feeling somewhere around where my heart is. They also tend to not work correctly. The only ones that work entirely as intended are efficiency, fire aspect, soul speed, sharpness, and feather falling. Flame as well, but--” He holds up one of his hands, eyebrows raising a bit. “Bows and crossbows are a bit difficult to use with this hand configuration, you know. The boot ones are equally as useless, given my general inability to wear shoes.” There’s a moment where he lifts one of his hoof-like feet in emphasis, before he continues on, “Mending and fire protection have reduced but more or less stable effectiveness. Relevant enchantments that seem to randomly decide when to work and how effective they’ll be are unbreaking and the remainder of the protection ones. Anything else either simply doesn’t work or actively gives a rebound effect.”

“Makes sense, you complain about water too much otherwise - but magic? There's like a lot of different systems so what type have you been able to experiment with”

“Full offence but what are you talking about?”

“... right timeline differences… from experience i think i could have us test some other stuff if you want to give that a go later - actually scratch that I’m definitely looking into it because there are alot of stuff basic vanilla enchantment shy from when compared to.”

Day looked at him for a moment before focusing on Vio, “are any of our own enchantments a concern? Both in terms of hurting you and working as intended?”

“Mm...I've shown how silk touch doesn't work for me in front of several people, who then were able to use the same pick perfectly fine. There shouldn't be any issues, but...just in case, we can test it.”

Foolish tilted his head as if considering something as Vio continued:

“Anything related to water should be kept far away from me. Respiration, depth strider, frost walker, any tridents with their unique enchantments--they all feel like being stabbed. Even being near those is...deeply unpleasant. If they touch me, it will at minimum slow me down and distract me”

“What about lapis then? Or is it only an issue when it’s magically charged or specifically enchantments are what cause issues”, Foolish voiced aloud.

Vio thought a moment before responding as the admin nodded (not a bad question especially reading Vio’s interesting biology), “that's something i haven't tested but it may just be enchantment specific as i can still enchant tools just not effectively”

Day nodded, his eyes flicking over to his son. Theo cracked his neck a bit, eyes narrowing in thought and lips pulled into a slight frown in the exact same way that Tommy’s were. “...So any more surprises for us, Vio, or you ready to fight?”

He got a wide grin, and then something shifted on his tail.

“So you do have tail spikes”, the admin mused semi-quietly.

 When the others looked over at him, he seemed a bit surprised at their surprise. “...What, none of you could tell? They’re a slightly different color, in far too specific of a pattern to be anything but that.” 

“Still weird even if it makes sense”,  Tommy muttered and Dream rolled his eyes

“I’m more surprised you didn't catch on with your own eye for detail”

“Not everyone has all the time in the world to stare at someone’s tail Dream, some of us are busy with jobs unlike a certain someone”

Foolish was the one to interrupt the two, “So is that everything then?”

“Not quite”, Vio grinned at the group dropping onto all fours, his arms rotating with that fourth joint so that he was able to hold his weight comfortably.

Tommy jolted a bit, head jerking backwards in surprise. “I thought your pants looked different! Makes sense, though.” This was met with five incredulous stares, to which he threw his hands up defensively. “What?! Can’t a guy notice when his boss is wearin’ something entirely different than usual? It’s not like he’s got a real diverse range of clothes!”

Vio nodded, even as he did a weird and vaguely cat-like stretch. “Indeed. Most normal pants are...not ideal, for being on all fours.” The rest were just looking down at Vio--which felt weird, since he was usually one of the tallest in any given room. “...I’m starting to agree with Dream--this might just all be a nightmare,” Wilbur mumbled, seemingly just to himself. Vio leveled him with a deeply unimpressed look, which made him shrink back a bit. The alien rolled his eyes, starting to pad back and forth a bit. “I know that you’re arguably the least prepared to handle all this, Wilbur. I’ve found that revival seems to let one see things they really shouldn’t--things their brain isn’t really...designed to handle.”

Day frowned, pointing wordlessly to Tommy. The teen nodded, pointing at himself questioningly. “The longer dead, the more the afterlife clings to them,” Vio said, as if that made perfect sense. Wilbur just stared blankly, and got another, harder eyeroll. “I have, in fact, met other revived people before coming here. Puffy acted differently around me once she dragged herself back to life. Then, well, it wasn’t terribly hard to figure out once I was here that Jack came back as well. I’m honestly unsure why Tommy never seemed to care--or at least, not  to the extent that the others did.” Tommy shrugged a little at that. “Probably has to do with Mumza. Blessing or some shit, I dunno--lots of stuff is weird for me. Egg never bothered me much, either.”

“So you are her spawn in this timeline - should have seen it coming with the sassitude”, Dream half muttered as if goding the teen.

Tommy gave in but in less actual annoyance and more pride, “Fuck you too you neon bitch, sassitude isnt even a word”

“Well, had to invent a new one as no word can describe that, regardless the death thing is more of Phil being born weird and that being passed to you, Wilbur takes after his mother more despite his shenanigans and legacy complex”

“Rude”, Wilbur didn't sulk (he did)

Phil on the other hand, looked as if someone just called him old for the tenth time, “I wouldn't call it weird”

“Phil you did fall for the goddess of the void and death - long before that you never had a healthy dose of fear for that concept - the memories dictate so - even if i never met Mumza”

Day was the one to argue back with the old man, pulliung a face of nonchalance as he looke back in his memories.

“If I take after mumza more than why is Tommy better off than me?”

Wilbur turned to Dream as he spoke, as if poking the theory - causing Dream to shrug as he spoke.

“Valid question and i have no idea, despite taking after your mother you are mortal, yet to ascend or anything really- something to look into anyway. Could it be something to do with Limbo then?”

“Wait, Techno? If your mum is death itself then why do you need totems?” Tubbo tilted his head

“Uh, She always makes me stay too long before she lets me come back. ‘You never visit, Techno. Have some tea, Techno. Tell me how everyone is doing, Techno.’ Last time I got buried, man.”

 Tubbo seemed to only stare more as he asked disbelievingly in a soft rage, “That’s why you get totems?! To avoid visiting your mom, who, again, is death itself?! ”

Chapter Text

Vio cleared his throat, drawing attention back on himself. “Okay, putting--that revelation aside, would a demonstration of speed be better now or after sparring?” Theo and Techno looked at each other, both raising their eyebrows in an unspoken question towards the other. 

“Now; best to have some idea of--” 

Theo cut himself off as Vio darted forward, the sword in his hand drawing up automatically at the sudden motion. Vio had gone from fifteen feet away on his haunches to up and in the man’s face in an eyeblink. He had shifted back up to two feet at the last moment, and had hooked the claws of one hand around the blade to twist it away from him. His expression was ever so slightly amused at the surprise on Theo’s face, and his eyes flicked over towards Techno. Dream stood still before taking a small step back.

Foolish blinked owlishly- not realising he had summoned his trident, already.

Sam had the weapon ready to grab in his own inventory with Karl and Sapap having moved a little into each other in shock

“Will that suffice, or will you require more?”

 “Holy shit I have the coolest boss,” Tommy breathed, utterly enthralled. Wilbur had made a strangled noise, stumbling back a step or two. 

Vio paid him no mind, instead keeping his focus on Theo, Techno, and Day--who had bristled and automatically moved halfway towards defending his son before he realized there wasn’t any danger. 

“...No, that should work,” Techno said, rolling his shoulders a bit to release some of the tension in them. He looked critically at Vio, eyes thinning as he asked, “...Are you even able to wear armor, boots aside?” Vio flashed him a grin. 

He released Theo’s blade and walked back--on two legs, thankfully--over to the ender chest. “Most parts. It does need to be specially made, though--the backup sets were what I was most distressed about losing when I first arrived here.” 

He pulled out a chestplate and an odd series of concave pieces. They all shimmered faintly with enchantments--seemingly no more than a few each, by the strength of the shine--and aside from the general look of them, they looked strange in another way. They were made of a mixture of leather and netherite, with the plating in what looked like vital areas. The leather was dyed a close enough color to the netherite that it would be hard to tell the two apart at any significant distance. 

Techno nodded, intrigued,”Clever, so the dye helps to hide weak points in your armour”

Day nodded as he spoke. “I remember seeing you wearing that before. Never noticed that it’s partially leather, though - like Techo said: Clever, dying it like that” 

Vio started putting on the oddest looking parts. They were leg armor, evidently; he explained further as he strapped it all on. “I need the most mobility here, since I tend to rely a lot on speed. I was able to modify the general idea of the chestplate, but leggings? It was easier to discard them entirely.” He pulled the chestplate on, adjusting straps as he went. “I have a totem on the inside, as well. It’s very, very finicky to get to work correctly once you start messing with the shape of them...but it’s worth it.”

Day’s eyes flashed in realization. “That’s why you were able to--holy shit. I never saw you with any gold on, so I just assumed you hid a normal one. Fuck, that’s smart.”

 “Care to fill the rest of the class in, Day?” 

The man laughed a bit and gestured at Vio with one hand, the other running through his hair. “I paid him for information on if totems could have their shape changed and still work right. I didn’t even think of putting them on the inside of armor, though--so I just assumed he only knew in theory.” Wilbur frowned a little as he asked, “It doesn’t bother you? I mean...it is magic.” 

Vio shook his head slightly. “It’s one of the very few kinds of magic that doesn't grate against my senses. Maybe it’s because death is universal.”

“Death magic is weird, one of the weirdest of anything- also a bit eldritch - could be why it reacts so well with you, especially if your not dog claimed you” Dream pointed out causing the others to stare at him, “what?”

Vio coughed to have the attention returned to him and took a few steps back so the ender chest was more easily accessed. “Now, if there are no further questions? Whichever one of you wants to go first, I’m ready when you are. I do request that you keep a totem on you. I don’t expect to lose control, but...better safe than sorry.”

Unsurprisingly, Theo was the one to step up. “I’ve seen you fight before, so I’ve got a better idea of what you’re like. Not by fuckin' much, apparently--only seen you use those sickle things of yours. But I’ve fought plenty against Dad, so I’m used to fast.” There was a wide, predatory grin in response. “Ah, yes, there was one other thing.”

And then--something happened. None of them could put a finger on it, but it was like from one instant to the next Vio went from a weird guy to being the scariest fucking thing they’d ever seen. Theo made a choked noise, blade coming up jerkily--but Vio remained several steps away, unmoving. Unblinking. It had gone from merely unsettling to deeply, deeply fucking wrong. Even Day’s wings had fluffed up, and he struggled--visibly, too--towards his son to protect him against whatever the fuck was going on. Techno had his sword out, and looked ready to defend himself along with Wilbur and Dream, who were behind him. The one who seemed least affected was Tommy--he had tensed, body going stiff, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as everyone else had it.

Then, suddenly it was gone. Towards the back, Wilbur gasped several times, drawing in air like he had been drowning. He stared at the alien, who just blinked at all of them as he started moving again. “Wh--what--” “Big man, I know you’re trying to show off and all, but just dropping that on everyone was always gonna go poorly. Fuckin’ warn them if you’re gonna crank your fuckin’ fear response bullshit all the way up. Hell, even got my heart racing and I’m used to it--” Tommy’s slightly strained words were met by another shriek of outrage from Wilbur. “WHAT?! You do that to him regu--” There was an eye roll from the youngest present at his brother’s anger as he explained impatiently, “Not the same way, big dubs. He just went from about zero to a hundred. For the Team, he’s been sloooowly nudging it up bit by bit so we’re used to it in case he’d need to use it around us. We just kinda sit and hang out while Vio does paperwork. Bit like a rock in your shoe, honestly--noticeable, but not a big deal. That, though? That was waaay more than usual.” Tommy looked back at Vio and asked, “Does it even work on whatever the fuck it is we’re fighting, anyway?”

He got a nod in return. “Not much. But enough. Enough to be a distraction in our favor. I’ll hand over a copy of the book later today now that everyone is aware of the secrets in it.” Vio saw the wary looks he was being given by the others, and he exhaled slowly and explained, “I’ll admit, that probably wasn’t the ideal way to show it. But, well...I wanted to show what it was like to someone who was entirely unaware of it. We don’t have time to really be able to get you all used to it like I’ve been getting the Team used to it. From what I can tell, I can sort of...adjust how much of a threat I seem like. And, no--I can’t just stop looking like a threat to someone who sees me as one already. If I could, I wouldn’t be dealing with Wilbur and Jack waiting for me to suddenly start eating everyone’s hearts or whatever it is they think I’ll do. It’s sort of like tensing a muscle, I suppose? I can let it relax, but I can’t just remove the muscle itself. Influence, not negation.”

Sam lets out a quiet, “why hid --?” “Because, as I said; you are not my prey. I kept it hidden for the same reason anyone would--it’s a very powerful tool, but can be worked around. If the group of you try and tell me you’re not already thinking of how to do so, then I’d call you Prime-damned liars.” 

“If you were never going to use it, then why hide it? At least, from most of us.” Wilbur’s gaze flicks towards Tommy as he asks the question, voice still shaking a little. Vio stares at him. “Emergencies. If needed, I would not have hesitated to strike down anyone who was a threat to the rest of the server. If Dream decided to try and use the leniency he had been shown to try and pick up his puppet strings, then I would have had to work around anyone he convinced of my ill intent. If Techno decided I was too big of a risk to let live, I would have had to fight him. If Day decided it was too dangerous to have anyone know his secret, I would have needed a way to slow him down. Ideally I wouldn't have needed to kill him--just enough to get Hero to send him back. It would have been suicide to try and fight him for several reasons.”

Tommy’s eyes narrowed slightly in thought. “...And me n’ the others?” There was a small laugh at that, Vio looking incredulous. “I would have been fucked, in that case. Tommy, I’ve told you over and over that I appealed to you three first for a reason. I already had seen what you were capable of if given the right support, had heard about what you had done even without it. I hold you and your friends in great esteem--not because of your admittedly impressive fighting ability, but because you’re tenacious and clever. You have all been brought low over and over, and have yet to let it keep you down. You’re all fucking terrifying from the perspective of someone who might go against you.” 

There’s some slight surprise at that, though Day is nodding in agreement. 

“He’s right. Even as early as the duel, I--we--knew that Tommy was a force to be reckoned with. Tubbo was...less obvious, admittedly, but by New L’manburg it was clear that he was far too smart for our health. Why do you think we tried to drive a wedge between the two of them? We did it because it was obvious that they were stronger together, and even by themselves they were a threat.”

The immortal’s gaze shifts over to Tommy, who is staring at him in astonishment. “Doesn’t make it right, of course. There’s not a lot we did related to...pretty much anyone, come to think of it, that wasn’t a horrific abuse of power, trust, or just flat out abuse. I’m not positive the point at which he got to as far as regretting his actions, given that it was sort of hard to tell time, but...he has at least some . For whatever scraps that’s worth, at least. Dream was just incapable of admitting them, because then he'd have to face the truth that we did monstrous things for either stupid reasons or misguided ones.” 

“Annoyingly my double and Vio are right - where Wilbur is a threat because of his charisma and legacy complex, you are dangerous for your persistence and resilience. Of course you can argue that what happened in response was overkill… I’m not really in the right position nor mind to even attempt to argue anything in regards to that, I’d say it’s more complex but that’s for another day, but if you put your mind to it you're dangerous. I mean you took two of my lives. Me. Time loops haven’t made you much less dangerous to deal with mate.” The small, sad smile the older version of him was giving to Tommy becomes sharp, as his gaze shifts to Dream himself. 

Before Day can reply to that, they’re interrupted by Vio. “As fascinating as this is to listen to, we really should get to the whole demonstration thing sooner, rather than later. There will be plenty of time to chit chat after we defeat the god coming to kill us all. Until then, let’s keep the verbal knives to a minimum.” Day sighs, and then cracks his neck a little. “Fair point. It’s sort of hard to hold back now that I can more or less freely try to beat sense into his thick skull.” “Pretty sure all your self loathing isn’t healthy - besides we’re not exactly the same person anymore,” Dream shrugged. Theo rolled his eyes a little, having put his armor on while they bickered. It seemed like Techno had done the same, and was now just waiting for Vio to take Theo on.

“I’d suggest the strategy team records these,” Vio says, nodding at the three members of the group. They all pull out their coms to do so. The alien drops back down to all fours, tail whipping back and forth in anticipation as Theo stands several paces away, sword and shield at the ready. “Someone count us down,” The warrior says, a sort of feral tint to his grin as he shifts into a ready position.

“On one, then,” Day says, his com up to record as well. He’s not even able to get all the way through the number before the two dart towards each other. Vio avoids the swing of his opponent’s blade with surprising ease, and then leaps upwards to use a nearby tree to suddenly pivot around and launch himself at Theo. There’s barely time for the man to get his shield up before he’s met with the entire weight of Vio’s rather large body crashing into him. He falls backwards, and has the rounded edge of a claw pressed against his throat.

The whole thing wasn’t even a minute.

“Holy shit,” Tommy breathes, eyes wide. He looks to be in awe, staring at his boss with renewed appreciation. He had never really thought about how strong Vio might be in a fight, given how he had studiously avoided them. He was suddenly very glad he and his friends had decided to stand with him, not against him.

“Well fuck,” comes the belated response from Theo, who’s looking both put out and more than a little surprised at how easily he had been taken down. “...If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re just bad at this,” Techno says slowly. Vio rises to two feet in a nearly unnervingly fluid motion. “I’d help you up, but...claws,” the alien says apologetically, holding a hand up for emphasis. “Yeah, no, s’ fine. Glad I never had to fight against you. You’re fuckin’ fast,” Theo grumbles as he gets up. Vio gives him that sharp-toothed grin again. “Well, so are you. It works in my favor to hide the extent of my ability, because it means I’m underestimated when I do need to fight. It helped that Ponk tended to act as a smokescreen. I miss them; being able to just crank the fear level up and see them now everyone down was fun. No fight, no flight, only freeze. Freeze and pray for a swift death instead of a slow, painful one.”

Techno swaps with Vio and Day counts them down, having barely even gotten to the start of the number out before Vio is already moving, Techno hunkering low to avoid being toppled over like Theo had been. His opponent seems to realize that, though, and doesn’t try the same thing twice. He doesn’t move out of the side of the axe strike, instead putting his hands on top of the weapon and swinging his legs upwards. In less than a blink he contorted himself so that his legs were wrapped around Techno’s neck, the claws of one hand far too close to the piglin hybrid’s eyes for his taste.

Techno gave a low grunt, and tapped at the alien’s calf that’s at his throat. Vio grins, and then flipped himself backward in an oddly graceful motion to land on all fours again. He looked over at the audience, which included a slightly smug Theo and Tommy, the latter of whom was very nearly vibrating with sheer joy.

 “Holy fuck, you’re the best boss,” the teen says gleefully, watching as Techno scowled at him and rubbed at his neck.

 “You’re heavier than I thought you’d be, with how lanky you are,” the warrior huffs out, making Vio’s grin grow wider. 

“Built weird, remember? My bones are quite different from yours,” he says, just a hint of smugness to the words. 

“Most of my advantage comes from how unknown most things about me are. Hell, nobody even realized why I drink so much coffee until I spelt it out. Granted, Jacobs sort of masked how odd my reliance on it was. The man would be better off just putting in a caffeine IV at this point. Not that I ever would do that for him, despite him having asked repeatedly.”

“In spite of the note about how you’re fine, he still fuckin’ sulks. I’ve seen him looking lonely inside Big Q’s way too many times,” Theo tells him, and Vio huffs in amusement.

 “Good. He should suffer.” 

Tommy squints at him, like if he does it hard enough he can figure that out. 

“...If you hate him, then why let him know you’re fine…?” 

Before Vio can answer, Day explained , “Their relationship is just weird. Most people refer to it as them being frenemy coffee buddies, myself included. I also heard that they send each other gift baskets of very strong coffee and random junk.”

 “It’s very funny to hear about how he reacts to things like birch saplings and spider eyes,” Vio says cheerfully, making Day just gesture at him for emphasis.

 “Karl said nearly the exact same thing, word for word, when I asked him once. They’re just like that.”

“...So they don’t hate each other, then,” Tommy says in a way that makes it sound halfway like a question. 

Vio replies, “Oh no, he’s the worst. I hope he chokes on one of those stupid chocolate banana muffins he loves so much.”

 Techno squints at him and says,“Vio, man, it sounds kinda like you’re in denial--” 

“I’m fully aware of how I feel about Jacobs. He’s an idiot and a genius at once, and I used to regularly threaten to make him sleep by force. Quite frankly, it’s a miracle he can function with as little sleep as he gets. I'm almost positive he slept around four hours a night while working on the base Ponk and I used. He spent three weeks on it. People call me eldritch, but his continued existence and debatable sanity despite his sleeping habits puts whatever the fuck is up with me to shame,” comes the fast reply.

“...He’s worse than you?” Wilbur looks pale at this, and Theo barks out a laugh. 

“Nah, the dude is weird but not in the same way as the alien fucker over there. It’s more like he’s got some kind of weird-ass redstone magic in him. I’ve paid for his coffee a few times as thanks for the whole locking Darkza up thing. I hope the asshole is enjoying his stay there.” Dream stiffened at the realization of what Karl’s role is, looking over at Day. 

“Yeah, he’s the warden for us. It’s only slightly disturbing when I remember it. Honestly, getting used to Big Q was way worse--I avoided him for weeks after his first arrival. Was eventually lured out by Orpheus demanding I try some of his baking, and I haven’t been able to stay away since. Sam...was uncomfortable for about five minutes, and then he started talking to Attie about a build he was doing of a Grecian temple, and it was kind of hard to see him as the same guy. Our Sam is a sweetheart, believe it or not.”

Day’s stare is blatant behind the mask, and Day shrugs a shoulder. “I’m way more scared of Niki, honestly.” Theo pipes up, “She’s on my shitlist for a whole lot of reasons, but we’re...tentatively at a ceasefire. Sort of.” At Tommy’s questioning look, Day just shakes his head. 

“No, trust me--you don’t want to get into it. It’s...it’s not worth the energy.”

“...That’s suspicious,” Wilbur notes, and Day makes a slightly strangled noise. “I can’t get through to him on it, no matter how many times I explain,” he says desperately, and Theo just frowns at him. “You always get like this when I mention the Mafia, Dad.”

 “Because you’re an idiot,” Day tells him, eyes a little wild. Vio decides that it’s...probably not going to end on its own if he doesn’t step in, and tells the rest of them, “Alright, well. Would either of you care for a few more rounds? Just to get a better feel for how I fight. I’m sure the strategy team could use a bit more than just two brief spars, too.”

“Yeah, as cool as that was, all I could really get was fast, flexible, and apparently weirdly heavy. Need more to work off of than just that, if we want to coordinate n’ shit,” Tommy agrees, and Wilbur reluctantly gives a nod as well. Dream says idly, “Well, he’s definitely a different style of fighter than I'm used to. If a hybrid is using their natural weapons, it’s usually because they’re desperate. Then again, most of theirs can’t really cut through netherite. Nor do they have an apparent intolerance of magic, or inability to use crossbows…” 

“I tend not to use my natural weapons because--as I said--it’s a good way to make others underestimate me. Who would expect someone with my hands to have claws? Oh, by the way--I probably won’t be able to use my teeth much, if at all, for this fight. There was something about the god having partial intangibility in the book. The tail spines should work just fine, though.”

“Shame, most never recalled expect a bit of teeth, can give a real good edge in a fight” Dream huffed, “also what the fuck is your diet with those? Like piercing food I can see you have little issue with but I’ve seen you eat pastries and whatnot pretty well, is it the saliva? Or are the back teeth blunter to mash the food? Probably with the day you consume Nikki’s muffins and those carrots but are the teeth serrated?”

“The fuck?”

“My race are meant for hot dry climates which means we tend to lean towards more carnivorous food habits, albeit you are right in that I can consume other things but I tend to avoid most vegetitation as they don’t tend to lean themselves quite well to my style of eating. Given how messy it is I do cut my food to make it less unpleasant to see but I don’t necessarily need to do so, especially with meat, given how my teeth work for rip and tearing rather than puncture and grind like humans have it. In addition while I have quite the sweet tooth I am u sure if that’s a personal preference or a species thing.”

“What the fuck even are you,” Wilbur says, half desperate and half despairing. Vio laughs and replies cheerfully, “Hell if I know! I’m extra weird compared to the rest of my kind.”

Chapter Text

The frontlines had succeeded in their goal - with Vio pulling some type of eldritch move and his not dog getting involved.

However under their nose the strategy team found themselves targeted.

Long enough before she had come to pass she had sent whatever subject, tool or pet that she did after Dream, Tommy and Wilbur.

Wilbur soot  was the first to notice something was off, Dream was the first to act.

Tackling Purples after he shoved Wilbur to Tommy forcing the two on the ground.

Just in time to avoid the canine that had shifted into the room - for lack of a better term.

The creature may have not been of the void but it was something Dream recognised from somewhere enough to understand that no one other than himself would have probably survived being bitten by- let alone mauled.

He had been swift to retrieve his axe from his inventory, screeching at the beast as he struck so that Purpled could shoot a firework arrow at it.

Wilbur had then thrown a potion at it, something dark and red - harming probably. With Tommy then running to higher vantage and aiding purpled in long range damage.

He had gotten mauled just as the creature had tried to lunge for Soot - Dream shoved its face with his arm and struck at its front legs.

Soot, having enough sense to jump and stab the back legs, a totem in his offhand.

They forced the beast to the floor just as it then shifted to strike again.

But Dream struck its eyes with enough speed to succeed and it then melted into something small, a ball.

Once he had stepped close and picked up the ball as they had all received notice that the thing trying to kill them all was gone completely.

They had gone to Vio and it was a bonding moment.

He got to film Vio acting very drunk and witnessed the creation of the not dad joke at Vio’s expense.

It was a gentle moment.

One where he had yet to belong.

———

The next checkup was a nightmare for both Vio and Dream.

It had taken a while for things to settle and both Dream and Vio were out of commission or on strict bed rest for the most part of the week.

While the beast bite wasn’t fatal, it contributed to the already frail state of his body causing Dream to need to be watched lest he collapse randomly.

Vio had recovered from his potion high and weirdness attack, with his not dog standing guard he was off his feet sooner than the admin.

Vio had also been keeping Dream from the server with how loopy and feverish he had gotten the day after. Thankfully due to the admins proximity to Technoblade and Philza, it wasn’t too tricky to look after a clingy Dream.

If you ignored the disturbing nightmares and small breakdowns that occurred several times on the fourth day.

Currently Vio was doing a checkup, Wilbur had mentioned that potions didn’t seem to affect Dream strongly during the fight to the point the admin had just not used them later in, seeing it as pointless.

It could be a reason for why the bite was affecting him so badly but Hero had implied through the comms that the bite had something else to it and it was a wonder that Dream was only dealing with a fever.

“Any idea why potions have lost thier potency on you?”

“Could be a bleed over? There pretty common through the loops”

“Bleed over?”

“Sometimes injuries, scars, disabilities, poison and potion resistance can carry over to the next loop despite the ‘fresh start’ it’s random, like everything”

“And you didn’t think to inform anyone?”

“Worst case scenario I used a totem, best case, I don’t need to - it also slipped my mind and the whole resistance thing only caught on halfway through the fight. Didn’t even think I’d get it this round”

“We need to have a long conversation on what I might need to expect as your doctor”

“Sorry in advance?”

“So anything I need to look out for specifically?”

“Not really, Q and Sam didn’t do much last loop of potion and just bad limbs are what to look out for - maybe we might need to restart my diet plan because the malnutrition there got pretty bad but that should be it.”

“So that’s what would be considered  regular treatment then?”

“Not really, but it’s the most tame other than complete isolation when doing a Pandora run”

“Right. And you won’t talk to Puffy about this? You do realise you need to attend therapy? Everyone here does, it’s in the agreement, yours especially”

“I have-had a therapist, also Puffy and I have a… relationship”

“A relationship”

“You know what I mean”

“Alright then, who was your therapist last time? Maybe we can try and get in contact with them here, another Therpist aside from Puffy would be great”

“I think she called herself Dr Heathers? She ran the sundown clinic near the chaos block servers so she’s used to some insane stuff and has dealt with watchers which helps with my time loop case, making her more experienced for that type of thing”

“I’ll see if I can contact her then, she sounds like a decent fit for a server like ours”

“Amen, there’s also Dr Maisel, he would be a good fit for some of the others, he’s dealt with war PTSD and a lot more of the concerning stuff, might be good for Jack, Wilbur and anyone else coming back from the dead - which I seriously need to look into - as well as anyone dealing with continuing war truma, he’s often contacted through the modern life servers but he takes on outside cases quiet often and has been known to turn down some crazy bribes. Knows how to keep his mouth shut too”

“Sounds more than good, that being said when was the last time you ate and did you extert yourself in the last 24hrs? You mentioned keeping an eye for mobility issues and I can see your struggling more to move about than you were two weeks ago. I would brush it off as you not following bed rest again but Phil mentioned that it’s been getting worse despite the two of them watching you like a hawk and you’ve been following bed rest closely enough for the drastic change to not just be over extertion. Is this an after affect of the bite? You seem to be somewhat familiar with those creatures”

“I bounce back fast, might be after affects of the bite though, Dreamons’ venom dosnt tend to react well to acid in general and I’m sure you noticed the passive effects in my blood work with that, there’s also weak bones from botched regen affects, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s just the nightmares fucking my body again though”

“If nightmares are causing this big an issue I will have you speaking to someone soon, at least if not Puffy try talking to Techno or Phil until I can get someone else vetted”

“Fair enough”

“… do you want to talk about it? Or at least explain it? As much as I’m taking this at face value nightmares don’t cause reduced mobility”

Dream paused a Monet before subtly forcing himself to talk, “the flashbacks sometimes cause phantom pains later. It’s not exactly something I looked into hard enough - or I did but I don’t remember anymore. The flare ups could just be thanks to the stress, or the aftermath of the fever passing. Where we should be concerned is if it keeps getting worse in the next two days from now, otherwise I tend to be on the mend pretty quickly from this point on”

“Hm”

Other than Dream giving Hero some scratches and sweet talk there wasn’t much else going on as Vio finished up the routine checkup on the admin.

It was only when Vio was packing his kit that Dream spoke again:

“Wilbur debriefed you on what happened at the place right?”

“You mean the strange canines you all killed?”

“Yeah,” Dream hobbled over to a small box and took out the orb from the chest with a cloth, “this is what it left behind… I think I’ve seen it before?”

“What do you think it could be?”

“Not sure, but it felt like a bad idea to put it in my inventory”

“Hence the box”

“Hence the box”

“You shouldn’t be touching it with so little protection then”

“Prob- ouch!”, the sphere pricked Dream’s hand as some skin touched the orb.

The ball then pulsed and let out a bright glow.

The next thing the two where looking at was a small puppy of strange coat and colouring

…

“The fuck is a Dreamon doing in our server”

Hero tilted his head at the puppy before giving it a sniff

“A what?”, Vio turned to a deadpan Dream.

“Dreamon, made from mind magic fuckery and other shit gods do, they basically can shapeshift to a certain degree and have empathy related abilities - ironically they make good therapy pets if they get attached to you”

“Therapy p- Should we be worried given that it was with that god”

Vio shook his head as he switched

“… no”

“That sound far from confident Dream”

“Hush, I needed a minute to be sure, although I’m pretty sure you killing the thing that was its previous owner helped - especially as it seems to have bonded to me now”

“Well that’s not concerning, what should we do with it then?”

Vio crossed his arms at Dream who just switched his face as if trying to look cute.

“Can I keep it?”

“Seriously”

“Her name is Bishop and now I’m attached to her, can I keep her?”

“….”

The alien didn’t have a response. He was going to argue once again that the creature was the same one that had attacked them and hence they shouldn’t trust it. 

Yet Dream admitted he was familiar with the creatures, and if they could get it trained correctly it could perhaps be of help.

At the same time it could be trained to attack or wait till vulnerability before murdering them.

Despite everything Dream was still pleading with him.

“Please Vio look at her! Besides, she’s bonded to me now, she won’t hurt anyone- she’s practically a puppy!”

“That won’t change my mind”

“What if Hero approves?”

“Seriously Dream”

He doubted his not dog with agre-

His comm pinged and Vio found himself checking it out to find his traitorous dog helping the admin.

Hero: Dreamon = harmless 

Hero: Dream -> therapy = good 

Hero: mistake = timeloop = duh

To be fair if Hero agreed then most of his worries where reduced given his not dog wasn’t the type to put them in unwanted danger because it would be funny - to be fair Hero is absolutely the little shit he needs to be to prank people and get his way but not to the extent that Vio was worried with the current situation.

“... fine”

“Hear that Bishop! Your Not-uncle says you can stay!”

“Not- wait- im not it’s uncle!”

What was the server’s obsession with making him a not something?

“she/they thank you and that's why i said not-uncle”

“... i swear you and Tommy are just as bad as each other”

“Thank you!”

“Its not a compliment!”

“I know~”

With the last one Vio took his bag with him and left the house.