Chapter Text
Growing up Tubbo always wanted to be a knight. The goat hybrid was lucky enough to have an incredible mother, who worked right below Techno, so he got to start learning early on! Puffy was just the best mother.
And all Tubbo’s work paid out. He was the crowned Prince’s personal knight. Well, maybe it was because him and Ranboo were friends before that as well, always causing trouble when they were younger. But Philza trusts him enough to take care of the prince, and it definitely was not because he and Ranboo begged until the king caved.
Not only was he happy he was able to protect his friend and always be by his side, but Techno always told him and Ranboo stories when they asked.
It was usually stories of some adventures he went on when younger. Or the times he went with George to study the Enchanted Forest, never inside just close to the borders. Other times though it was about the war that had pushed all the monsters into the Enchanted Forest.
You see, hybrids and humans can co-exist almost perfectly fine. Sure, there are some black markets that sell hybrids that still have powers. Like what happened to Ranboo before he was saved. But neither got along with the monsters. Like fae, sirens, dragons, shapeshifters, the list goes on.
So, there was a war. And many of the monsters got killed during it, there were already so few it almost seemed unfair. Almost. But before the last of them could be killed the gods created the Enchanted Forest to protect them, along with two taurs that were tasked with protecting the forest and the ones who reside within.
The taurs were said to be immortal and heartless monsters who would slaughter anyone who dared enter the Enchanted Forest. Tubbo didn’t believe that the taurs existed though. Anyone who returned from the Enchanted Forest said that they never saw the taurs.
Tubbo believed that the taurs were tales told to to keep hunters away from the monsters in the forest.
Ranboo believed it though. Tubbo thinks he’s a bit naïve to believe in the taurs. At least there was proof that monsters exist since there was a whole war with them.
He always enjoyed hearing about the taurs and monsters though. Always dragging the crowned prince to the library so that he can make the enderman hybrid read about the fae, sirens, or whatever other monster he could find a book about. It was fun, and Ranboo didn’t mind since it got him out of his classes for the day.
“Ranboo!” Tubbo called, dragging out the name as it echoed down the large corridor.
Ranboo jumped and quickly turned to face the shorter goat hybrid. “I am right beside you, no need to yell,” he said softly. Tail flicking once before he continued walking down the corridor.
“But your highness, I want to go to the library,” Tubbo complained, crossing his arms and trotting beside Ranboo. His hooves making a soft clicking against the polished floor.
Ranboo sighed, his tail curling around Tubbo’s wrist, “We need to see my father first and then talk to Techno, then we can head to the library.”
The king, who really prefers to just go by Philza, had been doing a lot better since the assassination of his wife and son a couple years back. Well technically he lost two sons that day. Wilbur, the previous crowned prince, couldn’t handle the loss and ran away with his then girlfriend.
A year after, Ranboo got saved by Techno, and then adopted. Quickly becoming friends with Tubbo and starting his lessons. And becoming the crowned prince.
Tubbo pouted a bit more before nodding his head in agreement. His arms still crossed as he kept pace beside the taller prince. He didn’t want to fall behind, he was supposed to protect Ranboo for Prime’s sake!
He was the best at his job. No one could tell him otherwise. He loved his best friend.
Eventually they made it to a decently large door. Ranboo, like the proper prince he is supposed to be when not causing chaos, knocked on the door and waited for the king to call them in.
Immediately Philza called for them to enter, Tubbo held the door open for Ranboo before slipping into the room as well. And since Tubbo was a very professional knight 24/7 he bowed. Ranboo sort of awkwardly stood there.
Philza gave the two young boys a soft smile and motioned for Tubbo to stand, “No need to be so formal Tubbo. Me and you both know you’re not one to be it.”
“I will have you know I can be the most formal, boss man,” Tubbo exclaimed. His ear flicking as he tried to look annoyed but only succeeded in looking like an upset bumblebee.
Ranboo’s tail tightened around Tubbo’s wrist. He coughed to get Philza’s attention before standing up straighter when Philza’s soft gaze landed on him. “Um… H-hey dad. I was wondering, well, technically Tubbo was-“
“I had no part on giving this idea to your son!”
“Wondering if we could go with Techno the next time he and George go to the Enchanted Forest. Tubbo has been reading, well, making me read to him about the monsters-” Philza seemed to grimace slightly when the creatures living in the forest were referred to as ‘monsters’ but no one commented on that, “-and I have been reading about the plants. And wanted to see the place in person.”
Philza seemed to ponder the question for a moment. His wings ruffling in the way they did when he thought deeply about something. Eventually he sighed and nodded his head, “As long as you and Tubbo stay with Techno and George you two can go.”
Tubbo squealed like a teenage girl when they talk to their crush, pouncing around Ranboo as he talked and talked and talked about how excited he was to go see the forest. About how he and Ranboo could learn so much or even see a monster lurking inside if they were lucky.
Tubbo was too focused on his own ranting to notice the way Ranboo smiled at his excitement. Or the way the king’s gaze softened even more at the two. His wings fluffing up slightly before he brushed the feathers back down.
“Well then,” Philza clapped to get Tubbo’s attention again, “I assume if you’re asking me this Techno is already planning to go to the forest again soon?”
“Yeah, he is. I think two days from now. We’ll go talk to Techno now, goodbye dad.” Ranboo said, giving his father a nod and a wave before turning to head out of the room.
Once again Tubbo opened the door for Ranboo and once it was closed they both hurried off to go find Techno.
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“No.”
“But Techno-“
“No, I said no Tubbo,” Techno said with that emotionless expression. Well, to anyone who didn’t know Techno it would look emotionless, but Tubbo could see the slight downward pull of his lips that meant he was worried or nervous.
“Tech, me and Tubbo agreed with dad that we would stay close,” Ranboo pleaded, he didn’t often plead. Tubbo was glad though, maybe he could convince Techno with his pleading.
“You asked Phil before asking me?” Techno questioned before chuffing. The slight frown tugging on his lips was gone, replaced by a teasing smile. “Well, I suppose if you and Tubbo stay close…” his brow furrowed, but the smile remained which meant he had already concluded and was just dragging it out to be dramatic.
“Tell tell tell tell.” Tubbo said, bouncing from one hoof to another. He really could not be patient.
Techno chuffed again, rolling his shoulders and relaxing as he nodded his head, “Then I suppose you two can come with. Be ready by Wednesday morning, we won’t wait.” With that, and a wave of his hand. The general left the two younger ones to their own devices.
Tubbo threw himself into Ranboo’s chest, his blue eyes filled with so much joy and excitement as he stared into the red and green of Ranboo’s. It really was a miracle that the royal family enjoyed Tubbo’s presence, he probably would have been beheaded already if not.
Ranboo hugged Tubbo, ruffling his hair and getting a disgruntled ‘bleep’ in response. “Bo, we should get started on packing. Better be early than late?”
Tubbo was about to complain about having two days to do that when his world lurched and twisted. Everything going pitch black with a ‘vroop’ sound, and then suddenly everything was bright again. And they were in Ranboo’s room.
Tubbo would have fallen forward, but Ranboo was still holding onto him. “Sorry! I should have warned you.”
Tubbo brushed it off and pulled away from Ranboo, “You’re fine, Boo,” he sighed before shrugging, “I guess I can help you pack some stuff then, but you better help me pack as well.” Tubbo said, sticking his tongue out at Ranboo before skipping over to grab items the enderman might need.
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Tubbo and Ranboo waited by the stable for Techno. George was already here, wearing some thick clothing since it was coming close to Autumn and the Antarctic Empire was cold, even right now it was close to freezing. Sapnap was here as well, but with less thick clothes since he was a blaze hybrid as was, in Tubbo’s words, “A living heater.”
Ranboo was used to the cold, he was always cold due to being an enderman. But he wore some warm clothing and a black winter cloak to stay warm. Tubbo wore a thick jacket and had a scarf and earmuffs. Didn’t look much like a knight right now, if you ignored the sword strapped to his hip.
Techno eventually made his way over with Carl. Hiding his amused smile when he saw that Ranboo and Tubbo were there and ready for once. Oh how the piglin brute can be so soft to the ones close to him.
But that is not what Tubbo is here for, he is here to go with Ranboo to see the Enchanted Forest. And maybe sneak off into it and explore. It would take some pleading to make Ranboo agree though.
“Alright, Sap, George, you have everything you two need?” Techno asked. George nodded and held up a bag that made some clinking sounds. Maybe glass vials or containers. And Sapnap gave a thumbs up before hopping onto his horse.
“Prince Ranboo, Tubbo?” After a moment of thinking Tubbo eagerly nodded, Ranboo also gave it some thought but took a bit longer before nodding as well. “Great, it should be a couple hours on horseback. We’ll stop to have lunch and then finish the journey. We’ll set up a camp near the forest and stay for a full day before packing up at sunrise. Sound good?”
Everyone nodded and agreed. And another triple checking, because Techno wanted to make sure nothing important was forgotten. They started on their trip to the Enchanted Forest.
Techno lead the way, then came George, Ranboo with Tubbo beside him, and Sapnap at the back.
“So, what do you think it looks like?” Tubbo asked, pushing some hair out of his face as he glanced over at Ranboo.
“Well, I’ve seen drawings on some plants in some of the books, so I have a vague idea. Mostly just a place with a lot of funky looking plants.” Ranboo ran a hand through the horse’s hair, tail curling around his ankle, “I’m not sure how much we’ll see from the border.”
“Well” Tubbo started, dragging out the ‘l’. Leaning closer to Ranboo and whispering, “We could sneak off to get a closer look inside of the forest.”
Ranboo tensed up, his eyes widening as he blinked at Tubbo like he was crazy. Letting out a coupled soft chitters and vroops before shaking his head and whispering back, “Bo, we agreed with my dad and Techno to stay close.”
“And when has that stopped us before, hm?” Tubbo asked, tilting his head to the side slightly and giving Ranboo a teasing smirk.
Ranboo stuttered out a mess of words “I- well. The, err- Mmm…”
Tubbo perked up, glad that he was so good at making points and winning, “Exactly! So let’s do it.” He whisper-shouted, loud enough that George turned his head to narrow his eyes at the two young rascals.
Ranboo looked ashamed when George glanced behind him at the two. Giving the human a small wave before curling into himself like he wanted to disappear. George raised an eyebrow before shrugging and turning ahead again. Making his horse go a bit faster to catch up with Techno.
Tubbo watched the two talk. Worried that George had overheard more than just the last part. Letting out a sigh of relief when Techno just grabbed a pouch that was strapped to a bag and tossed it over to George. He went back to his place behind Techno.
They continued like nothing happened. Tubbo and Ranboo talking in hushed voices about random topics. Tubbo talked a lot about bees during that time.
It was a couple hours into their journey when they finally stopped to eat lunch. Techno started a small fire for everyone, and they all sat around it.
Tubbo ran his hand over the small amount of snow on the ground. A clear sign it was Autumn, just a small layer. Not even an inch.
Tubbo was glad to see the snow. Even if it was cold he did love it, it was so pretty and always looked so soft. Like clouds had fallen from the sky. When he and Ranboo weren’t doing anything important, like having to do royal duties or sit through boring lessons. They enjoyed making snowmen in the garden. Well, Ranboo made snowmen like a boring person, Tubbo made snowbees. Very clear difference because snowbees were superior.
Tubbo ate his food, listening to George and Sapnap bicker about something. He felt something curl around his wrist, looking down to see that it was Ranboo’s tail. Ranboo subconsciously wraps his tail around things often and was currently talking to his brother, so Tubbo just silently sat there and thought.
He thought a lot about what the Enchanted Forest would look like. About how if he went into it, he could see all the plants and maybe a monster. Or maybe even one of the taurs!
…
No, taurs don’t exist. Silly me!
Well, it is a large forest. Maybe the monsters wouldn’t risk getting close to the edge incase there was a hunter there. But maybe, just maybe, Tubbo could get lucky. He liked to imagine that he was lucky.
…
Ranboo’s tail stayed curled around Tubbo’s wrist the entire time they ate.
After lunch they continued on horseback for another hour or two. Ranboo told Tubbo about some of the plants they might see, like Tubbo didn’t listen when he read out loud about them in the library. But he let Ranboo talk about them, it was nice to listen.
Eventually Ranboo and Tubbo quieted down. Leaving the group in a comfortable silence, just the sounds of birds, nature, and the horses’ hooves being heard.
Then they arrived, just an hour or two before nightfall. They had the remaining time before nightfall to set up camp. They set camp up close to the Enchanted Forest, but not too close as to be seen by any monsters that might have been close to the edge.
Tubbo noticed how clear the sky above the forest was and that as you got closer it seemed to become just a bit warmer than it should have been in the Antarctic Kingdom at that time.
George planned to use the remaining sunlight he had to go over and see what kind of plants there were at the edge. He apparently had been keeping an eye on the plants for a year now, writing down any changes from the last time he went. And he told Tubbo that, yes, in fact the Enchanted Forest always seems to be warm and sunny.
He has also been experimenting with the plants that he gathers from the edge of the forest. Some of them can be used to make different potions stronger or make new ones entirely. That’s how he made the night vision potion, found some sort of carrot.
Tubbo thinks that it’s cool. Insanely cool. If he wasn’t already a knight he might have wanted to be whatever George is.
Sapnap went with George just so he wasn’t alone. He said that, “It’s not a good idea to go there alone, what if you get ambushed?” And George just side-eyed him and said that he’s gone alone plenty of times and to not worry. Sapnap went with him anyway.
Which left Techno, Tubbo, and Ranboo at camp. Techno was working on getting a fire started and had tasked Tubbo and Ranboo with getting some water from a nearby river.
“We should have gone with George and Sapnap,” Tubbo complained, carrying a metal bucket for the water.
Ranboo chuckled, covering his mouth with his hand, “Come on Bo. We haven’t even filled the bucket yet.”
“We? We? Ranboo, darling, the most precious prince in the world. There is no ‘we’ in this situation. I am all alone, doomed to carry a bucket.” Tubbo said dramatically. If you called him a drama-queen he would have to agree at that moment.
Ranboo’s tail wrapped around Tubbo’s wrist again. A smile on the prince’s face as he rolled his eyes at Tubbo. Tubbo gasp, putting a hand on his chest and staring at Ranboo. “You dare roll your eyes at me?”
Ranboo sighed, “Yes Tubbo. I dare roll my eyes at you.”
“I am going to divorce you.”
“We were married?” Ranboo asked, peering down at Tubbo and tilting his head to the side.
Tubbo stared back at Ranboo, blinking innocently, “Yesn’t.”
Ranboo sighed again, Tubbo should start keeping track of how many times he can make the enderman sigh, “That is very helpful, Bo. Thank you.”
Tubbo gave Ranboo a wide smile, sticking his tongue out at him before rushing over to the river when it came into view. Dunking the bucket into it and then yanking it out. He did not almost fall over when doing that, shut up.
Ranboo watched Tubbo get the water. His tail now curled around his own wrist. Technically Ranboo can touch water and not just die, but it does leave a mildly painful mark on his skin for around an hour. He was lucky, most enderman hybrids who can still teleport get full second degree burns from water. But Ranboo is just special like that.
Tubbo carried the water bucket as he and Ranboo made their way back to the camp Techno finished setting up. The one that Tubbo and Ranboo definitely helped with instead of trying to catch a cricket.
Tubbo peered over some bushes, looking over towards where the Enchanted Forest started. There was a clear difference in the plants, and even from here Tubbo could tell it was warmer. The plants were bright. Bright green and blue leaves, some different colored mushrooms on some of the trees whose bark was a soft white. It seemed straight out of a fairy tale.
If you looked farther past the initial ferns, brush, and whatever other plants and trees lined the edge, you would notice some plants that had a more crystal look to them. And some trees that had deep claw marks along them, like they’ve been climbed.
But Tubbo was short, and he didn’t care to look very closely at the Enchanted Forest right now. He would do that later when he snuck out with Ranboo tomorrow.
“I really do hope we don’t run into any monsters,” Ranboo commented, looking a bit nervous as he watched the Enchanted Forest as well.
“Don’t worry, I can on any that show up. Trust me, I’m not your personal knight for nothing,” Tubbo said, his ears perking up as he smiled at Ranboo to reassure him.
Ranboo nodded his head before stepping into the area Techno set camp up in. He was tending to the fire, poking it with a stick. Tubbo would like to learn how to make fires, then he could find a way to make stuff explode.
Actually, Tubbo has made something explode once. He and Ranboo were with George in his study, Ranboo had some questions for George about something having to due with a boring book. Tubbo wasn’t really interested in it, so like any bored teenager he poked around.
The rest is history, but now he has a badass scar to show for it. He had kept it hidden behind his hair for a couple months after the incident though. But now he thinks it’s cool.
Techno looked over at the two when they came over. Tubbo placed the water bucket down beside the piglin. Giving him a thumbs up before dragging Ranboo over to a log to sit on.
Ranboo sat with his hands placed neatly in his lap, a habit he’s picked up from his classes. His tail curled around his ankle. Tubbo bumped his forehead against Ranboo’s shoulder before sitting down on the log himself.
“So, boss man, what’s up?” Tubbo asked, watching Techno.
Techno took a breath in before letting it out through his nose. Taking a moment before responding, “Just thinkin’”
“’bout what?” Tubbo said, leaning over and resting his elbows on his knees. His tail flicking a couple times.
“Nothing. How about you and Ranboo go check on George and Sapnap? I’m trusting you two to not go into the Enchanted Forest, got it?”
Ranboo nodded his head, Tubbo saluted Techno when he stood up before turning and offering Ranboo his hand. Ranboo just gave Tubbo a look, “I can stand up on my own, I’m not as old as dad.”
Tubbo laughed, sticking his tongue out at Ranboo before he turned and started off in the direction George and Sapnap went earlier.
“Stay safe you two.” Techno shouted before they left earshot.
“We will!” Tubbo hollered back.
They walked in a comfortable silence for a while, Tubbo kept an eye on the Enchanted Forest as they got closer. Being able to get a better look now, he noticed how some mushrooms seemed to glow slightly. Oh, that would be a sight to see in the dark.
Maybe we should sneak out and see it at night. He thought. Tilting his head to the side.
…
Tubbo stopped in his tracks, ears perking up. Tail flicking as he tried to listen to the sounds around him. He swore he heard something. Ranboo stopped as well when he noticed how alert Tubbo seemed to be.
“Tubbo?”
Tubbo held up a finger, signaling for Ranboo to be quiet as he looked around. He heard it again, clearer this time. His head snapping towards a bright blue bush that rested inside the Enchanted Forest.
He saw two bright purple eyes stare back before a deer walked out of the bush. Oh, so it had just been a deer that he heard.
Tubbo shook his head, relaxing as Ranboo stepped over to him. Both watching as the deer wondered closer, almost hesitant in the way it walked. It brushed past more plants, Tubbo wouldn’t have noticed it if it weren’t for it brushing against the plants in the first place.
The deer stopped 10 feet away from the two. Tubbo could get a closer look at it now. It looked like a normal deer, just having two bright purple eyes. But that way probably from it living in the Enchanted Forest and eating the strange plants.
The deer stared, almost like it was studying the prince and knight. It’s ear flicking as it dragged its hoof over the ground before turning away and trotting off. Back through the shrubs and bushes and disappearing deeper into the forest.
Tubbo stared at the mark the deer made in the ground before being shook out of his thoughts by the sound of Ranboo’s voice, “I think George and Sapnap are just up ahead, come on.”
Tubbo ran a hand through his hair before nodding and following Ranboo. Quickly spotting the blaze and human. George was crouched down, running his hands over a leaf on a vine, getting closer Tubbo noticed the leaf had crystals on it, about an inch big at most.
“-nap, I’ve been keeping track of these plants for a long time. They don’t just grow crystals out of nowhere.”
Sapnap threw his arms up, his hair sparking a bit, “Well I have no idea why your plant would have crystals, stop asking me!”
“Hey! Sap, George!” Tubbo called out, waving his hand. Ranboo nodded his head in greeting.
Sapnap turned to see the two younger boys walking over, returning Tubbo’s wave and Ranboo’s nod. “Tubbo, Ranboo, what brings you two here?”
George finally looked up from the leaf, giving the two a wave as well before standing up, “Don’t tell me you two snuck off.”
“Techno sent us to go check on you two,” Ranboo said, “Ah, speaking of which. What are you doing?”
George gave Sapnap, the blaze hybrid just gave him a smile and a nod before. George sighed “Well, every time I come, I always check on this area since it has the most diverse set of plants. And, well. I guess this time they’re just different.”
George shook his head, seeming to think for a moment before continuing, “You see,” he crouched back down to brush his hand over the leaf, “As far as I’m aware this vine isn’t supposed to have crystals on the leaves. And it’s only this leaf. So, I’ve been trying to figure out why it suddenly has crystals. Which is proving easier said than done.”
Ranboo crouched down beside George, brushing one claw over the crystals on the leaf. Tilting his head to the side before standing up, “I, uh. I think I read about a creature who could create crystals or something along those lines.”
Now that jogged a memory for Tubbo, “Oh! Crystal elves! There must have been one near the edge of the forest. And speaking of which, me and Ranboo saw this weird deer while we were walking over here.”
“The one with purple eyes?” Sapnap asked, looking between Ranboo and Tubbo.
“Did you see it as well?” Ranboo asked as he stood up, George also stood up shortly after.
“That answers the crystal question,” Be muttered, just barely loud enough for Tubbo’s ears to catch it.
“Yeah, we saw it on our way over here. It just stared at us, I felt really judged.” Sapnap mentioned.
“That makes two of us, boss man,” Tubbo said, walking over and grabbing Ranboo’s hand. “Anyway, we should head back to camp. I’m sure Techno has dinner done or it’s close to being done. And I am hungry.”
Tubbo walked with Ranboo, Sapnap, and George back to the camp. They didn’t see the deer again, but Tubbo felt watched. So, he assumed it was still there. What a weird animal.
He didn’t let that thought bother him. Because the moment they made it back to camp Techno handed everyone a bowl of potato soup. Always potatoes with that man, maybe someone else should make breakfast.
George filled Techno in on the deer and the leaf. And mentioned how they should all go check it out tomorrow in case anything changes. Techno seemed a bit offput about the deer but agreed to go with tomorrow when they went back to the edge of the forest.
After the sun set, Ranboo and Tubbo snuck back to the edge of the Enchanted Forest again. Finding a rock for the two to sit on a rock as they watched the glowing plants and listened to the crickets, owls, and whatever other animal was awake that night.
Tubbo smiled, leaning against Ranboo and quietly talking about how he wondered if there were any weird bees in the forest.
Neither noticed how the purple eyes watched, or how they have been joined by a pair of blue ones.