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Really, its a split second descision. Long enough to hesitate, but not enough to falter.
Theres one moment, hes still unsure, he doesnt know what to think. He doesnt want Mugm to be the bad guy, hes been his everything for so long.
But he sees all the signs.
And then theres the next moment, a fraction of a second later- theres a doubt, a different kind. Maybe Mugm isnt the one who has to prove his innocence, maybe theres someone else who should be proving their loyalty.
Maybe thats what being allies really means, what friendship means.
Dabby pipes up, its obviously suspicious, no one trusts him the second he lays out the groundwork for the plan.
"We make Mugm think weve got everyone away from his spawn, then-"
But theyd trust him, theyd trust E.
Maybe Mugm will too.
Theres a change of plans then, Dabby and Silvasaur are obviously sceptical, no one is under any illusions anymore.
But it would be suspicious to decline E's offer, so they agree.
Hes not even sure if they warn Mugm or not, either way they probably think he can handle it.
E isnt exactly known to be a fighter.
Soon enough hes in the dark little dug out cave, hell be joined by Mugm in a second and then-
And then hell have betrayed everyone, he realises all too late.
Well, he could still change his mind, if he really wanted. But does he?
Hed betray the entire server, the entire… Server…
The same server thats been nothing but awful to him. Who is he kidding? These are the same people that relentlessly hunted him for months simply for asociating with one of his best friends.
Sure Dom… Dom might be sad, but hed understand, ultimately. Him and E know eachother too well.
But his time is up now, and his mind hasnt changed.
The cave is dark, but even so, its easy to see when Mugms even darker form spawns in and he opens his glowing white eye.
Theres a moment of confusion in his expression, despite the fact that E really shouldnt be able to read him.
Hes the only one who can, really, despite the lack of features in the dark silouette, Mugm is like an open book to E.
Mugm clearly expects a sword at his neck, probably expects exactly what E promised everyone else to do.
"What?" Is all the thanks he gets as he hands him the armour. Mugm is just as confused as everyone else will be in a few minutes when they realise.
But right now they have time, not much of it, but enough. A portal is lit.
Mugms never been able to read E like he reads everyone else, no one has. He supposes theyre alike in that way.
"We have maybe a few minutes before they realise something is wrong and theyll come after us."
The duo is trodding through the nether now, fast paced. They need all the head start they can get.
It doesnt stop the voidling from shooting him several confused glances.
And then his comm buzzes. So does Mugms, but probably for entirely different reasons.
<Merrfin> E u good?
<PukiTV> Did he start fighting? He shouldnt have armour though
E ignores them in favour of watching Mugms comm instead, as he types to his team.
<Dabbycat> Whats going on? Are you fine?
<Silvasaur> Shit we shouldve told you about E, sorry
<Mugm_> Im fine, dw
Theyve gotten far enough now, probably, but the others will be looking.
Mugms face scrunches, he does that when hes thinking too hard about things.
"Where are we headed?" He lands on, eventually. He clearly wants to say more but he cleverly waits until they get to safety for that.
"You lead the way. I dont have any bases the others dont know about. I assume you do?"
"Oh- Right."
With a mission, hes far more confident. Mugm weaves through the tough terrain of the nether like its nothing, watching his coords.
Once hes focused again it doesnt take long before theyre back in the overworld and headed down into a well hidden little base.
Its not big, or impressive in the slightest really, but it has all the essentials. Besides, its atleast well stocked, even if it looks like it hasnt been touched in weeks.
Once theyre inside, fully enclosed and as safe as bliss smp can let you get, E stills, and Mugm quiets.
"Only i know about this base. None of the other game breakers do."
Odd, but not unprescedented for someone like Mugm. Contingency plans.
E doesnt comment, simply settles down in a corner of the room and lets out a breath.
People complain that hes eerily calm all the time, and he supposes that might be how it appears.
But he just ran halfway across the world through the scorching hot nether after having betrayed practically the entire server.
To say his heart is racing is an understatement, not that anyone can tell.
The silence isnt broken by anything other than the duos pants (though Mugm is a lot less out of breath, far more used to this) untill Mugm pipes up again.
"So… Why, exactly, did you help me? I mean, you couldve killed me just as easily. Get it over with."
E hums, theres a pause before he too speaks up.
Hes not sure exactly what he plans on saying, but well, he didnt plan on being as honest as he ends up.
"Mugm, ill be so real with you, i spent the past 5 months trying to prove to the others that youre not so bad."
The man in question goes more still than he already was, if thats even possible.
"All because i actually care. The fact that you didnt even realise that proves my last assesment right."
Mugm hesitates, but hes quick to speak his mind either way.
"What assessment?" The question has a worried tone to it, he probably thinks Es talking about some assesment he made of Mugm.
Well, why stop his streak of honesty now?
"That maybe youre not the one who has to prove their loyalty to anyone. Maybe the mistake i made was never proving my loyalty to you."
And void if that isnt accurate if his best friend though hed kill him without a second thought.
Atleast hes realised now, and set out on a path to fix it.
Maybe he still doesnt entirely agree with what Mugm is doing right now, with the game breakers and everything, but-
But honestly? Hes not sure he cares anymore. Whos he to say Mugms reaction isnt entierly valid?
He has been called a villain all season, been treated like one. It really shouldnt have been suprising when he started acting the part.
Feeding into that story is only gonna make it worse.
"I- Im sorry. If that means anything."
Well- an apology was probably the last thing he expected from Mugm. He doesnt even know exactly what its for in all honestly.
His raised eyebrow seems to convey as much.
"For betraying the team, for cheating, for not trusting you, for ruining your plans. For everything, i guess."
E just huffs. "Id say apology accepted, but i never really resented you for it in the first place, not for very long atleast. Dont think wed be here right now if i did."
It doesnt stop Mugm from looking sheepish. Well, atleast he feels guilty, thats one step in the right direction.
As much as hes now picked Mugms side, he still fully intends to prove Mugms innocence, ruined evidence be damned.
Its not that he isnt guilty of the crimes hes been accused of, Es plans just have to change a little.
If he cant prove that Mugm has always been innocent? Then hell have to make him innocent.
Cant be that hard, right?