The final disc war ^_^

Trigger Warnings: References to abuse, blood, character death

so sorry for this being a day late T-T I MISSED U GUYS!! this probably feels like the first chapter in a while since the last one barely even qualified as one huh. LOL

this chapter took sooooo long and is my longest yet. i rlly hope u guys enjoy it lol cause we only have a couple left after this one!!

also i write pretty much every chapter in a delirious sleep deprived state and dont read them through before posting. so im very sorry if it sounds bad or there are typos. its five in the morning.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Quackity hadn’t been able to fully concentrate since Tommy had fallen asleep. What felt like every other minute he found himself staring at the teen, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest wearily.

It felt… wrong.

Tommy had finally snapped, and it’d left a rotten taste in Quackity’s mouth. The sight of Tommy sobbing, of him holding onto Ranboo for dear life wouldn’t leave his mind, and all he could do was think back to it and ache.

He’d wanted it at first, to see Tommy finally react, but after it’d happened, he just didn’t feel right. There was a constant nagging in the back of his mind, a little voice chirping nonstop, telling him over and over again that Tommy needs help or Tommy’s in danger.

And, of course, every time he looked over, nothing had changed. Tommy would still be sleeping, head resting on Ranboo’s shoulder, breathing softly.

Still, Quackity was uneasy, and felt as though he needed to do something. He needed to help Tommy, but there wasn’t actually anything he could do.

Seeing Tommy like that had broken a part of him; a part of him he hadn’t even known was there.

From the very beginning it had been Tommy at his side. It had been Tommy who welcomed him to the server with open arms and a loud laugh. It had been Tommy who wished him good luck during the elections despite running an opposite party.

Quackity had only ever wanted good things for Tommy, and there wasn’t anyone else on the server that he cared about in the same way he did for Tommy.

Of course he had Karl and Sapnap, of course he had Sam, of course he had Fundy, but those people were different. Tommy was a kid. Tommy was kind and loud and annoying and everything good and bad mixed into one. Quackity couldn’t think of another person who he’d fight for like he’d fight for Tommy, because Tommy needed someone to fight for him; and Quackity was more than willing.

He looked over at the blond, heart twisting in his chest at the mere sight of the boy.

Beside him, Karl gripped his hand, smiling at him softly when he realized what he was looking at. The time-traveller rested his head on Quackity’s shoulder, and the latter smiled to himself.

Moments later, the screen flickered to life.

Tubbo and Tommy walked quietly, single file a small forest, striding through the trees. The leaves and grass had been packed down time and time again, and a small path had been formed. It was dark, the moonlight barely seeping through the treetops.

Tubbo’s eyes flashed with recognition, and he realized with a pit in his stomach what they were about to see.

The two approached the end of the trail, poking their heads out and staring at a desolate beach. Both boys were dressed in netherite head to toe, shoulders tense.

Neither of them spoke as Tubbo swiftly moved to a bushed area, revealing a hidden boat. The waves lapped silently at the shore as their heavy boots sunk in the sand.

They dragged the boat towards the water, pushing with all their might to get it afloat. The cold sea nipped at their ankles, and there was nothing but the sound of their feet splashing in the water and the gentle tide.

“What is this?” Puffy questioned, tilting her head.

“Right before the vault.” Tubbo told her quietly, “Right after we said our goodbyes to all of you on the path.”

Tommy paused, staring out into the horizon. Clutched tightly in his hand was the compass Dream had left for him, the one that led to the discs, pointing in that same direction.

“Ready?” Tubbo questioned, smiling softly. His hair was smushed awkwardly beneath the helmet, sticking out at odd angles.

The blond let out a small huff, smiling back and nodding determinedly. “Yeah,” He affirmed, “let’s do this.”

Tubbo looked over sadly at the sleeping boy to his left.

The two climbed into the boat, shaking off their feet and seating themselves in the rickety wooden craft. It swayed unevenly for a moment before righting itself, bobbing in the water.

Without another word, they began to row.

They took turns, letting the other rest their arms as they went along. The trip seemed to prove further and further by each second, and they sat in a tense silence. The only time they’d speak was when Tommy would tell Tubbo which way to turn.

Tommy pursed his lips, looking down at the water. His reflection stared back at him and he frowned. Ever so gently, he dipped his fingers into the ocean, letting them drag along as the small boat continued on its way.

“I have an idea!” Tubbo chirped all at once, grinning wide and breaking the silence.

Tommy screamed, jumping up in his seat and turning back to the other with wide eyes. He put a hand to his chest, panting heavily.

Many of them laughed at that, the atmosphere lightening slightly.

Almost instantly, Tubbo dissolved into hysterics, pausing in his rowing to clutch at his stomach as he gasped for air.

“It’s not fucking funny!” Tommy cried, cheeks growing red as his friend continued to laugh, “It’s not!”

Sam smiled softly, watching the blond’s antics.

He glared as Tubbo continued, waiting for the boy to simmer down, and for a moment they sat completely still in the silence.

“So what was your idea, Tubbs?” Tommy hummed, looking over with a raised brow.

“Oh,” Tubbo beamed, perking up again, “I was thinking we could play I-Spy to pass the time!”

“I-Spy?” Ranboo repeated, slightly quizzical.

“It’s my favourite game,” Tubbo scoffed, rolling his eyes half-heartedly, “why do you think me and Michael play it so much?”

The blond gave the older teen an amused glance before rolling his eyes.

“Fine,” He sighed, “you go first.”

And so they continued on their way, but in the place of silence was a silly game they’d used to play as kids. The compass weighed heavy in Tommy’s hands.

Minutes went by in what felt like seconds, the two laughing together and rocking the boat with their antics. For a moment, they forgot what they were even doing.

For a moment they weren’t Tommy and Tubbo on some final quest to beat Dream, but just two teens in a boat in the middle of the sea; Two children laughing to themselves in the early morning hours.

Many people in the room didn’t know how to react to the scene. As they watched the two approach their untimely demise, all they could think was that these were kids.

The games and childish antics made it all the more real, and that meant all the more uncomfortable.

“Hmmmm,” Tommy pondered, leaning on the side of the boat. There was no paint beneath his nails, no paint being picked from the wood, “I spy with my little eye…” He paused, looking around.

There wasn’t too much to see in the vast expanse of the ocean. The water was almost completely black beneath them, deeper than any man had ever ventured, and it surrounded them for miles.

“I…” His eyes widened, a pit forming in his stomach, “ Oh…” He muttered, staring ahead, “Oh my god.”

Before them was an island. A massive mountain carved from rock that went into the clouds that was tall and slim. It loomed over the two with an incriminating aura; dark even as the sun began to rise, and looked to be almost… unnatural.

Having both entered and left through the portal in the vault, many of them were shocked at the sheer size of the island, staring with wide eyes.

“Holy shit.” Fundy muttered

“I spy it too…” Tubbo laughed nervously.

Wordlessly, the ram turned the boat, maneuvering around the jagged rocks that jutted out of the water. They pulled up on the side of a cliff with nowhere else to dock, and Tommy hastily began to climb, pickaxe in his shaking hand.

“Do you think we’re ready?” He asked his friend as they scaled the mountain. Beneath him the groove he’d placed one of his feet on crumbled to dust and he grit his teeth as he held onto his pick that was rammed into the rock.

It took Tubbo a few moments to reply, concentrating hard on not losing his footing. He took a deep breath, wiping away the sweat from his brow and staring down at the blond.

“Not at all.” He said simply. He continued climbing without another word.

“And I was right.” He chirped.

The others didn’t seem as amused as him.

Eventually, they reached the top; and when they did it was with a pit forming in Tommy’s stomach.

He was scared.

With a fleeting glance towards his friend, a sort of reassurance that Tubbo was there and that he wouldn’t be facing Dream alone, they moved to round the corner before them.

They were met with a small valley nestled in the crook of one of the mountain’s ledges. Patchy and yellowing grass decorated the earth, a single tree standing amidst the emptiness of it all.

And in the middle of everything, there was Dream.

Quackity seized at the sight of the man, as did many others. If his presence before the room hadn’t been jarring, it was undeniably so now.

Dressed head to toe in netherite, shoulders squared and back ramrod straight, he stood beside an enderchest.

For just a second, Tommy was paralysed with fear. For just a moment he was back in exile, small and defenseless.

“I’m here.” Tubbo whispered quietly, brushing against his side.

Puffy’s heart twisted at the action, and she looked at the ram hybrid sadly, smiling at him.

Tommy breathed in shakily, steeling himself over. He gripped his sword tightly, knuckles turning white.

Dream was completely silent, staring at them eerily.

Tubbo looked to Tommy, and Tommy looked to Tubbo, and together they nodded.

Without a word they surged forward, Tommy charging headfirst and Tubbo flanking towards the back; like they always had. Dream backed away, quickly raising his shield and bracing himself.

“You guys have like,” Karl paused, slightly confused, “twin telepathy.”

Tubbo laughed loudly.

And Tommy couldn’t help the breathless laugh that escaped him as the sun peeked over the horizon. The golden light spilled out into the world, and Tommy laughed again, the frostbitten air turning his breath to small puffs.

Dream dodged a swing, lowering himself near the ground and kicking out at Tubbo’s legs, but the latter pulled back, concentrated but with a light in his eyes that had been out for much too long.

He grinned, ramming into Dream’s defense and knocking him back. The older man stepped back with a loud grunt.

And Tommy felt glee. Despite the fight for their lives, despite the fact that this was it, that this was the final battle, he couldn’t help but smile.

Phil stared at his youngest in wonder. He’d never seen Tommy look like that, not even as a kid.

Because it was Tubbo and him once again. Just as it had been in the beginning he was back at his best friend’s, his brother’s side, and nothing was going to stop them.

They existed in complete tandem. Even as Dream towered up high into the sky, they followed along, watching one another’s backs with outstretched arms. They would always be there to catch one another.

Tubbo felt a pang in his chest, and he felt oddly nostalgic, despite all the bad that had come only minutes later.

Atop the tower, Dream kicked Tommy in the chest, hard, and the boy went flying back. He gasped for air back hitting the ground as he screamed out in pain.

“Tommy!” Tubbo shrieked from above, eyes wide with horror.

Sapnap cringed at the action, frowning at the screen.

But through the pain, Tommy grinned, groaning and turning onto his stomach as he pushed himself up. His arm was tucked into his side, and for a moment Tubbo feared the worst, but as Tommy pulled back, there was no wound to be revealed, but a disc.

It reflected in the sunlight, momentarily blinding the two upon the tower.

“I’ve got it!” Tommy cried, eyes alight.

“You’d think that wouldn’t be that impressive,” Fundy began, “cause it’s a 2v1, but it’s really fucking impressive. That dude doesn’t lose like- ever.”

George huffed, amused.

Tubbo let out a disbelieving laugh, grinning. “You’ve got it!?”

“I’ve got it!” The blond repeated, standing on shaky legs.

Dream glared down, narrowing his eyes at the boy. He sheathed his sword, pulling his axe from where it was strapped to his back as Tommy ran for the hills.

Tubbo didn’t even have a chance to blink before he was raising his shield, just barely in time to block the blow. He let out a startled cry, stumbling back before jumping down to the ground and landing with a roll.

“Oh fuck.”

The masked man followed immediately after him, just inches away, and Tubbo blanched.

“Tommy,” He began in a panic, backing away with his shield held firmly to his chest, “Tommy he’s killing me.”

There was a silence, and then a delayed What? From the hills, but still no sign of the blond.

Tubbo jumped back, crying out in alarm.

“Tommy, he's killing me!”

Ranboo cringed, looking away from the screen. He couldn’t bare the sight, despite knowing his husband was right there.

“What do you mean he’s killing you!?” Tommy’s head poked out from around the corner, and it would have been comical in other circumstances. He paled instantly at the sight of Dream looming over Tubbo, and he scrambled to put himself in the fray.

“Stop!” He cried, desperately panting, “Stop right fucking there!”

“No self-preservation…” Techno muttered.

The older man paused, turning to look at him and tilting his head. A low laugh came from behind his mask.

“Don’t you see?” Dream grinned, “I can kill both of you whenever I want!” He raised his arms, “You’re going to die, Tommy. You’re going to lose.”

“Prick.” Jack whispered lowly, a tired look in his eyes.

Tommy was silent, staring at Tubbo with his brows furrowed together. The older teen looked scared.

“Look,” Dream sighed, “Just- Just choose between your disc or Tubbo, okay? You either give it to me, or Tubbo dies.”

“Well that should be an easy decision.” Niki snorted, rolling her eyes.

Tommy refused to speak, voice caught at the back of his throat.

“Dream…” He began quietly.

The man in question took a step towards the teen, scaring him back slightly. “And you know I’m not going to kill you…” He murmured, a smile in his tone, “but Tubbo…”

The older teen took that as his chance to sneak away, shoulders tense as he ran and hid behind Tommy. The blond looked back at his friend, frowning deeply.

“But-”

“Tommy,” Dream began, exasperated, “I haven’t even tried yet, okay? I have speed pots, I have pearls, I have my trident.” He paused, looking at the two, “you can’t defend him Tommy. Just give me the disc.”

“He’s sort of just..” Technoblade paused, “a bully.”

“I think he’s a bit more than that, dude.” Fundy laughed incredulously.

“No no,” The piglin shook his head, “I mean the fact that he’s a grown man playing all these games with kids, y’know? It’s like the older kids making the kid they’re picking on be the monkey in the middle. It’s just sad to watch that kid, the loser kid, try.”

“Thanks.” Tubbo bit out sarcastically.

And there was silence. A moment of pure agony from Tommy. The discs were in his grip, he could win. After what felt like decades of being beaten down and bloody by Dream he could finally be the one to win.

Dream began to count down from ten, seemingly growing annoyed. The axe in his hand was glowing in the low light.

Tubbo grabbed Tommy’s hand, forcing the latter to look back at him. There was a serious look in his eyes, lips pulled into a tight frown.

“Keep the discs.” He said, squeezing the blond’s hand. “Keep them.”

“Tubbo!” Ranboo cried, affronted. Despite the fact that he was caring for the sleeping teen on his shoulder, he seemed to do an excellent job both keeping Tommy asleep and chewing Tubbo out simultaneously.

The ram cringed, shrinking in on himself slightly.

“It’s not what it looks like-” He began.

“Oh really?” Ranboo cocked his head to the side, “Because it looks like you’re telling Tommy to let you die.”

Tubbo was quiet for a moment, not making eye contact. He sighed quietly.

“I just wanted to make it up to him.” He admitted, still refusing to meet his husband’s eyes.

Ranboo blinked, taken aback. He furrowed his brow, confused.

“What?” He demanded.

Tubbo groaned, rubbing at his face, “I just- I gave the discs to Dream and then he destroyed everything.” He muttered, “I did that to Tommy for- for nothing.”

“And you thought dying was going to make it up to him?” Karl raised a brow.

“I don’t want to die!” Tubbo snapped, hugging himself tightly, “I’m not… like that.” He looked over at Tommy for just a moment, “But I don’t- I want Tommy to be happy, okay? And I couldn’t make him give up those discs again I-”

“Tubbo,” Quackity interjected, mouth pulled into a thin line, “if I burned the discs right now, Tommy would kill me.” He stated simply, “but if I killed you right now? Tommy would kill himself.”

The ram hybrid was very quiet, though he looked affronted.

“You mean more to Tommy than the discs, Tubbo.” Puffy said quietly, “That’s why he told you to give them to Dream in the first place.”

Tubbo didn’t bother answering, staring down at the ground.

As if ice water had been dumped down Tommy’s back he recoiled, wrenching his hand from Tubbo’s grip.

“Are you insane!?” He cried angrily, back facing Dream.

“I’ve done enough!” Tubbo pleaded, “it’ll be worth it!”

Ranboo glared at his husband, practically seeing red.

“Not a fucking word.” Tubbo hissed.

The countdown reached two, and Tommy didn’t hesitate to go running. He bolted towards Dream, face pained, and for a moment the man thought he was about to attack.

But Tommy stopped just feet away, staring at him with heavy and tired eyes.

Wordlessly, he summoned the disc from his inventory and outstretched his arm, offering it to the masked man.

“What the hell are you doing!?” Tubbo called, eyes wide.

Dream cocked his head to the side, carefully reaching out and grabbing the disc. He stowed it away quietly, not speaking for a moment as Tommy scampered back to his friend, looking the older teen over.

“Thanks… I guess…” Dream hummed, looking down at his nails and picking at some of the dirt caught beneath them. “I mean… I didn’t think it would be that easy.”

Technoblade cocked a brow.

“What?” Tubbo demanded, narrowing his eyes.

Slowly, he began to laugh. It bubbled up in his throat, quiet and menacing, before evolving into an all out cackle. The two children stopped, staring back at him hesitantly.

“That wasn’t even the disc!” Dream grinned, throwing his arms out wide, “I’m just playing with you!”

The words sent shivers down Sam’s back and he glared harshly at the screen.

“They were fakes!?” Fundy cried.

He flung the replica to the ground, not giving either teen a chance to even blink before he’d blown it back. He turned back to them, standing taller than ever.

“You both think I’m going to sit here and- and play some build battle with you like I used to but I’m not, okay? I’m not stupid!” He laughed loudly, throwing his head back, “I just wanted to show you how powerful I am! How powerless you are!”

“Oh my god…” Puffy began, bringing a hand to her mouth.

Tommy made a face, curling in on himself. Something sick began to fester inside of him.

“I could have let you go or just killed you but I didn’t.” Dream told them excitedly, “I’m toying with you. I’m playing with my food. That’s the fun in it.”

“This is fucking horrible, man,” Quackity shook his head, a pained expression on his face, “What the fuck is wrong with him?”

Sapnap clenched his fists, tears pricking at his eyes.

Behind him the sun moved further into the sky, and his shadow was cast over the two teens standing shorter before him.

“But now…” His voice became much lower, “now you’re going to listen to me. I’m not playing anymore.”

“Fuck you.” Fundy said simply, as if the man could hear him.

Shivers ran up Tommy’s spine, and he looked back at Tubbo with a worried expression. The latter didn’t react.

“So here’s what I want you to do,” Dream clapped his hands together, startling the youngest. He grinned behind his mask. “You’re going to drop the Axe of Peace, Tommy.” He instructed.

The boy in question raised a brow, noticing the way his enemy had brought his own axe up, and narrowed his eyes.

“You’re not gonna kill me.” He spat.

Dream was quiet for a moment, as if testing to see if Tommy would comply anyways. After realizing the boy wasn’t going to move, he flung his axe at Tubbo, just narrowly missing him.

Tubbo gasped, pulling away with wide eyes.

Ranboo wordlessly grasped Tubbo’s hand, breathing heavily.

“I’m not dead, Ranboo.” The latter said, point blank, “I’m sitting right here.”

The enderman glared at him, wrenching his hand away and muttering something to himself quietly.

Instantly, Tommy dropped the axe at Dream’s feet, breathing heavily. The man picked it up wordlessly, stowing it away.

He looked back up at the teen, watching him carefully. Ever so slowly, he removed a shovel from his inventory, relishing in the way Tommy paled.

The temperature in the room dropped, and every single person felt their heats drop.

“You’re fucking kidding me…” Jack trailed off, swallowing back bile.

Tubbo stared at his friend as Dream got to work, confused.

“Tommy,” The masked man began, trying to hold back a smile, “put your things in the hole.”

Karl made a pained noise at that, hiding his face in his hands.

The world stopped in that moment, completely still. Tommy felt the air get sucked from his lungs, and he looked down in complete horror, freezing in his tracks.

“No,” he shook his head, voice shaking, “N-No Dream you can’t I-”

“Tubbo,” Dream ignored him, looking to the ram hybrid, “put your things in the hole.”

Tommy cocked his head to the side, staring with wide eyes as his friend listened to the man.

Tubbo looked at him as if he was crazy.

I’m sorry, Tubbo wanted to say, I didn’t know I’m so sorry.

He looked over at where Tommy was still completely unconscious, breathing softly.

“We don’t have any other option.” The older teen told him quietly.

Tommy looked down at the hole, feeling bile rise in his throat. Ghosts of explosions rang in his head, and his arms burned with phantom pains. He swallowed thickly.

“Put your things in the hole or I am going to kill Tubbo, Tommy.” Dream threatened, growing more impatient by the second.

Tubbo was completely still, watching them quietly. His armour and weapons had already been thrown away, and all that was left was his green button up and blue slacks. Not his suit, but the outfit he used to wear when everything was simpler, when things were happier.

Tommy bit back tears, taking a shaky breath.

A pang went through Puffy’s chest. She sniffled quietly.

Wordlessly, he emptied his inventory. The motions came flooding back instantly, and it felt like routine, like things were back how they were supposed to be. He removed his armour, staring down.

He didn’t dare to look as the explosion went off, stifling a whine and turning away, though he heard Tubbo’s shocked cries.

When he looked back there was nothing but rubble. All of their armour and potions and supplies had been reduced to ash.

“No…” Tubbo whispered, horrified.

“That-” Tommy choked on his words, “That took us so long to get! I- I didn’t sleep for days!”

“I saw him grinding for some of that stuff,” Sapnap commented, “he looked fucking crazy. He was going all out. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him working so hard.”

Sam frowned.

Dream didn’t bother replying, toeing the remains with his boot quietly. They watched as he stared down, nervously inching towards each other.

“Follow me.” He stated, looking up at the two. Tommy made a face, opening his mouth to reply, “Or I kill Tubbo.”

The blond looked back at his completely defenseless friend, and then down at himself. They had no choice but to oblige.

Without so much as even looking back to see if they were following, Dream departed, traversing down the winding stairs he’d carved into the mountain for himself. The two teens in tow looked at one another, frowning, but continuing on in silence.

“He sure spent a lot of time working on his evil villain base.” Fundy hummed.

“And yet the stairs are still fucking ugly.” Quackity commented.

Tubbo laughed.

“Stay close.” Tommy whispered.

The wind howled, pushing them back ever so slightly. They’d been hidden from it tucked within the mountain’s side, but once they rounded the corner they were nearly blown away by its might.

“Did you really think you could just show up and beat me?” Dream asked, breaking the silence. “That I wouldn’t have a plan? That you could win?” He laughed, “I’ve been one step ahead of the both of you this entire time, you know that… right?”

“Fuck you.” Fundy repeated, with more animosity that time.

Neither boy answered, following him down into a cavern that hid them from the sun. Water dripped down the sides of the walls, coating every surface in a slimy layer. Soon enough the only light source was the pools of magma at their feet.

“You’re pure evil.” Tommy murmured hollowly, hugging himself tightly and shivering in the cold, “How do you sleep at night?”

“Just fine.” Dream chirped cheerily, as though he didn’t care; as though he didn’t feel remorse for anything he’d done.

He turned to look at the older teen. “Tubbo thought I was his friend.” He laughed, looking over at Tommy, “I mean… what an idiot, right?”

Niki narrowed her eyes at the man on screen.

Tubbo paled at the words, backing away until he was pressed up against the side of the cavern.

Dream tilted his head, staring Tommy down further.

“You thought I was your friend, Tommy.” He grinned, “The both of you did.”

The blond stumbled back slightly, shaking his head. His eyes stung with unshed tears, and his hands shook.

“This guy is just fucking pathetic, dude,” Jack scoffed, gesturing towards the screen, “I mean these are just two kids! What does he have to brag about!?”

“Are you insinuating that manipulating me isn’t a feat worth bragging about, Jack Manifold?” Tubbo demanded, snickering slightly as Ranboo elbowed him in the ribs.

The bald man blanched, eyes widening.

“Uh…”

Quackity laughed loudly.

“I made sure no one showed up at your party.” Dream let out an amused huff, “I did it so that you wouldn’t have any friends except for me.”

Tommy shook his head again, clamping his hands over his ears with gritted teeth.

Tubbo looked over, confused.

Now I know, he thought to himself, chest tightening.

“The reason I have the discs is because I blew up the community house and framed Tommy!” The masked man continued, “and you were dumb enough to give me them!”

Many of them cringed at that. Because despite hearing it from Drista, it felt all the more real seeing Dream admit to it.

Sapnap and George looked as if they were going to be sick.

The pools of lava bubbled and popped, glowing in the dark. Tubbo stared, mouth agape.

“You… You what?” He demanded, shoulders shaking.

“You’re a fucking psychopath, Dream.” Tommy spat, eyes red rimmed. He moved to summon something, anything to fight with from his inventory, but it was completely barren.

“Hmm…” Dream tilted his head, “I mean personally I wouldn’t say that…” He turned to the side, looking back at the two and nodding for them to follow, “Just- just come this way.”

They watched as he strode over to the cavern wall, pushing down on something they couldn’t see in the dark. The ground beneath them began to rumble, and the walls began to move.

“He put way too much effort into this,” Techno rumbled, “you don’t need a secret entrance if your base is already on a remote island thousands of blocks away.”

Light emanated from the entrance that had been revealed, and Tommy’s eyes widened at the sight. He looked back at Tubbo, gripping the boy’s hand tightly.

They followed him into the room, staring in awe at the sheer size of it all. Glowstone lined the ceiling, painting it all in a low golden hue.

In the center of the room was an obsidian grid with a hole in the middle. Dream walked over to it, looking at them expectantly.

“Get in.” He commanded.

Almost immediately, Tubbo obliged, stepping onto the grid.

Tommy stared at him in shock.

“Tubbo!” He cried, appalled, “What the hell are you doing!?”

Karl couldn’t help but laugh at the interaction and Tubbo looked back at him, raising a brow.

The boy in question looked up, smiling sheepishly as he curled in on himself.

“We’re dead either way,” He shrugged, “Might as well comply.”

The blond watched as Tubbo stood obediently in place, turning his head to look at Dream; who was waiting expectantly. With a sigh, he resigned, stepping foot onto the platform.

The masked man himself stepped into it, and Tommy recoiled at the proximity.

Sam glared.

With a switch of the lever to their right, the sound of hundreds of cogs turning could be heard. All around them beneath their feet was intricate redstone work lining the walls. Tubbo’s eyes widened as he cocked his head, curious.

The platform beneath them began to descend, and Tommy felt the pit in his stomach grow further as they plummeted into darkness.

“What the fuck is happening!?” He demanded, staggering at the harsh movements and barely regaining his footing, leaning on Tubbo for support.

Dream let out a content sigh, shoulders dropping. He turned to look at the youngest.

“Ever since you joined my server,” He began, “you’ve been a headache.”

“Well,” Jack began, “he’s not exactly wrong.”

Technoblade snorted.

The ground beneath their feet continued to lower, and soon they found themselves sinking into a much larger room crafted out of blackstone. Tommy and Tubbo alike screamed, horrified.

“The grand reveal.” Ranboo muttered, completely monotone. Tubbo stifled a laugh.

“But everything bad you brought?” Dream tilted his head, “it was because of attachment.” He gestured widely, throwing his arms out, “Your attachment to the discs, your attachment to Henry, to pets, to land, to friends, to countries, to items… alright?”

Tommy didn’t dare speak, heart lurching in his throat and at a loss for words. He could barely breathe, heart hammering.

At the end of the room up against the wall sat a large Nether portal, and flanked at both sides were shrines dedicated to the discs; crafted from gold and glistening in the low light.

“He’s fucking obsessed, dude.” Quackity shook his head, “All Tommy did was keep them in an ender chest because he wanted to actually listen to them… What the fuck is all this?”

“The shrines aren’t even centered if that makes you feel better.” Tubbo offered.

“It makes me feel worse for some reason actually.”

“That’s the one good thing you’ve done.” Dream told him, “You brought attachment to this server, and- and it took me a while to figure it out… how important attachment truly is.” He muttered, “but when I did,” he smiled, “it made me stronger!”

Tubbo took a weary step closer to his friend, frowning deeply.

“I realized that you’re important, Tommy.” The masked man said, looking over at the shrines. He stepped off the platform onto the large stairs leading off of it, “Come look.” He ordered. “Your discs are here, they’re right here.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” Technoblade declared, “Dream doesn’t deserve prison.”

Many people turned to look at him, ready to quite literally physically fight, but he smirked.

“He deserves a straight-jacket and a psychiatric facility.” He finished.

Jack let out an amused huff.

Slowly, they approached the golden builds, staring in shock.

“There’s enderchests…” Tommy muttered, furrowing his brow, “right there.” He looked over at them, hands itching at his sides. Both discs sat completely unguarded beside two enderchests.

“I mean yeah,” Dream let out a low laugh, “you can run and throw the discs in if you want… But I mean- I wouldn’t. Cause then y’know… I’ll kill Tubbo.”

The youngest took a shaky breath, staring back at his friend, and felt bile rising in his throat. The discs were right there. They were completely within his reach, and there was nothing he could do.

“Low blow…” Sapnap muttered.

Dream stalked off towards the second one, staring down at it, and though Tommy couldn’t see his face he knew it was one of delight.

“I cut all my attachments,” He murmured, still looking down, mesmerized by the discs, “I blew up my house, I lost my friends, I lost my items, lost my crossbow, my… y’know everything that was important to me; my pets.” He chuckled quietly, “I cut everything because I realized that’s what gave everyone power over each other. And the only reason you’re even here is because I have these dumb little items.”

“You…” Tubbo trailed off, looking up in horror.

“I lost everything,” Dream shook his head, “but… I had to lose everything,” he peered up, staring at Tommy, “so I could gain everything.”

“And you chose to do that, asshole!” Quackity screamed at the screen.

“You’re a sick bastard.” Tommy spat, glaring harshly. He stepped back, shaking his head.

“Listen,” The masked man urged, a manic grin spreading across his face, “if I can control the things that people are attached to… then I can control the server again!” He exclaimed loudly, puffing out his chest and spreading his arms out, “because this isn’t the Tommy SMP or the Tubbo SMP, it’s the Dream SMP! ...Right?”

Puffy recoiled at the words, making a face.

“He used to say it was our SMP…” Sapnap said quietly, a sad smile on his face.

The teens looked down at the gold plating they stood upon, blanching. The grandiose paintings of the discs loomed over them, plastered up against the walls.

“So I can control the server, okay?” Dream laughed, “If I have everything that everyone cares about, then I can make things go back to how they used to!”

George frowned at that, looking down at the ground. Did he want things to go back to how they used to? Well… yeah. In the beginning everyone had been friends, in the beginning things had been okay.

But George looked at Tommy before him, at Tommy who was sleeping, who still had tear tracks on his face, and felt bile rise in his throat.

He would rather have things never go back to how they were than have Tommy be hurt like that.

Tubbo cocked his head to the side, staring at Tommy. He frowned deeply, hunching in on himself.

Tommy, however, took an angry step forward, gritting his teeth and tensing his shoulders.

“This server was shit before, Dream.” He hissed, “I-”

“Follow me.” Dream interrupted, swivelling around. He didn’t bother to look back, waltzing over to the large hall to their right. “I want you two to see this.”

For a moment, neither teen moved, staring at one another wearily. The other man had already disappeared around the corner, and they felt dread pooling in their stomachs.

Finally, Tubbo made the move to follow, and Tommy pursed his lips, following with a furrowed brow and anxious pout.

The hall before them was decorated top to bottom in item frames. They were all labeled, some empty but others filled. The items ranged from weapons to pets, and at the very end of the hall was a fenced area, containing a blue sheep and a small cow.

“Not that stupid fucking hallway…” Quackity muttered, narrowing his eyes.

“I have a place for everything!” Dream cried, spinning circles as he laughed, “and I’m going to get everything!”

Tubbo snorted, thinking about the fact that the hall was empty now.

Tommy looked over, a pit forming in his stomach as he stared at the empty frame before him.

“The axe of peace?” He whispered, eyes wide.

“Oh!” Dream chirped, hurrying over, “that reminds me!” He shuffled around in his inventory, removing the axe and placing it carefully in the spot on the wall, “there we go!”

Techno’s ear twitched.

The youngest watched it for a moment, horrified, before his attention was dragged away.

Dream continued to go down the line, listing things that he either already had or was going to get. He seemed rather happy with himself, almost giddy.

“You’re fucking crazy…” Tommy muttered, shaking his head.

And then, near the very end, they stopped, and neither teen could hold back their initial laughter at the sight of a cage labeled Skeppy. Quickly, however, it turned to horror when they realized it was a genuine thing.

“What the fuck!?” Tubbo cried, stepping back with wide eyes.

“I forgot about that…” Puffy whispered. The thought of Dream taking Skeppy, of putting him in that tiny cage and leaving him there to rot made her feel sick.

“He’s a fucking freak,” Fundy spat, “Seriously.”

The admin didn’t look at all perturbed, moving closer and running a hand against the bars.

“That’s the one thing Bad cares about.” He huffed, amused.

“Not true.” Quackity scoffed.

Sapnap looked hopeful for a moment before realizing the duck hybrid was talking about himself. He rolled his eyes, ignoring the way his fiance snickered at the reaction.

Tubbo and Tommy looked to each other, moving closer in an attempt to fabricate some sort of illusion of safety; to somehow ignore the fact that this man who was so vile was standing before them.

Both of them began to spew profanities at him, crying out at how terrible he was, but he didn’t seem bothered.

Letting out an agitated groan, Tommy ran a shaky hand through his hair and swiveled on his feet, trying to turn away and block out everything in front of him.

Instead he was brought face to face with an old friend.

Tommy froze in his tracks, completely still. His breath hitched in his throat and he made a choked sort of noise.

A young bull stared at him, eyes wide and curious. His horns were still coming in, one of them chipped slightly. The left one. On his back was an arrangement of spots and speckles that Tommy could have recognized anywhere.

Niki’s heart leapt, something she hadn;t been expecting to happen, but she remembered how she’d stood by Tommy’s side throughout Henry’s death, how she’d held him as he cried, how she’d helped him build a grave, and her stomach sank.

“...Who is that?” Puffy asked sheepishly.

“Henry,” Sam said quietly, still staring at the screen, “he was Tommy’s cow.”

“This isn’t real,” he shook his head, turning back to look at Dream, hands shaking, “this isn’t fucking real!” He cried.

Dream stalked over, not saying a word.

“I watched Henry die,” Tommy said, heart pumping loudly in his chest, “This isn’t…”

Sapnap felt his chest tighten slightly.

Beside them Tubbo was staring in shock at the blue sheep; it’s coat a deep lapis and it’s eyes holding that same caring shine.

“I mean…” Dream began, “did you really?” He tilted his head, “was that the real Henry? Who knows…”

“It was.” Sapnap narrowed his eyes, “It was the real Henry.”

“I mean… guess we know the resurrection book works.” Fundy hummed, going quiet for a moment before the realization hit him. He looked over at Tommy, eyes widening. “Wait fuck. Nevermind.”

Tommy was very quiet, staring at the cow. His fists clenched at his side, memories of gore and carnage flooding through his mind. He whirled around, mouth curved into a snarl.

“You’re a fucking psychopath!” He spat, taking a step forward.

“I’m not!” Dream denied, shaking his head, and he sounded almost… tired. “Everything I do is deliberate!” He took a step back, adjusting his mask and pressing it down, “I… need control… okay?”

“I’ve met at least three other people with control issues who didn’t abuse a kid but I dunno, maybe it’s just me.” Karl mumbled quietly to himself.

Tommy looked back at Tubbo, at his best friend who was completely defenseless, who Dream could kill at any moment, and then to the two animals behind him, curious and sweet and confused.

“Why?” He demanded, tears pricking at his eyes, “this isn’t- it’s not fair.”

Phil’s heart broke at those words, his wings puffing up.

Technoblade looked over, slightly surprised at the reaction. His father had been both silent and still for quite a while.

And he felt like a child at that moment, whining about things being unfair; whining to the man who wanted to kill Tubbo that it wasn’t fair, but he couldn’t help it. He was just so done, and as simplistic and crude as it sounded he was sad.

“Because it’s not fair!” Dream cried, “It’s my server!”

Tommy swallowed back a sob, fists clenching at his sides. He felt so helpless.

Quackity grit his teeth, glaring angrily at the screen.

“But Tommy, listen,” the masked man continued, taking a step closer, “I need you, okay?” He grinned, “I need you because you keep bringing attachment to this server. Without you people weren’t really… attached to things.” He paused, “But then you came and you brought friendship and countries and things people could be attached to… You brought that. You’re the key.” He smiled, “You’re the key to unlocking the full potential of the server.”

“...Am I the only person that doesn’t understand the whole ‘attachment’ shit?” Jack asked quietly. “Like… What does he mean by that?”

“He means love.” Sam replied, “He means that Tommy brought love to the server. When he says that Tommy brought attachments he’s saying that Tommy made things worth loving, that he loved things and it encouraged the people around him to start loving things too.”

“You’ve thought about this a lot, huh?” Fundy questioned jokingly.

The creeper only glared before continuing. “Dream is scared of the things he loves being used against him, and because Tommy is love, because Tommy brings love wherever he goes, Dream wants to use that against people.”

“Oh…”

Tubbo shuffled nervously behind the blond, staring up at his face and frowning. He took a shaky breath, moving closer.

“So I can’t kill you,” Dream hummed, “but I constructed a prison. It’s inescapable, you can’t get out. There’s hundreds of thousands of stacks of obsidian, there’s elder guardians, there’s guards …”

“And how’d that work out for you?” Quackity smirked, earning a laugh from Tubbo.

Tommy tried not to shiver at the thought, shaking his head.

“How?” He demanded.

“Lots of time.” The admin shrugged, as though it were simple. “A bit of effort, planning, construction… y’know… ” He paused, mouth stretching into a wide grin beneath his mask, “evil.”

“He paid me is how.” Sam narrowed his eyes, “there wasn’t- there wasn’t evil put into the prison until he became the prisoner. That’s a ridiculous response.”

Puffy let out an amused huff.

Tommy’s face morphed to an expression of disgust as he backed away. Tubbo seemed lost, unsure of what to do.

“So you are evil,” the youngest said, narrowing his eyes. He looked back at the pens and stared sadly at Henry. Friend stared at him almost knowingly.

“Well…” Dream began, “evil is in the eye of the beholder, isn’t it? I mean… you’re evil to me.”

“Teenager says man who abused him is evil, man says that evil is subjective and that this scrawny teenager who still says poggers and collects bugs is the depiction of evil to him.” Fundy said point blank.

Though the comment was supposed to be funny, at least, that was Fundy’s intention, it only served to make the interaction between the two on the screen all the more awful to watch.

Tommy scoffed, but Tubbo laughed, and it caught the other two off guard.

“It’s like the tower from Lego; Batman with the eye on top.” He whispered to his friend, and the blond made a face, trying not to laugh.

Ranboo furrowed his brow, looking down at his husband. Tubbo laughed loudly.

Dream tried to continue, sighing deeply and moving on. “You came onto the server,” He began, ignoring the way the two were now smiling, “thinking that you were the hero, but-”

“You make everything better, Tubbo.” Tommy grinned, completely disregarding Dream and still holding back laughter, “that was good it was.” He giggled.

Tubbo smiled softly at the screen, still amused by his own joke.

The masked man stopped in his tracks, staring at the teens.

“Sorry sorry sorry…” Tubbo apologized, calming himself, still grinning like a fool.

“No no no,” Tommy shook his head, “you lightened the atmosphere. I liked it.” He beamed, “when we’re all feeling down you make us feel better.”

The ram hybrid’s chest tightened at that, and he looked over at his sleeping friend.

I wish I could do that for you now.

Dream shook his head, muttering something unintelligible to himself before pushing forward, looking at the older teen.

“Tubbo,” He began seriously, and it was enough to bring the other two back to the moment at hand, “I’m gonna lock Tommy away forever! I need him alive but that doesn’t mean I need him free.” He cocked his head, turning to meet Tommy’s gaze, “when you were in exile it was perfect.”

Many of them cringed at that, and Quackity saw red, seething at the screen.

Tommy seized, eyes going wide.

“People could visit you… the only problem was that you could escape… and you did! I was fine with you being in exile, but the thing is that you left. You ruined it. It was supposed to be perfect.”

Tubbo furrowed his brow, looking at his friend, a silent question on his tongue. What happened in exile?

“The prison wasn’t meant for you originally,” Dream took a step closer, “but now it is.”

The boy in question didn’t have it in him to react, standing completely still with tears pricking at his eyes, breathing heavily.

“...Who was it meant for originally?” Tubbo questioned quietly, a tremor in his voice.

“Eh,” The admin shrugged, “you don’t need to know.”

And then Tommy snapped from his stupor, gasping slightly and shaking his head. He backed away, pressing up against the fence before breaking into a sprint. Tubbo followed immediately after him and they raced down the hall.

Puffy’s heart broke as she watched the boy run. He looked so scared.

Tommy grabbed the Axe of Peace with both hands, ripping it from its place on the wall and nearly being brought to the ground by its weight. He shook his head again, heart hammering and panting heavily.

“You can’t,” He muttered, stumbling over his own feet “You can’t lock me up I’ll- I’ll fucking kill you!” He cried, blinking away his tears as he held the axe out, desperately trying to keep the man away.

“Dammit…” Quackity whispered, wiping at his good eye and gritting his teeth. Tears continued to prick at it regardless.

Tubbo watched from behind him worriedly, completely incapable of helping.

Dream, however, didn’t speak. Wordlessly, he surged forwards, using the way Tommy flinched at the movement to sidestep around him and hook an arm around Tubbo’s throat.

Instantly, Tommy froze, and Tubbo let out a terrified cry.

Ranboo reached for Tubbo’s hand again, and this time the latter squeezed back, a soft expression on his face.

Without a word, without hesitation, the youngest ran back to the wall, heaving the axe up and placing it back in its frame. He looked back at his friend in horror, pursing his lips.

Dream released Tubbo, pushing the boy away roughly.

“Tommy!” He cried, as though he’d finally lost his cool, “I need you alive! I don’t need Tubbo alive!”

“He yells so much…” Technoblade noted, “Cringe.”

“You’re fucking cringe…” Quackity muttered quietly, arms crossed and a bitter expression on his face. Karl held back a laugh.

“Can everyone just shut up?” Ranboo demanded, taking them all aback.

It was clear watching the screen was hurting him, with Tommy asleep on his shoulder and Tubbo at his side he seemed to barely be making it through.

No one replied.

The vault went quiet, and Tommy turned his head to the side, looking at Tubbo as his heart sank. Dream waltzed over to the older teen, grinning.

“Tubbo isn’t fun like you are,” The admin hummed, “Tubbo’s a pawn, he’s a follower. I’ve used him as much as I can but-”

Jack made a face, feeling sick.

Fun?

“He is not a follower,” Tommy hissed, surging forwards and pushing Dream back, standing between him and Tubbo. “He was the president! ”

Tubbo’s heart swelled at that, and he smiled softly.

Dream threw his head back, laughing loudly. “He was a president second in command to Quackity and Fundy! To Everyone who told him what to do!” He calmed slightly, taking a breath, “but I’ve already been over this. He’s a follower.”

Quackity and Fundy looked at one another, frowning.

Tommy narrowed his eyes, pushing Tubbo even farther behind him and balling his fists.

“Tubbo’s not a fucking follower!” He spat, and the older teen was taken aback by the animosity, “you need him as much as you need me!”

“I don’t!” Dream shook his head, “I-”

“You do!” Tommy pressed further, shoulders shaking, “because without Tubbo what am I!?” He demanded, shoving the man in the chest angrily.

“...He does know he’s his own person… right?” Puffy asked, looking concerned.

“Pretty much every memory we’ve seen points to no.” Technoblade replied, “I’m like, ninety nine percent sure this guy just thinks he exists for Tubbo and nothing else.”

Tubbo swallowed thickly, shifting uncomfortably.

The admin went stumbling back, but didn’t retaliate. He straightened upwards, looking down at the blond.

And normally that was where Tommy would shrink back. Normally after lashing out like that an absolute fear would overcome him and he’d be brought to his knees, grovelling and begging for forgiveness, to not be hurt, but with Tubbo behind him, he had no choice but to stand tall.

“Look,” Dream sighed, running a hand through his hair, “you want to be the hero, right?” He questioned, “And every hero needs an origin story! Batman had his parents, Spider-Man had uncle Ben, and you… You can have Tubbo!” He cheered excitedly.

Ranboo paled, looking down at his husband. Tubbo merely smiled at him, squeezing his clawed hand for what felt like the thousandth time to assure him he was there.

“Sick bastard…” Quackity muttered.

Instantly, Tommy’s face dropped, and he stared at the man in horror. His hands itched at his sides, and he heard a faint ringing in his ears. He turned to look back at Tubbo, tears pricking at his eyes.

“No,” He began, breathing growing heavier, “absolutely fucking not.” He denied.

He stared at Dream for a moment, not willing to believe it, but when he looked down he was met with the sight of a sword in the man’s hand.

Tommy choked on a gasp, grabbing Tubbo’s hand and sprinting towards the main room. He looked desperately at the portal, and then to the elevator where they’d come in. He craned his neck up to the ceiling, feeling bile rise in his throat.

Despite knowing that help was on the way, despite knowing the two were alive in front of them, the people in the room felt dread pooling in their stomachs.

“Are we trapped here?” He thought aloud, looking at Tubbo in a panic.

Dream meandered behind them, casually strolling and letting his sword drag across the blackstone.

Sam narrowed his eyes.

Tommy hit himself on the head, hard, before looking to the nether portal. He stared down at his and Tubbo’s intertwined hands, gaze going back to the portal.

“Don’t go through there~” The admin called from behind them, a lilt in his tone.

Quackity grit his teeth at the call, clenching his fists tightly.

The two froze completely, staring at him.

“...Why?” Tubbo asked quietly, hands shaking.

Dream walked over slowly to the portal, stepping in front of them. “Because that’s my way home.”

Tommy grit his teeth, stepping in front of Tubbo once more.

“What if we do?” He demanded, “What are you going to do if we go through?”

“I’ll kill you before you reach the other side.” Dream said simply.

And once again, despite knowing the outcome, the audience felt helpless.

And those words sent a tremor through Tommy, reminding him of a time not too far back.

“What would you do if I went through the portal?” He asked, staring up at Dream.

“I would kill you.” The man replied without hesitation, tone light and jovial.

“Tommy,” Dream began, “I want to give you your chance to say goodbye.”

Tubbo frowned.

The blond looked at him, tensing and clutching Tubbo’s hand tighter. He took a shaky breath before steeling himself over.

“I’m not going to say goodbye,” he shook his head, “we’re going to get out of here. We always do, okay? Every time we-”

“It’s Tubbo’s time to go.” The admin interrupted, a sense of finality in his words, “Just say your goodbye.”

Tommy stared in horror, and Tubbo paled dramatically, looking close to tears.

“No!” Tommy shrieked, “I’m not fucking letting that happen I-”

“Tommy!” Dream cried angrily, spitting the words out, “You’re going to miss out on your one chance to say goodbye to your best friend!” He screamed. “I’m not kidding!”

The people in the room recoiled at the volume, and Tubbo felt his chest seize.

Both teens flinched back at the harsh tone, but the man quickly smoothed over, relaxing his body language and peeling away from them.

“Say your goodbyes, okay?” He tilted his head, voice coated in honey, “I’ll be waiting over here.”

Tubbo pulled on Tommy’s sleeve, looking at the boy sadly and urging him to follow. They retreated to the corner of the room, and Dream stood watching them from afar.

“He’s not gonna kill you,” were the first words that left Tommy’s mouth, a frantic look in his eyes, “he’s not. You’ve seen the way he deceives people he’s not gonna do shit-” he laughed, manic almost, “I’ll tell you what we’re going to do, okay? We’re going to run back to the portal. We’ll run through and back to my place. We’ll-”

“We’ll be dead before we get to the portal,” Tubbo interrupted him softly, staring at the back wall, “too much of a distance.” He smiled sadly.

Ranboo went still.

The others watched, completely quiet.

Tommy stopped, snapping his mouth shut and staring at his friend quietly. His face was completely monotone, as though it were a slate wiped clean. He didn’t dare say a word.

Tubbo continued.

“It’s alright,” he began, misty eyed, “we had some laughs. It was fun while it lasted.”

“...What?”

Tubbo flinched, looking up at his husband wearily.

“It’s not- I don’t-”

“You’re just accepting it?” Ranboo questioned, eyes narrowed dangerously. For some reason that seemed to set of a switch in Tubbo’s brain.

“Not because I want to!” He cried back angrily, “I already told you! I want to live! I’m serious! I didn’t want to die!”

“Then why did you go along with it!?” Ranboo demanded.

“Because I’m not a fucking idiot!” Tubbo yelled, “Because we quite literally had no options left! I’m not some fucking dumbass who lets emotions control my decisions, okay!? There was no way we were getting out of there, Ranboo!”

The enderman’s lips thinned into a line, and he looked down at his husband.

He opened his mouth to speak but was instead interrupted.

“If you two don’t stop fucking yelling you’re going to wake Tommy up!” Quackity hissed in a whisper, glaring at the two.

Ranboo looked back down at where the blond was sleeping, noticing the way Tommy’s brows had been drawn together only after they’d begun yelling. He sighed deeply, running his free hand through the younger’s hair.

Tubbo looked similarly apologetic, watching with a frown.

The younger of the two pinched his brows together at that, looking pained.

“Why have you just accepted it?” Tommy demanded. He gripped the shorter’s shoulders tightly, shaking.

Tubbo ignored the way Ranboo looked over at him at the words.

“We’ve been backed into a corner, Tommy.” Tubbo laughed quietly, “There’s nowhere to run, nowhere to hide… this is it. This is checkmate.”

And as much as anyone hated to admit it, that was what it looked like. No escape, no armour, nothing. The two were completely defenseless.

Tommy bowed his head, pressing his and Tubbo’s foreheads together like he had a million times over. Tears dripped down the bridge of his nose, falling to the floor.

Tubbo cried silently, not indulging in the way that Tommy sniffled and whined.

A pang went through Ranboo’s chest at the sight, not only at seeing the two people that mattered most to him crying, but because he realized that Tubbo was crying because he really hadn’t wanted to die.

“All good things must come to an end.” He smiled, tilting his head sympathetically.

The blond’s grip dropped from Tubbo’s shoulders, and the latter clasped Tommy’s hands gently in his own, holding them up. Those hands had once been so soft and clean, but they were now littered with scars, though he supposed he couldn’t say much; as he’d lost three of his fingers during his execution.

He couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him, however, even as he cried, because Tommy’s hands had always been so cold, and yet in that moment they were all the warmth Tubbo had ever needed.

Tubbo felt tears welling in his eyes at the memory, and looked over at where Tommy was sleeping.

Puffy didn’t manage to hold back her cries, sobbing quietly.

He placed a soft kiss on the tip of Tommy’s curled fingers, giggling softly through the tears, and the younger made a strangled sort of noise, shaking his head and letting out an ugly sob. He sniffled loudly, ugly crying.

“What am I without you?” He whispered, shoulders shaking as he hunched in on himself.

“This kid…” Fundy began in a somewhat joking manner, though his eyes were red rimmed.

Tubbo felt tears begin to slip down his cheeks, and he wiped at his nose with his sleeve, crying quietly.

As soon as Tommy woke up he’d tell him he was everything and more without him, that Tommy was his own person and he was wonderful and he was love and he was life and he was so good even without him.

A pang went through Tubbo’s heart at that, and he felt more tears roll down his cheeks. He smiled again, making sure Tommy was looking at him.

“Yourself.” He said simply, as though it was everything Tommy would ever need to know.

Tommy nearly keeled over, sobbing through grit teeth, and Tubbo squeezed his hands a little tighter.

Phil pursed his lips at the cries, watching sadly.

“Are you…” The youngest began, eyes red and puffy and cheeks rosy, “you’re okay with this?”

Tubbo let out a sad huff, reminiscing for just a moment before nodding quietly. “We said our goodbyes at the start, y’know.” He said gently, “It’ll be alright.”

Ranboo felt a pricking at his eyes.

Tommy took a moment to calm himself, looking into his friend’s eyes with his own greying tired ones.

“Tubbo,” he began, voice low, “even though for this entire server as my sidekick, really Tubbo, I was your sidekick,” he laughed hollowly, eyes welling up once more, “please don’t go.” He whispered, and when he blinked his tears fell with him, streaming down his face.

Jack frowned at that, feeling his chest tighten.

The ram hybrid let go of Tommy’s hands, carefully placing a hand on his shoulder instead and squeezing it once.

“It’s okay.” He managed.

And just like that he moved, sidestepping Tommy and beginning his walk towards Dream, his walk towards death. Tommy felt as if all the air had been sucked from his lungs, and despite it all, despite what had just been said, he felt himself following after. Dream looked rather pleased with himself, watching Tubbo approach.

They were interrupted, however, by the nether portal activating.

Tommy blinked, taken aback by the sudden action, and narrowed his eyes, trying to see through the purple and pink hues that muddled his vision.

Punz stepped through the gates, trident in hand, dressed fully in netherite and sporting a grin. Tubbo looked back at Tommy, shocked.

“Oh thank god,” Karl sighed, exasperated.

They knew how it went from there on out. Tommy got his win, Tommy would finally get his win.

“Punz?” Dream demanded, taking a hesitant step back.

“I’m sorry Dream,” The mercenary smirked, “but you should have paid me more.”

With that, other members of the server began to appear, all fully geared and with determined looks upon their faces. Almost instantly, their gazes met the two completely defenseless teens. Tubbo laughed incredulously, completely blown away.

“Yes!” Fundy cried, being loudly shushed by the others only seconds later.

For many of them it was their first time appearing on screen, and they stared in awe.

“You came!” Tommy cheered, grinning so wide it made his face hurt. He looked to Tubbo, and saw the sword in Dream’s hands, instantly paling.

“Tubbo,” he began, grabbing the older’s hand, “Tubbo behind!” He pulled the boy along with him, running for the crowd for help.

Dream stalked after them, raising his weapon, but was promptly pushed back by an axe meeting his chestplate. It clanged loudly, though not as loud as usual. It was a warning.

Sapnap stood before him, one arm protectively outstretched across Tubbo and Tommy and the other wielding an axe.

Quackity grabbed the blaze hybrid by the shoulders, shaking him excitedly.

“That’s our Sapnap!” He cheered, grinning wide.

“Step away from them,” He commanded, taking another step forward and glaring at the masked man. Instantly, the server members flocked to the front, pushing the teens behind them.

They advanced on Dream, pushing him back farther and farther, and he looked to be confused, as if he didn’t know what was going on.

Quackity took a step forward, face contorted into an angry snarl. “You fucked up, Dream.” He hissed.

“Yeah he fucking did!” Quackity cried, cheering on the past version of himself.

Sam smiled, amused.

Behind them all, Tubbo and Tommy screamed excitedly, running and jumping around and hugging one another.

“Hey guys!” Tommy cried out, “Hey guys it wasn’t me who blew up the community house, it was him!”

“Caught in 4K bitch!” Tubbo cheered, pumping a fist into the air.

They laughed at the antics, watching happily as the two teens continued to scream and hug and run around.

The others continued to advance, closing in and pushing Dream back till he was standing at the front of the hall.

“What’re you all doing here?” He asked quietly. Tubbo and Tommy grinned at one another.

“We’re tired of your shit.” Jack muttered, narrowing his eyes. The people around him nodded, looking equally as upset.

Ponk strode forward, staring down the hall. “What is this?” He demanded, gesturing vaguely. “Huh?”

Dream didn’t reply, completely silent.

“Cat got your tongue?” The doctor grinned, leaning in slightly.

“Such a good fucking line.” Jack hummed.

“This isn’t a TV show.” Puffy snorted, laughing at him.

Tommy took Tubbo’s hand in his own, squeezing it once before breaking away. He walked over quietly, making his way to the front of the crowd. Sapnap stood at the forefront, staring Dream down. Tommy walked past him, forcing the masked man to back away even further down the hall.

“Sapnap, could you hand me a pickaxe please?” He asked, looking back. The man in question obliged, passing a netherite pick wordlessly.

Tommy took a deep breath, looking over at the Axe of Peace on the wall.

“You know what, Dream? You son of a bitch,” He wrenched it from its frame, adrenaline rushing through his veins, “you told me everything,” he spat, “you said I’m too important to kill.” he shook his head, “so even now, you’re not gonna fucking kill me.”

He stared at the admin for a moment, looking him up and down. “You don’t have the guts.”

“Yes!” Karl all but screamed, jumping into the air. Quackity couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him, legs bouncing with energy.

Behind him, the others watched, completely silent.

Tommy stared down at the ground. For a moment he was quiet and unmoving, but he quickly began to mine the blackstone. He looked back up at Dream, eyes narrowed.

“Put your armour in the hole.”

George grinned to himself. Beside him, however, the three others in his row were off the rails completely, giggling and cheering and all but parading around.

Tommy groaned in his sleep, muttering something unintelligible and curling further into Ranboo’s arm.

The enderman looked back at them, glaring harshly.

“Sorry…” Karl whispered sheepishly.

“Tommy…” Dream started, trailing off quietly.

The blond dropped the axe, letting it clatter to the ground. The sound echoed throughout the vault.

“Hey Dream,” He grinned, “Kill me.” He spread out both his arms, leaving himself completely defenseless, but Dream only stared.

Shivers ran up Puffy’s spine as she watched.

“I hate how- how comfortable he is just doing that.” She muttered, “He should still be careful.”

They stood in silence for what felt like could have been hours, but finally, Dream moved, and ever so slowly, dropped his armour into the hole. Tommy couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face, or the shocked gasp he let out, staring with wide eyes.

And all across the room they were euphoric.

Hours of watching Tommy being beaten black and blue, of watching him lose everything, it all lead up to this moment; they had finally gotten their win.

“Thank you!” He chirped, jumping into the hole. He quickly picked it all up, shovelling it into his arms and stowing it away. Distantly, he heard Tubbo laughing at him before he pulled himself out.

Tommy stared in shock at his inventory, the edges of his mouth curving upwards as he dressed himself in the netherite. He laughed quietly, unable to quell his ever growing smile.

“You fucked up for the last time, Dream.” He shook his head.

A pit formed in Sam’s stomach at those words, but he tried to ignore it, pursing his lips.

The man somehow still looked terrifying in every sense of the word. Despite the fact that he truly was just a human man it didn’t take away the horror Tommy felt just thinking about him.

Even with all his armour gone, Dream was still the man that had beat him.

“Tommy,” The masked man began, tilting his head, “listen, I’m not gonna kill you and I know you’re not gonna kill me.”

“Why would I not kill you?” Tommy asked, eyes wide and void. His grin had fallen, and he stared at the man with a completely passive face.

Technoblade couldn’t help but shudder at the expression. He’d never seen Tommy look so.. blank.

Dream seemed to regain some of his initial flare, grinning beneath the mask. “Because we have so much fun together.”

Ranboo grit his teeth, feeling the particles around him grow more dense. He looked down at Tommy, watching the boy carefully.

Tubbo shivered beside him.

Tommy recoiled at that, glaring harshly.

“Dream,” he began, “you have brought me nothing but pain. And now?” He cocked his head to the side, looking down at the axe in his hand, at Nightmare, “it’s your turn.”

Jack leaned forward in his seat, watching with anticipation.

He brought the axe up, and Dream stumbled back, terrified, but it was all over in one fell swoop. With one clean motion, the axe was buried inside of the man’s skull, sending him toppling to the ground.

“Let’s fucking go!” Sapnap rallied, exhilarated.

Tommy whined quietly at the loud noise, frowning. Ranboo held him a little tighter, unable to keep the smile off of his face after what happened on screen.

Tubbo turned around to shush them all once more.

He heard the shocked exclaims from the people behind him, and tried not to focus on it, instead watching as the body slowly dissolved. Soon, there was nothing but Nightmare and a pool of blood on the blackstone left.

Tommy swivelled around, face splattered with blood and a dead look in his eyes. He grabbed the axe once more, parting the crowd as he walked through it.

A few of them recoiled at the sight, and they realized with heavy hearts that the task was still emotionally taxing for Tommy, and that taking the life of someone you once loved, and in such a brutal way, no doubt had him reeling.

“Where is he?” He demanded, taking a shaky breath.

The people around him shuffled awkwardly, unsure of what to do or where to go.

“Dream?” He called out, staring up at the elevator, “get down here. I am going to fucking kill you until you’re dead.”

If only you had… Sam thought to himself, frowning deeply.

For a moment, there was nothing, but slowly, the pistons began to move, and ever so carefully, Dream descended upon it. He was quiet, standing hunched in on himself, and when he finally reached the bottom, Tommy revealed a crossbow.

“With your own bow.” The blond grinned, pulling back and aiming between the eyes.

Fundy grinned.

Phil seemed completely impassive, keeping all his thoughts to himself.

“Tommy stop.” Dream commanded, holding out a hand, “Tommy-” He was cut off by an arrow plunging itself into his side, and he grunted, swearing quietly before ripping it out, throwing the bloody thing to the ground. He held a hand over the wound, staring at Tommy.

“No Dream,” Tommy shook his head, “I won’t.” He laughed, “This is where it ends.” He pulled back, releasing another arrow. It nestled itself in the man’s shoulder.

“Tommy!” Dream all but screamed, “Stop it!”

The teen walked up to him, glaring. His lips were pulling into a tight frown, and he stared at the blood soaking through the man’s bright green hoodie. He paused, slinging the crossbow across his back and instead unsheathing his sword.

“You have three.” He said simply. Without another word he plunged the sword into the man’s chest, ripping it out.

Jack laughed, clapping excitedly. Despite all the hate he harboured for Tommy, despite all the anger that still refused to go, he hated Dream a thousand times more.

Dream fell to the floor, gasping for air and clutching at his chest. Blood coated both the sword and his hands as he curled in on himself before finally going still.

Once again, the body disappeared.

“Get fucked, asshole.” Quackity muttered, smiling wide.

Many of them remembered watching it and thinking that perhaps Tommy had been too violent, perhaps he’d been too merciless.

But after everything they’d seen, they would’ve argued it wasn’t enough.

That time, no one made a sound, only staring quietly. Tommy looked back up at the elevator, narrowing his eyes.

“One left.” Tubbo said, not too far away from him.

Tommy stared at the top of the elevator, lips pursed.

“Dream!” He called up the shaft, cupping his hands around his mouth, “Come back down!”

For a moment it was silent, and then, quietly, Dream responded. “No!” He cried back, and it was almost too quiet for any of them to hear. “I have no reason to!”

Sam glared at the screen.

And Tommy stopped at that. He thought carefully to himself, approaching the blackstone stairs. He looked down at his sword.

“Dream,” he began, loud enough so that he knew the man could hear it, “either you come down,” he paused, “or I’ll just kill me.”

Ranboo went rigid, staring down at the sleeping figure resting on him. His heart hammered in his chest.

“Or he’ll what?”

Behind him, the people watched as he raised the sword to his throat, bringing it so close that it drew blood. He stared up, determined.

Puffy made a pained noise, looking away.

“You won’t have any more fun.” He spat. “So you come down right fucking now, or I’m killing myself.” He pressed the sword even deeper into his skin, blood trailing down his neck.

Quackity felt anger resurface within him, breathing shakily as he watched. Beside him Sapnap and Karl were still, watching with bated breath.

There was silence from above, and Tommy watched with unwavering patience completely still.

“He shouldn’t be so eager…” Jack muttered.

Behind them all, the portal activated.

“Tommy.” A voice called, and the boy in question turned around, lowering his blade. Dream stood at the very back of the room, sweater stained with blood.

Slowly, Tommy approached him. He stood still for a moment, staring the man up and down, before moving past him.

Wordlessly, he blocked off the portal with obsidian, and Dream moved to push him back.

“Hey,” He began, desperately trying to stop him. But Tommy retaliated, pushing him back further with an angry glare. “You’ve punished me enough! You just killed me twice!” The masked man cried.

Sam glared harshly at the screen. If Dream truly thought two deaths was enough for what he’d put Tommy through he was insane.

Tommy looked at him, eyes greying. In the back of his mind there were explosions, there was blood and guts, there was death and desolation. He frowned, grabbing his crossbow and aiming it at the man.

“Dream,” he began, “do you have any last words?”

The people around them were quiet, and perhaps the admin had expected them to help, to step in, but they made no such move.

“You don’t have to do this,” Dream shook his head, pleading, “we were friends!”

The teenager tensed at that, phantom pains running up and across his arms. He released the shot, grazing the man’s arm.

Puffy nodded at that, feeling a tightness in her chest.

“Tommy we were friends!” The masked man cried, backing away, but once again the words only proved to aggravate the blond more, and he pulled back the bow once more.

“You weren’t his fucking friend.” Quackity seethed.

And Dream broke, back pressed up against the wall with wide and terrified eyes, he fell back on a desperate man’s last resort; bargaining.

“I can bring people back to life!” He yelled, both arms outstretched in a desperate attempt to shield himself, eyes scrunched up tight.

When he opened them, however, he found that Tommy had lowered the bow, the entire room having gone completely silent.

“Should have taken the shot…” Tubbo muttered, shaking his head.

The blond sighed, running a hand through his hair. “All you do is lie, man.” He shook his head, “Why should I-”

“Just listen!” Dream interrupted, narrowing his eyes and panting heavily, just having narrowly escaped death. “Um- When I- I fought with JSchlatt, he gave me a book, okay? And it- it tells you how to bring people back to life, and only I have the book!” He gestured wildly, “Because he died! He was the only other person that knew!”

They all knew the story, remembered it well.

The only thing about watching it back, however, was that they now sat in a room with proof of the revival book.

“This is such a fucking lie dude,” Tommy muttered, “you-”

“Tommy!” The admin all but screamed, “If I die then death is permanent!” He paused, taking a shaky breath, “If I die, Wilbur’s dead forever.”

Phil nearly choked on air at that, eyes flitting up to the screen as he looked intently.

Those words were all it took for Tommy’s walls to go crumbling. Those words were all it took to make him falter.

Memories of rainy days in the cottage, of playing in the river, of singing together, of dandelions came flooding back, and Tommy stumbled, barely catching himself as his eyes went wide.

“Wilbur…” He whispered, voice hollow.

Ranboo’s heart broke at the way it was said, and while Tommy might’ve been remembering butterflies and flowers, Ranboo was remembering locked closets and the jagged stone walls of Pogtopia.

“You have to let me go, okay?” Dream tried to reason, “but I’ll be good! I’ll stay out of your hair I won’t- I won’t try anything.”

“But you’ll come back…” Tommy shook his head, tears pricking at his eyes, “You-” He cut himself off, swallowing thickly, “Can you really bring people back? Can you bring him back?”

Fundy felt his heart twist in his chest. For a moment he couldn’t understand why Tommy would even entertain such an idea.

Wilbur had hurt Tommy.

But then he thought of himself and Wilbur. He thought of how despite the fact that his father had hurt him, though maybe not in the same ways that he’d hurt Tommy, Fundy still would do anything to hear him speak again.

Ghostbur wasn’t enough. He wanted Wilbur Soot to tell him he was proud, no matter the cost.

He frowned, staring ahead at where he knew Tommy was leaning against Ranboo, and realized he understood why Tommy had wanted him back so badly.

“I could.” Dream smiled softly, and he almost forgot where he was, reaching out to put a hand on Tommy’s shoulder like he had all those times in exile before stopping himself.

“I can bring him back, Tommy.”

The screen faded to black, and they sat in a momentary silence.

And then Puffy’s sniffles turned into cries, and it caught them all off guard as she hunched in on herself, sobbing quietly.

Tubbo looked to her, frowning.

“Puffy?” He began, “What’s wrong?”

She didn’t acknowledge him for a moment, crying to herself, but when she finally did look up it was with sad and watery eyes.

“This was supposed to be it.” She muttered, “This was supposed to be the end.”

Tubbo turned his head to the side, glancing at his husband, confused.

“…What?”

“Putting Dream in prison,” She stressed, voice straining, “that should have been it… but I mean look at him! He’s only gotten worse!” she choked on a sob, “He died!”

The people in the room froze, and suddenly the joy they’d been feeling at seeing Tommy win was all but gone.

Puffy was right. That was supposed to be Tommy’s moment, his big win, but sitting in that room with his sleeping self, after watching him break down , it just felt like a slap to the face.

It felt as if things would never get better.

Ranboo looked down at Tommy, and for the first time since seeing him revived, realized that he had truly died. His heart lurched in his chest, tears pricking at his eyes, and he wrapped his free hand around the boy, holding him tight.

Tubbo was completely still, watching the older woman cry with a frown on his face. Sam didn’t dare react, shoulders tense in the back of the room.

And Puffy continued to sob, even as the screen flickered back to life.

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