Sapnap was at the bar, talking to a guy who recently moved into Quackity's old place while serving patrons when Dream slammed the door open, looking miffed.

"Nick, get everyone outta here. Now." Dream demanded.

Sapnap looked at him, confused. "Why? What's going on?"

Dream glared at him. "Don't ask, just do."

Sapnap gave his new friend an apologetic smile as he started getting people out. When the bar was finally empty, the raven-haired phoenix walked up to his best friend and asked him again what was going on.

Dream sighed. "Why do you need to know so desperately?"

Sapnap scoffed. "I'm sorry that I'm curious as to why my best friend disappeared for like two weeks and comes back refusing to do so much as say hello to me, and acting suspicious as fuck."

Dream frowned. "I wish I could tell you, I really do, but if I did, I might have to kill you."

Sapnap would've laughed if Dream didn't look so serious.

"Clay...?"

Dream ignored him as he walked out of the bar, coming back in a few minutes later carrying a knapsack that totally wasn't squirming around. "Sap, do me a favor and open the basement door."

Sapnap glared at him. "No."

Dream glared back. "It wasn't a request."

The two stood there, glaring at each other, refusing to back down. The tension was so thick you could practically cut it with a knife.

"What's in the bag?" Sapnap asked.

Dream looked at it, then looked back at him. "Some questions are better left unanswered, Sapnap."

~<•>~

It took them longer than they'd like to get back to the Antarctic Empire. Because of Tubbo's inability to fly, Ranboo had to carry him the entire way (much to Tubbo's chagrin), which caused them to slow down a bit. Not nearly as slow as walking or riding the entire way, though.

So, they were a day or two later than they'd like. But hopefully, Tommy is still okay?

Hopefully?

Tubbo breathed a sigh of relief once Ranboo set him down. "You know, it's a lot less terrifying when you're the one actually flying and can choose how fast you're going."

Ranboo rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry I don't want our friend to die."

The boys shut up once Wilbur gave them a stern glare. "Ranboo, Tubbo, check out the bar. See if Dream is there or if Sapnap knows something. I'll go to the castle and find Techno, Puffy, or Sam, and tell them to help search."

The boys nodded as Wilbur flew off to the castle. They quickly ran to the bar, and Ranboo's brows furrowed when they found out that the door was locked.

"Sapnap!" Ranboo called. "Sapnap, get out here, I know you're in there!"

"Actually..." Ranboo turned to see Sapnap smiling sheepishly behind him. "Dream kicked me out when he got back last night."

"So we're definitely at the right place then," Tubbo mumbled.

"What's going on?" Sapnap asked. "Dream wouldn't tell me anything."

"Of course, he wouldn't tell you anything," Ranboo said, distastefully. "A killer wouldn't confess to a murder, and a kidnapper wouldn't confess that he kidnapped the prince."

Sapnap blinked. "What?"

Tubbo sighed. "Look, Dream killed the Queen and I imagine he's planning to kill Tommy as well. We need your help getting inside so we can save him."

Sapnap looked at them incredulously. "I...I would help, but Dream took my keys when he kicked me out. I can't unlock the door, I'm afraid."

Tubbo looked at Ranboo, a mischievous grin on his lips. "Can we?"

Ranboo sighed. "Fine. I can handle the damage fees later."

Tubbo nodded as he started throwing his body against the door. Other than making a lot of noise, it didn't do anything.

Ranboo joined him, and the door started giving in a little.

And then Sapnap joined.

The three boys found themselves on the floor. Tubbo shook off the pain and quickly stood up, running to the basement door, where he could hear Tommy's voice. He groaned when he found that that door was also locked.

Tubbo started throwing himself at the door again, being joined by Ranboo and Sapnap a minute later. While this door was sturdier than the other one, they were still able to break the door down, and subsequently fell down the stairs.

~<•>~

723 words

Y'all are NOT ready for what I have planned for the next chapter >:3

Also, I know that this chapter has a very abrupt end, but I really want this chapter to be the buildup to the next chapter, which will be the climactic end before the bittersweet epilogue.