TW: Blood, gore, death, swearing

Betrayal
A word the citizens of L'Manburg knew all too well
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
After the Manburg Festival and just days before the war to decide L'Manburg's fate the citizens of Pogtopia need to find the traitor in their mist before they tear down the trust among them.

"Dream," Tommy said, "can you meet me at my old house to talk?"

"Of course Tommy," the radio went stadic as he mounted one of the horses and rode from Pogtopia to the Dreamlands.

"Who do you guys think is the traitor," Quackity asked.

"It's probably Technoblade," Wilbur said, trying not to chuckle at the obviousness of him being the one.

"Techno would be the worst outcome as a traitor, but it's way to obvious to be him," Fundy said. He then turned to Quackity and Wilbur to ask a question some of them were wondering. "But what if Tommy's the traitor?"

"No," Wilbur immediately shot down the question, "Tommy's loyal to Pogtopia, he would never."

"Yeah, as frustrating he can be, Tommy wouldn't betray Wilbur," Badboyhalo said.

"Listen, I don't think it's Tommy because-" He stopped short desperately looking for an answer.

"What gives you the reason to believe it's not him," Quackity asked.

"I-I don't know," Wilbur admitted, there was almost nothing stopping Tommy from betraying them.

"Why is he talking with Dream right now," Quackity said,"and not preparing with us? For all we know whatever deal he made with Schlatt could benefit Tommy."

"Oh," Bad muttered.

Tubbo came from the portal down in Pogtopia, finally coming back from his other base, "Hey, Wilbur, what going on? Why's Fundy here?"

"He was a spy," Wilbur laughed, still not believing it, "it turns out, Tubbo, that almost everyone is against Schlatt. We can take him down."

"That's great," Tubbo gave a small smile as he looked around, "Where's Tommy?"

"I don't know," Quackity nervously chuckled,"God fuckin' knows what he's doing at this point."

"I can go find him," Tubbo offered, "I need to talk to him anyway."

"That would be great," Quackity said, Tubbo smiled again and took off in the direction of Manburg.

"Well it definitely can't be Tubbo," Wilbur said, they all laughed at his comment, "which clears Tommy because they wouldn't betray each other."

"And we all know Niki wouldn't betray you," Fundy said, "not without good reason anyway."

"And I would never betray anything I believe in," Bad said, "which is Pogtopia of course."

"Well then I guess the only thing we can do is keep wondering who is going to betray us," Wilbur said, "and find out when they do."

"I'm going to go ahead and radio Tommy," Fundy said, pulling out his own radio and switch through the different channels to try and get Tommy's attention, "Hey Tommy, what's up with you and Dream?"

Back at Tommy's end he looked up at Dream, looking for what to say, "I was, er, trying to get one of my disks back."

"Yeah, we are," Tubbo confirmed.

"Don't worry, I'll get that last disk for you," Dream said, then lowered his voice so Tubbo couldn't hear, "No matter what you choose to do. Well it's been a pleasure talking to you Tommy, as always. I will see you in over a week."

Tommy watched as Dream left, Ponk glanced at him, his crossbow at his side. He waved at Ponk, signaling that he would be fine.

"Tu-Tubbo can I ask you something," Tommy stuttered, "And I want you to answer honestly, not just to go along with me."

"Of course you can," Tubbo said, giving him a worried smile.

"If it were to come to it, if I were to make sure Wilbur didn't blow up L'Manburg, and by any means necessary," Tommy swallowed the lump in his throat, "would you stand by my side?"

"Well I frankly don't think that we need to blow up L'Manburg, so yes I would," Tubbo said after thinking for a second.

"Good, good to know," Tommy muttered.

"Tommy," Tubbo said, "are you alright?"

"Yeah, I just have alot to do, alot on my mind, you know." Tommy said.

"Well, I should go back to Wilbur and them," Tubbo said, "Uh, I'll see you later then."

"See you around Tubbo," Tommy said, "I've got some mining to do. You know preparation for the big day. The War for L'Manburg."

Tubbo lingered for a little longer, worried about his friend, but he left Tommy behind in the house. Tommy then rummaged through the locked chest in the house, replacing some items and making sure he had everything he needed.

~~~November 16th~~~

Fundy looked down at the land of L'Manburg from the tower that they had decided to meet at. Quackity was up there as well as Niki. Down below was Schlatt, Dream, Sapnap, and George. The only people that was in their way. But the tension in the air was thick, someone, or possibly multiple people, was a traitor.

"This is it then," Fundy said,"this is the day we either win back L'Manburg or lose everything."

"For L'Manburg then," Niki said, Quackity echoed her. Tubbo came up with Tommy, around the tower and practically surrounding L'Manburg was the rest of the Dreamland's citizens, lead by King Eret.

"Has anyone seen Wilbur," Quackity asked through the radios, hoping that he would respond or someone else could clear that he was going to press the button early.

"There's no way Dream can fight all of us," Tubbo said, "He has to know this is a loosing battle."

"There's no sign of him," Sam, who had just been in Pogtopia, said, "I thought he was with you."

"I said by Friday," Wilbur's voice came through their radios, "and your plan failed." He chuckled,"Dream is going to slaughter us all if I don't use plan B."

"What if he's right," Quackity asked the ones around him, despite all of their confidence they still haven't had word from Technoblade in days, they knew how good Dream was.

"No, we can't blow up L'Manburg just because we're scared," Niki said frantically into the radio, "you worked so hard for it."

"What's your call, Tommy," Tubbo looked around but Tommy had raced down the tower. He had left as soon as he heard that Wilbur was planning to set off the tnt, "Tommy?"

"Nothing will stop me," Wilbur gloated, "You have no idea where I am. Technoblade has already betrayed us. I won't let anyone else. If anyone is to destroy Manburg, I'd rather it be me."

"Wilbur," Tommy could be faintly heard over Wilbur's laughing, "Step away from the button."

"Tommy, you were never in charge and never will-" Wilbur continued laughing.

"Say that one more time," Tommy screamed, his bow pointed at Wilbur, "tell me again that I'm never going to be president! If anything you're the one that shouldn't be in charge!"

"Did anyone see where Tommy and Wilbur ran off to," Fundy frantically called through the radios, his voice echoing through the room they were in, "they can't have gone far."

"This way," Quackity called him over to the entrance of the room underneath the stage.

"You so badly want to go down with the ship Wilbur," Tommy growled, "Well, wish granted." Bombs that lined the room and tunnel went off one by one. Fundy and Quackity rushed out of the tunnel entrance when they heard the explosions. Dust poured out of the entrance as rubble fell and collapsed.

"Wilbur," Fundy screamed, frantically digging through the freshly fallen rock.

"Did he do it," Quackity asked hesitantly, he didn't think Wilbur would blow up the entrance as well.

Technoblade landed next to them, laughing. "I can't believe it. That crazy kid did it."

"Wait a second," Fundy turned to him,"are you talking about Tommy? Wilbur was the one who set off the bombs."

"Tommy," Tubbo had raced over when he heard the explosion, "Where's Tommy and Wilbur?!" A single figure came from the rubble, how either of them survived was beyond them. It didn't matter to Tubbo, he ran over and hugged him.

"Maybe Wilbur should have thought twice before saying he wanted to go down with a bang," Tommy said. Tubbo backed up, what had Tommy done?

"What did you do," Fundy asked in horror, it didn't seem that Wilbur was coming.

"Well, well, well," Schlatt came up to them, "when Dream told me I didn't think you'd have it in you. Turns out when you find a man who wants something you have, he'll do anything for it."

"This, this can't be happening," Quackity stammered, "What the hell did you do, Tommy?"

Schlatt ignored him."I am proud to announce that I am denouncing my power. Congratulations, Mr. Innit, you are now president of a broken nation."

"Tommy," Tubbo held back tears,"is this why you asked me if I would stand by you if Wilbur decided to blow up L'Manburg? You weren't trying to get your disk back, you were making a deal."

Tommy didn't say anything, he just started to walk away. He didn't want to acknowledge that he had hurt Tubbo, his friend. That he had killed Wilbur. But he got L'Manburg back, that made it worth it, right?

"Don't you do this shit again," Tubbo yelled, grabbing Tommy's arm and stopping him, "You can't walk away from you're problems! From what you did!" Tubbo's voice broke at the the last sentence, the tears coming with no sign of stopping, "I trusted you Tommy!"

Tommy remained silent, letting the pearl he had thrown teleport him away. It pained him to hear Tubbo scream his name like it was the worst thing to happen. And it was. He had gone down the same rabbit hole he and Wilbur didn't want to happen to L'Manburg. All of this just because he wanted to prove to Wilbur he could rule.

Some ruler he was.

Eret came up from behind and sat down next to him, "was it worth it? For the power?"

"No," Tommy whispered, afraid he would start crying like Tubbo if he said it any louder, "How do you live with yourself?" He couldn't believe he was looking to Eret of all people for advice.

"Dream gave me the same deal," Eret said, removing his crown, "betray Wilbur and you get to rule. The power seemed so appealing back then, but what I didn't realize was that I had to lose the friends I made."

"I betrayed Tubbo," Tommy whispered,"I can't believe I lied to him, and for what?"

Eret didn't know what else to tell him. That all of his friends would never trust his again? That he would be hated by the ones he betrayed? The poor kid had done something he hadn't thought all the way through.

"They'll be looking for me," Tommy muttered, he stood up and began the trek to the house in the woods, "Thank you Eret."

"Good luck, Tommy," He said, "I know you'll figure this out."

Tommy nodded, he pulled out a potion from his bag and drank it. His body and clothes turning invisible. If he were need to get to Pogtopia this was the safest way.

"Tommy!" Tubbo had finally come up the hill, "Tommy, please come back. Eret, where is he?!"

"I don't know where he went," Eret told him,"is-is Wilbur alright?"

"We don't know," Tubbo said,"Fundy and Niki are trying to find him, or-" He didn't finish the sentence, he knew there was a very slim chance Wilbur had actually survived. Tubbo sniffed, not wanting to start crying again, "I don't know where Schlatt went either, but it doesn't really matter does it? We really need to find Tommy though."

Tommy lingered for a little longer before running off to Pogtopia. He didn't have any of the good armor he obtained on him at the moment. If he wanted to make sure he wasn't hunted down by the ones behind Fundy he had to get as far away as possible. He may be president, but there was no way to ensure that power. Wilbur had been the face of L'Manburg, Schlatt was imposing and got rid of any problems immediately, Tommy was nothing compared the them.

He cut through L'Manburg, avoiding everyone he could. He went up to the railway they had built between the two nations. It seemed that everyone had left the podium, so he was in the clear, for now. He dragged over a minecart and hopped in. The wind whipped past Tommy as L'Manburg disappeared into the distance, the tracks led through the trees and down into the ravine that made up Pogtopia.

Tommy kitted himself with the nearly impervious netherite armor and tucked the disks Mellohi and Blocks into his bag. He grabbed a paper and quil, even after all he had done Tommy still believed that Tubbo deserved to know where he was. He wrote out a note and planted it by the portal along with the two disks.

It read:

Tubbo, I know I hurt you. I hope that one day you can forgive me, which is why I want you to keep the disks. Meet me in the house in the woods if you want to talk. Come alone, bring everyone, or hell, don't come at all. I won't blame you no matter what you choose to do.
-Big T

Now all Tommy could hope was that Tubbo was the one going to find it. The potion had worn off which meant he couldn't take the railroad from one house to another.

"Wilbur," Niki ran up to him, Fundy was helping him walk on a broken foot, "I can't believe you're alive. This is amazing. Wilbur?"

"Where's Tommy," Wilbur demanded with a raspy voice, "where the hell is he?"

"I haven't found Tommy yet," Tubbo came up to them with a crumpled paper in his hand, "I was just about to see if he had taken anything from his home. I didn't find anything in Pogtopia other than a minecart he probably took."

"I'm coming with you," Wilbur stared down the teen, if anyone knew where Tommy was, it was Tubbo.

"Wilbur, you need to rest," Fundy said, "it's a miracle you survived but you can't go anywhere on that foot."

"Fine. Tubbo, take Big Q with you, no excuses," Wilbur commanded, "And where did Schlatt go?"

"He disappeared after, um," Fundy didn't know how to say this without Wilbur overreacting, "After declaring Tommy president."

Wilbur started laughing, "I was right. That little bastard would do anything for power."

Tubbo swallowed the lump in his throat and decided Wilbur should know, "actually I think he did it because you decided to press the button early. He took off as soon as you radioed us. And he had asked me if I would stand by him if you decided to blow up L'Manburg. I didn't realize what he meant and didn't even think that he might be the traitor."

"Oh Tubbo," Wilbur chuckled, "He was using you. He didn't want to betray you as well so you wanted you on his side."

"Like how you used him," Tubbo muttered, Niki looked between them in surprise.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Wilbur grinned, everyone was turning against each other. He didn't care about finding Tommy, he would come back on his own. The wound was still fresh and with Schlatt finally out of the way he expected Quackity to want to become president.

"You gave me the real Mellohi and Tommy a fake," Tubbo stammered, hoping that this wasn't another one of his tricks, "and you used him to create conflict in Pogtopia by getting him to fight Technoblade because of his anger. Tommy had every reason to betray you! You're not the same Wilbur he followed, I followed, we all followed. And he was the first one to see that. You want to know what I think Wilbur?! I think Tommy would make a way better president than you if you just gave him the chance!" Tubbo took out a potion and threw it on the ground, it splashing on him and Niki. He grabbed her arm and led her out of hearing range.

"What are you doing," Niki asked.

"Tommy gave me a note telling me where he is," Tubbo said hurriedly, "we have to get to his cabin in the woods."

"Thank you for telling me Tubbo," She said, wanting to hug the poor teen, "I can't imagine how hard this is for you."

"You know something Niki, I didn't realize that Tommy had every reason to betray us until I saw Wilbur."

"Is that all true, what you said about Wilbur using Tommy," Niki asked, he stayed quiet making Niki believe he was nodding.

"We should go before the potion wears off," Tubbo said.

Tommy sat on the bench on his porch. He and Tubbo had built the place together, now instead of not knowing who to trust, he was the one who couldn't be trusted. Tommy never expected Tubbo to come, not alone anyway, he expected Tubbo to be angry with him like he was with Technoblade.

"Hello Tommy," a deep voice said, he leaned against his trident, water dripping from the pig skull he wore, "not surprised to see you here."

"How did you find me," Tommy was exhausted but unsheathed his sword and pointed it as his supposed enemy.

"Next time you leave a note for someone, maybe don't put it so out in the open," He said, "don't worry I left it there. Why would I rob Tubbo from knowing where his best friend is? Do I seem like that kind of guy?"

"Actually yes, you do," Tommy growled, "What do you want?"

"Well Tommy, my friend, I believe you have become unimportant," Techno said, "Schlatt may of said you're president, but you don't have the power to back that up. And from what I last saw in L'Manburg, Wilbur isn't as dead as you thought he was. You need help Tommy, I can provide that."

He lowered the sword and spotted two minecarts whiz on the railroad. Slowly Tubbo and Niki flickered into view. Tommy felt his heart leap, his two friends had come, and he even had Technoblade wanting to help.

"Technoblade," Tubbo asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Have you-" he was afraid to ask, "have you come to help me as well?"

"Of course Tommy," Niki said, "Wilbur may be my friend but I don't think he's fit to be president anymore."

"And frankly," Tubbo said, "I think you would make a damn better president than the Wilbur we have now."

"Well Tommy, seems like it's us against the world again," Techno said, "and I believe you guys will be needing sanctuary."

"In that small base of yours," Tommy scoffed, "Uh no, I think we can make our own."

"I wasn't talking about that, and wouldn't having an already established kingdom be ten times better," Techno smirked, no one knew of this other than him, "How would you guys like to be the first mortals to see the Antarctic Empire in centuries?"

"The Antarctic Empire?" Tommy said, "never heard of it."

"Tommy Innit, you have met kings, presidents, and people who claim to be gods," Technoblade explained, "and now you will fight alongside a god. They don't call me the blood god for no reason. They don't say Technoblade never dies for no reason. It's because, Tommy, I really can't die."

"Are you saying you're immortal, Technoblade," Tubbo said.

"When you put it that way, well yeah," Techno shrugged. "I can't die by natural causes anyway."

"This is crazy," Tommy said, "You, a god? And over your own empire that we're just hearing of now? Why didn't you bring this up earlier?!"

"I have my reasons," Techno said, "now do you want to come or see how long you can survive before Wilbur finds you guys?"

"It's your decision Tommy," Niki said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

He looked back at his friends, his pride told him not to follow Techno, but he knew that he, Tubbo, and Niki would be no match for everyone behind Wilbur. It was time Tommy stopped thinking for himself and started considering the needs of his friends, the rightful citizens of L'Manburg.

"To the Antarctic Empire then," he said, "but Techno, how can I be sure you won't betray us?"

"Well I guess that depends," Techno chuckled.

"Oh what?"

"If you betray me first."

It was a days journey to the ancient ice empire. They came across an old, decaying railway spanning across the ocean.

"This doesn't seem to safe," Nihachu said as Technoblade pushed an old minecart onto the tracks, "It can't have survived as long as you've claimed. It honestly would be safer to go through the Nether."

"We destroyed that portal a long time ago," Techno explained, "Both sides, we didn't want any unwanted visitors. I could have taken them but..." he trailed off, he had been selfish, keeping all this advanced technology to himself while the rest of the world regressed. Now he was trusting some kids with his most closely guarded secret, all just cause things had gone terribly wrong and he didn't want to leave them. The Antarctic Empire hadn't been open to the rest of the world for not even he remembered how long.

"Techno, are you alright," Tubbo asked, "bringing us here seems to be bothering you."

"I'm fine, nothing you need to worry about Tubbo," He said, "help me out with these other carts."

They dragged them over to the tracks, Niki got in, still worried about the state of the railroad. As the carts took off the mirage faded away, showing pristine tracks that haven't aged a day, in the distance smoke rose from a small house, it didn't look much like an empire to Tommy. Someone emerged from the house, he couldn't be made out until the carts came to an abrupt stop.

"This is crazy," Tubbo looked around in amazement, "it's as if all of this was built only a few weeks ago."

"Yeah," Tommy agreed, "it really is crazy that you live here Techno."

"Everyone, meet Philza," Techno said, "Phil this is Nihachu, Tubbo, and Tommy Innit. They needed a place to hide while we plan."

"Why does he look like," Phil started, staring at Tommy like he had seen a ghost, "you know?"

"He's not the only one," Techno muttered, "You guys have a look around, I need to talk to Phil." Tubbo scoped up some of the snow and threw some at Tommy, he looked pissed for a second before deciding to throw some back at him. And for once they were kids again. Techno went inside the wood shack with Philza.

"Why does he look exactly like Tommy," Phil asked, "And why would you bring them here, I thought they had invited you to help."

"He isn't the only one back from the past, there was another guy who looked exactly like Wilbur, there's a chance he is Will, but I'm not sure," Techno said, "I was shocked when I first met them too. But things happened, I didn't think things through, and frankly neither did Tommy. He messed up big time and needs a few days to think things over."

"What did you do," Phil sighed.

"I may have overthrown a government, nearly killed a few people, and accidentally got wrapped up in a war that ended before it even started because Wilbur wanted to blow everything up. Oh and Tommy betrayed them so now he's president and everyone hates him. I'm just trying to help a kid out you know?"

"So basically you did your usual thing," Philza said, "And now you want me to help as well."

"Uh basically, yeah," Techno said, "I mean it can't be the craziest thing I've done. I farmed potatoes for a year just to prove I was better than that other kid."

"Yeah you've got a point there, they can stay, you might want to explain some things to this Tommy though," Phil said.

"I'll do that," Techno sighed, he walked out and called the three over. They all walked into the small house. Phil flipped a switch on the wall and snow and ice fell apart revealing stairs to a huge ice cavern that made up the actual empire.

Tommy followed Techno into a room that was just left of the stairway, inside a fire dimly lit up the room, it was made completely of stone with shelves carved into the walls.

"Hey Techno," Tommy called as he grabbed a photo from the shelf, "who's this guy?"

The picture was taken just days after the cumin squad had been formed, the alliance between Newfoundland and Business Bay. On it were the members of the squad, Tommy, Wilbur, and Charlie. Will had left it there last time he had been to the empire.

"That would be the Tommy and Wilbur I knew, 'TommyTrusty' he called himself, good-good kid he was," Techno took it from Tommy and placed it back, "You kinda remind me of him, except you have a better heart than him."

"So this other Tommy, who is he, what happened to him," Tommy asked, if Philza had survived this long then maybe he had.

"He made me his enemy," Techno said slowly, he didn't want to trigger any memories or guilt he still had, "he tried to make a trap for me, tried to trick me. The only person that got tricked that day was him."

Tommy paled, almost afraid to ask, "Wha-what did you do?"

"He fell into his own trap, ripped to shreds," Techno said, he still remembered the day vividly.

"Oh come on Techno," Tommy groaned as he kept avoiding the sand pit trap, "We both know you won't die."

"There's no way I'm taking that risk, would I drown myself for fun," Techno laughed then stopped himself, "Wait I would do that if I had the right armor so I guess that's not a good example. But I don't want to get torn apart by however many carts you put down there."

Tommy leaned over the edge, peering into the pit. "It's not that man-" he screamed as the sand collapsed from under him, the trap had reached farther than he remembered, "Techno! Please help me!" he tried to tear through the cobwebs that held him, frantically trying to get free and grab onto something before he fell all the way through. Down below were minecarts that he had pushed in, both scraps and full ones. If the landing didn't kill him the rest of the spikes and jagged metal would rip him into shreds.

"Technoblade, please, I know you can," Tommy pleaded, but he had already started to walk away. His old stubborn self had seen that as a problem Tommy got himself into, and he could either get out on his own or end up killing himself.

A blood curdling scream pierced the air as the webs suddenly ripped apart from under Tommy.

"Techno, are you alright," Tommy hesitantly touched his shoulder, pulling him out of the memory. The man had been visibly shaking, with his breathing faster than usual.

He hated that, Techno absolutely hated it. Sometimes he wouldn't remember what he had done the day before, other times it took just one word to completely immerse himself in an old memory.

~~~days later~~~

"We have a problem," Phil came up to Niki and Tubbo who were playing cards while Tommy and Techno were trying to figure out a plan, "And Tommy's not too happy about it."

They exchanged worried looks, different scenarios running through their minds. They followed Phil down into the open cavern with rooms carved out of the ice. He led them into a new room they hadn't seen before, this one was locked with a giant metal door. Inside were screens that showed images from the railroad, just outside, and the other side of the railroad. Tommy stood in the corner, rapidly tapping his foot and muttering to himself, trying to formulate a quick plan. And just near the old rails were Fundy, Thunder, and Wilbur Soot.

"How did they find us," Tubbo asked, they had been so careful to not leave a trail.
"By being Wilbur," Techno said, "you all saw how determined he was to blow up Manburg. It was just a matter of time before he came for you guys."

"Any ideas, big man," Tubbo looked at Tommy.

"I-I don't," He was reluctant to admit it, "Philza, do you think you could go out there and see how he found us, improvise. Anything to buy us more time."

He nodded, then walked out, placing a small device in his ear that would send anything he heard or said back to the control room. When the cart Phil had taken down to the end Wilbur was on Thunder and Fundy raised their weapons in alarm.

"How can I help you gentlemen," He asked as Wilbur signaled for them to put down their crossbows, "I don't get visitors often."

"We've been tracking a fugitive of my nation, L'Manburg, he goes by the name Tommy Innit," Wilbur explained, "he has two accomplaces by the names of Tubbo and Niki Nihachu. You haven't seen anyone around?"

"The only other people here are my friend and a young man who came a few days ago," Phil said, hopefully Tommy was working on that plan, and fast, "Perhaps you have a picture of them."

Wilbur took an old photograph from his L'Manburg suit pocket. It was originally a picture of the five of them, taken before the election, before Wilbur had gone crazy, and after they had declared independence from the Dreamlands. Now it was only Tommy, Tubbo, and Niki in it, Wilbur had torn off the part with him and Fundy.

"Philza, I have a plan, you can tell him I'm here," Tommy said through the comm, "I'm not going to go into full detail you just need to trust me."

"Yes, he looks familiar," Philza handed back the photo, his thumb on Tommy, "I'll get him then, wouldn't want to be harboring another nation's criminal."

"Of course not," Fundy said, he glanced at the torn photograph, he hadn't seen it in months.

"L'Manburg appreciates your cooperation," Wilbur chuckled, he knew it was a matter of time before they found Tommy. He really didn't care about Tubbo or Niki; they couldn't do anything, not without him or Tommy. Technoblade wasn't much of a threat either, not when he had all of L'Manburg on his side.
Phil had disappeared into the fog that hid the Antarctic Empire, there Tommy had come with Techno in the Technoplane. Rope was wound around Tommy's wrists, making Phil wonder if he actually was turning himself in. Tommy began walking with Philza, a determined expression on his face, this had to work, this was the only way to get an advantage.

"Hello Tommy," Wilbur said, "now tell me, where is Niki?"

"Long gone hopefully, I wouldn't let her or Tubbo get in the same trouble I'm in," Tommy said, "They're probably making their own revolution as we speak." His eyes quickly darted behind Wilbur as Techno silently knocked out both Fundy and Thunder.

Then, without warning, Wilbur struck Tommy in the gut, making him double over. "What are you going to do now without me or Techno backing you up?" he gloated.

"You'd be surprised, and Wilbur," He looked up, "you should have brought more people to back you up." He glanced at Tubbo and Niki who had snuck over on a boat, Tommy let go of the rope and it fell to the ground. He stood up as Wilbur looked around for Fundy and Thunder who had been dragged away. "Because I think we just outsmarted you."

"You little, you child, you think just because you can best me you get L'Manburg," Wilbur laughed, "It's all gone. You only delayed the inevitable. You thought you were the traitor, but I also made a deal with Dream, no matter what I would blow it all to smithereens. Do you want to know who I killed?"

"No," Niki sobbed, "No! This can't be true. Will, tell me you didn't do it!" She unslung the bow and aimed an arrow at him. "Answer me!"

"I blew up L'Manburg, your bakery, and even Pogtopia," Wilbur continued, "yet here I am with my son standing by my side. Poor Quackity, they're still trying to find his body." But he didn't have a hint of remorse, he was in Wilbur's way, so Wilbur took him out and made it look like he had just been there at the wrong time.

"Well then at least you won't be a threat to anyone, not anymore," Tommy growled, trying his best not to break down in front of Niki and Tubbo, he refused to become like Wilbur.

"I don't think you understand, Tommy," Wilbur said, "But I finally do. Because, it was never meant to be." He looked up at the sky, "Isn't that right Eret? You tried to stop our revolution because you knew, you knew that no matter what I would lose. My own foolishness would get me killed." He looked at Tommy, staring straight into his soul. Wilbur didn't care about anything anymore, even his own self conscious wanted him dead. He didn't come for Tommy, he came because he wanted to end it. He wanted to end his suffering, his fractured mind, his pain.

"Wilbur," Philza said, there was a hint of pain in his voice, there was a small chance that this was the same Wilbur from centuries ago, they didn't know what had happened to him after all, "What do you remember of the Antarctic Empire?"

"Never heard of it," He said, a gleam in his eyes as Philza's expression faltered for a second.

"Well then, I no longer care what happens to you," Phil said, and there it went all his hopes of getting at least one of his sons back. He had forgiven Techno for what happened to Tommy, but it left a gap between the two. A hole in Phil's heart that would never be there again.

Tubbo marched up to Wilbur, with an anger they hadn't seen before he punched the man. Wilbur wheezed but held his insanely gleeful grin. "That was for Big Q." Tubbo snapped.

"Take him back over before Fundy realizes what's happening," Techno said, he wasn't talking to anyone in particular, not since everyone there had known Wilbur one way or another.

"Is Wilbur crazy," Thunder hissed to Fundy as they hid behind the bushes, "Come on, we could easily take them."

"No," Fundy pulled him back down, "Have you not fought Technoblade before? We stand no chance especially with a pissed off Niki on their side. She knows how to fight. We just need to get back to L'Manburg. We need everyone if we want to even stand a chance." Fundy watched carefully as the group disappeared into the fog, at least this time they knew exactly where Tommy was.

"You're the boss," Thunder grumbled. They waited a few more minutes before leaving the way they came and going back to L'Manburg.

By the time they got back to the rubble that now made up L'Manburg night had fallen. They climbed down the ladder that led down to Tubbo's bunker where everyone that had survived were.

"Where's Wilbur," Karl asked, to alot of them it was almost a relief that he hadn't come back, but to Fundy all that mattered was getting him back.

"Tommy has him," Fundy growled, "Tommy, Niki, and Tubbo are traitors to L'Manburg and it's ruler. We were tricked and Wilbur was taken as a hostage. I need all of you to stand behind me in order to take down wherever Technoblade is harboring them. This isn't a choice, as citizens of L'Manburg you have a duty to me and Wilbur."

"Why," Eret said, "Just so you can lead us to our deaths? Last time I checked Wilbur was the one to turn L'Manburg into a smoking crater."

"You're welcome to leave," Fundy snapped, "But last time I checked Dream stripped you of your power which is why you rejoined L'Manburg. Now, does anyone else want to counter orders from your vice president?" No one spoke up, but most of them thought that without Wilbur threatening them they could take down Fundy, right?

"Good, we leave at dawn and attack at nightfall," Fundy commanded, "I expect you all in your strongest armor, you'll need it."

Philza heaved the cell door open. Inside Wilbur stood, nonsense scribbled on the walls, the writings of a madman. He didn't respond to the ice and cold that surrounded him, the only sign that he felt it was his misty breath.

"Finish it," Wilbur whispered, pleas from the person he used to be, "please."

"What," Phil asked, taken aback by his broken voice.

"Kill your worst son," Wilbur turned to him, tears streaming down his face, "yes, I do remember this place.

"Tommy was always reckless, doing stupid stuff you always bailed him out of. Technoblade was the warrior prodigy, he couldn't do anything wrong. But me, I wasn't the one who killed Tommy! I'm the one who never did anything wrong! Yet you still stood by his side when I walked away! I thought you'd finally notice me if I made my own nation like Techno did. I thought you'd come running when you heard that I actually reached out to Techno!"

"Wilbur, I've always been proud of you," Phil said, "I stayed here because I knew that Techno would need me after what happened to Tommy. I didn't get involved because I wanted you to find your own way, figure out your path. Even if it took centuries. Please, son, come home."

"L'Manburg was my home," He said then began to sing to himself, "I heard it was a special place. My L'Manburg, my L'Manburg,"

"Will," Phil whispered, "Please, for the love of God, forgive me, and more importantly, forgive yourself."

"It's all gone, that special place is no more, maybe it was there once, Phil," Wilbur chuckled, "but that traitor was right, it was never meant to be."

"Son, you have to see that you're going to mess up, you're going to make mistakes, but it's what you do afterwards that matters. You aren't the Wilbur I remember, but I can't help you if you won't let me."
He didn't respond, he just kept chipping away at the ice with a rock he had found. Reluctantly Phil left, wishing there was more he could do.

"How-how is he," Tommy asked, he had the same idea of trying to talk to Wilbur, but now that he had thought about it Tommy was the last person Wilbur would want to talk to.

"Not great, I don't know if he'll ever be himself again," Phil admitted.

"So I'm guessing he is the Wilbur that you and Techno knew," Tommy said and Phil nodded.

"We should stop worrying about Wilbur right now, we can try to help him later," Phil put a hand on Tommy's shoulder, "Now we have to worry about fortifying the empire."

Throughout the day they laid cameras further along the dirt path and in the forest near the bridge. They then brewed potions, enough healing potions to cover all of them, and strengths potions at Techno's request.

"Well," Tubbo said as they stood in front of the cabin, looking out into the distance where they knew Fundy was leading his own army, "I guess we're here again. Fighting for the future of L'Manburg."

"I guess so," Tommy said, he stepped ahead and turned to their small band, "I want to thank all of you. Tubbo and Niki for standing with me despite what I had done, nearly killing Wilbur, if it weren't for you two I think I might have gone over the edge like him. I'm glad I didn't though.

"Technoblade, thank you for letting me see this nation of yours and that you know of loss. Philza, thank you for accepting us and taking us in, I'll be honest with you, in this short time we've known each other you've been like a dad to me."

"Tommy, this kinda feels like a farewell speech," Tubbo said, but he already knew deep down that this might be it.

"It might be, my friend," Tommy said, put a hand on his shoulder, "but I'm glad it's with you at my side."

"Me too," Niki said, tears gathered in her eyes, "I'm glad I met you guys."

"I don't want to kill anyone," Tommy declared, looking between them, "Fundy won't hesitate to cut us down, but I'd rather go down morally right at this moment. That includes you Techno. Disarm and defend, I don't want anymore bloodshed than there needs to be."

"For Tommy," Phil said to Techno, who nodded and echoed his words.

The group marched across the winter wasteland for what possibly was the last time for some of them. As night fell Fundy crossed the fog, alone. He marveled at the great winter landscape and stopped when he saw Tommy, not leading but side-by-side with his allies, friends.

"Fundy, we don't have to do this," Tommy said, "Just leave and rule L'Manburg without Wilbur's influence. I won't come and try to take it from you, but Wilbur is a deranged, insane man who is unfit to lead."

"He has led L'Manburg into a great era of prosperity, he only blew it up because you broke him," Fundy growled, "Tommy, you talk about leading L'Manburg without Wilbur but since when have you done anything that didn't involve him!? Whether it be the election or your betrayal."

"I guess we're doing this then," Tommy said, Fundy gave a curt nod. The knot in Tommy's stomach got tighter as the army behind Fundy came through. Eret, Purpled, Thunder, Karl, and more people they didn't recognize. They were outnumbered but they had the strength to make up for it.

The first to draw their sword was Fundy, the others hesitated but pulled their swords, bows, and crossbows out and at the ready. The first to fire a shot was Techno as a colorful explosion went off from his firework launcher forcing them to back up.

Tommy unsheathed his sword and ran at Fundy. Metal clashed and arrows flew past. Niki and Tubbo were invisible, knocking over and disarming multiple people before Karl kicked up a dust of snow and a thin layer covered them. Tommy backed up as Fundy slashed at him, nicking him where the armor didn't cover and drawing blood. Part of the armor started to fall off as the straps keeping it together were cut. Phil jumped in, blocking the sword from coming down as Tommy clutched his side. He quickly uncorked a healing potion and drank it, feeling the wounds start to mend themselves.

"We're with you Tommy," Eret whispered as Tommy blocked the attack, and he believed it, he knew how Eret fought, and this wasn't it, "They're just waiting for my signal."

Tommy nodded and Eret held his fist in the air. Then almost all at once Purpled and Karl turned and helped Phil fend off Fundy. Thunder held his arms up as Niki held a sword to his throat.

"I just wanted Will back," Fundy said, "you can have whatever you want, even L'Manburg, I just want my dad back."

That's what did it for Phil, he knew that Fundy wouldn't stop, because you do everything you can to get your family back, no matter how broken. Phil lowered his sword and exchanged looks with Techno, who nodded. Tommy didn't understand what was going on until Techno escorted all of them down into the empire and opened the cell. And inside was Wilbur.

With a shard of ice in his side.

"Will," Philza pushed his way through the crowd and lifted him into his arms, "what have you done? Why?" He did his best to stop the bleeding, but there was only so much that could be done, "Does anyone have a healing potion?! Tommy?" The teen reluctantly shook his head, he never wanted this to happen. "Techno! Please tell me you have one."

"Here," Techno tried to quickly give him one, but he fumbled with the glowing potion and it slipped out of his hand, splashing on the ground, "I'm sorry."

Phil frantically scoped up the potion soaked snow and pressed it against the injury, hoping that it would have some kind of effect. Wilbur grabbed his wrist, stopping him. "Just let me see Tommy again."

"Wilbur, no," Techno muttered as he kept searching his pouches, hoping that he had another one, "I'm not letting you die, I can't be the reason you die as well."

Fundy knelt down with them, "Will, please don't leave me." His fox ears pressed down against his head.

As hard as they looked no one had a potion, they had already used them on themselves to heal their own injuries. Techno pushed past them, running to where they had brewed potions earlier, checking every chest for materials, if they didn't have one on hand he could at least try to brew one in time. Phil left Wilbur with Fundy, he walked over and just hugged Techno.

"No, no, no," He kept repeating as he tore away from the embrace, "No! It's my fault! If I had an extra potion or if I hadn't dropped that one! We could have saved him! I could have prevented him from being like Tommy!"

"Techno, please don't let this consume you again, I don't want to see you like that person you were after Tommy's death," Phil said as he kept walking, back up and where, no one knew.

"Well," Fundy said, his voice soft and broken, "I think a vote is in order. I don't want to rule L'Manburg just because I'm the son of the past president. All in favor of me raise your left hand, all in favor of instating Tommy as president raise your right." He didn't have to look at the crowd to know that Tommy had won anonymously.

"I-I don't think I want to anymore," Tommy said.

"Well who do you think should be president, Tommy," Eret asked.

Then, surprising everyone, he turned to Niki, "All in favor of making Niki Nihachu president?"

"Tommy, you didn't have to," tears shone in her eyes as she smiled at him, "But yes I will take this responsibility, but only if Fundy will be my vice president. And you'll be in my cabinet Tommy."

"I know you kids will carry on the legacy my son created," Phil said, "I think I'll come too, just to make sure Techno doesn't do anything stupid or crazy. We have some airplanes you guys can take to make the trip shorter. But these are all things that can be worried about tomorrow, get some rest."

It wasn't long before dawn broke and soon morning turned into midday, there was still no sign of Technoblade, whether in the Antarctic Empire or the Dreamlands. Phil had flown Niki, and Tommy had flown Fundy, the controls coming to him naturally. The rest rebuilt the old nether portal and marked out the path back to the portal in the Dreamlands, finally connecting the two great nations. As the nether group emerged from the portal they found a makeshift podium built where the white house used to be, the only patch of land still intact. Gathered there were both L'Manburg and Dreamland citizens. Niki radiated an aura of pride and leadership as she stood in front of them in her lavender, L'Manburg suit.

"Enemies, friends, and neutral allies, today marks a new era of L'Manburg history," Niki said.

And not too far away Philza had finally found Technoblade's base.

"Wilbur has sadly passed, but he will be remembered by his close friends, family, and most of the people here. By vote of the people I have been elected the new president of this nation that I have always been loyal to."

Phil, not seeing Techno anywhere, quickly looked through the chests. He eventually found another part, built completely out of blackstone and lit with glowstone, it looked like a bunker. But for what?

"Today I will be establishing my cabinet and making my first decree as president. As my vice president, Fundy."

Philza kept going to find hundreds of chests, carefully labeled with what each contained.

"As my secretary of state, Tommy Innit."

At the end of the storage space, five empty armor stands, and a room that held a single sign.

"As my treasury of state, Tubbo."

On the sign were two things, 1) take down Manburg government.

"And my advisor, Philza."

And 2) stop any other government with withers.

"Philza?" She turned back, looking for him, he was supposed to be here by now.

"Get out of there Niki!" He called through the comm.

"Everyone run," She commanded, "Something's gone wrong!"

"Whatever you do, if you see Techno, run, no one is safe," Philza communicated, knowing that wouldn't be able to get there in time to help fight it off.

"Has anyone seen Techno," Tommy called, "according to Phil he isn't safe!"

"Not since, you know," Tubbo said.

"What's going on," George asked, he didn't see any radios and was confused as to where they were getting this information.

"He's going to spawn a wither," Phil said, he got out of the base and started making his way back to L'Manburg.

"Forget running," Fundy yelled over all the chaos, "we have to find Techno before he spawns a wither!"

And as if perfectly on time, on the other side of the crater was Technoblade with two nearly finished withers, creatures of mass destruction and death. "Do you think you're the hero of all this, Tommy," Techno's voice echoed through the air around them, this was still only a fraction of what the god could really do.

"I just wanted L'Manburg back," His voice too carried around them, Techno wanted them to all hear him as well, "don't do this man."

"Tommy, you stood there, and watched as Wilbur died in front of you, the man you had said was no longer fit to lead just an hour earlier. What's to think you aren't the reason he died. You wanna be the hero so badly, Tommy," He turned around and proceeded to place the last two wither skulls, "Then die like one!"

"Techno, no," Philza cried from behind him, he slid down the hill as the withers moved towards the group, "I thought you didn't want any more blood on your hands."

"Well, you thought wrong," Techno growled, his red gown had been torn to shreds at the hem, the golden, always perfect crown was crooked with scuffs and cracks laced throughout, and his once pristine, braided, pink hair was cut off, mangled and fell in front of his face. The once great king had become a broken god.

"We both know Wilbur's death was my fault, might as well add everyone else to that list," Techno chuckled, "stay with me, Phil, and I'll make sure you stay off it." But it was far from a promise, it was a threat, stay or I won't hesitate to kill you as well. Phil glanced back at the two withers that appeared to be targeting Tommy. The L'Manburgians still alive were trying to get to him, but more of them got cut down by Dream, Sam, and Skeppy.

Philza had to make a choice, try and save Tommy, or stay with Techno and ensure his own safety.

It was an easy decision to make.

"I'm sorry, Techno, but I can't lose Tommy again, even if it means losing you," Phil said, unsheathing his sword and heading towards the struggling teen. He picked up a shield off the ground and used it to fend off the attacks from Dream, in a fluid motion he broke off the handle of the axe his opponent held. The sword cut through the mask like it was nothing, without having a second thought and with Dream on the ground Phil kept running.

"Tommy," Niki screamed as he rolled to the side to avoid another explosion, he was running out of breath, and places to hide.

Eret was able to get a killing shot on one wither but the other was still locked onto Tommy, determined to kill.

"Run kid," Phil yelled as he used the sword to latch himself onto the back of the monster. It started to slowly fly up, moving back and forth as the sword lodged itself deeper into the wither's skeleton. He had to either kill it or jump before it got too high. The wither roared as Phil forced the sword deeper and it rapidly decayed as he killed it, turning to dust and falling from the sky.

"No," Techno screamed as he watched in horror as his old friend, who was almost family to him, came hurling to the ground.

He froze before pearling away.

He sat on the ground as tears came flooding, but tears turned into laughter, and he looked back at the crater that was L'Manburg. He had done it, he had killed all other governments and crushed another before it was even formed. Now it was time to finish the job.

He was still a king after all.