TW: Mentioned manipulation and abuse, implied character death, swearing, blood, slight gore

This has been months in the works and I'm so glad to finally have it finished

"No, that was here," Techno came down to the basement to find Tommy muttering to himself as he put away potions, "man he's going to be so mad."

"Tommy." Techno said, his head still throbbed from the anvil, the totem might have kept him from dying but it didn't stop any pain, "What are you doing in my house!?"

"Ah! Oh uh, Technoblade, hi," He spun around and backed into the corner, glancing at the door, "hi."

"What are you doing in my-" he started to ask again but Tommy sprinted out of the door, out into the snow, "Tommy!"

"I just have to do something real quick," Tommy muttered, he took off his iron armor and placed it in the snow. Techno could see that Tommy's hair and clothes had been singed, as if he had survived a fire or explosion. Tommy's hands shook as he took out some tnt and placed it on the armor, armor he had clearly made himself.

Stop him, Dream, PROTECT, /rainbowchat, exile, the voices said in Techno's head, slowly getting louder.

"No!" Techno ran over, armor was precious and helped you survive. "What are you doing?!"

Tommy sat in the snow, curling up and starting to sob, a flint and steel dropped in front of him. "I can't do it. I know I should, but I can't."

"Tommy," Techno came up to the boy, his voice softer this time, he scooped up the flint and steel to make sure Tommy wouldn't try to destroy the armor, "what happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Tommy tried to move away from him, but he started shivering as the cold pierced through his ripped shirt, making him wish he still had Wilbur's jacket. Thinking about Dream made his head hurt. Sure Dream blew up Logstedshire, but he did it for Tommy's own good, he didn't listen so he got what he deserved.

"How about you come inside, I'll start a fire," Techno took off his cape and wrapped it around Tommy, helping him up and walking up the steps to the cabin, "so what's with the whole blowing up your armor?"

Dream, blood for the blood god, find Dream, the voices hissed, sounding bitter when telling him about Dream. Manipulation, not his friend.

"Dream and I would do it, cause that's a thing friends would do, right?" Tears gathered in his eyes and threatened to start spilling as he thought more about Dream. Dream was his friend, right? He came to the beach party so of course he was, but why hadn't anyone else come?

"No, it's not," Techno said. He couldn't believe Dream would do this to Tommy, Phil would be pissed if he found out. So maybe it was time to get Phil out of L'Manburg, he would know how to help Tommy. "I have to do something."

"Wait!" Tommy called, "I-I don't want to be alone. I don't do well alone." The tower he had built flashed through his mind, he could have ended it right there, why didn't he?

"I have to get Phil though," Techno said, but he stopped anyway and sat back down, "I think he can help you."

STAY, Dadza, E, protect Tommy, The Voices said, making Techno sigh.

"Please," Tommy whispered, this surprised Techno. This wasn't the Tommy he knew. The Tommy he had gotten to know in Pogtopia took things with no regrets, stuck with his beliefs to get back L'Manburg, and was extremely loyal to Tubbo. Sure he didn't like any of these things cause it usually happened to be his stuff and went against his own beliefs, but something happened, and it had to do with Dream.

"Okay," Techno said, staring at the crackling fire. He would have to wait for Ghostbur to come back before he did anything. That is if he was coming back.

"Technoblade!" Ghostbur called from outside, the ghost had good timing, "I found you again!"

"Ghostbur, come in," Techno called out as he pushed a window open.

"I brought a friend!" Ghostbur said with a grin, "but I left Friend with Philza."

"Who'd you bring," Techno chuckled, Ghostbur was very happy with that sheep.

"So, where's your cape, Technoblade," Dream asked, and he panicked internally, this wasn't good. Tommy was almost convinced that Dream was his friend, but from what he had learned Dream had clearly done something to mess with his psyche.

Kill Dream, hide Tommy, blood, PROTECT TOMMY, E.

"Drink this and hide somewhere," Techno closed the window and tossed a potion in Tommy's lap, "I need my cloak back. Whatever I do, and whatever happens do not reveal yourself. If the potion wears off I want you to run and not turn back. Do you understand?"

"Ye-yeah," Tommy said, he was thankful that Techno had decided for him what he should do, part of him wanted to go back to Dream, the other part wanted to run far away from him. He chugged the potion and his body and clothes disappeared, only faint particles could be seen where he was.

Techno took the cloak and fastened it around him. He opened the door after glancing around one more time. Standing outside were Dream, his arms folded and his expression hidden behind his mask, Ghostbur gleefully waved at Techno.

"What brings you to my home, Dream," Techno asked, folding his arms and letting them inside after one quick glance back.

"So, Tommy's missing," Dream said. Tommy's breathing hitched for a second, he knew, he thought he would have more time, it had only happened yesterday.

"Who's Tommy," Techno said, then realized how stupid that sounded. "Oh yeah, that guy. He got exiled, that was funny."

"Yeah, he left his exile, I tracked him for a while but lost his trail," Dream slowly scanned the room.

"Well I haven't seen him, but if I do I'll tell you," Techno said, hoping he wouldn't bring up the fact Dream had helped him escape the execution earlier.

"Then why did I find armor outside," Techno had totally forgot about what Tommy had tried to do until now. "Cause I don't think you wear iron armor."

"That's Ghostbur's armor," Techno lied, "he left it out there cause I was going to give him better armor. Isn't that right?"

There was a long pause from Ghostbur, "yes."

"Like I said if I do see him I've be sure to tell you," Techno said again, "now leave so I can figure out how to free Phil."

"Well then see you around," Dream said as Techno shut the door on him.

"Man, can you believe that guy? He just has to constantly show up ominously," Techno chuckled, trying to make a joke out of the situation. Tommy flickered into view as the potion effects faded. He was sat on the ground with his knees to his chest. His eyes are wide and his breathing accelerated, Techno realized Tommy was hyperventilating.

"Tommy!" Ghostbur said, rather loudly, he sped over to Tommy and hugged him. "I thought you were still in Logsted."

"You-you left me!" Tommy yelled at him, standing up and brushing off Ghostbur. "You told me that you were sending invitations to everyone! But no one came! Not even you!"

"But, I thought, I was told," Ghostbur said quietly, "I thought you had moved the date. Why aren't you in Logsted? Aren't we the Lads on Tour?"

"It's gone, Ghostbur," Tommy snapped, "it's all gone, just like L'Manburg. It'll never be the same, not without Wilbur." He stormed away and outside.

"What happened when Tommy go exiled," Techno asked Ghostbur.

"Well, Dream took Tommy and I decided to go with them, because Dream and Tommy are my friends. Dream made Tommy put all of our stuff into a hole, but I kept some of my tools so that we could build Lodstedshire. I visited Tommy every day, and whenever Dream visited him Tommy seemed not to be wearing armor, but I thought that wasn't because he didn't like wearing armor like Alivebur." That would explain why Tommy was going to destroy his armor, and how that would have been a tell tale sign Tommy was here to Dream.

Techno went outside to where Tommy looked up at the cabin from atop a small mound of snow. "What are you going to do next? Dream isn't stopping you anymore."

"I-I need to get my disks back," Tommy clenched his fist, "Tubbo has one and so does Bad and Skeppy, I can't let Dream have them."

"Well, you came to the right place," Techno chuckled, "I'll help you get those disks, you just have to help me get back my weapons. Or you can try your chances back in the wild."

Get the disks, ANARCHY, Blood for the blood god, down with L'Manburg!

"Why do you need your weapons?"

"I need them to free Phil, L'Manburg put him under house arrest, and I might commit some minor terrorism on the government." Techno chuckled, but he didn't want to force Tommy to get involved with something he didn't want to.

"Only minor terrorism," Tommy confirmed, and Techno nodded, "Okay. You help me get my disks back, I'll help you get your weapons back. How did you lose them anyway?"

"A question for another day Tommy, come on," Techno trudged through the snow with Tommy following behind, eventually they reached the back of the hill that was behind the cabin. Techno brushed snow off the wall and stood back. "Stand here."

"You-you're not going to kill me are you," Tommy asked as he moved where Techno was and he stood in front of the mountain.

Protect, save, stop Dream, the voices whispered. Vault!

"No, of course not, what would the point of this be, I would have done so ages ago," Techno said and gestured to the stone button hidden on the wall. Tommy pressed it and behind Techno the wall started rumbling and slowly moving down to reveal a vault with at least a hundred wither skulls hanging on the walls. "Welcome home Theseus!"

"What the shit!" Tommy stumbled back at the sight of the vault with two soul sand statues, ready to be turned into withers.

"We are going to cause so much chaos," Techno laughed as Tommy slowly walked in behind him.

Blood for the blood god, down with L'Manburg, ANARCHY, no more government, the voices hissed, slowly getting louder, but Techno drowned them out when Tommy spoke.

"Can-can I have that," Tommy pointed to the armor stand of enchanted netherite armor.

"Be my guest," Techno gestured, "just don't loose this set."

"I promise I won't," Tommy grinned as he lifted the chest plate off the stand and over his head. If felt good to finally have quality made armor again.

"Good," Techno watched as Tommy eagerly put on the armor. "We should go back so Ghostbur doesn't get worried." They both walked back to the cabin as more snow started to come down and cover their footprints. Tommy let himself smile and looked back at the snow from the porch. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, this, this was freedom. He was free, free from Dream, from responsibility, and from Wilbur.

"Techno look out!" Tommy yelled as he heard the sizzling of tnt being lit and dropped down to where he stood. Tommy pushed Techno out of the way, but wasn't able to protect himself as it exploded at his feet.

"Tommy!" Ghostbur said when he heard the explosion. Tommy was knocked back over the railing and into the snow. His head darted around, looking for someone, something, but his vision had gone dark and ringing filled his ears.

"No!" Techno jumped down to him. Tommy flinched away from him when Techno put his hand on Tommy's shoulder, "Tommy, are you okay?"

"Where are you," Tommy's voice sounded raw as he felt around in the cold snow and eventually his hand landed on Techno's cape, "I-I can't see anything. There's so much ringing."

"You're going to be okay," Techno didn't mention how his face had been burned and scarred, where did that come from? He thought Dream had left, "I'll lead you inside so I can treat your wounds."

"Oh-okay," Tommy slowly stood up with his arm around Techno's shoulders. A high pitched ringing had filled his left ear.

"Are you okay Tommy? I'm sorry, that this happened, I'll start making some potions," Ghostbur said as they came in through the door. Black marks covered the wood on the outside of his house but nothing had been broken.

"I'm sure I'll be okay Wilbur," Tommy said, not wanting to worry him. Tommy sat down on a chest, his head following Techno's footsteps as he pulled out bandages.

"I'm going to need to cover your eyes for them to heal, the blindness should be temporary," Techno said, tightly wrapping the bandages around his head.

"You look very cool with those, Tommy," Ghostbur said, knowing it would make him happier to hear that.

"Really? Pog!" Tommy smiled, his voice was a little louder than usual so he could actually hear himself.

"What's this," Techno looked down at the ground just inside the door. It was a compass. He picked it up by the chain and opened it up. The glass that covered it was cracked, the flap had a small paper that had a 'your' crossed out and replaced with 'my', and next to the word was 'Tommy'.

Tubbo's compass, give to Tommy, E, blood for the blood god, Dream's fault, The voices told him.

"What?" Tommy asked, "what is it?"

"A compass," Techno said, he looked down at the arrow to find it pointing directly at the ender chest, "it looks like it once said 'your Tommy'. But someone changed it to say 'my Tommy'."

"Ender chest, now," Tommy demanded, Ghostbur guided him to the chest, knowing what he meant. Blindly, Tommy opened the chest and felt around in his stuff for his compass. He pulled it out when he felt the chain and held it up for Techno to see.

"They're pointing at each other," Techno told him.

"That's impossible," Tommy said, "Dream told me he burned it. Why would Dream lie?" He fiddled with the hatch and opened it for Techno to see the same handwriting have written 'your Tubbo' on the same small slip of paper.

"I made those," Ghostbur said, "I made them to alway point to each other, but Tubbo had said he accidentally got his blown up."

"I was told he burned it," Tommy muttered, "on purpose."

"You know he wouldn't," Ghostbur said, putting his hand on Tommy's shoulder, "Tubbo cares about you."

"If he did he wouldn't have exiled me and left me helpless against Dream," Tommy pushed his hand aside. He felt his way to the ladder and down to the basement.

"I'm sorry Tommy," Ghostbur said, leaving. Techno didn't try to stop him as he looked through his chests.

"Take this so you don't trip or something," Techno tossed down a staff for Tommy.

"Maybe don't drop it on my fucking feet," Tommy yelled, he picked it up anyway and used it as a walking stick.

"Good to see he hasn't lost his terrible sense of humor," Techno opened the window to see Ranboo approaching the cabin. "What the? What's he doing here?! Ranboo you better be coming to return my armor!"

"I, no, I'm not, why would I do that," Ranboo asked and Techno came outside wielding his pickaxe.

"I don't know, so that I don't kill you," Techno threatened as Tommy made his way out of the basement.

"Oh Ranboo you son of a bitch!" Tommy yelled, unknowingly walking towards Techno.

"I'm right here," Ranboo said, and Tommy turned around.

"Oh, well sorry Techno, that kinda ruined the moment," Tommy's voice was almost unrecognizable to Ranboo. "Listen here, Ranboo. You didn't fucking show up to my beach party, look at me now, living with this motherfucker."

"Tommy?!" Ranboo exclaimed, "how are you here? I thought you were still in exile."

"Wait, he was yelling at you and you didn't even know who he was," Techno started laughing, "lame!"

"Well the clothes and personality kinda gave him away, but other than that your voice sounded different," Ranboo explained and this gave Techno an idea.

"Tommy, I think we know how you can get back to L'Manburg," Techno said, "but nevermind that, about my stuff Ranboo. Do you need an ender chest? Cause I have one."

"You know I was really hoping you would forget about that," Ranboo nervously laughed, but followed Techno into his cabin anyway. He reached into the ender chest and pulled out an enchanted netherite helmet. "Here, so you won't attack me."

"Thank you," Techno replaced the helmet he was wearing with his. "I'll be asking for another thing in 5 minutes."

"What if I give you all your armor back," Ranboo said, trying to find a way out of a looming death threat, "I promise that's all I have."

"I don't think he's lying," Tommy said, he still didn't trust either of them, but it would be better if Techno didn't kill Ranboo.

"Fine, give me all my armor and tell me who has everything else," Techno said, he was willing to compromise.

"I believe Tubbo and Fundy do," Ranboo said, pulling out the rest of Techno's maxed out netherite armor.

"Now that you've settled that, Tech, you sounded like you had an idea earlier," Tommy asked, sitting down on the box next to the brewing stands. "Care sharing?"

"Tommy," Techno smirked, "how would you like to visit L'Manburg?"

"But won't they know it's me," Tommy asked, but deep down he wanted to see Tubbo again, to see how L'Manburg was doing without him.

"Not if you can make them think you're someone else," Techno said, "your voice sounds different and I'm sure if you put your mind to it you could act like someone else."

"I'm willing to do anything to see my home again," Tommy said, but it hit him, would he ever see anything again. Techno had said the blindness should be temporary, but that was hopeful. That was being wishful. "Well you know what I mean."

"I need you to come back tomorrow," Techno said, this was an opportunity he needed to take advantage of. "Tommy and I will work on making him unrecognizable."

The next day Tommy had ditched the clothes he had been wearing all throughout his exile and was wearing some of Techno's extra clothes. He wore a blue shirt, a red jacket, and some dark blue jeans. The hardest part had been convincing Tommy to leave the green bandana that Tubbo had given him. Ghostbur had gone back to L'Manburg after braiding some of Tommy's hair.

"Hey Techno," Tommy said as he was trying his best to put on the armor without any help. "Thank you."

"Oh, uh, it's nothing," Techno said, he still wasn't used to Tommy like this. At Pogtopia Tommy had always joked around with him and stole his stuff. This Tommy was different, and Techno didn't know if he liked it. "You're the one helping me."

"Hi," Ranboo came into the cabin, "so there's something I need to tell you Tommy." He pulled out a book and flipped through it. "Tubbo and the rest of L'Manburg thinks you're dead."

"Oh," Tommy's hand brushed across his compass, Techno had taken out the glass so he could feel the way it was pointing. Despite the other one being in the cabin as well it gave Tommy some reassurance that things would be fine. "I need to do something then. I need to go to Logsted one last time."

"Okay," Ranboo didn't know where it was but Tommy had remembered that it was to the left of coming out of the cabin. So slowly they made their way to Logsted. "What happened here?"

"Dream blew it up, he destroyed the Nether portal, and everything I had," Tommy paused for a second, there was still a residual smell of gunpowder, before continuing. "Where's the tent?"

"Well now I can see why Tubbo thought you died," Ranboo muttered, looking up at the tower he assumed Tommy had built. Ranboo stopped when they reached the place where his tent had been. Tommy took his compass out of his pocket and carefully placed it on the burned fabric. Ranboo had the other one, if Dream wanted to find him he would have to do it the hard way.

"Well something or someone made another portal," Ranboo said, noticing the lit one right next to the broken one Tommy must have been talking about.

"Then that's our way back," home, to L'Manburg. Finally, he was going back, and this time Dream couldn't stop him. At least that's what he hoped.

After traversing through the Nether Tommy stopped right in front of the warbling portal that lead to the Dream SMP. He was here only a few days ago, being told he couldn't go through or else.

"You okay," Ranboo asked, "We don't have to do this if you don't want to."

"I need to," Tommy truly felt he did, like he had some unfinished business in L'Manburg. With a shaky breath he stepped through the portal, the cover story Techno had made racing through his head.

"Watch your step," Ranboo warned just as Tommy had instinctively move to walk up the steps that he remembered were there.

"Hey Ranboo," Tubbo ran up to them, "where have you been?"

"Helping my friend here get some friends," Ranboo explained, "he's been living in the woods but I can't always be there."

"Well I'm Tubbo, president of L'Manburg," Tubbo held his hand out, after Ranboo elbowed Tommy he held his hand out as well and Tubbo shook it.

"I'm Dave," he said. "Are we in L'Manburg right now?"

Tubbo laughed, "no, would you like to go. I could give you a tour."

"That would be cool," Tommy said, doing his best to not show his mixed feelings towards Tubbo.

"Oh, Tubbo, Dave found something, he didn't know what it was, but I said you would know," Ranboo pulled out the compass and held it out to him. "I thought you would need it after what happened."

"Oh my god, I can't believe you found it," Tubbo opened the flap and frowned when he saw it had been tampered with. "Did you do something to it?"

"Wait is something wrong with it," Tommy said, acting surprised.

"Yeah, but it's fine, I'm sure Ghostbur could repair it." Tubbo smiled, "if you don't mind me asking what happened to you."

"Wrong place at the wrong time, I was in the middle of a nasty explosion a few days ago," Tommy said, adding his own spin onto the cover story. "Someone helped me, but I never got their name. Then Ranboo found me."

"Well Ponk is a doctor here, I'm sure he'd be willing to look at your injuries," Tubbo said, not mentioning his suspicions that Techno might have been the one to help him.

"No!" Tommy said, rather suddenly, but corrected himself. "I mean I'm good, Ranboo told me a bunch of potions had been left at my place. I'll be fine." To Tubbo that didn't sound like Techno, there's no way he would have left valuable potions at some random person's house, and Dave seemed pretty genuine.

"Well okay, would you like a tour around L'Manburg," Tubbo asked.

"I don't see why not," Tommy shrugged and listened as Tubbo walked down the steps of the Nether portal entrance. He followed, slowly feeling around with the stick, and Ranboo followed behind him.

"So this is the prime path," Tubbo said as they entered the community house. "We're standing in the community house right now. And if we keep going that's-" He stopped short upon seeing Tommy's old house. "I think Connor claimed that house. But just past here and down the hill is the land belonging to L'Manburg."

"Thankfully it's all wood, alot easier to navigate than snow, I'll tell you that." Tommy laughed, he had to keep up the act.

"I bet," Tubbo half heartedly chuckled.

"Hello," Ghostbur came up to them and Tommy tried to hide his panic, they hadn't told him anything and there was a chance Ghostbur would recognize him. "Who might you be?"

"D-Dave," Tommy said, "are you a ghost? Your voice sounds funny."

"I'm Ghostbur," He said happily, "I used to be president, before I apparently blew up all of this."

"Oh, I didn't notice," Tommy said, Tubbo laughed as Ghostbur waved his hand in front of Tommy's face. "What?"

"Nothing," Ranboo said, holding back laughter. As everyone stopped in the middle of L'Manburg Tommy could hear the faint footsteps on wood coming from inside one of the houses.

"Who's in there," Tommy asked, it was a legitimate question, he was still trying to orient himself and recall what he knew of L'Manburg before he left.

"That's Philza's house, we put him under house arrest," Tubbo said, "but you're welcome to say hi. Ranboo, you'll be fine to continue the tour right? I have to discuss with Fundy and Quackity you-know-what."

"Of course," Ranboo said as Tubbo ran around the back of the houses.

"Ranboo can you help me," he hated having to say that, to need help, to be so weak. He eventually made his way over to the front steps of the house, where Ranboo rung the bell a single time.

"What is it this time," Phil said, opening the door to the two, "oh, hi. Can I help you two?"

"Hi, I'm Dave," Tommy said with a smile, knowing perfectly Phil knew what he did.

"No it's not," Phil said, he recognized the clothes, but couldn't exactly place that it was Tommy in front of him, it just didn't make sense, "come inside."

"It's me, Phil," Tommy said as Ranboo shut the door, "I'm alive."

"How, Tubbo said you died, he's planning a funeral and everything," Phil hugged him, relieved to see Tommy alive, and relatively okay.

"I'm living with Techno right now," Tommy said, his head looking in the direction of Friend when he had suddenly let out a soft 'baa'. "Man this is all so weird. So why are you on house arrest?"

"I wouldn't tell them where Techno is living," Phil stepped back and leaned against the wall. "Tubbo, Fundy, and Quackity then went, attacked him, and nearly executed Techno."

"Is that why you had his armor," Tommy asked, looked at Ranboo as he fidgeted, tapping his fingers against the door.

"Some-something like that," Ranboo said, he didn't fully remember yesterday's events, but he was thankful for Phil not telling Tommy that he had assisted as well.

"So why did Tubbo have to run off," Tommy asked, he knew that Tubbo, Fundy, and Quackity were all in the cabinet, but why the secrecy?

"Oh yeah, that," Ranboo chuckled, "uh, I-I'm not allowed to say anything about it to Phil. And I don't know how trustworthy Techno is."

"Well I'm trustworthy," Tommy insisted, "is there anything you can tell us?"

"That it is a festival," Ranboo said slowly, "to celebrate Tubbo's presidency."

"And this was his idea," Tommy asked, there was no way Tubbo would be holding a festival, not after what happened at the last one.

"Um, I think so," Ranboo said, "and apparently Dream is supposed to show up and listen to our laws."

"He'd be armorless," Tommy said, lighting up. This was it, as long as Dream didn't have the disk from Skeppy, he and Techno could kill Dream. They would be able to take all of his lives.

"Uh, yeah, hopefully," Ranboo said, then realized that Tommy might catch onto that last word. "Hopefully as in he would actually respect L'Manburg."

"I don't know if you two are aware of this, but the last festival that happened here didn't go so well," Tommy pointed out.

"Yeah, I heard a little bit about it," Ranboo said. Phil didn't know what they were talking about, but he thought it would be better to not ask seeing how bitter Tommy sounded about it.

"So nothing else is happening," Tommy said, he knew Tubbo would have bad memories of the Manburg Festival, so him planning one didn't make any sense. Not unless he planned to do something else. "No one is giving a speech?"

"Tubbo said something about asking Dream to do one," Ranboo said, hoping that Tommy wouldn't figure it out. "But that might not happen."

"'I'm not Schlatt' he says, 'I would never be like Schlatt,' he tells me," Tommy slammed his fist into the wall, "please tell me he doesn't plan to publicly execute Dream."

"No, he would never," Ranboo said, but it was too late, Tommy had figured it out. "If he does I don't remember."

"Still doesn't erase the possibility," Tommy muttered, before his exile Tommy would have shut down the idea immediately. Now, with everything that's happened, he couldn't be so sure. There was an awkward silence between them before foot steps were hear outside. Thinking it might be Tubbo, Phil went over to open the door.

"Philza, is Ranboo in here," Dream asked, Tommy stumbled back when he heard his voice, he started feeling around for a place to hide, accidentally making noises inside. Hearing the sounds Dream peered behind Phil to see Tommy. "Who's your friend?"

"Da-Dave," Tommy stammered, standing up straight and smoothing out his clothes.

"Dave huh, where'd you get the armor," Dream asked, "I haven't seen you around and usually the new people only have iron."

"It's uh, this guy named Technoblade's, Ranboo gave it to me," Tommy said, hoping, praying that Dream would fall for it.

"Would you mind if I looked at it," Dream said.

"No. What enchantments are on the armor is none of your business," Tommy said, he knew that Dream was asking so he could look at the names that would have been carved on the armor if it were actually Techno's original set.

"You said you were looking for me," Ranboo said, "what do you need?"

"I'm looking for Tubbo, and Ghostbur said you might know where he is," Dream said.

"He's busy, he has a country to run anyway," Ranboo said, "I'm sure he'll come to you when he's done."

"Then why aren't you there," Dream said.

"You've gotten your answer, why Ranboo isn't there is none of your business." Phil spread his wings out behind him, one tattered and ruined from 16th explosion. "So leave my house. Immediately, Dream."

"Very well, I'll see around, Dave," Dream said, he notches an arrow, the tip lights, and fires it at a creeper in the distance. He looked back in the window as Tommy flinched when he heard the sound of the arrow, an explosion echoing through his mind.

"What was that about," Phil asked Ranboo, he didn't want to ask Tommy in case he lashed out at them.

"I honestly don't know," Ranboo said, "Technoblade might know, but I shouldn't be involved in this. It would be better if I just went back to Tubbo and forgot about this."

"Yeah, maybe that would be a good idea," Phil said. The words hurt Ranboo, but he knew that he had helped capture Techno, and Phil was close with Techno.

"Well maybe I'll see you around, Dave," Ranboo said and left.

"I-I should probably go," Tommy said, Dream being there had really shaken him, but he didn't want Phil to see him like this. "I can find my way to the portal. I'll be fine."

"Tell Techno I said to stay safe," Phil said as Tommy started out the door. "You too."

"I-uh, thanks Phil." Tommy said and stumbled his way out of L'Manburg. He made his way to where he remembered was his house and sat down on the bench, trying to remember what it looked like. He let out a sigh as the sun began to set and the bright rays shown on him.

Tubbo spotted him on the bench, he was about to say something to get his attention, but Dream came up behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I went back to the exile today." He said.

"I already know he's dead, Dream," Tubbo muttered.

"I know, but I was looking through the ruble and found this," Dream dropped Tommy's compass in Tubbo's hands. "I thought you might want it."

"Oh, thank you," Tubbo said, trying not to cry as he opened the flap and read the 'Your Tubbo' on the compass. The boy looked back at L'Manburg then started to walk to the bench to talk to Dave.

"I wouldn't do that," Dream said, stopping him. "I don't think this Dave is who you think he is."

"Wha-what are you talking about," Tubbo asked, "he seems fine to me."

"I talked to him earlier and he says Ranboo gave him Technoblade's armor, I think he was lying," Dream said.

"What are you trying to say, Dream," Tubbo said.

"I think he's working for Technoblade, the reason he's trying to get close to you is so he can get Techno's weapons back," Dream said.

"Well you can have your suspicions Dream, and thank you telling me, but I don't think it's true." Tubbo said, but despite his words he decided to go back to L'Manburg instead. Allowing Dream to talk to Tommy, alone.

"You shouldn't be here," Dream said to Dave. "And we both know why."

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Tommy said, he wished that Ranboo, Tubbo, someone was there as well. It sounded like Dream was just behind the bench, he might be able to get to the portal if he sprinted.

"Yes you do, you're still exiled," Dream said, "Tommy."

"Exiled? Why would I be exiled," Tommy asked, surprising even himself with his acting. "And who's Tommy?" He was careful to not swear or anything else that might give him away, falling into the role of Dave. Out of the corner of his eye Dream could see a crow sitting not to far from them.

"Hello Dream," Tommy let out a sigh of relief when he heard them, it was Eret. "Who's your friend?"

"I'm Dave," Tommy said before Dream could say anything. "I'm new, who are you?"

"I'm King Eret, monarch of the smp," He said, they could tell that Dave was uncomfortable around Dream. "Would you like a tour? I could use some help with a few things."

"He already had a tour, and I don't think a blind child will be able to help you," Dream said.

"Only of L'Manburg, I'd love to hear what the rest is like," Eret was offering him an escape, he had to get away from Dream.

"You'd be surprised what people who've lost one sense can do Dream," Eret said, "come on, Dave was it?"

"Yes," Tommy said, he got off the bench and did his best to not sprint to where he heard Eret. "Let's go."

"So this is the prime path," Eret said, and he started talking about things Tommy already knew. As soon as they got away from Dream they asked, "are you alright?"

"No," Tommy answered, "thank you for coming."

"Of course, may I ask what pronouns you prefer," Eret said.

"He/him," Tommy said, he remembered the first time he met Eret. He thought the fact she always asked this was odd until he learned more about them. "And yours?"

"He/they/she," Eret said, happy that Tommy asked. As they walked to the castle Tommy had an idea, he didn't want to just rely Techno and Phil.

"Eret, can I trust you," Tommy asked, trying to think of a good way to explain this. "Cause I've heard a little bit about your history with L'Manburg but I want to know myself."

"Oh, right my betrayal," Eret said, not a great first impression to have on a newcomer. "I was a different person back then. I've learned now not to betray those who trust you."

"Huh," Tommy said, Eret really had changed. He'd thought they couldn't trust Eret back during Pogtopia, but perhaps things would have gone differently if they accepted his help. "Do you have some potions I can use, I think I need to change these bandages."

"I should have some regen potions and extra bandages, do you need some help," Eret asked as they went into the castle and she lead Tommy into a spare room.

"No- yes actually, that would be great," Tommy said, now he really couldn't back out if Eret recognized him. Tommy took out his sword and carefully cut the bandages away.

"Oh," Eret said when he saw the scars on Tommy's face. "You look really bad."

"Thanks," Tommy said sarcastically. "Wish I could see that."

"And you probably don't want me to mention that you're Tommy," Eret asked, applying the potion to the scars covering Tommy's face.

"I will fucking kill you if you do," Tommy threatened, this only made Eret laugh.

"That's the Tommy I know," they said. "Don't worry, I understand why you disguised yourself. You wanted a chance to talk to Tubbo again without Dream stopping you."

"It doesn't help that Dream somehow knew it was me," Tommy said, he didn't know how long it would be before Dream tried to reveal him to Tubbo.

"Well if things get messy, just know you'll always be welcomed here," Eret said, "no matter what you do." Because he knew what it was like to have nothing and no one to defend you.

"I'll keep that in mind," Tommy said, Eret then wrapped fresh bandages around his head, covering his eyes. "I should go, thank you Eret."

Tommy went back to L'Manburg occasionally over the next few days to gather information, but it wasn't for long. In that time Philza had been able to escape from house arrest to Techno's cabin.

"Phil!" Tommy exclaimed when he came down to the basement where the two were talking. He ran up to him and hugged him. "You're alright."

"Well the opportunity presented itself so I got the hell out of there," Phil laughed, he wasn't expecting for Tommy to be this excited for him to return.

"Great to have you Phil, could you help with Tommy's thing," Techno said, Phil nodded so he went up and they could hear him loudly ringing the bell upstairs. As they removed the bandages Tommy blinked and slowly the cabin came into view. It was very blurry, but a huge improvement for him. Tommy started laughing, a short gleeful laugh. He could see, it was absolutely shitty, but it was amazing.

"Alright, I've got all the potions made, let's go," Techno said, coming back down with the weapons they'd been able to secure the past few days. "You wanna go like that or Dave?"

"Erm," Tommy looked down at the bandages in Phil's hands. "Do you have any cloth that's more see through?"

"Yeah, just check that chest up there," Techno said, adjusting his inventory. Tommy pulled out a elegant red cloth that seemed to have already been cut into, it was light and as Tommy put it to his head he could sort of see through the red haze.

"Is that," Phil said, feeling the cloth. "What I think it is?"

"Oh, yeah, I sort of forgot about that part, you can have the rest if you want," Techno said, Phil muttered a thanks and after helping Tommy secure some around his eyes took the rest and stored in into one of his chests.

"Okay, let's go," Tommy said, opening the door, waiting for Techno to follow him. He chuckled at Tommy's unexpected eagerness. They made the usual trip through the Nether, but as they were testing out the invisibility potions, they found out the potion didn't work on the festive hats they wore.

"There goes our plan," Techno muttered.

"We can go through the sewers," Tommy suggested, then explaining to the piglin how he had made sewers connecting to different places across the smp. But as they reached the exit in Tommy's house they found Connor organizing the chests inside of it.

"Hold up, what are you doing here, aren't you guys banished or something," Connor said, backing up from them, but he had been out of the loop for a while.

"Banished, me?" Tommy said, "last time I checked I wasn't."

"Didn't you get exiled or something, Tommy," Connor said, this made Tommy tackle him before he could say anything more. Well now they couldn't just leave Connor alone.

"Not another word," Tommy hissed, Conner frantically nodded and Tommy let go of him. "What do we do now?"

"You remember when Antfrost was a 'mandatory worker'," Techno said, Tommy nodded. "We do something like that, trade him for my weapons."

"Wait, you guys don't have to do this, I'll cooperate," Connor said as Tommy took out a fishing rod and tied the rope around him.

"Too bad, I don't trust you now that you've seen us," Tommy said. They took the man to L'Manburg where they found Ranboo and Tubbo working on a bee habitat. Tubbo jumped down when he saw the three.

"Well, well, well, look who it is," Techno said.

"What's going on here," Tubbo said, looking between them.

"We have taken a hostage and we're going to kill him if you don't give me back my weapons," Techno declared.

"You have a hostage? An-and you're working with Technoblade?!" Tubbo said, turning to who he thought was Dave. Why did Dream always have to be right? "I thought you were my friend!"

"Temporary team up until we sort things out," Tommy said. "Just give us what we're here for and no one gets hurt."

"He's not even apart of L'Manburg," Tubbo said.

"Hey!" Connor said, resulting in Techno pulling out a sword. "But wouldn't it look bad for you if I died?"

"He's got a point," Ranboo said.

"Fine, will you accept the rocket launcher?" Tubbo said looking in the ender chest.

"No, I want my trident," Techno said. "But I'll take the rocket launcher and the pickaxe."

Tubbo sighed. "Ranboo you're going to have to take a trip to get that pickaxe cause Fundy has the trident."

Once Ranboo came back Techno thanked them, asked who had the rest, Fundy, and released Connor. He and Tommy then left with almost no reputations, until they reached the Nether portal.

"You know, I was fine while you were with Technoblade. You weren't causing trouble, you were actually listening," Dream said. "But then you had to take a hostage and reveal yourself."

"Well there's nothing you can do about it," Tommy said, pulling out his sword, if Dream decided to attack he'd be ready, "get out of our way."

"Do you really want to be talking to me like that, when I've gotten the disk from Skeppy," Dream said. Tommy's face fell and his arm went slack. "And other circumstances."

"This guy's with me, Dream, and unless you want to call in that favor he's not leaving my side," Techno said, stepping in front of Tommy.

"Fa-favor? what favor?" Tommy said.

"Be quiet Tommy, the adults are talking," Much to Techno's surprise, Tommy looked to the ground and listened. "Now move aside Dream."

"Very well, if you're so sure about this," Dream said, he looked back as they entered the portal. "But I can't promise I'll keep your secret."

"Dream you bastard!" Tommy jumped out as they had entered the Nether.

"Heh, good luck with that," Techno said, hefting his axe over his shoulder and heading back to the base. The next day they had managed to get the rest of the weapons from Fundy and all that was left was to wait for the festival to confront Dream.

"Where are you guys going?" Phil asked as they geared up, Tommy saw no point in pretending to be someone else anymore so now he was back into his old clothes, patched up from exile.

"We're goin' to a festival Phil," Techno said.

"Were you invited," Phil said.

"We're going to a festival," the two said in unison.

"Alright, have fun," Phil chuckled.

The two arrived and hid in the buildings overlooking L'Manburg. It wasn't long before Dream came by and started to once again build up obsidian walls. The duo watched as Tubbo and the others confronted Dream.

"You want to know why I'm doing this? Fine, follow me," Dream jumped down and headed to the ruined community house. "I come back and this is what I'm greeted with."

"Who would have done this," Tubbo said, looking around as they collected in the center of the ruins. More people started coming and gather above them, curious about the situation.

"Tommy," Dream said. "I ran into him a few days ago and turns out he's not dead. He never was. And he's working with Technoblade."

"I-" Tubbo didn't know what to say, after what had happened the past week and Fundy telling about Techno's last visit it didn't seem to far fetched.

"So here's the deal," Dream said. "I'm going to rebuild the walls around L'Manburg, or you can give me the disk."

"Did you really do that," Techno whispered to Tommy.

"No, I'm just as surprised to see it like this as they are," Tommy said, clutching a pearl.

"There's no other way," Tubbo said as Dream placed down an ender chest.

"Tommy needs to be punished. I need the disk," Dream said.

"No! No you don't. I didn't do this, I swear!" Tommy called as he pearled into the middle of the crowd. "I know this looks bad and like something I would do, but you have to believe me!"

"You being here just proves you did," Tubbo yelled at him. "You have to face consequences for your actions!"

"Haven't I payed enough," Tommy asked, "You exiled me! Connor took my house! Do you have any idea what I went through?! I gave you that disk because I trusted you! But this past week or so has proved I can't."

"Guys! Tommy didn't do this," Techno appeared next to Tommy. "I didn't want to get involved but Tommy just jumped in here."

"Tubbo, he's not supposed to be here and neither is Technoblade, just give me the disk," Dream demanded, "Tommy lied about burning George's house, so why wouldn't he lie about this?"

"Maybe he would lie to you, Dream," Techno snapped, "but Tommy wouldn't lie to me. Neither of us did this."

"He's lied in the past, why wouldn't he lie to you," Dream asked.

"Because I trust him," Techno growled.

Tubbo started towards the ender chest and pulled out Mellohi. "He's right, Tommy. You could be lying about this. But if I can't trust you, you can't trust me."

"No!" Tommy yelled, standing between Tubbo and Dream. "You talk about trust yet you were planning to do exactly what Schlatt did!"

"What are you talking about," Tubbo asked, there was no way Tommy knew.

"You were planning to publicly execute Dream at the festival!" Tommy yelled loud enough for everyone to hear. "Might as well have Technoblade do it with his rocket launcher! You talk about me not being the next Wilbur yet you were going to do the exact thing that took one of your lives!"

"Tubbo wouldn't do that," Dream said, Tommy was surprised Dream had no reaction. "Just give me the disk."

"Tubbo please," Tommy said as Tubbo went around him and handed it over to Dream.

"You need to learn Tommy," Tubbo said.

"Um, thank you Tubbo," Dream grinned, putting the disk into his ender chest. "I just have one thing to say. You are an idiot."

"What," Tubbo stepped back.

"You have no power. You are the worst president L'Manburg has ever had. You're hardly even president. Quackity's more president than you, I'm more president of L'Manburg than you! You get pushed around by everyone! Because you are an idiot! You are a buffoon. You just gave me the one thing I needed to destroy L'Manburg! I don't care about L'Manburg, I don't care about anything! The only reason I had not destroyed L'Manburg before, is because you had the disk. I had to be friends with you cause I needed the stupid disk back. I don't care about you, I'm not your friend. I cared about getting the disk back, and now I have it. You can't even run your nation right," Dream then pointed at Ranboo. "Tommy was living under your nose for days! Ranboo is a traitor!"

"What?" Ranboo said, "Tubbo, I swear I don't know what he's talking about. You know how my memory is."

"Don't believe me, he wrote it down," Dream took out a book and gave it to Tubbo. Ranboo's eyes widened, how did Dream have his memory book? "That's his memory book, he was meeting with Techno and Tommy and told them everything."

"I deny having any connection to that man," Techno said.

"Look, Tubbo, L'Manburg is weaker than it's ever been, and it's because of you," Dream said, "you have ruined your friendships and L'Manburg's allies. You are a horrible president."

Techno was going to say something, but he looked at Tommy. The conflict on his face told him that Tommy was trying to process everything and trying to make a decision.

"Techno, you got any withers?"

"I like the way this is going, Dream," Techno chuckled, they messed up big time, it was time to be rid of L'Manburg and its government. "Are you saying what I think you're saying? Are you calling in that favor to destroy L'Manburg?"

"What?! No, you would have destroyed L'Manburg anyway," Dream said, "I'm not calling in my favor for that."

"You know me so well, Dream," Techno grinned, "I've got a few withers. We could work something out." Tommy's mind flashed back to the vault, the walls covered in wither skulls.

"So L'Manburg is being destroyed, tomorrow, at three pm," Dream said, and it suddenly dawned on Tommy, he might not have a choice in the matter. Even if he still cared about L'Manburg, Dream could threaten him and make him either stand to the side, or help him. "Say your goodbyes!"

"Why are we giving them time?" Techno said, his ego getting the better of him. "I could get the withers in like 30 minutes."

"To make it more dramatic, and when I say we're going to destroy L'Manburg, I mean we're going to finish Wilbur's job. We're going to destroy it all the way to bedrock," Dream said.

"No," Tubbo whispered, "Tommy?"

Tommy just looked away from Tubbo, he didn't know what to do. Perhaps it would be better to just stay to the side, remain neutral.

"I'm leaving, see you tomorrow," Dream said.

"Wait he's leaving? Heh?!" Techno exclaimed as Dream disappeared, "that man seriously left us! Get out of here Tommy I'll cover you." Tommy glanced at Tubbo before sending a pearl out of the ruins of the community house.

Tommy didn't say anything when they got back to the cabin. It made Techno more worried about his mental state, after the confrontation with Dream he hadn't been doing well.

"Is he okay," Phil asked when they came back and Tommy absently waved to him before going back into the cabin.

"Like I know, don't know what's wrong with him," Techno said.

"How did the festival go," Phil said.

"Oh, there was no festival whatsoever," Techno laughed, "but things did get harder for getting Tommy's disks. Tubbo gave the disk he had to Dream."

"Well I'm sure you'll still be able to get it, Tommy really appreciates you wanting to help him," Phil said.

"Well on a completely unrelated note, Phil, how do you feel about the complete and utter destruction of L'Manburg tomorrow," Techno asked, cracking his knuckles.

"Wait, you're joking," Phil laughed, "oh my god, I have to come."

"Would I joke about this Phil," Techno said.

"Good point, well I think it was about time that happened," Phil said.

"And at this point I could care less what Tommy does, well as long as he doesn't join L'Manburg for some reason," Techno chuckled, "but why would he do that?"

Traitor, don't trust Tommy, Kill Dream, Anarchy, d a v e, the voices whispered. Techno shook his head, where would they have gotten the idea of Tommy being a traitor?

"Haha, yeah it wouldn't make sense would it," Philza said.

The next day there had been no sign of Tommy, or his things, he had left in the night. Dream arrived an hour before they were supposed to go to L'Manburg.

"Where's Tommy," He said.

"Ran off in the middle of the night," Philza said, "We don't know where."

"Well, he won't be a threat," Dream said. "You have everything together? I want to get there a half an hour early, catch them off guard."

"It'll take a while but I think we can do that," Techno said. "You need anything?"

"No, I've got everything I need," Dream chuckled. "I need you to distract them while I'm setting up the tnt."

"Got it, let me show you something while you're here," Techno exited the cabin and lead Dream to the vault entrance. He cleared away the snow and pressed the button in the wall. The wither skulls on the walls had been taken off to show only 18, not letting Dream know how many he really had.

"This will do nicely," Dream nodded. "I didn't expect less from you Technoblade. I'll meet you in L'Manburg."

"Flex much," Techno muttered as the man pearled away.

Soon the two had everything they needed and after Techno gave a totem to Philza they left for L'Manburg. Techno grabbed all the wolves he had hidden in the sewers and took them all to L'Manburg. Provide a distraction for Dream to set up the tnt grid, that's all he had to do.

Nooooo, ANARCHY, Blood for the blood god.

"Technoblade, wha-what are you doing here," Tubbo said when he saw the two. "You're supposed to wait till 3."

"Just postponing the inevitable Tubbo," Techno said. "Also coming at the actual time would be fair. Do I look like that kind of guy?"

Slowly more people came out of the houses and buildings to meet Technoblade. Everyone stood still. If Techno attacked they might go after Phil. If anyone attacked Techno the wolves would immediately start hunting then down. In a blur Techno splashed all the potions he had on him and Phil then attacked. Philza retreated to higher ground and started shooting them from above.

As more people gathered to help Tubbo defend L'Manburg the wolves numbers dwindled and the potions on the wolves faded. Sapnap was covered in fur and blood as he slaughtered the hound army. Several people began to target Techno, not realizing what was happening above and that Phil was the one with the supplies to spawn withers.

He forced some of them into retreat. But as the piglin realized he was starting to get bested by the people surrounding him, a potion of regeneration sailed over them and covered him, healing his injuries. Bruises faded and cuts knit together. Sapnap screamed as a fishing rod hooked him and he was flung backwards. Techno looked around trying to figure out who else would be helping him.

Another potion splashed on him, a strength potion and he began fighting back Puffy and Sam. Behind him a blood thirsty Quackity brought up an axe, as it came crashing down a diamond sword blocked it.

"Not today, bitch," It was Tommy. He quickly brought out the Axe of Peace and pushed Quackity back.

"Where'd you get the potions?" Techno said as he spun around and disarmed Quackity.

"They're yours!" Tommy said, he shot an arrow at Bad, it nicking his armor. "I stopped by your base and made more. I grabbed soul sand as well."

"Get it to Phil, and take this," Techno handed his totem to Tommy. "Not that I care about you or anything, just don't die."

"Okay," Tommy used his shield to block some arrows that came in their direction. He ran off in the direction he had seen Philza.

"Glad you could join us," Phil said as Tommy threw him the soul sand. Behind them the sound of fireworks could be heard, a bright explosion lit up the air. "You might want to get out of here." Tommy covered himself with the shield as Phil spawned the withers.

Tommy ran through the battlefield, screams and cries surrounded him. Panic overwhelmed him, he shouldn't be here. But his attempt to escape was stopped by Jack, in an instinct of fight or flight the axe he held slammed into Jack sending him flying back. Tommy kept running, not noticing Jack's limp body.

As Tommy got out of the crater to turned back to see a stream of tnt rain from the obsidian grid above, slowly destroying L'Manburg and making the crater bigger. What had he done? He had helped with this. Then it struck him, why Wilbur had blown up L'Manburg, why he did it even after they won, why he made the deal with Dream asking for nothing in return. L'Manburg had become like his discs, a tool for Dream to use against them and Wilbur had tried to stop it.

"Wilbur you bastard," Tommy muttered, then with tears in his eyes, he went to go help Philza fight off the others from the Withers.

The tnt rained for days. Whenever someone tried to get up to Dream, he or Tommy shot them off. Eventually it did stop, what was left was a massive crater to bedrock with no hope of rebuilding.

"Wha-what happened here," Ghostbur said as he approached Tubbo and what remained of his nation.

"They blew it up, they destroyed it all," Quackity gripped what weapons he had left, he still had the scar from his fight with Technoblade.

"Who," Ghostbur asked, glancing up at the withers that still resided in the area.

"Technoblade, Dream, Phil, and," Tubbo stopped short, just thinking that Tommy had been a factor in the destruction made everything hurt more. "And Tommy."

"Phil?" Ghostbur said, his voice breaking, he had trusted Phil.

Phil stood over the remains of his old house of L'Manburg. Ghostbur came over to him.

"Hey mate," Phil said, glancing back at Tommy who stood above where Wilbur had originally blown up L'Manburg.

"Why, why did you blow up L'Manburg," He asked, he couldn't believe it, hadn't Tommy helped him build this place?

"We needed to send a message, Will," Phil sighed, he didn't think that Ghostbur would understand, but maybe he could help him.

"You knew Friend was in your house," tears started running down and burning his face.

"He's got infinite lives," Phil moved closer to wipe away the tears.

"You knew Friend was in your house!" Ghostbur screamed, pushing back Phil and stepping back.

"Don't worry, he's got-" Phil started to say again.

"No! Stop! Stop! You knew!" Ghostbur yelled, rain started to come down and Phil tried to cover him with his damaged wing. "You knew everything everyone owned was in this town! I don't want to listen. I don't want to hear what you have to say.

"I've read the history books, Phil. You slayed the dragon, you slayed Alivebur. You were the hero," Ghostbur said, ignoring the rain and his tears. "Everyone understands that Phil, but look what you've done. How can you look at this and still see yourself as a hero? Sending a message, Phil? Sending a message?"

"Not to start another government," Phil looked over at Tubbo and the others still by his side. "Not to take genuinely nice, wholehearted people and turn them against each other with power and corruption. That's why, Will. I don't want to see it happen again." He wasn't just talking in general anymore, he was talking about Tommy. The amount of pain Wilbur and Tubbo had caused him during their presidencies scarred and damaged him.

"So you make me suffer," Ghostbur's voice turned bitter, but started to break again. "I don't know what Alivebur did, but I'm really trying to remember. But I know what I did. I just wrote books, and made the lanterns, and I built this town just like I built Logstedshire. And I watched them both get blown up. I didn't hurt anyone, yet I'm the one who pays."

"I'm sorry, Ghostbur, but I didn't think you would understand," Tommy had over heard their conversation and made his way over. "we gave you time, time you didn't take advantage of."

"But you helped build this, you built L'Manburg all over again," Ghostbur said.

"L'Manburg should have died with Wilbur, he tried to stop it from being a tool Dream could use, but we wouldn't let go." Tommy said, he looked out at L'Manburg. Once his home now reduced to smoke and ash. Even he could stop himself from shedding a few tears, but he quickly wiped them away.

Then Dream's voice started to ring out, mocking the old anthem they once had.

Well I heard they was a special place

Techno and Eret went around killing the left over Withers, not wanting to let them reign havoc on the rest of the world.

Where men could go to emancipate

Tommy headed back to their arctic base, his head low as Tubbo and the others watched him pass by.

The brutality and the tyranny of their rulers

Philza found Ranboo and asked if he needed a place to stay.

Well this place was real, but now it's gone

Ranboo said he'd consider it and retreated into his panic room.

Techno and Dream planted a bomb

Niki could be seen blowing up her bakery and whatever was left of L'Manburg.

It's a very big and definitely blown up L'Manburg

Fundy admitted to destroying their defenses.

Bye L'Manburg

Ghostbur told Tubbo that he wanted to be brought back in order to find a way to fix all this.

Bye L'Manburg

As Quackity left he could he heard humming the old anthem.

Bye L'Manburg

Tubbo walked away from the crater, now on a quest to find new lands and rebuild himself.

Bye L'Manburg

In the coming weeks Ranboo had moved in with Techno, Phil, and Tommy. Tommy, at the request of everyone else living there, decided to take down the cobblestone tower he had built. He then made a recreation of his old house out of spruce wood in the side of a mountain just a bit away from the others. Ranboo had begun building his own house, after receiving permission from Techno. Techno began developing an idea he had with Phil, not yet revealing it to Ranboo or Tommy. Everything seemed calm for a while as people started healing from what had happened. That was until Dream burned down Tommy's house and left a compass and note in the wreckage.

"Woah, what happened here," Techno said as he passed by the now dirt shack. He went in to find Tommy scrambling around, trying to make potions and other weapons. "How do you burn down a house in the snow?"

"When you're Dream I fucking suppose," Tommy muttered.

"Do you need help Tommy," Phil said. "I could help you rebuild this."

"I don't need your fucking help," Tommy said. "Unless you can find a way to help me fight Dream without actually being there."

"Well, don't know how to do that," Techno said, then whispered to Phil that he had an idea. The two wished Tommy luck then left him to keep prepping.

By the following day, with the help of Ranboo, Tommy had been able to upgrade his armor to netherite. As he geared up to go, Techno came out of his cabin.

"So uh, I made something that might help you get the upper hand against Dream," Techno said, handing a black potion Tommy didn't recognize to him. "Be careful with it. Use a swiftness with it."

"I've been thinking and I don't think, no, I know I can't take Dream on by myself." Tommy sighed. "I'm going to send you the coordinates. Give me a day to say I'm alright before coming."

"Good luck Tommy," Ranboo said, Phil stood next to him with a solemn smile.

"Thank you, for everything guys." Tommy said, pulling out the compass to begin his journey.

Nearly half a day passed before they received a message from Tommy. And they let the one day they promised pass before heading out. Phil had decided to go alone, with a pearl in the temporary stasis chamber they had made, Techno ready to activate it.

On the large mountain Phil could see the remnants of battle. A broken obsidian tower, rickety towers to the sky probably to escape something, and a secluded spot that appeared to be destroyed by tnt. Phil continued scanning the mountain, determined to find any sign of where they could have gone. Eventually he found an opening for an elevator. Philza stepped on and activated the mechanisms.

"Anything?" Techno said through the comms.

"I found some sort of vault. It looks like there was a fight here," Phil scanned the ground of the vault after he had put Tommy's disks into the ender chest. "There's no sign of Dream or Tommy."

"Anything else," Techno said through the radio. Phil looked down the hallway to find spots for items that belonged to everyone. He took the Axe of Peace from its place and continued down where he heard animal sounds.

"Your axe is here," Phil said. The smell of blood started to fade as he walked away from the entrance. All the way at the end was three animal pens. Two were occupied, with Ghostbur's blue sheep in one, and a cow in the other. He looked at the sigh above the third one reading, 'Carl'. "And it appears Dream was planning to take Carl, he took Friend already."

"Ghostbur's sheep?!" Techno said. Phil looked over to see someone coming through the Nether portal, it had to be Dream.

"Yeah, I'm going to have to come back for them later," Phil lowered his voice, "activate the stasis chamber." In an instant Phil was teleported away to their Antarctic base.

"We have to find where Tommy is," Ranboo said, "I could go back and see if anyone knows."

"First thing's first," Techno didn't understand why Dream would have only taken his axe but nothing else. "What did you mean by he was planning to take Carl?"

"That's not the only space he had available," Phil said, offering the axe back to Techno. "There were at least 20 other spots for items and pets people own. He had a fish named Beckerson, Friend, and a cow named Henry."

"Are you sure it's name was Henry," Techno asked, a battle in the past coming to mind. Phil confirmed that he was positive. "That's Tommy's pet cow that died."

"Some of the open spots included I believe names of pets like Fran, Enderchest-" Phil started.

"That's my pet cat," Ranboo interrupted, "he's like one of the few things I care about."

"And Tommy's disks," Techno asked, starting to put things together, seeing from Dream's point of view.

"I got them from there, he had them on display like they were the most important thing there," Phil said.

"He wants power, that's why he took the Axe of Peace from Tommy, that's why he took Friend, Henry, and the disks and wants to take Carl," Techno said, "because that's how you get power over people, you take the things that matter most to them. Why do think Dream hasn't used his favor yet? Because that's how he has power to make me do something I wouldn't want to."

"Well now that we know this we could tell everyone, we could take down Dream," Ranboo said, "I'll go back immediately."

"Well L'Manburg doesn't exist anymore, so we could go with you," Phil said.

"Yeah," Techno laughed, "what are they going to do? Attack us?"

"But, I would like to not be associated with you two, not yet anyway," Ranboo said. There would be backlash from everyone if they knew he was actively living with Technoblade.

"That okay, we can go before you. Tommy is my family, you don't have to help us," Phil said, and Ranboo let out a sigh of relief.

When they reached the SMP the first thing Techno wanted to do was find Dream, Phil took a different route and found Puffy by Church Prime. She was muttering about Sam.

"Oh, Technoblade, Philza," She said upon seeing them. "What are you doing here?"

"We're looking for Dre-" Techno started.

"Are you alright, Puffy," Phil said, noticing her red eyes as she tried to stop herself from crying even more.

"I'll be fine, I just need time," Puffy muttered.

"Did something happen?" Phil said.

"Yesterday, Tubbo said he had to go do something, he told me he was meeting up with Tommy." She said. "But that's all he said, and not too long ago Dream came with Tommy."

"Where are they now?" Techno said.

"The Prison, it's not too far from Skeppy and Bad's house," She said, Techno nodded then began to walk away.

"Techno, wait," Phil said lowering his voice. "She said Tubbo went to meet Tommy. Dream and Tommy returned, but he didn't."

"Oh," Techno said, putting the pieces together. "Well it's a prison so there obviously has to be visitin' hours or something."

They bid goodbye to Puffy and followed her directions to the prison. Outside was Dream, almost as if he'd been expecting them. Techno brought out his axe just in case he decided to attack them.

Blood for the blood god, homeless teletubby's home, DEATH.

"Technoblade, Philza, good to see you again," Dream said. "How are you? I hear you have a new roommate."

"Cut the crap Dream, you know why we're here," Phil said, how did Dream know about Ranboo?

"We just want to know why Tommy's in prison," Techno said, stepping in front of Phil before he did anything irrational. "I would say he's done nothing to warrant this, buuut he did help with blowing up L'Manburg."

"I have my reasons, this is more than what you know," Dream said. "A lot happened before you joined us."

"That you stole his discs, that you lied and manipulated him, and most likely killed his best friend in front of him," Phil said, confusing Techno. Tommy had never mentioned any of this to him. "Any alliance or friendship you think we had is done. Let's go Technoblade."

"You know, I might be willing to let him go," Dream said as the duo started walking away. "Given that you do something for me."

"What do you want," Techno said, stopping and turning on the man. After hearing how bad Tommy once had it just before he snuck into his house, Techno didn't think the kid deserved imprisonment.

"If I let him go he is never to return to the main area again, this means staying at and near your place at all times and no Nether," Dream said. "And I want you to bring Ghostbur to me. I've been meaning to... talk to him but could never find him. Then I will release Tommy into your custody."

"Deal," Philza said, he knew how to get in contact with Ghostbur. "When do you want to do this?"

"Technoblade will meet me in two days with Ghostbur outside the prison," Dream said, a smirk hidden behind the cracked mask. "From there I'll let you visit Tommy and we can organize his release with Sam."

"Okay," Phil said. Techno looked a bit nervous, Phil hadn't thought this through as much as he would have liked.

"This isn't a good idea," Techno said as they headed back to the base. "You still have that stasis pearl chamber set up?"

"Of course, why," Phil asked.

"Just in case," Techno when towards the cabin. "You contact Ghostbur, I have to do somethings."

"Huh," Phil shrugged then pulled up his chat.

The next morning Ghostbur came to meet them out in the snow. He was just as happy as ever, as if nothing had happened between them. They took the time to explain the situation to him, careful to not tell Ranboo. Techno didn't trust the enderman hybrid quite yet.

"Are we really getting Tommy out?" Ghostbur said happily when the day finally came.

"Yeah, Dream just wanted to talk to you and other things I'm obviously not goin' to listen to," Techno said, making Ghostbur chuckle. The night before he had given Philza his will. Knowing Dream, he didn't know if he would return.

As they traveled through the SMP there had been statues built all around in honor of Tubbo. A few hello's were said to Ghostbur but none to Technoblade. It was too soon, they couldn't just forgive him for Doomsday. All except one.

"Hello, Technoblade," Niki said, glancing at Ghostbur. "Hi Wilbur."

Syndicate, Niki my beloved, ANARCHY, one of us, The voices said, Techno thought it was just from them getting restless.

"He prefers Ghostbur," Techno said, "Something about not being Wilbur. I don't know."

"Thank you Technoblade," he smiled.

"Ugh, don't get sappy on me now, we've got to make a deal with the devil," Techno groaned, this made the ghost burst out laughing.

"Did you just call Dream a fucking devil?" Ghostbur said, trying to stop his laughter.

"What's that about," Niki said. "What deal?"

"We're getting Tommy out of prison," Techno said. "Love to talk more but we have to go."

"Alright, see you around," Niki said as they continued to the prison. "And good luck."

"We'll need it," Techno muttered. Soon they came in front of the looming black obsidian building where deep inside Tommy was.

"I see you've held up your end of the deal," Dream said, nodding towards Ghostbur. "Now I will hold up my end. A visit today."

"And his release tomorrow," Techno said.

"Of course, of course," Dream said, pulling out his communicator.

Don't trust, TRAP, Dream, E, guys don't worry he has the stasis chamber, the voices said, Techno ignored them though.

"Go through the portal," Sam said through the comm. They continued through the prison protocol with Dream following close behind.

"Hi Tommy!" Ghostbur waved as the lava lowered, he didn't even look at them. Both had nothing on them. Techno stepped on the platform and Ghostbur moved to follow.

"Sorry, only one in the cell at a time," Dream said, stopping him.

"That's alright, you can go first Technoblade," Ghostbur said with a smile. Dream nodded to Sam and he turned on the platform. Tommy finally looked up to see Technoblade and Ghostbur. He hadn't heard Ghostbur earlier.

"No!" He screamed, racing to the barrier and trying to wave Techno back to the other side. "You fucking idiot!"

"What?" Techno said, stepping off the platform. "What are you talking about? I thought you'd at least be happy to see me."

"You don't understand," Tommy said, looking back in defeat as the barrier lowered and the platform retracted. "He needed Ghostbur."

"Well yeah, he needed to talk to him," Techno shrugged. He already expected that there was more to this but he had a plan.

"No, you don't know what happened," Tommy gripped Techno's cape and put his head against his chest. The boy was sickly thin and had bruises and burns all over his body. "When I left to fight Dream."

"Yeah I heard that one kid died," Techno said, nervously laughing. "He was your friend right?"

"No, Technoblade," Tommy sighed. "I don't like talking about it, but I died. I fucking died and saw Wilbur, and Schlatt. But Dream brought me back and before I realized it he killed Tubbo."

"Wait, he can bring people back from death," Techno said, lowering his voice.

"Yes," Tommy was near tears. "And he needed Ghostbur to revive Wilbur. He's been gloating about it for days."

"Oh," Techno said then turned back to the others. "Hey! When do you think Ghostbur can come over and say hi? And we can organize his release!"

"Yeah, that's not happening," Dream laughed, flicking a lever and causing the lava to start dispensing. "Look at this! The two people who threaten me the most in the most secure prison!"

"Uh Dream, I can't help but notice the lava comes down alot faster than earlier," Techno said. On the other side Dream impaled Ghostbur and threw a book into the lava. Tommy screamed as the ghost began dissipating and completely dissolved into the air.

"This is it," Tommy said, sitting down with his head between his knees. "He actually won. You were the only person who had a chance of freeing me. Of killing Dream. Wilbur's back and we're both in prison."

"Oh come on, do I look like someone who didn't expect something bad to happen," Techno said, "I discovered things while you were out healing or something. A stasis pearl chamber that will hold a thrown ender pearl and won't teleport you unless someone activates it. I gave a book to Phil saying if I don't return to active the one I have."

Tommy perked up slightly. "Really? You have a way out?"

"Yeah, and it might take some time but I'll get you out as well." Techno promised. "It's the least I could do for finding that creepy vault and all you've done for Phil and I." He kept rambling on how Tommy helped them and he felt like he owed him something then stopped when Tommy hugged him.

"Thank you Technoblade," He said, muffled as he spoke into the piglin's clothing.

"What do you plan to do now," Sam said as he and Dream exited the prison. "You have everything you want."

"Not yet, Techno may be in prison but he still has a way out," Dream chuckled. "I'll let Wilbur cause some destruction, I have one more person to get rid of. No stasis pearls this time."

Months later

"How long has it been," Tommy muttered, huddled in Techno's singed red cape.

Blood for the blood god, pearl, three months, you guys mean three days right, kill Dream, Ghostza, Techno heard as he closed his eyes.

"Three months," He said. "I've been here for three months." He took a bite from the potato, he never thought he'd actually get sick of the food but that's what months of eating the same thing will do to you. Both had gotten thinner in that time. Sam had occasionally given them steak but it never lasted long. Techno had been working on breaking them a way out through the obsidian, but Dream checked on them too often to get any progress.

"What happened to Phil getting you out?" Tommy said.

Techno sighed, according to the voices something happened. "I don't know. You ever think that Dream know what we're doing with the tunnel? He always comes at least 20 hours in."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he did," Tommy said. "Bastard knows everything. You know, I'm glad it was you that got stuck with me. I know it's kinda fucked, but other than Tubbo you actually put up with my shitty behavior."

"Woah, woah, don't get soft on me now," Techno said, "Come on I need that Tommy who would always fight for the people he cared about."

"What's the point," Tommy said, resting his head against the obsidian, "one day Dream is going to get sick of us being in here and kill us both. And that will be it. Maybe he'll actually let me stay dead."

"Don't worry, we're getting out of here, I'm not letting you die again," Techno said, "I made a promise and don't plan on breaking it."

Niki made her way through the snow, eventually finding Technoblade's cabin. Behind it was Ranboo who had asked to talk to her. He had built his own house into the mountain. The wooden cabin hadn't been touched in months, going in without the piglin felt wrong.

"You alright?" Niki said as she walked up to the enderman hybrid.

"Yeah, it's just I have no idea where Techno is," Ranboo said, "and Phil er, Ghostza doesn't remember. I just wanted someone to talk to."

"Well would you like to hear some good and bad news," Niki said, sitting down next to him. "I know where he is, problem is he's in the prison with Tommy."

"It's more than I had," Ranboo looked at the lone cabin. "Maybe we should check the cabin, he might've left something."

"I mean it's worth a try," Niki said, the two trudged through the snow and finally opened the cabin door after months. Inside was a chest in the middle of the room containing two books. Ranboo pulled them out and started reading.

"I can't say who I am or how I know this but with Philza dead there's no one else to get Technoblade and Tommy out of prison. To whoever finds this book the first thing you should do is follow the instructions on the second one. It contains valuable information on the prison. Next use the ender pearl stasis chamber, this will free Technoblade but as soon as you do Dream will come looking. I wish you luck, I'll try to help as much as I can with the unique knowledge I have."

"That's not ominous," Ranboo said making Niki giggle. "But no one else is going to do it?"

"Can we really take on Dream and Wilbur," Niki said.

"With the right people, yes," Ranboo said, "do you know anyone who still likes Tommy though?"

"If we pay Punz the right amount he'll help, but other than Sam, who can't know our plans, no," Niki said.

"Well I can cover the payment," Ranboo handed the second book to her. "But maybe we check this out first."

Written inside was just a set of coordinates. It took a while but the two eventually arrived at a mountain. They climbed up and dug down on the spot to find a chest full of papers, blueprints.

"Oh my god," Niki said, "This is our way in and their way out."

"Let's go save Technoblade."