The monotonous hum of the transportation platform droned on in an endless stream as Ranboo approached the notorious obsidian box. The sentient took a deep breath, exhaling through his nose. After all this time- all the scandals and dreamons and more, he was finally returning to the prison.

Ranboo wouldn't lie; he was nervous. It's going to be okay. It's going to be just fine, he self-soothed. You know the future. There's nothing he can do to you that you can't handle. You know all his tricks. You're going to be just fine. Well, he certainly hoped it would. If all else failed, Dream was his only back-up; the enderman needed the notorious criminal for all his worth. If the man didn't comply to his demands, then, well...the sentient figured he may need to persuade him using more aggressive measures.

The platform finally clanked against the wall of the box, allowing Ranboo to enter the visitors' lobby. As the being raised his eyes to meet his once manipulator, he felt his stomach drop: Dream was gone. How?! He's supposed to be here!! the enderman panicked. Okay, okay. Focus, Ranboo. Focus. Last time, he escaped the prison with Technoblade, but Techno isn't in prison, so- A long, drawn-out groan echoed from behind the netherite half-wall, signaling another presence.

Ranboo did a quick glance across the lava sea, checking to see if Sam was still watching, and hopped over the half-wall. What Ranboo found there made him collapse to his knees in relief. Huddled behind the wall, his mask gone and his knees pressed to his chest, was Dream. Well, Ranboo thought, here goes nothing. The enderman halfling reached out to gently shake the convict's shoulder. "Dream? Dream-"

The criminal mastermind nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden contact. He instantly backed away from the strange, new presence, his once wicked, green eyes now melted pools of grief. "Get away from me," the man hissed. "Go!"

Ranboo was taken aback by the sudden change in the convict's character. The Dream he knew was a sinister foe above men, a force of nature in his own right. But now, sat before him, was a trembling, hollow version of his previous mentality. He looked so helpless, like a lost child. As much as Ranboo hated his former manipulator, he couldn't help but take on a gentler approach: "Hey, hey. It's okay. It's alright," the enderman whispered. "It's just me. It's just Ranboo. I'm not gonna hurt you."

Dream gasped out a sob, tears welling in his eyes as he replied, "No,...but I hurt you."

"I- Well, yes. I'm not going to deny that," Ranboo responded, "but I'm not here for revenge- honest. I'm here for-"

Dream grabbed at his messy, sandy-blonde hair, and in a strained voice, shouted, "I'm a monster!!" The ex-dictator sniffled weakly, raising a pitiful gaze to his visitor. "I- I didn't really do all that, did I? Did I really invade L'Manberg, and- and drop all that TNT, and manipulate you to-"

"Yes. Yes, you did, Dream," the enderman monotoned, "but that wasn't your fault. I'm choosing to believe that you were possessed so we can move on from this conversation-"

"I was!" the man gasped. "I was possessed! I remember! It was underground and there was this egg and-"

"Yep, uh-huh, okay," Ranboo hurried. "Look, as much as I'd love to reflect on every major conflict that's happened on the server, I really don't have the time. So if you could just hand me the Revive Book-"

"Ranboo, did you hear what I said?! I am a monster!!" Dream insisted. "I am the most evil man on this server! I slaughter kids and destroy villages. I-"

"FOR THE SAKE OF THE GODS, DREAM, THAT WASN'T YOUR FAULT!!"

The enderman hybrid seethed with rage. How did it come to him to play therapist to his former abuser? Why was he responsible for bringing the man mental stability? Ranboo wanted to curse each of the gods for even putting him in this position, but he had bigger issues to deal with- he still had to save the server.

After taking a moment to just breathe, Ranboo continued: "I know everything, Dream. The alliance, the TNT, the nukes- all of it. And for some strange reason, I've been given the chance to fix what you did. So, if you want to make up for every single one of your sins, then just give me the Revive Book, and I'll leave, okay?"

Dream stared at his visitor with wide, hopeless eyes. "I- Ranboo, there is no Revive Book."

That was the last straw. Ranboo grabbed the ex-villain by the collar of his jumpsuit and throttled him. "I SWEAR TO ALL THE GODS WHO HEAR ME I WILL KILL YOU RIGHT NOW IF YOU DON'T GIVE ME THAT BOOK!!"

"THERE NEVER WAS A BOOK!! I JUST WENT TO HELL!!"

The sentient froze mid-action, his mind going blank. "...What?"

"I just went to hell," Dream repeated, wrenching himself from Ranboo's grasp. "When I was possessed, the dreamon allowed me to enter hell. That's the only way in- with a dreamon."

Ranboo felt his whole world come crashing down on him. If he didn't have that Revive Book, then this was it. This really was his only chance to save the server. If he died, then he died; time would go on to ruin itself in another Armageddon, and he'd be six feet under. Millions would die, and it'd be all his fault. The enderman held his head in his hands, releasing a pained noise of distress. "What am I going to do?"

In a weird twist of fate, his once enemy gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "It's okay, Ranboo. Whatever you're trying to do, it'll all work out."

The enderman sighed, leaning his head back against the wall. "It's just that...Gods, it's all so hard...I need to save the server before it all falls apart, so I need to go see Quackity, and Wilbur-"

"Wilbur? You just missed him. He left like five minutes before you showed up."

It took every ounce of self-control for Ranboo to not punch Dream right in the mouth. Instead, he slowly rose to his feet and gave the man a curt nod. "Thank you, Dream. You've been very helpful."

"Hey, no problem. Good luck saving the server!"

As Ranboo stepped back onto the transportation platform, he ran his hand down his face and let out a strained grunt. That whole conversation was precious time he would never get back. He sighed. Oh, well. At least he had an excuse to deck Wilbur.

So, there's no Revive Book. Hopefully, Ranboo won't be needing it...right?

Vote to hype Ranboo up for his fight!!

As always, thank you so much for reading!! Y'all are truly wonderful people. <333

[Image Credits] "I love old books" (Cropped Slightly) by Rina (https://www.flickr.com/photos/fa11ing_away/2694619309/)