There's no time for me to react as he tackles me around the middle, bringing us both to the ground. The wind is knocked out of my lungs as we hit the grass, and black dances across my vision.

Somewhere behind me I hear George yell in surprise.

The pressure against my stomach shifts, and a pair of large hands grip my wrists, yanking them over my head. Sapnap looms above me, straddling my middle. His face is red and creased with anger. I was beginning to wonder when I'd see him again. Though I didn't expect his entrance to be so dramatic. He actually managed to catch me off guard.

"Remember me, blondie?" He smirks, his dark eyes dancing with a smug madness.

"Sapnap? What...what are you doing?" George enters my vision, off to the side. His brows are furrowed and there's visible confusion on his face.

"What does it look like? I'm getting payback on the bitch who did this to my face." He points to his forehead where a dark bruise stains his skin, half-hidden by his fringe.

George winces at the ugly mark.

"I'd consider it an improvement," I say, my tone mocking.

Sapnap snaps his neck around to glare at me. I can imagine the smoke billowing from his ears.

"Say that again, I dare you!"

"Come closer and I will."

Flashing a nasty grin, the male leans his face closer to mine, waiting to hear the words that he probably hopes will be my last.

Instead, I jerk my head forward and crack my skull against his. Right where the bruise sits.

He practically screams in pain, reeling back, bringing his hands to his throbbing cranium. My own skull rings with pain from the harsh impact, but I'm sure it's nothing compared to what Sapnap is experiencing right now. Forget about rubbing salt into an open wound. I just stabbed the wound and filled it with glitter.

Back in control, I plant my hands on his shoulders and roll him off of me. He doesn't even resist and flops straight over, his groans of pain muffled by his palms. But I don't stop there. I rush to straddle his waist, yanking one of his wrists away from his face and grabbing his ankle with my other hand. I twist him onto his side.

"What is happening right now?" George questions, stood stock still, his expression blank.

"Tying up a loose end," I reply casually, pulling free the white ribbon from my wrist, the ribbon that I've been carrying around ever since I found it, and using it to tie Sapnap's wrist to his ankle. A fitting way to return it to its owner, if I do say so myself. He writhes around in the grass, his back bent into an arch, like a tightly strung bow.

"George! Help me!" Sapnap exclaims angrily, desperately trying to pull at the knot with his free hand, but unable to fully grasp it. I wish him luck. I triple tied that baby.

"What? No way! I'm not getting involved in this." George says quickly, raising his hands and taking a few steps away. He gives me an uneasy look as if I might suddenly turn on him.

I ignore George in favour of checking my surroundings, searching for the green man in a mask.

"Where's Dream hiding?" I question my wriggling captive, flicking my blue gaze to him.

He scowls.

"Why would I know?"

"Because you're his partner?" I question, cocking my head to the side. "And I find it hard to believe you came charging at me out of nowhere, with no weapon, no plan, and sporting an injury. Did Dream send you in as a distraction?"

Sapnap narrows his eyes, his lips forming a thin line. He doesn't respond and I quickly realise why.

"Oh." Is all I say, my eyebrows slowly rising up into my hairline.

"Sh-shut up!" He splutters, his face turning red in embarrassment. "I still managed to get a hit on you, didn't I?!"

"True." I reason, a hand rubbing at my stomach. It feels bruised. I've never been rugby tackled before, but Sapnap still did a pretty good job of winding me. He managed to angle his shoulder right below my ribs, digging into my organs directly rather than the bones of my ribcage. He may be rude, impulsive, and quick to anger, but he has potential. It's just a shame he doesn't seem interested in using it. All it took was one little insult from me and his common sense went straight out the window. You should never give in to the taunts of your enemies. Especially if they tell you to "move a little closer".

"So...Dream doesn't know you're here?"

"No."

I hum and look around, my hands on my hips. There's no one else about.

"Okay then," I say, and turn to George. "We should make a start on the house. I'll take kitchen and bedroom, you take living room and bathroom?"

"Uh, sure?"

"Wait-wait-wait! You're just going to leave me here?!" Sapnap gapes.

"Consider it a timeout to think about what you've done." I smile, crouching down to poke him between the eyes. "And next time you fight me, think your actions through first. Exercise more caution. Maybe you'll be a match for me one day."

"Fuck off!" He snarls. "Like I'd take advice from a girl."

"Hey, you're the one tied up like a gift box; not me. So think about it."

"She does have a point," George says, rubbing the back of his head.

I chuckle and stand, turning my back to Sapnap as I move to enter Tommy's house.

"I can't believe you put up with her!" Sapnap says to George, his voice filled with disdain.

"Eh, I think she's kinda cool," George responds.

I fight back the grin trying to force its way onto my lips.

George thinks I'm cool?

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Look at these awesome pieces by WhyAndWhoTheFuck (great name btw). They made the first piece at the start of the story and the second recently.

And our lovely PaigeIsLost drew Ares with some serious sass! Just look at the attitude on her face! XD Doesn't she just look like a French model?

Who knows, maybe she is French ;)

But on another note, I reached 1000k followers this week! :D So I was thinking how should I celebrate? And I think I want to do a QnA chapter finally. I've got a few ideas for questions already so you don't have to send me any if you don't want to. But if you do the questions can be about literally anything! They can be about me. About how I planned out the Pandemonium plot and Ares. Or they can be about Ares directly. i.e Is Ares big spoon or little spoon? (She's totally a big spoon). I look forward to what you guys come up with!

And if I've missed anyone's fanart, please let me know!