In which promises are broken and kept.

      Or, Tommy loses himself.

      Or, the anger and grief and guilt of death.

Tubbo.

Fireworks exploded, a flash and bang cracking through the night sky. Red and blue floated and swirled and lept off the side of the box in beauty.

The last thing Tubbo saw was a beautiful red spark exploding in his vision.

Tommy's favorite color.

Tubbo's vision turned black.

"Button, button, button, button-"

And Tommy screamed.

It was a pure, horror-stricken monster that escaped from his mouth, but it was drowned out by the yells and shrieks from below, gasps of horror. But Tommy couldn't hear them.

"TOMMY! TOMMY- TOMMY GO-"

"TUBBO!"

Where do people go when they die?

Tommy didn't remember how it happened, but all he knew was that suddenly his body was at the box, the stupid box, and there were blast marks, pieces of soot.

"Oh my god-"

"WHAT IS HAPPENING?"

Breath caught in his throat as he struggled to breathe in, hands searching desperately, like that could conjure back whatever used to be there, the boy with wide brown eyes that stared up at him.

"TUBBO!"

"Tommy?"

His hands searched and searched, trying to find something, anything. The only thing he could find was a small, crushed bee, the same bee he had given Tubbo. He cradled it in his hands as it struggled out its last tiny breaths. It exhaled one last time, and Tommy's eyes blurred with tears and rage.

"Wait wait wait wait-"

"H WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"NIKI?"

"TUBBO!"

Tommy's voice rasped out as he sobbed, the world dark around him. The screams and cries of the citizens were muffled as Techno turned, fireworks shooting off of his bow.

"Kill everybody."

His sword lashed out with pure adrenaline and anger, screaming, swinging at Technoblade. Tommy's vision was distorted with red as Techno seemingly flew off the podium before his sword could strike him.

"Where's the button, where's the button- where's the FUCKING BUTTON-"

Tommy screamed with rage, he needed to kill, he needed to lash out, he needed to do something.

But Tubbo was gone, Tubbo was gone, Tubbo was gone.

Tubbo was gone.

"TUBBO!"

"HELP- ERET GO-"

"FUNDY!"

Tommy screamed like a wounded animal, unable to move as his sword shook by his side. Angry tears tore down his face as he gripped the side of the box, shoulders shaking with sobs.

"TOMMY LEAVE- TOMMY GO-"

Tommy could hear Wilbur scream, but he didn't move. He wasn't going to leave him, he wasn't going to leave Tubbo, Tubbo would be alone and it was dangerous, he couldn't leave him alone with Schlatt, they would hurt him.

"Everybody go after Tommyinnit!"

Arms pulled at him, trying to pull him away. He yelled and shrieked in rage, swinging his sword blindly as voices called his name. He spun in a whirlwind, metal meeting metal as his vision filled with red.

Do they go somewhere else?

"TUBBO!"

"Tommy's here?"

He fought and fought and swung until sobs erupted out of his chest again, racking his body as he collapsed in a heap, still cradling the lifeless bee like it was a lifeline to his chest, his palms sweaty.

You failed to protect him.

And right then, Tommyinnit wanted to die. He really did.

And this time, it wasn't out of loyalty or to save anyone. But because he had no one left to save.

He had failed.

"KILL HIM! KILL HIM!"

"Tubbo..."

Or are they just...

He curled up in a ball where his best friend was, sobbing and sobbing until he couldn't sob anymore.

He waited for death.

He waited for metal to strike him down.

He waited to be with Tubbo.

But to his disappointment, nothing came.

By some miracle, arms pulled him away suddenly, and he was pulled away in a whirlwind, kicking and screaming, trying to wriggle away.

"TUBBO! TUBBO-"

He screamed and screamed until his voice was hoarse, trying to get back, trying to get back to the yellow box, back to Tubbo, but the waves overcame him.

And once again, he found his body deposited in the tunnels, the tunnels painted with memories of him.

He wished he was dead as he curled up into a heap, the cold stone of Pogtopia underneath him, tears falling from everywhere and from nowhere at all.

Gone.

---

Button, button, button, button.

Wilbur's hands flew through the grass, feeling around desperately. He could feel his skin heat up with panic as he searched desperately for it.

Button, button, button.

The voices screamed loudly in his head, accompanied in a ear-splitting chorus of screams outside of his head, screams splitting his brain.

Button-

"How COULD YOU?!"

Chills ran through Wilbur's bones, shocking him out of his trance.

"YOU KILLED HIM!"

And Wilbur's soul was ripped from his body.

And suddenly Wilbur was just a boy again.

Sweet daisies wove through his hair, pollen leaping off his fingertips.

He was a boy that missed his best friend. 

"You-You killed him..."

"Yeah I did!" Schlatt's tipsy voice echoed through the auditorium. "I-I did."

"After all he DID FOR YOU-" Niki clenched her fists, shouting angrily up at the podium without a care in the world. Her eyes flared with fire.

"You know what?" Schlatt leaned against his microphone stand as the world swirled around him. He was on something, but Wilbur didn't know if it was grief or alcholol. "YOU have just been a thorn in my side ever since I took office!"

"I DON'T EVEN WANT TO BE HERE!"

Niki shook with anger as she rushed up, ready to throttle Schlatt, but Fundy leapt out from the crowd, holding her back.

"N-Niki sit down-"

"GET OFF OF ME!"

She pried Fundy's hand off her arm like it was a disease, looking at him in disgust. He shrunk back, hurt, still limping from the fireworks. Eret offered a seat next to him discreetly.

"Fuck you!" Schlatt leered, suit still covered in soot from the blasts. He shouted angrily, his composure melting away. "FUCK EVERYBODY!"

WIlbur's heart sunk to his stomach as guards neared Niki, pointed swords gleaming in the darkness.

Strings pulled him towards the button, holding him back.

"GET OUT!"

The swords neared closer.

Fuck the button.

And Wilbur broke the strings, feet slipping on the wet grass as he raced down the hill. People gasped as he burst upon the scene, throwing himself in front of Niki in desperation.

"Wilbur?" Quackity looked at him incredulously, cradling the gash on his arm. Blood dripped down his hands. "Wilbur's here?"

"WILBUR SOOT!" Schlatt laughed, his face turning red. "How nice of you to stop by!"

"Y-You actually did it." Wilbur held Niki close as the guards closed in, looking up at Schlatt. Suddenly he was scared again. The voices lifted him up, but now they were gone. And he was broken. "Y-You actually killed him."

"T-Tubbo was a nice guy, you know." Schlatt slurred, suddenly staring off into the distance, grief on his face. He suddenly shook himself back to the present. "Shame to hear what he had been d-doing behind my back."

"I-If you're going to kill anyone, kill me." Wilbur's voice was quieter now that the voices were gone. Pitiful. "Please."

"Oh, don't worry about that. I was just going to kill Tubbo." Schlatt chuckled like he was making a funny joke, but nobody laughed. He suddenly turned angry, his mood swinging like a pendulum.

"HOW 'BOUT WE MURDER NIKI THEN, HUH FELLAS?" Schlatt laughed, but it sounded like he was sobbing. "LET'S MURDER HER!"

"Schlatt, what the fuck!?" Fundy stood up from his seat, standing in front of them.

"Run, Niki." Wilbur pushed her behind him, refusing to meet her eyes. He couldn't face her after everything he had done.

"Wilbur-"

"Run to the forest. I'll be right behind you." Wilbur's eyes met Fundy's, and they narrowed. He turned away sharply. "Run."

"START TAKING SHOTS AT HER BOYS!"

A flaming arrow shot past Wilbur's head, nearly missing him as he tried to dodge and weave, keeping Niki in front of him.

And as they retreated into the forest, Wilbur felt the overwhelming premonition in his veins, filling him up like lead.

They had lost.

And Schlatt had won.

---

The lights blared on Schlatt. His vision swirled as he leaned on the microphone, watching the two figures flee into the night.

His head hurt.

His eyes were wet.

He reached up, lightly touching the bags under his eyes.

They were wet.

Why am I crying?

Schlatt looked around for comfort, for someone, but no one was there.

He killed the person that was there.

But he was supposed to be happy. He had done the right thing. He had gotten rid of the bad guy.

Why am I still crying?

Were heroes supposed to feel bad after killing the villain?

This isn't the way it was supposed to go......

His drink slipped out of his hand, crashing to the ground.

Why am I still crying?

Everyone stared at him. He was in the spotlight.

Like he wanted them to.

But still he felt alone.

"Schlatt, y-you didn't have to do that-" Quackity stared at the box that Tubbo once stood, adrenaline and shock starting to fade.

"Get me a beer."

Schlatt covered his eyes, tears slipping through his fingertips uncontrollably.

"Schlatt-"

"I SAID GET ME A GODDAMN BEER!"

Water was numb as it flooded everywhere.

He felt empty.

It's not fair.

And somewhere off in the distance, a red gown floated down above a spinning trident.

Hands laid down a small boy with a mop of brown hair, scars on his cheeks from rockets.

Techno looked at his closed long brown eyelashes as voices overlapped.

Weak.

If he hadn't caught himself at the last second, his hand might not have moved. And then the trigger would be fatal.

Can't kill.

Techno sighed, turning away from his sin.

Why didn't you just finish the job?

Techno didn't know.

Why didn't you just do the only thing you're good at?

Techno took off, the trident digging into his palm.

Blood dripped out in prongs.

He guessed that it was the human in him.

He couldn't afford to be human right now.

---

Techno stepped into the ravine. Screams were trapped in the walls.

"YOU!"

Tommy looked up, every ounce of rage and anger in his eyes as he shook.

"YOU KILLED HIM!"

His hand shook as he let out a guttural scream, cradling his stomach.

"YOU KILLED HIM!"

Wilbur's head filled with thoughts of violence again, the voices overlapping at the sound of screams, of pain.

He could've stopped the pain, but he was stupid.

He didn't press the button.

Everybody is just listening to whoever has the most power.

Techno stood stone-faced, taking the blows.

No one cares. No one has any honor here.

"YOU TOOK HIM AWAY FROM ME!" Tommy felt like he couldn't breathe as tears streamed down his face. "HE WAS MINE AND YOU TOOK HIM AWAY!"

"Think about it Tommy. Think about what he did to Tubbo."

Tommy screamed, heart-wrenching sounds of pain as he charged as Techno, punching with all of his might.

"Tommy no!" Niki tried to stop him, eyes widening in horror, but Wilbur held her back. "Tommy, violence isn't right-"

Techno dodged each of Tommy's lousy blows easily. "Kid, you don't want to do this-"

"YOU TOOK HIM AWAY!" Tommy swung and swung blindly, unable to see anymore. "HE'S GONE!"

"Kid-"

"HE'S GONE!"

Snot and tears streamed down his face.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!"

Techno's eyes narrowed. "Nothing's fair, Tommy. I thought I taught you that already."

"But if you want to play it that way, then fine. We'll play it that way then."

Techno's fist raised, punching down against Tommy's face.

Tommy stumbled back, the punch numb. He couldn't feel anything.

And he charged forward with another scream, his fists raw and bleeding.

Wilbur grinned as he held Niki back, the metallic scent of blood filling the air.

Another punch.

Oh, how right he was.

Techno looked at Tommy with almost pity as he charged forward again, not giving up. Techno caught him, holding him into a headlock. Tommy flailed and punched and screamed hysterically, but he couldn't escape.

Techno squeezed tighter against his neck. "Yield, kid."

"LET GO OF ME YOU BASTARD!" Tommy's screams slowly turned to quieter sobs as he lost air, his tears choking him more than Techno's arm did. He gasped for breath, but he wouldn't give up. He was going to fight for Tubbo.

Techno felt Tommy's body go even limper, but he wouldn't let go. "KID YIELD!"

Tommy's mind went cloudy as he slowly faded.

Was he going to be with Tubbo now?

"TECHNO!" Niki's screams were muffled in Tommy's brain. "LET GO OF HIM! YOU'RE GOING TO KILL HIM! LET GO-"

Tommy smiled.

I'm going to be with you forever.

But to his disappointment again, the tightness around his neck stopped, and he collapsed to the ground, coughing.

Why did he never seem to die?

"FUCK YOU!"

He scrambled up, blood running down his nose, defeated. His voice was raspy as his body became more and more tired.

"FUCK ALL OF YOU!"

And the swirling ground pushed him away, away from the bloody grounds and the false home filled with bad memories, of screaming and loneliness.

"I told you, Tommy. There's no use speaking in words." Techno's eyes showed a glimpse of sadness.

"THE ONLY UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE IS VIOLENCE!"

Techno's voice chased him down, down, down.

"HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO TAKE MANBURG DOWN WITHOUT ME!?"

Where do people go when they die?

Tommy collapsed in the tunnels.

He was cold. He was really cold. Grief set into his bones, draining them of their energy.

Do they go somewhere else?

He didn't want to get up. He felt like he couldn't move even if he wanted to.

Or are they just...

He couldn't cry anymore as he tried to squeeze out every drop, shutting his eyes tight. Weak coughs expelled from his throat. He'd never felt this..... empty before.

Gone.

The knees of his pants were ripped, and his bare skin dug into the rough oak wood.

I really do want to know if they go to a better place than this.

His shoulders shook as he screamed out one last time, the sound echoing against the lonely walls of the narrow tunnel.

I think the uncertainty of it all is what really makes people scared.

His hand curled around his neck, feeling the green bandana.

I really do hope they go to a better place.

He sniffled as he sunk to the ground, bloor still running down his nose. He tried to wipe it away, but it stained his hands, dripping onto the cold hard ground.

A pang ran through his stomach.

There was nothing left.

Tommy now knew what it felt like to want to close your eyes and never wake up.

Or maybe

A squeaking noise came from the back of his mind coming closer and closer. Tommy lifted his foggy head up, realising that the squeaking was echoing through the tunnel.

The universe decides

And a small figure came into focus through Tommy's blurry eyes. His suit jacket was discarded, gone into the wind, his clothes ripped at the sleeves and burned at the edges. His foot dragged behind him, dirtied leather shoes squeaking against the hardwood floor.

Tommy rubbed his eyes as the boy came closer and closer, dragging himself with all his might. But the figure didn't go away.

He stopped in front of Tommy, clutching something to his chest covered with scars.

He held it out, his arm shaking.

It was a pale, yellow sunflower, crumpled. Some petals were torn off, some chunks missing.

But it was still there.

That their time's not up yet

"H-Hi."

Tubbo's smile shook against his face in pain.

And Tommy caught him as he collapsed, finally able to rest at last.

"I-I thought you were gone-" Tommy blinked away his tears, hugging Tubbo close. "I-I didn't think Techno would shoot, I could've stopped it, I'm so sorry-"

"T-Tommy," Tubbo let something escape from his chest, finally allowing himself to cry. "I-It hurts. I-It hurts a lot."

"I know, I know." Tommy patted his back softly, relief settling into his chest. He closed his eyes, warmth settling back in his bones. "You're ok now, I promise. You're ok."

"W-Wilbur said he wouldn't hurt me." Tubbo's voice sounded at the verge of a breakdown, tears leaking out of his eyes from the pain from everywhere.

"I know." And Tommy teared up too.

He should've knew better.

"I'm sorry. I know."

"T-Tommy what are we going to do- what's going to happen to us-" Tubbo struggled to breathe as he held the flower closer to his chest.

Tommy took a deep breath, composing himself.

"We're going to keep going. You and me." Tubbo's scarred arms brushed against his. "We're ok. We're alright. We're alright now."

Tubbo looked up at him, his brown eyes teary.

"But are we?"

Tommy paused in shock for a second, before desperately answering.

"We're going to be alright. I promise."

Tubbo liked playing make-believe.

Time is ticking, ticking, ticking .

---

"Technoblade, why would you do that!?" Niki was tearful as she shouted at Techno, who was staring off into the space that Tommy once was. "You were supposed to help us!"

"I forgive Technoblade."

Niki watched in shock as Wilbur clapped delightfully, laughing at some funny joke nobody could understand.

"Will, what is going on?"

What happened to you?

"Oh oh that's right!" Wilbur patted her arm roughly. "You haven't heard! We're going to blow it up! Manburg will be NO MORE!" He laughed maniacally again.

Niki's heart dropped to her stomach as she watched Wilbur devolve in front of her, a shaking husk.

This, this was not Wilbur.

It couldn't be.

His hands that played songs on the guitar were shaking.

And his laugh that he had shared with her so many nights was now demonic.

This wasn't Wilbur.

"Oh, oh Niki, it's alright, it's ok-" Wilbur noticed Niki's scared eyes, and he came closer, trying to hug her.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

Wilbur's eyes flared with hurt.

"Niki, I'm doing this because I want to keep you safe-"

"You are not the same person that wanted to keep me safe!" Niki stumbled back, stomach sinking to the floor again. "That man loved his country, and his friends, and his songs, and everything he built!"

"But you clearly can't love anything anymore."

Niki turned away sharply, refusing to look at the trainwreck that something beautiful had become.

I guess you did keep your promise.

Another hole was punched in Wilbur's heart as Niki ran down the tunnel just like Tommy, away, away from him.

Just accept that you're a monster.

And Wilbur wished he could cry tears, but he couldn't. He had cried enough already.

Just stop the time from ticking.