In which Tommy has to grow up.

      Or, the last time we will see weakness from the villain.

"Shit."

Sapnap watched in horror as orange flames flicked across the night sky, darting and sparking.

"Shit shit shit shit shit-"

A yellow monster ate away at the tower, the pretty tower. He watched as the supports crumbled, only a black husk remaining. It was too late. Too late.

"Shit..."

George was next to him, the flames reflected in his clout glasses. "He really did it, huh?"

Sapnap ran his fingers through his long black hair with stress. "Oh god, how am I going to explain this to Karl- we worked so hard on that thing-"

He tore his bandana off in frustration. "I'M GONNA KILL THAT BASTARD KID!"

George looked up as the flames ate away at the last of the tower.

It's funny how something that took so long to make can be destroyed in an instant.

Suddenly, the tree boughs next to them rustled, a disgruntled cat stumbling out. A chunk of fur was missing from his arm, and he cradled it with pain.

"Did I hear something about killing Tommyinnit?"

---

"So.... we did it."

"Yeah."

Tommy could see the orange finally flicker away over the trees. The giant cobblestone tower loomed behind them.

"We did it."

And now Tommy just felt tired.

It was nighttime.

He realized that now.

And he still didn't feel better.

He watched as Skeppy shifted awkwardly, trying to warm up Bad in the breezing night air.

He looked over at Dream, who was smirking at him.

He had gotten what he wanted.

A new Tommy.

Ready to cause chaos.

But this time, with even more destruction.

He looked down.

The armor fit him perfectly. His crossbow hung at his side, his hand fitting every crack with expertise.

But he didn't feel any sense of pride, or happiness.

He just wanted to go home.

And have a nice sleep.

And maybe a good cry or two on Wilbur's shoulder, and a few pat on the backs, and for Wilbur to sing him to sleep with his guitar.

But he was too old for that.

"TOMMYINNIT!"

Tommy turned around to see an angry trio storming towards them, Sapnap in front, sword in hand. He pointed it straight at Tommy's neck, fire in his eyes.

"You fucked up."

Tommy didn't look him in the eye, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "You killed my cow."

"YOU BURNT DOWN MY TOWER!" Sapnap's arm trembled.

"I-I didn't."

The lie slipped out of his lips before he could stop it.

I guess a part of him was still scared.

His arm jumped up, pointing at Skeppy and Bad. "They did."

"What the fuck!?" Skeppy's eyebrows furrowed with rage.

"Language." Bad said quietly, still sleepy.

"I'm done with you, Tommyinnit. C'mon Bad."

Skeppy pulled Bad over to Sapnap, standing next to him. "You clearly didn't think this through."

Tommy glanced around. Niki was still behind him, growing increasingly worried, but still holding her sword steadily, even though she didn't have any armor. Dream was nowhere to be found.

Bastard.

"You're looking for a war, kid. You just don't know when to quit, do you?"

Tommy looked up, his crystal blue eyes flaring to meet Sapnap's.

"Let's fucking start a war then."

Purple lit the sky as Tommy raised his sword, slicing down.

Clang .

Tommy kept his feet grounded as his sword met Sapnap's.

"TOMMY WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"

"Niki stay behind me!" Tommy stepped back under the pressure, sword ringing as he swung it away, meeting George's. "I can take them!"

Suddenly, a foot connected with his stomach, and Tommy stumbled back, coughing. He tried to reach for his sword, but a blade was digging into his neck.

"I wouldn't get too cocky."

Sapnap smirked down at him. In the corner of his eye, Tommy could see Niki struggling against Antfrost's hold.

"TOMMY! HELP!"

Tommy glared at Sapnap, despite the sword dangerously nearing throat. "Let her go, bitch."

"This is no time to be making threats, Tommy." Sapnap chuckled, his team standing behind him. "You're outnumbered."

"And I hate to say it to you." Tommy let go of his communicator behind his back.

Tommy met Sapnap's eyes, unafraid.

"There's one thing I have that you'll never, ever have."

Sapnap looked down at him in amusement, sneering. "What?"

Tommy grinned.

"I have The Blade."

Tommy dove out of the way as a shadow fell over them both, blood-red filling the skies. The air charged with electricity as a diamond sword sliced down in an arc.

Tommy rolled over in the dirt, looking up.

Technoblade stood in the center of the battlefield, his crown glinting on top of his newly cut hair. His eyes were red with anger, the team of 5 cowering as far as they could. Niki smirked next to Tommy, free from her bonds.

"I WAS HAVING A GOOD SLEEP!"

His diamond sword pointed towards each of them. "WHICH ONE OF YOU WAS IT?"

"Woah, woah Blade." Tommy chuckled nervously, stumbling over to him. "It's fine, it's fine."

"This isn't over yet."

Sapnap stood up, blood streaming from his broken nose. "You've messed with the wrong people, Tommyinnit. Dream's gonna kill you when he comes back."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that."

Dream suddenly appeared from the nothingness, mask pulled down, blocking his emotions. He stood next to Tommy, who glared at him. "Now you decide to show up!"

"Dream?"

George's voice emerged from the group, and he pushed his way forward, taking off his clout glasses. "You're back?"

Dream's mask stared back at him, emotionless. He didn't respond.

Dream never wore his mask around him.

Never.

"Y-you're on his side?" George's brown eyes were filled with confusion.

Dream's voice shook ever so slightly. "It- it is in my best interest to protect Tommyinnit."

"But- we're a team! You said we were a team-" Sapnap clutched his sword, his hand shaking.

"Muffin what are you doing?" Bad longer was tired, his eyes wide in disbelief. "Snap out of it!"

Tommy noticed Dream's hand twitch as he tried to keep himself steady.

"It is in my best interest."

"I WAITED FOR YOU!"

George shook with anger that nobody had seen before. Tears brimmed in his eyes as he stepped forward with rage, his sword tip shaking. "I CRIED FOR YOU, I WAITED AND WAITED AND NOT EVEN ONE TEXT BACK- NOT EVEN ONE TEXT!"

"AND THIS WHOLE TIME!" Tears streamed down George's face openly now. "THIS WHOLE TIME YOU MUCH RATHER HELP THE KID YOU SAID WAS OUR ENEMY THEN HELP ME!"

His fists clenched.

"I HATE YOU!"

George's sword lashed out.

And all hell broke loose.

Tommy raised his sword, blocking Antfrost's blow. "TECHNO! Take Skeppy and Bad! I've got Ant!"

Techno nodded at him, spinning his sword in his hand. He rushed towards Skeppy, sparks flying as Skeppy desperately tried to keep Bad behind him.

"Never thought you'd let a child order you around."

Techno spun away, ducking as Dream and he switched places, Dream's ax implanting in Skeppy's shield. He blocked Sapnap's powerful swing, tripping him. "He's not a child anymore."

Techno whipped out his crossbow, shooting it at Bad, who barely dodged it. He locked eyes with Dream for a split second, his eyes boring into Dream's soul, straight through the mask.

"Did you get what you want?"

Before Dream could respond, they were torn apart, George pushing him towards the forest. He raised up his sword in defense, but he didn't push back.

He couldn't.

George's movements were filled with pure anger and pure intent.

He wanted to hurt him.

"You know, I cried every night. EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!"

George's steps were heavy. He wasn't fighting with his normal, nimble movement. Dream halfheartedly blocked his strikes. His emotionless mask made George even angrier.

"I wish I hadn't wasted my tears on you." Dream stepped backward, George advancing, face contorting in anger. "I WISH I HADN'T WASTED ANYTHING ON YOU!"

"George-"

Dream couldn't stop himself from croaking out, trying to defend himself. "I-I'm doing this for you."

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR ME!" Tears lept off of George's face, his sword hanging at his side.

"YOU HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING FOR ME! IT'S ALL FOR YOU YOU YOU! AND YOU LEFT ME HERE ALONE!"

His voice echoed through the forest, hanging in the air. He stood there, looking for any reaction, waiting and waiting for anything at all from Dream.

But he just stood there, emotionless.

"AREN'T YOU GOING TO SAY ANYTHING?"

The 2 black dots peered at him.

"SAY SOMETHING!" George's sword swung down, ringing against Dream's.

"RESPOND!"

Clash.

"WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?"

Clang.

"HUH?"

Crack

George's sword slashed across Dream's mask.

It broke, falling.

Dream's emerald eyes shone at him, glassy as tears streamed down his cheeks, glistening on his freckles. His eyes were sunken, starving.

George's sword clattered to the ground.

They stared at each other, silent.

"GEORGE!"

George spun around, Bad stumbling towards him. He supported Skeppy with one arm, his head lolling against Bad's shoulder, his eyes blinking rapidly. An arrow was stuck out of his side.

"We're leaving." Bad's eyes glistened with tears. "We're going home."

"Bad, we can't just give up now-"

"I'M NOT GOING TO LET HIM GET HURT EVEN MORE!"

Bad's voice roared out, shocking George.

"But-"

George looked back, but Dream wasn't there.

He had vanished.

"Let's just go."

---

"LET'S GO!"

Techno whooped, playfully punching Tommy's arm in excitement. His brain still buzzed with the excitement of the hunt, the blood. "Victory!"

Tommy watched as the last of the enemy retreated over the hill, back towards Manburg. He tried to smile. "YEHHHHHH!"

Techno looked over at Tommy, noticing the armor. "It.... fits you."

"Yeh! Poggers, right?" Tommy looked down, grinning.

Techno looked down. "Yeah..... pog."

He looked at Tommy, meeting his eyes. They seemed darker now, more mature. "You're a pretty good leader, Tommy."

"Thanks, Techno." Tommy looked towards the rising sun, face dropping.

"Shit. I forgot to get Tubbo out of Manburg. Fuck he probably hasn't even slept yet-"

"Tommy-"

But it was too late.

Tommy had already stumbled towards the forest sleepily, his armor weighing him down.

Techno stared after him, spirits dropping.

Dream appeared next to him, wiping away tears. Techno turned towards him angrily. "This isn't right."

"You got what you wanted, right?" Dream tried to force his trademark smirk on his face. "Anarchy. No rules. No government. Just fighting. Survival of the fittest."

He pulled his mask down over his head, glued together again.

"Eyes on the prize, Technoblade."