It was dark again, the moon lighting up the ground in front of me.

I watched as I was walking through a birch forest, searching for something. The moon shone against the trees, creating long shadows behind them. There were twigs and leaves all over the ground but the thing possessing my body didn't make a sound.

It was unnerving how quiet this thing inside of me was. I moved with feline grace, somehow stepping over every object that could create a sound. The darkness heightened my senses, allowing me to see and hear much better than the average person.

That's how I knew someone was standing in the forest in front of me long before I could see them. I could hear their even breathing, the rhythm of their heart.

Quiet whispers in the back of my mind urged me forwards, towards the person. I knew it wasn't who I was looking for, but it was someone.

Schlatt had sent me out to grab Tubbo to do his bidding, but the boy was nowhere to be seen. I had checked the old van, where he usually slept, but it was empty. So I wandered into the woods, letting the voices in my head guide me.

I had been in the forest for a little over twenty minutes, still not finding Tubbo, before I heard the person.

Now, I moved towards where the person was waiting behind a cluster of trees. When the darkness pulled out a sword from the sheath at my side, I was surprised but grateful.

It wasn't my sword that I had created, instead replaced with a simple diamond one. It's pale blue color seemed to glow in the low light. I didn't want the darkness to possess the powerful sword I had made, who knows what damage it could've done with that.

I crept up to the tree, silent on my black boots. My once flowing dress was replaced with simple black clothes. I had taken the dress off when I had to go searching for the boy, favoring efficiency over fashion.

Before I could reach around the tree, the person stepped out of their hiding spot. The human part of me went into a frenzy when I recognized them.

I tried screaming for them to get away. I tried to get my feet to turn in the other direction, but the darkness rooted me to the spot. I clawed at the box my soul was kept in, trying to gain some control.

I felt a dark smile form on my face, "Hello Dream."

-

He had his mask on, glinting in the moonlight. His mouth, which was the only uncovered part of his face, was pulled into a line. The only emotion he showed was the slight anxiety in his still posture.

"Hello, y/n." His voice was grave, emotionless. He must've noticed the sword in my hand because he pulled an ax off his back, casually holding it. "Or do you have a different name?"

"No, I still have that name," I said sweetly to him, taking a step towards him. I mentally urged Dream to run, to put as much space as I could between him and this darkness. But he stayed.

"Why would you keep that name if she's gone?" His voice stayed calm, calculating. He was trying to see if there was any human part of me left, I realized. I fought harder, trying to show any sign to him that I was there.

My smile just darkened, I casually waved my sword around, "Oh Dream, I know what you're doing." I stepped towards him again, coming close to his face. He stood as still as he could as I leaned in towards his ear, "She's gone."

With those words, I heard a slight stumble in his heartbeat. When I leaned back, his mouth was slightly agape, searching for words.

The darkness just laughed inside of me. It was feeding off his pain.

Suddenly, Dream moved his mask to the side, showing his face. His eyes bore into mine, frantically searching for me.

I was screaming, clawing as hard as I could at the box. The darkness was just laughing at my attempts, whispering how pathetic I was. It knew how badly I wanted to get to the boy in front of us.

"Y/n, I know you're in there. Fight back." He was trying to help me, he didn't believe I was gone.

My body shook with laughter, "She's gone. You aren't getting your precious girl back. She's mine now."

All of a sudden, I burst out of the box, my body coming back to my commands. I felt the air around me, felt the slight chill clinging to my bones.

I could breathe again.

But I didn't have a strong hold on myself, I could feel the darkness fighting for control again.

I fell to my knees, looking up at Dream. He rushed to my side, gripping me. His emerald eyes stared into mine, tears pricking them.

I smiled a small smile at him, the only sign I could offer him that I was still there. I felt myself losing control, the darkness pulling me back to the box.

He cupped my face, "Stay. Please stay." I felt something break inside me even more. I couldn't stay, I wasn't strong enough.

I wasn't able to respond, exhaustion creeping into my mind. But he didn't use any more words, shoving a kiss onto my lips. It was desperate, sadness filling me.

But, a burst of hot light rushed through me from it. I grasped it, trying to strengthen myself. It wasn't enough to keep me here, but enough that I could save for later. I could build myself.

He leaned back right as the darkness reached me. It grasped me, closing me back in the box. I started to lose my senses, the control on my body slipping away.

As I was about to lose total control, I grasped Dream, getting out one word, "Run."

-

Dream pov

Her body went slack in his hands for a moment before going totally rigid.

He took that as a sign to get away from her, backing up. His hands were sweating, making the hilt of his ax slippery. She had told him to run but he stood watching her.

When her dark eyes snapped up to him, he quickly moved his mask back in place.

She was still in there, fighting. Of course she was, he was dumb to think otherwise. The y/n he knew would never stop fighting. She was stronger than the darkness, she just had to rebuild her strength.

She stood elegantly, but he could see the anger on her face as she spoke, "What did you do?" Her voice was hard, different from her normally warm one. Her words, or the darkness's words, shot daggers through him, piercing his heart.

He had to silently remind himself that this wasn't her. It was something evil, gods who only wished to cause heartbreak and pain. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing his pain.

His heart quickened at the sight of her picking up the diamond sword, which was previously thrown to the side. She raised it towards him, aiming for his heart.

She wanted to kill him.

He raised his ax in response, raising his chin as well, "I know you lied. She's still in there." He held his head high, preparing himself for a fight.

The thing that was y/n growled, taking a step towards him. Her face looked totally different, pure hatred and wrath covering it. She raised her sword, ready to strike, but paused. She tilted her slightly as if she were listening to something he couldn't hear.

She lowered her sword, a warm smile appearing on her face. Huh?

On cue, a twig snapped behind him. Careful not to turn his back on her, he glanced over to see Tubbo. He stood frozen, staring at them like a deer caught in headlights.

"Oh, there you are Tubbo!" She walked over to him, pulling him into a hug. Tubbo went rigid like the hug was hurting him. He didn't embrace her back, instead silently staring at Dream. There was pleading in his eyes. "I was looking all over for you! Where were you?" Her voice was filled with fake sweetness, masking the cold edge.

Tubbo's eyes darted around, "Uh, I was taking a w-walk." His voice came out shaky, his hands beginning to shake as well. He was scared of her, maybe as much as he was scared of Schlatt. Dream saw something sad in his eyes as well, the same pain he felt.

The pain of losing her.

So Dream did the only thing he could, "Tubbo, will you come over to my house? I need you to help me with a project having to do with bees." Dream beckoned the boy towards him, ignoring the harsh stare y/n was giving him.

Tubbo took a step forward but the girl held an arm out in front of him, stopping him. "Sorry Dream, Tubbo has to come with me. Schlatt needs him." She smiled sweetly at his mask, but there was a chilling look in her eyes.

He knew he couldn't fight her, so he just watched as she led Tubbo away. The boy looked over his shoulder, one last pleading look before they disappeared into the night.

-

Y/n pov

The new White House stood atop the hill, overlooking the nation below. The windows were glowing a warm light contrasted to the dark night.

No stars shone in the sky tonight, only the moon shone. The moonlight made the tears in Tubbo's eyes glitter. I know he's scared of me, and it hurt me that he was.

We hadn't spoken since we left Dream in the words, but a dark smirk had stayed on my face.

I wondered where Tubbo had actually gone. He clearly wasn't just taking a walk but the darkness hasn't questioned him.

I led the timid boy into the House straight to Schlatt.

The horned man was sitting in his office with Quackity. When we stepped in they were laughing, Schlatt taking swigs from a bottle.

Quackity's laughter came to a halt, eyeing me nervously. Schlatt was still laughing, turning to face us, "Ah y/n, Tubbo! Where have you two been?"

He was clearly drunk. His words were slurring slightly, a loopy grin on his face. He couldn't even remember that he gave me orders to find Tubbo.

"I went to find Tubbo, as you had asked." My voice was clipped, annoyance apparent. Even if I was terrified of the man, the darkness was clearly not. It snapped at Schlatt like I wouldn't have any consequences.

Schlatt's eyes snapped to me, the grin disappearing off his face. He stood, walking over to where I stood. He leaned in towards my face, and even though the darkness wouldn't let me smell it, I knew the scent of alcohol was there. "Watch your tone." Mentally, I flinched away, but my body didn't move. I just stared Schlatt down with the same intensity he looked at me with.

Tubbo was attempting to hide the shake in his hands, tucking them behind his back. But when Schlatt turned his intense gaze on the boy, his whole body burst into tremors.

I wanted to reach out and tug him into my arms, drag him away from the man. But I was enslaved to this darkness, only able to watch.

"And where were you Tubbo?" Although his words were still slurred, his eyes darkened.

Tubbo didn't respond, his skin turning pale. His forehead was shining slightly, his eyes darting around. He looked like he was going to pass out. And from the sound of his racing heart, he was about to.

The darkness grew agitated at waiting, letting out an annoyed sigh, "He was taking a walk in the woods."

Tubbo's eyes darted to me, gratefulness flashing in them for a moment. But Schlatt was anything but grateful that I had responded instead. He turned on me, anger tightening his face. Malice danced in his eyes.

"Did I ask you?" He shot at me.

Annoyance flared in me. The darkness didn't appreciate being treated like this. So I rolled my eyes.

Something snapped in the horned man's eyes. He raised the bottle he was holding, bringing it down on me. I was quicker than him though. I raised my arm to protect myself, glass shattering.

No pain flared in response. Only annoyance.

The darkness went to lash out, but paused at the red streaks now racing down my arm. Even though I knew it should've hurt, there was no pain.

"Stop it!"

Tubbo stared wide-eyed at us, shock filling his features. He seemed like he hadn't meant to say that out loud. He took a step back, pressing his back to the wall.

Schlatt stepped closer to him causing the boy to start shaking again. "So now you decide to speak, eh?" The man got into Tubbo's personal space, a black fog beginning to ripple around him. I was silently screaming, trying to stop what was about to occur. I could see Schlatt's intentions in his posture.

I was clawing for control again, beginning to sob internally.

In one swift movement, Schlatt had pulled back and punched Tubbo squarely in the face.

Silence followed his punch, Tubbo staring with shock at the man. He raised a shaky hand to his split cheek, feeling the crimson red. A deep blue was already starting to form on his skin.

"Now that should teach you about acting out," Schlatt said simply before sitting down behind his desk again. He grabbed another bottle of the pale liquid from under his desk, taking a swig from it.

Tubbo stood frozen in the same spot, staring at the blood that dripped from his hands, tears flowing freely down his cheeks. The darkness was getting drunk on his pain, eating away at it.

The boy seemed to come around, quickly looking at me. My face yielded no emotion though, only darkness lurking in my eyes. He looked away, running out the door.

I had just stood there and let one of my closest friends get punched. I hated the darkness even more at that moment. But the evil inside me didn't seem to care.

It did care though, about the glass that was littered around my feet. Schlatt had attacked me, and drunk or not, he was going to pay for it.

Before I could lash out at him, Quackity turned on the man, "Schlatt what the hell!" I had forgotten the boy was even in the room. He was silent during the whole ordeal, seeing now as a time to stand up for the other. "Why did you do that?!"

Schlatt set the bottle down harshly, drops flying from it, "He needed to be taught a lesson."

"He's just a boy!" Quackity waved his hands around angrily. I could sense the defiance raising in him.

"I don't care! He should've kept his rutty mouth closed." Schlatt leaned back again, sipping on the liquid. He clearly didn't need more but I didn't stop him. Maybe the man would drink himself to death, taking the darkness and evil gods back to whatever dark hole he came from with him. "Now get the hell out of my white house before I hit the shit out of you."

Quackity gaped at him, muttering something under his breath. The boy made a wise decision and left the room. He slammed the door behind him, shaking the bottles under Schlatt's desk. His opened bottle moved dangerously close to the edge of the desk.

Schlatt turned his now bloodshot eyes to me, a lazy smile appearing on his face once more. "Ah y/n! When did you get here?"

I just rolled my eyes and followed Quackity out the door, slamming it even harder.

I heard a shatter and a curse afterward, satisfaction filling me.

~~~~

poor tubbo :(

TYSM FOR 2K READS, HOLY CRAP!! (ty for the comments and votes as well :)

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