I stayed with Techno, brewing potions and crafting golden apples into the early hours of the morning. When I emerged from his little base, the sky was beginning to pale with whispers of the rising sun.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, tightening the saddlebag attached to my new horse's side. It was lumpy from the supplies I created with my friend, almost overflowing. I patted the horse's gray side, contemplating for a moment.

I looked at the white specks that dotted her back, a name coming to mind. I smiled, "I'll name you Ash." She neighed softly in response. Her white spots reminded me of the ashes that often dusted the floor when I was near Dream.

Techno climbed on top of Carl, me doing the same on Ash. The man had said that he wanted to do something near Pogtopia, and then he would ride home with me. He said he needed to talk to Dream about the plan he had in mind.

We rode at a slow pace, the only sounds were the clicks of hooves and the squeak of our saddles. I watched the colors of the sky begin to deepen, the sun rising higher. It would still be a while before the sun was fully above the horizon.

I glanced at Techno, "So, what do you need to tell Dream?"

His blood red cape was spread across Carl, swishing a bit as he turned to me, "I have an answer to the question he asked me the other night."

I nodded, not pushing him for answers. I turned my forwards but I could still feel him looking at me, "What?"

He shook his head, "You don't want to know what my answer for him is?"

I shrugged, "If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to. It's really none of my business." I glanced at him, "But if you would like to tell me, you can."

He was quiet for a moment, staring off in front of us. He turned towards me again, "If Pogtopia wins their rebellion, I don't plan on supporting them after that." He tilted his head slightly, "But you knew that already. I've tried to warn Tommy, but he didn't listen."

I nodded, not at all surprised. The boy tended to get caught up in what was right in front of him. Even if Techno did warn him, Tommy would create a new government anyway.

"If they create a new government, I will do anything necessary to remove it."

"You know, I think no government is better. It seems to only be causing issues," I released Ash's reins, leaning my head on my hand, "I don't understand why we can't all just live in peace. That's why I fought in this war!"

The man nodded, understanding in his eyes. I knew Techno was the one person who would always understand me. It made me feel warm inside knowing he would never judge me. I glanced around the plains, watching as we got closer to Pogtopia.

I jumped off my horse when we reached the oak door, tying her to a low hanging branch. Techno did the same with Carl, telling me he would be back in a few minutes. I ventured into the base, Techno walking off towards the lake with a bag of his potions in hand.

Surprisingly, the ravine was quiet when I entered. I had expected to see the small rebellion scurrying about, collecting supplies, and planning. But instead, there was only silence.

I walked down the stairs, walking towards the potato farm. I shoved my hands into my hoodie pocket, humming a made-up song. The tune was happy, but the stone walls made the echoes sound creepy.

My humming died as I came around the corner, slowing my steps to a stop. The strange sounds of the nether portal across from me filled the silence.

"Wilbur?"

The disheveled man was laying on the floor, eyes closed. He was cradling something but his long sleeves covered up what it was. His breaths were shallow, his chest rising and falling quickly. There was a slight wheeze coming from him.

At the sound of his name, he jerked straight up. His eyes were bloodshot, frantically searching around. He seemed thinner, paler. When his eyes landed on me, an ominous smile crept onto his face, "Hello, y/n, what are you doing here?"

I was surprised he wasn't weary of me after finding out there was a traitor.

I was about to answer when something tumbled out of his hands. I took a step back, eyeing the bright red color of TnT. It was a single stick, but enough to damage.

I looked up at the man, "Wilbur, why do you have that?"

He glanced at it, scrambling for it a moment later. As he reached for it, more stuff fell out of his pockets. A box of matches and a single oak button skidded across the floor. They stopped at my feet, Wilbur freezing.

I reached down, picking up the matches and button. I held them up in front of me, my eyes widening. I stared at the man, his mouth agape. He stumbled for words, "I can explain."

I spread my arms, "Then explain!" My raised voice echoed against the walls.

He avoided my stare, his voice shaky, "Well, I- uh... I wasn't planning on doing anything with that."

I didn't believe him for a second. I pocketed the items, "Wilbur, what would Tommy think of you having these?"

At the mention of his brother, something changed in him. His face became harder, a fire lighting in his eyes. His voice wasn't shaky when he spoke again, "Tommy already knows that if we don't win, I'll go through with blowing it up. Don't bring him into this."

I laughed dryly, "I didn't bring him into this. You have already done that when you told him you wanted to be the bad guys. Do you know what that did to him?" I didn't hide the bite in my tone, the protective side of me coming out. I had never liked Wilbur that much, but this pushed me over the edge.

Wilbur stood, his tall form towering over me, "I was only telling him the truth! L'manburg is gone. Even if we win it back in a couple of days, it won't be the same! We are the bad guys, Schlatt won fairly!"

I stalked up to the man, staring him down, no matter his height, "Do you realize what you were doing to him?" Silence followed my words, "You hurt him! You were his big brother, the one he looked up to even in times of hurt and war!"

I shoved my hands into his chest, making him stumble, "He followed you even when you were exiled. Tommy almost died during the Revolution, almost lost his best friend, and lost his home, all to follow you!"

Wilbur squared his shoulders, a menacing look on his face, "He chose that! I didn't force him into this!"

I let my voice drop, "Yeah, but he loves you and of course, he would do all of that, for you. For L'manburg." I turned, talking to him from over my shoulder, "And you abandoned him when he needed you most."

I went to walk away, turning my back on the man. Wilbur grasped my wrist, spinning me back around. In that moment, I knew I was in real danger. Wilbur had never been a true threat to me, but now, if he wasn't already gone, he was walking a very thin line between sane and insanity.

Familiar madness was in his eyes, but this time it was less human. His brows were pulled together in fury, hatred dancing on his face. I tried to tug out of his grip but his hand was locked on my wrist.

He snarled at me, "You have no idea how it feels to be locked in your own head. Have you ever had to listen to dark thoughts for days on end?"

I stopped trying to struggle, my body going still. I looked Wilbur directly in the eye, my voice dripping with venom, "Yes, I have had to deal with that. If you forgot in your insanity, I spent at least a week trapped in my own head by the darkness that was invented by gods. I was trapped to give you time to escape!"

The only sound that followed my words was the racing beat of my heart in my ears. Wilbur didn't move, glaring at me. His grip was becoming tighter, his knuckles turning white with effort. I reached for my sword at my hip, but his hand took my other wrist.

I tried to get free, fear suddenly filling me. I called for my magic, but it didn't answer. I froze, staring down at the man's hands. My eyes widened as his sleeves fell backward, revealing his wrists.

Against his pale skin, there were two copper bands. I gaped, staring at them. When I looked back up at him, a dark smile was on his face, "Where's your magic when you need it, huh?"

A chill snaked down my spine. I wasn't sure what Wilbur was going to do, but thankfully, there was no sword, other than mine, nearby. Dream had taught me how to get out of situations like this, an instinct that was kicking in.

Years of training with Sapnap and Dream had gained me skills that I could use in any fight. They had taught me things that made me work without my magic. I learned to survive without using supernatural powers, but instead my own wit and physical strength.

I twisted my wrists, one flying free from his grip. Surprise decorated his face, making him pause. I didn't give him the chance to attack, spinning around so that I had my own hand wrapped around his wrist. I had his arm twisted behind him, a breath away from dislocating it.

Surprisingly, he pulled out of my hold, spinning to face me. I noted the portal behind me, a possible escape if necessary. My voice was hushed when I spoke, "Wilbur, what happened to you?"

"Shit happened to me! I lost my son, my nation, and now possibly my own brothers!" I could see the pain in his eyes. Something softened on me, my body slightly relaxing.

I raised my palms, "I can help you. You don't have to lose your brothers, and you could possibly gain L'manburg back! Fundy is on your side now, you could rekindle a relationship with him."

Tears were piling in his eyes, "No, I can't. All I've caused are problems! By creating L'manburg, running in an election. But I can fix that all if I blow it up!" A sad smile, twinged with madness, appeared on his face.

I took a small step towards him cautiously, "You created L'manburg to protect those you love," I ignored my own opinions and emotions, trying to help the man, "But if you blow it up, it'll all be lost."

I was closer to him now, a foot away. I slowly placed my hand on his arm, ignoring the warnings my magic was throwing at me. I gave him a small smile, "You could get it back."

He glanced at my hand, tears now freely falling down his face. He reached a hand into his pocket, keeping it there. I didn't think anything of it, keeping my focus on his face. At this point, my magic was screaming, almost physically pulling me away.

My legs shaked with effort to keep me in place, the magic almost consuming my actions. He gave me another sad smile, "I don't think I can. Not when there's a traitor. Not when people like you stand in the way of me blowing it up."

My instincts kicked in a moment too late as the man swiftly pulled his hand from his pocket. I screamed, throwing my body away from the man.

But it was too late, the cold metal of a dagger sinking into my side.

-

My screams were shrill, reflecting off the cold walls. Hot, searing pain shot through me, spider webbing from my side. I could feel my magic racing through my bones, trying to fix the wound.

I fell backward, crashing into the wall behind me. The dagger clattered to the ground, now stained red. A pool was beginning to form around it. Wilbur stood a step away from it, staring at it. His mouth was agape as if he was scared by his actions.

I pressed both of my hands to my side, ignoring the sticky feeling of it. I groaned, sliding down the wall. Too much blood was soaking my clothes. My navy hoodie was beginning to become even darker.

I ignored Wilbur, closing my eyes. I was surprised I hadn't lost consciousness yet, but I held on, hoping someone would come. My head was beginning to pound, my heart rate rising.

I heard frantic steps disappear upstairs, leaving me alone with the strange sounds of the nether portal.

No matter how tired I was, I pried my eyes open. Wilbur was missing and the world was starting to grow dark around the edges. I gritted my teeth, pushing myself into a standing position. I bit my tongue in an effort not to scream from the pain.

Breathing was becoming harder, wheezes taking its place. I gasped as I pushed off the wall towards the stairs. I staggered, kicking the dagger off to the side. The pain was worsening. Although he most likely missed any vital parts, he had stabbed me in a bad spot.

I leaned on the wall, not being able to keep in my scream as I lifted my foot to the first step. I tried to take a deep breath, taking one of my hands off the wound. I closed my eyes once again, feeling myself losing to the blood loss.

I couldn't lose, not just yet. I was just becoming close with Techno and Karl. I couldn't leave Dream, Sapnap, or George. The image of Tubbo's crying face and Tommy attempting to not cry flashed into my mind. I had to at least be able to say goodbye.

I opened my eyes, staring down the stairs in front of me. I ignored the sinking feeling as I saw how many steps there were, pushing my hand to the wall. I took another step, jolts shooting through my body.

A warm light surrounded me, light whispers swimming into my mind, Make it up the stairs. We will help you. A small surge of power pushed through my bones, helping me take step after step.

Red handprints painted the wall in my wake, already beginning to dry. The blood was spreading throughout my hoodie, beginning to drip from it. It landed in small drops on the stone stairs, going unheard behind my heavy breathing.

Satisfaction and joy rushed through me as I made it into the small room. It quickly washed away when I reached the oak door, my support of the wall disappearing. The light around me began to fade, my bones sagging without it. My muscles felt heavy and tired, shaking from the effort.

I pushed open the door, light flooding into the room. I took a step outside, falling to my knees. I didn't feel the impact that shot through me, my body slowly becoming numb. I heard a yelp, Ghost running over to me.

I had left him outside when I went into the ravine, to bond with Ash. The horse now whinnied, pulling at her lead. She stomped her hooves, trying to get over to me. Ghost ran up to me, shoving his head into mine.

My breathing was ragged, only whispers being able to escape me, "Go, go find him." The dog looked hesitant but shoved his nose into the grass after a moment. I closed my eyes, hearing as Ash's reins snapped free of the branch.

I felt a firm body behind me, the feeling of the horse's saddle pressing into my back. I hissed, trying to lean away from the object. I opened my eyes, seeing Ash laying down behind me. I moved, leaning against her neck.

She whinnied softly again, wrapping her head around my shoulder. I sighed, pressing my other hand into my wound. I knew enough about survival skills to know that I was losing too much blood. If Ghost didn't return soon, I knew there was going to be a dark ending to my story.

My focus was slowly slipping away, my determination flowing out of me with the blood. I pictured memories with my friends in my head, a painful smile hinted at my lips. I didn't feel the tears pouring out of my eyes, only seeing their droplets hit the now red grass.

It broke my heart, the thought that this was the end. I wasn't ready to stop living, to stop loving. I didn't want to imagine the look on Techno's face when he found me, or the faces of my friends when he had to tell them what happened to me.

I would've sobbed at that moment, but I felt exhausted. I rested my head against Ash's grey neck, closing my eyes. I pried my heavy lids open, hearing quick, heavy footsteps and a dog barking in the distance.

I slowly blinked, a woman now kneeling before me. I couldn't see the details of her face, but she looked as if she were made of pure sunlight. I blamed it on the exhaustion that was beginning to drag me down, telling myself it was a hallucination.

She leaned towards me, her honey-gold hair brushing my arms. Her voice seemed worried, but also soft, "Hang in there, my dear. It is not your time to go yet. The stars are not yet ready to accept you." I didn't respond, being unable to feel my body.

I blinked once more, the woman being replaced with a pink-haired man with a crown. He was saying something to me, but I couldn't hear him. I slid my eyes to the right of him, a pure white dog panting at his side.

I closed my eyes, the pain dragging me into a deep abyss.

~~~~~

uh ohhh

please don't hate wilbur, he's really hurting in this part :(

have a wonderful day everyone and remember to stay hydrated!

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