Quackity quickly got into explaining the reason behind the Butcher Army, keeping any vital details to his plan hidden. I listened, arms crossed, already forming my plans to stop this.

"I'm sick of what Technoblade has made us do here. All of that," He gestured out to where L'manberg was being rebuilt. "Would've been a lot easier if he hadn't spawned his withers!"

He kneeled down, crouching below the table. The sound of a chest opening and something rustling followed his movements.

When he stood again, he was holding a single cloth white apron, splattered with what I hoped to be red dye. The splotches were clearly meant to look like blood, considering the name of this group.

A sick grin was plastered on his face. "Butcher aprons. I have one for each of you." His dark eyes fell on me, questioning.

My mind wandered to the moments I had with Techno, how alike we were. I glanced at the map that hung behind my friend, glancing at the snow-covered portion. I knew he had gone North, and thankfully, there was no circle.

Quackity was also my friend, I had saved and been there for him when Schlatt reigned. But he was asking something of me that he knew I couldn't give.

Tubbo broke me from my thoughts, staring at the dark-haired man, "Isn't this just getting L'manberg involved in more conflict?"

Fundy butted in, "Techno already threw the first punch though, Tubbo. We need to break him down."

Satisfaction flooded Quackity's eyes, only adding more confidence to his thoughts. I'm not sure how Tubbo was going to run this nation if his own government was defying his rules and the basic ideas of L'manberg.

The nation had always been one to try with words before swords.

Tubbo voiced my thoughts, "That's not how it works here though. I don't think this is a good idea."

Taking the teen's side, I added, "I agree."

Quackity ignored me entirely, turning to the president at my side. "Tubbo, you have the last word here. After all, you are the president. We won't do anything without your approval."

I doubted he would actually listen to that.

"You've always been one to see both sides of the story, Tubbo. But here, you're kind of wrong." Fundy said, no ounce of respect found in his tone.

Something snapped in me with that. Tubbo deserved more than that after all the shit he had gone through to save the nation.

"Quackity, this isn't a good idea. You're my friend, and I understand where this is coming from, but if you knew L'manberg, you would know this isn't what Wilbur would do."

I saw Fundy's lips pull into a tight line at the mention of my words, but I pushed forward. "And if you step on Tubbo or his presidency to do this, I'm not sure you are being a good friend. So, no, I will not be helping you."

Quackity's expression turned dark with anger as I turned to Tubbo. "Would you like to join me on my walk to get my wolf?"

The boy's eyes were grateful for a chance to leave, darting to my own. He straightened his tie, staring back at the others. "We will talk about this another time."

The two of us stepped into the tunnel, out of the waterfall, without a second thought.

We walked towards Quackity's two-story house, passing Ranboo's home. He wasn't in there, but his animals remained.

I sighed, shaking off the lingering anger, "How have you been Tubbo?"

He shrugged, staring down at the soaked spruce platform we walked on. His small horns had gotten slightly taller, but definitely not as big as Schlatt's. They poked out of his dark hair like little hills.

Despite my resistance to the nation, I said, "L'manberg is coming along nicely."

He nodded, glancing around at their work. I could read the question that constantly bounced around in his head, driving him from sleep.

Was it all worth it?

-

After grabbing my wolf and making sure Tubbo was alright, I began my walk towards home.

I felt safer with Ghost at my side now, and the feeling of eyes on me was gone. Keeping my senses cautious, I quickly followed the Prime Path, the sun beginning to poke out of the clouds. The world glittered when the sun hit the wet grass, adding some brightness.

My steps came to a silent halt when I turned in the Community House, facing my home.

Dream was entering the house, casually holding his ax with his mask in place. He seemed normal from a distance, but an instinct told me that he was still searching for me.

I quietly cursed under my breath, turning the other way. Ghost stayed tight to my side as we scurried across the small bridge towards the castle. I may not be able to hide from Dream, but the castle would be the safest place.

"-don't know where they've been."

"I heard the two of them leave in a hurry this morning. Y/n's bed was practically destroyed and the front door had been left open."

George and Sapnap's voices quietly came from my left when I entered the castle. Ghost bounded forwards, ahead of me, running in the direction of their voices.

George was sitting on his throne, wearing a navy cape with white fluff lining the edges. His golden crown glinted in the light, the multi-colored jewels sparkled. The casual clothes he wore underneath took away from the royal look.

Sapnap stood to his right, wearing a chest plate and bracers. He clutched his sword at his side tightly, tense for any threat to George. My own sword was in his other hand.

The two had tensed as Ghost ran in, the wolf bumping against Sapnap's legs. They relaxed when I entered, George rising from his throne.

He came over, pulling me into a hug. "Where have you been? When we saw you missing, as well as Dream's ax, we knew something was up." Sapnap came over, handing over my sword.

I pulled back to look at both of them, sliding my sword into its sheath. I kept my voice low, "Something happened. We can't trust Dream anymore."

George looked confused, but Sapnap's face flooded with sadness. He knew this would happen, it was just a matter of when it would.

I explained the dream and the chains, showing them the bruises. The bruises remained dark, unable to heal quickly. Because copper had caused the marks, my magic couldn't assist in the healing process.

"Does that mean you have to hide from Dream now?" George questioned when I finished. Aggression poured out of Sapnap at the ideas of what Dream would do to me.

I sighed, "For now, yes. It's better to avoid him."

"What does that mean for us? Is Dream a threat to us?" Sapnap questioned.

"I'm not asking you to hide me, or take sides. You two are still my best friends but I would be careful around him." The picture of the burnt bandana and scratched glasses flashed in my head.

"Well, you're safe with us. As the King, I won't let anything happen to you."

I smiled, about to say something. I quickly spun to face the entrance as my magic tugged at me, urging me to hide.

"He's coming." That was all I said before darting behind one of the large pillars in the room, pressing myself into the wall. Ghost ran after me, knowing something was up.

I heard some rustling and I glanced around the corner to see George back on his throne, with Sapnap standing readily at his side.

My head snapped back behind the pillar with the sound of footsteps.

"Hey, guys, what're you up to?" Dream's voice sounded calm, almost bored.

Thankfully, George's voice was steady. "Nothing, just attending my royal duties."

"Oh, alright. Have either of you seen y/n?" Ah, there was the reason he was here.

"Nope, haven't seen her. Have you checked L'manberg?" Sapnap said, not a hint of a lie in his voice.

"No. I will, but there's another reason I'm here."

A group of several footsteps followed his words. From where I was, Dream's back was to me and I could see the throne straight in front of me. I poked my head out enough to see who had arrived.

Punz, wearing his white sweatshirt, stood on Dream's left. Bad, his black horns poking out from his black and red cloak, and Eret stood behind the two. Quackity, who must've left L'manberg, came up on the other side of the masked man.

There was also a woman, standing towards the back, hesitance in her posture. She wore a red coat and black pants, the spitting image of a pirate.

Before she turned, I saw the woman's face. She had dark brown eyes, rosy cheeks, and pure white hair that was pulled back in a low ponytail. Small horns like Tubbo's poked out beside her pirate hat, as well as lamb-like ears.

My eyes snapped to the back of Dream's green hoodie when he began speaking. "I don't think you should be King anymore."

George looked taken back, his eyes darting around at the group. I willed him to not look at me, or else Dream would definitely know I was there.

"You don't want me to be King?"

"Well, I mean, you would be safer if you weren't."

I almost scoffed at what Dream said. The only threat George had was Dream, considering the scratched glasses.

"Maybe you should be here to protect me!" George's voice rose slightly, hurt appearing on his face.

"I can't be here all the time, George. There are more people than there are me."

It was odd hearing Dream say this. Every person in this room knew how much of a threat Dream could be if he wanted to be.

Quackity spoke up, "I think you should resign. You have a place in Mexican L'manberg!"

Mexican L'manberg? I mentally sighed, there was too much to keep up with at the moment between Dream, the exile, nations, and the Butcher Army.

Dream continued off what the latter said, "You're not really being neutral. It's for the best if you step down." He took a step towards the throne, but Sapnap stepped in front of it.

His knuckles were white on the hilt of his sword. Emotion filled his voice, "Do you remember what you said recently when y/n wasn't around?"

When Dream didn't respond, Sapnap continued, "You said you didn't care about anything. That means you don't care about us!"

"Sapnap-"

"No! And we know where you planned to put y/n!" He threw his hand in the direction of the prison. "How could you do that?!"

Dream froze, going completely still.

Uh oh.

When Dream spoke, his voice was edged with a calm fury. "The only reason I'm doing this is that I care about you guys. Sapnap, why are you trying to divide us?" He didn't mention or respond to the part about the prison.

For what felt like the millionth time that day, I grew angry. Fire ran through my veins, snapping to be let off its leash. I kept a grip on it, but I didn't stop my footsteps.

Every head snapped to me as I walked out from behind the pillar to stand on the other side of the throne. Dream's mask seemed angry even with the painted smile, surprise lining his body.

"Sapnap isn't the one dividing us." My voice was steady, a bite in my tone. "You are."

Without saying another word to the three of us, Dream turned to Eret. "I want you to be the King again."

"I'm still King! I'm right here!" George said, standing from the throne. His navy mantle billowed around him, Sapnap and I stepping further in front of him.

Sapnap muttered to George, "Give us the word and we'll take care of this."

Dream turned on us, "People don't like you as King, George, because they don't like me!"

There was silence for a moment, echoing between the four of us. So this was it, the breaking point.

George's voice was quiet, "Just say you hate me."

"George-"

His voice rose, "Just say it!"

The yell bounced off the stone walls and pillars, shooting right into my heart. George was saying what the three of us were thinking.

Before anyone could say anything else, George unlatched the cloak, letting it fall around his ankles. He pulled off his crown, dropping it on the throne with a thunk. It rattled around for a moment and then going still.

Sapnap said quietly, "Let's get out of here, guys."

George walked past Dream and the group with his head raised and looking straightforward, tears beginning to stream down his face. Sapnap did the same, walking closely behind our friend.

I moved to do the same, Ghost at my heels. But Dream's gloved hand shot out, closing around my arm, right over the scar from the trident, pulling me back.

Ghost growled and Sapnap turned around, pulling out his sword. I glared up at the smiley face as Dream said, "Can we talk?" His voice was neutral, a hint of gentleness underneath the mask.

"No. Now let go of me."

He didn't move, staring at me. Sapnap came over to us, "Let go of her, Dream."

After a moment, the gloved hand released me, reluctantly. The mask tracked me as I followed George out, Sapnap at my back.

-

Quackity followed us out of the castle, trying to cheer the three of us up by talking about Mexican L'manberg. He wasn't really helping, considering I had just talked with him about his plans for the Butcher Army.

We were walking past Tommy's old home when I turned around, facing the boy. "What even is Mexican L'manberg?"

"It's actually Cedar Rapids. But it's a nation I started behind L'manberg. George and Sapnap are apart of it, especially now.." He trailed off, seeing the sadness on George's face.

I glanced at my two friends, their expressions mirroring mine. Heartache and betrayal were written all over them.

After a moment of silence, I said, "So, where do we go now? We can't stay in the castle and our home isn't the best option now."

George stayed quiet, Sapnap speaking up, "We could build a home in Cedar Rapids, or..."

He knew I wouldn't want to do that, considering how I felt about government. I knew he didn't really want to either, but he was willing to do anything for his best friends.

"You guys go ahead and do that, I'll figure it out. I may crash with someone until I find someplace to live."

"Do you want to come with us to L'manberg?" Sapnap asked.

I shook my head, petting Ghost's head. "I need some time to think. I'll see you guys later."

I pulled George and Sapnap into a quick hug, the latter telling me to be safe before walking away.

Ghost nudged my leg with his nose as I watched the three men walk through the tunnel. After a moment, I turned, walking towards the oak tree behind me.

The bench was how I had left it the night before Tommy's exile. I sat down on it, pressing my head into my hands. The emotions from today began to wash over me, filling the quiet space where music had once been.

My silence was broken by someone's voice, "Are you ok?"

~~~~

Cedar Rapids lol

I know this has to do with the first book, but thank you guys so much for 50k on it! I am so shocked and happy haha! I love you all!

Have an amazing day and make sure to stay hydrated!