I could barely contain my excitement as we prepared to leave to rescue Phil. My leg bounced nervously, and my magic thrummed in the air around me where I sat on my cot.

There was a small drop of fear and nerves that dampened the elation a bit. Dream was out there somewhere, probably searching for Tommy and me, and there was a chance we could run into him today.

My gaze unfocused as I fell into thought, anxiety quelling the good.

If I saw Dream, Techno would obviously be with me, but I would have to tell Techno about what Dream did to me. About the Nether incident.

And I wasn't ready for that.

So, if I saw the masked man, I wouldn't hesitate to fight him again. He had tried to kill me, even if it was an accident, but I let him go.

I wasn't his anymore.

My promise still lingered from a couple of months ago, the time before Tommy had been exiled. I would stand up for my friends and family to Dream, no matter what.

A flurry of movement appeared in front of my face, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. Ghostbur floated in front of me with a cheerful smile plastered on his gray face. He held out his hand towards me, a clump of stuff in it.

"Here, have some blue. Calm yourself." His gray hand inched forward, wanting me to take the white item.

"What is this, Ghostbur?" I asked, reaching forward to take it.

"It'll help you feel better."

The item felt lumpy but smooth, almost like lapis lazuli. Instantly, my racing thoughts calmed and I could feel a weight lifted off my chest.

I gaped at the item in my hand as it began to change into a royal blue. It felt like it was sucking all the sadness and fear out of my soul, and placing it into this tiny object.

When I looked back up at the ghost, he just smiled. "Is that better?"

"Yes, but what just happened? How-"

Techno and Tommy came up from the bottom floor, arguing as they climbed up the ladder. Each clutched some potions and golden apples in their arms.

"I should be able to go!" Tommy protested, dropping the items on my cot.

"No, Tommy. What if we run into Dream? You said he's looking for you," Techno said simply. He turned to me, handing over some of the potions to hook to my belt.

"Dream's looking for y/n, too. Also, he's my friend, or I think he is..." The teen's face saddened as he fought with himself internally.

The potions clinked against each other when I stood, the bright liquids sloshing around inside of the glass bottles. Two were a lilac color, and the third was bright pink.

Invisibility and healing.

Techno was making me bring a healing potion because of my wound, especially if we have to fight our way out of L'manberg. If the gash tore open mid-fight, then I could quickly pop the cork and heal.

"Tommy, you're not the best at being stealthy," I said.

He frowned at my words, crossing his arms stubbornly. "Yes, I am. I want to go with you guys."

"You need to stay here with Ghostbur, Tommy. Dream won't hesitate to hurt you if you came." He didn't respond. "Please? I want to keep you safe."

"Also, we don't have the proper winter clothing for you, yet. The blizzard has eased up a bit, but you would still freeze in your t-shirt," Techno said as he searched through a chest.

Tommy was quiet for a second longer and then sighed. "Fine, I'll stay here. But the next time you go anywhere, I'm coming."

Ghostbur clapped his hands excitedly. "We get to hang out Tommy!"

Tommy grumbled and climbed back down his ladder, the ghost disappearing through the floor after him. I just smiled and turned to my wolf on the floor.

Ghost lounged in front of the fireplace, watching me with his dark eyes curiously. He would have to stay here while we left. The snow was too deep for him to run through.

"You ready to go?" Techno said, standing by the door.

I pulled my new cloak tighter around my neck and nodded. We stepped out into the snow-filled world.

-

We had had to wait for nightfall to sneak into the nation, using the dark as our camouflage. But getting out of the snowstorm in the dark was hard, with the whipping winds and heavy flakes.

I calmed the storm as best as I could with my magic, lessening the wind and thick clouds. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get us through the North region, back into the South.

The ocean I had tried to cross before, appeared in front of us with chunks of ice floating near the shore. A lone boat awaited, a rope connecting it to a stake in the icy sand.

I grasped the blue Ghostbur had given me inside my cape, trying to calm my anxiety. The last time I had been on this water, it had nearly ended my life from the creatures below the surface.

As I climbed into the front of the boat, Techno untied the boat and picked up the oars next to the vessel. If he was going to row us across the stretch of water, it would be difficult with the choppy waves and strong current.

"You don't need those," I practically yelled over the wind, making him look up at me. "Get in, I can take us across."

He looked at me curiously, but dropped the oars and climbed into the boat. It dipped with his weight as he steadied himself, bringing the edge dangerously close to the water.

The one good thing about being passed out for days on end was that my magic was able to fully replenish itself. Now, it coursed in my veins as if I had never spent a single drop of it.

I wouldn't get pulled under, not again.

So I raised my hands and grasped the stream of current below us. As soon as I latched onto it, my magic began to pull us forward with surprising speed. With the fast tide and my magic, we would get to L'manberg soon.

A soft glow appeared in the water around us as we traveled, sparkles dancing in the water. I made an effort to keep my eyes focused on the horizon, away from where the drowned probably waited below.

The dark water was slowly becoming teal and the storm was disappearing, trapped inside the Northern borders. The waves were lessening and becoming calmer.

Sharp wind was replaced with a crisp breeze, the scent of early autumn filling it. Here, where all four seasons occurred, summer was coming to its end and fall was trailing it with orange leaves and pumpkin pie.

I would have to come back to get some of Niki's pie, once I was able to travel on my own and a bounty wasn't on my head.

The yellow light of L'manberg's lanterns appeared, bathing the dock in low light. The docks were empty, the only sound was the boat bumping against the wood port.

Techno jumped out, attaching our boat to the fence with a rope, while I climbed onto the docks. I looked out at the water, smiling because I made it across the ocean without drowning.

"Let's get a little closer before drinking the potions," Techno whispered, holding his pickaxe. The next step in our plan was getting his weapons back.

"Does Phil know we're coming?" I whispered back, as we crept through the shadows towards the nation.

"Yes, I had someone deliver a message to him."

I could only imagine one person who would do that, and I wasn't surprised.

Ranboo was always willing to help out, even if he was helping a wanted criminal.

Both of our steps were silent in the quiet night with our training. I kept my muscles taut in case Dream showed up, and my hand on the hilt of my sword in its sheath.

We went around back, sneaking up behind Phil's house. From our spot, I could see into the nation.

All the lights in the houses were out, hopefully meaning people were asleep and we could get out of here without a problem. The moon was in the middle of the sky, late into the night.

It was also dark in Phil's house, but Techno and I both could see inside with ease due to our heightened senses. We cupped our hands against the glass on the sides of our eyes, peering in.

Phil was laying on his bed, facing towards the window where we stood. A bag was squished under his wings, hidden from anyone who came into the house.

"We are gonna drink the potions, and then I'll break the house," Techno muttered, low from anyone's ears. "And then you break the glass with your wind, and we run. Got it?"

I nodded, backing up a bit so I could call my wind. There was a small click as the potion came unhooked at my belt, and I popped the cork off. I tilted the vile back and the lilac liquid poured down my throat, tasting sour.

Techno did the same, and he gave me a salute before we both disappeared. If I peered closely, I could see subtle swirling particles where he stood.

An ax appeared, a diamond one since the Butcher Army had Techno's netherite one. It was pulled back, aimed at the spruce wood of Phil's house.

"On my count. Three, two," Techno said, somewhere to my side. "One."

As his ax came down on the wood in a splintering crack, my wind ripped through the night, shattering the glass. I had learned from the last time and swerved the glass shards away from the two of us.

It was a risk being this loud, but it was the only way out after they chained the front door shut. The ax disappeared, and I heard shuffling inside the house.

Phil quickly stood, and an invisibility potion was handed to him from Techno's undetected form. He chugged the potion and disappeared with the two of us.

"Phil, run North. There's a boat there," Techno said.

There was some shouting from around the front of the house, followed by chains rattling as they tried to open the door.

I swore under my breath, and Phil did the same. Techno whispered, quickly, "Run, now. Y/n, our potions are going to run out soon."

There was some shuffling and I heard Phil sprint out of the house, a breeze brushing me as he passed. I imagined Techno was right behind him on silent feet, with me on his trail.

"He's gone!" Quackity shouted from behind us.

My stomach was beginning to ache from running, as we turned sharply around the houses.

"Y/n!" Techno said somewhere to my left, whisper-yelling.

I glanced down at myself, and to my horror, my form was beginning to flash. The potion was wearing off.

Fundy appeared in our path, cutting off our escape. He sneered at me, clutching a netherite sword. "Where's Phil, y/n?"

The flashing stopped and I became fully visible. I stared at the orange-haired boy in front of me, frowning. "No clue, Fundy. If you let me past, maybe I'll help you find him."

I could feel Techno beside me, his cape brushing my hand. Hopefully, Phil had made it past and was nearing the docks.

"You think I'm stupid enough to believe that?" Fundy's accent was heavy with sleep. "You know you have a bounty on your head as well. It's not just Techno or Phil that's valuable to us."

"Well then, I should be going," I smirked at him and sprinted down the narrow alley between Phil and Ranboo's houses. I could feel Techno running right behind me, covering my back.

Fundy stumbled after me, struggling to fit through the gap. His fluffy tail got caught, stopping his pursuit after me.

My feet hit the ground hard and I began sprinting on the spruce path towards the platform with the stands. Ranboo and a sleepy Tubbo were on the higher platform, watching my sprinting form with surprise.

I raised a hand in greeting but didn't turn to do anything else. My focus was purely on getting away from Quackity and Fundy.

"Go help Phil, Techno!" I yelled under my breath, and I could hear his footsteps veer off towards the docks.

Suddenly, rough hands were shoved into my back and I fell forwards, my hands scuffing the ground. I gasped, pain shooting through my back and stomach from the bruises.

I flipped over, breathing hard. My heart stopped when I looked up at the person who had shoved me.

"Quackity?"

A long scar ran from below his lip, all the way up through his left eye and eyebrow. It was red, and stitches still remained from the fight a week ago. His eye was clouded over, now pale blue.

Techno had blinded him in one eye.

"...Your eye..." I muttered, forgetting where I was for a moment.

Quackity sneered, raising his diamond ax. He held it above his head, and my hand went to my sword hilt. It didn't reach it, him kicking my hand away.

I cried out, and my magic reacted, tendrils of fire racing towards the boy. It fizzled away, copper somewhere on him stopping it from reaching its destination.

As I clutched my wrist and held my stomach, I stared up at the boy that used to be my friend. Tears were gathered in his right eye.

"You were my friend! And you betrayed L'manberg and ran off with Technoblade!" Emotion cracked in his voice. "Do you know what he did to this nation?"

I scooted away from the boy, holding my wrist that was definitely beginning to bruise. "Quackity, I never meant to hurt you, but I can't support the government! I wasn't trying to interfere with it but you were going to kill Techno!"

"He deserves to die! Look what he did to me!" He gestured at the mark on his face.

"I'm sorry he did that, but you don't need to threaten me with an ax over it," I said, still scooting back as he followed after me.

I saw something change in his eye, his whole gaze changing. He smirked at me and the tears disappeared.

"Listen here, y/n. I don't want to hurt you, I truly don't because I still care about you. But you see, I need to know where Dream is." He crouched down in front of me, his hand hanging off his knee.

"I don't know-"

"Bullshit. You two had that weird bond or some shit. You have to know where he is."

I glanced around, hoping that Techno wasn't around to hear this.

"Look, if you ease up and stop threatening me, I could help you," I said, eyeing the ax he held at his side.

Quackity narrowed his eyes, and stared at me for a moment, contemplating. After a minute, he cautiously placed it on the ground next to him.

My muscles eased a bit, but my magic kept a protective edge at my fingertips, ready to leap out as a shield. I pushed myself into a sitting position so I could look Quackity in the eye.

"Dream and I had a falling out. Our bond snapped, so I don't know where he is. And I don't want to know."

Quackity's face lost some of its seriousness, but he kept his lips in a thin line. "What did he do to you?"

A lump rose up in my throat, made of anger and sadness. "He tried to kill me, and almost did. I almost bled out in the snow."

Surprise completely took over Quackity's face, and his body eased. Quackity and I may have had a falling out ourselves, but I could tell he still cared about me.

"I can't explain it all now, but the Dream we knew is gone, Quackity. Please just trust me when I say I don't know where he is," I pleaded. I felt too vulnerable with him at the moment without my magic or sword.

Silence followed my words as he stared at me, his pale eye dull in the dark light. I couldn't imagine how it felt to see the whole world in one moment, and then shadows replace it in the next.

Maybe, just maybe, if Quackity didn't try to kill me right now, then I could help his eye a little bit with my magic. I wouldn't be able to fully heal it, but I could make it less severe.

He stood, staring down at me. I tensed, preparing for a blow or to sprint away, but it never came.

Instead, Quackity reached out a hand, offering to help me stand. He pulled me up so I was standing, and let his hand drop back to his side.

I kept a hand over my stomach as he spoke, "I trust you, y/n. But not everyone will be as nice as I was. People out there think you've made mistakes, and they want to make you pay."

The hairs on the back of my neck rose in fear, but I knew it was true. People out there did want me to bleed and suffer.

I've made mistakes, I know I have. But I was already paying for some of those with heartache and now this wound across my stomach.

"You better go before Techno comes to find you with me. I would rather not see him right now," Quackity said, gesturing to his face.

I nodded, turning towards the docks. I hesitated and looked back at him. "Big Q, I can help your eye. And I want to know what your plans are for Dream. Could I come back later?"

He paused, thinking. Then he nodded, and I turned on my heel and ran for the docks.

~~~~

so I know technically I updated yesterday, but it was really late at night on Friday night for me, so I wanted to update now :)

have an amazing day! stay safe and hydrated! love you all