"Good, now try using your non-dominant hand."

I switched the sword to my other hand, adjusting my grip. It felt awkward, not at all like my dominant hand. The sword felt lifeless in my hand. I longed for my sword, which hummed with life in my hold.

I looked back up, Techno stood patiently waiting. I was in the plains in front of Pogtopia, training with him. A warm breeze brushed past us, swiping a few strands of my hair free of my bun. I had ventured here to train with him because Dream had disappeared to who knows where.

Techno had offered to train with me after watching me swing the sword around by myself.

The man now raised his own sword, spreading his legs apart. I readied myself in the same position, but my arms felt like they were all wrong. He swung, his sword coming down in a wide arc.

I danced away from him. I lifted my sword, swinging it towards his side. It didn't swing in the way I wanted to, coming down harshly. My body moved sharply, bringing me with my swing.

I stumbled forward, opening up a gap for Techno. Before I could adjust my position, he swung towards my lower side. He stopped inches away from my ribs.

I sighed through my nose, frustrated. I lowered my sword, kicking at the ground. My skills with a sword had taken a fall, with adjusting to my new control.

Although I was agitated, Techno seemed to be amused. He lowered his sword, "Well, at least your good with one of your hands." He had shed his cloak, laying it across the animal behind him. A chestnut colored horse, covered in diamond armor, grazed lazily while we trained. Techno had brought him to Pogtopia one day, saying he had bred him.

I struggled to hold in an eye roll but ended up laughing. Somehow Techno was able to make fun of my technique while helping me fix it. His monotone voice was the most amused I have heard it, adding to my laughing.

"Okay, but when would I ever need to use my non-dominant hand?" I smirked at him, "Do you think I'll lose my other hand?"

He shrugged, "You never know. It's better to be safe than dead."

Although I doubted I would have to fight with my other hand, he was right. I wanted to be prepared for all situations. I wanted to feel in control of my fate, even if it meant fighting with my off-hand.

"Let's go again." He raised his sword once more. I tried to adjust my grip so it wasn't uncomfortable but failed. I would just have to practice with it.

I sidestepped right, swinging low. Techno quickly connected his sword with mine, blocking my stab. I braced my arms as he pulled our swords up. I whirled away from him, going low again. He stepped away, going for my arm.

I didn't see it quick enough, moving a moment too late. His sword nicked my arm, red already beading there.

He went completely still, lowering his sword to his side. I swore softly, walking over to Techno's horse. He told me earlier that his name was Carl. I reached into the saddlebag, scooping out bandages.

I unrolled some, wrapping it around my arm. He hadn't cut me deep but the bandages began to turn red. I patted Carl, turning back to Techno. He hadn't moved, only turning to stare at the bandages that were now on my arm.

"Techno?" I questioned gently, stepping towards him. He didn't respond, only staring at the blooming red on my arm. I glanced at the bandages, looking back to him, "It's alright Techno, it was an accident."

He shook his head, staring off into space. His crown tilted as he lowered himself to the ground. I crouched in front of him, taking care not to bring my arm near him. Something seemed off about him.

"What's wrong?" I searched his dark eyes, a battle warring in him. He glanced up at me, conflict clear in his eyes.

He seemed hesitant to say anything, glancing at my arm once again. I carefully pulled down my sleeve, only the corner of my bandage poking out. His fingers twitched near his sword.

"It's nothing." He stood, averting his gaze. He corrected his crown, catching the bright sunlight. "That was a good move, just work on your off-hand." His flat voice sounded off as he turned towards Pogtopia. He took Carl's lead in his hand, tugging him towards the hole where he stayed.

I let him walk off, not wanting to push him. He would open up about it when he felt he needed to. Tommy was walking towards where I stood, casting a confused glance at his brother when he passed.

At least they weren't fighting anymore. Tommy had told me he still is upset with the man, but he talked to him now.

The boy reached me, confusion on his face, "What's up with him?"

I shrugged, putting my sword back in its sheath at my hip, "He froze up when we were training. He accidentally nicked my arm, it wasn't even deep. I told him it was alright but he left."

Tommy's face darkened slightly at my words, glancing back where Techno had entered the base, "Was there blood?"

I made a confused face at him, "Yeah but why does that matter? It was only a little bit."

Tommy sighed, looking up at me, "It's the voices."

Fear shot at me, racing down my spine. Did Techno have the darkness in him as well? He didn't seem like he did but when there were voices in Dream and I's heads, the darkness soon followed.

My fear must've shown on my face cause Tommy quickly continued, "It's not the voices like that. Techno has always had these voices since we were growing up. We aren't sure why, but they demand blood."

A longing look appeared on his face for a moment, "Our father used to help him maintain it. But he left us." His face turned back to normal, "Techno has learned to keep them quiet, but sometimes they get out of his grasp. That must've been why he acted the way he did."

I suddenly felt bad, looking down at my red bandages. I hadn't meant to unleash the voices on him. After all, I knew how it felt to be subject to the relentless needs. A chill raced across my skin, I locked down on the memories.

Tommy looked around at the setting sun, "It's not your fault, you know. He'll be fine. Just needs his alone time and all. He probably had to hold back against them so he wouldn't further hurt you."

I nodded, facing the sunset. Orange and pinks melted together, creating a beautiful sight. Behind us, the dark sky began to stretch out, nighttime beginning to blanket us. My eyes slowly began to adjust to the low light.

"Anyways, I came to ask if you wanted to come with me to L'manburg." I turned my head to look at the boy, suppressing a smile. I was happy that he still held onto the name, even if it wasn't that significant.

"Sure, Tommy. Why exactly are we going back there? We technically aren't allowed to be in there." I tilted my head at him, as we started to walk towards the nation.

He smiled mischievously at me, his blue eyes dancing, "That can't stop me from going back." He paused, his face turning serious, "I plan to kill Schlatt."

I stopped walking, "What?"

Tommy stopped slightly in front of me, turning, "I'm going to end it all. I can't do this anymore. Especially not after what he made Technoblade do to Tubbo." His face turned sour at the last words, both of us shaking away a chill. The image of Tubbo's bloodied body snaked through my head as I tried to ignore the feeling of his blood on my arms.

Tommy continued walking, me following, "So I thought I would bring you with me. It would only be fair to you, considering the shit he did to you."

I smiled at the boy, grateful for his consideration. Bruises still tinted my skin from him, but the one along my knuckles stayed. I didn't mind though, it was a good reminder of what I could do.

I needed that reassurance after being locked out of my own body for so long.

The next words that the boy said slightly shocked me, "I never got to say this before, but thank you for getting Wil and me more time to run. I don't know if he would've made it with his injury without the extra time you bought us."

Tommy was never the type for thanks, so I appreciated it. Dealing with the darkness was worth it. Seeing Tommy alive, walking next to me, made it all worth it.

-

We arrived at Manburg, now walking in the pitch black. The moon was hidden by clouds, blocking out our light. The nation was quiet as people slept, besides the White House.

Schlatt's voice could be heard from the hill, which was ways away from the House. He and Quackity were standing outside, discussing something. But their conversation didn't seem to be a nice one. Heated words were spilling from each mouth, one clearly drunken words.

Tommy laid down, lying on his stomach to avoid being seen. He pulled a bow off his back, which I hadn't seen before. He nocked a single arrow into the bow.

I crouched down next to him, getting ready to lay down when I noticed something. I squinted at the small glimmer I saw. There was no light throughout the nation so I wasn't sure what the thing was reflecting.

"I'll be right back. Don't shoot until I get back." I whispered to Tommy, carefully standing. I pressed myself into the shadows of buildings, careful not to catch the president's eye. Now was definitely not a good time to be caught.

I made my way over to the broken down van, where the item lay under it. The van looked awful. It was dented and scratched, pieces of it crumbling completely. I wondered how Tubbo had been able to stay in there without getting crushed by falling debris.

I crouched, reaching my hand under the van. I moved my hand around blindly, searching. I found purchase, closing my hand around the item. I pulled my arm out, gasping at what I now held.

My sword glittered in the low light, coming to life in my hands.

It was a miracle Schlatt hadn't found it.

It still looked brand new, with no scratches to be seen. It hummed in my hands, reacting to my touch. I felt my magic brush against it as if it were coming home. I quickly pulled my diamond sword out of the sheath, placing it under the van.

I stood, replacing my sword at my hip. Its weight was comforting to have. I slowly made my way over towards where I had left Tommy. The boy laid in the same spot but had lowered his bow.

When I reached him, he quietly pointed towards the two. There were still standing in the same spot but the argument seemed to have escalated.

Quackity's shouts reached us, "We're not taking down the White House!"

Schlatt seemed to not pay him any attention, sipping at his drink.

Tommy was muttering under his breath, "He killed Tubbo." I put a hand on his shoulder, turning back to the shouts.

"You're being too much of a bitch!"

"We're not taking it down!" Quackity was yelling over him, standing in front of the doors.

Schlatt picks up a pickaxe, dropping his drink. I flinch as it hits the ground, shattering. For a brief moment, I could imagine myself getting hit again. Schlatt starts taking down the House, Quackity racing after him in disbelief.

"Stop! Stop!" Quackity's voice was getting desperate. Although my memories with the Schlatt hadn't been pleasant, I remembered when Big Q had built the House. He had been so proud, standing back to look at his work after working all day.

"I'm gonna tear this shit to the ground!" Schlatt begins drunkenly laughing, hacking away at the walls. Quackity tries to stop him but he doesn't want to get hit with the pickaxe. "You're gonna tell me you're not having fun right now?"

I could see Quackity blink several times, anger apparent on his face, "No! Stop, stop. We share these decisions!"

"Get mining!" Schlatt faced Quackity, his drunken demeanor disappearing. He throws his arms in the air, "God, I can't take these idiots! Who did I get to run my country with me?" He yells at the other, waving his pickaxe around.

"Stop, I'm serious." Big Q's voice is quieter, but still firm.

Schlatt ignores him, his voice rising, "I'm in charge! I can't get any goddamn help around here so I'm tearing this shit down by myself! You don't do anything!" The horned man threw insults at the boy.

Quackity was silent, taking the words. He pulled out his sword, glaring at the man, "Find yourself another vice president then."

Schlatt smirked at him, "You're not even strong enough to hit me with the sword," his voice raises, mocking Quackity, "Oh no, I'm Quackity, I can't do it!"

"Screw you." Quackity gives Schlatt a vulgar gesture, turning away from the destruction.

"Yeah, get out of here you piece of shit." The words must've been the last straw because the boy turned, swinging his sword down at Schlatt. He hit him in the arm, tearing through his suit.

Before the man could attack back, Quackity runs off into the woods.

-

After Quackity left, Schlatt continued to tear down the House, ignoring his gushing wound. I knew from experience that wasn't able to feel the pain. A black fog was rippling around him, anger pouring out of him in waves.

I took that as a sign for us to leave.

I pulled Tommy into the woods, away from the man. We didn't want Schlatt exploding while we were around. I opened my mind to the invisible strings, searching the world around us.

Off in the distance, ahead of us, immense anger and sadness was pooling. I cut the connection with the threads, wandering in that direction. Tommy quietly followed behind me as I blindly walked through the dark woods.

I didn't need my eyes to find the boy though. As we got closer, sniffling could be heard as well as heavy breathing. I walked on silent feet, a new skill I had picked up from the darkness. Watching as I was locked away in my mind, I had taken note on how to be mindful of where I stepped.

Tommy on the other hand stepped directly on a twig, a loud snap emitting from it. I turned towards him sharply, he gave me an anxious smile in return. I backed into the shadows, letting Tommy make the first conversation.

Quackity's head snapped up from where he was sitting. He was leaning against a tree, his sword thrown to the side. He scrambled for it, quickly standing.

His eyes widened slightly at the sight of Tommy. I kept still, not wanting him to see me yet. "Tommy?" His usually light voice sounded rough from tears. He swiped his arm across his face, wiping away any remaining tears.

"Hey, Big Q." Tommy's voice was soft, carrying through the forest from where he stood still. "Why did you run off?"

Quackity laughed darkly, "We need to talk, dude."

"Well, it's been a little while, Mr. Vice President."

Quackity shook his head, "No, it's not vice president anymore." I shifted my weight, brushing against a branch. He paused, searching the shadows. He turned back to Tommy, "Schlatt's an asshole."

"Yeah, you could say that again." Tommy chuckled, glancing quickly to where I stood. He nodded his head slightly.

I stepped out of where I was standing, making Big Q step back. His knuckles went white on his sword.

I showed him my palms, "It's okay Big Q. You know it's me, you saw what I did to him."

Something calmed in his watery eyes, he nodded. Now that we were up close, I could see bruises along his face and neck. I wondered if I had caused any of those by knocking out Schlatt.

I smirked at him, "Tell me there was at least a bruise?"

Quackity laughed, lighter than before. Good, I was making progress. "Oh, don't worry. You left him unconscious for a good thirty minutes, and a deep bruise."

"Good, he deserved it. For how he treated all of us. But I think he deserves more, you don't look very good."

He nodded, a hand instinctively moving to his cheek. It seemed to be the worst out of them all, deep blue blooming. I took a small step towards him, "Can I help?"

He hesitated for a moment before stepping towards me. I brought my hand up to his face, quickly pulling the strings. After a few moments, the bruise disappeared. I would have to do the rest later, I didn't want to be around Manburg for long.

Not with an angry Schlatt nearby.

His eyes cleared, his hand gently pressing his cheek. He nodded his gratitude towards me, facing Tommy and me.

"Now Big Q, what is it exactly that you want?"

A fire lit in his eyes, "I want to join Pogtopia."

~~~~

yayyy big q is on our side :)

uh so I drew our sword from this, and I was wondering if any of you wanted to see it? Lmk in the comments lol