Tommy and I glanced at each other in shock. Neither of us had been expecting that.

Quackity wants to join Pogtopia?

The boy now stood in front of us, waiting for an answer. He no longer had tears streaming down his face, a fierce look in his eyes. Big Q didn't seem like the type that cries often so this must've really hurt him.

Tommy dragged his eyes to the boy, "Are you sure? This isn't a ruse?"

I didn't blame Tommy for being skeptical. I couldn't imagine how Wilbur was going to feel about this, and he was worse than Tommy. I had my small doubts, but Quackity seemed so vulnerable at the moment so I didn't think he would lie.

Quackity laughed, his face turning dark, "This is no ruse, Tommy. Schlatt clearly doesn't need me anymore. I want to take him down." Determination danced in his eyes, making me smirk. Good, another person to hate Schlatt's guts.

Tommy looked at me, I nodded. The boy reached his hand out to the other, "Welcome to Pogtopia."

As the other took his hand, a loud snap came from the shadows.

-

I instinctively stepped in front of the two others, putting them behind me. My hand twitched to my sword as I scanned the woods. Although I no longer had super heightened senses, my hearing was still much better than a normal person's.

I picked up on someone's heavy breathing, inching towards a large boulder. I rounded it, tense in case of an attack.

But there on the other side, Wilbur huddled against the rock. He was hunched over to hide his tall form, making his jacket hang down. His eyes darted to mine, standing up straight, "Ah, h-hello y/n."

He seemed nervous, and he was clearly trying not to be found. The other two came around to where I stood, Tommy stepping towards his brother, "Wil?"

Wilbur looked as if he were about to respond when he noticed the third. His eyes darkened, looking from me to Tommy, "What's he doing here?"

His younger brother smiled, putting an arm around Big Q's shoulders, "I got us a new member! Schlatt kicked him out, so he wants to join us."

Big Q looked at Wilbur fiercely, the other just staring back skeptically. There was no way Wil would trust him, not after being exiled. Especially as his mind seemed to just be getting worse. His body was all but giving up on him as well.

Wilbur's curls held no volume, laying dead against his forehead under his beanie. His cheeks had sunken in, making him look as if his soul was disintegrating. I had offered to help him, but he politely declined, claiming nothing was wrong.

All he did was nod at Big Q, before stepping away from us, "Well, I will see you all in Pogtopia later." He mock-saluted, turning his back on us.

"And where are you going, Wilbur?" He went still at my firm voice. He seemed suspicious, my magic was warning me. It told me not to leave this man alone, or something very bad would happen.

"Ah, nowhere. Just for a stroll." He looked over his shoulder before continuing on his way. I motioned for the two boys to follow as I scurried after him.

Wilbur either didn't hear us or didn't care, sauntering down behind the hill the White House sat on. My nerves were on edge being so close to Schlatt. I could still hear him swearing up on the hill, angry about Quackity and the House.

Wilbur removed some dirt inside the hill, revealing a small tunnel in. He stepped into it, not replacing the wall behind him. I quickly followed him, the two others shadowing me.

When I walked into the small room at the end of the tunnel, my heart stopped.

I knew Dream was helping him get the TnT but, this room ... this room was the lowest of lows for Wilbur.

Words were etched into the walls in small frantic writing, reciting the L'manburg anthem. A single torch burned above the doorway, bathing the room in low light. Piles of TnT were placed in the corners, awaiting their use. And there in the center of the back wall, was a button.

I didn't need anyone to tell me what the button was meant for. I knew that that button was the key to mass destruction. If it were to be pressed, it would send a signal to the mountains of explosives that were placed on the other side of the wall.

It would end L'manburg once and for all.

Although I didn't mind L'manburg being blown up, it was not meant to go now. It would ruin our plan, to not only take out the nation but the president as well. Thankfully Wil hadn't been able to find the button before, as it would've blown up me as I was locked in my mind.

As we entered, the man stood facing the button, hunched over. He was shaking slightly, tugging at his hair. Before I could stop him, Tommy brushed past me to put a hand on his brother's shoulder.

The man flinched away from him, Tommy's eyes wandering around the room, "Wil, what is this?"

When Wilbur looked up at the three of us, madness and pain were in his dark eyes. The eyes of someone who was about to lose it. I stepped closer to Quackity, keeping a hand on my sword. It hummed in response to my nerves.

Wilbur backed away from us, into the corner. His brother followed him, deliberately putting his body in the path to the button. Wilbur's voice was almost giddy, "This, this is the room where I could end it all. Where I could just solve everyone's problems."

Wilbur moved to get around Tommy, but Quackity and I placed ourselves in his path. He backed into the corner once more as Tommy spoke, "Wil, we can save it. You don't have to do this."

His voice sounded desperate, his blue eyes staring up at his brother. Heartbreak was clear in his own eyes. I couldn't imagine how much it hurt to see your own brother destroying the very thing he built to keep them all safe.

I never wanted the nation to be built, as it would only cause problems. I wanted peace, I wanted to be able to quietly live my life with my friends. I didn't want to be fighting against them.

But this was awful. It wasn't right for the nation to go down like this.

That thought is what kept me from stepping back, allowing for the man to blow it all up. L'manburg needed to end, but not like this. Not when Wilbur was so low.

"No Tommy, we can't. All this nation has ever caused is pain. I lost my own son over it, even though I BUILT THIS NATION FOR HIM!" Wilbur's yells echoed off the stone walls. I flinched, my eyes darting towards the ceiling. I prayed that Schlatt wouldn't hear us, or none of us were getting out of here unharmed.

"Wil, please. For me, for Tubbo. Don't do this. We can save it! But you have to listen to me!" When Wilbur didn't respond, something hardened in Tommy's eyes. He stepped back, clearing a path to the button.

Quackity went to step in his place but Tommy held out his arm, not taking his eyes off of the man, "No, let him near it. Wilbur, if you press it, you kill everyone. Not just yourself." I prayed that Tommy's plan would work. I didn't really want to get blown up today.

Wilbur's face twisted, turning angry. Although, the pain was still clear in his eyes. He faced the button, coming close to it. He stared at it for what felt like an eternity, my magic urging me to run. He suddenly slammed his hand into the wall.

Inches away from the button.

He let out a frustrated sigh, leaning his head against the wall, "Oh why did you have to do THAT?! Why do you make it so hard?" He raised his voice, anger seeping into it, "I'm such a showman."

He turned, looking all of us in the eye. When he landed on Tommy's face, his face turned solemn. He was clearly hurting as he faced his brother, "You love it don't you?"

Tommy stood tall, hope in his eyes, "Yes."

The man turned to Quackity and me, "And you both want to help?"

I hesitated. I couldn't lie to them and tell them yes, but I didn't want Schlatt in control either. I came to the conclusion that I would help bring Schlatt to his knees, but I would not support the creation of a new government.

In my hesitance, Quackity stepped in, "Wilbur when I ran against you, it wasn't against you or Tommy. I just wanted more freedom for that land and you blowing it up ruins everything." The boy's face was firm.

Tommy continued after him, "You're not just ruining L'manburg. You're ruining our L'manburg. You're ruining everyone's L'manburg." He put emphasis on 'our', true pride in his eyes. Tommy was handling this better than their leader, purely because of innocence and pride.

Wilbur looked away from us, not caring that I didn't respond. My body went rigid as he faced the button once more. I grabbed Big Q's hand, pulling him towards the door slightly.

Tommy stepped in front of him, firmly planting his feet. I wanted to tug him over to where I stood but I didn't dare move. Not when a man very close to insanity was inches away from stacks of explosives. His voice sounded clearer when he spoke again, "Tommy if you trust me, you'll move."

The boy didn't move. "That's an order." Something struck Tommy, his eyes darting to me. I waved him over to me. He glanced back at his brother, stepping to the side.

The man let out a sigh, pain framing his body. I could tell he was really hurting, feeling a pain no one should ever have to feel. He had been exiled from his own nation, one he built to keep his friends safe from the boy I loved.

I gripped Quackity's hand tightly as Wilbur brought his hand towards the button. But instead of doing what I thought he would, he pulled the button off the wall. Wires snapped as he pulled it away, hanging from the wall.

All three of us let out a sigh, relief filling the room. I released Quackity's hand, stepping to stand next to Tommy. Quackity came up on the other side of me, facing Wil.

Wilbur ran a shaky hand through his hair, "I'll listen to you, Tommy. I'll follow you."

Tommy smiled, ease and pride filling his face once more. He lightly patted his brother on the shoulder, leading him out of the room.

Quackity and I glanced at each other. We let the two brothers go ahead of us, having their moment. I ran my eyes over the words once more, "I'm sorry I could never stand up for us when Schlatt did that to us." I let out a small laugh, "I truly wanted to. It killed me to not be able to say something. I hated that he did that to you."

I turned back to the boy, "It's alright. It's not your fault you couldn't do anything." He paused, a smile spreading on his face, "That was really brave what you did on the day of the election."

I shrugged, "I wanted to get them more time. That's what friends are for."

He glanced away for a moment, something longing in his face. I noticed it, placing a hand on his shoulder, "It's not your fault for what Schlatt did. You're my friend now, so you don't have to worry about him. If he hits you again, he can deal with me."

His eyes snapped to me, warmth in them. He laughed, the noise brightening the room. Even in a room filled with Tnt, Quackity was able to lift the mood. "Thanks, y/n."

I nodded, and we followed after the other two.

-

Before I had left the three, I murmured to the two boys to come get me if something happened with Wilbur. I pressed a paper with the coordinates outside my base into Quackity's hand.

I had left them outside Pogtopia, wanting to get home. I wanted to know where Dream had gone that day. He didn't leave a note or anything, which wasn't strange but it still made me wonder.

I reached the hillside that hid our base, stepping into the cool hallway. I strained my ears, listening for people. I heard voices coming from the main room, laughter spilling from down the hall.

I traced my hand along the stone walls, walking down the hall. As I neared the room, I furrowed my brows in confusion. There was a new voice amongst the ones I recognized.

I looked into the room, seeing four figures on the couches. Dream sat sharpening his ax, not adding much to the conversation. He had his mask laying on the couch next to him, which struck me as odd. He never removed his mask unless he knew the person well.

George sat next to him, Sapnap on the other side. They both were leaned forward, listening to the stranger. Before I moved my eyes to inspect the new person, I caught a slight emotion in Sapnap's eyes. Something along affection and a sparkle danced in his eyes.

I moved my stare to the boy. He had golden-brown hair, curling gently over his forehead. He watched Sapnap with the same look in his dark eyes. He wore a brightly colored sweatshirt which had a bright swirl in the middle. And atop his head, sat a pair of goggles that had green lenses.

I stepped into the room, leaning against the door frame. Dream was the first to notice me, his face lighting up slightly. George was the next, smiling at me. He beckoned me over, patting a spot on the couch between him and Dream.

As I walked over to the spot, I felt the person's eyes on me. I plopped down in between my friends, finally facing him.

Sapnap turned to me, excitement on his face, "Y/n, this is Karl. Karl this is y/n. She's the one who has badass powers and escaped Schlatt."

I blushed slightly at Sapnap's description, smiling at Karl, "Nice to meet you Karl. I like your goggles."

He smiled brightly at me, filling me with warmth. He seemed sweet, and Sapnap certainly thought so too. "Thank you. Sapnap has told me plenty about you."

I laughed, sparking flames at my fingertips. His eyes drew to my hand, awe in them. Dream chuckled next to me, muttering 'show off' under his breath. I smirked at him, putting out the flames. I turned back, "So, how did you get here?"

Before the boy could answer, Sapnap jumped in, "I found him in the SMP lands. I didn't want Schlatt near him, so I brought him here." He sounded like a middle school boy with a crush. He also seemed protective of the boy.

I suppressed a giggle, nodding, "I don't blame you. If I had it my way, I wouldn't have anyone near Schlatt. He's insane."

Conversation continued on late in the night, sleep lingering around us. We all wandered towards our rooms in the other hall, saying goodnight to one another. Karl's room was next to mine, and neither of us was ready to sleep.

He invited me into his room until I was ready to sleep. We sat around, talking about random things, getting to know one another. I smiled when he mentioned something about Sapnap. The two were clearly crushing on each other, but I would let that blossom on its own.

I rose, ready to head back to my room when I stopped. My curiosity peaked when I noticed a thick, leather-bound book. It was laying on a chest next to the door, stacked under some clothes.

I picked it up, "What's this?" My magic brushed against it, reacting. It had a white swirl on it, it's edges fraying. My magic sparked at the aging book, finding magic within the book.

Karl looked at me nervously, "Oh, it's nothing. Why?"

I ran my hand over the cover. I could feel very old magic seeping from the book. "I can feel magic from inside this book. Ancient magic."

I turned to him, about to open the book. Karl stood, taking the book gently from my hands, "You don't want to open that." When he clutched it, a soft green light illuminated from it.

"You can tell me what it is, I won't tell anyone. Magic buddies got to stick together." I smiled warmly at him.

He sighed, his face softening. He hesitated for a moment, glancing over my shoulder, "If I tell you, you can't tell anyone. And this is just because your magic can sense it."

I nodded eagerly, waiting for his response.

He sucked in a breath, avoiding eye contact as he said, "I'm a time traveler."

~~~~~

of course I had to add time traveler Karl lore to the story

I'm not emotionally stable after the stream today haha

make sure to stay hydrated, and get some sleep! thank you for all your reads, comments, and votes! ily, have a wonderful day!