Pandemonium | Dream SMP

35. Fancied a spot of arson, did you?

The crowd that gathers to watch the flag burn is a large one. Even those that aren't members of the country come to gaze upon the flames, all silent as they watch the spectacle with awe and disbelief.

Niki, as soon as she sees the growing crowd, pulls herself away from me and runs towards her bakery, an arm raised to hide her tears. I take a step forward, unsure if I should follow and comfort her, when a hand rests on my shoulder.

It's George. He shakes his head and nods off to the side where Schlatt approaches, Quackity at his heels like a puppy excited by the commotion.

Schlatt's twisted horns glow orange under the inferno, and fire dances in his eyes as he watches the flag burn with a maddening grin.

"Mr President."

Fundy's voice cuts smoothly through the smoke, a pair of pointed ears appearing from the crowd.

The fox steps out to greet his president, soot smudging his flame-coloured fur, his onyx eyes eerily bright.

"Fundy." Schlatt grins. "What's all this then? Fancied a spot of arson, did you?"

"No, sir. Not at all. I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of removing the old flag in preparation for the new one I'll be creating. A better one. One fit for your new country."

"Oh? How forward-thinking of you. I must admit, I like your style." Schlatt smirks, raising his gaze to watch the flames, "with a pillar of smoke that high, I'm sure even Wilbur can see it, wherever he's hiding."

"Exactly, sir."

"Heh, good job. You're doing well. I look forward to what you bring me as a new flag."

"Thank you, sir."

Casting one final, admiring glance to the blaze, Schlatt turns away and begins striding back to the White House, content with the knowledge that his country isn't under siege, but new management. Quackity stays behind only a second longer, releasing a short laugh as he smacks Fundy on the shoulder. "This is fucking insane." He grins. "Maybe you're not so bad after all. Even if you are a furry."

Fundy's expression sours, but Quackity cackles and hurries after Schlatt before the fox can deny the accusation.

"Wow, Fundy's really going all in, huh?" George marvels. "I'm kind of impressed."

"Mmm." I nod, unsure of what I think just yet. As much as it twists my stomach, Fundy is doing a good job. He's playing to all Schlatt's interests. The flattery. The arson. The constant pandering.

He's doing exactly what I would do. What I did do, when I first met Schlatt.

Back then I knew only that I wanted to follow and protect the horned man, no matter what. I was so scared that he'd abandon me, that I did everything I could to make him see me as someone reliable and worthy of his attention. I went to great lengths to seek his approval.

Of course, now things are different. I'm seen as an equal rather than an underling, allowing my personality to shine through with the knowledge that Schlatt won't so readily throw me aside at the slightest slip-up. But Fundy doesn't have that yet. He doesn't have Schlatt's trust. Not at the level I do.

So does that mean I should help him? Show him how to gain that trust? If he's really serious about following him, then isn't it only right that I teach him what I know? Fundy isn't like Quackity or Tubbo, who are in it for their own personal reasons. Tubbo to help his friends, and Quackity to guide the country to a greater future. As for George? I feel like he's just along for the ride. To watch but not participate. Which I approve of, for now.