I Had Strings, But Now I'm Free (Dream SMP)

The Broken Knight

Tw: swearing, descriptions of violence

Tubbo was off-duty for the day. Schlatt had retired back to the White House after coming back from his 'meeting' with Dream. However, he had questioned himself on why Schlatt was missing half his collar and had been gripping an ice pack like it was a fucking lifeline. He didn't want to ask the man directly, afraid he might lash out like he had done to Quackity before the man had left and Tubbo had replaced him as Schlatt's Vice. Dream hadn't said anything, only briefly glancing at him before he went away for the night as well.

Tubbo found himself kept awake, so he went to walk about Manburg. He resented being in the state, wishing for the comfort of friends who cared about him instead of this miserable place. But he had to stay, for Pogtopia, for the promise Manburg could be taken back from the drunken Ram.
He missed the freedom of L'manberg, the peace it brought everyone when they lived there.
The friendly faces on the streets, nights spent joking about nothing just because they could. Not worried about the next move or the next attack.
He missed the simpler times. But, he knew, deep down, those days were long gone. And no matter how hard he might try, he'd never be able to live them again.

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Crossing the outskirts of the city, Tubbo walked at the back of buildings, abandoned houses. Houses belonging to his friends who now rested in Pogtopia. Planning their final moves. He paced along the shadows, his short horns barely catching the light of the moon above his head.
And then he remembered. The new face at the Pogtopia meeting. The one draped in purple who had complimented his bravery for staying in Manburg just to help the revolution.
Techno's adopted sister.

Rain.

He'd heard in the cabinet meeting Dream had captured her and she'd been brought to Manburg. Dream had been clear that he wasn't going to publicly announce where she was being held.
Tubbo hadn't questioned it.
It wasn't because he was afraid. It was because of the look Schlatt had given him.
He'd already lost a canon life to the man, he'd been executed during the Manburg festival a while back. He still had the burn scars to prove it. But, even because of that, Schlatt had kept him on as his Vice. Even when Quackity had 'defected' and gone to Pogtopia. He didn't feel comfortable talking openly in the cabinet meetings anymore. Not with Dream and Schlatt bearing down on him like they did...

What's this?

Tubbo's train of thought was interrupted when he found himself staring at reinforced iron trap door, a simple wooden and stone lever at the side of it for it to function. It was hidden in the shadows of the half walls that marked the edge of the city land, further obscured by the overgrown and unmaintained grass.
The door looked heavy, to say the least. But, it wasn't until Tubbo got a closer look that he realised what this might be.

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He had heard muttering as Dream and Schlatt had approached. When they had their 'meeting' away from prying eyes.

"Man, she really got me." Schlatt had said quietly, his mouth sounding like it was full. Tubbo had heard spluttering and the drip of some liquid.
"It's your own fault for provoking her." Dream had drawled in response. Their footsteps became louder by the second.
"How was I supposed to know that would set her off?!" The Ram-man bit back.
"It's her fucking brother! What did you expect?!" Dream growled.
"Whatever. I'm not going near that trapdoor again though, you hear me?" Schlatt spoke. Tubbo had paused at that mention.
"You were the one who insisted on coming. Plus, I was never going to ask you to make this a regular thing." Dream's words had faded from there.

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Tubbo looked back down at the trap door.
Was this what they were talking about?
He glanced around, nobody was there. Nobody would hear. He could just... open the hatch...