Reunion ~ Book 4

Chapter 20

"Sapnap?" Dream hissed worriedly, eyeing his friend as Sapnap stared at the place the strange black-cloaked man had been only moments ago. Sapnap looked at Dream, confused for a moment before a dull expression overcame him and his muscles fell limp. Oh crap. Dream thought. He was still lying on the ground, pain searing through his veins. Sapnap lunged, causing Dream's friends to cry out in fear. Dream's eyes widened and he forced himself to roll, ignoring the dagger-like pains as he did so. 

The scariest part wasn't the fact that Dream was being attacked while he was laying down, it was how friggin silent Sapnap was being. It was less like real life, and more like a freaky horror movie. Dream had been attacked before, but each time there had been a battle cry or a wince of pain, but not now. Not even as Dream grabbed his sword and dealt a shallow wound to Sapnap's temple. He simply shook away some blood and attacked again without a sound. 

"Guys!" Dream snarled, shoving Sapnap away as hard as he could. Sapnap staggered away a few paces and Dream let out a hiss of pain as his arm wrenched sideways and fell back to his knees with another wince. Dream watched as his friends staggered to their feet. Instead of actually trying to fight Sapnap, they literally just jumped, slamming their friend to the floor. Dream took a few deep breaths and allowed himself to fall back onto the ground from where he was sitting. 

"He's unconscious," George breathed, sliding off Sapnap's black and white form. The others laid there momentarily before getting off as well. Dream didn't move. "Dream, are you ok?" George was at Dream's side in a moment, his hand resting on Dream's arm. "You're gonna be fine, we all are,"

"This changes nothing," Dream hissed, frustrated. "Now we know there's a dragon out there, sure... but Technoblade and the others- I can't cure them," Dream's eyes grew shiny with tears. He usually didn't get emotional... but this was too much. And now Sapnap? Dream closed his eyes and let out a shaky huff. Sapnap was one of Dream's best friends, even though he had been mean to Dream for no reason and done a few questionable things... he was still Dream's friend.

"I'll be right here, no matter what happens," Dream heard George say. After a moment he heard the grass shift and felt George lay down beside him. "Ow- there's a stick in my back-" He hissed. Dream let out a sad laugh, he had to admit George always managed to cheer him up.

"Thanks," Dream said, raising one sore arm and wiping the tears from his eyes. His other friends soon all laid down beside him with various grunts and winces of pain and Dream looked at each of them, thankful that he had such caring friends. 

"We're all here, Dream," Bad said, gazing at him with his usual warm smile and soft amber eyes. 

"And I'm here too," Dream laughed as Skeppy and Antfrost each took up one of Sapnap's arms and Skeppy did a deep mocking voice. 

"Thank you guys, I know I can count on you," Dream chuckled.  He sighed and looked at Sapnap, held up by Skeppy and Antfrost. "We should get him back,"

"Yeah," George agreed. "Let's go,"

"Dream, you're back!" Dream was greeted by a very frantic-looking Tommy with Tubbo and Phil beside him. "Something's wrong with Ranboo-"

"And Technoblade, Sam, and Lazer," Dream sighed. "I know- and now Sapnap,"

"No, like something's actually wrong with him," Phil said, looking worried as well. "He isn't like the others,"

"What?" Dream asked, hauling Sapnap toward the room.

"Ok- but first," Tubbo said. "Technoblade's eyes are bright purple, he doesn't talk anymore, and he- well he's basically full enderman," Tubbo sighed. Dream gritted his teeth and nodded.

"Let's get Sapnap in there-" Bad started.

"No, my room is too small," Phil said. "We need somewhere else to keep him,"

"My house will work," Dream said, passing one of Sapnap's arms to George. "You guys take him, I need to talk to Phil," George and the others nodded and started to drag Sapnap back out the door. "What's wrong with Ranboo?" Dream asked. 

"He's gotten quite a bit taller than he should be," Tubbo said.

"And he can still talk, but LazarBeam and Sam are losing their ability," Phil said. 

"Didn't he get sick before the others?" Dream said, confused.

"Yes," Phil said. "We've been watching him and something is definitely off,"

"Ranboo?" Dream called, edging toward the door. 

"Yeah?" Ranboo answered shakily.

"How are you feeling?" Dream asked.

"F- fine," Ranboo said. "Scared though, anxious- I don't know why I'm different than these guys... I'm scared, Dream," Dream sighed and reached for the door handle. Even though he couldn't look Ranboo in the eyes and tell him he'd be ok, he knew how much a single presence could mean. 

"I'll figure out what's wrong with you and fix it," Dream promised, opening the door just a bit. Ranboo stared at him out of the corner of Dream's eye, his eyes wide with fear.

"That's a pretty big promise, Dream," Phil muttered lowly. I know. Dream thought. But I have to. Dream noticed Technoblade pacing around the room while Sam and Lazar sat on the floor with dulled purple eyes. Techno's own eyes seemed to radiate purple, glowing unnaturally vibrant. But Ranboo's... Dream knew Ranboo's eyes had been a blueish-green before, but now one of them was green and the other was a deep amber, almost red. That's very weird. Dream thought. 

"I'm going to be ok?" Ranboo hissed.

"I'll make sure of it," Dream didn't know what he'd do if he couldn't keep this promise but he had to try. Out of habit, Dream accidentally turned and met Ranboo's oddly colored gaze. Oh no- wait- Dream realized he'd messed up and stiffened, but Ranboo's expression didn't change. Dream stared at him a moment and Ranboo looked back.

"Is- is everything ok?" He asked. "You look scared now," What? Dream thought. He's not angry? HOW! 

"You- you're not attacking me," Dream hissed. Ranboo seemed to realize what had happened as well and stood up from where he'd been sitting on the floor. Dream then realized how tall he had gotten and that his skin was starting to grow darker on one half, nothing like the others. 

"I'm not attacking you..." Ranboo hissed. "What's wrong with me- am I cured? Am I sicker?" Ranboo started to look a bit panicked and Dream stared at him.

"What's going on?" Tommy called. "Is everything chill in there?" Dream nodded slowly even though Tommy couldn't see him.

"Ranboo," Dream said finally. Ranboo looked at him again, his green and red eyes wide with fear still. "I think you can come out of this room now,"

Ranboo has a variant of the sickness. There's my explanation. 

Also, I changed the beginning of Champion, the first book in this series, so instead of Technoblade stabbing himself he just gets captured. I thought that would go better with the story so... yep. Re-read if you want, I honestly just want to inform you of that. Ok, have a great day guys :)