Puppet || Traitor Tubbo au

Chapter 7: Sober Speech

TW

Swearing, Injury

Tubbos POV -

Tubbo was practically thrown out of the white house and directed towards the podium. A piece of tattered paper was shoved into his hands with a warning, 'don't mess this up or there will be consequences.' His eyes scanned the paper and he quickly figured that it was a script for a speech. A poorly written one that had probably been the product of a 3 am drinking session. Tubbo doesn't remember ever seeing Schlatt without a bottle of alcohol in his possession.

Apparently, there's a first for everything as here in front of him is Schlatt, with his tie done up as neatly as a hungover man could manage and not a bottle in sight. Today must be very special if he isn't drowning himself in liquor ahead of having no recollection of the day prior. Tubbo would be lying if he said this didn't bring suspicion and hesitation.

Rather than bleaching himself in concern, he turned his attention to the paper in his hands. He tried his best to decipher the sorry excuse for handwriting on the page so he wouldn't completely struggle once he was in the limelight. It didn't exactly work... well, he understood the gist of it but a lot of the words just swam around his vision and created even more of a mess on the paper than it already was.

A harsh pat on the shoulder accompanied by a poorly suppressed flinch in response told Tubbo that it was his turn to say his speech. No one had told him much about what was happening - no one tells him much in general - so he just went along with it and acted like his mind wasn't brimming with countless emotions and thoughts.

Schlatt stood off to his right as he took his place in the centre of the podium. Despite not being able to see the man, he could feel the sharp glare of his eyes trained on his back. A lot was riding on this speech he supposed. Schlatt had high expectations of the boy despite only handing him the speech 5 minutes ago.

It was over as quick as it began. The only difference was the yellow concrete that was starting to set around him. Had he not presented the speech well enough? He only made one mistake which could barely even be called a stutter. That was a win in Tubbos's book. Schlatts? Not so much.

"Oh Tubbo - my right-hand-man - you wouldn't do anything to... betray me... would you?" Schlatt spoke with care, something that rarely happened. Tubbo would be surprised about this if it wasn't for the threatening tone that accompanied such care. All of which were directed at Tubbo.

"I- I don't what know you mean sir."

"You know exactly what I mean." He moved as close to Tubbo as he could without stepping into the concrete prison he was imprisoned in. "Didn't think I'd notice when you always come home late huh? Or when you aren't doing your job and you're frolicking around with the VERY PEOPLE I EXILED FROM THIS COUNTRY! Do you take me for an idiot Tubbo?"

Schlatt was breathing down his neck at this point, something Tubbo had grown used to with being under the watch of the man for so long. He knew Schlatts bad side like the back of his hand but this was something new. Something unhinged. Schlatts general personality was as unhinged as possible so this was unsettling. "No sir I don't," He spoke with as much confidence as he could gather.

"I'm starting to doubt that Tubbo. Own up for your actions like a man and stop being the cowardly child you seem to have become. When I first invited you into this cabinet I saw a strong boy who could live up to standards and the pressures of those around him. Guess I was wrong." At these words, Schlatt drew a pickaxe and stared emotionlessly into Tubbos eyes as he swung the weapon. It caught the side of his jaw and left shoulder, deep enough to draw blood and pain but not enough to leave a lasting scar. Tubbo bit back a whimper and drew a smile from Schlatt in the process.

"I saw potential in you - still do for that matter, but it seems I must go to more drastic measures to extract it from you," Schlatt announced as he turned to face the crowd. "I've sided with the very force who was so opposed to democracy and the very thought of a government-"

"This isn't a fucking democracy Schlatt, it's a dictatorship!" Niki yelled. Her eyes held so much anger and hatred towards the older man standing atop the podium. Tubbo had never seen her so distraught.

Schlatt raised an eyebrow and glared at Niki, "That is an awfully harsh accusation, especially towards the man who holds your fate in his very hands. The fate of many people actually." He turned and gave a knowing look to Tubbo before continuing, "As I was saying, I have a very special friend who would love to meet you all," he leaned into Tubbo so he could whisper in his ear, "but you especially." Schlatt grinned from ear to ear as a scared look encased Tubbos features.

"I'd like to call upon an old, and new, friend of mine," he paused, "would Technoblade like to approach the podium please!"

The piglin hybrid landed directly in front of Schlatt with no warning at all. It warranted a small jump from Tubbo which turned to a wince due to the wounds from Schlatts pickaxe. His gaze rose up to the face of the figure and immediately it dawned on him that this was going to be his demise. Schlatt spoke to Techno but Tubbo couldn't hear it, he glanced around sporadically at the crowd below the podium and silently begged one of them to stop what was about to happen. He has no concept of time anymore and before he knew it there was a loaded crossbow being shoved into his face.

His brain decided this was the perfect time to come back to his senses as he heard the rough voice of Techno whisper to him, "I'm sorry Tubbo, I'll make it as painless and colourful as possible."

A/N uhhh ik this has taken a while but yeah... now i disappear for months again :D