Pandemonium | Dream SMP

75. Schlatt has annoyingly good aim for a drunk...

"I'm sorry," I say, watching as Dream disappears into the trees in search of the horse.

"Me too," Punz agrees, rubbing a hand over his ear. Dream had given him a scolding loud enough to reach the White House. I've never heard him swear so much. He must have really been upset that Punz cock-blocked him.

I hum low, my gaze sweeping over Punz's form. He almost glows in his white hoodie, the gold chain around his neck polished and pretty. Other than the verbal cussing, Dream hadn't laid a finger on him.

"What was the excuse for today's outing again? Was it Technoblade or Tommy you saw in the woods?"

"It was Tommy. Why do you— woah. Hey! What are you doing?!"

Punz stares at me in horror as I loosen my tie and rip the top button of my suit shirt.

"Let's say Dream also showed up to defend Tommy," I state, pulling a few strands of hair from my plait. "It'll be more convincing for why we took so long."

"Oh, thank God."

I smile, amused by his expression.

"No need to look so scared. I wasn't about to strip."

"Well you sure made it look like you were," he sighs, a hand rubbing at his eyes. "Please, just give me a warning first. For my sake. I don't want to die an early death because of a misunderstanding with Dream."

"Noted," I laugh.

Punz begrudgingly roughs his own clothes up, following my lead, and I call my trident back to my side from where I'd hidden it under a bush.

"How many more times do you think we can do this?" Punz questions as we begin the walk back to Manburg's border. "Schlatt will get suspicious eventually. That or he'll just fire me for being shit at my job."

My heart falls a little at his question.

"I don't know," I admit, "but it won't be long. Schlatt may be unhinged but he's no idiot. Someone needs to make a move soon, and honestly, I hope it's Pogtopia."

"You do?"

I look down at my trident, ashamed of my next words. But they're words I've been wanting to say for weeks now. Maybe even months.

"I don't want Schlatt to be President anymore... He's changed. The power has gone to his head. I want him to go back to his normal, annoying self where the only things he cared about was if his tie was on straight and who he can con out of money that he hasn't already conned."

Punz hums, but fails to elaborate on whatever thought he's currently having.

We cross the border into Manburg territory, the White House looming into view soon after.

And then a lamp crashes through an upstairs window and splinters against the ground.

I exchange one look with Punz before we both sprint for the front door, my heart hammering in my ears as dread fills my stomach.

Bursting through the office doors, I fully expect to see Schlatt a bloody pulp, beaten up by a member of Pogtopia, or even someone from within Manburg.

Instead I see the man lift up his office chair and swipe it across his desk. Bottles and papers go flying, the noise of broken glass piercing my ears. Schlatt's teeth are gritted, his eyes wide and bloodshot as he destroys his desk.

In a corner of the room, Quackity is shrieking for him to stop, while also calling him a bastard and a dick. His eyes are rimmed with frustrated tears, the left side of his face littered with tiny cuts.