The Sparkling Charade of Las Nevadas: the Travels and Escapades of Wilbur Soot

VII

My arms are crossed and there's a triumphant grin on my face as I see Quackity approaching. It's quite a feeling to be this giddy before I've won.

It might just be in my head, as things often are, but Quackity's demeanor seems to have strayed from his usual confidence and vigor that matches my own. His attitude is much more serious and somber as he trudges toward me.

"Alright, where is it?"

Not even a hello? No annoyed or feisty comments? I don't detect the slightest bit of spirit in his voice.

It's no matter. I'll have won soon enough. He probably already knows it.

"Right this way."

I lead him to the makeshift room I built. "Interesting place to keep a horse," he comments as we step inside.

It's dark, just as I planned, and I let out a laugh. "Ah, you've fallen right into my trap!"

"Uh huh. Let's just get this over with."

Interesting response. I've never heard him sound so melancholy. I'm almost concerned.

No I'm not. He's the one who has wronged me.

"You came for your horse," I continue, "but now you will watch it die before your very eyes!"

I flip the switch and the lights come on.

But what I see stops me in my tracks.

I am horrified at what I've done.

Standing on the pressure plate is not the horse.

Instead, looking absolutely terrified, is Tubbo.

...

Atlas is the man who, in Greek mythology, held up the world.

Tubbo, throughout his life, has instead been the one who tried to hold it together.

A feat that is so much greater than one of simple physical strength.

Tubbo works at the Las Nevadas brand burger shop, which I rode right past now that I think of it. Of course he had to be the one to see me. He's the only person I know who would actually do something about it.

Little Tubbo, always so kind, trying to hold the world together. Trying to be the hero.

And he succeeds,

But at his own expense.

And he isn't very lucky.

"Tubbo!" I yell. "Stay right there! Don't move, I'm coming to save you!"

Quackity grabs my shoulder. "No! I will. He's my employee. I'll go get him."

"I'm just as capable of helping him as you are." I don't want to see Quackity on that pressure plate. I'm the one who's supposed to be getting satisfaction. He can't take that away from me.

"What the hell would number one know about helping people?!"

We continued to argue over who would take Atlas' place on the stage, getting into such a heated argument that it broke into a full on fistfight.

"Guys?" Atlas called, "P-please? Help me?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Atlas carefully take from his pocket a small black orb.

He hesitates, takes a deep breath, and smashes it on the ground beside him.

After a few seconds, Ranboo appears.

He looks around. "Oh, I see."

He carefully places one foot on the pressure plate and nudges Atlas off it.

"Ranboo-"

"It's okay. I have a plan. Just get out of here, alright?"

Atlas gives him a fierce hug with tears spilling from his eyes before running away as fast as his legs can carry him (which is quite fast, I must say).

I didn't really notice all of this beforehand, but I put it all together once I heard Ranboo shout, "Hey idiots!"

The both of us freeze in our bloody tracks at this accusation. I guess he's finally fed up with us. But I honestly can't say I blame him.

Once he has our attention, Ranboo looks at me. "Wilbur."

"Yeah, Ranboo?"

"The burger was good."

"It was?" I don't know why I'm so happy to hear that.

"Yeah, I just thought you ought to know."

"And you can have another one! Just let me find something heavy-"

"We both know that isn't going to work."

He looks down at his feet.

"But, could you do me a favor?"

"What is it, Ranboo?"

"Just, please make sure Tubbo is happy."

He looks to Quackity.

"I've never seen him smile as bright as when you gave him that job."

His voice cracks.

"I sure never made him that happy," Ranboo says.

Then Ranboo smiles, a single tear drop rolling down his cheek.

Ranboo jumps.

BOOM.

The colors of fire flood my vision.

Never have I felt so horribly, wretchedly alive as I do in this moment.