Oh Brother Of Mine

9

"Quackity." Dream nodded to the witch.

"Dream." The one eyed witch smiled.

"We need information." Dream told him.

"I know." Quackity hummed, walking around the table, "and I'll give it to you, for a price."

Dream sighed, "of course. What do you want?"

Quackity's eye flicked to Tubbo, sitting across the room. The boy squirmed. The witches gaze was laced with magic, luring him with visions of grandeur.

"Quackity!" Dream shouted, ending the illusion, "we're not giving up one of our hunters. And stop using your magic on him, were allowing you to keep your abilities right now, don't forget that."

"Allowing?" Quackity scoffed, "you and I both know the real reason you won't put magic blocks up."

George stepped forward, "Quackity. Name your price."

The witch sighed, "Fine. I've been looking for a shape shifting spell."

"That's a tall order." Sapnap crossed his arms, "what are you going to use it for?"

"A friend who got cursed." Quackity told him, "I know you know which one. Give me the reversal spell, and I'll give you your information."

"Fine." Dream nodded.

A shimmering stone passed between Dream's hands. They'd been travelling for a few days, heading far into the Arctic Empire. It was starting to get cold. Tubbo thanked the gods he had the sense to get some warm clothes in Las Nevadas.

"Gods! Are we there yet!?" Sapnap yelled, "I'm freezing my ass off out here!"

Dream sighed shortly, "I swear, if you ask again I'm going to throw you off your horse!"

George stifled a laugh, "and leave you in the blizzard."

"Now that's just mean." Sapnap pouted.

"Anyway, were almost there." Dream said, more to Tubbo than Sapnap.

"Are we really going to the blood witch so soon?" Tubbo asked quietly.

"We've been searching for years." Dream told him, "it's only soon for you. Don't worry, you'll be fine."

Tubbo just nodded. They were going to fight the blood witch. They were going to save Tommy. Everything... Everything would go back to normal.

"We're here." Dream said.

Tubbo looked up to see a wall of red light stretching up into the sky. And moments later, he saw Tommy and Techno, waiting at the edge.

The witch hunters stopped at the outside of the border.

"Morning, Dream." Techno started.

"Techno." Dream spoke.

"Tommy, go back home." Techno told the blonde.

For a moment, Tubbo thought Tommy was going to walk though the barrier. Their adventure would be over and they could go back to L'manburg. They wouldn't have to worry about magic, or witches, or anything else

But Tommy didn't move.

"Techno, I-" the blonde started.

"Go. Home." Techno said, summoning a battle-axe, "I won't be long."

Tommy looked between Techno and Tubbo. He took a step back.

Tubbo jumped off his horse, running towards the border, "Tommy!"

"Tubbo, wait!" Tommy shouted.

But it was too late. Tubbo had crossed the border. Almost instantly the air was sucked out of his lungs. He froze. Tubbo reached a hand up to his throat, falling into the snow as he gasped for air.

"Tubbo!" Tommy yelled, running to his friend, "Tubbo, get out of here! Techno, do something!"

Before Techno could react, Sapnap rushed in. He grabbed Tubbo out of Tommy's grip, throwing the boy out of the border.

"SAPNAP!" Dream screamed, "What are you doing!?"

Sapnap ignored Dream, getting to his feet and drawing his sword. He stumbled slightly, lack of oxygen getting to him.

George ran over to Tubbo, "are you okay?"

Tubbo nodded, gasping for air. George helped him to his feet.

"Go back Tommy!" Techno yelled.

Tommy cast one last glance at Tubbo. Then he ran.

"Tommy!" Tubbo called after him.

The clash of metal caught his attention. Sapnap was doing his best to fight against Techno. But the blood witch didn't seem to be phased. Sapnap fell to his knees, dropping his sword. Then he disappeared.

"Sapnap!" Tubbo gasped.

"He's fine, just teleported away " George told him, "Dream! We have to retreat!"

"I recommend you listen to him Dream." Techno growled, stepping through the barrier.

Dream hesitated. For a moment Tubbo thought he might not leave.

Then he pulled back the reins of his horse, "Fall back!"

Tubbo quickly climbed up onto his horse, following Dream away from the Arctic. He didn't know how to feel. Tommy left him. Tubbo's grip tightened on his reins. Techno must have used magic on him.

The horses slowed. Tubbo fell forward slightly. That had been terrifying. Seeing the blood witch face to face again. Watching as Sapnap vanished in front of his eyes. Choking on nothing, unable to get air into his lungs.

"Hey." George said, breaking Tubbo out of his thoughts, "are you okay?"

Tubbo nodded quickly, "y-yeah. What- what do we do now?"

"We go find Sapnap." Dream said, "we know approximately where he is."

"What about that stone? Wasn't it supposed to take down the barrier?" Tubbo asked.

"It didn't work obviously." Dream spat, "it must take a-a witch to use it or something."

"Then let's just get Quackity-" Tubbo started.

"Quackity won't leave Las Nevadas." George said.

"Listen! This obviously didn't work!" Dream shouted, "our plan now is to get Sapnap, and find another way to break the barrier. Now let's go."

Dream tugged his horse down a path. Patches crawled out of the saddle bag, jumping onto dreams shoulder. Tubbo and George followed him. This attempt was a failure, but eventually they'd get the blood witch.