I Can't Remember

[22] I Won't Announce My Sheer Descent, But Holy 𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬 There Will Be Signs

Walking through the halls was a daunting task of its own. Every turn taken was a new danger lying ahead. Even one wrong twitch could lead to an arrow in the head. The halls were barely lit and extremely narrow. Tubbo's claustrophobia did not help at all.

At least he wasn't Ranboo; being in an underwater monument constantly wondering if the ceiling would collapse, causing him to burn and drown to death simultaneously. Not to mention, he couldn't remember half the paths he took. His short-term memory was certainly getting worse. At least his long-term memory was holding out... for now.

How did they end up like this again?

Ah yes, that's right. The plan. Tubbo didn't usually lie to himself, not since the Red Festival anyway, and he wasn't going to start now. Therefore, it didn't take a lot of convincing for him to say to himself, 'This plan is fucking nuts!'

*A Few Hours Earlier*

Dream, Ranboo, and Tubbo entered their side of the Portal as soon as they got the message. Tubbo gave them vague directions (meaning he just told Dream when they got too far off course, else talked about ducks and flowers and Michael.)

Ranboo listened in, enjoying the peace. He also realised that he enjoyed the Nether. Something about it felt like home. Maybe it was because of Michael?

With Tubbo's 'help', Dream built a path through the Nether. Their plan was to avoid confrontations with Schlatt and Wilbur. It had seemed like the best-case scenario at the time.

As they proceeded forward, the crumbling pathway in the Nether made Tubbo think otherwise.

Nether-theless, they were almost there anyway. Tommy should be able to see them any second–

"Tubbo!" A shout was heard. God, who is that loud, obnoxious gremlin?

Oh, that's right. That was Tubbo's loud, obnoxious gremlin!

"Tommy! " He called back and ran towards him. He heard Dream warn him not to run, but who cared? Definitely not him.

The two boys hugged each other as tightly as they could, Tubbo even managing to pick Tommy up and twirl him around. They were still giggling when Ranboo and Dream caught up.

"Should I be jealous?" Ranboo teased. Tubbo laughed while Tommy had a straight face.

"If anyone should be jealous it's Tubbo. You're mine now, Ranb–"

"If you use that nickname..."

"--oo. Something wrong?"

Ranboo chose to mumble incoherently rather than talk, which got another giggle out of the boys' mouths.

"Alright, alright. Enough chit-chat, guys. We still have work to do," Dream reminded, his face matching the others' smiles.

They listened to Dream ramble on about the Book Portal and the stronghold– anything that he could remember. Which was a lot. Their discussion was punctuated by Ghast and Hoglin attacks, but most of the group had fought enemies in wars. Rudimentary monsters were no big deal.

Once Dream had briefed them about the myths, lore, and structure of the stronghold, he explained the plan.

"Here's what's gonna happen. I'll take the Book to an End Portal, stab it with a Wither Knife and finish this drama for good."

"Then we can all– what? Have a dinner party?" asked Tommy.

"Well, you can. I won't judge."

"You won't join us?"

"We'll... we'll see."

"Oh come on, Dream. It'll be fun! We can–" Tommy's excited rant was interrupted by Dream.