Replay || Minecraft Youtubers AU

Chapter 33

Skeppy's POV:
After Techno left, Bad and I started up the stairs. The air between us was heavy. Perhaps it was the result of our last conversation at camp. The words still hurt on my tongue. It pained me to remember.

Rejecting him was the only thing I could do. I didn't want to go in here, knowing someone was waiting for me, expecting me to live. Especially not Bad. And moreover, if I did die, it would crush him even more.

Despite that, it hurt too much to say nothing. 

"Hey Bad?" I murmured softly, almost meek. From in front of me, he froze, stopping his trek.

"Yes Skeppy?" Bad's tone was one of fake cheer. I felt my heart dropping. Pushing past my guilt, I spoke.

"About earlier..."

He suddenly did a sharp intake, "It's okay, I don't need an apology."

He turned around, face adorned with a sad smile. It hurt more than any bullet wound I've ever felt. My stomach made a sickening flip.

"You don't owe me anything. I'm happy with the way we..." he trailed off, voice seeming to break. Quickly, he spun back around, likely to hide his tears. Guilt welled inside me.

"Can we just pretend I never said anything?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't find any words. I just nodded numbly.

Techno's POV:
It didn't take 30 seconds for Tommy to begin whining. The moment I greeted him...

"Took you long enough! Get me out of this chain!" He yelled, flailing his arms around. The metal clanged against the concrete floor.

Classic Tommy.

As I began picking at his heavy cuffs, he continued complaining, babbling even. He kept fidgeting and squirming, clearly antsy and impatient.

"Hurry up! Hurry up!"

CLANG!

The cuffs were off.

I sighed, "they're off n-"

I was interrupted by a head pressed into my chest. A pair of lanky arms were wrapped around me, squeezing tightly. I can hear Tommy's relieved breathing.

"I missed you..." he whispered. I didn't know how to react to this, so I just awkwardly patted his back. He didn't seem like he was going to let go anytime soon.

"You're getting Tommy snot on my coat," I teased lightly. He seemed to laugh at that, before he finally pushed off of me.

"Well fine! I thought we were having a moment!" he pouted, giving a playful punch. I rolled my eyes, catching his fist. Although, he seemed to have improved in speed from the last time we play fought.

"Let's get out of here," I said, "Then we can go find Phil."

I began pulling him up. Suddenly, there was a crash upstairs, the distinct noise of explosions rang. Tommy gave me a worried look. I just shook my head.

"Skeppy and Bad are going to take down the CEO. They're on the floor above us."

Tommy's eyes seemed to widen at my response. He began looking around wildly, searching for a weapon.

"Well we have to help them! Deo said the next floor is dangerous! Most of the guards are gathering there!" he yelled, still scrambling around.

I grabbed his arms, giving a serious look. He stared back, bewildered.

"It's not worth it. You can't do anything anyways. You're a nonproje-"

He shook his head profusely, interrupting me, "but you can! You have to help them! They'll die up there! Did you not hear that bomb?!"

Tommy was flashing me a pleading look. I shook my head, glancing away from him.

"No, Tommy. It's not safe. I'm not putting you in any more danger."

I could hear his deep inhale. Turning back, I noticed his upset expression.

"When we were younger, I idolized you. You were like a hero," he muttered. Looking up to meet my gaze, I felt an uneasy churn in my stomach.

"Heroes save people, Techno. They saved me back at the school, remember? That's why I have to help them. Even if I die trying."

Skeppy POV:
Just as I reached the top few steps, Bad suddenly shoved me behind him, shielding me from a sudden blast of heat. An ear-piercing explosion ripped through the air. Gas began enrapturing the air around us.

"Don't inhale, it's virus gas!" Bad yelled to me. I could barely hear over the ringing in my ear.

As it cleared, we saw many heavy armored guards. The same kind that kidnapped Tommy and Wilbur. They stood there, menacing and armed. Bad's grip around me seemed to tighten.

I found myself stepping forward protectively, before sending ripples of sharp crystals over. As the guards raised their shields, Bad dashed forward, sending a kick toward one of them. Stealing his weapon, he whipped around, thrusting it into another's face.

One of the guards lunged at me, I raised my arm, forming a makeshift shield as I did. Using it, I slammed downwards, striking his legs. He stumbled and fell. I quickly dashed past him, rushing toward Bad. I pelted the nearby enemies, although, it didn't seem to do much.

"There's too many!" Bad yelped, sending another strike toward a guard. They began gaining more and more ground on us, even hitting us a couple times.

In a burst of movements, I formed crystallized dome around us. They began thrashing against it. Cracks formed on the walls, stretching from every side. It would crash any second. Bad grabbed my hand, giving a tight, nervous squeeze.

Suddenly, there was a scream, and the vague sound of crashing outside our defenses. The pounding stopped abruptly, and the guards seemed to have scattered.

Breaking out our shelter, we were met with a familiar sight.

"Who knew I'd end up playing Dream.." a dry voice muttered. In his hand, was a sharp blade and a small bomb of some sort.

Just then, the area sound us erupted into smoke, shrouding our sight. I felt a hand grab mine and Bad's, before pulling us away. We followed after, hastily.

Upon leaving the haze, we knew what had happened.

Techno's POV:
In truth, most people know when they're in danger. You get the gut feeling. However, I've never felt it. I was always calculating and perceptive enough to stay out of danger. I only took battles I knew I could win. And since I got my ability, I had been practically invincible.

However, here I am, facing such a large crowd. I can feel the curdle of survival instincts flaring. I just might not make it out of here alive.

From across the room, I could see Tommy. He was pulling Skeppy and Bad away, making a hasty escape. For so long, he'd been a kid in my eye. A bratty, obnoxious punk. And yet, looking from here, he seemed to have grown up. Just a little.

I found myself smiling, before releasing out a soft sigh.

"I'm so proud of you..."