Through It All ~ Dream Team SMP ✅

->Twenty-Three<-

I couldn't face Tubbo and Fundy. I'd left Wilbur to inform them of the duel, claiming I needed a moment to collect my thoughts. My legs dangled over the crenellations of the Palace Wall, swinging listlessly in the hunt of wind.

What if this is the end?

I'd wondered that a lot during my time with the revolution. But on every occasion, we came back swinging with our hearts on our sleeve, relentless. But now, maybe this time, my luck had run out. Wilbur was right. I was childish and naive to think I could win this. But I had to try. For him, for Fundy, for Tubbo. For all who had lost their lives at the hand of our tyrant King.

Eret is to be King. That's what we were told. When he made his deal with Dream to betray us, he was promised rulership of the land. It hurt to see my friend so blinded and corrupted by power.

Who am I kidding, he's no friend of mine.

We trusted him with our lives, and he betrayed us. We told him our hopes and dreams, our desires. He assured us of his loyalty. But it was all a lie. Everything was a lie.

I wanted to see Tubbo one last time. But I couldn't face him. I promised him we'd stick by each other, we'd always be there. That when we were together, nothing could go wrong. I'd broken that promise long ago. I'd dragged him through blood and fire and ruin. He deserved so much more. So much more than me.

So I gave him no final goodbye.

I wanted to thank Fundy for his support. For how he was always by our side, his fist to the sky in glory. I wanted to tell him not to be afraid, to keep living, keep fighting. I wanted to tell him how glad I was to be his friend. But I couldn't.

So I didn't give him a final goodbye.

I wanted to talk to Niki again. To thank her for looking out for me and Tubbo, for watching over us. I wanted to express my gratitude for her caring for Will, and helping him through the difficulties we faced day to day. But she was gone. She died protecting me. It was all my fault.

I could give her no final goodbye.

Oddly, I wanted to see Eret. I wanted to demand an explanation, beg him to reconsider. I wanted to tell him how much I looked up to him. How his actions made me a better person. But Eret was a traitor. His actions were lies and falsehoods.

I'd never give him a final goodbye.

I wanted to laugh with Wilbur one last time. I wanted him to know how much he meant to me. I wanted him to realise that he was like a brother to me. I respected him so much. He treated me with maturity. He didn't see me as a foolish boy, but a man, even if I wasn't one. He taught me more in these few months than I'd ever known. But the words never sounded right when I tried to speak.

He'd have to forgive the lack of a final goodbye.

This was it. My moment. My hour. When I first came to L'manberg I knew this would be where I would be broke; either remade anew or left in pieces. It was time to see if I could be remade. I can't beat Dream. It's foolish to even think so. So in what may be my final hour, I need to make a choice.

Do I shoot him, or do I aim for the skies?

With arrogance comes a chance, a slim chance, at victory. To win the duel, to gain independence... The glory would raise me higher than I'd ever been. Maybe then Sap and George would respect me.

But if I aim for the skies... I can prove to Wilbur that I know when to back down. I know when to cool it. Maybe I can earn his respect.

What was more important, independence or the respect of my friend?

I gazed out at L'manberg as the sun began to rise. With it came a blustery wind, whipping my blonde hair around my head. Everything was at peace. The city hadn't woken up yet, its people wrapped in blankets and calm. The colours bled together in the sky. The yellows, oranges, reds, and pinks a cacophony for innocent sight. I shielded my eyes with a hand, staring into the horizon.

A few months ago, a young boy named Tommy Innitson left his family to travel here. His eyes sparkled with hope, daring to dream of a future. He was arrogant, foolish, short-tempered, and brash. He fought and fought, ending in no good way.

I was not the same boy.

Everyone I'd encountered had changed me.

Skeppy and Techno taught me to endure pain.

Phil taught me to be kind.

Scott and Shelby taught me to never lose imagination.

Deo taught me it was okay to relax and be my truest self.

Sap taught me to protect what I love.

George taught me to keep fighting.

Dream taught me that words are more powerful than swords.

Eret taught me that every man wears a mask, just some are invisible.

Fundy taught me kindness is always a solution.

Niki taught me selflessness.

Wilbur taught me bravery, respect, courage, and confidence.

Tubbo taught me friendship. And joy. And love.

Do I shoot, or I yield?

Wilbur, Fundy, and Tubbo deserved freedom.

I want you to do whatever your heart says you should.

They deserved this. But was I strong enough? Time would tell.

I knew what to do.