Blood is thicker than water

Chapter Four, Democracy.

"Our form of democracy is bribery, on the highest scale"

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Tommy raced through the woods gripping onto the skeleton horse with all his life as they narrowly dodged the long thin pine trees. Jumping over the large pot holes as the Skeletons horses ghostly like hair blew through the wind behind him. 

The sun started to set over the Dream Smp as the large pine trees casted a large shadow over themselves. Making the lights of Manberg shine even brighter through the forest as Tommy got closer. Arrows flew through the sky, piercing the air as they moved with unbelievable speed, inches away from hitting Tommy they'd hit the trees and ground beneath him. Reeking on enchantments and potions.

He would glance back only to see the Hunter gaining on them as he loaded the crossbow with Flaming arrows of harm. One hit of those powerful arrows and Tommy would be deader than his horse! Tommy would quickly face forward once again, taking a sharp turn to get the hunter off his scent or at least slow him down. 

Heading up hill Tommy heard the hoofs of Rocket echo behind him, another Arrow would go flying. This time missing him by a long-shot or well that's what he thought Techno was aiming for, but instead the fire arrow had landed in a large pile of leaves in front of Tommy. The hot air caused them to burst out in flames, causing Tommy's skeleton horse to stop in its tracks raising its front legs out of fear, kicking the teenager off and onto the rough dirt floor.

Tommy winced, his body aching with every move as adrenaline rushed through his veins, numbing the pain as he looked behind him only to see golden brown fur of Rocket. Tommy would slowly look up, his blond hair getting into his face as he stared at the warrior. Techno sat straight up, his long pink braid running down his back as he pointed the enchanted arrow at his brother. Even if he couldn't see past the dark holes of the boar skull he could feel the emotionless stare..

"T-Techno please." He begged, looking up at his older brother. Fear filling every inch of his body, he needed a way out. If he could just stall techno for a little longer.. "I haven't been working with the cabinet! Why the hell would i ever work with TWO Furries?! You know me better than anyone else! I can't stand being by Fundy for like two minutes. Let alone work with him. I mean come on techno-"

"Quit stalling Tommy." Techno spoke, his voice monotone and deep as the fire grew closer to the two of them Techno would summon a water bucket, putting the raging flame out in seconds. Which was Tommy's plan to get Techno off his horse and take it.. Now there was only one way to make it out alive and it was risky.

"I'll pay you 386 pounds right now not to kill me and let me go!" Techno would raise his eyebrow, god he was such a sell out. Tommy was surprised Shlatt hadn't already bribed him.

"500 dollars? First, how do you even have that much? Second, where is it?." The warrior crossed his arms, prepared to heart Tommy lie his ass off.

"You get a lot of money from running a government for two years, I mean Tubbo whose only secretary of state gets about 4k pounds an hour, imagine what the vice president gets. Also I run a privately funded church that profits off people donating Prime subs. Actually Techno did you know that you can Sub to your favorite creators for free? All you need is an amazon prime account and every month you'll get a free Prime sub which pays more than normal subs." Tommy repeated, memorizing the speech to his heart. 

"But anyways, all my money is stored in Church prime. There's a jukebox that stands next to the WAP (Worship And Prayer! Duh.) corner. If you put chirp inside it opens up having all my money in."

Techno would nod, he had every reason to not believe the british gremlin child, but he knew if Phil heard that he had killed Tommy he wouldn't hear the end of it. "Fine. And if it's not there, i will track you down easily and make sure you get to Wilbur the fastest way you can. Death."

Tommy would let out a sigh of relief, thank god it worked. He would slowly stand up as he nodded. Looking up at Techno.. "So, you never found me and I got away?"

"No. Your horse jumped off that cliff over there with you on it. I assumed you died and headed back to Pogtopia, to only find out you set your spawn somewhere else." Techno pointed towards a far off cliff that stood over the country of Manberg. He would take one last glance at Tommy, letting out a quiet chuckle as he turned the golden brown horse around. 

"When dad finds out, give me a good word." And just like that, the horse sped off deep into the pine forest. Leaving Tommy sitting down as he put his hand against his chest, feeling his heart race, he could just pass out right here and now.. But he knew. He needed to get to Manberg. Which was a sentence he never thought he'd find himself saying after being banished.

Tommy would grunt pushing himself up, his legs becoming jello under him as he leaned against the nearest tree. As the adrenaline started to fade so did every will to get to Manberg. The blond boy groaned, slicking his hair back as he looked towards the shining lights of Manberg. He would push himself off the tree, forcing himself to start walking towards the light as he headed uphill. If anyone would hide him while he tried to get in contact with Tubbo it would be Niki. The sweet baker that had been forced to stay in the Manberg lands and be taxed out of her mind by the ruthless president.

He clenched his fist as he walked up the hill, the thought boiling his blood, out of everyone in that damn town Niki was the most caring person. No matter how much Tommy would tease her, he knew deep down Niki was a good person. 

 She had gone through too much, her closest friend and ally betraying the nation for the greed of a crown. Her child, being shot dead over a pity war between Fundy and Sapnap. Running against two dictators with Fundy only to be betrayed like always,, as he turned his back to the girl for power in the cabinet burning the flag that represented her nation. And when she dared to speak against the new Ruler of Manberg, she was left debt ridden and doomed by the president as he used her.

So as Tommy found himself standing at the edge of the cliff, looking down at the small bakery that rested by the boat docs. A woman sat next to the bakery, wearing the old L'Manberg uniform proudly as the wind blew her brown and golden hair back. 

Tommy would take in a deep inhale as he dived off the cliff, remember something Phil had taught him at a very young age. As he headed straight for the cold unforgiving earth the teenager would summon a water bucket. And almost like a magic trick seconds before his feet crashed against the dirt floor he would place the water. And instead of his ankles shattering under him, he stood proudly his arms behind back as he smiled at Niki.

"Tommy?" She would stand up, looking over to the boy. Worry filling her eyes, what was he thinking?! He was in banished land alone! Without anyone but himself to protect him.

"Sup Niki, mind if i.. Stay the night at your bakery?" Tommy would wipe down his shirt, smoothing it out as he walked towards Niki.

"I-i.. I mean sure. Come on in,, you're going to need to explain yourself."

She would open the doors to the bakery leading Tommy in, the sweet smells filled the house. It was a small place, if you were to turn to the right you'd find her small bakery. Cakes resting over the ovens as they cooled down, bread would cook under it giving off the pleasant smell. To the left you'd find the large tank that fused in with the wall. Two fishes dancing in the waters as a quiet tune played and as you walked forward you'd find a couch with some books resting on top of it. The worst part,, a burned and torn flag was framed above the couch, engraved at the frame it read. "L'Manberg is no more. Manberg shall rise."

Niki would turn to the kitchen, making up some good tea for her and the teenager. Tommy would take a seat on the comfy couch, finally starting to relax after the terribly stressful day. Niki walked back over to the boy, handing him a fragile glass of steaming tea as she took a seat next to him.

"So.. Wanna explain why you're in Manberg of all places?."

"Well uhm..." Tommy would slowly sip on the tea only to spit it out. "This tastes like shit!"

Niki would let out a long sigh bowing her head. "I know.. It's the only tea we have in Manberg. Its stupid bland american Tea. It's all Shlatt lets us have.''

"God.. he ruined the nation and our fucking tea." Tommy would hiss, anger filling his voice. To only think months before he had looked up to the leader. Setting the tea down on the wooden floor Tommy would finally look back over at Niki. "I.. Can't tell you why I'm in Manberg. I just need you to promise me not to tell Will I'm here. And if possible.. Get Tubbo here by whispering. I'm too drained to use my magic,,"

Niki would give Tommy a worried gaze, never having seen the child so calm and just out of it. The only time she saw him like this was after Eret's betrayal.. That cold distant look over his face haunted many. For now she wouldn't push it. Just nodding as she used her magic easily..

Nihachu whispered to Tubbo_ "Tommy is at my bakery, he says he needs you. That its important."

Tubbo_ whispered to Nihachu "On my way"