Manburg Underground

The Tour

The tour that day was going to be one of the most dangerous ones Dream had been on since he joined Schlatt's ranks. Today wasn't just about money, it was a set up. A one man set up to be exact. Only Sapnap knew where Dream was going to be and he was only allowed to intervene if things didn't go to plan.

Everything about the plan was wrong. If Dream didn't execute it perfectly, it could have serious repercussions on all of Manburg.

Gathering up the supplies he'd removed from the training center, Dream sighed and poured over the plan in his mind one last time. Go in, and don't make a scene. Do not show him anything unless specifically asked by higher ups. Do not stutter. Do not look suspicious. Give him the trade, and walk out calmly. Do not engage in any form of fighting unless they throw the first punch. Most importantly, do not remove the mask.

"Dream," Sapnap called, and grabbed a few items out of Dream's arms. "I've got this," he said. "Schlatt wants to talk to you about something important."

Sighing, Dream walked down the hall with purpose. Outside of Schlatt's room, he took a deep breath and opened the door.

Schlatt was stood at his desk, rearranging a pile of books and papers, but stopped when he heard the door creak open. "You wanted to see me, sir." Dream said, clearing his throat.

The smile on Schlatt's face was unforgiving at best and the chuckle he gave Dream was enough to send shivers down his spine. "Yes," he said. "I just wanted to remind you about how important this tour is." Rearranging the books again, Schlatt took his time and it was almost a minute before he spoke again. "In your hands, this tour is life or death, Dream. You know that better than anyone. I have taken a chance on you."

Dream stood in the room, too nervous to say anything. When he did, it came out a hoarse whisper. "Yes sir."

Schlatt stopped. Turning around, he walked closer to Dream. By the time he stopped moving, his face was inches away from Dream's mask. Dream could smell the foul liquor on his breath and he could see every imperfection on Schlatt's leathery skin. Schlatt hooked a finger underneath Dream's mask and the boy froze.

Even Schlatt hadn't seen his face. No one in the entire compound had, and Dream had tried to keep it that way as long as possible. Now, he was being violated and there was nothing he could do about it. If this were any of the other guys, Dream would have slapped their hand away and suspended their tour privileges for a year. This was his boss though.

Dream felt cold air hit his cheeks as the mask was lifted ever so slightly off of his face. He could see Schlatt's face clearer than ever and he felt as though he was going to pass out. "Don't...mess...this...up." Schlatt said through gritted teeth and pushed Dream away.

Glad to get out of there, Dream hurried down the hallway, eager for escape.

Dream and his team exited the borders of Manburg Underground and quickly walked through a service hallway and out into the busy tunnels of the subway. His mask was off as he led the group, making sure he was in front and they couldn't see his face. As Dream stopped at a bench, the others continued down further. When the train pulled up, Dream boarded with the rest of the passengers and sat down facing a line of normal people.

About five minutes into the ride, Dream noticed a woman standing up, holding on hard to the pole in front of her. "Here," he said and stood up. "Take my seat." She thanked him and sat down, a smile on her face. Looking away, Dream too smiled. There wasn't any point in being rude unless you absolutely had to.

When the train finally stopped, he got up and exited into the flow of foot traffic, quickly maneuvering through the crowd. He walked up a flight of stairs and out into the busy streets of New York. He wasn't in the main city, and the traffic wasn't as bad here as it was the further down you went. He crossed the street and made his way into an alleyway where he replaced his mask. The time on his watch read 9:32. He had three minutes until his client arrived.

There was a buzz and crackle in his ear, signaling that Sapnap was listening in. "Remember not to speak to me while you're in there," Sapnap said, his voice crackly and distant. "If anything goes wrong in there, say the word and I will pull you out of there." His voice was serious and genuine and Dream smiled.

"Thanks, Sapnap," he said. "But I can take care of things from here on out."

At 9:37, a tall man, roughly the same height and build as Dream, appeared into the same alleyway. He didn't speak, but Dream followed him further towards the dead end.

"I want to see it first," the man huffed. Dream removed the backpack off his back and unzipped it. Reaching in, his fingers trailed along the contents inside until his fingers wrapped along a small metal box. "This it?" The man asked.

"Yeah. Schlatt signed off on it."

The man spat on the ground and grunted. "I don't care what the big man signed or didn't sign. Show me," he said.

Dream remained calm and polite, but still used a strong voice. "This package is for your boss's eyes and your boss's eyes only." Dream shook the box and a loud rattle was enough to calm the man down.

Finally, after a short pause, Dream followed the man through the alleyway and into the back of an old shop. What had once been a small flower store, was now the hideout for one of the most dangerous criminal networks in the country. Being invited to their compound was not something to be taken lightly. For Dream, it was a miracle.

Eager to see what Pogtopia looked like on the inside, he continued to trail the man down flight of stairs into a lower network of rooms and hallways, similar to those of Manburg. Everything about this place screamed that they had money, and Dream tried his best to seem professional and collected.

He followed the unnamed man into a dark room and heard the door lock behind him. Standing inside was a tall, lanky gentleman with a wide grin on his face. He looked Dream up and down and laughed. "You're the messenger I presume."

"Yes." Dream said in a slow and even voice. "I have everything you want. Schlatt has signed off on it, and it's ready for you."

Phil was an older man, maybe in his late thirties, and had king blonde hair that fell in his face. Everything about him told Dream he was dangerous, but Dream tried his best to sound unmoved. "Good," Phil deadpanned and pointed to a chair in the middle of the room. "Sit," he demanded.

Dread filled Dream's chest. Gulping, he did what he was told.

Almost immediately, his hands were bound tightly to the back of the chair along with his ankles. The cuffs were tight and uncomfortable, cutting at his wrists every time he moved. Shit, shit, shit. He chanted in his head. Dream what is going on? A distant voice crackled in his ear.

He couldn't give the word yet. There was still an opportunity for this to continue on plan. Instead of replying to Sapnap, Dream focused his eyes on Phil. The man who had escorted here tossed Phil Dream's backpack and the contents inside spilled out onto the floor.

A pistol. A couple of knives. The map. And the package. Dream's eyes flicked between the backpack and Phil as the man picked up the small box.

Everything went wrong the second the box opened.

"Fake," Phil sneered. His eyes flashed to Dream and he frowned, dumping the pile of fake diamonds onto the floor. "Did Schlatt really think that I would fall for this?!"

No. Of course not. The set up wasn't the diamonds after all. It was Dream coming here to begin with. Dream was a distraction.

Dream what the hell is going on?! Sapnap sounded distant and his voice was full of worry.  Screw the signal. We're coming to get you.

Dream couldn't respond as a hand smacked across his face, the mask tumbling to the ground. The earpiece flew out along with it and it broke as it hit the ground.

Phil froze. "C- Clay?"

A/N: this is very much unedited.

WC: 1452

Next update will be soon!!

Enjoy the cliffhanger ;)