Chapter Text
There’s that one moment when you realize you’re in danger. That moment tends to do things to your body.
Specifically, it makes it stop working normally.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Adrenaline ran it’s course through his bloodstream as his hands shook, almost noticeably, as they grew clammy. He’d never felt terror like this before. Yes, the war was real. He’d killed enough people to know that. But never, not once, had one of his loved ones been the one in danger before. And they were out of reach, left to the mercy of their abductor, their fate played out on the screen before the remaining royal family. He was no longer sure if he was shaking due to nerves or rage, his vision clouding over, blocking out everything save his pounding heart.
“Technoblade.” Phil hissed through his teeth, keeping a wary eye on the servants who were gathering to watch with varying expressions that ranged from confused to alarmed to horrified. “Calm down.”
Techno knew he needed to put up a facade for the growing crowd but that was Tommy and somebody was holding a hatchet to his brothers throat and Techno couldn’t breathe.
“Techno please.” Phil’s voice broke through his muddled thoughts, sounding equally frustrated and worried. It helped him anchor to reality, clinging to Phil’s voice, though his gaze never left the screen.
A ferocious rustling of clothing informed him that Wilbur had arrived, flushed and eyes darker than normal, narrowed with all the hate the kingdom had to offer at the screen before them.
“Any word from Tubbo?” He was answered with a grim shake of Phil’s head and a burst of heat erupted in Techno’s skull. It had been a while since the voices had broken through his mental wall but he didn’t have a great grasp of his emotions and they were sneaking past the cracks despite his control.
Tubbo’s the traitor
Tubbo’s the traitor
Tubbo betrayed you
Foolish Technoblade
Foolish L’Manburg
Tubbo’s the traitor
Enough! Techno snapped back and everything fell silent once more. Tubbo may have been a member of Pogtopia but Techno knew how close he was with Tommy. He’d been a spy for L’Manburg for the past few years… now was not the time to think of betrayal. Though that would certainly explain how one of the best guarded people in the kingdom had been kidnapped.
“Ranboo won’t make it in time. He doesn’t have the coordinates for a successful teleportation.” Wilbur cursed. Ranboo was Tommy, Wilbur, and Techno’s royal guard. Teleporting was the only thing that made that task possible, being an End hybrid.
Phil had been looking for another in hopes of making Ranboo’s job easier. In fact… the most recent trainee was supposed to be arriving today… what if… Techno whipped around to study Phil, despite knowing he would never betray them, he’d rather die.
His father’s entire body was filled with tension as his penetrating blue gaze scanned every inch of space that was being recorded. It was a live stream so at least they hadn’t done anything to Tommy. Yet.
A flash of color on the screen completely caught his attention before he could form a completed thought about the new knight being a traitor. Techno hadn’t heard the person approaching but the entire video had been silent. He wasn’t sure if the video was muted or if it was because Tommy was gagged.
They were shrouded in a dark cloak that matched the shadows around them, the faint flash of silver that had caught Techno’s eye earlier revealing itself to be armor whenever they moved too quickly. The entire court seemed to lose the will to breath. Techno’s heart sped up again, something he had though would’ve been impossible with how fast he felt it was already pounding. The executioner had arrived.
He heard Phil’s sharp intake but found himself rooted to the ground, staring at the screen, helpless. Rage continued bubbling in his chest. He hated feeling helpless.
But the figure didn’t move toward any of the weapons on display. Instead they took the time to study Tommy, finally shaking their head before approaching the chair he was tied to.
Tommy startled at their touch on his knee and began struggling even harder then before, no doubt rubbing his skin raw, unable to see beyond the blindfold secured to his face. The figure hesitated, drawing Techno’s interest, before slowly making their way around the chair, staying in contact with Tommy the entire time, as if to inform Tommy of their position.
“Thank Prime.” Phil suddenly relaxed, nearly slumping against the marble pillar behind him. “He found him.”
“Who?” Wilbur’s tone was terse. “Phil, who is that?”
Techno wanted to take part of the conversation but couldn’t take his eyes off his younger brother. The blindfold fluttered to the floor and Tommy’s wide blue eyes came into view. He craned his neck to catch a glimpse of his helper and his brow furrowed suspiciously, body tense but not longer fighting.
The figure paused again before opting to ignore the gag and untie Tommy from the chair. Tommy jumped free in an instant, moving to keep the distance between them and yanking down the gag, leaving it to lie around his neck.
“Who the heck are you!?” He coughed, voice dry and rough and angry. The door that wasn’t visible from the screen burst open and Techno tensed, preparing to watch guards rush in and capture them. Instead he saw Tubbo and Ranboo rushing in. Tubbo immediately started crying as he hugged Tommy, stirring guilt to rise in the pit of Techno’s stomach as his accusing thoughts from before. Ranboo stayed a few feet away, keeping his eyes on the person in the cloak.
“I’m so glad you’re okay.” Tubbo finally leaned back, wiping tears from his face.
“Me too.” Tommy croaked before eyeing his rescuer. “Uh…”
“I’ll explain it all back at home my prince.” Ranboo replied, finally turning toward his two friends.
“Don’t-” Techno hissed as Ranboo’s back became exposed to the new comer. However they made no move for a weapon, instead reaching out and tapping him. Ranboo whirled around, a hand on the hilt of his sword. They gestured toward the direction of the camera, making it look like they were beckoning for the royal family to come forward.
Techno watched Ranboo’s face pale when he caught sight of the camera before nodding once and holding his hands out to Tubbo and Tommy, preparing to teleport. When the fourth figure didn’t move to join them Ranboo wrapped his tail around their forearm before they vanished leaving nothing but a few purple sparks in their place.
“Court dismissed!” Phil’s voice commanded. “Go back to your regular duties!”
The servants hurried to obey, clearing the courtyard. Techno rolled his head across his neck, trying to fix the kinks he felt building. A few satisfying pops echoed back at him. Only moments later an echoed wheezing sound interrupted his train of thoughts as Ranboo appeared with Tommy, Tubbo, and the mysterious figure.
Phil’s wings erupted from his back as he jumped off the platform to glide down to meet them. Techno vaulted down as well, ignoring the throbbing in his heels and running down the rest of the way, leaving Wilbur to scramble after them, making disgruntled noises.
“Toms.” Techno grunted as his little brother disengaged from Phil’s hug and shot him a smile. His rapidly beatin heart slowed slightly at the sight. He was her and he was safe and that was enough for now. “Glad you’re okay.”
That was about as affectionate as he was capable of being. Luckily Wilbur reached them at that point and moved the conversation in a different direction in his subtle Wilbur way.
“Who’s this guy?” He frowned, gazing at Tommy’s rescuer. They had taken a few steps back and resumed a normal stand, arms folded across their chest as they watched.
“Ah.” Philza finally stepped away from the youngest prince, though his wing still stretched out in a protective shield. “Yes, I should probably introduce you all.”
“You know him?” Tubbo perked. Ranboo smiled faintly at Phil’s words, like a burden had been lifted off his shoulders. “That’s a relief.”
“Yes.” The End hybrid nodded. “I didn’t know what to do when he said he’d handle it.”
“I’m glad you did.” Phil confirmed before turning to the silent member. “Well done. Anything to report before I introduce you?”
Techno forced his muscles to still as the man took off his hood, steeling himself to avoid reacting. He was not prepared to be looking at a young man about his age with bright green eyes that seemed to pierce through him. Nor for him to stay silent and start making motions with his hands.
Sign language.
Techno’s stupid.
It’s obviously sign language.
Idiot.
L
L
L
It’s sign language stupid. The voices informed helpfully, taunting him as he tried to keep a mask of mild interest on his face. It must have looked more like a grimace because the man fumbled for a moment when he met his gaze. Wilbur elbowed him and Techno grabbed his arm before he could completely withdraw, twisting it in a warning before letting go.
“Ranboo?” Phil’s brow was narrowed, trying to keep up with the quick motions.
“The camera suggests torture and bargaining. They wouldn’t do that just to kill Tommy.” Ranboo glared at the man’s hands but continued speaking, looking faintly sick as he translated. “The table of weapons and the fact that they were forcing you to watch is just more evidence. They need you alive to get the kingdom to surrender.”
Phil nodded to himself and internally Techno agreed. They shouldn’t have been able to get into the castle in the first place. Which meant… “Somebody here bypassed our system then. Did you see anybody from L’Manburg there?”
“No.” Ranboo replied, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “But I don’t think it’s safe to send Tubbo back anymore.”
“No way!” Tommy blurted, looking furious. “Tubbo’s staying here!”
Nobody refuted the claim and Techno gritted his teeth as a silence fell over them. He hated standing around and not doing anything. Movement caught the corner of his eye and he bit his tongue as he spotted the new guy signing to Phil with slow precise movements.
“Tommy, he’d like to apologize for scaring you.”
“Oh…” The boy blinked before nodding slowly. “Yeah umm… yeah. Thanks for saving me… umm…?” He shot Phil a questioning look.
Phil chuckled before nudging the man cheerfully. “Right. Everyone this is Dream. He’s from Las Nevadas.”
That caught Techno’s attention.
Las Nevadas was, like Kinoko and the Eggpire, neutral to the war, though there had been rumors that they were considering joining a side. Nothing that could be confirmed. It also explained why the man seemed more wirey and compacted then a muscular bulky guard, like the people they had here. And why his skin was much tanner then everyone, he must’ve worked out in the sun often.
“He will be sharing the position with Ranboo as a guard for the royal family.” Phil continued, drawing out a snort from Techno before his gaze locked onto Phil’s, who offered him the beginning of a smile. “And his main priority will be you Technoblade.”
“What?” He blurted out in disbelief as Wilbur smirked and Tommy failed to hide his snicker. “Phil, I don’t need protecting.”
Is it a sacrifice?
Oooh, sacrifice?
Sacrifice!
Blood for the blood god.
Blood?
Blood!
Blood for the blood god!
His only answer as a noncommittal hum and he couldn’t stop himself from glaring at his father.
“Trust me on this.” Phil met his scour with calm certainty. Techno snorted but looked away, instead targeting his glare on Dream, who was signing at Ranboo again as a much faster pace then he had used to talk to Phil.
Ranboo shook his head in reply and a small frown appeared on Dream’s face before he walked over to Techno and jabbed a very accusing finger into his face.
Techno held in a snarl as he took a step back, crossing his arms in warning. Dream shrugged and turned toward Philza expectantly.
“Techno’s eyes are naturally red. And Tubbo hasn’t pledged allegiance yet.” He explained with his soothing tone. He made a questioning gesture and Phil shook his head. “Nobody else here has red eyes.”
Techno had heard rumors that all those who worked under Schlatt’s reign had red eyes. Being called out like that, however, grated on his nerves. He was first in line for the throne of L’Manburg, not that he wanted that, so he had no reason to betray them.
Dream’s brow furrowed as he spun to face the others, leaving the cloak brushing against Techno’s knuckles. He forced down the urge to reach out and yank it, frustrated with the entire situation of not being able to understand this new guard.
Ranboo’s eyes widened, a new light kindling in his gaze. Anger.
“What is it?” Tommy frowned.
“Dream said the person who gave him a tour when he first arrived here had red eyes. They hid it but he managed to uncover it.” Techno tensed as Philza focused on the young man.
“Who?” His polite one had vanished to something as cold and hard as ice.
Dream fumbled to grab something from underneath the folds of his cloak, his eyes darkening with realization at what was being implied before finally pulling a single object out.
Jack Manifold’s sunglasses.