Chapter Text
The night was unusually quiet in Snowchester, the soft hum of the generator the only sound cutting through the still air. Tubbo was inside, sitting by the fireplace with Michael nestled against his side, the little piglin hybrid dozing peacefully. Tubbo's eyes were heavy with exhaustion as he scribbled in a notebook, mapping out plans for expanding the defences of the surrounding settlement. The world had been relatively calm lately, but Tubbo knew better than to trust peace.
The knock at the door shattered the stillness and sent a zap of adrenaline through the goat’s body. Tubbo tensed, laying Micheal out of sight. He nearly knocking over his chair as he hurried to the door, the cold biting at him as he cracked it open.
"Tommy?!" he exclaimed, startled to see his best friend standing there, dishevelled, panting, and clutching Shroud securely in his arms. His face was flushed from the cold, or maybe from whatever had driven him here in such a rush.
“Tubbo! Take him, please!” Tommy shoved the toddler into Tubbo’s arms, nearly waking the sleeping child. Tubbo instinctively cradled the freezing boy, his confusion mounting.
“What’s going on? Why are you-”
“No time!” Tommy interrupted, pulling out a worn book and hurriedly pushing it to Tubbo’s free hand. “Here’s the instructions, alright? Everything you need to know is in there. And this-” he fumbled with a map, folding it hastily before shoving it into the book in Tubbo’s grasp, “this will get you where you need to go. Just follow it exactly.”
Tubbo stared at the map and the book, then back at Tommy. “Tom, what are you talking about? What’s happening? Are you alright?”
Tommy glanced over his shoulder, as if expecting someone, or something, to appear out of the darkness. “I found a way out, Tubbo. A way for us. For you, for the kids, for me, …for Ranboo.”
Tubbo’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Ranboo. “A way out? Out of the server? How?”
Tommy hesitated, his usual bravado faltering. “I... I made a deal. With someone, something, actually. I can’t say who.” His eyes darted around nervously. “But trust me, it’ll work. Ranboo’s getting out of that stupid prison as we speak. He’ll be here soon, and then you all need to go.”
The weight of Tommy’s words sank in, and Tubbo’s mind raced. “You can’t be serious. Who did you make a deal with? Tommy, deals like this never-”
“Don’t you think I know that?!” Tommy snapped, his voice cracking. He took a shaky breath, visibly trying to calm himself. “I know it’s risky, alright? But it’s the only chance we’ve got. I- I can’t explain everything, but I swear this is going to work.”
“And what about you?” Tubbo asked, his voice rising. “You’re just going to stay here?!”
Tommy forced a crooked grin, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I don’t know, I’ve got... things to do. My part of the deal, you know?” He looked down at Shroud, now curled up in Tubbo’s arms, and his expression softened. “Take care of him, alright? He’s a good lad.”
“Tommy—”
“No.” Tommy held up a hand, cutting Tubbo off. His voice turned serious, more serious than Tubbo had ever heard it. “Just promise me, Tubbo. Promise me you’ll get Michael, Shroud and Ranboo out of here. They deserve better than this server. More than me.”
Tubbo’s throat tightened, but he nodded. “I promise.”
Tommy’s shoulders relaxed slightly, and he smiled- a real, genuine smile this time. “Good. That’s good.”
A sudden sound in the distance- a faint, almost imperceptible crackle- made Tommy stiffen. He turned, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. “I’ve got to go.”
“Wait!” Tubbo called after him. “Tommy, you don’t have to do this alone!”
But Tommy was already running into the night, his voice carrying back over his shoulder. “Don’t follow me, Tubbo! Just get ready! I’ll find you again!”
And then he was gone, swallowed by the darkness brought on by the sudden roaring wind and snow.
Tubbo stood in the doorway, the cold seeping into his bones as he stared after Tommy. The book and map felt heavier in his hands than they should have. Shroud chirped softly, as if sensing Tubbo’s unease even in his slumber.
He closed the door and locked it, his hands trembling. Tubbo set Shroud on the couch next to Micheal, then opened the book. The instructions were written in Tommy’s scrawling handwriting, full of crossed-out words and hastily added notes. It detailed the steps to reach a specific location- a portal, it seemed.
The map marked the path, winding through familiar terrain before diverging into areas Tubbo didn’t recognize. His stomach churned as he read the final note Tommy had scrawled at the bottom of the page:
“No matter what, don’t turn back.”
A sharp knock at the window made Tubbo jump. He turned to see Ranboo, his form illuminated by the moonlight. Tubbo rushed to open the door, pulling Ranboo inside.
“Ranboo! You’re out! Are you okay?!”
Ranboo nodded, his expression a mix of relief and urgency. “I’m fine, but what’s going on? Whatever got me out of there just dropped a note telling me to find you here. I wasn’t even able see it.” He stood beside Tubbo at the kitchen table, fidgeting with his hands.
Tubbo held up the book and map. “Odd, I barely know what’s going on too. Tommy wouldn’t tell me much. All he did was give me this book with instructions and a map. Apparently, he found us all a way off this godless server…” Tubbo held down his tears and sorrow. That could wait for when their safe.
Ranboo sighed, his eyes darting to Michael, who was still peacefully asleep next to Shroud. ‘Had Tommy left him here?’ “It’s complicated, but if we can, then we need to leave. Now. If Tommy says this is the way, we should trust him.”
Tubbo hesitated, his gaze shifting between Ranboo and Michael. “What about Tommy? He’s staying behind to do... whatever it is he promised. What if—”
Ranboo pulled Tubbo in for a soft hug and played with the brunettes hair to try and steady himself.
“We’ll come back for him,” Ranboo said firmly, though his voice wavered slightly. “Right now, we need to focus on getting the kids to safety. He wouldn’t want us to waste this chance.”
Tubbo nodded, though his heart ached at the thought of leaving Tommy behind. He grabbed a bag and began packing essentials. Just some light food, tools, emergency supplies, and the instructions Tommy had given him.
As they prepared to leave, Tubbo couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far bigger than any of them could have imagined.
The night air was brisk as Tubbo and Ranboo, each carrying one of the children, set out from Snowchester, following the map Tommy had left behind. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the snowy landscape. Tubbo carried Michael in a sling strapped securely to his chest, the little piglin hybrid sleeping soundly despite the chill. Ranboo walked beside him with the blanket wrapped spiderling in his hold. His tall figure helped to blending them into the shadows of the trees.
The first leg of their journey took them through the thick forest surrounding Snowchester and beyond. The trees towered over them, their bare branches creaking in the wind. Tubbo glanced at the map, the flickering light of his lantern illuminating the faint lines that marked their path. He couldn’t stop thinking about Tommy, about what his best friend had gotten himself into.
“What do you think Tommy meant when he said we’d be safe?” Tubbo asked, breaking the silence.
Ranboo hesitated, his gaze fixed ahead. “I don’t know. But if he’s willing to put himself at risk for this, it might finally be what we’ve all wanted.”
Tubbo frowned, his grip tightening on the map. “I just... I hate leaving him behind. What if he needs us?”
Ranboo placed a reassuring hand on Tubbo’s shoulder. “We’ll find a way to help him once we’re safe. For now, we need to trust him, it’s the least we could do.”
As the hours passed, they emerged from the forest into a sprawling plains biome. The grass stretched endlessly in every direction, rippling in the gentle breeze.
Tubbo and Ranboo decided to stop for the night, setting up camp near a small pond.
Tubbo built a campfire while Ranboo laid out a bedroll for Michael and Shroud. The flames crackled and danced, casting warm light over their tired faces. Tubbo sat close to the fire, staring into the flickering embers as his thoughts swirled. The two children tucked in tight behind them.
“Do you think we’ll ever find a real home?” Tubbo asked quietly, his voice barely audible over the crackle of the fire. He shuffled around to lay his head on Ranboo’s arm. The Enderman lifted his arm around his husband and pulled him closer.
Ranboo glanced down at him, his mismatched eyes softening. “Maybe not the way we imagine it, but... I think we’ll find somewhere we belong. Somewhere safe for the boys to grow up.”
Tubbo nodded, his heart heavy with both hope and doubt.
The next day brought new challenges as they ventured into a desert biome. The sun blazed overhead, the heat oppressive and unrelenting. Michael, now awake and alert, ran around on the squeaking sand as they trudged through the landscape. Shroud had already tired himself out and had climbed onto Ranboo for a nap.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this hot in my life,” Tubbo groaned, wiping sweat from his brow.
Ranboo chuckled, his thin stature helping him manage the heat easier. “At least we’re getting a tan.”
Tubbo shot him a glare but couldn’t suppress a small smile. Despite the circumstances, Ranboo’s humour was a welcome distraction.
They came across a small village nestled in the dunes, its sandstone buildings blending seamlessly with the surroundings. The villagers greeted them with cautious curiosity, their faces weathered by the harsh desert climate.
Tubbo and Ranboo bartered with the villagers for supplies, trading emeralds for water and food. Michael was fascinated by the golems patrolling the village, pointing and babbling excitedly.
“Look, Michael,” Tubbo said, crouching down to his son’s level. “That’s an iron golem. They protect the villagers.”
Michael giggled, reaching out toward the towering figure. Tubbo couldn’t help but smile, his heart swelling with pride and love for his son.
That night, they stayed in one of the village’s small houses, grateful for a roof over their heads. Tubbo lay awake, staring at the ceiling as worry gnawed at him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched or even followed. That ominous deal Tommy refused to elaborate about left him feeling stressed.
Before the sun had even risen, their journey continued, taking them through a variety of biomes. The lush greenery of a jungle biome was a stark contrast to the barren desert they had left behind. Shroud was enthralled by the vibrant colours and the sounds of parrots calling from the treetops often trying to chase the parrots up trees.
“This place is amazing,” Tubbo said, marvelling at the towering trees and the dense undergrowth.
Ranboo nodded, his gaze scanning their surroundings. “It’s beautiful, but we should stay alert. Jungles can be dangerous.”
As if on cue, a creeper emerged from the undergrowth, its hissing warning them of its presence. Ranboo sprang into action, quickly disposing of the threat.
“Close call,” Tubbo muttered, his heart racing.
They pressed on, eventually reaching a river that cut through the jungle. They built a raft using bamboo and vines, floating downstream as the current carried them closer to their destination. The journey by water gave them a brief respite, allowing them to enjoy the scenery without the constant threat of danger beneath the dark canopies.
Michael leaned over the edge of the raft, his reflection rippling in the water while Shroud dragged his four hands through the water. “Fish!” the piglin exclaimed, giggling.
Tubbo laughed, his worries momentarily forgotten. “That’s right, Michael. Look at all the colours.”
As night fell, they arrived at the edge of a snowy tundra biome. The cold was a sharp contrast to the jungle’s humidity, and they bundled up in warm clothing to keep the chill at bay.
They set up camp in a sheltered area, the fire providing much-needed warmth. Tubbo sat with Michael on his lap, wrapping his arms around his son to keep him warm Shroud sleeping by his side.
Ranboo stared into the distance, his expression thoughtful. “Do you think this is what freedom feels like?”
Tubbo looked at him, surprised by the question. “What do you mean?”
“Being out here, away from the server’s chaos. No wars, no factions, just... us. It feels different.”
Tubbo nodded slowly. “Yeah. I guess it does. But it’s not real freedom, is it? Not yet.”
Ranboo didn’t respond, but his silence spoke volumes.
The final stretch of their journey took them through the mountainous biome. The climb was gruelling, though Shroud enjoyed showing off his skill for the task. Once they reached to top the breathtaking views made it worthwhile. Snow-capped peaks towered above them, and valleys stretched out below, dotted with patches of forest and shimmering lakes.
Tubbo paused to catch his breath, glancing back at Ranboo and Michael. “Almost there,” he said, more to himself than to them.
Ranboo smiled, his determination unwavering. “We’re doing this, Tubbo. For all of us.”
Tubbo smiled back, his resolve strengthening. “Yeah. For all of us.”
As they reached the summit, the path ahead became clear. The map led them to a hidden valley, where the exit Tommy had promised awaited. Tubbo and Ranboo exchanged a glance, their exhaustion giving way to hope.
For the first time in what felt like forever, they could see the possibility of a future- a real future where they could finally be safe for good.
The entrance to the cave was nearly hidden by a tangle of thick vines and undergrowth. Tubbo hesitated, gripping the map tightly as he stared into the darkness beyond. The flickering light of his recently lit lantern only illuminated the first few feet of the rocky tunnel.
“This is it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “The map ends here.”
Ranboo adjusted the makeshift pack slung over his shoulder and nodded. “Then let’s finish this.”
Tubbo crouched down, carefully placing Michael on his back in a secure carrier and made sure Ranboo had hold of Shroud. “Stay close,” he instructed, his tone firm. “And keep quiet.”
The cave swallowed them whole as they stepped inside, the air growing damp and cold. The sound of their footsteps echoed against the stone walls, mingling with the distant drip of water. Shroud, sat on Ranboo’s shoulder, chirped softly, his many legs twitching as he scanned the darkness with his glowing eyes.
“You looking for something bud?” Ranboo said, glancing at the spider.
Tubbo turned to the two. “If you spot anything, make sure to tell us bud.”
“Okay!” Shroud grinned wide and went back to his look out job.
Tubbo’s grip on his lantern tightened as he scanned their surroundings. “Nice. Let’s hope he spots them before they spot us.”
The deeper they ventured, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The walls of the cave seemed to close in around them, the air thick with an unshakable sense of unease. Shroud twitched again, this time pointing toward a shadowy corner.
Ranboo squinted, his heightened vision revealing the silhouette of a zombie shuffling toward them. He stepped forward, swiftly drawing his blade and dispatching the creature before it could get too close.
“Nice one,” Tubbo muttered, relief evident in his voice.
Ranboo nodded, wiping his blade clean. “Let’s keep moving.”
The path twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the earth. Stalagmites rose from the ground like jagged teeth, and the occasional gust of wind howled through the tunnels, sounding eerily like distant whispers. Tubbo tried to focus on the map, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Tommy. He hoped his friend hadn’t done anything blindly stupid- wherever he was.
Eventually, they reached a wide chamber. At its centre stood an odd structure, carved from dark stone and glowing faintly with an unnatural light. Four intricately designed seats surrounded a central pedestal, each marked with symbols that seemed to pulse with life.
“This must be it,” Tubbo said, his voice trembling. He pulled out the book Tommy had given him, flipping through its pages until he found the instructions.
Ranboo stood beside him, his expression grim. “What does it say?”
Tubbo read aloud, his voice echoing in the cavern. “‘To leave this realm, those who wish to depart must take a seat. Each must offer a fragment of their soul—willingly given. The shrine will do the rest.’”
“A fragment of our soul?” Ranboo repeated, his voice laced with uncertainty and worry.
Tubbo nodded, his throat dry. “That’s what it says. It doesn’t explain what it means, exactly, but... this is what Tommy wanted us to do…”
Ranboo glanced at Michael and Shroud, who were staring at the shrine with wide, curious eyes. “And you think this is safe? For them?”
Tubbo hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But we’ve come this far. We don’t have another choice.”
Tubbo approached the nearest seat, his hands trembling as he placed the book on the pedestal. The symbols glowed brighter, casting eerie patterns across the chamber. After leading the kids to their own chairs, he sat down, gripping the edges of the seat as he braced himself for whatever was to come.
Ranboo followed, taking the seat beside him. He whispered reassurances to the kids even as his own fear threatened to overwhelm him.
Shroud watched the pedestal, his glowing eyes fixed on the swirling energy emanating from the shrine. He let out a soft chirp, as if giving his approval.
“Here goes nothing,” Tubbo murmured, reaching out to touch the pedestal. Everyone else following his lead.
The moment his fingers made contact; a surge of energy coursed through him. The symbols flared with light, and the ground beneath them began to tremble. Tubbo felt a strange pulling sensation, as if something deep within him was being drawn toward the shrine.
Ranboo let out a sharp breath. “It’s... cold,” he said, his voice barely audible but the confusion was clear.
Tubbo nodded, his teeth chattering as an icy chill seeped into his bones. His vision blurred, the edges of the chamber fading into darkness.
“Stay with me,” he said, his voice shaking. “We have to stay together.”
The light from the shrine grew brighter, almost blinding in its intensity. Tubbo’s heart raced as the cold became unbearable, numbing his fingers and toes. He heard Michael’s small, pained grunt as the piglinet tried his best to take his hand away but no anvil. Shroud let out a stressed squeak.
Ranboo’s voice cut through the haze, desperate and strained. “Tubbo! Something’s... wrong-”
Before he could finish, their surroundings vanished entirely. The light was gone, replaced by complete darkness. The cold was all-encompassing, pressing down on them like a weight they couldn’t escape.
Tubbo tried to speak, but no sound came out. He reached out, searching for Ranboo, for Michael, for anything—but there was nothing. Only the cold and the dark.
And then, just as suddenly as it began, everything went still.
Tommy stood alone in the heart of the dense forest, the towering trees casting long shadows in the dim moonlight. The map Tubbo had was for they safe path out- this place was marked only in Tommy’s mind, a secret shared between him and the entity he now owed. His breath came in shaky puffs, the chill of the night biting through his red hoodie.
“Alright,” he muttered to himself, trying to muster his usual bravado. “Let’s get this over with.”
The clearing ahead seemed unnaturally still, the kind of silence that pressed on his ears and made his skin crawl. In the centre stood a stone obelisk, its surface etched with runes that glowed faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat. He had no idea how long it had been there—or if it had even existed before this deal.
“Oi!” he called out, his voice echoing sharply in the quiet. “I’m here! Show yourself!”
For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, a low hum began to resonate from the obelisk, growing louder and more discordant until it filled the clearing.
Tommy clenched his fists, resisting the urge to bolt and kept his feet nailed to the grass.
A figure stepped from the shadows.
The Watcher was unlike anything Tommy had ever seen. Its form shimmered, constantly shifting between something humanoid and something far more alien but it’s thick purple cloak remained unchanging. Its eyes were a piercing, otherworldly gold, glowing with an intensity that made it hard to look at. When it spoke, its voice was a chorus of whispers, layered and echoing.
“Thomas,” it said, the name rolling off its tongues like a command.
Tommy straightened, forcing himself to meet its gaze. “It’s Tommy,” he corrected automatically, though his voice wavered.
The Watcher tilted its head, an unsettling motion that seemed almost curious. “You have fulfilled your part. The children, the hybrids- they are on their way to safety. You have done well.”
Tommy swallowed hard, the weight of the Watcher’s words settling over him. “So- this is it, then? I’ve done what you asked. Now I-”
“Now you fulfil the true cost of your bargain,” the Watcher interrupted, its golden eyes narrowing. “Your freedom, your existence, your very code. You give these willingly, do you not?”
Tommy hesitated, his hands clenching into fists. The Watcher’s presence was suffocating, its voice crawling into his mind like tendrils of smoke. He thought of Tubbo, Ranboo, Michael, and Shroud. He thought of the kids, their laughter and the way they clung to him in moments of fear. He thought of a future he might never see.
“I do,” he said finally, his voice steady despite the tremor in his hands.
The Watcher stepped closer, its form rippling like water. “Good. Then kneel.”
Tommy’s knees hit the ground before he even registered moving. The Watcher loomed over him, its golden eyes boring into his soul.
“You are brave,” it said, almost mockingly. “But bravery alone is not enough. Do you understand what you are giving up, Thomas?”
Tommy’s jaw tightened. “I do,” he said through gritted teeth. “Just get on with it.”
The Watcher chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Tommy’s spine. “Very well.”
The obelisk began to glow brighter, the runes flaring with an unnatural light. Tommy felt a strange pull, like the very air around him was being sucked into the stone.
The Watcher raised a hand—or what resembled a hand—and a spark of golden energy shot out, wrapping around Tommy’s chest.
He cringed, the sensation unlike anything he’d ever felt. It wasn’t painful, but it wasn’t pleasant either. It was as though the magic was reaching into him, tugging at his very soul, and maybe it was.
“Your code,” the Watcher intoned, its voice heavy with authority. “Your soul. Your being. All of it now belongs to me.”
Tommy gritted his teeth, fighting the urge to scream. He felt exposed, vulnerable, like every part of him was being laid bare. Memories flashed through his mind—his time on the server, the battles, the betrayals, the friendships. He saw Tubbo, his wide grin and sparkling eyes. He saw Ranboo, awkward and endearing. He saw Shroud, perched on his shoulder.
“I hope... they make it,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
“They will,” the Watcher replied, its tone almost gentle. “Your sacrifice ensures it.”
Time dragged on, the magic pulling and pulling until Tommy thought he couldn’t take it anymore. Just when he was sure he would be ripped apart, the light from the obelisk dimmed, and the line of magic retracted.
The Watcher stepped back, regarding Tommy with something akin to satisfaction. “It is done,” it said. “The process has begun.”
Tommy slumped to the ground, his body feeling heavy and foreign. He tried to move, but his limbs refused to obey. Panic set in as he realized he couldn’t feel his heartbeat, couldn’t hear the sound of his own breath.
“What... what did you do to me?” he rasped. Clutching his throat.
The Watcher leaned closer, its golden eyes filling his vision. “You no longer belong to this world. You are beyond it now—beyond life, beyond death. You are at the beginnings of becoming a fine Watcher.”
Tommy’s mind reeled, the words barely making sense. “A... Watcher?”
“Yes,” the entity said, its voice tinged with amusement. “Welcome to eternity, Thomas.”
The clearing began to fade, the obelisk and the trees dissolving into darkness. Tommy felt himself being pulled away, his surroundings warping and twisting. He wanted to scream, to fight, but he was powerless.
The last thing he saw was the Watcher’s golden eyes, burning like twin suns in the void.
“Do not despair,” it said, its voice echoing in his mind. “You have ensured their survival. That is what matters.”
After those words Tommy lost his grasp and fell into a dreamless sleep.