I Had Strings, But Now I'm Free (Dream SMP)

The Butcher Army

tw: descriptions of violence, blood, threat, references to trauma, language

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The group before the twins stiffened and seemed to move back at Technoblade's approach, Quackity's weapon faltering. He lowered it completely and stepped back with the others, their eyes trained on the pig-man, who wasn't holding a weapon.
"So. Why have you guys come all the way out here, without protection from the cold, might I add..." He began, glancing down at the group who were only wearing armour. Tubbo and Quackity glanced at each other, Fundy and Ranboo staring at Techno. Rain did notice the enderman-like man giving her a glance, too. She returned it, though he did look away.
Guess he doesn't like eye contact with people he doesn't know...

"Technoblade, you need to pay for your war crimes." Tubbo stated matter-of-factly. Technoblade raised his brow, giving his sister a glance for a moment. Rain locked eyes with her brother, raising an eyebrow as if tempting him to respond. He turned back, huffing a smoky exhale.
"Look. That- that's in the past, now. Ok? I'm a different Technoblade." He was smiling as he spoke, putting a hand on his chest. "I'm a changed man, now. I'm in retirement. I'm a good person now, Tubbo." He emphasised.

Quackity and Tubbo exchanged whispers before looking back at the two.
"Techno, you exploded L'manberg with fucking Withers..." Quackity said darkly, like he was delivering grave news.
Tubbo narrowed his icy gaze at Rain, "He literally spawned Withers everywhere."
"Bruh, he only had two." She deadpanned, holding up two fingers with half-lidded eyes.

"I'm- I'm sorry, Technoblade. But, as much as you've changed, you still have to be brought to justice for that." Quackity sounded remorseful for a split-second. Rain's grip on her sword tightened infinitesimally, she was worried she might snap it with how tightly her fingers were wound around the hilt. She was sureTechno noticed her unease, this conversation was going on way too long. They would either be at peace or at war in the next few minutes.
She could feel it.
"There's nothing I can do to reverse your sentence." Quackity spoke again.

"Aren't you guys the Cabinet?" Rain's voice cut in.

The Butcher Army and her brother turned on her. She merely raised an eyebrow.
"Surely, you can. But you won't. Because you think he's wrong." She stated, pointing at Tubbo. Tubbo raised his axe, the moonlight beginning to shine above dancing over the diamond blade.
"Rain, this doesn't have to concern you." He warned. Rain narrowed her gaze, despite everything that happened during the revolution and L'manberg's restoration, Tubbo seemed to have forgotten what she was at her core.
She was a good sister.

"Yes it does."

"Ok, everyone calm down. Just, listen to me." Techno cut in, waving his hand at Tubbo. He motioned for him to lower his weapon, which he did with caution, eying Rain's sword with suspicion.
"I have gone...to so much effort, over the past month...to change my violent ways. I have reformed. Alright?" Techno began, his hand reached up to his head, tapping his temple with two fingers.

"The voices, they demand blood. And I- I have been denying them! I have been fighting back!" He began to shout, like the voices in his ears were drowning his own out. Rain noticed her brother's eyes glowing red, the adrenaline running in his veins intensifying. She noticed the veins lining his face beginning to pop. His head turned up at the group, eyes now burning red.
"Please..." He pleaded. "Please don't make me kill all of you..." He pointed up to the horizon, back the way they came. "Please...just leave."

The group seemed to consider the weight of his words for a moment.
For just a moment.
"Technoblade..." Tubbo began. "Just come peacefully." He asked, his eyes still icy. Rain narrowed her eyes as they took a step towards them, drawing her sword in a single fluid motion. They paused, eyes locked on the folded steel.