we can all learn things(just maybe in different ways.)

in which all hope is lost

Techno shook himself out of the thoughts that clung to him like sticky cobwebs and returned the hug, letting himself support his brother's weight and warmth. "I won't." He promised, glancing up at Tubbo to make sure he also knew that he meant it, truly. He was going to do whatever it took to get back home and bring the family he had shattered back together again. He had to.

Techno let Tommy step out of his arms and stand by Tubbo, locking eyes with him for a second before nodding and letting him grip tightly to his torso, grabbing his arms tightly. "We're gonna go hide in one of these trees to watch."

Techno nodded. "Stay safe."

They took off, Tubbo gripping onto Tommy tightly as his wings flapped powerfully, a blast of wind shooting both of them upwards and letting him glide them to a nearby tree and balance on the branches. It was a skill that Tommy had perfected almost two years ago, when his wings were finally strong enough to let him fly, and he used to swoop in out of nowhere, grip Tubbo tightly, and fly off, both brothers laughing and grinning.

At least some things stayed the same.

But his fight with Dream wasn't gonna be one of them.

Steeling himself, he exhaled, watching his breath puff in front of him.

Then he started down the hill, towards the clearing where his opponent waited. This time, he was going to defeat him. For good.

Dream looked directly at him as he stepped into the clearing, his jaw tensing and his hood blowing in the wind, revealing a few strands of brown hair. "Techno."

"Dream." Techno growled softly. Though they were facing each other in combat, there had to be some mutual respect. After all, they were evenly matched. He was a worthy opponent, even if he had imprisoned his brother to force Techno to surrender.

"Where's your brother? Your other little friends?"

"It's just me this time. Me against you."

Dream didn't have any physical reaction, although that wasn't surprising considering he wore a mask that made it nearly impossible to determine his facial expression. Nevertheless, it was almost like he had been expecting this. "So be it." He tightened the strap of his shield.

Techno gritted his teeth and let Dream steer his horse out of the way.

He walked back and nodded, and they turned to stand back-to-back, in the traditional stance.

Techno exhaled.

He heard the shink of Dream's sword leaving its sheath and the fight began.

Quickly, he dodged the first strike and countered by leaping upwards and swinging his axe. Dream ducked and slashed at his neck, but Techno whipped backwards. A bolt of thrill ran through him at the feeling of the blade whizzing just above his nose and made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He dodged a blow from the sword and raised his arm to attack but was forced to leap backwards by the kick his opponent aimed at the vulnerable area right above his ankle. Techno blocked another swing with his shield and feinted right with his axe before instead pressing forward and nearly knocking Dream to the ground with his shield. Dream let out a grunt and leaped backwards instead, backing up against a tree trunk.

Techno expected his opponent to use the tree as a foothold to launch himself at him, but instead Dream drew a small dagger from his belt and threw it. Thinking quickly, Techno raised the blade of his axe and deflected it, hearing a loud clang as the metal collided. Then Dream leaped towards him and, still caught off-guard, Techno raised his shield. He fell to the ground and, seeing the knight raise his sword, tucked his arms close to his chest and rolled out of the way. He leapt to his feet again and struck, feeling a twinge of satisfaction as he temporarily disabled Dream's shield with his axe.

This was his natural habitat, where he thrived the most, dodging well-placed stabs and swipes of Dream's sword and returning with his own blows, feinting and aiming kicks and swipes at the weak points he had memorized, leaping up to attack from above and deal more damage. Adrenaline soared through his body as he sliced at his opponent's chest, his attack strong enough to knock him down if the knight hadn't dodged it and retaliated with a stab towards the leg. Pinning down the flat of the blade with his foot and striking Dream's chest with the blunt of his axe, Techno had never felt more alive, more human than in this moment as he faded into the familiar pattern of attacks and parries, stabs and feints and blocks, using the terrain to his advantage to gain higher ground by leaping onto a rock that was tall enough to reach his knees.

His hair whipped behind him as he spun, his cloak flapping with the momentum as he slashed at Dream's neck. Grunting with effort, his opponent dodged, regaining his footing before lashing out with his sword. In the split-second before he moved, Techno's mind registered the way his arm drew back and moved automatically, reaching out and drawing up his arm to catch the blade between the axehead and handle before twisting his wrist.

The sword clattered to the ground and before Dream could draw his crossbow or another dagger Techno aimed a kick at his ankle and swept his feet from the ground, forcing him to stumble into the dirt. In one swift movement, he was standing above his opponent with the blade of his axe pressed to the hollow of his neck, pinning him down.

His brain caught up to his body and they both stood for a moment, breathing hard, sweat beading on Techno's forehead. Dream swallowed, his breath puffing out in large clouds of condensation from under his mask.

"Don't ever come near me or my family again." Techno growled, his eyes flashing.

Dream's mask shifted slightly upward, enough to fully reveal his mouth. He gritted his teeth before pressing his mouth into a thin line, his throat fluxing against the cool netherite blade. "I'm sorry I have to do this. You won, fair and square. But I have to take you back with me, or everything and everyone I've ever loved is gone forever."

Suddenly Techno realized his mistake, his eyes widening. Dream wouldn't have agreed to fight him one-on-one if he didn't have something under his belt to ensure his win.

His opponent smirked. "Good game."

Too late, he pressed the axe forward to deliver the killing blow. Dream gritted his teeth and flexed his fist.

The sound of shattering glass filled Techno's ears as his vision faded to black. He collapsed on the ground, his fingers loosening on the axe handle. The last think he heard before he was completely submerged in the sudden waves of drowsiness that surrounded him was Tommy yelling in horror.

He tried to resist, but the urge to let go overwhelmed him.

Techno's eyes fluttered shut and he let the current sweep him away.