"Niki! Hi!"
"Y/n! You look great today!" The blonde girl gave you a small but warm smile, tucking her shoulder-length hair behind her ears.
"Yeah, I don't know about that," you laughed, tugging the sleeves of your suit down. The normal black suit you had was traded for a waistcoat in a dark hue to compliment your tie, the white undershirt staying. "You look much better."
Her own outfit, a cream-colored crewneck under a bleached pair of overalls, hung loosely to give her a more laid-back look. One of the overalls' straps being unclipped added to the effect.
The two of you joined Tubbo on the way to the party, but unfortunately Niki had to help a friend of hers and rushed off shortly after arriving. Someone named Purpled, she mentioned? She'd told you that he would be at the festival today.
Alex and Schlatt were already at the podium, talking to each other with chuckles and boastful tones.
"Tubbo! Y/n!" the ram-horned male called carelessly, throwing his arms out and smirking. "Nice outfits! Mine looks a lot better, but they're alright."
He went into a long rant about the country's economy, at some point pulling out a bottle and taking a long swig. You sent a look towards Tubbo, and he returned it. The two of you were equally as desperate to get out of the conversation.
"Hey, Schlatt," you interrupted with a forced grin. "I just noticed a last-minute mistake in the coordinating of things. Mind if I grab Tubbo to figure it out?"
"Ah, sure." Schlatt waved you off. "Anyways, about the crime of having a flatty patty. I personally think that it should be considered the most offensive, after all-"
"Aaaaaand goodbye." You grabbed Tubbo's arm and near ran off.
You and Tubbo held light conversation while walking, eventually ending up at one of the minigames.
"Ok, so basically how this works, is you take a bow and try and hit the button from back here. That makes whoever's standing over there fall into the water. Oh, hey Ponk!" Tubbo gave the dark-skinned male a wave, handing you a bow and pointing to the button.
You angled the bow at the button, hitting it easily and soaking Ponk. You were going to go up and offer him assistance, but he hopped out and inexplicably dried his clothing in an instant.
"Don't question it," Tubbo whispered to you, leaning in. "He has some really odd experiments going on in Lemon City."
The activities continued for a while, before you heard a loud voice through the speakers.
"Would all the attendees kindly come to the stage? We've got a small speech by our Secretary of State before we officially begin our festivities."
Everyone gradually took their seats in the audience, and you picked out a few of the people you knew there: Punz, Sam, and Bad, along with Niki and Ponk who you'd already met. A purple-eyed person who you assumed to be - well, Purpled - was seated as well. Two people, who you vaguely recognized as Antfrost and Callahan, were also there, and Technoblade?
Huh.
"And without any further ado, now that we're all here," Schlatt announced, "My right-hand man and protege, Tubbo!"
Applause and acknowledgements came from the audience as Tubbo half-heartedly stepped up to the microphone.
"Ladies, gentlemen - and any of you who are neither - a wise man once told me that L'manberg was like a lettuce," he began. "There's so many layers of tasty goodness, and once you wash off all the caterpillars and worms on the surface, it's a damn good meal."
Schlatt let out a hearty cheer. The corners of your lips tilted into a forced grin. Tubbo's actions continued.
"Schlatt has successfully washed all the insects off our great nation. And with that, he's allowed the goodness and tastiness to shine through. Esteemed guests, I'd like you to look around at what we've built today. And look at each other! We've done all this, thanks to democracy and the leadership of President Schlatt," Tubbo paused for a quick allowance of reactions.
"And isn't that what this festival is all about? Democracy, that is. Our people have been beaten down by royals and dictators for so long. But now we are finally free. Free to elect who we want, live who we want, and go where we want without the constraints of the huge black walls. So, with that in mind, I thank everyone for coming to this wonderful event."
A low chuckle came from Schlatt, and Tubbo's voice faltered towards the end of his words. "What's wrong, Schlatt?"
Schlatt brushed it off, but you were determined to dig it back up. That laugh wasn't out of humor. You tapped on his shoulder, politely restrained smile plastered onto your face as you gestured behind the stage.
The two of you walked away. Your concern grew. Tubbo's actions continued.
"What was that?" you whisper-shouted, as soon as you were out of view.
"Don't worry your little head about it. It's nothing," he reassured unsuccessfully.
"Shut your ass up. That wasn't nothing."
"Now, now, I've got a few words to say to our Secretary of State. You might want to stay back here, it's going to get a little messy."
"The fuck do you mean, 'messy'," you hissed. "Whatever you're planning, don't."
"You got anything else in the speech?" Schlatt questioned Tubbo, the latter shaking his head. "That's it? Alright. Quackity, take some of this. Help me do something real quick."
Your face paled as the two began to block Tubbo in with hasty hands.
"Sch- Schlatt, what are you doing?" Tubbo asked, a nervous chuckle following his sentence. "What are you-"
You sensed unease in the crowd matching your own. "Alex. Schlatt. Stop it. It's not funny."
Alex almost imperceptibly shook his head before turning and solidifying the concrete powder that built up around Tubbo. You grabbed his arm.
"Alex. Whatever you're doing, it needs to stop," you said firmly, emphasizing the last word.
"N/n, don't get in the way. This doesn't need to get violent - any more violent, that is." Schlatt couldn't seem to keep his temper in after that.
"I'll cut to the fucking chase, alright," the ram-horned man barked. "It really sucks to say this in front of everyone, but it needs to be done."
"Schlatt, let him go." Niki's voice trembled as she pleaded.
Schlatt leaned into the box, words smugly and quietly spoken. "I know what you've been up to."
"What- what've I been up to? I- I-"
Tubbo's denials were interrupted by Schlatt's laughter, echoing fully and darkly.
"What have I been up to?" he chuckled. "He says, 'what have I been up to', YOU'VE FUCKING CONSPIRED WITH THE IDIOTS! THE TYRANTS! That we kicked out of this great country ages ago!"
Your face was painted with shock and worry. Schlatt, he's not going to - he wouldn't -
Would he?
"Tubbo, I don't know if you know this," Schlatt inquired tauntingly, "but treason isn't a respectable thing around here. It all adds up, buddy. The fucking tunnels, the absences, even here! Don't try and tell me nobody knows this. I know, I saw it with my own two fuckin' eyes."
He breathed in and out. "Technoblade? Y'wanna come up here for a second? We like to send messages around here."
Techno froze in his seat, cautiously standing up. "I was not planning for this. I was not planning for this."
Schlatt found some sick humor in the situation.
"Tubbo in a box," he whispered, his voice light as a feather. "What will he do? As the enemy of the state, and abettor to the awful, awful rioters, Technoblade, take care of him."
Techno laughed awkwardly. "What're you saying, Schlatt, do you want me to get him some breakfast? Give him a nice coat or something? You're being quite vague."
The hybrid's netherite armor shimmered as he turned between Tubbo, Schlatt, Alex, and you. You shook your head, trying desperately to convince him against it.
Don't, please, you thought, hoping in some crazed way he would hear your thoughts and not.
"I'd rather rule alone than with you," Schlatt said, breaking you out of your head. "Fucking traitor. I can't even look at you."
Even Alex hesitated at this moment. "Schlatt, he's jailed already, we have him where we need him, I think it's enough for-"
"IT'S NOT ENOUGH! Technoblade, I want Tubbo fucking dead and I want it right fucking now."
Techno shakily grabbed a rocket from his bag, placing it onto his crossbow and prepping the weapon.
You grabbed his arm. "Please. This isn't right."
"Don't get any more involved, sweetheart," Schlatt said offhandedly, his focus on Techno's increasingly trembling hands. "It'll all end in seconds, right?"
Techno's expression morphed several times, and then he shrugged your arm off.
"Tubbo, I'm- I'm sorry. I'll make this as painless as possible. I can't- not with everyone- not- not with- I- I can't-"
You ran forward and stretched your arms out. Techno fired the crossbow. Tubbo's actions didn't continue.
Neither did yours.
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1539 words (without a/n)
Header by @/lounixx on Tumblr (in a collab with @/calybrii)
Ok, I had to watch the festival vod to get most of the dialogue and HOLY SHIT did I get a fuck ton of nostalgia while doing so. Next chapter will have some spicy stuff (not sexual sorry if you're disappointed lol), so if you're excited for that, please vote and comment on this one! Also follow if you want :))) I hope to see you soon!
-Partially Human