Caught In The Middle
In which you'd rather burn than choose a side
...~<<<()>>>~...
Fire.
It eats
And eats
And eats
Fuelled by oxygen
And destruction
She felt as if she was drowning in smoke, it was as if the fire was closing in on all sides.
She didn't know what was hotter, the flames or her rage.
She could hear screams in the distance, calls to bring more water, cries for help and fear. But none of them were for her. She would have to brave the flames alone.
Above the roar of the fire she could hear the galloping of hooves, "shit I may have gone a bit overboard, you need to get out of here," Sapnap warned. You weren't dumb, you knew this a terroristic ploy by Dream to try and smoke out Tommy Innit, Wilbur Soot and the other L'Manburg cronies.
(Y/n) crossed your arms and frowned, "yeah, no shit dumbass," (y/n) snapped as she gestured towards the glow of the fire in the trees.
"Look I only came as a courtesy, Dream also thinks it isn't fair you got caught up in the madness," Sapnap apologised but you could see it in his eyes, he wasn't sympathetic at all, not even an ounce, he was only sorry that the arson backfired.
She wanted to throw a sword at him, the small cottage, the home she had dedicated hours to build was all about to be destroyed, "just do yourself a favour and fuck off Sapnap, I'll get myself out of the mess you created," she snarled.
Sapnap turned his horse around, "Dream is prepared to compensate-
"I don't care what Dream wants to do!" She yelled, "for such a mastermind, he clearly didn't account for this fuck up, now I basically gotta get anything important and get out of here and the longer I spend talking you, the less I can take," (y/n) grumbled as she turned away from him and walked inside.
(Y/n) grabbed the necessities, clothes, food, money, weapons and any other valuables that were going to be difficult to replace. She then grabbed one of the many potions that she simply would not be able to carry. Fire resistance.
And with everything she needed she walked through fire and flame to a large clearing the fire would not be able to burn. She pitched a tent, it was a lot further into the forest and if the forest didn't completely burn down she decided to put her next house there, far away from the Dream SMP and L'Manburg and whatever chaos they tried to drag her into.
The next morning she sat at the edge of her campfire brewing a tea. Thankfully she could get some sleep last night because the fire moved all the hostile mobs along. She appreciated the quiet morning, she was disappointed that it wasn't filled with bird song, a lot of wild life fled from the fire.
She could hear voices coming from the forest, "well, if it isn't dumb, dumber and dumbest," she scowled as Tommy, Wilbur and Tubbo walked through ten tree line.
"I'm not dumb woman!" Tommy screeched at her but Wilbur grabbed his shoulder to keep him from doing anything stupid.
"Ignore Tommy, we're here to apologise for your house burning down," Wilbur said sincerely.
"It wouldn't have happened if she joined L'Manburg," Tommy mumbled, Wilbur kicked him, (Y/n) could see the glance that Wilbur gave him, they weren't here to offer their apologies.
"Dream already tried, he at least had the audacity to try and get me to choose a side whilst my livelihood was in danger," she said angrily, she felt like throwing boiling water on them.
"We are truly sorry and we're prepared to compensate-
"Fuck off Wilbur Soot and take dumb and dumbest with you," she snapped.
Wilbur sighed, clearly the flames of (Y/n)'s anger was not going to be put out overnight. Wilbur grabbed Tommy and Tubbo and dragged them off.
...~<<<()>>>~...
Life didn't fully return to normal, the potion operation she had in her previous home could not be recreated. Just to survive the month she was forced to trade for supplies in either the Dream smp or L'Manburg, whichever one made her feel less angry.
It was why (y/n) didn't like to leave the edge of the forest. She strolled through a path lit by the filtered the light of the treetops. It's not as if she was socially anxious, she just didn't want to get into the middle of a conflict.
As the trees began to grow further apart, she stepped into an area charred and burnt, green shoots of new life began to shine through. She sighed in frustration, it shouldn't have been burned in the first place, she couldn't bare ti see the mould of ash her first home had become . She hoped that karma would find Sapnap later and get revenge for her and her home.
Beyond the forest was L'manburg. She stared at the sight, contemplating whether to go or not. If she wasn't so desperate for supplies she wouldn't set foot in the town. It wasn't because of people, they're all friendly and lively.
There was just too much trouble, one minute they're in an all out war the next a blonde brat is showing up on your doorstep with an arrow in his heart. The nagging didn't stop after she had treated him, she scowled at herself, she couldn't let anyone bleed their second life out in her doorstep and not do anything.
In the bustling heart of L'Manburg, (Y/N) found herself surrounded by the lively chaos that seemed to perpetually orbit Tommy Innit. As she went about her business, Tommy, with his trademark energy, made it his mission to be an exuberant force by her side.
"Oi, (Y/N)!" Tommy's voice echoed through the square, drawing attention from everyone around. "You know, this place could use a bit more of your, uh, pizzazz. What do you say? Join L'Manburg, spice things up a bit?"
(Y/N) sighed, her patience tested by Tommy's relentless enthusiasm. "Tommy, I appreciate the offer, but I'm not really interested in joining any factions right now. I've got my own thing going on, why don't you go and hang out with Tubbo," she grumbled as she weaves through the crowd of people in the market place.
After the war many civilians began ti settle down in L'Manburg and made the rebel, independent state their home. The markets and the variety of food was much more vast than the Dream SMP.
Tommy's face lit up with determination. "Come on! Think about it. We've got Wilbur, Tubbo, me—what more could you want? And look around we've got the coolest place ever!" He said excitedly. (y/n) sighed in frustration, she had a feeling that if she joined or had anything to do with the chaotic gremlin her house or something else would be burned down... again.
It wasn't worth the risk.
(Y/N) raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Maybe a bit of peace and quiet?" She answered blandly.
Tommy laughed, seemingly unfazed. "Peace and quiet are overrated! L'Manburg is where the action is. The drama, the alliances, the chaos—it's all part of the charm." He tried convincing but you had heard it all before and were going to continue to say no.
Undeterred, Tommy continued to follow her, throwing a barrage of reasons and exaggerated stories about the wonders of L'Manburg. (Y/N) couldn't help but find his antics more annoying than endearing.
As the day wore on, Tommy's persistence began to wear her down. "Fine, fine," she finally conceded with a smirk. "I'll consider it, but only if you promise to give me some breathing room. Deal?"
Tommy beamed, victory in his grasp. "Deal! Welcome to the beginning of your epic L'Manburg journey!"
And with that, Tommy's triumphant cheers echoed through the square, leaving (Y/N) to contemplate whether the chaos of L'Manburg was a journey she was truly ready to embark upon.
She sighed once again as she pushed open a door, she felt a sense of relief as the smell of freshly cooked bread wafted through the air. "Good morning (y/n)," Nikki greeted with a smile, you walked up to her counter, "your usual then?" She asked and you nodded.
"Ah. (y/n), fancy seeing you here," a voice greeted, Wilbur Soot stood at the door with a small smile on his face.
"I'll tell you exactly what I told Tommy.. No," (y/n) said firmly, maybe it was better to travel to one of the far off villages for supplies, they didn't nag as much as this.
"I'm not here to convince you to join L'Manburg," Wilbur smiled.
"Then what are you here to ask for?" (y/n) hissed. (y/n) had wanted to talk with Nikki a bit more but Wilbur was making the atmosphere unpleasant.
"You're right I'm here to ask you to join L'Manburg but only temporarily, there's an election coming up and every vote counts," Wilbur reasoned. You shoved by him and out the door. "Wait! (y/n)!"
It was easy for Wilbur's long legs to keep up with you, "I'm only asking that you help me make sure this great nation stays great," he pleaded, "I promise after the election is over we'll leave you alone."
You scowled, "how many times must I tell you, I'm not joining L'manburg, not for one second," you snapped, shoving Wilbur backwards, "and I would appreciate it stay like that," she finished firmly.
Wilbur finally gave up and left her alone.
She sighed in relief hoping that it was the last of it.
"Hey, (y/n)," Quackity called out, he leaned against the wall with a sly grin on his face.
She scowled and quickened her pace. "Wait!" Quackity called out as he caught up to her and followed on the path to the forest.
Quackity followed (Y/N) with a confident stride, a persuasive glint in his eyes."Hey, (Y/N), I've been thinking. You could be a game-changer in the election. Join L'Manburg, and together, we can make a real impact," he said smoothly, it was all nails in the chalkboard to her.
"What's in it for me?" Hoping that if she indulged a little and then refused he'd go away and drop the subject, it was clear that he was the opposition for the election
Quackity leaned in, his tone lowering as if sharing a secret.
"Power, influence. You'd have a say in the decisions that shape this country," he offered. Yet, beneath the enticing offer, a subtle threat surfaced."And, you know, it's safer to be on the winning side. Schlatt's got plans. Plans that might not be favorable for those outside L'Manburg." (y/n) could hear the smoke in his voice.
The mention of J. Schlatt hung in the air like a veiled warning. Quackity continued, playing his cards with calculated precision.
"You don't want to be on his bad side. Join us, and we can ensure your safety," he smiled confidently
It was then (y/n) pulled a knife from its hiding place and held its tip under Quackity's throat. "You'll find that I'm a pretty patient person but threaten me and my way of life and we'll see who's in more danger," she warned as she put her knife away and continued her journey home, thankfully Quackity got the hint and left her alone.
Schlatt.
She only heard mention of the name. A few bars in surrounding towns had wanted posters but she didn't know why, all she knew from chatter in said bars and taverns was that J. Schlatt was shady and knew how to play dirty.
She brushed it off. The affairs of L'Manburg had nothing to do with her.