Another day has ended and the cart has stopped moving a long time ago. Everyone was scattered in the desert, the sun was half hidden and the other side still shining but the crew decided to rest. The wind picked up the pace and temperature, sending shivers down your spine as it blew.
It sure is cold in the desert when it's late.
It's been a day since you all left the comfort of the treehouse, now left vulnerable in the wild. You placed down the last torch before looking around for your companions who are also placing down a light source to keep mobs from spawning.
Even with the small cave being the only thing you guys could hide at, you all needed to protect the outside too, since it's also a full moon. Meaning Techno might turn into a wolf, especially with his guard high up in the sky. But he didn't shift yesterday, he was suppressing it.
You confronted him about letting it go but he refused to.
"I can't properly defend people when I'm a wolf, I am not in control during that period."
He reasoned, but you knew he was more capable of protecting better with his other side, but why is he trying to stop it from coming out? Is he afraid to get teased by his friends? They know about his abilities already.
You turned to the pink-haired male from afar, descending down the hole in the ground with Bad and Schlatt, probably to take care of the mobs and prepare it for them to sleep at.
Karl was silent most of the day, if asked a question, he'd answer with a nod, a shrug or a shake of his head. You hoped to finally make him speak up, even just a little bit.
You approached the male sitting alone on the cart, tired eyes trained on the setting sun. In his lap was Schlatt's blazer, the man probably removed it before following the stronger people into the cave. He has developed a strange obsession with keeping it clean, his white button-up can be stained, his pants can be torn but for some odd reasons, he cannot tolerate a dirty blazer.
The last time it was stained, hell broke loose and it needed Techno, Karl, Bad and a laughing Quackity to stop him from tackling Skeppy who accidentally got a small portion of ketchup on his sleeve.
At this point, you guys have realised what Quackity was able to do. In stressful situations like during the time everyone was packing to leave, he just randomly laughed out of nowhere, an uncontrollable sound of joy that seemed to affect everyone who heard it, making them smile and laugh along.
You called him a happy virus and he liked that name. Making it his mission for you to permanently call him that even with Bad and Techno trying to stop him from doing so but despite that, he kept his objective more lowkey.
By lowkey, you meant making you solve different trivia that will make you say happy virus again.
You sat down beside Karl who barely reacted to your presence, but you know he's aware that you're near. The both of you sat in silence as you listened to the inaudible argument Skeppy and Quackity were having from afar.
"I saw the future" The male starts, voice hoarse from not using it for a long time.
"Yeah you did"
"It felt real," He mumbled before turning to you, "Do you think I time travelled?"
"What do you mean?" You asked, puzzled by what he meant.
"I mean, I was there, I could feel it all happening. Techno was shot, the trees were on fire." He paused and you directed your attention to him, waiting for him to continue, "But then, like I was sleeping, I woke up. I opened my eyes and I'm back at the scene where Schlatt bodied me"
"I couldn't remember much after that, maybe it's like in Dream SMP. If I time travel I forget." He concluded, eyes meeting yours for a split second before he averted his gaze and to the dimming sky.
"Then let's try to not trigger you much then? We still need to meet up when we get back home." You said as your hand landed on his shoulder, giving it a pat.
Then came a sudden shrill scream that took both of your attention to the duo far ahead, only to see Bad instead of Quackity with Skeppy. Both you and Karl hopped off the cart and jogged towards them.
As you guys neared the duo, you spotted the crater dug out behind Bad who was now staring back at Skeppy who held a shocked expression.
"What happened?" You asked as your feet paused in front of the hole, a hand on your sword, ready to pull it out if it's ever needed.
"We-We're fine just a creeper" Bad said as his hand went to scratch his nape, embarrassed by the unholy scream he made not too long ago.
"Why am I tall?" Bad asked himself, voice low, full of confusion.
"But you're always tall?" You responded with a raised eyebrow.
"No, but I'm really–"
"Where's Alex?" Karl asked, head profusely turning, eyes darting from one point into another.
"I'm here?" Bad answered, unsure as he raised an eyebrow. Your head tilted to the side slightly, confused.
"Really funny, where's Alex?" Karl sarcastically laughed making the tall male let out a groan.
"Karl it's not funny, it's me you idiot!" 'Bad' insisted, a hint of irritation in his voice as he pushed the agenda of being Quackity.
"Don't joke around now, where is he?!" Karl raised his voice, stomping towards the tall male while Skeppy was still finding a way to speak his confusion out.
"Hey," The blue-skinned male calls out making their heads turn to him, "Bad, can you say fuck?"
"What the fuck is this? Guys, it's not fucking funny" At this point, you were sure it was indeed Quackity.
Bad would never swear even if he's not in front of audiences. It felt foreign to hear his voice produce a swear word though, it felt illegal. But one question remained in your head.
How did Quackity turn into Bad? Because you only thought he has the laughing bit that makes everyone cackle, his happiness is like a virus to everyone. Maybe it's because he loves impersonating people from the SMP before he came here.
"Guys, it's Quackity" Karl turned to you with a puzzled expression.
"Dios Mio, yes! Finally, someone was making sense!" Quackity exclaimed, making his way towards you to stand beside you, his hand went into your hair to ruffle it making you let out a groan while he laughed.
And that reaction was instantaneous, Karl let out a chuckle.
"Yeah it's him"
"Dude you sound like him, that's creepy," Skeppy said.
"If you can shapeshift, can you turn into another person?" Karl asked, taking a step forward to watch the male closely.
Quackity zoned out for a moment, closing his eyes as both of his index fingers touched his temple as if he's trying to do telekinesis instead, the male let out a groan as his arms fell back to his sides, still standing there as BadBoyHalo.
"I can't."
"Can you even turn back to yourself?" Karl asked, making the other shrug.
"What the fuck?!"
Schlatt exclaimed from behind them, his tie loosened up with his sleeves now rolled up to his elbows. He was sober but he's starting to think he's not because how did Bad come out without him seeing him pass by? And that man is HUGE he should've seen him right?
"I thought you were preparing the beds?!" With that, a mischievous grin grew on Quackity's white lips, a plan of a prank at the back of his head.
"Well... I wanted to see Skeppy for a moment, I just wanted to know if..." Quackity trailed off, trying to think of what he should say.
"He wanted to share beds or push ours together!" He continued, the three of you who were watching it all unfold in front of your very eyes could only stare at the hooded male with eyes as wide as the current moon.
"That's sus bro"
"No, it's not! I just really fucking love Skeppy" At that, Skeppy started giggling with Karl who started to feel the tingle of laughter in his system.
"Jesus, don't swear" Schlatt responded with a disgusted look, "It felt like I heard the pope curse"
"Oh is it because I'm saint-like? Thank you, buddy, I appreciate the compliment" Quackity replied, making the three of you laugh at Schlatt's uncomfortable expression, the man slowly blinked his eyes while staring at the man.
"...yeah, I'm not drunk enough for this." With that, the male spun around and left with haste. Quackity started cackling like a mad man after he was out of earshot, falling to the ground beside Skeppy who started pounding his fist on the sand, back shaking from laughing.
It was going to be a fun day it seems.
~~~~~~~
The group was caught up with the two debating BadBoyHalos to notice that Techno hasn't returned yet. Bad was too heated up by his imposter to tell you what happened in the cave before he left.
Along with Karl beside you who has thrown himself at you while laughing uncontrollably, face red from the lack of oxygen as Bad screamed at Quackity.
"Quackity stop it!"
"Quackity stawp it" The other male repeated in a slightly mocking tone making Bad groan out in frustration.
You felt something prick at your arm but paid it no mind as you tried to push Karl off of you, he tried to weigh his body, giggling when you were struggling to get him off.
"Karl get off!"
"Do it yourself, strong woman." He jokingly said before trying to keep his body heavier.
Then a growl erupted beside you, and before you could even react. A flash of black and white fur pounced on Karl. You felt your soul jump out of your body, thinking it'll trigger the male's abilities once more but you felt instant relief when he seemed to be ok, rolling to his side as he groaned in pain.
The wolf then went over the log and found its spot beside your feet, laying on the sand as its front paws crossed over each other.
"Someone's possessive," Quackity said, now in his normal form, making him gasp when he realised that the voice he just heard is his own.
"Bet he's gonna bite my hand if I try to get near her." Said Schlatt as he picked up the ale from the ground, taking a swig from it as everyone made an agreeing hum then Skeppy turned to the male, mischief in his mind.
"Yo" He calls out, making the horned male turn to him as he sets down his drink. "I'll give you three diamonds to try it."
"You can't buy me, I'm expensive," Schlatt replied as Karl flopped beside him.
"I'll give you $500 when we come home." Schlatt snickered at that before he took another swig from his cup. Bad turned to his friend, opened his mouth to tell him off but...
"$1000?"
They watched as Schlatt's expression contorted as he thought it over. Skeppy knew it'll cost him a lot but he wanted to see the man he's scared of in the game, now in a wolf form, be overprotective over someone.
If he could record it, it'll be blackmail content.
The horned male rose to his feet and started walking towards the wolf whose narrow eyes were staring intensely at him, watching his every move.
When Schlatt was a few meters close, a growl rumbled in the canine's body, your hand shot out to pet the crown of their head, the growl volume lessened at that. Schlatt snickered.
As he took a few more steps forward as he was getting near enough for the wolf to swipe him with its claws, Schlatt took a sharp turn and started walking away but the growl did not stop until the horned male had retreated back to his seat.
"Hey! You didn't–"
"Then you do it!" Schlatt argued back, pointing at the hostile canine who's still eyeing him like the predator they are.
"Hey bud!" Schlatt called the wolf, he wanted to keep the peace between them, "I only came near cause I was promised to be paid"
Meanwhile...
"Does anyone have any string?" No one responded. George closed the chest left in the middle of the town, looking around for someone he could ask.
They were about to pack everything they needed before they went home to the mushroom biome. As much as the Hermits love the mountain, it was hard to leave it to collect items for their builds.
Besides, the isolated mushroom island is safer than the mountain.
"You guys have a lot of farms but no strings?!" Screamed George as the Swede stopped in front of him, hugging a chest close to his arm.
"Have you checked the shack?" Iskall asked and George shook his head at that. Iskall then continued his journey to the mountain entrance.
George groaned out before walking away, searching for his friends. Maybe Sapnap has one or maybe Dream.
After a moment of searching, even going through the park and the alleys, he was unable to find his friends. Although he passed by Mumbo, the brit also has no strings in his inventory.
George stood at the edge of the cleared area, if he took a couple more steps, he'll be standing at the forest line. There was no one near the trees and everyone seemed to be getting ready for transport.
George let out a sigh and went to walk away.
PSST!
George spun around, summoning his sword out. Eyes searching the woods, jumping from one item to another only to notice something green sticking out of the thick bushes.
Is that... Dream?
"Dream?"
The hooded male looked up, his half-gloved hand rose to the air to wave at him. George then noticed the green cloak the male had, instead of a hoodie. The man wore a white sleeveless top that stuck to his skin, there was gold on the collar and the armholes.
"When did you change?" George asked as the male stepped out of the bush and approached him, revealing white boots that have straps of gold by his heels and near his toes.
The man didn't say anything, only taking George's hand to put strings on it. George could only watch as the male added two diamonds with them. The British male peeked at his inventory to see the two stacks of strings was given instead of just one piece of string.
"Wha–"
Animatedly, his dot eyes turned into a pair of upside-down 'v's before he spun around with his heels and sprinted back.
"No, Dream!" George called out but the other kept running until out of nowhere, he just disappeared without a trace. Leaving George puzzled with the interaction.
Who the hell was that? Because he's sure that person is not their Dream.