Dream was out of prison.
Boo was slightly concerned, to say the least.
Tommy was the one who delivered the news. He had come running to Boo while he was picking flowers, eyes wide and breath frantic. Dream had already tried to hurt Tommy.
But surprisingly that wasn't what Boo was concerned about.
He was mostly worried (for the first time really!) about the prospect that… Dream could now potentially revive Ranboo. And then Boo would be sent to… that place .
And that was the last thing he wanted.
There was a possibility that if he did the little song and dance… then maybe he wouldn't show up in the place! Maybe he'd just disappear blissfully. But… he didn't really want to risk it.
He made sure to let Tommy know about the situation, but Tommy seemed to brighten instead of the expected sadness.
"Maybe Dream can do one good thing in this world and revive Ranboo."
That's what Tommy had said. It didn't really hurt. But Boo was still upset that Tommy still didn't understand. Boo was so much better than Aliveboo! How could they not see that? It didn't make any sense.
Boo carefully placed a white tulip behind his ear. He thinks maybe they might be his new favorite flower, tulips. They came in so many different colors, it was like the one flower was ten different ones! But then again, he loved all the flowers, so he couldn't really decide. And alliums meant a lot to Ranboo, even if Boo wasn't the same, they were still connected.
He was in Technoblade's cabin, he was hoping the piglin could help him come up with a plan to stay away from Dream, or he could even go kill him! That would solve the problem.
He heard the door swing open.
It was Technoblade-!
And… Dream?
"What? What are you doing here with Dream, Technoblade?" He questioned. This didn't make much sense to Ranboo. He thought Dream had left to go and gather materials like Tommy said.
"Just… stand still Ghostboo." Techno said, little remorse in his expression.
Dream moved out from behind him, a grin splayed across his uncovered face. Where was his mask?
"Say… "bye bye" Boo :)" Dream held out his hand and touched Boo.
It was cold and hot at the same time, both intensities past anything Boo had ever felt. His body felt like it was freezing and burning, the sensations working in tandem to slowly work at disintegrating his corporeal form. Technoblade just stared at him.
And smiled.
"Talk about bittersweet." He stated in his nearly monotone voice.
And then there was light.
And then there was darkness.
It was endless.
Painful.
Wet.
NO.
He was there.
Ranboo was sitting in his eternal hell.
This is what he deserved.
He felt numb.
But then something changed.
The ground beneath him caved, and he fell through in a waterfall that cascaded around him. A painful passage to wherever it was taking him.
He landed, and there was a bright light.
He opened his eyes.
He was… outside Technoblade's cabin.
"Ha… hahaha… hahahaHAHAHA!" Ranboo laughed hysterically.
After… after 5 years…. he was back. HE WAS FINALLY BACK!
But WHY?
After what he put Technoblade through, after the suffering he must have been subject to in Ranboo's absence. Why would he be revived. Who would revive him?
He stopped laughing, standing there numbly, staring at the too-bright world around him.
He didn't belong here.
A vow. He whispered a vow to himself. He would kill whoever revived him, and then he would kill himself. Then he wouldn't be revived again. And he'd stay where he deserved.
"Ranboo?" A choked voice said behind him.
Turning around revealed… Technoblade.
He blinked.
"Oh god… RANBOO! You- I- I'm so soo sorry, I didn't- I didn't mean to-!"
"It's okay Tech'. Don't worry. It wasn't your fault." Ranboo stood tall. Firm. A determination in his demeanor that was childish before, but now it was more than that. It was a sign of maturity that fit him too well. That shouldn't have been there, but was and he had accepted that fact.
Techno twitched, his hands frozen front of him with a want that was really a need. Ranboo spread out his arms, inviting Tech' into his embrace.
The hulking figure of his mentor's eyes widened slightly. His breath hitched as he looked on in disbelief. He practically ran into his arms, Ranboo letting out a quiet 'oof-' at the force.
Technoblade was almost suffocating him, but he didn't speak up. He wasn't worth it anyway. He returned the hug, staring vacantly past him.
"I'm here." He whispered.
"Yeah… you are." Technoblade's voice was muffled by Ranboo's shoulder.
"How?"
"Dream, he has the ability to revive people, Ranboo, I can't believe you're back-" Technoblade pushed himself away from Ranboo, hands on the spindly young man's shoulders. A confliction of emotions crossed Tech's face.
"You look so different." Techno muttered, eyes traveling Ranboo's new appearance.
"Five years in a puddle probably has something to do with it." He spoke like it wasn't a big deal, because it wasn't . He got used to the pain eventually. And either way, he should be in pain.
There was a white streak in the black half of Ranboo's hair and his entire enderman side was a gray-pink color instead of black. Horror registered on Technoblade's expression when he realized it was caused by millions of water burns, turning his skin into a scarred mess.
Ranboo smiled.
"Don't worry, I'm better now. Cause I get to see you. And Phil and Tommy and Niki and Tubbo and oh god- Michael. Haha, I'm not there anymore… I'm here." Ranboo knew he had to act glad. And even though he wouldn't admit it to himself, it wasn't entirely an act. At least he got to properly say goodbye to his loved ones before he died for good.
"Heh, sniff , yeah. You get to see everyone, heck, Phil will be SO incredibly glad to see you!" Technoblade started laughing, pulling out his communicator.
"Phil, Phil I- Dream revived Ranboo! Get back to the cabin! He's- he's back Phil-!" Techno was elated.
Maybe he'd do more good to stay here. He didn't realize how much Techno cared about him. He thought he was hated while in limbo. It only made sense.
But no… he should get what he deserved for what he did.
He made a vow after all.
And he wasn't planning on breaking his word.