Chapter 8: A Remembered Song

Scenario: Ghostbur is hanging out with Techno and Tommy in Techno's house.

"So, Techno, what do you do in your free time?" Wilbur asked.

"He likes to plant potatoes and stuff," Tommy answered.

"I don't just plan potatoes. I have turtles to take care of, villagers to trade with, mobs to kill."

"Sounds like fun."

Techno waited a little bit, then asked, "What about you, Wilbur?"

"Hm?"

"What do you like to do in your free time?"

"Oh, I like to play the guitar. And sing. I'm glad I remember that I love singing."

Techno smiled to himself as he twirled a piece of leather in his hands. "You remember who taught you, right?"

"Oh, of course. Phil taught me. Those were definitely happy memories."

"Do you remember any songs, Wilbur?" Tommy asked, leaning slightly forward.

"Yes, I remember quite a few."

"Any...recent ones?"

"Hm…I feel like there was one… I know that I wrote it down somewhere."

Techno set the piece of leather down. "Tommy, what are you doing?"

"I just want to see if he remembers."

"If he does remember, it could trigger other bad memories."

Wilbur glanced between them, looking concerned. "That's impossible. I don't...have any bad memories. They're all good ones."

"You remember L'Manberg, right?" Tommy asked. Sighing, Techno sighed. He'd never heard the anthem himself, but he was pretty sure that Wilbur wouldn't remember.

"Yes, I remember L'Manberg. Well, the good parts. But what does this have to do with songs?"

Tommy glanced down. "Um, never mind, Wilbur. If you didn't make that connection, then you don't remember."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It's probably for the better."

Silence filled the house before Techno stood up and went to organize his chests that Tommy probably messed up. Snow fell outside, so Wilbur wouldn't be leaving for a while, since rain and snow hurt him. That was fine. Wilbur kept Tommy occupied while Techno could do what he wanted.

"Wait a minute… I seem to remember… There was one song."

Techno glanced back and saw Wilbur with his hand on his chin, eyebrows furrowed. Tommy, who had been looking down, glanced up with slight hope in his eyes.

"You remember...the anthem?"

"Yes, that's what it was called. Here." Wilbur took out his guitar and propped it on his knee.

"I heard there was a special place...where men could go and emancipate…"

Techno tried to read Tommy's expression as Wilbur sang.

"From the brutality and tyranny of their rulers."

It was a mixture of joy, sadness, fear, and hope.

"Well this place is real, we needn't fret. With Wilbur, Tommy, Tubbo...That's funny. I don't remember the rest of that line."

Tommy laughed a little. "That's alright."

"It's a very big and not blown-up L'Manberg. My L'Manberg...My L'Manberg...My L'Manberg…"

Tommy joined in at the last line.

"My L'Ma-a-an...berg."

Techno continued to search through the chests, but he watched Tommy out of the corner of his eye. The former revolutionary had a smile on his face as he lowered his face towards the ground.

"Thank you, Wilbur. I needed that."

"I'm glad I could help. There were lots of good memories in L'Manberg."

"There sure were."

Techno slowly closed the chest, not wanting to make a sound that would disturb the silence. "Do you remember Pogtopia, Wilbur?"

"Um, well, I did visit it once. I saw some signs on the wall. It...it reminded me...I don't know. No, I don't remember. Well, I do, but…"

"It's alright, Wilbur. Don't think too hard about it."

Wilbur nodded, looking sad all of the sudden. "I just...I wish...I wish I could make up for all the bad things I did," he murmured, "but it's hard to do that when I don't remember much of the bad things I did. I hope Fundy knows that I'm trying…"

Techno was about to reassure him, but Tommy jumped to it.

"Of course he does, Wilbur. Of course he knows. He's not mad, he's just frustrated. And sad. I mean, his dad died. You can understand why he's sad. But I don't think he's very mad at you. He'll come around, just give it time."

Wilbur nodded. "Thank you, Tommy. I'm glad you're by my side."

"A lot of people are on your side, Wilbur," Techno said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to worry about that."

"I appreciate it. I just wish more people were on your side."

"Eh, we'll be fine. You don't need to worry about us, either."

"Oh yeah, we've got the power of potatoes on our side," Tommy said.

"Oh, back off. I like potatoes."

Tommy laughed, and Wilbur smiled. Wilbur was holding some blue in his hand, and when he noticed Techno looking at it, he floated to a standing position and said, "Here, Techno. You can keep this blue. I don't recall giving you any yet, so here you go."

"Oh, thanks, Wilbur. I'll put this in a special place."

"Well, I'd better head back."

"It's snowing, though."

"I think that I'll be okay," he said, smiling. "Don't worry about me. Good luck out here."

"Thanks, Ghostbur."

After he'd left, Tommy went outside to observe his progress on the cobblestone tower. Techno was again alone in the house, and when he moved to put the blue in his enderchest, he saw that it was named Happy Blue.

So this one was kinda sad. Thanks for reading!