A/N: not a new character but i didn't put it in when he first arrived in the story, so...

Punz (Punz) : can control wind

A Member Gained

Dream smiled contently as he looked at his empty hands as he headed away from the black mansion. Punz had agreed to help him. Of course, Dream knew he would. Punz could never say no to a good deal, and a good deal was what Dream offered. Dream knew that Punz would come to his aid in their scheduled three days. He wasn't one to break his word.

Dream began his journey back home.

A Member Lost

Knock, knock knock.

Dream hurriedly placed on his mask, securing the straps behind his head. "Come in!" He called once the mask was set firmly on his head, blocking his face.

Dream watched as Techno entered his room, his cape drooping behind him. "What is it, Techno?" Dream asked, examining the fighter. He had a depressing air to him, like he was sad, but not quite. Techno had clear bags under his intelligent red eyes, which no longer gleamed with their usual light.

"I'm here to tell you-" Techno swallowed hard before continuing. Dream waited patiently. "That I have to leave the army."

Dream felt shock running through him like cold water being poured down his back. "What-what do you mean?" He asked, standing up.

Techno sighed. "I can't fight for you anymore, Dream." He said. "I'm leaving. And I'm not coming back. I'm sorry."

"What are the reasons for this?" Dream questioned. "Please, Techno, if there are any problems, we can fix them."

Techno only shook his head. "You won't be able to fix mine." He said. "It has been a pleasure working with you, Dream, and I'm sorry." With that, Techno turned, and in minutes, was gone.

Dream sat down on his bed again, his mind whirling. He had gained Punz as a valuable fighter. But now Techno was gone. Basically nothing had changed. He was back to square one. But perhaps... Dream pondered for a while, playing with a thought. There's someone else I can bring into this...

A Member Gained...

Ranboo fiddled with a redstone wire as his mind strayed elsewhere. Where was Mumbo now? He wondered. Ranboo knew that the redstoning hermit was involved with the war, but he always wondered where his mentor was, or if he was safe, or what he was doing.

Right now, Ranboo just really wanted a visit from Mumbo. He hadn't visited in five days. Ranboo realized. Usually, Mumbo would come back to check on him, make sure Ranboo was fine. Before, the enderian appreciated the care, but it was a little annoying. Now, he wished he knew how his mentor was fairing.

Ding...

Ranboo jumped up from where he was sitting, heading straight for the door. He only walked a few steps before he remembered that he could teleport, and with a poof, disappeared in a shower of purple particles. Ranboo teleported right in front of the door, his head spinning a little from the dizziness of the travel, but quickly recovered. He opened the door and came face to face with... a white mask.

Ranboo backed up. "Dream?" He stuttered. "What are you doing here?"

The masked man shrugged. "You seemed lonely, so I decided to pay you a visit." He said casually, but Ranboo knew it wasn't just that.

"What else is there?" Ranboo asked.

Dream looked surprised. "Nothing." He said. "I just came to see how you were doing."

"After you accused me of burning down Scar's house when I didn't do it at all" Ranboo shot back.

"Oh, but Ranboo, you did burn down the house." Dream said. A dark look crossed the fighter's face. "I know you did. Yes, Tommy did as well, but you helped him, didn't you?" He interrogated.

Ranboo's eyes widened. How! How could he have known? "Who told you?" He snarled, but he could sense his fear showing through.

Apparently, Dream did as well. "You want to know who told me? Well, no one directly, but your dear mentor did provide a nice piece of evidence..." He tilted his head to the side, watching Ranboo's reaction.

Mumbo?! But he wouldn't betray me! Not like that! Ranboo couldn't think straight. Did Mumbo really tell Dream that he helped Tommy?

Dream saw the hesitance on his face. "Oh, Ranboo, did you think you could trust Mumbo? You don't know him! Not that well, anyways. For all you know, he's using you! Pretending to teach you and then letting you do all the work for him!"

"I- I don't believe you." Ranboo said weakly.

Dream took the opportunity and continued to press the enderian. "He never really wanted to share a base with you! Mumbo was just pretending to use you!"

"But- I-"

"Listen, Ranboo." Dream leaned in. "You can't trust anyone in this place. More importantly, you can't trust the hermits. They're from a different world than us. They operate differently. You can't trust them."

"Then... what should I do?" Ranboo asked. "Who do I trust, if I can't trust Mumbo?"

"The Dream SMP members, of course!" Dream said. "You can trust us. You can trust me! I'm trustworthy, right?"

"I mean-"

"Look, Ranboo. You can't stay here any longer. Mumbo might come back and learn that I showed you the truth. We have to leave, now." Dream said hurriedly.

Confusion and fear clouded Ranboo's mind. "Where do we go, then?" He asked.

Dream thought for a while. "I know a place where you can stay." He said finally. "But it will be a bit cramped."

"Alright." Ranboo agreed. Just... a place to get away to clear my thoughts. Won't be a permanent stay anyways.

Dream smiled silently under his mask as Ranboo packed his stuff. Was that all? A little manipulation and an educated guess was all it took to convince Ranboo that Mumbo didn't care for him? That Dream had a better place for him? Well that was easier than I thought. He thought. And now, when he finds out that I've lured him into the wolf's den, all it will take is a little 'accident' with Tubbo and he will be loyal forever.

He wouldn't dare betray me when Tubbo is in my grasps.

WC: 983

A/N: i guess i'm writing tubbo and ranboo's platonic relationship now... or at least the start of it or smth. idk

SATURDAY ECHO HERE, JUST FINISHED WATCHING MCC AND I'M FREAKING OUT BECAUSE PINK DIDN'T WIN (TWO POINTS TO GET TO DODGEBOLT, AHHHHHHHHHHHH (technically three)), BUT THAT'S FINE, WE GOT 3/4 SBI WITH GRIAN AND MR GAMING!!!!!

i also have a frightening fear that grian has the curse of the third (or the captain's curse) because he got third last mcc too BUT IDK JUST THROWING A THEORY OUT THERE

hello monday echo here i'm sorry for the late update didn't get on my laptop for a while and currently dying of heat rn it's 35 degrees celsius bye-

'edited' on Jan 23rd 2022