Sapnap knew he was going to be early, but he really didn't expect to be this early.

Bad had mentioned meeting Skeppy early here, but they seemed to be running behind or something, because he was the only one there.

The area was barren, and the only people in sight were the two hermits at the Earth gate talking. Sapnap was far enough that he couldn't hear their conversation except for a few words. He didn't even try to eavesdrop, instead walking farther away so he could lean on a wall while he waited.

"Damn, we've really wasted a shit ton of time. Dream could be anywhere on Earth, hell, if he even went there-...." Sapnap sighed, "George said he would be, I have to trust him on that."

Sapnap looked around, still waiting for anyone else to show up. "What if he's thinking 3 steps ahead? Lead us to Earth, purposely failed only to come back stronger and have the advantage of confusion? Ha, that sounds like something he'd do. I hope this void demon or whatever isn't that smart."

He set his bag on the ground figuring it wasn't worth the strain on his back while he wasn't doing anything.

He saw a flash of green in front of his eyes and his body went into fight mode without a second of hesitation. Adrenaline rushed throughout his body.

Dream was in front of him, unmoving, silent.

"Dream, what are you doing here?" Sapnap sheathed with a glare of dagger directed at Dream.

Still silent.

Dream just stood there, and not even his head was floating like Sapnap swore it normally did when he was shifted this way. It was eerie.

"Wait what am I doing, he's right here!" His body moved quicker than his thoughts and Sapnap lunged forwards and shifted out his axe, swinging it as fast as he could at the figure.

Dream's head raised up and his body ducked down, the axe slicking through the space in the middle. His eyes, which were just dots on the golf ball of his head, thinned, and a sword materialized into his hand.

Sapnap recognized the black aura around the sword and his eyes went wide with angry, fire dancing in them. That was the same weapon he saw Dream hurt Skeppy with, and he knew what it could do.

He threw another swing and Dream stepped to the side, almost looking bored with the fight.

He kept swinging and missing, Dream dodging each one with ease, while Sapnap was panting and exhausted. Dream hadn't even attacked once.

Sapnap clenched his fist and felt it growing warmer. He thinned his eyes on his target and lunged again, faster, harder, (better, stronger).

Dream slashed his sword and Sapnap ducked under it, rolling out of the way and jumped back to his feet adjusting his grip on his axe.

Dream stuck his sword in the ground, the black leaking into the ground and making Sapnap feel a little bit dizzy, and held out his hand, taunting Sapnap to come closer. Sapnap took the challenge, throwing his axe to the side and lodging it in a train passing by.

Sapnap swung his leg up to kick Dream in the chest, because clearly the neck wasn't an option.

A stream of fire clung to his leg as it almost made a direct hit, before Dream ducked his whole body down, including his head oddly, and jumped back up.

A mask started back at him, along with a hooded figure. Sapnap hesitated and blinked rapidly, shaking his head. The possessed Dream started back at him, now introduced with glowing eyes! (buy while they're in stock!) The clay mask had a smile that taunted Sapnap, no emotion to it like it used to have.

Sapnap kicked and punched and fire followed each one, but not a single one could hit Dream, even with a neck to hit. He let out a stream of smoke from his nose and readjusted his stance.

Sapnap swung his leg with all of the force he could muster, with a blazing fire trailing it, and he swore it hit Dream square in the chest. Dream didn't have time to duck down and avoid it and when Sapnap looked back, he was standing up straight with his wide smile taunting him.

Sapnap was tired and his head hurt, the black on the ground inching towards him as it seeped out of the sword. The cliff to his right had trees that could save him if he fell, but he doubted he would even last that long. Dream had him corner on the edge.

Dream took off his mask, and Sapnap couldn't bear to look him in the eyes. They were probably glowing, and Sapnap couldn't tell if that would be better than the green eyes he knew of or worse.

Dream threw a punch at his face and Sapnap held up his arms ready for the impact with his eyes shut tightly. He would fall off and die. This was it.

Nothing came. He opened his eyes and looked around slowly. He was still near the portal and his axe was ledged into a wall of a building. He was panting, and his hair was fallen over his face as a bead of sweat dripped down.

Dream wasn't there, and neither was the sword in the ground. Sapnap was in a little bit of shock as he slowly realised it was all in his head. Dream was never there.

But someone else was.

"Wow, that was incredible!"

"Huh?" He whipped around to see a person clapping, and also holding popcorn. They checked the bag and found it empty, so they burned the paper bag and let the wind carry the ashes away. Sapnap quickly looked at him, his heart still beating fast, and made sure he wasn't a threat before he let his guard relax a tad bit. The stranger was blonde with striking red eyes, a grey vest and fingerless gloves.

"I just wanted to say you were really impressive with those fighting moves. If I hadn't known better, I would've assumed there was actually someone there! Invis or something." the person shrugged.

"Oh uhm-..."

"Oh sorry I should introduce myself. I'm Tango, I just happened to be walking around and saw your- practice? Training?"

"You're the hermit with the sparklers." Sapnap remembered, ignoring Tango's question.

"Oh you're one of the people going on that mission the green guy was talking about!" Tango realized.

"Uh yeah, Sapnap." Sapnap said.

"Well it's nice to meet you Sapnap. I'll leave you to it then, sorry to interrupt."

"Oh actually-" Sapnap said, stopping Tango from leaving, "I just finished. Uhm hey, you have fire magic right?"

"Yep!" Tango beamed, flicking a small flame into his hand to show it off. "I saw you doing those fire kicks and hits, you have it too?"

"I'm actually-" He coughed and lowered his voice a little, "-sorta new to it. I'm not sure how I got it or why, but I'm afraid I'm going to hurt someone with it. Do you have any advice?"

Tango put his hand on Saspnap's shoulder, and Sapnap noticed it wasn't abnormally warm, despite having the fire seconds prior.

"That's perfectly normal when you get new magic. The first step is to not fear it, otherwise it can overwhelm and control you. You need to trust yourself."

Sapnap nodded, preparing to take notes of everything Tango said.

"And while I'm not sure why or how it happens, my buddy Scar knows all of that sorta stuff, so you can probably ask him whatever you want when you have time to."

"Could I see him after our mission?"

"Yeah of course! If he isn't at the cat's potion shop after that, then I can help you two get in contact if you need."

"Thanks,"

"Second, practice makes perfect. Start small, in safe places without flammable objects nearby and maybe have someone spot you with a fire extinguisher."

Sapnap thought of George, who had appeared with one out of nowhere the first time an outburst happened at the cafe.

"What if I hurt them?"

"Then you apologize, and keep more careful in the future. Fire res. potions are always good too; do you have some of those?"

"Yeah, I got a few in my bag."

Tango gave him a knowing smile and nodded, "Then you're going to do great. If you ever need help, call me ok?" Tango handed him a scrap of paper with a number on it. Sapnap quickly adjusted his grip so he was only touching the end of it. He was afraid it was going to combust into his hand and he would lose it if he tried to put it into the void.

"Ahp!" Tango pulled the paper from his hand and grabbed Sapnap's wrist. He put the paper back into the palm of his hand, "You have to trust yourself."

Sapnap gave him a halfhearted smile. "Thanks Tango."

"No problem, dude. I have to help with work at the prison your friend runs, see ya around!" Tango walked off in the direction of the prison. Sapnap looked down at the paper in his hand.

He pulled out his phone and typed in the number as quickly as he could so he could be sure he had it saved in case it went up in flames.

The number was saved in his phone as: "Fire Hermit Tango" and he looked back at the paper.

He closed one eye as he tried to shift it into the void. And sighed when it went up in flames and shriveled in front of him. He sighed and grumbled in annoyance and disappointment.

Sapnap dumped the ashes on to the ground, and stomped over to his axe, roughly jerking it out of the wall. Too annoyed to try to put it into the void after the paper failed, he chose to just hold onto it.

"Maybe Dream will be waiting for us on the other side of the portal and this will come in handy." He considered, swinging his bag over his shoulder.

He looked back at the portal, and where 2 were, 4 now stood. He recognized the blue box and hooded figure from anywhere, and chuckled as he walked over.

"Bad!"

"Geppy!"

The two rushed forwards and met in the middle, catching each other in a tight hug.

"I missed you muffinhead."

"It's only been a few hours, Bad!"

"Still!"

"I missed you too Bad."

"We aren't as early as we hoped," Skeppy chuckled as he pulled away.

"Do you think we have time to get something from the cafe? I need another coffee."

"You sure? You seem pretty energetic already?"

"Oooh maybe they'll have muffins too!" Bad exclaimed, ignoring Skeppy as his tail wagged.

Skeppy sighed and shrugged and started to follow Bad towards the building.

"Hallo!"

"Hey!"

The two hermits at the counter smiled as the duo came in.

"Hi! Could I get a coffee, and uhm- a muffin?"

"I'll get the coffee started!" The one with bright orange hair said, Skeppy remembered her name was Cleo, and her new name tag proved he was right.

"Sorry luv, we don't have any muffins at the moment. The batch will probably be done in half an hour if you can wait?"

Bad looked at the time and sighed. "No, that's ok, thank you."

Skeppy stepped in front and handed out the money before Bad could stop him.

"Skeppy you didn't have to-"

"Bad it's fine, honestly I feel like I owe you a little so this'll clear that up."

"You owe me? For what?"

Skeppy waved him off, "Eh just for being my friend, just take the free coffee Bad."

"Awww Skeppy!"

Bad thanked the hermits and took his coffee with both hands, melting at the warmth.

"Oh hey Sapnap!" Skeppy waved over.

"Hello!" Bad smiled.

"Hey guys, early gang huh?" Sapnap chuckled.

"Yeah but not by much, you got here first I'm assuming?" Skeppy asked.

"Yeah, I've just been wandering around and stuff. I talked to one of the hermits, Tango, but other than that, this sorta feels like a waste of time."

"We'll catch the muffinhead in no time Sapnap don't worry. Also please don't split off like last time." Bad said quickly, his tail wagging and his eyes darting around every few seconds.

"I already promised I wouldn't. And you seem... energetic?"

"Second coffee." Skeppy explained

"3rd actually! But the first was half decaf." Bad said, looking behind Sapnap quickly to see if anyone else was there, and also give him something to do. Standing still was killing him in his caffeine rush.

"And I'm taking the rest of this then." Skeppy took the cup away before Bads sleep deprived-and also caffeine rush brain could react.

"Hey!"

"Skep's right Bad, you've had enough of that for one day."

Skeppy started to hold it up to his mouth before he realised he was wearing the box still and stopped himself short. He held it loosely, before Bad lunged forwards playfully back for it and his grip tightened.

"Geppy!" Bad whined weakly. Sapnap held his arm out to hold Bad back while Skeppy held the cup farther away from Bad.

Bad reached his hand forwards and his sleeve pulled back. The bandages were a clear contrast against his skin and Skeppy noticed them quickly.

"Bad, what's this?"

Bad pulled back from Sapnap to look at what Skeppy was talking about.

"Huh? Oh, a bandage." Bad stood up normally and gave on trying to get the coffee, that last one was probably stronger than he realized.

Skeppy sighed, "I get that, but what's it from?"

Bad shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other and avoided eye contact. "Uhm-"

"He punched glass." Sapnap answered for him.

"Bad! Why would you do that!"

"I-"

"I turned into a human campfire and the fire extinguisher was behind glass, he did it for me." Sapnap defended.

Bad nodded and held his banged hand with his other.

Skeppy sighed, "You two are more idiotic then my old friends. And the group name was literally "idiot" spelled wrong." He chuckled and scolded them at the same time.

"When are the others getting here? We really need to get going" Sapnap said impatiently after a moment of silence between the three.

And as if on cue, a voice called out to them from behind.

"Hey Sapitus Napitus!" A familiar British voice said, "You're not rushing ahead of me again are you?"

"Ayyy gogy! Have even started the hunt and I'm already ahead, per usual." Sapnap smirked.

"You wish," George smiled back, throwing him the fire extinguisher which he narrowly caught. "Hope you left room in your bag for that."

Sapnap frowned. He very much had no idea if that was the case or not, because he had pretty much thrown everything in it at once.

"Oh don't tell me you just threw all of your junk in it without organizing it." George predicted with an annoyed look clearly through the clout goggles.

"Honestly, do I even need to tell you?"

"You're a fucking moron." George smirked.

"Language!"

George ignored him and turned to Skeppy, "Where is everyone? It's almost three."

"We're here! We're here!" Ant came rushing over towards the group gathering a good few feet away from the portal. Iskall and Grian had been deep in conversation the whole time, not really bothering to acknowledge any of the adventurer's getting ready to leave.

"You got all of the potions right?" Skeppy asked.

"Yeah, all in this bag. Once we step through we can pass a few out to everyone." Velvet said, holding up a bag.

"You guys all made it at three, honestly I'm a little surprised," A tall figure said behind them. They all turned and saw Awesamdude, with Ponk running behind by a few steps.

"Wait up Sam!"

"Not my fault your legs are half the size of mine." Sam snickered.

"It this is then, did the others bail?" Ponk asked, panting a little from having to keep up with Sam the whole way.

"I don't think the others would give up without at least telling us." Sapnap said, looking around in the other direction to see if anyone was there.

Skeppys phone dinged and he pulled it out of his pocket to check it. "Niki's almost here. She and Puffy said they got a few extra potions too if we're running short."

"Hello gang!" Another voice called as three figures got closer.

"Hello!"

"Hey!"

It was Philza, Wilbur, Technoblade. Techno was wearing one backpack and holding the other in his arms, while Wilbur only had a guitar slung over his shoulder. Looks like he got a new one!

"Hello!" Bad called out a little too over excited. Techno gave him an odd look.

"Caffinine." Skeppy explained. Techno nodded.

"I'm here, I'm here!" Fundy ran forwards with a new notebook in his hand and a pen behind his ear. His tail was a little messy and poofed out and his eyes were wide, quickly evaluating the situation. When he felt like things were clear, he visibly relaxed. Sapnap noticed he and George shot quick glares at each other, and gave them weird looks that neither noticed.

"We are too!" Puffy smiled and waved over to the group with Niki at her side. This time around though, she had a pirate's hat with a bright red feather sticking from it and she brandished a curved sword on her belt. There were stares in awe and confusion from a handful of the group.

"What, I never told you guys I used to be a pirate?" She chuckled and walked closer to the portal.

"Is this everyone?" Ponk asked. He stood on his tippy toes to try to get a good look at the crowd but gave up pretty quick. He honestly didn't even remember half of the people traveling.

Everyone was looking around at each other and trying to count who was there, and it was a little messy. One voice stuck out from the crowd as Wilbur realized it first.

"Where are Tommy and Tubbo?"

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Woo-boy this took awhile to get out. I just want to say that I'm going to put a little pause on this book so I can catch up and finish a few others I have and try to clean up the first book. (also homework and school work in general is seriously insane and I'm having trouble keeping up with it so I can't post every often.) I swear I'm not giving up on this, I just don't want to leave you in the dark when I don't post on this one for a few weeks. Also I'm going to try to make the official cover for this book too soon, which will probably look similar to the first one. Thanks for reading! And have an amazing day or night! (Also it's fall now! I love fall! What's your guy's favorite season?)