There comes a point where it's hard to realise you've woken up. For the past week and a half, ever since the whole 'let's talk about hybrids' incident, Techno had been having vivid dreams (well, more like memories), and every time he woke up, it took him a while to realise that he had actually just been sleeping. He felt a strong sense of disappointment when he finally woke up and would have to lay in bed for a few minutes, just staring at the roof, hoping, no- praying, that these memories would magically come true and it was actually happening. But no. These were things that had happened a long time ago. Years ago. He was foolish to imagine, even for a second, that he'd have those opportunities back.

This morning was no different than the last. He stared up at the grey and shadowed roof, eyes dull and unfocused. Another dream of Phil, of his brothers. He sighed. Another disappointing wake-up.

He lay there for a moment before he decided he'd best get up and ready. He found that he preferred showering in the mornings. Surprisingly, they had very private showers, so it gave him the chance to transform into his natural form for once. Despite the showers being secretive, he still did not want to risk someone actually walking in and seeing him, pig hybrid glory and all, so he decided it was best to get up early.

He heaved himself out of bed, grabbed the towel and uniform that he'd folded the last night that sat on the end of his bed, and made his way out of the room, down the hallway, and into the bathrooms. 

He twisted the handle and hot water started streaming out of the shower top, and he sighed, deeply relaxed as water dripped down his sides, steam starting to fog the room.

He let the familiar feeling of a transformation wave around him, and let out a gentle breath of relief when he felt his ears elongate and his features turn more pig-like. He flicked his ears back happily and started to run his hands through his hair, pushing shampoo through it.

Because of his situation, he didn't have chances very often to transform, which left him, most of the time, with an uncomfortable sensation swirling through his muscles. Maintaining his human form wasn't exactly painful, but it didn't feel good, and the longer he went without transforming, the worse it got. 

Kind of like really really bad pins and needles, all throughout his body, and an aching sort of feeling he never could get rid of. Not until he transformed, at least. A temporary relief.

Because of this, he tried as much as possible to transform, because he couldn't do his job properly if he was in a constant state of 'ouch'.

Techno sighed once more, tongue running along the inside of his tusks for a moment as he rinsed the last of the soap off of his body and hair before he transformed into a 'human' again, and let the bothering feeling of not being right rush over him.

His body tingled in protest- as if the magic inside of him was scolding him for what he was doing, but he had to fight it. This was a sacrifice he had to make- for the good of his people. When this was all over and done with, then he could relax without ever having to transform into a human again. In the meantime, however, he'd just have to suffer in silence.

He ran the towel over his wet pink hair for a bit, drying it enough that it wasn't dripping, but it still curled and flicked up from the water. He wrapped the towel around his waist as he walked towards his uniform, and steadily got dressed.

Once he was ready, he glanced at himself in the mirror above the sink for a moment and sighed (something he was frequently doing these days).

He could recognise himself, sure, but it always just seemed off. Too human. Not right.

He stared at himself for a moment longer, his heart panging as it looked at the 'non-magic version' of himself, before he hung his towel up on the hook that had his name marked above it, scribbled on a piece of tape, and exited the bathroom.

As he left, he could see some of the other people waking up and nodded his head in passing to Sykkuno, who was making his way towards the bathroom.

The black-haired man called out a good morning to him, and Techno made his way over to to the couch, waiting for the others to get ready and arrive.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Throughout the day, Techno inconspicuously mentioned secret plans a few more times, hoping for someone to slip, or at least say something to him, but to no avail. It seemed that either everyone was really fucking good at keeping secrets, or that no one knew what the hell he was talking about.

Techno was not sure which option he preferred.

He was sitting at the table after dinner with Minx and Charlie when an unfamiliar person made his way over to the group. Techno raised an eyebrow at the man, or rather boy, from the looks of him, and the boy stared right back. He was dressed in a servants attire, and despite Techno having no idea who he was, Minx greeted him with a friendly smile.

"Purpled! How you doing my dude?" she asked, and he politely smiled at her.

"I have an order from the king." he informed them, and the others looked at him with mixed faces of confusion.

"From the king? But you're a servant- a kitchen boy, why would the king send you?" Charlie asked, but Purpled's impassive face did not change much, except for a tiny flush of pink that graced his face for half a second.

"I just happened to be around. So he sent me." Purpled explained, and Minx hummed, silently telling him to continue.

Purpled turned to Techno, "His majesty wants a word with you." he announced, and panic immediately swept through Techno's heart.

Oh shit.

Well.

That's not good.

He glanced over at Minx and Charlie, the latter whose mouth was parted open in shock, before clearing his throat, and turning back to Purpled.

"I see. Did he say why?" Techno questioned, trying to pertain an air of calmness, and Purpled shook his head.

"No, his majesty only told me to bring you to him."

Minx swore under her breath, "What did you do, newbie?" she muttered, but Techno had no idea. He stiffly shrugged at her, before standing up.

"I'll see you two later." he said to the others, and Techno could have sworn he heard Charlie mumble; "If he doesn't kill you, that is." but he couldn't be sure.

Techno nodded towards Purpled, gesturing for him to take him to the king. The teenager smiled shortly and turned around on the spot.

As Techno followed after him, worried thoughts invaded his brain, as if they were biting at his sides, sprouting panic into his thoughts.

Alright. So, why would Schlatt need to see him? He couldn't possibly have found out that Techno was a hybrid. He was smart, but not that smart.

So what other possible fucking reason would he have? He wouldn't just say hello to a new guard, his guards were too...'beneath' him to be greeted, and Techno had already been here for a while, so that window would have closed by now.

He was clueless.

Techno did not like being clueless.

Due to his worrying, he had not even noticed that he had made his way inside the castle and in front of huge doors, intricate carvings swirling around the expensive looking wood.

Purpled pushed one of them open, gestured for Techno to go in, which he did, before the teen slipped out of the room and shut the door behind him, leaving Techno alone.

The pink-haired man glanced around at his surroundings. He seemed to be in the ballroom? A large gaping balcony jutted out of the room, and if it were not for it being dark outside, Techno could swear you'd see the sea. He remembers seeing that balcony, but from far down below when he'd only just arrived. He remembered those jagged rocks ominously sitting underneath it as they were sprayed with salty ocean water, and shivered. 

He didn't really love heights.

Someone cleared their throat, and he whipped around, to see a throne. And on that throne sat the one and only. Schlatt.

The man had dark brown hair that was immaculately polished and clean. He had a dark beard, but it was short and well-trimmed. Instead of what he'd expect a king to wear, which were large robes, fluffy capes and things (much like the one Techno owned), he instead wore what looked like to be a suit.

An expensive suit- but a suit nonetheless. 

His shoes glinted in the candlelight, and they were so clean Techno could almost see the reflection of the floor on them.

You could not ignore, however, the most prominent part of his features. The large, shining golden crown that sat atop his head, proving, as if his clothes did not do it enough, of his wealth.

The older man grinned at him, a sadistic, evil kind of grin, and his dark eyes shone.

He gestured silently for Techno to move forward, and he did so.

Techno took a few steps until he was two or so metres away from the throne, and Schlatt leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, looking down at him, as the throne was raised up on a platform.

Just another power thing. Another way for Schlatt to flip everyone else and say 'i am better than you'.

Closer, Techno could see glinting gold rings endowing most of his fingers, and one of them had a small speckle of dark red on it. Blood, he thought grimly.

He glanced back up at Schlatt, who hummed, brushing his thumb over one of his rings in a rhythmic pattern.

"Now, Technoblade," he started, his voice powerful and steady, almost purring, like a cat,"I hear you've been asking questions."

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Hello friends!! I'm sorry it took so long to upload, I was sick and then had so much going on (and was sad, aha aha awkward laugh), so I didn't have time to do a chapter. 

This was a longer chapter than I usually do, so I really hope it makes up for me being away so long! 

Apologies for the cliffhanger, but you all know I love doing them so much <3 >:D

Happy reading!

-Ghost <3

(25/5/21)

Co-posted on ao3