Chapter Text
There were times in Techno’s life when he wished beyond reason to not be as fit as he was. This was one of those times.
The large hoglin had been completely mindless, running on instinct and trauma to leave the Striders when their Sounder Mother had mentioned the orphans. He had let his legs carry him away, take him anywhere, so long as it was far enough away from them, chased by nothing but his past.
Sweeney had insisted on walking some of the way back. Techno had told them that he was fine to carry them, but Sweeney said they wanted to move their legs. Techno placed the squeaker down, knowing all too well the need to do something with your body in order to not think as much. Techno had to give it to the tiny squeaker, because he knew they were in pain, yet they still had the drive to stay alive. Sweeney was going to need that if they were to survive in the nether.
The hoglin had become so focused on retracing his steps back to the Sounder that he didn’t notice Sweeney as they stopped in their tracks. It took the large hoglin glancing to his right to notice that the squeaker was no longer by his side. He shot his gaze behind him, only to see Sweeney holding back tears as they gazed ahead of themselves, frozen in place as their eyes widened with fear.
Techno whipped his head around to look at what the young squeaker was looking at, only to see that they had made it. They had found the Striders, and Techno could make out Phil and Tommy as they were anxiously asking the Sounder to borrow some mounts so they could find their hoglin. Techno smiled, but as he turned back to Sweeney, his joy faltered, and he was reminded of what the squeaker had just gone through to meet back up with him.
“Techno… I’m scared…” Sweeney whispered, shaking slightly as they gazed at the bastion that held all the things the squeaker knew to be evil. Techno smiled sadly at the young hoglin, nuzzling their cheek in order to calm them as he spoke.
“It’s okay. We won’t be here long, I just need to get my team together so we can leave.” Sweeney whimpered into Techno’s touch, a soft cry leaving them as they continued to shake.
“Why aren’t you scared, too?” Sweeney asked more to themselves than the hoglin they supported their weight against. Techno was going to answer them, but was cut off as they continued. “You’re so strong… and I’m weak.” They squealed in sorrow as they buried their face into Techno’s neck, allowing sobs to overtake their body as they relied heavily on Techno.
No! Sweeney, no! They’re the bravest pig I’ve ever met. Say something, Techno! TechnoSupport <3 Techno willed the voices in his skull to quiet down so they could focus entirely on the squeaker in front of him. He dipped his head down to hold Sweeney in a pseudo-hug, holding them close as they released all of their pent up emotions. Techno knew they were hurting, they had just lost their team, and yet here they were. They had traveled the nether to find Techno again, had been able to trust Techno to look out for them, had held their emotions inside their tiny body for so long. Now here they were, strong enough to admit they were hurting, strong enough to admit they were terrified, strong enough to ask for help when they needed it. It had taken Techno centuries to finally gain the strength enough to do any of that.
“You’re the strongest squeaker I’ve ever had the honor to meet, Sweeney.” Techno stood firm in his statement, but it only seemed to earn a harsh laugh from Sweeney.
“Am not… You’re so strong that you took on a particle player to save my team… You entered the death spiral and didn’t rot… you came back here and you’re not afraid of piglins… or their bastions… or players… I wish I was that strong…” Techno had to flatten his ears to his head to cope with the screaming that came after.
More like Techno’s stupid! Technoblade never dies! Help them!! That’s my boi D:
That’s enough, all of you. Techno thought helplessly, a small cringe shook through his body as the voices passed over him. This didn’t go unnoticed by Sweeney, but they let it go in favor of pressing closer to Techno. The hoglin and the squeaker sat like that for some time, taking in each other’s company as they both calmed themselves down. Techno wasn’t sure why his heart rate had increased, most likely due to stress, but why was he stressed out about Sweeney?
The squeaker was cute, and all, but Techno had no real reason to help them. The cynical part of his brain told him that he could put in all the effort of the world, and Sweeney could still die from a stray ghast fireball, or piglins looking for their next meal, or a boar looking to conquer a team for themselves. Techno shook himself of those thoughts, sighing so that his breath tussled Sweeney’s shorter mane.
***
“ Macabre! To me! ” The High Priest called to the nether ceiling, sprinting on top of the bastions roof and leaping off the structure just in time for a ghast to appear from behind a wall of lava. The speed of the pale creature allowed the molten rock to slide off of its body before the priest landed on its head, kneeling on the creature to keep his balance as they both flew away from the bastion.
“ Yoo! ” Joytai called, thrusting her fists into the air as she cheered for her priest, turning to look at Tycho as he tentatively stepped beside his oldest sister. Joytai ruffled her brother’s hair as she giggled. “ High Priest amazing, is he not? ” Tycho cringed away from her contact, snapping playfully at her before turning to look at where their priest had disappeared to.
“ Show off, I think. ” Tycho countered, sticking his tongue out at his older sibling. Joytai snickered, but her eyes were kind as she gazed at Tycho.
“ Still scared of ghasts, young Tycholuce? ” Joytai teased, nuzzling her muzzle into Tycho’s hair, murmuring softly while her brother growled at his offender. “ No need to fear. I’ll protect you. ” Joytai rested her chin on Tycho’s head, giggling softly as he grumbled at her.
“ Am not, I just prefer other mobs, is all. ” Tycho stated matter-of-factly, and was surprised when Joytai removed her weight from his head, gazing down at him and smiling gently.
“ The Wither Players do seem to like you best. ” Joytai complimented, causing Tycho to blush at the attention. He could deal with his sister’s teasing, but the minute she started praising him, he could only ever feel patronized. He playfully punched Joytai in her bicep, not really intending to hurt her, but sending the message that he didn’t appreciate her mothering.
“ It’s not my fault you like being chased by them. Besides, Sounder Mother is the one who showed me the violin, so really she’s to blame if the skeletons like my songs best. ” Joytai hummed in agreement at Tycho’s defense. It was true, the Wither Sounder was in charge of keeping the strongholds peaceful, which meant calming the bodies of players that have long since passed. Luciajoy had discovered that the skeletons adored music, and would even dance with a few piglins if they felt up to it, leaving their swords to their side for a night of fun.
“ Still… you’re the one who wrote all of your own songs. Perhaps playing them for Sounder would be nice. ” Joytai suggested, smiling wide as their priest came back into view, barking happily atop Macabre as the Ghast glided gracefully through the nether. The High Priest snorted a command to his mount, and braced himself as Macabre released a fiery charge from their mouth, igniting the ground below them and causing the priest to howl with delight.
Tycho smiled in amazement as he watched the display, though when he turned to look at his sister, he saw her gaze was far away, her smile dreamy as she watched her priest and his pet. Tycho’s heart snapped as he realized what exactly his sister was smiling about. It made sense, but it still hurt so terribly.
“ You wish to be a Ghast, do you not? ” Tycho’s monotone voice spoke. He tried not to let his emotions show when he asked Joytai his question. His sister turned to stare at him, her mouth agape as she took in Tycho’s inquiry. Her gaze softened as she must have realized what Tycho was truly asking, and she wrapped her large arms around her brother. Joytai held him close as she murmured to him gently.
Tycho felt safe and warm in his sister’s embrace, but he would never let her know that. She pulled away and leaned against the railings once more, her gaze focused on the nether surrounding them, but her voice clearly meant for Tycho to hear.
“ My litter siblings have all left to find their own Sounder. Though I find Ghast culture fascinating, I don’t think I could ever leave. ” Joytai spoke carefully, though she frowned before continuing.
“ Luciajoy won’t be here forever. She is strong, and she is powerful, but she is not immortal. When my time comes to take her place as mother, I promise to do everything I can to keep the Withers safe. Especially you, little Tycholuce. ” Joytai grabbed Tycho in a headlock, giving her brother a noogie as he squealed in her arms, attempting to free himself, but knowing that his sister was far stronger than he was.
Tycho was thankful for Joytai’s words. He knew what she was sacrificing for her Sounder, but it helped to know that she didn’t mind sticking around for him. So when it came to her strength that she used to give her brother tough love now, Tycho was glad to know that same strength would always protect him.
———
Tycholuce wailed as his eyes trained on the lifeless corpse of Joytai. Her pendent covered in dirt and her face contorted in pain as she finally succumbed to starvation.
Tycho had wondered absently why the trainer had dragged him from his prison cell down to the torture room, he supposed this answered his question.
“ The weak will die, and the strong will prevail. ” The trainer simply stated, clearly bored of lashing the Withers that hadn’t passed away under their abuse. “ You choose, Wither Spawn. Are you weak like your pathetic siblings, or strong? ”
Tycho couldn’t hear them. Couldn’t process their words. His thoughts were a broken, repeating pattern of the same sentiment.
She’s dead. She’s dead, and I’m all alone…
***
“You’re wrong.” Techno finally spoke. Sweeney sniffled under him, but he continued. “You’re right that I did all those things, but I was terrified the whole time.” Sweeney glanced up at the giant hoglin, tears still in their eyes, but they were intent on listening.
“Being brave or being scared isn’t what makes you strong and weak. The strongest people I know are those who are terrified, and do what needs to be done anyways. A weak person is someone who takes advantage of others, someone who couldn’t care less for the lives around them. A strong person knows what it means to protect themselves and the people they love.” Techno said, attempting to keep his voice steady as tears threatened his eyes. Sweeney continued to stare at him, completely taken in by Techno’s words.
“Strength is carrying on even when it’s hard. Strength is telling people how you feel, and letting them know when you’re not okay, and Sweeney?” Techno finally addressed the squeaker by name, meeting their gaze as tears fell from both hoglin’s eyes.
“You’re the strongest hoglin I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.”
