Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Technoblade never dies, but apparently there are worse things than death. 

Who would have thought that piglins had magic all of a sudden? Damn hellbeasts. They barely had the brainpower to work together, let alone hold meiges in their ranks. 

He supposes he’s been wrong about that before, though. He certainly never gave the Pillagers any credit until he found that they carried Totems of Undying that they crafted. It was amazing, he thought, how far all the cultures within the SMP had furthered their own magic and technology. That’s what found him here in the first place. A Piglin Bastian that was only meant to be a quick errand for gold, until one of the Piglins dressed in an unusual uniform threw a splash potion that Techno didn’t recognize at him. He had thought nothing of it, until his chest became incredibly heavy, his neck growing in diameter as his upper canines came to wrap around his face as tusks. 

Techno had collapsed onto his knees, then, attempting to right himself as his already unusual ears became floppy and tufted, his fingernails overtaking the rest of his hands and turning black. His legs began to morph horrifically as they took the shape of most quadrupedal mobs. His tail began to morph and take on the shape of a hogs, and only then did he realize that he was becoming a hoglin. 

His face stretched in an agonizing direction as his eyes became a milky white. The pain became unbearable as he was transfigured with the potion. The Piglin meige that brought this suffering upon him was squeaking in distress, almost like it hadn’t meant to do this, but it was too late for the magic user as an angry half hoglin Techno plowed his tusks into the beasts chest, cutting its scream off as he trampled with its corpse out of the bastian. 

The other Piglins were screaming at one another, but Techno didn’t try to figure out what they were saying. He tossed the limp carcass off of his face and into the lava lake beneath him as he traversed the netherrack bridge he had made for himself. He ran until the pain became far too much and he tripped and smashed gruesomely to the ground, skidding to a halt as sleep overtook him.

***

“That’s not fair!” A dark haired boy cried at Techno, his face blemished from the dirt he had landed in just moments before. Techno laughed hard at his whining, throwing his head back and holding his hair back with his right hand, his left one holding onto the wooden sword he’d used to take the boy down. 

“Dad! Techno’s being a dick!” The boy yelled at the golden haired man watching the two mock battle. The man laughed kindly, watching the boys with nothing but pride in his eyes. 

“Am not.” Techno sighed, “C’mon Wil, let’s just take a break, yeah?” he reached towards the other teen to help him up, but Wil simply pushed his hand away and staggered to his feet. Wilbur brushed himself off as he glared at the pink haired boy, stalking towards his father while the blond man wiped a tear from his eye. 

“Oh, c’mon mate, don’t be a sore loser.” The man chuckled as he ruffled Wil’s hair, the boy’s face scrunching at the contact. Techno smiled warmly at the duo, then began putting away the training gear for the night. 

“Ay, Tech?” The man spoke, causing the pink haired teen to look at him. The man waved him over, “You don’t need to be doing that. It’s Wil’s turn tonight.” Techno kicked the ground in front of him awkwardly, his gaze fixed to his left as his hands clasped behind his back.

“I know, Phil, but… I did beat up your kid.” Phil laughed at that, while Wilbur almost snarled at him. The man patted his son on the head, then got up to place his hands on Techno’s shoulders. 

“You’re one of my kids, too, y’know?” Phil’s gentle expression calmed Techno a little bit from his awkward stance. “You’ll always have us to rely on, ain’t that right Wil?”

Wil sighed, then confirmed, “Even if you’re an arsehole sometimes…”

***

As Techno came to from his rampage, he whimpered as he thought, I sure hope that’s true.

Chapter Text

When Techno woke up, all he heard was screaming. 

The voices in his head were wailing at him to wake up, to find a nether portal and fix this. Some voices were almost sobbing at him to find someone from the syndicate to help. Others yelled at him that he was the one who got himself into this mess, so he should get himself out. Of course, there were the few that were ecstatic for Techno’s newfound strength, piglin blood still dripping from his tusks after his escape. 

If only that meant he didn’t turn into a damn hoglin. He was finding it embarrassing how he stumbled on all fours, and how his hooves felt so wrong to walk on. All of his gear and weapons had been abandoned when he was transformed, but by the curses of the gods, his braid remained in his tail. Of all the things of his to keep. He swung his head from left to right, attempting to right himself before going to find someone to help him, when he felt his emerald earring on his left gently swing into his face. He stood for a second, then shrugged it off. Perhaps this would help to identify him if he could at least find someone to help him. 

He wondered if Ranboo would be entering the Nether anytime soon, when he spotted a trail of cobblestone leading it’s way to the main hub of the SMP and his home. This, however, is when he finally realized just how poor his eyesight was. He could still see, but his vision was more adept for spotting movement than anything else. No wonder these beasts seemed to be able to spot any player that happened to move, no matter how quiet. 

Techno inhaled through his nose to let out a sigh, but immediately began to gag and cough at the intensity of all of the smells around him. Holy hell, the Nether stank. It shouldn’t be surprising, with the only things on this land being fires and hogs, of course the air was peutred with the smell of sulfur and manure. He began breathing through his mouth, but that was even worse, because now he could taste the air. Technoblade never died, but maybe for once in his millenia long lifetime, he wished he could. 

He would have started sobbing if it weren’t for the fact that, not only does Techno not do that, but it would do nothing for his current situation. So he began to move his legs one at a time, like he’d seen his bears and wolves do, and it surprisingly worked out well. With his movements figured out, and the scent of fresh arctic air as his guide, he began trekking the cobbled path toward the Nether portal of his home.

The telltale signs of the other players nether hopping was obvious from the twisting bridges that stretched above him, but Techno wasn’t even going to attempt taking any of those paths. They were dangerous for the most surefooted of players, and he was still getting used to walking on four limbs. So, he took his time navigating the nether with his new sense of smell. Avoiding ghasts that floated dangerously above, and piglins from other bastions on the hunt. 

As if his luck wasn’t already at its peak, he spotted a few hoglins to his right, chewing harmlessly on the grass within a crimson forest, some squeakers chasing one another as they squealed happily at their parents. The adults snorted contently as they continued eating, their tails flicking side to side to show their pride for their offspring. 

Techno wouldn’t usually be panicked in this situation, it’s just a team of overgrown swine, after all, but Techno was useless. He didn’t have any weapons, no armour, nothing! He attempted to sneak away from them and return to the overworld, but one of the hoglins must have sniffed the air, and turned it’s empty gaze towards Techno. 

He froze in his tracks, unsure of how to deal with the situation. The hoglin exhaled sharply to the others in it’s team, and when they responded with irritated tail whips and turned their ears toward their young, the leader, it seemed, began to approach Techno. It swung it’s head upward, sticking its tusks towards the bedrock before laying its ears down toward the ground. 

Techno, having no idea of what he was doing, simply bowed his head to the creature, not making eye contact with the beast in hopes that it wouldn’t see him as a threat. The hoglin approached slowly. Not from fear, but from wanting to assess the situation. It terrified Techno to think that these mobs would even have the capacity to make those kinds of judgement calls. 

It sniffed him curiously, and was about to decide his fate when a squeaker lept from behind the hoglin and began oinking incessantly at Techno. It began circling him, its vocalizations seeming to imply that it was very upset that Techno had taken away from its family time. As the young hoglin continued with what seemed like an incredible speech, it noticed the braid tied in Techno’s tail, its eyes growing wide with curiosity. 

He had no time to prepare when the squeaker bolted behind him and began shaking his tail violently like a wolf and its prey. Techno could only watch as the other offspring wandered over to investigate, feeling out his braid with their tusks. The smallest of the young squealed happily as it danced around his hind legs, clearly ecstatic while the other two were gently tugging on his unfamiliar tail. 

Techno sat down so the squeakers had an easier time with investigating, the runt making their way over to the tie that held his braid together, grunting joyfully while they sniffed at the fabric. 

***

“Techie! Techie!” Called a young child, sprinting after the tall man that had been farming potatoes moments before. Techno’s long pink hair was clinging to his sweaty brow, so he had a hard time spotting the blond child as he skidded to halt, a hair tie in hand. 

“Hello, Tommy.” Techno said simply, allowing his hoe to fall into the unturned dirt. The blonde boy was almost vibrating in place as he locked his gaze onto Techno’s hair. 

“Can I braid your hair?” The boy practically shouted. Techno had to take a second to realize what Tommy had just asked. Braid my hair? He pulled his locks to rest on his shoulder, feeling how damp and gross his hair texture was. 

“Why..?” Techno asked suspiciously, not knowing what Phil’s youngest was planning. Tommy huffed at him while he glared at the mess that was currently hanging off of Techno’s shoulders. 

Tommy sighed dramatically, causing Techno to smile. “Because… if you’re not gonna take care of your hair, then someone’s got to.” Techno almost snorted at his explanation. “Plus! I’ve always wanted to try braiding someone’s hair! Puffy braids hers sometimes, so I wanna do it!” Techno sat cross-legged on the ground in front of the kid, a smile still on his face. 

Tommy then started to fiddle the ground in front of him, kicking out his foot to shift the ground, a bad habit he picked up from Techno. “Besides, having your hair outta the way might make farming easier?” Tommy bribed. Techno chuckled, but had already given in the moment Tommy had asked. 

“Alright, do what you’ve got to do.” He almost flinched at the way Tommy leapt into the air, a large grin stained to his face as he ran around the older boy, snatching his hair up and revealing to Techno that he also stashed a hairbrush.

***

“I’m a person! Discs aren’t people! All you’ve done is use me!”

***

A loud exhale came from ahead of Techno, and he has no idea how the adult hoglin managed to slip his mind. The creature began to step away from him, clearly alright with their squeakers in his presence. As they returned to their team, Techno began to rise from his seat when the bold squealer who initiated the contact began oinking angrily at him, causing the adult to turn their head sharply, glaring at Techno until he sat down again and allowed the young to use him like a playset. 

As hours wore on, the squealers were tiring out, returning to their parents as they dragged their feet. The leader, a female as Techno came to learn, was very much the matriarch of this team, and they seemed to have a pack-like structure, much like his wolves at home. The leader and her mate were dominant, while the other two adults were actually juveniles, most likely from last year’s litter. 

At the thought of his wolves, Techno was once again reminded of his circumstances, and sighed longingly. He hoped that someone would notice sooner or later that he was gone. He hadn’t told Philza of his adventure, as he wanted to make golden apples for the man as a surprise, but that meant that Phil also didn’t know where he was. If he knew Phil, the man would be flying across the entire SMP right now just to make sure he was okay. 

Then Techno heard the distinct sound of boots on netherrack, and immediately got to his feet to look at the source of the sound. The hoglins behind him were huffing agitatedly at one another before they started to paw the ground in warning. 

As Techno began to grit his teeth in defense, the voices in his head were screaming at him to not hurt… Who the heck is Gender Man?

“Oh dang!” An all too familiar voice, and though Techno could only see in greyscale, an armoured person began building a platform under him, his incredibly tall figure a dead giveaway for Techno, who could have screamed from happiness. 

“Ranboo!” 

Chapter Text

Techno had never been happier to see the hybrid in his life, but if Ranboo drawing out his bow was anything to go by, the feeling was not mutual. 

“Okay, okay okay.” Ranboo kept repeating, clearly intent on opening fire as soon as the hoglins began charging, and judging by the leader’s snorts and the others swinging their heads aggressively, Techno knew that blood was going to be drawn, and he couldn’t let that happen. He ran up to the team, and began herding the squeakers deeper into the forest, causing the adults to turn on him and squeal angrily at him. He shoved the runt forward with his snout, causing them to cry out in surprise, and that set the hoglins off tenfold. 

The leader charged him angrily and when he turned to suppress the hit, his tusks interlocked with the leaders, her force almost knocking him off his hooves. He planted his feet behind him, and forced his larger head to press against hers, hoping to get her to retreat. It only caused her to be more aggressive. 

Techno felt horrible for making the hoglin this upset over her children, but he knew that if he left her to fight Ranboo, there would be no doubt that the entire team would be killed. He also felt bad that thanks to his enormous size compared to the other hoglins, it only set the team off more, knowing that he was more of a danger to their young than any other member of their species. 

He felt a sharp sting in his back, and as he was preoccupied with the pain, the hoglin shoved him onto this side, and began yelling in victory. The other hoglins gathered up their young and trotted further into the crimson forest, their leader trailing behind them as she turned her gaze to Techno, her gaze now showing understanding as the telltale sign of a sword being drawn came from behind him. 

Ranboo had his netherrite sword in hand, and when he raised it to strike a blow to him, Techno only had the time to turn around and scoop up the enderman in his tusks, galloping away from the forest and towards the portal. 

“What the-'' Was all Ranboo was able to vocalize before the air was knocked out of him from being spontaneously carried through the nether on a giant hoglins snout. Techno would’ve felt bad for them, if it wasn’t for the arrow currently sticking out of his hide thanks to them. He traversed the cobbled path until he saw the portal, then he began to slow his pace as Ranboo tried to get a grip on him. They grabbed at his enormous ears and noticed the emerald earring dangling from his left, and then their eyes widened in shock. 

Techno finally came to a stop in front of the purple glow of the portal, gently allowing Ranboo to slide off his face. The enderman hybrid stumbled slightly, attempting to get his bearings as he gazed up at Techno, clearly unsure of what to make of the situation. He tucked his sword away, but still kept a defensive stance, assessing if the hoglin before him was going to try to hurt him now. 

It hurt to think that his friend didn’t recognize him, but Techno had to admit that if anyone else had been turned into a hoglin, he sure as hell wouldn’t believe it either. He tried stretching his neck out to allow Ranboo to inspect him without feeling threatened, and it seemed to work a little bit. Ranboo’s glanced all around the hoglin, until their eyes landed on the arrow that they had fired. They flinched from sympathy as they turned their attention back toward Techno. They stretched out their blackened hand toward his snout, and while Techno wanted more than anything to pull away from the contact, he knew that Ranboo would need this to feel comfortable. 

“H-hey buddy…” Ranboo whispered as he stroked Techno’s nose gently, still trying to get his bearings around the giant creature. Techno could have laughed from how Ranboo was tip-toeing around him, but he knew that Ranboo was always cautious around what he didn’t understand. 

***

Techno had been tending his wolves when Ranboo nervously approached him, attempting to shrink themselves despite their 3 meter height. The hybrid began petting one of the wolves gently on their head, before turning their attention back to Techno. 

“So…” Ranboo began, “every single time that I’ve had to come here, I’ve had to give you something.” He glanced toward his new shack, and Techno nodded in agreement. 

“True,” Was all the hardened warrior gave as confirmation that he was willing to be a part of this conversation. 

“Now I’m probably going to be here longer than any of the other times, I’d say.” Techno almost laughed at the poor enderman. He knew that they were trying though, so he only offered them a ‘nice’ as they continued. 

“So umm… hopefully I uhh…” Ranboo then grabbed a newly crafted netherrite axe from his travel pouch, testing the weight in his hands before passing it off to Techno, who’s eyes had widened at the site of the gorgeously sharpened blade. He exhaled an audible ‘oh’ as Ranboo shifted on his feet. 

“Cause I heard that you had lost yours while blowing up the country.” Ranboo finished, clearly waiting for a response from Techno as the anarchist admired the enchantments that had been placed on the axe, swinging it gently from side to side as the purple glow twinkled in his grasp. 

“Well I suppose this is umm…” Techno stuttered as he was rendered speechless from the gift, “I uhh… I guess this gift is sorta okay.” He almost stumbled as he retreated back towards his home, not knowing what to say to the enderman who had lost almost everything thanks to him. “I suppose I might find a use for this.”

He could hear Ranboo almost giggling where he stood, instead he only offered a ‘maybe’ as Techno climbed his stairs into the foyer of his house, clearly uncomfortable with the gift that the young man had offered as a means to stay. Techno wanted to tell him that he really didn’t need to do that, or that Ranboo had already offered to take care of his wolves, but instead he only turned his head out of his door to give a snarky reply. 

“My heart isn’t warmed by this at all, just by the way. Just cause I have this axe now doesn’t mean we’re friends.” Ranboo smiled from ear to ear, still stroking a wolf's head as he agreed with the anarchist whom he now shared this land with. 

***

“A friendly hoglin,” Ranboo commented, still petting Techno’s face while he thought for a long moment, “Well that’s something.” The enderman then perked up, seeming to remember something as he grabbed a golden carrot from his bag, holding his hand steady for Techno to grab. 

“You want it?” He asked, and before Techno could fully realize what was happening, he immediately took the carrot from Ranboo and ate it. As he was chewing, he finally realized what he had just done, and wanted to curl up and die from embarrassment. How was he going to explain that when he turned back?

Was Techno going to turn back? He hadn’t really thought about it, he’d mostly just been trying to survive the nether before finding someone, but now that he had Ranboo? He had no idea if this potion was meant to wear off, or if it needed an antidote, or blood god forbid it was permanent. The voices were chanting at him that Technohog wasn’t so bad, but he needed to get back to the overworld and see Phil, see Steve, see all of his pets and to tend to his fields. 

“Hungry, weren't you?” Ranboo smiled at him, then looked back to the portal the Techno had brought him to. “Pretty cool of you to drop me off here, how’d you know it was here?” Ranboo yelped in surprise as Techno rested his head in his arms, wanting to sleep for a century after communicating with hoglins, then getting shot by his friend. Ranboo simply stared wide eyed at him, until he began stroking Techno’s cheek in a soothing motion. As a calmness finally settled over Techno, he felt Ranboo’s hand shift away from him to look at the emerald dangling from his ear. 

“Now, where did you get this, buddy?”

Chapter Text

Techno’s heart was racing a million miles a minute, and yet, he held still to allow Ranboo a closure look at his emerald. 

Ranboo gently held the earring between his fingers, his calculated eyes skimming over Techno’s entire body, noting every scar he saw. He gently took his hand away from the gemstone, and brushed the scar spanning from Techno’s right cheek, onto his nose, and all the way up to his left eye. The enderman’s touch was barely noticeable, as realization finally settled on his face. 

“Techno?!” Ranboo practically yelled, stumbling backwards from the shock. Techno could have cried from relief. Finally! He understood! Techno nodded vigorously before gesturing towards the portal, hoping that Ranboo would understand his urgency to tell Phil that he was… more or less okay. 

“Jesus Christ, what happened to you, man?” Ranboo searched all around Techno’s body, glancing at all of his old scars and the arrow still sticking out of his back. Ranboo winced, “We’ll have to get that patched up, huh? Sorry about that, by the way.” Techno rolled his eyes and swung his head once again towards the overworld.

The hybrid shifted their gaze to the portal, an air of determination wafting off of them. “Don’t worry, man. I’ll get Philza and we’ll figure out what to do.” Ranboo then hesitated before looking back at Techno. Their eyes landed on the gemstone hanging from Techno’s ear, and they gulped before asking,

“Do you mind if I bring that with me? Just in case I forget, I mean!” Techno shrank back slightly, causing Ranboo to flinch apologetically. The hoglin tilted his head to look at the emerald that had solidified both he and Phil’s bond. He hadn’t taken it off since he had given Phil the matching earring, and he never intended to take it off. 

However, the unfortunate reality was that while Ranboo really did try his best to remember, Techno knew that he had severe memory issues, and he also knew that Ranboo would return it safe and sound as soon as Phil got back. So, Techno leaned his face towards Ranboo for him to take the emerald. 

“Thanks man.” Was all Ranboo said before packing up his traveling pouch and getting ready to set off to the overworld. He turned to face the hoglin again, carefully unclipping the earring so as not to hurt Techno.

“Sorry about this, but I’m not sure if you’ll become a zombie or not if you come with me. Just… stay here, yeah?” Techno nodded at them, knowing exactly where they were coming from. Truth be told, he hadn’t even thought of that, and was glad that at least one of them was thinking clearly. Ranboo went to pet his snout again, but stopped themselves, knowing that Techno didn’t usually like physical contact. 

“I’ll be back asap. I promise.” And with that, the hybrid was gone, leaving Techno alone in the nether once more. He heaved a sigh as he went to lay down beside the portal, the fresh smell of snow keeping him calm as he rested his eyes. 

The voices had been mumbling to each other the entire time, wondering if Techno was able to communicate with other animals, or if he had the killer instincts of a hoglin (as if he wasn’t a killer already). Techno allowed the voices to continue in his head, happy that they at least kept him preoccupied. That is until they began screaming at him, “Squeaker! Cute squeaker! Little runt! Name them Sweeney!” 

Techno opened his eyes only to leap up to his feet in pure shock. The runt squeaker from the hoglin team was right in front of him, wagging their tail happily as they looked up at the far larger mob. They barked excitedly as they ran around him, leaping about like a child on Christmas as Techno attempted to look around and find their team. 

“Smell, you idiot!” The voices cried out, and Techno was going to get a headache if they kept that up. He sniffed the air and found the trail the squeaker had come down to find him. He couldn’t smell their team, but he knows he left the runt with them, so they must have come from there. 

While Techno wanted to help the runt find their team again, he knew he couldn’t, because he had no idea when Ranboo would be back with Phil. He thought about just ignoring them, but eventually decided that he would try to scare them off to their team. He puffed out his chest, flared his mane and growled menacingly at the squeaker, but this only caused them to squeal joyfully as they stood their ground and copied Techno. 

“Sweeney’s got spice.” The voices concluded, and Techno has no idea where they got that name from. He shakes his head before staring at… Sweeney… and nodding towards the trail they had come from. 

“Go on, kid, head home.” Techno almost gagged at how his voice sounded. He wasn’t speaking Common, that much was for sure, but he had no idea what he was speaking. He wouldn’t get the chance to question it before Sweeney’s eyes widened, their mouth growing into a wide smile as they began hopping in place while saying,

“Biggie talk! Biggie talk!” Techno froze. 

Blood God damn it all. 

He could understand hoglins now.

***

“T… Techno?” The small voice of Tommy came from Techno’s doorway, shaking him from his daze as he shifted away from his desk and looked at the child in front of him. 

“What’re ya doin up, Tommy?” Techno asked, scooping the blond haired boy into his arms as he shook. Techno wasn’t sure if he was shivering from fear or from being chilly, but he stood up and carried Tommy over to his bed, tucking him in before Tommy finally answered him. 

“Dad’s not home yet, and I’m scared. What if he doesn’t come back?” Tommy was sniffling now, and Techno’s heart ached for Phil’s youngest. He pet Tommy’s head, tangling his fingers into golden curls as he spoke softly,

“Phil will be home soon, don’t worry. He always goes on these trips, you know that.” Tommy whimpered, pulling the comforter closer to himself.

“But Wil was always here…” Techno smiled sadly at the young boy, still stroking his hair as he thought of a proper response. 

“That’s certainly true, but Wil’s got his own things going on.” Tommy nodded his head, his eyes were glazed over and it was obvious that he was exhausted. 

“Tell ya what,” Techno said as he brought his pink hair in front of himself. It wasn’t in a braid like it usually was during the day, but the ponytail helped to keep most of his hair out of his face while he was reading. 

“I’ll let you sleep here in my room, and I’ll even let you play with my hair.” Tommy began smiling at that, and was almost giddy when he was handed the pink strands, “I’ll keep the first watch, how about that?”

“Sounds good.” Tommy mumbles as he begins running his fingers through Techno’s hair, eyes becoming half lidded as he calmed himself down for sleep. It didn’t take long for Tommy to eventually clock out, but Techno was content to sit on the edge of his bed, watching the stars dance in the sky as the moon traversed her path. Besides, Techno didn’t want to disturb Tommy’s sleep. Blood God knows what would happen if the kid were to startle awake. 

At least, that’s that reasoning Techno chose to go with. 

***

Sweeney was spinning in circles, their tiny body holding far more energy than Techno could ever imagine. 

“Biggie chase me, but Biggie not mean! Biggie play with me!” Techno wanted to die. He could understand the squeaker. The voices were elated at the news, cooing at the tiny hoglin as they argued over what to do with them. Techno was going to be sick. 

“Why Biggie not come with?” Sweeney had stopped their dancing to tilt their head at Techno, clearly confused as to why the giant hoglin wasn’t going into the nether with them. Techno sighed, not knowing what to say before Sweeney’s eyes widened and their nostrils flared. 

“Players.” Was all they whispered before they scampered off towards who knows where. Techno spun around to see Ranboo racing through the portal, a disheveled Phil in tow. As they came through to the nether, Ranboo smiled wide as he looked at Techno, before he was pushed behind Phil as the elytran pulled out his netherrite sword, yelling to Ranboo, 

“Get back! I’ll take care of this hoglin!” Ranboo grabbed at Phil’s coat as Techno backed off, not wanting to set Phil off. 

“Phil stop! He’s friendly, I promise!” Phil shook Ranboo off his arm, still pointing his blade at Techno as the hoglin tried to shrink away.

“How the fuck would you know?!” Phil questioned, keeping his eyes on Techno, “You said Tech was in here so where is he?!” Ranboo lept in front of Phil’s sword, putting themselves between Phil and Techno. Their hands were held up in submission, but it was clear that they didn’t want Phil to hurt the hoglin. When Techno glanced at Ohil’s other hand, he saw his emerald earring. Good, he thought, until he realized…

Ranboo doesn’t have the emerald… 

“Because…” Ranboo trailed off, turning his attention to the hoglin behind him. His eyes were glassy, and Techno could only watch in horror as Ranboo’s expression became one of despair. 

“Because… he umm… I…” Ranboo was trying. He really was trying, but it wasn’t enough. His shoulders were slack and he seemed to be dissociating as he stared blankly at Techno. His posture now shows one of confusion, not urgency. 

No… no, no, no, no, no!

“I don’t remember.”

Chapter Text

When Phil first met Techno, it had been many centuries ago. 

He had been serving his lady then, flying through the realm to give peace to those who’d been suffering. His lady was insistent that mortal souls should join her in the sky once they no longer needed their mortal bodies, and so, the Angel of Death did all he could for his merciful goddess. 

That’s when he came upon the young disciple, battling another player as he staggered on his feet. His eyes a blazing red as he continued his violent onslaught. 

Phil had intervened, pulling the disciple away from the blow that might have killed him, and flew away with the young boy struggling. When they landed on a neighboring floating island, the boy spun on his heel, glaring at the angel. 

“I had that under control!” The boy shouted. Phil only smiled down at him, trying his best not to be patronizing, but…

“Sure ya did, mate.” He glanced at the brand on the boy's neck, his short pink hair unable to hide the crown burned into his skin. Phil frowned. 

“You might wanna wear something to cover that up,” Phil stated, the boy placing his hand behind his neck, sneering up at the golden haired man. “Not a lot of people take kindly to disciples. Watch yourself out there, alright?” The boy’s face shifted to one of confusion, then curiosity as he prepared to speak more calmly.

“H… how did you know?” Phil tilted his head at the boy, a smile returned to his lips. 

“Know what?” Phil questioned innocently, even though he already knew what the kid was asking. 

“That I’m… That I’m a disciple?” He was looking terrified now. “People come after me because of my brand, but no one’s ever called me that.” Phil considered the question for a moment, before turning around and shifting his hair and hood from the back of his neck, showing off his own brand. 

The boy gaped at the mark, a small ‘whoa’ escaping his lips before Phil turned back around so he could face the boy once more. The boy glanced down, kicking his foot out to disturb some of the ground before asking,

“Who’s your deity?” Phil knew the question was coming. If he was being honest with himself, he hadn’t seen the boy’s brand either, so it only made sense that the other disciple also had questions. Phil’s own brand was a heart with two eyes that looked quite menacing. He supposed the brand fit, though, seeing how so many people feared death to some degree. 

“My lady is the God of Death.” Phil answered, causing the boy to stumble back slightly, clearly shaken by the answer. Phil nodded once before stretching his wings to take off. 

“Remember what I said, yeah? Cover that brand before the next time you run into someone.” The boy nodded vigorously, stepping backwards to allow the angel proper space to flap his wings. 

“I’m sure I’ll see ya down the line, mate.” And with that, Phil was gone. 

———

It had been half a century. 

Phil had been collecting souls from the remains of a battlefield when he saw the young boy once more, only this time, it had been a long while since he had met him, and the boy’s hair now grew to cover the back of his neck, a white cape accompanied his locks, making sure no one would ever see his brand. 

Phil approached him slowly, not wanting to startle the disciple, but when he got closer, he stopped in his tracks. Phil’s face paled as he heard the boy mumbling to himself, blood splattered all over his cape and sword, though most of his enemy’s blood had found its way onto his face. The whispers were low, but Phil could make out the words clearly. 

“Blood for the Blood God.” 

Over and over and over, the boy was chanting that same phrase as Phil swallowed fearfully. 

What the fuck is this kid doing with the Blood God? 

Phil shook himself of his fear, and raced towards the young boy, tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention. 

“Hey mate, you alright?” Phil asked gently, only for the boy to spin around, eyes mere slits now as he screamed at the top of his lungs,

“Blood!!” He brought his diamond sword up to strike a critical blow to Phil, but the more experienced man simply grabbed his wrist, twisting the flesh there just enough for the boy to drop the weapon, but he was still screaming at the top of his lungs at Phil.

Once the sword dropped to the ground, Phil adjusted his grip to pull the boy toward him, enveloping the boy in his arms and wings, holding him in place as he thrashed and screamed against his grip. 

Phil lifted a hand and began stroking the boy's hair, gently cooing at him, “You’re alright now… You’re alright… No one’s gonna hurt ya. I promise…” The boy struggled under his grip for a few more moments before he went completely still. Phil would have been concerned that he had accidentally killed him, until the boy began shaking, quietly sobbing into Phil’s shoulder as he wrapped his arms around the taller man. 

Hours wore on as they were locked in each other’s embrace, eventually sitting down so that the boy’s legs could rest. Phil kept holding the boy, petting his hair as he eventually shifted to look up at Phil, tears still trailing down his face.

“Technoblade.” 

Phil stilled his hand, then used it to cradle the boy's cheek as he asked, “Sorry?”

“My name… it’s Technoblade…” The boy whispered, beginning to shake again anxiously. Phil used his thumb to stroke his cheek, and decided to return the favor.

“In that case, my name’s Philza, but you can call me Phil.” 

———

Phil and Techno stuck together for a good century after that. It seemed that Techno was happy to spend time with someone who’d saved his ass twice, and Phil certainly didn’t mind the company. It was nice, actually, to have someone to watch your back. The two disciples had smoothed out a routine on their journey, and Phil was happy that he could be there for the patron of the Blood God. 

It still shocked Phil that the Blood God would have chosen someone so young as their disciple, but the Angel of Death made it a habit to avoid the deity at all costs, even if he was companions with Techno. 

Phil decided to teach the young man proper sword moves. Techno had flare, and he had tenacity, but that only got you so far when your opponent was so much more experienced than you. Phil had hoped that their training regimen would help vent the pent up energy within Techno, but it only seemed to enforce it. It was strange, every now and again, Phil would catch Techno speaking to himself after practice. He would say he didn’t want blood, but something seemed to be disagreeing with him.

Eventually, Phil travelled to a new realm by the name of Hypixel, Techno had taken it upon himself to survey the land, and came to the conclusion that he wanted to stay in a place called Skyblock. Phil didn’t stop him, as he knew that Techno had been dying to get some action for a decade now, and so, the two parted ways. 

———

When Phil saw Techno again, it had been on one of the stadium televisions around Hypixel. The patron had made a name for himself in a battle arena called Survival Games, and was considered the best combat fighter in the realm. 

As Phil stared up at the screen, pride filled his heart, and he smiled to himself as he thought, ‘That’s my boy.’

***

And Phil was going to do everything to get his boy back, even if it meant killing this hoglin.

Chapter Text

“That’s enough Phil!” 

Ranboo had grabbed at Phil’s arm, clenching at the dark fabric and shaking it slightly to snap Phil out of his rage. “I know we don’t know where Techno is, but that’s no reason to harm an innocent creature!”

Phil glared daggers at Ranboo, and Techno backed off even more, trying to give space to the angel and enderman. “That’s a fucking hoglin, Ranboo! They’re hostile mobs, and I guarantee this one has killed before!” Techno huffed through his nostrils. That wasn't untrue, but everyone he’s killed always deserved it… most of the time anyways… 

“Please, I know this sounds crazy, but-” Ranboo never got to finish his sentence as Phil whipped his arm out and caused Ranboo to fall onto the floor, holding his arms up defensively as Phil turned his sword to the enderman.

“You wanna know what’s fucking crazy?” Phil snarled, and Techno growled lowly in an attempt to refocus Phil’s attention on him, but it was in vain as Phil’s eyes blackened. “You trying to protect an angry giant pork chop while my son is still missing! I’ve already lost Wil, I am not losing Techno, too!”

Techno froze, staring at the man who taken care of him for so many years. How he had always been afraid to let anyone into his life, let alone call them family. Yet here Phil was, calling Techno his son. 

“He- Hello?!” 

Techno perked his ears, listening to the other side of the portal. Had voices always been able to travel through to the nether? 

As Ranboo struggled under Phil’s gaze, Techno froze stiff as he realized he recognized that voice. 

“Phil? Ranboo? Did you guys find Techno?”

Niki!

***

Techno and Ranboo had been making their way through L’Manburg, testing out Ranboo’s abilities when they ran into a citizen. A woman decked out in netherite armor approached them slowly, cautious of the two anarchists as she moved past them, glancing from them to the path ahead of her until she was finally where she needed to be.

Ranboo glanced at the chicken egg in his grasp, and being unsure of what to say, simply looked at the woman and said, “Egg.” 

The pink haired man could have smacked the enderman for that, but simply repeated the sentiment before asking Ranboo, “Are they just gonna walk by, or…” Ranboo was staring at the woman, waiting to see what she would do, before she displayed a container holding baked potatoes, holding it out for the anarchists to take the food. 

While Techno was suspicious, Ranboo smiled as they took one of the potatoes, taking a bite before humming to themselves, clearly happy with the woman’s cooking. “Food,” was all he said, and the woman smirked, nodding her head before leaving the two to their business. 

As Ranboo chewed his meal happily, Techno sighed in relief, glad that the woman decided not to attack them, and even noticed the enderman’s hunger. Techno glanced at the sky, thanking the Blood God before deciding that they should leave for their arctic home. 

“Come on, that’s enough social interaction for my week.” 

Little did Techno know that this woman was none other than Nihachu, and that one day, she would become one of his most trusted allies. 

***

Techno raced through the portal, uncaring if he turned into a zombie, and as he reached the daylight of the overworld, he heard Niki yelp as he nuzzled his face into her. She had her hands in the air, not seeming to know what to do with the overly friendly hoglin. Her eyes shifted from fear to cautiousness and she began petting Techno’s mane, clearly unsure of what else to do. 

“H-hey boy! How’s it going?” She asked nervously, Techno’s only response being to nuzzle closer to her warmth. As they stayed there for a few seconds, the sound of Ranboo and Phil returning to the overworld could be heard behind him. Techno tensed instinctually, not knowing if Phil was going to try to fight him or not. 

Niki’s eyes shot up to the other players, and she narrowed her gaze at them. “You guys stop it! You’re scaring him!” techno shifted his head so he was able to look at the angel and enderman. Phil hesitated, not knowing if he should let his guard down or not, until he eventually sighed in submission, putting his sword back in his holster as he approached Techno more slowly. 

Phil raised his hand near Techno’s neck, looking at the hoglin before he made his move. The voices, however, were getting impatient and demanded that Techno should just lean into the touch so they could get this over with. 

Techno felt Phil’s hand tense at the contact, but the angel soon relaxed enough to begin petting his neck. Techno sighed from relief, finally, we’re going to be alright now. 

Ranboo came to the other side of Techno, petting his neck in a similar fashion to Phil, but the enderman looked somber as he whispered, “I’m sorry we didn’t find Techno…” The hoglin wanted to scream, but instead he glanced at Phil to see his reaction. Techno hadn’t noticed before, but the man looked absolutely exhausted. His eyes were heavily lidded and blackened due to lack of sleep. His hair was slightly matted, and looked so much worse for wear. Techno hadn’t seen Phil this bad since… 

Techno closed his eyes at the memory of Phil’s eldest son, the brown haired boy he had fought with as teens, battled for in Pogtopia, was raised with by Phil. Wilbur had done everything he could for his nation, and yet, it was all in vain, his ghost settling into existence around The Syndicates land. It hurt Techno so much to see Phil in shambles the same way he was back then over him now. 

“It’s alright Ranboo… You did your best…” Phil was zoning out as he continued petting Techno’s neck, but through this daze he smiled. “Strange isn’t it? That this hoglin isn’t a zoglin? Maybe you’re right, maybe he is special.”

The hoglin nuzzled against Phil’s side, only for the man to collapse against the beast, completely exhausted from searching for what may have been days. Time works differently in the nether, and Techno knows that what felt like hours to him could really be a few days here. Techno shifted so Phil could lean against his shoulder, kneeling down so the man wouldn’t hit the ground, only for Niki to run to Phil’s side and help him onto the hoglin. 

“Okay Phil, let’s get you to bed, alright? We’ll search for Techno tomorrow.” As Niki shoved the rest of Phil’s weight onto Techno, she turned her gaze to Ranboo, addressing him, “You trust this hoglin, right?” 

Ranboo nodded his head, continuing to stroke Techno’s neck as Phil finally passed out on top of the hoglins back. Niki rubbed Phil’s back, then shifted to scratch as Techno’s chin. 

“Let’s go then.”

Chapter Text

“Alright boy, you stay out here.” 

Techno had helped bring Phil back to their home, but he knew that he wouldn’t be allowed in the angel’s house, seeing how his size may prove too much for the place to handle. That didn’t stop the sting of Niki treating him like a dog. Even Techno treated his dogs better. Speaking of which, he was happy to see they were all in their house resting, meaning that Ranboo had continued to take care of them while he was gone. 

Would his dogs recognize him? It wasn’t like his scent should’ve changed. What would happen when they recognized him? Techno thought back to Sweeney and how he was able to communicate with the squeaker, but would that translate over to other creatures? The voices seemed joyful at the prospect, saying that Techno should try now, but the hoglin was tired. The voices complained plenty, but were satiated when Techno promised that he would try in the morning. 

As Niki and Ranboo dragged a barely conscious Phil into his home, Techno glanced around his surroundings, trying to find an adequate place to rest. He supposed his stable wasn’t a horrible idea, but it was going to be cold tonight, and Techno was rapidly realizing that his body was perfect for hot conditions, but snow was a completely different story. 

 He shifted and spotted his door, and after Niki and Ranboo had placed Phil in his bed and had gone to their own homes, Techno unlatched his door using his tusks. He tried to sneak in as quietly as possible, until he heard a growling from inside the dark room. 

“Stay back, stranger. You may not have noticed, but my boss got himself a couple of mobs you wouldn’t wanna mess with.” Techno stopped, confused at the voice that addressed him. He had never heard this person before. What the hell were they doing in his home, and how did they get in? He always kept everything secure when he left. His confusion was halted as he heard claws on the floor. 

As Techno’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, he quickly realized who was growling at him. A large polar bear lumbered out of the back corner, snarling fiercely until he sniffed at the hoglin. The bear stopped, tilting his head as he looked at the hoglin, clearly questioning something as his dark eyes trailed over Techno’s hide. The polar bear's eyes lit up, and he lifted  himself from his stalking gate, rising to meet Techno’s eyes. 

The bear approached slowly, sniffing Techno again before he stepped back, joy clear in his eyes as he spoke to the hoglin. 

“Boss?!” 

“Steve?!” 

Steve leapt up from the floorboards and wrapped his large paws around Techno’s neck, sniffing at him and licking his ear as the hoglin stood frigid, not knowing what to do with all of the physical contact.

“Boss, I didn’t think you’d be back. Angel’s been looking everywhere for ya, the boys and I were getting worried.” Techno smiled, he hadn’t realized how much his pets and roommates would miss him. He always thought he was more or less a source of food for them, but it seemed that their bond was more than that. 

“I’m sorry,” was the only thing Techno could think of as a response. It was strange, talking to Steve, but also nice. Steve had been a constant in his life for so long now, and it was wonderful to finally have someone here recognize him. 

“Ya better be. Baba was planning on finding ya herself if ya didn’t come home soon.” Steve playfully head butted Techno, curling his lip slightly, but not truly meaning it. “You can’t force an old woman like her to go and find yer sorry ass.” Techno grinned as Steve continued to tell him about how all of his pets were planning on getting him back. The foxes had planned on asking some of the turtles if they saw him near an ocean monument. His wolves were planning a mutiny against Ranboo, and the bears were about ready to ransack the entire server if it meant finding him. 

They laid together like that all night, talking about how Steve had attempted to keep the animals in line while Techno was gone, and how in the hell their beloved owner turned into a giant hoglin. As the sun began to rise, however, there was a creak as the front door swung open, and Phil walked in, only to jump back and fully wake up when he saw Techno next to Steve, the two giant beasts taking up space beside the fireplace as they snuggled close together. 

“Hey boys…” Phil said hesitantly, walking slowly as he maneuvered around the space, attempting to keep away from Steve as the bear showed his teeth to the angel. Techno giggled. 

“You’re still mad at him for that?” Techno almost wheezed. Steve glared at him, and snarled back, 

“You try getting elbowed in the nose and see how you like it!” Techno laughed now, his voice filling the cabin as Phil grabbed what he needed from the enderchest. He turned to face the two beasts, and then spotted Techno’s braided tail. 

“Where did you get that, boy?” 

***

“Dad! Dad, look!” Tommy yelled out to the man on the porch, dragging a reluctant Techno behind him as he showed off his handy work. Phil looked up at the boys, and smiled warmly when he saw Techno’s hair in a giant braid. 

“Did you do that, Tommy?” Phil was clearly amused by the situation, but Techno only squeezed Tommy’s hand in reassurance before answering the man who cared for them. 

“He did, and I think he did a good job.” Tommy smiled up at the teen, beaming at being praised so highly by the boy who rarely even acknowledged him. Phil’s eyes widened ever so slightly before he relaxed more into his chair. 

“Hey, Tommy? Mind helping Wil with cooking dinner? He may be having some trouble.” Tommy let go of Techno’s hand and raced towards the house, his energy matched by no one as he skidded to a slower pace, knowing that he’d get yelled at for running in the house. 

“Of course he’s having trouble.” Tommy snarked at his father, a joking smile plastered on his lips. “Techno!” He yelled at the teen still standing away from the house. “Don’t take that braid out, ya hear? It’s supposed to help you!” 

With that, Tommy disappeared into the house, leaving an amused Phil and a confused Techno outside. Phil smirked at Techno, taking in the fact that all of Techno’s hair could even be wrestled with to be made into a braid. 

“You want me to untie it?” Phil asked, still amused by the whole thing, when Techno snapped at the angel,

“No, it’s fine.” Phil’s eyes widened at that, shocked at Techno’s reaction to the question. Techno, too, was taken by surprise. He usually never snapped at Phil, unless the old man did something totally and completely stupid of course. Untying a braid wouldn’t normally make the cut, but here they were. Phil shook off his confusion, and smiled warmly at Techno, clearly knowing more about the teens outburst than the teen himself. 

“Well, if it ever gets tangled, you let me know, yeah?” Techno nodded, then stumbled back towards his crops, wanting to be far away from whatever the hell that was. 

***

“Someone cared a lot about you, is that right?” Phil’s hand was gentle as he took the braid into his palm, running his fingers through the coarse hair. Techno nodded his head, looking at the man who had cared so deeply for him, and who he in turn would do anything for. Phil smiled. 

“It’s almost like you can understand me.” He mumbled to himself, taking a seat next to the giant hoglin, taking the hair tie away from its place, causing Techno to snort furiously at Phil. 

“It’s okay, boy.” Phil murmured gently, combing his fingers into Techno’s tail, “I’m just gonna brush your tail out, then we can redo the braid, yeah?”  Techno only stared at Phil as a response, Steve huffed at the angel but turned to face Techno. 

“Your tail is full of grass and twigs, boss. Let the angel do what he wants.” Steve nuzzled closer to Techno, and began snoring as sleep took over the bear. Techno closed his eyes, the feeling of Steve laying next to him and Phil brushing out his hair calmed him more than anything else ever could. 

The three stayed like that for a good hour, Phil patiently cleaning Techno’s hair while the two beasts rested beside the extinguished fireplace. Just as Phil was tying up Techno’s braid, a wistful presence floated through the door, a blue sheep punching its way through the door as the spirit smiled sadly down at the scene before him.

“So, what’s all this then?”

Chapter Text

“Ghostbur? What are you doing here?”

Techno and Phil both rose when they saw Ghostbur enter the home, Friend trailing behind and closing the door behind them. Steve huffed at the spirit kindly, but made no move to approach the wistful man and his sheep. Ghostbur swept towards the brewing stand inside Techno’s home, grabbing the viles and securing them in his bag which he then gave to Friend. 

“I heard some commotion and thought I might see what’s going on.” Ghostbur floated towards Phil, a sad smile on his face as he tapped the hair band that Phil still held,  turning the fabric blue. Phil realized immediately that he hadn’t rebraided Techno’s tail, but Friend bumped his hand gently, then went to lay down beside the hoglin. 

“Seems Friend and I were right to come here.” The spirit circled the ceiling once before going to float in front of Techno, who was shocked to see Phil’s oldest son so comfortable in his home. Ghostbur tilted his head to Techno, then smiled a genuine smile as he went to stroke Techno’s mane of fur. 

The hoglin stood still, allowing Ghostbur to pet his head as the spirit had a thoughtful look on his face. Friend was also looking up to his companion, and nodded to himself when Ghostbur finally came to a realization. 

“The Blade is as strong as ever I see.” Phil sputtered and fell backwards. He had been attempting to braid Techno’s tail with the newly dyed hair band, but was ripped from his work at the statement Ghostbur had just made. 

“WHAT?!” Phil shouted, looking at Ghostbur with confusion radiating off of him. The spirit smiled at his father, and Friend inspected Techno’s scars, sniffing at the torn flesh that came with being a warrior for as long as Techno was. 

“The Blade.” Ghostbur clarified, continuing to pet the hoglin as he addressed the man beside him. The spirit turned to look at Techno, placing his hands on either side of the hoglin’s face and gently running his thumbs in circles, as if to sooth a young child. 

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” Ghostbur mused. Techno could only stare at the spirit before him. It truly had been far too long, not since Wilbur… 

Techno shook himself of the thought, not wanting to think about how Ghostbur came to be… how he lost Tommy… It was strange how much those two truly had become like brothers to him. How he had helped to raise them both along with their father, but that had been so long ago. 

***

“What the fuck is that?” Techno asked coldly, gesturing towards the bundle of blankets currently being held by Phil. The man smiled warmly, first at Techno, then at what he was carrying. 

“It’s a baby, Techno.” Phil’s voice was laced with laughter, and he peeled back the blanket to show the face of a very small, very fragile infant. The baby was sleeping, their face calm as they gurgled happily at their dream. Techno tilted his head, his pupils dilated to take in more information as he looked at the baby’s features. Their hands were round and pudgy, much like their face, and their mouth held no teeth. Techno was used to baby animals. He had calves, lambs, and chicks at his farm to prove it, and yet, it had been so long since he’d seen a baby human. Not since… 

“Not since your sister died.” The voices remarked. Techno retracted from Phil entirely, glaring up at the man before he spoke. 

“I know that, I’m not stupid. Where did it come from, if you don’t mind me asking?” Phil’s smile faltered slightly, and he looked to the floor as if the wooden planks would hold all of the answers. He clutched the baby closer to himself. 

“Well, when two people love each other very much-” Phil was almost immediately cut off by a very distressed teen.

“Cut the crap, old man! Why are you avoiding..!” Techno trailed off as the voices in his head all began chanting as one. Their tones mingling to give a singular voice that was repeating over and over:

His child. His child. His child. 

“It’s yours…” Techno whispered, his eyes glazing over at the realization. Phil nodded cautiously, his face showing one of sadness, clearly unhappy with having to explain this to Techno. The teen stumbled back, placing his hands on the dining table as he attempted to catch his breath. Why couldn’t he breathe?

He won’t have time for you. 

Techno clenched his teeth.

He doesn’t love you anymore. 

He gripped the table harder. 

You weren’t good enough. 

He fought the tears that threatened to fall.

He never loved you. 

Techno dug his nails into the wood.

Unwanted… 

Unwanted! 

UNWANTED!!

“Tech?” Techno snapped out of his breakdown, slowly meeting Phil’s gaze. Phil turned his head to look at Techno’s hands, and when the teen investigated why the angel was staring at them, he saw that he had crushed the side of the table, his hands dripping with blood as splinters sunk into his skin. He jolted away from the mess, rushing towards the kitchen sink, muttering as he went, ‘sorry, I’m so sorry.’ 

After Techno removed the splinters, cleaned and bandaged his wounds, he slowly turned towards the man who had let him live in his home for so long. The man who had cared for him, who had been there for him when no one else was. 

Phil’s face was blank as he looked at the damage. The table was a complete wreck and there were wood chips all over the ground. The baby had woken up and was staring at the carnage along with their father. Their face, however, was one of pure joy, seeming to think that crushing a wooden table was some strange game that they wanted in on. 

As Phil and his child took in the scene before them, tears began streaming down Techno’s face. He hated it, the voices were telling him that he was weak for showing Phil how much being rejected hurt, how much this bothered him. He was a disciple, he shouldn’t let something like this hurt him so much, but he couldn’t help it. He sniffled before he spoke, gripping his arms as he shook from the effort of speaking right now. 

“I… I’ll leave before dawn… I… I just need time to…” it was Phil’s turn to cut Techno off. 

“Here, how about you hold Wil while I get this cleaned up?” The sad smile plastered on Phil’s face made Techno sick. He never wanted to make Phil sad, and yet, here he was, unable to deal with being replaced and taking it out on Phil’s belongings. Maybe the voices were right, maybe he was only good for one thing… “Blood for the Blood God…”

“Don’t feel bad mate,” Phil continued as he passed his child to a very nervous and shaky Techno, stepping around the teen as he went to grab the table and move it outside. “I’ve been meaning to replace this old piece of shit anyhow, so you’ve saved me some trouble.” 

Phil’s voice was soft and kind, and his movements were gentle, as not to startle Techno. The teen gazed wide eyed at the angel, unsure of what to say when he felt a tug of his hair. Phil’s child, Wil, had taken some of Techno’s hair into their plump hands, feeling the texture between their fingers and giggling profusely. Wil turned their gaze up to meet Techno’s, and grinned like a maniac before releasing Techno’s hair and making grabby hands at Techno. 

“Uh! Uh!” The child demanded, their face quite serious as they asked to be lifted higher. Techno obliged, hoisting Wil up so they met face to face. Wil’s brown eyes were filled with wonder as they placed their hands on either side of Techno’s face. The two stood like that for a long time before Wil grinned from ear to ear, and declared Techno their, 

“Bubby!” Wil giggled triumphantly as Techno’s face shifted to a completely confused state. He was about to ask the child what in Blood God’s name they were talking about when he heard a loud wheeze come from behind him. Phil was laughing at the scene before him, a new table was his support as he wiped a tear from his eye. He finished his giggling and addressed Techno,

“I think he likes ya, mate!” Techno raised his eyebrows at this, but when he turned back to look at Wil, he couldn’t help but find his toothless grin and almost bald head to be one of the cutest things that existed on the server. Techno smiled, his first one all evening, before vocalizing what he had just come to terms with in his head. 

“I think I like him, too.” 

***

“That isn’t Technoblade!” Phil yelled, catching both Techno and Ghostbur off guard. The hoglin turned to face Phil, shaking his head, and yelling,

“It is me! Please listen to him!” Phil held up his hands in surrender, his eyes wide as he watched Techno’s tantrum. He eased his hands towards Techno’s face, and Techno had to stop shaking his head unless he wanted to turn Phil’s arms into ribbons. 

“Y’see? You even made him mad.” Phil held Techno’s head in one hand, petting the hoglin’s head with the other. Friend looked from Phil to Ghostbur before rising and going to stand next to the spirit. Friend nudged his companion before turning to look at Phil. Ghostbur watched the sheep, then nodded. 

“How about just Blade, then?” Ghostbur inquired. Phil was still stroking Techno’s face, but he raised an eyebrow to show he was listening. “If he doesn’t have a name, I think Blade would make a good one.” Phil snickered, then turned to finally meet his son’s gaze. 

“You don’t think Tech will be mad if we named a hoglin after him?” The angel was finally smiling now, a testament to his bond with his son, and how they could still bring each other happiness despite the death of one of them. 

“I think he’d even be honored.” Ghostbur concluded. He nodded to the door before telling Phil, “I’m gonna head out now. I hope you find Techno soon.” With that, the spirit floated through the door, leaving Phil and Techno alone in the cabin with Friend. 

The sheep turned to follow Ghostbur. As he unlatched the door to leave, the sheep spoke, addressing Techno before he left. 

“I’m glad you’re safe, Techno.” 

Chapter Text

Techno knew he had a high pain tolerance, but gods does this one take the cake.

Phil walked from around Techno’s home with a lead in his hand, testing the durability as he approached the hoglin. Techno eyed the lead suspiciously, not knowing what the old man was up to. Phil stopped immediately, a surprised and saddened look overtook his features as he looked at Techno’s hide. 

“How the fuck did that happen, mate?” Phil made to brush his hand over Techno’s hindquarters, when the hoglin finally remembered, I still have an arrow in my back. Phil was gentle in his probing, stroking Techno as he analyzed the injury. If the hoglin was being honest, it would be nice to get the flint out of his bloodstream. Gods Above knew that if infection were the thing to bring down the mighty Technoblade, he’d never hear the end of it from his deity. 

Phil took great care to look at the wound before turning to Techno, cringing slightly at a thought he must have had. Techno had to sympathize, as wanting to help a hoglin probably wasn’t the easiest of things, but Techno wasn’t an ordinary hoglin, so he knew well and good that he’d be perfectly behaved for Phil. The golden haired man sighs, then takes a deep breath before he walks to his cabin. 

“Just stay here, okay Blade?” Techno nodded his head, glad that at least he wasn’t ‘the angry giant pork chop’ anymore. Phil slipped through his door to probably get a med kit and a healing potion, but as he was rummaging through his belongings, Techno caught the scent of another player in the area. Someone who didn’t belong. 

Techno glanced all around him, but his eyes weren’t picking up any movement. Damn this hoglin vision, Techno cursed. He was about to run around the whole perimeter when he heard a soft chuff from the bridge connecting his and Phil’s house. He turned to look at the noise when he saw a familiar face he never wanted to see again. 

“Hey girl, I brought you some salmon, your favorite.” Baba might as well have purred, her practically unseeing eyes landing on a boy too tall for his age. He gently stroked her muzzle, letting Baba rest her head in his grip. After she was done with being pet, the boy went into his travel pack, retrieving a salmon and feeding Baba as if she were a well behaved puppy. The boy pat Baba on her head as his gaze flitted to meet the hoglins narrowed eyes. The boy gulped, and turned his head slightly, calling out for his father. 

“H-hey, Phil?” The golden haired man could be heard inside his home, and it irritated Techno further that the man was so nonchalant about this traitor walking among Techno’s pets. 

“What’s up, Tommy?” Phil finally emerged from his home, holding the first aid kit and a splash potion in his arms. As he approached Tommy and Baba, he finally realized what his son was nervous about. 

“Oh, that’s just Blade. He’s new, alright? So play nice.” Phil jokes, walking towards the hoglin in question, positioning himself so that he could reach the arrow easily and apply the potion and bandages as soon as the weapon was removed from Techno’s hide. 

“Blade, huh?” Tommy approached slowly, but as soon as he was within 4 meters of Techno, the hoglin snarled, almost causing Tommy to trip backwards, and wouldn’t that have been nice. 

“Hey!” Phil snapped, flicking Techno on his rear as he readied himself to remove the arrow, “You be nice! I don’t need you two fighting, alright?”

***

“Fuck off, dickhead!” Tommy yelled, grabbing at the netherrite axe currently in Techno’s grasp. The teen sighed as he placed the axe in its resting place on his belt, then turned to carry Tommy back towards the house. 

“Hey! Fuck off! What the hell?” Tommy struggled as Techno threw the kid’s weight over his shoulder, not seeming to care that Tommy’s thrashing was going to leave bruises. Techno could already feel his skin turning purple on his back as Tommy attempted to slam his fists against the area to get free. 

If Techno was being honest with himself, he really did feel bad for Tommy. The kid had stolen his axe, sure, but he had just been trying to get wood for Phil while the man was out. Too bad the forest he was in was exactly where Techno just about lost a life to a rouge creeper. The teen knew that Tommy was tough, but he didn’t want to think about what would happen if he were to respawn at the age of 12. No one should have to go through that. 

Just as Techno was about to snap and throw Tommy to the ground so the boy could walk home himself, he felt a warm wind tussle his hair gently, a laughter in the air as a branch snapped from a tree above the boy’s heads and landed in front of them. Techno set Tommy down gently, grabbing the twig in his hand as the blond boy behind him asked, “What the fuck?” 

Techno was about to respond until the voice of Phil’s lady breathed through the gust of wind, her voice laced with laughter as she spoke. “Make him an axe, and play nice.” 

Both Tommy and Techno stood in silence for a long moment, neither wanting to speak for fear of interrupting the deity. Eventually, when it became obvious she had said her piece, Techno sighed and resigned himself to a crafting bench, using spare wood to create an axe for the young boy who watched him intently. 

“Heh, mom said you have to play nice!” Tommy boasted, he shifted to look into the sky, a smile bright on his face as he yelled, “Thanks Kristen!” A small breeze teased at Tommy’s hair as he danced around the crafting table, awaiting his new axe so he could help Techno. 

------ 

The two boys worked in silence, Tommy smug as Techno simply put his effort into his work. The day was coming to an end, the sun about to take its leave, and as the teens lost track of time, Techno felt a raindrop on his nose. He gazed at the clouds above, and smiled warmly when he saw the beating wings of a ginormous, beautiful goddess, her gorgeous white wings leaving his field of view before the disciple turned to Tommy. 

“Alright, you little gremlin, your mom says it’s time to go home.” 

***

Just as Techno was about to snap at Tommy, a large white paw smacked him on the snout, surprising the hoglin long enough for Phil to remove the arrow from his rear without Techno so much as flinching. When Techno realized who had hit him, Baba was already moving to lay down beside Tommy, huffing contently as the boy rested down beside her, petting her on the head as she grumbled happily. 

“I’m sorry young man,” Baba wheezed, and though her eyes were closed, Techno knew she was speaking to him. “This boy is mine, y’see? He’s very kind to me, so please don’t make me bap you again.” 

Techno stared for a second, bursting into laughter as soon as he came to terms with the fact that his own bear had smacked him for Tommy’s sake. Baba giggled warmly, clearly not too upset with him as they shared the humor together. Phil smiled at the two beasts. 

“Seems like not even Blade here can argue with Baba.” As soon as Phil had bandaged the wound, he stretched out his wings, cracking his neck out as he turned to Tommy. 

“It seems like Blade’s finally gotten used to ya. I’m glad to see it.” Tommy nodded, still petting Baba as he glanced up at the hoglin before him. As Tommy gazed at the beast though, he began to frown, a sadness wafting from him as he turned to look at his father. 

“I hope Techno comes back soon.” 

Chapter Text

“I want a child.” 

Phil had been gliding along in the stratosphere, using the warm air to keep himself aloft as he attempted to keep pace with his Lady Death. Her wings were a gorgeous ivory colour, large enough for many mortals to confuse his lady for clouds. 

Though she did not mistake her stride and managed to keep herself gliding, a thoughtful expression had graced her beautiful features, going over in her head what exactly her angel was requesting. She nodded to herself, then beat her wings to allow her to remain on her course before addressing Phil. 

“Why’s that?” She asked simply. Though it seemed like an innocent enough question, Phil knew that she wanted to understand his feelings fully. They both cared so deeply for each other, wanting to hold the other’s best interests to heart, which is why Phil had been nervous to bring this topic up in the first place. 

“I…” Philza trailed off as he grappled to find the right words. “I guess it’s just that… I can only visit you so often when my duties force me to remain grounded… having some company might help… and, I’ve always wanted a child. Always wanted to raise someone into this world.” His lady smiled warmly at him, her wings dwarfing Phil’s own as she brushed her snow white feathers against his coal black ones. 

“We do need more good people on this server.” She agreed, flapping her gigantic wingspan to keep her drifting in the air. “But I thought that young disciple was your companion?” Phil smiled warmly at the thought of Technoblade, the teen that may be dead if it weren’t for Phil. Not that death was so bad, Phil thought as his lady kept her eyes on him, her gaze gentle as she awaited his response. 

“I don’t want Tech to feel like he’s trapped with me.” Phil spoke honestly, “He already left on his own and made bank back at Hypixel. What if he wants to travel again, but feels like he can’t?” His lady must have noticed the somber look in his eyes, because she made a dive towards the ground, only to release her wings in order to sail high above the clouds, causing Phil to have to chase her. 

They banked towards and away from each other, forming a swirl in the sky as they traveled further and further away from the SMP’s surface. Phil giggled profusely as his lady enveloped his entire body in her hands, her temporary cocoon giving Phil time to rest as she soured out of the SMP’s atmosphere, then she fell backwards to allow her angel to breathe again, knowing that the oxygen she trapped in her hands wouldn't last long. As she came to a stop above the clouds, she opened her hands to create a platform that Phil was resting on. His smile was giddy and his eyes were full of laughter as he asked, “Was that truly necessary Kristen?” 

Kristen smiled wide, her gaze full of nothing but love for her once mortal husband. She brought her hands closer to her face, allowing Phil to place his hand between her eyes and nuzzle his face to hers. As the moment came to a close, Kristen spoke gently as she finally answered her husband. 

“As the God of Death, I cannot bear children.” Phil opened his eyes then, and nodded to himself, before he could respond though, his lady nuzzled her nose to the top of his head. 

“That being said, I want a child for you.” 

———

Sam had been a friend of Phil’s for as long as she could remember, but even this request took her by surprise. 

“So… you wanna kid?” She asked, almost sarcastic in her tone. Phil smiled, though it was awkward as he confirmed to her that, yes, it was something both he and his lady wanted. 

“It’s just that… I don’t know man, I don’t have time for a kid. I’d love to help ya out, but…” Phil caught her arm, his grip gentle as she snapped her attention back to his face. Maybe this wasn’t a conversation for the bar they were currently in, but the tender certainly didn’t seem to mind them, and it was the only place Phil knew Techno wouldn’t follow him to. The kid was codependent on the guy, what could she say? She thought it was sweet, in that way that she knew deep down that both of them had scars that they had to hide from everyone else but each other. It was good that Techno had that in his life, but now that Phil wanted her to mother his kid? 

“They would be my responsibility alone.” This shocked Sam, but she let him continue, “I would be their sole caretaker, and who knows? Maybe Techno will lend a hand?” Sam snickered at the notion, but who’s to say that Techno wouldn’t step up? 

“Samsung, you really don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. You’re just the one person I know who would make a good looking kid.” Phil joked light-heartedly. This got Sam to finally wheeze, her laughter taking the air out of her lungs as she leaned against Phil as support. 

“Are you flirting, Mister Philza? Careful, or I’m telling on you.” Phil buckled under his own laughter, wrapping his arm around Sam and giving her skull a gentle noogie before biting back, 

“I didn’t take you for a snitch, Miss Fridge!” 

———

“Techno! Uppy! Uppy!” 

Though it had taken a solid 5 years for Techno to finally come to terms with the fact that it wasn’t just him and Phil in the house, Wil had finally broken down the teens walls enough for the young disciple to be wrapped around the kid’s finger. Phil couldn’t be happier as he watched his boys chat for ours about whatever Wilbur had asked about that day, or when Techno had to tend to the fields and livestock, and Wil insisted on following his ‘bubby’ everywhere. 

It had taken a while, but Phil finally determined that bubby was actually another word for brother. Techno may or may not have had a breakdown over finding that out, and if the teen had left for a week after a brief goodbye and came back with a notch apple, it was really none of Phil’s business. 

They were happy for a long time like that, just the 3 of them in the house. Wilbur adored visiting his ‘Mumza’ when Phil would take him to see Kristen. The Goddess doted upon the child, and was so happy to be able to make the sky rain for him, or to let him climb on her wings. Phil and Wilbur would sometimes remain in the sky for hours on end while Techno remained home. It had been a question whether or not Techno and Kristen even liked each other, but Phil soon came to realize that while both people wanted to meet and talk about the angel and his son, Techno had a fear of flying, and Kristen had a fear of the ground. 

Phil would often find letters on the outside their door written by his lady, and they were always addressed to Techno. Phil found it sweet that Kristen wanted to be in Techno’s life, even if they could never meet face to face. The angel may have also noticed that Wil would sometimes slip Kristen a letter during their visits, and would whisper, “Techo doesn’t want dad to know that you’re pen pals for some reason.” 

Phil could always hear this, and his lady knew this as well, but they both kept their mouths shut to give both Techno and Wilbur peace of mind. 

———

Phil had just been in town to buy bread, he swears! It’s just that when he saw the adoption center, he couldn’t help but have a peek. 

“Fuck off. This is why I can’t let you go anywhere by yourself.” Was Techno’s only response as he took their new family member into his arms. The place had named the boy Tommy, and Phil had quite liked the name. 

Wilbur was more than pleased that he wasn’t the youngest anymore, and Techno had seen this rodeo before, and had accepted at this point that bringing home random children was just a thing when it came to Phil. In the angel’s defense, Techno himself had started out that way, just a teen that Phil had welcomed into his life, and now Techno was no better with all of his wolves and bears! Why on earth would you need so many wolves?! 

Tommy had golden hair and blue eyes like Phil, something the angel found endearing as he watched the boy grow up. He was feisty, and like Wilbur, always got excited when it was time to visit ‘Mumza.’ He tailed after Techno most of the time, seeming to have a fascination with the teenager, especially his long pink hair. 

“Can I try a milkmaid braid this time?” Tommy was bouncing on his toes as he looked up expectantly at Techno, who had been reading beside the fire, a large polar bear warming his feet as she snored loudly. Techno sighed, but nudged the bear gently so he could move from the recliner, and sat himself on the wooden floor in front of the fire. Tommy gasped happily at this, dancing around before snatching a hair band off the counter and moving towards the teen. 

Phil had been paying attention to all this as he was focused on cooking the rabbit stew meant for dinner, but even he couldn’t move fast enough as Tommy pulled Techno’s hair away from his neck, revealing his brand. Phil launched himself at Tommy, grabbing him and taking him away as Techno snapped his head to look up at the angel. 

“What’s that?” Tommy asked innocently, not realizing what he was truly asking. Instead of being angry, however, Techno patted the ground next to him, gesturing for Phil to sit down while he held Tommy in his arms. 

“Wilbur knows, so he might as well.” Techno deadpanned, removing his locks of hair from his neck and placing them on his right shoulder. “Tommy, how about a side braid for today?” 

“Okay…” Tommy mumbled as his father sat them both beside the fireplace. Techno glanced to Phil, making sure that what he was about to do was okay, and Phil nodded, knowing that this day was going to come eventually. 

“I’m going to tell you a story Tommy. Just listen, you can ask questions once I’m done.”

Chapter Text

Techno was going to murder whoever was in charge of his crops while he was gone, and the only regret he’s going to feel is not killing this person sooner.

“There ya go, Blade.” Techno was munching gratefully on the golden carrots that had been presented to him by Phil, when he felt a hoop glide over the back of his neck. He paused his chewing, only to realize that Philza had thrown a lead on him. 

Technoleash. Techno on a leash. Good doggy.

Shut up, all of you. Techno gently turned his head to the side, stretching out his forelegs, but really testing to see how strong the lead truly was. Phil had been wandering around with the rope for some time, and while Techno was suspicious, he never predicted that the angel would try to tie him to a fence post. 

Phil smiled up at the hoglin, flaring his wings out slightly, a gesture Techno had come to learn as giddiness for the angel. 

“Alright Blade, you’re gonna have to stay here while I tend the fields, that alright mate?” Techno snorted at Phil, then rolled his eyes as he turned to look back at his fields. A damn villager would have taken better care of this. Phil was about to tie Techno to the fence post holding Baba when the hoglin pulled the angel off his feet and made his way to the crops. 

“H-hey! Stop that!” Phil yelled as he grappled with the lead and brought himself back to his feet. He was being dragged across the ground by Techno, and he opened his wings on instinct in order to keep himself from falling again. The hoglin could hear his bears laughing at the sight, Steve yelling words of encouragement while Baba scolded Techno from a distance. 

“Blade! What the fuck are you doing?!” Phil screamed, but his words soon disappeared as he watched the hoglin use his ginormous tusks to harvest the wheat that had grown for far too long in the fields. Techno took great care to till the ground as gently as possible as he moved through the rows of wheat, shoving the crops to his right as he continued his work. 

Phil simply held onto the lead, there was no strength behind his grip now. The rip dangled limply between the two as Techno continued to harvest and Phil tails after him, picking up the wheat while placing seeds into the readily tilled ground. 

***

“This is stupid.” Techno concluded, staring at Phil as he had his arms crossed. Phil laughed, kneeling on the ground with a hoe in his hand, tilling the earth as he planted some crops for them. 

“Is it now?” Phil giggled, moving to stand up and face the teen that was judging him. 

“Yeah, it is. We’re disciples. Why in the Gods’ names do we have to farm ? This server’s got shops, doesn’t it?” Techno had seen more than a few bakeries and butcher shops on their way to their new home, so it made no sense to him that Phil wanted to farm himself so badly. Phil smiled warmly up at him, but Techno only sneered at the man. 

“I like bread.” Was all Phil said before he continued his work. Techno only stared, mouth agape as he watched his insane companion till the earth and place all the seeds he had. 

Crow Father working hard. Lazy Techno. TechnoLazy. 

Alright,  now you've done it.

“Move over, old man.” Techno went to the chest beside the new land they had bought, grabbed himself a hoe, then began tilling the dirt beside Phil, quickly catching up to the angel as Phil watched the teen work diligently on the fields. When Techno finally reached the point where he was parallel with Phil, the teen glanced up to the angel, only to find the angel smiling so bright and proud at him, causing Techno to blush and glance away. 

“Can’t have you breaking your spine on me while farming . That’d be pathetic.” Phil threw his head back and wheezed at that, tears forming in his eyes as he laughed uncontrollably for what felt like an hour, but was probably only five minutes. Techno rolled his eyes at the angel and continued his work. 

Phil eventually pulled himself together, and the two patrons worked in silence until nightfall. The angel and teen made their way back to their home, both happy with a hard day's work when Techno piped up, “I want to plant potatoes.” 

Phil turned on his heel to look at the teen, but Techo’s face was sincere, and his voice held no sarcasm. The teen shifted on his feet, scared that he had crossed one the angel’s boundaries, until Phil gently carded his fingers behind his hair, cupping his hand on his brand that had been burned into his neck so long ago, and simply said, “You plant whatever the fuck you want, mate. No need to ask.” 

With that, the angel rubbed the top of Techno’s head, and the teen growled at him, causing Phil to laugh all the way through dinner. “Feral child.”

***

When Techno had finished tilling the earth, he glanced behind him to see a surprised, yet pleased Phil planting the last of the fields so they could return home. Techno didn’t expect them to take until dusk to finish the work, but farming was never an easy job. At least it was done now, and Phil could eat as much bread as his bird stomach would let him. 

Techno was about to drag Phil back to their homes when he felt the angel card his fingers through his mane. The angel produced a baked potato from his pouch, and held it out to the hoglin. Techno stared for a few seconds before Phil gestured for Techno to take it. 

“Go ahead, Blade. If you’re gonna work as hard as you have, you get to eat as much as you like.” Techno licked his mouth before gently taking the potato from Phil’s grasp, leaving the tinfoil in the angel’s hand as he chewed the buttery starch graciously. 

Phil gently untied the leash while Techno ate, and when the hoglin was finally finished, Phil gently stroked his cheek, but his face was one of sorrow. Techno wasn’t sure why the angel was sad, but when a tear fell down Phil’s face, the hoglin gently nuzzled into Phil’s temple. The angel giggled, but it was a sad laugh, and he wrapped his arms around Techno as he sobbed. 

Techno wanted nothing more than to comfort Phil. Phil, who had saved him more times than he can count. Phil, who welcomed him into his life without any questions. Phil, who dealt with him talking to himself, who didn’t mind his sarcasm, who was always, always there for him. Even when Techno had no one else, he had Phil. 

“I’m so sorry Blade. It’s just…” Phil swallowed before he continued, and Techno held onto every word. “It’s my son you see, he… he disappeared the same time you showed up… I…” Techno moved away from Phil’s face, looking the man in the eyes. Tears fell down the angel’s face, but as he closed his eyes and regained his composure as best as he could. He opened his eyes, and there was determination in place of the sorrow. 

“Get some rest, Blade. Tomorrow, we find Techno.”

Chapter Text

It was real fucking confusing, is what it was. 

Quackity could admit that he wasn’t the smartest man on the SMP. He wasn’t sure who that title would go to, but he still thinks even they would be confused at the sight before them. 

Sam had sent him to retrieve The Blade. It should have been a simple task. Quackity knew that the anarchist owed Dream a favor, and that he felt bad for taking away one of Quackity’s lives, but he was no where to be fucking found. 

He couldn’t find Techno anywhere near the crater he and Phil made, which was the only thing here that made sense. The guy hated L’Manburg with all of his being, but then he wasn’t near Las Nevada’s, The Prison, The Nether, not even his own home! 

The syndicate was here. He could see Niki trying to make amends with a giant polar bear, Ranboo feeding the hound army for the day, and Phil… what the fuck was Phil doing?! Was the old man stupid?! 

———

“Alright, Blade, that should do it.” Techno shook himself to test the tightness of the satchels that were now tied to him, as if he were a pack mule, or a llama. He didn’t mind, he knew that the extra storage would help Phil on their journey. As long as the angel didn’t think he was gonna get a saddle on the hoglin, then Techno was fine. 

“You’re sure about this, Phil?” Niki inquiried, moving to stand beside Techno and pet his snout, offering him an apple as she kept her eyes trained on the angel. Phil had finally maneuvered everything on the hoglin’s back so that Techno could carry both him and his supplies. 

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Phil wrapped his arm around Techno’s neck, scratching the underside of his neck as he addressed Niki, “Blade was good about carrying me home from The Nether, so this should be easy.” Niki glanced between the angel and hoglin, her gaze filled with concern, but she ultimately sighed, asking Phil to take care of himself. 

“I alway do.” Phil smiled easily. Techno shoved the angel with his massive head, not enough to knock him over, but enough to let Phil know that he didn’t appreciate the angel lying to Niki. Both players laughed at the hoglin, Niki finally relaxing her shoulders as she nodded to herself. 

“Well, at least Blade will make sure you don’t die out there.” 

———

How the fuck does one tame a hoglin?! 

Quackity’s eyes must have been the size of dinner plates as he watched Phil’s mount gently headbutt the man affectionately. Niki giggled at the sight, and placed her hands on either side of the hog as she kissed it on the forehead. Quackity knew the syndicate was full of nothing but weirdos who cared deeply for their pets, but a hoglin? Fuck off with that. 

How did they even manage that shit? Sure, the syndicate had its own portal to the nether, and Quackity knew for a fact that Techno had an affinity for that dimension, but taming a hoglin didn’t take bravery, it took nothing more than stupidity. How the hell was Quackity gonna find Technoblade if he had a damn hoglin looking out for him. 

———

“Hey, Phil?” Techno turned to see Tommy standing just outside of Phil’s house, a winter coat keeping him warm, and a traveling pack slung over his shoulder. Phil turned to look at his youngest son and smiled.

“Planning on coming with, then?” Phil inquired. Tommy kicked out his boot on the ground, scuffing the snow covered earth before nodding. 

“I need to get back to my place. Shroud’ll be missing me, and I don’t trust Tubbo to feed the poor guy.” Techno huffed a tired breath at that, and Phil snorted at the explanation, but Phil said that he wouldn’t mind the company, so Tommy went to say goodbye to Baba one last time before they set off. 

———

Techno wasn’t here. 

Quackity watched from his perch as Tommy went to pet the head of some polar bear, cooing at the creature like it was a puppy. Ranboo came up behind him and playfully tousled his hair, making small talk about something out of Quackity’s earshot. 

Quackity should have known. If Tommy was being all buddy-buddy with the syndicate, there was no way Techno was here. He took a deep breath before taking out a military grade communication device, and dialed the person who would need to know about this most. The line was silent for a few ticks, but soon, the gruff voice of the creeper hybrid could be heard. 

“Update on the mission?” Was all Sam said as Quackity kept his eyes trained on the syndicate. 

“The target’s nowhere to be found. I’ve got eyes on his residence, and he’s not here.” Quackity had to hold the device away from his ear as he heard Sam shout at him through the comms. 

“What?! You said you could track him!” Quackity nervously held the device closer to himself as he heard hissing on the other line. He knew that Sam could keep his cool when needed, but securing the target was the most important thing right now if they wanted to keep Dream in prison, where he belonged. 

“I thought I could, asshole.” Quackity snapped back, his temper getting the better of him, “He’s not here though. In fact, the freaks managed to get a hoglin into the overworld without the bitch deteriorating. I thought you could only get zoglins up here.” 

“I don’t care about the syndicate’s weird pets! You had one job! Make sure the target gets to the prison, that’s it! If he’s not there, then search somewhere else!” The line was cut before Quackity could respond, so he angrily shoved the device into his enderchest before mumbling obscenities at the creeper. 

———

“Up we go.” Phil heaved out as he clambered his way up onto Techno’s back, swinging his leg over as he situated himself on the hoglin. He nodded his approval once he was finally balanced properly, then called over his shoulder, “You wanna borrow a horse, Tommy?” 

The blond cringed at the suggestion and shook his head. “I’m not giving Techno anymore reason to hate my guts, thank you. His horses can stay here and be safe when he gets back.” Techno’s eyes widened at the response, watching the teen nervously approach him and Phil with his gaze fixed to the ground. Techno titled his head in confusion, watching Tommy raise his hand hesitantly to pet his hindquarters, narrowing his eyes at Techno to make sure the hoglin wasn’t gonna kick him. 

Techno watched as Tommy gently pet him, a sullen look plastered on his face as he was lost in thought. Phil noticed his son’s mood, and spoke gently as he squeezed Techno’s side to let the hoglin know that they were moving. 

“He doesn’t hate you, y’know.” The three were starting towards the portal, and Tommy was strangely silent as he took in what Phil said, dragging his feet in the snow as he followed the angel and his mount. Techno flicked his ears back to listen to the boy as he trailed behind them. Techno stopped in his tracks the moment he heard Tommy sniffle, turning to look at the boy as a tear slipped down his face. 

“I wish he fucking did.” Tommy whispered, eyes still fixed on the ground before him. “It would make shit so much easier if he did.” Techno could feel his heart breaking. 

It was true… Techno didn’t hate Tommy. Not with a single bone in his body. That’s why it hurt so much to be betrayed by him. That’s why it hurt worse when he betrayed Tommy. That’s why it hurt every single day to think about him. The loudmouthed kid who would braid his hair, who would follow him everywhere, who cared so deeply about his everything and was so passionate in helping Wilbur… 

Techno didn’t hate Tommy… and Tommy was right. It would have made everything so much easier if he did. 

Techno’s gone soft. Wholesome Techno. 

The hoglin shifted his feet to face Tommy fully and shove his face into Tommy’s arms, causing the teen to squeak in surprise, and Phil to cling to Techno’s mane in order to stay on. Techno nuzzled the boy that had caused him so much headache, the boy that hurt him so deeply that the wound may never close completely. The boy that died and came back, something Techno didn’t think was possible, but the white streak in his hair was the mark of resurrection, and there was no denying the amount of torment and trauma that existed within Tommy now. 

Tommy rubbed Techno’s face, and though the hoglin couldn’t see his face, he felt confident that if he could, he wouldn’t ever be able to burn the image from his memory. 

“Well, if nothing else, it seems like Blade thinks you’re alright.” Phil’s voice was soft, soothing as his sons stood in comfortable silence, sharing in each other’s company as Tommy calmed himself down. 

Techno made a promise, then and there, that as soon as he was back to normal, he was gonna make a guest room in his home for  his brother, and let the kid hang out with Baba as much as he wanted. 

Technosoft. 

Techno smiled. 

Chapter Text

Though Techno spent plenty of time in the nether, he usually made a point to avoid piglins. 

It’s not like all piglins were bad. If you had gold on you, they could even be quite friendly. Not that the piglins who threw the hoglin potion at him cared much for being friendly, there was a bastion that resided a biome away from the portal that Phil had become tense business partners with. 

Phil had suggested that they at least asked the bastion if they saw anything, seeing how they were the only eyes in the nether that weren’t players. Tommy was hesitant, but ultimately followed as Techno pushed towards the bastion on sure feet, Tommy trailing behind, removing his winter coat in favor of his tee in order to stand the heat. 

The nether was a dangerous place for the most experienced of players, but they managed to make their way to the bastion in good time, watching as the hunters brought back a carcass of some unfortunate animal, and the shotes were cantering around the ruins as they watched their older siblings and parents work to make dinner. 

Phil called out in the piglin’s native tongue, managing to get the attention of the group as they turned at the sudden intrusion. A young gilt nodded to one of her siblings, and whispered to the shotes to stay back as she approached Phil, Techno, and Tommy cautiously. 

“ Winged stag, we do not expect your presence. Why are you here ?” The gilt spoke strongly, clearly putting force behind her words to intimidate the angel and his mount, though both Phil and Techno knew that her threats weren’t empty ones. Even young piglins were taught to fight for when they needed to. 

“ Adamaris ,” Phil began, because of course he had learned all of these piglin’s names. Techno rarely bothered to learn the names of anyone in a sounder if they weren’t the Sounder Mother or High Priest. “ I come in search of my son, Technoblade. I was hoping the Strider’s may know of his whereabouts. ” 

Adamaris tilted her head at the clarity in Phil’s speech, after all, it wasn’t often that a player knew their language. Techno remembers Phil practically begging him to teach the angel how to speak the language, and while the old man had a rocky start, he managed to get the hang of the pronunciations and sentence structure after only a couple years of practicing. It wasn’t unusual to see the two patrons talking to each other using that language, and they often got plenty of stares from Wilbur and Tommy, as they said it sounded like the two of them were just oinking at each other. 

“ What makes the winged stag think we know where the Wither is? ” Comes a mature, battle-hardened voice that Techno knew could only belong to one person. On cue, a large piglin brute exited her bastion, her boar son following her, the same boar Adamaris had sent to find this piglin in the first place. Her golden axe glinted off of the lava that crackled only a few deca-blocks away. The scar covering her face showed a sow that had not only seen battle, but conquered in it. Tommy turned to Phil with confusion painting his face. 

“Did they just say Wither?!” The teen asked, his eyes wide as the brute approached the visitors. Phil raised an eyebrow down at his son.

“Well… yeah, but she means Wither Sounder. All piglin sounders are named after creatures that live in the nether. I thought I told you this?” Tommy swallowed nervously, turning his gaze to the brute as she stopped in front of Techno and Phil, analyzing the angel's mount curiously. 

“Right, right… umm, what the fuck is a sounder?” Techno snorted at the comment, but couldn’t blame Tommy for not knowing about Piglin’s and their culture. Even though Techno had been raised by them, it somehow felt wrong, felt dishonorable to tell other players about his sounder and their beliefs. Those memories were for him, and him alone. 

“ If you are on our land, you will speak our tongue. ” The brute huffed, turning to gaze at Tommy so that her eye that still had sight could glare at him. 

“ Of course. ” Phil said, slipping off of Techno’s back so he could grab a stack of gold from one of the travel pouches. “ Perhaps this can be payment for my son's rude behavior? ” The brute grinned widely, then addressed her sounder that she would be speaking to the strangers, but they should get dinner ready. 

“So… is she-?” Tommy started, but Phil cut him off, trying to limit the amount of times they spoke Common in front of the piglin.

“She’s the Sounder Mother, which means she’s in charge.” Tommy nodded at the answer before turning to look at the striders the sounder had as mounts.

“ The winged stag should take care to keep better track of his sounder. ” The Sounder Mother commented as she ran her claws over gold that was handed to her. “ We are nothing without our young. ” Phil nodded, handing her another ingot before she continued. 

“ I know nothing of Technoblade, but I know that the Orphans have been adamant about tracking him. Perhaps he has run? ” 

Techno froze…

He stared ahead, but his eyes were unseeing. 

His limbs wobbled and shook, but he had no motor control.

His mind was reeling, but he couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe. Why couldn’t he breathe? His lungs refused to take in any oxygen. Was he in water? Why was he drowning? 

Techno? You good mate? Technolag. What’s going on? Black screen. Can’t see. What’s going on?! 

***

“ Mama!! ” Tycho yelled, running through the bastion halls as he searched for his Sounder Mother. She and her first litter had just come home from a border patrol, and she had been stitching her armor back up in her office when Tycho burst through the archway and into his mother’s arms. 

“ Young Shote, ” his mother cooed, allowing her needle and thread to fall onto her desk as she picked Tycho up into her arms. “ What scares you? ” 

Tycho shook in his mother's arms, allowing tears to fall as he gestured towards the window within his mother’s study. “ Ghast… ” Tycho finally managed to whisper, clinging to his mother’s black uniform as he shook. His mother stroked his hair in a comforting manner, her hooved hands gentle as she rose from her seat and went to look outside the window. 

Just as Tycho had said, there was indeed a ghast outside, but the creature was floating peacefully through the nether on its journey to some other biome. Sounder Mother giggled warmly, continuing to pet her son’s head as she explained, “ Ghast not interested in you. Would Tycholuce like to stay? ” Tycho nodded his head, curling into his mother as she wandered through the bastion halls, greeting her other children as she maneuvered to the roof of her home. 

As she reached her destination, she began singing a gentle lullaby to Tycho, swaying slightly to the tune so her young shote may fall asleep, despite his previous scare. “ Wither-born baby, no need to cry. The nether is beautiful, and I’ll tell you why. The forests bring colour and fortresses bring shade. And this my babe, is why we’re not afraid. ” 

Tycho fell asleep quickly after the first verse, soothed by his mother’s singing and the sounds of life around his bastion. His mother snorted contently, and gently kissed her shote on his head, careful to not disturb him as he slept in her arms. 

“ Good rest, my overworld shote. May your dreams be sweet. ” 

———

“ We are the Orphans of Sounder! Your Mother and Priest are dead! There is no need to fight, for you are one of us now! ” 

Tycho screamed as he lunged at the Orphan closest to him, digging his golden axe into the torso of the piglin as they squealed from pain. The Orphan dropped dead soon after, and Tycho spun around to face the Orphan’s leader in order to fight them. The leader, however, was prepared for the attack, and grabbed Tycho by his wrists, bringing the teen up over their shoulder before slamming him into the ground, leaving Tycho completely winded and paralyzed. 

The teen’s eyes widened as he gazed at his once peaceful home. The Wither Sounder never made enemies with other piglins. They always prayed to their god before dinner. They always thanked every creature for their life if such a life must be taken for the sounder. In Blood God’s name, the Wither’s had taken in Tycho! A sad, lonely, scared player child who they could have turned away, and no one would have blamed them. Luciajoy was different, though, and she insisted on raising Tycholuce with her current litter, protecting and caring for him. 

Luciajoy is dead now. Her body lay in front of Tycho, her intestines strewn across the ground from where she had taken a hit for her priest, but in the end, both she and her priest were dead, and Tycho could only watch in horror as he and his siblings were tied up and dragged behind striders as the Orphan’s took them away to some far away land where they would be tortured until they swore their allegiance to the Orphan’s, or died. 

———

“ Stupid, idiotic, shiteating Wither Spawn! ” Screamed the trainer, whipping a tied up Tycho again, and again, and again, attempting to ‘tame the feral overworld shote.’ Tycho smiled, because though his back was bleeding, and his legs could barely move, and he had been starved for longer than he could ever know, he knew that if the trainer was in here with him, then his siblings were safe for the time being. 

For now, that was good enough for him. 

***

Is Techno here? Hello?! Technosupport. 

Techno managed to shake off his memories in order to take a breath. It was painful to get the oxygen to reach his lungs, but he knew that it was necessary to keep himself from passing out. He breathed in… and out… enough for his vision to finally clear, though it became obvious that he had been crying with all the moisture in his eyes. 

The hoglin was nowhere near the Strider’s. He must have taken off in a panic after hearing about… he refused to think of them. He knew he would just rile himself up again, and besides… he had killed them… all of them… centuries ago. 

Techno was safe. They weren’t alive anymore. They all died of old age anyways… Techno was safe, he was okay… everything was okay… 

He huffed a sigh. Techno knew he’d have to go back and find Phil and Tommy. They were probably worried sick about him, seeing how their only transportation had run off for no apparent reason in their eyes. The hoglin closed his, took a steadying breath, then froze when he heard footsteps coming behind him. 

The strides weren’t as large as an adult hoglin, but that didn’t make them harmless. Techno growled lowly, readying his limbs to hold his weight when his voices began screaming in his head. 

Sweeney!! Little squeaker! Sweeney, my beloved, they have returned! 

Techno snapped his head to look at the intruder, and he couldn’t believe his eyes. It was really them. Sweeney… The squeaker that had accepted him, followed him to the portal… Why were they here? 

Sweeney was cautious in their steps, their hooves shaky as they approached Techno. They had a fresh wound on their face, causing blood to seep into their eyes, and an arrow stuck out of their back, not too dissimilar to Techno’s own wound from Ranboo. 

Techno’s mouth was agape, his shock making it very hard for him to assess the current situation, but as Sweeney approached Techno, they sniffed the air around him, and smiled in recognition as they looked up to the giant hoglin. 

“There you are, Biggie.” 

Chapter Text

Leave it to Techno to be the one who gets kidnapped by a hoglin squeaker. 

Sweeney charged towards the larger hoglin, rubbing his nose into Techno’s shoulder and smearing blood into Techno’s fur. The larger hoglin was frozen in shock, unsure of what to think now that Sweeney had made a return into his life. 

“I was so scared that you were dead! I ran when I saw the players coming through the death spiral. Players are dangerous, y’know! My mama told me that.” Sweeney rambled on as they comforted themself in the hoglin’s presence. Techno could only let the squeaker chatter on as he attempted to analyze Sweeney’s injuries. 

“What happened?” Techno asked bluntly, knowing full well that being gentle was never one of his strong suits. He always found it better to know what danger might still be lurking rather than comfort someone who was obviously still running on adrenaline. Sweeney immediately stopped moving, a shell-shocked look on their face as they buried their head into Techno’s side. 

“Piglins… they…” Sweeney sniffled as a sadness washed over them. “They… everyone… mama, papa… Kelvin, Marcia, Calgary, Isla, they’re all dead…” The squeaker whimpered pathetically into Techno, and all hoglin could do was nuzzle into Sweeney, comforting them by brushing his nose into their mane of fur. 

“I-I’m all alone… I don’t have a team… I…” Sweeney squeaked as Techno maneuvered himself to wrap his neck around the squeaker in a hug, pulling them closer to himself and cooing gently. Techno knew what it was like to fear not having a family… to be alone for the rest of his life, but he had found Phil, and he had Wilbur and Tommy… Niki and Ranboo… he had found his sounder again, and by Blood God’s name, Sweeney was going to be okay. 

***

“ High Priest ?” Tycho called out, stepping carefully into the praying hall as the stag in question rang his bells from side to side, the gentle hum of the copper ringing out to fill the bastion with an omnipresent song. 

The High Priest flicked his ears in acknowledgement, but continued his praying, so Tycho walked towards the Piglin, crossing his legs beside the stag and placing his hands on his knees, turning the palms upward so he may pray to his gods along with the stag who raised him. 

The song carried on for a long while, and though Tycho knew he would have to wait to ask his question, he became content to just become lost to the prayers of his people. When he focused, he could hear the Sounder Mother cooing at her newborns, speaking softly to them so they may rest peacefully, just as she had for Tycho when he was young. He could hear his older siblings bantering as they prepared Ghast blubber soup for dinner, and the shotes younger than him playing within the bastion walls, squealing happily as they chased and tackled one another. 

Tycho became so lost in the joy of his sounder that he jumped slightly when the High Priest rested a hoof on his shoulder. The Priest laughed heartily, rubbing Tycho’s shoulder in an apology. 

“ Sorry, my son. What brings you? ” The Priest inquired, his features worn and gentle as he gazed at his overworld shote. Tycho gulped, attempting to suppress his nerves before they got the better of him. 

“ It’s been on my mind for some ticks… ” Tycho started, his voice soft as he searched for the right phrasing. “ What will happen to us when you’re one with the soil? ” The Priest’s eyes widened at that, but he quickly composed himself as he gazed at his son. 

“ What has caused this anxiety? ” The Priest asked, his hoof still running circles on Tycho’s shoulder as he waited for a response. Tycho averted his gaze, looking towards the bells that the Priest had been holding. 

“ My boar siblings all leave when they wish to have their own sounder, and my gilt siblings will tend to this sounder when Sounder Mother joins the nether. I have no interest in shotes, nor finding a gilt to be my Sounder Mother. I have no interest in having a boar mate either. What will happen when you and Luciajoy are gone? ” The Priest paused his hoof, his eyes wide as he looked at Tycho with unbroken focus. The stag thought for a moment, mulling over different answers, which caused Tycho to recoil in embarrassment, letting his nerves get the better of him, and was about to apologize when the High Priest pulled him into a hug and spoke. 

“ Your Sounder is everything. When your mother and I are gone, when your siblings take their own journeys, when no one else is here, there will always be someone you call your Sounder. Someone you can rely on for everything, and who can rely on you. ” Tycho gripped his Priest, holding onto the stag as his gruff voice calmed him. 

“ You and I being Withers should be proof enough. I was born a Ghast, and you a Player. Your Sounder is who you choose, and who has in turn chosen you. ” Tycho allowed the words to flow over him, and he finally felt a sense of peace as his Priest nuzzled his head, murmuring lowly as Tycho relaxed all of his muscles and leaned into the touch, murmuring back to the man he was happy to call his Priest. 

“ You will always have Sounder, that I am sure. ”

***

The High Priest had been right… Techno had found Sounder, and now, it was his turn to pay it forward and find Sweeney their own Sounder. 

“You’re not alone anymore…” Techno had decided. Regardless of what happened to him, Sweeney needed to be okay. The hoglin moved to stand up, so Sweeney backed off, but quickly stumbled on shaky legs. Techno used his snout to keep the squeaker upright, then scooped them up into his tusks. 

“Where are we going?” Sweeney asked, their voice soft as sleep threatened to claim them. Techno needed to keep them awake, so he decided to answer their questions if it meant their eyes stayed open. 

“We’re going to see my team.” Techno found it slightly difficult to remember that hoglins used different terms than piglins, but Techno had managed to learn Common, so surely new slang shouldn’t be too hard. 

“Oh.” Sweeney said simply. Techno could feel their breathing steadying and their heart rate decreasing, but he assumed that was simply the adrenaline finally wearing off. The squeaker pricked their ears as they remembered something. 

“I’m Sweeney, by the way. I don’t think I ever told ya. Do you have a name, or should I call ya Biggie?” Techno snorted. He had completely forgotten that his voices were the ones to tell him the squeaker's name. How they managed to pick the correct name was beyond him. 

Who says we didn’t know from the beginning? We have our ways ;)

“My name’s Technoblade. Techno for short. You can call me whatever you want though.” Sweeney chuckled lightly, clearly finding Techno’s name funny. 

“That’s a weird name.” Sweeney mumbled, their voice now laced with a tint of sleep. Techno chuckled, but kept his eyes forward as he traversed back to the Strider Sounder to find Phil and Tommy. 

“It certainly is.” 

Chapter Text

“So… Technoblade. That’s an interesting name.” Phil stated. 

Techno was brandishing his diamond sword. The teen shrugged and hummed in response, clearly listening to Phil, but still focused on the task at hand. Phil had come to learn that Techno did better with social interactions if he was using his hands for something else. 

“How’d ya end up with it?” Phil asked curiously, wanting to know more about the kid he had dragged off of the battlefield not two sunrises ago. The angel had been trying to give the patron plenty of time to recover, seeing how he had been seemingly possessed by the Blood God at that point, but now that some time had passed, he was curious to learn more about the boy. 

“It’s what the immigration agent called me, I just never corrected them. Guess it just sorta stuck.” Techno spoke nonchalantly, as if this was just the most normal thing in the world. Phil, however, was shocked to his core.

“Wait, wait, wait! Hold on a second!” Phil waved his hands out in front of himself, fanning away his indignation. “You’re telling me, this whole fucking time, I’ve been calling you Technoblade, and that’s not even your real name?!” Techno looked at the angel questioningly, tilting his head in a way that showed someone who really didn’t understand the magnitude of the situation. 

“It’s real enough to be my name, isn’t it?” Techno asked. Phil shook his head, completely and utterly frustrated with what he was hearing. 

“An immigration agent fucked up your name, so you’re just keeping it? You didn’t try to correct them or anything?!” Techno shrugged once again. 

“Technoblade was the name they put on my identification card. I don’t see why it’s such a big deal.” Phil laughed in indignation, rolling his eyes as he thought about just how fucked this was. This poor kid had immigrated to Hypixel, and the shitheads in charge couldn’t even be fucked to get the kid’s name right. How often did this kind of thing happen? How many players were out there who had the wrong name on their ID just because of some asshole who didn’t care?! 

“You shouldn’t be forced to use a name that isn’t yours!” Phil yelled, finally letting his frustration bubble out, though he felt bad that he was directing his anger at the one person who very much didn’t deserve it. Techno narrowed his eyes at the angel.

“It’s not like it didn’t happen before.” Techno growled out. “My Sounder Mother gave me a new name when I entered the nether. Names are for other people to call you by, anyways. It’s not like I’m the one forced to say it.” If Phil wasn’t already in shock, this would have been the revelation of the day. Phil clicked his mouth shut, looking the teen over for a few seconds before asking the teen a question as gently as he could. 

“You’re from the Nether?” Phil inquired, leaning closer to the teen in question as Techno snapped his head to face Phil. 

“What?” It was Techno’s turn to be confused as hell, as Phil continued to press for answers. 

“Who the fuck would raise their kid in the nether?” Phil wondered aloud, scratching the back of his neck as he contemplated the very idea of children running around the overheated wasteland. 

“My Sounder?” Techno responded, but he spoke as if the concept was obvious. The teen looked at Phil as if the angel had suddenly sprouted an extra head, and the expression worn on the disciples face caused Phil to giggle slightly at the absurdity of it all. 

Techno tilted his head as Phil chuckled under his breath, keeping his eyes on the winged man to make sure that he didn’t keel over on his side and off the floating island they were on. Once Phil had calmed himself, he glanced at the pink haired teen, asking, “And what in the fuck is a Sounder?” 

The teen blinked, then snickered back at the angel. “What do you mean, ‘What’s a Sounder?’” Techno chuckled, his smile warm as he waved off his laughter. “Your Sounder is everything. They’re the ones who you go to when you need help, and they can come to you when they need your guidance.” Techno’s eyes become glassy, as if remembering a fond memory. “The older members help to raise the young, and we all pitch in to help our mother and priest.” 

Phil nodded, listening to the teen as he concluded his explanation. Techno’s expression shifted to a sad smile before he turned his full attention back to his sword. Phil thought for a long moment, taking in exactly what the teen had told him. It was obvious by now that ‘Sounder’ was a synonym for family, but it was strange that the kid had so many different words for things. Sure he was raised in the nether, but surely the players who raised him would have…

Oh…

“Wait a fucking minute!” Phil practically shouted, causing Techno to flinch in surprise and almost drop his sword over the edge of the island. Techno was about to chastise the angel until Phil continued. “You were raised by Nether Mobs?!”

“Phil…” Techno warned, clearly feeling overwhelmed now, but Phil was too transfixed on the subject to notice. 

“How’d you end up in the nether. Wait, were you raised by Piglins?” 

“That’s enough, Phil.” Techno’s voice cracked slightly, and he was beginning to shake. His eyes became glassy as he tried to get Phil’s attention. 

“You mentioned Sounder Mother. What were they like? Why did you leave?” 

“Can you just drop it?!” Techno snapped, bearing his teeth menacingly. He immediately realized what he had done though, and quickly backed off, giving Phil room to leave if he wanted. 

Phil didn’t leave. In fact, he felt horrible. He out of anyone should know what it’s like to want to hide from your past, especially from someone you didn’t trust yet. Phil deflated, all of the frustration from the immigration and excitement about Techno’s past leaving him. The two patrons sat for a while like that, an uncomfortable silence taking hold and clinging to Phil. It made his skin itch and heart ache. He didn’t know why he had pressed Techno so much, or why the boy rejecting him hurt so badly. It shouldn’t, but it did. 

Phil was about to apologize profusely when Techno finally piped up. “I like the name Technoblade. Makes me sound more menacing, I think.” 

Phil snorted, and allowed tears to form in his eyes and fall as he raised his hand, palm up, towards Techno. The teen looked at his hand, carefully analyzing the situation before placing his own hand on the angel’s. Phil smiled, chuckling softly as he thought, What a pair we make, huh?

“It certainly does.” Phil agreed, happy that despite his selfishness, the boy still remained in his presence, unafraid of the angel. 

“I think I should get a red cape.” Techno stated plainly, looking over his bloodstained white cape. Phil nodded, and promised that he’d go into town and buy Techno a new one. 

“Call it payment for stressing ya out mate, okay?” Techno nodded, finally smiling back at the man. 

“Okay.” 

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.” 

Chapter Text

“You’re sure they won’t hurt me?”

“I’m positive, Sweeney.” Techno led the way to the piglin bastion, barking a few times to get Phil’s attention as the angel was frantically trying to explain that his hoglin was, in fact, not dangerous. Phil turned towards the sound and smiled bright when he spotted the large beast. 

“There ya are, Blade!” Techno snorted happily as Phil ran to hug the giant hoglin, grabbing his face and holding Techno’s head close to his chest. If the hoglin hadn’t been the wiser, he’d have thought Phil knew he was really Techno with how forceful his affection was. 

“Hey there, little fella…” The giant hoglin turned to look at Tommy, the spastic brat that he could be, lean down to rest his weight on his heals, reaching out a hand to Sweeney. The squeaker turned to look at Techno, their face contorted by confusion and fear, but Techno only smiled. 

“He’s friendly, don’t worry. He wouldn’t hurt a spider if it approached him nicely.” Techno encouraged the young hoglet to investigate the tall human. Though they were still frightened, Techno had to give it to them that they trusted him enough to approach the strange player. Techno felt a surge of guilt as he remembered how terrified the squeaker was of Ranboo and Phil when they had followed him to the portal. Sweeney put on a brave face though, sniffing Tommy’s upturned palm curiously, finally calming down around the young player. 

“Ah-” Sweeney squeaked out when Tommy took the next step, placing his hand on Sweeney’s head, stroking the fur there carefully, making sure to be gentle around them. 

“Phil..?” Tommy whined in a sly manner, a talent only the blonde boy possessed. Phil sighed and looked at Tommy, his hands still on techno’s face as he scowled at his son. 

“Please please please can we keep it?” Tommy begged, ruffling Sweeney’s mane as he gave Phil his trademark puppy eyes. Phil glanced from Tommy to Techno, then furrowed his brow as he thought. 

“Fine… Fuck it, what’s one more, right Blade?” Techno chuffed happily as Sweeney practically purred as they leaned into Tommy’s touch. They turned to look at Techno as the players stopped talking. 

“Looks like you’re sticking with us for a bit.” Techno teased. Sweeney smiled brightly before Tommy picked them up, a small squeal coming from the squeaker before Tommy held them secure in his arms. Phil mumbled something about a hoglet being perfectly good at walking before Tommy snapped that the poor thing was injured, but Techno could hardly pay any mind. He was just glad that Sweeney was safe for the time being. 

———

The group had travelled for a few hours now, but were finally inside the fortress that held the main portal. Sweeney was on their feet, though they had been carried by Tommy for some distance before the kid couldn’t hold their weight anymore. Tommy had tried to get Sweeney to sit in a boat, but the squeaker kept hopping out to walk with Techno. 

The giant hoglin had told Sweeney that it was really fine if they wanted to rest for now, but the squeaker only giggled and said that if Techno was walking, they were walking too. 

Phil had climbed back on top of Techno at some point, resting his legs as he guided the team towards their destination. Techno felt horrific for the angel. He had forgotten that Phil was so used to flying that walking around the SMP all the time must have been torture for him. Techno would have to lend the old man a horse once he turned back.

Once he turned back…

Suddenly, Sweeney shot their head up, a realization causing them to stop what they were doing and turn to the large hoglin. “Say, why did you choose to leave?” Techno kept his eyes trained on the squeaker, but couldn’t seem to understand what exactly Sweeney was asking.  

“Sorry?” Was Techno’s only response as he continued to watch Sweeney huff slightly as they tried to rephrase their question. They tilted their head as they thought, causing their ears to flop on top of their face. Techno chuckled and used his snout to move the ear that was still too large for the squeaker out of the face. Sweeney quickly turned to Techno, almost slicing the large hoglin with their tusks as they asked their question again. 

“Why did you leave the Nether?” Techno almost stuttered at the squeaker. 

“Where’s this coming from?” The hoglin attempted to keep his voice level, a sense of dread filling him as he continued forward. 

***

They were dead. All of them. Every last orphan was finally fucking dead. 

Tycho leaned against what remained of a bastion wall, using the black stone to support himself after his bloody conquering of the beasts that had taken everything from him. Sounder Mother, High Priest, his siblings… everyone… everything… 

Not us. Whispered the dangerously sweet voices that now spoke in a mumbled chorus of blood, death, revenge, and triumph. They had offered the young boar help, and Tycho was ashamed at how easily he gave into their will. 

Blood for the Blood God.

In his defense, Tycho was so tired by the time they found him. His back still ached from the whip that the trainer had used against him day after day. His arms still weak from being tied to the ceiling and holding up his body weight for too long. His legs still shaky from lack of food and water. Tycho smacked his lips at the thought of a warm meal and something to drink, but he knew he would not get to that. His body slipped slowly down the wall until he collapsed in a heap of sorrow and pain. 

Tycho was not proud to admit it, but he cried. He sobbed and screamed and released all of the remaining liquid that he harbored in his body as tears streamed down his face. Joytai had promised that she’d protect him no matter what, and yet, here he was, a broken, shattered shell of a boar, and she was dead. His oldest sister, his Sounder Mother after Luciajoy, never got the chance to find her Priest. To have her shotes. To make good on her promise and protect Tycho. 

The boar doesn’t know how long he stayed there, releasing all of the pent up rage and sadness that had plagued him for the past four shote seasons. It made Tycho so incredibly upset at the thought that he was sixteen fucking seasons old, and yet a quarter of his life had been spent with them. Tycho shook as he continued to wail at nothing. No one could hear him. No one was alive to hear him. 

Get up, the voices commanded. Their tone wasn’t harsh, but they were strict. Without even really thinking, Tycho stood. One foot in front of the other, they traversed the dying landscape. The nether wasn’t ever a flourishing ecosystem, but after The Orphans had conquered the other sounders, forests were hard to come by, and food even less so. 

The voices spoke gentle directions for Tycho to follow, and they led him to a rundown fortress. The halls were patrolled by withered players, but they paid the boar no mind as he limped his way over to a chest. There, he found a glass bottle of water and some bread. The water was stale and the bread was practically a brick, but it was better than nothing. Tycho asked if he could sleep, but the voices only chuckled. 

The Blood God supports your energy now, not sleep. Tycho groaned, but knew better than to argue with the deities in his head. 

He started his legs again, finding that the wounds that had coated his entire body were becoming nothing more than scars in a matter of hours. If Tycho had been in a clearer state of mind, he might have asked the voices for answers, but right now, he simply walked. If he were in better shape, if he had any semblance of being awake, he might have also realized exactly where he was going before it was too late. 

A hand reached out for his shoulder, and before Tycho could properly comprehend his surroundings, he turned on a dime, smacking the hand away from him, then froze… 

No…

No, this wasn’t real… 

No no no no 

                     No no no

                                    No no no

“High Priest..?” Tycho choked out, his voice merely a whisper as he stared at the walking corpse in front of him. 

The piglin’s jaw was hanging precariously, swinging with the head’s motion. The white robs the proud priest once cared for so much were in taters, barely clinging to the rotting flesh of Tycho’s father-figure. 

Behind the priest was another reanimated carcass, her eyes had long since abandoned her skull, but the gold jewlery presenting her status to all who saw her remained… 

Tycho threw up, losing all the nutrients he had just gotten from the stronghold, heaving up everything his body could before he jolted upright.

Luciajoy… or her husk… had placed her hooved hands on Tycho’s face, curiosity painting her once beautiful features. 

Now, her flesh stank. She smelled of rancid, decaying meat and her flesh was pink from the sweltering heat of the nether. Both she and her priest smelled of rotten smoked pork, and Tycho ran. 

Tycho ran even as his legs screamed to stop, even as his vision blurred, even as the voices asked him to stop. He ran and ran until he had reached a player’s portal, and without a second thought, he entered the Overworld. 

***

“I left because I didn’t belong here anymore.” Techno said simply.