Chapter Text
It was early in the morning, a little before the sun had risen, which meant Wilbur was asleep, despite the fact that he and Tommy had been up most of the night planning for today; for the second biggest day in L’manberg history so far, and likely one of the most important days to come.
It was voting day. Later that day, after the presidential campaigns final speeches and endorsements, the polls would open, and everyone would vote for their respective parties. Jack had the idea to broadcast the campaign tonight to the Hypixlian Empire to get more votes. Quackity thought it was an excellent idea, and Wilbur had to agree.
Despite all that, Tommy felt awake and excited. He had confidence, and felt confident, and that confidence would hopefully rub off on Wilbur, who seemed like he didn’t need said confidence.
He walked through the roadway of L’manberg, over to the Stage that Tubbo and Jack had spent last night completing and making sure it was sturdy. It looked down-right awesome, in Tommy’s humble opinion. A big oak wood stage, with red curtains on the side up upon a cobblestone pillar with a coy pond at the bottom and subsequent waterfall into the pond. There was a podium with a microphone, with a microphone stand either side for the two parties, with chairs near the back for people to sit. Two L’manberg flags hung on either side of the pillars in the front, and the stage had a fantastic view of the L’manberg flag at the front of the nation, and the stage was right near the President’s hall that Wilbur and Quackity both wanted added, so they decided to put their differences aside and build it before Election day. They were both really proud of it, at least according to Wilbur who kept gushing about the build and Big Q.
He saw that Tubbo was there, fixing it up still. Tommy wondered if the boy had slept at all last night.
Tubbo looked up and waved to Tommy, smiling widely.
“Hey, Toms!” Tubbo said, wiping off the dust and wood splinters from his shirt. He jumped off the stage, landing only slightly weird on his feet and stumbling a bit. He looked at Tommy for a moment and asked, “Did you sleep at all last night?”
“I could ask you the same question, big man.” Tommy pointed out, and he looked at the stage. “That looks bloody incredible, mate! The waterfall and everything?”
Tubbo beamed. “Yep! Bit of a joint effort, but it looks good.” Tubbo looked back at the stage, analyzing his creation. “The flags are a neat little touch, I think.”
Tommy nodded, looking at the stage too. A sort of uneasiness grew in his chest, a nervousness that made his skin itch. He would be up there soon, speaking in front of the citizens of L’manberg and the Land of Dreams and broadcasting to the Hypixelian Empire. And he was representing POG2020.
“Hey,” Tubbo said, pulling Tommy from his little trance. “You all are gonna do great tonight. There’s no way you all will lose! And, besides, speaking is your speciality.”
“Thanks, Tubbo.” Tommy said with a slight smile. “You’re…you’re alright sometimes.” He paused and looked back at Tubbo. “Only sometimes-”
He stopped when Tubbo was looking at something behind Tommy, eyes wide in surprise and slight worry. Tommy felt his face drop and he turned around.
Standing at the end of the red carpet walkway that was surrounded by chairs, was a familiar and menacing white bandanna-wearing male, looking as dark and brooding as ever.
“Oh shit.” Tommy said, the urge to take his sword out and defend himself and his friend very strong right now.
Sapnap walked over, looking around as if on watch. Tommy tensed, ready for a potential mugging.
“Hey Tommy.” Sapnap said, expression unreadable to Tommy. Sapnap glanced over at Tubbo. “There’s uh…something I need to talk to you about. Alone, preferably.”
Tommy glanced over at Tubbo, who looked probably more scared than him. He looked back at Sapnap, who looked tired, but he didn’t seem hostile. Maybe on edge, but not hostile.
“...okay.” Tommy said, although hesitant. He looked back at Tubbo. “If Wilbur asks where I’ve gone, just tell him I’ve died.”
That caused Tubbo to smile, but Sapnap rolled his eyes. “I’m not gonna kill you, Tommy.” Sapnap said. “Just come along, it’s important.”
Tommy nodded a goodbye, as Tubbo nodded back hesitantly, wanting to say something but not.
Tommy followed Sapnap, who led them to the stone brick Tower behind the L’manberg Space/Science Program building that no one other than Tubbo, Fundy and Jack seemed interested in. The tower was more for backdrop purposes, but it also served as a watch tower of sorts. Tommy rarely went in there, because he was too busy with wars or getting his discs back or helping Wilbur to really take a tour of it. He had all the time in the world, though, he’d visit it one day.
“What do you want?” Tommy asked finally as they approached the building.
Sapnap glanced back. “...the polls open tonight. You need an endorsement, right?”
Tommy nearly stopped. “You’ve been spying on us? You absolute dickhead!”
“Tommy, for once in your life, just listen and take the damn help!” Sapnap exclaimed. He sighed and rubbed his face. “Look, I’m trying to help, alright? You wanted an endorsement? Then I’ve got one for ya.”
Tommy wanted to make a comment about how he didn’t need help, especially not Sapnap’s, and that they already had an endorsement, but a part of him was curious.
“...who is it?” Tommy said, eye’s adjusting to the shade of the Tower as they got closer to the door.
“You’re gonna love this, Tommy” Sapnap said. “I had a hell of a time trying to sneak him in last night, and I honestly didn’t even know if he’d show-”
“Wait, sneak?” Tommy repeated. “You went behind Dream’s back?” He was surprised that the man had the balls.
Sapnap paused, but then said, “I didn’t go behind his back. I just…” He trailed off, but didn’t finish that thought. He shook his head, and focused back and headed inside the tower.
The floor was still dirt, and there was very little furniture or decor inside. A single lonely ladder hung from the ceiling all the way to the floor. There were a couple of chests scattered about, along with some piles of stone and wood, a bed and a cake that sat in a container half eaten. Sapnap ignored the chests and jumped up to the ladder and started climbing.
“Up here!” Sapnap pointed up towards the roof. Tommy rolled his eyes and placed a foot on the ladder step. “I know which direction the ladder goes.” Tommy refuted.
The two climbed up the ladder in silence, because the two were both too worried that they’d say something and get into an argument. It wasn’t the arguing bit they cared about, but more just they didn’t want to get into an argument with that idiot.
When Tommy finally reached the top, he had to shield his eyes from the rising sun. The view from the tower was magnificent, and he could see all of L’manberg all the way to Wilbur’s house. The dim pale light from the sunrise made L’manberg look peaceful and perfect. Tommy would have taken a picture if he could.
“Tommy.” Sapnap called, pulling the boy from the view. Sapnap pointed to the back of the Tower, and Tommy followed.
Tommy didn’t really know what to expect, so he was ready for a potential mugging, as he wouldn’t put it past Sapnap to do that sort of thing.
What he didn’t expect was a familiar face looking out to the sunrise, not really noticing the two. A familiar god with a red sweater and multicolored wings.
The Angel of Light turned around.
“Hello again, Tommy.” He said with a smile. “You miss me?”
*********
“MISTER VICE PRESIDENT!”
“MISTER WILBUR SOOT!” Tommy said back, saluting his general, causing the man to laugh even if tiredness pricked the tone of his voice.
“It’s the big night, Tommy!” Wilbur said, looking at the stage from the window, “In a few minutes, we’ll be streaming to the world and the polls will drop!”
Tommy nodded enthusiastically, and looked out to the stage as well. The President’s House really had a good view of it.
In a couple minutes, the two of them would walk onto the stage, and present to the world their views and presidential campaigns, and they’d walk away with the victory.
Hopefully, Tommy thought, enthusiasm waning a bit.
Tommy felt a pat on his back. “We’re going to win tonight.” Wilbur said with an enthusiasm that Tommy found contagious, “Especially if what you told me is true. I’m counting on you, tonight, man.”
“Don’t worry, it’s gonna be a spectacle tonight!” Tommy said, nodding. “There’s no way I’d let you down, Wilbur. Ever.”
“Alright, alright, I believe you!” Wilbur said with a giggle.
Tommy turned his attention back out the window, trying to peer at the crowd, but seeing very few people there, other than Jack, who was setting up the live stream camera, and Tubbo, squirming uncomfortably in his chair.
“We go on in fucking 10 minutes for the biggest night in L’manberg, and Tubbo’s the only one who’s here?” Tommy whispered, not really realizing he said that outloud.
“Well not the only one.” Wilbur said behind him and pointed to an approaching figure. “It looks like-” And he stopped.
Tommy looked to who he was talking about, only to see a familiar male only slightly older than Tommy, who had on his signature black and gold jacket and matching hat, with long ginger hair tied back in a ponytail. He walked with a sort of confidence and swagger that almost made Tommy bust out laughing.
“My son.” Wilbur said, with slight resentment and sadness in his voice.
“Your ex-son?” Tommy quipped.
Wilbur shot him a look that told him to shut up.
Wilbur and Fundy had an…interesting relationship at the moment. They were father and son, though Tommy didn’t really prod into Wilbur’s personal life. As far as he knew, Wilbur and a gal named Sally fell in love, Sally had Fundy and…left, and wasn’t seen again. Wilbur took care of Fundy, which was hard considering that Wilbur was, at the time, a musician and traveled across the Hypixelian Empire performing. They had fought in the war together, and Wilbur claimed he made the land for Fundy, which Tommy always had a feeling that wasn’t entirely true. Now Fundy and Niki had made their own party and Wilbur wasn’t taking kindly to the whole ordeal.
“He’s still my son, Tommy.” Wilbur said back, sighing, “He’s my son in blood, for whatever that’s worth.”
And though he probably didn’t want Tommy to hear this, Wilbur whispered a harsh, “Which isn’t much.”
Tommy looked back out to see Fundy making grand movements and Tubbo standing there, looking even more uncomfortable.
“What the hell is he doing?” Tommy whispered, confused as all hell.
“He doesn’t know what he’s doing.” Wilbur said in a harsh tone that made Tommy uncomfortable. “He’s doing this to ‘show his worth’…honestly Tommy, you’d be so much better than him.”
Tommy stood silent for a moment, confused.
“At what? Being your son?”
“No! No-” Wilbur let out an involuntary chuckle, “I meant this.” He gestured grandly to the White House and out the window. “The speeches. The Presidential Campaign. Tommy, there’s a reason I chose you for this and not someone else. Because you’ve got a fire in you I’ve never seen before and it’s brilliant! You’ll help this country in so many ways as my Vice President.”
Tommy smiled, nodding. “Thanks Wilbur.” Though his heart hurt at the words “Vice President.”
After a moment, Tommy heard the door open downstairs. Another moment later, Quackity came up the stairs, looking disheveled and tired and nervous. He was mumbling to himself, and only stopped when he spotted the two.
“Hello, Quackity.” Wilbur said, diplomatic tone expected, but there was no sign of it. He talked to Big Q as if he was an old college friend. “You ready for the elections tonight, big man?”
“Yeah, yeah,” He dismissed the question, cleaning his sunglasses on his suit. “I’m ready for the debates tonight.”
“No debates.” Wilbur said, catching Quackity’s attention. “It’s endorsements and campaigns tonight. I do not want a repeat of last time.”
Quackity nodded solemnly, agreeing that whatever that was, was a shit show.
“You’ve got any endorsements?” Wilbur asked. Why was he so chatty?
“Endorsements?” Big Q repeated, nervous laughter in his voice. “Uh…yeah! Yeah of course! Of course we have endorsements! Why…” He trailed off. “...why wouldn’t we?”
“Tommy’s got endorsements.” Wilbur said, patting his vice president on the back, “Some big names, am I right?”
“The biggest.” Tommy shot back, smiling proudly.
Quackity smiled, and chuckled nervously. “Right, right….” He trailed off and then after an awkward silence, he pointed and said, “Oh, uh- Sapnap’s here!”
Tommy looked out the window again to see the familiar bandanna-wearing male walk through the crowd with Punz. After a moment of inaudible talking, Punz sat down and Sapnap was off towards the White House.
“Oh, Sapnap!” Tommy said, eyes lighting up. He turned to Wilbur. “Man’s definitely POG2020, by the way.”
“Is he?” Wilbur sounded impressed. “How’d you manage that?”
“Well, let’s just say…that endorsement we have tonight’s going to guarantee us his vote.” Tommy said, trying to prevent himself from blowing the surprise, which was extremely hard. “Trust me.”
Big Q looked more and more distressed. “You’re…you’re really damn confident, huh?”
Tommy nodded, as Wilbur walked towards Quackity.
“We’re quite confident.” Wilbur said once he was close to Quackity. The man had a good foot on Quackity and it was quite a sight to see. “The question is, Big Q, where’s your confidence gone?”
Quackity laughed, something he seemed to do quite a lot when nervous. “It’s…it’s still here! I don’t know why-”
“Where’s George, huh?” Wilbur asked, voice low. “Where’s your precious running-mate, huh?”
Quackity seemed surprised by this. “What? Well…well, he’s coming-! He’s…he’ll be here.”
“Oh…” He said it like Quackity was a child. “Your friend left you behind. Your own running mate.”
Quackity’s face was going red from embarrassment. “Listen! He’s…he’s too busy being pretty to be here, okay?? And besides, I can do this on my own!”
Tommy was very quickly becoming disinterested by the conversation, and turned away to look out the window.
“I know you can.” Wilbur said, as if stating a fact. “I don’t think you ever needed George, really.”
After a moment, Quackity said, “You…you really think so?”
Tommy was very quickly becoming uncomfortable.
Another moment passed, and Tommy heard Wilbur say, “You know, you’re quite cute when you’re embarrassed.”
Tommy whipped around lighting quick, as Quackity slightly shoved Wilbur away, laughing again.
“OKAY, THANK YOU GUYS BUT I REALLY HAVE TO GO.” Quackity said, heading down the stairs. “GOTTA GET READY FOR-”
He bumped into someone. Sapnap.
“Hey, Quackity.” He said, confused. “What’s, uh…what’s-”
He was cut off by Quackity grabbing his arm. “Come with me, please. We’re gonna talk outside.”
Tommy heard the door open then close, and he looked to Wilbur, who had a smug little smile on his face.
“...What in the fuck was that Wilbur?”
He laughed airily, carefree. “Just a bit of a tease. Get him worked up before the election.”
Wilbur headed towards the stairs, but stopped before he went down them.
“Come on, then.” Wilbur said. “We’re on in 5, and the performance can’t begin without the leading performers.”
*********
Sapnap was making his way up the White House stairs, hearing commotion from upstairs, when suddenly he bumped into someone.
It was Quackity.
“Hey Quackity.” He said, surprised. “What’s uh…what’s-”
He was cut off by Quackity grabbing his arm. “Come with me, please,” he said sternly, “We’re gonna chat outside.”
Sapnap was too surprised by the touch to really say no, so he let Quackity lead him outside and behind the White House. When they got there, he exhaled, as if finally relieved.
“What’s going on?” Sapnap asked. “They didn’t threaten you or anything, did they?”
“No, no-” Quackity said, sighing once again. Sapnap saw his face blush up. “It’s just…Wilbur. He’s a dumbass. Didn’t want to be in there any more.”
Sapnap nodded in understanding. He glanced up to the tower for a moment, before looking at Quackity again. He looked….
“You okay?” Sapnap asked, now seeing the tiredness and anxiousness on his face.
“No I’m not fucking okay!” He snapped, but then immediately looked like he regretted it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t-” He stopped again and rubbed his face.
“It’s a lot.” He said after a moment. “The polls open tonight, it’s the biggest night of my fucking life, and I’m about to go in front of a camera, live, in front of Prime knows how many people, and I don’t have any endorsements or my fucking running mate.” He paused. “So, yeah, I’m not fucking okay.”
His eyes looked watery, like he was about to cry. Sapnap didn’t know what to do.
“No, it’ll be okay.” He said after a moment. “Listen, I don’t really care for all this bullshit politics stuff, but I’ve seen you talk before. You’re an excellent speaker. You’ll be okay.”
“But, what about George and-”
“Look, you can’t change that.” Sapnap said, putting a hand on Quackity’s shoulder, and feeling him tense. “All you can do is just go up there and give it your best, and knock it all out of the damn park.”
Quackity nodded, smiling slightly. He looked over at Sapnap’s hand. “Why are you helping me? Aren’t you POG2020?”
Sapnap shrugged. “I’m whoever pays me the most, most of the time. But, like I said, I don’t really care about all that political game bullshit y’all are doing.”
Quackity nodded slowly, and took a deep breath. He muttered encouraging words to himself and then looked at Sapnap. “Thanks, man. I owe ya one.”
He shrugged. “It’s nothing. Now give Wilbur and Tommy a run for their money.”
Quackity smiled, and put his sunglasses on again. Sapnap moved his hand away, but Quackity stopped it, and gave him a kiss on his hand, causing Sapnap to short circuit.
“Thanks, Mi Rayo de Sol. ”
And he was off without another word towards the stage.
And for the second time in 24 hours, Sapnap felt his face heat up.
Quackity…
Huh.
*********
The view was indeed incredible from up here.
The Angel of Light paced the Tower back and forth, bored out of his mind, and playing with a sword just to keep his mind off flying. People may not be able to recognize him up here, but if he flew, well, then the cat would definitely be out of the bag.
There would be a code word Tommy would say, and that would signal the Angel of Light to fly over and deliver his endorsement speech.
Though, there was one key thing about that conversation that rubbed him the wrong way.
“Once you’re done with the speech and the elections tomorrow,” Sapnap had said, “You’ll be free to go back to the Hermitlands.”
“Go back?” He asked. Why would he want to go back?
“Dream will be pissed enough as is with you being here, but hopefully you’ll be in and out before he ever knows you’re here.”
…he definitely couldn’t go back. Not now, at least.
Maybe…
His train of thought was cut off by a certain headphone wearing male shouting. “We’re live in less than a minute, guys! Everyone on-stage who’s getting on-stage!”
The Angel of Light spotted Tommy by the stage-left microphone and Wilbur by the pedestal, and then Quackity came running in, and taking his place by his stage-right microphone. Fundy had come running with a female in toe to the back of the stage, but no one seemed to notice them.
The male by the camera made some final adjustments. The Angel of Light looked back to his sword, seeing his reflection in the Netherite shine.
You can’t leave, A voice in his mind said, Stay. You can make it better. You can be better than all of them.
“We’re live in Five!” The cameraman shouted. “Four! Three!”
Whatever you do, stay.
Go off script.
To the End with whatever they say.
“Two!”
The Angel of Light had made up his mind.
The cameraman held up one finger, and then flicked a lever, giving a thumbs up.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the world!” Wilbur announced from the podium, his voice echoing throughout L’manberg. “And welcome to the 1st ever Presidential Election of L’manberg!”
**********
From the Heavens and beyond, the Gods, Goddesses and Demi-Gods of the world watched with intrigue and amusement.
This would be the most fun they all had in years.